Grandma
12/31/07

Happy New Year, Everyone!!!

Well, I meant of course by email or phone -- just thought maybe you could give her some pointers as she wants to get involved with it. Still plenty of time: 361 days til Christmas! :-) --Gary

[LATER: Ooops! Had the wrong name (my own!) on this post for the past day. Now fixed. Sorry, Emily!]

A reminder that our front page will be getting a little makeover on January 1. On that date, the contact page will disappear, so if you need to copy down any of the info, do so before then.

Feel better Teghan, Tristen, and Ryan!

Emily, I've been thinking about a system for doing the Christmas list, but don't have anything concrete yet. Could you give me a little time to work it out? Or maybe we could work on it together soon...? If I can't get a system to work, then you can do a list as usual. --Gary

Thanks properly go to Donna and her new camera. :-) --Gary

Big thanks to Livy for gifting me with a great Italian meal in a basket. Can't wait to fix it! Thanks to the Nelsons for the jarful of goodies (in the convenient Chinese take-out box!) -- and to the Hatgidakis household for the cool desk-toy doodads which will make me the envy of every nerd at work. :-)

Tons of good food at Grandma's house today, and lots of fun when Lindsey, Livy, Sean, Teghan, and Tristen came over, bringing assorted parents with them.

(Oh, P.S.: No new front page tomorrow. I did make up pages taking us into the new year, but I left them on my computer at work. So it may be a day or two before I get over there and grab 'em. Also: Watch for a front page makeover, unveiling on January 1!)

Thank you for all the birthday wishes everyone. I had a pretty fun birthday. Started out at Cheesecake Factory in Omaha with Dad, Mom, and Liv in the afternoon and a little shopping. Then went out to eat with Matt and some friends at Grisanti's and then they had a surprise party for me at his house which was really fun.

I finished school Friday, will have finals when I go back in January. Then I will only have two classes, Anatomy & Physiology and Government & Politics. Should be a pretty easy schedule and that will allow me to work mornings at work since I'll get out early enough.

Pretty excited for Christmas too seeing all the lights and decorations!

Two days ago, I stopped at the light at 33rd and Cornhusker, and a big truck pulled up behind me. From my side mirror, I saw the driver -- a big bearded guy in a blue shirt and vest, cowboy hat and sunglasses -- climb down from the cab and walk toward me. He tapped on my window and I opened up. I was expecting him to say something like, "Hey, buddy, you better get that tire looked at!" (I'm kinda paranoid about tires lately -- see October 8.) But instead he sticks a big paw in my face and says, "I want to shake your hand!" He gestured toward my "Impeach Bush" ribbons in my rear window and went on to say he was a Vietnam vet (had spent two years there) and was sickened to watch Bush "do the same d*** thing in Iraq!" We shook hands again, he got back in his truck, the light changed, and off we went.

Enjoy your Christmas Eve, everybody. It is quite possibly the best day of the whole year. :-)

Baking question for you, the Pineapple Pecan cookies -- the recipe you have on here doesn't have a listing for soda. It does take soda, right? I dug out a recipe I had & it has soda on there... Just wanted to make sure.

We are going to do some baking tomorrow, I hope it goes well. Then we start our Christmases on Sunday afternoon/night. Christmas Eve Eve we are calling it. My mom, Sean & Shelby are coming over. Then Monday I have off work (cough, cough, thanks President Bush, cough, choke) & we are doing Christmas Eve at our house with the Metcalfs. Then Christmas morning our first at the house! We are very excited! Then, I assume as usual we will go to Dad's & then over to grandmas. We will need to nail down some times, and I need to know if I should bring anything.

Grandma & Donna (and Gary of course, just don't know if you are into that kind of thing), if you aren't doing anything tonight come by our house after it's dark so you can see the lights outside & then come on in to see it decorated. I should have invited you over sooner, because tonight is really the last night we will be home alone to let you in! If you are busy, I understand. Let me know.

I don't think we are going to drive around & look at lights this year. We don't really have the time for it now, and I have come to the conclusion that not many people decorated because of the weather this year. I think if you did it early (like Ryan thankfully did) you were OK, but if you waited til December, you never got a chance. I just haven't noticed as much out this year.

Well, again, apologies for the inconvenience. It's funny: UPS has clearly focused a lot of attention on their customer relations (where apparently FedEx hasn't), because in my experience UPS drivers and counter personnel are unfailingly cheerful and helpful, especially at this time of year. Hope you get the package tomorrow with a minimum of hassle. On the bright side, there's nothing perishable inside... --Gary

I made yet another call to try to get them to deliver on Friday (I even get out at 1 tomorrow), but they said no -- tried 3 times. I talked to them for awhile trying to get something accomplished. She finally checked with the driver and he said he would leave it in the office tomorrow and I could pick up it there. She gave me the address -- I had her repeat it, because it was a strange one to me -- found out it isn't a SC office, but a Sargent Bluff (about 10 miles outside the city). So HOPEFULLY tomorrow after school I can pick it up -- if not it will be coming back to Lincoln.

