at last

Man, I have been quite remiss in my updating duties. I'll be better. Maybe.

Actually, I came here to update a few days ago but couldn't access LJ. Go figure. Doesn't matter because it would've gone like this: waiting to hear about job. blah blah blah. i hate moving. blah blah blah.

Well, today it's not too different expect for this. I was casually perusing the AJC website about jobs thinking I'll submit my resume to another hospital only to be told no. Why not, right? Well, I did that but I also answered an ad titled "Counselor/Therapists Needed Immediately!" and it was actually alright with hiring MSWs. So I said why not. I applied and sent a very nice cover letter. SIX HOURS LATER the man called me to talk about a job. It's basically sub-contracted community counseling. Eh. I'm not sure about it. I have to get my own malpractice insurance and then I'm paid hourly with no benefits. Eh. The pay is excellent but.... I'm thinking on it. I really am tired of such work but it'd be nice to do some counseling again and it seems I'm going to have to get my license because all across the country no one is paying you unless you do. Le sigh. BUT this is good news! I've been praying for and waiting for and anxious for an offer, any offer. I'll see what the man has to say on Monday afternoon. It seems likely he'd hire though since we stayed on the phone for forty minutes. Eh.

I'll all about the 'eh' today.

What else? Nieces cute? check. Husband good? check. Still hate moving? check.

JC and I are off to visit Atlanta again tomorrow. Hopefully I'll have some tales from the city to share.

my uncle has a phrase...

...he often says, "hatred and discontent" to describe any situation where there's tension. he usually uses it to refer to said tension between family members. right now this phrase could start to be attributed to me in regards to my sister moving. i've helped her pack for the last two and half hours. what's the only thing worse than packing up to move? packing up someone else's stuff to help them move. and again i say, thankfully she has movers.


otherwise, today was non-descript. we did a lot of errand running around and then went with my sister to close on her house. it felt very much like buying a car only we were in an attorney's office. she signed about a hundred pieces of paper (i may only be off by twenty), waited three hours and then she got her keys. actually what she got was a message saying that because they received the key release (another sheet of paper) she could pick up the keys.......hidden under the pine straw in the front yard. i love absurdity.

100 calorie snack packs

That's what JC and I love lately. I wish they wouldn't include cheese nips though- they're not bad as the regular ones but still.

Today was so-so. We went to the church with my sister. It was the one we got married in. The pastor was bitter though half his sermon was about forgiveness. Eh. We then went to help out my sister by getting her a new breast pump. I was aghast Target allowed the return of a breast pump. Go figure. Anyway, we had a late lunch at my mom's house and there was the obligatory kissing of the babies. They are so f'ing cute. My cousin and his wife, who are expecting, came over. They just live down the street so that was nice. My second cousin, who is four, was totally inappropriate and I had to remind myself that she was four. She told Maria she wasn't a 'real' big kid because she couldn't walk. Y'all know how much I love my Maria! I had to step out of the room. JC and I did some budgeting work and that was really all.

I'm going to be contacting people tomorrow. We have a strong feeling that something's coming down the pike this week. My sister is doing her connections thing for each of us tomorrow. We're gonna help her move which I consider ample pay for staying with her. You all know my feelings on moving. The only good thing about this is that she's smart enough to have saved and hired movers. Phew!

Well, if nothing else you now know my feelings on moving and my niece. Heh.

recap

man! what a wild and crazy forty-eight hours it's been!

tuesday, july 17, gabrielle rebecca janice & isabelle elizabeth april, were born to my sister. gabby was born two minutes earlier. she was two pounds heavier and one inch taller than izzy. that night i stayed with my sister in the hospital, helping her feed and holding them when they cried and not sleeping. it's so humbling for me to be around babies. i know it's cliche for a thirty year old woman to wax philosophical on the miracle of birth and how wondrous babies are but i'm sincere. i don't want one of my own so i like to think that gives me a little more cred. *grin*.
anyway, they are absolutely adorable and i will be so sad when they pack up and move to alaska. my sister had them via 'c section' and she's doing well. she got up and walked around today. she blamed me and JC for a blood line on her stitches' bandage. she said we made her laugh too much. heh.

yesterday was truly a blur. JC got a job lead so we ran around town for that. we visited my sister and the twins again but other than that i really don't remember what happened.

