Weekly Updates & Writings from David & Linda Sam: Christmas 2009

Dear Family & Friends:

As always, the year has been busy and has flown by. It seems time passes more quickly as we age.

We have been able to do a little traveling. In June we visited Virginia Beach; the area was very nice. We went for the day and plan to make a longer trip soon. As most of you know, we like to vacation at B&Bs a couple times a year. This year we traveled to Christiansburg, VA and stayed at The Oaks Victorian Inn in August and then to The Inn at Meander Plantation in Locust Dale, VA in November. On the way back from Christiansburg, we explored the Natural Bridge and were amazed at how much larger it is in person than the photos seemed to show. While in Locust Dale, we visited the nearby James Madison Museum and the Barboursville Winery where we had a tour and, of course, purchased a few bottles wine.

Michelle, Kevin and family continue to do well. They are both teaching 7^th grade again this year and are thankful to have jobs (especially given Michigan's economy). Mackenzie is now 17 months and the best way to describe her is "willful." Linda was able to have some one-on-one time with her during a short trip in October and loved it when Mackenzie missed her after she left. Carter turned 4 in September and attends the preschool run by Northwest Community Schools. He loves school and is doing very well. He also played soccer for the first time. Kaitlyn is 6 and is in Kindergarten. She is reading so well already, that she has surpassed the Kindergarten levels and is well into the levels generally accomplished in first grade. She attends dance classes for a third year and played soccer again. Her dad is the coach for her team. We certainly enjoy all three grandchildren and look forward to phone calls highlighting their antics.

Ryan was laid off from his job as a graphic designer at The Free Lance-Star newspaper in January. As he continued to look for a new job, he was able to spend time in Michigan with family and friends; he enjoyed that tremendously despite the stress of being unemployed. The good news is that he returned to the same company in September as the webmaster and creative services coordinator for The Star Radio Group, which includes three radio stations (country, classic rock, & hip hop). You can see how this would be his dream job, as most of you are aware of Ryan's love for, and knowledge of, all kinds of music.

David's mom turned 91 years young this past November and we are thankful to have her with us.

Linda has been enjoying retirement. She loves having the freedom to go with David when he travels. She says, "I love being able to do what I want when I want, or to do nothing at all." Needless to say, our library is growing as she feeds her passion for reading.

Sad news this May when we lost our cat, Sammi. She succumbed to cancer, and we certainly miss her and our house was so empty. However, by October we were ready to rescue two new kittens—a brother and sister. Osiris (Ozzy-right photo) and Isis (Izzy-left photo), named for the Egyptian gods, are bundles of energy and very mischievous. It has been so long since we have had kittens in the house that it is taking some getting used to. We enclosed part of the basement to try to confine them. That worked about a week. Izzy found a way to get to the rest of the basement through the rafters, and her brother followed. Christmas decorations have been a challenge as well. Our holiday decorations include several squirt bottles strategically placed around the house.

David's presidency is going very well and he enjoys it most days. He is thankful for the passion and commitment of the college faculty and staff during rapidly growing enrollment and budget cuts. He is once again writing poetry nearly every day and sending some out for rejection slips from time to time.

We hope that everything is going well and wish you and yours a Merry
Christmas, Hauska Joulu, Wesoły Boże Narodzenie, عيد ميلاد المسيح سعيدة, Frohe Weihnachten, Feliz Navidad, Joyeux Noel, Natale Allegro, Happy Hanukkah and a peaceful, safe and Happy New Year.