HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

I'll be waiting on drunk people until 6:00am.

a VERY cute snowman

I just e-mailed as well, but want to tell of the adorable little snowman on our back porch railing. He has the cutest face, a Beloit scarf and hat, and I don't want him to ever melt. It's a happy deed someone pulled off!!!

A Grinchy Christmas

Christmas was WONDERFUL!!! Stephen and Nicola did a tremendous job, aided by Emilie and Dominick. It was pure pleasure and showed a lot of preparation and thought. Thanks for a very special day of Family and Friends. And Food!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

It was great seeing everyone!!!!

WORK SCHEDULE

Not as bad as I thought...

Monday
3:00pm-9:00pm

Tuesday
OFF

Wednesday
OFF

Thursday
5:00pm-3:00am

Friday
3:30pm-8:00pm

Saturday
4:00pm-5:00am

Sunday
6:00pm-2:00am

CHRISTMAS IDEAS

We had such a nice time at the Dells and it was such a do-able destination. What about another easy trip, like to Door County? Or does some handy person maybe wanna maybe oversee some improvement project at Mom and Dad's? I'm not good with tools, but I can clean!

OUCH

I just worked 13 1/2 hours straight. Tonight I work from 5:00pm-4:30am. I am going to be working on Christmas Eve but it won't be too bad since they close at 8:00. Miss everyone! I haven't been over to Grandpa and Grandma's since Tuesday.

Miss you all

Nobody likes to hear bad news but my roommate Corey's dad passed away last night. I was just hoping that everyone could say a little prayer, because a little prayer goes a long way in advent. See you all soon. Lots of love!!!

GREAT NEWS!

Perkins closes at 8:00pm on Christmas Eve and isn't even open on Christmas!!!! I thought they were open 24/7, 365 days a year...guess not:)

I'm ready for people to start visiting me.

Day -4

Hello to all. Sorry for the long absence but law school finals are no joke. In two weeks I made 2 twenty-five page outlines, wrote 2 fifteen pages takehomes,took the exams and moved.

Thats right on Monday morning at 11:47 am, James and I hit Highway 15, put on Sheryl Crow's "Leaving Las Vegas", and shook the dust from that dirty city off our boots. I am not just being cliche here. I actually was wearing boots from a $3.99 shoes store which is about the only thing I will miss in Las Vegas.

So technically, for those who followed the countdown, today is day -4, which is, I hear, how docked astronauts countdown after the intended launch day forward in hopes that the fule gauge, or whatever, will be fixed.

Anyway, I cannot wait to see some of you and hear from others soon.

I am only away for one more week. I will see you all soon, and all I can say is Go Bears because I will be there on the 23rd

THE WEATHER...

Is anyone else sick of the weather? Does it have to snow every single day?!?!

It isn't even 2:00 but I'm over at Grandpa and Grandma's for card night. I don't want to be on the roads when it gets worse.

Don't forget that "Nip/Tuck" is on tonight at 9:00 on FX!!!!!!!!!!

I NEEDED SOMETHING SWEET...

I ate some good road trip cookies today:)

thespians

I am so EXCITED!!! Stephen and Nicola in "Laura." I will want to be in the audience several times, to say the least. ~love~

Jury's In

Rock County is notoriously stingy on personal injury, but I was still surprised. The old man turned down $50,000 + ended up getting $1,500! Guess they didn't read the jury very well.
My budy Mark Mader's high school fotball team played some kind of exhibition game in Green Bay. Only after seeing some papers in his old friend's estate did he realized they'd played on the hallowed grounds of Lambeau field. Hard to imagine a big Packers fan having missed that little detail. Too focused I guess.
Despite never going to auditions, I still get a lot of calls from directors to act. Finally I agreed to be in LAURA, the movie version of which won an Oscar for "Laura" + much liked by mom + dad. Thank God I can't sing + thus never get asked for musicals. I hope it doesn't make me crank for the family visits.
I have an awesome prize for one of the Christmas party games.

You're all too high tec for me!!!

How can I compete with all this superior posting. I need to check more often, however, and learn what''s going on. Saw the play, "White Christmas" Friday night and it was an excellent production. Molly and I braved the weather and left for breakfast at Clinton Kitchen yesterday morning. Undaunted by cars in the ditch, we slowly and safely made it there. The pecan pancakes are worth it. ~Love~

SANTA...CONTINUED...

The milk and cookies were totally free and I told him before I tried setting them down on his table. It's funny how you mentioned them stalking him, because they said they ran into him earlier that day at the mall. You should've seen how mad he was. Besides his beard and huge gut, this guy has nothing in common with Santa. It's hard to believe he's good with kids.

Bad Santa

It's hard to imagine Santa exploding over anything free. Could it have been something you said? Are you working nights? Maybe they'd been stalking Santa + he'd finally had his fill.

CHECKING IN...

I thought I made a huge mistake after my first week, but now I'm enjoying my Perkins job. Last Thursday I ended up working 5:00pm to 5:30am, which was pretty rough. Santa came in (probably got off work at the mall). One of my tables asked me to send milk and cookies over to Santa from them. Santa EXPLODED and left without a tip. I never would've gone along with the friendly prank if I had known he would be offended. Isn't Santa supposed to be nice?

I'm 99.9% sure I'll be working on Christmas but I'm sure it won't be for the whole day. I hope I still get to see Carly.

