Anderson/Hatgidakis/Nelson/Metcalf: Newsletter

Old news: December 2005

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Emily
12/31/05
Sounds like everyone has been having a good break, but I agree it always goes by way too fast!
Does anyone have any fun New Year's Eve plans for tonight? We are just doing the usual. We got a bunch of movies a few days ago and will be getting the food going soon. Mom, Dad, and I now have all had pretty nasty colds, so we haven't been doing too much.
Erika and I were wondering if anything had been done concerning next year's Christmas list. I know its early, but we were thinking it was usually decided by now in the past. Erika and I would love to put it together this year if no one else is willing.
Hope everyone has a happy new year!!

I haven't heard anything about a 2006 Christmas list yet. Why don't you and Erika go ahead and put one together? As soon as you have it finished, send it to me and I'll post it. Only 359 days til Christmas! :-) --Gary


Amanda
12/29/05
Hey Gary~ thanks for taking T & t (& BOlivia) to Wallace & Grommit today, they had a blast! Ryan says King Kong on Sunday, like a 3ish. You do the research (times & location--the new Douglas downtown if possible since they haven't been there yet) & him & Cathy will be there!
Tonight we are at my moms where we are going to have lasagna for dinner & the girls will spend the night. Tomorrow some errands & little stuff during the day, but we will really be gearing up for the 8PM Chuck E Cheese party! Then Saturday we may go to Omaha for awhile during the day, and then that night the girls are going to Metcalfs to spend the night for New Years. Sunday is King Kong day, and then Monday afternoon/night we will go to another movie & out to HuHot with Dad, Lori, Linz, Livy, & Sean to use his great Christmas presents (HuHot gift cards for the adults, movie/popcorn/pop passes for the kids). Then Ryan leaves Tuesday morning! Not sure what me & T & t's leaving plans are yet, but we will play it by ear. Christmas break always goes way too fast!
Teghan biffed her lip pretty hard last night on a table out at Metcalfs. It looks pretty rough. She looks a little like Cindy Lou Who. We got some pictures, so whenever we get to those we will post them.

The movie was great! After you guys picked up Tristen and Teghan at the theater, Livy and I went to 1) Petco, 2) Best Buy, and 3) Barnes and Noble. Then to Grandma's where (after Lindsey arrived a few minutes later) we watched the 4th quarter of last night's game (which we had Tivo'd). Wow! It was amazing all over again. Fun day! :-) Oh yeah, King Kong on Sunday sounds good. At the Grand the showtimes are 12:05 and 1:15. --Gary


Hatgidakis Family
12/28/05
Happy Birthday Teghan!!!

Dad, Mom & Tristen
12/28/05
Happy Birthday Teghan!!!!

Donna
12/28/05
Happy Birthday Teghan!

Paul Lori Linz and Liv
12/28/05
Happy Birthday Teghan

Nelsons
12/28/05
Happy Birthday Teghan!!!!

Gary
12/27/05
Hey, some of you were asking about the magnets Grandma got, so here's the complete set. Let me know if you want some for yourself -- I can get you a deal!
Karen
12/27/05
Hope everyone had a good Christmas, it sounds like most of you did. Christmas eve we had a nice dinner at a favorite restaurant and a quiet night watching The Christmas Carol. Then Christmas day we opened presents (late) and another quiet, relaxing day. First time in a long time we didn't have to drive somewhere or have company. We had our "Nelson" christmas yesterday. Brent's mom, 2 sisters and brother in law all were here (none of the nieces made it). So it was a small group, but a nice day. We had way too much food, and everyone played a game of pool. Then before they left we had a game of poker. So now we are looking for the rules to play it again. I put away the tree this morning and most of the decorations. So things are beginning to return to normal. We are all off until Jan 2nd. No plans for us, just being lazy. Well, I guess we do have one thing to take care of. The girl outside kitty is getting an operation on Thursday -- so Emily and Erika will be kitty nurses for a couple of days. Amanda -- thanks again for the lotion, gel and massager. It is so nice and I love the scent. Gary -- we have been playing with the computer games and I really like the magnets. Donna -- I've used the cup every day and the cocoa is disappearing, I put the tree on the mantle with my snowmen and will keep it up for a few more weeks. Mom -- I took your suggestion and hung the candle in the kitchen window, looks very nice. Olivia (Lori -- Paul) thanks for Brent's gift -- the books were perfect! Both good subjects for him =- with the next week off I'm sure he will be reading them.
Amanda
12/27/05
Oh, and a note to Donna & Gary~ we will be here for Tuesday night dinner, with T & t. And maybe Linz & Livy, don't know yet... Hope to see you then.

