Cody's Coming To Town!!!

So I know I have been super busy lately with my new job, and I will eventually find time to post soon (who would have thought I would actually have to work now?!), promise! But I did just want to say how excited I am, because my brother Cody is on leave from Iraq and will be flying into Salt Lake in the morning, just until wed morning. Still better than nothing and I can't wait to spend time with him, I love him so much!!!

Seattle Trip Day 1

* pictures to come soon.


What an intersting day. It is surreal to be sitting in my Grandma and Aunt's house, and my Aunt not be here... I thought I would be okay, since I have given myself the last few days to come to terms, but its still a struggle.

This morning our flight left Salt Lake at 9:45am, but since we needed to check in Roni's baby stuff we got there at like 7:30. We thought security would be a breeze, for me it was. However Margie had a different experience. She had a birthday on Monday, and it happened to be the same year her drivers licence expired. She had a temporary one she printed off online, but that and the factor of her wrist cast weighed in, it created an issue. I captured a picture of her getting the "royal treatment". She was a good sport, I have been there and done that before!

The flight was full, so I cuddled with my mom, and my uncles and aunt say behind us. Thankfully we got the front row, so there was an extra few feet of leg room! I gate being tall sometimes... Once we finally landed and got the luggage, we tried to find our rental car. That was yet another experience on our own. There where issues with shuttle, and my mom and I ended up waiting back while the others went to get the paperwork started. They crammed 10 of us into a van that say 7! The driver was a maniac, he ran lights, no seatbelt, texting and when he would stop it was in the middle of the intersection! I thought I was going to die!

After we got the rentals, we made our way to Gig Harbor. I lived there for 8 years, and that is one of two places I call home (the other of course Vancouver). Everything has expanded and it was strange to see some of it. You can tell that it is one of THE places to live now. We met my Grandma and our two aunts for lunch at my favorite place for lunch. We have been eating at Moctazumas since they first opened in the early 90's. The food was better than I remembered! It was a wonderful experience to just be with the family!

After lunch we kidnapped my Aunt Millie and drove through the town, and by our old house. It looked as cute as I remembered, and made me think of the awesome times we had! We also drove through downtown and the water front. I did see the coolest thing ever, inside the Key Bank, they had a Starbucks! On in Seattle...

We spent the majority of the day just with the family and remembering the good times we shard with Aunt Evy. Friends of Grandma's came and brought dinner over, and while John and Margie where checking into their hotel, Millie, Mom and I went for a walk to Safeway. It was glorious to be out in the fresh air, and smell nature! First thing Millie went to, was the Wine section. I forget how large of a selection they have up here in stores! We found some interesting names, and she decided on mini merlot bottles (mostly to hide it from her sisters! Easier than big bottles). We also found some nice veggie/fruit platters and some chocolate. What a great combination!

On the walk back, my Uncle John and Aunt Margie ended up picking us up. Another family friend came over and chatted while we ate dinner, and shared more memories. I know deep in my heart that Evy's passing was for the better and it was a good thing. She had lost her Husband to cancer 25 years prior, and when they declared what caused her death it was because her cancer came back. My aunt suffered a lot, including being in a wheelchair the majority of her life. She beat cancer once before, but this time it came back and when they finally found out, it spread to too many organs. She lived a full life, and I know she is happy again, so I should be too.

Tomorrow is the funeral, and possibly a surprise ferry ride to Seattle and back for no reason, other than I simply LOVE ferry rides!

I will miss you Aunt Evy!!!

There are certain people in ones life, that changes things for the better. Mine was essentially my Grandparents. Most know my grandfather past away nearly 3 years ago and "technically" my real grandmother is still alive. I say this because my grandmother has never really been a big piece of my life, we do not see eye to eye and I'm definitely not close to her. She did have a twin sister though, and her name was Evy, she was wheelchair bound and more of a grandmother to me than anyone else in my family. "technically" being my aunt, she had been sick for a long time now and has been needing assistance.

This morning I received a phone call from my mother telling me she had past away. Instantly my heart sank. She was such a caring and loving person. She was somebody I always felt safe to go to and talk to. She always opened her heart to those around her and was always giving. Her husband past away years ago (I honestly do not remember him, I was just a baby), and she had a daughter and two grandsons. I can honestly say they always treated her badly and walked all over her. Evy had so much to give, and even though she was bound by a wheelchair, she always eager and on the go when I was younger.

Its been over two years since I have seen her, and I feel horrible that I did not get to say goodbye. She will be missed, and I know deep down she is in a better place and is happy to be reunited with the loved ones she lost.

A special thanks to my Aunt and Uncle who are helping me get out to the funeral. I just got my itinerary, and I fly out early Thursday morning and come back Saturday mid day. Its gonna be a short trip, but well worth it. A sad way to see my family again, but it will also be nice to be away for a few days. Now I just have to tell my boss I won't be there next week...

Bittersweet Emotion...

Bitter sweet sorrow awaits me. This past week has been a crazy roller coaster of emotions this week, and I hope I can keep myself together the rest of the day. Last Friday I felt as though I had been thrown under the bus essentially again (4th time really) at work. They decided to transfer my friend to another company, our sister company Brighton. They do the same thing, but different office and technically not us, but they secretly are. They put her in Accounting and decided to take the office snob as well and put her in Closing Docs. I have been here longer and have more responsibilities and catch on faster.

I was hurt and upset with how things went down, and a lot of other things. When I forced to “share” my feelings with both of my bosses it was difficult. I was told that taking the snob over that it was not there choice and she “supposedly” has experience, however it turned out after the fact she lied and doesn’t. The accounting job I have too much experience for and it is brain dead work. I like a challenge and to learn new things and I wish I was given the opportunity! In stead the rumor I herd came true, and they are getting rid of my department this afternoon. Essentially I was laid off, but they are giving me a job with Main Street Valuations. They just moved back into our office on Monday, so really I am just moving up out of the basement and near a window.

I find this interesting though… I have been employed in the same office sine May 15th, 2008. However this will be my “technically” third company I have worked for, for tax purposes. I really would like to get through a year without having to redo my hr paperwork here!

My new job I will be doing BPO orders and quality control. I have helped them out in the past, and it is easy to me yet challenging sometimes, just different. I have gotten used to the turnover in my department, and enjoy sitting on my own half of the office. I like being able to work by myself and not having to “people please”, now I am moving out of my comfort zone into a busier more open office. I hate to say it but I do feel claustrophobic sometimes, and my new cubicle is out in the open (even though I do a have wall next to me).

I have had some great times in my office over the past 11 months. I like the close knit group and with the exception of one, I heart everybody! We would have lots of times where we just be laughing and having a good time, back when work was a joy to come into. I am not sure how I feel about this now. I have a tough time coming out of my comfort zone and meeting new people. From the image I have gotten the past week of them, I don’t really like them… our work ethics are completely different, and I hope the transition goes well!