It has been some time since I wrote on my blog.  There has been so much happening that I must admit, I forgot about it until the other day when Cyn said she hadn't seen anything for a long time…she was right.

I started a new "old" job.  As the Director of Sales at a hotel.  Now, I said that I would never go back to the industry once we sold our hotels but ya know, it's in your blood and so when I decided it was time to find a job outside of the Internet world it was natural go to for what you know.

It has been rather fun, getting to see so many people, meeting new ones, learning a few (and I do mean few) words in Spanish and developing the marketing plan for a property that has gone through some tough times but is now on the cuspid of making a break into the market again.  The suites have all been redone and are beautiful, the pool side rooms are undergoing renovation which they needed.  Lots of other things going on but I won't bore you with them, the hotel industry is the hotel industry and in reality, not much changes.

We are getting ready to have everyone home for Thanksgiving.  Of all the holidays I enjoy this one the most.  I love to cook for everyone.  I love to have everyone here and have the noise of voices throughout the house.  I don't even mind the mess (too much).  Just being surrounded by the people that make my life worth living is just about the best thing in the world.

We have been blessed to be able to host quite a few international visitors this year from all over the world.  We usually have other people with us at dinner so they have a chance to meet the visitors and hear about their world.  Since this was the world that I loved more than any other job I ever had, with ICIU i mean, the fact that we can host the visitors brings at least a portion of that world into our current world.  I enjoy it immensley and I beleive Greg does too.

Today was a day of not doing a whole lot, both of us are pushing the work schedules pretty hard so when we have a chance to take some down time we both truly appreciate it.  It's not that nothing got done, the laundry is done, the bathrooms are scrubbed, the floors are swept and the dishes are done but that's it. 

Tomorrow is another auction.  Cyn and some of her friends are going to be there too so should be rather interesting to see what everyone thinks of the items for sale.  There is a couch and chair that I will check out early but probably won't buy.  Just thought that if it is as nice as it looks it might be worth considering.  Cyn won't like it, it's leather.  But, both Greg and I like leather in our cars so think we would like it for the sofa and chair.  We'll see.

Greg's parents have put an offer on a wonderful house in Vail.  It is the perfect floorplan for them and large enough so that when Gail and her family come to visit they can stay with Bob and Ethel without being totally underfoot of each other.  Don't know when they will come but probably not this year since they are all, Gail and her family and Bob and Ethel, are planning to be in Kenya for a while.  They want Jonathan and Melissa to see where Gail spent her early years and where Bob and Ethel go quite often.  With Melissa's health issues it will be in question as to whether she can go but we hope so.

I talked to Shay the other night.  It's really neat to hear how grown up she is becoming.  Although the wonderful giggle is still there, the fact that she realizes that she is responsible for herself now is quite a big step.  Bless her heart.  We are bringing her home for Christmas (as soon as she gives me the date she can leave!)  I'll buy her ticket, hopefully she can come on a Wed. since the rates are so much cheaper, but either way, she'll be with her family for Christmas break.  I'm sure everyone in the Hancock family will be thrilled so see her (as will the rest of us).  We love her so much, can't wait to see her.

It sounds as though Kara is going well.  She's such a charmer, love that kid.  She's busy, busy.  She's going to help make pies for Thanksgiving.  That will be fun!

Of course, Jake, Molly and Spencer are just about the most special younger people in the world.  They all make me so proud, such good kids!

Jacket sales are going well (thank goodness!) although some people should really look in the mirror before they order a jacket that is going to be too small.  I mean, really, do you think you can push your size 16 body into a small??  That's like loading two ton manure on a one ton truck (remember that girls????)

Bobbi is such a delight.  She makes me laugh just like she did when she was little.  Both she and Cyn are a hoot!!  So glad they are both going to be here….doesn't get much better than that. 

Bob and Ethel, Cyndy, Brian, Nathan and Don will be here too.  Hopefully Cyn and Drew's friends, Steve and Jason, will be joining us.  My Greg really wants a ride in their Mini-Cooper.  Hint

Heidi, Allen and Peanut will be here Friday.  We will love seeing them since it has been quite some time.  Bobbi and Cyn will be great hosts and the kids will play.  Cause, after a little while Kara, Papa and I are off to the races.  We want Kara to evaluate whether the job as a Lead Out is something she may want to do next summer for work.  It's pretty good money and not awful hours.  I set it up so she can talk to a couple of the owner/trainers to find out if it would be of interest to her.  Not a big deal if it isn't, but I understand jobs are hard to get in Show Low and both girls will need to work to save the money for school.

