Anderson/Hatgidakis/Nelson/Metcalf: Newsletter

Old news: March 2005

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Erika and Emily
3/31/05
Dad hasn't been very happy with his job lately and he has been putting in some applications in different places. He had an interview last week for a job in Preston Idaho, and we found out today that he got that job! Dad might move down before we do, beacuse we won't go until school is out. But, we are going down there in a few weeks to look for a house and check out schools.


Karen
3/31/05
Nice pictures Metcalf's. I love the one with Pete laying on top of Sasha, apparently they are getting along. Pete looks so little, will he get very big?
Sam, take it easy and enjoy that ice cream :)
Marsha
3/31/05
It's a nice spring day. Samantha is recovering from oral surgery -- she had all 4 wisdom teeth taken out this afternoon. She's resting and eating Dairy Queen sundays. Anna is at track practice. We got lots of rain yesterday. My job at Bachmans is going well, co-workers are nice and I get to visit the greenhouse when I'm there.

All four...! Sam, you need whiskey, not sundaes! (Maybe a whiskey float...?) --Gary


Amanda
3/31/05
Hey Gary~ I called the Nebraska Democratic Party to ask about internships there & she seemed enthused. Definitely the best response I have gotten yet! Thanks!

Excellent! Good luck! --Gary


Livy
3/31/05
Gary, I have some more dumb headlines on a sheet of paper that I could give to you for the bottom of the page! Here are a few: [--deleted--]

Thanks, Livy! I'll use 'em next week! (Thanks also to Donna, who gave me a calendar from which I took the recent crawls.) --Gary


Livy
3/31/05
Amanda and Ryan, cute pictures! I have a practice tonight because last week they had to cancel it on Tuesday because it was raining. It rained again on Thursday night 2 days later and so we went next Tuesday (7 nights later) and then that leads me to today! I still have a game in 2 days (Saturday). Tomorrow is April 1st!!!!!

HAPPY APRIL FOOLS DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lindsey
3/31/05
Wow Amanda I hope that works out for you! That would be so cool if you guys came for the summer. I hope you find an internship here. Geez not too far off and you'll get your diploma, congratulations big time college grad, and just a shade under a decade alright! Just kidding! Actually watched Tommy Boy a couple nights ago, that movie never gets old...
Gary
3/31/05
Cool, about the possible internship! Try calling the Nebraska Democratic Party -- they might have some leads to follow. (I'm assuming you want to work for a Democrat, and not a Republican...)
Amanda
3/31/05
I read an article somewhere about "Bush flying to DC from TX at 1 AM to sign the Terri bill. It said it was quickly stomped all over by the Supreme Court judges, which goes to show who is really in charge." I thought that was funny... Anyhow, I'm glad for her that it is all over.
Speaking of politics. I just got approval from one of my professors to do an internship this summer, in Nebraska. So, I have been trying to call a few local politicians to see if I could intern in their office from July 6-August 9th and I am not having any luck. SO, like I told Sean, next time you see any of your politician friends, tell them I am looking for a job! The girls & I would come & stay, and when I was done on August 9th we would come home so I could be ready to pick up my diploma, cuz by then, I'll be a BIG TIME COLLEGE GRAD!
Gary
3/31/05
Yeah, a sad case all around. I was glad, however, to see the higher courts -- for once -- side with justice and against our Commander-in-Thief: In turning down the appeal, one of the judges criticized Bush, saying by interfering in this case he acted "in a manner demonstrably at odds with our Founding Fathers' blueprint for the governance of a free people -- our Constitution." Keith Olbermann, a guy who almost always gets it right, got it right once again: see his article on the MSNBC site.

More great pictures, Metcalfs! Thanks!


Karen
3/31/05
Hi all, haven't been for awhile. We all throughly enjoyed our almost week off. Hard to get back in the routine yesterday. Ryan, glad to hear your report on DSL, we have been seriously thinking about going that way. Maybe we will change our minds now. We have been on a shopping spree here lately. Bought a new skinny screen monitor for our computer. So nice, and lots more room on the desk now. We also bought a chest freezer for the basement. Got really tired of having to take 10 things out to get to the one you wanted. Just back from the grocery store, it is filling up fast. Also got a boring vacuum, but nice to have one that works. We are getting bids for a new roof and gutters, got one bid yesterday and it was a lot more than I hoped! Imagine we will be getting those put on this summer. Ah, the joys of being homeowners :)
Just heard on the news that Terri Schiavo died, what a long drawn out affair that has been. Sure that there will be books and movies coming out soon with lots more details.
Ryan
3/30/05
Hey everyone, I see Amanda hasn't put on the newsletter that we changed our internet service. We changed from cable to DSL. Let me just say that DSL isn't what its cut out to be. Yes its easy to just plug into your phone line and go. BUT, don't be fooled with the installation of it. I spent 2 hours the first night with a SBC representative trying to get online. After that we had problems getting our LINKSYS router to network our computers together again. That was another 3 hours. 1 1/2 with SBC and 1 1/2 with LINKSYS rep. to no avail. It is slower that our cable and we have been kicked off line 3 times so far. Not to complain though we are saving some big money with our new service. Everyone out there I have become an expert at networking so please feel free to email me your problems. I think I have worked through all the kinks!!!!
Hope everyone had a great Easter weekend. Tristen and Teghan have been more hyper then I have see yet!
Talk yall later partner.