I'll be there! --Gary


Amanda
12/27/05
We had a good Christmas as well. We did go to my moms on Christmas Eve & Ryan's whole family came there. We did turkey, ham & all the fixins & it was delicious. Then we did presents where the highlight was Teghan. She helped pass out gifts & every time one was for her she would say, "oh my gosh ANOTHER one for me." Then when she would open something I would tell her who it was from & she would look at it & ooh & aah over it & then go give it back to the person who gave it to her. She thought FROM meant FOR. It was hilarious! Then Christmas morning we got up & did Christmas with Ryan, T, & t & grandma. Then we went over to dads at about 11. Did Christmas there & then came back to grandmas. It was a nice weekend. Lots of good food and good times. I got some perfume, money, a few books & CD's, a massager, a photo album with pictures from last summer in Lincoln in it & Ryan & I got a kitchen radio thing, the one that goes under the cupboards. Can't wait to use it!! Tomorrow is Teghan's birthday and the game. So, we will be waiting until Friday to do a little party. Actually, a Chuck E Cheese party, which Grandma & Donna thought they might miss. I didn't feel well yesterday, fluish stuff, and today I am still moving a little slow, but better than yesterday. Cathy was sick Sunday & Sean feels a little crummy today. I hear Marsha was sick too, hope you feel better!


Feel better, everybody! --Gary


Emily
12/26/05
We had an excellent Christmas down here yesterday as well, and we are now getting ready to have another today! We are doing the big meal and everything today, so it should be fun.
I got lots of great gifts yesterday too. Thanks to Tristen for the fun "Real Dumb Laws" game. Erika and I have already played several games, and its a lot harder than you would think! Thanks again to Donna for the earrings, I am wearing them today! And thank-you Grandma, for the watch and toe socks, I needed a new watch and the socks are very comfy! Gary, thanks for your gifts as well. The magnets are fun and so are the games! I have been playing with the clay figures one and Erika loves the Driving one. And, Hatgidakis' thanks again for the early Christmas presents, I decided to keep the ornament separate from the other Christmas decorations and put it up in my room.
I also got lots of nice things from Mom, Dad, and Erika as well, one of them was a Simpson Jeopardy game that we thought Gary especially would love! I will have to bring it along next time we visit Lincoln.
Hope everyone else had a great Christmas too!
Gary
12/26/05
We had a fun Christmas day down here too. Lots of great food and gifts. Thank you, Nelsons, for the excellent edibles and the Homer Christmas ornament! And thank you, Hatgidakis's, for the collection of excellent toys. Sam and Anna, the art-cube-thingy is really cool -- and amazingly, two of those ten works of art I actually saw in person! Right next to my hotel in Rome -- literally next door -- was this amazing museum of ancient art called the Palazzo Altemps where I saw many famous works of art, including two on the art-cube! :-) Sean gifted me with a Simpsons diorama, with talking Simpsons action figures. Teghan adopted it right away, but I did eventually get to play with it. :-) Thanks to everyone else for a great Christmas!
Erika
12/26/05
I hope everyone had a good Christmas, we did heres what I got: A DVD player, 2 movies,a Chineese paper light, dance pants and a leotard, a jacket, an Erika bear, some fuzzy socks, some bath stuff, and a magnet board. From Donna I got some earrings, from Ryan I got a charm bracelette and a really cool talking Napoleon keychain, from Emily a teddy bear with bath stuff and some lip gloss and eye shadow, from Grandma I got some socks and a watch, and from Gary we all got some picture magnets and some games, that we have already been playing with! Thanks again everybody!
Ryan, Amanda, Tristen & Teghan
12/25/05

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!
Gary
12/24/05

Merry Christmas! So where did you have your Christmas Eve lunch, Nelsons? Grandma, Donna and I usually have a Christmas Eve brunch somewhere, but didn't this year. We used to go to the Lied Center in Nebraska City, but in past years they have kind of taken the focus off Christmas Eve -- no special menu or anything -- so we got out of the habit of going there. So we're going to spend the evening at Donna's house. The Metcalf crowd went to Amanda's mom's place for the day, and I understand Ryan's family is going there too. Christmas morning the Metcalf's will be at Paul and Lori's, and in the late morning/early afternoon everyone comes to Grandma's. After that I have neither heard of, nor made, any plans!
Nelsons
12/24/05

Merry Christmas Everyone!
Emily
12/23/05
Well, thanks for the suggestion Gary, but we ended up going to The Ringer this afternoon and did a little shopping at the mall. I thought the movie was pretty good, lots of funny scenes, and surprisingly the mall really wasn't too busy.
Dad came home a little early this afternoon and now we are all officially on break for 2 weeks, and I am glad! Although, I did get loaded down with tons of homework for vacation!! By the way, Livy what kind of classes are you taking that you have to know what to call the parts of an electric generator that are attached to the brushes that come into contact with the rotors? Doesn't sound like something I would like to do!
Tomorrow we will all go out for our annual Christmas Eve lunch, although we haven't quite decided where we will go yet. Then get ready for our Sunday & Monday Christmas plans! What are everyone else's plans??

