Post by epaul on Dec 25, 2023 11:14:01 GMT -5
I wrote Christmas letters for many years. Then a few years ago, I stopped. Didn't really mean to, it just didn't get done (a lot of work), nor did it the next year, or the next several. This year, I started again. And due to computer magic, I can share a copy with you guys. You will have to imagine the photo (a couple nice family pictures from the weddings. I looked pretty darn spiffy!)
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Greetings,
It has been a few years since our last Christmas letter, so I won’t try fill you in on all the exciting and amazing things that have happened over these years. I will just say that we had a wonderful Christmas this year.
Both Gus and Anna were able to make it home and it was so nice to see those two again as it has been awhile. The warden finally approved Gus for work release so he was able to sneak away from his car wash gig for a few hours and grab some turkey. He looked great. Whoever is doing the tattoos over at the pen has gotten a lot better at it. And Anna, what can I say about Anna. I mean, really, what can I say. I don’t know where she’s been or what she’s been up to for the last five or six years, but she showed up and she hasn’t asked for money yet, so all’s good.
I was really hoping my kids wouldn’t turn out like me, but it looks like they have. Oh well, kids, what can you say.
As for Charlene and me, we’re having a blast. We went through a bit of that “empty nest” depression business after Gus went off to jail and Anna just disappeared, but then we discovered our local American Legion Club. That was a life and marriage saver. We like to head over to the Legion around 3:30 or so and pull tabs until it’s time for bingo and Happy Hour. And let me tell you, it gets pretty happy in there. And they serve great meals. I love their meatballs, and the Swiss steak and gravy is to die for. Charlene, still being a vegetarian, usually goes with either breaded shrimp or their hot pork sandwich. We usually head back home and hit the hay around 9:00 or so, except on Fridays and Saturdays when a local gal brings her accordion over and plays polkas. That’s a Party! For a while there, we thought about maybe doing a little traveling, but really, one Legion Club is pretty much like another, so what’s the point.
So, that’s about it. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone!
Oops, guess I’m supposed to write a little more. Ok, so where to begin.
Um, ok, so I might have made up some of that stuff earlier. So, with Charlene at my shoulder, I will start over.
Charlene is quilting like a beaver and is very active in the world famous North Star Quilters Guild. I am still somewhat active in theater and play trombone in two different city bands. We have a wonderful golden retriever, Casper, and a new super cozy cat— well, cozy with me, the cat and Charlene are still working out some of the details with their relationship. Life is good.
Oh! And I almost forgot, both our kids got married. Gus married Anne (sounds like “bunny” without the B) last summer, and Anna Claire married Josh (sounds like “osh” but with a J in front) this fall. I have always been damn proud of both my kids, but on those days, my buttons were bursting (ok, so there may have been several reasons for that, suffice to say, I was one very proud and happy dad).
Our Anna Claire is teaching 7th grade math in Fargo. Her husband Josh is an insurance bigwig. They just bought a house.
Our Gus plays trumpet for the National Guard Band and French horn for the Grand Forks Symphony. His wife Anne teaches piano at UND and is finalizing her Ph.D. in Music Education. They just bought a used Honda.
So, to wrap up, Charlene and I are happy and healthy. At least, I’m happy. I, um . . . I haven’t checked with Charlene lately. . . “Hey, hon, how are things?”. . . She’s good.
Like I tell my newly married kids, good communication leads to a good marriage. (Thank goodness for post-it notes.)
So, that’s it for this year, Have a Merry. . . Oh, I nearly forgot, you’ve got to hear this! Charlene and I had the most amazing encounter with . . . oh my goodness . . ., I lost track of the time. Happy Hour at the Legion starts in twenty minutes, and those pull tabs won’t pull themselves. So. . .
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAVE A HAPPY NEW YEAR!
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Greetings,
It has been a few years since our last Christmas letter, so I won’t try fill you in on all the exciting and amazing things that have happened over these years. I will just say that we had a wonderful Christmas this year.
Both Gus and Anna were able to make it home and it was so nice to see those two again as it has been awhile. The warden finally approved Gus for work release so he was able to sneak away from his car wash gig for a few hours and grab some turkey. He looked great. Whoever is doing the tattoos over at the pen has gotten a lot better at it. And Anna, what can I say about Anna. I mean, really, what can I say. I don’t know where she’s been or what she’s been up to for the last five or six years, but she showed up and she hasn’t asked for money yet, so all’s good.
I was really hoping my kids wouldn’t turn out like me, but it looks like they have. Oh well, kids, what can you say.
As for Charlene and me, we’re having a blast. We went through a bit of that “empty nest” depression business after Gus went off to jail and Anna just disappeared, but then we discovered our local American Legion Club. That was a life and marriage saver. We like to head over to the Legion around 3:30 or so and pull tabs until it’s time for bingo and Happy Hour. And let me tell you, it gets pretty happy in there. And they serve great meals. I love their meatballs, and the Swiss steak and gravy is to die for. Charlene, still being a vegetarian, usually goes with either breaded shrimp or their hot pork sandwich. We usually head back home and hit the hay around 9:00 or so, except on Fridays and Saturdays when a local gal brings her accordion over and plays polkas. That’s a Party! For a while there, we thought about maybe doing a little traveling, but really, one Legion Club is pretty much like another, so what’s the point.
So, that’s about it. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone!
Oops, guess I’m supposed to write a little more. Ok, so where to begin.
Um, ok, so I might have made up some of that stuff earlier. So, with Charlene at my shoulder, I will start over.
Charlene is quilting like a beaver and is very active in the world famous North Star Quilters Guild. I am still somewhat active in theater and play trombone in two different city bands. We have a wonderful golden retriever, Casper, and a new super cozy cat— well, cozy with me, the cat and Charlene are still working out some of the details with their relationship. Life is good.
Oh! And I almost forgot, both our kids got married. Gus married Anne (sounds like “bunny” without the B) last summer, and Anna Claire married Josh (sounds like “osh” but with a J in front) this fall. I have always been damn proud of both my kids, but on those days, my buttons were bursting (ok, so there may have been several reasons for that, suffice to say, I was one very proud and happy dad).
Our Anna Claire is teaching 7th grade math in Fargo. Her husband Josh is an insurance bigwig. They just bought a house.
Our Gus plays trumpet for the National Guard Band and French horn for the Grand Forks Symphony. His wife Anne teaches piano at UND and is finalizing her Ph.D. in Music Education. They just bought a used Honda.
So, to wrap up, Charlene and I are happy and healthy. At least, I’m happy. I, um . . . I haven’t checked with Charlene lately. . . “Hey, hon, how are things?”. . . She’s good.
Like I tell my newly married kids, good communication leads to a good marriage. (Thank goodness for post-it notes.)
So, that’s it for this year, Have a Merry. . . Oh, I nearly forgot, you’ve got to hear this! Charlene and I had the most amazing encounter with . . . oh my goodness . . ., I lost track of the time. Happy Hour at the Legion starts in twenty minutes, and those pull tabs won’t pull themselves. So. . .
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAVE A HAPPY NEW YEAR!
