Im making a promise to myself to cut back on sending Christmas cards next year. So many friends are on facebook, Ive decided to post our Christmas letter. I make (print) approx. 150 cards. Yes, 150! It gets fairly expensive when you add up the cost of the card stock, ink, envelopes and stamps. So Im giving it a trial run this year ~ any feedback is appreciated. 2014 Dear Family and Friends, Really? November already?! Last December 13th, a Friday, was the 2nd anniversary of my Aunt Maritas passing. You can only imagine the shock we received to get a phone call saying that Julias husband, David Gale, had a massive heart attack and died. Julia is Aunt Maritas youngest daughter. She and David had been married less than 3 years. David would have been 50 in a month and was looking forward to retiring from the Burlington (VT) Fire Department. David was their Capt. at the time of his death and was approaching his 25th year of service this March. The brotherhood of firemen is everything wonderful youve ever heard and still lend Julia a helping hand when needed. David was greatly loved and respected and is missed by many. We had the Geist Christmas at the Smiths on Dec. 21st. While it was a warmer, rainy day here, Iowa was getting freezing rain, so the Bulls did not make the trek. Tiffanys schedule is so crazy, but she had some free time in January. Unfortunately, Jim couldnt take time off then, so Tiff and Mia arrived on Jan. 3rd. We had our Christmas with those who could join us on the 4th and Tiff and Mia planned to leave the 6th. Old Man Winter had different plans and we got over a foot of snow!! It broke my heart (I lie!) that they had to stay 3 extra days! They made it home without any problems. The 29th I went up and spent 5 days with them. In Feb. I started singing with the Manchester Symphony Chorus again. I thoroughly enjoy our director! We rehearsed 8 weeks and then sang Mozarts Requiem. We are singing Bachs Magnificat Dec. 7th. Very challenging, but Im lovin it! March 1st through 9th I got to spend some great time with the kids again! Papaw had some VFW commitments, so he couldnt go. I had the opportunity to go visit again from April 24th till May 2nd, but I had to come home on the 30th. A very dear friend had passed away and I was asked to sing at her service put on by the Ladies Auxiliary to the VFW. Mary Lou Wise was a Past Department (State) President of the Auxiliary and a very special lady. We had become close friends. I called her my sassy, crassy, brassy friend!!! Mary Lou was a true patriot and is greatly missed. May found us busy with VFW activities. Also, my dearest, long time friend, Judy Wise, was told that she needed to start kidney dialysis. Judy has a congenital kidney disease and knew that she would need a kidney transplant at some time in her life. Shes been on the transplant list for over 4 years now, so were seriously praying for a kidney to become available. Since Judy has other medical issues and has not been able to drive since her health forced her to retire in May 2013, I have been her driver. She was put on a Tues., Thurs., Sat. schedule at 6 am! I had to get up at 4:15 in order to pick her up and have her to the dialysis center by 6! A good friend, Kathy, and her cousin Beth helped on the days I was not available to take her. June was busy with VFW activities and on the 25th, Tiff was heading to Indianapolis for her national professional convention for 3 days. While it broke my heart ~ NOT! ~ she asked if Id come along and take care of my sweet granddaughter while she attended a few seminars. We had a lovely suite and a good time. Took Mia swimming in the hotel pool one night and had a ball! Manchester University, Tiffs undergrad alma mater, was hosting a day at the Indianapolis Zoo on the 27th and we were able to go ~ the timing was perfect. We got special rates and got to see the dolphin show. Amelia really liked that! She learned to say elephant and is trying to talk more and more. My favorite word to hear? Dranny! She cant say her Gs yet!! The girls came back to our house and stayed till July 1st. Mia and Papaw are getting better acquainted. Shes not too sure about men with facial hair, but shes doing better. In July we went to the VFW National Convention in St. Louis. I got to go to Grants Farm and saw the Clydesdales. Magnificent creatures! Rodney was busy with meetings. Budweiser is now a VFW supporter and sponsored a fantastic picnic and parade for us one night. FREE burgers, dogs, chips and drinks. Yes, beer included! We got back on the 23rd and hosted the Geist Bash on the 26th. Unfortunately, we were minus the Bulls (Jim had a migraine), Rob and family, Jonathan and Kate and Laurens older daughters and son. We had decent, but not too warm, weather and a good time was had by all. I think only the brave (kids, mostly!) got into the pond! August saw a couple of VFW functions and I got to spend 8 days in IA!! I sleep downstairs, so it tickles me when I hear this little voice saying, Dranny! I look up the stairs and there she is ~ grinning from ear to ear! Melts my heart! She loves to walk and be ousigh. She and I had lunch one day at the local Pizza Ranch. Shes such a good eater and loves veggies as much as anything. I (we) learned that she can feed herself soup that day! Not too shabby, either! Oh, back up time. In June, Rodney announced that he will be running for the VFW National Council of Administration. This is another way he would like to serve his/our veterans. It will be put to a vote this coming June at our State Convention. Hes opposed by 2 former State Commanders, so well see. Hes been campaigning already and will continue to do so. If he is elected, this is a 4 year commitment. Hell be required to go to National Headquarters in Kansas City, MO, 3 or 4 times a year. I got to go spoil Miss Amelia again Sept. 27th - Oct. 3rd. Then we took off for VFW Big Ten Conference Oct. 17th. Rodney was elected as Chairman of the Conference! His buddy, Joe, whom he beat last year, won this years election as Vice Chairman. Barb, Joes wife, and I can hardly wait for the two of these men to be running the show at next years Conference ~ theyll be quite the duo!!! Indiana hosted the Conference this year in Indianapolis, so we took off Sunday morning and drove to IA for Amelia Fayths 2nd birthday party. Mia is really into Sofia the First, a new Disney princess. I love to hear her say it as she says, Fia the Furst!!! She is such a hoot!! She got lots of nice presents. We had a great time and got to stay till Tues. before returning home. Next year Big Ten will be in IA, about 45 minutes from the kids! That will be really nice ~ and convenient. In October, Judy was able to get on a Mon., Wed., Fri. schedule at 11:30 am making it possible to utilize a county transit vehicle. I still take her to nail/hair/doctor appts., but it makes our time together more enjoyable now. She knows how much I love and care about her, but it was a bit overwhelming to have to take her 3 days a week ~ each day required 6 hours (minimum) of my (Beths or Kathys) time. Again, pray that a kidney becomes available soon, please. Oct. 31st weekend we were back in Indianapolis for our VFW Fall Conference. Next stop? ARUBA!!! In celebration of our 25th anniversary this past April 29th, we went to Aruba for a week! We were able to buy into the VFWs all-inclusive trip at quite a discounted price. We left Nov. 15th and came home the 22nd. What a spectacular time we had! The resort was lovely, the food was to die for, the weather and scenery superb and the camaraderie cannot be put into words! We met two couples wed like to keep in touch with. Thanksgiving was at Larry and Judis. Cousins Alice and David drove from MD to celebrate with us, making it extra special. Christmas will be Dec. 27th at Bev and Rics. Were hoping that Tiff, Jim and Mia can make it here some time in Dec. ~ Tiffs schedule is so hectic and demanding. In fact, Dec. 27th will find her driving a van of gals to FL for a basketball tournament. We mourn with those who have lost loved ones and rejoice with those who have had special celebrations. We have so much for which to be thankful, especially those who serve our country in the military. We wish you and your families a joyous, blessed Christmas and a healthy, happy 2015! Peace and love, Sandy and Rodney
Posted on: Tue, 09 Dec 2014 00:21:37 +0000
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