Happy Holidays and A Review of 2013 from Charlotte and Smoot!

The new year started with a fun party at Bill and Joan’s on Jan 1, 2013. More photos from the party at https://plus.google.com/photos/105848056501334164784/albums/5828656824140007153?banner=pwa&authkey=CNDpxOaw-JpclAE. On Jan 2, we went to a rocking hootenanny at the Beatitudes organized by Igor. Rosalyn Sage Colson joined the family on Jan 4. Emily and Chris are the proud parents. Rick came to see us on Jan 16. He wanted to visit with his brother before Smoot’s surgery. Rick went with us to the Senior-i-tea at our church, the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Phoenix, during which I gave a presentation on the congregation's history.

Rick and Smoot set out early on Jan 19 to play golf with Frank and Dan. More photos from Rick’s visit at https://plus.google.com/photos/105848056501334164784/albums/5834788406712893841?banner=pwa&authkey=CJyaqYWXrbz3fA. Allegra was our big foster kitty and Baby Carol and MamaKitty were two of our feral cat colony as of Jan 22.

We celebrated Jan choir birthdays on Jan 30, 2013. Smoot and Bill enjoyed the cake and I posed with Lori and Paula. More party pics at https://plus.google.com/photos/105848056501334164784/albums/5839478397636957377?banner=pwa&authkey=CMLf3eyrkZn3zwE. On Feb 2, we sang in the AZ Choral Festival at VUU. Emily, Chris and baby Rosalyn on Feb 3.

Smoot had surgery for prostate cancer on Feb 6, 2013 at Scottsdale Healthcare Shea. It didn't take him long to have his computer out. Luckily the hospital had wi-fi. He and his urologist, Dr. Robert Shapiro, were pleased with the result. It was laproscopic surgery with the largest cut held together with staples. Smoot was touched by the kindness of all the people who visited him in the hospital, and sent cards and gifts. More photos at https://plus.google.com/photos/105848056501334164784/albums/5844204120648242225?banner=pwa&authkey=CL3Ww8Dw9bTEtQE.

On Valentine’s Day we ate out and then took candy to the hospital staff to thank them for their kindness. Christina was his day nurse. On Feb 17, 2013, Arizona Republic columnist Laurie Roberts spoke at UUCP’s Social Action lunch about her effort to de-kookify the Arizona legislature. Hail like snow on Feb 20.

We added another new family member when Celia Eve Ochsner was born on Sunday Feb 17, 2013. She was 7lbs 6oz, 20 1/2 inches long. Proud parents, Becca and Chad gained a new house too. Proud grandparents Madeline and Billy got to meet Celia on Mar 21. Right, Celia in her Easter bunny ears on Mar 26.

Cabaret was Feb 23. The theme was American Bandstand.

Gary being a Bass with Tenor Smoot; the men singing Fishin’ in the Dark; Charlotte and Paula. More Cabaret photos at https://plus.google.com/photos/105848056501334164784/albums/5848530952824342593?banner=pwa&authkey=CM-ZkZPs48bAHw.

We went to Rula Bula on Feb 24 to celebrate Elizabeth’s 16th birthday. Smoot and I won the auction the previous fall for a sermon by Rev Susan and an original song by Anne B. Our chosen theme, the number 42. Jim understood; his t-shirt says, ‘The answer is 42.’ On Feb 24, Susan and Anne both did great jobs elaborating on Douglas Adams’ idea that 42 is the answer to life, the universe and everything! And Benjie and Lynne played sci-fi music, Thus Spoke Zarathustra and the Star Trek Next Generation theme.

Catherine and Daniel came to visit our foster kittens on Mar 11, 2013. Melinda and her family came to pick fruit on Mar 14 but made time to also pet the kittens. Right, Heidi, Thomasina and Danny looking cute.

On March 24, 2013, as chair of the effort Smoot gave a stewardship talk at UUCP. Rev Susan was pleased. The kittens and I on Mar 30, the day before Easter. That afternoon Smoot and I went to the UUCP picnic. More photos from the picnic at https://plus.google.com/photos/105848056501334164784/albums/5861238945927417601?banner=pwa&authkey=CPvCh-vQvccp.

