Reflections...

Highlights of December, 2011

We packed in a lot this year - with a new home and all kinds of things to explore here in Bradenton and vicinity. It started with the Canine Christmas event. I entered Romeo in the talent compettition and, to our great surprise, he won second place!

We attended a few local celebrations including the Crosley Mansion in Sarasota where there was a Chrstmas Tree competition and  a Gingerbread House Competition.

 

 

The Crosley Home and Museum is a tribute to a very interesting man ... who early in the 20th century created,  promoted and sponsored some amazing inventions. One that you may remember was this car... that Steve and Karen are looking over carefully.

Thanks to the generousity of our Raymond James Financial Advisors, we were able to get GREAT tickets to a Pro football game at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. It was quite a time.

 

We attended a really enjoyable rally which reunited us with our "Carriage" friends. They are all owners of the same brand of RV and a really special group.

There was a costume contest ... and HERE is the winner!

 

We went to a Festival of Lights at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. Remember that we attend some outdoor concerts under the Banyan Tree there in Spring and Fall. It was a different environment at THIS time of year!

 

The new home is decorated ...

AND, finally the Christmas week-end arrived and SARA!

She brought a gift for Romeo ... this little Santa Suit!

Having a drink by the sea... a real treat due to the lovely 80 degree weather!

 

Even if the sunset wasn't spectacular, it was very special.

Christmas day arrived and "Guess Who Came to Dinner!"

And, so we are awaiting the arrival of 2012. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Holiday greetings to you

Both Ray and I hope this message finds you healthy and ready for a new "year around the sun"! we are all ready for the week-end ... And we hope that you are poised for a nice holiday week. Sara arrives tomorrow and will spend a long wee-end with us. We are enjoying our first Christmas in our new home AND our new community. We have made some wonderful new friends here. Ray has become a member of the condominium assn. board ... And, treasurer, no xless! I accepted the presidency of the social committee here, too. So, you see we are fully engaged. In addition to that, Ray has been playing "Pickle Ball" 2 or 3 times a week and bicycles round the community about 4 miles almost every morning. I have recently joined a health club (paid for by our health insurance) and enjoy doing yoga, water vs, and abuts tried Zumba (fun, and challenging)! Romeo has a weekly date to "work" as a pet therapist with his buddy,Bailey. Karen and I go. Every Wednesday visit about 6 regulars and a sprinkling of others. Romeo and I have just started to visit some shut-ins who live here in the community, as well. We are making our preparations for travel to Indonesia for Jamie and Yulia's wedding. We are really enjoying getting to know Yulia through our electronic interactions and are REALLY looking forward to meeting her in person. I will post some photos sometime soon. Unfortunately our computer had a nasty virus ... And I am making do by posting this with my new iPad! It is fun to use, but, I need to use the laptop to post the photos that are located there. Wishing Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, and a great 2012 for all!

With Gratitude at this time of Thanksgiving

This year as the Holiday Season approaches I feel the need to express my gratitude and thanks to all who are in our “circle” … be they far or near, young or old, Christian, Jewish, Unitarian Universalist, believers and non-believers. It was a year of many changes and a huge challenge for our family. Your support, your prayers, your thoughts, patience, phone calls, and hugs… they made a huge difference. We go into this Holiday Season with gratitude for all of YOU!

It is with joy that I let you know (if you have not heard) that our daughter, Sara, returned to Northern Virginia in August. Within a month she had found a job (though temporary) in D.C. She was told before a month was over that this position will become a permanent position in January! She seems to be very happy to be back in the area that she thinks of as home … with good friends, work, and her church community.

You may, as well, know how thrilled we are that our son, Jamie, will bring his bride (Yulia) into the family in April. We will all travel to Indonesia for the wedding.

We are settled into our new home in Bradenton, Florida.

We could not be more pleased about ALL of these developments.
Thanks again for being part of our circle!

Pat (and Ray)