Friday 4/17: $50 to spend the day...

Because we're going to a car show early tomorrow morning, we're just going to stay at Hans' folks' house tonight.

So, I went into work with Hans, and took the car from there to bum around for the day and he said I should go shopping; enjoy some retail therapy. He said I should spend no less than $50 on stuff. I didn't think I'd be able to spend $50, but with some encouragement, I did.

Here's how the day broke down:

Took the car from Hans, drove from Sylmar back to The Old Road and went to Walmart. Bought a pink shirt on clearance for $3, some blank greeting cards to embellish and sell for $5 and some quotes on vellum to use for crafting for about $2.

Went on to Old Navy where I bought a denim skirt for $4, a pair of brown capri pants for $3 and a reusable tote bag for $1, but got 10% off the order so that pretty much made the tote bag free.

From there, I walked to Michael's where I bought 5 stamps for $1 a piece.

I drove down to Lyons Ave. and went to the dollar store. I bought 6 packets of veggie/rice dinner sides for $3 (I served them once for dinner, and Hans mentioned he liked them.) I also got 2 jars of minced garlic (I go through it like crazy while cooking!) and a Harry Potter 20 Questions game for my sister Holly.

I was a big spender at Rite-Aid where I bought the stuff to do my nails. I got a nail file, nail clippers, a pack of 48 nails, a bottle of brush-on nail glue for my nails, and a tube of mascara for $12.

I drove back to Sylmar, and did my nails in the car before calling him to tell him I was there for lunch.

We went to lunch and I gave him the receipts for all my purchases! He was teasing me that he would want to see receipts to prove I spent at least $50. I was only up to $40 though by lunch time.

We went to a Mexican restaurant in Library Plaza in San Fernando. Afterwards, I just hung out at the library, checked out some books and sat in the courtyard and read my books while he went back to finish out the day. I went to a little coffeeshop in the Plaza and got a blended iced chai tea to drink.

Right before Hans came to get me, I spent my remaining money on some cookies from a nearby Mexican bakery so we'd have something for dessert after dinner with his parents.

We picked up KFC for dinner and went to his parent's house. We cleaned up his truck, and got it finished up for the show the next day.

We had a firepit fire in the back yard and roasted marshmallows. It was a nice night!

Thursday 4/16: A New Beginning

I've moved beyond the surprise of being laid-off, and wanted to update my page to reflect it.

The photo at the top of the page is one I took, outside Phoenix House. I was looking through my files trying to find a picture that reflected my feelings now, and this one really jumped out at me.

Most of the picture is so dark, but there is definitely sun shining on this flower, highlighting it's beautiful colors. That's how I feel now, very much like this flower.

I'm optimistic for the future, and know that I'm finding my way to the path that's right for me.

Still a bit cool outside today, I don't have the doors open, though I wish I could. Perhaps if I put on a sweater...

The plan for today is to go through all the bills and get them out in the open to see what's coming up due and let Hans know.

I'll update later...

Wednesday 4/15: Tax Day!

Had a surprisingly productive day today. It's amazing to me how some days can just wizz by and nothing seems to have gotten done, but today wasn't like that at all.

I found my W-2's and filed my taxes online. In the past I have always done it as soon as I get all the W-2's, and basically never any later than about Valentine's Day or so. This year I kept putting it off, and then Hans and I were both going to bring ours to his tax lady to have them done, and so we were going to file extensions.

I'd read that you needed your W-2's to file the extension though, so once I had them found, I figured I'd just go all the way and file them. Did it online with the free version of TurboTax, and will be getting a refund, which is nice.

Baked some dessert, the recipe was called "Gooey Butter Cake" but it can more appropriately be described as "Butter Bars", as they're not notably gooey, and certainly are not a cake. Not bad, but kind of bland. If I make them again I'll add something to make them a bit more exciting.

Started cleaning my office up again so I can get back to making jewelry and crafts. I really enjoyed making the scrapbook for Joel, and I'd like to make some more papercraft items to sell online.

Although it was fairly cool outside (for California) I had the front and back doors open and enjoyed the breeze through the house.

Made a nice dinner, and enjoyed the evening with Hans.

Tuesday 4/14

My plates expire today!

We've been putting off getting a new catalytic converter for my car, and then I need to get it smog tested, and get new plates.

I guess I'll be doing as minimal driving as possible now that my plates are no good.

Hans came home a bit earlier than expected, but dinner was quick to prepare, and it was very funny to eat dinner while it was still daylight outside.

