November 21st Phil Wrote

Don't tell me I'm late - it has been exactly a week since I got Bill's E-mail so I it must be time for mine right now.

Man Bill - you really bragged on your kids. Oh well - Alan said at the beginning you could, so I guess it's all right. There is, however one thing you should be aware of: While your kids surely are great - mine are much better. I won't try to defend that statement here, but if you don't believe me, just ask me.

We have been incredibly busy this fall. We took an educational field trip to Boston in early Nov. We drove up on a Friday morning and came back on Saturday evening. We had a great time and saw a lot of neat things, but the streets and highways in Boston must be about the worst in all the world. There are no signs to help you find your way around, you just have to drive around until you find what your looking for. (Unless you let your wife drive - she could ask for directions)

I have been verrrrry busy at work. We have been going through a reorganization and our operations manager seems to have his eye on me for almost everything that needs to get done. I'm glad I have to drop Dan off at school in the morning and pick him up again in the evening or I would probably be working all kinds of crazy hours again. As it is, I just do what I can, and the rest waits. I have been going to more meetings with customers, several of which have been in New York City. The city is sort of exciting, but it's a pain in the neck trying to get there.

School has also kept me very busy as well. I do about 200 pages of reading per week, and most weeks I need to write a paper on what I've read. I do most of my reading over lunch break at work, and I write most of my papers between 2 and 6 in the morning. Pat thinks I'm crazy, and sometimes I think I must be too, but I have a clear conviction that it is the right place to be right now. Please pray that I will have just as clear an understanding of what to do after I graduate in about 1 1/2 years.

Dan said I should mention that he is excited about indoor track that is starting soon. He enjoys all sorts of sports, but this fall he has not been involved in any school sports, so he is looking forward to winter track.

The first time I wrote in this news letter was just before our summer reunion in the poconos. The second time was just before we got together at Dave's. This time is just before you are all invited to my house on thanksgiving. Please note, We have changed the time for dinner to around 5:00 or 5:30 so Brad and Ryan can make it. Come as early as you want, and stay as long as you can. We'll kick you out if we get tired of you. If you can't make it for dinner, you are still welcome to come later to socialize.

Have a great thanksgiving holiday; I love you all

God Bless
Phil