AZDonna

For the past two months, I have had nothing on my mind except impending layoffs at my company. This time, I just had a feeling it was going to be me. I’ve escaped the last couple of cuts, but we had heard rumors of as much as a 30% reduction this time. No one felt safe.

Well, this morning I found out I was spared for another round. Only seven were affected at our site. There was a big cut at the Santa Clara site, and several small sites were closed. Altogether, about 15% of the employees worldwide were laid off. I’m so relieved it wasn’t me, but I’m so sorry for those who lost their jobs today.

Well, now I feel like I can relax a little. I’m going to have my little buddy, Nathan, overnight tomorrow night. I have had to stock up on some new toys. He’s just growing up so fast this year, since he started school. I found a cool toy on Amazon that had rave customer reviews, plus I got a Light Brite. Brian had one of those when he was a kid and we all had a lot of fun with it.

And Brian has a birthday this weekend. He claims it’s not a big deal, and he wants to be low key. But I think I might make him a coconut cream cake anyway. Happy Birthday to you, Brian!

I’m a little late posting these, but here are some pictures from Nathan’s and my Super Bowl party, held right here in my family room.

Our spread

Nathan took this picture

Whoops! Let's try that again and get Nonna's head this time.

Watching the pre-game

Topping it all off with fresh warm cookies

Be sure to look for Brian and Carrie in the Super Bowl crowd this Sunday. They are on their way to Tampa tomorrow. (Actually, they are flying into and staying in Orlando and driving to Tampa in a rental car.) I get to spend time this weekend with the kids. Diana, one of Lauren’s therapists, will take care of Lauren on Sunday, so Nathan and I will be watching the big game at my house.

Go Cardinals!

On my way home from work last night, I passed this. It’s about a half mile from my house.

And Kate, and Sawyer, and Locke, and Sayid, and Sun, and… Lost season premiere tonight! It’s been way too long.

I was cleaning out a junk drawer this afternoon and came across a little book that Robin made when she was in elementary school. It’s called “My Poetry Book”. The inside inscription reads “This book is dedicated to my beloved brother Brian.” Here’s the first poem:

I wish

that I could fly away to a beach

and live there for a long time

and no one

will take me home again so

I will not have to

listen to my brother.

So much for “beloved”…