More Pictures

Pretty self explanatory. They saw the pediatrician today, all well.










Pictures Below are of Pedro and Chach for comparison purposes. I don't have a good digital image of her when that young. (She's older than digital cameras - how old does that make the rest of us?)

He's Here

I haven't heard a definitive name yet, but he arrived around 10:15 MST today. Mother and son are doing well.

Per Nana (Amparo), 6 lbs, 12 oz, 19 inches, no real visible hair, and looks like a Gross. Definitely gringo per Amparo.

That's all I have for now - more as it comes available. I think I'm going to go have some beer.

Chach Headed for Hospital

Amparo just called (5 am here, 2 am AZ time - Saturday 7/25) and said Maria Susana called to say that her water had broken and they are on the way to the hospital. I'll post more as I hear it and once I get back from work. (The feds don't let us do this sort of thing from the office.)

Everybody take care.

AZ to OR

Well, Erin and I had a great time in Tucson. We got to meet Elvis and Miss Kitty and their drool. Erin even witnessed one of the tortoises dropping her eggs, which Maria said she has only seen 2 times in her tortoise history. Karl, she said she got video which would be great on here for all to see. As for the "game" Karl participated in, it was musical chairs with the guys sitting and the girls circling them then grab a lap when the music stops. I ended up winning the game, but as you can see, Karl looks like he is having a great time!!! Of course, I had to fill his beer before he would play, at which time, it sprayed the "keg-end-mist" right in my face. Dan was out deep-sea fishing with his buddies at work, so he missed out on having strange women sitting on his lap. He did bring home a bag of some kind of bottom fish filets (white at least) which we look forward to eating.

We are heading to Mapleton on the 5th of August for 3 weeks. 85 for a high today...sounds like our low. Freda is going with us, along with her cat, Powder. Should make for an interesting ride!!

Anyway, everyone take care and keep posting!

Shower, Delivery, Georgia

The shower went well with a pretty big turnout. It was really good to see Dani and Erin, and even better because we got to spend some extra time with them. Luckily I only had to marginally participate in one of the shower 'games'. The bad news was that the keg ran dry, so we were stuck drinking Bud-Light, a bit of a letdown after the Blue Moon stuff we were into. Good news is that we can now get some other beer to try, or maybe I'll revert to Moosehead as it has always been a favorite.

I just talked to Amparo and they were on the way to the store and home after the latest weekly visit to the OB-GYN. Apparently the baby is moving down slowly and could come soon - Maria is holding out for two weeks delay so he comes in the middle of our existing birthday week. More as I hear from them.

Georgia - it's pretty hot now, but not like AZ, just moist. As in drippy moist. Stick with cotton as much as you can and you will be fine. Standing in the shade doesn't help at all, and some mornings it is just as warm as the night before, yuk.

Teri - give me a call when you get settled in and maybe I can run over for dinner some night. Or if you are feeling ambitious you can head this way, or we could meet somewhere between. The office closes down pretty much for Fri - Sun, so I work when I want on the weekends. I'll be here thru 8/6 so about any day may work, depending on my training schedule (they have me training about 600 people, 30 at a time, all before 8/3 supposedly.)

I moved to downtown Aiken, and after two nights it seems OK. Just a mid-low end motel, but right smack in the middle of a fairly thriving restaurant and shopping district. Off to sample the local brews now.

Where did Erik go?

We are at the Tempe splash park, where he has a great time.  Now we just need to get him to swim in a pool where it is more than an inch deep. 

I am on facebook now.  If anyone is on there lets be friends and if your not you should sign up it is fun.  

My Turn

Hi guys!
Won't be able to come to the shower as Sunday's are hard for us long distant, unpaid days off (Jim), I work Saturday and really short handed at work (Teri). Dani while sleeping in the chicken coop watch out for skunks.. One of Dad's chickens was killed!!! Don't let the skunk at your eggs and you will be fine.