P.S. I wish we were home. It sounds like everybodys having fun :(
By the way our Service unit (which consist of 8 troops, about 50 girls) exceeded our goal this year by 73 cases. If you do some quick math that is an extra 876 boxes. We totaled out this year at 1280 cases of cookies or 15360 boxes of cookies for a grand total of $46,080 dollars in revenue and $7,680 worth of profit for the troops. I was very pleased with our turnout especially the fact we beat our rival Sheppard AFB Service unit by 8 cases. Although Tristen wasn't top seller this year and wasn't runner up either I still thank everyone for supporting her in her efforts. Cookies are over for this year and we're thankful for that. Both me and Amanda are behind in school for it!!! But its all worth it in the end. To see the smiles on the girls faces.


Grandma
3/30/05
Had a welcome thunder storm early this morning, even some miniature hail or sleet covered the sidewalk for a minute or two. Just checked the rain gauge and there is about .30 so all in all more would be nice, however, am happy for it. Have been cleaning off flower beds and a bit of pruning, but it is too chilly and windy today. Yesterday's high ws 78. I planted radish seed in the "Black Kettle" a week or so ago and some are coming up this morning, should make the squirrels happy. Need to turn up the soil in my "garden" and plant a few seeds now, I never learn. Forsythia is in bloom today also and the shower sure spruced up the lawns.
Anna
3/29/05
Hello! Today was SO nice! Well last Thursday I had Time Trials for track and thats when you see where your at and the time to beat and its to see what a real meet is like. Tomorrow is another meet and it with all the MPLS High Schools so it should be a lot harder. It doesn't start until 5 and I wont get home until 11 and I hope I don't have any finals the next day. I have friday off and I am so happy and then its my spring break!! I am excited that your coming up Gary!

Me too! I'll be there a week from Thursday (7th)! --Gary


Lindsey
3/29/05
Hey everybody, our Spring Break is going good. Yesterday we went up to Nebraska Furniture Mart and bought new kitchen appliances like fridge, stove, microwave, and dishwasher because all of ours were getting pretty bad. I'll try to get pictures but they're not coming till middle of April. Then today I got my hair highlighted, the first time thank you! I think it looks pretty good. Not too drastic but definatley more blonde. Not sure what we're doing the rest of our week off. We had a good easter. The weather was sooo nice!! It's been nice the past couple of days but I heard it's supposed to get cold again possibly.
Emily
3/29/05
Hey everybody! Well, our spring break vacation is over. We all go back to school and dance tomorrow, it doesn't seem like we've been off for a week!
We haven't done too much on our break, but it was nice just to sleep in and not have to do anything! But, we did go shopping this afternoon and out to eat, so that was fun.
Whats been going on with everyone else??
Donna
3/28/05
The Grain Bin--a local bread company just brought 300 loaves of free bread to Gallup. They had the tables in the atrium full of all kinds of bread. It was hard to choose but I got a specialty loaf with fruit and nuts. I assume they made a lot for Easter and didn't sell them all. I'll bring the loaf over Tuesday night and we can try it. ;-)

I just found out I'll be working in the Lincoln office tomorrow. That will be a nice change. Ah, I won't have to get up early and I'll only be 5 minutes from home. What a deal.


Gary
3/28/05
Everybody had a good Easter, yes? Beautiful here in Lincoln. A great waffle brunch at Grandma's on top of a classic Spring day. And another gorgeous-looking day shaping up today. Spring has sprung, let's hope.

Speaking of food, check out this story. BTW, it's 18 points...


Anna
3/25/05
Hey everybody! I still have a 4 day week until my spring break. I wish I was on mine now but I will be off the week you come here Gary. For my birthday I didn't really do anything to exciting, I was suppose to have my dance that Friday and do something after that with some friends. Then Saturday I went to the mall and movies and Sunday I went to the MN Zoo. Since my bithday was on a Monday and I had practice and it was kinda hard this year to do something but I had a good birthday. The weather here is really nice for a change and looks like tomorrow should be nice too. I think after service we are gonna go to the MN Zoo and see some baby animals. So that should be fun.

