Saturday, May 12, 2018

Coming together!

Yes, it is really warm here. But since I've been cold in SD for the entire winter, I'm not complaining about it. It's about 80 in my place when I wake up, and even though it cools off at night, it's still about 90 at bedtime. I close the blinds and windows when the sun starts shining in which I'm absolutely sure helps a bit with the heat. Since I work the late shift, I am at work (in the AC) during the hottest parts of the day.

I only have vertical blinds. Ick. One slat has already broken off so there's that issue.... I decided to order some solar roller shades. They are 20% off on the depot website, and since I know how to order them, I did. I feel like I am bleeding money. The solar rollers were about $250 for both, but I really think that will help when it gets really hot and I should be able to save that much on the cooling bills during those really hot months. Most of my neighbors have had their ACs on since I've been here. Wusses. LOL

Now I just need to find a way to secure my shepherd's hook so that I can put up a hummingbird feeder. I've seen them flying around, and I hope to get a few visitors. I tried a 'no melt' suet feeder, but the first day I put it out it melted and left me a suety patio. Yuk. It really is difficult to clean up.

Other than the heat, I have all my boxes unpacked except my books. I am looking for the perfect shelves. I had some at my old place made out of boards and bricks, but I live on the third floor with no elevator, and I really don't want to haul them all up the steps. I had a hard time when I originally got them, and didn't have stairs to deal with. Maybe I can figure out a way to build one without bricks. Why does no one make bookshelves for paperbacks? They aren't very tall, and the regular book cases are all sized for hardcovers, so there is a lot of wasted space. I haven't read much since leaving WI, so they might just end up staying in boxes in my storage area. That wouldn't be the end of the world....

One of my concerns about moving here was my pay. Home Depot will change your pay if you move into different regions or markets. I had been told they WOULD cut my pay, since living expenses in AZ are much less than CA. They didn't. Woot! So now I'm making SD wages, and one of my checks covers my rent. I get paid every two weeks, and in SD, I had to make sure to save half of my first check to cover rent, and once rent was paid, I was broke. So I don't mind spending a bit of money here to make this place mine. One check covers rent. That has not happened since I moved out of WI. And it makes my life so much less stressful! It also gives me the opportunity to buy a washer and dryer ( I have hookups in my apartment) and that will be awesome! I just need to wait for the Depot's 4th of July sale.

My friend Tonya has stopped calling every day, thank you. I kind of think now she's used to the fact that I'm gone. We really don't need to talk every day. We didn't before, so why now? I get that she misses me, but I don't really miss her that much. I don't miss making plans that she will change at the last minute, or forget totally about. I do kind of miss her dog though. I have been thinking about getting a cat, just to have a little something extra for the house. Definitely I would get an older cat, one that won't need as much attention as a kitten. That won't be for a while, but it definitely will come. I have an outdoor patio to put the litter box in, or I can use the laundry room... I just don't want the cat to try to jump off my patio. Three floors is a long way down!

So that's about all the news for now. Thanks for reading!

Saturday, May 5, 2018

Finally in Tucson

Gee I have been horrible at updating, but so much has happened.

I am finally in Arizona. I am here, and everything I could pack in my car is here, what's missing is all my furniture, clothes, and everything else I packed up. It was all supposed to arrive on May 1, the day after I got here, but I got no call... no nothing. I called the guy I set it all up with, and he had no idea why nothing had been delivered. I had May 2 off, just to get thing arranged, and he said it would probably come on the second. Hah. I called their dispatch, they told me my stuff would be coming sometime in the next four days. Tomorrow will be the 4th day, and no one has called me. I don't know if they are going to take Sunday off, but I sure hope not. WTF?? I have to take a day off of work to receive my delivery, and they said they would call me 24 hours before delivery, and so far, no call. I need to give management at the store a little bit of notice so I can take the day off. I did tell them it would be happening, they are not happy, but they understand about moving.

I really don't miss my old job, or California. I do *sort of* miss my friend Tonya, I used to go hang out at her house on my days off, but honestly, I don't miss it that much. Tonya has called me every day at least once, texts and calls most often. Thankfully I work a late shift (12:30-9) and she always works early, so on days when she works she doesn't have time to call me, except after 9. I don't always want to talk the first thing when I leave work, and truthfully, she has been pretty much of an irritant.

