Starting out on our own...

Shortly after meeting and living together in Oscar's parent's house, we decided to get our own place. It was our first apartment, and it was in the ghetto (ghetto to me, but probably not what you're picturing, LOL) but when we were in our little 1 bedroom 1 bathroom apartment, with the door closed to the outside world, it was like we were in our own world. Everything belonged to us and we could do whatever we wanted, whenever we wanted. It took some adjustment and time before I could even go to the grocery store without first calling my mother and saying, "I'm going to the grocery store." I remember the first time that it occurred to me that I didn't need to inform my mother of where I was and where I was going. It was so weird to just go to the store and not first call to tell her.

(Oscar, in our first apartment together, Taylor Terrace Apartment complex, 2004)

We spent the first year of living on our own and enjoying our freedom in this apartment. We had guests and "kick backs", I learned to cook a couple of things, and we had so little that keeping tidy was easy. Oscar left his construction job and worked at Macys with me, for a time. I was a handbag merchandiser, specializing in high end Kate Spade and Coach handbags. Oscar sold luggage. Handbags and luggage were right next to each other. We lived together, we drove to work together, we worked together, and we even took some college classes (not the same ones, but on the same campus, at the same time) together. This first year in our first apartment was also an adjustment time for us. We both had to learn to live together and how to accommodate each others needs and emotions. It was difficult, but we pulled through and even at that time, I could never imagine my life without him.

During this first year we also "adopted" the first of many pets that we have owned throughout the years. First we adopted "Pepperoni", a chihuahua mix that had way too much attitude for such a small body. A week later, we adopted "Oliver" from a shopping cart full of kittens, outside of Walmart. I told the lady who gave him to us, "Pick me a nice one, I always pick the meanest cats." She gave me an adorable white and orange kitten and said "His name is Matthew." Which surprised me, since that is my dad's name, and if you knew my dad back then, he was kind of a hardass and not the most  loveable guy. I thought "This is the sweet one? Matthew?" LOL. With that said, I will say that in the years following that my dad has grown up and become a much more loving and loveable guy. He is great with Oscar and a wonderful grandpa to my kids. Meet "Pepperoni" and "Oliver"...

And those were our first "babies". Here is a photo of Pepperoni and "Oliver" (lovingly nicknamed "Biggie" after he grew even bigger than "Pepperoni"...

"Biggie" thought he was a dog. He would come to Oscar when Oscar would snap his fingers and he would lick us,like a dog. He didn't even know how to scratch. He was the very best cat and I miss him all the time. We had "Biggie" for many years, even after having kids. Ever heard that when cats are going to die, they run away and/or hide? I think that is what happened to "Biggie" he just never came home one day. 

 (Pepperoni's short lived girlfriend, Belle. We adopted her and then promptly gave her away to a loving home, when we realized that two dogs was TOO much! I still cried like a baby.)

"Pepperoni" stayed with us for a shorter period of time. He was a horrible dog, but I loved him. Once, he jumped out of the back window of my car, as I was driving. I didn't notice he was gone until I got home and I was so worried and upset but we were reunited within a week, when a lady who saved "Pepperoni" from being ran over by a car saw my "Missing" poster and called me. "Pepperoni" bit Oscar and I several times and when I was pregnant with Roman he bit my step-mom in the face so severely that she needed stitches. "Pepperoni" went to a new home within a week after that incident and I felt so much relief.

We moved from our first apartment after our year long lease was over and upgraded to a cute and small apartment in Citrus Heights, a much nicer part of the city than our previous apartment. It was, however, farther from friends and family and for that reason we had less visitors. I took a job with Wells Fargo, working nights. Oscar took a job with an insurance company down the street from our apartment. Making more money at our new "grown up" jobs, we started saving and even purchased a new car. Our first loan together and our first (and only) brand new car. It was a black Ford Focus sedan, and it was ours. 

 (Me in our second apartment in Citrus Heights, Foxborough Apartments, early 2005)

One of mine and Oscar's fondest memories was when I would get off of work at 3:30am, I would go get us chimichangas from "Betos" or 2/$1 tacos from Jack in the Box and I would come home and wake him up to spend time with me. We would eat and watch TV until Oscar had to get ready for work. Rarely would he ever get up that early, unless I brought food, so it became a regular for us. Especially after spending so much time together in the beginning, even working together, we missed each other greatly during this time because we were working opposite schedules and even sleeping opposite schedules. However, I will say that it was nice to miss him and our love grew from that.

Another memory that I will share from that time of our lives was when Oscar scared the living daylights out of me. I woke up, mid afternoon, and took a shower, preparing to go pick up Oscar from work. I am naked, in my bathroom when I start to hear the front door unlocking. I freaked out and grabbed my cell phone and proceeded to the living room. My anxiety and mind were running wild and then the door started open. My phone (the only lifeline I had, had the person on the other side of the door been a rapist or intruder) I threw at Oscar, as I screamed at the top of my lungs. Oscar, being the way Oscar is, just laughed his butt off and has since learned that is one thing you cannot do to me. I do not like people jumping out and scaring me, or coming through my front door when I am naked and vulnerable, not expecting anyone.

Spending time with Oscar's family has always been important to Oscar and I. Oscar comes from a very close knit family, despite the fact that it is a large family, 3 boys and 3 girls total. We did Sunday dinners occasionally and even a family photo that his parents included me in, as well.

(family photo, mid 2005)

 (Oscar and I attending a family wedding in 2005)