The Christmas Card

I tried to keep it simple this year.

We love you all.

Aaron, Julie, James, Anna, and Alden

The Clarks are Still in Wyoming

Most of you know that I (Aaron) was fired from my job a couple of days before Thanksgiving. I won’t go into any depth other than to say, I’m glad I’m gone. When the regular joke around the office is that it’s Friday, and the Management Gods need a sacrifice (meaning someone needs to be fired to appease the CEO), nobody functions to the best of their abilities. They’re all just trying to keep their head down and not be noticed, because he who gets noticed gets the axe. Anyway... I guess my head wasn’t down far enough or something.

So, the past three weeks have been some of the most antagonizing weeks of my life. Questions about whether I should go into business for myself, or move back to Utah, try to find a job in Big Piney, find a job elsewhere in Wyoming, and what to do with our family have been plaguing us this whole time. And it was hard to know what to do. Some of you have been in the same situation, and you know how hard it is. At first, I thought I needed to do my own thing, and work with some friends to get an accounting/technology practice going. But when I talked to my friends and neighbors and the local business people around here, they all said I was out of their league. They just needed someone with basic AR/AP skills, and who could keep their books. I’ve recommended some people I know, but there hasn’t been too much for a guy like me. Except for one guy.

Jay Anderson used to be a bishop here in Big Piney, and lived here with his family for 12ish years before he and a friend bought a little company in Lyman, WY. When Julie and I first came here, we met him, and he was interested in having me come to work for him if things didn’t work out with EnerCrest. Well, things obviously didn’t work out with EnerCrest, and so we visited, and he offered me a job with his company. After considerable prayer and fasting, we determined that his offer would be best for our family, and so we’re moving.

We’re very, very, very sad to leave Big Piney. Julie and the kids and I had a good cry yesterday when we broke the news to them. At the same time, we are excited to try something new that we hope will last for a bit longer than 18 months. We’re also excited to be a little closer to the temple and our families. That will be nice.

Christmas Questionnaire

We were tagged. These are Aaron’s answers.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper.
2. Real tree or artificial? I prefer real, but this year, perhaps none.
3. When do you put up the tree? Whenever.
4. When do you take the tree down? When it’s brown and stinky.
5. Do you like eggnog? Heck yes I do.
6. Favorite gift received as a kid? Nintendo.
7. Hardest person to buy for? Human beings.
8. Easiest person to buy for? Me.
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Depends on my mood. This year, email. Next year, who knows.
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever recieved? There was a mix-up, and my Grandma Swensen put my cousin Ann’s gift in a box marked Aaron. It was pretty and pink, and I was probably 5 or 6. I’ve never really forgiven her.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? “A Christmas Story.” I mean, come on. Are there really any other Christmas Movies worth watching?
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Sometimes as early as August.
14. Have you ever recycled Christmas Paper? Probably so.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Cashews
16. Lights on the tree? Not yet. When it was just Julie and I, we had white lights, but they’ve disappeared, and I haven’t gotten around to getting more.
17. Favorite Christmas Song? “Angels We Have Heard on High” and “Silent Night”
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? This year: travel; next year: TBD.
19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer? Darn skippy. I know all 10 of them.
20. Angel on the tree or a star? I prefer a star.
21. Open presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas? Christmas.
22. What do you hate about this time of year? Commercialism.
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? Antique.
24. Favorite food for Christmas dinner? Turkey. Mmmm.... Turkey.
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? A jorb.
26. Who is tagged? Dad and Julie.