I'm a Good Cooker

When my brother was about four, he use to tell my mom she was a good cooker if he liked a meal she made. It was pretty darn smart for a four-year-old, but soon became the running joke in the family. Mostly, because my mom doesn't really cook all that much. We use to tease her when we sat at the table and ate McDonald's off paper plates that she was a good cooker. She always took it in good humor and always said thank you.

Now as a 25-year-old woman, I'm trying to learn to cook for the first time. My mom always steered me away from all things domestic as a kid. She didn't want me to grow up thinking my place was in the kitchen. Mission accomplished Mom! But now I would like to learn. The other day I tried a new "recipe" for chicken breast. Normally I just follow the instructions on the Shake n' Bake box. It turned out amazing and I felt really proud of myself! All I did was dump a jar of pasta sauce into a ziplock bag and then throw in the chicken for a day, then bake! In fact, when I called my mom to ask how long I should throw in the chicken and how high to heat the oven she told me I should know by now to direct those kind of phone calls to my Aunt Kathy, the real cook in the family. We decided not to bother her and follow the cooking instructions on the Shake n' Bake box instead.

The apple might not fall to far from the tree but I love trying to become a good cooker. Every. Single. Day.

Go Cougs!

I've already written about my first great love, today I want to write about my most recent love, the Washington State University Cougars. I first started to like the Cougs when I lived in Kennewick. My Christmas family is huge Coug fans and they had a huge impact on me. They basically convinced me to cheer for the Cougars anytime they weren't up against the Big Ten. But it wasn't until I moved to Spokane that I fell in love with them.

The love affair started with a guy I dated. He happens to think the Cougs are the greatest team ever invented. It wasn't long after we started dating that everything important to him became important to me, including the Cougs. Even after that was so far gone, I still made my mom drive with me to Pullman to visit the campus on a cold, rainy June day. I wore my favorite Coug sweatshirt and made her take lots of pictures of me and Missy.

So now I tell people I'm a wannabe Coug. You can't really call me a bandwagoner because the Cougs will pretty much break your heart at every turn.You really do have to love them to stick with them. AND I even rooted for the Cougs over a Big Ten team! It was the first time in my life I'd ever rooted against the Big Ten. If that isn't love I'm not sure what is. I love the Cougars. Every. Single. Day. 

What a Wonderful World

I have been seriously blog slacking lately! And it's not for lack of things to write about either, I've just been either busy or not feeling like sitting in front of my computer.BUT I also think that's a wonderful sign that I'm not depressed or down. If I were, I would be spending a lot more time in front of my computer!

Sooo... today is the one month mark since my last day at work. I still don't have too much going on the job front. I've been on three interviews, personally handed out a dozen resumes, and applied online for tons more. I've been going to the gym about five or six times a week. I'm super sad my free monthly pass is coming to an end in five days. I've been doing really well in school and I'm excited for the summer quarter already. I've also spent a ton of time with the puparoos, watching some TV, reading for fun, and smiling! ((it's the best.))

I've also started to notice that my appearance is changing. I'm definitely more solid from working out, but that's not all. My skin and hair looks soooo much better. It really is amazing what sleep and lack of stress can do for your entire head! I think the smiling thing is helping too.

But this month hasn't gone by without a few downs. I've been rejected from more jobs this month than probably in my entire life. I found out my little buddy Mister needs surgery. And I'm running out of money, FAST. What keeps me going, on what might seem like a crazy journey, is the inner happiness I have that comes from knowing God will provide. It was a leap of faith to leave the only world I've ever know behind, but as I told one of my TC church fam members a few weeks ago, if God can get me to Kennewick, Washington he can get me home. I love this wonderful world. Every. Single. Day.

Ahhhhhhh!

Nothing beats a day at the salon. Every six weeks on Wednesday I camp out for about three hours while other people work on my up-keep. I wish I woke up looking amazing, but let's face it nobody does. We all rely on our creams, hair products, and stylists to make us look like the amazing women we all are.

