Anderson/Hatgidakis/Nelson/Metcalf: Newsletter
Old news: February 2003
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Lindsey
2/28/03
Sam yes we did get our hampsters--Sunday in fact. Mine is like a greyish brown and then white in the middle and then greyish brown again. His name is Buster. I think Livy wanted to tell you guys about hers so I will keep my mouth shut.
Marsha
2/27/03
Howdy...Regarding Marie's health, they found some cancer in her bladder and are treating it with a series of interferon shots beginning sometime in April, prognosis looks good. We are having a nice ABOVE freezing temps today. Wonderful, our backyard thermometer hit 40.
Amanda
2/27/03
I wasn't sure if it would just rip off that easy. I need to just try a little bit, what's it gonna hurt, I guess it's all coming down sooner or later. Can't wait for before and after pictures. I ordered it from American Blinds and Wallpaper. (free shipping woohoo!)
Donna
2/27/03
Amanda, hopefully, the wallpaper you want to remove is strippable. If it is, you should be able to rip it off easily. You can steam it off. I've never needed to do this, but I think you can rent a steamer. Try wiping it with a rag dipped in warm water, that should loosen it enough to pull off. Otherwise you will have to scrape it off. Then when it's all removed you'll need to put on wall size. That has to dry completely before you can wallpaper.
What does the wallpaper you ordered look like? Wish you lived here, I would loooove to help you put it up. You'll be pro's by the time you're finished.
Karen
2/27/03
Amanda, I'm not a wallpaper expert, but I would let the kids go wild with pulling it off the walls. Emily and Erika did a great job for me a few years ago. Where did you order your paper from? I went looking for some today and didn't find anything I liked.
Amanda
2/26/03
All right wallpaper gurus: What is the best/easiest way to remove old wallpaper so that we can put new up? We are going to be getting into that sometime next month, and we have never removed, only hung. I did order the new stuff today, so that is one step closer. Your advice will be greatly appreciated!
Gary
2/26/03
If you're a fan of the Harry Potter books, or of The Lord of the Rings, or of The Simpsons -- and with that I think we've covered just about everyone, right? -- here's some news for you: In an upcoming Simpsons episode (couldn't find the date), the Simps go to London. At one point they meet Ian McKellan (Gandalf in LOTR) backstage while he's acting in a play; later Lisa meets J. K. Rowling at a London bookstore and asks her some questions about the Potter books. Stay tuned!
Gary
2/26/03
Here are a couple of news stories you may have missed:
WASHINGTON FEB 23, 2003
WASHINGTON D.C. (REUTERS)
Early this morning a devastating fire burned down the personal library of President George W. Bush. Tragically, both books were lost in the conflagration.
More poignantly, The President, due to his hectic schedule, had not found time to color in the second one.
The other sad story concerns a woman who was in a terrible accident and rushed to the hospital. When her family was called in, the doctor informed them that she was on life support and that "although her heart is still beating, I'm afraid her brain is dead." "Oh Lord," one of them said, "We've never had a Republican in the family before!"
Gary
2/26/03
New recipe on the recipe page. [Attention: Amanda!]
Samantha
2/25/03
Hi. Lindsey and Olivia....did you get your hamsters yet? If not, you should think about getting a rat. Because, hamsters bite you and poo on you (I know from experience!) Rats are sweet and make really nice pets. Helga, my rat is a great pet, but at night she is noisey. She has never bitten me. It is a tad bit nibbly up here. good bye.
Amanda
2/25/03
Have to disagree with the Texas not cold comment. We are COLD. 16 degrees for a high today with a windchill at -1. So we are in it as well. And we ARE in Texas, so we SHOULD'T be. We got ice and snow yesterday, nothing amountable, but enough that people freaked out. I thought it was funny. People were ready to button down the hatches over 2 inches. The ice is bad though, and they don't budget for plows, or salt. Just rocks. Yeah, that helps. Cold again tonight and more ice and snow tomorrow. And it all feels even colder to us because just on Saturday it was nice enough to mow our much needed yard. From 65 to 15 in 2 days. Yowza....
