So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, goodbye.


I don't know where to start. I've cried and fretted about this enough this weekend, but it's not doing me any good. We got the news on Friday afternoon that the liquidation company won the final bid for Tower. The going out of business sales began immediately on Satruday morning. Our employee discounts were eliminated, instead everything in the stores was marked down. I passed by the stores on Broadway and saw people funneling in and out of them, just like Christmas. I can't imagine why everyone's buying now. The clearance offer is lousy. 10% off list price? Please. I'd wait until the body is a little colder and the discount is a little bit deeper.

So here I've been for 11 years. I started out at the record store in Citrus Heights in 1995. I needed a job after high school and wanted a discount on CDs, so it was a good fit. I had a lot of fun at that store and made some really good friends. After 4 years there, working and putting myself through college, I moved on to their local regional office as the assistant for this wacky guy. He was either on or off, depending on how the horse races went, but at least he was never there. In that empty office, I taught myself how to use a computer properly. When the big company losses were first reported in 1999, my position was eliminated. I went with my tail between my legs back to the store and worked there for a couple of months while looking for a new job. It didn't take long. I got offered an entry level position in the corporate marketing department.

I was just 23 when I started in this department. I was stoked to work closer to home and I got a nice raise, too. The environment in marketing was so fun. We got wined and dined by labels, newspapers and radio stations. There were plenty of free CDs, DVDs, concert tickets, meeting bands and tons of new connections. And I can't forget about the trips I've been on: LA, Hawaii, Manhattan, DC, Philly, Chicago, Seattle, Portland and Phoenix. I also learned so much about marketing, retail, merchandising and negotiating. I've had some really great bosses who've challenged me to do better, and I did. I met some good friends that I know I'll still be in contact with. And here I am, six years later. But like any job you've been at for ages, it was tough some years. I've hated it, I've loved it, sometimes been indifferent to it. I can confidently say that Tower has never treated me poorly. It's been a really, really good ride for me. Sure, it's ending pretty shitty but I'm not mad, just extremely saddened about the company sale and ultimate closing. As Leon says "It's the end of an era!" So true.

I'll be looking for another job soon, but first things first. Baby Neon is coming soon! For the next couple of months, my job will be mom, food source and baby warmer. Something tells me that this job is going to be the best job of my life. Everything that comes after it will just be to pay the bills.

I got a new phone


Well, I couldn't make a good case for the Treo 650, so I ended up with a Razr instead. I'm not bummed though. I like Motorolas, they sound great. And this one takes pictures and video, which is awesome because I'll be able to send Leon pictures and video clips of baby Neon doing cute things. The only thing I don't like about Motorolas is the phone book. Either it's not possible or it's not easy to figure out how to have one contact hold multiple numbers. Right now, I have like 4 listings for my mom and dad, which will be annoying when I'm in a hurry. Leon is such a whiz though. He figured out a way to make me cool ringtones and message alerts. Now if I can just get someone call me...

35 Weeks


I got really mixed up on Sunday and couldn't remember if I was going to be 35 or 36 weeks today. I guess it's 35 weeks. Here's everyone on the flickr stoll at 35 weeks also. Only two more weeks and I'm full term. That means baby can pretty much come whenever after that. Heck, baby can arrive anytime now if he wants. Still so much to do! The laundry room is a mess and I still have tons of baby laundry to wash. I need to get diapers, a changing pad, a pump, newborn clothes, exchange my car seat, and sleep as much as I possibly can. Mostly I feel really exhausted this week. My pelvic pain has been so excruciating that at night, it's so difficult to turn over or get out of bed. I have a prenatal massage scheduled for next week! Free for pregnants from the Healing Arts in Citrus Heights. They told me to tell all my friends, but I don't have many pregnant friends in town, so readers, in case you are pregnant or will be pregnant at some time or other, call the Healing Arts massage school. They will give you a free prenatal massage.

I was able to get some baby wipes made and a nursing cover done this weekend. Here's the cover:


Making this was tough! I'm a very inexperienced seamstress and I fussed and messed with this thing for about 4 hours. First I picked up this gorgeous fabric at JoAnn's, along with the a little boning and a couple of d-rings for the buckle. Then I went to Goore's to measure out the real version. It's 35" wide, 24" long with a two-part, centered strap at the top, where one side is 3" long (this one has the d-rings) and the other is 23" long. Then 16" of boning gets sewn into the top seam between the straps. Someone much better at sewing than myself could probably make this alot easier and more professional looking. Here are more pictures from my finished project on my flickr.

I made it!


I didn't take a picture yet, but I made my own nursing cover this weekend. I went with Mariah to the fabric store to get some flannels for baby wipes I'm making and spied a girl in line at the fabric cutting table holding a bolt of the exact same print that the bebe au lait nursing covers come in. I got really inspired to try to make my own cover, so I picked up a yard and a half of that fabric, some boning and a set of d-rings. Then I dragged poor Mo to Goore's, where I knew they had the nursing cover. We did some covert measurements, which I recorded in my Palm and we left for home. It took me about 4 hours to cut, iron, sew and fuss over and then it was done. I've never sewed anything beyond a pillow case, so this was a big accomplishment for me and my sewing machine. I don't really understand how to get the thread tension right, so my seams are a little janky looking. But, unless you're totally examining it, you can't tell so much that it's a total fake.

Ugh! I won you, Goore's! I ownnnnn youuuuuu!!