Can't wait to get out of there

UGHHHHH. Who knew the last few weeks of quitting a job would be so bad. The work is finally slowing down and I'm almost all caught up. Not a ton to do which is good, but I'm sure more will come in. The problem right now is this one especially lousy clients. Now I usually only see the clients a few times a year. Around their corporate year end a couple times and then the same during personal tax season. BUT this one client never seems to go away.

We do every thing for him. He has all his bills and crap sent to our office and J pays it all (from his account of course). Well, J & D are out of town this week and he chose today to come in and literally harass me. When he first came in he started bugging me that I wasn't working, when in fact I was in the middle of finishing one company up and he interrupted. Then he starts asking if D was in. He clearly knew he wasn't and I told him so, I heard J telling him on Friday that they were going out of town and would take care of things when they got back. He got all defensive when I told him he knew they were out of town.

Then he has been questioning this big repair bill and was calling people on our phones. Whatever, but I wasn't going to leave him in the front and go in to my office and work. Not that I think he'd do something, but it's just not professional. While he was on hold he started asking me how much I got paid to sit around and do nothing. Then he starts to question the last GST return I filed for him. He's asking about this one big house repair bill and if I used it when filing. I said no. He got all upset like why not. I told him he can't charge house repair bills to the company and he know that. He tries arguing that his house is in the company name, blah blah blah and I told him well it's not in our books and we charged him for it in our books. He got mad and tried to blame me and asked if D looks at that stuff or if I just do it, like it's all my fault none of his crap gets written off as a company expense. I told him I wouldn't have done it without asking D and that he always looks over the stuff anyway. He acted like he didn't believe me and called it all BS etc etc etc.

After he was done being on hold and finished we talked a bit about his big expense like what can you do kind of thing. I said, ya I guess you gotta work. Then he said no, he just likes to, then changes his mind and say no, I have to work to pay you a-holes to sit around and do nothing. Oh man, I got mad. I just ignored it but I should have just told him I had quit already and he can just leave and suck it and I didn't want to see him again before I left. UGH, he drives me nuts. I can't wait till J&D get home to let them in on it. J is going to be so mad, she may even tell D he has to go. We'll see, but I'm sure J is going to tell D to tell him that he has no freaking right to talk to their staff, or anyone really, in that way. He's the jerk not me.

My knew mantra is, I'm almost done, I'm almost done. As of today I have 3 weeks left, only 14 working days. I work tomorrow, then 2 weeks, then 3 days that last week. I'm almost done, I'm almost done. I'm sure I'll have my share of difficult clients at the new job, but I doubt they'd keep clients like this guy. D seems to have a hard time getting rid of the jerks, but I know they don't allow that kind of crap at the new one. No one is worth getting peed on like that!!!!!!!

Friends

Life keeps on amazing me. It just proves to me even further that Heavenly Father knows us all so well and puts people and things in our lives when we need them the most. I had a VERY rough first week back at work after holidays. I came back to a pile of work and even more clients have come in this week. to triple the work load. I can't keep up. There is so much work there to keep me busy until I leave. It didn't help that I had the major stress of quitting my job and then some of the awkward moments afterwards, especially with J on Friday. She was nice about it but I still felt very awkward.

So to alleviate the stress I wanted a girls night Friday night. Turns out it was needed on all fronts. We didn't see many movies that we wanted to see in the theatre and decided on Eat Pray Love. The timing of the one at Westmount was perfect too. A works till 6 and K had physio so the 7:45 show timed so well with all of us. A had to go home after the movie (it ended after 10pm) since she had to work the next day but since the rest of us hadn't really eaten Em, K and I went to Boston Pizza. I had started craving it before we went to the movie and in fact even knew already what I wanted to eat before I got there!!!!

The point of the story is knowing how much it was needed. We laughed so hard and cried so much during the movie. I was just a reflection of where we all are in our lives right now. We are all single women in our mid-thirties and trying to figure it out. None of us were where we exactly planned on being at the age we are currently. I will admit though that all during the movie I was happy that I have made the decision to take some time for me to figure it out and go to Australia. That will help me. I've also been at peace with the new job. I've reached the point where when people ask me where I'm going to be in the next two years I just don't know anymore. I'll probably at this new job and working towards buying a new house or something but I just can't promise. I could be living anywhere or doing anything. I will always be doing what I'm doing for my current career as I do enjoy it. I just don't know where I'll be. Now don't take that to mean as I plan on leaving this new job, there is no plan for that, I'm just kind of going with the flow to see where life ends up.

