Let's start with this . . .
 
  Road Miles  
       Kathy 8,962  
       Micky 5,268  
  Air Miles  
       Kathy 10,008  
       Micky 12,048  
  Sea Miles  (each) 5,144  
  Amtrak Miles  (each) 824  
   
                                
TOTAL


48,222

 

 

Micky has a app on his phone and it says he has walked 821 miles since February 21 his first day on the job in WDC. 
 
2017 The year that changed everything...

                       at least at this house.

  We said goodbye.
 
We had talked a lot about spending a few years in DC - especially at the end of Mick’s career. We felt like we could enjoy a short time of exploring the area and bump his retirement a few dollars. He had watched the job line and had just about given up when he saw a listing for a CRP specialist. He applied in mid November knowing that it can take months for WDC jobs to be filled. He was contacted in January, offered the job and told they wanted him immediately. You know me, by midnight I had found an apartment and had boxes ready to pack. Then his paperwork got “caught” in the red tape of inauguration and new management. We finally made it to Arlington, Virginia in mid February. We were official big city folks living in a high rise and taking the train.
 

John Alfred Daniels (our brother-in-law) died in February following a lengthy illness.

McKito. My precious shadow for 12 1/2 years.  He was one of a kind.
 

We said welcome to the family.

Margine and Colby (nephew) married in March.  She brought with her Ms. Grace. 

Jeremiah (the bullfrog) was born in May to Tim and Amber (nephew and wife). 

 

Guess Who Came to Visit?  
  Bethany, Michael & Gatlin. . . Our “Land” crew from Uvalde arrived for a visit over Father’s Day. We did the touristy things as well as spending a lot of time watching Gatlin be cute. He does it very well.  Bethany is still with Vulcan Enterprises and Michael is in his fifth year with NOW.  Bethany worked hard this past year and is now a certified proofreader.  She is hoping to take the leap to self employed someday.  Gatlin loved our balcony.  He spent hours moving the small painted rocks from one spot to the other. Of course his first plan was to throw them off the balcony - typical boy.  He remains one of the happiest little ones I've even known.
 
x
  Casey, Katy & Mary . . Our Austin crew arrived in time for the 4th of July. Let me just share - this is not a good time to visit DC. CROWDED! Casey and Mary did a lot of walking. Katy and I did a lot of visiting and playing in the pool. The last 3 days we joined them for a jaunt to New York City. It was interesting, fascinating and  expensive. Casey’s business is doing well and his miniature donkeys are spoiled rotten. Katy is a 4th grader this year.  She is not a fan of spelling but is the official cartwheel queen.  She is possibly the most dog loving child in the world. Casey has a video of a deer bathing Katy's cat, Bruiser. Katy is not impressed...she likes dogs.
 
  Jamie, Luchi, Natalie & Martin . . Our Weatherford crew arrived late July. Once again we visited the sites and spent time swimming and walking the neighborhood. Jamie flew back to Midland where he is a rigger for a crane crew and hopes to move to crane operator some day.  Luchi is working with the bi-lingual classes at Weatherford ISD. Natalie is a fifth grader and still playing volleyball and has started dance class.  She loves to read and is our social butterfly. Martin is in the second grade and plays basketball like his Grammy - well they said he was real fast so it must be like me. LOL   He is all boy with a little sweetheart thrown in.  Luchi lost her sweet mother this past summer.  She and the kiddos spent a few weeks in Colombia with her family.
 
 

Joni, Marvin & Linda . . . my siblings came to visit in October. Once again we hit the tourist trail. The weather was gorgeous and we took time to laugh and enjoy being together. We even took a Segway tour.  No one broke a bone although I will admit there were a couple of bruises and Joni needed a speeding ticket!  Joni is still going to work each day but admits retirement is on her list. Marvin completed chemo, is in remission and finally retired this past summer. Linda has both knees scheduled for replacement in the upcoming year. Oh yes - Congrats to Marvin - he was inducted into the West Texas A&M Sports Hall of Fame. 
 

 
We had so many places to go . . .
 
 
  Even though we had just made the move to WDC we had booked and paid for our annual trip to Vegas and we WANTED to go.  I flew out of Austin and Micky flew from DC.  It had been almost a month since we had seen each other and that was way too long.  We had a great time in Vegas; the games were exciting and we cashed in a few winning tickets.  We flew back to Texas on Monday, cleared out the house Monday night and signed the closing papers on Tuesday.  Micky flew back to DC and I made the drive up a few days later. 

One word for the drive . . . BRUTAL !
  

 
At the end of May we met James and Mendy in Houston and did the "we're going to Mexico" happy dance. We spent seven days on the beach in Puerto Vallarta.  We enjoyed a lot of visiting, laughing and sharing as well as many lazy hours refueling our bodies and souls. We watched a sea turtle lay her eggs, ate at "the yacht club" and I finally got to parasail.  
   
  Micky spent 6 weeks during April and May in Michigan working on a special project with his new job. In November he was presented with an award (USDA Administrators Service to Agriculture) for his work.  He was also recognized as having 30 years service with the USDA/FSA.

I spent a few days in June in Greeley, Colorado visiting with my dad's sister, Aunt Deal.  Of course we partook of the famous Cajun Boil and indulged in some fried ice cream. She might be the only person that talks as much as I do.  Needless to say it was a lively visit.
 
