December 2012
Merry Christmas to
ALL!
Our leap of faith
started the day we signed the contract to build our new house in Manteo, North
Carolina. This December is our 1st
anniversary living in that house.
The next leap of faith will be December 2013 when Jay officially retires
from Erie Insurance; a long awaited day!
This past year I
have been teaching basic skills to adults working on their GED’s at the local
college. In January I will kick
off a new offering at the college called ‘What It Takes.’ I will be working with unemployed
adults to help them develop the soft skills (such as work ethic, attendance,
teamwork, etc.) one needs to be
successful. Believe it or
not, many employers find new employees don’t always understand the importance
of these needed traits.
This past year I
got out the paints and brushes and worked to develop a new painting style – abstract expressionism (new for me). I’ve connected with the local Art
Council and I hope to be able to exhibit some work in their gallery next
year. Also I continue to put pen
to paper and write.
Jay and I celebrated
our 25th wedding anniversary this year (my head is still
spinning!). I find that sometimes
we finish each other’s sentences and carry on a continuous conversation without
missing a beat. In our early years
together, we would get frustrated because we didn’t always understand each
other. After 25 years, we get
frustrated because we do!!
I have great
wealth that has nothing to do with dollars: a wonderful husband, precious grandchildren, and outstanding
adult children with wonderful loving families. And of course, we have Ruby and Lady to watch and love.
At the end of each
day during our holiday season, Jay and I dim the lights, Jay pours a glass of
wine, and we sit next to the Christmas tree and listen to soft Christmas music
playing in the background. It is a
time to reflect on the past year and the events that took place: a summer
family get-together at our house – lots of beach time and plenty of sand;
visits from Jay’s mom, visits from old friends and new friends; time spent
planting and tending our gardens (which were magnificent); ballgames with Todd
& Leesa, Chip and Jay spending good father/son time together; special
grandparent day visits to Lizzie’s classroom; dance recitals, award ceremonies
at Cape Henry High School; celebration of Annalise’s dream come true of
attending college in Boston next fall; cold early Saturday morning soccer games
at Cape Henry; Jay working out in HIS workout room; a new motorcycle with Jay’s name on it sitting in the
garage; Lisa’s published book for Nurses; Harriet’s published novel that is #3
on the NYT best seller list; Barack Obama winning a 2nd term (can’t
forget that!).
Life goes on, time marches by. Jay and I look forward to the New Year
that will be full of things that have never been.
We wish you good
health, contentment, and enjoyment of family and friends in the New Year.
Paula & Jay
What a wonderful year! I am so glad you are doing well! Give our love to Uncle Jay. I am looking forward to seeing your art soon!
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