Maria has been asking for a puppy for well over a year and a half, and I finally agreed. I want to introduce everyone to our new little puppy, Nala. Nala is an 11 week old Shi Tzu, with a happy tempermant, and an overactive bladder.
After quite a bit of research, we bought Nala from a breeder in Eden Valley, MN over the weekend. We actually went to look at one of her littermates, who ended up being sick, and not for sale any longer.
Now for the fun work of getting her housetrained!

As you all know by now, the Twins didn't fare so well over the weekend. We were at the game on Friday when they lost 8-4. We ended up leaving an inning early because Maria didn't feel well, but the game ended up pretty much the same. Oh well, another year, another loss to the Yankees :(.

Taking the bus to Mars!

Teresa and Liv took the car off to make a college visit today. I stayed behind for me to take care of Koko (or was it the other way around?). So I took the opportunity to take a bus ride to Mars!





Just this week the Science Museum of Minnesota has opened a new movie - "Mars 3D" produced locally by Twist Films of Minneapolis. It gives you a ringside seat at the launch of the rovers, and 3D images captured by the rovers' cameras on the surface of Mars - pretty impressive stuff - worth the bus ride downtown!

I have to admit I hadn't even been in the long-since-re-opened downtown library, so I got to chance to do that too - it is great! There was also some kind of Twins fan rally going on on Kellogg Blvd. - downtown St. Paul is a happening place! (And I only had to pay ONE fare, since I made my trip and visits within the transfer time limit!)

Twins vs. Yanks - Game 3

At the last minute my boss at CarSoup.com where I work realized he had two extra tickets to the Twins Division Playoff Game 3 tonight versus the Yankees. He called me into his office and gave them to me as a thank you for all my hard work lately. Woohoo - go twins! Full report on the game later!

Jacque Jones points skyward in tribute to his father after hitting his home run to put the Twins ahead 2-0 in Game 1 of the series with the Yankees. Jones's Homer Means More Than Just a Run for the Twins

Twins game suspended?

Dad and I went to the Twins game on Saturday against the Cleveland Indians. The game was closely fought with the Twins falling behind every couple of innings, only to fight back to a tie. The game ended up going to extra innings after the Twins tied the Indians once again in the eighth inning. They played the 10th and 11th innings, only to anncounce after the 11th that no inning can start after 2:30 when a game is scheduled that night. The game was suspended. Since when does a college football game take precedence over a Major League baseball game with playoff significance?

The Twins and Indians ended up finishing the game the next day, with the Twins winning in the 12th inning. They lost the next game to the Indians to set up a playoff division with the Yankees, just like last year. Hopefully we'll have a better outcome this year.

Passing lights on Stratford Circle, Shakopee, MN.

Prime Number Time

Happy Birthday, Paul!
You should have 53 candles... or 8.
Have a great day.
Nancy

Happy Birthday, Paul

Have a Kubb-erific day!

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(supposed to be a Kubb "King" with a candle on it...)

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         (_____|_____) 

  

Yes! Happy Birthday Tom and Lynda!! (belated as it may be.....)

September 24th is here and passed...

Missed the twentyfourth somehow
But still there's time to say
"May this year bring the very best
Of everything your way!"

Happy belated birthday to Lynda and Tom!
May today be a special day too.... and tomorrow
and tomorrow... and tomorrow.
Love, Nancy (Mom)

tennis tourny

this weekend I have been playing in a tennis tournament out at 98th street. it has been a lot of fun. my first match was against andrew lee. he plays for eden prairie and is in the top 10, maybe even top 5 in state. he won the first set 6-1 and the second set 6-4. I think i should have won the second set. I had break points to go up 4-2 and 5-3 in the second set but it just didnt work out. then on friday night I played chris williams. he is the south dakota state champion, but that actually isnt sayin too much. I was beating him 3-2 in the first set and he defaulted because he said his hip was bothering him, and he didnt want to reinjure it. this morning I played corey paluch from south dakota. he is pretty good. I won the first set 6-3 and lost the second set 1-6. then we played a super tie-breaker instead of a third set. a super tie-breaker is up to 10 points instead of 7. i was losing 3-7 but I came back. he had match points at 8-9 and 9-10 but I saved them both and won 12-10. then I played mike eastman from edina. I was up 5-2 in the first set and somehow managed to play so poorly that I eventually lost it in a tie breaker4-7. then I went up 5-2 in the second set, but I managed to close it out and win it 6-2. after that we played a super tie-breaker to decide the third set. I was winning the whole time, but it was close towards the end. I won it 10-7. tomorrow morning I play paul rothman from highland park senior high school. I have never played him in an actual match, but I have played several sets against him. I think we are 3 and 3 against each other, so it should be a good match. peace.

