Two Graduations & The Wedding

Well, it has been a busy several weeks. Tina graduated from college, Grace graduated from high school and Hope got married. All were great and memorable.
Next steps, Grace is looking for a job and will go on to college. Hope and Danny have gone back to Florida. Tina is researching her next move.

It's Been Almost Four Years Ago?

Wow, my last post was almost 4 years ago! A lot has changed since then. I did complete Leadership Oak Ridge! It was a great learning experience. In March 2013, I was let go from Emory Valley Center. I spent four months unemployed and looking for a new job. One day, I decided to submit my resume to several hotels. They called me the next day for an interview and I was hired. I spent just over a year a the Sales Manager for three Choice Hotel properties in Knoxville. It was during this time that our oldest daughter was hired with Disney. This meant that she needed to move to Florida. I will share more about God's hand in that in a later post. We also lost Tina's father (a mentor and friend), Steve this past Summer. Our family spent a couple weeks in California during his final days and then getting the service together. Linda (Tina's mom), has since come to live with us. We are happy to have her here!
In August 2014, I was offered a job with the Anderson County Chamber of Commerce and took it! I am blessed to work with a great team!
Our youngest daughter is now a Senior in high school and we look ahead with her to graduation. Tina is also completing her Associates in Music at a local community college. She too will be graduating in May.

The other day I was asked how we ended up in Tennessee. Throughout our story I was reminded of what God told us before we left California. He said "don't worry, I am going ahead of you". He has been true to His word and I am grateful.

Leadership Oak Ridge

Well, yesterday I began an 11 month journey. It involved a room full of mostly strangers. Leadership Oak Ridge is a program coordinated through the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce. It's mission is to inform current and emerging leaders about Oak Ridge and it's issues, and provide them leadership skills development in order to empower them to identify and implement solutions to those community issues. Opening Session started with breakfast and a meet & greet. We were greeted by the Mayor of Oak Ridge and then the Chairman of the Chamber Board. Photos were then taken. A fantastic lunch buffet was served followed by a tour of Oak Ridge hosted by Ray Smith, a local historian. I am honored to be a part of this year's class. I am anxious to learn more about this city with a history. I am also excited for the opportunity to network and build friendships with current and emerging leaders in the Oak Ridge community.

Emperor's New Clothes

Well, both our girls are involved with this weekend's production of "The Emperor's New Clothes". Hope has an acting part as older lady. She is very excited to be able to wear a fat suit! Grace has taken on a more technical role as sound person. Tomorrow they both get to miss school to perform a school show. They will be doing two performances on Saturday and one on Sunday. We will post pictures following the Sunday show.

For more info on this show and The Playhouse www.orplayhouse.com


weather today: beautiful and 76 degrees. nice day!

A Couple Newspaper Articles

Earlier this year the supported employment program I serve as the coordinator for was featured in two local papers.

The Oak Ridge Observer article can be found on Page 2 at the following link

http://www.oakridgeobserver.com/images/stories/archives/January%207%202010_Smaller.pdf

Another article appeared in April in the Oak Ridger featuring a couple people we support.

http://www.oakridger.com/localnews/x1042541898/Adults-with-disabilities-find-employment

-Norm

Busy......

I know that no entries from April to September might be viewed as unexcusable.

We are sorry and we'll try to do a better job of contributing to the blog more regularly.

We are always doing something, so check back often for updates....... -Norm

Three Years Ago....

I've allowed an important date to pass unnoticed. As of September 12, 2010, I had been in Tennessee for three years. I left California late afternoon on the Thursday after Labor Day in 2007 heading toward Tennessee and a job interview. I arrived in Knoxville on Sunday evening. I went to work for the agency I drove 2,500+ miles to interview with and then began the search for our new home. My family and our dog, Mitchell arrived a month later. We purchased a home and settled in.

During these three years, Tina was hired at a drive thru coffee business. She later left and was hired at Starbuck's. I left that orginal job and was hired at another agency working my passion, employment for people with disabilities. The girls have attended and changed schools (elementary to middle school, middle school to high school), looked for and found a way to use their talents in singing and acting.

We also found a fantastic faith community, Crossings and have plugged in.

We got a second dog, Annie.

As I said earlier, I left my original Tennessee employer and am now working as a Supported Employment Coordinator at an agency in Oak Ridge. I enjoy assisting people with finding community employment and networking with employers. In a "down economy" we have helped 13 people to become employed and more are in the works.

Tina is employed as a Barista/Trainer at the Knoxville Airport and does a very good job. She is also the family taxi driver, driving the girls to their activities and practices. I generally pick them up in the evenings.

We enjoy Tennessee and there are many roads and areas still undiscovered by our family. Thankfully, I think we'll be here for a while. We will discover those places in the not to distant future. We'll tell you about what we find and see.

We're mighty glad to be here and very, very happy............

-Norm

weather today: 73 degrees and beautiful.