Nice story, Joanne. Not to make light of anyone's circumstance...just a light thought in a tough world....when the going gets tough, look forward to the next cruise!

Joanne, I can't think how to respond in a meaningful way except to echo the good thoughts of the others above. It is so easy to lose perspective sometimes, but your life story just made me forget about my worries of today. All the best to you and yours -- and here's to a wonderful retirement for you later this year!

Joanne,

You've shared such a wrenching, yet inspirational story with us. Your life has suffered many tragedies; yet you have weathered the losses and perservered. You have gone through many trials and challenges - each one testing your inner strength.

How wonderful to hear that your life is a good and happy one. May all your years ahead bring you as much happiness as your heart can hold!

Leeanne, just wanted to give you a big hug across the ocean. Hang in there!

Joanne, you've had so much heartache but I'm glad you still have so much to be happy about. By the way, I love your sign on name!

Joanne,

I echo many sentiments, but totally agree with Denise!

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Gatowoman:
[QB]

Hang in there...the darkest hour is before dawn.

Gato galsy

wasn't that from some band..
The darkest hour is just before the dawn..
okay come on fans of 70's stuff.. what is that tune?

Leeanne - just wanted to add my good wishes to the above, hang in there things somehow always work out, you just can't always control the how and when, but I'm confident you will find a better job situation soon. Your teenagers will grow up, we've been through some issues as well with our kids, and they are now grown, married, having kids of their own, except our youngest daughter who is struggling with infertility issues herself, and that has been a challenge for she and her husband as well as me the Mom, b/c I can't fix it - but they are hanging in there and working thru it.

Joanne - what a really touching story. I think single Moms are amazing, its hard enough to go thru something like that with a husband where you can be there for each other, but to do it alone --- and to keep such a positive attitude, and focus on the good things, you truly have my admiration.

Greetings to all who posted such heartwarming responses to my reply for LeeAnne. I only meant to send her some encouraging words. I am so amazed, but realize I shouldn't be because I know how caring all the LCT group have been in the past. Cheers to you all.
And, yes, I'm hapilly planning our cruise in March to Mexican riviera with friends and one in July to Iceland, Greenland Ireland, etc. for 35 days r.t. Boston on the Maasdam. Someone has to do it, right?
Happy cruising,
Joanne

Joanne - are you going on the July 16 sailing? I have some clients, who are also good friends on that sailing - it sure sounds interesting! We were on the Maasdam last spring out of Norfolk, and had a great time! Its a more smallish ship feel, and if you can try to go to the Pinnicle at least once - its worth the $20per person charge, very good, very nice service, quiet atmosphere, and excellent food - we went like 3 times. have a great time!
And, I'm sure your post was very encouraging to LeeAnne, it was inspiring to me - going thru the issues with my daughter, to keep the faith and keep thinking positive, somehow, someway things will work out.

LeeAnn, I echo the sentiments already expressed here. My experience has been that my best rewards, experiences and opportunities have come from after some of the worst times in my life. So, there is light at the end of that tunnel.

As far as children, raising teens is hard. But, look around you, LeeAnn. See all those adults with jobs living fulfilled lives? They were all teenagers and many had problems with behavior or school. They made it and so can your kids.

Joann, thanks for sharing your story. I'm happy that life is good for you now.

LeeAnn,
A few months ago I interviewed for a job that I did not get. I was so disappointed. Then a month ago I accepted a different position with a different organization and I LOVE my new job. I'm so glad the other job didn't work out. I'm SURE the same thing will happen to you.
Hang in there.

Hi JoAnn,
First of all, thank you for the kind words.

Yes, we are on the July 16th cruise. I am very excited because there are so many ports that we haven't visited before. After a while of cruising it sometimes gets to be a challenge to find new ports. I think this itinerary fits the bill perfectly.
Also looking forward to the Maasdam. We sailed on the old Rotterdam from S.F. to NYC and had a wonderful time. Especially enjoyed the Indonesian crew. Still remember our cabin steward, An, and Remo, our waiter who was not Indonesian. Our table mates were a Texan couple on their honeymoon who we visited 13 years later and then they and their 2 children visited us a few years ago.
Does Pinnacle have the same menu every night? Was it really worth the service charge? We have always been very satisfied with the main dining rooms on our cruises. Maybe our T.A. will give us some shipboard Credit that we can use for Pinnacle.
Do you have a cruise planned?
Happy cruising,
Joanne

Hi everyone,

I haven't visited here in a few days...various reasons. But I wanted to say a HUGE thank you for all the supportive responses I've read in here! And Joanne, I especially appreciate your willingness to share your private story with us. What an amazing, caring and accepting group we all are here.

I'm still pretty down about the job thing, especially since on Friday things took a turn for the worse with the job I'm stuck in. My boss is just such a....well, I'll try to keep this a happy board and not use words like that! ;) It's just strange, I'm 45 years old and have worked in professional capacities for most of my adult life (except for the 5 years I took off to be a stay-at-home-mom, which appears to be part of the problem), and I have NEVER had a single issue with any of my superiors. Most of them have been mentors who helped me further my career and learn valuable job and life skills. So I have to keep reminding myself of that, or I start to believe that there's something wrong with ME! But then, how could I have been so successful for all those years if there was? I have to believe that there's just something seriously wrong in the relationship that has developed with this woman who is my boss.

Anyway, I have to go out and supervise my 14 year old daughter, who is sitting on our front porch with her new boyfriend. :eek: I am SO not ready for this! Y'all have given me hope, tho, that thistooshallpass. I just keep repeating that like a mantra!

LeeAnne, I am sorry that this is still such a frustrating situation for you. I hope that you can find an outlet for the ongoing stress so that at the very least you can find some balance here. It sounds like your boss is an incredibly difficult person to work with.

I hope you find resolution and improvement very soon.

LeeAnne,

I can certainly sympathize and understand your unhappiness and challenges working with a difficult boss. I had the very same experience at my last job. In fact, no one who worked with her was able to last longer than 6 months. I worked with her for 5 years! When we parted ways, I found that I received a real education in lasting as long as I did. I looked upon everything she threw at me as a lesson and came out the better for it when I found my current job. The biggest lesson I learned - always respect yourself and never allow anyone to treat you in a manner you are not worthy of and deserve. Upon making it clear to your boss that you are not paid enough to be treated in the way she treats you, she will have more respect for your feelings. I have found speaking up for yourself does squelch a lot of the nonsense.

When you play the "victim," people with personalities such as your boss' capitalize and abuse that "victim." Don't play the willing participant any more.

Make yourself understood, very clearly, that you are to be respected, by your current employer. In turn, your self-esteem and self-worth will begin to rebuild itself.

Continue to look for another job. Don't stress over it or jump at anything that comes your way, as errors in judgement are made when jumping into another job haphazardly. There is something down the road for you when you least expect it.

Good luck to you!

LeeAnne - I have to agree with Denise all the way. Hang in there, but most of all respect yourself and your worth and try not to let it get you down. Something will happen just when you least expect it.

All of this is enormously helpful to me. I've given this whole thing a lot of thought (probably more than I should), and I will try hard not to allow this to cause me to question my own worth and value, but to use it as a way to learn lessons, hone skills and meet challenges head-on.

Thanks for all your support!

LeeAnne,

Good attitude!!! You know, it is not just the challenges we face, in life, that molds our character, but the way we choose to meet those challenges.

Betty