Merry Christmas Eve Eve everyone!
Amanda
12/23/05
Between that letter & a cookie baking day at my moms I am TOTALLY in the Christmas spirit. Getting that email this morning made my holiday season!!
Donna
12/23/05
Amanda, what a nice email! Now that puts me in the Christmas spirit.

Merry Christmas, everyone!
Amanda
12/23/05
I just got an email from my contact guy in Iraq & the boxes just got there! Just in time!! Here is what he wrote me:

I wanted you to know that the packages have arrived and in perfect condition. Wow the generosity is overwhelming it was just wonderful Thank You! I will email some pictures soon with us by some of the goodies. We will all be busy answering these wonderful letters and sending thank you notes. Words cant describe what you all have done, but I can tell you this you put some big smiles on plenty of folks faces. Thank You and Merry Christmas to everyone and God Bless Dan

Gary
12/23/05
Hey, here's a blast from the past: Tristen's first-ever newsletter item was also a Christmas message. Remember this from five years ago...?

Merry Christmas, ho ho ho! Just like Rudolph. Umm. Clowns that hurt their selves & bite. Ummm. Trees don't fight & trees like kids, people, dads & the computer food. And trees like kids, moms, dads, people and trash cans, yup. Daddy has a saxophone in the umm... what is this called again? Mom? A case for saxophone stuff for my dad when he was born. Umm.... People click food, yeah that's funny. And people click CD's. Zoe just click her kitty litter. And zoe clicked her tail. Umm... You just clicked your coffee. Umm... Charlie Browns Christmas cookies. We will see you on your birthday, think they will have corn again? --Love, Tristen Bailey Metcalf

Karen
12/23/05
Well, we didn't go to the movie yesterday, we are planning to do that this afternoon. When we do go, we will be seeing The Ringer, not King Kong. I already know what happens in that movie :)

Aarrgggh, you guys! Donna said the same thing. If it's all about endings, I'll save you some time today: In "The Ringer," Johnny Knoxville not only learns that Special Olympians are special people -- he learns a little something about himself, too. There ya go! Also, I can save you two possible trips: In San Francisco, there's this big bridge; and in Rome, there's this big Colosseum-dealie. :-) --Gary


Gary
12/22/05
Hey, Hatgidakis family, thanks for the Christmas box. The caramels... oh, man... they're not just for breakfast any more.... And thanks for leaving one item -- the magnetic monkeys on the Empire State Building -- unwrapped, so I could play with it. Way cool! :-)

And speaking of which: Karen, Emily, and Erika -- how did you like King Kong??


Grandma
12/22/05
Ryan got here about 1:30 a.m. I sure didn't hear him but he was here this morning. They slept in for a while this morning and now have gone shopping and lunch with Sean. We are "watching" a Princess movie that is "really good." Donna and Karen, I think the lady you are talking about was Mrs. Olsweager (Tom's Mom).

Sounds like you are having a fun day in Sioux City. Nice day here too.


Gary
12/22/05
Ryan was scheduled to arrive last last night (early this morning), like 2:30 or something. Haven't heard yet what the actual arrival time was -- I imagine there's some sleeping-in going on over there. Had fun last night at Grandma's. We all pitched in and helped Livy with her mountain of homework. And it was hard! Do you know what to call the parts of an electric generator that are attached to the brushes that come into contact with the rotors? Whew!

Karen, Emily, and Erika: The Ringer does sound like a funny movie, but it will look just as good on DVD. Since you're going to the big screen, you should see a big-screen movie -- by which I mean King Kong! You'll thank me! :-) It's at the Promenade Cinema 14 on Fourth Street (between Jennings and Virginia), showtimes at 1:00, 2:00, 3:15, 4:30, 6:45, 7:30, 8:00, and 9:45.


Karen
12/22/05
I don't know what her name was, but I sure do remember that hair-do. I think she was just a mother of some kid in school. First full day of vacation for us. We all got out early yesterday. Cleaned the basement and now we can actually use the pool table. We have been enjoying all the christmas goodies that came in the box. The cranberry bread is delicious! Emily has been eating most of the cookies, Erika loves the fudge (Marsha's went way too fast), and Brent really, really likes the carmels. Thanks again for everything. Good to hear the Metcalfs arrived OK, is Ryan there yet? How long are you staying? We are having a "spring" day for our first full day of winter. May get into the 50s this afternoon. Should take care of most of our snow. No plans for today, just a few errands and maybe out to lunch with Brent. Tomorrow the girls and I hope to see a movie. They are wanting to see The Ringer.
Donna
12/22/05
Really nice picture on the front page today, but a quote from Benny Hill? ;-)

Hey Karen, who was the woman that used to come to our grade school Christmas pageants with her hair in a beehive (Marge Simpson style) and decorated with Christmas balls? Do you remember that? I don't know what got me thinking about that this morning. We sure weren't concerned about being politically correct then. We only sang Christmas songs and it was always a Christmas pageant never a winter festival.

