Friday, February 27, 2009

2009: The Year of Change?!?!

You know that saying, "Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans" ?Yeah, well that might be the best way to sum up the past week.

Just when I thought 2009 was going to be a boring year, we have a big shake up in our household. This past week has brought about some major changes and it has taken us a little by surprise. My last post about moving back to Buffalo? Well, it may not be happening any time soon, but that's okay.

First, let me start with the beginning of the week. As I think I have mentioned, we have been in the market for a new car for almost a month now. We were thinking used SUV. We looked and looked and looked and were having a really tough time. We are super picky and type-A about things & that is a really annoying way to be when you are making large purchases. We weren't even considering new SUVs because this purchase was all about getting into a larger vehicle at a great price. Well, thanks to the craptastic economy and the stimulus bill, there are some great deals out there on new cars & our amazing salesman was able to get us into a NEW SUV for right around what we were going to spend on a used one. We were pleasantly surprised and after 4 weeks & many bad experiences, we drove off the lot in a brand spankin' new Fo.rd Esc.ape Limited! It is a little smaller of a truck than we were looking at originally, but the gas mileage is unreal - 28 miles to the gallon- & that was super appealing. It also had many of the features we were hoping for. At the end of the day, it is more than large enough for the 2 of us and the 4 wheel drive will come in very handy when driving up to Buffalo. Realistically, we could even get away with 2 little ones and have enough space. So, that was the beginning of our good news for the week.

In my last post about moving back to Buffalo, I alluded to the fact that things haven't always been perfect at Sean's company, but they have always been flexible about us moving back to Buffalo and they were open to taking Sean back after he left to open his own business - you take the good with the bad I guess. Recently though, despite the refi boom, things have been slooooooowwww & no sign of improvement on the horizon - so more bad than good. Sean is always networking & keeping his feelers out there and late last week an old friend spoke to him about an opportunity at a local brokerage. Sean called and an interview was arranged. We discussed it & decided Sean would at least go on the interview - nothing ventured, nothing gained, right? He had an interview on Wednesday & he felt that it went very well.

On Thursday afternoon, they called and made him a formal offer! We had already decided if they made an offer, we would accept. So, it's official! He resigned today and says he feels like the weight of the world has been lifted from his shoulders. He starts on Tuesday. We are VERY excited about this opportunity and are looking at it as a total new beginning.


Some of the highlights - the hours are much more appealing than his current job - 10-7pm daily instead of 9-9, no weekends, no pressure. The benefits are great (not sure about IF coverage yet, but I won't hold my breath), Sean knows a lot of people on the sales floor, & the compensation plan is very appealing.

Sean spoke to the management team about the possibility of moving back to Buffalo at some point and they are open to it. No promises, but there may be an option to work from home or open a small branch of the company. We decided it was not a deal breaker for us, if it works out - great. If not, that is okay too. Perhaps this will be a bridge to something else, perhaps we will extend our time frame a little bit. Right now, we are just going with the flow.
This was not part of the plan, but we always try to be open to change. Though it is an overused cliche, I do believe everything happens for a reason.

We feel like the tide has turned for us a bit. We have had quite the stretch of bad news of the past 18 months - Sean's shoulder surgery, the car accident, the business not working out, 3 failed IVFs, Sean's dad's cancer, my Dad losing his job & not being able to find work, the economy etc... We have learned a lot, but I am so over all of it! We feel way over due for some positive news. I truly feel like there has been a shift in the cosmos. Perfect time to get our FET under way!

You may remember that my mantra for 2009 is "The Year of Hope" & I went into it with no expectations. Well, so far 2009 has been full of surprises and full of hope too. Looking forward to what else is in store...

21 comments:

Lisa said...

Hey, you introduced me to the Year of Hope and I have enough hope for both of us!!! Congrats to Sean on the new job!!

kayjay said...

Congrats to your DH about the new job! You're right - you have to be open and flexible to new things and maybe things will unfold in a different way than how you wanted but you may just end up in the same place you were trying to get to. I will cross my fingers that you will get IF coverage - you never know! This is a year of change is it not?!

Meinsideout said...

Yay for the new car and an even bigger yay for the new job - that is great. It is time for you to have some good times and some good news.

poppy.f.seed said...

Wow, that is great mileage for a truck!
We have a ford wagon and love it. Good mileage, very reliable.

That is cool about the job. And, I am happy auspicious things are happening as you start FET!

Nicole said...

Congratulations on making such an awesome change in such difficult times! It really is amazing how when you are not searching, the right things just seem to find you!

Hope you have celebrated and good luck with the FET...I agree, let's keep the good news coming!

ashley said...

Congrats on the new job!!! And new vehicles are the best! Your "Year of Hope" will continue to bring you wonderful things I'm sure.

bunny said...

Congrats! New wheels, new job, and the new outlook is looking better and better. I am so happy for you both. Hooray!

Jill said...

I think this IS the year of hope and change for you guys! I'm so happy for all of your good news! Congrats, Em!!

P.S. I think you should've included your weight loss stats as well as that is a hard-earned positive change to be be proud of too!!

Angie said...

Congrats on DH's new job & your new ride! Sounds like things are falling into place for you, hoping there are many more surprises headed your way!!!

p.s. I tagged you this AM, check my blog for details! :-)

Unknown said...

Wow! What an exciting week! Congrats on the car, the job, and kicking my butt in weight loss this week!

Just Another Mother said...

SCORE on the new car and the new job! Way to be open and go with the flow. I know that can be hard. I hope your year continues to be stellar! Are you starting your FET on your next cycle?

Leslie Laine said...

Hey Emily - Congrats on the new job and the new car! What a way to start the year. You're right, you're definitely due for some good news, so hopefully the stars are all aligning for the upcoming FET! Sending lots of hope your way!

Kristen said...

What an incredible start to the year. I'm so happy for you and Sean!!!

Jill said...

What a wonderful start to the year! Congratulations to Sean on his new job! Enjoy the new SUV. I hope there are many more good things to come in 2009!

RMCarter said...

What unexpected and wonderful things happening for you so far in 2009!!! May this be the start of a miraculous year to come! :)

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on both the job & the car! I nominated you for an award, details are on my blog. So glad you're getting a great start to the Year of Hope!

M. said...

This is fantastic news, Em! Congratulations! You guys will get to Buffalo when it's meant to be. For now, you have so much to celebrate -- I hope you guys are over the moon :)

Petrucia said...

you know I always like years that are odd numbered, these are the times when new things happen. More and more I have proof of that. So, these are all great news. How fun that these unexpected blessings came your way? Like you said, a change in tide. Go with the new flow!

Meinsideout said...

Hey Emily - I have nominated you for an award on my blog - check it out!

C said...

Hey, I nominated you for an award. Chk my blog.

Anonymous said...

Hey ...
There is a hebrew saying of "Shana Makom Shana Mazal" - which means, "when you change your place/location, you change your luck".

Hope everything works out - good luck!!