Christmas, 1998
Once again its time for my annual Christmas letter. The plan is simple: even though this is the busiest time of the year, I want you to go get your favorite beverage (it can even be an Adult beverage!), then find a comfortable chair, put your feet up and relax!
Now, if you like holiday letters, take a sip of your drink and enjoy! But, if you are more like my hubby, who isn’t particularly fond of holiday letters and other forms of spam; well then, sit back and pretend you are reading. It will give you a break, just when you need it the most.
Hey, this is probably the only gift you will be getting from us this year! You’d better take advantage of it!!
For those of you still reading, Allison is about to turn five. (That’s years, not feet!) I’m hoping to be taller than her for another year or so. She is in her last year of pre-school and can’t wait for kindergarten. Her current love is gymnastics. Since she has no apparent fear of death, she is quite good on many of the toys in the gym.
Bill is surviving fifth grade, in spite of the fact that he has the same teacher that Jim did. He is still playing both piano and trumpet and doing quite well. He is looking forward to “bridging” from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts. The only person more excited is Grass, since he won’t have to go to two scout meetings a week! He and his Dad are working on writing a computer game for the PC. It isn’t finished yet, but what I have seen includes a winged dragon flying in outer space. Supposedly it will also include Army men and laser beams when it is finished.
Jim has just turned 13 which has been a very scary event for me. Yikes! The mother of a teenager!! I’ve been through those hormone ravaged years once. Why on earth would I want to live through them again. To make matters worse, he is taller than me! Other than causing me emotional distress, he is a good kid. He has earned the rank of Star Scout. There is a chance that he might even make Eagle before he turns 18, if he decides to do some of the more challenging merit badges.
Jon is still the same. He is still flying and playing ice hockey. I don’t know which is worse, defying gravity or catching 120 mph pucks. This fascination with danger must be a guy thing! He is still working for QSI, but is at a different building in Anacostia, a very un-nice part of DC. (Back to that danger thing again.)
Nanny is still surviving, despite living in the same house as all of us. She is a life saver. She does all the laundry (even Grass’ stinky hockey stuff!) and keeps Allison and her little friends entertained when I’m out of the house. She is still as healthy as a horse, which is a good thing since I couldn’t survive without her.
As for me, I’m still teaching at the preschool and doing research for the Company in my spare time. The big thrill in my life is planning for our first family vacation in a half a dozen years: “We’re going to Disney World!” We are taking ten days off this spring to spend Easter with Mickey and his pals. Jon and the kids wanted me to take everyone out of school in February, but I told them that “I love crowds!” I got a book that said the only time Disney was more busy was during Christmas. They are giving me serious grief. But I just can’t take my babies out of school. Who knows what important things are being taught in Preschool in February!
Well, that was it, your holiday break. I hope you enjoyed it! Now get up and get back to work (and send me your holiday letter!)
Maria.
P.S. Several of you asked if previous letters were penned by a ‘ghost writer’. My response to Mr. Starr and the rest of you is: “To the best of my recollection, I typed every word of this letter personally!”