She drinks more than my ex. On her days off (she only works 3 days a week) she starts drinking her beer at about 9AM. I have gone over to her house at 3PM and she is already trashed. That's her thing, she doesn't think its a problem, but I can see that it is. She is extremely forgetful. She repeats herself over and over and over. Her face is so red, not from the sun, but from drinking. I told her at the beginning of April that I got a job and was moving. She had a total meltdown. She started crying, and telling me I didn't give her enough advance notice. What? Since when do I need to "give notice" to someone I am not married to, someone I don't live with. She told me every time I saw her how mad at me she is... she would stand in her kitchen and cry to me about her loss, and "what am I going to do?" "Who am I going to have help me?" Ummm... you've lived here for 20+ years, and have only known me for 8, but you can't live without me? Sorry. I had no compassion for her.

So she said, "Well, I am going to have a big party for you. I have sick time, I'm calling in sick the next day and I'm inviting everyone who is a mutual friend." OK, I can deal with that. Picking the day was easy for me, but she was so trashed when we discussed it that she kept forgetting what day the party was, what day I was leaving.... big sigh here. The day before the party comes, and she calls, and says, "Hey do  you want to come over and hang out tomorrow afternoon?" I was like... WHAT??!? What happened to the party? She said, "oh that's right, well, Jen probably won't be able to make it." BECAUSE she never asked anyone, she had no plans to have a party. I reminded her of what she had planned, so she decided to get the food she was going to make. I could only shake my head and be so very glad that I didn't pass up this opportunity to leave.

So I went over for the *party*. I had been planning on spending the night at Tonya's (on Saturday) so that if I got trashed, I wouldn't have to drive home. That was off. I figured I would be hung over on Sunday so I had planned to make the drive to Tucson on Monday instead of Sunday. Instead, I spent all day Sunday hanging out at my house because Tonya wanted to see me again on Sunday, and I had planned it with the apartment management to arrive on Monday just to accommodate Tonya. I wish I hadn't. Oh well.

The only good thing was that Tonya had talked to Jen, and Jen made her see that this was a good opportunity for me, and that it wasn't all about Tonya, but all about me. So at least Tonya didn't spend my whole *party* crying in her beer that I was leaving. And once the food was over, the party was basically done. They wanted to play Cards Against Humanity, but she, Jen, and her two cousins who are renting rooms from her couldn't get it together enough to play. I left, shaking my head that it was such a bust. I was (and am) done with Tonya.

My first day here she called me 3 times. I told her we talked on the phone more that day than we had in the previous 2 weeks. The phone calls and texts have been constant since then because she misses me so much. Really? I want to tell her to grow up, grow a pair, buck up or do whatever. She is an adult, and needs to learn to cope with changes that other people make. Sheesh. I am honestly glad I extricated myself from that relationship. I don't need to deal with another alcoholic and I won't.

So anyway, I spent my first day at work doing training, and now I'm just waiting to get some customers who need doors or windows. This store is much smaller and less busy than my last store. It is also a bigger mess. I don't understand. There are safety issues everywhere that would never have passed at my old store. The front aisles in the store are neat and clean, and products are faced nicely on the shelves. I am in the back of the store, and it looks like crap. CRAP! I spend at least 3 hours a day working on getting my area to look better. I know it will get messed up by customers, but once it's organized it doesn't take long to fix it up. There were empty spots on the shelves, and products to fill it in the overhead, but no one wants to take the time to work the products. I spent 3 hours yesterday on one eight foot section. ONE.

So glad I don't work in flooring there,  it's even worse than millworks, where I am. And I never see anyone working on store appearance, which is one of HD's big three... customer service, instock, and store appearance. We were failing on two of those. I will take care of that. Heh.

Now my only issue is getting my furniture. And clothes. And kitchen utensils. I'm so glad I kept some things to move with me, like work clothes (one week's worth) and all my documents (tax forms, divorce papers, and other assorted valuables). I hate to think of all that rolling across the country in a truck. When?? Soon, I hope. I haven't even been able to use the pool. I know I just need to go buy a new swimsuit, and I might do that tomorrow. I really am dying for a dip in the pool.