Wow!

That is a great story, Nancy. I hope the Clothes Corner appreciates all you went through! Having been to IKEA twice, my only question is why you left with an empty stomach... the only thing I do there is eat at their cheap cafeteria.

I want to tell you before you hear it on the news...

Yesterday was a busy day...I grabbed a few grapes on my way out the door for breakfast.
I dropped off the minivan at the body shop to have the bumper replaced and got a cute little chevy cavalier to drive for the day. From there I went to the Mall of America for a few errands and a brisk walk. It was getting a bit late, I was hungry (I’m working on an excuse, you see,) so I was trying to work my way quickly through IKEA. When I got to the "As Is" area with my 5 pillows I saw an interesting rolling cart that I thought would be usedful for "Clothes Corner." It was about 3' x 3' x 2'. As I rolled it out to the parking lot with my other purchases, it suddenly struck me... there was that "cute little" cavalier sitting there, not my minivan. It wouldn’t fit in the trunk; it wouldn’t fit in the back seat. There are no screwdrivers or pliers in a rental car and no, the handle of the car jack will not loosen screws. (I tried) I was feeling so foolish by this time. I couldn’t get any of the screws loose and I was starving. It was about 4:15. I ate half the package of Anna’s cookies I had bought, but it didn’t give me any ideas. I tried to call a friend to bring me a screwdriver, but she wasn’t home; neither was Mark. I tried to flag down a police car, but he didn’t see me. I got the tray off but the frame still would not fit. I ended up putting the U-shaped thing in the trunk, with only one side inside. The other two parts were sticking up in the air like a bike rack. The only thing I had to fasten the trunk was the ribbon from my Hershey kisses received at Kristen’s wedding. Finally, I carefully headed for home, but woe, it was not to be. In rush hour traffic headed north on 77 (Cedar) I hit a bump, the ribbon tore, the trunk flew open and the cart frame tumbled out. This is the part for which I am so grateful. It landed wheels down and went sailing across the right and left lanes of traffic and into the median without hitting a car and causing a terrible accident. I saw it all in the rearview mirror. I, of course, pulled off the road, waited for a lull in traffic, crossed to the median and walked back to pick it up. I was so grateful, as I said, but I was also so-o-o-o embarrassed to be walking with this frame over my shoulder, trying to be nonchalant!! That particular stretch of road is always bumper to bumper at 4:45, as people are trying to get on 62 crosstown, so it took several minutes before the traffic broke enough for me to get back across to my car. I hunkered down behind the car and discovered that the bolts had become loosened enough by the mishap to allow me to get one end off. I shoved it into the back seat and headed for home. At first, I wasn’t going to tell anybody, but I haven’t put anything on the blog for so long that I thought, "This is just the thing." Have any of you had someone tell you, "I saw the funniest thing on Cedar last night?" Or "I almost got hit by a rolling cart....?" Nancy

On Sunday afternoon we got together to celebrate the birthdays of Paul, Janelle and Tom. Here they are while blowing out their candles (or right after in Janelle's case). Happy Birthday all - and of course happy birthday to those not in the Twin Cities area!

Ivan was terrible...

Hey everyone,
Thought I'd let you know how it went when TS Ivan came through on Thurs. afternoon. It rained extremely heavy around 5-6 pm, and the creek in our yard came out of its banks. It was pretty tense watching approach the house, but it didn't make it. Fortunately, our basement stayed dry and we never lost power. Others in the neighborhood weren't so lucky. Today is beautiful and cool and I have been picking up sticks and greenleaves in the yard. Have fun, and avoid hurricanes, if possible.

J.

Aron Ralston @ Barnes & Noble

Maria, her mother and I went to Barnes and Noble in Edina last night for the speech and book signing by Aron Ralston. You may have heard of Aron last year when his story came out in the press about his ordeal in Blue John Canyon, Utah.


He was on a hike in a slot canyon when his right arm became pinned by a large boulder. He was trapped. After 6 days of being stuck, in desperation he ended up having to cut off his own arm. Then, despite losing blood fast, he rappelled down a cliff the equivalent of a 7 story building, and hiked out 7 miles until he found help, and his salvation, in a rescue helicopter.

His story is a compelling one, and I urge you, if you haven?t already, to read his book.



