Wishing each of you a happy and healthy holiday season. Thank you for reading and for following along. Your friendship, comments and support have meant a great deal to me. I will be taking a blogging break from now until January. I look forward to seeing you then.

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!
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Published by Retirement Reflections
Prior to retirement, I lived and worked in Beijing China for fourteen years (Middle School Principal/Deputy Director at The Western Academy of Beijing). Leaving international life behind, my husband and I retired to Vancouver Island in June 2015. To document both this transition and our new adventures, ‘Retirement Reflections’ was born. I hope that you enjoy reading these reflections, and will be willing to share your own.
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Happy Holidays, Donna and all the best in the new year 🙂
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You too, Aimer. Good luck with your relaunch!
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Happy Christmas and a prosperous new year Donna
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You too, Anne. ‘See’ you again in 2020!
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All the best of the holiday season! Enjoy your break.
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Thanks, Fran. Wishing you and Walter a wonderful holiday season. I look forward to reading new posts from you in 2020!
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Your home looks so cozy and inviting! Wishing you, Richard and family all the best for the holidays.
Hugs,
Deb
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Hi, Deb – You have an open invitation to drop by anytime. I look forward to you living nearby!
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Woohoo!😁
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Enjoy the holidays and the break from technology.
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A break from technology is very much needed. Wishing you a wonderful holiday season, Bernie. See you again in January!
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Enjoy the season and see you in the new year. If you are in Vancouver feel free to drop by.
Ann
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Thanks, Ann – And if you are out this way, please let me know. We missed you yesterday!
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And the same to you too!
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Thanks, Anabel – Wishing you and John a wonderful holiday season. Is he retired yet?
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Went to 80% on December 1st! Trying to take Fridays off.
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That’s a good step in the right direction!
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Have a brilliant holiday season Donna! Wonderful to unplug and enjoy. Look forward to seeing you again in the New Year.
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Thanks, Lisa – You can count on it. See you then! xxoo
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Love the photos – I feel I’m right there with you! Have a blessed Christmas and we’ll look forward to your return! I managed to punch out one blog to cover November and December and I thought that was a real coup. 😂
I’ll be offline too – not only do I travel to the San Francisco Bay Area soon for Christmas to see all my children, grandkids, mother-in-law, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and last but not least my sisters and my Mom. But somehow I have to fit a move in there as well 🙀. I feel a New Year, new situation blog a-brewing! 👌
Much love to you and yours Donna.
Your Sun City friend,
Susan Grace
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Hi, Susan – You definitely have a very exciting journey ahead. Please keep us posted. I look forward to following!
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Hi Donna! Good for you Donna! I have a “plan” to rest over most of the holidays but I’m not going “cold turkey” 🙂 like you. Enjoy your time together and I look forward to your words of wisdom and spending time with you again next year! ~Kathy
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Hi, Kathy – You know me well. I’m definitely an ‘all in’ or ‘all out’ kind of gal. I always have been. Looking forward to firming up our plans for 2020!
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Beautiful home, beautiful couple! Happy holidays, Donna! – Marty
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Aww, thanks Marty! Wishing you and Gorgeous a wonderful year ahead!
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Have a wonderful and safe holiday with your family, Donna! That’s quite a spread you’ve got going on in the kitchen. 🙂 See you next year!
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Hi, Jill – You have an exceptional eye! Richard and I hosted a 35-person get-together yesterday. You need to live closer. We would have loved to have you join us!
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LOL! I have a good eye when it comes to wine and cheese. 🙂 I would have loved to be there. 🙂
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Hi, Jill – You have an open invitation anytime. The wine and cheese will be waiting! 😀
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🙂
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Beautiful! I’ve just joined your blog and now I want to be invited to your house! (Don’t worry, I won’t crash your parties; I live in Texas.)
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Thank you so much for following, and for your kind words. If you are ever on Vancouver Island, you are very welcome to stop by!
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Have a wonderful Christmas and a fabulous New Year. See you in blog land next year!!
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See you there, Darlene. You can count on it!