I hope everyone has a nice Easter!
Emily
3/25/05
Hey everybody! Well, I haven't been on much lately, been pretty busy this week. I had a full Mayor's Youth Commission meeting on Monday, then on Tuesday I was attorney for Teen Court and we also did a training session for the new people and we will do an attorney trainig session next week. Now that most of the seniors are gone our director wants me to be head attorney so that should be fun. Then I had dance on Wednesday and Spring Break started Thursday! We're off until Wednesday. Not sure if we're going to be doing much but sure it will be fun. We got some movies this afternoon we're watching Eulogy right now, its pretty good, I'll write a review about it later.
Cute pictures Amanda! I remember when I was in Girl Scouts and my mom was the leader and we had to have ALL those cookies in our house, its crazy!
Hope Anna & Donna had fun birthdays!

Happy Easter!
Paul, Lori, Lindsey, Olivia, and Ceaser
3/25/05

Happy Easter everyone!
Erika
3/25/05

Happy Easter everyone!!!
Grandma
3/25/05

Happy Anniversary to Paul and Lori

Happy Easter to All!!


Gary
3/25/05
FYI, I have updated the contact page with Amanda & Ryan's new email address.

By the way, great pictures, Amanda! Thanks for sending them.


Lindsey
3/24/05
I'm officially on Spring Break now. I just got back from dance and don't have school or dance tomorrow and all next week so I am on vacation! Not sure what all I'll do on my week off. My Mom will be off Monday and Tuesday. I have a hair appointment Tuesday and I'm getting it lightened and re-layered. So hope everyone's Spring started out good.
Lindsey and Olivia
3/24/05

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!
Gary
3/24/05
New pictures!
The Hatgidakis Family
3/24/05

Happy Birthday, Donna!!!
Ryan, Amanda, Tristen & Teghan
3/23/05

Happy Birthday Donna!!!
Nelson's
3/23/05

Happy Birthday Donna
Paul, Lori, Lindsey, Olivia
3/23/05

Happy Birthday Donna!
Grandma
3/23/05

Happy Birthday, Donna!!!
Paul, Lori, Lindsey, Olivia
3/22/05
Hey Anna we sent you a Happy Birthday on here but I don't know if it got lost in the mail or something but just to let you know Happy Birthday!

No, your note arrived ok. When I updated the page I dropped a couple of items by accident. (I hate when I do that!) They were only gone for a few hours, and are back on now. Sorry about that! --Gary


Paul
3/22/05
Hey Anna,
Hope you had a great B'day, Did you you do anything exciting?
Hope you had a good one, hope to see you soon
Karen
3/22/05
Almost done with school for the week. I get out at 12:45 tomorrow, but the girls both have to go all day. Then no school until next Wednesday. So looking forward to a long week-end. Been a tough couple of weeks and we really need the break. Anyone other than me offended by the crawl today?? What is everyone planning to do for Easter?? Any menu ideas? I am stumped on a couple of things - want to do something different, but has to be allowed in Brent's diet.

It was: "AMAZING FACT: There are no left-handed polo players. (Actually, left-handers are barred from the game, unless they can play right-handed.)" I was ok with it.... :-) --Gary


Anna
3/21/05
Thanks everyone!! I had a really fun day at school and the weather was SO nice. No we didnt have practice outside we ran around 3rd floor and I saw Hitch with Will Smith. I really liked it and thought it was really funny!
Paul, Lori, Lindsey, and Olivia
3/21/05

Happy Sweet 16 Anna!
Donna
3/21/05

Happy Birthday, Anna!!! Hope you have a great day. You had track practice outside? What movie did you see?
Ryan, Amanda, Tristen & Teghan
3/21/05

