2010 Update

It’s that time of year again. The beginning. Where we make our resolutions and TRY to stick to them. I generally make goals, but this year, I just haven’t got the energy to even think about it. That’s the fun of ending out the year and starting a new one when you are sick.

Since we hardly updated last year, I guess I should give you all some sort of overview. But only if you really really want it. I have actually been trying to write this for a couple of weeks now, but my computer pooped out, so I have no way to do it. I want to try and write more on my blogs this year, but until I have a new computer or somewhere to write, you are stuck with whatever I can do. But, I promise, I’m not ignoring you all.

2010 was filled with hopeful ups and some downward setbacks. Life definitely dealt us a wicked hand this year.

As always, Sans, Mario and I are doing wonderfully as a family. We are happy just being with each other, and spending tons of time together.

Early in the year, Sans got a second job working with my step-dad with his art. He does something with Adobe and Illustrator. He only works a few days a week, but he absolutely loves the work, and loves working with dad. It really lets his creative style out, and makes him really happy. Which, in turn, means I get to spend more time with mom and that makes us happy too. We’re hoping to see some of the projects that Sans worked on in stores soon!

We had a few disappointments in our year as well. One of my best friend’s sisters got pregnant. She is only 18, so it was up in the air for a while what she might do with this baby. She didn’t feel she or the daddy were stable enough to take care of and raise the baby. So, her sister, my friend came up with the idea of adopting the baby to us. We did research, and tried to prepare, even started looking into lawyers and time periods that we would have to do waiting. We were never quite sure what was going on, the pregnant girl never got in touch with us, so we never really went one way or the other, but we always hoped. We didn’t find out until about a month before the baby was due, by a shower invitation on Facebook. We were heartbroken. But after all that trouble, and all the things that we’d have to go through to “get” a baby, I think we’ve pretty much decided to be dog parents and stick to that. I don’t want to go through that again. I was pretty depressed for some time after that.

We also had the possibility to buy a house this summer. We had everything all lined up, went driving and looked at local listings (houses are CHEAP here!), and even sent in financial paperwork. Turns out our credit sucks, especially mine, so we were turned down for a loan. We are now working with a credit company to fix it all up, and we only have a few months to go. It’s a nicely positive change, I have taken over the family finances. We run in to a little problem here and there, but for the most part, we are getting everything paid and on time, which is a huge change, and I’ve been doing ok with the budget. I feel like a grown up! I am almost done with all those year of taxes that weren’t filed. So far, we’ve only owed about $40. It’s nice to be almost caught up. So, there is all that to look forward to. We still have a  lot of hopes and dreams and plans, so hopefully this is able to come true soon!!

With all this, we were able to get a few things taken care of so we will no longer have to worry so much. We got a second car, a nice station wagon. That is mostly Sans’ car, but it’s great to run around in for larger purchases, and when my car had a flat and we didn’t have time to fix it. And it’s great because I no longer have to wait up half the night to go pick him up from work.

Things at my job are still going well, I’ve hit the year mark with no problems... well other than hanging up on a customer who was screaming at me. But, other than that, no issue. I have a great supervisor that actually listens to me, and a great manager. I’ve made several friends, and we try to hang out when we can. I did have some trouble with workplace bullying, but it blew over within about two months. But it was horrid while it lasted. We had our company party at Christmas time and it was fabulous. Our table won the trivia challenge. It was really fun. This really is a great company to work for.

My cube mate is also a photographer, and she did a photo shoot with us and little Mario in December. We used one of the pictures on our Holiday card this year. And we ended up doing a collage with all the pictures to give to the relatives. Everyone seemed pleased. We want them all. But then again, we’re vain. :-)

Unfortunately, Sans is not doing as well with his job. He has wonderful customer service marks, wonderful. But with the addition of sales to his job, and the expectations on that as well as his phone handle time, things are just slipping away. Every day, it seems he is getting threatened with being fired. He has begun to have anxiety attacks every time he tries to go into work. Because of the stress, he has developed back issues and also ended up getting Shingles. Since then, he’s been out because of the panic attacks - on doctor’s orders. FMLA is taking it’s sweet time giving him any payment. The appropriate people apparently aren’t communicating, and it’s just become one big problem. So, as of now, we are back to being a one income family. It’s unfortunate that it’s come to this, because Sans has always been my rock, my mellow man. I’m the high strung one in the relationship, and he’s always been the one to calm me down. Now, neither of us are calm, but it certainly makes for some interesting craziness! (It’s weird for me to be the voice of reason!) But it also means that Mario gets a LOT of extra cuddle time.

