We had a wonderful Chistmas (dispite my cursi...

December 31, 2003 by Seraph in Cortez

We had a wonderful Chistmas (dispite my cursings) visiting with family.
Work has been quiet enough for us to catch up a bit. It's nice to remember to color of my desk! I spent this morning closing out 2003 folders and opening up new ones for 2004.
Tonight we are scheduled to go to the Opera with Mom and Hunni. Isa is staying with some friends, though she's not to keen on the idea.
Much love to all in the new year!

Icy snow on the ground this morning

December 30, 2003 by Adam in Adam

Icy snow on the ground this morning. I trudged to work, avoiding any issues with bikes or cars that may have resulted in an accident. Still, the sidewalks were quite slippery.

I've been having headaches since last night, though I seem to have them at bay at the moment. A combination of Advil and cafe mochas seem to take care of just about anything. Of course, now I'm feeling jittery and tired at the same time, never a good sign.

Work is strangely busy, even during this holiday break. Lots of things going on, big and small.

Snow covers the ground all about

December 30, 2003 by Adam in Family

Snow covers the ground all about. I made it home through the slush last night, but now it's frozen and there aren't very many snow plows in Lane County to keep the streets all clear. So, I'm getting ready to gear up and walk to work. I've been trying from home, but the network connection keeps going down and Jamie keeps handing me Emma. Time to brave the snow.

We might be getting some sort of illness. I've had headaches since last night and Sam's a bit warm. We'll see.

I swam to work this morning

December 29, 2003 by Adam in Family

I swam to work this morning. At least it felt that way, with the rain pouring down and the massive puddles on the road. At the moment, there's snowflakes out the window, though they're not sticking. I also have my shoes off and I'm drying off my socks. It may be time to switch to my car again. Sigh.

I was pretty frazzled last night. Too much holiday excitement, I think. The latest Lord of the Rings movie was great and somehow Sam survived the three and a half hours.

Today it's back to work and hopefully a little normalcy. Leaving Emma this morning was pretty tough as she was all happy smiles.

We have had a great Christmas here in Rochester

December 29, 2003 by Dorothy in Danica Miller

We have had a great Christmas here in Rochester. Everyone got lots of presents in spite of the fact that Danica had said it would be scaled down this year with everyone out of work.
Too much food as usual but very good – lots of cookies and fruitcake we had made earlier.
I seemed to have gone to more open houses this year than ever. Everyone at Wesbury has been wonderful to me and I am having an afternoon tea and snacks for some of them on Friday. Our old New Years Eve crowd will go to the Country Club for lunch! No more roaring around all night in our old age. Jed's Mom and Sam have arrived in my neighborhood. I don't know how they will like it after being so long in Arizona. We have had very warm and clear weather. Glad you got to see some snow.

Happy New Year. Love, Dorothy

Lots of fun in the snow yesterday

December 28, 2003 by Adam in Family

Lots of fun in the snow yesterday. We drove out highway 58 until the white stuff came down in sheets. The drive was a bit long, but well worth it.

We ran through snowy forest paths, had several snowball fights, built a snowman, then drank hot chocolate in the car. Great fun.

Today Sam and I hope to get to the latest Lord of the Rings movie. We're all pretty excited, of course. I'm trying to prepare Sam for a three and a half hour movie, which seems a bit grueling.

We're all back in Eugene now, the week-long C...

December 27, 2003 by Adam in Family

We're all back in Eugene now, the week-long Christmas holiday finally over. Sam got lots of good loot and Emma got endless clothes. Quite the haul for the kids. Jamie and I are trying to return things to normalcy as both kids have been a bit hyped up for the last couple days. I'm not sure we'll be able to pull it off as the weekend plans are already looking fairly exciting.

It was great picking up Sadie in Portland and seeing her again. She and Sam spent a bunch of time playing, including arm wrestling at Judy's house. I got to wish her Merry Christmas when the clocked ticked past midnight after picking her up at the airport.