Karen
2/25/03
Marsha, what did Marie need surgery for? I hadn't realized she was ill. We are cold too, but no worse than anyone else (unless you live in Texas). Warmer weather for tomorrow. I think Erika's musical career is coming to a close. She did a great job, but was glad when it was over. Had conferences for Emily last night, she is doing great and got lots of kind words from her teachers.
Marsha
2/25/03
Hi everybody...We've been busy with Marie's surgery and school and life and such!! We'll know more about her health tomorrow after she sees the doctor. John's dad is doing better, it's looking like he will need a second angioplasty and not a bypass. John and Anna are flying out to see him and the rest of the California clan on March 27th. They are going to Disneyland while they are there and plan to spend as much time at the beach as possible. The temperature got down to 15 below zero last night. We are ready for spring! It sounds like you are an awesome skier Lindsey! Glad you guys had a fun trip. I'm so glad that Ryan got the position in Texas with the situation Bush has put us all in. Bush is a "don't get me started" subject. Anymore concerts on the horizon Erika?
Karen
2/24/03
Hi, we are still around, just not doing much but trying to stay warm. We had light snow all day Sunday and it is COLD!! Only 5 for high today. Tristen we love the picture you sent -- it's on refrigerator -- thanks :) How was the dentist? Marsha -- how is John's dad doing? I've been working on the afghan for Marie -- I'll take a picture on our new camera and send it to you for approval.
Grandma
2/23/03
Another winter day, been snowing all day and cold!! Amanda, Jambayla is just how you like it. I use a box of Zatarain's Jambayla Mix (they have a few varieties as to what kind of spices etc) make it according to their directions and I usually add sausage and chicken. The real recipe calls for peppers and onions and tomatoes and spices I don't keep as a rule, think this is just as tasty, but I do like the great smell when you cook your own. If you want, I will look up the recipe and post it. Shrimp and ham are good to use too. Keep warm and think Spring.
Lindsey
2/23/03
I got 5 out of 5 on the Friends Quiz.
Lindsey
2/23/03
John~ Sorry to hear about your Dad, hope he is getting better.
So what's up with the advertisment thing??
Just a little joke! --Gary
Lindsey
2/23/03
Hello all! We are back! Got back last night at about 9 and I got all my stuff unpacked. Happy Belated Valentine's Day everyone. For Valentine's Day me and Olivia each got our own hamster! Well, technically we got the cages on Valentine's Day but today we are going to pick out the hamster and the food, beddine, and one of those balls that roll around in. We are also about ready to go pick up Ceaser and the fish from Grandma's house. We had fun skiing. I actually switched back to skiing because snowboarding was HARD!! But I had a blast skiing. It was wonderful weather for us. We ate at good restraunts too and went shopping. I got a Steamboat Sweatshirt from there. I love sweatshirts!!! Ok, well I have to go, Bye!
Amanda
2/22/03
Grandma & Gary~
I know you don't have a recipe per say for jambalaya, but could you conjure up some sort of one? It has been sounding good to us, and I know it's supposed to be just throw in whatever, but what are the basic whatevers?? I really only like yours... And where is everyone? I wrote in 4 or 5 days ago and that was the last posting...
I'm going to defer to Grandma -- hers is a winner. And yeah, this page is quiet lately. I'm thinking of renting this page out as advertising space. By the way, have you tried the new Pepsi Twist, the same great Pepsi flavor but with a twist of lemon? So light, so crisp, so refreshing!
That's Pepsi Twist -- a little twist on a great thing! (Also in Diet!)
--Gary
Amanda
2/19/03
I don't know what to think anymore about all this war and terror talk. I really am truly confused. How many of you have your duct tape ready?? I know I am glad we are here, meaning Ryan's instructor position. A very good friend of ours, Mike, from Ryan's squadron in Omaha is packed and waiting to go any day now for at least 6 months, along with his new desert uniforms. So, had we not gotten orders out of there when we did, Ryan for sure would be going, if he wasn't already there. And that is guaranteed. Here (in Texas), as of today, he is to do his job as usual, keep teaching poor kids so that they can graduate in a month, get to their base, and deploy to sacrifice their lives for the greater good of us.
