Recessionista

As we all know, the economy is currently in a horrible state. Daily, there are announcements coming out that thousands of jobs are being cut - Target, Starbucks, Boeing, Home Depot and more. Those that are not cutting jobs are taking other drastic measures - salary freezes, cutting back hours, asking people to take non-paid vacation days, and the list goes on. I feel absolutely blessed that not only do I have a job, but it's a job that I enjoy and I love. Here is a picture of me loving my job...ha! Too fun.

Anyway, so as far as I know my company has no intentions of cutting jobs or taking any other drastic measures and neither does my husbands. But, just in case and in an effort to safe guard against what could be the inevitable, I am trying to think of new and innovative ways to cut costs. Here are just a few of the things I have started to implement as I become a Recessionista:

• Starbucks - I know we all love it, but seriously people - nearly $4.00 for a caffeine high.


• Manicures & Pedicures - I stopped going to the salon and started doing them at home, my toes don't look nearly as cute as they used to, but honestly it's OK, it's going to be OK.


• Car Insurance - Suze Orman, in her book The Young, Fabulous & Broke, pointed out that no one young, fabulous and broke - such as myself - should have a $250 deductible. All that low deductible does is make you more likely to turn something small into insurance and then in turn highly increase your monthly payment. I am set at a $1,000 deductible and my insurance went down $250 for 6 months!


• Eating Out - We are trying to cut back to no more than one night a week, and we stopped doing the big extravagant dinners. When we were dating, we used to throw down $100 plus on a dinner, that's insane! I am just as happy with a bowl of cereal - no more expensive dining out.


• Gas - Not everyone has this as an option, but my employer was nice enough to let me work from home two days a week. That saves me nearly 200 miles of driving a week.


• Buy the Cheapest - I am trying to purchase not necessarily the brand that is my favorite, but the one that is one sale. Or, I try to look for the brands that I love to be on sale and even if I have two boxes of whatever it is already at home, I buy it when its on sale.


• Re-furbishing Shoes - I recently took 8 pairs to the shoe repairman. These were shoes that had lost part of their sole, had a loose heel, etc. Normally I probably would have thrown these out and then went shopping to replace them with new ones. Instead I now have 8 pairs of shoes that I love and that are pretty much like new.


• Re-furbishing Clothes - Much like the shoe situation, I had a couple pairs of jeans that were obviously too long for me when I wore them and the bottoms were all torn up with holes, etc. Instead of throwing them out like I normally would have done, I took them to the tailor and had them shortened. Now I wear them with flats. Two less pairs of jeans I would have had to buy to replace them.


• Car Washing - I haven't actually put this into place yet but I should...I used to wash my own car. After college I started living in apartments and it was difficult to find a place to wash my car on my own. As a result, I went to the full service car washer (vacuum, wash, smelly stuff - the works). No more of that for me, I can do it on my own!

I think this is a good start. They are all small changes, nothing drastic like eating Top Ramen for every meal or anything, but a good place to start. I think this entire economic situation is just a big wake up call for our nation - a nation that was overspending, overindulging and overextending themselves in nearly every capacity. I look forward to my new frugal attempts during my Life As A Wife.

Diversity in Thousand Oaks

I love the little town I live in. As my mom so eloquently put it the first time she was here, "wow JoLee this place is really nice, I haven't even seen any gangs here!" Bless her heart. Thousand Oaks, California is a nice, quant little town that developed due to Amgen - the company that happens to be my husbands client. I am pretty sure that 80% of the people that live here are here for some reason or another due to Amgen. It also happens to be the 7th safest city in the nation! TO (as we like to refer to it), is nestled in a valley with the beautiful Malibu just to the South, Calabasas and Los Angeles to the East and Santa Barbara wine country to the west. I live in the middle of all these celebrities and barely ever see any!!! What I do see in Thousand Oaks is quite diverse.