Happy Birthday Anna!
Nelson's
3/21/05

Happy Birthday Anna
Dad & Mom
3/20/05

Happy 16th Birthday, Anna!!! We love you.
Grandma
3/20/05

Happy Birthday, Anna!!
Anna
3/20/05
Hey everyone! We have had a lot of snow lately. Friday my school was gonna have a dance but they canceled it. They canceled everything but track practice. I was kinda mad. This weekend for my birthday I had some friends over on saturday and we went to the mall and saw a movie. Then on sunday I went to the zoo and had dinner at home and hung out. Not to much else new here.
Emily
3/20/05
Hey everybody! Not much going on with us this weekend. I didn't go to school Thursday or Friday, just not feeling well with a flu type thing, not too much fun, but I am feeling better now.
We start our Easter/Spring break this week. We get out early Wednesday, and got back on Tuesday.
Whats everyone planning on doing for Easter?? We're staying home this year and have lots of food, should be fun! I know Mom already invited you guys, Grandma, Gary & Donna, it would be fun if you guys decided to come down!
Lindsey
3/19/05
Hey everyone! Today Sean's over and him and my dad are working on the garage. My Dad's putting new brakes on my Jeep and then I think I need a new rear wiper blade. I also have a dance competition tonight in Omaha so I have to be up there around 6 and then awards are around 10:30 I think and then we'll head home. Tomorrow Ceaser is going to Petsmart to get groomed for the Spring and get his winter coat cleaned up so he will look nice tomorrow! Well I need to get ready so talk to everyone later!
Gary
3/18/05
Back on January 20 I mentioned some upcoming movies, one of them being the big summer blockbuster "War of the Worlds" directed by Spielberg and starring Tom Cruise, Miranda Otto, and Dakota Fanning. Check out this new trailer for it! (It will take a while to load with dial-up.) Can't wait. Only 103 days to go!
Karen
3/18/05
We aren't getting as much snow as some, but we are just starting to get a little. May be up to two inches for us before it's over, mostly rain for us. Not too far from here they did get 6 inches and still coming.
Emily is home sick for the second day. Came home from school on Wednesday with the flu. Still parked on the couch and not much improved. Today is Erika's big space day at school. She was pretty excited about it. Should have lots of details tonight.
Marsha, how is the job going??
Gary
3/18/05
With Spring just around the corner (Sunday), I see there's a major snowstorm bearing down on Minneapolis. How about a report, Minneapolitans? And do try to have the streets and walks cleared by the time I get there on April 7, would you? Thanks so much. :-)

(For those that may not know, I'll be in Minneapolis for four days, April 7-10.)

This weekend is also the second anniversary of the beginning of Bush's war in Iraq. With over 1500 Americans dead and over 11,000 Americans maimed and no end in sight, our brave leaders in Washington don't want us to dwell on this so they have tackled an even more important issue: steroid use in baseball! That should distract the media almost as much as the Michael Jackson trial, and fill up lots of news cycles....


Lindsey
3/17/05
Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I also found out today that in Ireland if you wore green they would boo and yell at you because actually over in Ireland they wear Orange. Some elementary kinds in America made up wearing green and it just stuck!
Donna
3/17/05

Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Gary
3/17/05
Totally forgot today was St. Patrick's Day when I put together today's front page (which is trying to help along the great cat-dog debate).

Happy St. Patty's, everyone!
Donna
3/16/05
Olivia, that picture of the dog was cute, but come on, the kitty picture today is much cuter. It reminds me of Tommy Boy saying "brothers gotta hug." Have you ever seen a dog hug another dog? Huh, have you?
Livy
3/15/05
Gary, the front page is SUPER cute. Where did you find it? But have you seen the dog that someone is trying to sell because the husband's wife is scared because the dog keeps staring at her? Their dog had some puppies and he was the one.(Well actully they were just kidding about the stare, they just wanted to fool people so they put brown eyes(human) and eybrows and lips.) But otherwise he was cute. He doesn't really have that stuff on him!

I found the picture on a page that had a news story about how cold it was in Canada recently. But if you think today was cute, don't miss tomorrow! --Gary


Emily
3/15/05
I wish I could get my license in Lincoln! Even if you do take Drivers Ed. and get your license at 16 you still don't even get your full license until you're 18. They call the one you get at 16 an intermediate license and you can't drive between like 12am to 5am, and you have to log 10 additional hours to Drivers Ed. with a licensed driver over 21, and I think its if you get more than one moving violation they revoke your license until you're 18. Lincoln is LUCKY!!

Hope your first day of work went great Marsha!! :)


Lindsey
3/15/05
No Driver's Ed isn't required it but it will get you cheaper insurance so I will take it eventually when I pick a date I want to do it, but for now I'm not. I've been driving it home from school so that has been fun.
Gary
3/15/05
Yeah, Emily, down here you really don't even have to take a drivers test -- they usually just give you a license whenever you buy a car. You also get a license free with the purchase of a large Coke at any participating Burger King. And the last time I filled my gas tank, the station guy just gave me three or four of 'em. You should move to Lincoln! :-)
Emily
3/15/05
Thats SOO not fair Lincoln doesn't have to take Drivers Ed. to get your license!! Not only is it required for us, but we have to pay for it.
Yes Donna I am going to work on a cadaver. We will get to go to the college for about the whole day and we will get to work on one. I think it will be fun.
Donna
3/15/05
Emily, you aren't really going to work on a cadaver, are you? I don't think I could do that.
Donna
3/15/05
Oh my gosh, Tristen will have a blast. I hope you'll be able to send in pictures. I'd like to see her all 'beautified.'

