Christmas 2005

I had decided to blow this whole letter thing off this year, due to apathy and indifference; I wouldn’t call it a full-fledged funk, but headed in that direction.  Through further reflection, however, I’ve decided to review the year to focus on the positives – perhaps that’s exactly what I need, and you, being my friends, will be subject to the result.

This year began like the last four have, busy at work.  I got some good visits in to Cleveland this year and was able to visit with Jim, Carol and the boys – always very fun for me.  I pulled out a cross-stitch project from 12 years ago, barely begun, and decided to work on it during flights – and made very good progress throughout the year.  Carol had a project in a similar state that she started for Christopher when he was an infant (he is now 12), and decided she might modify the dinosaur design to something that will be suitable for a college dorm, or plan on gifting it to a grandchild in order to ease the pressure to finish.  We laughed together about our industry in stitching crafts.

Patrick had a hard year, but has come through it nicely.  He was hit or run over by a car in April and broke some ribs and generally squished his little body.  This caused air to collect under the skin on his back and he crackled like bubble wrap popping when I petted him.  I took this as a sign to take him to the vet (I was traveling when the incident happened, and he was bathed by the time I got home, so no one realized he had been hurt).  His doctor was very sweet with him, very concerned, and tried some innovative ways to keep needles in his skin to allow air to escape and not cause air embolisms.  You just can’t wrap a cat in bandages.  I knew what the end result would be, having previously tried to dress him in a Men In Black pug tuxedo costume for Halloween one year – clothes on a kitty act as a paralyzing device and the animal simply becomes motionless, sometimes actually falling over sideways, as mine did.  Same result.  Bandages off, we went home and ultimately did just fine.  First, though, his hair fell out in large patches and I was worried that he would always resemble a nuclear waste accident victim, but months later he is as beautiful as ever.

We had another little (very little) visitor come in July – a starving kitten who snuck in my house one day and found the cat food dish.  I was hearing something chomping wildly in the kitchen and mentioned to Rich that Patrick must really be hungry – then Patrick walked by but the chomping continued.  We peeked and there was the smallest black kitty, just wrinkly skin over bones and not far from starving.  She had my heart that instant and became “Lucy.”  Patrick is still mad but he likes her when no one is around (I see them playing outside).  She is still a little wild and mostly stays outside, but is very sweet.  I really didn’t want another cat, or even one for that matter, but I love them both.  Next time, I hope it is a child who finds me.

Work was only that for me this year, and my family visits to Cleveland and Seattle the best parts of it.  I had decided (and need to remember this) that what I was giving up wasn’t worth what I was getting out of it, so I started thinking about getting a new job.  Now, be careful when you do this, because 2 weeks after I put an application in with the City of Anaheim, I was laid off.  Cut loose, budget reasons, and my job is eliminated.  I had just come home from Dallas, bags still packed, when my boss told me the Friday before Thanksgiving.  Happy Holidays.

So, I’m home now, that’s the good part.  I may even get another job at Volt Corp., same title, different department, only a little travel; my second interview is this week.

I have a new roommate; my nephew Nathan moved in right around the day I got laid off.  He is waiting for some things to happen, as well as I am, so we motivate each other and bounce ideas around the kitchen.  I think it is very positive and am glad he is here.

Well, I feel better!  I hope the holidays find you well and happy.  My mom, by the way, is doing beautifully and we were able to backpack the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim again this year with two of my sisters and a nephew.  She may not want to do that trip again, but has talked about making a trip down the river!

Much peace, love, health and happiness to you in 2006!