Halfway through Aron's story last night, Mom showed up to say hi. It was nice to see you mom!

milk sign picture

Here is my milk sign picture from the state fair. Nobody saw it because they stuck it over by the baked goods...oh well, hope you like it!

Waiting for Ivan

Hey everybody,
It's been a while since I blogged but I thought you'd like to hear about the hurricanes down here. Last week was Frances (which was actually a tropical depression when it got to us). Heavy rain and wind the night of Labor Day, 10 hours without power on Tues., schools closed, leaves and sticks all over the yard, but no major damage and flooding for us, but numerous trees down in the area.

Ivan should get here this afternoon, just raining lightly here now. A lot of schools were closed today, but not Lynda's. We have 2 Lithuanian women staying with us, part of a delegation of educators -- they're getting more excitement than they were expecting.

Hey maybe the Twins and Braves will meet again...

J.

Twins Win!

Maria and I, along with her parents went to the Twins Game last night. I got the tickets to the game, along with passes to a hospitality tent at the last minute through my work. We ate our fill of brats, chicken and cookies in the hospitality tent.

We then proceeded to watch the Twins, and Johan Santana, destroy the White Sox inside the dome 10-2. The magic number is now 8! Above is a copy of the buttons they were handing out at the game. Cy Young all the way for Santana!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Janelle! See you Sunday!

Thanks

Thank you for all your birthday wishes, and thanks for your sympathies for my grandfather. See you all soon.

Janelle

Happy Birthday, Janelle!

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                  ....Treasure!

September 13 - Not just another day

Happy Birthday, Janelle!
Have a great day and enjoy every minute of your birthday.
You're so young, I can't even make any over-the-hill remarks.
It's great having you in the family! Nancy

Maria's State Fair Post.. typed by Pete

Here are a couple of pictures from our day at the fair on Labor Day. We had a great time visiting the Miracle of Birth barn, which is maria's favorite each year. We saw lambs, piglets, calves, ducklings and chickies.. We had a great time! Love, Maria


One of the lambs at the Miracle of Birth Barn

Sunset on the Midway

A view of the ferris wheel and downdraft ride at sunset on the Midway..

I posted this picture using the picture blogging software at hello.com. Everyone should check it out for an easy way to post pictures on the blog! (this includes you stevie! 

Fair to partly cloudy

Mark and I had quite a day at the fair. We hoped that we had arrived early enough to buy a root beer from Liv... we hadn’t. We shared Tom Thumb donuts and had an ice cream cone in the dairy building. We enjoyed the 4-H exhibits, especially photos and restored tractors. There was a ford truck the same age as Mark. The creative activities building is a perennial favorite for me. Joel and George’s pictures were very intriguing; then we looked for the chocolate chip cookies, but couldn’t find Matt’s picture. We saw the fair’s largest pumpkin... 733 pounds, a new variety of apple developed by the U of M and other wonderful things, like the vest they have developed which helps people with cystic fibrosis to breathe. Fortunately, I had picked up an AARP bag and was able to use it to protect me from the downpour of rain. Our last stop was the animal barns where I learned a lot. Did you know a pullet is a young hen, usually under a year old? Or that a cockerel is a young rooster? We saw beautiful fowl with such unusual patterns and colors. The next day when we were at the Noerenberg Gardens on Lake Minnetonka, we saw a foxglove flower with the same kind of markings as the birds at the fair. Ah, the beauty of creation! Have y'all been there? We should go together sometime. Nancy

camping in ely with the youthgroup

tom and I went camping at rock ridge camp with our youth group. it was fun. we swam and canoed and everything like that. here are some pictures of us having tons of fun.

"We Don't Need No Education"

I am pleased as punch that the fair is over. There's only so much time trapped in a barrel a body can stand. Precisely 84 hours. I am thrilled that the fair is over, even if that means school starting. But, as it is for Stevie, it is my senior year, so that's peachy keen. In fact, school was almost, dare I say, enjoyable today. Well, I did get some homework, and have quite a tough year ahead, but still, it'll be a good time.
Hopefully none of my colloquialisms was inappropriately used. For now, Livvi'i

Minnesota State Fair

Maria and I are off to the state fair this weekend.. If anyone else is there, maybe we'll see you there. Here we come pronto pups, cheese curds and any number of assorted fried foods on a stick!

My Fair Entry...

Well, both Matt and I entered the "computer generated image, framed and matted" category at the Creative Activities building. Matt's friend George also entered. George got second place, and I got third and Matt got displayed ...