I think we're going to try to go to the snow today, though my mom is holding a "family planning" event this morning. Hopefully it's not like those in the mafia. Tomorrow, if all goes well, Sam and I will see the final Lord of the Rings movie too.

We're up in Portland, getting ready for Chris...

December 24, 2003 by Adam in Family

We're up in Portland, getting ready for Christmas Eve dinner. Sam's on the floor with Carrie, playing with the tank that grandpa Ray got him as a present. At the moment, they're debating how the ammunition is shot out of the turret. We suspect it's only sound effects, not actual moving projectiles.

The drive up was fairly uneventful and mostly involved trying to help Sam putting his Lego presents together. We opened up a couple things before we came up. Jamie actually seemed to appreciate the intercom system I got her. All that pounding on the floor to call for dinner suggested that it might be desired.

It turns out Judy figured out how to fire the tank. I guess it took a woman's touch.

Well, I've got the tree up, most of the cards...

December 24, 2003 by Sue in Wielesek

Well, I've got the tree up, most of the cards out, and most presents bought. Thank heavens for gift bags. I've made it through the holiday season until just about an hour ago, when I started to weep in the middle of Sidney Roark's booth at Fifth Street Public Market. They fussed over me, much as women plump up and smooth a pillow, and I was okay.

I had an interesting observation from Dr. Friedrich, my shrink. I usually see him once a year, just to make sure my anti-depressants are okay, but after Dick died, I decided I should go in once a month for a while. Seraph and his secretary, both knowing my general level of ditziness, made appointments ahead. After three or four months, he and I decided I wasn't nuts enough to come in regularly, but we neglected to tell Seraph and Nancy. I ran into Nancy at Stephanie and Rich's party; she apologized that I was still on their schedule, but if she and Seraph thought I should see Dr. Friedrich, I really shouldn't be second guessing them. So I zipped in last week, and we actually had a rather nice chat about his back surgery. It was the same day the RG carried the blurb about the "ghost" at King Henry VIII showing up on the security camera photos. I asked him what paranormal experience his patients referred to most which he didn't discount as the rambling of a deranged mind. He said it had to be people talking about feeling the presence of someone after their death.

Sadie will be home tonight! Love to all, and remember that
the sun will come back again yet one more year.

Generic Heading

December 24, 2003 by Betsy in Betsy

Merry Christmas and many blessings to all!!!

It's been quite the whirlwind weekend, slowly...

December 23, 2003 by Adam in Family

It's been quite the whirlwind weekend, slowly trying to get ready for Christmas while taking care of two kids. I think most of our presents are under control at this point, though it took awhile.

This morning was also the time for Sam and Emma's doctor checkup. Both are big and healthy. Sam's three foot ten inches and Emma's in the 90th percentile in weight. They also both had shots and aren't feeling great. Sam was incredibly brave, getting three shots and not crying a drop. The last one was a bit tougher because he knew what was coming.

The Christmas whirlwind begins tomorrow. Hopefully we'll all survive and have a bit of fun as well.

Happy Hanukah Yayoe! And Apooh- thanks for...

December 20, 2003 by Sadie in Sadie & Greg

Happy Hanukah Yayoe!

And Apooh- thanks for pickin' me up.

Mmm

December 19, 2003 by Adam in Family

Mmm . . . Mocha Friday, my second favorite time of the week (the first being weekend breakfasts). I think we have Sadie's flight all figured out. We're picking her up at the airport in Portland and Jamie's parents are going with me so that I don't have terrible flashbacks of getting lost on the bus in Portland when I was five.

Sam called this morning to inform me that they'd discovered the little chocolates I had put in people's stocking. I think Jamie was in on the scheme as she made him split it with her.

Bioware sent along a little package and Chr...

December 19, 2003 by Adam in Adam's Games

Like Sam used to say when he was about two, "...

December 18, 2003 by Sue in Wielesek

Like Sam used to say when he was about two, "I'm runnning, and runnning and runnning." The house is a mess, the tree is still on the back porch, and I haven't sent cards. I'm not sure how I will get the tree up. That is a job which requires a male person down on his hands and knees, swearing. Where's Dick when I need him? Hugs and good will. om

Work this morning was overwhelming, sorting t...

