Well, it was really difficult and confusing, but with the efforts of several family members Chrissy the Christmas mouse is happy to announce that we will have peppermint stick ice cream Christmas Eve! One elf even hid a couple of boxes behind another flavor of ice cream, but someone must have been watching and moved things back to where they should be. However, another elf managed to come along in time to save the day, so come one, come all, and enjoy the refreshments on Christmas Eve!!!

HELP!!!

Help! Chrissy the Christmas mouse is in a bad way because she can't locate any peppermint stick ice cream!!!! Can anyone help??? I might have to ask Dominic or my hippo!?!?!?!? Thanks everyone!!

HELP!!!

Car Shopping

So if you haven't heard, Kennedy and I were in an accident this past Wednesday with our first snow. We didn't make it down off our mountain without losing control due to the ice hidden under the snow. One big scary sled ride with no way of stopping - except for hitting either a telephone pole or an on coming Ford pick up. God blessed us and I was able to steer enough to avoid the phone pole, NOT hit the truck directly head on ... but did hit him with my front passenger side. We then spun 270 degrees into the brush/woods/ditch before coming to a stop.
Neither Kennedy nor I were seriously hurt -- just a bit tongue for Kennedy and bruised knees and stiffness all over for me. Unborn baby is fine as well --- ultrasounds verified this.

However, it is very likely my Avalon is totalled. We are waiting for the insurance adjuster to determine the cars plight ... but we are preparing for the need to car shop. In doing so, we are very much drawn to the Toyota Sienna (the only minivan on the market that can come in AWD), however we are not wanting to buy brand new. If anyone has any insight into the minivan market, please call Ken and I at 717-642-5203 or email us: kb3777@hotmail.com or smsonja@yahoo.com.

Turkey Bowl Pregame Preps

With less than two weeks until Thanksgiving it is time to get semi-serious about Turkey Bowl Plans. (Next week we'll get serious! Seriously!) I've had some response to an email I sent and sounds like the game is on. At least there was interest in the breakfast. If you have not responded yet, please drop us a line so we can get a head count. Also spread the word. I've seem to have lost my list of emails from last year's extravaganza (probably got put away with the archives) so I need help getting in touch with everybody.

I'm assuming Ben, the 2006 MVT, will be there to protect his title and hang onto that trophy! (you do know where it is, right Ben??) Now that we know what we're playing for, I'm sure the level of play will really be significantly changed.......

Anyway, watch Megan's video to get you pumped up, send me a note confirming your coming, and start your pre-season exercise regimen! (Well that can wait another week or so!!)

Brent

New Dryer

I am purchasing a new dryer this week - old one doesn't heat on regular cycle and is 19 years old. If anyone is interested in the old one, please call me immediately - I plan to order new one tomorrow - not sure of delivery date, but hope this week sometime! Carole

Reminders

I'm trying to figure out how to post a calendar or a link to one for family events and such...unfortunately I'm a little technologically slow myself, so be patient.

As for announcements:

Aunt Carole's reserved Dec 20th for a nieces day at her house. See below for details.

Make sure your family pages are ready to 'hand in' by Thanksgiving dinner, no holding up those calendars this year!! (I'm pretty sure the biggest offenders are my family so umm I'll work on that!

And plenty of you need to weigh in on the Turkey Bowl discussions! Only two weeks until Thanksgiving!

Kennedy's Halloween Costume

Several of you were asking at Missy and Tom's party what Kennedy was for Halloween ... she made a pretty cute Dumbo! Not that we are biased or anything ......


And yes, that is a tiny Timothy mouse sticking out of the brim of the yellow hat!

Thursday, Dec. 20th!

Attention all nieces!!! Keep Thursday, Dec. 20 available for final Christmas preparations at Aunt Carole's house - any of you who are available are welcome to finish up Christmas cookies, wrapping, etc. - any time after 10:30 a.m. Last year was quite productive and entertaining on this day! Anyone else who is available and willing to help, feel free to stop by! See ya then! Aunt CArole

Holes and black worms in the yard!

I have received a few questions (and a lot of bewildered looks from neighbors) about the recent activity at our house. I'm sure there will be more, as the project is to be documented and published in a national co-op publication (no economic advantage to us).

We have decided to "bite the bullet" and install a verticle closed loop geothermo system to provide our HVAC needs. The holes(3) are 200 feet deep and about 12 inches in diameter. The black worms are the piping that will circulate a glycol solution in and out of the holes and through the heat pumps (2).

