Merry Christmas from Ray & Judi

2008 Holidays

Dear Friends and Family,

We are sure looking forward to ’09. We have had a lot going on in ’08, a year full of surprises. First, last year I had told you we had sold our extra land and they would be building four new homes out beside us. We were a couple of months late on our land contract and the developers’ money ran dry just about the time we were to be paid out. Disappointing, but they aren’t making any more land so we’ll just sell again when the market returns!

January 30th, Ray & I were passing our six month cancer check-ups with flying colors when Ray happened to mention he had been having a chest pain for the past year. Dr. looked at him and asked if he meant right then and Ray said yes. We were immediately sent down to the ER and on Feb 20th after lots of tests, Ray had five-way by-pass open heart surgery.

My Dad passed away three weeks later in March. Ray couldn’t fly nor drive so we had the air bag on the passenger side disconnected and set out for Denver with Ray being the best passenger he’s ever been. I knew he was in a lot of pain, but I couldn’t leave him at home alone. The trip and all the drama was very hard on him. I am so glad that Dad, Myself, Scott, Ruby & my Great Grandson Zane had a five-generation picture taken last fall.

We did get to visit with Scott & Leanne, and family last spring. When I call the house and Zane is up he sounds so strong and so active. His pictures look like a typical active little boy. We were at the wrong time of the year and our time in Denver was too short to see Ethan play in any games. He is so big to just be turning 15 years old this month (6’ & 170 lbs). The schools love him for their football and wrestling teams.

We had a pretty peaceful summer, which gave Ray time to catch up and begin to think and even talk about getting started on his friend’s ’55 Chevy project that has been down in our garage for about two years now.

Our 38th anniversary was coming up in September and most of you know how well thought out and romantic Ray’s gifts have always been to me. For instance - a snow shovel, a sympathy card that he swears was misfiled in the anniversary section, pierced earrings when my ears weren’t pierced, left-handed scissors even though I’m right handed. Well anyway, he tells me at about midnight to get him to the hospital in a hurry! It’s late (or rather early) and the traffic is light so I raced him to the ER (about 80 or so) and of course with my caution lights on and even picked up a cop somewhere along the way. He saw Ray get out of the car and start moving for the doors at the same time the ER doctors were coming out to get him since they saw him holding his chest. I guess the cop thought no one would pay attention to him so he got lost. On our anniversary, Ray had more surgery, this time to have his gallbladder removed and upon release couldn’t drive again for a few weeks, boy does he hate that! Too bad, no gift, but good news - Ray is doing well and promises he will not go back to the hospital for a long time.

In November, the annual dreary rains started and we had the perfect excuse to go south, to sun and warmth. Race School! (www.driveSRT.com) When we bought the Chrysler, I might have mentioned it is an SRT8 model (meaning faster than hell). Part of the price is a one-day, Richard Petty SRT Driving School. We had two years to use it and the time was ending soon so I signed up for it at Firebird International Race Way in Chandler, Arizona, which is a little suburb south of Phoenix. It was just for one driver and then you pay for the spouse to watch and eat and ride along at the end with the instructors if they wanted. Ray insisted that I do the driving and I am so glad. I had the most exciting day I’ve had for a long time. It was just a blast!! There were five different parts to the class but I liked the drag racing and road racing parts the best. What a day!

We spent a couple of days in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area sightseeing and then on to Palm Springs to visit with some friends from home who wisely spend their winters down there. We spent a night in Santa Marie, CA visiting with a school friend of mine and by this time it was time to head home to our main job – taking care of Granddaughter Jackie five days a week.

Our little sweetie is growing so fast and we’re so lucky to be able to take care of her. She is 2 ½ and keeps us very busy. She is Granpa’s girl and spends time down in the garage with the guys where she is known by Jake or Jakie. She gets him out walking to the park.

Dani and Jack are doing fine. They both feel pretty secure in their jobs and that is good in this economy. Jack is still teaching a Wednesday evening class so Dani and I have that one night a week to spend together.

Ray and I wish you a very happy holiday season and the best New Year.

Love and Peace, Ray & Judi

11203 Newcastle Way Newcastle WA 98056-1001

Please, if you haven’t updated our address, please do so; the post office is getting picky about it, as if they have too much to do! We have not moved but have had the name of our town and now the street changed.