December 18, 2003 by Adam in Family

Work this morning was overwhelming, sorting through all the e-mails from when I was gone. I'm feeling dazed now, though my list is somewhat manageable. Hopefully by tomorrow it won't be quite as insane.

Last night was fun, with Seraph, Robbie, and Isabell over for dinner. Isa is evidently a big Lord of the Rings fan, so she and Sam ran around in the basement with swords and helmets while the grown ups chatted.

Wacky days

December 17, 2003 by Adam in Family

Wacky days. It seems as if the Christmas mayhem is beginning. I envy the days of my youth when I was blissfully unaware of all the chaos that seems to swirl about during the holidays. Like Seraph, I'm frantically gathering up Christmas presents. We'll see if I can actually get everything organized.

Work has been weird lately. We're having off-site all-day meetings about "standards". I admit to being a tad unenthusiastic about the issues, strongly suspecting that very little will actually be accomplished. A nice thing about it is that the meetings are in the old Vet's building. I've been getting up, having breakfast with my family, then walking the five blocks over. Yesterday I even came home for lunch. Pretty neat.

I've unfortunately started resorting to waking up very early to get things done. This morning I was up a little after 4 am, drinking Chai Tea down in the basement (which now has a frige). I checked e-mail, this website, and now should probably take a shower and start thinking about turning into a real person.

Piss and Shit (as my mother says)

December 16, 2003 by Seraph in Cortez

Piss and Shit (as my mother says). It just dawned on me yesterday that we are a week from Christmas. I hope everyone is content getting strange bits and peices of things I find around the house! (Just kidding)
Next time any of you see Mom, pat her on the back, as she just kicked ass in a 2 year long case!
(Sorry, I realize that this is a family web site, and I used three swear words, and it's only Tuesday! Well, next time I'll just write it as Merry #%*&! Christmas!)

Apooh, The reason the fam thought you could ...

December 16, 2003 by Sadie in Sadie & Greg

Apooh,
The reason the fam thought you could pick me up is because you'd already be in Portland visiting Jamie's family. If that's not the case, please do what you feel comfortable with.

My real email address is sadierynmiller@hotmail.com

Much time has come and gone between my last p...

December 15, 2003 by Betsy in Betsy

Much time has come and gone between my last posting. I don't have anything to report in other than life keeps chugging along as Adam says. I don't ever really have time to do much of anything once school starts. Academics are grueling for Patrick and Will is just busy. Regardless of his leg and knee problems he is doing Special Olymics basketball this year. We will be seeing a specialist in January about the possibility of Botox injections in his legs. Patrick has started confirmation at church and I sometimes wonder if he'll follow in great grandparent traditions and be a minister. Lots of life to live first.
If I don't get a chance to post again in the next 10 days I hope that you all have a blessed Christmas. With much love. P.

The weekend came and went like a blur

December 15, 2003 by Adam in Family

The weekend came and went like a blur. I'm finally getting some of my Christmas things organized. We went out shopping yesterday and I picked up a few goodies. I also managed to finish up some of the things I'm making and Jamie helped wrap them up.

I took the kids to the park yesterday, which Sam thought was great and Emma looked about intently. It was raining off and on and puddles were everywhere. I mentioned that he should be careful not to get water in his boots. Within a minute, he was slogging about in water-filled footware. That was only fun for about ten minutes, then he got cold and we headed home for a shower, discussing the merits of listening to your parents' advice.

My grandfather came over last night with my mom and we had a nice dinner together. It's pretty neat seeing Sam with his great-grandfather. I remember my great-grandmother Sadie when I was a kid, even across all the years.

The next few days are going to be a bit odd. Jamie's helping out at Sam's preschool today, so I suspect she'll be a bit frazzled tonight. I've got two days of off-site meetings, fortunately just five blocks from my house. I'm not really looking forward to it, as I'd rather be at my desk getting work done.

