Merry Christmas

Hope everyone had a great day.


Ours was, as yours was as well, filled with presents, good food and too much of it, the Muppet Christmas Carol, books, chess, karaoke, walks, and fiddling with new technology.

Off today to Hightstown, New York and then Pittsfield. We're back on Saturday, Jan 3.

Margaret's Ugly Christmas Sweaters

Hi everyone! Here's a picture of 4 of the 5 holiday sweaters I made for my friends at work. I didn't know until after I made the sweaters that there would be an "Ugly Christmas Sweater" contest at the IIE holiday party...and I won! The prize was $25, a tiara, and a wand. So, does anyone need an ugly Christmas sweater? I still have some leftover materials...

Gee, It's Great to Be Back Home Again

I am stealing the title from a John Denver song, but I bet it's not copyrighted.

And it's not just John that's home, but Annie as well. She pulled in on Friday evening after a marathon drive through a blizzard. She's a little under the weather after end of term exams, but hopefully not for long.

John got back from a week of travel to Argentina, Uruguay and Bolivia. It turns out that everywhere I travel recently, I send an e-mail to Mary saying that we must return as tourists. But when I got to a small town named Colonia in Uruguay across the Rio Plata from Buenos Aires, my e-mail said, "We must move here." I wonder by how many days I missed John and Marilyn on their cruise to this part of the world.

When I got to Bolivia, my e-mail said "unbelievable geography." I am not sure about traveling and moving there, principally because of the altitude which hit me and most people immediately on arrival. Handing in my passport not one minute off the plane, and I almost fainted. For two days, I struggled with headaches and shortness of breath. Wow. The city is in a "hole" circled by mountains at 13,000 feet above sea level.

We figured out we have been building a family tradition over the years. It is called, the leaning Christmas tree. Some years it is so good, the tree actually falls over before we get it right. Any suggestions? Are we the only ones?

Margaret and Annie went to Joe's for a party last night. We were not invited, even though I got home at around 11pm. Jeff and Melody were, though, and they came. And the reports this am is everyone had fun.

We hear from Fairfield that Paula's sister and cousin are not doing so well. Makes for a tough holiday season.

Finally, we close with an article in the Washington Post on Mary's school, which recently won a state-wide Blue-Ribbon award for excellence:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/18/AR2008121802192.html

Pretty remarkable school.

I sent along a picture, for which I must add a disclaimer - I am not normally fond of pictures of myself (just ask Peter) and this one is no exception. However, that said, I am so very proud of what it represents. For the last two months I have been working as the director's assistant for the middle school production of "Midsummer Night's Dream." The play happens to be my favorite of Shakespeare's comedies, and when there was a joint production of the play three or so years ago with McCarter Theatre and Paper Mill Theatre here in NJ, I worked on the audio description at both theatres and I believe I saw the production about thirteen times.

Is is never easy to work with a large group of children (55 in this case), especially after school. They really, really wanted to be there, but if they weren't in a scene. or their friend was close, or well, maybe it just was what it was, chaos ensued. Two weeks ago I would have told you that the production would have been a failure. Normal, everyday language can present a challenge for middle schoolers. Reciting and acting out Shakespearean language can be an excruciating challenge. I know the play so very well, and I have to say that I didn't always agree with the director's choices, but I backed her up and facilitated as best I could.

In the last week, I knew we had something good going. The 6th grader who played Puck, a tiny girl, who always seemed so shy. was phenomenal. She had Puck's body language, his devilishness, his toadying, everything was perfect. The 7th grade boy who played one of the mechanicals of the "play within a play" - a group of really terrible actors who believe they are terrific, was outstanding. He and I have talked about his studying further, since as I told him, I have rarely seen someone with the instincts and talent he has. The four lovers hit every mark. All in all, a heady experience. Even Peter was shocked; he couldn't believe it was a middle school play.

Early on, I positioned myself as the stage manager, since I wasn't sure what the director wanted me to do, even though she had requested me. So I never did see the show, since I was backstage, making sure everyone made the correct entrance. I did love the girl who played one of the mechanicals, who I had to go find for one of her entrances, (she was busy talking to friends in the hall). Seconds before her entrance on Stage Right, she ran around to Stage Left, where I was, moaning that she had to go to the bathroom. To which I, ever the warm and concerned person, said "e;forget it - your entrance is in seconds and the show is not waiting for you." Ah, the power!

