Quick...While it is Still Snowing!

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

We have snow falling in West Linn. The evening was dry, thus we didn't awaken to "the moon on the breast of a newfallen snow." It has been nicely showering the car and the yard for an hour or so.

We're in the middle of Round Four. Jillian and Vickie sat with me on Monday, helping to pass the time and learning/telling us about nursing coursework. Victoria is absolutely in LOVE with her nursing program, clearly learning to be a healthcare professional. Here I thought it might be helpful for her to find work with a clinic or hospital with which I'm familiar, and she had a whole list of past sophomores who spent their summers as nursing "externs"--learning while making money. The clinics might be the fortunate ones, to be exposed to a Valpo nursing student.

The session has come with a little nausea, an uncommon side effect for me, but fairly normal for most. I guess, except for the excised section of colon, I've always had a pretty strong constitution and felt little effect...so I don't know whether to call it slight heartburn or nausea, or what. No trips to the porcelain goddess, and that's the only "constitutional" reflection I can bring to bear in the comparison. I made a promise, once upon a time, just like many of us...."Dear God, if you get me out of this alive I will NEVER do that again" and it seemed to work well. (Bobbi Bratz's wedding, as a matter of fact, with Mikey and Jeff on either stall aside me. "Who invented Long Island Iced Tea?" BOY, do I miss those guys!)

The year comes to a close with wonderful reflections. The year of "The Wedding," of course. A rotten diagnosis. Three masters' courses completed, including the ultimate, Finance. So now the Journey will take us to Boston in May for graduation. Planner that I am, I've already looked into tickets for the Red Sox, and a special BU night at the Pops. We're going to have a ball! A terrific sales year, with the drawback that we'll be likely absorbed into the parent in twelve months. Staff that has been solid and helpful as I've missed days in the office. People who trust that when I'm there, I'm actually working...and helping them out.

Thanks, as always, for the love and concern...particularly at this time of year. The kids are better, I'm one-third done with the "mulligan round" and we take new pictures of the little beasts on my birthday. We anticipate reduction, I'll be sure and keep you posted.

Wizardry...Update from the Wizard

A lot has happened since the last posting. Mostly, I enjoyed a quick trip back to see Liz & Billy, and attend the Army/Navy football game. GO NAVY! Slept on the way there, and much of the way home, but I'm afraid I frightened the kids with the rash on my face and neck. It was dying down, but hadn't yet disappeared, so they probably thought I was a pretty sick guy.

Now that the three weeks of rash HAS indeed left me, I feel like a pretty healthy guy. Round three reached "pump off" point today, which is always a relief. I know that tomorrow and Friday will be a little more difficult, with some fatigue involved, but I've cleared the calendar to make the accommodations necessary. Saturday morning is the Finance Final...once that gets out of the way I can really start thinking about Christmas. Wha....12 days away from today??

The holidays will be a treat. Vickie arrives just before Christmas, Liz & Billy will visit for the New Year's weekend. Mike & Jen Shira, Eric's parents, will be here for the famous Shira Christmas Eve, and a fried turkey is on tap, I hear. No matter how health may travel up and down, we all take great care to enjoy each other's company every time we see each other...no one can predict what may happen "someday." It will be a little odd carrying around my little "pump buddy" for Christmas itself, but I may as well get it over with when there is very little work to be done in the office.

We've otherwise had a wonderful year at work, the golf outings with the buddies...the wine trips with Judy...the long conversations with the kids. And who can forget the best wedding in '07? Life is GOOD, just write and ask if you think it might be a little slow in your world.

Thanks, whether Thanksgiving helps remind us or we wake up every morning to a new day...are in order for the lives we've been lucky enough to enjoy.