Plan B

Reason # 878746548 of why I love my husband:
Because in times of panic, like the Swine Flu Earthquake Apocalypse of 09, he comes up with a backup plan that makes it sound like an adventure.

E: "You know, I was tempted to stock up on some bottled water at the store just in case. But I did buy an extra jar of pasta sauce, pasta, and a few cans of beans. "(because Lord knows that will hold us over when all hell breaks loose, genius.)

R: "I'm not worried about water-we have our REI water filter and platypus." (Yes, we're the couple that registered at REI for our wedding.)

Sweet-that means I get to use my amazing camo Jet Boil cup that I scored at the Michigan gun store! Count me in!

and then

R: "In case all hell does break lose down here (as in SoCal), let's just pack it up and go to our parents houses in NorCal."

E: "Um...because NorCal is immune to swine flu?"

R: "Oh, right. Well, we'll just drive into the mountains and camp out." (This coming from the boy who spent the first year of his life without electricity in the middle of the mountains. Parental supervised, of course.)

Am I wrong to thing that kinda sounds like fun? (Don't get all huffy and say "You need to take this more seriously. Hey, I bought canned beans. I'm prepared.) He also has plans in place in case all hell breaks loose from things that are not swine-flu related. One of these plans consists of breaking into the Harley Shop, grab a bike and hit the road (in order to get around the clogged freeeways.) I then gently remind him that we'd have to get a sidecar, for Callie of course. Then Callie chimes in and reminds him to grab a set of goggles and sweet bomber jacket.

Ah, my ever prepared husband. I think he secretly wants all hell to break loose so he can live out this dream.

On another note...the natives (well, specifically this native) are getting restless. I keep browsing ex pat blogs and day dreaming....
The fact that my landlord is currently a wee bit overdue on her home-owners dues (I accidently found out-please don't turn me in!) might make this dream come true.

Now, get out of here and go wash your hands!

**Note-I highly think it's quite unlikely that I'll look this beautiful while traveling on a motorcyle, dog in tow, while the world is ending and we're escaping to God knows where. I'll probably look more life this crazy person.

Foto Friday: Delayed

I delayed this past Foto Friday, because I knew I'd be getting some good shots this past weekend. We went to Pasadena to visit a girlfriend of mine and her husband. I've known this girl for 20 years, so it was just like old times. She's an amazing person who's involved in some pretty heavy health care policy issues. I think she'll make it to the White House cabinet someday-seriously. Her husband is pretty much on the same track. They're a great couple and I am so happy for this girl that she's found her perfect match.
We went to The Huntington , which is 200+ acres of gorgeousness in the middle of L.A. I never even knew this place existed, but I'd sure love to go back to catch what we missed. And also enjoy is NOT on the hottest day of the year. Who knew L.A. could have some gorgeous things and ancient books (like the Gutenburg bible?!)Another gorgeous part to Pasadena? Tree lined streets and many a Craftsman....mmm...Craftsman...

Anyways...enjoy the Huntington Edition of Foto Friday! (on Wednesday!)

The Big L

Ugh. It’s the day after and I still feel horrible.
But I survived Round 1-let’s hope there isn’t a Round 2.
Yes, I survived (my first) layoff. It was a biggie, and even though I’m in an industry where it isn’t uncommon, still came as a shock.

I should have known when I saw mysterious security guards hanging around, one outside, and one inside. We have security come around now and again, but hanging out inside? Weird. But I continued to go about my morning. Then my boss broke the news to me in a meeting, that S was going down. Shortly after, whispers started and people started getting escorted out of the buildling one by one. With each new “L” march, came another gasp or “STFU” remark from a coworker (and myself). By noon, all was done.

