Holy Flurking Schnit!
I can’t believe it has been another year already. Can you? Man, the “Toilet Paper Theory” is true (the closer to the end of the roll, it seems to go by/through faster, just like getting older)…
Well, I’m not here to make anyone sad, because I’m here to share all the fun my kids and I have had over the past 2 months.
Since I was needing to be around the house more to help with the kids (and for a family medical reason), I took FMLA all through November and December. Don’t worry, no one is sick and/or dying– Everyone is ok, I promise. I was needed to do some extra single parent responsibilities, and if I tried to continue working my job on top of what was needed, I probably would have had about 4 hours of sleep each day… and if you know me, try dealing with me after that little sleep… yeah…. no.
So I used up all my vacation and sick leave, and then went back to work on New Years Eve (wrong move). I did make a couple visits to the store during that time off, and it’s nice to know everyone appreciates me as one of their managers, and to know I was missed… but it was so nice to actually enjoy the holidays for once, instead of having to work in it for once since 1997.
But moving on…
The kids mom came up to visit for a little while in the first part of November, and sometimes we would go out to do things as a family (go shopping, etc.). I know the kids appreciated the company of having their mom around, and having both parents present helps our little ones.
I kept myself busy with little projects during these past couple of months while the kids were at school (I’ll mentioned more later below), but while not dealing with the public or working, your mind begins to change. I can see why those who don’t work or who are retired, begin to get grumpier over the course of time since they do not interact with as many people (almost like during the first part of the Covid Pandemic when we had to stay in doors, you change and can go mad.) Luckily, I’m still sane… barely. lol
I had the family dog help me with yard work, and I would take the kids to the malls some nights. My mom and stepdad were out of town on Thanksgiving, so the rest of the family spent Thanksgiving together at my grandmas house.
The day after Thanksgiving, it snowed. So the kids helped me shovel. They can now see why I hate dealing with snow (except when taking pictures).
A few days after Thanksgiving, all household members were home. So we all helped set up the Christmas tree and decorate the house for the holidays. Plus enjoying torturing the kids by making them watch Star Wars Holiday Special.
December
Many of you know my mom works as the floral manager at a local grocery store. Well, my mom decided it was time to call it a day, hung up her apron, and retired on December 1st.
I pulled the kids from school early that day so they could join us at the retirement party at the store. My mom’s name was included on the plaque of former employees who have retired from the company, but it said “16+ Years” because they counted from when she came back in 2006/7 (after working elsewhere for a little while).
I remember visiting her in the early 90’s after getting out of elementary… (staring at the screen… “good lord, I’m getting old“… (“🎵 Seasons change…”). We figured it was about 26-28 years total. Dang! Couldn’t be prouder.
What has she been up to…? She’s enjoying her time with B (my stepdad) and always on the go, or cleaning house… finally, more room and less stuff (I’m the type that only likes to have what I only need, less clutter).
The next day was the Christmas family party in Nephi. Due to a mix up, we were lucky to get and use the smaller city building we have used in past parties, not the one at the fairgrounds. I would say 3/4 of the family was there this year, but it still felt cramped.
Due to me hearing some gross facts about beards on the radio when I was taking the kids to school one day, I decided to shave my beard off the day after both parties. I noticed right away that I had lost weight during the months I had the beard. I am letting my beard grow back out again, with more care this time. (“That’s John, his head is the size of a manhole cover— We don’t talk about it. Shh.” – John Pinette
In order to get the kids out of the house, I have taken them ice skating up at the rec center. I thought the last time I went skating (back when I was married), would be the last time I would be able to handle skating anymore… but I can still handle it, still have fun, and still want to go again.
The holidays came, and we received a recognition that Max was on the honor roll at school during the first tri. I am very proud! Although Keith had a rough start, he found his footing and is now seriously kicking ass in the 2nd tri! Better than he has ever done before. So yeah, my kids are kicking ass!
The kids opened their presents from family before leaving town and head back south to celebrate them with their mom and family. I had a week to myself before I had to go back to work.
I spent Christmas Eve with the family at my grandmas, then bumming it around the house on Christmas Day. I finally watched Die Hard for the first time.
I tried to get out to the Saltair during that week to take pictures, but the inversion made air/vision poor to capture anything, so I only made it out there once.
Mid-December, the kids grandma back in southern Utah offered Max a room at her place, so Max took the offer and headed back down south to live and go to school. Keith is still up here, so we can keep each other company.
Now for the big news…
As you may have already seen posted around social media… City Geek is back… but I’m not back for repairing computers or phones, but to sell my photography I have taken over the years as City Geek Studios.
In late November, I started looking into what my options were for selling my current photography online. After a lot of trial and errors in getting my work online, I finally found a way (by accident) to get the photography website I’ve designed myself (outside of plugins) to do what I want it to do without paying a fortune for additional code (and to have my website be a store instead of transferring anyone to a third party). If you want to check my work, visit citygeekstudios.com.
Just know that I’m always adding to it, so please follow CGS on Facebook and Instagram for updates about pictures and any future shows.
One more thing… I ordered stickers of the hand print to hand out [no pun here, but I’ll use that pun later] if anyone asks.
Well, that’s all the exciting news I have for now.
Happy New Years!
