David and Marianne Thurston

7101 Ashley Rd.Ashley Oh 43003

Jan. 8, 1999(740) 747-2746, [email protected], [email protected] (Dave)

(740) 747-2484, [email protected], [email protected] (Marianne)

Dear friends,

Greetings from our family to yours! Late again, but at least. hoping to beat the increase in postage. We've had another blessed year, with the most notable blessings being the addition of two new granddaughters, Kassidy, born to Jim and Kim, on September 23, and Alyssa, born to Dave and Amy on December 9.

I had a 1980 Chevrolet Malabu at the beginning of the year.I ripped the liner out when it came detached from the ceiling. Consequently, if one were to bump the ceiling, one got a head full of foam rubber particles. The last straw was when the gas gage quit working. I noticed a nice looking full-size '85 Lincoln Town Car for sale for $300.00 in the garage lot across from where I picket the Lion's Den dirty bookstore. Only problem, it had a broken timing chain. No problem, the garage put one in for $250.00. Ran great, but discovered the air conditioner didn't work. No problem, I got a used compressor for $25.00 and had the system re-charged. Sold the Malibu to a friend for $100.00, and a month later its transmission failed. No problem, he then sold it to a co-worker for $100.00, for her teenage son, so she wouldn't have to pay an exorbitant fee for her auto insurance. No train stories this year. I've been more cautious at RR Crossings. I did have one vehicle event, however. While sitting at an intersection in my Lincoln Town Car, waiting to make a left turn, a car came from behind and ran into me. The driver said he didn't see me. Caught me by surprise, too. Fortunately no injuries. Son Jim came upon the scene 15 minutes later and took me home, The settlement on my car allowed me to buy a 1986 Chrysler Fifth Avenue. Bought the Town Car back for $100.00 so my son Dave could use the engine, transmission and new tires on his car.

I joined the Gideons on Jan. 27, and became their secretary, so,in addition to working four days a week at Denison Hydraulics, have another activity to keep me out of trouble. Am also secretary of the UMC District Outreach Committee, secretary of the Ashley Neighbors Farm Bureau Council, treasurer of the Central Ohio AFA, Chairman of the church Outreach Committee. I celebrated the 45th reunion of my College class at Ohio Wesleyan this spring, and will celebrate the 50th reunion of my High School class this coming year. My how the time flies, and how my classmates have aged!

After practicing on our computers, I thought it would be worthwhile to do a computer study group at the church, so am leading that every Tuesday evening. Am having fun learning, also. In the process, I have assembled two computers and repaired another one. As you see from our E-mail addresses, Marianne and I both have access to the Internet.

We accepted a free estimate for enclosing our back porch, and were persuaded it was the thing to do. I did hold off on signing the contract, though, and checked alternatives. Found a lumberyard had a bunch of 3' by 6' vinyl framed doublepane windows they would sell for half their cost, $60.00 each, so bought ten of them and let son David put them in. Put double french doors into the house, changed a closet into a walk-in pantry. We now have a much better glassed in porch than the one proposed, and which is useable year-round. Marianne enjoys helping the granddaughters learn to sew and crochet. Shailyn is now interested in weaving.

Son Bill is still working in Newark, and Maureen in Doctors Hospital West Brian has developed an interest in anything to do with the Titanic. Lindsay is a typical three-year old, full of curiosity.

Beth, with Dusty's help, is now foster parenting two medically handicapped children in her home just two houses up the road from us. She's getting a van fixed with a wheelchair lift so she can go places with the children. Dusty is now an eighth grader, a collector of Coca Cola items, and interested in composing Christian rap music. He has a willing audience in his cousins and the Delaware Nazarene Church.

Jim is now the maintenance man for an apartment complex in Sunbury, and still works on his various vehicles in his spare time. Kim has her hands full with the new baby Kassidy along with Shailyn, Ashley and Mathew. Shailyn, a fourth grader has been accepted in a gifted students program. David is now doing cabinetmaking in Delaware, while Amy is kept busy with their new daughter, Alyssa. Son Nathan follows David everywhere, picking up and using his hammer, pliers or whatever. Trista, a fourth grader, and Erica in the first grade enjoy arts and crafts, especially helpful during this Christmas vacation and five snow days out of school.

Our baby kitten, Kiku, is a year older but still likes to get into trouble. Likes to chew on the plants, sleeps in any basket lying around. Recently took over the baby bed we have in the livingroom. Notice we didn't have any glass ornaments on the Christmas tree.

We had a blessed Christmas, with all the children and grandchildren together. Our pond is a favorite playground on hot summer days, and our place has been the location for the annual Thurston Reunion for the past two years, giving the grandchildren many opportunities to know their extended family.

May you be blessed this coming year with good health, and feel the love of our Lord who gave us the way to eternal life.

Love, Dave and Marianne