Season’s Greetings from the Grabowskis!

Greetings, Friends and Family; and a Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah, a Joyous Winter Solstice, and a Holy Crap where has the time gone?!

Seems like only yesterday I was saying to Hal, “Hal, where does the time go?”

There’s so much to tell you!

First of all, I’m sure many of you have heard of the tragic loss of Mr. Boots, Sniffer, and Whozat. We honor their memory by posting, once more, their last photo together, which the bright-eyed among you might recognize as the cover of last year’s Christmas letter.

Mr. Boots, Sniffer and Whozat met their end when they finally caught the family of raccoons that have been plaguing our garbage cans. Honestly, who knew that raccoons got that big? And such fighters!

Mr. Boots, Sniffer and Whozat will be sorely missed.

Secondly, Hal finally took that early retirement that he’s always threatened me with. Ha! Ha! Honestly, it’s like having a little kid in the house again. Thank God for the computer or I don’t know what that man would do with his spare time! I hear him in there, muttering under his breath at all hours of the night and day and gosh but who knew he was such a cat lover? We’ve never had nothing but dogs and suddenly it’s “pussy” this and “pussy” that. I’m just so grateful for his sudden interest in felines, because outside of that the man seems to have no hobbies at all. I keep telling him, “Hal, if you don’t come out of there, I’m going to have the firemen break the door down!” but you know how Hal is! I guess he’ll come out when he gets hungry! Ha! Ha!

Oh, and good news! Hal Jr. is back living at home and half-way through his fifth year of community college. Thank heavens the boy finally seems to have developed an interest in something; and for cryin’ out loud, would you believe it’s music? That boy is just so darn secretive but I’m just relieved that he’s showing an interest in something. It’s all he seems to talk about! I overheard him on the phone just the other night, and it seems he’s been blowing a skin flute! I'm just so excited! As you probably recall, I played clarinet in high school; and now my little boy is playing a woodwind as well!

Now, I realize that my little holiday note finds you just days before Christmas, but if anyone knows where I could find a used flute, please give me a call! It’s been years since I could find Junior something he was actually interested in, and wouldn’t he be surprised if his ol’ Mom turned out to be cool after all!

Speaking of music, we have more than one musician in the family it seems! That’s right, Hal thought it was a waste of time, but that year of tap in elementary school was just the ticket and our little Tina’s dancing career is finally taking off! Not that I’ve seen her perform since, what? the second grade?, but it’s my understanding that she is now a “Pole Dancer”. Imagine! I’m just so proud of her exploring her heritage. And the money she’s pulling in! Like I said to her just the other day, who knew there was a career path for ethnic dancing?

And me? Oh, you know me! I keep busy. Seems I’m the only one around here who knows how to wash a plate or put the lid down on the toilet! Still, I can’t complain, cuz who would listen, am I right?! I’ve got my online taxidermy courses to keep me busy, not to mention the driveway resurfacing business is still lucrative. Somebody’s got to support this family!

Am I right?

Well, that’s all for this year. Hugs and kisses to everyone!

Hoping this finds you healthy and happy,

The Grabowskis
Hal, Arneatha, Hal Jr., and Tina