today, i went to an info. session for the social work temp. agency in town. it was great. we had what i like to call 'social work church'. we got the info. and then we sat around and had a group venting about the horrors of the justice, mental health and drug counseling systems. it was great to hear. the coordinator was saddened that me and JC were both out of work social workers so i think that means she'll work hard to get us a contract. the pay is really good with them so i hope that something works out with them.

otherwise, life has been moseying along as it is wont to do in this region of the country. i've been enjoying all the extra time i get to spend with my husband. something told me yesterday to be glad for this because we'll be working soon. he's taught me to drive his truck; we've been exercising; i've been teaching him how to get around this area...in short, we're bonding.

i sometimes really miss portland but it ebbs and flows; just like when i moved from nyc to portland. i've had a lot of time to think about all the moves i have made and what may happen in the future. i don't know but i know i do believe i can only do such an upheaval only one more time. i used to be much better able to handle the change but this last move has shown me that this moving thing, along with other things, has changed with my advancing age. i don't know....just felt the need to type that.

so here are some pictures.

cheers.

"WAKE UP G*DAMMIT!"

talk to me So my sister and my grandma wanted to go see 'Ocean's 13' but as loyal readers you already know that I have seen it. JC and I went to see this movie instead.

"Talk to Me" is the story of Ralph Waldo Petey Greene, a D.C. dj in the 1960s and 1970s who rose to fame due to his street-wise real talk. He was an ex-con who fought his way to his position with the help of straight laced Dewey Hughes. Don Cheadle, aka Acting God of the Universe, plays Greene to comic and dramatic perfection. Chiwetel Ejiofor does great by Hughes making sure that we see the conflict he has between seeing his dreams realized versus doing what's right as Greene's manager. The movie is an epic story of these men and their friendship during personal and politically turbulent times. It is both hilarious and heartening. I highly recommend seeing it. However, if you're bothered by "the n word", seeing as how they recently buried it, then you may want to stay home. A-

"NECK!!!!!!!!"

So I spent probably an inappropriate amount of time kissing my niece today. She, JC, my sister and I were out and about today. Well, out and about here really means going from one retail area to yet another. Eh, it was something to do. We first went to my sister's new house for her second walk through. The house is gorgeous! The builder is a great guy and my sister and I are involved in a little scheme to hook him and our mother up. Hee hee. Speaking of the hook up, I'm also trying to get some info. for my friend about a tasty morsel of a man I met right before I left Portland. Keep your fingers crossed.

JC went to a job fair and got a very promising lead. I followed up with Social work, prn but had to just leave a message. I'll pound the pavement on Monday. I suppose now I'm just on vacation. There are some plans floating about regarding going to the Atlanta Aquarium tomorrow. You know what- that'd be nice however it costs $24 per person. WTF?! As we are unemployed and homeless, we're going to take in a free attraction called the MLK Jr. Historical site. Free is good.

"that's what they used to call me..."

and that statement was followed by a puzzled look and, "...excuse me?" JC was making a joke about drinking Wild Cherry pepsi but it didn't go over too well. It may take some time for my family to get used to his wry humor. I love it!

What to say: I woke up after fitful sleep that had dreams featuring long highways with miles of cars. Speaking of, we hit some pavement today. I put in an app. to do substitute teaching 'in the meantime'. JC got in some resumes and met one assistant principal who said he'll call tomorrow for an interview. We'll cross our fingers on that. After a lot of running around town we went to the house that we have under contract. We both met the realtor in person for the first time today. She was sweet. She talked to the builders and they've given us lots of extensions up until now and YES, they will continue to give us more time. Our hope is something will pop up for JC soon.

The weather was muggy. I raised my hand to see if I could feel the air it felt that tangible. It's such an interesting change.

JC made his infamous meatloaf and smashed potatoes and my grandma and ENORMOUSLY pregnant sister came over for that. It was really all quite lovely. My mother was 'off' but I saw her for all of thirty minutes. That's how it goes. We have tentative aquarium plans for Saturday...perchance I can dream.

Not all that much else to report. Here' good travel juju going out to all those lonely truck drivers making the long haul who will never read this blog. My heart goes out to them now.

A-T-L

Well, I have no room number tonight because we've made it to Atlanta.

We started out from Louisville this morning around nine thirty and got to the city around four. This fourth day was definitely the shortest and most enjoyable leg of our journey.