The evening of Mar 30 we went to the Post-Cabaret party at Duke and Susan’s. More party pics at https://plus.google.com/photos/105848056501334164784/albums/5861359060110893425?banner=pwa&authkey=CLrEnovFxKDJPw. We dressed in our Spring finery on Easter, Mar 31, 2013. On Apr 5, we went to the Chandler airshow. Our great nieces and nephews Ava, Celia, Nathan, and Benji at the Beall cousins reunion on Apr 7.

I was one of the organizers of Celebration Sunday, Apr 14, 2013, the culmination of UUCP’s stewardship drive. Smoot, the stewardship chair and Rev Susan were pleased with the event. More pics at https://plus.google.com/photos/105848056501334164784/albums/5866802690736213633?banner=pwa. Above right, the choir on Apr 21. We had grown to 40 members, almost twice the number we had when Smoot and I joined in 2004.

Jency was in town visiting Janet and came to see us on Apr 22 and 23. She shared pics from her trip to Hawaii and gave us some kewl goodies from there. She made us want to change our plans and instead of doing a cruise to Alaska for our 40th anniversary, take a trip to the Islands. We sat with Rudolf and Tommie at the Paw Placemen party on Apr 28. More party pics at https://plus.google.com/photos/105848056501334164784/albums/5872087044592287857?banner=pwa&authkey=CPGX-Zanl6-eCA.

Paula again joined us on Free Comic Book Day on May 4, 2013. On May 12, the combined UUCP and VUU choirs sang the Saint Francis in the Americas Mass. More photos of the combined choirs practices and performances at https://plus.google.com/photos/105848056501334164784/albums/5873406863973869201?banner=pwa&authkey=CKO9kPept_PRFw. Emily posed with the Stanford-Colson cousins, our great nieces Natalie, Rosalyn and Kiera on May 12.

I wore one of my Star Trek shirts when we saw the new ST movie with Linda and Gary on May 18, 2013. We went to hear Connie play for the Full Circle Women's Choir that night and went out for pie afterward. Phoenix Comic Con started on May 23.

The big event was the Babylon 5 20th anniversary. All the stars shown above attended the Con except Bruce who had to cancel at the last minute. I enjoyed the professional talks the most, esp Garret Wang who was really funny and Amanda Tapping. More Con pics at https://plus.google.com/photos/105848056501334164784/albums/5882325039150189009?banner=pwa&authkey=CMz6lJzfwojS-gE.

On May 29th Connie hosted the Music Appreciation Night. Above left, the altos and right the tenors. I was honored for my work as Cabaret helper and music librarian. More photos from the gathering at https://plus.google.com/photos/105848056501334164784/albums/5883633572831629073?banner=pwa&authkey=CMOF8LSwrtWKcA.

Our fosters on Jun 5, Rosalie, Edward, Emily and Bella. Our newest baby turtle, Jun 11. The adults, Jun 12.

On Jun 14, 2013, I took the kittens to the Paw Placement center at Petsmart to be adopted and came home with Cupcake and Sugar, my next fosters, two black cats, one sleek, one fluffy. I’ve fostered 80 cats since Sep 2010. We went to the newly opened Butterfly Wonderland in Scottsdale for Smoot’s birthday. One landed on my hand. More pics from the Wonderland and Smoot’s birthday at https://plus.google.com/photos/105848056501334164784/albums/5891959144195320961?banner=pwa&authkey=COajgfvcvOD9Ow.

Smoot with his loot, including a Hawaiian themed beach bag and books, and his birthday cupcake. On Jun 22, we had Smoot’s b’day celebration with the Leungs. We drove to Prescott to attend Sharon and Jesse’s July 4th party and dressed in appropriately patriotic outfits. More 4th pics at https://plus.google.com/photos/105848056501334164784/albums/5897216236664909585?banner=pwa&authkey=COT_oZ3y9aygWQ.