This Wednesday's routine felt especially relaxing and I think I know why: No stress! Normally, I carry the weight of the world on my shoulders. Stress at the job would come home with me every night, mostly because I didn't have anyone to talk to about it in order to de-stress. At the salon, I would be thinking about work from the night before, what I still had left on my to-do list, what I was going to do in the time I had when I got home until I had to go to class. And there were some Wednesdays that I went straight from the salon to school. Yesterday, I didn't feel like I was carrying any of that around.

Ever since I put in my two weeks notices, I've felt such a sense of inner joy and relief. Don't get me wrong, I still dream in triple splits and stingers and wonder why Anderson Cooper opens up his show the way he does and what viewers think about it. But I just know in my heart that I can't work in a place where I'm not liked. I can't function without friends in my life, and when you spend all your time at work it becomes increasingly hard to find people outside of work. I felt trapped. Now I want to go run to the top of a mountain and just yell ahhhhh!!!!!!! Since I can't do that, I'll just love going to the salon. Every. Single. Day.

I Heart the Bulls

Some of my earliest childhood memories include staying up late to watch the Chicago Bulls' games. I can remember being 4-years-old and laying down in front of our TV with my head propped up with my fists watching the games until long past my bedtime. My dad would be yelling at Doug Collins for not calling a timeout soon enough or because the Bulls needed a better center. It wasn't until I was five that Phil Jackson and Bill Cartwright came to town. Then the championships began.

Here's the thing about the state of Illinois, when it comes to sports we are divided people. There are just as many  Packers fans as Bulls fans, especially north of the city. Down south you'll find St. Louis Rams and Cardinals fans. Not many sports fans are true hockey fans in general, until the home town team wins the Stanley Cup. And of course one of the biggest rivalries around is the crosstown classic, Cubs and White Sox. But when it comes to basketball, I've never met anyone from the state of Illinois who isn't an avid Bulls fans. And after six championships and the best two records in NBA history, how could you be anything other than a Chicago Bulls fan?

For me, the Bulls will always be my first love. The AM radio station that use to wake my dad up in the morning would replay the classic line, "Paxon for three.... YES!!!! Bulls Win! Bulls Win!" Every morning for years I heard that alarm go off and listened for the Paxon line. I was the first person in line every year when the championship t-shirts went on sale and I watched every Grant Park celebration on TV. I still have piles of old magazine clippings and magazines featuring the Bulls and I've been known to bust out the Jordan jersey hanging in my closet every once in a while.

Last night was game two of the NBA playoffs and as I watched my loves take down the Pacers once again, tears came to my eyes. For a moment I almost saw Johnny Pax running down the court to hit a "stop and pop" three. DRose reminds me of Jordan in ways too, the way he can just take over a game down the stretch. And of course Luol Deng reminds me of Pip, the best sidekick in the business. There is a great glimmer of hope that the Bulls will once again bring home a championship to Chicago. Win or lose, I love the Bulls. Every. Single. Day.

Busy Bee

I might be the busiest unemployed person you know! Between going to the gym, interviewing, filling out applications, church, pups, and grad school, I've also started volunteering again. This time I'm helping out at the Spokane Humane Society. I went through volunteer orientation a few weeks ago and now I have a snazzy new t-shirt to add to my collection. The t-shirt makes you a bona fide woof walker volunteer!

My goal is to try and volunteer at least once a week even after I find a new job. So what do I do there? Well I walk doggies who aren't as lucky as my puparoos! It is so sad sometimes to see those dogs in their kennels. It is even more heartbreaking when I just can't get to all of them in a single shift. My heart goes out to their amazing faces and I hope they will find their forever homes in between my visits. But it is great fun to take them out to the playpens and let them run around. They seem so happy to be outside and free. Then I usually take them for a walk before returning them to their temporary homes and grabbing another one. I love feeling like I am making a difference for the animals and hopefully helping them get adopted so they can change a person's life for the better the way Missaroo changed mine.

