Quick Recap of the past almost two years

After taking ill in April 2013 right after our anniversay I was put on a long term disability leave from Blue Shield. I was having severe migraines and other side effects. After several doctors appointments, testing, and seeing my neurologist on a semi regular basis we determined out apartment had black mold and was likely the cause of my illness. We soon moved out and sadly Craig and I had to live in separate places. I stayed with my dad and step mom to be close to the doctors and Craig went to live with his parents. While there his parents started an addition on their house and soon Craig no longer had a room to speak of. He began coming to visit me at my dad's for a week or two at a time. Due to limited space he slept in what was my room/sewing room and I would sleep on our couch in the dining room. This went on for about 3-4 months. My doctors had approved me to return to work but my postion had been backfilled a couple weeks before. I was then placed on a Disability LOA and was told I would need to apply for jobs within the company and that if a similar job/grade level became available I would automatically get first dibs. Well no such jobs became available and I continued to put in applications not only with Blue Shield but also other companies. I got a few interviews but nothing came of them until January. A recruiter from a company called Sage contacted me to setup a phone interview. From there I did a Skype interview with a couple managers and was offered the job!!! I was to start February 17th which was only 3 weeks away and the job was in Oregon. About this time I was notified that Blue Shield was going to cease their efforts to rehire me. Prayers were answered and I put my two week notice in before they could lay me off.

For those who haven't heard we moved to Beaverton, OR last spring (April 2014). I took a position with a software company (Sage Software NA) here as a Customer Support Analyst. I work primarily with small and midsize construction and real estate companies assisting them with their accounting software. It's been a learning experience to say the least.

So on February 12th I said my goodbyes to Craig as I dropped him off at the train station to return to his family for the time being. I packed what I could in our little car and drove to Vancouver, WA to stay with my brother and his family until I could find us a place to live and earn a paycheck or two for a deposit. About a month or so later I found us an apartment less than 2 miles from my work. We signed a lease and started to coordinate getting Craig and our stuff up to Oregon. I took possession of our apartment on April 3rd and Craig along with his dad and our stuff arrived on April 11th. Our new wards Elders Quorum came out to help us unload. The Relief Society sisters were not far behind and over the next few weeks came to help us do some of the unpacking.

Almost immediately after moving in both Craig and I were given callings in our new ward. I was called to be an assistant librarian (basically I run the library every other week) and Craig was called to be an assistant ward clerk over membership. He really enjoys his calling and looks forward to the times he can meet with the ward clerk to get stuff done. My calling is good as well though I don't get to class as often as I would like and don't get to meet as many people.

My Gramps passed away June 11th. Craig and I caravaned with my brother Jeremy and his family to California to attend the funeral and services. While it was a bitter sweet occasion it was good to be with family especially those we haven't seen for a long time. Almost all of the family was able to make it.

Craig has been able to travel to California a few times since the move for a Wuehler family reunion in July, his nephew Isaac's baptism and Christmas in December, and then again this past month January for a couple weeks to take care of some lingering business. I too got to make a couple quick trips to California this past month. The first trip was to see my nephew Declan being blessed and I was only there a little over 36 hours. My brother Jordan, his wife Charme, and daughter Constance welcomed Declan on Jan 1st and he was blessed on Jan 18th. My second trip was a bit longer more like 51 hours, this time was to be a witness and support for Craig's disability hearing with Social Security. We are praying for a favorable outcome but probably won't hear until at least April and more likely June on the decision and then will still have to wait after that for a determination on his financial compensation and medical benefits. Hurry up and wait as they say.

In September I under went Gastric Bypass surgery which seemed to alleviate many of my aliments such as the pesky migraines I have dealt with for 25+ years!!! Then in December I got plagued with my back going out followed immediately by a bad Upper Respiratory Infection and then with a single day's respite I got hit with vertigo like symptoms and inner ear issues the Sunday before Christmas. Talk about fun for the holidays and Craig was gone the later part of the month so he wasn't here to help me with the vertigo. Gratefully my visiting teacher was able to rush my to Urgent Care and my brother took me in for the next 8 days as I was restricted from driving. After a couple weeks I was cleared to return to work and that lasted about two weeks. I relapsed and have been off again these past two weeks. I am currently undergoing testing and treatment right now to determine the cause. 

So that's our life the past almost two years in a nutshell.

Suzanne

I know it's been a really long time

Much has happened and continues to happen. Since having Gastric Bypass surgery in September I have been blogging more on that and neglecting this blog. I will try to be better but for those who want to follow my other blogs feel free.
Journey of a Lifetime  From Simple to Satin Goodies Shack

Suzanne

We made it to 4 years!!!

