MERRY CHRISTMAS 2020

 

 

DEAREST  FAMILY  AND FRIENDS..............AND I DO MEAN 'DEAREST', BECAUSE YOU ARE SO SPECIAL TO US.

I THINK I SAID LAST YEAR WHEN LOOKING FORWARD TO 2020, THAT MY OPHTHALMOLOGIST HUSBAND SAID 2020 IS PERFECT VISION!! SO MUCH FOR THAT. MAYBE HE MEANT IT WOULD BE AN "EYE OPENER" !!! AND THAT'S FOR SURE!!!

THE YEAR HAS BEEN FILLED WITH SO MUCH TURMOIL, I KEEP WONDERING HOW IT WENT BY SO QUICKLY. MOSTLY BECAUSE WE JUST KEPT DOING WHAT WE DO, WITH A FEW ADJUSTMENTS TO MAKE IT WORK.  THE VIRTUAL CHURCH, THANK HEAVEN FOR ZOOM.  MORE OF US HAVE LEARNED  MORE TECH STUFF THAN EVER I IMAGINED. I WON'T DWELL ON WHAT THE NEGATIVES ARE CUZ WE HEAR ENOUGH OF THAT IN OTHER WAYS !!!

WE HAD MANY OF OUR OLD VIDEO CASSETTES PUT ON DVD'S AND IT HAS BEEN REALLY FUN. MUCH OF ITALY AND LOOKS LIKE A TRAVELOGE. AND SAW SOME WHEN WE WERE VERY YOUNG AND MANY OF THE NAVY THINGS AND PLACES. 

WE MISS DOING OUR TO TAPPER SHOWS, AND GETTING TOGETHER. WE HAVE KEPT UP OUR REHEARSALS BUT SEPARATELY IN THREE DIFFERENT GROUPS TO KEEP SEPARATION. ONE PLACE IS OUR PATIO.... NOT EASY TO DANCE ON CEMENT BUT WE JUST 'SORT OF' DANCE. KEEPS US EXERCISING.

WE DID DTAKE ONE TRIP UP TO MINDEN, NEVADA FOR ABOUT 3 DAYS. A NICE DRIVE AND SCENERY WAS BEAUTIFUL. THANKSGIVING AT IMO'S AND NOW WE'LL GO TO OUR FRIENDS, THE HALSEY'S, (OUR OTHER EXTENDED FAMILY) AS WE DO EVERY YEAR, TO CELEBRATE AND ENJOY CHRISTMAS DAY. CHILDREN ARE ON EAST COAST AND NORTH WEST. NOT EASY TO GET TOGETHER.

WE'LL BE THINKING OF YOU ALL AND PRAYING FOR ALL TO STAY SAFE AND HEALTHY. LET'S LOOK FORWARD TO  HAPPIEER DAYS AHEAD WITH LOVE AND HAPPINESS.

WITH MUCH LOVE, 

MARILYN AND BOB ...... and Mika too

HERE COME THE HOLIDAYS ----THANKSGIVING

 Wanted to be with another  part of my extended family for Thanksgiving. We ordered a full Thanksgiving dinner, cooked turkey and all the trimmings, just heat and eat!! We went to be with Imo, Sheri and Rusty Sharman. My Mother started this relationship  many years ago, so no matter where in the world we are, we are close!

Fun about this is they already had the Christmas tree up so we could take pictures... and you know I love to do that!!

                                                Us with Imo

Sheri, brother, Rusty, and Mom Imo

And a lovely turkey dinner and a beautiful day.

IT'S HALLOWEEN PLUS SOME MEMORIES

Even though it's a whole different set of rules for this year, we try to move through it safely. It seems to be going pretty quick when we think of how our day fills up. I think we are getting to do some of the things we've been putting off. Plenty of time now...... 

A friend of ours is in a Veterans home, which is a bit sad for his wife, our friend Marlene. They now have to visit via Skype. Here's how they make it possible to visit and have a bit holiday. Marlene, and others with their family there, decorate cars for drive by and some get to stand at a distance. 

And here is Wayne.... fun and a little sad at the same time. The best we can do in these times.

And for another loving memory is my wonderful Mother, with my silver poodle at that time (Tap) and Baron, my Mom's. Love this picture.

Below is our Mika...... just brushed and fluffed ears. She knows how to pose.......guess where she learned that!

Mika watching our neighbor push their new baby in the buggy.

Oceanside harbor. You notice there are few things going on this year.

AND ON WE GO.....

Hey... when a guy needs a haircut......gotta do what you can do. Our neighbor has a closed salon, so she came to our kitchen!!!

            I still stay in touch with my racing friends, like Mario Andretti. He sent me the team mask. How nice. Love being a part of the team.

I got Bob to put on a coat and go out in the rain to cut some Rosemary  for my cooking project!

                              An evening with friends in Encinitas, CA. Enjoyed this pretty sunset.

This is our Memorial Day tribute. This says it all!

 

AND SO IT GOES......

 Son Craig and family  got out of New Jersey in the early stages. They had been looking to move back to west coast before the breakout and this  made it happen sooner than later. They moved to Kirkland, WA. They really like it and are in an area they can get out and walk.

Mike and family are still in New Bern, NC and doing fine. Mike's McDonald stores are doing great business in the take out area, of course. 

We had friends, over from Arizona for lunch. Pete and Rhoda were visiting family here in San Diego. A very nice change for a chance to see them for a bit.

Luke, Abby, and Dad Craig

Mike's family--L to R: Kaili, her fiance Bryan,Gavin (top) , Mike, Aaron, Tracey (center). They look pretty bundled up in that cold!

Tracey & Mike

                          Gavin with Tracey... and                                 Aaron peeking  through

SOMETHING IN THE AIR????

These photo albums and scrapbooks kept me busy for awhile, but enjoyed going through the memories.

Thank Heaven we have our patio and great view to enjoy our lunch as part of our quarantine.

It always helps to hug your pet!

 Whoa...... what are we hearing!!?? Something about a virus, and not just in the US. After some checking, and calling our friends in Italy, it looks like our trip next month will be cancelled!!  It got cancelled! So I was told Price will extend the trip to next year. 

So...next we hear Pandemic, and quarantines, lockdowns! WOW, What a thing for us to go through. Will be interesting how all this works out. 

In the meantime will do some catch up on projects, ie.... photo albums and scrapbooks.

STARTING THE NEW YEAR 2020

Well, here we go into 2020......   At first thinking, as the Ophthalmologist would say, that's perfect vision. We have our reservations for March to take  the Price Is Right trip to Italy. Other than that it's the usual.... getting organized for upcoming stuff.. ie tax papers appointments, etc.

Also start dancing and getting ready for new rehearsals.

Bragging about Calif weather... enjoy our fruit and eating on the patio......