My heart is truly being called into animal welfare. I even registered for the 2011 No More Homeless Pets Conference this October. I'm hoping my love of animals in need and my Master's in Public Administration will get me to the job of my dreams. But for right now I love volunteering. Every. Single. Day.

Let's Rock

There are many things I've found myself enjoying more now that I seem to be free falling through this world. Lately, I have been just jamming out in my car to whatever catchy song happens to come on the radio. I don't care if I'm at a red light and there are people looking at me from every direction. I'm going to turn up Adele's cover of Rolling in the Deep and sing it at the top of my lungs. ((You did know it's a cover right??)) I mean hair flying, hand banging on the steering wheel, free spirit jam out. Funny, I sound just like her when the radio is turned up loud enough. 

Another one of my favs to blast has to be Sara Bareilles' King of Anything. Every guy I ever dated in the Tri-Cities. No seriously. Every. One. By the way I think she looks just like my cousin-in-law Emily. For this one I've even come up with some of my own hand motions. Can you say rock star? OK more like awkward white girl, but I don't care. I think that's the best part. I love jamming out in my car like a free spirit. Every. Single. Day. 

Laugh Out Loud

There are many people in my grad program that I really enjoy talking to. I'm fascinated to learn about how other people ended up sitting in the same seats as me. This quarter my tablemate is John. He works with at risk youth through a non-profit. He's also a very real, down to earth person and I enjoy our conversations.

Anyway, yesterday I pulled out my camera and showed him a picture of my dogs since nobody believes me that my Shepard mix and Chihuahua mix look exactly alike. He started telling me about his cat and about how his dad named the cat he had growing up, are you ready for this?, Poopy! I had just taken a big sip of my hot chocolate and I came so close to spitting it out all over. Instead, I was able to hold it in but started crying. I'm not even sure why. I think maybe because I didn't expect it, especially the way he was telling the story. It just seemed to come out of no where.

And that is so me. I love to laugh. It's not something I've done a lot of in the last few years. But recently, I've been laughing so hard I cry, I mean tears streaming down my face. I think the ability to laugh at yourself and laugh in general shows the size of a person's heart. I know I've always been attracted to men with great laughs. The last guy I dated probably has the best laugh of all time.

Laughter is the best medicine after all. I love to laugh out loud ((not just type it)) Every. Single. Day.

Here Comes the Bride

Noooo I am not getting married ((not anytime soon anyway)) but one of my best friends from college is! I can't tell you how excited I was when my invitation arrived in the mail today. Like I screamed and jumped up and down.

Denise and Turner started dating their senior year of college, my junior year. It certainly feels like forever and a day ago, but no matter how much time has past, it still stands as the best year of my life. I can still remember Denise gushing about their first date. Uh! I just cannot wait to see them GET MARRIED!!! Denise is officially the first of my good friends to find herself a hunky husband and tie the knot and I couldn't be happier for her. ((I love love remember?)) What might be one of the best parts about today's opening of the invitation is the wedding will be in Denise's hometown which means I'm booking a flight home! Once a Chicago suburbs kinda gal, always a Chicago suburbs kinda gal.

Today I love love, I love my gal pal and former floosy Denise, and I love the thought of flying home. Every. Single. Day.

Grateful

There are sooo many things I loved about going back to the Tri-Cities for the wedding, it was hard to pick just one to write about. I decided in the end to write about what meant the most to me.

For those of you who don't know, from July 2009 through the end of August that year, I lived with a family who took me in from church. My contract was up and I was waiting to hear about a job in Spokane. For a few months I was in limbo. I put everything I owned in storage except for my clothes and Missy and moved in with the Sims family.