We spent the night, had a nice breakfast and came back to Scottsdale the next day. My iMac died so I got a new one. (My iPhone died too as did the AC in my studio, both of which had to be replaced making this an expensive summer.) We had heavy rains in July. On July 21 we saw water flowing from the horses on the wash on Indian Bend, the first time we’d seen that. On July 26, we had supper with Brian while Karin and the girls were in the UK.

On Sat, Aug 3, 2013 we hosted our 40th anniversary party with an Hawaiian theme. Jency came back to help us. The Leungs brought us leis from Hawaii, sent to him by his sister. Bonnie painted a cute caricature of us. More 40th photos at https://picasaweb.google.com/105848056501334164784/Our40thAnniversaryAug2013?authkey=Gv1sRgCJCHqN3wxrHQDA.

On Aug 12, we flew to Austin for Fran’s memorial. It was nice to see many old St. Michael’s friends even at a sad occasion. I gave the eulogy. Fran’s brother Jackson, his new wife, Katie and daughter Rosemary attended. I created an album of photos on Fran that includes both memorial services at https://plus.google.com/photos/105848056501334164784/albums/5910682099325933585?banner=pwa&authkey=CKX2rOWLgsbElgE.

On Aug 17, 2013, we helped to celebrate Susan’s graduation from Purdue with a Masters in Education. On Aug 19 we drove to San Diego for the inurnment of Fran’s ashes at St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church. Franklin attended the service as did Lois and Robert Canzoneri and their daughter Ruth. They had known Fran when she worked for the church. Ruth was in Fran’s youth group.

We celebrated my birthday early on Aug 25th with the Leungs. They gave me Hawaiian soft drinks to get into the right mood for our trip. The next day, my actual birthday, I did my freebies at Denny’s, Red Robin and Five & Diner then had my cupcake. More photos from my celebrations at https://plus.google.com/photos/105848056501334164784/albums/5916639691265406097?banner=pwa&authkey=CJWnx4iku6OjUQ.

On Sept 9, 2013, Lucienne gave us a painting she’d done of the Texas Hill Country in honor of our 40th anniversary. On Sept 13, we had supper at the Quinns with Nancy & Dave and Susan & Duke. On Sep 15, 2013, we began our 40th anniversary trip to Hawaii. We splurged and flew first class on Hawaiian Airlines. They give 1st class passengers ‘entertainment pads’ so we had a lot of things to watch during the flight. We spent 9 days on Oahu and 4 on the Big Island.

We stayed in the New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel on Waikiki Beach, a place recommended by Jimmy and Susan. It’s away from the main group of hotels which you can see through the window behind Smoot, but is still on the beach. In Honolulu, we found places we’d seen on Hawaii Five O like the famous Ilikai Hotel, the location for the opening shot of Jack Lord in the original show. On Sept 16, we went to the Pearl Harbor Historic Sites and toured the very moving Battleship Arizona shrine and the Battleship Missouri.

On Tues, Sept 17, we took a bus tour of Oahu and got to see Halona Beach Cove, the famous beach where the scene in From Here to Eternity was filmed. On Sept 18, we went to the Mormon Polynesian Cultural Center and experienced a luau. On Sept 19, we toured the beautifully restored Iolani Palace.

We went to the National Military Cemetery at the Punch Bowl and found the grave of the famous journalist Ernie Pyle. On Sept 20, we saw Sandy Beach. Our tour bus guide called it the Obama Beach because that's where Obama surfed as a kid and still does when he visits. At the Koko Crater Botanical Garden we saw beautiful flowers, Plumeria and Bougainvillea.

We saw feral cats, peacocks and fat koi at the iconic Byodo-In Temple. We watched fireworks over the WWI memorial on Waikiki Beach and the moon rise over Diamond Head from the balcony of our hotel room.

On Sept 21, because we’d missed seeing it on our bus tour, we went back to Hanauma Bay and saw not only the gorgeous bay but feral cats, chickens and a mongoose. We shopped at the famous Swap Meet, drove through China Town, lunched at the Ilikai, and swam in the surf behind our hotel.

That night we walked down the beach and had our pictures taken with some very pretty birds. On Sept 22, we toured the Bishop Museum of Hawaiian and Polynesian history and on Sept 23, our last day in Oahu, the Waikiki Aquarium.

