The Complete Johnson

Howdy....have been blogging elsewhere, but since I like Nate and Maria's blog so much, I pasted all old entries here too. Hope that doesn't violate some cyber law. Guess I'll find out. :-)

Friday, October 12, 2007
The fam has landed

We arrived in Flagstaff Aug 13th or so. The first motel we stayed at had a worker murdered by his ex-wife. So we moved to the Bates Motel. Seriously, something had died or something and the stench was unbelieveable. I slept on top of the covers. The next place was very nice, but the guy next door was a Hell's Angel. He said "Oh, the cops might get here soon looking for me, just thought you might want to know." Luckily, at that point we found our new home and moved out of the motel.
We live in the country, about 6 miles outside Flagstaff. There are no street lights, so you can actually see the Milky Way. That also means you can't go out walking after dark. There are black and white cats around here, ya know what I mean? There is also a bit of a plague issue so the animals have to stay inside the fenced area, or just inside the fence to keep them away from the infested prairie dogs. That darned cat believes no one, certainly not her humans, has the right to control her comings and goings, so she sneaks out like a teenager going to a kegger. Grabs a mouse or two and then comes back in.
Puppy is not so lucky. He did run away from Dave once and very quickly snagged a prairie dog, but it was screaming and putting up a fight, so it didn't look like a "sick" prairie dog. Turns out, Pup had bigger issues. He somehow managed to break one of his hind legs. We have no idea how that happened...he was playing around one minute and yelping in pain the next. So, he is at the Doggie Hospital recovering from surgery. He comes home tomorrow with a pinned leg and a lampshade around his neck.
I found work in the NICU here, so have been back to work since Sept 10. Its going well. Very nice co-workers, nice unit, nice variety of patients. Dave and the kids are in Christmas Carol here, with Dave playing Scrooge. That should be fun. The kids have settled into school at Mt Elden Middle School. AJ still detests school, Viv still enjoys helping her teachers etc.
Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, I'd like to tell everyone about a great website...http://www.caringbridge.org. If you go there, type in "bridgethansen" in the search box (leave off the quotation marks). She is a friend who is putting up a heck of a fight against the beast, and her journal entries and those made by her sisters on her behalf are awe-inspiring.


Saturday, August 04, 2007
Hi ho, hi ho, its off to _____ we go!

Fill in the blank, we are off to _____________. So far, it looks like Flagstaff, but maybe the Sedona area. Waiting to hear from a Flagstaff hospice and the Flagstaff hospital. The hospice job sounds more rewarding and meaningful, the hospital job probably pays better. And the area is quite expensive, so its a tough call, but at this point in life, I'm leaning toward meaning, rather than money.

Mom's house sale is final. We no longer own 4004 Hall St. 42 years, give or take. Like sister Corrine said...the memories of the home can't be sold, we just sold the building. But I'm still more sad than I expected. The woman that bought it is a perfect fit for the house though. Mom would be proud and pleased with the new owner, I am sure. Still, to think no more Christmases there, no more Easter egg hunts there, etc brings a tear to my eye.


Wednesday, July 25, 2007
who da boss?

Me. I'm now working as manager of radiology and xray, both of which I know nothin' about technically. But I know people, and there are some fine ones in both areas. They seem to be in need of a fresh infusion of energy and there are lots of issues dangling around, so work time goes fast. Hopefully I can make things better for the staff, the hospital and the patients. Maybe yes, maybe no, but I will certainly give it my best.
meanwhile, and this is no secret, we are looking to relocate. Raton just isn't it for us. Right now we're looking at Flagstaff area. The adventure continues! Stay turned...

Tuesday, April 03, 2007
The realities of life versus real estate

Ok, I'm in Rapid City again, this time without mate or kids. Why? My Mom is in Hospice and I am her fulltime caregiver. This way she can be in her house til she's done on this earth, just like she wants. She has a fantastic Dr for an advocate and he helped our family get her home and snuggled into bed.
Taking care of her, I realize how relatively meaningless the whole real estate drama is. The house sale fell through again, and the potential buyers had been renting. That seemed like a good idea AT THE TIME. Then their financing collapsed with the fall of the subprimes. Now the wife has turned into Glenn Close or something. Threatening realtors with angry attack dogs, when the "dogs" are the size of large squirrels, etc. Psycho. And I could really care less. I just want to go hug my Mom again, while I still can.So, if you can, go hug your Mom. Life is good.


Wednesday, August 30, 2006
takin' it as it comes
We're officially on the market. The real estate market that is. Our humble home is priced right and has marvelous curb appeal. Alas, the funky basement layout is putting people off. Its funk, people, deal with it. The price is right! Hoping that when people look at other stuff in this price range they'll re-think their aversion to funk.
The jobs in Raton should be starting to shake loose here soon. Had to wait for a posting to close before they can decide if I get an interview for my first choice of jobs. But I will happily accept whatever it takes to get the fam on the road.


Tuesday, April 18, 2006
My First Blog

Nothing to say really, just trying to get the hang of this blogging stuff.
Sky! Sage!
You guys rock. I am so proud of both of you! Will send happy thoughts your way on Thursday! I emailed Chris that Sage may be contacting her by email re Thursday. The email I gave you was right...its a dot com.
Did I mention we are going to Roswell on vacation? July. July in New Mexico.