Suzanne Sims happens to be one of the most generous people on the planet for taking in a nearly homeless 20 something 2,000 miles from home and her silly dog. It was great to see her so happy at the wedding. She certainly deserves it. It was just as great to see her three wonderful kids. I can't really explain how her kids changed my life, but they certainly made me a better person. I could relate to what they were going through at the time, but I don't think I helped them the way that I should have. I know watching them helped me put into words how I felt during a similar struggle in my own life. I wish I could say I really helped those kids, or that I really meant something to them, but I kinda blew my chance. What I can tell you is I think those three happen to be the best kids on the planet and there isn't a whole lot I wouldn't do for them.

At one point in the night the bridal party was suppose to hit the dance floor together. All three of the kids were in the wedding party so I was trying to get them up there. Before I knew it I was holding a can of Sprite, a McDonald's cub, a sucker, and a bag of candy. I started to laugh. All of a sudden it was like I never moved out! They have no idea how happy it made me to be the person they entrusted with their pop and candy. I love those kids. Every. Single. Day.

Wedding!

I'm back in Kennwick, Washington where I use to live for a couple of years before I made the move to Spokane. This weekend one of my friends is getting married. Amber and I are sisters, but not because we're close like sisthas, more like we share the same parents. When I first moved to the Tri-Cities, I was 2,000 miles from home and very, very alone. What got me through was going to church and the wonderful church family I found. I have a set of Washington State "Parents" and "Grandparents." It is my parents' daughter who is getting married today. This makes me very excited and happy for two reasons.

The first reason is it is so great to be back to see everyone again! It will be great to catch up surrounded by a happy theme. The worst thing is when what brings you back together is a tragedy. The second reason I am so happy and excited is for Amber. It is great to know she is happy and in love. I'm thrilled for her and Zach. It's such an honor to be able to see them share their love for each other in front of friends and family. I'm honored they think of me as such. Today I love LOVE. Every. Single. Day.

Scary Stuff

I'm in the middle of a tiny cancer scare, not that the type of cancer would be tiny but rather my chances of contracting it are tiny. About this time last year, I found out I have low grade pre-cancerous cells. I don't want to go into a whole lot of details, but basically I'm at a higher risk of developing cervical cancer than your average babe. I need two clean tests in a row to be officially off the cancer track. I got one great test six months ago, and then yesterday the doctor called. She told me abnormal cells where found again and I need to come back in for another test. Then no matter what, I'm back to square one and I need another two tests six months apart to be done with this.

The cancer itself could still be years away, or never come at all. It's just kind of a wait and see thing right now. There isn't anything I can do to prevent it, other than the usual take good care of myself stuff. BUT no matter what the next test shows, I do know right now, right this very second I'm cancer free. It's the only reality I want to deal with, and other than the moments when I'm actually at the doctor's office or talking to the doctor, I don't think about it, minus this blog post of course.

When I do have to think about it, I try to think about it like this: We ALL are at risk of getting cancer. It's one of those scary things. My chances might be slightly higher for a particular kind, but even that isn't like freak out rare. So today, I love LOVE LOVE the fact that I don't have cancer. And I pray for those who do. Every. Single. Day.

Senior Moments

I was given the most wonderful opportunity this afternoon to have lunch with a group of senior citizens from church. As part of my Lutheran volunteer form, I marked that I was interested in elderly assistance. The president of the Senior Luncheon group happens to be the same man who sits in front of me in church so he invited me to today's event. It was great to have a wonderful meal and great fellowship at the church. Everyone there has such a wonderful, positive attitude it was hard not to want to be a part of their group, no matter what age you truly are. It was also super cool to pray out loud before and after the meal!

I had the chance to talk with a handful of them personally, and introduce myself to all of them. I was even asked a few questions. The very first question someone asked me was why help them? The answer is pretty simple. Here's what I told her: When I first moved to the Tri-Cities three and a half years ago, it was the older folks in the church who took me in and became my family. It was not people my own age who reached out, it was those who had kids my own age or older. I saw this opportunity of unemployment as my chance to give back.