Turns out though that the night was required for all. Em was taken aback by the movie. She was in such a contemplative mood after it. She didn't say much because it affected her so much. I just watched it and thought that it was exactly what she would LOVE to do with her life. Then K, wow, she had had an even worse week. She said that when she got my text about going out she was quite relieved and needed it. It was so nice to all reflect on our lives and the impact the movie had on us. It was also nice to vent about all our woes. The best and yet most embarrassing part was the tears that flowed at BP's. We all shed a lot of tears as we talked. We finished our meal at a decent time but kept on sitting there and talking, laughing and crying, sharing in our hardships. All 3 of us have had a pretty rough year, starting at about this time last year. It was nice to have people to share with and cry with. I didn't even remember mine being that difficult until I really started to think, and then I suddenly remembered it. It feels all so far away right now and mostly things are good. It's at least had a happier ending. Either way, it was nice to be that relief for others, to get them out and let them be what they needed. I look forward to doing it again soon!!!!!!

I QUIT!!!!!!

So I did it!!! I finally got up the courage to quit my job yesterday. In all honesty I had to. Everyone was questioning me giving them 6 weeks notice but I really had to. There is literally no one else who can do my job at our office. J is clueless with it and D would just screw it all up. Besides, I've been there 7 years, almost to the day, and figured that they at least deserved some time to find someone new to take on the workload. It is, after all, our busiest time of year. I'm actually kind of giddy that I'm leaving right when it's the busiest.

One of the guys wondered why I didn't tell them before I went on vacation because as he said, if it were him he would have not been able to enjoy his vacation and have anxiety about it the whole time. I worried a little and had a few dreams a couple of nights while gone, but I'm pretty good at relaxing and just enjoying the moment when I need to. I'm also really good at procrastinating things as long as absolutely possible. It was even hard to tell D yesterday knowing I couldn't put it off any longer.

Monday night I didn't really sleep much at all, and then the little bit I did doze off I had nightmares. The funny thing is the nightmares weren't about quitting, they were about a book I had just finished reading that night. Then all day I was freaking out. I didn't know exactly when I would tell D I was leaving but I knew I'd know it when the time came. Just before he came driving in to work his wife J had called. She was letting me know a few things plus she was telling me that she was coming in for lunch. That right there told me that I wasn't going to tell him in the morning. I wanted to make sure and tell him and not when she was there. I didn't need or want to hear what she had to say. She's the reaction I've been most afraid of this whole time.

After lunch just felt awkward and D and I were both working on stuff. So, at the end of the day, when he suggested it was a good time to go home I went into his office. I made a casual joke about something and chit chatted about nothing for a minute or two and then got the brave heave ho. I told him I wanted to talk to him about something and then proceeded to say that I had gotten a job offer I was taking. I don't remember all of the ramble as it was just that, a ramble. I tend to do that easily when I'm nervous. I couldn't quite look him in the face either. He was shocked but happy for me. I think he understood because when I mentioned that I felt bad for them and that I didn't want to screw them over, he did say that I need to do what I need to do for me. He at least gets that part of life. I did mention I'm getting to an age and stuff where I have to just...... then I don't remember where I went from there. Ramble, remember. He was appreciative of the fact that I was giving them time to find someone new. They also plan on going away for a week near the end of the month too. I told him I felt that after 7 years they at least deserved that much from me.

Today at work was okay. Once in a while he'd refer to my quitting, not in a bad way, that just made me feel awkward, but that's just me I'm going to feel awkward there until my last day. I'll be missed and I'll miss them but this is going to be such a good thing for me. Just one more step on the ladder of life. It's where I'm supposed to be now and who knows where things will lead from here. I'm glad the worse part is over, and now just to survive the crazy busy next 5 1/2 weeks as well as the beginnings of a new job. That's going to be the real adjustment.

