No More Texas Summer Heat?!

We may not have to spend another summer here in Texas!

The foundry in Spokane, Washington that we want Marshall to work for after graduation (May 2014) offered him a summer internship for 2013. In fact, they REALLY want him to do the internship. 

We met Ed, the General Manager of Spokane Industries, on April 30th, at a Foundry Education Foundation (FEF) banquet in San Marcos; he sat to Marshall's left at our table. After completing this summer's internship at Denison, Marshall wanted to contact Ed about employment in the future. He left some messages, and apparently Ed got them. He passed Marshall's name along to the Technical Director Rod along with our story of Marshall being in school and us genuinely wanting to move to the northern Idaho area upon graduation. He really liked that Marshall was "stable" and had a family. 

Well, on Tuesday (I think it was), Rod called Marshall but had to leave a voice message. He explained who he was, that Ed had given him Marshall's name, and overall a very inviting message about wanting to see what they could do for Marshall. He left his direct phone number (no more leaving messages with the secretary) too. They were finally able to speak on the phone Friday afternoon, and that conversation definitely set us on a trajectory to change our lives forever. 

The foundry has zero robots, and Rod was quite interested in Marshall's experience with them from his Denison internship plus the extra curricular involvement he's doing with them right now with Dr. Amari on campus. Rod offered him a summer internship for 2013, and Marshall explained that he'd be interested but did come with some baggage with having a wife and baby. Rod's reaction--"Bring them; we love families!" They would set us up with accommodations and wage, and baby and I could go up there too--spend the entire summer together in the area we eventually want to move to. How much more amazing could this get?! 

Marshall's going to send Rod his resume, which I'm sure will make him like Marshall even more considering his military and computing backgrounds. Rod wrapped up the conversation by saying that he definitely wants to keep in touch with Marshall and build a relationship with him through 2014. Wow!

We went out to dinner to celebrate and talk about how this will affect our future. We see nothing but positives here. After Denison, we decided that we would not move there or take any possible job offer from them upon Marshall's graduation. We discussed what to do about next summer, and decided that if Marshall had an opportunity to do an internship out of state, we would have to all go together because I didn't want to be left here alone in Austin to raise baby during a very critical time in his development. Not to mention how lonely Marshall and I were without each other even with visits every 2-3 weekends. The only way all of us could go together would be if we found someone we trusted to house-sit for us, and we couldn't think of any viable solutions. We decided that Marshall would stay here in Austin and hope that a local opportunity for an internship would arise probably in a non-foundry industry. In the very least, we could raise our son together and he would program full time for income. Now, by going to Spokane and getting our expenses paid for plus a wage comparable to what Denison paid him, going up there sounds like the best option. We're going to talk with cousin Mitchell, who is a year younger than me, and who just moved to Austin 3 weeks ago and has been staying with us, if he would consider staying at our house for next summer. 

I texted my Aunt Lorraine, who lives in CDA, that I had good news and wanted to call. Uncle Jet and Grandma Barbara were also on speaker phone when I shared with them the news of the day and that we might be up there for the entire summer next year. We had planned on going there for a week in early August. It's going to be so amazing living closer to them; my heart rejoices because I love them so much, and they will be such a positive influence on Merrick. They were all really excited! Uncle Jet asked how me coming up for the summer would affect my job, and I said that we plan for me to be a stay-at-home-mom (SAHM) after baby is born. Then thinking about it more, this would be a really good reason why I couldn't come back to work for Pentagon. My FMLA leave will be from December 21st to mid-March, but then if I went back, it would only be for 2 months and then I would be gone for the summer. 

All this excitement is the reason I'm awake at 5am on a Saturday. Can you blame me? :)

Daka, Daka, Daka

 This is the view of Fremont Lake from the cabin balcony. The cabin was started in 1958 and completed in 1965, and is about 10 miles north of Pinedale, Wyoming at 7500 feet. 

 This is a picture of the Windy Range Mountains, and was taken on a little looking point on our way to Elkhart Park where we did a little hiking. Absolutely gorgeous view. 

 This is the little creek we found on our hike in Elkhart Park. It wasn't hidden or anything, but it was just a nice little babbling companion along the trail. The water is amazingly clear and it was quite cold. I love that streams like this still exist, and it makes me want to do everything possible to preserve them so we can take our children to experience them too. 

 Capitan Marshall at the helm! We took the boat out on Fremont Lake, which is pretty big. I even got to steer for a little bit! 

