Saying Goodbye Is Hard To Do

Today's post deserved two photos. This is my desk just before I boxed up all my personal effects. =(

Although we've moved offices throughout my time in the company, I've had the same desk for most of that time and had worked on making my corner of the world where I spent 40 hours a week (and more, I'm sure) as cozy as I can. I do love my space and it's been home to me for a long time. I am pretty particular with things and yes, I can tell when somebody's been at my desk while I'm on vacation. It wasn't easy cleaning this desk up and seeing it empty when I left the office tonight.

I will miss this place and the characters I worked with - Harvey, the most interesting of them all! I kid you not, he is the human version of Brian from Family Guy! Gil, the coffee expert who occasionally blurts out curse words in German or some other European language when he gets frustrated (actually, he confessed that sometimes, they're not real words... just gibberish). Bob, he's basically been my work husband since Stephen and Amy left. There are others in the department, and I will miss you all!

It was also great for our bankers from across the border to come up for a visit and take us out for lunch. Alan, it was so awesome to see you and thanks for accommodating me and scheduling your visit on such short notice so that I can come along for lunch on my last day.

Gil stayed until I was done so I can give him my computer and office keys. He helped me take my boxes of personal stuff to my car and as I hugged him goodbye in the parking lot, his last words to me were, "you're right in the few seconds where you step into that portal as you end one chapter of your life right into a new one." It's so true!

With those words in my head, I drove away and bawled as I crossed the Lions' Gate bridge in the usual traffic that it comes with. I didn't want to look like a mental case to the drivers of the other cars beside me; also, Sean and I went to the BC Lions game tonight and I didn't want to be a mess when I got home, considering we had to hurry to get to the game... so that helped to keep the floodgates from letting everything out.

Below is the email I sent out to the company to bid everyone farewell:

Dear Peak family,

Donna knows I’m not a morning person AT ALL. For years, I have had a hard time getting up in the mornings to get to work; but today, I was up before 5.30am and got into the office by 7.30am - last day jitters?!

It has been a wild ride of tremendous growth and fond memories for me in my time here of almost 8 years. I don’t know what life would look like if I never came across this company and the wonderful people in it, past and present. Everything happens for a reason, and I believe I’m a better person and life is better today because of my journey with Peak. I have made many good friends throughout this journey, and although I will miss working with you all… I hope to keep in touch. Harvey, I will miss you most! =)

The thought of leaving this place has been a source of great struggle for me the past couple of months, and now it’s here. It’s hard to let go when you have “control issues” - haha. It was heartbreaking to piece out my tasks to different people in the department, when I’ve put so much pride and effort in my work and it’s been my “baby”. Also, for a long time, this has been the life I know and today feels sort of like “leaving the nest.” But now, the time has come when I have to make room in my life for a real baby and embrace the adventures of a new chapter in my life journey - exciting, but also… YIKES!

I have kept a blog since February 1^st this year, where I take pictures daily and put up a post each day with a picture of the day and a little blurb. It would be a good way to keep up-to-date with me and my world… http://www.365daysofalchemy.blogspot.com. Once Maddi arrives, I’ll most likely start another 365 days blog of her and will provide a link to it on my current blog.

Best wishes to all of you, namaste.

With all my love,

Jenn

Last Kick At The Can

One of the last times I cross this bridge to get home from work... for a while, sigh.

Tonight, I stayed late at work to get some things done as I don't have that much time left before I go on maternity leave next week. Gil called it my "last kick at the can."

I've been raking in free meals this week - Donna took me out for lunch yesterday, Bob today... and Richard stayed a bit later tonight and got dinner for both of us. Thanks, guys! Oh and tomorrow, our bankers from across the border are coming up and taking us out for lunch, too!

Well, it was a productive day getting almost everything sorted out. I think I'll have enough time tomorrow to pass everything off.

Donna

Today, Donna took me out for lunch as I wind down this week before I go on maternity leave.

I first met Donna almost 8 years ago when I interviewed for a Finance clerk position at Peak Potentials in January of 2004. Despite the humble beginnings of a 2-drawer filing cabinet for a desk in a cramped office... those were fondly remembered fun days working in an office that had a culture like no other.

It seemed we had cake every week celebrating someone's birthday in the pit. I loved the energy in the office and no matter how chaotic it was at times, everything seemed to somehow flow into place. It was an environment that encouraged play as much as hard work; where people pulled together what at times seemed to be impossible tasks.

