The new baby seems to be doing fine, though t...

December 31, 2001 by Adam in Emma

The new baby seems to be doing fine, though taking quite the toll on Jamie. Poor Jamie was exhausted yesterday, in addition to the typical morning sickness. I don't remember Jamie being quite so tired from carrying Sam.

Well, Sadie, my mom, and Dick made it back sa...

December 31, 2001 by Adam in Family

Well, Sadie, my mom, and Dick made it back safe and sound from Africa. Sam and I headed over for an impromptu gift exchange, Sam returning happy with a couple new Lego sets. I think everyone liked the presents I passed out. A couple Lego gifts given myself, as well as assorted gift certificates, movie tickets, and a bizarre card game.

It's New Year's Eve tonight. I plan on celebrating by sleeping through the transition to 2002. Sam's sleep schedule is getting wacky again. He's been waking up later and going to bed later, fighting sleep all the way. Last night, I made the mistake of turning the channel to an old Godzilla movie. Based on the number of times he said "Don't turn it off!" I think he appreciated it. Unfortunately, that made bedtime close to ten o'clock.

Jamie's been really sleepy lately too. Morning sickness seems to be strongest the first thing in the morning, then exhaustion off and on all day. Pregnancy sure seems like hard work.

I'm hoping to spend some time with Sadie today. I suspect Sam will tag along for much of it. Tomorrow is a last Christmas party at my dad's house, then no more holidays until Valentine's Day. Happy New Year to eveyone!

Destin was at our Christmas party last night

December 31, 2001 by Adam in Jenny

Destin was at our Christmas party last night. He lost his front two teeth, so he was showing them off to everyone. Destin's getting bigger by the day. Together with Jordan, they can probably play as an entire football team.

Sam went to the doctor last Thursday

December 31, 2001 by Adam in Sam

Sam went to the doctor last Thursday. All is well, not even a shot required. He's grown quite a bit. His first annual checkup put him in the 25th percentile in weight, his next at 50th, and this latest at the 75th percentile. In terms of height, he's in his 90th percentile. That's 34 lbs and 3' 3+" for those who like numbers.

Sam's also been on a spelling kick lately. I hooked up the Lego computer in the craft room and Sam wanted to spell things with the keyboard. After a little coaching, he was hunting and pecking like a pro. I asked him to spell "dad", and he did it all by himself. Pretty amazing.

We all went hiking yesterday. Fortunately, Jamie was there and I didn't have to be Princess Leia. Usually, we play Star Wars and pretend we're riding speeder bikes through the forest. Sam actually got tired this time around, even though he loves running as fast as he can down the hill.

SADIE IS HOME!!! We picked her up yesterday a...

December 29, 2001 by Seraph in Cortez

SADIE IS HOME!!! We picked her up yesterday at 4:30. We drove back down and she spent the night at our house, before we took her to her mom's house. The weather was a drastic change for her. She immediately put on warm pants, warm shirt, warm vest, warm scarf, and warm hat on. She looked like an eskimo. So give her a call and learn more about her adventures in Botswana and Zimbabwae, South Africa. Tommorrow, Seraph, Isabell, and maybe Sadie are going to pick up Sue and Dick from the airport. Their plane comes in tonight, but they are staying overnight at the Super 8 hotel.

Getting Ready for the NEW YEAR! Do you know ...

December 28, 2001 by Yayoe in Yayoe

Getting Ready for the NEW YEAR!
Do you know where your old resolutions from years past have gone? Not to worry...they are still hovering around and waiting for you to re-establish them for 2002. As you all know I'm into my frantic, maniacial cleaning frenzy. Throwing stuff away, eating up all the junk food left in the house, cleaning,cleaning, ignoring dirt in hard to reach places, paying bills, finishing up last minute black-mail/extortion letters and writing to old friends. I haven't developed my list of 2002 resolutions but will do so very soon. Each year I keep a "year in review" record of the highlights of the year. If you want any historical information I may have it! So enough for now. Stop reading this and get to work on cleaning your houses both literally and metaphorically.

I'm back at work after five days off

December 27, 2001 by Adam in Family

I'm back at work after five days off. We were all pretty beat after driving down from Portland on Tuesday. We stopped by Jamie's dad house for an impromptu Christmas, then back to our very cold house. It took several hours for the fireplace to heat everything to a normal temperature, so we huddled in the living room sipping cocoa. We had our family Christmas, with Sam having the most fun with his new Legos.

The next day we spent puttering around the house and buying groceries for our reduced stockpiles. Yayoe dropped off some more presents, adding yet more Star Wars Legos to Sam's arsenal. I probably spent two hours over both days putting together all the various toys. Great fun.

The one really odd thing we got this year was a talking Jar Jar Binks doll that Sam got from Angie. Unfortunately, it announces the time every hour, usually with an oddly phrased Gungan quip. Late last night, Jamie brought down the doll in her outstreched arms, unable to sleep through it. It now rests in my cubicle, as my coworkers plan its demise.

I just heard from Mom, Dick and Sadie! They ...

December 27, 2001 by Seraph in Cortez

I just heard from Mom, Dick and Sadie! They called this morning while I was scrapping the ice off my car windows. They are doing well, but Sadie said not to mention ice as she was still in summer mode. There's been a slight mix up in the flight schedules and Sadie is getting into Portland tomarrow night at 9pm, and Mom and Dick get in Saturday night - late. We're going to pick up Sadie on Friday, but Mom and Dick will stay at the Super 8 Saturday, and I'll pick them up on Sunday morning.

Hopefully everything goes without a hitch!

Toward the end of the year, I start getting p...

December 26, 2001 by Adam in Adam

Toward the end of the year, I start getting pensive, thinking back on years past and years yet to come. It's been a good Christmas this year. I enjoyed having a few hours last night to have our small family's Christmas. Sam was just waking up, but once that first Lego package came out, he was ready to go. I practically had to force him to open the other presents, as he was so excited about that first one. I spent a good hour assembling the Star Wars submarine. It ended up being much bigger than I expected.

I'm also looking forward to the next Christmas with my side of the family, taking place on January 1st. I suspect there is much holiday cheer and loot just waiting for me. I'm still a little worried about Sadie, my mom, and Dick. It's a strange time to be far away from home.

I keep getting excited about the best Christmas present of all - the new baby. Bringing our household up to four is one of those big family milestones that you can't turn back from. Jamie allows me to pat her tummy from time to time, which brings a smile to my face. I also know how major a change it will be. Goodbye small amounts of free time, hellow sleepless nights and crying babies.

Sam got quite the loot here in Portland, and ...

December 25, 2001 by Adam in Sam

Sam got quite the loot here in Portland, and only the first of three Christmases has passed. He's been playing with the new Lego characters (Darth Vader, Darth Maul, and the evil emperor). The entire present opening ceremony had the noise from Sam's new remote control car going in the background. Every few minutes, Judy would jump with a gasp as the tiny truck raced across the floor.

Sam has also really enjoyed playing with Josh while he's been up here. In the bath, he announced that he wanted to be Josh when he grows up. It hasn't been all roses, however. Josh absconded with one of Sam's toys, and I bugged him about it. Sam repeated, "Josh, do you have issues with sharing?"

Yesterday I panted across aqua painted arrows...

December 24, 2001 by Sadie in Sadie & Greg

Yesterday I panted across aqua painted arrows on a rock mountain upwards, following arrows through rainy season trees, imagining one orange painted antelope encased in plastic, ass all rock painting in the states might be. One imagines a million snotty-nosed parents and their neurotic children taking the same picture of the same little embossed hunter every august. But my scepticism is only true in America.

The trek up rolling yellow and orange lichen-covered granite was a allignment of all things perfect- the sweat, sky, wind, water from an unkown source streaming down hills I've painted all my life. The paintings were a human manifestation of this increadible place. I came to them alone, parents ten minutes behind, and there I was, facing the rain cerimony's remembered praise songs in ochre images. as alive as my own eyes on a smooth arching upward cave of 15 feet.


The hills were equally important. I've always had artists look over my working shoulder and say- ah, O'keefe- as though I'm repeating one woman's hands in her own self-portrait. Art is not a history of one generation's memory of the last. Art is an open mainline to something in our communal blood.

We returned home and as always the police stopped us, but we avoided showing the usual licsence and permit, and the trunk as well. We are all tired from being opened to this place's beauty and broken by its realities. What do you do in a place where milk is 110 zim dollars, fourty cets to you (on the illegal market) but so much to everyone still living in the houses their grandparents lived in outside the white suburbs into the townships.

I'm sitting in frount of the computer listeni...

December 24, 2001 by Seraph in Cortez

I'm sitting in frount of the computer listening to "nursery rymes are fun to sing" play over and over, as Isa has found out how to play with one of her Christmas presents still in the box! Alex and Carolyn arrived safely, and have bought Isa more musical and talking toys then she'll know what to do with! Currently talking and singing toys, along witht their gift tags are her favorite. I figure it will be just enough to drive Robbie batty. If he shows up at anyones house with blood shot eyes, drool on his chin and a nervous twitch we'll all know why!

Today we're opening gifts with Alex and Carolyn, and then out to dinner, before heading to our church for the annual Christmas concert.

Robbie and I were discussing starting holiday traditions this morning(I can't understand why our families idea of chocolate for breakfast, an orgy of presents, and a trip to the movies before passing out on the couch, doesn't sound appealing to him!). His idea usually involved a snow covered cabin in the mountians with a big tree and lots of presents. My thoughts kept wandering to: making reservations, lugging a tree and decorations to the place, along with all the presents, and franticly cooking away and then wondering where I was going to find a vanilla bean a hundred miles from the nearest town! Oh well, I guess one of us needs to be the dreamer while the other is the realist. Some day we'll figure it all our! Happy Holidays to all and to all a good night!

I'm sitting in a cottage next to the Steanes'...

December 24, 2001 by Sue in Wielesek

I'm sitting in a cottage next to the Steanes' home in Harare. The rest of the family is sitting by the swimming pool, drinking gin and tonic, and Zimbabwe beer. There is a huge palm tree and lush tropical plants everywhere. The family consists of Brian, his wife Irene, and their five year old Holly, as well as Brian's daughter Ashleigh and her boyfriend Mike, who are down from their home in London on holiday. They have been wonderfully hospitable family (Holly just came in and crawled up on Sadie's lap!) Holly is another smart, cute Steane family offspring - Holly agrees with Sadie that she should be referred to as a character.
The fact that it is warm and sunny and doesn't feel like our soggy Christmas weather makes it easier not to feel homesick to see you all at Christmas. Nonetheless, you are all in our thoughts, and we hope you all have a good Christmas day.
We have lots to tell you, mainly that Africa is incredibly beautiful. Zimbabwe is so lovely that it breaks your heart to see that everyone in the country lives with worry about the future.
We wish you all a happy day tomorrow. Sadie and I stood on the top of the world and sent the sun back to you.
Much love to all, Old Mom Sue

Well, it's Christmas Eve and I'm typing from ...

December 24, 2001 by Adam in Family

Well, it's Christmas Eve and I'm typing from Judy and Jim's house in Portland. It's been a lazy last couple of days. We headed up Saturday and lazed about the house. I managed to play some computer games while we had our free babysitter. Yesterday was a bit more exciting. Jamie and I saw Ocean's Eleven, an enjoyable heist movie, before returning to a Sam-free house. Sam and Josh were taken out to see the Christmas lights and have dinner, a tradition two years running now.

Meanwhile, Dave, Brant, Tracie, and I played Kill Doctor Lucky. I picked it up at Cheapass Games, and it proved to be as weird and funny as promised. Sadly, I never did manage to kill Doctor Lucky, though I made several attempts with a chainsaw, a revolver, and a tight hat. Oh, and many attempts to kill him by merely poking him in the eye.

Today should be the really big family day for Jamie's side of the family. There's a huge number of stockings hanging from the fireplace if that's any indication for the festivities to come. I think we open presents tonight too, then it's to Jamie's dad's house for awhile tomorrow, and finally to home.

Best Christmas wishes to everyone. An extra special greeting to those overseas, especially my sister, stepdad, and mom. Hope all is well.

Well our house is slowly gearing up for Chris...

December 21, 2001 by Seraph in Cortez

Well our house is slowly gearing up for Christmas and the arival of Alex & Carolyn. Our list currently reads :clean everything! Buy presents! I figure I'll continue my tradition of Christmas Eve gift shopping again this year. Tis' the season to hussel and bussel!
We're staying afloat at work; both Reta and I are slowly catching up with all the end of year lose ends. We have had very few chaotic moments this time around.
For those who will be around on Christmas day Yayoe and I were talking about fast food/ pizza and a movie. She was going to keep an eye open for what food places will be open. Any good family ( maybe $1.50) movie ideas?

I thought I'd start a new section for the new...

December 20, 2001 by Adam in Emma

I thought I'd start a new section for the new baby. When we actually find out if it's a boy or a girl, I'll switch the title to Emma or Max (or possibly both if Jamie's feeling that we're having twins is correct).

At the moment, Jamie's eight weeks along in her pregnancy, making August the 4th the official due date. Since the baby's a Leo, here's its horoscope for the (assumed) date of conception:

The element of surprise definitely works to your advantage right now, Leo. Under the Aquarius Moon, the Lion is the only wild card in the deck. Whether you're drifting aimlessly or following a carefully-charted and clever course, few can guess your next move. Find a way to capitalize on your opportunities while they are still within your grasp. The only way you'll get a good night's rest is if you make sure that your head doesn't hit the pillow still full of longing and regret.

A group from work went to see Lord of the Rin...

December 20, 2001 by Adam in Adam

A group from work went to see Lord of the Rings last night. The first thing that greeted my eye as I walked towards the theatre was a man dressed as Gandalf. There were a few others in cloaks and robes inside the theater, though most of the people looked fairly normal.

It was an amazing moving. For three hours long, the pace was very well done, never getting boring. The visuals were beautiful, the actors played their parts very well, and the action kept you at the edge of your seat. It's not for small kids, as it gets pretty gory and scary at time. For us bigger kids, though, it's a wonderful film.

With all the talk of the new baby, Sam decide...

December 19, 2001 by Adam in Family

With all the talk of the new baby, Sam decided to crawl back into Jamie's shirt. Here's what Jamie would look like if she were three years pregnant.

Jamie saw the doctor yesterday for her first prenatal checkup. She is indeed pregnant, about eight weeks along. That puts the due date at August 4th. They also took five vials of blood - I'm convinced that the lab is really a front for a coven of vampires.

I'm also going to Lord of the Rings tonight, right after work until 9:30 pm. I felt guilty leaving Jamie alone with Sam all day, so I tried to convince a couple people to come over. I think she'll survive, it's just strange to not come home right after work. I can't remember the last time I went out for an evening.

Christmas is sneaking right up on me

December 18, 2001 by Adam in Adam

Christmas is sneaking right up on me. This weekend, we head for Portland to celebrate Christmas there. I've heard rumors that people in Eugene are also getting together that day - someone let me know if that's true.

Two new team members at work: Annie, who's nice and quite bright, and John, who's extremely funny. We're spending the first two and a half days this week doing team orientation. Unfortunately, that means that the work that had just been caught up with is now piling up again.

I've been amazed at how much mom, Dick, and Sadie have been able to keep in touch electronically. It's far superior to post cards, as I almost feel I'm travelling with them. It's more like a radio expedition, with daily broadcasts of their adventures for the day.

All goes well in rainy Eugene. Jamie started working out again, since we finally found a plan that works well for both of us. I'm trying to do my last minute shopping, switching from online to store shopping since the time is approaching soon. Great fun.

Oh - and one more thing. Jamie's given the go-ahead for me to see Lord of the Rings this Wednesday. I have friends at work that should be buying tickets for me (they waited in line on Monday). Extra bonus nerd points for me.

If anyone feels compelled to find Miles' wher...

December 18, 2001 by Sadie in Sadie & Greg

If anyone feels compelled to find Miles' whereabouts, I can't check my e-mail to see if he did not combust before J.burg. His e-mail is milopimp@hotmail.com (yes, it's embarassing for me to even type it). Many thanks my well-connected loved ones.
Sadie-o

Hi, here we are in Gabarone, after spending y...

December 18, 2001 by Sue in Wielesek

Hi, here we are in Gabarone, after spending yesterday visiting Sadie's family in the village, and one here in Gabarone. We really liked the families we met. The family in Kanye was sitting in the shade trying to stay cool when we arrived. They welcomed us with a round of handshakes and 'dumelas'. All were well and our conversation was an interesting mixture of partial Setswana, English, and translation by Sadie's sister and Sadie herself. The family in Gaborone speak English perfectly, whith amazingly British accents. Aunt Jean runs a preschool in the back of the house to teach children English before primary school, which is taught in English. Uncle Douglas is funny, outgoing, and basically fantastic in every way (says Sadie). We are in much better spirits and excited to go on to Serowe to stay in the Rhino Sanctuary. Much love from us.

I received some news from Mom that she asked ...

December 17, 2001 by Seraph in Cortez

I received some news from Mom that she asked me to pass on.
This is from Mom
Hi, we are safe and sound. We will be able to get and send e-mail tomarrow morning \Bots time, so if you e-mail today your time, I will get it and respond so that you will have a response Tuesday morning.
This is a beautiful county - lush and green with the summer rain. We are glad to get our of South Africa - apartheid is alove and well, albeit slightly glossed over. It is very strange to have one group of people be totally servile. We drove through downtown Johannesburg late Saturday afternoon, which was deserted except for a few black people with fruit stands, and tons and tons of garbage. We also drove through a predominately black market area, which looked like we envision cities of the future, with garbage and debris everywhere. On the other hand, white people are clearly terrified most of the time. Lots of fences and security forces.
I will try to check my e-mail.
Good thoughts to all
Fortunately, we only got lost a few times and only for short periods; but, we did manage to find the places that we didn't intend to - like Soweto and the above mintioned Pretoria market
Love
Dick & OM

We had quite the exciting weekend

December 17, 2001 by Adam in Family

We had quite the exciting weekend. Saturday night was the big cocktail party. We had quite the spread of food and drink, though Jamie was stuck with soda water. We had a big turnout and Jamie was trying to kick people out close to ten o'clock. Another successful party.

On Sunday morning, I built Dave's new computer. A few exciting moments, as I was afraid my overclocking hubris had gotten the best of me. All turned out well in the end, however.

That afternoon, Sam and I went on a hike through the forest. He was amazingly energetic, running down the path pretending we were being chased by Imperial Scouts (another Star Wars thing). We returned home tired and muddy, so we pulled our pants off and had cocoa by the fire.

Mmm. . . Pantsless cocoa.

We are all safe and sound in Gaborone

December 17, 2001 by Sadie in Sadie & Greg

We are all safe and sound in Gaborone. We stayed in a 'bed and breakfast,' which in Botswana context means we had a seventies-style room with a big orange bathroom and a large air conditioner which did nothing for the mosquitoes. I'm glad to give them the real thing, as comparison to 'Ceasar's Casino and Hotel' in South Africa. Good to be out of there, that's for sure. Unfortunately, we missed Miles at the airport. Today is the see everyone day, so we're headed off to Kanye then back at three to visit my Gaborone family. It's their 35th anniversary today. Driving, too, is a bit less stressful on this side of the border, as there is only one road to choose from. We stay here one more night then to the Khama Rhino Sanctuary. I'm trying to teach mom and Dick some Setswana, but to no avail. Dick's already been called a Lakgoa- also so glad to introduce them to race relations in Botswana. I'm hoping their fluency in Setswana from our short breakfast lesson will help with that... we'll see, won't we. I'm straddling cultural shock of living with the 'rents again and being a traveller in a place I called home fro four months. I hope not the self-combust in the next two weeks. Mom and Dick are trying their damndest to make things comfortable emotionally for this fragile half-American daughter.

Lots of lovin

December 15, 2001 by Sue in Wielesek

Lots of lovin. See you soon.

I'm sitting here in the "Internet cafe" porti...

December 15, 2001 by Sue in Wielesek

I'm sitting here in the "Internet cafe" portion of this hotel. On my left is Dick, checking the e-mail, and on myy right is Sadie. She arrived safely yesterday afternoon, looking brown and healthy, full of good information and funny, insightful comments about her life and times.

Being in this casino has been ridiculously hard for Sadie, she notes, and it's amazing that she left her room. Being in this casino has been ridiculously weird for Dick and me, and in itself provides an interesting insight into the problem of crime in Johannesburg. You could come here as a tourist and never leave the building. And I suspect a lot of people do just that.
The rand, worth about 10 cents, lost 12% of its value yesterday because of civil unrest in Zimbabwe. There are more thzn 15,000 murders annually. So we're in for an adventure, says Sadie.

We all continue to be a little sick, though I...

December 13, 2001 by Adam in Family

We all continue to be a little sick, though I think the end is near. Jamie was feeling better by the end of the day. I'm hoping that the ginger snaps and ginger brew I got worked their magic on her nausea. We went to Jamie's Diner for dinner and her appetite seemed fine.

Sam and I invented "laser ball" last night. Mostly it involves Sam holding a paper lightsaber while I throw bean bags at him and shout, "Run away! Run away!"

Dick and I are staying at a hotel casino whic...

December 13, 2001 by Sue in Wielesek

Dick and I are staying at a hotel casino which proves that
excessive bad taste is not limited only to America. There is a huge bronze statue of Caesar (the hotel is named Caesar's Emperor Hotel).

It's time for the travelling mantra. Dad and I developed this while we were in England.
Here I am in Bembridge,
Home of crumpets and tea.
I am ready for Bembridge.
Is Bembridge ready for me?

So, I leave you with:

Here we are in Joburg,
After all of that travel and fuss.
We are quite ready for J'burg.
Is Joburg ready for us?

More soon.

Jamie called me at work yesterday, feeling si...

December 12, 2001 by Adam in Family

Jamie called me at work yesterday, feeling sick and wanting to have someone watch Sam. I dutifully headed home and watched el boyo. I think the headaches were virus related, rather than due to the pregnancy. Later that day, I started to feel pretty cruddy too. My guess is that we got what Sam had earlier in the week.

We took it easy for most of the day. Sam and I watched Spy Kids. It was borderline scary for him, but also exciting and fun. We took a break in the middle, like we ususally do with movies, and had a bath. He had to reinact parts of the movie using Legos, especially after we assembled a Lego jet pack for one of the Lego people. Funny kid.

I've been asked what I do every day, and this...

December 12, 2001 by Sadie in Sadie & Greg

I've been asked what I do every day, and this was last weeks reply: I walk out the door with a new painting under my arm for my DYO (design your own) part of my fieldbook, which is due. I catch a kombi to town and walk through wet waist high grass, through a red dirt soccer field and behind the concrete walls surrounding every city house. The wind rushes in now that the rainy season is apon us, and its crispness is much like a cool east coast fall, before it gets too cold. It rained last night in torrents, and the mosquitoes are out with a vengance. After dropping off my assignment I walk to work and facilitate a meeting for my outreach project- a youth drug abuse prevention programme. Thats what I do for my internship.

I just read the family news- congratulations on the new munchkin, Jamie! And Adam too, I suppose. I hope you ride through the first trimester with flying colours. Thrilled to see you so soon- so much love and thoughts from me to all ya'all.

Jamie called to report that the nausea has in...

December 11, 2001 by Adam in Family

Jamie called to report that the nausea has indeed hit. She's sunk to eating dry toast. I'm trying to remember what worked best last time. Ginger tea and ginger snaps seemed to help some.

My mom and Dick are heading off on their trip to Africa. Hopefully they'll have a safe trip and have a good visit with Sadie.

Sam woke up next to Jamie this morning and sa...

December 11, 2001 by Adam in Sam

Sam woke up next to Jamie this morning and said, "Let's say good morning to the new baby."

Well, a slight miscalculation on my part

December 10, 2001 by Adam in Family

Well, a slight miscalculation on my part. It looks like the new baby will come in August, not July. Fortunately, math isn't really required to bear children.

Busy Sunday. Sam and I went Christmas shopping and got some good loot. I also started in on the banister, drilling holes in the stairs and putting the final touch on things. I'm hoping I can get the posts in by our Saturday cocktail party, though I'm not sure if I'll have time to sand and paint them.

Back to work for me today. It promises to be another hectic week. I wrote all the things I needed to do in really small print so that I felt better about my workload. Sigh.

Big news

December 09, 2001 by Adam in Family

Big news. It appears that there will be a new addition to the Miller household next July. The telltale signs appeared, and the pregnancy test was positive. Now, we'll probably have to have it "offically" confirmed at some point, but I'm sure it's for real. Jamie's doing well - a little tired but no nausea like last time. I'm not sure Sam really gets it yet. We'll talk about it together, but I think Legos are far more interesting.

We also got a Christmas tree today, cutting it down from my mother's property. It's all decorated and really brings the spirit of the holidays together. Now all I have to do is finish up the banister and the image is complete.

Frantically trying to get all the Christmas presents ready. I'm making some this year again, and I want to get it done so I can mail some out way before Christmas. The way the postal service is dealing with the anthrax issues, I just hope they don't set it on fire with radiation.

Sam turned to me last night and asked, "Dad, ...

December 07, 2001 by Adam in Sam

Sam turned to me last night and asked, "Dad, what happens if your penis falls off?"

Another Friday rolls around

December 07, 2001 by Adam in Family

Another Friday rolls around. After being Mr. Tea all week, I gave into temptation and slammed down a Mocha this morning. Now I'm bouncy and have a huge pile of work today. Oh well, at least the weekend approaches.

I think we're getting our Christmas tree tomorrow, completing the cozy living room feeling we've got going these days. The fire really makes a difference (along with the big t.v. with surround sound). On these cold rainy nights, we'll often pile on the couch and watch a show.

I'm looking forward to Christmas and being lazy with my family. Sam's been particularly funny these days, though his sleep schedule is still wacky. He's still obsessed with Star Wars, so any presents related to that brand will do well. "Dad, tell me a Star Wars story." is a phrase often repeated in our household.

Sam and I were wrestling together when he sta...

December 07, 2001 by Adam in Sam

Sam and I were wrestling together when he started quoting Star Wars:
"This is your last chance Jabba. Free us or die!"

I had to dig up this picture and show it to e...

December 06, 2001 by Adam in Family

I had to dig up this picture and show it to everyone. We were having lunch last weekend and Sam decided to eat his bagel in a special way. You can see a bigger version here.

I've been having fun doing the online shopping this year. I hit amazon.com, as well as a very off-the-wall site. Some of you may have some interesting stocking stuffers.

It's been a quiet week so far. Sam and I wrestled last night, which he thought was grand. I wore out before he did, so I think he won by default.

I finally cancelled my Everquest account toda...

December 05, 2001 by Adam in Adam's Games

I finally cancelled my Everquest account today, after not really playing for the last couple months. All the good items on the character have been stripped by Dave and Tedd, so all my characters were basically naked at the end. I don't think I'll miss the game and Jamie certainly won't miss the $10 per month charge on my credit card.

I played Diablo II for a couple hours last night with Dave. Lots of fun still. We killed Diablo and I let Dave get the good loot. Of course, he's leaving for Florida for a couple weeks this Saturday, so probably back to single player games for awhile.

I finished Return to Castle Wolfenstein. Without Internet access, I haven't played multiplayer much. The single player game was pretty fun. Nothing revolutionary in terms of game play, but good nonetheless.

Hey

December 05, 2001 by Yayoe in Yayoe

Hey...it's December already and our Christmas/New Years party is also just a few weeks away. I'm excited about getting together. Just think about all the great WHITE ELEPHANT stuff that will be exchanged on January 1, 2002! So here's the newz from our household: Lohring is returning to work! He's traveling to Grants Pass and will work a few days each month in a publicly funded medical/dental clinic. A perfect schedule for a guy who still wants to be a dentist! (Hope he remembers to floss on the way to work.)
Hurrah for Lohring!

Meanwhile, his shop is taking shape. I no longer trip on all the stuff that was lying on the floor. His work space looks great..he even has hot/cold running water, a coffee pot, and a semi pin-up girl on his wall. I'm trying to convince him to take the big screen TV into the shop but no luck so far!

In January we plan to visit Dorothy who will be in Florida from January 8 to April 4th. I'm also looking for the perfect part-time job and have a few leads and one interview!.....Imagine me going back to work. Humph...

So that's the news from our household!

Sam wandered downstairs at 6:30 this morning

December 04, 2001 by Adam in Sam

Sam wandered downstairs at 6:30 this morning. He walked down two flights of stairs in the dark - I practically ran into him while I was heading out to work. Needless to say, I had to play with Legos for ten minutes before I could haul him back up to bed with Jamie.

Hey Seraph here- Quick updates

December 03, 2001 by Seraph in Cortez

Hey Seraph here- Quick updates. Robbie's 29th Birthday was on Saterday. On top of Harry Potter figures he also got a ticket to the Civil War game! He and the boys went off and got soaked through. After a nice dinner at his mom's we went and soaked in the hot tub to see if he could get any feeling back in his toes!
Sunday we had folks over for cake and ice cream, and then went off to the Lutherin Church Christmas concert with Hanni. Isa loved the music, especially the hand bells.

Judy and Jim came down for the weekend

December 03, 2001 by Adam in Family

Judy and Jim came down for the weekend. Jim to watch the game, Judy to visit with Sam. Nothing too exciting happened. Yesterday was mostly bumming around the house. We did a little shopping and I went to Robbie's birthday party today. I did manage to get the banister stained and installed. The hard part is the individual posts, which will involve much drilling, cutting, and careful measuring.

Now everyone's gone except Sam and I. Jamie's off at Angie's and the grandparents have gone home. Sam's playing beside me, talking about the eye color of all his toys and Legos.

Back to work tomorrow. We hired two new people on Friday, so hopefully things won't be quite as crazy. Of course, they don't start for a couple weeks and then there's training . . .

Sam came across my old toy, Gerb

December 03, 2001 by Adam in Sam

Sam came across my old toy, Gerb. Sadly, he was worse for wear, having been eaten by numerous pets and played with for over thirty years. Sam decided Gerb should be fixed, so we hot glued on some new eyes (donated by Sam's poster) and sewed on some new feet. Once he was all in one piece, Sam proceeded to hide him behind the couch.

I woke up this morning with the clock flashin...

December 01, 2001 by Adam in Adam

I woke up this morning with the clock flashing 3:38. Evidently the power went out last night. We've had heavy winds and endless rain the last few days. The state has a severe storm warning out, with possible flooding in the north. Hope Jim and Judy make it down safely this morning.

I reran the 3DMark 2001 benchmarks. I get a score of 6621 at 1024X768 with the CPU overclocked to 1.67 Ghz and the video card at 200/500. While that doesn't approach the crazy 10,000+ scores I've heard about, it's not shabby at all.

Sam had an idea while we got him out of the bath

December 01, 2001 by Adam in Sam

Sam had an idea while we got him out of the bath. He decided that we'd be the mom and dad that played with him, and we'd build a robot mom and dad to do all the work. Sounds like a plan to me.

As you know, you always work twice as hard fo...

November 30, 2001 by Sue in Wielesek

As you know, you always work twice as hard for the two weeks before a two week vacation and twice as hard for the two weeks after a two week vacation, so it's a net loss of two weeks. Regardless, Dick and I are getting excited about the trip to Africa. After dithering around, we got the word from Cousin Brian that driving in Zimbabwe is fine, so we're just going to rent a car and travel by car. Maybe we'll get Thomas Mapfumo, the musician in the Zimbabwean revolution who is well known for his Chimurenga, or revolutionary music, to write us a letter of introduction, as he now lives in Eugene. Ah, we're now importing aging revolutionaries to good old Blujean, the town you can call by its first name.

I took Sam swimming the other night and we we...

November 30, 2001 by Adam in Sam

I took Sam swimming the other night and we were changing in the locker room. He was quite impressed with the urinals and asked, "Why do people sometimes pee on the wall?"

Life keeps chugging along

November 28, 2001 by Adam in Family

Life keeps chugging along. I still feel a bit cruddy - I'm currently blaming the flu shot I got yesterday. The caffeine and pain killers sure help a lot.

There's been more work at our house lately. The remote for the fireplace is working. I've got to get a new shower head, as my current one is completly plugged with goop that came out of the pipes when they were installing the new heating system. Also, Darren's working on a few projects too. Nothing major, but all things we've been wanting to do for awhile.

Sam woke up at 6:30 this morning. I had to explain to him why I needed to go to work, as he wanted to play Star Wars Legos with me. Sniff.

Brain getting fuzzy

November 27, 2001 by Adam in Adam

Brain getting fuzzy . . . too much work.

I had my flu shot today, and felt terrible within a couple hours. Fortunately, pain killers worked just fine and I'm doing okay but tired now.

Evidently there are a ton of people at our house, working on various issues. Hopefully the downstairs shower will work, the faucet won't leak, the fireplace can be controlled remotely, and a sturdy fence will be built around the stairs to the basement. It's amazing how much work an older house takes.

I'm happy with my new computer these days. I'm still waiting for the modem drivers, but it's pretty cool even when not connected to the Internet. Very snappy, quick to boot, and games play like a dream. Ah, Nerdvana.

Well, we finally got the fireplace and hot wa...

November 26, 2001 by Adam in Family

Well, we finally got the fireplace and hot water heater installed. The fireplace is great, even nicer than I was hoping it would be. This weekend, Jamie's family kept hanging out at our house, with the fireplace adding the extra "umph" to entice them away from their home. It heats fairly well, too. Last night, we came in from the rain and asked, "Sam, could you build a fire?" With a click it was on, much different than when I was a kid.

Well, Sam turns three today. Though it's official today, he had a bunch of birthday parties over the weekend. Jamie's uncle got him a gun with flashing lights, annoying noises, and built-in vibrations. Sam loved it, though I think we may accidentally hide it away for awhile.

I got Sam some cool toys too, which he finally got to open: a remote control truck and Star Wars Legos. The Legos have gotten quite the usage, having pieces lost and refound multiple times already. Now I've got to come up with something clever for Christmas coming. Oh well, even more Star Wars Legos can't go wrong . . .

I think everyone was pretty beat by the end of the weekend. Sam was exhausted and grumpy Sunday night. Jamie and I had some quiet alone time before bed, then slept like the dead all night. Today Jamie's teaching preschool and celebrating a little birthday party for Sam while she's there. Hopefully tonight can be quiet and ordinary.

Well, I took the final plunge - I crossed the...

November 26, 2001 by Adam in Adam's Projects

Well, I took the final plunge - I crossed the L1 bridges and overclocked my CPU. I had problems with multipliers over 12.5 working properly, so I ended up with a 1.67 Ghz machine. I bumped up the GeForce clock and memory speed as well. I ended up with a 3D mark of 4789 at 1024 x 768 with 2x AA.

Finally, I swapped out the noisy CPU fan with one of the quiet ones. The computer is much quieter. Plus, the temperature now runs at 45 degrees, even when stressed.

Well, the CPU overheating woes are now in the...

November 23, 2001 by Adam in Adam's Projects

Well, the CPU overheating woes are now in the past. The hole looks great, and we've put the Papst fan in the side of the case, right above the CPU. Even when stressed, the temperature hovers in the low 40 degrees Centigrade. Very cool. If I'm brave, I may attempt overclocking, though it would probably take a couple uninterrupted hours. Might happen sometime after the banister, before Christmas. The only downside with the new fan is that it's louder. Not sure if anything can be done about that.

Yesterday was a time of celebration - way to ...

November 23, 2001 by Adam in Family

Yesterday was a time of celebration - way to much food to eat and Sam's toys to play with. One of the extra bonus things with having Sam's birthday on Thanksgiving is that he'll never be bored while the adults sit around and talk. He and Destin played with the race track Jenny got him for the entire time. When we got home, all Sam wanted to do was play with the remote control car. I'm sure that will be the first thing he wants to do this morning when he wakes up.

Everyone seemed in good spirits. I got Seraph and Robbie's computer fully functional, for which I am thankful. My allergies didn't kick in either, for which I am very thankful.

I think Jamie's family may be arriving to watch football, though I'm never really sure what their plans are. Sam will be excited when Josh arrives. I'm still working on the banister, which is slow going. Also, we should have a functioning fireplace by the end of the day.

Yes, no news is good newss

November 23, 2001 by Sadie in Sadie & Greg

Yes, no news is good newss. I'm with a new family I love.
I knocked off early to prepare thanksgiving for my family and Daniso's family, my programme assistant who invited herself over, but as she's my third mother, it was all good. Miles and I made two turkeys, rediculous amounts of mashed potatoes and squash and salad and Daniso even made apple pie, which was nice even though I've never even tasted anything like it before. Just Miles and I cooked the whole thing (cept the pie) and we cooked until 7:30, and then we ate until 10:30. My papa prayed so nice he said afterward he thought I was going to cry. I was going to- I was damn tired by that time, and setswana prayers always get me right there, you know? I wish you could have seen it. I love you all and your love came through, and I'm most thankful.

