Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Health update
Ironic last words Rico - I've spent today in hospital with Rachael, who came down overnight with a case of pneumonia! Thanks to all of you for your congratulations - she doesn't actually graduate until Friday, but as you know it's all "done and dusted" already. She will miss 2 final exams tomorrow (maths and English), but that won't prevent a diploma. We're keeping our fingers crossed that she will actually get up to school for the ceremony on Friday night. At the moment it doesn't look likely, but we're hoping the wonder drugs do their thing! She's been so healthy lately that this seems cruel - just in time for her "week of fun", including her formal next Tuesday evening and 4 days with friends on Stradbroke Island for "Schoolies". We'll keep you updated. I, too, am loving this blog!
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Congratulations, Everyone!!!
I've just got time for a quick post because I'm under the ol' report card deadline crunch! I have to make the effort to say a heartfelt "Well done!" to Rachael for her graduation, to Sarah for her license to Mom and Dad for getting down to Oz to celebrate another grandchild milestone and to everyone who's been so diligent to posting on the blog. I'm feeling the energy and I love logging on and seeing all the new posts!
Winter is finally here- first snow that stuck on the ground today. We went to Ian Bower's soccer game for the state tournament quarterfinals and sadly they lost to the eventual champions. They were an inspiring underdog story, coming in ranked 17th and knocking out the top seed. Ian is 2nd from left in the picture. Going to watch the CU Buffs continue to suck on Saturday and Les Miserables at Fairview High School this weekend. We'll keep you posted!
Stay well!!
Monday, November 8, 2010
Congratulations to Rachael! I'm assuming graduation was this past Friday?, Nov. 5?
Glad Mom and Dad are there - sounds like an "easiest flight yet" status.
Loved Reid's drumming.
Views of Lexington - Drew and Duke on Pi Phi lawn, mountains and "God".
Had a fun weekend with Matt and the frat. Saw a rugby game, went to a class on Hinduism, walked a lot through town and campus, small talked at high volume at a number of Pi Phi sponsored parties, watched Sarah get lots of attention, managed Duke through the weekend - too much car time. I don't think we will take him again.
Home with an infected head (sinus, throat,...) Don't think the September version of this ever really left. So, I'm on some new serious antibiotics and missing the third day of school in a row. Will be out tomorrow, too. My class will now have exposed itself to more school personnel so I may have more sympathy/empathy when I get back. I love my class this year and they are live wires. Got a call on Thursday that somebody had thrown a chair across the room and bolted - just another day in Room 1!
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Flight, Arrival, and Settling In
Thanks to Elli you know we are down under. We had a good trip - everything went smoothly and it was 24 hours door to door. That included 2 1/2 hours at the Denver airport during which we had a nice hight tea of sandwich and coffee and 4 hours in LA during which we picked up bags, walked in soft eveing air to the next terminal, checked in easily, got through security in 10 minutes and read for 2 hours. Virgin Australia is a nice airline - good food and large servings, mood lighting, a 3 -3- 3 seating, and good service. We had 2 seats in the middle 3, I took a big pillow and was comfortable sleeping without putting my feet in Mom's lap! A sleeping pill gave me 8 hours of sleep out of the 13 3/4 hour flight. Saw some of Deliverance - enough to know I couldn't understand it - and watched several MTVs. Lady Gaga's was pure pornography by the definition I grew up with - how times have changed.
Elli and Rachael met us at the airport at 8 after we had a slow but pleasnt exit through customs. We declared we had been on a farm, the Pumpkin Patch, and had food to bring in. Ann had her shoes washed and they were very pleasant about the food and let us take it all in.
The drive to the house went through familiar territory that was unrecognizable in some ways. The road building is incredible both by the airport and on the edge of town where new roads, tunnels, and busways are being built. Looks like Boston during the 'big dig.' The house was very welcoming with flowers, new flooring, and bedside rugs in "our " bedroom. The trees have stopped blooming but they have grown a lot. We unpacked and were in the swimming pool in three hours on a glorious, Quuensland spring day - sunny, cool, and clear.
