Last night, we were traveling home after a week of vacation in Orlando. As is often the case with holiday travel, we had some snags in our trip. It all started soon after arriving at the airport when Mike realized that he left his jacket in the closet at his mom's house. I had done much of the packing and was surprised that I had missed it when packing up my clothes. But then it dawned on me that I had left all of my closet clothes, too. What a couple of morons!
Then when we picked up our tickets, we found out that our seats weren't
together. Luckily, that was straightened out in the time before boarding.
We were already cutting it pretty close with our connection in Denver and our 45 minute delayed departure in Orlando didn't help matters. By the time we landed, we only had 10 minutes to huff it to the next flight, conveniently located near the end of another terminal accessible only by airport train. Typically, too, if you arrive at the gate less than 10 minutes prior to departure, you aren't allowed to board. It seemed like we would be stuck in the mile high city for the night, where the temperature was a balmy 7 degrees and snow covered the ground. How nice, as we were dressed appropriately for Florida in short sleeves with no jackets. As God would have it, there were 18 others in a similar predicament and the plane waited for us. I didn't know this though as I bounced through the terminal, close to hyperventilating with my arms full of carry-ons(Mike took the heavy ones). Not very fun, but it felt great to make it when everything seemed against us. I was grateful not to go into labor as I wheezed down the jetway onto the plane.
11/30/2004
11/15/2004
By George, We Got It
We did get the car for Mike this weekend, friday night actually. It's a 1991, cream colored, Nissan 300ZX with tan interior and T-tops. It looks terrific and he is really enjoying driving it.
Buying the car was a rather strange experience. We paid for it with cash. On the way to look at it, we stopped by the bank to pick up the money. Mike told the cashier what we were doing and how much we wanted to withdraw ($6300). He wasn't very quiet about it either. "YES, I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO GIVE ME SIX THOUSAND DOLLARS FROM MY ACCOUNT," his voice seemed to boom. It made me a little nervous, as there were some seedy looking characters eyeing us. "Great," I thought "We'll get jumped in the parking lot." But we didn't. How weird though and slightly unsettling to have an envelope with that much cash in hand! We did walk briskly to the car once we had it counted out for us on the counter twice.
Cash worked well with the used car dealership. We were able to get the car for $1000 less than asking price. It's strange too to have CA plates now (at least on his). We haven't gotten around to changing my car over or our licenses. Hoping not to get arrested.
Buying the car was a rather strange experience. We paid for it with cash. On the way to look at it, we stopped by the bank to pick up the money. Mike told the cashier what we were doing and how much we wanted to withdraw ($6300). He wasn't very quiet about it either. "YES, I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO GIVE ME SIX THOUSAND DOLLARS FROM MY ACCOUNT," his voice seemed to boom. It made me a little nervous, as there were some seedy looking characters eyeing us. "Great," I thought "We'll get jumped in the parking lot." But we didn't. How weird though and slightly unsettling to have an envelope with that much cash in hand! We did walk briskly to the car once we had it counted out for us on the counter twice.
Cash worked well with the used car dealership. We were able to get the car for $1000 less than asking price. It's strange too to have CA plates now (at least on his). We haven't gotten around to changing my car over or our licenses. Hoping not to get arrested.
Grocery Fun
Lately, I have really enjoyed myself at the grocery store. Boy am I turning into a mom or what?! It's like one of my few outings these days.
Tonight I stopped by Albertson's on my way home (I'm loving that there is one familiar store from home here) to pick up a few things. As I turned down an aisle, I noticed a woman pushing her cart and dancing along to the very cheesy song that was blaring over the store's speakers. A very embarrassed teenage daughter trailed behind. "Mom, would you stop doing that," she said with gritted teeth and a scowl. I cracked a smile and said, "Your mom is cool." I can totally picture myself being a goofy, dorky, but fun mother like her someday. The mom's eyes lit up as she thanked me and the daughter seemed more annoyed but slightly tickled, too. "Don't encourage her," she retorted over her shoulder.
Then a special announcement came over the speakers (cutting into the silly song). "Tonight is cheap chicken night. Come by and pick up 8 pieces of fried chicken in the deli for a no fuss night. Just $4.99." Mmmmmm, I could go for finger lickin' good and no fuss on a Monday night. I booked it over to the deli for a greasy bag of the good stuff. Mike was pleased. It sure beat the leftovers that I was planning to serve.
What a great shopping trip. Unfortunately, I spent $89. I always seem to do that when I go in for a few items. So this evening, I am sitting here clipping and organizing my coupons for the next time. And planning ways to humiliate my teenagers in the future.
