Buist 2025 Christmas Newsletter

2025 will be remembered in the Buist household as the great remodel. We are remodeling both bathrooms, our kitchen, floors, and walls. We are literally camping out in our house having to go out to eat or barbeque in our outside kitchen where the microwave lies. Next year we’ll hopefully have photos of our newly redone house.

This is my last year before I have to retire from my church’s appointed ministry due to my age. I will work until November 1, 2026 and will return as a volunteer. I will also retire from subbing in 2026 when my credential runs out. It’s been 25 years!

I published the 3rd and final book in my Lone Trilogy, Grace aLONE. Find it on Amazon under Merrijoy W. Buist.

I took two trips this year. I flew up to Seattle and took the Clipper ship with my friend Christy to Victoria, Canada. There I toured the beautiful Butchart Gardens, had high tea, and shopped. Then I spent two days at my brother Brian’s and his wife Terri and we had a mini-Seattle family reunion at Mark and Edna’s. Thirteen of us got together and had a great time sharing Wennerlind memories.

I also spent two days in Laguna Beach – a bit of a retreat to think about what I want to do in retirement. This year I plan to go on a Scandinavian Tour to see Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. My ancestry tests show I’m more Norwegian than Swedish – who knew with my Dad being ½ Swedish. So, I’m visiting the homeland.

In terms of projects, I was finally able to finish a Bicentennial embroidered quilt for my niece Kristin I started at her birth. I also crocheted a flower quilt for Angela, a baby blanket for expecting Samma and a Noah Ark’s cross stitch for Esther. I’m aiming to make something for all of my nieces. So, if you’re not a mentioned niece send me your requests.

John and Ben are still working at their jobs. Ben is still in his apartment and is doing sound for the tech booth at church. John is still home awaiting our new and improved kitchen for him to make us his marvelous meals. We knocked out a wall to give the kitchen another foot and will get a counter depth refrigerator and an induction range. Don is having fun figuring out enhancements and adjustments to our remodeling plans. He’s driving the contractors crazy.

MJ decided she needed a little more fun this year so she has seen two musicals, the Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me NPR show in person, and watched a 72-year-old Kathy Rigby fly in Peter Pan Gets it Wrong. I will be seeing the Nutcracker Ballet for the first time.

I hope in all the holiday rush and recovery that you too will take time to have fun.

Have a MERRIJOYful CHRISTmas and a fun New Year,

MJ for Don, John, and Ben Buist


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