Four Years Later. . . .
. . . to the day!
Hello to anyone still stopping by this journal. I can't believe how long it's been since I last posted. I don't know how it happened, beyond busy and stressed with school, work, and the usual life changes that happen in the post college years.
I've been well. Let's see. First a cut for length just in case. (how do you do that again? Ah right
Now the summary. I finished school in the middle of the 2005 2006 school year. Not the best time for a teacher to get picked up, but I managed to find something in Georgia, not too far from where pal Joey was in Atlanta. Got my paperwork in order and spent the remainder of the year there. I definitely prefer warm weather. I was determined to stay in sunny climes. (See where this is going?) Unfortunately I wasn't offered a job in the area teaching and the financial company that Joey was working for was looking for transplants back to TX. Away we went, together again. Very long story short- we were both back where we never thought we'd be an hour away from our families and unsure of our careers. The only saving grace was we weren't living at home and could avoid family guilt. I worked part time jobs, tutored, subbed, spent time with the nephews and nieces and dealt with my mom officially being placed in long term care again.
By this time my Dad had moved out of the old homestead and had a small place outside Austin (about 15 miles from our old place.) This leads me to spring of 2007.
Pal Joey has and older brother named Steve. Steve is a good guy to know, as you will see. He went away to study medicine at the University of Michigan. We used to joke we were the only ones around who knew how to drive in snow. Steve got married that spring, and was able to have some friends from school visit for the wedding fun. His groomsmen actually stayed a whole week including a handsome young man named Martin. He almost said no as he was crazy busy at the time, but really wanted to at least show up.
Now the least Steve's extended family could do was put up his out of town guests, which means pal Joey and I hosted someone on our fold out. Since Martin did't plan on staying all week he could be at a remove from the others and in a more casual setup. (again, see where this is going?)
I thought he was adorable from the minute I saw him and then promptly dismissed his as older than me and not an option. He thought Pal Joey and I were a couple at first (until he realized we really did have separate rooms) and wasn't sure if I was interested or just (his words) "southern charming him". After seeing the bride and groom off the party continued out at a club where we pretty much ignored everyone else for the rest of the night.
A long distance romance ensues. For months. We're miserable. He's busy with work and I am busy with teaching summer school in the mornings and trying to figure out my next path in life. There is a flying visit for each of us and one long road trip that was barely worth it. I have never felt this unsure about where my life is going ever. I always have a plan. I am crazy in love in a way I never felt before but the career I thoughtI would have hasn't happened. I know I still want to work with kids of any age, to help them and make their lives better, but teaching no longer seems the way that will happen. I decide to go back to school for social work so I have more options with working with children. This is Late July. I apply to schools in Tx as this is sensible, and a few in Michigan just to see....
Martin can no longer take the time apart anymore. He's now an assistant professor, and life has evened out for him. By the end of July he comes to see me for two weeks and proposes. I say yes. .
. .Then I cry and say no, I have to go to school, which he reminds me, he works at one. Which I had considered but I didn't want to be the girl that follows the boy or needs him to help her get her life together. Very long personal discussions later we are engaged and plan to get married by spring of '08. We'll have known each other for a year, plenty of time to plan, avoid the family drama. But I want to start school this year and have already been accepted places.
But then M has an idea. If we are already married, tuition at his school, to which i was accepted luckily, would be a breeze. As in in time for the fall semester. September. Less than two months away.
Our families had never met. They were horrified that their respective sensible children could be so insane. Luckily my clan had at least seen him at Steve's wedding. We weren't getting married in the church. More gnashing of teeth. I would be moving, again, familial eye rolls.
We get married in Texas. In August. I had previously stated anyone who did so should be shot.
I wore a lovely pale cream dress and Martin was in a grey suit. Our honeymoon was unpacking my things and sorting our dishes.
A year later we had a formal ceremony in a church in the spring on our original date. Bets that I was pregnant did not pay off.
Fast forward to today. We've bought our first house I have my degree and work with at risk and troubled kids helping them succeed in school and deal with concerns in their life outside school.
I am ridiculously happy, and love my husband very much.
But I still want sunny climes darn it.
That's basically it. You all met me I was a college kid living away from home for the first time and trying figure things out. I am now a college grad with a home trying to figure things out.
I've missed you all through the years. I am not going to lock this post, just on the off chance anyone I've lost through the years hears I posted and wants to know I am well.
Love to all!
