Hello from Gretchen

Hello Dear Ones! Jaye, what a wonderful job you've done with the blog site! I love the old pictures. I wish we could all get together more often, and I miss talking with all of you! Let me get you up-to-date on our lives here in Richmond...
Mike is working at Ivy Tech as a manager for Work Force Development. I think it has been an adjustment to work for someone else other than himself. He likes the people he is working with, and I think for the most part he likes the content of the work. He still shuttles back and forth between there and the print shop. Thank God for Ronda and Mom and Dad! I don't know what we would do without them! Ronda has really become quite a business woman, even though she is now juggling motherhood of two wonderful boys with her responsibilities at Augustin. Mike and I miss the fun things that went on at Charlie's Coffee Bar, but are quite thankful that episode in our lives is over! Most of all, we miss the music, and we are hoping that Mike will get the chance to sing some soon. I know he misses it, and I certainly miss hearing him. I still think he is one of the best singers in the business!

Beth is attending I.U. East full time, and working full time at Dillards. She is living in her own apartment and I think is enjoying it very much. She has plans to go to med school, so she is taking a heavy load of science and other courses. I am very proud of the way she juggles all her responsibilities and is very driven to excell in school. Even though she is living in her own apartment now, we seem to see her more than we did when she lived with us. I think independence suits her.

Paul is going part-time to Ivy Tech (one of the perks of Mike being employed there is free tuition for our kids!) and he is also working full-time at Dillards. He is thinking about going to IUPUI in Indy next year to become an athletic trainer. He works out every day, and, as Brad calls him, is a "monster." Paul is the only one left at home with us, and despite his propensity for leaving lights on, dishes various places, and wet towels laying around, we love having him with us. He also plays drums in a band with his big brother.

Brad and his girlfriend, Amy, are buying one of Mom and Dad's rental properties on contract. They have been together several years now, and we definitely consider Amy part of our family. Brad works at the print shop and has become quite an asset there. His true love, though, is his music. He writes music and sings and plays guitar in a band that includes Paul as the drummer. He is also working with Mike to start a DJ company (with all the equipment that was left over when Charlie's closed). Amy just got a new job here in town (she had been commuting to Indy and the surrounding area for her other job) and is now the manager of the Bath and Body Works in Richmond. She has only been in training one week, but seems to like it.

I feel very fortunate to have all three of my children living so close, but I know that will not last forever. I will just enjoy it while I can. Actually, Mike and I have made the transition to a couple with grown children quite easily. Maybe it has been easier with all of our children living close, but I also think we have both been so busy with other things, that we don't have time to miss being involved in marching band, drumline, volleyball, softball, soccer, sleep overs, shuttling people everywhere, and fighting siblings. We will always have fond memories of those times!

I have been working 4 weeks at a new position as Director of Nursing at Richmond State Hospital. It is something quite different from anything I have ever done, but I am liking the challenge so far. The nursing department is about 300 in number (that includes the RNs, LPNs, and psychiatric attendants), which is half of the entire workforce at the hospital. I have wonderful people to work with. I got to go to Baltimore for 3 days last week for a conference with the rest of the leadership team; they are a fun group (I laughed until I thought my sides would split!) and very committed to improving the treatment for our patients. Part of the agreement for my coming to work there was that I be able to do some clinical work as an advanced practice nurse, as I am not willing to give up direct patient care. I would probably still be working at Dunn Center if the administration had not decided to close the primary health care clinic that I was running (not making enough money). But I was obviously supposed to be doing something else, and I really feel I have found a new mission that will result in improving patient care on a much larger scale. The really gratifying thing for me is that the leadership at the hospital value my expertise, and support changes that I am making already. The people that I directly supervise are also very accepting so far, and are buying in to the vision the leadership and I have for a patient-centered treatment team. In the past week, I've been able to finally start getting out on the units to talk to patients and staff, and that is enjoyable. It is a little overwhelming at times to be responsible for so many people across 3 shifts, but each week is getting a little better. I don't know whether I will ever get used to having to terminate anyone's employment, and unfortunately have had to do that 5 times in the 4 weeks I've been there, but I'm sure every new manager inherits problems that need to be taken care of.

Well, I've been a little long-winded (as usual). Mike and I send our love to all of you. We will try to keep eveyone posted on what's new with our branch of this special family. We miss Grandma and think of her often. I personally feel very fortunate to be a member of this family and feel very blessed to have known and loved Grandpa and Grandma. Hope to hear from all of you soon!

Gretchen