Well folks, another day, another week of not working

The title pretty much sums it up. It's not that I don't enjoy not working, but I don't enjoy not bringing in a lot of money. Then again, some of these jobs I look at only offer $8 an hour, and at that point it feels like I'm paying *them* to work. Why don't business pay what we're worth?! I know it's all about them making money, but sheesh! Or, the cost of living could come down to make up for it. Frustration.

On Friday I went with Velvet's crew and mom to the community swimming pool. It was so much fun! The outside area had recently opened for the season, and there are 4 pools and slides and this giant bucket that dumps a torrent of water about every 5 minutes or so. I think most of us got burned that day, despite the sunscreen, but it's not as bad as it could have been. A very fun time, I think I'll go with them in the future. If I'm not working, that is.

Looking more and more forward for our annual Mercer Lake trip in Oregon. This year is special because it may be the last year some family members attend, so it's important to me that I be able to go.

We're still looking at houses, but until we save up some more for a down payment, or somehow get on a down payment assistance program, it's going to be at least another month or so before we can seriously look for a house.

We can a BBQ at a friend's house today, so I suppose I should get a move on, shower, go to the store, that kind of thing. Be well!

Holy crap, another day is about to begin

Well, to be fair, there is still another 1.35 hours before tomorrow. But still, what really will be different than today?

Today we roasted a couple chickens on the spit and they turned out quite tasty. Although, I'm still thinking Costco rotisserie chicken is the easiest/tastiest way to go. I've been cooking up a ton of chicken lately, chicken wings, whole chickens, you name it. On a chicken kick. I'm getting kind of tired of chicken. I think this week should be a steak week. Not that I want steak every day...maybe, like, every *other* day. Yeah, that sounds about right.

I watched a documentary the other night, called "Fat Head" and it was pretty interesting. A few years back a documentary was made about the evils of McDonalds and how fast food was the reason we're all growing so fat. This movie pretty much makes that movie suck it. I highly recommend you all watch it.

We bought some movies at Walmart yesterday. We bough "Bedtimes Stories," "Fanboys," and "Paul Blart: Mall Cop." All in all, pretty good shows. And then tonight I watched "Fired Up," about two highschool football players looking to score, so they go to cheerleading camp, and "Zack and Miri Make a Porno." Zach and Miri was very cute, and I think eventually I'd like to buy it, although Jess says since we just bought three movies last night we'll need to wait awhile.

WTF is up with the housing market?! Several times now we've called on a house, only to be told it's either in closing, or suddenly there are multiple offers, or that mobile homes basically can't be financed. It's troubling, and exhausting. We're going up to Ogden tomorrow to look at that one house that we've had our eye on forever. It needs a lot of work, and it's a short sale, and if I get that job in Riverton it'll be over an hour commute both ways, but it just might be the house for us. Apparently since there isn't any electricity, we were warned to visit during the daylight hours.

We looked at the house via Google Maps, and it looks like a pretty dumpy neighborhood, but hey, for under $70k, you get what you pay for, right? I'll let you know what we think of it. The realtor just gave us the code box combination because she wasn't going to be able to make it; wasn't that nice of her?

Waiting to hear back about the eBay job. Man, oh man, I really don't want to make that commute. Maybe they also have a call center in Ogden? Highly doubtful.

For whatever reason, I'm wicked tired, so I'm off to bed. Night all!

I can mash potato...I can do the twist...

The above video is an AWESOME commercial for T-Mobile. Good music, and you all know how I love to see seemingly random people break out into choreographed dance! I think it won a Clio award recently.

Aside from that stellar clip, life has been trucking right along. Jesse and I were supposed to see a movie in a half hour, but alas, he's still up fishing...and while I know it's a weekend and therefore supposed to be a relaxing time, I really enjoy having things be on a schedule. So if someone says, let's see a movie at 3pm, I want to see that movie at 3pm. I'm a little rigid like that.

I interviewed at eBay last week and feel fairly confident about the job. It's nothing glam, just working in the call center, but I feel I would enjoy it, and it is definitely different that things I have done in the past and I always like learning new procedures and jobs. After my interview they kind of made it seem like once the background check cleared, I would be golden. I am now waiting on the form to fill out for the check, and it is supposed to get here by Tuesday at the latest. So, keep your fingers crossed, because a job would be a good thing right about now.

