Boy, oh BOY!

I have worked my first week at my new job, and it is going really well. "I think I'm going to like it here!" There are still a few things that I don't feel real confidant about, and I guess I will figure those out tomorrow when I work by myself all day. Things like getting in without setting off the alarm, opening the register-only once, rather than the two times I have become known for, placing the orders for cast and pewter and faxing over the time sheets so everyone gets paid. Little things...But so much less than I know the new manager of the maternity store has to deal with tomorrow. I'm sure I'll manage, and in no time it will feel like I was crazy to ever feel like it was a lot to learn. The little bit longer drive isn't too bad, I just have to plan about an extra 10 minutes, but now that I will be the first one in, I'm not quite as concerned. And I still have things like engraving and orders and all the products to completely grasp, but they'll come. At not point last week did I sit back and question my decision to change jobs, or wish I was back in the mall. Its all good, I know that much. Funny, yesterday I was reading some of the entries I had made in a journal I started nearly 10 years ago (I rarely write in it, only a few times a year) and nearly every one I wrote since March of 2009 commented on how unsure I was with the maternity job, how it was going and the conflicts with the assistant manager at the time, Jess. Most of that ended last year after she left, but I think there was still mention of doubts. So I think this is a much better fit for me. It would be great to keep this job for a very long time so I don't have to go thru all of these changes again, and I can see myself doing that. The only thing that would get me to change again would be for something fantastic right in Swanton or St. Albans again. But, for now, this is perfect.
And one more note, since this blog is supposed to be about being a distant grandparent...We have our first GRANDSON on his way! He should arrive sometime in early September, the due date is the 9th. We are so excited. It is funny to think of a little boy running around here. I'll have to keep a look-out for some trucks and trains to go with the pink balls and dolls we already have. But some things I have kept generic like puzzles and markers and such. It will be wonderful, and we are looking forward to meeting the little guy.

The Winds of Change

April can be a funny month. We can go from very cold, snowy days to sunny, warm spells in a fairly short period of time. We can go from the Easter season right into Mother's Day plans and summer vacation thoughts. We can go from feeling like the year has hardly begun, to realizing the whole first quarter of it is already over. I guess we can do the same thing in March, or May, but April certainly feels like more of a transition month to me, at least here in Vermont. And what else have these "Winds of Change" brought my way? Well, last week at this time I was barely beginning my third year managing my maternity store, struggling with all the changes that February had blown my way. Still loving what I did, my customers, and my interactions with them. Yet, feeling like I was slowly loosing my grip on what was important because of the way the company looked at number standards as the only criteria that meant anything. And where am I now? Into my 2 week's notice with that company and ready to venture into a new position with a new company in a new location. Everyone thinks it is great, and so do I. I will do my best with the time I have left with maternity, but I'm still feeling like I work and work and work and can't get ahead. I guess that's because all I've done for the past 8 weeks is interviewed, hired and trained while trying to run nearly the whole store myself because no one else knows how to do it. I will only feel bad about leaving because the store is in no condition to pass it on to someone else. Most of the staff is new, dreadfully young, not a team yet at all, and they know only the basics. It will be tough, like it was when I went in there, and I think the Plattsburg manager will have to hold it up until it gets running again. But enough of early April. I shall get thru these next 10 days, and then drive my little self a mile and a half further down the road to my new assignment, dig my heels in and enjoy every minute of it. I will be managing a family owned, Vermont pewter store, down on Church street in Burlington where I can look out the windows to the open air and watch as the days go by. I know it will be good, and the winds of change are bringing sunny, warm weather my way.