It is the final week of 2002. It is a year that I'm not too sad to see fade into memory. It has been a good year from a personal perspective and a tough year from a professional standpoint. I exorcised some demons from my mind this year and gained a better perspective on life and my family and how the richness of my life is in direct proportion to, and because of, my family. I learned not to be so uptight about things and let the Obsessive-Compulsive part of my Type-A personality take a back seat in my life and I'm a better person for it. That's not to say that I don't staighten up a room when I walk into it, but I have learned to relax when the boy's rooms or bathroom aren't as clean as I'd like to see them. I discovered that these rooms have doors and that I can close them. What a discovery! It borders on an epiphany actually. I think the boys and Darla would still say that I'm one of the most rigid people that they know, but at least they can say it with a smile on their faces now.

Work has been a struggle. I've been moved out of Underwriting and into Marketing. Sort of a move from someone who actually does something to a person who talks about it. I have a BS degree in Marketing and I've had to use the BS quite a bit as the insurance operation struggles with profitability and issues of corporate restructuring. Our rating as an insurance company has taken a hit this year and the direction that our AVP of Underwriting is taking the company is in direct opposition to my philosophy and training. There is a bit of a power struggle going on and it has been nothing short of exasperating at times. The problem is that my blood is in Underwriting and it is hard for me to sit back and watch the dismantling of a program that I helped build. On a good note, the paychecks continue to cash and I do work out of my home with no direct supervision. I continue to manage a team of marketing reps and direct the agency management responsibilities of the company. The economy is poised for a comeback, our parent company has shown a consistent pattern of profitability and the insurance portion of the company has had two straight quarters of profitability and we are on target to run an underwriting profit for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2003. And I have my health and sanity, so all is not lost.

Christmas 2002 has come and gone. The packages have all been opened, the wrappings secured in the trash and the noise and excitement of another celebration of our Saviour's birth has passed into history. I talked to Jennifer in Georgia early on Christmas morning and wished her well. She was off to a home off base for a quiet celebration with friends. The boys came over at about eleven on Christmas morning and we opened gifts. Daniel handed me a Snicker's Cruncher bar and I opened it and was enjoying the peanuty taste when he said, "Ken don't eat another bite!" He walked over and showed me little red worms all over his candy bar. I looked down at my half eaten bar and gagged. I saw no worms, but imagined the critters crawling all over my intestines. I gulped my eggnog and went and gargled mouthwash and basically felt ill for a few minutes. Don't buy the Snicker's Cruncher. The extra ingredient apparently is live worms.

Darla and I bought David a new watch, a weight bar and weights, and lots of new clothes. Daniel got several new games and a pinball machine as well as new clothes. The clothes at this point go over bigger with David, who is quite image conscious as the big athlete on campus. He is at basketball practice as I write this and I have to run over and pick him up later. Daniel is less particular about his looks and has to be reminded to brush his teeth and comb his hair. He is thirteen. Need I say more?

I did get out and play golf last week on the 26th. We played the newest course in the area, Empire Ranch in Folsom, CA. The weather was windy and showery and we got soaked and cold and basically had a blast. I shot an 87 in horrible conditions and look forward to getting a shot at that course when the weather is benign. One of my resolutions for 2003 was to get my handicap index into single digits (I was a 10.5 in December). Well, the January indexes are out and I've dropped to 9.9 so my resolutions to date are secured. I have a tee time tomorrow at Woodcreek Golf Course in Roseville and hope that the rain breaks and that I can go attack that layout with some friends. I have a tee time on Saturday in Sacramento as well.

New Year's celebration this year will be with friends in Roseville. We don't like to travel on Amateur night and will be in the outer neighborhood hoisting a glass to the New Year and will be in our spa by 1 A.M. The boys are with us and will join us (though not in the spa). New Year's Day will see us in game mode again as our friend's Rob and Cheryl and their family join us for a day of football, cards, dice, dominoes, etc. Darla will likely have a puzzle going on the dining room table and we will ring in the New Year with friends and family.

I hope your celebrations are happy and healthy and, above all, SAFE. Happy New Year to all.