Oct 10, 2010

Another week, and I am still unemployed....Had a interview (2 interviews same company) last week, did not get the job, but was recommended to another company...Will see where that goes.

Have been busy with cleaning up from our little trip...cleaning my bike, I forgot to mention in the last post that my frogg toggs melted on my pipes..so much fun to clean off. Ordered parts for repairs, they should be here sometime this coming week. It won't take me long to install once they are here.

Had a birthday last week....Roses and ballon, with lunch out from my sweetie...he is just wonderful.....yes another year older...Sometimes I really feel it...

There were other pics taken at the wedding, but Jason had been put in charge of pictures...his idea of pics, and mine...are much different..so about 1/3 of the pics were trash....THANK YOU JASON!!!! It was an important day for me....but apparently...he had different feelings....


On a more positive note....I was asked to volunteer for GWRRA as historian for the next 2 years...could be fun...and I have time...the position as editor is also open...have been thinking about it....This last GWRRA meeting was the best we have been to....laughing...jokes...fun...positive changes are coming....new chapter directors...new blood into the group....nice....

ok...so let us hope I get this next job....
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check back here or find me on fb...

bye for now...

2010 wedding and honeymoon

We have had a busy few weeks here. We were married on September 16, 2010, 4 family members were in attendance. No flowers/no frills just me and my sweetie…We left that afternoon on a 2 week motorcycle road trip. I had wanted to do the coast, hwy 101 to hwy 1 and back….The first few days it rained. I broke a lawn chair, forgot towels for showers…So a trip to the store was needed, we decided to get two chairs, so we carried 3 chairs all the way…I kept trying to leave the old one behind, but he caught me each time…The chairs became his for packing and unpacking…. Everything got soaking wet, and I was cold. We were camping all the way. So it was decided that we would just hold up for a few days, and try and wait out the rain. Worked fairly well. With pulling the trailer speed is slowed down and with breaks for coffee, gas, food, seeing thru the rain drops, and stopping/slowing for construction made riding very slow. Some days only 100 miles….finally better weather, and a little accident, (I went down with slight damage to bike, but scared me) only bruises, I was wearing my leathers, and frogg toggs, so well padded. Will have to retire that helmet… I did little damage to the bike, scratches mostly, will need to replace starter button, neck cover, and mirrors. Stayed 2 nights at a campground call Emerald Forest, just out of Trinidad ….great little place, very green with ferns over 7 ft tall…. (better price then state parks), wifi, showers, electricity,…that’s all I require. Went down to Samoa Cookhouse for dinner one night, great food. I love the Arcata/Eureka area…and Mckinly square, great for people watching. Found alittle tee shirt place, and small café, great sandwiches…..Clam Beach, is another of my favs….long beautiful sandy beach…I have been through that area 3 times now, and I never tire of it…..Stopped to take pics of Golden Gate Bridge, apparently from the locals it was a very nice/clear day for viewing….again we found construction on the road to go view the bridge…mud…dirt…OH the bikes are so dirty….Finally down to Monterey Bay. WOW beautiful area, but so crowded. Apparently we arrived with the heat wave and everyone was out. We camped while in the area at Laguna Seca campground (Mazda raceway), kinda cool checking out the race track. Sunday ….Headed back also on hwy 1, left Monterey early and reached San Francisco at approx. 1pm. It took us 2 hours to travel 15 miles, during that time, I had all my accessories on, running down the battery. My arms and hands were aching from using the brake and the clutch so much, that I killed the bike….and it would not start. This was on the last approach to the Golden Gate Bridge going north…and on a hill….cars, traffic, people yelling, nobody was happy. I was trying to push my bike up the hill and out of the way. Finally a man stopped and helped push the bike up the hill to level ground and a wider place to park.

I was attempting to call Honda riders club for help…when CalTran came to help me and get me out of the way….Jay was ahead of me, and did not know this was happening. I had never started the bike by popping the clutch…but the guy from caltran told me how to do it….and it worked….also turned off my accessories, and let the bike run with rpms up for abit, called Jay on cell phone, and he was waiting for me at rest area as we had planned. After all of this we went on to Petaluma, and stayed the night. Omg did I need a drink that night.

