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…Another Door Opens!

Posted on by Erica

Today was my first day at the Assessment Resource Center (ARC).  It was a good day.  I got unpacked mostly (my bookshelf and file cabinet arrive sometime next week), met everyone, and got settled in.  I can actually start doing REAL work tomorrow!  It was a relaxed day with new faces.  I’m struggling with names, but I’ll get them all learned eventually.  My new coworkers were very helpful and friendly and made me feel very welcomed.  It was a very nice beginning especially with all that I’ve encountered over the last nine months.  Tonight, I go home to a glass of wine because I want to and *NOT* because I feel like I have to have one to help me unwind.  Such a difference…

Birthday Party Favors!

Posted on by Erica

Laura and John have been talking about going to get their birthday party favors from Party City for a week now!  They were so excited when today rolled around just so they could go to Party City.  We picked up a good variety of things and it was a lot of fun.  They were actually very careful about what they picked out and we spent nearly an hour in the store.  It was really worth it though and it was so neat to watch the kids enjoying themselves so much!

The finished bags

The inside of Laura’s bag

The inside of John’s box

When One Door Closes…

Posted on by Erica

Today, my life at the Instructional Materials Laboratory (IML) ends.  Over 14 years of my working life spent in this organization in one place or another, having moved buildings/offices no less than eight times.  I was 24 when I started working here as an Assistant Editor making $20K a year (and I thought that was a LOT at the time).  Despite having nine months to prepare for this, it’s harder than I want to admit.  I’ve met some great people and made some great friends.  I grew up here in more ways than one.  I learned some hard lessons along the way.  I’ve been through the ringer here.  Run the gamut of every emotion that I have – highs, lows, great, bad, happy, sad, and all the ones in between.  Today is bittersweet as I say goodbye to this chapter of my professional life.  I would say that I *will* miss it, but I *already* miss it.  Most of you know some of what I went through here and are probably wondering why I miss it, but, quite frankly, it’s been a huge part of my life…  Don’t get me wrong because I am excited to move to the Assessment Resource Center and start the next chapter, but it’s still sad for me.  I loved this place and all the craziness.  I really did.  I’ll miss you IML.  Thanks for everything.

Grandma Marilyn!

Posted on by Erica

The kids were surprised to learn that Grandma Marilyn was in town today!  I hadn’t told them that she was coming to town mostly as a surprise, but really because I couldn’t remember exactly which day she was coming.  🙂  We got home from work and she was waiting for us.  They were so excited to see her!  She’s in town to help my stepsister, Tiffany, while her husband David has surgery.  We had a very nice night and the kids got some much-needed Grandma time.  Every thing is always better when Grandma is in town!