Updates...

Since I lost my job I've had lots of free time on my hands. I've been picking up extra volunteer shifts, doing some baby sitting jobs, and playing house "wife" to keep myself busy, so I don't go insane setting at home alone job hunting online. Luckily my parents are fabulous people who bought me a plane ticket back home to visit for a week. I know I know it sounds crazy, Why would I leave the peace and quiet of my apartment in beautiful sunny Denver (seriously the weather has been amazing here) to head to a house in the middle of no where filled with dogs, people, possible power outages, a place where being snowed in was very likely and the weather barely hit 30 degrees? Well I will tell you why. I love those people, those dogs, that house, and that crazy freezing weather I could have done with out, but hey it's home. Taking a break from the reality of my now topsy turvy life was just what I needed. Although it seems surreal as previously stated I enjoyed every minute of it. Even if all those free dinners out did make me gain nearly 6lbs. Not to worry I've lost 4lbs already. Anyway I had a marvelous time seeing everyone and I honestly wished I could have stayed longer, but alas I have to face reality and get back on with my job hunting. The one thing that amazes me and Jesse honestly didn't believe me at first either, but I didn't take a single picture while I was there. Not one picture. Jesse basically said "Who are you and what did you do with Erin?" I brought my new camera and I had it with me in my coat pocket everywhere I went, but I was so relaxed, so fallen into my old "normal" routines of visiting with family that it seemed natural, it seemed everyday and you who takes pictures everyday? Pictures are for special occasions, special visits. Forgive me for not taking photos. I promise I won't let it happen again. On my week away I did enjoy myself, but this is going to sound cheesy and I'm going to say it anyway I missed Jesse. Unfortunately while I was away I also missed the big IF show @ the Meadowlark. With the chaos of January I forgot the date of the big show when planning my trip. Bad Erin! Oh well! It's not like I haven't seen them play a thousand times. Besides I'm sure Jesse enjoyed his time alone with the guys. Apparently the show went really well with all the former band members attending the performance. The guys even brought in a great profit nearly 3xs as much as they normally get. Once again there is no photo evidence of any of this, so we'll all have to take Jesse's word for it. I think Jesse enjoyed his time alone since he got a new video game not long before I left. If I'm not here he plays for hours. I honestly think he did nothing else but play video games and go to work. He looked a little zombie-ish when I got back. I know he missed me though. Who else is going to be his house "wife" and make him dinner? Honestly you would think the guy couldn't cook. He's actually quite a good cook, but as soon as we moved in together it's like all that went out the window. If I'm not home he survives on canned chili, hot dogs, and take out. YUCK! Now there are only 3 things he says he can make and will make for me on occasion. #1 A killer omelet. YUM! #2 A mouthwatering tender steak #3 A mean sandwich of any kind. Since he's paying the bills for the time being I have no problem being the house "wife" and taking care of the cooking and cleaning, but you better believe that I have him cook me an omelet at least once a week and if I happen to get steak out of the freezer it's Jesse's turn to make dinner. In conclusion... We are both doing fine despite the chaos of everything. I had a nice visit with my family, Jesse got his much coveted time alone with his video games, Ideal Fathers had another great gig, we both missed each other, and I stupidly forgot to take photos (which I promise will never happen again).

A Very Special Thank You to my parents for the get away trip, the free food, the new clothes, the financial help, your support and company! Love you guys.

Surreal...

Definition
Main Entry: sur·re·al

Pronunciation: \sə-ˈrē(-ə)l also -ˈrā-əl\

Function: adjective

Etymology: back-formation from surrealism

Date: 1937

1 : marked by the intense irrational reality of a dream; also : unbelievable

These last couples months have been so surreal to me. I really can't describe them any other way. December ended with my Grandfather passing away which effected us all and continues to effect us, some more than others and I worry about those it effects more. When you loose someone you care about it never seems real. It's hard to imagine life with out them. I know I don't live in Stuart anymore and Grandpa wasn't in my life everyday anymore, but he was a part of my life and it just seems weird that he's gone. I still have similar feelings about missing my Grandmother who passed away when I was in middle school. I guess they are right that in time it gets easier, but then again it doesn't. You never forget and you will probably always have those moments when you loose it. I know no one lives forever, but it's hard to imagine certain people not being there for your big moments in life, graduation, marriage, having kids of your own, and so on. It's hard to believe that things have changed so drastically, but you must go on and adapt to the new situation.

