Our theme for 2023 was “looking for equilibrium.” The year started off on an upswing with Julie hoping to return to work, doing marketing for technology companies. Simultaneously, there were massive, industry-wide layoffs, flooding the market with candidates. While she secured a handful of part-time gigs, her days were primarily spent applying and receiving rejection letters.

Our Siamese saga started in August 2022, when Lolitta, our darling lynx-point got a blood clot and needed to immediately be euthanatized.  A month later, we got Jiniko Moxie, a domesticated, formerly feral Siamese that resembled Lolitta.

The first week of January 2023, we got, Mika Jing, a lynx-point Siamese to play with Jiniko Moxie. Within days, the two bonded. Then in early August, the unthinkable happened. Our front door didn’t fully close, and Jiniko got out.

For the next 13+ weeks, we and a cat whisper neighbor tried to catch her as she was spotted around the neighborhood. We installed cameras, used traps, slept with the doors open and tried scheme after scheme to lure her into the house. Finally, Julie constructed a “Rube Goldberg” solution, which worked, sequestering Jiniko in the garage!

Meanwhile, Mika had become withdrawn, so, we visited a local rescue site, and in late August, adopted Mingze and Jingze, 4-month-old flame-point Siamese boys. We’re happy to report all four cats get along and Jiniko is backing to being a sassy princess.

This summer, Rich spent an enjoyable day with his long-term friend, Ray, visiting the Space Needle and other Seattle sites and a few weeks later, jet skied with Stacey his daughter in Bremerton.

Earlier in the year, Rich would periodically visit Washington State University, where the students in the prosthetic program used his leg to practice making upper leg sockets. He also met weekly with a speech therapist to learn new skills.

In April, Julie’s cousin Sallie visited for three fabulous days. They hiked, made scrumptious meals, and saw the traveling Broadway show Hairspray. The tickets were from Stacey who often gifts her tickets to us when she’s working in Japan for the Puget Sound Shipyard.

Throughout the year, we saw Stacey and her husband Shawn, and Rich’s son Chris, and his two children Coen and Caitlyn, including visiting the Children’s Museum in Olympia, Fourth of July in Bremerton, and lunches in Port Townsend.

This year, we also saw Moulin Rouge, Tina, Aint’ Too Proud, and will be seeing MJ – The Musical in December.

A connoisseur of the arts, our neighbor, Howard, often purchases tickets for us to accompany him to concerts at Western Washington

University, Bellingham Symphony, Whidbey Island Center for the Arts, and Benaroya Hall in Seattle to see pianists Maksim Mrvica and Emanuel Ax… and during Thanksgiving, Trans-Siberian Orchestra!

Living next-door to Howard provides the opportunity to hang out with his dogs, Zuzu, a border collie, Minipup, a sheltie, and Puff, a 7-month-old Japanese Spitz. Julie often takes Zuzu on long walks and hikes, and two days a week, we dog-sit.

In August, we attend the Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire. Rich wore a kilt, exposing his prosthetic leg, which added to the realism of his steampunk costume. Julie cinched herself into a corset with a fluffy layered skirt.

To keep busy – besides constantly gardening – Julie participated in a woman’s group on Facebook, hosting several events, including craft Sundays and the group’s four-year anniversary, which was a luau theme and attended by 30+ women.

In September, she started classes to become a Master Gardener, which is a one-year program, including 45-hours of class time and 60-hours of volunteering. Additionally, she attends via Zoom bi-monthly mindful writing workshops.

We hope you had a memorable year and are looking forward to the holiday season and start of 2024.

Rich, Julie, Jiniko Moxie, Mika Jing, Jingze, and Mingze