Emma hit another milestone yesterday

December 15, 2003 by Adam in Emma

Emma hit another milestone yesterday. She can now sit up by herself. It's funny how focused we were on Sam when he started sitting up, giving him little "sit up" tests from day to day. With Emma, it was mostly a 30 second "yep, she's sitting up", then back to our nutty evening.

Emma's also been very Jamie-focused these days. I can carry her about if she's been recently fed or had a good nap, but as soon as she sees her mom, she starts to whine and cry. For the most part, though, she's a very good girl.

I keep waiting for a real crawl too. At the moment, she mostly pulls herself across the floor on her belly. She can get up on hands and knees quite well, though doesn't quite have the coordination down.

My computer room was moved back to the baseme...

December 14, 2003 by Adam in Adam's Projects

My computer room was moved back to the basement last week. It feels so much nicer down here. Much more space and I don't disturb Jamie's sleeping anymore. Often times I'll have a kid or two down here with me, but that tends to just add flavor to the mix.

My dad works away on the control panel, which is my next addition. That big hole in the wall is where I'll be putting my server monitor and the power switches for the server and my main computer. The actual boxes will be in my closet on the other side of the wall, with cables running through insulated holes to keep the sound down. My server in particular is extremely loud.

It was a nutty, busy day for me yesterday

December 14, 2003 by Adam in Family

It was a nutty, busy day for me yesterday. Sam woke up at the crack of dawn and it seemed as if I was watching one kid or another until I went to bed. I took both kids to the bank and then the library in the morning, then later that night Jamie went off to a friend's for dinner while I managed both kids. In between, it was a bit easier as I was typically just watching one kid.

That seems my primary job on weekends these days. Somehow I manage to do the normal day-to-day things such as laundry and shopping, though it's often hard to do. Jamie worked on finishing up some basement tasks and I worked on my Christmas presents a bit more. Slowly making progress.

Sadie - your hotmail account (sadiemiller@hotmail

December 12, 2003 by Adam in Family

Sadie - your hotmail account (sadiemiller@hotmail.com) doesn't seem to be working.

I'm trying to get in touch with you about your travel plans. We're wondering if it's easier to put you up in a hotel for the night, then grab you in the morning on our way back home. Give us a call this weekend if you can.

Ah, Friday

December 12, 2003 by Adam in Adam

Ah, Friday. The mocha this morning was quite tasty and has managed to get me mostly through the day. Life with kids does seem to be an endless blur, though there are some bright moments of joy hidden amongst the chaos.

I finished watching the new Battlestar Galactica last night. I've decided it's pretty cool - much more "adult" than the version of my childhood. Great special effects and more dark and interesting characters. Hope it turns into a series.

The weekend approaches. We're having various family members over for dinner the next few days. I've got to get my Christmas presents together. There's also a bunch of last-minute remodel things to take care of. No rest for the weary.

All is well in sunny Noho

December 12, 2003 by Sadie in Sadie & Greg

All is well in sunny Noho. The fourteen inches of snow has melted clean with yesterday's rain, and we are left only with wind chill. Anna is neck deep in finals, studying as I type, and I am just plowing through the christmas retail season.

Here is my flight information, for Adam's benefit. BTW, thanks for the ride.

Arrive in Portland on Dec 24th, 10:45 pm on Delta 441. Leave Portland at 7:00 am on December 31st.

hugs,
sadie

Back from Florida

December 11, 2003 by Sue in Wielesek

Back from Florida. Dad and I did some exploring this trip. We went into Sarasota to visit cousin Judy. I also got to see the site at Warm Mineral Springs where there was an archeological dig. Also, the site of the dig on Marco Island (now covered by condos and streets) of the Calusa Indians. Dad and I drove down to Everglades City, and back through the Everglades...just beautiful, rampant with birds and beasts - wild pigs, fat alligators, and an occasional complacent armadillo. Hope my kids will consider
Florida as a vacation destination with the grandkids. Dad and I got in late Tuesday night, and he seems to be feeling pretty chipper this morning.

