Anderson/Hatgidakis/Nelson/Metcalf: Newsletter
Old news: June 2003
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Amanda
6/30/03
I'm confused, did you guys go get Erika in Sioux City?
Yeah, I guess nobody ever explained that here. We drove up to Sioux City on Saturday, and Erika came back to Lincoln with us. She's staying with Grandma for a week -- her mom and dad and Emily are coming down to Lincoln on the 4th and will take her back to S.C. then. --Gary
We had another thunderstorm last night, that's all we get here, never just rain, ALWAYS thunder and lightning. Ryan was in the backyard fixing a hole in our (stupid) pool (it was empty, he wasn't standing next to a body of water in lightning storms) and we all heard the loudest thunder ever, and I immediately looked outside to see if Ryan was OK (Sasha luckily was already in) and Ryan is running to the house like I have never seen. Accompanied with the thunder of course was a lightning strike that was closer than we had experienced, Tristen & I swear we heard something like glass breaking or popping if you will. We think it hit our nieghbors tree (the jury is still out on that one), and it did some damage to us as well, it came in and blew up our computer monitor. Yes, the new-just-got-in-March flat panel. It was DEAD. I took it to Best Buy and they said, yup, it's dead, you can get a new one of equal value, or pay for an upgrade (our monitor is apparently already obsolete). So for an extra $50 we got a 17 inch flat panel. (15 inch was the last one). Scary. I have never been real affected by a storm like that. The storms here are different too, the thunder and lightning seems SO much closer. Anyhow, everyone is OK and we have a bigger monitor out of the deal. OH, and we had a surge protector, so believe the PC nerds when they say shutting off a PC isn't good enough during a storm, they need to be unplugged as well.
True! I've been unplugging mine lately myself whenever bad weather approaches. I have been using a surge protector for years too, but a year or two ago a lightning strike came right through and fried my modem. --Gary
Oh, and Donna, my Anderson shirt is navy colored, yours is maroon?
Erika
6/30/03
Hi every one I'm having a great time in lincoln yesterday I wen't shopping I got a cool purse originaly it was $34 but I got it for $6
Gary
6/29/03
Keep an eye on the recent photos page for the latest on Erika's trip to Lincoln!
Marsha
6/29/03
Thanks for all of your cheers! The basement is clean and dry after receiving 6 inches of rain the night of the big storm. We were lucky -- Marie lost power (along with 60,000 others) and literally thousands of trees were blown down or damaged. And, John and Anna brought us GREAT gifts back, I got a Goofy sweatshirt, a Grumpy figurine, and three cans of coffee all from Disneyland (Goofy and Grumpy are my favorites) as well as a box of See's candy. Since I'm not a huge fan of Southern California, I didn't mind missing this trip. Anna and John had a really fun time, John's dad is doing ok. Must go, Anna needs the computer. Congrats to you Potter fans who have finished the book!
Gary
6/28/03
Congratulations, Teghan!
Erika, here we come! :-)
Amanda
6/28/03
Teghan hit a little milestone today, she is 18 months, one year and a half!
Amanda
6/27/03
Thought this was sad, and interesting. Closer to you guys, but I got the photos here and thought I would send them along...
***EMILY***
6/27/03
Marsha, what a horrible way to have to spend your day! Hope you got it all cleaned up.
We havent been doing much today, just getting everything ready for when you guys come down tomorrow. Erika is VERY excited, she has already packed about 10 times!
Lindsey
6/26/03
Geez Marsha, did you get it all cleaned up? That sounds like a bad way to spend your day! Yea Amanda we thought about all that and we were just going to get it because me and Olivia needed something to do during the day and there really isn't a pool nearby and we are getting one small enough to fit on our lower deck I meant, sorry! But anyways had a fun day at Grandma's today and just kind of took it easy which was fine with me. Gary came over for lunch and we ate at Wendy's and that was pretty good. OK, well I might not be on for a while since our computer is down but I will try to get on when I can.
Karen
6/26/03
Marsha, what a crummy way to spend your day!! I saw all of the storms we were hit with went your way. John and Anna had better bring you back something extra special!!
Gary
6/26/03
Hey everybody, how about three cheers for Marsha? Yesterday while John and Anna were in Disneyland, she was home bailing out the basement after a rainstorm. She deserves an award!
