Winter's arrival...

Sigh.......

The best of times... the worst of times

With apologies to Charles Dickens...  The last two weeks have been brutal...  within 10 days Grandma Rose passed away, I got home from her funeral and heard the news about the Aurora movie theater shooting (about an hour away from where I grew up), the next day found out that a new friend I made last summer in Africa had died in an accident, two days later went home to Colorado for a family reunion and then learned that Aunt Carol had passed away.  

The best of times:  getting to see lots and lots of family

The worst of times:  I miss these good people that are no longer here

The best of times:  I have been reminded that I am so blessed with a wonderful amazing family and really, really good friends and co-workers, as evidenced by the many thinking of you texts, emails, phone calls, etc I've received as well as the bouquet (made out of lab tape!) that was on my desk when I came back to work - and yesterday my lab mates surprised me with a picnic lunch and we played bocce ball (my first time ever!).  Thanks to all for the love and support!

Pre-Africa summary

As I was cleaning off memory cards before going to Africa I realized I had pictures I'd promised to do something with that well... I'd done nothing with.  So a quick summary of life before the trip...

I guess first I should say that I had a semi-surprise at the end of March when I was part of a group that was informed that we had been selected for the workforce reduction program at Myrexis - corporate speak for layoffs.  I had a feeling for several months that I wouldn't survive the next round of layoffs, but I thought I had a few more months before it happened - therefore the semi-surprise.  But don't worry about me... I was fortunate to get a really good severance package and so I have a cushion while I look for a new job.  I'm hopeful that I'll be able to find something (and hopefully soon) in Salt Lake and be able to stay here - but prayers would be appreciated!!

You may ask what I've been doing with my free time ...  

For a while I got into making cupcakes - these are Oreo Cupcakes (recipe from BeanTown Baker)

And I've gotten a big kick out of watching the 4 legged creature... this was her napping position one day

And you know how when you move into a new place you have boxes that you say you'll go through later when you have time?  Well, I have now gone through all of mine and cleaned out a couple of closets in the process (and once again I wonder how I manage to collect so many precious treasures).  And I got a garden planted - I always have such high hopes going into gardening season and by the fall I'm thrilled if I get a pumpkin I can use at Halloween!!

I also had some visitors!  Mom and Papsan came and spent Easter weekend with me.  And Kirk and Luci and their boys came up for a day:

And then Marc and Ariane and their gang came!  We first celebrated this little girl's 2nd birthday (how cute is she??!  And she actually seemed to like me -  for the most part at least.

The next morning she wanted her hair braided like her big sisters... didn't work too well!

 We couldn't get the little miss to sit for a picture with Grandma and Grandpa, but look at her big brother and sisters!  I just wish there weren't so many miles between us.

 And before they flew home, we had some good times in the ottoman (of all things!)

How cute is this?!