Today, as I'm on a conference call, I receive a message from my boss.
"I need to know your answer TODAY."
I get off the phone and start flipping a coin, repeatedly. As I'm doing that, a phone call comes in from a good friend of mine, who works for a very large private firm, offering either me - or Charlie - or perhaps the both of us, a job in southern California.
Sure, it might only be 11:00 AM, but I think now is a fine time to go pour myself a very stiff drink.
Emphasis on the word VERY.
OHMYGOSH. What in the heck are you going to do? You are FREAKING ME OUT TODAY. I will start drinking for you right now.
ReplyDeleteWOW That rocks. It ic nice to have choices!
ReplyDeleteCan I have one of your job offers?
ReplyDeleteWow is that a sign or what?!?!!?
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your decision! I love ont he east coast, on Philly so if you plan on moving here be ready for lots of rain, snow, sleet, hail, 4 seasons & a firm ground (lol)
Oh wow! What timing! Have you been texting Charlie about the potential job(s)?
ReplyDeleteTake the job in Virginia. Keep talking to the friend about the new opportunity. Just because he needs to know now doesn't mean you can't change your mind.
ReplyDeleteHere's my two cents. Everything you say, you love San Diego. Stay. Who knows what 2 years will bring. Play it out.
ReplyDeleteIf you were really meant to move, you would be more sure of it. You seem sure of staying and unsure of moving.
My husband works from home, same situation as you . . . it is so lovely - I wouldn't take an extra 100K/year in exchange for moving him into an office environment. The only way I'd move in your situation is if you got to be a SAHM. ;)
Natalie
I just finished my fourth mimosa. Then I called my boss and gave him my decision. But I'm apprehensive to write what that decision is because I might change my mind.
ReplyDeleteHiccup.
(Just kidding about the mimosas. But not about my decision or call to the boss.)
Sounds like a sign, stay put, when it's time all signs will point in that direction. Good Luck!
ReplyDeleteI love big trees, change of seasons, and change in general. If it were me I'd GO. In fact we're passing on a chance at
ReplyDeleteSan Diego b/c hubby and I (and kids) get bored with sunshine all year round. Hope you make the best decision for you and your family! (How fun to have these choices).
See it didn't even take 2 years for other job offers to come :)
ReplyDeleteI'm sure whatever choice you made/make/change your mind 20 times. You will find a way to make it work for your family.
You get to stay!!!! This is the Choice C I was looking for on your poll. Take the SoCal job. Let Charlie take the SoCal job. Someone take the freakin' SoCal job so you can stay in amazing outdoorsy-all-year-round SoCal.
ReplyDeleteNear me.
What amazing timing!
Please say your... oh I don't know what you should do! What a tough decision.
ReplyDeleteBut if you could both get a job in southern CA woudn't that be great!
What a day!
Oh, for the LOVE OF GOD. What was your decision? Stop it already.
ReplyDeleteI said I'd go.
ReplyDeleteBut then my Aunt Grace called and told me not to go. And then I received an e-mail from a co-worker who lives back there and told me about the horrible traffic and what it's like being in an office EVERY DAY and now ...
I DON'T KNOW!!!!!!!!
You've got me so antsy about this that you would think it was ME that had to make these choices! Whatever you decide will be good - I know it.
ReplyDeleteJust know this - I don't live that far from Virgina.... (as if that would help make up your mind!)
wow wow wow... not sure what to say. But it "seems" there are definite doors opening there.
ReplyDeletep.s. hey - can my dh have one of those jobs? - lol
jo
Is the So. Cal job a real possibility? If it is especially for Charlie, then you have to consider it. You could stay home and he could go to work, and maybe you could work part time as a contractor. You talk about how much you love your life there and how much you want to be at home. You already know the job in Va isn't going to give you that.
ReplyDeleteCan't believe you didn't call before all this.... Do you realize how COLD it was in the East this past WINTER?? It was the COLDEST on record! I'd love to have you closer - so I don't think I can/could/should give a fair decision. You know that land next door to me that my Dad offered is still available. However, San Diego is SO NICE and Warmer!! (Although I was freezing last June... that's a different story.) It would be so nice to see you so close! We could/would have family reunions!! But then you'd be indoors all day. Away from the kids - and Charlie. Then again we could/would/might meet for ice cream at a 1/2 way point. But then again you have Lego land! Yikes! I'm heading out for a Reese's Peanut Butter cup. Call me when it's over. Marg.
