Yes, I realize the previous entry was "not much to do". It's amazing how different weeks can be. I think the reason it felt so busy this last week was because it went by so quickly. And I was exhausted. I took a nap when I got home a couple of times, but when I was awake I couldn't sit down for very long.
I was supposed to get my hair cut (to donate to Locks of Love) on Wednesday but rescheduled when Craig came home saying he got tickets from a friend at work to go to the Intel Ball. So, 30 minutes and $400++ later, he had a really nice suit. an hour later I emailed and scheduled a time to try on dresses from the director of Miss Sacramento County's pageant closet for the Wednesday I was supposed to get my hair chopped off.
I think the busiest part for me at least was the weekend. Friday I went home, took a shower so I could start over with makeup and hair. Now, I wish I would have still gotten my hair cut because my hair was too long to do anything with. I still have it scheduled to be cut, but it would have been nice. Anyway, the ball was awesome. They had a cocktail part in the front and the dining area was hidden behind wall to wall white flowy curtains. They did the big reveal when the time came but we didn't see it until we went between two curtains. hahaha. The decorations were great, the food was great. I finally found some mashed potatoes that rivaled my dad's. Which I thought was impossible. The best part?? 2 free drinks at the bar... not 1 not 1 per person... 2 per person (as long as you have the tickets of course). Oh wait... I guess the best part would be that besides Craig's suit, it was free. Though, next year it can be free :D
One thing I noticed that bugged me was that there were more people wearing short dresses than long. When I think of a Ball, I think long flowy dresses, not the short, sometimes skimpy or extra tight dresses you'd see at a girl ask boy high school dance. ugh. anyway, besides that! Craig and I danced, drank, laughed, and all together had a blast. Our friends we met up with there stayed at a hotel next door and I think, since we won't have the suit to buy anymore, we might have to do that. That way I don't have to worry about sobering up hours before. I did that. I knew I was sober hours before we left, but I wanted to make sure I was comfortable and Craig was comfortable with me driving.
Saturday was the busiest day of the week. Saturday morning I went to the Miss Sacramento County meeting. We were doing practice interviews since their interview is this coming Saturday (and the pageant for that matter). I was on the judging panel with a previous Miss California, a few previous Miss Sacramento County's and a current Miss San Francisco. Talk about pressure! The other room had a couple previous and mom's of the previous title holders, but they interviewed the teens, so it's probably better that way. It was fun to be back in on an interview. I really want to get it next year so they have at least 2 more interviews during the program.
Saturday night I went to the Miss San Joaquin(??) Pageant with the Miss Sac County director and her daughter. They crowned 4 girls that night. It took just as long as Miss Auburn used to but it was only 1 night. We left at 5 and I didn't get in to bed until Midnight. I almost had to stop a few times to throw up because I was so tired. When I'm beyond exhausted and still awake I get a migraine. when I get a migraine I get a stomach ache... when I add the being tired, it's like I'm dying. But this time I was able to hold it off until I tried falling asleep. Which by that time, when I closed my eyes and let the feelings finally get heard, I was sleep within a few minutes.
I did get to sleep in a bit on Sunday morning without feeling rushed. But from me being gone all Saturday and Craig cleaning the whole apartment, then him doing something that I would have been fine with if he'd asked... we got into a 5 minute fight. I'm glad it was short, but it was like all the emotions I tried keeping at bay all weekend and even before then and his frustration with me being gone and not being able to help him clean, it all came to an abrupt halt and needed to be let out. We talked through it and were okay quickly (hence 5 minutes) but that feeling of "we just fought" and "he's right, I'm awful" (not as a whole, but what he was upset about), stayed with me as I went to the Mrs. California Orientation/workshop.