I’ve never been through this before. I’ve never known the feeling of seeing people you’ve known for years being forced to leave and walk away, never to be in this building again.
People that have been here for 10, 15, 17 years. Wives, sister-in-laws; thisis a kind of place where families work, where its not uncommon to have your spouse in another department. This is a kind of place where I have been so proud to work at, and thrilled since the first time I walked in the door three and a half years ago. Others have the same pride; wear the companies name like a badge of honor. Yet, the layoff gods didn’t care. Didn’t take into account the loyalty some of these people had, the years of dedication, the hard work put forth.
I know it’s the “economic times” and all that crap, but it doesn’t make it any better, any easier. I know people said that with our industry, it was only a matter of time, but it doesn’t help. I know I’m lucky I’m still here, still standing. However; there were times yesterday where I wanted to go in their place. I don’t have a baby on the way (that I know of, at least). I don’t have a family to support (well, there’s R and Cal, I suppose). I don’t have a kid in high school, ready to go to college next year.
After it was all said and done, the office had a new sound to it-sadness. You’d see a fellow co-worker and politely smile with sad eyes and nod your head a bit, knowing that it meant an “I’m sad, too” gesture. You’d go out to the parking lot, and wonder whose car was missing. Were they on a lunch break, or were they on a permanent break.
It was like a plague. It didn’t really care who it touched, didn’t play favorites or save those who were weak or those who were strong.
When I got home last night, all I wanted was a bottle of wine and a straw. Luckily, I didn’t have a straw otherwise I would have not felt so great this morning. But it did get R and I talking, though. We had the “what if” talk. More so, “what if” it happened to me, since the Catholic school doesn’t quite shell out the big bucks to him anyways. We don’t have a much of a plan in place, mostly because we don’t have much to put a plan in place. Our fault there. I guess we’d pack up shop, and move to…I’m not quite sure. Maybe Norcal, maybe Portland. Maybe Yosemite. Hard to say.
It’s a scary time, one I haven’t been through before. Heck, R even went to a local gun shop the other day and he said the place was pretty much cleaned out. And they aren’t going out of business. It’s that kind of scary. (I made sure R has ammunition. I’m not a gun kind of person, but I’m sure not stopping the man.) I was talking to my father in law last night, and he actually grew up in the great depression era. There was a time when he and his parents had to move into his grandfather’s house, along with all his aunts and uncles and their kids because his grandfather was the only one working. Unemployment was at 25%. So, he knows a thing or two about hard times. He’s seen a lot of tuna noodle casserole in his life. So could it be worse, I know, I know.
But it still doesn’t make it any easier.

Foto Friday

Vino.





(R's aunt gave me this ribbon on another bottle of wine, and I absolutely love it, so I keep it around, and will put it on the next bottle of wine I give as a gift. I think a ribbon around the top of a bottle is the perfect way to wrap a bottle for a gift.)



Vino, Spring 2009

Wine? Check.
Cadbury mini creme eggs? Check.
Waiting a week probably to find out that you've literally thrown up word garbage in your interview this afternoon? Check.
That lovely feeling of having to wait a week only to be told above item? Check.
More more? Bring it.

Foto Friday

Sprung. Front yard, 2009

TV Tag

Tag! I’ve always loved a good game of tag…(the title of this post being my favorite version of "tag") This time it involves Camila from, High Heeled Foot in the Door…one of my fave design blogs (I’m a closet design blog stalker…a girl can dream, can’t she?)Here are the rules:

1. Respond and rework. Answer the questions on your blog, replace one question you dislike with a question of your own invention; add a question of your own.
2. Tag eight other un-tagged people.

What is your current obsession? Rather than describe, because they are too delicious for words, I’ll just PIP it.

I bought a bag of these today to satisfy my afternoon sweet-tooth craving…it’s not even 8, and the bag is already gone.

Good fika place? (That would be coffee to us non-Swedes) I worked at the Bucks for 5 years, but Coffe Bean takes the prize here. My favorite local place is the Old California Coffee House. Cute outdoor fire pits, Smore’s Mocha’s, Americana (or Black and White) cookies
I particularly love this photo of OCCS

(notice the man with the eye patch. Coffee for pirates? Ar!)