January began very uneventful. Jesse and I had enough excitement with the last minute trip to Iowa, so we stayed in and kept it low key for New Years. Jesse and I have both been feeling stuck lately and wanting more, so we've been discussing big changes. We've discussed the possibility of moving. Moving somewhere where we can find good jobs that pay as well if not better than we get now, somewhere that's got a lower cost of living, somewhere we could be closer to family, somewhere we could start fresh instead of feeling stuck. I've been applying places all over and even had a couple interviews, but no job offers yet. All of this would be really exciting except on January 20th I lost my job. Exactly 1 week before my "special" birthday I joined the masses of unemployed Americans. It still seems unreal to me. It's hard to believe. So far I have been able to pay for things, but the money will run out soon enough. Thankfully Jesse is able to take care of the bills and support me. I feel guilty about this, but he says I'm taking care of him, so he wants to take care of me. I really owe a lot to him and I hope he knows how much I appreciate him. I'm filling for unemployment, I'm searching for jobs, I'm keeping busy with volunteering, and I'm trying to do the 1 thing that's hardest for me to do... put myself first. It's rough right now, but I'm trying to stay positive. Everyone keeps telling me it's rough at first, but that in the end it will be for the best and I will be happier. I tend to think they're all right, because I really was unhappy and I was already looking for a way to move on. Right now things are in a big transition, but I'm hoping for the best. You picture your life one way, but it doesn't always work out that way. I honestly never thought I would be in the situation I am in at the age I am. Don't get me wrong my life is good and I'm very lucky. It just shocks me the way things are turning out. I'm at a cross roads of sorts and I have a lot of decision making and hard work coming up. I really couldn't due it with out the support of my family and friends. I owe a lot to all of you. Thank you all so very much for being there for me over the last couple months.

Even though things are surreal right now I have to remember that they are very real. I'm hoping that things start changing real soon. I really hope this whole thing is a blessing in disguise like you all keep telling me it is.

Birthday fun...

My new headband. Super Cute!

Ryan schooled us all when it came to winning tickets.

Jesse & Ryan playing some b-ball. This game was quite the work out. We were all sweating afterwords. Yes, yes we are getting old and we are out of shape obviously.

Jesse and me after the festivities.

Ok, so I feel like an idiot. I forgot to take pictures until the night was basically over. Then I was the only one taking pictures, so I wasn't even in any of them. Oh well! At 3pm today I went in for a haircut, but this time I hit up the puretalent side of the salon. I ended up getting a haircut, tipping the girl, and paying for parking for less money than the cost of a normal haircut would be. Woo Hoo! I saved some money! Plus she was a cool girl and she did a great job. Afterwards I came home to change and then went to pick up Jesse from work. We headed over to Dave & Busters. For those of you who've never heard of it, it's the Chuck E Cheese for adults. I figured since I was getting old I should play some shuffleboard and it just so happens that Wednesday nights are half price game night. I played on 3 different teams and 2 out of the 3 games I played I won for my team. Woo Hoo! I'm not to bad at shuffle board. I'm not really that good either, but hey it was my lucky day. There was pretty decent turn out with 15 people showing up. Not to shabby for a Wednesday evening. Ryan and I both dared to try the macaroni and cheese dinner. Let's just say it was intense, chicken, bread crumbs, and bacon in it. There goes my healthy diet and on the day our new scale came in the mail (seriously, we weighed ourselves when we got home. Ouch!) I got some cool gifts too. A nice shirt, the super cute headband pictured above, some cash donations to my poor fund, and a gift card to our favorite Chinese restaurant. All and all it was a good night and a great birthday. Thank you so much to everyone who, called, text, facebooked, emailed, came to my little party, or sent cards. I appreciate you all. :)

Golden Birthdays...

Flower delivery for me. Thanks Mom & Dad!
Jesse said you're making him look bad.

New Shoes... just for fun. Cost $4

New sweater, new dress pants, and new shoes all for under $40.

New dress, new shoes, and new cardigan all for under $30

My birthday cannoli at my early birthday celebration.
Our old neighbors took me out for lunch yesterday to the best pizza place around and for dessert they sang me Happy Birthday and I was served my very own delicious cannoli with a birthday candle.

Are they all they are cracked up to be?

