Hey everyone...just saying HI!

[Jewel]

I've missed this board!! I'm posting this on the Food board only 'cause I know that's where most everyone hangs out! I been going through some things for the past year, and I honestly haven't felt much like socializing. I haven't been cooking much either, which is rare for me. :(

I went through a very, very bad time career-wise, and my confidence was sent spiraling. That transferred itself into my personal life as well, and it got ugly. Things are better now, and I'm trying to wiggle my way back into my life. I won't go into details, but there for a while I had to really pull myself out of bed every morning. Thank God for my husband, although I'm sure he was feeling frustrated as well. It's amazing that the more alone I felt, the more I pulled away from everyone, which made me even more alone. :confused: I hope to never hit that place again.

So I wanted to tell you all that I'm better. I'm happier, I'm finally cooking again, and I'm ready to poke my head out of the sand and start enjoying life again. :) I'm looking forward to laughing and sharing with you all again too! :)

Jewel

[cherylopal]

Hi! :)

It is good to hear from you again- you were my inspiration to try making pizzas at home.

[mrswaz]

Jewel!!

You've been missed sweetie! Welcome back. :)

[generic]

Hi Jewel!

Sorry to hear you went through such a long rough patch. :( But I was glad to see your screen name. I always enjoyed reading your posts, even when I was still a lurker! :)

Welcome home!

[eas11]

Welcome back... here on the boards and back to enjoying all aspects of your life! I'm sure that now that you are "on the other side" of negative feelings, you know your isolation was a typical response. Glad you're feeling better :D

You are not alone, I hear ya with the career issues! I was in some crazy times job-wise for a couple of years, sucked the life right out of me, no time to enjoy anything. Loved the job really, but time for NOTHING else. I am now doing something else less time and emotionally draining and am finally cooking again! It is so nice to be back into something I enjoy. Part of that enjoyment here was always reading your posts, so I'm glad you're back!

[little_bopeep]

Hi, Pam!!!! Glad to see you're seeing the light at the end of the tunnel....in this case, it's OK to walk toward it! :D

[GingerPow]

So I wanted to tell you all that I'm better. I'm happier, I'm finally cooking again, and I'm ready to poke my head out of the sand and start enjoying life again. :) I'm looking forward to laughing and sharing with you all again too! :)

Jewel
Welcome back Jewel. How wonderful for you that the dark clouds have past and the sunshine is coming back into your life!

[Robyn1007]

Jewel, I noticed you logged in a day or so again and was happy to see your name. I hope you'll stick around and that things continue to get better in your life. (((Jewel)))

[cniles]

Good to see you again Jewel! Sorry to hear about the rough year - so glad you have been able to pull it together. I look forward to seeing your comments and reviews soon!!!:) Welcome back!

[Beth]

Good to "see" you! You've been missed here, but my appearances have been sospotty that I wasn't sure if it was me or you or both.

Sorry to hear you were going through a rough time, but so glad you are doing better. I went through a really rough time after I had to quit working, so I understand how much what you do for a living impacts how you live and how you feel about yourself, even how you interact with others. It's a really hard thing to change when it's not your choice. Glad you are finding your way past that now. Stay the course, girl. :)

[memartha]

Jewel,

It's good to see you again. I'm glad things are looking brighter for you. We've missed you!

Martha

[Laura]

Good to see you back! :)

I am glad you are through the rough times.

[Jewel]

Thanks everyone.

Some of you know that I've been with the same company for nearly five years as an Account Executive. Two years ago they asked me to apply for a supervisory position, and I did. I supervised 18 people. I went for over a year getting kudos and atta-girls from my crew, as well as a lot of the management staff. Last summer I got a new manager who felt completely different about what I did than anyone else. I got reprimanded for things that I had never been reprimanded for before. Suddenly the qualities that some had said made me the best supervisor/trainer they ever had were called on the carpet. I was constantly stressed, snapping at my husband, and pulled back from friends and family. Heck, I don't think I answered one email that wasn't from my parents for about six months.

