Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, the 2014 Dreaded Holiday Letter

Copyright 2014, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

This year Man and I are spending the holidays in Tucson Arizona, as we did two years ago.  We are staying in the same park.  New owners, lower pricing (really, when does that happen, the monthly rent is $60.00 lower than two years ago??  Merry Christmas to us!)

Photos on this post are from this years decorations in Tana, our home on wheels.

Our lives continue much the same, RVing as much as possible, especially during the "cooler" months.  We attended the 11th fall rally in Goshen for the Montana Owners Club.  

Our love/hate relationships with all things techy also continue. We have new iPhone 6's.  Yes, we love em.  

I continue to do my family history research, trying to spend more time linking and improving the data base, but, the shiny deep holes and the ever increasing amounts of original documents and information on the internet have a tendency to pull me away from the boring but fulfilling, err, necessary, linking.  Oh, ya, those shiny deep holes, magic indeed to a researcher.

I continue to do a bit of volunteer work here and there.  These days, most of that is via the internet, and yes, she whispers, on Facebook.  FB is a interesting taskmaster.  That's all I am going to say.

Blogging continues, when I have time and the spirits move me.  I have done 50 of the 52 Ancestor Weeks meme.  Ya me!  And, I write once a month for Worldwide Genealogy, which is a terrific blog, despite my participation. (Wink, wink!)


2014 has been a very busy and somewhat stressful year.  We sold my beloved 1994 Ford custom van.  We purchased a new mini mini van, we call her Zoom Zoom, a Mazda.  Was not Man's first choice from Mazda, but, it worked out well, we are both very happy with Zoom Zoom.


My brother died unexpectedly.  He died golfing, something he loved dearly.   We are all still spinning from the shock.


We sold Man's mother's home this year as well too.  Closing was just before torrential rain storms and flooding of many basements in the area.  Several neighbors reported serious flooding.  Our hearts go out to them, but, selfishly, we were glad to not have to deal with that disaster.


We spent a bit of $$ and a lot of time, with the physical help of my mother, spreading 11 cubic yards of mulch around the homestead.  I was rather gushy all summer, exclaiming how wonderful it looks.  It makes me smile just thinking about it.  I added some new plantings too.  It was a mild weather summer, we enjoyed our deck for many quiet peaceful hours.


We lost our yorkie, Mr. G, Gallagher in September.  He remains in our hearts and in our memories.  He was a saucy spirit.  Cappy, AKA, Captain Hook is our only fur kid now and he is almost 16.  He is a gentle sweet soul whom we treasure.


Our lives as retirees give us opportunities.  We enjoy our precious time with our children and the grandtwins and all of our extended family and friends.  We mourn the loss of dear ones, and celebrate that they are no longer in pain.  We pray for many, daily.

Life is slow and full and rich.

May your holidays be special and may 2015 bring you rewards and riches beyond your greatest dreams.

Blessings to you from Man and Carol - - 




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4 comments:

Sherry - Family Tree Writer said...

Merry, Merry Christmas!

billandjanrvingtheusa.blogspot.com said...

Enjoy the "holiday letter" but really enjoyed the photos.

Jasia said...

Merry Christmas, Carol, from your fans in Michigan! We have a light dusting of snow this morning and they are now forecasting the likelihood of a snow storm on Christmas Eve/Christmas Day here in SE Michigan. We may have a white Christmas after all. Blessings to your and yours this holiday season and throughout the coming year!
~Jasia~

Carol said...

Merry Christmas Sherry! I hope you enjoy your family and your holidays.

Thank you Jan, Merry Christmas! Happy trails to you no matter where that Montana takes you in '15!

Merry Christmas Jasia, you made me giggle, I have "Fans"?? Terrific. May '15 bless you with continued health and many fabulous photos of that lighthouse of yours!