Under the Tuscan Sun

That is probably my favorite movie right now. I liked it before, but ever since my life turned upside down, that movie has become like an old friend. There are so many parts of it that I can relate to, and I feel much like the main character. I had to call a home theater installation specialist to hook up my Blu-Ray surround system because I don't have my awesome neighbor anymore to come to my rescue and I want it working properly. He can't get out here until the 14th and I'm going bonkers because I can't watch any DVDs and am stuck with regular TV. 450 channels and nothing on. I also ordered one of those "universal" remote controls. They are supposed to be awesome, so we'll see. For $500 w/programming, it better be able to do my fucking taxes. I could watch a movie on my laptop I suppose, but that seems so barbaric. Ha!

So far, I really love it here. Work is going great; I love the pool and the sunshine and I'm enjoying seeing Palm trees everywhere I go instead of Evergreens. It's funny, it is 100 degrees in WA right now and only in the 70's here, but it still feels different. It is pleasant and somehow serene to me. I can't explain it. Maybe because the surroundings are new and there is not an old ghost around every corner. The house is a challenge. The remodel is going to take a LONG time and I don't feel like things are in order, or will be any time soon, but it keeps me busy. (Just like in the movie!) I guess there is an interested party in my house in WA already, so I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed! It is so hard to sell it, but I have to. Growing pains. The downside to all of this is the incredible loneliness. I feel like I'm going to become this old maid and die with a bunch of dogs around me. It's hard to trust anyone, and with all the work I have to do, I don't have any kind of a social life right now. I don't even have anyone to go to Disneyland with until my stepson comes to visit in August.

Back to Cooking!

So fun! Tonight's menu is BBQ'd ribs in a bourbon marinade, fresh summer squash from my friend's garden sauteed with red pepper, onion, garlic and olive oil, and focaccia topped with a sundried tomato sauce. For dessert, chocolate-chocolate chip gelato!

Shake, Rattle and Roll!

California has welcomed me with a 5.4 earthquake. How thoughtful! Quite fun in a trailer.

Spies

Hello Darrin!

I was wondering if you were looking for / waiting for something specific on my blog, or if you are just a fan of good 'ol CrazyDogMama.

Hope you and Leslie are well. Say hi to Jim and Rene for me.

Cher

New Workspace

Things are coming along. Even my desk at work. One of my Seattle coworkers got me the purple lava lamp as a going away present. It was the perfect gift. The green one I had on my desk when I first started was from my grandparents. It broke and I never replaced it. Now I am living in my grandparent's house and I have a new lava lamp. Ironic a little.

I have so many unanswered questions in my life. They haunt me. If I were dead I'd be a restless soul.

Summer Rain?

OK who brought the rain? It was RAINING in Southern California this morning in July. WTF? It must be me. It's my fault. Oh well, it cleans the air.

I was also referred to as an "OC" girl today. I'm all HUH? Then it came to me, and I rolled. Guess the definition of an "OC girl" is changing.

Of Course.

Fucking plumbing disaster. On a holiday no less. Ugh. Still unpacking boxes. Still can't find anything and my 4-day weekend ends today. This is fun. NOT.

Remodeling the Backyard

Getting a new sundeck today! Yay! I bought another chaise lounge. I have a new friend at work that I'm going to invite over for sunbathing, swimming and margaritas.

Food fixes everything.

Shrimp fettuccini and broiled citrus shrimp with asparagus, tomatoes and strawberry salad. YUM. I don't want to know my cholesterol levels with the amount of shrimp I ingest.

Lost it today.

Everything that made sense in life yesterday, doesn't today. I don't know why. This morning the painter needed my sample colors and I couldn't find them in any of my boxes. I ripped every damn one of them apart looking and then completely broke down. Just sat down in the middle of the living room and balled like a pathetic fool. I guess I'm just fruit loops. I finally asked God to help me. Five minutes later I saw a box I overlooked. There they were. Coincidence?

The Pool

In the pool having a cup of Joe, listening to jazz. Oh, and playing with the Crackberry camera. Absolute bliss.

