Farmington Arby's...

I turned out the open sign forever at Farmington Arby's on the 25th. I honestly didn't think that saying goodbye would be so difficult, or blog worthy, but I find myself missing that stupid store and all the wonderful people there.

I am going to get this all written down, so I can say my final farewell to Farmington Arby's. I'll start from the beginning.

Four years ago I was a clueless 19 year old stuck in a failing marriage. I didn't have very good work ethic, and didn't care if I had a job. But when my husband at the time couldn't keep a job either I had to do something. Layne had just taken over as the general manager at Arby's so my mom talked me into going there and talking to Layne about a job. Next thing I know, the place is taking over my life. In a good way. Arby's kept me busy and occupied, it gave me motivation, and it kept us afloat money-wise. It made me feel so good to go to work, put in a good honest effort, work hard, learn new things, and go home knowing that I made some sort of difference. I felt accomplished at the end of the day. Before long I became a manager there.

One giant reason that I love this place so much is that it gave me the friendship with my brother that I had always wanted. I guess a 6 year age gap, being the only boy, a few tumultuous family issues while growing up, and being married sort of prevented us from becoming closer. Arby's threw us together and even though Layne was pretty tough on me and made me cry more than once, it was so nice to finally get to know my brother. I love him dearly and thanks to Arby's we are friends.

There were good times and bad times at Arby's. There were many times that I fantasized about it being bulldozed, lit on fire, or the roof caving in. It was sort of a love/hate relationship. So many times I wanted to leave but just couldn't do it. What kept me there was the amazing employees, and the friendships I made with them, I also cared about that run down store that we lovingly called "The Shack". We had our fair share of work place drama, I got a good dose of it, but for some reason I never walked away from there. Possibly because the job market sucks, also because Arby's had become my home and I was not ready to leave. I think making it through all the drama  has given me thicker skin, I really needed that, sometimes I'm just way too sensitive! I've also seen how destructive and hurtful gossip and lies can be in a work place, you can be sure I'll never take part in that again, and I'll do everything in my power to avoid it in the future. Arby's has made me laugh and it has definitely made me cry, that's for sure!

Another giant reason I love that place: it gave me the sense of independence I needed to walk away from a very unhappy marriage. I knew that even though the pay was not great, it would be enough to support me while I changed my mind and changed my world. Those were some miserable times, but even when I wanted to bury my head in the sand, or just not get out of bed that day...I went to work without fail and did my job the best I could. Work and the supportive people there held me together when otherwise I would have surely fallen apart. It's a great feeling when you can go to work and be with friends that are willing to help you through a rough time in any possible way. Clarissa, my friend and coworker, could definitely vouch for that.

Also, befriending Jay at work and agreeing to go on a date with his cousin led me to my wonderful husband. Arby's is indirectly responsible for me meeting Tage. :)  <3

It's amazing how much I have grown up and changed in the last 4 years. And all the while I was working at Arby's and maybe not fully appreciating how much it has made me who I am today. I feel pretty comfortable saying that I like the person I am today. Working at Arby's definitely shaped my character in a way that I may not ever be able to fully describe. But i'll always be grateful for it.


So back to the saying goodbye part. Change is scary, and most the time it sucks. I have been so sad these last few days, for Farmington Arby's, my Arby's crew, and all the wonderful memories I have there. It's really been hitting me hard that I won't go back there again. Not even to visit, on July 5th Burt Brother's will be leveling my store. :( It was it's own special place, not your typical fast food establishment, Farmington had it's own vibe, it was unique. I'll miss my comfort zone, a place I knew inside and out, a place that I could jam out to my I-pod and usually nobody cared! I'll miss my peaceful mornings, opening the store with just me and my music... However, It is time to move on. My life has changed so much in just the last 2 years that it's definitely time to take on a new challenge in the workplace.

Goodbye Farmington Arby's! It's been a crazy ride, thanks for the life lessons, hilarious moments, and great memories.

p.s. Let's not forget that farmington Arby's will always have a piece of me...literally!! haha!

Tage's new obsession....oh wait, I mean PROJECT.

The Trans Am is coming a long just great, a lot faster than what I expected! Mainly because besides working and spending time with me it's Tage's top priority. I'm super excited and amazed at Tage's talent and dedication. I am doing my part by providing snacks and conversation. I also have to ask what every little thing on the car does and WHY. I'm more concerned with my poor car's cosmetic needs while Tage just wants to make it run first and foremost. Since he is the professional here i'll let him do it his way. But mark my words when I say she is gonna be purple! So here are a few pictures of what we will call PHASE ONE. :) She will be a purple beauty by the end of the summer and you can bet she is gonna have some power!