Amanda
6/26/03
Linz~ Tell dad & your mom to think twice about that pool. I think it is more trouble than its worth. It got a hole in it, so now we have to fix it, we drained it last night, which means we will have to fill it for the third time, at about $25 a time, in a drought area. When it rains the water gets all messed up, and the chemicals are expensive and time comsuming, and if you don't keep the chlorine levels right you get algae, which we had at the bottom, we saw it when we drained it. Just warning you, I don't think it is all that great. Plus that would be HEAVY on your deck! Save your money and go to a public pool at a $1 a trip.
Erika
6/26/03
Hi everybody Mom & me finished harry potter & the order of the phoenix last night we were up till about 10:10 reading it.
Lindsey
6/26/03
Sorry I haven't been on lately because our computer is messed up AGAIN (btw I am on Grandma's computer)! I hate that stupid computer! And I swear it knows when I get on because that's when it will stop working or do something and all I'm doing is checking e-mail and looking at the webpage! Aaaaargh! But anyways....I haven't been doing much lately but resting since we got back from TX. Hey Amanda and Ryan~ we are going to get a pool like yours (only smaller :( ) and putting it on the deck so it won't kill the grass but we are getting it this weekend so Erika while you're here maybe we could all go swimming or something so bring your suit! Amanda~I can't believe you still haven't gotten your book 'cause weren't you expecting it when I was there? I still need to get mine! OK, well I better go, bye!
Donna
6/25/03
Oh hallelujah! I haven't been outside since this AM. I can't wait to get out of here! I'm turning off the air tonight!
Gary
6/25/03
Wow, the cold front came through like gangbusters! Yesterday it was hot and muggy, and this morning not quite so hot but still very humid. But suddenly it's in the lower '60s and people are wearing jackets!
***EMILY***
6/25/03
Hey Everybody! I volunteered at my first museum class today. It was kinda boring though, beacuse only 6 kids came (last year there was about 50!) but it was still pretty fun. The kids made their 'handy dandy notebooks' then looked for clues, and then they made a project about what all the clues meant. I was helping one of the kids put theirs together and he squirted glue on me!! The same thing happened last year too! Well I should go,
Cant wait to see everyone on Saturday!
Gary
6/24/03
Looks like Emily is the first one to finish Harry Potter 5! :-)
Amanda
6/24/03
Yeah, well I "pre-ordered" Harry Potter 5 through Barnes and Noble and got duped in the deal. I have yet to get my book. I did this preordering thing with book number 4, and it was delivered to my door the morning it came out (UPS if I remember right), and I didn't pay for any extra kind of special shipping to ensure it on that day. Well, this time, it's still not here. It shipped last Wednesday or Thursday so says a B&N email. BUT, it's regular mail. I hate regular mail, USPS whatever you call it. They are slow and stupid and unapologetic and behind the times. A government entity though, right? Anyhow, according to their (USPS) meager & cryptic tracking system it left Dallas today, so I should have it tomorrow. Point is, it's the last time I will "pre-order" from B&N, they suck!
Karen
6/24/03
We got hit with another nasty storm late last night. No damage for us, but lots of trees down all over. A small town about 10 miles from Wausa got a tornado, now the town is "closed." We are all reading the Harry Potter book -- takes a LONG time to get through all 870 pages!! Reviews to come soon (I hope).
So, we've been waiting, how was the Texas trip??? We are guessing everyone is resting up.
Amanda
6/23/03
Oh, and Grandma, if you lost some chapstick and hard candies (or thought you lost them) we found them. I guess Teghan put them in one of the baby cribs in the dollhouse. I found them both jammed in there yesterday.
Amanda & Tristen
6/23/03
Hey Livy~ Ya'll come back here now, ya'hear? We'll be fixin' to have a good time.
***EMILY***
6/21/03
Hey everybody! We got the new harry potter book this morning!! we have already read the first chapter, and we will be reading it in the car on our way to Wausa this afternoon! We went shopping yesterday too, but I dont think we had as much fun as everyone in Texas, funny about Teghan! well i better go!
Karen
6/21/03
Well we added to the Harry Potter hype. Didn't go out at midnight, but we did make a quick run at 8 this morning. Erika will be reading ALL day. Sounds like things are fun in Texas, when are Paul and Lori heading down? We are off to Wausa today. Anna and John have a great trip to California.