Ellie
Pixiellie
Hello to anyone still stopping by this journal. I can't believe how long it's been since I last posted. I don't know how it happened, beyond busy and stressed with school, work, and the usual life changes that happen in the post college years.
I've been well. Let's see. First a cut for length just in case. (how do you do that again? Ah right
Now the summary. I finished school in the middle of the 2005 2006 school year. Not the best time for a teacher to get picked up, but I managed to find something in Georgia, not too far from where pal Joey was in Atlanta. Got my paperwork in order and spent the remainder of the year there. I definitely prefer warm weather. I was determined to stay in sunny climes. (See where this is going?) Unfortunately I wasn't offered a job in the area teaching and the financial company that Joey was working for was looking for transplants back to TX. Away we went, together again. Very long story short- we were both back where we never thought we'd be an hour away from our families and unsure of our careers. The only saving grace was we weren't living at home and could avoid family guilt. I worked part time jobs, tutored, subbed, spent time with the nephews and nieces and dealt with my mom officially being placed in long term care again.
By this time my Dad had moved out of the old homestead and had a small place outside Austin (about 15 miles from our old place.) This leads me to spring of 2007.
Pal Joey has and older brother named Steve. Steve is a good guy to know, as you will see. He went away to study medicine at the University of Michigan. We used to joke we were the only ones around who knew how to drive in snow. Steve got married that spring, and was able to have some friends from school visit for the wedding fun. His groomsmen actually stayed a whole week including a handsome young man named Martin. He almost said no as he was crazy busy at the time, but really wanted to at least show up.
Now the least Steve's extended family could do was put up his out of town guests, which means pal Joey and I hosted someone on our fold out. Since Martin did't plan on staying all week he could be at a remove from the others and in a more casual setup. (again, see where this is going?)
I thought he was adorable from the minute I saw him and then promptly dismissed his as older than me and not an option. He thought Pal Joey and I were a couple at first (until he realized we really did have separate rooms) and wasn't sure if I was interested or just (his words) "southern charming him". After seeing the bride and groom off the party continued out at a club where we pretty much ignored everyone else for the rest of the night.
A long distance romance ensues. For months. We're miserable. He's busy with work and I am busy with teaching summer school in the mornings and trying to figure out my next path in life. There is a flying visit for each of us and one long road trip that was barely worth it. I have never felt this unsure about where my life is going ever. I always have a plan. I am crazy in love in a way I never felt before but the career I thoughtI would have hasn't happened. I know I still want to work with kids of any age, to help them and make their lives better, but teaching no longer seems the way that will happen. I decide to go back to school for social work so I have more options with working with children. This is Late July. I apply to schools in Tx as this is sensible, and a few in Michigan just to see....
Martin can no longer take the time apart anymore. He's now an assistant professor, and life has evened out for him. By the end of July he comes to see me for two weeks and proposes. I say yes. .
. .Then I cry and say no, I have to go to school, which he reminds me, he works at one. Which I had considered but I didn't want to be the girl that follows the boy or needs him to help her get her life together. Very long personal discussions later we are engaged and plan to get married by spring of '08. We'll have known each other for a year, plenty of time to plan, avoid the family drama. But I want to start school this year and have already been accepted places.
But then M has an idea. If we are already married, tuition at his school, to which i was accepted luckily, would be a breeze. As in in time for the fall semester. September. Less than two months away.
Our families had never met. They were horrified that their respective sensible children could be so insane. Luckily my clan had at least seen him at Steve's wedding. We weren't getting married in the church. More gnashing of teeth. I would be moving, again, familial eye rolls.
We get married in Texas. In August. I had previously stated anyone who did so should be shot.
I wore a lovely pale cream dress and Martin was in a grey suit. Our honeymoon was unpacking my things and sorting our dishes.
A year later we had a formal ceremony in a church in the spring on our original date. Bets that I was pregnant did not pay off.
Fast forward to today. We've bought our first house I have my degree and work with at risk and troubled kids helping them succeed in school and deal with concerns in their life outside school.
I am ridiculously happy, and love my husband very much.
But I still want sunny climes darn it.
That's basically it. You all met me I was a college kid living away from home for the first time and trying figure things out. I am now a college grad with a home trying to figure things out.
I've missed you all through the years. I am not going to lock this post, just on the off chance anyone I've lost through the years hears I posted and wants to know I am well.
Love to all!
Ellie
Pixiellie