My first goal for 1997 was to write and mail my Christmas letter before Christmas. I just might make it. It is so hard to believe that another year has come and gone. It has been a good year for me, and I trust for you as well. Let me tell you about my year…

Last Christmas Donna gave me a gift certificate for a balloon ride on New Years morning. The plan was to stay at Chimney Crest Inn, a wonderful B&B in Connecticut and do the balloon ride in the morning. We stay at the B&B, enjoyed the fireplace and just a nice quiet time together, but sub-zero weather postponed the balloon trip. We were disappointed but finally in October we got to do our balloon ride. It was so peaceful. We are both glad for the experience.

In March, Donna and I spent a week in England. It was great! Most of the time was spent in Porlock at Porlock Vale House, an equestrian training center. Porlock is in Exmoor, on the southwestern coast of England. I learned how to ride (and fall off of a horse). Donna who is an accomplished rider got to take jumping lessons, and to go out on a couple of ‘hacks’ (trail rides, for the not faint at heart). She loved the rides, and I enjoyed getting to know Bouncer (the horse I rode) and O’Mally (the horse I fell off of, while trying to canter). Also while in England we went to London and did the tourist stuff. My highlight was Donna taking my photo walking across the "Abbey Road" crosswalk, standing right where Paul, John, George, and Ringo stood. We also saw Stonehenge, and stayed a night in Bath. The night before we left we took a taxi around London, and the driver let us off at one end of Tower Bridge and we walked across the bridge where we were hoping the driver would meet us. He was there. Everything in England was so green and lush, and learning how to drive on the wrong side of the road wasn’t too bad.

 We are far from ready for the Pro Tour but, this year we spent some time on the golf course, a couple of lessons, and hit a lot of buckets of balls. Even bought Donna’s little girl, who will be six on Dec. 24^th) a custom cut 5 iron, putter, and golf bag. There is a little nine hole, par 3 that we like to play because she can participate. She is also taking horseback riding lessons, and has been in two shows this year. And she hasn’t fallen off.

 During the fourth of July holiday, Berl, Bridget, and their girl Samantha, friends from Maryland stayed with us. We hit some golf balls, went to Sturbridge Village, grilled out on the deck, Berl jammed on the guitar, and Berl taught me how to cook the perfect omelet. Fun was had by all.

 Oh, I almost forgot. Did you see my television debut? It was July 29^th, on CBS, the David Letterman Show. Donna and I attended a taping of the Letterman show, and while two girls ran down the aisle to the stage the camera swung past us, and yes for all of ½ second we were on national TV. Warning to all that come and visit, I do play the tape, over, and over, and over, and over again to make sure you see us.

 August brought another birthday for Donna. We had a surprise party for her. She didn’t have a clue. Then for her present we went to the Pocono’s and had a great time. We even saw "The Monkees" in concert.

 As for the job situation, last year I was doing contract programming in the Washington DC area. That is where I meet my then boss Berl (mentioned above). In February of this year, I got a consulting contract with Yale University. I consulted with them for forty-three weeks and then accepted an offer to go on board full-time. The benefit package is great, and I am learning Oracle, SQL, and web development. And the drive is not as far as Washington D. C.

 Other personal accomplishments this year have been, taking a Visual Basic class at A local Community College, buying my first new car (a 1997 Toyota Avalon), paying off my school loan (yippee), and being asked to teach Visual Basic at the same college. On Thanksgiving morning Donna and I ran the Manchester Road race again this year. It is a 4.7-mile course, and is the longest running race in our country. We both did it in less than 58 min. After the race it was great cookin’ at Donna’s parents house with her family. The biggest accomplishment happens this December 13^th, when Donna will graduate from the Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy. It has been a two-year program, and she has done very well. And I got to be her practice dummy. (It was rough but someone had to do it.)