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Wisconsin Sunrise

Ok, so now what?

My blogs seem to be titled according to where I live. Every time I move I need to find a new name. "Somewhere in Indiana" worked fine in Indiana. "Stories from the Mist" seemed to work here, though I never got any great stories like I hoped, because I was either killing my soul working at Walmart or watching my husband suffer from endless allergies. Now I have itchy eyes and I'm coughing. The cabin filter in the car is moldy and it makes me cough, so we need to change it. Stuff keeps growing on the car. It's hard to live in the Mist. Half the population here is on multiple medications just to make it through the day.

Hubby and I had a great time walking the trails. For all his suffering, he did immensely enjoy our walks, as I did with him. I have a bazillion pictures, some of them are pretty awesome. We are both ready to move. I'm not crying anymore. I broke up with the Smith River. I have pictures, rocks and a video. One day I will come back to visit my daughter, in summer, maybe August or September, and we will visit that spot again. I can't go now, the winter rains have turned the river into a killing machine.

I never really got used to the winding mountain roads. They were ok in summer, but in winter they just want to kill you. We passed 4 landslides on the way home from Eureka yesterday. They were cleared, but marked by Caltrans. Last Chance Grade has so many layers of new pavement it's like driving a roller coaster.

If you visit, come in July, August or September. Summer is glorious here. It's dry, so the roads don't fall apart. Summer is sunny and mild, you won't get sick here in summer. Leave before the rains start in mid-October.

So...what is next? Stories from the Mist doesn't seem to fit Wisconsin.

Some of the stuff on the car. As hard as it rains, you would think it would be squeaky clean.

Ok, so now, should I come up with a new name for my blog?

Packing, by the square foot

When the representative for the moving company came out to give us a quote, he did a walk-through and made lots of notes on his tablet. The result was sticker-shock, so I called him a couple days later and went over things...we decided not to take the second-hand table. There were several other things we wanted to sell, and we wanted to pare it down from 19 bins to something more affordable. So he offered to come back out the following week. We spent the weekend repacking, recycling, re-homing and selling.

Even though I'm still not fully packed, the second visit was a success. We got the quote down to $3,000. That includes the couch, love seat, glass-topped coffee table, glass-topped end tables, computer desk, small desk, small chest freezer, bed, drawers, and bins, this time, only 9 of them, plus some boxes. We still feel this is a better deal than trying to stuff a U-haul and drive it through possible winter weather over 2,000 miles while towing our car. The good thing is, nothing needs to ride empty. I can put light-weight plastics in the freezer and pack all kinds of nick-knacks and clothes in the drawers.

Then I hit a snag....."Living room: 3 small boxes, one medium and one large."

Small. medium, large...all relative. What did it mean? I packed 3 small boxes that I had and they quickly filled up with books. I pondered the list. Then I noticed...square feet:
Small = 1.5 cu
Medium = 3.0 cu
Large = 4.5 cu

We finally settled on buying boxes. What a difference! I was able to pack all my books in one officially Small 1.5 cu box, plus the remaining few in the second box with lots of room left over, and I still have another small box for other things!

Everything for the movers needs to be ready to go before the 29th. The movers will box the glass table tops, wrap the couches and bag the mattresses. We need to do everything else. It's going quite well this time.

Now, in addition to the square feet, there is also weight. They need to weigh our stuff after they pick it up. If our stuff weighs too much we need to pay more. <sigh> Thankfully our stuff seems pretty lightweight.

I am also putting together the items that ride in the car. Liquids cannot go in a moving van, so any shampoo, after shave, soap, stuff like that, rides with us. I'm also taking my jewelry. of course, and the laptops, and what clothes we need for the trip, and other items we need while waiting for the truck to arrive.

Time is starting to fly! Need an oil change before we go, and a travel itinerary.

And some really good news....my daughter and her husband are already planning a trip out to visit us this year! We will only be about 4 hours drive away from my other daughter, so we might have a mini family reunion. That would be awesome!

