A Big Long Story About A Job

So, yeah, we're moving to Kingman, AZ. My husband just accepted an offer at the hospital, in the radiology dept, as the PACS administrator. He's done it before, he can do it in his sleep. Here's the whole story.

We've been self-employed for years now. My hsuband started a business with a few other guys doing software development. We've loved doing it, he's loved it and we had long-term plans. Well, it's a long story, but Jason continued work (and continued to get paid) through November. Then we decided it was time to end it. Jason applied for a few jobs and called a few contacts.

He had an interview in Phoenix. We wanted that job; they really wanted him. But at the interview he was told they just initiated a hiring freeze but were still trying to get his position approved. In the meantime the hospital in Kingman called. Uh, why did you apply to Kingman? Before his interview we went there for a look around. It was, uh, well, ok. A lot of trailers... a Wal-Mart... oh, In-N-Out, Home Depot, ok. There were some nice houses. It was late in the day and getting dark so we couldn't really explore too much. J had his interview; they wanted him. He was called for a 2nd interview and called by the IS (computer) dept at the same hospital for an interview in their dept.

Before these interviews we decided to make another trip there to check it out again. We spent 9 hours in the car driving around the whole place. We saw every nice neighborhood, the schools, the mountains, the free, plethora of land and dirt roads. Most houses had a 3-4 car garage, RV access, huge RV garages, and huge backyards. We found a house we want. They actually have 2 church buildings and 5 wards. 5!

J went for his 2 interviews and the radiology dept offered him the job. He accepted. It is an easy job and good money. They pay over-time, they give raises for every new certification he gets. Our health insurance will be a quarter of what we're paying now and all hospital services in Kingman and through the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix will be free. Free. We could have 10 more babies and they'd all be free. But we won't have 10 more babies in case you were getting scared. J will have time to go to school.

We're planning the move now. We're looking for a short-term rental while trying to purchase our own place. I know it'll take some getting used to but we'll be close to family. Las Vegas is an hour and a half away, Phoenix is about 3. Vegas will be our temple; we can drop the kids off at the grandparents while we go.

The best thing about Kingman is the outdoors. There are mountains for biking, empty land for 4-wheeling (as in quads), and trails for hiking. It's cooler than Vegas in the summer and even gets a little snow in the winter (more in the mountains).

What can be better than all that?

The One About The 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways

Have you been over to my business blog yet? It's going to be much more exciting than this ol' blog. Well, exciting is a relative term, no? Anyway, this post is a repost from that blog. Doesn't get more exciting than that.

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Head on over to somewhat simple for a chance to win tons of awesome prizes for the 12 Days of Christmas. Like a $40 gift certificate from Slightly Askew on Day 7. Or a sweet little girl's dress from my Arizona bestie, Elk Dresses on Day 8. They have lots of other awesome giveaways, but those are the best.

Merry Christmas!
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The One With More of Me...Again

I started a blog for my shop, Slightly Askew. I'm super excited about it. Can you tell? See, this is me, super excited. I haven't decided what it's going to be yet, for sure. It'll be a little bit... askew, maybe. Just slightly.

I'm leaving tomorrow for super fun in San Diego for the market. Do you need anything while I'm there? Maybe some sunny-beach sunshine? I'll make sure to pick some up for you.

The One Where I Am So Happy To Have Photoshop Again and Took A Little Trip To The Beach

Oh, Photoshop, nothing compares. Jason finally got an upgraded version that works with Windows 7 on my laptop. I am a happy girl.

My mom and I went on a short sabbatical to California. Jason stayed home with the punks. We left Wednesday and came home Saturday. It was glorious. We stayed with my grandparents, went to Ikea, Huntington Beach, ate right next to the beach, walked on the beach and down the pier, and visited old friends. We spent hours shopping, ate at the same cafe we ate at when we'd visit my grandma years ago, and went to see a Russian string quartet, Talich Quartet, at Cal State Fullerton. I slept in every morning, took long, leisurely showers, and ate yummy homemade food. It was wonderful. I really (well, not really even a little bit) missed my kids.

The One About My Giveaway

So, I told you I was going to market. I've been super busy making lots of new things. I have 120 items for the show right now, but am still making more. I have only 3 weeks left! I ordered my business cards, hang tags, and a big ol' banner. This is a squished version of the cards, but you get the idea.

Anyway, I'm hosting a giveaway on the market website. I'm giving away the python cuff in the picture below, top middle. Don't you want to enter to win?

The One About a Market

So, about a month ago, on a total whim, I applied to be a vendor at this little market in San Diego. I wasn't really thinking I'd get chosen, but no harm in trying. I talked to Jason and decided even if we weren't in Vegas anymore, I'd still fly to San Diego and do the show, if I were chosen. Well, I had to wait a couple weeks, but finally I heard... I was in! What? So, I immediately paid my vendor fee and started ordering lots of supplies. I. Am. Stoked. I am getting a glue buzz.

I have one month, less than 5 weeks, to go. I need to make more stuff. I don't have any idea how much stuff to make, but I know I need more. All these ideas keep coming and I can't work fast enough to keep up with my brain. There's so many new things I want to try, but can't do all of it. But seriously, I. Am. Stoked. Come see me in San Diego!! Yippee!

To Arizona, With Love

 

 

 

 

 

The One About A Sunny Sunday

It's a beautiful day.

Just us? I'm bored.

Hey, come over here.

 Hold on.

 

 That's better.

 How about oldest to youngest, biggest to littlest? 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1

But I'm bigger than you.

 

 Uh-Uh. I'm bigger. See?

K, how about by siblings? Little sibling, big sibling.

 

Okay, we're done.

 

 

The littlest boy.

 He's watching you.

 

 He'll do what you do.

 

So watch what you do.

Because friends are the family you choose.

 Something was really funny. But what was it?

 

You will sit here and you will take a picture with your family and you will like it.

Because it's Easter and I said so.