What's Next?

We just learned that Stephen did not get the job with the DSP group, so we're back to square one. I'm hoping that we find something in Boston - I'm not ready to leave yet (definitely not while the weather is about to get nice again!)

So please keep us in your prayers.

Quick Updates

It dawned on me today that I haven't done some follow-up that I said I would. So here's some quick updates into what's been going on in the life of moi:

Running:

I've started my marathon training, and am taking the tortoise approach on this one: slow and steady wins the race. I'm running a few times per week and running about 2-3 miles each time. Once I build some stamina and strength in the knees I'll begin steadily increasing mileage.

Mexico:

When my parents asked if I was leaving for Mexico this week, it dawned on me that I haven't clued most people in on that either. The promotions company originally told us our first date of March 28-April 3 was set. Plans were made, vacation days were requested and two days later there was a problem. Apparently we're only allotted $1,200 for tickets and flights were running around $1,750; Wheel of Fortune won't let guests pay the difference, so we couldn't go then and our alternate dates in April were already booked up. So... they secured our trip for May 10-16. I think it will be hotter than Hades then, but it's a free trip and I can cool down by the pool with a cerveza in each hand.

Job Hunt:

Stephen had a great second interview with the DSP group at his company (don't ask because I can't explain) and now we're just waiting to hear whether he got the offer. It's the waiting part that is the killer.

I start my job on April 6th and I'm so excited. I'm all set up and my new colleagues have been sending me information so that I'm ramped up and ready to hit the ground running on day 1.

So that's all we've got going on right now. I'll be sure to update this with any news once Stephen has it.

Happy Anniversary

It's unofficially our two year anniversary. I say unofficially because we never really locked in a date on our togetherness. We met 2 years ago on this day and have been inseparable ever since (minus the 7-month stint where we dated long distance.)

So to celebrate our anniversary, I'm tieing in the gift I was going to make Stephen for Valentine's Day but never did because it was sort of cheesy (and the quality of pictures from the Web don't transfer to paper very well, at least for a novice like myself.) Many of you know the site I love you more than blank where you could submit all the things you love your SO more than. Some of these are mine, some of them are not, but these are just a representation of the things I place below my love for Stephen:

If the Shoe Doesn'

If the Shoe Doesn't Fit

Sometimes you just have to accept that you're not happy and move on. I mean, if the shoe doesn't fit, why try to squeeze into it? That's how I've felt at my new job, so I turned in my resignation this week.

From the moment I started, something didn't feel right. I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but I just knew I wasn't happy, so I told Stephen from the beginning that if I wasn't happy after 90 days I was going to start looking for something else.

Well, something else came looking for me.

An agency I interviewed with when I first got laid off. A place with people I instantly connected with. A place I knew I would thoroughly enjoy, but a place who didn't have a spot available for me at the moment.

But that changed on Monday. I got an e-mail last Thursday from the owner asking me about the job and would I be interested in coming to talk to them. I thought, "what's the harm?". So I went Monday evening to meet with them.

An offer I couldn't turn down. The enthusiasm I had from the first time I met them was still there. It's the first time since being laid off that I've been excited for a job.

I start on April 6th and I couldn't be happier!

Working on the House, Round 2

Ever since Stephen and I busted our butts getting the house ready for our housewarming party in July (see here and here) we've admittedly done little else. So I was excited when Stephen called last night to say he was at Kohl's and needed my help picking things out.

At first I thought he meant clothes, which I have no problem doing, but sometimes shopping with him is difficult (hello, the man is 6'4" with broad shoulders, small waist and big ol booty); however, I was wrong. He decided to take the plunge and buy housewares because someone - ahem, me - has failed to do any of it.

Now let me clarify; I did repaint the dining room since I wasn't a fan of the chai latte, and we did get a couch. I've also bought curtain rods and curtains for the guest bedroom. But I've admittedly done little else. I stare at both bedrooms that still have wall paper and cringe, and I've yet to do anything about it.

Well, that changes now. We've bought some artwork for the walls and new linens to match the lavender lavatory, so that is my motivation to get the rest of the house done. I'll be making a little trip to my favorite toy store after work tonight to get some goodies to start re-working on the house

Ever Wondered What Runs Through My Head?

Here is the throught process I had while eating my Lean Cuisine** lunch today:



"I wonder how many of these things Stephen could eat before getting full?"

"I bet it would be at least 3"

"If it only took one to fill him up, would that make me a glutton because he gets full on the same amount I do?"

"Should I only be eating HALF of my Lean Cuisine?"

"Do normal people only eat half?"

"Ooh, look, an interesting Twitter comment!"



Um, yeah... Stephen often tells me I'm a little cuckoo, and I'm starting to think he might be right.



**Try the butternut squash ravioli ones if you haven't. They're the best!

Damn... Here We Go Again

Exactly one day before his birthday, and 3 days after his group signed another big contract with a HUGE client, Stephen got laid off from his job. Damn.

Engineers don't get laid off, do they? I thought that was limited to us peons in the communications industry who work our asses off making sure our engineering/high tech clients look good, only to find out the 60+ hour work weeks we put in don't matter because PR to them doesn't matter.

But I digress.

Here we go again.

It wasn't that long ago - or was it?, almost 5 months now - that I was laid off. But 8 weeks after that hammer dropped, I was back in the line of gainfully employed.

So I should have been prepared. But when I got the call from him - ironically around the same time I called him those 5 months ago - I cried.

How do you not cry? I cried because the feelings I tried so hard to repress and forget came rushing back. I cried because of the uncertainty. And I cried because I'm a crybaby.

For his part, he was very stoic, and put on the bravest face. The same way I put on a brave face when I got "let go." His words were "we'll be fine." I remember when I uttered those same words to him.

It's a blessing. In disguise. Major disguise. We'll see what happens. We'll pull through this. We'll one day thank God that this happened.

Under the Weather

I'm a little bit under the weather right now, so please forgive any lack of posting. I promise I'll be back in time to talk about my recent trip to NYC and Stephen's upcoming birthday this weekend.