I'm thinking about a nice beachfront home in Antarctica, you never hear of that continent in war! :)
Amanda
2/19/03
Ryan got his first report card for his first college class, and he got a B. He wanted an A (don't we all??), and got an 88%, so he was almost there. Good job Ryan!!
Amanda
2/19/03
Tristen had a dentist appointment today and has 2 cavities! Her first ones. Only one needs filled and they are doing it with the tooth colored filling?? We go back tomorrow to get it done, she isn't nervous, mostly because she doesn't really know what they are going to do. She loves the dentist, as of today. We will see how it goes. Also, her bottom permanent teeth are getting real close so she may start wiggling soon. They said she takes great care of her teeth, the two cavities are in between where the toothbrush doesn't get, and since her teeth are so tight and crowded (sounds like she got my mouth) she needs to floss well. We got those flosser things, hopefully they will help.
Gary
2/19/03
Newsletter has been pretty quiet lately, so I guess I will get on the soapbox and make a little noise with a couple of things I heard on the news this morning. :-)
--Tony Blair's approval rating is going waaay down because of his continuing support of Bush. His numbers are at 35% and still dropping, and he may lose his job over it. (In the British system, they can have early elections if people lose confidence in their leadership; wish we had that over here!) Anyway, one member of the Labour Party said this morning that Blair has got to "choose between leading the Labour Party, and this war."
--The other thing was a quote from an anonymous White House source (to Tim Russert). Commenting on the huge protests over Bush's policy, especially in other countries but in this country too (over 200,000 in San Francisco last Sunday), the source wondered, "How can we be losing a PR battle to Saddam Hussein??"
Interesting to think that after 9/11 people in other countries were leaving flowers and candles outside U.S. embassies -- and after a year and a half of Bush, they're protesting the U.S. everywhere. He's got the whole world lined up against us, not just the Arab world. Our strongest military allies over the past 50 years are coming to despise us. That's our Fuehrer! :-)
Grandma
2/19/03
Warming up nicely today, the snow is melting fast, can see lots of bare spots and that's fine with me. Just visited with Linz and Livy (Paul too). They are having great weather and lots of fun in the snow, sounds like they are eating very well too. I'm sure it is going fast for them. I have 3 hyacinths blooming in the kitchen--Thanx to Erika for the Christmas gift. They smell so good and are making me think Spring!! Slow day here. Stay well.
Gary
2/18/03
Snow snow snow on the east coast webcams! The storm that hit us here in Nebraska/Iowa kept on moving east, picking up steam, and buried everything from Washington to Maine. Wow!
Erika
2/17/03
Hi everybody today when I was on the Internet I wanted to see what would come up if I typed in "Erika" and there was about 776,716 sites but, then I typed in "Erika Nelson" and on # 14 It had the review Lindsey did on Hard ball I didn't even have a review on that page.
True, you don't have a review on that page -- but go down to the review your Mom wrote called "A Star is Born" and you'll see the answer to your question. :-) --Gary
Amanda
2/14/03
The girls (Sasha included) just got a Valentine from Sam & Sunny! Thanks guys!!
Amanda
2/14/03
Ryan also was good for Valentine's Day, got a dozen red roses myself, and the candy! I think it is above 75, dare I say it, I'm WARM, almost hot. Tomorrow night we are going to a hockey game, they have a team here like the Stars in Lincoln, this is Wichita Falls "Rustlers" first year, so EVERYONE thinks its the greatest thing ever. We'll check it out.
Gary
2/14/03
The Minneapolis webcam has been down for quite a while now and it doesn't look like it's coming back. So I found a new one, which has a more interesting skyline shot. Feel free to take a look! (Still trying to find one closer to Iowa Park, but no luck.)
***EMILY***
2/14/03
Hey everybody!! we just got valentines from samantha, anna, and tristen! thanx guyz!
Karen
2/14/03
Well we are all home early today, it's raining pretty good and the temp is at 35 and expected to drop throughout the afternoon. They are closing school two hours early. I picked up Emily on my way from preschool. Erika was to have pizza and a party this afternoon so Emily and I will get her in about an hour.
Yes her name was misspelled in the program, &*%#$@^! My first attempt at using the digital camera -- such a huge improvement from our old one, and fun to use too :)
Brent was very generous to me for valentines day -- 1 dz roses delivered yesterday, and candy and movie for today......
