A tale of two cities...

[greysangel]

There once was an empty little house in the Marigny Triangle with a lovely little courtyard and a fig and lemon tree. This little victorian camelback had a sunny little efficiency on the top floor and a balcony and deck for several a morning sipping french roast and nibbling on fresh pastries from the bakery on the corner. THAT HOUSE IS BECOMING OURS!!!!! The last visit to New Orleans we looked at this place and loved it ...perfect size, perfect location (four blocks from the french quarter), old house charm and the right price. Alas the last visit, the house was under contract but turns out the buyer got cold feet and we're in!!! With any luck we close by the new year. YAY!!!

For those of you that remember, I didn't get the philanthropic foundation job at my current place of employment. I was incredibly disappointed at the time but truth is had I gotten it, it would have kept us in the city we don't love longer and me in a big corp. environment longer.

I have been going to Nash Academy (dog grooming) and it's kind of soon to say, but I am really enjoying it. The other students are similar to me...tired of office work, love animals, want something different etc. Everyone is just your run of the mill nice person. Working with the dogs can sometimes be intimidating, but it's also a lot of fun. The Saturdays fly by and it's something I really believe I can do at exactly the pace and scale I want to do it.

Work is pretty dreadful, but it's ok because I see the light at the end of the tunnel. I have five months until I'm vested which is nothing in the scheme of things...certainly nothing after putting in four and a half years! At least the uncertainty of lay off is gone...the new regime met me and like me so I have that on my side. I could wax on forever about the crazy things that management decide to do thinking they are saving money, but I will spare the boring details. Plus dilbert is funnier than I am :D

So with work being more than full time these days, dog grooming classes both online and practical I have not been around too much but do try to at least read to keep up with what is going on. I wish everyone the best of Thanksgivings and Friday at work should be slow enough to post a review of what I ate! About time right?! I miss the good ole' days of tracking recipes, writing reviews etc :(

J

[Chefzhat]

So, how soon will I be able to come visit you in your "new" city??? :D :D :D

JeAnne - I'm thrilled for you. I can't wait to hear about the new path that your life will take!

xo
Debie

[greysangel]

So, how soon will I be able to come visit you in your "new" city??? :D :D :D

JeAnne - I'm thrilled for you. I can't wait to hear about the new path that your life will take!

xo
Debie

We're hoping by next spring...we'll rent out in the meantime. :D :D

[HejazSunKat]

JeAnne, WOW! Awesome! What a great new adventure is about to unfold for you and Chaz. Wishing you both happiness in your new home and satisfaction and fulfillment in your new career.

[gertdog]

JeAnne, I am SO happy for you (but sorry to lose future opportunities to hang out with a BB friend)!!! I really admire you for taking action to change up your life in a positive way, and hope the new house in NO will bring you many, many wonderful memories.

[ErinM]

So, how soon will I be able to come visit you in your "new" city??? :D :D :D

JeAnne - I'm thrilled for you. I can't wait to hear about the new path that your life will take!

xo
Debie

I echo everything that Debie says, but remind her that we'll want to bring along Rufus, Max and Cody, cuz we know that she'll make them look great since she has Molly and Angus! :D

What you're doing is awesome Jeanne!

[Robyn1007]

Oh, JeAnne, I'm so excited for you! It brings back such sweet memories of when I made the decision to move to Colorado from Northern Virginia. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving knowing that next year you'll be celebrating in The Big Easy!

[mrswaz]

JeAnne!!! How exciting for you! I hope that everything runs along smoothly along your timetable, just as you want it to. That is incredibly exciting for news- thank you for sharing with us. Your new home sounds absolutely charming, I can't wait to see the pictures!

Happy Thanksgiving!

[SueK]

Congrats JeAnne! That's so great that you and Chaz are following your dreams! Best of luck to you in your new home and new chapter in your lives.

[linsleyd]

Congratulations!
Life does take us in different paths, especially when we aren't looking!

Good luck!

[Gracie]

Congratulations! The house sounds amazing and I definitely want to see pictures!

So you will open a dog-grooming business - in your home or rent out space? What will Chaz be doing?

However I am really sad that we won't get to hook up on Erin's and my next shopping trip to NYC, which will probably be not as soon as she wants but maybe spring/early summer.

Loren

[sneezles]

I was wondering where you've been lately! How truly exciting and wonderful for you! The new house sounds wonderful and you sound very excited at the prospect of starting another chapter in your life! NOLA! Wow! Very best of luck to you and hope these next 5 months fly by!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and Chaz!

[cniles]

Wow! Your new adventure sounds fantastic JeAnne!! Hang in there for these last couple of months. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!:)

[greysangel]

So you will open a dog-grooming business - in your home or rent out space? What will Chaz be doing?
Loren


Thanks everyone!!! We are so excited but of course trying to keep things hush hush at work etc.

