Life - a constant state of change

Special or crazy

who knows …

It takes a special kind of person (or a crazy one) to make a career change after 25 years in one industry. I must be really special because not only did I leave the legal field and my work with the Superior court in order to stay home with nearly adult children, but seriously took a left turn when I joined the healthcare industry as an Executive Assistant to a hospital Chief Operating Officer, Board of Directors (and now for the Chief Nursing Officer as well).

This is literally the first time I have ever worked in a corporate setting. Where budgets and FTEs and decisions coming down from many many levels above me is a strange experience. But, I have to admit, I love the human interaction and the idea that for right now, I’m happy working in my community and not tied to downtown Seattle or what the jurors are doing. Learning a set of new Executive Assistant skills don’t suck either!

It’s a very different world filled with words and acronyms that I don’t understand. Titles and organizational charts. Executives and the knowledge that I am a tiny cog in a very big, national healthcare wheel. I also have received more immunizations than I’ve ever had in my life! Big changes - but I’m enjoying the change. I like the executives that I get the honor of working with daily and I love meeting new people. At court, the staff wasn’t entirely concerned with customer service. It wasn’t part of our job description and although I tried greeting everyone with a smile and a helping hand, our department wasn’t evaluated on customer experience. The fact was that we were one of the friendlier departments and known for our relaxed and customer service orientated demeanor. In healthcare, it’s all about patient experience, which allows me to smile and invite conversation. You know, customer service! I’m at my desk most of the day - but when I need human interaction, it’s just outside my door.

My mom always said that learning new things is a great way to keep your mind active. She loved hanging out with my daughters because the constant calendar and having to remember which bag went with which kid helped keep her sharp. I think she’d be proud of my change of career and would immediately change all her doctors to ones I support. Just because … that’s how she rolls.

For now, I’m very much enjoying life with my husband during our much more frequent date nights, trips to our vacation home to enjoy the sunshine on the river and visiting with friends and most especially the opportunities I have to enjoy my daughters as adults and seeing how very much they are just like Dave and I. Sarcastic and kind with a side of laughter at all times.

Happy belated Fourth of July and cheers to a summer where the weather hasn’t been horrible and the Columbia River current takes all my worries away.

Gabby

Happy .. Winter!

Happy … Winter!

Oh, that’s where I left off.

Goodness sakes! Has it really been since August that I’ve written to ya’ll? It’s been an exciting adventure for my family as the summer ended with some big weekends at our SunDaze, weddings, visitors, and packing our youngest off to her university mid-September. Somewhere in all of that, I began interviewing for full-time jobs and once again putting myself in the hands of the spirit to guide my life.

When I last left you, we had our dining room acting as “ground zero” for all of my daughter’s college equipment. She was living on borrowed time at home so everything she was bringing, save some clothes and toiletries, were packed using my superior organizational skills, waiting for moving day. She moved over 4 days before most of her freshman peers in order to attend a Leadership camp experience which would afford her an additional 5 credits and a great source for meeting new friends.

When moving day arrived, I was ready to get her moved in with the help of my husband, my older daughter and the new college student. We only had 4 hours to get everything in and organized before she had to catch the bus back out of town. We were done in 2 … I had all the essentials ready to go, including packed lunch so we didn’t have to run out during our short time together. Pictures were hung, clothes put away, bedding situated, bathroom and desk set up and all her electronics ready to go!  Since her 2 roommates weren’t moving for several days, we were able to take our time and enjoy a little lunch before taking pictures and heading back out of town.  No tears, even now! She’s so good and settled into college life. She has dozens of friends and seems to meet more every week. She loves her classes, clubs and new experiences. Do I miss having her at home … sure! But we talk daily, send funny Snapchats all the time, and she still comes to me for advice and a little Mom-love. Over the next 2 months, I drove over to SunDaze every few weeks, stopping by her dorm to bring her to lunch or something from home. I set up a monthly PuraVita bracelet shipment and kept her snack supplies coming through Amazon. As I write this, she’s a week away from Winter quarter and I couldn’t be more excited as her new goals start coming into play.

Starting in late September I began receiving invitations to interview for new positions. I had put my resume out on Indeed.com and applied for really random professional jobs at various companies in the PNW. After receiving a few offers, I settled on taking an Executive Position at one of our regional hospitals. Yes, I know, healthcare right? What do I know about healthcare? Little to nothing, but that’s not what I am being asked to do. I work in hospital administration, for the Chief Operating Officer no less, so basically doing what I was doing for my judge without the hassle of jurors, attorneys, courtrooms, courthouses, criminals, pro se litigants and commuting. I manage his calendar, keep track of expenses, event planning, capital expenses and anything else needing to be done around the office. I make sure he’s organized so he can do what he does best. To date, I’ve passed my 60 day review and haven’t been fired, so I guess I’m doing something right.

I enjoy working in the community where I was raised and I feel like I’ve settled into the position. While I still have lots to learn about the hospital (including finding my way around), I’m satisfied that I found something meaningful and educational. PLUS, it makes me a little more responsible about my own healthcare. It’s difficult to put off those blood tests your PCP has been trying to get you to do when your boss walks you down to the lab. ROFL

Cheers to the holidays and I promise to try to be more active in my posts! But until you hear from me again, have a wonderful new start to your 2019!

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Stay-at-home-mom

I waited 14 years to be a full-time stay at home mom. When the girls were little, I worked part-time, but when my youngest started Kindergarten we invited my mom to come live with us and share our lives. From that point on, I was able to return to work and get back some of the things Dave and I enjoyed before kids. A few family vacations, concerts, activities for the kids, and eventually private school education. When my oldest left high school and her tuition was paid for by the school district, I felt it possible to leave my job and pursue other opportunities.

I've been home for almost 18 months, and while we've adjusted, I haven't found anything that has inspired me, except spending time with my girls. In a few short months, the oldest graduates from her program at college and my youngest is university bound. By September, the big one will be working and the little one away. So what is mom going to do? Continue to stay home and talk to the dogs?

It's back to work I go! As much as I yearn for some consistent, well-paying part-time work, it may be necessary to return to full-time. I've added my name to the list of returning bailiffs when a position becomes available I can apply for and we'll see how it goes! I'm giving this one up to my mom, applying for anything that sounds interesting and hoping that she will lead me in the correct path.

In the meantime, we've got a deck to complete, a possible kitchen remodel for a friend, helping my wonderful friend Heather when she needs a hand, getting the big one off to school, and preparing for a graduation party. That's plenty for now ...

It's finally sunny in the PNW - so get out and enjoy it!

Gabby