Today is December 31, 2006. 2007 is almost here. This morning I read the holiday cards that came via snail mail. I must admit that I've become very bad at answering holiday cards the old fashioned way. Putting a stamp on letters, looking up addresses, and writing things out by hand seems to take so long, so please excuse this printed form of communication that I have typed on the computer.For those of you that wonder why you may have not heard from the Schneider-Farris family much during 2005 or 2006, it's because of Dan's accident on September 15, 2005. Whenever I read about families and individuals that have experienced sadness and tragedy, I now relate. I am grateful for each day and continue to wonder what the future might bring.
2006 was a year of recovery for our little family. At first we wondered if Dan would walk or work again. After surgery in January, he returned to work in February, first part-time in a wheelchair, then full-time with a walker, and finally just walking in his own right. He now seems to walk everywhere and do many things (like mowing lawns, shoveling snow, and riding bikes), so in a way, that time of wondering seems like a dream.
Once Dan returned to work, the children and I became very absorbed in figure skating once again. The rink we "grew up at," Chapel Hills Mall Ice Rink, closed in early June. We transferred most of our skating to the Colorado Springs World Arena in the Spring so we'd be prepared for Chapel Hills' closing. Now, the Broadmoor Skating Club and the World Arena really do feel like "home." I continue to teach the children, but they also work with some very famous coaches at the rink which include Ryan Jahnke, Tiffany Hyden-Dombeck, and Janet Champion.
The kids have worked very hard and won the Southwestern Regional Championships in Pre-Juvenile Dance in early October. Annabelle also has a partner named Sam Anderson. She skates recreationally at this time, but loves to draw, paint, dress-up, and dance. The children are still homeschooling/unschooling. Soon, Rebekah will be working on high school math. Joel has taken a deep interest in World War Two history. All the children play the piano. Also, all three are involved with homeschool scout programs.
My private lesson skating clientele was pretty much gone because I stopped teaching completely during the time of crisis that followed Dan's accident. I began teaching a bit a again in the Spring, but never have really built up enough students. I continue to enjoy teaching my own children, but haven't had the energy needed for others. So...I began looking for alternative things I could do to bring in some finances to our household.
My "big break" came in June when I landed the position as Figure Skating Guide with About.com, part of The New York Times Company! I didn't know it at the time, but I competed with many other figure skaters, ice skating fans, and writers for the position. I'm honored and thrilled to have the job with About and hope to write professionally about figure skating for many, many years. Getting paid to write about figure skating is a dream come true for me!
Read Jo Ann's Bio at Figure Skating at About.com
Dan and I celebrated our 27th anniversary in April. We both see time passing so, so quickly. All of our parents are doing okay, but my mother is not well as 2007 begins and either is Dan's dad. My best friend, Marion, lost her father this year.
There are more things to share, but I'll stop now.
May everyone who reads this have a great 2007!
JO ANN, Dan, Joel, Rebekah, and Annabelle Schneider-Farris
