Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

(If you are offended after reading the below statements, then please visit the following website by clicking on it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daBH2IlWcmM&feature=rec-LGOUT-exp_stronger_r2-2r-4-HM )

Arabic - اجمل التهاني بمناسبة الميلاد
و حلول السنة الجديدة
Chinese (Mandarin) - 聖誕節和新年快樂 [圣诞节和新年快乐]
Czech - Veselé vánoce a šťastný nový rok
Danish - Glædelig jul og godt nytår
Dutch - Prettige Kerstdagen en een gelukkig nieuw jaar
Finnish - Hyvää joulua ja onnellista uutta vuotta
French - Joyeux Noël et bonne année
Gaelic (Irish) - Nollaig Shona agus Athbhliain faoi mhaise duit
German - Frohe Weihnachten und ein frohes neues Jahr
Greek - Καλά Χριστούγεννα και Ευτυχισμένο το Νέο Ετος
Hebrew - חג מולד שמח ושנה טובה
Hindi - क्रिसमस और नव वर्ष मंगलमय हो
Hungarian - Kellemes karácsonyt és boldog új évet
Indonesian - Selamat hari Natal
Italian - Buon Natale e felice anno nuovo
Japanese - クリスマスと新年おめでとうございます
Korean - 메리 크리스마스 새해 복 많이 받으세요
Latin - Natale hilare et annum faustum
Norwegian - God jul og godt nyttår (Bokmål)
Polish - Wesołych Świąt i szczęśliwego Nowego Roku
Portuguese - Feliz Natal e próspero ano novo
Romanian - Crăciun fericit şi un an nou fericit
Russian - С Рождеством Христовым и С наступающим Новым Годом
Serbian (Orthodox) - Христос се роди и срећна Нова година
Spanish - ¡Feliz Navidad y próspero año nuevo!
Swedish - God jul och gott nytt år
Thai - เมอรี่คริสต์มาส และสวัสดีปีใหม่
Turkish - Yeni yılınızı kutlar, sağlık ve başarılar dileriz
Ukranian - Bеселого Різдва і з Новим Роком
Vietnamese - Chúc Giáng Sinh Vui Vẻ và Chúc Năm Mới Tốt Lành

Christmas as told by the Carols

Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown -
Come, Thou long expected Jesus, Born to set Thy people free; -
It came upon the midnight clear,
(Silent night! Holy night!)
Once in royal David's city stood a lowly cattle stall
What Child is this, who laid to rest
Little Baby Jesus born in Bethlehem --
O little town of Bethlehem --
Gently Mary laid her Child Lowly in a manger
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed

While shepherds watched their flock by night,
Angels from the realms of glory, Wing your flight o'er all the earth
From heav'n above to earth I come To bear good news
Angels we have heard on high, Sweetly singing o'er the plains
"Joy to the world! the Lord is come;"
Hark the herald angels sing,
"Good Christian men rejoice with heart and soul and voice!
O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant
Go, tell it on the mountain, Over the hills and every-where;
Who is He in yonder stall, At whose feet the shepherds fall?
Little Baby Jesus, born in Bethlehem
Who is this boy? He's God's little Son!"

A Word from PCC

A comment came in for some information from Jaclyn, and how life is treating her at college. So, as requested.........

Hey,
Pretty much things are routine and boring for me here by now. Tonight (November 13) is whiteglove; so we're cleaning the room right now. Aunt Rachelle is down, and AJ and I are spending Saturday night off campus with her. She is leaving Sunday morning. Grandma Kelly is coming down next weekend and taking AJ and me off campus somewhere so we can relax and watch TV. My roommates are awesome, and my prayer group is really fun. I pretty much spend everyday with Elise (a girl from Trinity Christian School in VT). We have almost all the same classes and live two doors down from each other. Nothing else is really new. I think that is about it.

Jaclyn

Making an Apple Pie

Everyone has their favorite recipe for making an apple pie. Here is one that I put together that is not the normal apple pie recipe that takes you from start to finish. Please click on the slide show to the right and bon appetit.

sum ct 411

2day lizzy said my blogs r borin of l8. so 2 becum kewl this 1 is in the kolest language 2 kids 2day -- texting.

we pikD apples on sun & will bgin wrk of peelN corN cutN & bakN AP & cobbler wed. y wed u ? mon ive 2 wrk n cut d grass. tues wev 2 go 2 spanish cls. dat leaves wed uc.

tammy, lizzy, & jaclyn r doin wel n skool. all 3 av colds. (id say dats y women r considered d weaker sex but thn I may b punished n get an even worse cold -- so i wont.)

da fall colors r gr8 dis yr. (c pix 2 d rt.) d acorns av bn fallN 4 wks -- 1 has 2 wear a hard hat 2go n d back yrd.

hope dis hasnt bn as borin 4u as sum of d last posts. if u need help transl8N wrds plz go2 lingo2words.com. bb 4 now.

