And speaking of the "office"...last week I had lunch with 3 friends that I met while working at AT&T. Two of the ladies I have stayed in contact with over the years, but I had not seen Bob since I left. I was the first to take an offer in 1998, Ann Marie has been gone for about 3 of 4 years, Bob left last year, and Lani is still there. Needless to say much of the conversation was centered around the "happenings" at AT&T...grumble grumble grumble led much of the talk. I have been gone for 14 years, so all I really did was listen. When I left the company, I shut the door, walked away and never looked back. There was much of "oh you remember so and so, and such and such."...my reply was almost always NO, don't remember. I don't identify myself with AT&T any longer, most of my newer friends probably don't even know that I worked there for 17 years. It's in my past, if someone asks me what I do, I never say that I am a retired Project Manager from AT&T. Believe me, AT&T has been good to both myself and my husband. Gary is still collecting his pension which he has now for over 23 years, I was handed a very tidy sum of money with the offer I took, and our medical is paid for. I certainly don't begrudge the time I spent there, but as I said, it is in the past, over, kaput, gone, done.
I like to identify myself now as a gardener, a photographer, a grandmother, a blogger, a friend to many, a mother and a wife....sounds so much better than project manager. And because I like to identify myself as a gardener and a photographer here are photographs of my
Until next time.....
Your garden looks so beautiful Deanna, and I agree, gardener, photographer, grandma, blogger, friend, mom, and wife sound so much better than project manager, but then again, who is more of a project manager than a mom??? :-)
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OK, I have hydrangea envy . . . you should see my scraggly attempt :(
ReplyDeleteOh I just want to sit in those adirondacks and look at your white picket fence :)
ReplyDeleteThese images of your garden has the poem, "Mary Mary, Quiet Contrary, how does your garden grow?" twirling through my head! It grows beautifully!
ReplyDeleteAfter I was gone from my job for three years, it dawned on me one day that I didn't even wonder how the end of year budget activities went or if they had their new budget. Then I knew I'd moved on!
Absolutely gorgeous. Love your furniture. Can just imagine sitting there...well, wait, I'd be photographing the garden first. ;)
ReplyDeleteLove those chairs, and yes WOW to the buds on that hydrangea! Oh and I miss my cat mint that I had at my last house.
ReplyDeleteOh what a beautiful garden. I would sit in it every single day, for hours on end! Photographing EVERYTHING! So lovely, Deanna. You must enjoy it so much. :)
ReplyDeleteIsn't it a wonderful feeling to realize that there is "life after XYZ corporation"? It didn't take me any time at all to shed my working identity. I love it! Now, I'm just "me". And a few others titles for good measure.
ReplyDeleteGreat quote and gorgeous photos of your garden. I like that saying, it's what gets me through most days.
ReplyDeleteKaren
P.S. Beautiful new header Deanna.
ReplyDeleteKaren
I admire your philosophy for life.
ReplyDeleteSoft and Faded is from Pioneer Woman's Set 1. I had edited that image before w/a French Kiss texture. If I don't go shooting, I'm going be out of images to play with!
ReplyDeleteHaha, love your new office. I like your attitude about your previous job and the thankfulness you acknowledge for some of it. Nice that you focus on the good. Seriously tho, your garden looks amazing.
ReplyDeleteI planted a hydrangea bush about 3 or 4 weeks ago and it had two nice blooms right away, but now it wilts terribly in the afternoon and hasn't produced another bloom. I'm so sad, wondering if I planted it in the wrong place. It gets a lot of afternoon sun. Any ideas?
Lovely lovely! I worked at a large insurance company for 25 years before I walked away 6 years ago and although I do miss the people and sometimes the work I did, I don't miss the daily commute and the stress.
ReplyDeleteWhat side of the house did you plant your hydrangea on, Deanna? Like Gail, I need to move mine somewhere better... :)
So glad you took up photography. Cause you know I love seeing your gorgeous photos. I love that quote I have it hanging in my Art room..
ReplyDeleteHugs~
Ahhhhhhh....I'd love to plop down in one of those comfy garden chairs and just breath in the fresh air!
ReplyDeleteYour garden is just lovely, and i love those colorful chairs! What a great place to sit and enjoy nature!!!
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