Anderson/Hatgidakis/Nelson/Metcalf: Newsletter

Old news: May 2006

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Lindsey
5/31/06
Wow, been pretty busy, I haven't really had time to write in lately. Just finishing up school this week with finals so I get out at 11 each day and tomorrow is the LAST DAY! I'm ready to be out! Today I picked up Tristen and we went and got Runza and went and ate at Livy's school with her for lunch so that was fun and then later me and Tristen and Teghan went to go pick her up. I started my job Tuesday and went today and I go tomorrow as well for training and then Sunday and I go from 4-9 and then next week I have training Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs, and Sun. I really like it so far. They are throwing a lot at us right now and it's ALOT of information but tomorrow we get on the phones for the first time and do real surveys. We have a "buddy" that has been there for at least a year and they are there with you to help you. They also have a college reimbursement program called P.E.G.S and it's if I stay with them for so many hours they pay for college tuition so that will be GREAT! Anything I can get would help so like 1024 hours is equal to a years tuition and so on so that will work out pretty good. Well not much other news. It was a hot weekend for moving in! Now the weather is perfect but me and Amanda almost got heat stroke going through the attic! But I should get to bed, my last finals are tomorrow!

Paul, Lori, Lindsey, Olivia
5/31/06

Happy Birthday Karen!
Emily & Erika
5/31/06

Happy Birthday Mom!!!
The Hatgidakis Family
5/31/06

Happy Birthday, Karen!!!
Erika
5/31/06
School is finally over! I got my report card today and I made honor roll, I also found out my G.P.A. for the entire year, and its a 3.4. So here are my grades.
Band: B
P.E.: B
Reading: A
Geography: A
Math: C
English: A
Science: B
Choir: A
Comp. Tec.: A

Wow! Excellent grades! --Gary

Donna
5/31/06

Happy Birthday Karen!!!
Grandma
5/31/06

Happy Birthday, Karen!!
Gary
5/30/06
After a blazing hot and humid weekend, today was pleasant and comfortable. Though on the drive home from Grandma's tonight there was this odd smell in the air, all over town -- organic, but not floral, kind of musty and compost-y. It's like some alien plant started blooming or something, everywhere. Not very nice. I had planned to open my windows tonight for some fresh cool air, but... no. But the big news, which I bring to the attention of Livy, Tristen, and Teghan: Tonight I saw the first lightning bugs!
Livy
5/30/06
Hey everybody! Today me and Tristen discovered a new, well new to us that was so funny, I couldn't stop cracking up!!! I Love Lucy. My favorite part was when Lucy and Ethal (I don't know how to spell it) but they got $75 and Lucy sold her furniture, and so she decides to paper the wall in her room. So that was when it was starting to get real funny, she had Ethal hold the wallpaper against her face, and she would keep moving it up, and she got it on her face, then Lucy was trying to pull it over onto the wall, and Ethal got the wrong wall, and ripped part of it. Then they got it on the right wall, but they put it slanted on the middle of the wall with a rip, and there were creases, and it was so funnny cause she was asking how to get it out. Then when the husband came home, she showed him the room, and he said that he was dizzy and wanted her to open a window, so she starts looking around, and then said it was around here somewhere, and he goes, how could you paper a window, so then she found it and ripped it off and was fanning him with her hand! Then she was talking about Ethal, and then she was looking around, and then she was shouting her name, and then Ethal walks out of the bathroom door which they papered too!!!!!!! It was so funny!! Well I gotta go, talk to you all later!!!
Livy
5/29/06
Hey everybody! Well grandma got a thingy installed so that people can call when we are on the internet too. Anyway, I kinda forgot to put this on about like a week ago, but ya know, anyway, Donna had a blonde moment and I didn't!!!!!!!! I kept the secret for my mom's surprise party, and Donna said that she was going to have a friend over, and there was this other friend that was out of town, and her other friend wasn't supposed to know, but she ruined the surprise!!!!!!!!!!!!! Also Max was digging in the sand pit and got alll dirty with mud, so my dad is going to give him a bath today. This is his 2nd bath so far. The first one was really funny, after he got out, we put a blanket out on the back deck and we were just kind of watching him because he was all squirming around, and was leaping around like a kangroo because he didn't know what to do when he was wet...;) Well talk to you all later!!!

P.S. Happy Memorial Day!!!!

Amanda
5/29/06
Ryan took off at about 10:30 this morning in an Impala from Hertz. He should make it there by about 7 or 8 tonight. He was not ready to go back, but he just kept saying-- 3 1/2 months. He starts Chemistry at 7 am tomorrow, yuck!
It's not too crowded here. Just think when our parents all lived here. This is nothing compared to then! I need the closet/attic to use for a closet. You could barely walk in there & I needed it for our stuff. We brought quite a bit of stuff, as all our other stuff is in storage & we don't have access to it. It's hard to fit 3 people into one room & one closet. But, today I am almost done. Should be done done by mid week.
We saw a snake today. It was bad. It cut grandma off as she was following me into the garage.
Tristen & Teghan's recital was at the beginning of May and there was a link around the 8th of May to our pictures website to see pictures & read about it.
Summer homework sucks! I guess they are getting you ready for school where the smart students take summer classes & never really get a break. (Summer classes = earlier graduation)
Emily
5/29/06
It has been hot here too, we even set a new high record yesterday! But, Erika and I have been enjoying it. Dad got us a new volleyball net last week, and we have been using it a lot this weekend.
School is pretty much all over with for me now! Friday was the last day of classes, now we just have finals on Tuesday and Wednesday. I got out of taking the final for my Psychology, Government, and Comp. classes so I only have to go in for a few hours both days, so that should be nice. We got our schedules for next year's classes last week as well, and I already have homework for my AP English class for next year!! We got a crazy summer reading list of books to read and write literary analysis' over. So hopefully that won't be too bad, but I am not looking forward to summer homework.
Sounds like everyone is getting settled into Grandma's house, it will be crowded around there for awhile... What do you need the attic cleaned out for?? I sure wouldn't want to be in there when its so hot!
How was the dance recital, Tristen & Teghan?? I guess I forgot you had one, since you didn't write anything about it! When was it?
Erika and I are getting ready for our recital as well. We only have about 2 more weeks of rehersals before the big performance! But, I think it is going well and should be a good one.