Other than that Shingles episode, we’re not doing too bad, health-wise. I got my 7th year of “all-clear” from my oncologist, and went through all my yearly tests with flying colors. My Diabetes has been getting normal - well more normal than it has been. I’ve been able to almost consistently in the normal - normal-high range in my blood sugars all year. And no ER trips for me this year (that I can remember).

Mario is doing fantastic. He had his check up in November and got his shots, and they said there are a few issues, but nothing that isn’t fixable. And he’s just as cuddly and cute as ever, if not a little grayer. Mom and dad also seem to be doing well. We got see my niece and sister for a day in December. We had such a fabulous time with them!

We were supposed to go to my 20 year class reunion in October, but we couldn’t afford it, so we had a little staycation instead. We had the BEST time. We started off our vacation by meeting mom and dad down in Sun River, and stayed over night in an adorable house on the resort property. It was beautiful down there, and we got to see the stars away from all the lights, and just hang out and be a family. the next day we drove back, and got some amazing shots of Mt. Hood, by pulling off the side of the freeway. The next couple of days we went on a couple of walking tours in Portland. These were so fun, I would do them again and again. The first one we went on was the “Underground” tour. And the next night, we went on the “Beyond Bizarre” tour. I won’t tell you anything, except that you should do them if you ever come to the area. They have more, like a foodie one, a chocolate one and some other history tours, but we preferred to try them out on these two tours. The next day, we did some stuff around the house. By the end of the week, we were ready again for some fun, so we went to a pumpkin patch (my first ever!) with some friends of mine from work, and had a fabulous time! Mario loved it, I think mostly because it was warm there. But we got some cute pumpkins... All in all, it was a very fun and relaxing vacation. Before it, we were about at wits end, but we were ready to go back after.

We had really nice holidays, mostly working, but we did get to spend a little time with my family. Maybe next year, we can spend it with Sans’ family. We’re trying. And we also want to make an effort to see his sister and brother. Last year, we didn’t have much time to spend with our friends, either. Because of our work schedules, it’s very difficult to see and spend time with everyone we want to. All of our local friends work mostly M-F day jobs, were-as, Sans and I both work mostly at night, and we have Mondays and Tuesdays off. I am also very selfish about how I spend time with him. I usually get to spend one day a week with him, so that tends to make things difficult... and I’m not a very good sharer. :-) But I promise to try. so, anyone local... we’d love to see you!!

So, I guess that’s the update for now. Hope you all had a great new year and a great holiday season! Happy 2011!

Goodbye 2009, Hello 2010!

This was an eventful year for Sans and I. Sans started on his second year at his job, and I finally got a job, after being unemployed for over a year. My mom got remarried (and I gained two sisters, a brother and a new dad).


Mario lost part of his tail and had to go to the emergency vet not one, but two times this year. I only had to go once. Sans had to go to the doctor because he was actually sick once. We have been able to start paying some of our bills that had backed up in the last year. We were also able to afford Christmas presents this year. Overall, it ended up being a pretty good year.

I love my job. I adore the people I work with. We’ve actually gone to a couple of parties this year – amazing for us, homebodies. I’ve made bunches of new friends, and found tons of old ones on Facebook. Mario has his own Facebook Fan page.

I started another blog for Diabetic cooking. And for this, Sans bought me a new camera for my birthday that is totally awesome and takes the best pictures. So, I’ve been cooking up a storm and taking tons of pictures, trying out new recipes, and so far seem to have doctored them up to my liking (and Sans’ as well). Don’t have a lot of readers yet, but I’m working on it. Please go over and check it out.

We had a nice holiday. Mario was sick, but other than that, it was pretty stress free. Sans had to work, but I got the days off because there was no racing on those days. I cooked the whole time. I made a brined turkey, mom’s stuffing, veggies, mashed potatoes, and a diabetic pumpkin cheesecake. I also made a yummy breakfast of eggs, bacon and Starbuck’s Cranberry Bliss Bread (that I made myself). I had a great time and took tons of pictures. We each got each other cool presents, lots of books, movies and Sans got a really nice jacket for his birthday. The families gave us great gifts as well.

Sans did get a little bit of bad news at work, though, and on his birthday of all days. They are starting to have the tech people do sales again. But this time, it’s double the amount of sales that they had to do last time. He had some trouble making the sales goals last time, so we’re a little worried about this time. Hopefully, he can make it, or find another job.

