When Doves Cry

After our FEMA incident two summers ago, we have not had any doves build nests in our yard until now! They have once again graced us with their presence, which I thoroughly enjoy. I love waking up to their soft cooing every morning.  A few days ago I heard that doves nesting at your house is a sign of good luck. I don't know if it is true, but I will take the good luck! And I will encourage it by assisting the Dove family!

That house that Papa Dove built.

Last week the construction company, Papa Dove showed up to start building his nest. He chose a hot new area in yard, Upper Market Umbrella for their dream home.  There are some pros & cons about this location.  Its not that established and not the most sturdy location, prone to gusty winds, umbrellaquakes, and twigslides. However it protects from the most evil of predators: Cats! (I think that was the demise of my last family, even though I don't own them, neighbor kitties must have been illegally hunting) Let's be honest, Doves are AWFUL home builders. So I see another Fema Trailer in my future....

The Fema Trailor is actually my 2009 Easter Basket, I took the handle off of it, and wedged it into the Photenia tree that the first Dove family had built their nest in.  I ofcourse put gloves on, just in case they could smell me. I don't know I don't speak Dove. All I know is that have a 50% mortality rate. Its the least can do to help out!

I have contemplated moving the last Fema Trailer over to the new location on Upper Market Umbrella.  But these doves are not as friendly as my last family.  They fly away everytime I come outside. So it will take some time, for us to get to know each other, and then I will suggest them moving into the Fema Trailer. 

Can I just take the nest they built and put it into the current Fema Traile in its current location? Photenia Heights a much more stable location, however I think the cats can climb right up the trunk and invade. 

We have babies on the way so I am not sure its the best time for a move...but I am worried with the weather we are having and will continue to have that Upper Market Umbrella may have an umbrellaquake, or worse their house foundation may give way to the twigslide.

I am worried landloard. I am not sure what to do? Ideas??

Nuts, Sass, Pugs, and More

A lot has happened since I last post. And well something tells me that my one loyal reader is dying to hear what I have been up to....

I have started my new job at Meridian Nut Growers!! And I am loving it! I have a lot to learn about the nut industry. It is shocking that I don't know everything about nuts, being that I am such a nut, but I have a considerable amount to learn about Pistachios, Almonds, and Walnuts! My colleagues rock, they are fun, intelligent, and there is the world of sales ahead of me.  Literally the world! It is so fun to have an international client list. I love answering the phones and hearing a great accent on the other side. I love trying to figure out with the heck they are saying. 90% of the time I get it all wrong, but I'm getting better I used to get it all wrong 100% of the time.  :) And soon I get to travel abroad! Right now I only have one stamp in my passport, so I can't wait to fill it up! Oh and I love getting dressed for work. I get to wear jeans, but I like to sass it up a bit. Shocking! I know!

Macy is good....but my carpet is not! She has not handled me going back to work very well, and has accidents on almost a daily basis. UGH! It makes me crazy, there is nothing worse than smelling dog urine. Okay, cat urine is worse! I have looked into a dog walker and day care. Dog walkers want $25/a walk, and they just walk them around my neighborhood, by themselves! If I wanted that I would do it myself!!!  Day care is another option, but well that requires me to get up earlier. So basically, my carpet is not as important as my sleep! You got it! I just need to save up for new hardwood flooring! Yeah that's affordable!! I keep hoping its going to get better, but it doesn't! I keep coming home to accidents!

Life otherwise is good! I am still dating the Silver Fox from Orange County.  We are doing well, just trying to figure out how to make a relationship work with a 4.5 hrs. commute, and busy schedules! I am super involved in Junior League of Fresno, I am slated to be Community VP next year. This is a big postion to fill for anyone but especially for a 2nd year active! So, I go in with an Open Mind, Willing Heart, and Grand Determination! To quote a favorite movie and character, "What like its hard?" (Legally Blonde, Elle Woods)

CLOUD 9

I WANT TO WRITE IN ALL CAPS TODAY!!! TO SYMBOLIZE MY EXCITEMENT!!!  I got a verbal offer of employment!! And will receive the written offer by end of day today, then let the negotiations begin!!! It's a local pistachio marketing company...I have been meeting/talking with them for the last year and a half!! ! I am just so excited about the prospect of working, and let's not kid ourselves a paycheck!!!! And doing something I am incredibly interested in!  I can' decide if I want to skip and shout or cry!! Right now I have the perma-smile!!


