First Day...

Here is the latest photo of my girl.

The first day at the Enquirer went really well. I got my training schedule for the next 3 weeks which is very extensive. I actually got to tour the actual press this morning which was pretty cool. They hooked me up with a laptop today which was pretty sweet. Tomorrow is all sales training from 9-5.

Mad props to Drew Lachey for "representin"...

Back among the working stiffs...

It's official, I have a job!

I will be handling advertising accounts for the Cincinnati Enquirer in Fairfield. What a journey, just when we think we have it all figured out, (I had a 3rd and final interview at UC yesterday) God threw us a curveball, or better yet a fastball!

My first meeting with the Enquirer was Monday, yes 3 days ago. I thought it went well and they told me they had interviews scheduled all week with other candidates and would get back to me next week to let me know "where they were". Well, needless to say I was a bit desheveled because I had heard that one before. I had resigned myself to the fact that I would have to take the UC job and put a financial strain on our family, but somethin' is better than nothin'.

My final interview was scheduled at UC on Tuesday. My contact called first thing that morning and asked to reschedule for Wednesday, I said sure and did not think much of it. But Bon knew better. Immediately she said, "God postponed it to give the Enquirer another day to hire you." I stupidly replied, "Babe, they said it would be next week at the earliest, I am going to have to take the UC job." To that Bon said, "God will only bless you if you believe he has the ability to do so."

Am I married to a prophet? Sure enough the Enquirer did call the next day and made me an offer that I could not refuse. It is the most money I have ever had the opportunity to earn and I am minutes from home. I have to be honest with you, I feel unworthy, why did God bless me with Bonnie and Reese? I would not be where I am today on so many levels without Bonnie. I believe it was thru her faith and conviction that we have received this opportunity. Thank you all for your prayers and thoughts through these past few months. We are humbled by the love of our friends and family.

Praise God for my amazing wife and beautiful daughter...

Update

I had an interview with the Enquirer today, and I think it went really well. They will be making a decision next week.

UC called today as well and scheduled the 3rd and final interview for tomorrow. It is down to myself and one other candidate, they will decide on Wednesday.

Whatever will be, will be.

Reese had a Dr's appointment today and did great, obviously. Everything looks good and she weighed in at 8 pounds 13 ounces. She is already over a month old. Time flys when you are having fun...

How did I end up with these girls in my life? Thank you Lord.

I want to eat to the center of the Earth!

Well it has been a whirlwind interview process. After 3 more on Friday (all second interviews) and one on Thursday with Huntington Bank we are getting down to the nitty-gritty. I have a first interview scheduled for Monday with the Cincinnati Enquirer as well.

Things look really good at UC, I am hoping for an offer early next week.

By the way, I love my daughter.

As the seat bounces...

Today's update:

I was at UPS this morning at 5AM for an interview for part-time work to make some extra money. See the funny story from that below.

I have a second interview with Huntington Bank tomorrow morning.

UC called today and would like for me to come in for another interview on Friday.

I have a second interview with the Berry Company on Friday.

OK, so one of the other guys interviewing at UPS this morning was about 10 minutes late and when he came in he said, "I am sorry I got turned around and lost." OK, I understand, but this location is 2 turns off the highway and he spent the rest of his time there talking about how smart he was and how when he gets his degree in computer networking he has plenty of job opportunities.

I guess making 2 left turns in a car is harder than I think...

Things are happening...

Sorry for the lull over the weekend. We got a chance to go to our old Sunday school class on Sunday and we may have finally recovered from bouts with the crud. Mom came down on Friday night to give us a hand and hang out. We missed out on our trip back to Chi-town and the big wedding. We want to try and hook up with Guido and Emily soon so that they can meet Reese.

Funny side note, we got Reese's first insurance card today and it listed her name as Reese E.(lizabeth), we didn't really think of that. Oh well, my dad's name is Rusty Furniss.

I had 2 interviews that went really well, I may get an offer in the next few days on the UC job. If I get it, expect an extremely celebratory post.

Congrats go out to our friends Steve and Kelly Carr who added a daughter to their family Sunday night, Kaelyn Rhae was a little premature and will spend some time in the Neonatal ICU but looks great! Our thoughts and prayers will stay with their family.

Talk with you all soon,

Mo Money, Mo Problems

I passed my test at Huntington bank and have moved on to the next level of the hiring process. As we go through this journey and look forward to the 2 interviews on Monday I cannot help but think back to how easy it was to score big at blackjack 6 months ago. Do I really need a job if I can score like that every week?

Mad props to Amy Russell for stopping by last night and earning approval from Reese for any future baby-sitting needs. Dinner was delicious. Speaking of dinner, it may be time for Skyline tonight, it has been a few days.

Rubber Ducky...