Then the evening of Sept 23, we flew to the Big Island. We stayed at the Old Hawaiian B&B in Hilo recommended by Sharon and Jesse. We visited the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, outside Hilo and had a plate lunch at the Volcano House, the only hotel in Park. The restaurant overlooks Halema‘uma‘u Crater at the summit of Kilauea.

We walked through the Nahuku Lava Tube and out onto the Lua Manu Crater. We visited the Kealakomo Overlook and Picnic Area along the Chain of Craters Road. Sulfur gases have eroded the metal rails and picnic tables. There are warnings that if you have trouble breathing, you should leave the area!

We had elaborate breakfasts at the B&B. On Wed, Sept 25 we had a fruit compote. Most of the fruit was grown in the owner’s yard. We went to the Imiloah Astronomy Center in Hilo. It has a beautiful mosaic representing the Polynesian’s use of astronomy to sail to Hawaii.

We saw the Pe'epe Falls near our B&B and the Rainbow Falls. We took a helicopter flight around the island and got to sit in the front of the copter.

The helicopter isn’t allowed to fly over the Volcano Park but we did see lava fields including this cinder cone from the devastating 1983 eruption. The center photo shows the lava flow to the sea. The white line in the middle is the road that was cut off by the flow. People are already starting to rebuild houses in the area even though there aren’t any services. We had our picture taken outside our copter after the tour.

On Sept 26, we saw giant sea turtles and Akaka Falls and had a nice dinner on our last night in the Islands.

On Fri, Sept 27 we flew from Hilo back to Honolulu for our flight home. Smoot took a striking photo of Waikiki from the plane. We were tired when we got home but had thoroughly enjoyed our trip. There are more photos and videos from our trip at https://plus.google.com/photos/105848056501334164784/albums/5924469255877341793?banner=pwa&authkey=CNaWnPb76I_RMw. The day after we got home we went to Katherine’s birthday party with her friends. We celebrated with her on Oct 10.

Our friend Lucienne fell and broke her back again. Smoot agreed to be her Power of Attorney for Healthcare and financial assistant. On Oct 23, 2013, we had a notary come to the hospital so she could officially sign her new will and directives. Her friends Maria, Sam and Theresa served as witnesses. Sadly, Lucienne’s husband Bob had died in Aug. On Oct 27, UUCP had their service to remember the dead. We took a montage of photos of Bob to have on the altar with the photos of our parents. That evening we went to the Arizona State Fair and toured the Star Trek Exhibition.

On Oct 29, I took a picture of our darling fosters – Porscha, Allero, Lexi and Cooper. They and their mom, Aurora had been sealed in a plastic box and dumped in a Petsmart parking lot. Some choir members dressed up early for Halloween at practice on Oct 30th. On the 31st we went to hear Connie play in the orchestra providing the soundtrack for the silent movie Nosferatu. Shown above right, Connie with composer Christopher Norby and conductor, Timothy Verville. More photos from the event at https://plus.google.com/photos/105848056501334164784/albums/5941319340134991153?banner=pwa&authkey=CML8-565l6arnwE.

We joined the Leungs on Nov 2 to cheer Elizabeth and her team to victory in the state volleyball championship. We gave her a stuffed tiger, the Tesseract mascot. Lucienne’s only family member, Darryl Raymaker came to town from Calgary, Canada to check on her. We had dinner with him on Nov 12. I got a new set of foster kittens on Nov 18, Clyde and Daisy, who had an upper respiratory infection and needed regular medication before going back to the Paw Placement adoption center. More photos at https://plus.google.com/photos/105848056501334164784/albums/5948355030288883089?authkey=CPP5vPX_2tHLsAE. On Nov 22, Julie and I put together our UUCP auction donation, a South Sea Spa Vacation bag.

On Nov 28, Smoot smoked an 18 pound turkey to take to the UUCP Thanksgiving potluck. On Sun, Dec 1, we got to visit with Fredi and Paul while they were in town for a family Thanksgiving. On Tues Dec 3 we went to the holiday party of the District 23 Democrats and were able to stay for the entire event. The other years when it was on a weekend evening we always had something else to do.

