Hello, Everyone,Lots of things
happening around here. Most important is that I have been recalled back
to US Airways. I'll fly down to start Sept 17th, for approximately 6
weeks of training on the new aircraft. Until I'm there, I don't know
which aircraft, or where I'll be based, so there is a very real
possibility I'll have to commute to work for a while, until I can hold
Boston. They sent me a take it or pass letter last Tuesday, and then on
Friday I received a take it or resign letter, as there apparently are no
more people junior to my seniority number to pass my recall. It is a
good thing to go back, but I'm very nervous as I haven't flown in 5 1/2
years. I'm sure it will come back to me, but that doesn't alleviate the
anxiety. My parents are flying in to help with the kids while I'm gone,
which Stacey and I are especially appreciative.
As most of you know I was starting my own mortgage
branch, and we've been waiting for the state licenses. That also came
in on Friday morning (of course). Due to my recall, I will have to pass
on being the branch manager. However, I will continue to have the
option of submitting loans if I should run across them, for some extra
income. I also start tonight with getting my Scuba license. I've been
wanting to get this for a while, and have a quick opportunity before
starting to fly again.
Stacey has been increasing her hours at work to
supplement my lack of income (except for unemployment). I've been the
house keeper again, as I was after being released from the airlines in
Feb 2002. We were going to try to get on her medical insurance (which
she must be full time to get), as COBRA is costing us about
$1600/month. Now that I'm being recalled, we will just go on US
Airway's. Stacey will still have to work for extra income, as the
airlines are paying less since I left due to the two bankruptcies they
had. Hopefully that will change in the next few years. We still have
to figure out how to juggle kids and me being gone for work, as that
hasn't happened since before Addison was born. Somehow, we will figure
it all out, as we have for so long now.
Addison went to summer school for a few weeks, and
enjoyed it. She has made much progress in the past year, speaking much
better, and socializing much more. She is still very shy in new
situations, but gets over it much faster. There is small progress with
the feeding, but it is still something we are working on. She begins
Pre-K the first week of September. She was able to spend time with her
new teacher over the summer, which should help with the transition to
the new classroom. She is fun, beautiful and a joy to be around. She
is still very controlling, but we believe this is a result of the lack
of control she had in her early stages of life.
Evan has been going to day care a few times a week. We
thought it would be good for his socialization, and we were correct. He
always has a good time there, and loves to show off for everyone. He is
always very proud of the projects they do in class, and can't wait to
show Addison when he returns. Evan will be a total lady killer when he
gets older. Very cute and outgoing, as well as very athletic. He
already can hit a ball with a bat continuously, as well as dropping a
ball and kicking it while it is still in the air (like a goalie in
soccer). He can also dribble the ball at a full speed run. Not bad for
a 2 1/2 year old...
Taylor has returned from visiting his mother for the
summer. While there, he took some fencing classes, which he enjoyed
very much. He also took a driver's ed course, and almost obtained his
Advanced Scuba license. He had an ear blockage that prevented him from
taking the last dive, so we will try to get it done when I go out for my
beginner class. Taylor will start his Junior year in High School, and
turned 16 a few weeks ago. I took him to the Patriots pre-season
football game on Friday, and we all went (as well as 3 of his friends)
to Six Flags on Saturday. His big news is that as of yesterday, he
found his first job. He will start on Friday at Ruby Tuesday's
restaurant as a host (he's too young to serve alcohol, so he can't be a
waiter). He is very much into girls now, and has come into his own as a
handsome young man. They are all over him, which is an amusing site for
me as he is growing up.
Our next family trip will be to Auburn University from
Sept 13-16 to attend the Auburn v Miss St game. This has been planned
for a while, so I now have to figure out how to get back home and
then to training on the 17th. This will be the first game for all the
kids, so I'm very excited to introduce them to 90,000 screaming fans.
Taylor is deciding on colleges, and I hope he decides he enjoys it
there. That would certainly make life easier to visit him when I fly
into Atlanta. We also might have an opportunity to stay in Maine for a
little while, as Stacey's work needs a temporary dietitian next month.
We had to replace much of our roof, as it has been
leaking for some time now. Little stains here and there. We are also
replacing all the windows for the same reason. Our fence that was
damaged in a storm in April has now been fixed, and I've re-stained the
whole thing. For a new house, I seem to have a lot of problems... Our
favorite neighbors across the street have sold their house, and are
getting a divorce. He moved down to Florida and is doing great with his
new job. She is staying here in Portsmouth so their daughter can finish
her last year of High School.
Overall, things are looking better around here.
Unfortunately, I'm waiting for the next bad thing to happen, as that has
been the pattern of our lives these past 5 years. I certainly hope I'm
wrong, as we need to have some sustained good luck for a while...it
would be a nice break from the stress. Hope all is well with you all.
Mike, Stacey, Taylor, Addison, and Evan