Well I have to say that winter on Harkers Island isn't quite as pleasant as the warmer months. But, cold weather didn't deter Jim from heading out on his bigger boat, myTern.  On this particular cruise Jim had the pleasure of seeing two whales~~tried to take a few pictures. They are a little hard to see, mainly you can see the waterspouts............if you look closely! This was November 30, 2012.

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Oh my goodness, I haven't posted a thing since November!  Lots of 'busy-ness' during the past 7 months.

Since we moved to the eastern edge of the country to an island, our holiday traditions are in transition to see what will work for everyone. I'm not going to be 'that mother' who holds an expectation that her children will travel any distance to be at our house for Christmas. It's just too far to drive, and each of our girls are married with their own families, and they want their own family traditions.  I told the girls to get together and decide what might work for everyone.

Well, Lynn and Chris (Garrick) came up with a wonderful alternative for 2012. We all met in the NC mountains where Christopher's family has a lovely mountainside retreat. There are three houses (all close together), so instead of trying for Christmas, we all gathered there for Thanksgiving. It was so nice, three houses so lots of elbow room.  Lots of really good food and time together.  Kris and Kevin, Faith and Leah, drove from Tennessee. We drove from Harkers Island.  The mountain retreat is about 1.25 hr from Greenville, SC, so it is an excellent mid-way point.  Unfortunately, Ann and Daniel and Reese Hayden weren't able to make it, Daniel had started a new job in October and his work schedule conflicted. Sad that we didn't get to see them.
But, we had a great time. Kris and her girls, Lynn, and I went to Grove Park Inn to see the gingerbread house competition and had a lovely lunch. The boys all shot skeet while we were there. We played board games and watched football.Pops and Zee enjoyed Faith (6) and Leah (7 months). We had a little 'mini-Christmas' with some gifts from Pops and Zee.

 A very great alternative to former family traditions!

'Self-portrait" speckled trout

Catch of the day
Speckled Trout

Speckled Trout

Boats, fish, happy husband! 2012

We see a number of shrimp boats............



This boat was built by a local Harkers Island boat builder.

Sunfish Regatta as seen from our living room window.

Wooden sailboat

Beaufort Waterfront

Jim's 'fleet'
myTERN is for fishing off-shore
SKIMMER, little blue skiff, is for shrimping and
fishing in the shallows and creeks.

Shrimping
 (yes, I'm driving the boat and I have my own fishing license!)

We have shrimp!

Shrimp scampi
if was very good, if I do say so myself.....

Back from fishing off-shore,
Mahi mahi!!

Jim and Mike had a good day fishing!

Bill on the myTERN back from fishing at Big Rock

Dolphin
(mahi mahi)

It was a very good day fishing!!

Jim is holding one of the Wahoo, and
Bill is holding the dolphin

HAPPY HUSBAND!

Good-bye to 222...........July 2012

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Jim leaving with the last load of furniture..........

We were fortunate to sell the house quickly.

222

222

Last Christmas at 222

Reese and Hayden sweeping 'helicopters' from the driveway.

Retirement dinner~St. Francis Eastside Peeps~April 3, 2012

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April 3rd was my last day at SFE, a place I have worked for 13+ years. A great group of ladies, love 'em all.

Jennifer, Franc, Christi

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Ruth Ann came out of retirement for my 'bon voyage' retirement dinner at Olive Garden.

Big hugs from everyone. 

Reese is 11! 3/13/2012

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Reese turned 11 on March 13th and we celebrated

at Myabi's Japanese Restaurant. So much fun!

Fire is always cool.......

Reese and Hayden, the 'bonus brothers'

Reese and Nana