one more year

This past weekend we celebrated Grandma B's 83rd birthday at her house with lots of family and a great meal. I tried to get a shot of the group like Sarah and Doug usually do, but I didn't seem to have 100 percent success...



Grandma opening cards and gifts...



Aunt Elaine, Aunt Becky, Mom, Leah and Emily looking on...



Post-dinner ping-pong. Somehow Scott couldn't say no to the kiddies...

close, but no cigar

As you've seen in a previous post (entitled "to us, from us"), we've been working on the installation of new french doors. Last weekend we started the tedious process of painting them, and here it is, Sunday night, and the doors are still not up! I really thought we would be crossing the finish line tonight, but alas, once you paint a door, it just doesn't seem to fit back in place the way it once did. So Scott has shaved back the wood where the hinges go, and also has been working on the jambs. Hopefully later this week we can show off a finished product. Here's our progress so far...

now the proud owner of...

... a new job! On Friday afternoon, I accepted a new position with a non-profit in Southfield!

I know, I know... it seemed like I wasn't going to even consider taking it. There was too much agony over what the job entailed, and combined with the commute, I wasn't too thrilled. After sharing my concerns with my now new boss, specfically how I didn't want to be a sales person scouting for money and volunteers, I discovered that the position wasn't about that at all. Whew!

In a nutshell, I'm the Special Events Coordinator, assisting on three major annual events and working with EXISTING volunteers and sponsors as a liaison for the events to make sure everything runs like clockwork. I start on the first of February!

Yes, it will be a killer commute, and I might need some assistance getting dinner on the table from the greatest husband ever (wink, wink), but change is good, right? I'm going to be scared; I already know it. But as someone told me this week, "without risk-taking, life is quiet, normal and predictable. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that if that is what one desires."

I've decided I desire to be brave, and take my neat little life and shake it up, remembering that "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13)

which way?

After looking over an email I sent just this afternoon to a friend, I'm realizing how healthy it is for me to write out my thoughts. I've recently been in a quandary about employment (nothing new there), and after today, may be presented with an opportunity for a full-time position that would get me "back on track". I've been fearful, though, about the whole scenario, and had this to say to said-mentioned friend:

Pros - Fulltime, mega benefits, much more challenging than sitting here all day in my current job, plus lots more money to keep us afloat
Cons - Southfield drive every day is minuimum of 40 minutes, there's some parts of the job that I'm not sure I'm up for... constantly recruiting volunteers and soliciting money/sponsorships.

I keep thinking, though, that I was honest in my two interviews, and honest on my resumes. So if they see something in me that's perfect for the job, shouldn't that make me want it? I'm hesitating to take this (if offered), and I'm not sure why.

Scared of giving up 10am start times, morning workouts and grocery shopping conveniences? Yes
Scared of traveling so far for a job I may not even like? Yes
Scared of the job itself, and that I may not be good enough? Definitely

I keep telling Scott that I won't settle (I won't work some clerk job for the County just so I can have great pay and holidays). But now, when possibly presented with an opportunity to "stay in line with my career", my first instinct is to turn it down. Could God just tell me yes or no, and I'll get on with my life?!?!?

Maybe God's trying to tell me that I SHOULD be taking a different path, not go to Southfield, and instead "settle" (as I call it) for something close to home and flexible. I know I'm not a ladder climber when it comes to a career, so maybe I should get over myself and my college degree, and take any old job! Maybe the answer is to just wait it out, and stay put in my current situation. I'm feeling very torn. And then again, maybe all this thinking is for nothing... no one's called yet to say I'm wanted.

anyday now

This may have been the longest lapse in my entries since the inception of this little blog. And while some of you may find this funny... I've really got nothing to say! It's a new year, with the possibility of new adventures, but I'm still waiting. Granted, it's only been nine days, but there's nothing new from our house. Stay tuned, I suppose...