2015 Blaney Family Christmas Letter
Yes, We're Just That Cheap.
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| Disney 1997 |
In 1996, we "earned" free flights
by being bumped on our trip to Tim and Min's wedding. So in 1997 we took the girls to Disney World where we purchased a five day Disney pass but only used three of those
days. Fast forward 18 years and after a
little confusion on the part of the Disney staff, we met up with Jon and Mary
Jo in March and used one of our two remaining days! At this rate, our next return to Disney will
be in 2033. Who's in?
While we were in Florida we were able to
spend some quality time with Bill Blaney who had taken up temporary residence
in the Villages which is kind of a Disney World for seniors.
Eugene R. Kolb, U.S.
Navy
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| Gene at the Korean Memorial |
With some urging from his family, Gene Kolb
participated in an Honor Flight to Washington D.C. The Honor Flights are an attempt to help WWII and Korean Veterans see the memorials erected in their honor as all
of them are now in their 80s and 90s.
They were treated with such respect and dignity and the welcome home
celebration they experienced when they returned was so emotional, it still
gives us chills remembering it. As an
added bonus, Cathy was able to be Gene's escort on the day long trip.
Erin
Blaney B.A. MSW.
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| Erin Blaney MSW |
After two years of class work and
internships in the Chicago Public School system, Erin earned her Masters of Social
Work Degree from Loyola University Chicago!
We have always been proud of Erin but even more so on that day when one
of her colleagues spoke at the graduation ceremony. She reminded her fellow graduates that it's
hard for some to pull themselves up by their own bootstraps as many of the
people with whom you will be working have no boots. Erin has moved back to Green Bay where she
works as a social worker at Washington Middle School where 75% of the families
live under the poverty level.
While in Chicago for the graduation, we were
able to find an inexpensive flight to New York where we hit the top tourist
spots and took in four shows.
Peru? I Thought You Said Purdue!
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| Kathleen & Cathy at Machu Picchu |
As a nursing student in 2009, Kathleen
volunteered at a mission called Santisimo Sacramento, in Piura, Peru. She always wanted to return so in June,
Kathleen and Cathy flew to South America and volunteered for six weeks. During that time they met some of the most
wonderful people, witnessed extreme poverty and made some life long friends. They were even able to take a bus trip from
their parish to Ecuador to see Pope Francis.
If you get the chance, ask either of them if it was hot during the
Pope's outdoor mass! Before returning
home, they also took a trip to Machu Picchu. They kept a blog of their
experiences. To visit that blog please
go to www.PeruBlaney.blogspot.com.
New
York, New York A City So Nice They Named It Twice
After leaving her position as a nurse case
manager at the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin, Kathleen accepted a job at
the New York City Dept. of Public Health. Apartment
hunting in NYC was... interesting. Since
her arrival in the city that never sleeps, she has reacquainted herself with
some old friends, made some new friends and embraced many of the features for
which New York is known; Broadway shows, museums, Macy's Thanksgiving parade
(balloon blow-ups), Halloween in the Village and thanks to Leah Jenk, she was
even able to take in the final game of the World Series.
Thanks
for letting us relive some of our favorite memories from 2015. A blessed Merry Christmas to you all!
Ken,
Cathy, Kathleen and Erin
