Sunday, December 22, 2019

Mele Kalikimaka!


We've gone digital!
Too many trees would die if we printed out our Holiday note, so here ya go. . . .

Mele Kalikimaka everyone.  Mary and I hope you had a good 2019.  This letter will catch you up on the latest changes in our lives – There have been some.

VITO
The year started off with the arrival of our 4th Grandchild.  Vito Giotto graced Caitlin and Mike just before the end of 2018.  Jen and Brandon have Frannie (6) Arlo (almost 4) and Auggie (almost 2).  We were able to fly out to North Carolina, where all the kids live now, early in 2019 to visit.  

Mike and Caitlin just bought their first house in Black Mountain NC.  Jen and Brandon are living the farm life in Marion NC.  We are heading out to visit from Dec 23rd-Jan 3rd.  We’re very proud of the people they’ve become, and the people they are raising.  



Frannie

The exodus of our kids and their kids from California has been tough on us – we really miss them, but it also made our decision to move from California an easier one.

In May of this year we purchased a home in Kailua Kona, on the Big Island.  In September we sold our Cambria home.  The move was traumatic, in that we had to divest ourselves of much of our accrued “stuff” for the move to Kona.  It was liberating and long overdue.  Life on the island is exactly what we envisioned – much time in the water, getting exercise swimming, SUPing, kayaking, and outrigger paddling.  Mary has found her groove running on Ali’i drive and I hope to do some paragliding on the islands soon.  The house needs a deep makeover, so we plan to make lots of dust and noise in February and March.  When the project is complete, it will be the house we've always wanted.

Arlo and Auggie




Mary is in protracted negotiation with the state to get her Hawaiian Massage Therapist license.    They seem to be very nice, but the process is quite frustrating for someone who's been licenced in CA for years.  
She’s looking forward to working at one of the resorts in the area. 

I am starting my last year with United. Counting down my last 20 or so landings before Dec 2020 when I become redundant at 65.  I like my job, but unlike Mary, I’m looking forward to NOT working.  There is much active recreation, ceramics work, and relaxing to be done.




The older we get, the more we realize how important our friends and family are to us.  Our life spans are finite, and we cherish the time we have available to spend with all of you. 









Happy Holidays!

Tim and Mary O’Neill
75-289 Malulani Dr.
Kailua Kona, HI 96740
(808) 238-0473 Landline