What a Difference 1 Month Makes

This last month has really been something special! Exactly 1 month ago tomorrow I met someone that I had been talking to online for a bit. We met at the Mission Inn, a favorite place of mine, and we clicked very quickly. With so much in common, we spent the next 5 hours getting to know each other. We have many things in common and some differences too. During this past month we have been to Laguna Beach, Corona Regional emergency room, Phantom of the Opera, Oceanside, La Jolla, a San Diego Harbor Dinner Cruise, Oak Glen and several local restaurants. Oh, and we have returned to the Mission Inn at least 3 times. WOW! And it keeps getting better. Thank you Mr. Tom Anderson for a fabulous month!!

Relief!

For the 1st time in a few months I really got a good night's sleep! Stress is all but gone thanks to some changes that I have recently made in my life.

Work was incredibly stressful - not always the job itself, but the fact that I'm driving almost 30 miles to work only 32 hours a week. That does NOT pay the bills for Nic & I! After a series of negative financial events and our lease on the apartment coming to an end, we gratefully took Mom's offer to move in with her. As we will be paying a nominal amount for rent I will be able to put aside some for emergencies and pay off those things that got behind. Also, Mom was stressing out about money, so our rent will help her too - a real WIN/WIN situation!

Sydney was so excited to be back that she was rolling around on the grass immediately and the cat is quite happy too. I LOVE my Mommy!!

Fun Weekend!

Had a great weekend! Kim is in town from Albuquerque for her Bellflower reunion & I was her date. We started the weekend with a party at her brother Steve's house and everybody showed up! Jeff & Debbie Smith, Kathy Fish, Cristy & Mike Pierce - too much fun! The next evening was the reunion and that was fun too. There were as many people in the bar downstairs as at the reunion-lol. Recovery time from a long weekend is longer as we all get a little older;)

A Light At the End of the Tunnel

This last week has been extremely stressful to say the least! The light at the end of my tunnel is that Mom asked if Dominic & I wanted to move back with her. That seems like such a good situation right now and I jumped at the chance! This way I can pay off any remaining bills, save money & take care of business. We will be paying her a nominal rent that will also help her out financially. Yay Mom!

Good Memories & Frustrations

Saturday night I attended a celebration in honor of Cindy Chalfant who passed away on Father's Day from colon cancer. She was one of those wonderful, special, fun, people that I worked with at Disneyland and she had a lot of wonderful, special, fun friends. Watching the slide show was like stepping back in time to a slice of life that we all shared together.

So far, it looks like my interviews last week went nowhere. The interviews themselves went well but my understanding is that there are so many people going for the same position that they can pick & choose someone with the exact skills and experience they need. So far I don't have enough of one or both.:( I wish that there was a position opening up within the company - anything to get more hours!!

I just found out that a wonderful, sweet lady who I am privileged to call my friend has colon cancer & went into the hospital today. Paula Palmer Cerney has been a friend since our daughters met back somewhere around 1995. She is a wonderful person, friend, mother, daughter,and wife. All I can do is send up prayers for her and visit her tomorrow before I go to work.

The Job Hunt

Even though I enjoy working where I am now (Casual Male XL) They have not been able to provide me with more than 32 hours on a consistent basis. In fact, at 32 hours I am being paid LESS than I made on unemployment. So I have continued to put out applications and go on interviews as they come up. I have interviewed for a couple of places where I would love to work, but haven't made it past the 2nd interview.

Yesterday I had an interview for another place where I would love to work. It went very well and I will be interviewed again on Friday morning. I also got a call yesterday for another interview for a place that I would be so excited to work for! That interview is Friday afternoon. Neither job is close to Corona - one is in Costa mesa and the other is in Temecula. I would be thrilled with either at this point.

I guess they really do come in Threes

The last month has been a difficult one for myself and my Disney friends. First, we lost Mel Charboneau. I met Mel in junior high school where he was often teased due to the way he walked. His heel cords were extremely short & he always walked on his toes. Despite the teasing, Mel was a great guy and if it got him down, he didn't let it show. We also went through high school together and he was in the class behind me. Everybody liked Mel. Then within the first week I was working at Disneyland-there he was! He was working on Carnation Main Street with another Lowell alum, Kathy Greenwood. Our paths crossed periodically and then when transferred into Fantasyland Ops, we saw and partied with each other often. Once again-everybody liked Mel! He passed away within the last month, I'm still unclear on why.

Then on Father's Day I find out that Cindy Chalifant passed away from colon cancer. She kept it pretty hush-hush so it was quite a shock. She was such a vibrant, fun, smart lady who was great to be around & great to be her friend. She will be missed! Here's a picture of us at a party sometime in the 80's

This week I also found out that another friend from Tomorrowland, Karen Bopp is dying. She also had cancer and didn't let many people know. I saw her last month at B;ackies and you couldn't tell anything was wrong. She too was another vibrant, smart, fun person and I was glad to be called her friend. I can't find my pictures I have of Karen-they're packed away at Mom's.

Through Disneyland I have met some pretty spectacular people. We always said that when we would leave it would be the people we missed and we were more right than we ever knew. So it's not just famous people who pass away in threes - it's also wonderful, fun, funny, bright people that I met at Disneyland.

Father's Day 2010

This is the 2nd Father's Day without my father and it still hurts. He was the glue that held our family together. He would never put up with the crap that's going on now with my daughter or my sister-in-law & would call them on it, but since he's not here, it goes on & on. I'm not going to confront anybody about their shenanigans, just be happy with what I do have. I've acknowledged and apologized for whatever I have done wrong and that's all I can do.

Today would have been Mom & Dad's 57th anniversary. Tough day for Mom, but she's doing well in spite of everything.