Jess and I have been looking at houses again. There is one out in Riverton that we are antsy to see, but the realtor hasn't gotten back to us yet, darn it all. The house is far away from Jesse's workplace, but really quite close to eBay, so if I got that job, the house would be just right for driving. And seriously on the cheap, which we like.

Woman of a Thousand Secrets; Barbara Wood

Woman of a Thousand Secrets is the tale of Tonina, an adopted island girl, trying to find her destiny. Put upon the ocean as a babe, she was guided to Pearl Island by dolphins. Her adoptive parents know as she grows older she will need to be sent back to Mainland to find her own people. While on Mainland, her story entertwines with Kaan, a hero ballplayer, and they make their way through what is now known as South America. Growing in their feelings for the other, each must make a decision that could impact the rest of their lives.

This book actually took me two days to finish, and that's saying something. The writing was evocative and Wood did well in fleshing out her story. I would recommend this book based on its historical content and because Wood was able to keep the varied storylines threaded together in an interesting way.

Ultimate Weapon; Shannon McKenna

Ultimate Weapon is the sixth book in the McCloud Brothers series. I had not read any of the previous books, and after having read this book nor do I think I will.

The hero, Valery Janos, is undercover, trying to find a way to deliver a Miss Tamara Steele to his client. The heroine, Tamara Steele, is an ex gun-for-hire mercenary who wants a new life with her new special-needs adopted daughter. Val and Tam collide and their world heats up with quite a few blazing passages while they attempt to come to terms with their past so their future might stand a chance.

This was an ok book for me...when I was younger, I was quite the fan of novels whose love scenes were explicit and steamy, but these days they almost make me uncomfortable. Also, many times I would just want the story line to get on with it, and McKenna would take forever expounding on her characters' thoughts. I'm not sad I read this book, but I won't go hunting out her other works.

A Proper Education for Girls; Elaine diRollo

A Proper Education for Girls is set in the year 1857, where properness and propriety in women are key, and passionate, free-thinking qualities are frowned upon. This story revolves around two sisters, Lilian and Alice. Having shamed the family, Lilian is wed to a missionary and shipped off to India, while the mannish Alice must remain at home, taking care of their father's Collection (a museum of artifacts within the house). Lilian struggles to come to terms with herself and her life in an India that is increasingly growing in revolt of the British, and Alice must find a way to overcome her father's friend, Dr. Cattermole, and his nefarious intentions toward her.

I thought this was an ok book. Interesting in that I like to read about what the era was like back then, both in England and in India, but not ultimately a book I'd want to own to read time and time again.

Dead and Gone; Charlaine Harris

Dead and Gone is the nineth book by Charlaine Harris in the Southern Vampires (or Sookie Stackhouse) series. Can I just say how much I love this series?! I began reading these books when the second book was released and I've been hooked ever since.

In this installment, Sookie has another mystery to unravel. The weres and shapeshifters decide to come out to the public, much like the vampires did a few years back, and the crucifiction of a female were has Sookie and other local law enforcements trying to figure out why the crime happened. On top of that, the FBI decides to pay Sookie a visit, hoping to confirm her unusual abilities. Also keeping Sookie on her toes is the Fae war, in which Sookie herself is a pawn.

Good stuff!

On Wednesday

Me: You know how people are saying you need to update your blog more?
Velvet: Yeah
M: Well, today you can tell them you blow-dried my butt
Kate: *laughs hysterically*

1st Anniversary

Yes folks, Jesse and I have officially had our one-year anniversary! To celebrate we went to Wendover for the weekend, and no, our marital bliss did nothing to help us roll in the big bucks. Nuts to it all, anyway. We didn't lose much more than we had originally agreed upon, though, and it was fun gambling.

Sunday afternoon we went over to Vel's house to celebrate Carl's birthday. His aunt, Gail, came up and it was good to see her again.

Tonight we are making turkey! I failed to make the brine last night, so the turkey only was brined for 4 hours instead of the usual 8, but I made it more concentrated to make up for it and I think it will prove to be just as tasty as can be. It's currently roasting in the oven as we speak.

Nothing on the job front yet. I sent in a ton more résumés last night, and there are a couple jobs out there that I am keeping my fingers crossed will warrant an interview. Still looking at houses, but until I can get a job, not really sure we can afford all that much. Bless Jess' folks for letting us stay here!