Whacky Windy Wintry Wednesday

Wow, today feels far more like winter than it does fall. Much to the fear of my terrified statespeople some weather outlets are forecasting "wintry precipitation" over the next 24 hours... We shall see. I am trying to be realistic but at the same time the last time I nay-sayed a serious wintry forecast (because this is Oregon) we ended up with over a foot of snow plus a couple inches of ice....

From our work break adventures my poor face feels mildly wind burned this evening so I am chugging water like I am in a desert (my secret method to alleviate mild sun and wind burn).

Since my last post the world has righted itself as much as it ever will and things are progressing in general.

My training at work is done and I am flying solo this week. I like to think I am rocking it. The only thing tripping me up is coming into long standing issues that were left unattended by my predecessor, but I think you would find that with most any new position. I am confident that by the end of this week I should have most all of it reined in. Just in time for me to take a day off. Hahaha!

As for life in the real world beyond my nine to five (actually it's 7:30 to 4 but hairs) life has been going better than we could have ever hoped!

We signed on our house a week ago, and as luck would have it everything fell into place for us to get our keys last Friday. It was a rough and stressful week so we didn't really have as much fun with the major life event as I had wanted, but I think once we are officially moved in and it really hits us, we will truly celebrate.

So, with keys in hand we began to take as much stuff over as we could. First I vacuumed, swept and mopped Friday and Saturday. We pretty much spent all day Saturday there putting boxes in the areas of the house they belonged and changing the locks.

Our first major accomplishments as new homeowners were the locks and the water. Yea, forgot to mention that did I?

The house being bank owned was winterized... In September.... So they shut the water off at the street and drained every pipe and tank in the house. Wasn't that thoughtful? Want to know what was even more considerate? The stupid 3x5" green stickers affixed to every gosh darn water source throughout the house. Yea, they peeled off so easily... NOT. There will be copious amounts of Goo Gone used to remove them. Thankfully, the one actually placed on the wall above the washer hookups came off without damaging the paint. (see below)

The other task I had hoped to accomplish this weekend was to remove most if not all of the huge half rotted deck from the backyard. I got one board done (you can see it in the picture)... Then I noticed that the asshole who put it in used THREE different types of deck screws when they built it. Oh well, I will work on it this weekend or sometime soon. I need to get it done before spring so I can seed for grass...

But that is all fine, because it is our home. Not another rental, but a home that is truly ours. And that thought alone is amazing to me.

We now have a busy weekend ahead as we officially move from our rental to our new home. The wee one will get to spend a day with her super cool aunt, while we (along with some friends) load up and move everything that's left over to the house. To keep it interesting we have a much needed hair appointment in the afternoon. Then to keep true to our traditions, Saturday (our first night in the new home) night we will be having chinese food for dinner.

Sunday we have to do a quick sweep of the rental and turn in our keys. Then it will be unpacking and settling into our home.

I'm sure I will have more to share as we go along, but fair warning we may be without interwebs for a few days.... Terrifying right?! I'm sure we will be too busy to tell. We can always play movies if we need to.

Now I am going to curl up in bed for the second to the last night in this place. That is such a happy thought.

Sweet dreams. **Side note: too tired to edit, if you see a typo I'm sorry.

My World Just Flipped, Turned Upside Down

I can't sleep. I really need to and I know that the alarm (assuming there are no middle of the night/way too early in the morning baby wake ups) will come much sooner than I wish for it to. I especially need the sleep because lucky me went and caught the cold that Emma brought home. I figure I am lucky that I have been able to go a few months without getting a cold from her... Got a stomach bug in August, but no colds.

I truly tried to relax and clear my mind and drift off to sleepy dream land. There are just so many thoughts going through my head. I figure rather than toss and turn for another hour I might as well clear it all out the best way I know. Write it out. I wholeheartedly believe in writing as therapy.

We'll start with work. The past two days have been middle of the road to great with my training. I have come to grips with the fact that it is not humanly possible for us to cover everything that she wants to before the end of the day on Friday. At this point, that really doesn't bother me. I think I have a pretty firm grasp on the critical stuff (plus a ton of extraneous stuff) so I should be fine. Plus there is always historical material I can fall back on.

The most interesting part of this transition from here on will be the moving. This will be my second desk change since I started. I am actually really stoked about this move. My last move put me over with all the leads and the supervisor; which has been nice. I love them all and the supervisor and I get along famously. The reality is that whomever they hire to back fill my desk will need to be where I was (right next to the segment lead)  while he/she is in training. I am happy that I will get to sit next to the other customer service reps again. It's been a little weird for me because I have been sort of removed from the team with where my desk currently is and it will be good to get to socialize with them more.

The only awkward part of the desk move left is figuring out when my trainer is moving all her stuff to her new cubicle in her new department. I have to coordinate my move with having the desk raised, my keyboard tray installed, and relocating a shelf and some filing cabinets. So, after her stuff is moved I have to have facilities come to make the changes and then move all my stuff. I also need to measure the height difference between our two desks and figure out what stuff she is taking versus leaving, but I don't want to be uncouth and pushy about it, you know? I figure (assuming I am not given further information beforehand) I will find out Thursday or Friday.

