At the end of 2011 Ameren made Ken an offer he couldn't refuse---- retire with a full year of pay plus health insurance and a great pension and 401K. So he accepted and on the 22nd of Dec., he retired. So 2012 was our first year of living as retired folks. Since he retired, so did I.
One of his vendors sent him this really neat hand made inlaid wood vase. He had a lot of really neat vendors.
1-17-22-2-12 Oregon winter trip:
Now that we had nothing tying us to home, when we came across a super airfare to Oregon, we took it. Probably the first time we've gone there in Jan., but we had a good time and some pretty great weather for that time of year in Oregon. It's been 1.5 years since we were there, so it was time. I got the tickets for $65@way/person!
Back at home, Angie drove up to spend the next week with us in celebration of Ken's 60th birthday. Bill had called Tim and FAith about throwing a surprise 60th party for him. I think we kept it a surprise until his birthday, but then we had to tell him to get ready to go somewhere. We had a good time. Mostly family, but Schneides and Pete also made it. Bill had LOTS of goodies for the party - apps of cheese garlic bread (with salami on it for Ken), cheese balls, ravs, toasted cauliflower and mushrooms, house salad, and several kinds of pizza. Plus a cake. Partied for about 3 hours at Stef's. On the way home, we stopped and bought Apples to Apples and the kids came over and we played games and ate left over pizza a couple more hours.
2-19---3-2, 2012 Kauai : the year the Schneides joined us for a week
Shortly after getting back from Oregon, we were on our way to Kauai for our annual vacation there. LOVE it there!
About a month before going, Coni made a comment about going and I invited them along. She jumped at the chance and had their airfare booked the next day! They were only there for a week, but it was fun showing them around even that short amount of time. Ken and I were there 4 days before they arrived. The nights were quite rainy, but the days were beautiful. We got to snorkel quite a bit before and after they were with us. Great snorkeling finds this trip included the elusive picaso triggerfish that I've only seen on the The Big Island, and a couple octopuses, plus a few tiny fish I don't remember seeing before. Coni and John weren't that much into snorkeling---Coni thought the water was too cold, so they only did it a couple times for a very short while. They did want to do some money activities, though, so they and I did a zip-line and we all went to Smith's luau. They were also scheduled to do a heli tour, but I was sick with stomach flue that day and the rescheduled day was rained out. That I was looking forward to! By the end of their trip, the rains had begun---9.8" in 2 days. So we headed to the canyon and Plihale by car and it was beautiful there and dry. After they left, we made it to Tunnels twice, then to Poipu and Lawai the last day. The day after we left, the rains hit again with a vengeance and roads and bridges were washed out, the ocean tunred brown, our resort lost electricity and had to be evacuated, some small waterspouts/tornadoes hit, quarter size hail hit --- it may even be worse than the big flood of 2006 that broke a dam and washed away 7 people and their houses to their deaths. Perhaps the whales knew what was coming because we saw very few of them and no breaching . Heard later that Hanalei got over 50" of rain in 7 days!
Love the snorkeling. Always find some interesting critters---like this sea cucumber.
3-14-21, 2012 Atlanta trip
Back on the mainland, it wasn't long til we were on another trip. This time a road trip to Atlanta to visit with Angie and Josh and also dog sit while the kids went to Savannah with friends for St. Paddy's weekend.
Love all the old barns along the way.
We even went to a trivia night at Wild Wings with their new friends. We even tied for 1st place.
Angie and the pups on their townhouse porch as we were leaving. Who would have known that in a couple years we would be living in Georgia, too---on the NE side of Atlanta, later in middle Georgia, then in NW Atlanta!!!!
3-24-2012 Back at home---Ken went out and bought a Townie touring bike and started joining me for bike rides. I had been going alot! and had gotten up to regularly doing 15 miles. But it was nice that Ken was now joining me, even if we didn't go as far.
4-18-2012 I still played a lot of volleyball. This was the Wed. night Kirkwood team that I was on. Loved having this group of gals.
A couple trips to Orlando---1st one in Feb. with Carolyn and David and Jane.
4-22-2012
The 2nd trip to orlando was in April with Coni. She is a Disneyholic. So I finally agreed to go there with her.
Coni and I went for 6 days, 5 nights. I even got us a 2 bedroom unit at Wyndham's Bonnett Creek. All in all, I had a good time. I knew there would be little rest, but managed ok. the day we got there we went to 6 or 7 Disney resorts and wandered around them.
Next day we went to Silver Springs about an hour outside of Orlando.
Tuesday we went to breakfast at Chalet Suzanne near Bok Garden, then to Bok Garden.
Then to St. Pets's Sunken Garden (another reciprocal garden). Justine joined us there and spent the rest of the trip with us.
Lunch on the beach.
Wed. was Epcot day for the Flower and Garden Festival. First time I've been to that event and I was impressed. We even had lunch at the fancy French restaurant there.Back at the condo, the lazy river felt great!
