Monday, August 27, 2012

The end of a chapter...

This week marks my last week working where I have worked for the past 5 years. I have made a lot of wonderful friends during this journey...many of which I will miss terribly when I leave on Thursday. However, I am happy to be moving on.

I graduated from college in 2004, moved home to Maryland to marry the man of my dreams. I went back to work after a few months at home as a happy newlywed as a chemist at a local laboratroy that tested on animals for the envrionment. I worked there for 7 long, miserable months. Then, I left and went to work at a local opthalmologist office. This was just a means to an end...then an opportunity arouse where I went back to work at the Pharmacy I worked at when I was in high school as a compounding Technician. I knew then that I always wanted more. Todd saw an opportunity in the paper on Sunday morning for a Chemist job at a local company and I thought what do I have to lose?! So, I applied for the job....and I got it!


When I started at this company in 2007, I didn't know a thing about being a chemist. But that was okay, because they knew that too and they were comfortable training me and getting me up to speed. Who knew that would entail me working solo in the laboratory under the direction on only a compliance manager? But you know what? I did it....then things started to change....over the past 5 years, I have had 5-6 different bosses and seen the company split and be sold a number of times. With all that change meant that each management head had a new idea of how they wanted the laboratory run, each customer had a demand and I had to follow these directions. This also meant that at one point, the Director of Quality left right in the middle of the big lab renovation and I would stay at work until midnight some nights getting things moved. I hired general contractors to complete the flooring project, I arranged outside vendors to come in and move and recalibrate equipment so that we woul have ZERO downtime and I was successful at that. During this process, I hired a jr chemist, who is now one of my best friends ever. Probably like the sister I have never had. We worked so well together....she started on her first day and asked where her new boss was, and I had to tell her he was let go last week and that I didn't know who was in charge. We tried to get the lab up and running on our own, and she was a great help. As we grew, we hired on another jr chemist....then after a few compliance managers, a failed business project that required a ton of time from the lab. To this date, I had a number of reviews, management awards, etc...each review said that I exceeded expectations and that I was on track for management at this company.

Then, 2011 came and I went on leave for 12 weeks while we adopted Tatum and travelled to China. Some changes were going on during my leave, they hired a replacement temp for me and also another jr chemist. I came back to a new work envrionment. Then in the new year, a Laboratory Manager started. I welcomed this because obviously there was something that either I was not doing right, or not being appreciated for. I welcomed the opportunity to have my workload decreased, someone to take the fall when things go wrong, and most importantly some direction.....that wasn't really the case. In June I was told that my position in the laboratory would be eliminated. I was devastated, hurt and confused. Okay, and most of all, I was plain just PISSED off. I was told that I could either take severance or move to another department. I had always wanted to try my hand at product management, so I went for that option. I don't regret this decision and for me now, this is not something I wish to persue. I need to be challenged more in my everyday life working outside the home. I need a new opportunity. I don't need to push papers through various departments. I need to think.

Again, my husband found an opportunity on Career Builder and I went for it. (Do you notice a trend here?? LOL) I sent my resume/application in at 7am one morning online and by 11am I had an interview scheduled with a new compnay. A new opprtunity was laying right in front of me and I couldn't wait. I think most of all, I just wanted to go for it and see if I could obtain this opportunity....and guess what, I GOT THE JOB!! Everything in life happens for a reason....I have learned a lot from the company that I am currently employed with for the next 4 day. Most of all, I have learned what NOT to do. I have learned how NOT to conduct myself and I have learned that this is NOT what I want to be doing for the rest of my life. I have seen a number of people come and go from this place of employment...but I have gained a number of TRUE friends during my 5 years here. These friends I will miss seeing everyday. They were the ones that got me through some good times, and some bad times at work both professionally and personally. Many of these people have been my biggest supporters...and for that, I want to say Thank you! That is something that I plan to take with me. This is how people should be treated...and I want to take this with me as I try my hand as a manager.

On Monday, September 10th I will the manager of a laboratory for the number one company in their type of manufacturing. They are the best worldwide at what they do, and they know that. These people think I have what it takes to run their laboratory and I am going to give it my best shot. My sweet husband bought me a book for my kindle the other day for me to read...he knows I am nervous and scared, but he also knows that I can do this, and you know what? I CAN DO THIS!!! I am ready for this new challenge....more than you will ever know.

Monday, August 13, 2012

ABC Song


Tatum and I spent some time at the beach in Oxford this weekend. After a few minutes of playing in the sand building sand castles, she jumped in my lap and wanted to take some pictures of us together. We had such a gerat time. We laughed, talked some very 'serious' talk together and then sang the ABC song. I am so proud of how far she has come....this was a great weekend!! We missed Daddy while he was working at a new 'flip' house, but are so thankful for all his hard work to help make all our hopes and dreams come true. Tatum and I had a great weekend together :)


Meal Plan for the week.....

