It seems this is the last time I'll be blogging until we get into Oregon and are somewhat settled in. Of course I'm addicted to the Internet so I'll probably be online before I even have my dishes unpacked. Except Aimee has a dial-up connection right now and that freaks me out like you wouldn't believe. Dial-up!! Which means I'll have a box unpacked for every page that loads.
I just tried to use my phone and it's already disconnected. I called the cable company and they said that rather than disconnect me at the end of the day I have paid for, my bundled services will be disconnected randomly throughout the day. Apollo is freaked out by losing his TV and I'm upset about losing access to the 'net.
Meanwhile, I'm going to visit with Chad and Shawn today. Good friends are hard to find. I'll miss them. :( Shawn is going to give me another piece of his original art. It's nice to have some paintings that will remind me of him every time I look at them.
We're planning on leaving early Saturday morning. I think we may have a problem with Big Mac who I expect will continue to try to talk us out of leaving up until I pull out of the driveway. Poor Big Mac!
So that's it. I'll be talking to you from the rainy beaver (lol) state next time. Bye!
ps - Since I'll be Internet deprived, I'll be Twittering as much as possible!
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Friday, October 31, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Visiting Jen and her kidlet
We visited Jen and Peanut in Mission Viejo yesterday. After lunch, Peanut grabbed Apollo's hand and they walked around the fountain in front of the restaurant for about ten minutes. As Jen and I were walking to the car, she raised her hand to waved at us and we saw all the dirt she had accumulated from rubbing the fountain as she walked around. Apollo and Peanut made a cute pair!It was great catching up with Jen, she also gave me some delicious Chinese tea and a bag of hair clips she made that I'll give my baby girl cousins. Thanks Jen, I'll miss you!
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Saying goodbye
Lately I have had to say goodbye to friends and coworkers that I probably won't see ever again. I hadn't thought of it that way before. I didn't know it would be so hard or uncomfortable! I am heart broken.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
A penny saved is a penny in my gas tank!
Last night I rolled up all the pennies in my piggy bank and came up with $18.50 worth! I also have a pile of foreign coins and another $13 of miscellaneous US coins that I don't have enough of to roll up. This collection (aside from the foreign money that I've been holding on to since my trip to Europe) has taken years to build up. It just goes to prove that saving your pennies is worth it! This is going to go towards our gas money for the trip to Oregon. At the going rate, the pennies alone should get me through LA.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Simba's carrier
We packed up Simba's basket and switched it out for his cat carrier with his old furry mattress I made inside. He sleeps in it all the time now. I just want him to have some good memories associated with the carrier so he isn't really freaked out when we start our trip. I've yet to convince Zoe that hanging out in her carrier is a good thing but I think that as long as it's quiet and dark, she'll be happy. This combined with the kitty-downers we got from the vet should help make it all less stressful for both of them.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
One box left
Looking around the room, I think I have one box left to pack up. OK, well not just one, we have to pack the grill up. Oh, and then there's all the books I decided to ship rather than pack into the trunk. That's three boxes. Anyway, it seems empty in here with all our most valued possessions packed up in eight huge boxes sitting in the dining room.
Our neighbors have turned into little scavengers. We leave items we can't bear to throw away in a box outside our door. Within minutes to hours, they're gone. One guy, Rob, is going to have a yard sale after we leave. I hope he makes a few bucks off our stuff.
After packing up the last box, we'll clean and get rid of the furniture courtesy of Craigslist. Our move date is so close but yet so far! I'm aiming for October 27th but only if I get to properly visit all my friends before then.
Meanwhile, did you hear that Mervyn's is going out of business? We went shopping today to look for some good deals (just the same sales so far) and the cashier told us they'll be open until December 31st. Get your goodies before they close! We already packed our new clothes into one of our boxes, using them as padding to protect a radio.
Well, I should go. Zoe is meowing at me because she supposedly has no place to sleep since I packed up her bed. Night!
Our neighbors have turned into little scavengers. We leave items we can't bear to throw away in a box outside our door. Within minutes to hours, they're gone. One guy, Rob, is going to have a yard sale after we leave. I hope he makes a few bucks off our stuff.
