A Big, Exciting, Scary Announcement!

For the past couple of years, I've had ideas floating around in my head about different careers I'd enjoy. But honestly, I was too afraid to try. So I stuck with what was familiar and stayed in my comfort zone. I don't know exactly what pushed me to try for more, but I finally got the courage to just try. 

I am starting my own professional organizing/interior design company! I'm equally excited and terrified by this! Okay I lied, I'm probably a little more terrified than excited right now...but great risks lead to great rewards, right!? 

I had my first job on Friday, where we organized the client's entire house. It wasn't as severe as you see on Hoarders, but it was definitely the closest thing I've seen to it in real life. It was very fast-paced and physically demanding, but the finished result was incredible. And the best part was showing the client her new organized home. Such a wonderful feeling!

My business will be called:

 My new website is just about complete and you can check it out here! And I would love for y'all to check out (and maybe like? :) my Facebook page here. The few people I've told so far have been so supportive, and that means the world to me right now! I was especially happy when I saw this comment on yesterday's post:

Allison, you could not have encouraged me at a better time...thank you, sweet friend! :) 

I've always had a passion for both organizing and design, so I'm really excited to get started on this new journey! (Don't I sound like someone on the Bachelor? :)

Employed!

I have a job!

I haven't mentioned anything about working on the blog since we moved to CA. We moved here in August, I got the house all settled and finished at the end of September, then traveled home for Thanksgiving and Christmas. So, we decided that I would wait until after the holidays to start looking. 

So on January 2nd, I started looking at my options. I thought about doing the temp-agency thing, golf courses, and nannying. In the end, I decided the job I would most enjoy is nannying. I'm not a big fan of desk jobs, and I absolutely love kids. 

4 interviews and 3 job offers later, I found the perfect family! Today is my first day, and I think I will be SO happy in this position. The precious little girl is 9 months old, and she is just the happiest baby I've ever seen! Plus, this will satisfy my baby fever for the time being :)

Me and my sweet Meg! I nannied for Meg and her brother, Brooks, in high school!

FIRE!

Before I get to the hilarious/awful story about "The Fire"....

My first day on the job was great! I was constantly surprised at just how nice every person is there. I really enjoyed it, and I can't wait until I really learn how to do everything and get into a routine. Plus, it was someone's birthday today and we got to have cake. Delicious cake. The perfect 1st day!

I am trying hard to not let myself get stressed. It took me almost 2 hours to get home, and I was exhausted, so I changed into my PJs and plopped down on the couch...and I haven't been able to make myself get up yet. There are so many things I need to do like take down Christmas decorations and starting packing, and my mental list only gets longer everyday. It's also a crazy week for Doug at work, so we might not move as much this weekend as we hoped! But at least I only have to do this long commute for 2 more days!

Okay, now "The Fire"

Doug was tired and stressed last night after he got home from work, so I forced him to take a bubble bath. I have been telling him for years that it is the most relaxing thing you can do, and I decided that is exactly what he needed last night! So I pulled out all of tricks- bubbles, bath salts, candles, and Norah Jones.

I was in another room cleaning when I heard Doug scream,

"PEPPER'S ON FIRE!!!!!"

I see Pep run past me with wide eyes, and Doug tells me what happened. Pep came in to see Doug, Doug reached out to pet Pepper, and Pep's tail caught fire from the candle on the toilet. Pep has a very fluffy tail, and it was ablaze. But when Doug screamed, it scared Pep, he ran, and the fire went out.

I checked his tail and it only burned half way down the hair, so it never touched his skin, THANK GOODNESS!! After we realized he was okay, we couldn't stop laughing. My poor little baby!

Top 10 in 2010

I saw this on a blog and I thought it was a great way to remember how wonderful this year was for us! (These are in no particular order!)

1. Marrying Doug

Obviously, this was my favorite part of the year for many reasons. I married the love of my life, and I also had the wedding I dreamt of since I could talk. And I just love being married to him!

2. My Bachelorette Party

Oh my gosh, this might have been the most fun night of my life. I love these girls!! My MOH, Brittany, did an incredible job of planning all of it!

3. Getting the perfect job

I am just amazed by God's timing on all of this. I was so frustrated for months, and then I finally let go of it. Once I did that, I found the perfect job for me! I can't wait to get started! My mom and I went shopping a few days ago, and I got the cutest lunchbox, a matching thermos and water bottle! And shockingly enough, they aren't pink! I made myself get a more professional look, black and white, but they are still really cute :)

4. Volunteering for Bliss Animal Haven

This might be the best thing I have ever done. It feels so great to find something that I really care about, and there is nothing better than finding homes for these sweet dogs.

5. Organizing Pins for Pups, the bowling fundraiser

This event made me so happy. We were able to raise enough money to buy a new transport van to take the dogs to adoption events, and it was so rewarding to see how we could make a big difference for these innocent animals and the directors of Bliss.

6. Graduating from UGA

See how happy I am? I waited a looooooong time for this. Well, I was only there for 4 years but I am just not a school person. I loved Athens and the experience, but class = no fun.

7. Having Pep finally come live with us

Pep is Doug's first cat, and it makes me so happy to see how much he loves Pepper now! He didn't really want it to happen, but Pep kind of stole his heart! :)

8. Sending Christmas cards and decorating for our first married Christmas together

If you haven't noticed by now, I love Christmas. It is such a happy time, and it has been so wonderful to spend it with my new hubby!

9. Visiting Charleston for the first time

I adore this city. I had always wanted to go, and my parents were going there during my mom's spring break. The night before they were leaving, I made a quick decision to join them (best decision ever). Of course, I missed a lot of class that week, but it was totally worth it! I would love to live there someday.

10. Our honeymoon

Our honeymoon was incredible!! We think it's very important to just escape from our lives every once in a while and just enjoy each other. The resort was absolutely perfect, and we are counting down the days until we can go back!

Employed!

I GOT A JOB! I GOT A JOB! I GOT A JOB!

Can you tell I'm excited!?

I not only have a job, but I have a job that I think I will love. I am the new receptionist/administrative assistant at a law firm downtown. As I mentioned in my last post, I had an interview yesterday. It went really well, and I left feeling that it was the perfect job for me. I loved everyone I met. The daily routine of the job sounds wonderful. And....there is a mall/food court at the bottom of the building! HELLO, PERFECTION!

The timing of it couldn't be more perfect. This summer, I really struggled with being unemployed (I was NOT a fan). It was a difficult thing to get over, but once I finally started believing that it will happen when it should, it did! And I am so glad it happened this way. God had plans for me that I couldn't have imagined, and it, once again, reminds me that I need to trust His timing with my life. I am a planner, so this can be hard for me! 

I start January 3rd (to give me enough time to recover after my surgery!) and I am just so excited to get started. This is my first, real grown-up job! HALLELUJAH!