The downside to CA...

Well, to be honest, there is more than one downside but today it involves the fact that being this far away means that I can't be proximal to my mother when there's trouble in the family. My mom's cousin and step-sister by marriage is dying of cancer and while they weren't terribly close, it's still a sad time. My mom's family has been through a lot of late and I wish I could be with her during these times. But now that I'm out here, I can't just hop in the car and drive East. Boo.

On top of that, we've started looking for an apartment and the cost of living here is enough to induce an anxiety attack. We've discovered that anything that costs less than $1600/month is almost always a crap hole. And, frankly, the older I get, the less likely I am to lower my standards on things like this and I am not living in a crap hole just to save a couple hundred bucks a month. I told my financial planner as much last night. I also told him I'd rather postpone retirement (why yes, we do have a retirement plan and I highly recommend that you get one) by a few more years than live in squalor. Not that we'd ever live in squalor but you know what I mean. So...it looks like something in the $1800 to $2000 range for us. That is a lot of money. A lot. And, yes, I knew it would be like this and the cost of living in most large cities is about the same but still. The sticker shock. It kills me. Boo. I say boo.

My first week...

Well, it's been a bit more relaxing, to say the least. I spend a decent amount of time surfing the 'nets in an effort to take care of business re: the house or trying to find out where the nearest farmers market/CSA/bookstore/T@rget/etc. are located. Now that we've liberated our bike pump and found the helmets, I can ride my bike to all these wonderful places. I'm also looking out for discounts and deals of events and attractions and I am all about using my triple A card and entertainment book for coupons.

In the afternoon I read, walk the dog, cook dinner, write postcards, watch a little f00d network, unpack a box, you know, the usual stuff. Not too strenuous. Until yesterday.

Yesterday I went a little "weekend warrior" on a Tuesday but I didn't do it on purpose. I've been trying to get back into a regular exercise routine now that I no longer have to paint or pack and move heavy boxes around so yesterday I did some circuit training (why didn't I think this one through?) and then walked 4 miles to meet Michael for lunch. We had lunch at this really yummy vegetarian restaurant (sesame eggplant with brown garlic sauce and rice mmmmmm....) and then I picked up my bike from the storage unit and rode it the 4.5 miles home. Then I carried my bike up 2 flights of stairs. Yeah...I'm a smidge sore this morning. And clearly out of shape. Durr.

So, what have we done that's fun and exciting? Well, we went to the alumni event in the city last Thurs and that was fun. I met 2 people who are not just alumni but are from our beloved Lanky-town. One of them had Grg's dad in school. It was nice to chat with people who are from the same little town as you. We took the train in, which was nice, but the trip home took longer since the train stopped at every station. I, of course, fell asleep on the ride home. Can't do that while you're behind the wheel.

Friday, our trailer arrived and I spent the afternoon supervising the movers as they unloaded our stuff into our storage unit. Unfortunately many of our boxes are smooshed and caving in and the stand to our large oval mirror was broken. Until we unpack everything I won't know how much damage has occured but let's hope it isn't too extensive.

Saturday, we did some digging in our storage unit. I found the boxes with our mail, dry goods, clothes and cleaning supplies. We went back on Monday to unearth the tupperware, dish drainer and bike pump and helmets. My socks and underwear? Still MIA. I have one pair of socks that I wash, like, every other day because I refuse to buy more. They're in that damn storage unit somewhere! Along with my sports bras and tennis clothes. Need to find those, too.

Sunday, we didn't make it to Sonoma because there was N@SCAR race and I wasn't about to go anywhere near that. Instead we went into the city and met up with friends. We went to a museum that, alas, we did not enjoy b/c it housed mostly modern art. I don't like modern art. And let me just say that from now on Costa's girlfriends are NOT allowed to pick the museum anymore. Ever. Had I known we were going to be subjected to modern art, I would not have wasted the money on admission. Then we headed down to the Embarcadero and had coffee before heading home to the pooch.

