Good new and bad news

The good new is that DH is officially still an employee until March 31. He will receive his salary and benefits. The better news is that he doesn't have to go into the office during that time.

The bad news is that he has been laid off.

It could be worse. We know people in worse situations. We will make it.

I passed the interview process of the dispatch position and have moved on to the background check. If they call and ask you about me be nice! Once I pass that I go into the psychological exam portion. Following that is a physical. Once done they will know more about me than me!

The dispatch academy will not begin until May or June. So until them I am closing up the store, focusing on my 2 college classes, cleaning and organizing the house, spending time with hubby and kids and if possible working at any of the jobs I am on the substitute lists for. Call me I can work now!

My Mom

Today is my Mom's Birthday. She would have been 55 this year. I have missed her dearly the last 5 years since she returned to her heavenly home. My mom was my best friends. I could talk to her about anything. She would listen and give advice when asked, but never judge. She was true to herself, her family, friends and church. Her talents amaze me still. I remember the summer she made a mall for our Barbies complete with swim suits, pjs, dresses, pants, even a wedding dress for each of us. She cooked, baked, did many crafts, stayed caught up with family and friends.

I love you Mom!

In her honor I got a tattoo of a ladybug for the lady who meant so much to me. This was added to my daisy chain I got last year as a Mothers day present. It has 2 large daisies for Aaron and I. They overlap and are now connected. Then there are 5 additional daisies for each of my seedlings. I love seeing and having them with me always.

I passed!!!

I just got my letter in the mail! It is official. I passed the dispatcher test. This is for Sacramento Fire/EMS.

Next is the interview on the 22nd before I have to do a background and psychological tests.

I am off now to do an interview with SCOE!

Wish me luck!

Hire Me, Please!

These posters can now be seen hanging in our front window at the store.

As we prepare to close our store and shut the doors on our dream we are finding ways to stay sane. Sarah and I have discovered that we are in the mourning process. We are dealing with a loss. The loss of our dream, our daily work, the community we have built. We have faced denial and anger. Now we are dealing.

The job hunt has been long and so far with no avail. I have taken several tests with school districts, the county, city and even for a 911 dispatcher. I will find out results in the next few weeks. I am even on lists for hiring. I have interviewed and had 2nd interviews. The problem? No one is hiring. Government: school, city, county and state are all facing hiring freezes due to the economy.

So this is one more attempt to draw attention. We are hard working, capable, fun loving women who need jobs. We continue to submit resumes and take tests. Even if our attempts do not prove fruitful we will have fun in the process.

Reconnecting in San Francisco

2009 is for self discovery. It is a year for claiming my own destiny.

The first thing I did in this journey is make my husband and my marriage a priority. We are fortunate enough to have family willing to take all 5 of our munchkins on little notice for the weekend.

After dropping them off early Saturday morning we headed on west to the bay. The drive allowed us to talk and work through some things that were on our hearts. We arrived to find our hotel right on the bay. Since we couldn't check in yet we parked and began to explore the city.

Meandering around San Francisco in January is a little chilly. That gave us the perfect opportunity to get a cup of hot cocoa in Ghiradelli square. We took the cocoa with us as we sat on the beach and watched a few crazies swimming in the bay. BRRR!!!

Before heading back to the hotel we had a yummy cup of clam chowder.

We stayed at the Argonot. This hotel was all nautical themed. The lobby was great with a fire, comfy chairs and even a sail boat. Our room was lovely. The king sized bed was the most comfortable I have ever slept in at a hotel.

We didn't stay long after checking in. We had things to see. This time we headed straight for Pier 39. The cold weather wasn't keeping anyone away. We saw and heard people from all over the world. I love the diversity we have in California!

Meandering through the many shops left us cold and hungry. Dinner was at Bubba Gumps. That brought some good and bad. Bubba Gumps is all about the shrimp. I LOVE shrimp! But I am also allergic. :( I was good and had a steak. It was yummy! Aaron of course had shrimp. I was jealous but whats a girl to do.

After dinner we headed back in for a movie in the hotel. I stayed true to me and fell asleep 10 minutes before the movie ended. I wonder if I will ever see the end of a movie!

Sunday morning we took our time getting up and checking out. Then it was back to the wharf for some fresh mini donuts and a Bay Tour. I had never done a tour before. We really wanted to do an Alcatraz tour but they sell out pretty early. The Bay Tour was 1 hour long sailing around the bay. We went under the Golden Gate Bridge, saw Angel Island and around Alcatraz before coming back to dock. What a great tour! I loved all of it: the corny recorded narration, watching the tourists with all their cameras, taking great pictures and sitting next to Aaron.

We finished the day with lunch and began the drive back home. I left Aaron to his thoughts as I slept in the car.

It was a great weekend and a perfect way to start the new year.