The
McDavid Family
340 Brooks Ave.
Roseville, MN 55113
December, 2008
Dear Friends and Family,
Christmas (or holiday of your choice) greetings at the dawning of a bright new year!
We have had a busy and eventful one. Tom went through puberty and his meds failed; I understand this should be expected with every autistic boy. We got the meds straightened out, but he spent the summer in a crisis care facility because he had developed too many entrenched bad habits at the old group home.
In the meantime, his social worker (who is a star!) worked with a group home firm to open a new home for autistic men with Tom and three of his peers. They are doing everything right, and though we have had a few setbacks (the honeymoon is over!) we think this is a really good permanent placement for him. The fact that all the residents have similar issues means that staff training can be focused on these issues instead of being all over the place.
James finished his post-secondary public school program and we found a sheltered workshop for him. However, they really didn't have much for the people to do if there wasn't paid work, and almost all of the clients were much more limited than James, so we have just transferred him to a new place that offers more options. He's in kind of a holding pattern until he figures out what to do with his life; we're very blessed that we have a place for him to go every day.
I've continued to work with spinning; dyeing, both chemical and natural; and weaving. Glenn and I are still both heavily involved in Col. Gaffney's Regiment of Pike and Shotte, our living history group. (clanntartan.org)
Glenn has the best news; I'll let him tell you himself!
For about 2 1/2 years I had been working for Troy W, the worst Information Technology manager I have known in more than 30 years in the industry. He made my work life hell. He drove several experienced and talented colleagues out of the organization. Every day at the office I felt like I was on trial. Not only his employees, but also most of his fellow managers hated him. He placed bureaucratic obstacles in front of every project he did not favor (a large majority). He ran up enormous expenses which the County will have to deal with during these hard times. His most visible accomplishment is now generally seen as a white elephant, a very large white elephant (I had thought so for a long time).
On Wednesday, November 12, he suddenly resigned, saying he was going to work for a company in the Southwest suburbs. His last day was that Friday, November 14--two days' notices. He may not have been officially fired, but I think he had a lot of help finding the door. I was out of the office in a class that whole week, so I did not need to say good-bye. Just as well, I would have needed serious help from Miss Manners to find the right words.
So this past month my job has been great. I have been working as hard as before, or perhaps harder: With Troy's obstacles out of the way a lot of pent-up demand is coming through. However, the work makes sense, I enjoy it, my efforts are appreciated, and I am treated like a valuable employee. Working for Troy I felt like I was on probation at best.
Outside of work I continue to study Irish Gaelic on Monday nights. After being on the Board of Gaffneyis for nearly six years I will be leaving it in February, taking a 'sabbatical' from any official position in the organization. I need a change and so does the group, even if they don't know it. Church is great, I continue to do traditional (non-electric) woodworking, and I pursue other hobbies when I can.
We feel deeply and truly blessed at this time. Glenn's job is secure; I am free to pursue my passions and may some day make a business of them. We are largely done rearing our children.
As we look towards a bright and historic New Year, we hope that equal blessings fall upon you and all you love.
Go to Glenn's home page, or to Mia's. See our 2007 Christmas letter or the index of letters.