This was supposed to be an in between job for me until I found a career job. However, a testament to how awesome this place is, and the people that work in it... almost 8 years later, I am still here. Despite frustrating times off and on throughout the years when I had thoughts about working elsewhere, I had struggled a lot on the thought of leaving this place at the end of this week.

Without any accounting education background, I've learned on the job and had been promoted over the years to take on more and more responsibility. I have the belief and support of an awesome manager and friend to thank for that.

I have many great memories with Donna over the years that I've known her. She was there to give me advice when I was trying to figure out my relationship with Sean, there at my stagette and wedding, there when I decided to go back to school, and now as I continue on my journey to having a baby. However, the best memory I share with her would have to be one from the Fall of 2004, at the first ever event of that season, when I traveled from event to event. Donna came to that first event. As I took a few bites of my "risotto cooked in red wine" lunch one day while working with her, my cheeks started to feel tremendously warm. I asked if they were red, because I thought I was getting drunk. I had to ask her if I was allowed to grab another lunch, as I can't eat any more of what I've got without passing out. She wouldn't let me forget it since!

Donna, you've been more than a manager to me. You've been a friend and a big sister who I can go to whenever I needed an ear to listen to what I have to say or a sounding board to sort out whatever may be troubling me in my head. Thanks for all that you've done for me over the years, I will definitely miss working with you.

Vintage Finds

A dollar fifty for a pack of 3 vintage designed glass magnets at Michaels... I couldn't resist! I bought 3 packs and these are ones that have messages on them.

Wise words I must say. This is my last week at work. Starting next week, until baby comes... is for me to take time for myself - relax, rest, nest. When Maddi comes, I'm sure the transition will give me lots of opportunities to look at myself closely and reflect. Lastly, the time during my maternity leave is an awesome chance for me to unlock some of my dreams and explore my purpose and passion.

I was in an Alice In Wonderland kind of mood when editing this photo...

Hubby's Culinary Specialty

Hubby has been great throughout my pregnancy - picking up the slack at home when I couldn't do as much. I usually do the cooking at home, but I haven't cooked regularly for months now... I just don't have the energy or the interest. Luckily, it was Summer time and hubby BBQ'd a lot.

Today, I felt especially tired. It was Sean's day off and it was sooo awesome to come home to this, his specialty (pasta sauce), cooking on the stove top. Lately, I find myself losing even more interest in food. I would eat it if it was in front of me, but it's a challenge to make myself a meal. I find myself being so grateful when someone else prepares my food... even if it's just picking food up from a restaurant.

In keeping with finding the good and wonderful in every moment and being grateful... today, I'm grateful for my hubby for making me dinner and for everything else he does for me - from tying my shoe laces to giving me a slight push when I have to walk up a hill.

Full Term

Today, I'm at 37 weeks and Maddi has finally reached full term!

This is me in my pre-pregnancy jeans with the belly severely in the way of zipping or buttoning it up. Sometimes, the belly doesn't seem to be that big; yet other times, it looks ginormous! Either way, it's neat to see how much it has grown in the last 37 weeks. Maddi's newest trick - full on kicks!

This morning, Sean and I met with my friend Angela to have some maternity shots taken. It was great (and awkward at the same time) to be on the other side of the camera.

The rest of the day was busy as we ran around doing last minute errands before heading out to our friends Nat & J's house. Amy and I threw Nat a bridal shower and despite being stuck in a horrible traffic that delayed us for an hour, everybody pitched in and helped set up once we got there and it was smooth sailing for the rest of the night.

Now there's just one more week left at work, and I am off to continue nesting and finish getting things ready for Maddi's arrival.

Nesting

Today was another day of feeling good. I think it helps to have some things on my to-do list done. The other night, I drafted up my birth preferences. Now, I just need to go over it with our doula and it will be finalized.

Also, Sean was off yesterday so he had finished assembling Maddi's change table. I started laundering all her stuff immediately last night... and it took 4 loads!!! Look at all those miniature clothes in her drawer!

Her crib is ready to go, and all her tiny clothes are put away. Just a few more items to shop for, get our hospital bags packed and we are ready for Ms. Little Maddi to come!

Although ideally, I'd like to get the whole house cleaned, organized and some meals prepared & frozen for the first few days home from the hospital. Yah, as much as I'll miss work... now I wish I could be home to get all this done before Maddi comes!

I think the nesting instincts has kicked in with this mama!