I am heading for Hiram, GA on the 22nd to help again with the WaMu computer conversion to Chase systems. I have a feeling it may be hot and muggy~~ Any advise Karl?? Jim is flying out on the 1st - will be able to check out Atlanta on the 2nd. Then back to work till the 4th when we fly home. My hotel is 2 miles from a Six Flags. I just have to get up the nerve to go by myself.....

Will post again when I return from my adventure in Hiram.. Hope all is well with everyone!

I AGREE!

More people need to post on here especially the guy who created it.  I quit my job at the Hyatt.  Now I am in the market for a new one and EW is still looking for a job too.  Spencer is doing really good growing like a weed.  He has a basketball class on Wednesdays.  We just got back from Cottonwood spent the weekend with Mom and Jim.  Which was fun.  I can't think of anything else that is too exciting.  My mom is going to Georgia in a week for the bank and I wish I could go with her.  We visited Grandpa and he is doing good but having some skin problems Jim got him some medicine to hopefully take care of it.  ttyal

More on Grandparent Status

I think everyone has seen these but if not, here they are again.

As you can see, his nose looks familiar for some reason.

Amparo and Suki are doing the shower thing on July 19th - we know that Dani and Erin are on the way and they have called dibs on the chicken coop (or was it the dog run?) for sleeping arrangements. Elvis and Kitty are planning to join them of course.

Hopefully we will get to see everyone.

On a different topic, I'm back in South Carolina for the coming months. They gave me a contract thru the end of May 2010 (not that they can't get rid of me sooner if they want to.) So I'll be on Eastern time for the foreseeable future, unless in Tucson for the weekend.

Jose starts at the U of A in a few weeks. Pedro goes into 4th grade around August 6th.

Everyone take care and I'm beginning to wonder why no one else ever posts?

Grandparents? We're too young!

Well, we got the news on Monday - Amparo and I are going to be grandparents. Maria Susana is due around the end of July (no wonder she wasn't coming around the house the last few months.)

Reportedly a boy and doing well. I wasn't home so just talked to her for a few minutes on the phone.

She doesn't have a reliable phone number, but you can reach her by email eventually at blackmomba42@yahoo.com .

More as we get it.

CONGRATS JOSE!!

Way to go Jose!  

I am done with my first week of work.  I work at the Hyatt in downtown Phoenix as a server for room service.  It is nice because the gratuity is included in the bill and a lot of people give us extra tip.  There are 19 floors and only one server on shift so it is fast paced which is good exercise for me.  Its been somewhat of a rocky start but hopefully in a month I will like it more.  

EW is staying home with Spencer which is nice but still in the market for a part-time job.  His parents and brother temporarily moved into his grandma's house which is next to our house.  Spencer is doing good he wants to say"Thank you for the cat".  I asked what that meant and he said he's just being silly.  Speaking of cat, Indi is doing really good she has gained two pounds since we got her but the vet said she can only gain one more pound.  Because she only has three legs she can't be overweight.  

About three weeks ago we went to Palm Springs for Erin's 8th birthday which we had an awesome time.  Thanks again Tia and Dan for everything.  They spoiled us with brunch, golf and a lot of things.  Thats right-NOW, EW and I love to golf.  My goal for the next time is to not hit a house.  If anyone sees a deal on ladies clubs(used or super cheap) let me know because I am in the market.  But not Crusty.

STAY COOL OUT THERE! Where is my uncle Erik?

Graduation in Tucson

Jose escaped the tortures of high school last night. It was surprisingly well run (other than horrible parking) and went very quickly considering there were 450 graduating seniors. Ironwood Ridge holds their ceremonies outside on the football field so we were all bracing for a sever roasting, but we were blessed with widely scattered showers over the mountains, an overcast after about 3 pm, and the temperatures were outstanding - something like 75 - 80 with a nice breeze.

