California Dreamin

Death Valley

2009-09-23T12:58:00.000-07:00

Here's one of the programs I am raising money for... Dr. Ida Bowers is an amazing professor at CSU Stanislaus. She just retired actually. Hope you enjoy it.

Life After Death Valley from young mr. arvizu on Vimeo.

Thanks!

2009-09-20T13:17:00.001-07:00

Just want to thank my family members and friends and several community members of Raymond for helping us clean up our house and get it ready for the new tenants. John went back there for almost two weeks and received lots of help from Patrick, my Mom, Charlie, Amy, Troy & Tracy, Brian, The Higleys, my Dad, Tammy and Josh.

To all of you who lent us tools, vehicles, fed John good food and drink, donated your time and advice (yes, there are ways to get bunny urine off concrete), scrubbed, painted, washed and made trips to good will and the dump, rescued abandonded animals----thank you!!!

It's so nice to be part of a community (even though we don't live there now) where people pull together to help you out and support you. Thank you everyone!!! We feel so blessed to have family and friends like you.

xoxoxox

Surround Yourself with Positive People

2009-07-24T19:27:00.000-07:00

At my 20th High School Class Reunion, I enjoyed reconnecting with many of my classmates. We talked about old times and caught up on what our lives are like today. One of the people I enjoyed chatting with, was Rich Mcgarvey and his wife. In high school, I sat next to Rich in Mr. Strout's literature class. Rich is the reason I passed the unit on the Tale of Two Cities. Didn't read one word of it.

These days Rich is a prison guard. I figure he hears a lot of sad stories at work. I also figure that these stories, heard over and over again, could make a person lose a little faith in mankind. I also figure that one of the reasons I have such a positive outlook in life, is because of the work I do... Constantly I hear hopeful, heartwarming stories about the people who beat the odds, who make it in life, stories about people who grow up to give back to the communities that they tried so desperately to escape.

After talking with Rich, I decided to post a hopeful story on my blog once a month or so, and share them with him and others. If nothing else, I hope these stories offer a little balance to the bad news all of us hear so often.

Here's the first story...http://www.break.com/index/autisticbball.html
Please help me find these stories by sharing links.
Enjoy.

My Little Boy is Not So Little

2009-07-12T22:05:00.000-07:00

Alden is in Maine right now. He went back with Mom, four days ago. It's soo weird to see his pictures on facebook, knowing that they were not taken with me. He looks so old to me!

He's having a BLAST thanks to his Mamie and Aunty. So far, there has been skateboarding and scootering at the skate park, swimming in the ocean, Harry Potter movie, playing with friends at Walter's house, laying bricks with Grampy, rides in the 'campervertable' and who knows what else!

Jackson and I are going on Wed. Can't wait!

New Logo

2009-06-03T21:03:00.000-07:00

Check out our new logo. It was designed by Susanne Staude of Modesto. We love it.

The boys came with me to the concept meeting with Susanne. Alden brought his Patriots frog that sings "Hey Sonic its your birthday, we're going to party like it's your birthday..." to show her the colors we wanted. Jackson demonstrated the brand tone through interpretive dance (to the singing Patriots frog of course) in Susanne's studio. Despite, or because of, the Nichols boys' antics our creative process got off to a good start.

John is currently bidding one of his first solar jobs. It's a 40x40 pergola, over a pool, with solar panels on top. We're using some solar consultants and an engineering firm to help. We're learning a lot through this bidding process. I'll post pictures when its finished -- should the customer want to go for it.

Moms Rule

2009-05-29T07:00:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, just sometimes, my boys think I'm a rock star. We were on Turlock Lake, tooling around on the boat. We had just left a small island, where the boys counted 46 Canada Geese eggs and saw a couple of goslings. In the small rock cliffs of the island, the boys found a small cave, about six feet off the ground, and about two feet across by two feet deep. Inside were five barn owls. As we walked up to them, and stood maybe five feet away, most of them slept, but one or two stared back at us and lowered their heads and then moved them side to side. They were beautiful. The afternoon sun was orange, it was about 100 degrees, and the lake water was a cool relief.

