Happy Holidays!

(Click on the pictures to open a slideshow, hit "REFRESH" if the video does not load.)

Us

Bleu passed away on March 8, 2010.
She was part of our family for 17 years.
We miss her deeply.


Snickers was found outside Panola State Park, having been abandoned there for at least six weeks. She was very thin, had a gimpy right rear leg. We adopted her March 27, 2010. We are lucky to have her: Snickers is very sweet, greets us at the door, and is so very loving and licky!

Dennis is barely hanging on to his personal training practice. Maybe he doesn't need anymore practice? (Ha Ha) This past spring, he landed a full-time position (WITH BENEFITS!) at Leslie's Poolmart, as the Assistant Store Manager (www.lesliespool.com). It was a very busy summer, with lots of overtime. It has been an interesting learning experience, and has really heightened his sales ability (so much so that one customer offered him a job on a used car lot - SERIOUSLY!). Now that pool season is over, he is settling back into the business of job-hunting for opportunities that better use his education and experience.

Richard, although retired, was working two part-time positions teaching gifted kids in Clayton County at two different schools. Lots of driving! Politics dictated that his position could not be filled by a retiree (especially since the county was laying off full-time teachers). Through well-placed connections, Richard found a part-time position at a new charter school (www.themuseumschool.org), building their gifted program from scratch. The school is so close to home that he rides his bicycle to work some mornings. BONUS!

Our Families

The de Gracia clan welcomed a new addition: Xavier Lynch de Gracia. This is Mom & Dad's first grandchild! (So now "Uncle Dennis" really is an uncle... wheee!) We were down in Daytona for the Baptism and big celebration in October. Jeff, you did good (ok, so Becky helped out too - ha ha).

The Kelley clan has been adjusting to life without Earl. Richard's dad was always so much fun! He was definitely a force of nature, and we have missed him dearly.

Friends & Travels

Dragonfly Resort has been the scene for many good times with good friends all year long!
We've hosted cookouts, potlucks, and welcomed our new minister to town here.
The pool and hot tub have been in great demand!

In February, we visited Dennis' family in Daytona. It was Bike Week, so we avoided all the regular places and stayed close to home. Jeff and his wife Becky were expecting my parents' FIRST GRANDCHILD! We saw them one day, baby bump and all.

In March, we went down to Fort Lauderdale for our friend Chris' 50th Birthday Bash. Our first time on Spirit Airlines (Cheap! But you get nickel-n-dimed for EVERYTHING). We found a place on the beach, next to the Hilton where most people were staying. It was a dump, but it was a cheap and clean dump, and ok with us.

In June and July, Richard spent six weeks in New York, all of it at Walter's beach house in Fire Island. When he got back, it was off to Tuscaloosa for an August visit with the Kelley clan.

Walter came down for a quick weekend at the start of October. Richard picked him up at the airport and off they went for an overnight visit with the Kelley clan in Tuscaloosa. It was so quick that Dennis - who had to work - never got to see Walter!

At the end of October, Richard and Dennis were off to Daytona again, this time to see Dennis' NEPHEW! Yes, Jeff & Becky had a baby, Xavier Lynch de Gracia. It was a huge celebration, with family from all over the country coming to visit with Dennis' parents' first grandchild.

Thanksgiving rolled around and back to Daytona. Dennis' cousin Rebecca came in from Seattle, and a fun gut-busting time was had by all.

Right after Turkey Day and Black Friday was the long awaited CRUISE! Yes, it was the annual Pied Piper Post-Thanksgiving event, with hundreds of our favorite 'mo's, all splishin' and a-splashin', eatin' and a-drinkin', and generally having a blast on Celebrity Solstice. If any of you (straight-but-not-narrow included) want to go next year, check it out at www.piedpipertravel.com.

We bid farewell to 2010 and look ahead to 2011. We wish you and yours much love, joy and prosperity in the new year! When in Atlanta, please visit us here...