Since I have just started accruing vacation time at work, I’m hoping to save up enough to be able to go to my 20^th high school reunion this year. And of course, make a trip to Disneyland while I’m down there. Sans hasn’t been there since I’ve met him, and it would be nice to show him around where I grew up. I’ve already seen where he grew up a couple of times, so this could be really fun.

I can’t think of anything else to update anyone on, so I hope you all have a fabulous, healthy, beautiful, and prosperous New Year!

Update - Final Installment

So, doctor’s appointments, sigh. We are getting caught up again – it’s that time of year. I’m still having trouble getting the correct amount of insulin every month. The pharmacy or insurance or something seems to think that 100 ml a month = 45 units a day. No. It does not. The amount I’m given, taken exactly as directed only give me enough for about 22 days a month. So that other 8-10 days? No insulin. So, a couple of weeks ago, I topped out. My blood sugar went over 500, and Sans had to take me to the ER. This was the first time I had felt so yucky and drunk-like from the elevation. The ER doc got me started on a fast acting insulin. So far, it has done wonders for my blood sugar. I have been in the normal range most of the time for the first time in years. It’s great. I do still have to watch what I eat and stuff, but it is really helping.

Sans and I went to our dentists, everything looks good, poor Sans had to get four fillings, and I just got a cleaning and told that my teeth were much better than last time (um, yeah, last time was the first time in 6 years that I had been to the dentist). Sans scheduled himself to get a few more fillings and two more root canals, and then we’ll be just about done with all this work, and just have to go in for cleanings. We also went into the eye doctor. Sans’s eyes look good. He could use glasses for night driving, but even that would be the weakest prescription. So we decided to wait on those. But my prescription changed – one eye got better one got worse. So, after 7 years, I am finally getting a new pair of glasses. I am really excited! This is the first time (even with Diabetes) since before I moved that I have needed to get new glasses or have had an eyesight change. I picked out some really cute ones. But, that was the end of Sans’s appointments.

I had my yearly CT and that came back clear, but my Oncologist of course, had to feel me to make sure there weren’t thing that were not showing up on the CT. He found a very tiny lump under my left arm. It’s one of those things that I get all the time, just some sebaceous cyst. So he sent me in to have an ultra sound and a possibly needle biopsy on it. We went in and guess what? Surprise Mammogram! This was my third one, and because of the cyst, they had me bending in all these weird ways, and now I am all in pain and bruised (and this is two days later). Everything ended up fine (no good meds, though, the biopsy didn’t need to be done), and it was nothing. Yesterday, I went in for my annual exam with my primary care doc. She made some changes to my prescription for insulin, so I should be getting two vials every month, instead of the one. She also told me to do some stretches for my Sciatica, that it doesn’t sound like I have peripheral neuropathy. Yay! I was worried about that. So, things are going well – I only have two doctor appointments left – the Endocrinologist at the end of next month and I have to go back to the oncologist for the results of the ultrasound.

In other news – Sans and I are still going strong – we hit our second wedding anniversary on the 29^th of September. We are still doing crazy cooking experiments, and playing with video games – our latest is Beatles Rock Band – we LOVE it and bought it the day it came out. And trying to get out as much as possible, especially now that we have the same days off. Out latest was a trip to Astoria on the Goonies pilgrimage. We had so much fun checking out all the set shots that were in the movie. We also buried the last of dad’s ashes in Cannon Beach – right by the spot in Goonies where you could see the pirate ship come out near the end. We have a few other things planned just for the two of us. I think it will be nice, this is the first time in a couple of years that we’ve been able to spend any time together and have money at the same time. Also, Sans and I got cell phones, so now people can call us. Email me to let me know if you want our #’s.

I think this was Mario's first trip to the beach. He LOVED it!

Cannon Beach - Haystack Rock

Sans at the sign leading up to the Goonie House. The lady that lived there was really cool!

I finally got the GOOD NEWS! The manager at the office where I have been temping called me into her office on Friday to ask me if I wanted to work there on a permanent basis! I jumped at the chance. I had to fill out an application, and all the paperwork, including all the credit/background checks, etc. I have already had a background check and I passed that. But I am a little worried about the credit check, but I can't imagine not getting hired because of that. So, my first day as an actual employee, is October 4. I love this date, because it is the fourth anniversary of the day Sans and I met. I am so excited! I finally have a REAL job. And one that I really enjoy.

So that's the news, a bit bad, mostly good. I hope everyone is doing well! Love you all!

