Well, I got the job!

I've given my notice--my last day of work will be December 23. I'll have the rest of the month off and start my new job on January 3.

I don't think it's really sunk in yet that I'm leaving. I still have three weeks, although I have TONS I need to do before I leave, lots of housekeeping stuff. I need to write up "how-tos" for everything, because I'm not sure we're going to have anyone hired before I get out of there. This could be a big problem for my boss, but honestly, he knows what he needs to do, so I have to let go and let him deal with it.

I haven't told many people so far, but our holiday party is tomorrow night, so I will probably start telling people there. I probably won't see many of those folks again after tomorrow night, so it's a good time to start spreading the news. Everyone has been really very sweet about it, even my boss. He hates that I'm leaving, but he admits that if I feel it's a better thing for me, then I need to do it. I cried twice when I told him I was quitting. He hired me when I was hanging on by my last thread. I had been unemployed going on six months, and I had $15 dollars in the bank and no way to pay my bills or my rent. To say I was close to suicidal would not be an exaggeration. He helped me get through the six weeks it took for me to get a paycheck (LOVE working for the state and getting paid only once a month!), and I will be forever grateful to him for hiring me. I have learned so much for him about politics and campaigns, fundraising and event planning, and it's been wonderful working with a fellow Democrat. But it's time for me to go.

Actually, I've cried several times since then. I hate leaving so many wonderful people that I've gotten to know and work with over the last 3-1/2 years. I've made many good friends through this job. But I need to move on for my sanity, and they understand that.

I will be working for most of the senior staff at the new company, including my old boss and his old boss from the job I held previous to my current position. I'm very happy about that--my old boss was absolutely the BEST. I'm not sure I've ever had a better person to work for. And, to top that off, I'm replacing a very good friend of mine, also from my last job, who is moving to a new position in the company, and one of the VPs is another former co-worker. They're all very excited about having me come to work with them, and I think it's a really good move for me. My new company is growing by leaps and bounds, and it will be a good place for me to settle in and stay a while.

Plus, I have a big, fat check coming because of all my accumulated leave! I can't wait to go shopping--I need some new clothes REALLY badly.

So, I'll get to say all my goodbyes at this job, attend all the holiday festivities, and have 10 days off to recuperate before I start the new job. I think it's a great way to start the new year!