FALL TIME at the CT Gangwer House

watching Sunday Football -- Go Pats!
.........raking the oAk leaves -- when they finally fall
....closing the pooL -- no more weekends floating and sunning
..........picking appLles -- to be used in pie and cobbler making

.....................posTing more blogs -- at least than this summer
...................layerIng our clothes and blankets -- thermostat at 64
......................AIMing for hours on end -- Lizzy not us
....................incrEasinging knowledge -- taking a Spanish 1 course

End of Summer Semantics

1. Vacation - a period of time devoted to pleasure, rest, or relaxation with pay that the CT Gangwers took with Tammy's parents in Fort Walton Beach, Florida from August 31 - September 7th (see pictures this page)
2. College - institution of higher learning located in Pensacola, Florida that Jaclyn is now attending as of September 7th to earn her bachelor's of science in nursing degree
3. Transition - change, often major that we are experiencing in the CT Gangwer household

The Sunless Summer

Well, at least for those of us in Connecticut, we have not had much summer-like weather. On the negative side has been the many rainy, cloudy days we have experienced making any outdoor activity spotty at best and pool time very rare. (I believe I have actually only immersed myself in the water 4 times for a total time of 4 minutes so far this summer as the water is very cold.) On the positive side, we have not had to use the air conditioner but once yet, the grass is Irish green, and our leaf lettuce has been growing much longer than normal.

As for what we have done so far this summer, I decided we would visit a different homemade ice cream shop once a week which we have done for the most part. Jordan and Justin spent 10 days with us with Tammy and Lizzy doing the entertaining. Jaclyn works about 5 days a week then tries to spend her days off with her friends. When not at work, yard work, reading the newspaper, doing its crossword puzzle, and just lounging around consumes my days.

As for future summer plans, Lizzy is going to Soulfest with some of her friends this week. We have not taken any vacation yet as we'll be spending a week at the beach before we drop Jaclyn off at school.

Blog you in the fall -- most likely.

Summer Time and the Living is Fine

All has returned to normal at the Gangwer household after the hecticness of graduation. School is out, and everyone is enjoying the lazy, hazy days of summer vacation -- which I might add --have not been very summer-like as of yet, as we have not had a day in the 90's since April and have had rain the last 9 out of 11 days.



Jaclyn is working 25 to 30 hours a week at a consignment shop to earn money to help pay f0r attending PCC this fall where she will be studying nursing. Lizzy is on the computer for hours on end when she is not doing her parentally required summer chores. Tammy has been doing CPR and first aid training at the school for the past 2 weeks but is looking forward to working just her weekend nursing job for the summer. When I get home from work, I try to get some floating time in --if the sun is out-- and then tend to the outside flora.

I am not sure how often the blog will get updated during the summer. But even if this is my last post until September, I will still be doing better than the Raffia Rhetoric.

A Milestone

grad·u·a·tion (noun)

a. Conferral or receipt of an academic degree or diploma marking completion of studies.
b. A ceremony at which degrees or diplomas are conferred; a commencement.

As promised in the earlier post, please see the pictures posted to the right of all the festivities.

Abandoned?

Lest thou think this blog has been forgotten, fret not. Jaclyn graduates this forthcoming Saturday, May 30 and had her Senior Banquet this erstwhile Friday, May 22.

Making preparations for these two big affairs has kept us busy forthwith. Rest assured that photographs will be placed herein posthaste after graduation day -- so don't brood thy little head off.

Spring Has Sprung in Southern New England

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then to the left of this post are tens of thousands of words shot by Lizzy for your enjoyment.

An Abbreviated Visit

This past Fri, Apr. 3rd, the CT Gangwers packed their bags into their SUV & left CT passing through MA & headed to NY to visit the Gangwers up N for the wkend. We arrived @ approx 7:30pm & spent time with the NYers watching tv & chatting. On Sat, Apr. 4th, we awoke to play with the youngest NY Gangwer for the am hrs. When nap time came, we were given a tour of the Plattsburgh area including the school @ which the NY Gangwers work (one as an IT guy & the other as a librarian) as well as a drive by their previous home & the Dannemora Prison. Later that Sat pm, the VT Gangwers along with the VT B's came over for dinner. On Sun, Apr. 5th we attended the contemp am church service, had lunch, then visited with the NY Gangwers until approx 2pm when we headed out of NY passed through MA & arrived back in CT @ approx 7pm.

The CT Gangwers thank the NY Gangwers for their hospitality. (Please see NY Trip photos posted on this blog for pics of our visit.)

A Page from Lauren's Blog

Well, my birthday is approaching, and I am due for my 516 month check-up -- which when I called in February to schedule was told would have to be September 21. (Think how long I would have to wait if we had socialized medicine.)

