Pecan Waffles

The predictions about the end of the world being predicted (mis-represented) by the Mayan calendar turned out to be wrong.  We are all surprised.

This time of year can be pretty lonely at work with everyone scrambling to use vacation for the end of the year before it is lost forever.  I'm surprised how many people (jokingly) mentioned the Mayan prediction in the Out-of-Office Autoreplies, "I'll be back if the Mayans were wrong on the end of the world.  So I may not be back.  More than likely I'll be back."  Some of them were quite humorous.  I replied to a couple of them and was surprised about how many people "on vacation" ended up responding back.  At least I am entering 2013 with all vacation that I need to use being happily used up.  I am carrying over 10 days, the limit allowed by the Co.  I'll probably be scrambling at the end of April to use them as I was this year.  But, if I ever go over that hump and lose days, I know I've crossed a line that tells me I am not in a place I want to be.
"Every now and then, you realize, with perfect clarity, that you are just not where you want to be."-Killraven
In reality, I may just be a whiner.  There are lots of people who would consider it an improvement to have the kind of problems I end up having.  That is something all of us need to be reminded of once in a while.

Once again, I've heard coworkers and friend complain about the stress of "the holiday season" that stretches from somewhere near Halloween to somewhere after New Years.  Simple is better, but even simplicity should be taken into moderation.

Lots of things could define 2012, for now I'm going to pick Pecan Waffles.  But, most reflections end up being wrong.  The mirror almost always distorts reality, especially when our face is pressed up against it.  Waffles represent as much of a reality as anything else in that many, many non-work mornings this year started out with them (and sorry for the superlative).

So Christmas is four days away.  The end of the year is 10 days away.  We've almost survived, enjoyed, hated, loathed but hopefully experienced 2012.

May your waffles always be perfectly browned.

2012 Christmas Letter

(Note:  Slightly anonamized)

It has been a good year.  Sure there have been some bad days, but perhaps they are just there to remind us that there are better days in the future.
“I want it all!  The crushing lows, the dizzying highs, the creamy middles.” - Homer Simpson

As is always the case, most of the year was spent doing mundane things.  But, there is a quiet contentment in pecan waffles very early on a weekend morning or in reading a book while watching the sun set in the evening...

However, life is more than books and waffles.  After a 2-year hiatus for other important things, we got back to real motorcycle touring.  This year’s late summer trip took us through 14 states as far away as the Tacoma Narrows and the Pacific Ocean.  Other experiences of the adventure include Eastern Montana’s Big Empty; the Bitterroot/Clearwater and Cascade Mountains; the John Day region of Oregon; the Nevada Desert and Bonneville Salt Flats.  The road wound through Utah and Nebraska to have wonderful visits with family before arriving safely back at home, better for the experience.
“We keep passing unseen through little moments of other people's lives.” - Robert Pirsig

F had several trips to see family and a trip to Disney with her sister in late spring.  She is preparing to abandon TJ for New Years for her second (yes, 2) trip to Disney this year.
TJ had his usual (not sure these could ever be considered usual) wild boar hunting trip in the winter and had several shorter solo motorcycle trips to connect with friends.

Work is still work, but it pays the bills.  
F's responsibilities continue to incrementally grow at {work}.  The economy has picked up a little this year and people still like {stuff} in their lives.
TJ survived two (yes, 2) rounds of cuts at {work}.  His work group got “help” from some external consultants for several months early in the year.  Think the movie Office Space except that reality is always more squalid than fiction.
“Chaos in the midst of chaos is not funny.  Chaos in the midst of order is.” - Steve Martin

The dogs are doing well.  FB still loves her walks as long as they are done on her terms.  J’s life revolves around the furniture.  S is doing remarkably well, still puttering along and patrolling the back yard at the age of 16.

F continues spending time making amazing quilts.  TJ began to look at some of the projects to do around the house.  A few got done, but most never went past the looking stage.  That is OK, we hope to live here for a long time.
“You better take care of me Lord, if you don’t you’re going to have me on your hands.” - Hunter S Thompson

It has been a good year.  We hope your year was and will be great as well.

A Brief Post on a Two-Year Anniversary

Two years ago today was move-in day for the house.

Which means two years ago right now, I was surrounded by boxes, mayhem and moving men and was slightly overwhelmed.  One of the movers had fallen down the stairs and bloodied his nose pretty good - I can't help but wonder if he remembers that or it was just another house in a long never ending series of moves.  Likely the latter.
I was also watching snow showers accumulate to around six inches by nightfall.  Quite a difference today with near boredom and temperatures almost warm enough to wear shorts.

2010 started out "normal" with no pretense of what was to come.  Mid-2010 changed to being all about buying a house.  2011 was all about selling a house.  I guess that means that 2012 has been all about searching for that new normal.  It remains elusive.

After moving, there was the winter period of making everything right; making it home, basking in the realization of the goal of a much newer house on acreage.  Spring came and there was pole-barn building, yard work to start, lawns to mow, etc.  And, as noted much of that year was spent working towards selling the old house.

With 2012 approaching a close there is still not a normal.  The new house requires much less upkeep (with the exception of the four acres to mow).  Between that and other life changes (simplification?), I often have more time for other stuff than I ever have before.  Much of that time seems to have been filled with work, which is very wrong.  I am not working today since I have a few days of vacation I need to use by years end, but I wasn't able to stop myself from logging in remotely, if only briefly.

And so the question remains, what am I going to be when I grow up?  Happy two-year anniversary!