Best buds

John and Mary, basking in the warmth of the radiator and each other.

You know when Mike calls for you to bring the camera, something strange is happening. Don't worry - the rad was just warm and John's looking straight at Mike in this shot, so you can see, he was right there in case John started to slip. They were actually both enjoying themselves up there, so it wasn't a problem.

We do have all the full-size originals, Bruce! It might be better at this point to burn them onto a CD and send them that way - we have LOTS. I don't mind it going into your newsletter - just let me know when it goes out, so I can try to get lots of good photos up.

We reached another milestone!!! He pulled himself up this morning! He was sitting on my lap, holding my thumbs, and he started to strain. Usually, we pull him up so he can stand up. This time I kept my thumbs where they were, to see how far he could get on his own strength, and he pulled himself right up to standing! He looked so proud of himself - so he sat himself down and did it again, and again, and again. He did it about six times before he got too tired. He's getting so strong!

And he's so cute now - his hair us coming in thicker, so you can see the colour better. It's not really red, or orange - it's more coppery, like the colour of a new penny. I think it's fitting, because Mike's has darkened to the colour of a really old penny. He doesn't like that analogy, but it fits so perfectly.

Mike has been working crazy hours lately. He's worked overtime every day for two weeks straight, and counting. Pretty good for December. We had a huge wind storm recently - always good for business in the utility repair industry.

He's he subject of an investigation at work. He had gone to a job, and the client came out to greet him, accidentally locking herself out. It was late at night, freezing cold and she was all alone and without a coat. He tried to help her get in, but couldn't find a way, so she asked him to break one of her windows so she could get inside. Not wanting to leave her alone in the cold, he obliged her. She was very thankful.

Well, her landlord wasn't so thrilled. Yup, it was a rented house. Why she didn't think to call her landord for the spare key, I don't know, but he lodged a complaint with the company. Mike offered to pay the damage, of course. His manager told him not to be so nice next time. The investigation isn't complete yet, so we don't know what the company will decide. He won't get fired, but the cost could deducted from his pay, which we think is fair. It was cold and late, he was tired and she was panicked - it was a breeding ground for bad decisions, but that's not the company's fault.