2015 Blaney Family Christmas Letter

2015 Blaney Family Christmas Letter     

                                                                    Yes, We're Just That Cheap.

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

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.

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! 

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