So I was tired (from the lack of sleep all week and weekend and from crying because I was so frustrated with what we were fighting about) and couldn't think or process things clearly. So I was half there, extremely blunt and wasn't at my best "social" mode. I didn't get a chance to build up in to my social mode, which yes, I need to do that. I've become so anti-social that I have to get in to a small talk kind of mode. Anyway, I learned how to pop in my stance and I learned that I may have a food allergy since I start out skinny and end up a fatty by the end of the night. So the nutritionist that was there said to try a gluten free diet for a week and see if that helps because it sounds like a liquid weight. She said first to everyone to cut out sugars, but I can't eat sugars because it hurts my teeth. The only tolerance I have for it is in coffee. So something else must be my downfall. I don't know if I can do the gluten free diet, but maybe I'll start incorporating some of it in our... already diet?? But bread and pasta are my absolute favorite, so I doubt I'll be able to do it full on.
Anyway, I came home, Craig amended to going out with our friends (previously declined though I wanted to) and we ate some delicious pizza (yep, really going full on with the gluten free), went home and I went to sleep right away. And woke up tired. So that's where I start at on Week 21... Which you can read next week. yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! blah
Monday, January 24, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Week 19: Not much to do
Over the weekend Craig washed all of the carpets. I vacuumed before hand, but he did most of the work. The carpets look so nice now though!
During his cleaning spree, I sat on the bed with our kitty and researched schooling that would make a difference in our life. I looked at Ultrasound Technician/Sonograher and Radiology/X-ray Technician but the schools that are accredited (and you can't get a job otherwise) are far away. The closest, an hour and a half. near San Francisco. Plus the schooling for just 2 years is extremely high. The pay is decent, but not worth the gas and time in just transportation.
So I moved on to nursing, finding all of the accredited schools through the California Board of Nursing website. I looked at the degrees and the different nursing certifications and their benefits. I wasn't too sure, but I did more research throughout the week.
I found out that the schooling down here is sooooo cheap ($26 per unit/credit for residents... it was at least $75 in WA when I went 4 years ago). I also found that the pre-requisites for the Associate of Science in Nursing as it is for the Bachelors of Science in Nursing. AND... the 2 years it takes to complete the Associates is the same as Bachelor's programs down here. so 3-1/2 years of schooling for Associates and 3-1/2 years for Bachelors. I noticed that the ASN is much less intense as the BSN though. So I looked at the benefits of them both.
The ASN is easier because of the intensity level being lower, you still get the opportunity to do take the test to get licensed. But the ASN, as easy as it is, it's on a lottery system if you're accepted in.
The BSN is tough. Tough to get in to, tough to be in, but it's an application process, not a lottery. You need to have at least a C to get in, which is doable, but the average is a 3.75 GPA. This also gives you an opportunity to sit for the licensing test. RNs with a BSN degree get paid a little better then an ASN. They get promotions quicker and have the opportunity to get in to management positions. And get in to positions an ASN can't get in to without working years to get there, which I won't be able to do.
I don't want to end my photography, I really like that, so I'm continuing as much as I can. Plus, if I go to school, I might be able to get more photo shoots!
During his cleaning spree, I sat on the bed with our kitty and researched schooling that would make a difference in our life. I looked at Ultrasound Technician/Sonograher and Radiology/X-ray Technician but the schools that are accredited (and you can't get a job otherwise) are far away. The closest, an hour and a half. near San Francisco. Plus the schooling for just 2 years is extremely high. The pay is decent, but not worth the gas and time in just transportation.
So I moved on to nursing, finding all of the accredited schools through the California Board of Nursing website. I looked at the degrees and the different nursing certifications and their benefits. I wasn't too sure, but I did more research throughout the week.
I found out that the schooling down here is sooooo cheap ($26 per unit/credit for residents... it was at least $75 in WA when I went 4 years ago). I also found that the pre-requisites for the Associate of Science in Nursing as it is for the Bachelors of Science in Nursing. AND... the 2 years it takes to complete the Associates is the same as Bachelor's programs down here. so 3-1/2 years of schooling for Associates and 3-1/2 years for Bachelors. I noticed that the ASN is much less intense as the BSN though. So I looked at the benefits of them both.
