Kate’s Window

Hi,  folks ~ Just to stay in touch and bring you up-to-date with what’s been happening at our house.

2009 ~  Please excuse me  for not writing a new Family Christmas letter this year,  but I fell and broke my arm a few weeks ago, so I’ll be updating last year’s.   

2009 ~ I broke my arm  changing the porch light – can you believe it?  With all the Christmas lights on the house, it took me a while to realize the porch light had died.  Even though we’re a little short this year, we put up the lights anyway.  We have them on a timer, but I only had time to change that porch bulb when the Christmas lights were off, so the porch was a little dark, and down I went -  completely unexpectedly.  

2008 ~ Well, after almost ten years with the mortgage company, Dan was unexpectedly demoted, and in a very, and I do mean very, generous plea agreement, Dan has agreed to perform janitorial services for the next five to ten years in situ.

2008 ~ Everyone agrees  it’s the best outcome – after all, maintenance staff is always revered in any company.  Since all the liens and suits are settled, we’re really thrilled Dan has this opportunity for restitution and the Fed’s have promised that after this penalty phase, we’ll have plenty to live on.

2009 ~  During the summer  there was a big scandal at Diggawhole’s, and Dan was put into the new position of VP of Operation Recovery.  He got a big raise and is really enjoying himself.   He’s getting a lot of help from all  the VPOR Assistant ’s, as most of the time he just has to sign the reports that come across his desk.

2008 ~ In the meantime, the county club Board of Trustees is graciously allowing us to rent the caretaker’s RV up at Lake Comengetit.  This time of year its peaceful,  and they’ve assured us, that as long as we keep the plywood on the door and windows, the bears, coyotes, and other wildlife are really quite friendly.

2009 ~ This didn’t work out.   We’ve moved – see envelope for new return address.  Can ony talk about it in person – after scanning for bugs.

2008 ~ Unfortunately, Kenneth wasn’t doing as well as we hoped in his first year at U of Z, so he’s back home now attending the local vo-tech.  Kenny’s even been able to fit in a job as a “vacuumer” at the all-night car wash.  Being home actually makes it easier for him spend more time with Little Mary Sunshine, his pregnant girlfriend.  Although, during this winter solstice season, their political and cultural differences are beginning to surface with just a teensy-weensy bit of tension.

2009 ~ Well, LMS delivered  20 babies – we’re hoping for a reality TV show.   N0 - just kidding.  Mary had a beautiful little girl.  She has pitch-black hair and the deepest brown eyes I’ve ever seen.   They make a striking group, with Mary and Kenny so pale and blonde.  LMS said she’s the spitting image of a long-lost Uncle on her father’s side.  

2008 ~ On a good note, Daphne is again repeating her junior year at DeBunk High, but this time, she’s carrying a lighter load, which includes jewelry assembly.  I’m sure she’ll breeze through – she just loves that bling!  And more good news – Daffy’s ankle monitor comes off in the spring, and her license should be reinstated just in time for summer vacation, so she can get back to spending quality time with her old friends.

2009 ~ Daffy didn’t get  such a nice judge for her second offence.  We won’t know if  the accounting course credits she got in juvi, are transferable until spring.  She can hardly wait to graduate, as she’s planning on joining her dad at  Diggawhole’s.   He can probably pull a few strings.    

2008 ~ Sadly, Uncle Bud, (from the Light side of the family), passed away this year.  His drinking got the best of him when he decided to install his Dish TV himself directly to the electric pole behind his house.  Service was out for a few hours but the electric company finally relented to permitting Aunt Dee to make monthly payments.    

2009 ~ Aunt Dee remarried.  We couldn’t go, but heard Dee and Bill’s evening wedding, in Aunt Dee’s backyard, was just beautiful.  They got a real break in the cost of lighting in the tent, the trees, the fences, even using the electric poles for lighting up a parking area, since the groom works for the electic company. 

2008 ~ As for me, I’ve had to cut back on my mani’s & pedi’s - but to fill that gap, I’ve decided to go back and get that degree I started all those years ago in Home Economics.  I actually think it’s karma – the maintenance staff always told Dan how they loved getting my individually wrapped Cheapskate’s Meat Loaf as New Year gifts, particularly since I attached the recipe card highlighting the economical advantages of using all those holiday leftovers.

2009 ~ I’m taking it easy, resting my arm, waiting for it to heal enough to schedule the surgery. 

2008 & 2009 ~ Happy Holidays, love to all, and to all a – well, you know.