Hmm... I can say that ever since I was little and 1st learned what they were I have always believed that they held this magical power. In my mind your Golden Birthday was your best birthday ever. Honestly I've looked forward to this day more than any other birthday, more than my 16th, 18th, or 21st. Maybe that sounds silly, but it's true. For those of you who don't know your "Golden" or "Lucky" birthday is the birthday that you turn the same age as the day of your birth. For example today is mine I'm officially 27yrs old today the 27th of January. Crazy how time flies when you're having fun. Anyhow... Jesse asked me what I meant by the best birthday ever and I honestly couldn't answer him. I had always pictured it being the best, but never got around to picturing what that would entail. Silly me! So far my birthday has been nice, not really magical, but hey the day's not over yet right? I've had lots of birthday wishes from lots of good friends and of course my family. Jesse bought me breakfast and donated money to the Haiti fund in honor of my birthday. My parents had a beautiful bouquet of flowers delivered to my house. I did a little "accidental" shopping as Amanda would call it. Which I really lucked out in that arena. I found dress pants that fit me (length wise and everything). That so never happens to me. I bought a dress that is crazy zebra print, something I wouldn't normally be drawn to, but today it screamed my name. It fits nicely too and looks great on. I also lucked out and scored 3 pairs of new dress shoes all items were on sale and I didn't spend over $75. Today just might be my lucky day. Hmm... I need to run some errands still. Maybe while I'm out I'll buy some lottery tickets and see just how lucky I am. In conclusion I don't know if this birthday is as magical as I had hoped, but I guess I never pictured what magical was, so maybe it is. I'm enjoying myself so far. Here's wishing you all magical, lucky, Golden Birthdays of your own.

Love,

Erin K. Wilson

Double your Birthday fun...

Orchid twins... Purple & pink for Moe, Red & white for Mish.

Orchids are such beautiful flowers. I fell in love with this one as soon as I saw it.

I painted the terracotta pots they came in different colors. Monique's is metallic purple her favorite color and Michon's is pearlescent red her favorite color.

Beautiful flowers for beautiful ladies.

Michon and Monique out to dinner for their 26th b-day.

Blowing out the candles on their fancy desserts @ the Vietnamese restaurant.

Jesse and I got all dressed up to go out.

January 12th marked the 26years since the day my good friend Moe and her twin sister Michon were born. Moe and I have been friends for around 6yrs now and were roommates for several years. Then Moe moved away and her sister Mish moved to Denver. It's been great getting to know these wacky girls and I'm glad that they got to spend their birthdays together and that they asked Jesse and I to come help them celebrate. The girls have an expensive taste, so we went to a uber fancy restaurant that was highly out of my price range, but Jesse said he'd pay (thank goodness). The food may have been expensive, but it was sure tasty too. I was really wanting to get something for the girls, but buying 2 of something is expensive and on my limited budget I was running out of ideas. I took one look @ our lovely peace lily grandpa and thought Aha! I have the perfect gift idea... a plant, but then I remembered the girls both have cats. dun dun dun... In case you are unaware cats are notorious for eating house plants and most house plants are notorious for being poisonous to cats. Bummer! I did a little research and found out the orchids aren't poisonous. I made a trip to Home Depot and found the perfect pair of orchids. I brought them home and painted their pots the girls favorite colors. The girls were so excited. I think they really like orchids and hopefully they can keep them alive for years to come. It was nice getting to see Moe over the weekend and I can't wait to head back down to Taos, NM to visit her.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LADIES!

IF back in the news...

More kudos on their new songs. The guys are still busy practicing 2 nights a week and working on more new songs that will hopefully debut soon. Their next big gig is February 6th @ the Meadown Lark in Denver.

Harlem Globetrotters...

Museum Staff with Big Easy & Flight Time. You might remember then from the Amazing Race.

Me with Big Easy and Flight Time. They offered to pick me up like they do the little kids for photo opts, but I politely declined their offer.

Signing autographs for the kiddos & the staff members. I actually think some of the staff members were more excited than the kids.

Besides doing some tricks for us and teaching us about the history of the Globetrotters (there have been 9 women on the team over the years & they didn't start in Harlem, New York , in case you were wondering) , The Guys put on their official CHEER program with help from kids in the audience & 1 staff member (who they felt like harassing a little)

They were really cool guys and everyone (young & old) had @ their performance @ the Museum. I actually won 2 free tickets to their game that's tomorrow @ 2pm, but I have to work. :( Oh well! Being the nice friend I am I've passed the tickets on to my favorite model and old neighbor Mr. Christopher West. You may remember him as the adorable little Red Head in some of my previous posts. Christopher just turned 3 last month and is really into sports. His dad will be taking him tomorrow. I couldn't think of anyone better to give the tickets too. I hope they have a great time.