....MORE TO COME!!

FRES-YES!!!

At Monday night's Junior League of Fresno meeting we had a very special guest speaker, Mayor Ashley Swearengin, the Mayor of the City of Fresno.  She is warm, friendly, but best of all easy to connect with! She discussed her experience of being Mayor during these incredibly difficult times, as it just been stated that Fresno County is suffering greater than then originally had thought.  I agree! It been a year and five months since leaving my post at Spinny Chips by Metz Fresh, due to budget constraints.

During the question and answer section of her visit, many woman asked great questions about how the Mayor was helping the members of our community that have been effect most by the this economy. What the city is planning to do to combat homelessness, feed open mouths, and get these people the resources they need to get back on their feet.  I will be first to say, YES, Fres-Yes, we need to help these people!! I have often wanted to take food and supplies down to our tent city, but have been advised it is unsafe.  My thoughts then changed direction, which prompted me to stand and ask...

"Although I agree we need to help those less fortunate than ourselves, I myself have been out of work for over a year. What is the City of Fresno doing to help the middle class, who are without work and struggling to make their mortgage payments?  What is the City of Fresno doing to promote and create incentive for companies to bring their business here or expand their businesses, thus creating more jobs for our area? I guess what I am basically saying is, what are you doing to help me out?"  

Note that the question of "what Mayor Swearengin is doing to help me out" was just a joke...I just wanted to know what the City of Fresno was doing to help improve our economy and getting people like myself working. She answered the question the best she could, but the truth of the matter is that Fresno has NO money. And all incentives come from the State and Federal governments.  A little discouraged that this "lady of leisure" time may not come to an end soon, I thanked her anyway for coming and speaking. She is intelligent, kind, compassionate, and a wonderful role model for women in our community, there's not a lot she can do about the economy and not having any money.  I get that! I live that! :) 

Moving on with my week and forgetting about our meeting, I got a call from our Junior League of Fresno President, Joanna Pilibosian saying she received the e-mail below:

Joanna,

 At the Junior League meeting last night, the Mayor said that a woman asked a question and indicated that she had been out of a job for a year.  Would you be able to help me track down who that was and provide me with her contact information?  The Mayor would like to get in touch with her to see what sort of work she is looking for and see if the Mayor might be able to help.  Your assistance with this is greatly appreciated!

Sincerely,

Office of Mayor Ashley Swearengin

Reading it today still makes me a bit misty eyed. I have spent the last year and five months helping others, reminding myself that there are people much less fortunate than I. But the tables have turned and someone wants to help me! Someone who doesn't know me wants to help me in my career!  Someone who is quite influential!  It is a truly overwhelming emotion of joy and gratitude! I am honored and would love to have the Mayor's endorsement.  Her kindness and support encourages me to continue to help anyone and everyone I can.  As it does make a difference in their life. Just as Mayor Ashley Swearengin has already made a difference in my life, by wanting to help!!! I look forward to hearing from her office.

This story is what makes Fresno great!!! People ask me why I love Fresno...Its the PEOPLE!!! People honestly care about each other...My banker remembers my name. My pharmacist remembers that I use my parent's beach house phone number on all of my "rewards" cards. And the Mayor of the town truly cares that I find a job!  FRES-YES!!

...and back to you

How is that I help everyone fix their issues, and mine get lost in the conversation... I have learned to expect it out of some people, and most of the time I don't mind. But today, I am up to HERE with everyone else's issues, I have issues and they are MUCH more important, to me at least.  And for once, I would like your help! Without having to tell you!

Is that too much to ask?

Attack of the Six Foot Woman (SITC)

No pain no gain, Right?

I just found the most fabulous shoes at TJ Max!! And they were $20.00. But after running 2.5 miles yesterday and then tapping for an hour, the 4.5" stilettos were not the shoes for comfort. Luckily I was just trying to break them in, so on Saturday when they are a must wear I am used to walking in them!

Slutty, Maybe? Too High, Perhaps? Super Hot, Definitely!

Have I mentioned I have a date on Saturday, and he is 5'10", so this will definitely be "Attack of the Six Foot Woman"!!

Can you teach an old dog new tricks?

I have always heard the saying you can't teach an old dog new tricks, but what about a Silver Fox?  I find my self wondering how true it really is. I have adopted dogs, older dogs from the pound, and with enough bacon he learned new tricks. So can a human very set in their ways, change with enough motivation bacon?

I don't know....We shall see, shan't we.