Tristen, please write and tell us all about the party. It sounds like so much fun!


Amanda
3/15/05
This morning at 9 I dropped Tristen off at Kennedy's house. Her & 5 other girls are heading to Dallas this morning to start Kennedy's birthday party. They are going to Club Libby Lu for a day of girly pampering. Then they will be back this afternoon in time for pizza, cake & presents and then a slumber party! I pick her up in the morning on Wednesday. She was VERY excited. She planned it all day yesterday, from outfits to pajamas to fingernail polish. The only thing we didn't plan real well: she dressed in capri's, a t-shirt (with a poncho over top) and sandals. And it's like 40 degrees. She had a jean jacket. So now I'm just worried that she will be cold. I hope they aren't outside too much.
Amanda
3/15/05
Well, we will see if it snows. It usually does not. And anyway, it's spring break for Tristen & I! So of course a snow day would come now... I dont want it to though, we have some cookies to get rid of, and I dont think the booths will go as well. Emily, I think I was one of the last grades to have to take Driver's Ed. LPS couldn't afford it anymore. And when I was that age the only people who could get a school permit were the ones who lived out of town and needed to get in town to go to school.
Karen
3/15/05
Marsha, have a great first day of work tomorrow :)

Gary
3/15/05
Hey, heads up, Iowa Park! This morning's weather map says there is snow just west of you! Possible snow day tomorrow...?
Emily
3/15/05
Lindsey, so you don't have to take Drivers Ed. at all?? You're lucky if you don't! Here you can't get a school permit until you have had it, and you can't get your license until you're 18 if you don't take it.
Lindsey
3/14/05
I can drive it now, that's why I got it early. I love driving it, it drives so nice. I got a work permit for school today so I'm taking that in tomorrow and then I might start my job in April on weekends until summer and then I can work more hours without school and dance interfering. Donna, I'd be happy to drive you guys to Eyes of The World next time! It would be fun. Ok well talk to everyone later, bye!
Emily
3/14/05
Your car looks nice Lindsey, too bad you can't drive it for awhile :). Are you going to be getting a school permit, or do you have to take Drivers Ed. first like here?
Well, there hasn't been much going on here lately. Erika has spring pictures tomorrow, but I don't think we have them at all. I have a big Biology test tomorrow that I should study for. We're doing the skeletal system, getting ready to work on the cadaver! Should be fun

Eeewwwwww! --Gary


Donna
3/14/05
Lindsey, your car is really nice. Congratulations!

Olivia, I still say we had more fun shopping at Eyes of the World than Lindsey did looking at cars Saturday, don't you? Maybe she'll drive us there the next time we want to go.

Anna, thanks for the cute postcard! Sounds like you had a nice time at the zoo.


Lindsey
3/14/05
Hey here are some pictures I got of my car today. The color may not be as sharp as it is in person but it's a silver metallic color. Livy really likes the moonroof and sticks her head out of it whenever she can. Ceaser rode in it today. We put a sheet in the back cargo area and he layed there while we drove around. I like it a lot though!

Lindsey sent these pictures in last night actually, but I couldn't get to them til today. Sorry for the delay! (Cool car, Linz!) --Gary


Anna
3/13/05
Lindsey your car sounds really nice. That job at that ice cream shop sounds like fun. I might be working at a DQ but I am not sure because I am doing track again and it starts tomorrow and I dont know when I would have time to work. There is nothing really new here, its been kinda cold but other then that theres nothing to new.
Karen
3/13/05
Gary, you were right, we are addicted to the game you sent. Erika and I have been playing WAY too much. Almost through all the levels. Pretty much all we've done this weekend.

No way! You guys are ahead of me! I just beat Level 58. --Gary


Lindsey
3/12/05
Hey everybody! Well I've got some news, I got a car today! My Dad had seen one in David City when he was looking at a job for work and we took a picture and I saw it and then both went up there today and we both really liked it and decided it was a good deal and so we're going to go pick it up tomorrow. We got it early because that's what I'll drive when I get my license so I will drive it during the summer and stuff so I can learn on that which is what I will be driving. It's a '98 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited. It has charcoal leather interior. It's all automatic windows, seats, automatic on the floor. It has heated seats which is good because I get cold! It has an automatic moon roof which is what I really like. There's a pretty nice stereo in it but if I get one that is made for jeeps (off Ebay or something) it has controls behind the steering wheel so while your driving you can control from behind the wheel which is cool, I had never seen that before. It has buttons on the steering wheel for like cruise control and volume and temperature. It has air vents in the back. There's no dents or anything in it, pretty new tires and about 95,000 miles. It has the read out thing above by the console which tells you how many miles of gas you have left. It has another screen with like a picture of the jeep to show you which doors are open or if somethings wrong with it, it like lights up that part of the car. So I'm really happy with it. I'll get pictures of it tomorrow and send them in. I'm actually going in next week sometime to talk with someone because I'm starting a job hopefully in April and then over the summer a lot at the Ice Cream Club because I'm going to need a job now! I'll need to start making payments on it :). But I'm happy I got my first car!

