October - Catching Up

The final quarter of 2017 has been a blurr.  

I came back from my vacation from Texas in October and decided I would move to TX during the first quarter of 2018 and really thought it would most likely occur in February or March at the latest. 

The first person to bring up my moving there was Helen (Liz's mom).  After we spent a couple of hours visiting and we were saying our goodbyes she said that I was like one of her kids and when I was ready to join the family in TX I had a room to stay in while I was settling in when I moved there.  It was totally unprompted and Dave was quick to say he didn't say anything and it was meant to be.

Sunday, Liz, Briana, and I went exploring and I saw a model home which was beautiful and had everything for 315K.  I kept thinking the man was joking but he showed me the price list and I was surprised; Liz explained I was from CA.

By Tuesday when I went sight seeing on my own I said a little prayer and asked for a sign to let me know if I should move there.  I of course negotiated that I would need a job offer; but quickly said if I am supposed to be here I will do it but I just need time to prepare.  

Wednesday, I visited the Bowler's and it was so fun to see this sweet family.  My heart was touched when Rowdy told me he wished I would live there in Justin, DFW, or Roanake.

The way I made the decision was when my friend Jon told me I needed to go mail my post cards and not return until I made a decision.  He was trying to get his drivers license as he moved there from Indiana/Chicago.  It was Friday and we were going to a Rangers game.

So off I went to mail my postcards and in the post office a lady struck up a conversation with me.  She had moved there from CA and told me what a great decision it had been for her and her family, how great the schools were etc. etc. etc.   I then headed to the gas station and a lady approached me to ask me how I liked my car.  I was driving Liz's Expedition and I loved it.  I explained I liked it a lot but that I was borrowing it as I was visiting.  This led to a conversation about how she and her family had moved from CA and how much they loved it.  I was already thinking I wanted to move but thought "I get it Liz's mom, Rowdy, and two total strangers were telling me how I should move there".  So I called Dave to tell him I was doing it and for him and Liz and their family to discuss it as a family as they had offered to let me live in their guest home until I got a job and had a place to live.  I think Liz called or texted me later to say it would be great.  While I was in the parking lot I logged onto Facebook and the first advertisement was for quotes for moving companies and I signed up for it.  They started calling and quoting.  I quickly called my youngest niece and told her of my decision and plan.  Her initial response was "WHY?"  I explained it would be a good opportunity and she proceeded to tell me she had three questions.   

1.  What about the Angels ?  They play against the Rangers so I will go to those games.
2.  What about Disneyland ?  I am in the middle of Disney and Walt Disney World.  We can go together!!!
3.  What about the holidays ?  I always try to take Thanksgiving week off, I will continue to do so and will just have to buy an airplane ticket.

As you can see, I had quick responses for those and then asked her why she was grilling me.  She promptly responded that she would support my decision but that she was getting me ready for when I told her mom.  Don't ask me why, but I feel this incredible need to get my sister in laws approval when I am about to do something.  Maybe it is because she has known me since I was six and I see her as a maternal figure.  As difficult as it was to make this decision and then tell my family I know it is the right decision.  I am so thankful that both my nieces were super supportive and encouraging - even though it will be hard to adjust to not being two hours away by car.  It will soon be three hours by plane plus a one of three hour drive from the airport.   

Things I was able to accomplish before the 31st - move out of my storage unit to another one in OC for a 1/3 of the price and size.   As well as recycle a Halloween costume. 

semi full

almost empty

empty by 10/31/17

Happy Halloween!

November - Catching Up

Once I returned from Texas I began applying for jobs online.  I received many responses and many no thank yous.  I had a few phone interviews and there was one call I received about a position I had not seen and had I seen - I may not have applied.  As it turns out, this was the one position I was the most interested in at the time.  

I also received a call from another headhunter and the position was interesting to me but they were disappointed I was not already in TX.  So I explained I was actually going to be in the area the following week - I quickly searched for tickets on Southwest and purchased a round trip ticket for $95.  

So with a few days notice I took a week's vacation and off I went to TX.  I had to leave for LAX at 2 AM so I did not sleep.  When I arrived in TX it was raining and cold.  I loved the weather and feeling cold.

I did have one meeting with one position that I am still very interested in.  It is not manufacturing, it is in banking and the management team was very pleasant.  I thought they were a group of people who I would enjoy working with and spending time accomplishing goals. 

I also found an area I would consider living in:  The Lofts at Watters Creek.  They are lofts above stores.  I initially looked at an apartment in another area but I fell in love with Watters Creek.  It had a small town feel.  Kind of like a movie set of Gilmore Girls, or a Hallmark Movie. 

I have to say I did take advantage of Southwests 2 checked bags for free.  I took all my clothes that I thought I could live without.  Interestingly enough, I have three pairs of jeans and I only have one in CA and I am missing my jeans.  You know I am serious about this move as I left my Angels jerseys in TX - all three of them.

When I returned back home I had mixed feelings.  I was sad I was leaving TX and wanted to be able to go back for Christmas.  However, as we got closer to CA and once they announced we were about to land I looked out the window and as I saw LA I thought the next time you see this sight you will be living in TX and coming back to CA to visit.  That thought made me sad to think that I was leaving the state that I have called home since I was six years old.  