Have fun grilling those steaks tonight and think of us in the middle of ice and snow.....
Gary
2/14/03
Rainy and cold and supposed to be snowing by tonight here. Outdoor steaks sound good. (75 sounds pretty good, too!)
By the way, for those of you who haven't seen this yet, it will indeed make you nuts! Go here and see if you can figure out how it works! (Thanks, Amanda!)
Amanda
2/14/03
Congrats Erika! And Karen is that the new digital camera? Very nice, great looking pictures!! Beautiful weather here today, supposed to get to 75! We are grilling out steaks tonight and eating chocolate, Ryan had boxes of chocolates for Tristen and I on our beds before we even woke up, he did good!! :)
Donna
2/14/03
Erika, I wish I could have been there to hear your solo. I bet it was beautiful. But they spelled your name wrong on the program. How could they do that?
Happy Valentine's Day!!!
Karen
2/14/03
Erika's music program was last night, the crowd was standing room only. They started out with their recorders, then they sang several songs. Erika had a solo part in one of the songs. She did a wonderful job!
***EMILY***
2/13/03
***HAPPY VALENTINES DAY EVERYBODY***
Ryan, Amanda, Tristen, Teghan
2/13/03
Happy Valentine's Day!!!
Amanda
2/13/03
I have taken that quiz a few times, and sadly I am always an honorary Friend. Need to watch a little less TV :). How bout the gas prices?? Oy! $1.67 a gallon for me today, and my heating bill is going up. Ouch, Im sick of it, and its only just begun.
Nelsons
2/13/03
Happy Valentine's Day!
Gary
2/13/03
Dang, my best score (out of three tries!) is 3 out of 5....
Donna
2/13/03
I just scored 5 out of 5 on the Friends website--cool sight of the day. I am now an honorary 'friend' and I can bring my stuff over to Joey's this weekend.
Grandma
2/12/03
Nice day today, snow is almost all gone. Erika, Good Luck on your singing debut tomorrow night. I know you will do good!! I will be thinking about you. Hope everyone is feeling fine by now. Livy, I was really happy to hear about your project in school, you need to tell everyone else. It's so neat!!!
Gary
2/12/03
Just received the first Oscar ballot. Thanks, Emily -- good luck! Still waiting for ballots from...well, everybody except Emily. No hurry though -- you've still got a month to think about it.
Gary
2/11/03
The Oscar ballot is now up and ready. Good luck, everybody!
Karen
2/11/03
John - sorry to hear about your Dad -- hope he is getting better.
Very windy and cold here today - a little bit of snow.
Grandma
2/11/03
Hi, Been a tough week for a lot of the clan. Hope John's dad is improving and all the sick ones are better and nobody else gets anything.
HAPPY VALENTINE"S DAY, EVERYONE !!!
Donna
2/11/03
Sorry to hear about John's dad. Hope he's doing better. Marsha, glad you and Sam can still come next month.
Donna
2/11/03
I got an interesting piece of mail yesterday and am wondering if anyone else did, too. The envelope has no return address, postmarked St. Paul, MN and my name is handwritten. This is what the letter says:
A lot is going on while we madly pursue trivia. There are deficits everywhere. Those concerned about the poor have an articulation problem. The issue to be resolved is CORPORATE WELFARE. Big business should pay its fair tax share, and then cuts of desperately needed services are not necessary. Poverty and crime have increased because unemployment has increased.
What horror has the world come to when it uses profit as the prime incentive in human progress...?
Sincerely,
Alarmed American
Then written at the bottom:
The GOP is a fraud. The homeland security plan is horrible. Privatization will ruin us all.
Impeach Bush
Weird, huh?
I didn't send it, though I will admit it sounds like me! --Gary
Gary
2/11/03
Way to go, John, Marsha, and Samantha! Looks like it may be hard to get the Oscar out of Minnesota this year.... Unless I counted wrong, here are how many Oscar nominations each of the "best film" pictures received:
Chicago, 13
Gangs of New York, 10
The Hours, 9
LOTR: The Two Towers, 6
The Pianist, 7
Also, Frida and Road To Perdition got 6 nominations each. Another little bit of trivia is that two of this year's nominees for Best Actress were also nominated last year -- Nicole Kidman for "Moulin Rouge" and Renee Zellwegger for "Bridget Jones' Diary."
