Just realized I haven’t written anything here for about a week. I think that’s a record…except for when I’ve been on vacation! So I guess it’s time to catch up.

Work has been difficult with little time to spend on any one thing. Lots of interruptions has resulted in many things remaining to do and the end of the year is rapidly approaching. While I’m looking forward to having an extra long weekend this week (Yay 4 days in a row off!), I’m hopeful that next week will result in getting lots done before all the holiday craziness sets in. So far I have 3 work parties to attend between now and Christmas. And then there’s trying to figure out how I’m going to take off my remaining 4 days of vacation before the end of the year. It looks like the audit will finally be completed by the end of November, but the auditors have told me they want to start in on the 2007 audit in February…aarrgghh!!! No doubt I’ll be happy to have it all finished next summer, but starting in again after just finishing 2006 is not something I’m anticipating with joy.

Patrick and Veronica will be here for Thanksgiving dinner. I’ve got all the fixings purchased and just have to put it all together. Will probably do some chopping of onions and celery for the stuffing tomorrow night as well as shredding the bread. The turkey doesn’t seem to be thawing very fast in the fridge (I’ve had it in there since Sunday morning) so I sat it out on the counter tonight where I’ll leave it until I go to bed. I need to have it ready tomorrow night to go into the brine mixture but I can always let it soak in water for a few hours tomorrow night if necessary. Veronica is bringing pumpkin cheesecake which means I don’t have to do any pie-baking. Nice.

Last week a Kohl’s store opened about 10 min. away from my house. This is a really good thing…and a really bad thing. I love this store. I went there last Saturday and bought tons of clothes at unbelievable prices. I’d love to go to their day after Thanksgiving sale, but think I’m going to restrain myself even though I now have a Kohl’s charge card with a $1,500 limit.

I bought 4 new pairs of pants last week that just fit. No extra room for expansion. I saw something on tv this morning that said the typical Thanksgiving dinner was about 5,000 calories. I think I need to spend Black Friday exercising rather than shopping or I won’t be able to fit into all my new pants!

The game (Pirates of the Burning Sea) that Kevin has been working on for the past five years is finally available in stores for pre-sale. The actual release will happen in late January, but it’s a big step for the company to have the pre-release on shelves in stores. And I’m so proud of Kevin. He designed integral parts of this game and the initial reviews are really good.

Robin is now 3 months old and is starting to do lots of fun things. He now smiles lots and has figured out that he has hands. He hasn’t yet realized that he can use his hands to grab stuff, but I’m sure it won’t be long. I’m hopeful I’ll be able to make another trip to Seattle in February after all my year-end stuff is finished at work. I know it will still be rainy and cold then but I’ll just have to stay inside and play with that little guy. He’ll be 6 months old then so he should be lots of fun.

My front yard looks beautiful right now with all the winter grass taking hold…except for the giant hole in the tree lawn where the gas company has dug things up to put in a new gas main. They’re doing our entire street and I’m hopeful they have the work completed before the Holiday Light-Up begins in 2-1/2 weeks. The timing on this really wasn’t well planned.

I guess that’s it on catching up. I’m sure there’s more I haven’t mentioned, but I’m tired and ready to soak in a hot bath.