The past ten days have been all about family.
Here are a few pictures from the Frank and Sheri visit.
We are in the middle of another mess, this time in our master bedroom. Here’s what it’s looked like over the past few months while waiting for its transformation. The bedspread is a temporary addition I got on Facebook; the curtains are what Vernie already had up.
My handy hubby is getting ready to beautify another corner of our home. Can’t wait to show you the after pictures.
And speaking of the master bedroom, the two closets in there are a little on the small side which means that shoe storage has been a challenge. However, I discovered these shoe holders on Amazon which allow me to store twice as many shoes in the same space as before. Love it!
Here’s the shelf when only a couple of the shoes were stored away.
And here’s how it looks now! I love good storage solutions.
I have been absolutely loving my new job–except for a particular day that found me crying in the supply closet behind my desk.
The crying resulted from the part of my job that requires me to pay some company bills. If you’ve been reading here for any length of time, you probably know that I don’t like math and I don’t like numbers. I am a word person, through and through.
Despite my loathing of numbers, I have finally learned how to pay our own household bills and I do that on a regular basis. But paying someone else’s bills? An official company’s bills? Where sometimes the amounts are in the tens of thousands of dollars?
That is way outside my comfort zone.
On that particular cry day, I had hit some unforgiving bill-paying button and things went totally askew. The only reasonable solution I could come up with was to retreat to the closet behind me for a wee bit of weeping. Unfortunately, three minutes into my mini-breakdown, the phone rang. I had to unearth my cheery voice, race back to the console, and chirp, “Thank you for calling. How may I direct your call?” all while wiping tears from my face.
But the good news? The couple of times I have gotten in over my head, I have had two wonderful ladies to call on. I call the first woman for minor problems; I call the second woman when I am in danger of collapsing the entire company’s financial system. (I kid.)
These women didn’t just teach me what I needed to know to get out of my particular quandary. No, they said the most beautiful words known to any overwhelmed person which were, “Don’t hesitate to call if I can help you again.”
Do you know how much that meant to me? It wasn’t like they were washing their hands of me and my troubles. They were making themselves available for future troubles as well, which comforted my little ol’ soul to no end. And after a month on the job, thanks in part to their help, I feel like I finally have a handle on the bill-paying.
During those first weeks of training and then three weeks flying solo, I will admit there were a few times when I muttered to myself, “I really don’t think this job is for me.”
Because not only was I learning a bunch of new information, I was also learning that new information in several programs that were new to me. And then to top that off, I had never worked with double monitors before and that threw me for a loop more times than I could count.
I would keep on typing a particular word waiting for the result to show up on the screen and nothing would happen. And then I would glance over at the other monitor, and there it would be! This led me to channel my inner Gomer Pyle and exclaim, “Well, lookie there!”
But the bottom line is that when I think of the hundreds of jobs I researched online and even the couple of jobs that I interviewed for, I just shake my head in wonder that God led me to the place he did. Even with the challenges I’ve had, the job is such a good fit for me.
One of my favorite things about the job is that I am in a space that is totally mine which I can organize however I want. And if there isn’t traffic in the lobby at a particular moment, there is no one nearby that I need to make ongoing conversation with.
All of you introverts can understand when I say that endless small talk can be draining. I am cheery on the phone and cordial and helpful to visitors and co-workers but when they are gone from the lobby, I get to sit in all that space and loveliness and enjoy the silence while I do my administrative work. Silence is another thing that people like me tend to revel in. (That’s my working area under the mirror.)
Another perk of the job is that they are constantly having training sessions, executive meetings, and all other manner of gatherings, each of which requires large amounts of catered food. When everyone has eaten, what’s left over is free pickings so I get countless free lunches. And at least a couple of times a week, I bring home really great food for our dinner which means no cooking on those nights and a lower food bill. What’s not to love?
I have now memorized about sixty names and am working on the rest. My boss is great and my co-workers are top-notch. I am so grateful to have been given the opportunity to have this job.
Steve and I have been laughing about Tippi and one of her behaviors. “Thoughtful” is not usually a moniker bestowed on canines, but it’s the only one we can think of for Tippi. When one of us takes her out on her leash to the front yard and sidewalk, she is obviously harkening back to her walks with Ken and Vernie who used various walkers and canes.
As Steve or I walk along (with her out in front of us) she will frequently look over her shoulder to check on us to make sure she is going at a good speed for us. She’ll even pause or slow down if she deems it necessary. I guess she got used to Ken and Vernie’s slower pace and didn’t want to overdo it with them. I’ve never been “checked on” by a dog but it’s a nice feeling.