Emily, the confusion about the "dance recital" is my fault. That's what I called it when we turned on the TV music channels and Tristen and Teghan took turns dancing to the music in Grandma's living room. :-) But there was an official recital last night: Lindsey performed in her last (?? I think) recital. I know Grandma and Tristen attended it, and probably others too -- maybe we will get a review out of one of them...? --Gary

Karen
5/28/06
Well, no moving for us, but are having a fun week-end. Saturday, Brent and I needed to get out of the house. So we went shopping for a new dresser for our bedroom, then out for lunch. Saw several that we liked, but knew we would get a better deal at Nebraska Furniture Mart. So today Brent, Erika and I went to Omaha for some shopping. We got the exact same dresser for almost $100 less. Then we got a delicious lunch at Macaroni Grill. We also stopped at the waterbed store and ordered our bed. Then a quick stop at Borders and headed home. The dresser will be delivered next week, but have to wait 2-4 weeks for the bed. So now I have to get busy and get some paint on the walls and have everything finished before the bed is in.
Gary
5/28/06
Thanks to Lindsey and Erika for the recent reviews!
Gary
5/28/06
Thanks for the report, Amanda. I was going to write one up myself late last night -- to explain why the newsletter was so quiet yesterday -- but I was too tired. And I didn't even do anything! You guys were doing all the lifting and stair-climbing. Yeesh. I know Teghan spent some time at Donna's house yesterday, getting acquainted with Mojo (and they seemed to hit it off). Livy and Tristen and I went to PetCo (where Livy bought a new toy for Max) and then to Barnes & Noble (where Tristen got a really cool set of rubber stamps with ancient Egyptian symbols on them). Grandma served up an excellent supper for everybody, followed by a dance recital courtesy of Teghan and Tristen. Too hot, yes, but a great day!
Amanda
5/28/06
Hello all! We are back in Nebraska. We, of course, picked the hottest days to move! It is god awful humid. You do like 3 things & you are down for the count. Yesterday my dad, Ryan & Sean moved around all the big stuff, so all we have to do now is small things. But, one of the biggest things I need to do is work in the attic. Something about the temperature in there being close to that on the sun is making it awful hard for me to go in there. I just worked this morning on getting the basement in order & that nearly killed me. It's just plain hot. Ryan has been working for two days getting the cable reorganized. We got cable internet here at grandma's house & while the cable guy was here he rewired some things & Ryan is finishing up a few other things. The cable works better in the house though, so that is a plus for grandma. And super fast internet is always a plus. Well, that's all I know for now. More later!
Paul
5/26/06
Welcome back to Nebraska Metcalf's. Have a safe trip back. Hope the summer goes fast for you Ryan, so you can hurry back as well.
Paul, Lindsey, Olivia
5/25/06

Happy Birthday Lori/Mom!
Hatgidakis Family
5/25/06

Happy Birthday Lori!!!
Nelsons
5/25/06

Happy Birthday Lori
Gary
5/25/06
Today's picture got me kind of curious about the "Torn Notebook" sculpture, so I did a little searching online and found some good stuff. A couple of pages: "Torn Notebook Blows Into Lincoln" has some brief quotes by the artist Claes Oldenburg; and "How 'Torn Notebook' was Conceived, Designed, and Built" tells you exactly that.

Here's an interesting paragraph from an art critic:

In Lincoln, Nebraska stands the TORN NOTEBOOK; twenty-two feet tall by thirty-five feet long, the stainless steel and aluminum sculpture is a spiral notebook. The notebook seems to be blowing in the wind with two pages flying away. Handwritten notes on the pages were taken by the sculptors Claus Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen when they visited the site to plan the work. The words represent the artists' impressions of Lincoln, words such as "Popcorn," "Ulysses Fire Department," and "Roller Skate." When the sun hits the pages the words are cast on the ground. The spiral binding represents the tornados that spin across the plains. The notebook's cover faces downtown with the pages open toward the University campus. Citizens either love it or hate it for personal reasons. Children see the pages as birds flying. Adults see the torn paper representing a city's street trash flying up as cars whiz by. Students see the sculpture as a notebook of class assignments--unless they have a laptop--the modern notebook.

And did you ever wonder what words are on the torn pages? As mentioned above, they are words recording the artists' impressions of Nebraska, which they wrote down in their own notebooks on a visit here. Here they are, jumbled and not in any real order because they can be read in different ways depending on where you stand:

of grasses Ulysses Fire Department arch popcorn buffalo peas Goose
cup dancing hoop roller skate henhouses the sand
flagpoles desert ocean barbed wire falcons atop winds swing buffalo
wind clouds L-bow one ear cranes
Grandma
5/25/06

Happy Birthday, Lori!!
Gary
5/25/06
It's always so weird when American Idol brings back people that were on the show just a few months ago -- it seems like it was years ago. Or is that just me, and a short attention span...?

Bush says the economy is strong (which means he disagrees with over 70% of Americans), but here's a rather bad sign: It now costs more to make pennies and nickels than they are worth! It's not the end of the world, but it is interesting. Check the article from USA Today.

On the positive side, I see that the Steven Colbert White House Correspondents Dinner speech (which you can watch here on Google Video [24 minutes long]) is the best-selling spoken word item on iTunes -- even beating "Da Vinci Code"! (Go to iTunes, then click on "Audiobooks.")

Amanda & Tristen
5/24/06
SOUL PATROLLLLL!!!!!!
Donna
5/24/06
Taylor! Taylor! Taylor!
Lindsey
5/24/06
Yeah the party was a lot of fun and she was completely surprised--had no idea whatsoever. I did not witness the fall, but did see the after effects such as the grass stained jeans. I told him he should keep the stains since we have a reminder of the chair, we need a reminder of the fall!
I actually talked to Gallup the other day, they called me and I start my training on Tuesday so I will know more about what I do but I'm a consumer phone interview and run interviews on projects that Gallup is working on and take computer surveys over the phone. Training lasts about two weeks and then I go into a more normal schedule. I'll write more about what I'm going to do once I find out a little more about the job!
Karen
5/24/06
Donna, I do remember that very well. I have repeated to E & E too many times. I always enjoy watching other people in pain....
Donna
5/24/06
I asked Olivia for details of the fall and her response was 'uh, he fell.' But that's not funny. If only I'd seen it, I could be telling that story for years--ah remember the fall of '06...

