December 5, 2005
Hello to everyone from Boise. Well, this year really WAS a little less hectic than the past few, but we still managed to keep busy and wonder why we never seem to have a free minute. But I think that is a good thing. We both enjoy keeping busy and active.
We finished off last year with a wonderful 17 day trip to Maui. We had not been there in 2 years and it was great to finally be back. We were at the Westin for three days, spending Christmas Eve and Christmas there. The day after Christmas we moved to the Embassy where we had our usual oceanfront suite on the 7th floor. This was the first time we had been there during whale season and we were able to sit on our balcony and watch them breaching right off shore. It was pretty cool. We took a day trip to Hana in a van with about 10 other people and a guide We had done it on our own once, but it was much more interesting and informative (and less scary) having someone else do the driving and telling us all about what we were seeing. We also went all the way around the island to the Up Country area which takes you over some pretty rough roads which we did not previously try in our rental car. I even braved the icy cold water and swam in the Seven Pools. I was only one of 2 on the tour that tried that (the other being another lady, the guys were all wimps). We took two whale watching trips while we were there, one with the Pacific Whale Foundation which was very neat. We didn’t do a whole lot of swimming or snorkeling except in the pool as the weather was kind of cool several days. We just spent a lot of time relaxing, reading and eating!
When we got home, I decided it was time to get serious with my diet once again and over the next five months, on a low carb regime, I was able to take off about 60 pounds. Then I hit a snag and have been struggling the rest of the year, but I just keep trying.
In May, Dan had another tummy tuck done. He had not been totally happy with the one done last year as many of the internal stitches had pulled out. The surgeon was not happy either, so he did the second surgery for free. We just had to pay the anesthesiologist. Dan, as usual, got pneumonia right after the surgery. But overall it went much better and he was able to get back to work in two weeks. The results were very positive and it looks much better. He, like me, still struggles to keep the noshing in check, but we work on it together. And most of the time we do pretty well.
At least he had healed well and was up and running by the time the 2005 ‘Vette Fest was held here in Boise at the end of July. Dan actually took his fancy Corvette and participated in a drag race with it. I held my breath watching him go over 100 miles an hour. But he was fine and having a blast. He even won the first heat, before being eliminated in the second. The next day the car won a 2nd place trophy in its class. Dan did several autocross events throughout the year. In March we went to Elko, Nevada, and in April we went to Jerome, Idaho, to participate in weekend long autocross events. I have even ridden with him a few times. It wasn’t as scary as I thought it would be. It was kind of fun, really. Dan also participated in several parades in the area, some where he had a ‘princess’ of some kind sitting up on the seat back of the car, since it is a convertible. He loves doing that.
In early July, I went back to a family reunion in Lawrence, Kansas. Dan didn’t go with me this time. It was disappointing, but he just didn’t have the time to take off after his surgery, as he needed to save what he had for other things. Karen was able to go this time and we shared a room. We had not had it in Kansas since 1994, but it was good to be back to the old homestead, so to speak. We drove around town, went to the university book store, and just spent three days visiting with everyone. All twelve cousins were there this time and Aunt Hazel and Aunt Mae were gracious hostesses to a whole lot of yakking, picture taking and reminiscing, and of course, eating. It is always so good to catch up on what everyone is doing and what is going on in their lives. The weekend went by way too fast.
