Well, this will be my last post on "The Madness of Ms. Katherine". With the new job, I didn't want anyone to be able to see things I had posted on here before. It's time to be a little more professional online. So I'm closing this out.
BUT this is not a farewell from blogging! I've started a different blog - www.katherineheugatter.blogspot.com. I'm calling it Motown Musings. You can read all about my adventures, as well as Robin's (my new puppy!) in Detroit/Grosse Pointe, MI there! That way, I can watch what I say...
Hope you all transition with me!! Thanks for reading!
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Sunday, August 29, 2010
The long promised and much anticipated update
Ok ok. So those of you who still read this blog are probably wondering what is going on in my life since my euphoric "I got a job!!!" post. Here's the deal.
Yes I do have a job. I am the Program Coordinator at the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House, just outside of Detroit, MI. Technically, it's in Grosse Pointe Shores, part of Grosse Pointe, a suburb of Detroit. It is absolutely beautiful and I can't wait to get up there and start working with the education programs! This is an amazing opportunity. I have been truly blessed.
Secondly, I found my apartment in Grosse Pointe on Tuesday. It's in Grosse Pointe Park, bout 15-20 minutes from the museum. It's a SUPER CUTE little first floor apartment in a two family hosue built somewhere between the 20s and 40s (I think it's the 20s cause it's very craftsman style, but the ad on Craigslist says 1940s...). It's a 2 bedroom, so I will have an office/guest room, complete with a futon. White leather futon. Oh yeah baby. It's awesome. I also got a new couch and chair - I love the brown couch I have now, very comfy, but VERY VERY heavy and bulky... not fun to move... so I am leaving that to my roomie in STL and instead bought a blue leather couch anc chair at Weekend's only. Very very cute, very 1950s "I love Lucy" ish. I love them, perfect for me!
Thirdly, I got a puppy!!!!! Some of you may be wondering why I would get a puppy when I talk about Captain/Mr. Bixby so much on here. Here's the deal. I love Bixby with all my heart. No matter what, he will probably always be my favorite dog and definitely have a special place in my heart. But Bixby is almost 9 years old. He's had some health troubles (had to have 6 teeth removed this summer). He also is very much a family dog and really belongs in this house in STL. I can't take him away from that. And, since I am living by myself, I wanted someone to come home too. Thus, I got Robin. Robin is my new 11 week (ok 12 week as of tomorrow) half dachshund, half black-lab mix. Yes, you read that right - she is a dachsador (a new designer breed... although she was not designed, she was an accident on a farm...). She will probably get to be about 30-35 lbs, perfect size for an apartment dog. Super smart (she's already learned to sit on command and we're working on "Stay", "Come", and potty training - thus far very few accidents!), very very sweet, very laid back and calm though she can be active too. Perfect dog for me and Detroit. For those wondering, I named her Robin because my apartment is on Nottingham. So she's Robin of the Hood :-)
Finally, for those wondering, Daddy and I are driving up to Detroit on September 4. Yes, this Saturday. So if you're in STL and have not seen me yet, contact me ASAP to hang out. But be warned, you may see a very stressed out Katherine. I have a WHOLE heck of a lot of packing to do. I'm a little worried I'll be going to work with bald spots from pulling my hair out...
So that's the update. By the way, there is a chance I will be shutting this blog down and starting a new one. Since I got the job, I really want to keep everything about work off of the internet and keep things fun and professional at the same time. Not sure I quite did that here as well as I should have. BUT I will absolutely post the link to the new blog whenever it is up.
So for all those STL friends that read this - thank you! I love you and I am going to miss you all so much!!!!
Yes I do have a job. I am the Program Coordinator at the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House, just outside of Detroit, MI. Technically, it's in Grosse Pointe Shores, part of Grosse Pointe, a suburb of Detroit. It is absolutely beautiful and I can't wait to get up there and start working with the education programs! This is an amazing opportunity. I have been truly blessed.
Secondly, I found my apartment in Grosse Pointe on Tuesday. It's in Grosse Pointe Park, bout 15-20 minutes from the museum. It's a SUPER CUTE little first floor apartment in a two family hosue built somewhere between the 20s and 40s (I think it's the 20s cause it's very craftsman style, but the ad on Craigslist says 1940s...). It's a 2 bedroom, so I will have an office/guest room, complete with a futon. White leather futon. Oh yeah baby. It's awesome. I also got a new couch and chair - I love the brown couch I have now, very comfy, but VERY VERY heavy and bulky... not fun to move... so I am leaving that to my roomie in STL and instead bought a blue leather couch anc chair at Weekend's only. Very very cute, very 1950s "I love Lucy" ish. I love them, perfect for me!