Update Part II

A week or two after the wedding, Sans and I met our friend Meadow for bowling in Vancouver. She had called us a couple of weeks before, but we were always busy with the wedding plans and stuff. She said that she had something important to ask me. She recently had a baby boy and while she was pregnant, the daddy proposed to her. So, I thought she was going to ask me to be in her wedding. I was wrong. We sat down to lunch and she asked Sans and I to be Logan’s Godparents. What an honor! We accepted immediately, of course. She explained that she knew that we, of all people, would take good care of Logan, should something happen to them. We told her that we promised to. And now, little Logan Berry (our nickname for him) will always be tied to us in some way.

Sans and Logan Berry... So cute.

The last week or so in August, we were outside on the patio because we heard a rustling. Anyone who knows me knows of my unending curiosity and fascination with all things crime related. Well, we looked out the window and there was a couple of police cars parked out there. When we went outside, there was a small crowd gathered. No one could get in or out of that area of the parking lot. Then we noticed the cops with the sniffer dog. We watched for a while, and then went inside. They were searching everywhere with that dog. Even under the car. Sans went and made sure our front door was locked. Later, we overheard our neighbors downstairs talking about how they say “him” being taken out in a body bag. I told Sans that I wanted to know what the hell happened, since I am the one who walks around there alone at night.

We didn’t find out until a couple days later that a Hispanic boy in the building across from ours was stabbed be some gang members while he was on his was home from work at Home Town Buffet (behind our complex). They thought he was with a rival gang (he wasn’t), and stabbed him to death, possibly as a gang initiation. I had wondered why the last couple of nights all the Hispanic families seemed to be gathered in the parking lot when I came home from work. Well, it was the “wake” type thing. I fell really awful for him family. They had to wait almost three weeks before they could afford to pay for a service for him (he was barely 18, and going to graduate from high school this year).

Catching Up... Part 1

Wow. So many updates, so little time. Since I started working, I just haven’t had the time to update. Sorry about that. So, we’re going to break this down into three parts. Hopefully that will make it easier to read.

July was not the best month, we had the 110 degree heat wave for a couple of days, we had an accident with Mario, and the apartment buildings started being painted. Also, in the great news category – mom got married and we became “god” parents.

The painting just seemed to go on and on and on. I think they were trying to start it in June, but it rained or something happened. We got a notice on the door when they were supposed to start, because we had to put all of the stuff from our balcony into the house, until they were done. We ended up finally putting it back out in August. But in the meantime, we had to keep our windows closed, our air conditioner off and pulled into the house and be careful when we left. It was crazy, hot and stuffy in our apartment. I’m glad it’s over. It does look good, but damn, it took them forever!

One afternoon, we were watering the plants on the balcony, and as always with the sun, Mario wanted to come out with us. Then, he wanted to go back in. I wasn’t really paying attention to what was going on, and I just slammed the glass door. That’s when I heard it – the high pitched wailing. It was Mario on the other side with his tail caught in the door jamb. I opened the door as fast as I could, and his little tail was hanging at an angle about 3 inches down from the tip, and bleeding. You could see the bone. I was hysterical. I could not stop sobbing. We brought him up to the vet and they had to amputate about half of his tail off. The poor vet’s office. I had just stopped crying when they came out and asked what happened, then I started sobbing again and could hardly get it out. And Mario, standing there wagging, like nothing happened, getting blood all over the office. The vet told me these things happen all the time, and to not worry. She took off the $400 surgery fee for us. (I think it’s because they all love Mario so much there) He was ok by the after noon, just all tuckered out from his meds. He had to wear a cone, which he didn’t like at all. After a couple of days, it wasn’t necessary for him to have it on anyway, so we stopped using it (he couldn’t drink with the damn thing on anyway). After two weeks, Sans took Mario back to the vet and his stitches out. He is doing just fine now, just with about 6 inches of missing tail.

This is right after I brought him home from the Vet. He was so out of it.

