Halloween Quest PTR~~THE TRIP IS OFFICIALLY OFF!

[DizNee Luver]

Well, Campbell is in the south bay. More like in the San Jose area. I don't think they get quite the heat we do here.

You figure its cooler? How about the wind situation....any ideas?

 

[kaoden39]

You figure its cooler? How about the wind situation....any ideas?

I have no clue but I do know a few people that might know like Paula. I have been in the area but I don't know.

 

[DizNee Luver]

I have no clue but I do know a few people that might know like Paula. I have been in the area but I don't know.

I'll ask Paula after her trip......I think that area would be my last choice of the options he is looking at.

 

[kaoden39]

I'll ask Paula after her trip......I think that area would be my last choice of the options he is looking at.

Honestly I think that Campbell is pretty good area. I know you want to get out of Oregon though.

 

[kelmac284]

Laurie just wondering will the pay be a lot better for Mike in those areas so that you would be able to afford the increases in housing costs? Because I know as you said most of those areas are either So cal or Bay area and I know those are all expensive. Is he willing to commute any distance because if you DID take the job in Truckee he could live in like Auburn which is not too far and the housing there is pretty reasonable.

Just a thought. And Auburn is not that cold. VERY rarely gets snow and is pretty much like here.

 

[DizNee Luver]

Laurie just wondering will the pay be a lot better for Mike in those areas so that you would be able to afford the increases in housing costs? Because I know as you said most of those areas are either So cal or Bay area and I know those are all expensive. Is he willing to commute any distance because if you DID take the job in Truckee he could live in like Auburn which is not too far and the housing there is pretty reasonable.

Just a thought. And Auburn is not that cold. VERY rarely gets snow and is pretty much like here.

Thanx for that info Kelly......we only have the one vehicle, so commuting could be an issue. We were really hoping for the Sac area but it just didn't work out.....unless something opens up before he finds something else. I will let Mike know about that option though....... How far is Auburn from Truckee & how far is Auburn from say where you are??

The pay in So. Cali is better than what he gets here (anywhere from $4 to $12/hr more....depending on where & what position)

We'll just have to wait & see!!

 

[kelmac284]

Auburn is about 30 minutes north of here. Not too sure the exact distance between auburn and Truckee but it is a nice little community and I know a lot of people don't actually LIVE in Truckee because it is a resort town and too expensive and of course because of the weather. I can ask my mom the exact distance but I don't think it is too awful. They drive from here to Truckee and back every single weekend and do a roundtrip in a day all the time. So I know it is definitely doable just not sure what you all are willing to do. I just know that you had mentioned that rents were a factor and I know from experience that all those areas you mentioned are REALLY expensive so was a bit concerned about that factor for you guys. But possibly if he gets better pay then maybe it won't be a factor.

But then there is also other things to consider like we have car registrations here that are outragous and I know OR are miniscule. And you all don't have to pay sales tax and we do and on and on. So all things to consider. Plus not sure about your utilities costs but you may want to do some research on what they are for those areas because I know even here they are ridiculous so not sure how they are there but just want to save you some headaches!!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Thanx for the info Kelly!! All of that really helps!

 

[kaoden39]

Thanx for the info Kelly!! All of that really helps!

I see one major flaw with commuting from Auburn to Truckee, the snow during the winter. There are many days that chains are required and you have to go over the summit to get to Truckee which is many times the coldest place in the state. It is over an hour one way in normal weather, this is according to google maps.

 

[DizNee Luver]

I see one major flaw with commuting from Auburn to Truckee, the snow during the winter. There are many days that chains are required and you have to go over the summit to get to Truckee which is many times the coldest place in the state. It is over an hour one way in normal weather, this is according to google maps.

Oh, never thought about that.....that wouldn't work. My biggest concern was only having the one car, but that would be quite a commute & we already lost my beloved SUV to icy weather when Mike works 20 mins from home. Really don't want to worry about that again!!

Mike's been making calls, so we'll just have to see if something pans out.......if he can't find a good position down south....we might just be stuck in Oregon....but we might have options there as well. But right now....we're hoping Cali!

 

[kaoden39]

Oh, never thought about that.....that wouldn't work. My biggest concern was only having the one car, but that would be quite a commute & we already lost my beloved SUV to icy weather when Mike works 20 mins from home. Really don't want to worry about that again!!