Happy Thanksgiving!!! We finally have our co...

November 23, 2001 by Seraph in Cortez

Happy Thanksgiving!!! We finally have our computer hooked up at home, thanks to the diligence of Adam. I hope this means we'll be posting more often.

I had my birthday on the 10th, which started with a surprise brunch and a day of shopping! A real luxury these days. Everyone was over this afternoon for treats and turkey, including Charles and Judy, who flew in from Iowa today! We also had a mini birthday for Sam (the big three), who promptly went and spent the evening in the corner playing with his new race track.

Our family room was semi-completed for Turkey Day-allergy free for at least one day! We still have a good bit of finishing, but the pressure has eased a bit.

We're finally healthly again. Isa's crawling, standing some, waving (occasionally), eating anything, dancing all the time, and generally being cheerful.

We went and saw Harry Potter. It was really good, but Robbie informed me that there were some parts that were different from the book! I think he and Jenny are going to plan a trip to see it again.

Now we've got Robbie's birthday next weekend, so be prepared for a call from me putting on something at the last minute!

Things are moving along fairly well with the ...

November 22, 2001 by Adam in Adam's Projects

Things are moving along fairly well with the Lego computer. It turns out that overheating is an issue. The main problem is getting the CPU heat out of the case. When I put on a heftier fan and popped off the case, it ran at a cool 40ish degrees Centigrade. With the cover on, running a CPU-intensive game, it runs up to the mid 60's. Not good. So, the solution is to cut a hole in the back of the case next to the CPU and add a fan. Hopefully that will keep the temperature way down. I've disassembled it and I'm hoping I can take it to my dad's shop sometime today.

Happy Thanksgiving to all! I stayed home fro...

November 22, 2001 by Adam in Family

Happy Thanksgiving to all! I stayed home from work yesterday, still sniffly from a cold. Sam got some Star Wars action figures from Angie, which he played with non-stop. I got some more banister sanding in, which will hopefully be ready for staining soon. We also went to John's birthday party, a friend of Sam's.

Today we're off to Seraph and Robbie's house for holiday cheer. Looking forward to lots of eating and socializing with adults. Most of my conversations these days begin with "Tell me a Star Wars story . . ." (coming from Sam)

Oooh, turkey time is coming

November 20, 2001 by Sue in Wielesek

Oooh, turkey time is coming. In our office meeting this morning, Reta told Seraph and me about an 86 pound turkey which someone had raised. This led to all sorts of humor.
Dick and I are getting very excited about our trip to Africa. Sunshine. Sunshine!

Yet another illness sweeps through the Miller...

November 20, 2001 by Adam in Adam

Yet another illness sweeps through the Miller family. Jamie and I met this morning in the kitchen, fighting over the Advil bottle and mumbling words like "must have pain killers." I made it to work, though only coffee and my sense of loyalty to PeaceHealth is keeping me here. Well, actually it's mostly the coffee.

Five day weekend coming up. Should be fun. Hoping to pick up Wolfenstein today for some computer gaming madness. I also want to work on the banister, though maybe "want" is too strong a word. It'll be good when it's all done.

I've been slowing down with my Diablo 2 gamin...

November 19, 2001 by Adam in Adam's Games

I've been slowing down with my Diablo 2 gaming as of late. I slipped in a little Max Payne in there. Fun game, especially the "bullet time" concept, though a tad on the short side.

The next game on my list is Return to Castle Wolfenstein. It comes out in the next couple days, and I'll probably buy a copy if I can get my hands on one. The graphics look amazing, probably the first game to somewhat challenge my new system. The flamethrower itself is jaw-dropping and fun to use.

After that, there's a long lull until the February-March timeframe, when lots of good games come out. I may satiate myself with Wizardry 8, a classic RPG. I'm a sucker for developing characters and exploring a new world.

Another quiet weekend has come and gone

November 19, 2001 by Adam in Family

Another quiet weekend has come and gone. I spent most of my time watching Sam while Jamie did things around the house. She got quite a bit done: painting the hallway, putting up shelves, and the constant house cleaning. I spent my time building Legos and listening to Star Wars music over and over again.

Sam and I are showing signs of a cold, mostly sniffles and sore throats. I no longer judge the Winter season by the length of the day, but rather how often our family gets sick.

Today is already my "Thursday", as I'm taking off Wednesday to Sunday. Looking forward to Thanksgiving with everyone, as well as Sam's birthday. Gotta wrap up all my secret presents.

I have been watching the progress on our new ...

November 17, 2001 by Jamie in Jamie

I have been watching the progress on our new fireplace insert and Rennai Continuum hot water system (the newest thing in ecological/economical water heating) one step away from solar heating! It has been two full days of construction, and now we have to wait for inspections. Frustrating, but I guess I'd rather have our gas lines properly installed than done fast...
I'm looking forward to the holiday season. Thanksgiving at Seraph and Robbie's "New" house, Sam's birthday, Mom and Jim coming for the big game, followed by our annual holiday cocktail party and our first Christmas in the new house. Lots of opportunity for celebration and enjoying family...in small doses, so as to keep myself relaxed and happy :-)
I haven't started anyone's socks yet, but I'm determined to figure it out soon. Just need some bad weather where I can't go outside even if I want to...plus a few more board meetings, at which I always make a lot of knitting progress.
I made a scrapbook for Angie's wedding, and was very happy with the result. It is a lot of fun, and just the right mixture of practicality/linear organization/creativity for my personality. I'd be happy to help others, or work on projects for a small babysitting fee :-)
Have a happy and healthy holiday season. I love and appreciate all my family and friends, which I hope you all know.

Sam took a bath upstairs in the jet-equipped ...

November 17, 2001 by Adam in Family

Sam took a bath upstairs in the jet-equipped bathtub. A small amount of soap and a few minutes with the jets froths up a huge amount of bubbles. Sam was quickly buried in a white foam.

The gas isn't done yet. Evidently the inspector is coming out Monday, the gas is turned on Tuesday, and the final work is done Wednesday or Friday. Jamie's not super happy about the progress, but at least it wasn't 30 days as originally thought.

No exciting plans for the weekend. I'm looking forward to Jamie and Sam waking up so that I can make a big breakfast and drink a bunch of coffee. Not much beats breakfast on the weekend.

A couple days ago, Sadie sent me a bunch of p...

November 15, 2001 by Adam in Family

A couple days ago, Sadie sent me a bunch of pictures from Africa. I scanned them in and added them to the photo album as well putting little thumbnails on her news page.

I also spoke with Jamie this morning. It sounds like the workers are there, getting ready to install all the gas components. Hopefully I won't return home to a smoking crater.

My new computer is coming along. I fixed the annoying whine of my hard drive - it turns out it was a software problem strangely enough. Once I get the DSL modem drivers, my evil plan will be complete.

I can't believe that Thanksgiving is next week

November 14, 2001 by Adam in Family

I can't believe that Thanksgiving is next week. I'm taking off Wednesday onward, so I'll have lots of time to work on the banister. It's also Sam's three-year birthday party coming up next Sunday. Simply amazing that my little baby is now running around holding complex conversations.

Jamie's getting excited and nervous about the big gas conversion that begins tomorrow. I wonder if I'll be able to take a shower Friday morning. Hmm.

I decided that yesterday's headaches weren't ...

November 14, 2001 by Adam in Adam

I decided that yesterday's headaches weren't coffee related. Jamie's been a bit sick, and I felt pretty miserable. After a good night's sleep and lots of painkillers, I felt much better. This morning I'm back to my well-caffinated self.

I had a dream about Frank. In it, it turns out his death was just a big mix-up. We were sitting in the back of a high school classroom together, waiting for it to begin. I remember him making some strange reference to an old song.

I nailed down my weird computer noise to the hard drive. I need to check it out more thoroughly, but I may need to go through another painful return process. Blah.

Also, good Buffy last night. Although it's sad to see Willow start losing it all on her path to the dark side, it also makes for good storytelling. One of my favorite episodes involves the evil vampire-Willow showing up in Sunnydale.

A couple nights ago, Sam woke up in the middl...

November 14, 2001 by Adam in Sam

A couple nights ago, Sam woke up in the middle of the night saying, "Mom, turn off Pajama Sam." Evidently he was having a dream about Pajama Sam, except there were monsters with one big eye. I suppose it's better than the dream where Darth Maul came into the house and was watching everyone while they slept.

I was pretending to be a robot and Sam was co...

November 14, 2001 by Adam in Sam

I was pretending to be a robot and Sam was controlling me with an old computer joystick.

Dad: "Who do you like more, the real dad or the robot dad?"

Sam: "The robot dad, because he does whatever I want him to do."

A bit of an exciting morning for Too Much Cof...

November 13, 2001 by Adam in Adam

A bit of an exciting morning for Too Much Coffee Man today. I woke up with a bit of a sore jaw, probably clenching it during the night, and decided to not drink coffee today. Well, I did it, but I had to take something for the headaches that soon followed. Sigh. Perhaps tomorrow I'll return to the Dark Side.

I'm trying to put down the final touches on my new computer. The sound card arrives today. I also have a couple nagging issues that I'd like to resolve soon. The biggest is that that my DSL modem doesn't have XP drivers yet, though they may be released soon. The other is a high-pitched noise that I haven't been able to track down yet. Sigh.

Jamie made a pair of mittens for Sam

November 11, 2001 by Adam in Family

Jamie made a pair of mittens for Sam. They went really quickly and were made out of the same material as the sweater she made for him. Very cute looking.

Jamie got a lot of work done around the house while Ray was over. They cleaned out the garage, made a dump run, and did some gardening. I think Ray is planning to fill our yard with assorted plants as he did in the old house. It's been great to have him be so helpful, as I've been neglecting yardwork to focus on things inside the house.

The city put gas to our house much sooner than we thought, so it looks like we're going to have the fireplace insert and hot water heater installed this Thursday. Very exciting, as the baseboard heat is starting to drive us all nuts.

Well, the components are together

November 11, 2001 by Adam in Adam's Projects

Well, the components are together. I had to file out the corners of the hole so the CD-ROM drive didn't stick. The hardware seems to work beautifully. I think my chances of overclocking it are excellent too - it posted at 1.7 Ghz without any problems. I'm still being careful of overheating. So far, it's fairly quiet too. Not silent, but with the case on, it's hard to hear. There's a video card fan that's a bit loud, and the hard drive is audible during certain operations.

The biggest excitement is with Windows XP. The internal DSL modem doesn't have drivers that work with XP, so I'm currently stuck with an Internet connection on my old computer. Internet connection sharing isn't working either, though I did manage to get a normal network connection between the two computers. I'll probably have to get an external broadband router/connection sharing device. I haven't done much research yet, so it may be another week or so until things are perfect. I couldn't get Max Payne to run either, though it may be because neither the game or the operating system has any patches on it.

I'll keep everyone updated. Even Seraph was curious about it.

I went over to Seraph's birthday party this m...

November 10, 2001 by Adam in Family

I went over to Seraph's birthday party this morning. Great food, but had to leave sooner than I wanted. Cat allergies. Isabell is getting big and smiley, and Jordan is almost as big as she is. Everyone seemed in good spirits and Seraph's old friend Raven was there as well.

I'm in the process of brining my new computer online. It's a bit of an undertaking, and I may end up having my Internet connection down for awhile while I beat it into submission. Wish me luck.

A week of sunshine before winter really sets in

November 08, 2001 by Sue in Wielesek

A week of sunshine before winter really sets in. I had fun going to the Family Law Conference over at the coast with Robbie and Seraph, and of course Isa, who just charmed the sox off all and sundry. I'm here to report that all grandkids are incredibly cute these days. Baby Jordan wakes up occasionally, smiles, eats and goes back to sleep. He has probably already reached enlightenment.
I'm at the office, and Dick is here planting bulbs, changing the burned out lights, and fixing the plumbing. Once he's armed with his trusty Leatherman, he's definitely hell on wheels when it comes to repairs and refurbishings.
Good thoughts to all, Sue

I'm slowly getting the shipping problems sort...

November 08, 2001 by Adam in Adam's Projects

I'm slowly getting the shipping problems sorted out for my new computer parts. The correct motherboard should arrive tomorrow, but they screwed up on the sound card and didn't ship it until today. If all goes well, I should be able to begin assembly of the Fossil computer tomorrow.

I haven't posted forever with good and not-so...

November 07, 2001 by Seraph in Cortez

I haven't posted forever with good and not-so-good excuses. We still haven't done the final hook up of the internet onto our computer-mostly lazieness on our part. Also we have hardly been home this last mont. There was our anniversary trip to the coast, a quick trip to Ashland and a Law Conference at the coast. This week Isa and I got hit pretty hard with colds. Robbie has held out so far, but I think his will is starting to crumble. Mostly we've been getting into bed around 6:30pm and not doing much of anything else.

I think I can honestly say that virtually not...

November 07, 2001 by Adam in Family

I think I can honestly say that virtually nothing has happened the last few days. Basically, I got up, went to a very busy work, then returned home to watch Sam while Jamie went off to do something. Today and tomorrow appear more of the same, so I sense much playing with Star Wars Legos in my future.

Sam and I watched the musical Buffy episode last night. In the voice of the comic store owner in The Simpsons, "Best episode ever." I think it's the wackiness factor that keeps bringing me back to that show.

Josh and Jamie's dad arrive Friday morning. Promises to be a fun-filled family weekend.

I figured out how to get Sam to do math

November 06, 2001 by Adam in Sam

I figured out how to get Sam to do math. I asked him, "If there were 4 tie fighters and the Millenium Falcon blew up two, how many tie fighters would be left?"

Sam (after thinking a bit): "Two."

I haven't posted in my personal area in a lon...

November 05, 2001 by Adam in Adam

I haven't posted in my personal area in a long time. I've caught up with work for the first time in a few weeks. Frank's position is still open, so I'm handling all the development and Internet content management at the same time. Crazy. Fortunately, I've also started the evil habit of drinking cafT mochas every morning. Coffee makes me smarter than I really am.

Family life is busy and fun at the same time. It's been hard to find time for Jamie and I to visit, and this week is no exception. I think she has something happening every day of the week, with her dad coming down next weekend. Sam and I spend virtually all our time together playing something related to Star Wars. I may just have to take him to the movie when it comes out next year. Though he's never sat through an entire movie, this may be the exception.

I'm hoping our major internal house renovations will be finished up by Christmas. I spent a little time sanding the banister this weekend. Lots of paint to carefully remove before it can be stained and put in place. I'd also like to do some garding next year. One of my first tasks will be to get blueberry bushes in the back yard. I miss our old house and all the things we put in over the years, and the blueberries were high on my list.

I'm looking forward to the holidays. Thanksgiving and Sam's birthday are coming up in a few weeks. I've got some presents already picked out for him. I'm getting the obvious present - Star Wars Legos. He keeps trying to build Star Wars characters out of miscellaneous parts, which only sort of works. He currently has to build Darth Maul light sabres out of Lego antennas. Never quite looks right.

On Saturday, Sam and I went hiking around Hen...

November 04, 2001 by Adam in Family

On Saturday, Sam and I went hiking around Hendrick's Park. I spent the entire time retelling Star Wars and Lord of the Rings. At the top, we pretended to throw a ring into Mount Doom. All great fun.

My great computer assembly gets to wait another week or so, as they shipped the wrong part. I spent an hour or so this morning sanding away at the banister. It's going to take a long time until it's ready for staining. Hopefully, I'll finish it by Christmas.

Sam wanted my attention so he called, "come d...

November 03, 2001 by Adam in Sam

Sam wanted my attention so he called, "come down here, old man!" "Old man?" I asked. "Yeah, because you and mom are old."

Unfortunately, they sent the wrong motherboard

November 03, 2001 by Adam in Adam's Projects

Unfortunately, they sent the wrong motherboard. I called and got it straightened out. Hopefully all the parts should arrive by the 12th. Frustrating, but there's not really a big rush to get it all together. The sound card was back ordered too, so they'll probably both arrive at about the same time. Sigh.

We had quite the exciting night last night

November 01, 2001 by Adam in Family

We had quite the exciting night last night. Sam dressed up in his dinosaur costume (which matched Destin's) and we did some brief trick-or-treating. We made it to my dad's house, the neighbor's house across the street, then collapsed at home. Sam was pretty wiped out, though excited about the prospect of candy. After Jamie snatched a bite, Sam decided that she'd turned bad and proceeded to hide his candy.

We had a ton of trick-or-treaters come to our door. I think we were a "good house", as Jamie's dad supplied a ton of vending machine candy for us to give out. We were passing out large sized Butterfingers and more. Seraph, Robbie, Jenny, and their crew all came over too. Jordan, Destin, and Sam all had dinosaur costumes on, while Isabell was a princess. Ah, the good ol' days when gender stereotypes seemed pure and innocent.

Happy Halloween to all! Today marks the odd ...

October 31, 2001 by Adam in Family

Happy Halloween to all! Today marks the odd ritual of dressing up and demanding candy from total strangers. I think we'll make a few trips with Sam in costume, then man the door to pass out candy. Supposedly our neighborhood gets hit hard, but fortunately Jamie's dad operates candy vending machines. I think we're pretty well prepared.

Sam's latest obsession is having us ask him Star Wars questions. He can now match most adults in Star Wars trivia, though perhaps not my old buddies Jason and Colin. I got bored yesterday, and switched to The Lord of the Rings. That went over well, so it's okay to ask things like "Who reforged Aragorn's sword?" (Answer: the elves)

I expected a house in a city with a lawn and ...

October 31, 2001 by Sadie in Sadie & Greg

I expected a house in a city with a lawn and a carpet would be like a house in an American city with a lawn and a carpet. My mother in Gaborone and I speak the same language, but somehow the rules are different. More taboos, restrictions, and guidelines. On a good day, she is teaching me the gestures of her culture, and on tired day her demands near vindictively obsessive-compulsive. Not the type one would ask to help with oneÆs wedding, or invite to a wind-down Friday get together.
Our struggle is palpable. I imagine her words thicken the air and my replies stiffen layers of walled miscommunication. Her testing accusations- did you use the wrong washcloth to wipe out the sink? - are blocked by a dayÆs trauma, and (like a dogs bark or sighting another Lakgoa) I jerk up my head and say- Hmm?
Sigh. Shit. We both know I broke the most important rule. R-e-s-p-e-c-t. Not the Aretha Franklin love me or leave me type, but the obligatory, language based type.
-Mma? Mma? Her voice turns sour and disappointed. The space between us receives curdled words and I swallow them and repeat her, dulled but apologetic. ûMma?
My intentions are ruined by the truth of my emotions filtered though culture. I am white and will never say Mma as second nature. I like raw vegetables and rice, and I canÆt change my feelings on unskinned red meats, no matter how rude it is. Not when shell shocked from a hard day. Not when I tense at road crossings for fear IÆll let bad timing and letting go carry me to Princess Marina.
She makes that disappointed face when my language doesnÆt connect with her interpretation of my language. Like the day I woke at 7 without an alarm (nurses orders) and twisted my shoulders away from hips to test how my half dose of codeine lasted during sleep. Not as well as the injection from the nurse who pulled down the waist of my skirt, tapped the needle and said, ôSo you came before or after September 11th?ö I picked out my nicest linen with the intention of faking the entire day. If I donÆt say it, IÆm not hurt, right? I hide from my motherÆs morning rhythm and eat my tea and bread like the day was the day before and the day before that.
ôNext time you are sick, donÆt call MmaMokwate. I will take you to the hospital.ö
ôI told you I was sick.ö She made that look, rolled back her eyes and huffed like I could never understand the true meaning of any situation.
ôI donÆt blame you for calling MmaMokwate. I couldnÆt even walk. I donÆt blame you for calling.ö On the ride to Gaborone Private Hospital, Martin told me about singing and dancing in the ZCC church. ôHigh as this,ö he said, lifting his flattened palm to his chin, as though ZCC men became acrobats by the spirit of God alone. I try to imagine the woman who complains about sweeping the dirt outside in rhythmic waves jumping all weekend in Swaziland. She isnÆt partial to cooking- too much standing. But what am I to know about the power of the Lord?
ôYou didnÆt hear me come in?ö You didnÆt hear me slam the door and sob for 45 minutes? I was so loud the neighbors went quiet. How did you sleep when I sobbed in need for you?
She paused as if to choose between truths.
ôI didnÆt even hear Gopo come in. I was so sick.ö
ôSo was I.ö
ôIÆm not blaming you foràö Things started to repeat themselves here, because I wanted her to know how lonely it was thinking I was hurt and alone, without a phone or family to help. And how hard it was to find strength under muscle spasms to get up and walk to the tuck shop, only to realize I wasnÆt alone in the house. But my mother, that name of love and respect that we call the women who love us, abdicated her name to roll over and sleep. But she couldnÆt hear my exaggerated pronunciations of loneliness. I canÆt speak the right language. So I cried again, right there in my Five Roses unfiltered tea and ultrapasturized milk.
My motherÆs language is unraveled and opened in counter moves by my sister. She is long limbed and upward shaped, cr

Many good thoughts to everyone, on an incredi...

October 30, 2001 by Sue in Wielesek

Many good thoughts to everyone, on an incredibly soggy day in Oregon. My plan is to finish up my fall housekeeping and
then start to plan for our big trip in December. Dick and I are going to South Africa, Botswana, and maybe Zimbabwe, if the country isn't in open revolt.

Old pagan that I am, I always try to say a little prayer to old Mom Nature at the summer solstice, which of course is December 21st in the southern hemisphere, so if you see a news item about the arrest of a naked elderly American tourist, you'll know I was overcome by the gestalt of the place.

Many soggy hugs from Oregon.

I took the final step today, buying the mothe...

October 30, 2001 by Adam in Adam's Projects

I took the final step today, buying the motherboard, cpu, hard drive, video card, and sound card for my new computer. I think the grand total for all the parts will be about $1,500. Considering it's top of the line, I'm pretty happy with how it's turned out. I still remember when the last Dell I bought was over $3,000. It's crazy that I can get something five times as good for half the price.

The parts should arrive this week. I'll probably be assembling them all in the wee hours this weekend. Hope I don't blow anything up.

We stopped by Seraph and Robbie's for Hallowe...

October 29, 2001 by Adam in Jenny

We stopped by Seraph and Robbie's for Halloween cookie making last night. Jordan was there, looking huge. Evidently, he's even bigger than Destin was. Looks like we get a couple linebackers from Jenny's side of the family.

I guess Jordan is doing well. He's a quiet baby, sleeping most of the time. I guess the rule of thumb that big babies tend to be quiet is true in this case.

It was quite the fun-filled weekend

October 29, 2001 by Adam in Family

It was quite the fun-filled weekend. On Saturday, I went over to my friend Chris' house for a pumpkin carving shindig. I'm starting to tell that I'm getting older - virtually everyone had come with their kids and I spent most of the party talking about parenthood.

Sunday morning we had my mom and Dick come over for a breakfast and watching Sam shindig. Afterwards, it was off to get paint for our new fireplace. I think we ended up going three times - once to pick the color, another to get the paint, and a third to make it darker. Still, it should turn out quite nice.

Last night, we had another pumpkin carving and cookie making party at Seraph and Robbie's house. The only missing family members were my dad and Yayoe - evidently Robbie forgot to call. Oops. There were tons of babies there, crawling and eating about. Isabell is looking like an actual girl these days. Jordan is a huge baby, off the charts in every way. I carved a tiny pumpkin for fun and make a cookie slug. Great fun.

I finished Undying

October 26, 2001 by Adam in Adam's Games

I finished Undying. I was really sick one day, and spent most of the day slaying the minions of evil. They've done studies where video games minimizes pain - in men anyway. Or at least that's the justification I'm sticking with.

Diablo II is being much more fun than I expected. My Assassin is doing relatively well. The bosses are harder than I want them to be. I started a sorceress that I may play up quite a bit. I haven't convinced Dave to play with me again, but perhaps I can get him to play tonight.

I think the final components of the Fossil ca...

October 26, 2001 by Adam in Adam's Projects

I think the final components of the Fossil case will soon be ready for purchase. I ordered memory today - about $60 with free shipping for 512 MB of memory. Amazingly cheap.

I think in a week or two, I'll order the final components: motherboard, cpu, hard drive, video card, and possibly the sound card as well. Everything else is present.

The only major switch is that I won't be getting NVIDIA motherboard. It sounds like the performance isn't enough better to be worthwhile. I'm also going for a higher end video solution, so the integrated graphics don't matter to me. I can hardly wait . . .

We took Sam to his preschool Halloween party ...

October 26, 2001 by Adam in Family

We took Sam to his preschool Halloween party last night. Zillions of kids running around in strange costumes. A bit overwhelming, but quite fun.

Later that night, Sam started feeling bad and complained of a sore throat. I gave him some pain killers and finally got him to bed around 9 PM. A bit after 10, Sam woke up crying and kept crying for over an hour. He couldn't swallow and obviously felt miserable. Finally, we filled the bathroom up with hot steam for him to breathe, then got him into the bath.

That seemed to do the trick, and he settled down, splashing in the water. We got some more pain killers in him, fed him a bit, and gave him a cough drop. One of the first things he wanted to do after he felt better was to play with his Star Wars Legos. We played a bit, then I left to bed exhausted some time after midnight.

This morning, I'm hanging in there, but mostly due to the Grande Mocha I had this morning.

It's been a pretty quiet week so far

October 25, 2001 by Adam in Family

It's been a pretty quiet week so far. Jamie's busy on the gas fireplace and water heater project. I think we finally got clarity on what we really wanted. We're going for an "instant heat" deal, where the water is heated up when you need it. Unusual, but supposedly pretty good and energy efficient.

Sam amazed us all with his knowledge of Star Wars last night. We were playing Legos, and I became bored, so Darth Vader became a game show host and started pelting Sam with questions. Sam could answer all sorts of weird ones:
Dad: What's the name of the ship Han Solo flew?
Sam: The Millenium Falcon.
Dad: That's . . . ABSOLUTELY CORRECT!

Dad: And now, for the Lego boat, who rescued Luke Skywalker after his hand was cut off?
Sam: Princess Leia
Dad: Princess Leia . . . IS CORRECT!

It went on and on. He wanted me to ask him more questions even when we went swimming last night. My son, the Star Wars idiot savant.

The end of a really busy time - lots of trial...

October 24, 2001 by Sue in Wielesek

The end of a really busy time - lots of trials, and even a tribulation or two. While we're telling Sam stories, I'll add this one. Sam, Dick and I went to the garden center a couple of weeks ago. They sell pond supplies and lily pads, so they have a little pond, with a frog fountain with a stream of water squirting out his mouth. I pointed it out to Sam, who inspected it soberly, then announced, "That's not normal!"

We went out to the farm to see the colt again, and put rose food on the roses. Sam loves the poem, The Congo, by Vachel
Lindsey, and likes to hike through the woods at the farm, pretending it's the jungle, and intoning, "Mumbo-Jumbo, god of the Congo" etc.

Sam and I had a little discussion last night:...

October 24, 2001 by Adam in Sam

Sam and I had a little discussion last night:
Dad: You're a good boy, Sam.
Sam: I'm not a boy.
Dad: Oh? Are you a man?
Sam: I'm a young man.

Oops

October 24, 2001 by Adam in Family

Oops. It turns out the NIMDA fix that Yayoe sent off really was a NIMDA fix. Before running it, make sure you really have the virus first. It probably won't hurt to run it, but it's good to check first.

Just a quick warning

October 22, 2001 by Adam in Family

Just a quick warning. It seems that Yayoe accidentally sent out the NIMDA virus to everyone on her e-mailing list. If you opened up an e-mail attachment claiming to be a fix for NIMDA, I recommend you delete it instead of opening it. The tip-off is the subject line in all caps.

Also, here are some free anti-virus tools:
Symantec's NIMDA virus remover
Online virus scanner

Safe computing everyone!

It's hard to describe how much Legos have bec...

October 21, 2001 by Adam in Sam

It's hard to describe how much Legos have become a central aspect of Sam's existance. Elaborate reinactments of stories, exciting explorations into the outdoors, and simple dismemberment have all found their way into Sam's playtime. Virtually every day coming home, it's "Dad, I want to go downstairs and play with tricky Legos." There's a never ending cycle of life played out as well. Lego people's heads and bodies are removed, switched, lost, and slowly replaced by purchases at the store. Luke Skywalker's head may be on a Rock Raider body, wearing an Ocean Rescue life jacket, and holding a cobbled together Darth Maul light sabre. Amazing.

I'm still spending my evenings coughing up a ...

October 21, 2001 by Adam in Family

I'm still spending my evenings coughing up a storm. At night, I take cough syrup and in the morning, I drink a bunch of coffee to shake that blurry feeling. I'm hoping this goes away pretty soon.

We hit Costco yesterday, filling up on supplies. Since the war started, I decided to get a couple weeks of food and water just in case. It's probably more likely that I'll be struck by lightning than I'll actually need it, but it's vaguely entertaining. So, I converted the sauna into a "bomb shelter" and have stocked up on a few megaboxes of cereal, granola bars, and powdered milk. I think I'm living a boys' dream, having my "bomb shelter" next to my "nerd cave". I even have a beautiful woman to serve dinner and raise my children. Er, I hope Jamie doesn't read this . . .

The great conversion to gas and fireplace insert saga continues. We had this decorative arch around the front of the fireplace which was limiting Jamie's insert options. So, muttering under my breath "Hulk just want to SMASH!", I took a hammer to it and bricks went flying. Also, the plaster flowers and cupids have been pried off, mostly intact. I did feel vaguely embarrassed as to where I was putting the screwdriver to pry them off. Oops.

We went to the park last night for a little p...

October 20, 2001 by Adam in Family

We went to the park last night for a little picinic. The skateboarders were in excellent form, and Sam enjoyed watching them. We then pretended we were Luke and Han Solo, running across the desert to the playground. All great fun.

I'm still stick, coughing it up last night. I've given into the dark side and taken cough medicine, which helps greatly, but makes me a bit spacy the next day.

Jamie's doing a great job organizing all the aspects of our conversion to gas heat. It's really complicated, involving a bunch of companies. Hopefully we'll get that in motion fairly soon.

A little tired today

October 18, 2001 by Seraph in Cortez

A little tired today. Isa and I have been sneezing and I'm hoping that we're not coming down with something. This weeks been crazy at work, but very educational. Robbie's actually started his story, so Isa and I have been helping our with dramatic reenactments each night!

I was out sick yesterday, sniffling and cough...

October 17, 2001 by Adam in Family

I was out sick yesterday, sniffling and coughing my way through the day. Jamie was really great at entertaining Sam, as he wanted to come downstairs to play with Legos with me. Today I'm at work, though I find my mind is somewhat fuzzy from the cough syrup. I drank way too much coffee, but I'm still halfway asleep.

My friend Chris returned from Hawaii, where he and his wife were celebrating their anniversary. Evidently they were delayed 20 hours due to an Anthrax scare. The news seems increasingly crazy these days. I'm happy Sadie's coming back to the states, even if she's on the other side of the country.

This is a little poem I'm writing for my Disi...

October 17, 2001 by Sadie in Sadie & Greg

This is a little poem I'm writing for my Disign your own part of the fieldbook. For those computer science majors, Botswana as a country is personified as "my love." Just think "My country."

My love, you have forsaken me, and I wail, slack-jawed and weeping for your village touch
My love, where is your deep, sweet village touch?
Where is your clear village dialect?
Where are the sweet names you gave me five weeks ago?
Why canÆt you absorb me in your arms?
Why canÆt you keep me safe from pluralized accusations and the morning migration?

My love, I bleed for you, and yet you forsake me
I come to you from the wrong way on a one way strip
I come in twenties without seatbelts
I come open armed and I smile with your tongue
Yet you cut my exposed wrists with laughter
You hate me on your roads
The roads you develop in my name
You pound down my skin in the name of spreading my language
You forsake me though development plans are stamped in my praise

You spit names in my ruts until palm-sized water holes appear
You will not hold me on the street
And even as I wear your skirts you taunt its low slung waist and lick its ill-fitted gaps

You, my only African love, distract me from my point
By ordering me into restriction taboos
I cannot even touch you on kombis
Today you write me love songs
Tomorrow you will disappear
You turn me back and forth between daisy petals
I whistle our secret names, but you stopped listening with population growth

My love, why canÆt you scrape open my wooden door and kiss my forehead as for the first time?
Where is the soft dirt between my toes?
Where is the dirt and smokey smell in your hair?
Why have you gone cold in with the asphalt?
Why do you make me cold with neglect?
I try so hard and you will never see my effort.
I cannot take your distance on the kombi
I cannot drink night rain alone
But I will not return to you as a woman returns to her perpetrator
So I wail and leave my tears to disappear in your forgetting air.

ôYou didnÆt wipe the basin

October 16, 2001 by Sadie in Sadie & Greg

ôYou didnÆt wipe the basin. You have to wipe the sink and the floor with this and then take it outside to dry.ö
ôEe, mme.ö
This is my fifth double checked mistake since she woke up this morning. 1. Close your window. 2. Wipe the kitchen basin and the kitchen floor if you use the kitchen faucet. 3. No sugar in the teapot- it doesnÆt dissolve completely. 4. Eat with a tray and a doily. 5. Water droplets adhering to porcelain are dirty.
Most of these cleansing rituals are executed with the cloth that hangs stiff on the plastic bath basin. We also soak up shower water with this cloth, for the tucked up shower curtain is purely a cosmetic covering of our sunken concrete cube of a shower. Clean, closed, and dry. With a cherry on top and a doily too. I feel seven, pushing the toothpaste up in its capped tube and brushing the toothbrush against my leg. I feign hygiene, making the motions of showering twice a day in icy water, avoiding full body submersion at the risk of ridiculousness. I shave frequently to fulfill splashing sound requirements, but only one leg a day. My body is clean by seven in the evening, but with the lower half thirteen hours dirtier than the upper. Yet she seems content enough with the show, and I am motivated to run in the evenings, to warm up for the chill night cleaning.
However, it is my wet hair that shivers her back and opens the white of her eyes. On Sunday morning I was particularly careful with cleaning the upper half, soaping up ears and scalp until I shone with pinkie exfoliated cheeks. Two more minutes of such vigor and IÆd have martyred my skin for the sake of my motherÆs policy of cleanliness above godliness. I didnÆt know how right I was. A man from the ZCC church visited, and caught us three womens breaking the bible with our bare-headedness. My mother scrambled for a scarf. I leaned in, wet hair curling up in stubborn resistance. ôSo IÆm disrespecting men and God for not covering my hair?ö He nodded and laughed, eyes darting to my mother and the dead TV.
I am culturally sensitive. I will allow his religion to arrest my hair into a kept peace. I will tie my dyke bandana around my head and smile. He drinks my tea and leaves without his hat.
After his parting, my mother promptly took a three-hour nap. Sure needed it, with a week watching my hair loosen itself in the sitting room. Obsessive-compulsive thoughts are exhausting. Imported colonial cleanliness and patriarchal taboo traditions must be too. Oh, for the quiet of a motherÆs nap. The air is not clean, not ordered, but undone and softened with its undoing. I could paint an hourÆs eyeful in this sweet quiet. I try.
ôLorato?ö (When did love become an order?) ôWhere do you wash your panties?ö (Possibly my favorite tone, word, and question all in the same accusing exhale.) I choose to avoid and deny the existence of underwear.
ôMme, your garden is too beautiful. LetÆs go out and sit.ö
Our bedroom-sized square of grass flaunts itself to the desert dirt at its side. My feet breathe in yielding blades; they are in love. I would like very much to learn to stand on my head, to tangle my hair with green and yell into its watered roots. Sitting on white lawn chairs is only a few centimeters from the initial knee-jerk plan, so IÆm happily sedated. We are so perfect at this moment, sitting together without orders or niceties. Groomed hedges lock in green and cut the sunset into filtered pink and undefined shades of purple sunset blue. We breathe out a Sunday confined in corners.
My mother (oh, my beloved mother) crosses her legs with the stiff bath cloth on one knee, holding a mirror. She tilts her face (sweet soft black skin illuminated in greening light) and looks carefully. Squints. Begins to squeeze.
Flooding back are Sassy Seventeen Commandments on Skin Care: Never, Ever Pop a Zit. Never gonna kiss that cutie boy if youÆve got zit sca

I'm sick as a dog today

October 15, 2001 by Adam in Sam

I'm sick as a dog today. I told Sam I loved him and he replied, "I love you dad, even though you're sick. I don't love you too much when you're sick, just a little."

