New Beginnings

It's official. After months of searching (in the most conscientious of ways) I have accepted a new job. Now, you have to understand what a HUGE move this is for me. It was something I went back and forth about for months. I love the work I do, I love my kids, I love my peers, I love my supervisor, program and agency. BUT, I love my family more.

See, the problem is the current number of hours I'm scheduled. Yes, I work too many hours but that wasn't necessarily the issue. I very much dislike the schedule of the hours I work. Many nights, because of the nature my job, I would often work until at least 7:30pm. That isn't very conducive to the thought of starting a family (or getting much of anything else done). June 24th will be my last day at my current place of business. There have been some tears on my part already but I'm really looking forward to my new adventure.

I've accepted a position in a private practice. So what that means is that I'll (basically) be working for myself. I pick my hours, I pick my clientele; everything is up to me. I've decided to work 3 days per week, one of which will probably include a late night- (but only ONE- not three, and if I don't like that, I can change it!) I've also picked up another class for the fall 2011 semester- so the other two days I'll work at the school from 8-12 and then I'm done for the day. Can you imagine?

I'm very excited about the prospect of learning new things with a different population of clients. I'll still be doing some substance abuse treatment but let us not forget I'm dually licensed so I can treat mental health concerns and substance abuse issues. Financially, this will be a great move for us but I will be losing the security of being a salaried employee (which is a tiny bit scary).

Aaron has been incredibly supportive of the move and my new "boss" (per se-- the owner of the practice) has been very understanding of my need to transition slowly out of my current position. He has been nothing but supportive of how hard of a transition this can be.

As soon as I get my beautiful new office decorated (sneak peek- it's a corner office with a view of a foot bridge and brook) I'll post pictures. This is going to be a busy/sad/exciting time for me. I'm not going to lie in that my heart hurts as I leave my current position but, this move makes sense and will provide much opportunity in a variety of life areas.

Wish me luck!

Excuse Me?

So, the other day Aaron and I were arguing (yes, we argue [but we don't yell]) about something or rather (it was stupid and I don't even remember what it was about) and part way through the argument he opened the door to the cellar to bring something downstairs. Our cat was sitting near the door blocking the stairs and Aaron said, "Pardon Me, Shredda." He said excuse me... to our cat! Immediately I was thrown back to when Aaron and I started dating; around the time I first heard him say "Pardon me"

Aaron is a gentleman. Yes he has his flaws and some days I want to kill him but, one thing I will give him is that he is incredibly polite. He's a gentleman in every sense of the word; he treats ladies like ladies (those of us who want to be treated like ladies). Where Aaron is concerned, chivalry is not dead. As independent as I am I love that about our relationship.

I've never met anyone before Aaron, nor have I met anyone since, who uses the expression "Pardon me." It's so old-fashioned and I find it completely endearing. So, at a moment when I was clearly irritated, this Grinch's heart grew a few sizes and I told him how much I loved it when he said "pardon me." I told him that I have always loved that expression and it makes me smile when he says it. I had never told him that before. I don't wear my heart on my sleeve but I know sometimes I need to. We didn't speak another irritated word at each other for the rest of the night. Sometimes getting off my pedestal is totally worth it ;)