Thanksgiving

Dear Leigh,

A 3.9! That's great! I'm so excited for you to graduate. What an accomplishment.

I can't believe that they would pay you so little, with your experience, especially after you've earned your Master's. I'm sure the DC area can offer you more, even with the cost of living what it is. I'll admit that the growth in that area is a little appalling, but you know that growth means jobs, and there are jobs a-plenty there. It's also a convenient three and a half hour drive from Morgantown...

I hope you had an enjoyable Thanksgiving.  We just spent several days at my sister in-law's house. My mother- and father-in-law and their respective spouses live in the same town, so we were able to see everyone on that side of the family. I was proud of Jeremiah--he has very different ideas about food than his sister (he prefers less white flour, butter, and sugar, and more fresh vegetables), but this visit did a good job of thanking her for hosting and complimenting the food.  All-in-all, it was a pleasant time, with only one negative remark about my FIL from my MIL, and one negative remark about NPR from my FIL, and maybe two small disagreements between Jeremiah and my MIL and SIL, both regarding his granddad, who is, unfortunately, not doing all that well.  Compared to the previous two visits, it was very relaxing, indeed.  I was even able to eat, which I was worried about, since I'd been feeling so sick for a month prior. Still, I'm looking forward to being with my parents for an extended period of time around Christmas, when I think I'll be able to truly relax. I'm also planning to get together with my old friend from high school, whom I haven't seen in close to three years. She's going to be just two hours away from my parents' house, and since she's usually ten hours away, in St. Louis, I figure I should take advantage of our proximity.

I also heard over Thanksgiving that my brother has a couple job interviews. I wasn't sure companies would be hiring this time of year, but I am, again, feeling hopeful.  I am imagining my family together at Christmas, me and baby healthy, my brother employed, and everyone at peace.

I'll be thinking of you on the first, eighth, and fifteenth of December!  I know you'll do well.

Love,
Kate

P.S. I have the all-important (at least in my mind) 10 week midwife appointment on Tuesday.  I have been clenching my jaw as I sleep, I've made myself so anxious about it (it was the 10 week appointment when I learned I was going to miscarry, last time). It's becoming difficult to eat, my jaw is so sore... But hopefully that'll clear up Tuesday night. I'll let you know how the appointment goes.

Glee

Hey Kate!!

Not to mistake the title for the silly tv show, but oh my gosh!!  What news!  I'm so excited for you, and very hopeful as well...  My best wishes for this little bundle.  I have a good feeling for this little one, and send all my prayers his or her way for a successful and healthy delivery.  I confess, I did tell Molly, but I promise she can keep a secret.  I tell her everything.  As for Derek, I did tell him about Mike and Kate before my mom made the announcement, and I'm pleased to say he was able to keep the secret.  But I will NOT tell him about you, my word is my bond.  YAY....I'm so excited for you and your little "flutter."  :-)

Also, thank you for your encouraging beginning: I really hope to be moving north too... very much so.  I've been looking at the DC area.  Daniel has scoped the area too, and I'm secretly hoping he finds a job there too.  A familiar and friendly face would be much appreciated.  Plus we could room for the first year or so until we both become acclimated to the city.  Perhaps a bit of selfish reasons behind that, but more so excitement to be up around the family.

As for school and work down here...School first.  I'm in the throws of my capstone project.  It's due December 1st, then I present on the 8th, then graduation on the 15th.  I've decided not to walk, but I'm still planning on going.  One of my classmates got the same treatment as your brother, in that he was "screwed over" by the university.   I'm not happy about that, but I know he's planning on going to view the graduation, so I think I will sit with him.  Besides, it's just my mom coming down, and I'd like to sit with her rather than make her sit alone.  I am graduating with honors, so to speak, for a masters degree. If you'll excuse my little brag, but I'm graduating with a 3.9, so I'm proud that I can graduate as part of the honors society.  Just a little other tid bit to put on my resume.  