Haven't decided what our plans are for this weekend but now that we have our bikes we'll probably do some exploring around here. We don't have locks yet (they're on order) so we can't really take them into the city yet unless we're not planning to get off of them to do anything fun. I want to check out the farmer's market, maybe visit the fruit stand and go to the library.

I leave you with this photo of a jackaranda tree from the park next to the "compound." They remind me of a purple version of japanese cherry trees and are absolutely gorgeous when they are at their peak of season. In fact, this picture doesn't do it justice. Maybe that's because it isn't a picture of the whole tree. Or because I took it instead of a real photographer.

Finally in Cali...

And it's about darned time! So, my dear husband met me at the airport with a potted hydrangea (while a bouquet of flowers might have been more romantic all of our vases are currently on the moving truck) in one hand and D0ritos in the other...sigh...he's so sweet. Anyway, we headed home to the dog and then took a picnic lunch to the park adjacent to our apartment. Michael made me dinner and kept refilling my champagne glass until I feel asleep, exhausted, at 7:30 before the Simpsons came on tv.

The rest of the week has been pretty relaxing thus far. We got library cards Tuesday night and I brought home 2 books; I'm starting with the book on Queen Elizabeth. Last night we went to an information session at the nursing school I'm applying to. I found out that the deadline for Jan. 1 admission is July 1st and there is not even enough time to submit the app, ask for and receive 2 letters of reference, have transcripts sent or take the standardized test that has become the bane of my existence. Why, oh, why does it have to be this fcking difficult to finish a second undergraduate degree? Why? So, now I will be on track to apply in November for a June 2009 start date. In the meantime, I'm waiting to hear back from someone, anyone for that matter, in the admissions dept so we can sit down and go over my transcripts to ensure that all previous classes and pre-reqs will transfer. Blarg.

Tonight, we are doing something I hope will be more fun. FandM is having an alumni event in downtown San Fran at 5:30 so I'm about to go put on my face and then go meet Michael so we can take the train in. We might be going up to Sonoma this Sunday for wine tasting but we haven't nailed down the details yet. I'm anticipating many fun adventures will ensue and I'll be sure to share them here. In the meantime, here are some photos of my immediate surroundings:

The Str@ight-Turner Compound. There are gates everywhere. Plus this lovely
parking garage thing-y is nice, too.

A fountain next to the S@feway where we shop--pretty, no?

The dog spends much of her day sleeping under the bed. This bed is not "Tall Man Friendly" and therefore is much lower to the ground than the one we own. You should see her trying to crawl in and out from under it. Silly dog.

It's all about the penis...

So, today's lab exam? All about the penis. Mind you, one of the chapters we're covering on our lab and lecture exams is the reproductive system but, seriously, there were way too many penis questions on the lab exam. Penis, penis, penis. Sure, there was an ovary here and a fallopian tube there and a few kidneys but mostly penis. At least that's what it felt like to me.

Okay, back to studying. I'm hanging out at a little, out-of-the-way cafe whose name rhymes with Banera so I can swipe some free WiFi. I'm eating one of those super yummy shortbread cookies and drinking a big cup of coffee and now it is time to end my penis rant and get back to work. On the penis. Okay, to be fair, there's an acid-base system chapter and lymphatics to review as well, but come on...it's all about the penis today.

Comedy of Errors....

Part one million. Seriously. This will be a v. brief recap as I am sitting in my car in the O. District so I can use some of downtown Dayton's free WiFi (which doesn't go as far as our house, WTF is that about?). Let's just put it this way: I thought we would get more than 2 movers to come load the truck and since I only got 2, it took longer than I thought to get everything on the trailer plus the HaulU rental I needed to get stuff over to my in-laws and a local charity. One of the movers cut his head open (he's okay), it takes forever to get everything loaded up, the phone rings off the hook, I can't remember why I went into the garage/basement/upstairs so I keep wandering around the house and finally around 4 in the afternoon I have to call Michael to bail me out.