Controlled Crazy

I never shopped for an apartment long distance before. We aimed for one with heat included, because Wisconsin is cold, and we can't estimate a heating bill all the way from California. So with that in mind, I bypassed the luxury $900 per month apartments. It is extremely hard to find apartments in Hartford. For the most part, the only ones that have websites are for seniors or poor people, or the luxury ones over in Slinger. Most listings were on Craigslist or the online Classified. Almost all of them had no pictures. "Call for Appointment". Well, I'm 2,000+ miles away.

Finally I found one with pictures and a person willing to talk to me. We rented a one bedroom that includes heat, water and trash all for less than we are paying now. It looks clean. The caretakers are retired and live across the hall. He is having the carpet professionally cleaned and he and his wife will clean the apartment with non perfumed cleaners so as not to aggravate our allergies. We will be surrounded by nice Maples that (I have been told) will be ablaze with color in fall. It will do for now.

We sold some items, are selling more, and found a home for the bunny, Tuki. We are much relieved that my daughter took him. He's living in a good-sized pen in the garage. It's California, it doesn't get too cold for a bunny.

My big, outdoor succulents are going to my daughter...sigh. I'm taking the little ones. I told hubby if I need to I will put them under lights. I need plants for my sanity. He hugged me and said, sure.

We are about 85% packed. The movers are coming on the 29th to pick up our stuff. I have another pile of stuff that's going in the car. I'm actually excited to get going. I'm going to miss my daughter, but there is always Facebook.

The Winner Is...

...Hartford, Wisconsin

Reasons:

• Jobs
• Culture
• Family

So, maybe you were wondering what went wrong in Paradise. There were issues to begin with. How would you feel if you went to a job interview only to find out your potential employer invited all his friends so they could see what you looked like. Yes, that happened to my hubby. He has an accent. He's Albanian. Apparently that was gawk-worthy.

His current job is good, but it's pretty much the only job in town, other than Walmart and the gawkers.

The area began its downward spiral after the Pelican Bay Prison was built and family members of the incarcerated moved here to be close to their evil spawn, I mean loved ones. Sorry, sorry, just more sarcasm.

An unbelievable number of items are locked up at Walmart to prevent theft. It's WAY more than razor blades, perfume and electronics. Trust me. What isn't locked up gets opened and tested by customers, or stolen. I know, I worked there.

Everything is either moldy or encrusted in salt. Our car is both, to some degree. Our apartment is neither, thankfully, but it did have a problem with pellet stove soot, which is now repaired. Maintenance replaced the door. Maintenance is really good at Seawood.

Winter sucks. Well, the first winter didn't, because it had so many dry, sunny days. This winter is more normal, so it rained every single day in December except 3. January was pretty much the same. When it pours 5 inches in an hour, things happen, Redwood trees fall, mud and rock slides close roads, and Last Chance Grade gets really big cracks and tries to slide into the ocean.

I never found my creative side here. For all the positive beauty in this area, the only inspiration I got was photographing the ocean, clouds and sunsets, and collecting rocks. I had some ideas which didn't come to fruition. I can't get inspired looking at the side of my neighbor's garage. There was a time when we hoped to move into a sunnier place with a bit of a view, but that dream succumbed to the mold.  

My daughter wants to move back to Wisconsin, too. Maybe someday we will all be closer.

In all fairness, there ARE good people in this town. I worked with some of them. There are neighbors who watch out for each other and keep an eye on the meth-heads. The police are swift to act. The emergency responders and utility crews are awesome and work hard to keep people safe. Caltrans works overtime to clear the roads of mud and rock slides and shore up Last Chance Grade. Facebook groups have been formed to help boost local businesses and address problems. But that's not enough to keep us here.