The week chugs along

December 10, 2003 by Adam in Family

The week chugs along. The kids were up early this morning, so I entertained them before I went to work while Jamie took a shower (which is a rare and precious thing to her). I've been fighting a touch of the "crud", though it seems much better today. Yesterday my advil and coffee trick worked just great.

Last night we had Jon and Kate over. They recently moved to Eugene from the east coast and Jon is the son of my aunt's close friend. It was nice to pretend to be grownups for at least a little while. It's so rare to have anyone over to our house these days.

I'm also trying hard to finalize Christmas plans this year. It sounds like we'll be heading up to Portland for Christmas Eve, then coming back to Eugene for Christmas Day. I'm not sure what the scoop with Sadie is exactly. I think people are under the impression that we'll be picking her up, though I don't know any of the details.

We've been running around like beheaded chick...

December 09, 2003 by Seraph in Cortez

We've been running around like beheaded chickens at work. I'm not sure why it is that all hell breaks lose the second the boss steps on an airplane - Murphy's Law I suppose.
Robbie and I have been trying to get our house into the holiday spirit. We set up the Christmas Village and he put up lights outside yesterday.
Last week we went to the holiday open house/party at the Springfield Historical Society. Isa mostly enjoyed dancing to the band.
Tonight we are going to the Scottish Christmas concert at the Hult Center. Each year we try to do one holiday thing where it's just the two of us. The only near conflict was a new Charlie Brown Christmas special that is airing tonight. But Robbie has the VCR ready to record, so we can go ahead with our plans!

Sam and I just finished Knights of the Old ...

December 09, 2003 by Adam in Adam's Games

It's the end of a three day weekend, slowly c...

December 08, 2003 by Adam in Family

It's the end of a three day weekend, slowly coming to a close. Friday was pretty hectic, though I'm not quite sure what I did. Jamie went off to have a very nice massage while I watched Emma. Later, I tried to watch both kids, but once again realized how tough Jamie's job really is.

Mostly we've been hanging out at the house trying to get the last of the remodel issues taken care of. I moved my computers back downstairs, though there's still much to do. My dad now has all the parts he needs to make my cool computer panel and that'll hopefully be done. In the meantime, I've been enjoying my new office and having a good time playing with Sam in the rec room.

The remaining big item is getting the plumbing done, mostly the new sink that goes into the counter. After that, we'll move the refrigerator back and hook up the microwave. Then we'll be fully operational.

MOM!! If you have a chance to read this call...

December 05, 2003 by Seraph in Cortez

MOM!! If you have a chance to read this call the office!! The number you gave me for grandpa is incorrect!!

Wacky day at work

December 04, 2003 by Adam in Adam

Wacky day at work. Typically, the holidays start quieting down, but it seems the opposite this year. At the moment, I'm waiting for another team to grant me security to do something, even though I can technically do it myself (though it would require doing things that would probably get me fired). Sigh.

I can't wait to move into the office this weekend. Hopefully my dad and I can get the computer setup started more seriously. He'll probably cart off the control panel for assembly. With luck, we can also get some holes cut in the wall. I think Jamie will be quite appreciative of having everyone out of her hair in the evenings.

Well, it's my Friday today, even though it's ...

December 04, 2003 by Adam in Family

Well, it's my Friday today, even though it's really Thursday. I'm taking tomorrow off so that I can watch Emma while she goes off to get a massage. I'm hoping that the rest of the day can be spent working on Christmas presents. I'm pretty sure I know what I want to do, it's just somewhat time consuming.

This morning it was Emma who was up early. Jamie called over the baby monitor to tell me to take her away for diaper changing and entertainment. I ate breakfast with her balanced on one knee. She kept wacking on the keyboard while I was trying to read my morning news.

Off to Florida! Be back on Tuesday

December 04, 2003 by Sue in Wielesek

Off to Florida! Be back on Tuesday...