Christmas

Holy smokes! Less than 3 weeks til Christmas + the blogspot has slowed to a trickle. Partly school exams + Matt going to work, no doubt. We dug out at 5:00 + Nic went in for her first day of work at the hospital (but was on call for the prior storm). On that day she won a 3-month mebership to Northpointe, a gorgeous, brand-new athletic facility/hospital satelite. It looks rather like a ski resort, especially in the snowstorm.
Sun. I got to hear the sweet, singsong voice of Madeline; it's been too long. I'm afraid we can't count on her for the Meyer event for 2008. Speaking of which, the Christmas theme is How The Grinch Stole Christmas + some of us will be dressed accordingly; feel free to join us if you feel like a Who-anything will do. There will be games, all of which are playable by the whole family. And we will be voting on a destination.
Jim had Michael e-mail everybody that Jody was back living with him. As of Mon. however, he's had her moved out again. This time a work friend will be moving in there with him, + I am hopeful that he will be more assertive in keeping Jody away. I think Jim could use any support you can give him right now.
The jury trial next door is one where an old WI man got his eye socket crushed by a burly younger IL man, who claims he was justified because he called him "a damn flatlander." I'm assuming the jury will feel as sympathetic as if he'd decked him for being called a damn Bear's fan at a Packer's game in the local bar; who would expect such abuse? Speaking of expectations, a neighbor I don't know is being sued for a $3, 750 balance left for "psychic services" she's received. Shouldn't the psychic have known she wouldn't pay the whole thing?
Dom + I twisted arms to get Matt + Tony, who never goes out for movies, to see NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN. They'll find it hard to believe I , then Nic read it all the next day +watched the movie (again for me).
Madeline says she's afraid to blog at work, but I'd love to hear from the rest of you while you're not chasing bears in cars.

SNOW

We had our first snow fall of year. Six inches of snow is just a way to test a runner to see how much of a runner they are. Well 12 miles of cold and wet and I am still here. I hope everyone is enjoying advent and spirit that comes with it. Tonight we had our cross country awards and I got MVP as well as Captain ( along with my 3 roommates)

UNCLE MICHAEL CHECKING IN

I'm impressed by everyone's technical abilities. Nice to see photos and I enjoyed the Mary Poppins trailer/spoof, Matthew. It was a perfect Thanksgiving Day, followed by a lovely weekend with Mom and Nicki in Chicago. We went to Alinea, which vies for Charlie Trotter's position as top restaurant in Chicagoland. $80.00 got me an extra course consisting literally of a thumb's-worth of noodles in butter over which the waiter shaved part of a truffle--not even one whole mushroom! I'm too low-rent for that kind of fare!

Reno in Autumn

So good to have Emilie home!






In part, this is because she makes everyone scarves for football season.







It's difficult to get Lucifer to look at the camera, but he is nonetheless adorable.








Preparing for our first hosted Thanksgiving. On the menu:

• Herb-rubbed duck in cherry sauce
• Squash with a cider glaze
• Shrimp-pumpkin bisque
• Roast parsnips
• Onion tarts
• Bacon-wrapped dates
  
• Chestnut cheesecake

The invitees anticipate...








...and finally tuck in.



It all looked nicer before it hit my plate.

Hello from Nicola!
As most of you have gathered this week has been a very sad time with the loss of my sister, Cathy. Emilie did a beautiful statement/eulogy as you have read on this blog. Thank you Emilie it was very moving and true to word and heart. Tomorrow is Monday and we will have a visitation from 3-9 P.M. and a funeral service on Tuesday at 11:00 with lunch to follow. My White family/siblings have all gathered to share and support in this time and we have also had lots of memories and laughter. My Meyer family as always have shown great love and compassion at this time. All of the Meyer family have always been kind and understanding with Cathy and I thank you for that. But as in all of life there is great sadness and great joy. The joy part of the week was going to Northfield Minnesota and watching Dominick compete and compete well in Nationals. He has acheived one of his collegiate goals which was to be a National All-American. He came in 25th in a field of over 280 top runners . It is great to blog but please give him a call. His team also came in well at sixth place out of 35. Go Point! Stephen is outside now on a very cold and windy night setting up a fire in the pit so we can have Smores with California, Florida and North Carolina fam and make them brave the wilds of Wisconsin. Love and thanks to all! Nicola

aloha from molly

Matthew is teaching me how to blog. I will write more later. It's always important to take baby steps so I don't burn out. Frankly, trying to top Jeff 's bear story was too much for me. Love, Molly

My Beloved Aunt Cathy

I am unsure how to begin this post because I am unsure how to encapsulate the loss of my aunt Cathy White into a compressed and composed "blog". However, it also seems strangly appropriate because with each new technology Cathy's ability to express herself grew. I think that Cathy would have loved typing out a blog post to all of us.

For anyone who does not know Cathy White died sometime early Thursday morning while sleeping in her fathers home. Details of the funeral and visitation can be found at http://www.daleymurphywisch.com/. While I could not be there, everyone who saw Cathy after she died said that the scene was one of peace and ease. And for myself, I choose to believe that if Cathy felt anything it was just her muscles, always so tight, releasing the spirit so long traped in such an inept body.

In many ways Cathy was always a paradox. She was the best listener I knew but she was hard of hearing (which may have helped when I played her my oboe solos). She was the most open human being I have met but she was unable to speak (I am certain that I am not the only one to have relied on this paradox when I needed to confide a secret). Cathy White was my image of strength, and energy and endurance even though she was never able to stand on her own. And most amazingly, Cathy was given a life full of obstacles and operations, discomfort and disability and yet she was always grateful and joyous. How lucky I was to grow up with such a teacher.

And how lucky I was to learn what caring for a loved one meant from my granny Harriett and my Papa Phil, my aunts, uncles and mom and dad. Each would say that the privilege of knowing Cathy was leagues beyond compensation for the effort of caring for her. This is undoubtably true. But that truth lives beside the truth that Cathy literally never took a step that someone was no behind her. Cathy never ate a meal alone. And Cathy never went to sleep that someone had not just tucked her in. Harriet and Dick and Phil have a relationship that is evidence of the boundlessness of that love. I think that growing up with Cathy has made the kind of love I am capable of giving deeper. Because I cannot be in Beloit this week to give som of that love, I would like anyone who reads this to hug these people and send them love and thoughts and prayers by the bucketload.

