Valentines day is, by no means, a well celebrated holiday in our house hold. Largely we both think of it as a Hallmark holiday, but one that has some amazing deals on food (champagne, steaks, seafood, chocolates etc). We took advantage on Saturday (read: NOT the big V Day) and picked up a couple of nice steaks along with some manila clams.

We cooked up the steaks using a recipe that we pulled off of a main dish challenge viewed on Worst Cooks In America (Anne's Rib Eyes with Mushroom Sauce) and we steamed the clams in a white wine/garlic reduction. It was bliss. I was in heaven. I love good deals on food.

I'm getting hungry just thinking about what we had on Saturday night.

I may have to go grab my lunch a couple hours early.

Drool.

At any rate, you may be wondering what we did last night. We didn't ignore it all together. We usually spend the evening in. Together. Watching a movie, or whatever else strikes our fancy. Last night? We had sandwiches and watched Smokey and the Bandit II. We washed it down with some $4 champagne.


What can I say? We keep it classy around here in Jonesville.

This is my guy. Isn't he handsome? He has earned many, many kudos recently and deserves to be told how fabulous he is as often as possible. He has maintained (mostly) a positive attitude through this whole business with unemployment, but there are more reasons as well.

1. He's quitting. Smoking that is. He's only broken down and had one twice since he quit. He's gone cold-turkey. I am beyond proud of him. 
2. He cooks for me. If you haven't had his food, you're missing out. Though we may be on simple fare now, due to our budget, but he pulls off this fare flawlessly. Because I'm the only one working right now I'm usually not allowed to cook. 
3. He cleans for me too. Same deal, he cleans like a mad person and generally doesn't allow me to clean because I'm the one working. 
4. In the face of some pretty serious adversity he has done his best to support me, and I him, to hold each other up and to just generally do good. 

I love this man more than I can even begin to explain. He makes me laugh every single day and he's my best friend. 

Also today? He got the job. I'm going to go home and celebrate with him this afternoon, because he is more than deserving of this opportunity.

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!