I haven't heard an official count, but both sides of the football field have stands and they were full. Some of the track also was covered with chairs, too. Apparently they plan for 7000, and that sounds reasonable from what I saw.

The whole gang from Tucson (except Chach) made it to the ceremony and got to see Jose in a tie, no less.

I'm in Tucson until Memorial Day - then back to South Carolina for a while. Congrats to Maigon on the new job. Tips should be pretty good down there! Teri, I'm not even going to ask why you drove from Portland. The golf deal sounds pretty darn good up at the country club.

And finally - Erik - why don't you post more? ;-)

What a wingding!

I start my new job tomorrow at the Hyatt in downtown Phoenix as a room service server.  Wish me Luck.  

What font is that???

Sure wish I could read the whole message, Teri. Maybe it is because we have swear words blocked??? Anyhow, going out to PF Changs for 7th Anniversary. Wish all were here!

Dad

Erik are you still out there? You started this! ! ! What the hell? ? ?

Great deal at Beaver Creek Golf Course.

Went golfing yesterday with Maigon, EW, Jim, Spencer and me. Cost us $25.00 ea. (excluding Spencer) - Cart, as many range balls that you could hit, 18 holes and lunch. Jim shot a 92 and didn't take toooo many mulligans. EW shot very well, Maigon and I were smart and stopped at 13th hole and are still walking compare to the other two.

EW went and picked up Dad for our free lunch/dinner. Dad had Merlot for dinner and we all watched the All Star Nascar Race. Maigon and EW won $70.00 on Tony Stewart. I could of won more on Kasey but... I need to find his blog and twitter him!!!!

Erik are you still out there? You started this! ! ! What the hell? ? ? ?

I am heading to Vancouver, WA next Sunday to help with the Washington Mutual to Chase conversion. Jancine is going also for a little soul searching I hope. We fly into Portland on Sunday the 24th anre going to head north. Would love to take Jancine to one of the San Juan Islands, but to far to catch a ferry.

Hope everyone is doing well..

Erik call your Dad!

Hi All-

Went to see Bruce Springsteen on Friday before Bug's B-Day. Had a great experience when we arrived. The winds must of been blowing 300 miles an hour. EW opened his door to get out and the wind took it. Our wonderful parking lot neighbors had a huge bang. I was in the back seat and saw her open her door and literally push the door at us. Fortunately for her (and me) EW had the child lock on the back door. No damage to her door but poor EW's car has a large dent in the door. Stupid @#$^ people. They were gone by the time we arrived back at the car, again lucky for her and me. I was ready with my keys............

Bruce sang Rosalita just for Jim. He sang for just under 3 hours straight. Even mentioned riding his bike up to Jerome and Sedona.

Spencer's birthday was great. Rode the new light rail down to the dog races. Stopped off on Mill Street and had a couple of margaritas at ZTejas (no wonder I was hung over the next day). Then on the to dogs where only Jim won one race for 12 bucks. Spencer and I tried to find unlocked doors. I will stop soon showing him these bad habits of mine.

Thought about Mom on Sunday most of the day. Sure miss her!

Everyone take care!

Update

Howdy all. Just an update from the weekend. We went to the Kraft Nabisco golf tournament on Saturday. Didn't know if Erin would hang, but she couldn't wait to see the pros who are on Wii Tiger Woods Golf. We saw this tall, lanky chic who was whacking the @$#$ out of the ball on the driving range, then saw her tee of on 10. She turned around, smiled at Erin and I could not believe her baby face. I commented to the marshall about her tee shot; she looked at me and said "14". NO WAY!! Later, Erin asked me if she was old enough to drive...not a CAR!!! Erin got to participate in a golf clinic with pro's. She was hitting an iron (didn't see which one) further than the oldest kids there. Of course, we were hit with the fever so went golfing yesterday. Her "coach" was there doing a private lesson, but pointed her out saying, "look at the balance". I know he thinks of her as his protege (doesn't charge a thing) and keeps asking when she is coming back for more. His is from just outside Eugene and knows all the pros in the area, so hopefully, when we get up there next summer, we can get him to hook her up with someone else, (free) who only wants the glory of helping a youngster who loves the game.

