Working Girl

The past month has flown by! I have been working two jobs and have not had a whole lot of down time. The new "real" job is going really well. It's great to be back into a routine!

I still recognize that not everyone is as lucky as me, and that there are companies still laying off employees. I just heard of a friend at my first "real" job who was laid off due to the stagnant economy.

Being laid off isn't a good feeling. Although you were not fired, it's hard not to feel bad about it. I went through many emotions as I chugged along in unemployment. In the process of understanding what life was without a job, I think I found more of myself. I learned a great deal about who I am and that my job does not define me. Prior to the unemployment, it did define who I was and I hope to never go back there. A job is something that I do, but it does not make me who I am.

I imagine my blog may take a new turn. I am tossing a few ideas around in my mind - possibly a National Guard focus...or maybe digging into small changes we can make in our lives to make the world a little greener. We'll see what comes of it!

At long last...

I have been offered (and have accepted!) a job with the American Lung Association! It's great news and I start next week already. I must say, that there were a few times when I thought I wasn't ever going to find work again. But, thankfully, I have some great contacts (The Welch Group) who passed on the information to me and I am back in business!

Out of this I have also learned an important lesson. My top new goal, both personally and professionally, is to really dig deep and develop my networking skills. I have not always fully grasped networking opportunities - but I plan to brush up my skills and incorporate it into my life.

I'm going to start digging up some resources next...any advice is welcome!

Sharing The Man

I just got an email from a woman who is a part of the Pease Greeters. They welcomed the guys and sent them off with a fantastic farewell as they left the United States (read blog about them here).

The woman who emailed me today was emailing regarding some other stuff, but I was really moved by something she wrote about The Man:

"Thank you for sharing him with his Country."

Wow. Truthfully, I'm kind of selfish about The Man! But this wonderful woman (who is part of a wonderful organization!) really hit home.

I'm glad that there are people who recognize and act upon their support for our Soldiers. And who go above and beyond. It helps make it worth it to share The Man!

Landscaping project

When The Man was home we tore up the front yard and did quite a project...in three days!

I still have to get one more truckload of stone, paint our steps, and put in some plants - but here it is!

Before...big dirt pile, messy plant beds...what a disaster!

The Man consulting with the Pro...

What a mess!

Final product (almost!) - pretty planters, pretty stone, so neat and clean!

The Man after all the hard work!

News!

Just heard news that The Man is at Kyrgyzstan. What peace of mind it gives me to have heard his voice. Such relief!

Going crazy

The past month has been pretty crazy. I spent time in with The Man in Kansas where he was training. We drove home for about a 10-day leave. During that time we spent the majority of it with family and friends. Even though we saw many people, ]we missed out on seeing so many more friends that The Man would have love to have spent time with before heading back.

We also managed to do a huge landscaping project somehow! I'll post pics soon.

The Man headed back to Kansas for one more week of training and left the country yesterday. We should be getting confirmation sometime, hopefully in the next day or two, of their arrival.

This waiting game is tough. I am so anxious to hear something, from anyone, that they are actually in country and hopefully getting a bit of rest after the long travel.

Refreshing!

I have the greatest family!

I decided to paint our bedroom this weekend and my sister and my parents showed up and got right to work. The Man's aunt was going to help me out, too, but I think we got too much done!

After just a few short hours, the bedroom walls and ceiling had been primed and have a good first coat of paint. I need to do a quick second coat tomorrow and it'll be all set! The Man doesn't really know yet...hopefully he likes it!

Here are a few pics - unfortunately they don't capture the color too well, it's either too light or too dark. Oh well. You get the idea!

BEFORE: I didn't get a good picture of the "before" version. So you'll just have to get a glimpse from this pic. It was a good look for photographs, just absorbed too much of the light for a north-facing room.

AFTER: Well, pretty much anyway...one more coat to go!