Wednesday, July 23, 2008, I checked voicemail at 5:30 pm, one urgent voicemail from my manager asking me to meet him the next day at Panera Bread at 2 pm. Of course, I tried to call him, no answer, leave him several messages, no answer. My husband thought I was over reacting, however I knew in my gut something terrible was about to happen. I also made contact with co-workers, and a few of them had similar calls. We figured it out by midnight on the 23rd that we were being downsized. Sleeping that night was very difficult, after spending almost 8 years with this company they were letting me go. I met my manager at 2 pm, and there sat the green folder in front of him. I have never liked the color green, even dislike it more now. My territory was being collapsed and it was effective immediately. When I got home, needless to say my husband then knew I wasn't over reacting. It was my husband, children, family and dear friends that have been my support. Trying to hide my roller coaster emotions from my 2 boys was not easy, and one evening my husband and I were talking, and my guard came down. My 4 1/2 year old quickly reminded me that "God is watching you Mommy." Of course, as any mother can relate, it was so sweet, a few more tears swelled up in my eyes.
That was the beginning of "Stilettos to Slippers," within a 24 hour period, I was forced to retire the Stilettos, and dust off the Slippers. Or should I now title it, "Slippers to Stilettos," as I am getting ready to return to the work force February 9th. Ugh......do you think they will notice if I arrive on my first day wearing my favorite pair of slippers. My 3 year old wore his Elmo slippers out last week, (I fought the battle of not allowing him to wear his PJ's, and gave into the slippers) and many people thought it was darling! At the present, my favorite pair to wear are my slipper boots. It is hard to believe my 6 1/2 months of wearing slippers is coming to an end in 5 days. I gained a lot of insight about myself and my family the past several months. I will continue to blog about my short retirement from the work force, what I learned from my children and how I plan to adjust to the workforce again. Have to go, need to get dusting off those STILETTOS!