Monday, we started out again up hwy 101…we stopped at a rest area mid afternoon for a break, when we went to leave, my bike would not start…the starter button would not work….Jay spent 2 hours in the sun (no shade) 90+ degrees working on my bike…finally got the button to work enough so that we could go on…..stopped in Eureka that night, (stayed another 2 nights there….love the area) and got the bike into get it fixed the next morning….they did not have the part that was needed…but the guy there put a spacer in where the ball bearing was to be…and it has worked enough to get me home….Jay went to college in Arcata, and knows the area fairly well. Always showing me something different each time we go there.

Each day was different, not sure about the rain, or how hot it would be……dressing in layers, ready for anything, sometimes it was just the fog that would get us wet…..We saw a lot, rode a lot, and Jay pulled the trailer all the way. After the fall I took, rebuilding my confidence took some time…I did get right back on…but was slower then normal.

The time with Jay is great, I will admit that I get upset, and irritable when things don’t go right…the rain was a real pain….once we got dry…3 or 4 days later, all is well and good..but sleeping in a wet sleeping bag…on a wet mattress is not my idea of fun….and the bike….I was ready to sell it….and might still be talked into it…..we did have a good time mixed in with all the other stuff….He is great about putting it all right…fixing things, and making me see there is another day of good riding ahead….look to the future….and make the best of what is happening now….How did I get so lucky??? He braided my hair for me daily, made me coffee, shared his whiskey with me, made me laugh and kept me going…. After being gone for 2 weeks…our faces are tan…we lived thru it all, and are home safe…

Sunday August 22, 2010

Jay had a 3 day weekend, and he spent it taking care of me....The plan had been to go camping....but I ended up not feeling well, so he pretty much spent his time off taking care of me...He is just wonderful...I feel so lucky to have him in my life....

Last night we made a late night run for a snack...one of his favorites is curly fries....
me I like ice cream...so it was a milk shake for me....so nice to be with my favorite guy...
Today he helped me change the coolant in my motorcycle...took us about an hour. Then we just puttered around the house doing things...nothing special...just spending time together....

a few weeks ago...I had mentioned about someone raining on my parade..well I let that happen again....I really need to learn to let go....and not take it personally, when others are rude, mean, sarcastic, self centered etc.....I am a born to worry....
Treat others only as you would want to be treated in the same situation. (golden rule).

Finally if you have not already heard....

WE ARE GETTING MARRIED NEXT MONTH!!!!!

we have been together for approx 5 years....this is a very good thing....

if you don't think so ....well....suck eggs!!!!!

catch me on face book or ....until then bye....

NO BATS PLEASE!!

If you have not heard of my brush of fear with the "BAT" ...(and Jay staying in the bedroom until I caught the little bugger) I know Jay says it took him that long to get dressed...
as it goes, I was on the couch watching TV, when I heard a noise...at first I thought someone was trying to break in....so I got up and turned on the light....as I did, I saw a "BAT" come out of the fireplace....now it is dive bombing me...I run up stairs to wake Jay....he tell me to close all the upstairs doors, so it can't get in the bedroom....so as I am doing this...here comes the BAT....I am screaming for Jay to come help me....but he is still in the bedroom. ..(says he was getting dressed)...I continue with the screaming...and the BAT keeps flying around me....this seems like it goes on for hours....but maybe 5 to 10 minutes...finally I get a blanket to throw over the BAT...several throws later...I get the BAT in the blanket and then Jay comes out of the bedroom....I roll up the blanket ....take it out side and throw it so the BAT will fly away.....Jay does then go up on the roof at about midnight to cover the chimney.....I did not get much sleep....was worried it would happen again....so to bed early tonight...and NO BATS PLEASE!

Since the night of the Bat....Jay has made a cover for the chimneys, and installed it. We can still use both fireplaces...

I am still unemployed, still applying for anything, and everything (well almost everything).

We are planning on vacation ...leaving Sept 17th about 12ish.....taking the bikes and trailer heading down the coast into California...I love the coast and have not seen central and southern California coast...so the plan is to camp and travel the coast...stop and see/do/eat...

