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| 12/1 |
Is it really December, 2008? Life is so good....we are so thankful to be able to live our dreams. We have met so many wonderful people, who have become our "family at sea". Our lives have truly been enriched. We are currently in Carenero Marina in Bocas del Toro preparing Valentina to leave for Texas for three months. We have never been away from the boat for that long, but we have a new grandbaby due and one we have not even seen yet. It has been 18 months since we have made a trip home, so we are excited to spend some time with our family and friends.
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| 12/2 |
We have done a good job of cleaning out the pantry on the boat before we leave. We prepared quesadillas at the palapa for lunch and ate with Mack and Mary, owners of the marina. We turned off the refrigerator today, and gave away the last goodies inside. Kay varnished around the doors, while it is possible.
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| 12/3 |
We discovered that....Rain, hail, sleet, or snow does not apply to
Central America.
Our bank card expired the end of October, so we asked our mail service to forward our mail to the marina where we were leaving the boat, so we could get our new card. Everything was perfect, our package arrived, just in time, on 11/17 at the airport in Bocas del Toro, but the lady at the local post office did not go to the airport to pick up the priority mail. Mary, at our marina, placed a telephone call to Panama City to track our package. Panama City then called the local post office and told them to go to the airport (2 blocks away) to pick up the priority mail.....16 days after it arrived. Anyway, we did get our bank card the day before we flew out.
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| 12/4 |
At 6 p.m. Senior Efrain and his son, Jose picked us up at our hotel to take us to dinner. Efrain is the father of our friend, Martha, from Cholon/Baru/Cartagena. It was such a treat to be able to visit with them. Efrain's other son, Ricardo, also met us at the restaurant. Efrain is talking about sailing with us from Bocas del Toro to Colon when we return to the boat.
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| 12/5 |
Today was a shopping day in Panama City at Avenida Central.
We needed some warm clothes for our visit to the states. Avenida
Central is a street, shut off to cars, with stores with great prices.
If you venture outside these two blocks though, it is not safe. An elderly lady stopped us this morning, and kept pointing to her eyes, and talking about karate in Spanish. After a few minutes, and lots of charades, we realized that she was warning us, that a block or two away, we need to watch and be very careful, because we could be attacked. It is not a good area, but it is a great area to buy stuff. A lady in line in front of us at the store, had 10 - 15 sets of drinking glasses. When she paid for it, it was a total of $15.00. Two huge bags of Christmas gifts. Sonny enjoyed shopping....did I really say that? We found three dress shirts for him for $4.99 each. Then, on another aisle, we found some for .99 cents. So, being good stewards of our money, we put the expensive shirts back and he will be sporting the .99 shirts, as long as they last. It is a test. ; )
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| 12/6 |
An early morning, Tony, our taxi driver, picked us up at 5:15 a.m.
for our flight to go to the states. We had a long layover in Miami
and it was a long day. We finally arrived in Dallas at 10 p.m. We were greeted by Billy, Stacie, and Claire. It is good to be back home.
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| 12/7 |
We are at Billy and Stacie's house, and today, Garrett, Madonna, Kylie,
Gentry, and a very pregnant Jennifer came over. We could have a
new grand daughter....any day. We also talked to our other kids
(out of town) on the phone. Can't wait until we all get to get
together. It has been 18 months since we have been home, and things have changed so much. It is an adjustment to life in the states again. It is so good to start seeing our family and friends and get updated on their lives. |
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| 12/13 |
We received a telephone call at 4 a.m. from Gentry. They were on
their way to the hospital But, the very early stages of labor.
They did keep her though and induced her labor.
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| 12/14 |
This morning, at 10:21 a.m. we welcomed our ninth grandbaby into the
world. She weighs 8 lbs. 9 oz. and is a beautiful, healthy baby
girl named Bailee Rae Sisson. Mom (and dad) are doing great.
All of our kids and grand kids were there for the big event. We are so blessed. We have had lots of fun family time......and, of course, lots of pictures.
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Our Christmas Card for you
This Christmas, we wish you the gift of faith, the blessing of hope, and the peace of His love. |
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We do have so much to be thankful for.
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| 12/29 |
We drove down to Austin to spend some time with Taylor and Kodi, and their family. Having fun with them and our two grand-daughters, Rylie and Shea. |
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| 12/30 |
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| 12/31 |
What a wonderful birthday! Taylor and Kodi made it very special.
After a morning at the farm, we went out to eat, then Kodi made a
mandarin orange cake and we all celebrated another year older.
Just 5 candles though....plus 50 more! May have been a fire
hazard....
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We wish you a very Happy New Year and may 2009 be the year all of your dreams come true. Life is Short.......Enjoy Every Day.
Your friends on Valentina |
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