Thursday I left for Great Lakes with Katy’s parents and the weekend got better from there.
On the way up I got a phone call from Bank Midwest where I interviewed last week and they offered me a full time job starting a week from today! I accepted it immediately (I probably should have negotiated on the pay a little, but it will be okay) and did a little dance in the backseat of the car. So this week I’m packing a lot, gathering the essentials to take to the Gapske’s and preparing to move into a townhouse. Unfortunately we can’t get the townhouse until the middle of July, but Matt’s parents said I was welcome to stay with them until we can move in. Awesome.
And the really great part of the weekend, Katy graduated from Navy Basic Training. I cried. I was so great to see her in her Navy Whites and at such a great point in her life.
Katy's division at graduation
Me and my best friend :-)
We did a lot of just lounging around in Wisconsin when she had liberty, which was just fine. Friday night was a little stressful, as the highway back to the base was flooded/closed and we got stuck. Unfortunately that made Katy late back to the base and after a long night of worrying, we found out she was just fine and not in trouble.
Beautiful lighthouse on Lake Michigan in Racine, WI
We’d planned to go to Chicago, but decided to not go because it was so great to just sit around. Instead we went to Lake Michigan and visited a really cool lighthouse.
My feet in Lake Michigan. It was super cold.
It was very lowkey and now I have a really great excuse to take the train to Chicago and visit in a couple of months :-)
The McClary’s and I travelled back to Kansas Sunday night, after an emotional goodbye. On the way home I took a nap and was woken by a loud roar. The Blue Angels were flying outside of the Quad Cities and we watched them do maneuvers over us on the highway. It was cool.
I miss Katy a whole lot already again, but she’ll have access to her computer and cell phone again this weekend and I can’t wait. It will be wonderful to have quicker communication again.
I’ve been awful at updating this. My excuses are lame, I know, but with three 50 hour weeks in a row, I’m not in the mood to come home and put together a blog post.
However, here’s a quick update:
- I’m working at two banking centers, didn’t get the transfer with BoA to KC but I have a few options in the wings. Hopefully I’ll have some news about those by the end of the week.
- The auditors came to our banking center last week and it sucked. We passed, but I decided I don’t like being in charge with the bosses come to town. You know, that whole responsibility thing.
- Home Depot let Matt go, and that sucks. We thought we needed all of the possible paychecks to be able to afford the townhouse, but it looks like we might be able to swing it. However, Matt is still pretty bummed about being let go as he love(s)(d) that job.
- KATY’S GRADUATION IS THIS WEEKEND! I will see her on Friday and I am so excited I can’t even stand it.
- Went to another gorgeous wedding last weekend. While Brett and Libby have been together for-freaking-ever, it was super cool to see them tie the knot.
I don’t have much else. It’s time for bed, busy day tomorrow. Hahaha my last full day of work this week. Awesome!
I’m too lazy to type this twice, so here’s an excerpt from my most recent letter to Katy.
I had an interview for a transfer with Bank of America last Friday. I thought it was going to be for the branch at Corporate Woods, but when the guy called it was actually a full time position at the branch at 95th and I-35. (The one by Kohls and Winsteads) I’m hopeful about this one, it wouldn’t start until after the 4th of July because the woman in the position is moving to Chicago then. This would coincide well with a possible start date at Lenexa UMC. I haven’t really heard much back from Lenexa UMC though. The Pastor met with the president of Staff-Parish and the decision lies with Staff-Parish who meet next week. I guess there is a conversation going on with the new pastor also, as she’ll be replacing the current pastor on July 1. Hopefully I’ll learn something more soon. I sure would like for all of this to work out sooner rather than later.
This past weekend was super busy. Chris and Sandy had their rehearsal and dinner on Friday night and then the wedding was Saturday. It was beautiful. It’s weird to think our friends are old enough to get married because they love each other, not just because they have a baby on the way. hahaha. The wedding reception was a ton of fun. Because Matt was a groomsman he sat at the head table, but the Wives and Girlfriends had their own table, so it was fun to get to know the wives and girlfriends of the groomsmen/some of Matt’s friends that I don’t know as well. Then Matt had to go and catch the damn garter, so everyone came up asking when our wedding was going to be. This is after at the table during dinner the wives and girlfriends asked several times why we weren’t engaged if we’d been dating for four years. ugh. Anyway, I started telling people that if they asked or made comments about him catching the garter and us being the next to get married, they had to contribute to the wedding fund. Sadly this did not lead to any monetary contributions.