This past Wednesday was Craig and I's fourth anniversary. It was a nice relaxing couple of days. We left Tuesday afternoon headed for a beach in Half Moon Bay area. After driving to a few different ones we finally settled on a beach in San Gregorio. We spent some time there enjoying the cool weather, playing in the tides, and just enjoying the scenery. After the beach we headed to San Leandro to stay with Craig's family. On our anniversary we headed for the Oakland Temple to attend a session. This was the Temple we were married in so it was nice to spend some time there to celebrate our sealing. We headed back to the Wuehler's to visit a little more, gather our stuff, and say goodbye before leaving for home. The couple of days were nice but were definitely too short. Here's to the next year and being able to celebrate 5 years!!! Suzanne

The start of our new adventures...

So we moved to Lodi the 1st of December. Soon after moving I returned to school from a much needed 6 week break. Christmas came all too soon but we got the chance to see a lot of family. Craig's brother Jim and his wife Vanessa as well as their three kids came from Wisconsin for a little over a week. My brother Jeremy, his wife Cami, and their four kids showed up Christmas evening and stayed until New Years. We also got the chance to Google+ Hangout on Christmas with Craig's brother Brent, his wife Danika, and their 3 girls as well as his sister Julie who is currently on her mission in Alaska. Unfortunately most of my family got a bad case of the flu so we weren't able to see them much so I could avoid getting sick. The plan didn't work as I work up extremely sick early morning the day after New Years. I got hit the hardest of everyone :(. Craig lucked out and never really got sick. Can't say the same for myself since it took a while to get over the first bout and I caught a cold a few weeks later. Since then other than allergies we seem to be on the road to recovery. It's been a transition for sure. We were sad to leave our friends in the Vineyard Ward. This move took us farther from my family but a little closer to Craig's. Since settling in Lodi we have begun to met new friends in the Lodi 1st Ward. I was called to work in the nursery one Sunday a month and recent spent my first Sunday in there. The kids are cute and have a lot of energy but it will be a great calling for me. Our niece Constance (she's my brother Jordan and his wife Charme's first child)was born on January 20th. She is so adorable and we are all excited to see her personality come out. She is already showing her independence. We are trying to get settled still and continue to explore our new area when given a chance. I will say we spend a lot of time going to Costco since its a little over a mile away and is on my way to and from work each day. Work is going good. End of January my team was thrown into claims training with little notice, but it was a good opportunity to learn new skills and hopeful advance in the company. Towards the end of February or beginning of March I started applying for internships with Blue Shield. These internships would give me great experience and an opportunity to work closer to my desired field. I am currently on track to graduate with my Bachelor's in December. Won't that be a nice Christmas gift to myself :)? Easter was nice although not very eventful. Craig's mom and sister were out of town so we spent the evening with my family and had a nice dinner. As our 4th anniversary is fast approaching we are trying to think of some fun day trips to take and places to visit. I am planning to take 3 or 4 days off. FYI: I finally started my own baking business...feel free to check it out www.goodiesshack.blogspot.com or on Facebook www.facebook.com/goodiesbysuzanne Well that's the update for now. Suzanne

Update

Ok for the few of you that read our blog...we are moving on December 1st to Lodi, Ca. We have found a place to rent that is less than two miles from my work! While this was a little sooner than we anticipated, we are hopeful that it is a good thing. Suzanne

First Week of Work

So I survived by first week back at work...actually it was a really good week. I will be in classroom training for the next 5 weeks and then another 6 weeks of training in my department learning more on the phones. Blue Shield of Ca seems to be a good company and all of the employees we have met rave about the company. Some of the perks of this past week included muffins from our new manager, a potluck, popcorn Wednesday (from what I hear they have it every Wednesday), a rousing game of Pictionary, and some movie trivia hangman. In just the week I have been employed I have seen many emails going around about all the different activities Blue Shield is involved in as well as the various incentive opportunities they have. They even raffled off a red Kitchen Aid mixer on Friday...I would have loved that. I am looking forward to this next week and seeing what happens.

P.S. Our class has already secured donuts, breakfast casserole, and pizza for Tuesday. Not a bad start to the week!

I am the worst when it comes to updating our blog!~

Our exciting news...So after being unemployed for 5 months I was offered a job!!! I start my new job on August 27, 2012.  I will be working for Blue Shield of Ca in their contact center as a Customer Service Representative.

Anyway to quickly summarize the past 5 1/2  months.  Craig and I have made several trips to the Bay Area mostly for interviews and of course to see the Wuehlers.  We have also journeyed to Vancouver, Wa and Portland, Or twice also for job interviews and to see my brother Jeremy, sister in law Cami, and their adorable kids Aiden, Ashlyne, Arianne, and Alivia.  We spent our 3rd anniversary in Vancouver, to celebrate we went out to dinner at Olive Garden and then enjoyed some frozen custard at Sheridan's!!! It's a must if you are in the area. 

