2023 in Review

It’s Different

We’ve celebrated Christmas with Anita’s parents at their home in Sylvester, GA every year (minus COVID) since our marriage in 2002. Unfortunately, we’re doing so this year without Anita’s Mamma Louise. Sandra Louise Rabon Clark passed at home on April 1st, ending a multi-year battle with dementia. Her cremains were spread at multiple places on the farm she loved so much during a memorial service in April. The transition has been tough for Anita and her Daddy Sam, but both know that she’s no longer suffering. There’s going to be a change in the menu for Christmas dinner. Louise will no longer be here to cook the traditional feast we’ve enjoyed. Rick will take over this year as primary chef and prepare his mother Sally’s meatloaf with mashed potatoes, French-style green beans and black-eyed peas. Doubt it’ll be as celebratory as the meal Louise prepared, but it’ll likely be the new “norm” as we explore changes to our yearly celebration.

Rick added a 3^rd consulting job this summer working for his dear friend Cheryl supporting the IT needs of a cardiovascular group. The work for his friend Tom transitioned from supporting improvements to their on-time delivery to the management of casting supply to foundries in Mexico (COVID had an EXTREME impact on the U.S. Foundry industry), while continuing to manage artwork and specifications for the Right Guard and Dry Idea brands. Then in November, 2 of the 3 ended with a significant December reduction in hours for the 3rd. Rick’s looking forward to what God has planned in 2024 and has updated his resume and LinkedIn profile to reflect the recent work. He enjoyed working for/with close friend, let him know if you’d benefit from adding him to your Team.

If you’ve been following us for any length of time you know that Rick was blessed at a young age to be a grandfather. Mia is 27, Anna is 23, both living in Jacksonville. After Rick and Cindy divorced, Mia’s family “adopted” him, including him in family celebrations until they moved to Jacksonville. Rick asked to join them for Thanksgiving to re-kindle those memories, but to also give his pregnant granddaughter Anna a hug! Yes, that’s right – Rick will be a GREAT grandfather in February. Claire Louise Chancey is expected on the 28^th and Rick’s looking forward to a spring visit to give her his first hug.

It’s the Same

These annual summaries are chocked full of our (mostly Rick‘s) travel adventures. You won’t be disappointed this year. Here are the “annual” events:

1. Spring in Laguna Beach – The goats were back in Bluebird Canyon eating their way to fire control. Rick worked mornings and he and Sally had breakfast at A’s and Alonso Beach and visited Crystal Cove. Rick helped around the house by fixing Amazon Alexa and trimming the ivy on the patio.
2. Beta Eta Reunion – Rick combined the reunion with a visit to his client in Cleveland, attended a car show in Vermillion and watched Tom’s son Zach road race his Honda S2000 in Michigan before the reunion. Attendance at the reunion was a bit lighter than desired so they’re looking to move it to Homecoming weekend in 2024.
3. Wreck Diving – Rick and his dive buddy Ben dove wrecks in Pompano Beach, FL and the Islamorado Key. There are LOTS of videos of their wreck and reef adventures.
4. Family Reunion – In August we celebrated family in Indio, CA (yes it was HOT – 118F!). We visited Joshua Tree National Park, relaxed at the resort pool, visited a date farm and ATE, ATE, ATE! Kevin (barely) beat Rick in shuffleboard and Kendra provided skin cleansing masks for all. Rick went west a week early to spend some additional time with Mom. He updated the lighting along the elephant steps and added lights down the concrete staircase to help keep Mom safe at night.