I'll write some and post pics of my fun vacation soon. Until then, life is pretty dang good and a lot more relaxed!!!!!

Get Away

I had the chance to go to Banff for the last 2 days of July. It was so much fun. Three other friends and I went and just got away for 2 full days of complete and total silly fun. I'll post pictures to go along with it at some point. It was nice just to feel free. We did a couple of hikes, one of which I lost my prescription sunglasses. Now that was fun. They just plopped down into the river, but, thank goodness, it wasn't too deep. I just pulled my pant leg up, grabbed a tree that was there and grabbed for them with my toes. Katy helped hold my arm, Tasca helped a little and wonderful Amber took pictures. It was quite amusing and I will post pics of those now.

Today, I sit and do some work and then this afternoon I go finish packing and then head out the door. Fee and I are heading down to the states for hopefully a nice get away. I'm a little worried about a few things but that's not important. I'm going to try and ignore all that and just have some plain old fun. We're going to check out some of the old haunts of mine in Kalispell and area.

Then head to Seattle for a couple of days. Onward to a rain forest on the west coast of Washington, and then off to Portland, and finally to Utah. I just hope I don't lose my mind from all the driving, but it should be fine. And yes, I will be doing all the driving. You really think that I'm going to let someone drive my brand new car????

I hope that this trip gives me the refresher I need and the courage to quit my job when I come back. I still haven't done that and I'm worried about how I'm going to do it and how the bosses are going to take it. I still know without a doubt that I am doing the right thing, but that doesn't mean it's an easy thing to do. I am just glad that I already have my start date and my Australia tickets booked. That just forces me to do what I need to.

So, here's hoping I survive the road trip and have fun. It's going to be a long 2 weeks, but the good news is Fee has to be back to work the Friday so I'll still have 4 days of holidays when I get back. Now there will be some relaxing going on then!!!!!

This is the picture of me digging for the sunglasses with my "magic toes"

This one is when I FINALLY got them.

Birthday, Anniversaries and Fireworks!! OH MY!!!!!!

Wow, it has been a VERY busy month. It started at the end of June with Amanda's birthday, which was fun. Then 8 days later we did Dave's birthday. Amanda was busy doing dinner's and everything for both of them. Since people were working we didn't do theirs on a Sunday, we did them during the week. Timing wise we did Dave's a day early on Canada day. That was fun. The kids and some of us got into the spirit wearing our Canada t-shirts. The funniest part was when the kids arrived.

Dave and I were in the back playing bocce ball when they got there. They came out from the house with water guns and just attacked him. We got to finish our game and not long later they went after him full force chasing around the back yard. They tried hiding in the shed but they didn't know there was a window. He got them soaked before they could even figure out where the the water was coming from. Dave even only had squirting thingys and not a gun. He asked for them for his birthday so I got him some, which he opened after the fight. Good thing Karen brought pj's for them!!

Then 5 days later was Cache's birthday. We did that during the week too on his actual birthday. He was pretty excited. I got him some G.I. Joe stuff, and so did mom. Diana got him a pretty cool Iron Man 2 car. He definitely got spoiled. The best part was his cake. We usually have Diana make the fancy cakes around here but Alex decided to make it and he, with Karen, did an AWESOME job with camouflage fondant, fondant rocks and trees and water. Cache and Veronica had fun picking at the letters, rocks and trees and eating them while waiting for Karen to cut it.

Next on the list was Ivy's first birthday. We celebrated hers 3 days early, which made it 4 days after Cache's. Diana did a BBQ and cake with the whole family on both sides. I had been there a couple days before and helped pick out what she was going to do for a cake. Ivy had been a bit sick and had fevers on and off that week. She had an especially grumpy morning the day of her party. I got there early and helped Diana set up, clean up, finish the cake and then just watched Ivy when she woke up so both Diana and Spencer could finish setting up. One of the cute parts was the card mom made for Ivy. It has a picture of Ivy, Grandma and Grandpa Hunt. Ivy pointed at dad quite a bit when looking at it.

