Once upon a time, in a land far, far away… well, 5½ years ago the East Coast seemed like a land far away. But now, as we have "followed the yellow brick road" it feels like home here, with neighborly neighbors who bring tasty treats plus friendship and sights that entertain and stretch our imaginations. Hearing from treasured Midwest neighbors and friends is also a plus.
Seven years ago, Diane’s goal was to learn to juggle; but unfortunately, before she could even begin to practice that skill she broke her wrist. Over the past week, the compulsion to learn to juggle has resurfaced. So, we watch YouTube videos and thus far, clumsily throw two hacky sack balls into the air, kinda/sorta in circles, kind of not, mostly dropping at least one of two balls onto the floor – thump - thump. With Tin Woodsman-like heart and perseverance, we hope to attain what is called the “muscle memory” needed to eventually juggle three balls. Wish us luck!!!
Another new “muscle memory” needed for 2025 is working fewer hours. It doesn’t seem like that should be difficult, but the challenge is to keep the mind oiled; routines will change. Jeff will have extra hours for new activities. So far, the library is becoming a regular Saturday morning hangout. We work our Scarecrow brains.
Jeff’s almost 90-year-old Mom keeps her brain active with Bingo at her new assisted living facility and is doing well. Diane keeps her mind sharp enough playing Wordle and Connections every morning, comparing results with her texting buddy Beth.
Highlights this year included:
♡ In late-December 2023 and September, we enjoyed unexpected and quick business trip visits from our son (his wife accompanied him the December trip). In March Diane flew into O'Hare for a trip for youngest grand's 9th birthday. Older brothers are now 12 and at Christmas time 14. They dabble in basketball, gymnastics, band, and one likes corgis and Swift things 😀.
♡ Jeff experienced a bumpy ride for 2 months muscling through a pre-surgery skill he never, ever expected to learn. Surgery and 3 weeks of mild limitations made him a new man. He still runs 2-3 mornings a week.
♡ In May we visited with Jeff's overseas sister-in-law and her son during their brief trip to Maryland.
♡ In June we were with family in the Midwest for a quasi-family reunion. It was a surprise 50th anniversary celebration for Diane’s brother. Unfortunately, he wasn’t surprised, because he clued into his family’s unnatural text responses a few days prior to the party; but his wife’s shock and happy tears made their children’s year-long planning worth it all.
♡ Diane’s heart warmed catching up with her East Coast nephew at the reunion. Enough so that Thanksgiving Day we took a daytrip to chat some more, eat good food, play challenging board games, and walk with her nephew’s talented family. We registered to walk their 5k Turkey Trot but bailed the Trot because of the rainy/cold weather forecast. Yet, this coming summer we will wear our colorful 2024 Turkey Trot t-shirts we eagerly snagged for our TT collection.
♡ In October our DIL’s parents visited us. They are teachers, so introducing them to the East Coast train system, traveling to DC and Philly, and visiting Jeff’s workplace ended up being as exciting for them as it always is for us. They willingly braved the subway’s germs, climbed the famous and challenging Rocky steps, and they ate with us favorite Wendy’s burgers and Friday night Season’s Pizza, too. Giving them a tour of American Bible Society’s office building view of historic features below, décor and Bible artifacts were all highlights. Their 4 days whizzed by and getting to know them better was a blessing as well as reading their gifted book “Life Without Lack.”
Each Sunday we walk a 5k for an official 30-minute workout at Planet Fitness. We call it a triathlon (walking there, weights, walking back). Worker Barb greets us with, “Did you walk here today?” To which we answer “yes” (because the weather has so fully cooperated, for weeks). This morning’s walk will be cold, but that won’t stop us.
A week after Thanksgiving, Aldi opened a shiny new store just 5 minutes from us—right on the way to our Planet Fitness. Gone are the days of driving 20 minutes for Diane to wander the legendary Aisle of Shame (oh, and pick up some groceries too). Emotional spending, prepare for liftoff!
We are so glad the 2024 elections and its ads are over. We don’t know what the new year will bring, but if 2025 at least matches 2024, we will repeat, “there’s no place like home.”
Spectacularly “zhuzhed” houses and Holiday light shows this season have been a sensory gift. In Bethlehem over 2,000 years ago “God with us,” Messiah, the most spectacular Light was born. God in flesh made a temporary home here on earth to demonstrate His love for us. He is the reason for the season. We wish you a Merry Christmas/Happy Hanukkah (both celebrated on December 25th this year) and a Happy New Year, too.
