Christmas 1998 (Happy Ground Hog’s Day)

Oops! It’s February 2^nd, 1999 and I still haven’t sat down to write this year’s Christmas letter. Thank you all for your cards and letters this holiday season it is always good to keep in touch. Well, let me get you up to date.

Last December 13^TH; Donna graduated from the Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy. Also, on that day I proposed to her. Yes, the "M" word. Donna & Keara moved in on January 98. Now at age 42, the life of the single bachelor is over.

We ushered in 1998, by visiting our friends Berl, Bridget, and Samantha Black in Maryland. We went to "First Night" in Annapolis, it was great fun, and Keara & Samantha (both in 1^st grade) stayed up every minute. We all visited Mount Vernon with our friend Rob C. For New Year’s 1999, we stayed at home and were fast a sleep by 10 p.m. Is that a sign we’re getting old?

1998 could be called the "Year of the Horse." In March, Donna & Paul spent another week in Porlock England, riding 2 or 3 times a day. In May Paul, Donna and Keara competed in a student horse show at Shallowbrook. After that Donna, then started leasing "Woody", a really nice gray horse. The summer and fall were filled with Donna competing in many horse shows. She did very well, and had lots of fun. By the fall Donna was riding 4 to 5 times a week, and Paul has picked it up and is riding 3 times a week.

Donna is still working at Farmtek. It’s been four years. Paul has finished his first full year as an employee at Yale University, doing computer programming. Yale is a great place work and I hope to be here for a while.

Keara is now in second grade, at Broad Brook School. She did basketball & soccer camps during the summer. This prepared her for her first soccer and basketball seasons. It is great the various sports programs which the communities offer the kids. For Keara’s 7^th birthday we had a "Spice Girls" party. No boys allowed! I got to be the "man who serves us."

During the summer, Paul had more surgery on his nose & throat in hopes of solving snoring & sinus problems. It seems to help for a while, then in December it was back to the hospital for a CAT scan of the sinus region. Doctors appointments in January. Donna threatens that Paul may not wake up some morning. A mutual friend Jack has been offering Donna all sorts of hints and advice how to do it without leaving a mess.

Many projects around the condo have been fulfilling my "Tool Man" alter ego. Built a linen closet, installed a whirlpool tub, some heating ductwork, and lots of painting. Donna’s Dad, Paul & Donna stripped the paint off of Donna’s 91 Blazer, and had it painted. Donna took General Motors to court for the peeling paint on her truck, and won the case. Her truck looks great!

For the fourth Thanksgiving in a row, Paul and Donna ran in the 62^nd Annual Manchester Road Race. The course is 4.748 miles, with a record time of 21:19. This year Donna did her all time best at 54:50, then waited around for another ten minutes for Paul to show up. It was a cold and rainy day but our tradition lives on. Then it was off to Donna’s parents for a great Thanksgiving meal.

Christmas morning, Donna’s parents and two sisters came over the house. Paul cooked Eggs Benedict. We all had a fun time seeing what Santa had left for us. Also, during the Christmas break we went to see "Phantom of the Opera" at the Bushnell in Hartford. It was truly amazing.

As we look ahead into 1999. We see many upcoming basketball, softball, and soccer games for Keara. More horse shows for Donna, as well as, getting her massage practice up and going. And more teaching and growth for Paul in his computer career. We are searching out a possible new home closer to Yale.

As I am printing up my address labels to send out this letter. I am reminded that I am truly blessed to have you as my relative, friend, or business associate. Thank you for making my life a bit better. I hope that 1999 brings for you, all the joy, happiness, and success you desire. Please keep in touch. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Paul Gruhn, and Donna & Keara Ludiker email: Paul: paul.gruhn@yale.edu

19-B Folkstone Road Donna: donna@pebg.com