Afterwards, I shaved his head for him and used hair relaxer to straighten his beard. It's funny how when it's straight how obvious it is that the front part grows much faster than the sides! I think I got the straightener too much on his skin because it looks like he's got a bit of chemical burns on his skin now. They should heal quick enough, but if we do it again, I'll have to be more careful in applying the cream.

Day 31: One Month

It's been a month exactly since I've been laid off.

I've been applying for tutoring jobs online.

In the past, I've just looked for any job I could do, regardless of if I actually would want to do it. Because of that, I always had to have like 6 versions of my resume, each one focusing on a different aspect of my experience to "sell" me for the position I was trying for.

Now that I've decided what I really want to do, I've made my resume with that focus in mind, and have only been applying for jobs where that resume works to "sell" me. It's been a much more enjoyable job hunt, though if I didn't have Hans working and supporting me, there is no way I could do it like this.

I would have had to apply for anything that I could possibly do, even if it was something that wasn't enjoyable or even something that used any of my skills.

I'm really lucky to have Hans. He's such an amazing man in every way, and I appreciate him giving me the chance to find a rewarding career that truly uses my skills.

I got stuff done around the house during the day, and went down to Mom and Dad's house this evening to have a Taco Night/Easter Celebration/Mom's Birthday Party all in one!

It was fun to see the girls doing the Easter Egg Hunt, and the handmade chips and taco shells by Han's dad were as delicious as promised! Mom got some nice birthday gifts, and it seemed like everyone had a nice time time.

Day 30: Sunday

Nothing special today, just enjoyed the day off, and did a bit around the house. Nothing of note, really! :)

Day 29: A Drive in the '55!

Hans and I took a drive to Ventura and Oxnard in his '55 Chevy pick-up today!

We had a wonderful time! I got some thank you notes written while he met with the guys at AMT about some side work. I took some pictures of his truck, as well as some pics of a truck that used to be his, a white Toyota that he'd sold to a co-worker before he moved to Michigan.

We went to Pepe's for tacos afterwards, and took the tacos to the beach to eat them. We parked right on the beach and watched sailboats sail in off the Pacific while we ate lunch.

After lunch, we drove around the neighborhood in Oxnard where he lived right before he moved to Michigan. We looked at houses for rent right on the ocean. Maybe I've just been living in California too long, but $3000 a month doesn't seem half bad to rent a whole house that's literally on the beach, just a hundred yards from the water. I mean, it's not like we can afford it, but it doesn't seem that ridicuous either. There were other houses that where about a block away from the ocean renting for about $1200-$1500 a month. Definitely not bad, considering that's about what it costs to rent an apartment in a so-so neighborhood anywhere else.

We got out of the truck and walked onto the beach to look at the front of one house, and got our shoes all full of sand. That's part of the fun though.

On the way back to Santa Clarita we stopped to pick up half a flat of strawberries and some avocados. I also got a rice pudding flavored popsicle. Only in Cali (or Mexico)! It was delicious, BTW.

Probably one of the most fun days I've had in a long time. :)

Day 28: Friday!

Ok, so Friday's don't hold the wonderous joy they once did... :)

What's on the docket for today?

-Pick up a few things at the grocery store
-Track down my W-2's (I still haven't decided whether to file on my own before the 15th or file for an extension, but either way, I need my W-2's.
-do dishes
-fold laundry
-make dinner

Those are the basics, but I have a huge list of other stuff to do, so when I get through this stuff, there's plenty, plenty more where that came from!

I'll update later!

Day 27: Back to the Routine!

Got up, fed the pets, scooped the litter boxes, took the trash out, and am on my way to a productive day!

Watered the flowers (ok, so they aren't quite flowers yet, but I think they'll be coming!) and filled the dogs' water dish. The hose has been bursting because water has been getting between the layers of rubber, and it burst again while I was watering. I can probably fix it, or maybe Hans will want to.

So, it's 9:30am. At 1pm (or a bit before) I'm going to leave to get to my last insured therapy appointment at 2pm, and then come back to do some more stuff before Hans gets home this evening.

Have a lot of stuff to do, so want to get to it. Will update later.

Update:

Packed up and sent my swap items for the stationery swap group I'm in. I hope my swap partners like what I've sent!

Washed all the the laundry, and folded two of the 3 loads and put them away. The other load is in the dryer.

Swept down the cobwebs in the house. It was starting to get a bit Halloweenie in here!

