Career Opportunities x 3.

Yes! Which is to say the answer is NO! Michael’s mega bank potential employer has decided to reopen its search for a dedicated full time employee! It didn’t say no to him, it just said maybe later, dude. And meanwhile, it would like to utilize Michael’s talents as a consultant on specific projects. He can do it all, right? Focus on Red House numbers while advising the bank now and then? This I like - as it means no major changes at home or Red House - for now, anyway. What an instant mood elevator and anxiety reducer! (And I’ve needed it!) I told him I might even be willing to hop a plane to Charlotte with my overnight bag if he’s working on something. Meanwhile, I’m thinking a celebratory “bullet-dodged” dinner at Martini House and a nice bottle of Anderson Valley’s Roederer Brut Rosé are in order – Cheers!

And there’s yet more employment news to report as niece Natalie has taken a first step towards a career involving her love of marine life. It is a small step, but could be significant in both determining her interest level and coming up with a longer-range plan of action. Nat’s going to spend her mornings taking care of office fish! She’ll be driving a van full of chemicals and “replacements” to various medical and dental offices, recovery centers (!) and managed care facilities where tanks of active finned friends add a measure of calm, color and distraction to people’s lives. She’ll clean and feed and tend to the dead (fish only!) as necessary. There’s a larger variety of critters swimming in tanks here in the twin valleys than I would have guessed, and maintaining the correct ph levels in salt and freshwater, and learning what swims well with others will be part of Nat’s day. I think it’s great! Afternoons she’ll still be helping out at Stefan’s parents’ winery. So, this is going to be a very busy 20 year old and I can also take comfort in that. And I bet my sister and her husband are having their own celebratory dinner for this milestone.

Finally, we made Kerin’s day by formally changing her job title from Receptionist to Client Relations Manager, with new business cards to prove it. There’s a raise too, which came earlier so she could qualify for the loan on the condo she’s buying. She’ll continue to be my right hand on client contact and new business development, plus gaining more experience as my design assistant – too much for one person’s business card. For now though, she still has to answer the phones!