LEIF COMPLETES BASIC TRAINING - GRADUATION TODAY

NEWS:  LEIF has completed Basic Training and will graduated today! Cheryl attended, along with Gunnar and Lindsey. They drove up from Jacksonville.

Gunnar is on leave from the US Navy. It was very nice for him to attend his brother's celebration with Mom.

CALI TURNS 14

 

Cali, the COOK, admiring her breakfast

Cali is now 14. It's not like anyone would forget her with all those reminders she makes. This includes her special breakfast for Grandma and Poppy.

It looks like we will have a family celebration at Outback on Thursday (19th). She should have a birthday more often! 

CHRISTMAS IN NAPLES

 

Another year has gone by so fast. It will be 2023 soon, but now it is Christmas in the Glades.

We did the usual. Grandma set up the tree, then another one too. She does a great job and knows exactly where everything goes. They look great especially when the lights are turned on.

Cindy came down to visit. She does this every year and it is great to see her and hear about her life, job, work, and New York City. We are proud of her.

Here are a few Christmas pictures and memories that filled our home this year.

The Main Tree

Bakers' Rack with Snowmen

Hayley and Santa

GUNNAR AND LINDSAY VISIT AND GIVE US A HUGE (TINY) SURPRISE

 Too much time had past between visits with "Sir Gunnar" and his beautiful wife Miss Lindsey. Today, thanks to the US Navy transferring him to Jacksonville, we were able to catch up.

They brought their dogs to check out our hacienda at the edge of the Everglades. Everyone took a walk. We went in different directions so the dogs stayed calm. Along the way the conversation brought time closer to our daily lives.

Later The Seldens gave us a card wishing us a happy Christmas Season. Inside the card was a picture. It was a black and white and looked like a space capsule, but then it became clear. An Addition to the Clan is on the way. 

Gunnar and Lindsey earlier in the year

THANKSGIVING ENGAGEMENT

NEWS RELEASE! 

Cassidy and Will are now engaged.          

That is good news. It is also a great way of telling everyone the news. The picture says it all. We are so happy for these two "kids." They look great together and we hope they will have many many years of happiness ahead of them.

SECOND SURGERY FOR POPPY

After enjoying a nice ten day tour of the National Parks out west Poppy had a huge surprise when going for a check up on his shoulder. The X-rays showed he broke it again. Actually the doctor said the prosthetic in the shoulder failed and broke through the bone. The doctor said "I guess we go to plan B."

Plan B was surgery in November. At that time the old prosthetic was hammered out and a full reverse replacement was completed.  

For the next eight weeks the arm is to remain in a sling. Depressing. Poppy tells everyone "I am in the 8th month of a 6 week recovery."

The pictures are from the trip out West. Notice how Poppy is doing a fabulous job hiding that left arm which he sneaks out of the sling every now and then.

GRADUATION AT CHARLESTON

The base at Charleston is so huge that several branches of the military call it home. Being located in the same City the different service branches frequently take on various tasks as unit. Leadership School, conducted by the United States Air Force, is an example of a joint endeavor. On Nov. 18, 2022, Zachary graduated from this program and is all smiles as evidenced below.

Zachary receiving his certificate (L).  Zachary and Taylor (R).