As Steve and I were talking about Tippi’s behavior I got to thinking that that is just what so many people are longing for these days. They just want to know that they are being checked on; they just want to hear someone say, “If you need anything else from me, please let me know.”
When someone is crying in the proverbial storage closet because things have gotten too overwhelming, a kind word and smile really can make the most enormous difference. It says, “You matter. I care. You are important.”
That’s my challenge to myself and to all of us this week–to keep our eyes open for people who need us and to not rush by them on the way to something more important. In a world that gets ruder by the day, I want to be the opposite of rude and share joy. I know so many of you wonderful readers already do that–let’s keep it up!
What about you?
Have you ever gotten to the point of being overwhelmed by your job? Did you have anyone step forward to help or did you have to figure things out on your own?
Have you ever been the one to step in to help someone else who was overwhelmed? What was their reaction?
What’s a quirky/fun behavior you’ve noticed in your pet?
Has someone shared joy or been kind to you recently? Or you to them? I’d love to hear about it.
Becky, Long time reader. Don’t think I ever miss a post. After looking through some of the comments, I’ll admit I’m like Sue Ellen, I often comment in my head! Then, your next post comes out, and I do that again. I enjoy your “What About You” prompts. Again, my comments stay in my head. As the writer, you don’t know all of the effects your efforts have. From my end, it’s a LOT! I’ll often mention something from your blog to my family. They know you as “Becky Whose Blog I Read.”
Recent thoughts: Like you, my husband and I have lived away from family for a time. 3 years ago, we moved back to an area where we have roots. We now have grandkids nearby. Our home turns into frequent chaos, and we love it! After years of scatteredness, it continues to blow my mind how things have come together. My dad and in-laws love that we easily pop in for a visit! And are nearby to lend a hand. I have to pinch myself. This time amongst loved ones is so special.
Few more things:
Tippi back at home makes my heart melt!
I am SO HAPPY you have found a job you enjoy. It’s a great lesson for us to know that sometimes something comes along that we didn’t expect, that is really perfect (or almost so!). I’ve shared your experience with my daughter, who is out looking, and wondering, what might be good for her, as far as employment goes.
Thank you for all your writing. I’m sure there are many like me out here who comment and ponder your words, but don’t enter it at the bottom of your page. Please know that, and I’ll try to get back to commenting more where it’s visible!
Ann,
What a sweet, sweet comment. Thank you for all of your encouragements.
I love that I am known as “Becky Whose Blog I Read” and I’m honored that my words make their way into your words to your family.
So happy to know that you are near family again and enjoying it so much. I think people like you and I appreciate it all the more because it’s something we didn’t have for a long time. I have a dear friend whose daughter, husband and four young kids are missionaries half way around the world and I find myself especially grateful for my nearby family when I think of how very far away her beloved ones are.
Here’s hoping your daughter finds something she loves soon. Sometimes jobs really do sneak up on a person like mine did.
Again, I am so encouraged by your words tonight. Thank you!
Sounds like you are settling into your new job quite nicely. It’s always nice to have a person or two to call on when you think you’re in over your head.
There is a woman in my Sunday School class who sent me a card last week. She wrote the nicest note in it – thanking me for the work I do in my church and for our friendship. She also gave me words of encouragement relating to my parents’ situation. We recently put my mom on hospice due to advanced dementia. This woman has a nearly 24-year-old daughter with Down’s Syndrome. So her plate is pretty full, yet she takes time to send many of us in our class notes of encouragement as well as birthday cards.
I bet the Smith grandchildren were so happy to see their cousins! And the Florida grandparents were very happy to see the Smith grandchildren.
Phyllis,
What a delightful woman in your church who, in the middle of her own challenges, take the time to write and speak words of affirmation and appreciation. Definitely an inspiration to me.
I’m so sorry to hear about your mom; that is a tough, tough thing. Many hugs.
I’m so glad you are “settling into” your new position – it sounds like a perfect fit! The first five months of 2023 have been a little challenging (covid, broken wrist, 90-year-old father-in-law not doing well, some “situations” at work) so while I haven’t commented on your weekly posts, I have read and enjoyed every one of them (and usually commented to you in my head as I read).
Sue Ellen,
I’ve never had anyone tell me they commented on their head while they read; I’m honored! 🙂
Sorry to hear the first five months of 2023 have been less than ideal. Here’s hoping the months to come make up for it with unexpected joys!
Hi Becky. I just want to say that you amaze me. I guess after doing the 40 hour work week most of my life, there is nothing in me that wants to do that again. But there you are, good days and bad, giving your all! Every obstacle you overcome, is a step in the right direction. So proud of you!
