Good News, and some bad....

[coffee]

After many months of looking for work, and reaching the brink of financial ruin, I have finally landed a job in my field. I couldn't be happier about that for me and the family.

Of course there is the bad. After leaving my job 3 years ago to stay home and raise my 3 year old, we now have to put her into a day care. Something I knew would eventually come, but something I certainly wished didn't have to. It's going to be an emotional kick in the face for all of us as my wife and Daughter have come accustom to Dad being home raising Samantha, keeping the house, and having dinner on the table every night.

And it also means that the time I've enjoyed here at PP on a daily, and sometimes hourly will also be greatly reduced as I charge head first into a new lifestyle. This certainly doesn't mean I won't stop by and haunt you all from time to time, but I know it will no longer be on a daily basis come the first of the year.

I wish you all the best holiday season ever, and don't forget to take the time to be thankful for friends and family, and tell them how much they mean to you.

[Kaye]

Hi Joseph,
Congratulations on getting the job. Could I ask what "field" is your field?
I think it is good news. Life is full of experiences for all of us, and the change is probably good for you.
For Samantha, it will be a new adventure and learning curve. She will probably love it!
For your wife - well, if I had someone to look after the house and have dinner on the table, I would NOT want that to change!!
Your comment re family at the end of your post is so nice.
All my best wishes also to you and your family, and all PP members, for Christmas and hopefully an exciting New Year.

[Hype]

Joseph,

Congratulations on your new job.

It will be a struggle for your family to change their habits but something I do know is kids will adapt to anything. You will probably find it will you and your wife struggling more than the kids :) (and us)

Again, Congratulations.

[jerryph]

In the 60s it was possible for a man to work and make enough money to support the family, a house and car. In today's society, it is a sad fact that today things have changed and it is almost mandatory for a family to have a minimum of 2 incomes to survive. How times have changed.

I think the one that will cope the best and like all the changes the most is your daughter, she is going to have new experiences and see more kids her age, she is going to really enjoy this. Though your presence here will obviously be missed, you will benefit as a family and you are in for a few new experiences yourself to enjoy. :)

Good luck in the new job, and season's greetings to you and yours, may your new year be filled with health and happiness and lots of photographic pleasures as well. :)

I would wish that to all PP members too. :D

[coffee]

Thanks Kaye Steve and Jerry for the nice comments. We certainly are excited about the new job and the ability to get our finances back in order.

Kaye, my background the last 15 years or so has been in residential maintenance. The job I will be starting is at a upscale retirement community. My last one was also at a retirement type of environment, and I'm excited to have the opportunity again to continue helping out our older generation with the independance they love, with the respect they deserve.

Thanks also for reminding me that it would be good for my Daughter overall. I guess I was fixated on the fact that the adjustment wouldn't be good for her. I know it will be hard for her at first, but I know it will be great for her as far as her social skills that she may be lacking some due to being home with me all these years. She gotten so much better interacting with kids over the last year or so since I've been taking her to play areas and story time at the local library where there are many kids for her to play with. But as smart and somewhat advanced as she is in the learning areas where she's gotten a lot of one on one time, she can certainly be better in the social arena, and I know this change will go along way in this area.

Thanks for the comments that made me a little more at ease.

[Kaye]

Thank you Joseph for the detailed reply. I'm not sure how old Samantha is, (3ish + ?)... But I do feel that when she starts BIG SCHOOL, it is far better that she has familiarised herself with the Day Care / Kindy type rules, but moreso, spending the whole day with other kids her age, to learn life - sharing, fighting, arguing, forgiving and loving. There can be no better lesson than the real thing. Just like photography.

[CallMeNovice]

Joseph,

Congratulations on your new job. I've enjoyed all of your pictures and have benefited greatly from your comments to all the pp members.

I agree with Kate that this will be a great learning experience for your daughter and the rest of your family. Change is something that we all experience and need to be adaptable to - nothing stays the same, after all.

Good luck to you, and all the proud photography members during the holiday season and all the best in the new year !!

I'm looking forward to the times when you ARE able to join us here and offer your expertise to us again

:)

[DoctorJazz]

Best of luck in your new life style Joseph.....in the short time I have been a member here I have learned a tremendous amount from your posts.....marvelled at your
images......been inspired to learn more......I wish you and your family the best
and Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Happy Holidays, Sandy

[dkippen]

Joseph - what bittersweet news. While I am also very sad to see less of your posts here on the board and that you won't be spending as much time with Samantha, I am glad you were able to find something in your field. I know I haven't been around much - but I do stop in and always marvel at not only your talent, but your wealth of knowledge and understanding of the craft of photography. The time you have already spent with your daughter has been precious and this trasition will pass quickly for all of you. I wish you and your family the best of luck on this new journey.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family.

(BTW - the swans are back).

[trashytrucker]

Joseph,
I know I am the "new guy" and really havent interduced myself, however so far you and Jerry are the only ones who have responded to my recent posts. I see you as a very passoniate photographer and hope to hear from you again!
I do wish you the best of luck and may God bless you.
happy holidays.


Matt
aka. TrashyTrucker

[ladyups]

Good luck, Joseph, in your future endeavors. I'm sure Samatha will adjust just fine to getting up and going to her 'day job'...:) It's you who will have the withdrawal symptoms without her. I understand completely the lack of time to devote to this wonderful hobby and will miss 'seeing' you as often on the forum but family has to come first.

May the new year bring you only good things!

[eyerkish]

After many months of looking for work, and reaching the brink of financial ruin, I have finally landed a job in my field. I couldn't be happier about that for me and the family.

Of course there is the bad. After leaving my job 3 years ago to stay home and raise my 3 year old, we now have to put her into a day care. Something I knew would eventually come, but something I certainly wished didn't have to. It's going to be an emotional kick in the face for all of us as my wife and Daughter have come accustom to Dad being home raising Samantha, keeping the house, and having dinner on the table every night.

And it also means that the time I've enjoyed here at PP on a daily, and sometimes hourly will also be greatly reduced as I charge head first into a new lifestyle. This certainly doesn't mean I won't stop by and haunt you all from time to time, but I know it will no longer be on a daily basis come the first of the year.

I wish you all the best holiday season ever, and don't forget to take the time to be thankful for friends and family, and tell them how much they mean to you.

Joseph,

I wish you the best of luck with your new job and lifestyle. I agree with many of the posts in that it will give your daughter plenty of opportunities to play with other kids and socialize. I would like to thank you for all of the knowledge you freely share with the other members. I have learned a lot from reading your posts and I am thankful for the knowledge you have given me. Your presence will be missed on here, but I do look forward to seeing you on here when you can find the time.