So, back to the Midwest, but not in the smog, we're staying away from the smog. My only regret is how much it costs to move, and now we are doing it again. I'm thankful I got to live here for a year and a half. I always wanted to live in a beautiful place that people take vacations just to see. I did it. Now if we can just find a place with a view and trees that turn pretty colors in fall, my life will be complete. I know that sounds weird. I didn't realize how much I would miss autumn leaves and the change of seasons. Here my head is stuck in a state of "green". There is precious little gold or red, and no white. As much as I hate the cold, snow is beautiful, and the play of light and shadows across the snow is inspiring. I want to walk with my hubby under trees ablaze in fall colors and step on the leaves. When were were planning to leave northwest Indiana, two choices popped into my head, Wisconsin or the West. The West won because at that time we didn't know anyone in Wisconsin and we had an offer to stay with relatives until we got on our feet. The main difference now is my hubby has a cousin and a job offer in Wisconsin.

I cried

Yesterday I was sad. Hubby kept trying to make me feel better. We went to the ocean. I looked at this view and I sat down and cried. Hubby felt so bad he took pictures for me.

I will have to come back for a visit, maybe a few weeks, in summer, next year.

Pneumonia Shot...oh crap

I got my shot yesterday. I have one word...Ow.

I'll be OK. Staying downstairs today, not doing much. Very stiff and sore arm, a bit weak, not quite dizzy. Normal reaction.

So....I've decided to let go of California. There isn't any other place in the state we want to be, and we don't want to stay here. Eureka and Arcata have more jobs, but for the most part they are stinky, dirty, drug-ridden hippy towns, in fact they make Crescent City look like a jewel. Further down, things are better but with their own issues we don't care for...too expensive, too hot and dry (inland) too ethnic in ways that don't fit us.

We thought about some other areas in the west, Seattle, Spokane, Denver and surrounding areas. I know nothing beats visiting in person, but without the resources to do so, I spend a lot of time on City-Data and Google Earth. City-Date gives me statistics but it also gives me insight into the "flavors" of the areas through the Forum. Google Earth lets me "walk" down streets and roads in Street View. Google Maps lets me explore businesses, apartments, shopping, hospitals, you name it.

I also use Scorecard, where you can plug in a zipcode and find all kinds of environmental info. Currently the data is from 2002 but it looks like they are working on updating it. On this site you can almost smell the air....

We have a wish list. I want autumn leaves. I knew I would miss them but I didn't realize how much. Hubby needs a good job. Certain areas attract people with certain careers and certain incomes. Certain places are not a good "fit". There are cultural considerations. Wisconsin came up again, and some searching found quite a few potential good jobs. Apartment prices are good. In addition, we had a surprise. My daughter told us she misses Wisconsin and wants to move back, it's just a matter of convincing her hubby. Since they are currently caring for his elderly parents, that could take some time.

Denver, sunny and expensive, not our style

Seattle, too expensive, too sun-less, mostly kind of hazy

Spokane in fall, not bad

Spokane countryside...dry, dry pines, dust and risk of wildfires

Hartford, WI...quaint downtown

The river in Sheboygan, WI in fall

Sheboygan beach on Lake Michigan

This is fairly accurate. We currently live in Tsunami Magnet. Arcata and Eureka are in Weed. The other locations that are affordable and have jobs and aren't in big cities are pretty much in the "mostly something for driving through". That's true...flat, dusty running out of water agricultural areas that are crop dusted by airplane.

One Thing at a Time

I always do that...get into a project and then do too much. I was getting stressed, and sad. My hubby always picks up those clues that I try so had to hide. He keeps asking what is wrong until I tell him and I end up crying. My hubby encouraged me to give it a break and relax.

We decided to focus on one thing at a time. He has a doc appointment tonight. Once he is feeling better he can focus on the next step and we can work it out together. Moving from one end of the country to another is enormously expensive, and I love California. I do miss autumn leaves, but I'm not sure if I miss them enough to move back to the Midwest climate. Wisconsin may not be all we thought it might be. The labor laws suck. The state recommends two 15 minute breaks in a 12 hour shift. Read that again:

Wisconsin law recommends two 15 minute breaks in a 12 hour shift.

