Pandemic Life Continues: Fall Edition

I've been meaning to get back to the blog for a minute now. Had to refresh myself on my last post in July and contemplate what's changed in the last three months. Sure, we're on the eve of an election, a new Supreme Court Justice is slated to be confirmed likely changing the course of our courts for decades to come, and the summer season is slowly dying replaced by brief glimmers of crisp air, but by and large, things remain the same. We've avoided (I think) six storms this year in the Gulf "headed for NOLA" who ended up tracking east or west of us and await news of whether the newest named storm in the Gulf will head our way later this week. Storm 28 this season (ARE YOU KIDDING ME???) and the 7th in our potential path. 

My condo continues to serve double duty as both my home and office. I remain healthy as our nation awaits a vaccine and continues to map out what living in and through a pandemic looks like. I have slowly resumed eating out (outside when possible) and generally feel safe at restaurants. Bars have just reopened but they haven't been calling my name...yet. 

 I feel so incredibly blessed that for the year that 2020 was and continues to be, I have been so fortunate (pinch me) in this year. For those I haven't caught up with in a minute, here's the latest...

The real estate market is FIRE and I'm having a great year. Helped good friends put a home under contract this weekend and looking forward to wrapping up the year with close to 10 transactions. That's almost 1x a month and for a side gig, I am ecstatic. The juggling hasn't always been easy (or welcome), but I've so appreciated the extra income and the opportunity to help so many clients. 

Despite the pandemic, I've adjusted to a remote work life and am grateful that after taking a leap of faith to transition into a new industry and career path, my hard work has been recognized and I was promoted to team lead within 18 months. My day-to-day role hasn't changed much, but I'll now formally supervise our four consultants and have the opportunity to lead some exciting initiatives and ventures that will be phenomenal experience for the future. Add to that a coaching certificate and two assessment certifications and 2020 has actually been a solid year, professionally.

I bought a HOUSE! A duplex rather. I've talked off and on the past few years about life after Jackson Dupre. And before even buying the condo back in spring 2013, my dad and I discussed buying a duplex that I would live in with a tenant on the other side for a long-term investment. We shelved that idea when I moved forward with the condo and for a brief moment earlier this year, I was on a HOUSE HUNT for a single-family home in Old Jefferson. But then an adorable duplex hit the market in the Fairgrounds (Jazz Fest's backyard) and it called my name. So a few weeks later, I'm under contract heading toward my close date in mid-November and the condo is on the market! It's been a whirlwind couple weeks and I'm hoping someone fantastic will scoop up my condo soon. Fingers crossed and prayers welcomed.

Though the pandemic canceled our family trip to Jackson Hole this summer, my family escaped the lingering NOLA heat for a vacation to Smith Lake in late September and it was perfection. Travis joined us and I so loved having him there and affording us a chance to be away and spend time with my family. Hard to believe we're soon approaching a year! He has been such a bright spot this year in my life.

So there we go. A promotion at work, a booming real estate year, a vacation, a new house (and hopeful sale of the condo), and a solid relationship. Focusing forward.