We were maybe on the opposite side of the coin, but we had a meeting set up with our financial advisor for over a month. On the day, we made the 35 mile drive to meet with her in her office. We got there, and a lady had us sit down. Then, after waiting awhile, that lady came back and said that we were suppose to meet at a restaurant. Phil got his email out and it definitely said office. Right date. Right time. Then another lady appeared to say that our person wasn’t in the office and there had been a mistake. She asked for Phil’s cell phone number, and after waiting awhile her call came. She was very apologetic, and said that this has never happened to her before. And after apologizing over and over, Phil said, “so, you’re human”. I could tell that brightened the day for her. When we met 4 days later, she brought that up right away. She loved that Phil told her she was human. Mistakes are a part of life. We need to let each other be human. So glad you like what you are doing. May each day get easier and easier.
I love that you have Tippi! What a great addition for you both!
Carol,
I can just hear Phil saying that; it’s such a “Phil thing.” 🙂 But what a relief it must have been for that woman to hear it, because I’m sure a lot of people would not have been half as patient about it. We all need grace and patience and room to be human. Proud of you both for handling that frustrating situation so wonderfully.
I appreciate your affirmation about my job. I’m not minding the 42-hour work week as much as I thought I might. Since the work is interesting to me, the time goes by pretty fast. Don’t know if I’ll be there a year or 3 years, but I’m grateful for every day I have the strength and health to work.
I’m so glad you have kind people to help you along! I think that makes a huge difference. At my first job, every time I would ask a young woman if she could help me, she would respond “My pleasure!” I hope to one day be as warm and patient as she was with me.
Robin,
Yes, kind people are among the best gifts on this earth. It takes so little effort to be kind and yet what a difference it makes.
That young woman on your job sounds absolutely delightful!
Hi Becky, it’s always so lovely seeing your notifications of a new post pop up in my in box. Thank you so much for continuing to write and inspire/entertain us with your amazing wordsmith skills! I’m just abit worried about one thing…It might be a good idea not to mention the name of your workplace in your posts…I worry that some random weirdo might try to search you out and cause trouble…At the risk of sounding paranoid, the chances of that eventuating is a teensy possibility, but still…a possibility.
I love that you love your new work place, and have settled in to your new home, and that all the kids are doing well…looking forward to the next update.
Lisa L
Lisa,
Thanks for the suggestion. I had thought about that earlier and then forgot to remember it when I was writing the post. I deleted the name.
Thank you for your encouraging words!
Teaching for 30 years has offered many opportunities for me to the comforter and comforted in a job that at times is thankless and overwhelming. I am blessed to have only cried a few times and I only once in front of children. That once was while I was reading Wonder aloud and Daisy died. They learned I was human that day and really love dogs, even ones made up in books.
I am so happy that you are finding your way in your new job and even happier that your ducks are so close to home!
Blessing abounding indeed!
Lisa,
Teaching thirty years? I can only imagine your stories. I loved your phrase about being the “comforter and the comforted.” Isn’t that just how life is? We are often in one category or another.
I really love that your students saw you cry over a dog book; I think it would make a big impression on them that, as you said, teachers are human and have feelings. They will not soon forget that.
Was once the director ofa latchkey program for a school district. Much harder than expected in so many ways. (the person who planned the summer program quit the day it started). At the end of every day when everyone left I was known to last on the floor and cry. Didn’t know if I was grieving my grandma or if it was the job. After a day or two knew it was the job and quit.
Purple Sushi,
Yes, sometimes you just have to cut your losses and leave when you absolutely know a job is not right for you. And I’m sure grief over your grandma made an already difficult job all the more difficult. Not an easy time for you!
Becky,
I can totally understand the feeling of overwhelmness (is that even a word?) I am retired but occasionally fill in for the executive assistant of my associate pastor who is also the CEO of Goodwill Tenneva In Kingsport. This morning I arrived and saw cars in the parking lot and assumed (WRONG) that someone that deactivated the alarm. WELL NOPE I come in and start to rush to my office and suddenly the alarm starts going off YIKES, do I have a code to turn it off? WELL NOPE!!!!! Luckily I have a wonderful coworker I could call, she gave me the code and suddenly there was silence. Coworkers are wonderful human beings especially if they are also friends. I am so glad you have good and kind coworkers to help you as well. I look forward every Monday morning for your uplifting stories. Thanks for being my online friend. Have a great week
Gail,
Setting off the alarm is not a great way to start your day! I’m glad someone was there to give you the code and silence returned. You are blessed to have coworkers and also friends; that’s a great combination.
Thanks for your encouragement about my writing; it means a lot to me that you look forward to it.