5/27/06 "Il pochi il fiero i blabbermouths" We *will* sail again Part 4

[dzneprincess]

Dilemma Dilemma Dilemma
Any and all advice requested:
Today, out of the blue, when I least expected it, I was offered a higher rated job in Montgomery Alabama. Great, right??? Well here is the background. I love my job, I love my boss, I love my workgroup. The only reason I was seeking a different job is to get out of the situation I am in now, the lack of job security. I am sure I have told yall this b4 but if not, I am at the bottom of the seniority list (for my job title) statewide. SO, if my job title gets surplussed anywhere in the state, I could be "bumped" out of my job. That is the only downside to my job right now. I just got a new co wroker, and we are getting along great. ( She agreed to let me take the 2 weeks in may that I need). Montgomery is about 95 miles away, about 1hour and 40 mins. It is in the central time zone, and I am in the eastern time zone. I would not be getting home until about 7 to 730 pm every night. I would not get to see my kids much. Then, I dont even know if I will be able to get memorial week for vacation next year, becasue I would be going into a whole new work group. I just dont know what to do. If I take this job, chances are pretty good that I will be able to retire from Bell. If I do not, and stay where I am (which I love) chances are pretty good that I will not be able to retire from Bell, and could or could not be laid off..........ideas advice anything?!?!?!

 

[ohiominnie]

Dilemma Dilemma Dilemma
Montgomery is about 95 miles away, about 1hour and 40 mins. It is in the central time zone, and I am in the eastern time zone. I would not be getting home until about 7 to 730 pm every night. I would not get to see my kids much.

Wow, that's a LOONNNGGG commute! You don't mention what time you'd have to leave in the morning.
If it was me, that would be too many hours away from the kids while they are still so young. And, by the time you get home after so much time travelling, are you going to be happy and refreshed to give the kids the time they need? What about the price of gas? *If* your car gets an average of 20mpg, you're talking 5 gallons of gas just to get to work. 10 gallons a day. Factor that into the equation at close to $3 a gallon. $30 a dayx5 days a week....and it won't be only the kids who have to sacrifice.
Tough choice you've got to make.

When you say you have a new co-worker....isn't SHE the lowest on the totem pole now?

 

[dzneprincess]

no, she has 30 years with the company, she just transerred from another dept. I am so confused :-(

 

[WDWLVR]

Just my personal opinion. I would NEVER have a commute that long. Of course I work only 5 minutes from home. Think of what your new hours will be and you have to figure the commute into that. Only you know for sure but I wouldn't do it.

 

[kikipug]

Well... you asked for opinions, so I'll give you mine... When I first got married, I had a 60 mile commute in Boston traffic which often turned into a 90 minute to 2 hour commute... I would never do it again. Ray and I worked together for NYNEX, so we didn't sacrifice 'together-time' (in fact, we had too much of it in the car some days... traffic is even more frustrating when you're BOTH late for work!!), and we didn't have kids, so that wasn't an issue, but it was still so hard!!! ... When we first moved here, Ray was commuting to Orlando every day... he barely saw the kids, and it was soooo tough on them- I can only imagine that MOM being gone so long would be even harder!!!... and OM brings up a good point about gas prices- they aren't going to get better any time soon.

How many years away from retirement are you with Bell? Is there any thought of relocating, or is that out of the question?

 

[justmestace]

No, no, and DOUBLE NO. (Amanda)

1. Less time with your kids
2. Cost of gas
3. Cost if you have to have someone come in and watch the kids if you're late
4. You LIKE where you are.....not easy to have these days
5. And this is the big one.......the only positive that you stated was just a higher rated job. Not so much a better job.
Everything we do is a gamble....there is a chance that you may not get to retire with Bell, but there is a chance that you will. How many more years until retirement?? A lot could happen in that time.
You said ..."It's tempting....but......"(sort of).......anytime you have a "but" in there, you need to step back and think. The "but" is that you really don't want to take this offer.
You're happy where you are, and it works for your family. There's no guarantee that you couldn't get bumped out of this other job.....
Sorry, more of my opinion than you probably wanted.

 

[whnim64]

Dilemma Dilemma Dilemma
Any and all advice requested:
Today, out of the blue, when I least expected it, I was offered a higher rated job in Montgomery Alabama. Great, right???

When I was laid off almost 2 years ago, I was working as a subcontractor, hourly, no benefits, but I had very flexible hours. I hated what I was doing during the last 2 years of 11 working there, so when they said they were getting rid of all contractors, I was actually relieved. Long story short, my company was willing to place me at a client 50 miles away. I declined. I didn't want the commute, plus DH had benefits and a salary we could live on if we cut back (that should mean no more DCL, but that's another story). I love the extra time I can spend with DS while he is still young enough to want me around. I don't regret my decision. You should make a pros/cons list and weigh each item on your list of priorities. Pray about it; talk it over with DH; be content with whatever decision that you make. And have some Pixie Dust .