So the Oscar season has officially begun! Should be an interesting race. (Ballot will be up soon, if it's not already there by the time you read this.)
Marsha
2/10/03
That flu bug is everywhere! Sam missed 3 days last week and Anna is sick today and had to miss a basketball game. Hope all of you are feeling much better! John's dad had a heart attack last Friday, he was in the ICU and they are determining what is next for him. He is to be released from the hospital today. John and Anna are going to fly out to Los Angeles over spring break to see him and the rest of his family out there. So, it will only be Sam, Sunny and me coming in April. John's mother moved to a smaller apartment in the same building over the weekend. She is happy with her new space. What a busy weekend!
Lindsey
2/10/03
Hi everybody! I will tell you everything about Colorado when we get back. Not much news with me. Haven't been doing a lot. Dad is actually finishing our basement with drywall and all that jazz and then we are going to put a wet bar down there with a sink and mini fridge and stuff like that. So that will be nice to get the basement all done. Our Valentine Dance is on Friday and then I am going to a birthday party so I will packed with stuff to do all week before we go including dance also. I am very busy with dance. Next year I think I am taking on two more classes. Ok, well Metcalfs' I hope you get to feeling better, you too Karen. Talk to you all later.
Gary
2/10/03
Those are indeed some nasty recipes.... I couldn't bring myself to read the "deep fried rat" recipe (I admire your courage, Donna!), but I did read the recipes for Haggis and for Simmered Brains. Eeeeyahhhh! The only confusing thing was their inclusion of the White Castle Cheeseburger recipe -- them is good!
Donna
2/10/03
Warning, don't read today's cool site while you're eating. There are some really disgusting recipes. Who eats deep fried field rats? "After removing guts and toes, season and sit in the sun for 4-6 hours then deep fry until yellow." Gross!
But there was a funny one that was only mildly disgusting. Twopenny Salad featuring a new and improved Jello. I think it was from 1933. This one has Lemon Jello, cabbage, vinegar and ketchup. Yum!
Donna
2/10/03
Hi, I hope everyone is feeling better by now. I'm lucky I haven't gotten any of the colds or flus this year. I did take a mental health day Friday and started making over my bedroom. I needed a project and boy did I get one. Painting is a lot of work. But now the fun stuff--decorating.
I didn't get out of the house yesterday either. What a pretty snowfall all day long.
Interesting about Sniffer. Hope those toxic fumes are only over Bush's home and no where close to Iowa Park.
Karen
2/9/03
Hi, Like Amanda, I have been sick since Wednesday. Haven't done a thing for the last three days that I couldn't do from the couch. Feeling much better today and lots to catch up on. I have tomorrow off so I do get a nice long 4 day week-end. Erika is looking forward to the concert (getting a little nervous too). She told me the other day that she only tried out for the solo because she didn't think she would be picked. We bought a digital camera this week -- should do a better job than our old one, so as soon as I learn how to use it I'll be sending some pictures. Emily registered for high school last week -- taking a pretty full schedule. Two of her teachers recommended her for advanced classes. Typing this has taken a lot out me, need to nap now :)
Gary
2/9/03
We were wondering what happened to the Texas news. :-) Hope everyone gets well soon! We're getting a beautiful snowfall this Sunday morning. So far just enough to cover the bare spots, but it's supposed to snow pretty much all day. I was going to run some errands, but now may just stay in the house and watch movies.
