I don’t know why the props are so serious. Maybe they’re not serious but mad, in a serious way. Regardless of the mental state of the props, I like the expression and think that it makes me sound way cooler than I actually am. The serious mad props I am referring to are directed at Husband. I am sure that if/when he reads this he will groan and wish I would not point my spotlight of awesomeness at him.
I can’t help myself though because he deserves to be recognized.
If you remember a while back I wrote about Husband’s government work contract ending and that our lives were about to be turned upside down come the end of September. Unemployment, long commutes to low paying jobs, me having to go back to work before I am ready requiring us to put the boys in some form of daycare, moving out of state to chase jobs, and a great fear of changing medical insurance were just a few things keeping us awake at night. I spun it as an adventure. We would learn, grow, meet new people, experience new places – it would be, could be fun. Life changes and one must find away to accept that in a positive way so as not to go crazy. Well, change has come and it has come in an unexpected way and to a lesser degree then I could have hoped for (did I mention I don’t like change?)
In an odd defying moment, a software engineering job came on line just weeks after we learned of Husband’s impending unemployment. The job was located in our small town, an almost impossibility. We had never considered this possibility; thought it was too much to wish for. Husband brushed up his résumé and submitted it on a Thursday. On a Monday they called. The next day, after a full day of work, Husband headed off to interview looking very handsome in his slacks, button up shirt, and tie. He came home excited about the company, the work they do, the people he interviewed with, and the fact that it would be an eight minute commute. His current commute is pushing forty-five minutes.
A week went by. There was nothing, other than a simple reply to Husband’s email thanking them for their time. Last week they called him and and asked him to come back in. Then they offered him the job. Everything about it is great (even the medical insurance) except that the salary is on the low end of our comfort level. Anyone that knows anything about the contracting world knows you can’t compare salaries of a contract vs. permanent job. We are used to the higher dollars that come with the instability of contracting. We are also used to Husband not having PTO or health insurance through his job. So while money will be tight, this is a stable position with growth potential. Most importantly thought, Husband will be happy and this will make me happy.
Husband starts his new job in two weeks. I am very impressed with Husband and his mad interviewing skills. I am thrilled that he is excited about it. It will be good for him. It will be good for our entire family. He will no longer have to get up at 4:30 in the morning in order to work the early schedule the rest of his current co-workers do. This means he can have breakfast with us every morning. He will get more sleep and be better rested. We can stay in our home, there is no longer a need to sell the house and move. And while part of me was excited for a change of scenery this is much easier, so much easier. I feel myself breathing out, expelling the stress and fear that have been residing inside me. What a happy ending.
So to you Husband, I give serious mad props.
Shoes On The Wrong Feet 
That’s awsome! Congratulations. It must be an incredible relief.
It is a great relief. With the stability that comes with Husband’s job we can better focus on the here and now, right where we are.
Serious Mad Props!! Sometimes we throw something out to the universe and the universe in her kindness throws us back exactly what we need. While the pay may be less, he will also spend less in gas. He might even be able to ride his bike to work! LOL
I work right around the corner from home and while the pay is stagnant, the flexibility and freedom I am offered keep me here.
Congrats! I am sure it is a weight off both your minds. 🙂
I know, it was exactly what we needed but totally unexpected to the point that the option was not even discussed between us. He would love to ride his bike to work and probably will on some days.
There is a lot to be said for flexibility and freedom. At Husband’s new job they even told him that if there was a field trip or something going on at one of the boy’s schools that, of course, he could go and attend. He can even make up any time away from the office after hours or weekends working from home.
We are pretty thrilled. And now I shall turn my eagle eye to our house and get some paint on the walls and learn how to refinish kitchen cabinets. Watch out!
Wow, congratulations!! That sounds like the chance of a lifetime! There is a time and place for the risky, high pay jobs, and there is a time and place for the stable jobs. I think it was a great decision!
I think you are right. The pay had to be enough to get by as well as enough so he did not feel undervalued and it is. The chance for growth and the stability (as well as the benefits that come with a full hire position) are all new to us. He has been contracting pretty much since we started dating back in 1995 (yes I am old) so this is a big change for us. I think we will like it and I think it is the right decision at the right time.
sounds like a first step into a new life together … am happy for you all
Thank you, we are pretty happy about it as well. 🙂
good reason to have a party
I like the way you think!
