2013 was a major transition, as Melissa and James both accepted new jobs. After 12 years with Home Depot, James took a position with Krones Inc as a Labeler Technician. The job requires 100% travel and much time away from home, but the offer was too good to pass up.
Melissa left the Columbia Police Department after 5 years of service to become the Training and Development Coordinator for the National Safety Council, South Carolina Chapter. Her responsibilities include the Alive at 25 program and driver education program. Their canine kids, Baya and Tucker, have been more mischievous than ever - telling their parents they need a new couch, windows, walls, carpet………. Who knew a couch and window frames tasted so good?!
In May, they celebrated their 3 year anniversary in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic for their friends’ destination wedding. They enjoyed having many friends and family visit them in South Carolina this year, and hope more are able to visit soon!
For
the 32nd
consecutive year, Scott has failed in his attempt to find Sasquatch.
But that hasn’t dampened his spirits at all. In order to fund his
endeavors he works full time at the Mark Travel Corporation and
recently got a promotion to the Product Build Research Team. He
would tell you what he does, but it might be easier to find Sasquatch
than to find an explanation for how he spends 40 hours of the week.
All that he knows is that he gets paid, and that money goes directly
towards new field and research equipment in the ongoing search for
one of nature’s most elusive beasts.
This next year will be his
13th
year working at Miller Park and he wouldn’t trade that job for
anything, not even a map to the Sasquatch’s secret cave. The
Milwaukee Brewers occupy most of his free time (even in the
offseason) but when he’s not talking baseball he’s planning
expeditions with his sidekick and assistant, Major Korben Dallas (his
cat). Their lair of operations is around 85th
and Capital, so it’s a quick shot over to The Mothership (Mom’s
House) for some free eats when their food budget has to be allocated
towards night vision goggles and infrared video equipment.
Scott
recently bought his first “new” car, a 2005 Chrysler Sebring
Convertible. Sure, a convertible may not be practical in the state
of Wisconsin or for tracking down Sasquatches, but he’s never been
a practical guy. If you have any tip for finding Sasquatch (or for
finding him a wife crazy enough to put up with these shenanigans),
make sure to contact him. You can find him on the internet when he’s
not patrolling the Pacific Northwest. Your assistance is
appreciated!
While Jenny is not out hunting Sasquatch, she does like to hang out with Scotty and supports him in his ventures to do so. She also enjoys hanging out at the Mothership, and misses her family who reside in the South. With each passing year, she gets a little bit older, a little bit wiser…. She is still working downtown on Plankinton above Rock Bottom at a small firm. Although not her dream job, it pays the bills and she likes her work environment. She likes to keep in mind that you've got to appreciate what you can get. She also still lives on the east side of Milwaukee, so close to the happenings that go on in the summer/fall, especially since most of the festivals and such are close and free, and who doesn't like free?
The beginning of this year was a tough one, as her cat Higgins — who was only two and a half — unexpectedly died. He had a blockage in his intestines, and had surgeries that they hoped would heal him. It was very sad, and she is a little lonelier. She was definitely so grateful and surprised of how much she got support from so many friends and family for her loss of her kitty — even non-cat lovers!! She is also glad for the continuous comfort and support from everyone for the loss of Timmy. This year she has made it her goal to have a positive outlook on life, to keep going forward, to grow, have fun, and see the beauty in the world! Keep on keepin’ on! She likes to think that the glass is ¾ full. Happy Holidays everyone!
2013 has really flown by for me, and has brought many changes to my life. (Someday there will be a Lifetime Movie about me…) I am now teaching K4 - 4th grade music at five (yes 5!) Lutheran schools. It has been a challenge, but I really do love my job. Where else can you work and get free hugs all the time? My relationship with Eddie is over, but I’m happy to say that my faith, family and friends (my trifecta of values) remain intact. I survived my Algebra class in spring (through tears and countless hours of tutoring from friends), and did get an “A”. I am 3 credits short of graduation, and it has to be a math class. As of this writing, I do not know what class it is going to be. Two of them are only offered during the day during spring semester, and Intermediate Algebra would surely give me a nervous breakdown! I am in the process of figuring it out, but will graduate sometime in 2014! What a journey this year has been!
My
positive highlights of the year include visiting James, Melissa and
“granddogs” in Columbia; spending time with Scott and Jenny (they
put up my tree and the outside lights—what a blessing! Scott
shovels snow for me and Jenny will help with cleaning—I am so
lucky!); singing with Unplugged/Reindeer Pause (thanks to Pat,
Maureen, Shayne, Tom and Brian!); spending time at Afterglow with my
brothers and families, and my good friends there; Saturday night
suppers with my dad; singing with the “Messengers of Joy” at St.
Catherine Parish; receiving a letter from Tim’s liver recipient and
a postcard from his heart recipient; and a very special highlight:
Celebrating the life of our Timmy, at the second annual “Rage for
Tim” concert. A very special thank you goes out to everyone who
attended, performed, brought snacks, helped to set up/clean up, and
donated over $700 to WhyHunger. It makes me so happy to hear stories
about my boy, and to hear his music performed by other people. To
see the video from this event, or hear Tim’s music, go to
www.timreck.com. Scott also has
copies of the new CD, “Color in This World”, if you did not get
one at the concert. You may contact Scott (info on website) or me
for your copy.
As
I finish writing this, I am reflecting on the joy I saw on the faces
of the children at Christmas Concert #2 this evening—December 12
(three more to go next week!) Their joy in singing about the Lord is
contagious, and made me feel so grateful that I get to be a part of
it! May all of you feel that same joy during this blessed Christmas
season! Thank you for your gift of friendship!
With Love from the Reck Family -
Kris, James, Melissa, Scott, Jenny, Gracie, Baya, Tucker and Major Korben Dalls
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