The dining room spill is a classic and luckily witnessed by many. Oh I'm so glad I never do anything like that.

Karen, do you remember the time many years ago--we were having lunch somewhere downtown and there was something slippery on the sidewalk outside and we sat and watched the passersby slip and then look behind them to see what they walked in? It was like a candid camera moment.

Karen
5/24/06
Oh Gary, I would have loved to see you "fall." Brings a smile to my face to think about it. What is the story for the rolling kitchen chair? Sounds like the party was a nice one. We thought about coming, but we really needed a quiet week-end. We did actually get out. Did some celebrating for Brent's birthday. He had a craving for crab legs so he and I went to Red Lobster for dinner on Sunday, then to the casino to lose a few dollars. Brent is doing very well. Back to the office full-time. Still on lots of medicines and getting all of those adjusted. Mostly he is able to sleep at night now, not in constant pain and on the plus side he seems to be able to tolerate a lot more foods. Still on his high salt diet, which we all seem to be enjoying. Just a few more days of school for me. Full days today and tomorrow, then out at 1:00 on both Friday and Tuesday. Tuesday once school is out the whole school is having an ice cream party. Then I will stay a little longer and help pack up the 1st grade room. They are doing some remodeling this summer and everything needs to be out of the room. Then off for the rest of the summer!! No plans yet for, just taking it easy.

Nice to know I can bring so much joy to so many people just by injuring myself. :-) The chair thing happened while a bunch of us were playing a game at the table. I dropped something on the floor, reached down in an awkward way to pick it up, and my chair scooted out from under me. I was pitched on the floor and the chair smacked the wall behind me, leaving a gash in Grandma's wallpaper that is still there. (Tristen checks it every time she comes over.) --Gary

Amanda
5/23/06
We watched AI tonight. It was pretty good. I think Taylor will take it. We actually voted this time. We voted once for Katherine & 14 times for Taylor (Tristen's lucky number). I actually don't care this year one way or the other. Every other year I have had a strong opinion one way or the other, but not this year.

Gary, come on, tripped on a tree root? I can't even tell Tristen about it because she still can't stop laughing WITH you each time she thinks about you & the rolling kitchen chair. She still is in mourning for the wallpaper. She will just die if I tell her about this! And we HATED to miss the party! If only it was ONE week later! Argh!

Donna missed seeing me hit the ground, even though she was only a few feet away. But when I told her about it (and when her rude laughter finally died away), we discussed how much Tristen would have enjoyed it. And for the record, it wasn't just a "trip" -- it was an industrial-grade face-plant. I was spittin' out grass and twigs for the rest of the night... --Gary

Gary
5/23/06
Wow, Emily, lots to discuss in your jam-packed note! Yeah, shame on us for not giving an update on Lori's party. I guess we were all in "secrecy" mode for so long that even now nobody feels safe talking about it. :-) It was all very nice. The Megrues have a beautiful little sun-room where an outdoor deck used to be; floor-to-ceiling windows on the south, and it somehow makes their house feel twice as big. The weather was perfect and we all ate outside in the back yard. The food was excellent. I even wore some of it home -- after stumbling on a tree root and falling flat on my face while carrying my plate and glass; apparently only Paul and Livy saw me crash, although I would have sworn that everybody was looking at me. So for the rest of the night I had food on my shirt and grass-stains on my knees.... Anyway, everyone seems to have kept the party secret (even Livy!), and Lori was surprised.

Great that you are doing a film club and/or a chess club, Emily. Two of my favorite things! Let me know if there's any way I can help.

I did watch the AI finale tonight (along with Grandma and Donna); and I'm afraid Katharine's dad is gonna be cryin' again, because Taylor won! Unless the voting gets screwed up again....

Have fun, everybody, with your last few days of school!

Emily
5/23/06
Well I wish I could have as much fun on my last days of school as Tristen! We only have 3 more days of classes and 2 days of tests, and it has been really busy trying to get everything done and in on time!
Erika has a couple fun days coming up. Tomorrow most of the kids are going to Adventure Land, so her classes will be small and they won't be doing much. Then next week they get to go to the Omaha Zoo, so she should have some fun last days of school.
Thanks for the good movie news, Gary! We were just talking about some new ones that are coming out in my Comp. class today. Two other girls and I are starting up a film society and book club next year. We were coming up with lots of ideas for it today. We have already gotten a few sponsors for them and a theater area for the films, hopefully it will get going! We're just trying to come up with some good films to show (and possibly some books that would tie into the movies) for the films we were thinking about focusing on lesser known independant films... I am thinking they are both pretty much a defenite for happening next year, and should be a lot of fun!
We were also trying to get a chess club going, because none of us really know how to play and thought it would be fun, but we can't seem to find anyone who wants to sponsor it!! So, we're not sure if we will be able to get that one going, but we'll see...
So how was Lori's big birthday party this weekend?? Wish we could have made it!
Is everyone watching the big AI finale tonight?? I don't think I will, I just haven't watched hardly any of them this season. But, Erika and I saw the other day that "So You Think You Can Dance!" is coming back for another season starting on Thursday. It's pretty much an American Idol type show only with dance, Erika and I really got into it last year. We would defenitaly reccommend it to all of the AI and or dance fans!
Lindsey, we were wondering what exactly will you be doing for your new job??
Lindsey
5/23/06
Wow Tristen sounds like you got your last week of school made! Can't wait to see you guys!
Gary
5/23/06
Anyone need some movie news?
  • Sony Pictures announced yesterday that they will begin work soon on the Da Vinci Code prequel Angels and Demons. This is the one set in Rome, with a ticking bomb under the Vatican... I always thought this would make a better movie than the Da Vinci Code. Anyway, director Ron Howard and star Tom Hanks are being given first option to be involved in the project, but neither has accepted yet. Screenwriter Akiva Goldsman ("Beautiful Mind," "Da Vinci Code") is already on board. You don't have to rush to the theatre for this one: Its probable release date is May 2009.
  • Shooting begins this November in India and China for a big-budget movie on the life of Buddha. No title yet, but it's being based on the book "Old Patch White Clouds."
  • There's a new X-Files movie in the works. All the regulars are back (David Duchovney, Gillian Anderson), but writer-director Chris Carter says this one won't deal with the X-Files "mythology" of the alien invasion. This one will be more of a stand-alone episode. "It's a bit scary," he said; and "it will catch up with the characters and what is going on in their lives." No release date announced yet for this one.
  • The Narnia sequel Prince Caspian is being shot now, but scheduling problems have moved the release date from Christmas 2007 to Summer 2008.
  • Filming begins on July 21 for Ocean's Thirteen -- but Brad Pitt still has not signed, and George Clooney (who is also the film's producer) is worried that Pitt may prefer to stay in Africa and not do the movie.
  • Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, who has written several books on the American presidency (including FDR, JFK, LBJ and Lincoln), is now working with Steven Spielberg on the screenplay of his movie on Abraham Lincoln starring Liam Neeson. Can't wait for this one!

