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Published: September 21st 2006
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Home Away From Home
My Office with a View All Work ??
For almost two years now I have wondered what it would feel like to walk out the door of the office building where I work and know I did not have to go back. Today, three days into “other employment”, I sit on our front porch wrapped up in a blanket, eating Kashi cereal and watching the dew burn off the grass when the sun’s rays finds it from the shadows like a fire smoking just before it burst into flames. It’s barely 50 degrees, and the calm of the morning was deafening. WOW! …. That pretty much sums it up!
A year ago one of the Managing Partners of the company I work with was conducting our yearly evaluations. It came my time to sit and listen to what they had to say about my performance. The traditional things were said, and I thought it was nearly over when he looked me straight in the eye and said, “So, what are your plans for the next year?” My stomach did a flip flop. I knew what he was looking for in an answer, but knew the answer I had to give him would not be
We Be Moms
Carol Crick and I soon learned we have more in common that being Accountants .. we both had teenagers! one of the choices in his thoughts. If he had asked, “What are your plans for the next 6 months?” I could have said, “To continue working here.” … But NO … he had to ask about a year in advance. I needed to keep my job, but I certainly did not want to deceive him into thinking I was going to be around forever. I know I am replaceable. I am not the perfect employee - although I truly believe I will be missed - I am not niave. The perfect employee works 100 hours a week, never takes vacation, is never sick, works for pennies, and always asks for more challenging work. The perfect employee brings donuts for the entire office everyday, car pools with other “perfect employees” so as to save money and the environment, and still finds time to make it to all the family events, help the kids build an exploding volcano for their science project, is the President of the PTA (which gets him work credit too as it is a community leadership role), and NEVER violates the dress code! I do not qualify for this particular honor.
I calmly answered him with,
Office Buddies
Dawayne Lusk and I have worked together for 4 years and ended up sharing an office - we soon learned that he lives within minutes of my sister Tammy. “Since you’ve asked, I’ll tell you.” He got that look on his face that says, “Get HR on the phone, we’ve got to find a replacement.” But I quickly said, “But it’s nothing like what you are thinking. Anthony and I are moving to Africa.” Well, the conversation took a dramatic turn, and before I left he said he would support what ever decision I made about when to quit work, but my job was there as long as I wanted it.
My last day was September 15, 2006. Specifically chosen, as this was the final corporate deadline for filing returns that had been extended.
I will miss it - I know I will. I love doing taxes. Crazy as it seems, I really do. It is like a huge puzzle to me with a LOT of blanks to be filled it. I love tax season, too, as deranged as that may be, and spent many a late night filling in those blanks. I have on occasion worked all night with a fellow employee, only to realize it would take me longer to drive home (1 hour each way), shower, and drive back, than it would be to
Slave Driver?
Randy Herring has been my direct supervisor for 4 years. He has 11 children .. yes 11, that is not a misprint!! He always made sure I got to Joshua's ballgames! simply go to the 24 hour Wal-Mart, buy clothes for the next day, sleep for an hour on her couch, shower, and return to work. That however, was not the norm, and I maintained my sanity at the office and at home for 4 tax seasons with them.
I have made dear, dear friends over the years, and they will all be missed. But they know where to find me, and we have managed to keep in touch for years via phone and email and I do not see my cross world flight reason to think any differently.
I will say this however, being a tax accountant can be terribly stressful for the family. I have worked primarily for a man who has a large family and understands the importance of getting to as many family events as possible. I have missed very few games and events of Joshua’s over the years. BUT, when work is to be done - the IRS waits for no one, and the work has to get done. This means a lot of nights with no dinner on the table (which for those of you who know me this part of the deal
Posies for His Love
A final decoration to enjoy on my last couple of days! doesn’t really change that much due to tax season ), seeing them only in the mornings when I head out, and after they have already gone to bed at night. It usually lasts for 2 ½ months at the least. This takes its toll and I have to say I have been blessed with a son and husband who given the choice would rather I be home, but who understood the responsibility of the job. For that I say a big public thank you to the both of them!! On Thursday, I got a wonderful surprise. My husband sent me flowers! Now, this is a BIG deal for Anthony. He shows his love and appreciation in other ways, but not sending flowers. ESPECIALLY the ones that someone else has to DELIVER that you have to PAY for … and that will DIE as soon as you forget to put more water in the vase if they are not potted plants. But the best part of the bouquet was the note .. and I share it with you in the pictures attached.
Now as I write, new dew has formed on the grass by now, and the sun has gone
to sleep, but in just a few hours, if it is God’s will, the two will meet once again. And if I am up and about, which is questionable, I will sit and watch the steam rise off the ground, hear the peace around me, and know there is a God.
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jennifer
non-member comment
blessings
you are a blessed woman and everyone you have LOOKED at is blessed also.