OK, now to another sport. Who all has that picture of Maigon up to bat in high school??? I thought before my daugher was mini-me, but now I see mini-Maigon. She is playing shortstop and last game, hit the "cycle". If only she would touch all the bases. We are working on that.

We are headed to AZ on the 16th to see Dad and the Mangled 2, then down to Erik's for the golf tournament on the 18th.

When I finally get to installing the digital camera software, I will post some pics. In the meantime, hope everyone is doing well and keep posting on this site as it is contagious.

Love,
Dani

4 YEARS

My little boo is 4yrs old, we had a fun party on Saturday for him.  He loves all his new toys he got.  Now its time to go through the old toys when he goes to grammys .  Spencer wants to say to everyone "Good deer I love you".  Not so sure myself what he's talking about.  He's laughing so it must be funny.  

  Our new cat is doing really good starting to get more of a personality as she gets healthy and knowing us.  Her official name is Indiana Trinity Hudson.  We call her Indi.  She got along real well with moms dogs.  At first she hissed but then she became interested, at least in Michael.  Probably because she is bigger than him.  

No luck on jobs yet, but luckily there are quite a few to apply for.  We are going to a job fair on Thursday at a new grocery store that is opening and hiring 400 people.  We were going to go to the opening game of the D-backs today but believe it or not it was sold out.  Then I read in the paper that they had tickets for 5 dollars.  Can't wait to see everyone.  Happy Easter!!!!  Hopefully the bunny can find everyones home.  Is Grandpa on this thing?

South Carolina

Last Sunday (3/29) I flew to Atlanta, then drove for three hours to Aiken, South Carolina for my current contract. The work is easy - same thing I did in Washington State a few years back, even working for many of the same people. The area is really different though - the deep south is alive and well here.

Aiken was a resort town back in the 1800s for horse people. They have a huge open space in the middle of town that is run by a private foundation, just for horseback riding and hiking. Downtown has been restored pretty nicely into small shops, restaurants, and a few pubs/breweries. Prices are fairly low, and the food is good - but a bit blah on the spiciness scale. Around downtown is a ring of big mansions and walled yards, many of them brick walls over six feet high covered with vines and moss. Luckily it happens to be the best time of year here, fairly dry (only 10" of rain so far since I arrived) and all the flowers are blooming. The locals are warning me about drippy wet and bugs in a couple of weeks.

Speaking of nice time of year, I was forced to move to Barnwell, 35 miles to the southeast today. The Master's golf tournament is in Augusta, just across the GA state line from Aiken. All the motels/hotels were booked full at much higher rates for the coming week so I escaped to the poor rural side of the work site. Nice and friendly people, but very rural and backwards. I've seen half a dozen old houses that are occupied, but that have never even been painted. Everything that isn't moving is either rotting or rusting.

Overall, I've worked in worse places. But this one doesn't look like it will be high on my favorite list. I guess that could change in the coming weeks - but after all the traveling I've done I guess I'm a bit jaded.

Hope all is well with everyone. Dani you need to fill us in on what is going on - what is the latest on the OR move? And don't forget to include pictures, etc.

I'll be in AZ from April 24 to the 28th or so. Then back for the entire week of Jose's graduation on May 19. Cell number, email, and text work fine at the hotel(s) and office if you need to reach me - but please remember we're 3 hours ahead of you.

Take care.

Jeez Louise!!!

Ok...finally figured out how the heck to contribute to this thing. Now it is my turn. Hmmm, can't think of so much to say right now; laundry this morning, champaigne brunch, golf....guess I should just try again later. Love to all!!

