The Lion, The Wreath and The Snowstorm

The Lion The Wreath and The Snowstorm

Macy's Christmas Tree

Well, here we are. It's Christmas time again.


We have been so busy that we feel bad that we haven't had time to catch up with everyone. Work is really really busy for Tink, so it has been hard to update (or write much of anything), and her email has been blocked again at work, so she can't communicate very well. The depression has been coming and going and her blood sugar has not been stabilizing since she last saw her doctor at the end of November. She is still reporting it her doctor, but with all the holidays and all the inconsistencies in her schedule, it has been very difficult to take her meds on time and make them work.

Me in the snow.

Sans has found a new job! He will be working at Comcast directly, instead of working as an outsourced tech support call center guy. They told him if he passes all the background check, drug test, etc., he will tentatively start on Dec. 31 at the latest. He will be making about the same as he had been at Stream, but the work conditions will be better, as well as the benefits. Once he has worked there for 60 days, he will get his benefits, which means that Tink can find another job that pays more.


Sans on the "L"

We have agreed to sign a 6 month lease at our current apartment, because for several reasons it would be better for us to stay longer. For one, it is too difficult to move this time of year. Our lease is up at the end of December, can you imagine trying to move at Christmastime? Another reason, is we just can't afford it right now. We are having enough trouble coming up with money for rent, food, and gifts for the family. So we will start looking for a rental house in March and hopefully, we'll get a nice home, not an apartment in Beaverton. We will be able to move out in June. And also hopefully, we will get an inheritance check from my grandmother's estate by then, so we have some $ to fall back on. And that way we can get some furniture, etc.

Our dream home has at least two bedrooms, so we can have a guest, and possibly a baby room. And two bathrooms. A backyard for Mario, and maybe for another dog. A nice large kitchen for all of our “gourmet” low carb cooking. And a garage. It would be nice to finally set up the table saw that I have had for 5 years and have never taken out of the box, for lack of somewhere to use it. We would also like more than one closet. It will be great to live so close to work, so I could visit Mario on my lunch. He would be so much happier than being stuck in his little room all day. I would like to be able to paint and decorate as I like.

We are still waiting for the Christmas gifts for the kids to come in the mail. I guess I ordered them too late. I have some plans for the adults in the family, but what we wanted to send everyone, is not quite working out the way we had planned. So, it's back to the drawing board. Eventually, we will get them all out. We are planning a very subdued Christmas this year. Going over to mom's, and giving a few little things to her and give what we have already to the rest of the family. I have to work in the morning, so it will be a short holiday. Sans and I are planning our personal Christmas early next year. We have great ideas for what to get each other, but we just don't have the cash.


We spent last weekend using a wedding gift from my best friend – Kevin. He flew us out to Chicago and let us sty with him. We had a really nice time, although it was much too short. I think next time, we will go when it isn't the snowstorm season, stay for longer and possibly stay in a hotel. It was difficult, since there were 5 of us in a one bedroom, 1 bathroom apartment. And it was hard to get out because of the storm. We went to several places and it looked like a really fun place. We got to go to the Chicago Art Institute. We were only there for an hour, but we got to see some amazing artwork. We also got to walk around downtown, and see Macy's decorated for Christmas, eat some Chicago pizza, and hot dogs. And of course, it was really fun to see my friend (oh and his new kitty). We look forward to going back.

We have had a great year, full of surprises, and love. We hope you all have a wonderful holiday, as a fabulous New Year!

Here are some pictures from our trip:

The Kitty, Hank, loves my computerWesley and Jessie

Chicago PizzaSans in the snow

Chicago Dog

Sans and Tink in Potillos

Kevin and Tink in Portillos