Sleepin' and Swimmin' IN THE BUFF!

I thought things needed some spicin' up around here on the CDM bloggery.

Now that I'm living in a warmer climate, I find it refreshing to sleep naked, and then if I wake up too hot still, I just waltz right on downstairs into the pool. I'm liking it. Dogs are confused. They watch me get in the pool and start whining. LOL.

I'm trying to arrange a "Disneyland" company event day. So far, they like the idea. Oh yeah, I've been busy. ;-)

Settling In.

Work was good, the commute was GREAT, everyone is sweet (all 10 of us) and there is a drive-thru Starbucks right next door! Perfect! We are in these primitive little trailers until the build-out is complete, and the trailer with the bathroom is across from mine. You should see me sprint in heels after a venti iced mocha! I get a desk and others get cubes, I'm movin' up in the world! Ha! Tonight, I have to hang all my clothes and alphabetize the DVDs. I'm getting boring, aren't I? That ship has probably already sailed.

All the boxes.

Movers came today, Yay! Now I have another big mess. Meh. Gotta report to work tomorrow so the cleanup will be slow. Also got a new chaise lounge from Costco for sunbathing. Ahh, so relaxing.

New Bath Accessories

Movers are late. Car is late. Of course.

Went shopping today for bathroom supplies. New shower curtain, new shower caddy and new big sunflower shower head with detachable nozzle. Bath time is important!

Took a dry run up to work so I don't get lost on Monday. Glad I did! Such a nice commute and right on the beach! This has all been a HUGE hassle, but it is going to be SO WORTH IT.

Got my internet and phone working but had to reschedule Direct TV because the moving truck is late with my TV on it. *sigh* I've already missed one episode of True Blood, damnit!

I made it.

Kickin' back with the pups waiting for the movers. I just spent so much time, energy and money getting here, only to have to start all over. UG. This place is gorgeous but does need a ton of work. It has the potential to be paradise, but I have to get my home sold to have money. Offloading two mortgages will be awesome. Apparently, my stress level has been so high for so long that my cortisol levels are abnormally high. My endocrinologist says I need more tests run and I have to stop stressing or it will kill me. I'm hoping my new situation will help that. I broke it off with the guy I was emailing from here that was going to take me to Disneyland because he was driving me batshit, so now I need to make some new friends, but I need to calm down first.

The feet are just for you, Jeffery! It was so great to meet you!

First dinner out as a Californian.

Spicy shrimp of course, here at "El Ranchito's" with mom having dinner and a tequila sunrise. Cool little place with a plant next to our table. Did some internet stuff at the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf afterwards because my internet won't be installed until tomorrow. It's nice to sit and relax, it's been quite a ride.

The fun parts of moving.

OK I'm good now that I have the pool. What a trip. More details later. So, here are today's bloopers: The yard guy came, and Louie ran after him and took a corner too sharp, and PLOP! Right into the pool. You should have seen the look on the little guy's poor face! I went in after him. He's fine. Made me laugh. Also, my mom drove the SUV into the garage and didn't know the cargo bin on top wouldn't clear. OOPS. I laughed my ass off. She did not. We are like Cheech and Chong here; you would be amused.

I got a call.

I'm a little freaked and TOTALLY out of my comfort zone. My endocrinologist just called and it wasn't good news. So I guess you could say I am having a slight anxiety attack while driving down the San Diego freeway on my final stretch to my new home.

On the way!

Rough start but going smooth now. It's my turn to drive so I will finish this at a rest stop.

Off we go!

We're off a little late, but here we go! Off to the next chapter of my life! Dogs are ready for adventure! LOL. Mags has her doggie valium. Must get coffee and a bite. Bye Washington! Hello sunny California!

