September 2010

In our little corner of the world, there is not a lot of opportunity for work but I was told about a job opening as a General Store Manager in the region.  I just knew if I got an interview that I would get the job so I did some soul searching:

was i ready for the commitment?  Was I ready for the challenge?  I had my own company before but this was retail ??  How about the kids?  and the husband?  I need to talk to them for a see what they say.   The hours are not 9-5, do I want still want it?  How about my summer and my animals?

I did send a resume' and waiting to see what would happen.  I did get the call and the owner wants to meet.  Yay !  In my kitchen!!!  

That's a real switch from the city interviews, let me tell ya but I didn't care, as long as I could let him know that I was the girl he was looking for !

GOT THE JOB !   Really, I wasn't surprised.  Told ya, I knew it ...  Starting right away.  I am very happy.  Finally I will meet the people around here.  It has been 3 years and I still don't have friends !  I have become antisocial, well almost lolllllll

Wow, what a reception I received from the customers.  One customer in particular said:

It is such great change to come to the store and to be received with such a great smile, every time !..

Another said:

What a great personality you have. You will fit well here.  The folks will just love you ! 

And another:

It will be so nice to come in and be served in french, you have no idea how happy that makes me.  

I felt great to be working again.  It had been 3 years.  I never thought I would go back to work, I was retired at the age of 40 ! 

All wasn't what it appeared to be.  All were not happy that I returned to work.  My kids had a terrible time to adjust to the shift work, the husband had lost his wife that did everything around the house and the long time workers had new rules and regulations to comply with.  I have to admit, it was tough but I had done it all before.   I figured in no time all would settle down and all would appreciate the hard work. I had committed to the owners, they were counting on me, I didn't want to let them down.  I have pride too , you know.  I wasn't a quitter.  

I meet great people.  Everyone was super nice.  It was always a pleasure to see them come in and ask me how my day was.  I even found long lost family members !  I made friends too.  They came in early mornings to have a little chat over a fresh brewed coffee...  I loved the morning shift !

Months passed by and more and more it became obvious that this wasn't going to work out for anyone.  My daughter was now in severe anxious attacks.  She was not doing well in school, the teachers were worried and so was my doctor.  We had to start therapy, fast.  It wasn't long after this, my first flare up showed up!. In the back of the store, bent over in pain leaving the other worker in charge of the floor by herself (which is not acceptable, always two workers for safety and service at all times).  One day it was so bad, I couldn't stay any longer and had to call in a replacement.  (After a series of tests, I was diagnosed with IBS).  I couldn't lift the crates of pop up the stairs, or the pieces of woods outside.  My ankle was so painful, I had a permanent limp. Even, I couldn't reach over the top shelves without pains in my back and shoulders.  Something was definitely wrong....

I called in the owners and told them the bad news.  I had to go for many reasons but my daughter was also in trouble.  I had to return home and take care of things, including my health. 

I felt that I had failed them all including me.  

I made an urgent doctor's appointment...