Uploaded all the pics I took during my trip to Wisconsin. Got all the pictures of the scrapbook pages organized, and Joel and Nicole have mentioned that there may be someone interested in commissioning a scrapbook of their son from me!

Made dinner: romaine salad with roma tomatoes, cucumbers and cheddar cheese. Seasoned chicken breasts and crab stuffed mushroom caps. Stuffed mushrooms are one of Hans' favorite things, so I thought I'd give them a go. I think they came out pretty well, and I have more of the stuffing left, so I'm going to get more mushroom caps today and make some more.

Finally got the money order today!!! Brought it down with me to my therapy appointment, and afterwards called Hans to meet me at the bank so we could deposit it. It's better late than never! :)

Hans has some great news on some extra side work coming his way! It's a real blessing for both of us, as then he has more money, and I have the pressure off me to take just any old job. I can really be on the look-out for a job that's just right for me! :)

Day 26: A Day Off...

Hans took the day off work today, and we just spent the day sleeping in, enjoying a nice breakfast, watching some Red Dwarf and relaxing.

Not much to tell! :)

Made sauteed broccoli and asparagus, baked fish filets (Salmon, Rockfish and Mahi Mahi) and garlic toast for dinner. It came out decent enough, but of course, the bar was set pretty high after last night's amazing dinner!

Just relaxed, unpacked my suitcases a bit, and enjoyed being back home!

Day 25: I'm Leavin' On A Jet Plane....

Woke up early, spent time watching TV with Kylie and Keane for a short bit. Got dressed to leave, and finished packing and weighed my suitcase.

Did the very last page for the scrapbook just before we left. Literally gluing down the last pictures with my suitcases stacked up by the door! :)

We took the '66 Cadillac Calais to the bus depot, and the only channel that comes in on the AM radio is an oldies station, so it was really perfect. Joel, Nicole and the kids dropped me off, and we took some pictures before I left.

The bus ride was uneventful, checking in my bag at O'Hare went well. I had switched my seat from a window seat to an aisle seat when I printed my boarding pass, and had a lot more room on the flight back to Phoenix, so that was nice. The flight from Phoenix to Burbank was nice too, and I didn't have anyone sitting next to me, so that was relaxing.

Got my bag back easily, and Hans was just up the street waiting for me. I called him and he came to get me. It was so great to see him again!!!

We went over to a nearby restaurant for dinner, and it was just fantastic! It's called Gary Bric's Ramp Steakhouse (http://www.garybricsramp.com/) and although it looks like a hole-in-the-wall from outside, it was amazing! Probably the best dinner out I've had ever in Cali so far! Totally delicious food, and the waitresses were super nice too. If you're ever in Burbank, or anywhere nearby, I highly recommend it!

Hans had gotten me a "welcome home" present of all 8 seasons of Red Dwarf in a box set! :) So sweet of him!

We stopped by his folks house and I gave Mom all the framed pictures that I found dumpster diving, as well as the candles and the Wisconsin jelly I bought. We tried out the cheeses that I brought, and talked a bit before heading home.

Once home, Hans had another present for me, the one he got at the swap meet last week. Two, nearly life-size black glazed ceramic cats! They're perfect for my black cat collection! He also had bought a cheesecake and wrote "Welcome Back Sweety" on it in icing! So sweet and cute! He's such a darling!

We had a nice night together, and I'm so happy to be back!!!

Day 24: My Last Day In Wisconsin

Went with Nicole and the kids on her Meals on Wheels route again. Afterwards we went out to lunch with Joel, and then to Savers where I found a couple nice dresses and a broken bracelet that I can use for the beads. Nicole had a coupon, so she bought the stuff for me, which was really sweet of her!

After that we went to the Cheese Chalet where I got some of the "True Blue Cheddar" for Hans and his dad. It's sharp cheddar cheese with bits of blue cheese inside it. I also got a delicious white cheddar with blueberries in it.

After that, we went back home and I worked on the scrapbook.

In the afternoon, my friend Dan came by to visit, and brought a few of my things from the apartment we had in Indiana. Holly got off work early, and came to visit too. We had a nice night chatting and hanging out together. When Joel got off work he ordered in pizza from Domino's, where he works on the weekend, and we had that for dinner. I gave Nicole a haircut, took a shower and we all went to bed.

Day 23: Sunday

Will probably spend the day working on helping Joel with letters and finishing up the scrapbook. It's snowing today, and there is probably a few inches on the ground already. Not exactly a big deal here though!

