Wednesday, December 3, 2014

And then there were 3

G-man left in the wee hours of this past Saturday to move south.  His drive was 13 hrs, and he arrived safely to his new home...aka my parents' house.

He started his new job on Monday, and despite being nervous, has had a good first 2 days on the job.  Day one was the usual meet and greet, paperwork, etc.  Day two included a 2-min "speech" at the supervisor's meeting that outlined his history, so glad to be here, and so forth.  And today is day 3...and he and a "work party" are cleaning out a warehouse.  LOL  At least he gets to wear grubby clothes.

He said that many people commented that he was taller than they thought!  He is 6'4".  But they were basing their thoughts from his head shot profile picture on file, which is at least 7 years old....oh, and it is a HEAD SHOT!  Everyone seems to be getting a chuckle out of it....so rock on.

The surprise of the paperwork was that he was brought in as a Grade 9, not an 8.  I have explained the whole government pay scale before, but the Cliff note version is that each grade has 10 in-steps, and when applying for a job, you can't apply for a grade that is more than 2 above your current level.  He wasn't sure what the in-step would be...but based on the table, it would probably be a 9, step 7....which is the next step up from his previous base salary at 8 step 10.  No, they don't go in perfect order....an 8 step 10 makes more than a 9 step 1. 

So what does this mean......2 things:  1)  While we still are taking a pay cut due to losing locality pay and night differential, it isn't AS large as we anticipated.  We are estimating that the grade increase will put about $1,000 back in our pocket annually, but until we know the in-step, we can only go off of the table.  AND 2) in a year, he is eligible to apply for another position (if he wants to), and he can apply for an 11!!!! 

Once you get into the Grade 11 range, the salaries are considerably higher.  It may take some time for a position to open up, and there is no guarantee of anything.  But getting him to an 11 was the goal, and getting his Grade 9 was the next step in the journey...and here we are!

Meanwhile, things are "ok" at my parents' house.  In all reality, he has only been there 3 full days, and 2 of those were at work.  They are all still in the honeymoon phase.  But he has his own room and bathroom.  My parents haven't been "mean" to him.  He is scared of the kitchen (my mom keeps a Kosher home, and that comes with all sorts of rules.  I don't think about it because I grew up with it, but when you are afraid to use the wrong spoon, it makes it harder).  So time will tell how that all goes.

And now it is just the kids and me.  Sassy, of course, got sick this past weekend (and she very rarely gets sick).  This is my most stressful week of the month at work, and Boss is having a meltdown over a few things (nothing towards me, but since I am in the office....I get to soak in all that bad energy!).  Bossy is still confused about the Dad leaving part but he is working through it.

Financially....that will be a different post.  The quick answer is....it is ok.  Not great, not horrible. 

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

11 comments:

  1. This is what you wanted! Things will work out! Good luck to hubby and have faith that your house will sell and you can begin a new chapter in life AND be closer to your parents ;)

    HS

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    1. Did I mention that my parents were NOT the selling point in all this? Lol

      Yes...this is what we want. Just ready to get the show on the road.

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  2. Reading your blog through the years I would agree the parents were not the selling point of moving. Cheryl

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  3. So nice to hear from you. I spent years away from my husband when he was in the military or fire fighting, but I think it made our marriage work! Keep up the faith you can do this.

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  4. Glad to hear he made it safely ..... this will all be worth it in the end :)

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  5. Wow... I must have missed a lot... hubby moved in with your parents?! Hope that goes well and Sassy is feeling better soon!

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  6. I'm sorry to hear that he's gone but this is the best move long term for your family. Hope Sassy is better soon!

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  7. Glad he made it to his destination a-ok! You guys can do this! I am rooting for you!!

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  8. And on to the new chapter in your lives! I know it's not easy being a single parent, but there is light at the end. Hope Sassy is on the mend by now.

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