In spite of North Carolina having a relatively cool, unparched summer so far, and in spite of having a lovely job (at the moment -- next month, who knows) with terrific coworkers, I'm still hoping to settle in the Pacific Northwest and teach at a community college. The fabulous Smonster brought me all the necessary info and paperwork for not one, but TWO possible English teaching positions in Oregon. So any available jobma would be appreciated. Also, I'm welcoming suggestions on how to convince potential employers that being in publishing rather than teaching for the past eight years isn't a horrible thing for a would-be teacher.

I need more jobma.

Position I was offered is now being opened up to everyone. I am only semi-qualified, and a little gunshy of boss right now.

I need healthma.

I'm going in for an ultrasound at 3:00 p.m. board time to rule out an ectopic pregnancy. My doctor doesn't think it's likely, but there was this one very tender spot that could be several innocuous things but also just might be ectopic. And since the earlier you catch them, the better the outcome, it's best to err on the side of caution.

Naturally I'm scared. What I'm hoping for from this afternoon is most of all of course to find out that the embryo is in the uterus where it belongs, but as a secondary thing, I want the ultrasound to be conclusive one way or the other, just for my peace of mind.

Major jobma needed.

Recruiter man just called. Sounds like there's a possible contract. It would be a good one.

Knocking on much wood.

Jobma here too -- first-round phone interview tomorrow, so not getting hopes too far up. But whatever ma I can get will help.

I AM GONNA BE AN AUNT!!!!!!!!! WWWWOOOOOOOO HHHHOOOOO!!

And, the baby is due March 25th. One day before Auntie Allyson's birthday. Wooooooooo!!!!

Yay.

Happy Dance.

Giddiness.

All pressure of procreating completely gone.

Plus, I'm gonna be an auntie!

Technical difficulties here. I'm gonna try Not to be dark, but I might...don't put my name on the Board yet...PCma requested. mwah!

Good news--the embryo is exactly where it should be, and we're about 99% sure we even saw the heartbeat. (At ~3.5 weeks gestation, you can't really see that much--it's not really baby-shaped, but there was definitely some kind of pulsing action going on.) The pain I was experiencing was from a corpus luteum cyst on my left ovary, which is A) not uncommon in early pregnancy, and B) usually resolves on its own.

I'd like to thank the Buffista who took it upon themself (is that a word?) to find out my snailmail address and send me a check to help out with the bills while unemployed.

I'm verklempt.

Of course, being from the midwest, having guilt about cashing it...haven't yet.

My new end date at work is now August 22. I think this one will stick.

Could use some Figuring Out What To Do With Myself-Ma.