Unemployment for Mike

Merry Christmas Mike, but business is bad and we don't have a job for you anymore. How is that for the start of a Monday morning? After more than 3 years at Ozburn Hessey Logistics Mike was terminated yesterday. They are happy with his work, but they had to terminate about 10% of their work force in Perrysburg, and it included Mike. He was assured it was not his performance but just business. They would call him back if things turn around this spring but as of today we are seeking new employment. Actually we are looking at it as an opportunity to try something new. We are meeting with his county support coordinators today which include job developers. We have spent the morning updating his resume and we are ready to go!

He is taking it well and his only concern is that he really does not want to apply for unemployment. He thinks it is a bad thing. Could we clone that opinion into a few million other people. Think about that fellow Ohioian as you get out to vote in the special election today!

The Christmas Tree (part two)

Part two and 2 images show the difference using a flash on the camera. Mike finished the tree with a little help yesterday and now that I have looked at the pictures I see a little more adjusting might be done although in the dark with the lights it is very pretty. Smells great too, but I guess you can get a pine aroma candle and still have the smell with an artificial tree.



I consider there to be four Christmas activites I need to complete:
1. decorating 2. cards 3. shopping 4. baking

While the outside decorating isn't up to my normal standards because of the weather I am still checking it off the list and moving on to cards and shopping. Here's a look at the deck with our icy morning for you Florida friends and family that can't quite imagine.

The Christmas Tree (part one)

A little snow and a little freezing rain helped with the decision to get the Christmas tree yesterday and begin putting it up and decorating today. Steve has done his part. The tree is in the sunroom and standing straight. Mike is chomping at the bit to start putting ornaments on but dear old mom has said "NO! Not until the lights are on." So Mike is eating lunch and not so patiently waiting. Oh yes, the swim meet got cancelled because of the ice storm currently making its way through Ohio. Will this be the last live tree in the Stanford house?? Maybe. I was ready to buy an artificial tree last year but didn't and this year the California girl really wants the old fashioned Christmas she remembers so...

News from John on Friday was that the brain tumors were stable in the latest MRI. Yeah!! He should be working on his annual Bowl Game pool and with 32 Bowl games this year there is still plenty of football. Think my Spartans in Orlando have any chance against Boston College??? I'll be picking them but with a low confidence number.

Hopefully I can post a pretty picture of our completed project tomorrow. Guess for now it is getting those light strands up so Mike can start his part.

Holiday Activities Abound

Keeping busy is a great way to keep the mind from wondering into the unknown. Last night I was with Janet and friends at the Westgate Chapels' Christmas dinner. What a beautiful evening with a program featuring contemporary Christian singer Kathy Trocolli. It was fun to be with the ladies and I really enjoyed the inspirational program. Today is a Christmas Bar Auxiliary luncheon and then a small dinner party at friends tonight. The rest of the weekend is less busy. Mike has a swim meet in Fremont on Sunday as a warm up for the State meet in Columbus next weekend. He is swimming the butterfly stroke this year as well as free style and a relay. Haven't heard how the rest of the week progressed for John, but thankfully the chemo is over until after Christmas.

We have had a dusting of snow which makes it seem very close to Christmas. I haven't gotten any lights outside because of the snow but this weekend we'll either brush the snow off the bushes or put the lights over the snow to light up the house. It is early by our standards but we will probably go out and get the Christmas tree this weekend too. It is fun to see the house all decorated for the holidays.

The attack on Pearl Harbor occurred 66 years ago today. Having visited the USS Arizona memorial in Hawaii I am reminded to say thank you to our veterans. Many of our fathers fought for the freedoms we take for granted today.

Tuesday in Marysville and Columbus

Steve was with John yesterday as I attended the funeral of a close neighbor. I drove down today as AJ was suppose to go in for his 15 month checkup. Turns out the pediatricians office screwed up but I was happy to spend the time with John. We were at the James for his 10:30 appointment and everyone was in their most efficient form. (should I add "for a change") The drugs went in and we were out all in near record time of just under 3 hours. I spent a little time back at the house with Jesi and AJ then cell phoned my way back to Perrysburg. John is still feeling pretty good. It usually takes the chemo a couple of days to catch up and he still feels the 4 units of blood from before Thanksgiving is helping him. So make an effort to get out there and donate a pint to the Red Cross if you can. It is certainly aiding the quality of John's life right now. It is a great gift to give in this holiday season. I think Jesi has the rest of the week organized for the expeditions to the hospital but thanks for offers of assistance. We are all getting better at asking for help and taking it when it is offered. This is a team effort! Thank you all.
Linda

Happy Birthday Jessica

December 2, 1982 was a very special day for us. Our daughter Jessica came into our lives. She is a very special young lady and we hope she is having a wonderful day in California. We will celebrate her 25th year later this month when she comes home for Christmas.

It was a shock last night arriving into Detroit with snow and ice after leaving 88 degree temperatures in Fort Myers. Nice to be home though and Mike was glad to see us. Now we start getting into the Christmas mode. The snow will help with that.