2010 is starting out great!

Don't let Bill tell you he doesn't really have any resolutions---He has been enjoying starting out each day reading scriptures and the Sunday School and Priesthood assigned reading (even when he isn't subbing for Gospel Doctrine class), and has even had to be reminded to stop and eat on a couple occasions! In fact, he has enjoyed having an office again, organizing it little by little, and has done a couple projects there already, including repairing a clock on a cool piece of wood, and working on organizing the CDs into a binder Santa gave me for Christmas. (The organizing is part of the gift.) In spite of not feeling well a lot lately, he keeps himself pretty busy, with periods of rest balanced with work around the house, and on Scout things (he has done a lot of coordinating paperwork for the 11 year-old part of the new Super Troop, keeping others informed on the progress, even making dreaded phone calls without hesitation!) The medication the doctor has him on has been helping some with the pain in his esophogas, and his tests are scheduled for early February. Please keep Bill's health in your prayers---that would be a great help, as well as visits, whether by phone, email, or in person. Bill is looking forward to school starting, along with his afternoon bus route.
Diane made a new Christmas tree skirt to replace the Nativity one she gave Kristopher and his family. (She has wanted to give something from the Nativity collection to each of her children, and the tree skirt just NEEDED to be with a family where little children are! Now just Karl needs something from the collection---she gave the "Jesus' 1st Bath" cross-stitch to Heidi, and the "German turn-around" wooden nativity to Amy. It has been fun to figure out what I would like each family to have for now---I hope they enjoy them.) So, now we can put the tree and other decor away, cuz the skirt is ready for next year. I have been planning the skirt for some time, using things we already have. It has been nice to spend a little time having a creative dream come true. I am also helping our ward's Relief Society with a Stake Humanitarian project. With another sister, we are making crocheted adult's mittens and helping other sisters learn how to make them. It has been my first time making mittens---it is a good feeling knowing they will help some people stay warm. Diane has also been working on organizing in the sewing/craft room. So far, the paper for crafts and cards is done! And the drawer with colored pencils and other drawing supplies. Good start.

Staying warm is high on our list of priorities!!! This is Bill on a walk the day the temperature was around 12`---or was it that it was higher and felt like 12`? One of those. Our walks have helped us be healthier. That is kind of weird to say, because in some ways Bill's health has been decreasing. In the ways he can control, he has been doing better---excersize, eating better, lost some weight and inches around the middle, a little more stamina, etc.

My health/energy has been improving to the point where I have been able to begin looking for work again. The first job I applied for I got, but had to turn it down. It turned out to be more appropriate for a young intern, which is what they usually hire. On a reservation 3 hours away, staying away at least 3 nights a week in winter, a huge caseload with lots of organizing where there hasn't been any, etc, etc, more driving than I am physically able to handle on a weekly basis, hotter weather during some months that would be a migraine-trigger, etc, etc. But it was a good first try to get back into the looking-for-a-new job-interviewing-frame-of-mind. Back to the drawing board. Our neighbor is on the committee to staff a new nursing home that will be opening in a few months, and has been interested in me interviewing with them. We need to look elsewhere first, though, because the work there would be seasonal in nature, not a regular paycheck year round, with a lot of Sunday work when they are busy. Now that the holidays are over, there should be more opportunities for interviews, and we DO need me to be working again. Please keep my finding a good job with benefits in your prayers also. It has been nerve-wracking being without health insurance lately---we need a job with benefits if possible.

Well, enough words, let's look at photos! Here is Bill and HoneyBear in a patch of winter afternoon sunshine........

.....and me in my "warmest-boots-in-the-world" Christmas gift from Bill! I decided that one resolution I CAN keep is to have warm feet all winter! Well, 'hope you enjoyed our first post of the new year. That's all for now!