Thirdly, I got a puppy!!!!! Some of you may be wondering why I would get a puppy when I talk about Captain/Mr. Bixby so much on here. Here's the deal. I love Bixby with all my heart. No matter what, he will probably always be my favorite dog and definitely have a special place in my heart. But Bixby is almost 9 years old. He's had some health troubles (had to have 6 teeth removed this summer). He also is very much a family dog and really belongs in this house in STL. I can't take him away from that. And, since I am living by myself, I wanted someone to come home too. Thus, I got Robin. Robin is my new 11 week (ok 12 week as of tomorrow) half dachshund, half black-lab mix. Yes, you read that right - she is a dachsador (a new designer breed... although she was not designed, she was an accident on a farm...). She will probably get to be about 30-35 lbs, perfect size for an apartment dog. Super smart (she's already learned to sit on command and we're working on "Stay", "Come", and potty training - thus far very few accidents!), very very sweet, very laid back and calm though she can be active too. Perfect dog for me and Detroit. For those wondering, I named her Robin because my apartment is on Nottingham. So she's Robin of the Hood :-)
Finally, for those wondering, Daddy and I are driving up to Detroit on September 4. Yes, this Saturday. So if you're in STL and have not seen me yet, contact me ASAP to hang out. But be warned, you may see a very stressed out Katherine. I have a WHOLE heck of a lot of packing to do. I'm a little worried I'll be going to work with bald spots from pulling my hair out...
So that's the update. By the way, there is a chance I will be shutting this blog down and starting a new one. Since I got the job, I really want to keep everything about work off of the internet and keep things fun and professional at the same time. Not sure I quite did that here as well as I should have. BUT I will absolutely post the link to the new blog whenever it is up.
So for all those STL friends that read this - thank you! I love you and I am going to miss you all so much!!!!
Friday, August 13, 2010
THE DREAM LIVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I JUST GOT A JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am OFFICIALLY the Program Coordinator at the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OH. MY. GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Cause I'm leaving on a... um... highway...
OK so leaving on a jet plane doesn't quite work as well as I'd hoped. But you get the point. Yes, I am leaving Natchez. I am coming home. At least for a few weeks. Anyone who reads this blog (test test, is this thing on?) may be going "Wait, I'm so confused!" Ok, here's the deal.
So I am still Stretch Armstrong. Stretch wants to lean towards one side. But we'll see if that one side releases Stretch or not.
Last Thursday and Friday, I went to Detroit for a face to face interview with the museum up there. We'll call it "Car". I absolutely loved it. This is basically my dream job. And yes, I know it's Detroit. Yes, I know what Detroit means. But technically, "Car" is in Grosse Pointe, a SUBURB of Detroit where the public schools are in the top 2% of the nation - make more sense?. Before you all start saying, "Wait, what is Katherine doing in a SUBURB?" it's not your typical suburb. It's more like a small town. Besides, living in the city of Detroit is VERY VERY VERY different from living in the city of St. Louis. Especially for a single white female who weighs 100 lbs. So yes, if I got the job in Detroit, I would live in a suburb. Either Grosse Pointe or another suburb where, apparently, more of the young people live. We'll see. I feel pretty good about that job. I did my absolute best in all my face to face interviews. Plus, I talked to the president on the phone, and she flat out said it sounded like we're on the same page. However, I also know that I am not the only candidate. Yes, I beat out 96-98 other people for a face to face interview. But there's still that 1-3 others that could be a better fit. But I was the first one they flew in and I think I set the bar pretty high. I really want this job to work out but I've got to stay realistic.
Then there's the other side. We'll call it "Garden". This is the job in Natchez. I had my work session with the committee and they took it to the board. The president said it looked hopeful, but didn't have much more info than I had before I went to Detroit. We'll see on that. They're thinking of calling me "Museum Consultant" and having me come on "temporarily" so the board can get used to me, with the unwritten understanding among a few of us that, unless it's just a horrible fit, after the project I was working on was done, they'd present me to the board and hire me on permanently, that way the board doesn't get scared about hiring on a full time curator. This would be a great opportunity. The pay would be less than "Car" and there are no benefits, which "Car" is offering. But they could throw in a fully furnished apartment on the 3rd floor of one of the "garden" houses which would be AWESOME. So that's another option.
