So I got a letter from the monarch today instead of a simple phone call ANY day last week. Surprise! They decided to promote a server. So I'm still unemployed. I'm actually contemplating taking on a couple of part time nanny jobs.
I am still trying my hardest to stay upbeat and positive but it's hard not to think that there must be something wrong with me. I'm also trying to keep busy with cooking/baking but when a recipe actually does come out right, I eat it. So that's not helping the self-image either.
On the bright side, Mum and Grandma are heading up on Wednesday night. So I'll have ab0ut a week of distraction and good food. I haven't seen my mum since June.
Also I have been informed that I'm receiving a cash out of my college fund seeing as how I graduated. I'm contemplating using the money to move. However I think it'd be silly to spend money in order to move to find work to make money. I'd rather use it to pay bills here and take a trip in Feb to my cousin's wedding on the East coast. And I could buy some pretty rad xmas gifts for a couple of spectacular people.
I also still miss Charlie lots. Like an unhealthy amount. And I'm not 100% what to do about that. It also makes me miss home. Houston home. And my Houston family. My Houston parents.
So anyway each day has ups and downs but I take it step by step because every time I don't succeed, I fail. And I'm not used to that. And I really don't know what I'm supposed to be doing. Because I don't want to do a damn thing. I just feel. And I don't feel happy, for sure.
<3
Monday, October 19, 2009
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Perfect day with my boy and his dog
Ron had today off and he took me and Moxie for a hike outside of Estacada. The 60 mile drive was totally worth it because after a 1.5 miles hike is a natural hot spring. The park service built four private tubs, each hollowed tree trunks which you fill with scalding water from a diverted spring, and mellow with a few buckets of icy river water. Then you get to soak in a wood tub and stare up through the steam into the forest. This was definitely the most relaxing thing we've done in a long, long time.
http://web.oregon.com/hiking/bagby_hot_springs.cfm
And to cap it off we came home and made beef stroganoff with home-made egg noodles. Fantastic day! pictures to come on the Facebook.
http://web.oregon.com/hiking/bagby_hot_springs.cfm
And to cap it off we came home and made beef stroganoff with home-made egg noodles. Fantastic day! pictures to come on the Facebook.
About that time again...
So after looking at the calendar this week, I realized Ron and I are beginning our 6th month together! I was also reminded that: I've been unemployed for four of those months. The good news is I had a second interview today at http://www.monarchhotel.cc/ for a banquet captain position, which is essentially what I had been doing for City Kitchen back in Houston. I'm hoping the background check goes smoothly and I'm awaiting a call back by the end of the week.
In other news, Mom and Grandma Helen are heading up for a week on October 21. This is exciting because I have not seen my mother since before she left for Europe and Grandma has never been to Oregon. I already have a long list of places to take them (mostly restaurants) and things ti see and do.
We have also successfully moved (almost) every single one of our many, many boxes into a one bedroom apartment. While unpacking we discovered some interesting duplicates which total: 16 cutting boards, 4 creme brulee torches, 4 sets of mixing bows and an innumerable amount of towels. I've since made several trips to Goodwill and we almost have suitable places for everything. Lastly I'm trying to find a moderately priced fold-out couch. This will inevitably be found at IKEA, which at the moment I'm boycotting due to a previous ill-fated trip to the 'as-is' section.
While being unemployed I have had the opportunity to explore the neighborhood and the rest of the city. Our apartment is 5 blocks to a really nice park, off leash area for Moxie, playground and swimming pool open in the summer. Trader Joe's is also a few block in the other direction, as well as Safeway, Blockbuster, Walgreens etc. I'm quite happy with the location. In addition to the shopping opportunities I have become an urban harvest opportunist. Basically your persimmons, pears, apples, sage, rosemary, chestnuts, figs, walnuts, blackberries, patty pans, grapes, squash blossoms etc which are hanging over the street or left to with at unsold/empty houses are mine for the picking. Not only is this fun, it is financially sound. And so Moxie and I hunt... and gather.
The other exciting thing about being unemployed, and living in an apartment complex, is getting to know your neighbors. From a distance. For example, our immediate neighbors are drug dealers. I know this because I am politely offered whatever is 'fresh' anytime we happen to be outside at the same time. He is also at home most of the day. In the complex that abuts ours in 'fake orgasm girl'. How do I know she's faking it, you ask? If it was real, and that good, it'd be happening a lot more frequently.
The weather has been gorgeous. low 60s-high 70s, usually sunny and blue skies. A few rainy/cloudy/cold days, but for now they are intermittent. Although I did purchase my first pair of wellies.
