Fall is in the Air

I forgot about the holiday weekend... Obviously, we didn't hear anything about the job on Friday. So we hope to have more information today or tomorrow.

However, in the meantime, we've done a bit of sleuthing. And found a few red flags. Red flag might be too strong a term. Pink flags? You get the idea.

Just so you have an idea of what I mean, the job is manager of a small, brand new resort at one of the best ski areas in the country. Penn would have to hire a team and do a bunch of other stuff in a very short amount of time. Construction on the resort isn't even finished yet. The schedule would be pretty much around the clock for four or five months. But then he would have two or three months off, paid. We've discovered that the housing that comes with the position is inadequate for our family. Housing would be a huge challenge, because a small, 1979 two bedroom condo in this particular area would run us at least $400,000. And there is a whole laundry list of other things that would make this position tricky - just technical stuff that only Penn would even notice about the resort plans. But the salary is lucrative and it would be a GREAT career move for Penn.

So it's still of interest to us, but there are a few... obstacles. And wasn't I just praying that God would send us obstacles if this thing wasn't quite right for Penn? We've brainstormed about three pages of solutions to problems that we think would prevent the resort from being smoothly run/successful. So we'll just see. There are a couple of other interesting, somewhat similar, positions that we expressed interest in over the weekend. So, who knows.

Thank you so much to those of you who commented or e-mailed to tell me you would pray for us. I really appreciate it! The thought of someone I don't even know speaking to God on our behalf is just so neat.

The nice thing is that we are in no big hurry. We are getting closer and closer to Penn's end-of-year 10% bonus, which is enticing, and an important part of our retirement planning/saving. And now that fall is practially here, I feel pretty content to stay here for another season or two. So we'll keep our eyes and ears open. We're ready to move with only a couple weeks notice (although I have GOT to start organizing the garage, so we'll really be ready!), but also happy to settle in for the autumn/winter. But when 2008 arrives, we'll step the job search up a notch or two.

So change is still in the air. But so is fall. And the joy that autumn brings to my heart is overpowering my heart's desire for change. Although the weekend weather was nice, today it is gloriously foggy and drizzly. And not the typical Seattle overcast that burns off mid-morning and turns into a summer day. Really, truly fall-like weather. Last night we had a huge (for us) thunderstorm, which is somewhat rare around here. We loved the late summer thunder and lightning storms that were a nightly occurence when we lived in Connecticut. So we threw open all the bedroom windows and watched for a while. Then we fell asleep to sights and sounds of the storm and the smell of fresh air, rain, and the beach down the cliff.

We interrupt this blog to report that Penn just called me about another interesting job that he spoke with someone about. So I must dash so I can help him draft a follow-up e-mail.

A personal assistant's job is never done. :)