Good for you, Lindsey! And welcome to the world of "payments." --Gary


Livy
3/12/05
Well Gary, when we were watching the Oscars, we got to talk to Tristen, Teghan, and Amanda. But it was a little hard talking to Teghan, I asked her what her what kind of sound Pete makes and she goes "um, rouf rouf" in a small voice. How do you feel about that? But then Tristen started laughin' about somethin' and got into a cough attack, right Tristen. See ya' soon everyone.

Too funny! :-) --Gary


Livy (Olivia)
3/11/05
Gary, your trip looked really fun and exciting. Who all went with you? Was it really fun? It looked really nice, like the bedrooms and the rest of the scenery. How long did you stay, but was it good enough to miss the Oscars with us? Did you watch them there, and did you ever find out who the winners were? See ya later everyone. Oh, Anna, thanks for the postcard, it was cute.

Hi Livy (Olivia)! The trip was fun! A bunch of people from my office went on the trip. (You met some of them that day you were here!) We stayed four days, and I did hate to miss the Oscar party, but I ordered room service and watched the Oscars in my hotel room. And yes, I did find out who the winners were: See for yourself! :-) --Gary


Karen
3/11/05
Good mail today -- Gary your game came -- what a fun surprise. Tried it once and have no idea what to do, but hey the week-end is here and I will have lots of time to check it out -- Thanks!
Marsha - your card from Marie also came today -- please thank her again for us -- that is a cool deal.
Amanda (Tristen) the cookies are here!! We have already opened two boxes so they will disappear fast. Thanks all :)

Glad the game arrived. Just play with it -- you'll soon be addicted! --Gary


Anna
3/11/05
Hey everone! I have been really busy lately with school and I am so happy spring break is almost here. Our weather was nice but then yesterday and today it has been snowing and now there is a lot of ice. Gary your trip looked like fun and that was a really nice place you stayed at. Looked like fun.
Marsha
3/10/05
Gary, thanks for sharing your trip to Arizona with everyone -- it looks like such a beautiful and restful place! I once saw a documentary on Wright's Arizona house and have always wanted to see it. He was truly amazing. We had gorgeous weather on Sunday and went to the Minnesota Zoo, and then on Monday, the weather shifted back into cool and snowy, but since it is March, it isn't so bad. Maybe Gary will have time to go to the zoo with us when he comes, the dolphin show is worth the trip!

Someone told me it's all happening at the zoo. Sounds great! Hey Anna, thanks for the card -- just got it today! --Gary


Gary
3/10/05
Emily, Washington is such an amazing city, I'm sure you'd have a good time there. I know when you think about traveling somewhere, it always seems like a good idea to just...not go. (You may remember I was kind of dragging my feet about going to Arizona, and halfway trying to get out of it...) But Washington is a city I would go back to in a second! If you have even a small interest in history or politics, Washington is like Disneyland! So don't talk yourself out of it right away -- think about it some more! :-) I guarantee it would be a trip you'd never forget.
Emily
3/10/05
Gary, your pictures look nice, they were fun to read, looks like you had a fun time.
It has been really windy and cold here today too, hopefully it will warm up tomorrow.
There hasn't been too much going in with us lately. Like Erika said, she gets to come to my school and work with some NASA stuff, she is excited about that. I got a letter the other day, I was nominated and accepted to go to this leadership camp in Washington for like 2 weeks this summer. We would get to do a lot of stuff with government, and there is going to be alot of like politicans and government people guest speakers. It would proably be a good experience, but I don't think I will be doing it.
We didn't have a Teen Court session last month but we are next week, and we are also doing attorney training that night. And I was asked to be one of the back up attorneys to help train the new people, so that should be fun.
Donna
3/10/05
Gary, great pictures. That looks like a beautiful place. But the best part for me would be listening to the bagpipes every evening.

Amanda, I just realized I forgot to mail you cookie money. I'll do it tonight. Sorry about that.

