Moving Forward... One Plate at a Time

In September, I started to prepare for Christmas. Mostly planning our gift giving, so it wouldn't be last minute or stressful. We didn't decorate, or buy a tree, or make cookies this year, but I decided to make our Christmas cards. I haven't printed anything like this in a long time, so I procrastinated and ran into a lot of hiccups. Warped plate, bad brayers, new types of inks, and of course , registration. So I actual put it off.

The start of December, our shopping was mostly done, but no printing. I'm pretty sure for the next few weeks before we headed out of town, I was at the art store at least twice a week. 

I knew what image I wanted, since the beginning, and the easiest way for me to achieve it. 

Not bad right? 

"You have to take care of them"

In the last few months lots of things have changed with my home and work. Though we moved into our new rental over a month ago, we still are not as settled as I would like or was given the impression of by my husband. Luckily what's left is more like decor and organization stuff. 

At work, it's been constant change, and I guess I'm not taking it so well. Furloughs, people moving, leaving, being fired... It hard to adjust, especially when it's all happened in the last two months. I'm not so optimistic with changes, especially when they effect me directly in some way.

And my work is more than just work, a lot of these people have been more like family for me. I was planning, dreaming, whatever you would like to call it, that they would be part of my life here in the desert for a long time. I'm sad to see them go, but I'm really excited to see what God has for them in this new adventure.

A week ago, we said so long to my Director. Her husband got his dream job, but it meant moving to Oklahoma. I love this lady, but when she announced it a month prior, I was filled with excitement for her. The sorrow hasn't really happened yet, though she is gone, but what she last said to me is resonating more and more with the latest news. "You have to take care of them, Raylene."

Last night, my good friend (and manager) told me that her husband got a job in Colorado... I was speechless, but yet still words came out of my mouth. As to when they are moving, it is in the hands of her future employer, when she gets one. I'm really sad, that my only true friend out here, and she's leaving.

Then the work stuff comes up... "I knew I should have been looking for a new job." I don't want to be a manager, I'm not wired that way. I can't help but already feel the stress of it all. It doesn't help that I'm allowed to say anything about it yet. Well, with anyone I work with.

So I'm being a sad sack right now, trying my best to figure things out...

Swimmers Ear Expected

This new place has a pool, and I'm determined to use it, hopefully everyday. So the dreaded swimsuit shopping has begun. It has probably been eight years since buying my last swimsuit, I know it's been at least 15lbs since. It's hard to find something when your are over "blessed" and have too much junk in the trunk. Plus, for now I just want something that just covers my body and allows me full range of motion to exercise. Oh and not break the bank! Special since the goal of swimming is to tone and lose a few pounds, to later fit into a smaller, cutter swimsuit.

I've also been sued the internets for pool workouts. Things I can do that will allow me to have a constant elevated heart rate, but not worry about coming up for air in the deep zone.

Let's just say I float better as a dead body. It's funny because my mom is an excellent swimmer. She loves to swim, though she doesn't have a lot of time to do so. She was a synchronized swimmer in high school, but we never took swim lessons, so I struggle a bit along with some of my siblings. I am good enough that I haven't died yet, so that's a plus.

So audience when is it better to swim, before or after work?

Packing Up

This week we tried scheduling viewings of a few house we were interested after narrowing our list down to eight, and later down to three. Two before we could even get a hold of the contract listed, they were off the market. The other, we are still waiting on a call back, lame. I want to give you money, but you don't want it?

We did get to do a walk through on one of the original eight, which I just didn't feel right about it. The backyard needed a lot of work, that while house was getting new carpet, but you could tell that the obvious resident didn't talk good care of the property. Also it was only five miles from where we are living now.

Then that night, Jason browsing that web found my dream house. I say that because of the neighborhood. A co-worker lives one block over, and about a year ago we had an office luncheon at her cute 1935 house. I fell in love when I first got out of the car, like I was in a time machine. This co-worker is someone who loves vintage, maybe a bit too much, but it makes her, her. Since going to get house, I dreamed of living there.

Well, that night Jason put in an "we are interested" email to the rental company. "I'm doing this for you.“ two days later, we walk the property, get the details of pets, lawn care, washer dryer, etc. That same night we submitted our application and fee. Yesterday I got the call we got the place!

