I think we have officially left fall and gone straight in to winter. The last couple of weeks have been tiring at work. I guess the winter OT has kicked in early. In the last 10 days we have done 5 main breaks and several small snows. One morning last week I noticed it was only 6 degrees out when I went to work. It seems kind of early for that.

Good news on the job front. I received my annual review and found out that I was being groomed to be the next Water Superintendent for La Grange Park. I have been hoping for this since I started here just over 4 years ago. I had this same position for the town I worked for before I moved up here.

In breaking news our fine Illinois governor has been indited this morning. Maybe he will remember he is not higher than the law.

With the cold weather here I purchased a truck from a friend to replace my other truck I sold last spring. Riding my bike was nice but not with the cold temps. I found a currency exchange near the apartment to do the title transfer. It was the same price as going to the DMV and only took 20 minutes. I would have stood in line for 20 minutes at the DMV just to get a number. I was told it would take 6 - 8 weeks to get my title and I received it yesterday. I guess the state must be moving fast since it has only been a couple of weeks. It feels nice to know that I own my truck out right. I filled up last Saturday for $1.56/gallon. I am still getting used gas being this cheap.

Christmas is just around the corner. I don't know where all the time has gone.

Hope everyone has an enjoyable holiday season.

For the last 6 months or so I kept receiving Southwest credit card applications in the mail. I usually just shredded them like all the others. Then I got thinking I could build up my rapid rewards faster so I signed up for one. I have had it about a month now and I guess they don't realize I have it and am using it. Now I receive at least 2 offers per week. I am not sure if they think I need more cards or what.

Last weekend was our fall festival in La Grange Park. I came into work last Monday and found the entire carnival camped out in the parking lot. Evidently they had no place to go last week . Their crew then hooked up the electrical to our breaker boxes in the building. I was just waiting for our shop to catch on fire and burn down. Although we do need a new Public Works Building. The festival was only one day but had some much preparation that went into it. I worked 13 hours setting up, tearing down and running around like a chicken with its head cut off. Kristy took me on the wipeout. I enjoyed it but Kristy didn't quite so much. She says I have turned her into a wimp.

Sunday we had a small group from church over for lunch. one friend brought some homemade salsa. He warned me it was really hot so I ate only a small amount. It tasted so good when I ate it and then suddenly my whole mouth started burning. Kristy has toughened me up to where I can eat most hot foods but this was over the top. We then spent the afternoon talking and playing Wizard. This is a card game similar to spades. It is truly exciting.

I have been in charge of the Water Dept. for the last week and a half and thankfully we have had no problems to report. I am glad to say my week should slow down some. I have school Tuesday and Wednesday in Rockford. Friday Kristy and I will leave for a small road trip to Nashville. It will be nice to get away even if it is only for a few days.

Today I have spent doing laundry and finishing putting things back away. Our vacation was very enjoyable but it is nice to be back home again.

Kristy and I made this trip a few days longer this time. It seemed to work out a lot better. We were able to do some site seeing and visit with our family and friends. We were in Phoenix for about 10 days but it seemed to still fly by.

The first weekend we drove to Tucson and visited with some friends. Kristy found out that their daughter is interested in learning to knit so Kristy and I bought her a starter knitting book and some yarn. We bought a really cool John Deere tractor and trailer. It came with farm animals and makes the coordinating sound for each animal. I think every little boy should have a John Deere tractor not that I am partial to John Deere or anything.

We returned to Phoenix that Sunday evening and visited with friends and family. We celebrated the birthdays of our niece and nephew. We bought a couple of Strawberry Shortcake dolls for our niece and Transformers for our nephew. I don't remember transformers being so complicated when I was a child.

Later in the week we went to Montezuma's castle and well. I never liked history in school but I enjoy it now. It is amazing to me how technical and sophisticated they were. We had planned to visit the Arboretum in Flagstaff but were too tired to go. We did find a nice cafe that we stopped to eat at. On our way back to Phoenix we went through Sedona. I found out how winding the roads are going through the mountains. There was few times I felt like we were at the jumping off point. All I can say it was nice to be back on semi flat ground again. One bright point Kristy got some good pictures of the scenery.

Friday we decided to go to Pioneer Village. It is a historical group who have been able to save turn of the century buildings and have moved them to one location. I thought it was weird that the parking lot seemed empty but we went in anyway. We both became tired right away so we decided to leave. It probably had nothing to do with the intense heat (105) and that we didn't bring any bottled water. Kristy says I have thickened up her blood living in Chicago and she can't take the heat as much anymore.

Have a good week all.

Gary

Our vacation officially begins when I get home from work Thursday. We will be flying on Friday morning to beautiful and sunny Phoenix. Every waking minute packed with activities so it should be relaxing. It will be nice to be away for awhile.

This weekend has been busy. On Saturday we moved my sister along with the help of some of the other members from church. It did not take a super long time but was really humid. She always seems to be able to pick the hot days to move. Today my dad and I installed the ceiling fans gift to me by my sister. I even decked out the dining room fan with John Deere pull chains. I also found my John Deere coasters so they went on display too.

We have began studying evidences in our Jr. High class at church. I am very excited about this study. I think this will help me study more and give the students helpful verses to use in discussions with their friends.

Work is still as hectic as usual. The past couple of weeks we have been striping roads and parking lots. I guess this is a nice change of pace from repairing water services and fire hydrants.

Friday and yesterday Kristy and I painted accent walls in the apartment. Blueish - gray in the bedroom and a dark red in the living room. I looks so much better than the plain white that was there before. I was very proud of myself that I kept the paint on the wall and not on me. I also got to fix things. In the process of moving things in the bedroom I found some cracks on the head and foot board where the bed rails fit in. Luckily Kristy bought me SUMO glue Easter so I was all set. A the glue and a couple clamps and we are as good as new.

We kind of layed low this year for the fourth. Instead of fighting the mobs of people we went out to the Cheesecake Factory and then saw a movie. We got home in time to wind down and watched the fireworks from the town just east of us.

Kristy has booked the tickets for our trip to Phoenix over Labor Day. I am excited. I just wish it wasn't 8 weeks away.

Everyone enjoy your week.

Gary