Marsha, do you remember that Santa alligator ornament you gave me last year? I have it sitting on a shelf next to a miniature Christmas tree. It looks so cute. It's one of my favorite Christmas decorations.


Amanda
12/21/05
We are here! T, t & I got to grandmas at about 11:15. An uneventful, easy drive, hope Ryan has the same tonight!
Gary
12/21/05
OK, now I've got some news: Amanda and the girls arrived at Grandma's a little before noon. I just got back from having lunch with Tristen and Teghan. Teghan made the soup (a shredded slice of cheese in a bowl of cold water), but I opted instead for the mac and cheese. When I left at 1, they were getting ready to decorate Grandma's Christmas tree downstairs. I understand that Livy and Lindsey will be coming over this afternoon, as soon as school is out.
Gary
12/21/05
Happy Winter First, everybody! Shortest day of the year today, which is kind of too bad because it's a beauty: cold, yes, but a beautiful clear blue sunny sky. And Christmas weekend (only 4 days away!) is supposed to be 50ish here. No other news here. Just wanted to say hi!
Sean
12/20/05
Lindsey do you now have a countless number of places to go visit now that you are a legal driver? How exciting, be careful out there!
Karen
12/20/05
We got a box from Lincoln and Texas today! Thanks to everyone. Mom, the fudge and cookies are great. I will save the bread for our dinner tonight. Brent will be thrilled to get the carmels. Amanda your box was waiting by the door too. Thanks for sending them, I love the box that mine is wrapped in, (almost) don't need a present in it :) Marsha, we did all open our gifts from you after I talked to you. Thank you!!! Emily and Erika love the ornaments and put them on the tree. I really like the little snowman, it's so cute, I put him on the mantel with my other snowmen. Brent always likes getting more match books for his collection. The fudge is almost gone and the other goodies are disappearing too. Thanks for everything!!
Donna
12/20/05
Drive safe Amanda. See you soon!

How are Erika and Brent feeling?


Amanda
12/20/05
Change of plans. The girls & I are going to leave this afternoon & stay overnight in Wichita. We will finish the trip tomorrow morning. We should get to grandmas at about noon Wednesday!
Amanda
12/20/05
I think the girls & I will be leaving Wichita Falls tomorrow (Wednesday 21st) sometime between 6:30-7:30 AM. That should put us in Lincoln between 4:30-5:30. We were going to leave this afternoon, but there is snow/rain from here to OKC, which is the first 3-4 hours of the drive. Since we have such great luck with travel weather, I figure it is best to just wait.
Grandma
12/20/05
Merry Christmas, everyone. Talked with Amanda last night and they (she and T.& t.) should be here late tonite. That should perk up my lagging Christmas Spirit. Ryan will follow a little later. I lost my house guest--Ceasar--last night, missed him this morning, Linz and Livy came and picked him up and took me back to their house for a delicious supper. Linz brought me home, take me a while to get used to her being so independent. Livy had B.B. practice. Warmer weather is on the way, and the snow is already mostly gone so not a white Christmas here.
Amanda
12/19/05
Why does today's picture look familiar?

It's a painting by Grandma Moses called "Christmas Eve," so you may have seen it elsewhere before. She's one of my favorite artists. --Gary


Karen
12/19/05
Erika is home sick today. Upset stomache so she is on the couch with the remote. Emily goes to the Sioux City Council tonight to talk about changing curfew laws. Have a short week this week. We are all out on Wednesday at noon. Today is St Paul's Christmas party so it should be an easy day. Brent is back at work today. He did go in on Thursday, came home about 3 and went straight to bed, and stayed there! Didn't go in on Friday, so we'll see how long he makes it today. Emily and Erika got one of their christmas presents yesterday. Brent and I got them a ping-pong/pool table. Brent put it together (which wore him out) and we got to try it out. Should be able to have lots of fun with it before christmas. We'll be looking for the mailman on Tuesday :)


Feel better, Erika! --Gary


Gary
12/19/05
Just a heads-up in case you haven't checked the Christmas webcams lately: The Santa's Office cam is working again (at least for now), and the Living Room Cam now has their tree up (big tree!).
Amanda
12/19/05
I should have opened my mail this weekend while everyone was here because then I could have showed them my christmas card from Senator Hagel & his family. I'm on the "friends" list!
Amanda
12/18/05
Well, the weekend is over! What a weekend it was.. Steph & Mike got here Wednesday night at about 8:30. We had a good two days with them before everyone else got here. Then on Friday everyone got to town, checked into their hotels & came to our house at about 6 or so. We had two crock pots of porcupine balls & we made mashed potatoes for dinner. There were 15 people in the house! It was great. They stayed until about 10 or so. Then the next morning we went to graduation. It was a great time. Unforgettable for me! Everything went as planned, except my cheering section got very loud a little sooner than they should have & only heard, "Amanda Lee...." they didn't hear the "Metcalf, cum laude"! I told them I worked so hard just to have the cum laude attached to my name & then no one heard it!!! Then we went out to lunch & to the Christmas dance recital. Both girls did a great job. Teghan did wonderful for her first time, she didn't seem to care she was in front of a whole lotta people. Then we all changed clothes & got comfortable. We went back to dad's hotel where the room was decorated for me! We hung out, some people swam & hot tubbed & we ordered a bunch of pizzas. We hung out until about 1 AM. T & t stayed the night there. My mom & Sean brought them home to us this morning & about everyone headed back to NE at 8 or 9 ish. I assume everyone is home as I type. It was a GREAT weekend, I can't thank everyone enough for coming. It was a blast!

