So here it is, in readable sized font.
2018 has been a year of Changes and Blessings for us.
It started with Curt going through numerous cardiac tests and procedures in January & February and finally enrolling in an EECP program of 35 sessions to increase blood flow in his blocked and narrow arteries and to reduce the angina issues he had been experiencing since last fall. He has learned when he needs to slow down and what he can and cannot do, avoiding angina. The EECP seems to have helped. We did not get back to SD until mid-May. Changes and blessings.
The angina issues brought about the next big change. After 43 years in the same community and 41 years in the same home, we decided to put it up for sale and move closer to the grandchildren. Our home sold the same day we listed it, June 29th. We found a townhouse in Sioux Falls we both liked and began the process of sorting, packing and storing STUFF. On August 17th we moved into our 25’ camper while our new home was completed with the finishing touches we chose. After 7 weeks of living in the travel trailer we moved into our four bedroom townhome on October 11th, right on schedule. We love it! No leaves to pick up or lawn to mow as that is provided by the Home Owners Association. I have a bedroom downstairs dedicated to books and crafting. Curt has storage in the garage for his toys/tools and a storage room downstairs for geocaching related supplies. All the necessities are on the main floor, with extra space downstairs. Changes and blessings.
In early June I had a total replacement of my right hip. I had healed enough when the house sold to begin the sortng and packing process. The hip is doing very well. We have done some geocaching, putting it to the test. It and I survived! Definitely a change and a blessing to last spring’s geocaching excursions.
Speaking of geocaching, we took a ten day trip the end of May to Cincinnati for a large geocaching event. We saw many of our AZ geocaching family and spent time with good friends, Jon and Sherry. It was a fun trip, checking off several of the geocaching ‘must do’ items. Sioux Falls has a very active geocaching community and we have enjoyed meeting a new geo-family. Curt celebrated his 20,000 geocache find last spring in AZ. I am about 400 short of my 20,000 milestone. Geocaching has changed how we travel and spend our free time. A real blessing.
This summer and fall I was again, part of a project to help a group of sexually abused women get their stories published in a book to help support their Hope In God retreats and share their experiences with other women in northeast South Dakota. That project also led to helping Father Meier publish a book of devotions, also supporting the HIG projects. These two projects will change the lives of others and are a blessing to those who have written and to me. I continue to work with winter residents helping them write their life stories and seeing their stories evolve into a published book.
We have been able to watch the grandkids play soccer this fall. Willa is now a third grader and Marek a first grader at Sonia Sotomayor, the Spanish Immersion School. Although they live across town, the 15 minute drive is a change and blessing allowing us to help out in a pinch. Karl does not travel as often as he has a new position with Fiserv. Crystal continues to grow her graphic design business while helping with weddings at Peace Lutheran and working for Wayne and Mary’s Nutrition Center.
Kari continues to reside in Rosedale, working the afternoon/night shift (placement for drug, alcohol & mental health patients) at Fairview/U of M hospital and the morning/afternoon shift (counseling) at Tapestry, a women’s residence center. A big change for Kari was loosing her housemate after 17 years. Callie, her cat, was put to sleep this fall leaving a big hole in Kari’s life. Kari continues to travel abroad and plan trips for the three of us…a real blessing for us.
And speaking of travel, on the Saturday after Thanksgiving we will join Kari on an 11 day cruise to the Panama Canal. When we return in December, it will be time to have our family Christmas, see the grandkids in their Christmas program, and pack up for the trip and winter in AZ. Not a change, but a blessing
We hope your year has been filled with blessings, too. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!