Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

If I had to describe the one prevailing emotion I’ve been swimming in the last few weeks, it would be anxious.

I’m a planner, a girl who thrives on continuity and routine.  I like to know what’s coming up, not only today, but tomorrow, next week and preferably for the next 6 months after that.  As you can imagine, I’m a real party animal and oh-so much fun to live with.

The last few months have been everything but routine.  Summer, in general, throws my whole equilibrium off.  It’s fun at first, and I can pretend that I’m a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants girl for a few weeks, but then I get crabby and prone to dramatic fits.  We had a family vacation that was up-in-the-air for awhile before we finally had to cancel it a week before we were to leave.

Then we had the whole transition to public school looming before us.  For our entire school experience, save the first two years of preschool for Elena, we’ve returned to the same school.  No first-day jitters, no new routines to contend with, just the same old school with the same old rules.  This back-to-school was filled with new faces, new rules, new everything.  It was a great transition – couldn’t have asked for it to go any better – but it still wore me out.  It’s who I am.

It’s the last couple of weeks that have really had me pacing the floor and lying awake at night, though.  A few months back I learned that The Container Store was opening their first store in Indianapolis.  The Container Store and I go way back.  My sister Suzan lives in Dallas, where The Container Store is headquartered.  She first introduced me to the mecca of home organization, and from that point on The Container Store has been my happy place.  When we travel to a new city I ask two questions:  “Where do we eat?” and “Is there a Container Store?”  Priorities, people.

I’ve also known for a while the reputation The Container Store has for being an excellent place to work.  They consistently get voted in Fortune Magazine’s Top 100 Places to Work.  When I saw they were opening here, the first whispers of “Should I?” began to swirl in my head.  I filled out an online application months ago and left it to fate.  In the meantime, though, I was anxious.  What if they want me?  What if they don’t?  Can I do this?  Can I afford not to?

Nearly 3 months and 3 interviews later, I am officially a Container Store employee.  I start mid-October and will be working about 15 hours a week.  This will be new for all of us, but we’re excited.  Well, everyone but Eli.  We haven’t broken the news to our favorite mama’s boy yet.

I’m excited to use my brain in a different way, and to be around new and different people (gasp, adult people!).  I’m excited about the company.  I’m excited to start bringing an income into the fold again, and to finally start saving in a big way again.  I’m excited for my family to take back some of the responsibility I’ve been too eager to take on for them, just because I was here.  And yes, I’m very, very excited about the employee discount.