Quick note to let everyone know that Isa cut ...

October 15, 2001 by Seraph in Cortez

Quick note to let everyone know that Isa cut her two bottom teeth last night -- and boy are they sharp! She won't let us see much yet, but we're hoping this means happier days!

Yeah! I love you sooo much- friends and famil...

October 15, 2001 by Sadie in Sadie & Greg

Yeah! I love you sooo much- friends and family who turned out in such amazing and thoughtful numbers to give all of Ja's lovin to me so far away in this little desert country. And vote's tallied (wieghed slightly in favor of my own personal intuition ballot), I'm comming home next semester. It was, yes indeed, a bit more guidence from Miles David Nolte, the scout leader of this here A-team of seven, than I'll admit (wait, did I just admit that?), but mostly it was remebering how hard I love ya'll and how much sweeter the next two months will be if I such the marrow out of them as the last. ah, I'm gonna cry if I don't stop. You are Amazing to me...Sniff.

Happy Aniversery to us! It's been four years...

October 15, 2001 by Seraph in Cortez

Happy Aniversery to us! It's been four years, and we figure we've made it through the first round of really crapy years. Now were into the challenging crapy years, then the midlife crisis crapy years, and maybe if we're really lucky on to the really great golden (but too tired to care) years! Right now we just dream of retireing and convirting the kids rooms in to libraries and craft centers! Actually, we still feel the newly wedded bliss on a daily baises and feel blessed to have found each other.
We spent Saturday night at the coast in a wonderful B&B.
Isa stayed with Hanni across the street in a little hotel. Amazingly we all survived, and had a great time with some much needed R&R. (THank you to Mom and Dick for watching Ducky) This afternoon we had a picnic with Dad, Yayoe, Dorothy, Jenny, Dez, Jordon, and briefly Adam, Jamie and Sam. (Our family can't grow much more!) Best wishes to Dorothy on her flight home!

Good day yesterday

October 14, 2001 by Adam in Family

Good day yesterday. In the morning, Sam went off with Sue and Dick, while Jamie and I lazed about. I started work on refinishing our old banister in preparation for installation. We later headed out to Thistledown farms and picked up fresh produce. That evening, we had dinner with my dad, Yayoe, and Grandma Dorothy. Always fun to manage a lot of activities with a two-year-old, but we managed.

Unfortunately, the cold that's been going around hit me hard last night. Lots of sniffles this morning. Not quite through the entire box of tissues, but I'm working on it.

Another fine Friday

October 12, 2001 by Adam in Family

Another fine Friday. My body is filled the the brim with a Mocha and I'm looking forward to the weekend. Dorthy Miller's in town, and we'll have dinner with her Saturday night. I'm also hoping to see the Home and Garden show at the fairgrounds, as we're looking to get a gas fireplace insert to heat our house.

Sadie's got a new posting up on her page, asking everyone to vote on whether or not she should spend another term in Botswanana. Voting closes Monday morning, so e-mail her and give your opinion.

It's been crazy following the war news these days. Bombing in Afghanistan, Anthrax scares across the nation, and FBI warnings of another terrorist attack this weekend. Best wishes to all of you reading this.

Group vote needed on should I stay or should I go

October 12, 2001 by Sadie in Sadie & Greg

Group vote needed on should I stay or should I go. I want your opinion and your support, but mostly I just want you to think about if you want me far or real far. Its not like I'll see you more, or be more safe, or any of that. no passive agressive 'its your decision' bullcrap. my e-mail is the same, voting ends on monday morning. Thank you thank you my most loving family.

I picked up two games to pass the time before...

October 11, 2001 by Adam in Adam's Games

I picked up two games to pass the time before I got the components for my new computer: the Diablo 2 expansion and Undying.

Undying is based on the Unreal engine, so it looks beautiful. It's also a "horror" genre. It's genuinely creepy, best played with the lights off at night. I ended up playing on Easy level, probably a first for me, as Normal was a bit too tough and frustrating. I think I'm about halfway through, though I'm not in a rush to play.

Lord of Destruction, the Diablo 2 expansion, is pretty fun to play. I've been playing with Dave online, which is quite a bit more fun that just soloing. Dave called last night just to ask if I was up for a little gaming. I have an assassin character, while he's going with a paladin. Quite the combo.

I also got new 4.1 speakers - Altec Lansing ADA 885. They're THX certified, and sound beautiful. While playing last night, there were a lot of subtle noises that I hadn't heard before. I didn't go for the 5.1 system, as the main thing I'm doing on that PC is playing games. I'm also looking forward to the new, quiet PC, as my current one drowns out some of the sound.

Last night, I was watching Buffy the Vampire ...

October 10, 2001 by Adam in Sam

Last night, I was watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer while Jamie was trying to get Sam to bed. Evidently, it failed, and he crawled up to the couch next to me to watch the last 15 minutes. I warned him to let me know if it got scary, and as soon as it came on, he said "It's scary! It's scary!" So, I had to cover his eyes for the scary bit.

The other really cute part was when I looked over at him, and said, "I love you Sam." At the exact same time, he said, "Dad, I love you." Awww . . .

New letter from Sadie, dated 9/21/01

October 10, 2001 by Adam in Sadie & Greg

New letter from Sadie, dated 9/21/01.

Mom

I pass over unblemished skin and forget uniformity in the memory numonics of banality. Every day is neatly filed in the Department of Nothing's grey metal cabinets, and is as good as forgotten. We only remember the rough patches, the unusual compared to the ordinary. As with the cold showers before my boiling bath water is tempered (the Botswanan Power Corporation promises electricity any day), extremes bring awareness. Zen Kicks. Which is why it might be so easy to forget this little house in Palapya, which is not so poor or dirty as my house in Kanya. Comparitively, I'm living the easy life, and I should not scratch the healing scabs from last week's wounds. But I am not rested. I still scratch at old tick bites until they bleed and leave red residue under my nails. I rip apart my simple covering of pinkish tan cells as soon as I can find a tear. I dig into my own imperfections. Do I hope to actually find something new or revealing hidden underneath opened skin? Will I find the Me under my face, under what all of Palopye stares at, even the few white doctors? I'm living the easy life again, and complacency, the ease of being satisfied with every meal, is making me morose. Or perhaps I was naturally greiving, still tired from all the war dreams and losing you, and distracted so well in Kanye that I had no room for outside problems. With a girl younger than me waxing our floors, there isn't much room for imperfection, so I must focus in on more interesting material. I also find myself looking carefully at trash, watching crumpled paper butterflies flutter and crash on grit and asphault. I feel empty without the dead animals by the road, or just more anxious. What one doesn't have to face, one can't overcome and let go. This is the first principle of behavior therapy concerning anxiety and phobia. Exposure brings peace, and at the moment I am insulated from Kanye and American hardships. So I am tired from them without letting them go, for they are not mine to let go of. Last night I dreamt I could only receive news through the comics, and had to decipher that we bombed Afghanistan through jokes made in Beetle Bailey. I worry about getting a flight back to Botswana, and want you to call the Council Travel in Claremont to see how it will work. Don't worry, I'll get full credit and graduate on time - Smith likes students to go abroad all year. I'm glad I'll get a bit of a break to see the fam, though. God, I love and miss you more than chocolate. Do you want to go to Mozambique, which is a more successful version of Zimbabwe? Check out archeology sites and write if you want to.

Thanks for listening to me vent mama. Many hugs and kisses. - Sadie

Sam and I went out to Toys R Us and then the ...

October 09, 2001 by Adam in Sam

Sam and I went out to Toys R Us and then the bookstore, stopping off for a little treat. He's been sick the last few days, but I'm hoping is starting to feel better. His sense of humor is getting better and better these days. We were playing with Legos last night when he exclaimed, "Look dad! A human head on a windshield!" as he showed me his strange creation.

We've tried hard to minimize projects this we...

October 07, 2001 by Adam in Family

We've tried hard to minimize projects this weekend. With a few exceptions, we've done pretty well. Yesterday we had Jamie's dad, brothers, and Josh come over for football and Chinese food. Mostly I stayed in the nerd cave playing computer games while Josh and Sam fiddled with Legos.

Today we had lunch at Brant and Dave's house and now we're back. I suspect we'll take it easy for the rest of the afternoon. We're all sniffling with the latest cold and Sam's a bit grumpy.

I made a side trip to Jerry's this morning an...

October 07, 2001 by Adam in Adam's Projects

I made a side trip to Jerry's this morning and put the final touches on the exterior of the case. There's still much to do inside, but the outside of the case looks beautiful.

Now I've just got to hold off for a months or so until they release the motherboard and cpu that I want. Fortunately, the Diablo II expansion is going quite well. I played a bit with Dave this morning. Jolly good fun.

I jumped the gun a bit and started to put har...

October 06, 2001 by Adam in Adam's Projects

I jumped the gun a bit and started to put hardware on the case. I stained it, which went well, then put on a coat of Verithane, which didn't go well. It was old, so it's taking forever to dry. After several days, it's still sticky. I'm hoping that over time, it will harden up. The brass looks very nice on the case. I have to get some new screws, as for some bizarre reason the screws for the handles didn't match. Still, I'm very impressed with how it's turning out.

Since the computer hardware that I want isn't out yet, I picked up Undying and the Diablo II expansion to keep me busy.

Oh, very sad news

October 06, 2001 by Sue in Wielesek

Oh, very sad news. I had a phone call around noon from Dad telling me that my cousin Karen died. This is terrible. She had surgery for cancer and then complications. She was doing well for awhile but then began failing rapidly. Phil and June are in Franklin with Kathy and Mike, and apparently Steve is doing okay. I'll post Kathy's address and Steve's address if you want to send a card. It's just hard to believe. The irony is that Steve was on his way to a
meeting at the WTC on 911, and Kathy was able to catch him on his cell phone.

Well it's October and we're trying to think o...

October 05, 2001 by Seraph in Cortez

Well it's October and we're trying to think of a creative Halloween costume for Isa. Any ideas? We've got everything from a pumkin to an fairy princess! If you haven't already checked out the pictures of our newest cousins (on Robbie's side) do so on Alex and Carolyn's page -- what a cutie! Isa's crawling and bonking her head daily. I'm pretty sure she'd rather be walking. Robbie and I are excited to trick-or-treat and claim candy in her name. The fall has always been a favorite time for us.

We're muling over the idea of Thanksgiving at our house again. Robbie's brother Charles and his wife Judy will be coming for the holiday! Let me know what everyone already has planed so I can figure out what we're doing.

PS We love you Sadie!!!!

It's Friday morning, and thus a CafT Mocha da...

October 05, 2001 by Adam in Family

It's Friday morning, and thus a CafT Mocha day for me. This week has been fairly quiet, watching Sam in the evenings. Jamie's dad arrives in town tomorrow. I'm slowly getting my computer case done, though it's taking awhile. Work goes well, though busy without Frank.

It's been nice to hear from Sadie from far away Africa. Best wishes to her on her exciting adventures.

Sadie, if you are just checking a and j and n...

October 05, 2001 by Sue in Wielesek

Sadie, if you are just checking a and j and not e-mail, please let us know if you need us to send more Cipro or other meds.

HI There, Thanks for all your postings

October 04, 2001 by Yayoe in Yayoe

HI There,
Thanks for all your postings. It's fun reading about your lives. It's October already! Can you feel the chill in the air? I'm ready and have stocked my closet with fur lined slippers and a big fuzzy robe with moons on it. Thanks to Hanni, my shopping partner, I have the best and warmest robe to face winter with limited heat! And NO, I didn't get the robe at Good Will. (I do feel bad about that!) I plan to conserve electricity this year so come prepared with your long johns when you visit. We look forward to seeing you all when Dorothy comes for her visit next week Monday until October 16th.

Lohring and I have been visiting with Bill and Diane. Bill is not doing well and grows weaker as the days pass. He is on Hospice and benefitting from their care. It's a very sad time for him, his family and his many friends. Tonight the Boat Club "Boatheads" will be convening at Bill's house as a farewell meeting and special tribute to him. The boat club pond will be named after Bill! Sniff.

We are off to California November 2 for a Bat Mitsvah in Oakland, California. We plan to take a road trip and spend a few days in the bay area visiting friends/relatives.

Lohring is busy outfitting his shop which is starting to look quite nice. He and Adam have completed "the box" which will house his newest computer when ever it gets put together. So enough for now.

Carolyn asked that I post this message: Su...

October 04, 2001 by Adam in Carolyn & Alex Cortez

Carolyn asked that I post this message:

Sue wanted me to post the pictures of our new Grandson Charlie on my web page but I haven't posted for so long I forgot our password--so I'm sending them to you. Please post them for me and send me a reminder of our password.
This is my son Scott's and his wife Rebecca's second child, Charlie Stroh, born on August 30th. They live in Portland. His big sister Ellie is almost three.

(click for a larger image)

hey guys

October 04, 2001 by Sadie in Sadie & Greg

hey guys. I'm not homesick, really. too much excitement her is margaritaville, aka kasane. lots of afrikaaner tourists and proplr who can't even say dumela to the african waitresses- and they look just like me. whiteness is strange to be seperated from for a month and a half and then thrown back into, like being thrown back into the water you came from and realizing how suffocating it was all along. very interesting. cheers, Sadie

ps - Sadie said she dreamed last night that s...

October 03, 2001 by Sue in Wielesek

ps - Sadie said she dreamed last night that she had been sleeping on the porch at McMillan Street and when she woke up, it was Thanksgiving and Dick had made crepes for breakfast. I would say that her dreams have gotten pretty basic in Africa.

Check out Sadie's page, where it will give yo...

October 03, 2001 by Sue in Wielesek

Check out Sadie's page, where it will give you an actual phone number at a Safari Lodge. She said she had seen elephants and giraffs, all on the first day. She has been interviewing people and writing required papers, listed a number of dishes she had learned to cook, and said she could actually cut up meat. She was, as always, funny, but said she missed us all. She loved the jointly written letter -she's been able to get mail only twice so far. She will start at the University of Botswana next week.

Sadie just called my mom

October 03, 2001 by Adam in Sadie & Greg

Sadie just called my mom.

She's at the Chobe Safari Lodge in Kasane. Her phone number is 011-267-650-336 in room 206. She should be there after 9 pm Botwasna time (between noon and 8 PM PST) in the evenings and it's fine to call late.

She's homesick, but doing good. Supposedly she's learning amazing things, including cooking. She'll be there until the 10th or so. She did get food poisoning and had to run into the ER, but I think she's feeling a lot better.

Sam and I were at the park yesterday, playing...

October 02, 2001 by Adam in Sam

Sam and I were at the park yesterday, playing with Legos. I took my Lego person, picked a flower, and asked the other Lego person if he'd like to smell it.
"But I have no nose," said Sam.

I thought that was pretty hysterical, so we walked home to tell mom.

Yesterday morning, Sam woke up next to Jamie ...

October 01, 2001 by Adam in Sam

Yesterday morning, Sam woke up next to Jamie and asked:
"Why was your hair long when dad met you?"

I vaguely remember talking to Sam about it awhile ago. It's funny what things he remembers.

Big project weekend

October 01, 2001 by Adam in Adam's Projects

Big project weekend. Yesterday, I went over to my dad's house to work on my computer case. We got an immense amount of work done, routing out the front so it no longer breaks off parts of the CD-ROM, creating insets for the light covers, and making a front panel for the CD-ROM. Last night, I drilled holes for the rest of the pieces. In the next couple days I'll stain and varnish the wood, put on the assorted hardware, then I'll be ready to go.

The next step is buying the actual computer parts to go inside. I've picked out a bunch of the pieces already, but have held off ordering until the last minute. I'll probably order the power supply and fans fairly soon, as I'm thinking about some fan modifications to help keep the noise down. I've still got to wait a few weeks for my preferred CPU and motherboard to be released. Probably another month or so until it actually turns on.

October already! The weekend was filled with...

October 01, 2001 by Adam in Family

October already! The weekend was filled with projects - mowing the lawn, putting up shelves, working on my new computer, and much more. Friday night mom and Dick watched Sam while Jamie and I went out for dinner. Very nice and relaxing. Saturday was mostly a work day. Sunday I went to my dad's for computer work, getting much of it done. Sunday night, we had Seraph and Robbie over for dinner. Whew!

I watched Enterprise last night, the season p...

September 27, 2001 by Adam in Adam

I watched Enterprise last night, the season premier of the new Star Trek show. I was quite pleased. I loved the feel of the show, first stepping out into the wide universe. Not nearly as clean and polished as the other Star Trek shows. The special effects were top notch, and the story was interesting. Liked the new captain too. Not as cool as Farscape, but up there in my book.

Yesterday, Sam came up to me after work and s...

September 27, 2001 by Adam in Sam

Yesterday, Sam came up to me after work and said:
"Dad, I want to show you the truck!"
"The truck?"
"In the craft room. You have to go quietly."
We proceeded to sneak into the craft room, where Sam opened a cabinet and whispered "See?" It was the truck I had bought him for Christmas, which Jamie had hidden away. Sam, being the sneaky monkey that he is, found it immediately. I quickly hid it in another location and I'm hoping that he'll forget all about it in a few months.

This morning I switched over to a new ISP for...

September 27, 2001 by Adam in Family

This morning I switched over to a new ISP for DSL access. Believe it or not, I had about 5 minutes of downtime and am up and running now. Yeah!

The family is doing well. After work yesterday, I carried Sam around in a cardboard box, pretending he was "Captain Brainstorm" and the box was his rocket. I did that until dinner, then we went swimming while Jamie visited with Victoria. Afterwards, Sam and I watched the season premiere of Enterprise until he announced he wanted to go to sleep.

Also, note that Seraph & Robbie have a new e-mail address of isacortez@earthlink.net.

Isa's slowly getting the hang of crawling, bu...

September 26, 2001 by Seraph in Cortez

Isa's slowly getting the hang of crawling, but I still think she'd rather be running! Robbie and Isa had a play date with Sam today while Jamie got her hair cut. They played Star Wars, Legos and several games of hide-and-seek! My back is feeling much better. Thank you for all the calls and e-mails.

Sam had a wonderful time at the coast

September 25, 2001 by Adam in Sam

Sam had a wonderful time at the coast. There were lots of people to play with, and everyone laughed at his jokes.

Sam's been going through a growth spurt, I think. Last night, he ate a huge amount of food. Every time he'd stuff something down, in a few more minutes he'd be hungry again. He's also been much more polite lately. There's a lot of "Please may I"'s, which are pretty hard to resist.

A very quiet weekend visit to the coast

September 24, 2001 by Adam in Family

A very quiet weekend visit to the coast. Jamie, Sam, and I headed up Friday and I took Sam to the aquarium. We had a good time going through the tubes, touching sea anemonies, and watching sea lions playing. Saturday was shopping, mostly getting things for Sam's upcoming birthday and Christmas, though I picked up a robe for Jamie's birthday too.

We puttered around on the beach most of Sunday, and I headed back with Brant, Wendy, and Steve in the afternoon. Jamie and Sam should be home by the time I return from work today.

Sam came in to our bed this morning and dropp...

September 21, 2001 by Adam in Sam

Sam came in to our bed this morning and dropped his binkies on the mattress. He told Jamie, "See mom. That's gravity."

Hi, I actually talked with Sadie yesterday mo...

September 20, 2001 by Sue in Wielesek

Hi, I actually talked with Sadie yesterday morning. She was calling on a calling card, which ran out all too quickly. She is now staying with a family whose father works for Botswana Power. There's a grown up daughter, a hired girl,
a dad and a younger daughter. I don't know about the Mom.
She sounded happy and excited. She said she wanted to stay a second semester; I did the usual Mom-Mantra of "It's your decision." That's what I always say when I don't like the decision.

I want again to say thanks to all the family and friends who sent messages and welcomed me back. Once, when I was going through hard times, I got a fortune in a fortune cookie which said, "You are protected by the silent love around you." (I assume they have the equivalent of English majors writing those fortunes.) It's not a bad fortune to remember from time to time, so thanks again.

Nothing too exciting these days

September 20, 2001 by Adam in Family

Nothing too exciting these days. Jamie's birthday was yesterday, but we're pretending that it's not until this weekend. She left soon after I got home, then returned close to 9 o'clock. I balanced a votive candle on a cupcake and sung her happy birthday.

Tomorrow we leave for the coast, and I'm starting to get excited. I'm also seeing an eye doctor today for my ongoing eye irritation problem. It's a lot better, but I've learned to see the doctor whenever anything's remotely wrong.

I finished up Arcanum, and have hit a bit of ...

September 20, 2001 by Adam in Adam's Games

I finished up Arcanum, and have hit a bit of a lull. Not that I really have much free time to play these days. What I really should do is start extracting myself from Everquest. To be nice to the people who helped me so much, I should give back some of the assorted loot that I've been given. Unfortunately, that's a bit time consuming, so it may take awhile.

Nothing really exciting game-wise is on the horizion. I may pick up the Diablo expansion, Max Payne, or do some non-gaming things with my computer. My network connection may be down for awhile, but hopefully I'll start getting my DSL issue resolved today. Sigh.

Milestone Moment! Today Isabell crawled

September 20, 2001 by Seraph in Cortez

Milestone Moment! Today Isabell crawled. She's still shakey at it, and prefers to scoot and pull herself up, but we're getting there!
Ahh.. the miricle of drugs! I've spent Monday and Tuesday pretty much on my back while my back muscles were spasming away. It reminded me far to much of labor, but with no end in sight. The doctor gave my some meds though and the relief has been tremendous. An added bonus is that it's dopeing up Isa some too! It certianly helps with teething!
A big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Jamie!!!! We love you!!

Sadie called this morning at 4 am

September 19, 2001 by Adam in Family

Sadie called this morning at 4 am. She basically said, "Hi, it's Sadie. Tell everyone I love them." She was so quick that I couldn't get to the phone in time. Sigh.

I'm also working hard to get a new ISP. Lots of hassle. It looks like The Pond closing is also affecting lots of others in the family. Please e-mail me if you have good suggestions as to an ISP. I'm trying to stay local, but haven't found a good one yet.

Jamie's been working hard for the first part ...

September 19, 2001 by Adam in Sam

Jamie's been working hard for the first part of this week, doing Tiny Tots and preschool things. I've been watching Sam in the evenings, and it's been great fun. I think he was a little sick for a few days, as he tended to whine a bit more than usual. It's been better, which makes him more fun to be around. He's also going to bed at 8 pm, which is wonderful. I've even had some time to relax in the evenings.

Sam's imagination is amazing. Last night, he was Max, not Sam. Sam was off for a walk in the forest, where he was captured by spiders and put in a cave. We had to drive off to Borders to rescue him and take him back. I think he got the idea from my stories about the Hobbit. Nice to know he's absorbing fine literature already.

When I had dinner at my mom's house on Sunday...

September 19, 2001 by Adam in Jenny

When I had dinner at my mom's house on Sunday, I got a peek at baby Jordan. He's getting pretty big, and starting to look around at everything. Jenny says that he's only up once to eat through the night, and is actually a pretty quiet kid. All these things make me hopeful of having a second one some day.

We got a new letter from Sadie

September 19, 2001 by Adam in Sadie & Greg

We got a new letter from Sadie. It's addressed:
The K.W.M.B.C. Family

And on the back is:
Yeah, you all have to get together to read this, so nya, nya, nya - S.
(Editor: I guess she hasn't learned about the Internet yet.)

The rest of the letter continues:
Every day breaks and rebuilds me, and it's only the sheer pain of monotony that pulls days into weeks in some accelerated generalization of Kanye. "Very big. China" The joke we would roll around when no words or logic could encapsulate an experience. But if I could distill my daily experience to the first two hours of daybreak, it would describe the making of the fire. Gosa Molelo. The alarm dreams that I used to sleep through but now anticipate at 5:58 every morning. Wake for ten guilty minutes, hoping to hear the pata pata of bed shoes bringing wood and matches, and hearing none. Pull on Dick's old wool sweater, one arm above manufactured fabric at a time, or pulled into my sleeping bag before fresh air hits my skin. Sandal straps crusted with God knows I can't tell browns apart, and wash hands with last night's saline. Then balancing sticky contacts on a finger tip, tilting at candle light to make sure the 123 lines up so my eyes don't tickle with backwards plastic all day. Pull up the door so it doesn't scrape, scrape it closed. Look for wood - yesterday from our stick fence and straw from the thatched roof. I wish I knew how real women warm water without tearing down the house. The first week I brought a big box of matches so when the fire sputtered out there wasn't any fumbling in the house, perhaps waking the old women and the fucking rooster. (Editor: there goes our family-friendly rating)

I can't explain without succumbing to the actual monotony of the task, and had it not hurt, had I never cried in my life until my body was black and lungs coated with mogobe soot, I'd pass it over. Instead, I'd disect the pit latrine with its glossy shelled cockroaches and pretty pattern of flies that make flowers like my bedroom wallpaper before Martha Stewart. But the real shit is in the work outside of laminated living and matching green enamel.

So I start the fire with sticks and ends of yesterday's successes. The most important thing is fanning so hard it goes dead 'cept the gwoosh gwoosh sounds of oxygen and fuel. Last weeks mistake was not enough panting. I took the plastic bucket top and waved it a bit, but molelo needs good hard slaps. And don't look at the sun 'till the fire's steady, because once I forgot my carbon tears and lost the whole fire on account of the sky. The it's smoke and cold all over again. But the smoke in my skin and the clouds that are too perfect for personification bring reference for the rest of my day. I don't envy the sleeping grandmother on the sitting room floor, sinking through a chicken coop patress and aching ten babies full. In sleep I can't own the memory of morning. I can't stick my flag in and claim the elusive time which could pass easy like old family jokes about China.

I wish I could really explain the chalky yellow paint or the way it drips on concrete, the way dirt brings out age and fingertips on fair skin, or the sunburnt exhaustion that is freeze framed and catalogued without cross references for translation. I wish I could write you volumes of untranslated beat haikus straight out of my diseased dog Lazarus, written on soot stained hands and copied to the margins of my journal pages. Rain on corrogated roofs. Desert at the edge of water. The nights that are too beautiful and grotesque for our native tongue. I am still trying to fail every day until I let go of my access and bullshit and the things I didn't

We had dinner for my mom on Sunday

September 18, 2001 by Adam in Family

We had dinner for my mom on Sunday. It was good to get everyone together and hear strange tales of her airplane ride over to England. Glad to have her back.

The week has gone well. I've been watching Sam at night, as Jamie has full evenings every night this week. She rescheduled her Tiny Tots orientations to this week, unfortunately leaving her busy on her birthday. We're going to pretend it didn't really happen and instead celebrate this weekend.

We're heading to the coast on Friday. I get to go the the Newport aquarium and see it the first time with the new fish tubes. Then it's to a place on the coast with all of Jamie's family. Should be quite the adventure.

Sam's sense of humor is improving

September 18, 2001 by Adam in Sam

Sam's sense of humor is improving. Tonight, we had this little discussion:
"Dad, I want to tell you something."
"What?"
(burp)

How he timed it so perfectly, we'll never know.

Home at last

September 17, 2001 by Sue in Wielesek

Home at last. I slept at the Heathrow Airport Friday night to be sure I got the flight on Saturday morning. Police were everywhere, and our carry on luggage was hand searched.
The flight, scheduled for 8:40 a.m., left at about 1:00 p.m.
When we landed at LA, someone on the plane started singing God Bless America - the rest of us joined in.

I had to stay overnight at the Sheraton in L.A. The glitz was a contrast to the reality of the last few days.

All the kids and grandkids were over for dinner tonight. Dad called from Meg and Dick's - tired but safely home.

Sam's been going through a phase lately

September 16, 2001 by Adam in Sam

Sam's been going through a phase lately. Lots of whining. I keep assuring myself that it's normal and try to correct him:
"Why don't you ask 'could you please get me a cracker?'"
So far, it only sort of works.

Sam started preschool last week. He's really enjoying it.
"Gonna go, mom?"
"Yep."
"Will you pick me up after story time?"
"Yep."
"Okay, goodbye."

He's really enjoying the new sandbox. He had me bury him today while we were playing.

When you move in to an old house, it's expect...

September 16, 2001 by Adam in Adam

When you move in to an old house, it's expected that you'll find assorted knick knacks left over from the previous owners. We found a box of unopened Halloween toys, assorted building supplies, paint for every room, and the like. What I didn't expect was what I found yesterday: a rocket launcher.

It's homemade, a PVC pipe outfitted with an ignition system and a model rocket fitted into the tube. I imagine you'd hold it on your shoulder, make sure no one is behind you, and push the button. Crazy. Not sure if I'm really going to try it out, or if I'll just trash it to remove temptation.

Mom just called! She's in LA, as suspected

September 16, 2001 by Adam in Family

Mom just called! She's in LA, as suspected. She has a flight out tomorrow morning and should be in Portland at 10:27 am. We're crossing our fingers. Hopefully we'll see her soon.

As Adam mentioned, Mom may be stuck in LA for...

September 15, 2001 by Seraph in Cortez

As Adam mentioned, Mom may be stuck in LA for awhile. On the work frount this is very frusterating. As Adam said LA is worse than London, perticularly because I could almost reach Mom in London. I guess a few more days of holding down the fort won't be to bad. Althougth if I hear one more time that I need to go to law school I think I'll just point to these last few weeks for the reason I shouldn't!
I'm still not sure if we're going to go down to the Celebration today. The parade was fun this morning. I think all the kidos (and grown ups alike) enjoyed a little laughter (dancing pigs, cows, and chickens) after such a difficult week.

Sam and I took the "Batmobile" (his big strol...

September 15, 2001 by Adam in Family

Sam and I took the "Batmobile" (his big stroller) down to the library. We met up with Seraph, Robbie, Honni, Isabell, Jenny, Destin, and Jordan and watched the parade. It was more subdued than last year. Lots of flags and patriotism, though some people marching for peace as well. Sam loved it, especially all the costumes.

The web site was down for a few hours this morning. I also found out that The Pond is cutting off my account at the end of the month. Evidently they're dropping DSL customers. Very frustrating and extremely bad timing. I wrote them a nasty letter and will no longer recommend them to people. The rumor is that they've been bought out by Earthlink.

Dick called this morning. My mom's flying into LA as we speak, but the airline to Portland has been cancelled. She may be stuck in LA for a couple of days - far worse than being stuck in London. I'll post more as I find things out from Dick.

I don't think tomarrow can come fast enough f...

September 14, 2001 by Seraph in Cortez

I don't think tomarrow can come fast enough for me. Now that I'm working for Mom my days become terribly empty without her presence. Also I think Isa is starting to miss her! We are heading down to the vigil on the mall tonight at 7pm, and to the Celebration Parade tomarrow morning. If anyone wants to get together and go as a group let me know. I'm feeling the need to go out and show my support, and help out, where ever I may be needed.

It is days like this that I am thankful that ...

September 14, 2001 by Adam in Family

It is days like this that I am thankful that I put together this little web site. Reading the messages from Sadie and my mom, in places far away, brought tears to my eyes.

This week started out grim, burying Frank, and trying to work with an empty place on our team. The next day, waking up to disaster, strengthened the sense of unreality. I've been going through the motions at work, coding away in strange computer languages.

My family has been my strength. Coming home to Jamie and Sam is the highlight of my day. It seems a reaffirmation of life when little Sam and I play with tricky Legos together. Visiting and talking to my sisters, parents, and other hangers on, has been so helpful these last few days. Love you all.

here i am in gabarone, after the most incread...

September 14, 2001 by Sadie in Sadie & Greg

here i am in gabarone, after the most increadible month. if i could hold these stars in my hands and send them, sweeping constilations and planets at a time, you know i would. my mother brought me into my room this morning and we held each other and she prayed for me, in setswana and english and i know you would have cried at least as much as i did. its hard to leave candlelight conversations, mogobe (think cream of wheat morning noon and night at various viscosities), and the most increadible language teachers, all either under three or over fifty and with glittering eyes that show a sense of the world untouched by what we might consider to be absolute poverty. i am at a strange edge, jumping into the small town research on monday, excited but in love with my place in kanye, and feeling more than I ever havehave, all at once and overlapping- that dumb adjustment curve they sent was not scaled right- \i do all that every day. yesterday was one of the most difficult days yet, for I had the delight to receive a few letters (thank you thank you thank you) and got to call home, all on top of finally hearing the news and watching cnn for a terrifying moment or two. i want to be with you so much, to hunker like the welsh should and touch all of you on the shoulder, just to remember my own place as well as yours. But I'm not alone here, and you are not alone there, and everything has a way of working out... so i hope. please send on letters, though i can't get them frequently, i'll write nevertheless and love you all the more. kisses to Noah.

Dear Family and friends, I am scheduled to...

September 14, 2001 by Sue in Wielesek

Dear Family and friends,

I am scheduled to leave GB tomorrow morning at 8:50 a.m. on flight 933, arrive in Los Angeles at noon, and arrive into Portland at 4:09 p.m.. I'm going into the airport this afternoon. If flights are leaving as scheduled, I'll try to find a room, but if things look at all dicey, I'll stay at the airport.

Dad is scheduled to leave Sunday at 11:40 on UA 921, getting into Washington Dulles at 2:40 p.m., taking UA 7568, leaving Dulles at 5:15 p.m. and arriving Philadelphia at 6:15 p.m.

Mary and another couple are going over on the car ferry very early on Sunday morning, and Mary has arranged for a cab to take him directly to the airport.

Meg, I mailed a box with Dad's cane (he bought another one in Liverpool) and souvenirs to your house. Dad can take out his stuff and then would you send it on.

We have stretched out our last bit of cash, and each have about ú100 in cash, so we should be okay.

Mary is taking very good care of us. One of her friends will take Dad around to see 'masculine' things tomorrow, as Mary has to work.

Bembridge is such a lovely peaceable village that it is hard to imagine anything so terrible could happen.

As I said earlier, Dad figured out that there was something wrong and the plane was landing earlier than it should. The
pilot did not give us any information prior to landing, and I assumed there was something wrong with our plane. I want you to know that there is a barf bag somewhere in the London Heathrow garbage system on which I wrote that I loved you all. You all mean more to me than all the tea in England. Love, Sue/om

Hi everybody

September 14, 2001 by Sue in Wielesek

Hi everybody. I am at last mastering the internet by kind tuition from sue

As a response to Adam's posting I called Sara...

September 14, 2001 by Seraph in Cortez

As a response to Adam's posting I called Sara Spettel's family here in Eugene. They said she was doing fine. If anyone else talks to Sadie please let her know. It feels like there continues to be someone I forgot to make sure is accounted for. Right now I just can't wait until Mom gets back. I hope she said a really good good-byr to everyone in England, because it might be a long time before I let her out of my sight again!

Hi, I wish I could see your faces

September 13, 2001 by Sue in Wielesek

Hi, I wish I could see your faces. People here are subdued and sympathetic. Several people on the train yesterday offered kind words, and one woman said we could stay with her. I'm glad to hear that everyone we know is fine, but so many have lost so much.

Don't know if you heard that Steve Berkenfeld, Karen's husband, avoided the devastation even though he had been heading for a meeting at the WTC. Kathy, his sister in law in Franklin, saw the news and reached him on his cell phone. He in turn was able to reach the person he was going to meet, who was on the subway on his way to work.

We were very lucky to get a room the first night, but when we were rebooked Saturday and Sunday, we knew we needed to get hunkered in for a day or two. The trip down from London, by tube, express train, slow train, and boat, was pretty grueling, but Dad held up like a champ. I don't know whether Dick mentioned this, but Dad figured out long before anyone else that something was wrong - they had asked us to lower our blinds so people could see the movie, but of course, Dad noticed when the plane dropped to a lower altitude, and then figured out that the sun was in the wrong place.

I hope Jamie's dad got in safe and sound. I appreciate all the efforts everyone made to locate us. Mary is taking very good care of us. She has made arrangements for Dad to get straight to the airport on Sunday morning.

I can't wait to see you all,

Love, Sue/om

At 4:00 am, I heard the phone ring

September 13, 2001 by Adam in Family

At 4:00 am, I heard the phone ring. It was Sadie, calling from the other side of the world. She wanted to let us know that she was fine and I told her that everyone was okay on our end. Evidently the people in her program and their families were okay too.

The only person she hadn't heard about was her friend Sara. She goes to school in New York, though I'm not sure how to reach her.

we were relieved to hear that Sue was still i...

