Season’s Greetings!!
Todd is still
flying for Delta and volunteering at “second work” – Gold Coast Vets. Kelly is
still earning almost minimum wage running swim meets and started volunteering
with the “dog squad” at the local animal shelter. Amanda will earn her certificate in May and
hopes to be working at a zoo by next Fall.
Julia is working as a nurse and living in Long Beach. Allison will graduate from college in May,
and Matthew will graduate from high school in June. We did some epic hikes, had
some fun trips, and look forward to more adventures in 2023. As always, here are a few “special memories”
from the year.
Amanda – Second-year student, EATM (Exotic Animal Training
and Management) @ Moorpark College
Named a wayward orb
weaver spider in her room “Tim” and told nobody.
Made a calculated
decision to add Hot Pockets to her dining repertoire.
Has been known to
sprinkle cheese on …. cheese.
Calls every night to ask
if we need anything, then refuses to stop and get anything if we say yes.
Wears swimming goggles to
cut up onions, simultaneously discovering an alternative market for Speedo.
(Amanda’s pictures are with
Eleanor, the Vietnamese potbellied pig, and with Julia drinking fancy
martinis!)
Julia – Registered Nurse @ Long Beach Memorial, Cardiac Care
Unit
Julia
and Amber thought that “Tim” (the wayward orb weaver spider) was a scorpion and
reacted accordingly.
Adopted
a cat named “Mr. Chips.” Fun fact: Julia
is allergic to cats.
Coined
the term “donklings” … which is either baby donkeys OR elementary school
students.
Frequently
confuses Carl Sagan and George Carlin.
Thought
the local “Ray Miller” hiking trail was called the “Ray Charles” hiking
trail.
(Julia’s
pictures are of her with Allison and Amanda, her favorite sisters!)
Allison – College Senior (California State University Long
Beach – Organismal Biology)
Can adeptly measure foot size using crayfish
(similar to Julia once calculating a person’s weight in squirrels).
Spent the summer trying to get bit by rattlesnakes.
She did not succeed.
After years of trying, Allison succeeded in
getting an injury that may require surgery:
She partially tore her ACL. Her
appointment to assess the damage is this week…
Got a pet fish and named him Winston. Winston is now the favorite program intensely
watched by Mr. Chips.
(Allison’s pictures are from her glamorous
summer job and with her roommate, Julia)
Matthew – High School Senior (St Bonaventure High School)
Decided
“juvie” should instead be called “young jail.”
Is
a self-described expert at critiquing the cleanliness of a transit bus.
Loves
his sisters. Conversation example:
Allison:
“Matthew, I’m getting old.”
Matthew:
“Haha, good. Die first.”
If
you are what you eat, Matthew would be a potato.
(Matthew’s
pictures are from swimming the 500 free at the CIF championship meet and an old
favorite picture with Bucky)
Bucky – Bucky did give us a few special memories before crossing
the rainbow bridge in August…
Bucky’s favorite elder
activity: Pretending to be a decorative
rock.
For no logical reason,
Bucky started to drink water like a pelican (dunking his whole head in his
bowl).
Bucky’s life motto: Live slow, die old.
Happy Holidays – Happy New Year !!
Todd, Kelly
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