All for now. Had to find something productive 'cause I'm missing my Charlie boy and cannot sleep just yet.
love to all.
j
In other news, Mom and Grandma Helen are heading up for a week on October 21. This is exciting because I have not seen my mother since before she left for Europe and Grandma has never been to Oregon. I already have a long list of places to take them (mostly restaurants) and things ti see and do.
We have also successfully moved (almost) every single one of our many, many boxes into a one bedroom apartment. While unpacking we discovered some interesting duplicates which total: 16 cutting boards, 4 creme brulee torches, 4 sets of mixing bows and an innumerable amount of towels. I've since made several trips to Goodwill and we almost have suitable places for everything. Lastly I'm trying to find a moderately priced fold-out couch. This will inevitably be found at IKEA, which at the moment I'm boycotting due to a previous ill-fated trip to the 'as-is' section.
While being unemployed I have had the opportunity to explore the neighborhood and the rest of the city. Our apartment is 5 blocks to a really nice park, off leash area for Moxie, playground and swimming pool open in the summer. Trader Joe's is also a few block in the other direction, as well as Safeway, Blockbuster, Walgreens etc. I'm quite happy with the location. In addition to the shopping opportunities I have become an urban harvest opportunist. Basically your persimmons, pears, apples, sage, rosemary, chestnuts, figs, walnuts, blackberries, patty pans, grapes, squash blossoms etc which are hanging over the street or left to with at unsold/empty houses are mine for the picking. Not only is this fun, it is financially sound. And so Moxie and I hunt... and gather.
The other exciting thing about being unemployed, and living in an apartment complex, is getting to know your neighbors. From a distance. For example, our immediate neighbors are drug dealers. I know this because I am politely offered whatever is 'fresh' anytime we happen to be outside at the same time. He is also at home most of the day. In the complex that abuts ours in 'fake orgasm girl'. How do I know she's faking it, you ask? If it was real, and that good, it'd be happening a lot more frequently.
The weather has been gorgeous. low 60s-high 70s, usually sunny and blue skies. A few rainy/cloudy/cold days, but for now they are intermittent. Although I did purchase my first pair of wellies.
All for now. Had to find something productive 'cause I'm missing my Charlie boy and cannot sleep just yet.
love to all.
j
Friday, August 21, 2009
Brief Update
Latest News:
We signed on an apartment yesterday. It's a large 1/1 with large windows, nice kitchen and in a great location. It's in a small complex that is walking distance to coffee, food, groceries and the bus. We move on Sept 18.
Until then we're staying with Ron's friends Atwood and Kara, their twin 10 mo old boys and another friend Jason who's renting the other room in their basement. There are also two dogs plus Moxie. It's a full house but they are all really nice and helpful and the boys and friggan' adorable. We're only there for a month and even though we're looking forward to getting into our own place and unpacking, having a family to hang with has been really nice.
Also, Ron got a job today--someone has to pay the bills around here... He'll be in the kitchen at Deschutes Brewery aka we get paid in beer. Seriously.
I'm still on the hunt, but not too worried. yet.
More to come. Not internet at the house so I'm a wifi pirate :)
love to all
xo.
We signed on an apartment yesterday. It's a large 1/1 with large windows, nice kitchen and in a great location. It's in a small complex that is walking distance to coffee, food, groceries and the bus. We move on Sept 18.
Until then we're staying with Ron's friends Atwood and Kara, their twin 10 mo old boys and another friend Jason who's renting the other room in their basement. There are also two dogs plus Moxie. It's a full house but they are all really nice and helpful and the boys and friggan' adorable. We're only there for a month and even though we're looking forward to getting into our own place and unpacking, having a family to hang with has been really nice.
Also, Ron got a job today--someone has to pay the bills around here... He'll be in the kitchen at Deschutes Brewery aka we get paid in beer. Seriously.
I'm still on the hunt, but not too worried. yet.
More to come. Not internet at the house so I'm a wifi pirate :)
love to all
xo.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Friday-Breckenridge, Colorado to Green River, Utah
After a surprisingly nice night at the Days Inn, we got on the road a little after 9am. It had rained the night before and we watched as highway crews worked to clear a jack-knifed semi out our motel window. Not deterred, the caravan continued into Glenwood Springs which had been a destination of mine for several years. Dad lived there B.C. (before children) and my earliest memory is clinging to my mother in the sulfur hot springs and watching the steam rise over my head.