September 12, 2001 by Robbie in Cortez

we were relieved to hear that Sue was still in England and we can't wait until they are back home. Seraph was contacted by Pitzer college and told her that the students on the foreign programs were worried about their parents. Seraph sent a message to Sadie saying that everything is O.K. here. Hopefully we will hear from Sadie soon. We can only pray for those in New York City, the airplane victims, and the victims of the Pentagon.

My family is starting to ask about my new com...

September 12, 2001 by Adam in Adam's Projects

My family is starting to ask about my new computer case. I've put together a page in the case mod section of the site, detailing my progress. I'll update it periodically when I can. You can take a peek at the Fossil case here.

7:10 am Back at work

September 12, 2001 by Adam in Family

7:10 am
Back at work. Supposedly, my mom gets on a plane home today. Not sure if it will really happen, but we're hopeful. No word on Jamie's dad yet, other than he's still in Nebraska.

8:10 am
Got an e-mail from Dick. My mom's flight today was cancelled, so it will probably be a few more days before she can head back.

10:50 am
Dick called. My mom and grandfather are safe and staying with Mary Steane. My mom flies back Saturday, going to LA then Portland. Bill has to wait until Sunday when he'll fly into Philadelphia. Glad to know there's finally a plan.

4:50 pm
Just updating to let everyone know that there aren't any updates. Quiet day at work - hard to get anything done. I'll probably take Sam swimming and give Jamie a little quiet time.

8:00 pm
Went swimming with Sam. Jamie mentioned at dinner that her dad called and was flying back on Saturday. It looks like everyone is accounted for and soon to be home.

Adam's keeping everyone abreast of the chaos ...

September 11, 2001 by Seraph in Cortez

Adam's keeping everyone abreast of the chaos on the family page, and I don't have much to add. Our church is having a prayer service tonight at 7:00pm for anyone interested. Robbie, Isa and I will probably go. Adam and Jenny were talking about getting everyone together tonight, I'll call people between 4 and 5 if I don't hear anything sooner.

8:30 am We just got news of the terrorist at...

September 11, 2001 by Adam in Family

8:30 am
We just got news of the terrorist attacks to the World Trade Center towers and the Pentagon. My mom is in the air today, returning from London and heading towards Washington. They're redirecting all international airplane travel to Canada, so we're hoping she's headed there. I'll keep everyone updated.

9:00 am
Finished talking to Jenny, Seraph, Dick, and my dad. We're not sure about my mom's flight, but a web lookup seems to point to United Airlines flight #1. Our guess is that she's headed to Canada, though they're talking about closing those down as well. Hopefully it will be after incoming flights land.

We're also worrying about Sadie in Botswana and thinking about pulling her back to the United States as soon as we can. My dad's talking to the Pitzer college people to find out what's happening. Since she's in such a backwater, she may be hard to reach.

9:10 am
Finished talking to Dick. It looks like my mom is on the ground in England. The plane was either delayed, or they turned around and landed. They're going to make a decision within an hour about how to get them back. Jamie called, shaken about the news.

9:30 am
Just talked to my dad, who contacted the Pitzer folks. They're contacting all their student leaders, so Sadie should know what's going on fairly soon. They don't plan on pulling anyone out yet. I think they're waiting for the State Department to issue warnings.

9:40 am
Dick called. My mom is booked for a flight home tomorrow, though no one knows if they'll be allowing international flights by then.

10:25 am
Dick called. Meg is trying to reach my mom in England, with no success so far.

1:00 pm
Dick left a message. The people my mom was staying with have called, but have been unable to reach my mom. Phones and e-mail are proving unreliable, but we hope to hear from her soon.

3:05 pm
ABC news is showing pictures of bombing in Afghanistan. Not sure who's doing it or why. No word on my mom yet.

3:15 pm
Dick left a message. One of the Marys from England called after she got through to the airport. My mom's airplane was in the air when the attack hit, so they turned it around and landed it. Now they're working on getting hotels for everyone. The phone lines from the airport are jammed, so that's probably why we haven't heard anything.

4:00 pm
Heading home. I think our family is going to try to get together tonight. No word so far on where we'll meet. Jamie has a meeting tonight, though I'm not sure how many will attend.

4:40 pm
More updates. Judy's building was evacuated in Portland due to a bomb threat. Sam and I are meeting with family at Papa's Pizza at 6 pm. Jamie remembered that her dad was supposed to fly back from Omaha today. No word on him.

7:20 pm
Back from pizza. Dick stayed faithfully by the phone, but everyone else was there. It was nice to visit, if only for a bit.

8:00 pm
Cousin Mary called. My mom is sleeping in a hotel in London, and will try to fly out tomorrow. Jamie's dad is still in Nebraska, as today's flight was cancelled. Hopefully we'll know more tomorrow.

We had a good, productive weekend

September 10, 2001 by Adam in Family

We had a good, productive weekend. I put together a sandbox for Sam and did some miscellaneous home repairs. I worked on the computer case with my dad. Everyone seemed in good spirits.

I'm going to be heading off to a memorial service for Frank shortly. Sam should be in his first day of preschool already, while Jamie works out beneath my feet (in the basement gym).

All the various world travellers are in my thoughts. Yayoe returned from Hawaii. My mom and grandfather are in England. Sadie is in Botswana, still learning the language. I wish you all well.

Robbie and Isa had a close call last Wednesday

September 09, 2001 by Seraph in Cortez

Robbie and Isa had a close call last Wednesday. While stopped at a light they had a semi truck pull up beside them, but the brakes on the trailer failed and the truck nearly lost its load ( a large back hoe) on to our car. Some chains and debris hit our car and dented up the drivers side doors and broke out the window on the back door. Some glass got into Isa's car seat, but luckily neither of them were hurt. Now we're having to deal with getting the car fixed, insurance agencies and all thae other fun stuff that comes with these things. I told Robbie that this probably cost him a few of his nine lives! Darren starts work at our house this week, and we're still trying to get some last stuff cleaned up for him!

In just a few hours, I managed to put togethe...

September 08, 2001 by Adam in Adam's Projects

In just a few hours, I managed to put together a sandbox for Sam. It was pretty grueling, from drilling and bolting the pieces together in the morning, to hauling a ton of sand up our hill over and over. Sam totally loves it, which makes it all worthwhile. While I was dumping in the sand, Sam wanted to be in it and have me dump the sand on him. Great fun.

I've been frantically preparing for the openi...

September 07, 2001 by Jamie in Jamie

I've been frantically preparing for the opening of Tiny Tots and Preschool. Though there is much work to be done this week, the benefit is something to do with Sam for the Winter! He has become so energetic lately, I can't keep track of him. All this, combined with a distinct lack of napping, has made my time alone much coveted. I've been enjoying my new favorite channels on digital cable...BBC America and Home & Garden TV (although I don't know if it is good for me to get all these great home ideas when I can't implement them) I've convinced Adam that we need to build Sam a sandbox in the backyard, so hopefully that will be completed this weekend.
We are looking forward to a weekend with my family at the coast late in September, and a trip to the Portland Zoo coming up soon.
As for me, I just look forward to the start of SCHOOL :-)

Frank, my coworker, passed away a few hours ago

September 07, 2001 by Adam in Family

Frank, my coworker, passed away a few hours ago. It's been a long battle with cancer, and the last couple weeks went quickly. For our small team at work, it's been very emotional. He will be hard to replace, both work-wise and as a friend.

I've been playing Arcanum for a couple weeks now

September 06, 2001 by Adam in Adam's Games

I've been playing Arcanum for a couple weeks now. It's the game that was delayed for three months due to stupid reasons. While the graphics are a tad dated, the gameplay is pretty good. I like the "deep" RPGs that let you resolve problems a variety of ways. My current character is a melee/diplomat. Rarely does something come up that she can't outfight or outwit. Plus, I have an entourage of 6 NPCs who help me out in all situations.

My interest in Everquest is fading. I played a couple hours last weekend, but that's about it. I find that the gameplay is repetitive, with lots of boring times travelling or waiting for something to happen. I'm thinking about just closing my account for now.

I played the Max Payne demo last night. Beautiful graphics and nice slow-motion "bullet time" effects. Even thought it's supposedly only a 10 hour game, I may just have to pick it up. Looks to be fun.

Frank Obert, my coworker and cubicle neighbor...

September 05, 2001 by Adam in Adam

Frank Obert, my coworker and cubicle neighbor for a couple years, is approaching the end of his battle with cancer. He was diagnosed over a year ago, and his particular form of cancer has a low survival rate. I felt pretty lousy for a long time after finding out.

Since then, he's done chemotherapy and been very aggressive with fighting the disease. Just a few weeks ago, he started having serious back pain, and it now appears that it's spread aggresively to his liver. He probably has a few days or weeks of his life left.

Working with Frank through this time has been an intense experience. I've been much more serious about my own health, getting a physical earlier this year. I'm also getting life insurance, just in case.

It's been an honor to work with him these years. His particular brand of humor has added to our weekly meetings. I hope that when my time comes, I have the same courage and wit when facing my mortality.

It's been a good Memorial Day weekend so far

September 03, 2001 by Adam in Family

It's been a good Memorial Day weekend so far. Yesterday Sam, Dave, Josh, and I went out to Amazon park to shoot off rockets. It was more scary for Sam than it was the last time, though plugging his ears and closing his eyes for the launch seemed to help. Watching Dave and Josh run after the rockets was the best part. Unfortunately, we melted the parachute on our new rocket - not enough wadding.

Today was pretty low key. Serena returned from her month in Australia, so our house was again cleaned. Jamie and I snuck out for dinner while the boys watched Sam (as well as the football game).

Well this is most certianly our Labor Day wee...

September 03, 2001 by Seraph in Cortez

Well this is most certianly our Labor Day weekend! Yesterday we organized and cleaned the inside of the house. Last night we went to play with Destin and Jordan while Jenny and Darren got to be free for awhile. Today we cleaned out the garage. Most of the time though we were day dreaming about lighting it on fire! We now have a huge pile of debris to haul to the dump (anyone want to help?). Tomarrow it's yard work. Huge hugs and kisses go out to Hunni for watching Isa today. Have we mentioned before that we LOVE having family around?! Sending good thoughts to all the family that's traveling:Mom, Yayoe, Sadie, and Grandpa Steane; and welcome home Jamie and Sam!

Hi to all, Well, we should all move to the I...

September 01, 2001 by Sue in Wielesek

Hi to all,
Well, we should all move to the Isle of Wight. It has great dirt and a nice climate, for us gardeners, beautiful 19th century homes, for the antique home seekers, Neolithic relics, and a Roman villa, from the time the Romans lived in Great Britain for the history buffs. We got to see Queen Victoria's summer home, which was opulent beyond belief, and which has a painting of her with the groom, just like in the movie Mrs. Brown. It's 10 pm, so the football game should just be started. Many hugs to all. I'm not quite sure when I will be the same place as a computer, but when I looked at the moon and stars, I thought of you all. Love,om

ISA TOOK A BOTTLE!!!! For those of you who h...

September 01, 2001 by Seraph in Cortez

ISA TOOK A BOTTLE!!!! For those of you who have followed our saga, you know what an accomplishment this is. At dinner tonight Isa was drinking out of her tippy cup, and I commented on how good she was getting at sucking out the water. I then said "lets try a bottle." Sure enough, two minutes latter she was sucking away like a little cow! This may be another one of her passing phases but it may also be a good sign. She also had a boil on her hand this morning. But the doctor said that unless they spread all over then not to worry.
Last weekend we got Hanni moved over. Now we just have to get her hooked to the web so she can be apart of the Family Site. Next week I start full time at mom's, and on top of watching Isa, Robbie's also looking into some mineral for Alex (my comprehension only goes that far!). We're looking forward to the long weekend. Lots of house work though.

Dad and I arrived safely in Heathrow this (Fr...

August 31, 2001 by Sue in Wielesek

Dad and I arrived safely in Heathrow this (Friday) morning at about 9:30. Mary had made plans to move us from Heathrow, and, said plans having gone off without a hitch, we are here. We rode the Hovercraft from the mainland to the island, a trip of about ten minutes. The island itself is lovely, with compact towns and nice farms. The total population is about 125,000, but thanks to some excellent land use planning by those farmers three or four hundred years ago, the feeling is much different from the way the same number of people would be spread around in the US.
The three of us will drive down to Plymouth on Sunday to spend a few days there.
Much love to all

Sam and Jamie have been back for a couple day...

August 31, 2001 by Adam in Family

Sam and Jamie have been back for a couple days now. It's nice to get back into the old routines. Sam and I have been playing lots in the evenings. The first day was Legos, pretending to be pirates, and hiding around the house. Last night was the park and burying Sam in the sand. Lots of fun.

A three day weekend snuck right up on me. I guess I'm taking Monday off, an unexpected treat. No big weekend plans. I'll hopefully get a chance to do a little more work on my computer, and my friend Jim wants me to play some Everquest.

Another letter from Sadie came in (slightly e...

August 31, 2001 by Adam in Sadie & Greg

Another letter from Sadie came in (slightly edited for content):

    I headed off to 'le toilet', which my mme showed me before I put down my bags and gave mpo (gifts). I pulled open the door, and cocking its hair little head was a huge cockroach. "I will not be afraid of bugs, I will not be afraid of bugs," I told myself, and swept a few away. That night I dreamt of having to venture off to the latrine, perching on the toilet, and being covered in those not so little animals. However, by morning I had overcome my feelings and made friends with the furry things. The dog who I believe has tetnus, is still alive, but no one has a name for him. If any unusual meat comes my way after the atsa passes, I'll be sure to write.

    I bathe as much as I eat, so I am quite squeaky and full. My family is interesting, and intent on teaching me Setswana. I plucked a chicken and made dumplins. No vegitables yet. We sit by a paraphin lamp at night and talk (or rather, they talk), and go to bed by 8. The language lessons are from 8 am until 7 pm, and although I know nothing now, in a few weeks I might hold my own in a conversation without saying "gobe?" every sentence.

    Too new to be sad or overjoyed - just experiencing, responding, and always aware. No worries, and all my kisses to the new one.

I went ahead and posted Jordan's Birth Announ...

August 30, 2001 by Adam in Jenny

I went ahead and posted Jordan's Birth Announcement from my company's web site.

I saw Jordan last Sunday and he seemed to be doing quite well. Darren kept wanting to play with him, while Jordan mostly wanted to sleep.

Jamie comes back today

August 29, 2001 by Adam in Family

Jamie comes back today. She called from Portland, pretty exhausted from her trip. I think she's mostly looking forward to having a little time to herself when she comes home. I'll have to draw her a bubble bath and take Sam downstairs to play with Legos.

Got a letter from Sadie in Africa I thought I...

August 29, 2001 by Adam in Sadie & Greg

Got a letter from Sadie in Africa I thought I'd share:

Family!
Please kiss the new baby for me! Last night I fell asleep to the sound of a Zioniut choir - The Power of One soundtrack couldn't hold a candle to the real thing. Everyone on the trip is amazing. No annoying Smithies in sight. [Ed: to any Smithies reading this web site, she's referring to the other ones.] On Sunday we are going into our first village homestay. My first Setswanna lesson was today - an uphill battle at best, but nothing that can't be laughed off. I'm sure to fail and humiliate myself terribly for the first month. Oh well. Batsi, one of the program assistants, was going to write Thomas Mapfuomo's biography - loves Chimerenga Mulie. I'm doing very well Love you all tons. SADIE

Last night, I spent about an hour sanding the...

August 28, 2001 by Adam in Adam's Projects

Last night, I spent about an hour sanding the case down. It's pretty good, though I'm not a woodworker by any means. There were a few serious misalignments when we assembled the box, and that took awhile to fix. Since Jamie's returning today or tomorrow, I'll probably put things on hold for awhile. Still have lots of detail work to do.

The weekend was quite the whirlwind of activity

August 28, 2001 by Adam in Family

The weekend was quite the whirlwind of activity. Saturday was my big project day. I mowed the lawn, painted the ironwork, and picked up all the supplies I needed for my next computer case. That afternoon, my dad and I spent eight hours assembling the case and milling out all the tiny holes in the front. I went home pretty late and conked out.

Sunday I did some more projects: shopping, cleaning up, and replacing the too-short speaker wire. I actually watched a bit of t.v. then zipped off to my mom's for dinner. Everyone is in good spirits, especially Darren and the new baby Jordan. Darren kept wanting to play with him, but all Jordan wanted to do was sleep.

Hi There, Can you believe it's almost September

August 27, 2001 by Yayoe in Yayoe

Hi There,
Can you believe it's almost September. Where did the time go? Lohring is home again and slowly becoming a retired "old guy." He's enjoying his freedom but still cranky about all the loose ends from the business. He's enjoying his new shop and all its ammenities, e.g., hot/cold running water and all kinds of space for more projects and more junk! Sigh. He and Adam are building a wooden box for Adam's next computer. Can you believe he used his 2000 pound milling machine to cut a hole into the wood! Amazing stuff.

Dorothy will be visiting us from October 8-16th. She will be visiting her sister Caroline for 3+ weeks and also going on a cruise with her to Vancover, BC. We will be inviting you to dinner so you can have a chance to visit with Dorothy. I'm still volunteering at the clinic and enjoying it very much. It's a very humbling experience to serve the working poor who are very deserving of health care services. The Alzheimer's Association Walk for Life is happening at the end of September. If you want to walk with me let me know!

I spent eight hours yesterday working on my n...

August 26, 2001 by Adam in Adam's Projects

I spent eight hours yesterday working on my new computer case with my dad. I've come to realize and appreciate that particular brand of insanity he has. We spent hours carefully measuring, then milling out pieces of wood on his industrial milling machine.

The case itself is coming along beautifully. I picked up some oak at Jerry's, which we cut up and turned into a 4-sided box (the bottom and back are open). Then we drilled out space for the power buttons, LEDs, the fossil, and all the detailed CD drive parts (button, dial, headphone jack, and CD slot). Very tedious work, but it looks beautiful. Today I may do some sanding or pick up the last few parts for the case. Should be fun.

We had a wonderful time in Portland yesterday...

August 24, 2001 by Seraph in Cortez

We had a wonderful time in Portland yesterday! We went to our favorite German Bakery, to Powell's (of course), and shopping! Well, mostly window shopping in stores we dream about buying in! We all met Raven and Nina at a little Senagelees resturaunt for dinner. It was right across from the Farmers Market so we had live music with dinner. Isa was wonderful which made the trip very fun. Now we're off to Sunriver this morning to help Hanni move. It's just good that our travel times coinside with Isa's nap schedual!

Jamie called from Nebraska

August 23, 2001 by Adam in Family

Jamie called from Nebraska. All is well. Evidently they've spent the last two days either flying or driving, almost non-stop. Sam has evidently been a trooper the whole time.

Even though it's been nice to have a lot of time to myself, I find that I miss those two when they go away. I find myself getting fidgety, wondering what I'm supposed to do next.

When my dad went back East to visit my grandm...

August 22, 2001 by Adam in Adam's Projects

When my dad went back East to visit my grandmother, he brought back several CDs worth of scanned photos. I've been helping him out, cleaning them up and trying to create a database around them. Lots of hard work, requiring endless cups of coffee. I finished one album which was mostly of Dorthy and Franklin and their friends. I did run across some interesting mysteries. Why is Janet DeArment dressed as a prostitute at Ray Shafer's Governor Inauguration party? Who is the one girl at Bob Bates' camp? Inquiring minds want to know.

I was a dutiful husband last night, spending ...

August 21, 2001 by Adam in Family

I was a dutiful husband last night, spending my first night as a bachelor painting away. I got the upstairs railing and primer down on the bench. Not to say that I didn't do a little beer drinking while watching Akira, just that that's not all I did.

Haven't heard from Jamie or Sam since yesterday morning, but presumably they're flying across the country today. Perhaps tonight they'll be enjoying Nebraska, fresh corn, and the smell of cattle wafting over the horizon.

All's well as Dad and I plan for our trip to ...

August 21, 2001 by Sue in Wielesek

All's well as Dad and I plan for our trip to England. I leave Oregon on August 29, and Dad and I fly out of Philadelphia on the evening of the 30th. Love to all, Sue

I decided to post a little story about Jamie,...

August 20, 2001 by Adam in Jamie

I decided to post a little story about Jamie, since she rarely does it herself. :)

Jamie and I were walking around the park with Sam the other day. We were walking through a field of clover and warned him to be careful of the bees, since he had been stung a week ago. At that moment, Jamie was stung herself, getting a bee in her shoe.

We limped home and put baking powder on her foot. No permenant injury, though I think she had a newfound respect for Sam's bravery. When he was stung, he didn't cry much, and Jamie discovered just how much a bee sting hurts.

We were talking to Sam last night about the u...

August 20, 2001 by Adam in Sam

We were talking to Sam last night about the upcoming trip to Nebraska.
"Sam, what are you going to do in Nebraska?"
"Pee. Pee in the snow. Because that's what you do with snow."
"Oh, and who told you this?"
"Grandma and Geedu."
Evidently we're going to have to have a little talk with my mom and Dick.

A good weekend has come to a close

August 20, 2001 by Adam in Family

A good weekend has come to a close. On Saturday, the family tromped out into the woods to watch Angie and Matthew's wedding. It was lots of fun, and I mostly supervised Sam as he went exploring with his Lego people. He also became quite enamored with a woman named Emmy, who had a great time playing with him. Sam wanted to pick flowers for her, and I didn't have the heart to tell him she was already married.

Sunday was more low-key. Jamie and I had a wonderful brunch at Sweetwaters while Sam was being watched by my mom and Dick. The afternoon was mostly packing and resting a bit. Today Jamie and Sam leave for far away Nebraska.

Time for a quick Sam update

August 18, 2001 by Adam in Sam

Time for a quick Sam update. He's growing more and more every day, developing his personality and trying out new things. Unfortunately, that means he sometimes challenges us as parents, seeing how far he can go with the "whiny" thing. He's also much more creative - we made this outfit after reading a book about superheros. Lots of fun. His molars are almost finished coming in. He claims it doesn't hurt, but I'm never sure. His bee sting has mostly cleared up too, after a few days of being swollen.

FREEDOM!!! I finished my last day at EEI today

August 18, 2001 by Robbie in Cortez

FREEDOM!!! I finished my last day at EEI today. I don't think it has hit me just yet. It probably won't hit me until school starts again.
Today they threw a party for me, with all of the classes coming up to the gym to say goodbye. A few of the grade school kids made up a dance for me, with two boys singing along with the song. It was pretty cool. The preschool kids made me a card with personal pictures, and most of the grade school kids made me a card. Some of the parents gave me gift certificates to a couple of resteraunts ( I love those parents). Pat, my boss, gave a Boarder's. I thought it wouldn't effect me much, but I ended up with tears in my eyes certificate.
Know it is off to new challenges. Wish me luck.

We went to the fair this afternoon, and to be...

August 18, 2001 by Adam in Family

We went to the fair this afternoon, and to be honest it was pretty lousy. Sam was tired and got instantly grumpy. It brought down the whole family and we returned dejected to our house. After a little rest and dinner, we perked back up again and all was well.

I hooked up the 5.1 stereo system to the new digital cable setup. Sounds great!

We stopped by to see Jenny, Darren, Dez and t...

August 17, 2001 by Sue in Wielesek

We stopped by to see Jenny, Darren, Dez and the Burrito Boy - so named because Darren and Dez had him wrapped up like a burrito... He is an absolute sweetie. No crying, sleeps well - just makes mouse noises.
Thanks to who ever in the fam got the news through to Sadie in Botswana. I called Pitzer to see if we could fax, and they said someone had called and they'd got a message to her.
Life is good. Love, om

I snuck over to visit Jenny and Baby Banks

August 16, 2001 by Adam in Family

I snuck over to visit Jenny and Baby Banks. They got lots of sleep last night, only waking up once for feeding. Jenny also begun the fun of diaper changes, being both pooped and peed on in the process. I'm amazed at how perky Jenny is. Baby Banks also seems very mellow. I came in while they were drawing blood and he was quietly sucking on his pacifier.

It's a Sam-watching night tonight, with Jamie going off tutoring. Gotta think of something clever to do. Tomorrow night is the fair, Saturday is Angie's wedding, Sunday we rest, and Monday Jamie and Sam head to Nebraska. Whew. Busy days ahead.

Sam and I went swimming tonight and we were t...

August 16, 2001 by Adam in Sam

Sam and I went swimming tonight and we were the only people in the pool. Pretty cool - even the lifeguards jumped in for a swim.

Yesterday, Sam got stung by a bee. His poor little wrist is a little swolen, but he doesn't complain. What a trooper.

I went to the eye doctor today

August 15, 2001 by Adam in Adam

I went to the eye doctor today. All was well, and I enjoyed chatting with Dr. Arbow about the future of the various eye surgeries. I'm holding off for now, but I can see a time in the next five years or so where I can get my vision corrected to 20/20 without much in the way of side effects. When it gets to that point, I think I'll jump on board. Vision is such a key element to my work and my life, it's hard to justify the risk. Still, it's a big hassle at times to not be able to see.

Well, I went over to the hospital and tracked...

August 15, 2001 by Adam in Family

Well, I went over to the hospital and tracked them down. I was worried that I'd wake them up, but fortunately my dad, Seraph, Isabell, and Destin were already there. Darren slept well, but Jenny said she slept off and on, checking on the new baby.

They still haven't picked a name yet. I like the name "Bobo" myself, but I don't think it will fly. The middle name is going to be Michael and the last name Banks, but that's about it for now.

Destin and Darren are heading home tonight and Jenny's going to stay another night. Hopefully she can get a little sleep, but she looks pretty good considering she just had a baby. So, another addition to the Miller (+ company) clan. Another chair at the table for Thanksgiving.

It's all good.

Ooh, happy days! A new baby

August 15, 2001 by Sue in Wielesek

Ooh, happy days! A new baby. This baby is definitely from the Cute Kid store, too. Very pretty, biggie sized - distinctive features, looks a little like Dez and a lot like Darren.

Jenny and Darren were champs - it sounds silly to say that they were efficient, but it makes me realize how useful all this pre-natal education is. They knew exactly when to push and when to rest - probably better for the baby, too.

Will post more later. Love to all, Sue

Just got the scoop from my mom

August 15, 2001 by Adam in Family

Just got the scoop from my mom. The baby was born at 11:00pm on the dot, after about 17 minutes of hard pushing. The baby was 8 lbs 8 oz, 20" long, with a head size of 13 1/2". No one has picked a name yet, though the grandmothers had compromised with Will last time I checked. I'll try to sneak over later today after they've had some rest to take some pictures.

Well, our entire family descended on the hosp...

August 15, 2001 by Adam in Family

Well, our entire family descended on the hospital, filling up a waiting room and spilling out into the hallway. At around 7 pm, they started the process going along while we puttered around. Everyone seemed in good spirits, especially Jenny. She'd make a funny face for a few seconds whenever a contraction hit, but still seemed to be laughing afterwards. Darren looked nervous, but excited too.

Most of us with families headed home around 8pm, with my mom promising to call if there was news before 9pm. Sam crashed out almost instantly. Still no news yet, so I'll probably sneak over this morning to see how things are going.

On an unrelated note, we got digital cable hooked up yesterday. It's fairly cool, with the new channels and all. I'm excited about the Sci-Fi channel, while Jamie now has Women's Entertainment, BBC America, and two classic movie channels. I think she's secretly happy about the whole thing.

Hi, very quick, while I wait for a truck driv...

August 14, 2001 by Sue in Wielesek

Hi, very quick, while I wait for a truck driver client to call in.
We got a late start to Portland on Sunday night, with lots of last minute good byes and phone calls. Jenny Minetti and Megan, your letters didn't reach here in time, and I'll forward them.
We did get a good rest, and Sadie woke ready to go. We tucked her safely on the plane at 8:45 am, and have been thinking her half way around the world. She is on the last leg now, from A'dam to J'burg, I hope snoozing peacefully.

We stopped in Lake Oswego at the Norm Thopson outlet; Dick got a $25 gift certificate as part of a walkathon, and I had no trouble spending it. There is a Hannah Anderson kids
clothing outlet in the same mall, and I made up some of my sadness at sending off Sadie by buying cute grandkid clothing.

We're looking forward to a great event this evening. Yayoe, my suggestion for this baby's name is designed to get him a start in classical Japanese theater, and call him the Noh baby.

And on that terrible pun, it's off to work I go.

Hello from amsterdam! I am writing from a ve...

August 14, 2001 by Sadie in Sadie & Greg

Hello from amsterdam! I am writing from a very flat screened hp, with a melodic but indiscernable language in the background. The flight over was quite nice, and Takei met me in Detroit with a cheek kiss and the warmest of affections to get me through the long flight over the Atlantic. I hope Noah is healthy and kicking as I write this. I love you all so much, and if you do not here from me within the next month, it is not because I do not love you, but because dsl connections are few and far between in the third world. But in amsterdam, ah amsterdam...

Got the call a few hours ago

August 14, 2001 by Adam in Family

Got the call a few hours ago. Jenny's going to be in the hospital Tuesday night where they'll start inducing. Time to get that baby out of there. There should be some exciting posts starting soon.

We all met at my dad's house to bid Sadie a f...

August 13, 2001 by Adam in Family

We all met at my dad's house to bid Sadie a fond farwell. She's off to Botswana tomorrow and we won't see her until after Christmas. We wish her many happy adventures, with only just enough excitement.

Jenny is still not having her baby yet, though it could be any moment now. She's having contractions, though that's been happening since last Thursday. I'm going to bring my video camera to work tomorrow just in case.

A very nice day yesterday

August 12, 2001 by Adam in Family

A very nice day yesterday. Sam and I woke up by ourselves, and we went food shopping then to Toys-R-Us to pick up rocket engines and a few more Legos. Jamie arrived a couple hours later, soon followed by Jim and Judy. We also met a couple more of our neighbors. It turns out one of them used to live in our house when he was a kid, as his parents built it in 1927! We're pretty excited to have a source of information about the place, and he's promised to show us some of the old pictures from back then.

Jim and Judy took Sam for the afternoon, leaving Jamie and I to spend a very nice afternoon together. We ended up putting up curtains and going out to dinner, which seemed almost blissful at the time.

Not sure what we're up to today. My dad's back in town, so I'll probably go visit at some point. Sadie leaves tomorrow. Who knows what's going to happen with Jenny and the baby. Could be any moment.

Sadie asked that I take and post this picture...

August 11, 2001 by Adam in Sadie & Greg

Sadie asked that I take and post this picture of the bruise on her arm. Why, I have no idea. I'm thinking of starting up a contest. Is Sadie posting this because:
A) She hopes to sue someone at a later date.
B) She wants proof of something personally embarrasing.
C) Sadie thinks it's cool and wants to share it.
D) She hopes to embarrass someone else.

One entry per day. Family and friends aren't eligible. Winners will recieve a congratulatory, "Woo hoo! You win!"

Jamie went off with Angie to their mini-retre...

August 11, 2001 by Adam in Family

Jamie went off with Angie to their mini-retreat before Angie gets married next weekend. I had Sam all day, and had a pretty good time. Sadie came over around lunch and spent most of the day with us. We went to the nearby park, where they evidently have a wading pool every day. That was great fun, getting both wet and covered in sand.

We tried to take in a movie, but ended up seeing Osmosis Jones instead of Shrek (which isn't playing any more). It was pretty bad, and even Sam had the sensibility to walk out after an hour or so. I actually took a twenty minute nap on the couch afterwards, while Sadie and Sam got artistic with washable pens. My mom came over, we visited for a bit, then it was off to swimming, dinner, and I finally got him to bed by nine.

I'm expecting a call or page about Jenny's new baby at any time. Could be exciting.

Sam was incredibly energetic today

August 09, 2001 by Adam in Family

Sam was incredibly energetic today. He and Jamie visited for lunch, which was short with lots of walking afterwards. Tonight we went swimming while Jamie had her Tiny Tots meeting. He swam like a maniac for an hour and a half, then collapsed when I brought him home.

I'm getting digital cable hooked up next week. I'm almost embarrased to say that it's mostly so that I can get the Sci-fi Channel. Jamie gave the okay, though I think it's mostly so she can watch BBC America.

The guest bedroom is almost finished in time for Jamie's mom to arrive this weekend. Darren finished plastering and sanding the ceiling. Jamie painted. I helped move furniture. It's all good.

It feels like the calm before the storm

August 09, 2001 by Seraph in Cortez

It feels like the calm before the storm. Life is waiting quietly for the next baby to arrive. Robbie gave his two week notice at EEI. His last day is next Friday. He's feeling a mix of saddness and pure joy. I on the other hand am having a blast working, even when there are clients that act like Eyore!

A quiet day yesterday

August 07, 2001 by Adam in Family

A quiet day yesterday. I came home to Sam conked out and Jamie leaving for her preschool board meeting. Sam and I had a little dinner, played at the playground, took a bath, then watched a movie until Jamie came home.

What a good summer this has been, with Adam a...

August 07, 2001 by Sue in Wielesek

What a good summer this has been, with Adam and Jamie's new house, Darren and Jenny's reluctant baby, having Seraph working at the office, having Sadie home, Hanni selling her house, and having a truly delightful weekend with Margie and Erin.

Margie was in town for a long weekend, and we had a wonderful long chatty breakfast on Saturday morning, and then Margie, Erin, Dick, Sadie and I went to the marine museum in Newport on Sunday. It was warm and sunny, and we couldn't have asked for a better day. Love to all, OM

Sorry we haven't been posting entries on this...

August 07, 2001 by Yayoe in Yayoe

Sorry we haven't been posting entries on this wonderful website. Lohring will be home on Friday evening after being away in Meadville for the last two weeks. He and Dorothy are scanning old family photos on disks and catching up on old times and visiting friends. Lohring also went to a high school reunion..hard to believe it was 40 years ago! WOW. I've been busy doing research and volunteering at the clinic. I heard that the Arts and Entertainment channel will be doing a story about the free medical clinic I work at sometime in November. I'll keep you posted when it airs on TV. I'll be going "home" to Honolulu at the end of the month. I'm homesick for old Hawaii friends and island sushi. We are eagerly awaiting the Banks' KID! See you at the hospital....

Another fun-filled weekend has passed us by

August 06, 2001 by Adam in Family

Another fun-filled weekend has passed us by. Friday night, Sharon, Jeff, John, and Natalie came for dinner. John is Sam's age, so they had a great time playing for the couple hours they were here. It's fun to watch Sam interact with another kid, though Sam would periodically tell him, "What do you say?"

We partially painted the fence that Darren put up last week. It's grueling work without a sprayer. Jamie also turned into a gardening maniac, mowing and taking out unwanted plants. I did my first batch of fig picking and drying. Now I've got to dig up a good figgy pudding recipe.

Sunday was pretty lazy. We went over to the boy's house and Sam got to play with Josh for awhile.

Good News! After a year of waiting Hanni sol...

August 05, 2001 by Seraph in Cortez

Good News! After a year of waiting Hanni sold her house! The buyers are a couple from Portland who need to reinvest some money within 180 days. So they made a cash offer for the asking price! Robbie and I are--as I type-- searching for apartments, as she has to move by the end of the month. Robbie is seriously thinking about leaving EEI and staying home with Isabell. I told him that he could get together with Jenny and Jamie and complain about their working spouses who "just don't understand." Dispite the hard work involved, he actually seems pretty psyched about the idea. I guess after 40 kidos a day, one is a breeze! Our life is busy, but mostly we are just waiting (a bit impatiantly) for baby Banks to be born!

Sam sung me a little impromptu song today

August 03, 2001 by Adam in Sam

Sam sung me a little impromptu song today. I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure there are many levels of symbolism in it.

Jamie got this cool kid carrier yesterday

August 03, 2001 by Adam in Family

Jamie got this cool kid carrier yesterday. It can be pushed like a stroller, or attached to a bike. We promptly named it the Batmobile.

We pushed Sam to Victoria's Bar-B-Q last night as well. It was lots of fun, with an amazing number of families with kids showing up. It's pretty rare for us to do big non-family social events, so it was a bit of a treat. Mostly I talked shop about raising kids and tried to keep Sam entertained.

I checked Jenny's latest posting, and it seems like the baby's due any day now. I've got my video camera, tapes, and tripod all ready to go.

hello from the banks house well i told my sel...

August 03, 2001 by Jenny in Jenny

hello from the banks house well i told my self now i would start to add things to the family site. Well saw the doctor today and she said we are three centimeters now and this baby is ready to come out. Thier is a full moon on saturday so i'm hoping the pull of the moon might help things along. Well the house is clean and the bags are packed so now we just wait , he will proble come at two in the morning. Destin has been doing swim class three days a week and is now swimming on his own, with his head under water. Darren is becoming a basketcase about the baby new daddy fear's I think, i keep telling him things will be fine i think he's just ready for this baby to get here to. Well not to much going on we are all just waiting for the new arrival maybe called noah. Well it's late goodnight to all. Hopefully the next time i enter the baby will be sleeping next to me.

