The reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated...

... or maybe not. In spite of the fact that I lost my way on the blogging path I have set foot upon said path once more. I've always felt badly that my attention to my blog fell through the cracks in my life. My Mother is always asking, "Have you read Marianne's latest blog?" and I get to say, "No, I don't think I've read any blogs for almost a year." After looking it turns out I was right. Where did the year go? Strike that, I know where it went and it's been a long, bumpy ride. Annoying piquant moments accentuated by the good.

Haven't looked at Marianne's blog yet but I'm pretty sure she said something about Michael and Sarah's wedding last September. It was anticipated, planned, put on hold at the Army's whim and pulled off in a week. It was perfect. The temple ceremony was beautiful. Contrary to everything I was told I would/should feel I really didn't feel a loss. I knew is was a natural and correct flow of life, content that Michael and Sarah were so right for each other, in love, and blissfully happy. My only threat of tears was when the officiator told the Mom's to be the first to hug the newlyweds. I was so happy for them.

Christopher started school this Fall after a good working summer. He had found a great place to live and work was looking good, especially when he met a cute babe. She told him she didn't date co-workers so he asked if they should just hang out. They developed a fast friendship and I knew the bachelorhood was in jeopardy when he told me how they watched "Anastasia" and sang along with the songs, both of them knowing all the words. Chris made plans to visit with her family in Maryland at the beginning of the Christmas break. He brought the lovely Christina to our home for Thanksgiving. They had just come back from Rexburg, visiting her sister, Rachel. While they were there Rachel (an amazing talent) took their engagement pictures. Yeah, no questions needed to be asked but the official referring to them as "fiance and fiancee" waited until Chris spoke to her father and proposed at the Washington D,C Temple while the Padilla family was there to see the Christmas lights. The wedding will be there on Saturday, May 7th. Now, I can explain why I called Christina a "cute babe." She and Chris call each other "babe" all the time. They danced and sang all through the fixing of Thanksgiving dinner and, true to unspoken form, Chris took her down to the floor with a botched dance move. They're perfect for each other.

About my sons and their women? West coast girls may be hip but there's something about those girls from the East. I like them and apparently so did Michael and Chris.

Allison and Emily had a real world experience with disappointment. After getting all installed at UNC and ready to go they found out the state of CO had pulled about $5,000 in funding from each of them. We brought them home and they've worked to save money and take their next steps. Allison is starting her career at the Empire Beauty Institute next Monday. She's thrilled! It was kind of what she wanted to do but was going to give college a year to make sure (more for her parent's I think than for her). And Emily needs to get her application for BYU resubmitted! They accepted her for last Fall so I feel pretty confident they'll want her back.

In April 2010 Steve's unemployment came to an end with a bump. The contract he was given was for a company in Carlsbad, NM. He took it and lived for the next six months down there. It was so hard to have him gone. I was reminded of all the men during the Great Depression who left their homes for work. Now it's happening all over again in America. Most men at his level in their profession are now mainly contract workers, companies too cheap to keep them on their payroll but will bring them in when things are going toe up to get everything set straight. He came home in September. He received another contract with a company in Idaho Falls two weeks ago. Yep, he's gone again but this time it's winter and running back and forth is more than a challenge with the weather the way it is. I'll get to see him again at the end of the month.

I'm still substitue teaching. My dreams of my own classroom went with the wind of the economy. We'll see what next year brings.

Now you know I am still alive. But no kicking. I'm too tired from shoveling snow for kicking.