Yes, they're reading...already! They're so SMART!

It's hard to believe our girls are going to be a year old next week! They are still the delights of our lives. They are so full of joy and show all of us so much love. I can't believe how much they've grown in just one year. They are brilliant and as you can see, absolutely beautiful!

These are a couple of fun little dresses I got them in Hawaii and they were "reading" their new book from me in our living room.

a few more pictures

this is the "other" wall in the tv room that I did a Ralph Lauren finish on (I did one in here and one in the living room) which I LOVE and now I'm debating what to put on the wall. I have a machine that can do vinyl lettering, so I want to do some fabulous saying. So, if you have some ideas, let me know!

the other side of the kitchen


the TV room


the girls' room and guest room
(you can see Mr. Bailey trying to look like a stuffed animal here, too)

I LOVE our new home!

So, today is the first day of vacation and let me just say I'm loving it! I have lists started on things that I need to do this week, but I love not feeling the pressure of getting it all done in what usually is the only day in the week that I'm home.

Here are some recent photos (like 12 minutes ago) of our new digs. I can't take any of the upstairs yet, mostly because it's still a bit of a mess. The master bedroom is complete (with borrowed furniture) however, Sheldon is sleeping in there since he's on nights right now at the hospital. I would most likely get in trouble if I photoed him sleeping and put it on my blog.

Anyway...you'll be able to see my little helper. Mr. Bailey, although not asked, posed for most of the pictures. He's as excited about me being home as I am!

Once upon a time...

there was a couple in Lewiston who just purchased a new home and who were incredibly tired of waiting for their new bedroom set to arrive....

in the case I somehow forget (not a chance!), please remind me to finish this story as we really don't know the outcome yet.

a new title for now

As you can see, The Tales of a Working Girl got a new name today! I can imagine the name will continue to morph as I do...so, for now, it's rest that I'm after and it's rest that I shall have.

a new day

Well, friends, this is it! Today is my pseudo-official last day at the UI! (I say pseudo because of a bit of a misunderstanding that will actually keep me on the books at the UI for one more week, however, I will be taking annual leave this final week.) I feel completely liberated for some crazy reason! Over the past twelve or so years I have become progressively more immersed in a workaholic lifestyle. My workload has always proven to be excessive - and for some reason I thought that was a good thing. As a result of too many trips, too many hours at work and too many hours sitting on boards, I am exhausted and burned out. I am so excited for this season of rest as I intend to see some good things come to my well being in all areas - physically, emotionally, spiritually and relationally.

I consider this a divine intervention in many ways, as it took a miracle for me to figure out that I was not who I wanted to be anymore. My joy, my peace, my enthusiasm were slowly slipping away. (Please know I don't need any "amens" from the blogging gallery on this point!) But, God is full of grace and loves to redeem and make new.

I am excited about a new opportunity around the corner, where I can use my gifting and talents for life-changing things. I'm also overjoyed to get to have friends again! I know that sounds a bit funny, but you have no idea what it's like when you have only 5 minutes left in the day and have cute stationary out and feel more compelled to write a quick note to a potential donor than one of YOU (my friends!) who may be celebrating your birthday or anniversary or whatever...I am so thrilled not to be forced to manage 180 relationships for the sake of yet another major gift!

God, I'm listening now. Teach me about Your rest that I might rest in YOU! Prepare me for this new journey where there is joy in the little things, peace in the big things and balance in EVERYTHING!

Time for a change...

Well, I don't even know if anyone still reads this since I'm the worst Blogger in America! Anyway, I guess I'll find out soon enough if this is still a good place to post the happenings of my life as soon and very soon there will be much more time in my life to BLOG or basically do whatever I want!
Today I am just 5 work days away from being unemployed! So, THE WORKING GIRL might need to change her blog name! :) After much time of thinking and praying about what's important to me, I have decided to resign and take a bit of a sabatical from work. I think perhaps I climbed the ladder a bit too quickly as I shouldn't be quite this burned out, nor this much of a medical mystery at my age (still consider myself EARLY 30's!!!). So, for the sake of my health, the sake of my marriage and the sake of my joy factor, I am going to do only what is going to make ME a better person (not RICHER for sure!) in that I just want to be totally healthy in every way and LOVE getting up in the mornings again. I have been a professional in this field of work for over 11 years and am leaving as an Assistant Dean at the same university where our hopeful vice-president got her degree. (This is our newest and nearly only claim to fame at the UI!)
There is no doubt that God will open up new doors and windows and I am going to WAIT until I know for sure that it's the right thing for me to do.
Until then, I will be spending time with family and friends, crafting and reading and just enjoying being me again.
So, the suitcases are now officially in storage for a season and my frequent flyer miles will be in a holding pattern as well.
I appreciate the wonderful send off my colleagues have offered me - they have all been so kind to encourage me that I'm doing what they wish they could do. :) Who knew quitting could be so popular among the professionals!