DOIN' THE HAPPY DANCE

IMAGINE ME DOING THE HAPPY DANCE

AS YOU READ THE FOLLOWING:

(And imagine Vern Troyer singing the "It's my birthday" song in that commercial): I got a job, uh-huh, uh-huh. It's a good job, uh-huh, uh-huh! I'm very happy, uh-huh, uh-huh!


I applied for a job with this company without knowing they had just posted an opening. How serendipitous! I had actually waited a couple of months to approach them. I was hesitant because I felt somehow unworthy. (Ridiculous, I know.) I interviewed with them yesterday, and they seemed to be very interested in me and so appreciative of my experience. The interview went very well, but you just never know. Anyway, they called me a little bit ago and it's official! I start Tuesday, the day after Memorial Day.


The job is with Bismarck Title Company, which is the competitor of my former company. I am starting out at almost exactly the same salary it took me nine years to achieve at ND Guaranty and Title. Because of my years of experience, they are giving me more vacation this first year than they usually give new hires. And the profit sharing is astounding.


I will be on the ground floor, so to speak, as they start a new office in Mandan and prepare to take over the market share from Mandan Title, which is NDGT's sister company and the place I worked during the last 15 months of my 9-year tenure with the company. I have dedicated myself to doing everything in my power to help my new company succeed in this venture.


If that sounds to you like gloating, I am. I think I deserve to gloat a little. It feels like poetic justice to me. As those of you who read my blog know, it has been a tough two months. I have related the jumble of feelings one goes through after losing one's job and while being in a toxic work environment with a manager who is a bully.


I know it could have been a lot longer than two months. I have read the tales about downsized middle-management people who have sent out hundreds of resumes and are still unemployed for a year or more. I am lucky and blessed. I am especially blessed to have the support of Dan and Kristen, my sister Glori and the Fredericksen relatives. And I cannot forget to thank my new blogging friends, my in-town friends and former fellow employees who gave me reassurance, encouragement and advice, coddled me when I needed it, assured me how smart and deserving I am, and gave me a smack upside the head when I got to be too much.


I haven't gotten a lot accomplished during my enforced time off. Now, I have five days to do all the projects I thought I would finish during my unemployment period, which in all possibility could have lasted all summer. Hah, I know I won't get them done, but I do have to get a haircut, maybe a get a perm. I have to buy a couple of decent outfits because my work wardrobe had gotten really shabby, and I have to buy a couple of pairs of new shoes/sandals because of - that's right - Gracie. Those have-to's will be so much more fun than sending out resumes, reporting to Job Service and throwing those pity parties!