    By the way, if you are reading this, congratulations! windstream has been very slow all morning, so accessing this webpage has not been easy.

    Amanda
    5/22/06
    LOVE the front page... Ryan is extremely home sick, mostly because he knows we will be home for good in a few days & he has to wait a few months. We had to go to the good ol' laundromat today. Fun, fun. Haven't done that in years! But, we got 7 loads of laundry done in an hour & a half, couldn't do that at home, that would take me an entire day stuck at home. And our last few days here are filling up, everyone is calling wanting to go out to dinner & hang out. Just this afternoon I filled up 3 nights this week. Tonight Tristen was supposed to have her last game, but I think she is going to miss it because the old neighbors (the ones we LOVED, that moved out last winter) want to pick up the girls & take them to Chuck E Cheese (the wife is the one who has worked there for like 20 years) & then to the mall. So, they are really looking forward to that. And she is doing nothing educational this week at school. Today they got inflatables in the school yard to play on all day, tomorrow they are going to Castaway Cove waterpark all day & Wednesday is a fun day of signing yearbooks & Thursday, the last day, they are going roller skating. Wednesday & Thursday she gets out 2 hours early. So, this will be one of the best weeks of school for her I'm sure. Last Friday she had track & field day at the highschool. She did the 100 relay (4 100 yard dashes with the baton) where she came in first in her heat. The 100 yard hurdle relay, where she came in first in her heat & the high jump where she took 1st overall!
    Lindsey
    5/22/06
    I like the front page! Is everyday going to be something in Lincoln? Can't wait until all you guys are here, should be fun!
    Ryan, Amanda, Tristen & Teghan
    5/19/06

    Happy Birthday Brent!
    Donna
    5/19/06

    Happy birthday Brent!
    The Hatgidakis Family
    5/18/06

    Happy Birthday, Brent!
    Paul, Lori, Lindsey, Olivia
    5/18/06

    Happy Birthday Brent!
    Grandma
    5/18/06

    Happy Birthday, Brent!!

    Congratulations to the newest wage earners Linz and Emily!!
    A fun summer ahead, see you in a while, Metcalf's, and hopefully, the Hatgidakis clan SOON.
    Gary
    5/18/06
    So Elliott is out. Next week it's either Taylor or Katharine. And two weeks from now we will have forgotten all of them. When does the next season start? :-)

    Anybody wondering how out-of-touch the White House is? Here is how out-of-touch the White House is. In a speech yesterday, Karl Rove ("Bush's Brain") said, "The American people like this president. His approval ratings are in the 60s." When someone pointed out to him that, in fact, Bush's approval ratings are at a historic low (low 30s in some polls, high 20s in others), Rove said, "The only polls that I believe are the ones that get run through the RNC [Republican National Committee]. And I look at those polls all the time." This guy needs to get out of the office and take a nice walk once in a while. Hopefully whatever prison he winds up in will have an exercise yard....

    Amanda
    5/18/06
    Well, we got the movers gone yesterday. They left about 3 or so. The house looked like a tornado went through, packing scrap materials everywhere, filthy floors, random items that hide under furniture (playing cards, food, pencils) the works. But, we had no time to clean. We jumped into a limo, came by the house to pick up Ryan & Teghan & cruised. We went to the local TV news station to do a "Hello Texoma" in front of the limo. It was supposed to be on the 10 o'clock, but it wasn't, I guess because it was a big news day, even Senator Hagel made my little Wichita Falls news station. Then we did cookie prizes & I said my good-byes to the girls I have worked with the last 4 years. A lot of their parents were emotional. I hate good-byes. Then we came home & the trashy house was eating me up so we cleaned a bit. So, at least we have a clean empty house. Zoe is freaking out, she doesn't like to sleep on just the floor, she has to have some surface to sleep on (stupid cats!) so she came onto our bed numerous times last night & I kicked her off numerous times. It'll be a hot one here today, 100 I'm thinking. Yuck.
    Emily
    5/17/06
    Oh, and Gary, we've been meaning to ask you if you got things taken care of with your Crocs. We will still be happy to return them for you if you need!

    Thanks. I keep forgetting to do that. I will soon! --Gary

    Emily
    5/17/06
    Hey there everyone! I haven't written in in so long! I guess its been pretty busy finishing out the year with school and dance. Although, we did get a bit of a break at school today, since it was the seniors' last day. So, by this time next year I will offically be done with high school! I can't wait! Tomorrow after school we are going to a consultation for my senior pictures, I am looking forward to that, it should be fun!
    We also have dance pictures coming up in the beginning of June, they are just a few weeks before the recital this year. But, everything to get ready for it seems to be going well, so it should be a good show this year!
    I am excited to start working, hopefully I will enjoy it. I actually start on June 4th and do training through the 10th, and officially start on the 12th. So hopefully that will go well, since I will have to either miss some or change the schedule around for dance. That same week we have pictures, 3 rehersals, and the recital all at the same time I am supposed to be there... So hopefully I will be able to work that out!
    Congrats on your job news as well Lindsey! Hope it all goes well.
    And, good to hear Metcalfs have gotten a good start on the big move, that will be a big job to get all done!
    Gary
    5/17/06
    "Can you hear me now?" Ouch! Fighting for freedom in the only way that our American Corporate/Government understands: Lawsuits! :-)
    Donna
    5/17/06
    Hopefully it's buh bye Elliot or Katherine tonight.

