Happy Holidays
and the Best for 2020
2019 has been an interesting year. Sarah and husband Shaun celebrated their first anniversary on November 10 and are doing well in Boston. Sarah works for Grand Circle Travel developing promotional travel videos and Shaun continues teaching Visual & Media Arts at Emerson University. Patrick recently took a big step to address his weight by undergoing gastric sleeve surgery. He is living in Ruston, LA and working for Verizon.
2019 has been an interesting year. Sarah and husband Shaun celebrated their first anniversary on November 10 and are doing well in Boston. Sarah works for Grand Circle Travel developing promotional travel videos and Shaun continues teaching Visual & Media Arts at Emerson University. Patrick recently took a big step to address his weight by undergoing gastric sleeve surgery. He is living in Ruston, LA and working for Verizon.
Dean and Roland enjoyed some wonderful travels in the first half of the year. Dean required surgery for a lower lumbar fusion. Between complications and physical activity restrictions made for a quiet second half.
Dean and Roland enjoyed some wonderful travels in the first half of the year. Dean required surgery for a lower lumbar fusion. Between complications and physical activity restrictions made for a quiet second half.
The following are the highlights of year.
The following are the highlights of year.
St. Lucia to Antigua, Caribbean Cruise - January 25 to February 1
St. Lucia to Antigua, Caribbean Cruise - January 25 to February 1
We were lucky enough to have another invitation on our friend's boat which was in the Caribbean. We met the boat in St. Lucia and returned from Antigua. Click on the following link for photos and details Caribbean Cruise.
We were lucky enough to have another invitation on our friend's boat which was in the Caribbean. We met the boat in St. Lucia and returned from Antigua. Click on the following link for photos and details Caribbean Cruise.
Margot Bay, Roseau, St. Lucia
Margot Bay, Roseau, St. Lucia
Falmouth Harbor Antigua
Falmouth Harbor Antigua
Puerto Vallarta - February 10 to 17
Puerto Vallarta - February 10 to 17
We joined our friends Joe Possa and Chad Kenney-Possa in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. We stayed at Garza Blanca Preserve Resort & Spa. When we registered they talked us in to upgrading to a penthouse suite. It was huge and very nice. We ate at a different restaurant every night but the best meal was the one we had them cater in our suite which included a nice kitchen and a separate catering kitchen. We lounged beside the pool or beach everyday having lunch there as well. We kept the staff busy bringing us endless cocktails from the bar.
We joined our friends Joe Possa and Chad Kenney-Possa in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. We stayed at Garza Blanca Preserve Resort & Spa. When we registered they talked us in to upgrading to a penthouse suite. It was huge and very nice. We ate at a different restaurant every night but the best meal was the one we had them cater in our suite which included a nice kitchen and a separate catering kitchen. We lounged beside the pool or beach everyday having lunch there as well. We kept the staff busy bringing us endless cocktails from the bar.
For more photos click PUERTO VALLARTA
For more photos click PUERTO VALLARTA
Dean's birthday celebration in Islamorada, FL - March 29 to 30
Dean's birthday celebration in Islamorada, FL - March 29 to 30
To celebrate Dean's 60th birthday a group of friends and family gathered in Islamorada, Florida for a weekend together. It was the perfect spot and the group properly celebrated the occasion.
To celebrate Dean's 60th birthday a group of friends and family gathered in Islamorada, Florida for a weekend together. It was the perfect spot and the group properly celebrated the occasion.
We spent four weeks in Italy with Cheryl Millar. Cheryl has spent a lot of time in Italy while she was in merchandising and for many years as her favorite travel destination. Between her charm and Italian language skills, she is the perfect guide/companion for Italy. We spent a week each in Sicily, San Gimignano, Lake Garda, and on the Ligurian coast. We enjoyed beautiful weather, delicious food, fabulous accommodations, and beautiful scenery.
We spent four weeks in Italy with Cheryl Millar. Cheryl has spent a lot of time in Italy while she was in merchandising and for many years as her favorite travel destination. Between her charm and Italian language skills, she is the perfect guide/companion for Italy. We spent a week each in Sicily, San Gimignano, Lake Garda, and on the Ligurian coast. We enjoyed beautiful weather, delicious food, fabulous accommodations, and beautiful scenery.
May 24 to June 1 - Sicily
May 24 to June 1 - Sicily
Our home for the week was a beautiful villa in MazzarĂł a seaside town which is connected to Taormina directly above by funicular. We loved our villa, Taormina, and exploring our side of the island. For more details and photos click SICILY.
Our home for the week was a beautiful villa in MazzarĂł a seaside town which is connected to Taormina directly above by funicular. We loved our villa, Taormina, and exploring our side of the island. For more details and photos click SICILY.