...by the chocolate chip cookies :(

Here's a link to my picture. The rocket I added to Van Gogh's painting is from a photo of a real one Liv built and launched for Science Fair projects:

September 2

Well, Stevie, it could be worse... tomorrow could be your eighth out of twelve days in a root beer barrel.

Liv worked an extra three hours last night as a volunteer at a certain political booth that shall remain nameless due to Anderson blog regulations. Strangely enough, after a half hour on the job, she was chosen to be interviewed by channel 29 news. She did a good job discussing young women and voting, and no one seemed to notice that she wasn't old enough to vote.

the last day of my life

tomorrow is the first day of my senior year. yikes. alright, that is about all I have to say. peace.

Note to Janelle, Matt & Family

I'm so sorry, Janelle, about your dear Papang. Mark and I really enjoyed visiting with your grandparents when they were at your home. After everyone else left, we talked for about an hour with them. They were both very sweet, both to us and to each other. I remember him with fondness. Love, Nancy

Your family is in our prayers

Janelle,

we're sorry to hear about your grandfather. I know how hard it is to lose someone who means so much to your family like that.. Your family is in our prayers

Grandfather

My grandfather passed away last night. Dear Papang. He used to go fishing with Uncle Fred.

Blame your brother!

He's the one who jinxed you with that picture!

We're sorry to hear that, Stephen. I hope you are okay and don't let it get you down too much. I had this happen once when Norris was little - Teresa, Norris and I were stopped at a sign and the woman behind me decided I should be moving and started forward. There wasn't any damage (though Norris was crying in his car seat). I thought we should just exchange insurance info and move on, but the woman insisted on having a sheriff check things out (in case I pulled out an old wreck and claimed she smashed into it, I guess). Funny thing was, when the sheriff came she got a ticket for having expired license tabs!

so much for driving

today I got rear-ended by a green minivan as I dutifully made a complete stop at a stop sign. the street was wet and slippery, and the stop sign is at the bottom of a hill, so the lady had trouble stopping I guess. it wasnt my fault at all, I promise. it must sound pretty ridiculous that I already got into a car accident after having my license for only three days. I am kind of embarrassed about it, but I dont think I really have any reason to be. there really wasnt anything I could have done about it. this whole experience really has taken the thrill out of driving.

Driving

Congrats, Stevie! I'm sure you're a wonderful driver. And just remember you're only *CURRENTLY* the last Anderson of your generation to get his/her license. I've knit a baby blanket for a potential future niece or nephew, but it would be a LONG time 'til he/she takes their driving test!

Oh no, he can drive?

uh oh - you got your license? clear the roads, up go the insurance rates! Look out here he comes!



just kidding of course..:)

I am the last anderson to get his/her license

well liv I guess you beat me. congrats. its all good though, we still chili, I got mine this morning.

Pictures from a trip

(Click above for some pictures and notes from our trip)

On the lam in Bean-Town!

On Sunday we got back from our whirlwind tour of Boston - it was a good trip. In my case "good" means "not cooling my heels in a jail cell."

We took off in staggered order. Liv and Teresa had frequent-flyer tickets and left first, I followed on a different plane. Once they landed they jumped in a taxi and high tailed it to BU, as they had an appointment for a tour and visit. They traveled with carry-on luggage only. (Norris didn't come till the next day.)

Meanwhile, I arrived, collected my bag and threaded my way by bus and three subway lines to Harvard, to stop at Teresa's cousin Emmie's place. I had (barely adequete) directions to the place, and less than adequete instructions on where to find the key and no instructions on how to get in. (We'd been there once, about 8 years ago.)

"Keys in 2x4 cubby hole on back porch".

This lead to wandering back of the place (a brownstone-ish apartment-become-condo's near Harvard.) I spotted the porch. The porch had no access (up a level, no entrance, no stairs). I wandered around some more and found no access to the porch. Finally I realized the porch had a small notch (a cub hole?) formed where two 2x4's intersected. Found a baggy with keys by reaching up and feeling around in it.

Got in the front door and discovered that knowing I was looking for "unit 1B" didn't help; there were no labels.

"Ah - the porch was on the left side. HERE is a door on the left side! I'll try that!"

After trying every key (including the car key) I fumbled around some more, until a white-haired man brandishing a cane popped out of a side door.

"Why are you trying to break into my apartment!?!?! I'm calling the police!"