And work.  My best friend's wife and I got into an intense conversation about salaries.  She's got her bachelors in Social Work, and literally makes twice my salary, someone with a soon to be masters in the same field.  Anyhow, when I went to work that next Monday, I did do some soul searching and pay-stub review and depressingly saw just how little I earned.  I talked to my boss about it, and confided in her about the possibility of the pay raise promised with my degree.  She said I'd expect to get about $3,000 raise...which is pennies.  $250 a month, and still resulting in me being under $30,000 a year in take home.  Granted, I do get medical and dentist, but that doesn't really help me pay my rent and bills.  It's disgusting really.  

So...in transition, it's my motivation for leaving.  I do like my work, but it's sadly not worth the pay.  My ultimate plans are to resign Memorial Day weekend, so I can get to beach week, then have the month of June to move.  I've re-signed my lease for another 7 months, which is perfect in it's timing (lease ending the end of June) for my making my New Year's resolution to spruce up my resume, get my licensure process going for Virginia, and find a job.

Only bad part, my mom is still secretly hoping I move further south to Tampa or Daytona.  But my relationship with my brother is so strained at times, and the pay in Florida is so sad for Social Workers...  She'll come around.  

Well, I've babbled enough...reserving only a few lines for excitement for you.  But I'll end as I started, with Glee and joy and everything else for you.  I am so elated!  Congratulations!!

Much love, cuz!!

Leigh

My Goodness, Things Happen!

Dear Leigh,

When you wrote to me, you were planning a move to Virginia. Are you still? I hope so.

It's astonishing how things change in a few short weeks.  My brother was planning to relocate; now he's unemployed (his previous employer--how shall I put this delicately?--screwed him over). He's considering a return to school to study accounting.  My parents and I have been trying to help him with his job search, but unfortunately it's a very bad time of year to be looking for work. Companies accomplish almost nothing of note between November 15th and the new year.  I'm astonished that Congress has left its most important work until this point, for that very reason. Most of the FBI is out hunting this week, for instance.  I'm heading home early, because I can (and I'm so, so exhausted).

In addition, I studied for and passed the CAPM exam (Certified Associate in Project Management), which proves that I know the generally accepted project management processes and have some project management experience, to boot.  Unfortunately, they don't seem to be about to hand me the raise or promotion I had hoped for.  But then, it has only been a week.

Then, last night, my mom told me that Mike's Kate is pregnant, and due in June! And still planning on coming to beach week?? It kind of floored me, because--and you are to tell nobody, not even Mike or Derek or your animals --I'm also pregnant (again), and due in June.  June 23rd.  Not sure about beach week (will depend on the advice of my midwife). We have told basically nobody, this time, for obvious reasons. My parents don't even know. My mom was just so sad, last time, when we lost it... Including you, 4 people know, all of whom are my close friends and who guessed, anyway.  Otherwise, I was trying to keep it a secret until at least week 12 (this is week 9 and 2 days, and it's getting difficult to hold it in, as you see).

This, naturally, changes our plans regarding the Master's in Library and Information Science.  We'll probably hang out here for another year, since I'm doing well professionally.  It's funny... we tried for months and months last time, with disastrous results.  This time, we tried once or twice, then precisely when I changed my mind and decided I should really go back to school, I learned I was pregnant. So, because of that, and the miscarriage over the summer, it's been hard to feel at all excited.  I also feel crappy all the time, which has a way of muting my excitement.  Last night, however, I felt this little buzz, or flutter, or something down in my abdomen, and had a surge of hope for the future. So, if all goes well, you'll be an Aunt x 2 in June.  If not, c'est la vie, and we'll become cat hoarders.

But back to you.  When is your big graduation day, and what kinds of opportunities will be available to you with your new degree?

Write soon.

Love,
Kate

P.S. - Again, tell no one! We'll probably share with the wider world somewhere around week 14.