Yeah, I'm That Good

So, we have been introduced to the joys of open houses. We put the "For Sale by Owner" sign in our yard last Sunday. Since then, about 50 flyers have been picked up. We had an open house that afternoon. Paired with the open house next door, we got free advertising and a lot of people streaming through. This Sunday we had about a dozen people come through. There was one couple that seemed very interested. We got good vibes from them, so we'll see what happens. The thing that I can say about hosting an open house is they are very boring. You basically sit for a couple of hours and try to be friendly, but not too interested in the people coming through your home. I have gotten a lot of compliments on my decor.

I sent out my portfolio and resume to five firms in Augusta last Tuesday. I was going to do follow up calls this afternoon and tomorrow to try to set up interviews at the end of this week (since we will be down looking for a place to live). Well, I have already received two emails from two of the firms saying they were very impressed with my work and would like to set up interviews. Awesome!! *toot toot* (that's me tooting my own horn, not passing gas like some sisters I know ...)

Only three weeks left in Springfield. It get tough when we think about all that we are leaving behind, but it is very exciting to think of all that will be waiting in the southeast. I have to say that a big part of me just wants this part to be over and to get on with the new chapter in our life. I never have been one to get too sentimental, so impatience is starting to kick in. It will be a lot more fun when we have signed a lease and know what we are moving into. Hopefully a loft!

Homeward Bound

Well, the time has come for Christian and I to make my family VEEERRRRYYY happy. We are moving back to the south!

Last week Christian accepted a job in Augusta, Georgia. After a lot of discussion and thought, I might add. We have developed many strong friendships and working relationships in the past six years. All of which are very hard to leave. However, after putting the emotional aspect and just looking at the job, it was clear that this was the right step to take. Christian will be advancing in his career, and we will be much closer to both of our families.

Last weekend we told all of our close friends. It was very hard. The children didn't understand and cried. I have never made a child cry before. Needless to say, I joined in the crying. The hardest part was knowing that our joy is causing others sadness. That hurts.

We have four weeks left in this town and we are going to make sure we spend as much time as we can with the people who have made this city feel like home. I have a feeling that starting tomorrow we will be on a whirlwind ride to Augusta.

Erie

You Are Likely a First Born

At your darkest moments, you feel guilty. At work and school, you do best when you're researching. When you love someone, you tend to agree with them often. In friendship, you are considerate and compromising. Your ideal careers are: business, research, counseling, promotion, and speaking. You will leave your mark on the world with discoveries, new information, and teaching people to dream.

The Birth Order Predictor

You are an Atheist

When it comes to religion, you're a non-believer (simple as that). You prefer to think about what's known and proven. You don't need religion to solve life's problems. Instead, you tend to work things out with logic and philosophy.

What's Your Religious Philosophy?

Productive Weekend

This weekend turned out to be a lot more productive than we had planned. We had initially talked about going to Memphis for the weekend to celebrate our 7th anniversary. Due to Christian's pulled hamstring and the events that unfolded this past week, we decided it wasn't the right time.

Friday was a tough day for me. I don't think I was at all productive at work. My mind kept wandering back to the Hurricane victims. I found a few places to register our house to be a host house for the displaced.

Friday afternoon we called some friends to see if they wanted to go have dinner with us. They said they were in the middle of painting their house and probably wouldn't be able to. Christian and I made dinner and decided we should go help them. They had helped us with our porch, and we need to do something. Otherwise, we would have watched the news all evening and gotten severely depressed. Saturday, Sunday and Monday, we put in several hours painting. It was actually a lot of fun, and even though we weren't able to do anything to help the Hurricane victims, at least we were able to help someone. It made us feel much better, and we put them WAY ahead of schedule.

Saturday I bought some fabric to make throw pillows for the living room. I cleaned the house, did laundry and got groceries. Sunday night we went to dinner for our anniversary (since everything was closed Monday). It was a very good dinner.

I find it interesting that a few months ago, I would have felt we were imposing or if our friends needed/ wanted our help, they would ask. Now I am more than willing to offer a helping hand. Even if it is just picking up something from the grocery store. I would like to chalk it up to another level of maturation. Becoming more aware of what is going on and needed around me and giving up my extra time to help others. Giving really does feel good, and we couldn't have had a better anniversary.

The devastation is unreal.

I watch television each night and I should be viewing footage of a third world country. But, I'm not. It's America. The land of the free and the home of the brave.

I don't see any free or brave. I see desperate people. I see pain, I see death. I cry.

We are too good for this kind of suffering. That is the thought that goes through my head. But, we're not. We are no different than any other country that goes through suffering and destruction.

But wait, we are different. There are people like me in America. People who are able - both financially and physically - to help. I can send relief to these people. The elderly, the children. I have more than enough to take care of my family and help those who need it so much more than me.

I want to go down there and gather up a car full of people. I want to bring them back to my house and feed them, clothe them, let them know that they will be okay. They can go on. They are cared for. But, I'm told I shouldn't. We need money the organizations say. That's not enough for me. It's easy to give money and feel that I've made a difference.

Not this time. I don't want to help from afar. I don't want to be one of the well-off feeling satisfied with myself that I sent a check to help. This time, that won't be enough. I want to give of myself. In anyway I can. I don't want to sit in my living room watching the poor souls who are abandoned in the destroyed cities and cry.

I want to get out there and bring them love.