CW challenge for anyone. Guide on 1st post

[Renata L.]

Renata--you get on a west bound plane (make sure to cross the Rockies) and come out to see some of your "left coast" friends. Of course we will be heading eastbound to your house this summer so we can take showers! No rain, no snow pack in winter = a very long, dry, water regulated summer.

Thanks, Charae, and you are always welcome! Do you all believe that this is Washington, DC? You'd think we were in Colorado! I called landscaping services yesterday anticipating that this would happen and arranged for them to dig me out this time... I am D-O-N-E! :lol:

[Rita C.]

Renata I was going to say take an east-bound flight to Ireland but Charae beat me to it. :lol: that's one helluva load of snow. I hope it melts quickly. Stay inside and keep warm with a nice hot chocolate at regular intervals. Or Terrie could probably provide you with a virtual alternative. :cheer:

[Rita C.]

The good thing about hot chocolate, is the variety of little tots of something interesting that goes with it. Personally I currently fancy some Grand Marnier :whistle:

[Renata L.]

Thanks, Rita; it sounds like a great idea! But, luckily, Saturday will be in the fifties and we should hit close to 64 degrees by Thursday (I hope!). Perhaps, springtime is just around the corner... better hurry with Rosemary's doctored-up hot chocolate! You weren't going to send me a cement block, Terrie, were you? :unsure: :lol:

[Renata L.]

Here in NW Indiana, the high temperature for the day was 18*F (-7.7778*C). We have snow all over the ground to the depth of about 6" and the driveway is covered with ice that you could skate on. Gotta' love the midwest and lake effect snow from Lake Michigan. I am really not complaining (Well, except that I fell on my knee while trying to push a friend truck down my driveway) because I really love winter.

[Lois B.]

We had that same snow Renata had but I am about 75 north as the crow flies and we got only 1". Yep, we've been only getting an inch here and there all winter but would you believe I have a foot of snow in my front yard. It's been so cold that none of it has melted. Yikes! The heating bill is going to be through the roof!

[Nancy R.]

This is my yard from last weekend:

We've had about 6 more inches since then. It's been bitter cold up here the last couple of days, but we're supposed to have a warm snap for the next week with highs around 40F, which is more seasonal for us.

I'm sure spring is on its way, but it's sometimes hard to believe it!

Today was a good/bad day. I signed an employment contract for a new job and gave my official notice at my current job. It's a bit scary to be changing after 23 years in one place! But the new job should be a better fit and I should be happier after the change. I can tell I'm stressed out about it because I feel EXHAUSTED!

[Lois B.]

Wow! Nancy, that is a big change. 23 years is a long time. I am thinking congratulations is due. It's difficult to make a change after that amount of time even if you are very certain it's a change for the best. I'll be thinking of you. I admire you for making the change. Keep us posted on how it's going. I imagine you'll be busier for a while getting use to the newness of everything. How soon do you start the new job. I take it you don't have to move. It would be hard to leave your beautiful home. Again, congratulations.

[Nancy R.]

The new job is just down the road from the old one and I'll be working with a couple of people that were at my current job with me for many, many years, so it's not as big of a change as a completely new job would be, but it's a start-up company and a switch from non-profit to commercial, so there will be a lot of changes. Pros: I can still telecommute and I can bring my dog into the office. It's a very small company with only about 10 employees. We get stock options. Cons: I had to take a cut in pay and the new job doesn't contribute to my retirement account.

I start the new job on April 6. I wanted to give my current job plenty of time for whatever they want me to wrap up. And, if I'm lucky, I'll get to take some time off in between the two jobs. Funding was getting so bad at my current job that I'm not sure if my projects actually have enough money to pay me to work the entire time until my new job starts. We'll be talking about that next week to see what they want to do.

[Lois B.]

Sounds like an adventure to me. Glad to hear there are some very familiar things, important things, like co-workers you already know at the new job. If its a start-up company, you'll be able to help make things happen. Thing is, does your dog like to go to work? :lol: :lol: That's great he/she can go with you. Keep us posted.

[Judith A.]

Nancy,
I took another job later in life for much the same reasons. I got less money but was much happier. I worked another 15 years.
I wish you the very best in your new job ... and hope you still have lots of time for quilting.

Judith

[Sharon E.]

Nancy, I know you have wanted a change for a while, it will be fine, but a little stressful.

Our snow is melting quickly, woohoo.

Sharon

[wendy w.]

Congratulations Nancy, it sounds like the opportunity came at the right time.

Keep safe all of you in the snow, we've got away with it lightly this year just lots of grey miserable skies this winter. My daffodils are just about to open, lovely.

[Rita C.]

Nancy, what was that lovely quote on the mug they gave to Barbara Schapel? - "As you start to walk out on the way, the way appears." I guess you have begun the walk. Good on ya girl!

[Catherine S.]

Nancy, good luck on your new job. I guess you won't be having any vacations for awhile. Of course you live in a vacation area so maybe it is like always being on vacation. (With daily trips to see your friends!) Just be happy and keep quilting. Wish you could go to MQS. I think Cedar Rapids is quite a bit farther then Wichita for you. We (my DD and I) are making plans to go. She has had a busy year and needs a break.