You may recall that Peter’s
job was only a one-year temporary position. He had to apply and interview again
for the permanent position. It all worked out well and he even got credit
towards seniority for the first year of service.
Alexis had wanted to be a cheerleader for a long time. She made the squad in Silver City, but then we moved to Oregon. The second year in Oregon, she made the team there, but again we moved. Finally, Alexis became a Varsity football cheerleader at Sonora High in her senior year. Here is a photo of Alexis in full dress.
Although the Sonora football team went undefeated for the whole season, they lost on the first playoff game. Now Alexis’ cheerleading career is over – at least in High School. She is preparing for college and is looking into college cheerleading. Perhaps…
Alexis became a popular
girl, especially with the boys. The telephone kept ringing. At first we tried
to solve the busy phone problem by getting a cellular telephone. That did not
work very well. Peter also used the phone line for his computer connection. So,
finally, we opted to get a second phone line. This worked well for a short
while, but then Alexis discovered that she could talk to two different people
at the same time by using both phone lines, and she also could take messages
from other friends by using the cell phone! We had to put a hold on this
action. Now the cell phone is restricted use for mobile service only. In the
evening, the main phone line is often disconnected from the phones via a switch
that Peter installed in the house wiring. An answering machine intercepts such
calls. The second line is then used only for outgoing calls, or for a few
family friends who have been given the number. It sort of works much of the
time.
Irene found two great
friends in our new neighborhood. Although we always made friends with people in
all the places we lived, none had such pals as Irene found here. The three of
them are nicknamed Lucy, Ethel and Millie. Irene’s friend Bobbie was always
finding new and “interesting” things to get involved in. That is why she was
named Lucy – after the famous redhead on TV. Irene became her sidekick Ethel.
Friend Carol was initially named Ricky, but that just did not seem appropriate
for a lady, so she became Millie from the Dick Van Dyke show. The three of them
get together for tea and various activities. Irene got a surprise birthday
party this year thanks to the efforts of these two good friends.
Last year
I wrote about Shadow, the black kitten we got after the red tabby Tolia was
killed by a car. Sadly, I report that poor Shadow met the same end. However,
before his demise, we added to our animal collection. Fireball the red,
longhaired kitten with bronze colored eyes is now part of our family. Here is a
picture of Fireball with Shadow. After the customary initial hissing, they
became quite good friends. Fireball pined for Shadow for a long time.
Although Sonora is a relatively small community, we were pleased to find that there was a small group of people that formed a Russian Orthodox Church here. At first we attended services that were held at the historical Saint Anne’s church at Columbia State Park. However, this year our small group of parishioners managed to purchase a building for our own church! It has not yet been remodeled into a more traditional church facility, but it does serve us well. Irene sings in the choir, and Peter keeps quiet, as his junior high choir teacher instructed him to do years ago!
Extra news! Peter was born in Germany where there were no Orthodox churches. Consequently, he was baptized in a Catholic Church. Being Russian, he was brought up in the Orthodox Church, as was Irene. Recently, our church was preparing to baptize a new convert. Another member of our group was converting to Orthodoxy from another religion. Peter joined these other members and was himself Chrismated into Orthodoxy. Unlike the other two, Peter did not have to change his name!
You should be pleased to see that our address has not changed! You might note that Irene did get a new, shorter e-mail address, but the old one still works. With best wishes from our family to yours,
Peter, Irene, and Alexis Shkabara
17684 Rolling Oaks Drive
Jamestown, CA 95327-9222
(209) 984-0428