Transition

I quit my job.

Most of you know this from Facebook or have heard it from me.  It was shocking to most of my friends and acquaintances.  Heck, it was shocking to me.  The main reason I decided now was the time to move on was Dean.  I just don't get enough time with him when I'm working from 9am-8pm each day with a one-hour commute each way.  Most mornings I was gone before he woke up and most evenings I didn't make it home for bedtime.  Things came up at work suddenly over the past few months that caused me to miss a field trip, a trip to see Santa, and trick-or-treating.  These may not sound like big deals, but when you're also missing dinner, school pick-up, and story time at night, they are HUGE deals.  Marcus is directing a show in the spring and he's also on a committee that will keep him very busy in February, right around the time my first spring show would be going into tech.  We don't have a go-to babysitter like we used to, and we weren't really sure what we were going to do about childcare.  Add to that the fact that Marcus is up for tenure this spring and the fact that neither of us feels like we've really put down roots where we live, and I'd say that's a good reason for a change.

I was blessed to find a new job quickly, really before I'd started looking. On Wednesday, I'll join the staff at Birmingham Children's Theatre as Director of Touring.  I'll be mainly responsible for booking our four touring shows, writing technical riders, getting the specs of the spaces where we'll perform, arranging accommodations, etc.  I'll still get to use my bag of tricks and my theatre management skills, but I'll work M-F, 8:30-4:30.  I'll be home every night for dinner and bed time. I'll be home every weekend. If Dean gets sick? I can go pick him up.  It seems very normal. I don't exactly know how to function in a "normal" schedule, but I'm looking forward to figuring it out.

My last day at ASF, Dec. 23, was a bittersweet one.  It was hard to clean off my bulletin board and take my name off my mailbox, and even harder to call the last cue of my show.  There were countless hugs and thank-you's and good wishes exchanged. My precious intern company made me a Christmas ornament which they all signed.  I received some cards with such beautiful, touching words that I can't even look at the envelopes without tearing up.  I walked out on my own terms, though, with my head high, very proud of the years I put into that place. 

On to the next adventure.

Comments

[J]

This will be a very exciting new chapter in your life and career. Praying for God's blessings on you, Marcus and Dean as you all get used to the new schedule and having lots more time together. It's going to be great and I'm so happy for you, Sweetie.

I love you,
J