It’s been another
year of adventures not imagined a year ago, most all in a good sense. I share
with you this year from our home on wheels with a hitch in Rapid
City , SD. Travel
Center
While here Susan
“celebrated” her 6 decades of hanging out and our 41st year of hanging out
together. The girls threw a shindig at home for her to celebrate her 6/10 of a
century when we came home for a visit and Melissa even flew out to surprise her
also as mom was a little home sick for family I think. Melissa, Carrie and
Daniel have all come to visit us out here and we have shared some of the
spectacular beauty of the area with them. Once again we are impressed not only
by the beauty of the geography but of the people, a hearty resourceful bunch of
folks and friendly as can be. I recommend to any of you that have the time to
put this on the bucket list of places to visit but I would recommend coming NOT
in the winter unless you like sub -zero weather and lots of snow. We heard
horror stories when we got to town of the blizzard that hit October 3rd of last
year. We actually broke the record this year for the earliest snow ever….lucky
us! Susan headed home before Thanksgiving to get some things ready for
Christmas and to keep warmer I think. I will be out here till sometime in March
and should have some interesting stories for next years letter I imagine.
Now for the review
of the kin/clan. All are doin well……………..there………….enough info? Well ok, for
those who’ve just got to have the details…..
Melissa and Keith
are still running in high gear. Melissa made us all proud by graduating from Kennesaw
State and landing a job right out of the door with a group that allows her to
do a lot of her work from home helping clients such as Microsoft…..maybe I
should sent a letter/card to Bill G. and his wife…Hmmmmmm. Keith has been
trying out a few different variations of his job to find the best fit and
thinks he has it now so as to be closer to home and not in say California for
weeks at a time. Hearing about stuff from out there is one thing but going to
stay…..I don’t think so.
Carrie and Daniel
continue to settle in to home ownership as a new shiny riding lawnmower is now
parked in the yard, the number of chew/throw toys has grown for Tasha to hide
in the pine straw and I hear new curtains are coming…..oh my how domestic. Was
just the other day we were buying her a play stove powered by a light bulb.
Carrie’s day job continues in Jasper and she has expanded her night job as a
physical trainer and health guru which takes her traveling at times to Vegas
and such to stretch I assume. Uh huh……
The grandkids…..now
the story gets diverse (another smiley)….
Kyle is doing a dual major……going to school and working to
survive! He just came up this weekend I understand scavenging for furniture for
a new place he moved into in Kennesaw. He is working with Keith and sounds like
he has found a niche that fits him. Thank goodness he has a job that keeps him
out of the mud, cold and rain, unlike some of us that SHOULD have stayed at
Georgia Tech (by the way who BEAT GEORGIA!!!!!!!!!!) sorry……..now where was
I…..oh yeah did I mention we BEAT GEORGIA!!!!!!!!! Sorry, we don’t get to say
that but once every ten years but by God when we do…….we savor it!!!! And on a
side note what makes me proud is that all my kids and grandkids root for them
as well….genetic.
Now on to Sarah who
is quite the self-sufficient girl. She has taken on life like it’s not a big
deal. She and Matt are tight and yet do their own things and it seems to work.
She is smart in knowing that this time in school is where you pin down what the
rest of us are still trying to figure out…..what am I supposed to be doing for
my life……..but she radiates confidence that makes us proud.
Ms. Racheal turned
18 this year and made a move to broaden her horizons and is going to finish up
at Pickens High this year and is enjoying the diversity of their choral
offerings at which she is phenomenal. First time I heard her perform singing I
was floored at her tonal quality and ability to project. She was blessed by not
being a blood line Tidwell or she would NOT have that voice!! Not even a shower
stall helps my cat a-walling, take my word for it.
Madison……how to
describe her….again diverse…very talented in taking on WAY too much for a girl
her age…but she gets that honest from Melissa. She is also finishing up high
school this year and has been doing the college visit thing to try and
determine what fits her best both academically and socially. Not like me who
only applied at Tech and was floored when they accepted me….but then again back
then they weren’t so picky…. No matter where she goes I am sure she will excel
just like her siblings, they all have the right stuff and I could not be
prouder of all my kin. Wish Mom and Dad could be here to share my pride but I
hope they are looking down with a smile.
The year has been a
good urn as they say for the Tidwell clan, we have added to our adventure with
our trip out to South Dakota
and being able to share it with family and friends through Susan’s blog, which
I will add an address to later. She posts lots of pics and observations on a
regular basis where I sit down one night a year to peck out a 2 page letter of
summary. I saw a show we watch regularly
called The Middle last week that referenced a Christmas Letter coming and it
was hilarious. The young one on the show opened up the card and in amazement
saw there was a letter inside and was astounded that someone would tell all about
their family in it, which in response the Mom said, oh we usually just throw
those out. I apologize in advance to the trees I have caused harm to over the
years in writing these, but all I can say folks is too bad….you will continue
to get these each year and if nothing else they should make a good fire starter
or something to put in the parakeets cage.
As time has gone by
the multitude of ruts in the field we once followed in search of the far side of
the field has narrowed down, we have made the turn at the far end and now we
are headed back to the barn as it were. I don’t think I would change a thing in
how we have got to where we are today as I would not want to take a chance in
having not known all of you. Each of you fill a unique place in our life that
nobody else could fill and for better or worse YOU have made our family who we
are and we thank you greatly, for I don’t think I could be any prouder of my
kin as I am sure you are of yours. I take a lot of joy in seeing postings on
Facebook from friends and family of their kids, spouses, pets and such as I
feel the pride and Love they have for them.
So just know that
as I brag a little on my crew I feel just as much pride in calling y'all our friends…..for
life.
As always we would
love to see y'all but call and see where in the world we might be cause you
might have to drive a spell to get to us, but we would love to have you. And
write your own letter and send…………I for one would LOVE to hear all about Your
Pride and Joy!
Your friends and
family,
Buddy, Susan and the
Clan.
