Q. Hey, I didn't get a holiday card from you last year. Why not?
A. I was busy.
Q. Sheesh, don't be snippy. What were you busy with?
A. Well, since you're being so nosy, I'll tell you. But be forewarned: usually these holiday missives are filled with good cheer and happy news. The fact is, we had a pretty tough year. So, we were busy coping.
Shortly before the holidays last year, Roger got fired from his job. I was fortunate enough to be in the midst of one large freelance job, and to also pick up additional part-time contract work. When the big freelance job ended, I picked up another part-time contract. From January through the end of March, I worked the two part-time jobs, taught at the Art Institute, and managed my usual cadre of smaller-project freelance clients. Although, to be fair to my usual cadre, I'd have to say that I ignored them more than took care of them.
Then, I got incredibly lucky. The big freelance job from the fall led to my getting a full-time job offer from Ingram Digital Group to be their User Interface Design Manager. IDG is based just outside of Nashville, Tennessee and is part of Ingram Industries, a distribution company that includes one of the largest book distribution companies around. IDG is working to figure out how to distribute books in the digital future. It is a full-time job with benefits and everything; best of all, I get to work from home. Naturally, I said yes to the offer in about three seconds flat. The job has worked out incredibly well. I love the work, I get to do a little bit of everything, I have fabulous co-workers, and one of the best bosses of my career. (Okay, so last year wasn't all doom and gloom.)
At this point, Roger and I decided to do a full role-reversal. He is now the Primary Care Giver to Kirby, I am the Primary Breadwinner. After an expected period of adjustment, this arrangement seems to be working fairly well.
Back to the gloomy side: while both Roger and Kirby have enjoyed robust good health, I have struggled a bit on that front. I've had two ectomy-style surgeries this year, and probably the only reason I'm managing to get holiday greeting cards out this year is that I'm currently recovering from the second one. Don't worry, everything came out okay (nudge, nudge, wink, get the joke?) and I should be good as new by early next year. In the meantime, my new best friend is Oxycodone.
Q: Is Roger doing anything other than being Kirby's Chauffeur?
A: Actually, he is. He is PTA President for Kirby's fabulous school. He's involved with an organization called CPPS, which is a parent group that advocates to improve public schools. He is an equity partner in a company called Northworld, which has just launched their first product: Tofino. Tofino is web-based software designed to help users manage volunteer-run charity auctions. So far, every potential client who has looked at the product has wound up buying it, which strikes me as pretty darn amazing. So, if you're involved in your kid's school auction, or some other organization that runs an auction to raise money for itself, please run, don't walk, to contact
Roger.
Q: How is Kirby?
A: Kirby continues to hold the starring role of Best Kid on the Planet in our lives. He's now 9 and is in third grade. He is on his school's Lego Robotics team (the only third grader on the team!) He has switched from recorder lessons to piano lessons and seems to enjoy them, mostly. He continues to charm everyone he meets. He is deeply obsessed with cars, and lately has been learning more about the exotics rather than work-a-day sedans. Last summer, I made the mistake of telling him that for my 50th birthday (still a few years away) I wanted to rent a high-performance luxury car, drive the Big Sur coast, and go to Yosemite. He's been researching which car I should rent ever since. His current recommendations are the Mercedes Maclaren or a 3-series BWM. What do you think? Please email me to let me know your vote on what car I should rent.
Q: How is Tuscany?
A: Tuscany is just great. She had two litters, has now been spayed and is retired as a breeding dog. We are grateful for this, as Roger especially missed her while she was off breeding or whelping and raising her puppies. Roger missed her so much that we had been considering getting an Emergency Back Up dog. And, unexpectedly, our Emergency Back Up dog chose us.
It happened like this. I had taken Tuscany to the breeder's so she could have her hot date with her stud. I was waiting in a barn with Tuscany while the breeder attended to some other business. In a nearby puppy-pen was a litter of 7 week old puppies; the result of an accidental breeding between a sibling of Tuscany's and a neighbor's border collie who scaled an 8 foot fence! The border-doodle puppies were incredibly cute, most of them were fluffy black-and-white. Initially, all the puppies tumbled over for a visit with me. Then, they got bored and went to play elsewhere--all except for one smooth-coated, all-black little girl, who stayed near me by the gate, whining and licking my fingers. I fell in love. I sternly told myself to shut up about it, and departed, leaving Tuscany behind for her hot date.
The next day, I was chatting with the breeder about how Tuscany was doing and, I couldn't help myself. I mentioned how sweet the little black girl was from the border-doodle litter. The breeder told me I could have her if I wanted her. Apparently, she had been having a hard time finding a home for her because her coat is smooth and she's all black rather than fluffy and black-and-white. I sighed, said no, and then forwarded a picture of the puppy to Roger. Roger phoned me and said, "Get that puppy!" I called the breeder back and said we'd take her. A week later, Tuscany came back and Lily, her niece the border-doodle, came with her.
Lily is now a year and a half old and is one of the most beautiful dogs I've ever seen. Check for pix of both of our gorgeous dogs in the photos section. I'm hoping next year to have some video of them. Watching them play and run together is to see utter joy in motion.
Q: Did you take any fun vacations?
A: The last two summers, we spent a week in the Wallowas in eastern Oregon. Lake Wallowa (pronounced wuh-LOW-uh) is at the end of the road, backing up to the Eagle Cap Wilderness in the Blue Mountains near Hell's Canyon. It's an idyllic place to spend a week: far from everywhere, gorgeous mountains, no cell phone service, and a lovely lake surrounded by a state park. If you're looking for a cabin-near-a-lake type of vacation, I highly recommend it.
Q: Anything else to report?
A: Nope.
I hope this finds you well, and I hope you have fabulous holidays. Please don't hesitate to get in touch should you find yourself in the Pacific North West.