New Job, New Adventure

It's my turn to post some good news. I know I have been delinquent in posting on the blog, but I have enjoyed reading it and keeping up with what has been going on. As some of you may know, but most probably don't......I have accepted a new job. I will be moving back to the Madison area. I will be starting my new job on Monday December 31st, and I am very excited. With this new position I will be Senior HelpDesk Specialist. I will not have to answer all the simple calls anymore, like my printer won't print, or I forgot my password, or can you move my computer. I will be doing second level helpdesk, which should be a little more challenging and fun. I will also get to learn more about networking and server administration. I learned networking and server stuff in school, but I haven't been able to use my skills. I am very excited to be learning new things. This is a great career move for me. In addition, I will not have a company cell phone or laptop anymore. The reason for that is because I won't be bothered after hours. I will work Monday to Friday 8 to 5, and have nights and weekends to enjoy. I am very happy about that. So I am going to start out living with Aunt Phyllis, until I find a place of my own. I am greatful that Aunt Phyllis is willing to let me stay with her for a while. It sure would be difficult to commute from here every day. So if anyone has any suggestions as to where I should be looking to move to, I am open to suggestions. Also, if there are any areas I should be staying away from, I would love to know that as well. I am going to look for a place to rent at least for 6 months, so I can get used to the area. Ideally I would like to rent a place that I have my own front door, and can have my dog. I would love to find a place like what I am living in now. I have been spoiled and it would be hard to settle for less. So I guess you probably want to know the company I will be working for......It is Hy Cite....They are a distribution company, they have the trademark on Royal Prestige and Ocean Blue products, and they control the manufacturing specifications to make sure they meet up to the standards they have set. Royal Prestige is a kitchen line, flatware, bakeware, crystal, china, etc. Ocean Blue is an air purification, water purification, and vaccuum systems. For more information you can visit their website at www.hycite.com. I look forward to seeing you all at Christmas.
Love to you all!!!
Amy

Insomnia strikes again!

Greetings again from the middle of the night...so much to think about at this time of year, and then with all that's going on around this family, and babies and cookbooks coming out (or is that cookbooks and BABIES coming out?!) Well, either way, all of the news has been positively wonderful to hear...thanks for sharing!

I am hoping that everyone is getting back to Jeff with their Christmas ideas, etc. I'm sure it is difficult to plan from that far away but I have assured him (back me up on this, Jeff!) that ALL of his siblings have been through the planning process once now and can give you all the advice you will ever need!! Truly, I wish I would have started a "manual" but I figure if I get started on it now, I'll have it done by the time it's OUR turn again :)

I guess I am happy to report that we have NO baby news at our house...lolololol! Whew...Joey would LOVE to be a big brother but I have told him in no possible way will there be a present like THAT under his Christmas tree this year...nor next year...and definitely not even the year after that! Nick and Josh are quite busy getting projects finished up at UW-Milwaukee and studying for finals (which start this weekend.) I'll be picking them up on Friday, Dec. 21st and then...the FESTIVITIES begin that night at Dad and Ginny's and continue right up until we see you all on the 29th! Meaghan is busy with getting the Sun Prairie high school yearbook ready for printing and we just ordered her graduation announcements, etc....honest to God, I cried filling out the paperwork...I do not like this part about my children leaving the nest! Anyway, she has been accepted to UW-Milwaukee also, so next September, 2008 I will have THREE children at college...the SAME college. I NEVER thought THAT would happen! Meaghan has said she can't imagine life without her brothers so I am pleased that they all still continue to be close and like each other and actually still want to see each other on a regular basis. And Joey, Joey is busy with piano lessons (another musician in the family!) and he is particularly enjoying the bowling league he is on! He just had his highest game, 135, during a City Tournament this past Sunday at Dream Lanes in Madison...that was 69 points over his average! (I'm sorry if that sounded like bragging but I just have to tell SOMEONE!)

