There is a reason for the silence.

We have been doing a whole lot of this over the past week.

And, until the interwebs get hooked up at the new digs, I won't be out here much.
Since, borrowing Internet and time from your employer is frowned upon, go figure.

I tell you what though, I sure do hope that next weekend we get a little of this. 

(A trip up to Tahoe hasn't happened yet this summer)

A dip in Donner Lake would make me just as happy.

Some of this (having a park that is RIGHT around the corner from our new place makes this an easy goal).

Maybe we can pull out the kite that we found tucked away in storage and do some of this.

Summer, you haven't gotten away from me yet!

All photos, except for that box there at the top, were taken in San Diego.
A week long trip I still need to blog about before it all slips away from my sleepy brain.

Top to Bottom

Wet, cold weather and a new hat. They were made for each other.

Lunch time run to Trader Joe's was a not only a nice break from my work day, but also something I had to do (and secretly like doing, too!)

moments...

She pushed the bar stool over there all on her own, grunted and pointed and then tried to get up by herself.
Once I put her on the stool, she must have sat up there for a good 10-15 minutes re-arranging things.

She doesn't have a lot of words yet, but she sure does know exactly what she wants and how to figure out how to get it. atta, girl.

~~~~~~

Across the room, her brother sat perched on his own bar stool. He was dipping his pizza into ranch and honey and wearing his new cookie monster hat that is extra big and therefor, extra cute.

It is moments like these that make me so happy I have done a 365 projects.
Little moments that I will more than likely forget about next week, until I look back at my pile of photos and see it all again and smile.

(a busy-busy) Thanksgiving Weekend...

Making a mess while making a chocolate stout cake, a pretty mess.

O had loved watching the trains from Nana and Grandpa's living room window. I am glad my mom prompted me to grab the camera.

 

The kids helped Jojo make an icebox cake. I think there was more taste testing than actual helping.

Grandpa Buffalo and Nana Val! Thanks for having us you two. It was a fantastic Tur-ham-lamb day.

I think Fifi ate her weight, hence the 'push back' .

On Friday we got down to business with the big move.

I fueled our morning by getting coffee and doughnuts.

We farmed the kids and the heavy lifting began. We filled box after box and hoisted the couches, the fridge and a few other big items onto the trailer. There were several moments when I thought I should be documenting the move, but we were just too busy.

Around 4 we stopped our work to help celebrate two very special little boys.

Happy Birthday F and L!

Saturday was a repeat of Friday and by the end of the day we found ourselves falling wearily into our bed, but in a under a different roof.



I am searching and learning the light in this new space, it's an interesting thing to notice.



Sunday was move box filling and then setting up and settling in to our new place. I can't tell you how blessed I feel to have family holding us up right now.
Again, so much  to be thankful for, so much.

235:365, a new chapter

This summer has been full of change and new and scary things. It has been full of challenges and learning and standing my ground and waiting and hoping and wondering and a whole hell of a lot of worrying.

But on Monday, a new chapter begins. I start my new job for a new organization. I am both completely excited and totally freaked out, I feel like I am starting a new high school or something! I had been with my old job for 9 years, but with a reorganization and reduction in force my position was eliminated and I was placed on administrative (paid) leave until they could decide where to place me-seven weeks of  going back and forth with HR about my qualifications, meetings with other departments to discuss why I thought I should be able to bump into one job and not another and even an hour with a lawyer to discuss my rights.
It was a vacation to limbo-land, and trust me, limbo-land doesn't include drinks with umbrellas or pool side service.

In the meantime, I was also applying for new work and scheduling interviews. It was encouraging to know that other offices liked what they saw on my resume and were willing to give me a chance to be part of their staff, even if my old place of work didn't see the value in what I did, it was clear to see that others do.
I was offered and accepted a new job a couple of weeks ago and last Friday gave my official resignation for my old spot. It was a relief, but also a real energy drain too. Saying goodbye is never easy, even when it is the best thing to do.

Wish me luck on my new commute (an hour one way),
my new schedule (three tens and one eight, with Wed. off)
and my new job!
If I'm not around much in the next few weeks, you'll know why!

218:365, ROARRRRR!