We arrived in Glenwood around 11:30am and cruised the main drag until we found a surprisingly well equipped grocery where we cherry picked to make a very enjoyable, and economical brunch. Leaving the trailered Kia in a shady spot, we packed into the Prius and headed five miles back East to Hanging Lake.
::Side note:: The Prius loves the mountains. Even though when climbing it isn't exactly happy, I can't complain about 33mpg. However the descent is not only exciting (if wings were an option I'd be flying) but the mileage improves considerably. I'm currently averaging 51mpg with both the climb and descent, much better than the usual 43 I get in local Houston traffic. My assumption was that the climbing would significantly reduce my overall average, but I've been pleasantly surprised by its performance all around.
Back to Hanging Lake. We had a lovely picnic in sweatshirts because it was cloudy and overcast. We walked down to the trailhead and discovered two important things. 1. No dogs 2. 2.4 miles roundtrip up some 1,000 feet aka 2-3 hours roundtrip. We decided to be adventurous and after running Mox, set her up in the car and started climbing. My camera cable is currently packed, however I will be posting pictures of this hike because it was so incredibly cool! Go google image search for "hanging lake colorado" Trust me!
After the hike we headed back into town and relaxed in the hot springs for an hour or so. We sat in the hotter pool and watched a storm roll in over the moutains and decided it was time to get going. A quick dinner accross from the historic train station and we were back on the road.
Tonight we are in a KOA Kabin in Green River, Utah, about an hour West of the Colorado border. It is dark now, but I'm sure it will be another beautiful drive tomorrow.
We arrived in Glenwood around 11:30am and cruised the main drag until we found a surprisingly well equipped grocery where we cherry picked to make a very enjoyable, and economical brunch. Leaving the trailered Kia in a shady spot, we packed into the Prius and headed five miles back East to Hanging Lake.
::Side note:: The Prius loves the mountains. Even though when climbing it isn't exactly happy, I can't complain about 33mpg. However the descent is not only exciting (if wings were an option I'd be flying) but the mileage improves considerably. I'm currently averaging 51mpg with both the climb and descent, much better than the usual 43 I get in local Houston traffic. My assumption was that the climbing would significantly reduce my overall average, but I've been pleasantly surprised by its performance all around.
Back to Hanging Lake. We had a lovely picnic in sweatshirts because it was cloudy and overcast. We walked down to the trailhead and discovered two important things. 1. No dogs 2. 2.4 miles roundtrip up some 1,000 feet aka 2-3 hours roundtrip. We decided to be adventurous and after running Mox, set her up in the car and started climbing. My camera cable is currently packed, however I will be posting pictures of this hike because it was so incredibly cool! Go google image search for "hanging lake colorado" Trust me!
After the hike we headed back into town and relaxed in the hot springs for an hour or so. We sat in the hotter pool and watched a storm roll in over the moutains and decided it was time to get going. A quick dinner accross from the historic train station and we were back on the road.
Tonight we are in a KOA Kabin in Green River, Utah, about an hour West of the Colorado border. It is dark now, but I'm sure it will be another beautiful drive tomorrow.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Getting out of Texas
So this morning Ron picked up our new alternator and installed it before I was out of the shower. We were on the road at 8:30am and stopped for breakfast at a gas station cafe outside Des Moines, NM. Not surprisingly they had the best huevos rancheros with fresh green chillies I've ever had. At the New Mexico/Colorado border in Raton, we picked up I25 and headed North to Colorado Springs.
Driving through Colorado was a welcome change after an entirely too long trip getting out of Texas. There is a steady ribbon of yellow sunflowers between the highway and fenceline which continued from the border practically into Manitou Springs. Beyond the fenceline is a sea of little bluestem and other high plains grasses which look soft and watery in the morning light. The entire drive into Colorado Springs was uneventful car-wise, but beautiful and entertaining with spottings of antelope, lots of cows and horses, and for Grandma Helen a roadrunner!
We stoped for a quick hike through Garden of the Gods and then went into Manitou Springs for lunch. The food was touristy and dissapointing but the beer was cold. On a high note, a woman who had a wood carving and quilting shop there when I was a child is still in business and making more of the same.
Around 4pm local time we got back into our respective vehicles and headed to Denver, then I 70 towards Glenwood Springs. The passes here are beautiful but rough with the trailer. The last one which took us into Breckenride was over 10,000 ft. I'm tired and grumpy and Glenwood was sold out so we're in for the night at the local DaysInn. Unfortunately they didn't have any doubles so Moxie doesn't get her own bed tonight.
Tomorrow we're shooting for Idaho. And to wake up refreshed.
