And welcome to this the 17th annual Tidwell year in review… with some embellishment due to literary license I have granted myself. I have been lauded by some for this seasonal effort to verbalize what has occurred in our little world (not so little anymore!) but I find myself humbled by an explosion of folks now sharing their lives daily by “blogging”, a word that my word processor still does not recognize but is for real. My better half is one of these such folks and I stand in awe that they can put daily life down in words and pictures with such clarity that you are drawn into their lives with eagerness. There are several “regulars” who read Susan’s blog and she theirs and the common thread I see is their willingness and eagerness to open up their lives from as far away as Australia daily. It warms me to see so many literary wallflowers now blooming for the world to appreciate, and all just by a click of the mouse.
Here of late as the years have accumulated it becomes a test of ones memory to recall all that has occurred in the past 365 days or so….. shoot… hard to remember where I left my shoes last night for that matter! So I have reverted to having Susan quiz the kids and grandkids as to what highlights they feel worthy of this review and submit them for inclusion. This also serves the purpose of making sure I do not unwittingly slight a family member and pay for it for anther 365 days… or more! Brother the things you have to go through to just write 1 letter a year… I applaud and praise you daily bloggers!! Also I have been informed that the Christmas letters have become a topic of disdain for some cynics as to their boring review of ones family and is just a way to elevate ones kin to show folks we have a life. Have even heard it said that these ritualistic letters are only good for lining the birdcage!!! Well… here Tweety… here’s your carpet… for one day a year!!
The year has passed oh so quickly… and as usual the highlights seem long past when the tedium of daily life clouds your view… but here goes in retrospect… I am currently in Woodstock, Georgia finishing up on a branch of Cherokee Bank and then am scheduled to head to the metropolis of Rock Spring, Georgia to build an almost replica of my pride and joy New Horizon bank I build in Ellijay last year. Susan is still pecking away doing transcription from home, typing away about so many folks ills… may be of some use in the near future as she can pronounce to the doctor what will be ailing me as the years pile up. She is of course also writing a Pulitzer worthy blog almost daily. I tried to relinquish my annual blog to her but she wasn’t biting on that one.
Also of note we are currently having a red metal roof put on the house… after 30 years the one Dad and I put on has decided to retire. Our kids promptly starting calling us the Red Roof Inn… at least we don’t have to leave the light on like that other place…
Now for Melissa and Carrie and their respective family members. Melissa and Keith seem to be enjoying the mountain life just down below our place. Kinda comforting for me when I out to get in my truck this time of year with the leaves off and I can see their porch light… warming to know your kids are close. They have taken some trips this year to Vegas, Tunica and the Keys and we live vicariously through them… but didn’t have to lose money vicariously at the casinos also. This past summer I was “inspired” to build, with MUCH assistance, the long sought after treehouse for the grandkids… and my kids for that matter. The treehouse resides halfway between our house and Melissa and Keith’s and the kids seem to enjoy having a place to escape adults. Keith is still traveling the roads working on high priced machinery that has tolerances much thinner than this piece of paper.
Carrie has decided she missed the look of her last name being Tidwell and we all welcomed her changing it back. Also she felt she wanted to reclaim some of the sister time she missed out on when Melissa got married… so she is spending time with Melissa at her home and she and the girls (Melissa, Sarah, and Madison) seem to be having just a great time indeed. Carrie is still at Gilmer County Bank but also teaches classes at Gold’s Gym in town. One activity she surprised us with this year was an impromptu decision to go skydiving. She showed up at the house one weekend with a videotape of her dive… pretty awesome… but NOT for me to try! Speaking of surprises, this past Father’s day the girls surprised me with a glider flight over the mountains… now THAT was Coooooool!!!
Now for Kyle, Madison, Sarah and Racheal… the grandkids… their lives are one endless activity… they should promote a caffeine drink as they are constantly on the go. Kyle got certified to scuba dive, played football and baseball and he and Madison took trips with their other grandparents to Washington, D.C. and whitewater rafting. Madison continued her piano, was a cheerleader, into Girl Scouts and found time to go to Camp Glisson (long time Tidwell tradition). Sarah continued her trombone virtuoso, was in Jr. Beta club and ran cross country. Racheal shifted up to stay with her mom in Maryland and is showing our southern ways with those folks for a spell, and seems to be having a great year in school.
Just a couple of other items my editors wanted included, Susan and I made a hike we had talked about all our lives, to the top of Mt. LeConte to spend the night in the Lodge… been there, don’t that… and got the t-shirt! Also had a great camping trip to St. Joseph State Park on the gulf coast of Florida… Excellent park and beach!!
That about wraps it up for this year… don’t want to ramble on and be accused of generating too much bird cage liner… but as always… miss all of you our friends and family and hope your Christmas is spent enjoying the warmth of having Your family close to you…
Your friends and your family,
Buddy, Susan and clan