The ASN is easier because of the intensity level being lower, you still get the opportunity to do take the test to get licensed. But the ASN, as easy as it is, it's on a lottery system if you're accepted in.
The BSN is tough. Tough to get in to, tough to be in, but it's an application process, not a lottery. You need to have at least a C to get in, which is doable, but the average is a 3.75 GPA. This also gives you an opportunity to sit for the licensing test. RNs with a BSN degree get paid a little better then an ASN. They get promotions quicker and have the opportunity to get in to management positions. And get in to positions an ASN can't get in to without working years to get there, which I won't be able to do.
I don't want to end my photography, I really like that, so I'm continuing as much as I can. Plus, if I go to school, I might be able to get more photo shoots!
Week 18: New Year!!
Hmmm... New Year's Resolutions... Save money! That's our New Years Resolution every year. This year we've added:
- Amber to school or never talk about it again
- ENJOY Harry Potter World :p
- pay off my last credit card
- pay off my car
And I can't think of what else we have on our list... I know we had a dollar amount for what we wanted to save, but it won't be achievable if I go to school.
- Amber to school or never talk about it again
- ENJOY Harry Potter World :p
- pay off my last credit card
- pay off my car
And I can't think of what else we have on our list... I know we had a dollar amount for what we wanted to save, but it won't be achievable if I go to school.
Week 17: More Chaos
Man, I'm so late...
So week 17.... We stayed in Seattle that week. Missing our kitties more and more. It snowed a bit for us, but I still made it to work every day. I liked being in that office. It felt really nice to be in a clean office with a clean bathroom. The office I'm in down here is in the front part of the warehouse and the bathroom is between the office at the front and the warehouse... (98% of the building). The 3 stalls are shared by at least 100 women and it gets really disgusting. If I didn't drink so much water during the day, I wouldn't use it at all.
Anyway,
The week went by way too quick. We had our old friends and their girlfriends over at Craig's parents to party for New Years. We had a great time. Talked, played games, just got reacquainted with our old friends. Craig did get the chance to hang out with them before then, but that was a guy's only thing and though I missed them, it would have been inappropriate and "unfair". Though it was great to catch up with them all, I must admit, I'm glad we aren't so close. There's way too much drama surrounding the girlfriends and I'm happy to not be a part. Craig said he's happy too because I would be an absolute terror if I got involved. As it is, one did try to start drama (drunk drama) and I just didn't want anything to do with it.
We went home Sunday morning and were so happy to see our kitties!!! Craig cuddled with them all day. It took a little bit for Isis to remember us, but not too long. She had definitely gotten fatter. So we got her back on her diet and started chasing her around for exercise.
So week 17.... We stayed in Seattle that week. Missing our kitties more and more. It snowed a bit for us, but I still made it to work every day. I liked being in that office. It felt really nice to be in a clean office with a clean bathroom. The office I'm in down here is in the front part of the warehouse and the bathroom is between the office at the front and the warehouse... (98% of the building). The 3 stalls are shared by at least 100 women and it gets really disgusting. If I didn't drink so much water during the day, I wouldn't use it at all.
Anyway,
The week went by way too quick. We had our old friends and their girlfriends over at Craig's parents to party for New Years. We had a great time. Talked, played games, just got reacquainted with our old friends. Craig did get the chance to hang out with them before then, but that was a guy's only thing and though I missed them, it would have been inappropriate and "unfair". Though it was great to catch up with them all, I must admit, I'm glad we aren't so close. There's way too much drama surrounding the girlfriends and I'm happy to not be a part. Craig said he's happy too because I would be an absolute terror if I got involved. As it is, one did try to start drama (drunk drama) and I just didn't want anything to do with it.