Finally, I am trying to embrace this loss with the grace and even joy that I think Cathy herself would. Last Sunday, James and I were cuddling up for a nap, and talking, and I fell asleep midsentence and he laughed and I woke up and he said "I just felt all of you relax, and I thought of Cathy in the hot tub." Now I love the image of Cathy in a hot tub, but I also love that the image that my husband has of my aunt, whose condition is defined by its spastic nature, is one of my aunt relaxing. Cathy's most enduring lesson for me is by accepting life as it comes, grace and peace and joy may be found anywhere if one has the strenght to see it.

Peace and joy, my family. What a loss. What a woman.

THE BEAR

I've never heard of anyone hitting a bear before. Maybe animals are drawn to her Corolla. Is a car big enough to kill one? I messed up a part of the car when I hit a cat, which is way smaller.

Bear

I was driving home after a visit with my friend Don in Eagle River Monday evening and at about 9:30 I hit a black bear.
Did I mention I was driving Nicki's car.
The car is drivable with $1600 damage. I am OK/it is a bit unnerving. I could not find the bear on the roadside so it must have kept on a going into the woods.
Matt, if you would have been along I would have sent you into the woods to check on the bear.
Hope all is well with everyone.

Hello from Nicola

Hello to all; Today is the first day in ten days that I felt like I was on the road to recovery. Unfortunately, Stephen appears to have a small case of my nasty bug. My good friend , Beth Woodruff aka Scholten has been back and forth to Beloit the past month because her mother has been very ill post a long bout of ovarian cancer and is now at home on Hospice. For some reason I felt compelled to go there today and arrived at the Scholten's house with a Diet Coke for Beth, a coffee for Walt and a salad lunch and spent from 11:00 a.m. till 2:30 p.m. with them. Joyce, the mother had slipped into a coma earlier in the week and was unresponsive but not in apparent pain. I left and Joyce passed away at 3:30 today. Beth and I have been friends since I was sixteen and I felt great that I was able to be with her on such a difficult day.The visitation is set for Friday with the funeral on Saturday, Stephen and I will be in Northfield Minnesota watching Dominick run at Nationals. All for now Nicola

Nationals

I stopped by home between cities only to find Nic had twice been so sick she had to return to Beloit + miss the cross-country regionals, couldn't even have ridden had there been a driver. So we both missed their best run ever. Dom was 9th overall ( one off my prediction-8th) + the team only 6 points out of first place behind almighty La Crosse, in the strongest region of the nation. That's an AUTOMATIC bid to the nationals in Northfield MN, where we have our hotel reservations for next weekend. Nic may be in the hospital by then at this rate, tho.

GOOOOOOOOD

I ate some gooooood rice krispy treats last night=)

A little help

I have a class project that I need a little help with. I have to find two people out side of school that would like a little help with a behavior change. It is a good change for me to get practice, get to know some of the family deeper, and a chance for the people who what to do it to find out lots about themselves and have an opportunity to be a healthier person. If any one is interested, just email me at dmeye985@uwsp.edu or feel free to call me at 608-207-5119. Thanks and I hope everyone is doing well.

Misc.

I assume Matt's post means Molly + Wes are in Hawaii. Good for them! If you check the ENE sky you'll see a pretty big "star" that's an exploding comet now greater than planet size + noticeable by eye even in the lights of Chicago. It blew on Oct. 23 + you may well have noticed without realizing what it is. Sat. Dom's team needs to come in 2nd for an automatic bid to nationals tho they may be able to get in as at large team- conceivably as low as 5th because they're the strongest region. So call him that night if you think of it.
For the many fine cooks in our family, Nic + I read The Chinese Chef, which is very descriptive of the food but its role in connectedness-e.g. no single servings. We both liked it a lot + especially the tone of cooperation/connectedness. I also thought Nicki could at least pronounce the Chinese phrases, which I wish I could do. I hope for that spirit in our family event. (Ironically I write here alone with the computer in front of my plate.)
On a sad note, Frieda Allen, who lived next to Todd + went to school with me from kindergarten on found her daughter dead at Edgewood College, apparently from a bulemia-related heart attack. Her dad, Chuck Curtis, also is a classmate of mine + Jim Schroeder, who will come up for the funeral. Un forunately I cannot join him.
Maria + Nicki I finally did lesson plans for faith formation that I'll save for next year. It was fun to have more structure than I could fit in.

I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY MISS

Aunt Molly.

I really want to see that movie. I was addicted to the PS2 game for about 6 months.

Some fun with my new camera now that I am figuring out how to work it. Good to see that the whites are on the blog now! Hope everyone is going well. Matt, go and check out the previews for the movie Hitman. It looks like a movie for you.

Go Pack!

Thanksgiving should be interesting with the Pack steamrolling through the season. And hopefully some Christmas ideas to be negotiated.

SuzyQ

Wow! I'm impressed! Em started the blog in part because of her aunts' complaints, yet until Suzanne they had been conspicuously absent,even tho I'd specically mentioned their sisters' weekend as an inspiration for my Christmas plan. Way to go Suzanne!
Tell Lauren she is HOT. Maybe you shouldn't let her pass out those pictures. The rest of you look good, too.
I've been steadily writing Marcia, + I cut + pasted a playing card for her that I dubbed The Cancer Card. In honor of Phyllis, who was never afraid to use it. And now Marcia has, but not with the physical card, of course.
Keep taking bites out of crime.

WHOOHOOO

Busy week for me (I am actually posting from my Intellectual Property class) but I just had to say WELCOME SUZANNE. The cookie recipies look great. So happy to see you and the pix.
Kisses

Lauren 10th grade photo

Lauren 10th grade photo

Bruce Suzanne and Beauty

Megan, Shane and Dillon on Beauty Girl

The White's have arrived

Thanks Em for setting this up.

YES one of Nicki's family has finally posted on the blog.

All well here in Illinois...more later

My Halloween costume was a real hit especially after the last party when we came home and the cops needed to come for five search warrants. The cop kept laughing each time I signed one and said "Do you so swear."