Vince has been busy with work, and with working on the O'Connell family cookbook and I hope you all remembered to order yours. I ordered one for each of my kids thinking they would make great wedding shower gifts, yeah, like I'm going to be able to find them when THAT time comes!! I have been really busy with work, and especially the Hallmark job really kicks into high gear this time of year. I am the retail merchandiser for Hallmark at our Sun Prairie Wal-Mart and WOW, let me tell you, being in retail this time of year is NUTS!! I just want to scream to people, "slow down, enjoy the season, remember what it's REALLY about!" (But I don't because I NEED the job!) But really, it's just not about all the buying of stuff and the stressing out that they stood in line for a Wi system and only two came in on the truck...seriously, you do not want to KNOW what the THIRD person in line said to all of us! People...human nature...it's just so interesting to watch, don't you think?

Well, I think that's enough mindless rambling for now. Please keep my Aunt Ruthie in your prayers as she is recovering today from breast cancer surgery and she is truly the glue on my dad's side of the family. If you haven't been fortunate enough to meet her at one of our graduation parties, she is just the warmest, most kindest person and now, she is also my hero. She truly is one that takes lemons and makes lemonade. Lots of love to you all...and I MEAN it... :)

Our New Addition!

Good evening Everyone! ( or maybe morning by the time your reading this)

I wanted to take a minute (while I have a minute) to share with you the exciting news that has been brewing down here in Elkhorn. Mom and Dad Doucette are also going to be Grandma and Grandpa Doucette! :) My boyfriend Brian and I are expecting- yes expecting a baby! I am currently 10 weeks pregnant and way excited about it. I found out about 4 weeks ago but wanted to get past any "miscarriage zone" before I shared with everyone! I had an ultrasound today and everything looked wonderful! The baby is about an inch and a half big and kind of looks likes a cocktail shrimp (just giving you that mental picture!) I have begun to get that baby bump and the smell of coffee makes me wanna vomit. However milk has been a god-send. I can't seem to get enough of it. In the past week and a half Amy and I went through 2 gal of milk! Crazy huh! Brian and his family are equally as excited. I think he's told twice as many people as I have! I will be bringing him to Christmas with me so feel free to interrogate him then. ;) I can't wait to see you all and I hope your holidays have been as blessed as mine.

Love From-

Brenda

O'Connell Family Cookbook

The O'Connell Family cookbook is ready to go to press. We need to know like yesterday who wants one and how many. I believe they need to let the publisher (Vinny) know by Thursday, 12-06-07. Money will be collected on delivery. More Q&A below. Just comment here or e-mail me with how many books you want.

1. What is the cost of the cookbook?
Until Vince knows how many pages, how many we are ordering etc. he has to give us an estimate but you can let everyone know they will be in the $10 range (his original thought was around $9).
2. When do you need to know how many our family (that includes your siblings and parents please) want to order?
We would like to know by the end of the day THIS THURSDAY so that I can get the info to Vince.
I don't need to know how many each person is getting- just a total for your family.
3. When will the cookbooks be ready?
Vince said that they should be ready by next Friday, December 14.
4. Where will the cookbooks be delivered?
I will sort them into 7 boxes (one for each family) and then talk to whomever the contact person your family elects to receive the books to figure out delivery. I'll pay for all of the books up front so will need to pick up the money from the person who receives your families order when they are picked up or delivered so it's up to them how they'll collect the money after that.
5. When will we know "exactly" how much the cookbooks are so that we can start to collect the $?
Vince will get that information to me and I'll let you know ASAP, probably the first part of next week.
6. What if we don't order enough and need more?
You'll want to order on the high side to prevent this. A minimum order is 50 books and if you ordered a quantity that small the cost goes up considerably, not to say it can't be done but you should know up front that they are more expensive.
7. When should I let you know the contact person for delivering our families books?
You can let me know as soon as you know, preferably before the 14th .

New Addition to the Family

On December 4, 2007 at 1:45 p.m. Bill and Beth became Grandpa and Grandma to baby Dylan James. He is 22" inches long and weighs 9 lb 6 oz!!!!! Jesse, Cassie and baby are doing fine. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!