As years go, and especially in the context of the DECADE, 2009 was a good year for us all.
Talking in terms of the view from, say low earth orbit, we elected a man who may just be the best President in our lifetimes. And in the context of the decade, Barack Obama comes to us not a second too soon. Having endured the abject horror of our European friends when we visited England during Bush II’s reign we basked in the brilliance of our collective choice this year.
I’m speaking of our 35th anniversary sojourn which took us back to England (we’re nearly British subjects we’ve been there so often!) and to Rome, cruising the Med and ending up in Venice. Truly a trip of a lifetime…both in experiences and the paying for.
Actually our timing was quite good. We still had good credit, the Euro was down and the Pound Sterling less than 1 and ½ times the $. Added to this was my obsessive preplanning which paid off in a little gem of a Roman hotel called the San Francesco, a “bargain rate” on the Windstar line (far less than a night in ICU), and Obritz.com cheater rate in Venice. Hey, we spent our 25th WORKING at the inn…which I vowed I wouldn’t repeat. Carol was amazed I could actually put it all together and she actually LOVED Rome. A non swimmer (ask the kids about taking her to the Water Slide)
Carol was less thrilled about the cruise, but admitted she couldn’t have seen places we sailed to any other way. We both love Venice and even found good food this time, and of course got lost.
To judge by all the Asians, Europeans and various teens we were in lines with in Italy, there is no Recession. The Recession is a California (or US) problem. Maybe it doesn’t exist if you don’t loose your job, your home or your health insurance. Or maybe it’s just our lodging industry, GM, Chrysler, the US Banking complex and the collective hangover from the Bush bash.
If I’ve gotten carried away by relating too much about our trip, it’s because most of the rest of our 2009 pretty much sucked. Sissy died and the cats didn’t.
Okay, WE are healthy. We haven’t gotten Swine Flu, a dread disease, gone Postal at Trader Joes or turned to online Poker to pay the bills, but “things is tough,” as Larry the Cableguy says.
We’re working 100% harder for 20% less revenue. One of our employees is out for months with a broken arm. People keep asking if they can get a discount on our already 40% discounted rooms.
And Timothy Geithner won’t return my calls anymore when I’m checking on our bailout.
But we got love.
Our family is growing up around us with astonishing rapidity. Spencer (11) in his 6th year at Napa’s Language Academy is continually recognized for his brilliance. Sidney (6) is blazing his own trail there. He’s on the “Watch List” but is doing better now that he realizes they AREN’T speaking Japanese, but Spanish which he’s understanding if refusing to speak. Pheenix (17 going on 27 and living in Sparks) has started appearing in magazines as a model.
Scott has helped us with overnight innkeeping duty and has started what may become a career as a Plumber. He seems much happier than we’ve seen him in years.
We hope you’ll join us in kissing the passing year goodbye and wishing us all a Merry Christmas.
Love to you all,
Jim & Carol