 We stayed at the Dawson family cabin, which was built by Marshall's great-grandfather Elias Dawson and his family. One of the coolest features of the living room is the giant map of the western United States above the fireplace. To the left is a giant buffalo head; to the right is an elk head. 

My little buddy Clark wanted a picture of him and Cabin Moose. :)

We flew to Salt Lake City from Austin, and spent the night with Marshall's cousin Jacob's family in Clearfield, which is about 30 minutes north of the airport. Jake's wife Shelley is a stay-at-home-mom with their three children: Ava, Jackson, and Ethan. Another baby girl is due in November. Jake is a nurse in the oncology department of a nearby hospital. Jacob was one of Marshall's groomsmen in our wedding too. They have a trampoline in the back yard, and Ava and I jumped on it together. :) 

Monday we drove to Newton, Utah, which was 75 minutes from Clearfield. We visited with Bermuda, Marshall's grandmother, and the Anderson clan--Doug, DeeDee, Heather, Annie, and Bonnie. Heather lives in a nearby town and came over for dinner that night. Annie is going to college less than 2 hours away starting this fall. Bonnie is going to be sophomore in high school (I think). Bermuda loves to quilt, and showed me a box of quilts that are reserved just for family. Between quilts and baby afghan blankets, I think we took home nearly a dozen! It was so generous of her to give us so many. :D 

Tuesday we left for the cabin in Wyoming, and it was a 5 hour drive. We got to go through Idaho!

After being up in this area, we both looked at each other and truly committed ourselves to doing everything possible for us to move up this way immediately after Marshall graduates. We loved the weather and the beautiful countryside. Yes, yes, we want to move to Idaho!

Wednesday was Independence Day, and we went for a hike in Elkhart Park, found the boat dock, and watched the fire works in town. Oh yeah, our little rental car Fido, a Fiat 500, got stuck in the dirt. It took 5 locals and a truck to pull us out. Oi! All during our trips back on the dirt roads going up to the cabin, we would see these little chipmunk/prairie gopher guys scamper across the road. I told Marshall they reminded me of the creatures we call Dak Rats back in North Dakota. So, every time we saw one scurry across our path, we would call out, "Daka, daka, daka" at it. It was quite fun. 

Thursday we went out on the boat and kept on relaxing. Friday morning we packed up and headed back to Newton. Saturday around lunch time we left to go to the airport. The flight from SLC to Denver went well, but we had a rain delay in Denver, so we didn't get home to Austin until midnight, then back to our house until 1pm. Our neighbor Beverly watched our cats for us, and they were happy to check out all our luggage. 

We had a fabulous trip and are so enthused about moving to Idaho in 2 years!

Knowing You're in the Right Spot

I know that Marshall and I are on the right path in our lives right now. Here's why.

On Monday night (4/30) we were invited to the Foundry Educational Foundation's (FEF) spring meeting banquet. During the day they took a tour of Texas State University where Marshall is a student in their industrial technology program and has experience with the foundry course offered there. He and some other students and faculty gave the FEF a tour earlier in the day, then there was the banquet in the evening at the Embassy Suites.

Marshall introduces me to his professors, then we are told that dinner is about to begin and to sit at the tables, which hold 8 people each. We're towards the back of the room, and we sit at the table in the back right corner. On my right is a man from NY who is on the FEF, and Marshall is on my left. On his left was a guy named Ed from Spokane Industries in Washington state. Mr. Clay, the man awarding Marshall the FEF internship scholarship was also at his table with his wife, who surprisingly has family in my hometown. Another colorful and amazing character was Bob Smillee (Smiley), who we chatted with for nearly 30 minutes after the conference ended (another story).

After the President of the FEF does his introductions and speech, we eat our dinner salads. During that time one of Marshall's professors comes to him and asks if he's met the representative from Denison Industries, the company that we're hoping Marshall will get to work for this summer. Apparently it was the gentleman sitting right behind Marshall, who at the time of the conversation was out of his seat. Moments later he returns, and according to Marshall, Marty tells him, "So, I hear you're coming to work with us this summer." Marshall: "We haven't heard a response back from Denison, but I definitely want to." "Here's my contact information, and we'll work it all out." !!!!!  Marshall has the contact information for someone at Denison and can ask questions about details for his internship!!!! Oh, this made me so happy!

Side note, things that Denison and Marshall will have to negotiate are:  terms of employment, salary, living accommodations, working hours, length of the internship, and also getting the first week of July off for us to go on vacation.

