LIFE CHANGES

It still amazes me how one’s life can change so suddenly, whether it be in a split second or a few days. I have experienced both, the latter being as recent as Wednesday. Wednesday morning I went to work at the mail order pharmacy and took the afternoon off to go to an interview ten miles farther down the road. Spent three hours talking to the owner and not only had the job, but felt as if I had known Ellen for years. We are compatible and have similar backgrounds and experiences. She was looking for an older, more mature employee, and I happened to fit the bill, although my mom might disagree about the mature part.

Went into work the next morning, talked to my supervisor and submitted my letter of resignation effective the end of business Friday and not in two weeks, but the following day. It’s not that I was indispensable. Hey, it’s a call center environment with a pond of other fish. I didn’t tell any of my coworkers until yesterday and debated whether to even say goodbye and would send a generic e-mail instead. Hate goodbyes and get too emotional. Can usually hide it until getting in the car and driving away and then the water works start. Well, the word got out and I ended up saying those goodbyes to the few that were special and to my surprise found out how special I seemed to be to them as well. Although the eyes misted somewhat when driving home, there was no flood.

So here I sit on Saturday, out of the drug business and into the fire retardant business. The new job has great potential. Many people have never heard about fire retardant. Fire retardant is flame proofing that results in stopping fires or impeding fire growth. It can be done to almost anything. This company is a consultant firm that offers fire protection and safety services to the public, government agencies, places of business, building construction, and the movie and entertainment industry. They also manufacture, distribute, and apply their own products. There are not many companies who offer these services so the market is huge and possibilities are endless. The biggest customer is Disney so that tells you something.

The business has been around for a long time although Ellen took it over seven years ago. Her fiance passed away and left the business in her hands. Ellen showed me around the office, warehouse, lab and showed me some of the products that have been and are being tested. It was really fascinating. My position is clerical in nature--answer phones, file, paperwork; you know, the usual. However, Ellen sees the position as going from office manager to her personal assistant, marketer, traveler… and if she decides to open up another office in Vegas or San Diego, I would have the option to manage or train somebody else to run it. As I said, the possibilities are endless. More office space is needed and the company might even move in and share space with Disney.

Ellen’s second passion is alternative medicine, and she ran a company for many years in Orange County. She hopes to do something along the same vein and now with me on board, it is feasible.

During our conversation, Ellen mentioned that she lives in a 3,000 square foot home with her dog and cat and within walking distance to the office. She made a comment that we could be roommates. Of course, I thought she was joking until Ellen brought up the subject again and told me to seriously consider it down the road. I was quite dumbfounded--I had just met this lady but like I said, we have great rapport and similarities. It’s also nice to know that Ellen is a Christian.

Commuting is a pain and you never know about the traffic on the interstate in Southern California. There’s always a wreck. For now I’ll commute 21 miles even though there is only a five minute difference than my previous job. Will eventually move but want to stay near my parents until Dad has his bypass and is on the road to recovery. We live around the corner from each other and just a little over a mile from the hospital.

So exciting things are happening. Now, if I only could find a boyfriend. Just kidding. Uh…….maybe not.