I decided to give water skiing a try. I haven't skied for probably 10 years. I was a little nervous and hoped I was strong enough to get up out of the water. It took me a couple of tries, but I got up. John had told me that we would do a loop around a small island and then come back to the spot where we started. After I got my bearings, and finally looked up, I realized just how far of a loop it was. I decided I couldn't give up, even though my arms and leg muscles were already starting to burn.

Then I looked in the boat and saw both Alden and Jackson cheering and screaming,with huge smiles on their faces. When I adjusted my bathing suit, and held the rope just with one hand, they went crazy. They were almost jumping up and down in the boat. I smiled at them and waved. They were trying to talk to me, but of course I couldn't hear them. But I will always remember how impressed they looked. If they weren't in the boat, I probably would have quit.

John said that he looked back at me and my knees were knocking together and my posture was almost bent over, but I too had a huge smile on my face. When I finally stopped and the boys came around to pick me up, they we so excited and told me that I rocked, and that I was really good.

That day was good for my ego and for my heart...

Mastering the Toast

2009-03-05T09:10:00.000-08:00

Hi all.
I've joined Toast Masters, an international club that helps people have more confidence about speaking in public and running meetings. I'm happy to report that I won the "Tall Tales" speech competition. This tall tale was inspired by Jackson and Alden and their disgust with my bad habit of not turning off the water when I brushed my teeth. After I blogged about it, some of you sent a note saying that their story had reminded you to either shut off the water when you brushed, or of yourself when you were a kid and were encouraging your parents to 'do the right' thing. Anyhoo. That experience grew into this tall tale. Thanks for the muse.
xoxo Shannon

Ode to John

2009-01-02T14:48:00.001-08:00

Hats off to my husband. A man who can rebuild the engine of my car. (Right now he's replacing the head gasket on my BMW. Hopefully, the head itself isn't cracked.) And, a man who watches Mama Mia with me (the version that includes song lyrics at the bottom of the screen.)

What a man!

Green Friday

2008-11-29T09:20:00.001-08:00

Instead of shopping on Black Friday, I'm starting a new tradition...spending the Friday after Thanksgiving with family and friends outside in nature. I won't find any good sales or deals, just beautiful, peaceful nature and people I love.

Yesterday, after visiting Hetch Hetchy Valley, part of Yosemite National Park, I was horrified to learn that a Wal-Mart worker was trampled to death when the store first opened. More mind-blowing were the reports that shoppers who were still waiting in line to get in, were angry at the delay after Police had to rope off the store.

Not only is this type of consumerism unsustainable, but now its literally killing people. Sad, scary.

Gut Check on Holiday Philanthropy

2008-11-25T15:03:00.001-08:00

With so many opportunities to donate money and volunteer this holiday season, I decided I needed to do a gut check on my philanthropic giving. Especially after learning about Sherry*, at the tear-filled Salvation Army event I recently attended.

Sherry's mother was addicted to drugs and alcohol and Sherry spent most of her life in and out of homeless situations. At its worst, the mom walked the streets with Sherry in tow and left her on the sidewalk to wait, while she turned tricks. A volunteer from Salvation Army saw Sherry while delivering a food basket to her mother, and invited Sherry to a youth group. Even though Sherry was embarrassed about who she was and where she came from, and extremely shy, she joined.

Within the Salvation Army community, Sherry found meals, companionship and serenity and most of all acceptance. When Sherry was a teenager, she and her mother faught a lot. Sherry prayed for a miracle, that her life would somehow change for the better. Her prayers were answered when her mother abandoned her and she got adopted by a family somehow affiliated with the Salvation Army.

I couldn't help but cry--along with most people at our table--while we watched her story unfold. Then after the video, Sherry, who was sitting at the next table, got up and spoke. Most people had got a grip by this point, but I kept right on blubbering. I couldn't stop thinking about how life changing the Salvation Army had been for this young woman, and the many others out there like her.

So what's a philanthropist to do? (Even a small one like me.) Focus on meeting immediate needs and support groups like Salvation Army that are doing so much good, and having real, tangible impact in the lives of people who are suffering today... Or, give to groups that address the underlying causes of the problems in hopes of preventing the suffering in the first place.

For the past five years, my primary philanthropic giving has gone to the Maine Women's Fund. I like how they give grants to groups that are working on systemic change--preventing hunger, abuse, homelessness, discrimination--through public policy work and direct service. (I also like how they are uber frugal.)

