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If you really want to know what I am up to on a weekly basis, then friend me on Facebook!

You can find me as organized.natalie.  I try to post a combination of messages there Monday thru Friday.  I give organizing tips, personal thoughts, and great quotes regularly.  I even post upcoming teleseminars on organizing there. So add me as a friend!

Battle of the Bands

Branden’s band, Woe to Bethsaida, has been performing throughout the year.  They have also been trying to do some recording in hopes of eventually producing a music CD.  This is a new promotional photo and Branden is the second from the right. Branden has cut off his curls and is sporting a mullet now with a long 11″ tail in the back.

In November, they participated in “Battle of the Bands”.  This is a locally held event where bands come together and compete for prize monies. A total of 30 bands competed, and though Woe to Bethsaida did not win, they made some good connections. They now have plans to play in a New Year’s Eve show at Club Retro. Get your tickets now!

On a sad note, one of the guitarist, Branden’s good friend Phillip, has left the band.  The band hopes to soon find a replacement for Phillip but he will be missed!

Austin’s new job

After a long period of unemployment, Austin has a job!  He is so happy about it too!  He had been doing odd jobs for his dad and for my clients, making barely enough to put gas in his car.

He has passed his Guard tests and been cleared by the Dept of Justice.  He is now a security guard and works at the local Galleria mall.  He let me take this picture only because I said it was so his great-grandmothers could see him.  He generally doesn’t like to stop and have a photo taken.  You can tell by the huge smile on his face (not!).

Smile Baby!

One of my personal goals this year was to spend more time as a “grandma”.  Now that Natalie has graduated and she and Branden are able to get along without me, it has been easier to do.  Besides having Matthew and Tristan for one week in July, I also have what I fondly call “Grandma Wednesdays”.  On the Wednesdays that my daughter-in-law is scheduled to work, I watch my granddaughter Lilian (nickname “Squeaks”). It has been so much fun seeing her grow, move, and develop her little personality.  I had some fun taking these photos of her in October.  She is 7 months old here.

Neighborhood Picnic

Ours is an older neighborhood in Sacramento.  Quiet, tree lined streets without sidewalks or street lights.  Most houses have 1/2 to 1 acre of property.  Every year we have an annual community yard sale that is followed by a neighborhood picnic.  Doug and I hosted the picnic in our backyard. Our neighborhood association provided the meat that Doug barbequed as well as the entertainment.  Over 40 neighbors, young and old, came and had a great time.  It was good to hear the stories of some of the long time residents and to see the children hit it off so well.  In the hectic pace of today’s society, it’s good to spend time getting to know your neighbors.

Family Time

With 5 grown children now, it can sometimes be challenging to get together.  Sure there are the traditional times of Thanksgiving and Christmas but we try to get together, all of us, more often than just during the holidays.  Family means more than gifts…. The last time we were all together was at  Doug’s 50th birthday.  Josh and his family live 3 hours from Sacramento so we try to get together when he is in the area.  In October on a Sunday, we met for breakfast at Mr Perry’s, a local coffee shop in South Sacramento.  The only one missing was Austin because he had to work.

It was indeed a short visit, but thoroughly enjoyable.  Everyone is well and the grandkids cannot get much cuter!

This blog is still being updated!

So, you got our Christmas card – Merry Christmas!  I am still updating the blog.  I have so much to still tell you about.  How about checking back every week through the end of December and you will get even more news about the Conrad family!

I still have to post more pictures of cute grandkids, tell you about the battle of the bands, Thanksgiving, and of course, Christmas 2009- Conrad style.

Stay tuned!

We have 3 in college this year

Can you hear that?!??  That’s the sound of money draining out of the bank.  We have the last 3 kids in college, all at the same time!  Austin is attending a technical college to get a degree in Information Technology.  He is in an 18 month program. Branden is still pursuing music at the community college and has discovered that he enjoys singing and using recording equipment.  Natalie is also at the community college and is taking several classes to enhance her education.  We are very fortunate to have children who desire to make something of their lives and who stay out of trouble, nonetheless, it is expensive!

Homecoming Dance

Natalie was invited to her alma mater’s homecoming this year.  She was happy to go on her first car date.  Her escort was Phillip Wilson, a senior at Mira Loma High School.  Since they both love to dance, they really enjoyed themselves.

Branden gets his license!

On September 2nd, a family friend, Jaime, took Branden for the driving portion of his DMV test.  He passed and came home with a big smile on his face.  I was still recovering from surgery so it was great that Jaime could take him.  Jaime is like a big brother to Branden and was also very instrumental in Branden’s decision to have a relationship with Jesus. 

Now we just need Branden to find a job, so he can afford the car insurance premiums.  A 19 year old new male driver in California has to pay about $250 per month, just for the insurance!  Ouch!