After packing up the last box, we'll clean and get rid of the furniture courtesy of Craigslist. Our move date is so close but yet so far! I'm aiming for October 27th but only if I get to properly visit all my friends before then.
Meanwhile, did you hear that Mervyn's is going out of business? We went shopping today to look for some good deals (just the same sales so far) and the cashier told us they'll be open until December 31st. Get your goodies before they close! We already packed our new clothes into one of our boxes, using them as padding to protect a radio.
Well, I should go. Zoe is meowing at me because she supposedly has no place to sleep since I packed up her bed. Night!
Thursday, October 16, 2008
An update on packing
My goal of shipping everything to Oregon for $400 or less is almost a reality. I'll get a confirmation on rates when I take my first box in to FedEx tomorrow. Then plan is to have them come pick everything else up on Monday. Let's hope the FedEx guy is wearing a back brace since each box weighs just under 70lbs!
If there's one thing I've learned from all this packing, it's that I've purchased a lot of crap that I didn't need and forgot about. Hopefully I'll be a better spender in the future!
If there's one thing I've learned from all this packing, it's that I've purchased a lot of crap that I didn't need and forgot about. Hopefully I'll be a better spender in the future!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
A trip to the vet
The cat's went to the veterinarian today for check ups, vaccination and a prescription for a kitty downer for the trip. They both meowed quite a bit at first, Zoe stopping after a couple blocks. Once at the vet, Simba kept meowing and started to get hoarse.
Zoe, on the other hand, buried herself into the cat bed in her carrier and looked at me with eyes that said, "I trusted you!"
Other than a semi-truck honking its horn as we were leaving the vet office, freaking out both cats, everything went great. I thought they would be mad when we got home but they're acting normal, Zoe isn't even trying to hide and Simba hasn't peed on anything. Success!
Zoe, on the other hand, buried herself into the cat bed in her carrier and looked at me with eyes that said, "I trusted you!"
Other than a semi-truck honking its horn as we were leaving the vet office, freaking out both cats, everything went great. I thought they would be mad when we got home but they're acting normal, Zoe isn't even trying to hide and Simba hasn't peed on anything. Success!
Monday, October 13, 2008
Nothing in the alley today
We are a few steps closer to moving. Today we opened a FedEx account, bought and packed four extra-large UHaul boxes. I managed to pack all our dishes into our comforter, blankets and yarn.
We also threw away a lot of crap. Some of it was still good but we're at the point now where we just don't care. I foresee a lot more not caring in the near future. I just want to get this stuff shipped off so I can spend time with my friends before I go.
Oh, and the bedroom set we left in the alley the other day? Gone by the next morning.
We also threw away a lot of crap. Some of it was still good but we're at the point now where we just don't care. I foresee a lot more not caring in the near future. I just want to get this stuff shipped off so I can spend time with my friends before I go.
Oh, and the bedroom set we left in the alley the other day? Gone by the next morning.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Getting rid of stuff
We put our bedroom set (dresser, two bedside tables and mirror) in the alley tonight. I expect it to be gone by this time tomorrow night. At least someone who really wants it will get it free of charge!
Our place is starting to get real tore up with stuff everywhere in boxes and bags (things we're throwing away). It doesn't look like we're moving, it just looks messy. I'll feel better when all the furniture is gone.
Our place is starting to get real tore up with stuff everywhere in boxes and bags (things we're throwing away). It doesn't look like we're moving, it just looks messy. I'll feel better when all the furniture is gone.
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
A Meme About Firsts
Faythe tagged me. I let a poop story sit on my blog for a bit before I posted - it's a must read, do scroll down! Also, don't forget to check out the Red Circle of Death for stories about other crazy people I may or may not be related to.
Who was your FIRST prom date? Um, Faythe? *ashamed*
Do you still talk to your FIRST love? No. Bastard!
What was your FIRST alcoholic drink? I don't really remember. After my first drink there was a lot more drinking, everything is kind of fuzzy around that time. Maybe tequila? Or Boone's?
What was your FIRST job? I worked at the Forest Service as a receptionist via Looking Glass, a program designed to help poor kids realize there is more out there.
