The Long Wait is Over!

I got the job!

We're moving!

After being unemployed for seven months, I finally landed a new job! As you might have guessed, I'll be working for the company I most recently interviewed with in Illinois. Although it *only* took about two months, the process was a very loooong one. I interviewed with 15 different people in the company, in all sorts of settings: Over breakfast and lunch, over the phone, in front of a web cam, and two separate in-person interviews that required me traveling, renting a car, driving three hours to the office, and then heading back to Florida the same day as the interview. Whew! I'm getting tired again just thinking about it.

Well, the hard work paid off and they made me a formal offer this week! I have accepted it and we will be packing up and moving north sometime during the month of June. I start my new job on June 29th.

Next week my husband and I will be heading to the area for a house hunting trip. We are both excited about this next phase of our lives and getting a fresh start back in our home state. We will be closer to family and, of course, Wrigley Field. We can't wait to go to a Cubs game this summer!

Leaving Florida will be bittersweet. While I can't say I have truly enjoyed living here, I love our home and I will miss my husband's family. During the nearly four years we've lived in Florida, I've had the chance to grow close with my new mother-in-law and father-in-law. They have been such a source of support since we moved here and it will be hard to leave them behind. Thankfully they completely understand our reasons for moving, and knowing that will make the move much easier. Also, my husband's 13 year old son recently decided he wants to stay in Florida and live with his Mom. Jeff fully respects his son's decision to stay, but I know there will be water works the day he says good-bye. It will not be easy but they have a strong relationship and we expect many visits from my stepson in the future.

I do hope to blog regularly between now and the move and I plan to keep you posted on the latest developments. I might even give you some play-by-play descriptions of our packing, the house hunting trip, etc. I'm sure there will be some good stories to tell!

One thing I do want to mention, as much as it stinks: The boundaries between blogging and having a {new} full-time job are very clear. I do not plan to talk about my job or my employer. Since I'm not an anonymous blogger, I won't have the luxury of telling you about my daily office life. But, by no means does it mean I will stop blogging. I love it too much to give it up.

Happy Memorial Day Weekend to All!
Enjoy the three days off!! Woo hoo!