We just received the "Flashes of Hope" pictures, which I have uploaded to this site.  These pictures were at Chase's last doctors appointment in January.  This is something new that the Children's Hospital has put into place since they added on the new addition.  This is a remarkable idea that they have put into place.  Those of you that know me know that I took thousands of pictures while Chase was undergoing treatments but we never took the time to have family photos done.  I know there was a variety of reasons as to why we didn't have them done but I wonder how many families that are enduring a life threatening illness, even consider having family photos done?  This is an awesome gift and one that will be cherished forever.  Many thanks go out to the American Family Children's Hospital and to the photographer that donated his time that day taking our photos. 

Mark your calendars............Saturday, May 30th I will be hosting a Lia Sophia FUNDRAISER for WALK WITH GRACE (Greater Richland Area Cancer Elimination).  This will be an open house setting from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m held at our house in Muscoda.  If you can't make it but would like to view their catalog please view their website at www.liasophia.com.  All orders can be placed directly with the representative and shipped to your home.  The representatives name is Tonia and her email address is as follows:  tfeiner@wildblue.net 

This years walk for Walk with GRACE will be held on Friday, August 14th and continue through the night until the following Saturday morning.  Through all the fundraising efforts that was done, last years total amount raised was over $208,000.  I can't remember the exact percentage but a good portion of what is raised each year is donated to local cancer patients and their families to help them with bills, medical expenses, gas, food....  It truly is an amazing organization and we are proud to give them our support in whatever small way we can.

Chase is doing well.  This semester at college is going much better for him.  Whew - that first one was a doozy.  Chase also works in the food service department on campus and was given a promotion earlier this year.  I keep hoping that his new culinary skills will come home with him and he will cook us a meal.  So far nothing other than his weekly laundry.  

Chuck is now working for Rawson.  This company is based out of Milwaukees and took on any remaining Henshue employees when Henshue closed its doors.  Chuck started back to work 2-3 weeks ago and is wondering about the stability of this company.  His crew has had to purchase supplies needed for the jobs they are working on and the gas needed for the truck because their cards don't work.  Hours are missing from pay periods and just some other things that crop up that has him skeptical.  I told him to give it another month and hopefully the bugs will work themselves out.  Transition is never easy.

I posted into a new job at work.  I went from being the Secretary /Accounts Payable in our office to Fiscal Clerk which means I process the payroll in the County and handle all the benefits.  Lots to learn with this new job but will be waiting with baited breath on whether or not I will get to keep this job because of the union.  There were 2 other ladies that posted to this position that have more seniority than me and it sounds like they will both be filing a grievance.  The one lady does not want to file a grievance and stated so during the union meeting but certain people are pushing her to file a grievance anyway.   

Since I have never gone through anything like this, I asked what could happen to me if this grievance is filed and one of the ladies wins.  Am I out a job or do I just go back to my old job because the contract does not state what happens.  I was told that I would be "bumped" out of my current job and depending on who was hired for my old position would determine if I could "bump" back into my old job.   This just all really sucks!  I love my job, my department and the people that I work with.  I just wanted to be a better asset to the department when I posted for the position and depending on how the union decides, I may end up losing my job and the department that I am in.  Life sure comes at you in funny ways sometimes.  Oh well, I have to keep faith. It's worked for our family so far.

Our foreign exchange student Zafer is doing well.  Currently he is out for track and has been trying his hand at Pole Vaulting.  Tomorrow will be the first meet that he will be trying out his new skills.  He just finished with drama where they performed "An Evening with Edgar Allen Poe".  Zafer got to play an old guy that died.  He did great!  Prom is this weekend and he is taking a girl from Richland Center as his date.  He also participated in Forensics and just missed going to state by just a point.  

That about brings you up to speed with the happenings in our family.  Overall things are doing great!  I hope this finds you and your family doing well.  Keep the faith.

Tami