My thoughts are these: Tennessee is not so bad and full of very large cities. We went through Nashville and Chattanooga. A very lovely state. It almost scoured the memory of South Dakota. Oh well. There are FAR more McDonald's (and fast food in general) in the east. I never noticed that until I counted dozens of food exit signs that advertised McDonalds', Burger Kings and Wendys'. It was kind of sad. I already knew that the southeast is the least healthy section of this country but I was kind of able to see why.
I also noticed that being from Oregon has vastly improved my ability to drive in the rain compared to the others I was driving around. Wow, you'd think as much as it rains down here that people would learn but apparently not.

Got some great phone calls and messages - thanks guys! We pulled up and I played a lot with my niece. My sister cooked for us and then we unpacked both vehicles. It's sticky and warm, as expected. Fortunately, it cools down a lot at night and I enjoy it then. Fortunately also is the fact that September is in two months. Hee hee.

I will be updating more to give more information regarding getting jobs and employment. Hopefully soon, hee hee.

Room 200

The third leg of our trip found us going through seven states. JC and I added up how many states we'd each been to so far in life. He's done thirty seven and thirty four for me. This trip has helped with our life long goal of visiting each state in this country. We missed a prime opportunity to get to Hawaii when we were living in Portland. Oh well- just another reason to get back. *grin*


This drive was FAR better than the previous two. We started in Iowa/Nebraska onto Missouri/Kansas then Illinois then Indiana and now in Kentucky. We snagged a great room on hotels.com in Louisville's downtown. No major stories. The room is by far the nicest we've had since Silverdale.

We'll see what the trip to ATL holds. Thanks again for the messages, emails and calls!

Room 217

When I was about 12, my sister decided to do one of those debutante balls. She had to have a talent for it so she decided to recite a poem. She chose one by Langston Hughes. It wasn't 'Dream Deferred' but I really can't remember the title now. Anyway, it talks about how hard life is and my favorite line, perhaps the one that opens the poem, is "Life ain't been no crystal stair". That was my motto for today.

JC and I hit the road from Billings, Mountain (yes, that's what I will forever call that state) at 85 mph and didn't look back. We crossed into Wyoming and it pretty much looked the same as Mountain though less mountainy. What I'll remember most about Wyoming was the short distance we had to drive through it and it's highway system. Upon entering, we were greeted with a red road. Seriously, the highway was red. What I loved about Wyoming was that it had the best highway system I'd ever driven. Truly, the ride was like butter! So smooth and for only about ten miles through the whole state did I feel any bumps. Go Wyoming, go Wyoming!

Sadly, we had to leave the quiet and well paved state and enter into South Dakota or as we like to call it- a little bit of hell on Earth. I suppose it's not fair to characterize SD (so disgusted) like that but all we saw were badly paved roads and miles and miles of NOTHING. Few radio stations didn't help. I'd already exhausted all of my "This American Life" cds as well as a few marriage helping type CDs. I gave them to JC so I was stuck with some mixed CDs I'd made as an, apparently, sad, sad twenty-something back in NYC. Oh well. I did a lot of thinking. That's really the only good thing I can ever say to anyone about driving through SD--- it gives you plenty of time to think.

We then FINALLY left the state and wound up on the border of Iowa and Nebraska and Missouri wasn't too far. We hadn't eaten since our free continental breakfast in Mountain about eleven hours earlier. To say we were beat down is putting it lightly. We found a 24-hour diner and got to business. In hindsight I can only laugh at how hungry and tired we must have been. The place was a wreck! I don't even know where to begin so I won't.

We learned we were only a blessed twenty miles from Omaha. After our questionable meal, we took off and here we are. Turns out Omaha is just barely in Nebraska. We actually are in Iowa in Council Bluffs. I'll have to tell my old co-worker I actually made it to Iowa. It's not so bad. We lucked out and found a reasonable room at Days Inn (JC prefers hotels in the TripRewards network *shrug*).

So, that's our story, we'll stick to it.

Room 107

On this luckiest day of the year, allegedly, I had a nice long drive through the state of Washington, on into Idaho for a couple of hours and then into Montana. I really don't like driving through mountains. It occurred to me around mile marker 5 that I was in a state whose name means 'mountain' in Spanish. The dismay set in. We drove and drove and drove. I'm not kidding either. This, I knew, was going to be the longest leg of the trip and it definitely felt like it! Going through Washington took six hours. Idaho took only a couple but Mountain took another six and we only stopped in Billings.