My husband's cousin, living and working in Wisconsin, is actually working in this nightmare. Yes, he works 12 hours and gets two 15 minute breaks. That's it...no lunch. He can cram in some food on a break, if he can. He doesn't speak English. He thought he had it good, until hubby explained to him how it is here.

Hello. Time to eat?

California law demands (not recommends...demands) a 15 minute break every 2 hours plus lunch. Thank you, California, for keeping it real.

California, the state people love to hate....it took me many years to get the chance to move out West. I'm not ready to leave. It will be very painful. For the time being, we are staying. I'm hoping for a great summer with lots of chances to walk on the trails we both love. We will continue to save, and see what the future brings.

Warmer than the Midwest in Winter

At least right now, anyway. Sure, we know it can snow from mid August to mid June....

Job outlook, rather bleak, since hubby is not a pipeline worker or concrete finisher. It was a fun thought, though...we both loved Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Doing Our Homework

Much to do...resume', jobs available, city profiles, where and what kind of food, crime rates, blue skies, fresh air, on and on. I love Google Maps, Google Earth and City-Data. And packing...some how I can't get motivated with the packing.

Hubby has a doc appointment next Wednesday, with a Physician's Helper, they are called here. Definitely not as sharp as a Nurse Practitioner.

We seem to be zeroing in on southeast Wisconsin, for several reasons....family, food, and jobs are the main ones....but not in a big city.

That's What We Did

"Do not move on to 2016 without letting go of something significant from 2015" - Brendon Burhard

I read that a few days ago, and realized, that's what we did.

The last day of 2015 was not a good day for me. The night before, in a fit of frustration over his health, my hubby declared that he hated where we live and wanted to move to another state.

The problems started with the rainy season in 2014. He developed a severe sinus infection. He was put on a course of antibiotics. That helped a little. He went back, was put on antibiotics again. The doc said we needed to move out of the moldy house we were living in. We knew that, but it was several more months before a duplex became available. My hubby started getting better after we moved, but continues to have chronic sinus issues. He says he can smell mold outside. (Del Norte County is notorious for mold).

New Year's Eve day...hubby had to work. I was sad all day. We needed to talk, honestly, not just covering up our feelings to make the other person feel better. "It's ok, we're not moving because I want you to be happy" and "It's ok, we can move because I want you to be healthy" wasn't cutting it anymore. We needed real compromise. It was more than a sinus issue.

After much discussion, logic won. There are just some things about this area you can't fix.

1. Doctors and Specialists. With many of the residents under-employed or unemployed, welfare is rampant. Whatever the reasons, not enough doctors stay in this area, especially Specialists. If one of us needed a Specialist we would need to travel 111 miles to Medford, OR. We have been waiting 4 months to see the only good doctor in town.
2. Job Opportunities. Unless you are into Health Care, Rumiano is the best job in town. If that job were to end for some reason, you are back to Walmart. No way in hell, says hubby, and I don't blame him.
3. Travel. The airport currently only has prop-job flights to and from Portland, Oregon. Highway 101 heading south keeps breaking because of shifting ground at Last Chance Grade. Highway 199 suffers from occasional rock slides. This happens in winter because of substantial rains. We are one shake from total isolation.
4. Mold. A significant portion of the population here are chronically ill from mold. Even though our town home is free of mold, it apparently is in the air outside. For some reason I have been spared from this malady that residents call "The Crescent City Crud".

So...we don't know where or when, but at some point we will be leaving. "Letting go of something significant." It felt like I was breaking up with a flame. I was heartbroken. Then I felt better, realizing it will be better for both of us. I'll write more another time.

Happy New Year 2016!!!

Hubby and I celebrated together YAY! He has today off plus Rumiano gave everyone a year-end bonus. Yesterday we went out after he got off work, shopped and drank coffee together. Then we celebrated at home with some Risata and movies. Happy New Year everyone!

