It's a brand new chapter!
Susan and I have now finished our fourth day at CKMedia, and we LOVE our jobs! Everyone is incredibly helpful, kind, and welcoming. It's also very interesting for us to be a part of the scrapbooking industry from another side of the hobby. It has actually been very helpful to have been affiliated with the magazines as designers, as we understand some of the processes from having been on the other end of situations. We feel especially blessed that we came into our positions already having met many of the team members and contributors through previous events, so there have been lots of hugs and reunions.
For the first couple of days we went through a lot of training, much of which seemed a bit overwhelming, but once we got opportunities to jump in and actually work on some articles, do some proofing and formatting, and send submission response letters, we really began to feel the groove. We can't say enough about the great staffs at Creating Keepsakes and Paper Crafts. I can't think of one person who isn't terrific! They really care about the work they are doing and the audiences they serve.
A red letter day arrives tomorrow, as our moving van brings us our earthly treasures. We've been bravely surviving with only what we brought in our cars and bought at Target and IKEA. This is the first night we aren't putting together furniture! (Susan is the relentless one in that department...I tend to get a little cranky having to do too much assembly-type work. I like to shop and decorate!) Anyway, we do have to give props to IKEA in particular for having inexpensive furniture that meets our needs. Fortunately the chain opened its new Draper location just a few months before we moved here!
And we are very excited about the baptisms of our nephews David and Jonathan! They received a blessing at birth but went through an actual ceremony last weekend!
We wish we could have celebrated with them, but we rejoice in this milestone and are thankful that we will be seeing them in just a few weeks, as they are coming back to the United States after several months in Istanbul for several summer events, including Mom and Dad's 50th wedding anniversary in early August. Can't express how we are looking forward to planting some kisses on those little faces!
Utah is insanely beautiful, with snow-capped purple mountain majesty surrounding the valley. Just to our south is Utah Lake. We are getting settled in our townhome, but we're eagerly anticipating opening up our boxes and arranging our furniture. How lovely it will be to sit on a couch instead of the floor to watch TV in the evenings!
So, it's early in this new chapter, but so far everything seems to foreshadow an interesting and varied plot. We sure hope you keep reading on to see what happens!
Beth
glad you are settling in. have fun rediscovering all the things in your moving boxes. :)
Posted by: Amy Nabors | June 13, 2008 at 05:35 AM
Glad to hear ya'll are settling in - and again, congrats - I know you are both so excited. Can't wait to hear more!!
Posted by: lisa tanner | June 13, 2008 at 07:15 AM
I am so glad to see your update and most of all your smiling faces. Did I say how much I miss you already? Just know you aren't across town makes me weepy. Oh well! I am so very very proud of both of you and your accomplishments. You fit in anywhere you go! Can't wait to see you climb the ladder of success! Can't wait for your truck to arrive! have a fun weekend unpacking! Wish I was there to help!
Love you both!
Posted by: Karen Monroe | June 13, 2008 at 07:26 AM
I am glad that you had a safe trip. Good to see that you found your groove already. Keep in touch!
Posted by: Mary | June 13, 2008 at 08:43 AM
It sounds like a fun adventure in store for both of you in your new jobs. Enjoy keep taking pictures. See you in August!
Posted by: Jeanne | June 13, 2008 at 09:32 AM
You made it!! Way to go!! Wishing you both much success and happiness in your new dream careers. Follow that dream!! Love and Hugs!
Posted by: Aunt Sylva | June 13, 2008 at 12:12 PM
Big scream!!!!!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH1
I can't believe you are there!
I hope all of your things arrived safely!
Your town home looks so cute! I need the story, because last I heard you were hotel-bound. Another miracle?
I bet the adrenaline was pumping that first day at the office!
Yea for you!
Posted by: carolyn mcafee | June 13, 2008 at 02:55 PM
Yay! You're there! I hope you post about your drive from Indiana to Utah...I bet that alone was an adventure! Congratulations to you both!
Posted by: barb | June 13, 2008 at 07:59 PM
Hi!!!!!!!!!!!!(frantically waving like a madwoman!!!!)
So glad you had safe travels to Utah. Your town home looks adorable and DANG what a view! You both so cute and happy and "right" in your new offices there!
Is your email the same? Shoot me an email and let me know. We gotta talk and catch up girls!!!!
Posted by: Carrie | June 13, 2008 at 09:57 PM
Glad to hear all is well! Do you miss your teacher's desks yet? You sure don't look like it!!! ;) Good luck setting up house (I'm with Beth - HATE that part of things!). Enjoy the blessings of a life planned just for you! :)
Posted by: Tracey Wilder | June 14, 2008 at 07:37 AM
Very happy for you girls! Look forward to hearing more...
Posted by: Carrie | June 14, 2008 at 06:12 PM
Glad you two are settling in and loving your new jobs!
I'm with Beth too! I'd be perfectly happy if I never had to move again!
Take care!
Posted by: garsy | June 14, 2008 at 07:46 PM
So, so glad everything is going well so far! I loved the pictures from your trip, and your new place looks sweet. And I'm with Susan, I'm the official IKEA-furniture-assembler in the family (I even have a scar on my wrist from where the allan wrench slipped when I was building one of the TEN dining room chairs!)
Posted by: Joni | June 15, 2008 at 06:15 AM
oh... and the bling on Susan's shelf... priceless!
Posted by: Joni | June 15, 2008 at 06:16 AM
Yeah, so happy that you arrived safely and you're settling in! Have fun unpacking! :)
Posted by: Diane DiTullio | June 15, 2008 at 12:08 PM
Kudos and blessings!
Melissa
Posted by: Melissa | June 16, 2008 at 04:16 PM
That's really cool to see you at your desks - WOOHOO!! You seem to like it there so far :) Thanks for the update - been thinking about ya!!
Posted by: Sue Fields | June 17, 2008 at 06:29 AM
You made it! Yeah!! Glad to hear you found a house. I want to hear more details and see more pictures, though. I've been checking in daily to see if you've got the story up. Give my best to the CK team.
Posted by: Lanna | June 17, 2008 at 11:35 AM
Glad to see you guys made it! Looks beautiful and you look quite comfortable in your new profession. Hope all is well and please keep in touch! :)
Posted by: carrie mowrey | June 17, 2008 at 05:39 PM
amazing view where you are living. you both look so cute in your offices. :) good to hear everything is going smoothly. :)
Posted by: Amy W. | June 18, 2008 at 08:02 AM
i'm soooo excited for you both - what an awesome adventure! i can't wait to hear about how the publishing industry works and all that fun stuff, not to mention your beautiful surroundings :) keep those posts coming!!
Posted by: kelz | June 20, 2008 at 02:08 PM
Congrats on chasing your dreams. I am so excited for both of you.
Can't wait to read more. Way to go girls!
Posted by: Ruth Ann | June 21, 2008 at 06:24 AM