What was your FIRST car? My Uncle Scotty dropped off a Pontiac in our parking lot at school one day, saying it was mine. I was a bit freaked out, I didn't know how to drive and Mom refused to teach me. That may have had something to do with her fear of us finding our freedom. Anyway, we ended up selling the car after my uncle's so-called friend took some of its parts to use for himself. I didn't learn to drive until much, much later though I did drive Mom's truck around later. There may or may not have been at least one incident involving a tree, the truck and a scared shitless dog.
Who was your FIRST grade teacher? I don't know, I think it was someone at Brattain Elementary though. We moved a lot.
Where did you go on your FIRST ride on an airplane? San Francisco.
Who was your FIRST best friend and are you still friends with them? Faythe - we chat almost daily online. I already rue the day I am employed again and am not allowed to go on line. I just know that will happen to me since I am addicted to the Internet.
What was your FIRST sport played? We weren't allowed to play in sports because we 1) lived too far away, 2) it cost money and 3) grew up as Jehovah's Witnesses and were not allowed to do anything that may take our attention away from that religion.
Where was your FIRST sleep over? I'm not sure. Does sleeping at Grandparents count? Because we moved a lot, I don't remember any sleep overs until we settled in at Indian Creek. We stayed at Emily's and Faythe's quite a few times.
Whose wedding were you in the FIRST time? Jamie and Virgil from college. Jamie and I were fellow flutists. I think her Mom hates me. This may have something to do with the dress they made me wear last minute, after I purchased a different dress, and my refusing to pay for it. Look, I cannot be held accountable for people changing their minds last minute, especially when I am on a budget.
What was the FIRST thing you did this morning? Weighed myself and sneezed. A lot. Damn allergies. I got some of the special type of Sudafed today that can be used to make meth, it took about ten minutes just to get my name in the system for one box!
What was the FIRST concert you ever went to? I can't remember his name, but it was someone who was in daytime soaps. The concert was free at the county fair.
FIRST tattoo or piercing? Tattoo - a heart with a music note in it. I know, it's so blah. But it was a symbol of freedom from my childhood. Plus I got it at a discount because the tattoo guy had the hots for Faythe. She got a spider. Mom had our ears pierced young. I think I was four or five. I still remember the earrings too. She had a friend pierce my ears with a needle and a potato (used to sandwich the lobe, I think).
FIRST foreign country you went to for vacation? Amsterdam. After college graduation, I took a three week trip to backpack through Europe. I had no idea where I was going or what I was going to do. I had a Euro pass, a ticket to Amsterdam and a copy of "Go Europe." I chose countries on a whim, to get away from mosquito's and dropped in on unsuspecting relatives, one family of which did not speak English.
What was your FIRST run in with the law? I was pulled over twice in one night because my tail lights were out. The first time, the sheriff told me to drive home with my emergency lights on and get the tail lights fixed as soon as possible. He was pleasant to talk to. The second cop, the one cop in Monmouth, saw me coming and waited for me on the border of the small town. He had a real attitude and looked for anything he could give me a ticket on and even called in to see if my story about the sheriff was true. He said it was illegal to drive with your emergency lights on. Eventually he let me go but not until I gave him some attitude and played my Prince music loudly while he talked to me. Oh, I was such a rebel. LOL.
When was your FIRST detention? Let's see. Was it because our entire senior class skipped school, using permission slips from our parents and having the balls to ride in to school on a school bus before walking off campus past the principal who warned us? Or the time I got in trouble because I was head camp counselor and I knew several people snuck on camp grounds, had a party and ate some food in the kitchen without permission? Oh, I didn't get detention for either of those, I chose suspension instead.
What was the FIRST state you lived in? Oregon.
Who was the FIRST person to break your heart? Sigh. Let us not speak of it.
Who was your FIRST roommate? Carrie, a classmate from high school. What a horrible mistake that was! We weren't even friends in high school, I don't know why we thought it would work in college. She said I caused her to have high blood pressure. Whatever! At least I didn't spend all my time sucking up to all the popular kids. Plus, I tested out of math (so much for all those extra math classes she took from community college during high school) and I graduated with a real degree.
Where did you go on your FIRST limo ride? I vaguely remember a limo ride in high school but beyond that, nothing. Maybe I was with Faythe and Matt? I must have drank those brain cells away.
