enJOY it

Last Thursday was my official last day as an employee at Paper Source. I was there for two and a half years almost to the day. I went in as a sales associate and left as a sales associate but in the meantime worked as a workshop coordinator, workshop teacher, assistant manager and new store transitioning assistant manager.

Before I moved to Maryland, I knew I wanted to work at Paper Source and commute into Georgetown everyday. I knew very little about paper except that I loved it. Fortunately, that was enough to secure a job.

I leave now with a lot of customer service experience. With an appreciation for letterpress. With an arsenal of invitation ideas. With great friends. With an addiction to double faced satin ribbon. With very little tolerance for bad gift wrap.

Without a doubt, my work experience at Paper Source allowed me to build my shop and start working from home. I spent a lot of time learning about the paper industry : stationery brands, wedding lines, gift wrap companies, all of it. Plus, working in a creative environment got me thinking in ways I wasn't before I started. I hear about a lot of people who work creative jobs and feel like it sucks the "make something" energy right out of them. For me, it was the opposite. My day job inspired my night job which eventually meant I was able to cut back immensely.

The hardest thing to say good-bye to is not the store, or the paper, or even the discount. Paper Source is where I met my very best east coast friends. I will miss checking in every week. Stalking the website and emailing is not quite the same.

I am very grateful for the past two and a half crazy years. I am also very excited to see what’s next.

Photos are random ones taken throughout my time in store.

FINAL STRETCH : How is it already Tuesday? We have a guy coming to look at the apartment today to see how much stuff we have that needs to be moved. He will then come back next Tuesday to pack us all up. Next Thursday all the boxes and furniture will be out the door and we'll spend Friday cleaning our hearts out to get our deposit back. I'm a little concerned about all the holes I put in the wall to hang pictures. That might have been worth the deposit though…

Between now and the big pack-up, we have some good friends to say good-bye to and my car to sell. It's going to be a busy eleven days.

FLOWERS : While in Minnesota my Mom and I visited with Colleen, our family friend and fantastic florist, again. She gave me more tips on how to get all the loose flowers we are ordering prepped for bouquets and centerpieces. She even provided help on making the boutonnieres myself. We had a couple practice rounds and I will be trying a few samples before the wedding to see what Paul thinks. If he says go, then we go. He's the one who will be wearing it, after all.

ARTIST VS. CRAFTSMAN : Also while we were with Colleen, we talked about the difference between an Artist and a Craftsman. I am so glad to have found a word that seems to fit much better than Artist. I like the idea of being "skilled in the techniques of art and craft." I like the thought of practicing and growing to become a Craftsman.

LIBERTY OF LONDON : Did you wander Target this weekend in search of fun patterns? I did and walked away with just a nightgown and a small set of journals. Overall, I was impressed with the new line though I think sticking it all in the same section would have made more sense than having to wander the store to see what was available. If we had a backyard I would be all over the watering can. As it is, I think I am going to pick up a pair of gardening gloves for the 500 flowers I have to turn into bouquets and centerpieces next month.

THIS WEEK : I have lots of shower photos and details to share tomorrow and some final thoughts on finishing up my job at Paper Source coming later in the week. It's feeling like spring around here (though not nearly as much as it was in Minnesota!) and that is exciting. Ready to roll.

One reason I'm excited to get married is that fiancé is the lamest word to say and type.

I look at all actors on television and movies to see if they are right or left handed.

I do this because I wish I was left handed.

It's possible (though less than 25%) that our child might be left handed.

Paul thinks my genetics logic is off.

Nearly every piece of clothing I've bought from Anthropologie has gotten a hole in it. (the one exception: this dress)

This is why I tend to steer towards the homewares section.

I keep a written calendar (printed out iCal), a digital calendar (iCal) and a digital to do list (TeuxDeux).

But I no longer have a paper planner and it's the best feeling in the world.

I love Excel spreadsheets an inappropriate amount.

I also love assembly lines and monotonous tasks.

Facebook was so much better in college.

I'm so excited to have children.

That's not a secret.

I hope we never have to move out of California again.

That's not a secret either.

It's also nearly impossible.

Paul being in med school made me a hypochondriac.

I love my hand writing.

I can't bring myself to buy a digital SLR and I think it's because I don't want to carry it around with me.

My parents are my best friends.

I'll stop looking at wedding blogs on April 23rd.

At least for a little while.

I spend more time not busy than I spend busy.

I would really like to change that. 

(Inspired by Cathy)