Dear Friends and Family, Christmas, 2014
Our Holiday Countdown Calendar reads 14 days, 11 hours and 48 minutes. The temperature in Port Hueneme is a balmy 69 degrees, the ocean shimmers with glints of silver and (after making a federal case out of it) abundant sand is finally back on the beach.
The big news is that last month, Beverly and Jon crossed Easter Island and French Polynesia off of their respective bucket lists---with a week’s stay on Rapa Nui and a ten-day Society Islands cruise.
You can (voluntarily) be subjected to their travel photos and daily journal by visiting either the blog or Facebook Page
The year 2014 started off with a bang. Jon took custody of the Mayor’s gavel and the Pacific Ocean threatened to take out Surfside Drive (TGWLOTTF---Thank God we live on the third floor). In between trips to the nation’s capital to lobby for the Navy Base and sand replenishment, Jon (who was re-elected for another four years on November 4th) indulged himself with a stint in an official NASCAR vehicle, was gifted with a lookalike bobble head, and is still in the process of professionally recording an album (including five original songs) on a studio piano that used to hold court at the famous Jazz Bakery.
Beverly sprinted down the road to recovery in record time after full knee replacements in December 2013 and April 2014. She claims that availing herself of the services of her own personal therapy dog was her secret weapon. She still manages to squeeze penning her bi-weekly newspaper columns, working with the Friends of the Library, therapy dog visits, tutoring in the literacy program, watching British mysteries on her Roku and procrastinating work on her second novel, into her busier-than-ever retirement schedule.
Angie and Trevor have been very generous with the time Elliott gets to spend in Port Hueneme. In addition to playing piano and beach walks with Grandpa, the two-year old is crazy about Thomas the Tank Engine, starring in Elliott videos, learning to swim, playing pretend (especially meal prep or talking on the phone) and singing “Let it Be” at the top of his lungs. In addition to taking on a mortgage, his devoted parents changed jobs this year. Besides being a fantastic Mom, Angie is now helping to manage a children’s clothing line called Ultra Violet Kids (where Elliott got in some baby modeling time) and, just this month, Trevor moved up from being a digital marketing VP for Disney Music to the corporate side that included a senior VP title. He’s looking forward to promoting movies instead of soundtracks and/or teen singers although “Frozen” (shades of Garret Morris) has been berry, berry good to him.
Brendan, now the proud owner of a condo, is still passionate about all things architecture, and fills his free weekends documenting houses of a historic nature within driving distance of Fort Worth. Whenever he flies out here for a few days, we look forward to working through the itinerary he’s compiled after weeks of careful research. We learn, firsthand, about remarkable sights to see right here in our own backyard. He also still writes graphic novels, keeps up with Facebook and creates/records CDs of his own music.
Nathan, an Air Force Captain, is making the move from NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Washington DC) to nearby Vandenberg this month. He will be visiting at Christmas.
Naomi is still enthusiastic about her new position with a loan company and tickles us with anecdotes about her eccentric coworkers. She and Max reside in Chandler, AZ. The 13-year-old, so cute (“Oh, Nana”) with longer hair, still enjoys science, his new friends in middle school and playing the bass. Even though Jon has to consult YouTube for bands Max follows, music has forged a special bond between them. Max still bakes cookies and swims with Nana, but his ardor for cars has propelled him into coaxing both his father and grandfather into early driver’s training lessons. Only three more years… (Cue the music from “Jaws”).
This year we remain grateful for our many blessings and, most of all, for all of you.
The (entire) Kelley-Sharkey Clan
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