State Employment

A few months ago the Governor issued a directive for all state employee's salaries to be cut by 10%. In exchange there will be two days off a month. (5% pay = about 8 hours of work). I am always skeptical of these types of things, as I have see other directives go no where. A court order was issued today stating the the controller is order to implement the pay cut. So it is looking more and more likely. While I will believe it when I see it in my paycheck (and I take the two days off), I am pretty much excepting the paycut as fact. Ethan's paycut went into affect this month. So now the reality of 10% less income. Luckily, Ethan and I live a comfortable life style. We are able to save about 30% of our income for investments and retirement. There are other luxury expenses that we can do without which will be cut. A big relief will come in June when our lease car goes back and we wont have that payment anymore. While I dont want a paycut, I feel we all need to do our part to reverse the budget crisis.

Dog Purse

I made a new purse a couple weeks ago. It was actually an easy pattern and it only took a couple hours.

14 Dollar Cocktail

I thought everything in Vegas is suppose to be free????

Paws for Love

I purchased my Paws for Love tickets this morning. Paws for Love is an annual charity event to benefit local animals in need. The event includes a silent and live auction, art created by animals, live music, food and wind. This will be the third year Ethan and I have attended. The first year we treated ourselves with winning a live auction package to include a one night stay at a pet-friendly inn in Mendocino, lots of dog treats, dog beds, a crate, and wine. We also purchased a painting by a yellow lab. Last year we purchased a painting and won a silent auction for four play tickets and a gift certificate to 3rd Street Ale Works. Because the event always takes place in February, this is how we celebrate Valentines Day. I love supporting animals. www.pawsforlove.info

The Suit

This one is for you, Deb.

2008

As 2008 has come to a close, the year has brought both joy and sadness. We started 2008 with Chicago family and friends. Ethan and I were able to take a few vacations including, Mendocino Coast (with pets), Spring Training, San Diego, and Bodega Bay for our 3rd Anniversary. I was awarded a Superior Accomplishment award at work. We supported the Paws for Love event for local animal shelters. We saw many plays, we even had season passes to the Community College's summer theater program. And probably most important to me, my residual pain from my back surgery just went away one day...and has yet to return.

But there were down times too, as I guess that is always what life has to offer. I suffered with sinus problems for months, which ended with a successful surgery. I lost two friends during the year: one suddenly to cancer and another suddenly to an allergic reaction to a bee sting. The loss of these two individuals is still difficult to accept. It is a lesson that death can really strike anyone, at anytime. Steve and Elmer, I miss you.

What will 2009 bring? Four weddings, more babies (Sarah, Craig, Cody, Jesse), Las Vegas in January, Paws for Love in February, 10% pay cuts for both Ethan and myself, Spring Training, Baseball, tattoos, Chicago in June, The Wolverine movie, and ???.