Ready for this week to be over -- major christmas program at school and way too many practices, I know most of the lines by heart now. It is tonight, unfortuntely the flu is hitting the school hard (four sent home today) and the 3 and 4 grades have lice going through there (3 more sent home with that) it will be interesting to see how it all goes. Erika and I both get out early tomorrow -- then off til 3rd. Emily is done tomorrow for two weeks and Brent is also taking 10 days off. I am ready for it!!

So sorry about the package. My fault. We went FedEx rather than UPS just because it was closer to get to on that snowy, icy day. And when they asked if a signature was required, I just automatically said yes. All that aside, it sounds like they're being a little weird about it -- promising to deliver it after 3 but still making the attempt in the morning, and then being hardnosed about sending it back after three attempts. Next year: UPS. Anyway, my fault -- sorry for all the inconvenience. --Gary

Also, kind of similar. I uncovered a scam on the Lincoln Journal Star the other day. I always browse though classifieds & came across an ad for a dog I might like some day, I emailed the address provided & got this back:

Thanks for your interest in my lovely baby . She is still very much available for new home.She is 10 weeks old she is 4ls at full grown.She is AKC registered and her shots are given up to date,she is vet checked and healthy.All her papers will accompany her, But right now i am in africa on a Christian mission with my wife and we have her right here with us.We are going to ship her to you via Express pets delivery on next day delivery after shippment through a shipping agent ,i am leaving her for $400 Including shipping.An the payment will be made via Western Union. to the shipping agent.If you are interested in having her, i want you to get back to me with your full name,address including the nearest airport to you.Please if you know that you are not going to take very good care of my baby do not reply me because i am only giving her out because we dont have time to take care of her again due to the mission work before us here.Await your response. Thanks and God bless..

Wow. A new version of the Nigerian bank scam. Good work, Detective! As to the contact page, I sort of agree. There's nothing on there that couldn't be found some other way, but why make it easy for someone to collect it? I do like the convenience of having all the info in one place. But there are other ways to do that, even on a webpage (I'll do some research). Anyone else have thoughts on this? Unless someone makes a compelling case to keep it (or change it), I will take it down. --Gary

Ah, the power of the internet! :-) --Gary

Hey Emily, I have been meaning to ask: How are you feeling? And Brent? And John?

Actually, the only LOTR characters who appear in "The Hobbit" are Gandalf, Bilbo, Elrond, and Gollum. Gollum/Smeagol will be played again by Andy Serkis, Elrond (the elf ruler of Rivendell and the father of Arwen) will be played again by Hugo Weaving, and Gandalf will definitely be played again by Ian McKellen, who said years ago he would be back for "The Hobbit" whenever/wherever.

Bilbo presents some difficulties. Ian Holm will be in his 80s when filming starts, and he would be required to play a very much younger Bilbo. So it's likely that another actor will be cast for this role.

The biggest surprise in all this was the announcement that Jackson is doing not one but TWO movies, filmed simultaneously. The first will be "The Hobbit" as the story appears in the book (Bilbo's finding of the ring), and the second will be about the events occurring in the 60-some years between the end of that book and the beginning of "The Lord of the Rings" -- events which certainly include Gandalf and Aragorn, and will very likely include many other LOTR characters like Boromir, Eowyn, Saruman, and others. These events all occurred "offscreen" in the books and were only related in flashbacks, etc., so this second movie will all be new and unexplored territory -- and will bring the story right up to where the "Fellowship of the Ring" begins, making all five films one seamless whole. So, woo-hoo! Here we go again! :-)

Note to the Hatgidakis and Nelson families: parcels are now en route to you, via FedEx. Should be there approximately Wednesday.

And one week from today is what...? That's right, Christmas Eve!

My neighbor cats were all three over this morning and they have left lots of paw prints in the snow, they don't make snow angels or snowmen, T. & t. I heard you made bunch's of those. Better get back to reading, may think of something that should be done! Get well, everyone!! By the way, Gary, if you need a bit of cheer, just look at your card you sent this year!! I do!!

Well, that helps a little, I guess... :-) --Gary

I managed to get my car doors open yesterday afternoon, and then spent an hour chipping the 1/4-inch layer of ice off all the windows. When I got the windshield free of ice, I discovered a bunch of long cracks running through it. I must have whacked it too hard with the ice scraper.... So, Monday morning a glass guy is coming out to replace it. (And no, I'm not insured for that.)

Hatgidakis's, I agree with Karen: the webpage needs that Santa/Sunny picture! Email it to me if it's electronic; otherwise, you can mail me the picture, and I will scan it and mail it right back.