Ten on Tuesday

Ten things that come to mind right now:

1. I saw a Bluebird today! I don't recall seeing one before, or if I did, it was a very long time ago.

2. I would like to munch on some potato chips, but I don't have any and it's 10:30 at night.

3. It's going to be sunny for six days in a row! Welcome relief after 30 inches of rain.

4. I don't have any family traditions. That's sad, and that's another story.

5. I'm still "finding myself" after quitting work at Walmart.

6. My husband wants to go into business.

7. Would I be happier if I deleted all the news feeds from my facebook?

8. I'm allergic to fabric softener. That's the only thing I've changed and I itch all over.

9. Lots of snow in the mountains, snow pack is at 110% of normal.

10. We should probably buy some Asti Spumante for New Year's.

More than 20 Questions...

I saw this on another blog the other day and thought I would give it go.

1. Do you like bleu cheese? Yes, but just on steak, with onions.

2. Have you ever smoked? No.

3. Do you own a gun? Yes, my husband and I love to go in the mountains and shoot targets with our .22 rifles.

4. What flavor of Kool-Aid is your favorite? When I was a kid...any but grape. I don't drink it anymore.

5. What do you think of hot dogs? I am suspicious of their ingredients, but will occasionally eat a turkey or beef one.

6. What's your favorite Christmas movie? I haven't had TV in a long time, and I didn't grow up with TV, so I'm not really sure. My daughters probably have favorites, though.

7. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Coffee.

8. Can you do push-ups? No, not since I had surgery to remove several lymph nodes in my arm in 1996.

9. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? That I wear or don't wear? I like to wear earrings, just inexpensive ones that I don't need to worry about loosing. I also have a few nice pieces that belonged to my mom.

10. What's your favorite hobby? Digital photography.

11. Do you have ADD? No, but I had to proof-read this post and update it.

12. Do you wear glasses or contacts? Glasses.

13. What's your middle name? Vanessa.

14. What are your thoughts at this minute? I need to light the pellet stove and take a nap (thus all the errors I needed to correct).

15. Name three drinks that you regularly consume. Coffee, green tea and milk.

16. What is a current worry of yours? That my husband's sinus problems won't clear up.

17. What do you currently hate? All the negativity on facebook right now.

18. Where is your favorite place to be? With my husband.

19. What do you plan on doing on New Year's Eve this year? Cuddle up with my hubby and watch a movie, unless my daughter and her hubby came over. In that case we will party.

20. Where would you like to travel? Sedona, Arizona, and back to Kosovo.

21. Name three people you think will do this questionnaire on their blog. No clue.

22. Do you own slippers? Yes. These floors are hard and cold.

23. What color shirt are you wearing? A pink flannel nightshirt that works as my favorite "robe".

24. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? No way.

25. Can you whistle? Nope.

26. What is your favorite color? Spring colors, mostly peach.

27. What songs do you sing in the shower? None. I only sing to music.

28. Would you be a pirate? In my childhood daydreams, yes. Robert Louis Stevenson was my great great (I think only 2 "greats") Uncle and he wrote "Treasure Island".

29. What's in your pocket right now? Nothing.....no pockets.

30. What's the last thing that made you laugh? Something my daughter said.

31. What vehicle do you drive? 2010 Hyundai Sonata.

32. What's the worst injury you've ever had? Fell on my knee on the rocks when I was a kid. I still, and always will, have a bump, because bone chips are in there.

33. Do you love where you live? Yes. This is the second remote place I've lived in my life. The first was Midland, California in the Sonora Desert, 22 miles north of Blythe. Look up Midland CA, my website comes up on the first page of a Google search.

34. Would you change your first name if you could? No.

Rain, rain, rain, rain, more rain, rain.......

We've had 20 inches of rain with more on Monday and Tuesday. PNW...here's your sign:

We're in the orange.

 Mist rising from wet wood in the warm sunshine.

