Certainties...

As you move through your life there are always...how shall we shay? Certainties that come around. here are some that I've learned:

1. Nothing easy is ever worth it.

2. The gospel is the same no matter where in the world you attend church.

3. Simple things matter the most.

4. In Texas it is perfectly normal to wear Texas earrings and broaches to church.

5. California is the only maniac state I've lived in where people are constantly on the move running from one place to another.

6. I am truly geographically challenge when it comes to finding my way around anywhere...including inside the grocery stores here.

7. It's hot in San Antonio.

8. The best part about living in San Antonio is the lightning storms...we're expecting one tomorrow afternoon!!! Yay!!!

9. No matter how hard I try I can't blink my laundry done!!!

10. Living in a small apartment again I am counting it a blessing that I can vacuum my entire home and all bedrooms in less than 15 minutes!!!

This week I am looking forward to some major unpacking as well as a job interview with Six Flags....it will do for now, while I find a more permanent job. I'll let you know how it goes.

Happy Birthday America!!!

Our 4th of July started a little different than most. Hubby and I woke up early and got him ready for work. He had an early shift. On my drive home I decided to take a road less traveled. It was my time to explore. I drove down the road of where we were looking at apartments before choosing the one we did. All I had seen of this area was a map. s I drove past this beautiful area in the quiet of the morning hours I wandered down this road I knew would take me back to the highway I needed to be on. I also knew a little secret....the temple was located on this street. As I drove over the rolling hills...Did you know they had rolling hills in Texas? I didn't, but onto the story!!! As I drove over the rolling hill directly in front of me stood the temple aglow in the morning sun. it was glorious to see. I didn't stop, but as I was passing I had to turn the radio off...and to stare at the incredible stained glass windows. The temple reminded me of the beauty all around, my family, which is most important in my life. I am grateful for the little things, the simple things which matter most....a smile, a morning hug, a wink and even my tiny little kitchen that I will stand in this afternoon to begin cooking our meal for the evening. It's not about what you've got, but who and how you share your lives. What a beautiful life!!!

Zoo and Reunion!!!

yesterday we had the bright idea to go to the zoo on possibly the warmest and humid days of the year. Oh yeah! We were headed for fun!!! Now, I'm a dork and I LOVE the zoo. I love to see the animals playing and having a good time. I was grateful not to run into flatulent elephants this go around...or perhaps they're only in Oakland, quite an experience let me tell you!!! Needless to say we brought 5 bottled waters and 5 gatorades in my purse. Don worried about me lugging around that load all day, but I told him I had it covered. I was grateful I was able to lug them around for the entire 30 minutes before everyone drank every ounce of fluid carried in my purse. We were well hydrated...it was great. We had a good time with cousins and my brother-in-law wandering around. We were getting close to the end...and that's when it happened. The sign:

I hope you all can read the words, but what made me laugh was the "Get Wild! Get Dirty! but don't get naked!" Really!!! Do we need a sign for this? tell me truly!?

Afterwards I was talking to my friend from high school. Bobby and I haven't seen each other for over 2 decades. in fact, Hubby talked to Bobby more in high school than he talked to me. It was great fun to have those anxieties as we drove towards his house. I felt bad as I read the directions he had to text to my phone....they were very detailed. His fingers must've been cramped by the time he was finished. Needless to say we arrived and my family climbed out of the car. He graciously had invited us to dinner, refusing to let us bring anything but some soda and paper plates. I've got to admit...the man knows how to BBQ!!! I guess it is a rule in Texas...Learn to BBQ or get out. We'll see. Anyway, after the awkward phase of my three kids staring at his three boys...they're all the same ages. He forced them to play Foosball to break the ice. Next thign we know they are playing video games and Bryan is enjoying his guy time. Dinner had been finished and I was excited that Bobby's girlfriend was able to make it. She is a sweetheart and they make a great couple. I hope things work out for them, but for now, they are taking it slow. it is really awesome to see him so happy.

before overstaying our welcome we said our good-byes and Bobby mentioned to Don to get his number from me so they could get together and do guy things...and I am swiss cheese apparently. It was great to see everyone getting along so well. I was grateful for both Bobby and his girlfriend who found some job openings in the business office of their work and Bobby is going to turn in my resume on monday. Cross your fingers.

It looks like life is leveling out here. Our belongings should be arriving on monday and we will start hauling things over here then. We'll more than likely have to get help from someone to bring the rest of our things over wednesday evening. Then the unpacking begins. I am praying and hoping we can get settled in and a job will fall into place. Everything else seems to.

Yes my friends, there is a ray of sunshine breaking through the clouds that have hung over me for some time. I recognize that. Don is applying for a lead position with Target and I pray he gets that position so his hours will be boosted and he will begin to really take the lead in his life. He loves his job for now and I know if given the chance he will thrive. If it is meant to be it will happen. until then we pray, we hope for the best and we remain grateful for what we do have.

