USA Conference

Well, this week went by quickly. A day at KU and 2 days in Wichita at the USA Conference. Working a conference (at the vendor booth) is both long and tiring but I get a certain satisfaction from the effort. I remember when I first started working at ESSDACK, almost 9 years ago, and when I said I worked at ESSDACK, no one even knew what that was. I really enjoy the way people stop by just to say how much they love ESSDACK. I know this will sound kinda sillly but I kinda think this must be what it feels like to be related to a celebrity, you don't see it the same way others do.
And that Steve Wyckoff- people seem to actually enjoy talking with him! LOL. I do like my job, it's changed over the years and I can see myself doing something else but not anywhere else. I learn, I use what I learn, I have the freedom to learn more, do more, be more. Of course we have "family" squabbles and differences, but for the most part we all get along really well.

Here is an old picture but I'll replace it later with a newer one.


Well, enough glowing reports about ESSDACK. Now to get ready for the Hutch High Basketball game.

Visit to KU

Yesterday was a whirlwind. We toured the campus, then Aaron and Phil toured some Frat houses. Monday night they also visited a house.

Before we left, we got a brief tour of one of the Schol halls. Not sure what side of the fence Aaron will fall on. Personally I hope the schol hall. It seemed like it mirrored reality pretty well.


We visited with a financial counselor while we were there. We may be able to eat more than rice and beans while he's there.

We are still going to visit KSU, then we will be able to make a comparison. It seems like that would be more apples to apples.


I have to admit., when we were watching the video at the beginning of the tour and they showed pictures of graduation, I got a bit misty-eyed.

Off to KU

Here is a pic from the swim meet at WSU. It is Aaron diving in for backstroke.











Well, we're off to KU this afternoon to for a tour and visit. Aaron and Phil will be going to dinner with some frat friends tonight and different frat friends tomorrow evening. Hopefully Greg and I can find enough stuff to keep us busy.






Greg has found a way to let people see all the pics he's been taking of the different sports teams. Unfortunately it didn't get started until after football season was over, but some good ones of swimming. He was going to work with a couple of other people that take a lot of pics but they are hesitant. Any money he makes from them goes back to the sport the picture is from, so we won't be getting rich, but at least we will be able to share with others. Here is the link to that site. If someone wants something but doesn't want to order it, if they will email him with the photo number he'll work with them. Because not every picture is worthy of a "package" which is the way the site is set up to work and you have to use their certain photolabs.

http://www.hhs.photoreflect.com

Exciting times at Westbrook

Here's an invitation to come to Westbrook, however the really exciting things will be happening as we have an open house this Saturday for Venue 302. That is a non-traditional arm/meeting place of Westbrook located on 30th next to Penwell-Gable funeral home (the old Big A/Teleperformance bldg). Non-traditional in the way of hours, music, atmosphere, and presentation style. I am very excited and invite anyone thinking they might want to check it out to come on by on February 4 at 6:30 pm.

I've signed up to help in the coffee shop. Yep, you heard right. A COFFEE SHOP IN A "CHURCH"! I know, crazy huh? Although I've never actually mixed up a concoction (when I drink coffee, it's usually black or on Tuesdays- a sugar-free caramel breve) I think I can do it, I mean honestly, I am a fairly sharp individual. We had a conference at ESSDACK with a "coffee theme" last week. Here are a few things I thought funny to include in our schedule book;








So, come join us for Jesus and a cup 'o Joe (is that wrong to say that?
I don't mean anything sacrilegious).



Swimming tomorrow at WSU for the boys. Both are feeling a bit sickly so I hope they don't overdo it.

GO HUTCH!

All Yield

Getting to know the Fast Family

Well, I'm finally attempting to have my very own blog. Exciting, yet kinda scary, lots of responsibility. Almost like getting a new pet, you have to remember to feed, water and clean up after it. Here's the most recent picture of our family. Parents- Greg and Lori, Aaron-18, Brett-15, and our dogs Murphy-the blonde and Austi- the black one (and no she's not dead, I'm sure she is extremely tired, we demand alot from her).


Both Brett and Aaron are on the HHS swim team. It is Aaron's second year, however, last year he only got to swim in one meet before finding out his knee cap was broken. Here is a picture of Brett swimming the butterfly, his favorite (not really).







HHS had a great football season. They were 6A state champions for the second year in a row. Aaron got to have the last play of the game, season and his high school career, a sack- it was fun!







We went to Florida to visit my mother and her husband over Christmas break. My step-sister Kelly and her daughters MacKenzie and Molly joined us and we spent a few days at Universal studios in Orlando. Good times. AAAHHH, to be young and fearless. I guess when you have to worry about supporting a family it takes all the fun out of being crazy. When you are afraid you'll sprain, strain, break, pull, tear, bruise, or otherwise mess up important parts of your body, you start to like things like little rides that don't leave the ground or cause massive hemorrhaging. Although I still had to close my eyes on some of the virtual rides because of stupid motion sickness. Lori + rides with lots of motion = throw up. Not fun.

The kids all got along really well, which made being around 4 teenagers for a week pretty easy. We all laughed ALOT! Some days I was actually glad I didn't eat them when they were young.

In this picture it's Molly-15, Brett-15, MacKenzie-18 and Aaron- 18.
Yeah, it's weird they are the same ages, only I have the boys and she has the girls.



Once again, the fantastic four.












Christmas at Grandma and Grandpa Fast's.
Aaron & Grant










Brett & Grant