Happy Holidays to all!
I’ve been holding off on mailing a
holiday letter to save postage in case we don’t make it through the Mayan Apocalypse,
but we made it. Okay, that was a lie,
just running late as always. So here is the family update.
Bob is working away at his job. He is still traveling, but would like to get
away from so much of it. He drives much
more to sites than he used to and he would like to find a job that allowed him
to come home at night. Perhaps next
year…
My change in job placement is probably
the big news. I decided to retire at the
end of the school year last May and now I am no longer teaching. It has taken some getting used to, but I am
enjoying myself writing books and speaking at schools and the library. Bob would like it if I actually got paid to
do some of these things. Perhaps next
year…
I have taken some time to meet more
writers and attend a variety of writing conferences this fall. I went to Atlanta and learned to Wobble…I had
already mastered wobbling. Almost
everyone I met at the conferences was great, with the exception of Hillbilly
named Dirk. I didn’t even know real
hillbillies existed. At least one does,
and he scared me so much I actually slept with a chair propped up against my room
door. But now that I am writing, strange
and scary experiences and people become fodder for my work. Be wary!
Bob has also been doing some
writing. Hopefully he will continue to
find time to write. Our genres are
totally different, just like we are.
Rachel is still busy raising the most
beautiful and smart grandchildren in the world.
She has been having fun organizing a monthly girls’ night out and
hosting highly entertaining and creative parties for her friends. She got to travel for vacations to Los Vegas,
San Diego, and Mexico. She can now
attest to the old adage, “Don’t drink the water (or swallow ice) south of the
border.” Rachel organized a short fun
summer St. Louis trip for her, kids, and me.
Both of my children are in relationships
that make them happy. I am glad they
have found people they enjoy being with.
I am expecting a wedding from someone within the next few years.
Drew is still in the Army in Colorado,
but will be done in the spring. He is
ready to come home and continue his schooling in an engineering field. We didn’t make it CO to see him this summer,
but we have seen him quite a bit since he traveled back to Missouri to see his
girlfriend whenever possible.
Can you believe that Mike and Ryan are
in their twenties? Both are still in CT
and we hear from them on facebook and by phone.
Ryan is working at the Mohegan Sun Casino. That’s the really huge one where they
sometimes film concerts and game shows.
Our little Veronica is in 6th
grade. Yes, 6th grade! She is looking more mature and gorgeous all
of the time. Bob, her Poppie, may not
make it through this! She played
softball this past summer, LOVES to read, and is enjoying Drama Club. At her first dance, she was appalled that
girls wasted their time crying in the rest rooms over boy drama. No boyfriends right now, but it won’t last.
Cash is in Kindergarten and reads and
counts at a high level for his age. He
played T-Ball and is playing basketball and enjoys it. He loves Lego Ninjago, waffles, and the women
in his life. The cat is his new
friend. Cash and Poppie play many games
together and the boy loves his Uncle Drew!
Mom and I do quite a few things
together. She has hosted some great family dinners for our immediate and
extended families. Mom, Veronica, and I
went on a short trip to the Laura Ingalls Wilder houses. Mom finally went to
the Precious Moment Chapel after having passed by it for years.
Bob and I have our house listed with the
intent of selling and having one built for us in Warrensburg. Not a good housing market, but we have lots
of lookers. Perhaps next year…
Like most people, this has been a year
with ups and downs for our family, but we are looking forward to the upcoming
year as a chance to enjoy being with friends and family and to keep working
toward our goals.
Hope
2012 has been a good to you and all that you wish does happen… Perhaps next
year in 2013!