The Newest Hudson

Her name is Trinity(i might change her name) she is around one year old.  We got her a few days ago.  She is really nice so hopefully she likes us.  Otherwise we are hanging in there and doing good, I got a little cold and now Spencer is a little bit sick.  The cat has a cold too.  EW and I went to a few job interviews but didn't land it.  One interview that EW went to was for security at a bar.  After he got there he realized it was a bar for men only.  He ran.  Not much else new I watched my friends kids(5yr old and 1 yr old) this weekend so I'm pretty tuckered out.  ttyal

Quick Trip to Dad's

Saturday (3/21) I did a quick day trip up to Dad's to pick up some of Maria Susana's stuff. Somehow I ended up with three birds in the front seat on the way back, too. Just what we needed, more birds. At least they are small. All seemed to do well and are fine today. Dad is doing well, working over the walls and interior of the house. Looks a lot brighter and more open already. Now if he can get the one chicken to quit following him around maybe he can get a bit more done each day.

The drive up went pretty well, I-10 - I-17 with no stops in 2:45 from our place to Dad's. Coming back I decided to avoid the zoo of rental cars and gawkers to zip over to Payson, then 87 to Mesa to 60, through Florence and home. I missed the shortcut of Bush Highway / Usery Pass and ended up taking 4:15 total. I sure prefer flying up - minimal traffic issues, etc.

All well otherwise - where is everyone?

Snake # 2 for 2009

Jose found this one in one of the bird aviaries. Apparently it just coiled up quietly in a corner and was watching him work. He didn't even see it until ready to leave.

The head is in the trash and rest is in the freezer ;-)

The count is expected to grow this year as we have had a long spring with temperatures right where the snakes love it (we use the tortoises as indicators - they seem to both go active at the same time.)

I'll post some pictures when we have them.

Back in Tucson

Well, I finally escaped Kansas City - a strangely unpleasant place to be. Nothing bad, just blah blah blah. Friendly folks, good food, etc. But the blah was overwhelming.

The drive home was done in two long days with an overnight in Tucumcari, NM. A short stop was made in Gallup to do some wholesale stuff for Amparo, and after a fill-up I drove on down through St. Johns, the Salt River Canyon, Globe, and ugly construction northeast of Winkleman. Amazingly my truck got 20+mpg between Gallup and Tucson - and this is with a load stuffed into the back end, and 200,000 miles on the 7.3 liter diesel engine that is 15 years old.

Last week I did three trips to the Phoenix Civic Center for the Waste Management conference that used to be held in Tucson every year. Phoenix stole it away because of the crappy way Tucson continues to treat big business, it's downtown businesses, etc. Rumors of the Gem Show going north are floating around town too. And I understand why one has, and both may leave. Downtown Phoenix is actually pretty darn nice now. They have really cleaned up the area from the old civic center north into a nice destination area. Heck they even have parking for big ugly trucks like mine. The new center is huge and could swallow all the facilities in Tucson. If it wasn't Phoenix, Phoenix would be pretty nice.

The three trips in three days sucked. I-10 is 55 mph for 13 miles from Picacho Peak toward Tucson. Still two lanes, but there were enough snowbirds to make it frustrating. Best news was that it is only 1:30 from the house to downtown Phoenix even with the traffic.

I was supposed to go to DC area for a meeting this morning but AA canceled the flight for mechanical reasons. This is the second time in a row that the countries number one airline couldn't get me to where I need to go to conduct business. Atlas Shrugged is coming true.

No new work yet, although it seems to be coming together for a short term assignment in South Carolina starting next week (4 - 6 weeks). Work is always good so I'll be happy to get it. It is with a DOE site, but given the new administration's penchant for taking my (and the kids) money in punitive taxes it seems only appropriate for me to get some of them back.

Pedro has a cold today so he's home today. Jose was dragging toward school earlier this morning - he drove me to the airport at 5, then back at 6 - all before school so it will be a sleepy afternoon for him. His PC croaked last night so he is working through resolution of that too. Amparo is doing well running trying to keep ahead of the rest of us and all the critters.