If meeting someone from Denison wasn't enough, Ed, the gentleman on Marshall's left, works at a foundry in Spokane, Washington, which is only 20 miles from Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. I want to move to CDA so much, and now we have a contact at a foundry that Marshall *could possibly work for!!! Needless to say I was one excited wife as we were driving home. Not only are the odds in Marshall's favor for having a spectacular internship at Denison for the entire summer, but we could move to CDA and Marshall be employed in his field. *dreamy sigh

Foundation in Foundry

Marshall went to a conference in Houston last night, and the topic was about how the oil and gas industry's new method of fracking is affecting the foundry industry. As a refresher, Marshall is majoring in Industrial Technology--Manufacturing Technology at Texas State University, and will graduate in May 2014. Last semester he took a foundry course and fell in love with it. He's less interested in bring the guy who pours the molten metal into sand molds, and more ambitious in becoming an engineer in the foundry industry. Back on track now, the speaker basically spoke about how fracking works and that is requires a lot of sand. The oil companies are buying and using more than all the sand that the foundry industry around the entire world uses in a given year. With the demand for sand on the rise, so are the costs, which are also affecting foundries. Very interesting for business leaders, and informative for people like my husband who want to know more about the industry.

The real reason Marshall went was to rub elbows with the owners, managers and other representatives of foundry companies here in Texas. He met up with this Lufkin contact Ray, who gave him a tour of their foundry facility back in December. Ray was with two other Lufkin reps, one of whom Marshall said looked to be in upper management. Marshall asked him what would his chances be of gaining employment with Lufkin after college and going to an overseas location (such as Canada or Argentina). Apparently the guy's response was "pretty good," because most Americans don't want to move out of the country, and the people that they do want to go overseas would fill management positions. This is good news for us because we'd consider going to Canada or Argentina. They have a Romania facility...um, not so much.

Marshall so was told some anecdotes about how people in upper management in the foundry business are literally dying off. It's becoming more and more common for someone in their late 20s or 30s being a general manager or chief of operations of a foundry. Wow! I don't think Marshall could handle the stress of such a position, but he'd be an excellent engineer or engineering manager, which would be a huge asset to the GM. What does this all boil down to for us? First, it seems that the people Marshall has spoken with at these types of conferences are all very patient. They are completely fine with keeping in touch with him and getting together again when he graduates (2.5 years away). This is amazing in my eyes. In addition to this, we are both feeling more confident that Marshall could go into contract with a company probably the fall of 2013 and start working for them after graduating the following May.

I know my husband will be very successful at whatever he puts his heart into, and I believe the foundry industry is at a point where they would snatch him up in a heartbeat. Hopefully he'll enjoy it and become a leader, creating new processes, even inventing new tools (Marshall loves to invent things) that would be applicable to foundry work. I'm very content right now with this door we may choose to enter one day.

Fondue Party!

I'm hosting a February Fondue Party at my house next month! I'm so excited, and I have a lot to plan. It's going to be so awesome!! We'll have at least 2 cheese fondue stations and 2 chocolate fondue stations. So delicious!!

The Resolutions Thing

2012 Resolutions

#1--Call family more often.
I'm going to call my grandma Barbara every month on the first and Marshall's grandmother every month on the 20th. 


#2--Reach Goal and become a Lifetime member with Weight Watchers.
30 pounds to go!


#3--Pray more.
I have a little notebook that I keep in my purse. I write down things to pray for and need to make more time in my day to send positive energy their way. 


#4--Write 366 cards, notes or letters this year.
5 down, 361 to go!


#5--I want to have drop-dead gorgeous arms and core by the end of the year.
I'm going to do the 12 minute Ab Circle DVD everyday and spend two 10-minute boxing sessions a day with my husband. 

Preview of 2012?

Today we went to the RenFest, which is 2.5 hours away from Austin. I wanted to do 2 things:  get a Scottish music CD, and get a couple's tarot card reading like last year. I wanted the same reader as last time, and thankfully he (Frank) was there.

He shuffled the deck a few times, then cut it into three smaller decks. I chose the middle; Marshall chose the left, and the right ended up representing our relationship.

I went first. He laid out 3 rows of 3 cards, each representing 4 months of the year. The bottom or closest cards to me represented the begining of the year. My significtor was the Emperor. My first card was the 9 of Pentacles. My third card was the High Priestess. My 7th card was the Knight of Wands. Next was another Pentacles I believe. My last card was the 3 of Wands. Bottom line? 2012 is going to be a GREAT year for me. The cards say I'm going to be wrapping up a family or financial issue that I had been a part of in the first 2 months or so of the year. By April, I'm going to see my goals clearly and go after them. The spring and summer months will bring me material gain, and I'm going to be getting what I've been working towards. Things will slow down in August-September for a short period due to the Knight of Wands. This could be a minor health issue like mono or the flu compared to breaking a femur and being out of action for months. The last part of the year I also reap what I sow, sort of like watching my ships come sailing into port.