The other day, Jeff and I left our house and were driving along the street heading underneath the 101 overpass when I noticed a "dog" running along side of us. Only, it wasn't a dog, it was a coyote! We live right up against the hills and the trail head, about 100 ft. from our front door, has a sign with pictures of rattlesnakes, bobcats and coyotes - all the things one should watch out for while hiking those trails. When we first moved here I was kind of like, ya right, like we are going to see any of those things around here. Not only did Jeff and I see that coyote running nearly on the freeway, but I spotted another one this week just outside of my garage. Thanks to my camera phone and my quick thinking at 5:00 am (on my way to the gym) I was able to capture this horribly blurry shot of the coyote staring me down! Good thing I was in my car. I did however envision how I would defend myself had I not been in my car and if the coyote would have attacked me. I would have totally taken him down.

So, other than exciting wildlife encouters, TO also offers absolutely over-the-top old ladies. I am being so very mean here, I know I am - Lord, please forgive me, but honestly, these women do not go unnoticed and they have to know that about themselves! Most of the time they stick out like a sore thumb due to the amount of make-up or the size of their hair (Texas style big hair). Sometimes, we even have to question whether it is really a lady at all. This one stuck out not only due to those things but also due to the color of her hair. This is not natural people. After many nudges and a "6:00, 6:00" out of my husband, I finally spotted this woman at the grocery store - again trusty camera phone in hand I was able to snap this shot (the picture just doesn't do her justice). As we drove away I begged Jeff to never let me turn into one of those old ladies. He promised. It's so nice to have such diversity in my town and more importantly, to have someone looking out for me and ensuring I never turn into an over-the-top, done-up old lady during my Life As A Wife.

There She Is...Miss America

Ok, so most people don't really know this about me but I have an absolute fetish with Miss America (which is on tomorrow night and sparked this blog subject) - almost as big as my fetish with weddings! I grew up hunting, fishing, playing with the boys. And, in a valiant effort to ensure I did not get confused about my gender, my mom put me in ballet. All the little girls in my town were doing it. Maddox Dancers (Maddox - the name of the studio) are some of the most well-rounded, talented and successful women to have come out of Clatsop County - Sia you know what I am talking about! After 10 years of ballet, tap and jazz, I gave it all up to play sports. Junior high sports were just too demanding (practice every day) to keep up with my love affair of dance.

So, being an athlete is the way most people know me. All through junior high and high school I played volleyball, basketball and softball and then managed to play both volleyball and softball in college. My high school and college friends knew me as the girl that played sports, worked on the fishing boat during the summer and went hunting with her dad and brothers. I even had a friend tell me once that I looked strange in "normal" clothes, she just pictured me in workout gear. Throughout those 10 years of my life in sports there was still that inkling for "girlie" stuff, for being the dancer that I once was. One of the ways I fed that part of me was by watching the Miss America pageant every year. I even remember making my entire college volleyball team sit together in a hotel room in Spokane to watch it! They probably thought I had lost my marbles.

After graduation from college in 2003, I decided it was time to take a chance. I drempt of being Miss America and I knew if I didn't give it a try, I would be mad at myself forever. I signed up for my local pageant...with those who had known me for the past 10 years thinking I had flipped my lid...and I won! I was Miss Clatsop County 2004, and of course, my talent was dance! I competed in Miss Oregon and unfortunately did not do as well as I wanted. I had one more year that I could have competed (yes, just like American Idol, there is an age limit...guess they don't want old hags representing our county), but throughout the experience I decided it just wasn't for me. It was an absolutely amazing experience, one that I will cherish forever, but for now...just watching it on tv is good enough for me. Plus, there is one man who will always think I am his Miss America. Oh the joys of my Life As A Wife.

Wedding Planner? I've Got The Resume

I love weddings. I think all girls grow up loving weddings, but I REALLY love weddings. From the time I was a wee little one, weddings have been a part of my life. Being the only young girl in my family at the time, my fetish with weddings started when I was a flower girl in both my Uncle Bubba's (yes you read that right, no it's not his real name, and yes he is Caucasian) and my Uncle Darcy's weddings. Getting to wear a pretty dress, something unheard of in a family of commercial fishermen and hunters, was so exciting for me - I felt like a princess.