On Fri, Dec 6, we went to the holiday concert performed by the Valley Women's Ensemble. Connie played the piano, Kimberly played percussion and Anne sang in the choir. Afterward we went to Coco's for pie. The next day we attended UUCP's pirate themed auction. Because we were sponsors we got kewl pirate booty including a skull and crossbones necklace. More auction pics at https://plus.google.com/photos/105848056501334164784/albums/5954868829444327137?authkey=CJ_zvdWymsSBHg.

After the auction, we went to Tommie and Rudolf's holiday party and posed with Megan and Tyrone, the Paw Placement contingent. On Mon, Dec 9, we finally got to see Ellie and Bob's train set. What an amazing layout. Then we had a tasty supper with hysterical conversation.

On Fri, Dec 13 we had two parties back to back. The first one was at Jane's house for the neighbors. The second we hosted for the UUCP bridge group. We had 12 people playing at three tables.

On Dec 14, 2013, we attended Katherine's piano recital, then belatedly celebrated Jimmy's birthday and finally went shopping for needy families from the Salvation Army Angel Tree. That's our new holiday tradition, to give to others instead of ourselves.

On Sun, Dec 15, we went to Bill and Joan's.  We had an Italian feast, got to see photos from their trip to Italy and I visited with one of their cats. More photos at https://plus.google.com/photos/105848056501334164784/albums/5957773828328206033?authkey=CJv76ZCojs2D8wE. On Mon, Dec 16, I returned Ariadne to Petsmart, having had her in foster since Aug 24.

On Tues, Dec 17, we went out with Gary and Linda, first eating at Le Bistro then going to the Stillman Train Park. Linda and I wore appropiately festive holiday hats.

On Fri, Dec 20, we went to visit Lucienne and bring her some Christmas goodies. Later that evening we went to Connie and Richard's caroling party. Brad and Smoot soon gave up on the caroling and went outside to discuss the problems of the world. Carolyn and I continued singing. More party pics at https://plus.google.com/photos/105848056501334164784/albums/5959695953828918401?authkey=CL6f86Hdt8uPTg.

On Sat, Dec 21, I got a call that Paw Placement needed a home for a foster kitten. I picked up a cute, feisty tabby girl. Later that day the UUCP carolers split into two groups. Our group visited Lucienne, Margaret and JoAnne then we all met back and had a photo.

Then we went to the Beatitudes to sing and have dinner. More caroling photos at https://plus.google.com/photos/105848056501334164784/albums/5960042504707211201?authkey=CIOcovfi_tCHdw. On Sun, Dec 22, the choir gave gifts to Connie, Benjie, Marla, Diana and me.

Joanne gave me a cute Cat Carols book and a music bag ornament (that she ordered right under my nose at the Presbyterian bazaar!). After our services some of us went to Lynne's concert then to supper afterward. More pics at https://plus.google.com/photos/105848056501334164784/albums/5960643541093253521?authkey=CIy5zJfwjIq0Ow.

We sang at the late Christmas eve service then had the traditional photo by the tree. Christmas day we opened gifts, and humiliated our cats by making them wear holiday gear. Our foster, Kia/Snookums put up with the Santa hat better than Rocky who refused. Gheer was resigned. More Christmas photos at https://plus.google.com/photos/105848056501334164784/albums/5961548429400526753?authkey=CM7wnNba-OLa5QE.

Then we went over to Linda and Gary's to have Christmas dinner. Linda and Charles joined us. More photos at https://plus.google.com/photos/105848056501334164784/albums/5961510403722889953?authkey=COOeoPfuvJfL2AE. Then later that afternoon we went by to visit Lucienne.

On Friday, Dec 27, 2013, we hosted a choir holiday potluck at our house. We had 43 people and were able to seat them all amazingly. More photos at https://plus.google.com/photos/105848056501334164784/albums/5962472120587068241?authkey=CJPx4Zf8yrj12AE.

On New Year's Eve we went to Mesa to see Gary and Linda's trailer home and park and have dinner with Linda and Charles again and their neighbors, Irene and Emory. A fun way to end a very eventful year!