This month Gary has been spending most of his time working on his car. Here’s a picture of it. I’m so used to him being in white, it seems strange to see his car black for the moment. I like it though. It’s going to be painted next winter. He’s not sure of the color yet, but I think a red or brandy color will be his choice. I usually go for the cool blues and greens while he leans more toward the reds. Now that it’s back together and running, he’s been pretty anxious to take it out. It’s not going to happen though, until March or so.

He did have a chance to go test his car in January, but our nephew’s wedding was that weekend. Jeff and Katie, otherwise now known as ‘Heff’ and Katie Chatelain, were married January in Southern California. It was a rainy day but the clouds parted long enough for their outdoor ceremony to progress without a hitch. They closed the ceremony with a rousing rendition of “Walk the line” by Johnny Cash.

During the reception Gary leaned over to me and said that this was probably one of the best weddings he had been to. We all had a really good time.

I’m back to sitting on a plane and writing a blog. The team is meeting in Virginia Beach for our year-end celebration with GEICO. This is our annual get-together with all the other racers and our family of GEICO associates, to celebrate the prior year results. It really is something to see when all the GEICO race teams walk through the halls and cubicles and greet all the associates. The entourage is very well orchestrated to not interfere with any work or phone conversations as we converge on the offices. I’m sure that’s the workings of “momma Lisa” to ensure we visit everyone and still maintain productivity throughout.

In the late morning we then have a luncheon-type celebration for all the associates. Awards for achievement are handed out as the leaders give speeches, which each year seems to be filled with more and more pride for their teams. At some point during the celebration the leaders usually perform skits or plays for the employees. It’s the highlight of the day as most of the time they include costumes, music, light shows, and on occasion, stunts. Those pictures, I usually don’t place on my blogs, however I will tell you that all the GEICO Powersports Racers and teams will be ushered off to a room and requested to dance for the video! I’m sure we will see a copy pop up somewhere on the internet.

There have been some changes for me at GE, too, that will require me to travel to India this month. I’m on an assignment as the Project Manager for our SAP system upgrade. I’m pretty excited about going and meeting the team there. My plan is to fly back from India in time to hit the test session in Georgia. We also have some big plans with GEICO while we are in Georgia. Don’t want to let too much out of the bag but I will tell all of you, who have been asking about a commercial, that it WILL happen this year.

I also attached a picture of Mark Peiser’s (who you know as Steve Johnson’s 2008 crew chief) GEICO Powersports Boat and Truck. Mark is a bass fisherman that is now sponsored by GEICO Powersports, so keep your eye out for him on the fishing channels. Mark is also now a member of our GEICO racing team as our Shop Operations Manger in Indianapolis. He is a great asset to our program and both GEICO and our race team are very excited about his coming on board and sporting the gecko.

More exciting things to come for 2009!

Bye for now!