How does this happen?

Wow .. Another year went by and I haven't blogged.....* wince* I guess I could say I was going to try harder to keep up but in a full life I guess it really is less important than living the life. I aml still at Odyssey and still loving the work. Life has settled yet again and I am about to unsettle it with a possible job position change with the company. Still trying to decide. Perhaps next year I will let you know how it went! LOL

I am dating again, which is nice since I have met a really nice man that looks like has potential to be absolutely Great! again stay tuned and in a year I' ll tell you how it went!

Goodnight for now.

Zzzzzzzzzz

Lost youth with Elton John and Billy Joel

Last night I firmly figured out that I am not the party girl I once was! My reality check came in the form of a full day. Normally at 20, 30, 40 and even at a pretty good guess 45, 47 48 and ....well..... 48, I could have had this day without too much problem. Up to the gym at 5:15. Off to work at 8:15. Work a full eight hours skipping lunch and then meeting a date for the trip on the MAX train to the downtown area. Walking several miles trying to find the restarant that meets with Ty's approval since he didn't pre-plan the location but was winging it! Dinner, cocktail, and a hike and a hop back on the MAX to the Rose Garden. Watch the rousing Billy Joel / Elton John concert. ( notice that Billy got first billing in my version of this story?)(EJ may be a sir, but Billy was clearly the KING when it came to ageing well and maintaining his crowd pleaseing ability not to mention though he can't hit the high notes he still has 80% of his range and all of it's quality) Fighting the MAX crowd onto the train and riding back to the cars. Drive home and arrive by 12:23. Bed by 12:24, sleep by 12:25.

Awake at 5:15 a.m. NO WAY...sleep again til 7:15! Roll out of the bed onto the floor, and crawl to the bathroom. Use all the upper limbs to pull the lower ones up to the bathroom vanity height and glare at my blood stained and bleary eyed self. There is where it hit me....GIRL, your party animal days are over! LOL

How did it happen? When did it happen? I don't know but tonight at 7:00 pm( the day of the this epiffany) I am probably not going to ponder it's loss much because I will be sound alseep by 7:02!

Party Girl over and out! (operative word here is OUT)

* wink

Nearly a year- So much has changed

Nearly a year has gone by and so much of my life has changed, most notably that I actually now have a life again that will allow for posting BLOGS!

My new adventure is aptly named "Odyssey". In July 2009 I took a new job as the Executive Director of Odyssey Hospice in Portland. I have ceased my endless wanderings to be a 7 minute commuter who can actually take the MAX to work and back. HOW COOL IS THAT? I am usually home at a respectable hour and my two Chihuahua family thinks that is cool enough that they have stopped tearing up my new carpet.

As added pleasure, my son has figured out that he doesn't own the house, though he was mostly the only person living here (not counting the four legged ones that believe they are people).

It's a little scary trying to figure out what to do with all this time! I have gradually painted every room in the house but three since July. The Chihuahua's now are afraid to sit still very long thinking that I may paint them! I am feverishly working on completing the office paint out now. The notable exceptions are the extra room that houses the exercise equipment (otherwise known as an extra clothes hanger)(Treadmill that doesn't work lives there because my son has sworn never to help move it again as he TOLD me NOT to bring upstairs in the FIRST place!) #2) the son's room which I have designated as a toxic waste room #3)The son's bathroom which the Federal Government has designated as a toxic waste room.

I have also taken up card making, which along with Scrap booking make up more than two thirds of the national credit card debit. (don't ask me how I know this) So any of you who aren't reading my blog anymore, and most of you who may be really bored and are checking in on it, will likely be getting a homemade card soon....whether you like it or not, Dammit!

Last but not least, I became a Nana to another beautiful new baby boy who is known as the Boss! Boston was born July 5th 2009 while I happened to be there helping Lee with his eye drop adventure. I will post pictures shortly as he is just too darling not to share with the adoring public!

Oh how time flys

Thought I should at least add a little something to the blogspot that I have for so long neglected. I am just wanted to say how blessed I am to have my children and grandchildren, and loved ones. I check in often to see how they are doing on their blogs. I suppose if I were better at this they would also check in more often on mine.

Life got really busy with work and I am trying to prioritize my life a bit better by learning to be grateful for the many blessings I have and to pay attention to them in meaningful ways.

With love to all of you!

Mom Wilkins

OUR BOY

I am so happy to report that Ethan Alexander Lewis arrived and became a U.S citizen on Saturday the 7th of July. Loralee called me from Michigan when they arrived and came through customs. I missed the call unfortunately but did later visit with both Lee and Loralee on the phone when Loralee arrived with Ethan in Dallas. They had just gotten home.

She reports that he was an angel the whole long trip and that everyone on the planes were helpful and smitten with Ethan. She said that when she came through customs, the person said," when I stamp this, he will officially be a U.S. Citizen." Loralee cried and I cried when she told me that. Can you believe after all these months, he is finally with his parents?

Soon, we will have new photos to post but for now, here is one of the old ones that shows his wonderful sweet personality. WELCOME ETHAN!

The Journey Home begins

I was so excited this morning knowing that Loralee is heading to Kampala to get Ethan today. Hopefully all will go smoothly and he will be home within the week. I know that the kids are over the moon excited for their family to be re-united. My thoughts have been of almost nothing but Ethan, and how this will all be so new for him. I hope that he adjusts to all the love and care that he is in for.....somehow I think he will. Can't wait for new pictures and such so that we can see him. My trip down there is up in the air at the moment. I can't really go until they get home and get him settled. Then I am headed that direction.

How lucky we are to have him!

HE is COMING HOME

At 6:10 am this morning Loralee & Lee called us to tell us that the consulate called and is going to issue Ethan's US Visa. OUR hard work, prayers and pressure worked!!! We have to compile the emails, faxes and letters in a book for Ethan to show him how much we all wanted him. What a HAPPY dAY!!