New Years Day

A new year is just a two days away. I was invited back this year to Palm Springs for New Years eve with friends, so I am packing up and will fly out in the morning. They have rented a house in the Palm Canyon Villa neighborhood. It is around 2600 square feet with 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms (and a guest powder room), pool and hot tub (as always) and views of the gardens and mountains from the hot tub. This house sounds even nicer than where we stayed last year which is hard to conceive since the place last year was a gorgeous patio home right out of the early 60's. It was very retro all the way thru in a very old Hollywood meets Palm Springs kind of way that is hard to describe unless you have spent any time in this city. This year we have more people joining our annual get together, so I am eager to see and make some new friends from around the country. I think last year that Seattle, Las Vegas, LA, Phoenix and NYC were represented. Plus, with everything that has been going on in my life, I need to just get away for a short time for myself. I have spent too much of this year putting others needs in front of mine and I need to treat myself a little nicer.

In other news, my sister was released from the hospital last week. I was talking to my mom and she was very happy to see her outside of the hospital. I was worried I would have to fly back soon to Lexington, KY, but I think things are beginning to settle down there. It is not that I don't enjoy seeing my family; it is just small town life is not for me--I have become accustomed to the conveniences of large cities.

Well, I need to have dinner and pack for my flight in the morning so I can make sure I have everything I need. Until next year.

Under My Umbrella

I just got back yesterday from an emergency trip home. My sister was put into the hospital with a serious thyroid problem and my mom was freaking out a little. She was still in the hospital when I left and the Dr's think she may have Graves disease, but I just couldn't stay any longer. I was planning on going back for a couple of days, but not for a couple of weeks. I have been without internet access (except if I went to the library) and my cell phone doesn't work very well in the hills of southeastern KY and I was a little stir crazy. But, I got to see snow (and LOTS of rain). In fact, it rained hard for the last week I was there and there was flood warnings over most of the state. The news said the drought in KY was over. Here is a picture I took from my rental when I snuck away for one of my guilty pleasure lunches...this picture was taken during a break in the rain, but you can still see all the clouds. I know white castles (probably) aren't good for you, but they are almost a comfort food when I am back east.

But, now it is back to reality. I have so many things I need to get caught back up on now that I am back in PHX. I have an interview for another position with my company after the holidays. It is a step up in pay and is a move in a different direction than I am currently on, but the office I would be working out of is closer to my home so overall I think it will be a good thing. I will miss many people I work with now and all of the people I supervise now, but I think this is the direction I need to be moving in at this time.