Since my last real post, a lot has happened in the life of the Johns family, mostly good. Here's a rundown of the major events:
- I got a job. In February 2011 I found a job as a temporary marketing consultant for a motorcoach company in San Luis Obispo -- Silverado Stages. Largest private motorcoach company west of the Mississippi. I was brought on for 8 weeks initially, but it was understood I was pretty much auditioning for a full time marketing job. I worked my butt off and after 8 weeks I was offered a full time job as Marketing and Sales Manager with a 5 person sales department. It's been a lot of hard work but I have a great team and really enjoy where I work. I commute past ranches and vineyards every day on the way to work instead of windowless buildings and freeways. I've been blessed with a great situation.
- Audrey had 2 hand surgeries - Audrey finally got health insurance in early 2011 and had her first hand surgery. Unfortunately it didn't seem to help much, and she had another hand surgery late 2011 which to date seems to have helped a little. She suffers with chronic pain every day and it has been hell for her, but we're optimistic things are getting better.
- Audrey lost over 100 pounds. After the birth of Sophie, Audrey had gained weight. She kept it on for about a year after the baby, but last year she started cooking naturally and eating healthy, and lost all that weight. She looks amazing now, but I always thought she was hot.
- Sophie keeps growing and growing. Sophie is a precocious little sweetheart that is both an angel and a devil. She's taking dance lessons twice a week and has performed on atage at a few recitals. She's just on the verge of saying complete sentences, but not yet. God help me when she starts speaking for real, she's got a LOT to say now without actually making sense.
All in all, we're very happy here. Atascadero is small, unpretentious, and real. There are no Bed Bath and Beyonds nearby, but if we need anything we can drive 30 minutes south to San Luis Obispo. So far, we haven't missed a thing about Orange County, except our friends. We've met some very cool people here, and a couple we've become very good friends with. I'd say our roots here have definitely set in.
