The year started with Ray still at PBCC as facilities manager and while Lynda was “retired” she was still getting paid to manage the PBCC website. Travis and Alex were happy in the ADU and Ricky was pleased that the winter rains were not puddling in his basement in Kansas City.
Travels
In late June, Lynda and I were debating if we should get another booster when Ray came down with Covid. We did not know it was Covid for nearly a week because the at-home tests were showing negative. It took a good 5 days for the sore throat to turn into a fever. Once the fever set in, Ray did test positive. As Ray recovered, Lynda came down with it and had a fever for a day or two. Ray also lost his sense of smell for a few weeks but that has fully returned now.
Now that we’d had the disease, we didn’t have to stress about getting another booster when we went to visit Ricky in mid-July. There was exterior door replacement, hiring painters and other contractors and general fun being together.
In mid-August, Ray supported Alex and Travis who were involved in SpongeBob the Musical. Ray ran sound, Travis was one of the leads and Alex was Stage Manager. That show was plagued by technical problems with lights and projection among other issues. The cast was great and handled this with amazing skill – improvising when scenes had to be repeated or delayed.
Our family went to Rhode Island along with Lynda’s extended family to celebrate Michael Behrens’ wedding to Samantha, followed by a visit to Uncle Chuck’s with Aunt Julie, Uncle Jay and Aunt Debbie. We toured Boston for a day and managed to meet up with Raymond and his daughter Elizabeth for lunch.
Then Ray/Lynda and Jay/Debbie got into Jay’s huge, brand new BMW and had a luxurious tour of New England including Portland Maine and Conway, New Hampshire. The weather didn’t cooperate so we didn’t get to the top of (or even see Mt Washington for that matter). Lynda says we’ll have to try again someday. Then we spent a couple days back at Jay’s new house in New Jersey where he had some projects lined up for Ray.
There were some small trips for just Ray/Lynda to the Ritz for lunch to celebrate her birthday in May and then to Paso to pick up wine-club shipments and possibly other over-night stays that we’re not remembering.
Our big project at home for this year was to “finish” the backyard. I know, in the past, we’ve used that term to mean “make it functional” but this time we were determined to actually finish it. Lynda had the vision to include a basalt fountain (pictured above). Ray had to do some engineering to decide how to keep the 200+ pound stones from toppling over while still having water come out of the pre-drilled holes. The results are fantastic and we are both very pleased.
Lynda planted a wonderful garden in the new boxes. We ate fresh veggies a lot and Lynda made breads and sauces from the bounty of her efforts.
In addition, Lynda has been sewing up a storm – as gifts for others and some to be donated to be sold for charity. Other hobbies include capturing Ricky’s house in a computer design program so she can model potential improvements. She also diligently walks with a couple friends 3 times per week and helps across the street with the toddler.
Earlier this year, Ray felt led to announce his retirement from PBCC. He turned 65 in August so that seemed an appropriate time frame. As the date approached there was no obvious replacement in sight. In the end, he had to leave without being able to train his replacement. He still helps out in many ways. On Sunday mornings he works both the back end production like lights and sound and he still plays drums on the worship team regularly.
In the fall, the three dance couples decided it was time to join the board of the dance club we’ve been part of for several years. We are in the process of learning the responsibilities of the board members and excited about being able to use our skills to help out.
Ray has a pretty long list of projects (some are pretty major) to work on around the house. Meanwhile, Lynda has started modeling our house in the computer design program and let’s just say: she’s got ideas.
Merry Christmas and May you find renewed hope in arms of our Savior in the New Year.
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Thanks for reading our Christmas Letter! Please feel free to leave a comment. We love to know who’s reading these.
Ray & Lynda
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You two don’t have time to work outside your busy personal lives! Work is overrated! Loved hearing about your year since we don’t get to have our sessions at a desk at “work”. Have a great time and enjoy your many interests.
We get to see you soon. Can’t wait! ? Gloria and Wade
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Happy New Year, you two! It seems you have a wonderful, fun and fulfilling retirement life together – so happy for you!! May you continue to bless and be blessed kn the coming year! Thanks for sharing with us all!