Over the years I evolved from a flower girl to a candle lighter, then onto a bridesmaid, a maid of honor, and eventually just 10 short months ago, finally a bride. Altogether I have been in 14 weddings and my 15th is coming up soon (in South Africa!!! I can't wait!). Also, I will have to note that although I didn't count along the way, I can think, off the top of my head, of atleast 10 instances in which I actually caught the bouquet at the wedding. I used to get really into it, pushing girls over and laying out to catch those things! These two pictures are from my friend Sia's wedding over Christmas - I couldn't catch the bouquet there, I was married, but it was still an absolute blast!

The reason for the wedding talk now is that yesterday, my brother - the youngest of the three - proposed to his girlfriend. And, drum role please, she said YES! Yeah! I am so excited for the two of them, they make a great couple and she can actually put up with him (sorry Dan but we all know it takes someone special). Congratulations Daniel & Nicole! Most of all, I am really excited to have another sister-in-law! That will make four! The sisters will finally outweigh the brothers...loving the ratio!

Anyway, I seem to be at that age where weddings are all around me. I think I have averaged attending at least 5 weddings a year over the past 8 years (with 4 lined up for 2009 already). Deep down inside we all have that little thought about "what we are going to be when we grow up" and a part of me really wants to be a wedding planner. Although I know it would be tough work (dealing with emotional bridezillas), long hours (and weekends), and probably not a whole heck of a lot of money (have you ever thought about the hours those people put in?) - I feel like it would be something I would thrive on. All the details, the creativity, the butterflies, the tears, and helping make someones dreams come true. I know I would love it. Maybe someday my dreams of becoming a wedding planner will become a reality during my Life As A Wife.

Los Angeles - How To Get Involved?

I have now lived in Southern California for nearly two years (I am rounding up, June will be two years). It has taken some time to adjust. I went through three jobs before I found the perfect one and I have moved three times. I would like to think that I am becoming a member of the community, but when I really stop and think about my level of involvement in the area, it makes me sad, it's pitiful.

In Oregon, I had friends, I had family. I had two colleges and a high school all within driving distance that I was an alumni of and a somewhat active supporter. There were activities in the area that I knew about. I played on a parks and recreation volleyball and a softball team. I even did all of the touristy things in the area and had my own local hangout spots. Here, I just haven't found a way to get involved. I think the enormity of this place overwhelms me. First, I work 40 miles from where I live. Anyone I meet through work typically lives that far, if not further, away from me. Second, I live in very nice smaller town where I think my husband and I are the only DINKs (dual income, no kids) around - it's full of middle aged families or old retirees. Nothing against those people, just not who I think I will be able to spend time with on the weekends. I have looked at the schedule of parks and recreation activities and even found some things that I am interested in, but with my 2 hour commute home at night I never make it home in time to attend. And, as far as putting together a sports team, no luck there. I even contacted parks and recreation to ask if any team was short a player and needed someone and he told me I would have to contact the teams directly. How the heck am I supposed to do that if I don't know anyone?

One aspect of my new year's resolution (I have many) was to try and enjoy all that Southern California has to offer and get more involved in the community. As part of that effort, last weekend Jeff and I tried to "explore" Los Angeles. It was 80 degrees out in the middle of January so we had to get outside! We tried Tito's Tacos for lunch (mighty tasty, thanks Lyndsey), we visited the all-new LA Live rebirth of downtown area and went shopping at the infamous Grove. Next on the list is to go surfing and get involved in the 20-something group through our church. I know it is going to take some time to really get involved and create what I had up North, but I accept that challenge - and I don't have to do it alone! Just another adventure in my Life As A Wife.

To Be Or Not To Be...

Vegan??? Yes, you read that right, vegan. To those of you who know me well you are probably thinking "what has happened to JoLee? Has she moved to California and become a granola loving, member of PETA, Hollywood girl?" No she hasn't. She is still a hunter and a fisherman and completely the same person! What has happened is that she read a book - Skinny Bitch (please excuse the french). I had no idea what this book was about. I knew it was about making life changes to get yourself healthy and, as the title implies, Skinny. But, never did I think that what I was about to read was really going to make me stop, think and re-evaluate the food industry as I know it.