It's really windy here today. I'm not looking forward to getting on that bus tonight. I hope we don't tip over. ;-)


Karen
3/10/05
Gary, interesting trip -- I enjoyed reading through it. It reminded me of Amandas London trip. Too bad we don't travel more for one of those every week :)

I'll volunteer; but not once a week! --Gary


Gary
3/9/05
I put together a little show-and-tell on my trip to Arizona. Take a look, eh?
Erika
3/9/05
Hi everyone thanks for all the congrads & no Donna the N.A.S.A. thing is not for straight As its because all the teachers think I would be a good student to go.:) :) :) (: (: (:

Hey, Erika -- start watching the mailbox.... --Gary


Amanda
3/9/05
Nice weather here. Spring is JUST about here. 1 more class & 1 more exam & then I am officially on spring break! I need it!!! Karen, I got your check today in the mail, and actually sent out the cookies this morning! Hopefully by Friday or Saturday you should have them. You didn't need to put in extra for postage! We are willing to pay the postage, we are just glad everyone orders. We got Marsha's check the other day, Tristen was very grateful the Hatgidakis' ordered 2 for charity. Cookie sales are still going very strong... I can feel it! I'm tired!
Donna
3/9/05
Erika, All A's! That's great! Congratulations!!! Be sure to write all about your trip to NASA. ;-) That sounds like a lot of fun. Were you asked to go as a treat for getting all A's?
Karen
3/9/05
No snow for us in SC. Actually been fairly nice lately. Been taking it pretty easy around here and not doing a thing. Brent went back to work on Monday, made it to noon, but did last all day yesterday. Erika got her mid quarter report card last week and got all A's! She also was selected to go to a special NASA Space Day. It will be at the high school, but she gets to stay there all day and do lots of fun experiments. Guess thats about all that going on with us....


Straight A's! Way to go, Erika! --Gary


Gary
3/9/05
Wow, a beautiful snowfall happening here in Lincoln right now: Big dry flakes that melt immediately on the streets and sidewalks but are piling up everywhere else. No hope for a snow-day, though -- it's not supposed to last....

Got my computer back last night, with a new hard drive three time bigger than my old one (woo-hoo!) and a fresh install of WindowsXP. I should have everything more or less back to normal tonight. So please, if you're not writing in here because I scared you off, come on back! Otherwise, it's just me doing a solo. And I've got lots more fascinating computer-repair stories.... You have been warned!