I wore my “tall shoes.” Matt was not thrilled about this.
And then the best part of the weekend: camping!! I didn’t make it out until Sunday afternoon, but it was a blast. I was drunk and then sober again before 10 pm that night. Awesome. And, Kathy had a whole bag of marshmallows for us to throw into the fire for Katy. And, the biggest news of the weekend, it didn’t rain at all! Not a single lightening flash, rumble of thunder or drop of rain until the little, teeny tiny sprinkle we got Monday morning while we were packing up to leave. It was a Memorial Day Miracle!
Tomorrow I’m headed to Kansas City right after work to see my favorite band in the whole world, The Decemberists. I’m so excited! Matt is a weanie and didn’t want to go, but I’m meeting up with some friends from WJC. It should be epic.
Found out early this afternoon my cousin Michael, the one who got shot a year ago and whose mom died of cancer two years ago, had a brain aneurysm burst this morning and died this afternoon. I’m pretty unemotional about it. I mean, I feel bad that he died, but that’s about it. I didn’t cry. I’m not particularly upset. It is a coincidence that he was the reason my mom’s family didn’t come to my college graduation last year and he dies on the day of another cousin’s college graduation. (She’ll be the second grandchild to have a bachelor’s degree, I was the first.) I guess my strongest emotion at the moment is anger at Michael. How dare he ruin two graduations?
They were able to use several of his organs, which might be the best thing that kid ever did.
This is the third death in the family in three years. My aunt in 2007, cousin Jeffery in 2008 and Michael today. I’m really tired of going to funerals.
In the last week I’ve gotten a little good news regarding my job search and move to Kansas City. Early last week Matt called to tell me he’d given my phone number to his parents who were passing it on to the Children’s/Youth Programming Coordinator at their church. She finally called me on Thursday.
I’m being “vetted” for a part time youth director position at the church. They aren’t actively looking for someone nor are they advertising the soon to be formed position. I guess my name came up in a conversation at some point and someone said, “yes, we want her to come work for us!” The position is only 15-20 hours a week, but they are hoping to scrounge up the money to turn it into a full time position. It is based mostly on spiritual life of the youth – planning worship services for retreats, meetings, etc – but could also include website maintenance, and a young adult component. I’m excited just talking about it! About halfway through the conversation I heard the most wonderful phrase in the English language, “how big of a carrot do you need for you to come work for me?”
OMG After a year of rejection letters, being recruited is awesome! And I about pooped my pants when she told me the number they were tossing around the Staff-Parish committee. It’s almost as much as I make full time at the Bank.
This is all still in the beginning stages. I’ve looked over the job description and sent in my resume, so hopefully I hear back from the church this week and can go meet with them this weekend. I’d love to tell them I want a June 1 start date so I can tell the Bank I need to be in KC by then and can get the ball rolling. There’s a full time position at the Bank in a branch in Lenexa, but the recruiter for the area is not helping me out at all. My boss is trying to get me there, which is nice to know after her previous screw ups.
Matt found some gorgeous and affordable condos in Lenexa that would work well for us. A good friend of his lives there and loves them, and says they are super nice. And if I can swing both jobs (time wise I should be able to, it’s just a matter of getting there) we should be set. Oh man, I’d love for all of this to work out. I’m ready for something to just fall together like it is supposed to. The pieces could fall together so well, I would love for this to just work out. Hopefully I have some more news in the next week!
“Oh For a Thousand Tongues to Sing” on page 69 of a Baptist hymnal
ahahahahahahahaha
Katy leaves for Navy boot camp Tuesday. I tear up just thinking about it.
This is us last night at Skies in Kansas City. Matt and I took her out to dinner and then up to Skies because she’d never been before.
I’m going to miss her so so much. I’m so proud of her for taking this leap of faith though. She believes so strongly in what it is she wants to do, I know this wasn’t an easy decision for her, and she’s going to go so far and get to do so many cool things.