What a good day!

I made mass for all souls day at 12pm. Then I went to Best Buy to return a computer battery and I didn't have the paper work for it, so I got an in store credit for $40 more then I payed for it. I dint know how that worked out but I got a camera to replace my stolen one. Here is a picture I took with it.

All souls day

I hope every one comes across a little bit of free time where you can just pause and think of the love ones that you have lost. Miss them, feel the moment, and then know how blessed you are to have had them in your life!

MARCH OF THE PENGUINS

I never saw that movie but I dig penguins...but not as much as I dig Angelina Jolie. I love the movies with unrealistic gun fights and people jumping out of buildings. It doesn't hurt when the person doing those things is the hottest woman alive.

Wanted

That looks like a great movie, and move where Morgan Freeman talks is going to be great. I mean March of the Penguins......

WANTED

This looks like it might be the greatest movie ever-

www.wantedmovie.com

Great Idea Em and James

I would love to make it down there anyhow and If I got to do that with all my family it would make it even better. I hope every one is having a great all saints day! Matt don't you bet up any little kids for their candy. Ha! We did break the top ten we are now 9th in DIII and our girls time is 35th. Two more positive things for Stevens Point are: We have the most amount of Olympic qualifiers then any other school in any division. We had 3 grads. from SP make the time. also we had 6 guys run 9:30 for the two mile followed 20 min later by running 4:30 in the mile for the same six. This is the best UWSP has every seen for a workout that has been going on for 16 years. Last thing, this is a picture of about half the cross country team in our costumes!

I'm with Em

I like Emilie's idea a lot. I wouldn't want to go when it's cold. Good idea, Em:)

Keep 'em Coming says The Grinch

Thanks for the Meyerevent suggestion, Emilie. It sounds good to me + I don't care about skiing, i.e the times of year could work. I hope you inspire others to comment+/or make their own suggestions-I know Nicola has some different than my original openers + Jimmy would like an Amberg weekend. But let's hear from ya'all.
Good to see Nicki, Ria + Dom. Last nite I needed to use Em to get Dom on, but I believe you need to start by clicking on the 2nd blue site on the invite itself after first getting your account. Is that right Nicki? (I think I might've used Grandma's invite each time I finally got the 3 of us in after trying over + over NOT to create a new blogspot.)
I'm waiting on my 4 Latinos, their attorneys + 2 court interpretors to negotiate a first time + then maybe have a trial. I should have stuck with Spanish.
Happy Halloween everybody! Love, S

Christmas Suggestion

Hey All -

Okay so I have not slolidified the research but here is the Meyer-Mardock Suggestion for family fun.

TAHOE!

Flight Information: I love American Airlines and my lovely Aunt Molly. I imagine that there are some awesome deals on that airline to travel to Reno. However, I use Southwest all the time to travel between Vegas and Reno so I priced flights on Southwest and with enough time in advance tickets can be purchased for $99 from Midway to Reno. Another option is to fly from Midway to San Fransiso for $99 and get picked up by the Meyer-Mardocks and have a day there before going over the Seirras to Reno.

Housing: There are two high seasons and two low seasons in Tahoe. The low seasons are from after labor day until just after Halloween and from March 31 to June 1. During that time we can get a cabin with 12 person occupancy for $300 a night. James and I could host from two to four people more or less confortably. And you would all be welcome. Reno is about 45 minutes drive from where most cabins would be so we would not be much separated.

Activities: There is a lovely and easy hike totalling about 10 miles called the Marlette Lake hike. This is a gem. Plenty of food including a must do breakfast at the Log Cabin in Kings Beach. Shopping. For those who would be interested in driving around - Pyramid Lake and Virginia City are wonderful and much fun.Finally there is tahoe itself. Though the off-seasons are the times when it is generally quite cold to swim and not snowy enough to ski but there is still plenty to do.

This is my Xmas pitch.

But the current holiday is Halloween so enjoy your tricking or treating. The party pictures look like a lot of fun. I wish I had been there. Love you all.

FOR SHIZZLE

Sweeeet costume!!!!

And you thought you could keep me away!

Two broken computers, a mind that has been filled to the point of breaking every day, and bones that have over 1400 miles for this season alone, and I am here. I have been reading the blogs waiting for this day when I could join in and it has final come! Now that I am here what do I have to say that my blogger junky parent havent all ready said, the words that they could not steal from me.... I love you and miss you all! Here are two pictures: the first is me in my Halloween costume (It is Mickey the Pikey for Snatch) and the second is a picture of me running in our conference meet where we got second and now will be in the top ten in DIII xc.

Happy Halloween!!!

Did you all receive the email from Jimmy or Michael where you had to find the dot? I couldn't sleep the other night so I got up in the middle of the night and checked my email. It scared the bejeebers out of me. A few years ago there was a similar one that started as a serene video of a car driving through winding roads.

Happy Halloween!

Love,

Maria

HALLOWEEN PARTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PICTURES

MUSIC VIDEOS

Pause it once it starts playing and let the whole video load. It doesn't go in and out for me. Do you have high speed? Nice to see you've figured out the blogging:) Love ya!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi from Nicki

I love seeing the pictures! The music videos are cool, but I can't listen to them on the computer - the streaming in and out is too annoying. Is there a way to listen to them without the constant cutting out?

????????????

Where is everyone? This is way easier than sending e-mails.

I'm loving the weather right now, even though I know winter is around the corner.

Uncle Stephen

Sorry to hear about Dom's place getting broken into. You were gone when I got back from the walk with Aunt Molly. Sorry the Bears let you down...again.

I saw "30 Days of Night" and it SUCKED!!!!!!!!!! I'm glad Aunt Molly went cause I love seeing movies with her.