Bye-Bye Litttle House

I said goodbye to the house I worked my ass off for today. I had a lump in my throat as my mom and I drove away. It looks so lonely so empty. I remember the first day moving in over 10 years ago. BUT life goes on and I will be living in a beautiful home that will be remodeling fun. I am horribly exhausted and almost collapsed (literally) today from no sleep and hardly any food (it keeps coming up), but I made it. Barely. Moving out of state with hardly any help is very stressful and taxing.

Took the kid out to dinner with his girlfriend to say our goodbyes (pictured).

I leave tomorrow at 8 am. Meeting up with a friend in Portland for lunch (Jeffery @The Truth Hurts). Stay tuned for my famous road trip blogs. LOL.

Packed!

I did it. I'm ready to go. Packers came and finished up today and the movers are hauling it away tomorrow. Since I've only had a total of 4 hours of sleep in 2 days, I'm off to bed. Now the real adventure begins, along with the rest of my life. I'm a little weepy saying goodbye, and a little scared of the future. But it's all good.

My Little Helper

Hehe, there was a little mishap with the paper shredder. Poor Lou.

 
I'm finally heading off to bed. It was a productive day, but there is still much to do.

I have some weird things on my mind tonight, and thoughts that are making me sad. I don't want to be awake anymore.

Oh Dear Lord!

Look at this mess! I have two days to get it together and I'm gone most of the day tomorrow. AAHH! Help me, help me, HELP ME!

My Salon Farewell!

So sweet! A mother and daughter (and other awesome people) run this great Aveda salon in Redmond that I have known for 5 years now. I had a late appointment to get my hair done last night. Once all the other customers left, they brought out two bottles of champagne and ordered pizza and salad! We also did a peppermint schnapps shot toast to "New beginnings!". The mom's boyfriend was there too and serenaded us with his excellent guitar playing. We talked and laughed until midnight! A great memory and another surprise at how much people care! They will be missed.

Anybody wanna buy a house?

It's all ready to go. Yard is good, new front fence, new carpet, new paint inside, cleaning lady coming tomorrow. LOL.

God, I hope it sells soon for what I'm asking.

Last Day at the Seattle Corporate Office

Yes, I got my way. ;-) I don't throw fits very often so that when I do, people take me seriously.

It was kind of a sad day. When I first started this job, I didn't like it much. It took a while to get to know everyone (new people were kind of ignored) and it was pure chaos, with training consisting of trial by fire. I remember crying the first couple of weeks thinking I made a big mistake. Then I decided to change things around there and it worked! We became a great team and earned respect from the other departments by working hard, working smart, being accommodating and of course I threw my screwy humor into it. Now I have to start all over at the new plant, but I'm confident now that it can be done. I will very much miss my coworkers whom I became quite close with. I was so touched today when a lady I worked with almost came to tears saying goodbye. I have been showered by all kinds of gifts like a new lava lamp, lots of earrings, a necklace, underwater dumbbells for the pool (lol!), a scarf, many lunches, two cocktail parties, wind chimes, suntan lotion, and so on and so on. I don't know how to feel, it is quite overwhelming to think people care like this. I didn't know. I'm getting all choked up thinking about it. I am going in one last time on Friday to meet everyone for lunch. You know, it's funny, I will even miss my coffee girl! I weeded through all my scrapbook crap and gave her two huge bags full of stuff, some of it not even opened yet. She was so thrilled that I am no longer allowed to pay for coffee! I may miss her the most!

Life is all about the people you cross paths with. You never know how they will affect you, or how you will affect them.

Tomorrow, the painter is back at 8 am, I'm getting my hair done and going out with my hairdresser (she is a total sweetheart and wants to go out after my appointment to say goodbye too!), and of course more packing. My real estate agent friend came by last night to have me sign the seller paperwork and we are going to list this weekend and put up the for-sale sign. I know I will lose it (cry). I wanted to have all the work done first. The cleaning lady comes Thursday along with 2 doctor's appointments. Having to cram everything into this week has left me with a very full schedule. It would bore you to list the details and I'm starting not to be able to read my own writing in my planner anyway. Too many fricking cross-outs and rewrites!

I think I'm going to bed early tonight. Screw it, I'm wiped!