Before I left Wednesday night to meet Shannon at our little bistro, Lola's - I took a picture of me in my cube before I took everything down, and packed up...

Now that I see everything down, with just my computer, binders, and McE's flowers left...it's becoming more real. My head is torn in 3 sections...
1. So relieved and excited to be moving on
2. What have I done?
3. Go get a job, any job right now.

I make my way out to the car with 2 huge bags in hand of my stuff...it's hot. I get to Lola's, and meet up with Shannon who is so excited for the reason we're celebrating tonight.
She insists on a Martini - and we toast to happy successful days

I love this postcard she got me:
"If you can bake a cake, you can build a bomb"
(in recognition of the cupcakes I make for work and in believing in me that I can do this.

Our food comes - our favorites...mmmmmmmushroom filled ravioli, and a pecan crusted goat cheese salad...soooooogood.

Once we catch up, and after she yet again has a bunch of suggestions for me on various things... I toast to her for helping me through this, for her support, for always being able to suggest options to my questions... to her:

Thank you Shannon for a wonderful evening. We thought it would never come...
:)
And I could not have gotten up the nerve to start my future without you...

Wednesday June 29th -
Sitting at my desk copying folder upon folder of photos from my computer to Bob's iPod to bring home...all my years here - lots of files to save.

My cube neighbor Jeff comes over as I'm sipping my Dunkin Donuts mmmm so good coffee and says "you better go in not ready" (so I don't get a call)

He hands a long box over to me that he saw by my mailbox.....it's flowers.
:)
Seriously? There's nothing better than getting flowers at work. It's happiness looking back at you all day.
:)
Jeff hands me his scissors to open the box... inside are gorgeous brightly colored gerber daisies.... yellow, orange, pink, red, so beautiful. I look for a note and pull it out...
They're from Heim! (that's my picture I have of her at my desk - i wanted to put her next to the message)

"For taking the road less traveled, for having courage and believing in yourself, for many bright days ahead; here's to the success you're sure to land on now that you've jumped!
Love, Mick

Jeff took my picture in my cube as I pulled them out and collected myself
....wow.... so many colors for my "bright days ahead!"
:)



sigh...
Thank you Thank you Thank you Heim.
I am truly blessed with your friendship.

Sue stopped over Friday night with her Weimeraner, Baxter, for us to dog sit over the weekend. Her and Kevin were headed to NYC to visit her sister's new baby!
We had dinner together, celebrated my Kodak news, watched the boys wrestle and get to know each other again...and eventually she headed out. We watched a movie while the dogs chewed away on a bone...Baxter is so handsome, and well behaved.
Buddy kept hip-checking him making sure he knew who was boss around here.
:)
Here's some quick pictures of them









We played frisbee in the backyard with them for a little while - wow, Baxter jumps way in the air, catches the frisbee AND even drops it to play again...
We took them for a walk too....and soon after, a tired Kevin and Sue were by to pick him up.
I can tell Buds misses him already...
Bye Baxter!

Yup, that's right....my 7 year life in tech support hell is over in two weeks.
Believe me, I have tried to move around in the company, I gave it my best every day, and I learned professional photographic skills to align with my career...but enough is enough.
With the incredible support of my friends and family, I managed to muster up the strength to finally end my work at Kodak.
June 30th is the big day.
Here are some of the recent comments my friends and family sent me after hearing the good news:

*From Sue Tompsett (Piacitelli)
"Sue- you can soooooooo do this. I'm not even kidding. This is one of the things about being a teacher - teachers look for clues about a person's potential for success. We are pretty good at
predicting how successful a person will be in the future. I know now and have ALWAYS known that you will be extremely successful in being a photographer, a business owner, a creator. There are many many reasons that I know (I can go into them in detail tonight over chicken wraps and hummus:). I was pretty sure you would take the leap, but did not want to ever push you because you have to go there yourself (besides, you are not the type of person to be pushed around, we both know that! :) I'm SO glad you are taking the leap. It is the perfect time, because YOU feel confident that you are ready. You have the practice, the experience, and you have Bob -
and all of us, behind you. Nothing but success, Sue. It may not be a perfect road (we've both learned that nothing on earth is perfect!), but I think it will be an easy road - simply because you
will LOVE what you are doing. I'm SO psyched for you, I can't even stand it! You are going to be great, baby!!! Great!!!
I'll see you tonight, with lots of food and love!"


*Kate
Sue,
"(Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap) I applaud you:)
It took a huge leap of faith and you did it!!:) Good for you.
Thank you for your kind words. I am truly touched:)

A deep breath (whew) ... you're right..a new beginning is awaiting you.
Have a GREAT day! "


*Maria
"Good for you! Yay no more calls! I know how great it is to be out of there-
You will love it!!!!! congrats!!"

