A Few Days in Bed... Ugh.

David and I are recovering from the stomach flu. It's the 24 hour bug that keeps on giving and going strong in the evening of it's 3rd day. I haven't had a full blown bug in a while so I have forgotten what a baby I am when it comes to this stuff. I've lost 6 pounds so far, which I'm sure will come right back with the first full glass of water I drink. For now, though, not much is appealing. In fact, nothing is appealing. And those who know me well know how much I love good food and drink. David didn't have anyone to cover for him at work so he had to go in both nights. I felt so bad for him but feel bad for the people he likely infected, too. He worked alone so hopefully no one will snag the bug from him.

We were planning to go out to the property for 4 days straight - our longest stay out there ever - but the bug interrupted those plans. Instead we are going to look at a rental that's closer to my new job tomorrow and then consider the trip again based on how we are feeling.

I missed my last two days on my old job. I felt pretty silly calling in sick both days and missing my "farewell" lunch. My boss probably thinks I'm a real loser. I start my new job this week. I'm a little anxious about the new schedule, but overall, I'm looking foward to starting something new.

Starting a New Job Soon

I'm starting a new job the first week in February. I am excited about the new job and fretting a little over how I will handle the new schedule - very early mornings, commuting 30 miles one-way, working weekends. On the other hand, off at 2 pm most of the time, hiking some nearby trails after work, meeting people who are actually HAPPY to be where they are, just being in the beautiful surroundings. Wish for something long enough and it may actually come true. Of course, one must do the work, too, which includes agonizing over leaving the current job (the job which is fun when corporate technology is working properly but extremely stressful when it's not, and it's not most of the time), filling out the darn paperwork for each individual job, which takes about 2 hours, and then waiting... and waiting. And waiting. All things must pass, including the time it takes to go through the process.

I was hoping to work at a nearby university, but describing the time between completing the application process and actually getting a call about the job cannot be adequately conveyed by the word "waiting." It could be compared to watching the seasons pass, observing the growth on an old oak tree, counting the minutes until vacation starts. I think you get my point.

I got a happy birthday email from my old boss in Houston. I was pleasantly surprised to hear from him. He's a very thoughtful guy and remembers details that others soon forget. Thanks, Paul!

The days passed so quickly

Well, the kids have come and gone and the house is very quiet again. My daughters and grandson came for a post-Christmas visit. We had postponed our Christmas to spend time together - all of us - and their visit overlapped my birthday. It was a great birthday present to me for everyone to be together. On that day, we went to a nearby town to eat lunch and then spent the rest of the day at the park. Here are a couple of photos from the day:



On Saturday evening, we prepared dinner so we could eat when they arrived. As I looked around the dining table with all of us seated together, laughing and getting caught up on all that is happening in our lives, I realized that I could not have been happier than at that precise moment.

a meteor shower and a rock patio

We went back out to the place last weekend and spent the night on Saturday night. We left very early Saturday morning and saw the Quadrantid meteor shower at it's peak. We didn't plan to leave early to watch it. We just happened to catch it on our way down south. It was beautiful.

After we got there, David and Pepper went on a 4 hour hike and when they got back, he was feeling pretty bad (he ended up with the flu), so he rested while I raked the ground in front of the RV and moved stones into the area to start the patio. I'll move the planks out of there as I work more stones in. I worked in a tank top and foolishly did not put any sunblock on, so I had a little bit of sunburn the next day. Moving rocks and raking is a very good workout.



I applied for another job. I really love my current job but there are too many software and technical issues to work efficiently and it seems we are always having to re-do work due to the problems. We need benefits anyway and where I am now, there are none. So this is a good time to leave. My boss is also my friend, so it will be difficult to leave, but it's the right thing, I think. Why do I feel so bad about this?

David found these old Schlitz beer cans, a Coors can and some rusty food cans. There are old food cans lying around left from the days when candelilla wax camps were active in the area. It's interesting to read about the old wax camps.

Did you know that Schlitz beer is making a comeback? http://drinkwiththewench.com/2008/08/05/pabst-brings-back-schlitz/

What are you doing New Year's Day?

Well, it has been years since we have gone Out on New Year's Eve. I capitalize the O in Out because doing so is an event that usually takes careful planning in the city, not so much in a small town. My boss is very involved in our little community, freely giving her time and more to local causes. Last night was no exception as she was one of the major sponsors of the annual New Year's Eve Benefit Ball for the Family Crisis Center. Because of her involvement in this worthwhile organization, I also got involved in planning the dance and coordinating the promotions for it. It was a great night that lasted well into this morning. I am dragging today. I think I'm getting too old to live 2 days in one and then expecting to be going about business as usual the next day.

The dance was so much fun. David and I haven't danced in, well, never. Not because I haven't wanted to. We just haven't had the opportunities. Yes, you can read into that whatever you will, but we don't go out a lot. Anyway, it was a fun night of dancing and laughter, great music, new and good friends. The music was by singer/songwriter originally from Las Cruces but now out of Austin, Eric Hisaw, (http://www.erichisaw.com/) and they were amazing! They were late as they had a major mechanical breakdown on the way from Austin. Arrangements were quickly made for someone to drive the 6 hours roundtrip to pick them up and bring them here. That made them about 6 hours late for their load in, which meant they were hooking up equipment as the dance was starting. But the sound guys who were handling the show played some music that had people out on the dancefloor anyway.

About the band - Eric's agent sent a press kit in advance to help with our promotions for the event. We practically wore out his latest CD called Nature of the Blues, which was in the kit. We gave originals to the area radio stations but not before we made our own copies. (We later bought originals. I don't like copying music. It's not fair to the artists.) Backing Eric on vocals and guitar and occasionally stepping out front to sing and play was Chrissy Flatt, also an Austin transplant, (http://www.chrissyflatt.com/). I have not heard her before and did not know her music. But we bought one of her CDs last night, Wings of a Butterfly, which she graciously autographed for us. I listened to it today and she is so talented! I love Eric's music for the visual images that are conjured up by his lyrics, the texture of his vocals, the layers of sound. I can picture myself there in the places created by the words in his songs. Chrissy's gift for painting a vivid picture with lyrics, vocals and music matches Eric's. Listening to her CD had me feeling as if I know her personally, like hearing from a long lost friend. Individually, I know we will be hearing more great things from them in the future. Together, they are a powerful force. I loved watching them perform together. I hope you will check out their music and share it with your friends.

Left to right: Matt (bass player), Chrissy, Eric, Vicente (drummer)

And while I'm thinking of it, I can't believe it's 2009. Happy New Year, everyone! I hope you have the fire to follow your dreams this year. We are courageously, and sometimes fearfully, following ours. Also, to quote Chrissy Flatt from the liner notes of her debut CD, "support your local Animal Shelter," a worthy cause near and dear to my own heart. Confidentially to David, I'm so sorry I closed the car door on your finger! I hope you can forgive me. Thank you for your unwavering support and understanding. I will love you always.