Click any bluelink to see a phot

Looking back at 2013, we hope each of you had many special blessings and memories! The year has gone way too quickly for us, which seems to be the way of life as we age. Some highlights:

FUN IN THE SUN
We started the year by escaping the cold, wet weather of Seattle and frolicked in Hawaii for a month. We went to Maui first, where we were joined by close friend Pat, her daughter Rachel, Pat’s brother Tom and wife Kay, and Rich’s cousin Susan and husband Murray. We did some of our favorite things: whale-watching from our deck and from a boat; a drive to Hana and the 7 Sacred Pools; daily walks on the beach’s board walk; hiking in the nearby hills and lots of snorkeling and relaxing beach time.

We then flew to the Big Island for our last 10 days. We were joined by Seattle friends Sandi, Keith, Robert, Joe, Becky and Laura. Although beach time was a top priority, we drove the desolate road to South Point. It is the most southern point of the US and is always very windy there! One of our favorite things is kayaking on Kealakekua Bay to Captain Cook’s Memorial for its spectacular snorkeling. Since a temporary ban on kayaking there was in effect, we recruited a zodiac company to take us to the bay. It was a wild ride. Everyone had fun, and even Susan snorkeled.

August brought some northwest fun in the sun (yes, we do get sunshine here) as we joined some of Rich’s family for our annual campout at Lake Mayfield. This year Susan got her wish—to sleep in a cabin instead of a tent! Of course, most everyone else was enjoying the luxury of an RV! We brought our new, lightweight kayak and many enjoyed going for a paddle.

PROJECTS
Two major projects were initiated in July: getting our rental house ready to sell and moving Rich’s Mom from her home of 46 years into a Senior Apartment Facility. Because her mobility and strength have declined, this was a favorable change. The move was difficult for everyone, especially Margaret. She has done well considering her day to day life was dramatically changed. Although she moved in July, the task of cleaning out her house is still underway. Once everything is moved, or given away or sold, then cleaning, painting and prep for selling the house will begin–maybe next April.

When our tenant decided to move out of our rental house in June, we decided it was time to sell it. Fortunately, the house is located in an area that is in high demand and homes are selling within several weeks. Unfortunately, it has been a rental for almost 30 years and there is much work to be done first. We are trying to do much of the work ourselves, but larger construction projects have been hired out to accelerate the schedule. We managed to get all the outside work done just as winter rains arrived. Now we are focusing on the interior. Our original projection to have it on the market in November has slid to February. Two 60+ year olds don’t move very fast!!

Rich continues to enjoy working with his financial planning clients. Most are retired, or soon will be. This requires not only keeping up on investments, but also social security strategies, health insurance and other retirement issues. After adding several new clients this year, he is now looking to limit future growth to avoid conflicts with recreation time.

VISITORS
Rich’s mom, Margaret, came to visit in early April, prior to flying to Orlando to visit Rich’s brother Ron and family. We used it as an opportunity for a family reunion of Seattle relatives, knowing the trip might be her last one staying with us. Our multi-story house is difficult for her to trek.

In July, Susan’s sister Louise and family arrived in Seattle to visit their daughter Sara. Their last visit to Seattle as a family was over 20 years ago. Much has changed in that time. All 7 of them rented a condo near where Sara lives in Seattle. We joined them for many activities, including a road trip to Mt Rainier. The mountain was unobstructed by clouds and brought many oohs and aahs from everyone. Although the trails around Paradise were still partially covered in snow, we hiked anyway, even enjoying a few tossed snowballs!

Their visit was extra special since Bob was diagnosed with a brain aneurism in January. This occurred 10 days before our trip to Hawaii, where Bob and Louise were to join us. Bob made a full recovery after a long rehab process and the support of his lovely wife and family. Lots of prayers came his way. Everyone was so grateful that 6 months later he was vacationing in Seattle!

OTHER FUN ACTIVITIES
In September, Susan’s Mom’s family had a Will Family Reunion in southern Indiana. She was unable to attend previous reunions and decided she needed to go, especially after one of her cousins died this summer in an accident. Of her remaining 50 first cousins, a significant number attended. Name tags were a blessing, as age had changed many of us! Susan was able to take her Mom to the reunion, who at 86, was the oldest. Susan also used the week to complete some indoor and outside chores for her Mom. Her Mother depends on a cane when in her house and a wheel chair when traveling.

Each year we try to attend a local Broadway play or musical. Susan has always wanted to see “Jersey Boys”, a musical about Frankie Valle and the Four Seasons. When it came to Seattle, we bought tickets. The music was wonderful and most everyone, including us, either swayed in their seats or tapped their feet to “Sherri Baby”, “Walk like a Man”, etc.

We also enjoyed attending several Seattle Sounder games (soccer) and a Seahawks football game. Others were attended virtually in front of our TV. Go Sounders! Go Seahawks!

HEALTH
Both of us feel very blessed that our aches and pains are very minimal. Susan continues to deal with bursitis, which will probably be a permanent condition caused by her scoliosis. She does physical therapy exercises daily to make the pain more manageable. In spite of getting a Shingle vaccine several years ago, Susan also managed to have a mild case of shingles just as she was prepping to leave for her family reunion.

As the year’s end approaches, we have airline tickets to spend two weeks with Susan’s family for Christmas. Her entire family will be there, as always. Upon returning to Seattle, we will drive to Salem for a shorter Christmas with Rich’s family. Afterwards, we can again return to our two main unfinished projects. A tough way to start the year!

May you find continued happiness and treasures in 2014.

Rich and Susan