Cogitation

Look that word up. Nice, huh? I have too much fun with the thesaurus.

I began my new job on Monday. I can now say I work in the land of the lazy - government. It has been a difficult transition so far, in that I want to be busy. I feel like I should be doing things, but I can't. First, the project I got put on is just getting going. So there's not much to look at anyways. Second, I'm not involved in the minutia anymore. I no longer have to worry about getting subs signed up, or submittals in, or coordination done, or work scheduled. I am now merely along for the ride, checking in when I need to. It's taking some serious getting used to. We had a meeting yesterday that I wanted to delve into the details of how the contractor is going to deal with an issue. But I had to repeatedly tell myself to keep quiet. Such is life I suppose. It will get better when the project gets going, and there's more to review and watch. But for now, it's mostly just going out and shootin' the bull with the workers. Which, when I was on the other side, I hated the Corps doing that. Nice, huh?

I've been running into people I've worked with in the past, and it's pretty much no surprise from them that I left. I'd be curious to know what my former office is saying, as I'm sure word is making it's way back by now. I am on a project that is nowhere near my last one, so that's nice. The project they put me on is a $70 million barracks and company operating facility, on a good chunk of property. It's for the Rangers. There are firing ranges right across the street, and an airfield just up the road. So we hear gunfire and helicopters all day. It'll be fun. I'm sure once I get past the initial breaking in period, and learn how to make the most of my days, it will be better.

One thing I do know, I can already tell my stress level is down, and I feel pretty good. So that bodes well for my health. No more ulcers. Please. Hopefully this will encourage my body to relax and let it operate as it's supposed to. And create things it currently doesn't want to create. Could the Dixon family have at least one thing go right in the healthy creation department, please? Just sayin.

Anyway, I was told I could go home already. But for some reason I'm still here. I suppose one more meander around the job site would be warranted. Then I'm off to start relaxing and enjoying the Turkey day festivities. What am I thankful for:

An awesome husband, who puts up with me way more than he should have to

An awesome family, that supports one another through the myriad of trials we are currently going through

A job

Our house

My wonderful friends, who are always good for a laugh

The bits and pieces of my body that do work as they're supposed to

Last, but first, Heavenly Father, for getting us through all the trials and experiences He says we can handle, even if we don't always believe Him.

It's over, and I am so happy

I filed for divorce today. And Karl was all for it. Okay, it was from my job. Scared you, huh? I think when you've been with a job for 10 years, devoted your life to that job, worked endless hours and given all you can to that job, you aren't quitting. I call it moving on. It's a new chapter in my life. Mortenson hired me part time to do some drawing for them back in 1998. I was fortunate enough to be on a project that the superintendent took a liking to me, and took me under his wing to teach me the ropes. I went full time shortly after being hired, and was soon in the field counting rebar and watching concrete pours. I've spent the last ten years moving around the country, project to project, learning knew things, meeting new people, moving up the ladder, even picked up a husband along the way.

But the last 18 months have been trying for me. The company took a different turn in their dealings, and didn't have the same career path in mind for me that I wanted to take. So despite all I gave to this company, they've forced my hand. I've been working at Fort Lewis for the last 2-1/2 years, and have been working with the same people from the Army Corps of Engineers that whole time. Something can be said for making good relationships, both in the workplace, and as friends. Which I have done with this group.

There is something to the old addage "in the right place at the right time". I've been wanting to leave Mortenson for the last year, but the economy hasn't been conducive to my job search. And despite my efforts to get a job with the Corps, unless you can claim service in the military, you're basically out of luck. I sent my resume to a company in August, but never heard anything. Till two weeks ago. Things moved quickly, I wasn't sure what I wanted to do, or how I would get out of my current job. How do you explain you're leaving to go work for the "enemy"? But as I pondered what to do, and talked to various people, things happened that made me think "this is weird, doors are being opened to me that I wouldn't expect". And as my friend from the Corps noted, sometimes you just have to be in the right place at the right time. And the recommendation of 2 of those people from the Corps helped a little too. So I accepted a position today with a company that essentially rents me to the Army Corps of Engineers as a quality assurance rep for construction projects. So I am not technically working for the Corps, but I basically am.

I have the typical 2 weeks to get my work in order and ready to dump on some poor soul. Then I'm off to my new adventure. It's going to be weird changing jobs, it's been a while since I've done it. But I'm going to a place I'm familiar with, with people I know, and a job I'm comfortable doing. It took me 10 years to be able to say all those things in one sentence. And it feels so good. I'm so looking forward to this new chapter in my life.