I'm so excited, mostly because of the distance to work only ten minutes with traffic and I'm a lot closer to some of my friends.

So begins the packing! We will have an over a week over lap, praise God!

never posted: Two Days of Craziness

I found this post in my drafts. Never finished it, probably because it was a crazy night at Chase field. This all happened seven days into our marriage.

So Thursday, I woke up, did my normal routine of letting the dogs out and watering my garden before the heat, and then buckled down and applied to the job that was driving me crazy the other day. Within 5 hours of submitting my application I had a phone interview and set-up a face to face on Monday. I hope this is what God has planned for me. I also have a phone interview with medical donation company later that day. I'm so excited to have these opportunities and maybe finally have some type of income.

Last night I went to my first Arizona Diamondbacks Game. We went downtown a little early to maybe get dinner, which everywhere was packed, so we stopped at Alice Cooper's restaurant.

Then off to the stadium, to maybe catch batting practice. By the time we got to our seats they were packing up, but I enjoyed watching how the field maintenance was done. Another job on the wish list. I know the Angels have one, but I haven't seen it up close like this. It's only ok, because it's Arizona

Jason saw Mickey and told all about his hopes and dreams.

The game started and the crowd slowly started to grow and our section seemed to almost over flow. And then these kids, early 20s if that, show up and sit behind us. "Let's go Giants!" Ok, nice, root for your team, but do you really have to act like you're on the payroll. This one person, this guy, just would not stop with the mud slinging. Oh, AZ fans suck, if this was San Francisco, blah blah blah. Cali this and Cali that. I was embarrassed, because I'm from California and I felt this group was giving us natives a bad name. I actually applogize to those next to me, and Jason told him he had no class. "No wonder that guy got the crap beat out of him" came to my mind, in reference to the big Dodger Beating of a Giants Fan, but I quickly told myself that was wrong.


Giants score first, and for most of the game, it was the only run.

You Can't Stay Here

In the next few weeks, Jason and I will be moving, hopefully somewhere better for us and our budget.

Our current abode is a cute little 2 bed/one bath duplex in north Phoenix, which has suited us nicely in the two years we have lived here. Almost the perfect place for newlyweds that happened to have a decent yard for the dogs. There are some negatives to this little place, such as a tiny kitchen and living room. But still has been a great location for the both of us.

But like most people, I hate moving! That packing is the easy part in my opinion, and I usually am all packed weeks before that move, minus that things we need daily. It's more like I hate that actual "moving" part of it. Something always, without fail, breaks. It's rush rush to get that house cleaned and to that next house and stay up until the crack of dawn to unload.

In my adult life I have moved ten times eight years. I understand, it's life, plain and simple, but it can still despise it. I'm hoping things this time are different, and secretly that we will have a week or two over lap to have more time to move. I know it will help me mentally.

So, have we found a place yet? We are looking, and are waiting on a few inquiries, at least it's still a bit early. It's out there, we just have to find it.

Right Brain?

I have a fine arts degree, but that's just a piece of paper that confirms I did enough work in college in that particular field. Does not mean I'm this creative genius, but everyone seems to think it does.

I miss being able to be in the shop or studio working away for hours with my peers or just the radio. The smell of aquatint, the heat plate and ink are some things, in my opinion, everyone should experience at least once. I regret not sticking with it or making time for it after I graduated. But I'm no artist.

I'm the type of person that just loves to work with my hands, regardless of the outcome of the project. Is it a masterpiece? Something mind blowing or emotional that it hits my audience every single time? Highly doubtful, but isn't why I spent hours on these pieces of paper or mounds of clay. To me, it has to be functional or serve a purpose, and most likely have an emotional tie to me.

But lately I have been deemed creative, which I feel they are mistaken. Or at least in the context they are using it in. Decorating people's desk for special occasions, no a hard task, but when I ask for suggestions from the group, "Oh, well you're the creative one..." Seriously!?! Or meeting regarding special chapels that the focus is prayer... "I'm sure you have lots of ideas, you're creative." How about we pray...Ding!

I have started to reply, politely that they are mistaken, but I get blown off, as if I'm trying to be modest. No, just being honest.

Sometimes I wish I didn't get a degree in art, but my life would be so different, and I love having the skills I do because of it... I think I'm just going crazy.

I should have become a masterprinter, or some kind of shop assistant... well there is still time.