I can't claim that 2011 has been a bed of roses--at least not the entire year--but all in all it has been great. Deidre's son's wife delivered a healthy and beautiful baby girl, Evelyn. She' a few weeks old and is doing well, but can't stand on her toes just yet--even though her mom and, to some extent, her grandma were dancers.
My daughter Elizabeth has finished her second masters degree and has taken a job as a psychological social worker. She seems to enjoy the work; she has a degree in psychology, an MSW and an M DIV from Columbia Theological Seminary. Education wise, she has a good foundation for the work she's doing.
I'm still alive which seems like a good deal even though my balance is off a couple of bubbles and my joints hurt a bit. That was a very wishy-washy sentence. What I meant was: Hey, I'm Still Alive!! April will mark five years since I was diagnosed as stage four. And I'm still here. Woo Hoo!
Deidre will soon start a program to earn a doctorate of management and is applying for jobs for which she may be over-qualified. These days it probably helps to be over-qualified for any job since a lot of folks, under qualified to over qualified, are applying for available jobs. Anyway, Deidre is tired of all the driving that goes with consulting and will enjoy having an office in one place and benefits. I am confident she will get a job, but it may take a little while.
Christmas was grand! Elizabeth, Andy and Katie drove here from Atlanta. Katie, if her mom and dad would have allowed it, certainly would have taken her turn behind the wheel--but since she is only three it was probably wise to keep her in the car seat in the back. Katie loves cars and tiny trucks; she is a bit of a fanatic when it comes to the movie Cars. I don't know whether she'll end up designing or fixing automobiles but she is interested in lots of technical things and seems to enjoy learning about how things work and are put together.
Tonight we're going to a party at a friends house. I'll see if I can last until midnight--ringing the old year out kissing on Deidre. That's the way 2011 started and it will be a good way to end the year.
Let's all have a terrific 2012! HAPPY NEW YEAR!
5 comments:
Happy New Year to All !!
We are all starting out 2012 healthy and happy !! Lets keep the momentum going ! Good to see that you are back from your break and the holidays were memorable with your family. Keep on writing Rick !
With faith and hope,
Diane and Scott
Happy New Year to you, too.
Jim
I'm a lurker here, just checking in every once in a while, and I have to tell you man, you given us a hell of a ride. Your stories about growing up in Louisiana are great. I wouldn't have given you a snowball's chance in hell when I started reading your blog four years ago but you not only have come out on top, you've done it in style. To paraphrase James Lee Burke from the Neon Rain, keep smiling because when the smoke clears--it will drive the bastards crazy. Looking forward to saying this again to you next New Year.
Cheers,
Pittsburgh
Glad to see you back in action. I miss you when you don't write! Happy 2012! I'm glad yu are still here and I hope the new year brings you some pain free days, lots of laughs, and the peace/joy that comes from knowing that no father was ever loved more than you are by me!
Rich and Deidre and Fam,
Happy New Year to all.
Five years is a milestone.
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