Job Perks

I am having the best time at my new job. Yesterday I got to drive a fully-loaded 2013 Infiniti M. And I mean FULLY loaded. Leather, cooled/heated seats, four different modes on the transmission (snow, eco, standard and sport) and so much more. I had it on sport most of the time cause that's how you treat a V8 engine with this much horsepower. I can't remember the last time I've yelled WAHOOOO getting on the freeway. Beyond automatic climate control, there's this button with little trees on it. You push that and it adjusts the AC to a gentle forest breeze - just because it can.

I picked up Layne from work with it and took him to lunch. He works in Carson and I work in Long Beach just a block from the beach - very close, maybe 15 minutes. We went to Shakey's because I was only borrowing a $67-thousand-dollar car. We don't actually own one. It was wonderful to see him in the middle of the day like that. I am so in love with my husband. And this car was SOOO much fun to drive.

It gets better. Today we presented the Subaru XV Crosstrek print brochure to the client. It went really well and both the art director and I got lots of compliments from our creative directors. It was my first full vehicle launch here, my first real chance to show my writing chops. AND it is going REALLY well. High fives all around man - seriously. The art director and I exchanged high fives after. Cause we're that cool.

Happy Thought - I'm so happy! Things are going so well for me here. I couldn't be more surprised or more pleased. It's really rewarding to love what you do and be appreciated for it. I'm really trying to enjoy this and savor this sweet moment. It may not come around again and I want to remember this.

Shoes From Heaven

I came home from work Thursday to find a box from DSW. I hadn't ordered anything, so I was surprised and very curious. Thinking someone had made a mistake, I opened it to find a shoe box that read,  "Surprise! You've been SHOE STRUCK." DSW hit me with a random act of shoes!

Inside I found a $50 gift card, a t-shirt and two totes with $20 off $50 to be used in store, which I've already given to two good friends. How did I do it? I honestly don't know. I frequent the store and especially their Facebook page. I know they occasionally give out shoes to fans and I guess I was one of the lucky ones.

Here's the one's I picked out (Sadly, heels are still out of the question because I can't walk in them.):

These are Bobs from Skechers. You buy a  pair and  then they give a pair to  needy kids - kinda like Toms. And Yes, pink glitter was completely necessary.

These are super cute too. Not sure they'll stay on my feet though as I'm still having trouble walking, but here's hoping!

Happy Thought: I seem to be on a role lately with lovely things happening to me. Here's to enjoying what you have and the happy surprises along the way.

Proof that when Mama's happy, everyone's happy.

I came. I saw. And it WASN'T double!!!!

Happy Easter!

I'm happy to report that my double vision has cleared up. I had another 5-day IVIG treatment, which helped, but it had gotten better even before that. I was afraid it would stay longer since last time it took six months to totally clear up. This time it was only two and a half weeks!

I celebrated by driving myself to work today. Very liberating. AND when I got home I took Hyrum to the Dollar Tree to shop for Easter candy. We had so much fun. He let me put these ears on him and called it his bunny costume. Now if I could just get him to hop.

HAPPY THOUGHT: It's improving! I'm walking better and now I can drive again. Maybe I really am going to be ok.

If I were a car, I'd be a lemon

Started my new job and I LOVE it! Great people, good environment, phenomenal commute (15 - 20 minutes tops) and the work is interesting (Subaru). Monday evening (my second week on the job) I noticed my vision going to double at long distances. Great! Tuesday it was worse, although I still managed to get myself to and from work. SO scary BTW. Today I carpooled with Layne, my DH and will continue that until my vision returns.

Last week, when I started my right hand went weak and numb. That's better now, so I'm hoping the vision will be better in a week too. Since I work in automotive, I decided that if I were a car, I'd be a lemon. I'm basically a sweet little hotrod, but things just break down on me from time to time.

Happy Thought: I've got another treatment coming up, so that should help and I should have expected some setbacks with the stress of starting a new job. So maybe I'm a lemon with a really bright future. Yeah that's it. Look out world, this lemon is going places! (just very slowly - with a cane - so I don't fall. Double vision messes with your balance.)

The Good Life - Part 2

Party on Dudes! At least that's what I've been trying to do with all this lovely time off. Here's an update:


Wednesday (15th) - Today was Burgandy's day, my sweet 16-year-old niece. We decided to go to the movies. I let Burg pick and she opted for "One for the Money" with Kathryn Heigl. Pretty good movie. On a scale of 1 to 10, I give it a 7. It was fun and very cute. I also used some tokens I had on hand and won a green ball on my first try. What can I say? Life just loves me. And Hyrum loved his new ball.

My Beautiful Burgandy and the ball I won. We had a great time. :-)

Thursday (16th) - I wiped myself out cleaning and organizing both bedrooms. I got a lot done, but I overdid it. Layne had to take care of me when he got home so I could take it easy and get my strength back.

Friday (17th) - Happy Raegan Day (another darling niece) started off with a doctor's visit where I regaled another team of doctors/therapists with my paralysis stories. We laughed and guess what? My weights and stretching paid off. I get a brace now. No more cast. AND I can even pick one that's purple with pink butterflies. I just might.

Then I picked up Hyrum and Rae-Rae as she is affectionately known, and we headed out to the Irvine Spectrum. I really wanted to go to Down East Basics and that mall has the only one in the area. We hit H&M first because I love that store. I got a super cute yellow sweater (shows off my inner sunshine), a great button-down white shirt for only $7 and a few fun things for Rae-Rae.

Here's Hyrum sporting the cute hat Raegan got. He's adorable.

Then off to Down East Basics that turned out to be just a few stores away (Bonus! I wasn't sure where it was) AND was having a 40% off clearance sale. We spent two hours in this store - all modest, all cute and so, so much of it was on sale. Except for one shirt, nothing we got was over $10. I SERIOUSLY love this store. We had lunch at Red Robin, and then took Hyrum on some fun rides.