🙂
I am so, so happy for you and your family!! Yup, major kudos and props to the Husband!! And what an enormous load off of your shoulders..! You will always find adventure with two boys in the house, that’s a guarantee. 🙂
Yup, I am very proud of Husband. He had not interviewed in over five years and there was a lot hinging on this. It would not have been the end of the world if he did not get it but it sure makes things easier. I am thrilled that he is so excited about the work he will be doing – he was like a little boy when he came home from that interview. 🙂
Oh, I have no worries about lack of adventure with Cody and Carter around!! Between the boys and the cat who continues to bring live critters into our house, I will never run out of blogging material.
congratulations, Husband! that is wonderful. my guy started a new job last week leaving behind tons of stress and pressure. he is so much happier which makes me a happy wife which makes his life much happier. i’m very happy for your family. 🙂
Well, a big congratulations to your guy as well. Husband was rather unhappy with his current job as it was not challenging, did not use new and upcoming technology, and there was no chance of moving up or growth. All in all this will make for a much happier family as it sounds like your family is. It feels like I can take deep breaths again, a nice feeling.
Yay for you, your husband, and your family! I’m sure it must be a ginormous relief!!!! Congrats!
It is that (and I love the “word” ginormous, btw.) 🙂
I am so glad about this–what a relief–even if you were ready for an adventure this is really good news. Cheers to you and your husband!
It is great news. I told Husband that we can always retire in Portland, our city of choice that we can never seem to get to. Who knows what is up ahead but for now we have the ability to stay and be grounded for a while. Husband totally rocked it!
probably because he has a rockin’ wife 🙂
Ah, you are very sweet. 🙂
That’s awesome! I’m so happy for you guys! Way to go Husband!
Thank you, we are over the moon about it!
Ohhh this is me doing the happy dance!!! Well a very pregnant happy dance
Whoa, there. Steady with the pregnant happy dance. Maybe you can to the sitting down version of the happy dance for us. 🙂 Since we are staying where we are there is a greater chance that one day I will actually be able to meet you.
Congratulations – such great news!
Thank you, we are thrilled about it.
My father in law has a contracted-job right now with the Transit Authority at JFK airport here in NYC. He is overseeing the the construction of the new Delta terminal. Anyway, they pay him what sound ALOT. But there are no taxes taken out, no benefits at all. Just a check. He has stated several times that he would take lower pay for steady pay with benefits.
Congratulations on keeping your roots firmly planted and not having to embark on a forced adventure.
Thank you. It is going to be quite the change for us; that contract job paycheck was a very nice thing. I think we can find some other adventures in life without risking our stability. Roots are nice, we have not had them for a long time. We have lived in the same house for almost seven years but never have we had stability job wise. Now that we have the ability to stay put, I will focus inward and paint rooms, landscape the tamed forest around our house and learn how to refinish kitchen cabinets.
I am most excited about the PTO as part of the benefits. Husband hated taking much time off since he was never paid for it. We can actually take a family vacation that does not involve visiting family (don’t get me wrong, visiting family is nice, but having a family vacation with just our little family would be nice.)
You are welcome! Now that you are staying put, your thinking switches gear to more long term and I am sure you will find alot of projects around the house to complete. You now know that you will be in the house for a very long time, so the cabinets get updated, rooms painted, etc.
PTO is huge. I always forget to factor my benefits into my salary. Every time I bitch piss and moan about the NYPD, my wife (an HR manager) reminds me of my unlimited sick time, 5 weeks vacation, deffered compensation plan, and of course my pension. That quickly shuts me up.
Have fun planning future vacations.
That is GREAT news!! Congratulations to you all! Best wishes to your husband in his new job. 🙂
It is great news, we are so excited about it!! It is just so good in so many ways.
Mad, mad, MAD props to husband! I am so happy for y’all! ;D I know you are all thrilled! Thank you so much for sharing this news. It is really encouraging to me because we’re going to be going through the same thing soon.
Husband does not like it when I write about him, but how could I not? He is awesome to go in there after not interviewing for over 5 years and just nail it. We are so happy about it. I hope your experience is similar and you get what you are looking for.