Working late is changing my whole routine. I can't survive getting up at 5:30 every morning since I'm not getting to bed until at least 11. But there are 3 disc golf courses within 15 minutes of my house, so I am planning on getting up fairly early (7:30), having a light breakfast and then going to play. My only issue is that morning is my time for certain bodily functions to occur, and these courses have  no restrooms of any kind, at least none that I could see. One is on an actual golf course, so it's possible there is a pro shop. But the ones out in the desert? Doubtful. I can play a round, come home and take a dip in the pool and then go to work. But I want to give myself a month or so to adjust to the new times before I get going on that. Plus I have to get my furniture.....

I am on the third floor, no elevator. So I definitely am planning on buying a washer and dryer, since I have hookups in my unit. Hauling a laundry basket up and down two flights of stairs is not fun when your legs are as fat as mine, and you are as out of shape as I am. I also plan on getting a cat. I miss having a pet. At my last place, it was too small, and now I have the perfect set up. I plan on getting an older cat that needs a home, since I think a kitten would be too lonely alone, and would need way too much of my time. But first, furniture.

And that's all I have for today. I am hoping to post again soon. Good luck with that! LOL

Thursday, March 1, 2018

Ugh!

I have a cold. Not just any cold, a severe cold. I've taken the last 3 days off of work, and have a doc excuse for the next two, which gives me an entire week off of work. Not exactly the way I want to take vacation, but there is no way I could have worked. (I was all dressed and ready to go Tuesday morning but I started crying when I was thinking about the drive to work. Not good.) I had a fever today when I went to the doc, and I'm sure I had a fever the past few days, judging by how I felt. Since I don't have a thermometer, I don't know for sure, but it wouldn't have changed anything anyway. I would have taken the same tylenol, and not gone to work, even if I knew I had a fever.

And the doc convinced me that I needed a flu shot, because she said if I would happen to get the flu while this cold is still active, that I would be extremely sick. So.... I had no excuse for not getting one.

On the upside, I lost 7 1/2 pounds so far this week, because I just don't have an appetite. I had a bacon egg and cheese mcds this morning, but after 2 bites, I was done. It looked so good, but ugh. I did manage to drink the entire large orange juice though, which no doubt did me a lot of good. Not eating= no vitamins.

I got a bunch of stuff from the doc (better living through chemistry)
so I'm hoping to get some sleep tonight. I tried Vicks last night, which pretty much did nothing. The doc suggested a vaporizer, which will arrive tomorrow so I have one more night to give the old Vicks a try. 

More whining ahead... my chest and stomach hurt from the coughing, so I have to hold a pillow to my chest when I cough. Ugh. At least I've only had a couple of coughing spells since I left the docs. And I have 3 fever blisters on my upper lip, and they are severe enough that they actually hurt. And bleed. And yes, I have stuff for that too.

And while I've been off, one of my coworkers sold a $20K tile quote of mine, so even though I don't have a sales goal while I'm not there, it's more like icing on the cake. I'm not there to kick butt in sales, so it's nice to know I'm making it anyway. Heh. 

I have most of the stuff in my house packed up, I just need a few more small boxes for books, and I need a roll of tape. I thought one might work, since I have a bunch of plastic bins from the Depot that I put a lot of the more fragile things in, wrapped in blankets. This upheaval in the house doesn't exactly make me feel any better, but it's kind of unavoidable. I also need more kleenex.....

And of course, one of the things I packed away so carefully was the tv in my bedroom, so I can't even lay in bed and zone out with the TV on. I have a futon in the living room, which is not very comfortable for sleeping, so I have to sit up to watch TV. 1st world issues, I know, but when I need to lie down, I need to sleep. I did manage a nap after I went to the docs, I slept about 2 hours last night, and that 90 minutes today. It's going to take me a long time to catch up on the sleep. If it wasn't for the sleep issue, I wouldn't feel that bad.

Almost bedtime, I'm letting my bed heat up (electric mattress pad, best thing ever!) and then I will smear myself with Vicks and hit the sack. Hopefully I will be able to sleep some of the night.


Thursday, February 22, 2018

So much for updating on a regular basis. I think about doing it, but never while I'm actually at the computer. Then by the time I remember that I wanted to post, I'm in bed, or again not able to do anything about it. So here we are. 