Oh, and Karen's-- expect a box from UPS on Tuesday. I shipped it on Thursday and just tracked it so it's on its way.

Karen, you should also be getting a box from Lincoln on Tuesday, and the Hatgidakis household can expect one on Wednesday. --Gary


Gary
12/15/05
Hey, has anybody seen King Kong yet? Other than me, that is?? :-)
Lindsey
12/15/05
Thank you for all the birthday wishes!!!!! I just got home from the DMV and can legally drive now!!!

Good for you, Lindsey -- just in time for the drive to TX! (Boy, this cheerleader is getting a workout this month...!) --Gary
Karen
12/15/05
Snowy day, been snowing all day long, but still just a dusting. Brent went back to work today. Got the staples out on Tuesday and has been feeling pretty good. Erika has a band concert tonight. Guess just she and I will be attending. Emily gave her report on curfew to the county board on Tuesday and was interviewed on the news that night. Amanda -- are you ready for your company? Have fun with everyone.... Marsha -- did you get lots of snow this week? I heard the Minneapolis was getting hit the other day.
Ryan, Amanda, Tristen & Teghan
12/15/05

Happy Birthday Lindsey, see you tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nelsons
12/15/05

Happy Birthday Lindsey
Sean
12/14/05

Happy Birthday Lindsey!
Hatgidakis Family
12/14/05

Happy Birthday Lindsey!!!!!
Gary
12/14/05
You may have noticed that the Santa webcam has been down for the past few days. I can only assume that in these final days before Christmas everyone up there is too busy to look into it. There is another webcam there, though, and I have made the substitution on our page -- an external shot of Santa's house. Doesn't change much -- above the Arctic Circle this time of year, it is dark nearly 24 hours a day. Check out "Santa's Office" website for some interesting photos and background info.
Grandma
12/14/05

Happy Birthday, Linz!!
Donna
12/14/05

Happy birthday Lindsey!!!
Marsha
12/13/05
The Blooms Award is for gardens nominated for their contributions to the community. My neighbors across the street nominated me and John has as well. Very nice recognition! Christmas decorations are all up and I need to get your boxes mailed. We are expecting some snow so that will help Santa's travels. Anna has been sick, but feeling better. Hope you're better Tristen. We have had some fun parties at work. John is feeling well. What do you think of Nebraska's Bowl chances?
Lindsey
12/13/05

Congratulations Marsha!

This week seems like it's taking forever! I'm looking forward to getting my driver's license Thursday and then the next day we head to Texas! Can't wait to see you guys!


Donna
12/13/05
Emily, are you pro curfew?
Donna
12/13/05

Congratulations Marsha. That is impressive! I bet it looks really nice. I heard you used a lot of red dogwood twigs. They always look so pretty in winter.

Amanda, that job sounded perfect, too bad you didn't get it. But it wasn't meant to be. Just means there's something better (in Lincoln) out there.

So does that make you lean more toward coming up for Christmas? ;-)
I hate to send your presents with Paul's this weekend if you'll be here.

I'd say you had a really great year. Any year that includes a trip to London has to be exceptional.


Amanda
12/13/05

Congrats Marsha! Your yard must be amazing if you can get an award in the winter!! I can't wait to live somewhere where there is actually water to use on the yard, we might have a decent yard then. Now we just let the weeds grow because at least they are green regardless of water!

Steve got his staples out Friday. He goes Thursday to his oncologist & could get chemo started very quickly. I got another job denial. One that I wanted, too. I found out yesterday I did not get a position with the Attorney General's office. I am officially frustrated. I can't wait for 2005 to be over. I want to say it was a sucky year, BUT I did go to LONDON & I did graduate! So, what the heck!


