Our Bronco’s made us proud—this IS a good year!! It’s been way too long and we’ve cheered them on through the retirement/injury/trade/whatever of Elway, Mecklinberg, Rominowski, Portis, TD, Kennison, etc., etc. AND we’ve watched as Jake the Snake came into his own.

In the philosophy of the great Floyd Frieden, we won’t put ourselves out there too far, and we will be proud win or lose. BUT a good battle with the Bears in Detroit would be THE BEST!

We say, GO BEARS– GO BETTER BRONCO’S!!!

Mary and Beason Joe

Just a quick note to remind everyone that Doris’ (65th) birthday is coming up on the 22nd. I know she would be happy to hear from you (either by phone or card)! We are going to have a SURPRISE party for her on the 22nd at Mary’s new place. If you are reading this and can make it, let me know. I will get you more details. If you can’t make it, it would be nice if you could send her a card. I know she would love it!

Talk to you soon!

Love Always
Jeanie

i’m sorry, iowa. i didn’t mean those things i said. i was sad, and hurting. i shouldn’t have said it. you are a fine place, iowa. oh, iowa, don’t cry. you’re pretty.

Why do I cry? I cry for you Illini. A crushing defeat. And to Iowa. Iowa!???!? Let’s review. Illinois sits comfortably in the Midwest. So does Iowa. Illinois has cows and hogs and corn and beans. So does Iowa. Both states are named after their native American ancestors. And you can hit a deer on I-80 in either state. Illinois hides weapons of mass destruction in nuclear silos. So does Iowa. Illinios has the mighty Mississippi. But it shares it with Iowa. Although, Illinois levees it, so Iowa floods. Illinois has the historical Springfield. And Iowa has Des Moines. We have Chicago, Chi-town, an actual urban center. They do have Keakuk. (Where??). We beat Iowa (the 29th State) when we became the 21st. We are the land of Lincoln. They don’t even HAVE a slogan. And we have a whole president (and that’s not even Counting Regan). The Great Emancipator. Which, of course, we’d need more, since 92.6% of Iowans look exactly the same. But mainly, we are the mighty fighting Illini. And we lost to the silly Hawkeyes. And frankly. It’s embarrassing.

1) 2006 New Years Resolution: I don’t usually make them either, but I did decide to make a few lifestyle changes here and there. I’ve, um, broken them all already. But I still have 359 days to get it right. yea!

2) What was your 2005 New Years Resolution? How’d that work out for ya? Last year I had a general resolution of changing the way I approached things. From a spiritual perspective. You know, try to talk positively in tough situations. Try not to fly off the deep end over little stuff. Just sort of general “good citizenship” as Isaac would say. I guess it worked out alright. Not perfect! Could have been worse. I didn’t know the kind of year it would be when I set the resolution, but I guess that someone must have known what I would need. I’m glad I picked that one last year.

3) Highlight of 2005: There were a number of them. They all involved special times w/ Joe & my big crazy fam. There are a couple that stand out a little, but the truth is, it was the very nearly constant times we had together this year that made it so special. It wasn’t like any other year in my adult life. In a lot of ways, it was like we were kids again.

4) What you are looking forward to most in 2006: baby girl frieden.

5) Hello 2006, I love you already because … you are a new year. I love new years. A whole 365 days to do with what I can. 52 weeks to take on the world at work. 52 new weekends to look forward to.

oh, p.s., did anybody watch the Dee Brown show at Assembly Hall last night? I’m sorry Carver Hawkeye arena, but on Saturday, you’ll be Dee’s house.

1) I really don’t believe in New Year Resolutions..so I did not make one for 2006. In a generic sense, I have been taught by a very good redheaded teacher..that every Holida Season is a time for “renewing your hope”. I have done that this year…and I am full of HOPE for 2006.

2) As per above, I did not make a resolution in 2005…and as you can guess….my Hope was tested to it’s absolute limit..in 2005.

3) No question..the highlight of the year was when I heard that Rob and Kristin were pregnant.

4) I am looking forward to babies….they are an important part of YOUR life..they will be a fun part of mine..you all need one.

5) The new little girl….she is coming soon…she will be beautiful….she will be a blank page….she will carry the hopes of all of her ancestors…she may look like her redheaded grandma…she will be loved.

DAD

1) 2006 New Years Resolution:
I usually don’t make New Year’s Resolutions, but this year, standing on a chilly, rainy balcony in London, watching the sky light up with fireworks, I thought that I would resolve to travel more. So, there you go.

2) What was your 2005 New Years Resolution? How’d that work out for ya?
Like I said, I don’t usually make resolutions, but last year I thought it would be good if I would focus for a while on trying not to be so hateful. Not my greatest success, really.

3) Highlight of 2005:
Getting hired at my first real-life, grown-up job, with a real salary (that I negotiated- Thanks, Dad!) and real benefits and everything.

4) What you are looking forward to most in 2006:
Growing up. Some more.
Oh, and also baseball season. Bring it on, Astros.

5) Hello 2006, I love you already because …
Because I get to see at least one member of my family like every day, I live in a nice house, I have a job and a car to drive to it, and there is a little puppy face happy to see me every day when I get home. I have it pretty darn good. 2005 tried to tell me that none of that matters, but 2006 reminded me that those are the greatest gifts ever. So, thanks, 2006. Later on we can take 2005 out to the woodshed for a little come-to-Jesus.

Ok, time for another blog poll…

1) 2006 New Years Resolution:

2) What was your 2005 New Years Resolution? How’d that work out for ya?

3) Highlight of 2005:

4) What you are looking forward to most in 2006:

5) Hello 2006, I love you already because …