Tuesday, March 27, 2007

The Happiest place on earth and decisions.

We had a wonderful time at my mom and dad's. We ended up driving the 11 hours it takes because flights were so full. We had a fun time on the drive out though. The kids brought along their CD's so we played them and sang funny so the drive didn't seem too bad.
Disneyland was a lot of fun! The kids had a great time and we did a lot of things that we didn't get to do last time. We took them on the little roller coaster in toon town and Aidan loved it. (I never did get Kaitlyn to go on space mountain with me). We had a blast but really missed having Aaron their with us. I wish I could post some pictures of our fun trip but I left the camera at home so I will have to get the pictures from my parents before I can post them.
The drive home seemed a lot longer and that could be that I was on the verge of getting sick. That night I started getting a sore throat and I woke up yesterday with a really bad sore throat and a stuffy head. Today I feel like I have something pounding my head so I am hoping to get some time off work....
Speaking of work, while driving I had lots of time to think and pray over my job. I have not been happy working their for awhile now. And after being forced to work overtime I was really upset. And While looking to see how much time off I have accrued I also noticed that I was not paid for those 4 hours that I was forced to work.
Also, with Aaron's new job the kids are by themselves more than I would like. Aidan just doesn't understand the concept of being quiet while I am working. We have tried movies and snacks and things and he is just too much of a distraction. Right now it isn't so bad because it is only 45 mins until Kaitlyn is home and then they play upstairs together. In about 4 weeks though I am starting a new shift that would require him to be with me for several hours. I would start at 1:15, and I just don't see how we are going to work it.
We have looked into putting him into daycare for those hours, but it would take my entire month's salary to do that. So, then I would be miserable (because I dislike the job) and my son would be in daycare...something that Aaron and I had always said that we didn't want to do. I would only be working for the flight benefits and we can't even make it on flights. So, I have decided to turn in my resignation. This has been a very difficult decision for me, and Aaron says he supports whatever I feel is best. I may go back to it when Aidan goes back to school, but I am also looking for another job that I may like better.
While I thought that working from home would be one of the best things I could do, I have really hated it this entire year. You are completely and totally alone in your room, with people yelling at you and wanting you to fix whatever problems they have. There is no one to vent to, and if you pause to take a breath before the next call comes in it goes against your stats, of which you only have 1 min per week to make extra notes in people's records, to stop and go to the bathroom or to just stop and take a mental breath before heading on to the next person.
A minute is not a long time to accomplish all of that, and you find your mental health seconds disappearing. You have a supervisor that communicates via email, but sometimes that just isn't enough. While doing this job I have been called stupid, idiot, a bitch and several other names that I don't have the time to list. I have had to listen to people chew their food, use the toilet, and swear at their kids and threaten suicide...all in the name of good customer service.
So, right now our little family is going through a lot of changes, some for the better such as Aaron's new job, and some not so good, such as me quitting. But I know that God has a better plan for us and that mentally and emotionally I will be a better mom and wife than I am right now. I know that this is what God is leading me to do and I am ok with that, I don't know how it will all work out but that is what makes God so wonderful! So, please say a prayer for us that God will direct us in the ways he wants us to go and that we will listen.

5 comments:

Linda and Lee said...

Praise the Lord. You are completely doing the right thing. You will soon find that those moments with your kids is worth millions, and you will also find, that you can live with one pay check. I made $18.00 an hour in customer service, and could not stand one minute of it, and have never regretted quitting. I too had a person who needed me, more than I needed the money. A trip to Delta will supply you with all the beef, canned goods,and eggs you can eat. I also have a case of top ramen, I know you love them. Do not worry about using the car, it's yours for as long as needed.

Anonymous said...

Shannon, I commend you for putting your faith to the Lord. I know you have made the right decision. :o)

Stacy said...

Shannon,

First off, I'm glad you had a great time in Disneyland. Too bad Kaitlyn woulnd't go on the ride with you.

I'm sorry you are sick! That is NO fun at all.

You did the right thing. Don't even think of beating yourself up for quitting a job that you despised so much. Things always work out in the end.

Jami said...

I think that with all you have put up with in this job, you have a right to feel the way you do about it. Customer service is crummy. Especially on the phone where the customer can scream and yell and be ugly without seeing an actual person. It seems to make it easier for them to be abusive. It sounds like the change in hours will put more strain on your household than it is worth. I commend you on keeing such a pain in the neck job for so long. I will pray that the Lord will bring you the right job for you and your family. It sounds like you had a great time at Disneyland. Kaitlyn sure missed a great ride. We are hoping to take Seth there for his 5th birthday next month. We will have to see how the money pans out.
Love you all and miss you bunches. Give the kids a hug for me.

Kim said...

I'm so happy y'all had a great time even if Kaitlyn didn't go on Space Mountain with you. I can't wait to see the pictures!

Sorry you're not feeling well. I hope you get better soon.

And, I admire you for making your decision concerning JB. Sounds like you had to put up with so much...like you said, "all in the name of customer service." You hung in there a long time and had so much to deal with. I can totally relate in dealing with people who have no respect for others! It's frustrating to say the least.

I'm sure the Lord had much bigger and better plans for you and this was a stepping stone in that direction. I wish you the best!