Hello from Tucson!

And a belated Merry Christmas!  I hope Santa was generous because you are all so good! Thanks, Barb, for arranging the 'meet and greet'!  It was truly awesome to meet you guys!   You are all so inspiring and are exactly as I figured you'd be--friendly, chatty, warm and loveable! It was soooo great to put faces to names!  I hope that another coffee klatsch can happen on the 1st when we hit Minneapolis/St Paul on the way back. God only knows when I'll be making another trip south. We are enjoying being here in Arizona with my sister and her family.  Nancy is the consummate hostess!  While being out of the snow is a novelty for us, Nancy is looking for a job in the Midwest to be closer to family. All the more reason to enjoy the sunshine and warmer temperatures!   Mornings have been COOL--like 30*F but rising to high 60s in the afternoon.  I must admit that I have been wearing long sleeves most of the time here.   And Quin has not even attempted to swim in the unheated backyard pool.  I guess freezing his gonads off 2 years in 50* pool water has taught him a lesson about swimming in winter in AZ! I won't be able to reply to any answers to this message, as this computer is excruciatingly slow and takes bloody forever to type anything.  I have been hitting this site every few days---and thanks to you ladies for the kind and wonderful words about meeting me and my son!  He too thought you were a great bunch!   Anyway--gotta go and head to Target to check out baby stuff.  OH yeah---  I'm a grandma again!   My oldest son and his wife had a baby boy on Dec 19 at 7:12AM. Bay Gaius (pronounced GUY-US) Cade McEachern weighed 7.5 LBS. and measured 21.5" long.  Amanda had him at home with the midwife in attendance.  Daddy was a good and supportive coach.  This little bundle of joy looks so much like Quin did as a newborn.  Funny how genetics work! Before I forget to mention this--AWESOME NEW AVATARS!! Take care, and God bless! (((HUG)) **SUE**

OMG Sue!!!   I didn't realize that sweet sue was the same sue I met in Duluth for her surgery.   This is Michelle that sat with your sister at the hospital that day.   You are looking fabulous!!!!   Congrats on the grandson!

Hi Michelle! Yup--it's me!   You're looking pretty dang good yourself!   My sister enjoyed being with you and Vickie during my surgery soooo long ago.  Congrats on your adorable daughter!  They sure do change your life, don't they?! I have tried at various times to connect with the Duluth WLS folks, but haven't had much luck.  Maybe sometimes when you guys meet for coffee I can join  you?  I guess I'd have to give you a pretty good idea WHEN I'd be making the journey to Duluth.  With the drive being 4 hours I don't make the trip too often. Anyway--thanks for the kind words!  You were an excellent ANGEL for me!  I hope to be able to connect with you in the not-too-distant future! ((HUG)) **SUE**

Congrats Sweetheart!!!  How exciting!  A baby!  Love ya dear!

Thanks, Sweetie!  I just wish they weren't so far away--Ottawa is like 1500 kilometers from Thunder Bay, and my chances of just taking a Sunday drive there are slim-to-nil. But thanks to the wonders of modern technology, my kids had sent me pictures of their newborn by evening the same day!  My great typing skills ((NOT!)) might have given the idea that the baby's name is 'Bay Gaius Cade' but it should've read 'BABY Gaius Cade'.  I am soooo hoping that you will be able to make the next 'meet 'n greet' tomorrow!  It was AWESOME to meet ya'll!  And it'd be just as awesome to see you and others tomorrow! BIG (((HUG)) **SUE**

Hello Sue! It was so nice to meet you as well.  I am happy you are enjoy the warm weather in Tucson, much warmer than here.  I'm looking forward to seeing you again on New Years Day.  Safe travels to you & Quin. Take care,

Hi Amy! I LOVE your new avatar!   It was sooo nice to meet you!  You are just the nicest gal!  I am looking forward to seeing you again tomorrow!   Even though Quin did the teenage eye-rolling when I told him we were again meeting for coffee, he did blush when I mentioned that ya'll thought he was a nice young man. (And I agree whole-heartedly!)  I hope you had a wonderful Christmas, and that your New Year celebration is a good one!  May your New Year be blessed! See you tomorrow! ((HUG)) **SUE**