Good News!

Remember this post? Well - would you believe it worked??? I was SO surprised I can't even stand it! My goal was to get a new job by April 1st. Well, April 1st came and went... But on April 8th, I got a phone call from Shawnee - the clinical director of Chrysalis. She asked me if I was still interested in doing behavior work and I told her I was. I explained that I had looked further into school, but was having a hard time determining where to do school and more importantly, how I would get my "hours" in. Shawnee told me that she and Marc were extremely impressed with me and that they were creating a new position with me in mind. She said that they were not going to post the position, and they were not going to interview me because they felt like our lunch was interview enough. She gave me information on the salary, benefits, retirement, etc and told me to think about it, and we set up a time to meet on Monday the 11th after the Autism Conference. I went inside my house and told my dear hubby Travis - "I think I was just offered a job!" I had to call Shawnee back and clarify - she laughed and said Yes, she had offered me the job. I talked it over with my husband (a conversation that lasted all of 2 minutes) and then called my mom to let her know! She immediately said "Well, the 8th of April is not the 1st, but it works just as well!" I couldn't agree more!

I am so excited for this new adventure! A new job doing something I'm extremely interested in - for a company I have respected and loved working with for the past 7 years. I am so excited! On the 11th, I accepted their offer and determined that I would start on May 2nd. I don't think it really hit me that I would be doing a different job, until I had to tell my bosses, and more importantly my clients. That has been the hardest. I've been a support coordinator for just shy of 7 years, and many of the clients I've had for that entire time. It was truly a hard thing for me to say goodbye to them. I am lucky to have worked with some great people - and I know my clients will be well taken care of! Last night I had a nice cry as I finished the last of my visits... it's such a bittersweet moment.

I am excited for this new opportunity and exciting adventure! Wish me luck!

A Long Time...

I know it has been a long time since I have blogged - and for the one or two of you that actually read this - sorry... Things have been crazy - I've been trying to find a new job and have not been successful so far. I did have another round of interviews at one place - and then they hired someone with a PhD. I know I shouldn't be discouraged - but this is the second time in 8 months that I have actually gotten an interview - from the dozens of resumes and applications I have sent out... only to lose a job (after 2 - 3 stellar interviews) to someone who is WAY overqualified. It's so frustrating - but as Travis keeps telling me - it's just a sign that the economy hasn't quite recovered yet. In other news - I have accomplished several of my goals and am working diligently on others. I am really excited and feel really good about it! It's Audit time at work... which also explains my long absence - I'm just waiting to see what happens next with my files... maybe I'll get fired and just collect unemployment for a while. We will see :)

# 22 - Take my in-laws our for a nice dinner

Travis and I spent a few days at the end of January in St. George with his parents. We went down for business more than pleasure. I have 4 clients down south and had some meetings to do down there. Travis and his business partner held a seminar for some of Travis's parent's friends and were able to conduct some business down there as well!

Well, we decided to take Travis's parents out for a nice dinner! Now, I know that a "Nice" dinner is relative... Travis's parents are on the Atkins diet and can only eat meat and veggies - his dad loves to eat at a Brazilian steakhouse up here called Tucanos - so we figured we would take them for their first experience at a Japanese Steakhouse - and took them to a place called Samurai 21 - it's just like Teppanyaki. Boy did they love it! It was perfect for their dietary restrictions - and in their eyes it qualifies as a "nice" dinner. I think it was a nice dinner. Travis's dad spent a good chunk of the dinner time harassing the little boy at the table with us with hair like Justin Bieber - boy does Bob think he's funny!

It was nice to be able to take them out for a nice dinner and to be able to spend time with them without other family members around. I'm really excited to do this with my parents next!

# 17 - Throw a Themed Party

Is Christmas a theme? I believe so! Travis and I put on Christmas dinner for both of our families in our home. It was such a hit - I was really surprised! It took a TON of work - but turned out amazingly well! Here is what our tables looked like... Yes, I made the treats in the baggies with the help of Travis' niece and nephew.

This is the table in the kitchen... My parents and Travis's parents sat there

This is the rest of our living room. We had 15 people at our house for dinner - I was surprised everyone fit - but they did and it seriously went so much better than I thought it would have!

Our first attempt at homemade stuffing - as well as Turkey!

Such a beautiful bird! Perfectly moist! Notice all of the crockpots? It was crockpot-a-palooza at our house on Christmas! But it was such a perfect way to make sure everything stayed warm! I think we may do this again next year... We will see! :)

#19 - Sign All of the Books I read

This goal was accomplished on December 26, 2010. You see, for Christmas I got a Barnes and Noble Nook I LOVE IT! It is going to help me reach my goal of 30 best sellers in no time! So, I finished reading my final paperback book - and have since moved on to e-books! I was worried I would miss the feel and smell of books - but I don't. After all, I teach college courses and read textbooks on a regular basis. The Nook is the best present I have gotten in a long time! It fits in my purse and I take it everywhere and can read whatever I want, whenever I want! It's such a fantastic little toy! I highly recommend it!

Push

One of my favorite movies is White Christmas... One of my favorite lines the movie is when Judy tells Betty "You can't leave everything up to fate. Just like honesty needs a little plus, Fate needs a little push".

Well, I have given fate a little push. Yesterday I decided to send an email to someone that I really want to work for. I wrote a long thoughtful email as to why I wanted to work for them, the needs that I have seen in their company as well as the needs they have vocalized - and how I can fill those needs. I was TERRIFIED to send the email - but about an hour after I sent it, I received a return email saying that they would like to meet with me to discuss the position...

We will see what happens!

Resolutions

I figured I didn't need to make any resolutions this year since I have some goals I'm trying to accomplish by the time I turn 30 (in 7 short months). HOWEVER, I realized I need a time-frame for some of these - for my own sanity and mental health.

So - my New Years Resolution - to Find a Masters Level Social Work job and start it by April 1, 2011. I want to be out of my job by April 1st. I love my job, I do, but I need something that's more challenging - and I need to put all of those student loans to good use!

SO - if any of you know of anybody who is hiring an MSW/CSW - please let me know - I will apply!