Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 

 

2008 Started out with my annual "vacation from retardment", two months in Palma del Mar in St. Petersburg, FL. This year the time was well spent with friends and visiting former colleagues. The days revolved around a morning exercise walk, some piecing of a quilt, basking in the sun by the pool while listening to an audio book on my MP3 player, a swim to shake out the limbs, back to piece some more on the quilt, and enjoying cocktail with all. All in all some very productive days.

Here I am all nice and tan after enjoying my morning time at the sewing machine. While there I worked on two quilts, a Green Bay Packer wall hanging that Carol had started for our nephew Spencer and a queen sized one call Kansas Troubles that Carol had started with a group o quilters in Carriage Park. Finished the Green Bay Packer one in florida but had to wait for the four corners of the Kansas troubles one until back in NC. Anyway, here are the final products.

There were always all those parties around the condo to keep one busy along with a visit with Barbara and her friend Charlene. . Also,made my annual trip to see "old" colleagues, Dick and Connie grace and Gerry Vest.

Those FL girls!

Barbara, Charlene and Me
Me and Gerry Vest

Me and Dick Grace


The annual taking picture of the sunset at the Graces

In March there I was back in Hendersonville and in the harness again with Carriage Park activities, Opportunity House Board, Rotary, etc. Brought back special t-shirts for "The Girls" at Carriage Park office.

A major event was Spencer Liedl's graduation from the Air Force Academy. Barbara and I flew out for the graduation and the commissioning.

Me swearing-in Spencer

Proud parents pinning on bars

Barbara, Spencer & Me

In July made a trip to see Barbara in Charleston, WV and to see her new Siamese kittens, Leif and Lena. They were a handful as little kittens can be. Check them out on the stand they loved to play on. Found out later that Lena had a virus that was fatal so Leif is alone now.

In August our Family Vacation was at Williamsburg to see the historical sites and, of course, visit Busch Gardens. As usaul we all had a lot of fun.


Here we are - The Family!

Constance and Janice on the swings at Busch Gardens

Mike and Eleanor getting wet on a ride at Busch gardens

Surprise! The whole contingent from Fairfax County VA stopped by - Jackie Lou along with Candy and Jim

Made a trip to old Purdue the end of August to be at a program honoring Dick Grace, an old colleague at Purdue. Innocent as can be went to a luncheon held in the Department's new digs in the new Armstrong Building. While picking up my lunch I was asked to llok at the plaque by the door and much to my surprise I found that Room 2237 had been dedicated to me by Mike and Jane McCulley. Once in the room the telephone rang and it was Mike on the line calling from his car somehwere in west Texas. At that time I found that everyone but me had known about this dedication and that I should have been there for the building dedication but when I did not make that one they made sure I went to this event.


Me in front of the "Liedl" room

 


Three former heads of MSE

 


Some of the MSE faculty in the Liedl room -current Head Keith Bowman on right in usual pose



Dick Grace responding to his roasting by the Dean and others.

So, here we are at the end of another eventful and fun year. Looking forward to Barbara and Leif coming to visit for the holidays. Leif has been doing his thing for the holidays. He is making sure santa knows that he has been a good kitty.