 

Now don't judge too quickly. It may smell like cats...LOTS of cats. But this car has got potential!!

Tage's victorious moment! First step in phase one is complete!

Finding the time.

Life never does slow down, I should have known that. For some reason i thought that after Tage and I got married I would actually have time to blog...or something like that.

We stay busy. I have had a few questions along the lines of "How is married life?" I never quite know what to say. I usually just say, "Oh it's just great." Ya know, small talk. But really so far it's more than great! Even though time just keeps flying by. Usually it's Tage and I getting off work after a nine or ten hour day, saying hello, talking a little bit about our day, cooking dinner, and then passing out.

My job at Farmington Arby's has been a real roller coaster lately, the place is getting shut down June 25th, the General Manager has already been transferred to another store...so guess who is running a doomed store with employees who just don't give a crap anymore? YEP, That would be me! 45 hours a week of non stop madness. I love this store, and I love all the employees. That is the ONLY reason I am putting up with the owners paying me next to nothing to make sure the place holds together until it's D-day. They act like the fact that I'm getting over time is a gift from them or something. Needless to say the first week was a nightmare, the second was a recreation of my previous nightmare, and here comes the third week.


I'm tired. Beyond burnt out. But i've got Tage. He wakes up at 5:30 with me, he makes me a toaster strudel, and makes sure not to crawl back into bed until I leave for work because he knows it will make me sad that he is in our warm comfy bed and I have to leave. I swear I have some altar ego in the mornings, I don't know who that person is ,but man is she mean!!! Tage has learned to subdue this evil person I become in the early AM with pop tarts and juice. What a champ.  We don't get weekends, but we have our Sundays and I absolutely treasure my Sundays. Sundays are for Family, church, napping, reading, and relaxing ONLY. Work is really not so bad, even though I feel I slave away at that place, I get some sort of satisfaction from it.Tage works 50 hours a week and it hardly even phases him. I wish  I could absorb some of that energy, seriously! Hopefully his job will give him more of what he wants soon...it's a great job don't get me wrong we are SO grateful for it, but I think Tage wants just a little bit more out of it.

We love the bike!! Notice Tage's silly mohawk helmet.

Besides us working our lives away we have had some fun. On my birthday I looked out the window to see a 1980 Trans Am in our driveway!! Thanks Husband. :) It's a fixer upper to say the least...i will post pictures when it looks more like a car. HA HA. I trust Tage entirely in his ability to make that car into exactly how I imagined it--- a purple beauty!!! It's going to be a project for both of us, I am excited to help in any way I can. Although I think my helping will consist of asking him what tool he needs, ("You mean this gross, greasy, pointy thing?? Is THAT the one you are talking about? EWWW you really want me to just pick it up? Are there gloves anywhere around here?) I will also provide snacks, and good company.

For Memorial Day we drove down to Bryce's to meet my family after we got off work that Saturday night. We took Kuyler along. It was really fun! A nice little break from the work grind, and Kuyler is always fun to have around. Tage is really going to miss him when he leaves for Australia, but I can also tell how proud Tage is of him. I am too, he is such a great person! He has been working with me at Arby's. I will really miss his sunny attitude at work. Bryce's was beautiful and COLD. It was totally worth it though, spending time with Kuyler who is leaving soon and spending time with my sister Melissa who is also leaving soon. Moving to Florida. I am going to miss her family terribly. I love my sister, my brother in law Beau, and their two PRECIOUS daughters. I have been randomly crying about it since I heard they were leaving, I can't stand the thought of not seeing them all the time. :( I suppose eventually I will adjust. A vacation to Florida is definitely in our future.

Fun Time's at Bryces!

Last barbecue for Melissa. :(

All 4 of my little sun shines. I'm really gonna miss Avenley and Paisley, good thing I still have Halle and Bryton though!

It's going to be a fantastic summer. Tage and I WILL manage to squeeze in some camping, drag racing, hiking, concerts, swimming, and all that good stuff. It's all about just finding the time to be together, and enjoy every second of it. Now if only I could find the magical energizer bunny that gives Tage all his energy we'd be good to go! ;)