I was demoted at the first of the year, sent back to an Account Executive position. They walked me to my desk early on a Friday morning in front of my entire team, and escorted me from the building. They said it was just to keep anyone from asking questions. My team was told that I had decided to step down, and that I would be an AE again in their satellite facility because it was closer to my home (it actually is... ) They knew it was a bunch of hooey, but they didn't say a word. The next day I had to come in at 5:30am to clear out my desk before my team arrived. I felt like a criminal. I had to take my stuff to the new facility and endure all of the stares, smirks, and "Hey, didn't you use to be a supervisor???" questions. To top it off, my new supervisor is someone that I originally refused to promote to a supervisory position on her first interview a year before. Karma, huh? :o

So basically, I felt like a failure. I thought I was doing well. Leadership awards, etc. Suddenly, without much warning, I'm sent back to the trenches. It was humiliating, degrading, and very, very hard to do. Holding my head high and doing the job that I was supervising the day before was hard, but I did it.

But I did have to sit back and realize that I'm happier now.It was hard to endure the smirks and the questions, but I'm OK. I'm under much less stress, I didn't lose that much pay (something like $150 per month net) and I have my job. Some people just aren't cut out to be a supervisor. I just wish someone had told me the first year and a half that I was on the wrong path, maybe I would have fixed some of it.

My former team got together and took me to a bar about a month after I was demoted. I'm in a different location now and never see them, and I miss them! :( At least this way, they say, we can socialize...couldn't before. :p Through my family and my husband I've realized that I'm going to be OK. My career doesn't define who I am, I do. I'm starting to emerge and realize that while I enjoy my work and I'm good at it, it's just a job. There are other things that make me happier.

Here I go, long winded again. Thanks everyone... :)

[GingerPow]

My career doesn't define who I am, I do. I'm starting to emerge and realize that while I enjoy my work and I'm good at it, it's just a job. There are other things that make me happier.
Anyone who can say those words and mean them is ahead of the crowd. Good for you...really, truly GOOD for you Jewel!!

[wallycat]

Early this year left me in a tail-spin as well!!
You have your health and the love of family and friends...
jobs come and go.
I'm glad you are wise enough to know that!! You are a strong gal and YOU know that a job or career does not define YOU!
Make YOU happy and the rest will follow.....Here's hoping to a fabulous future for you!

[CindyWeightWatcher]

Jewel,
Glad to see you're back...the great thing about having a hobby or a passion in life is the joy of sharing it. I too remember your pizza posts!:)

[tennisashoe]

Hello!!!! Welcome back to you and Bart's moon too!:D

[cher48603]

Jewel - Glad to see you posting again. We've missed your great sense of humor.

[Canice]

So sorry to hear all that, Jewel! What a really lousy situation.
Sounds like you've got a healthy philosophical approach, though, and I'm glad you're feeling brighter.

You're always missed on the BB!

[cumulus]

Wow, tough situation--but I'm glad to see you're pulling through :)

Welcome back!

[BarbaraL]

Hi, Jewel! Welcome back! I'm so sorry that you had to go through all of that, but happy that you are feeling better.
I can relate -- I lost my job this spring, even though my clients were very happy with me, because no matter how hard I tried, I could never please my supervisor. Like you, I was a trusted, valued employee one minute then a potential terrorist (requiring escort) the next minute. I was fortunate to find another job quickly, but the blow to my self-esteem and confidence was (and still is) hard to take.
Anyhow, here's to better things going forward. By the way, I've been serving your garlicky green beans often, always to rave reviews. Thanks so much.

[KristiB]

Glad to see you back! I've made many of your recipes.

[linsleyd]

Welcome back, I'm glad things seem to be getting better!

[Gracie]

Some people just aren't cut out to be a supervisor. I just wish someone had told me the first year and a half that I was on the wrong path, maybe I would have fixed some of it.

Jewel, I'm very glad to see you back and sorry for all that you've gone through. However, in regard to the piece I quoted above, this is not the first job you've ever had and it probably won't be your last. Just because this new person didn't think you were supervisor material doesn't mean you're not. Don't rule out going for supervisory/managerial positions in the future with another company - you were clearly successful for quite some time. Another time in another place everything could be completely different. Don't let this one person define your career.

I went through something similar a couple of jobs ago although it was with an abusive boss. Now I'm higher up on the corporate ladder making tons more money in a wonderful situation (different company) but it took a long time for me to stop doubting myself. She planted quite a few bad emotional seeds.

Loren

[sneezles]

Jewel,
So great to have you posting! Sorry about your job situation but just remember what goes around comes around... You have to know that it wasn't you!