Mike's been making calls, so we'll just have to see if something pans out.......if he can't find a good position down south....we might just be stuck in Oregon....but we might have options there as well. But right now....we're hoping Cali!

I cannot even imagine having to commute over the Donner summit in the snow. I would be scared to death worrying about Scotty if he had that commute.


Hopefully something can pan out down here.

 

[DizNee Luver]

So I broke down & called the IRS today. I keep reading nightmare stories about people getting the run around from the IRS on getting the adoption credit....so I just had to call to check in.

They are currently working on our amended tax return for the credit. They received it on April 17th. Today is 8 weeks since they received it. She said if we didn't receive a letter asking for more documentation, then that was a good sign. She figures if something was missing, they would have requested it by now. I asked how long before we'd see the refund & she said, we were told to say 12-16 weeks. She then said, it could show up sooner (if we're lucky).

So middle of July would be the soonest (unless we did get lucky) to the middle of August is the norm. Just hard to wait when you know it's coming & putting in our 30 day notice is pending on that check being in my hot little hand!!

Mike's doing some more calling tomorrow to the different districts that are looking for meat cutters in Cali. Hopefully he'll be able to get something worked out....but hopefully he can push off the start date until August (yet another reason, knowing when that money was coming would be extremely helpful)!!

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+

On to other news.......Today was Addy's last day of Kindergarten!! No ceremony or "graduation" like many other schools....kinda bummed out there wasn't but oh well.

Tomorrow is Anthony's last day of 4th grade.....again no assembly or nothing.

The twins are out for about a month & then start back up in their specialized preschool.

So I guess at 3:15pm tomorrow.....summer officially starts in the Eck household!!!

 

[kaoden39]

Our school ends on Thursday. And chaos reigns.

 

[DizNee Luver]

Mike spent a good part of the day on the phone with Cali & the unions to figure out job openings & wages. Sac is definitely out now.....they have the best pay around, but they're eliminating meat cutters with meat clerks for a much lesser wage. No openings at all in that area. The openings around Truckee & South Lake Tahoe sounded to be more "summer" jobs.

Down south has openings south of San Diego & in North Hollywood area, but the rents (and believe me....we've looked & looked) are out of our price range with the wages they pay. So this is out.

Same for the San Jose area.

So we either look in state here (but don't really get rid of the cold that I need to be doing) or look into another state.

Which brings us to todays adventure......Arizona! Lots of openings in the Phoenix area. Now I've been to Phoenix in the summer & I really didn't mind the heat.....I might after months of it.....lol So Mike will be calling there on his lunch hour today to check to see if the openings are still there & how soon they'd need someone to start.

The housing is equal to here but includes a pool for a lot of them. That would be a must in finding a place. BUT.....the pool must be fenced off so the kids could be out back, but can't get into the pool area. The twins have a bad habit now, of unlocking our slider & running out the back.....so it would be a MUST for a locking, fenced area!

Of course, if Arizona is where we go........we will be making a stop in Sacramento for a night......a couple days in Anaheim (can't just travel by & not stop.....HELLO!!!) & then onwards to Arizona.

There are a few Divas in that area & one in particular that would be a great resource for me since she has an autistic child!

Will keep you posted in our adventures in unknown-ness!

 

[6Smiles]

Hi Laurie -

Well its over 100 everyday this week so it is definitely hot. Its not too bad till monsoon season when its over 100 and 80% humidity. The one thing I still cannot get over is the high occurs at 4 or 5 pm whereas in NY it would be earlier in the day.

Update on friends refund... at 12 weeks paperwork was requested her paper work is now fast tracked to hopefully recieve check in 45 days from the day she faxed the additional paperwork in.

So they are moving on them! She called back at exactly 12 weeks and got the form that needed to be filled out that afternoon.

Kris

 

[kylie71]

Hi Laurie,
I'm Lori! lol!
I'm a lurker mostly, and I always follow your trip reports!
I live in Reno, Nevada.
I can't help but not throw the Reno/Sparks area into your Safeway job hunt! We have a very nice and new Safeway in Sparks, where I actually live...
The weather is nice here, except for a few weeks in the months on Jan and Feb. Today it's 83 and sunny...
Just a thought!
I love your trips reports and and enjoy hearing about your wonderful family very much!
I have a home child care business ( licensed ) and I work with the Childrens Cabinet and foster parents often. You are angels!
Anyway, nice to "meet" you.
Lori

 

[DizNee Luver]

Hi Laurie -

Well its over 100 everyday this week so it is definitely hot. Its not too bad till monsoon season when its over 100 and 80% humidity. The one thing I still cannot get over is the high occurs at 4 or 5 pm whereas in NY it would be earlier in the day.