Joel and Nicole have cooked up a delicious breakfast, it looks like it'll be breakfast burritos! Yum!

Just today and tomorrow really, then back to Cali! I miss Hans so much, and can't wait to be back to my normal routine. According to the scale here, I've gained 20 pounds since I've been here! I hope it's not really that bad! I'd think my jeans wouldn't fit if that was the case. 

I guess that's it for now. It's only 9:30 in the morning, so not much has happened today so far...

Day 22: Saturday

Did a little more work on the scrapbook, and have been bumming online for a bit. Put my resume up on a couple places.

Will probably do a little more work on the scrapbook tonight, and get the last of the pages done tomorrow or Monday.

Got my checked suitcase packed and weighed (43 pounds) so that should be good to go. I wish it had wheels on it, but hopefully there will be some of those carts around when the bus drops me off at O'Hare and I can just roll it to where I check it in.

Nicole made some delicious cookies! They are buttery and soft and flakey and chocolatey. So good! 

Ok, got to print a couple text pages for Joel to consider for the scrapbook.

Day 21: Tracking the Money Order

Got a reprint of the money order that still hasn't arrived in California. I called, and it hasn't been cashed yet, so that's a good thing.

It was for $400 not $300, so now I feel even crappier about losing the original receipt and the fact that I just mailed it in a letter, and not with a delivery confirmation or anything.

Just feel really lousy today, and am looking forward to getting home. Not looking forward to the crowded plane flight. I enjoy seeing family, and spending time with Nicole and the kids, but it's hard when you don't have a car and can't go anywhere or do anything. I guess it's good though because it looks like I might get all the pages done for the scrapbook after all. I did a lot more yesterday and was really on a roll.

I'll try to write more later, but am going to have some lunch and get back to scrapbooking.

Update:

After not doing any scrapbooking and bumming around the house like a sullen child, I finally got off my ass and went for a walk. Walked down to Woodman's and picked up a few things. I got some wind twister type things that I can add some beads or chimes to and sell on my website (they were only a dollar each, so it was a good craft investment, I think!)

Jana got off work and came to pick me up, we drove around for a bit, went to Red Robin for dinner (I'd never been there, but Jana likes it a lot) and then drove back to Joel's to see the new car. 

Joel saw a '66 Cadillac Calais, 4-door hard top, chocolate brown with cream top in near mint condition come in for trade at the dealership he works for. He traded his old S-10 pick-up for it, and brought it home last night. It will be his family's "summer car" (another thing you don't see in California, since it's basically summer all year round). So after dinner we all got in it and drove to the new Sonic Drive-In they built around here. He definitely got some positive attention, and it will be a great car for them this summer. We cruised around for a bit, and came home for the night. :)

Day 20: No Indiana For Me

Working on pages for the Hyundai Scrapbook for Joel. I'd forgotten how much I like scrapbooking. I spend my free time working on jewelry now, but really should get back into papercrafting, at least a little bit.

Haven't been eating well this trip, or sleeping well either. I miss Hans terribly. It's amazing how much you get used to being hugged and kissed and loved. I feel very lonely, and am looking forward to getting back to California.

I adore spending time with the kids though, they're so inspiring. It's fun to watch them learn and play, and hear the stories they tell. They are fascinating!

It's cloudy again today, and cooler. Probably in the 40's or so.

I'll probably do some quick updates on the other days here, and then get back to working on the scrapbook.

Day 19: Scrapbooking Hardcore!

Spent most of the day working on the scrapbook for Joel. Mailed the jars of jelly and candles, since they had weighed down my suitcase too much, and I would need to pay more to take them on the plane. I hope they get there without smashing up inside the box!

Hans still hasn't received the $300 money order, and I can't tell you how stressed and frustrated I am about that. I've never been in the position to just lose $300, and especially not now. I do still have the receipt, and the stub, so hopefully we can track it if he doesn't get it soon. It's been a week since I mailed it!

Holly, Amber and Dylan came over with pizza for dinner, and it was nice spending time with them. Holly showed me all her info in her case against her ex, and it's sad to know she's had to go through the abuse she's been through. She deserves way better. She deserves someone nice like Hans, and although I already appreciate how lucky I am to have someone like Hans, reading about her bad times really reminds me again how lucky I am. I hope things work out for her, and she can get him out of her life for good.

Joel likes the scrapbook pages so far, so that's good. I think I'll try to take a picture of each page when I'm done, so I'll have them for a portfolio, or just because.