Hope all well - more as it goes by....

Home again home again jiggidy jig

Daytona 500

Clearwater Beach

My favorite part was Tom Cruise(he was there omg)

EW and Spencer at Cocoa Beach

Florida was really fun.  I liked it better than California and I didn't want to leave.  Spencer says "I like the beach and thats all".  Yes I got stuck with the silly Brazilian restaurant bill but mom got stuck with the Epcot tickets so we are even.  I would like to thank Jim, Mom, and EW for the support when I snuck Spencer in Epcot without paying.  They ditched me-chickens.  LOL!  Maybe someday we can all go down there and go on the Disney cruise.  That looks awesome.  

Back to reality... We are both looking for jobs so if anyone hears of one or a company that is hiring please pass the info our way.  Spencer goes to a local Methodist church for school twice a week.  He is doing really good and will be four on April 5th.  His party will be on Sat. April 4th if anyone is in the valley, all is invited.  

ttyal

Florida or Bust

Hello All- On Friday the 13th, 5 people took a plane ride, hoping no birds would get in our way. Spencer, Maigon, EW, Jim n I landed safely in Orlando. Of course it cost us a few bucks to get there i.e. 7 dollar beers- but ...

Friday was travel day and we were so happy to finally get to our home away from home. It was a two bedroom condo style resort. Complete with washer/dryer and even a dishwasher. Fountains, the biggest pool I've seen in awhile, including a water slide and squirt pond for the kids - Having a full kitchen saved us $$'s.

Saturday we headed to Cocoa Beach. I was looking for Jeannie but I believe everyone else had other things on their mind. Spencer was a hoot in the ocean. He was very determined to pee off the pier. We told him not to, but at one point I looked down (thank heaven) and he had his shirt up to his shoulders and going for his fly.

Sunday was the Daytona 500 was a great experience but we lost our umbrellas tho gained a stroller.. nuf said

Monday we were off to celebrate EW's birthday at DisneyWorld. Had a great time but poor Jim had a little flu bug that bit him. He hung right in there tho. Thanks Grampy!

Tuesday we hung around the resort while Maigon and family went shopping. That night we went to eat at a Brazilian restaurant for EW's birthday. Cost poor Maigon about the same amount it was to fly one person out there. Thanks again Maigon!

Wednesday we traveled over to the Tampa area and spent the day at Clearwater Beach. Spencer and EW made an awesome sandcastle with a tunnel. Beautiful white sand and the texture was sooo fine.

Thrs was a fun day at a go-carts, claw games that we should of stopped at sooner... A indoor flea market and shopping.

Friday we went to Mexico, Norway, Japan, China, Germany, Morocco, Italy, France and a few more countries. Epcot is amazing. I would suggest it to everyone. We loved their Test Track ride- took it twice.

We must really thank Garmini for helping us find our way!

Stuck in KS

AA canceled my flight to AZ due to mechanical reasons (with all those planes apparently they couldn't send a spare.) So I'll be in KS for at least another week or so.

And yes, it snowed on the way from the airport back to the hotel.

Ostrich Farms and Layoffs

Good trip home last week, although I didn't get the shed done. AA put me in first class for 3 out of 4 segments, so that made it fairly painless. Weather cooperated and I didn't need to drag any luggage - all more pluses. FYI, the weather in Kansas sucks. It varies between 10 and 70 about once every two weeks. This isn't nearly as nice as when it does this out west, because here it happens in about 12 hours. And wind blows and blows and blows every time there is a change. It's not like I'm planning on moving here so I guess it doesn't really matter.

