It's the holiday season again! There is no snow in North Carolina, and we just put our decorations up, but we're still in the holiday spirit. Here's a little update on goings and comings of the last year. Matt and I are still engaged, with no date set yet. He has a condo in Denver that needs to be sold before we start making too many plans. I also have to decide on a time and location, but change my mind about once a month. Maggie, our dog, has just turned eight, rules the house, and barks at everything. We love her to death and torment her every chance we get. We're pretty sure she loves us back.
We have traveled quite a bit this year. Elin traveled for work to Baltimore in January, Athens, Georgia in February and May, Boston in August, and Austin, Texas in November. Matt was able to join me in Boston for the long Labor Day weekend and we took in many historical sites, ate at some excellent restaurants, and even took a duck tour on a WWII amphibious vehicle. Matt and I also traveled to the island of Maui in June for his sister Heidi's wedding. We were able to spend about 8 days on the island. Unfortunately it takes 14 hours to get there by airplane, and the trip home was even longer since United canceled our 3pm flight. It was a wonderful trip. We enjoyed spending time with his sister and John, and Aunt Sally and Uncle Bob. We also took a weekend trip to the Outer Banks of North Carolina in October. We visited two lighthouses, flew a kite on the beach, and saw the Wright Brothers park and monument.
My brother Shaun is currently stationed at Ft. Bragg about 1.5 hours from where we live. Matt and I babysat his "children" while he was serving in Kuwait and Iraq. The kids lived in the garage where motorcycles and cars belong. We sent lots of care packages and were very glad when he returned home in May. He gets to spend time at our house where he claims the guest room as his own. We enjoy going out to dinner, movies, and sitting on the couch relaxing with Shaun. His tour of duty is ending this month, so he'll be moving back to Michigan where it's ridiculously cold, but where his girlfriend Melissa lives. I guess we'll have to find another dog sitter.
My youngest brother Luke had exiting news this year. He got engaged to Jamie, and they will be getting married in March. He is working at a YMCA camp near Lafayette, IN. This fits right in with his degree in Parks and Recreation, or "playing outside." It's a great deal when you can find a job doing things you like to do anyway. Jamie is from a nearby town in Illinois, but I think they will both enjoy not having to commute for visits.
My job with the EPA has really picked up in pace since June. The laboratory that I am helping to set up is very well staffed, and we still have people coming. We keep busy writing SOPs, QAPPs, PEs, LOMs, and several other documents known only by an acronym. Many new pieces of equipment arrived this year, and I can't wait to have a free moment to go and play with them! Matt's job at the Chevy dealer keeps him mostly occupied. He's used to being a lot busier, but I think the slow economy has pushed car maintenance down on people's list of things to do. He has gotten several raises this year, and passed ASE recertification tests and certification tests. We got to go see a monster truck show and a Carolina Hurricanes hockey game when he was given free tickets at work. Gotta love the perks!
This year has been a good one health wise. I'm no longer getting allergy shots, and rarely have any sinus trouble. The people in N. Carolina keep telling me to wait a few years and it will catch up with me. My jaw is getting better, but still isn't completely normal. I found out that the disk in there is not where it's supposed to be, and I have arthritis in both sides of the joint. That doesn't seem to stop me from chewing on Jolly Rancher candy though. My wrists have good and bad days, but rarely cause too much pain. They make some pretty good drugs to keep the inflammation down. I still don't have carpel tunnel syndrome, but keep on the lookout for it.
I had a car accident in May (Honda Civic meets Ford F350 pickup truck) and recovered in about a day. The up side to that was that I bought a new car with leather seats, a sunroof, rearview mirror defrosters, and SEAT HEATERS! I've gone back to my first car roots and purchased a turbo diesel Volkswagen Jetta. I test drove about a dozen cars including the hybrids, but couldn?t turn down the 44 mpg and low priced diesel. The Jetta also has more safety features than many of the cars I was considering. The trunk is absolutely huge (fits at least 3 bodies), and the back seats fold down flat for large cargo. I love driving the manual transmission, and I won't have to worry about Matt working on my car-- it's the wrong brand for him.
Other exciting news is that I started my own business in November. I became a PartyLite consultant, and I sell candles in my spare time. The company is highly regarded for the quality of their products, and their rewards for consultants. So far it's going well, and I like the thought of a "business expense" write off for a new printer on my tax return. One of the best perks has got to be the way this office smells though. I am keeping a lot of the candles in here, and they sure stink up the place in a good way.
Matt and I hope that you have also had a productive, profitable, healthy, and fun year past. If you are in the Mid-Atlantic region, please look us up. We would love to visit with anyone in the area, even if it's just for lunch or dinner. And if you're going to need any candles, be sure to call me first! Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year to you and yours.
With love,
Matt and Elin