Hello to friends and family. Digital greetings from me this year, as the holidays crept up while I wasn't looking and here it is the 23rd already!
The past year brought visitors - Steven, Jennifer, Sarah and Rachel spent Christmas in Seattle, and Duane, Alison, William and Benjamin spent time in August here. Happy to see my siblings & the kids. Loved shopping with the girls and laughing so much with them, and William and Benjamin kept my brain in top form with some fast-paced Bananagrams games. Great fun with all of them, tired me out trying to keep up with the teenagers! Lots of weekends with the parents, Dad always tries to take me to Costco, but you can't take much home in a Miata with luggage already in it!!!
In October I attended the bi-annual Wodehouse Society Convention in Dearborn, MI. After 4 days of great fun at the convention with such lovely charming friends both old and new, I had planned on picking up a rental car and spending two weeks making family visits and popping in on old friends in Michigan and Indiana .... until I got The Call and flew home to Seattle for a second round of interviews for a job.
And yes, that's the big news - I have a new job! As of November 7th, I am the Program Operations Specialist - or, in other words, the manager, of the Bracken Pharmaceutical Care Learning Center for the University of Washington School of Pharmacy. I get to do a little of everything: computer networking & administration, simulated learning experiences, technology in the classroom, facilities management, remote learning setups, ordering supplies and equipment, assisting the professors with their curriculum planning, and so much more - including finding the solution to whatever problem the professors bring me! I have a few big challenges ahead of me (major remodel over summer break, attempting to get my students training on major software used in hospitals, learning pharmaceutical terminology, etc) but I relish them. I'm so incredibly happy, I look forward to going to work every morning - and I wouldn't have this job if it wasn't for my prevous boss Jennie, who hired me for part-time work in her Clinical Skills department at the School of Medicine. The skills and experience I gained working for her, along with her reccomendation of me, sealed the deal.
My floofy cat Phoebe (featured in this photo) is 14 years old now and going strong. She still plays like a kitten and - contrary to what everyone says about cats and old dogs, she continues to amaze me by learning new tricks and performing them on command! Of course, liberal doses of salmon treats help.
The big neighborhood news items are: first, the nasty neighbor with the big scary dog finally moved away & the new owner is a quiet and lovely gal; and second, both the crow families on the street had 3 babies this year - and managed to raise them all successfully! Quite a cacophany this spring, what with all the FEED ME FEED ME croaking cawing demands.
I had lots of joyful moments with friends this year, and I thank you all for what you've contributed to my life - from love and support during hard times, to feeding my handspun yarn and custom printed fabric obsessions, encouraging me to try new things, laughing at my bad jokes, suggesting books to read that AREN'T by Wodehouse, going on roadtrips, bonfires at the shore, sailing on Puget Sound, eating at our favorite restaurants, patiently looking at all the cat photos I send, and even bringing homebaked goodies to my new office - and so much more I don't have room to include!
May you all have happiness and peace in the coming year!
Love,
Susan
