the longest day of the year...

is living up to its name.

update on things

Today finally moved into my new office - whew! At least I now have a 'permanent' abode. The space I had been occupying would have been very crowded next Monday as the new girl was scheduled to move in...

LONG conference call meeting with the boss this morning. I have to remember when on a conference call that nodding my head is not sufficient response. I revert to acting like one of my kids on the phone trying to show the person on the other end what the cat looks like:0)

Have a better sense of direction and although the staffing issue is trying (we are down 4 people), I feel more in control of what is happening. Am managing to get though the (fortunately) minimal contact with the boss with some grace. He is not my style of person...too smooth, too quick to react without thinking. He's a pinball bouncing from target to target. We also do not agree on some basic concepts - we'll get to that.

Kids are fine. The weekend was all soccer pictures, visiting camp ( a fantastic place that 6 is going to LOVE!!), and trying to capture 2 leopard frogs who have taken up residence in Great-Grandma's pool. The frogs eluded capture, but there was an extremely concerted effort made by all parties for a total of about 6 hours over Saturday and Sunday.

Next on the agenda is 4's dance recital this Friday. Four-year olds dancing to Dora the Explorer...should be great fun!

getting through

It feels of late, that I have been marking time - each day's motto "If I just get through this...". Not exactly an inspiring life statement. Maybe its just June. The end of school is approaching and there are events every evening. Add to that the fact the it seems all children in this area were born in June - thus the insane birthday party schedule!

I wonder what I am missing by simply driving through from one commitment to another (carreening might be a better word...). I hope the kids aren't missing things too. Try to ensure we have unstructured/unscheduled time but this month we're overscheduled.

Tonight is the family fun fair at school. Hope it lives up to its name.

new job but no one knows I am here...

So here I sit. Waited this morning for my new boss to contact me...gave up at 9am and called him. He won't be in today or tomorrow. Should I just go around introducing myself to people? No, he says, I will try to come in tomorrow for that - or maybe I'll just phone conference in.

A stellar way to start. No new location. They're looking for that. Replacement for the job I had for 2 days is sitting here too. I am supposed to brief her on all the work I accomplished in 16 hours...

Monday.

Weekend was good. Both kids went to different parties. One baker, one swimmer. The swimmer had some problems with kids - what else is new - she is a fish. Level 7 Red Cross at the age of 5. Other kids her age are not as comfortable with the water and got annoyed with her splashing. She wasn't being a PIA (not that she can't be...) she's just a splashy swimmer!

Not enough sleep for days. Why is it that these kids wake up at 4am?

Reading Rosie O's comments. Why do I do this to myself. It is compelling in the same way we crane our necks to see a car crash. There are people spewing hatred and fighting each other.
It's nice to be under the radar!

the deal is done

Took Thursday off. It was supposed to be a field trip to the zoo for the Kindergarten class. Teachers were on work to rule. The trip was cancelled. To compensate, took 4 on an 'adventure' to the book store. She was thrilled. "I get to spend the whole day with Mommy - just Mommy and me!". When you have 2, one on one time is SO important to them! The book store was wonderful - charming and comfortable. 4 immediately plopped herself down on the floor surrounded by book choices and read. The selections are a bit broader than a big box store would have. Lots of multicultural books and stories with a non-traditional theme. Managed to find two books for 6 - both dealing with gender stereotypes and how not everyone fits in...seems she is getting alot of teasing at school about being a boy. Apparently, girls who like Spiderman, Yu-Gi-Oh cards, science, math and sports are targets of torment. 4 selected a princess story that featured a princess who did not want to get married - and in the end she lived happily ever after - unmarried, surrounded by her beloved pets.

It was a good distraction from work. Didn't really stress about the job situation.

So yesterday, I met with the exec at 7am. Told them I was not anxious to be perceived as someone who does not have the best interest of the company at heart. I do not want this transfer, but they'll do what they do. I am moving Monday morning. Did manage to get an agreement that we would review the situation with an option to move again in 6 months. I also asked for an open door to the exec in the event things get really rough with the new guy. Agreed.

Had a 1 hour meeting with the great guy who was my boss for 2 days...he offered to continue to be a resource for me and counselled me on how to best 'manage up' with the incompetent. Meanwhile, I managed to pull some meaningful data together for the woman who will replace me - and built a very cool spreadsheet that will make things simpler going forward...

I guess I will have to just re-direct an refocus. No way to change what has been done. There is a much larger staff to manage in this new area. By Monday I've got to get my mind around where I want to start. There is also the issue of location. There are no more office spaces left. Don't know where I will sit.

Ah well, the weekend is here. The sun will shine for 2 days and there are birthday parties to attend.

On with life.

Sideswiped!

For 5 years I managed to fly under the radar at work. Recently, I was approached by several Directors about promotion. During last year's succession planning session, I was clear that I do not aspire to climb the corporate ladder. Let me do a good job in a support role. My kids come first. I will be there after school to pick them up. Time invested in the kids has paid off. My old boss was a great guy. Empowering, trusting of my judgement, supportive - loved working for him. He is the one who instigated the promotion proposal - and so, with the understanding that I could continue to work my current (absurdly early) hours, a one week increase in vacation time, and a moderqate pay increase, I applied. The application was a formality. Was awarded the job 3 weeks ago with a delayed start date to allow me to train my replacement.

Today was my first day. The first half of the day was exciting. I could see some opportunities for quick wins - a great way to start!

At noon, I was called into the boss's office. He closed the door. uh-OH! After a whole 6 hours on the job, the executive has decided to move me. Trying to balance out the expertise amongst areas. It is a latteral move, to a commodity I have experience with. I have no desire to return to it. The new manager is someone to whome I have a visceral response. This guy is bad news. My gut screams in his presense. I expressed my diappointment to the 'good guy' who was (in his words) livid. The exec will not back down. I had to meet with the exec to voice my reservations. Told them that I was not interested in a move. Gave them a politically correct version of my concern about working with the vile creature who would be my boss. i have until Friday morning to reconsider. Or what? I was afraid to ask...

Can't afford to lose my job. Don't think I can afford the repercussions of refusing to transfer, but I am seriously worried about what this could do to my psyche...

Can't shake the feeling of doom. I cannot work with an incarnation of my father. I will wither and die inside.