Timothy Pickett on 
matthew on Our pumpkins aren’t carved. Our garden hasn’t been dismantled. The house trim I scraped hasn’t been painted. Surely I am not the only person in town who is about two months behind her to-do list.
As many of you know, my family has undergone a transition over the past few months after my husband lost his job. The job search hasn’t been very fruitful, so The Husband has dedicated himself to finishing his degree program. Hopefully once that is complete, more job opportunities will suddenly appear. I am taking a class as well, just to dip my toes back into the pool of scholastics.
Sometimes your prayers are answered in ways you weren’t expecting or weren’t really wanting. My husband didn’t find a full-time job, but I did. Despite a hiring freeze all over town, my former employers were anxious for help, and that’s where I stepped in as a full-time temporary employee. I dance around from department to department, using my years of experience in the company to prove me useful in many different areas where job openings exist but will not be filled any time soon.
As I sit here writing, designing, editing, and running scripts, I’m dreaming of quilts left unfinished, crayons left abandoned on a high shelf, toddler arms waiting to hug me fiercely. My crazy work schedule shifts around The Husband’s school schedule, which leaves us with little to no time together as a family unit. Other obligations and commitments like RCIA and my own class also get a chunk of the calendar.
After letting a handful of submitted posts lie dormant in my inbox for more than two weeks, I finally had to wake up and realize that I had overextended myself. Unfortunately, Citizen Wausau was one of three side projects that had to be put on the back burner.
In my absence, the amazing Brad Schjoth will be filling in as Interim Managing Editor. He will do a much better job than I did. He has youth and inexperience on his side. He’s not jaded against journalism and the world at large. He’s ideal. I leave you in his capable, willing hands.
I’ll be in the background, lurking when I can. Have a fantastic season!
Barry Liss
1:30 pm on October 23rd
Good news about the work – just wanted to thank you for the great job at CW these past few months.
Dino Corvino
11:06 pm on October 23rd
Just so we are clear…no one thinks we are losing Cheryl. In fact, I tend to think she will come back stronger and more awesome than ever.
Working in this way is often harder than many might think, I am sure being around me often is not fun, but Cheryl is in a lot of ways the beating heart of CW. She had worked with each author in amazing ways, and really been the perfect person for me to work with.
I am so very thrilled to work with Brad. This is a young cat who is truly a hard charger. He brought like 5 big stories to the table already, and I know he will be awesome for writers to work.
So, Cheryl, we shall see you soon. And Brad, thank you.