After I returned from TX I worked a couple of days and then headed to Vegas for the weekend with Cindy.  We went to see Harry Connick Jr. with her cousin Kristy.  Unfortunately, I had the flu and was so sick and slept all night and day.  Kristy and Cindy convinced me to try to go to the concert and I was glad I did.  Mr. Connick never disappoints as he is such a talented musician.  I have had so many great trips to Vegas with Cindy and while I may not be able to do road trips with her in the future I can always fly in and meet her there. 

I went to work on Monday and then I was off for Thanksgiving in Palm Desert.  It was great to be with the family.  It was a small group but a great group just the same.  I know I can not miss this holiday ever.  

My moving to TX was a topic of conversation and I kept telling people it would be sometime in January to March.  Little did I realize that my move would be coming sooner than I ever imagined.  The thing I enjoyed most about Thanksgiving was that I was able to go on a walk with David and Spencer.  Seeing Laura realize that Chase was there for Thanksgiving was priceless.  Of course getting a hug from Natalie.  And making plans with Elaine and Ken to go see Gabriel Iglesias for Ken's birthday on December 14. 

So as you can see November was just busy as could be.

September 2017 Catching Up

September was a fun month and I was able to see a lot of long time friends.  

While I knew the Angels would not make it to the playoffs I still believed.

I wore my Angels jersey on the first casual Friday and realized I had also been using an Angels lunch bag.

I also made a friendly wager/agreement with our MN office that if by some miracle MN did not make and the Angels did - they would need to wear Angels gear and vice versa.  They sent me a Twins t-shirt.

I enjoyed cheering for MN during the playoffs.  I went on to cheer for Houston and was very glad when they won.  I know I should have been cheering for the home team but who would want to do that. 

Earlier in the year, I agreed to go to Dallas for the DM concert with my long time friends Garth and Liz (and their respective awesome spouses) that I went to many concerts with in our young adult days..  It was so stinking hot with my boots, jeans and 3/4 long sleeve shirt.  I had to take off my boots, socks, rolled up my jeans, also rolled up my sleeves and somehow put my hair up.  Once I did that I loved every second of the concert and it went by a lot faster than I thought it would.  
I will say this Dave Gahan is 55 but he just looks so much older than his age.  Or do I just say that because I think I will be there sooner than I can imagine and will I look that old too? However, he can still shake his bootie and move like back in the day and the fans still yelled and loved every second of him shaking it!!!

The main highlight of the night for me was when Martin Gore who is 56 sang "Somebody".  Such a beautiful song.  
     Someone who'll stand by my side
     And give me support 
     And in return
     He'll get my support
     He will listen to me
     When I want to speak
     About the world we live in
     And life in general
     Someone who'll help me see
     Things in a different light
     All the things I detest
     I will almost like


While he too looked older too - I still enjoyed listening to his voice which I thought sounded beautiful and the beautiful lyrics above.

When we left the venue I saw this van and asked the driver if I could take a picture.  It pretty much sums up me:  40's are fabulous and I am still chasing DM with my friends!

On a more somber note we came across this on Sunday on a drive by a cemetery by where I was staying.  It impacted me and a few days later I was out on a walk and I went to the same spot and took a picture.  Don't ask me why but I kept thinking how lucky am I to live in the country that I live in.  How grateful I am for the men and women who so unselfishly give up their lives to serve and protect this country.   As I looked at his birth date I thought I was just a kid when he was born but a few months later my mom became very sick.  When he was 26 he gave his life in Iraq.  I don't know much about this man but he really made me reflect and grateful for his willingness to serve and protect.  





 I also took time to go the George W Bush library.  This year I have gone to two presidential libraries and I was going to try to do the Ronald Reagan and the Ford Library before the end of this month.  I am not sure that I will make it but I need to try. 

So I have known Liz since about 1989 and Garth well I am sure it was at least sometime in 1992.  I have so many fun memories from crazy things we did back in the day.  I have to be honest we sometimes made comments about how we would all have to live on the same street when we were married with children.  Well they are not on the same street but they are in neighboring cities and in the same family ward.  It is bittersweet when I see them in pictures together.  It makes me happy that we are all still friends and that they are having fun times together - and sad that I am not there.  They both have beautiful families and I enjoyed getting to know them during this trip.

I also had the opportunity to see this cute little family.  I can't believe that little baby I would sometimes hold is so grown up.  Rowdy certainly was an answer in a way to a prayer I had earlier in the week.  
He is such a good older brother.  There are a couple of other siblings.  
Celeste and I went on a bike ride which was fun but I also had a slight vision of me ending up in the ER for a second.  The bike I was riding had no brakes and it was more of a tricycle which would not go the direction I wanted it to go when I was going fast down a hill and trying to turn.
On another day that I took a walk I came across this beautiful path.  I love roads like this where the trees create an awning.  I just enjoyed that walk so much and wished someone was with me to enjoy.  So I did do a Facebook Live and though of how my dear friend Dina L in UT often posts pictures of beautiful places on her walks.

I also went to a farm and there was this pumpkin.  Liz and I had to have our picture taken.  I am so fortunate that she is my friend and I don't think she or her family realize how much of a positive influence they have been in my life.  So, so, grateful for all the amazing individuals I am fortunate to call friends.   

So there you have it, a little peek at my TX vacation.  I also went to a baseball game with my friend Jon.  However, that may be it's own post.