Life changes, never stops I guess!

My life is again about to change.
It never stops.
Not that I am complaining, however...I have to say that I am thoroughly looking forward to stability (real, potentially permanent stability).

First big announcement:
I am leaving my job. I resigned yesterday. I am moving to the other side of the political arena, to work on the electoral side of things. I will have further conversations tomorrow with my future employers. But, I am the new (and first ever) Executive Director of a political organization committed to electing women. I'm psyched. A major bit terrified. But totally happy and thrilled.

Second life change:
My house is going on the market. Hoefully it will sell by the end of the spring. Hopefully I will gain a substantial chunk of money to use on a downpayment of some future home. But in the meantime it feels good to take a step. This does not mean that I have any idea where I will live after my house sells, probably find a nice apartment and see how things go. But, I have committed to moving into the suburbs before Grace enters 6th grade. Which is about 18 months from now.

So. More changes. In the right direction.
I'm going to be in turmoil for awhile. There is no way around that.
But, maybe there will be some stability in my life in a way that I have been longing for.
Maybe the happily ever after scenerio is closer than I think.
I am starting to believe that my destiny isn't just about suffering, pain, and misery.

A new job...a potential polical future...and moving to a place where I can make a real home.
Permanacy? Me?

I'd like to think all things are possible.

Texas

I am sitting in a Barnes and Noble in downtown Ft. Worth.

It is 80 degrees, clear and sunny. Absolutely stunning. I am hot. I AM HOT.
This after leaving the freezing midwest during a snowstorm. I tell you it feels wonderful to be hot.

I was greeted by one of the national staff people, "AHHH, the Organiziner has arrived."
And I know more people here than I thought--I think the next three days will be very productive and fun.

Tonight we are all (I think 25??) going out to dinner at this fabulous Mexican joint called Joey T's. I was at this restaurant a year ago---BEST margaritas ever and walking distance from the hotel.

The hotel we are staying at is the hotel that JFK and Jackie O. stayed the night before he was killed. He addressed the crowd from the ballroom (where we're holding meetings) and left from the front steps. Interesting historical fact.

The leaves on the trees are green. The pansies are blooming. And every third vehicle that drives by is a pcik-up truck. The accent still surprises me. And the $4.00 bowl of soup I ordered for lunch was as big as my head. I'm not kidding, I couldn't finish it. I think I made it through half.

I've been up since 4am--and really tired. Am going to go look for an outdoor lounge chair to nap in. Am waiting to call Mike, but worried that he is ok after having two teeth pulled this morning. Sweeting, I hope you're ok. And that you didn't go to work.

Now, time to logoff. Time to sleep.
More from the home sunshine later.

What to wear?

I am skipping work today so that I can pack and clean before I hit the training circuit.

What does one pack when going from Dallas to Chicago? I'm struck that the temperature change could be as much as 70degrees in one day. Layers I guess. And a wool coat?

Currently I am drinking coffee and plotting out my day.

Have to do:
-clean
-pack
-help Andy schedule children
-meet Mike for lunch :)
-print out documents for interview
-drop off friend Dave's camping mat that I borrowed in August
-go to interview
-go run a board of director's meeting

Flight leaves in the morning at 7:25am.
Arg.

Maybe I'll get this job and I won't have to do any national trips.
Could that even be possible????

Possible?

Is it possible to wake up with a sugar high?
I am still feeling the effects of eating too much Valentine candy, cookies and treats.

Why, why, why does it all taste so good and make me feel so bad?

Possible?

Is it possible to wake up with a sugar high?
I am still feeling the effects of eating too much Valentine candy, cookies and treats.

Why, why, why does it all taste so good and make me feel so bad?

February 14th

It's so nice to have a Valentine.
It's so nice to be in love.

That's as sappy as I am going to get here. :)
I'm listening to Beck on itunes...does everyone know how much Beck rules???

Ok, back to the update:
Life in the city moves along.
I am preparing to leave town for about 12 days--not terribly excited about it. But I will be doing LOADS of training (which I love and which I am brilliant at) so that makes up for being gone for days on end. First stop, Texas. Second stop, Chicago.

The weekend was amazing--hard to beleive that another week is gone and that February has almost bit the dust.
Friday night Mike and I had a fancy dinner--I even wore a dress (gasp). It was probably the best meal that I have had in a long, long time. We shared a crab cake appetizer, I had asparagus bisque, and crisp skate wing with delicious vegetables and then we shared a pumpkin chocolate cheesecake. It was outstanding. Then we went and hung out at my mom's house with my crazy sister Katie.
Saturday we took the girls on another marathon outing...first to the batting cages where they swung and attempted to hit balls. Margaret got hit by a pitch and has a lovely bruise! Then to Fudrucker's for giant burgers and milkshakes. And to Chuck E. Cheese for some competitive gaming...actually Mike and I wanted to see who could shoot better at the basketball thingy. And since I am a wee bit competitive, well....we had to go. Officially we each won one game. We'll go back and settle the score at some point! Then, if all of that wasn't enough...we went bowling. Again, Mike and I tied one game a piece.