I'm happy to report on two conclusions from my gut check...

1.) I still want to invest more in the systemic change side of things. I believe that these huge issues such as hunger, homelessness, abuse, etc. can be solved. And at least in my lifetime, can be dramatically lessened. However, this won't happen unless there is focused, consistent and strategic action taken. I feel good about supporting that type of action and the results it will produce. While its not as concrete as Sherry's story, there are tangible results--better jobs, more access to higher education, more economic security, less suffering.

2.) It's time to increase my giving a little and include some direct service/immediate need charities. Yes, it will probably be to Salvation Army's in my area. Part of my increased giving will involve the boys. I told them that whenever we go out to shop this November and December to bring a handful of change so they can drop it in a Salvation Army kettle.

So this holiday season, I urge you to do your own philanthropic gut check. If necessary, change your giving habits. If you're happy with what and how you're investing your donations, don't change a thing. Whatever you do, be strategic in your giving. Otherwise you'll just feel pulled in a hundred different directions and guilty for not being able to respond to the various requests.

Cool idea for Christmas--if you want to support social change.... You can make a gift to the Maine Women's Fund in honor or in memory of someone special. They will send a nifty card to the person you want to honor.

* Sherry is not her real name. Not because I'm trying to protect her identity, but because I can't remember it.

Commodities and Cuties

2008-10-31T00:12:00.000-07:00

Here some great pictures taken by my friend Ashly of Agricultural Day at Cloverland Elementary School, where the boys attend.

Note the cute presenter in the 4th grade class. The scheduled speaker couldn't make it, so John filled in. He spoke about 'commodities' and the Central Valley (and about his teen days of working on a dairy and about his experiences in FFA [Future Farmers of America.]) Among the Central Valley's largest commodities are: Dairy, tomatoes, corn, beef, poultry, rice. John asked how many kids lived on farms. Nobody raised their hand. He asked how many of their parents or grandparents grew up on farms. Many hands went up.

Jackson particularly liked the one-horned goat. Bonus--the horn fell off during Ag Day! Alden liked the roping demonstration.

In addition to Ag Day, October also brought us two successful birthday parties for the boys. Pics are on Facebook.

The Stuff We Hold Onto

2008-10-04T04:55:00.000-07:00

Mother Earth and Noetic Sciences offer a different way to think about the environmental crisis that we hear so much about. They suggest that its not a crisis, as much as it is a major societal change.... a shift away from a society based on petroleum. People who are able to make changes in their lives that shift their own behavior away from petroleum based goods and services will be better off, and their society too. (For the record... they fully acknowledge our environment is a mess right now, due to people. Yes, Sarah Palin, due to PEOPLE.) Being an optimist (and a worry-wart) this 'solution-based' approach appeals to me.

Throughout our move, I fell back on this philosophy. It's time to do things differently! This chapter is going to be different for the Nichols Family. We're going to minimize our stuff, we're going to live within our means, we're going to buy things that are better for the environment, we're going to save money for a rainy day fund, we'll garden--and eat more locally grown food.

Well its' time for a progress report....
Minimize our stuff... C-
Before we left Maine, I gave away huge amounts of toys, clothes, furniture, books and other stuff. We packed everything we needed into a 15 ft. Uhaul trailer--our couch, beds, dressers, table, clothes and some dishes. That felt good! In California, or house wasn't cluttered. For the most part we had what we needed, and no more. Perfect!

Then, John arrived. With a 26 foot Ryder moving truck. Filled with all the crap, that didn't make it in the first trip. His tool boxes, ladders, drills (how many drills does one guy need?? He could ask the same about my wine glasses...) Christmas decorations, baby clothes, bikes, furniture, book cases, a printer and stereo, toys, toys, toys, books, art, the boat, life jackets, more toys, more books and more art.

Liberation turned to suffocation... For two weeks now we've been integrating this stuff into our small house. Ugh! Nothing brings the amount of stuff you have into focus more than asking your friends and family to help you move it. "Here's another box of books, Shannon. Where to? How about this 'art' box? Another "Fragile" box, to the kitchen?? What about these 'Memories' boxes?"

