A Few Photos

Here's a smattering of photos....still working on our 'staycation' photos!  Miss M has a cold at the moment...poor stuffy sweetie.  I think we've been running around too much!!!!

Summer

We're still here and doing well!  With Mike home these past three weeks, we have been busy soaking up the Summertime.  I don't remember ever doing so much before!!!  There have been county fairs, family reunions, trips to the park, visits with grandmas and aunties, swimming, shopping, and playing tourist just in our own neck of the woods.  Maelie has mastered her fear of slides and has conquered the big playground structure at the park!  We've ate out, stayed up late, had impromptu little trips all over the area. We've all been having such fun, and I have a million bazillion photos to go through and post for your enjoyment.  Hang onto your hats, folks...they'll be up soon!!!!

Here's a little taste for now....Maelie at the park on a lovely, albeit windy, day.  She's the Queen of the World!!!!

Stress

We've had enough of it in this house the past couple of weeks!!!  

It started on the 21st.  My mother-in-law had some elective surgery done on her stomach to repair a herniation.  What was supposed to be a two hour operation and an overnight stay turned into a 6 hour operation, a couple days in ICU, and a 10-day stay.  During the operation, they cut her esophagus, needed to cut her open and repair it.  She is now home and doing well, but will still have to be on an all-liquid diet for another week and a half.  

Then, during this, last Monday the 26th, Mike went to work as usual.  I had gotten Maelie up, was letting the dogs outside, and I saw Mike's car pull in.  Of course at first I thought of his mom and was instantly worried something had happen.  When he got into the yard I asked him why he was home so early.  The words rang in my head..."I lost my job."  My mind quickly went into overdrive, I had to put Maelie down and sit down.  I thought my legs were going to buckle.  Things for Mike at work had been difficult for several weeks with the hiring of a new general manager.  His hours had been changed, there were many silly changes taking place, and employees were stressed and stretched to the limits.  But, to suddenly hear, "I lost my job," well, it was like a sucker punch to the gut.  He had had a bit of an argument with another employee on Friday, and on Monday, the GM just told him he was done.  Mike had worked there for 10 years.

BUT, here's the weird part about our lives.  Not more than two hours after losing his job, Mike had another.  He is very good at what he does, which is to sell parts and equipment to large mines worldwide.  A man that Mike had worked with before had started his own company quite awhile ago, is successful at it, and wanted Mike to work for him.  So, we feel that this will end up being a good thing...it will take some adjustment, and, since Mike is this man's first official employee, there will be learning curves on both sides.  But, it is a good opportunity for Mike, and financially, it will be even better for us than before.  It is never, EVER easy, though, to hear, "We don't want you here anymore."  It will be their loss, however.

Last week we spent much of the week in kind of a haze....trying to process everything that had happened.  We did some fun things as a family, to get out of the house and have a good time.  One day we took Maelie to the zoo, and one day we took Maelie and my mom to the County Fair.  I have photos I need to go through and post for both these events, but we all had a great time.

This weekend was full of family reunions.  We had one on Saturday for my mom's side of the family, and one on Sunday for my dad's.  Both were fun, and it was so nice to see relatives that I hadn't seen in literally decades...cousins that I used to play with.  It was surreal to see Maelie playing with THEIR kids the way I used to play with their parents.  :)  People came from all over, especially for the reunion on Sunday.  I got to see relatives from Alaska, Colorado, Arizona, and all over the state.  Of course it seems as if one never gets to chat enough at these events...there are so many people...and it doesn't help having a toddler to chase after! But, it was great fun and everyone got to meet Miss M.  Many had never seen her before.

So, that was our week in review.  PLEASE, Karma, be gentle.  I don't think we can handle much more!!!!!!!