Amanda
2/9/03
Hello all. A few newsworthy things here... Teghan has another ear infection. I took her into the doctor again on Friday and sure enough. They put her on a stronger antibiotic, so hopefully it will do its magic. I too have been sick. Wednesday night until today still, hoping to get better soon, this sickness stuff is for the birds. Ryan is the only one not to get struck by it. I keep forgetting to tell everyone this little bit of "small world" info. OK, so the space shuttle meets its tragic end not far from where we live, and they are worried about the toxic fumes from its explosion, right? So, the military sends a jet to sample the air, right? Which jet you ask? None other than a jet Ryan worked on for 5 years at Offutt, nicknamed the Sniffer, because it's the one that takes air samples. Small world, huh? I'm told this is not classified information, so I am OK to share it on the web.:) And apparently we are in "orange" threat level, which means the bases are on higher alert, what now?? I had my first accounting test Thursday, SNOOOZE!!! I'm not an accountant let's put it that way. Tuesday is an Algebra test, Then a business test, then a history test. School has officially begun when the tests start rolling in. Tristen goes to Pizza Hut tomorrow for Daisy's, and is excited because she got her best friend Kennedy to join. Ryan has his history final Tuesday which means he is almost done with that Community College of the Air Force degree.
Gary
2/7/03
"What do you think the temperature is?"
"One."
Which is true here this morning. The temp was 1 when I went to work. Big snowstorm on the east coast this morning -- the webcam shots are interesting, including (when I looked) a long line of people waiting to get into the Washington Monument, with the snow deep all around them and still falling. Brrrr!
Donna
2/6/03
Hey Lindsey, congrats on your report card! Nice job! Have a great time in CO. Be sure to tell us all about it when you get back!
Lindsey
2/6/03
I haven't been on for a long time what with dance and school and all but anyways, I got my report card and got all A's and one B+ and I made Honor Role! Also in 10 days we leave for Colorado! I am really excited because I am going to snowboard instead of ski! Ok, I got to do my homlywork, bye!
Erika
2/5/03
Ok my music teacher told me I got a solo, but she gave me a partner?
I sing the song Great day part 3. Our music thing Feb. 13.
Grandma
2/5/03
Way to go Sean and Lauren!! Have you heard any more about it, for instance, have they caught the guys? Pretty gutsy to do that in broad daylight. Erika, on your way to becoming a star? What are you singing and when is this musical, I hope it gets taped!! Cold week around here, and the snow isn't melting much.
Donna
2/5/03
Sean, that's amazing. Do you think they will call you in as a witness for the trial?
Erika, what a great looking report card. Tell more about the solo. What are you singing? Are you the only one with a solo?
Emily, I loved the movie, "About a Boy." In fact I now own it. My favorite part is the concert. And sometimes I find myself humming "Santa and his super sleigh."
Gary
2/5/03
Attention movie fans: There's a great movie trilogy in the making right now, and no, for once I'm not talking about Lord of the Rings. :-) About ten years ago (doesn't seem that long!) there was a movie called "Gettysburg" which was all about that famous battle. Very good movie, which I recommend if you haven't seen it. Well, the director and some of the original cast have gotten together to make a prequel -- which covers practically the entire Civil War up to the point of Gettysburg. It's called "Gods and Generals," and will be in the theaters in a few weeks. I just read a glowing review of it here, and it's worth reading -- not only for the glimpse into the movie, but because it says lots of interesting things about movie-making and history as well. Martin Sheen played Robert E. Lee in "Gettysburg," but this time around the part is played by Robert Duvall -- who, it turns out, is actually a descendant of Lee -- and Duvall's performance is already getting high marks. To round out the trilogy, another film is planned which will cover the rest of the war after Gettysburg. Just wanted to pass that along!
P.S. Speaking of movies, you only have a few more days to make your predictions for the Best Picture nominations. I'm going to post them on Monday (official nominations come out on Tuesday), so get 'em in this weekend. John? Marsha? You're admitting defeat already...? :-)
Gary
2/4/03
There's some news on Erika's page. (Good for you, Erika -- tell us more!) And there are some new reviews on the reviews page too.
Sean
2/4/03
So, last Sunday Lauren & I went to the shopping mall on N 27th st. I went into Radio Shack and she went into The Dollar Store. When I left Radio Shack I went to The Dollar Store. We then both left there and got into the truck. I noticed in the stall in front of me and to the left was a running car with a guy, about my age, sitting in the passenger seat. I didn't think anything of it until I seen another guy run to the car with a computer box under his arm. He opend the door and tossed the box to his friend, who put it in the back seat. Lauren said, "Did they just steal that?" I looked at the guys plate number. The guy jumped in the car and tore out of the parking lot. We then got out of the truck and went into Radio Shack. A few people inside were talking about what had just happend and were pointing to the direction they went. The people working didn't even see the guy take the computer and leave. I told the guy their plate number and he called the police.
