Dear Family and Friends, December 15, 2010
As the year comes to a close, we hope it finds you happy and healthy. We've been reasonably lucky in those departments—Ken's cholesterol is a bit high, but he's got some new medicine we hope will do the trick (along with the diet, etc.) I figure you all must be losing weight, because I found around ten pounds this year—so stop it! (Just kidding—lose the extra away, as I plan to with my recurring new year's goal.) I spent most of January and February making trips to physical therapy trying to get a broken and sprained foot working again—it's fine now.
This year we welcomed Madison Elise Jenkins on January 21st, (born to Jennifer and Paul—she's David and Julie's first grandchild—our first great!,) a new granddaughter-in-law, Vicky, who married Mike (Dwayne's son) on July 22nd, and a new niece, Karma (my sister, Shelly's third grandchild) this fall. Sadly, we lost my friend Linda's Mom, Margaret (who was like a Mom for me as well,) Ken's Aunt Leona (his Mom's sister,) and Mary Ems' nephew, Larry.
We traveled a lot this year—mostly to and from our Arkansas place, which is shaping up nicely. Ken put in a concrete pad for our new-to-us bus, a concrete hangar floor with plumbing and wiring, and installed 25 of the 32 arches of the hangar building.
Three of the trips were for new tools or toys—a scissor lift in northern Illinois, a Coleman Truckster in Lincoln, Nebraska, and another LeSharo motorhome from West Palm Beach, Florida (Ken went by himself and nearly froze driving home in February because the heater was disconnected.) (Note to self: keep Ken off e-Bay.) It was great to see Ken's cousins, Myrna and Donna, on the Nebraska trip. As we traveled, I have improved my hand knitting, and made quite a few things this year. I still prefer to knit using my machines, but it will be next year before I can get them set up to get to easily.
We had a lovely time visiting with Vicky's Dad, Colin, and his friend, Caroline, in May, when we took them and Mike and Vicky to Bellingrath Gardens in Alabama. Every time I go there, I swear I'm going to get a season pass, it's so beautiful! Of course, we got to see them again and meet Vicky's sister at Mike and Vicky's absolutely beautiful wedding on the bayou.
Of course, there were quick visits to Montgomery, Alabama, to see David and Julie. We went in September, before Dave headed overseas for a year, and we just got home from a visit with Julie. Jordan, their youngest, is working and going to high school, and their son, DJ, is at college nearby. In addition to being a new Mom, Jennifer is Staff Sergeant in the Air Force, and her husband, Paul, has traded his Army job for a civilian one, and just left for a tour overseas.
I went to Indiana in April by myself for a machine knitting event in Peru. I met up with our RVing friend, Clara, in Monticello, Indiana, and stayed in a camping cabin at the White Oaks on the Lake campground. We had a great time. Throughout the year, we've spent time with our friends, Carl and Mary, who got married this summer. In Indiana again with Ken along, I saw my son, Mike, and Nick, Tiffiney, and Mom.
Amazing how much Mike's kids have changed in just the last year! They all grow up so fast!
We wish you a wonderful holiday season and a Happy New Year!
Ken and Joni Ems
