I am job

After a significant hiatus, I consider myself a working woman once again! I applied, interviewed, was offered a position and started working at Travel all within about a week's time. Because of their speed, I didn't have much time to contemplate the drastic changes I would be going through. I've only worked for two days now, and we live close enough for me to go home for lunch, so I haven't gone through apartment withdrawals yet...I'm keeping a close watch.
My office is just about 10 minutes away from home, down the street from Costco and the University (where Nate lives during the day), and across from a cemetery, so I have just about everything I need. And while nothing could rival my office/window arrangement from my last job (thanks University of Phoenix), I do sit by a window once again. The blinds are pretty much closed all day, but it's been a real kick to peek through them and see a bit of sky. It feels strange to see the outdoors while working in travel agency because my last office had windows, but only to the hallways....that eventually led to....the outdoors. I miss GoGo for many reasons (mostly my friends), but it was nothing short of magical to work all day in a room and have no clue what the weather, or even the state looked like. I haven't really gotten to know our mailman at the new place, and unless Keith requested a transfer, I may be disappointed. Keith is the GoGo mailman that = a father figure of sorts. He constantly checked on my dating status, and heartily encouraged me (bi-monthly; sometimes while I was on a phone call) to marry a good Mormon guy. By the time Nate came along I felt it necessary for the two to meet; Keith let me know what a great young man Nate seemed like--how could I go wrong with such an endorsement??
This week I have experienced several reminders of my days at GoGo, because for the second time in my life I work with a dark-haired, hefty, slightly lisped lone man of the office. This time his name is John and not as funny as Jeff, but I'm tempted to ask him if he has a brother that also once loved travel. Happy Halloween-I'm not even considering dressing up for work; one year, my manager Diane dressed up as a pumpkin. No one else really dressed up, and her pumpkin didn't seem too dedicated to covering the majority of her thighs...I couldn't tell if she was upset by our lack of Halloween spirit or her lack of Halloween pants.

P.S. Nate really enjoyed the ward Halloween party.

Liz + Nathan

"All great deeds and all great thoughts have a ridiculous beginning." --Albert Camus

Toledo has been our home for a little over two months now, and while Nate says he feels like he's comfy here, I'm still in my transitional phase. I don't understand why the roads are bad, but the parks are pretty. I don't understand why there is a guy working at the University of Toledo that has no idea what his department is in charge of, yet I keep getting ignored for interviews. I don't understand why our mail carrier picks up and delivers mail on some days, yet only delivers mail on others. And finally, I don't understand why Toledo has functioning traffic lights, yet many pedestrians pay no heed to their changing signals. Such are the nuances of Toledo that I have yet to fully comprehend, but I'll try--we've got the time.
While "holding out for a management position", I've taken time to get our house set up, which has included: unpacking, sans the heavy items (thanks Nate and Erik), staining a coffee table (the marker drawings can no longer be seen, Lizzie), and several trips to Target, BBB, and Pier One Imports. I'm not advertising for them, we just happened to have gift cards. If one is still unclear on what my daily routine consists of, imagine a stay at home mommy minus the kids. I'm assuming I get a lot more accomplished because I don't have those darn kids weaving through my ankles.
My stay in Toledo has also included some work experiences; fortunately/unfortunately, both were temporary positions. In August, I worked for Associated Spring Raymond for 2 weeks. At the end of the two weeks, I had established that my supervisor was fine with leaving for the afternoon without telling me, as well as adapting my name to "Lisa". My favorite part of the job was the parking lot-it was really pretty. I also had a two week stint at Dillard's. This allowed me to go back to my roots (Wal*Mart at 17) and remember what retail is like. Apparently my memory wasn't sharp enough, as jobs like that include a lot of standing around, folding clothes, and my wondering how I can manage to get any Sundays or holidays off while working there. As I never figured out an answer for the latter question, I decided to end my career in "fashion". My favorite part of the job was: leaving.