In July we did some more traveling first to San Leandro to attend our niece Elizabeth's 3rd birthday party, then I made a quick trip to Lodi for a job interview before turning around and heading back to San Leandro, next we headed out to the Wuehler Family reunion in Island Park, Idaho, a quick side trip to Utah for about 24 hours so Craig's dad could take care of some business, then on to Idaho.  We visited Yellowstone, spent time with family, "shopped" through the treasures Aunt Sara brought back from various countries, ate, played games, did a little shopping in West Yellowstone, and said goodbye for another two years.  In a matter of 3 days Craig and I were in 6 different states (California, Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana), talk about a little crazy.

So on the way home (to the bay area) the phone call came..."This is Lynda from Blue Shield of Ca and I am calling to offer you a job", to say I was excited is an understatement.

So that's the last 5 1/2 months in a nutshell.  I am sure I missed a few things but that's ok.

Suzanne

The latest and not so greatest news

Sorry it's been forever since I updated this blog. Life has been busy with school, work, and all the other little things of life. Well on to our news...we have had an eventful past 2 weeks.  Craig made a trip to the ER, we spent a nice relaxing weekend in San Leandro wishing Julie the best of luck on her mission to Alaska, and finally this past Tuesday 2/21/12 I was let go from my job of almost 9 years. I wasn't a total surprise but none the less still hard to take. To top things off both Craig and I had/have colds that have made us pretty useless this past week.

So if you hear of any one looking to hire let me know. We are keeping our options open and are willing to relocate if needed. My background is in finance, office/clerical, and a little bit of education thrown in the mix. I am happy to forward my resume to anyone who is interested.

Keep us in your prayers!

The last year in a nutshell

Well let's see Craig and I celebrated our second anniversary and Easter (they were the same day) by going to Lake Tahoe, NV. Craig's summer was a busy one, he spent a couple weeks in July helping out his aunt in Utah, August he went with his family to Disneyland, and to a family reunion in Idaho. Since then life has returned to the normal daily routine. More later...

Check out the Free Give Away on my other Blog...

On From Simple to Satin we are giving away two free samples of English Toffee...so head on over there to check out it. While you're there feel free to look around and pop over to our Etsy Store.

Link to the Give Away!

New Blog and Etsy Store

We are open for business!!! My mom and I have started a Craft and Goodies store on Etsy and have also set up a blog for the purpose of displaying and selling our crafts. You can check out the blog or store by clicking on your desired destination.

We are taking custom orders...start thinking about Christmas...what about something handmade or custom?!?!? You can contact us by email. 

We would appreciate any comments or suggestions. 

New Blog and Etsy Store

So I have been working like crazy setting up a new blog and storefront. For those that haven't heard my mom and I our starting an Etsy.com store to sell our crafts. Some of the items we will be listing soon include small personalized photo albums, sign boards, handmade cards, and imagination jars.

Come check us out:
Our blog is www.fromsimpletosatin.blogspot.com
Storefront: www.fromsimpletosatin.etsy.com (The store will be opening soon so check back often)

Feel free to comment on our postings and keep your eyes open for an opportunity to win free products!!!

Wicked

Last weekend my sister in law Melanie and I attended Wicked. It was amazing, fabulous, and wonderful. Need I say more.

Wish my mom was able to go with me as we had planned, but grateful my new niece Alivia arrived healthy and is doing well for being eight weeks early. 

Petersen Family Camping Trip 7/8-7/12/10

We had a great time Harris Beach State Campgrounds near Brookings, OR for our family trip. We were all able to make it this year and enjoyed one another’s company. It was really laidback as some played games, others took walks, played on the beach, went our for ice cream at Slugs and Stones and Ice Cream Cones, and some just chilled at the camp sites. We hope to do this again next year. Here are a few photos before our camera died.

View Full Album

Happenings

Craig is now finished with his classes!!! I am excited and I think he is too but also sad. He really enjoyed his teachers and classmates. Now on to the job searching and interviewing he goes. We went by yesterday to pick up his certificates and all of his classmates told me what a great person he is.

We also had it confirmed yesterday that Craig has shingles. His seem to have a pretty mild case so for. Here's to hope it stays that way.

This week I went to the cannery for monthly canning assignment. We were canning apricots. I had never been there for the canning part, I have always been in the clean up shifts, it was a lot of fun. Not much else is new for me.

Here's to a quiet weekend home taking care of Mr. Wuehler :)