The HaulU truck needs to be returned by 7 but the stuff hasn't been delivered and I can't leave the house. FIL extraordinaire shows up to take care of that part but in the meantime, the movers can't figure out how to install the bulkhead and then one of them improperly locks the truck (he locked the lock but didn't lock the doors, fck) and I have to call the trailer co. to come fix it. Ultimately, I have to cancel dinner plans with my neighbors, all so I can stay home to take care of getting rental trucks returned and making sure that no one makes off with our stuff until the trailer guy comes over. And I'm dirty and tired and haven't done a bit of studying for my exams tomorrow.

And then, the badness. I was horribly mean to my husband. I was an asshole (sing it with me...A-S-S-H-O-L-E....I'm an asshole....). I have since apologized (of course) but dang, this is hard.

So, now I'm clean and have done some studying. Going to go back home and study some more and maybe get some shut eye for a few hours. I'm going to sleep on the floor in the house b/c I can't bring myself to pay for a hotel room in which I won't really get any sleep and I can't deal with being around people right now...not even my in-laws. I just have to keep my eyes on the prize. In 23 hours I will be done with my last exam and Thurs am I can start driving to Lankytown. Can't wait. Almost there. Almost....there....

For fcking better or worse...

This move...sigh...I know, more whining about moving. I'm even tired of it but, alas, it's my party and I'll whine if I want to.

So, you stand before your officiant and take your marriage vows alongside your beloved and you say them...and you really do mean them. And sometimes life hands you shit sandwiches and down the hatch they go and here you are reflecting on your wedding vows because those vows are the only thing keeping you from reaching your arm out 2500 miles and ripping your husband's head off. And I know that this rough patch is probably not the worst we'll see during what I hope will be decades of marriage but this fcking sucks. SO MUCH.

And I am very, very tired of this situation. I am tired of being the only one in charge. I am tired of being the one who makes the phone calls and arrangements for sub-contractors, movers, glass crating companies, realtors, more sub-contractors and various cleaning companies. And I know that these are things that only I can do b/c I am the one who is here to let people in, take measurements, write checks, etc. and goodness knows that Michael is helping as much as he can. But. These are the things that make me long for my single days in a one-bedroom apt with my dog. I just want to crawl in a hole and never come out. Instead, however, I'm going to drag my ass to the post office, the UH@ul store, the hardware store, G00dwill and the Upscale Resale store to drop off donations and go to the bank. And then come home and pack my ass off. Blarg. Hate everything.

More cuteness...

This about cheering me up as much as it is subjecting you to more pictures of my dog. She is so. Freaking. Cute. Totally.



My husband is also really freaking cute. I mean, he's very studly and hot. Yeah, studly and hot.

So much to do and not enough time...

So....I leave the state I've called home for the last 5+ years in 10 days. 10 days. 10 DAYS! I am so not ready. Physically ready, that is. I've put off the remainder of the packing in part b/c we had an open house yesterday and we wanted it to still be "staged" but now the furious packing must begin. I'm struggling with this b/c I know that I have 2 smallish suitcases out of which I will live until the 15th and I just don't know what I'm going to need and I can't make myself think that far ahead.

In the meantime, I'm trying to say my goodbyes and that's hard to do. We know we won't be coming back to OH any time soon so unless our friends and family come to see us in Cali we won't be seeing anyone for a long time.

And yet I feel a bit anxious to get the heck out of dodge. I just want to be with my husband and my dog and I no longer care much about anything else. I want to get back to some semblance of "normal" and the only way to do that is to be with my beloved and our mutt. But it's only 10 more days. 10 days. That's going to go by quickly.

Bittersweet...

I've spent the last 8 weeks cursing this house as we've readied it for sale with help from our parents...and now, all I want to do is cry.

A message from my dog...

Where is the Short One who feeds me and walks me and rubs my ears just the way I like? It's Tall Man, Tall Man, Tall Man all the time here...where the hell are we, anyway? Can you believe these people stuck me in a car for 4 days while they drove us past some dirt and rocks and shit?!? Unbelievable. And the Short One was always turning around in her seat to take pictures of me while I tried to sleep. Bitch. Oh, and she's always coming after me with a kleenex in her hand and wiping my eyes. I hate that. And now the Tall Man does it. I'm hungry. I think I'll go bark at a cat that's outside some 3 blocks away. Yeah, and then I'll go sleep under the bed. I wonder what happened to the Short One...? Rub my belly.

