Life.

Life. It is said that life is what happens when you're making other plans. 

Well, there's been a whole lot of life happening!

We were on our way to buying a home- a cute bungalo in Berwyn. Making major life plans. 

I was plugging along at work and had been discovering all the glaring negatives about the job I took about a year ago. Things had been changing over time, but I kept holding out hope that things would get better (as I always do!). Then I got an email from my boss asking me to meet in a room on the other side of the office-- away from everyone. As soon as I got that email, I packed up my personal belongings and was ready to not go back. I knew. 

I walked into the room- where three others were seated and we got the news. There were layoffs due to a restructure and we, along with eight others, were being let go. I smirked and said okay. 

I move on. As soon as they said we were laid off, I was ready to move on. Let's close this chapter and move on to the next. The HR lady walked us through all the paperwork and my mind drifted. I thought about what I'll do in the next few months while I look for work, I thought about telling F, I thought about what that would mean for our house. For us. And instead of being nervous and scared, I felt hope. I felt like (and feel like), there is something else out there for me. I know everything will be okay. 

So, here I am- one week into being unemployed (a stay-at-home dog mom), and I know staying home full time with dogs is not for me. I love our dogs, but need more. I am applying for interesting jobs and thinking about what else there might be. My mind drifts to the possibility of something totally new-- something in the medical field. Obviously that involves a lot of commitment, time and money but who knows. 

In the meantime, I am going to organize our lives-- clean closets, organize the office, finally hang pictures, settle in. The dogs and I will take lots of walks, maybe discover new parts of the neighborhood. I'll become a regular at Starbucks for my "office hours", finally get caught up on sleep, take care of F, and just enjoy this life in the midst of making other plans. 

Dusting off the jacket...

Well, it has  been AWHILE. Eeks!
But I feel like that's the way it goes with a blog. You are good and consistent and then life happens. Fun and "adulting" get in the way of taking the time to write about the happenings. But I have missed it. I miss thinking about life and processing it all by writing it down.
So, let's get you all caught up...
In March of 2015, the boy, the dogs and I all moved in together. We live in a fabulous place in Logan Square that makes moving to another neighborhood really hard. We can walk everywhere, or hop on the freeway, or hop on the El. It's pretty great.
And co-habitating is pretty great, too.  I love coming home to him. I love having the dogs.  And I love that they all love me, too! The boy and the dogs can make life messy but I wouldn't have it any other way.
The next question typically posed is-- well, when are you getting married?! Someday. We talk about it a lot, but are so happy with the way things are, we are in no rush. Plus, the event planner in me ha ZERO desire to plan a wedding. Ideally, I'd like to just elope but it's not a choice when we are loved by so many people who would be sad if we didn't include them in the moment. So, that puts us right back to where we are-- content and happy and "living in sin".

A new munchkin came into my life in November. The dude and dudette added to their adorable family with a chubby, perfect, baby girl. She's almost six months old now and is the apple of her big brother's eye (all the rest of us, too!). Gusman continues to be the cutest, smartest 2 year old I know (as he will be at any of his ages!). We Facetime regularly and it's always the best part of my day. I love how chatty he is and love that he sometimes wants nothing to do with me. It's that 2 yo independence rearing it's head- just means he'll be a strong kid! :)

In January I started a new job. At the end of time at Glenwood things were not good. It had become a pretty toxic, unhappy work environment. So much so, that I was bringing the crabby home with me. Ugh. So last summer, I started looking for something new. It took many interviews with good organizations to find the right fit. This time I wanted to find a place to stick and grow and be challenged and love my work again. I have enough experience now to know-- no place is perfect, but event a bad day should be a good day. During my first interview, I knew I had found it. Even on a rough day, I enjoy my work. I am challenged in a good way again. I am being trusted to do what I do best and am being given the opportunity to rise to challenges and do things my way. I get to be strategic and create a vision and lead a team. Not everyday or everything is perfect, but I am so happy.
I am hopeful that this is the start of a regular habit once again. Until the next time!

Cheers!
J