We’re finally here, Yea!! We got up at 3:00 AM and got to the airport at 4:45. The flight was delayed until 6:20 but was still scheduled to take off. When it was our turn to check-in we discovered that while we were scheduled to be on that flight, there was still a question as to whether our reservations could be switched from Alaska and American airlines to United Airline. We waited there for 45 minutes while the lady at the ticket counter tried to get it figured out. It was 5:45 when we finally were in the line to go through the security station. It was a good thing the flight was delayed or we might not have made it! It took a long time to de-ice the plane so we didn’t take off until 7:00. But at least we were on our way. Because we were late getting to Denver, we barely had time to eat a sub sandwich and then we were on the next plane to Las Angles which also sat on the runway for a long time because of concerns about landing in LA due to poor visibility. When we got to LA, our next flight was scheduled to leave in 5 minutes! We were in the very back row in the plane and it was torture waiting for everyone to get off the plane. But the stewardess assured us that the plane would wait for us. Fortunately it was just two gates down but when we got there the sign said boarding “closed”, so I thought the doors had closed and we hadn’t made it, but fortunately they were waiting for our flight to get there and they were still boarding, so we got on that plane. We finally arrived in Kauai at 5:30 (7:30 Spokane time). It had been raining so it was very humid but it sure felt good. So yes, we are finally here.
The one good think about our trip being delayed is that we were able to go get the grandkids and spend Christmas Eve with them. We went back to our house so they could open their present and meet Ebony. She didn’t know what to think of them at first, but then wanted to play. Mark says the cutest things. I miss all the cute things that little children do. He asks so many questions. I loved it!! It brings back so many wonderful memories. I sure do miss those days. We went to Grandma’s Christmas Eve party and got pictures of everyone’s family. We ate late (7:30) and at 8:15 they were just getting ready to open gifts. We wanted to get to bed fairly early so we had Mark and Orlando open their gifts from Great-Grandma and then we had to leave to take them home and get home ourselves. It was a great evening with the grandkids. I have a lot of pictures that I would like to post but it will take me some time because I will be on the beach for the next 7 days!!

More party photos

Christmas Party

Our Christmas party went really well. Jessica and Josh and his family didn't come, but the rest of the kids, Jamie and Robert and Janelle's boyfriend Bryce was there. Also Mom and Norm and my uncle Gene. We had some great snack food, including Janelle's famous 7-layer dip, which was the favorite. It was a lot of fun watching everyone open their presents. I wish the grandkids could of been here. I was looking forward to watching them open their gifts. I miss those days when the kids were young and Christmas morning was filled with all of their excitement. John was especially intertaining, giving us a preview of how the evenings will go in Kauai. I didn't get too much sleep that night however, between his loud snoring and dealing with Ebony's barking, I was up most of the night.

Record Snowfall!!

Wow, Thursday was amazing! John and I were both fortunate because we didn't have to go to work. So I spent the day cleaning house and he was out trying to clear the driveway of snow. Jessica spent the night Wednesday, so she could get to work on Thursday. But there was so much snow that she didn't have to go to work either. They actually closed the mall at 1:30 in the afternoon. Friday I tried to go to work, but the parking lot had not been plowed yet and the snow was about two feet deep. John had driven me to work so we parked at a business down the street and walked in. I didn't realize how difficult it is to walk in so much snow. I made sure everything was set up correctly while I was gone on my trip and then John and I went to the mall and I got my hair cut. I made the mistake of going to a cheap place and got a terrible haircut. Now I will have to spend more to get it fixed.

Wow, it has been a long time since I have written anything. Last week was a very busy week at my new job. We helped move in all the furniture, pictures, plants and decoration for the whole building. It was amazing how much was accomplished in five days. The building looks so nice now. I am happy with my office, I have two beautiful pictures on my wall and a cool clock. There is still a lot to do to get ready before the first residents move in however.
Today is a special day because it is Joshua's birthday. It's hard to believe that he is 27 today. I still remember how excited I was to finally have a baby. I had wanted children for so long. I never wanted a career, I just wanted to be a mom. Those first days right after he was born was so special, it was just the two of us. I had such grand plans to be the best mom there ever was. I guess I didn't achieve my goal since Joshua won't speak to me now. I just don't know how I could of done any better. Anyway Happy Birthday Joshua!!!

Thursday was my last day at Fairfield Good Samaritan. I'm excited about my new job, but will miss everyone at Fairfield. I've been doing a good job at working out these past two weeks but so far have lost no weight. I guess the older you get the easier it is to gain and harder to lose it! I got some good pictures of the kids all dressed up for Halloween. Janelle and her boyfriend Bryce went to a Halloween party and lets just say the evening didn't end well. I didn't get to see my grandkids but at least I got copies of the pictures of them in costume. I got pictures of Jamie and Robert also and as soon as Jessica wakes up, their will probably be pictures of her evening also.

My Birthday

I haven't written yet about my wonderful birthday weekend because it takes me so long to get the pictures I take ready for publication. John, Janelle and I went out Friday to Outback and had a very nice dinner. The carrot cake was delicious!! We couldn't get Saturday night to work for the kids so we just stayed home and Sunday we were supposed to go out for lunch with the kids but Justin had to work and Jessica took off for Seattle suddenly, so it was just John and I and Jason and Janelle. We had a nice lunch at Applebees. Then Sunday evening I got to go out again with John's family and Janelle and Justin. So a lot of celebrating. Janelle got me a beautiful necklace and left me a wonderful message. Jason gave me a beautiful music box/jewelry box. The things my children give to me are so precious to me. Janelle's boyfriend Bryce gave me three beautiful roses and my new boss at my new job sent me the beautiful boquet of flowers.
So I had a wonderful birthday!!!

