T-Minus 24 Hours

I can't believe how fast the week went. I could have used a month, I really am not joking. It's good to know I'm "in demand" but - and this is said like Seinfeld when he didn't want to wear the pirate shirt: 

"I don't wanna be in demand!!"

I wanted to read at least 3 more books, watch 10 more movies, finish 8 more sewing projects and try 10 more recipes.

I should be grateful I was able to spend some time here - my new sewing room. Yes, that's the ocean. Cool hey?

 Chip lives here for now.

On Friday I re-visited a favourite recipe. Remember this bread?  

It's got to be one of the worst things for you - bread with tons of butter and sugar. But damn, it's the BEST.

I also finished a little sewing project that I'm loving. Rawbean gave me some fabric a long time ago and I finally decided to use some of it. Just a quick pillow cover. I added a button from my late mother-in-law's stash which makes it even more special. Oh Dee, how I miss you!

Sorry about the wrinkly pillow but we all know this is no polished craft blog.

I spent a lot of time in this chair - watching a couple movies, a few cooking shows, falling asleep and catching up on a knitting project.  

I'm starting a new adventure tomorrow.

Damnit Doll

Don't you love getting mail? Better yet, don't you love getting mental things in the mail?

I do.

Especially when it's something totally appropriate from someone awesome.

Notice the 'Go Hard' instruction. Love. It. 

The idea is to grab this guy by the legs and bash him around. It's disturbingly satisfying and has gotten a lot of use, not to mention warmed my heart.

New Gig

During all the craziness lately, I somehow managed to keep my head on straight enough to get a new job. It wasn't exactly straight forward either, oh no.....

Right after I was laid off I had an interview with Company A, who was my first choice in town. It went well, but they didn't want to hire me and let me go right away - which I totally appreciate.

So I approached a few other places and ended up with an offer of a 3 month contract with the company I used to work for in Vancouver, Company B. This was a really good option.

Literally at the same time I was negotiating with Company B, another job interview came through. I put Company B off for a couple days while I explored Company C. This meeting went well too, but they were in the same position as Company A.

The next day Company A approached me with an offer of contract work.

I just want a simple life.*

I got new shoes! Sigh.....

So I'm starting next week with Company A - my first choice!

I'm excited but seriously needed this week off to recover from everything that's happened. I've been getting a few things done, but also spending some time curled up with blankets, movies, sewing and a good book.

One of my favourite workmates was also hired at Company A. We're really stoked to get to work together, I've never started a job with a familiar face!!

*Don't worry, I only had a small pity parade about having too many opportunities.

Schplinth Case

Now that I'm wearing a splint every day, I have to carry around a toothbrush, toothpaste and the case. I needed a small bag to keep everything together.

What a good excuse to make something?! I looked at a few patterns and decided to make the Hands Free Bag from One Yard Wonders. I just made it smaller.

The pattern didn't seem too bad, it went well until my usual stumbling blocks. 

 "Stitch, pivoting at corners."

What the what? I just don't get how you're supposed to attach two flat pieces of fabric together and somehow make a 3D box. Pivot how? In the fourth dimension? What time is it? Do I need to travel into the past somehow to make this thing?!

After lots of swearing, jamming fabric through my sewing machine, hoping for the best and reminding myself that it was just for me, it didn't turn out too bad.

The other thing that bugged me about this pattern was the hand stitching at the end. Really? I'm no pattern maker, but I'm sure there must be a better way to attach the zipper. Hand sewing sucks big time. I managed to figure it out a couple years ago - remember this?

Anyway I'm going to spend some time in my new sewing room this week. I have some other stuff going on, but getting back to basics and taking a break from life is really high on my priority list this week.

Last Day at Work

So today was my last day at work. It's still really surreal, I can't believe I won't ever go back there.

It was the best job I've ever had - the people were great, good projects....but things can't stay the same forever. I'm thankful I'm leaving on really good terms. There is no backing away slowly with middle fingers extended. That just isn't my style.

I was there four years and holy crap are there some amazing things to look back on.

In typical Jabba Dork Style, I made a collage of images that are directly associated with this job.
 