*Susan
"I know this was a really hard thing for you to do, but it will be the best decision that you've made in a long time. It is the one that will make
the biggest difference to your life and career. GOOD FOR YOU! Now get out there and shoot! I'll be here cheering you on! Live the dream for us both and when I can, I'll join the creative masses as well. "

*Tim
"Sue-

What can I say? I am so proud of you. I'm glad that you've come to this decision, sounds like the beginning of GREAT THINGS!!!

You've always had the courage to do whatever it is you want. I was one of the fortunate ones to witness that, as you did in fact jump out of the plane. Boy that day was so filled with so much fear and uncertainty, but it also was exciting and freeing. I knew that it would take you some time, but you would one day be ready.

I think that you are at another special time in your life....and I know that you are prepared to enjoy every moment of it, no matter how scary it may be. You are a great photographer Sue, you know that I've always been a big fan.

You are doing so well in life. I love to see and hear it developing!!! Keep capturing those great moments and let the adventure live on.

Good luck "

*Behrens (from a chat session at work in response to myself telling him why and giving examples of how mostly ungrateful customers have treated me all these years)
"ahh ... the customers...
thats more than enough input for me...
I wouldnt go back either, kid...
Just didn't think I'd hear you say - I'd rather be destitute than ever come back... doesnt sound like you...

but it sounds like yer burnt out - and once that happens - it takes an act of god - or severe intimidation to return to that horrible altar to sacrifice whats left of humility and patience...

I did phones for 4 years...
...and Im a guy...
...and German...
My patience was toast on day 2...

I dont doubt you have everything in place - and all the 'i's crossed and 't's dotted - it wouldn't be you to go off unprepared...

You know I have the utmost confidence in you... Im just sorry to see that you've gotten to such a bad place... it's not fair that you (an angel amongst dogs) get's so continually disrespected...

The good - is - you might not have met Bob - without this place...
...so - forgive me for my optimitic moment... :)"


*Peter
"Susan: Talented ships such as yours have no business anchored safely in the harbor. Congrats on hoisting anchor and setting sail on a new
adventure.
Ships are to sail on the exciting sea of life. Bon voyage, Susan. And Ahoy there matey Bob.
Your mom and I are very excited for you (Your mom cried with happiness and emotion when she read your e-mail. She's soooooo excited for you.....
as am I).
Sail on, girl. "

*Carrie
From a note card she sent me in the mail this week -
"A Journey of a Thousand Miles begins with a Single Step." - Lao Tzu

The best thing about this card - besides what she wrote in there - is that the quote she chose is the exact same quote I used in my portfolio this year, and she didn't know.
I love that we were both thinking along the same lines - and I love my friend Carrie. Her last line of the card read "You inspire me Suz".

As happy as that makes me to hear, I am really scared that I'm going to fail. I am really scared that I'm leaving the financial comfort working in a big company. At the same time, I am torn between taking a chance, or staying safely still.
It's going to happen inevitably at this point...the day that I got up the nerve to hand in the letter was the moment I decided this was it.
Thank you Carrie for your encouragement - I really needed your support.

Thank you everyone! I am so thankful to have your support...
:)
Will be in touch !

That afternoon, I threw together some window boxes in preparation for Dad, his sister, and her husband - Aunt Jane and Uncle Chuck coming to visit !
( I was already planning on making the boxes - their visit just put me into gear)
;)


The three of them went to Niagara Falls that morning, and stopped to see us for dinner on the way home.
It was so great to see them - I haven't seen them in years. They originally lived in Florida, and are now living in Colorado. They've been traveling around NY with dad for the past week.
We did the house tour, visited with some iced tea, and then headed out to dinner on the lake. It was a beautiful evening.
(Notice dad is wearing his Rochester t-shirt from the "Little Theatre")
They were all really great about helping me with my future endeavors. If only I had as much courage as they see in me. Their advice was exactly what I needed to hear. It makes such a difference to have the support of family. Thank you all!
We took them over to Abbotts for custard,

and then walked along the beach. Aunt Jane loved walking through the sand....I think she misses Florida a little...

We walked back, said our goodbyes, and they headed out.
I can't believe how fast the visit went. I only saw them and my dad for like 2 hours.
:(
Well, until next time - maybe we'll get to visit them if we hit the slopes in Colorado!

I have to put this in here...dad wrote me the sweetest email, and I will be re-reading it for years to come - I really want to share the end of it:
"And finally, being afraid to fail is natural. Only fools aren't afraid.
Normal fear might also be called caution.
The trick is not to let it paralyze you.
*Caution makes you put on a parachute before you jump.
*Fear keeps you in the plane.
It looks to me like you have the parachute,
think about jumping.

BUT NOT OUT OF A DAMN PLANE!!!

Deepest love, Dad."
*************
That's my dad.
:)