Memories don't belong in a box. They belong in your head and heart. Maybe a journal is the answer, where you can capture the experiences you want to remember, but don't have to keep the mementos that take up space.

Living within our Means B+
We've been managing our money very carefully over the past few month, as we've really just been living off of one income (John's) and the money we saved for the move. I get paid once a month (so I've just got my first paycheck) which will make our money management a bit more important... Our one indulgence has been several trips to the hobby shop. The kids have bought (and destroyed) several balsa wood airplanes, a couple of models, trading cards and some smaller plastic helicopters and Jackson's remote control turanchula ... Other than that, we've been doing pretty well in the spending category.

Buy things that are better for the environment... (graded next semester)
I'm going to need a car soon. (Right now we just have John's pick up.) I want one that gets at least 30 mpg. This means going smaller, but I think a Pontiac Vibe would work for us. I also have my eye on a scooter, but John thinks they are too dangerous for my 20 minute commute. I don't. (But its not as practical as a car... because I wouldn't take the kids on it...) We'll see how we do on our major vehicle purchase.

Save money for a rainy day fund...
Not yet.

Buy local B+
I'm checking labels, and purchasing local when I can. I buy veggies and fruits (sometimes) at fruit stands and get lots of veggies from Jack and J's garden and Jack J's garden. Haven't started my own garden here yet. Don't want to put roots down at this house. And, I don't have a sense of the seasons here. I think that things must be able to grow in the 'winter' here because its so warm.. But I'm not sure. I'll probably start some things in containers. I need to start composting again. That's my goal for October. A professor at CSU Stanislaus gave me a great idea for my new compost bin. It's just going to be made out of 2x4's and chicken wire, and then I'm going to plant morning glories or some other climbing plant around it. Pretty, eh?

Being able to change is heavy on my mind right now, because I'm starting to feel the newness of CA wearing off. John's back, we're getting back to normal routines, I'm workiing again... It's so much easier to change when you're new to something. I want to keep that openness and effort to change alive, even as we settle in out here.

Shannon Nichols named Director of Development at CSU Stanislaus

2008-09-30T13:09:00.000-07:00

September 25, 2008

Shannon Nichols, who brings extensive fundraising experience with her from Maine, joined the California State University, Stanislaus Office of University Advancement this month as Director of Development. Nichols, whose duties will center on fundraising with individuals, corporations, and foundations, previously served as Director of Development of the Maine Women’s Fund, a public foundation that promotes social change by investing in the support of women and girls. She worked with high-profile businesswomen to create a giving circle for women who want to give back to their community and mentor aspiring female entrepreneurs. Nichols relished her leadership role while raising more than $2.2 million in support of issues she feels passionate about, including economic development, affordable housing, and support services for people with mental illness.... more

Exhale...

2008-09-21T08:17:00.000-07:00

John is back! He pulled into town yesterday, with the big yellow Penski truck and the boat in tow. I'm sooo glad he's back. The boys were glued to him and showered him with hugs and kisses. Both talked non-stop at him for the first hour, bringing him up to speed on issues like school, friends, boo-boo's and black holes.

Boys need breakfast. Bye.

Hannah's Journey

2008-09-01T22:03:00.000-07:00

Hannah has a pretty wide circle of friends in Maine, thanks to all the dog people we know. Many have asked how she's doing, so here's a report...

Hannah is doing well, holding her own in this heat, and enjoying eating horse manure (more on that later.) I was worried about her taking the long road trip in a pick up that required her to jump in and out of the back seat, and her stiff joints. But she did well, although I know it was hard on her. She had two-thirds of the long bench back seat on our trip, and spent most of it laying down. I got her some glycosomean (or something like that) a few weeks before we left to help her joints. Hannah will be 11 on September 29th.

One of the benefits of being in this "waiting place" (for John and to start work) is that Hannah and I have reconnected. This is cool because of all my dog friends, I'm the one who takes her dog for granted the most (I'm not proud to say.) Like I'm the one who doesn't know the dogs actual birthday [I just had to figure out her birth date--for the first time--off her kennel card that we got when we adopted her from the Denver Dumb Friends League.] I'm the one who doesn't buy her many treats, and the one who has noticed that she could use a new collar about two years ago and has done nothing about it. As a dog mom, I suck!