I stammered out an explanation, tried to offer my ID, only to have him reply "I'm calling the police!" and then disappear again.

I left a panicky cell phone message for Teresa and Liv (I had Teresa's phone) then called one of Emmie's friends, who explained carefully how to thread my way back to the right door (go right, then left down a hall, then left again then right then left).

THEY (Teresa and Liv) claim I was jumpy and on the alert for the fuzz the rest of the trip... but I think I was perfectly cool.

Downtown St Paul

We were in downtown St. Paul last night for the Bush 2004 Rally at the Excel Center and then for a picnic at Harriet Island for the Builder's Club (which Maria's parents, who are homebuilders, belong to) While we were there i snapped this photo of St Paul at dusk.. It really is a beautiful city.

happy birthday!

happy birthday liv!

Happy Birthday Liv

Happy Golden Birthday Liv from the Andersons of Elliot Avenue
Nancy,Stevie and I spent last week visiting family in Illinois. Tom came down for the week end . The boys and I came home Sunday so I could attend a curriculum workshop and
Tom could go to work. Nancy was able to stay for a few more days. I just talked to her and she told me about the neat Spanish birthday card she got for you Liv. She says the card is in Minneapolis but she doesn't know where. So be patient please.

Anderson Alert! Our August 28 swimming party at the knoblauchs is being being postphoned until further notice. Bill left a message that indicated that he will be fishing in Canada that week.

A Happy Birthday Vote for Livvi'i!

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     Happy Golden       |   |   Birthday Liv!!!! 

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        our vote!       |   | 

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                        L___| 

 

The Elroy-Sparta Bike Trail

Janelle and I rode on the Elroy-Sparta bike trail this weekend. It is famous for its old train tunnels. I rode on this trail with John, Lynda, Mae and Ingrid back in 1992.

Today I am a ham!

Well, playing with my little Radio Free Klingon set wasn't enough. Actually, it gave me the impetus to finally go ahead and get my radio amateur license.

This morning I drove up to Blaine to a monthly exam session run by the Anoka Radio Club. I wasn't sure if I was reading my directions correctly, but I looked ahead and realized I was following a truck with 6 different antennas - I was on the right track! And, it turned out that I could have carpooled as a neighbor, who recently got his license, showed up to take an advanced exam.

My studying paid off, and I passed the exam (it isn't too hard), and I stopped on the way home to pick up a radio:

Now I just have to wait for the FCC to process my paperwork - then I'll have a call sign and permission to transmit to other amateurs - till then I'll be figuring out how to use the radio.

2004 Christian Ashram

Over the weekend our family (including Maria's parents, and Tom's girlfriend Beckie) went to the 20th annual Minnesota Christian Ashram at St John's University in Collegeville, MN (near St Cloud). We had a wonderful spirit filled time over the days that we were there. And of course we overate at their wonderful buffet. I think I gained 20 pounds!

On Saturday afternoon all of us (except Stevie) walked out to the Stella Maris Chapel that sits on the shore of the lake on campus. I proposed to Maria on that spot 3 years ago, and now we showed everyone where the big proposal had happened. We also took a group photo on the steps of the chapel. Here it is:



UPDATE:

Since i didn't include a picture of Stevie before, here is a photo of him performing for everyone at the talent show with his good friend John Robert.

More on AARP (we old folks tend to repeat ourselves)

Maybe some of us consider being forced to look at gorgeous 50-year-old movie stars a downside to membership. AND, who needs cheap motel rooms when you can stay with relatives? Speaking of staying with relatives...

Liv, Joel, and I planned a four-day college trip to the Boston area in the middle of the month. This simple, utilitarian trip just keeps evolving, however, and the college search is now a minor sidenote. After I contacted my two first-cousins-once-removed in the area, one insisted we spend two days with them at his mother-in-law's house on Martha's Vineyard, and the other was going to be on vacation herself, but offered us her car and Harvard Square apartment. We've accepted everything but the car! (having driven in Boston before). And when Norris heard about MV, he had to join the trip. Between the four of us, to accommodate schedules and frequent flyer free tickets, we are flying out on three different flights, hoping to eventually meet up with each other.

I'll try not to break Emmy's lamp.

growing old...

Hey everyone,
Before we start bashing AARP on this site, remember there might actually be some MEMBERS of AARP reading. Actually, it comes with many benefits including discounts on motel rooms, and a great magazine with pictures on the cover of celebrities turning 50 (e.g., Cybil Shepherd, Kevin Spacey). And a great organization that is looking out for the interests of the old and near-old. As Grandpa Simpson would say "Gimme, gimme, gimme, I'm old..."
J.