This weekend is to darn hot!!!! we are out and about in the mornings...then hibernate in the afternoons... Last eve we did go out for a short ride just to get some fresh air, as we also did this morning.....

There is more news....but that can wait until later....
catch me on facebook or .....bye for now...

July 31, 2010

My sister Barbara had a Bday yesterday...was not able to reach her, so I called left a Bday message (I sang Happy Birthday to her) for her....Had hoped to take her out....but have not heard from her...

With Jay and I both working on the 1986 Goldwing, it is up and running...I actually rode it for the first time on Saturday...put about 100 miles on it...not bad for the first time...so many buttons...to do so many things...
The heel toe shifter is the hardest thing for me...but I will try riding it again on Wednesday this week for a" Senior Make A Wish event"...apparently an elderly lady living in a assisted living facility wanted to ride in a motorcycle sidecar, that has been set up for her...and the Goldwing groups in the area, are going to show support for her....could be fun.... love those seniors....

The interview I did last week on Thursday...I think went fairly well....Will find out this week (early to mid week) if I am their New Administrator........
Wish me luck...pray.....nice thoughts....it all helps....

off now....

until next time...be safe...and smile alot...

Sunday July 25, 2010

Good afternoon,
Well again we are not very loud or doing alot...
I have been trying to get more exercise, and watch what I eat alittle closer this last week...so that makes Jay eat better....He is down 6 lbs in the last week...I am down 5lbs..both still have a lot more to lose, but you need to start someplace. The neighbor brought over some fresh berries that she had picked today. They were great!!! she grows them in her back yard.
Today we worked on the 1200 goldwing, it has been sitting on blocks in the garage since last summer. long story made short is that I talked with someone who told me how to fix it...OMG...it was easy...the hard/long part was trying to remember where the rest of the parts went/ and how to put it back together...10 hours of work today...it runs/ rear wheel turns/goes thru the gears while up on blocks...so now to finish with all the fairing.. and take it for a test ride...

Yesterday (Saturday) we did our first poker run. It was the Ruckus Run...is for rescue of dogs. It was fun...met some nice folks from GWTA (a Goldwing group)
And there were others we knew from the GWRRA (the group we belong to), so all in all was a good ride...morning was nice....Very Hot in the afternoon....was glad to get home.....

I have had 2 interviews with the same company for the same position....this next Thursday is the next interview with the COO of the company....Please keep me in your thoughts....

Until next time....

OH the pic is of the last stop for the poker run...Jay took 2 pictures and that was the best...

Fairly quiet around here..2 interviews last week, with no results. Will just continue to look. One door closes, another opens.

Jay had a 3 day weekend, so we took the bikes, and went camping up on the Breitenbush River, wow was it warm up there. Went to a place in Detroit,Or that caterers to bikers for lunch, great food, almost like a museum with all the history in there. I think the name was Korner Post...well worth the price and time to stop in...While out and about that day...saw the county and local police departments in action...rumor was a "man hunt" someone had escaped from a prison?? police, and dogs, and weapons were seen along the hwy....

Well that is enough excitement for me..Oh! I almost forgot I pulled the trailer home, and did not run out of gas....that is the best news I have..
see ya next time...

July 4th 2010

the bathroom is all most done...we have continued to work on it when time allows, very low key 4th of July. Jason came out for dinner and spent the eve with Jay playing with fire crackers. Not my thing, I don't like the noise. But it's always nice to see Jason. He doesn't talk much, Jay does try to catch up with what's new with him.

It's been a tuff week. Interviewing, job searching is not easy, and I so would rather be working at this time,

It is definitely disappointing and hard to take when family members emotions get in the way of someone’s happiness (life choices). I let someone rain on my parade (my happiness), when honestly, there is nothing I can really do to help them. They have their own issues to work through. All I can do is try to be as understanding and compassionate as possible and focus on my choice, Continue with what I believe is right and what makes me happy. And I will attempt not to let anyone rain on my parade ever again.

so with that being said I am finished with my post this week. Jay has a 3 day weekend coming up...things should settle alittle by then...nite all

June 27th 2010

As of the morning of the 23rd, I am unemployed again. No warnings, nothing, just a call about 6:10 am saying they "no longer needed my services". I find this very difficult. No reasons given, pick up your final check, and turn in your keys...
Since I was alittle down about this, Jay, my wonderful Jay, decided a trip to the beach was in order, so packed for a night and off we went by bikes to the beach. Could not have asked for better weather. Sun, breeze and one with the bike. We spent the night at a little park called Kilchis County Park, near Tillamook. Did take a nice ride out around the capes Saturday afternoon, after setting up camp...Back home today, and tomorrow I start the search again...wish me luck!!!

over a month since last post...

