Marianne and I left for Mexico the week it was 14 below zero Chicago - Akumal was warm and wonderful. We had 3 days of grey rainy weather, but when you are barefoot and in shorts, you are not allowed to complain. The rest of the trip was sunny and gorgeous. We snorkeled (I saw my first moray eel - very scary - and reef squid, french angels, blue tang, and all the usual suspects. It was great. Food and drink were excellent and cheap. We visited Xel Ha lagoon, read lots of books, snorkeled in Akumal Bay, and crowded into the beach bar on Inauguration Day to watch Obama take the oath. His speech got a standing O. You may remember that there is a wetland in Akumal that we put in as a memorial for Bob. Marianne put flowers there on our last day.

Now I am home - its really cold! I taking lots of classes and enjoying that - Tai Chi twice a week, yoga, pilates and weights with a trainer once a week, French once a week, a poli Sci course called China's Rise about China in the 21st Century. Also in a book club -reading books about Africa.

Christmas was a huge holiday time - I had a dinner party on the 12th - all Mexican food - to celebrate the feast of the Virgin of Guadelupe, which is the beginning of the Xmas season in Mexico, I had desssert and champagne and gift exchange with my neice Emily, my nephew Tom and their sig others on the 18th. (Tom and Em are Dick's middle sister's kids). On the 19th I had my Tai Chi class for wine and cheese. On the 21st I had Xmas is Chad Laurie and Jack. Laurie made a fabulous strata for lunch. On the 24th I had my usual Xmas Eve buffet for family, friends and orphans, and on Christmas day I had 2 dinners, one at my neighbor and one at Emily's. On Boxing Day, I crashed on the sofa with some holiday movies.

I wish I could see you all. Love Becky