My life is a soap opera

The other evening as I was talking about work, Jeremy compared my current life to a soap opera. He was entirely right and it's only getting worse!

The good news, I guess, is that I've decided to stay and not change jobs. G was thrilled to hear that as they were worried both P & I would be gone before a new CEO was hired. I have been looking at various opportunities, and in the short term we could pull off a salary decrease, but the long-term impact is enormous as it would take quite a while to get up to my current pay level. In addition, there really isn't anything even remotely comparable locally at the present time, so I'd have to commute - YUCK! So - I emailed the Exec Committee and let them know of my decision. So far only G has emailed back a response.

Now, today rumors were going around that I had accepted a job at S.G. hospital and was starting December 10th. It is actually P that has applied for a Director of HR position and has a second interview tomorrow. One of our former employees has been spreading this around, as she works at SG and is probably involved in the interview process. However, she just has the person wrong. Again, a SOAP OPERA, and I HATE DRAMA!

On a positive note, Chloe and I starting agility next week Friday. Yippee! And this weekend we are putting up the Christmas tree. The following weekend I have a professional photographer coming who will be doing a family portrait of us with all seven dogs. I have wanted this for so long, and will be so great to have a real quality, in-home photograph.

Work, family, life!

I've included this picture of "THE BUG" as it shows just how much he loves his Mommy, and my feelings toward him are equal. THE WORLD IS FINE SO LONG AS I HAVE MY BUG!!!!!

To say the month of November has been trying is an understatement. P & I had approached M about her performance issues and offered her a business development position. She was actually considering it, and asked us to inform the Board that due to her health she would not be returning to an E.D. position. Well, she changed her mind but DID NOT TELL US! She had a staff member tell a Board member, and an investigation ensued. The Board says they concur with our concerns regarding the significant performance issues, but they are allowing her to return to an E.D. position. This whole process has been one big emotional roller coaster. At first the Board was upset that we had handled this without their input, then they felt we were attacking her. After that was resolved, I thought for sure they would only offer her the B.D. role we had approached her with. Oh no....now they are going to take her back. Needless to say, I cannot stay at the Agency. After twelve years, I am looking for a new job. I have two interviews scheduled - one with HealthNet on Wednesday and one with Heartland on Friday. I also have applications in with other companies and am in contact with a couple different recruiters. We'll see what happens.

In the meantime, I took last week (Thanksgiving week) off in order to spend time with Ed who was also taking PTO. We decided it felt more like a honeymoon than a vacation - we really enjoyed it. I did a lot of soul searching, and after looking at our budget I decided I need to make sure whatever position I go after, it's one that I WANT, that doesn't entail extensive driving, and that meets our needs financially.

As Thanksgiving week concluded, I have given thanks for all that we are blessed with. While almost all facets of my life have changed, the most important thing is intact - my FAMILY! I have the best husband, a wonderful son, great canine children, and all that makes for a perfect home life. When everything is said and done, that's what life is all about.

The DECISION! - for real!

I woke up this morning completely exhausted. Our original plans to take all five Poodles to Helen Woodward's annual dog walk suddenly sounded abhorrent. I only wanted to go back to bed after taking the dogs potty, and had no desire to leave the house. I know, though, Ed wouldn't want to stay home and the dogs would certainly enjoy it. So, off we went and had a wonderful time. The weather was perfect and the dogs were so well behaved. We found an agility set up and got to see how Chloe would do. With just a bit of coaxing, she went through the shoot, over the jump and through the hoop. I am really going to try and get her into an agility class, or take private lessons. After the dog walk, we meandered down to La Jolla and strolled into Muttropolis, where we found a GREAT new stroller for the pooches. It's larger than the fold-up we were using, and RED instead of that silly pink. Scooter, Chelsea AND Chloe all fit in it, although Chloe also enjoys walking on the leash too. It has a single front wheel and maneuvers MUCH better than the other one. I am happy with my new find!

Okay, my other news - the DECISION! I have decided, once and for all, I am done, done, done with rescue. In fact, I have an adoption tomorrow and I can't even bring myself to do it. Ed & Jeremy are going for me. After thinking about this and praying for months, it just came to me yesterday when I was talking to Pam. I was mentioning that I was debating between dramatically cutting back (1-2 dogs) or just closing down altogether. She reminded me that there is no way I am going to be able to restrain myself to just a couple of dogs, that I'd feel guilty and would soon be back up to where I am now - ten dogs. By the end of the day I knew what my decision was. I am so very relieved and know it is the right thing.

Things at work are interesting to say the least. It was an incredibly difficult week, one of the more challenging we've had in the last year. I had offended the Hospice managers by their perception of 'micromanaging'. They were adamant about the promotion of a particular nurse, and the Business Development Team was just as strongly opposed. Pam was also very much against it. In the end, we did the right thing - put the nurse in the position and will hope for the best. We had a very fitting ending to the week when G, our board chair, called to say that one of the board members heard that Pam & I were "forcing" M out of her position. Thank goodness G called us first so we could give him the history and inform him that our action was based upon direction by the chair of the QI committee.... Still, M will be mortified as G feels he needs to call her to investigate, and it is nerve wracking for us as it just opens the door for misinformation to be shared. I am just going to be praying and trusting all will go well and that our integrity in all matters will shine through. The very good news is that the Board seems to be pleased with our performance despite three horrible months with financials in the red and other serious issues. Incredible. I guess we are doing better about informing them and providing the info they need to demonstrate we are considering all angles.