Major Milestone

Today was my 50th birthday. It's hard to believe that I am that old. It just doesn't seem possible. I got the day off so I relaxed most of the day, then went shopping at Macy's and went out for dinner at Outback with John and Janelle. We had a really nice time and the dinner was great. I got some beautiful flowers from my new boss at Pineridge. I have already started doing some work at Pineridge. I will be conducting job interviews for NAC's this tuesday. Only two weeks left and I won't have to drive out to Fairfield anymore!! That's all for now, I am falling asleep!!

Keeping Busy

I'm into geneology again. I made a major break through recently. To me it's a big deal anyway. I had found out a year ago that my great-grandfather Charles Wilson had been raised by his aunt and uncle. Through some great detective work I had figured out that his aunt's sister was his mother. There are some new records on the internet including death certificates. First I found his aunt's last name and found her family on the 1870 census. I then checked out her only sister who it appeared was still single. It was another road block until I looked again for Charles Wilson death certificate as I had done many times before but this time I found it!!! but I also found more intrigue! His mother was the older sister but she had never married and was still alive in 1880 living with her parents still. So why was Charles living with his aunt? His father was listed as "Runin" Wilson. Evidently it was a nickname and not a kind one, so again a dead end but some interesting info!! It's what makes genealogy fun.
John has not been doing well. The shot that he got for his back did not work and he still is in a lot of pain. He is hoping something else can be done. Janelle didn't want to drive her firebird through another winter so we took her car shopping and she bought a 2003 Dodge stratus. It should be more dependable and practical. She still needs to sell her firebird however.
Well thats all for now
Bye now

I had a second interview today with the Regional director, then a couple of hours later, great news, I got the job!!!! I am so excited. I am now the Director of Health Services at Pine Ridge Assisted Living. I will be starting in November.
John had his second cortisone injection today for his back. He says his back feels better already. We went out to Outback to celebrate my new job. I am so happy that I won't have to drive to Fairfield this winter. The other good news is that I will still get to go to Hawaii. I thought maybe I would not get to go because of the new job but they have already said that it wouldn't be a problem.

Justin's Homecoming Dance

Saturday was such a beautiful day, I just had to spend some time outside weeding the garden. Ebony has learned to come when she is called and is pretty good about staying in the yard, so she got to go outside with me and play. Justin came over after work to get ready for his homecoming dance and I asked him to please stop by with his date so I could get some pictures. He was a good son and remembered! Both he and his date Lexie look very nice.

Jessica and Jason Visit

Jessica and Jason finally came to see me last night. I was wonderful to see them again. Jessica has lost a lot of weight and looks great! Jason is back in college and is working on a business degree. I don't know if I like all the facial hair however! Janelle will be mad at me for taking her picture when she is not fixed up but she should know better, I always take pictures!! They brought over some KFC which was delicious. It's been awhile. They played ping pong and we watched #1 USC get beat by Oregon state!

I had my interview today for the Managers job at a brand new Assisted Living that they are building in the valley. It would be a great job for me, I hope I get it. I have already forgotten how I connected my pictures to Picassa and I wanted to try out flickr. It sounds a little more complicated but I'll give it a try. The picture above was my practice picture using flickr. I don't know which one is easier since I can't remember how I did it. Oh did I mention that this new Assisted Living is for Alzheimer's. I should fit right in!

Big Interview

Tuesday is my job interview at the Mission Ridge Assisted Living. I'm applying for the Director of Resident Care. I think that's the title. Basically it's the manager job. Hopefully it will go well and I can get a job there. I get so tired of the long drive especially in the winter. We went shopping today and bought some new toys for Ebony. She really likes them. Janelle went with a friend to WSU. I will worry until she is back home.
John has nothing to add so good-bye for now.

An interesting day

Yesterday I found a great job opportunity in the newspaper and immediately e-mailed my resume. Then today I waited impatiently for a phone call or return e-mail, but nothing! So now I am worried about whether or not I e-mailed my resume correctly. I'm probably just being impatient, but if I don't hear anything tomorrow, I will resend it. John had to work late because of Parent's back to school night so I am on my own. I was going to work on my main computer but something is wrong with it. It won't start or do anything, so now I am really frustrated. Fortunately I still have my laptop. I guess I will spend the evening watching football and surfing the internet.

Summer Fun

We were able to spend a lot of time at the river this summer. We went to Steve and Sue's place and watched Jack retrieve boat bumpers and a football. Ebony wanted to join in but she's just too little. Steve made fun of John for having a little dog, but I think secretly, he really liked Ebony and would like a little dog of his own! She is a great dog and I am thrilled that I finally talked John into letting me get her, but she can be frustrating at times. She is not totally "potty trained". She will go where she is supposed to most of the time, but every once in a while she pees on the carpet. We were going to let her sleep with us, but she peed on the bed! No more sleeping with us!

John and Wendy visiting Red Rock Canyon during our last trip to Las Vegas

Jamie, Sally (Joe's wife) and Joe

Jamie and her fiance Robert

Jason, Justin, Janelle, Jessica holding Ebony

Grandchildren: Orlando and Mark

Joshua and Rebecca

First Day

My first day at this new web site. Hopefully this will be a fun way to keep in touch with friends and family and share photos. I will be trying to upload some photos and try to keep things interesting.