I'm having one more snow day today, myself. My car doors are like welded shut. Most of the problem is that the rubber seals around the doors in my poor old car are not so good any more, so the rain (before it froze) really worked itself into the door. I'm thinking pouring warm water on it might only make it worse, but I might try that this afternoon. What I really need is some sunshine and warm temps. Meanwhile, it's all hot chocolate and catching up on my TiVo. :-)

Just two weeks today until Christmas, think I am almost ready. Just a few more gifts to buy, did make a couple of cookies this week-end and Erika put the tree up on Friday. All of the Nelson's will be here the Sunday before Christmas -- so I will have to do some cooking before then too. Enjoy your days off!

Jeez, Emily, Merry Christmas! :-( Hope you (and your car) feel better soon! --Gary

Just now looked at the cool site. I'm guessing this is where we can find you the perfect Christmas present?

I was going for a theme there, yes. --Gary

My friend from Colorado, whom I mentioned below, reported on their snowfall: forty inches of dense wet snow. To clear her walks and driveway, she had to make three passes with the snowblower, taking a foot of snow at a time. Yikes! In the nearby small town, the snowplows grade the snow to the center of the streets rather than to the curb; and the mountain of snow in the street stands at around fifteen feet high!

Stop, I'm blushing! --Gary

Enjoy your snow day, Livy! Watch some movies, play on the computer, make some snacks. Or, check out these recent cool sites: one -- two -- three -- four -- five -- six. Have fun and let us know how you're keeping busy. :-) --Gary

In my email when I got home was a note from a friend who lives up in the Colorado Rockies. She said it has been snowing heavily there for the past 18 hours (since around 6 last night); but, being Colorado, they didn't cancel school but instead let the kids go home early today, at noon. She said the high school kids are going to spend the afternoon making snowmen up and down the main street in town. They expect it to continue snowing through Sunday, for a total of around three feet. More snow possible here tomorrow (same storm?), but only a couple of inches at most, they say.

P.S. Remember Pearl Harbor!

That bear story was amazing!

Really sad news at Westroads yesterday.

I was wondering if you were out on the road this morning. Good! The interstate must be miserable, so it's a great day to be home. I just got back from taking Mom to her routine doc app't, and the roads were awful -- surprisingly slick, and the snow is at the perfect temperature to gum up your windshield wipers, making visibility a real problem. No fun! Though if you're out walking in it, it is beautiful; and the sound of it falling through the tree branches is amazing. --Gary

Hey, I know it's hard to keep up with the constant stream of our cool sites, but last Monday's was a great one which you shouldn't miss -- a little news story from California told with photos called "'Bearly' Hanging On." It's worth a few minutes of your time.

The Giuliani thing was pretty funny. Which reminds me, Gary, are you taking tomorrow morning off to see Bush speak in Omaha? He's trying to drum up some votes for his buddy Mike Johanns.

I heard about Ron Brown this morning. Good move on Pelini's part, I think. As for seeing Bush in Omaha: No. The only time I will go out of my way to see Bush in person will be for his sentencing. And P.S. to Mike Johanns: Apparently you didn't get the memo, but having Bush campaign for you these days actually lowers your numbers.... --Gary

My pleasure. Glad you liked it! :-) --Gary

Also, while I have the floor (awfully quiet in here!), check out this political ad for Giuliani. (Not to spoil it, but it's a joke ad.)

Gary, Ryan said the EXACT same thing about the wet marks & a street sweeper, though he figured it out on his own not too long after he noticed them.

He was out at 5 this morning going to work. Said side roads are awful, main ones are OK. I don't know if we will get the snow??

Grandma, got the fire going yet? I hear you are all ready for it! Ryan is going to bring more wood to you sometime too. (Saw in the paper a cord of it is $140! Wowza, am I glad Ryan is handy with a chain saw!)

Gary, where did you get the Pelini story? Now we hear ESPN yanked their report, which was the first (main?) one yesterday.

And 80 boxes, really? Are you exaggerating? Or using the little travel size? Wow!

Lincoln's Channel 10 aired the Pelini story (link here), but their source is ESPN, so.... And yeah, 80 boxes is a bit of an exaggeration, but on Nose-Blowing Day 11 that's what it feels like. Too bad about the parade -- I hadn't heard that yet. A good idea, I'm sure, though it must be an organizational nightmare. --Gary

May be old news to some of you, but I just heard it: Bo Pelini will be in Lincoln on Monday for an "announcement," subject undisclosed. I daresay he's not traveling to Lincoln just to say no.... So it sounds like the speculation is over!

Another mystery solved (for me) this morning: On the campus yesterday I was mystified as to why all the sidewalks were wet. It looked as though a little street sweeper had gone over them, and I wondered why they would be putting water on the sidewalks just before a predicted temperature drop. Then as I drove around town, I noticed most of the streets had that same swept/wet look. What was going on? Well, it turns out that, in advance of the predicted freezing rain, all the surfaces were being pre-treated with a new kind of salt solution to prevent ice from forming. Hope it works -- the Christmas parade starts in just a few hours!

P.S.: If anyone wants to donate to my Kleenex Fund, I have sneezed my way through about 80 boxes so far, with no end in sight.... Bleeaahhhh!!