However, I'm trying to change that.

Hannah, the boys and I take walks most nights around the covered arena and barn. Han loves the horses and the horses seem quite curious about her. At first, Hannah would try to go under the paddock fences to get in with the horses. But now she just trots up and says hi. It's on these nightly walks that she discovered a love for eating horse manure. (And she wonders why I don't want kisses.) And I discovered that she had bladder infection. She's on good antibiotics now. (I found a good vet for small animals, especially working dogs. There were lots of pictures of hunting dogs and poems about ranch dogs all over the walls.)

About twice a week, I've been giving her a doggie massages, using moves I saw on a show about doggie yoga. (Yes, I know I have a lot of time on my hand.) She loves them-I think it feels good on her joints. Just this week, I've let her come up on the couch and lay her head on my lap while I'm on the computer or watching TV. Also being the only adults here, we often end up chatting before bed.

Our yard isn't big, but its not small either. It's got a fence around it so she's free to roam within our front and back yard, which has some good shade from three medium sized trees. In Raymond, she had her run of the pipeline, and often disappeared for longer than she should. (God, I suck!) And, she had her daily routines...Every night she'd greet Troy and Tracy and get her treat. Most mornings she'd go over and say hi too.

Here she's just starting to be friends with the horses and Mary Jo's three dogs. It feels good to have her confinded. Today, she and the boys snuck back to the horse paddocks. I thought she and the boys were in the front yard, because I was in the back hanging out clothes. Then I heard Hannah bark from the paddocks, and I looked up and saw Alden sitting on the top of the paddock railing. I called for Hannah and she came, then called for the boys and they took off running in the opposite direction and tried to hide. When I finally got them to come to me, and asked Alden why he had gone back to the paddocks, when I had just told him not to go back there without me, he said he "absolutely forgot what I said."

Hannah is one of the reasons i feel safe here. She barks loudly whenever anyone comes to the farm right next door, like we share a driveway.

Although I sucked as a dog mom, a lot of the time, I hope that as Hannah gets older, and continues to be the cool dog that she is, that I become a better friend to her. In that way, California has been good for both of us.

-This post is dedicated to Tyson

I got the job! and playful horses

2008-08-31T08:09:00.000-07:00

Good news! I got the job! Starting on 9/8/08, I'll be the new Director of Development at the California State University at Stanislaus. I'm soooo excited! The campus is beautiful and I'll be working for a woman, about my age, who has a 2nd grader and kindergartner. When she learned that John wasn't here in CA yet, and that I was alone, she said, "Don't worry about schedules. We'll make it work."

I'm excited too about raising some serious money. This position is just focused on fundraising (from individuals, corporations and foundations.) I've always been responsible for fundraising and communications, so this will be great to just focus on one.

Today we're going to a rodeo. We're going to cheer on Mary Joe, the woman who takes care of the horses here at on the horse farm/ranch where we live. She's going to be barrel racing. Will try to get some shots and post them. Last night, as the sun was setting, I saw two yearlings (horses that are one year old, right Amy?) that were just released into a paddock, running through a sprinkler and having fun. The water was back lit and the horses were shiny from the water. It was 101 or more yesterday. I thought it looked like a great way to end the day. Glad I just happened to catch that bit of joy and life taking place right in my back yard.

Amy's Dog

2008-08-29T19:07:00.000-07:00

Forget the horse whisperer... Amy's the chicken whisperer. Here's a video of Carmaleena, Amy's chicken that she's trained to 'come,' 'jump' and they are working on 'speak.' I've been trying to decide if we should get a chicken or two... Fresh eggs for free sounds good to me. I doubt I could do the same wonders as my sister...

Just Waiting

2008-08-20T22:21:00.000-07:00

There's nothing like waiting for an employer to call you to let you know if you got the job or not. On Monday, I had what I thought was a very good interview with the development team at California State University, Stanislaus. The VP of Advancement said she'd call me by the end of the week to let me know. It's for a Development Director position.

So, here I wait. And wait. And wait.

