A Challenge.

So. Boyd lost his job.

In an effort not to be too spiteful . . I will not name said company.

And instead of sending all of the upper management a personal letter from me (and yes, I have it completely written and ready to go), I am posting my sentiments on the internet instead. 

Because I am nothing if not mature. :)

Here's the thing. The new upper management just hired from California decided that a "buddy" of theirs would be a better fit.

And you know what? Fine. I realize that happens a lot when companies are going through issues (95% of the company has been on layoff since Christmas) but a courtesy of more than 2 days would be appreciated.

The first irony is that Boyd is the model employee. He shows up early and stays late. He takes home work on the weekends. I would argue this "over achieving" constantly with him. I am NOT the model employee. I show up at 7:59:59 and am walking out the door at 5:00:00.

His trust in corporate america was mind boggling to me.

The second irony is that they have had SEVERAL people quit in the past few months. But not Boyd. No sir. The man is not a quitter. So . . they had to terminate him.

And last but not least . . . he actually liked his job.

*****

I am done. I didn't rant too much, right? My first draft was much angrier.

Trying to take deep breaths and realize that anger only hurts me - Not the guys sitting in their office over at . . . . that place.

Besides. They are doing us a favor, right?!

Boyd's back on the market! :) In the employment sense . . not relationship status.

He has discussed getting his teaching degree, starting his own business, getting back into engineering or trying to find something similar to his production manager position.

If you have any other stellar ideas . . . please email me at

slknudsen7@yahoo.com or Boyd directly at boydknudsen@yahoo.com.  And in the meantime of him finding a new career . . . . he is open to taking some odd jobs. He's very versatile . . . . farming, construction, dancing, etc.

******

Side Story: I drove thru the McDonald’s drive thru this morning for coffee (NOT Starbucks because that needs to be taken off of the budget and probably McD’s does too but I’m not quite ready for making my own coffee in the morning) and decided that I should buy for the car behind me since the best policy for combating feeling sorry for yourself is to do something kind for someone else. (Personally, I think combating ugly feelings should be shopping for yourself but the experts disagree) The worker looks at me and says: "Honey. That is really sweet but their total is $28.40. How about you buy the large coffee for the 2nd car after you?"

Yes. That sounds perfect. Large coffee it is. :)

*****

And honestly . . . . there is nothing to be concerned about.  There is no way anyone can keep this guy down for long.

P.S.  I have no idea why some of the type is large and small.  Please deal with it because I cannot find the care or energy to fix it.

Luxury Madness.

Our water has been out since last Thursday.

I would like to be able to say this is a "first world problem" but I think it might be more of a "third world problem".

We got back from Kauai Thursday evening (I know.  I know.  I shouldn't even bring that up) and I was EXHAUSTED (oh . . poor Sabrina . . so tired from the vacation traveling!) and was looking forward to brushing my teeth, taking a hot shower and heading straight to bed.

Turn on the faucet.  Nothing.  WTH?!

BOYD!!!!!!!!!

Long story short . . . our pump is broken.  So we have buckets of water to pour into the toilet so that we can still flush every so often (we are on the strict code of: "If its yellow, let it mellow.  If its brown flush it down".  I hate this rule.  

I have stopped drinking water in hopes of not having to pee.

Boyd at one point made the comment:  

"Since when is running water an aphrodisiac for you."

*****

Recap of Vacation:

Kauai is fabulously gorgeous.  The food was wonderful (I may have eaten 20+ fish tacos while there) and Boyd was able to surf to his heart's content.  Boyd made me take videos of all his "awesomeness" but due to lame content no videos will be posted. 

Me:  "I know you FEEL like Tarzan swinging on a rope and jumping in a river but unfortunately the video camera does not see it this way."

He has no idea how he snagged me . . . rare gem that I am. :)

Randomly, Boyd's college buddy, Casey and his wife Sabina (CRAZY, right?!) were also vacationing on Kauai while we were there.  So we hung out and it was great.  Where else should old friends meet up for a mini-reunion but in Hawaii. 

A few pics:

Waimea Canyon.  Lovely

Backyard view from our B&B

Morning coffee

Boyd and Casey on our boat tour

Driveway to our first B&B

Boyd!

We went on a few hikes

Yeah! Celebrating 12+ years of marriage.

A lovely river with rope swing.  No snakes in Hawaii.  How great is that?!

Wailua Falls

Na Pali Coast

See what I mean.  Fantastic.

I'm not going to lie though.  The weather was rainy off and on and not as hot as I would have liked.  BUT I still managed to get sunburned and walk around without layers of clothing on so this is definitely a WIN.

Also, the first B&B was a little tough for me.  I hit the nail on the head with "adventurous" but my high maintenance side of me said . . . "I want my own bathroom".

I'm so weird.

The second B&B was great.  No complaints.

*****

I sent in our tax paperwork.  Hooray!  Now we just hold our breath and cross our fingers.  I have a feeling that other people handle taxes much more responsibly than us but I have yet to find a system that works for me except PANIC when it hits March 1 and curse and sweat and curse again that I can't find "x document".

*******

I ALMOST FORGOT!  Sister2 had her baby.  Finally!

While I was on vacation, of course.

And I nearly had a panic attack and called the hospital because the texts were very vague as to how baby and mother were doing. 

 Yes.  I have anxiety issues.

But all is well and I proudly introduce my new niece:  

Elliette "Ellie" Anne King.

Such a sweet baby.

We quickly introduced her to Target.  And yes, for those curious:
It is annoying to have really pretty sisters.

******

That is all.  Boyd just barged in and said "TRY THE SHOWER!"

Yes, I live in a house filled with LUXURY MADNESS.

And the Crowd Goes Wild.

Saturday Brother2 had his final 8th grade basketball tourney.
Boyd and Jordan coached.  

I thought the coaches and the boys did a great job
but I may be a little biased.

It was bittersweet.

On the one hand the the guys all worked really hard.  

Great intensity.

But on the other hand all 3 games were lost by 2 points.

However, we did win the best-looking-coaches-award.

Win.

The last game we played, a mother of the opposing team stood up, turned around and literally did a "hulk roar with the flex" to our crowd, right after they won with a last second shot.  

  I was dumbstruck - first of all by the very good impersonation of the "hulk" (one of my favorite Avengers) and secondly, that she had such courage and sense of freedom to pull off such a roar.

  It was Impressive.

I didn't know if I should laugh or run screaming from the building.

So I just laughed nervously. 

Boyd didn't think I should name the town since the entire state of SD is "local" - so I will only give a hint: 

Starts with C and ends with "astlewood".

What would we do without small town rivalry?

Be kind to one another?

Yuck.

In other news, it is raining outside.

The wind is howling.

And our power just went out.