Dedicated to Nancy

Yes, I do have a little radio station, and yes, it does broadcast (narrowcast?) to the yard - actually as high as the second story and from the alley to the front sidewalk, if you're lucky. It has been very nice sitting out in the yard and listening to a wide variety of music.

I don't take any phone-in requests, but in the 400+ songs I have a couple of Gustavus Adolphus college songs (from a CD Paul has). If you like, we can say "Children of the Heavenly Father" is dedicated to you!

Not interesting maybe, but I'm interested...

I always enjoy your great pictures and interesting posts.
Ingrid, when my family visited Rocky Mt. Nat'l Park my brother Pete was frustrated that I kept wanting to stop to see and photograph the beautiful flowers in the lovely alpine meadows. "If you've seen one flower, you've seen them all." I didn't let him discourage me...
Joel, do you seriously have a radio station that only travels 200 yards? Do you have call-in shows? Do you take requests? When I was in high school, I had a song dedicated to me anonymously. The song was "Big Bad John." I never quite knew how to feel about that...
Liv, I'm happy you're back safely from Chicago. Bless you for going.
Well, family... this is the second time I tried to post this. If it doesn't work, I'm going to bed. If it does work, I'm also going to bed. Good night. Have a great week. Nancy

Officially old...

Although my 50-year-old friends mentioned getting their AARP cards in the mail, I had not received one, and thought perhaps the board of directors remembered our clash back in '85 after my "Newsweek" editorial. But, lo and behold, it came just this week. The following is a picture of me burning it (slightly enhanced, as it just smoldered in a rather unsatisfying manner).

Mission Trip

Hey! I got back yesterday from a mission trip to Chicago. It was a really good experience but very different from last year. There were about 10 mission sites that YouthWorks goes to in Chicago, but the two that my crew went to were quite the challenge for me. In the mornings my crew went to Esperanza School, a school for mentally challenged kids ages 7-21. Then in the afternoons we volunteered with a group called Block Club that's working to make neighborhoods safer and cleaner and everything else. Our task was to clean garbage from the streets. Other groups in the past weeks planted little gardens or cleaned up alleys so that dealers would move out. A lot of Block Club's goal is to push dealers out and Maggy showed us quite a few of her success stories. ----Livvi'i

Cruising on the St Croix

On Sunday Maria, her parents and I all went on a cruise on the St Croix river.  We boarded in Stillwater for the 3 hour cruise (no we didn't end up on a deserted island with gilligan and the professor).  We cruised down until about Hudson.  While we motored we were served an all you can eat buffet of chicken, ribs, potatoes, bread and fruit.  It was a relaxing, and filling, afternoon. 

Here we are before disembarking.

50th birthdays

I spent three days on the North Shore with three friends from high school to celebrate our 50th birthdays (all in the spring).  We did a little hiking and a lot of eating.  We made fools of ourselves, trying to take pictures of ourselves everywhere... you'd think we'd never been out of the house before! The following picture was taken by a passing stranger on the boardwalk in Duluth when we saw the "50" on the red marker. Unfortunately, shortly after this happy scene, I threw my back out (riding home in the car!) and ended up in Urgent Care that night.

Radio Free Klingon!

Now on the air!

There was an interesting article in the paper (actually both Minneapolis and St. Paul) last week all about the Radio Re-Volt project for microbroadcasting. The Walker is holding workshops and giving out FM radio transmitters. Sounded interesting to me, and I found where to buy one, so I've set up my own "home radio station". The Radio Free Klingon mix runs from Country to Rock to anything I found on the computer I'm using to spin the tunes. So far all my listeners are raving! (all two of them!)

Colorado Photos

Hey y'all. 
Here are some photos from a hiking trip my botanist friend and I took after the evolution meetings in June.  We were in the Rocky Mountain National Park.  It would have been helpful to have a geologist and a zoologist along with us, since there were lots of cool rocks around, and large mammals (moose and elk?). 
Ingrid





Elephant head, Pedicularis groendlandica


Trout lily, Erythronium grandiflorum

WoW!!!

today I visited ikea with tom and his gf, rebecca.  it was really fun.  I love ikea.  we swedes sure are pretty cool.  there were lamps for like 3 bucks.  it was love at first light.  I just made that up,  pretty clever huh?  I feel like my mom right now.  anyways, it was a very nice store.  there were many great deals.  I am all tuckered out from all of the fun I had earlier, so I cant really give too much more information right now.  goodnight. 
stevie.