Thanks everyone for the great comments on these posts. I feel so cool and loved to have that many people post a comment. It also makes us feel a little less homesick. The kids love hearing about their friends and talk about them often. I read Jackson an email today from Jen Danzig, his friend's mom. After Jackson smiled and said, "If we went back to Maine in a few weeks, I could have my birthday party there and invite all my friends." Then he said, "but I won't be in Maine." He didn't look sad, more like he was just clarifying that to me and himself. Alden chimed in, "You'll have to get together when we go back for a visit."

I also showed Alden some great photos from the pool party that his friends' (moms) threw for him. We loved them. I'm so amazed at how well they are adjusting. It's hard to have your heart in two places.

Today, Alden showed me a note... didn't actually show me, more like let me read it over his shoulder... that said, "Alden, I like you. You are my best friend. Cameron" Cameron is my new best friend. Thank God for nice boys. Then a girl from his class saw me with Alden and said, "He had a really good day." Thank God for nice girls! They keep you in the know.

Update on Oakdale. I like it now. It's not the hick-ville I thought it was at first. Since my earlier posts, I've found a yoga studio which I intent to use, a good coffee shoppe and have met some very nice people.

Until I am employed, I'm have a great time being a stay at home mom. Starting tomorrow, I'm bringing one of Jackson's classmates to his daycare, to help out his mom. She leaves work everyday to pick him up at school then drop him at daycare. I'm hoping that I'll earn some karma points and that a real 'stay-at-home-mom' will help me out. Actually, today one of the moms I was chatting with offered to bring Jackson to his daycare once he switches to his lame-o half day afternoon kindergarten class. Lame only because its half day...

She seems really nice, she has a daughter in kindergarten and a younger child too. Hmmm, how do you do due diligence in a situation like this? The daycare is only 5 blocks from school, but the daycare can't transport kids to and from school, because of a CA law that says only daycares within 4 blocks can transport kids to school. Ugh. And the bus can't take him there because its not in our bus 'pocket.' So, even though it would be way less gas for the bus to pick Jackson up and drop him off at his daycare, they won't, because of their policies. Maybe CA wouldn't be in such a budget crisis, if their many laws had room for common sense.

Road Trip Tips from Jackson and Alden

2008-08-14T22:19:00.000-07:00

When your parents wake you up at 4:00 AM to hit the road, just sing, sing a song!

Try gas station yoga.

Watch where you play at rest stops.

Stop in time for an evening swim.

Travel pillows are a must. Snuggly labs are also good.

Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Cowboys

2008-08-14T19:27:00.000-07:00

Well ya'll, we're in sunny Oakdale, CA. Day two of a heat wave with temps over 100 degrees. Thank goodness our little 'palace' has AC. So, we're living in a little house, on a 20 acre horse farm. There is a big barn with stables, many smaller barns, several paddocks, a big house next to us, and an outdoor riding arena.

From the kids' window this morning, we watched a horse that was just let out into the pasture gallop around. It was beautiful to watch. They are western/pleasure horses, chestnut color. The woman that we rent from breeds them. We met the 'cow girls' (really) that take care of the horses and the barn, Mary Jo is the leader, her daughter Crystal helps out and so does her mother, Dixie. They were nice. Crystal was a rodeo queen 3 years running. The horses and barns surround our house on three sides. In front of our house is a busy road, and then directly across the street is a large cow pasture.

Holy shit. What am I doing here?

This house and this community are a little more rural/agricultural than I bargained for. Everyone that we've met is very nice and welcoming... but I just don't think if its a good fit for us. We're only five minutes from town, where there is just about everything we need--and some things we don't, like tractor sales and three big ag stores. Our house is kind of rough. It hasn't been lived in since February, so its pretty cobwebby and dusty. Also, as Jackson wrote in his one sentence letter to Pierce, "Dear Pierce, We have an ant problem."

I've been cleaning as I unpack, so its slow going.. Doing so has made me remember how much I hate cleaning. On the bright side, it's got three good sized bedrooms, two baths, a wood stove, and a fenced yard for Hannah. Also, except for the spiders on the porch, I feel safe.