Diana had made Ivy her own personal cake. She was quite cute with it. She kept trying to feed it to Jax before she figured out that is was cake and then boy did she dig in. She didn't eat tons before she starting waving her arms that she was done and wanted out. We didn't even have to bathe her. Shelley and I got her cleaned up pretty quick, but it definitely took two of us.

Then Tuesday July 13th was Ivy's actual birthday and my mom and dad's 50th anniversary. I stopped by mom's house after work to see if she wanted to go out. Karen and the kids happen to be there and she jokingly said something about going out and then I said, heck I was

thinking that too. Dave was out of town and Shelley couldn't come but Spencer came in with Ivy, Diana came from work and Karen brought the kids alone (Alex was working). We had 5 adults, 2 babies and 2 kids. It was actually a lot of fun. Ivy had been given her shots that day and was in a surprisingly fantastic mood and hilarious. She ate a tonne of food too. We all enjoyed ourselves. Veronica made mom a card to celebrate. It was nice to do that and still celebrate together.

Last of all, I talked with Nathan just on Thursday and he suggested I come down south to Thunder in the Valley. I said I would if he got us a place to stay and he did. His mom is so awesome and had it all set up for us by the time we got there at 2:30 am. I have to admit that Thunder is a fantastic display of fireworks. I enjoyed the day a lot. We hung around the town and ran in to some friends just before we set up in the field. J, L, and A came and joined us. We all had fun visiting together. We got bored at times sitting there just because the day seemed to go on forever, but it was fun to catch up with them.

Now, to just survive the rest of July. A couple more birthdays, but they should be easier. Karen, Alex and the kids are out of town and I miss them a tonne. I feel lonely and they've only been gone 2 days, but they are gone for 2 weeks. I sign job papers Thursday and start that in October. I still have to quit my job, which is the hard step #3, but then comes the fun part in #4. I get to buy my plane tickets to AUSTRALIA!!!!!! I'm excited to go and Erin and I have some great ideas and we'll plan it all when I get there!!!!! WOOOOO HOOOOO!!!!! Life is freaking fantastic!!!!!!!!!

Nervous Excitement

Things are coming along nicely. I got an e-mail yesterday saying that the guys want another meeting next week. Then T emailed again a few times asking me to call him this weekend to "prep" me for the meeting and what will happen. It kind of made me nervous when he said he wants to "prep" me. I'm not quite sure what that means, and I'm a little afraid to know. Then he emailed again asking what my full name and address. It's kind of freaking me out, but in a good way. So I'm a tad bit panicked. One thing is for sure though, I have absolutely NO doubts in my mind whatsoever that I am doing the right thing. I kind of even am ready with how I want to tell my current boss that I'm leaving.

I e-mailed my friend in Brisbane too to discuss the plans for when I come. She's totally AWESOME!!!!!! She's offered me the use of her car when she's working plus she suggested some fun road trips. Driving down the western coast to Sydney where we'd have a free place to stay!!!!! Now how much more fun can you get than that!!!! I'm totally excited and plan on booking my tickets as soon as I get things figured out and find out what's going on at the meeting next weekend. This is going to be the best time ever!!!!! In the mean time I need to try and not freak out about calling T this weekend and the meeting next week. All still kind of makes me nervous, and excited. Yippee!!!!!!

Renewed Vigor

I have decided to attack the nothingness again. I've been living in a slump and have been really good for 2 1/2 days now. I've started eating right again and worked my but off at X-Fit last night. Some of the girls there even commented that they haven't seen me push that hard. S had been gone for 8 weeks and was surprised. I don't know. I've just decided to give myself a swift kick in the pants. I always feel better when I do.

I find that the summer is the hardest for me. I can lose weight over my birthday and Christmas easily, but every summer I struggle. The only time I didn't struggle was in Scotland but that was because I was walking 8 hours a day. No matter what I ate I lost 5 pounds in 9 days. The plan now is to lose as much as I can in the next 6 weeks before I leave for holidays. I'm sure I can lose 10 pounds and the fact I've been good for almost 3 days helps. Every day that I'm good is awesome.

I'm going to try and pick up my training for TKD too. I figure I'm getting closer to black belt and need to do more to kick myself in the butt. I need to train hard and vigorously to get myself good enough. Here's to new head space and feeling great about me!!!!!