A long update/look forward

There are a lot of things that go on in my life that I don’t mention in this blog. As I think I’ve said before, I don’t treat this thing as a journal where I can write down my innermost feelings and concerns like a troubled teenager. I use it as a place where I can vent my spleen occasionally, try and oil my creative cogs and share a few funny thoughts with you in an attempt to pass our shared time on this planet more enjoyably. So things happen that you don’t get to hear about as I’m too busy moaning about people I’ve encountered at work or boring you with whatever my latest obsession might be. But a change is coming soon and I thought it might be prudent to update you.  Philippa - for the first time in her adult life - is changing jobs! You may remember that when we first ventured over the border into Suffolk she was determined to find something closer to home, as the drive back up into deepest Norfolk every day was extending her work hours considerably. It didn’t happen quite as soon as planned, however, and she just kind of fell into the routine and got on with it. Then Tom (her boss) was talking about the possibility of her running a new shop for him, so it was worth hanging around for a bit just in case that materialised, and then we hit that point where we wanted to have children. Obviously, having worked there for a while, Philippa would be entitled to decent maternity rights and so it made sense for her to stay there until Junior was at school. Unfortunately, the conception thing hasn’t gone quite as well as we’d hoped. I know I haven’t mentioned it much here, but I assure you it hasn’t been for the want of trying, and it hasn’t been without its emotional difficulties and disappointments. Philippa hit a real low point in September time after yet another failed pregnancy test and was just about ready to give up on the patter of tiny Chesworths ever happening.  So we decided to take a break from it all and stop pressuring the whole thing and just get on with our lives for a while. And in a rare moment of husbandly support and caring I suggested she think about changing jobs. Being stuck in that same old family business rut wasn’t doing her any good, and if my own strange career path has taught me anything, it’s that it’s better to take a risk and take a jump rather than just languish in the same old spot. You never know where your bravery might lead you. She tearfully agreed and seemed mightily relieved to have heard me bring it up.
It’s funny how things can fall into place sometimes. At the end of that week she had an appointment with our GP, and as she sat in the waiting room, the practice manager put up a sign advertising a full-time position on the reception desk. To cut the story short, she got the job and starts in the New Year. It’s less money than she’s been on  for a while, but who cares? It also means less travel, more time off and a complete absence of weekend work! I didn’t mention it before as I know members of her family and people she works with read my blog sometimes (I know this because they have taken delight in the past in dropping me in it with Philippa for things they’ve seen that I’ve written) and we didn’t want them to know. But it’s all out in the open now - she’s working her notice and will finish on the 30th December. I pity the poor girl who takes over from her - just in time for the New Year sales - but that’s not our problem. All I know is that Philippa is completely changed since she took the plunge. She has more energy, she’s sleeping better, she smiles more often and she doesn’t snap at me so much. It’s all good. 

RC 8-12-17