It was birthday week for Pedro and he had asked me to take him for an airplane ride so on Sunday we went to Marana for breakfast. Very short trip in the Mooney - straight shot it is about 2 minutes if I go straight and fast. Instead we did some low and high messing around out north of the Tortolitas on the way to and from. Nice to fly after a month away. He also asked me to take him and two of his friends to the Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Farm at Picacho Peak last weekend. It was a surprisingly fun time, we took the monster truck ride in their converted school bus on steroids and got to hear the tourist spiel. Of course Pedro and I were the only Arizona natives - the bus was filled with people from Canada and California. The kids liked it because even though they are painfully familiar with Cholla and Saguaro cacti, they hadn't heard the tourista version of the stories as we older farts have so many times. On one stop they let you fish for ostriches by hanging halves of oranges from sticks while the birds fight to snag and swallow the fruit, fairly strange, but fun.

After the ride we fed the ostriches (stupid mean birds), the little deer, and the mini-burros they keep on site. They also have a nice bird house full of lorakeets that you go into and they come swooping down to sit all over you (or is that to sh&* all over you) and drink the 'nectar' they sell for some ridiculous price. I'd love to have the aviary for our greys' or some of the other birds. Overall recommended as long as you are ready to cough up the money for the ride.

Work turned very weird this week. As you know, I'm a consultant who is working at their pleasure, i.e. they can send me down the road at any time for absolutely no reason. Not news - that's what I do.

But the folks who actually work for the company - some of them for two or three decades - were shocked on Thursday when they were called to a meeting on a different floor and promptly escorted from the premises. They were told that they couldn't take the family pictures off their desks or the finger paintings that their children had made for them hanging on their cubicle walls. I'm not even going to address the legality of this maneuver (I checked and it constitutes theft under Kansas law), but the message that is going out to the local work force, and the nuclear industry as a whole, is that the company is not one to work for. I'm still there as far as I know, and if they pull this on me, I will be a bit more aggressive about retrieving my personal property.

I'm also anxious to talk to the VP who I've worked for off and on for about 10 years now. I suspect he is livid too. The company has a 100-year history of doing engineering work for cities, towns, states, and the fed's. But they have been trying to break into nuclear work. The two forces - old vs new - have been pushing on each other trying to maintain old sweat-shop engineering forces versus the modern (80's style) model of professionals treated as such. I'm glad I don't own any of their stock, and I'm looking for my next assignment pretty aggressively. There are a few nibbles already, so I'll let you know where I end up if and when.

Amparo is working the jewelry, gem and mineral show again this year. It wears her out, but she enjoys seeing all the old friends she's made over the years. It's funny how she is surprised when people thank her for her expertise with jewelry pieces, parts, tools, and techniques. Surprise, she's been doing it for a long time - she doesn't realize it but she is an expert now and the people she sells to every year know it.

Jose is plugging along, working fairly long hours at Dominoes. Pedro is happy to be nine finally (as of Thursday, 2/5). Chach turns 19 on the 19th - scary, eh?

As I mentioned, we are moving to all cell phones over the next few months. All of the phones have unlimited texting and plenty of time - I'll upgrade if needed and still be way ahead on the price curve. So feel free to text or call anytime. Maria and I have our Samsung Epix now - I get email everywhere all the time - I'll set hers up next trip to Tucson and let everyone know what address to use (probably amparo (at) att dot net.) Chach's phone has text also.

Well, off to run a few errands around KC - it's very boring on weekends here. I usually try to work when away, but there just hasn't been enough to do to justify the time. So I bum around the metro area. Yesterday I wandered into Cabela's and found some RAM mounts for less than $10 total in their bargain cave. Would have been $30 - 40 retail, so that was worth the stop. Today I'm going to run by one of the mega-farm stores for Amparo - I really wish I had the money to open about three of these in AZ - one each on NW, SE side of metro Phoenix, and one on NW side of Tucson. Really cool with everything from work clothes to tractor parts and dog food.

Off to the cold,
Karl

Wasting Away in KS

Everyone in Tucson is fine, enjoying another warm day making me jealous. My home page is http://www.cs.arizona.edu/camera/ and it always makes me wonder what the heck I'm doing here in KS.

