June 28, 2012

Closing Some Chapters… But Not This One!

As you may have guessed, something’s been afoot with me, and it has all conspired to come together within the same week and even the same day.I have resigned from my current position as of today, and am moving on to a new post. It’s at a small private school in downtown Baltimore, and I will basically be starting their fundraising program from scratch. I will mainly be working from home, so maybe this will help alleviate some of Connor’s anxieties about me leaving. Or maybe they will get worse, since I am around all of the time.

At the exact time I was leaving my position, I was sitting at a trial that’s the final act in something that happened about 18 months ago. I was assaulted by one of the parishioners at the church next to my old house. I wasn’t badly hurt, but it really shook my confidence, and was the root cause of my move to the new house. The person who pummeled me was found guilty of all but one charge. It took a long time for the wheels of justice to turn, but I had faith that, in the end, the system would work the way it’s supposed to. And it did.

I am excited about moving on to new adventures, a new job and the relief of not having the trial hanging over my head. At times, writing Pigtown*Design has been a welcome distraction from everything that’s been happening. I will welcome my millionth visitor in the next two days, something that makes me incredibly pleased, and also humbled that so many people take time to visit my blog.

(P.S. – The lawn was mowed right after these pictures were taken! I have the nicest lawn “boy” who’s really a 50-year old fireman from the local station. He’s worth every penny I pay him!)

70 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness! I'm so sorry such an awful thing happened to you, and I'm so thankful the justice system worked as it should.

    Mazel Tov on your new job and your new home!

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    1. I guess i am naive but I just assumed the justice system would work...but that it wouldn't take 18 months.

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  2. I'm so glad that you're moving ahead with fun, interesting things in your life. Perhaps Connor's anxieties were based in yours and you can both relax and enjoy life!

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    1. Dee.. that's certainly a good point! Hope that now that I am calm, Connor is, too!

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  3. Congratulations on new beginnings and the closing of doors. I don't doubt you for one second about Connor's issues when you go away, but boy...looking at those pictures....I'd say that is one happy dog. The last photo is pure contentment.

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    1. That's the funny thing... he looks like such an angel!

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  4. Just a 2nd note. Have you seen the pics of the Kips Bay show house on the NYT website? You will die for the pic of the stairway!

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    1. I have seen a number of images from the KB House, but will have to go back and look specifically at the stairway.

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  5. congratulations on your next chapter - i hope it is wonderful - and i am sorry for the incident you note and i am happy justice was finally served. nice to see the system working for a change. you will do great and i hope sweet connon improves with mom home...

    xo terri

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    1. Thank you so much. I am excited about this new chapter.

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  6. A Parishioner! shocking too bad someone can't sue the church and file a civil action against the defendant to recover a settlement for pain and suffering. In other news, The school bus aide -- a victim of taunting from school children had a sympathetic stranger start a fundraising site to send her on a vacation-- according to a news report the web site has raised considerably more than that ( half a million ) social media can be a very effective fund raising tool, easier than a car wash or a rummage sale or a bothersome silent auction. Murphy Brown

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    1. It's a poor inner city church, so going after them would be pointless. And I just want it all to be over with.

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  7. Reading and responding to you also takes our minds off our problems, great news on all counts. I agree Connor looks very content

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  8. Good Grief, you got assaulted by a Parishioner?? Unreal. So good that you prosecuted, hope the sentence was stiff, 'cuz that's a felony, right? Connor looks cheerful at your new plans :-).

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    1. That's what's always outraged me. This church made my life miserable when they moved next door to me. They told me that they followed God's laws, so the civil laws of noise, construction, parking didn't matter. Ugh.

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  9. Here's to new beginnings with old friends. We're here cheering you and Connor on! All the best to your new chapter. And I hope that dirtbag goes to jail.

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    1. She actually apologized to me afterwards, which I thought was gracious of her.

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  10. Wow,hit us with your best shot why don't you?

    I'm glad you are fit and hopefully fine after the stress of the assault and the trial. You new news is good news and sounds like a wonderful fit for you, the school and the pup.

    Excited, we're all off to a new job!xo Jane

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  11. Your posts are always so uplifting. I am so sorry for your troubles. I love your pictures and your comments about the world. I love school development (fundraising). The private schools in Baltimore have always done a great job at it. Connor has probably been acting out his grief at your pain. He will be one happy dog now. Working from home you need to get outside during the day. Take a walk with Connor. Ann

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  12. Wishing you and Connor the best in all of your new endeavors. Your blog is one of my immediate reads every morning.

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    1. Thanks, Annette. I am so pleased you read the blog!

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  13. That incident closed - good!
    New position - exciting & congrats! They knew a good thing when they met you.
    Connor must be one happy hound!
    xo Cathy

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    1. Thanks! I think Connor's going to be a happy hound when his pal Halas arrives for a few days!

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  14. You are good at keeping secrets; it makes more sense why Connor has been stressed out too. He looks very happy lying in the clover, and I'm sure that spending more time with each other will be good for both of you. Congratulations on the new job and on moving on so gracefully.

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    1. Thanks! I could have made a big deal about it, but didn't want to fuss.

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  15. They say(whoever they are)when one door closes another opens. Good luck on your new job + Connor looks so peaceful. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

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    1. Sometimes it's hard to see the open door, but this was pretty easy.