Karen
12/13/05

Marsha, congratulations! What is the Minneapolis Blooms Award? Third time, very impressive... I have today off. Have to go to Omaha to see Brent's doctor. Should get the staples out and see how he is doing. He is hoping to go back to work on Thursday. Emily is going to give a presentation to the County Board this morning on curfew, so she will get out of school for a few hours. Erika has a band concert on Thursday. Olivia -- Brent got your package yesterday -- thanks for sending it :)
Anna
12/12/05

Congratulations to my Mom on getting her THIRD Minneapolis Blooms Award!!!! This is given to people who are nominated in having a nice yard, garden etc. She has gotten three in the past two years!
Hatgidakis Family
12/12/05

Way to go Tristen on your WiN!!!!!
Paul and Lori
12/12/05

Congratulations to Tristen and your team on the big win !! Play hard.
Donna
12/12/05

Way to go Tristen. So do you now like basketball better than soccer?
Lindsey
12/11/05

Congratulations Tristen!!
Tristen
12/11/05
On Saterday I, Tristen B. Metcalf won my 2nd bascketball game !!!!!!!


Yay, Tristen!! --Gary


Donna
12/9/05
Yep, I sure did. It was one of those falls that was very fast down and very fast up and a quick check to see if there were any witnesses.

I just checked that site, I really like my picture--much better than the original.


Amanda
12/9/05
Yeah, the drivers license... Gary, did I send you that site?

Don't think so. I ran across it myself just the other day. --Gary


Karen
12/9/05
OK, I just tried to look up a drivers license, anyone else??

For those who haven't seen it, it's today's cool site. Very handy. --Gary


Gary
12/9/05
Yeah Donna, we need details. We can assume you're ok, I hope...?

Karen and Erika, thanks for mentioning the advent calendar. I had fun putting it together. I wanted to do a "Christmas in America" thing, so that's what ties them all together. What interested me most was the historical menus and historical recipes, which means you'll be seeing several of those. Wait til you see the huge spread George and Martha served for Christmas at Mount Vernon; I hope they had lots of guests and that it wasn't just the two of them....


Karen
12/9/05
Donna, does that mean you actually fell while shoveling? We got another 2 inches on Wednesday night. Brent supposed to lift more than 10 lbs so I get the job of shoveling. He did get a snowblower just before he went to the hospital so that helps a lot! Been bitter cold here (and everywhere else) for too long, but should be warmer today and this week-end. I had to go back to work yesterday. Hard to get going, but got lots of hugs from the kids so I guess I was missed. Brent is doing well, getting a little bored from being home. Goes to the doctor on Tuesday and should get the staples out. Think we will put the tree up this week-end and the girls want to do some shopping. Gary -- we've been having fun looking at the advent calendar each day. Erika and I were looking at the one of George Washington's gifts -- we couldn't even figure out what half of them were. I liked the recipe for the cake from Martha Washington, must have been huge cake!
Amanda
12/8/05
Uh, 17 days I mean...
Donna
12/8/05
I had my first snow 'fall' today while shoveling the drive. ;-)

They say we only got an inch but it's got to be closer to 4 inches. I haven't been feeling well so I decided to drive rather than take the bus in case I couldn't handle a full day. I kept hearing how bad the roads were but I thought how bad could they be? I even left later to let the traffic die down and let the roads clear. I didn't have any trouble to speak of--the roads weren't too bad, but there were so many accidents along the sides of the interstate I lost count.
It took an hour and a half to get here and they just sent out an email saying the buses will be leaving early. Dang it.

Amanda, how is Tristen feeling? Does she have strep?


Amanda
12/8/05
Phew, hot water is flowing through the pipes. What a relief. We were not really wanting to fix busted pipes 22 days before Christmas. Ahh, the joys of owning a home.
Amanda
12/8/05
This morning while waiting for my pipes to unthaw, I addressed an envelope to Jay Leno's Headlines. I'll send it in, it's only gonna cost me a stamp...
On to the pipes. It got down to single digits here last night & now hot water isn't coming out of some of our faucets... Yikes... More on that later, though hopefully good news.
Paul
12/8/05
Amanda, you got to send that into Jay Leno. That's funny
Amanda
12/7/05
As I was doing my usual job browsing today I ran across this. It's like a Leno headline or something. It is a posting with the City of Wichita Falls.

CLERK TYPIST II
$9.073/hr $1,572.65/mo
STREET-This is skilled typing and varied clerical work involving moderately complex work methods and problems. Must be able to type at a rate of 50 wpm. Must be able to swim. Must possess a valid Texas Class C Driver License.

Amanda
12/7/05

And now it is snowing(?)! Its those mini snow balls. Like rain/hail, only its too cold so it comes frozen... Like Dippin' Dots. Anyhow, its our first snow of the season. Teghan is excited, and Pete is not.
Amanda
12/7/05
Well, right now it is 18, and the cold is setting in as I type. It is supposed to get to about 10 sometime today/tonight. Which, for Texas-- that is COLD people!
Erika
12/7/05
Amanda I was just wondering how cold is an Artic cold snap in Texas? Were having one in Sioux City right now, yesterday's temp. was -12
Gary
12/7/05
Brrrr! I had a PTA moment this morning. (That's "Planes, Trains and Automobiles," not Parent-Teacher Association.) "What do you think the temperature is?" "One." And that's how cold it was when I left for work this morning.

