There are some big changes happening at our house... As most of you know I have had the most fabulous job anyone could ever ask for! Not only do I love what I do but also my boss is my best friend here in Denver. I was fortunate
enough to start working at Innovative Spaces in August of 2003, the same week Jeremy and I got married! (that was stressful) Anyway I have survived a few rounds of layoffs over the years and I was the last employee left at Innovative.
About 2 years ago everyone was laid off due to lack of work... the beginnings of the bad, make that terrible, housing market. Anyway at that time
Adie was just about a year old and Kristin made me a deal I couldn't pass up. So I continued to work for her but on a commission/contract employee basis. It made Jeremy really nervous but at the same time there were not
a lot of jobs going around for interior designers at the time, or even now. Kristin and I have had a great last 2 years with models and residential design to fill our time and pay the bills. I fell into the role quite nicely and
literally had the best of both worlds, working 3 days a week while
Adie spent 2 days in school and 1 day at Jeremy's parents house. I couldn't have been happier!
Every time it started to get scary something would get added to our to do list and keep us going. That being said we haven't had a whole lot of work since about April. I decided it was time to pull
Adie out of school so I could save the money and ride this one out. (Emmy never went) When she asked when she was going back I told her she was out for the summer... little did I know there was some truth to that. So we have been enjoying our time together, us 3 girls, playing stay at home Mommy. And while I never thought I would, I have really enjoyed being home with them. I do love my work and hoped that one day I could return to my best of both worlds
scenario. Colby joined us in July for his summer break and we had a great time together going and doing as I love to do. I have also really enjoyed spending so much time with him... just
enough of a kid in him that he still thinks I'm cool, but now grown up
enough to be helpful and fun!
Well about mid July I pulled the last bit of money out of our savings account... right about the time Kristin & I both
received an email from our wallpaper rep, Karen, who I have worked with since the beginning of my career. She is one of the nicest people I
have ever come across. Anyway her email read "Richmond needs a designer... do you ladies know anyone?" I of course thought to myself and eventually replied ... "I guess I need a job" Well after a few rounds of emails between Karen, and Richmond I have landed myself a job with Richmond American Homes. I have to say in the 2 or 3 weeks that it took to get all of it worked out... interviewing paperwork etc I was unsure how it would all come together properly. But I have been assured once again that God is great and watches over us. Really how ironic is it that over and over again the past few years he has kept me
employed in some form or fashion... and then just when things were going to get ugly financially around here there he was again making sure we are
OK. Just to give you a little more insight into my road to employment... Karen only emailed Kristin and I, and Richmond only interviewed me. There is not a design job to be had in this town and I got one, how crazy is that. And as a junior design
position, a demotion for me, I never thought it would pay well
enough to put to kids in daycare. But after all of those worries I have been taken care of, yet again.
So after a few weeks of interviewing and waiting for an offer and then a week to get myself and my kids ready... I started my new job on August 3! Corporate America here I come. Richmond does all of their model homes "in-house" rather than hiring an outside firm like Innovative Spaces. So I work at the corporate office that oversees all of Richmond homes across America. 5 floors of people, polices and whatever else corporate America entails!
So as of last Friday I completed my first week at my new job and all went well. I learned a few things in my first week... like why I was hired. Richmond typically hires designers right out of school and "raises" them to do things there way. But after 3 pregnancy's in a group of about 8, all of those pregnancies being in the "higher ups" they need someone who knows how to design a model by themselves. They had told me in my interview that they new I was taking a lower position but had plans to promote me quickly... now I know why! I was given my first house to complete by myself at 10 am Monday morning... that was surprising! I have done many houses on my own but I never expected that... so off to work I went!
a few new experiences for me....
a cubical... I've never had one of those!
a dress code... didn't have one of those either!
and how about 8 -5 ... yep I've never done that gig either. I usually went to work at about 9 or 10 and worked til about 1 or 2 on Fridays... 8 am is definitely going to take some getting used too! (and yes I am fully aware that I am spoiled)
and a badge... with an office building that is actually big enough to need one!
blocked websites.... ie NO facebook!
I am sure I could come up with a few more but I think you get the point! LIFE HAS CHANGED! I had a good first week and I am truly grateful to all of the people who have gotten me where I am... Kristin for teaching me what she knows and for having the confidence in me to set me free and run with it thus giving me the experience I need, Karen for the wonderful things she had to say about me to get me hired and of course God for continuing to bless me and teach me that he does indeed have a plan for all of us... just be patient, go with the flow and follow his lead. I am also so thankful that I have found a wonderful school for Adie and Emmy. They welcomed Adie back with open arms and big hugs. And Emmy well let's just say she has been quite spoiled! Adie gets to come check on her during the day and some of Adies old teachers come and tote her around during their lunch breaks! Those girls are defiantly loved!
Now, I can't say that last week was easy... I cried that I missed my girls and my old schedule but I am truly confident that I am where I am supposed to be for today and that tomorrows God will tell me where he wants me to be then. Until that I am grateful for my new employment!
Here's a look at some of the models I did at Innovative Spaces...
and it looks like come October I will have a new one to share!
My first for Richmond American Homes... stay tuned!
Messy, I know! But a design job is a messy one... so many pieces to fit together the puzzle!
Our 6 year anniversary!
the kids around the campfire
We took the kids back to the Mt. Princeton Hot Springs to swim. (we went last summer as well)
still rolling
Emmy 5 months
what an adorable smile!
