The story: Tyler's company, Sodexo, lost the account he works at here in Austin. It was a pretty big deal. The enormous organization that owns the also very large hospital network he was contracted with decided to hand the support services contract to a company that undercut them in the bid. That's what happens when a hospital system is not-for-profit + a down economy + Obamacare looming like a death sentence (and it is for hospitals as well as providers and insurers.). And who can blame them? They need to save every penny in a time when fewer and fewer have the ability to pay AND the future is so uncertain. Tyler's hospital alone does over $400 million in charitable work every year.
So while we were not unemployed (thank heavens!), we had to find a new position in the company. The pickings were obviously sparse in Austin since a few hospitals were lost in this bid, leaving a surplus of managers. So we applied a few places including this hospital in Murrieta. (Murrieta is about halfway between San Diego and LA, more inland.) We are happy this worked out because in a few months there will be a total of FOUR Neal girls living in the LA area! Talk about an exodus! So while I am sad sad sad about leaving my Zion here in Austin, I couldn't ask for anything better than to be with so much family. It's where we feel like we should be right now. And I guess California is pretty nice too. ;)
But here's the kicker: Tyler's first day is Halloween! Here's to executing a move in 2 1/2 weeks!
And come on, how cute is my girl?! She is also hilarious! Her latest hilarious escapade: she and Cameron were being crazies in the bath tonight. She kept trying to climb up the back, angled part of the tub and slipping into the water. She would flip over quickly onto her back in an effort to save herself, and as the water washed over her face I would see her smiling with glee. Nice. "Tyler! Get in here and get Jane! She's trying to drown herself!" (I was still bathing Cameron.)