Here are a couple links in case you've forgotten my gripping posts from the past.
Estrogen Row
Chip - Kidnapped!
Teleconferencing

I said goodbye to everyone and left the hardest goodbye for last. My workmate RF and I were super close. He put it perfectly a month ago when we found out I was laid off, he said "It was just too good to be true."

I couldn't have said it better.

This made my day....

Every year my Mom sends me a Halloween card. Without fail there is always some small thing about it that totally cracks me up. Probably only in a way that I find hilarious and nobody else understands.

Today I got the card. There is a sticker on the outside of the envelope:

Sometimes it's the small, unexpected things that totally brighten my day. Well done Mom!

Real Friends

Wow. During rough times - you really learn who your real friends are. Sounds like a cheesy cliche, but it's so true.

People I have worked with professionally literally crawled out of the woodwork to help me out when they found out I got laid off. One guy called me the next day offering advice. I went to an interview last week and mentioned someone and the guy interviewing me laughed - apparently the guy I mentioned had been sending my resume all over the place. It's been so uplifting and comforting!

Personally too - obviously. Whether it's buddies having me over for the weekend and making me fantastic bourbon drinks, or friends gifting me music through iTunes. I even had a friend send me two books in the mail last week.

Whether it's an email of encouragement, letting me cry on your shoulder or - seriously - if you have listened to me whine over the last two months, thank you.

You know who you are.

More Craziness in Jabbatown

About three weeks ago I met with my torturer surgeon for the first time. He made a bunch of measurements, showed me x-rays and told me how screwed up my jaw is. Overall, he felt like we could go ahead with everything after they see how I do with my schplinth. This was actually good news - believe it or not?
 
He also let me know how much the surgery is going to cost... Eight. Grand. 

Ahem. No, that was not a typo. Eightthousanddollars*. Eight. Thous - ok I think you get it.

After that I drove into work. My appointment was first thing so I hadn't been to the office yet.

I sauntered in and everything was chaos...and.....I got laid off.

I kind of don't remember the next hour or two after that. I remember putting my head back on the chair when my boss said something about closing the Victoria office. I remember calling Brad right away and he didn't believe me. I kinda sorta remember sitting outside with my workmate. Shock doesn't begin to describe it, nobody had any idea.

So half of our office has been laid off. My last day is November 1st and I get a severance. My bosses are being really reasonable. It's business and they weren't making money. I get it and I leave with no hard feelings.

My desk for the last 4 years. Bye!

I will tell you more about the job hunt later, I'm documenting all this crap gradually because this blog is generally a happy place. But sometimes we have to get real right? Life isn't all book reviews and cartoons.

Things here will get back to "normal" some time but it's going to be a long road.


* MSP doesn't cover surgery for TMJ because they consider it 'elective.' Seriously.

My Schplinth

Remember that time when I had a meltdown when I found out I had to have braces and jaw surgery? Oh!! How I wish I was there now.

Yes, you read that right.

I'm now wearing a splint. It's like a gigantic mouth guard that fits over all my lower teeth. I'll be wearing a splint 24/7. I'll be wearing a splint while eating only soft food. I'll be wearing a splint for the next 6 months.

Then. And only then......will I get braces and have jaw surgery. That is - if my jaw isn't too messed up. Which it might be. Only the splint....and time....6 months.....will tell.

The soft food diet? I can deal. I did gluten/dairy free so this is easy. Plus, it's a good time of year for soft food. Stews, soups, chilli....

Definitely the hardest thing about this is talking. My entire mouth (and voice) are hidden behind a giant WALL. I have to talk louder - which is weird, I feel like I'm yelling. Worse than this, there is no way in hell I can avoid lisping like mad.

Let's just say that a couple days after I got this thing, I was ranting to my workmate RF about it and finally said 'And why ish it that the hardesth word to sthay with thisth thing is Schplinth?'
(This put us both on the floor, we were laughing so hard.)

So this is my life now. Insurance forms, toothbrushes and lots and lots of soup. If you have any good recipes, pass them my way.

More to come.....the story doesn't end here, oh not nearly!

Serious Ass Kicking

Remember when I said life has given me an ass-kicking lately? 

I am the dog.

(I have no idea where I got this picture.)

I will elaborate one day, probably sooner rather than later because this blog has brought  good things my way in the past. I can feel myself turning towards it again.