The marathon day with children and it was time to get ready for our evening outings.
I dressed up in my slightly punk attire (new sweatshirt with awesome skull logo and leather jacket) for our NIN concert. We went with my friends Erich and Sue (who graciously cooked for us beforehand). Then after the amazing concert (at which I felt old and short) we headed out to see local talent. My friend Dave's band was playing so we dropped in to see him.

Sunday I had major obligations at church--but we managed to sneak in dinner and a movie.
Not bad, actually it was an amazing weekend. And I got to sleep on the waterbed. Have I mentioned how much I adore the waterbed? It is heated. *sigh*

My second interview is tomorrow. I'm as ready as I am going to be. I have to print some documents and bring them as evidence of what kind of work I do. I think that I am going to nail this again. I want this job more than ever. So, we'll see if they want me. Hopefully it is a go.

Now, I am calling it quits here at the office. I can work from home now, yes, I have internet at home. Mike bought me an adapter thingy for my computer so I can steal the signal from the other wireless networks in the neighborhood. Cool. I am slowly becoming connected to the modern world: an ipod, xm radio, and internet. The trifecta of technology!

More Later.

It's True.

I have a second interview on Wednesday at 5pm.

One step closer.
Fingers still crossed.

Just tidbits

-I heard some gossip today. It was from a reliable source. :)
The good news is that the interview committee liked what I had to offer and say. They loved my enthusiasm and my "out-state" experience. I heard that I will be getting called back for a second interview. Haven't actaully heard from an "official" source, so fingers will remain crossed.

-I went to visit little Garrett last night. He was so small-and sweet-and soft. I held him for awhile until my brother insisted that I give him up. Julie's father was at the hospital at the same time and he wanted to hold his new grandson. But I would have hung onto him for longer. Babies are so amazingly wonderful. Grace and Margaret seemed to approve of their new cousin. This as their other cousin, big brother Preston, was tearing around the room trying to get into everything possible. Cute, funny, excited two-year old little monster he is.

-Today's meeting schedule lasts until 9pm. At the moment I am trying to stay focused on some work, but I keep going back to writing strategic plans for the "new" job. I shouldn't get too far ahead of myself-but I want it. Oh, ok. I'll go do some more work.

-Not before this: xm radio rules. RULES. Mike had bought me the equipment for Christmas and hooked it up this weekend. It is addicting. I now have access to LIBERAL talk radio. Today I was listening to Al Franken, how cool is that. And I can flip through genres of music to satisfy any and every taste whim that I have. Country, rap, new alternative, old alternative, french hip hop. It is all there. I have not started to play with all the cool features that the radio has to offer--it can be portable-it can record/store music. And every time a song comes on I can see who the artist is and the name of the song on the display. It rocks. So do you Mike, thanks.
I think that the xm radio combined with my ipod has increased my technology factor by 200% in the past month. I am on my way to becoming a real geek, no just a wannabegeek. Yeah.

Signing off.

I have another nephew!!!!!

Garrett Andrew Bonk was born this morning at 7:45.
He weighed 7 pounds and 13 oz.

Hopefully I will get to run up to the hospital tonight and see the little guy.

My brother was so excited when I callled--"Hey, we evened the score, another boy!"

I did have a chuckle with the major difference in the way my brother and I name our children, I pick very traditional (even a bit boring) names and he picks the trendyish names.

Grace and Margaret.
Preston and Garrett.

heehee....

Lucky, lucky me.

I may be one of the luckiest people in the world right now.
No, I haven't figured out my whole career dilemas.
No, I didn't win the lottery and subsequently, a million dollars.
No, my famlily isn't perfect and we haven't resolved anything completley.

But. I have much going for me.

Grace and Margaret got their report cards and had wonderful marks and more importantly, beaming comments from their teachers. I love nothing more than the confirmation that my children are well-adjusted, happy, engaging creatures who are smart, mind the instructions of adults and play nicely with their peers. Bravo daughters!

I had a smashingly great interview on Friday. I think I did my best and have the skill set that they are looking for. Hopefully they respect my work history and see me as someone who could grow and transform the political landscape in Wisconsin for women. Hopefully I will know more about the position by the end of the week.

