HappyHolidays
From the
Banks of the Caloosahatchee
Interesting
year. The housing bust really hit our area hard with home values dropping below
50%. Nobody can afford to sell existing homes and we are the #1 foreclosure area
in the country. Tax revenues have taken a nose dive. However, new construction
is continuing, two new super malls opened and the county is putting up $80 million
for the Red Sox a new spring training facility. Recession?
The
Tennessee branch of our family is doing well. Doug and Audrey moved to a brand
new home just north of Knoxville because they found that the 40 year old home
they bought last year was irretrievably moldy and a health risk to them and the
children. We (including Trevin) went up this summer to see them and attend Ally's
birthday. She discovered Disney Princesses at Christmas in Orlando so everything
is now Cinderella. Amazing how the Mouse's merchandizing is effective at really
young ages. Little Doug is walking and beginning to form almost understandable
words. We're splitting Christmas between their place and Natalie's.
Nat,
Ehan and the boys also moved to a new home they bought in a new development closer
to downtown Winter Garden. A lot more convenient location. Ehan survived a round
of downsizing and has been offered a move into management even though he hates
to give up hands-on design and project management. Nat is accelerating law school
and expects to finish at least a semester early. She had to give up a part-time
job (that became full-time) in a law firm where she was working in the area of
law she wants to practice. Trevin is in a new middle school and is second chair
bassoon in the advanced orchestra. They are going to New Orleans this spring to
perform. They need chaperones, but I've decided I'm not suited for two busloads
of 8th graders. Aris is also in a new school (private) and is doing well. He discovered
this fall that baseball was his favorite sport. Unfortunately there were no weekend
games for us to see him play.
Pat's store
and company is experiencing the same economic downturn the rest of the clothing
industry is in. However, she has the advantage of a dedicated core of clientele
that gives her a base that some of the other stores do not have. The new corporate
owners finally got rid of the last of the previous top management and are instituting
changes that will give the store managers more control (and responsibility) for
their stores operations. Amazing things, like on-line management products and
control over work hours. The big changes are effective starting in January so
our long annual New Year's cruise is out this year.
We
went back to the Air Force Academy this fall for my classes' 40th reunion. (Pat
& I celebrated our 40th Anniversary in June) Sure doesn't seem that long ago.
Especially since the guys from my squadron haven't changed a whole lot. Well physically,
yes; but attitudes, no. Had a great time even though the team found yet another
way to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory and lost to the Naval Academy.
Edison
is converting to a four year State College and my teaching is all but over. I've
compensated by finding the sailboat I've wanted for years. "The Leakey Cauldron"
is in our slip and I'm having a great time applying what I'm learning from "Sailing
for Dummies." We're only sailing on what I call "training wheel days"
but I'm looking forward to weekend cruises.
Cheers,
Pat
& Frank
(Last years' family portrait below)
Beginning
with the little guy standing on my right and going up and around (L to R): Aris,
Audrey, Doug, Ehan, Natalie and Trevin. Ally is in my lap and Little Doug is in
Pat's.
