Happy Birthday Boys

February 19, 1979 - Keesler AFB, Biloxi, MS
This morning at 3:15 and 3:44 my twin sons were born. A momentous occasion which will have a lasting impact on the rest of my life. Justin was born first and weighs in at 5 pounds 12 ounces and Jason was born 29 minutes later and weighs in at 4 pounds 1 ounce. It was a bit scary having the twins this early - they were due on 31 March. As soon as Justin was born they whisked him away and when Jason was born he was also whisked away. However, I saw them both a short while later and both are doing fine (Susie fell asleep after Jason was born and spent the next 24 hours sleeping in recovery). I counted all the fingers and toes (a grand total of 40). They are perfect in every way.

It is now Feb 19, 2011. The boys are now 32 and each have families of their own. Jason is with his family in Boise while Justin and his family are here at our home. Amber just arrived from school to celebrate the birthdays and enjoy a three day weekend away from school. While she is here, we will also celebrate her birthday (Feb 29).

The grandkids are super excited to see Amber again. It's not like she's be gone for a year or even months. We took her to school on January 1st and this is her second trip home since then.

Another Year Older and ...

I recently had a birthday and a few of my friends welcomed me to the double nickel club. I'm the last of a small group of high school buds to reach this major milestone. Although some were quick to point out that I was the baby of the group (by 13 days), I responded that the day before the big day, I played an hours worth of racquetball and followed it up with a 2 mile run in under 15 minutes. Haven't heard much from them since.

Not only did I reach the 55 year milestone, It's a brand new year. Although I'm an eternal optimist, I've already had a years worth of crap at work. I supervise about 20 employees. All but one are a pleasure to work with. The challenge is my newest employee, the lowest on the rank scale and wants a reserved, designated parking spot. Denied - I see another grievance coming. After a minor security infraction was pointed out, the individual filed a hostile work environment complaint against the person who gently and quietly pointed out the infraction. Another grievance coming? probably.

I've already had one grievance filed against me for putting a letter of counseling in the personnel record. A LOC isn't even disciplinary. It was just documentation of topics we discussed. I'm excited for the next 11 months. I'm sure each month will be something new and exciting on the employee front. This individual has the Obama syndrome.

It's time for an escape. Can you spell Grand Canyon. I don't have permits yet, but a week down the GC is needed. No phones, no internet, no email, no taskers (of course they'll all be waiting for me when I get back). I have a couple of segments on the Tonto trail that I'd like to finish. Now may be a good time.

Things are actually going pretty well. The typical illnesses (Katie has a respiratory illness and Pam has the Egyptian flu - each year since 2002 someone in the family has had this strain of the flu), but otherwise things are going pretty well. Jennifer and Susie are headed off to Arkansas in a few weeks. Amber is doing well at school (hopefully she's doing some studying - it's not all play is it?). Justin's working on his PHD - his family is doing well and doing there best to keep Susie and I active. Jason's fully engaged with his teaching job. Melissa is partying with her family in Arkansas and they are anxiously awaiting Susie's visit. Stacey lives close by and is busily engaged with two delightful little girls.

So all in all - the year is off to an excellent start.