 

[CajunGirl2]

Amanda,

There is NO way I could do that kind of commute. We drive that stretch when heading back to LA. I'm sure the traffic isn't bad, but that's a long haul. Although gaining an hour going to work would be nice, losing an hour driving home would be HELL! My time with my kids and hubbie would be too precious to do something like that. Just think of what it would do to your marriage and family.

I had a cousin that commuted from Auburn to LaGrange every day. She was married but with no kids. She did say that it got old and that wasn't nearly as far.

Just my 2 cents...
Ang

 

[scuba diver]

IHere's one for you - Diving instructor is trying to get rental gear and asks for my size. Ok, that is personal enough....But it is followed by a question asking me if I am "big-chested". Ladies, how does one answer that question???

Inquiring minds all over the world are wonder.....how did you answer this question?

 

[CajunGirl2]

On a lighter note ... I did some painting in our dining room tonight. I did a small area to see if I like the color choice .... RED!!! DH wanted to know if I wanted to do all the painting. I told him that I would. I don't mind. But, I don't think he would trust me on the 20' ladder trying to paint the upper walls! That's the bad thing about having a ranch with vaulted & trey ceilings.

Ang

 

[mickeymo]

Dilemma Dilemma Dilemma
Then, I dont even know if I will be able to get memorial week for vacation next year, becasue I would be going into a whole new work group. I just dont know what to do. ..ideas advice anything?!?!?!

Everyone has made excellent points - so, I will only add a "fluff" point in the con column---you said it yourself, you might not get vacation off for the double scoop cruise...

 

[scuba diver]

Amanda, I have to agree with all the other posts (which is rare). Sometimes it is just not worth it. I also believe that there are many opportunites out there, but it might take a little time to find it. I would hang in there and if something happened go on to the next job.

However, I would start building a cash fund so you would not be in a tough financial position if your job changed. That will relieve a lot of the stress. Remember, Cash is King!

 

[CajunGirl2]

However, I would start building a cash fund so you would not be in a tough financial position if your job changed. That will relieve a lot of the stress. Remember, Cash is King!

Good advice Jim! DH was layed off once. Luckily, he was able to find a new job before his final day. But we weren't sweating things either like some of the other folks. With me working full-time and having a nice savings, we weren't worried.

Ang

 

[ohiominnie]

IBut it is followed by a question asking me if I am "big-chested". Ladies, how does one answer that question???

Well, if someone asked me this question, it'd be the easiest question I had all day....

a big ol' resounding "NO!"

My sister got everyone's in our family!

 

[tinksdad]

Well, if someone asked me this question, it'd be the easiest question I had all day....

a big ol' resounding "NO!"

My sister got everyone's in our family!

I'd have to answer yes! But with a 44" chest, it seems like the appropriate thing to say.....

 

[tinksdad]

Amanda,

My take on your problem would be to stay where you are too! Not to be to Zen, but everything happens for a reason. You will be much happier with the kids and closer to your home than the opposite.

 

[WDWLVR]

Here's one for you - Diving instructor is trying to get rental gear and asks for my size. Ok, that is personal enough....But it is followed by a question asking me if I am "big-chested". Ladies, how does one answer that question???

Honest answer - if you are bigger than a B say yes.

 

[justmestace]

Besides a fondness for his DW, Kevin and I actually have something in common!!

Hi guys. Long day here.
Amanda, I'll be interested in what you & your DH decided........

The one and only time we tried diving (this summer in the Mexican Rivera) the instructor was asking how much everyone weighed, for the wet-suits. They were all shouting out their weight. I walked over and whispered it to him. But I told the truth! Trying to get into it was bad enough, I couldn't imagine if it had been too small! Bad enough I waddled off the dock like a penguin!

 

[Dancind]

Hey, Amanda. I don't envy that decision. But I do believe that if you go with your instincts and pray a little, it will work out. Taking time from your precious little ones can't be a good idea at this point. And my goodness, that commute would get old quickly. How long would it be before you aren't the bottom of the list anymore? Has to happen eventually, right?

 

[CajunGirl2]

Good morning all!

I'm up at my normal time but don't have to get dressed today. I'm working from home. We're having HDTV cable "installed" today. I use installed lightly as I'm sure they'll just put in a cable box & charge us $30.

Hope everyone has a great day. Amanda, any decisions after sleeping on it? Is moving midway, say to Auburn or Opelika, an option? Does your DH work in Columbus now too? On the plus side, Montgomery does seem to be growing. There is a huge new mall area on the east side of town that looks really nice and houses are popping up all over around the Auburn area.

Ang