CHRISTMAS 2012

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

2013, here we come...... I don't think I remember a year like 2012, that has gone so quickly. I finally believe what the saying means: "time flies when you're having fun....or just busy". Or "keeping active keeps you young". I don't know about that one. It just keeps you moving, and that's a  good thing.

We stayed close to home this year. There was plenty to do and friends to see........and training a puppy. Bob was pretty busy, and since he's now more computer literate, we work out a sharing when I need it for my photos and business stuff. I do emails on the 'little' one.

Both sons and families are doing great, as you can see when you scan the year and see some pictures.

Staying in touch with my auto racing friends is especially important, even tho' I didn't get to see them this year. The loss of a very special person in the racing world was sad. His legend and works will go on forever.

Keeping involved in our Military community and helping with North County Warrior Support and Soldiers Who Salsa is very important to us.

What??? no golf?? That too, has taken a bit of a back seat for awhile. Although Bob did play about 4 times in some tournaments for charity. Me? You guessed it........ training puppy! Now Mika is starting to go more places with us. That's fun.

We want to wish you all much love, happiness, and a
very MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HEALTHY, SAFE, AND SUCCESSFUL NEW YEAR!

Love,
Marilyn and Bob

Just me and Mika

As you can tell, we just love having this little girl in our lives. It took only 30 years for Bob to talk me into it. I had poodles many years ago and I know the work, but how smart, they are. And we certainly couldn't do it with all the travel...............so, this was the time. What a shock of a reminder how the first few months turned out to be. She also has us trained on cerrtain things, like when it's time to play ball. She'll talk to us til we get the message. OK... enough.

Waiting for Bob at top of driveway.

Mike and family

This year has kept us on the west coast but we are happy that both families, Craig's and Mike's, were able to be together for Thanksgiving. Yes, both are on the east coast, one in Belle Meade, NJ, and the other in New Bern, NC. Mike is now the Managing Director of 14 McDonald stores. With the hi-tech of IPads and Skype...etc, we did get to see and talk all together.

 

Kaili, Aaron, on left, and Gavin

Europe Adventure for Craig's family

Craig, Marie, Abby and Luke went back to Basel, Switz, where they lived for a year, visited friends, and Abby's school mates. While Marie, Abby and Luke went on a very well planned vacation, Craig had some meetings and business to take care of with Novartis/Sandoz. He did take some time to go on some trips too. They visited Italy, mountain tops, hiking, lake rides, and ended it in London. Abby and Luke had a trip of a lifetime and Abby, with the help of her Mom, put travel pictures and stories on her own blog of travels. Bravo. Here are just a few of the pictures. They even got to see some of the ParaOlympics on the big screens that were on the streets of London.

September Calendar ... and more

As I was checking the calendar to jog my memory........a big part was missing, as in a large wrinkled page and a hole! Yep... the dog ate it. That's ok...it was mostly filled with meetings, doggie school, and more lunches and meetings for Bob. We go to our friends, Marlene and Wayne for dinner every so often and take Mika. She loves running in their yard and they love her, so all is well.

 She's  a year old now.

We moved my brother, Gene, to the VA Home in Chula Vista. I won't get to see him as often but feel comfortable he has other people around and the meals are wonderful in the dining room. He stopped making his own meals when his fingers went numb. And medical is close at hand as well. He says he likes his 'resort like' living.  The picture sure looks good to me.

About Bob

On a daily schedule, Bob has been kept very busy with his Novaces consulting work, which includes, research, networking, webinars, and 'go-to' phone conferences. Doesn't sound like the Bob most of you know that didn't know anything about computers. He's done well and only calls 'Mare, ya got a minute?' when he needs a bit of help or I take it from there. Needless to say, he's taken over a lot of my computer time. I need it for things like this and much more. So, I go on my new Christmas gift (early), my IPad.

Bob has a new Board position on the VA Research Foundation. He's been doing a lot in diferent areas of the VA.

