Much afoot...

There have been many things going on in my life and I have been busy to say the least. We have had mandatory OT for the past six weeks ranging from 4 to 10 hours per week. The extra money is nice, but as a newly engaged woman I would much rather be spending that precious time with Brent. It's hard to work 10 hour days and come home with energy. The sad part is, this will continue until the end of February. Last year, the requirement got up to 14 hours a week. FUN!

Besides that, about three weeks ago my company had a "realignment" and laid off over a hundred people. I am fortunate to still be employed but I did get transferred to a new department. That also entailed obtaining a new location in the building and new boss. Neither of which I minded to be perfectly honest. I love my new desk. It is more private and larger. The atmosphere is also more quiet and focused, which are both positives. I didn't always click with my old boss either so was glad that changed. As Brent says, I got a fresh start and didn't even need to do anything.

Now I am getting special attention from my new manager and feel like I am an "engaged" part of my team again. It's great. Work has become a lot less stressful due to these changes and I am so grateful for that. I was ready to start looking but didn't want to leave my teammates with such full plates. That wouldn't be very nice, would it? ;)

With all of that happening at work, my mom has gotten some bad reports from the doctor and I convinced my sister that I should get married sooner rather than later. So, now we are planning on June of 2008 (instead of 2009). She had initially wanted to wait until she was moved back to the US to help me plan, but she can help me plan via Skype as we proved this past Sunday. Poor Brent about lost it listening to two sisters discussing wedding details! We want to keep it as simple as possible but are waiting for Georgia's vacation dates to cement a location and date.

I have also been thinking a great deal about family as the wedding and holidays approach. It hasn't gotten any easier being away from my parents on Thanksgiving or Christmas. Last year I experienced them both without any immediate family members. I have been welcomed into Brent's family with open arms, but there is nothing like my mom's warm embrace and daddy whispers of "Merry Christmas Little Girl." Just thinking about it brings tears to my eyes. With work requiring so much overtime, I only get the actual holiday off and will most likely have to work Christmas Eve this year. Maybe not a complete day, but it will be something.

But anytime you have new management, there are questions with no answers as of yet. It all requires patience which I have plenty of. We were dumped on a new team so of course they don't have all of the answers. And believe, we are analysts so we have TONS of questions.

I feel like I have written too much, but is it ever really enough? I am so happy right now despite missing my family and being at work too much. I am so in love. Tonight Brent had dinner waiting on me when I got home at almost 8 pm. What did I do to deserve such a loving man? I haven't always been so fortunate in love and that just further emphasizes what a prize I have now. I am truly loving life.