Gary
2/3/03
We're getting a pretty good hit! I usually drive home for lunch, but today I stopped at the door, thought about it for a while as I watched the blizzardy snow, then bought a bag of chips at the vending machine and came back to my office. Like Mom said, it is supposed to be over this afternoon some time, but for now it is a real storm!
Karen
2/3/03
The snow is missing most of Sioux City. We had rain last night and some snow flurries this morning and windy, but very little on the ground.
Grandma
2/3/03
Well, the snow that wasn't coming is here. Ground is almost covered and snowing and blowing, think they said it would move out by afternoon, who knows? The Columbia tragedy is really awful, I am happy that the Metcalf's were as far from it as they are. I remember the Challenger also, first reaction to the explosion then, that I had, was it must be another part of the lift off until the announcers reacted.
I remember seeing the teacher's husband and children in the crowd. And how depressed we all were for a long time. Good news about anything is in short supply lately. My plumbing woes seem extremely insignificant. A full blown winter storm going on right now.
Gary
2/3/03
Happy Monday everybody. Just a quick note of apology for accidentally dropping two notes from this page, from January 29th -- but they are now restored.
I guess the groundhog said six more weeks of winter, because we have snowflakes in the air right now as I write this (8:30 am). Not much is expected here, but I think Sioux City is more in the path of this one...?
Oh, one more thing: If you want to make your predictions for the Best Picture nominations, please do so soon! The official nominations come out next Tuesday, so I will post our predictions on Monday -- a week from today. So please get your predictions in by this weekend. So far I have heard from Amanda, Donna, Emily, Lindsey, Samantha -- and me. Last year, nine people played along (Amanda, Donna, Gary, Grandma, John, Lindsey, Marsha, Paul, and Samantha), and Donna won by picking all five correctly!
Amanda
2/2/03
I too remember the Challenger, and after talking to Ryan about it, we figured out he either was a SLOW learner, or couldn't count right. He would have been 10, and I don't know too many 10 year old first graders. I remember it because my 3rd grade teacher was the #2 pick to go on the Challenger in the slot for the teacher. Tristen is now pointing out EVERYONE who doesn't have their flags at "half spot." We don't have winter weather here today, a high expected at 80, but it's supposed to get cold again throughout the week. 40's, if you can call that cold.
Gary
2/2/03
Happy Groundhog Day everybody. I can never remember what seeing the shadow or not seeing the shadow means, so we're either having six more weeks or winter or we're not. For a couple of good Groundhog Day sites, go here and here! (They might be kind of busy (slow) today.)
Re: The shuttle tragedy: Ryan, I agree it would be great if Congress decided to increase funding for the space program, but I will bet that the effect will be the opposite -- our cowardly lawmakers will start the old "should we be in space at all?" argument and use this as an excuse to trim their budget even more. Funny, many more people die in car crashes every year yet Congress never asks "should mankind be driving?"
Karen
2/2/03
We wondered if the Texans would be able to see or hear anything. Glad to know you're OK. Erika came out at 8 Sat morning telling us that her cartoons were interupted to say that Texas was under a state of emergency. I remember the Challenger explosion too, I was much older than first grade though....
Ryan
2/1/03
Hey everyone, I wanted to tell everyone that we're alright down here. In light of recent events. I remember being in 1st grade when the Challenger exploded. That definitely changed my outlook on space travel. Now that the space shuttle Columbia didnt make it back I hope that this pushes Congress to push for more funding on newer types of space shuttles. That would be more up to date with todays technology. On a lighter note, me and Amanda we're both up at the time that the Columbia was reentering the atmosphere. We thought that Teghan was kicking the wall because it sounded wierd. Like a loud booming sound. Anyway history is writing itself once more before our eyes. I cant get over the events that are happening today. Maybe Im just watching the news more. At any rate I just wanted to say hi, and hope everyone is doing alright.
***EMILY***
2/1/03
Hi Tristen and Teghan, we just got your card you sent us! All the pictures you drew are really cute! Thanx again! :)