How can it possibly be the end of 2022 already?! It’s been an event filled year for us and one for which we are so grateful to have been able to revisit friends in Scotland, make new friends in Cambridge, France, Canada, and the US, host my mom’s 80th birthday extravaganza, and see lots of other relatives in the Midwest and good friends in Austin, Denver, and Tucson. We are blessed!!
We are currently hunkered down for a few days while a serious cold front impacts Austin and many other parts of the central US. While we have it much better than areas farther north (We’re still on the right side of 0 degrees F), we noticed that our homeowners who are visiting family in Canada are currently having warmer weather than we are here (32 vs 15 degrees F when we checked this morning).
We continued the medical focus of our visit this week with a consult for Bob regarding his cataract surgery for next week, a 2-week follow-up on his hip surgery, and a mammogram for me. I won’t get my results for a week or so but was happy to learn that the results of an ultrasound that I had last week came back fine. No use to worrying about these things, but my sister’s death from cancer has taken away my former assuredness about my health status.
Bob got a great review from the orthopedic surgeon, as he is very mobile already, having ditched both the walker and cane. He is mostly pain free except on inclines and if he pushes himself too much. His gait isn’t quite back to normal, but we’re trying not to expect everything all at once. We’re just hoping the eye surgery is as effective.
In the meantime, we had a lovely meet up with another couple that we’ve known forever. She was one of Bob’s co-workers at his first job in Austin and is also from Iowa.
We have also been enjoying the aptly named Hollywood, who loves to be the center of attention and is quite the ball/toy fetcher, enjoys her walks and treats (She rolls over for cheese.), and stays close. She does not, however, approve of her winter jacket as we learned this morning.
Bob got an early Christmas present at our current house when he noticed a sculpture out by the pool. Yep, he’s added to his big head photo collection.
Merry Christmas and best wishes for a happy, healthy 2023!
Peckish Travels 
4 replies on “Happy Holidays! (12/23/22)”
Good to hear your positive feedback on events that impinged on you during this generally crap year for every one.
Most impressed with young Bobs post surgery recovery .Best foot forward Bob 😁👍
My Secretary is taking me to “Barony Castle” hotel for the Christmas weekend just north of Peebles (lucky me). We may even get a white Christmas Day which would be very nice, Otter will be accompanying us.
Have a great festive period the both of you 🎅🥂🥃🥳 play safe in the bad weather. Love Stan,Mary &Otter.
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Can it get better than Christmas in a castle with loved ones?! Take care of yourselves and give sweet Otter a hug from both of us.
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Hey Bob and Beth! I recently reconnected with your blog and enjoy peeking in on your travels now and again. Happy New Year! If you are ever in the PNW, let me know. I’m in the Portland area now.
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Awesome to hear from you! We have housesits on Vancouver Island and near Seattle this year, so if we can swing by Portland (great city!), we’ll holler. Would love to catch up. Hope all is well.
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