I'll put some tunes on for any late readers=]

video comment

Matt, you're such a deer nephew. I was afraid the punchline might not come, but it was worth the wait. Everybody enjoyed Molly + Wes' special Halloween party with the surprise excursion. We earlier enjoyed Dom's team taking 2nd in conference + winning an automatic bid to the regionals + getting him a computer so he can rejoin us.

Halloween Party

I HAD A LOT OF FUN AT THE PARTY!!!!

-Matt

Halloween Party Eve

Just a jot before trundling off to slumberland. It's exciting to think of tomorrow's party. Matthew and Molly went to a Haunted House tonight which got an A+ for scariness. ( If that's a word.) I'm dusting off my witch costume and PJ will be a king. ~Mary Ann~

Nic's new #

Due to her retirement you will find Cola at 608-207-5127, which had been my (seldomly used) #. She also has routed you to her home e-mail address.
I'm looking forward to the annual Halloween party, + I assume there will be pictures coming out of that.
Parlor game: Tell someone you can divide a group of pennies, 10 tails + 90 heads, into two groups each containing the same amount of tails, with your eyes closed. Then pick any 10 + flip them. That group of ten that you flipped will contain 0-10 tails + the other group of 90 will have a matching amount.

Procrastination

Okay so I really should not be blogging today. I have a midterm in four hours. But I just wanted to share what happens when your roomie is an art grad student whose art is throwing parties.

I want to make sure everyone knows that baby bump is a pillow. I am pregnant with anticipation of the Bar alone.

Welcome

Welcome Nicki + Dominick(by comment)! I forgot to add that we need to hear from Whitney + Bill. I hope I'm picking up Dom's computer from Stevens Point today, but we're still waiting for "tomorrow" at their computer store.
The Trib had a story Sun about one of this year's Nobel Peace award nominees. It concentrates on the 4 high school girls who "discovered" this Polish Catholic woman who saved over 2,500 Jewish kids in Warsaw (more than Schindler) + was living in poverty until then. For each kid she buried detailed lists of their ancestry + whereabouts in glass jars under an apple tree in a friend's yard. The Nazis couldn't torture the info fromher. The kids wrote a 10 minute (now 35 minute) play, "Life in a Jar," which they're still performing since it began in 2001. Naturally, they pass around a jar for the Polish rescuerers surviving. (Irena Sendler is now 97.)
Unfortunately, Angelina Jolie is slated to play her in an upcoming movie. (Perhaps she'll play Mother Teresa next.)

Hal O'Ween

I seem to have actually carved a decent pumpkin this year:

Camera

Does anyone have use for a small, APS film camera and several rolls of film? Or a Polaroid camera and some film that may work or may be old? They're free to anyone that wants them.

testing

Ok, I'm trying again to figure this thing out.

80's

Went from the most beautiful Oct Sun you'd ever see to a brisk run in the 40's today (tho shirtless after a longsleave had me sweating buckets. Nic + I hiked Rock Cut for my 2nd day + saw the most couples I'd ever seen there. Nic showed me the cabin she believes Tony + Jolie camped at there. The prior day there were 4 cars of peoplke taking sunset shots + I got so caught up in the various stages that I found myself on the trails in the dark around 7:30 + worried I might get lost taking the short cut.
Dom realized late Sun. that he was a victim; they stole his digital camera. Tuf weekend where he thought he'd be home + have a new computer in hand.
I want Madeline's job. Great to hear from Ria; I loved the Shenendoah. I'm frustrated with Nicki cuz I can't reconstruct how I got on, but Jeff should be able to click on the orange B + add a new post. We should've had yet another fire Sun. nite, but the rain has looked imminent for over 24 hours. 4 days to Nic's retirement, or 3.

My Little Girl

Here's a picture of Shelby. My little 66 pound girl thinks she's a

chihuahua.

I'm Back

I just wrote a blog entry and somehow it disappeared. How frustrating!

Whitney, Shelby and I took a trip to the Shenandoah Valley this weekend. We drove into the mountains on roads that reminded me of Amberg, only much steeper. We rented a cozy cabin. It was breathtakingly beautiful, the height of fall. The cabin made me miss having a fireplace. There's something very calming about being Keeper of the Flame.

Madeline was going to join us, but it was too hard (and expensive) for her to get off work. Human Resources called her into the office and told her that since she was doing more work than what was in her job description she would get a $7,000 raise at her yearly review in June. Not bad. She's in the process of trying to find a car that will fit her budget.

Dom, my house was broken into when I was in college. The police noted in their report that my room had been ransacked. Little did they know that it looked exactly the same before the burglary. Twenty years later, my bedroom still has that ransacked look about it.

What an impressive menu, Emilie. I didn't know you could cook.

The film festival sounds like such fun!

Hello to all; What a delight to see all of the blogs. It is Sunday night and I'm off to sleep but had a very nice weekend and got to see Stephen's Bears pull off a win at the Meyer house at 1021 with Pete and MaryAnn and my step dad Dick who is now a regular there for the Bear games. Dominick has not been able to blog on due to two different computer failures. If that was not enough he and his roomie who was turning 21 came home from a run and the apartment had been broken in to. Cops and missing computer and speakers and screen. Dom will run this coming Saturday in Oshkosh in the state WIAC champs and hopefully gop on to the Nationals. My last week of work at Neck To Back. One fun story one of our patients is a dairy farmer and he named his cutest calf after me. She is called NeckieB. What can I say? All for now be safe and be happy. Cola

38 shares and counting

Ladies and Gentlemen: 38 posts on the family blog in 8 days. You all are a very impressive lot. The White clan is currently a little in debt to the wench, I mean Nicola, who despite personal upheaval is single handily holding up the White's reputation on this site. Meyers you are doing an impressive job.

I got up at the ridiculous PST of 5am set to begin my law school work: cyber law midterm, research report, READINGS, professional responsibility exam (the first step in the Bar!). But I got sidetracked my my email and chanced upon my dad's script from the James and Emilie wedding. The message of the script being that "everything good is meant to be shared."