Pedro asked if I would take him and some friends to the ostrich farm at Picacho Peak this coming weekend (2/1), so I've got tentative plans to take a jeep full of 8 and 9 year olds up to feed more birds (as if we don't do enough of that at home.) Pedro's birthday is the fifth of February and I'll be gone back to work and it always falls in the middle of Amparo's annual Gem and Mineral Show work, so it's difficult to do anything 'exciting.'

Maria Susana is working at a steak house in Catalina (Bub's Grub), clearly a big upgrade from McDonald's where she was working for a short time while finding this job. She's working double shifts so not a lot of spare time, but she is on email regularly at blackmomba42@yahoo.com .

Jose Antonio is cruising to graduation in May - seems to be keeping up if he would just get a bit more sleep. The current plan is the University of Arizona, but no word on whether he's going to try to move closer to campus or commute. Dominoes is keeping him busy 4 or 5 nights a week, but short hours only. Speaking of which, if you see the above truck in your yard, don't panic - its just his new (relatively) wheels.






Amparo has been managing some house repairs, including paint. Just so you aren't too surprised, here is a picture of the new color. Looks a bit strange in the pictures, but I really like the way it pops out of the desert. Our entire neighborhood, and by city ordinance all of Oro Valley, are earth tones. We definitely are not. The color also provides a nice visible landmark for the neighboring airport (There is a BRIGHT pink house on the other side of the airport to handle that side.)










Jose and I built a shed halfway to the well - hard to believe we need more room, but we do. Still some finish up work to do, hopefully this coming Saturday we'll knock it out.

Work in Kansas is very slow with the change in government policies that are being promulgated. The utilities are not willing to commit to invest the billion$ needed to move forward, and even the foreign countries who were going to do most of the financing (Japan, France) are hesitant to print any more money until the US gets its act together.

It has been VERY cold here the last few weeks. But worse yet, KC is right where the cold and warm fronts oscillate every few days. On Thursday 1/15, it was almost 70 F. 36 hours later, on Saturday morning it was 5 F. My poor old diesel just doesn't like it when it's that cold. I have a 50 ft extension cord that I can drop out the hotel window and plug in the truck if I know it's going to be cold, but it's still darn cold. It's clear up to 17 now, so I'll go drive around a bit to try to warm up the truck a bit and keep the oil from turning completely into jello.

One other update - we're migrating to cell phones only at the house. Amparo and my phone numbers will remain the same, as will Jose's (send a note if you need any.) We've got two others for use around the house by family or anyone else needing one. We have lots of minutes, so don't worry about calling or time used. We also now have unlimited texting to all of us so that works too. Finally, Amparo and I are moving into 2005 with full feature smart phones. I have a Samsung Epix running Windows Mobile so email and webbrowsing is always available. Amparo is looking at an iPhone and the Epix - your input appreciated. The Epix has a bit steeper learning curve than most Apple products, so we'll have to see how it goes. I'll be sure everyone gets her email address once she is on and working.

I'm trying twitter a bit - not sure if it's worth the time yet. Same with Facebook and Linked In - they are becoming business tools with the younger and tech people, so I guess I have to play along. Hard part will be minimizing political content.

Hope all well with everyone - now it's your turn to post. I'm adding it to my biweekly calendar (something to do besides laundry while stuck away from home every other weekend.)

Karl
Scheduled

Arizona 1/31 - 2/2
Kansas 2/3 - 2/13 late night
Arizona 2/14 - 2/15
Kansas 2/16 - 2/27 late night
Arizona 2/28 - 3/2
Kansas 3/3 - 3/10
Washington DC 3/10 - 3/12 (Annual NRC Regulatory Information Conference)
San Marcos TX (Deliver Plane for Annual) 3/16 - tentative
Kansas 3/16 - ?