Greetings from Ray and Gloria Bell

Hey cousins; I think this is great — as in I’m not sure it is. I don’t know how public this blog thing gets. I’m not a very public person — although I probably don’t have anything that would cause a tremor if it got to un-known readers. So, I think it IS great!! Thanks Mary Ellen and Randy.

2013 has given Gloria and I many blessings, and it also has given us a couple good big California pot-holes. One was our auto accident just before our reunion. Then, when we were fully recovered from that, Gloria broke her knee-cap. She’s doing OK, no surgery required, but it’s a long rehab. The big blessing was that she didn’t have to have surgery. The cap was broken into three pieces. She would probably like me to tell you she broke it playing hockey with the San Jose Sharks, but that wouldn’t be nice.

Wow!, if I understood the Christmas card we got from David and Mary, they have new triplet grandkids. How great is that! How many grandchildren is that now for you David and Mary? Congratulations!

We’ve sure enjoyed all the cards we’ve received from cousins and friends all over. Nice to hear that Al Hunter is making some headway in some ways at least — putting on some weight, etc. Way to go Al. We’re all still rooting and praying for you. — and Elaine. It’s tough for both of you. Mary Ellen, you haven’t said much about your situation lately. Hope it means good things. When you feel you can open up a little again, we would sure like to hear from you.

A month or two ago, Gloria and I stopped on our way home from the Temple and had a very nice visit with Aunt Twylla. She was in good spirits and said she was feeling quite well. She had healed from her injury which has increased her quality of life significantly. We were happy to see her improvement and enjoyed the visit very much.

In February, shortly after I turned 80, I submitted my fifth attempt to retire. So, Gloria then booked us a ten day stay in Hawaii to try to get retirement to stick this time. I think it worked. I haven’t been out to work for a couple months now, and we had a great trip. I’m still learning retirement and I’m quite sure I’ll get a passing mark this time.

We now have one of our grandsons on a mission in England, London. And another grandson is in the MTC in Provo going to Mexico City West mission in January. Both are 18. That means that all of our children are now empty-nesters.

My wonderful brother, Lynn and his wife, Debbie are at home in Marsing, Idaho for Christmas. They will be leaving right after to get back down to Arizona, away from the cold. They are well and happy and you will probably never hear from Lynn in this blog because he’s enjoying retirement so much that his only acceptable modes of communication are face to face, or cell phone. Debbie handles all of the e-mailing as far as I know.

I suppose most of you have been living in the freezing cold and ice that has swept the country. I’m very sorry for you. We sure would like to be able to import some of it from you however. Since January 1, our area has had less than four inches of moisture, the driest year in recorded history for the area. It’s been very pleasant living during the winter, but come summer is when we will be wondering about water.

We love all of you, and would love to hear from all of you.

Love, Ray and Gloria Bell.