Update on friends refund... at 12 weeks paperwork was requested her paper work is now fast tracked to hopefully recieve check in 45 days from the day she faxed the additional paperwork in.

So they are moving on them! She called back at exactly 12 weeks and got the form that needed to be filled out that afternoon.

Kris

Our warmest time of the day in Oregon is 5-6pm too....so we're used to that.

OMG.....at 12 weeks!!! Supposedly your refund is 12-16 weeks out. That's crazy that it took that long for them to request more info!! I really hope that doesn't happen to us.....how frustrating! That puts her refund at 19 weeks.....I can't afford to stay were we are at the month to month rate & we're stuck until the money comes in.....crap, crap, crap!!

Hi Laurie,
I'm Lori! lol!
I'm a lurker mostly, and I always follow your trip reports!
I live in Reno, Nevada.
I can't help but not throw the Reno/Sparks area into your Safeway job hunt! We have a very nice and new Safeway in Sparks, where I actually live...
The weather is nice here, except for a few weeks in the months on Jan and Feb. Today it's 83 and sunny...
Just a thought!
I love your trips reports and and enjoy hearing about your wonderful family very much!
I have a home child care business ( licensed ) and I work with the Childrens Cabinet and foster parents often. You are angels!
Anyway, nice to "meet" you.
Lori

Hi Lori!!! Welcome!!

I think Mike did look at the Reno area...but I'll ask again. I'm open to anywhere warm.....lol

Please come back & chat!!!

 

[kschmidt89]

Another lurker here finally posting something lol.
My name is Kelly and I live in Tucson, AZ. My husband is a meat cutter at Safeway too. He's been there about 5 years and really likes it. It is a GREAT job to have during the summers here in AZ.

If there isn't any good openings there, and you don't mind moving 2 hours further south you might want to check out Tucson too. Plus Tucson is a little less expensive, smaller(if you like smaller cities) and cooler(but not by much) than the Phoenix area. And we are only a 8 hour drive from Disneyland

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

What do the twins have? Congratulations on the kids finishing school!! I'm a 16 year old with Autism and will be starting 10th grade after summer.

 

[DizNee Luver]

Another lurker here finally posting something lol.
My name is Kelly and I live in Tucson, AZ. My husband is a meat cutter at Safeway too. He's been there about 5 years and really likes it. It is a GREAT job to have during the summers here in AZ.

If there isn't any good openings there, and you don't mind moving 2 hours further south you might want to check out Tucson too. Plus Tucson is a little less expensive, smaller(if you like smaller cities) and cooler(but not by much) than the Phoenix area. And we are only a 8 hour drive from Disneyland

Hi Kelly.....glad you finally posted!!!

I'm not sure if there were openings down there, but like I mentioned....open to anything. My step brother used to live in Tucson!! I'll have Mike check that area as well!!

What do the twins have? Congratulations on the kids finishing school!! I'm a 16 year old with Autism and will be starting 10th grade after summer.

Great job Kaitlin!!!!

The twins: Michayla has Pierre Robin Sequence (her jaw didn't grow out while in the womb, which caused the tongue to stay in the roof of her mouth, which caused a cleft palate...it also causes hearing, vision & cardiac issues) Luckily she didn't get it as bad as a lot of the babies.....a good number of them need a trach done & jaw distraction surgery. She didn't need either.
She's g-tube fed (tube in the belly)....doesn't eat anything orally.
She's on the autism spectrum. She doesn't say words or sign so knowing her needs is almost impossible.
She's mentally delayed. Cognatively a 9month old.

Shyann didn't get the Pierre Robin, but has cardiac issues.
She's delayed, cognatively around a 2 yr old.
She's on the fence for being on the spectrum....but the day she was tested was a VERY good day for her & not the "norm".

Both girls also have an un-named genetic disorder which is visable in their facial features & ears. If they ever need glasses, I'm not sure how they'll stay on....they don't have that area (space) above their ears to hold glasses on.