Gary
6/21/03
WOO-HOO! Summer solstice! Starting tomorrow the days start getting shorter! :-)
Lindsey
6/20/03
Having a good time in Texas! Got back from the mall a little while ago. Had fun there too. Teghan now has a criminal record and is on the run! I think tonight we are having steaks on the grill for dinner! Teghan is taking a nap and Livy and Tristen are looking at the neighbors puppies. OK well I will talk to you later Bye!
Amanda
6/20/03
Today we went to the Branding Iron for lunch, a local hole in the wall "western" BBQ type restaurant. Then we went past the falls (too hot for the mile walk) and then to the mall for almost 3 hours! We shopped til we dropped, and our $$ did too! Ask Livy. She got down to a dollar, and said, what can I buy with a dollar? Teghan is a criminal on the run, we went to Claire's and she was trying on rings, about 5 at a time, and I guess I didn't get them all put away, because as we were getting in the car a size 8 pink star ring was found in her stroller, under her butt. We ran. Now we are home vegging!
Check out these photos! --Gary
Marsha
6/19/03
Gee, Texas sure sounds fun! Must be really quiet at Lori and Paul's house. George Bush was in town today (I wasn't invited to hear him speak, darn it.) He really made an impact on the noon traffic. Great pictures of the pool party...good luck with your finals Amanda.
Lindsey
6/19/03
Hey everybody! Teghan just got up from her nap and I gave her a snack and then we went out and swang for a little bit. Then I think we are swimming when Amanda gets home. Then tomorrow we are going to the mall since Amanda doesn't have class tomorrow so that will be fun. Then I'm not sure what else we will do while we are here. OK talk to you guys later, Bye!
***EMILY***
6/19/03
Hey everybody! Its been kinda quiet on here today, but we havent done much either. I have a meeting at the museum later, we will just talk about what we will be doing though. Hope everyone in Texas is having fun, and John & Anna have fun in California!
Lindsey~Did you get the IQ test to work for you yet?
Donna
6/19/03
Dear Olivia, I just wanted to tell you that Ceaser Boy is doing great. It was raining last night when I went to check on them. Penny was in her dog house and Ceaser was laying in front of the dog house getting wet just so he could be next to Penny. He is really taking good care of her. He makes his bed every day and he hasn't tipped over any of the dog dishes. When I come over, Penny starts eating and Ceaser Boy waits till she's done. I give him a treat every night. He seems happy, but I think he misses you.
Lindsey
6/19/03
Hey everyone! Not much going on in Texas. Amanda had her test today and left about 45 minutes ago. I think we are going swimming later on today and I'm not sure what else we will be doing. Anyone put an order in for the HP5 book yet? I think my Mom was going to put one on for me.
Lindsey
6/19/03
Last night we had cranberry porkchops for dinner and that was gooooood! Then we made brownies for desert and then we (Livy, Ryan, Grandma, and me) watched HP2 while Amanda studied for her test and Tristen fell asleep for a nap. Having fun so far....not sure what we are going to do today.
Lindsey
6/18/03
Gary what are you doing sleeping at work?
Ha Ha. :-) --Gary
Hey Emily, why aren't you coming down too? I'm not doing much this summer except visiting and then I'm not sure what else and then my Dad is taking me driving some too and wants to get me out there and get me driving. OK well not much new news from TX. We'll talk to you guys later, Bye!
***EMILY***
6/18/03
Hey Everybody, Its pretty boring up here too. We're not doing much this summer, I will be volunteering at the museum again, maybe the art center too, but Im not sure. I have also had some driving lessons! Erika will be staying in Lincoln in a few weeks, and then we will come down around the 4th I think to pick her up, but thats about it.
Lindsey~to take the IQ test you just have to go to the site & click on "take the test" it only should take a few seconds to come up, then it tells you some stuff about the test, & then it gives you some sample questions, then the test starts! hope it works for you.
Gary
6/18/03
Just a word to Tristen: That face you have on (in the middle pool picture) is scary!! You're giving me bad dreams!! :-)
Gary
6/18/03
A few notes down (yesterday) I mentioned a local store here in Lincoln that will be making the Harry Potter book available on Friday, before the other stores here in town. Well, I just got an email from that store (I'm on their mailing list) saying that they'd just received a scary "cease and desist" order from the publisher directing them not to release the book before Saturday. Sheesh! So, he's going to re-open the store at 11 pm Friday night, serve coffee and cookies etc, and hand out all the pre-ordered copies at 12:01 am....
