belated holiday update

As I was very busy during the week, here are the promised pictures of our tree decorating last week. I tried uploading at work and each time was bumped offline. It must have been that I was loading during class time and not really paying attention. The week ended with a test and some more simulator time. Since then I have been battling a migraine. I should say that I feel lucky that the frequency of my migraines is about one every 3 or 4 years.

For the next two weeks I am working midnight shift, down at the plant, not in the training/simulator environment. I prefer not to be in training, the guys at the “real plant” are much more down to earth. In other news K got a new job and is working 40 hours a week at the “version store.” The job is via a temporary service so she is getting as much work as is possible.

Here are the rest of the tree decorating pictures as promised

post-holiday update

It seems even longer than it has been since I have posted. Some apologies are necessary, some are not. I have been busy with work and the like, taking care of those things that come up as the weather changes. The gutters got cleaned and firewood got stacked. The training classes were let out for the week of Thanksgiving, and due to some happy decisions earlier in the year, I worked that Monday and Tuesday. As the Unit was in an outage I was eligible for overtime on those days and on Friday and Saturday after thanksgiving. It was indeed a blessing as the renters in our little house in Idaho were evicted (not paying rent) and some major repairs were required. The house is now on the market…so if you know anyone interested let me know. In addition, early in November, I was diagnosed with a pinched nerve in my neck which leads to neck pain and tingling in extremities. The doctor proscribed a muscle relaxer and told me to take it easy. It just so happens that sitting at the computer and typing or using the mouse is very aggravating to the condition hence, no posts. As it happens now, I am at work sitting in a pretty ridiculous position to get this post done and to be able to go into the simulator this evening. Am including some pictures of the thanksgiving table, it was the 5 of us plus two of B’s friends who had very different but compelling reasons not to be at home for the day. It was a great meal and we all enjoyed it immensely.

My Birthday

I had a quiet day doing chores and spending time with the family. Ok, maybe it wasn't so quiet after all but it was a good day and I really enjoyed having some in-plant time (not in classroom training)

jack' s halloween

K, Jack and I went out trickortreating, initially I was not a big fan of the idea, but the longer that we were out, the more enjoyed myself. Pictures of Jack’s second Halloween are here

more halloween

B and H took some friends trick-r-treating, riding in an different car than K, Jack and I. we ended up parked in the same church lot and had a great time. Here are some pix of the fun. Enjoy!!

halloween

The St. Al’s haunted house had a new coordinator this year. K decided that that was what she was called for and she did a great job. It ran for one great night and here are a few pictures of the fun….

Jack on Monday for a change

While I was looking at B's tires and cutting wood last evening, Jack was helping his mom in the kitchen. She obviously thought he needed a snack and gave him graham crackers with marshmallow fluff. The results are always interesting, so was getting him clean in the shower.

Jack on Sunday

We had our comprehensive systems exam on Friday, my reaction as I walked out of the testing area was that it felt like the last 6 exams. I was right, ended up with an 88, just higher than my average in that area. The next area is normal plant operations (startup, shutdown, and power range transients) for the next month. Friday night, we treated ourselves to steak and adult beverages, Saturday did chores and hung out and today, cut some wood and having Pizza for dinner. K found a cool Halloween costume for Jack. When I saw it in the bag I was a little skeptical, but it is darling on him. While H, B and K went to Confirmation class, Jack helped me repair our wheel barrow, and after a ride in it, helped me adjust and clean the chain saw and reload it for tomorrow. FYI when I say “helped” I mean that Jack sat in his stroller and then in the wheelbarrow and played with a socket and ratchet. After that I tried unsuccessfully to convince him to nap. Gus and Misty were more in tune, though and here are some pictures for the day.