A frosty morning.

 One of these trees fell over. Winds have been gusty and the ground is saturated. Sometimes trees can't hang on.

Here is the stump and logs. There are more logs across the street. It was a tall tree.

The shadows are long this time of year, and they are getting longer. I watch them and dream of summer. We missed so much of it last year with my crazy work schedule. When my hubby has the early shift he comes home around 2 pm so we have time to enjoy the afternoon. 

Changes

I left Walmart last Sunday. I was only scheduled for 3 more days. I guess the automated system gives you two weeks after you give notice, no matter what date you write, and then you have no more schedule. That's ok, because my neck and shoulder were hurting so much I didn't want to continue. Hubby said, "Why torture yourself, just quit." So I did.

I've had one week to recover and already I can see a difference in my body. I wasn't staying hydrated enough at work. The bathroom was too far away. I was eating wrong. I was stressed. Even though most of my (former) co-workers are really nice people, I was beginning to avoid certain other people. I was turning and walking away from sick people and heading down other isles when I saw people with dogs (I was sick and tired of getting flea bites, though only a few dogs came in with fleas). I refused to smile at old men. I could see them searching for a chance to smile at me. I was tired of it. One young co-worker teases all the women. He's quite the character, but I had enough of his relentless teasing, and one day I flat out told him to stop. After that he avoided me like the plague. I could have complained to management, but I wasn't planning on staying anyway. I got along well with the three department managers in my area, and the stockers. They were all sad to see me go. We always talked, laughed, and helped each other.

I do not regret leaving. I do not regret working there. It was my first retail job. It was hard but interesting. My enthusiasm lasted about 6 months. After that I started counting the time until I could leave. I am considered lucky by most people. My husband has a good job and I have social security. It's enough. I left many people behind who have no other choice in life but to toil at Walmart. Several ladies I know use a cane and are in a great deal of pain, but are in no way able to stop working. One lady is 77 with heart problems and COPD but she can't quit because of debt. Another lady can't quit because her car payment is bigger than her SS check. My complaints pale in comparison. Life is expensive here. Food is expensive, heck, everything is expensive. But it's beautiful here, darn beautiful.

So I had a little stress over leaving, because I was dropping a supplemental income that was trivial, but helpful nonetheless. My husband supported my decision 100%. We are both happier with this arrangement.

My two concerns are getting "soft" from not enough exercise and falling short money-wise. I've been cooking more. Hubby is coming home for lunch since I stopped working, so I spend some time every morning cooking his lunch....just part of my new "job" of staying home. At last I have time to finish unpacking and to fiddle with my plants. We spend most evenings watching movies together on Netflix.

Opposites Attract.
I'm happy here. My husband is restless. I was born in a city but raised in the desert. Aside form my teen years in Hollywood, I detest living in cities (visiting is great). He was born and raised in a city, so even though he loves nature and all the easily accessible nature here, he misses shopping, coffee bars everywhere, stores everywhere. I never knew a man who loves to shop more than most women. He wants to buy me everything. He wants a higher paying job. He wants to move to where he can make more money. I told him I don't care about money.

The thought of moving away from this area brings sharp, conflicted emotions in me. On the one hand I can say, "Yeah, it makes sense to live closer to good doctors and not have to drive 111 miles for an appointment to see a specialist (though I have not needed to do that)." But for me, it ends there. When I sat at the edge of the Smith River and watched crystal clear water sparkle over Serpentine stones, it was like a dream, some fairy tail land. When we walk by the beach, take in the ever abundant fresh air, view the sweeping horizons of blue sky and clouds, my soul soars. When I can open the windows and doors in summer and enjoy the fresh air and NEVER need an air conditioner, I know I am happier here than any place where it is too hot or too cold. The thought of leaving crushes my heart. But yet, I want my husband to be happy. He knows how I feel. He wants me to be happy, too.

