Another holiday season is upon us and as always, it has snuck up on us! Time for our annual re-cap!
Careers: Yes, I have changed jobs yet again but this time I plan to stay a while. The university job didn’t live up to its potential so January 3rd of this year I started a new job at a radiology consulting company called HealthHelp. I started off as administrative assistant to the CEO and Chairman but in August an opportunity opened up to manage one of our programs. It’s been an amazing few months as I’ve taken a crash course in management and personnel issues. In addition to being program manager I am also a client manager and oversee collaboration projects with this client.
Kenny also made a change. After trying his hands as a consultant he took a job at Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories as a Field Applications Engineer. It is based in Pullman, Washington (eastern border of the state) so he spent six weeks up there training. He is back and now working from home.
Travel: As always, Kenny and I managed a few trips this year…
🡪As I mentioned in last year’s letter, we headed to Paris for the Christmas holidays. It was a wonderful trip. I can say with confidence that it felt that we walked the entire city! Some highlights were finally making it to the top of the Eiffel Tower (see picture at left) and visiting Notre Dame on Christmas Eve.
🡪 In August we headed to Chicago with our best friends and travel buds, Susan and CJ. We spent a week and saw most of the major landmarks including the Navy Pier (see picture at right), Hancock Tower and Millennium Park. We also saw The Blue Man Group and I took a Frank Lloyd Wright walking tour. I can’t wait to go back – Chicago is a great city!
🡪 Over Labor Day weekend I headed to Washington to visit Kenny who was up there on job training. We drove over to Idaho and visited the picturesque town of Coeur D’Alene. We also spent a day wine-tasting in Walla Walla, Washington, an up and coming wine making region. The area is pretty and quaint but I did miss the city life!
🡪 Finally, around the time this letter goes out I’ll be heading to Hollywood, California to visit an old friend who. It should be a nice girls’ weekend (Kenny can’t go – not enough vacation time). I’ve never been to the area so I am looking forward to seeing where the stars live!
Pets: Ginger & Heidi both celebrated their twelfth birthdays this fall. They are still doing well, still are loving lap dogs and are getting used to Kenny working from home.
Hobbies: Kenny continues to play pool several times a week and I am still taking salsa lessons. I am also still active in a local garden club and was voted in as historian. And yes, I am still maintaining an on-line presence.
We have had many adventures this year but all in all we are healthy, happy and doing well. We hope you and your family the same and that you have a wonderful holiday season!!
Happy Holidays & Happy New Year!
Elaine, Kenny, Ginger & Heidi