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Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Look forward to reading your posts in 2020!
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Thanks so much, Georgia. I greatly appreciate you following and commenting. Wishing you a wonderful holiday season and a happy and healthy New Year!
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Have a great holiday, Donna. Will see you next year!
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See you then, Janet. I look forward to catching up and hearing how your holidays went (and any concerts you managed to sneak in). Enjoy!
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Thank you Donna for your blog and also your long distance friendship. Mike and I send our love and best wishes to your and Richard at this special time of year. Enjoy your break and look forward to sharing a New Year and New Decade with you. xx
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Hi, Sue – Thank you for reminding me about the new decade coming up. That makes it even more exciting. I look forward to keeping in touch! Have a wonderful holiday and RELAX, RELAX, RELAX! (That’s definitely my plan). 😀
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Thanks Donna – enjoy the season, see you next year.
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Thank you so much for stopping by. See you then!
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Have a wonderful holiday season and enjoy your break from technology! 🎄
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I’m looking forward to it. See you again soon!
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Enjoy your time off (although I’ll miss you!). I’ll probably do the same closer to Christmas. Rest, recharge, and enjoy friends and family!
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Hi, Janis – Enjoying time with family and friends is at the top of my holiday list. I look forward to firming up our plans for 2020. Hugs to you and Paul. Wishing you both a wonderful holiday season!
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Your home looks warm and festive, Donna! Enjoy your break and have a wonderful Christmas and New Year! I start my break on 12/22 and come back 19th. Taking the same road trip but staying in San Diego and Phoenix longer.
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Hi, Terri – Enjoy San Diego and Phoenix. And don’t forget to plan a trip to Vancouver Island for some time in the (not too far away) future. Happy holidays!!
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Donna, your home looks warm and ready for Christmas. Enjoy your time with those you love. Christmas blessings.
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Thanks, Suzanne – Sending Christmas blessings to you as well. Have a safe and joyful holiday season!
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Merry Christmas Donna! Enjoy your blogging break and time with family and friends. I’m still blogging away for another week or so and then taking a couple of weeks off over Christmas/New Year. xxx
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Hi, Leanne – We’re starting our celebrations a bit early this year in order to get most of our family in. Enjoy the holidays. See you in the New Year!
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Your home looks very cozy and welcoming, Donna. A reflection of you and Richard.💕 I am grateful our paths crossed and we will have the opportunity to meet up more often. All the best wishes over the holiday season. I look forward to seeing you and Richard soon. xx
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Thanks, Erica – I am also grateful that our paths have crossed. Richard and I look forward to seeing you and Chuck this month. See you soon!
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All good wishes to you and family over the festive season Donna. Have fun, be safe and may 2020 bring you plenty plenty 😀
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Thanks, Susan – Wishing a very happy holiday to you and your loved ones.
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Enjoy your blogging break. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful new year!!
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Hi, Dee – Thank you for your continued friendship, support and kindness. See you again in January!
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Best wishes back your way,enjoy your break.
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Thanks so much. I look forward to catching up again in 2020!
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Enjoy your well-deserved blogging break and happy holidays to you and Richard!! May 2020 be as successful, adventurous, and full of smiles for you both as 2019!
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Thanks, Liesbet – Wishing the same back to you, Mark and Maya. May the three of you have a wonderful 2020!
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Hiya Donna, have a wonderful relaxing time over the festive season and look forward to catching up with you in the New Year. Thanks for all your supportive comments.
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Hi, Suzanne – I’ve delighted that we have connected in the blogosphere. Wishing you a safe and happy holiday. See you again soon!
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Happy holiday time to you and your beautiful family Donna. Thanks for all your support during the year, you are always a source of inspiration and fun. See you in 2020 xx
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Thanks, Deb – Wishing you a wonderful upcoming birthday, holiday and New Year. Thank you for your continued friendship and support. See you in 2020!
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Have a great blogging break, Donna. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you, Richard and your family.
See you in 2020.
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Thanks, Hugh – You’ve modelled well the importance of a quality blogging break. Wishing you and your loved ones a wonderful holiday. Hugs to Toby and Austin!
