Good news & busy weekend

On Thursday I was getting changed to go to dinner when I got a call from Tina at Motor, an interview I had had earlier in the week, and she offered me the position! I had been getting so discouraged about the job search here because it is so so bad - Detroit has 30% unemployment and everyone has hiring freezes! I had been fortunate to work a temporary assignment earlier but that was the only thing I had found so far. Motor Information Systems is a division of Hearst Corporation, the big-time publishers, and Motor also publishes Motor Magazine, which is an industry magazine. The position I got is actually a contract position through the end of February working with their Alldata division, but I am just so grateful to have something in this economy, and more than anything I am glad to have something to keep me busy! So I was also celebrating when I went to dinner with Kim to a Mexican restaurant in downtown Royal Oak - we sat outside and it was great weather. We got the margarita sampler where you get to pick 3 different flavors, all of which were delicious. Last night John and I went out to Blackfinn for happy hour and dinner - they have a martini special for happy hour where their specialty martinis are only $5, and John got the $2 beer special - it will take a lot for us to change our economical mind sets! We're always looking for a deal. Wow, sounds like I drink a lot, haha - definitely not the case!


We got a package from John's parents yesterday too, and we were happy to see they had sent Omaha Steaks! We love those and since we're such big cookers they'll be gone soon!

Today we were busy running errands. We went to the Royal Oak farmer's market this morning and walked around looking at all the fresh produce - it was great. We got some fresh salsa and it's delicious and tastes so fresh. After that we went to the bank and got my name changed on our account and then went to KMart and got a great deal on some patio chairs for our balcony.

We have been shopping around for patio chairs for quite awhile and finally found something that wasn't outrageously expensive - probably because summer's almost over! But we're looking forward to sitting on the balcony and reading on a nice day. Well I'm gonna go get ready - John and I are going to play a little golf with Kim and Keith and then go out for some appetizers. Can't believe Saturday's already almost over!

Visit to Pat & Nancy's

Last weekend we made plans with Pat & Nancy to spend Saturday night with them and then spend the night at their house.  We met them at the movie theater over on their side of town and saw The Goods: Live Hard Sell Hard - it was pretty funny.  After the movie we went to get drinks and appetizers at Bar Louie and we were planning on getting into the hot tub when we got home but we couldn't because the pH and chlorine were off.  The next day we went to see the Selfridge Air Show with the U.S. Airforce Thurderbirds.  We rode bikes to get to the spot to watch the show and Pat & Nancy had gotten a tandem bike for John and I to ride! 

John pointing out his "assets" - such a joker

It was great to watch the show, but unfortunately it started to rain and we got caught in the rain on our bikes trying to get to cover.

John posing with the tandem - Pat had a cooler of beer which came in handy while we waited out the rain

Thank goodness Nancy brought ponchos!

After the rain - picture of the Thunderbirds

Birmingham music in the park

On Wednesday nights, Birmingham has live music in the park, and John saw an advertisement and told me about it.  We packed a picnic and headed over to the park to relax.  I was surprised at how busy it was - great big-band style music too.

View from our picnic spot

My hubby enjoying the music

Woodward Dream Cruise

Detroit is such a huge car city - obviously!  But beside the big 3 manufacturers, the people here are really into restoring old cars and the Woodward Dream Cruise is an event where people drive their old restored cars on Woodward Ave.  People come from all over the country to drive in the cruise, and it's so cool to see all of the old cars out on the road.  John and I went to check it out and it was quite an experience - there are soooo many people there, it's like a Nascar event.  

On our way to the Cruise - trying to get a picture of my new haircut!

 

Some of the cars

John and I

Some more cars

The McDonald's on Woodward even had an old car on display for the Cruise!

New haircut!

I had been wanting to get my hair cut for a long time and finally decided to do it - I feel like it looks a lot better - it was getting pretty long.

 

She put a lot of volume in it when she styled it!

 

Royal Oak

We have really enjoyed the area we chose to live it - it was hard to make the decision not being very familiar with the area but we lucked out.  Here's a picture I took while we were driving in downtown Royal Oak!

Downtown Royal Oak