Just a side note, when I die, I want to have my memorial service short and sweet (course I won't be there but I'll know).  Then, laugh about the things that made you laugh when I was alive…shoot…there are enough stories that you should do well for ages.  Just take care of Greg, he'll either be relieved or so sad LOL  Do love that guy~

Now I need to go send in another order, just saw one pop up…love those sales.

There are many things of beauty in the state of Arizona but capturing two such totally different ideas was just a delight.  First there is the beauty of the Prickly Pear cactus that can be seen all over the area.  Take a walk in the desert and you will be surrounded by the different varieties of cactus, all with their own form of beauty.  What a great way to spend some quiet time just enjoying what nature has provided for us.

Then you can go where the noise is adrenaline driven, where the horses are beautiful, the owners so proud and the crowd excited when their horse comes in first.  The track in Phoenix is beautiful with the wide array of flowers around the winners circle and the water ponds in the infield.  Then there is the turf track that looks like a well cared for fairway at a top level golf course. 

Each of these is something to be enjoyed, in their own way.

 

 

 

We had a delightful time with our visitors from Russia this week.  Super nice ladies, each with their own sense of humor and stories.  Hopefully the balance of their trip will be successful too.  Of course, they were tired.  It seems that programmers just don't realize what it is like to be on the road and on the go every minute of the day for weeks on end.  What visitors really appreciate is a down day, where they can sleep if they want, go shopping, go sightseeing at their own pace and not have to be on "the stage" all the time.

Each programmer thinks that it is their duty to fill the time they have the visitors in their town with everything they can think of for them to do and see.  When in fact, if you have traveled a great deal you know that there needs to be a down time.  Just personal time, where you can just be you, can miss your family, friends and home without having to make excuses or try to cover it up.  That comes from an experienced programmer, one that has done a fair bit of traveling herself and knows how exhausted you get after being on the road for long enough that the glammer and charm are gone.  Wish all programmers had to travel for more than a week, stay in different towns, different hotels, eat at different peoples homes and try to stay positive.  If they did, they would realize what a day to themselves would be worth and perhaps would then be kind enough to the visitors to give them a break.  Particularly after the first couple of weeks.  Weeks 3 and 4 are the roughest for the visitors to stay positive, they are tired and homesick by then.  A day of relaxation really helps to bring back the joy of the program.

Regardless of how tired they were our guests were delightful.  I encourage everyone to get involved in the Tucson International Visitor Council and take advantage of the opportunity to host guests for dinner or coffee.  Get to know them, it's well worth the effort it takes.

Tomorrow night we are going to have the privilege of having three Russian English teachers here for dinner.  One of them is from Stavropol which just tickles me so since that is the region the medial teams we worked with while I was with ICIU is from.  It will be neat to hear the changes that are taking place in the country and particularly in that region.  I have some candle holders that were a gift from one of our visitors from Stavropol that I plan on using to see if she recognizes the work, she probably won't but it will make me feel good.

Shay's graduation gift is nearly done.  It has been a lot of work but every stitch is worth it.  When her mom told me that she has been accepted at the University of Alaska I was so thrilled for her.  It's where she wants to go and the school sounds like it is the right "mind set" for her.  She should be able to be super active in drama and still get her other classes done too.  We are so proud of her.

It was great to have Bobbi and the kids here (minus Shay).  Wish they could be here more often or visa versa.  Neat people.

Cyn and I went to an auction Saturday.  Her husband will probably deny us the privilage of going together again since she bought a pick up and Mom didn't say "don't".  It was just so pretty!  She should be able to get it sold and make a little on it because they sure as the world don't need another one, they have a really nice one now, an additional one is kind of overkill.

But, alas, there is another auction this weekend.  Different kind and no vehicles so maybe she can go.

We are waiting word back on some of the interviews that Greg has had, hopefully it will work out so that we will be where we want to be, if not, then let's hope that he finds a position here that will make him happy, at least for awhile.  But, keep your fingers crossed and pray with us that we get the post he wants!

This will be a great weekend and beginning of the week.  Bobbi and 4 of the 5 kids are coming down so that Papa Don, both Aunt Cyndi's and Aunt Heidi can meet Spencer. 

Since Jake has a basketball game, his last for this year, they won't be here until late Saturday night but they don't have to leave until Tuesday so they should be able to get everything in while they are here.  Shay is off to a play (Rent) so she won't be coming and Greg wants do spend his first weekend at home doing guy things and since he would only be able to be here one day he decided to stay home.  He'll come another time.  We will miss them both but sure do understand their plans.

Spencer will be a hit with everyone, she's such a sweetheart.  Hopefully she will sleep even though she won't be home, she'll still have her Mommy!