Here are a few things I would like to share
1) 50 days left in the countdown to James and Emilie's permanent co-habitation
2) James and I are hosting Thanksgiving in Reno the menu is:
PUMPKIN AND SHRIMP BISQUE
ONION AND SAGE TARTS
SQUASH WITH ROSEMARY, SAGE, AND CIDER GLAZE
ROASTED PARSNIPS WITH THYME
HERB-RUBBED DUCK WITH TART CHERRY AND SAGE SAUCE
I am way excited to cook this and excited to see what James will read to me while I cook.

3) James' book goes to print November 13. I have included a picture of his helpful research assistant



4) I got copper lowlights in my hair and that is sassy

I wish I could be sharing the Beloit film fest, seeing Nicola all dressed up, and fires on nights when it is almost too cold to be out. But this blog feels like a way to share a little in everything good.

Where are they?

Where IS Nicki? Where is Maria, after such a prompt response? Tony, Jimmy Molly + Wes- especially at Halloween time-Alex + Sam? We had another fire outside tonight + our new neighbor brought us a little preview of some of the films for the Beloit International Film Festival, which coincides with the Sundance Film Festival each year. I would think Mom would love to be on the selection committee, + I'm trying to put in a good word for her. They have quite a few movie-themed dinner parties that sound interesting, but which would be expensive of course because they are fund-raisers. Nicola is going to WORK at one as a serving wench in "The Lion in Winter" at the Shea mansion on our old paper route. Last night Bill Lock also had a fire + the Ooompa Loompas served for "Willy Wonka." Tonight it's "Pirates of the Carribean." Mom's going to one at a very nice house(a draw for many of them) for "Cabaret" with Amy Fredendahl entertaining in the starring role she's played on stage. Imagine our James + Emilie in character at any of the homes.

I'm stressed, too

I cannot get into my hotmail. For 24 hours that I know of. Went to the library and could get in there, but that's not much help either for handy or for the fact they're closed when I need them.

AUNT NICKI

How come she hasn't joined this?

Kimmy

A few weeks ago I went to The Butterfly with Dad, who was trying to remeber Pam Meyer's sister's name-she worked there. I tried to tell him Kimmy is Carmen's daughter. Tonight she said to tell Em "Hi'" that she thinks shes seen the handsome Matt around + that she sees Sam + Alex every day.
It just occured to me that Jim + Jody's marriage began 4 years ago, just four days after Neck to Back began with Nicola. Now they're both getting divorced at the same time. I hope it is better for the both of them . I know Nicola learned a lot + I think Jimmy, too.Dom was supposed to get a new computer in Rockford today, but the computer folk in Stevens Point screwed up + we won't see him this weekend after all.
Speaking of Jimmy. Our postal service pulled a fast one on me. I've always bought the pre-stamped postcards, which have always cost the same as just getting the appropriate stamp. But now they charge an extra 2 cents for the card. That's fair, but I'd always loved the bonus aspect of taking the easiest route. I guess it was as close as you come to a free lunch. No wonder we've all gone electronic.

Stressed...

Chilis has me stressed out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have to be in uniform TOMORROW and I can't find anything I need in Beloit.

I watched a couple of movies with Grandpa which was a lot of fun.

I'm excited for Halloween and the party!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just showing off.

Are you impressed? You should be. Matthew did it though, can I do it alone? Probably no.

newsy!!

Talk about newsy! Tony is off to the keys? I didn't know, but it sounds wonderful. Jim is off to work, Grandpa and Matthew are watching "The Sting" (a favorite), and I'm bogged down in desk work, accomplished little or nothing. xxx

Misc.

I love all the pictures + hope to learn all that cool stuff. I read the comments too, but I generally like to comment via post, tho comments make you re-check. It rained the entire time I spent at church from 6pm to 7am, but it was showerwater warm throughout the nite (16 homeless is the most I've had). I saw signs of Tony + was told he was there but also that he would be headed for the FL keys this am-the whole church knows more about him than I do. GO PACK!!! I'm waiting to hear some complaining about the Christmas plan. I'd be happy to be at the same site as Carly's wedding, but without the wedding, unless Madeline.....I think Jim is definitely making progress, + I'm not expecting to see Jody, Vince or Mike (Thing 1 + Thing 2) for Christmas. I'd love to hear from Sam + Alex: I saw Jeff Raymer today. When it comes to blogging, Matt, you're a better man than I am Gunga Din. Pictures of a squirming snake pit WOULD be cool. I'm so proud of all you contributors. (Dom has had serious computer problems for weeks but should have a new one thios weekend.)

Rain

It is raining in rhldr.
I hope it is sunny and happy wherever you are!
I did my foot again last night playing tennis so to help heal it I'll play basketball tonight.
Now lets see if this works?

Chilis

I got hired at Chilis today!!!! I have orientation on Saturday and then I train for 5 days. They had me take a really hard test on Monday that I was worried about so I'm happy about the job!

Where's the rest of the family???? Are people getting sick of the pictures?

Last Christmas

This is from the Christmas plan last year.

St. Michael and the foot wash

I am increasingly disinclined to hear actual lawyer's stories as I approach becoming one myself. I had been about to apply for a fellowship with the NV. ACLU when I realized 1) it is the Vegas office and 2) the two people who did it last year are now disillusioned and bitter. I cannot believe Michael that your boss is still there and can only hope that you have stopped cooking for her. I only hope that the judge I hope to work for in the spring is a more sterling example of legal professionalism.

My Michael story is about my first week in Chicago. While Michael was a great friend and Uncle the entire time (especially in the passing of Mr. Chicken) the first week there he did a thing that I think qualifies him for sainthood. He washed my feet. I had hauled a sweaty dazed Emilie all over Chicago looking for an apartment and had found one but not without sacrificing a bit of my sanity. I was staying at Michael's and after dinner he gave me a foot bath and rub. It was so sweet and so Michael.