San Gimignano, Tuscany June 1 to 8
San Gimignano, Tuscany June 1 to 8
On June 1 we flew back to Rome and rented a car and headed to San Gimignano. We had another incredible place for the week. We drove to Chianti and had an over the top at lunch at Relais Il Falconiere in Cantona. We took the train to Florence for a day. We had delicious food everywhere but Tuscany was the highlight. For more detail and photos click SAN GIMIGNANO
On June 1 we flew back to Rome and rented a car and headed to San Gimignano. We had another incredible place for the week. We drove to Chianti and had an over the top at lunch at Relais Il Falconiere in Cantona. We took the train to Florence for a day. We had delicious food everywhere but Tuscany was the highlight. For more detail and photos click SAN GIMIGNANO
A stop for wine with view
A stop for wine with view
Piazza di Cisterna San Gimignano
Piazza di Cisterna San Gimignano
Gardone Riviera, Lake Garda June 8 to 15
Gardone Riviera, Lake Garda June 8 to 15
Lake Garda is in northern Italy almost on the Swiss border. Our apartment here overlooked the lake and ferry landing. It was an ideal location for exploring the lake. We enjoyed taking the ferry to the charming towns of Lemone and Riva del Garda on the lake. For more detail and photos click LAKE GARDA.
Lake Garda is in northern Italy almost on the Swiss border. Our apartment here overlooked the lake and ferry landing. It was an ideal location for exploring the lake. We enjoyed taking the ferry to the charming towns of Lemone and Riva del Garda on the lake. For more detail and photos click LAKE GARDA.
Our apartment view
Our apartment view
The town of Lemone
The town of Lemone
Pieve Ligure, Italian Riviera, June 15 to 22
Pieve Ligure, Italian Riviera, June 15 to 22
Our large apartment was on the top floor of the former Pirelli estate. We enjoyed the wonderful gardens, terrace, and balcony with spectacular views of the Gulf of Genova and bordering towns along the Italian Riviera. For more details and photos click ITALIAN RIVIERA.
Our large apartment was on the top floor of the former Pirelli estate. We enjoyed the wonderful gardens, terrace, and balcony with spectacular views of the Gulf of Genova and bordering towns along the Italian Riviera. For more details and photos click ITALIAN RIVIERA.
Vernazza, Cinque Terre
Vernazza, Cinque Terre
Gulf of Paradiso in San Rocco
Gulf of Paradiso in San Rocco
Dean's Lower Lumbar Spinal Fusion July 1
Dean's Lower Lumbar Spinal Fusion July 1
Prior to leaving for Italy, Dean had an appointment with a neurosurgeon that he had seen five years previous. Dean had been experiencing pain in his right hip and numbness in his right foot. At that time the neurosurgeon told Dean to wait until he could no longer tolerate his pain before he considered back surgery . Dean's situation had deteriorated to the point where he could walk only a short distance before experiencing pain and his foot going numb. When we met with the neurosurgeon it was decided that surgery was warranted. Dean was fortunate because even though the surgeon was scheduled several months out, his nurse was able to find an opening on July 1. Dean was a real trooper during our four weeks in Italy where we walked almost everywhere. He had to stop frequently and stretch his back relieve the pain so he could continue to walk.
Prior to leaving for Italy, Dean had an appointment with a neurosurgeon that he had seen five years previous. Dean had been experiencing pain in his right hip and numbness in his right foot. At that time the neurosurgeon told Dean to wait until he could no longer tolerate his pain before he considered back surgery . Dean's situation had deteriorated to the point where he could walk only a short distance before experiencing pain and his foot going numb. When we met with the neurosurgeon it was decided that surgery was warranted. Dean was fortunate because even though the surgeon was scheduled several months out, his nurse was able to find an opening on July 1. Dean was a real trooper during our four weeks in Italy where we walked almost everywhere. He had to stop frequently and stretch his back relieve the pain so he could continue to walk.
The surgery lasted about four hours and seemed to go well. Dean was released on the third day after surgery. The following week Dean started experiencing pain in his abdomen. The nurse who came by daily to change his bandages observed the swelling there and suggested that he go to the emergency room at the Cleveland Clinic. During the initial surgery a pocket was created in Dean's abdomen. The complication caused by the pocket took two months to resolve another overnight emergency room visit as well as five more procedures. The doctors did not want Dean to leave for Highlands but when Hurricane Dorian threaten Fort Lauderdale, we evacuated to Highlands on Labor Day weekend. Dean did better in the cool mountain air. We returned for a checkup but otherwise were able to enjoy the two months left our summer there.
The surgery lasted about four hours and seemed to go well. Dean was released on the third day after surgery. The following week Dean started experiencing pain in his abdomen. The nurse who came by daily to change his bandages observed the swelling there and suggested that he go to the emergency room at the Cleveland Clinic. During the initial surgery a pocket was created in Dean's abdomen. The complication caused by the pocket took two months to resolve another overnight emergency room visit as well as five more procedures. The doctors did not want Dean to leave for Highlands but when Hurricane Dorian threaten Fort Lauderdale, we evacuated to Highlands on Labor Day weekend. Dean did better in the cool mountain air. We returned for a checkup but otherwise were able to enjoy the two months left our summer there.
We spent Thanksgiving with our friends, Donald Laier and Garrison Boyse at their home in Miami. For the holidays we will return to Baton Rouge where we will celebrate with Joe Possa and Chadwick Kenney-Possa.
We spent Thanksgiving with our friends, Donald Laier and Garrison Boyse at their home in Miami. For the holidays we will return to Baton Rouge where we will celebrate with Joe Possa and Chadwick Kenney-Possa.
We would love to hear from you and know how you are and what you have been up to.
We would love to hear from you and know how you are and what you have been up to.
Love,
Love,
Dean and Roland
Dean and Roland