Thursday, November 30, 2017

A gift

I was given a very exciting gift yesterday. A gift so large and so amazing that the gift is priceless.

Now you're excited and want to know what the gift is - right?

It's the gift of time. Yes  - I was able to add 50 + hours of time to my week - EVERY WEEK.

Think about it - yep - I basially don't have a day job any more.

GASP?  Seriously?  What happened?  I know you have questions, here are a few answers.

Why? Budget cuts and a new focus that didn't fit with my role

When? I found out early yesterday morning and I was gone as quickly as I could pack my office uup. Which was really funny because after I found out, I went back to my office and I closed the door and I sat there and looked around me. There was a lot of stuff to pack! Quilts, paper, stuff - lots of stuff. I managed to squeeze it into my car and I was a free person!

Did I see it coming? Nope - I was like a deer caught in the headlights.

Did it surprise me? Yes, but when I got to thinking about different things that have happened while I worked there, I realized that the writing was on the wall and I would say that this is a mutually agreeable situation.

How am I? After the initial shock which perhaps still hasn't sunk in, I just became my practical little self. Packed the car, had errands to do, etc.

What's next?  Well this is where the news gets super exciting.  I mean EXCITING!  As I was zipping around yesterday doing my errands, I was weighing the pros and cons. Not that I had a choice to go back, but to help me justify what happened. Here they are:

PROS:
No stupid commute to work - twice a day - five days a week. It never seemed to matter the time of the morning that I left, the traffic was bad. The drive took anywhere between 1 1/2 hours - 2 hours every day. And that was incorporating the toll highway into the mix. Think about it - I'm saving a couple of hours every day and I'm saving hundreds of dollars every month on the tolls and gas. The round trip was close to 100 KM.  Am I happy about that? JUMPING FOR JOY on this one.

Get to spend more time with the girls. Yep - pretty happy about that one too. Not only can they spend all day everyday outside (well almost), but they get to go to the park everyday. And we all get to make new friends or renew dog park friends. Am I happy about that?  You bet!

No deadlines! I don't even need to go into details on that one! I alone will be the one to control my deadlines. Am I happy about that?  Silly - of course I am.

I get to focus on what is important to me. This is super exciting as I now have 50 extra hours every week to focus on what I want. Maybe it'll be lazing in the backyard, listening to the pond (in the summer of course), reading a book, maybe it'll be chasing the dogs, maybe it'll be designing quilts, maybe it'll be writing patterns, maybe it'll be sewing my own projects or developing classes. Am I thrilled about that?  You bet!  It's going to take a while before I figure out what exactly this means.

I get to take a nap in the afternoon if I want!  Nuff said!

I get to sew with my Monday group again! I felt that I was losing contact with lots of them as many came after I left early in the morning so it'll be good to get back to sewing with the girls. Can't wait for Monday!

I get to renew relationships with a whole lot of people - the librarians at my local library and the staff at the various local shops that I frequented, although my local quilt shop is closing - but based on the fact that I'm earning less money, that's probably a good thing.

I'm back in business for long arm quilting. A few clients have stuck with me during the last couple of years. Now I can focus on getting more done and I bought a computer for my machine so I will have a new toy to play with in a couple of months when that arrives.

I can actually go to my spin classes in the morning. Yeah! I haven't been in a long long time and I miss it. I'll be able to get back into shape and I'm super excited about that.

I have time to ride my bike or take a walk to Tim's with the girls.

I have time to focus on writing which I love. Maybe I can even help Lexi more with her blog.and I want to expand  my own blog and what I offer on it.

And I could go on and on.

CONS:

Hmm - a salary. What little was left after taxes, gas and the toll highway. I can live without that money.

Oh - that's it?



Well - I think you get the picture. While I'm a little bummed that I got laid off! That's never happened to me before, but you know what - I'm OK with it and when I think back - this probably should have happened a while back. You know - hind sight, quality of life, happiness with what you do, respect and a whole lot of other things.  So am I upset?  HELL NO!!!!!

I'm dancing amongst all the boxes that are now sitting in my hall. I do have a bit of work to tidy up all that and deal with it all, but I have time!  Lots of it.

I was in Home Depot yesterday as I had to buy something for an upcoming class. I had to laugh as I walked the aisles looking for the items. I now have the luxury of doing errands during the week when everyone else is at work!  I love it!!!!

BUT - this is actually a very important lesson for me. I could take that gift - those 50 extra hours and squander them away. So I must be very careful that I treat that gift with respect. I need to evaluate what needs to be done, what I want done and  make sure that I do it. So I'm going to go to work everyday! But at my house - commute - 20 seconds if that! This office needs to be cleaned up, sorted and whatever. My computers need to be consolidated and pictures cleaned up. My mom wants me to do some work on the Family Tree.  I envision a typical week like this - Sewing on Monday, Long arm on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday will be "working" in the morning and sewing on my personal stuff in the afternoon. Weekends free to do whatever. Now how can you beat that?