Loren - I'm not sure on the grooming front. Part of me would like to keep it very small scale and do it out of the apartment, but the other part of me would like to try to grow a business that we could sell later down the line. First off I have to make sure I'm good at it :D I definitely enjoy what I've done so far but I haven't put my hands on the blades yet ;) The game plan right now is:

close by end of year and rent out until we move down there

try to add days to my saturdays at the school to shorten my completion date

move late spring/summer or early fall at the latest - all depends on school
work part time at an established place and start taking some clients - I have some thoughts on this. There are no sole grooming places that I know of in the immediate New Orleans area. There are a couple of retail places and a couple of doggy day care/pet sitting places. I'm thinking maybe work with them to develop chops or even see if they want a full time groomer etc. It really depends on how much we want to risk with investing etc and how much I really want to work for myself vs for someone else. Also I like the idea of working for myself but do I want to have a staff etc? Don't know yet.

Rent out Bayonne house until market picks up (maybe next year or the year after)

That's it! I've also toyed around with the idea of picking up wedding/funeral singing again. I did great with it when I lived in CT and I could probably easily do it on the side in NOLA.

Chaz has a couple of ideas. There is a huge WWII museum in NOLA that he has mentioned wanting to work there. He is a huge WWII buff and loves history so I think it would be a great environment for him..depends on the kind of job he wants and what's available. Or if I do end up opening a shop, he could help me with it because he loves animals too!

Erin my first class I got to blow out a full grown coat on a shih tzu...fun stuff!!! She was gorgeous!

[newtricks]

JeAnne!

I'm excited for you! I've been wondering about you and your stoopid company ;) .

New Orleans is lucky to get you guys. :)

[CompassRose]

You're going to live in NEW ORLEANS?? That's fantastic! I'm so excited for you and Chaz -- hot congratulations!

[lisas3575]

Congratulations, JeAnne! That's fantastic news. Sooo happy for you and Chaz. :D

[HealthyinMN]

What an opportunity for you two! We're very anxious to hear how this goes for you two, I hope you keep us updated often! Have fun with your new adventure!

[ErinM]

Congratulations! The house sounds amazing and I definitely want to see pictures!


Loren


I second the pictures of the place!




Erin my first class I got to blow out a full grown coat on a shih tzu...fun stuff!!! She was gorgeous!


Awesome! Did she stay still? I'm assuming she would have as she's probably used to it by now. How old was she?

Cody would kill me if I attempted to grow his hair that way.

[Lauren]

JeAnne - Wow! Lots of changes. I'm a believer in making changes and doing what makes you happy. Wishing you and Chaz all the best in your move. And good riddance to corporate America! :p

[aggie94]

Oh JeAnne, I am so excited for you!! I know from your previous posts and threads how much you and Chaz love New Orleans - you must be thrilled to be started anew in a city that you adore.

Best wishes to both of you as you set off on a new adventure!

[greysangel]

She stayed pretty still..then again mine do too although they have puppy cuts. Still I think they like the preening and attention :rolleyes: :D I think she was 4 years old and her cousin was there as well with shorter hair and a huge tongue :D

[ChristineB]

Congrats, it is so terrific that you are moving to such a great city and your place sounds adorable.

I up and quit my job of 12 yrs (in Psychology) feeling the same way you are and I started my own Wedding Planning business.....I have never once regretted my decision. Life is TOO short to have a job that you don't LOVE. I do have to say that there is a lot more involved in started a business than I had planned but when it is something you enjoy it makes it all worth it. Have you thought about opening an mobile dog grooming company? My favorite groomer left a gucci salon and started her own company--she comes to our door in her pimped out van and grooms our dog. She is booked 3 months in advance. She charges a fortune (over $100)--but dog lovers will pay it for a good groomer that pampers your pup (hot oil treatments:) She sets her own schdule and doesn't need an office. She bought her van used b/c I think they are pricey. Something to think about.

Good Luck!!
ChristineB

[greysangel]

Hi Christine!

Thanks for sharing your experience with your mobile groomer! Right now I'm in planning mode..I will most likely have to work for someone else first, but am researching the different avenues. I'm not sure mobile grooming would work really well in New Orleans for similar reasons to actually where I am now....mostly street parking, not a lot of driveways and narrowish side streets. I think I'm also too social too and I see being in a trailer or pimped our RV as quite isolating. I think I would rather have a small shop..even if it was me and someone else...I just envision a sort of people hair salon atmosphere..yanno...magazines, gossip, makin everyone pretty :D

[GingerPow]

JeAnne, I've just now discovered this thread and I must tell you I'm thrilled for you. A new career, a new home; a new life!

I wish you the very best, as does my Havanese, Linus.:D We finally found a terrific dog groomer well worth the 40 minute drive. She is as appreciated as a great people hairdresser, good babysitter, etc. You'll soon be an important part of (more) people's lives! Yay JeAnne!:D

[mom2garret]

I just got back from vacation and found this thread. CONGRATS to you Jeanne and your DH! I am in awe at the way you take your life in different directions. first the wedding show, then the makeover and now you will pick up and move to N.O.
WOW! What a great and exciting time for you. My best wishes that everything goes smoothly!
Jodi

[KathrynY]

Jeanne, I am so excited for you and Chaz! Your new home sounds lovely, and a fun new career too. Good for you for taking the jump - can't wait to hear how your adventure progresses. :) We'll have to klatch before you leave the northeast!