The latest news is that I have 2 interviews scheduled for Monday. One is at the Professional Development Institute for UC doing field marketing logistics. (Which includes free tuition if I enroll at UC.) The other is with the Berry Company in Dayton doing internet advertising sales. Sill no word from Huntington Bank.

Stay tuned...

Job Potential Overload...

(Amy Russell if you are reading this, please call to re-schedule with Reese, you are fading quickly on her list)

OK, day II at Lasik Plus was OK, but the real news is the fact that I got a call from the Berry Company in Dayton about doing Internet Sales for a new division they are starting and I got an e-mail from a contact at a branch of UC who wants me to call her tomorrow. The interesting part to the Berry Company job is that they are the same parent company who owns the Cincy Bell Yellow Pages and gave me the runaroound in late December. The lady asked if I had ever applied with them before and I told her that the previous correspondence ended after I took a personality test. She said she would get my info from the other office so that I wouldn't have to go through all of the initial stuff again, but if I really did "fail" the personality test obviously I do not want her to reference those results. Just kind of ironic, but if it is meant to be it will happen. Still waiting to hear back from Huntington Bank as well.

Bon is headed to a bible study so Reese and I are going to hunker down for some American Idol. (She loves it when I sing to her)

Later...

Today's post is brought to you by Skyline Chili, "It's Skyline Time..."

Super Bowl I

This is a picture of Reese and I taking in her first Super Bowl. We obviously have the right gear for one of next year's participants. Thanks to Brian and Carrie for the wicked outfit!

The first day on the Lasik job went well. The trainer is cool and it should serve as a nice bridge to the next big thing.

Prediction

Steelers will romp, 31-7.

Update

(Uncle B with The Reese)

The gig at Huntington Bank went well. They had me do a computer simulation of banking transactions that had a 45 minute time limit. I finished in 22, which means I either completely bombed it or knocked it out of the park. They will be in touch this week. (Wait, I have heard that before)

I also had the opportunity to give a half-time devotional for 7 youth basketball games yesterday. It was an awesome experience and I would definitely do it again. No one booed, so that was good. There were 4 girls teams there playing, now I will be completely objective here, but if the level of play in girl's b-ball does not accelerate rather quickly, Reese is going to dominate. (Have you seen her fingers and toes? She is built for speed!)

Later...

Fill the cup to this line please...

Today I got to urinate in a cup. I can't tell you the last time I had to do that. Even though I knew there was no way I would fail, there is still some uh, we will just say "performance anxiety". It is difficult to manage the process of giving them what they need, and transferring the rest to the toilet without making a mess. You can't just stop, as Lloyd Christmas said so eloquently in Dumb and Dumber, "I just can't stop it once I start, it stings!" Interestingly they had me wash my hands prior to the business but did not request it afterwards, (I did on my own accord). And they had tape over the faucet in the room so I could not pull off the 'sound of running water' trick to get things going.

I also got a call today from Huntington Bank and will go in for an interview tomorrow. Check back here tomorrow for updates.

Reese is going to sleep now, so we are too.

Later...

Lasik Anyone?

Isn't she beautiful?...

OK, I have secured some temporary employment, selling Lasik eye surgery to folks in an office here in Cincinnati. It is a blessing in the fact that it actually provides us with some income while I look for something else long-term. Let's be honest, anything that comes along is "temporary" until I finish school in a couple of years.

Bon and I are stoked, the new Survivor starts tonight! Although we are watching it with rabbit ears it will still be alot of fun.

That's all for now, later...

We Are Back!

OK, there has been alot going on, so I will try and bring you up to speed. I will be back on schedule to make regular posts now so check back regularly.

- We are moved, we ended up in West Chester in a great place we are very happy with. We had alot of help with the move and getting settled in, but we could not have done it without Beth and Uncle B. They were with us from "door to door" and went above and beyond. We could never repay them. Kudos also goes out to Brian, who helped secure some old friends from CCM to help us get the new digs painted. Brian was in the new place three evenings in a row prior to the move making things happen, thanks Godfather.

- Reese and Bon are doing awesome! Reese is gaining weight and becoming more alert everyday. She is an amazing blessing and I can't wait to be a part of her life on a daily basis.

- It looks like I am going to be getting my MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University which has a branch right down the road from our new place. Two years from now I will be a CPA, lookout!

- We are still working on the job stuff, will keep you all posted as it progresses. All I can say is that this has been some journey.

- The biggest news of the day and hardest to swallow was getting a call from little bro Jum. He was just transferred to a battalion in Alaska and was notified that by March 1st he will be in Mosul, Iraq. We all knew this was a possibility when he entered the Army but now that it is happening it is kind of surreal. I mean my little brother is going to be in Irag, fighting on the front lines, wow. I am so very proud of him and will pray continually for his safe return.

That's probably enough for now.

Later...