Christmas Greetings 2014!

 

Because we received a lot of positive feedback on our first annual update (2013) we decided to give it another go this year.  Besides, we have experienced some major changes since then so this may be the best medium to tell our story to our many friends and family.  If you recall in last year’s update we reminded you that Patty and I moved to Sacramento over eight years ago to care for her mom following her dad’s passing, and then, following the passing of Doris, we were planning to move back to Florida early this year (2014). Well, after a few setbacks and delays in selling the Carmichael house, Patty & I finally moved cross-country, back to Florida, to our new residence in The Villages, and any of you that follow Patty’s Facebook postings know all you need to know about “The Villages”.  Within two weeks after arriving here, we purchased our new home and spec’d-out our new “obligatory” golf cart, of which I refer to as our MVV (Main Villages Vehicle)! And with over 90 miles of golf cart paths we had to learn fast on negotiating the many golf cart paths and tunnels else we would have found ourselves lost for some time in this 42 square mile community!

 

 

Of course, leaving California was not that easy although it’s what we wanted to do. We left behind family, friends, a great church family, and years upon years of memories, especially for Patty considering her family moved into that house back in 1964, and many of the same neighbors there today were living there back then too!  But here we are in The Villages with over 100,000 potential new friends, including Kim & Bob Arserio, of which Bob & I knew each other since 1983 while serving together in the USAF. Oh yes, speaking of the Air Force, I donned once again my Air Force uniform to attend the Annual Military Ball held here in The Villages.  This time, however, I opted not the repeat my Duck Dynasty look as I did last year after I wore the uniform for Sandy’s USAF Retirement ceremony. 

 

We are, however, discovering that retirement life, especially here in The Villages, is not without its challenges! For example, with over 2,000 clubs and activities to participate in, one must become adept at time management else find oneself over-committed with conflicting social events.  So, for now, we have joined only a few activities such as: the Red Sox Nation Villages; the California Club; the Baby Boomers Club; the Pinellas Social Club; the Retired Military Club;

The Saturday Night Dance Club; Trivia Club; and the Straight Shooters Gun Club, which leaves us with some time for dancing nightly in one of the three Town Squares, Zumba classes for Patty / horse shoes for me;  swimming in any one of the 64 pools; bicycle riding and walking for exercise; Church & Bible study classes; and, oh yes, eating out (a lot)!

 

 

But Patty & I are aware, though, that while we have been blessed with moving here to this “Disney World for Adults”, God has a plan for us being here, a purpose other than just living the good life. So perhaps by this time next year we will report back to you with our own “good tidings of great joy” with that revelation.

But, for Christmas this year, and for our 2015 New Year’s resolution, Patty & I are anticipating spending as much time possible with our seven grand children (and their parents too), and considering that Disney World is just a one hour drive from The Villages,  we are convinced that we will accomplish the above with no difficulty.

 

 

 

In closing we wish you a

 

Merry Christmas

 

 and a blessed 2015!

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