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Merry Christmas 2008!! From our Home to yours, may Christmas Peace and Happiness dwell in your hearts this holiday season and in the New Year!

Another year has come and gone much too quickly. As we share some of the joys and losses, we realize how grateful we are for our family and friends, who continue to bless and enrich our lives in so many ways.

TRAVELS IN RETIREMENT

Last year we admitted our 2007 travels didn’t live up to standards for retirees. This year, we tried harder. Our journeys started in early February when we were asked to be Godparents to Susan’s youngest niece, Brooke. Susan, not wanting to miss an opportunity to be with her 2 youngest nieces, grabbed Rich and off to Chicago we went to visit Alan, Lori, Caitlin and Brooke. Playing with our little nieces while giving Mom and Dad a night out was a treat for all! The wintry February weather did not disappoint. After volunteering to shovel snow off their driveway, our already growing lust for warmer weather increased.

By late February, we were enjoying the sunny beaches and warm water off the east coast of Mexico, just south of Cancun. We were joined by Susan’s sister Louise, brother-in-law Bob, and our friends Pat and Chris. It was our first time staying at an all-inclusive resort. If only they knew how to make good margaritas! The resort was so new even the staff wasn’t sure how to operate our private hot tub. Another difficulty, besides deciding when to eat, was whether to sun on the sandy beach or at one of the 4 pools. Activities included visiting Chichen-itza Mayan ruins, snorkeling, beach walks, and (for the adventurous in the group) shopping and zip-lining!!

After returning to the cool, rainy weather of Seattle, we just couldn’t get enough sun. By mid March, we were back to the sunny beaches and warm water, this time

in Boca Raton, Florida. We were joined by some of our Seattle friends to celebrate a 60th birthday. We stayed at a house 1.5 miles from the beach, and when we weren’t at the beach, we were in the pool.

On Easter Sunday, additional friends arrived and we all boarded a cruise ship and headed off for 6 days of Caribbean adventures. We stopped to stroll the streets and have key lime pie in Key West, snorkeling and a catamaran ride in Cozumel, a van tour of Grand Cayman with some pricey beers at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, and in Jamaica, a trek up Dunn’s River Water Falls followed by a traditional Jamaican buffet with jerk chicken, pork and other local foods.

Upon arriving back in Florida, we still weren’t ready to go home! So we extended our stay another 2 weeks to visit Susan’s niece Sara in Daytona Beach, Rich’s cousin Jim and wife June in Brunswick, Georgia and Rich’s brother Ron and family near Orlando. Rich celebrated his birthday there with Ron and their Mom.

By May, the weather had improved in Seattle, but it was still drizzly. So we headed to Indiana to visit Susan’s family and attend nephew Joey’s college graduation. All 30 members of Susan’s immediate family attended. Susan’s parents continue to lead very busy lives, staying involved with family, friends and their church groups. Although they would like to spend less time at their doctors, we are so grateful that they remain in relatively good health. A side trip to Indianapolis allowed us to attend niece Emily’s mid school graduation and take in the Indy 500 with Susan’s brother Tom. Our last 500 was just prior to our wedding (23 years ago). We decided the cars were a little faster, but a lot noisier!

Early June took us to Okanagon Country in eastern Washington for the wedding of Rich’s cousin’s (Susan) son, Michael. It was a huge family gathering, with members traveling from Texas, California and Oregon.

By early August, Seattle weather hits its peak, just in time for our annual campout at Baker Lake. This year the RV’s almost outnumbered the tents. Our RV packs lots of toys, then transforms into a camping tent. Our reward was that this year’s uninvited guests, mice, preferred RVs over tents, leading to entertaining “eeks” from many of our neighbors.

As the leaves turned color this October, they were unusually splendid. This provided a beautiful backdrop for the wedding of Becky and Tracy, members of a group of Seattle friends that feel just like another family to us.

VISITS AND VISITORS

We made four trips to Salem to visit Rich’s family. His Mom is in good health, but continues to have numerous doctor visits following successful treatment of breast cancer last year. Her energy level has increased, allowing her to increase her focus on her yard. Reducing some of her AGLOW responsibilities has also helped.

We thoroughly enjoyed a weekend visit to the Anglemeyers home on the Olympic Peninsula. Besides catching up on each other’s lives, we also squeezed in some wine tasting, kayaking and canoeing.

A trip to the Thorsons in Richland (Rich’s cousin Susan) is always fun and relaxing. This year was no different. It also allowed us to hike and visit some new wineries. This time, we only brought home 5 bottles.

Susan’s Franciscan friends, Evelyn and Catherine, visited us for a week in October. The weather was spectacular and allowed for numerous outdoor activities. They enjoyed a ferry ride, a day-trip to Mt Rainier, the Hiram Locks, Pike Place Market and local parks!! With a 40+ year close friendship there was lots to share and share and share!!!

LOSSES

In July, Rich’s dear Aunt Maggie, our Seattle-Mom and friend, died from a massive stroke. We miss her tremendously. She was such a joy. She loved life and spending time with family and friends. She had a way of always making you feel important—always remembering the special events in your life. She is remembered in our hearts.

DAY TO DAY

Rich & Susan found time to do more things together this year, especially bicycling and kayaking. We continue to enjoy seeing theatrical plays at the local Issaquah theater. We attempted to relive our youth by attending an outdoor concert at St. Michelle Winery featuring Michael McDonald (Doobie Brothers). Joined by Rich’s cousin, Kathy and Ron, we wined and dined under the stars. The wine helped us forget how old he, and we, really are.

Susan, wanting a new experience, decided to sign up to be a Poll Supervisor for our August Primary and was asked to also supervise at the Polling Station for the November elections. After the 18-hour day and all the responsibilities to ensure accurate voting, she had a newfound respect for all those workers who have been doing this for years.

She continues mentoring her student who is now in the 8th Grade. They enjoy their weekly sessions, which involve more conversation about the life of a 14-year old. Tutoring at the Technical College has included group conversational English with 3 women from Turkey, China and Vietnam. They discuss issues and challenges the women face in their new country.

Rich expected that after 2 years in retirement, his “to do list” would be closing in on empty. But some items just keep showing back up. To enhance our view of Lake Washington, he had his largest harvest ever of tree tops. More painting on the exterior of our house –painting 3 floors up goes much slower, and horrifies Susan. And recently, he started replacing what’s left of the original railings on our deck.

With all of our travel, Rich’s expansion plans for his financial planning business got put on hold. He has enjoyed helping his current clients, and added several new ones. He plans to start marketing in earnest next February. This has been a bad year for investment markets. Fortunately, financial planning includes much more than just investing.