Sick Keiraboo

I really can't complain even though Keira's been sick since Saturday afternoon. However, she managed to have a great time before really getting sick. After dinner G'pa Jim and G'ma Margaret were nice enough to take Keira overnight and take her out the next day for some fun.  Mark and I were able to enjoy an entire movie (Case 39 - creepy, but predictable) and get a full night of sleep! It was fantastic! As you can see from the photos below, Keira thoroughly enjoyed herself and loved spending time with her grandparents before they're off on their next adventure.

At Edinborough Park

Breakfast at Brueggers

Back to the illness. Saturday morning she developed a bit of a cough and buy Saturday afternoon she was full blown sick with a fever, cough, congestion and slight wheezing. Poor girl. It was pretty awful through Saturday and Sunday, but she seems to be on the mend though her symptoms still persist. As I mentioned, I can't complain. Keira is an amazing little girl when she's sick. Her energy and spirit remain in tact, for the most part. Sure there's some whining and low energy levels, but that happens to the best of us! She's not even 4 and is the perfect little patient. She's enjoyed staying home with me both Monday and today. She even said, "I can't go to school today because I'm sick. Right, Mommy?" Hmm...I have a feeling she's going to pull the "I'm sick" card sooner than expected to get out of school. Oh, boy!

From Consumer Electronics to...Beds????

It's official...The search is over. I will be an employee of Select Comfort as of March 21, 2011. So, what is the connection between consumer electronics and mattresses? Well, if the following photo is any indication, apparently having a Sleep Number bed helps you not only use your laptop, but also helps you get closer to the one you love. I never knew I could impact lives in such a huge way!

In all seriousness I accepted an offer from the Plymouth, MN-based company just a couple of days ago. After the FOUR rounds of interviews I was pleased with what I learned about the company, the people I met and the offer they put in front of me. While I was entertaining another company, I decided this was the opportunity I couldn't pass up. If it wasn't for the ridiculous commute I'll be facing each day (50 minutes each way without traffic), I'd be doing backflips.  While I'm sad that my extended "holiday" will quickly be ending I'm also looking forward to getting back into some hefty work and exercising my brain again. So...What's your sleep number?

Keira and I have enjoyed our time at home together and it's one aspect I'm sad to let go of when I return to work. I guess that just means we'll have to make the most of the weekends and evenings we have together! Today we had a blast with our friends, Ms. Sarah, Will (aka Keira's husband) and Grace. They came over, played and had lunch at our place. Keira really loves it when her friends come visit! She has another friend coming over soon and then she gets to hang out with her Grandpa Jim and Grandma Margaret for an overnight stay!! What a busy and fun day!

Lunch was mac 'n cheese, carrot sticks and grapes...Mmm.
William and Keira enjoyed sitting together on the same chair.

Not Working Is Great...

Minus the lack of income and monotony...

It has been quite awhile since I last wrote. You'd think I'd have more time given that I haven't been working since October 1st...If you're confused, let me back track. In the midst of the 5th (maybe 6th) re-org/restructure at BBY, the HR team notified those of us whose positions had been eliminated that the severance packages were being improved from 1 week/year of employment to 6 months. After some deliberation (it didn't take much convincing) I declared, "Sign me up and can we move my separation date to Oct 1st (rather than end of Nov)?!" So, after 6 1/2 years at the consumer electronics giant, I left. I thought I'd be freaked out, but as I walked out the doors for the last time, the only thing I regretted was knowing I wouldn't see some of my favorite colleagues and friends as often. Other than that, it was like a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders.

BBY Headquarters where I spent 6 1/2 years.  Au Revoir!

So...I enjoyed the holidays by having all the time in the world to shop for gifts, play with Keira, stay in my PJs all day when weather conditions warranted it (quite often this year I must add), take time wrapping gifts, decorating the house, catching up with family and friends, going to the movies, watching soaps (yep, guilty pleasure), etc. Somehow I managed to fill up almost every single day with activities and things to do. It truly has been a privilege to have this time off even though there are times I wonder how I ever got so much done while working full time. I figure I must've just been more efficient or something.

Did I mention I like wrapping gifts?

Back to the present...I was really going to make an effort to keep up with blogging, but I literally pack ever single day with activities and things to get done. Everything from working out, cooking, grocery shopping, doing chores, volunteering, meeting up with friends and family, facebooking, e-mailing, applying for jobs, interviewing, going to the library, playing with Keira, cleaning, etc have kept me busy. I know it doesn't sound like much, but trust me, I am maximizing my time off. I even have to "schedule" a day for me here and there or I almost always fill up the day with things that don't often qualify as "fun" things to do. It's hard to fight the Type A personality that is innate.

I am ready to go back to work...I think!

In January I started to research companies and positions and am now actively applying for and interviewing for jobs. I'm hoping to get an offer out of my latest round of interviews, but also know the importance of keeping the pipeline full. So, if you know of any open positions for marketing and/or product management in the Twin Cities metro area, let me know!

And, that is the update and you are officially caught up!