  Our three oldest grandkids, my sister Joni, niece Melannie, her friend Johnny, her son Riley and of course us (Gramps and Grammy) met in Galveston in August.  We sailed out of Galveston on the Carnival Valor with a 7 and  8 year old boy and a 9 and 10 year old girl. And we had a ball!   GCamp for 2017 had become GCruise.

Bethany laughed when we invited Gatlin.  Saying something  along the lines of,  "Are you insane?" Then suggested he could go next time.  Next time - I loved that thought - means we get to do this again!

Memories were made, wings were spread and smiles can still be seen.
 

 
  September found us back in Houston where we met Gary and Voni. This was our "25th Anniversary Cruise." We were joined by a classmate of Gary's and her spouse.  We sailed out of Galveston on the Carnival Breeze with stops in the Bahamas.  We missed our Key West port due to recent hurricane Irma damage. We played a lot of 42, snorkeled in the Bahamas and were thankful we had avoided hurricanes.  The Breeze is officially my favorite Carnival ship.  Eight hot tubs!
    

   
In November we flew to Providence, Rhode Island bound for the  Mohegan Resort and Casino and Naismith Hall of Fame Tip Off Classic Basketball Tournament in Montville, Connecticut where the Red Raiders took home the tournament championship trophy. The casino was amazing.  While we were in the area we visited Plymouth Rock, ate lobster in Cape Cod and waved at Martha's Vineyard (we think). 
 
  The end of November found us on an Amtrak train to NYC where we watched our Red Raiders play at Madison Square Garden (they did not win).  We also threw in a trip to see Macy's Christmas store, the tree at Rockefeller Center, massive amounts of holiday decorations and caught a snow flake at the Rockette's Christmas show.  And we only spent one night! We will not talk about the $$ spent. Really - the Red Raiders at Madison Square Garden - it was a bucket list home run.
 
     
Planning Ahead . . .   City Folk Living . . .
 
We are going to Vegas in March.  This will be year 12 or 13. We can't seem to agree on the number.  We handle the madness" like pros - well other than the gambling. 

We are taking a "retirement eligible" cruise in April. We had booked it long before Micky took the job in DC.  Our Canadian friends, George and Tamara are going with us.  We have survived (barely) almost 2 full years of "no Canadians" due to deaths in family and our relocation.  We are desperate for some George and Tamara time. We will cruise out of Port Canaveral, Florida with stops in Bonaire, Aruba and Turks. 

James and Mendy are joining us for a fall foliage cruise out of Baltimore, Maryland in late September.  We will have stops in Boston, Maine, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.  (Just taking advantage of being in this area.)

And the Self kids are taking a sibling cruise. Joni, Marvin and Linda will sail out of Galveston with us late October. I expect there will be some serious redneck jocularity on board.

GCamp will be brought back on land in 2018.   We know it won't be many years till the big kids will have other pulls on their time.  Notice we didn't say "other things they would rather do."

We want to lose a couple of dollars in Atlantic City.  I would love for Micky to try the ski  slopes in the Poconos or maybe Lake Placid (home for former winter Olympics).  Speaking of winter Olympics, February 8, 2018 is the date!  We want to check out Philadelphia, Virginia Beach,  a few more baseball parks and many other "local" areas while they are handy.

 

 
 
We took advantage of being "in the city" and saw The Sound of Music at the Kennedy Center and actually went to a hockey game. As much as we love sports this was our first NHL game.   Other than a bit chilly (and yes I know they play on ice)  we had a great time.  We have tickets for the Moscow Ballet presentation of The Nutcracker and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra Christmas concert.  
 
2017 found us in Texas, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Arkansas, Louisiana, Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina and Nevada. Don't forget Mick went to Michigan and I went to Colorado. Whew!
 
We miss our kids and grandkids.  We miss our friends and family. We miss the  easy life of Texas. We miss Kroger grocery store.  But we have fallen in love with Arlington and the WDC area.  We never dreamed we could adjust so quickly and happily to city life.  We have no plans to grow old here, but we are enjoying and taking advantage of our stay.
 
The BIG Plan . . .
 
The "new" official retirement date hasn't been set - yet.  Micky is eligible for full retirement on April 1, 2018.  He is working on new  tasks, dealing with the upcoming farm bill and enjoying his job. We hope to save enough money so when he does retire we could stay in DC an extra month or two and let him enjoy some relaxed DC area time.
 
Where are we going when we finish here?  It will be in Texas.  Sorry guys but it won't be where the dirt blows.  And after Harvey, it won't be too close to the coast.  
 
 
 
My friend Nancy encouraged me to "blog" about our numerous adventures while living in WDC.  I am too lazy to blog but did set up a web site for our adventures.  I have tried diligently to keep it current and to share things I think are interesting, funny or unique.   The link is:  Our Adventures!

 

 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

We wish each of you a safe and happy holiday. 
We hope you spend time counting blessings, making memories and enjoying the wonderful life we all have been given.  
Love and best wishes,  Micky and Kathy

 
 
2017 our 25th Anniversary
 
Gatlin, Age 2
Class of 2034
Martin, Age 8
Class of 2028
Katy, Age 9
Class of 2026
Natalie, Age 10
Class of 2025