Here is the story - after I wrote the last blog - I was cleaning up the goat pen and cut my heel on the fence - resulting in driving myself to the hospital for 8 sutures, then the pool deck replacement became this horrible experience (and it still is), we became proud parents of a teenager, school started, I was "promoted" at work, my employee quit, searching for high schools, and on, and on - therefore to tell the truth I have not been much into or had spare time for the blogging scene of late. Who wants to hear about our troubles? OOPS you just did! Thanks for listening -
Please know that I am thankful for all that we have, and I realize that things could be way worse. I have been focusing lately on what we DO have and how lucky we truly are, so I think I might have my mojo back and might be out of my funk, so will try to update and share the last 3 months happenings. Not unlike anyone else - so many changes in our life are taking place.
The Before and After:
Back fence area before (first day) Goats:
Back fence after Goats:
Here is a video of the pool deck remodel showing the before, during, and after:
(Side note -as mentioned above the pool deck remodel has turned into a giant fiasco – it seems during the process, System Pavers broke some of the pipes that lead back to the pump – so now if we run the pump – we leak water into the ground wasting water and seeping air into the pump!! Contract we signed with System Pavers says "not responsible for broken pipes..." Now in addition to being out the $$$ for the pool deck, we will need to sink more $$ into fixing the plumbing. I would say let’s just fill in the pool – except we are so far into this, to turn back would be even more fiscally irresponsible!!! However we may take a year or 2 off of the pool and regroup prior to the fixing the plumbing problems. I can only imagine how much the plumbing repair is going to cost)
Speaking of K's 13th - much fun and many parties were had - in addition to the one mentioned above there were these as well:
Co-celebration with E - E turned 3 - one week after K turned 13 so we had a double party - just us girls!!! J & Little E are just the cutest!!!
And the big finale birthday - was at Great Wolf Lodge Indoor Water Park - hooray for J riding the big slide!!
K & Kit on the first day of school this year:
A look back - K & Kit on the first day of Kindergarten:
Random Updates as to what we are doing these days:
K is addicted to Irish Dancing – she is doing great at it and works so hard –here she is getting ready to perform at the Portland Feis (I didn't know you are not supposed to take pictures during the competitions-oh well no one stopped me!)
Kit has begun horseback riding lessons – she is doing quite well and it is amazing to me that she gets on this huge animal each week and controls all that it does (this is Amigo with Kit):
T is working hard and for now hardly traveling - yahoo!!! He has been to a sleep doctor for a sleep study - guess what - the snoring is actually sleep apnea - how surprised I was to hear this - NOT!!! Sometimes when he snores - I poke him during the long silences to be sure he is still breathing and not dead - turns out I was right - he does actually stop breathing during the snores. Well instead of me poking at him, the doctor thinks he should get a CPAP (breathing machine thingy) he can wear while he sleeps. He will return to the sleep doctor for the CPAP later this week. We will see how this plays out - I am hoping that he will be very rested as a result of the breathing machine thingy and the abscence of sleep apnea and he will be full of energy to do all the things we never have the energy to do (house cleaning, yard cleaning, goat tending, children tending, etc...). If he is not well rested and the breathing thingy does not work out - we can always go back to me poking him (it has been working for the last 17 years).
As I stated - I received a "promotion" at work. When I told my mom about it, she pretty much summed it up for what it really is- "So you will be doing your old job plus the job of someone else and managing the employees she used to manage? Oh honey!" (with sincere but definite pity in her voice). So yes in addition to my "old job" I am now supervising 2 Project Coordinators and a newly hired Administrative Assistant. It has been a very intense learning curve and continues to be one, however I am enjoying the challenge and being part of other programs. I have been in my own "little world " at work for so long (15 years) and it is great to be seeing the research being done by other programs. I am fortunate to be working with some of the world's most renowned cancer researchers. Might I also add - I know I am very lucky to have a job with a promotion in this economy.
In addition to my promotion - turns out that a new employee benefit is rides for the family in my boss' sports car - thanks GBM!
(Teaching Kit to wave appropriately)
So that is it for now - Blog to you again soon!
