Mike and I in Napa - 2007

When nothing seems to be going right in life and it feels like the entire universe is out to get me I try to remember the good things that I am surrounded with . My friends and family etc. Mike is in yet another interview process with yet another company. Hopefully this one will go better than the last.

Mia and I Napa - 2007

Hopefully, 2011 is going to turn around in a big hurry. I know we're ready for it. Mike's unemployment benefit has not yet been extended due to some massive mix-up with the temp agency he was working with just before Christmas. He was told his contract ended on a specific date and that he wouldn't be working beyond that date unless otherwise notified. He wasn't notified. It means we're not getting paid. Ouch. Nuff said.

Heather and I - December 2009

In other news, Heather's birthday is today. Isn't she gorgeous? I love her and I hope her day is fabulous. I will note at this juncture that she has to work today, which is a bum deal. But I'm hoping that she grabs a drink or a bite to eat or something.

Heather and Jarrod - December 2009

Hopefully her man will do something verrrrry nice for her today too, knowing that she's working. Aren't they cute together? I heart them both very much.

Happy birthday baby sister!

Because it's Thursday and I don't really have a whole lot to share with you.

Because I harbor a secret love in my soul for flash mobs. The good ones.

Because this is my favorite one of all time....






Enjoy!

The post I was going to write this morning is a far different one than the one I did write this morning...

Each person has his or her breaking point. Mike and I each reached ours this weekend. Mike's first day at his new job was to have been on Friday. It was supposed to be a half day of training preparing him for his full on-the-job training to begin today. Rather than going directly to the office, however, he was asked to meet the owners for coffee. Upon hearing that, bless him, Mike immediately changed and chose to approach the event as sort of a third interview. Seeing as I wasn't present for the eventful coffee meeting, I'm not sure precisely what happened. What I do know? Is that the company he was to begin working for is clearly lacking some simple ethics and morals. Mike was initially told that they were hiring for 3 total positions. One as an inspection technician and two as pest control technicians. At the coffee "event" he was told that the owners had, not knowing that the HIRING MANAGER was.. y'know... hiring people, had interviewed someone and wanted to hire him. Mike was advised he had an advantage in the coming discussion because he had his license already. They said they would let him know shortly what their decision was.


CRACK

The break came just a few short hours later. I wasn't there for it, so again, I still am not sure what happened. What I do know? Is that the husband I came home to was not one I'd ever encountered before. It's a hard thing, to be without work for so long; and to have one essentially ripped out from beneath his nose was the final straw. By the time I got home, he was quiet and looked haggard. I nearly reached my own breaking point right there, knowing that he blames himself for the loss of the original job, the loss of this one, and his inability to find work.

My own break didn't come until later in the weekend. And really? I should have seen it coming. All of the financial stress from the last six months had been lifted... and had come crashing back down all at once. All of the old questions have crowded back in: Where will we live in April, how are we going to afford to live anywhere else, how are we going to fix the car... It goes on. You get the point. After a couple of hours I was feeling less brittle and, while I'm exhausted this morning, I think we're both beginning to feel a bit more human.

To end this very depressing post on a lighter note... HBO has a new teaser trailer out for Game of Thrones. C'mon April 17!

The Game Begins

I'm a pretty darned eclectic music lover. And yet, occasionally, an artist sneaks by me. Pandora can only do so much for me. :)

While perusing The Young and the Relentless this morning, I noticed that a music video was posted. One I'd never seen before, by an artist I'd never heard of before. I think I was made an instant fan of Ian Axel. This Wednesday, we are not going anywhere near a wordless one. There are lots of words to be heard in this video. It is a fabulous song and a really cute video. Enjoy!

ACK!

The wedding reception table

I completely forgot to post our Anniversary blog! EEK! Meh - Looks like no one has noticed, so none of you will mind it going up a few days late. December 19th, Mike and I celebrated our first year of marriage... it is also just shy of marking just shy of 7 years together. I know, it's crazy but true.



Our first year of marriage was, by no means, easy. It was fraught with difficulty, stress, more stress... and some stress. But we made it through it, stronger and closer. I won't go into details... since it's all on the site for your reading pleasure... or at least most of it is. (hint, hint)

Rob & Mari dancing

The guys (Rob G, Justin V, Mike)

In the coming year we have yet more to help each other through. And, while I cannot say I look forward to all of it, I will say that I look forward to the growth that it provides us as a couple and as individuals. We'll be moving in April, living alone (hopefully) for the first time in longer than I can count. He still doesn't have a permanent job, but I will say that things are looking up on the employment front. We hope to continue our adventures with some of our very closest friends, and hopefully tackle some gorgeous hikes this summer. Through all of it, I look forward to keeping you all in the loop. Coming up next week there will be a year in review post... or perhaps I should call it a coming in 2011. I don't know. We'll figure it out.

The girls (Katie V, Me, Jen G)

Regardless, we're all here for one another.




Christmas is just three short days away. Wait... is that right? Three? EEEP! Our stockings are hanging, the tree is up and decorated. I've baked more Christmas treats than I can count... or eat, the cards are sent and most of my shopping is done. So I guess I've got that going for me.

Much love and happy holidays from our family to yours!

Well, I've finally gotten around to uploading some of the shots I took between Halloween and Thanksgiving. I'm not done polishing them all up just yet, but here is a peek at a few of the ones that I have spit-shined.

The roomies did a fabulous job decorating for Halloween:

Here's the bruddah-in-law all fancied up for the party: 

The party was tons o' fun. There was a murder mystery, fun drinks and fun people... so all in all a good time was had. 

For Thanksgiving, there was a little bit of a bake-off held. Mike and Dan each vs Dad in a battle of French Bread and Egg Twist bread. I contributed two pies as well, while Joe contributed two of his own to the mix. 

Holiday cooking is shifting up into high gear at my place this week/weekend. There is hot buttered rum, Butter Toffee, Merry Minty Meringues and much else to be made in the coming days. Gifts to give at work this week and general insanity to be had. I'm hoping to update everyone on the chaos by the end of the weekend. 

Happy Playing folks!

It's time I said it:

I'm a Gleek. There. I said it.

Being a fan of Glee seems to be somewhat controversial lately. I'm not really sure why, unless it's simply all of the haters in the world and those who've never been a part of a choir or vocal ensemble. I have the happy fortune to have been in both. A full concert choir, a vocal jazz ensemble, a church choir... I've been around the proverbial choral block. I loved every minute of it. And while none of the groups I was lucky enough to sing with were reviled like the kids on Glee, we were always unique. Unique in that the groups always had a certain sense of family closeness and togetherness that not a lot of other groups have. I attribute it to the fact that without some seriously close partnership your songs would sound like crap. One person isn't in sync and you can certainly tell. Choral groups played a massive role in shaping who I am today. Glee had their Christmas special this last Tuesday and I got to spend a happy hour remembering all of the Holiday concerts I've been in. Also? I totally found my Christmas spirit. It is no longer missing. One of my favorite pieces of the evening was the final song they treated us to. Welcome, Christmas. You'll remember it from every rendition of  "How The Grinch Stole Christmas" that is out there. The harmonies, the spirit behind the song brought tears to my eyes. For those of you who didn't catch the episode, or don't even watch Glee, feast your ears on the lovely choral piece below.




They also did "The Most Wonderful Day of the Year" from the classic Rudolph movie. Which I'm also going to treat you to below. Just a couple of blasts from childhood Christmas specials!





I'll leave you with that folks. Merry Christmas and Happy Weekend!