The new year began like most others. Experiencing our 16th winter in Mexico and being able to enjoy the warmth of both the weather and the people we met has been more than gratifying. Glorine's green thumb keeps our tiny casa stand out surrounded with beautiful Bougainvilleas and Mandevilles.

Christmas is not a one day event, for most in Mexico it is a three-week holiday, with festivities beginning in mid-December and last until Three Kings Day.	So we left our decorations up until January 6th, the "official" end of the Christmas season. Santa's boot made a wonderful pot for these poinsettias.
What is most amazing about Ajijic is how so much centers on giving. These 'snuggables' are a creation of friend Jean, who made over 100 of them, sold them, and gifted the money to Operation Feed.	The Lake Chapala Society is another example of giving by opening its campus to the community free of charge for budding and accomplished artists to exhibit and sell their artistic creations.
Ajijic is known as a mecca of art, including paintings, sculpting, photography, sketching, pottery, etc. In 2020, Ajijic became the 10th city in Jalisco to be named a Magic City, a much sought after status.	We flew to Houston and spent a week visiting doctors at MD Anderson Cancer Center. While Larry's cancer remained stable since it was first diagnosed in 2018, we knew there would come a point that it would change.
After 23 vials of blood and this piece of marrow extracted from his hip bone, doctors confirmed that the cancer had advanced from CMML-0 to CMML-2. The question now is what are our next steps.	While there, we learned that MD Anderson is a world leader in cancer research, including clinical trials to advance the science of cancer. This Thanksgiving Tree is filled with gratitude from survivors.
While grappling with what those next steps would be, we returned to Ajijic to resume life as we knew it. We celebrated Larry's birthday at an Elton John Tribute and Larry got a present he wasn't expecting.	Friend Brian, who also had a January birthday, joined in the fun with friends and family.
A dozen friends joined us at Tango Restaurant for a great meal, followed by a Berry Cake that Glorine made. The fireworks was a hit.	Friends John and Pat joined us for an evening of fun at a new restaurant on the shores of Lake Chapala. It was great to catch up on their experiences as full-timers.
This stunning view of the lake was taken at our  table with John and Pat in mid-January no less. The clouds add to the beauty of the sunset and this one was spectacular.	Lakeside is not the same as it was when we arrived in 2007. It keeps getting better. This picture is of 50+ first year students attending a newly created campus of the University of Guadalajara.
Larry is a volunteer driver for the "Behind the Walls Home Tour", where owners of luxury homes open their doors. All these homes were in the foothills, all with tremendous views of the lake.	This tour is yet another example of giving, as all the proceeds from ticket sales goes to the School for Special Children, one of 80+ charities and non-profit organizations started by expats along Lakeside.