I feel like an ass for a mistake I made last summer. I didn’t see her before I moved to DC and she was rightfully upset about that. At the time I didn’t really understand why she was so upset, but if she was even 1/4 as sad as I’m feeling right now, I’m such an awful person for letting that happen. And I’m feeling selfish about it too. While she’s gone I can’t call her and tell her if I get the job I’m hoping for or that I’ve had a bad day or that work/family/Matt/life is frustrating me and I need to vent.
It’s not going to be the same though. She won’t be here for camping Memorial Day weekend or for campfires in the backyard, I’m not even sure where she’ll be during Huff n’ Puff, all events she’s been at for years and years.
She will be back though. And I don’t know if I can ever adequately tell her how proud I am of her. She’s definitely the strongest woman I know. I can’t believe the little kid I met when she was in the eighth grade is headed off to the Navy. I am so so proud of her.
You’re the best friend
that I ever had
I’ve been with you such a long time
You’re my sunshine
And I want you to know
That my feelings are true
I really love you
You’re my best friend
Wow, it’s been a long time since a post. I didn’t realize it had been so long. No wonder I’ve been so cranky lately, I have a lot of pent up stuff to talk about.
I’m annoyed at my job. My boss is incompetent, can’t count apparently (a fine quality for the manager of a bank!) and I’m not happy there. It does pay the bills though, so I have to stick it out until I find something better/in KC.
Speaking of jobs in KC, I’ve applied for a good one, hopefully I’m a strong candidate and my affiliation with WJC helps with that. So, we’ll see.
I’ve noticed a trend of drinking in my circle of family and friends that is starting to bother me. I’m no teetotaler by any means, but it seems like every time I turn around someone has a drink in his or her hand. It’s not a big deal, but it’s starting to interfere with previous engagements and that bothers me. Especially events during the week.
I felt really old this last week. I’d been seeing quotes about “I’m on a boat” and the letters fml on facebook and had absolutely no idea what they were about. So, my young’un friends had to explain them to me last night. For those as out of the loop as I was, here’s some links: (NSFW!) “I’m on a boat“ and fml.
Speaking of feeling really old, my best friend is headed to the Navy a week from Tuesday and we had a going away party for her on Saturday. It was great to see everyone, even if they were all two years younger than me. I’m starting to get really sad about Katy leaving, after having her just a phone call away for the last six years, I’m going to have to wait 8 weeks to talk to her again. I am taking off the day she leaves from work so I can go up to see her sworn in and stuff. It will be nice to be able to wish her luck and tell her goodbye then.
Funny Easter story. I get very annoyed at very public religious folk, this is not a secret. So when several people wished me a happy Easter last Friday at work, I had to fight the urge to respond, “Thanks, but I’m Jewish.” I told Matt about this when I saw him this weekend and while we were at the store on Saturday the cashier wished the people in front of us a happy easter. Matt glared at me to keep me from saying, “thanks, but I’m Jewish” and when we finally got out to the parking lot he says, “what would Jesus have said?” I said, “Thanks, but I’m Jewish.”
I wish I didn’t live for the weekend. I want to like my job, but I don’t really. While I’m not completely sure what I want to do in life, I think it needs to be something that I get up and enjoy everyday and don’t look forward to the weekend because I don’t have to work.
Regardless, this weekend has been great. I had a short week at work because I took off my birthday. I came to Kansas City on Friday night to hang out with a friend from Jewell at his sweet apartment downtown. We made pipe cleaner hats. And watched KU lose :-( But it was super fun nonetheless.
Snow. Ice. I hate them both. It’s supposed to be spring. I drove to Liberty despite the weather to eat at Los Compas and see the Vagina Monologues. Amazing, both of them. I reconnected with a few old friends I’d not seen in a few months. so that was fun.
And today, Matt took me out to breakfast and now I’m cleaning his apartment. It’s disgusting and I hate it. I guess if I’m going to complain about it, I’d better be prepared to do something to fix the problem. So clean and do laundry it is. Just to make the “homemaker” stereotype complete, maybe I’ll cook dinner too. hahaha
