Happy New Year.

Happy New Year.

Canole Family Christmas Letter 2008

(If hearing about other people's kids and dogs makes you sick to your stomach, feel free to skip this one...)

It was a big year for Little Man. The Little Dude has grown and changed so much. He is easily the smartest and cutest baby in his daycare class (possibly ever). Although he's only 14 months, Little Man is eating Cheerios at a 2 year-old level.

Right now he's got 6 teeth (4 on top, 2 on bottom) and one more coming through. Unless his teeth are really bothering him, Little Man sleeps through the night. Mom and Dad appreciate this.

Jen enjoyed a variety of cheeses this year. Jen got Pat to sign up for Facebook. Also, she worked and mommed full time for most of the year (that must be exhausting!).

Pat managed not to break any bones this year. He ran his first 5K, and celebrated his 15th high school reunion with a few people he kinda remembered.

Daisy is enjoying Little Man. I can't imagine what a full diaper would smell like if my nose was 10,000 times more powerful, but Daisy seems to enjoy it.

Happy holidays. Thanks for listening.

See you in the '09.

- Pat

"What is Walden Pond?"

For the second time in my life, I guessed the answer to the Final Jeopardy question based on the category alone on Monday (American Literary Sites).

The answer, for those of you that need to bother with such things, was "In the 20th century it became a popular recreation site, with crowds of 25,000; its most famous visitor might disapprove." There was even a photo.

In my mind, this is a major accomplishment. I couldn't be prouder of myself.

Portal Sync

On Saturday we had our new front door installed at the Canole Homestead. It's pretty awesome.

If I had known how much quieter and warmer the new door would make the living room, I would have pushed to get this project done a lot sooner. Between the more modern materials, better insulation and losing the mail slot, the drafts are waaaay down. Apparently, there was NO insulation around our old door.

(photo by J. Canole)

And it only takes one hand to close it! You used to have to lean on the old door with all your weight and flip the deadbolt to get it to close.

Somebody already took the old door away. I propped it up against the tree in the front yard and it was gone later that afternoon. I hope whoever grabbed it had some help, because that thing was heavy. I don't really have the time or the means to refurb it, but I hope it finds a good home.

Up next on the home improvement project list: the gross area around the rear door.

UNION ALL

Much to my surprise, I went to my 15 year high school reunion last Friday. It was OK.

Only a few people showed up. Most of them haven't aged well. I was amazed by how many people I didn't recognize. (That might be partially my fault though... parenting seems to eat away at brain cells...)

I was glad I went. I had a better time than I thought I would. I chatted with a few people I wouldn't normally get the chance to talk to. And I think I've aged better than most.

But $6 for a beer? What the hell, people? If I'm paying that much for beer, I want to see a sporting event or people taking their clothes off.