Another pleasant day yesterday

August 01, 2001 by Adam in Family

Another pleasant day yesterday. It turns out the drain for the bathtub wasn't leaking, but just needed caulked around the seams. Darren's putting in an access panel in the ceiling this morning, so we're slowly making progress on the assorted home repairs.

Jamie, Sam, and I all went for a walk last night. Beautiful evening. Felt great.

Well, the first of the computer equipment has...

August 01, 2001 by Adam in Adam's Projects

Well, the first of the computer equipment has started to arrive. I got my CD/CD-R/DVD drive yesterday and I'm in the process of sending in my rebate (to bring the price down to $70). The 5.1 speaker system also showed up. I hooked it up to the upstairs DVD player after a long assembly - sounds great. It's pretty cool for DVD watching. Too bad we don't get surround sound on cable. It'll probably stay there for now, though now I'm not sure what I'll do for speakers for my new computer. Sigh.

Okay, I admit it

July 31, 2001 by Adam in Adam

Okay, I admit it. I'm a Farscape fan. It's vaguely like an anti-Star Trek. The crew of the ship don't work together in harmony. They each have their competing agendas, but they're all interesting and likable. Good stories and special effects.

So, here's my short plug - get the Sci-fi channel or rent the DVDs, watch Farscape. It's good.

A good weekend so far

July 29, 2001 by Adam in Family

A good weekend so far. We went to the coast yesterday and puttered around Florence. Sam has been a wonderful kid. It may be that we're nearing the end of the terrible twos. It's been nice not to have anything terribly important to do lately. Relaxing after weeks of moving madness. Yes, there still is that leak in the bedroom ceiling, but I've given up and I'm calling a plumber on Monday.

Well I had everyone at work logged on to the ...

July 26, 2001 by Seraph in Cortez

Well I had everyone at work logged on to the web site today. Just don't tell Mom as she was out of the office at the time! Work has been good, even though Mom has been suckering me into working over at McMillan a lot this week. After a week home with Isabell, Robbie was ready to quite and be a stay-at-home dad. Who knows--maybe someday!

The "Fossil" case (as I've decided to call it...

July 25, 2001 by Adam in Adam's Projects

The "Fossil" case (as I've decided to call it) is slowly coming along. I bought a desktop computer case to use as a frame. I'm also starting to pick up the other components as deals magically appear. One of the nice things about this economic downturn is that you can get tech equipment for really cheap. I now have a case, a CD/CD-R/DVD drive, a 19" monitor, and a 5.1 speaker system on their way. I've only picked up the things that don't get obsolete quickly, and I'm waiting a few months for things like the CPU, motherboard, and graphics card.

Hopefully I can use the next few months to put the case together. Jamie and Sam are heading off to Nebraska for a week. Hopefully I can steal some of my dad's time to help me with the fun manufacturing parts.

Jamie and I had a wonderful evening to oursel...

July 25, 2001 by Adam in Family

Jamie and I had a wonderful evening to ourselves last night. We shipped Sam off to grandma's, then sat on our patio sipping wine and enjoying the weather. Every time we manage to get time to spend together, we realize how much we like each other's company. It's rare these days, but certainly understandable.

Ah, this is my last week of researching the M...

July 25, 2001 by Sadie in Sadie & Greg

Ah, this is my last week of researching the Mozambican revolution. Sending two months with my family was amazing, but I'm anxious to go to Africa. Somehow I can always feel two opposite things at the same time... letting go of everything- most of my clothes, my language, food, fresh water- is my goal for next semester. Yet I'd be equally happy finishing up school quietly, returning to the west coast, and reveling in the everyday indulgances of having a home. Such is life, I suppose.

We had a good birthday party for my mom on Sunday

July 24, 2001 by Adam in Family

We had a good birthday party for my mom on Sunday. The whole crew turned out to eat cake and reminisce. I spent the remainer of the day spray painting railings to the outside. Grueling work - about an hour per railing. I ended up really tired and my hands covered in paint.

Quiet day Monday. Went to work and played with Sam all evening. Lots of sword fighting with Tinker toys, a little kid computer games, some Legos, a bit of time watching the Disney Robin Hood movie, and generally acting like a two-year-old. Whew.

Yesterday was Jenny's baby shower

July 22, 2001 by Adam in Family

Yesterday was Jenny's baby shower. Everyone was there. We played all the usual baby games. Jamie and I are such a pro that we both won prizes! Woo hoo! Jenny's looking pretty ready to have this kid, so I think it will happen soon.

I also went to dinner with Sadie last night. It was wonderful spending time with just her, as it's pretty rare. I realized I hadn't spent tine alone with Sadie for nearly a year. I also realized that it's been a long time since I was twenty, though you'd think Sam would remind me often.

Jenny is looking extremely pregnant these days

July 20, 2001 by Adam in Jenny

Jenny is looking extremely pregnant these days. She's ready to push this baby out any time now. The doctor's say she's ready any time, though the official due date isn't for several weeks. Since second babies come earlier and Destin was two weeks early, the theory is that this should be coming quickly.

For someone almost ready to deliver, Jenny is doing really well. I think she's happy to be at home for awhile now that my dad's retired. She's been spending lots of time with Destin, visiting him at school and taking him around to various places. Darren's been slaving away at their house, remodeling in preparation for the new kid.

Well, my birthday was last night and my famil...

July 20, 2001 by Adam in Family

Well, my birthday was last night and my family descended on my house. Lots of good loot, gift certificates galore, as well as rockets and garden goodies. Plus, it's always nice to see my family. This weekend promises to be family filled as well. Tomorrow is Jenny's baby shower and Sunday is my mom's birthday. Fun, fun, fun!

Happy Birthday to me! Yes, today is my birthday

July 19, 2001 by Adam in Family

Happy Birthday to me! Yes, today is my birthday. I'm pretty sure I'm 32 today, though I admit I'm starting to lose track. Not a big difference from 31, except I'm no longer odd.

We took Sam to the playground a couple days ago, where he proceeded to bury himself in the sand (or at least try). Last night was swimming night. We had a great time and he still remembers to swim around while holding onto the tube. We can start swimming lessons when he's three, so we'll have to sign him up.

Our family has been completely healthy over the last few days, and it's amazing what a difference it makes. Jamie's been smiling and has a wonderful demeanor. Sam's generally good natured. I've been drinking less coffee and Advil concoctions. It's all good.

Well, Jamie's decided to take Sam to Nebraska...

July 17, 2001 by Adam in Family

Well, Jamie's decided to take Sam to Nebraska for a week in August. I'll be a bit lonely in our big new house, but I'm sure there are endless projects to keep me busy. I've still got to cut a hole in the ceiling of one bedroom to track down a leak. Lots of painting projects too. I'm hoping to start putting together my next computer case project, so that may be a good time.

It was a pretty typical day yesterday. Sam and I rented the Black Cauldron, which amazingly didn't scare him much. We puttered around until it was time to put him to bed, leaving Jamie and I to collapse.

It's been forever since we last posted, as ou...

July 17, 2001 by Seraph in Cortez

It's been forever since we last posted, as our lives have gotten pogressivly busier these days. Isa is doing great at school--though they're still working out some bugs with her feeding schedual. I've really enjoyed working again. It's nice to be starting part time though, it's giving us all time to adjust. This week Robbie and Isa are home. Not much of a vacation for Robbie I'm afraid, but they seem to be having fun. Our yard is progressing. The drive way is still filled with mulch and dirt, and our goal is to have it nice for the shower on Saturday. Right now Robbie dumps the mulch and Isa (in the frount carrier) and I spread it. It's slow, but that's how everything goes with a 6 month old!

Sam and I went hiking up Skinner's Butte yest...

July 16, 2001 by Adam in Sam

Sam and I went hiking up Skinner's Butte yesterday. We called it "Mount Doom" and Sam was pretending he was Frodo, throwing the one ring into the volcano. We had a great time until he slipped and bonked his hands on some rocks. Not too bad, but enough to turn us around. We were chatting it up as always by the time we made it to the bottom.

Out of the blue he announced, "When I get big, I'm going to go to Star Wars and be a Stormtrooper." I explained that maybe that wasn't a good ideas, as the Stormtroopers were bad. "Okay, maybe I'll be Luke."

Josh, Dave, and I went out to see Final Fanta...

July 15, 2001 by Adam in Adam

Josh, Dave, and I went out to see Final Fantasy last night. It was an amazing movie - not from the perspective from the story, which was marginal, but the visuals and technology behind them. Though you could tell it wasn't real actors, the ability to portray reality completely digitally is slowly coming closer. In a decade or so, I may actually have the ability to display those kind of visuals on my home computer, in real-time. Simply amazing.

Busy weekend so far

July 15, 2001 by Adam in Family

Busy weekend so far. We celebrated Josh's 11th birthday on Friday. He and Sam ran around the backyard at the boy's house, pretending to be all manner of creature. I think Sam only reluctantly came home with us.

Yesterday, my mom volunteered to take Sam away and give Jamie and I some time alone. Well, we took advantage of that alone time to . . . install a new faucet, put in a doorstop and towel hanger, repack a closet, and other miscellaneous repairs. Ah, the joys of moving into a new home.

So, I'm back at home and enjoying the company...

July 13, 2001 by Sadie in Sadie & Greg

So, I'm back at home and enjoying the company of family more than anyone can imagine, unless one has seen me in the euphoric stupor I wander around in after family gatherings. John Foran, my favorite sociology of revolutions professor, offered me up a research assistantship, so I'm reading about the Mozambican revolution right now. Thrilling. Sadly, one of my residents at smith died last week, and I'm still down from the news. Grief therapy was becoming a very real occupational interest, but I'm a bit uncertain now. We'll see. Preparing to head off to Botswana in a month... wish me luck.

A much better day today

July 13, 2001 by Adam in Family

A much better day today. Only minor coffee/Advil treatment was needed to get over my illness. I'm feeling much more chipper and I've had no headache or drugs this evening.

Sam and I were playing baseball in the back yard today. "Technically you don't throw balls at people," he said. I suspect the phrase "technically" comes from me. You never know how often you use a particular saying or gesture until a two-year-old parrots it back at you.

Jamie's feeling better. She picked up some new faucets to replace are aging leaky ones in the guest bathroom. Tonight she snuck out to visit a friend and browse at Barnes and Nobles.

When I came home from work last night, Sam wa...

July 12, 2001 by Adam in Sam

When I came home from work last night, Sam was in the back yard with only a shirt on. So, practically buck naked, he was wacking baseballs from his t-ball across the yard. Pretty talented for a two-year-old. Jamie watched on, obviously exhausted from watching our little creature all day.

Sam's still into Star Wars. We occasionally battle it out as Luke and Darth Vader using pillows from upstairs. I gotta get a recording of Sam saying "Give into your hate."

After much pain and suffering, I think I fina...

July 11, 2001 by Adam in Family

After much pain and suffering, I think I finally have my Internet connection set up normally again. If you can get it, I'd recommend cable instead of DSL. While there are some nice things about DSL, cable seems to work better for most folks.

On the downside, I'm sick again. What Jamie and Sam had finally made it to me. It's mostly a bad headache, so I'm going to go with my coffee and Advil cure that seems to take care of most of these things. I may go to work today, as I'm afraid of letting my week-old pile build up further.

Well, I've decided on my next case modification

July 09, 2001 by Adam in Adam's Projects

Well, I've decided on my next case modification. While in Portland, I ran across this suggestion box that was beautiful. Made of brass and hardwood, I've decided to use it an as inspiration for my new computer case. I went out and bought some accessories to begin the construction. Next stop will be to get an empty computer case and the right amount of hardwood. Plus, somehow convince my dad to help me out, as it would be nearly impossible for me to do it myself.

Well, we're at Judy's house in Portland

July 08, 2001 by Adam in Family

Well, we're at Judy's house in Portland. My suspicions were correct and we hauled Sam and our luggage north up I-5. Tonight we're staying here, then tomorrow we're off to a mysterious location. I'm betting it's a downtown Portland hotel, but I may be wrong.

We went to a bunch of antique places today. Jamie made a few good buys, but I came up empty. Perhaps later. I actually took a nap today, as I was pretty exhausted. Sam's had a great time with grandma and grandpa, especially as they bought him a bunch of Star Wars toys.

My druid went from level 15 yesterday to leve...

July 06, 2001 by Adam in Adam's Games

My druid went from level 15 yesterday to level 19 today. Pretty zippy progress. I have the first of my teleport spells, so I'm looking forward to some travel and adventure. I've been grouping with some people that have high-level characters to help us out. I'm also decked out in pretty spiffy gear. So, it's going well, though I still want to explore the game a bit more.

I downloaded the free expansion to Heart of Winter. It's pretty good quality, especially for the cost of free. No other game is capturing my attention at the moment, though I may play Max Payne later this month.

Another day of watching Sam yesterday, though...

July 06, 2001 by Adam in Family

Another day of watching Sam yesterday, though I think Jamie's illness is finally improving. Sadie came over and visited, which made watching Sam a lot easier. We spent much of the time constructing Tinkertoy swords and reenacting Star Wars scenes.

We head out for our anniversary today or tomorrow sometime. I'm pretty sure we're going to Portland, as Jamie wrote in her day planner "To mom's." Since she keeps encouraging me to read it, I don't consider it "snooping." Plus, Angie asked me, "So, are you excited to go to Jamie's mom's this weekend?" Angie is, of course, usually oblivious to secrecy.

The Fourth of July was yesterday and I manage...

July 05, 2001 by Adam in Family

The Fourth of July was yesterday and I managed to visit virtually everyone. The day started a bit off, with Jamie still sick. Sam and I hiked over the hill to visit Granda Sue clean the the rugs at the rental. Yayoe came by with a tea kettle for us. I talked to my dad on the phone for a bit. Later on, Josh and Dave came by for a visit. We spent dinner time at my mom's house, chatting with my siblings.

The fireworks were incredible. We could see the ones at the Em's stadium from our balcony perfectly. Sam was pretty amazed as well, as they're the first real fireworks he's seen.

For those of you who want the latest pictures, I added some pictures to the photo album page.

Well, I'm never sure if a toy purchase is for...

July 03, 2001 by Adam in Sam

Well, I'm never sure if a toy purchase is for Sam or I these days. I spent most of today watching Sam and we made a Toys-R-Us run. Since Sam's been getting into both Legos and Star Wars these days, we picked up a couple Star Wars Lego kits. I couldn't find Darth Vader anywhere, but we picked up Luke, Han Solo, a stormtrooper, and a Tie Fighter pilot. It's really weird - the pilot and stormtrooper don't have faces. If you take their helmets off, there's nothing there. Creepy.

Well, I finished up Throne of Baahl a couple ...

July 03, 2001 by Adam in Adam's Games

Well, I finished up Throne of Baahl a couple days ago. Great game, lots of fun. Now I find myself in a bit of a lull. I'm still playing Everquest, but it's only really fun when I'm playing with people I know. If I beef my character up a bit, I'll be able to explore a bit.

Later this month, Max Payne is coming out. It's definately a "keep Sam away from this" game, as it's basically a stylized first person shooter. Looks fun and vaguely Matrixy. I'll have to check out the reviews.

I spent most of yesterday with Sam

July 03, 2001 by Adam in Family

I spent most of yesterday with Sam. Jamie wasn't feeling too good, so I took him hiking at Mount Pisgah. He had quite a bit of fun, but got tuckered out after a half hour of running madly over the paths. The rest of the day was a bit of a blur. I remember being exhausted and taking a nap (something I almost never do). Later, Sam and I watched the Iron Giant twice (acting out scenes in the tub with Legos in between).

Still lots of things to repair around the house. It's slowly coming together. I'm trying hard not to get too excited about gardening. It's easy to just start planting willy-nilly. As Jamie keeps advising me, I should be focusing on cleaning things up and planning out the garden carefully. Sigh. Those cute little flowers at Johnson Brothers Nursery keep calling to me.

Well, I'm tired

July 02, 2001 by Jamie in Jamie

Well, I'm tired.
That pretty much sums it all up. I realize how much I depend on knowing where everything is and knowing everything works to get through my day. I picked out curtains this weekend, which actually helped make the living room much more warm and comfortable. I'm working on setting up my office/craft room on the main floor. It is a mess of paint cans right now, but I can see a nice space somewhere in the future for knitting and scrapbooking and coloring with Sam. I also worked on the sitting room upstairs, which gets a fabulous view of the sunset over the west hills.
Adam and Sam went to Pisgah to hike this morning, and I have a sore throat, so I'm going to take a hot bath and have some tea.

Sam has been saying a few really funny things...

July 01, 2001 by Adam in Sam

Sam has been saying a few really funny things:
"Do you know what's my favorite thing? Lightsabres."
"I want to watch t.v. forever."
"Everybody has scary dreams sometimes."

It's the first of July and I finally have a D...

July 01, 2001 by Adam in Family

It's the first of July and I finally have a DSL connection from home. It's not final, as I'm going to switch back to the Pond (the demonspawn at Qwest switched me to their ISP). It's not perfect either - I can read but not send mail. Sigh.

My first two days of vacation have gone well. I did a bunch of yardwork and we continue to repair and unpack. Today we picked up some chairs for our kitchen table and some heavy curtains for the living room. The only bad thing that's really happened is that I somehow hurt my hip. I feel old.

One of my favorite comics has a recurring cha...

June 29, 2001 by Adam in Adam

One of my favorite comics has a recurring character named Adam. Today's strip is about him and his issues with caffeine. Ironically, I also decided to cut back on coffee a few months ago (though I did have a mocha this morning). Read all about it right here.

Completely removing coffee from my life hasn't really happened yet. I'm not sure if it's something I want to pursue, though I typically just drink tea most work days. Who knows, coffee may actually protect against Parkinson's disease?

Today is our last stay at home day! I'm hopi...

June 29, 2001 by Seraph in Cortez

Today is our last stay at home day! I'm hoping to fill it with all the mundaine things I know I'll be missing by next week--dishes, laundry, walks and baths! I am still experiancing that working mom/ child in day care nervousness. Will she cry all day? Will I cry all day? Will she be abducted by aliens on the playground? Sigh...the worries of a parent!
zzzaaaaaamnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn----added by Isa

We signed all the papers yesterday to sell ou...

June 29, 2001 by Adam in Family

We signed all the papers yesterday to sell our house. Today, both the buying and the selling of the houses should be complete. We still have a judgement against our property, but we're insured and the seller has put their money in escrow in case they don't settle soon. Sam was very good and played with some cool binoculars the whole time.

I also start my vacation tomorrow. I'm looking forward to it quite a bit, as I haven't had much time off since Christmas. Lots of yardwork and house repair awaits!

I walked into the house last night and Sam sa...

June 28, 2001 by Adam in Sam

I walked into the house last night and Sam said, "you startled me dad." Where did he learn the word startled? Very funny coming out of a two-year-old's mouth.

Sam's been interested in dreams lately. We talk about how he can use his special powers in his dreams so they won't be scary any more. This morning, I asked him if he had good dreams. "No, just bad ones." I asked if he used his special powers. "Yeah, I flew away from the creatures."

Star Wars is also clearly made it's mark on Sam's persona. I've spent endless hours dueling with lightsabres with Sam (typically using pillows and paintbrushes). His Lego people have become Luke, Leia, and Darth Vader. The swimming pool has become a space ship. Great fun.

Well, the house closes tonight, so we're goin...

June 28, 2001 by Adam in Family

Well, the house closes tonight, so we're going to pop open a bottle of champagne to celebrate. In a couple hours, we're also signing the papers finalizing the sale of our old home. We finally got our real number back last night. To everyone who's been trying to call, our standard phone number now works.

Now that the oven's in place, the plumbing's fixed, and the phone's transferred over, I'm starting to feel much better. Hopefully my Internet connection will be set up tonight or tomorrow, completing the critical utility move.

The allergies are pretty bad these days

June 26, 2001 by Adam in Family

The allergies are pretty bad these days. I've had a sinus headache basically non-stop for the last 24 hours. Well, supposedly allergy season ends in a couple weeks, which will be nice.

Our house closes Thursday. It turns out that it will automatically close if nobody does anything. Jamie's delivering a huge check to the escrow company today, so it appears all is on track. We'll probably close on our house on that day too.

I'll also be taking some time off soon, which I'm looking forward to. Next week is all relaxation and house repair time. I'm eager to start in on the garden, as it's a bit overgrown these days. Last night I was playing Star Wars with Sam (again) and tying him up with all the various vines that have taken over parts of the backyard. I managed to keep him amused and pull weeds at the same time.

I've been quite the manly man at our new house

June 25, 2001 by Adam in Adam's Projects

I've been quite the manly man at our new house. I got to do some minor electrical work to put in our new stove (mmm . . . cooked food). Replacing the dryer vent was also exciting, as it involved moving cabinets and walls and putting in new ducting. Tonight it's a wax seal for the upstairs toilet and putting in a new seal for a leaky faucet.

One of these days, I'd like to do some computer projects too. The room is set up with both computers. I'm also going through a process of setting up the network again. I'm moving to a card-based modem, so I've got to do the Internet Connection Sharing thing that Microsoft provides. Hopefully it won't be too much of a hassle. I ran into some IRQ conflicts with my current network card, so I may have more juggling to do.

If it weren't for Throne of Bhaal, I'd be hat...

June 25, 2001 by Adam in Adam's Games

If it weren't for Throne of Bhaal, I'd be hating my lack of Internet access at home even more. It's a fun little game. I'm about halfway through, having virtually finished the Watcher's Tower quest. I'm at the point where I could finish it easily, but I'm waiting to see if I can do the hard ending after I've got a few more levels under my belt.

The story is gripping, and is making a nice end to the Baldur's Gate trilogy. Highly recommended.

I hate moving

June 25, 2001 by Adam in Adam

I hate moving. Really, really hate it.

Last week, I was hating not having a stove and eating cereal and microwaved food all the time. This week, it's the terrible hassle getting DSL moved to my new house. In theory, it's all turned on. The catch is that The Pond turned off what was previously set up and their tech guys won't do anything until I fill out a form on the web. Gah! They ignored the e-mail I sent them a couple weeks ago asking if there was something I was supposed to do, now I have to wait a couple days just to process the order.

Sigh. I'll stop ranting for now. When everything's over and we actually legally own the house, I'll be a happier man.

We had a great weekend playing with as little...

June 25, 2001 by Seraph in Cortez

We had a great weekend playing with as little work as possible! Hanni came over and we went to Saturday market, went to tea, ran errands, did a little yard work and saw a movie! We love family!! This is my last week home with Isa before I head back to work. I'm both excited (especially since it will probably require a shopping trip to buy new clothes) and nervous. It will probably be good for both of us, but I may be a mess for a week or so.

We shipped Sam off to grandma Sue's Saturday ...

June 25, 2001 by Adam in Family

We shipped Sam off to grandma Sue's Saturday morning so Jamie and I could have a romantic interlude to . . . install the stove and dryer vent! The best thing was getting the stove finally in place, as our kitchen was a mess without it. We also did some more minor repairs and lots of cleaning and arranging. We still have some more things stored at a friends house, but we're getting settled.

Of course, we don't actually own the house yet. All that should be taken care of this Thursday when we sign the final papers.

Sam was a bit of a handful this weekend, in his own sweet way. He's gotten really into Star Wars and light sabres. We spent a lot of time pretending we were different Star Wars characters, reinacting scenes using MegaBlocks, Legos, or just paintbrushes for light sabres. I've lost count of the number of times I've said, "Luke, I am your father!"

We've had a fun week of playing and painting!...

June 22, 2001 by Seraph in Cortez

We've had a fun week of playing and painting!Isabell's room is still unfinished, but I'm bound and determined to have baby Banks' room done! We hid inside today--out of the sun. I'm hoping it cools off a bit tonight, so we can eat outside. Hanni is coming over this weekend, and hopefully I can get a little farther with the yard stuff!

Well, we ordered Sadie's tickets for Botswana...

June 21, 2001 by Sue in Wielesek

Well, we ordered Sadie's tickets for Botswana this morning. I guess that means she's really going. A beautiful first day of summer here! Love to all, om

Since my DSL is evidently out until Monday, I...

June 21, 2001 by Adam in Adam's Games

Since my DSL is evidently out until Monday, I picked up the expansion to Baldur's Gate. Although I'm just barely into it, it's quite good. My main character, Samuel, is quite fun to play. All my characters are very high level, so the challenges and places we run across tend to be different and interesting.

I started off in my abyssal stronghold, with Saravok, whom I've killed twice now, asking to join me. He's pretty powerful, though I decided I wanted all my party members to be good. So, Mazzi the halfling paladin is sticking around. We've now entered a city under seige, trying to find our way into the castle to confront the mad Bhaalspawn leader. Great fun!

We continue to slog along at our new house

June 21, 2001 by Adam in Family

We continue to slog along at our new house. Still no DSL, so I've been freaking out a bit without my Internet connection. Darren came over and put up the microwave, which was handy. Jim's driving down from Portland just to install the stove (to replace the one that didn't work). I guess I didn't realize that he was going to drive all the way to do that - we'll have to do something extra nice for him.

We had the sprinkler guy out to fix our sprinkler system. Amazingly, it only cost $35. The plumbing, however, is going to be very expensive. In order to fix the illegal, leaking basement plumbing they had to drill holes in the concrete, install pumps, and get an electrician to get power to the side of the garage.

So, we're going through a number of moving pains. Sure hope we really close on the house next week.

A fairly good day yesterday

June 19, 2001 by Adam in Family

A fairly good day yesterday. Judy and Scott (and their kids Johanna and Madeline) invited us over for dinner last night. That pretty much filled our evening, with Sam conking out soon after coming home.

I'm still figuring out all the details of the new house. I took a shower in the main floor bathroom today. I think I like it better than the one in the basement, as the shower head doesn't spray at neck level.

Well, we moved

June 18, 2001 by Adam in Family

Well, we moved. I was amazed at how quickly it went. In about four hours, we had taken everything from our old house and put it in our new house. I was amazed at how hard my family worked and all the support we recieved. Thank you all!

We've had two nights in the new house now. It's a little weird trying to figure out where everything is and what does and doesn't work. I have the critical "nerd cave" in place - the basement bedroom with the computers and Legos. Sam seems to be doing well, enjoying exploring the various rooms. Jamie's tired, but excited. I think that this will be a wonderful house for our family for years to come.

Happy Fathers Day to all the new fathers, fat...

June 18, 2001 by Sue in Wielesek

Happy Fathers Day to all the new fathers, fathers to be, fathers, stepfathers, and grandfathers out there!

We spent yesterday and part of today helping Adam, Jamie and Sam getting moved and settled. With six of Jamie's family and and nine from Adam's, and with Jamie's organizational skills, by 5 pm things were moved in and the furniture was in place and the beds made.

Their new neighbors seem nice; there is a couple across the steet with two little boys, one about Sam's age - and a mom, or maybe a dad, who makes a mean Tollhouse cookie - that injection of chocolate was particularly welcome.

Jenny is finally starting to look pregnant - she is taking it a little bit easier after the hospital scare (see Adam's
page). Sadie is working hard on her research - she has a job this summer doing research for one of her professors- sort of dry work, I think. We're all so grateful to have her home. And Seraph and Robbie are certainly continuing to be parents extrordinaire - Isa Ryn is a cute little kid.

Well, it's bed time. This physical labor stuff is for the young!

Love to all, Dick and Sue

Happy Father's Day! Robbie ran off with Darr...

June 17, 2001 by Seraph in Cortez

Happy Father's Day! Robbie ran off with Darren this morning to play golf. I hope they have a chance to unwind a bit, but that's not vary likely when you're trying to get that darn ball into that little hole in the ground!
The last few days have been very exciting. Thursday night Sadie watched Isa while we went to the retirement party of one of Robbie's co-workers. Friday night was Dad's surprise retirement party. We ducked out early (as new parents tend to do), and I had to smile at the woman who sighed at us and said "I'm glad my kids are grown!" Yesterday we helped Adam, Jamie and Sam move into their new house. Isa had a blast visiting with everyone. So much so that she went to bed at 5:30pm! Today we're just kicking back while the dad's play.

My dad's surprise retirement party was last night

June 16, 2001 by Adam in Family

My dad's surprise retirement party was last night. It was at John Larson's house, just a couple blocks up from our new house. Great fun - lots of people and food (especially food).

Today is the big moving day. I'm going to become less connected, so I'm not sure how often I'll be able to update. DSL should be back on by next weekend. In just a few hours, we'll have a huge truck in our driveway and many big, strong people putting our belongings in it. Woo hoo!

We went back to sign papers

June 16, 2001 by Adam in Family

We went back to sign papers. The bottom line is that we move tomorrow and close on the 28th. There's a very small chance that the sellers back out, but that's highly unlikely at this point. Looking good so far - we expect you all at our house bright and early tomorrow morning.

Victoria, our realtor, was very nice. She helped watch Sam during the signing and even assisted in unpacking our refrigerator.

Well, after a vaguely Melrose Place style mee...

June 15, 2001 by Adam in Family

Well, after a vaguely Melrose Place style meeting, it appears that we're definitely moving tomorrow. We won't own the house, and will close on the 28th. To guarantee that the owner will really close, he's promised $750 in moving expenses should he choose not to go through with the deal.

I'm a little nervous, but I think it will all work out.

The excitement continues

June 15, 2001 by Adam in Family

The excitement continues. We're meeting today at noon with a variety of people to go over a proposal to get us moved in before we sell the house. I'm nervous, and would greatly prefer to move when it's clear that we're the owner. Still, it sounds like the judgements should be cleared up soon. The seller wants to put the amount of money owed in escrow in hopes of cutting a better deal with the lawyer involved. Kind of lame, in my opinion, as it causes undue stress for us.

It would be a big hassle if we didn't move, so we may move anyway. I'll just need to feel confident that it's fairly well assured that we'll actually be the owners within a week or so. I'm very thankful that mom will be at this meeting. Always nice to have a lawyer in the family.

Well, bad news on the home front

June 15, 2001 by Adam in Family

Well, bad news on the home front. We haven't closed on the new house and it's looking like we may not do it by this weekend. That doesn't mean we won't move, necessarily. There's a potential of taking preposession of the house and having the moving plans go ahead.

Still, I'm nervous about taking this approach, as there are assorted hassles and risks. We'll keep everyone posted. There's a meeting tomorrow at noon to try to figure all of this out.

Every once in awhile, I realize I'm different...

June 13, 2001 by Adam in Adam's Games

Every once in awhile, I realize I'm different than most people.

I switched servers on Everquest so that my friend Tedd could powerlevel Jim and I's characters. Well, my druid hit level 14, but his skills were still pretty low. I could just perform the task over and over until they went up, but I decided that was too boring.

Being the Lego fanatic that I am, I built a little button pusher. Last night, I took my character into a room, set up my hot key, and had it cast a spell over and over. Worked like a charm!

Just a quick update on the Saturday move

June 12, 2001 by Adam in Family

Just a quick update on the Saturday move. We get the U-Haul at 9:00 am, so the plan is to be back at our house packing by 9:20 or so. Everyone who's coming to help can show up around that time to help pitch in. Many thanks to all!

Jamie and Sam arrived last night

June 12, 2001 by Adam in Family

Jamie and Sam arrived last night. I left for home a bit early as they'd locked themselves out. Jamie also gave me my Father's Day present a bit early - matching Hawaiian shirts for Sam and I. Little did she know that every Thursday at work is informally Hawaiian Shirt Day. Now I'll be well prepared.

Having Sam home has definitely broken the silence that surrounded this house. We played with Legos and watched Star Wars for several hours last night. Lots of fun.

Jamie's pulling some last minute fixes to make sure we can officially close this Friday. Since the previous owners have various judgements against them, we've asked them to put $30,000 in an account and work it out with the escrow company. Should be close, but we're going to move on Saturday come Hell or high water.

Well, I spent the weekend with Jamie and Sam ...

June 11, 2001 by Adam in Adam

Well, I spent the weekend with Jamie and Sam off in Portland. The first day I packed like a maniac, being amazed and the number of boxes I labeled "Knick Knacks." The second day was spent playing Everquest and having a friend power level my character up to 14 in a few hours.

It's strange that it was the last weekend in our house. Lots of things happened there for the first time. We're still eager to move and have our family settle in.

Sadie's birthday was yesterday, so we all des...

June 10, 2001 by Adam in Family

Sadie's birthday was yesterday, so we all descended on my mom's house for a birthday brunch. I had been up since 4:30 packing, so I was starving. Also, I had forgotten my present (but fortunately hadn't packed it away), so Sadie came by afterwards. It was nice visiting with her, which I rarely have a chance to these days.

I'm almost done with all the assorted packing. Amazingly, I think I'm going to run out of boxes. Many of the remaining items are things that we'll need for the next few days. I'll probably take off parts of next Friday for the last minute packing things.

Happy Birthday to Sadie!! Great fun was had ...

June 10, 2001 by Seraph in Cortez

Happy Birthday to Sadie!! Great fun was had by all at Mom and Dick's this morning. There was a yummy birthday brunch for Sadie, with plenty of tame gifts and less then perfect waffels! Sadie and I made one of her famouse sorbet bombes for tomarrows dessert aution. You can all come by and bid if you'd like--after church (11ish).
This afternoon we lazed around, and Isa went for a nap at 4:30pm that turned into bedtime! Hopefully that means we can snuggel up and actually watch and entire movie.

Jenny gave us a bit of a scare yesterday

June 08, 2001 by Adam in Family

Jenny gave us a bit of a scare yesterday. She started having stomach pain, so she was rushed off to the hospital. Everyone thought it was appendicitis, and were getting ready to operate. Fortunately, the pain went away while she spent the night at the hospital and she's feeling much better now. The baby looks fine on the ultrasound and all the assorted blood work looks okay. Jenny may have a CT scan to be sure, but that's about it. So, we're all thinking good thoughts about her. It appears that everything's going to be okay.

A busy weekend is ahead for us. Jamie and Sam head off tonight. Sadie's having a birthday brunch tomorrow. I've got endless packing and preparation. Great fun!

Jamie was giving me a report on the things Sa...

June 08, 2001 by Adam in Sam

Jamie was giving me a report on the things Sam's been able to do these days. Jamie couldn't find Sam for a little while her back was turned. He had picked up a huge basket and somehow taken it upstairs. Sam is also able to open the refrigerator, take out a juice box, put the straw in the hole up top, and drink away. "He's turning into a person," she said.

We all went to University park last night for...

June 08, 2001 by Adam in Family

We all went to University park last night for a picinic with Sam's preschool folks. Sam was just exhausted when 7:30 rolled around and we barely made it to bed where he collapsed.

Today Jamie and Sam go to Portland, leaving a household of things to pack. Fortunately, Jamie's been doing a little bit every day, so I don't think it will be too bad.

I've been having creative distress lately

June 07, 2001 by Seraph in Cortez

I've been having creative distress lately. The need to do anything hands one or crafty...but no time or oppertunity! Today I re-potted a plant and made a small blanket for Isa's bed(out of an old curtin). But I can only do things that take ten minutes or a babysitter! Our yard has been finished-down to the last tubber-on paper that is! O- the joys of having a four month old! (Those of you with older kiddos please don't comment. I like to pretent that it will get easier!)

We figured out why Sam was being so difficult...

June 06, 2001 by Adam in Family

We figured out why Sam was being so difficult the last few days. He was eating dinner when he stopped and spit out his food. His teeth were hurting, and sure enough, he had some new molars coming in.

Sam also had a bad dream last night. Sam was fighting a creature with a long tongue. According to him, it was the snake from Mulan. I suppose media really does affect children. Sigh.

It finallllllly happend!! Lohring is a retire...

June 05, 2001 by Yayoe in Yayoe

It finallllllly happend!! Lohring is a retired, "old guy" effective June 1st but he still has work to do at his old office. He's thrilled at the opportunity to be a man of leisure and adventure. Today he is working with his partner Bill making more boats. They have a back log of 15 orders!

The big retirement party is on Friday, June 15th at 7 p.m. The details have been discussed already. I'm thrilled to have Lohring at home despite my threats to lock the door until 5 p.m. at which time he is allowed to enter the house.
My new goal for his retirement is to get him to remove his shoes in the house and attend Jazzersize 5 times a week.good luck huh.