In the beginning of August, mom got remarried. She had a beautiful wedding, and we had a fantastic week leading up to it – busy but fun. I finally met my new brother and his wife (Chris and Elizabeth), and I got to bond with my new sister - Hilary (and her baby, Jovie). The kids, including Sans, went to mom and Greg’s house for dinner on Wednesday. That’s where we met everyone and got to know them all. Thursday was the zoo for Mom, Greg, Hilary, Jovie and I. We had a really good time, until we all got too tired to do anything else. Friday, all the kids, except Sans, went wine tasting, with Judy (mom’s best friend of over 50 years) and mom and Greg. And then we out to lunch at a fish market. It was a long drive and Hilary and I drove there together, so we got to talk a lot. That was really fun. That night, we had “rehearsal dinner” at Greg’s sister’s house. Saturday was the wedding. They got married in a huge garden estate, with a Polynesian theme. Sans and I had matching clothes. Mom and Greg were so happy. It was great fun, and Chris and I both made toasts – I had a hard time not crying during mine. The food was wonderful and so was the cake! I think a good time was had by all. And I haven’t seen mom so happy in a long long long time.

Me, mom, Greg, Hilary, Judy (mom's best friend), and Chris

at wine tasting

Tyler, me, Mom and Greg at the wedding!

It's Coming!

Sorry for the lack of posts. I've been busy working, and waiting for some really good news to share with you!

Stay tuned, I think it may be coming next week!

Until then, Here's a picture of the doggie:

I GOT A JOB!

I got a job! It’s a long term temporary position, but it’s a job, nonetheless. After the movie screening, the agency offered me a short term job at an online and phone wagering call center for horse races. I don’t actually take the bets, mostly just setting up accounts, doing deposits and withdrawals on accounts and information about the races.

I was brought on for the Kentucky Derby and worked a full 24 hours within 2 days. It was great. The people here are really nice and helpful, the building is clean and well maintained, and the customers are fun. Calls are usually no more than a minute long, and it’s pretty easy work.

I was done with the job after the Derby, but the manager had asked me for my resume, saying that she said I was doing a good job, and she would like to hire me on as a long term temp, since they had an opening. I sent in my resume that night. On Monday, the Agency called when I was out paying my electric bill, offering me the job. By the time I had called back (around an hour later), I was told by a woman that I had the job and when to report to work. Within 5 minutes (long enough for me to post it and email it everywhere), I was called back and told that was a mistake and the job had already been given to someone else. Basically, I had “taken too long to call back.”

I was pretty livid. I went into a depression for several days. I called my agent and she gave me no explanation, only that they had another position for the next leg of the Triple Crown the following week, would I be available? I jumped at it. That same day, I found out I had under the wrong impressions regarding my pay – I was told $11 an hour, and I was really getting $10.50 an hour. Doesn’t seem like much unless you are living by the skin of your teeth. But, I took it and didn’t complain. So, my agent told me to be in on Tuesday at 6 am. If it wasn’t going to be this time, she would call and let me know on Monday afternoon.

Monday afternoon came and went and no call. I called right before 5 pm to find out what time to be there. It was a good thing I did. I really didn’t have to be there until noon. I would probably have been pretty upset – well actually I WAS, but that’s beside the point. So I went in on Tuesday and got to do training for a few hours, which was nice. Except that I wasn’t on the schedule. They had no idea that I was supposed to be there. They didn’t have my ID ready; they had deleted me out of the system from the previous assignment. No one had told them that I was going to be there.

Once they got everything ready, I was ok. Unfortunately, the manager was not in, so I couldn’t talk to her that day about what happened with the agency. But I was told she would be in the next day. Everything went well and I was told to come back at 9:30 the following day.

I went in, intending to speak to the manager on one of my breaks. I never got the chance. Right after my lunch, she came up to me and asked me if I wanted to work there. I practically squealed and told her yes. We discussed it for a minute, I explained what happened and she told me she would call the agency for me.

My new schedule starts on Sunday. I have Tuesday and Wednesday off. Sans also has Wednesday off, but our schedules are slightly different, otherwise. I work 3 mornings and 2 afternoons. But I am so happy, it’s a nice schedule, and I am really looking forward to being somewhat permanent here. I already have a couple of nicknames and have been complimented on how fast I have caught on. By my second day, I was helping other people around me, and have developed an understanding of my job even better and more quickly that I could have imagined.

Today I am working another 12 hour shift, but it doesn’t bother me at all. I actually leave with a nice satisfaction of a job well done, and actually have energy left after a shift. So, now things seem to be falling into place for us. Hopefully, we’ll be able to pay off our small bills soon, and move on to the bigger ones. It will awesome to be debt free!!

I also wanted to thank everyone that reads this. I have gotten so many responses, on here as well as via email that were supportive and encouraging. You have no idea how much that helped me. I tried to remain positive as much as I could, but sometimes, it was just hard to pull myself out of bed in the morning. It’s so discouraging when no one wants to hire you. Thank you all so much.