Well, it has been a while since I've updated you all--things have been very hard for Danny and I.  When he was moved to the Tampa office of his business, things didn't pick up work wise and unfortunately only got worse over the next month.  He was laid off last Monday, and now we are both in a sticky situation, especially since I declined to return to the school I am working at for the next school year when I found out we would be in Tampa (before the lay off).  I am still waiting to hear from one particular school in Tampa--hopefully that will come in the next week or so.  

So now we are at a turning point, as I am sure many Americans are...what do we do...where do we go?  Right now we will be in Sarasota until the end of May (our lease runs out on the condo).  We will most likely move in with Danny's parents for the summer if he still does not have a job.  So much has happened in the past year--and I am truly starting to believe the saying, "when one plans, God laughs."  I don't think he is laughing, but I do think that things were going just a little too nicely for us...we are just glad that we do not own a home, nor do we have children--this is happening to so many people who are in much worse positions than we are.  

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School

I visited St. John's Episcopal in Tampa last Thursday for a formal interview and loved it!  I spent the morning in a first grade classroom (that is the position that is available) and spent the afternoon with the lower school head and Headmaster.  The school is quaint and small and seems to be a close community of kids and adults.  It is in the heart of Hyde Park (a historic district near Bayshore).  It is affiliated with the church and has a Christian influence.  From my interview, I got a very good feeling about the job and was asked back to teach a "sample lesson" next Friday.  I am nervous, but excited all at the same time!  

That's all for now...wish me luck next week!

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Job Interview

Well, I got a call today from a Lower School Head at St. John's Episcopal in Tampa.  I talked with her for about 45 minutes about her school and my experience.  She was one of those people who talk and talk and talk and when they give you space to talk they are completely quiet for minutes at a time and you wonder if they are still there...needless to say I can't wait to meet her in person.  St. John's is a religious based school, that is also very academic.  It is a first grade position and it seems it is a wonderful team.  There are two other teachers; one that is my age and another that has been there for many years.  I would be much happier in an older grade, so this is a good move.  I am visiting the school on Thursday or Friday this week.  It does seem promising and although I do not want to get my hopes up, I know I will have good recommendations from ODA.  I can only do my best and be who I am and hopefully they will like it!  

Danny started his first day in Tampa today.  It took him almost an hour there and a little over on the way home.  He was home about an hour later than usual.  He said that he studied manuals all day (snore), and now has a cubicle instead of an office (welcome to the real world!). He does like his new boss and they seem to get along really well so that is off to a good start.  I hope this can be a stable job and we can set up our lives feeling comfortable with what we have.  

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Overwhelmed!

Danny and I spent the day in Tampa looking at houses and possible places to live come June.  I wish we knew more about the coming year, aka. if I will have a job or not, so that we could move forward.  There are lots of great buys right now, and obviously we would rather buy a house than rent another year.  I guess we will have to wait and see what unfolds in these next couple of months.  

This is Danny's last week in Sarasota and the fact that we are moving is really becoming so much more "real" to us.  We love the life that we have built in Sarasota, and moving is such a headache/stress.  Everything happens for a reason...

My winter break is right around the corner (Feb 16-20).  I plan to make calls to schools in the Tampa area and possibly hand out resumes.  I have a call in to a private school this week and I will hopefully get a lead from the headmaster there.  Any lead is good at this point, so I am keeping my fingers crossed!

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New Job

Danny and I are moving...it's official! Danny's firm is transferring him to the Tampa office of WilsonMiller and he will be working in Ybor starting February 16th.  Hopefully he will commute until I finish here in Sarasota at ODA.  I am currently searching for a new job in Tampa and hope that (with fingers crossed) God will show me where I am meant to be in a timely manner.  Ha...I don't know about that last part, but I can believe the first part...it will be revealed!  

We will surely miss our good friends here Melissa and Michael who are getting married in March.  They have been fantastic friends and we know we will keep in touch since we will still be close!  We look forward to their wedding in Arizona March 28th :) 

Although it is hard to think of "starting over" once again in a few months, we know it is the best thing that could have happened for us.  We will be in the same city as Danny's family and closer to mine.  We look forward to finding a new place to live, whether we will buy or rent is to be determined, and making new friends.  We are also hoping to find a church where we can become involved and get to know other young couples in our same situation.  

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The Beginning

We are starting this blog for our family and close friends as a way to stay in touch with each other.  We look forward to all of the memories to be shared through this!  

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