When do I not have news?

So, I have exhausted myself whining and moaning about the change in storefronts. I tried to really look at the positive. I even got really tired of everyone telling me to look for the positive. Then, the very next day - in the morning - something really weird happened.

I was back at work. It was really slow so my assistant for the day, Lynne, and I were examining all points and pieces of my upcoming move, when the front door bell rang. I went out front and met the man who had come in the door. He immediately told me that he wasn't a customer, and I immediately thought, 'well, he must be a vendor'. I was wrong. He introduced himself as Ken, the owner of the Deck the Walls store, just down the road from me. Hmmmmm. This was odd, very odd. We spoke for a while about the stores and the economy. Then Ken said that he was looking for more help in his store, and if I knew any one who FRAMES and would be interested, to give him a call. Well, we had a little discussion. I told him I was supposed to change stores, and that I might be interested, but I had a specific schedule that was hard to work around. I told him what it was- 9 to 3 every day, No Sundays, 1-2 Saturdays a month. He said I should call him, that wasn't a deal breaker, and that we should talk. I spoke with Bari a little later that day and set up an interview with Ken for Thursday (my day off).

So, today I met with Ken again. We went through all my history, framing experience, expectations and all the questions I had. Then he said he would look over the schedule, and see if it would work out. He wanted another interview with me. It all looked really good. The money is better, but the way the pay system is set up, it is a little confusing. There seem to be quite a few opportunities for bonus money and extras through incentive programs implemented each month. I'd only have 1 week of vacation the first year, 2 the second, and 3 after 5 years. Nothing really seemed negotiable. But, it was a positive meeting.

All afternoon I thought about both stores and how I would fit in. The differences and what I really need. After all of the debate, and even though I haven't seen a raise - ever, I am leaning toward staying with Fastfame. There is really only one reason to stay and that is because Bruce is really very flexible. He knows my family, and any challenges I would have. I can only assume the new store wouldn't be as easy going, at least for the first year. I don't know how much money it would take for me to overcome the flexibility issue.

So, I thinking I'm going to talk to my boss, tell him I've been approached about another job, but let him know that all I really want from Fastframe would be another week of vacation.

Now I'm worried that I'd be letting an opportunity that literally knocked on my door- go.

Well, it's not over yet. They say that when a door closes, a window opens. In this case, a door closed, and another door opened, and if that one closes, we'll see what else makes it's way in the room. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm-- - - - Why can't my choices be easy and obvious?

A little bump in my road---------

Well, today I had a little bump in my road of life. No, it wasn't about Joey and his whole thing. No, it wasn't about Katy and her life with husband, baby-on-the-way, new house and job. No, it wasn't about Bari Ray and teen age angst. No, it wasn't about Madeline, dance - dance - and more dance, dance class, dance teachers or dance mom's. It wasn't even about Sammy and his school, Webelo, Nintendo DS filled life. Nope. This was a little bump, all for me.

I am moving stores. My boss, Bruce, took me to Panera for a 'little meeting' - - - - -never a good thing. And told me he would like me to move to the Tri-county, Kemper Rd store. I surprised myself and didn't cry. I've been in my store for over 5 years. I've worked with Pam for 5 years. I know my customers, we get fun people from the radio station, and the Bengals and all sorts of really fun stuff. Did I say it was fun stuff? Yes, all fun stuff for me to be creative and frame.

Bruce wants me to move so he can accommodate my schedule. I will still be able to go to work at 9 and leave at 3. He needs to put a full time person in the Kenwood store. I understand that. I was waiting for that. But I didn't think that meant I would be leaving. My store. That's fun. It's a fun store. Where I can do creative things.

Tri-county Kemper does a lot - - - - A LOT- - - - of commercial (boring commercial) framing for (boring) commercial designer and corporate clients. Did I say boring ? What I really meant was- - -- - -B-O-R-I-N-GGGGGGGGG stuff. It is busy, I don't mind that, but it doesn't have the residential client that I'm used to. Ugh.

So, I have a bump, not a pot hole, or a flashing Red four-way Stop, just a bump. The commute should be better (I wonder if I can take the bus?)- and -- - -he didn't fire me. Bruce could have said that he couldn't accommodate my schedule, and just let me go, but he didn't. He found a better solution. So, there you go. Bari isn't even home from work yet, and I'm working through my therapy/blogging session quite nicely, don't you think?

Oh, and he wants me to move next week.

1 week later- - - - -

Well, what a week. Considering we were all caught by surprise, I think my family did pretty well.

Food storage and emergency kits are not our strong point, but everything came out fine in the end. Our power came back on late Tuesday afternoon, but we could have held out longer. The longer the outage, the easier it was for our family. Boring, yes- but in a sense, easier. One night the kids slept in the tent out in the back yard. That was fun, until the wood chippers/tree trimmers came along and woke them up (at 8am). We got used to taking the flashlight into the rooms (bathrooms) which had no windows. We were able to clean out the garage (finally) because there just wasn't anything else to do. Thank heavens the weather was fabulous!

I went back to work on Tuesday. I doubt I'll get paid for Monday even though our store in Kenwood didn't have power until late in the day. The tri-county store didn't have power until Wednesday. School started back for all the kids on Thursday. Madeline said only half of the students returned on Thursday. There is still whole residential areas without power. Sis Rice (some of you know her- she was in the RS Stake) lives in a neighborhood across from Whittaker school. Most of that area is still without power. Katy's family in Indian Hill is still without power, too. They might not get it back until early in the week. Of course, the neighbors of Katy's family said that was just fine with them, they'll just take a little vacation in the mean time. Wouldn't that be nice? Then again, sitting in the back yard with the kids, just chillin' and watching them all play together was a pretty nice vacation too.

By Monday night ice was scarce, the Kroger was open, but only on half power. So Bari called around and found a store that still had ice. We picked up 20 bags and knocked on doors in the neighborhood and gave them away. That was probably the most unusual Family Night service project we had ever done. The kids really had a blast giving away the ice.

We learned a couple of valuable lessons. Get better prepared for one. We did pretty well. I need more candles and fresh batteries. The big lanterns were easy to find, but it would have been nice to have individual flashlights for each of the kids (I think we did at one point, but they've all gotten broken or lost). We did ok with the food. We hadn't done any big shopping for the week, so there wasn't much in the freezer to worry about. The first night was peanut butter and jelly, and then we started grilling. The supply of briquettes was good, but now I will probably want to keep a back-up bag, too. We have a couple of camping lanterns that need a little maintenance, that now needs to be a priority. Other than that, more crackers in the pantry, and cans of fruit, something that can be eaten cold, would be good. Like I said, we got through it all without any real problems, and with a few reminders thrown in.

WHAT ? ? ? ? ? ?

Ok- I just posted a very long (for me) emotional commentary on forgiveness. My day was (again) VERY EMOTIONAL. You - all have read my last couple of blogs about the challenges I am having with the whole Joey situation. (Which, by the way- is S...L...O...W...L...Y............. getting better). (I think). And then- - - - I check my e-mails and we have a Wedding request! I was soooo excited! The bride saw our website, and wants to meet with us- wahoo!!!! May 24, I'm pretty sure that is after Prom season. Yep it is Wahoo!!!!!!! Oh- - - no........... May 24th is a SUNDAY!!!!!!!
WHAT??????? Like I don't have enough trials ALREADY ????? You couldn't just GIVE me this????