Christmas, 2022

Dear Family & Friends,

Well, 2022 goes into the books as a bad news/good news year for the Sauvageau/Sauyet families.

For Dick and me, the bad news is that we’re getting older with all the attendant aches and pains. Dick uses a cane all the time now as mobility has become a bit of an issue. The good news is that we ARE getting older – a privilege denied to many. Dick still rides his bike, and in fact invested in an electric bike both in FL and in Maine. This allows him to continue riding, getting exercise – yes, he still has to pedal all the time, but the pedaling is easier with the e-motor. He also still swims, but both the biking and the swimming aren’t happening quite as often as they did… but they DO still happen.

Gee is still having fun making cards regularly, reading mystery novels and solving Sudoku, crossword and Jumble puzzles.

The bad news in the Sauyet family is that daughter-in-law Amy had a knee-replacement in mid-November. The good news is that she was back to teaching her horse riding lessons a week later! Her recovery has been awesome! Modern medicine is amazing! And thanks to Scott and Kayleigh, the stalls were mucked, the horses fed and watered and the barn ran smoothly while Amy was laid up!

Dick & Gee Sauvageau
5606 SW 58th St.
Ocala, FL 34474
(352) 873-4301
    

Dick & Gee Sauvageau
295 Sebago Rd, Lot 503
Naples, ME 04055
   
Cell phones:
    Dick: (203) 512-2057
    Gee: (203) 744-4193
    
Email addresses:
    geesauvageau@hotmail.com
    dicksauvageau@hotmail.com

The other Sauyet bad news is that grandson Teddy missed coming to Sebago this summer for the first time in his life. The good news is that the reason Teddy and his wife Sarah didn’t come to Maine is that they went to Thailand for 3 weeks to visit many of Sarah’s relatives. Her dad comes from Thailand and he was going to be visiting there for the summer, which gave them a built-in translator. They had a wonderful time and, in fact, brought back a special souvenir which you’ll see in their picture on the left – yup, they’re expecting their first baby – our first great-grandchild! Baby Sauyet is due in May.

The bad news for the Washington State Sauvageaus is that son Tim originally applied for custody of his then 2-month-old daughter in March of 2021. The baby’s mother has fought Tim getting ANY custody of Ember, and there has been one delay after another, usually on the part of the birth-mother’s lawyer. However, the good news is that the case finally came to trial early in November and Tim was awarded full custody with Reginnah only allowed 2 overnights a week – a reversal of what it had been! Ember will be 2 on January 1st, and we’re hoping to finally get out there next spring to meet our youngest granddaughter.

The bad news with Tim’s sons is that Alden (aged 17) had been losing weight and was sleeping an inordinate amount of time each day. He was finally diagnosed with hyperthyroidism which is an overactive thyroid, causing both of his symptoms. They are working hard to get it regulated with medication. The good news is that Ethan (15), who was not doing well in school and was being bullied, has done a turn-around and is on the honor roll and seems to be a much happier kid.

You may remember from last year’s Christmas letter that Tim’s ex-wife Cristy, who is still very much a part of our family, has a daughter Tiffany who will be 2 on December 12th – 3 weeks before Tim’s daughter turns 2. So, Alden and Ethan have a toddler living with them during the school year in Spokane and a different toddler living with them in the summer when they’re in California with their mom.

The bad news with the Connecticut Sauvageaus is that son Michael had a manic episode this summer that caused havoc with their finances and their marriage. The good news is that he’s getting help for his issues and, although he and Jennifer are separated, they are being kind to one another and are doing a great job of co-parenting 19-year-old Ayden and 14-year-old Karma (formerly known as Alea.) Ayden has been working at Noteworthy Chocolates helping his family keep the business together.

Karma, who uses the they/them pronouns but forgives their grandparents when they don’t remember, entered high school this fall and is MUCH happier in high school than they were in middle school.

One last thing I almost forgot to mention was our wonderful tulip cruise last spring through Belgium and The Netherlands. We had a great 2 weeks and took lots of pictures. If I missed sending you a link to our travelogue last spring, here it is on our son Scott’s website.

Best wishes to one and all for a very Merry Christmas and a healthy, happy New Year,

Dick & Gee