A recap of the trip to Cali....

It's been a week since my return to Ohio and I finally got the pics off the digital camera so that I might post them for your enjoyment. I will let Michael give you the down and dirty details of our crazy adventures with a mechanic in Utah that we will call "Cletus."

The trip started with breakfast at our favorite place. I had the pancakes and Michael had eggs and the french (that's right, french toast, not fcking "freedom" toast) toast. And, of course, there was lots of coffee.

And then we went home, loaded up the car and the dog and headed west. We talked and sang along to CDs and took turns petting the dog. We stopped in St. Louis to see the Arch. That's Michael and Esme down there. They are so tiny.



Esme had to use the facilities at the Arch:



We stopped that night in Kansas City, MO b/c I just couldn't drive another hour. I was so pooped out that as soon as we checked in to our hotel I was asleep in bed. And my wonderful husband took our mutt outside for last pee pee so that I could remain passed out in bed.

The next morning we crossed the state line into Kansas about 20 minutes into our drive. This is a wind farm in Kansas (plus some glare from the window--Angie and Joel I am not):


After...how shall I say....an unbelievably horrifying drive thru the Rockies at night (my husband is lucky there wasn't a divorce lawyer handy b/c I thought we were going to die), we woke up to this magnificence:There was more to this post but I seem to have lost it....where have you gone, post? Damn. Okay, will post the sequel to our trip to Cali in another post. But first, is this not beautiful?

Too tired...

To write about our...exciting, nay, death-defying trip to Cali-for-nee-ya. Seriously. There's nothing like being trapped in the desert in Utah on a Saturday afternoon and being told that your alternator is bad. Fck. Alas, everything is fine and I am back in Ohio laying in my bed. Details will be forthcoming soon as well as some photos taken on the road. All is well except that I miss my husband and my dog and that the house we've called "home" for the last 4+ years no longer feels like "home" without them. Sigh...

The Different Fummer takes a road trip...

We're on our way to Cali and will try to post from the road if we aren't too tired. Stay tuned!

Sticker shock...

And we haven't even moved to CA yet. Michael and I are suffering from a little sticker shock for some things we need to do to get our house ready for the market. We had some anticipated expenses like the purchase of more paint, powerwashing our house, tiling our floor in the kitchen, refinishing the stairs and landing on the second floor... but then we've accumulated additional expenses like some electrical work that needs to be done to the tune of $1100. And our realtor suggested new counter tops in the kitchen (yeah, we're going with new laminate instead). Naturally all the stuff that needs to be done by a professional seems to cost something with 4 figures in it. Blarg.

We're fortunate that Michael's new employer has offered such a generous relocation package but it seems we're going to use an awful lot of that money just to get our house ready to be sold. We haven't even finished running the figures for moving and storing all of our belongings. Sigh...

A spot of cuteness...

I am taking a momentary rest from painting and/or packing to bring you this little bright spot in my day...

Reality sets in...

It's been 6 days since we found out we are moving and now reality has set in. Michael and I are feeling positively overwhelmed by everything. And, yes, we know, "do one thing at a time" and all that but there are moments when that doesn't help. Thank goodness I have off from work and school this week b/c I would have been a disaster for sure. My mind is just constantly thinking things that need to be fixed, packed, sold, moved, given away, cleaned, etc. that it's hard to keep them all straight sometimes. To combat this issue, Michael and I are using google docs to help keep everything in order. Thank goodness for the internets.

The hardest part so far has been watching how sad this move makes my husband. I know he's excited about this really freakin' awesome job he got but he's a family guy and I know it pains him to move so far away from them. The second hardest part has been contemplating my return to this house with neither husband nor dog in tow. It reminds me so much of when my mom and brother moved to the Chicago-area after graduation but I returned to Lanky-town for 6 weeks to finish my scholarship obligation. Plus I was living by myself in a house with no furniture and only a few dishes and it was just weird. This time Grandma won't be packing every last dish until it's time to put everything on the moving truck:> It's a bittersweet time to be sure.