Hi Everybody!

Hi Everybody!
It has been so long since I have read the blog. The blogger site is differnet. (I like my misspelling).
I gave 2 units of platelets today and got my 8 gallon pin. I joined Paul F. Anderson on the "Distinguished Donor" board, although I’ll never be able to catch up with him. He’s under the ELEVEN GALLON category!
Mark and I have been down to Illinois and back. We were busy the whole time. On July 3rd we watched the fireworks from my sister’s front deck. The next night we viewed them from the Galva cemetery. Because the town is 150 years old (sister city of Gavla, Sweden), they had wonderful fireworks. Some I hadn’t seen before.
Mark worked hard all week helping my parents and sister by scraping, painting, gardening, cleaning, recycling, screening and weeding. He planted tomato plants for my parents, since they didn’t manage to get a garden in.
On Thursday, my dad had cataract surgery. The next day he was able to go out for lunch with us at Bishop Hill (Jan, Dad, Mom, Mark and I). We left for home from there, visiting Jenny Lind Chapel in Andover, IL, the oldest Augustana Lutheran Church in the U.S. The Swedish singer gave $1500 to build it in 1850. It doesn’t have a steeple because they had to use the wood for coffins during a terrible cholera epidemic. Suddenly, I’ve become the Swedish historian...
    I enjoyed reading about everybody, your trips and pictures. Congratulations, Maria on your new job. It sounds like it will be a good fit for you.
    Liv, it sure made me nervous to see you on top of that pyramid. You’d never get me to put my legs over the abyss. Was it really as high as it looked?
Thanks, Teresa and Joel, for the fun picnic on Father’s day. I enjoy reading your submissions also, Stevie, though you didn’t explain too much about the party (-ies) you had while we were gone! I hope he or Tom will tell you all about Salt Lake City so I can hear about it, too!
Hope to see y’all soon. That includes the Hoosiers and New Yorkers of the family, too.
Everybody’s pictures were terrific. Mark took some good pics while we were in Illinois. Maybe he’ll post one. Love to all, Nancy

Congrats Maria on your new job!

I just wanted to write a quick note to let everyone know that Maria just got a new job! She will be working as an assistant to one of the pastors at Grace Church of Eden Prairie. For those of you who don't know, Grace Church just moved to Eden Prairie recently, and is one of the larger churches in the midwest. Click here for more info.

Be sure to wish her luck!

dear liv

I am a lot taller than you. peace.

New Wheels!

Liv needed new wheels - no, not a car, a bike. So we went over to Freewheel Saturday. We weren't looking for anything too dramatic, just servicable - something she could take to college, and use around here when we can't give her a lift (or the keys!). I had it in my mind that *I* might want a new bike, as I ride my Trek every day to work, and it is getting pretty old.....

So we got two of these

Trek Navigator 100's, called a "comfort" bike. Very nice. (And comfortable!) Just doing our part for our country's energy independance!

I Beat Stevie

Yes, I may be the youngest Anderson, but I'm not the last to get my license. This morning I passed the test! (Although, if I were testing me I would have failed me, but that's another story).
I PASSED!
Liv

Georgia Andersons in South Dakota

Hello,
Here are my parent's pics from South Dakota. Sorry for the delay, I was in Colorado for the Evolution Meetings and then for some hiking and camping. Those pictures to come!

La Policía

So I'm sure the first two pictures make sense, so I won't bore you with stories of those. But hopefully you're confused why I'm in the back of a police truck. So, I'll regale you with that tale.
It all begins at about 9:30 pm in a little café. Jackie and I were enjoying some dessert and realized that we needed to get back to the hotel by our 10:00 curfew. So we get our check and start walking, by this time it's about 9:40, so we figure we knew where were were and we could get the 10 blocks in twenty minutes.
Of course, we could have, had we turned left instead of right. But, seeing as we were on a 5 mile long island, we figured we knew where we were and that it was nearly impossible to get lost. If you didn't guess yet, we got lost. In fact, we got very lost. We wound up on the southern tip of the island. And to top it off, we were alone and it was dark. But, we figured, it's an island and if we just keep walking, we'll get there eventually. So, we're at the southern tip and we turn and suddenly we're in a dark alley. Well, we knew that was wrong, so we're pretty scared now. The only person we could see was a shady looking character across the street, so our heartbeats are just racing. SUDDENLY---a police truck turns the corner and I'm out of ideas so I just yell "OYE!" at the truck and it stops. So we ask the 5 police officers where the Posada del Mar is, and they point down the street and tell us it's about three miles away. Then they offer us a ride and we just shrug and jump in the bed of the truck. We keep talking to them, and they wind up being really nice and are very interested that Jackie's father is a police officer. Another cop points out the best seafood restaurant in Mexico, where to shop forjewelryy and the best beach on the island. But, rather than just drop us off, they pull all the way into the hotel. We were relieved to see that our teacher was not outside, as she would have had a heartattack. As we were about to get out, a cop offered to take our picture, and we decided that was the perfect way to cap off the evening. And we even got back on time.
Sorry for how long that was.
Liv