I embrace change and new places, as long as I can keep my most cherished things. Sometimes those things can be packed, some are memories and sometimes they are rooted in places. Moving can be a good thing, but cutting ties can hurt. I will always have my daughters, and I wish my older daughter was closer. My husband and I love each other dearly and enjoy our life together. But will I always have the Ocean and the Smith River?

PNW or Not

I once joined a Pacific Northwest gardening group on facebook. I was accepted, but admonished about my location. They told me the north coast of California is NOT part of the Pacific Northwest. The PNW is Oregon, Washington state and British Columbia, however, I was welcome to stay in the group. I didn't feel welcome, so I left.

After living here over a year and watching weather patterns, I began to question that. I have also discovered that far northern California IS included in the PNW by some definitions. In fact, Crescent City is so close to Oregon that our phone book combines CC and Brookings, Oregon. So I rest my case...Purists say no, new thinking says Yes.

PNW as defined by the Old Farmer's Almanac:

I wish this was bigger so you could read it

It's been doing this on and off for days:

Rain, Wind, Rain and More Rain

Tonight I am thankful for candles. Hubby bought six of them, the tall skinny ones in glass jars, that can burn all night and not drip on anything. I have one in the bathroom upstairs and two downstairs. I will keep the upstairs one lit all night. The power didn't actually go out, it just browned out several times. I am saving my work often.

Apparently we are back on track regarding rain amounts. I'm surprised we are actually an inch behind normal. We've had 14 inches since October. And now it's too late to write. I'm getting up at 4 AM and it's already 11:33 PM, so I'm cutting it short right now.

I Did It!

I walked into Personnel and turned in my notice. They said if I put down the 25th then I will get the holiday pay. Christmas is the only day Walmart is closed, in fact, they close at 8 PM on Christmas Eve, so if I am scheduled to work that day, I'll be home no later than 8.

It's going to make a huge difference in our lives, in a good way. I can just feel the stress flee my system on my days off. No more living in "two time zones", as I describe it. He in the AM, me in the PM. We get up for each other, or stay up for each other, so we end up sleeping twice each day, if we are lucky, and we are not sleeping enough.

I'm so happy my hubby says what I worked is enough. We paid off our debts, which was my intention. Now he can take the car to work (unless I need it). No more trying to figure out if he can finish at the same time I take my lunch, or even before I start. Hubby told me, "Go to the flower club and photography meetings, make friends, enjoy life!" The meetings are usually on Saturdays, when they have them. I was only able to attend one.

December Already!

I wasn't thinking that I could do a "Ten on Tuesday" in December, I guess because I wasn't planning on posting so often. I only have a little time, before I must get ready for work. Let's see if I can hash this out in 10 minutes. I hear the subject is "The Ten Best Things I Did in November"

1. Blogged more...I didn't get every day in, but I did more.
2. Enjoyed Sundays with my hubby.
3. Bought succulents at Flora Pacifica.
4. Decided to quit Walmart for sure, this month.
5. Enjoyed an early Thanksgiving dinner with my daughter and her hubby.
6. Made a new friend.
7. Saw an "old" friend, well, she used to work at Walmart.
8. Made really good homemade pizza.
9. Crafted an easy-to-keep-track-of budget.
10. Followed the budget.

Six minutes to spare! The budget is the "biggie" because it allows us to pay bills with one account and shop, save or whatever with the other account. That way the bill-paying account is never overdrawn because it's not used for anything but bills, which are all predictable. The amount left over goes into savings. The biggest issue here is the cost of food. Meat is astronomical. A roast can easily cost $25 or $30. We can usually get better prices at Roy's in Brookings, Oregon. We sure do miss Aldi, but there are no Aldi stores out west....however, I hear they are expanding.

I'm not a big meat eater but hubby does like beef and chicken. He also likes fish, which I hate, but I can tolerate a few fish sticks. It's fine with me to cook two different things for dinner. I'm looking forward to not working evenings so I can do more of that.

My time is up.