We went home Sunday morning and were so happy to see our kitties!!! Craig cuddled with them all day. It took a little bit for Isis to remember us, but not too long. She had definitely gotten fatter. So we got her back on her diet and started chasing her around for exercise.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Week 16 -- busy busy busy
I don't think we've been so busy before. It felt like the week before our wedding, without the nerves. I was trying to finish up all our homemade gifts, pack, laundry, repack, hope to hell we didn't leave something important like: a gift, undiebears, chargers, etc. And make sure our kitties would be well cared for while we were gone. Of course we knew they would be, but we're worry warts sometimes!
We flew in to Seattle Thursday night after work. It was so friggen cold!!!!! We left Sacramento at 54 degrees and arrived in 44 degree Seattle weather. Talk about a crappy trade. The flight only takes an hour and a half. We did think that maybe we were being overzealous about calling Seattle's weather out, but by Monda, it was snowy. Which means it was even colder.
Craig spent Christmas Eve with his parents and I picked up Sammy and took her to meet BFF at the HP Exhibition in Seattle. They had so many props from all the movies they've released so far. Hermoine is the size I was in highschool. Harry is smaller than Ron it bulk. But still. It was pretty friggen cool to see it all. We couldn't touch or take pictures of anything. EXCEPT! We could pick up rubbery mandrakes by the ears and they'd scream at us. Thinking back, I should have passed out. hehehe. That would have been funny.
Christmas was.... chaos. We started out with my mom's at 6am (yes, 6am). Finished up around 8am then went back to Craig's house to have Christmas with them. At about 11am I finally got in the shower and did my makeup in the car on the way to Julie's. We got there at about 12 and ended up being sooo hungry. We hung out there for a while then went to my dad's for th rest of the night...
Like I said, busy
We flew in to Seattle Thursday night after work. It was so friggen cold!!!!! We left Sacramento at 54 degrees and arrived in 44 degree Seattle weather. Talk about a crappy trade. The flight only takes an hour and a half. We did think that maybe we were being overzealous about calling Seattle's weather out, but by Monda, it was snowy. Which means it was even colder.
Craig spent Christmas Eve with his parents and I picked up Sammy and took her to meet BFF at the HP Exhibition in Seattle. They had so many props from all the movies they've released so far. Hermoine is the size I was in highschool. Harry is smaller than Ron it bulk. But still. It was pretty friggen cool to see it all. We couldn't touch or take pictures of anything. EXCEPT! We could pick up rubbery mandrakes by the ears and they'd scream at us. Thinking back, I should have passed out. hehehe. That would have been funny.
Christmas was.... chaos. We started out with my mom's at 6am (yes, 6am). Finished up around 8am then went back to Craig's house to have Christmas with them. At about 11am I finally got in the shower and did my makeup in the car on the way to Julie's. We got there at about 12 and ended up being sooo hungry. We hung out there for a while then went to my dad's for th rest of the night...
Like I said, busy
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Week 15: decisions decisions
One of my many stupid hobbies I have is looking at new on the market homes and land, searching for that perfect spot we'll be able to build our dream home, or modify a close to dream like home. Our specifications:
All this time I've been watching the market for homes and land around Folsom, CA since Craig got on permanently; figuring we have a great place for Craig to work for a long while, lots of other groups he could work in down here... It's certainly cheap enough to build a house and for me not to have to work when we have kids (or at least a 9-5 sort of job).
Last night, Craig dropped a too logical request and desire to move to Hillsboro. It's only 3 hours away from family, there's another group like his there, it's just as big as Folsom (if not bigger) so the opportunity will be as great... And I can't fight against his reasoning. Stupid logic. I love California. The weather's great 10 out of 12 months of the year, there's sun!!!!, we finally have friends to hang out with, it's far enough away from family we can enjoy the visits...
But when we have kids, it'd be less of a burden for family to deal with to see their grand kids/niece-nephew/cousin and see them grow, instead of getting pictures and a yearly visit. At least, the close family.
