Meredith, the Optimist

Back in my sunny So Cal, I need to tell you about my friend, and, mentor.

Meredith was the employer that hired me, in what I refer to as my first "Big Girl Job".  She gave me a chance to prove my "chops" as a designer.  That entailed much more than I bargained for.  I did not have a clue.  That, I learned very fast.  I needed that job, and  was determined not to get fired.  I usually left the office in tears, and felt like the failure I was. Then I listened, and learned...alot.

Business is not design school, and anyone who thinks they can sit in an ivory tower and make gorgeous designs, should choose another career
..
Fast forward 2 years, and I was her  protegy.  Fast forward  6 months, and we were both out of a job.  Company closed.  Nice.  She made a deal with the company that bought the label, and we had jobs again!!  Thank you, thank you, Meredith, the ultimate business woman.

We went our separate ways, staying in touch, and became friends. (much, much, more on this later).

Stuff happened, and  fast forward 20@#&#@ years, and here we are again.  Meredith has given me a new start in a business that chews you up and spits you out.  She does not know the meaning of fail, and that  drive and optimism is why success is the only option for  her.  It is not an easy road; not everyone understands what it takes.  There is no doubt in my mind that Meredith will prevail.  It is her faith and belief in herself and those she chooses to work with that will ensure that!!  Yea, that I am 1 of the chosen.  Onward and upward
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What a great journey.

Doggy Dilemma

My husband is the caretaker of our 2 beautiful boxers while I work in New York.  They are more happy with that arrangement then I am.
However, Mr. G is handling an unfortunate problem that has "popped up" with our male, Mr. D.   His manliness has been showing itself lately, and seems unwilling to hide.  We have taken him to the vet on several occasions.  The vet has done research on the problem, which is fairly rare, apparently, and has come to the conclusion that as long as it goes back into hiding eventually, there is nothing to be done.  A more drastic approach involves surgery - no way!!
So when this happens, M. G has to sit with Mr. D.,  armed with KY jelly, to achieve the turtle effect  through massage.  He is worried that some neighbor will see him, misinterpret the interaction, and call the ASPCA.
So, in empathy, I ask any of you if you have any insight on this particular issue - we would love some other input.
Meanwhile, Mr. G, keep the drapes closed!

Kitchen Choreography

Our kitchen is a marvel of function and storage.  Anna designed it for maximum usage and convenience.  The only thing lacking is floor space.  We all seem to wind up in there together, no matter what the schedule - that's the way it is with good kitchens - and good food.  Even Mr.J (dog) and Mr. F (cat) are in there with us.  Mr. F likes to sit on the counter by the faucet, until someone turns it on for him to have a drink.  Mr. J just likes to be in the middle.  So we have developed a ballet-like dance of swoops, turns, yoga positions, and pirouettes so we all seem to move in a direction that gets us out of the way of whomever is actually trying to do something besides standing and talking, and drinking  wine.  Like cooking a delicious meal.  Somehow it all works and no one has had any seriuos injuries so far.  And dinner is always the best part.

--Ruby

Bi-Coastal

Now that I am working again (hooray), I feel like I rejoined the universe as a contributing member.  Meredith has given me an unbelievable opportunity to help her build her dream business.  A daunting task, but we dive in and move mountains to get a line together in record time.  (We are stressed, and alot of dialogue ensues- read between the lines).  We agree to disagree when needed, and we move forward.  More about Meredith later, my relationship with her is almost symbiotic.)

This means lots of time in NY, and a paradigm shift in how I view/live my life.  I met my husband, Mr. G, after searching for my soulmate for 46!! years.  We had a relatively normal life in So-Cal, with 2 of the sweetest dogs I have ever met.  So it was hard to have him move away, and even harder to leave my babies.  They, by the way are now having the time of their lives in WA.  Off-leash is a way of life.  So life goes on at a different level for all of us.

I have known Anna for years, she helped me in another life to adjust to NY for a brief period in the 90's.  Now she is the reason we get to have a dorm, and a life of comradery with the 4 of us, and the dog, we'll call him Mr J, (named for his lucky run in with Anna at the Newark airport)  and a cat, Mr F, named for his beautiful color, and sometimes temperament. 

Claire made her debut as a Parsons student - now I have a fashion student to mentor, whether she likes it or not. It makes my day to talk to her in the evening about her classes.  She is my shining star, so much a diamond in the rough, that my heart sometimes aches.  I would like to help her past the tough parts, but she does not need that from me, and would not listen, anyway.  Did any of us??

I am sitting now in So-Cal, with a beautiful sunset out my window, 78 degrees, packing for the trip back to NY.  I cannot believe that I am so looking forward to getting back to my NY family.  If anyone had told me 1 year ago that this now now my life, I would have laughed at the absurdity of it all.  I am not laughing now, and I love my roomies, and am looking forward to -- who knows what, this time!

--Ruby

Ruby in the AM

Here's a hint, do not post a blog late at night when spelling becomes a non issue.  Sorry, I do know my grammar.

Ruby again

I am new to blogging, and I get stuck when I have real time things going on.
A colonoscopy and trying to get my life together- ultimate catharthsis!!
We moved out, and stored eveything, and moved into a condo in Garden Grove, Ca.  Also known as Garbage Grove.  unfair, but in the So-Cal environment, it is what it is.  My new home is mutlit-cultural, and all I can say is the smells of cooking are Divine.  i met my next-door neighbor, Rachel,  and we became best friends.  The pho is great - we are in the middle of Lttle Saigon. I settle in, with my dogs.
We walk in the park, and play in the doggy park every day.  I have an office set up in one of the rooms.
George moves to WA, and begins building our "dream house", and I am alone.
Meredith needs me in NY, and I am happy to go, i have nothing here.  I cannot keep teaching, becaus i am not here foe class, so i have to let that go for awhile.
So I wind up in the Dorm..

Ruby continued

okay.  other things are now happening in my restarted life.  I had just accepted a teaching position at FIDM.
Thanks to my friend Carlos, a teacher there, I am now teaching "The Business of Fashion".  I never taught anything in my life, and have the patience of a knat.  Stress ensues, of course with me, that is my natural state.  This gives me another excuse.  And, my husband, Mr. G. (gorgeous, great, gregarious, oh, and GIGANTIC - heart, of course), is retiring - how is this possible?  We plan to build a house.  We put our existing house on the market - we have at least 6 months to sell and plan our next step.  Our house sells the day we put it on the market.  Are you kidding?? They want a  15 day escrow.  Now what? TBC.

Ruby

Being ripped out of a job that I built, by a person that I trusted, with no warning or severance, is not my idea of fun.  35 years of work and self esteem hanging now by a thread.  An elderly loving father and a devoted husband holding the pieces of me together, barely.  Crawling out of the black hole of depression is another challenge - thank you Celexa.  Then a call from an old friend and former colleague with a new opportunity.  Was I interested??  Why not?  Can I do it?  Who knows?  A fresh start in a new business.  I'm in.

--Ruby