what a difference a week makes
July 30th, 2006 @ 3:17 pm | Comments
Filed Under: homeowners, life, photos
First, I want to just update you all. This week has been crazy. C-R-A-Z-Y. It has been a long time since I’ve gone through such a wide range of emotions in such a short period of time! It started on Monday when I gave my 2 weeks notice at work. Then 2 days later, that 2 weeks was shortened and my job was over immediately. (I have a private entry about it, but you need to be registered to read it) I won’t go into specifics here, but things got a little weird at work with the technical aspects of me now being seen as a ‘competitor’ (even after working as a freelance developer during my entire employment and being honest about doing so) and it was thought that it was best for everyone if I left right away. At first I was shocked and upset, and very very angry, but after talking things over and letting the dust settle, I realize it doesn’t really matter in the long run. Next Friday I would have been gone anyway… so it just gives me an early start right?
As I mentioned before, I was home on Wednesday when I got The Call because we were having carpet installed in our 2 extra bedrooms and our entry stairs. So the house was of course torn to pieces- a makeshift office was set up in the dining room and our stuff was EVERYWHERE throughout the house. Luggage in the living room, dressers in the hallway, bookcase in our bedroom, boxes and bags and piles of papers and files all over the place. Don’t believe me?
The plan was just to put everything back into the computer room and extra bedroom temporarily once the carpet was in, and in a few weeks I would start to go through it all once I was home. I wanted to clean out all of our old papers, sell some things, and put together an actual OFFICE where I could work and have something resembling a decent system of filing and organization.
Instead, since I’m home now, I decided that first the computer room needed PAINT! And new baseboards! And I need to do it now, before we moved everything back in (who wants to move it all twice, right?) For the past 3 days, I have been immersed in paint and saws and sandpaper and spackle and all the fun homeowner-y stuff I’ve missed so much in the last 2 years (and yes, I’m serious when I say that. And yes, I know, I’m sick.) After a year of not doing much else besides typing and sitting, other than the occasional pathetic attempt at an actual workout, my body is in a state of shock and letting me know it is VERY UNHAPPY WITH ME. I cannot think of a single place on myself that doesn’t hurt or have a bruise. I’ve gone soft!
BEFORE new carpet and paint:
AFTER new baseboards and paint:
I still have to paint the baseboards (the white will be a little softer than the blinding white primer on them now) and of course nail them to the wall. And there will be quarter round at the bottom to finish it all off (and to help hold down the edges of the new carpet so my cats aren’t tempted to dig and then Dan isn’t tempted to KILL THEM) But things are moving along nicely. While I’ve been working on this little project, Dan has been downstairs installing a door in our laundry room. Every so often I will hear some swearing and banging and more swearing, but I’ve been assured it’s all going just fine.
So. This is apparently what I do to ‘get over’ stuff. Quit your job, then kind of got fired, but not really because they’re still paying you for the 2 weeks notice period, but they still don’t want you there, and now you find yourself with time on your hands much earlier than you anticipated? LET’S REDECORATE!
A week ago, my life was very different than it is now. I didn’t have 2 computers and desk in my dining room, I still had a job and was nervous about quitting, I didn’t have paint under my nails, and I didn’t have sore muscles from 3 days of painting and scraping and sanding. But I also wasn’t nearly as happy and excited as I am now.
Funny how things happen.
More posts like this:
- our version of HGTV March 15, 2008
- the final straw July 12, 2008
- more gushing about my kitchen November 3, 2007
- weekend in review (snore) July 23, 2006
- perspective March 18, 2007
July 30th, 2006 @ 3:34 pm
It almost sounds like it was meant to happen in a fate like way! And Wow, you’ve been busy!
July 31st, 2006 @ 1:14 am
Isn’t it amazingly liberating? When I quit my corporate job to go back to school, I was scared/excited, but then actually being home & knowing I never had to go back there was absolutely intoxicating. Once you have everything in order, the house cleaned & put back together, make sure you take a day to just laze around and enjoy it!
July 31st, 2006 @ 1:20 am
I have to admit it. I am really jealous. However, I am happy for you, too. :)
July 31st, 2006 @ 10:20 am
Geez, it has been quite a week. We did some rearranging this weekend at our house….can you come over and paint, sand and install?!
July 31st, 2006 @ 11:12 am
haha, oh I have plenty of work here… haha I think it’s my own unique form of therapy ;) That and shopping (off to look for a desk today… I figure I have 1 more paycheck coming, better enjoy it while it lasts!!!!)
July 31st, 2006 @ 1:35 pm
Terminating employment right away based on resigning is COMPLETELY normal. It happens all the time - well, depending on the type of company that is. I’ve worked for companies where they will escort you out the same day you hand in your resignation. This is just for their own protection, that, ‘Just in case’ factor. What if you decide to go and email all your clients, or take information home, etc. Don’t think of it in a negative way about you or your character, or feel bad about it. This is a standard practice for so many companies out there…
August 1st, 2006 @ 1:16 pm
Wow.. I’ve been in a situation where I resigned and they wanted me out immediately too. Jerks. Not a nice feeling. But I did stick up for myself on the way out which was probably one of the most brave things I’ve ever done.
The good thing for you is that they are still paying you for those two weeks. If they didn’t do that, that would so not have been fair, and could possibly have screwed you slightly.. no? All I know is that Dan and I rely on our paychecks very heavily for the mortgage and bills and stuff.. if I was asked to leave early without notice pay.. DAMN. Though, I must admit, money was a lot easier to manage when I was working full time - I’m only getting 66% of my salary on employment insurance..
Good luck with the new venue Jen. I hope it all works out for you!