New Job! (a post from Joe)

Some folks that read this blog probably already know, but for those of you who don't...
My sales job at Sweetwater Sound wasn't really working out, so I had been looking for a new job in the area. On a whim, I decided to send in my resume for a broadcast engineering position. After a couple of weeks, I sorta forgot about it and figured nothing would come of it. Then...I got an email from a guy who said he wanted to set up an interview. Wow...great!

The position was for Chief Engineer of 3 stations in the Fort Wayne area, so I was a little worried that they wanted more experience than I had (given only my College radio experience). To my surprise, they said that I definitely had the "right mix", and wanted to set up another interview.

To shorten the story a bit, they offered me the job at the beginning of my third meeting with them. I accepted the job instantly (ecstatic about the offer and excited about doing radio engineering again).

So after my second week at the job, my only worry is that I'll like it too much. Since it's a salary job with lots of responsibility, I may be putting in some long hours - but if I'm enjoying the work, I don't think I'll mind. Besides, anything beats sitting in a cubicle for eight hours a day pretending to be someone you're not. (nothing against Sweetwater, but I'm just not a sales guy....give me something to fix or build, please)

I have both an office and a workshop - no more cubicles - no more telephone headset - no more unpaid (and mandatory) 7am meetings - no more commissioned sales - no more customers to deal with. Whoohoo!

One other really cool thing is that I was hired in as a manager. Pretty cool, since the only thing I have to manage is myself and a couple of Engineering budgets. I get to go to an awesome meeting every month too..."Department heads only, please... can you go on ahead and wait outside?"

So far, most of the work has been making myself a "base camp". The station I work out of hasn't ever had a resident Chief Engineer, so there are plenty of things that I'm missing, like tools and test equipment. At the same time, there are lots of old things that have been sitting around...things that a Chief Engineer would have put in a dumpster if he existed. Typewriters?! Think those will get used again? My Magic 8 Ball said no.

Anyway, the new job is awesome. I get to do everything I love. Computer networking, electronics, audio technology, RF communication, and a smattering of carpentry....

Radio station culture is also a pretty neat thing... I have yet to meet someone without a distinct personality. I feel pretty ordinary around them, but I'm still getting cozy. They'll meet the real me soon.

Thankfully, God was looking out for me - I know I didn't land this gig on my own. Thanks to everyone who prayed for me, too. The last six months have been insane with all the life changes going on, but I'm pumped.

Baby Beethoven

The other night we started putting the headphones on my belly so that our baby could listen to some music... I tried several pieces and it seems the music that he responded to the most was Beethoven... so we sat and listened to a symphony. He will either end up hating classical or like it, we'll see which. Perhaps it will stimulate his little developing brain cells and he will be a little prodigy like Beethoven :)

Our first Thanksgiving on our own

Well this year was our first Thanksgiving on our own, even though we have been married for 3 years. Due to my work schedule we were unable to make it home. ( My work schedule is really beginning to be a drag... I work ALL THE TIME). So we made the best of it... I had gotten home from work that morning and slept for a couple of hours and than we got up and began to make our own little feast. We made turkey... stuffing...mashed potatoes... salad...pumpkin pie... The turkey was the first time we had ever and Joe took it upon himself to see to the bird, I was thankful since cleaning them up is kinda gross! Once it was in the oven we proceeded to nap away the afternoon. Dinner was ready to eat about 7pm... The turkey was pretty good, stuffing could have used more seasoning (I tried :). We ate a pretty lonely meal with just the two of us, and realized that Thanksgiving is about much more than food. We do have a lot to be thankful for this year, and we weren't forgetting that, but the company of family was definitely missing.
Unfortunately after the meal was through I had to get around and go back to work that night... hospital nursing has it's downsides, especially around the holidays.

24 Week ultrasound

Sorry I have neglected to update this thing recently! This past Monday we were able to have our first ultrasound and take a little pick at our baby boy :) Or so that is what was concluded we were having... it looks pretty certain to me. We are both excited! So far the pregnancy is going very well, and all my measurements are on track. It is crazy for me to think that in March we are actually going to meet this little boy! That is not that far away! By that time I am sure I will very ready for introductions, considering the fact that I already feel very large! By that time I will be a blimp...
I have been starting to have some swelling issues in my lower legs. Every morning I come home from work, and I am walking on balloons! Well, maybe not exactly that bad but quite swollen. I am on my feet almost the entire night and reaping the consequences. My blood pressure has been okay so I am not worried about it being the problem, and I need to start monitoring my sodium intake... anything to rid myself of my cankles! I have to keep telling myself, " I'll get my body back". I sincerely hope that it's true... Mom's sure do sacrifice a lot! Eh, I take that back... look at the precious gift we get in the end. I am sure I won't be thinking about my swollen ankles when I can look into this little man's face :)

Here's a picture so you can see my progress...


Belly at 24 wks

Apple...Juice!

Joe received a new toy last night... well I guess it really is a toy for the both of us :) However it will be used for more than just fun. We bought a model that would be capable of handling programs so that Joe can actually do sound and video editing. It is really sharp looking, and oh so shiny!! Check it out...