Almost New Years

 Oh hi Joe,

How was the week? I must say, this Christmas week was a welcome respite from the worries of joblessness, though it still haunts. Monday morning I did job search stuff. There are jobs out there, it’s just a matter of them wanting someone at the end of their career instead of someone a little (a lot) younger. I spent the afternoon caulking the wainscoting I had done, mom can’t understand why it takes me so long, actually, I can’t understand it either. I must say that caulking is my least favorite part of the process. It was fun talking to you on Monday, as it always is, you seem content, which makes a dad happy.

Tuesday was more of a hangout day with mom and your brothers. I spent the morning priming the wainscoting, then got ready for the Christmas Eve at uncle Steven’s. It was actually pretty nice, his house is big with lots of space to sit and visit. We mostly visited with uncle Tim, aunt Lithia, and Mark. I did get to chat with uncle David for a while too, which I really enjoyed.

After the party we went to the Bob Dylan movie, A Complete Unknown. I surprisingly really enjoyed it. Now, as you may know, I’ve never really been a huge Bob Dylan fan, this movie kind of put him in a historical and musical context for me, which helped. I actually listed to, and enjoyed my first listen to a Bob Dylan record in my life the next day. My brother is probably feeling pretty smug from the other side, I used to hate it when he’d play Dylan records on my stereo.

Christmas morning we got up not that early. The boys opened their gifts, if they were disappointed by the light haul, the didn’t show it. Jacob got a jaws Lego, which he just finished today. He also got some clothes. Ben got a headphone amp for his guitar and he seems pleased with it. He also got a guitar stand and some clothes. I got mom a new iPad, the cheapest available, Ben got her a cast iron skillet and Jacob got her a gift certificate. Your brothers got me some pretty good vinyl including ELO, Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen, and Paul McCartney. Artie bought your brothers an early Beatles album too. 

We got dressed and went to grandmas Christmas breakfast, which was the usual deliciousness. Most of your cousins came in pajamas, which I cannot do. We came home for a little and we were off to aunt Patti’s house. She had all kinds of deliciousness and treats. My aunt and uncle came and it was so nice to be together. We stayed and visited for a while which was really fun. Christmas is the best, it’s all about family.

Thursday uncle David invited me to lunch with him and uncle Tim and uncle Steven. He had planned to meet at 11 at Texas Roadhouse, but it was closed until four so he decided on La Fountain. Uncle Tim and Steven didn’t show up until noon, so I had an hour to chat with uncle David. He’s actually a really cool person and I enjoyed the time alone with him. The rest of the day I just put up another coat of primer. 

Friday I got up and applied for a couple of jobs. Then we just hung out and I got a coat of regular white paint on the wainscoting. 

Saturday mom and I got up to go to uncle Aaron’s father’s funeral. The Coopers are a great family and they’re dad seems like the example of being a disciple and father that I would like to be. The service and talks were good, it kinda reminded me of grandpas. There was a guy in their ward, Steve Grigg, that was a great mentor of mine at my first job after college at an ad agency. It was so fun to catch up with him. He was just as kind now as he was then. In addition to the help he gave me, he always had a fun edge to him. It made me so happy to see him and it was actually really bolstering to have someone I respect so much treat me so kindly. As I feel lost looking for a job I have to believe there are people like that willing to help out.

Artie and Patti invited us to lunch, so we went to my cousins restaurant for tacos. We got home and I got the last coat of paint on the wainscoting. Now I need to figure out how to get that weird space over the wall in our room painted. It’s high and awkward.

Today was a normal Sunday. We had tamales for dinner. I listened to a couple of the albums I got with your brothers, I love listening to albums with you guys. I’m just finishing this letter up now while watching a Hallmark Christmas romance with your mother about the Kansas City Chiefs…I’m not making that up. I can hear your brothers playing Billy Joel songs together in the music room, now that makes me happy.

Well my handsome and hardworking boy, I sure love you. Talk tomorrow!

Pops