Hey, a few days ago on this page Donna referred to some new pictures of Tristen and Teghan. The pics are on the Metcalf "Picture Trail" page, and the email that Amanda sent did not show up in my email at home (where I was Monday and Tuesday -- vacation days), but did show up in my email here at work. Weird. Meaning I didn't know what she was referring to then, but do now. For anyone else who missed the link, here it is.

Remember Pearl Harbor!


Amanda
12/6/05
Tristen is home sick again. We went to the doctor. He didn't think it was strep, but he did a throat culture anyway. We got her homework too, and that is what she is doing now. I am trying to get some stuff done to prepare for this arctic cold snap that we are supposed to get in the next 12-24 hours. I guess it may be record breaking for us. I suppose some of you are already feeling it?

Well, the Metcalfs did their good deed for this Christmas holiday & I gotta tell you, it feels great. I spearheaded the project of "Girl Scout Troops Support the Troops" here in Iowa Park. I instructed the other troops on what to collect & how & what to make & when to deliver it to me, etc. Then last night we packaged it up & it headed out in the mail today. We sent out 3 18x18x18 boxes full of food, candy, games, cd's, holiday decorations, pen pal letters, Girl Scout signed & laminated Happy Holidays banner, pens, pencils, paper & folders (school supplies are for the Bedouin Iraqi children who don't have a lot) and lots of other stuff! Our troops spent $50 on shipping and a local business owner footed the rest of the bill. I'm not sure how much it was, or the weight of the boxes, but I hope to find out. I also don't know if it will make it to Iraq in one peice, or by Christmas, but we sure hope so! The boxes seemed so flimsy as I was saying good-bye to them. I wished then that I would have done more to ensure their safe delivery. I can just see one ripping in half somehow & falling off the barge (which is how we expect they are shipped). Anyhow, it is truly the most altruistic thing I have ever done. Thanks to everyone who made a contribution!!!!


Lindsey
12/5/05
Tristen I hope you get to feeling better!

Amanda, I like the prom picture :-)
We went and picked out our tree yesterday and got it set up in the basement, not decorated yet though. Glad to hear Steve and Brent are feeling better!
Amanda
12/5/05
The little boy is Ryan. His dad is Mike, the guy Stephenie is dating, who is also the guy I went to highschool with (& junior prom!). The picture is in Steve & Cathy's basement, in the playroom.
Donna
12/5/05
Amanda, cute pictures of T&t, but who's the little boy? And where were they taken?

Glad to hear Steve is doing well.

Karen, how is Brent?


Donna
12/5/05
Tristen, I hope you're feeling better. You know I called you last night to tell you something and we got to chatting and I forgot all about it. It's a Christmas secret so I'll try calling you again soon. Okay?

Karen
12/5/05
Bitter cold today, now 6 and not to get much "warmer." I am still off, not going back until Thursday. I really needed the time to destress. Brent is doing well, still really tired and sore, but otherwise feeling pretty good all things considered. I haven't seen anyone in the livingroom, but have seen several people at the Santa cam. Fun to check them out through the day. No tree up for us yet. Have most of the other decorations up. Thought we would wait another week for the tree, we just don't have the room for it. Like you, Amanda, I do need to get it up just so I can put the presents under it. I think I have 99% of my shopping done. Went to the grocery store this morning and stocked up baking supplies. Hope to get to some cookies while I'm off. Feel better Tristen :)

Amanda
12/5/05
So, has anyone seen any activity on the Living Room cam? How weird. I have never seen anything.

Tristen is home sick today. Sore throat. She is asleep in bed.

We got all our Christmas stuff up this weekend. I need to wrap some presents so they can get out of my closets. We have NO storage space here, so they get piled into already full closets. Since I'd like to reach my shoes eventually I need to get them out of there!

Yeah, the Living Room Cam is alive now and then. Once I saw some people in the next room, and another time the whole camera angle had shifted to show a blazing fireplace and someone in an easy chair with a drink. Feel better, Tristen! --Gary


Lindsey
12/4/05
So does that mean Tristen's brains are fried?? :)
Livy
12/4/05
Amanda, that is a cute story "I want my brains fried!" I know I wouldn't, or would I? ;) Linz, my mom, and me, well we finished one of dad's presents last night, but this time I can't tell you guys because unlike Ceaser my dad has apposable thombs, and can get on here and read about the present we got him and spoil the surprise. :) Well that's all I needed to say... Talk to you all later!!!