I'm particularly interested in what is going to happen during the summer because I've also been told: I see you winning something big!!  It is hard to pinpoint what exactly but I feel it is some type of recognition or promotion within your career.  I see the month of JULY associated with this. I don't know what this can be because in my correct job, there isn't any room to move up. My job is important and not in jeopardy of being eliminated, but there is no where for me to go unless I switch to a different department, and I just don't see that happening consiering I've been doing customer service for over 2 years now, and it takes a lot of time to bring a new person up to speed. On a side note, the same person who gave me the insight above in italics also had this to say today when I asked for a one tarot card draw reading: For this general read the guides are telling me to tell you "ASK FOR IT AND YOU WILL RECEIVE IT"... I see you being hesitant to ask for something whether it be in a relationship or work... But you need to ask because whatever it is .. it is ALL YOURS! Again, I have no idea would this could mean about my job!! Will I be getting a new job? Something with career advancement perhaps? I don't even know what I want my next job to be? I don't know what to ask for even if it will be all mine! *Sigh

Marshall's one year spread unfortunately did not look as rosey as mine. Bottom Line? You're going to come to some tough decisions, be depressed about them, come to a revelation, then do something stupid due to repressed desires that affects everyone and causes change, but your family is going to love you any way. Frown face. His most influential cards were the reversed Page of Cups followed the Tower card. 5 cards were reversed, Marshall figured out was like a 1 in 10 quintillion chance of happening. Poor guy has been a little disturbed all evening because of it. He's drinking wine and watching a crazy Norwegian sci-fi movie on Netflix.

Regarding our relationship, the most shocking cards were the last three representing September through December, ironically right after Marshall is suppose to do something crazy. We were to not make an attachments to trips scheduled for the later part of the year because they will end up being canceled. Do not have emotional ties to them, like going home for the holidays. Looks like we'll be taking our Wyoming cabin trip in the spring instead.

It's really odd how I'm suppose to have a great year, but Marshall isn't, and our relationship in 2012 will be about middle of the road. We know 2012 will be challenging with us planning for Marshall to be doing an internship June-mid-August in a city at least 4 hours away. If there's one thing I know, it will be that hard work always pays off. Let's see what comes true.

Goals in a Million Years

Isn't it funny how after time has passed, one looks back and says, "if you would have told me X amount of time ago that'd be doing this Y, I would have slapped you silly! I wouldn't have believed it." Tonight I'm putting it in type that by the time I'm 30 (T minus 5 years, 1 month, 8 days) I want to be able to pull myself up on a surfboard and surf a wave. I don't know how I could afford to go to Hawaii or California to surf let alone build up enough upper body strength to push myself up on  a board. It's definitely one of those tasks that I don't ever see myself in my current state ever being able to do even though it is still physically possible.

It makes you wonder what great things you're going to achieve in your life and you just don't know it yet. :)

Detour

Plan A

Marshall finishes degree and gets job in or near Austin.

Sarah becomes a SAHM when applicable.

Pay as much of our house off as possible.

Move from Austin to somewhere with seasons (Idaho, Oregon, or Colorado) around 2019.

Plan B

Marshall finishes degree and gets job away from Austin in Texas.

Sell house and buy new house close to Marshall's job.

Sarah becomes a SAHM when applicable.

Marshall works for 4-5 years at job, then we move to somewhere with seasons (see options above) around 2020.

We've been talking more and more about what would be best for Marshall and our family once he graduates from Texas State University sometime in 2014. If he pursues the foundry industry, we don't foresee being able to stay in Austin due to the lack of employment opportunities. How would we feel about moving many years before we thought we would in Plan A? What are the drawbacks? What are the benefits? Do we really want to stay in Texas longer than necessary? By necessary I mean Marshall gets free college while in Texas, so we would not want to move out of state before he is through. I am yearning to get back to winter.

We feel that Marshall landing a job with perfect working conditions--minimal stress, constantly changing responsibilities, stimulating environment, etc--is extremely important to us. If we have to move in order to achieve this, we're not going to put up a fight. Would I love to hightail it to Idaho and build a permanent nest in the woods by Lake Coeur d'Alene? Of course! Is it worth Marshall getting valuable job experience and staying in Texas and delaying such a move? More than likely. These thoughts have been heavy on my heart lately, and I just wanted to share with you a possible detour that we may take.



