Monday Musings...

Monday mornings come so quickly after the long-awaited, eagerly anticipated weekend. The routine (and not so routine) tasks of the Verizon Customer Care department consume more than the normal 8 hours a day. Today I left work at 6:45 p.m. arriving home shortly after 7:00 p.m. Too exhausted to work out on my treadmill after a very long day at the office, I resorted to a small snack with John, a glass of chardonnay, and a crossword puzzle on the couch. John snoozed through an episode of CSI Miami. Karen was over at Dave's apartment working out. I enjoyed the quiet of my living room, although I would have much preferred the company of Mike and Rachel, Karen and Dave, and Sarah. If you are reading this blog, please know that I miss you all terribly!

I spent five days in Phoenix, Arizona last week. The first day was spent visiting Gerald and Gladys Vendsel in Mesa. Gerry is now 84 years old, recovering from a serious circulatory disease. His mind is very sharp, and while he shows his 84 years, he is just as spry and amusing as ever...he's always had a dry sense of humour, so much like his son, Walt! Gladys was as hospitable as ever...she even altered a pair of dress slacks for me while we visited on their back patio overlooking the beautiful greens of the golf course. She leaves for a three-week boat trip in China in October. She adores traveling and I'm so envious of the wonderful trips she has taken. I do hope the Lord blesses me with the same quality of life when I am her age.

The Verizon conference in Phoenix was very enjoyable. This was one time I was able to sit back and enjoy the presentations rather than having to deliver one. My boss was the presenter this time, and she did an awesome job. There were about 200 people in attendance, from all over the U.S. She recognized my colleague, Jeff Merten, and me, and it was very nice to get the public recognition. When I attend these events, I'm always motivated to push forward, move further up the corporate ladder, and make some kind of name for myself! BUT...that desire does wane somewhat when I return to the routine! I would welcome a job promotion one day, although I'm very happy with my present position, and I enjoy the people I work with. The older I get, the more I realize how blessed I am to have had this many years with the Company.

We attended the small, growing OPC church in Bedford on Sunday. I enjoy the people there...many old friends from Colleyville Presbyterian Church. But, I so miss the preaching and teaching from PCPC. I wonder if there is a happy medium.

We made travel plans to Cancun for Johnny and Jessica's wedding on November 5th. It should be a gala affair! While I wince at spending that much money to go to a wedding, we need to be there, and I know it will be a beautiful few days in the tropical sun and on the beachfront.

Thanksgiving will find the Vendsel/Greenfield clan in different parts of the country. Sarah will travel to be with Mike and Rachel in Philadelphia. Karen and Dave will travel to Portland to be with Walt and Pam. I'll be in the northwest on business the week of November 13th; John will join me in Seattle for my birthday. We'll eat at Joe's Crab Shack on the Puget Sound with Caroline, and then we'll travel to San Francisco to visit Dr. and Mrs. Johnny Greenfield. We'll have Thanksgiving with my mother and sisters in Santa Rosa, and then come home to Grapevine the next day.

I so enjoy reading your blogs - Mike, Rachel, and Sarah! I smile, laugh, and sometimes shed a tear or two (or three).

Saturday Karen and I will be spending the day with her photographer; she's having her wedding portraits taken! We'll send you some kind of sneak preview, pending her permission.

I just finished a book called The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd. Enjoyable reading; very different. I liked her first book better, The Secret Life of Bees. I've also read three novels by Jody Picoult. She's a terrific writer and her themes are very contemporary and sometimes controversial. BUT...she engages her reader, and it's so much fun to try to second-guess the outcome. I've not been successful yet...probably why I enjoy her writing so much.

More later...time to get ready for another day at the Verizon Villa!