The Charm

Jay graduated law school in May of '06 and has consistently been searching and applying for jobs. Last fall we were offered a position in Phoenix, which we now think, in hindsight, we maybe should have accepted, maybe. But it's sooo far away...

In late July, Jay flew to MCG for an on-campus interview. Out of 200+ applicants, 10+ phone interviews, he was one of 3 in-person interviews. He thought it looked good, we were excited and tentatively looking online at Augusta. The VP for Legal Services (head attorney for the school, he would've been Jay's boss) said it all looked good but he'd let us know for sure in late July. MCG had a new president and he was doing an evaluation of all senior staff and the VP wanted to wait until the dust settled before hiring someone. So we wait for the last week of July, then the first week of August, then the second week... After waiting six weeks, I nagged Jay into sending an e-mail: we're looking at other opportunities, need to make plans, etc. So the VP calls Jay and says basically that during the evaluative process, they decided to eliminate the position Jay interviewed for, all due to budget cuts. What? It took 6 weeks to let us know? So disappointed.

Now what?

In the meantime, Jay applied for a job in August, had a phone interview in mid-September and they flew him out the next week (September 16-17) for an on-campus interview. During the phone interview, someone said, "Wow, you sound perfect for this job." But Tampa, what? Do we really want to be in Tampa? So he went down for the interview, they quickly started to referring to the job as Jay's and saying, "Well, we can have Jay do this or that, etc." And before he even left town, the senior attorney told him to keep the first week of November open for some big conference in DC. Holy Mole! Tampa!

And it's all happened so fast since then. Six days after he got home, we got the offer and accepted it the next day. I broke the news to my mom (seriously bawling over the phone; I never want to do that again.) and Jay broke it to his parents. We've been looking around online and ramped up our efforts to finish the work we've planned on this house. (Anyone want to buy a nice 4 bedroom, 2 bath cap cod in northern Kentucky? We've renovated both bathroom and it's got a new roof and paint throughout! No? Okay.)

So the plan, for right now, is for Jay to head down to start work November 8th, come back for Turkey Day. I'll keep the home fires burning, supervise the movers sometime during the week of Turkey Day and then we head back down with Jay the 29th, ready to sink our toes in the sand and avoid the snow and cold.

We got few visitors here in Northern KY; I expect we'll get a lot more visits from friends and family in Tampa. :)

Stuff

Further evidence for Jay that digging in someone's trash, shopping at thrift stores and yard sales are good for the environment and my wallet. And I recycle, though Jay resents the fact that we have to pay $5 a month to recycle.

The Story of Stuff (long video but useful info)

M26: The Story of Stuff (like her review of above video)

The Stuff of Stuff

I Like Stuff

And what if all my STUFF was gone in an instant? Would I feel lighter or mourn for all the useless and untouched bits and pieces?

Used is hip now, isn't it? Lots of blogs now for reusing and redoing what you've already got, or found on the curb. When I need some "retail therapy," I head to my favorite thrift store, honest. I like stuff, too, but I'm cheap and I love giving something a new life. Here are some of my favorite blogs for inspiration of updating and improving previously loved treasures.

Remodelaholic

Better After

So Jessica, when can you come up and help me purge? I need some honest and harsh new eyes to evaluate the necessity of my stuff. And some empty boxes; anybody got empty moving boxes to haul my stuff away?

Tribute to Jay

This is too cool, even if it's just for the UK visor. Love you, Dad.

Dad Life from Church on the Move on Vimeo.

Another One Down

1 neglected, ignored pitiful blog
2 homes we've shared together
3 monkeys we've created and unleashed on the world
4 degrees Jay's earned (#4 finishing up soon!)
5 cars we've gone through
6 traveling excursions shared together
7+ years of loony parenthood
8 I can't think of eight anything--darn summer colds/sinus infections!!
9 years of hugs, tears, kisses and struggles.

I love you, Jay. Happy Anniversary! Here's to 90 more! (Years, not children. I'm already ready for the "Mommy's Little Vacation" asylum.)

Pride in My Ride

Actually, I aspire to a true Swagger Wagon. My piece o' crap Ford works for now; but someday, I'll rock the SE, too.

Family Reunion

Parker's spring break was a few weeks ago--yipee. One of the empty, long days of mayhem, I took my monkeys to visit their relatives (which side, I wonder?) at the zoo. Good times, good times. Actual friends accompanied us, so it really was a bit of fun--three moms and 10 kids, with 4 restrained in strollers, of course. We have a zoo membership, which is awesome 'cause we can see a few animals, whine that we're thirsty and complain that we're tired of walking and then leave, saving the other creatures for another visit. I'm taking an online photography class and this outing was a perfect opportunity to practice and see what all I don't know. Here's the documented evidence, in case you're interested.

This one's too dark--I thought I lightened it? (Parker, Dallin, Ava, Merritt and Miller)

She's on the right animal--sweet princess appearance with the bite of a croc.

Spencer's intent on chaos--must restrain him quickly! And why is Parker showing off his water? Yes, I do hydrate them occasionally.

And this guy was posing, so I had to oblige with a shot. Wonder where his horn is?

And the boring artistic shots--I need to learn how to prettify them in Photoshop or something.

Ooh, bokeh.

I love this statue in the Garden of Peace--sure could use that spot of green in my yard. I think I'd have to camp out in it though. (The garden, not the statue.)

Pretty flowers!

Bunny Magic

Since Easter this year was the same Sunday as General Conference and we stay home to listen to/watch/snooze through it online, there really wasn't a Sunday for the monkeys to wear their Easter garb. I dressed the boys in their shirts the Sunday before Easter but was too lazy to iron Merritt's dress that day so she wore her dress the Sunday after Easter. (Thanks, Mom, for ironing that horrible beast!) I was determined to take pictures since I don't know if Merritt will ever wear the dress again--it's the wrinkle monster from heck. The boys aren't in their official Easter shirts, but it's really all about the pretty dresses anyway, right? And this is as good as it got of Boy #2--he's definitely two.

Now I'm not a horrible mom--I do document some of the events in my monkeys' lives.