Gary
3/8/05
Hey Lindsey, congrats again on your Oscar victory. I haven't heard what your plans are, so I'm assuming you want to keep the statuette for the first half of the year, and I get it for the second half? With that in mind, I put an item on the countdown page. Must...Have...Oscar...Trophy.....!
Gary
3/8/05
My home computer was in the shop all day yesterday (new hard drive), and I won't have everything set up until late this evening, if then. So until that happens, be aware that I can only update the page from my office computer -- during office hours. Anything you send in during the evening hours won't show up until the next day, until I'm back online. Thanks for your patience! :-)
Lindsey
3/7/05
Yea Amanda, we definatley have to go to the parking lot movie again! That was so much fun. When we watched it I kept thinking about Teghan climbing up to the front seat and climbing all over but when an exciting part would come on she would stop wherever she was and be glued to the screen! Can't wait!
Gary
3/7/05
Hey everybody, there may be some delays in this webpage today. I had computer trouble all day Sunday, and my internet accessibility was iffy at best. Everything in my (home) computer seemed to be flaky and I couldn't narrow the trouble down to any one thing; my working theory is that my hard drive is going south... Anyway, I'm taking Monday off and will be trying to get a computer guy to look at it. So, worst case, anything you write today may not show up here until Tuesday. Sorry about that!
Amanda
3/6/05
Congrats Marsha! Linz~ Spiderman 2 is always best as a parking lot movie. Can't wait to do that again this summer!
Karen
3/6/05
Marsha, congratulations on your new job!! What great news :) Is this the part time job?
Lindsey
3/5/05
Congrats on your new job Marsha. Yea glad to hear Brent is feeling better. We bought Spiderman 2 so we watched that tonight. Always a good movie to watch.
Marsha
3/5/05
Congratulations Gary...how do you top a vacation at a beautiful spa? By winning the Oscars of course! Congrats to Lindsey too. I didn't think the Oscar show was especially good this year, Rock was o.k., but nobody is as good as Crystal hosting. I will start a new job in the finance department at Bachmans on 3/16. I'm really looking forward to working there. Watched Supersize Me last night and have Manchurian Candidate for tonight. Glad to hear that Brent is feeling so much better!
Amanda
3/5/05
Yeah, poor Gary, the year he FINALLY wins we all are too busy to care! :) LOL! We have been busy with cookies and school and soccer. Soccer started last weekend with their first game of the season, at 8:30 AM! We barely watched the Oscars. TiVoed it, but never watched it after that either. Watched Jamie Foxx get his, and best picture. I sucked this year, I knew I would. I barely knew anything about these. Then we picked up 372 cases (that is 4,464 boxes) of cookies Thursday & brought them back to our garage, where we sorted and had girls pick up cookies all night. Friday we started booth sales. We had 2 last night. Tristen & I were at the busiest one with Kennedy where we sold 225 boxes between 3:45-7:15. This morning we are recuperating! We didn't even watch the kick off American Idol show. Thanks to TiVo, we watched it last night. The right 4 people went we think. We are going to deliver some cookies to neighbors today. Then we have another booth at the same location tonight. Plus, I'm trying to close out my Pampered Chef party! One thing after another! One week of school before spring break! Can't wait! My last official spring break!!!! CONGRATULATIONS GARY & LINDSEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hope Brent is feeling better!
Karen
3/5/05
Congratulations on the Oscars Gary. I did notice them and checked them out (although I didn't watch any of it). I have been a bit occupied with other matters. Still in a bit of a fog around here. Brent was doing much better yesterday, slowly returning to normal. I went to school yesterday -- first time in a week. Got lots of hugs and well wishes from the kids -- so that was nice.
Gary
3/4/05
Not much! :-) Even though it was only four days, it was like a totally relaxing vacation -- I felt great when I got home! I'm waiting for some pictures that a friend from work took, and as soon as I get them I'll post them and write up what happened. Meanwhile, I can't believe no one has mentioned the Oscars! I mean, HellooOOoo, I won!! Nyah Nyah! :-)
Emily
3/4/05
I can't believe I forgot to do the Who Said That! I guess I just hadn't been checking the webpage since it wasn't being updated. But, I still think we should try Amanda's idea for a "who sang that" if we do another one. Mom went back to school today, and Dad is feeling better and will proably go back to work on Monday. We aren't doing much this weekend still. I think my Grandma and Aunt will most likely be coming down tomorrow, but thats about it. We are still resting up and getting back to normal. Lindsey, good to hear the fire wasn't anything major! I remember in 8th grade the popcorn machine caught on fire and we got to miss like 2 hours of classes, its always fun! Gary, your trip sounded like fun, what all did you do while you were there?
Lindsey
3/4/05
Today in school, it was 7th period which starts about 2:05 or something like that. Then we were just starting class and we had even started doing anything, we were all just talking and some girl goes "I think the fire alarms are going off." The room I'm in for that class is like a bomb shelter so we couldn't hear them. Anyways so we all walk out and our class is the last to get out there and so I found a bunch of my friends and we were just talking and we were thinking it was taking a while and then a teacher was talking to a group of kids next to us and was like "it's a real fire and the trucks are going to be here in like 10 minutes." So we sat outside (forunately it was a BEAUTIFUL day) for like almost an hour. It didn't seem like it though. But it got close to when we get out so I called my Dad and was like "it might be a while, I don't have any of my stuff because our school caught on fire" but we got out regular time. Actually like 10 minutes early because they came on the intercom and were like "there was a small fire by the auditorium and now we need to vent the school so please evacuate the building ASAP." So good start to my weekend, I pretty much got out early because were just outside talking, sitting on the hill the whole time.
Gary
3/3/05
Oscar results are up! Lindsey, I believe you have the trophy now, right? Do you want to keep it for the next six months (til around September 1st), or let me have it now so you would get it back for the last half of the year? ...Or, just let me keep it all year...???

Oh, also: tomorrow's front page will have the "who said that?" results. Check back tomorrow!


Karen
3/3/05
Welcome back Gary, always miss the web page when you are gone. Brent is doing better. Got home yesterday afternoon. Still tender and sore, but improving. Has to follow a fairly strict diet for a few weeks. Doctor wants him to build up his strength for 2-3 months and return to "Normal." Then back for major surgery, so not all over for us yet. I think I may be recovering myself. Slept for 10 hours last night. Taking today off of work and I am glad!! Plan to return tomorrow. Brent will probably go back on Monday.
Gary
3/3/05
Hi everybody, I'm back from Arizona, so feel free to resume your normal webpage activities. Got back last night around 6, and what a great time I had! More later, including some pictures. Just wanted to let you know the webpage was open for business again.

Great to hear Brent is doing well. Sounds like he'll be doing one-handed push-ups by the weekend!

These results are unofficial as I need to review my scoresheet for errors, but I think the winner of this year's Oscar contest was me! And in the 17-and-under category, the prize goes to Lindsey. So congratulations to her, and of course, me. I haven't added up the results of the "who said that" quiz yet, but will very soon. Check back later!

Bottom line: had a great time in AZ, and it's also great to be back!