Who will be the FIRST to repost this? Jen or one of the other Rayleen's? Hey, you other Rayleen's....leave your blog URL! :)
Who was your FIRST prom date? Um, Faythe? *ashamed*
Do you still talk to your FIRST love? No. Bastard!
What was your FIRST alcoholic drink? I don't really remember. After my first drink there was a lot more drinking, everything is kind of fuzzy around that time. Maybe tequila? Or Boone's?
What was your FIRST job? I worked at the Forest Service as a receptionist via Looking Glass, a program designed to help poor kids realize there is more out there.
What was your FIRST car? My Uncle Scotty dropped off a Pontiac in our parking lot at school one day, saying it was mine. I was a bit freaked out, I didn't know how to drive and Mom refused to teach me. That may have had something to do with her fear of us finding our freedom. Anyway, we ended up selling the car after my uncle's so-called friend took some of its parts to use for himself. I didn't learn to drive until much, much later though I did drive Mom's truck around later. There may or may not have been at least one incident involving a tree, the truck and a scared shitless dog.
Who was your FIRST grade teacher? I don't know, I think it was someone at Brattain Elementary though. We moved a lot.
Where did you go on your FIRST ride on an airplane? San Francisco.
Who was your FIRST best friend and are you still friends with them? Faythe - we chat almost daily online. I already rue the day I am employed again and am not allowed to go on line. I just know that will happen to me since I am addicted to the Internet.
What was your FIRST sport played? We weren't allowed to play in sports because we 1) lived too far away, 2) it cost money and 3) grew up as Jehovah's Witnesses and were not allowed to do anything that may take our attention away from that religion.
Where was your FIRST sleep over? I'm not sure. Does sleeping at Grandparents count? Because we moved a lot, I don't remember any sleep overs until we settled in at Indian Creek. We stayed at Emily's and Faythe's quite a few times.
Whose wedding were you in the FIRST time? Jamie and Virgil from college. Jamie and I were fellow flutists. I think her Mom hates me. This may have something to do with the dress they made me wear last minute, after I purchased a different dress, and my refusing to pay for it. Look, I cannot be held accountable for people changing their minds last minute, especially when I am on a budget.
What was the FIRST thing you did this morning? Weighed myself and sneezed. A lot. Damn allergies. I got some of the special type of Sudafed today that can be used to make meth, it took about ten minutes just to get my name in the system for one box!
What was the FIRST concert you ever went to? I can't remember his name, but it was someone who was in daytime soaps. The concert was free at the county fair.
FIRST tattoo or piercing? Tattoo - a heart with a music note in it. I know, it's so blah. But it was a symbol of freedom from my childhood. Plus I got it at a discount because the tattoo guy had the hots for Faythe. She got a spider. Mom had our ears pierced young. I think I was four or five. I still remember the earrings too. She had a friend pierce my ears with a needle and a potato (used to sandwich the lobe, I think).
FIRST foreign country you went to for vacation? Amsterdam. After college graduation, I took a three week trip to backpack through Europe. I had no idea where I was going or what I was going to do. I had a Euro pass, a ticket to Amsterdam and a copy of "Go Europe." I chose countries on a whim, to get away from mosquito's and dropped in on unsuspecting relatives, one family of which did not speak English.
What was your FIRST run in with the law? I was pulled over twice in one night because my tail lights were out. The first time, the sheriff told me to drive home with my emergency lights on and get the tail lights fixed as soon as possible. He was pleasant to talk to. The second cop, the one cop in Monmouth, saw me coming and waited for me on the border of the small town. He had a real attitude and looked for anything he could give me a ticket on and even called in to see if my story about the sheriff was true. He said it was illegal to drive with your emergency lights on. Eventually he let me go but not until I gave him some attitude and played my Prince music loudly while he talked to me. Oh, I was such a rebel. LOL.
When was your FIRST detention? Let's see. Was it because our entire senior class skipped school, using permission slips from our parents and having the balls to ride in to school on a school bus before walking off campus past the principal who warned us? Or the time I got in trouble because I was head camp counselor and I knew several people snuck on camp grounds, had a party and ate some food in the kitchen without permission? Oh, I didn't get detention for either of those, I chose suspension instead.
