December 1995

  My last Christmas letter was September 1993, I am slipping. To those with whom I have not kept in touch with I apologize……. Well, a lot has happened so let me get you up to date. In Feb. 1994 I took a job with Engineering Services, located in South Windsor, Connecticut, as "Systems Development Manager." I am responsible for the development of software to run their catalog mail companies; Farmtek & TekSuppy. Other areas of responsibility include phone system, Unix, Mac Graphic Art Network, and a Windows 95 based Ethernet network. Alice (a lifer at Engineering Services), Rob ( a new hire I was able to steal from Celex, in Chicago), and I share the tasks of keeping the technology alive in this company. It is great to work with them.

  I am renting a condo, with hopes of purchasing a unit in 1996. My lifestyle is such that I really don’t want to shovel snow (which we just 12" two days ago), mow the lawn, or rake the leaves.

  This year saw the loss of my Grandma Gruhn (age 96, my dad’s mom), and my Grandma Bannister (age 91, my mom’s mom). They both lived a long life, and I am very thankful for the momories I have with them, and for how they shaped my life.

  Donald, my stepfather, moved from Mass. to Texas. Dick & Janet (father & stepmother), and Ruth (my sister) already live there.

  If you have never been to Hawaii, you gotta go. Guess where I went on vaction in April 95. No, it wasn’t Hopkinton, Iowa! Yes, it was Hawaii. I went by myself, and had a blast. I saw four islands, met some great people, saw some history, took some great pictures, flew a glider, and just unwound myself.

  I met a woman. An office romance. Donna and I have been dating for a little less than a year. She has little girl, four years old. We work hard at taking day & weekend trips. Which included: Vermont, Canada (Labor Day Weekend), New York, Sturbridge Village, Cape Cod (July 4^th), Rhode Island (Where I dee-jayed for the Barrington, RI Girl Scouts), Mystic CT, and other local Connecticut trips. Donna loves horses and is planning on going to school for Therapeutic Massage (you can get in line behind me!)

  I was real active in Karate up until about 5 months ago (made it to Blue Belt with a Green Stripe). I have plans to go back (we’ll see), just seems like there is not enough hours in a day ….. you know. This past Thanksgiving Donna and I ran in the Manchester Road Race (4.78 miles) we did it in 1 hour and 6 mins. Then we went to her parents and gained back all the calories we lost over a really nice Thanksgiving meal.

  I bought a 1986 Suzuki Calvacade 1400 cc, full dress touring motorcycle, I have lots of fun with it. Wind in my hair, bugs in my teeth ….

  Even as I approach 40 this next November . . . if age is a state of mind I am really a mature 6 year old. I feel the most stable about my future and who I am as a person. I am enjoying my job, friends, family, and the different opportunities which cross my path each day.

  I was at a party last year and met a man you gave me this old Irish toast, which is my toast to you.