Sunday, November 16, 2008
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
2007 Highlights & Challenges
Like most years for us, we’ve had some ups and some downs. Luckily the ups were in all the important things in life – staying healthy, gaining a new granddaughter, keeping the bills paid, and trying hard to serve others when ever and where ever we can.
Jim has continued working for Sac County Probation Dept. helping families in crisis. Not an uplifting job dealing with all the harsh realities of broken families, violence and addictions but it’s good to have programs like this for people who feel they have no where to turn. He keeps sane by participating in the Sac Choral Society, performing in concerts, and practicing and playing the organ whenever he can.
And patience does pay off – after six years of being on the Folsom Marina waiting list for a slip, Jim finally got the call. We were all so excited to put the sailboat in the water, and lots of us sailed frequently…until August when the lake was too low and we had to pull it out again. Is there something wrong with resenting paying a slip fee when the boat is sitting in the parking lot? The lake is still almost empty. Come on rain and snow.
Karen started out the year going to New York City to attend a work conference. From the city Jim and I went to DC and visited Renee and Nat and did a little touring of the Capitol. After that trip I worked back and forth from home to San Francisco until April. Then my company sold out to a huge corporation, changed their focus to the east coast, and my west coast team had to relocate or move on. Needless to say, I’m not moving to the east coast so I moved on. One door closed and another opened. Miraculously, I had a new job offer that same day and am now working for a firm just down the street from my home in Folsom. I can see the roof of the building from my window at home. So spoiled, first the fantasy consulting job and now I work just down the street.
In April I gathered four of the daughters and went to Reno to a women’s conference. It was nice to be with the girls and have a little fun together. In May Jim and I took a long vacation to Italy with some friends. We had some incredible spontaneous experiences in the form of a couple of incredible concerts with world class performers in Venice and in Rome. So much to do and see there, and the food was great every where we went, not to mention the helado (ice cream). Our annual trip to Kauai is always a break from the fast pace of California living but Italy was a cultural delight for us. We were also able to get in a weekend in Tahoe with the Hoffmans and Manzers. We’ve been getting together for around 20 years…can that really be true?
2007 events recap:
The Afghan and Iraq wars continue with seemingly insurmountable problems and then unbelievably there’s a glimmer of hope at the current moment. We have a friend in the field in Afghanistan and the updates are worrisome and hopeful all in one bundle. We all hope for some type of resolution over the next couple of years.
The upcoming elections of 2008 are already driving us crazy. This campaign interesting in many ways, a woman, an African-American, and a Mormon running as a presidential candidates; Renee's uncle in-law is Senator Chris Dodd also running for the big job. It’s great following how the different conservative factions are dealing with the dilemma of wanting a conservative but not particularly thrilled about him being a Mormon. On the dems side day to day the fight goes up and down dramatically for different candidates. Any way, I’m trying not to be too cynical about the whole process and to keep an open mind, which is very hard to do considering I live in California, which is in a constant state of government turmoil.
Global warming, or climate change – Don’t care, don’t think changing a light bulb will solve anything except GE’s profit margin. I just don't think we have that much control over the elements and mother nature. When Gore gives up his jets I’ll think about it again. I remember when we had the global freezing frenzy, and the population bomb nonsense, and why aren’t we building nuclear power plants right now?
OK, I’ll admit it I might be losing it, and nothing I say should be taken as anyone’s gospel, as just the other day I dreamed the lyrics to a great tragic country song...where’d that come from, it rhymed and everything.
Update on Fisher Kids and Families:
Kendal - A couple of times we visited Seattle where their family now lives so Christian can be close to his job at Microsoft empire HQ. Kendal is teaching seminary and the kids, Audrey, Preston, Nick and Josh, are very into sports and scouts. We do miss having them closer. They drove down in August and we had all eight children and families in one place for a few days. We even got a family photo taken thanks to Angie and Lisa who have been doing more professional photography work lately.
Lisa is in her Relief Society presidency and her husband, Jared, had a surprise job transition but it all worked out and their four kids are doing great, Evey now in high school, Seth playing sports and the saxophone, Jessa excelling in everything, and Whitney getting ready for school.
Justin has continued to build up his web development skills and business. He’s at that fork in the road when he must decide to license his software or jump on board with his biggest client as an employee - tough decision for him.
