Where are the Gardners? No change from 2020 (except Joanna's new house in San Diego). 😊
So what has changed? Covid has changed everything. You know.
One positive. Greg has had a goal (like forever) to play golf once a month. When the Covid lockdown started, the only place open for business were golf courses. So Greg started playing once a week. While meeting people in his foursomes, he met a guy from Ohio, about the same age, named Joe. Over the year, Greg and Joe have played golf almost every week. The impact: Greg has gone from a 18 handicap to 13 - our new backyard golf practice area helps. And Joe has become a family friend. Greg and Joe made it on national TV during the Cubs' visit to San Francisco on May 4th; what we call "our four seconds of fame."
Greg is also going through online training classes to become the Disaster Coordinator for the local HOPE Worldwide chapter - if an agreement with The Salvation Army is ever signed. They are "the big dog" when it comes to Bay Area fire and earthquake coordination. HOPE will provide vetted support workers. More to follow.
In mid-January, Greg and Martha (we) made a trip to Hanover, Pennsylvania to help Martha's mom in her move from a large house in their retirement community into an apartment on campus so Sue (Silcox) could literally walk to all the resources that her community offers. She gave up driving (age 91); her van was donated to niece Becca (and Paul and kids) Leykamm who returned from a few years in Germany due to Paul's work. Becca and Paul now reside in Iowa (lower taxes) while Paul drives into Illinois (huge taxation like California) for work at the Rock Island Arsenal.
After the visit to Sue in Hanover, we took advantage of being on the East Coast to stop in Florida and visit Greg's sister Suellen and husband Ray in Venice, FL. Much fun...even some wine and golf!
One interesting event is the Bible Study group that we attend. The group began studying the book of Romans - after studying the books of John and Acts. The goal is to complete the Romans study by the end of 2021. So far, so good. Check out this book if you're curious.
Spring was an exciting time! Ruth and Josh got engaged! In April, we flew down to Orange County (THE OC 😁) to attend their engagement party. Even Martha's mom flew out for the event. We rented a condo one block away from the beach in Newport Beach. It was a wonderful weekend with much of our family! Sue flew back to San Jose with us for a brief visit.
Spring was also vaccination time. Full disclosure: All of our family has at least two Covid shots. No Aaron Rodgers mixed messaging. Go Chicago Bears! 😏 (someday the Bears will beat the Packers - not this year)
We did lose a good family friend to Covid. RIP Chivago Jolly.
Greg turned the big 65 this year. Covid etc limited the celebration. One great present was a round at Del Monte Golf Course in Monterey followed by dinner at Roy's at Pebble Beach. Greg shot his age...and then had a few holes left to go.
In late September, we flew down to SoCal to visit Ruth and Josh, then jumped in a rental car and went down to see Joanna, Brett, and the girls. We even explored North San Diego County as a possible retirement venue. I doubt that will happen, but you never know. We're still young anyway. 😏
In October, we went to San Francisco for a day trip to enjoy the Blue Angels show during Fleet Week and a quick visit to the North End. Perfect weather for the show and outdoor dining at a cafe that reminded us of our visit to Paris in 2018. Greg also got to go to a company outing at the new TopGolf location in San Jose. His team won the company challenge - woohoo!
October was the (re)start of in-person business events. Greg flew to Oklahoma for the state K-12 technology meeting and met with area schools. No surprise - not many masks. Oklahoma people have more freedom (and pay less taxes) than here in California. Greg covers 10 states for WeVideo. He's been there since 2015. That meeting was soon followed by a Superintendent's Summit in San Diego.
A good friend (John Zollar) from Greg's childhood came out for a visit in November. Of course golf was involved as well as a trip to Pebble Beach - and Roy's. Another good friend Cathy Regan lives nearby. John and Cathy went out for another round of golf - and Cathy got a hole in one! Yes, I'm jealous, but also happy for her success. Pray for John's health. Thanks.
We also enjoyed a visit in November from our son-in-law Jesus' family. They live in the San Antonio area. We enjoyed a couple of meals with Caroline, Jesus, Dustin, and the gang. Fun times!
We got an amazing treat in December - a weekend at Pebble Beach with two wonderful couples: Tonnis and Susan Wildeboer and Mike and Audrey Kearns. We enjoyed two nights, amazing food, and a round on the Spanish Bay course. Greg shot 87 - given that we stop counting at double bogey. Three pars, one birdie - not bad! 👍
Christmas Day at the Gardner's will include the McDonald clan plus Martha's mom who is visiting over the holidays. We love family time!
Kiddo update. Lots happening in April 2022. 😉
The big news for Caroline and Jesus (bottom left hand corner of our card) is that Dustin will have a little sister in April 2022, Lord willing. Very excited times in the McDonald clan. Caroline works for a public accounting firm. Jesus runs his own web marketing business.
As noted above, Joanna and Brett moved from one beautiful home in San Diego to another one. The new home is older with a beautiful view! As with any home, you don't own it. It owns you. After their move-in, plumbing issues are forcing a total plumbing redo. It happens. Their holiday picture choice was from our gathering in the Solvang, CA area in July. They were enjoying their camper van. Martha and Greg took refuge in the Sideways Inn - yep the one from the movie. It's a beautiful rural area noted for wine tasting etc. Joanna works part time as a nurse at an infusion clinic. Brett is a D.O. for Kaiser healthcare.
Ruth (and fiance Josh - top left hand corner of our card) are heading to England for Christmas. Josh grew up near Manchester. Ruth gets to meet more of his family and friends. Josh gets to meet his niece born in 2020 - travel was sticky then. He's a Manchester United fan (yay!). Their wedding date is April 2022. Ruth is working as a dental hygienist. Josh is in micro-business funding.
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We hope you and your family were blessed during 2021...and that you face your trials with faith. God can deliver you from any challenge, but he requires you to be faithful.
1 Corinthians 10:12-13 If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. The trials and temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.
Merry Christmas and we hope your 2022 will be amazing!
Much love, Greg and Martha
P.S. Please pray for Andy, a young man who was hit by an SUV in the crosswalk in front of our home Christmas Eve evening. He's got a long road to recovery ahead. Thanks.
Reach us at gardner5@mac.com or home phone/Google line 408-257-5152
