Merry Christmas 2017!
This year, it's mid-December and I'm starting our Christmas newsletter. The procrastination that I avoided last year is starting to creep back in my “busy” schedule. I'm settling into retirement nicely and rarely try to do things on any sort timely basis.
Unfortunately, this year I get to quote Michael Corleone: “Just when I thought I was out... they pull me back in.” I was blissfully enjoying idleness until early this summer, when PTI called. My replacement, Amy, had been helicoptered over the weekend to Madison for emergency surgery to repair a burst brain aneurysm. We quickly came to an agreement and I went back to work for them. The agreement was only for two hours a day (9 to 11) in the building with the rest of my support via e-mail and telephone. They didn't know it at the time, but they really didn't need me at all. The department runs itself. But at the time, no one had any idea how long Amy would be off, so I can't blame them for bringing me in.
Considering that ruptured brain aneurysms are fatal in about 40% of the cases and 15% of the patients don't reach the hospital, Amy's recovery was miraculous. She was back to work in six weeks with no permanent damage. Miraculous.
As a temp, the first couple of weeks were spent catching up and reminiscing with the old gang. Even the third and fourth weeks went by fast, but the last two weeks just dragged. The bottom line is that I just do not want to work for a living. There's a lot of nothing to do and I wanted to get back to doing it.
Carlotta is well. The vet recommended that bring her in for a fluid injection every ten days; to protect her kidneys. Takes about 15 minutes in the office; something else to squeeze into my “busy” schedule.
Daylyte is also doing well. Susan continues to take her out with the trailer to ride on local trails and parks.
With the cost of private health insurance, Susan and I decided that she would continue to work for at least another year. If Congress can ever agree to making health care affordable, then we'll re-visit the decision and she'll join me in the unemployed life.
Until then, Susan finds enough to fill her days. This year L&S got busy again. Susan put in 50-60 hour weeks for most of the year. Right now she's down to 45 hours.
Susan is still knitting, especially children's hats, mittens and scarves for the local schools. She also sews bibs for local nursing homes and pillow cases for foster care children. She continues to devote a lot of time “Days for Girls”. The team at Bethany Baptist sent 123 kits to Cambodia this year.
To maintain her sanity, Susan finds time for weekend retreats (machine knitting, craft, and fellowship with the ladies from church). And from November through April, she enjoys cooking breakfast at the Warming Center for the local homeless.
And this year, we almost had visitors!
God's blessings to you for the coming year.
Susan and Paul Stomieroski
6310 Setter Road
Weston, WI 54476
(715) 355-7769
Susan@Stomieroski.com
Paul@Stomieroski.com
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