Lindsey
6/18/03
Kind of quiet on the newsletter! What is everyone planning to do this summer? Any projects? Vacations? Anyone know how to take the IQ test yet? Just trying to start some conversations.....
It's boring up here. You're down where all the excitement is right now! :-) --Gary
Grandma
6/18/03
Having a good time in Texas! Gymnastics last night was fun and dinner was too. Swimming was fun to watch as well. We'll keep you updated....
Lindsey
6/17/03
Hey I tried twice to take the test online and couldn't get it and it said it would start 10 to 15 minutes after "the show started" and I did some example questions that they had and I waited for a while and it still wouldn't come on....how did you guys start it?
Lindsey
6/17/03
I haven't taken the IQ test yet but I should because I want to see what I get. But we just got out of the pool and I got out of the shower and now the girls are in the tub. Teghan's been asleep for a while since we got home which was about at 8:30 and about 5:45 we went and watched Tristen's gymnastics and that was fun and then we went out to eat at Braums and it's almost like a Culver's and that was pretty good. Then we came home and went swimming until about 9:30 I bet. Probably will go swimming tomorrow and get some more pics with Teghan in there. Ok I'll talk to you later bye!
Amanda
6/17/03
If you get the new HP book. I heard this morning a bunch got stolen!
There's a store here in town (The Way Home) that, because of the particular FedEx schedule they have, will be getting their shipment in ahead of every other bookstore in Lincoln. He's taking reservations now -- at 25% off retail, by the way, plus a $4 gift certificate. He is expecting a busy weekend... --Gary
Gary
6/17/03
Attention Harry Potter fans: The fifth Harry Potter Book, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," is due to be released this Friday (check your local bookstore for availability). And also, the two Harry Potter computer games ("HP & The Sorceror's Stone" and "HP & The Chamber of Secrets") are on sale at Target for $9.99 each through this Saturday. Just thought you might like to know!
***EMILY***
6/17/03
I just took the IQ test & i got 120. Im not taking dance this summer, because they dont have summer classes, but i will be taking jazz and maybe ballet in the fall.
Hope everyone is having fun in Texas!!
Lindsey
6/17/03
Actually I haven't taken the IQ test yet but I might if I really want to see what I get! I think I might be taking dance classes over the summer just fyi anybody. But we might go swimming today in the pool and right now the girls are just playing Dance Dance Revolution. OK well I better go bye
Karen
6/17/03
I just took the IQ test -- got 123!!
Erika got 70 :)
Hmmm, when I took it I didn't get a number -- just a message that said, "Please contact the National Security Council Think Tank; your country needs you!" What's that about?? --Gary
Marsha
6/16/03
Glad to hear that everyone is in Texas and having a good time. It's hot here, 90 today, but you're probably a lot warmer in Texas. It looks like the Megrue's had a lovely party, congratulations to them for 50 years! Samantha started her new job today and likes it a lot. John and Anna leave for California on Saturday. Teghan sure looks like a big girl now, just as cute as her big sister too. Congrats to Emily on your dance recital! Are you taking more classes over the summer?
Lindsey
6/16/03
Hey everybody! We made it down to Texas okay....long ride. But having a good time. Just got finished cleaning up Tristen's kitchen set outside because her and Olivia were making mud and Teghan got in it and that was a mess, but we are having a good time so far and will probably go swimming tomorrow. Ok, I will talk to you later, bye!
Gary
6/15/03
Emily, I totally agree with your LOTR review! :-) Part Two comes out on DVD in about two months, and Part Three will be in the theaters at Christmas time. Also, congrats on a successful recital!
Erika-- see you here in Lincoln soon! :-)
***EMILY***
6/15/03
~HAPPY FATHERS DAY~
Hey everybody! My dance recital was on Saturday, the rehearsal was LONG, we were there from about 9 to 12, and we messed up alot of stuff and they dropped the girl we were supposed to lift up!But the recital was much shorter about 6-8 and went much smoother (everyone can see the video when we come down!) our recital was taped too, but we wanted to tape it ourselves, so we wouldnt have to have to see all of the dances, just the one i was in.