Love, Lucinda
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Thank you for sharing your Christmas Letter!
Can you move our name up the list for Ray’s “To Do” projects? I’ll start making a list! 🙂
Wishing you both and your family a very Merry Christmas!
Mark, Danielle, Isaiah (15), Josiah (11), and Talitha Grace (8) Regan
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Merry Christmas, Barbieri Family
Jim and Robyn Alves
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Hi. Is this the Robyn that used to work at LW?
Annette
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Very active year for the Barbieri’s! Glad you made it through the COVID cycle without lasting issues. Have a great New Year!
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Thank you for sharing your letter! We are so pleased to have been included in some of these adventures! Merry Christmas dear friends!
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Whew! You’ve been busy. Thanks for sharing all the news. This year we’re behind schedule in getting our letter out because we’ve been so busy, so it might end up being a New Year’s letter. Regardless, know that we love you.
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Sounds like quite a year loved the update!
Happy Holidays to Barbieri Clan ??
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Great to hear the news Barbieris! Miss you all.
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Hi Ray and Lynda!
Great newsletter and pics! Thanks for sharing! I have a similar fountain in my backyard and love it! ☺️
Merry Christmas to you both!
Lois
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Loved catching up on your past year and seeing all the pics!
Miss you and hope to see you soon!
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Thank you for including us in your Christmas letter distribution! It’s really fun to get you know you both a little more. It sounds like you’ve had a very fun, adventurous year!
Laura Clark-Moore
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I loved reading your newsletter and seeing all the pictures!
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Wow, sounds like a great year! Your backyard looks amazing!
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Merry Christmas to you and your family, Ray! Thanks for sharing your stories and pictures with us this year. That fountain looks like a fun project.
Blessings and happy new year!
Jeff
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Stumbled on this link from an old group text when ex Clarus folks met in Jan 2018 :). Congrats on finally retiring.
Happy new year.
Best wishes
Ajay (Opnet/Riverbed)
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Merry Christmas, Ray and Lynda!
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Have a love-filled, joyous, and fun Christmas!
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Hello Ray! Thanks for the yearly update. It’s always great to read and see the photos! Take good care! God bless you and Lynda, and your family!
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Love reading your family news…we MISS you, but see that God has been putting out those “next steps” as you move forward! Hugs all ‘round and our prayers for a good Christmas celebration and blessings in 2023.
Lots of Love,
Rich AND Kathy
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Merry Christmas Ray and congrats on the retirement.
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Good to hear you are all doing well. We miss you and think of you often. Have a very Merry Christmas.
Mike and Susan
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Thanks for keeping us all in the loop in the happenings with y’all!
Congratulations on your retirement!
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Read it twice now! Enjoy your time together!
Debbie
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Hola Familia. Dios los bendiga! Thank you for sharing. It is nice to hear that you both are retired and have a lot of projects in mind. It is also nice to hear Travis and Alex are happy in the ADU. We are all doing great at BWB, and God has blessed us tremendously.
Feliz Navida y Prospero Año Nuevo.
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Read it twice now! Enjoy your time together! And merry Christmas to the whole family.
Debbie
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Merry, merry Christmas, Ray and Lynda! I really enjoyed reading your update letter and seeing your pictures!! I hope you have a wonderful year ahead in your “retirement”; I’m not sure we, as believers, ever really retire! It sounds like you will have plenty of work at home, and, you will probably always be active in His Work! Praise the Lord for His blessing on you and your family! God has and is richly blessings you! Grace, peace, hope, faith, and rest to you and yours IN our Lord Jesus Christ.
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Hi Ray
What a great year with family and friends, and lots of exciting projects!
Thank you for sharing your stories and warm friendship with us – it’s such a pleasure to read them and we’re honored!
Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!
-Melody and Teng
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Loved following you guys in this letter through year 2022 and I’m looking forward to see you in March, 2023! Lynda, I love your garden! Wish I could do something like that here but it just too hot in the summer. Hugs to all.
Audrey
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covid is no disease. nice family tho *thumbs up*
-sleepy joe