    I'm betting Elliott. The judges were gently leading us that way last night. (Katharine's "Rainbow" was "the single best performance in the competition to date"????? C'mon, Simon...!) Then again, if Taylor has been approached by some band, maybe he'll go off tonight! --Gary

    Lindsey
    5/17/06
    Amanda, that's so cool that all your stuff is already packed and moved. That should make your move here a LITTLE less of a hassle. I guess I forgot to write in, I applied at Gallup a couple weeks ago and had a phone interview and then I final group interview/orientation thing and last week got a call saying they wanted to hire me so I start training the beginning of June! It's a really good job too, you get to pick your own hours and it's right over by the mall in Greentree Court so not a long drive. I think I'll like working there! Also Donna mentioned they do college reimbursement so if I stay with them for I think it's two years, then I could have college paid for! So I need to look more into that but I'm aiming for that.

    Way to go, Lindsey! --=Gary

    Amanda
    5/17/06
    Well, the movers are here with the big United truck today. They are moving fast, there are 5 of them. So far so good without all our stuff. We have been busy so that has helped. We had softball last night & tonight we have the Girl Scout Limo ride for the cookie money incentive. I think we will make it OK. This hiring movers thing is the way to go, I'm telling you. We have been fools in the past by doing it ourselves. The driver told Ryan our things will be in Lincoln tomorrow already. So if you see a big yellow & white United Van Lines semi, follow it, its holding our stuff!
    Karen
    5/17/06
    Amanda, how is it going without furniture? I can't imagine how you guys are doing that. We are finally getting back to normal around here. Brent is back to work, went in Monday and stayed til noon. Wasn't too terribly tired and is glad to be going back. He is feeling so much better. The pain is finally gone and recovery from surgery is better than the constant pain he had before. Emily applied for a job at a new Village Inn that is opening in a few weeks. She went in on Monday to apply, they called yesterday for an interview. Went there last night and got the job! She will be a hostess. She will have a training session once school is out and start to work about the 15th. Hopefully working full time for the summer months. So she will be busy this summer.

    Way to go, Emily! --Gary

    Olivia
    5/16/06
    Gary I love the front page, it's so cute!
    There were volunteer places that came to our school today and gave us information on volunteering. I want to do the socializing with the dogs at the humane society. Then I also want to read to the little kids at the library and then take little kids on walks through the nature center I went to camp to. When I'm 13 I can take care of the animals at the nature center. Well, talk to you all later! Bye!
    Amanda
    5/16/06
    While today's picture is a cute one, I don't think I sent it.. I guess maybe if it was on one of those cute forwards with dogs, but rarely do I send those on... hmmm... its a mystery!

    I had a good birthday, all things considering. The packers came to a stopping point at about 2. I went to my last Girl Scout meeting (besides our limo ride tomorrow), and then we went out to eat at Oliva Garden. Then Ryan & the girls wanted Blue Bell ice cream (the worlds best, and not available in Lincoln!) so we did that. Then I opened my gifts. I got a robe & some perfume & the Jack Johnson CD. For mothers day I got some red crocs & the KT Tunstall cd, which has the Black Horse & Cherry Tree song Katherine sang on her knees a few weeks ago. Woohoo, I said no, no.

    It might have been a forward, but it definitely came from you. It was quite a while ago. Back then I put it in a folder for future use on the webpage, and just ran across it yesterday. I've got a bunch to use from Anna too, which she probably won't remember either! :-) --Gary

    Dad, Lori, Lindsey, Olivia
    5/15/06

    Happy Birthday Amanda!!! Can't wait to see you!
    Hatgidakis Family
    5/15/06

    Happy Birthday Amanda!!!!
    Amanda
    5/15/06
    So, all weekend we worked like fools to pack up our things so the movers could come in today & pack up the majority of the house. We were up until 2 AM! Nice mothers day, right? Anyhow, back up today & the movers are here. There are 3 ladies & they are going to town. So far so good, and I may never move myself again, this is pretty sweet. We did all our work over the weekend, so today its like we kind of sit back & relax. Still, not a great way to spend a birthday. But, I did get a surprise phone call this morning, a friend from high school called me, I hadn't talked to her in years! She didn't even realize today was my birthday, but just talking to her was a nice treat. I am in my bedroom which is stuffed to the gills with stuff we are not getting rid of. It'll be an interesting 3 days while they pack & load up the truck. Then an interesting 9 days without all our stuff!
    Grandma
    5/15/06

    Happy Birthday, Amanda!!
    Donna
    5/15/06

    Happy Birthday Amanda!
    Nelsons
    5/14/06

    Happy Birthday Amanda
    Amanda
    5/14/06
    Good Bushism: "One of my hardest parts of my job is to console the family members who have lost their life." And a good mothers day Bushism: "So thank you for reminding me about the importance of being a good mom and a great volunteer as well."
    Gary
    5/14/06
    Thanks to Lindsey for all the new reviews. (Especially "Warm Springs" -- great movie!)
    Paul, Lori, Lindsey, Olivia
    5/14/06

    Happy Mothers Day!
    Ryan, Amanda, Tristen & Teghan
    5/14/06

    Happy Mothers Day everyone!
    Livy
    5/14/06
    Happy Mother's Day everybody!!!!

    From one of your kids...........
    Tristen (typed by Amanda)
    5/13/06
    Great idea Liver Bean! My mom wants some jalapenos in the kid garden. Anyways. Who do you like on American Idol? Who do want to get voted off? I like Taylor Hicks and I want Elliot to get voted off. Gotta go, I gotta start packing my room.
    Livy
    5/13/06
    Hey everybody! Ok, I just kind of thought of putting this on now, because I guess I could've put it on the other thing I wrote, but oh well, here it is. Donna had a great idea that in Grandma's backyard that my dad and me would build a square in the dirt and it would be that Tristen and Teghan could maybe garden in there with corn, sunflowers, or their favorite vegetables, or something, and if they wanted to, have the other half be like a mini sandbox to play in. Just an idea, so don't judge it yet... Please have Tristen and Teghan write in for that idea, thanks!!!
    Livy
    5/13/06
    Hey everybody! We just got back from the farmer's market, and it was really fun!!! There is even a new stand where they sell chocolate things, and I got 4 chocolate covered strawberries for 2 dollars! It was amazing I tell ya, they were so good, first I got 2 for a dollar, but then I just had to go back for more... But I was really surprised that the balloon guy wasn't there, neither was that one lady with those really good frosting cookies, and that tattoo guy wasn't there yet, and the sucker person wasn't there either!!! But don't worry Tristen we got you and Teghan each a sucker, they are purple, but I can't remember what kind they are. I saw A LOT of dogs!!!!!!! Big dogs, small dogs, skinny dogs, fat dogs, and even one of those shetland sheepdogs, and golden retrievers, and it was so cool man, I'm tellin' ya. Well I gotta go, talk to you all later! P.S. Will check back l8r.!.!
    Tristen (typed by Amanda)
    5/13/06
    PLEASE BUY ME A SUCKER! (I don't want to sound too rude)