Hope Metcalfs are having fun in Lincoln, wish we could have made it down to see you guys. Teghan has gotten so big! Hope all of you guys have fun when you go to Texas!
Olivia~Great job in writing to the president, I hope he answers you soon!
Lindsey
6/15/03
Happy Father's Day!
Good Job Emily! Yeah we bought tapes from my dance recitals because they didn't allow taping during the recital but I still haven't gotten my dance pictures yet but when I do then I will get them up here. Yeah everyone will have to watch my videos too. Gary--nice pictures! That little palm pilot works pretty good as a camera! We've had fun today so far and then we might go over to Sean's later or something and play air hockey! I'll talk to everyone later.
Karen
6/15/03
Emily's recital was last night. She did a great job! We taped so you can see it next time we're together. Gary -- I like the new addition on the weather page, nice change. Looks like everyone in Lincoln is having a good time -- Can't believe how much Teghan has changed!! Olivia -- great job writing to the President. I bet he will answer you soon -- you're right, you should be able to keep horses in Lincoln! Have fun in Texas, Grandma, Lindsey and Olivia....
Gary
6/15/03
New photos!
Lindsey
6/14/03
Just got back from my grandparent's 50th anniversary party and now am watching Teghan while Amanda and Ryan head over to Sean's house for a little bit and my parents and Livy are still over at the party for a while. But the weekend's been fun so far.....
***EMILY***
6/14/03
HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAUL!!!
Lindsey
6/14/03
HAPPY BIRTHDAYDAY, DAD!!!!!!!
Tristen & Teghan
6/14/03
Happy Birthday Grandpa!
Ryan & Amanda
6/14/03
Happy Birthday Dad!
Olivia
6/13/03
I wrote a letter to Preisident Bush, because it wasn't fare about horses. I thought we should have them in Lincoln because some people don't want to move out to the country just to have 6 horses. They don't want to move out to the country because of GRASSHOPPERS! I mean they're everywhere! But if we did have horses in Lincoln, it would make a lot of people happy! Plus they cost a lot, because you have to pay for the horses, apples, hay, and more fence, even if you already had some, so they wonn't jump over it. Because people in Lincoln and in the country would be a lot happier! And it would definitely make me happier. I hope he'll say yes about both of the things when he writes back!
Gary
6/13/03
As I'm in web-housekeeping mode, I did a bit of work on the weather page too. Some of those maps, especially the Iowa Park one, were flaky -- so I found a different source and replaced 'em all. They are all moving radar maps now (though I've noticed one or the other will sometimes get stuck for a little while). Anyway, the page is a little more state-of-the-art now, and hopefully somewhat more useful. Tell me what you think!
Nelsons
6/13/03
Happy Birthday Paul!
Amanda
6/13/03
We are in Lincoln. We got in about 2:30 last night. It was a decent enough drive. We got oh, 5 hours of sleep. I think Tristen was up at 6 AM looking for Linz and Livy. The madness of a quick weekend begins!!
The Hatgidakis Family
6/12/03
Happy Birthday Paul!!
Grandma
6/12/03
Happy Birthday, Paul!!
Donna
6/12/03
Happy Birthday Paul!
Amanda
6/12/03
It's 3:30 and Tristen and I are packing up the car. We should leave by 5. That will put us in Lincoln, oh, say 2 or 3 AM. YUCK! See you soon!!
Lindsey
6/12/03
Well, Amanda's should be on their way today soon. I can't wait to see you, Erika! Cool webcams, Gary!
Gary
6/12/03
Big month! Tristen and Teghan come to Lincoln tomorrow (I guess they're dragging their parents along too...?), then Erika arrives about two weeks later (leaving her parents at home!). Lots of fun!
You may have noticed that the Sioux City webcam has been down for a good long while. Karen supplied me with a replacement yesterday (thanks!), so I got busy and did a little webcam housekeeping and replaced a lot of defunct cams. In addition to the Sioux City cam, there is a new Lincoln cam over 13th & O, a couple of nice views of New Hampshire and Vermont, plus a great view from high over Times Square in New York on that same page. I brought back the view from the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, and on that same page added a nice skyline of Denver. We must finally say goodbye to "Dave's Deck" (formerly a nice mountain view in Montana, now an overgrown backlot in Arizona), and welcome in its place a view of Estes Park, Colorado. And finally, I updated the cruise ships page -- they had actually retired a couple of ships since I last checked, and added several more. Some of the international webcams, especially the England/Scotland/Ireland ones, need updating, but that will have to wait for another time. Enjoy the views!
