Catching up

Wow, I haven't blogged in so looooongg....I feel like something's missing lately without my blogging time.:) Hope everyone had a marvelous Christmas/Yule/New Year/Whatever-you-celebrate season.

Things were (as usual) close to home and simple, but very fun and sparkly at the same time. There aren't as many gifts to unwrap anymore, because most of the family sends the kids money now (life changes have made this easier) but the kids were thrilled with everything they got (and of course they love the money too). Sierra has been crooning into her Karaoke machine again tonight, Trevor happily teases us about our small computer screen now that he had a new computer and monitor (19" flatscreen, darn him), Jared can't decide whether to play on his new Xbox 360 or be on my computer playing World of Warcraft (he and Sierra got their own account finally!) and Jalen has been busily building and destroying cities and tracks on his new train track table.

Oh, and there was the Christmas kittie. Bella is still here and seems to have decided she's staying, we've been adopted I guess.

Working 30 hours again has been a lot less stressful this time around. I love, love, love working for MAC and am acting as Product Specialist currently (must turn in a big project to make it official) which is a fabulous challenge and exactly what I love doing (training people and sharing product knowledge). We're actually going to have medical insurance again, since 30 hours is considered full-time. I feel a bit ambiguous about the whole insurance thing, it's such a scam. At the same time I don't like having no protection in such a jacked up system. sigh.

Markus is staying busy, and thankfully can do a large majority of his work right here at home. I have a great feeling about this coming year!

We ushered in the New Year by singing Trevor Happy Birthday (like we do each New Year!), my tall, lanky first-born is now 17. I can hardly believe it. He's such a neat guy too.

Sierra and I went downtown for "First Friday" a couple nights ago. Found several friends and after picking up a handthrown mug for her, we met a group at Acoustic Coffehouse for more talking, drinking and eating. A guy I'd met down there previously showed up. He splits his time between here and the Peruvian jungles, bringing back handcrafted items by the tribal people to sell. Sierra made her own purchase of a handwoven bag, all of the embroidery on it was made from cotton they grow, dye and weave in Peru. She was tickled. My girl loves to hang out with me and my adult friends...they all think she's such a neat kid (and they're right). It was so cool watching her asking this guy (don't even know his name) about all the items and how they were made. On the way home she asked where Peru is. After a brief explanation she says "well I want to go there!!"

Peruvian dude takes very small groups into the jungle occasionally. We may have to join him sometime.)