When I first found out that we were indeed moving to Colorado (I think that was back in November) I started looking for jobs. When I couldn't really come up with any interesting prospects other than Administrative Assistants or store clerks (NOT that there is anything wrong with that to make an honest living) I paused for a minute. I figured this would be the time to find a job that I really love - something that I WANT to do so that work isn't work. I've been in a job that was hard and stressful for long enough. I got out so that I can follow my dream. And while that dream is being worked on I need something to sustain myself. So why not go towards that direction in that respect as well.

So I googled "doggy day care in Colorado Springs" to see if there was a market here for that kind of thing, thinking that I could run my own petsitting business if push came to shove. I came across a few websites. But this one caught my eye. It is called Lucky Dog. I immediately  had a good feeling about it. I browsed their site and looked to see if they were hiring. All it said was that they are always looking for pet lovers to add to their staff. But there was no application process. Well, I emailed the general manager directly. Well, she must have liked something I said or something she saw in my resumee, because she said to come by and fill out an application as soon as I got there and to make sure to tell the receptionist there that she wanted to talk to me personally.

Well ... the time had finally come. I went and filled out the application. The owner didn't really have time to interview me, she told me beforehand that she was busy this week. Nevertheless, while I sat there filling stuff out, she walked by and introduced herself. On my way home - not a half hour later, the location manager called me back and said they don't really have a full-time position on their staff just yet, but they are starting up their petsitting business and would like to bring me in on an on-call basis for that and then move me into a full shift once a spot becomes available. Was I interested in that?

WAS I? Heck yes! All that without an interview!?!?!?!?! She proceeds to tell me that they already have a client lined up that they need me for for next week. Can I come by tomorrow to do a quick interview, fill out some paperwork and then head out to the client for an initial consultation? Ummm... Sure.... no problem!

So today was my "interview" - which was really just more a tour of the facility and some explanation on how stuff works. Then I headed out with the other sitter, who proceeded to give me the paperwork for the client and said - "well - you know what you're doing anyway. Here is our paperwork - I'll just observe and you can interview the client". Alrighty then ... no problem! Piece of cake!

My point is, I guess, that if something is right everything just falls into place. I mean, yes, sometimes you have to work hard for what you really want - but still - if everything is right there it works out as well. And it's not that I haven't worked hard for the experience that undoubtedly helped me here landing this job. I am so grateful that some people just are able to look at others and see what's there without any bullcrap games. I mean - these people don't know me from Jack. All they know is what's in my resumee and what I've told them. I don't even know if they called any of the references yet. But somehow seeing me and really listening to me was enough to convince this lady to talk about me to the rest of her staff and to basically hire me on the spot, without really an interview. And today I  was already part of the team. I mean - she showed me around and I didn't have the feeling of somebody new coming in, but they already made me feel like I was supposed to be there.

I am so blessed! Thank you Angels!

Well.... I already posted a whole album about the new house on facebook yesterday. So I thought I'd just add the pictures of the treck to COS on here, since there is a little more story to tell.....

Of course, when we first got here we didn't have internet yet, so I couldn't really report from the third day. Luckily the hotels along the way provided me with my daily "fix".... LOL.... Did you know, btw, that all the rest stations on the highways now offer free wireless internet? I guess a lot of truckers use that now, as well. And why not?

OK.. so here it goes. Prepare for another onslaught of photos!

This is how we started out. This is the view I had for three days! Did you notice by the way, how low the MPV sits? ;P - packed to the gills - I'm telling you!

We did this a lot! We usually drove 1 1/2 to 2 hours then either gas, pp, or stretching break. Sometimes all of the above! I believe this was in Selma, AL

This is the view into my car. :O - Cedric on the bottom, Silvester on top, cooler at hand - and this is literally and physically the ONLY room in this car - the driver's seat.

The second morning - Monroe, LA! We are all packed up again and ready to go.

Sylvi's car looked similar to mine, except that her "backseat" was relatively open, with Rygar occupying one seat, Sierra the other and Moritz on the floor (can't see him). But behind that was the same wall that you could find in mine!

After one of the stretching breaks Sierra decided she had enough of the backseat and wanted a shot at my driver's seat! Silvester didn't think that was funny!

The second night. The hotel in Vernon, TX. As you can see Cedric wasn't really that stressed out or concerned about the whole trip thing. Somehow he found a way to entertain himself. (oh... and yeah... that is Nemo's tail hanging out of the litter box.... LOL)

As long as his fluffy blue pillow is there, Silvester can sleep anywhere. Poor thing had it worst of everybody, though. Motion sickness is no fun, and he promptly threw up every single day. But then the medicine kicked in and he at least was able to sleep most of the time. He used the time in the hotel wisely to recover.

When we went to bed Lucy had found her own accomodations - in my travel bag ...

... but when we woke up the next morning Nemo occupied that same spot!

The third day started out early, but a little rough. We had to stop several times for various reasons. One of them was that Max found a way to exploit a weak spot in the construction of the kennel door and escaped into the car!

Ahhhhh.... New Mexico and Mesas in the background!

And this is the first time we saw the Colorado Rockies (very faintly in this picture through the glass with the crack.... LOL)! Not much longer! Are we there yet?

YESSSSSSSS!

Hal got us "Welcome Home" balloons. How cute is that?

Together again!

And I already have a "view" picture on the facebook. But this is a little different angle and not zoomed in. Still very stunning, no?

And this was yesterday! Beautiful sunset. Same view from our backyard!

I love it here! Everything seems to be right up my ally. You can get EVERYthing organic! Everybody is very conscious and into recycling. The people are very genuinely friendly and Customer Service still seems to be very valued here. It just feels like home. Yay!