Grandma
6/12/03
Erika, HURRAY FOR US!!!!!
Erika
6/12/03
Yes Grandma the rumors are true I'm going to go down the 28th or 29th and stay till the 4th of July probably.
Grandma
6/12/03
A stormy morning here, been raining steadily since I woke up, about 6:30, thundering and all in all a nice rain. Kind of rearranges my work for the day, as I imagine most of it may be spent inside. John, I hope your sister is improving and is on her way to full recovery, am happy she won't have to have chemo. Amanda's should be on their way to Lincoln some time today, and that's a good thing!! Be happy to see them. Is Erika planning to spend a week or so with us? I have heard rumors, hoping they are true. How is the painting progressing, Karen??
Karen
6/10/03
Boy did we get hit with a big storm last night!! About 8 it started to rain, then quickly turned to hail. We were all standing in the doorway watching it when the tornado sirens went off. So we all headed to the basement. Stayed there about 30 mintues. We ended up with over 2 inches of rain in less than an hour (which created a lot of flooding). The hail was about marble sized and heavy. It covered the driveway, looked like winter. This morning there are leaves and mud everywhere.
Not quite that bad here, but we did get a nice storm last night. Some hail, about 1.5 inches of rain, and on the drive in this morning I saw lots of limbs and branches down. --Gary
Marsha
6/9/03
Just a medical update on John's sister Donna -- she came through surgery very well and will possibly not need chemo, just radiation (it was the best outcome) so we are all happy with her news. Anna's promotion ceremony today was really nice, the last of the 3 to go through Sanford Middle School. Emily, best of luck on your recital...send pictures. Lindsey, it was fun to hear about your trip out west! Sounds like you all had a wonderful time and you got to come home to Grandma's potato soup, how lucky!
Amanda
6/9/03
Anyone watch and play along with tonight's Test the Nation? Ryan & I did. Average IQ is 90-110. Anything over 130 is in the top 2% of the world. I got a 123 and Ryan got a 118. It was a neat show, they showed lots of stats of people who took it online, the one we were excited for was that Nebraska was in the top ten for states with the highest average score, based on those who tested online, and Texas wasn't! I could have done better if Teghan wasn't trying to get my pen the whole time, but that's why I never watch a two hour TV show!
Lindsey
6/9/03
BTW, that second review of 8 mile from Amanda is from me, I was thinking of hers when I was writing mine, Sorry!
I think that may have been my fault, Lindsey. I knew the review was from you, but I must have made a mistake when I was cutting-and-pasting. It is fixed now. Sorry about that! --Gary
Lindsey
6/9/03
Hey everyone! Our trip was great and I got a bunch of pictures and so did my Mom so once we get them developed then I will try to get them scanned or get them to Gary. It was great even though the weather was a bit chilly up there but we went on a horse trail ride up into the Buttes which was really neat and it was so beautiful! Then the next day it started raining but me, Olivia, Olivia's friend, and my friend went on another trail ride but it was fun and Olivia's friend Claire got a horse named Hollywood and it was named that because it had been in the movie "Dances with Wolves" and when they got it it still had war paint on it from the movie and I thought that was pretty neat! Then we also went swimming a lot and had a great time and wish we could've stayed longer! It's weird though because last weekend I went on vacation where it was chilly and next week I will be in Texas where it is HOT! Hey Amanda do you know how the weather will be when we come down?? Me and Livy are at Grandma's today and started out she made her potato soup which by the way I have been eating ALL DAY! :) and then we walked up to the Hardware store because Livy wanted to get a chain for Penny but it's like what we have for Ceaser so she can be out front with Grandma and won't run away and she seems to like it pretty good. Then after that we came home and I made cookies and Livy helped me and then I washed the dishes and now checking the newsletter. Well, I better go, I can't wait to go to Texas! Bye everybody~
P.S Good Luck in your recital Emily!
Karen
6/8/03
Been off of school a week and it's been busy for us. I have started to paint our bedroom -- now I remember why I only do this once every 5 years! What a mess. Hope to have pictures on the project page later this week. Congratulations to Anna on graduation and Sam on your job. Sounds like you will be busy this summer. John - so sorry to hear about your sister -- our thoughts are with her.