In anticipation of our "new life" together, we tried to plan a short anniversary trip north. (Can you believe we've been married 14 years and we're still speaking!) To celebrate have to wait over a month in order to find a mutually agreeable time that works for both of us!....Lohring now keeps his calendar in his pocket so he can keep track of all the fun stuff he has to do. If you want to play with him he will have to fit you in!

Life is good, exciting, fun and busy. Contrary to the old images of retired folks...we arent's sitting around watching TV (except for the stock market report) and eating pork rinds. Later...

Well, Sam finally turned into a two-year-old

June 05, 2001 by Adam in Family

Well, Sam finally turned into a two-year-old. The last few days he's been over the top. His favorite game appears to be pretending that his Lego people are Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker, fighting with light sabers. He's also seemed especially cranky and tired. About the only thing that calms him down are stories about his imaginary friends Tommy and Tess. Ah, the joys of parenthood.

The big move is chugging along. All our belongings are slowly being boxed up. I'm working on getting utilities moved over. The DSL situation was especially exciting, as it involved a temporary phone line being set up at the new place. It will be 485-7214 for our first few days at the new house.

Thanks to everyone who volunteered their time helping us move on Saturday. As Jamie pointed out, family is who's obligated to help you when you move.

Robbie played hookie today and we took Isa to...

June 05, 2001 by Seraph in Cortez

Robbie played hookie today and we took Isa to the coast for the first time. We went up to Heceta Head lighthouse and to Lovejoy's for tea. A fun time was had by all. If any one from EEI is reading this, Robbie really is lying on the floor quite ill!

Almost a month later, and I've only gone up f...

June 04, 2001 by Adam in Adam's Games

Almost a month later, and I've only gone up five levels. Well, I haven't been playing too seriously, just every few nights and weekend mornings. Still fun. Level 14 was a nice one, with the first big spells becoming available. My friend Jim has been very generous, with my druid equipped with some very nice equipment. I probably shouldn't have some of them until level 40 or so, but I'm enjoying the gifts of others.

This winter they're coming out with an expansion to the game that should beef up the graphics. The graphics are merely okay, as they were done a couple years ago. Still, a fun game.

It's raining outside and Robbie's making choc...

June 03, 2001 by Seraph in Cortez

It's raining outside and Robbie's making chocolate chip cookies. It feels a lot like spring, not summer! This baking project is a big step for Robbie. The last time he made cookies he confused the Teaspoon and the Tablespoon...well lets say it wasn't Tollhouse! This afternoon our youth group is taking in cans we've collected for care packages for the church mission project. Next weekend we're holding a dessert action to raise money for camp scholarships. Thanks mom for your contribution, everyone was thrilled!

Well, we locked our interest rate today - 6

June 02, 2001 by Adam in Family

Well, we locked our interest rate today - 6.875%. Not incredibly low, but it started creeping up again. At least it's under the magic 7%, which was what I was hoping for.

We're also getting a moving day scheduled. It looks like next weekend, I'm packing everything in boxes while Sam and Jamie frolic in Portland. Saturday the 16th is the great moving day. A hearty thanks to everyone who wants to join us. Jim's going to bring his refrigerator and piano dolly, and everything in the house should be packed, so I think it should go pretty quick. Woo hoo!

Sam told Jamie that he wanted his own house

June 01, 2001 by Adam in Sam

Sam told Jamie that he wanted his own house. When Jamie asked what he would do in it, he replied "Play and vacuum."

Bob Whitman, our realtor, just got off the ph...

May 31, 2001 by Adam in Family

Bob Whitman, our realtor, just got off the phone with me. We'd been in a situation where there were a lot of repairs to be done on the new house, and we'd asked for the full amount to do all the repairs. We got a counter offer by the sellers that was very far off of what we were asking. We cut a third off of our request, and I just found out that they accepted.

So, it looks like the last big hurdle is over. Next steps are getting our loan finalized. The interest rates have gone up over the last few days, so we're crossing our fingers. We have another 15 days to lock it in, so we're hoping it goes down a bit. Great fun.

As I wander about my house these days, it's a...

May 30, 2001 by Adam in Adam

As I wander about my house these days, it's a little sad thinking about the memories created here. Sadie's hand-painted murals are one of the things I'm going to miss. I went through and took pictures of all of them so I don't forget. Perhaps when Sadie's home from college, we can hire her as a muralist again. I also love how Seraph's nursery turned out. I'll have to get some snapshots of those some day.

We all saw Sadie Monday night at my mom's house

May 30, 2001 by Adam in Family

We all saw Sadie Monday night at my mom's house. She's doing well, though her allergies are in full swing and she looked pretty tired. We're trying to arrange a play date between her and Sam, as Sam was wanting to build secret tunnels together (that's what they did the last time she was here).

House things are progressing along. We're still waiting to hear about the repair negotiation. Not sure what we'll do if we don't get the full amount. I suppose we can live out of all these cardboard boxes I'm getting from work.

Sadie's home!!! As soon as I could I stole h...

May 29, 2001 by Seraph in Cortez

Sadie's home!!! As soon as I could I stole her away and brought her home. She came over to keep me company this morning. Our house feels very quiet after all the hustle and bussel of the weekend. Again thank you to Adam for the extra backbone on Sunday, and to Mom and Dick for the tools and super wonderful workers! Soon our backyard will be ready for baby showers and family BBQues!

The offers we got yesterday were very good, w...

May 28, 2001 by Adam in Family

The offers we got yesterday were very good, with most exceeding the asking price of the house. So, we accepted one and we're on our way to getting this move accomplished. We're still waiting on the repairs. There's quite a bit that needs to be done, so I'm hoping they accept without too much difficulty. Lots of stress.

Also, we heard that Dave, Josh, and some friends overturned in the rapids yesterday. Dave had to go to Urgent Care to get a big splinter removed. They also lost a bunch of their equipment. Don't know many details, but we're glad they're okay.

Sadie's coming in tonight. I'm hoping we can see her. Well, we're off to Dave's to check up on him. Time to get everything organized.

This morning Adam came by and helped with the...

May 28, 2001 by Seraph in Cortez

This morning Adam came by and helped with the back yard. Mom sent over her two man Mexican crew to help too. Robbie and I were ready to throw our selves at their feet and decalre our love when they left. For those of you who remember our yard as this over grown mess, you will be quite surprised! Hanni has been here since yesterday watching Isa Ryn. We love her forever for all the help!!! The only downfall is that every inch of my body hurts.

Very exciting day today

May 28, 2001 by Adam in Family

Very exciting day today. I helped Seraph and Robbie haul yard debris, we did some last minute cleaning here at home, then we left the house for four hours for the open house. Sam was extra cranky and I was practically falling asleep from working so hard today. The good news was then when we returned, we were told we had three offers on the house. We're going over them formally tomorrow, but it looks good so far.

We're also in the process of negotiating with the sellers of the house we made an offer on. Unfortunately, there's quite a few repairs that need to be made. We're hoping to get some of the closing fees paid by the seller in order to get ready cash for repairs.

Hopefully this will all be over in a month or so. Lots of change, lots of stress, but we'll make it through. Great fun.

We were out on the back porch with Sam when w...

May 27, 2001 by Adam in Sam

We were out on the back porch with Sam when we smelled something a little funny. "Is there poop in your diaper?" we asked. Sam replied, "No! It's treasure!"

Seraph and Isabell have been coming by in the...

May 26, 2001 by Adam in Family

Seraph and Isabell have been coming by in the afternoons to help watch Sam while we get the house ready. It's looking pretty good, with only a little bit of yardwork left. Today Ray is down to assist as well. Nice to get all this help. Hopefully things will go well on Sunday and we'll get this house sold!

Pretty soon, we're going to head off and get some flowers to pretty up the front entrance. I got the task of hauling yard debris, while Jamie gets the fun work. Well, that's the price of being so manly I suppose.

Sam continues to grow and learn

May 25, 2001 by Adam in Sam

Sam continues to grow and learn. He's recently gotten into swords and swordfighting. I think it's all the Disney cartoons, which seem enamored of melee combat. I'm thinking about taking him to the Eugene Fencing Club some day, as I think he'd enjoy it.

He also periodically says "I love you Dad" without any prompting. Needless to say, that makes my day.

I've taken yesterday and today off from work ...

May 25, 2001 by Adam in Adam's Projects

I've taken yesterday and today off from work in order to get our house ready for it's first showing. I'm amazed at how good our place looks after several days of maniacal painting, cleaning, weeding, and so on. Heck, I'd buy the place.

I think the majority of painting is done. The big things left are yardwork, especially removing some piles of yard debris. I'd also like to do some loads of bark-o-mulch, but we'll see how much energy I can muster.

A fun time was had by all yesterday

May 24, 2001 by Seraph in Cortez

A fun time was had by all yesterday. We saw Jenny, Darren, and Destin off at the airport. Poor Destin was ready to jump out of his skin with excitement! In the afternoon Isa and I went to Adam and Jamie's to hang out with Sam while Jamie cleaned and packed. I told Sam about Destin going to Disneyland, and we talked about who lived there. He rattled of several Disney characters, and when I asked who else he said "Grandma Sue!" Well Mom, maybe you can live with Goofy! The warm weather has made nights a bit unfomfortable. I think it's time to invest in some fans!

The house preparation madness continues

May 24, 2001 by Adam in Family

The house preparation madness continues. I'm taking the next five days off to get the house ready. Last night I was sweating in the hot weather, paiting the front hall and door. Today it's the rest of the living room and dining room. I've got to mow sometime today as well. Also, more to pack and move.

We're discovering more about the house we're moving in to. It's an historical home, owned by the Dot Dotsons at one point. The inspections are in. While the house does have a few problems, it's in surprisingly good shape for being almost a century old.

Jamie's grandmother isn't doing well, so Judy is off to Nebraska. Jamie and Sam changed their plans and are staying in Eugene as well. While it's nice to have their coompany, I wish the reasons were different.

Isabell and I have a small case of cabin feve...

May 23, 2001 by Seraph in Cortez

Isabell and I have a small case of cabin fever right now. The hot weather has kept us in all day, and we are running out of fun things to do. Robbie did discover today that Isa is tickelish, so I've been having loads of fun making her laugh like crazy. It's nice to know that I don't have to worry about her peeing her pants! The rest of this week we get to play with Sam while Adam and Jamie get the house paked, cleaned, and organized. I hope it will be a nice change for us.

Our family went to Amazon park last night for...

May 21, 2001 by Adam in Family

Our family went to Amazon park last night for a bit of R&R after a tiring day. I spent the day beginning the move preparations. Items were packed into boxes. Weird out of the way areas were cleaned. Walls were spackled. Paint was touched up. Gardens were weeded. All very exhausting.

Also, I took all the pictures from our Saturday house tour and posted them. Take a gander here.

We had a great time at Adam and Jamie's new h...

May 20, 2001 by Seraph in Cortez

We had a great time at Adam and Jamie's new house (almost) yesterday. What a beauty! Robbie and I had to bite back a bit of jelousy when we came home to only one bathroom. Thank you mom for babysitting. You and Isa must have had a good time because she pooped out really quickly last night. Next weekend we are tackeling our yard again. Hanni is coming down to watch Isabell while Robbie and I get dirty and sweaty. O-the joys of home ownership!

And so the frantic days of getting ready to s...

May 20, 2001 by Adam in Adam

And so the frantic days of getting ready to sell our house begin. My hands are covered with assorted scrapes and cuts from gardening. Next weekend, my body will probably be paint spattered and abused. Endless work to be done and very little time to do it in.

I'm staying at the house over Memorial Day weekend while Jamie and Sam go to Portland. I have four full days to accomplish vast quantities of projects. I suspect I'll be hitting the coffee heavily to get all the energy. Once we get to the new house, then we can rest.

Well, we all headed over to the new house

May 19, 2001 by Adam in Family

Well, we all headed over to the new house. Our family all came over with us, checking out our home-to-be. It was the first time we'd seen it in several days, and it was even cooler than we remember. Jamie was sketching out the floorplan so we can figure out where to put everything. The cousins played with each other, finding all the good hiding places.

It's going to be a great house to raise our kids. We're getting very excited.

It was hard to sleep last night, we were so e...

May 17, 2001 by Adam in Family

It was hard to sleep last night, we were so excited. We kept going over all the various rooms, mentally picturing what will be in each place. Work was frantic, which was fortunate as it kept my mind off things.

This Saturday at 10 am, we're going through the house again with the whole family. Give us a call if you need directions.

The weather has suddenly turned from sunny su...

May 17, 2001 by Sadie in Sadie & Greg

The weather has suddenly turned from sunny summer to blustery gray. My last week in Northampton will be rocky; not one dull day in the midst of finals, moves, fights and friends. The sort of things that make me miss home. I will be arriving in Eugene by Memorial day, and I demand to see all of you in some wholesome family debauchery of love. There's not a day goes by when I don't miss all of you...

Well, it's official

May 17, 2001 by Adam in Family

Well, it's official. The offer was accepted and we will soon own our new house. We'll probably have the keys in about a month. Until then, we'll try to drive by and have some pictures. The place is great and I'm sure we'll have everyone over for a house warming party.

It's three stories, has four bedrooms and three and a half bathrooms. It was built in 1923 and has been completely restored/updated. The first floor is spacious, with hardwood floors. There's a kitchen, dining room, large living room, bedroom, bathroom. Upstairs are two bedrooms, one of which is huge, and two baths. Downstairs is another bedroom, bathroom, and sauna.

Well, we made an offer on a house today

May 17, 2001 by Adam in Family

Well, we made an offer on a house today. It's the perfect house, so we really hope we get it. It's at about 20th and Charnelton on the southwest edge of College Hill. Walking distance to parks, schools, and work. The house itself is large, beautiful, and is in a great neighborhood. We'll keep you posted as we find out more.

Thank you to everyone who came for Mother's Day

May 14, 2001 by Seraph in Cortez

Thank you to everyone who came for Mother's Day. We had a lot of fun seeing you all! Remember our house can always be booked for your next family function. The more the marrier!!

We had a jolly time for Mother's Day

May 14, 2001 by Adam in Family

We had a jolly time for Mother's Day. The whole crew showed up at Seraph's house to eat good food, exchange gifts, and socialize. Jenny's looking more and more pregant these days. Seraph and Robbie are planning extensive renovation to their house. Isabell is growing quite a bit and smiles at silly faces. Sadie sent lots of presents, as she's evidently homesick. Our family seems to be doing quite well these days.

I got an e-mail from a fellow case mod fanatic

May 14, 2001 by Adam in Adam's Projects

I got an e-mail from a fellow case mod fanatic. He sent in a photo of his Lego case mod. Quite impressive, especially getting the drives to fit in as well as they do.

I'm thinking that my next case will be inside some sort of natural wood enclosure. I worry a bit about heat dissipation, as wood is an excellent insulator. Hopefully my dad will be retired by then to assist in my mad schemes.

Jenny's looking pretty pregnant these days

May 14, 2001 by Adam in Jenny

Jenny's looking pretty pregnant these days. Jenny, Darren, and Dez are also heading out shortly to Disneyland, where Jenny will be celebrating her birthday. Happy Birthday Jenny!

My druid's up to level 10 as of yesterday

May 13, 2001 by Adam in Adam's Games

My druid's up to level 10 as of yesterday. I'm still hanging out in Crushbone, home of the orcs. I can take on orc slavers by myself and legionnaires with help. My buddy Jim and I played a bit this Mother's Day morning, taking out quite a few orcs and freeing some slaves.

Soon, it will be time to head off to Steamfont Mountains, which I hear is an excellent place for hunting at my level. I bit dangerous getting there. Fortunately, may camouflage spell makes me invisible to most things.

So, it's still being fun. Frustrating at times and progress is slow. Still, I can see myself playing for awhile.

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Exciting news in the life...

May 13, 2001 by Seraph in Cortez

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Exciting news in the life of a friend! Raven e-mailed me from Senegal to tell me that she and her boyfriend Cheikh will be getting married here next November! Be prepared for the cross-cultural event of the year!

House hunting is turning out to be harder tha...

May 12, 2001 by Adam in Adam

House hunting is turning out to be harder than I thought. There are so many possibilities as to where we could live and what kind of house we could live in. The plan is to stay there until our kids are grown up, so it's a pretty major decision.

I'm entertaining the thought of the Ferry Street Bridge area. I've always lived in south Eugene, so it's a bit odd to think about. Still, there are lots of houses for sale, the area is flat (for bike riding), and it's somewhat central. There aren't really any older homes there, but I suspect there are lots to pick from.

Hopefully we can poke around some neighborhoods this weekend. Great fun.

Sam was helping Jamie make brownies last night

May 12, 2001 by Adam in Sam

Sam was helping Jamie make brownies last night. He likes the stirring part quite a bit, but I think his favorite is the licking.

We went swimming last night. Sam absolutely loves it. He would plug his nose, plunge his body under the water, spin around, pop back up, and say "I want to do it again." This was repeated about twenty times. Later, Sam wanted me to go to the deep part and let go of him for awhile. He'd drop to the bottom then float back up. Lots of fun.

Sam was playing on the computer last night wh...

May 10, 2001 by Adam in Sam

Sam was playing on the computer last night when he sneezed and flipped his head forward. He bonked his nose hard enough on the desk to make it bleed. We promptly stuffed some tissue up his nose and held him until he stopped crying. His first words were, "But I still want to play Pajama Sam."

We took him back to play his Pajama Sam game, a tissue hanging out his nose, until it was time to go swimming.

Sam took one of his rare naps yesterday

May 09, 2001 by Adam in Family

Sam took one of his rare naps yesterday. The boy is like a light switch - either off or on. When he woke up, he ran around frantically, periodically falling and bumping himself. "Why do I keep falling down?" he'd ask.

Jamie's looking at houses again today. Slow going. The week is moving along slowly. I may end up going to Portland with Jamie and Sam for Memorial day. There's tons of house projects to do, but I'd rather spend time with my family.

Today Sam was playing with a small toy car, a...

May 08, 2001 by Jamie in Sam

Today Sam was playing with a small toy car, and it made a loud zooming noise when he dragged it across the floor. He got very excited and tried to explain to me what kind of a noise it was making...racking his brain for something similar to describe the noise. Finally, he said, "You know, like when you take the top off a bottle of beer. THAT noise!"

We've been using the chalkboard in Sam's room...

May 06, 2001 by Adam in Sam

We've been using the chalkboard in Sam's room to write letters and spell things. Yesterday, he was actually able to identify the letters and read the words for SAM, MOM, and DAD. A little prompting was needed, but it was still pretty amazing. He's especially good with his own name. I suppose we can only spell out things like "ice cream" a little longer before he catches on.

I took Sam down to Cinco de Mayo yesterday an...

May 06, 2001 by Adam in Family

I took Sam down to Cinco de Mayo yesterday and met up with Jenny, Dez, Seraph, Robbie, and Isabell. It was quite exciting, with lots of music, food, petting animals, and a huge playground. We even ran into Sam's friends Johanna and Mattie.

Jamie was off with her friend, so I took Sam home, fed him, played a bit of his new Pajama Sam game, gave him a bath, and put him to bed. All by myself - what a dad I am.

It's a beautiful Cinco de Mayo here in Eugene

May 05, 2001 by Adam in Family

It's a beautiful Cinco de Mayo here in Eugene. Jamie's cooking up some yummy breakfast and Sam's helping her out. We're still slowly looking at houses. It's difficult, as many of the houses we're seeing aren't really better than our own. Still, I'm sure the perfect house is out there somewhere.

Sam and I are going to spend a bunch of time together today, as Jamie's off with a friend this afternoon. Fortunately, there's a new Pajama Sam game that we've been hiding for emergencies. I may just have to break it out.

Interesting e-mail

May 04, 2001 by Sue in Wielesek

Interesting e-mail. Sadie and I had planned to go to Zimbabwe, but the anti-American sentiment seems to be strong there now. Then, out of the blue, a second cousin I had never met or talked to e-mailed from his home in Zimbabwe. Not only will we hopefully have a chance to meet him, but Sadie may have a chance to see a different point of view on the Revolution there.
Happy Cinco de Mayo. Dick and I are babysitting Dez, and I think we will go to the Cinco celebration - our neighborhood has a big Latino population, so this is always
a good time to eat and watch Salse dancers..Love to all.

Well, the Everquesting continues

May 04, 2001 by Adam in Adam's Games

Well, the Everquesting continues. I'm actually starting to get into the game a bit more. Dave created a character on the same server, so we played together a bit on Wednesday. Tomorrow morning, I'll probably play with my buddy Jim, who also wakes up at five in the morning.

My little druid is slowly becoming a bit more buff. I can take on Orc Centurians most of the time, though more than a couple forces me to run back to the guards. The social aspects are the most interesting. This morning, I had some high level characters helping me out considerably. Great fun.

Last night, Sam threw a shoe across the room

May 04, 2001 by Adam in Sam

Last night, Sam threw a shoe across the room. "Sam!" I said in a sharp voice. Sam hid himself, looking sheepish.
  Sam: "I feel bad."
  Adam: "Why do you feel bad?"
  Sam: "I feel bad because I threw the shoe."
I went on to explain about how sometimes it helps to pick up and help the other person. I then asked if he wanted to do that.
  Sam: "No."
  Adam: "Why?"
  Sam: "I want to still feel bad."
Needless to say, that got a laugh out of Jamie.

May is here! The sun has felt wonderful today

May 03, 2001 by Seraph in Cortez

May is here! The sun has felt wonderful today. We all slept in today (6:30!), and Robbie took Isa for an AM walk so I could sleep a little more. It was wonderful. Although I did miss my swimming because of it, so Isa and I are off for an extra long walk this afternoon. I've been in a giddy "I love my family" mood lately, do if you need me to do anything now is probably the time to ask!

Hi There, It's May already

May 03, 2001 by Lohring in Lohring

Hi There,
It's May already. Wow. The year is almost half gone! Just a quick reminder that we will be off to Meadville May 23-28th. Sadie will be meeting us at the Cleveland airport and flying back with us if Sue can coordinate her flights with our plans.

We talked to Dorothy yesterday to wish her a happy birthday. (May 5th). She is doing well and keeping busy. She and the Eskinds had a great time in NY over spring break. She is busy preparing for Franklin's memorial service. Lohring is off to Olympia this weekend for more boat stuff. All else is fine. My painting will go on display at the PRN Art Gallery at PeaceHealth Medical group on May 4th. They will be there for 2 months. Wish me luck in selling cards....my new business, which is now a product of B&M Manufacturing!

Hi

April 30, 2001 by Sue in Wielesek

Hi. Well, travel plans are starting to ge. Sadie will stay in Noho until the Thursday before Franklin's memorial service, when I hope I can get her to Cleveland by plane. The rest of the plan is that she will get home the Tuesday after Memorial Day, stay until August 13th or 14th, and fly to Gabarone. Instead of going with her in the fall, I'll meet her at the end of her tour, and we will travel a bit before coming home. Love to all, Sue

Still playing Everquest, doing a little bette...

April 30, 2001 by Adam in Adam's Games

Still playing Everquest, doing a little better these days. I think I've left the frustrating part and I've begun to discover the game a bit more. It's still challenging. I'm level five and still die occasionally. I've gotten over my head quite a few times. Still, I grouped with another guy for awhile, which was interesting. Getting good at whacking orcs.

Well, a member of our family left us today

April 30, 2001 by Adam in Family

Well, a member of our family left us today. We handed our dog Guy over to a new owner. Gene's as close to perfect as you can get, and I'm sure Guy will be very happy. Sam fills the quiet in the house quite well.

We had seven members of Jamie's family for breakfast this morning. I felt like I was cooking for an army, though it seemed to go over well. Tomorrow Jamie is teaching at Sam's preschool, as well as Wednesday. Wish her luck.

Jamie's family descended on Eugene yesterday,...

April 29, 2001 by Adam in Family

Jamie's family descended on Eugene yesterday, with Ray, Darrel, and Josh coming staying at the boy's house. We headed over to visit them. Also, Wendy is back permanently from her Washington school, so we visited with her too.

Jamie and I spent some more time looking at houses. We haven't found the perfect house yet, though we found a great one, except for the location. Beautiful older house, just a bit too close to the freeway.

We also have someone interested in taking Guy away. Although it will make our house much simpler, we will miss him. The new owner lives on four acres of land, is newly divorced, and misses his two shelties that went to his wife. Sounds like it will be a good place for our puppy.

My buddy Chris (who's server this site is run...

April 27, 2001 by Adam in Adam's Projects

My buddy Chris (who's server this site is running on) dropped some nerd news on me today. It turns out that if you go to Google and search for "case modifications", this site is in the top six. Woo hoo! Another nerd milestone.

A very quick hi to all

April 27, 2001 by Sue in Wielesek

A very quick hi to all. Dick and I were in the MS Walkathon last Saturday with his gang from work. One of his co-workers has MS, so they walk as a group. Nice people and lots of fun. Dick and I warmed up the weekend before with a forced walk. Fortunately, the half way point is a great restaurant, so he and I stopped to eat.

Babysitting fun with Sam last night and Dez tonight. For all their other grandparents, I promise I enjoy them a little extra, just for you. Isa is especially fun, because of course she changes from one week to the next.

We took my old fax over to Sam to be the control panel for his rocket ship. Sharp doesn't make very good fax machines (this one lasted a year), but they're hell on wheels when it comes to making rocket ship control panels. Love to all, Sue

Fairly uneventful week so far

April 27, 2001 by Adam in Family

Fairly uneventful week so far. Jamie and I went out for dinner last night, while my mom and Dick watched Sam. We also are starting looking for a new house. Jamie went out house hunting with Victoria, one of our realtors. No luck so far, but we're not in a rush. Sam's getting more and more imaginative these days. Playing pretend is one of his favorite games these days.

Well, I picked up Everquest last week

April 27, 2001 by Adam in Adam's Games

Well, I picked up Everquest last week. It's been referred to as "Evercrack" since it's supposedly very addictive. For some reason, it hasn't really hit me. I've played a couple times, though it's been more frustrating than fun. I've died a bunch of times, and can barely hold my own in a fight. Still, it might be more interesting down the road when I can actually go out and explore a bit. We'll see.

I know no one probably even comes to my page ...

April 27, 2001 by Jamie in Jamie

I know no one probably even comes to my page anymore since I never write, but ha ha, I've fooled you all! My latest endeavor is house hunting with our agent Victoria (who actually remembers helping Brant get his house and asked me how he is liking it)
We are prepared to look long and hard, but of course the first day out I nearly fell in love with this beautifully preserved and maintained 1940 3 story on the east side of Hendricks Hill. I has all the original wood, trims and hardware! An actual Parlor, 5 bedrooms...the ones upstairs connected by sleeping porches, a big Wolf gas stove, on and on. But it is not close to a park and is close to the highway. Two marks against.
It has been kinda fun running through houses, dreaming of what the future may hold :-)

"I'm just like Pajama Sam!" When we got th...

April 24, 2001 by Adam in Sam

"I'm just like Pajama Sam!"

When we got the "Pajama Sam - No Need to Hide When It's Dark Outside" game, little did I know how much it would affect Sam. He now wants to dress up like Pajama Sam with his cape, gray flashlight, and red lunchbox. In the game, you need to collect those things before you face Darkness. Now Sam feels he needs to be similarly equiped. Yesterday, we went to the park with Sam all in costume.

What a fun and exciting weekend! While Robbi...

April 23, 2001 by Seraph in Cortez

What a fun and exciting weekend! While Robbie was at his conference on Saturday Isabell and I played with Jenny, Darren, and Destin. We went to Saturday Market and a carnival at Gateway Mall. Isabell had a lot of fun watching all the people, and hearing all the noises! Those Banks' sure have fun figured out! Isabell was wiped out and spent most of Sunday sleeping or being grumpy. Thank you to Mom and Dick for watching her last night. It was fun to get out and talk to adults (sort of)! To mark her three month birthday Isa rolled over for Grandma and Gedu! We also got a call from Raven! Very exciting to her from her all the way from Dakar. She'll be back July 12th (yippy!!).

The nerd gene is strong in Sam

April 22, 2001 by Adam in Family

The nerd gene is strong in Sam. We got several adventure games for kids, and we've been playing them into the ground. He just finished up Pajama Sam's "No Need to Hide When It's Dark Outside", which was a big hit. He held on to the mouse for all but the hardest parts, though I helped him with some of the trickier puzzles.

Yesterday was beautiful, and we spent a lot of time outside. We broke out the hammock, which Sam's been playing on a bunch. Tonight is wine night, so we'll have Dave, Seraph, Robbie, Angie, and Matthew over for a yummy dinner. Great fun.

Robbie's off at a confrerence today, so Isa R...

April 21, 2001 by Seraph in Cortez

Robbie's off at a confrerence today, so Isa Ryn and I are on our own. We may go and play with her cousin Destin later. Not having Rob around sure does make me appreciate him all the more!

Sam and I went swimming last night and had a ...

April 21, 2001 by Adam in Sam

Sam and I went swimming last night and had a great time. I put a life jacket on him for the first time, and he went crazy. He would splash around by himself, giggling and flailing about. We played "rocket", where he would push off my chest and propell himself away from me. Great fun.

Last night, I stayed up watching a Biography ...

April 21, 2001 by Adam in Adam

Last night, I stayed up watching a Biography show about the Bee Gees. Now, I've got a Bee Gees song stuck in my head. Great.

Still playing Black & White, though the thril...

April 21, 2001 by Adam in Adam's Games

Still playing Black & White, though the thrill has faded somewhat. I was frustrated to find out yesterday that Arcanum, a game I've been looking forward to, has been delayed four months so they could translate it into different languages and have a worldwide release. The game's done, they just won't let me have it. Grr.

I suppose I'll give up and get Everquest to play for the next few months until better games come out. Dave's playing it now, as is my friend Jim. Supposedly, it's addictive, so I'll have to be careful with how much I play.

Sam got underwear today

April 18, 2001 by Adam in Sam

Sam got underwear today. He picked out the Darth Maul ones himself, preferring it over the Anakin themed ones. Figuring out how to use them hasn't quite happened yet. He did tell Jamie he had to pee once, though he managed to get all three pairs a bit soggy today. Still, another milestone for our boy . . .

I love all the cute Isa pictures in the famil...

April 18, 2001 by Carolyn in Carolyn & Alex Cortez

I love all the cute Isa pictures in the family album. Finally got the "real" pictures from Sears today and will mail them post haste To Rob and Seraph. They sure are cute, but Sears takes so long she probably looks different already!
It was 91 here today so it's getting time to visit the "cool" Northwest. Scott's Dr. changed his surgery so it looks like I'll be in Portland the last week of May now, so hopefully we can get the "kids" together. Maybe Alex can come then too.
We are going to be Grandparents again. Scott and Rebecca are having a little brother for Ellie due September 3rd. His name is Charlie. I love all the old names the kids are recycling these days. Ellie asked her mom if she can get back in her tummy when Charlie comes out! She is 2 and 1/2 now.
Carolyn

I just wanted to say how nice it was to have ...

April 16, 2001 by Seraph in Cortez

I just wanted to say how nice it was to have everyone over for Easter tea! Not only is it fun to see you all, but it's a great reason to get the house cleaned up!

I ended up calling 911 for the third time in ...

April 16, 2001 by Adam in Adam

I ended up calling 911 for the third time in my life over the weekend. We had come back from an Easter lunch when we came across a car accident. It looked like there had been a collision and an SUV had turned over. One of the guys from the other car was trying to get into a store. I gestured that I had a cell phone and proceeded to call.

The crazy thing was that within a minute, three other people were calling on cell phones. Within a couple minutes, a police car was there and a few minutes after that, the fire trucks and EMT arrived. Crazy.

We had a good time on Easter

April 16, 2001 by Adam in Family

We had a good time on Easter. Sam had a wonderful morning, finding Easter eggs, eating chocolate, and visiting family. We had a blow-up Easter bunny, which he personally thanked for the various gifts.

We visited Ray, Brant, Dave, and Josh in the morning. Seraph and Robbie put on a wonderful tea around noon time. My dad stopped by and played with Sam in the afternoon, performing surgery together on playdough teletubbies. It's all good.

"This forest sure is creepy

April 14, 2001 by Adam in Family

"This forest sure is creepy."

This is what Sam said when we took a hike in the forest today. I think it's a line from Scooby Doo, which he watches far too often. Sam had a great time tromping about. At the end of the trail, he was ready to head off on another adventure. We decided instead to head back home for lunch.

We've also been getting ready for Easter. We're boiling eggs for decoration and Dave and Josh are visiting later to decorate them. Great fun.

I will survive! Well, that was the mentality...

April 12, 2001 by Seraph in Cortez

I will survive! Well, that was the mentality in our house the past few days. Isa is getting over the crud Robbie had last week, but only after two really miserable days. We too our gearing up for Easter. At church they've roped us into helping out again (though we really don't object much). I'm reading at Friday evenings Good Friday service, and Robbie's reading the part of Jesus in Jesus Christ Supperstar on Sunday. Service is at 9:30am, and all our invited! Isabell is getting cuter and bigger every day. I'm already starting a box of out grown clothes!

Sam's getting in the Easter spirit these days

April 12, 2001 by Adam in Family

Sam's getting in the Easter spirit these days. Today at preschool he went "egg huntin'" and found some eggs with stickers inside. I'm looking forward to this weekend, especially the egg decorating part. For some reason, that part is even more appealing than stealing the marshmellow chickens from Sam's Easter basket. Mmm . . . sugar coated marshmellows.

I was giving Sam a bath last night

April 11, 2001 by Adam in Sam

I was giving Sam a bath last night. He was playing with the gel balls that are filled with oil, one of his favorite bath toys. I explained that we were almost out and he told me, "The next time we go to the store, we can get yellow ones and Johanna can get red ones" (Sam's favorite color is yellow and Johanna's is red). It appears that at age two, he's already picked a favorite color.

I had a dream last night where an assassin po...

April 11, 2001 by Adam in Adam

I had a dream last night where an assassin poisoned me and I only had a minute to live. I asked his permission to write a final farewell to my family, but every piece of paper I found was covered in scribbles. So, just in case:

Jamie and Sam, I love you very much.

Sam and I went on an adventure to the park in...

April 09, 2001 by Adam in Family

Sam and I went on an adventure to the park in the middle of the hail storm yesterday. It was great fun. Finally, with zillions of frozen balls pelting us, we decided to head to the car, laughing all the way. We picked up some bagels and headed home. Sam and I had to play quietly, as Jamie's book club was discussing various women's novels. Sam, on the other hand, spent his evening being pulled in his wagon, throwing paper airplanes, and playing tag in the backyard.

HI Folks, So much fun to read your entries

April 09, 2001 by Yayoe in Yayoe

HI Folks,
So much fun to read your entries. Good newz about GADzOOK.. "IT" is surrounded by all its mechanical friends (lathes, hammers,etc.)At night I hear the goings on in the garage. They seem to have some sort of weird heavy metal party going on until morning. Lohring's shops is almost done! The electrician has been very busy creating a lighting system that rivals a Hollywood set. We also found an electric furnace so there will be heat during the wild parties

Meadville: We depart for Meadville on May 23-28th. Sadie will be joining us there. Please do think about any stories or words you want us to share at Franklin's memorial service. Aloha/Shalom

Sam and I met Jenny, Robbie, and Dez at the l...

April 08, 2001 by Adam in Family

Sam and I met Jenny, Robbie, and Dez at the library yesterday. We played with puppets and got a book about bugs that Sam laughed all the way through. Yesterday was pretty low key. Josh and Dave came to visit, though mostly Josh played on the computer and Dave enjoyed the many channels on our tv.

Friday rolls along here at work

April 06, 2001 by Adam in Adam

Friday rolls along here at work. I woke up on the wrong side of bed this morning, but strangely turned it around. I stayed up until (gasp) 10 PM last night, way past my bedtime. Perhaps that played a role.

I've been very good about minimizing caffiene and my workouts have included both weights and cardio. I spend most of my lunch hour in the gym, which makes me feel good about myself. I haven't weighed myself lately, but I suspect I've picked up a few more pounds of muscle(Ah-nuld would be proud).

I think our family is over the various sicknesses, which helps a lot. Everyone's mood is much improved. It's nice to come home to two smiling faces, rather than the gloomy, drippy ones from a few weeks ago.

Our news will start to sound like Adam and Ja...

April 06, 2001 by Seraph in Cortez

Our news will start to sound like Adam and Jamie's! There is sickness in our house!! Robbie has a pretty yucky case of the flu, but the doctor doesn't think it's strep. So far Isa and I have avoided it, but then again I won't let Robbie even breath on us! Isa is dealing with her first case of diaper rash by crying whenever anythng touches her butt, leaving me to feel like bad mother of the year. The "What to expect..." book says that the best way to cure diaper rash is to prevent it from ever starting. Duhhhh, even I could have writtin that advise.
Anyway, thank you Mom and Dick for babysitting last night. We feel much refreshed.

