Well has it? I would like to submit the follow evidence in favor of the meltdown.
Article 1: Today Dan came up to me around noon asking what we were going to have for dinner. I replied, "whatever you're making" haha and to his dismay we had pizza. :D
And it was really good! Keep in mind the dough was already made thanks to Pillsburry - but he did have to get his fingers dirty to smoosh it in the pan. Dan hates getting his hands dirty. He learned how soft mozzarella cheese is -not ideal for shredding, and that you do in fact keep the "black fuzzy" part of a mushroom. For not "knowing how to cook" Dan sure did a good job. Love him!
Article 2: I finally changed the clock in my car to Pacific time. I've been driving around for six months on Mountain time. I guess I'm finally accepting that I don't live in Utah anymore.
My cat must have an internal clock because after two weeks of working he knows I come home for lunch at 11:40 - and he is waiting in the window. :)
It is nice to be missed.
Okay, maybe this isn't conclusive evidence but the past week of 40 degree sunny weather in the middle of January has been nice.
Last night as I was scouring Netflix for something to fall asleep to, and I found a memory.
Now and Then came out when I was six years old. Of corse I wasn't allowed to watch a PG-13 movie at the age of six, so I did what any child does when they want to break their parent's rules - I did it at a sleepover. Obviously I didn't understand any of the content of the movie that warranted the PG-13 rating. The only part I understood was the hip music.
As I watched the movie I wondered if six year old me would even recognize myself. Would I be disappointed if I knew what I've grown up to be? Not that I would change anything, but I was pretty closed-minded - isn't every kid? As I pondered these questions I had a brief moment of nostalgia for the "good' days" - back when everything was simple. The biggest concern of my day to day life was if the ice-cream man would drive down our block that day.
If only they still sold the amazing pink baseball glove popsicle. mmmm What I would pay for one of those right now!
When I got married, I married into a family that set the bar extremely high when it comes to baking or cooking. I mean, these people can cook! So naturally I am intimidated whenever I have to bring something to a dinner. I usually go the path of least resistance, and buy some artisan bread from Harmons.
Tonight I am happy to report that I cooked a really good dinner. I've never cooked a turkey before, and I had no intentions of doing so until I saw that it was $0.40/lb. at Winco. How could you turn that down?
The preparation of a whole turkey is disgusting. I felt like I had to break it's leg to get inside and fish everything out. Pulling the skin back to put the rub on wasn't exactly enjoyable either.
Here is the before pic..
..and here is the after..
I am so happy with the way it turned out. I was so nervous because I didn't follow a recipe for the seasoning - and now I'm wishing I had written down everything I used because it was tasty.
Of coarse a bird isn't complete without ..
The best stuffing in the world! I will never use another recipe for stuffing in my entire life. This family recipe is to die for.
I guess in a way this was a bit of a second Thanksgiving - just miniaturized. These past few weeks have been a roller coaster ride of emotions, and I've hit the part where you pull into the station and you're so glad to be back on solid ground.
As many of you know I am not going into my 6th month of being unemployed and that has been more difficult than I could have imagined. I never thought that it would be hard for me to find a job, I have always been an exceptional worker and have had nothing but rave reviews from my bosses. The problem is that there are NO jobs. Even if you find a job you know you'd be good at, there are a million people applying. I'm apparently over qualified to work at Ross and Macy's because they both turned me down to sell clothes. But, I'm not good enough to get employed in an office or at the university.
Now that I'm in month 6, my state benefits are almost all gone, and the extended benefits from the Federal Government have expired. For the past week I have been obsessively checking every news app on my phone to see the latest news, praying that I'll check it soon and see that the extension has been passed. Lucky for me, it looks like it is going to go through. For a week or two I was freaking out, applying for every and any job within 50 miles, and hoping someone would offer me a job.
Even though I don't agree with extending the tax cuts for the rich, I can't express my gratitude to know that I will have a few bucks coming in until I can secure a job. That means my car won't have to miss a payment, the apartment will remain heated, and I can keep some food in the fridge. This is such a contrast from where I was a year ago, but the experience has defiantly humbled me.
Today Dan took his first final for law school, and happily reported that it was as torturous as some students have reported. One down and three more to go this semester. If anyone wants a crash coarse about dealing with stressful situations in your first year of marriage, just send your spouse to law school. It has been interesting to see the changes in him. I can't even watch a random tv show or commercial without some tort or contracts law coming up - but I love it.
Yesterday, Dan and I watched the broadcast of the hearing for Prop 8 in California. The most interesting part wasn't on the tv - it was in Dan's reaction to the tv. His face lights up every time they do something wrong. Its hilarious, he is going to make a great lawyer.
Dan and I were so lucky to be able to go down to Utah for Thanksgiving. We didn't think we'd be able to make it with his work load and the weather. The weather decided to cooperate just enough for us to make it, but still put us through hours of snow torture going 30 mph. It was so good to see most of our friends and family. Its amazing how much four months can make you miss people. Some of the trips highlights ... Surprising both of Dan's parent's who didn't know we were coming. I think we were close to giving JoAnn a heart attack. Getting a rock stuck in my breaks - Dan had to pull my wheel off and fish it out.. but the repair was minor compared to the worrying it caused me. Sushi with my bff... SO GOOD...
...ALMOST as good as Thanksgiving dinner. The best food ever! I will never be able to live up to this level of cooking in my life time, and I am okay with that because I get to eat it while it lasts.
Unfortunately no food can live up to the satisfaction that comes from spending time with our families. I love all of them - especially my niece who decided to climb on the table and rock out for us!
All in all it was the best time I've had in a long time.. I am so glad we were able to come and make it there and back safe.
<Insert one complaint here. Idaho does NOT know how to take care of their roads. Their idea of plowing is to throw rocks down on the ice. Not the best method I've ever seen - my car's paint dents can attest to this.>
