Almost finished!!!

Well, counting tonight and tomorrow night, I only have five shifts of work left at my current job. My last day will be July 22. Erich and I aren't moving until the end of August but with two weeks that I need off between now and then, it was easier to quit than to try to get vacation time (it's a fruitless effort trying to get vacation time during the summer if you haven't worked there for at least 10 years). It will also be great to have a lot of time to work on packing everything up and tying up loose ends. It will also be nice to have more time with Jonathon before our two-or-so-month separation.

My current project is finding a new job in Michigan. I'm still not quite sure what I'm looking for. I need a job with flexibility since I'm relying on family to help with childcare, but I also need enough hours (still paying those college loans). Jonathon and I are also trying to plan a trip to Europe during this year (or so) of transition since his brother and sister-in-law will be in France. What to do?! I did send in my paperwork to get my RN license in Michigan, although I already hit a snag. I think the Boards of Nursing in this country make it difficult on purpose. Everything I have ever needed to do through them has come with some sort of submitting and resubmitting and phone calls that lead to nowhere coupled with them telling me to do things I already have done (their response is usually,"Oh, well then, just send it again to the address printed...") They never apologize for their own stupidity ('cause that would mean they were wrong in the first place).

Did I ever mention, living in New Jersey has not really made me a kinder, more compassionate person?

Well, amidst the stress of moving and finding a job, there are a number of things I'm thankful for. I'm thankful we'll be moving closer to some family and friends. I'm also thankful we do not have to worry about selling a house in this awful market (thanks to our decision to only rent while in NJ). And I'm thankful for our outstanding health (although we still have a month or so to catch Lyme's disease before we leave).

Please remember us in your prayers; that the move and job search will go smoothly. Thanks.