On that note, I'm out of here!

Have a super day!!!!


Ciao!!


So if you need to get in touch with me, the only e-mail is elainetheriault@gmail.com.  That's also at the top of my blog in Contact Me sections. I have a ton of people to send notes to so that will keep me busy for the next couple of days as I sort out files and contacts and all that good stuff.  But one e-mail - that's also a PRO!

26 comments:

  1. Sorry to hear that after all your hard work and long hours prepping for shows. I hope they at least thanked you. You'll miss the shows and all the people you came to know. Glad to have you back on Mondays.. I pop in now and then.

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    1. Maria - thanks so much. While I'm not working at Northcott - I'm still in the industry. Just not sure what direction that will be yet. I'm happy to be back on Mondays and hope to see you soon. Take care - I know things are very stressful for you right now. Big hugs!!! Elaine

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  2. Yesterday you said you were interested in giving more presentations to guilds. Now you have the time to do it! And it pays! Hoping to have you to Simcoe in 2018-2019.

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    1. Stepahnie - YES and YES. I'll be getting in touch with you about dates. Actually if you sent to my work e-mail, can you resend to elainetheriault@gmail.com as I no longer have access to work e-mail. thanks!

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  3. Congratulations on your newly found 50 hours a week! Great attitude!

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    1. Thanks Lisa - and I hope to be spending some of those 50 + hours on my bike which I have sorely missed since taking on this job.

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  4. Sorry to hear you got laid off, but so happy you won't be bored with all that extra time you'll find yourself with. :)

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    1. No time to be bored at my house! Just have to learn to manage by myself which I'm pretty good at, but day after day can take its toll. Who knows where the path of life will take me!

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  5. It is quite a shock to lose your job; been there! You have a great attitude and fun times ahead. Good Luck

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    1. Thanks so much for your comments. And it's a win win for everyone as I'll be able to spend more time doing what I like and that is teaching/educating so we all win!

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  6. You definitely see this as your glass being half full, enjoy this new turn in the road.

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    1. Kathy - thanks so much. Yes a new turn and we're not quite around the bend yet so who knows what's coming. Elaine

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  7. My first reaction was "Oh no. that's awful" But then realize that this is just a "speed bump" on your road of life. I have hit many of those through the years and have learned
    "when one door closes, another one opens". I am so looking forward to seeing and hearing what opportunities are just waiting to happen.

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    1. Helen - thanks so much! Yes - it's just a speed bump. I'm excited and well who knows what's around the corner. I say "hang on and enjoy the ride!" Maybe one day, we can meet up now that I have lots of time!

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  8. Our paths are not the same but I see similarities in them. When my career came to an end I was a it concerned with "what will I do after". Lucky for me my part time quilting took of. I see the some for you. You will still be as busy if not busier than ever. I am happy you have the positive outlook you do. You are going to be just fine.

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    1. Paul -- thanks so much. Yes - we'll stay in touch for sure and no danger of running out of fabric with an entire room waiting to be sewn!

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  9. Great attitude Elaine. I too was laid off this year and I'm not complaining!! In fact it's made me realize I don't want a job outside of my home any more. Had enough of that. I am blessed with 7 lovely grandchildren that I get to spend more time with and really enjoy the time I spend with them. I think congratulations are in order for you!!

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    1. You are so right! I'm so exciting, I'm wondering why I didn't make this happen sooner. Sometimes we need to look at our quality of life and determine how much money we really need - there is so much more to life than money! Enjoy those grandchildren - I'm sure they're happy to have you closer to home!!

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  10. LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AT GUILD

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    1. Yep - I can focus a bit more on the guilds I belong to- very happy about that!

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  11. Elaine....I love you!,,You r one amazing woman and your joy in life is infectious! One in a zillion.

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  12. The sad thing is that your position involved quilting and the position was eliminated. Your local quilt shop is closing and I was just reading about the decline in attendees,booths etc. at Fall Market. I'm looking forward to following you on your new journey.

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    1. Yes - that is a good a point that I hadn't thought about. But yes - the position was eliminated - that's sad. Well lots of new stuff to take its place.

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  13. Wow Elaine! That was a shock when I heard yesterday. We'll miss having you as our contact at Northcott, but this seems like it will be a very positive change for you! Think of the things you'll be able to accomplish! Have fun :)

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    1. Christine -- Thanks. I know - I'm going to miss all the contacts with the designers. But I'm sure our paths will be crossing again - you don't burn bridges in this industry!

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