Work is going great...love my new job...spending many hours there, so I should like it..when you start a job like this, you inherit the good and the bad, it takes time to weed thru and see who goes and who stays. I have put in some long hours, cleaning up what was left, and I am still not finished...will take about a year.
The other side is that I have not been as much help with the bathroom, on days off I really want to be off. We did work in the bathroom this week, cleaned up outside some, and I planted a few plants, Flowers always make me feel good...Well hugs from Jay make me feel great...
here is the bathroom...maybe it won't be so long until next update....
Oh I am so proud, I kicked out of the Portland road runners motorcycle group....
what a joke....by for now...

April 18, 2010

We have been very busy these last two weeks...lots of yard work..trimming of trees, working in the bathroom...We have a sink in there now....all lights are up and working..
AND the best news...is I start my new job tomorrow....14 months of unemployment.

We did do two rides this weekend...the Weather was wonderful....videos from both days...

and videos from both cameras...

Todays ride was up to Cougar Washington, over forest service road 90 to Carson WA..then to hwy 14 to 205 then home...

Saturdays ride was out Hwy 84 to Cascade Locks, then back the old Columbia river hwy...with a stop at the Visa House and 2 different waterfalls ....ran into a person Jay new from work. He had a nice long visit with all the guys up there on their bikes...

see you on facebook or back here in a week or so...

WOW time flies!

It has been awhile since my last post....to update you..I am still looking for a job...several interviews...waiting for call backs, if they don't call, I will call them.
The last two Saturdays we have not worked at home. We went for a motorcycle ride with friends on 3/27/2010, great weather, actually went to the beach. This last Saturday was April Fools Ride...it did fool us, we went by car (so did most of the others). The joke was that there was snow. It was great spending time getting to know our new friends better, but I am so glad I was not on my bike...TOO COLD. We continue to work on the bathroom. Painting is happening now. Vanity will go in sometime this week...Looking for a new bathroom sink faucet. well it is all for now..see you on facebook or here next time...

I AM SO EXCITED!

No, I did not find a job....still unemployed...I don't care what anyone says or thinks, I know I have been working at finding a job...and yes I mean WORK!! This is not easy, It has been over a year since I had a job to go and work at. It would be much easier then what I do now. Do you know how hard it is to be rejected over and over? In most cases it is because of lack of recent clinical skills. I have not worked in a area where I would use most of my nursing skills in approx 10 years....who wants a nurse that has not used her skills?

Anyway....the excitement is we finally have a toilet in the bathroom (our bathroom), the public bathroom will be the one on the other side of the house...Thank you for understanding....

The shower will be done soon, ready to put the tile in ...just need to find the time to go shopping for tile....shopping, well that is something I like to do...its getting Jay to go with, and spend the time......Until next time...be safe....and you can look for us on facebook....

WOW! Did not realize it had been so long since I updated this. I have been busy taking classes on how to interview, resumes, and how to dress for interviews...Worksource Clackamas has a very good program to get people back to work...they are even going to color my hair to hide the gray...and they even dressed me...as if I did not know how to dress professionally...When not doing that Jay and I have been working very hard on the bathroom... Jay did all the subfloor stuff,cut the tile, then talked me thru the laying of tile, and grouting of the tile...not bad for a beginner...



now pics of the tile finished




as you can see we still have the walls to do...

The weather is great here today...might go for a ride this afternoon. Jay has a 3 day weekend...he is going to be upgrading his computer, faster/better...and expensive...but again thanks to Jason's generous Christmas gift ....makes it all work out...Again thank you very much Jason....
until next time....
you can also look for us on facebook....be safe...hugs to all...