In July, we had Thanksgiviing in July, the fund raiser that helps give two families at Camp Pendleton a full Christmas, with tree, Santa Claus and gifts, plus cash. A truly emotional experience. The main thing North County Warrior Support group does is full car service and repair, even a whole car, for a family or service member in need.....ALL FREE.

In August,Willis Allen Real Estate spponsored Support For The Troops Golf Tournament. It was very successful. The funds go to both our charities for the Warrior Support Group (www.ncws.org) and Soldiers Who Salsa (www.soldierswhosalsa.org). SWS now have the classes for the troops going through PT at Balboa (Navy Hospital San Diego), Camp Pendleton, and Bethesda.

 

Bob presenting a special 'Thank You' from the North County Warrior Support, to the head of Willis Allen Real Estate.

 

All carts were full. There were 100 golfers.

 

Mika gets her first certificate

I took Mika to her first basic training class. Of course I already had her sitting and staying before we took it. I couldn't show up as if I didn't know anything, you know.

 

 The Mission in Ojai, Calif.  We took a few days and went north to see a friend in Simi Valley, and went to the Reagan Library and Museum. Reagan's history is fascinating and wonderful to see.

 A little shopping plaza. Couldn't pass this up, of course.

 

Ojai Lake

 

 

 

 Lavender Fields out in Valley Center, near where we live. Interesting process to make all the lovely
hand and body creams, soaps, oil...etc. Sure, I got some.

 

Day to day and then some

And you never know what might land in your yard, or in the 'commom' area of the condo's where we live. A surprise for us to see, and I'm sure, to this Egret. Not sure where it was headed but it evidently needed a break!
In the April - May timeframe, we had new windows installed. Not that's a big a deal, except they used Bob and I for their video for endorsement and advertising. Let's see if I can upload. If not, go to YouTube and type in Bob and Marilyn Halder..... just if you want to see where we are and talking about our windows. Ha! Sort of fun. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbNJDh7qYMU

 

 

 

Seaworld, and other stuff.........

It's been much too long since my last updating, I got out the calendar to refresh my memory. Not that there has been anything earth shattering going on this year.....but it seems like we're always busy. You know how that goes......time just gets away.

Bob with son, Mike

Earlier in the year we had time with son, Mike, and family at Seaworld, a spin through Seaport Village, and dinner in Old Town. They live in New Bern, NC, so we don't get to see them very often. We always enjoy watching the fellow at Seaport Village building and balancing the rocks.

Supporting San Diego

We went downtown San Diego to see the Midway and the famous replica of the picture of the sailor kissing a nurse at the end of World War II. Bob was meeting the 'hopeful' Mayor, Carl DeMaio, and a few others on the committee, for a press interview. Bob and three other retired Flag Officers are on this special committee. (Bob is second from left, if you weren't sure!)

MARCH.....

Just a couple more shots and I won't overdo the puppy pictures........ well at least for a few months. I took her for her first professional grooming. Now I hope I can do more myself. She's getting more silver. She's 4 months now. Training you say???? Well, so far she sits and stays and is housebroken, most of the time. More to do....... of course, but really doing well and we've got a routine going. Bob is enjoying his work for Novaces. He was in DC for the Military Medical Conference in late Jan and again back to DC for a special meeting in late March. Nice he can do most everything from home these days. His work and help in sharing the new puppy........ never a dull moment.

HERE WE GO FOR 2012

Here at 10 weeks..... with a happy camper. Brought her home on Feb 11. Now we can say we had a baby on our 34th anniversary!

She's 8 weeks here.

HAPPY NEW YEAR everybody. We came into the new year with a plan..........and you know how that sometime goes, 'best made plans'. Many of you know how Bob has wanted, and asked, for a puppy for the last 30 years. Well, a few months ago I finally gave in and thought it was time. Having had poodles in the past, I started looking in all the places, including breeders. Yep... found the perfect place. We went to see the Mama and the breeder. We put in our order for the next female puppy. Mama went to her mate, and in late November she had our little Mika.