Christmas Letter

January 2002

Happy New Year!

I didn't get any Christmas letters written or mailed, so I'm sending New Year letters! We spent most of the year in Ashland, where life is more relaxed .... peaceful & quiet surroundings with limited activities & few shopping areas. In our Ashland house there are basic conveniences but no computer, washer, dryer, etc. We get few phone calls (especially from telemarketers.) & few of the ordinary daily interruptions. In fact, many people don't even know we're there, so it's almost like a hide-out in the wilderness --- even have a occasional raccoons & skunks roaming the area.

Shortly after our return to Goodland, I started to compose a Christmas letter on my computer but I found it was "down.'' I quickly called the service Center in Oakley to order a battery for it so I could use the computer ASAP --- but it didn't come until a few days ago, (He'd forgotten to send it!) Now, I'm trying to get New Year letters written & sent; I don't want to get crossed off anyone's Christmas card list because of not hearing from us.

Since we returned here from Ashland only two weeks before Christmas, I was running late on everything: gradually unpacking, sorting &/or reading 9 months of mail & newspapers, house cleaning, food buying, filing business records & receipts, gift hunting, & reorganizing my brain to adjust from Ashland's to Goodland's house, possessions, & directions, etc. (In Ashland I'm always turned around; the sun comes up every morning in the south.) I'm still trying to catch up on things here, though I must admit I have to pace myself.

In early May, Neal & I went to Wichita and stayed about 2 months at daughter, Lauri, & Tracy's house; I helped her get some drapes made, etc. Lauri worked at Raytheon & Tracy worked at Boeing, both of them are computer programmers.

Later that month, I went with my older brother, Lee, & sister, Lorna Tovrea, to Little Rock, AR. We had planned to go to Branson, MO. on our return trip to Kansas, but we received a cell phone call relating that my great niece, Jennie McCurry (Daughter of Mary Ann Mills; granddaughter of Lee Gotchall) & two of her 3 young children had been overcome by smoke while sleeping & had burned to death in their trailer home early Memorial Day morning. (You may have heard about it on the news because it was widely publicized.) We traveled back to Kansas to Lorna's house in Conway Springs, where Lee & I changed vehicles & traveled on to Goodland. Lorna & Lauri traveled there the next day. That triple funeral was especially sad! A few weeks later, my sister-in-law, Ruth Gotchall, Tom's wife lost her mother. Once again Lorna, Lauri & I traveled back-to NW KS ---- & Attended Viola Spurlock's funeral in Sharon Springs.

On the 4th of July, Lauri & Tracy drove Neal & me to Julia's (my niece's) apartment in Wellington, Our family Thanksgiving dinner was celebrated at Julia's house. She has recently bought a home in Wellington (after determining that she really likes her job there as an occupational therapist), & had moved from her apartment, so she decided to host the Thanksgiving dinner & show off her home. She really has a nice house & it was great that we older folk didn't have to do all the work that such a family dinner entails! We had a wonderful time, but missed Kurt (our son) and Lee & lila (my older brother & wife who couldn't go that far due to holiday work or health reasons. Other relatives had other plans Our son, Kurt, works at the Sunflower plant west of Goodland. When not working, he plays on bowling &/or baseball teams and goes to Hays as often as possible to see his adopted children ages 15,13, & 11 1/2.

In November my brother, Lee had a heart attack & was flown to Denver, CO, where he had 'Triple By-pass Surgery. Lila (Trent Blyth's mother), Lees's second wife, had a stroke a couple of years ago. Both seem to be doing as well as can be expected for their ages & health problems. You may not know that my sister Lorna, decided to go into the ministry, got the proper authorities' approvals, started the training, & moved from Goodland to Conway Springs, KS, where she has been the pastor at the Methodist Church there for about 4 years. Needless to say, I really do miss her! She used to keep me informed of Goodland's activities & often encouraged Neal & me to go with her.

Most of Neal's siblings live in Colorado (Delores, Sandra & Larry) & California (Biff, Ed, & Craig). Ted whose wife, Jo died this year, recently moved to California. We don't see get to see them much, but occasionally visit by phone especially on birthdays. The Kansas siblings are Ron & Dale Lynn. Ron (KS) & Delores (CO) are lucky enough to spend winters in Arizona.

On the 20th of December Neal & I "celebrated" our 49th wedding anniversary. We really "lived it up"-- went of our diets & ordered a couple of medium pizzas, then invited Lee & Lila over to help us eat them. Of course, one of the pizzas was still left, but we like leftover pizza too.

Christmas time was enjoyable & I relaxed somewhat while our children were here: they did most of the work of meals, clean-up, trash dumping, etc. That was especially nice because my right leg had started acting up the day before Christmas & was quite painful & debilitating. Fortunately, it is much better now, especially if I sit more than stand or walk. After my knee surgery for a torn cartilage about 10 years ago, I was told I'd probably have to eventually get a knee replacement --- I hate to think about that!

Neal goes back to Hays VA facility the 24th of January for his annual checkup. I hope the weather holds out because he needs to go. He was flown to Wichita to save his life about 3 1/2 years ago (shortly after I retired) & has been on oxygen all the time since then.) His breathing is gradually getting more labored. I've noticed that he breathes through his diaphragm ... which makes sense since his lungs are so damaged. He really can't do any exercise or work because of heart & lung problems. However, he helps with the meal-planning, grocery shopping, cooking folding laundry, opening jars, etc.

We hope your Christmas was great & that the new year will bring many blessings.

Love Betty & Neal