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Catching up a bit.  Shutdown really takes a lot out of an engineer at the temple.  We're there every day for 8 1/2 hours or so till we almost feel like dropping then come back the next day for more.  Fortunately, we didn't need to do any extra days.  We got a lot of stuff done but not everything.  Still some things to do yet but that will either wait for later due to parts shortages or will need to be rescheduled for next shutdown.  There is always a list.  The temple opened back up on Tuesday as planned and is humming along as per usual.  It was a little harder to get back into the swing of things this time.  I was a lot more exhausted than last time.  Wonder what next spring will bring?

We moved out of our old 2nd story apartment...

...into another single story, single apartment with no neighbors.  There are only a couple of these available so we are pretty fortunate.  This one seems to be liked by past engineers so we're following in their footsteps.  The snow is all gone now, we only had an inch and today it is 60 plus degrees but that night was 14.  Weird weather.

Another shot of the new apartment and down the street.

View out the back door.  Yes, we actually have a back door.  I BBQ'd a couple of Ribeye's  last night on briquettes and a BBQ that was given to us when a missionary couple left for home a couple of weeks ago.  First edible steak I've had since we've been back here.  Yum...

The view up the street towards State Highway 96.  The view across the street is into a try-plex apartment so I won't bother posting that.

That night we had a get together with all of the "Winter" Missionaries and put on a feed for them over at the Arrival Center.  All of us in there like sardines but it's nice and cozy.  One of the couples had just gotten there an hour before and couldn't find their missionary clothes.  Lots of talk and getting to know each other.  Interesting people.

Well, my finger is all covered over and I am not bandaging it up any more but it is really sensitive.  I've whacked it a couple of times and it reminds me just how sensitive it really is.  Guess that sensitivity will be with me for a long time.  Looks kind of odd with no fingerprint.  Don't think that will ever change.

We're having Thanksgiving this afternoon over at the Arrival Center than we'll come home and try to FaceTime everyone.  We'll miss being with family this year.  Maybe next year.  Kevin will be with his Ward Mission Leader this year for Thanksgiving.  We're going to watch the Muppets Christmas Carol and probably Princess Bride...thanks Jeffrey.

We got to meet with a couple in the temple the other day and they told us their son was in Mexico and is serving in Chicago with Kevin.  He thinks the world of Kevin and admires him greatly.  They read an email from their son to us about Kevin and they both teared up.  It was pretty special.  Nice to know people go out of their way to find us at the temple and tell us Kevin is doing OK.  By the way, Kevin's email is kevin.seger@myldsmail.net.  I'm pretty sure he would love to hear from most anyone this Christmas season.