So why am I coming home? Well, I don't have an answer on either of these. BUT I should know on both, definitely "Car" cause they want someone to start by the 2nd wk of September and I'd have to find a place to live, by the end of August. Since that's only 2 weeks away, I decided just to come home and wait it out. I felt like it would be cheating Melrose for me to sign up for classes, start the STEP program, then a wk to 2 wks later, "Hey I got a job, I'm out". Plus, I've worked 7 days a week all summer. Plus a few weeknights. I am EXHAUSTED. The idea of having to start classes and another job immediately, without a break, time to relax with family, time to see Bixby, or time to see friends in STL just makes me want to cry. I need some downtime. So I'm taking some.
I know that there is a very good chance that either "Car" or "Garden" will work out. If both work out, I would take "Car". More money, benefits, and the dream job, I'd be an idiot to turn it down. But if "Garden" worked out and "Car" did not, I would be thrilled. But I have to keep in mind that both of these could still go south. Should that happen, when I get home, I'm going to look into some online classes/distance learning at UMSL and Forest Park/SLCC as well as at Co-Lin. That way, I can talk to Melrose about maybe coming back as a STEP student. If they can't do it, maybe a park in STL could hire a STEP student on. I'll take it from there. But right now, I need some relaxation time with Bixby!
So if you're in STL and reading this, get excited, I'm coming home!!!
So I am still Stretch Armstrong. Stretch wants to lean towards one side. But we'll see if that one side releases Stretch or not.
Last Thursday and Friday, I went to Detroit for a face to face interview with the museum up there. We'll call it "Car". I absolutely loved it. This is basically my dream job. And yes, I know it's Detroit. Yes, I know what Detroit means. But technically, "Car" is in Grosse Pointe, a SUBURB of Detroit where the public schools are in the top 2% of the nation - make more sense?. Before you all start saying, "Wait, what is Katherine doing in a SUBURB?" it's not your typical suburb. It's more like a small town. Besides, living in the city of Detroit is VERY VERY VERY different from living in the city of St. Louis. Especially for a single white female who weighs 100 lbs. So yes, if I got the job in Detroit, I would live in a suburb. Either Grosse Pointe or another suburb where, apparently, more of the young people live. We'll see. I feel pretty good about that job. I did my absolute best in all my face to face interviews. Plus, I talked to the president on the phone, and she flat out said it sounded like we're on the same page. However, I also know that I am not the only candidate. Yes, I beat out 96-98 other people for a face to face interview. But there's still that 1-3 others that could be a better fit. But I was the first one they flew in and I think I set the bar pretty high. I really want this job to work out but I've got to stay realistic.
Then there's the other side. We'll call it "Garden". This is the job in Natchez. I had my work session with the committee and they took it to the board. The president said it looked hopeful, but didn't have much more info than I had before I went to Detroit. We'll see on that. They're thinking of calling me "Museum Consultant" and having me come on "temporarily" so the board can get used to me, with the unwritten understanding among a few of us that, unless it's just a horrible fit, after the project I was working on was done, they'd present me to the board and hire me on permanently, that way the board doesn't get scared about hiring on a full time curator. This would be a great opportunity. The pay would be less than "Car" and there are no benefits, which "Car" is offering. But they could throw in a fully furnished apartment on the 3rd floor of one of the "garden" houses which would be AWESOME. So that's another option.
So why am I coming home? Well, I don't have an answer on either of these. BUT I should know on both, definitely "Car" cause they want someone to start by the 2nd wk of September and I'd have to find a place to live, by the end of August. Since that's only 2 weeks away, I decided just to come home and wait it out. I felt like it would be cheating Melrose for me to sign up for classes, start the STEP program, then a wk to 2 wks later, "Hey I got a job, I'm out". Plus, I've worked 7 days a week all summer. Plus a few weeknights. I am EXHAUSTED. The idea of having to start classes and another job immediately, without a break, time to relax with family, time to see Bixby, or time to see friends in STL just makes me want to cry. I need some downtime. So I'm taking some.