Emma's getting very close to crawling

December 03, 2003 by Adam in Emma

Emma's getting very close to crawling. Last night we were celebrating the new carpet in the basement and I plunked her down to give it the "baby test". She promptly started doing pushups, getting her entire body on her hands and toes. She doesn't quite have the balance for her knees yet, but I can see that day is coming soon. Already she can scoot herself about and roll around the room.

Sam woke up at 4 am this morning

December 03, 2003 by Adam in Sam

Sam woke up at 4 am this morning. He fell out of bed and Jamie couldn't get him back to sleep. I ended up entertaining him until it was time to go to work.

He's developed some funny expressions. One of them is "to the power of Google", which represents a really huge number to him. We were talking about big numbers one day and I mentioned Google (1 with 100 zeros after it), then talked about a Googleplex, which is Google to the Google power. He's even got other kids at preschool saying it.

This morning he also told me, "Being a grown up is pretty cool. You can hold your pee for a long time and don't move around like me." Evidently the pinnacle of adulthood involves mastery over your waste disposal processes.

Another busy day at work over and done with

December 03, 2003 by Adam in Family

Another busy day at work over and done with. I'm hoping the pace slows down over the holidays, or at least I take some time off to relax a bit. The carpet, trim, and doors did indeed go in today. The carpet was a major addition, as we've been carefully walking around in shoes for the last few weeks. Jamie has been regularly awakened by my "clomp, clomp, clomp" of sandals going up the stairs.

Sam seemed to enjoy the carpet as well. He started tearing around in a big circle around the basement, through the new door that connects the office with the rec room. I'm still getting used to the idea that I can go through the new door as I'm so used to going around the other way.

It's looking like it'll be finished up by the end of the week. The electrician comes Friday, with more carpentry and plumbing before then. With luck, I'll be moving all my computer gear down ten feet within the next few days.

Robbie celebrated a happy, though quiet, 31st...

December 02, 2003 by Seraph in Cortez

Robbie celebrated a happy, though quiet, 31st birthday yesterday. He appears remarkably upbeat about his 32nd year of life. (The Seahawks actually managed to win their game this weekend which helped!)
We have been working away at the holidays. It feels a bit like one endless project after another! At least we are not remodeling anything this year - my sympathies to Adam and Jamie.

Hi, just sent Anita and John off to the airport

December 02, 2003 by Sue in Wielesek

Hi, just sent Anita and John off to the airport. I think they had a good time. We saw the northern Oregon coast, which is beautiful any time of the year, and had a lovely trip to Ashland. We were in Ashland for the tree lighting and annual arrival of Santa Claus, who came out onto a second story balcony with Ms. Claus. Apparently, the Clauses usually arrive some other way for the celebration, leading the woman next to me to say, "Why, that's not the real Santa Claus!"

The cabinets and countertops did indeed go up...

December 02, 2003 by Adam in Family

The cabinets and countertops did indeed go up yesterday, along with the vinyl floor and doors. The rumor is that we'll get carpet today too. It's pretty exciting to see it close to completion. I can't wait to move my computers and work stuff out of the craft room, along with Sam's Legos and other toys.

Yesterday was pretty busy at work, though not overwhelmingly so. I think everyone is getting back from Thanksgiving, realizing that they hadn't finished their projects yet, so they've been turning to me to get things done. Swell.

Yet more painting yesterday

December 01, 2003 by Adam in Family

Yet more painting yesterday. I wasn't quite such a maniac as previous days. I probably spent a couple hours working on trim and doors while Angie, Matthew, and Victoria came over to help us out. I also tried to keep an eye on kids as best I could, hopefully giving Jamie some breaks before I head back to work.

I've gotten used to the lazy mornings and kids running about. It'll be strange to return to the nine to five (well, seven to four) of the work week.

Supposedly I'll be returning today to major progress on the remodel. We're scheduled to get the vinyl put down in the kitchen area, cabnets going up, all the doors hung, and trim put up on the walls. We'll see how it goes, but that seems like a huge amount of work to me. After that, it's electrical, plumbing, and carpets. I can't wait to get things back to normal.