What was the FIRST state you lived in? Oregon.
Who was the FIRST person to break your heart? Sigh. Let us not speak of it.
Who was your FIRST roommate? Carrie, a classmate from high school. What a horrible mistake that was! We weren't even friends in high school, I don't know why we thought it would work in college. She said I caused her to have high blood pressure. Whatever! At least I didn't spend all my time sucking up to all the popular kids. Plus, I tested out of math (so much for all those extra math classes she took from community college during high school) and I graduated with a real degree.
Where did you go on your FIRST limo ride? I vaguely remember a limo ride in high school but beyond that, nothing. Maybe I was with Faythe and Matt? I must have drank those brain cells away.
Who will be the FIRST to repost this? Jen or one of the other Rayleen's? Hey, you other Rayleen's....leave your blog URL! :)
The Crazy
A few days ago at Ghetto Albertson's, Apollo helped rescue a baby in a parked car. It was strapped into its car seat, screaming its head off. It has been pretty warm lately and I'm sure it was VERY hot in the car. He used a brick to break a window and got the baby out.
Apollo just got in from Von's, another local grocery store. He said a homeless guy was picking his butt in the store and walking around aimlessly. Apollo and another shopper were talking about how nasty it was when suddenly, the guy pulled down his pants and took a poop! Right there next to the cat food!
Why do I always miss The Crazy? All I have to say is the hippies up in Eugene better make up for all the entertainment we're leaving behind.
Apollo just got in from Von's, another local grocery store. He said a homeless guy was picking his butt in the store and walking around aimlessly. Apollo and another shopper were talking about how nasty it was when suddenly, the guy pulled down his pants and took a poop! Right there next to the cat food!
Why do I always miss The Crazy? All I have to say is the hippies up in Eugene better make up for all the entertainment we're leaving behind.
Monday, October 06, 2008
Moving!
I can finally officially announce that we're moving! Apollo was having a hard time telling his friends so I gave him some extra time to do so before I blogged about it. There are a few people who have read my blog that know him and I wanted to give him the chance to say something first.
We gave notice on the first and are aiming at the third week in October. The plan is to get there before Halloween and before the roads get bad in Northern Cal/Southern Or because we're driving up. Yes, with two angry cats! It should be an adventure. Plus, since we'll be moving into a house in a real neighborhood, we're looking forward to seeing all the kiddies on Halloween night.
I'm excited about this new chapter in my life but it will be sad to leave my friends behind. Hopefully we will all continue to keep in touch through the magic of the Internets.
Apollo is looking forward to Oregon too. While the obvious change in seasons helped to win him over (we have two seasons here in San Diego: warm and fire season ), in the end it was my loving hyperactive genetically crazy prone family that clinched the deal.
I'm sure the next couple weeks will be stressful. Especially since I haven't gotten over my job yet. This morning I had a dream I was helping our new customer support people troubleshoot an end-users issue. I guess the reality of it all hasn't hit me yet.
Well, I need to get back to packing and throwing things away!
Photo taken at Mom's, January 2008.
We gave notice on the first and are aiming at the third week in October. The plan is to get there before Halloween and before the roads get bad in Northern Cal/Southern Or because we're driving up. Yes, with two angry cats! It should be an adventure. Plus, since we'll be moving into a house in a real neighborhood, we're looking forward to seeing all the kiddies on Halloween night.
I'm excited about this new chapter in my life but it will be sad to leave my friends behind. Hopefully we will all continue to keep in touch through the magic of the Internets.
Apollo is looking forward to Oregon too. While the obvious change in seasons helped to win him over (we have two seasons here in San Diego: warm and fire season ), in the end it was my loving hyperactive genetically crazy prone family that clinched the deal.
I'm sure the next couple weeks will be stressful. Especially since I haven't gotten over my job yet. This morning I had a dream I was helping our new customer support people troubleshoot an end-users issue. I guess the reality of it all hasn't hit me yet.
Well, I need to get back to packing and throwing things away!
Photo taken at Mom's, January 2008.
Saturday, October 04, 2008
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