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.