Happy New Year

Okay Folks, I put 4 pictures in, then tried to add text and it wouldn't let me. Then I did something that deleted the pictures, so now I am going to write first and then try to add the pictures. Since I have spoken to both of you since Christmas, I don't have much to say. It got down to 22 last night and will be cold again tonight and then the temp will rise again. It should be in the low 70s for New Year's Day. Rick is going to the Gator Bowl, Mississippi plays Michigan. Since we are also going to a New Year's Eve party the night before, I hope he makes it. He has two tickets, but I don't really care to go.

This time it let me add text again after the pictures were loaded. Oh well. That is Ryan and Tracy leaving for S. Carolina. They have had snow there. Those are Kyla's gingerbread houses made from graham crackers. Love, Marilynn

Thanks Herb and Kathy for "including us in your Christmas celebration" with the pics. They were great. Looks like everyone is happy and healthy.
luv,
b

Christmas Day 2010

Morning All,
Well, the year is nearly over. Can you believe it? Looks like we are going out with a bang. There have been several earthquakes near here. The one this morning was near Anagada and was 3.6 on the scale. However, those who have been here for some time say it's nothing to worry about.
Evan arrived safe and sound a week ago Friday. He has worked several days with Bob on the floor in the restaurant in Cruz Bay. He was a big help and they, hopefully, will finish up this week. They are waiting for the owner to pick the stain color. Evan went to the beach with a friend today and went and did the Cinnamon Bay trail this past week. They were surfing out there. Really big surf. Have never seen it like that. Trunk Bay was completely closed.
Evan is dating a girl who facebooked him. she was his first date in H.S. She has two children and works in a bank. He isn't taking any of this real seriously, but at least he has someone to share some of his life with. I think it is good for him and we are happy about that.

Herb, sorry you are not feeling well. A good shot of mulled wine might make you feel a little more "jolly". Sounds like a great Christmas at the Baldwin household in the woods. Did you get snow for Christmas? I really miss the cold and snow at Christmas. Christmas in Paradise just isn't the same and the decorations are sort of lame, but it's warm. Lots of people go boating to other islands for the holiday. We have been invited on New Year's Day to Lamshur (we went there, guys) for a beach party - lots of food and fun.

Talked with Nathan yesterday. He is enjoying the holiday with Laura's family and some friends. They had a second showing on the house Tues night and the showing realtor told Nathan's realtor that they thought an offer would be in the cards, but nothing so far. Nathan has until March and then the house will go into foreclosure. He is due to leave MI about Jan 15 or so. I guess if something does happen with the house, he will have to get power of attorney for the realtor.

We finally got the UV system for the water and Bob is installing it as I write this. no more "schlepping" the cases of water. that is a relief!!

The garden is coming along nicely and I have tomatoes about the size of my fist. Hopefully we will get to pick them before the birds. We have had a lot of papaya this year. Delicious with a little lime on it.

Ron and Liz are coming for dinner tomorrow along with Bob Moseley, who has the place below us. He is renting it out and has asked us to "manage" if for him. This really only entails guiding the guest to the cottage and being available in case anything goes wrong in the house while the guest is here, then arranging for cleaning for the next guest. Evan did directions in publisher for Bob while he was here. Came out great and it gave him something to do.
Well, the sugar bird and the humming bird are again fighting for "territory" in the hibiscus as I sit here in the foyer. going to do a little cleaning for company coming tomorrow and Evan may bring his buddy back for lunch.
Love to all
Send pics and notes.
Betsy and Bob

http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/inside/4907/Overview11#tab-Videos/08100_00
o.k. Here's the link that didn't get posted. I'm trying it both ways. Copied from Nathan't email, above and then put it in the "link" box

updates Christmaas 2010

It's very early here on Saturday morning. Bob had to be in Cruz Bay again by 6:30. He started grinding the floor yesterday late aft. and I went with him just to fool around and watch the people in the park. He has to work on the floor when the workers aren't there, so he will work today and tomorrow. Evan comes next Fri. for 2 weeks and he can be of a great help to Bob since he went to take the classes for the grinding and polishing.
Had friends in for dinner on Thurs. They built a house here and come down now frequently. They had us all for dinner last month and so we returned the favor. We had a great time. They were here until 11 and about 8:30 is our bed time!!
I'm trying to enclose the link that Nathan sent us. It's a program from National Geo. about commercial diving. We coudn't watch most of it because we can't download that much info at one time. He will be a "tender" for about 1-2 years. He starts school in JAX on Jan 31. His best buddy is coming in from NJ in mid Jan and they will put what is left in the house into storage and drive back to NJ. Laura, girlfriend, will fly to NJ around the 24th and they will drive to FL and she will fly back to MI as he starts school.
Still has not sold the house. Price is down to 74,000. Realtor is dropping it minimally each week in order to keep it at the top of the viewing list, but is afraid that if they drop it too much, the bank won't accept any offer that comes in.
I have uploaded, just as a joke, the holes in the floor for the job Bob is working on. We have to take them for the portfolio and one of my garden from several weeks ago. It was too warm for the broccoli to fruit, but it was just an experiment. Tomaotes are doing well and i expec to have radishes soon. The lettuce is fantastic. Spinach, chives, basil, etc are all doing well. Tell Lisa I'm using donkey poo that is marinating in water for 5 days on the garden. She went "shopping" for me. David actually suggested it because he had the memory card for us and it only weight 2 oz.
I seem to be rambling here. Too much coffee.
Anyway, send some pics of the snow and the Christmas trees. It just isn't Christmas without the snow.
luv,
Betsy

Well, I'm sitting out here on the porch in the dark. bob is watching something on the History channel about airports. Went to Concordia with some friends for breakfast this morning. Concordia is an eco friendly "camp"site here near us. It cost about 150/night, but it's quite unique. Anyway, they sent lots of us 25% off coupon for breakfast, so off we went, all 5 of us. It was good and a nice change - it's near Salt Pond, if you guys remember - pic attached.
Nathan is getting closer to dive school. He's real excited. Plans on leaving MI around the 15 Jan. Ed, his NJ buddy, is coming to MI to help him put stuff in storage and then he and Ed will drive to NJ and Laura will fly out thetre and he and Laura will drive to FL.'s
Herb and Kathy, got a nice note from Sara. Took a long time, but worth the wait. I think she is very happy. Stu just seems to "go with the flow". I think she's lucky to have him.
Have to stop soon as my curser has a mind of it's own and keeps jumping around the page.
love you all,
Betsy
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