Monday-Grilled fish, orzo pasta salad, broccoli
Tuesday-Burgers and baked beans
Wednesday-Pork chops, stuffing, green beans
Thursday-Chicken parm with noodles
Friday-chili
Saturday-date night :)
Sunday-Grilled chicken, mashed potatoes and salad

Happy Monday...have a great week everyone!

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Melt my heart...

Daddy: Tatum, you are from China.
Tatum: Ok
Mommy: Tatum do you look like Mommy?
Tatum: No
Mommy: Tatum do you look like Daddy?
Tatum: No
Daddy: Tatum where are you from?
Tatum: Tatum from Mommy

I held back the happy tears, held her close and kissed that sweet baby girl.

Thursday, August 9, 2012

My girl has Rhythm....



Tatum getting down to some Nelly before school. I left the iPad playing some music so when her and Todd came downstairs she was ready to do a little dancing....

Have a great day everyone!!
xoxo

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Currently....

I know it's been awhile since my last post...So I have decided to catch up with something fun!!

Loving
My husband....we have been married for almost 8 years, and I just adore him. He is the best father to Tatum, and the best husband I could ever have dreamed of marrying. He makes me laugh, he makes me cry and he just gets me (even though I beg to differ at times...he really does get me more than anyone else in the world). We have been together for 15.5 years...we've had our ups and downs just like any other couple, but the ups sure out weigh the downs and I am truly lucky to have him by my side to help guide me through this crazy world.

Reading
The Orchid House by Lucinda Riley but am very anxious to start the new book by Emily Giffin called Where we Belong.

Waiting For
Some good news on a new opportunity for our family...that's all I can say for now. Except after a call today, I am learning that the grass is not always greener....

Excited About
Labor Day weekend in Baltimore with some of the families from our travel group in China. We are all getting together for a reunion and I can't wait to see all the girls together, their biological siblings and how much everyone has grown!!

Missing
Our 8 year old Golden Retriever, Marley. We chose to re-home Marley last week as she has shown some aggression signs over the past few years. She became very possessive taking toys from Tatum when she wasn't looking then holding them hostage under the coffee table. We were very afraid that Marley would snap at Tatum when she innocently reached to obtain her toy back, and we just couldn't take that chance. I have cried myself to sleep for the past week...I miss her terribly, but know we made the right decision.

Trying to
Decide whether of not I should cut my hair. I had been growing it out for my sister in law's wedding which was this past weekend, and now I can't decide if I should cut it or keep growing. Todd thinks I look younger with it long....it is easy to just throw it up should I need to be in a hurry...but I just feel like it hangs there.

Working on
Losing weight....it's just time. I didn't birth a baby...I want more energy and I am about to turn 35 and I want to look like a HOT 35 year old! LOL I am sure my husband agress with me....although he better think I am HOT already! ; ) No, but seriously...I want to feel better, I want my clothes to fit me better and I want to buy clothes that are smaller in size, so game on!

Enjoying
Being a Mother to our daughther, Tatum. Tatum challenges me in ways that I never imagined possible. She will get the better of me from time to time....but I just adore being her Mommy. She has taught me so much in these past 10 months as her Mommy and I truly have enjoyed every minute of this ride.

Using
A cleaning service. They come every 2 weeks and I couldn't be any more happy with that decision.

Watching
The Olympics...but I mean who isn't right not?!

Wearing
Platinuim Jack Rogers this summer. I will be sad to see the summer days end....because I just adore these shoes!! They go with everything.

Planning
Tatum's 3rd Birthday Party. I originally thought I wanted to do a Strawberry shortcake theme...but she doesn't seem to have as much interest in her anymore. I think I might just pick some color themes and go from there. It's hard to believe that she will be 3 already...where does the time go?

Needing
Okay, wants and needs....but I am needing this David Yurman ring I have been drooling over for the longest time AND I need to have a pair of diamond earrnings. My Birthday is in Spetember and our Anniversary is in October....a girl cal dream of her needs ; )

Learning
To let things go...those of you who know me well know I can be wound a little tight. BUT, I am working on that....I used to hae border line OCD with keeping the house clean...now that Tatum is here, I have a cleaning lady, I am able to stop and smell the roses a little more. I want to enjoy my family time and not sweat the small stuff.

Listening
To my daughter sing the ABC song and count to 10 (and sometimes higher). After 10 months home and learning a new language, I think that is pretty awesome!

Wishing
For a romantic getaway weekend with my husband. I love Tatum and spending time with her....but I just want (even one night) away with Todd, just the two of us...laughing, drinking wine and enjoying a nice hotel or bed and breakfast together. We are so fortunate that we go to dinner once a week just the two of us, but I would love to sleep in again....and just spend time together. Remember above in the Loving section...I love my husband!! ; )

Doing
What is best for my daughter and family every single day. It's a hard thing to wrap your mind around, but as a parent it seems to come natural no matter what the decision is.

Dreaming of
Owning a house on the water and a boat that we can spend the night on...one with a cabin a real bathroom and a mini kitchen area.






And last but not least....here's a shot from my sister-in-law's wedding this weekend. It was a beautiful day & we were honored to be party of their special day. More to follow....