Ready...set...go!!!

Wow! I feel an overwelming sense of relief today. One more thing that was bothering me has been resolved. What was it? Well, we are finally in our 'newly remodeled' (read new fridge and range-from D quality to C quality and newly spray-textured countertops...woo-hoo), normal smelling, semi-permanent apartment home! Whew! The original apt we moved into was on the ground floor. The front half of the apt was built into the ground up to the window ledge so it had a very funky smell. Sort of a cross between mold, mildew, earth and mustiness. The dishwasher didn't work, all the outlets were loose (anything plugged in, fell out), well...you get the idea. It was basically the apt from hell! it was nothing like the model they showed my hubby and that I saw online. We complained (nicely, of course) and to the apt mgr's credit, she said we could move to another apt, but we had to wait almost 2 weeks while they 'remodeled' it. In the meantime, I had dishpan hands (my 41 yr old hands are getting that veiny look already, so this was worse!), and couldn't breathe too deeply. Well, it was worth the wait...we are 'home'!

Actually, another thing was taken care of today also. All in all, a good day. We got furniture!! All our stuff is still in our house that is up for sale. The plan is to move it all up here when the house is sold. Hopefully we can time it so that we can move everything into a newly purchased home. I'm tired of moving! Anyways, we are now going to sleep up off the floor...we have a bed frame!! Thank god...my knees were killing me! We also got a bar table, but the bar stools are on back order. Ugh! I guess it's not completely resolved. Oh well...wait...examine...can't do anything about it...don't stress. I feel better already!

So, now that we're home, we can set up my jewelrymaking stuff. I haven't made anything in a month and it feels strange. Before I found out we were moving, I was sort of on a roll. I had just gotten into an artist co-op gallery (for local artists only) in November (thanks to my buddy Danielle-please check out my fave links), I started to get repeat customers, I was selling a bunch of stuff (also thanks to my buddy Danielle), and I found that designing and making things was coming a lot easier. Now I'll have to start all over. Seems daunting w/out my buddy Danielle who makes and sells absolutely bee-yoo-tee-full dichroic glass jewelry full time! She's been gracious enough to share her expeiences and booth space with me many occasions. She's been my mentor and inspiration and I'll be eternally grateful. Not to mention, she's just a great person too!

I am ready to start setting up my space! Tomorrow, I will go get my tanks filled and try to buy a table to work on that I can still use (for craft shows) once I get my real workbench from Sacto. I can't wait! It's about time. I'm ready to go..go...go...!

Sweet catharsis

Is there such a thing as buddhism 'lite'? I don't want to offend anyone, so please let me know if I've made such a gaffe. To tell you the truth, I know barely anything about Buddhism. The reason I ask is that a dear friend of mine, (*shameless plug* Please visit her site for more!) whose blog address is: womanwarrior007.blogspot.com, shared a quote from a book the Dalai Lama wrote. Here it is:

"If you have fear of some pain or suffering, you should examine whether there is anything you can do about it. If you can, there is no need to worry about it; if you cannot do anything, then there is also no need to worry."

What do you think about it? My friend sent it to me because of difficulties I have been having with my hubby and my recent move. I've been stressed because of money and all things related. I am trying to be supportive of my hubby, but I really did not want to move away from 'home'. This quote she sent is now my personal goal. I need to learn to examine situations that normally cause stress (to me) and decide if anything can be done. Then I have my answer and don't need to worry. It's going to be alot easier said than done since I have 41 years of worry behind me! Old habits die hard! I will also try to read something from the Dalai Lama. At worst, I won't like or agree with any other philosophies, perhaps, I will find parts I like and others I dislike, or at best, I will be able to find more solace and peace in my life...catharsis...sweet catharsis. It's what I need! I will at least do some research and thinking on it.

I also wonder if someone who is Buddhist practices all the tenets, and agrees w/ all philosophies or beliefs set forth? Or do you pick and choose? Sort of a 'lighter version' if you will. I know that reincarnation is a belief, but I grew up in a Southern Baptist church. So that would be a hard thing to believe for me. But realize I need to keep an open mind and maybe, just maybe there's enough room for both Buddhism and my old religious beliefs to coexist. I guess we'll see.

ok...so I lied...

Ok...so I lied...sort of. My brother does live here, but he's very busy and I don't expect we'll get together much, although today was one of those rare occasions. I meant I don't have any "friends" here. He's lived here for several years now and knows the Seattle are pretty well. Today we went to a place called Spud's on Alki Ave. Kind of a cute area. There's a paved path around the area at the water's edge and even though today was rather grey (what else is new in Seattle?), there were lots of people walking with dogs, jogging and the like. It borders Elliot Bay and from a stretch of that path, you can get a very nice panorama of Downtown Seattle and the Space Needle. As a matter of fact, my brother had taken quite a lovely picture of all that at night and it was beautiful! Spud's is a fish and chip place...one of the oldest in Seattle from what I gathered. It was good except I was surprised that they charged separately for ketchup and for tartar sauce. I've never been to any fish and chip place anywhere that did that. Kinda weird if you ask me. Guess I'm used to Long John Silver's where you can get/use as much as you want! Well, I guess there's alot to explore around here, as well as lots of restaurants ( hope they don't charge for all the extras...like water!) and once I get used to it, I'll like the area as much as I did home in California.

another person w/ moving blues

I'm just starting this blog as late night therapy so thanks for reading on. Haven't really read many blogs so I hope this is OK. I just moved to WA with my husband. He applied for and was awarded a position in the same federal govt agency. However, because he had to apply and wasn't 'transferred', we had to take on all the costs and headaches of moving ourselves pretty quickly...in a month from the day he found out. It was an interstate move and we had to put our house up for sale. It is still for sale and there have been no bites. We will probably have to lower our asking price considerably since the housing market in CA has slowed down. And even then who knows when it'll sell? Right now, we're renting a small apt, but the cost of both the house and related bills, and the apt and related bills on just one income is giving me some serious stress. I could not transfer with my job and so I'm staying at home right now and feeling a bit useless. I wanted to see if I could make it as a full time craftsperson, but the money situation has got me worried. We have spent more than I was expecting and although we have some money in savings, I really don't want to tap into that. The prospect of looking for a job all over again is daunting. My hubby was in the military for many years so he is used to moving, but I have basically stayed in the same town for all my life. I've never made a move this big and I am not enjoying it at all. I know...I'm sure there are many people who have been in a situation like mine and I shouldn't throw my self a pity party, but I guess, I just want to be heard. My husband says not to worry...it'll all work itself out, I guess it will somehow.

Another thing is I guess I just wasn't mentally prepared for moving. it happened so fast that I never got the chance to get used to the idea. Maybe I'm just getting old or something. I'm in my 40's and change seems to be getting harder for me. I don't know anyone here either and my hubby is at work alot. He tries to keep me company as much as possible, but know he'd be at work more if I wasn't such an introvert. I am on the quiet side and a bit shy, so it's hard for me to meet people. Always has been. I am trying to look at this move as something positive and an opportunity to grow as a person, yet it's been hard. Even back home I never had that many friends. There are moments when I feel optimistic and full of energy and others where I just want to sit in a dark room. I guess I'm blue. I've always considered myself to be a pretty well-adjusted person so I am hoping these are normal feelings for a move. Writing down my feelings and knowing someone will read them helps too even if no one responds. Well, thanks for 'listening'. Hope this hasn't been too depressing.