seems like a lot of people are anxious for 2012 to end, seems
like their year wasn't
all that good and they are hoping 2013 will be better for
them. We had a couple of serious health scares, Joan's Mother-in-Law Dot had to
be admitted into a nursing home, and we had a few friends pass away this year
but all that being said all in all 2012 has been a very good year for
us.
All year long we have had the very happy privilege of
being able to spend a lot of time with Carter and Griffin. For a few weeks in
January and February and March both of them were playing soccer on Saturdays. We
would go to Griffin's games, go for lunch and come back for Carter's games so
Saturdays were a day we looked forward to.
We celebrated Carter's birthday with a lot of family and
friends with a bowling party on January 27. A great time was had by
all.
Then on February 1 the actual day of his birthday just
the immediate family celebrated with him at Chee Burger, Chee Burger. For his
first birthday that is were we went and have been back there every year since. A
tradition was started and continues on.
Our first big medical scare was on February 12 when Joan
was hospitalized with a ruptured appendix, She had surgery on February 13 and of
course spent Valentine's Day in the hospital. She was released on February 20.
She got her release from the surgeon on February 29. She had lots of visitors,
many who brought food, lots of cards and lots of phone calls for which we were
very grateful.
A cousin of mine passed away on February 28.
Barb and Brett moved into a different house in a very
nice neighborhood, a beautiful location. wonderful place for the
kids.
On March 4 Joan went back to work and that evening two
friends that she grew up with in New Jersey came for a visit with their mates.
We all had a great time while they were here.
Soccer season ended on March 24.
We celebrated Griffin's third birthday with family at
Park Avenue Grill, a very fun evening was had by all.
On April 4 we went to the kids Easter Pageant at their
school. On March 5 my old Shell station burned down. I went by to see it the
next day, I just stood there for about 30 minutes and relived the whole 24 years
we ran it.
We spent Easter Sunday at Barb's and the following Sunday
went over to my daughter Martha's to celebrate Easter with them.
On April 17 I went to the Doctor who performed my back
surgery for my one year later check-up. All the new X-Rays and MRI's showed
every thing to be fine with my back. Boy April was a very busy month, we took
Carter and Griffin to kids day at the South Florida Fairground, Joan and I had
as much fun as they did.
We celebrated Barb's birthday on April 22, and went to
Carter's science fair at his school on April 26. We were all so proud of him for
the great job he did with his project.
May was also a very busy month. A few weeks after being
diagnosed with neuropathy I swallowed my pride and started using a walking
stick, I refuse to call it a cane. LOL Neuropathy is a progressive problem, our
hope is that it will progress very slowly.
Wonderful day of celebration for Mother's day on May
13.
On May 23 we went to the kids school for the handing out
of the awards they had won. Another proud day for Nana and Papa.
We spent Memorial Day Weekend at the Hilton Club Condo in
Orlando with Barb, Brett, Cater & Griffin. Friends from Michigan that just
happened to be in Orlando for that weekend came by and spent some fun time with
us.
I started doing research for a book
I am writing about what is was like to grow up in a small town in West Virginia
during the forties and early fifties. I have had so much fun reliving those days
with people I went to school with back there and other people who have lived
there or still live there. I still have a lot more to write about but with every
thing going on have put it on hold until after the first of the year. For only
living there the first 13 years of my life I can't believe how many wonderful
memories I have of that time.
We celebrated Father's Day on Saturday with Barb and
Brett, Brett's family and Carter and Griffin with a great dinner at a wonderful
water front restaurant and then drove over to my daughters on Sunday to
celebrate with them.
Stayed busy with going to Griffin's swimming lessons and
Carter's soccer camp.
Got word that my Brother-in-Law Bob and a dear friend Bob
Pippen died. Joan and I have lost a lot of family and friends in the last couple
of years.
Martha, Jimmy, and Anita came over to help us celebrate
Martha's birthday over here, a couple of other friends stopped by as we
celebrated at Applebee's.
A picnic for staff and family at Joan's place of work,
Palm Beach Atlantic University, Labor day at Barb's, and Carter's soccer season
started again.
On September 8 we had our second big medical scare of the
year as Brett was admitted to the hospital with a burst colon. We watched the
kids a lot as Barb was working and spending time at the hospital. On September
10 it was Grand Parents Day at the kids school. Another fun, fun,
day.
Brett was released from the hospital on September 18 and
felt well enough to join us at The Cheesecake Factory to celebrate my birthday.
Brett has made a great recovery and is back to work and seems to be doing fine.
It was a very scary time.
On September 22 we celebrated Joan's Mother-in-Law Dot's
93 rd birthday. Sadly Dot has had some health set backs and
is now living in an assisted living facility.
Joan and I left on October 18 for a great fall trip. We
went to a family and friend reunion at dear friends George and Kim's in
Waynesboro, Tennessee. Got to see lots of people we hadn't seen in years. Every
one there had a great time.
Every where we went on this trip the fall colors just
seemed to be at their best. It made for beautiful driving.
We then drove to Maryland and spent
time with our dearest friends Bernadine & Butch.We stopped on the way to
their place in Virginia at The Natural Bridge, a very enjoyable stop. Some of
their children and grandchildren came by to see us.
On October 23 we were joined by some class mates form our
high school days at a great Maryland seafood restaurant, great food and great
fun reliving some wonderful times. That evening we were joined by Bill and
Michelle, niece and nephew at another great restaurant for another wonderful
time.
Then it was on to New Jersey to spend time with Joan's
sister Chary and her husband Jimmy, and their sons and daughter- in- law. Got to
spend time with a new little baby girl. Joan said it felt good to hold a little
girl after three grandsons. LOL
Spent the day with Chary and Jimmy at a casino in Mt.
Airy, Penn. We didn't have much luck but had a great time.
Spent Halloween with Carter and Griffin, Barb & Brett
and a lot of Carter's classmates at a nice Halloween party at a friends house. A
very fun evening.
Joan and I celebrated our 11th anniversary with a quiet dinner at one of my favorite restaurants P.F.
Changs.
And the entire month of December although at times hectic
has been wonderful. A faculty and staff dinner at the university.
Joan has worked her butt off this whole month, with
decorating, cooking, baking, shopping, wrapping with just a little bit of help
from me. LOL
Carter and Griffin's Christmas pageants were absolutely
beautiful. Joan's sister Debbie and her husband Mike came for a great visit the
week before Christmas which was wonderful.
Great Christmas programs at our church. Spending the day
with Griffin at the Christmas sand displays, great lunch at a restaurant on the
ocean with Joan's brother Russ and his wife Joan while Mike & Debbie were
here, Christmas Day at Barb's. Russ and Joan came for a great dinner prepared by
Joan, and then Saturday Martha and Jimmy and Anita came over to celebrate a
belated Christmas with us. Sunday evening Joan and I went to see a hilarious
movie, Parental Guidance with Bette Midler and Billy Crystal followed by a
quiet dinner at Ruby Tuesday's. And New Year's Eve we have Carter and Griffin
here with us so Mommy and Daddy could have a nice evening out. Having our little
guys here to spend the end of the year with us is just like the icing on the
cake.
So all in all even with a few set backs here and there
2012 has been a pretty darn good year for us.
We hope all our family and friends will experience
wonderful things during 2013.
