That's life

So, you may wonder how I could have such good intentions and yet fail to fulfill them! I had hoped to create a travel blog highlighting some of the most interesting places we've been and to a large extent I've done that. I just didn't get caught up. I wanted to spotlight family events as well. However, my job has taken over my life. I work, sleep (often interrupted by work) and then work again. I know, I should be grateful to have a job! I am. But I need to reclaim some of my life from the clutches of my job, enough to maintain some sanity. That will be done. Um, the reclamation that is...the sanity is always in question!

Anyway, I am blogging again. Rather than play catch up, I'm just going to begin where we are now.

Where is that?

Mary has left Michael's Stores after almost 8 years. She enjoyed the job but the changes the company has recently undergone made it very stressful, to the point of affecting her health. Therefore, she opted for better health and turned in her two week's notice and is now free to pursue other avenues.

She was just called to be the Primary Secretary at church. She loves the Primary kids! I think she's going to enjoy this calling.

As for me, I will continue plugging along at work, trying to balance family, church and work as best I can. You know the job has been demanding and I have had an On Call rotation that was more of a spin cycle recently. We just ended our fiscal year and began a new one. I now have an On Call rotation of two weeks on, four off. That's a little more reasonable.

My church calling is Second Counselor in the Elder's Quorum. It too can be demanding, but is very satisfying. I serve with a very good President and First Counselor.

This weekend has been our Stake Conference. We also had Leadership Training yesterday afternoon, prior to the Saturday evening Conference session. Mary attended due to her new calling and I due to mine. It was very good. Our conference sessions were very good too. Our Stake President is only a year older than I am. It's kind of weird knowing Church Authorities, including some of the General Authorities, are my age! Our Stake President remarked the same during conference. GMTA? Ok, maybe not!

Last, but certainly not least, Mary and I have 10 grandchildren now! Number 11 is due in April, I believe. The family is growing and I do not want to miss out (another reason to reclaim some of my life back from work). The latest arrival was Abigail (grandchild number 10 born August 11, 2010 9 lbs 2 oz 22 in.), daughter of BJ and Jen. Our plan is for me to take about 7 work days off work and take a road trip together, stopping in Pagosa Springs to see Julie and her new daughter Aerybella (grandchild number 9 born July 24, 2010 6 lbs 7 oz 19 in.) and then continuing on to Utah to see Abigail. Well, ok, we'll be seeing other family members too! At this point, I think we'll return home via Greeley, CO and Mom and Dad Hansen. Sounds like a fun trip, eh? I will post pictures.