hawaii, 2008-09

   Where to begin, except the begininng I guess. Came over early in January, and got to spend a couple of days with Kate and Henry before she went back to Portland with Tom

no lay offs for us yet

Well this week was kind of scary, the hospital announced lay offs, but Carmel and NE missed the bullet this time.  Janna had told me about it last week, assured me that I was not affected, and then finished up by saying, "it's a Julie thing!"   Weelllll, that leaves a lot of possible havoc, and I could not for the life of me think of any one who could be affected by Julie more than me.  Oh well as usual, I worried before I had too.  To tell the truth, if I got laid off, Tom and I would be OK, and a lot more OK than most of the people I work with.  I just don't want any of my peeps to be in a bad way.  And so far so good.  Only time will tell, but it is a very scary time.  Kokomo was listed third on a national list of cities dying the fastest.  Wow.  the auto makers lost their latest bid for a bailout when the union refused to cut wages for their workers.  I wonder if they spoke to any of those workers?

December 1st 2008, I think.

    Meggars is preggars!   How long have we waited to say those words?  first coined by Scott a few years ago!  Not sure how far a long she is, but will have an u/s sometime soon.  Maybe around her birthday next June!  so happy for them both!  Seems to me like perfect timing!  

    Thanksgiving was perfect at Barb's, and really good at Louises.  I am so grateful to have people willing to do the big holidays, I'm not sure I could ever pull it off.  Barb and Marv seem really great, and Adam and Luke and families are good too.  Jacob and Ava are really cute and so smart.  Henry and Finn where so sweet, and really good boys all weekend.  Wished Mandy, jake and scott could have been there too, but next year for sure!   Talked to Mandy on Skype and again thank you Lord for this Mac and for Heather for getting it for us!!!  Mandy seemed really happy, but sorry not to be with all of us!  She was talking to all of us, and had a big smiles all around!  Hopefully she will be home in March.

    Kate and James and the boys left to go back to Hawaii today, and I have been sitting in front of the TV since they left.  It is really quiet, and I'm ashamed to say, that I am loving it.  Getting a little bit of picking up done, but hate to put the high chairs and toys away just yet.  I will try and get the bedroom picked up.  I need to take Heather's room back over, so I can spread out Christmas, but I think i will have to just tell her, because she doesn't seem inclined to move downstairs.   She will be teaching at Martin starting in Jan.  also on line with Axis college, and starting her MFA through New Orleans university.  Which means a month in Mexico this summer and next year in Italy.  I wished she seemed happier about all of this.

went with Tom to the ASA in Orlando last weekend, and Sue and Al were there! It was so good to spend time with Sue, but Tom and Al worked hard all weekend. Got home late tuesday night and the new board were in all day wed. and thurs. Tom is having a hard time getting his voice heard on some of the new acquisition stuff that he has been working on. It's almost like they are brushing by him, or not taking him seriously. He is so tired and discouraged. we are looking forward to a quiet weekend, at least sort of. There's a meeting that he needs to be in Chicago for Sunday night, and he wants to drive over to pick up Kate and James' car from Dan. Not exactly a lay in bed and read all weekend, weekend. Which is what i was hoping for. I even got him a book for our anniversary that i know he will really like. Oh well.
Sarah is preggers!!! another Furmcgrrr on the way! yeaaa!

an answer for dad

The financial market has tanked, the country is a nervous wreck. Dad has been frustrated with Tom and i because we have not been more proactive with our financial accounts. He has Connie, (his third daughter), and they visit often, and i think have even been moving their money around. everything i have been hearing has been pointing to sitting tight, and not moving things around, unless you are Warren Buffet, and he is buying. Anyway, when I have visited with dad about all this, which infact is not visiting, but listening, i have not been able to respond, until yesturday morning during church, and then i knew what my strategy on finances is. a long time ago Dick taught me that worrying is a sin, that i am trying to grab control when i worry, when i should be praying and letting God do the rest. Then when i do, i should trust him, and historically God has taken such good care of Tom and i, and the girls, how dare i do otherwise? anyway,i called dad and gave him my schpeel, i don't think he probably got it, probably thought it naive, but he was gracious, and gave me credit for having my own way of doing things. hmmmmm.

The wedding

Well we are back, and the wedding went well, with no explosions. Hans seemed rather tense, maybe a little defensive, and not particularly comfortable with the whole ceremony thing. His vows sounded like a lecture or a report. Barb read mom's words for the couple, and she did a great job. I didn't feel like it was appropriate for me to do it, because I knew they would be heart felt words that I would not be able to convey. Loved Kerstin's family and friends. They were so warm and fun.
Had Heather, Meg and Katie all in one place. Plus we had little Henry, and we fell completely in love with him. He is so sweet and responsive. Everyone loved him! Considering how jet lagged they both must have been, both he and Kate did great. It is so hard to have all the girls except Mandy. I miss her so much. We talked to her quickly, but it was almost painful for me, no, it really was painful. She is so far away, that I can't even wrap my mind around it, and doing things, that we may never really know about. I miss you Mandy.

Worries

Mom and Dad are heading southwest to meet up with Hurricaine Ike. They will get home tonight and pack like crazy. Ike is planning on hitting Friday, or Saturday, so the time is really tight. Hans' wedding is this weekend also, and short of a miracle, they will probably have to miss it. They have a really neat house identified in Newton, and the timing just seems crazy. How awful would it be if they lose all their stuff and their house in Texas, and not be able to make the move to Iowa, at least not to the house that they are so excited about. Please Lord........
Mandy is off the base, and on a special operation. Period. We have no idea what this means, is she in a helicopter, on the road with LEDs? Who are they seeing? Soldiers, villagers, crazy afghan soldiers??!!! Yikes! Thank God for drugs, or I would be climbing the wall right now. Please Lord keep her safe, and bring her home as quick as possible.
Got to Skype with Kate and James last night, and our Little grandsons are the cutest little boys I have ever laid eyes on! Course I'm not predjudice but what can I say, I miss them all so much!