"My approach to life can't be summed up in a pithy quote, and if yours can, you're in trouble" - Mark Rogers
I guess this sums up what has been going on for the last couple of months. Life goes on, seamlessly, don't we all wish!
Work has been much better after a month of working nearly 40 hours a week. I am back to my half time schedule, which is better. The job is so enjoyable-I get to learn a new data base program designed for museums. The experience has really stretched my brain and taught me a few things about calling Tech Help when I need it. I've really made only one big boo boo, but the whole office learned a lot and we got our back-up process fixed. I enjoy the people and get to organize the furniture and supplies - love it! If you are interested to see what the museum and archives are like go to www.steelworks.us. I even have a yucky picture on the page.
Shep is still driving a truck and enjoying it. He took a couple of weeks off for the carpel tunnel surgery which went great. We had another appointment at VA in Denver, and it required a trip to IKEA-that's not all bad. Shep even liked the store! He has been working some crazy long hours on occasion, but has the weekends off, so we can relax and enjoy ourselves.
Thanksgiving was a joy at Ben and Brenda's house. It was so beautiful we took a long hike with the kids. Brenda's brother Troy joined us and we had really competitive games of Shanghai after the kids were in bed at night. The food was great and the kiddos were loads of fun. Cavan is talking up a storm, most of which I can understand after an hour or so. His phrase of the weekend was "Go to Nana Papa's house some day?" He talks about coming here much of the time. He is a really lovable boy, although he still can give the "stink eye" if he is unhappy with something. He and I had fun building with his trains (kind of like his cousin Logan). He can stay occupied for a long time with them. Amelia greeted me at the door with her usual exuberance and wanted to know if we could read books. Of course, I would never refuse a grandchild. We do enjoy our reading time as with all of the kids. Amelia is growing up so fast. We saw many princess outfits complete with shoes, a purse, and tiara. These girls are all into princess stuff - which is funny when you think about their athletic Moms! Brenda is busy with the kids doing lots of fun activities and squeezing in time to work out and do a home-based business selling books. Ben is expanding his company and feeling the growing pains. He has been able to work fewer hours lately, which helps. We had a great visit and are anxiously awaiting Christmas when the whole family will be together!
The guys (Ben, Shep, Josh) all went hunting in October and got 2 deer. They were full of the typical manly hunting tales, and did some great male bonding. That probably includes cigars, chew, food and beer. We were all glad to stay home. Brenda was here with the kids, and we got to see Bree and her crew. The kids are getting old enough to really play together - it was a treat to watch them. In November they had the second hunting trip and Devin joined them. I think he really enjoyed the experience. They didn't get any game, but they still enjoyed the company. My goodness, the supplies they take along takes two trucks! I don't know where they would have found room for any game.
A couple of times a month I babysit for Molly and Wyatt while Bree helps in Owen's kindergarten class. She loves to get back into the learning environment, and I always jump at a chance to spend time with those little ones. Molly is walking (at 10 months) and she doesn't even hesitate. If she could run, I am sure she would. She has such a sunny personality. I spent time reading to her last week, and like Laila, she likes to take the book and babble to herself. Wyatt is just as jolly as ever. His Star Wars moves with the light sabers are hilarious. He loves to dress in the capes and masks! It is so easy to make him laugh, and it is contagious. He is quite the tease. Owen loves school. The other day Shep and I were there when he got home from school. We practiced his sight words, and he told us all about each paper in his folder. What a good student - he was student of the month for staying on task. That's Owen! Bree is so busy with three kids and still manages to get sewing done, gifts made, and cook and clean. I so enjoy our visits! Josh is still liking Fountain Middle School as an AP. I always enjoy talking school with him when we get a chance. He had a great tomato patch this year with several heirloom varieties. I hope to get some tips from him for next year. His schedule is pretty reasonable and he certainly enjoys his time off taking the kids out and spending quality time with them.
Becky and Devin went to Scottsdale for Thanksgiving, so they got to enjoy the warm weather. The day I talked to her she was in shirt sleeves. It was quite a car trip for them, but the weather was good, so they had a nice visit. Logan has really blossomed since he's been in kindergarten. His passion for trains is still going strong. I remembered that we have a mine rescue car at the Steelworks Museum,so I will take him to see it at Christmas time. Laila is quite the princess, dancer, reader and generally a girl! She is so fun when you get her to giggle, what a card. She is really anxious to be 5 years old like her brother. The two of them are such good buddies.
I ordered new countertops for the kitchen last Thursday and they called yesterday that they could install them today. I have the guy here working on them right now. I am trying to juggle a couple of projects at work, lunch today with the staff, and a kitchen that is currently on the floor of the family room. I hope to get everything back to normal by Friday when kiddos arrive.
I had lunch with the girls from the CSU-Pueblo Foundation the other day We had such a fun visit. It is great to keep in touch with them. What neat ladies.
Our neighbors are having us over for some Christmas Cheer on Friday. We'll squeeze in a couple of glasses of wine before Ben & Brenda get here to stay until Tuesday. Becky and Devin will be through earlier in the day. They will stay in C Springs this year. I will have to post pictures.
We have had a major snow storm. Shep has been stranded the last two nights, one in Rocky Ford, and last night in Raton. What fun! He said the roads are treacherous, cars and trucks are stranded all over. We had about 8 inches of snow - a lot for Pueblo. Been shoveling the white stuff for my exercise.
We had major computer problems this last month. The home computer crashed. We got a new one from Best Buy, had many monitor problems and finally I took it all back into them and asked for a full refund. There were problems with the monitor and cords and computer and I was so furious, I finally gave up. Never shopping there again! Shep ended up going to Sam's Club and getting a better deal and we have a tech service to call. Wow, what an ordeal. Don't want to repeat that one again. Now we are back in the email business.
I will sign off for now.
HAVE A SUPER HOLIDAY! STAY SAFE AND WARM, ENJOY YOUR FAMILIES.