And wouldn't you believe, I started my quest on trying to find something that will work for us for a while in Oregon. Unfortunately, since Hillsboro is right next to Portland, all the rich Portland people live in Hillsboro, making the price of property and homes skyrocket. For example:
California land (all or mostly usable): $29,000 to $500,000
California homes (on land of course 3+acres): $117,000 to $1.5 million.
Oregon land (all or mostly usable 3+ acres): $200,000 to $2 million
Oregon homes (on land 3+ acres): $500,000 to $15 million (no friggen joke)
Geez friggen Louise. Our tentative plan is to wait until Craig gets his first promotion, maybe even a year after then to go over to the Hillsboro office. Once he gets past that first promotion (they have a 2 year block on it at Intel.. for the first one only) I know he'll do great enough to climb from there. He's as determined as I am... just, his direction is better for us in the long run though. ANYWAY, we're undecided (depending on how long it takes us to save up) we may move in to a starter home on 15,000sqft lot or higher (boo) and if need be, fix it, save in the meantime. or we could (if we have enough saved) build/buy the house we'll be in for at least 25 years right off. It all depends. And once we move, I'll have to quit my job unless they let me work from home in Oregon (doubtful). I'll need to apply for a photography business license there too. either find a new job or join stupid get together groups to spread my business and make friends...
I really don't like tentative plans. It makes me frazzled. I like knowing the action we're taking. There's too many things to worry about with tentative plans. To many paths to go down or too many complications that could get in the way and change it. All I know now is that moving to Hillsboro is a 95% probability and since it's friggen expensive, we can't buy the luxuries we have been. No more gadgets, no more clothes, no more excess food, no more going out to dinner, no more going out to movies, no more buying "frivolous" items. My favorite kind. I'll have to start making things more often... which will take more time (not food, but gifts and things we need, I already do that for food).
Tough cookie.
- Large enough to have "me time" even when there are 4 people in the home. Space is necessary.
- open floor plan for kitchen, dining and family room. For those times where we will crave each other's company and not have to be in the same room. And so we can host things there.
- enough rooms to hold: us, our 2 kids (that's all we're working on for now), a guest room or quarters, a home theater, kid's game room (so they only have to clean it once a month or so), office/library, laundry room, amber's crazy idea room, Craig's gamer heaven, etc. I love the luxury of those.
- enough land to have a yard for our kids, horses (including but not limited to housing other's horses, training, trail rides, etc), have a barn where it can be rented out for weddings and events, maybe a bed and breakfast, a vineyard... to name a few things.
- a studio for my photoshoots and editing.
- a pool and pool house (pool included of course).
- and maybe even another small house or two (cute cottage) so when family comes to visit they can stay for longer without us bugging each other. Or maybe even for housing newlyweds.. Or house our ranch manager who will help hire and train horses. Yes, I've thought a lot about this.
All this time I've been watching the market for homes and land around Folsom, CA since Craig got on permanently; figuring we have a great place for Craig to work for a long while, lots of other groups he could work in down here... It's certainly cheap enough to build a house and for me not to have to work when we have kids (or at least a 9-5 sort of job).
Last night, Craig dropped a too logical request and desire to move to Hillsboro. It's only 3 hours away from family, there's another group like his there, it's just as big as Folsom (if not bigger) so the opportunity will be as great... And I can't fight against his reasoning. Stupid logic. I love California. The weather's great 10 out of 12 months of the year, there's sun!!!!, we finally have friends to hang out with, it's far enough away from family we can enjoy the visits...
But when we have kids, it'd be less of a burden for family to deal with to see their grand kids/niece-nephew/cousin and see them grow, instead of getting pictures and a yearly visit. At least, the close family.
And wouldn't you believe, I started my quest on trying to find something that will work for us for a while in Oregon. Unfortunately, since Hillsboro is right next to Portland, all the rich Portland people live in Hillsboro, making the price of property and homes skyrocket. For example:
California land (all or mostly usable): $29,000 to $500,000
California homes (on land of course 3+acres): $117,000 to $1.5 million.