Totally blurry, but completely Fifi.

Things she is loving right now, peak-a-boo.

As well as de-organizing the kitchen for me...

 

nice booger-face

see, I told you she likes peak-a-boo.

This is why I call her Boomer. She is such a rowdy, spunky little thing. I love it.

212:365, promise

There is hope in these little flowers. Ripe, sweet fruit that is much more candy like than healthy treat. I am finding glimmers of promise in everyday pieces of my life right now. Maybe it's just the simple things like seeing the garden swell with food or bigger things like watching my girl learn to walk and my boy balance on his bike. There are also the phone calls and emails I have been getting. Some from friends and family showing support and love and other calls and emails with hints of good news and new beginnings. I am keeping my fingers crossed and my hopes high for the road ahead.

 

where does it go?

Time.
Where does it go?
 It seems that I am busier since being away from the office than when I was there.
How the heck did I fit everything in to the day while at work 40 hours a week?

Our roommate's family was in town last week, and they wanted to make sure to squeeze in a dinner with us. So, last Monday evening we got to visit and hang out with them. It was really great and they keep insisting that we should move to Oregon- they love it up there! You never know, it might just happen.

On Tuesday, I had an interview for a new job. It went well, but why oh why must they ask questions like, "What would your current or previous employer say are your greatest strengths and weaknesses"?
Andy says I shouldn't take that question so literally. I have to admit, with the way I have been getting kicked around by my current employer, I almost cried when I had to answer the weakness portion of the question. I have been asking myself over and over again, what DID I do to make it so they wanted to get rid of me like they did? I know I have to stop thinking like that, but man, that question really did a number on me.

Wednesday I worked on a few emails to my current employer and did some real thinking about what our options are right now. To help clear my mind afterward, I headed up to Donner Lake with my mom for a really nice walk around Donner State Park and a toe dip into the lake. I love it up there and always forget just how quiet it is on the east end of the lake (and the water is a tad warmer over there too because it isn't as deep).

I've been getting to enjoy the moments with the kids so much more lately. We decided not to take them out of daycare while I was home until we knew for sure if I would be working or not. I like not having to rush so much in the morning to get them off to school and being able to pick them up early if I want to. I also like getting to make my own schedule and make plans like wandering around the thrift store mindlessly.  This week I found a bit of color, just what I needed to help keep my spirits bright.

Thursday, oh Thursday. I had been holding off taking a photo all day since I knew we were going to go to the baseball game later that evening. Unfortunately, I had also taken some time to pull my memory card out and didn't put it back in, it is the first official day of not taking a photo this year, (I made it to day 208)- but if I had taken a shot, it would have looked a lot like this one:

Friday was another whirl-wind day. I walked with one of my girlfriends in the morning and then I had a third meeting with my office to discuss options and a possible placement for me. I am still not satisfied with what they are offering and asked them several questions that I felt needed answering before I would agree to show up to work with a new title (and decreased pay). It was the first meeting where I didn't cry my eyes out I felt strong and confident, almost as if I had the upper hand on the situation.
(hello, I do! I just have to remember that I have a boat load of knowledge that nobody else there has and leverage it.)



It was incredibly hot out all day. Thunderheads built up and we got some excitement in the late evening. After dinner we headed outside to play in the front yard to ride bikes and watch the storm.

 

A fire broke out to the west of us, the power went out, a rainbow appeared to the east and a bunch of the neighbors came out to visit since they couldn't watch TV while the electricity was off.



We decided to go out for ice cream while we waited for the power to come back on, it was a perfect way to enjoy the evening and the rainstorm.

Today has been extremely chill. We visited with Andy's parents, had lunch, and put the kids down for a nap. They both slept for 3+ hours which gave us time to hang out and enjoy the quiet.
I finally finished the first sleeve on my Tea Leaves cardi and watched the X-games skateboarding street competition on TV. It was wonderfully lazy all around.

I hope you all are enjoying your weekend and staying cool and safe where ever you are!