I read the book in one sitting - a flight delay and a plane change due to mechanical issues allowed for this. It is a quick read and honestly from the first few pages of the book I was hooked. To my surprise, the book wasn't about some new fad diet, i.e., eating nothing but cabbage, eliminating carbs, etc. Not the case. Instead, the book provides medical facts and years of research (most of which has never been seen by consumers) as to why meat and dairy products do not belong in the human body. And further amplifies the "lies" told to consumers by exposing the incestuous relationship between government agencies and the food industry. For example, did you know that the USDA was created to help farmers and that many high-ranking staff members at the USDA are affiliated with the farm and dairy industry? Read the book, you will understand why this is a huge conflict of interest.

I am not one to push my thoughts and opinions on those around me, I don't ever want to be that person. And, I am not saying I agree 100% with everything they say in this book, but I am going to say, that as a person who two days ago would have been proud to wear Jessica Simpson's shirt that read, "real girls eat meat," this book has changed my views. As a result, I am going to try to be a vegetarian for a week and just see how I feel. Depending on how I feel I might make another push to start eliminating other things from my diet. Needless to say, I never want to turn into a granola loving, member of PETA, Hollywood girl, but I do want to be healthy and treat my body like the temple that it is. Plus I need to be as healthy as I can be, I have many more things I want to do and try during my Life As A Wife.

New Years Eve - Finally Not A Let Down

Year after year there seems to be major buzz around New Years Eve. Where will we go, what will we do, who will we spend it with and will it be the best New Years Eve ever? And every year, at least for me, it always seemed to be nothing more than a big fat flop. There have been exceptions over the years but for the most part it seems that the holiday has more hype than it actually ever delivers. That was until New Years Eve 2009 - it was amazing!

One of Jeff's best friends announced this summer that they were going to get married on New Years Eve. A part of me thought, "really, New Years Eve? For a wedding?" Nobody was really sure what to think about it. As previously mentioned, I haven't ever been a big fan of New Years, and the thought of having a wedding on a holiday just seemed odd. But, I stand corrected when I say, that it was not only one of the best weddings I have been to, but it was definitely the best New Years I have ever had. Here are the reasons why it was so great. So many of our friends were there, everyone that we ever would have wanted to spend the holiday with. Which corresponds with the fact that all the people that you wouldn't want to spend the holiday with, such as creepy men trying to dance with you or hit on you at a bar, were not there. Free food and free alcohol. Amazing DJ. Designated driver (one of the groomsmen is mormon and is always our driver). A reason to actually be celebrating - other than the fact that it hit midnight on the clock. It keeps people at the wedding longer - everyone wanted to stay until midnight. The reasons could go on.

Needless to say, I am now a huge advocate of New Years Eve weddings. If you want your wedding to be a big party that is the day to do it on. It was a blast! It was one of Jeff's highschool friends (all of the boys can be seen in the picture to the left doing their special left knee beer chugging) that got married so if it weren't for my hubby I would have never been there to experience my best New Years Eve ever. I love celebrating things like this with my husband. Yet another reason that things are better during my Life As A Wife.

The Most Beautiful Baby Boy

My best friend has been nice enough to go through nearly every life changing moment before me - moving away from her family, having a long distance relationship, choosing a career, getting engaged followed by getting married, purchasing a house, moving in with your husband, and most recently having a baby. Honestly, it has been quite nice for me...she always has the answers! I love being able to go to her for advice on anything and everything. I also love her amazing baby boy, Jaimeson William Peterson.

Over Christmas break I finally got the chance to meet the beautiful baby boy. Sadly, I was a horrible best friend and took entirely too long to meet him. I have about a zillion excuses as to why I couldn't make it out to see her sooner than I did, but they all suck. I should have been on the first flight to Denver the day he was born. Suffice it to say, at three months old I finally had him in my arms and he didn't disappoint. I had seen pictures, I had heard stories from Shelly, but until I had him in the same room as me did I really know that he was beautiful and perfect in every way possible.