Love to all
Driving through Colorado was a welcome change after an entirely too long trip getting out of Texas. There is a steady ribbon of yellow sunflowers between the highway and fenceline which continued from the border practically into Manitou Springs. Beyond the fenceline is a sea of little bluestem and other high plains grasses which look soft and watery in the morning light. The entire drive into Colorado Springs was uneventful car-wise, but beautiful and entertaining with spottings of antelope, lots of cows and horses, and for Grandma Helen a roadrunner!
We stoped for a quick hike through Garden of the Gods and then went into Manitou Springs for lunch. The food was touristy and dissapointing but the beer was cold. On a high note, a woman who had a wood carving and quilting shop there when I was a child is still in business and making more of the same.
Around 4pm local time we got back into our respective vehicles and headed to Denver, then I 70 towards Glenwood Springs. The passes here are beautiful but rough with the trailer. The last one which took us into Breckenride was over 10,000 ft. I'm tired and grumpy and Glenwood was sold out so we're in for the night at the local DaysInn. Unfortunately they didn't have any doubles so Moxie doesn't get her own bed tonight.
Tomorrow we're shooting for Idaho. And to wake up refreshed.
Love to all
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
The start of our NW tour
This is in response to many people and questions about our travels and current relocation project. Ron, Moxie the dog and I are caravaning his Kia with 5x8 UHaul trailer and my Prius from Houston, Texas to Portland, Oregon. I will post when we have internet and pictures will come when I can find that box...
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So, at 4:30am on Tuesday we began our caravan Westward.
I jammed out to KGSR until the static overwhelmed Lyle's voice and I had to switch to CD--
M Durbin made an awesome 'Screw you, we're from Texas!' compilation that has been on frequent rotation since we left Houston. Which of course I never thought I'd shed a tear over leaving, but it turns out I really, really love the people who've supported me the past four years and I have been missing that home since I locked the gate last.
Yesterday about ten miles South of Post, Texas, Ron's 2001 Kia Sportage died and quietly rolled to the side of the highway. Two hours, many phone calls to Daddy and a trip to the local "auto parts" store later we were back on the road. At least until we rolled into Dalhart, Texas, where we stopped for gas and didn't get much further considering the Kia also required a new alternator.
So this morning Ron went and pulled out the old alternator and walked accross to the local Napa store and ordered us a new one which will be here at 7am tomorrow. Oh excitement! So we've been enjoying the sights here in Dalhart. This included an algae filled lake which Moxie took full advantage of and a nice Best Western which happens to have a pool with view/scent of the local cow pasture. And best of all a moving art museum aka the trainyard accross the street which brings in new graffitti every 4 hours.
So the plan for now is to install the new alternator and get on the road ASAP and hopefully pull into Colorado Springs for lunch around 2pm local time. Glenwood Springs is the final destination for tomorrow evening, camping near the pool and relaxing before we head Westward to our final destination of Portland, Oregon.
Will be posting when we can.
More to come ASAP.
love to all!
julie ron moxie
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So, at 4:30am on Tuesday we began our caravan Westward.
I jammed out to KGSR until the static overwhelmed Lyle's voice and I had to switch to CD--
M Durbin made an awesome 'Screw you, we're from Texas!' compilation that has been on frequent rotation since we left Houston. Which of course I never thought I'd shed a tear over leaving, but it turns out I really, really love the people who've supported me the past four years and I have been missing that home since I locked the gate last.
Yesterday about ten miles South of Post, Texas, Ron's 2001 Kia Sportage died and quietly rolled to the side of the highway. Two hours, many phone calls to Daddy and a trip to the local "auto parts" store later we were back on the road. At least until we rolled into Dalhart, Texas, where we stopped for gas and didn't get much further considering the Kia also required a new alternator.
So this morning Ron went and pulled out the old alternator and walked accross to the local Napa store and ordered us a new one which will be here at 7am tomorrow. Oh excitement! So we've been enjoying the sights here in Dalhart. This included an algae filled lake which Moxie took full advantage of and a nice Best Western which happens to have a pool with view/scent of the local cow pasture. And best of all a moving art museum aka the trainyard accross the street which brings in new graffitti every 4 hours.
So the plan for now is to install the new alternator and get on the road ASAP and hopefully pull into Colorado Springs for lunch around 2pm local time. Glenwood Springs is the final destination for tomorrow evening, camping near the pool and relaxing before we head Westward to our final destination of Portland, Oregon.
Will be posting when we can.
More to come ASAP.
love to all!
julie ron moxie
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