[Gossamer]

I have about a half a dozen threads started for mod posting and they are sitting in their tabs happily, including my two veil adventures. They'll get posted to later tonight, after my head clears a bit. I've been celebrating. Yea, there's a lot to celebrate, it seems. Two days ago things were same-oh same-oh and chugging along the calm after the storm so to speak. Last week was so horrible. I hate hospitals. I hate being down. I hate crying. I never cry. This week there's absolutely nothing to cry about. I want to sing. Its calm and peace was welcome.

I'm starting to appreciate those calm days. But anyhow a friend called me... a rare opening was happening suddenly in a facility about five miles from where I work... thats five minutes from my home. To someone who commutes 45 miles one way to work, thats like Mecca. Anyhow, I gave them a call curious. They in turn asked me a couple of questions. It wasn't even advertised yet. They liked what they heard, and told me to fill out an application online. Five minutes after I hit submit, I got a call. Five minutes. That day I was in for an interview. They don't want a drug test. They don't want a drive test. They asked me about my current job. I told them I loved the guys I worked with. I told them I loved it.. but it was so far to drive, and with the milage on my car, the gas prices, it was... not fun. They asked me how my work would percieve me... I told them the truth. "I've been at my same company 10 years. You'd be hard pressed (and they have a lot of employees) to find someone who doesn't think I'm great." It's true. I've been there so long and had my hands in so many pieces of pie, I know everyone from the safety department to personnel. In fact, when I ended up in the hospital, I got a hand-made beautiful card from the five brothers that own the company with personal notes, and from all the girls in the office over the mountain.

How can I leave these people? I love working for them. It's a great company. In fact, it just made the 26th best company to work for in ALL the companies in Wa State. 26th. Thats phenomenal. I even got featured in the news letter this month with a big interview on 'meet the staff'. I've gotten silly calls from everyone about that stupid picture hanging in the office... me racing an airplane. Yea... so we like to park at an airport in Willows sometimes, and the pilots are great sports. I still miss that overnight spot from the LA to Seattle run... great times thoughs. I have one called 'new school vs old school' too... a company truck sitting side by side with a harnessed up draft horse... its fun. I love silly pictures. But anyhow... these people have been my family for ever and ever.

Its... hard in a way.

But things come together for a reason. This is going to bump me up several tax brackets in pay. This is going to save me sooo much money this summer if gas hits $5 a gallon.. it's already $4 here. The hours are amazing. Its more days a week, but I won't be spending half my time sleeping recovering from 14 hr days and worrying about the help quitting because the job is too intense and having to do it on my own.

That's going to be nice. It's also going to be nice to not be in charge. I don't mind being in charge, but when things go wrong, the heat comes down. Last week I was at an outside warehouse and a loader let a trailer loaded for Seattle start out for Port Angeles. It was a fiasco. I knew it was a wrong trailer hook when I got back and saw that the 4am driver was here, but his trailer wasn't.. and the 3am driver's trailer was there... the heat came down on me even though I didn't actually release them. That's the only thing that saved my tush. That and the fact I had both drivers on speed dial and got the first one turned around headed back and the second headed towards him with the correct trailer.

Hassles are hassles, and one gal can't be everywhere at once.

This will be easier. Its a large facility ... so close... so much more money... and the guys who interviewed me called their HQ in portland Or and told them to hire me on the spot while I was still in the office talking to them. Then they asked me to go hop in a goat, hook, plant, and drop. I did it, straight shotted, and they were grinning ear to ear.

I take it good helps been hard to find.

Its such a pitty too. So many drivers need to get off the road. So many of us are going broke fueling our rigs. Last year to fuel a semi in both tanks was around 300 bucks. This year its about 900. They think before summer is over it will be 1200. Thats why groceries are going up in stores. Thats why bread won't ever be 50 cents a loaf anymore. It's crazy... absolutely crazy... When will it stop? Hopefully soon... maybe never. But regardless, we need to be proactive in life. Life changes fast. Life whirls by, screamingly fast sometimes. A few days ago I had no idea that I'd be changing jobs so suddenly. No idea! It's crazy.

Life is so horrible and fun all in one mix. Absolutely black horror, and absolute brilliantly happy fun. I have no idea if i'll love this new job as much as i love the old one. Time will tell. But I already know there's things I love about it now. Crazy... great hours, close to home, less total time at work... more total time at home.... I don't care if I have to switch medical programs, if I have to start over with a disability, 401K, etc.. (I'm rolling the other one over), and learn a whole new skill set... its fine.. I'll jump too it.

The best part? I get to work close to my hubby. I love my hubby. I don't get enough time with him, near him... around him. I see him at home, but not out and about, and not nearly enough. Im tired of quick hugs before I crash, and quick hugs before we part at night.