The long and short of it

“It’s a long story” doesn’t really apply to this abrupt series of events. I received a call on Friday offering me a very unexpected fulltime position, went to a regional staff training/meeting on Saturday in Orlando, took Monday to tie up the loose ends, and began my new job on Tuesday. Like I said, not really a long story!

Here are some things I’ve learned since accepting this job. No, not my sign-on’s, passwords, office procedures or even what my responsibilities are in this new role. I’ve learned those things but here is the nitty-gritty, really worthwhile tidbits I’ve picked up that may be even more useful!

My car went from being sheltered in the garage all day to parking under a shaded tree in my new work parking lot. Great, right? No. Not when there is a platoon of mean-spirited birds chilling out in that tree who eat what appear to be grapes in preparation for “Operation: Crap” which is to defecate on my beautiful white car. When I approached my car at the end of the workday, I quite literally thought someone had pelted my pretty Mustang with purple paintballs.
My dogs had gotten used to living the life while I’ve been a stay-at-homer; they sleep all day with just enough energy to saunter to the door several times a day for a quick pee outside. Clearly, there was no way these monkeys would be able to hold their bladder all day and the doggie day care wanted $50 a day to sit the monsters. Tell me~ why would I work fulltime and pay $250 a week to have someone keep my dogs? So panic set in and then I found Michele~ a Godsend!!! She visits my house every day, makes sure everyone gets a good walk and a few belly rubs and then texts me to assure me that my house is still, for another day, in one piece. She does this without my having to sell a kidney.
I was worried about a long commute stuck in traffic to and from the workplace but I was pleasantly surprised when I flew down 275-S at 80mph (*Disclaimer. If you’re a police office, consider that an exaggeration). I had no issues with traffic or hideous drivers and arrived for my first day FAR quicker than I anticipated. Good for me because I was reminded that public schools are on spring break this week so I’ve been duped. Figures.