Winter Break  /  Dec 1 - 15

Natalie Rose

We have returned to ‘The States’ to visit family and friends and squeeze a few business items into the mix.  

Winter is my LEAST favorite season.  EVER.  Or at least it was in my other life. ie: Cold temps.  Snow.  Icy roads.  Muddy walkways.  Cold temps.  Shoveling.  Overcast skies.  More cold temps. 

but… for the first time in my life…. I don't care!  We have such a short time to deal with it… 

We packed nearly every piece of warm clothes we have, which didn't amount to much.  No boots: hiking shoes will have to do.  We gave away our winter coats:  Layer up the shirts, raincoats to block the wind.  Going from planes to cars to houses should be very doable with what we have…

Ta Da !

Miss Nora

Dec 1 - 6+

First up: St. Paul (Minneapolis), Minnesota.   We had the great pleasure of meeting the lovely little Natalie Rose, son Alex’s newest family member.  She joins mommy Nicki and big sister Nora.  She turned 3 weeks old during our visit, Miss Natalie is still very, very tiny, just over 6 pounds.  You hardly know she's around, fussing only when hungry or wet… I hope I don’t jinx it by saying that.  She does exercise her tiny lungs when getting changed; she’s either modest or likes the cold less than I do. 

Her big sister Nora is developing quite a personality. She has a vivid imagination… is quite articulate for being not quite 2 and is pretty independent.  Traits that will serve her well as she matures.  

Nora, Alex, Nicki (Natalie), Jim

Alex and Nicki are some of the best parents any child could hope for (brag brag).  Loving, caring… just the right amount of freedom for independence.  No helicoptering in this house…  

Happy Holidays !

We cuddled, and played.  Read books and snuggled.  Colored and sang and had a fantastic time.  It’s a good thing we couldn't  staying any longer… the heart strings were being pulled pretty freakin' tight.  

Home Brew ...

There was just a hint of snow for our arrival, which melted within a few days.  Unseasonably warm weather.  While I snuggled with Natalie, the rest of the family enjoyed the park just down the road.  Another day we played at the indoor park.  Climbing apparatus, balls, foam blocks, spinning chairs and slides among the equipment.  We are pretty sure Nora enjoyed the park as much as her daddy did.  It’s a great concept for families wanting to get some exercise but not freeze in the process.  

Nicki put together fantastic homemade meals everyday while Alex plied us with home brews, his latest hobby.  Pints of ales and hard cider.  

Saugatuck , MI

Mnt. Baldy

All too soon it was time to leave.  Our plane, an early morning flight to Chicago.  We were singled our by security to go threw the fast lane !  Leave the shoes and coats on.  Zip through the ‘detector’ and we were off to the gate.  Our plane sitting outside waiting to be boarded.  The agent comes on the speaker and clears all passengers to board… except those who's final destination is Chicago.  Sit tight please… Chicago is completely fogged in.  No flights in or out.  We’ll reschedule as soon as possible.  So, there were 4 more flights to Chicago later that day, all but the last one booked full.  They put us on standby for all flights.  Chances slim, there were a number of people who needed to be rescheduled to Chicago. But; Jim’s great people skills went into action and the agent being a ‘State’ fan (go green / go white) may have tipped the scale.  She got us on the 2 pm flight.  We got into Chi town just before sunset, took the Orange Line to downtown and sister Marianne chauffeured us to mom Nee’s new apartment.  We had a great, quick reunion with mom, Yang, Rich and Mary, Uncle Dudley and Aunt Eileen.  Again, too short.

Kathy, Terry, Bil and Jim

Dec 8 - 12

Father / Daughter

Kathy and Carrie

Off to Michigan.  (Thanks for the loaner Rich and Mary).  Best’ie friend Carrie (and Janis) opened their home to us.  We tried to squeeze in as many friends and family as possible in the short time we had.  Dentist and doctors took up a bit of our ever shortening time as well.  We checked out a few of our old haunts.  Took a drive to Oval Beach, Lake Michigan.  Cloudy and windy.  The weather was unseasonably warm.  Lows: 40’s, highs: 60’s.  A bit of rain.  Beverages with Bob and Linda.  Dinners with Carrie, Janis and daughter Theresa, another with Terry and Bill.

We celebrated my birthday at ‘our place’: Pereddies.  Italian fare.  Cozy.  A complimentary tiramisu; candle and song included.  

good old friends

Carrie and Janis hosted a party for us Friday night.  Friends brought treats and Carrie made fantastic soups.  We poured Painkillers for all to sample.  It was great to see everyone and catch up on each others lives.  

Theresa 

Next up; Theresa’s graduation from Grand Valley State University.  A bit misty for the short drive to Grand Rapids, Van Andel Arena.  1,000 +/- graduates and nearing 10,000 guests.  Open seating.  As the grads walked in, we spotted her quickly.  Fantastic luck…she was seated just down from us.  A few speeches and honorary degrees took precident… 2 hours later she crossed the stage, proud pops whistling.  We managed to find each other quickly after the proceedings and scooted across the street to the BOB for lunch. The BOB is a big old building, formerly a warehouse that has been repurposed into restaurants and meeting rooms.  We are so happy and proud of Theresa’s accomplishments and wish her all the best with her new ventures.  

Dec 12 - 15

Up north Family

Continuing to do and see as much as possible, we headed for Johannesburg.  My home town, northern Michigan.  We only had an overnight with mom, Helen… 91 years young.  She still drives, maintains her home, cooks (really good food) and has a memory that is sharp as a tack.  Mom too, hosted a get together.  Nancy (sister in law) made a home groen, home made raspberry pie.  We had a great visit with brothers David and Gary, sister in law Barb, nephew and niece Don and Kelly, son Adam.  

Sunday meant we needed to once again hit the pavement and move on.  Hugs and well wishes.  A few more tears…

We listened to the ‘Bears’ lose yet another game over the radio waves as we drove.  Then the business of repacking for flights ‘home’ on Tuesday… It seems odd to call the Caribbean home… but it is home… for now.  

We shared a few beverages with Carrie and Janis before calling it a night.  

The DDS crew

We were up early to make our DDS appointments in Saugatuck, plenty of teary eyes as best’ie Carrie and I said our good byes.  

Jim and I each had a minor cavity that Dr. Tracey wanted to fix, us not knowing when we’ll return to Saugatuck.  She and the crew at DellaVecchia Dental Services are top notch.  We are happy to know them professionally and also call them friends!  (watch for our post cards!!!)

Marianne, Jim, Jean, Eileen, Dudley

a bunch of Nee's

Then on to Chicago for our last round of family time.