It is tradition; when Thanksgiving is past and December rolls around, there are those of us who begin to dwell on the letter that must go inside the envelope with the Christmas card or, as in my case, the news update to our home page on the Internet. I tell myself I must let everyone know what the heck we have been up to over the past year, where we have traveled, who we saw, what our kids are doing…you know, all the good stuff of life…

I always feel the need to report to family and friends, rather, verify to everyone I really did make it through the year and in good order plus some.

Does anyone really read these letters or Internet posts? Well, maybe they do read them, but do they really digest what they have read? I have to confess; when I get a Christmas letter I set the letter aside after semi-thoroughly reading it once or twice. Then everything I have read floats away. I would flunk if quizzed on the contents of each holiday letter I recieve!

I have tried different approaches to this quandary. One year I made a board game out of what we did over the past year. It didn’t help. When I saw family through the following year I had to tell our stories and relate events all over again. I have tried bullet points to keep things simple. It doesn’t matter. No one remembers.

So this year, I am trying something new. I am making a questionnaire related to what has happened over the past year.

So here you are, see how you do:

ROBERT AND SUE’S QUESTIONNAIRE RE: 2009
Some questions may have more than one answer.

Did we travel this year?

1. No, we find traveling to be too challenging. We would much rather just sit at home and watch TV all day long.
2. Yes, we went to France, Japan, Austria, Russia and Alaska.
3. Of course. Hardly a year goes by without heading to Washington State, Orange County, and Sacramento to visit family along with an added trip or two just for us for fun.

Did any of our kids have kids?

1. Yes, Chris had twins.
2. We don’t have any kids.
3. No, but one of them announced a new baby is on the way.

Which of the following projects did we take on this year?

1. Built a second barn.
2. Took out our lawn and turned it into an Xeriscape garden and named it the Madison Garden.
3. Added a fourth bedroom.

Why did we visit a castle?

1. We were in Austria so why not?
2. Mom was in town.
3. We wanted to see the torture chamber.
4. Any excuse to drink wine.

Where did Kathy and Tim move?

1. To Alaska.
2. Across the street from where they were.
3. Thirty minutes from our house.

What does Big Bear mean to us?

1. It is the nickname we gave our older dog.
2. A cabin we enjoyed last winter.
3. A foreign country we dream of visiting.

What was extra unique about the year 2009?

1. Robert turned 60.
2. Kathy threw the best ever surprise party for Robert.
3. We celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary.
4. We became great grandparents.
5. Chris turned 40.

What did we do on the Fourth of July?

1. We had fireworks in our field.
   
2. Lit a fireworks cake in honor of Rylan.
3. Enjoyed Chris' 4th annual fireworks display.
   
4. Watched fireworks in Paris.
   

Where did we find a giant rabbit?

1. In our back yard.
2. In Nashville, Tennessee.
3. At the park where we walk the dogs.
   

What special event did we attend in May?

1. Aubrey turning one.
   
2. A parade in downtown Napa to celebrate Paris qualifying in her first competition.
   
3. The grand opening of the first 20-story building in Napa.
   

What is one of our favorite activities?

1. Facebook
   
2. Spending time with Rylan and Aubrey.
   
3. Sitting in front of our TV enjoying a libation or two.
   
4. Taking care of our clients.
   
5. Snowboarding.
   

Did you learn anything about what we did in 2009?

1. Nope, still in the dark.
   
2. The answers confused me; I need the answer key.
   
3. Nothing new to learn, I already knew everything about the two of you.
   
4. I am sure I totally flunked this quiz.
5. Details! I need/want more details.

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