    I told her you were going to farmers market -- Amanda

    Amanda
    5/12/06
    This is why democracy doesn't work -- the voting is always screwed up for the voters! Hello Idol, does Florida and hanging chads ring a bell?

    It actually gets a little more sinister than that. Anyone watch Keith Olbermann last night? It was reported (reluctantly, as this was a story he was "forced" to do by his producers) that the band that Chris was in (and still is?) got a recording contract; and that Chris was either being punished by AI, or simply let go so he could pursue that. They also mentioned the offer that Chris got to sing with the band Fuel, which apparently he had discussed with them (this is mentioned in the article Amanda links to). I know it sounds vague, and that's the way it was presented on Olbermann; but without any proof to give, they were basically saying AI skewed the voting results to get rid of him. An entertainment reporter quoted in the segment said that 100% of the phone calls and emails she had received from viewers were saying "I'm done with the show -- never watching again." Whatever happened, it was waaay weird -- because after all this it comes down to, as Keith described them, "the grey-haired guy, the screechy girl, and the funny-looking guy." --Gary

    Karen
    5/11/06
    I think Emily's countdown must have the wrong year -- it should be 2007. This year of school is just about done for us. I only have 11 days of school left. Starting a long week-end today. No school for me tomorrow. All the kids get to go to a track and field day - and I don't have to go. So it's a day off for me:) Chilly and windy here today, not very springy. Brent is doing well. He did have to get another shot of IV on Tuesday, but was able to catch it before it got too bad. Had two doctor appointments today, good reports from both of them.

    The countdown thing was my fault. Erika sent in the dates correctly, but I mistakenly recorded them as 2006, not 2007. Sorry for the confusion. Now fixed! --Gary

    Donna
    5/11/06
    I'll have a kolache in your honor. ;-)
    Amanda
    5/11/06
    OK, Donna, we have 15 days til we are there. Don't be talkin' 'bout farmers market just yet!
    Donna
    5/11/06
    Emily, on the countdown page it says 12 days till your graduation and 21 days left of school. I'm confused.
    Donna
    5/11/06
    How can Chris be gone? He was the best one. It's got to be Taylor all the way now.

    So who's up for Farmer's Market Saturday? It's supposed be a little chilly Saturday morning--perfect weather. Ahh, a good cup of coffee, the smell the sausage in the air, flowers, cute dogs on leashes, kolaches, cookies...

    Amanda
    5/11/06
    No kidding. We were as shocked as Katherine & Chris. I don't get it... Chris will hopefully be better off now, but still. I like all 3 that are left but I don't put them in the same caliber as say Kelly Clarkson. And Gary, don't feel bad about the predictions, I have been right on all season & now my average is shot to heck!
    Gary
    5/10/06
    Oh. My. God. As the Simpsons newsman Kent Brockman once put it: "I've said it before and I'll say it again, people: Democracy just doesn't work." With Chris gone, Taylor now has to be the favorite, no? I cannot predict this thing at all!

    ...Sorry if I spoiled it for anyone who may have tivo'd it...

    Amanda
    5/10/06
    I'm not sure how I feel about the GOP primary results yesterday, but this is a sad picture that accompanies the article.

    Picture says it all. But then Osborne has already had a few close games snatched away from him in the final seconds... I like Osborne (who doesn't?) but I was glad to see that he wasn't just given the governorship as though it was owed to him. So that kind of reaffirmed my faith in the electoral process. On the other hand, Ricketts (who spent 4 million of his own money, plus all the money funneled to him by the Republican Party) proved that elections can still be bought. The Repubs are counting on Ricketts to beat Ben Nelson and thus win back a Democratic seat. What they don't get is that Nelson is already a Republican, voting the way Bush tells him to 90% of the time. --Gary

    Amanda
    5/10/06
    My predictions are finally in line with you Gary, maybe you will finally get it right.

    I hope so. I was afraid I might jinx it! --Gary

    Gary
    5/9/06
    Okay, place your bets! Who will get voted off the island?? I'm saying it's down to Katharine and Elliott -- and even though Elliott had a good night (actually better than Katharine's), I'm saying Elliott goes. Anyone else?
    Livy
    5/9/06
    Hey everybody! Cute pictures of Tristen and Teghan's dance recital!!! Oh Donna, my recital went pretty well. I was 2nd, so I had to wait for a long time in my seat, but a couple of songs were funny. Oh and when me and linz were at Walgreens, we saw a funny card of George Bush, he was holding up 3 fingers, and the inside said like it was 2 something, I can't really remember, it was a whole day ago, it's not easy for me to remember things that long. ;)

    Good news: Max's leg got better about 2 days later and is running a lot.

    Bad News: He will sometimes bring back the frisbee, but most the time he will tell me to get it... Well I will talk to you all later!!

    Gary
    5/9/06
    Okay, I'm back. Business as usual!
    Gary
    5/9/06
    FYI everybody: I'm in a meeting all morning today (Tuesday), so any items you send to this page during that time won't show up here until sometime after lunch. See you then!
    Lindsey
    5/8/06
    Cute pictures of Tristen and Teghan!
    Donna
    5/8/06
    Cute pictures of T&t! Did Tristen have a solo? It looks like she's the only one on stage.

    Olivia, how was your piano recital? I'm sure you did great!

    Linz, call me sometime today if you can. I talked to the person you interviewed with. Tuesday night is considered a final interview. Are you really sure you want to work here? ;-)

    Today is one of those excruciatingly painful days at work. I just want to hide until it's time to leave or better yet just go home now. And it's only Monday...

