The Hand HeraldDebbie has had a dynamic year, starting three new jobs and stopping one, in addition to running the Hand household. After several years of providing occasional weekend coverage in area nursing homes as an occupational therapist, Debbie took a part-time position at UNC Hospitals in the day rehab department in May. Working at UNC let her build her contacts in the rehab world and gave her more experience in a hospital setting and outside the nursing home. However, the limited university parking turned a potential 10 minute commute into a 30-minute exercise in work-bus schedule coordination, among other drawbacks. In October, she interviewed for another part-time position at the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Durham, accepted a subsequent offer, and started December 1st. Despite being in Durham, the total commute is about the same, and she is really enjoying the atmosphere. Debbie's third job is doing legwork and general contracting for the log home her parents are building in the next county. It is quite an experience, full of ups and downs, but Debbie is rising to and enjoying the challenges. She looks forward to the day this summer when the tangible results of her project management skills will be realized.
With Debbie's new position at UNC, and subsequent position at the VA hospital, Pete moved in the fall to a new preschool, the Chapel Hill Cooperative Preschool, which has a schedule that fits with Debbie's. Pete continues to thrill to cars and trucks and practically anything blue, and has expanded his interest to superheroes--Batman, Spiderman, Superman, and Power Rangers figure prominently in his wardrobe (mostly pajamas) and/or conversation. Pete stopped using diapers during the day late last year, and discontinued nighttime emergency backup safety measures in October with little fanfare. Having just celebrated his 4th birthday, Pete is currently learning to write his name.
Katie Rose finished kindergarten with flying colors, and is now in first grade, but reading at an end-of-second-grade level. Her handwriting and drawing continue to show well-developed fine-motor coordination and attention to detail. She enjoys drawing, and has a portfolio that includes still life, landscapes, and even abstract art. In August, she lost her first tooth.
Joey changed positions at IBM in July, moving out of the accounting organization and into the Finance Information Technology area, which helps manage how the finance systems should change and improve. Joey also continues to teach one of the adult Sunday school classes at Evergreen United Methodist Church. In August, we debated whether Joey should replace his trustworthy but aging 1986 Cannondale bicycle or his gracefully aging 1990 Mazda MX-6. After watching Lance Armstrong win a fifth Tour de France, Joey got a new bike and decided to keep the Mazda until at least next summer. Another Cannondale--a 2002 R4000Si--the new bike is quite a step up from his old R600: Indeed, he has a hard time keeping up with it if he goes too long without riding it. However, three months later after years of loyal service, the ignition system in the Mazda went out. The first repair attempt failed, and continuing repair estimates went into multiples of the car's value. As a result, the Mazda was sold to the mechanic for cost of repairs thus far, and a red 2001 Honda Prelude made its debut in our garage. Unfortunately, 10 days after we got it, a deer attempted crossing the road on a curve as Joey was coming home late from work, leaving Joey uninjured, but leaving the Prelude with a crumpled front end. Luckily during all of this, a backup car that belongs to Debbie's parents has been available. They needed a place to store their Jaguar XJS until their NC house is built, and Joey is "leasing" his space in our garage for a mileage allowance on the Jaguar. After nearly a month, the Honda is now back, and as good as new, we're pleased to report.