I know that there is a very good chance that either "Car" or "Garden" will work out. If both work out, I would take "Car". More money, benefits, and the dream job, I'd be an idiot to turn it down. But if "Garden" worked out and "Car" did not, I would be thrilled. But I have to keep in mind that both of these could still go south. Should that happen, when I get home, I'm going to look into some online classes/distance learning at UMSL and Forest Park/SLCC as well as at Co-Lin. That way, I can talk to Melrose about maybe coming back as a STEP student. If they can't do it, maybe a park in STL could hire a STEP student on. I'll take it from there. But right now, I need some relaxation time with Bixby!
So if you're in STL and reading this, get excited, I'm coming home!!!
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Stretch armstrong
So I have become stretch armstong. But this is the best stretch armstrong situation EVER!
So Thurs I had my phone interview with Detroit. It went great! I felt wonderful after that! Friday, I drove up to Kilgore, TX to see my sister and Luke. I stopped in Naychadoches, La to see Steel Magnolias locations and was having lunch when the book club lady called saying the org here wanted to meet me and see if we could reach an agreement to take to the board! So I went there yesterday, they're recommending me to the board tomorrow as "museum consultant". Then today, detroit called for a ref check, and Jay (my prof) tipped off the fact that I'm bout to get an offer. So bout 2 hrs after he did that, u get a call saying Detroit wants me to come up for a face to facer interview! So I've got two possibilities. Both have major pros. But both have even
bigger cons. And both could still go south. We'll see!
So Thurs I had my phone interview with Detroit. It went great! I felt wonderful after that! Friday, I drove up to Kilgore, TX to see my sister and Luke. I stopped in Naychadoches, La to see Steel Magnolias locations and was having lunch when the book club lady called saying the org here wanted to meet me and see if we could reach an agreement to take to the board! So I went there yesterday, they're recommending me to the board tomorrow as "museum consultant". Then today, detroit called for a ref check, and Jay (my prof) tipped off the fact that I'm bout to get an offer. So bout 2 hrs after he did that, u get a call saying Detroit wants me to come up for a face to facer interview! So I've got two possibilities. Both have major pros. But both have even
bigger cons. And both could still go south. We'll see!
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Now or never
I'm posting from my blackberry so if things don't always make sense or there's mistakes that's why. Time to post my plan.
First off, my good news. I have a phone interview Thursday! Its with a job in MI that I applied to before I left for Natchez, same one I had the preinterview with! Plus its with the guy who graduated from UMSL and worked at the museum I was at for 5 years!
Second, more good news. The org here with the job I found out about at book club is definitely interested! At least, the President of the org is in my corner. I dunno bout the committee or the rest of the board. But signs are good there! Nothings set in stone, it could easily get ripped out from under me like Galveston. But signs are good!
Now for my plan. I have these two amazing leads. But, nothing is even close to set in sstone. Rosalie has said I could stay and finish the inventory project. I could also keep hostessing there. Plus today I was told that, while Melrose can't give me an absolute guarantee, they definitely need to fill the STEP pos they now have open, so if I want to figure out registering for classes somewhere, go ahead and do that and plan, for now, to work at Melrose. That could suddenly change but the chief of interp doesn't think it will, though he couldn't make any promises. They also know that I will be looking for a full time job while a STEP student and if one came up, I would leave - as the chief said, he wouldn't hire someone without initiative.
So one option is, once this internship is over, I could stay in natchez, finish rosalie, and be a STEP student till I know for sure bout full time jobs, or till December. My other option is to go back to STL, work retail, and volunteer at the same museums I've been at for years. I know that if I take option 2, I will kick myself constantly. I will also be miserable bvecause I missed an opportunity, thus making my roomie, my friends, and ESPECIALLY my family miserable too. I don't want to do that. And I need to get my foot in the door - if these full time jobs don't work out, at lease the natchez option would let me get my pinkie toe in the door.
So I am currently planning to stay in Natchez. I'm not making formal plans (ie registering for classes, finding an apt) until I have my interview Thurs and get a vetter timeline on the MI job. If they'll hire by september and I get an in person interview, I may not stay. But I kinda doubt that, I bet that propcess will go till bout October 1. I will be looking for a furnished apt here for 2-4 mos (if the full time job here works out, ill rent an apt and move down here, but I'm not moving all my stuff and sure not signing a lease for just thro Dec). If these FT jobs don't work, I will reevaluate in Dec, when my lease in STL is up. But that's the plan for now!
