A Trickle of Random Thoughts: Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from Chatham!

Yes, it’s true – after just a bit over nine years in Springfield, we packed up and moved 11.6 miles south and east to our new home.

The year had a few other exciting moments too, but mostly they centered around our quest to move and the aftermath of moving.

We started the year off sadly – Lucy, the pet I adopted as a single man, who had patiently adjusted to a wife, two kids and a move, died on what would have been my parents 50^th wedding anniversary.

Not long afterward, we decided that if we were ever going to sell our house, we’d need to remodel it. . . so through the winter we decided what would go and what would stay, and then over a two-week period in February and March, we moved out (Thanks for loaning us your place, Dad!) while workers replaced all of the interior doors, replaced the carpet and flooring in the bathroom and laundry room and painted all of the walls and ceilings. When the weather warmed up a bit, we touched up the exterior paint and put the house on the market.

We can assure you that nothing reminds you of the comforts of home so much as the need to keep that home clean and ready at a moment’s notice to be staged for a realtor and potential buyer. Indeed, at least twice we had zero notice (once, literally as we were pre-heating a skillet to prepare dinner).

And we also discovered that the only thing more stressful than attempting to sell a home, is the panic of realizing you’re closing the sale of your home in 40 days and haven’t yet found a place to buy.

But in July, it all worked out (with a final burst of confusion . . . NEVER schedule roofers, electricians and movers all on the same day) – and over the course of a week, we packed everything, moved it, unpacked it and settled into our new home.

We’re still adjusting – but we’ve got great neighbors and the boys are loving their new schools. Joshua, particularly. (His old school was notable for being the first school in Springfield IL to be built with indoor plumbing, in 1915. The new building was built in 1995.)

We’ve managed to do the typical Springfield things – we attended minor league hockey and baseball games this year (although we managed to miss high school football – there’s always next year), and we spent a day at the State Fair. Although, our State Fair visit was enlivened when newly elected Governor Bruce Rauner arrived unannounced at the Dairy Building just as the boys were finishing their milkshakes. (For those keeping score, Joshua’s shaken hands with the last two governors now.)

We’ve all been remarkably healthy this year, and the boys are continuing to do what boys do best – eat and grow.

We’re continuing our involvement with Scouting – Joshua’s been proudly serving as a leader in his den this fall (although he’s ready to hand the responsibilities to someone else come January) and John finished his time as a Cub Scout by earning all of the awards available to him and joining one of the Boy Scout Troops in Chatham on December 17. Patrick’s continuing to volunteer much more than Karen would like, serving as a Pack Committee Member, Assistant Den Leader in Joshua’s Den, and “fill-in” Den Leader for the boys a year younger than Joshua. At the same time, he’s continuing his work on the District Staff, and just added a role as a Troop Committee Member for John’s new troop. Karen’s serving as Pack 38’s Chaplain, and spent the fall leading 9 young men through their “God and Family” awards, and 11 first through third graders in their “God and Me” award in one long December day. She’s also joined the Troop Committee for John’s troop.

As if her Scouting wasn’t enough, Karen has been carefully adjusting her diet and exercise, and has lost 40 pounds since May. She’s also added more hours in her job with Dennis Foot and Ankle Center, returning to patient care part of the time, while serving as Office Manager the rest of the time. And still working as an Outpatient Therapist at Lincoln Prairie Behavioral Health Center. She’s now the longest-serving therapist in her department.

We’re hoping that this note finds you well, and that you’re celebrating the joys of the season.

With much love,

Patrick, Karen, John and Joshua