At first, both John and I were unsure about staying here. (We took it sight unseen.) But we've decided to stick it out, try to save lots o money while we're here, and then buy a house right after.) I'm treating this like a social experiment. I mean, I did say that I wanted to live in a more country setting, teach my guys more about gardening and maybe even have some chickens. We certainly could do all that here. (Really--our landlady said having chickens would be fine... just have to keep them in a coop to keep them safe from the wild dogs that occasionally come by.) Alden saw a coyote in the cow pasture across the street the other night. We watched it slink through the pasture, and disappear over a hill.

Yes, a social experiment. I must say, I'm having some identity issues. I went from being a successful nonprofit director, living in a beautiful, custom built home, having great friends and family nearby and feeling very comfortable in most ways...to a woman without a job, living in so-so house, surrounded by cows and horses, driving (John's) pick up, all without clothes/foot ware that are appropriate for the climate. Nothing like stripping away all of the things you use to identify yourself by, to figure out who you really are. (Not that I've got THAT figured out yet...)

Today, we finally found out where the kids will go to school. It's not the school that our neighborhood children go to, because they were full, but one just down the street. Both a really good. Tomorrow will be their first day. Jackson is going into Kindergarten and Alden is going into third grade. I can't believe it. Kindergarten is only half day, which is a bummer. I've got to find daycare for Jackson for the other half of the day that's stimulating for him. He's such an experiential learning--he's not going to be content with coloring, or some lame craft. After being at Mayberry Hill Preschool, any school or daycare is going to have a hard time measuring up.

I'm so exhausted... Dropped John off at Oakland International Airport today at 5:00 AM. He's flying back to ME for two weeks to finish up some jobs and button up his business. Was proud of myself that I got home (about 1.5 hours) from Oakland without a hitch. (OK, one little hitch, but I knew I was going the wrong way and turned right around...) He'll be back here in early September. It's going to be so hard without him.

On Tuesday, John took his electrical test to be a licensed electrician in CA and passed it! He got an 85%. Pretty impressive given that he studied about 30 mins to prepare. So, now when he gets back out here, he'll be able to get a job as an electrician. I have a second interview at California State University at Stanislaus on Monday at 9:30 AM. Please send me good vibes, keep your fingers crossed and say a little prayer for me! I think my biggest downfall as a candidate is that I'm new to the area and that I don't have an existing network. If anyone has any suggestions on how to mitigate that, please share! Also, I think I'll need to take Spanish lessons so I can pronounce people's names correctly. Tomorrow, I'm going to get my new cell number for CA, and will order a GPS service for my cell that will help me get around.

Onward...Yawn, onward...

We Made It!

2008-08-10T07:12:00.000-07:00

Last night around 5:30 PM, we landed in Atwater, CA, at John's parents' house. I can't believe we made it in just four days. The night before we wanted to stop and sleep in Salt Lake City. We rolled into town at about 9:00 PM, and pulled up to our favorite cheap hotel that takes dogs, Motel 6. The boys were in need of a break and John was getting tired. Turns out almost every hotel room in the city is full due to some big convention. The guy at Motel 6 suggested we go the next stop--some 80 miles down the road. Two+ hours later, we stopped for the night. That was our longest day of driving--5:00 AM to 11:00 PM.

When the boys get cranky, they ask to go swimming. (It's hard leaving the Lakes Region, where you get to swim just about every day.) Yesterday around noon, Jackson got on a "I want to go SWIMming" kick. Even he started to giggle, as we looked around at the desert like landscape of Utah, with not a drop of water in sight. Luckily, we've been able to swim twice on the trip, in the lovely Motel 6 pools. (Did I mention its our favorite cheap hotel that takes dogs and has pools!) Maybe today, we'll get to visit John's sister, Lin, and take a drip in her pool.

Although John and I missed it, the boys reported seeing lots of interesting wildlife on the trip. Alden saw many bunnies, a black bear and some sort of unidentified creature. Jackson saw a antelope. We weren't sure what it was, but then he drew a picture of it, and we decided it must have been an antelope due to its many antlers. One thing I did see that kind of freaked me out, was in Nebraska at the rest stop. A sign that said, "Beware of Rattlesnakes." Especially near the pet area. Yikes.

John is a rock star when it comes to driving. I think I drove about 3 hours tops on this trip. We only got turned around once when getting out of Salt Lake City. But he got us right back on the highway. Whew! Our dog also gets kudos. She's really stiff now (she's 11) and tired. I'll be happy to get her into our rental house and settled.