In Billings, I had the second worse driving experience of my life. Picture it: rain, a semi-truck in front of you and random lightning strikes on a pitch black highway (excepting the lighting strikes of course). Oh and I forgot to mention that the highway had become one of those both directions of traffic sharing two lanes deal. Also, and most ridiculously, I had not printed or even written down the directions to our hotel so we were just looking at signs for the Ramada. Luckily it was Billings' first exit and we entered into the most flooded and crowded hotel parking lot ever.

Apparently there was a motorcycle convention in town. In the parking lot were parked motorcycle trailers or just one motorcycle per space. Come on people!!

The room was such a let down from yesterday. The tub was stained and three feet long, the queen bed felt far too small for me and JC to share and the mugginess was stifling. Still, it was all we had, literally, as the town was sold out of rooms due to the aforementioned conference. C'est la vie.

Room 206, pt. II

What a day. Because we found out last night that my right passenger tire was flat and JC's truck once again not running. We laugh and make the choice to take care of business. I got four new tires (bye bye $450!) and JC and his dad fixed his truck (thanks free wrench!). I spent the rest of the day with D and the five children and the eight dogs that were in attendance. Man, I got in some more Wii time (I cannot wait to get one!!) beating Josh in bowling but then he got me back in tennis and once in golf. I spoke a lot with D and then JC and I went to get a nephew a birthday present and some other errands. These kids are seriously high on the adorable meter. I am especially partial to the babies and I spent a lot of time with both of them, one boy and one girl. Cuties!! I chatted with stepsisters-in-law (is that a term?) and had grilled chicken and a gigantic cesar salad for dinner. It was a great day. Long but great. Tomorrow morning we leave for Montana. I'm wondering what that'll hold. More updating from whatever room we'll end up in...w00 h00.

Room 206

Today began with a slow roll out the door of our previous mini-suite. Adios. JC and I have often discussed what hotel rooms we've stayed in are best. That one will rate pretty far up there.

I am now in the Silverdale Beach hotel in Silverdale, WA. I'm not sure what the beach is but can see the Puget sound is not too far. The room has a king (thank you!) and a balcony (again, thanks!). However, there's no wireless so I'll be in withdrawal and updating later on Saturday, hopefully. Oh wait! The tide has come in and it's beautiful! Josh's stepmom (Debi) and his dad (John..another JC actually) put us up here. Niiiiiiiiiiiice!

The trip here from the 'Couv was long. Longer than need be due to more truck problems, a flyaway tarp and bathroom breaks. I tempered myself by listening to some great hand me down "American Life" cds. I listened to one and half. I also made some phone calls and chatted with my sister. JC and I spoke for the last half hour. It's weird to speak to someone who you're trying to follow through traffic. He drives with some recklessness and thinks that going five over the speed limit grants him the right to drive in the left lane. Man, I love him.

We'll eventually see his dad and stepmom though I'm not sure when or what for. Tomorrow promises (I hope) a day of rest and double checking. I'll update again.

later....

Met up with JC's dad and stepmom and their family. They have three daughters who visit regularly. Two are twins and have five children between them. It's a treat to me to be there because I'm so rarely around children. They each have a ~5 month old baby. BABIES!!!! I love to hold and play with them but so far I do enjoy handing them back to their mothers. We got in some Wii bowling and then called it a night.

Room 106

JC and I decided to leave Portland. The residents at Lafayette court had bonded together to supply us with $50 worth of gas cards and $50 in cash. It was too much for my already tired and sad being. Fully aware that we were the ones leaving, we had decided enough was enough. JC came home right as I'd finished a good cry. Adding to my sadness was the news that Dot, the woman who'd done my wedding make-up and my sister's good friend, had succumbed to stomach cancer. May she rest in peace. JC said, "let's pack up and get a hotel room in Vancouver". I nodded and the frenzied packing of our cars began. An hour and a half later we left for the 'Couv. We secured a mini-suite in the Shilo Inn at a price so reasonable it was pretty unreasonable. Know what I mean? We left then to have a 4th of July indian dinner courtesy of JC's friend. We had a great time. It was late though and the place was just east of Cornelius Pass. We got back and crashed.

Truly, it was not a good day. I had spent most of the morning preparing for Lafayette's picnic/going away party. It was hot and emotional- draining to say the least. My sister called with that news and then I was done. JC also had a rough day as he dropped his phone and broke it (it works now), the truck didn't start (it's semi-working now) and got bit by a dog. Poor kid.

We'll be on our way soon. Good thought and prayers are appreciated.