Oregon land (all or mostly usable 3+ acres): $200,000 to $2 million
Oregon homes (on land 3+ acres): $500,000 to $15 million (no friggen joke)
Geez friggen Louise. Our tentative plan is to wait until Craig gets his first promotion, maybe even a year after then to go over to the Hillsboro office. Once he gets past that first promotion (they have a 2 year block on it at Intel.. for the first one only) I know he'll do great enough to climb from there. He's as determined as I am... just, his direction is better for us in the long run though. ANYWAY, we're undecided (depending on how long it takes us to save up) we may move in to a starter home on 15,000sqft lot or higher (boo) and if need be, fix it, save in the meantime. or we could (if we have enough saved) build/buy the house we'll be in for at least 25 years right off. It all depends. And once we move, I'll have to quit my job unless they let me work from home in Oregon (doubtful). I'll need to apply for a photography business license there too. either find a new job or join stupid get together groups to spread my business and make friends...
I really don't like tentative plans. It makes me frazzled. I like knowing the action we're taking. There's too many things to worry about with tentative plans. To many paths to go down or too many complications that could get in the way and change it. All I know now is that moving to Hillsboro is a 95% probability and since it's friggen expensive, we can't buy the luxuries we have been. No more gadgets, no more clothes, no more excess food, no more going out to dinner, no more going out to movies, no more buying "frivolous" items. My favorite kind. I'll have to start making things more often... which will take more time (not food, but gifts and things we need, I already do that for food).
Tough cookie.
Week 13 & 14
Week 13: My birfffday week :)
Craig spoiled me by letting me throw a party and getting me an espresso maker (that I've only been bugging him about for... like ever) there was a lot of excitement in that week. Craig let me get a new tree. A bigger one. We bought decorations and lights (had to go back to the store because we underestimated our tree) and decorated it before December ***gasp!!***. But since it was my birfffday week, I was receiving cards and gifts and my cards and gifts ALWAYS have a home under the Christmas tree. He got a lot of crap for it from work, but they just don't understand! mean-ol' non-December-birfffday people. I think we even keep the Christmas tree up til Sammy's birfffday if we can help it. Craig got his home entertainment system with only 5 speakers because our apartment's too small for the 7 speakers our receiver allows.
Anyway, it was a good week for us.
Week 14: aah!
We didn't necessarily have a bad week, we just didn't have a good or productive week. Frustration was heavy and the monotony of going to work, coming home, eating, sleeping, going to work, etc was really bothering us. It happens every now and again when we just have nothing to occupy our attention for a little bit too long and then we bug each other in our small apt. We signed another year on that, so toooo bad!
I also had my first PAID photoshoot on Friday. Right after I saw a terrible looking/sounding accident. I cried for a day or two after that.
Craig spoiled me by letting me throw a party and getting me an espresso maker (that I've only been bugging him about for... like ever) there was a lot of excitement in that week. Craig let me get a new tree. A bigger one. We bought decorations and lights (had to go back to the store because we underestimated our tree) and decorated it before December ***gasp!!***. But since it was my birfffday week, I was receiving cards and gifts and my cards and gifts ALWAYS have a home under the Christmas tree. He got a lot of crap for it from work, but they just don't understand! mean-ol' non-December-birfffday people. I think we even keep the Christmas tree up til Sammy's birfffday if we can help it. Craig got his home entertainment system with only 5 speakers because our apartment's too small for the 7 speakers our receiver allows.
Anyway, it was a good week for us.
Week 14: aah!
We didn't necessarily have a bad week, we just didn't have a good or productive week. Frustration was heavy and the monotony of going to work, coming home, eating, sleeping, going to work, etc was really bothering us. It happens every now and again when we just have nothing to occupy our attention for a little bit too long and then we bug each other in our small apt. We signed another year on that, so toooo bad!
I also had my first PAID photoshoot on Friday. Right after I saw a terrible looking/sounding accident. I cried for a day or two after that.
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