    Amanda
    5/8/06
    I think it was the 27th. All along we had planned on leaving Texas on the 27th. Now, its the 26th.

    That sounds right. Great pictures, by the way! --Gary

    Donna
    5/8/06
    And why does Bush always have to sound like an idiot? I heard on the news this morning that when asked what was his most memorable moment while president, he mentioned one of his fishing trips.

    The best part of Gladiator was the way he died. I'd rather Crowe work on a sequel to Master and Commander.

    Agreed! --Gary

    Amanda
    5/8/06
    OOPS! I meant to say the 26th. Sorry! Wishful thinking, I guess!

    Fixed again, now 18 days away. (Which is what it was before, I think...?) --Gary

    Amanda
    5/8/06
    Gary, can you change the countdown to show us arriving in Lincoln on May 16th? We will be leaving after we close on the house at 10 AM! We won't be in until late I'm sure, 10 pm or later...

    Fixed. Only 8 days away! --Gary

    Gary
    5/8/06
    Good Monday morning, everybody. I just heard that director Ridley Scott and actor Russell Crowe are in the talking stage about a "Gladiator" sequel. I'm there! ...'Course, there's a slight problem with the fact that Crowe's character died at the end of the picture, but Hollywood has gotten around that before. :-)

    And on a different topic, is it possible for Bush to look even remotely human in any photograph? How can he look like an idiot in every single picture?? Just wondering...

    Karen
    5/7/06
    Yes, Brent is home and doing much better. Friday morning he looked awful! Very, very tired and weak and couldn't keep any food down. I called the doctor and got the first available appointment. The dr took one look at him and said you are going to the hospital for IV fluids and some blood tests. So we went next door to the hospital, got checked in and they started to run in IVs. He was better within 10 minutes. He was getting dehydrated again, and his sodium and potassium were very low. Had to wait about 5 hours for the IVs to finish, but once that was done, he was able to go home. They sent home a wonderful "diet." For the last week I have been going by the "BRAT" diet -- bananas, rice, applesauce, toast. Now he gets to eat bacon, sausage, ham, potato chips, canned soups, and lots of salt on other foods. He was a changed man -- feeling and looking better than he had for two months! In fact we were able to have a fun day yesterday. Brent's youngest niece, Jill, got married yesterday. We already had to cancel on the shower and rehearsal dinner, so I really wanted to get to the wedding. I had been thinking that just the girls and I would go. Brent was ready to go and seemed to enjoy getting out of the house. The wedding was in Wausa, so we had to drive 1 1/2 hours each way. Erika was helping at the gift table and Emily helped to light the candles. It was a very nice wedding and I am so glad we were able to go. We did sneak out right after and head home -- the reception was in Norfolk (about 45 miles further). So I hope that is the final installment of his health problems for awhile. Today he and I are going to plant a few things in the garden and then to a support group for other ostomy patients :)

    Wow. "More bacon and chips, please -- doctor's orders!" :-) --Gary

    Amanda
    5/6/06
    Is Brent home & OK?
    Emily
    5/5/06
    Well, Dad is in the hospital again. But, this time he is only in outpatient. He is getting some fluids and we are thinking he should be home tonight.
    I finally got my research paper finished, so I am going to go work on sending in the TX pictures! Look for them soon...
    Karen
    5/5/06
    Well, I'm home again today. Had planned to go to school, but once Brent got up I soon changed my mind. He is not feeling at all well today and I just made an appointment to see the doctor at noon. I really, really hope that is not a major deal....
    Karen
    5/4/06
    Emily is busy working on paper that is due tomorrow. So the pictures will be coming once that is done, probably Friday. Brent is doing better, still gets really tired. He has been driving and running a few errands this week. He is thinking he will take next week off, then go back part-time the following week.
    Donna
    5/4/06
    Emily, I'd love to see pictures of your trip. How's your dad feeling?
    Emily
    5/4/06
    I haven't been watching American Idol much at all this season. I have dance during the shows and just haven't gotten in to them. But, I do know that Mom is expecting Taylor to win.
    I know its been awhile, but I thought I would send in some pictures from my TX trip if anyone is interested in seeing them. We got a packet of stuff from the trip directors today that included a picture CD with over 700 pictures from everything we did on the trip. We even got some pics of things that we werent allowed to take pictures of, and they're a lot better than the ones I got... So if anyone is still interested in that I can send them in!

    Yes, do send them! Plus any comments you want to make on each picture. I'll do a special photo page. (And hey Lindsey, we need the cruise photos too!) --Gary

    Donna
    5/4/06
    Elliot should have went off before Paris. I'm hoping it will be Chris and Taylor as the top two--with Chris winning. I would buy a CD now of all that Chris has sung so far.
    Yeah Tristen, what do you think of AI so far?
    Emily and Erika, aren't you guys watching too? Who do you want to win?
    Amanda
    5/4/06
    Tristen still does watch AI religiously. Actually, she is grounded from the TV this week, but we allowed her to watch the two AI shows with us, but that's it. I will have her type in about her opinions.
    Amanda
    5/4/06
    OK, I didn't watch AI on Tuesday night. We, of course, TiVoed it & finally watched it on Wednesday, then went straight into the TiVoed results show. I wish I had watched it on Tuesday, though, because I would have picked Paris to go. I'm picking them dead on this year so far. Gary you are off about Katherine. I think next will be Elliot. The final 3 will be Chris, Taylor & Katherine.

    I've been off in all my predictions so far -- though my prediction that Chris will win is still pretty safe, I think. I actually do like Katharine; but even though her second song was dynamite, I thought her shakiness on the first song might get her the axe. And yeah, Elliott is doomed. The final three will be just as you say. Hey, is Tristen still into AI? Who does she like, and not like? --Gary

    Amanda
    5/3/06
    Teghan is totally all for a barbie-ish day while we settle Saturday & Sunday. She got "excited eyes" when I told her about it.
    Donna
    5/3/06
    Great picture of Tristen! Batta, batta, batta, swing, batta.

    Amanda, for moving day, I'd like to help all I can, so I'm volunteering to watch Teghan. I can make her look 'Barbie-ish and put color on her eyes' while you guys unpack.

