Christmas Gifting

This year no one has mentioned applying a consistent method to family gift-giving. For information purposes, I am announcing that Steve and I will be gifting family members either as individulas or as part of a group, depending on our mood, time contraints, and opportunity. Nothing will be expensive, most things will be disposable, or able to be used up, or based on whatever else we choose. We look forward to spending time with you all at Christmas more than any thing else.

grandma's had her house painted, between a few other home improvement tasks here and there. she made a bold statement with her new door color.

see you all 'round the holidays!

On my way home

Checking in from Binghampton, NY where the airport has free WiFi service. Temperature is in the 20s; no snow today.

Traveling again--Appalachia

Ideally, I would already be in Chicago waiting for my flight to Charleston, WV. Instead, due to unfavorable weather in Chicago that has cause runway conditions that are delaying landings, I am in our living room, next to the Christmas tree in Whittier.

I will be taking a later flight to Washington DC (Dulles) overnight and then on to Charleston in the morning. This week's schedule includes Monday: Charleston, WV; Tuesday: Pittsburgh, PA; Wednesday: Binghampton, NY (from where I drive south to Montrose, PA). All these places are considered part of Appalachia. This is all freelance work--second year assessment work. We will make recommendations for capacity building interventions. That is why my company is called the Capacity Partnership Group.

In other news: someone got let go from the office this week. I was given more hours and more responsibility due to someone else's quitting last month.

Doris' Birthday Card

Brianna received her birthday card from Great Grandma Doris. She got distracted by the bubble wrap. For some reason only known to her she decided to put her present in her Christmas stocking.

Tour Of California News

I'm sure everyone who cares got the same e-mail that I got, but in case you missed the announcment."Discovery Channel team will be back including Levi Leipheimer and George Hincapie. CSC will be back and likely be armed with David Zabriskie and Bobby Julich. Also coming back is the powerhouse Predictor-Lotto (formerly known as Davitamon-Lotto) squad that features Cadel Evans, "Fast" Fred Rodriguez, and Chris Horner." I enjoy the Christmas season so much, and it is always a bit of a let down when it ends. Now I have something fun to look forward to with the Tour of California to ease the pain of Christmas ending.

This new word came up at dinner on Thanksgiving at Grandma Doris'

Wont

wont adj
accustomed or likely to do something (formal)

n
a habit or custom followed by a particular person or group of people (formal)

vti
to have or give somebody the habit of doing something (archaic)

Encarta® World English Dictionary © 1999 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Developed for Microsoft by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.

Beth and her favorite guys

Beth got to spend the day with her favorite guys. You can see from the shirts which one of them is the one she likes best. What a great thanksgiving for her and her sons.

Christmas Shopping this weekend

At least some of my Christmas shopping will be done at this website.

For myself, I hope someone gives me a goat.

Thanksgiving Pies

Brianna and MamaBeth made pies. They made apple and pumpkin pies. Brianna made small pies to take home with her. MamaBeth pinned a towel around Brianna's waist to serve as an apron. Brianna called it her "curtain".

Brianna and Mama Jane's Turkey Card

Brainna
received a Thanksgiving Day card from Moma Jane. She was really surprised. All the turkeys were punched out and assembled on the table. Thank you Mama Jane.

Remingtons Volunteer at an Ohio Polling Place

[As reported to Cindi, and shared here...]

Yesterday, Richard and Jane got up about 4:50AM, dressed, had breakfast and coffee and were off to the voting booth by 6:00 AM. The polls opened at 6:30AM and were open until 7:30 PM. We rushed home for a crock-pot heated bowl of chili, orange-carrot-pineapple salad, and then back to the voting booth all in 45 minutes. [Lunch] We did not even have a [bathroom] break until the polls closed. We had the hugest turnout ever! Most of the races were disappointing to me. Stopped for a cheeseburger which we brought home, ate, showered and hit the bed. We were VERY tired. But made it through!

[Proud of you, Mom and Dad, for being involved citizens. Where do you get the energy? The cheeseburger or the orange-carrot-pineapple salad?]