[Robyn1007]

Jewel,
So great to have you posting! Sorry about your job situation but just remember what goes around comes around... You have to know that it wasn't you!

This is so very true! I had a nasty job situation last year and finally got to see it come back around to the boss about a month ago when the boss was fired. I still have friends with the company and was forwarded the email announcing her departure. Sweet satisfaction for sure!

Loren pointed out that just because this boss had the opinion of you doesn't mean it's what most will and that is obvious by the fact that your old team still appreciates you. It's a very true statement. I left my old job feeling defeated, unworthy, and useless. I now coordinate the support and repair for a leading niche technology and have saved the company thousands of dollars in costs while making customers happier. I know I'm of value now but a year ago I didn't think so.

[DmOrtega]

Hi Jewel. It's nice to see you posting here again. :)

[honeygirl1971]

Welcome back! :) Sorry to hear things were rough, but glad they are getting better now! :)

Everyone still talks about your peanut butter ice cream...:D

[Lauren]

Hi Jewel! Nice to see you! :p

What you said about realizing there are so many other important things to be happy about, besides a booming career, is so true. This is what I'm focusing on at this point in my life. While I'm unemployed. :o

[Curleytop]

You are not alone! Glad that you are doing ok now.
Personally, I was "cut back" in my job 1 year before retirement. They "bridged"
me, so it turned out ok.

DH is having a lot of old age problems, and I am "caregiver". Still cooking and baking, but he doesn't eat much anymore.

[Varaile]

Hi, Jewel! A very sincere welcome back. :) I look forward to seeing your posts again.

[Terrytx]

Glad to have the "moon rising" on the board again:)

[VALERIEA234]

Glad You Are Getting Back.
V.

[cookinator]

Hi Jewel!

It is great to hear from you! (So many others here too.) You do know "when life gives you lemons...". I bet you make a great lemonade! Hope you visit more often!

[Linda in MO]

Good to see you again, Jewel! Welcome back! :)

[Jewel]

Glad to have the "moon rising" on the board again:)


*snort* :p

Thanks everyone...I know I'll be OK, and according to my husband it took a lot of courage to even stay with the company and not just say "See ya...". The thing is, I really love the company, the owner, and most of the people! I really don't want to leave. I'm good at what I do.

He also pointed out something else. One of the things I was called down about was during disciplinary discussions I had a tendency to say "They noticed that you're working too much overtime" or "They pulled reports and saw you're off the phones too much...". I rarely said 'we'. That created an 'us and them' atmosphere, like I was siding with the employee instead of management. In that respect, they were completely right! Dave made me take a good long look and see that in my subconscious, I really was still 'just' an AE, not a supervisor. I really have to look at it like they gave me the opportunity to stay with a company I love in a position that I really do enjoy. I just needed to suckk it up and endure all the stares and the smirks the first few months to get past it. I just wish they hadn't done it so publicly.

So now I'm ready to cook again. I made the BBQ Chicken Potpie for the first time last night, and tonight I'm trying the Southwestern Pinto Bean Burgers. I didn't try hardly any CL recipes for the last year, and I haven't even picked up the 2007 Annual yet! :eek: Looking back through those magazines is like Christmas! :p

[JackieO]

Hey, Jewel...glad you are back and sounds as if you have turned the corner on that unpleasant chapter of your life.

While others may remember you for your garlicky green beans (which are great, btw), I'll never forget your travails with the Lemonade Layer Cake when I was a newbie on the boards! :p

[Jewel]

While others may remember you for your garlicky green beans (which are great, btw), I'll never forget your travails with the Lemonade Layer Cake when I was a newbie on the boards! :p

Holy Schmoly Jackie, I completely forgot about the Lemonade Layer Cake! :confused: I'm gonna have to dig that one up, it's perfect for this time of year! Thanks for the reminder! :)

And thanks for the Garlicky Green Beans thought, but that was NOT my recipe! It came from Desperation Dinners! :p

[CindyWeightWatcher]

Curleytop,
Not trying to hijack this thread (I'm very glad Jewel is back) but I wanted to acknowledge your comment about your DH no longer being able to appreciate your cooking. I wanted to suggest that you volunteer to cook for others, maybe at an assisted living place where you could meet others in similiar situations. Just a thought, hope I'm not prying. I know I've been at points in my life where I had no one to cook for and I hated it!:)