Jan 31st, wow a month already........

Busy week for us both. I did get my class done, so I am now a Certified ALF/RCF Administrator. Will see if that helps with finding employment. Jay has been busy with the bathroom, putting down wonder-board, and thin set mortar. Messy stuff. Well as he went along, he found that the floor right in front of the new shower stall, was weak. So what to do? Tear everything out and start over? go on and assume it will be ok? Well NO. Jay found a different way to manage this issue. The floor in the bathroom is the ceiling in the laundry room. He took out part of the ceiling, and reinforced the floor from underneath. Then he patched the ceiling, and I will do the clean up there this week.

Until next week, might see you on facebook, or I might be on a street corner handing out business cards, and resumes....be SAFE.

New mattress came on Saturday, woke up this morning without a backache, first time in weeks...now if this continues, I will be a happy camper.

Help! I'm still unemployed

As I continue to seek employment, Jay continues to work on the bathroom project (NO the basement is not done as with everything here, it is still a work in progress). No interviews last week and I did hand deliver several resumes (after sending by email). It is as he said, "to get me noticed". I am 5ft 8in and over 200lbs..I think people notice me. ( also sent out thank you cards to people I actually met face to face while delivering resumes). This coming week I am taking another class for a different certificate, that should help with the employment opportunities, will have to wait and see on that. But with having to do all this, I feel like I am working full time. Driving here and there, then to having to pay to have items faxed, even with me delivering in person...well that was too much. So with Jason's generous Christmas gift I was able to get a new item for the computer room. It scans, faxes, copies, prints and yes it can even be used as a telephone...It is a "all-in-one" unit. Jay thinks it belongs in a office...well at this point, this is my office, and it belongs here (I think he will use it too).




Jay has continued to make great progress on the bathroom, the dust from the wonderboard was a real problem for me. Breathing was not easy and my poor nose was so sore, eyes were red, to the point that Jay kept pointing it out to me...that I needed drops. Anyway this little slide show will show you just how much he has done.




As far as the "being noticed", that is a real issue now. We are trying to focus on portion size and control..Will let you know how it goes, also a very slow paced exercise routine to be started.

Facebook has been fun, lots of new friends, again this was something suggested for networking, and employment opportunities.


Until next time...be safe, and maybe I will see you on FB.

Jan 17, 2010 update....

Jan 9th we finally went away for the day...up early and packed a bag for the day and off to the beach. It wasn't crowded, no rain, and fairly warm. Several short walks, good food, so nice to be away.




The rest of the weekend we just bummed around the house.

Last week I decided to take a class thru WorkSource Clackamas (since I am not working).
The class was called Fast track, good class (2 days), many useful ideas on different way of getting your name out to people that do hiring...so if you see me someplace talking to strangers and handing out business cards, that is part of my plan. It was also suggested to join FaceBook to help with networking, again getting others to see I am a active job seeker. Also covered updating resumes...my resume looked like it belonged back in the 1980's...

This weekend was a stay at home time. Jay has been working in the bathroom, trying to get the floor done, so we would at least have a toilet on this side of the house. Apparently the sub-floor was not thick enough to put the wonder board on, so he has been taking care of that....it now has to sit for 48 hours...then the wonder board can go down, the the tile...then TOILET.

until next time....look for us on FaceBook

5...4...3...2...1...HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Dec 29th "the snow event". 3 inches of snow in a very short period of time, caused many difficulties getting around the city. Buses out without chains, stuck in the snow, or moving very slow. He did not get stuck, was able to keep moving, went around another bus that could not make a hill... he is a GREAT DRIVER! Only 3 hours late....
Pics of snow in yard the next morning....




New Years Eve....spent a very quiet night at home, in bed early, only to find a broken window the next morning. The antenna blew off the house during the night and hit a window. I should say a storm window. With it being New years day, nothing was open for replacement glass. We were able to do the repair the following day.

Basement update...some sanding was done over the weekend.




With the new year comes new plans for vacation, he actually will sign up for that time off today....Not sure where we are going yet....as I am still seeking employment....but I am fairly sure it will be by motorcycle.....

until next time....be safe, and enjoy life.........