So rather than make you wait 7 months for my health stats, I (like one of my two favorite nieces recently did on her blog) thought I would share some statistics that I was able to figure out for myself. According to my internet search, I am in the 75th percentile for height and in the 50th percentile for weight.

I must also report that I am not as good as the aforementioned niece in that I still don't want to have barrettes or rubber bands placed in my hair by anyone (thought, much to mom's chagrin, I have enough hair to do so at times). Also unlike before said little one, my appearance has not changed at all in the past several years which is not good. I was hoping I would be improving with time like a fine bottle of wine, but alas, that is not to be. (That is the reason you don't see my picture posted with this particular blog. Don't want to scare anyone away).

Feel free to share your stats - especially if they are worse. I don't need you sharing if they are better. I am nearing the age when men are susceptible to having a mid-life crisis and don't need you to be setting mine off prematurely.

Tuanis

Well, everything is finally caught up at home and at work, and life has returned to normal here in CT. If you haven't visited the pictures of our trip posted at the left, please do so, and feel free to make comments on the pictures (or make fun of us as Rick did).

Since returning, I have been asked what was the best part of the trip. To which I reply, having to do nothing but wake up in the morning, pack our bags, and get on the bus. No decisions had to be made by us. We just went along for the ride enjoying the scenery, the food, and the planned stops/excursions. Mostly the trip was about the wildlife and plant life. We really did not have much interaction with the people other than as our tour guides or waiters. If you ever would want a more detailed review of the trip, just let me know. I don't won't to bore everyone else with details that they might not be interested in reading.

Apparently, I am the last man standing "so to blog." Randi's blog has not been updated since the Eagles were in the playoffs -- we'll have to see which comes first- an updated blog or the beginning of training camp. Rick is not doing any better with either of his blogs. One was last updated April 2007 -- maybe as a memorial to how life used to be before the financial meltdown hit us all; and the other one has Lauren lost in a time conundrum at the age of 17 months -- I believe she is now a junior in high school.

Pura Vida

Well, we are back and had a great time touring Costa Rica for 10 days from the Caribbean side to the Pacific side. I am looking forward to retirement 30 or so years from now when I can live every day like I lived the past ten.

I have posted almost all (Yep, you heard me right, ALMOST ALL - So I hope you have a lot of time) of the pictures we took in Costa Rica to two Picasa web albums. They are accessible by clicking on the slide show at the right of the blog. You can then click on the "My Photo" tab which will take you to all the albums where you will find Costa Rica 1 and Costa Rica 2 to peruse at your will.

Solo Bueno

A Synopsis Update

Now that everyone has had time to ponder my winter haiku's, and the laughter from my short story has died down (Which reminds me, Renee, feel free to place either or both the haiku's or the short story in your school library), a quick update on the happenings here.

In a nutshell. Lots of snow on the ground. Disappointed to see the Cardinals lose and Steelers win. The only really good Superbowl commercial was the talking babies for E-Trade. Chuck in 3D was not all that great. Did my taxes and owe the federal government money which I will pay because I am not a Democrat. Our trip to Costa Rica is coming up. Jaclyn, Lizzy, and Licorice will be spending time with their IL grandma. Jaclyn will then be visiting PCC with Rachelle and AJ; Lizzy and Licorice will be spending time with their VT cousins and grandparents. Spring will then be near, followed quickly by summer, and then fall. Then before you know it, another year will have passed by, but I am getting ahead of myself.

For now, the above happenings in a nutshell will have to suffice. But before I finish, I would like to add that if you are named Randi or Rick, you should be updating your own blogs instead of wasting precious time reading this. Okay, I am now finished. Until we blog again.....adios.

A Short Story

A Progression of New England Winter Haikus

1. The first winter snow
Sparkles like diamonds in light
Colors the world white

2. Winter time up north
Snowball fights and forts, sledding,
And snowman making

3. Yet another storm
Slow and slippery driving
Salt and sludge caked car


4. Please say it ain’t so
More snow falling yet again
I hate shoveling

Are You Ready for Some More Football

Okay, it has been awhile since I last blogged, and I am breaking my stance of not doing a new blog until I heard from everyone for my last blog; however, it isn't right to punish all for one person's failure. (Robin, if you are reading this, you have to stop now until you tell me your answer to my last blog.)

This blog is going to be short and to the point. "GO EAGLES!!" (this Sunday, January 11th), or "GO CARDINALS!!" (next week). Now you might ask if I am a die-hard fan of either of these teams to which I would reply,"No, I am a Patriots' fan." Enough said.

ADDENDUM: "YEAH EAGLES!!!!" My prediction for the Superbowl is that it will be for one of the birds.

ADDENDUM 2: Robin is now cleared to read the rest of this and all future blogs as she has finally given her answer to the last blog -- albeit, almost a month late.