The Loud Americans: January where’d you go?!

Honestly, for a fairly non eventful month, it flew by! Lots of change in the Loudamerican household!

Tracy ... Spent a TON of time onboarding my replacement, Danielle, and the new VP, Tina. I kept visualizing how I wanted to end my time at MORA and had a 2 visions, one of a marathon runner at the finish line, arms up and victorious. The other was the same visual but with someone laying on the ground and the crowd dragging them to the finish. I think I accomplished the former but...some days did feel like the later. I truly gave it my all, including 10 hours the last few days and even stayed on call in order to help out at our day program for a couple days after my official last day. There were lots of mini going away moments and I included a few photos of my favorite. SO weird to have this transition technically complete. BIG life change, from a large leadership role to the next stage.

Speaking of... karma is amazing, I've been talking forever that I want to work at Workabilities, walk to work, not be responsible and work with people with disabilities one on one. They almost never have job openings. However, 2 days before my last day at MORA, they called and said they have an opening. I start 2/5. $22/hr, 9-4, M-F and I get to walk to work, YEAH!

I spend the 2 weeks in between roles playing nurse maid to Kay - she got her tonsils out and while the 1st 5 days were painful but manageable, the last 3 days have been pure hell. I feel so bad for her. Her throat hurts, her neck hurts, her ears hurt, her stomach hurts (too many meds), nothing tastes good, its hard to swallow... not to mention, she doesn't do herself any favors and refuses to eat, drink and sometimes take meds. Ended up in the ER and they said she's healing really well. We had about 20 hours of pure mental health break down but are hopefully past that. Fingers crossed, she's a trooper but its hard!

Tom is plugging away at work and we continue to try new recipes. We are doing dry january so, haven't had any alcohol since 1/9, also forcing us to get creative with virgin drinks. Its actually been pretty fun and we now have a new addiction. Sleepy time tea before bed with honey. Yum...

Jimmy is living the life. Got a good scholarship from the U, a great scholarship from Madison and is still waiting to hear on the wait list for Notre Dame. He has a really hard decision in front of him but...there is NO bad decision - all are great schools. He's also continued to do the sideline reporting for VMI basketball with ESPN+ (which is going to come in handy for this intro to public speaking grade) and was nominated to be the lone representative from VMI to attend a prestigious policy conference for undergrads at the Naval Academy in April. He's beyond the moon!

Billy (finally) signed a lease with Mark for an apartment next year. He had a rough 1st semester (grade wise) along with lessons learned...ask for help earlier, ask for help from people who know the material, not people in your class, get involved with your advisor more, know your professors better. All these learnings came from a 2.25 GPA 1st semester (3 A's, 1 C, 2 D's). because of the D's he needs to retake Calc and Chem this semester. Which puts his behind in his program and requires him to take Chem 2, Calc 2 and Physics 2 this coming summer in order to stay on track. URGH.... He's resigned and I'm frust rated but... if there is anyone that will do it without complaint, its Billy. On a brighter note, he/his friends got $200 tickets to Seattle for spring break so ...he has that to look forward to.

The weather has been nuts! 10 days of bitter cold and -20+ wind chill and now its going to be a high of 52 and potentially a record. SO much for global warning.

Hoping February has less drama, more health, a new schedule and sunshine!

Love to you and yours!

The ladies of Brendon Pond