My Hy-Hy loves the carousel.

He absolutely begged to go on the train. Cute Rae-Rae is in the center.

And He LOVED it!

We spent all day there and had a great time. They both fell asleep in the car on the way home, and my left leg was having trouble lifting. I overdid it again. Mitzi (Layne's sister) and her family had arrived for the weekend when we got back, so I tried to relax and enjoy the company.

Saturday was another Jacobson family party, which means there was about 30 people there with lots of food and fun. Sunday I got to teach 13 - 15 year old Sunday School (new calling) and Relief Society (same calling). Busy day for me, but RS was about Joseph Smith, a favorite topic of mine, so I really enjoyed it.

Happy Thought: I'm enjoying my new freedoms, driving, strength to do more than I have before, but I'm learning I still have limits. I suppose it keeps me grateful. And if that's the case, then thank God for limits.

This Is the Life

How much fun can one girl squeeze in three weeks? I intend to find out. I decided that I would take one of my nieces out each day to do something fun. Tuesday was Jordawn's day.

Tuesday: Jordawn and I connect on a giggly "You're awesome. No, you're awesome." kinda way. When we get together fun is imminent. We decided to go to Color Me Mine in Whittier. You pick some pottery (bowl, plate, cup, ceramic princess or Toy Story bank) and then paint it to your liking. They bake it and then you come back in a week and pick up your masterpiece. Long story short, the one in Whittier never opened even up to an hour after they were supposed to be open. We did have a nice lunch down there and found this amusing little bottle at the Dollar Tree.

If they can't spell it, don't answer it. That's all I'm saying. ;-)

 We ended up at the one Long Beach which, was a great idea because they were having a Valentines Tea Party with cookies and everything. It was in Naples (beach town with minimal parking), so I had to parallel park. I hadn't done it in years and I'm just starting to drive again, but did I give up? NO! The curb may bear a few marks, but I did not hit either truck.

I came. I saw. I parallel parked. Victory!

We all had fun painting. Hyrum was into it for the first half hour, which was good for a two year old. Then he ate his weight in chocolate chip cookies and followed Angela, our Color Me Mine girl, around the store saying, "I help you."

He really is that cute. Look at the table and guess where he sat. He was having so much fun!

 I painted two heart shaped bowls for me and Layne and Jordawn painted a cereal bowl. I figure we can use our love bowls for ice cream.

Jordawn is adorable and all kinds of fun!

 We went home and then Jordawn watched Hyrum at Grandma and Grandpa's across the street while Layne and I had our Valentines Date. I made Layne delicious skirt steaks (so, so good), mashed cauliflower potatoes (cauliflower ground up with garlic and salt) and french green beans with mushrooms. It was all diet friendly and the best meal we've had in ages.

I will dream about these steaks.

We exchanged cards (Layne's made me cry) and he got me some new pima cotton sheets. I love them, but we'll return them so I can buy Layne a great birthday present. A great Valentines Day and much better than last year, which was spent in the hospital. That deserves it's own post though, so until tomorrow - kisses.

Happy Thought: My marriage to Layne and my sweet Hyrum are the best things in my life. They're the sugar that make everything sweet.

Sometimes It's Awesome to Be Me

Last Thursday, I was surprised to get laid off at work. The next day, Friday, I was thrilled to receive a job offer making even more money than the job I'd lost only half a day before. I couldn't have planned it better if I tried. I'd planned on quitting when I got the offer, but I would have forfeited all my unused vacation/personal days, plus the severance they gave me. This way I'm looking at the next three weeks totally paid and totally stress free.

The new job is copywriting for the Subaru account and the office is right on Ocean Blvd. in Long Beach, right on the water front. Bottom line: closer, more money and a much better place for me to be. I can't stop smiling. Seriously.

My sister asked me how you get so blessed, I told her you could try getting paralyzed and hit by a truck. I can't promise anything, but could be worth a shot.

Saturday: Got the Sunfire, my reliable, yet ghetto 1st car back from our nephew Landen. He was using it while I was unable to drive this last year. We had fun playing Life on my phone at the AAA office while we waited to switch the title back to me. I won, but that's not really fair cause I'm sooooo money right now.  Then I decided to treat him to the world famous Porto's Bakery next door, partly so I could live vicariously through him. I'm still finishing up this diet.

It's cakes like these that make this place SO popular.

Next time I WILL have this Ind. Flourless Chocolate Cake.

I bought two cheese rolls (They are famous for these), one for Landen and one for Hyrum. Landen also picked out a pineapple cheese roll. He said it was delicious. I believed him.

These are our tasty pastries.

Landen living the life I long for. So yummy!

Monday: I slept in with my baby boy and spent the morning attacking my two page to do list before I took off for my dentis appt. Gotta get that all handled before my insurance ends and I start my new job. I seriously called my dentist on Friday and asked for an appointment in the next two weeks. They had just had a cancellation for Monday at 1pm. When does that happen? I am SO money. (AKA Blessed). 

I invited my nieces Ryann and Sidney over for a Princess Afternoon. We watched 3D movies on the 47" 3D TV I won at the Vizio Christmas party (my old job). I know. I'm so money. And blessed. I made these girls two bowls of popcorn that they downed and asked for a third. I told them I'd save them a tummy ache and let them have some candy instead. Cause that's a much better option. HA! It's so fun to spoil these darlings. Then I painted their pretty little princess fingers.

We had so much fun! Ryann (L) and Sidney (R).

Little fingers are beautiful no matter what color you paint them.

I have big plans for the rest of my time off. I am really going to enjoy this. I SERIOUSLY cannot stop smiling! I am so blessed.