We have settled into the Aussie life. Two nights of sleeping pills ended any jet lag and we are doing full active days. Sunday Elli, Emily, Mom and I went to the South Bank markets and had lunch. Then we went to Roma Parklands -fairly new replacement for the old railroad yards in the center of downtown and beautiful - for a concert. The Brisbane Army band played for an hour and then the US Airforce jazz band from Honolulu played for an hour. They wre great and played some familiar jazz tunes including Route 66 - a favorite of Ken's. Home for grilled chicken. Most of the meals are done on the grill which is just outside the back door on the deck right next to the table - so well planned.
Today the paper's had a headline on the increasing cost of water in QLD over the next 8 years. Thirty minutes after I read it, a truck pulled up to deliver Elli and Ken's new water tank. Ken was here and has been installing it during the day. It will hold 750 liters of rainwater to be used for the laundry and that could be used for shower and toilet - a timely move. Getting it down to the backyard between the house and fence was incredible. The was about 2 inches of leeway until the area of the gas meter where the tank was 4 inches too wide until Ken and the delivery man were able to lift it up six inches and it got through thanks to the curve of the tank.
We've been to Chermside for shopping which included a Starbucks Mocha Latte - can't get too far away from Boulder habits! Have watched the NZ vs Australia rugby match and Mama Mia - what a great movie. I guess I should have paid a bit more attention to ABBA - I liked the music.
Rachael is taking final exams - I think she has only one more and graduation is Friday night. Next week is mostly fun and games including the graduaton formal. Emily had a test today and has a few more before she finishes just before Thanksgiving.
That brings you all up to date. I will try to proofread this - it sure needs it. If Emily gets home in time, I might add a photo but I can't handle it with out assistance on this machine (or probably any machine.)
Love to everyone. Dad
Elli and Rachael met us at the airport at 8 after we had a slow but pleasnt exit through customs. We declared we had been on a farm, the Pumpkin Patch, and had food to bring in. Ann had her shoes washed and they were very pleasant about the food and let us take it all in.
The drive to the house went through familiar territory that was unrecognizable in some ways. The road building is incredible both by the airport and on the edge of town where new roads, tunnels, and busways are being built. Looks like Boston during the 'big dig.' The house was very welcoming with flowers, new flooring, and bedside rugs in "our " bedroom. The trees have stopped blooming but they have grown a lot. We unpacked and were in the swimming pool in three hours on a glorious, Quuensland spring day - sunny, cool, and clear.
We have settled into the Aussie life. Two nights of sleeping pills ended any jet lag and we are doing full active days. Sunday Elli, Emily, Mom and I went to the South Bank markets and had lunch. Then we went to Roma Parklands -fairly new replacement for the old railroad yards in the center of downtown and beautiful - for a concert. The Brisbane Army band played for an hour and then the US Airforce jazz band from Honolulu played for an hour. They wre great and played some familiar jazz tunes including Route 66 - a favorite of Ken's. Home for grilled chicken. Most of the meals are done on the grill which is just outside the back door on the deck right next to the table - so well planned.
Today the paper's had a headline on the increasing cost of water in QLD over the next 8 years. Thirty minutes after I read it, a truck pulled up to deliver Elli and Ken's new water tank. Ken was here and has been installing it during the day. It will hold 750 liters of rainwater to be used for the laundry and that could be used for shower and toilet - a timely move. Getting it down to the backyard between the house and fence was incredible. The was about 2 inches of leeway until the area of the gas meter where the tank was 4 inches too wide until Ken and the delivery man were able to lift it up six inches and it got through thanks to the curve of the tank.
We've been to Chermside for shopping which included a Starbucks Mocha Latte - can't get too far away from Boulder habits! Have watched the NZ vs Australia rugby match and Mama Mia - what a great movie. I guess I should have paid a bit more attention to ABBA - I liked the music.
Rachael is taking final exams - I think she has only one more and graduation is Friday night. Next week is mostly fun and games including the graduaton formal. Emily had a test today and has a few more before she finishes just before Thanksgiving.
That brings you all up to date. I will try to proofread this - it sure needs it. If Emily gets home in time, I might add a photo but I can't handle it with out assistance on this machine (or probably any machine.)
Love to everyone. Dad
Friday, November 5, 2010
Bravo Reid!
Hey, what fun! We had to come to Australia to see it, and it was worth the trip! Have been replaying it ever since we arrived. You're a natural! Can you put drums on a surfboard and do two natural things at once??? High five! Yia-Yia
Monday, November 1, 2010
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