Make it WORK!

So, I haven't been too "posty" about my job situation. To be quite honest, it's been because there really hasn't been much to share. I've sent approximately 50-odd resumes and applications, and I've had relatively little luck until recently.

In November, after completing about 3 exams and some orientations, I was hired by the post office rec (where mail is sent after they electronically can't figure out where it is supposed to go). I was excited to finally start something, even though it wasn't quite what I was looking for. Unfortunately, my official hire date was set for January 19th, almost two months out (because they have to pay so much overtime in December, they didn't want to pay newbies and their trainers when the trainers could have been working). Meanwhile, Kevin's office had offered me brief employment while their office manager took some time off, and I had two interviews in December. The first interview was with WSU, and the second was with the Wichita Library.

Long story short, I declined the offer at the post office because we learned the hours would not work well for us now. I recently found out that WSU rehired an employee for the position I had interviewed for who had been laid off due to budget cuts earlier. Although I was (and still am) disappointed about not getting that position, I did receive an offer from the library. I start today! The branch (Westlink) that I will be working at is only a few minutes from our home, which is wonderful. It's part-time, but I think that might be a good adjustment for me since it's been eight long months since I've had an official job.

I'm still hopeful that I will find a higher ed job in the near-ish future. Most jobs in my field are typically vacated at the end of the fiscal year, so hiring seems to be done mainly in the late spring/early summer. For now, though, I am quite happy to be starting at the library. I worked at the CG library all through high school and some of college, and I really enjoy the atmosphere and people.

There have been times in the last several months where I've been so frustrated to not be able to find something that I so enjoy and have been educated to do. I've been upset at the role of "traveling spouse" that I had to fill. However, I am so lucky to have great family and friends who have encouraged me when I needed it the most. I am the luckiest, however, for having the best husband imaginable, who never failed to give me a shoulder to cry on and always listened with great interest.

Grad Girls Weekend 2010

We just got back yesterday afternoon from an amazing weekend of talking, chatting, catching up, shopping, eating, playing with Ellie, and conversing! Oh, how I've missed these girls! More pictures to come, but here is a photo we had taken at Billy Bob's.
We had an absolute amazing time! Ellie is just precious, and I seriously wonder if all of our future children will be able to measure up to Ellie's great easy-going attitude! (picture courtesy of the Gramkow Family)We also went wine tasting at the stockyards and had fun trying on Western wear. It was sad to go home, but I missed my little one and hubby like crazy, too!

We have decided to make this get-together an annual event, and plans are already in the works for GGW 2011 in Wichita, KS!

Don't you need a passport to visit Texas? :)

I'm packing up to head South! Tedford (Buchanan now, but I just can't quite make the switch mentally), Dana and I are heading out tomorrow for a girls' weekend in Texas! We're visiting a fellow grad gal, Mandy, who lives in Fort Worth with her gorgeous daughter and nice husband. I'm so excited! Kevin and I visited a UMCM friend who lives in Dallas exactly two years ago (also on MLK weekend), and we had so much fun. Here are some pictures to reminisce about that trip.

We went swing dancing in Dallas one evening. We had a blast!


Is Kevin a real cowboy at heart? Hmmm....
Do I pull off this look? I'm uncertain...
Oh, and what is Kevin doing this weekend while I'm away? I think he's pretty excited, too. He's Netflixed movies that he knows I don't like, plans to eat pizza and all things gluten, and have an all-around guys' weekend with Benton.

I know I'm going to miss them, but I just hope I don't miss my boys too much...

RIP Mr. Chicken

Mr. Chicken, you've been a loyal friend to Benton for the past month. I'm sorry your time was cut so short by Benton's restlessness. Sorry Grandma and Papa Murphy. I guess Benton REALLY liked this Christmas present!
p.s. Does anyone else's dog over the age of, I don't know, puppy, like to do this to their toys? This is the SECOND toy that has bit the dust in the last MONTH!

The Adventure of the Lost Grill Cover: A Western (-ish Kansas) Tale

Benton and I noticed a problem after Kevin left for work. Kevin's new grill cover he got for Christmas was missing (the one behind the grill in the picture is his old one that is cracked that we just hadn't moved yet. Of course, it's still there.) The winds were so bad last night that they blew it off our covered deck. So, Benton and I bundled up, and headed out into the wilderness subdivision.

With the windchill of -15, my partner and I had to be careful to not be out too long. That being said, we were on a mission. We circled the one-room schoolhouse private school, and we thought we had found our hostage a few times. Unfortunately, in the great outdoors new construction zone there are many black tarps. While we were out, our neighbors left in their buggy car and wished us well on our task.

After one more loop around the prairie cul-de-sac, it was time for Old Benton and I to call it quits. The wind had taken the prize. I put the iron kettle on the fire turned on the electric kettle and made some hot tea. Benton had bones Dentastix, and we thawed.

Old mother earth got us (and Kevin's grill cover) this time.

Family Visit

My parents came to Wichita to spend the day with me since we had an abbreviated stay in Council Grove due to the weather over Christmas break. They brought a fun gift for Kevin and I:

A china cabinet!
I had so much fun with my mom and dad (not so sure if my dad had a blast, but he was very helpful!) putting the cabinet together and adding all of our china and crystal.

Benton was impressed when it was all done!
It's so nice to have our china out of their boxes permanently. We don't have a formal dining area, so we couldn't do a traditional buffet and hutch. I think this will work great for now, though. I really like this cabinet because it has all glass doors. Thanks Mom and Dad!

A Permanent Invitation

Our wedding invitation is finally framed! I love how it turned out with the oval frame with pool and chocolate matting. Kevin assures me it will be hung up this weekend. I'm thinking of hanging it by our front door hallway...we'll see. I also thought it might look nice on the wall above the open stairs to the basement.