New Year... new me.

It is hard to believe that the last post I wrote on here was September 15, 2009! SOOOOO much has changed since then. So, let's do a little catching up...

New name... Let's just hit the big one first- I have had a name change. Jason and I split up and the divorce was final the first week of December. Most of you reading this know all the details, so there isn't any need to go into them again. Bottom line... it was tough and sad but for the best. Jason and I still talk occasionally and we are moving on with our lives.

New address... After being home owners for less than a year, Jason and I sold our house last November. However, even before that we had decided to separate so I moved out. Since last September I have been living with a friend named Sally. A lot of you know her since many of us met the same way... through Amy Stanley. Sally and I became closer when we were set up as roommates on Bachelorette cruise for a mutual friend. I really got to know her that weekend and discovered what an amazing and interesting person she is. When I asked her if I could move in with her, she never even hesitated. She told me to come, bring Cheyenne and stay as long as I needed to get things worked out. There hasn't been a day since that I haven't been incredibly grateful for her patience, generosity and love. When this started, I had hoped it would be temporary while Jason and I worked out our lives. However, that takes us to the other new thing...

New job... Last October, I lost the job that I loved and have blogged about so many times. It was such a heartless and brutal experience, I don't want to give them any more time on my fun blog. I don't work there anymore... that's that. Fast forward to now and boy have things changed!! After being unemployed for over 2 months and having no income other than what my parents and a few friends provided, our prayers were answered. After three interviews and a long process, I was hired by ShoreTel, a VoIP communications company. Part of the hiring deal was that I had to go to California to be trained at their headquarters. Has anyone ever known me to turn down a trip ANYWHERE?? So, as I write this, I am sitting in a hotel in Sunnyvale, California. I am here for three weeks to learn my job because I will be the first member of that department to be in their new Austin office. I have been here since January 12th and will stay through February 3rd. (I am also coming back for a week in late March.) So far, I love it. Plus, I have never been to this part of California so it has been an adventure. I will blog soon about my weekend adventures into San Francisco!

New Year... So, that brings us up to date, for the most part. I have very high hopes for 2010. There will be no more days of sitting in the living room crying out of boredom or loneliness. This year is all about the positives. I am going to continue living with Sally until I can pay off my "divorce debt" and catch up from being unemployed. Then I will turn my focus to saving up to move into my own cute little place. I am going to absorb everything at work and appreciate what it is sure to provide me.

New ME... These past months have really humbled me. It has taught me so much and forced me to look at some things head on. I learned that there are times in our lives that we have to ask for help. And during those times, you just swallow your pride and do it. As my Dad told me, "That is what family does." I know that many of my friends feel the same way too. It made me look around and realize how loved I was and how many people I have in my life that want to help. I also learned to lean on God more. Its just not as easy as it might sound. However, there have been some times during all of this that His presence was SO clear to me. I could feel Him loving on me. I know for a fact that there are people He put in my life years ago in preparation for right now.

There are so many people to thank...

My parents... Not only for all of the material things they helped with but for their love and support. They have also provided a safe and happy home for Zoe & Gypsy while I get settled. I am so blessed with you as parents.

My family... I know you all prayed for me.

Sally... words cannot express what you have done and continue to do for me.

There are so many other people that I am afraid I will forget someone. The last thing I want to do is hurt your feelings. Hopefully, you will see yourself somewhere in these words below...

Thank you to those that brought me food when I had none, spent hours in the kitchen preparing food for me to take home and freeze and even providing Cheyenne with food. Thank you to those that listened as I cried, had pity-parties and whined. Thank you to those that let me come over in sweats, no makeup and had no expectations of me being any fun. Thank you to those that took me to lunch just to get me out of the house. Thank you to those that would slip me that $20 bill and refuse to call it a "loan". Thank you to those that would text, email or call me on a regular basis, just to "check in". Thank you to those went on walks with me and Cheyenne so that I could get some fresh air. You all contributed to the New Me.

My next blog will explain the meaning of this sign...