Highlights of 2021

Even though the pandemic continued into 2021, we managed to make the best of it!

On January 1, 2021, I started the year with a "polar plunge" at Ocean Beach with friends. This "cleansed" the foul energy of 2020 and provided a fresh start for us. It also required a wetsuit since the water was 58°.

In February, I sold my car which I had owned since 2009. Liz works from home and I am retired, so there was no reason to maintain two cars. Peace out Subaru Baja! It served me well for 12 years.

The spring brought softball season with the AFCSL as well as a couple of local tournaments during the summer and fall.  Also made it to a couple of Padre, MLB games this year. Always fun!

We were supposed to travel in May, but it was postponed again due to Covid. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic with Olivia travel was rescheduled again for May 2022, the second reschedule for this trip. 

Liz and I played a lot of tennis during the pandemic, but this spring brought a new love. Pickleball! After Martha introduced us to pickleball, tennis took the back seat. Weather and schedules permitting, we played pickleball nearly on a daily basis. Other outdoor activities also included bike riding, walks and as many beach visits as possible! Gator Beach at the Naval Amphibious Base and South Mission Beach and are two of my favorite local beach spots!

In July, Courtney retired from JPL in Pasadena, California after 33 years of service. Courtney and nephew John came down for a visit and I took them to the beach! As an added surprise, we bought him his own wetsuit for the cold beach water, as well as his own boogie board as a retirement present. I enjoyed their visit!

In August Liz and I traveled to New Jersey and New York. After Liz's aunt passed away in December 2020, the pandemic caused the service to be postponed into 2021. We traveled to New Jersey for the scheduled service, but when we landed in Newark, NJ, we were told the service had been cancelled due to a Covid outbreak in the family. There with Georgine & Nathan, we decided to stay and make the best of our trip anyway. We visited the grave site and also visited the house in Fair Lawn, NJ where Liz grew up in as well as some friends of Liz's family in the same area. Then we went to Brooklyn, NY to visit more friends but got caught up in hurricane Henri which poured rain for a couple of days. By the time we came home, the weather had cleared up. Coincidentally, this trip took place over our 5th wedding anniversary, August 20, 2021

The best surprise of the year was my birthday on October 2! Liz surprised me with a trip to Laguna Beach for the weekend! Not only that, but she arranged for Courtney and Viann to meet us at the beach  also! Best birthday ever at another favorite beach! Thank you Liz!

In November Liz and I went to Turks & Caicos Islands with Olivia travel. The travel and preparations for this trip was a huge hassle, due to Covid, but the stay at Club Med Turkoise and the island itself was amazing! Plenty of beach time, pool time, volleyball, pickleball and amazing Olivia entertainment!

On Thanksgiving we took a road trip up to niece Katy and Andy's house in Fontana. Most of the family was there plus some friends. The big news was Katy's baby announcement, due in June 2022!

Just when we thought we had gotten through the year Covid free (while fully vaccinated complete with boosters), Liz caught Covid just before Christmas, thus canceling our plans to go to Courtney's house in Los Angeles for the holiday. The only upside is that even though Liz tested positive, I tested negative, and never caught it. Even though she was ill for a few days, it was a mild case and she got through it.

Also noteworthy for the year:

Dental work continued throughout the year for me, and after much thought, I decided to get braces. Braces are scheduled for January 8, 2022. Liz will also get braces in 2022.

Prince, our lone kitty, is now 14 years old, and still going strong!

After putting up with construction for 2+ years, the apartment building next door is finally complete and occupied.

On a sad note,  I found out about several friends, some of which I served with, that passed away during the last couple of years. Also our amazing friend Cheri Morningstar, who passed away April 7, 2021, that we miss dearly. Remembering Dana Waller, Jennifer Smith, John Moen, Ed Hall, Robert Calloway, Ed Wallin & Jason Groode. 

Not a day goes by that I do not take for granted my good fortune and health! Here's to a  prosperous and safe 2022!

"Polar plunge" at Ocean Beach on January 1, 2021.

                               

Prince being Prince, April 17, 2021.

                                    

At South Mission Beach, July 15, 2021.

John, Courtney & Liz at LaJolla Shores, July 28, 2021.

John, Courtney & Wilda sporting wetsuits at Gator Beach, July 29, 2021.

The building that replaced the twin towers in New York, August 20, 2021.

Courtney, Viann, Wilda & Liz at Laguna Beach, Treasure Island, October 2, 2021.

Courtney & Wilda, Laguna Beach, Treasure Island, October 2, 2021.

Pickleball at Club Med Turkoise, Turks & Caicos! Wilda, Sonya & Liz, November 8, 2021.

Wilda & Liz at Club Med Turkoise, Turks & Caicos, November 12, 2021.

Wilda & Liz at Club Med Turkoise, Turks & Caicos, November 12, 2021.

 

Departing Turks & Caicos Islands, November 13, 2021.

Pickleball time! Liz, Wilda & Diane at Theodore Roosevelt Middle School,
November 26, 2021.

My adorable family! Viannah & Hyphen, Courtney, Viann, John, Katherine, Andy & Hannibal Barka. Fontana, California, December 22, 2021.

Remembering Cheri Morningstar who passed away on April 7, 2021.
We miss her so much!
Photo from August 25, 2015, Portland, Oregon.