Onto a new chapter

So I'd been planning on doing a "Day in the Life" post this week.  Things are so crazy right now, since I've been working from home, but I take Guinevere to daycare, and Tyler is working so hard and so late...I wanted to capture what are time is like right now, since I'm sure it'll be so different next year.

And then I got laid off.

I'm frustrated about the job situation.  I was working on a project for a government agency, and I really was loving it.  It wasn't a reflection in any way on my work, or my team, but the government client inherited the project from a predecessor, and didn't have the availability to manage the project, so they ordered a stop work - permanently.

This was my first time working for myself, and managing a project, and even though I only was there for two months, it did open up my eyes as to what makes me happy in my career - and working for myself is definitely it :)  Luckily, its an election year, which is always a good time to be a contractor, and so there are lots of options out there.  Even more luckily, I have some time to hold out for a position that will let me at least partially telework or flex hours, which is really important to me.  I have faith that the perfect opportunity will come along.  Anyone looking for a fabulous instructional systems designer?  ;)

In the meantime, we've decided to keep Guinevere in daycare Monday through Thursday.  First, the routine is fabulous for her.  Second, we adore her daycare provider and the idea of her replacing Guinevere with another child is devastating, since I definitely do plan to go back to work (and soon!)  I've been able to pick up some small tasks through a previous employer, but more importantly, there is a list of about 40 things on our fridge that I've been "far too busy" to do, and I plan on knocking them all out in the next two weeks, and getting back to making my family a priority.

In other news, we've survived Guinevere's first double ear infection.  Five days of the most unhappy baby you've ever seen, but she seems to be on the up and up.

We took Guinevere to her first winery for a friend's birthday, and they had these fabulous outdoor bonfires.  Unfortunately, the smoke and smell was awful, and everything Guinevere owns reeked afterwards and I'm sure none of the smoke was good for her, so we left almost immediately, and will definitely have to get a sitter next time.

Three of my friends took me out for my birthday at some of the bars in downtown Manassas, and I had the absolute BEST time.  Shots, karaoke, and dancing with this old dude - I have such a thing for old dudes ;)

And just because this picture cracks me up...Guinevere was happily eating her breakfast of waffles in her walker in the kitchen.  I went to the garage to throw something away, and she went through the kitchen, down the hall, into the study, and parked right in front of Kimchi's crate (we shut the door so she can eat her breakfast in peace), and Guinevere sat there babbling away to her best friend.  Cutest thing I've ever seen!