Jaimeson and I totally bonded during our first meeting. I held him, he ate, he napped, he smiled (which is relatively new for him and captured here in this photo due to my amazing photography skills), he had his diaper changed, and he loved the cute little toy duck that I got him - yeah for Aunt Jo picking out a good Christmas gift. To top it all off, my best friend is a wonderful new mommy. She seems to be doing everything right and as a result Jaimeson is so well behaved. He never cries, he sleeps through the night and he is an absolute joy to be around. Yet another thing about her doing everything before me...she does it all amazingly well and is an exceptional role model for me to follow. I love my best friend, I love her new baby boy, and being around them recently made me think about the fact that someday (years from now) Shelly will be there for me yet again when I experience motherhood during my Life As a Wife.

Snow, Snow & More Snow

Our Christmas break was filled with...you guessed it, snow! The great Northwest was hit with an amazing snow storm right before we were supposed to head up there. Seattle, where we were flying into, was hit with a couple feet of snow which is absolutely unheard of for that area. Fortunately, we both made it up there without problems and were able to enjoy the beautiful blanket of white (that is his parents back porch). Jeff, his sisters, our niece Hailey and myself all worked diligently to build as many amazing things out of snow as we could. Two snowmen, an igloo, two forts that were used to play capture the flag and of course a couple of snow angels. It was a blast. Why does snow have the amazing effect of making you feel like a kid again? For those few hours that I was outside playing in the snow I didn't think once about my cell phone, my computer, my job or all the other things that I often find constantly on my mind.

The snow didn't end in Seattle. We made the trek halfway across the beautiful state of Washington for a stop in Leavenworth - a super cute tourist town - for one of my best friend's wedding. Leavenworth had quite a few feet of snow and it snowed the entire time we were there. Being able to bundle up in sweaters, scarfs, gloves, coats and stocking hats made me so happy. It also reminded me why there is a coffee stand or shop on the corner of every block in the Northwest - it's cold up there!

And yet again, the snow didn't end in Leavenworth. Jeff and I made a ghetto fabulous trip from Leavenworth to Spokane via the Greyhound bus (that's a whole story in and of itself). When we arrived in Spokane they had 50 inches of snow. By the time we left, 69 inches! That's a lot of snow (believe it or not, that pile of snow in the picture is a car, if you look really close in the upper right hand corner you can see the antenna!). Being up in the Northwest was amazing and it definitely made us miss our friends and family. We are working our way to eventually get back up there and maybe someday we will have a new city to call home during my Life As A Wife.

The End Of An Era

I am being a bit biased when I say this, but we all think it, my mom was (and still is) the most amazing mom ever. Not only did she have four children, but three of them were boys, my dad was typically out of state for work (commercial fisherman) at least 50% of the time, my oldest brother and I were 10 years apart so she had kids in her house for 28 years, and now, with 5 grandchildren it just hasn't ever ended for her. Although there are numerous things that made her the best, in honor of Christmas time and the recent ending of an era I am going to talk about stalkings. Growing up with my mom, we received the absolutely best Easter baskets and the best stockings (loved those lottery tickets). One would think that maybe around the age of 18 the Easter baskets and stockings might end, but not in the Sturgell household. Finally, when my oldest brother was 35 and I was 25 my mom decided maybe it was time to call her Easter bunny and Santa Claus duties quits. My first thought was how unfair. Dennis Jr. got those things until he was 35 and I am getting cut short at 25, that's a whole ten extra years!!! I know, pretty bratty of me to think that, but as the youngest child I am all about fairness. Luckily for me, my mom agreed and I "secretly" still got an Easter basket and a stocking...until this year.

So getting married has numerous perks but the things that your parents start to cut you off of when you get married is definitely a negative. Cell phone, insurance, gym memberships, the list goes on. Also on that list, getting married ended the era of amazing stockings from my mom! So Christmas 2008 was Jeff and I's first ever Christmas morning spent together and our first time ever filling each others stockings. I chose for him all of the things that my mom would have traditionally put in my stocking and he too chose for me all of the things that his mom would have put in his. Not surprisingly, they were very similar. Although it was hard to be away from my family on Christmas - I only cried twice - it was exciting to start new traditions with my husband.

With that I would like to say thank you to my mom for 26 amazing years of Easter baskets and stockings, as well as thank you to my husband for making my first stocking from someone other than my mom an added bonus of my Life As A Wife.