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  16. Hi Meg, Connor looks so happy in the grass. I, too, have experienced the agony of the legal process. I'm so happy that this page of your life has turned....time for new beginnings. Congratulations on the blog--a huge milestone. Prayers and love, Mary

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    1. This was taken a few weeks ago, and now my grass is just hard-scrabble stubs. It's been so dry that it's all fried.

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  17. WOW! At LONG LAST!!! Thos old neighbors were CRAZY!!!!! Sorry it took so long but they needed to be sternly dealt with!!! Are you going to file a civil suit and seek damages? I would, if for no other reason than to up the aggravation factor for THEM!!! Will bug you, too, but you deserve further remedy in my book!
    Congrats on the new position and on 1 million hits on the blog!!! Those of us who follow you on a daily basis know what a treasure you are!!!
    Hugs to sweet Connor! Hope he will level out and stay out of trouble!!! Does his thunder shirt help during storms?

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    1. You are so right... at long last!

      Hoping that my being around more will settle Connor.

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  18. Meg, Congrats on both your new position and the finalization of the court case.

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  19. Meg, so happy for you on so many levels - for having the trial behind you, and for the new job. I think Connor really approves, as well. He does look so sweet and happy in the clover. May your days ahead be the same! Thank you so much for the great joy you bring in to my every day with your wonderfully interesting posts.

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    1. Thank you so much! I have such fun writing the blog!

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  20. Congradulations all around! Conner looks very content, also.
    Good luck witth your new position.

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    1. He loves to hunker down in the grass. It looks very lush in this pix, but no rain has made it frizzle.

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  21. Meg,

    Congratulations on your new job!!! And being a home with Connor, I as a little worried that you were moving back overseas or something.

    So sorry to hear about your assult! Did you mention that on the blog? If so, I missed it. But I am happy to hear that "you got your day in court" as they say.

    Enjoy your new job, your beautiful Connor and your day!

    Elizabeth

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    1. Elizabeth... i kept it pretty quiet. just didn't want to burden anyone with it.

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  22. Good luck to you on opening one door and peace on closing the other. You have endured a lot without a single peep about what ws going on. So glad you left the old neighborhood. Connor seems so happy, I think he feels your vibes. Happy, happy, summer.

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  23. In with the new--out with the old! glad things are going in the right direction!

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  24. Things are looking up. Keep on with the positive momentum. I REALLY enjoy your blog.
    Best -
    - Mike in SC

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  25. Meg! All good news! I am so happy for you. You will love working from home and so glad the trial is behind you and justice was served!! Yay!

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    1. I've never worked from home before, so this will be new to me.

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  26. I wish you well in your new endeavors. Your blog is a bright spot each day. Now that the trial is over a new day has begun. Best wishes to you and of course your very dear furry friend Connor.

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    1. Thanks! I am looking ahead with great anticipation!

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  27. Meg,
    I am so glad that you got to the end of something that was hanging over your head for 18 months and that you have a great new job ahead of you! I sympathize with Connor. He loves you so much that he cannot stand for you to be away. Those pics are great! He's so happy.

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    1. It's just been a shadow in the background, and it was a major factor in the move. I am thrilled to be at the new house, so it's all for the best.

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  28. Meg wow your life is so exciting (maybe too much so in your book)

    Thrilled to hear of your new position! A new chapter about to begin and Connor may love having you home more!

    Stunned that a parishioner attacked you; what a shock it must have been. Behind you at last!
    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

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    1. I think it's always the real holy rollers who are the worst. But she did apologize.

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  29. I am sorry to learn of the circumstances that prompted you to move house, but I am delighted to learn that chapter is well and truly past. It is true that the wheels of justice turn slowly but grind exceedingly fine.

    Connor may well have picked up some of your worry over the incident and ensuing trial. Now you both can relax.

    All good wishes for your new position and this next chapter! I work at home and it's the best.

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    1. Thanks so much! I've never worked from home, so will set up a little office in one of the spare bedrooms. Love the wheels quote!

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  30. Good news all around. A job closer to home is a real godsend. I'm so glad the trial is over. Even knowing you are right is still a heavy burden to have over you.
    To the future!

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    1. Thanks, Maureen! I am relieved by the fact that it's behind me now.

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  31. Good news! Things are looking up!

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  32. I sense a new calm has come over you now as you move to the next stage of your life. May it bring joy and happiness

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    1. Thank you so much! I hesitate to say things are moving in a better direction, because you know what happens then!

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  33. So glad that you are okay, and that you can now work to put it behind you, but so sorry you had to go through this in the first place. Congratulations on your new opportunity- they are quite lucky to have you!
    joan

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  34. Sorry to hear of the assault you experienced, but glad that justice prevailed. The good news is you have found a new neighborhood with such a great house. Connor looks so content on his new mown lawn, he must be thrilled that Mom will be working from home now. Have a great weekend Meg!

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  35. Meg, I think you'll love working at home. Just remember to schedule regular lunch dates with old friends and business colleagues. And sneak in some junking during those "lunch hours."

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  36. I think there could have no more perfect antidote to the assault story then these wonderful pictures of Connor--pure love.

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  37. Wow, what a post! I adore the photos of your dog, he is really a beauty!
    I'm thrilled about your new adventure at a new job!
    I'm sick about you being hurt at any time and for any reason! I so wish we didn't have bad people out and about bothering the good people. It sure doesn't seem fair. I'm glad you are feeling at peace and hope you can put it behind you permanently!
    XOXO
    Jan

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