All good things must come to an end....sort of

Today is the last weekday of me being outsourced/laid off. My new job with the State of Idaho at the Department of Health and Welfare begins on Monday at 8 a.m.

It was a good day today. With the help from the kids, we went up into the attic and got down all of the Christmas decorations, lights, and tree and spent most of the day outside in the cool sunshine, stringing up the lights on the eves of the house. Sierra even got up on the roof with me and handed me the strands of lights while I attached them. Its amazing how fast the whole process took with help.

While up on the roof I had to admire all the work that we have put into the pool, deck, and bamboo garden and I just had to take a picture of it from the air.



Being that Thanksgiving was yesterday and with the new job about to begin, I was able to capture some quiet time by sitting up on the highest part of the roof and basically reflect on the past six months and a few days since The Journey began. Let me tell you, its been an awesome journey. These past months have validated that I am truly Too Blessed to be Stressed and that I am doing the right things with my life. I also realize with each passing day that I am very blessed by having Diana, Kyle, and Sierra in my life. I have a wonderful family back in Pennsylvania, and an extended in law family now here in the Treasure Valley of Idaho. My true friends mean the world to me and even though with some of them we don't get to see each other all of the time, we do enjoy each time that we can be together. My gratitude to God and all his gifts to me isn't just given/shown during this Thanksgiving holiday time but daily.

Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow.

Stay Off the Sidewalks......

WARNING, WARNING, WARNING

Kyle and our Godson, Jackson, start driver's education tomorrow and so for the next two weeks especially, watch all around you, especially when you see a car from Phillips Driving School, it could be one of them. Just kidding. I am very proud of both of the young men as they mature. After the two weeks of D.E. they both will then have their permit and will have to drive for 6 months and for at least 50 hours before they can obtain their driver's license. Its a right of passage BUT this has been a public service announcement.

And the Journey continues ......

Things happen when you least expect it.

I have been focusing my energy on taking advantage of the going back to school opportunity from the government and trying to get everything lined up to attend a school under the nursing curriculum. Roadblocks were continually getting in my way and it was getting frustrating for me since I thought that this was what I supposed to be doing next with my life. During this time I had to continue to fulfil my weekly requirements for unemployment and make at least 2 job contacts every week. I did this with not alot of enthusiasm and, low and behold, I was called for an interview two weeks ago.

Well, I am very happy and content to be letting everyone know that this morning I was offered and have accepted a full time permanent state position with the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare in Boise. I begin this new chapter of my life on December 1st.

I will be working as a Program System Specialist that analyzes, plans, coordinates, and monitors the development, modification, and implementation of the automated system that the Health and Welfare department uses state wide.

I appreciate everyone's kind thoughts, words, and prayers for me and my family during these last five months and I want everyone to know that I have not regretted one day of any of it.

Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow.

Bamboo garden is COMPLETE

All of the planting and mulching is done and here is the finished garden.

The top level has the bamboo and the bottom level has various grasses and a flowering Tropicana plant.

The rest is up to Mother Nature!

All we need to do now is plant

The bamboo/flower bed has been created and is ready for planting. We plan on getting the actual plants in the beds sometime in September. By the spring, we should have a nice natural privacy "fence" along the pool and deck side.

My own little bit of Paradise

Just a quick note to let everyone know that reads this that I am still doing well and enjoying the summer.

LIFE IS GOOD!!!

Two Weeks

Its been 2 weeks since Sierra and I have been back in Idaho and all is still going well. I have gotten alot of things accomplished and currently Kyle and I are building our version of the "Great Wall" but in our backyard.

Let me explain further. We are building a bamboo/flower bed in the open area by the pool and deck. The bamboo will grow in the raised wall bed in the back and then we will have grasses and flowers in the lower portion. In theory, this will provide for a natural privacy fence as well as bringing some color and foliage to the back yard. We have really enjoyed the back yard alot more this year and I think that the deck and pool have contributed to that.

Until next time.........