Happy New Years Everyone. Let's hope that 2022 returns us to some kind of the normalcy that we last experienced in 2019.
After last year's medical issues, I feel really good now. I've lost 50 pounds and I can walk 2-3 miles again every day without any shortness of breath. And I have (as has Bonnie) received the two original doses of the Moderna vaccine plus a booster in late October. We both feel pretty good about going out in public and essentially returning to normal.
One of our big plans this year is to finish supervision of a major sewer project that is taking place in our neighborhood. Currently our sewer line runs under Oyster Bay to a collection and pumping station about a half mile from here. As you might imagine a aging city main sewer line below the salt-water bay could easily become an environmental nightmare. About 50 homes in our area attach to this line and all are being changed to below street sewer lines. It will cost the city about $6 million dollars for this project which if you do the math is about $100 000 per home. We aren't being charged for the project except for a small increase in our water and sewer utility bills. The project started in July 2021 and is and will continue to be a mess.
Early in December contractors dug up our yard and installed a small sewer line that will feed the new system. The city will be installing a new 200 amp electrical service panel in our basement, a grinder pump with a small holding tank underground in our back yard (under where our picnic table is). The new sewer line will run up the hill to a multi-home collection and pumping station which will be installed below the street (by our mailbox). There will also be an backup/emergency generator above ground (site to be determined). All of the homes on our street will utilize this collection and pumping station. Some of the homes are above the level of the station and will not require pumps. This pumping station will pump sewage up to the city main sewer line underneath Kitsap Way which is a linear run of about 400 feet and an elevation change of about 60 feet. If you haven't been on our street it is a very steep slope down from Kitsap Way to our house. Did I mention that this is going to be a mess?
Other than that there is not much going on with us. Bonnie is working on her book art projects and attending Zoom workshops several times a month. Howard is busy with Rotary (although no currently attending meetings)and has been participating quite successfully in art fairs and events on Bainbridge Island
Lauren and her family are doing well in Port Orchard. She is able to work remotely and feels that the pandemic has made her work and life better. Ben is in the seventh grade at Cedar Heights Middle School after attending the on-line Connections Academy during the Pandemic. Ethan is three and attending pre-school twice a week. Bonnie takes care of him on Wednesdays to give Corey a break.
Kevin still lives in Medford and recently married Selina. Theo is fourteen, Megan is ten and they live with their Mom in Eugene. Anna is out on her own in Corvallis and is working at McDonald's and hoping to get back to school at the community college.