1996
Christmas 1996
Dear Friends,
Merry Christmas! We are celebrating our 11th Christmas Arizona style. I remember the first Christmas here and shopping without heavy coats or mittens and it didn’t seems much like the holiday season. Now I’ve adjusted but the Currier and Ives Christmas holds fond memories. Seeing cacti strung with Christmas lights takes some getting use to.
Hugh’s parents and aunt are visiting us for the holidays. We also enjoy seeing them and sharing the holidays with family. Of course, I like all the home baked goodies they always make, especially the ginger snaps.
1996 was a sad year for me. My sister Trudy was diagnosed in May with a brain tumor. I went to see her then before her surgery, and stayed until she came home from the hospital. All of us went to Maryland (where Trudy lived) to a family reunion in August. I got to see some nieces and nephews I hadn’t seen in 10 years. We had a good time getting reacquainted. Trudy died in September. I miss her and find the holidays somewhat sad this year.
Hugh still works for Cigna although he is still thinking of leaving. Hugh thinks about things a long time before he makes a change. He has started golfing and we’ve been doing more hiking.. In October we went to Sedona for a long hike. We are planning to hike the Grand Canyon in November 1997.
I worked full time through tax season. In March I was asked by two CPA’s to help research and write a book on tax law for the trucking industry. After finishing the book on trucking, I helped on two other books, one on bars and restaurants, She is all excited about practicing her Spanish. and one for attorneys. The books were published this week. I was listed in the acknowledgments as a researcher and contributor. I may work on another book in January, but my own business is keeping me very busy.
In early May the authors of the books asked me to do some contract tax work. I’ve been working for them ever since. As an independent contractor I set my own hours, occasionally work from home, and pick and chose my projects. I’ve just been asked to work on two large projects, one is an embezzlement investigation which we know over $1 millions has been taken and the other project involves a like-kind exchange of $1.5 million worth of timberland. I have one client in Paris and another in Germany. I love the challenges, the variety, and the independence.
Timothy started public school this fall. Everyone is still adjusting. Tim loves riding his bike to school. He meanders through the neighborhood and through the local stores on his way home. He enjoys the independence that going to a school close to home affords him. He is like all other thirteen year old boys – into playing games on his Sony playstation or the computer and chatting on the Internet.
Julie is having an incredible year! Last spring she signed up to go to Spain during Spring break 1997. Julie has been studying Spanish since 2nd grade so she is fairly fluent. She is all excited about practicing her Spanish. In October she received an invitation to study at Oxford and the University of Paris. If accepted into the program, she will spend 5 weeks in Oxford and 1 week in Paris. Do I ever envy her! After we all settled down to her 2 trips abroad next year, she was nominated for a Youth Leaders conference, so she’ll be going to Washington, D.C. this winter.
We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!