Sunday, March 21, 2010

Sunday Salon - The What the Hell Happened to Me Post

The Sunday Salon.comGood morning!! I really just wanted to thank all of you for your kind words this past week. I don't want to get into specifics, but the past month has been challenging to me in so many ways. 3rd shift has been taking it's toll on me for the past 2 years, and I think I finally hit rock-bottom with it. Things with the Red Cross went from bad to worse....and it put me in a serious depression. I mean, I've been depressed before, but this was different. This was the kind of depression that left me feeling drained. All I wanted to do was stay in bed all day (or night) and pull the covers over my head. I didn't want to read or blog or check my email or twitter or ANYTHING. So I took a mental-health break. I apologize if I concerned you at all. I got a few emails that I know I should have answered and a few phone calls as well. But I just couldn't answer them.

But this week, I feel better. On Tuesday, I started a new job!!! One that I hope I'll be at for quite awhile. I am working for DHL Export Company. I've been looking for awhile, but after the first of the year, I kicked that into overdrive. With my background in IT and my experience in Logistics, they gave me the job right away. It's first shift, Monday thru Friday. (at the moment there is also unlimited overtime, but I don't know how long that will last). I am an Ocean Export Rep, and basically what they are training me for is to set up bookings of ocean shipments across the world for Caterpillar. I met the Regional Manager this week and told him I'm already a certified 6 Sigma green belt (if you don't know what I'm talking about, don't worry. It's a business thing and stupid as hell...but looks great on a resume!). He was super-impressed with that, so keep your fingers crossed that I'm here to stay!! I'm also sticking with the restaurant, as well. Scary thing is, I'm actually good at waiting tables. And the money is really good. I'm cutting my hours pretty drastically, but will use the money for my property taxes this year....and basically just as catch-up money. It was nice this year to pay cash for our entire Christmas!! Maybe another year of waiting tables, and I'll be able to pay for a really nice vacation for 2011. God knows, this family could use one!!

I even went to the library on Friday!!! I haven't done that in months. You know it's bad for me when I don't even want to go to the library. And I started doing a bit of blog hopping yesterday. Just so you know, I plan on catching up with all of you this week!! I saw that Carl has posted for the Once Upon a Time IV Challenge. If there is anything that could get me back into the blogging/reading mode again, it's one of Carl's Challenges!!! So look for a sign-up post from me this week.

During my month's hiatus, I finished a couple of books. Hex Hall, that I reviewed yesterday. Horns by Joe Hill. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater. The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl by Barry Liga. And the 3rd Sandman and Fables. I don't know if I'll get to any reviews or not, but I will try. As for now, I am reading Winter Garden by Kristen Hannah and Eleanor Rigby by Douglas Coupland. I also have a copy of the new Holly Black book on deck, White Cat.

And for the first time in over a year, I have the entire weekend off!!! Mike and Chad are out of town. They went to a racquetball tournament in Lombard, so it's been a "Girl's Weekend". This is something that I needed in the worst way. We went to see Alice in Wonderland. We went out to dinner both Friday and Saturday. And have been watching basketball and basically just hanging out. It's been incredible.

That's it for me today. I just wanted to thank all of you again. Not only for all your concern and kind words, but for your patience with me. And the fact that you still keep coming back to see me. I need you guys in my life!! The last month has proven that to me more than ever. So, thank you!! You have my undying appreciation!!

34 comments:

DesLily said...

i understand depression... the new job will be a big leap into tossing that depression away!! Good to see you back and posting again... we all have our life "moments" even month long ones!

Amanda said...

I'm glad to hear you've gotten yourself into a better situation! :)

Stephanie said...

DesLily - Thank you!! I've never had such a horrible time before. But I feel 100% better now. Things are starting to look up.

Amanda - Thank you!! I think things might finally be turning around a bit for us. At least I feel better!

Aarti said...

I'm glad you have found a job you prefer, Stephanie! Best of luck with it :-)

Stephanie said...