ReplyDeleteWhat are you going to be working on? I saw that Obama opened up offshore drilling in Virginia..... What would your job be? If you have to travel out to sea, I would say NO.
ReplyDeleteJust curious......where exactly in Virginia? (The DC area is totally different from some of the more rural regions....)
ReplyDeleteAnd remember, nothing is permanent. While I appreciate the magnitude of moving your family from SoCal to Va, if you were really unhappy there, you could always move back.
Good luck with whatever you choose!
I'd be in Fairfax. And after having been there a few years ago, I can attest that the traffic in that area makes driving in LA comparable to cruising on the autobahn. Not really, but close. It took me four hours two weeks ago to drive one way to a meeting in LA that was only 120 miles from my house. And then another four hours to drive back.
ReplyDeleteWhen I visited FFX for a meeting a few years ago, I stayed in a hotel a mere seven miles from the office and it took me over an hour to get there. The roads I was on looked to be former country routes that had morphed in to major arteries that now had to accommodate 1,000,000+ vehicles a day.
If it wasn't for the traffic and need to be in an office 5 days a week, this would be a MUCH easier decision for me. I've already said yes, but I'm having significant second thoughts...
I need wine. STAT.
My brother lives in Falls Church, VA and works near the Capitol. He either rides the metro or sometimes his bike.
ReplyDeleteI voted for staying in San Diego, just for the record. I say you have Charlie take the job your friend offered and you work on taking your blog to the "next level" once the triplets are in Kindergarten!!! I saw on Nightline a couple of years ago that Dooce.com makes $40,000 a month in advertising revenue. FORTY.THOUSAND.DOLLARS.A.MONTH. and that's just in ad revenue from the blog. She's had a book deal and many other things as well.
ReplyDeleteSo, if that's not an option, maybe try Virginia for a couple of years. You're not selling your house, so moving back would be easy. The downside of Virginia (cold/housebound) could be offset by how close you are to D.C. and NYC. Think of the museums! So many fun and educational weekend trips.
Good luck deciding for sure...if you lived anywhere else in America it probably wouldn't be a hard decision, but you truly do live in paradise!!!
Kelly(Houston)
Stay in So Cal. Having read your blog since before Henry was born, I'd say you would go absolutely bonkers if you were in an office all day every day away from the kids.
ReplyDeleteInterested bystander
I thought GO but now that you mention traffic...that would be a deal breaker for me. Hubby and I have sworn off days of sitting in traffic for extended periods to and from work. It seems like where you are really ain't broken...I'd say don't fix it/stay.
ReplyDeleteWell??? I can't take the suspense? What did you say to your boss?
ReplyDeleteWe're gonna drop a bottle of Red off to you! We won't stay but it sounds like you need it!
Debra
HilariousGivers.Org
It seems to me that you may have been offered a gift in that phone call you received today. Perhaps you need to explore it thoroughly. I always pray for peace about new decisions...and if I don't receive peace, I know its not right. (and its the kind of peace that doesn't come from a bottle!) just kidding!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to pray for you guys as you look at this decision--you are a special family and I know your children are your top priority--bless you as you ponder....may you have complete and perfect peace in whatever decision you make.
Ok, I already commented but I am going to comment again.
ReplyDeleteMaybe re-think this - see my blog
www.teensandtriplets.com
It is April and we were wearing coats today - of course one of my trips wore shorts to school, and a jacket - lol
JO
Miracles do happen! DO NOT GO. This offer did not just spring out of the clear blue sky it was presented to you for a reason. Don't pass it up.
ReplyDeleteCall your boss and tell him that he didn't give you enough time, you were forced to give an answer today and upon reflection you don't think it's the right move for you and your family.
I had voted go (it was a close call), but knowing about the traffic (i have lived in São Paulo, there is nothing about traffic I don't know) and this job offer, definitely stay.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I do not frequently post comments, I have read your blog for a couple of years. I thoroughly enjoy your posts and your perspective of raising triplets +1. I have spent most of my life in the DC area (and specifically Fairfax County). If you have any questions about the area, feel free to send me an email. Take care and I hope you find peace after making this big decision.
ReplyDeleteKelley
MoM of 4 year old Gracie, Ellie and Sarah