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Hi, Donna,
You have put a lot of work into your writing this year and have earned some time off to recharge those batteries. Enjoy! Your home is charming, and Helen and I both love the Teddy Bear stockings. Joe
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Thanks, Joe – I bought the Koala stockings in 1988. They’ve held up very well! Wishing you a Helen wonderful travels ahead.
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Oops! Koala…even cuter!
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What a cozy room! So very inviting. Happy holidays to you and yours. Look forward to reading your posts in 2020,
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Hi, Laurie – I’m delighted that we’ve connected on-line. I look forward to following your posts in 2020. And about your lovely snow that looks so beautiful in your photos…please do not send it this way! 😀
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I will do my best. 😉
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Hi Donna- Wishing you and Richard a happy and healthy Christmas and New Year! I’m grateful that I met you both this year. Thank you for your friendship and supportive comments on the blog. I look forward to continuing our friendship.
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Hi, Natalie – It was a true pleasure meeting you IRL this past summer. I loved getting to know you more. I look forward to following your travels in 2020!
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Have a wonderful holiday, Donna! Happy Christmas and a fabulous New Year!
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Wishing the same to you and your family, Clare. I greatly enjoy following your posts.
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You are very kind, Donna – thank you!
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Merry Christmas to you and your family. I hope the new year is kind and generous 💕
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Hi, Joanne – That is a great wish for all of us. If we all strove to be a little kinder and a bit more generous, imagine the difference that would be made. Sending hugs and good wishes back to you!
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Best wishes for a joyous holiday season, Donna.
We are off on our holiday cruise to the western Caribbean tomorrow…pics to follow.
🙂
Nancy
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Hi, Nancy – What a wonderful trip you have planned. Enjoy and please post lots of photos!
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Enjoy the break. Rest up and have a wonderful Christmas. Looking forward to reading more in the New Year. Such a cosy image on the header too!
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Thank you for your kind words. Have a wonderful holiday See you in the new year!
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Definitely – and thank you.
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Merry Christmas to you and Richard and your family! Enjoy your blogging break.
Jude
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Thanks, Jude – I look forward to catching up with you again in the New Year!!
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Great photo of you kids. And look at that spread of goodies behind you. YUM. Merry Christmas, happy holidays and a happy new year!!
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Happy Holidays, Leslie – Your comment has been hiding in my Spam Folder that I did not check until today. I hope that you and PC had a wonderful Christmas. Wishing you a joyous New Year ahead!
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Wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy new year, Donna.
– bpradeepnair.blogspot.com
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Thank you so much, Pradeep. Wishing you a wonderful 2020 ahead!
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Hello, Donna,
Just wanted to send you a note on Christmas morning to wish you and Richard the Merriest Christmas ever. Looking forward to more of your Reflections in 2020. Have a Blessed New Year. Joe
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Thanks so much, Joe. Sending warm Christmas hugs to you and Helen. Wishing you a wonderful 2020 ahead!
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Here I am, on January 3, looking at your beautiful holiday photo of home and loving couple, reminiscing already of the great December that’s passed, and hopeful now for a new creative New Year. Happy 2020! xo
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Happy New Year to you too, Pam. I hope that you had a wonderful holiday. Richard and I have had tons of time with family and friends, and lots of visitors. Our youngest son returns to England this coming Friday. I am still on my blogging break, probably for another week or so. I look forward to catching up with everyone again soon!
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Hi Donna and Richard – just got here … better late than never. Your home looked lovely and ready for a happy festive season – I’m sure you had fun … with lots of interesting outings. Here’s to a very happy 2020 – and all the best for the years ahead. Cheers Hilary
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Hi, Hilary – Happy 2020 to you too! It was fun opening this post today and seeing our living room at the height of our Christmas decorations — which have all now been taking done. We still have family staying with us for another few days. After that, I will resurface from my blogging break. I hope that you had a wonderful holiday. I look forward to catching up soon!
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Happy New Year. I hope that you had a wonderful holiday season.
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