Now onto the real move.

We heard that our file came back from the USDA today. We should be signing in the next day or two, and might even have keys by Friday. Wouldn't that be a fucking kick in the pants?! Feels like we have been at this and waiting forever.

This amazingly wonderful news is the main reason I am having trouble getting to sleep. I am working in my head to coordinate everything from getting the Uhaul to our housewarming party. I know, I know, I'm good at making more work for myself. We figured we would have a big(small) get together not only as an informal housewarming but also to celebrate the little monster's first birthday. It will be very laid back, and honestly, with having been married for almost ten years and living on our own for almost seven, we kind of have everything. If anything, we are asking the guests for gift cards to Lowe's so we can make the minor cosmetic fixes that need to be done.

I am working through in my head coordinating any helpers we have, including a family member that has agreed to watch the little one on moving day. Since we have an appointment in the afternoon on moving day, I plan to get shit going as early as I can. If we do get keys before this weekend we plan to take a couple car loads of boxes over and I plan to vacuum and wipe everything down. Since they are forecasting amazing weather for this time of year I am also hoping I can at least get a good start on taking out the rotting deck in the back yard. Given that the person who put it in only used one, maybe two, screws per board it really shouldn't take to long to pull them out and stack the boards.

But again, might be getting ahead of myself.

I do know that I am going to take a half day the day before we move to get as much laundry and such done here at the current place. We still need to get a washer and a dryer and I am hoping we can hold out until Black Friday sales are going on, but we shall see. I am also taking the Monday off after we move so I can work on getting everything settled and also so I can be available to spend some time at the new daycare to help with that transition. I think my little monster will handle it just fine, but I still want to be there to support her through this move.

It's just a huge relief for the finish line to finally be more definite. For a while we feared we wouldn't be moving until the weekend before Thanksgiving.

And also, it feels great to be this close to the finish line with my training. It will be nice to be back at my machine working rather than watching someone with a very disjointed thought process try to work. All said, I plan to get her a thank you card for all her "help and support" in my transition.

I think this helped... I am going to try and lay down now and get some sleep. I'm sure there were other thoughts I had to share, but I need to take advantage of this drowsiness while I can.

Have a good night!

You Know What I Think Is Craze-Mazing?

Slow cookers!

I love mine. If you have never used one, try it. If you have one and aren't using it; email me your address and I will come slap you.

Seriously, in a world where we are all about convenience and speed (though it sounds like an oxymoron) the slow cooker can be your best friend. In the fall/winter/spring months it is my go to favorite kitchen gadget (other than Gandalf, but I don't bake every week).

Right now we are on a big steel cut oat thing and I make them in my slow cooker. We have made three different flavors so far; pumpkin pie (our favorite so far), apple cinnamon (second favorite), and maple brown sugar (need to invest in real maple...). The best part is that one batch makes breakfast for the both of us for at least 3-4 mornings.

When not using it for amazing breakfast awesomeness I use it for soups, stews, chili and anything else that tastes good made in a slow cooker. I have two slow cookers; one is my rice cooker/slow cooker and the other is my true blue CrockPot slow cooker. I love both of them for different reasons. The rice cooker/slow cooker has a nonstick insert, when not using it for oatmeal or rice I have been using it in place of the crock pot (which is packed in a box along with most of my stuff in the garage). After experimenting with both I find that they each make certain things better than the other. The crock pot does better chili, stews and roasts. The rice cooker makes better soups and sauces. Maybe I'll share recipes sometime, but this isn't a food blog and I'm not going to go all crazy posting pictures of the food I eat on a daily basis.

Intermission seasonal picture (imagine some upbeat intermission/elevator music playing):

Yesterday, when hunting for shoes, I decided to try on a pair of pants in what I think is my current size. I grabbed two pairs of pants made by the same line, in the same size; one a pair of stretchy jeans and the other a pair of "slimming" black pants (not sure the material other than lots of lycra fibers). The slimming pants I couldn't squeeze my hips into, but the jeans fit perfectly.

This experiment confirmed three things:

1. Different styles of pants fit differently; even when shopping in the same brand.

2. All of my work pants are officially two sizes too big.

3. I can most likely buy my pants at Costco now because (in this brand at least) I am no longer a "plus" size. I like this because we get rewards on our membership, and they tend to have the pants cheaper than anywhere else.

This particular brand has drawn my attention because they offer a range of colored denim that doesn't look like jeans so I can wear them to work if I so choose. I might get a pair in the near future. Realistically, I need at least one more pair of dress pants that fit properly, but at the same time, maybe I should go for broke and wait to be down another size.... Hrmmm... Decisions, decisions.

I think our Roku is telling us it is time for bed... It doesn't want to load Netflix...

So, good night!

Footprint Crafts For Adults

Today we continued the search for new shoes. After being utterly disappointed at yet another store, the tiny human made it clear she needed a nap. We came home and put her in her crib. Then Collin and I did water impressions of our feet; see my size eleven fins below.

