The Start of Something New!

Tony started a new job yesterday! I'm so proud of him for all his many months of looking for a new job, all the while continuing to faithfully work at his old one. While he was very good at his old job (dispatching and logistics for a transportation company), he was ready for a change. Largely, we were ready for a normal schedule as a family. Since have been married, he has worked three different schedules: 4:00 AM to whenever in the afternoon they let him go home; noon to 10 PM; and the most recent was midnight to 8:00 AM. That was probably the toughest one, and the straw that broke the camel's back. While we enjoyed being together ALL day every day, it was difficult to be apart all night every night. Plus, working nights makes your days very half-lived since you are tired all the time. And this was all in addition to some very trying work conditions.

So we come to the new job...

A friend of ours, Al, was for a time assigned as our ward's employment specialist. He had information on various job opportunities and sometimes people would give him tips. He sent one of these links to Tony for the government. So Tony applied and didn't think anything of it. He later was contacted for a job interview, and he went downtown for the interview and really enjoyed the people he met. After a little while, we got an enigmatic voicemail from someone that he had not been interviewed by saying that he would like to talk with Tony about the "outcome" of that interview. Well, you can imagine what a mystery that was until Tony found out - HE GOT THE JOB!! WOO HOO!

Tony's new job is with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and he will be working as a Lead Paint Inspector. Due to new regulations surrounding pre-1978 era home renovations, there is a greater need for inspectors. Lead poisoning can cause serious developmental delays in children and there is a real push to eliminate lead-containing dust and debris from construction projects. This has caused a real stir in the construction community as everyone must become certified and it will add an estimated 10-15% onto the cost of any contracted job. Just what homeowners want to hear!

Tony is going to be so great at this job. He knows construction. He knows old homes, and he knows how to work with contractors and owners. Before we got married, he was very concerned with our lead-paint-laden walls and that is why we removed all of the paint from our wood trim the hard way. Tony also likes to travel, and his work will cover PA, DE, DC, WV, and MD. He will not only be doing inspections, but will also be doing homeshows and informational sessions. He's perfect for this job and they are lucky to have him!

The photo above is of Tony waiting at our local train station to take the 7:15 into the city (the clock on the wall was obviously not changed to reflect the time change). He had a good first day at work and reports that everyone is very nice, he has an office and a phone, there is a fridge and a nice microwave (which is all good news). He got his security pass and will even be able to enter the building directly from the train station. How's that for cushy?? Currently, we are working to adjust our lives to yet another work schedule and to having to share the bed again, both of which are very happy adjustments to be making. Last night, we ate dinner together at 5:15 and Tony was on the couch watching the 6:00 news like a normal person.

If you see Tony, wish him luck. We are so grateful for this opportunity and feel that it is a real blessing for our family at just the right time. We are thankful for so many things in our lives, and this just adds to the list.