Angie and Eric are still in Clovis where Eric works at Fresno State Univ. trying to get a forensics master program going. Ben, Cam, and Daphne are growing fast and enjoying their new pool, a must in central California. Angie is getting more experience with her photography.
Ben has five kids (Ananda, Addison, Gabe, Leah, Nolan) works two jobs and still draws whenever he can. He won the UPS award for best company art work, mostly drawn on his down time from supervising the unloading of the jets at Mather. His day job is Internet marketing design for SkinStore.com. Laurie is working hard to keep up with her little ones by distance running along side their oldest daughter Ananda.
Melanie has her eBay vintage clothing store up and running in her garage, and she is the thrift store shopping queen. Her husband Justin still has a high stress job as the CTO of a finance company here in Sacramento. We do see him now and then. Alex has an incredible gift for art and Hanna reminds us of Melanie, she can’t wait to be in dance class and loves her shoes and accessories.
Cheleyne kept on managing the office at Tricks up until the baby was about due in September. Hyrum works two jobs, UPS in the early morning and an insurance company during the day. Soccer gives him some relief and they do lots of family outings. Baby Savannah had a rough start but is doing perfectly now. Keeping lovey dovey big sister Charlotte at a safe distance is her biggest problem. Charlotte’s social and lesson schedule keeps her hopping every day.
Renee has been working at the Hyatt but lately has taken on editing test questions from home. Nat has been making steady progress in his master’s program at George Mason in Virginia. They love their little dog, Gus, who seems to be the master of the house at the moment. They both occasionally help Senator Dodd with his campaigning. We miss them a lot but know they are working hard to get through this education phase.
Life is good, hard work, but good.
k-7 Over and out for now.
Jim has continued working for Sac County Probation Dept. helping families in crisis. Not an uplifting job dealing with all the harsh realities of broken families, violence and addictions but it’s good to have programs like this for people who feel they have no where to turn. He keeps sane by participating in the Sac Choral Society, performing in concerts, and practicing and playing the organ whenever he can.
And patience does pay off – after six years of being on the Folsom Marina waiting list for a slip, Jim finally got the call. We were all so excited to put the sailboat in the water, and lots of us sailed frequently…until August when the lake was too low and we had to pull it out again. Is there something wrong with resenting paying a slip fee when the boat is sitting in the parking lot? The lake is still almost empty. Come on rain and snow.
Karen started out the year going to New York City to attend a work conference. From the city Jim and I went to DC and visited Renee and Nat and did a little touring of the Capitol. After that trip I worked back and forth from home to San Francisco until April. Then my company sold out to a huge corporation, changed their focus to the east coast, and my west coast team had to relocate or move on. Needless to say, I’m not moving to the east coast so I moved on. One door closed and another opened. Miraculously, I had a new job offer that same day and am now working for a firm just down the street from my home in Folsom. I can see the roof of the building from my window at home. So spoiled, first the fantasy consulting job and now I work just down the street.
In April I gathered four of the daughters and went to Reno to a women’s conference. It was nice to be with the girls and have a little fun together. In May Jim and I took a long vacation to Italy with some friends. We had some incredible spontaneous experiences in the form of a couple of incredible concerts with world class performers in Venice and in Rome. So much to do and see there, and the food was great every where we went, not to mention the helado (ice cream). Our annual trip to Kauai is always a break from the fast pace of California living but Italy was a cultural delight for us. We were also able to get in a weekend in Tahoe with the Hoffmans and Manzers. We’ve been getting together for around 20 years…can that really be true?
2007 events recap:
The Afghan and Iraq wars continue with seemingly insurmountable problems and then unbelievably there’s a glimmer of hope at the current moment. We have a friend in the field in Afghanistan and the updates are worrisome and hopeful all in one bundle. We all hope for some type of resolution over the next couple of years.
The upcoming elections of 2008 are already driving us crazy. This campaign interesting in many ways, a woman, an African-American, and a Mormon running as a presidential candidates; Renee's uncle in-law is Senator Chris Dodd also running for the big job. It’s great following how the different conservative factions are dealing with the dilemma of wanting a conservative but not particularly thrilled about him being a Mormon. On the dems side day to day the fight goes up and down dramatically for different candidates. Any way, I’m trying not to be too cynical about the whole process and to keep an open mind, which is very hard to do considering I live in California, which is in a constant state of government turmoil.