I bought a new baseball glove this weekend in anticipation of softball season. With Mike. And all of the other cool new people that he has brought into my life. We went to the batting cages on Sunday and took some intial pre-season swings. It felt good.

I threw my first tuchdown pass on Saturday at pick up football. It felt like all of those fantasies I have about being a star athlete...such a child-like rush to throw the ball well and have it caught. I think I surprised myself and the eight guys on the field with me.

My new nephew or neice is being born tomorrow. I can't wait to be an aunt for the second time. I am secretly hoping for a boy, but it is cute to imagine my tough brother with a baby girl. Twenty four hours from now and there will be another baby to love and snuggle with.

I got to spend the entire weekend, starting on Friday afternoon, and ending this morning, with Mike. We packed an amazing amount of fun things in, including: having dinner with ten friends on Friday night, seeing great live music by The Pulltops (who played my favorite song), running up and down the football field, having giant plates of mexican food, falling in love with the movie Walk the Line, hitting a softball over and over, fabulous conversation, and rooting for the Seahawks with more of the same great people.

I am truly happy with my life.

Lucky, lucky me.

Dust.

The floors are done!
And spectactular.
Too bad I don't have $3500 or I would redo all the floors.
It is amazing how different everything looks.
Shiny and new.

But there is a fine layer of dust all over everything.

*arg*

I'll have to clean.
And go to Home Depot for supplies for the rest of the list.
Saturday afternoon at Home Depot. I'm so excited!!!
("you're a geek, you do know that." "yes, I'm fully aware.")

Monster Update

The monsters were fun. We had great seats-6th row. Everyone had a great time. And we all agreed that when they added real skaters for "artistic" reasons that it took away from the whole idea of capturing Monsters, Inc. But, I guess that is what you get at an 'ice show.'

So, this week Mike and I were at Monsters on Ice, next week we'll be at an intimate (3000) show by Nine Inch Nails. Go Figure. But I think that makes us exceptionally cool.

Also. Heard that JB is getting married on Feb. 11th. I laughed out loud at that, the woman stayed and is marrying him? What a world we live in! I guess they deserve each other?

Floors/stairs/foyer looks amazing. I am so thrilled that I went ahead and spend the money. Now all I have to do is compile a list of "other things" and finish them. Then house goes up for sale! Yeah.

Just spent $99.00 to change a flight so that I can get back in time for weeklong training. I have never done the opening session--it is reserved for organizers that have been doing this work for, um, YEARS. So I didn't worry that I wasn't getting back into town until after the training started. But, am now booked on earlier flight so I can do said training. Assuming I still work for these people....:)

Professional Quandry

My big job interview is tomorrow at 2pm.
Keep fingers crossed. I am really excited and have hyper prepared.
Not thinking that I'll actually get offered the job, but hoping.

But--yesterday I had a fascinating conversation with a Lutheran pastor who told me that there has been some conversation about a bunch of churches pooling together to hire me to do congregational development. Which I am really good at. Especially clergy development. Really good. And it is exciting to think about that.

Also, the training schedule for the weeklong training THAT I ADORE came out this morning. The big boys have cleared me to do the hardest trainings. I have the best training schedule that I have ever had. And I am coordinating the training at the national level for the 4th time. I love my national work. Why can't I LOVE the local stuff?

I am so confused about what I really want.
Could anyone tell me please?

Tonight

Girls and Mike and I are going to see Disney On Ice.
Really.
Monster's Inc. is the show this year and should be impressive.

Mike and I had actually heard the commercial on the radio and
said how cool it would be to go. But we decided two grown adults
going to Disney On Ice without children would make us nerds.

Then, saving the day, Grace told me she wanted to go.
And I bought 4 tickets.
And we ALL get to go.

Kids = Cool.

*Sigh*

My family.

What can I say.
We're a complicated bunch.
That much has never been disputed,
however, we always had a sense of
loyalty/unity (or more/or/less).

Lately I wonder what the future looks like.

My dad has developed a relationship
with his kids that seems to shut my siblings out.
(Or DOES shut us out).

I ran into my dad, his girlfriend, my brother, his wife,
and my youngest sister having dinner on Sunday night.
For my sister's birthday. That I had tried to organize a dinner for-
that very same night. But they were busy(?)--so they went out
to their own dinner. And then I ran into them. Essentially busting
my father.

Today there has been a major email chain-everyone fighting and weighing in.
Kennan launched an honest email.
So did I.
Both of my sister's emailed back.
I am not sure who is speaking to who anymore.

Frankly, I care, but if this is the way it is going to go,
well--I would rather just know now so I can not get drawn into
some long fight.

Just tell me.
Are we going to be one family?
Or going back to being two families?
Just wondering?