Tonight I stopped by Albertson's on my way home (I'm loving that there is one familiar store from home here) to pick up a few things. As I turned down an aisle, I noticed a woman pushing her cart and dancing along to the very cheesy song that was blaring over the store's speakers. A very embarrassed teenage daughter trailed behind. "Mom, would you stop doing that," she said with gritted teeth and a scowl. I cracked a smile and said, "Your mom is cool." I can totally picture myself being a goofy, dorky, but fun mother like her someday. The mom's eyes lit up as she thanked me and the daughter seemed more annoyed but slightly tickled, too. "Don't encourage her," she retorted over her shoulder.
Then a special announcement came over the speakers (cutting into the silly song). "Tonight is cheap chicken night. Come by and pick up 8 pieces of fried chicken in the deli for a no fuss night. Just $4.99." Mmmmmm, I could go for finger lickin' good and no fuss on a Monday night. I booked it over to the deli for a greasy bag of the good stuff. Mike was pleased. It sure beat the leftovers that I was planning to serve.
What a great shopping trip. Unfortunately, I spent $89. I always seem to do that when I go in for a few items. So this evening, I am sitting here clipping and organizing my coupons for the next time. And planning ways to humiliate my teenagers in the future.
11/12/2004
New Cars
Today Mike may buy a 1991 300Z for himself. Driving the motorcycle in the winter rain, fog and cold is not a pleasant or very safe experience for him. Next weekend, we are going to start looking at yellow Ford Escapes for me. Getting new cars is very exciting. We've been down to one car since July which has been a bit of a pain (we are so spoiled in this culture). Also, I have been driving my Honda for 10 years now, even though I had a brief stint with the Miata. It will be nice for a change to drive something different.
11/07/2004
Needless Mileage
This weekend, we took two nearly pointless roadtrips. The first was to the San Fransisco area to the IKEA furnature store. After almost 2 hours of driving, we searched through the store for the perfect bookshelves. When we found set that we loved, we went to check out only to find they were out of stock. So, we will have to keep calling to see when they are in stock and make the 4 hour trip again in the future.
The next day, we drove out to Santa Rosa (a very similar route) to look at a car for Mike. We didn't realize it was a two seater, though, and had to decide against getting it. Not very practical for a growing family.
On the way home, we were able to stop in Petaluma and visit my cousin, Landis and his fiancee, Kat. This helped the 5 hour trip seem like less of a bust. We didn't come home with a car, but were full bellied because they took us out for pizza:). Gotta love family!
The next day, we drove out to Santa Rosa (a very similar route) to look at a car for Mike. We didn't realize it was a two seater, though, and had to decide against getting it. Not very practical for a growing family.
On the way home, we were able to stop in Petaluma and visit my cousin, Landis and his fiancee, Kat. This helped the 5 hour trip seem like less of a bust. We didn't come home with a car, but were full bellied because they took us out for pizza:). Gotta love family!
Sacramento Friends
How strange to be completely starting over with friends in a new place. I have never had to do this in my life (even when I went away to college, some of my high school friends were also there). 3 months into being here and we finally have another couple that we would call friends.
Hanging out with new, perspective friends is almost like dating again. I find myself wondering how often I should call (don't want to overdo it), taking longer to decide what to wear before outings with them and debating whether or not a hug would be appropriate following a visit.
In getting to know new people here, it makes me miss what I had in Orlando. We had such a neat group of close friends surrounding us there. It's tough to start fresh.
Another semi-random thought...how do you end a friendship? It's not like you can say, let's just be friends.
Hanging out with new, perspective friends is almost like dating again. I find myself wondering how often I should call (don't want to overdo it), taking longer to decide what to wear before outings with them and debating whether or not a hug would be appropriate following a visit.
In getting to know new people here, it makes me miss what I had in Orlando. We had such a neat group of close friends surrounding us there. It's tough to start fresh.
Another semi-random thought...how do you end a friendship? It's not like you can say, let's just be friends.
Blogger's Block
Lately, I haven't felt that I have much to say. Nothing huge has been happening. Not much worth reporting. I want to be funny and witty in my writing and haven't had it in me.
Last Friday, though, I typed up a pretty good blog. When I went to publish it, the site crashed and I lost it all. What a stinker. So that is why I am a little behind in updates. Forgive me, all one or two of my faithful readers...
Last Friday, though, I typed up a pretty good blog. When I went to publish it, the site crashed and I lost it all. What a stinker. So that is why I am a little behind in updates. Forgive me, all one or two of my faithful readers...
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