Good morning! I, for one, hope this day is long and lazy. It has been quite the week, and I am more than ready for some time to unwind. Thankfully, the busy season seems to be winding down finally, and that much-needed rest and relaxation is just around the corner.
What a week – may I never have to experience such a week ever again. It started with my coworker going on paternity leave a few days earlier than expected. My small Finance department was already down a person – which is one of the reasons why I’ve been working on weekends and such long hours lately – but now we were down one additional person. That left only my boss and me to handle all of month-end close as well as the two-day inventory. This after both of us just got back from Mexico and were still getting settled after being away from the office for a week. Month-end close is still not finished; we are going to try to get it done on Monday, but it was another week of long hours with almost no breaks.
As for inventory, it is over! Well, I do have one more plant to count but it is newly opened and not 100 percent operational. If it takes us more than two hours to count, enter, verify, and finish everything, I will be very surprised. Anyway, the inventory for our biggest plant was on Thursday and Friday. 400 miles and many hours later, we finished Friday afternoon and can rightly call it an extremely successful count. It wasn’t as bad as I feared, but the four hours in the car each day was unpleasant, especially since this plant is out in the boondocks and is one of the few remaining places in the US that does not get cell reception. Driving those backroads in the pitch black with not a car or town in sight was nerve-wracking!
To add insult to injury, I found out on Tuesday that Jim’s company’s (a.k.a. my former employer) holiday party this Friday was formal. There was much panic as I realized I don’t fit into any of my appropriate dresses and did not have time for much shopping. I dragged him to one store on Tuesday night and was lucky enough to find a dress, wrap, and shoes in a little under an hour. The best part was that everything was marked down by a minimum of 45 percent. I am still not happy that I had to buy a dress that will hopefully be too big for me in a few months but am so relieved that I was able to find something appropriate quickly and cheaply. I did get a much-needed wrap out of the deal, as well as a fabulous new pair of shoes that I cannot wait to wear again.
As for the party itself, it really was not as bad as I feared. The people with whom I ended things sourly were not there, and those who did attend not only remembered me but asked quite genuinely how I was doing and seemed happy to see me. The company spends a LOT of money on this party, but it was worth it. Three or four bars plus one area set up as an Irish pub, complete with Irish “crisps” and Guinness and Harp on tap, a killer DJ, two Irish bands, wonderful food, valet parking, and some absolutely stunning decorations. I was able to meet a lot of the people with whom Jim spends so much of his time and was impressed/delighted with all of them. The party was still going strong when we left at 12:30 AM, and had I not been up since about 4 AM that morning, we might have stayed longer. I’m actually looking forward to attending next year. I never thought I would have said that!
Now that everything is over, or almost over, it is time to concentrate on preparing for the holidays. I need to buy the kids’ gifts as well as finish out the rest of the family gifts, start my Christmas cards, and start baking holiday treats. Other than some online shopping, the rest is just not going to happen today. I think a nap is my top priority today. How about you? How well are you doing with holiday preparations?
Reviewed this week:
- The Believing Game by Eireann Corrigan
- In Need of a Good Wife by Kelly O’Connor McNees
- Never Tell by Alafair Burke
- Redshirts by John Scalzi
Well, those who were let go were not let go because of lack of funds. I've seen how much my husband spends on travel every month. Money is apparently no object to these guys. In a way, it hurts even more because they didn't find those people valuable enough to offer the right sum of money to keep people with the company or didn't find them to be a valuable asset to the company at large.
LOL! That's why I bring my husband. He makes the decision for me as far as looks, and I go for comfort. Also, with two people selecting options, it tends to go more quickly. That and he doesn't have the patience to walk around all night trying to find something. Our mutual goal was to get in and out of the store as quickly as possible. Thank goodness that is over though! Very stressful!
I did! About two-hours' worth, and it was wonderful! I woke up feeling better than I have in a long time. Of course, now I'm tired again. LOL!
Well I hope things slow down for you … and sounds like a rocking party. Though I wonder how people who got let go feel about such a lavish party, you know?
You had a rough week! So glad you were able to find an outfit for that party quickly. When you mentioned it, even I started to freak out a little because I'e been there. But, I am the gal in the dressing room crying her eyes out or yelling at people because my shopping trips never end well!
Whew – your week sounds exhausting! I'm glad the party was enjoyable after all the rest. Hope you got that nap!
Thanks, Jenny! I am definitely planning on relaxing. This is my last full week of work, and to say I am counting down is a huge understatement.
I love when no one is around at work. I usually get into work early on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays thanks to the kids' activities, and that is my favorite time of the day. The office is quiet. I can get settled, eat my breakfast, drink my coffee, and finish one or two things before anyone else in the department arrives.
I hear you on the clean underwear thing. That's where I was last week. I leaned on Jim a lot last week, which meant that a lot fell through the cracks. LOL! I'm looking forward to getting back to our regular schedule and will never complain about how hectic it is ever again!
Have a good one! Enjoy your last week with the students!
Thanks, Steph! I ended up taking a longish nap today, so obviously I needed the sleep too. LOL!
Honestly, I didn't know any companies did parties like that either. It was interesting, surprising, and fun.
We shall see about the reaction to inventory. The response was muted to the one in Mexico, but this was by far much more successful. I can only hope it helps improve my standing within the company or at least with my manager.
I opted to forego the workout too. I know I should have done it, but it felt too good to snuggle under a blanket on the couch. The snow/sleet didn't help with my motivation either. That being said, I feel SO much better having slept for an hour or two, so I obviously needed it.
What a week! and party! Sounds like inventory went well and glad the far out plant is done with. That just adds to the stress I think. As for the party, I'm glad you were able to have a good time. I know I would have been pooping my pants in case one of "them" was there and not cordial. Hey it's a party, be nice, you know.
Hope you can now enjoy a bit of the season and the rest of the year.
My day job has been super busy, between meetings, project, and "oh can you do one more thing?" Makes the days go by fast, but I would like to have some down time, you know?
Classes finish this week and both me and my students are happy about that. We have spent way too much time together, and I'll see them again in January anyway. Now when classes finish, I can stay at work a little extra and get things done. I like it when no one is around. More productive.
On the home front, as long as I have clean underwear to put on it's a good day 🙂
Have a great week and talk to you later sweetie!
I am exhausted just from reading about your manic marathon week. I'm so glad you enjoyed the party. 🙂
Sounds like that party was just what you needed! I didn't know any business threw parties like that any more.
Glad you made it through inventory. Hopefully the great job you're doing and the work you're putting in will make the people you're having problems with realize how valuable you are.
I'm glad the party more than worked out for you. I know you were stressing a bit about it and I'm sure being there with Jim also helped. 🙂
Reading, nap and a workout. That sounds like quite a day to me. It doesn't seem too bad out here weather-wise. I SHOULD do the workout, but definitely will do the nap and the reading.