2012 the Year of Change

2012 will be a year I remember forever!

I haven't posted lately and haven't worked on any projects for a while.  Come Fall I will have lots to share! I want to take the opportunity on this post to update the year so far.

The end of March we said good bye to our best friend and companion Buddy.  We've had Buddy since he was 3 years old, he was a rescue dog.  The term rescue dog is often misinterpreted, if you choose to adopt a dog from a shelter they will spend the rest of their days rescuing you! 
Buddy the miracle dog was diagnosed with Bladder Cancer in 2005 and we were told to take him home, make him comfortable since he only had about a month left with us.  I use to love burying my nose in the fur on his head when I hugged him, I know it sounds odd (especially to people who find dogs stinky) Bud had a perfume scent to his fur. No really, he did.  We can learn so much from our dogs, Buddy didn't know the vet said he had a month left to his life so he lived 7 years after being diagnosed.  He was good most of the time except for the occasion flare up of whatever was going on in his bladder.  If I had a dollar for every time Frank wanted to give Bud a special treat like ground beef with his dinner ... Frank would say "he's not well you know!"  haha! 

We miss you Budman, you will always be in our hearts!

My work has been rocky for years, I've lost track of company names and mergers.  Ok, maybe I haven't lost track ... 4.  I've worked with this company for 17 years and the 4 name changes have taken place over the last 6 years ... yup 6 years, 4 names!  The 4th buyout was announced the end of last year but took awhile for the transaction to be completed.  Anywho, once it was complete we were informed that our offices would be merged with another that was 50 kilometers (31 miles) away.  For locals, our office was in Markham, Ontario and the new location is in Mississauga, Ontario. Yikes!  my new commute will be 125 kilometers one way!  I had already moved once for this company due to a division merge 6 years ago.  Should I consider moving again?  I started looking at Real Estate listings and potential areas to move that would reduce the drive time.  The plan to move came to a crashing halt on April 9th when I was called into the boardroom with 15 - 20 other people where we were informed that we would not be making the move to the new location on June 1st. (I missed the part in the meeting when they said a few will be required to stay on a little longer)  I came out of that meeting excited that I would not have to do that awful 2 hour drive one way to the new location.  Yay!  I get the summer off!  Hmmm, I better open the envelope they gave me and check out the terms. WHAT!!!  this can't be right, my last day is August 31st.  Say it ain't so!  UGH!  you mean, you don't want me anymore but hey I need to drive 250 kilometers a day for 3 months for an employer who does not require my services anymore.  Cruel and unusual punishment!!!  My friend Barb from the blog Turtles and Tails received the same letter.  Crazy!

I'm in count down mode 19 more sleeps til I'm done.  The drive is draining the energy from me.  I'm finally training some one to do my job once I'm gone.

What does the future hold?  

This precious fur baby is going to be part of family in a few weeks!  She is a Blue Merle Rough Collie and we will be calling her Molly Brown (along with many nicknames ... Molly Collie, Molly Blue, Molly McButter Pants)

Isn't she sweet?

As I mentioned above, I will be unemployed as of August 31st.  My dream is to take Muddaritaville full time.  Included in my business plan is Sign Painting, Furniture Painting/Upcycling, I would love to be a reseller of line of furniture paint like CeCe Caldwells &/or Miss Mustard Seeds Milk Paint and teach application of these 2 products.  I would also like to purchase Dye Sublimation equipment for creating many different personalized items. 

Stay tuned, lots of changes coming ... 19 more sleeps!