Happy Holidays 1999 by Maude Ellen (George) Chittick Yes, it has been nearly a year since I last wrote. They say, "Time Flies,” but nearly not as fast as it used to! As many of you may remember, I last wrote you from my hospital bed. Well, I am happy to say I have not been in one since! Thankfully, I have been recovering very well from my hip surgery. With the assistance of a physical therapist, chiropractor, massage therapist, and the constant encouragement of my family, I am now walking when I choose to do so. Otherwise, I scoot around in a wheel chair and see the world from a new perspective. Recovering so well, I took the opportunity to vacation this year! I flew to Pennsylvania where my eldest son, Arden, his wife, Nina, and his daughter’s family are now living. What a wonderful time I had with Kirsten, Jeff, and three of my great-grandchildren, Tanner, Taylor, and Cody. I can’t tell you how I enjoyed travelling through the Pennsylvania countryside on daily site seeing drives with Kirsten! Arden and Nina are enjoying their new home there in the northwestern part of Pennsylvania and have taken the time to travel along the eastern coast. Arden and Nina’s son, Kyle, has remained on the West Coast, in the Seattle area, and is currently working in the automation industry utilizing his amazing computer skills. I regret that the mountains between us prevent us from seeing each other as much as we used to. My youngest son, Eldon, and his wife, Carlene, are enjoying their retirement this year! They have already traveled to Arizona, Texas, North and South Carolina, as well as Georgia. In addition, they seem to be getting caught up on all of those things that just didn’t seem to get done when they were working full-time. In May, we received my fifth great-grandchild, Alicia Quilene Heuer, Brad and Shawna’s new daughter. If being a mom isn’t enough, Shawna has been working toward her CPA and has recently taken a new job in accounting for the Idaho Forest Industries. Brad is busier than ever driving for UPS, but finds the time to snowmobile whenever possible. My youngest grandchild, Quilene, is still in Corvallis, Oregon where she works in the restaurant business. She recently ventured to South Africa for a two-month experience with a friend in the Peace Corps! Oh, how I used to love those overseas trips!! Sharla, my eldest grandchild, has moved out of Eldon’s office space and started working from home again part-time as she has now taken on a full-time position teaching history and culture at the local community college. Sage, her son, is as active as any boy who is “four and a quarter” as he likes to say! He is attending preschool, gymnastics, and is learning to speak Spanish. Denny, Eldon’s son, still spends much of his time at his home in Arizona and travels around the world. His retirement status allows him to always manage a trip home for all family events. I must admit, he pushes me harder than anybody else when it comes to my walking. When he is not forcing me to walk, he exerts his energy by wave-running, snowmobiling, and riding his ATV. Living at the Sylvan House is still a pleasure. The staff is so nice and I enjoy my private apartment and the company of Enid’s bird, Carusso. Until next time, I wish you the very best and thank you for all of your correspondence and support over the past year! Love, Maude Chittick