Out of the Old, Into the New

In the last few weeks, I've missed a lot of my routines. I've missed many meals. I've missed hours - even nights - of sleep. I've missed hundred of phone calls and have desperately tried to return them within normal calling hours. I've missed turns I should have taken but was too distracted to notice. I've missed concerts and events I very much wanted to attend. I've missed keeping up with American Idol. And, of course, I've missed my blog friends. I'm trying to keep up, but work has had to take the forefront for this time. I know it won't go on and on for months, and I'm beginning to see a light at the end of the tunnel. The light is still far away, but at least I can see it now. Thankfully, I have friends who have helped me get a meal, feed my cats, pay my bills, check on other errands, escort me on my way home, and take a pulse on what's going on. And, I've needed each of these. The recent weeks and months have been a blur, and I pray the merry-go-round will slow over the next two weeks. I'm sure the number of posts will be very telling.

One thing I haven't missed is my old office. I was able to tell a few of you that I was excited to be moving out of the place in which I've been spending my office time ever since I came to the company. Some at work affectionately call it 'the closet.' There's no ventilation in the room, so when someone has needed to speak to me at length about something serious, it would often get a little stuffy. At least I had room for a chair for someone else to sit down. Of course, if the chair was in its usual spot, I couldn't open my filing cabinet drawers. And, if the chair was moved to the left just 3 or 4 inches, my door wouldn't be able to be shut or opened. But, other than moving around those puzzle pieces, it wasn't too bad. It had been my home for 8-9 hours each weekday for the last five years.
Here's a picture of my office in the midst of my move about two weeks ago. (I hope co-workers can attest that it usually looked neater than this.) I thought I would point out a few of the items in the room for you.

Left side of office: the largest monitor I have ever seen... both in screen size and in depth. It greatly helped my eyes, I am sure, but it took up so much desk space.

Bulletin board: one postcard from our family's trip to Nashville this past summer. Also my five year anniversary certificate with our former company.

Over my printer: one handmade 3-D snowflake... which I've been waiting to take down until we know no more snow is coming. Believe it or not, we're supposed to receive some in the next couple of days.

Back of my office: one painting poster of a farmhouse and land that reminds me of the farm near Easton IL in which I lived as a child. When I came to the site, my boss allowed me to pick out a picture to have framed, and I was so happy to find this one. The biggest difference is that the picture includes bee hives (white boxes - which our farm never had) in the nearby field.

File boxes on the floor: full of new toothbrushes from our dental health provider.

The telltale Aqua box on the right: When we reached a milestone anniversary with our former company, we were allowed to pick an anniversary gift from... Tiffany!!! When I came to the company, I couldn't believe it. This will probably be the one and only time that I have something from Tiffany. (By the way, I picked out the lead crystal candle sticks.)

When I received my change in position, I was also told I would need to move to a bigger office... one that would allow enough room for a conference table and chairs. I was told to order furniture, but I couldn't stand spending a ton of money on new things. So, me - being thrifty me - went out to look for some used office furniture. And, I found something I really like! I haven't found a table yet (things have been too busy), but I hope to find something next month when I have more time. Our maintenance staff was great in applying a new coat of paint and changing the locks on my new office doors, and my new place is pictured below. It is at least four times bigger than my old office, and I don't know what to do with all of the space!
I know, I know. It's too empty. But, I found a 3 piece wooden (oak, I think?) set... with a desk, computer component, and credenza. I have a good black chair. There is a big white bookshelf and small locked cabinet still in there, and when things slow down, I'll be trying to figure out what to do with them. I'll be trying to find the best spot to move my farm picture, too. In light of everything else going, the move isn't too important now and is taking a back seat. Just wanted to show my family and friends where I've been spending most of my time in the past two weeks. Maybe I'll post a new picture when I get everything settled.