Working Woman and Preparation

So last Monday was my first day at my new job. It has been a fantastic week! I work at the base Thrift Store which is only open weekdays(except for once a month on a Saturday for three hours). All but Thursdays are within Garrett's hours so it works well for our one car household, I just have to get up at 630 to take him to work, which isn't so fun. The manager, Traci, has wanted to hire me for quite some time but hasn't been able to because of conflicts with the Asst. Manager and not having a position open. She's known since November that she wanted to hire me and was so glad that I was sill available. I started out as one of five pregnant women, one being a volunteer, but by the end of this week will be the only one left except for the volunteer. Traci is super great about allowing me to have snacks, lots of water, and never lets me lift anything large or heavy. She even took over today when I was helping a customer with a headboard. I started out working on the floor; collecting hangers, keeping things straight, that sort of thing. I have received many compliments over the week for how quickly I learn and the way I do things. It's been great! I love working there already. She is training me for a sales associate position, but really wants me to be in charge of a consignment store they want to start within the store because of my background at Plato's. I at least have some experience with consignment-type stores. She told me she basically wants it to be my baby. I get to help set it up and find a system that will work for us this summer, and then it will open in the fall. All growing up I have only ever wanted to be a stay at home mom, and I still do, but Garrett and I have talked about my still working three days a week after the baby comes just so we still have some extra income, and I get to still work doing something I have really come to love. This job is so similar to Plato's Closet, and that was by far the best job I've ever had. I excelled quickly, and it seems I'm doing so here as well. I have received many compliments on how fast I am catching on, the way I organize and clean things(I am a little OCD, okay a lot OCD), and Traci already has expressed that she wants me to help train some of the new girls that are starting this week or so because she likes the way I keep the floor and wants them to learn from me.
It feels so good to be working again. I don't know if it's pregnancy, or just not used to spending hours on my feet a day anymore, but I have found it seems like these shifts are so much longer than ones I ever worked at Plato's. But, I don't mind. It feels so good to be doing something outside of my house and earning money! Koji has not liked it too much that he has to be put in his kennel everyday for at least 6 hours, but he doesn't seem to be taking it too hard. He seems to still love me, so I'm glad about that.

I can not believe that I am just about 14 weeks along now! It seems so crazy. I've started showing just a bit!

Garrett says I look thirteen in this picture... Is it ironic that I'm thirteen WEEKS in it? Sorry, I couldn't help saying it. We find out the gender on June 12th, but haven't decided if we're telling you yet. Sorry, to burst your bubble if you're waiting anxiously. We'll make a decision by then, promise. 

Another perk to my job, anything we can't sell (i.e. kids clothes with paint, even if it's brand new, clothes that have small holes or missing buttons, stains, or missing an unimportant piece) we get to take home for free! The other pregnant girls have said they have more clothes than they possibly need because of it! How awesome?! 

Garrett wants me to update on his accomplishments recently as well, so I will comply since I haven't been great at keeping up regularly. A few weeks ago he had a blues inspection for his shop and he worked really hard making his uniform perfect so he could be the sharpest looking guy there. He definitely succeeded and won a free comp day(basically a day off without having to take leave) by not only looking sharp, but being professional when it came to speaking to the 'grader' while being inspected. He was so proud of himself, and I was too. This last week, or the week before, we also had to get his mobility bag ready which was not a cheap task. As Garrett likes to say, 'The Air Force gave me $100 and took back $99'. A mobility bag is basically an emergency bag that has to have three months worth of supplies, i. e. uniforms, underwear, pt gear, toiletries, etc. He found out about it only a day or two before it had to be complete. And then, he got a new list that didn't say he needed some of the stuff the old one did. Alas, we spent a few nights perusing the BX trying to find the things that all the other guys were trying to find too. There were a few things that made no sense why he needed to have them, for example, conditioner and a comb... He has no hair! But we have survived, with our bank account running a little low this paycheck, and he has all he needs in case he is called for duty unexpectedly. The reason he needed his mobility bag ready is the Air Force was having some sort of inspection last week, so Garrett had a very long week. He was constantly on call, and then had to go in for a mock deployment at 0130 Tuesday morning. He had to do all the processing paperwork and go to the terminal as if he were really deploying. Talk about a long morning.  

We are enjoying Okinawa still. I especially enjoy seeing the blue as jello ocean on clear days everytime I drive to our house. We are looking forward to exploring more as the weather warms and are preparing ourselves for typhoon season. Hope all is well with you! Sure love ya!