The NEW JOB!!!

I'm absolutely blown away.  I got the job.  I was told I'd be notified in two weeks.  Instead they called the day after they finished all the interviews - three days after my interview I got the offer.  Not only did I get the job but they are paying me the top salary for that position.  I'm still in shock.  The grand kids asked if I was going to turn the heater on tonight since we are going to be "rich".  No.  I'll burn a fire in the wood stove. 

There will be a couple of huge changes with this new position.  First, I will no longer work for the state of California.  Second, I will not be sent out of town for weeks on end every time the state has some emergency.  Third, I have to give back the state truck, computer, printer, cell phone, Internet connection and my badge.  I really like the Ford F250 4x4 pickup.  It's been a fun vehicle as long as I didn't have to turn around on a two track trail!  Fourth, the new job is only four days per week but very long days.  I will be away from home 13 hours a day for three of the days.  The fourth day I get to work at home. 

Being gone long hours is going to be the hardest part.  I'm going to have to plan meals.  No more getting home at 3 in the afternoon and putting together dinner by 6.  I'm not going to even be getting home until 6:30.  The grand kids aren't quite old enough to put together a good dinner each night - but they can learn! 

I'm actually going to like the meal and chore planning part of this new lifestyle.  Putting everything into a prepper perspective, if TSHTF and life changes where I can't spend hours each day hanging out in my kitchen or garden I will need to be more organized and more focused.  Perhaps on Sunday I will make all the meals for the week and stick them into the freezer?  Or I can get a simple recipe using our home store ingredients and have the grand kids make dinner two of those three days.  If Boy makes dinner one night and Girl makes it another, then I will only have to make it on one of my long days.  Even if we start off with Top Ramen, Macaroni and Cheese, or Beefaroni, at least they will be able to start having some responsibility in making meals for more than just themselves.  They do a great job pouring a bowl of cereal and glass of milk at breakfast and making a sandwich for lunch.  Now we can try dinner. 

I'm going to be almost 50 miles away when I'm at the new office. This is a lot different than the less than 15 I am now. I need to completely change the contents of my get home bag.  The weather conditions where I work now and where I live are the same.  Perhaps the temperature is 5 degrees different.  Not so with the new job.  I'm going from 500 foot elevation to 5500 feet.  When I was there for the interview there was snow on the ground.  I'm not used to snow, or ice, or cold!  Where a pair of running shoes would get me home from my present office, I need a good strong pair of boots, a sleeping bag, clothing for a blizzard, and so much more packed up in the get home bag. 

I also need work on the grand kids ability to survive on their own for several days if I can't get back quickly.  On the other hand, they offer local rental housing at the new job if we want to move.  It would definitely be more secluded moving there but it's only for the time you work.  When you leave the company you have to move.  There's a lot to do and a lot to think about over the next month.  

But there's still tomorrow.  I have to go out to the backyard and prune fruit trees and finish getting the garden cleaned up for winter.  I also have Army daughter's 2 year old here.  The little one is getting the best of Army daughter and son-in-law.  And she's only 2!  

It's been a good day.