Certainly no one will forget 2021, though many would prefer to. Just when we thought things might get back to normal WHAM, another variant of Covid enters the scene. But even with all the stress (two, count ‘em, two broken crowns and dental implants and a difficult unrelated surgery later) there were some great moments, some sad moments, some funny moments and many, many thankful moments.
There was far less travel than I had hoped there would be, but we did sneak in our annual March trip to Cabo San Lucas with a side trip to Cabo Pulmo. Thankfully we’d gotten our first jab before we left, and our second just after we returned home. Weather was uncooperative in Cabo Pulmo and we stayed in a different rental house, but it was lovely to see hummingbirds and geckos, and bright colored houses, beautiful tile and stunning blue water. We didn’t actually get IN the water until we got to Cabo San Lucas, and it was a rough and cold swim to get in a bit of snorkeling, but the day on the boat was worth the effort. And being with my brother-from-another-mother Mark, his wife Jan, and our friend Cindy is always a good time. We took a cooking class in tamale making at the wonderful Flora Farms, found a jazz club (where the old Georgiou’s used to be) with great food and a stunning view of El Arco, and ate sushi at Nick-San as many times as we could fit in.
Click on image to view full size
In June we said our farewells to Steve’s mom Joan Bullock, and in September we also buried my aunt Dee Oliveira. Both had wonderful, memorable services with lovely receptions following. And since they were friends and card playing buddies in this life I can only guess at the card games happening in the next.
It was a rum soaked summer, with excursions to West Island, our beautiful Fairhaven town beach. It was a different group every time, as many as I could fit in the car with chairs and coolers. Lots of laughter and rum pums, our name for the rum and passion fruit drink we imbibed in adult sippy cups. Thankfully the lifeguards never questioned the contents of the cups. We’re just a bunch of old broads. It is amazing what we can get away with…
We were happy to decorate and hand out candy again this year at Halloween. Our house was dark the year before, so it was fun to host neighbors and friends for a drink and some chili while guessing what the little ones were supposed to be!
And hosting Thanksgiving again after the previous year’s hiatus was a joy. Mark and Jan were able to join us this year, along with friends and family for a grand total of 17! Happily the weather cooperated and we were able to put a LONG table in the sunroom.
And I’ve started a tradition I hope others partake in. A Granny Shower for a friend having her first grandchild. A bunch of us pitched in for some basics to make life easier when the baby comes so the parents don’t have to schlep the whole nursery to Nana’s house every time they visit. Pack ‘N Play, stroller and high chair! And a baby blanket, of course.
Which brings us to Christmas. The decorations are up, the overdose of sappy Christmas movies has commenced, and the Drifters White Christmas cartoon of Santa and reindeer has hopefully landed in your inbox. We’ve gotten our booster, will celebrate our 20th anniversary December 29th, and have lots of travel planned for 2022. Fingers crossed!
We wish all of you a Merry Christmas, and a joyful and healthy 2022.
Dear Cousin Deborah,
Your Thanksgiving table setting was fabulous. Certainly no one left it hungry.
Sorry that we couldn’t attend Aunt Dee’s memorial service. The US-Canadian border was closed to non-essential travel at the time because of Covid.
Pleased to note that you guys have had your Covid shots (as have we). Better safe than sorry.
Wishing you and Steve a happy Christmas.
From Canada with Love. Bob & Anne
Dear Deb and Steve,
Wishing you the happiest of Christmases and a New Year filled with good health and lots of travel. It’s been more than a tough year for us. A major foot reconstruction for me that didn’t go as well as planned, still lots of pain. And my “easy” surgery, like yours, left me with 5 months of a terrible problem too awful and embarrassing to get into here. I did email with Anita at the time I believe so she can probably tell you. I didn’t even get in a swim although I only live a mile from the beach. I’m lucky to be able to walk a mile these days after being a long-distance walker for years.
Manny has had back and stomach issues as well. We are quite the pair!
Happy you got to share so many good times with friends and family. Love to you both. Here’s to a better year!
Beautiful to se those photos, Deborah – what a sign of life, creativity and HOPE! This coming year will …be… easier… (hands clasped in fervent prayer)
here’s to 2022!!!
always love reading your “dishes”; never mind seeing them, but was blessed with our friends to get to have the best pork chop I have ever had, dished out by the ever so famous Deb! Happy 20th Deb & Steve – we love you both……here’s to praying that 2022 will allow us more travel, but as of today….I am not assured by the news, luckily, Keith and I were able to return from a wonderful visit with Anthony in Portugal for Christmas, but the lockdown is in place now thru at least jan 9th if things do not get better, they will surely extend it…. here’s to praying for a more traveled, healthier, safer and shared 2022 with those we love xo Michelle