Greetings of the Season

Here's proof that Molly opened her own presents.

Christmas morning at our house.

Annie and Molly in their play yard.

We were hoping for ripe tomatoes by Christmas, but didn't quite make it.

What we are missing back in WA, photo courtesy our former neighbors.

Sand drifts on the beach. The city plows them!

Our hostess, Erlinda, cutting Dave's birthday cake (at Christmas dinner).

Rita and Jim from Kettle Falls WA.

Christmas dinner at Tropic Island RV Resort with new friends.

It's that time of year when we have Christmas, Dave's birthday, and then New Year's to celebrate. For the last ten years we've been mostly away from family at this time of year, but not every year. This year is somewhat different in that we are away from family, familiar neighbors, and winter. But we do have some new neighbors, and it is not necessary to be "alone" if you don't want to. The Christmas dinner is sponsored by the resort, but is mostly a cooperative effort in that everyone brings something to the table. We miss the family, and old friends, but we don't miss winter.

We are escaping the snow and cold, and that's a big reason for us being here. Pat got a feeling for winter a week ago as she flew to Spokane and stayed with our former neighbors, Dan & Shirley Christman. She got to shovel a lot of snow and endure temps as low as -22. When we got up this morning the temp was 70, and is now up to 80. That's why we are here.

Yesterday was Dave's 69th birthday, and our next-door neighbors, Jack and Bernie (from Illinois) took us to Corpus Christi for some shopping and dinner. We don't know yet what we'll be doing to celebrate New Year's, but I'm going to be checking around to see where there might be a fireworks display.

So, blessings to all, and our best wishes for a great 2009.

Dave & Pat