I’m smiling a lot these days. Please don’t hate me.
So many years, things never seemed to work out right. So many years, there was at least one area of major stress in my life.
So much has changed in the last year. I now have a great job, the new house is solid and the remaining updates are coming along nicely, the neighborhood is peaceful and the neighbors friendly but nonintrusive. My daughters are all grown and on their own, with good jobs and good significant others – and all three live locally and keep in touch. I have Puppy Cody to keep me entertained (and in a daily exercise routine). The hubby still tells me I’m beautiful (yes, he’s in serious need of new glasses, or a brain scan.)
Dare I enjoy the newfound content? I keep having this niggling feeling that things are simply going too well. My life has never gone well, and somehow I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Hopefully, I haven’t jinxed myself simply by stating my irrational fear.
Be that as it may.
Four days a week, I go off to my new job, where my bosses constantly express their appreciation of my work. That’s not a job environment I’m used to, and I’m enjoying the hell out of it. I even decided to take some personal effects into my new office. At lunchtime, I can close my door, prop my feet up on a box while eating my lunch, and stare at my little knickknacks or out the window. Sometimes I can even shut my eyes for 10 or 15 minutes. Wish I had that job years ago!
I even have a back staircase if I want to sneak out at lunchtime. Not that I need to “sneak” – I guess I still haven’t completely released the stress from my previous job. There, it was work-work-work and no matter how hard or well the job was done, the employees were treated as if they were worthless. I’m still amazed I lasted an entire year in that job.
The weird thing is, though – a few weeks back, I decided to stop in at the old office. I went out and bought a small gift basket for The Boss From Hell to thank her for giving me a good referral. In my mind, it was sort of an FU situation – I got a better job and you can stuff the one I had, but I still have great respect for your professional skills, and I appreciate that you didn’t F me over when my new employer called for a reference.
I really expected a cold reception, or at least a cool polite one. But that’s not what happened. The Boss From Hell greeted me enthusiastically, as if I were an exceptional employee who was truly missed. She even came out from behind her desk to chat.
The other attorneys and staff acted the same way.
Heck, had I been treated that way while working there, maybe I would have stayed! I left that office feeling slightly guilty for harboring bad thoughts.
See, even when I’m trying to be a little nasty, it always seems to backfire. Maybe I’m more lovable than I see myself.
As for the “Circles Within Circles” part of the title: I keep running into cases of deja vu. Several of the clients at my new firm are people for whom I handled deals at prior firms; my new office is across the street from the office which closed doors two years ago; the route to my new job takes me past the office I worked at last year; I continually seem to come into contact with professional people I’ve known over the past 20 years. And probably the strangest case of deja vu was the first time I used the rest room at my new office and discovered the light fixture is the same one I bought and installed into the house I just sold. Is that freaky, or what?
Yes, life is good at the moment, and I intend to enjoy it while it lasts. Enjoy your weekend, everyone!
PS: This post was prompted by Pensitivity’s March 1 post, “Restart“. It got me thinking – always a risky situation.
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I love to hear from my readers. You may comment on this post, comment on my Facebook or Twitter pages, or email me at cordeliasmom2012@yahoo.com
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Images by Cordelia’s Mom
Cordelia's Mom, Still 
Thanks for the link! Glad things are working out for you in the new job and everything else is coming together. Wow, able to put your feet up and have lunch with no interruptions. Good for you! 🙂
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Lunch is the highlight of my day! Thanks for giving me the idea for the post.
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You’re welcome, but it was really the Daily Prompt that triggered mine. Any progress on the fence?
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No, the ground’s still too soggy to install the fence, although the fence company is ready whenever we are. I’m thinking late March/early April – if the snow and rain stop.
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At least they’re not going to take your money under false pretences then.
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I won’t hate you for it! I’m glad you’re smiling 🙂
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Aw, that’s so sweet! It made me smile even more. Thanks!
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We get what we give..you are happy so your getting more happiness. And you totally deserve it.
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Thank you, Jane.
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It’s so nice, and rare, to work at a place that knows how to express appreciation to its employees. That’s the sort of thing that can make work a true joy. I’ll keep my fingers and legs crossed, for the rest of your year to go as well as it’s going now.
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You’re right, Tippy. These days, especially, it is very rare to find an appreciative employer. My fingers (and legs) are crossed, too! (Oh wait, that doesn’t sound quite right, does it?)
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I know that feeling. When will that OTHER shoe drop? It drops. Eventually. No matter how great it is, in the very longer run, things get old, need repair. Everything in this house was tip-top. Eighteen years later, not so much. Tme has a way with everything. The really important thing is ENJOY IT. While you can, while it’s new, while it’s fresh and clean and lovely, ENJOY everything. Time will change it, but for a while, anyway, it’s perfect.
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I hear you, Marilyn. I just hope I get to fully enjoy everything while it is still new. I certainly intend to try.
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Things sound really good. Enjoy!
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Thanks. I’ll certainly try my best to enjoy it while I can!
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This made me smile. I started reading and then I couldn’t stop. Not everyone has the power to hold the reader till the very end. I’m so happy for you and I hope the happiness lasts forever.
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What a kind comment! I love it when my readers tell me a post holds their interest from beginning to end. You’ve made my own smile so much bigger today.
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I am so pleased for you , long may it last. A lot of it is attitude of mind, so stay positive.💜
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Thanks, Willow. I’ve been thinking about you (and Vlad). Maybe it’s time for a new consolidated post? Are you up for some fun?
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Yes CM always 💜😀
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Excellent. I’ll email you when ready – probably in a couple of weeks.
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Okay that’s fine any ideas about what will happen! Vlad is over the moon so is Ruby..
We will miss Paul though! 💜💜
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Savor this, my friend, for you it is well-earned, much deserved and a great part of the circle of life.
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Mark, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve thought of you over the last year, after following your own unemployment and re-employment story. It worked out for you, so I knew it would work out for me.
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I’m glad for both of us, my friend.
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I’m happy that things are gong so well for you these days, CM!
The secret I’ve found is not to keep expecting/looking for that other shoe!
Do indeed enjoy everything while it’s here! 🙂
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Thanks, Karen. Hope all is going well for you, too?
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