I just remembered, the house we're going to rent doesn't have a refrigerator. (Details. Details.) Oops. Will have to buy a used one I guess, along with the other furniture that we were not able to fit in the trailer (which I think is just dining room chairs.) We fit way more into the trailer than I thought. We got our table, two kids dressers, our dresser, our bed, the kids' bed frames (John's mom found us some new mattresses to buy out here for them) our couch, bikes, and tons of boxes. I think I got all the boxes I wanted and almost all the boxes that were in the 'bring to CA if room" category.

We're going to sign the lease with our landlord this morning. I can't wait to check out Oakdale. I hope it like it. It's the (gulp) cowboy capital of America. Yeee haw!

800 A Day

2008-08-07T19:47:00.000-07:00

For the past two days, we've gone about 800 miles a day. Not bad for a family of four and one dog. John is a little frustrated with our numerous stops, but I think we're making good time. He's driven almost the entire way. I think I'm the worst road trip partner ever. I drive for 20 mins and I get sleepy. I can't help it!

Today we started driving at 4:00 AM. The boys have been doing so well. Like yesterday, we took a nice lunch break at a rest stop, made lunch, took a walk, played a little football and soccer. Things got a bit 'squirely' around 7:00 PM, as we were entering Nebraska. Alden and Jackson were in the front seat with John, and I was in back with Hannah. Alden was the head navigator, with his map book in his lap, following our path down I-80, counting every mile marker. Jackson went to his 'happy place' and announced that he needed some quiet time to meditate. He sat cross-legged in his booster seat, thumbs to forefingers, eyes closed. After several minutes, he announced, "Meditating is useless with a seat belt on!"

Except for Alden's disastrous peeing-in-a-bottle incident, and a few wet-willies, all has gone smoothly. Even Hannah is being a trooper. To keep occupied, we've been reading Harry Potter, the Chamber of Secrets. We finished it today. Alden read a little bit of a Pokemon book to us. Thanks Walter, for the reading material! Jackson drew a picture and the boys played travel checkers.

Leaving Raymond (two nights ago) was sad. We said good-bye to Pierce's store, Walter's road, Allaister's road and so on... Many tears were shed.

Today, I just realized that when John comes back to CA, he's going to have to take this l o n g route again. That's going to stink. (He's coming back to Maine for the last two weeks of the month, to finish up a bunch of jobs. Then he'll drive out to CA with the boat.)

The joke of the day was, "Look, over there.... corn!" Lots of corn fields and rolling hills. We also saw several huge windmills, which I think are new since we rolled through almost exactly 8 years ago when we moved to Maine from Denver.

The Big Day

2008-08-05T09:48:00.000-07:00

We're off today, to move to California. I can't believe it, but I'm alone right now, so I'm grabbing this quiet moment to send out a quick note.

Wanted to thank our amazing family and friends for all the help and support during this past summer. The going away parties, cook outs, well wishes, cards, prayers, gifts for the kids, banana bread and chocolate chip and coconut squares are so appreciated and make me feel like its going to be hard to find a community as wonderful as Raymond.

At 3:00 or so my awesome family is coming to load the 6x12 trailer we rented. Thankfully, we're going to haul that instead of the boat. I can't believe how much 'stuff' we gave away or got rid of. I think we got our whole house, not including John's tools and garage contents, down to 70 boxes or so.

As for our spirits...
Alden is excited. I heard him say to Jackson this AM, "Jackson, this is the day we're moving! to a place we've never been!!"

Jackson is not happy about going. He doesn't want to leave his garden. We're going to pick a bunch of tomatoes and bring them with us, even though they are green.

John is working hard these days, but oh so happy to be headed West.

And, I'm holding up. Feeling beat emotionally and physically, so I'm looking forward to getting on the road so I can sleep. But, all in all, I'm feeling really peaceful about things, and know that everything is going to work out. (Bri, remember when I said that a month ago, and then the next day was in tears over every little thing, i.e. Modesto.)

That's how its been lately, one moment we're excited and happy, the next so sad to leave.

Thanks again to everyone for all your help and prayers. I'll post again later if I can logistically from the road.