Ooooh, babysat Isa last night

April 06, 2001 by Sue in Wielesek

Ooooh, babysat Isa last night. There is nothing like a soft warm little kid to lower one's blood pressure and brighten one's day. We have Dez tonight, and I thought we might go to the new Pokemon movie.

I was a moot court judge at the law school Tuesday evening. It is always fun to work with students, so I enjoyed it. They give the kids a pretend problem to research and give appelalate arguements about; this was a labor law questions. Fortunately, the teacher gives the judges a cheat sheet, so I could ask questions as though I had a clue. It would be nice if life came that way.

Good thoughts to you out there in cyberland. Sue

Sam and I went to Toys-R-Us today and picked ...

April 06, 2001 by Adam in Family

Sam and I went to Toys-R-Us today and picked up a little Lego racer. He's pretty excited with it, though he'll occasionally let his mom do it too. It involves smashing something down with his fist and propelling a tiny Lego car across the playroom floor. Even better, the strange Lego driver is carefully designed to shoot out of his seat when it hits the wall. Ah, the joys of being two.

Sam woke up this morning and said, "Mom, I ha...

April 05, 2001 by Adam in Sam

Sam woke up this morning and said, "Mom, I had a dream about water in the bathtub." Pretty amazing that he's figured out what dreams are so soon.

Sam and I played with his velcro balls yesterday. He was wearing his sweater, which turned out to be quite an excellent target for the occasional wayward ball.

I made some minor changes to the web site

April 04, 2001 by Adam in Adam

I made some minor changes to the web site. You can now edit news postings, instead of deleting them and making a new one. Not a big deal, but it was tedious when I made a typo.

I've put in some minor changes to the web sit...

April 04, 2001 by Adam in Adam

I've put in some minor changes to the web site and I'm testing them out.

Lots of news today! Seraph and Isabell came ...

April 04, 2001 by Adam in Family

Lots of news today! Seraph and Isabell came over for dinner last night (Robbie was sick). They're doing well after their exciting trip to Arizona. We have a bunch of baby racoons living under our woodshed. Guybrush continues to bark at them constantly, which is driving us nuts. Jenny found out she is having a baby boy. Evidently Destin was in tears, he wanted a baby girl so badly. Fortunately, his guinea pig had babies, one of which was a girl.

Jamie was kind to me and let me play some Bla...

April 03, 2001 by Adam in Adam's Games

Jamie was kind to me and let me play some Black and White last night. I'm on the third world now, and I just finished converting one of the other villages. Because of a particular game twist, this was hard to do. I ended up building a village center close enough to the other village so that I could cast various miracles to impress the other people.

It's different and enjoyable, though I can see that my interest will eventually wane. I'm hoping that Arcanum will be out by the time I finish up with Black and White. That looks promising as well.

We made it back! After returning from Tuscon...

April 02, 2001 by Seraph in Cortez

We made it back! After returning from Tuscon on Thursday we went to Sunriver over the weekend. First we had to run to the doctors on Friday because Isa has a minor eye infection and blocked tear duct. Fortunatly it doesn't bother her! We're trying to settle back into life, by catching up on laundry and other household chores. Abig thank you to Mom and Dick for watching Ducky and fixing our sink (do you need anything besides you storm windows put up forever?). I'm taking Adam's lead and reading the Lord of the Rings (paragraph at a time - it's a bit slow).

Hi There, This is my first official posting!...

April 02, 2001 by Yayoe in Yayoe

Hi There,
This is my first official posting! Hope it goes well. Our new, non flesh and blood family addition is a 2000 pound milling machine called Gadzooks. Can you believe Lohring had to rent a crane to get it into the house! Darren, the crane expert can testify to that wild morning. Lohring's shops is slowly taking shape thanks to master contractor Darren.

I will be showing 4 of my paintings at PRN West at PeaceHealth Medical Group starting Friday, May 4th! Hope you have a chance to see my show, which also include another painter named Laura Effron.

Happy April Fool's day

April 01, 2001 by Adam in Family

Happy April Fool's day. I woke up to have my computer tell me that I was supposed to set my clock an hour forward. Unfortunately, it was for real and an extra hour of sleep magically disappeared.

It's been a quiet weekend. Lots of play time with Sam. We had fun taking his alphabet mat and turning it into tunnels. "Can I play with the letters again?" he asks as I type this. Time to get back to the boy . . .

Well, I've stopped my computer projects for a...

March 31, 2001 by Adam in Adam's Projects

Well, I've stopped my computer projects for awhile, turning instead to the house. Our goal is to get the house ready for sale sometime later this year. So far, we've fixed up the bathroom and painted the upstairs. There's still some more painting and minor landscaping, but we're not too far away.

Jamie's having some issues around the dog these days. I think she wants to find a new home for Guy, but is somewhat torn on the issue. I think her ideal would be that someone she knew would take him, but that doesn't seem to be happening.

Oh, minor bonus. I think we're getting a couple thousand back from taxes this year. Woo hoo!

Well, my creature is coming along nicely

March 31, 2001 by Adam in Adam's Games

Well, my creature is coming along nicely. I transferred bodies to a new creature. Now he's a playful horse, shown here kicking a beach ball. We had a few rough starts at the beginning and three villagers were inadvertently eaten. I think I've straightened things out, as he's now going around casting helpful spells and the villagers appreciate him. He just learned to dance, so I may put on some music and watch him boogie around. Great fun.

Sam's been into playdough lately

March 31, 2001 by Adam in Sam

Sam's been into playdough lately. Tonight we spent almost an hour making little creatures and hand puppets. The only fiasco involved brushing blue playdough out of Sam's teeth, though I think I got it all.

The boy's been especially chatty. Today he told me, "I had a dream last night where I liked different food." Unfortunately, it's still a dream. He's one of the pickiest eaters I know.

I picked up Black and White yesterday

March 29, 2001 by Adam in Adam's Games

I picked up Black and White yesterday. It really does live up to the hype. The graphics are beautiful and the gameplay is interesting and unique. It's challenging to get used to all the novel things in the game, though the in-game tutorials are quite good.

My creature is currently a red ape. He's supposedly quite bright, but I guess that doesn't stop him from defecating in the village square from time to time. I did get him playing with a beach ball after much coaxing. I only hope I can get him doing something a bit more useful soon.

PS There's a cute Arizona family picture in ...

March 29, 2001 by Carolyn in Carolyn & Alex Cortez

PS
There's a cute Arizona family picture in the family album and some new pictures of Isa.

Well, Seraph and Robbie left to return to Eug...

March 29, 2001 by Carolyn in Carolyn & Alex Cortez

Well, Seraph and Robbie left to return to Eugene this morning and took the darling baby with them...How dare they?
She is so cute we had a great time "bonding" with her. She still likes mommy best but I got to babysit two times while they went out to dinner and movies and we got along great. She requires lots of attention but I loved every minute of it.
I will be in Portland some time in April or May as my son Scott will have knee surgery, so we are planning to get the young parents and babies together from Portland and Eugene so they can finally meet.
It was 80 degrees here all week while the "kids" were here and they all enjoyed the sunshine.
Carolyn

Susan Kephart and a couple of her students ha...

March 28, 2001 by Jamie in Jamie

Susan Kephart and a couple of her students have been working with the Camassia plants I worked with "way back" in college :-) They are presenting an abstract this Spring...find it at http://www.botany2001.org/section12/abstracts/128.shtml
I went back to my old research and was amazed at and proud of the terminology I actually understood at one time!

Jamie and Sam returned a bit early yesterday

March 27, 2001 by Adam in Family

Jamie and Sam returned a bit early yesterday. Jamie was exhausted and sick. Sam was giddy and spastic. Sam and I played non-stop for the entire evening until he collapsed at around 8 pm with the rest of us. At one point, he pretended to bonk his nose, so we had to replace it with an artificial MegaBlok nose. He's the .0000002 million dollar boy.

I'm feeling a bit under the weather, but I still think I'll try to go to work. It's sometimes a more restful place than home with Sam (sorry Jamie). Plus, I get all the Advil I want. Woo hoo!

I'm inspired by Adam's conscientious efforts ...

March 26, 2001 by Sue in Wielesek

I'm inspired by Adam's conscientious efforts at this.
It's a wonderful idea, too. There is a thirty year gap in my life, about which I have no recollection. My journal efforts consisted of writing the names of the kids, kid, or other person on credit card slips whatever I was paying for which involved doing anything fun, so when I'm old and incredibly cranky and nobody can stand me, I'll be able to sit down and remember those times. Sounds pretty pathetic to me, too!
Good thoughts to Alex, Caroline, Judy, and Jim, who I know are enjoying those cute grandkids this week.
Sue

Today I celebrated an obscure holiday - The D...

March 26, 2001 by Adam in Family

Today I celebrated an obscure holiday - The Day of Painting. A holy day indeed, requiring much prostrating with rollers, brushes, and tape. Like stigmata, my hands and feet are covered with splotches of white latex paint.

I had breakfast with my mom, Dick, Seraph, Robbie, and Isabell yesterday. Today was painting, doing taxes, and a brief break to watch Ghost in the Shell, an excellent Japanese animation movie. I talked to Sam briefly on the phone. It was like I was talking to a real person, especially how he kept leaving in the middle of the conversation - adults do that to me all the time. Hopefully he and Jamie will be back Tuesday. I do miss them.

Well, we made it to Tuscon! Isabell did reall...

March 26, 2001 by Seraph in Cortez

Well, we made it to Tuscon! Isabell did really well on the planes. The only time she cried was on the last one from Seatle to Tuscon. But it wasn't ears, just her normal sleepy time. We didn't get to sleep until after minight (AZ time), so today we're taking it easy. The weather is beautiful and all the deasert flowers are blooming! Robbie and Alex are off golfing, and Carolyn, Isa and I are hanging out! We'll try to get some pictures up for you all.

I met my mom for breakfast this morning

March 24, 2001 by Adam in Family

I met my mom for breakfast this morning. She handed over some pictures of Sam when he visited the farm a couple weeks ago. She also gave me a rusty horse shoe as something to remember the experience by.

I felt little sick today, though I went to today. I mowed the front yard and put some fungicide on some plants out back. Pretty soon I'm off to dinner at my dad's house. It's a good thing I'm busy - keeps me from missing Jamie and Sam too much.

Well, Jamie and Sam are up in Portland and I'...

March 23, 2001 by Adam in Adam

Well, Jamie and Sam are up in Portland and I've got the run of the house to myself. I patched the concrete slab in the back yard and mowed the lawn. Yet more wallpaper and painting projects await me this weekend.

I've also been renting old episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer from the video store down the block. Without commercials, I can watch two or three at a sitting. It's pretty weird - I've noticed my dreams afterward are filled with Buffy characters and themes.

I'm also feeling a little sick today. When I talked to Jamie yesterday, she was feeling miserable. I'm probably next, so I'm drinking fluids and taking it easy.

Well, the Cortez family is off to Arizona on ...

March 23, 2001 by Seraph in Cortez

Well, the Cortez family is off to Arizona on Saturday, and we are actually ready! Packing has been a very slow process, and we'll not look nearly as glamoruos as in past years. O-well, Isabell's cuteness should make up for it. If we're really organized will try to post from Tuscon. Wish us luck!

As always, our most exciting news is about th...

March 23, 2001 by Sue in Wielesek

As always, our most exciting news is about the kids. Seraph and Robbie are off to Arizona to see Alex and Caroline next week. Baby Isa Ryn is definitely worth the wait - sweet and even tempered and good natured. She can't really laugh yet, but she is in the wonderful pre-laughing stage when she practices Looking Pleasant, which is always very fun. We had her last weekend for a while.

We got to see all the grandkids at the play at Sam's daycare - it turned out that a big bunch of Dez's buds were there, too, so a good time was had by all. We took Sam out to see the horses as the farm - he was very funny. He kept saying, in precise tones, "I want to go where the horse can't sniff me."

Later, he decided to set a Bravery Test for himself. There is a long curving driveway at the farm, and he told Dick and me that he wanted us to wait while he walked over to a distant point. He set off just fine, but then realized that the farm dog, a large floppy fellow, was slobbering along at his side. He returned and explained to Dick that he would like Dick to walk along with him. (I'm not sure on this, but I think it may have been a Male Bravery Test.)

We have Dez tomorrow evening - Dez is so grown up these days we can perhaps try a movie...

Love to all...Sue

Well, it's the first day of Spring and we'll ...

March 21, 2001 by Adam in Family

Well, it's the first day of Spring and we'll all getting even more sick. Jamie announced she had a fever when I came home. Now I'm feeling a bit under the weather. I think Sam's feeling a tad better, though it's hard to tell with his continuing cough.

Jamie and Sam are still planning to head to Portland tomorrow. I have lots of projects on my list. I fully expect to have them return to find me encrusted with a thick layer of paint and concrete.

We went over to Jason's birthday brunch yesterday

March 18, 2001 by Adam in Family

We went over to Jason's birthday brunch yesterday. Sam had a good time playing with the assorted toys stashed about. It's a little strange thinking of Jason being 28. We're all getting older.

Sam was a bit difficult yesterday afternoon and evening. I think it's a combination of being sick, not having a nap, and sleeping in until ten in the morning. I told him story after story until my throat was sore before he finally fell asleep.

Sam spent all day yesterday with this cape on

March 17, 2001 by Adam in Sam

Sam spent all day yesterday with this cape on. He started with an impromptu blanket cape, then Jamie arranged for a more sturdy one. He refused to remove it all day. When I got home from work, he wanted to play "swords" using his spatula. I also ended up telling him Lord of the Rings stories. Sam and I later ran upstairs to get the elves to reforge our broken swords. It's pretty funny hearing a two-year-old say the word "reforge."

EEI had there spring show last night, and the...

March 16, 2001 by Seraph in Cortez

EEI had there spring show last night, and the kids were great! Everyone kept asking where Isa was, but thanks to Dad and Yayoe babysitting, we were actually able to watch the preformances! I am ever thankful for family! There was no school in the 4J district, so Robbie was off to work early this morning for a full day of daycare. To top it off, he's starting a youth group at our church (from scratch, with about 8 kids of all ages)! That's my busy and talented husband for you!

Well, it looks like another round of sniffles...

March 16, 2001 by Adam in Family

Well, it looks like another round of sniffles are in store for me. Sam and Jamie both have a cold, which usually gets passed to me in a few days. I'm guessing it will hit this weekend. So, no time off at work, but no weekend either. Sigh.

Jamie went off with her friend Monica tonight...

March 14, 2001 by Adam in Family

Jamie went off with her friend Monica tonight, leaving Sam and I to fend for ourselves. He's been in a no-nap frenzy today. Fortunately, we found enough batteries to make the Technic Lego engine go. I whipped up a little car and he's been playing with it ever since. Now if only he'll keep it up for another hour and a half, Jamie might actually be back by then.

Well, the "All Your Base Are Belong To Us" jo...

March 13, 2001 by Adam in Adam

Well, the "All Your Base Are Belong To Us" joke has made it to a nationally syndicated cartoon. Take a look here.

I've started drinking the occasional cup of coffee, though at a much reduced rate. Doing good with vitamins these days, as well as weight-lifting. I'm amazed at how much hungrier I am these days after a serious workout. Whew!

Last night, Sam got a little over excited and...

March 11, 2001 by Adam in Sam

Last night, Sam got a little over excited and threw up a bit. After cleaning him up, we returned to the play room to find the dog licking up the carpet.

Dad: "The dog's licking your throw-up."
Sam: "Oh. He's a good helper."

As for the photo of Sam with bags on his head, I can't explain. He decided it was the latest fashion rage after we returned from shopping.

Well, I finished up Heart of Winter today, th...

March 11, 2001 by Adam in Adam's Games

Well, I finished up Heart of Winter today, the expansion for Icewind Dale. Fairly short, though well done. My characters were pretty munchkined-out, so it was fairly easy until the final battle. Ironically, I think my piddly one-shot Magic Missle wand saved the day. The last battle is with something that's resistant to just about everything.

Black and White comes out in a few weeks. Fortunately for Jamie, it's after her trip to Portland. That way she'll actually get useful work out of me while she's gone.

Still no coffee, though I did have a little b...

March 11, 2001 by Adam in Adam

Still no coffee, though I did have a little bit of chai tea a couple times. Did the blood pressure thing again, with Sam in tow. First time a little high. After a few deep breaths, it was under the magic 130 number. I think the conclusion is that a two-year-old is a risk factor for high blood pressure. Fortunately, it's curable by just waiting a few years. Rumor has it that there's another peak in the teens, but hopefully I survive the experience.

I watched Sam today while Jamie helped out at...

March 11, 2001 by Adam in Family

I watched Sam today while Jamie helped out at the preschool play. We caught the first show and Sam really enjoyed both of them. His interest in watching plays, shows, and other "pretend" stories has grown. He's especially fascinated by the motivations of the various people.

Yesterday, I took Sam to the mall where we read books. After awhile, a woman came up to us and asked how old Sam was. She was a child psychologist and was amazed the conversations Sam and I were having. Nice to know that we an "official" stamp of approval.

We had a really good day yesterday

March 09, 2001 by Adam in Family

We had a really good day yesterday. Nothing particular, just a general sense of happiness. Sam's been on a building kick lately. Anything vaguely block-like gets turned into structures, houses, or paths.

We also have a musical treat for you today - my cousin Ben sent an mp3 of his that he created. Evidently, his site doesn't allow mp3's to be posted, so you can listen to it in all its musical genius here

Well the sun returned yesterday, and Isa and ...

March 09, 2001 by Seraph in Cortez

Well the sun returned yesterday, and Isa and I awoke snot-free! I want to send a big THANK YOU out to Yayoe for helping win the binky and bottle war. It's amazing how they have helped us get a little of a schedual going. We're gearing up for our trip to Arizona at the end of the month. Any tips for traveling with small children would be appreciated! Tomarrow were having the rest of the yard/tree work done. Then maybe we can start on the fun stuff!

I've been relatively coffee free this week

March 08, 2001 by Adam in Adam

I've been relatively coffee free this week. No extreme withdrawl or unstoppable cravings. I miss it a bit in the morning, but that's about it. Now I've got to schedule another Fred Meyer trip to get my blood pressure tested again. I have a funny feeling that it's vaguely Sam related, so I'll try to dump him with Jamie for the test.

I'm also getting into lifting weights again. My poor muscles are a bit on the sore side, but it's a good kind of pain.

Another good day in the Miller household

March 08, 2001 by Adam in Family

Another good day in the Miller household. I took Sam swimming today and he had a great time. He was reaching under the water to grab toys we put on the bottom. Juming in to the pool was also quite exciting. Afterwards, Dave came over and they played in the backyard for an hour or two.

Slowly getting the house ready to sell. We spent some time on Sunday stripping wallpaper. We'll probably do some painting soon too. Lots of work, but hopefully it will make the selling process easier and more lucrative.

My dad's birthday was yesterday

March 05, 2001 by Adam in Family

My dad's birthday was yesterday. There was quite the turnout, including little Isabell. Seraph and Robbie still look a little dazed, but Isabell seems to be quite a healthy kid.

I took my dad to see Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, which was quite good. Now only if I could perfect my mystical martial art technique of flying through the air. Maybe I should first work on getting out of my pants without falling over.

Today has been a father-son bonding day

March 03, 2001 by Adam in Family

Today has been a father-son bonding day. Jamie left early this morning to help out with the preschool play. I'm on Sam duty.

We went to the library, where Sam's favorite activity is playing with the puppets. He was especially curious about the one missing an eye. As expected, Sam has hit the "Why" stage, trying to figure out how everything works. It's pretty hard to explain things to a two-year-old in their own terms. Fortunately, Jamie and I are both trained science teachers.

Hi, I think you have to have some news to add...

March 03, 2001 by Sue in Wielesek

Hi, I think you have to have some news to add a news item.
We are trying hard to get rid of the extra cat in our house. I agreed to serve as Personal Representative for a client who moved here from Colorado for his health, and didn't have any family. I figured he was good for another ten years, at least, but his cancer returned so suddenly that we had little time to make any arrangments for anything. We found a good home for Rufus the dog, but Petey Sue the three legged cat is still with us. My asthma and allergies are killing me. I'm working late at the office tonight, prompted by the blast of cat dander which is sure to face me at home.

We have three very cute, funny young women staying in Sadie's apartment this weekend, here for the Environmental Law conference at the U of O Law School. I'll invite them back for Anarchy Days in June.

After a wonderful refreshing lull over the holidays, my office is back to being a madhouse again.

Hugs to all, and I look better than this dumb picture Adam took of me.

Love to all, om

Thanks to Adam for the last posting

March 02, 2001 by Seraph in Cortez

Thanks to Adam for the last posting. We actually had not looked ourselves. There was such neet info that we made a copy for Isabell's baby book. Isa continues to grow by leaps and bounds, and I've started a mini journal of her daily activities. Right now it reads a lot like "ate, pooped, slept for 10 min." I'm hoping it will help me to see paterns in her day (none yet).

Sam saw two performances yesterday - the Beau...

March 02, 2001 by Adam in Family

Sam saw two performances yesterday - the Beauty and the Beast ballet at the Hult Center and the Wizard of Oz as put on by his preschool. Both of them were fascinating to him, if a bit scary. Both times he'd say "I want to go somewhere quiet." At the ballet, a performer in a ghost costume waved to him as he left, which he talked about constantly afterwards. For the rest of the day, he had me tell the story over and over. He was especially curious as to the motivations of the Beast. "Why did the Beast catch her?" I explained that the Beast was lonely and wanted a friend, which he seemed to accept.

Well, I was poking around our company's Inter...

March 01, 2001 by Adam in Cortez

Well, I was poking around our company's Internet site today and I realized I'd never looked up Isabell's "baby @lbum" entry.

Every newborn gets a picture and a little writeup if they're born at the hospital I work with. I went ahead and copied the information and posted it right here.

There was a small earthquake here at work today

February 28, 2001 by Adam in Family

There was a small earthquake here at work today. The epicenter was in Seattle, and we barely felt it down here. We have our corporate office in Bellingham and they evacuated the building. So far, no one was hurt and the damage seems minimal. A bit exciting, though.

Jamie and I took Sam to the Easter Seal pool ...

February 27, 2001 by Adam in Family

Jamie and I took Sam to the Easter Seal pool to swim today. One of Jamie's Tiny Tot's cohort was going with her one-year-old, and asked if we wanted to come. Sam remembered the last time we were there, and had a great time. When we left, he told us that he was sad to leave. We assured them that we'd come again, which we'll be doing twice a week for awhile.

A woman from Sam's preschool called over the ...

February 26, 2001 by Adam in Sam

A woman from Sam's preschool called over the weekend. The kids were being asked what they wanted to be when they grow up, and Sam had missed that day. I asked Sam what he wanted to be when he grew up. He said he didn't know, but his helpful cousin Josh suggested, "a pilot!" Sam turned around to me and replied, "a pirate!" So, if Sam turns out to sail the seven seas in search of treasure, we'll blame his cousin.

Colin e-mailed me a picture he'd taken over t...

February 26, 2001 by Adam in Family

Colin e-mailed me a picture he'd taken over the holidays, which you see here. Ah, a little father-son bonding moment.

At Dave's birthday, I wandered into the kitchen to find a woman sticking her finger down her throat in front of Sam. It turns out she was trying to teach Sam the word "uvula". She was a speech pathologist who works with Dave, and was amazed at Sam's verbal skills. She tried to get Sam to say the various parts of his eye (iris, pupil, scalera), but he responded, "I'm shy, though."

This weekend I got the time and creative ener...

February 26, 2001 by Jamie in Jamie

This weekend I got the time and creative energy to work on my scrapbook project. I'm doing a Sam one, and one for Dad of the kids growing up. I also have all of Dad's black and white baby pics that I'm going to do separately for him...it will definitely have to have a "nostalgia" theme :-)
I had a great time at the beach with Mom...we got lucky as usual and had excellent weather. Sam had fun, but missed "Grampa Jim", so we are going up to Portland late March to make up for it.
I am going to be busy with the preschool play the next two weekends...I'm an usher, and apparently we are to dress up as the city folks interpretation of a country girl (overalls, plaid shirt, straw hat). Yea, that's what we ALWAYS wore out on the farm ;-)
In my FREE time, I have about 5 knitting projects in the works, and a committment from my friend Angie to go for a daily walk after she gets off work.

Hmmm

February 25, 2001 by Sadie in Sadie & Greg

Hmmm.. another snowy sunday spend working on psychology and thinking about sweet rainy eugene. The strains of communal living will hopefully subside in the next week, with a little help from the administrative powers that be. I've decided that the only way to master statistics is to rip it to its most basic level and methodically reconstruct every dull therorem. Megan is reading Hamlet, which reminded me of my own experience with the play. Somehow I was so passionate about my personal and academic life that they intermingled to create a monsterous, all-consuming lifestyle of poetric turmoil. I think I need that cathartic angst to really get into probability.

"I will not be scared

February 25, 2001 by Adam in Family

"I will not be scared."

That's what Sam said whenever we started launching a rocket. He liked it, though it was a bit on the exciting side for a two-year-old. For us twenty-nine and thirty-one year olds, however, we had a blast (pun intended). Josh had never launched rockets either, so he had a good time.

The one moment of excitement was shooting off one that went far away. Dave took off running, ending up with one foot in the road. He caught the errant rocket as it came down, a truck driver giving him a funny look as he passed.

Well, Isabell and I are trudging through our ...

February 25, 2001 by Seraph in Cortez

Well, Isabell and I are trudging through our colds. The days are much better than the nights, so there is little sleep around here. Robbie took the baby to church with him this morning (which for the first time she slept through!)and let me stay home and sleep.
We are continuing to join the adult world. We bought a 98 Subaru forester yesterday. We now own a car that we didn't own in college! I'm sure we'll run around showing it off for a few weeks until it starts to look "lived in."

I took Sam to Amazon park yesterday

February 25, 2001 by Adam in Sam

I took Sam to Amazon park yesterday. He had a great time jumping through the puddles and getting mud everywhere. He had to ride home with no pants.

A few days ago, Sam saw Jamie sitting in bed with a Crossword puzzle. She was tapping her finger under her nose in thought. Sam asked, "mom, what are you doing to your philtrum?" Too funny.

We went over to Dave's birthday party last night

February 25, 2001 by Adam in Family

We went over to Dave's birthday party last night. A good time was had by all. Josh and Sam played a lot, as evidence by this picture of Josh performing some sort of yogi transformation. Sam gave Dave the ice cream scoop he picked out, which was a big hit.

We're slowly recovering from our colds

February 24, 2001 by Adam in Family

We're slowly recovering from our colds. Sam and Isabell visited with grandma Sue last night, while their parents went off to dinner together. Sam loves his new cousin and likes to see what she's up to. We're going to a little birthday lunch for Dave today and hopefully putter around a bit. Great fun.

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February 24, 2001 by Adam in Family

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February 24, 2001 by Adam in Family

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ALL YOUR BASE ARE BELONG TO US Well, you h...

February 23, 2001 by Adam in Adam

ALL YOUR BASE ARE BELONG TO US



Well, you heard it here folks. It's the line from a really bad English translation of a Japanese video game. It's made it into the SanFrancisco Chronicle and The Register. Way too weird.

ALL YOUR BASE ARE BELONG TO US Well, you h...

February 23, 2001 by Adam in Adam

ALL YOUR BASE ARE BELONG TO US



Well, you heard it here folks. It's the line from a really bad English translation of a Japanese video game. It's made it into the SanFrancisco Chronicle and The Register. Way too weird.

ALL YOUR BASE ARE BELONG TO US Well, you h...

February 23, 2001 by Adam in Adam

ALL YOUR BASE ARE BELONG TO US



Well, you heard it here folks. It's the line from a really bad English translation of a Japanese video game. It's made it into the SanFrancisco Chronicle and The Register. Way too weird.

ALL YOUR BASE ARE BELONG TO US Well, you h...

February 23, 2001 by Adam in Adam

ALL YOUR BASE ARE BELONG TO US



Well, you heard it here folks. It's the line from a really bad English translation of a Japanese video game. It's made it into the SanFrancisco Chronicle and The Register. Way too weird.

Well, I stopped drinking coffee Tuesday after...

February 23, 2001 by Adam in Adam

Well, I stopped drinking coffee Tuesday after my visit to the doctor. Yesterday, I started feeling sick and last night I had a terribly headache. Today, I took way too many Advil and had the biggest Chai Tea I could find. Miraculously, my headache vanished, as did my vow to minimize caffiene. I guess I really am Too Much Coffee Man.

When Seraph and Isabell visited last week, I ...

February 23, 2001 by Adam in Cortez

When Seraph and Isabell visited last week, I got a minute or so of the two on video. I finally got around to putting them in the movie section. Just a warning - it's a blatant plug for this website.

I told Sam I was sick today

February 22, 2001 by Adam in Sam

I told Sam I was sick today. He replied:
"Please may you . . .
Some toys will make you feel better!"

Well, I'm sick as a dog today

February 22, 2001 by Adam in Family

Well, I'm sick as a dog today. I just took my fourth Advil a half-hour ago, which seems to be helping. Still, I think I'm staying home today. Last night, I collapsed around seven and woke up at three in the morning. After several attempts to get back to sleep, I gave up and took a shower. Jamie's been pretty good to me - she cancelled a meeting and watched Sam while I slept, even though she's not feeling so well herself. Sounds like Seraph and Isabell are sick too. Sniff!

well, isabell and i woke up with little colds...

February 22, 2001 by Seraph in Cortez

well, isabell and i woke up with little colds this morning. i have a sore throat and she's sneezing real snot (not just baby guk) and coughing some. Nothing serious though. i'm also learning how to nurse and type at the same time! we're continuing to enjoy the challenges of parenthood, but take note that now that isabell has figured out the bottle thing you are all signed up to babysit!

Everyone was here on Sunday evening for Dick'...

February 21, 2001 by Sue in Wielesek

Everyone was here on Sunday evening for Dick's birthday dinner. When you have cute kids and grandkids, you don't need a Mercedes (gulp, I think that's a line from an off color joke.)

Well, Icewind Dale isn't today, but rather to...

February 21, 2001 by Adam in Adam's Games

Well, Icewind Dale isn't today, but rather tomorrow. Sadly, I didn't preregister, so I may not be able to pick it up until they have a new shipment. Well, no big rush. I don't have any computer games I'm into at the moment, but it gives me lots of opportunity to work on other projects. Oh, yeah, and my family too. Silly me, forgetting about those family people.

Visited the doctor today for a regular check-up

February 21, 2001 by Adam in Adam

Visited the doctor today for a regular check-up. A fairly clean bill of health. My blood pressure is a tad high, though it may just be a little nervousness with a new physician. I may try skipping coffee just to see if it makes a difference (though I'll miss it terribly). I'm also getting my cholesterol tested, so I can't eat any food for 12 hours. I immediately became ravenous and ate until I could barely move. Silly me.

Jamie got Sam some educational goodies - book...

February 21, 2001 by Adam in Sam

Jamie got Sam some educational goodies - books, stickers, and puzzles with a Farm theme. I think Jamie liked it almost as much as Sam. They spent a good chunk of an hour counting chickens, applying stickers, and having a good time.

Sam continues to amaze us. Not only did he remember the name of the person who cleaned out our sewer line last Fall, but Sam remembered that he had tatoos on his arms too.

The expansion to Icewind Dale is out tomorrow

February 20, 2001 by Adam in Adam's Games

The expansion to Icewind Dale is out tomorrow. I may just pick that up right away and start playing. I'm also looking forward to Black & White, which should be out in a few weeks. It's by a great game designer, and the game promises to be pretty different from the usual fare.

The bear is from a WinAmp plug-in that they released. Black and White is a god game, and you can command your creatures to dance for you. The plug-in does the same sort of thing. It's pretty funny watching a big bear disco about his tiny island.

Sam came to visit me at work today

February 20, 2001 by Adam in Family

Sam came to visit me at work today. We had a great time, playing with the various toys of my coworkers. We found a sticky, squishy heart that we threw around the break room. It stuck to the cabinets and oozed down the sides. That got Sam laughing hysterically.

A bit of a cold coming on. Scratchy throat and runny nose. It sounds like whatever Sam's had has been passed on to his dear ol' dad.

This is for all you people who can't get enou...

February 19, 2001 by Adam in Cortez

This is for all you people who can't get enough of Isabell news. We ended up seeing them last night, thougn Isabell slept through the whole time. Evidently this was a rare occurrence, as Seraph and Robbie were quite happy about it. Poor Robbie looked like he had been repeatedly dropped on his head. Evidently he's not used to the continuous screaming at two in the morning. Isabell herself seems to be doing well. Healthy and happy most of the time.

Ah, Spring slowly approaches

February 19, 2001 by Adam in Adam

Ah, Spring slowly approaches. I can mostly tell by my sore muscles, as I shoveled a few cubic yards of bark-o-mulch around the yard. It does improve it's looks quite a bit. We're hoping to go for that elusive "curb appeal" that's supposedly useful when selling a house. There's also something basically satisfying with gardening. Whenever I pull out a weed, root and all, I get this inner satisfaction that's hard to beat.

Last night, I awoke to tiny hands trying to b...

February 19, 2001 by Adam in Sam

Last night, I awoke to tiny hands trying to burrow through my soft underbelly. It turns out Jamie had moved Sam to our bed, then left. Sam was trying to find his binky, and he must have thought I'd swallowed it or something.

The photo is from the birthday party yesterday. Sam and Hanna sat for quite some time playing with home-made playdough. Sam would periodically turn to Hanna and say "Goopy, goopy".

Today was a double-birthday day, with both Sa...

February 19, 2001 by Adam in Family

Today was a double-birthday day, with both Sam's friend Johanna and Dick celebrating. The downside is that Sam has eaten so much cake and ice cream that he skipped his nap and is quite grumpy this weekend.

We also got a good quote of the day:
"But you can't fix your teeth with a magic sword."

The other day, Sam layed down for a nap with ...

February 18, 2001 by Adam in Sam

The other day, Sam layed down for a nap with Jamie.

"Mom, there's no air in space."
"That's right Sam."
"Mom, there's no gravity in space."
"You're right Sam."

Pretty quiet busy weekend ahead of us

February 17, 2001 by Adam in Family

Pretty quiet busy weekend ahead of us. Tonight is our post-Valentine's Day date. Tomorrow we go to two different birthday parties. Whew!

We're looking for a new home for our dog Guy. Sadly, with Sam's arrival, we find we don't have enough attention to give to the smaller creatures of our household. If anyone knows of a good home for our puppy, let us know.

Sam and Jamie arrived safe and sound

February 16, 2001 by Adam in Family

Sam and Jamie arrived safe and sound. They went to the aquarium and saw an octopus. Sam also saw sea lions and told me that they barked.

As soon as they came home, Sam and I made numerous structures with his blocks. We built some docks and an aquarium, moving the people around on little boats. Ah, the joys of being two.

Seraph and Isabell came to visit

February 15, 2001 by Adam in Cortez

Seraph and Isabell came to visit. They're working on printing up baby announcements and visit me while I'm alone on Valentine's day. I also got the latest scoop on the new baby:

Isabell smiles after filling her diaper. She likes to play with the cat's soft fur and look out the window by her changing table. Seraph and Robbie took her in the Snugglie for a walk, which she really enjoyed. Isabell is also a big fan of baths, loves to bounce, and is extremely alert.

We even have Isabell's first recorded girgling noises.

Well, it's Valentine's Day and I'm alone at m...

February 15, 2001 by Adam in Family

Well, it's Valentine's Day and I'm alone at my house. A friend of mine referred to today as "Singles Awareness Day", so perhaps it's good to be getting in touch with my single self.

I also had to put in part of this cartoon from one of my favorite online comics, PVP online. The whole thing is even better than this one little part.

It seemed somewhat touching in a nerdy kind of way. I can actually do this tonight if I want. The fridge has beer, I've got Metropol bread, and of course my ol' computer. Ah, love.

I finished reading Lord of the Rings last night

February 14, 2001 by Adam in Adam

I finished reading Lord of the Rings last night. Great story. Now I'm really looking forward to the movie. A lot of information is starting to pop up on the web, though it's still a long ten months until the first movie is actually released.

I puttered around a bit with the Lego Inside ...

