Christmas 2001 will be a special time to focus on our blessings and give thanks. Like much of the country, this year's unexpected events and tragedies have made us much more aware of just how transient our lives and our blessings can be. As the year comes to a close, our family is closer than ever and hopefully ready for the New Year ahead.
The beginning of 2001 found us housed in an apartment, rebuilding and recovering from our house fire in November 2000. The rebuild took four months and we moved home in April. Or course, the house was still a bit disheveled - the movers and cleaners had put things in their places - sort of.
We've worked throughout the year to put things back where they really belong and replace most of the damaged third floor furnishings. Dylan is thrilled to have the third floor recreation room put back together with the rebuilt pool table, a new desk and some comfy furniture. The neighborhood boys regularly climb the stairs to play up there. Just the way we like it!
February 8 brought the close of the Union Carbide - Dow Chemical merger. Within days, Dow began implementing their plans to cut 40% of the former UCC work force. Jan and Bob had both indicated interest in the generous early retirement and severance package.
On February 15, Jan received notice of her package. She retired March 30. Of course, it was a shock to leave coworkers at a company that has employed you for 25 years. But friends quickly recruited her for a new job that seems to be a great fit. In May, she joined RMT, Inc., an environmental consulting firm in Houston. She is managing their Houston and Beaumont operations.
Bob will also be taking the retirement and severance package. He will be with Dow through January 2003. "13 months and 15 days", but who's counting?
After years of work on community projects, Katie's entire Girl Scout Troop earned their Gold Awards. They were honored last winter and spring in what seemed a never ending round of ceremonies locally, regionally and in Austin. A week after the last award ceremony, the troop took one last trip together - to Hawaii. They had been saving their cookie and garage sale funds since the 7th grade. That's a lot of cookies.