Butt Dialing and Chairs

Running errands for the second day in a row I laughed as I found I had spent most of the day "butt dialing" I called various companies such as American Express, the local grocery store, the electric company as well as the cable. The worst was when I called a friend. It wasn't just any friend...the one who lives here in San Antonio. Can we say EMBARRASSING?!?! Apparently I called him as I climbed back into the car after running into the store to purchase a couple gallons of milk. he heard our family's entire conversation on aglets...you know, the plastic piece at the end of the shoelace allowing you to easily lace up your shoes? I know!!! Who knows that?!?!? My family...sigh. We also know the name of the raised dots in the center of lanes on the road. now you know the extent of my insanity. Needless to say I ad a good conversation with my friend who has been a MAJOR support during this difficult time. He is probably one of the best friends I've ever had. He never asked for anything but friendship. 20 years later we meet up again after losing contact for a good portion of that time. Tomorrow we go to the zoo with the kids and Don's brother and his family. we will never top the moment when we attended the Oakland Zoo only to find the elephants had gas issues...if you've never been around a flatulant elephant...you've never laughed!!! Afterwards we will make the trek out to his house and sit down and catch up on the good ol' days. neither my friend nor hubby have an easy time making friends, but I have a feeling they will be the best of friends in no time. We did actually all go to high school together, though Bobby talked to my hubby more than I did during those years. I'm kind of nervous to see my friend. You know we all change, but I hate seeing peple who used to know me as the skinny person in the school. He laughs it off, but we all have insecurities and by the time we walk through his front door all will be forgotten.

We also had to give in and buy a few chairs. I can't sit on the floor typing any longer. The good news is that by next Wednesday I will finally have my bed and things back and hopefully be unpacking all evening. I miss my things and not the normal ones. I miss my tiki, our framed American flag our nephew flew over Iraq on Sept 11th several years ago, my handpainted mexican pot, my ginormous popcorn popper (i'm dying for popcorn right now!), my zulu basket and my picture of mygrandfather and I waltzing around the dance floor at my uncle's wedding while everyone watched. All hold treasured memories. I am happy to say I managed to get another treasured item here safely my oil and vinegar bottles I carried home from Italy on the airplane. It too has made it safely home. For now though...We have chairs to sit in our living room. No longer confined to the floor my back cries out in happiness!!! i will drag my camera with me to the zoo and my friend's home to capture our kids meeting for the first time and us back together again...Look out San Antonio!!!

My New Town..

A friend was asking me what San Antonio was like. Was it spread out like San Jose? Or was it compact like San Francisco? The answer? Yes!!! The town is actually a little bit of both. There are palces where the large downtown buildings tower over the rest of the city, while having the Alamo nestled in bewteen all of them. no...I am not kidding. The Alamo is downtown. I used to picture it far off in a distant field. The battles I read about in my American History books flooded back to me. The truth? It was tiny...a few of your homes could probably encompass the entire main building. Much different from the films portrayal.

Anyway, nearby the Alamo in the downtown area is the incredibly lovely Riverwalk area. I look forward to date nights in this romantic spot. The Riverwalk lined with incredibly yummy cafes and restaurants. I am dying to spend an evening down there just my hubby and I wandering hand in hand. And by the way, in case you ever wondered...after being away from each other for over two months...our hands remembered exactly how they liked to be held. We have a certain way our hands clasp and I love it. It reminded me of our dating.

Away from the downtown area San Antonio was laid out by a brilliant planner. Green areas are spread all throughout the city with old oak trees dotting the land. It is beautiful and they've welcomed me most wholeheartedly. Truth be told there are many rolling hills. This large metropolitan city has not only managed to grow beyond its walls, but to keep the small town feel. To give you an example...after passing a piece of property over ten times I finally realized it was a cemetary. Natural rocks are handcrafted from the ground to be used in building everything. The highways leading to San Anotnio even took on the light creamy color of the natural rock.

Yes, it is hot here. Yes, climbing three flights of stairs to bring your groceries upstairs is not always pleasant, but I wouldn't miss it for the world. I love that my kids are excited to see Sea World looming in the distance, roller coasters and all. I love the fact we live a mere ten miles from Six Flags amusement park. I love the fact that across the street from our complex is a beautiful new Elementary School. I love the fact that on a billboard today I read: "Do you want to teach? We want you to!!!" And then proceeded with a web address for the city recruiting high quality teachers for the children.

The only thing about this city is something that made me literally sick to my stomach. I went shopping the first day we arrived to pick up some essentials for the kitchen as well as the bathroom. What happened made me angry and sickened all at once. Here's the story:
We drove into Target wanting to not only see where hubby worked but to buy a few items I needed for the house. We bought a few necessary items and then turned our attention to body wash. Hubby's skin has been drier than dry since we moved from oregon to California. Now that we are here...you don't need it as much. however, he still likes the body wash and therefore asked if we could buy it. Normally this item costs at its lowest price about $8.99. At Target down here at the "normal" price...$2.50. So, why is it cheaper here rather than California. All this time we were being gouged and overcharged. My dear friends....it is truly sad!!!. I paid for dollars for a package of ground beef....a 2 pound package!!!! I love shopping here and spending much less money than I used to.

So? My assessment on San Antonio? I love it here. I love the feel of the big city. I lvoe the people and I am going to love it much more once i get a job...I'm working on it!!!I look forward to showing off my city to anyone who chooses to wander this way!!! you're all welcome, but you have to climb the stairs to the third floor!!!

M favorite thing about San Anotnio....my niece and nephews live here. I love being near them!!!