Monday night we are going to the Big Fat Greek Restaurant on River, they have a special kids night with games, dancing and fun.  It should be a blast. 

I dearly love having them come.  It's part of what makes living her so neat, we can go there and they can come here.  We get to see them more often which is just fabulous.

This has been a week to see and hear from old friends and it has been delightful.  Our friends from Ecuador have moved back to the states and are now in Oregon.  Health issues were part of the reason although they now seem to be well on the mend.  They wanted to have American (and Canadian) doctors working on the heart issues which apparently was a good thing. 

Then we got together with friends from Cedar Rapids that are here for a month and a half.  They have a really cute apartment that they rent yearly for this time period.  Perfect for the time the time they are here.  We went to dinner with them at the Dakota Cafe the other night and today went out to San Xavier Misison. 

The mission is one of my favorite places to visit.  It is such a beautiful spot and usually have some of the tribal booths set up outside where there are pots and baskets, beading and food.  Today they were light on those things but in two weeks will be the Pow Wow and the place will be jumping.  We had lunch in the little shopping center on the grounds, sitting outside in the beautiful weather and visiting up a storm.

Last night were the dog races.  We hadn't been for some time so it was kind of fun to go.  I talked to Tom Taylor, the General Manager/CFO for a few minutes.  The tracks in AZ have put it to the legislature that they want to put slot machines in the tracks (so it would be kind of like Prairie Meadows only with dog racing rather than horse racing) and feel that it will be a benefit to them and to the state.  The amount of tax revenue they will pay far exceeds the tribal contribution.  They think they will have an answer by June.  Not sure what that will do to the tribes agreement with the state, guess that will all come out in the discussions. 

The monthly coffee at our church for the young people is the same weekend as the Pow Wow.  I have notified the girls since they want to come down.  We'll see if the schedule works for them or not.  Would be fun to have them.

Since yesterday was rather a wasted day, didn't get much done on the sites, I will probably spend the rest of the day and tonight adding content, gosh there is a great deal to see and do in this country!  There will never be enough time to see it all so I truly enjoy writing up the articles for those that will be able to go to the different areas and see some of the glorious sites.

As we get older and think about how our life will be in a few years the one thing that makes us face up to the fact that we are not immortal is the loss of a friend or family member.  We may think we are, we may plan our lives like we are, we may take risks like we are or put things off 'til another day like we are but in fact, we aren't.

When I got news this morning of the death of a good friend, Joan Shafer from Mt. Pleasant, it was a reality check on getting in touch with friends to make sure they know they are important.  This, of course, also applies to family.  Fortunately I can say that I had stayed in touch with Shafer's.  They were too ill to respond but I know they knew I cared and that is what was important.  Jake is in the hospital too, bless his heart this will be so hard for him.  They were so close, such good people.

Jake and Joan were my landlords when I moved to Mt. Pleasant.  They had just built a fabulous 8 plex on the edge of town and I was the first tenant.  Buttons and I moved in and truly enjoyed the space.  We had many dinners there with people from the community, getting to know them.  Jake and Joan were almost always there, part of the "core" group along with Martha, Gayle, Phil, Sam (now also gone), Greg and various others from month to month.  It was a great time, we all enjoyed the good food, friendships and humor that abounded at these gatherings.  I miss them, but more, I miss the people.

So, the point of this is, make sure those that matter to you know they matter.  Drop them a line, give them a call, email them or something, just let them know they are important to you.  Hey, can't hurt and maybe, just maybe you will make someones day a tad bit brighter.

Well, we got home in time for one day of warm and now it is getting cold again.  It may even snow in parts of the city on Tues.  Great!  Oh well, we know that it will be only for a couple of days and then back to warm.

Friends of ours from Iowa are coming down for the month of March (and part of Feb.).  They have an apartment they get every year.  We are looking forward to them coming.  Super nice people.

I need to go to Ross today or tomorrow to see if they have any brown slacks.  Mine are just so old they look icky and I thought about the fact that Ross and other discount stores are being inundated with overstocks and maybe their prices will be super good.  Can't hurt to go look.  Cyn may go with me which will be fun, haven't done the Ross thing together since I moved here I don't think.

Spencer was born a week ago and is doing really, really well for a little bitty one.  Weighing in at just 6.3 lbs when she was born she was still bigger than K when she was born but oh my gosh, she's a little bitty thing.  Both she and Mom are doing well, the healing from C section takes time and isn't something that everyone would choose (and neither did Bobbi) but when it is necessary and the results are as beautiful as Spencer then guess it is all worth it (particularly since I'm not the one that had to go through it!)