In August we went back to Maui for another two weeks. We finally got to stay at the new Westin Resort that we bought almost 3 years ago, before it was even built. Once again we had an oceanfront suite. This time there were no whales, but lots of surfers and snorkelers to watch. Since I had lost the weight, I felt a lot better on this second trip and was out in the water just off the resort just about every day. One of the really exciting things was swimming with the giant green sea turtles. Two or three times I had one join me as I was swimming around (I have my own snorkel and fins and mask). Dan watches from shore and keeps track of me. One time I had FOUR turtles swimming around with me. They were so close to shore that Dan could even see them. It was really fun. The only tour we took on this trip was a day long snorkeling excursion over to Lanai. It was a Trilogy trip and included a van tour of Lanai, dinner on the beach, and a sunset sail back to Maui, as well as fantastic snorkeling on a marine preserve where we were the only ones there. Unfortunately there was no wind, so although they did put the beautiful sail up for a while, we really didn’t ‘sail’ back to Maui, but that was fine. It would have taken all night. While we were there, we bought yet another two weeks of timeshare, this time at the Marriott Resort. When we retire in 3 years, we plan to spend at least one month a year in Maui. We love the little Episcopal Church in Lahaina and really enjoy our time there.
In September, I flew to Fresno to spend a few days with Karen. I had not seen all the improvements she had made to the house in the past year or so. It really looks great! We drove north to spend two nights in Livermore so I could have a chance to see her kids and grandkids. It is always great to see everyone.
We just spent Thanksgiving in the Chicago area. Dan went for a week, and I went from Wednesday to Sunday. It is always a challenge traveling during the holidays, but we made it. I had not been to Chicago in 3 ½ years. It was great to see all of Dan’s family and especially the new grand-daughter, Kellar, born to Cinda and Henri in September. I hadn’t even seen Cooper yet, who will be 2 in January, although Dan had. He gets back there at least once a year. Dan’s mom is living with his brother Gary and his family. They remodeled their already awesome home to include a ‘condo’ for mom so she has her own space. His brother Irv returned to the area this year after living in California for several years and he and his wife, Wendy, live nearby. Cinda and Henri just bought a house this summer in the same town, so most of Dan’s family has congregated in the Downers Grove area, which makes it handy to visit everyone back and forth. And of course, most of his family are huge White Sox fans (including myself and Dan) so we were all celebrating their World Series Win. Dan’s brother, who went to the playoff and Series games in Chicago, practically has a shrine to the Sox in his basement recreation room.
When we were there for Thanksgiving, Dan and I took his mom out to the Cracker Barrel for dinner. They were SO accommodating and the food was awesome and the price was unbelievably reasonable. The only bad thing was the weather. It was 18 degrees with a 40 MPH wind, which nearly blew Mom away before we could get her in the car, even though she had about a ton of coats and hats and scarves and gloves on.
We continue to be busy all the time. We go to all the Boise State football and basketball games. This year we will be in the MPC Computers Bowl on Dec. 28th, which is right here in Boise. Our season wasn’t quite as fantastic as last year, but we finished 9-3, nothing to complain about.
Dan is taking a weight-lifting class from the strength coach for the BSU Broncos. It meets two times a week. He plays racquetball when he can find a partner. I do water aerobics two times a week, and Dan joins the ladies in the pool when he can.
Dan is leading a 30 week Bible study that we both take. It meets for 2 ½ hours every Saturday morning, and requires quite a bit of study. We also play bridge whenever we can. Dan now has more than 50 rose buses, so that keeps him busy most of the year. (They are put to bed for the winter right now.)
I still love my job. I am working 8-2 every day and I really love that schedule. I have also been working about 8 hours a week at the university library doing reference, when school is in session. It keeps me out of mischief, and I get to go home at 2 and play with Angel, our Pomeranian. We had not wanted to get a dog, but now that we have her, we are really enjoying her. When we travel she goes to visit the farm of a colleague of Dan’s out in Nampa who raises Boston Terriers. We call it the Nampa doggie ranch, and Angel loves to go visit her friends out there.
And so it goes. Every year just goes faster than the last. Today a friend who is 80 told us that life is like a roll of toilet paper: the closer it gets to the end the faster it goes. We agree with that, but are having a great time, though we can’t wait to retire.
We hope everyone has a very happy and peaceful new year.
Love,
Dan (dan@riverofdata.com, 208-283-7711)
and
Gail (glester@echelongroup.com, 208-283-7711)