Heading off

John is minutes away from heading to the airport for a long flight to BA. Why does travel look pretty good from a month away, but not so good from a half an hour away? I don't want to go. My own plans are quick visits to Argentina, Uruguay and Bolivia.

Had a nice weekend though, with some shopping, cleaning and decorating. We went to Arlington cemetery today with Margaret to see first hand what has been passed around the Internet which are the graves with Christmas wreaths on them. Quite a sight.

And Mary convinced John to go to her school holiday party. Pretty rowdy, but friendly bunch, those teachers.

Our friend Charlie from Peace Corps days visited this week. We caught up on politics and outdoor activities and children. Speaking of Peace Corps, John registered for the lottery to join the Peace Corps group marching in the inaugural. They want one person from each country.

We're still sorting out holiday travel plans, trying to figure out if Grandma is coming down or not. She may have some visitors too. What we did decide was to spend a couple of days in New York City right after Christmas, so we will be stopping in Hightstown and Princeton around the holidays in any case.

Margaret had a hectic week planning selection meetings for the next group of Fulbrighters, and in the middle of it her boss quit. Annie too has had a rough week as she takes finals and finished papers. She should be heading home sometime this week.

Enjoy the season. Love from down here.

We're Home

We just got back from Hightstown. Mission accomplished. Grandma's apartment is decorated, and she learned how to blog.

Peter and John went to a hockey game (Princeton lost) while Mary did a little shopping, after figuring out how to get to the mall. Janet and Johanna showed up with pizza for dinner and we all reviewed the world's events and talked about family that wasn't there! We heard all about Sean's new flat in the big city.

Sunday, we had a leisurely breakfast and found Grandma's decorations and put them up; then we went to Perkins for a lunch/brunch. Hopefully we can persuade Grandma to come to Bethesda for Christmas.

Joe went up to Boston for a long weekend, to meet up with his Pomfret friends. He should be back tomorrow. Margaret went out to a party with her 2nd grade friends, but it didn't sound like 2nd grade antics. And Annie made it back to school last Sunday in time for her papers and tests due.

Today, John and Marilyn should be in Buenos Aires, or points south, as they left to start their southern hemisphere cruise yesterday.

So, keep those entries coming. We love reading them!

Grandma's blogging!!!!

Just look at me!!!!! Next I'll go to FACEBOOK!!!!!!!!

Weekly letter, attempt #2

Not sure how this works, but I am game to try...

Our Thanksgiving was the usual bash at my cousin Dede's. Unfortunately, neither Grandma nor my Dad made it to the festivities. Grandma was smart enough to know that there would be a lot of little ones with lots of germs running around and so she stayed back at Meadow Lakes. Sean and I went to pick up my father, but he had hallucinations during the night and somehow vaulted himself out of bed, slightly injuring his knee. He felt that getting into and out of the car, not to mention sitting in a chair all afternoon, would be too much. It was the first time in a very long time that I had not spent Thanksgiving with my Dad.

I would mention everyone who was there, but a) it would take a very long time, and b) you probably don't know who half of them are anyway. Not too many strays this year; we will have to work on that. Strays sometimes bring good gifts - like the Japanese businessmen who brought the sake last year.

Peter and my cousin Brian's son Michael jammed on guitars with a sort of loopy drum accompaniment. The only members of my parents generation there were my uncle Brendan and his ex-wife, Jean. Scary to think that my generation will soon be the oldest. We certainly don't act it!

The Peter Dickson family had a lovely family outing raking leaves on Friday. We love challenges - we always pick the windiest day to rake. It makes getting the leaves on the tarp and out to the curb so-o-o much fun.

Johanna and Sean both spent time with old friends. Sean returned to NYC on Saturday afternoon, refusing to carry half the stuff his mother was trying to give him. We did get some leftovers and other goodies in his bag.

On Sunday, Johanna and I went to the movies. I don't think we have been to the movies since before she got sick. We saw "Rachel Getting Married," which I mistakenly thought was a comedy. Very few laughs in a movie about a drug addict who accidentally killed her little brother coming home from rehab after her latest stint.

Take care all!

love, janet

Off to NJ

In a couple of hours, Mary and I are heading up to Hightstown to visit Grandma for the night. Hockey, pizza and Christmas decorating, with lots of chat are in line for us. Hope to have a photo or two.