Listening to Advice

This is sort of an amended section to the previous blog entry regarding Marshall's school plans. My step-dad really encouraged Marshall to continue pursuing a degree. He took a look at some other options at TSU, and saw a Bachelors of Science Technology in Manufacturing Engineering Technology and Marshall's eyes lit up like I had put a giant wheel of cheese in front of him (he's a cheese lover and always says we should get one while we're at the grocery store). The classes are going to help him with this business, and overall, the degree falls right in line with his plan for Delphi Innovations. It will be another 6 semesters, but we'll make it work. I'm hoping this change will help keep him motivated. I really want to throw a graduation party for him one day, ya know?

Early May

On Saturday I reached my 10% goal, which is 10% of my starting weight with Weight Watchers. I was so relieved, but I've been working really hard at trying to make it. My reward is a horseback riding lesson (now I have to save up the money to actually do it)!

On Sunday, Marshall and I participated in Austin's 5K Bun Run (#95 on 101/1001). We just walked it; I had no intention of trying to run, lol. We were part of my Weight Watcher's group (which had the most team members by the way!). I need to find out if my WW group is also doing a 5K somewhere for WW's Walk-It Challenge May 22nd. I would do that one as well.

This week Marshall is studying for three finals on Thursday. His last one will be the following Monday, then he will be done with school until late August. He's decided that returning to ACC, the local community college, would work out just as well as him continuing at TSU. ACC has the same classes; he can drive to campus; and he wouldn't have a $40 bus pass each week. I like the idea of him getting home at a decent hour as well. :) This past semester he didn't get home until 10:30 on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

I have Memorial day off of work, but I won't be taking any vacation until mid-August when we go to Oregon for a long weekend. Work will keep me plenty busy I'm sure. I just have to remember that we're going to have lots of fun at the end of the summer with our trips.

Marshall's parents have started their multi-month bike trip to Alaska. We probably won't see them until July at the earliest. They are going to have a great time. We'll be hearing stories for months to come. :)

At the end of the month, my only nephew turns 1! I can't believe it. Marshall's mom's side of the family is about to welcome another grandbaby this year. He should be born within the next 2 weeks. I will have a new little cousin born in October on my Thiele side. Babies, babies--it's not to think about them. Marshall and I have decided that if we've achieved our list of goals by the time I turn 26, we'll start get the ball rolling on the kiddos. Big smiley face.

No Cap & Gown

Marshall has decided that getting a college degree is not in his best interest. I know, I gasped too. He is dissatisfied with how his science classes are taught and structured. He also realized that he does not like the concept of a degree plan. Marshall has decided that getting a degree is beneficial for someone who wants to get a job working for somone else. That is not my husband. He has already started up his own small business, and desires to be self-employed making inventions. The solution? Lessen the school work load by taking classes that Marshall can't learn from a book, and invest more time in the projects he's committed to for his business. He has three more semesters--fall, spring, fall 2012--before his GI Bill (and stipend) are all used up. He's interested in taking mostly communication courses, which will greatly benefit him. Going to college will still be his "job;" however, he will not have enough credit, or the specific courses, to earn a degree. I'm very excited that Marshall may be getting done with school earlier than we originally planned. As long as we live in Texas, he will always get free tuition (military thing), so if down the road he does need a degree, he can go back and get it. I support my husband in whatever endeavor he believes will make him successful and our family prosper. This is one of them.

Up, Up and Away

We're going to the International Hot Air Balloon Festival in Albuquerque, New Mexico this year September 29th-October 3rd!

I wanted to book our hotel room as far in advance as possible because I have no doubt this is a huge attraction for the city. It will be a 12.5 hour drive each way (709 miles). We are driving Thursday and Monday. We're going to spend Friday and Sunday sight-seeing the area and the city. Saturday morning we will be at the balloon festival. I'm going to bring lots of batteries for my camera!

Austin and Beyond

I reminded Marshall today as we went for a walk that we've been in Austin now for 1.5 years. We're fairly confident we'll be moving from here in another 8-9 years. Some of the places we're considering and are going to look into are:
*Spokane, Washington
*Colorado
*South Minnesota
*Southern Missouri
*Iowa
*Nebraska
*Coure d'Alene, Idaho

Of course these are just places that we want to look more into over the next few years. We obviously don't need to make a decision any time soon. We just want a town with good schools, that has a low crime rate, beautiful surroundings, potential to grow and jobs for both of us.