Sharon Brown Fernandez:  

Christmas Newsletter 2013 Living on a lake was something I’d always wanted to do. But trying to fit the girls and I into the cottage was getting increasingly difficult as they become young ladies. My responsibilities and the economy in Michigan had dictated I settle back into more of a mothering role to sync with the new direction my life had taken since 2009. Still, I lived with the uneasiness of wondering when I would be able to move the girls into a bigger house. By now, I know that sometimes we have to wait before we can make changes; and so we started this year focused on everything but moving. Both girls were busy with school. The winter passed quickly. I kept my name on my recruiter network lists, and in May, the call came for a senior technical writer for the State of Michigan on a major new healthcare initiative called The Data Hub. It was a job that suited me well, as I was determined to bid and win more writing contracts in retirement. Though a Republican was governor, the state had voted to expand Medicaid through Obamacare. The irony for me is I am against Obama-anything, but the federal benefits to states going along with the program are huge, even if propped up with fiat money. So I was selected to become the program’s technical writer. And so recognizing a good deal when I saw one, I signed the contract and went to work. My most interesting assignment to date was creating a presentation for Gov. Snyder! Then as usual, by waiting instead of worrying, I saw other doors opening that would move us towards our goal. A bigger house on our same street came up for sale. The right realtor showed me the house and by September, we had moved into 2743 Bartlett Road, Pleasant Lake, MI 49272. The girls got rooms of their own and a den with family theater, the latest and greatest thing these days. I couldn’t tell you though, as Marilyn is the one who will set it all up once we get beyond the holidays. Writing is much less annoying than new technology. Having two technologically astute young girls around comes in mighty handy today. So we are spending our first Christmas in our new house. It was built in 2006; so nothing needs to be done to it. Seeing as how my repair skills start and end with a screwdriver and hammer,...Expand for more