UNCLE MICHAEL CHECKING IN

Nicola, I'm shocked! I thought you were well on your way to being CEO of Neck to Back.

I'm having drama at both jobs--as some of you may know, I was called to Macy's in the middle of a workday to cover for some MIA employees and we learned as the day went on that one of them had been murdered in her home! She was seven months pregnant and her beau was a former Chicago Bear. Very sad. Although all the news media reports say he's not a suspect, I am guessing the boyfriend will eventually be linked. I am also taking Thursday off from my day job to work at Macy's--I had to switch around my schedule to accommodate a visit from Molly and Wes this weekend. Yay! We have lots lined up already--the "Eleventh Hour" (a mega haunted house, for which he have R.I.P. passes), Mysteries of the Paranormal and Chicago's Ghost Past at Excalibur, and a campy send-up of "The Birds." It got rave reviews years ago when it opened and they actually traveled to NYC, LA, and other haunts. I still chuckle at the bewildered looks of the strollers on the bike path when, during the schoolyard scene, screaming adults dressed as children were being chased by people carrying birds on fishing poles.

Meanwhile, my co-worker Carrie staged an intervention of sorts at the courthouse to confront my boss, whom we've been carrying for two years now. She basically told us to deal with it, that she likes the job and has to keep the job to pay for her sons' school.

Cola comments

Hello from Nicola For those of you who don't know by now, I have officially turned 50 and am probably having a mid-life crisis because I have tendered a resignation at Neck To Back after four years of fun and frustration. My last day is October 31st, scary thought!!!!!!It is a long and confusing story but I do not have any job lined up I am just going to take some time to think, organize and than decide what I want to be when I grow up. I have just returned from a great weekend with my sisters, Sandy, Mary Beth and Suzie in San Antonio,Texas. This was our second sisters weekend and I am wowed by what fun and friendships and how we reconnect each time. They are all great and talented women and we actually want to do a sisters weekend every year not just when one of us turns 50. On a sad note for those of you who don't know, my cousin Marcia who was in our wedding and has been a favorite of mine for years, was recently diagnosed with ovarian cancer and has had an extensive surgery and started chemo all in one month. Her prognosis is not great but her spirits are good. Alot going on but enjoying every bit. Nicola

Tuesday at 1021 from Mary Ann

Matthew and Grandpa are watching "Gunga Din" with much pleasure. Am sure Grandpa knows every line by heart and there's as much gusto as at a Bears game.

Went on a wonderful Halloween Walk at the Rotary Gardens in Janesville Friday night. It's an annual event and the walks are lined with hundreds of carved jack-o-lanterns all lit with candles. Lots of lights everywhere and 8 to 10 spots where we listen to ghost stories. One of the best was a girl reading Edgar Allen Poe's, The Raven. A delightful night.

?

Madeline, too. I couldn't get on the contributors list by signing, reading or commenting, only by posting. Does this mean you've come in + read?

welcome

I see Sam + Jeff as new contributors, but I don't see a post or comment from either. How did you do that?

Rhinelander

That picture is from Rhinelander. You have to highlight next to the picture to see the text. I figured out the blog problem I was having before.

Picture!!!!

Kicking butt in Rhinelander.

Tickled, tearful and trained

Mary Anne, Maria, Mom and Dad, you have made James and my mornings. I am so excited to see you all posting. So as promised - first post anecdotes.

Maria- I think of you often when I am cooking. I think that part of my cooking is inspired by your Chez Maria's. Sometimes when I have invited people over and have nothing in the house I remember Le Mac and Fromage and realize it is the love and not the food that matter. I am a trained host in part because of your tutelage.

Dad and Gram- I have so many fun stories with the two of you but movies are a common thread in our family history. And one lackluster film we went to see together was "An American Haunting". I hope not to give away this "classic" but it had incest as the central tension of the haunting which was revealed in a flash back that Gram watched and ----didn't get. Dad, Dom and I were reduced to tears laughing at poor Gram who, to her great credit, took it like a sport and joined in the laughing. At the point that Dad's nose is running he is laughing so hard, you know it is a good time.

Mom- One of your great skills is your ability to take lemons and make lemonade ... with sparkles. When our roof was strangely absent and we were all living in two hotel rooms and I had lost my voice and had a show to do with Josh, God rest him, who hadn't learned his lines, you ordered room service. I couldn't believe the decadence but you let me sit in your hot tub and ordered a shrimp and steak salad and I ate in my robe and we watched bad tv and laughed. This moment has seen me through many a hard time.

I love you all. Keep up with the posts remember it is just the orange b and it will take you to posts. You all have very much made my day.

Camo

Now Nic will be able to log in herself.

The Christmas Plan

• By pure coincidence, Emilie's innovation has arrived just in time for my Christmas plan. Between now + Christmas I would like everybody to come up with plans for a family outing/vacation that we'll vote for on Christmas day. The whole idea is to encourage the ongoing dialog as much as coming up with a family event. The "winner" will be the Plan that wins the most family members willing to commit to it. And for those that can't stand the idea of NOT spending $, part of your negotiating can be what you'd donate for that cause. Eg. I would host X family members for our Lake Tahoe trip.

• I'm much influenced both by Nicola's sisters weekend + my own 3-day walking trek with MY three sisters, which I cannot believe I've never done since. I was alos strongly influenced by how much I enjoyed the family celebration of Mom + Dad's 50th anniversary, which I'm ashamed to say I almost dreaded [and which was the family's introduction to James- we'll have to start numbering those too now, Madeline].

• My first thoughts were a family hike over the Sugar River bike trail from Brodhead to New Glaryus, where we'd party German-Swiss[lots of beer] style. I'd also love to do the Elroy-Sparta trail, which includes the mile-long tunnel + La Crosse also has great places to feast. I thought of a Mississippi cruise or an expensive cruise. But mostly I realized I'm probably the weakest vacation planner in the family having so little experience compared to most of you. And the process is more important than the plan to me.