Are you sure your dad has opposable thumbs?? I don't think he does. And hey, congratulations on the origami beagle! That's hard to do! --Gary


Livy
12/3/05
Hey everyone! I found out that my piano recitle is tomorrow. I'm really nervus, I just started like 4 or 5 months ago, going to practice every thursday night from 6 to 6:30. We're almost done decorating the house for Christmas, we got the front yard, the back yard, and me and Linz helped my mom decorate the artificial tree in the entry way. We also hung up the stockings, but when Linz, my mom, and me were at Target I saw a red stocking for $1 and had black pawprints on it, so we got it for Ceaser. But we still have to hang it up. I'm going to put my present for Ceaser in there (It's a dog messager for his back, but don't tell him, you didn't hear it from me). ;) But other wise it's going pretty good down here. It snowed A LOT down here, it snowed almost the whole day yesturday, and snowed all morning. I hope we get a snow day... Oh Gary, I FINALLY mastered the beagle for origami, I did one the other day during English, my friends thought it was cool. But thats like the only dog I can make. :) Talk to you all later!!!
Amanda
12/3/05
So, since the crawls will be busy with Christmas cheer, I didn't think we could get in Teghan's latest submission. So, I will just tell it to you, it is too funny not to share. This morning I was curling Tristen's hair & Teghan was getting close to the curling iron & I told her if she didn't get away it would fry her brains. So she said, "UH! I want my brains fried!"
Karen
12/3/05
Brent is home. Emily, Erika and I left about 8 this morning to get him. Started to snow as we were driving, roads got a bit slick before we got to Omaha. Brent was packed and ready to head out the door as soon as we got there. Drove through more snow until out of Omaha. The trip was long, but home now. Brent took a couple of pills and went to bed!

Glad you're all back safe and sound. Now take it easy and enjoy the snow! :-) --Gary


Karen
12/2/05
Brent is coming home tomorrow! Just called to say that the dr was in and said he will be ready to go home. Got some broth and jello this morning, and should get semi-solid food tonight. So the girls and I will head to Omaha in the morning and bring him back.....
Gary
12/2/05
Speaking of the webcams, I just made a minor substitution: The Fairbanks "ArcticCam" seems to have gone off-line, so in its place I put a webcam overlooking a ski slope in Washington. Not a Christmas site, as such, but it should be fun to watch! P.S., I just saw Santa and an elf plus a little kid on the Santa Cam!
Amanda
12/1/05
Hey, Santa & an elf were on the webcam tonight!
Marsha
12/1/05
We are all glad to hear that Brent is doing so well. Geez, what timing on the snow storm! Glad you stayed in Omaha Karen. Also happy to hear that Steve is doing well, keep us posted. We also had some snow, but not nearly as bad as the surrounding areas, just enough to look nice. Thanks for the Christmas box Nelsons! Cranberry bread is gone and cookies are going fast. Delicious!
Karen
12/1/05
Finally home again. Yesterday was probably the longest day in my life! Brent was finally able to get into a room about 5 last night. I went up with him and stayed a little while. It was snowing pretty good and I was anxious to get home. Without even thinking I left right at six, so the traffic was heavy, then the snow and a few accidents. It took 30 minutes to get 5 miles! So I thought this is stupid and took the next exit. I was on a major street and thought sure I'd see a hotel soon. Well, I kept going, started to head in the direction of the hospital and I finally found one -- as I turned in the driveway I looked up the hill to see what the lights were and realized it was the hospital. So over an hour, maybe 10 miles and I ended up 3 blocks from where I started!!! The hotel was a dump, but I really didn't care. So I called the kids to say that they were on their own for the night. Then I went back to the hospital. Brent was doing great. He got up and walked a few laps. Back to the hospital until about noon today. He is really doing well, not too much pain, sitting up and walking lots. Hoping to come home Saturday or Sunday. I left Omaha about 12 didn't have any trouble with the roads. Although I could see where several cars had gone off the roads yesterday. So I was glad that I didn't try it.

We ended up getting about another 4 inches of snow. Emily and Erika would have had to shovel, dig out the truck and drive on icy roads to get to school. So I called them in sick again. Just back from their schools with homework. When I got Emily's the lady said "boy, I never saw anybody get this much before." So they are both working hard to catch up. I will stay home tomorrow and rest up. We will all go back on Saturday, and stay in a hotel until Brent is ready to come home. Hope that catches everyone up on our lives, I am tired! Going to Wendys for supper, the kids have homework and I will go to bed early!!!


Donna
12/1/05
Karen, how is Brent doing? I'm glad you ended up staying in Omaha last night. It took me forever to get home. I didn't hit snow until the river and soon after started seeing accidents. It was really slippery in Lincoln too and of course I was behind a bunch of stupid drivers. But I went outside last night about 8:30 and it was beautiful. There was no wind and it was just barely snowing. I shoveled my neighbors and my sidewalks and drive and then just stayed out a while longer. It felt like Christmas Eve when it's so quiet and peaceful.
Erika
12/1/05
No school for me and Emily today. Don't think it was cancelled for snow that would never happen; all the little cities around us do but no we don't. Anyway since moms not here to take us we will stay home, because mom doesn't want Emily to drive in the snow and we would have to shovel out the driveway before we could go. We will get all our homework tomarrow and have the week-end to catch up.

Yay, another snow day (or just as good as)! --Gary