I just found out that a friend from Disneyland passed away this morning from colon cancer. I had no idea that she was ill. She was one of those smart, witty, and kind people that was always fun to work with. She will be missed by all who knew her. RIP Cindy Chalifant - you were one of the BEST!

3 Days Off?

How did that happen? I wish I could have done something special-like visit Kim in Albuquerque with her new granddaughter, but without gas & tires, it's just not happening! Tonight is dinner with a dear friend who has been enlightening me on things that were happening at Disneyland while I was working there. It turns out that the stuff I thought was wild and crazy couldn't even hold a candle to other goings on . . .immoral, illegal and probably fattening too! Here's a picture of Kim & her new grandbaby named Mileva, after her!

It's June!

I'm finishing up another 2 days off. Nothing special-just the usual staying home alone & cooking. Today was chicken with black beans & corn in the crock-pot & brownies for dessert. Tomorrow after work I have plans to go out to dinner & maybe a movie. Should be fun! I also have plans with someone else later this week-an old friend. It's about time I get out of the house!!

Disney Reunion Time

During my 24 years at Disneyland I spent most of it in 2 areas - Tomorrowland and the Parking Lot. Both were wonderful and fun and I met some amazing people in both places. Somehow both locations decided to hold reunions on the same night - last night. The first one was the Tomorrowland gang at Blackie's by the Sea in Newport at 2pm and the second was at Acapulco's in Anaheim at 6pm. As I was working I didn't make it to the 1st one until 5pm, but it was still going strong. I left there around 8-ish & headed to the other one. Both were spectacular fun-here's a few pics to prove it!!

Another Interview

I had another interview-this one for an Asst. Manager position at a store in Downtown Disney. It went well & they said that they would contact me next week about a 2nd interview. I need to figure out why I do well for 2 interviews but no farther lately. This could be a good job-fingers crossed!!

Days Off

Enjoying my first of 2 days off in a row-something that doesn't happen too often. Relaxed most of the day & made my favorite oatmeal/butterscotch/pecan cookies. It does get a bit lonely, but I keep telling myself that it's better to be alone that with someone who isn't right.

Dinner with an old friend

Last night I had the pleasure of meeting up with a friend that I used to know many, many years ago. We met for dinner at the Crab Cooker in Tustin and he was the same gentle soul that I remembered. The years have been kind to him and we spent most of dinner catching up on each others lives over the past 20+ years. He brought me a lovely bouquet of flowers and we drove up to his home see a spectacular view of the lights of Orange County. It feels good to reconnect with special people. I'm looking forward to more reconnection

Monday

I've decided to resume blogging as my own version of therapy-can't afford the real version for awhile.

Monday off-delightful! Laundry, mopping floors, & relaxing. Put out a few more applications today. I really am quite happy where I am, but it BARELY covers the rent and is less than I was making on unemployment - not good. If I can find a way to just get more hours with this company, it would be best. This morning I called an old friend who sent me his number. We will be meeting for dinner on Thursday evening. I have mixed feelings but mostly good. I need to get out more-I'm turning into an old fuddy-dud! Tonight's dinner - the now infamous crab quesadillas! Dominic & I can't seem to get enough & since I had plenty of the imitation crab in the freezer, why not. Here's the recipe. I have never followed it exactly, but it's a wonderful place to start!

Crab Quesadillas

Provided by
Preparation Time: 30 minutes Level: Easy
Cook Time: 30 minutes Serves: 4
These quesadillas have an irresistibly creamy filling. They also make great appetizers. Serve with your favorite salsa on top and a cup of black bean soup topped with chopped avocado.
Ingredients:
• 1 cup shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese
• 2 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese, softened
• 4 scallions, chopped
• 1/2 medium red bell pepper, finely chopped
• 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 tablespoons chopped pickled jalapenos, (optional)
• 1 teaspoon freshly grated orange zest
• 1 tablespoon orange juice
• 8 ounces pasteurized crabmeat, drained if necessary
• 4 8-inch whole-wheat tortillas
• 2 teaspoons canola oil, divided
Preparation:
1. Combine Cheddar, cream cheese, scallions, bell pepper, cilantro, jalapenos (if using), orange zest and juice in a medium bowl. Gently stir in crab. Lay tortillas out on a work surface. Spread one-fourth of the filling on half of each tortilla. Fold tortillas in half, pressing gently to flatten.
2. Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Place 2 quesadillas in the pan and cook, turning once, until golden on both sides, 3 to 4 minutes total. Transfer to a cutting board and tent with foil to keep warm. Repeat with the remaining 1 teaspoon oil and quesadillas. Cut each quesadilla into 4 wedges.

Mother's Day 2010

All in all, this is a good day. My baby girl, Mia is working both of her jobs today - Subway and Disneyland. As one who has herself worked many, many holidays I have no problem with this. She did call to tell me that she was thinking of me, so that is good enough for me! I do know that she loves me and not just on Mother's Day.

My wonderful son made me a lovely breakfast of chocolate chip pancakes, Quite yummy!! He did spend most of the day here and only recently took off with his buddy, Jesus. Once again I DO know that he loves me on more than just Mother's Day, so it is all good!

So here I am, indulging in a couple of guilty pleasures: drinking champagne, watching true crime on TV & playing on the computer. I just got a call from my Mom saying that she wants to drop by-should be interesting . . . My other daughter, Alissa has not bothered to call or anything else today. I guess she wanted to be with her in-laws or someone else with more money, etc than have. I wish I knew what she was thinking. I have always loved her more than anything else in my life (as with all of my kids), but that has never been enough for her. Hopefully she will come around someday . . .