So, enough moping. Must get dressed and start painting. And do some more laundry. And meet with our realtor. And keep my sanity.

The big news!

At last! Michael accepted a job at a lovely robotics company (musn't say the name lest we be dooced) in Sunnyvale, CA near San Jose. We're moving him and the dog at the end of April and I will be returning to finish the spring quarter at school and get our house packed and ready for sale. More news to come soon! A job! Finally! California! Moving! Aack!

5 years later...

Okay, I meant to post this last month but what can I say? I'm a procrastinator and busy as hell.

5 years ago I moved to Ohio from Lanky-town and a whole crazy lot has happened. Let's review:

• I moved into my first "big girl" apartment where I lived (blessedly) alone with my 4-legged companion
• I was adopted by my awesome friend Marg, who introduced me to the city and to internet dating and has made my life in OH way more entertaining than it otherwise might have been
• I tried internet dating. All in all, a fairly good experience as far as dating goes and that's how I met my wonderful and amazing husband
• I met Michael in Jan '04 and here we are happily married for over 2 years. We have a very nice life (albeit a tad stressful at the mo'), a beautiful home and each other.
  
• We also have a mortgage and HELOC debt, we've put 2 dogs to sleep and adopted a third, deal regularly with crazy family member issues and struggle to keep our sanity while Michael looks for a job
• I realized along the way that non-profit organizations are every bit as soul sucking as for-profit companies but without the salary and benefits package, bonuses and extra PTO that for-profits often provide. We're expected to pay our bills with warm fuzzies instead.
• Oh, yes. My parents got divorced somewhere in there. I almost forgot that one.
• I quit my "real" job and took a waitressing gig while going to nursing school.
  
• Realized the life plan I had when I came out here 5 years ago is nothing like real life as it has unfolded.

So, it's been a busy 5 years and it's turned out very differently than expected. Not in a bad way, mind you, just different. I never thought I would have stayed in OH for longer than 3 years and I had no hope of meeting the man who would become my husband. And I definitely never thought I'd have to put by baby girl to sleep anytime soon. But here I am and here we are.
We're facing a lot of uncertainty until Michael gets a new job and then we'll be off on some new adventure. Stay tuned....

Memoir in six words....

Work in progress..much to do.

Be sure to go to Salon.com to see what others had to say.

Aack (and why we should support universal health care)...

In an effort to make good on one of my new year's resolutions, I dragged my husband upstairs for some quality time and in return I got a UTI. And I come to the realization that, yes, it is a UTI at about 2:30 on a Saturday in the middle of a continuous lunch rush at work and after my doctor has closed up shop for the day. And because I had to work a double shift and it was one of those days where the customers never stop coming in, I had to wait until 9:30 at night to get myself to urgent care before they closed at 10. Of course the Cipro I have to take gives me a yeast infection so between the fee to go to urgent care and the 3 meds I'm now taking, I racked up $100 in fees in a very short period of time. Plus there's always the possibility of having to go see my GP after all because I'm developing a rash on my arm that wasn't there prior to taking the antibiotic. Blarg. Did I mention that the Cipro caused a yeast infection? Yeah.

Despite my annoyance at all of this I recognize how lucky I am to have health insurance (even tho I'm really pissed at my provider at the moment) and to have a manager who was kind enough to let me go to urgent care even tho I hadn't finished my side work. Despite the fact that the company I work for provides insurance coverage, almost none of the employees participate--mostly b/c they can't afford the premiums. Many of them have been sick with colds, flu and various infections during the past 6 weeks and b/c they lack insurance coverage and don't have the money to go to urgent care they get so sick that they end up in the ER. Or they continue to come to work and cough and hack all over the place (hello people--we serve food here--stop coughing on everything). So, for all those people out there who don't think we need universal health care coverage just remember: when you go out to eat, your server is probably too poor to afford a doctor's office visit plus the cost of a prescription and he/she is the last person to touch your food before you eat it. There are many reasons to support universal health care and I'm just offering up one more. Seriously, the time is now.