February 13, 2001 by Adam in Adam's Projects

I puttered around a bit with the Lego Inside computer. I created a startup screen to match the logo as well as some desktop icons. It's pretty nifty looking, though the sad reality is that it's still a Pentium II 266 Mhz computer. Perhaps I'll scoop the guts out some day and put in a real computer.

I stayed up until almost midnight playing Ice...

February 13, 2001 by Adam in Adam's Games

I stayed up until almost midnight playing Icewind Dale with Jason. It was quite a blast, as I rarely play multiplayer these days. Playing with a group of friends seems a much better experience than against numerious teenage boys, which seems to be the biggest online demographic. Unfortunately, Jason's getting another waiter job soon, so his evenings may suddenly disappear.

Life has been pretty subdued the last few days

February 13, 2001 by Adam in Family

Life has been pretty subdued the last few days. Sam has gone off on a block-building kick, creating space ships, towers, and cities. It's sort of like playing by himself, so it's a happy move for us.

I haven't really talked to my dad since we heard about Franklin. Yayoe says he's just being quiet. Hope all is as well as it can be.

Jamie and Sam leave for the beach today, leaving me a bachelor until Thursday. I'll try to keep the wild parties to a minimum.

My words can not compair to the eloquence of ...

February 10, 2001 by Seraph in Cortez

My words can not compair to the eloquence of Sadie's, in regards to Franklin, but my heart is similarly moved. The death of such a great man makes me stop and reevaluate myself, as well as to look around me and wonder how I could tolerate the passing of my partner, parent or sibling. As saddened as I am, I know that Dorothy's pain must be the greatest. But, so must the joys! To have spent 58 years of marriage creating happy memories can not be compaired. Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who knew and loved Franklin.

Well, I guess dying of cancer means there...

February 10, 2001 by Sadie in Sadie & Greg

Well, I guess dying of cancer means there's an end called death when that person can't be there next year,
but I wasn't ready yet.
I wanted another two weeks to get some room in my head cleaned out, so I could label it "grieving" and have someplace to go when I needed to. That's not the way it works, though, so I feel sort of discombobulated, like there's this mathematical concept I can't get my mind around. I sent another letter to Dorthy and Franklin two days ago, priority mail, but I don't know if it got there in time. I should have sent it express. I don't know if I'm too tired to cry or if I've been pushing it back because of all of the other things I've been pushing back, and now there's a block so I just feel numb and perplexed. I want to be with everyone who ever loved him, I want to sing his praises and wail out loud. I want to sit quietly and smile at the commings and goings of life, as I saw Franklin doing in my childhood. Mostly I want my life to be something he might smile for, and for the warmth of his smile to be reflected in the lives of his children and grand children and great grandchildren.

I just heard that my grandfather passed away

February 09, 2001 by Adam in Family

I just heard that my grandfather passed away. My deepest condolences go to Dorothy and everyone else who knew him. He will be missed. You can read many of the messages others have posted on Dorothy and Franklin's page.

This photo was taken when I was about Sam's age. Franklin was showing me how to smell the flowers, which seems most appropriate now.

Jamie picked up an antique school desk for Sa...

February 09, 2001 by Adam in Sam

Jamie picked up an antique school desk for Sam a couple days ago. It's pretty nifty - probably pre-1940's, but hard to tell. There's a little drawer in the seat for storing books. When Sam saw it, he know that right away it was for sitting and drawing. As you can see, it also fits his gorilla just fine.

Sam's been having fun with blocks and Jamie's...

February 09, 2001 by Adam in Family

Sam's been having fun with blocks and Jamie's boots, as you can see in this photo. We're doing fairly well, though we may be experiencing the first signs of a cold. A headache snuck up on me this afternoon. Isabell and Seraph come by to play with Jamie and Sam tomorrow. We're going to see a Comedy of Errors this weekend, so I'll probably get a chance to experience culture again, if only briefly.

I don't know what this is, but it freaks me out

February 07, 2001 by Adam in Adam

I don't know what this is, but it freaks me out. Evidently some guy at a garage gave it to Sam, because he was being "nice." I, for one, suspect Sam was very, very bad. Why else would you give them something that looks like a projectile-vomiting parrot?

Well, the Lego Inside computer is pretty much...

February 06, 2001 by Adam in Adam's Projects

Well, the Lego Inside computer is pretty much finished. Like all things, I can fiddle with it forever, but I'm going to call it "done enough" for now. It looks pretty nifty, and its very Lego nature makes continual modification fun to do. I'd like to do some hinges for the CD-ROM drive, but the existing snap-on technique works okay.

It'll probably turn into a game server eventually. No good games out at the moment, unless you count Half-Life. Might be fun to play a bit on that one. I'd like to get it a bit more quiet too. I may have to fiddle with the fans a bit. Still, great fun. The hard part's over for now. For more details, visit the case mod feature.

This last weekend was very nice: no one was ...

February 05, 2001 by Adam in Family

This last weekend was very nice: no one was sick, Sam was in a good mood, and the weather was beautiful. I even had a chance to mow the yard and do a bit of gardening. My poor garden has been quite neglected due to Sam-related lack of time. There's something satisfying with pulling weeds, pruning plants, and laying down compost.

Sam continues to be a character. We took him to Amazon park, where he decided to run through the muddiest part of the grass. Within moments, he was drenched in mud, a look of amazement on his face. I decided to use it as a teaching opportunity on the value of looking where you're going. Sigh.

I talked to Robbie and Seraph today

February 03, 2001 by Adam in Cortez

I talked to Robbie and Seraph today. Isabell is doing well - she actually slept for six hours straight last night. Seraph told me that they basically live on their bed, watching movies all day long. Sadly, Robbie is back to work on Monday, going from watching a single kid to twenty or more. Seraph is doing amazingly well, as if she does this sort of thing all the time.

Sam is quite the character these days

February 03, 2001 by Adam in Sam

Sam is quite the character these days. He's very much into rockets, space ships, and astronauts. Sam turned a little basket into a helmet, and he's been blasting off all around the house.

This morning, he decided that mom was really "Space Mom" and the puppy was some sort of alien. We added green food coloring to his milk so he could drink weird alien milk with his pancakes.

Destin's birthday was today

February 03, 2001 by Adam in Jenny

Destin's birthday was today. Over 50 people showed up at Papa's Pizza for a couple hours of dozens of kids running around, eating cake, and making lots of noise. The pile of presents was a sight to behold, but Destin seemed unfazed by it all.

We also got to see some ultrasounds of Darren and Jenny's baby. Just six inches long so far. Still not sure if it's a boy or a girl. I'll try to get some pictures up if they can let go of them long enough.

Jamie has completed another knitting masterpiece

February 03, 2001 by Adam in Jamie

Jamie has completed another knitting masterpiece. For the last few weeks, she's been working on a sweater for Sam. It's finally finished and looks great. To top it off, Sam got a haircut today, so he wanted to show off the sweater and his goofy smile.

I've been rereading the Lord of the Rings and...

February 02, 2001 by Adam in Sam

I've been rereading the Lord of the Rings and summarizing some of the tales inside for Sam. He'd sit at rapt attention as I talked about the hobbits and their encounters with orcs, Black Riders, and other Tolkien creatures. Hey, I thought, he's getting an early start at fine literature. Unfortunately, I got in trouble with Jamie when she reported that she spent an hour putting Sam to bed. Evidently, she had to convince Sam that the Black Riders weren't coming to get him. Ah, the joys of fatherhood.

Well, I'm slowly working on the new Lego case

February 01, 2001 by Adam in Adam's Projects

Well, I'm slowly working on the new Lego case. It's not going as well as I expected - the glue isn't sticking, the baseplates aren't lining up well, and I managed to glue some important parts together. I'm hoping I'll have some time and energy this weekend to work on it some more. This kind of work requires too much time and coffee.

Lots of things happening today

February 01, 2001 by Adam in Family

Lots of things happening today. Yayoe and my dad have returned. They're pretty exhausted, having started travel at 3:30 AM today.

I also got an MVP award at work today, receiving a Peacehealth chocolate dove, a MVP jacket a size too small, and a small bonus. All that for being vaguely embarrased in front of a bunch of people heaping praise on me. Sigh.

Sam is endlessly active. He's big into pretending - being a rocket, hiding from creatures, and so on. Great fun.

From Jed, Amara and Satchi to Dorothy & Frank...

January 30, 2001 by Danica in Danica Miller

From Jed, Amara and Satchi to Dorothy & Franklin:

We have been wondering how/what to say and today this email arrived that is more eloquent than either of us could be. It reminds us that we want to send you our love and let you know that we are holding both of you in our hearts... Godspeed.


A farewell from a literary giant:

Gabriel Garcia Marquez has retired from public life because of health reasons: cancer of the lymph nodes. It seems that it is getting worse. He has sent this farewell letter to his friends, which has been translated and posted on the Internet. This is possibly, sadly, one of the last gifts to humanity from a true master.
________________________________________________________

If for an instant God were to forget that I am a rag doll and gifted me with a piece of life, possibly I wouldn't say all that I think, but rather I would think of all that I say.

I would value things, not for their worth but for what they mean.

I would sleep little, dream more, understanding that for each minute we close our eyes we lose sixty seconds of light.

I would walk when others hold back, I would wake when others sleep.

I would listen when others talk, and how I would enjoy a good chocolate ice cream!

If God were to give me a piece of life, I would dress simply, throw myself face first into the sun, baring not only my body but also my soul.

My God, if I had a heart, I would write my hate on ice, and wait for the sun to show. Over the stars I would paint with a Van Gogh dream a Benedetti poem, and a Serrat song would be the serenade I'd offer to the moon. With my tears I would water roses, to feel the pain of their thorns, and the red kiss of their petals . . .

My God, if I had a piece of life . . . I wouldn't let a single day pass without telling the people I love that I love them. I would convince each woman and each man that they are my favorites, and I would live in love with love.

I would show men how very wrong they are to think that they cease to be in love when they grow old, not knowing that they grow old when they cease to be in love!

To a child I shall give wings, but I shall let him learn to fly on his own.

I would teach the old that death does not come with old age, but with forgetting.

So much have I learned from you, oh men . . .

I have learned that everyone wants to live on the peak of the mountain, without knowing that real happiness is in how it is scaled.

I have learned that when a newborn child squeezes for the first time with his tiny fist his father's finger, he has him trapped forever.

I have learned that a man has the right to look down on another only when he has to help the other get to his feet.

From you I have learned so many things, but in truth they won't be of much use, for when I take them within this suitcase, unhappily I shall be dying.

GABRIEL GARCIA MARQUEZ

From the McIntyres (Dorothy and Mac): We j...

January 29, 2001 by Danica in Danica Miller

From the McIntyres (Dorothy and Mac):

We just received your e-mail this morning. Thank you all so very much for letting us know of your needs. Your entire family will be in our prayers constantly because I suppose of the men whom we have known in our long lives, Franklin ranks up there in the top two or three. Admiration, respect, and a role model for everyone he has known in his life. We know how important his family has been to him and we are so happy that you are all able to be with him to share these difficult days.

A Navajo prayer:

Happily may I walk.
May it be beautiful before me.
May it be beautiful behind me.
May it be beautiful below me.
May it be beautiful above me.
May it be beautiful all around me.
In beauty it is finished.

Memories from Bob and Lib Christie: Lib: W...

January 29, 2001 by Danica in Danica Miller

Memories from Bob and Lib Christie:

Lib: When you had the [boat] hanger in Erie and you were kind enough to take us for the first time. We took the plastic cover off and disconnected most of the other connections (hose electric etc.), and Lib started to say disconnect the telephone, when the captain said ôSit down.ö We backed out, pulling the telephone wires with us! I had put up the mast when the captain decided to go back into the hanger. We broke part of the mast. Captain said "AGAIN?!"

Bob: The trip from Buffalo on one and a half engines. All the trips to Dover! We enjoyed more trips on Keyco than any family I know who could not buy a boat of their own!

The following are messages to Franklin from L...

January 28, 2001 by Danica in Danica Miller

The following are messages to Franklin from Lew and Ellie Davies and Dave Bainer(who is visiting him this weekend):

Lew: I'll never forget those get-away flights in the Beechcraft Bonanza with Stan and you and me. Remember the time when we thought we were going to Las Vegas but when you filed the flight plan Stan said "Where in hell are we going?" You calmly reported "New Orleans - the weather is bad in Las Vegas". Upon arriving, we found the National Brewers Convention had filled all the rooms. At the hotel, bypassing the long lines at the desk and being the suave Treasurer of our group, I greased the palm of the reservation clerk with a ten-spot (it would take fifty today!) and, oh, yes, Mr. Davies, right this way for your room. And how we did save money in that bar where the price of drinks was right!! Those were the days, old friend.........

Dave: I've never forgotten that you were the one who taught me how to sail . It has been of lasting enjoyment ever since on the waters of Rhode Island. I remember especially the day we raced in the morning at Pymatuning and then "stepped the mast", trailed the boat back to Conneaut Lake and raced again in the afternoon. Great memories!

Ellie: I remember taking little David to picnics at your cottage at the lake; the shower you and Dorothy and the Conovers gave for Lew and me with "Everything But the Kitchen Sink" when everyone got loaded on the pre-chilled Martinis (Lew says they were Manhattans); and all those gala tureens. Best of all was when you invited Howard 'n Alice to join us on your boat and it was a high point in their lives. You have always been great about "sharing your toys". Love you.

Several people have started sending messages ...

January 28, 2001 by Danica in Danica Miller

Several people have started sending messages for us to share with Dad. This came from the Unitarian minister in Meadville, Kate Walker. Although more general in content, it was so warm and encouraging that I thought it would be good to share with everyone:

I suspect your experiences will continue to challenge you in ways you never thought possible. If anyone had told you ahead of time what you would be going through, you may have thought you wouldn't be able to do it. In other words, you are probably discovering you have more internal resources than you thought you did. This is a good time to reflect upon memories and the love your family has shared, I hope your reflections come with warmth and hope for the future. Be sure and allow yourself a lot of latitude for unusual behavior. For example, the first thing I did when my father died was paint my nails, not something I do very often! But it was self care.

One of the best ways for me to process events...

January 28, 2001 by Danica in Danica Miller

One of the best ways for me to process events and emotions is by taking photographs. I asked my family if they minded if I took pictures of them during our time together here in Florida. The image below was the first picture I took of Dad once I got the OK. I am using a new Advantix camera. Not being used to it I pulled the film in and out incorrectly while taking pictures during our visit to Florida at Christmas. When I ran the same roll through again this week, I ended up with a double exposed roll. Fortunately there were several happy accidents, this image being one. ItÆs interesting to me that both my son Ben and my Dad were more than willing to look me directly in the eye.

We went to visit Seraph, Robbie, and Isabell ...

January 27, 2001 by Adam in Family

We went to visit Seraph, Robbie, and Isabell today. She's quite the healthy baby, very active and constantly eating. For the most part, she seems to be doing well. She sleeps pretty good, though a couple nights ago she cried for an hour or so. That's not bad in my book, as I fondly remember the complete lack of sleep after Sam was born. Ah, the good ol' days.

We are getting better at our nursing routines

January 27, 2001 by Danica in Danica Miller

We are getting better at our nursing routines. Dad is usually up in the morning around 9 or so. We get him into a wheel chair [he hates lying in bed all the time!] and he either has some breakfast looking out on the back yard, or at the table with us. Then the nurse's aide arrives to bathe and do basic grooming. Yesterday he stayed up for a while after that, but often he goes back to sleep.

Then he's up again in the afternoon. Yesterday he decided to watch Oprah! Some evenings we watch TV. On Wed. we viewed a video I made last week of Ben's most recent jazz band concert (where he starred on the piano) Everyone's toes were tapping! Plans are already in place for a modest Super Bowl "party". As the NY representative, I'm ready to keep things rowdy by rooting for the Giants!

Our main concern is managing the pain. We switched medications yesterday and for now it seems we have mastered that hurdle. When I got up this morning at 6:30 the note left by Lohring and Yayoe from 12:30am said "no pain reported". Hopefully we will be able to maintain that as status quo.

Thanks again to everyone for love, healing thoughts and support. We are most grateful!


From Polly Cosyns 1/27/01

On another note, tell Franklin that of all of our excursions together (on boats, namely) I remember most an airplane ride from Ft. Myers to Meadville in winter-time (possibly January) when most of the trip was in heavy clouds, and I thought that there was no need to worry because Franklin was the pilot. When we landed in Meadville there was ice on the runway, and it was a slippery walk to the hangar. (My Mother was in the hospital and a decision had to be made about a nursing home.) Howie and I, along with a multitude of friends, have many visual reminders of our visits to Inverness and Meadville over the years --warm, wonderful memories indeed. I met Sammy when we were both in 7th grade at East End High School, and I spent many hours in the Miller home on Alden Street and was quite in awe of Sammy's big, older, wiser brothers. It was quite a thing in l937 to have your own airplane, or at least it was to a l3-year old from the depression Mid-West. So you see I go back a long way with your Dad and Mother.

I've moved all the news about Dorothy and Fra...

January 27, 2001 by Adam in Lohring

I've moved all the news about Dorothy and Franklin to their own page.

Sam got a new Baby Animal book

January 27, 2001 by Adam in Family

Sam got a new Baby Animal book. He was pretty excited, as Tommy and Tess (two of the main characters) are his alter egos. I think I've made up stories about Tommy and Tess to Sam hundreds of times. When we're in the car, I tell one or two about them, and putting him to bed usually results in a half-dozen. As soon as we got it in the mail, he started looking at it and wanting me to read it to him. Very cute.

I've been playing a first person shooter - St...

January 27, 2001 by Adam in Adam's Games

I've been playing a first person shooter - Star Trek Voyager: Elite Forces. It's a pretty basic shoot 'em up. A little bit of logic puzzles, but nothing extraordinary. Lots of good scripted sequences, which are somewhat entertaining. I'm also pretty happy that the voices are the ones from the actual cast.

It's also nice to do something in a different genre. Pretty soon, I'll probably dig into the Icewind Dale expansion.

It's been quite the whirlwind week for me

January 26, 2001 by Adam in Adam

It's been quite the whirlwind week for me. Sadie left this morning for school. Who knows when we'll see her next - she may be off to Africa after this term. Franklin is home, though he's very ill. Isabell is also home, the new baby keeping Seraph and Robbie quite busy.

I've been slogging along, as usual. I'm re-reading the Lord of the Rings trilogy, in preparation for the movie. I've been playing a bit of Voyager - Elite Forces and thinking about my next computer case modification.

Nerd things aside, I mostly spend time with my family. Sam is endlessly entertaining, if draining. Jamie manages to keep the household together and Sam in one piece.

Welcome to the family Isabell! With all of th...

January 26, 2001 by Seraph in Cortez

Welcome to the family Isabell! With all of the coverage she's getting I assume she'll have her own web sight soon. We are slowly adjusting to life at home with a new baby. As wonderful as the hospital staff were, it's nice not to have people in poking at us every few hours.
We want to thank everyone near and far for all of your support. Wheather you brought us food, took photos, or made us laugh it was greatly appreciated and made the big event all the more memorable! We love you all lots and lots!!

Many thanks for posting your entries and the ...

January 25, 2001 by Yayoe in Danica Miller

Many thanks for posting your entries and the wonderful baby movies on the Internet. We look forward to clicking on to your website and seeing the family. I'm so glad and relieved we are here with your grandparents and Danica. Franklin's spirits are good but he is slowly fading away. It was only yesterday that the word CANCER was communicated to Dorothy and Franklin. I think we all knew at a deeper level that it was the BIG C. Today, Franklin and Dorothy started a dialogue about his concerns, e.g., selling the Florida
house and their boat.

Hospice service began yesterday with a team of caring and skilled nurses and aides. We are learning a lot about how to physically, medically, and spiritually care for a loved one. So far it takes all of us plus hospice to do the care mostly because we are so inexperienced. Our main concern is
keeping Franklin pain free but it is not always possible because he has a high pain threshold and doesn't like to complain.

He was up twice today having meals with us. He eats only small amounts but it is great to have him sitting at the table with us. We are all eating like small but growing piglets. This stress eating is not good but it is sure
comfortiing. Your dad is trying his best not to eat more than a bag of Kettle chips at a time. Danica got us hooked on Salsa and chips now. And of course, I still have my evening glass of wine with Dorothy.

She is hanging in there and trying to get her bills and the mail under control. It's amaziing how quickly the days have whizzed by. We have times of great sadness and tears and the other times are like normal...laughing, talking, watching TV etc.

Franklin let me massage his feet and back. It's a preventive measure since his skin is very fragile. We are trying to prevent bed sores....a dreded nemisis once it starts.

We've talked about a transitional care plan after we leave on the 31st (if all goes well). Dorothy will hire a private duty aide to sit with Franklin during the late night. Your dad and I are sitting up until 1 or 2 a.m. so we can help him with pain meds and turning. So enough for now. I'll be in touch.

Please share this with the family. Love Y and Daddo

So sorry we missed the big event of Isabella'...

January 24, 2001 by Carolyn in Carolyn & Alex Cortez

So sorry we missed the big event of Isabella's arrival. Thanks for the movie, Adam, of the birth...it made me cry!(I have the cable modem so the high bandwith came through great.)
I put some of your album pictures in j-peg form and sent them on to Alex's sisters and some of my family. They were most impressed with the cute baby.
Carolyn

Sam's gotten really into hiding these days

January 24, 2001 by Adam in Sam

Sam's gotten really into hiding these days. He likes to "hide from the scary goats" (I told him the story of how goats tried to eat my hair as a child). From there, he moved into hiding in different places, remaining quiet and still for a long time. One time, we caught him hiding his head in the shopping bag. Why, no one knows.

Well, we went back later in the afternoon, to...

January 24, 2001 by Adam in Family

Well, we went back later in the afternoon, took some pictures, and let Sam play with his new cousin. They're doing great, and Seraph looks wonderful, considering everything.

I also posted a couple movies, one where we were joking around before the actual birth, and another of the main event.

Oh, happy days

January 23, 2001 by Sue in Wielesek

Oh, happy days. As you can tell from the first page, mother and child are doing fine. It was the usual family event - we just had to be digitally and telephonically connected to more of the family than usual.

Sad news is that Lohring and Yayoe missed the event, and even sadder news is that Lohring's father's illness, which prompted them to leave for Pennsylvania earlier than they planned, is pancreatic cancer. He will be in all our thoughts.

Well, I finally made it over to see Seraph an...

January 23, 2001 by Adam in Family

Well, I finally made it over to see Seraph and Robbie. They were doing phenomenally well. Seraph looked great and Isabell was active and very aware. Evidently the labor was short and relatively easy. They delivered shortly after I left - about 9:45 PM on the 22nd.

Isabella was 9 pounds 1 ounce, quite a big baby. Large head and feet, with long fingers. She was quite perky, trying to eat anything that came close to her mouth. Seraph and Robbie look a little dazed, but no more than as can be expected for new parents. Even though Isabella slept most of last night, they couldn't sleep until 3 in the morning.

I'm going to work on getting some bigger pictures in the photo album. Tonight I'm going to try to post some of the movies that were taken last night.

Well, I slept through the exciting part

January 23, 2001 by Adam in Family

Well, I slept through the exciting part. Evidently we got a phone call during the middle of the night letting us know that I have a niece. Don't have any other information besides that. At least, I think that's what happened. Jamie tried to wake me up and tell me. I remember she kept saying something like "do you know what I'm saying?" I must not have been too coherent.

Alex just asked me to check the web site once...

January 23, 2001 by Carolyn in Carolyn & Alex Cortez

Alex just asked me to check the web site once more. We'll be expecting a phone call soon? 520-792-2663.
We'll be sort of sleeping and waiting by the phone for the news of the arrival of Isabella. Give Robbie and Seraph our love,
Alex and Carolyn

9 PM

January 23, 2001 by Adam in Family

9 PM. When I left the hospital, Seraph was definately starting to feel it. She'd be perfectly normal one minute, then crushing her squeeze toy with all her might. Quite a crew was assembled as well: Sadie, Alan, Robbie, Hanni, Dick, Sue, Darren, Sam, and myself. Contractions were 2 minutes apart, so I'm guessing that we'll see a baby sometime after midnight.

Well, it's 5 PM and I'm at home

January 23, 2001 by Adam in Family

Well, it's 5 PM and I'm at home. I'm going to probably eat some dinner, rest a bit, then head back into the fray. Seraph and Robbie seemed to be in good spirits. Seraph had her pitosin at noon, though the baby won't probably appear until tomorrow. I also have the scoop on the baby's name: Isabella Francis Ryn Cortez.

Hi, It was nice seeing you all for a couple...

January 22, 2001 by Carolyn in Carolyn & Alex Cortez

Hi,
It was nice seeing you all for a couple of days. We got back very late last night as one of our flights were cancelled (on Delta for no apparent reason.)
We are here on standby waiting for baby news!
Carolyn

Seraph and Robbie are in the labor and delive...

January 22, 2001 by Sadie in Family

Seraph and Robbie are in the labor and delivery section of the hospital (room 201), chillin' and contemplating parenthood. with two digital video cameras, a tape recorder, and three cameras so far, this will officially be the most well recorded birth in the family. A sound track and tickets to the theatre replay will be available soon.
All expect the baby to come tomarrow, but we plan to camp out until the bitter end. Fortunatly, my five more days significant other (AKA Alan) will be bringing food tonight, and Adam has a years supply of peanuts in his cubical. I think we're set.

Hi, It's five after noon

January 22, 2001 by Sue in Wielesek

Hi, It's five after noon. I'm going to pick up Sadie and go to Sacred Heart. Lohring and Yayoe, you will all be in our thoughts. Carolyn and Alex, hope you got in safe. I'll post prn. Love to all from Sue

In honor of the impending baby, I put up a vi...

January 20, 2001 by Adam in Family

In honor of the impending baby, I put up a video titled Pushing the Baby Out. It was the favorite of the various movies I took last year, where Sam demonstrates the miracle of birth.

Sam was up at 5:30 this morning. My usual blissful weekend morning, filled with coffee and playing with my computer, was not as intended. Instead I made breakfast, watched cartoons, built forts, and looked for treasure. Such is the price of fatherhood, I suppose.

I was trying to put Sam down to bed last nigh...

January 20, 2001 by Adam in Sam

I was trying to put Sam down to bed last night, and I suggested he snuggle for awhile between his parents:
"No! Just mom!"
"Why can't I lay down too?"
"But you're hairy all over."
Well, there you have it. I offered to shave my entire body, which Sam thought was pretty keen. In the final moments, thought, I couldn't bring myself do it.

Well, I've got the latest scoop on the new baby

January 20, 2001 by Adam in Family

Well, I've got the latest scoop on the new baby. I called Seraph and she said that it's coming very soon. If it doesn't come naturally this weekend, they're going in for Monday at noon to induce. So, expect exciting baby news very soon!

I won the MVP award at work - given to three employees a year. It's nice, and I get a jacket and gift certificate. The hard part has been trying to come up with increasingly witty things to say with each congratulatory e-mail. Ah, the price of fame.

Sam wanted to take a picture of me last night...

January 16, 2001 by Adam in Family

Sam wanted to take a picture of me last night, so here it is. He's turning into more of a character every day. Last night, we were at the supermarket checkout stand. I was explaining how the lady moved the food over the window, and that inside the window was a laser. Sam replied, "Just like Buzz Lightyear!". So, evidently he now associates scanning bar codes with his favorite movie superhero.

Called Robbie last night. Still no baby yet. They've got another ultrasound this Friday, so we'll hopefully find out an ETA fairly soon. I've got the video camera and tripod packed and ready.

We're back from our dream vacation

January 14, 2001 by Adam in Family

We're back from our dream vacation. It was pretty wonderful - I read a book and a half and we watched three whole movies. Breakfast in bed (though it was vaguely like airplane food). The room itself was quite expansive and we basically stayed in it the whole time.

We were telling Sam, Judy, and Jim our adventures. We had gone to dinner at Poppy Anatolia's. After I said that, Sam repeated what he thought I said: "Monkey on the Toilet". Ah, the joys of 2-year-old humor.

I finished up Escape from Monkey Island last ...

January 13, 2001 by Adam in Adam's Games

I finished up Escape from Monkey Island last night. I think my favorite quote from the game is "Be the giant monkey robot, Guybrush". Not sure what game to move on to next. Giants looks pretty good. I may also just wait until Arcanium or the Icewind Dale expansion.

Until then, I have my case Mods and Neverwinter Nights stuff to keep me busy.

Jamie and I are ready to go off to our romant...

January 13, 2001 by Adam in Family

Jamie and I are ready to go off to our romantic getaway, one of Jamie's Christmas presents. Jim and Judy are watching Sam today and tonight while we check in to the Phoenix Inn. Since we've been married for almost six years now, I'm bringing a bunch of movies to watch and Jamie's brining her knitting. Pretty boring, but bliss to two people who spend their days watching a two-year-old run around the house screaming "I'm a rocket! Blast off!"

Well we all made it through the holidays, and...

January 12, 2001 by Seraph in Cortez

Well we all made it through the holidays, and are now setting our minds to the next century. A REALLY big thank you to Jenny for giving us a wonderful baby shower!!! Many of the people we talked said it was one of the most fun showers they had been to. Also a thank you to Mom and Dick for again taking us all to the opera on New Years. We figure this may be one of the last times we'll see midnight as a fun time for awhile! For those of you following the yet to be heard from baby news: according to the doctor there's still no new news. My due date is next Friday and I also have an appointment on that day. They schedualed an ultra sound to check out her size again. I'm not quite sure where this baby gets her stuborn streek from (be quiet!), but it can't be a good sign! Anyway, we'll keep you posted.

Well, I'm still playing Escape from Monkey Island

January 12, 2001 by Adam in Adam's Games

Well, I'm still playing Escape from Monkey Island. I was having a tough time of it playing Monkey Kombat with the local simians. Finally, I made a grid of all the possible moves and what beats what. Take that you damn, dirty apes!

Poor Sam has a cold today

January 12, 2001 by Adam in Sam

Poor Sam has a cold today. He woke up crying, like he often does, so I scooped him up and dumped him in bed with Jamie. After a shower, I still heard him crying, so I went back upstairs. He settled down and then I heard this conversation:
"Where are you mom?"
"I'm right here, sweetie."
"Where's your head, though?"
I suppose some parts of mom are more important than others.

Really, so many exciting things happening in ...

January 12, 2001 by Sadie in Sadie & Greg

Really, so many exciting things happening in my life, I can hardly stand it. Best of all, I'm still at home with my family and most lovely pseudo boyfriend. After a gourmet breakfast and Turkish coffee with the one and only Alan Bergland, Sam and I played all day. Sara Spettel just got her wisdom teeth out, so Jenny Minnity Shippey and I might go over with ice cream and a trashy movie later this evening. All in all, life is as relaxing and cultured as ever, with frequent visits to the art museum for Russian avante garde painting, home town galleries for local wonders, and, as always, Eugene lovin'.

Well, I got Jenny's new computer all ready to...

January 11, 2001 by Adam in Adam's Projects

Well, I got Jenny's new computer all ready to go, but it somehow got vaporized after a few days at her house. Not sure what happened exactly. I suspect Darren did something that he thought would fix it (the Millenium restore feature), but it unfortunately restored back to a point a long time ago. Easy to fix, but I never got the on-board sound working again.

Fortunately, I had a spare sound card floating around. Easy enough to plug in. Now it's just waiting to be picked up again. They should probably get a new monitor too, the currently one only support 640X480.

Sadly, yes

January 09, 2001 by Jamie in Wielesek

Sadly, yes.

Sam gave us a big scare today

January 09, 2001 by Adam in Family

Sam gave us a big scare today. Jamie gave him a bit of candy, which he immediately proceeded to choke on. She quickly did the heimlich manuver on him and told him to cough. The offending candy popped out on the floor, but gave us all a big scare. A big thanks goes to Jamie for watching Sam so carefully.

By the way, the photo isn't him actually choking. It's just Sam's re-enactment of the scene.

Good grief, I just looked at the web page tha...

January 08, 2001 by Sue in Wielesek

Good grief, I just looked at the web page that features the Lego computer and the "black beauty". Does Jamie know Adam is doing this?

The new millenium

January 08, 2001 by Sue in Wielesek

The new millenium. It would be interesting for someone a thousand years from now to try to imagine our daily lives.
New Years Day was fun as always - our traditional trip to Steve and Marsha's house to watch the Rose Bowl.

We also had a delightful day on Saturday the 6th - Dick, Sadie and I went to the Portland Art Museum to see an exhibit of Russian Avant Garde painters - oooooh, just wonderful. It's hard to top the Russians in art and music. It was a beautiful sunny day. We had good food, but Sadie had one thing which will cause some confusion in 3K. At one restaurant, Sadie ordered a shot of wheat grass, and the waiter cut some grass from this flat of grass and ground it up in a grinder, where it turned into this goopy green drink, which Sadie downed in one gulp. Hmmmm......progress!
Love to all, om

Another fun filled weekend comes to a close

January 08, 2001 by Adam in Family

Another fun filled weekend comes to a close. I had Sam for much of today. We got Jenny's new computer ready to go. It worked well after some minor excitement. Sam and I also visited the park and played in the sand. Jamie actually had some time off this weekend, going to book club and finishing up a knit hat.

Sam and I also checked out Iron Giant. It was probably a little old for him - he made me turn it off a couple times. Still, he seemed to enjoy it. He marched around the house for an hour afterwards, pretending he was a giant robot.

This is Adam signing in to Jenny's new comput...

January 07, 2001 by Jenny in Jenny

This is Adam signing in to Jenny's new computer for the first time. It seems to work okay, though the poor monitor only supports 640X480 resolution. Everythings so tiny! Well, that's what Chrismas money is for, I suppose.

I went over to my friend Chris' house for his...

January 07, 2001 by Adam in Family

I went over to my friend Chris' house for his birthday. He turned 30 and celebrated with a Star Wars themed party. It was pretty amazing how much Star Wars paraphernalia he had - cook books, music, Legos, action figures, talking communicators, trivial pursuit games, table cloth, and so on. Half the stuff was still packed away. Hey, by comparison I feel pretty normal.

I watched Sam for most of the day today

January 07, 2001 by Adam in Sam

I watched Sam for most of the day today. He was a bit of a wild boy, running around and yelling a lot. After having breakfast with Jamie, we hit the toy store, the book store, and Amazon park. I just finished plunking him down for bed, where he completely collapsed. My favorite weird quote of the day is "But I'm not a gell ball."

Mmm

January 06, 2001 by Adam in Adam's Projects

Mmm...Legos. Sam took this picture while we were putting together his Technic car. It has a little motor that turns gears and spins wheels. Kinda fun.

I'm still mulling over the Lego computer. I'm going to have a couple old Dells to fiddle with. I'm thinking of getting some large, flat, Lego pieces and gluing it to the sides and front. Less ambitious than the old case, but probably doable.

Well, I think my sister's computer is almost ...

January 04, 2001 by Adam in Adam's Projects

Well, I think my sister's computer is almost ready to go. There was a bit of excitement when it wouldn't boot up - the POST beeps indicated a video problem. I was freaking because my other AGP video card didn't work, but the PCI card did. It turned out that I just didn't push it in hard enough. Silly me.

One word: Mulan

January 04, 2001 by Adam in Family

One word: Mulan. Sam has been watching Mulan almost non-stop since we got it, taking the occasional break for Arisocats. The new DVD player is pretty cool - nice quality and more convenient than tape. Since Sam watches movies over and over, it's nice that the quality doesn't degrade much.

I've been back to work a couple days now. A bit rough, but I think I'm sort of on top of things. I only had 150+ e-mails to deal with, so it wasn't too bad.

The first day of the new millenium was pretty...

January 02, 2001 by Adam in Family

The first day of the new millenium was pretty quiet. We visited Seraph and Robbie today, dropping off yet more baby things for the expectant parents. They had run into a balloon guy who had been at First Night and managed to walk away with this strange contraption. Finally, Seraph has one part of her body appear bigger than her stomach!

I finally picked up the Full Throttle CD and ...

January 01, 2001 by Adam in Adam

I finally picked up the Full Throttle CD and ripped my favorite quote from the entire game. Take a listen.

Happy New Year! We spent an exciting evening...

January 01, 2001 by Adam in Family

Happy New Year! We spent an exciting evening last night, though not for the usual reasons. We tried putting Sam to bed at 9 pm (sounded reasonable to us) and keeping him in his room until he fell asleep. Unfortunately, he'd slept in that day and taken a nap, so he didn't get to sleep until almost 11. We collapsed with exhaustion and snored through midnight.