Do you nap a lot? Let’s just say this. Often times on weekends when we have no plans, I sleep an average of 10-11 hours. At night. And R still finds me strolling back to my bedroom for a nice afternoon nap. Yes, I’m a napper.

Who was the last person you hugged? Hmmm..I don’t know. Either my dog or my husband. Last night allowed no hugs from me because I was still bitter at R for canceling our phone contract (without a cancellation fee, mind you!) and NOT.PORTING.OUR.NUMBER. Grrr…no hugs for you.

What’s for dinner? Leftover Enchiladas, with homemade Enchilada sauce-yum!

What was the last thing you bought? An ankle wrap and a bag of peas. R rolled his ankle last night. Either that, or we had a really interesting dinner…

What are you listening to right now? The constant chatter of my coworkers. Ah…sweet sweet cubicle life.

What is your favourite weather? I love that the person who started this “tag” was not American-hence the “ou” in favorite…anyways. Umm..fall weather and all the chilliness, briskness, and dampness that comes along with the beautifully changing leaves. I love me a good sweater wearing weather. Also, as a sidenote, I'm kind of obssesed with weather. R knows to ask me what the weather is going to be like on our vacations, because I'll research it like a month beforehand.

What’s on your bedside table? A lamp which I’d love to replace with this. A read copy of The Almost Moon by Alice Sebold…Review: Strange. Very strange book. I’m a little iffy on it…

Say something to the person/s who tagged you. Hi Camile! Excited to see the progress of your business ventures! You’ve got great style-I’m sure you’ll do well!

If you could have a house totally paid for, fully furnished anywhere in the world, where would you want it to be? A craftsman in Novato. Not that exciting, but it’s somewhere where I’d love to live-perfectly close to SF, but a bit more towards the Sonoma coast and wine country. Yes, not that exotic either, but it’s no good having a home elsewhere in the world if I don’t have a “home base”.

Favourite vacation spot? Italy. Nothing like it. Though I’m dying to go to New Zealand, Thailand, Brazil, Africa, Spain…so many places so little funds.

Name the things you can’t live without.

What would you like to have in your hands right now? 2 tickets to Paradise..

What is your favourite tea flavour? Hmmm…I love a good hibiscus based tea. Currently, though, it’s The Republic of Tea’s Vanilla Almond.

What would you like to get rid of? The handles.

If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go? Tubingen. It’s like home to me, and about the be the most beautiful time of year.

What did you want to become as a child? An artist. An astronomer. A businesswoman (seriously, we did a stock market project in 2nd grade and I was in love.). An author. A dolphin. I don’t really remember if the last one is true, but I figure we all want to be a dolphin at some point in our lives.

Do you have any pets? If yes, how many and what are their names. You should all know this one by now. I’m kind of obsessed with her. In case you don’t, see the post below.

What are you currently reading? I’m not! Ack!!! I have about a dozen books to read from both my and MIL and having a tough time deciding…I have a J.R. Tolkien book, The Friday Night Knitting Club, Pillars of the Earth, Love in the Time of Cholera...hmmm...what to read, what to read.

And who are you going to tag?

Layla at The Lettered Cottage-I didn't know it was possible to be so creative. Drool.

Amy at The New Adventures of Me, Myself, and I-This girl has style and inspiration for daily life. She’s a creative chick who’s big on going green.
Kathleen at My Two Red Shoes-she designed my first blog banner, and I had been following her blog long before. I love reading her about her latest housing adventures, and drooling over her photography.
Freckles Chick at um..Freckles Chick-Great humor. Great style.
Patty at Crazy (Married) Cat Lady- cause she’s my internet sistah. (and she hasn't posted in days...)
Steph at Stef's Stories-I just love her profile line “Two engineers who fell in love after the line, "So, uh...what kind of calculator do you use?"”
Angela @ Angela’s Antics-she’s just pure fun and makes amazing cupcakes (see VegSF)

And you! You’re my last tag. Go on your merry way now!