The Dynamic Duo

First of all, let me say a belated very HAPPY BIRTHDAY to JOHNNY, who is somewhere in the top 3 of my favorite sons. I’m sorry this isn’t more timely, but unfortunately his birthday, Dec 12, arrived while my brain was still all mushy from biology finals. It is only now starting to somewhat recover. From such musical creations (composed while swinging full tilt on the swingset glider) as “All You Gotta do is E I O, E I E I E I O” and “I’m a GIANT, a GIANT, a GI, GI, GI, GIANT” to masterpieces of lego and block towers, Johnny let his creative juices flow from an early age. He was perfectly happy playing alone, as he found himself to be quite good company, but could be sullen and stubborn when asked to do something he either didn’t see the point of, or just plain didn’t feel like doing. And now? When his planets are aligned, there’s noone more fun to be around. And he and Jim will be home in just a few days! I can hardly wait!

Okay, that out of the way, on to the topic du jour.
When I was a kid, we always made fun of the annual Christmas newsletters. Our favorite was from our Dad’s cousins Wes and Mary-Lou. Their five kids were, it seemed, putting us to shame in every conceivable arena. One daughter was their ‘social butterfly’. They were all athletic, intelligent and belonged to 5-6 clubs or organizations.
Now, I find myself creating a Christmas newsletter of my own. It’s so much easier than saying the same thing, over and over again in each Christmas card................’Johnny is our social butterfly............you’ll have to read on if you want to know the rest. Oh, and though I didn’t want to sound so much like I was bragging in the newsletter, I can tell YOU: Semester Grades for UltraMom, Fall 2008:
Cellular Biology 190:  A
Anatomy and Physiology:  A
Human Growth and Development Through the Lifespan: A
Yoga; P

The “P’ is for ‘Pass” as Yoga was a pass/fail class. This was probably a charitable grade, but I did always show up and participate to the best of my ability. And now, THE 2008 UltraMom Christmas Newsletter:

December 20, 2008
Season’s Greetings to Friends and Family!

It seems that winter has finally hit northern Nevada with a vengeance; from what I hear in weather reports, I think it is hitting a lot of other places as well. We had enjoyed an unseasonably mild and dry winter up to a week or so ago, and now that we no longer farm and have to worry about how the lack of snow pack will impact next summer’s irrigation season, I can enjoy bare roads and ice-free walking out of doors guilt free. When I was packing up summer and hauling pots, hoses and gardening implements to storage in the shed, I noticed the snow shovel in the corner. I picked the shovel up and paused: would having it ready near my front porch be a tacit admission that winter, cold and snow would and should soon be here? I decided winter needed no help or prompting from me and put the shovel back. If and when the snow did show up, that would be time enough to get ready for it. Of course later when I had to trudge through a foot of snow to the shed in the corner of the back yard, I regretted my earlier decision, but flawed or not, this is how my logic sometimes runs.
This year has been a year of changes for us. UltraDad accepted a new job, leaving Newmont and mining behind. Since a year ago last November, he has worked for the Nevada Department of Transportation maintaining the roads in and around Ruby Valley, NV. This means that he lives in a little house in Ruby Valley state highway yard during the week, which is kind of a drag, since we only get to see each other on weekends. But although the work can be hard, especially plowing snow day or night, it is better than the mine.
UltraMom is still working at the minimum-security prison, running the prison inmate canteen, but is also taking several college classes at Elko’s Great Basin College. It is gratifying to know that at her ‘advanced’ age she can still compete quite well in classes such as Cellular Biology and Anatomy and Physiology. She is really enjoying the break between semesters right now.
UltraBob and UltraGirl became parents on April 26, 2008. Lincoln Arthur McDonald, better known as Linc is utterly adorable and, of course, the smartest baby that ever lived. UltraDad and I will finally get to meet him in person when we make a trip to Japan right after Christmas, so we are quite excited about that.
Heather is still working at Sizzler in Pocatello, and is the best, most attentive waitress I’ve ever had. Her longtime boyfriend Heath is full-time at the Post Office now, so has regular hours at long last. We were able to see them at Thanksgiving time, which we spent in Howe, Idaho with UltraDad’s brothers and family. Jim and Johnny were able to be there as well as UDad’s sister Pat, also from Carlin, and two of her kids and spouses, including adorable infant granddaughter, Rowan.  It was great quality family time.
Johnny will graduate from Law School at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN this spring. He has a job all lined up; he will be clerking for an Idaho Supreme Court Justice in Boise for a couple of years.  It will be nice to have him closer.
Jim just started a two-year graduate school program in Industrial Hygiene at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. He became engaged last summer to Jessica Kasper, whom he met while going to school in Moscow, ID. Jim planned a surprise proposal party; he took Jessica up in the mountains and proposed to her in a lovely mountain setting. We had arrived the night before, and Heather was able to be there as well. The big surprise for Jessica was seeing her entire family there. At Jim’s request, they drove out from their farm in Melba, ID and when the kids got back from the mountains, with Jessica sporting a ‘rock’ on her ring finger, a big family BBQ was in the making. I’m glad Jessica said ‘yes!’ The wedding will take place at River Rock Ranch near Boise next July.
Last summer, we were finally able to say goodbye to Idaho and sold our house in Howe.  I really had mixed feelings about it, but in the end we were probably fortunate to sell it in this down turned housing market. It does have a certain finality about it though.
So, basically life, though full of changes, is good. While UltraDad and I are making certain physical (and probably mental) concessions to aging, we can still function reasonably well, (if you don’t ask our kids.) Johnny and Jim should soon be home for Christmas, and in a week, UltraDad and I will be getting on a plane bound for Japan. Lots to look forward to. I wish the same for you and yours.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Night!