I've been invited back to meet with them in a few weeks, Maunday Thursday, at the Perry Street Cafe here on Spokane's South Hill. I can't wait to visit with them again. I love the old folks. Every. Single. Day.

Here Comes the Sun

Update: yesterday after I posted this, it hailed and I literally had to run through it. Today it also hailed. I learned a valuable lesson, I can't control the weather, I better learn to dance in the hail. :) 

This winter has felt like the longest winter in my life, and this is coming from a gal who grew up outside Chicago. It started snowing here in November. We affectionately called it snovember at work and it turned out to be the snowiest November on record. March also hit the record books for one of the wettest ever. Needless to say, I think the high this year has been 48 degrees. It's April.

Yesterday, the sun came out! It peaks its head out every once in a while, but it has yet to stay and it has yet to warm up. So today, I've decided to send the sun some positive vibes. For my sake, for my dogs' sake, and for your sake..... everybody think it together: I love the sun! Every! Single! Day!

A Bump in the Road

Today I went on my first interview since leaving my position more than a week ago. I interviewed for a front desk reception position at the eye care clinic just up the street from where I live. It was only part time, but part time is better than no time. It was one of the places I had randomly walked into with resume in hand that happened to be hiring. I had a great vibe about the place and the people who worked there, it looked like a perfect fit.

Then my interview came. I wasn't nervous, just determined to self myself. The interview before mine ran over, which was a good sign for that gal, but I just kept smiling. The receptionist at the time was the same one I had seen the other two times I went in. This time she asked me about going to Western Illinois University and even had a connection there herself. Many people in Illinois have never heard of the tiny town of Macomb, let along someone from Washington State. A good sign I thought.

The interview was going great, but it seems like one thing was holding me back. They told me I would not be getting the job because of my pursuit for a Master's Degree. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out a woman with a Master's in Public Administration probably won't want to end up working at an eye care clinic for the rest of her life. I could give them a good year, but they knew I would be out the door after that and they were looking for someone more long term. I was out of luck. They did have great things to say about me and even mentioned that if it weren't for that, I would be the perfect hire and employee.

I left with a smile anyway, what else can you do? I knew better than to get my hopes to high or else I would be really bummed. I'm still a little bummed though. But this blog is all about the positive side of the world of unemployment. So here it is: Even though it might have been what cost me the job, I still love going to school, being a student, and pursuing my Master's Degree. Every. Single. Day.

Stay at Home Dog Mom

As I kick off unemployment week two, I've decided to give my current status a new title. Instead of telling people I'm unemployed, I'm going to say I'm a stay at home dog mom. For those of you who are just getting to know me, I am the proud dog mom of two puparoos, Missy Mae and Mister. The Missaroo is a three year old Shepard Mix who I affectionately refer to as my pure breed mutt. The newest addition to the family is Mister. He is a one year old Chihuahua mix. They are the loves of my life that you can read all about in my other blog. Not only do I blog about them, but also about our adventures and the trials and tribulations of being a dog mom.

Don't get me wrong, the two of them can drive me absolutely nuts. After all, I am blogging from Starbucks instead of home for a reason. But another major factor in my deciding to quit my job is that the hours were getting too hard for the two of them. Missy has always been a bit of a puker and every time my schedule changed, I'd come home to throw up in her crate. The ten plus hour each weekend day also usually resulted in throw up, especially if I had a less than nine hour turnaround from Friday to Saturday. When Mister entered the family, things became even harder and more gross. He would go in his crate every Sunday night before I came home from work. I felt horrible coming in and seeing my little buddy in a crate surrounded by his own feces. I tried coming home five hours in to my work day to let them out, but it was only enough time for them to pee. I finally couldn't take it anymore. It was heart breaking. 

So now I have much more time to spend with my puparoos. I try to leave them for at least four hours a day so they don't completely forget what it's like to be in their crates when I go back into the workforce. But for now, I love being a dog mom. Every. Single. Day.