• Ironically I started this Dictator of Christmas idea so that each of us could have some control. But now that it's my turn the only things I wanted to control were the timing + that the "present" has to be for everybody. Sorry, I do decree that Jolie is hereby an equal voter if she wants to be. [But I won't require church attendance on Christmas.]

• You do not have to do any of your negotiating/bribing/selling/synthesizing etc. at this site, but it sure helps. Obviously $ + location are the touchiest factors, but I have great faith in our collective creativity to come to a mutually satisfying plan. I love you all + look forward to some face-to-face debating with some of you on Thanksgiving.

Idiot

I must be an idiot. I've spent an inordinate amount of time trying to become part of the family! But mom's enjoying my ineptitude.

Stephen on Mary Ann's Dime

I'll get this right soon enough, but I wanted to have a blog + not just a comment to one of Emilie's blogs. Unfortunately that means I haven't made it to the point that I get my name on the coveted list of contributors yet, but I think that's because I'm unable yet to mail from my computor where I've been invited.

greetings!!!

I'm trying to figure it out.

greetings

Virginia Beach

Greetings from Virginia Beach,

I'm teaching 5th grade language arts at a new school this year, White Oaks Elementary. I really love my new school - so much better than the last one. I had an unannounced observation on Monday. The assistant principal came in as I was reading Walter the Farting Dog. It's totally appropriate, but I felt a little silly sitting there in my rocking chair guffawing over potty humor. By the way, it's a must read.

I'm up sipping tea at midnight (waaaay past my bedtime) because of my allergies. I'll bet Nevada is a kind place to allergy sufferers.

Madeline is marrying a James. Three James in one family. His last name is Henson or Hensen. He's in his first year of law school.

Love,

Aunt Maria

Kudos

As an incentive to make a first post, I have decided to share with you all a story of the posting person.

I failed to do this with James because his incentive was making me giddy.

For Matthew I know the story and it goes like this: The Meyer family Christmas has been controlled by a King or a Queen (or in the case of Dom and I an amicable Ptolemy XIII and Cleopatra) who decides the manner of gift exchange for almost a decade now. Two years ago, Matthew drew my name in the year controlled by her Majesty Mary Anne. Our gift exchange was a letter a month for a year.

Poor Matthew, that year I moved twice. Matthew wrote every month like clockwork. He missed on month and sent two letters. I tried to write to Wes with diligence but not like our Matt. He had PETA and Vegetarian stickers on some and some were several pages long. When Christmas came, I was shocked to hear that some people had gotten very few letters while I got Matthew.

Finally, Matthew also took me out to dinner with Nicki, Molly, and Dominick as the present part of the exchange. He was, no offense James, one of the best dates ever. A good conversationalist and liberal with the wine.

There is a story that involves some of the earlier mentioned culprits in a nefarious scheme involving a negligee, a false gift card and an embarrassed model named Emilie but that is another story all together.

Thanks for the post Matt. Keep em coming.

Confused...

My blogs are a day behind and shows the time I posted my FIRST blog. Am I doing something wrong?

Woah!

How come nobody thought of this sooner? I'm a little bummed because now I'll be addicted to ANOTHER thing on the internet (Myspace and Hotmail).

No offense but I'm surprised Grandma could figure this out.

I like the Christmas plan:)

Em, I LOVED writing to you for a year and I had a blast going out to eat. I'm still shocked you thought I actually bought you lingerie!

Love ya!

This is great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Em, this was a great idea. I hate not hearing from everyone and sometimes it's hard to get a hold of people. Love ya!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Photo Familiarity

I thought I would also remind you what James and I look like for those who may have forgotten and show you Tahoe for those who do not know.
















The dog is our dog and his name is Lucifer.








The looks on our faces in the wedding shot was when they told us what REALLY happens on the wedding night.

In law...

...but not in law school, like Emilie. I'm just an in-law. Not nearly as exciting. But hello anyway, everyone!

I'm slogging along at the semester, trying to stay on top of my grading and plan lectures on the Aeneid. My only really exciting news is that my book's going to press next week, and should be available by the end of November.

It's probably not all that exciting a read, unless you're particularly interested in fat 17th-century dramatists, and it's priced in such a way as to encourage you to get it from the library, but I'm just happy it's done.

Begun in Beloit ..err.. Reno

Okay family of mine.
I just had a long and lovely talk with my mom and dad. We were all realizing how hard keeping in contact is. As a member of the elder contigent of both sets of cousins I know that I am feeling the stress. My Uncle Micheal once lived two floors below me, now he lives two time zones away. My Aunt Sandy lives in the neighboring state and I have yet to see her. What is a girl to do?

Well, I am a modern girl at the suggestion of my husband James I decided to follow in his footsteps and start a family blog. Any Meyer or White who wants to post just do it. Got great pictures of your engagement party Madeline then post them. What about a fantastic story from the horse front Suz. This could be, and I hope it to be, a way for us all to check on each other and feel like we can reach out without having to make a dozen phone calls a weekend.

So here is my first welcoming post. The title "Begun in Beloit" was a slightly myopic title. I recognize that no member of the senior generation (that is you Phil, Dick, Harriet, Maryanne and Pete) has its origins in that fine city. And I think only half of the junior generation were actually born in Beloit but I believe all of you attended Beloit High or married someone who did. And yes some of the sophmore generation has never lived in Beloit, but I believe the entire quotient of the freshmen class, small as it may be, live in Beloit.

But that is not really the point of the title. For me the point of the title is that something began in Beloit over Christmases and Labor Day weekends and miscellenous other moments that has bonded us. Just because it was begun in Beloit doesn't mean we can't all have some of it now as I sit in Reno and you all sit in your homes. And so that is the title. Begun in Beloit but contiuing. Continuing maybe a little on this family blog.

Til then... I love you all.
Em