It’s New

Our additional 2023 travels included:

• Spring Break – Rick was not able to visit the girls in 2022 so he resurrected their Spring Break trip and came to Jacksonville for a visit. Mia was working as an Assistant Manger for David’s Bridal while attending their Store Manager Academy, while Anna was enjoying spring break from her Business Degree at the University of North Florida while working as a Manager for a local ice cream chain. Rick visited the Jacksonville Arboretum with Anna, walked the beach w/ Mia, visited his Aunt Terry & Uncle Keith in Amelia Island with Mia and treated the family to Sally’s meatloaf.
• Spooky Vegas – Rick and Anita spent Halloween in Las Vegas. The weather was PERFECT for a cowboy trail ride and cookout, a visit to Fremont Street to experience the craziness, attend a burlesque show, see the Chippendale show and a show title “Puppetry of the Penis”. No imagination required, 2 naked guys on stage doing origami with their junk – ABSOLUTELY hilarious, recommended if you’re up for something different during your next visit.
• Work Travel – Rick visited Houston and Detroit to support his new role with US Heart & Vascular. He was evaluating the IT “readiness” of practices seeking acquisition. This was a VERY different experience for him. He enjoyed the work but is grateful to be done (leave the travel to the young ones).
• Hawked – Kendra, Eric and A.J. enjoyed a summer adventure to the beaches of North Carolina.
• Puerto Morelos – Mom just returned from a week in Mexico with her sister (John and T.J. were unable to attend). This is their 3rd such trip and from the photos it looks like it’ll be an annual one.
• Eagles Trip – Kevin and Amy spent a long weekend in Philadelphia to visit Grace and watch Amy’s Eagles get STOMPED.

It’s Not Over

We did a few updates/upgrades at the house in Amelia this year. Rick replaced our mailbox over the Memorial Day weekend. He discovered firsthand why there are companies who specialize in such work. We finally had the rest of the windows replaced. We finally gave up on the addition and decided we’d like to enjoy cooler summers and warmer winters. A new roof is in the plan for 2024. The basement got a make-over to accommodate several cages to support the socialization of Anita’s rescue kitties. The business that allowed her to house kitties at their headquarters was a COVID victim, requiring a new plan. It’s worked out nicely and Anita’s found a pet sitter that’s happy to help with those upstairs and downstairs, allowing us to travel.

Sally continues to enjoy life in Laguna Beach, staying busy with yoga, church, eating out with friends and hosting visitors (e.g. Rick). One of her dearest friends recently moved East to care for her mother, another is struggling with some health issues while another was grieving the loss of his ex-wife. She’s healthy and active, truly a blessing at 82.

Kevin’s in West Point, VA with his girlfriend Amy and commuting to his job in Richmond (which he’d prefer to exit). Andrew followed his girlfriend Rachel to Miami, then changed jobs to enhance his professional well-being. Grace is enjoying her life in Philadelphia as she explores graduate school for 2024. Will is completing his bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design at Virginia Tech, seeking full-time employment. Please contact him if you have/know of a lead.

Kendra’s in Herndon working for the same attorneys (which she’d prefer to exit). 2023 has been a GREAT year for her as she’s found a solution to manage her weight and is very close to her goal. Eric continues to support his IT clients and A.J. is working as a residential HVAC technician (which he’d prefer to exit).

Anna completed her bachelor’s degree in December, has reduced her hours at the ice cream store in preparation for Claire’s arrival. Mia left David’s Bridal (after their 2nd bankruptcy announcement) and took some time off this summer before starting with a finance company. She makes more money, has better benefits and works from home a few days a week supporting a local Tesla dealer. If you’re seeking to finance a new Tesla she may be able to help.

It’s Almost 2024

The years do seem to go by faster (hard to believe Rick was once wrapped up in the Y2K transition), so we do our best to take them one at a time. Rick’s taking Andrew on a Caribbean cruise in January (their “language” trip that was cancelled due to COVID), Rick’s planning a panhandle dive trip in May, the family will reconvene in Anaheim in August and Rick’s planning to celebrate Thanksgiving with Sally. 2024 is our final year for the Wyndham timeshare. Anita wants to return to Vegas; Rick would like to explore someplace new. We’ll share our decision in the 2024 Year in Review.

With All Our Love,

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