Sunday Funday!

Sundays are all about going to church. From a previous post "There's a Form for That" I talk about being Lutheran, which means every Sunday my fanny is in church. It is also one of the biggest factors in my decision to resign my position. I use to work every single Sunday for 10 and a half hours, which means no church. I also missed out on going to church on holidays. I requested to work later shifts on days like Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day just so I could go to church, but of course no go. Last year was the least amount of church services I've ever attended in my life. This year I decided I have to go to church, even if that means quitting my job.

So why is going to church so important to me? Well first and foremost I love the Lord. Secondly, I need the Christian encouragement. I slip up and swear sometimes, I'm quick to anger, slow to love, and too judgmental just to name a few of my many flaws. I need church to help me start fresh every week. I need church to remember God loves me even though I am both sinner and saint. I need church to get me through because I have yet to make friends here and my family is 2,000 miles away. With God nothing is impossible, but without Him there is nothing.

I love and need the Lord. Every. Single. Day.

The Kindness of Strangers

It's been another busy day that included a morning at the gym and another new class. This time I tried my hand, or my whole body rather, at zumba. It was super fun! The best part was I actually met someone my own age who didn't seem like she would simply hate me because some guy didn't! ((long story from my previous life)) Her name is Melissa and she let me zumba next to her. I think we're bffs.

After a quick walk with the dogs, and an even quicker shower, I was off to volunteer training at the Spokane Humane Society. I had never been there before so I looked up the directions via Google maps before heading out the door. It turned out to be one of the few times that Google maps led me astray. I ended up having to pull into a gas station in Hillyard to ask where I went wrong. Often known for being a poor, shady part of town, today nothing could have been further from the truth. Before the guy behind the counter could even offer help, the guy in front of me piped up with, "well where are you actually headed?" I told him and he gave me pin-point directions with a description of what I was looking for! It was more helpful than anything Google could have provided. If it weren't for that guy in front of me, I would have driven right past it at least once, but thanks to him I showed up at exactly 1pm.

I love the kindness of strangers. Every. Single. Day.

Funny Girl

I haven't had any trouble keeping busy this week. Staying busy is part of what keeps me positive and motivated. Mostly I've been job searching for several hours a day, walking my dogs, talking to my family, and resting. After that it's been a new adventure everyday.

On Monday, I discovered the downtown library for the first time. My first item to checkout was a DVD of "Funny Girl", because who doesn't love Barbara and a musical on a Monday? Tuesday I started this blog and I've been blogging from one of the Starbucks on the Hill ever since. Wednesday is still my appointment day, which requires a lot of running around. ((I don't wake up and look like this, you know)) Thursday I added going to the gym as part of my everyday routine. And Today I'm having the AARP do my taxes for free. I arrived at the library a half hour early and I'm already 14th in line! Last year I showed up when it started and although I can't remember what number I was, I do know I waited two hours before I got called. 

But before I got to the basement of the Spokane Valley library, I went to water aerobics class. Now these babes were a little closer to the Sit and Be Fit crowd I expected yesterday, but they were a hoot and took me into their class with a laugh and a smile. For April Fool's Day, the ladies decided to don funny hats to look like "fools." I of course, being the new gal didn't have one, so someone let me barrow theirs and even put it on for me. There was also a sub teaching the class today, and these feisty old gals and guys ((you can guess which group instigated the following)) decided to prank the other new gal. At 8:40am ((20 minutes before the end of class)) we all started to walk out of the pool. All 30 plus stopped what we were doing and headed for the door. It was pretty funny, and some of us even made it all the way out of the water before turning back around. Our wonderful instructor was in stitches. She had to sit down she was laughing so hard. Participating, in my ball cap, made me feel like one of the crowd even though I was the swan in a gaggle of ducks. 

Today my week came full circle. I love being the Funny Girl. Every. Single. Day.