    So who's going off AI tonight?

    Last night I thought it would be either Elliott or Paris; now (even though one of her two songs last night was great) I'm thinking it will be Katharine. P.S., the Tristen baseball card is now on the Fake Photos page. --Gary

    Amanda
    5/3/06
    I hope I didn't just jinx ourselves. I just changed all our addresses for magazines. Haven't done bills yet, or the postal service, though that is all filled out & ready go to our mail carrier.
    Amanda
    5/3/06
    It will probably be the 27th. I'm not sure what time the closing will be yet, and Ryan has to work that night (Friday) 5-1 am. So, it will probably be Saturday morning. And Ryan will be pulling a little U-Haul trailer, so it will probably take us a little longer than usual.
    Teghan
    5/3/06
    Why did you put Tristen in Gary? How?

    Big questions, Teghan. I'll explain it when you get here! :-) --Gary

    Gary
    5/3/06
    Ooops, my apologies to Donna and Erika! They each sent in a newsletter item on Friday night, April 28, that somehow slipped past me. I have restored them now to the April newsletter; and, to answer your question Erika, we will be there around 11, and why don't we have lunch at Applebee's and then go to the mall?? :-)
    Gary
    5/3/06
    Please note that the stats on today's front page, which one fan noted were a little off, have been corrected. Note also that this baseball card will be moved to the Fake Photos page after today (even though this photo is totally accurate!).
    Lindsey
    5/3/06
    Wow Tristen, great job and cool looking baseball card! You think you could sign one for me sometime?
    Great news on the house Amanda! So are you guys coming down that day or the 27th?
    Amanda
    5/2/06
    So, some good news today. The lady that we are in contract with for the house had her inspection last Wednesday. Usually you will get a list, or at least a few items, of things the buyer wants done before you close on a house. Well, we have been waiting since last Wednesday. She had until this Thursday to decide if she still wanted the house based on the inspection report. (In other words if the inspector says the house sucks, I wouldn't buy it, she could opt out within the 10 days & wouldn't be out anything.) Well, we hadn't heard anything, so my realtor called her realtor today & come to find out she wants nothing done. Whew! So, that was the biggest battle we had to face in this. Everything should go according to plan now & we will close on the 26th of May.
    Gary
    5/2/06
    On the other hand, Donna, it's a great excuse to be late for work.

    Hey, in case anyone missed it this morning, the Republicans have not only figured out the reason for the higher gas prices, they've also figured out a solution. The reason gas prices are higher, according to Senate majority leader Bill ("Cat-Killer") Frist, is -- you guessed it -- Bill Clinton. Yes, if only Clinton hadn't vetoed the Republican proposal to drill for oil in the Alaska wilderness, we'd all be enjoying much lower gas prices right now.... But hey, that's in the past. Our Republican Congress has devised a solution! What is it? They would like to send every driver a check for $100. Yeah, that'll do it! (As one voter said to Frist on TV this morning, via email, "One hundred dollars won't even cover the gas I would need to drive to Washington to throw the check in your face!")

    Okay, they are dropping the ball on the gas situation; but at least the reconstruction of Iraq is going well, right? Hmmm, maybe not...

    Well then, the American government admittedly is making some bone-headed moves; but at least the governments in other countries are making wise decisions, right? Uhhh, maybe except for Spain...

    Donna
    5/2/06
    This morning I meant to hit snooze but hit the CD player by mistake so instead of gradually trying to wake up, I get lulled back to sleep. I wake up too late to make the bus. As I'm ready to walk out the door, I hear on the radio that the interstate is closed. Apparantly some guy from Colorado runs out of gas and a state trooper stops to help him. The guy tells the state trooper that he has a bomb in his car. I left later so the traffic wasn't too bad going eastbound, but westbound was backed up for miles. I don't know if they actually found any explosives in his car, but after all the trouble this guy caused he better be telling the truth. Crazy morning.
    Grandma
    5/2/06
    I had fun on Erika's birthday too! Was nice to be at the Nelson's for a while, and nice to see Brent up and about, altho I can't believe he mowed the lawn. Glad your routine is getting more normal. I had a new sink in the kitchen when we got home and the lawn was mowed and lookin' good. Need to go away more often. Had lots of rain, 2.25 inches in my gauge.

    Congratulation's Tristen!! A Homerun! What a big deal that is!!

    Got to see Sean's new place too. I think they are going to have a fun time settling in there.

    Amanda
    5/2/06
    Well, this happened last week, but I forgot to type it on here. I kind of thought Tristen might do it herself, but I guess not. She had a game last Thursday & it was their closest one yet. I didn't get to go because on the same night Teghan had a 2 hour dance class to prepare for this weeks recital. Ryan called me near the end of the game all hoarse sounding telling me Tristen got a home run! She has never gotten a home run & many of the girls on her team haven't gotten one either. She didn't hit it particularly hard, but it was her running that got her all the way around. It was almost a grand slam, she got two other girls in. Anyhow, she was riding very high that night. It was also the night we finally got her prize for the base running competition. She got to pick out a t-shirt color & then the designs. It's cute. She has her last dance class tonight & then a game after that. We are ready for all this madness to end! She wanted us to stay in the area for another week in June because she wanted to go to the soccer camp she has gone to the last 3 years at the university. Well, I wasn't looking to forward to living in limbo for another week, so I found her a soccer camp at UNL. It's at the end of June & its a little pricier than MSU's, but she is VERY excited about it.
    Karen
    5/1/06
    Finally back to school today. Nice to get back into the routine. I guess I was missed. The entire 2nd grade gave me a group hug, followed by many others. The teachers had a meal in the freezer for me, so I didn't need to cook my first day back. When I got home from school I noticed that the lawn had been mowed. I was expecting someone from Brent's office to come and take of that, so I was rather surprised when Brent mentioned that had done it himself!! So needless to say he is feeling much better. Had a doctors appointment this afternoon and said everything was going well. Erika had fun on Sunday -- decided she wanted to get ears double pierced with her birthday money.
    Erika
    5/1/06
    Hi every one I would just like to thank everyone for the presents they gave me, and also for coming down here for my birthday. I already spent about $30.00 on getting my ears double pierced.

    What a coincidence! Me too! --Gary