We have been having spring weather, very cool and lots of rain. Rained steady all day yesterday and it hasn't gotten above 70 for almost a week. Wish we could come to Lincoln next week and see the Metcalfs. Emily will be tied up her recital. Have fun!!
Marsha
6/6/03
Thanks for the Seabiscuit site Gar. I'm enjoying the book and have been following Funny Cide -- talk about a great story! (A refreshing change from crybaby, overpaid athletes.) We've been so busy with the end of school stuff. Sounds like everyone had a really good year, congrats to all the grads and to all the dancers...WOW, those recitals must have been fun! Anna graduates on Mon. and Samantha landed an apprenticship with Hennepin County Medical Center in the Clinical Lab through her school. She will work there 32-40 hrs. during the summer and have a part time job there next school year. Our fence will get started on Wed. (Hey Paul, when you said that you would like to be here to help with the fence, Anna thought you should get your little caboose up here.) That swimming pool in Texas is really awesome! I guess Mom will come back to Lincoln with tan lines. On a much sadder note, John's sister Donna has been diagnosed with cancer, so keep her in your prayers.
Samantha
6/6/03
Hey there Gary, my e-mail is pink-panther2004@juno.com and Zach no longer has an e-mail.
Hmmmm... Sam, that's the same address I had for you, but my letter bounced. Is your mailbox full? Are you still getting mail from other people? I have taken Zach's address off the contact page, so everything there is current again. Thanks, Sam! --Gary
Amanda
6/6/03
I took a look at the Seabiscuit website deal. I figured I oughta check it out since Gary goes on and on about it, and figured it had to be better than some of his other recommendations (LOTR), and it looks good. [Hey...!! That was uncalled-for!] Especially with all this Funny Cide business going on right now. The trailers for Seabiscuit look great, especially the second one, the longer one. I'm officially signing up to see this one.
Donna
6/6/03
Emily, great pictures! Are you ready for your recital? I wish I could see it. Make sure you tape it, okay?
Amanda, can't wait to see you guys next week. It should be an easy drive. Tristen said to get to her house all you do is go through 2 states and then you're in TX, then just look for her address.
I plan to take Friday off, so I hope you can squeeze in some time then. See you soon!
Gary
6/6/03
Heads-up for a new virus that's going around by email. This one is called "bugbear" and, once in your system, will send emails to everyone in your address list -- emails which will look like they're from you -- and will attempt to harvest email addresses and passwords. It has only been around for a few days, but is already causing big problems. (One university has shut down all incoming and outgoing email until the virus is squashed.) I've received two virus-carrying emails this morning, but luckily it doesn't affect Macintosh computers (which is what I use here at work). So: update your virus software and don't open any suspicious email attachments for a while, even if it seems to be from someone you know. Reading the email is ok, but don't click on or open anything in the mail.
Gary
6/6/03
Lots of driving this week and next. Paul and Lori's carload is right now on the road west and next week Ryan and Amanda's carload will be heading north. Drive safely, everyone!
Emily
6/6/03
Hey everybody! my dance recital is on June 14th, and we got our pictures today! 8)
Gary
6/5/03
Morning, all! Just a housekeeping note: When I sent out that email to everyone yesterday, about windstream being down, two emails bounced back to me -- meaning, perhaps, those addresses aren't any good...? The two that bounced were joeythelemur@juno.com (Zachary), and pink-panther2004@juno.com (Samantha). (Actually, Paul's bounced back to me too, but that turned out to be an obvious typo on the contact page -- now fixed.) But if anyone knows the whereabouts of these other two customers, could you ask them to verify their addresses or send me their new ones? I thank you!
Amanda
6/4/03
I don't get the "What's in Grandma's Fridge?" thing...