Don't worry, I won't be gone from you forever! Ill come back to STL to visit - if nothing else, I have to come back in Aug to get some more stuff! And thanks to the wonders of modern tech, you can still keep in touch with me - and I do expect you to!
I love everyone in STL. You're all absolutely amazing. But I can't turn down this opportunity, just to come home and wait for my shot. I need to take a chance and see where God is leading me, starting with a temp stay in natchez.
ill keep you updated as things develop!
Thanks for everything! I love you all!
Love and still missing you,
Katherine
First off, my good news. I have a phone interview Thursday! Its with a job in MI that I applied to before I left for Natchez, same one I had the preinterview with! Plus its with the guy who graduated from UMSL and worked at the museum I was at for 5 years!
Second, more good news. The org here with the job I found out about at book club is definitely interested! At least, the President of the org is in my corner. I dunno bout the committee or the rest of the board. But signs are good there! Nothings set in stone, it could easily get ripped out from under me like Galveston. But signs are good!
Now for my plan. I have these two amazing leads. But, nothing is even close to set in sstone. Rosalie has said I could stay and finish the inventory project. I could also keep hostessing there. Plus today I was told that, while Melrose can't give me an absolute guarantee, they definitely need to fill the STEP pos they now have open, so if I want to figure out registering for classes somewhere, go ahead and do that and plan, for now, to work at Melrose. That could suddenly change but the chief of interp doesn't think it will, though he couldn't make any promises. They also know that I will be looking for a full time job while a STEP student and if one came up, I would leave - as the chief said, he wouldn't hire someone without initiative.
So one option is, once this internship is over, I could stay in natchez, finish rosalie, and be a STEP student till I know for sure bout full time jobs, or till December. My other option is to go back to STL, work retail, and volunteer at the same museums I've been at for years. I know that if I take option 2, I will kick myself constantly. I will also be miserable bvecause I missed an opportunity, thus making my roomie, my friends, and ESPECIALLY my family miserable too. I don't want to do that. And I need to get my foot in the door - if these full time jobs don't work out, at lease the natchez option would let me get my pinkie toe in the door.
So I am currently planning to stay in Natchez. I'm not making formal plans (ie registering for classes, finding an apt) until I have my interview Thurs and get a vetter timeline on the MI job. If they'll hire by september and I get an in person interview, I may not stay. But I kinda doubt that, I bet that propcess will go till bout October 1. I will be looking for a furnished apt here for 2-4 mos (if the full time job here works out, ill rent an apt and move down here, but I'm not moving all my stuff and sure not signing a lease for just thro Dec). If these FT jobs don't work, I will reevaluate in Dec, when my lease in STL is up. But that's the plan for now!
Don't worry, I won't be gone from you forever! Ill come back to STL to visit - if nothing else, I have to come back in Aug to get some more stuff! And thanks to the wonders of modern tech, you can still keep in touch with me - and I do expect you to!
I love everyone in STL. You're all absolutely amazing. But I can't turn down this opportunity, just to come home and wait for my shot. I need to take a chance and see where God is leading me, starting with a temp stay in natchez.
ill keep you updated as things develop!
Thanks for everything! I love you all!
Love and still missing you,
Katherine
Friday, July 9, 2010
Nobody panic. I have a plan.
I think that's a movie quote... maybe...
Anyway, wanted you all to know I have a plan. A tentative plan at least. Still lots of ifs in that plan. But it gives me peace of mind.
No time to post the actual plan. Darian and I are off to Planet Thailand. I'm going to drown my sorrows over the fact that Soupman, one of my fav lunch places in STL, is closing today, efore I could have my last soup, in some yummy stir fry.
Fill you in later! Love and miss you all!
Anyway, wanted you all to know I have a plan. A tentative plan at least. Still lots of ifs in that plan. But it gives me peace of mind.
No time to post the actual plan. Darian and I are off to Planet Thailand. I'm going to drown my sorrows over the fact that Soupman, one of my fav lunch places in STL, is closing today, efore I could have my last soup, in some yummy stir fry.
Fill you in later! Love and miss you all!
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