Hi Mary Ann, I missed seeing you when you got in because John sent me back to the camp early on account of the weather. Deadhorse was a mess after all the phase weather and we’re still digging out. I guess that's the reason you and Aaron decided to change out by bus rather than driving. We probably passed each other on the road. I missed our usual chat when you first get back from R&R, especially this time since it’s been five weeks since you went off shift. How did your holidays go? The last time I saw you was mid December. You were hurrying down the hall to catch the bus to the airport. I know you were really looking forward to the family getting together and especially your Christmas Party. By the way, I do want to thank you for sharing all the family stories with me. Not having any kids of my own, I get a lot of pleasure hearing you talk about your family, especially at this time of the year. As you very well know, I've gone through some rough patches over the last few years and a rock solid family like yours has been an inspiration to me. I was looking forward to hearing how Angeline was doing back at Brown. I had dinner just before I left home with an old high school friend who graduated from there back in the early 70s. It’s a great opportunity Angeline has and I know your influence and motivation will help her get through with flying colours Did you get your home decorated for the Christmas party to your liking? I’m sure it was absolutely perfect, yet no doubt you still saw room for improvement. It seems you always have some home improvement project in the works. You sure have been lucky to have Marv as your own live-in contractor to help you realize your decorating dreams. We need to compare notes on our latest projects and I want you to critique mine. It’s always good to get another opinion before committing to hammer and nail and I know yours would be a tasteful, quality opinion. Speaking of taste, what was on the menu for your Christmas dinner? Did you get a cherry pie made? I know it’s a favorite around your house, as it is at mine. For some reason for the past week I haven't been able to pass up a slice when they put it out in the dining hall. I have shown some restraint and took your advice by just eat the filling and leaving the crust. You’re such a good, yet practical, example. Up here on the slope the Christmas meal was extravagant, as usual, but I held the line this year and kept below my limit for the three day average. I remembered you talking about Angeline checking out some of your old pants and the amazement on both your parts that she fit in them. I dug out my old Coast Guard uniform over the holidays just to see the damage the years have done to me. This dieting we've both been doing lately is pretty difficult and I don't know if I'll ever get from a 35 waist to the old 32, but I hope Angeline and Adam learn from what you've been going through and commit to developing and keeping good lifestyle habits. What’s this I hear about you taking a new job off slope? It sounds like a really good deal. The sort of thing we all hope and pray for. Now I’m really irritated I missed seeing you Tuesday. I guess that’s the way it is in this life. I’ll send you a message from time to time. You don’t have to answer because I know you’re going to be busy working for a new boss and, of course, all your spare time will be dedicated to your family. That's okay because I have a sure and certain belief we will see each other again. So, whether here on the Slope, passing through Anchorage or, who knows, maybe even on Ring of Kerry, I’ll be looking for you. Jeff