Well it’s that time of year again, time to reflect on what’s happened over the last 12 months and what is going to happen in the next 12. To be honest when I start thinking about doing this, I think “Gee we live really boring lives” (which is very true) but after a little thought I find that I can come up with a few things that we’ve done or that has happened to us this year.
Well first of all we are still living in New Jersey and still like it a lot here, it’s not Mordor (as a friend who shall remain nameless thinks). Work is going well and I like the people that I work with. We finally got our green cards after waiting 4 years which means that all of us can now get jobs instead of just me (I’m looking forward to retiring as soon as the rest are gainfully employed). I think I will have to wait a little while yet (see below).
Barb is still quilting up a storm. She recently bought a long arm quilting machine and hopes to use it as the basis to start a small business. She is currently in the process of learning how to use it and has also started working part time at a local quilting store. All of the proceeds will go to feed her habit.
John is in grade 11 in High School and is considering a career in the Army, hopefully peace will break out before he gets there. He also got his first job this summer working at a local restaurant, as far as I know there were no reported deaths in the area.
Alec is in grade 7 and keeps himself busy trying different activities including the local swim team, fencing and entering in his first triathlon. He has also become very keen on skiing and we hope to get out as much as possible this winter.
This year I finally gave in and bought a new road bike. I spent every chance I got riding it (including today which is Christmas eve). I really love it and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a fun and easy way to get out of the house and get some exercise.
This summer Barb and the kids headed back to Canada for the usual 2 week whirlwind tour that included her Mom’s 75th birthday party. We had a few visitors this year including Mom and Dad in the spring, a quick visit with Michael Mahovlich and family when they arrived on the Queen Mary. We also had a very nice visit from Pat and Walter on Thanksgiving weekend (Canadian Thanksgiving that is), after I spent the entire summer whining about the drought that we were having, it rained about 8 inches during the time they were here. Anyone wishing to spend a couple of days in the vicinity of New York City, please consider coming for a visit, the B&B is always open and we can always use the rain.
This year, as in previous years (enough to be declared a tradition I think), we spent a very nice American Thanksgiving with our neighbours the Fishburns. We attempted to return the favour a couple of weeks later by hosting a small wine and cheese party for all of our close neighbours. The wine was a little more popular than the cheese which I am still trying to finish off.
That brings us pretty much to the end of the year which we will be spending at home. Unfortunately it doesn’t look promising for a white Christmas as it is about 50 degrees out (10C in Canadian), but the upside is not driving for 2 days.
We hope that everyone reading this has a wonderful holiday and a Happy New Year.
Barb, Steve, John and Alec