The Arundales

2007 was an eventful year in the Arundale household. We experienced a lot of changes.

Hal was laid off from Qwest in February after eight years. He soon found a new job, still doing software quality assurance, at eToys Direct. They run etoys.com, babyuniverse.com, and mytwinn.com web sites and distribution channels. Hal enjoys the casual atmosphere. He wears shorts to work and the place is filled with toys – what a perfect fit for Hal! He has made a lot of new friends at work, as his colleagues are quite a bit younger than they were at Qwest.

Then, in September, I was laid off by Boston Market after almost 12 years! McDonald’s sold Boston Market to a private equity firm, and they laid off almost 25% of the employees at the corporate office. As providence would have it, I spoke that day to a colleague at Cognos, and two days later received a job offer that was too good to refuse. I’m now working for Sunrise Medical, a company that deals mostly in mobility, respiratory and long term health care equipment. I’m still doing data warehouse and business intelligence development. I was just a little sad that I didn’t get a bit of time off!

Hal and I are both finding it interesting to work in a new industry. I think we were both ready to move on, we just needed that little nudge (or kick!) out the door. So it has all worked out for the best.

My job is located in Boulder, which is a bit of a commute, and we considered moving further north. Ultimately we decided to stay where we are, and finish our basement to give us more space. We need it, since we are expecting a baby March 5, and we need a spare bedroom for the guests we are expecting when the baby arrives! Construction starts on Jan. 4, and is due to be complete, through drywall, by Feb. 25. Hopefully construction, and the baby, will stay on schedule!

Payton is very excited to be a big sister, and I think she will do a wonderful job. She is very nurturing – she is always cuddling her dolls and stuffed animals, covering them with blankets for naps, and kissing their boo-boos. The transition to her “big girl room” went pretty smoothly. In fact, I think she sleeps better there! I know Hal and I do, as some mornings on the weekends, Payton gets up and plays in her room, and we get to sleep in! I guess we’d better enjoy that while it lasts! Payton also loves playing outside, has become a big fan of Winnie the Pooh and the gang, and recently discovered Disney Princesses. Payton, Mimi and I went to see Princesses on Ice, which we really enjoyed. Payton has her opinionated and stubborn sides too. My Mom says she “can’t imagine” where she could have gotten those. I think a little bit from both sides of the family!

I continued playing volleyball until I tore a calf muscle, and the ER doc gave me a stern lecture about playing while pregnant. But I hope to return to volleyball next summer. We’ll see how that goes with two little ones!

Hal continues to work part time for the Big 12 in the instant replay booth at the CU football games. This year they sent him to a Bowl game as well. It was the New Mexico Bowl, not the Aloha Bowl, unfortunately. Maybe next year!

We hope you all are well and that the New Year brings you much good health and happiness!

Hal, Stacy, and Payton Arundale
arundales.blogspot.com