Yeah, I didn't explain it very well (make that "at all") because I was having a bit of trouble just getting it to work this morning; so then I figured I'd just wait til somebody asked. :-) At Grandma's last night, she mentioned she'd thrown out a few things from the refrigerator because nobody had eaten them. So we thought we should post every few days whatever good stuff she had in the fridge in the hope that somebody somewhere might come over and claim it. Logical, no? But the real reasons for the "in the fridge" feature are: 1) I just got a new camera and I took a good shot of the coconut cream pie that I wanted to use, and 2) I wanted to practice making pop-up windows. There you have it! --Gary
(By the way, if nothing happens when you click on it, or if all that happens is you hear a beep, then you probably have a popup-stopper installed and didn't know it. Popup-stoppers are used for preventing your screen from getting filled up with advertising popup windows that many sites have. Most popup-stoppers have an over-ride key -- usually the shift key or control key -- so if you hear a beep or something when you click on the fridge, hold down the shift/control key and try it again. Should work!)
Amanda
6/4/03
Well, we can take some pictures on our road trip, though they might not be too interesting. Next Thursday night (the 12th) we are heading to Lincoln. We will be there Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Already our plans are filling quickly, but the best part will be Monday when we get to bring Grandma, Olivia & Lindsey back with us to Texas for a week!
Gary
6/4/03
Hey Lindsey (and Olivia and Paul and Lori), have a great time on your vacation this week and take some pictures if you can. (And that goes for anybody else doing any traveling this summer.) I still want to let someone be "Webmaster for a Week"! :-)
Lindsey
6/4/03
Yes Donna I will be going on with dance for a long time I hope but I'm glad you guys liked it. It was hard work and knowing when to be where for all of my dances. Next year I will be adding another class so I will be taking Jazz, Lyrical, Ballet, and then I am signing up for Pointe and I think that MIGHT be it. Congrats for school everyone. Hope you get to feeling better Erika! 1 MORE DAY OF SCHOOL!!!!!
Donna
6/2/03
Lindsey did a superb job at the dance recital! So Lindsey, are you going to sign up for more next year?
Tristen, Emily and Erika, enjoy the summer vacation. The only part of school I miss.
Emily, congratulations on all of the awards! Way to go!
Erika, 54 shots??? What a rotten way to start your vacation!
Karen
6/2/03
Thanks for all the birthday greetings. Had a nice relaxing day. Poor Erika went to the allergist today. Not a pleasant morning for her. 54 shots!!!!! Looks like she is most allergic to dust mites, but the dr isn't sure. So for now she is on a nasal spray and we wait to see if that helps and go back in a few weeks.
Grandma
6/2/03
Hi, Having a nice and welcome gentle rain here this morning, so no yard work today. Enjoyed Linz recital yesterday, and a first for me to see a Ballet. Was very pretty and my hat is off to those young kids who must practice endlessly. Congratulations on all you guys who have completed another, or in Tristen's case, a first year of school. What an accomplishment for you all!! Emily, did you have to clear wall space to display all the awards?? Good for you!!! Erika, I hope you find out what allergies are making you miserable and get a magic pill to make you better. Hadgidakis's thinking about you guys and hope the best possible for your family, John. Livy, you must write a review of your camping experience, it was so cool. You all should see Donna's back yard, it looks so neat. I'm jealous! Hope you had a Happy Birthday, Karen. Hope Paul's have a really fun time at Fort Robinson.
Gary, I really like the the Dumb signs, they are right up there with Stupid Criminals. o,k, enuf from me.
Stayed tuned! "Dumb Signs" all this week! --Gary
Paul
6/2/03
Congrats to all of the school graduations.
Emily did you smoke the faculty? Tristen, I am soooo proud of you finshing your first year, and with perfect attendance. You are a tough FIRST GRADER, now. Enjoy your new pool, you and sis deserve it. Looking forward to hearing about the recitals you all. It's a lot of hard work, you deserve the big applause.
Was over and mowed Mom's yard and she was't home? Guess she was either taking the drivers test or cutting diamonds... As Linz said we are leaving for Fort Robinson and Mt Rushmore this weekend, and then Texas after that, Enjoy the summer!
Note: This note was dated May 30 (last Friday), but it didn't pop into my mailbox until last night. Sorry for the delay, Paul! --Gary
Paul, Lori, Lindsey, and Olivia
6/1/03
Happy Birthday, Karen!
Lindsey
6/1/03
Hey everybody I just got back from my dance recital after being there all day! I thought it went pretty good.
Ryan, Amanda, Tristen & Teghan
6/1/03
Good luck today Lindsey, break a leg!
Ryan, Amanda, Tristen & Teghan
6/1/03
Happy Birthday Karen!
The Hatgidakis Family
6/1/03
Happy Birthday, Karen!!!!