Our oil furnace (and its associated costs) will be removed.

The project includes removing most of the existing ac duct work and replacing with new. Because of limited space and access, this will require removing part of the second story outside wall.

We are also adding load control to the electric service.

Entire project is to be completed by first of the year.

It will be hectic until then!

Seagull Century

Well the first time I am typing on this - not sure since I am technologically challenged if I will have any success!
Oct. 6 my friend Linda and I completed the seagull century bike ride - we had 43 miles of fog and when fog lifted it got quite warm!! But we did not have rain, cold, or wind! Last year it poured the entire day!! We completed the ride in 7 1/2 hours - one hour faster than when I did it 5 years ago (pre West Nile). So, older is better!?!?!? I am going to try to put a picture on here, but if I don't have any success and you really care, you can go to www.marathonfoto.com and check me out under Seagull Century 2007, racer #3435. I would offer pictures of Linda too, but out of 15 cameras, 13 found me and 0 found her!!!! I told her that just means she has to do it again!!!

The Smith's go to Blacksburg

This weekend Nick, Brock, and Britni drove the 4 1/2 hours to Blacksburg, VA to watch some Hokie football. They didn't know what they were in for. It rained ALL DAY and ALL NIGHT. We went to set up the tailgate and had to do some improvising. Without a tent to set up, Kyle had to think quickly . . . he pulled two large tarps out of the back of his Jeep as well as some rope and bungee cords; he's a regular MacGyver (is that too old of a reference?). With this make shift tent and some borrowed materials from the nearby construction site, we were able to stay dry during our tailgate. Nick, Brock, and Britini turned out to be quite loyal Hokie fans and showed their loyalties by sticking it out all day in the rain and mud.

We didn’t stay dry but we did have a great time. Everyone left with complimentary ponchos and wet sneakers. Tech played a great game for the first 58 minutes but lost it terribly in the final 2. So far we’ve been having a fabulous time, minus the muddy attire, we shall see what the rest of the weekend holds.

Fires and Turkey Bowls

Hello, Some of you were aware that we recently visited Katie and Dave in San Diego. We had a real good time and are already thinking about a return trip maybe next spring. Some of the some who were aware have asked about the fires. (Most just didn't care!) Happy to report they were not near Katie's place and did not affect our trip at all. Well, it did cause their softball game to be cancelled because of smoke and ash in the area of the playing field, so that was disappointing, but otherwise no problem. We did see the fires once we were in the air on our flight home.

Seeing the Turkey Bowl highlight reel did make me start wondering about this year's event. As you know, we have not sold our house (mixed emotions about that) and therefore could continue the breakfast tradition if desired. Not sure how many are interested in Turkey Bowl 31? Your thoughts on this?

The Cheeseman Kiddos

This blog needs some pics. Here a few recent shots from the Cheeseman family album. Soccer, a Christmas Eve Re-enactment (note the antlers), and a proud big sister manages the 'little' boy. Enjoy!

News about the job I don't have yet...and the plan I sort of have to get one...

Hey everyone!

I'm just posting first to get this thing rolling...I don't have much new to say so I'll just make the same old things I've been saying sound new and exciting. After continuing to nanny all summer (see how much that college degree changed my career path?) I have recently purchased my very first 'all mine' car, effectively depleting my savings just in time for my student loans to begin repayment. Since my goal is still a job in the film industry I'm holding out on getting a 'real' job in Los Angeles or New York...but I just depleted my savings remember? So in the meantime I've returned to Pittsburgh to live with/babysit for the Morehouse family for a few months.

I've been in touch with the woman I lived with and worked with in L.A. last summer and she has offered me a place to stay until I get a job, which she will also help me accomplish. So the current plan is to drive (yes DRIVE!) out to California in January and give it a go! Anyone want to join me? Brock and Brie...didn't you sign up for this already? : ) At the very least I will have a very nonglamourous job as someone's assistant, but if all goes well Kristin (the woman in L.A.) will have her official company set up and will be able to hire me herself. Since it will be her company and Jennifer Aniston's...well that'd obviously be amazing...but nothing is finalized yet so I'll just have to keep my fingers crossed! That's all the 'news' I have right now...I bet you all can come up with some more exciting (and concrete) news than that! We're waiting...