Empty Tank

My physically spent. On top of that killer workout on Thursday, I ran 4 miles yesterday (41:43) and 6 miles today (63:01). 4 mile time was a little slower than my best (41:08) and 6 mile time was a little better than my best (63:16), but hey not every run ban be a PR...the point is to get off my butt and do it! I have spin tomorrow and Monday off. I'm also pretty dehydrated. When I'm at home, I don't drink enough water. Got a massage last night and didn't drink enough afterwards. Going to pump H2O into me as much as possible...must be near a bathroom!!!

I found out yesterday that my old boss is being let go from his job. He contacted me to ask if I would post a recommendation for him on LinkedIn. That's a no brainer! Mike is a great guy and was so wonderful to work with. He treated me like a human being and always was there if I needed support, both personally and professionally. You don't find many bosses like that...I've actually had 3, including my current one. I found out they hired a GC to take his place, she is starting within the next 2 weeks, but will not be located at headquarters. This should be very interesting. I worry about MB and others in the department and wonder if there is going to be turnover. I'm glad I moved on and am not personally affected by this, but its just shocking!

Well, I have some gift cards that are burining a hole in my wallet...time to bundle up and head to the mall.

Amazing Monday

Did I really just write that? Guess I did! Why was my Monday so amazing? A few different reasons...

1. I'm getting my first "official" client at work. I will slowly begin transitioning to be the main point of contact for one of the firm's clients. I've been working with them for a while and it seems like the natural progression. I'm already "unofficially" the point of contact for another client, but not sure if that will be made "official" or if it already is.

2. I was invited to a client lunch in a couple of weeks with one of the senior attorneys at the suggestion of one of the principals. My boss can't make it that day, so they thought it would be a good idea to introduce me as a new employee and a potential resource for them.

3. Lupe had another great day at day care. I picked her up and she was limping a little, same issue with her paw as she has had for over a year, but she got over it quickly. I brought her home and figured that she would just be exhausted. She was WIRED! I was in the other room and I could hear her running around and barking. Day care seems to be really good for her.

4. I found a really good sushi place nearby and I got to go there with a friend from Albany who was in the area for business. Good food and good company.

Guess that's it...not to thrilling but I like to find happiness in little things sometimes!!! YEAH!!!

February 14th

Day I started a new job, 10 years ago. Its crazy to think that I've been there for 10 years. My department bought me a cake a week and a half ago (boss is currently traveling so they did it beforehand). Got a glass plaque with my name on it and a pair of white gold hoops from work. CEO sent me a congratulatory email and lots of people have been stopping me and congratulating me.

As for Valentine's Day? I can take it or leave it. Never been a big fan of the holiday, its up there with New Years Eve on my list of least favorites. Why do you need a day contrived by a card company to tell the person you love that you love them. They should always know that. I try to make sure the people I care about know that everyday. But to those who do like the sentiment behind today, I do hope you have a happy Valentine's Day!

Its just one of those days...

I wish I could just not deal with things right now. Work is super busy and I feel like I am spinning my wheels with things. I tell someone something and they tell someone else wrong information and bog down people with email.

Lupe had to go to the vet today, again. Appears that when she got hurt in May, she strained a tendon in her foot that is now inflammed. She is on anti-inflamatory meds as needed. Otherwise, the vet is amazed at how well her joints look for her age.

I just feel wicked unorganized and pulled in too many directions...maybe its vacation time...no $$$ for that right now though. Thank goodness for long weekends then!

FINALLY!!!

So I just found out that my promotion and title change are official! I had my review on February 24th (Mom's birthday) and it went fantastic. I was told at that time I would be promoted to Contracts Manager. I honestly have been waiting for this for a number of years. I watch as people who remained in my old department that I trained get promoted and year after year I was told I had a great year but wouldn't be promoted and maybe next year.

Well, last year during my review I asked my boss what I needed to do to get a promotion. I was told that he would be pushing for my promotion in the coming year. When our Legal Assistant left last summer and the new one is hired, I brought it up with my boss again. He had the new Legal Assistant report to me which was the first step in getting the promotion. He began to hint that I would have a title change and promotion with this year's review. Well, he came through. Not only did I get the change in title but I also got an 8% raise.

Was the wait worth it? I think so. If I had gotten a promtion sooner I would have either been promoted to a "Senior Contracts Associate" or an "Assistant Contracts Manager" or "Associate Contracts Manager." This way, I got the full jump from the Associate (now Administrator) level to the Manager level.

Having the review on Mom's birthday and getting the promotion really shows me that someone is definetely watching over me. :)

Will you still need me, will you still feed me?

Today is my Mom's birthday, she would have been 64 (hence the Beatles reference). I sang happy birthday to her with Lupe this morning. And even added her famous line "You're 64" to the end. :)

Its a big day for my brother and me. My brother's interview for the position in Geneva is today at 10 am. He and I talked about it in length over the weekend. If he gets it, he has a lot of decisions to make and wants me to help make them, act kind of like a sounding board I guess.

My evaluation is at 9 am. My boss has told me that I'm going to be happy, but honestly, I've heard that in the past and nothing really happens. I'm ready to move forward and would like to do it hear, but if they don't give me the chance, I'll have to consider my options.

But its a happy day because its a day to celebrate my Mom and the impact she had on the world, especially on her 2 children.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!! Love and miss you more than words can express!!!

Perspective...

Today I got an email from our VP of HR that one of the members of our Business Development department passed away last night. He had been sick for under a month with what was originally thought to be an ear infection. From what I have heard there was a pooling of blood or fluid at the base of his brain that was inoperable and if they did try to fix it he would have most likely ended up a quadriplegic, deaf and blind. He was admitted to hospice last week and has succumbed to his condition.

He had only been with our company for a couple of months and I didn't work with him very closely, but he was very friendly. He and I spoke about corporate softball teams, he used to run a league in his old position, and I even mentioned to him that he should contact Steve to see if he needed a pitcher for next season.

I'm truly saddened by his passing. It makes everything I've been going through seem trivial. But at the same time, it shows me life is short and you should treasure what you have had and enjoy what you got and be hopeful of what your future may bring.

Today, take a moment and look at where you've been, where you are and where you want to be. Be thankful for it all and do what you can to keep you focused on the good in life and people. We never know when it may all be taken away from us for one reason or another.

Quick Update

Dad is doing well. I was with him every day since last Thursday and I came back home yesterday afternoon. He has a very long road ahead of him, but he needs to make some changes in his lifestyle and I can only hope he will (and provide as much encouragement as possible). It really upset me to leave him yesterday. But my brother is there now and will spend the weekend with him.

Back to work and trying to dig myself out of the emails and things on my plate...oh joy...