ON WE GO IN THE FINAL QUARTER OF THE YEAR

                                         MERRY CHRISTMAS

Greetings to you, our wonderful family  and friends,

As usual, once you hit November you realize how quickly the year has gone by. And it's true, tho' I hate to admit, as one 'matures' the quicker it goes. Naaahhh.... it's cuz we feel so good and get busy doing all the things that have been put off from earlier years, right? Right!! The little aches and pains, and slowing down, are just reminders. 

In the auto racing world, we attended a Tribute to the Can-Am series, of which I was very involved, as some of you know. It was so nice to get together with some of the friends (drivers, and many others). Drivers were on a dias so they could answer random questions. 

Also as a part of auto racing, I was asked to be a part of a documentary about Bruce McLaren, of McLaren car fame. He was a dear friend. It was a  wonderful opportunity to talk about Bruce and the Can-Am racing time. Many prominent drivers were interviewed. 

We went to see our racing friend, Dan Gurney and wife, Evi, and their family. Hadn't seen them for a long time and it was a wonderful and heartwarming visit and talk of great racing memories.

The entry  at All American Racers, Evi, Alex and Justin here with us.

Bob finished going to LA for awhile. His client was going to be on the east coast for a few months. That leaves his schedule open for the time he puts in as MC for we Toe Tappers. A new fun thing for him to do, and he does it well. 

Our Patriotic show at the VA Home was well received. I had Genie right in the front and center, of course. Then back to rehearsals for our Christmas show. We have 6 shows booked all over North County. 

We continue to put time and effort into Soldiers Who Salsa. We are growing across country and strive to make a big difference in the Military and Veterans Hospitals all over for our troops in need to re-socialize. For those of you that have donated online throughout the year on our special pleas, and/or through Amazon, it is most appreciated and we thank you so much.

Our other Charity is the North County Warrior Support group. On the weekend before Christmas, we take the full Christmas celebration to two families aboard Camp Pendleton. That includes the fire truck  bringing Santa, the trimmed tree, many wrapped gifts from their 'need' list, and few extra goodies for the neighborhood kids. All a very meaningful experience. Our Golf Tournament in Sept help in both charities.

Craig and family are still in Princeton, really just outside town in Belle Mead. Abby is fabulous in soccer and now Luke is too. Luke is also in the Boy Scouts. And Mike and family are equally as busy in New Bern, NC. Kaili, Gavin, and Aaron are going in all directions. We don't get to see them often enough with everyone having such busy schedules. 

Abby 
and Luke


For Christmas we'll be taking Mika with us and spending it with the Halseys in Solana Beach, and a 'sleep over'. We look forward to that and 'catch up' time.

Our special group of friends that have been together for over 20 years got together for our gift exchange Christmas dinner party. What a treat that was. 

We wish you a very blessed and Merry Christmas, and a healthy, happy and safe New Year. Thank you all for being in our life.

With heartfelt love,
Marilyn and Bob 

ODDS AND ENDS AND OTHER STUFF

Well, let's see..... what else was going on. We went to the USO Gala and had a great evening. We hadn't been for quite awhile. My weeks go by so quickly since I have rehearsals twice a week. You know how that goes, once the week starts you're already looking forward to the weekend. I get down to see my brother, Genie, every couple weeks. He's an hour away so I make a plan to get that in. We're doing one of the Toe Tappers show there at the VA Home around Veterans Day, on Nov 6. We'll do our Patriotic show.

Our friend, Ted Owen.

Kathy and Ted Owen

USO Gala night

GRANDDAUGHTER KAILI'S VISIT

In July, Kaili came for a visit. We had one week to take in her list of things to do and see. She did get me hooked on the new IPhone 6 Plus. I need the Plus so I can see. My eyes are not in the best shape!! Lunch at the Oceanside Harbor, and a bit of shopping along the waterfront, the to the Safari Wild Animal Park. We took most of one day at home to show a lot of pictures and share stories. It was wonderful to have her here. 

I know I have some other pictures. I think they are on my phone so I need to transfer. 

Later on, in Sept, my very long time friend, Imo, and my neighbor, Ivona, took me to lunch for my birthday. A nice surprise. Bob was out of town  for a couple days.

MIKA'S FIRST FLIGHT - LAS VEGAS

Oh, forgot to mention earlier that I was taking our poodle, Mika, on her first flight. Since I have her registered as an emotional comfort service animal, I can take her on the plane with me. I decided to go to Las Vegas, where I have a long time friend I used to dance with. We stayed with her. Called the airlines and made sure all was in order and on we went. Mika was great. Sat on my lap and then slept. After two days there, she walked right aboard and slept all the way home. 

My friend, Mardi.

CANADA - TIMESHARE WEEK

This year we decided to take our time and drive up to our timeshare in Panorama, Canada. And we took our little Mika with us. Not wanting to spend long hours driving, we stopped early enough to have evenings to rest and get ready for the next leg. The weather and scenery were terrific. It had been a very long time since we had taken a driving trip.
We went on nice walks with Mika and even took her over to the tennis court so she could run and play ball. She played 'spook the squirrels' when she saw them.

THE TOE TAPPERS SHOW- PATRIOTIC TIME

For July, we did a patriotic show. And this time Bob was the MC. So here we are, he as MC and I'm ready for our marching routine. Who would've thought we would be doing something like this!!! For me, yes, since I grew up dancing, however, for Bob, another thing to do. We're having fun.

KEEP ON MOVIN'

We get back to the somewhat normal schedule. Monday and Thursday dance rehearsal. Always learning new routines so we can have different shows. And Bob does his Consulting work at home and a couple days a month going to LA. That's Los Angeles, not Louisiana. He goes there later.
We, the Toe Tappers, had a show in Feb, and then in July, of course, for the Patriotic routines for July 4th. Bob got put into yet another thing he does well, being the MC for our shows.

We're making plans for the Soldiers Who Salsa. Our events for the year are May 16, Dance and auction, and a golf tournament Aug 27. Work in progress.

We went to be a part of the Gary Sinese Warrior Foundation at the Navy Hospital San Diego. A huge success, as you can imagine. It was all set up for plenty of food, play area for kids, autograph area, and the concert area for the show that included Gary playing his guitar. Great day.

 Gary was helping the cook, below, to throw on some ribs and burgers.

 I'm on Bernie's (MC) right arm.......as if you can't tell.

2015 STARTING WITH A QUICK PACE

We had nice surprises in January. Son, Mike, came out to San Diego for his Birthday and a week later, other son, Craig and family came out. Craig, Marie, Abby & Luke wanted to get back to Calif and out of the cold and snow. That's a no-brainer! Had some wonderful visiting time and sharing pictures of the past.

 Craig, Abby, Marie, Luke

 

 Mike