Aarti - Thanks!! I'm glad too. I guess all things happen for a reason.

Anonymous said...

Welcome back Steph. I am so happy that things are looking up for you. It's been a bad week for me, and reading your post makes me more optimistic myself. Take care of yourself and I hope things work out for you.

christina said...

Stephanie, I hope that you absolutely love your new job. I hate falling into slumps. I'm glad that you are feeling more of yourself.

I have only recently stumbled upon Joe Hill. I want to read Horns but hear that it's quite different than Heart Shaped Box. Did you enjoy it?

Stephanie said...

Kristy - I'm sorry to hear you've had a bad week. But after the last few months, I'm a firm believer of fate and things happening for a reason. Take care of yourself!!

Christina - I really did like Horns. But Joe rights a lot like his dad. And with this one he seems a bit cynical about human nature!! Definitely give it a try!

Chrisbookarama said...

Yay! Glad to see you back and sounding bright and optimistic.

Debi said...

Oh Stephanie, it just makes me so happy to hear to the optimism in your voice. I hope this is really the start of much happier times. Goodness knows you deserve them, sweetie!

And YAY for Once Upon a Time!

Deb Nance at Readerbuzz said...

Fingers crossed for you. Hope you'll rave about the new job. For me, it is usually not the work, but the people.

And I'm reading about France. I welcome any thoughts you might have about good books to read about France!

Renay said...

I am so glad you're feeling better. <3

Ana S. said...

Don't feel bad for needing some sanity time, Stephanie! I completely understand, and so does everyone else I'm sure. Congratulations on the new job, and I hope things get better in general for you. Also, I'm excited to hear you're reading Eleanor Rigby! It's one of my all-time favourite books.

samantha.1020 said...

Congratulations on the new job! I hope that this one helps to relieve some of the stress. The library always makes me happy so I'm glad that you are going again. And I am just glad that you are back :)

Melody said...

Congrats on the new job! Here's wishing you all the very best, Stephanie! :)

Bookfool said...

Congrats on the new job, Stephanie! I'm glad you're back. Hope things continue to improve.

Michelle said...

Yay!!! As I said on Twitter, I was really worried about you because I could tell things were coming to a head for you after the New Year. Your new job sounds like a step in the right direction. A weekend off, and a girls' weekend to boot, is just what you deserve. Here's to a fabulous 2010 - it may have started out rocky but hopefully things only get better for you from here!

Marg said...

I am so relieved to hear that you have a new job, and I really hope that this is a fresh start for you and your family.

Kathleen said...

I'm glad to hear you have a new job and that you are feeling better. Depression is a debilitating disease that I have seen several friends and family members suffer with. It sounds like the wave has passed and you are feeling better now!

Ryan said...

I understand what depression can do to you and I'm heartened to hear you are doing better. Congrats on the new job and good luck!

Susan said...

Oh Stephanie, it's so good to hear you have a better job with hours that you can literally live with! That's the best news - except to hear that it's permanent, and that Mike finds one too. For now, this is so very good. If you could see the smile on my face.....which is nothing to how happy everyone at your end must be. Thank you for sharing it with us!!

How was Alice? I'm thinking of taking my daughter to see it.

Carrie K. said...

I'm so glad things are looking up for you! Take care of yourself - we miss you. :)

Trish @ Love, Laughter, Insanity said...

Hey Steph--so glad to see that you're feeling a little better and that things are looking up. Congrats on the new job and I hope that it alleviates some of the financial and time stress you've been experiencing.

Sometimes stepping back is the best thing. I've been experiencing the same over the past five months and it does make a huge difference.

Tif Sweeney said...

I am so glad you are back and things are looking up! You deserve it!! :)

Jill said...

Congratulations on the new job - and welcome back!

Carl V. Anderson said...

Its been a few weeks and no doubt you are swamped with work but I wanted to check in and make sure all was well with you. Hope the job is still going great and that you are getting back to your old self.

Sheila (Bookjourney) said...

Glad to see you feeling better! :D

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