I got a job tickle today, one of the stores I applied at asked my ASDS (Felicia) if I would take a closing shift (12:30-9) in the millworks department. Now I know nothing about millworks, but I sure would be willing to learn. I told her as long as I am full time, I am willing to take any job they can find me. I may hear back on this tomorrow, and then what I hoped for might just happen. 

I was hoping that I would be able to get a job right away and use my vacation time that I have planned for the middle of March to get all my junk moved. That would just be perfect, and in fact, if I can give a month's notice that I'm moving, all I need to do is find a place in Tucson to move TO, get someone to move me, and go. I have gotten quotes from moving companies and considering they do all the loading and unloading, and driving all my stuff through the mountains and desert all the way to Tucson, I am more than happy to pay. Even when I move the last time, about 10 blocks, I had other people do the work. I am past the point of wanting to do everything myself. Some things are worth it at any price. 

I took my vacation because two of my sisters, Annie and Sis, are going to be in Arizona wintering. It sure would be nice to get my apartment all set during the two weeks I'm off so that I can come back to San Diego, work my few days and be gone. I could actually, in that case, take those last few days off and just not come back to San Diego. Guess I'll have to wait and see what the timeline is for when they want me to start. Felicia said it usually takes a month to get everything finalized and done. 

So today I told Tonya, my good friend, that "this is the year I'm moving to Arizona". I wanted her to hear from me first that I'm leaving. She wasn't happy and didn't say much, but we have talked about this before, and she understands that I have to do what I have to do, and that much as she would like me to stay here and be her buddy, it just isn't going to happen. 

I could live with her, and pay her rent, but I doubt that the two of us could live together for long. She is SO much like my ex that it would be a huge mistake. Even now I can only shake my head in disbelief at some of the similarities between the two. Why am I attracted to people like them?

Anyway, I bought some totes at work that were really inexpensive. I think they will work well for moving. The better things are packed, the less likely things will get broken. I don't believe in packing in garbage bags. Most movers really appreciate boxes and bins I've noticed. I don't have a lot of stuff, and I believe I could pack everything in three days if I didn't have to go to work. It's cleaning this place out that is going to be a drag. However, once I move out, the management company is going to put all vinyl flooring in and remove the carpet that's here. They always send in a cleaning crew too, so I'm not going to extremes to make the place look good. My security was low, so even if I lose it, it wouldn't be a huge deal. 

Now I need to find a place to live. This might not be easy long distance, but at least I will have a job and a way to pay rent. Onward!

Sunday, February 11, 2018

On the way to Arizona

Yes, I'm on the road again. This time to Arizona. Not Arizona Street, but Tucson, Arizona.

I've been living in San Diego the past ten years, and even though I love living here, it is getting prohibitively and ridiculously expensive to live here, especially if you want to live alone like I do. Roommate? No, thank you. Spouse? NO, thank you.

I was listening to a customer talk to his friend one day at work. He was saying how he bought this condo, and it was really cheap. Only $310K. It was a one bedroom, about 700 square feet. I could only think, how sad, that something over $300K was considered cheap!

And only today I heard the news say that even if you have one million dollars, it likely wouldn't be enough for you to retire in San Diego. So. Anyone wonder why I want to live elsewhere?

Thankfully, my job at Home Depot allows me to transfer to another store, even in another state. And since I've done pretty well the past few years, the only thing needed is a full time position in any of the Tucson stores, and I will be in.

I've requested  my transfer, but the other stores are just not cooperating. Only two of the six HR people answered their phones, so I couldn't actually talk to anyone. I applied online at one, and at both of the ones who answered the phone. The store I would really like to work at is near a bunch of apartments, and the rent is about half of what it is here. And those places all have pools and gyms. My place does not.

I don't think I'll mind the heat. I seldom complain here in SD, and it does get over 90 here, so it's not like it's always 72. And at 72, I'm not all that warm, and will wear long sleeves and jeans. The older I get, the colder I get. I am beginning to understand why old people move to places like Arizona and Florida.

So that is why I'm moving. I am eager to retire, and since housing is actually affordable in Arizona I can afford to buy a house without having to spend all my social security on a mortgage. I will work a few more years, after all, it will take a while to find a place that suits my needs. My sisters want me to live in Green Valley, but there are several reasons why, at this point, Tucson will work better for me. Although, if I'm desperate for a place to live, maybe I would rent from one of them on a temporary basis.

Onward!