Finally - I am catching up!

Good Afternoon – Remember me? I am the one that said I would update my blog once a week. So here I am, only four weeks late! But that’s OK; I having loving children, fabulous grandchildren and they all forgive me. It’s Thanksgiving – and that is what I am thankful for. A very loving family!

Gee – Where to start. We just returned from our first Christmas party of the season. We have known Floyd and Angie for many years. She works for the Corps of Engineer Real Estate Division (lots of interaction over the years for housing) and after Floyd retired from the Air Force he started what is now the Elmendorf Air Show. So we went there for the afternoon. Dad’s luggage was on a different plane than he was, so that got delivered just past noon. As soon as it was delivered, I went to work for about 1 ½ while Dad worked out at the gym. This morning we just slept in – and at was wonderful. I had taken Kurt Norby (Dad’s new boss) to the airport because he was flying out about an hour after Dad got in. So they had a chance to talk for just a few minutes. Gee – that was around midnight.

Our troops are coming home – and it’s wonderful. About 2/3 (2200) were here by Thanksgiving Day. It’s bittersweet for the unit – 53 deaths and 229 with massive injuries. We are expecting several hundred more with injuries that will require up to one year in re-hab. I am one of many that meet the planes upon arrival. No family members are at the airfield. We have a goal – from the time the wheels hit the ground, we have 1 hour to in-process and get them on the buses headed to meet their families. I don’t play a big part – just there to make sure there is barracks space, housing or a hotel for everyone. Business in the office has really picked up with the return, but there will be a lull in the action. Block leave for everyone in the unit is 20 Dec to 25 Jan. I think there will be a lot of soldiers going “back home” to bring their families to Alaska. Meanwhile, I have plenty to keep my staff and I very busy. We have five construction projects in some phase of completion. One project is already returned and occupied, but under construction warranty and my last one has only begun the ground breaking work. When all is finished in 2 years, we will have 1254 units on the installation. We are taking over the management of the barracks – similar to running dormitories at the University. There are two major construction projects there. Over the next couple years between old, new and temp, we will manage a couple thousand bed spaces. We also have the referral for people renting downtown and home buying seminars. Fort Richardson is slated to privatize family housing by 2010 and that is the same year we are suppose to merge as Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson. That is not the name, merely the project name.

I am supposed to have a staff of 14 plus a couple of contractors. One is Tom Petersen and he is awesome. I am not sure what I would do without him, his writing skills and his advice. I came on with only 7 staff; have hired 5 (in two areas) with delayed entry so that I can schedule two weeks of training for each. It’s not perfect, but seems to be working. My boss gave me the go ahead to hire at least 4 and maybe 6 based on the new requirements for barracks and referrals. Of course he is looking at the OT in the office. I average 40 and my deputy about 25. Others in the office contribute 10 -15 depending on the daily mission. With the planes coming in, Commander revoked all leave in my office until December. Just means the “Use or Lose” we have will have to be re-instated after January 1. It will all work out – I am just glad to get a couple of weeks in Utah!

Dad starts his new job tomorrow. He will leave for Fairbanks in the afternoon and stay until Friday. Forgive me if I am repeating stuff, but can’t remember if we told you about his job. He will be a project manager for APTISS. There survey buildings for installation of state of the art commo wiring; everything from commuters, phones, classified lines to alarms, etc. The company has several projects on Eielson AFB and Elmendorf AFB; smaller projects on Forts Rich and Wainwright. Eventually, there will be projects for other Federal agencies and law enforcement. Kurt is taking on projects in Hawaii and becoming the regional manager. Dad just wants to find a happy medium between working, flying and spending time with family and friends.

As Jessica can attest, seems like my two weeks in Arkansas was spent in the van. Dad and I were sure glad that both of us could be there and make things easier for the family. I sure had fun with the grandkids and Great-grandma, too.

Dad got to spend about 8 hours with Jeremy on his way back. Kassy was at work most of the time, but they had lunch together at the Mall where she works and then Jeremy fixed dinner. Kassy had just gotten off work and just before they had to take Dad to the airport. Dad said it was really fun.

It’s getting late and I need to write a performance appraisal before bed. Love you all – Mom.

Buff Daddy

I was clearing out my email and came across this picture and thought everyone might like to see!

Me Too!

This is the four generation picture I have. I desperately need another one. I had 5 to choose from and this was the best one!

Four Generation Picture

Gotta take advantage when enough relatives are in the same location at the same time. We took some four-generation pictures at the base chapel. Unfortunately this is the only surviving one. Grandma had this one plus individuals with the kids. Sadly her camera went AWOL on Halloween. Luckily, mom had her digital camera with her when we did the pics so at least we have this one.

I'm Too Sexy

http://www.myheritage.com/collage

http://www.myheritage.com/collage

Catching Up

I know that it has been a while since anything has been posted. Darn it all that mom has to work!! :)

Anyway...the kids had A LOT of fun playing with their Grandma and Opa. Houston was very sad to see them go. When we took mom to the airport (dad had left a week earlier) he told us that he wanted to go to Alaska to play with Opa and the "big toys". (what big toys he is talking about I have no idea)

Lorelei thrived with all the extra attention that she got. There was always someone around to hold her. Not sure how she is she is going to react after we take Great-Grandma to the airport and she has to wait her turn for mom to hold her.

Hopefully mom will do OK without all of the relatives around to help. She's going to have to get up with the kids now and make them breakfast everyday. They got used to someone (mom, dad, or grandma) actually cooking for them so I'm not so sure how satisfied they are going to be with cold cereal again.