Well, ladies and gents, I'm getting a very late start on the 2012 HF Challenge due to circumstances at home (as some of you know, I moved back in with my parents in November). BUT I also may not have time to complete the challenge as I have intended. The latter part is because of very good news.

A little over a week ago I was accepted into Northwestern's Master of Sports Administration program, which is something I've been wanting to do for a while, and Northwestern has a great program for it. A few days later, I was hired by a trade association here in Illinois after 9 months of unemployment. The grad school program is only part-time (one course per quarter and it's on a night or weekend). Getting both these pieces of news in a matter of four days was just complete insanity! I start my job Thursday and begin school later on in March.

So as you can imagine, I'm going to be quite busy soon. Since I've been unemployed for 9 months, I'll be going from zero to 60 in just a matter of weeks, but I'm very excited! I'll also be able to move out of my parents' house soon which, as you might imagine, is a relief. Just wanted to share the news!

Erika, that is fabulous!! Wow, congratulations on both wonderful accounts! I wish you happiness and much success in both endeavors. Rest up now while you can. ;)

Erika, I'm so happy for you. I understand how you can be down so long you don't know you're down. And then stuff starts to happen, and you're like, Wow. Really?

As someone who teaches on a graduate level, congratulations! The competition for such programs is stiff these days. You got in. You're good!

I feel like I had my own little boost recently. I had taken some time off around the president's day holiday. I had been fine through the crisis of my AD's relapse. But when she returned to the recovery home, I fell apart.

So, I was just chillin, doing things I like to do. The next thing I know, my son, who graduated in December, got a call for interview. He had to submit a design to get the interview. The interview went well and the interviewer called him later that day and offered him the job! Yow-wee! The kid who hates clothes shopping is now gonna design clothes. LOL.

Then my AD called to say she got a promotion at work. This is such a vote of confidence in her from her boss, it blows me away.

Anyways, I don't want to steal your thread, but do you mind if I celebrate with you?

Erika, that's fantastic!!  I wish you luck and happiness doing both!

Genie, I'm so glad you're back.  Here's a fist pump for you, and yours as well.  

I hope the road stays straight and true for everyone now!

Great news all around! Yay!!!

Most exciting !! Erika, things have really taken a good turn for you! All those old expressions now come to mind - one of them being, "Good things happen to good people!" Congratulations on your new job and for getting into the master's program of your dreams!

And, Genie ... such good news for you as well! Is there anything better than when our children succeed?

Linda & Kelly

YAY Erika!!! Congrats on both bits of news!!! It will be hard going from 0 to 60, but oh so worth it!!!

ETA: Oh, Genie, I am glad things are looking up for you and yours!!

Erika, fabulous news all around. Congrats!

Congrats Erika!

Hurray Erika!!!  Such wonderful news in such a big bunch.  I guess it was long overdue so it all piled on together.

Genie:  There is nothing better than when our children do well.  I hope good things continue for you all.

That's great news Erika!! Congratulations!!

How wonderful Erika!  Congratulations, don't be a stranger.

Congratulations!!!!

Fantastic news!  Congrats!

Congratulations! 

Thanks all! It was my first interview since coming home (and my first interview since the summer!) so it was a pleasant surprise.

Genie, you may of course join in. The more the merrier when it comes to good news! Sounds like you had the same "when it rains it pours" experience that I did! Great for your fam!

What fantastic news--congratulations, Erika!!!

Congratulations, Erika and Genie!

So happy for you, Erika!  What an exciting new chapter in your life!  Thank you for sharing with us!