Mutlu Yillar (Happy New Year)

Happy New Year
Thanks, as usual, for the update. And Happy New Year to you!!! Just in case you are interested, the fireworks at the Space Needle were probably the best I have ever seen. We watched them from home with our good friends Ted and John. I think we were just lucky to stay up past midnight!! Today is my second day of retirement. Yes, I retired at the end of the year. Feels great so far. The dogs are sure happy. Not so sure about Eileen. Just kidding. She has been very sweet and supportive. Thanks for sending all of the pictures. It looks fascinating and it is piqueing (sp) our desire to come see you. Be safe. Be adventuresome. Be happy. Blessings, Cindy, Eileen, Seda and George

Salt Lake City
Great to read this blog. I'm glad you're enjoying the volunteering but wondered if you had pursued the English teaching at a local university. Like you, I am ambivalent about "working" at this point in life. I enjoy the work (if there's not too much of it) and the extra money is fine, of course, but I'm always wondering if I shouldn't be out enjoying myself while my health and mobility are still good. Great the Ted was able to visit. I'm sure that adds to the memories. We had ham too! And proscito! Went to Denver for the holidays and had the whole fam-damily came to our old house. I did all the cooking. It was great for everyone. I find myself envying you! Sounds like you are having a great time and seeing lots. The story aboaut the lamp was charming. I'm going to Denver this weekend. Have met a female of the species and we seem to connect very nicely. We'll see. Who knows I may wind up moving back to Devner...which would not be a bad thing. Love, Rich

HNY right back at you!
Thanks for sharing you delightfully chaotic (no plan X) lifestyle and experiences with us! It is a thrill to enjoy it all in a virtual fashion. I look forward to hearing yet more. Take care! Rick

Happy New Year to You Too!!!
What a marvelous delight to have just read your last 2 entries--we continue to be amazed at the many people, places, and events that have filled your adventure already. Your photos are beautiful and we linger on each one. December flew by for us as we prepared to have our "this-is-our-Christmas-to have-everyone." We had 19 people sleeping here and all 5 big dogs--it was great. Myra June's 2 year old and Alyssa's 2 year old were the biggest challenge--not really good playmates most of the time. 7 grandchildren and #8 due the end of March--Derek and Amy's first--gender to be a surprise. Of course we would like a girl as Myra's 6 year old Maryn is our only granddaughter but then Derek also says he is the only one to carry on the Hrubes name--safe arrival and healthy is our prayer. Our big celebration the day after Christmas came because Justin proposed to Melody and gave her a lovely ring. No plans soon as she is in 2nd year of residency in Chicago and he has been working this last year as a lawyer in Atlanta. Mother is doing quite well--we have such bittersweet feelings as the Bristol Road house sold and closed the first week in December--they built that the summer I started 6th grade. But Mother is in a lovely one bedroom apt. in a very pleasant assisted living complex just a few blocks from Eric Todd. He is there almost every day and brings one of his little granddaughters frequently. His string quartet is very busy and since the Brazos Chamber Orchestra performs nearby, I was able to take her to the fall concert when I was there in late October and Jamie took her to the Christmas one. Todd played Silent Night cello solo with orchestra and choir accompaniment--thrilled Mother! We did not have a white Christmas here in Montrose but snow and very cold temp came by New Years. Our house has been on the market since June 1 with not one inquiry--we have to sell as none of our land is selling. Myra's husband Rick lost his bank job of 14 years in October (his bank doing fine but corporate not so they made cuts). So we have grave concerns about many people and families but we are so very grateful that both of us and our families are in good health--my mind can't quite realize even yet that Al turned 70 in August--how much we would love to come have an adventure with you! Continue your wonderful travelogs and our love to you this 2011.

keep the blogs coming!
I so enjoy your travel blog, and Carol, your signature (with Bill by my side, as always) was just heartwarming. How lucky we are to have found our soul-mates and travel-mates too. I loved the story of the lamp and the red underwear picture too. Looking forward to the next installment. Meanwhile, Happy New Year! Connie

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I love reading the blog - thanks for including me! All is well in Seattle if you love to work on never-ending, never decided transportation issues. I continue to work ORCA and Ron continues to plan LINK. I just wanted to let you know that I have a friend who has become quite interested in traveling in Turkey in June and has asked us to go with her - she and her husband are Maia's godparents, and she was my very first friend in Seattle when I came in 1974. Her daughter is my goddaughter who just gave birth to a baby boy last week! SO I am a grand-godmother or god-grandmother or something like that. Anyway I will keep you posted. My friend wants to rent a sailbot and hop the coast. Ron gets very sea-sick so that probably won't work for him, but we are trying to come to some agreement. I will let you know what we work out. Is there any chance that the Tunisia/Egypt unrest will spread to Turkey? TAke care, Laurie

what a surprise
Malva told me that you moved to Turkey--what a great choice!! If I wasn't Greek (and wanting for my family to speak to me) I would move there myself. It's a beautiful country with so many fantastic Greek ruins. This is a great blog and I will visit it often. In case you didn't know, we go to Greece every summer in a small village called Kanali, 10 minutes from the town of Preveza, in the Northwest. It's beautiful up there and not very touristy at all. We build a small house with my brother and his family leaving next door. This will be our retirement place. We would eventually spend our time there from March to November. We haven't figure it out yet where we will be from December to March--it will depend on the kids.. It is great to see your pictures--you all look wonderfully relaxed.. Take care and lots of hugs(as we do in Greece), Fotini