Having the time in SL with Bobbi and the kids (and sometimes GH) as well as GW has been rewarding in a number of ways.  Of course I love having time with the kids and Bobbi.  Both the bigger girls are sporting boyfriends that are super guys, nice to meet them and be able to make up our (GW's and my) own minds.  They are attentive and gentlemen which is a delight.

We all watched the Super Bowl together and were so sad that the Cardinals got beat at the very end, but tell you what, they were superior in so many ways.  It was probably one of the best Super Bowls I have ever seen.  Lots of food, yelling (mostly by me) and good company.  Guess that's the best it could be.

I have learned something (at the expense of a cake and a brownie mix).  When you live in Tucson or Iowa you really don't think about the consequences of what happens when you bake at high altitudes.  Well, let me tell you, if you don't follow the directions for anyplace over 3500 ft. the cake and the brownies get done around the edge and the centers take forever to cook and they sink.  Still taste ok but sure do look sad!  At first I thought I was doing something wrong with the oven, but when B asked me if I had mixed it up for high altitudes it was like…DAHH…NO.

Tonight J has boy scouts and then at 7 basketball practice.  He got signed up for basketball yesterday.  Now, he may not have thought about it but his Grandma did and took care of it.  I think it's important for him to learn to play on a team, gain some coordination and get a desire to improve his game.  That and I want to see him play at some point.

GH was home yesterday and left again this morning.  Bless his heart, he hates being away from the family and they hate having him gone.  Perhaps something will change and it will get better or he will find something closer to home.

Ok, tried a piece of the cake, white with peanut butter of course, and it tastes good, just looks really sad LOL

I found out yesterday that both Jake and Joan are in the hospital section now rather than the senior center.  How sad, they are such great people.  It would seem likely that when one goes the other one will too.  They have been together for years (like 65) and done nearly everything together.  I have been sending them notes every once in awhile since I haven't been able to see them.  Like I said, nice people.

We are planning to head home tomorrow and Bobbi and some of the kids are heading to Phoenix on Friday to spend the weekend with GH.  They also plan to stop and see Bobbi's dad.  I'm sure he will be tickled to see the baby.  She's precious.

Last I knew it was tool sale weekend again this weekend.  Just hope it isn't cold.  Been cold for awhile now and really looking forward to being warm.  It doesn't seem to bother the kids but Jo, GW and I, well, that's a different story.

So glad that we live close enough now to be able to be with them in 4 hours.  Sure beats the socks off from 22 hours!

A trip to Show Low at night is not my favorite pass-time, I hate the mountain roads at night, not crazy about them during the day but it's worse at night LOL.  Chicken…you bettcha. 

But, the contractions stopped so there really isn't anything going on right now with Spencer, she's just waiting.  The doctor told Bobbi today taht they were going ahead with the C section on Tuesday.  So, I'm heading home in the morning and will come back on Sunday since Monday is supposed to be a day of ice in the mountains!  Not going to miss the birth unless something unexpected happens (like delivery while I am driving to Tucson.)

Molly is having a hard time understanding what is taking the baby so long.  She thinks Bobbi should just go get it.  She has spent today playing with the things she got for her birthday yesterday.  So busy.  But the things she likes best are the balloons that her mom decorated with, she has played with them almost all day.  Her Aunt Cyndy Webb gave her a throne for Christmas which is about the coolest thing on the face of the earth.  She loves it.  She said she likes being a queen. 

Bobbi is fixing dinner, I offered but she wanted to do it so there ya go!

Working with the kids is really going to be a challenge.  They are so busy.  But, once I figure out where I am going to set everything up it will be ok, just not going to do it right now since I would have to tear it down tomorrow morning to go home anyway.  Got lots of work to do this week so need to take off early for home.

I came back to the house after getting my meds filled and when I pulled in I saw a Bobcat standing there.  It didn't run when I got out of the car, just stood there, next to the fence.  I got my camera out and was going to take a picutre but it went behind the fence and trees and so I couldn't get a shot.  I had never seen one out of a zoo before so it was rather interesting.  Pretty but probably what got Oreo, it makes sense. 

The Cardinals pulled it off yesterday.  What a super game!  The Super Bowl will be interesting since everyone thinks that the Steelers will truly stomp them but if the Cardinals are "on" it could be a super game too.

Greg H. will be home tonight so my leaving won't cause any major problems, Bobbi will have him here to help.

K is out for dinner with her boyfriend tonight.  At his house, meeting his parents.  She was looking forward to it so hope it all goes well.

S and B were with Bobbi last night at the hospital.  B drove her, such a neat kid.  K has such a cold that she wouldn't have been a good one to have there.

The weather is nice for cold country.  There is snow on the ground, but not so much that the drive is impassable.  But, when you are used to warm it is really COLD!