Global warming, or climate change – Don’t care, don’t think changing a light bulb will solve anything except GE’s profit margin. I just don't think we have that much control over the elements and mother nature. When Gore gives up his jets I’ll think about it again. I remember when we had the global freezing frenzy, and the population bomb nonsense, and why aren’t we building nuclear power plants right now?
OK, I’ll admit it I might be losing it, and nothing I say should be taken as anyone’s gospel, as just the other day I dreamed the lyrics to a great tragic country song...where’d that come from, it rhymed and everything.
Update on Fisher Kids and Families:
Kendal - A couple of times we visited Seattle where their family now lives so Christian can be close to his job at Microsoft empire HQ. Kendal is teaching seminary and the kids, Audrey, Preston, Nick and Josh, are very into sports and scouts. We do miss having them closer. They drove down in August and we had all eight children and families in one place for a few days. We even got a family photo taken thanks to Angie and Lisa who have been doing more professional photography work lately.
Lisa is in her Relief Society presidency and her husband, Jared, had a surprise job transition but it all worked out and their four kids are doing great, Evey now in high school, Seth playing sports and the saxophone, Jessa excelling in everything, and Whitney getting ready for school.
Justin has continued to build up his web development skills and business. He’s at that fork in the road when he must decide to license his software or jump on board with his biggest client as an employee - tough decision for him.
Angie and Eric are still in Clovis where Eric works at Fresno State Univ. trying to get a forensics master program going. Ben, Cam, and Daphne are growing fast and enjoying their new pool, a must in central California. Angie is getting more experience with her photography.
Ben has five kids (Ananda, Addison, Gabe, Leah, Nolan) works two jobs and still draws whenever he can. He won the UPS award for best company art work, mostly drawn on his down time from supervising the unloading of the jets at Mather. His day job is Internet marketing design for SkinStore.com. Laurie is working hard to keep up with her little ones by distance running along side their oldest daughter Ananda.
Melanie has her eBay vintage clothing store up and running in her garage, and she is the thrift store shopping queen. Her husband Justin still has a high stress job as the CTO of a finance company here in Sacramento. We do see him now and then. Alex has an incredible gift for art and Hanna reminds us of Melanie, she can’t wait to be in dance class and loves her shoes and accessories.
Cheleyne kept on managing the office at Tricks up until the baby was about due in September. Hyrum works two jobs, UPS in the early morning and an insurance company during the day. Soccer gives him some relief and they do lots of family outings. Baby Savannah had a rough start but is doing perfectly now. Keeping lovey dovey big sister Charlotte at a safe distance is her biggest problem. Charlotte’s social and lesson schedule keeps her hopping every day.
Renee has been working at the Hyatt but lately has taken on editing test questions from home. Nat has been making steady progress in his master’s program at George Mason in Virginia. They love their little dog, Gus, who seems to be the master of the house at the moment. They both occasionally help Senator Dodd with his campaigning. We miss them a lot but know they are working hard to get through this education phase.
Life is good, hard work, but good.
k-7 Over and out for now.
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Other Family Sites and Blogs
http://summerhaysfam.blogspot.com/ (Cheleyne's family)
http://summerhayssports.wordpress.com/ (Hyrum's sports stuff)
http://luu80t.spaces.live.com/PersonalSpace.aspx (Kendal's family)
http://fisherplanet.com/ (Ben's family)
http://stores.ebay.com/calimode (Melanie's eBay store)
http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/store.aspx?p=49813 (Angie's Photography)
http://summerhayssports.wordpress.com/ (Hyrum's sports stuff)
http://luu80t.spaces.live.com/PersonalSpace.aspx (Kendal's family)
http://fisherplanet.com/ (Ben's family)
http://stores.ebay.com/calimode (Melanie's eBay store)
http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/store.aspx?p=49813 (Angie's Photography)
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Jim & Karen Fisher Family Blog
This photo was taken in August at Lembi Park in Folsom. All were present but two grandkids who were visiting relatives back east at the time. A gathering of the family isn't that easy anymore but we try. Thanks to Angie and Lisa we were even color coordinated for the photo.Everyone has a comfy home and an honest livelihood, and we all understand that as an extended family we are all helping to raise a generation of loving human beings to bless the world with their talents and service. We know this is the greatest legacy.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)