It only took two months and 11 days but...

Hey y'all.... hop on over here and see my new blog!





Thanks for reading!

To Do List

1. Call Alltel to see about changing phone plan
2. Call person interested in seeing house tomorrow to see if they are still coming X
3. Finish all work and exit interview
4. Attend non-town-sponsored Christmas & going-away party at Mac's Tavern
5. Do any cleaning up necessary for house viewing
6. Recover from hangover
7. Get ready for friends' coming over for another goodby party
8. Have mail forwarded
9. Go to bank
10. Finish Christmas shopping
11. Clean out car
12. Pack
13. Sign paperwork for listing house in case person does not buy it tomorrow X
14. Get rid of junk, and take clothes to Goodwill
15. Lose 25 pounds
16. Fill out paperwork to get early withdrawal from IRA account
17. Do Christmas cards
18. Get car tuned up

Who has time for a job???

Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow

Not.

Ok, I'll miss a good chunk of my coworkers here, but thanks to email and phone they don't have to be out of my lives completely. And in fact, they helped me cook up a very sweet way to answer back to the final insult I've gotten.

(Just think. After tomorrow, you never ever ever have to read about my heinous job again. This one, anyway.)

As usual, the steps they are taking to have help and coverage in the immediate aftermath of my leaving make absolutely no sense to anyone not involved. Have I been invited to meetings to figure it out? No. All I was asked to do was write up all my duties, and how to do them, and train someone all day yesterday on how to do the most important ones. I'm still supposed to be working on an extremely detailed cheat sheet for this person, who is going to work here ONE WHOLE MONTH while they find a permanent person. That itself is fine, except there were people already working here temporarily who wanted to keep on for a little while longer and could've done it just as well.

I was complaining about that yesterday and said "There's no PLAN."

Someone who's been involved in discussions: "Yeah. There's a plan. We just can't say what it is."

"Ok. You can tell me on Friday then."

"No, because you would tell people still working here. Sorry - just can't say anything. People will find out but we have to keep it a secret."

You're replacing an admin, not the speaker of the house!! What's with the secrecy?

So you know that detailed job instructions I'm supposed to type up?

I'll leave it in an envelope. And when they open it, it's going to say:

Sorry. There is a plan in place for how to do my job, but I'm afraid I can't tell you. You'll find out eventually.

Yesterday's Random Thought

You know how they'll use the phrase "one of the world's most dangerous assassins"?

Assassins are paid to kill people. Wouldn't that make them all equally dangerous??


Also, where did the phrase "hock a loogie" originate?

See how productive my mind is becoming already? Stay tuned for an update for a new blog.

Gives new meaning to "spamalot"

The following accompanied a spam email I just got for mail-order prescription drugs:


Of his bones are coral made Thorny hedgehogs, be not seenher the history of the lovers, and their midnight quarrels and shecould say nothing for a long time, but O thy mother, thy mother! they were very serious, and they have the truth from Hero, and seem to are you gentle, strong and valiant and why would you be so fond toto his letter and while he was reading it, he exclaimed, Sweet Aye, Protheus, returned Valentine, but that life is altered now. IValentine, who had so well deserved her.wrote down every thing he saw there, and particularly noticed a molethis, that Iachimo should be made to confess whence he had the ring heThen Lear, nigh heartbroken, turned to Gonerill, and said that he thane, or lord, called Macbeth. This Macbeth was a near kinsman to the which was forming against him under Malcolm, the eldest son of theshe, who till now had been so humble and so hopeless, formed an she, who till now had been so humble and so hopeless, formed anof his fatherinlaw, or angry words of the enraged Katherine, couldon his going home with her, and Antipholis at last, being unable tonot take the money. And the duke went with the abbess and her newlyhe must prepare for death on the morrow. Is there no remedy said averse to comply for this haughty beauty, whom the Duke Orsino had and the knitters when they sit in the sun, and the young maids thatas his own. Then with a cheerful look, as if confident of the trial, by her besides, this young Mountague had never thoroughly enteredwas no world out of Verona's walls, no living out of the sight ofhis mother, how far she was privy to this murder, and whether by herof great crimes the son may have leave to speak even to his own motherplace of lieutenant from him. you s, why do you make us love your goodly gifts, and then snatch drooping prince he lifted up his eyes, which had been so long fixedThe first sign of habitation which they came to was a giant's cave they fared like men that are exiles from their country, and if a gleambehaviour of our men. In some I marked their hearts trembling, throughhis companions are the nymphs which never die.Who has not heardsea belched up against the land he could dimly discover the ruggedstratagem. fattest go to feed the voracious stomachs of the queen's suitors. the dess, and durst not bark, but went crouching and licking of thegainsay the prince. was some which had deceived them to think it was the person offurnish him with a luncheon which, though it generally happened every mother during the period I supposed them entitled to those belovedwas only to come in and say, How does my little darling do today in the way. The last time it was talked of, lady Harriot said her bought for me at this cheerful fair. flames which were pictured in the pretty pictures which the book had,had heard, a confusion was in my head, who it was I had seen that looked upon Betsy as a woman, hearing him so spoken of, and this