Our last full day was spent at Animal Kingdom. I didn't realize that it is the largest Disney park until recently. Park closed at 7 and we had dinner there at Rainforest Cafe. Back at the resort, I was looking forward to another night at the lazy river. We had agreed about going to Animal Kingdom because it closed early and we'd have time to go to the pool area. Much to my surprise, Coni was upset that I didn't want to go to Downtown Disney instead. I told her she and Justine could go, but I was looking forward to the pool. We also had good views of the Epcot fireworks from our lanai, so we watched them. By then, it was after 10 and I had lost interest in going to the pool. But Coni played the martyr and disgruntedly said, "OK, I'm getting my swimming suit on now." An argument ensued with her ultimately telling me to, "get my f88785ing swimming suit on." To end the fight, I did and we went to the lazy river where I actually did enjoy the rest of my evening. We seem to have gotten past the incident, but I'm not sure I want to go on another Disney trip with her.
4-28-2012 Back at home----we had one of our really bad storms with really big hail.
5-2012
Time to go visit Angie again. She picked me up from the airport and we headed to the beach---Edisto Beach. Josh has been offered a couple promotions---to Memphis or Jackson?, but he turned them down, but is hoping to get S. Florida.
Botany Bay---some really neat photographic areas
On our drive from the airport to Edisto, Josh called to tell Angie about the offer Cintas sent him for the Pompano, Fl. job. They offered him almost double pay to be GM of the SE Florida area. They accepted, so after we got back from Edisto, the 2 of them planned a trip there to house hunt. I extended my stay to watch the dogs while they were in Florida.
They put an offer on a house, but couldn't come to terms with the seller. A couple weeks later, Angie flew out again. Put an offer on another house. Negotiations on it seemed to have gone ion forever~ After a month, they finally had a firm contract. But it needed a new roof, so more negotiations. The owner also replaced the asphalt drive way with pavers. Then came Gator-Gate! All the problems with buying a home: inspections failing on the new roof; closing dates changing and having to be out of their current rental; and the Patriot Act (we loaned them $12,000 for earnest and closing but the bank transferred it without a paper trail. So they couldn't give it back, but still needed $12,000, so we gave them a check and filled out forms that it's not a loan, as well as copies of our bank transactions. A month later they got the appraisal. In the mean time Josh is working there and flying home on weekends. Then the sellers realator demanded a "clean" lean commitment. That meant the original $12,000 had to be returned, even though 6 weeks ago they told them not to touch it. Then the kids bank guy went on vacation and didn't tell the person covering all that was going on so she kept demanding stuff that was already submitted. Then when they returned the $12,000 the seller and his wife had to sign off on that since it was being held in earnest. Then the bank wanted to know why that was removed. A Catch-22 yet again. So the check was given to Josh to endorse, he had to send it to me, once it came I deposited it, emailed Angie the paper trail---then the bank wanted a bank statement so they had to wait for their monthly cycle. By then the roof permit (which was denied first time because no color was listed) was finally approved but the sellers realtor refused to give the roofers the deposit from earnest because of the kids' loan commitment not being re-issued yet even though the paper the lawyer drew up said the roofers were to start as soon as the permit was approved. Fortunately the seller really likes Angie and Josh and is letting them unload their stuff into the house. Closing was moved to Aug. 16th from July 31st, but it was postponed again when the realoator said they need 24 hours to submit the form before they could close. Then there's the weekend, so that puts move in until Monday, Aug. 20th.
5-28----6-4, 2012 Maui with Carolyn
Back up to June, I joined Carolyn in Maui. I had been here with Dad a few years ago and realized what a neat island it really is. Ken and I thought nothing could beat Kauai, but I'm really enjoying Maui.
Flying over Oahu---wishing I was snorkeling down there in Hanauma Bay.
5-23-2012 Before Maui at home---time to cut Roxy's hair. Summer cut! We found a neat place were we can go and groom her ourself and bath her for only about $15.
like for our 37th anniversary
7-10-1012 ANd back to Atlanta for a few days to visit Angie before the BIg MOve to Coral Springs, Florida.
Angie and I even did a painting Sip and Strokes. I do enjoy painting, just need to have motivation.
Back in St. Louis, it's been the hottest year on record. We've had about 25 days over 100 and that was even before Aug. We're also in a drought. But we've still been riding bikes a lot.
8-9-2012 I also love gardens---so back in St. Louis I try to go to MOBOT whenever possible. Especially when they have special events, like the suppose crowded Japanese Festivals.
steam breathing dragon
8-23-2012 More "work"---taking some senior pictures for Barb's grand daughter, Kaitlin.
9-15 Now that Angie and Josh are settled in Pompano, I'm heading out there to Florida to dogsit while the kids go to Key West for their 5th anniversary. Even got a trip to Deerfield beach with Angie while I was there.
Back at home and back to work for me. Lots of changes at Prestige. Bev left! Got my 15 year award ring. So now I go to work and Ken stays home!
Played in another senior VB tournie. We took 1st.
10-11- Took Ken to the airport so he could go dog sit in Coral Springs while the kids fly here for a wedding. I would have volunteered to dog sit, but I'm the photographer for the James and Lisa Knowles.
11-2012 Shortly after James's wedding, we loaded up some more stuff to take to Angie in S. Florida. Even took Roxy with us.
Xmas decorations in S. Florida
The cruise was GREAT! Best cruise yet! Back at the kids' house we stuck around for Thanksgiving.
Shortly after Thanksgiving, Ken headed home/Roxy and I stayed another 2 weeks so I could dog sit again the 2nd weekend. The 5.5 weeks went by quickly for me.
Back to St. Louis and the cold and snow.
It was another fantastic year.
