Thanksgiving Weekend

This Thanksgiving weekend has been a just-about-right mix of family and fun, work and relaxing. Stephanie was once again our hostess (I like to joke that I've managed to go from going to my mom's for Thanksgiving dinner to going to Steph's - skipping right over me), and Kris and Sterling were able to join us as well (their second dinner - I remember those days!).

Kaiya made everyone a name card, mostly by herself - and a tiny bit of help from Mom. She is really moving along in her letters and can sound out most words and write most letters. She's already half-way through her kindergarten work book that I got her for her birthday ... and it's a big one! When we asked her what she wanted for Christmas, she said "a real computer, like Mommy and Daddy's." And don't think she wouldn't notice if it was one of those kid computers!

For some reason, she was having a real love-fest with the napkins. :)

The next morning I went over to watch the kids while Mom and Dad went to play flag football. First we played with playdoh. This is Bluebell, although the only thing blue on her was her eyes.

Alas, Bluebell met a rather violent end.

Teagie sure loves the playdoh too!

Later that night we went on TRAX (me, all the way from West Jordan) to go see the Christmas lights in Temple Square, along with everyone else in the Salt Lake valley. Mickel's dad and stepmom, Dennis and Jaime, also went with us. It was a mild night and a lot of fun. Teagie didn't seem to be feeling well, and was sucking on the inside of his cheeks and drooling a lot. It turns out that he probably has foot and mouth disease. But all in all he was a pretty good sport.

This Thanksgiving holiday, I have much to be thankful for. Especially for my two wonderful daughters. They have each added to my life in immeasurable and unique ways, and I truly believe that I must have done something pretty spectacular in the pre-existence to deserve them in this life! I love you more than words can say, "Annie" and "Rissy." You are the light of my life. And of course I'm thankful for Mickel and Sterling - I couldn't have made better choices for my baby girls. They are both kind and good men. And it goes without saying (because I say it so much anyway), I am thankful for my darling Kaiya and Teague and my angel in heaven, Kade. I am thankful for all my family, who always love and support me unconditionally. I am thankful for all my friends, near and far, who do the same. I am grateful to have a job that is not only a good one, but an inspiring and enriching one. I have a good life, and if I forget to say it, I always know it. Happy Thanksgiving to all.

A Long Month

As mentioned previously, I had two bouts of the (thankfully) fast-moving stomach flu, so I thought perhaps I was done with my share after that. Wrong! Towards the end of October, I came down with what I think was probably H1N1 (didn't get tested or treated, as I'd heard that they weren't doing much on either score). It was unlike any flu I've ever had. The usual symptoms, but also a mental fuzziness that was really the most disconcerting symptom of all. And it just wouldn't let go. To add to the general fun, I had the General Managers meeting fast approaching, so I couldn't afford the fuzziness (thank goodness for Gayle being on my team now, is all I can say). I spent two weekends in a row flat out in bed - including missing Halloween with the kids - but I was still sick when I headed out for the meeting. Thankfully, a couple of days into the meeting I began to feel better. The meetings turned out well, which is amazing given my mental state in the preparation stage. We went out for a lovely dinner at the Capital Grille, and also to the Miami Heat vs. Cleveland Cavaliers basketball game. Unfortunately, the Heat lost the game that night, but it was a good game and it was fun to see Shaq and LeBron play. The announcer even welcomed our group.


Mercy, our Country Manager in El Salvador. We're both having fun being "abuelitas" (grandmas).

The day after those meetings were over, Gayle and I went on a site visit on the MSC Poesia, in preparation for a group sailing on that ship in April, although the itinerary we went on is different than what the group will do. It's no secret that the site visits are the best part of my awesome job, since I'm not taking care of a group, and it's me that's being wined and dined. But - and I know I will get absolutely no sympathy on this point - it's also a bit disconcerting. I'm not really on a vacation, so I feel that I should be working every minute. Which, of course, I don't. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to deal with it!

My cabin had a balcony - always a nice feature on a cruise.

The main swimming area on board - deserted because we were at port in Jamaica. Neither Gayle or I really wanted to go in, as we have both been before. And the high pressure the vendors use there is really not fun at all. But here's a couple of shots from the ship.

The smoke is from one of numerous bonfires made by the residents, I guess for cooking.

Here's a shot of the Poesia as we're going in to Grand Caymen for a little bit of shopping and lunch.

A couple of iguanas in the shopping center.

Grand Caymen port (Georgetown)

The cruise was interesting in that there were 1,300 rock group members and fans aboard in a group called "Shiprocked" (I wasn't clear how the group operates, but their cruise last year was the "Motley Cruise" so I guess it's an annual event that gets a new theme every year). They didn't really share their schedule with the other passengers, but there were several shows. The group sported a LOT of tatoos and long hair, but were very nice and friendly.

At any rate, I am SO glad to be through with being sick and with traveling (except for a small trip coming up to Phoenix and Tucson - in order to keep my Medallion status!). It's almost always sweet to come home. Almost always - I didn't want to leave Maui. :-)