This fun project combined with a nifty tool we used online to establish how we walk, bend and flex; helped us find the most appropriate shoe types we should get for our next pair. Both of us need more stable and controlling shoes. I know that I do because I feel the beginning symptoms of issues with my left foot. Possibly plantar facsiitis, but we'll see what happens over the next couple weeks.

We went to visit Collin's mom, and as we walked out with his aunt and sister were shocked to hear that she has refused everything, and I mean everything, for the last five days.

After we said our goodbyes we went to yet another shoe store on the way home. Pretty quickly we found these amazing neon pink Nikes for me that feel so beautifully supportive and awesome. The tiny human and I went meandering as Collin went in search of his own amazeballs shoes. Her and I oogled some boots and checked out some purses then found our way back to Collin. He felt he was striking out. I asked if he had checked the clearance section and 'lo and behold he did find the perfect pair of shoes.

We were  both extremely happy with our findings and came home with time to spare for showers for us and a bath for the wee one before dinner.

She is trying so hard to walk. More and more each day she does without even realizing it. Thursday she walked from one part the couch to me completely unassisted. She tried a couple more times between Friday and Saturday. Today she took a few unsupported steps multiple times. Before dinner Collin "helped" her to walk with her "walker" toy all over the living room. She also "walked' on her knees around the living room. Her little legs are getting stronger and stronger every day. As I watch her learn to walk, I find that I completely agree with my friend's theory that skinny babies take longer to be comfortable and confident in their walking after they begin cruising than chunkier babies take. I think it comes down to them finding their center of gravity. Either way, I am so proud and terrified of this milestone.

The little demon managed to stay up until just before seven tonight. I have no idea how, but I am so happy she did. With the time change we feared she'd want to go to bed around 5:30 or 6pm. I'd like to believe that her schedule we managed to get her on yesterday helped immensely.

Tomorrow, slow cooking awesomeness and pants.

May  you have a marvelous Monday.

Seasonal Polarity

Today we spent a wonderful day at the coast. Emma tried to wake up at 4am this morning, but we managed to squeak out another hour of dozing. We all clamored down stairs around 5:30 and had some form of breakfast. Emma was still tired (maybe if her and Reggie hadn't been up for an hour at four telling jokes) and wanted to go back to bed after breakfast but Collin managed to keep her up. I got things together, took a shower, and then we loaded the car to head out.

We made a couple stops before leaving town (the most important being coffee and gas), and Emma was out before we made it to getting coffee.

She slept until about five miles from my dad's place

We visited with him for about a half hour, but it was so stinkin' chilly that we couldn't let Emma be out in it too long even with her coat and shoes and such. From there we headed in to town to the mall, where we were utterly disappointed in our search for new tennis shoes to replace the ones lost in the half drowning a couple weeks ago.

Yea, I don't remember if I mentioned that or not but we had to toss our shoes from that day... They smelled horrid.

Using our AAA membership got us a free coupon book and a sheet of coupons. I snagged a set of new drip pans (we have to replace them when we move out per the lease) on the cheap thanks to these coupons, and then we also picked up a couple calendars for the upcoming new year.

I probably said and thought this a thousand times today, but holy crap it's November. How the heck is this even possible?! On our drive home after a wonderful visit with our nearest and dearest friends, I was thinking how crazy it was to see all the trees bare and then I remembered that it was November now and winter is seven short weeks away.

The weather today was typical Oregon. For those of you not familiar with our amazing weather, it varies greatly depending exactly where in the state you are, and can even vary depending on what block you are on within the same town. It's awesome. In the summer months when it is sweltering in the Willamette valley it is commonly chilly (by comparison) and foggy at the coast. Come the fall/winter months it reverses. At home today we never made it out of the forties but at the coast it was in the low sixties by the time we left at 2pm.

:Pretty cool, huh?

My brain is kind of flitting around from thought to thought.

The time change is really throwing me off this time. The Fall change normally doesn't get to me so much but now with our dear little monster it is putting me through the ringer. Mostly from a logisitcal stand point. She normally is in bed between 6:30 and 7 of her own accord. Well, tomorrow, what has been her normal will now be 5:30-6 and in turn we fear her waking up at 3:30-4am instead of around 5am. As luck would have it she had a late nap during the trip home from the coast. We somehow managed to keep her little butt up until 8pm tonight. Our goal is to get her to sleep until the new 6am... We'll see how that goes.

I am expecting this next week to be a little rough with regards to our sleep schedule.

Tomorrow we are going to visit Collin's mom and hang out with the rest of the family. This has become the weekly norm. It would be so much better if it wasn't under such sad circumstances. But such is life.

I am hoping to be in the right frame of mind to do a sharing sort of post in the next couple days. I really do want to share my love of my rice/slow cooker and my crock pot. I know they have become more and more popular again and I would love to share some of my thoughts, just the thoughts haven't been there the past few posts... Huh, wonder why.

Good night, and sweet dreams.