Last weekend we celebrated my niece’s sixteenth birthday. Damn. Long days and short years indeed. Still, it was a good chance to catch up with that side of the family. I also find it amusing that the youngins are picking up crocheting. Which does give The Wife and my niece something to discuss. Plus, the niece was quite pleased when The Wife and MIL sent over a large bag of their excess yarn and hooks.

Last Sunday The Wife, BIL, SIL, and SIL’s friend – and me – went out on a boat excursion. Obstensibly the goal was to see dolphins and manatees. We caught a glimpse of a couple of dolphins, but no manatees. Wendell must have been having a company-wide meeting. We did see some spectacular coastal homes. We also found out that the captain’s wife works at The Wife’s old company. As The Wife puts it “insurance is a small world.”

I am applying for a new position. Nothing wrong with my current one, it’s just this is a really good opportunity for someone of my experience and skill set. So much of a good opportunity that I had no less than seven colleagues make sure that I was aware of the opening. I take that as a professional compliment. It’s been interesting because I haven’t had to apply for a position in probably thirteen years. And writing resumes for the .gov is not like doing one for the private sector. It’s also a big change, which brings up some irrational anxiety. Mostly irrational because I’m already doing part of the new position already (and have been for about five years now). Yet, I’ve been in the same job for the last thirteen years. I’ve made it my own, and that’s hard to leave. I also love my work team, which I would hate to leave. But it’s too good of an opportunity. It’s also most likely going to require some time in the office, which means we many need to acquire another Ward Wagon.