Disheveled Rambling's

Well, to begin with, an update on my Grandmother. We had the wake on 3/5 at Brady's Funeral home. (I know many of you won't know where that is, but I am only mentioning it for those who do) Having seen Grandma on Saturday, 3/1/2008, I must say that she was looking much better and that they had done a great job at the funeral home, making her look peaceful and at rest.

We were all doing ok at the wake until the end. My wife and I were paying our final respects to her when my daughter walks up, grabs a rose off the table display and asks if she can put it in the coffin with her Great Grandma. Mom OK'd it and she climbed up and put it in with her. My wife absolutely lost it and began crying.

I was thinking during the week, trying to pick one thing that I could remember that Grandma liked. The answer..... "Certs!". Let me say that those mints are very hard to find when you need them. I did find a roll and at the wake, I placed them under her hand. (Love you Grandma!)

So, the next day we had the funeral at the United Methodist Church. Before we had even arrived for the services, my mother had asked me if I wanted to be a Pal Bearor. Without question I confirmed that I would. All of us that were going to carry the casket arrived 1/2 hour before the service, and carried it from the hearse up into the church, placing it on its carrier. After the service, we did the opposite (of course). I had no idea how heavy those caskets really were. WOW!!!

The service was beautifully done, but was difficult all the same. Near the end of the service, the minister offered for people to come up and speak on behalf of Grandma. With that, our cousin, Erika, got up and walked to the podium. I was curious as to what she was going to say, but then she announced that she had a letter from my sister, who was unable to attend on such short notice, that she was going to read.

My sister was an English major in college, aspiring to be a writer. Well, let me say she was quite articulate with her words, drawing many a tear from the audience with her letter. Most people were doing fine, right up until the end when she said that she was sorry that Grandma would not meet my sister's son (her Great Grandson). That did it and a number of us were crying.

My cousin made the trek from the podium to her seat, met with the silence of those pondering the words she had just read. When she got to where we were sitting, our 4 year old daughter blurted out, "Thanks! Thank was GREAT!". This inevitable broke the ice and people were laughing. It was much needed considering the somber atmosphere.

There was a gathering downstairs in the church and everyone sat around and chatted for a little while, before the people minding the church "kindly" ushered us nearer and nearer to the doors (ok, little kicks here and there).

Just to digress for a second, back to my sister's letter, I must say that what I loved most about it was how many memories came flooding back to me about my Grandmother's house. Although my Grandmother's house was sold years ago, I still have so very many fond memories of when she lived there.


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As many of you know, in May of last year I left a job I had been at for 6 1/2 years, for a position as a Perl developer in Boston. I was not only happy to get out of a company which was continuing to spiral down the moral staircase and break into the world of Perl development. I was a contractor for 3 months before becoming full time in August of last year. (Un)Fortunately, it didn't take long for the company to show what amounted to its true colors. There were far to many things that bugged me about the group I was in, those I had to work with and most of all, THE COMMUTE, to stay with that job. So, after only looking a short time I was approached by a headhunter regarding a position in Westford, Mass.

I passed the phone interview, was pulled in for an in person interview and a little over a week later, was notified that I got the job and that the offer was being sent to me. The funny thing is that the notice of the job came within an hour of my mother informing me that my Grandmother had passed. Bittersweet really. Worst part was that I had to put my two weeks notice in over the phone as I had already left for bereavement leave.

So, after my bereavement I returned to work for a quiet, very cold (shouldered), boring, final week at work. I was so very happy when I was finally out of there.

Now, I have been at my new job for about a week and a half and am LOVING it!! This company isn't 150,000+ like my last one, its just under 1000 people, so its much smaller and more able to better take care of its employees (which is already is doing). I am in training all this week and trying to get into more next week. I know more about VoIP at this point than I ever have. Its GREAT!!!

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So, things are just starting to settle down a bit and we are getting into our groove again. Hopefully I can keep the posts coming more regularly than before this one.

I am sad to say that my Grandmother passed away at 8:45 this morning. My mother says that she went quietly. Thank you to everyone who has sent their condolences. It is truly appreciated.

If I do not get back to anyone, please know that it is only because of everything going on at this time.

On a lighter, happier note, I accepted a position today at another company and put my 2 weeks notice in (with resignation letter) to my present employer. I must say that this is something that I really wanted as it brings me out of Boston and once again working much closer to home.

Anywho, I will be most likely out of touch this week, but thank everyone.

Yesterday, I was sitting at the computer, working from home and my wife was sitting next to me surfing. She told me that she was up a little late last night because she got caught up in reading this guys blog. I figured, ok, I have done that plenty of times. She said there were really sweet entries where he really appreciated how much his wife does for the family (staying home with the kids daily and taking care of the house and everything in it that she can). The she told me that it was my blog she was reading. A huge smile came across my face, I know it did. I loved the fact that she liked my blog and my entries.

I wasn't just writing it to write it, I really do appreciate everything that she does for me, the kids and everything. She is an absolutely incredible lady. On top of all that she does for us, she also holds down two part time jobs (presently), which keep her out of the house at night and on the weekends. Thankfully though, that is changing. Last week, my wife went into work on Tuesday ( she works days while the kids go to daycare their ONE day a week). We had been throwing around the idea of her losing Saturdays with the place so we could have more family time. I was completely fine with this and fully supported the decision (heck, I even inputted that I would love it if she had every Saturday off). To top it all off, only working at the place a couple of days a week, the other members of the staff had formed their own little clique and she really felt left out and sometimes ignored. I don't blame her as those situations really STINK!

More than once the word "QUIT" came out when referring to the place. It was not an easy word for her to say, let alone think about. She has been with the place for about 6 years and change, back when they only had one office instead of the 3 they have now. To add more to the pile, they were "coproratizing" the company and laying rules that were a little ridiculous for a small company if you ask me. Things were changing, they weren't the same little, hometown feeling place they once were and to really add a wrench to the idea, the manager she works under has quite the questionable business practices that include a lack of morals and respect for your fellow employees. He was 100% willing to provide an employee with a product that was defective to, and I quote, "see if she notices!". Well, someone else did, pointed it out and the issue was corrected, but the fact is, if he is willing to screw over an employee, where will he draw the line?

That outlines a number of issues that have just arisen over the last couple of years. So, in what was a monumental decision between the two of us, she went into work last Tuesday and dropped the "Here is my notice" bomb. The manager had told the owner shortly after, who was on site, and he talked to my wife regarding her notice. The great thing is he is very understanding and left the door wide open if she ever wanted to return. Considering the situation and things that go on, I wouldn't blame her if she didn't go back, but that decision lies solely with her. Overall, I am extremely proud of her for having the guts to go in and put in her notice. Its hard to do when you feel strongly about a place you have worked for a while.

Now, with Saturdays off, we will able to have A LOT more family time. This is a very good thing! a couple