This is Rita's Annual Christmas Letter

Christmas 2010

Peace and Love to you all!

Our spring blossoms were really nice this year, but then for the rest of the growing season it fizzled for everyone in this area. It was very dry all summer, no rain at all from mid-July to mid-October. Most people gave up and let everything go – yards all went dormant much too soon. That's one way not to have to cut the grass so often. We did have good crab apples. We had a lot of fun watching the many chipmunks and squirrels, and even a groundhog, eating crab apples every day right outside our window.

It worked out well having less yard work this year, with the two surgeries Rita had. In February, some revisions to the tram flap operation, and then in October some more reconstruction. Probably a couple more touch-up operations before it's all done. It's been 2-½ years dealing with her breast cancer experience. Still keeping positive and doing well. Rita is sure looking forward to getting back to her water aerobics, which she hasn't done since January. Terribly misses the exercise, and being with the people in the class. Rita is still enjoying her volunteer work in the Base Thrift Shop on Fridays.

We are only decorating half of the house for Christmas this year. Rita is still recovering from her October surgery, and also has been dealing with shoulder problems. She is not allowed to do any lifting for the rest of the year. Also, Bill and Henry ripped all the walls out of the living room and dining room this summer, so there is nothing out there to decorate. Our plan is to have the house remodeling done for next year's holidays. And if so, we plan to have the house all decorated on both floors for a great Christmas open house.

Bill has been very busy during the year doing extra help around the house with Rita's several recoveries. That means the house renovations were put on hold for several months each time, and more slow going with the work. But some good news, by the end of this year Henry's bedroom will be totally finished. We redid everything, including wiring, cable and internet, ceiling light, insulation, new walls, ceiling, window and door frames, and floor. We found a nice hardwood floor when we ripped out the carpet and the old floor tiles – a nice surprise to find under all that mess. We plan to do the same to Alan's old room, which will be turned into a guest room someday.

More good news, we recently found out that Bill's job at Ball Aerospace, working on the Base, is good for at least one more year. They have been cutting out contractor jobs – about one third lost this year, and more to come – so we have to worry about that every year, but we are ok for now.

Rita is still busy most nights with her cross-stitching. Since we have no more room for Christmas, she is now making things for Halloween, Thanksgiving and other holidays. Bill's main hobby continues to be working on genealogy and his web site. Both of us go out once a month for a pot luck dinner and Bunko game night, we have great fun with that. And we always have season tickets for the Wright State University plays. We like to go to the matinee plays, and then out to eat afterward.

Rita went for another visit with her friend Lyn in New Jersey, to attend the wedding of Lyn's son in May. The wedding was in Philadelphia, and Rita and Lyn spent a whole day touring the historic district. A beautiful day and lots of fun. She also enjoyed the New Jersey shore and once again spent a day in Cape May. This time she climbed to the top of the lighthouse and toured a beautiful mansion.

Sarah now works in Columbus Ohio, training to be a shift manager at a KFC. She has to drive over an hour each way. We don't like the idea of her making that drive in the winter, but she is hoping to move to the Columbus area someday. She still has 8 months to go on her current lease in Fairborn. She is also working part-time at Cassano's delivering pizzas.

Henry is still going to school and working at Cassano's Pizza. That keeps him busy. He is still living at home, and is helping Bill with the remodeling projects.

Alan is still in school, and working at a Dayton/Kettering Wal-Mart. He recently moved to a new apartment, sharing with a coworker.

We all look forward to hearing from you and wish you a warm, joyful Christmas and a Happy New Year!