That really was where it ended. And I've no idea if any of it is correct; never really dug Shakespeare.

Back to business, people

So, yeah. I'm quitting my job, selling my house to an investor, moving my stuff to storage in Mississippi where my folks are and then bumming around the country for a bit. First stop, Colorado to crash with my cousin Mo. I'll have to work part-time at least to cover monthly bills (unless God loves me enough to let me make some money off my house) but that will still leave much more time and energy for blogging and writing, yee-hah! I plan to start a new blog.. fresh starts all over, stay tuned.

Then I might swing by and visit some fam in Wisconsin, and convince her to join me in a life of non-achievement bumming since her job makes her unhappy, too. Either that or I'll get her some mafia fundage to start her own quilting business. Isn't she talented?

I'm happy happy happy happy happy HAPPY!!!!

Keep your fingers crossed for this one, too - big changes might come about for her. And she needs something good to happen, she really does.

The Big News... I am free

More details to come, but this is what I turned in today.


29 November 2006


To: X - Director of Development Services
Y - Town Manager
Z - Human Resources Representative

From: Natalie Spencer

Re: Resignation & Two Weeks Notice


Dear X, Y, and Z and whomever else it may concern;

This letter is to inform you of my resignation and to provide two weeks’ notice of leave; my last day with the Town will be Friday, December 15th, 2006.

Please know that a lot of thought and prayer went into this decision over some period of time. My reasons for leaving are my own; there is no specific cause or event here at the Town that shaped this decision. It is simply time for me to move on. My goal is to travel a bit, then move closer to my family and finish my education. I also look forward to reviving my creative skills and pursuing the discovery of what I am truly meant to do. My family and friends are in full support of my decision and I hope that my second family here will understand. I feel completely confident in my plans; my spirituality and faith in God provides a solid path for me and I am not afraid.

I would like to say that I recognize that my time and experience here has been invaluable to me. Not only have I acquired a new side of knowledge and many new skills, I found the realization that who you work with can make the difference between a good job and a bad job; or any job at all for that matter. The people I work with every day are truly the salt of the earth and honestly have become a second family to me; it is because of them, I believe, that I have been here as long as I have. I hope that senior staff recognizes the work and the personality that the main staff provides on a daily basis.

I admit there are certain existing aspects here that have contributed to my desire to leave, but none of them amount to any kind of influence on me to make such a decision. As I said before, this simply what is right for me. I feel I have achieved my full potential here; I also think that a fresh start with someone new may be good for the staff persons I support. My job has evolved and changed so much since I began; perhaps a person coming with the full knowledge of everything can provide better support, and staff can train and shape that person to their needs. I don’t feel anymore that I can provide the level of attention and detail and focus that they all require; now they have the opportunity to choose someone who can give a better performance than I.

X, you have been a compassionate and kind boss. There are not many who would understand the need to stay home after finding your cat run over in the road. I am also eternally thankful for your non-judgmental and caring approach during my battle with the bipolar and anxiety disorder earlier this spring. I am very grateful for the patience and guidance you have given me during your time here. I hope that you continue to find satisfaction here in your role with the Town.

Y, you have provided solid leadership and understanding, as well. There are few managers who would consider their employees’ health and happiness and work to provide them with undeniably great fringe benefits like the summer hours, our holiday lunches, and the fitness program. From you I have learned that leaders’ decisions do not always make sense at first, but possess that vision that allows them to see what will happen down the road and what the best decision is to provide for that time.

Z, you are a beautiful and loving person and a true child of God. You are lucky to have found a calling that you enjoy and a place such as this to provide your talents. I am sorry we didn’t get to spend more time together but you will always be special to me and will certainly keep in touch. Thank you for your patience and your kindness and your Kleenex.


It is with some sadness, some joy, and some excitement for the future that I turn this into you. I pray your support and encouragement to me will continue, as well as your friendship. Thank you for everything, from the very corners of my heart and mind.



Natalie