Pictures from a Trip.....

I'll rely on Liv to add commentary, but here are a few pictures from her trip to Mexico:

Liv and Jackie at Chichen Itza

Together with their host, Dulce

A police truck is always a handy way to get home!

party at stevie's

hey whats up fam? my parents are going out of town today to visit my grandparents. I guess I will have the place to myself tonight tomorrow and friday. On saturday morning I leave for salt lake city, utah, with our church's youth group. well that is pretty much everything that is going on with me. see ya on the flippity. peace.

Back in GA

Hey Everybody,
We made it back to the land of high humidity and overgrown vegetation. It must have really rained a lot while we were gone. We got back Thurs. evening after a nice visit with Ingrid. We had a great trip and we enjoyed seeing you all in MN. Thanks to Peter for posting the pictures. I haven't looked at ours yet, but I'll get Ingrid to post some. Great seeing you all -- have a great summer.

John and Lynda

Tuesday night

Good to see you have not stopped blogging just because the tennis season is over, Stevie.

The SAP band played at Lake Como tonight and Dale and Sandy were there. They want to participate in the Anderson/Peterson blog so I will send Peter their email so they can get an account. Maybe we'll get some more people who CONTRIBUTE!

new computer

hey everybody. I bet you all missed me during my week absence. we didnt have a computer for a while, but now today we just got our new one. I am pretty excited about it. I am sure that there will not be a lack of posts coming from 3133. well, I will have to get back to you. see ya later. peace.

Picnic

John, Lynda, Mark, Nancy, Maria and I all had a picnic today at Parley Lake Picnic ground in Carver Park Reserve. John, Lynda and Dad made the trip via bike, and the rest of us drove. We had a great time, the weather was perfect, and and the food was delicious. Thanks mom!

Playing Kuub (ok, i don't know how to spell it)

We were only there for a short time today, but we had a lot of fun playing Kuub... ok how do you spell that Paul? It was nice to see you John and Lynda, even if it was for a short time!


John going for the win

Dad - and a MUCH shorter shot

Spectators

Anderson brothers unite on Father's Day

For Mae, Ingrid, Gustaf, and any other readers who weren't here today:

confessions

yeah, I guess he kind of sprained his ankle, but really, I think he might have been faking it cause he knew he would lose. He was up 5-3 when it happened, but we both knew that I was poised for a comeback. well, whatever. I heard thaT they showed him getting injured on the news, and I was in it for a second before they zoomed in on him. it was on channel 5 apparently.

ok, today we played in consolation. the first match was against duluth east. I did not play well at all. I lost the first set 6-0, but I was up 5-2 in the second set when I re-injured my left wrist which has been bothering me for the past couple of weeks. I put on my brace that I got from the doctor, took 4 more advil, and continued play. I couldnt hit a two handed backhand because of the pain and also because of the awkwardness of my brace. I tried to play, but it didnt work out too well. I ended up losing the second set and match in a tie breaker 7-3. luckily the rest of my team picked up the slack and we won 4-3. next we played orono in the finals of consolation. between the matches I iced my wrist and it was ok by the time my match started. I played harry whitely. he was ok I guess. I have played him before, lost once, won once. anyways, I didnt play well in the first set and he won it 6-3. then in the second set i got really pumped up since it was my last match of the season no matter what. I played really well and split sets with him, winning the second 6-3. the third set was fun since there were so many people watching it. I knew that our team was up 3-2(tennis matches are best out of seven), so I knew that if I won, we would be the consolation champions. I played pretty well in the third set. I guess that I am a much better athlete than him because he was really tuckered out. I begin a lot of my sentences with the word I, but that's ok. anyways, I won the third set 6-3. danny wilson, our first singles player was in the middle of a close match when I finished. since I had clinched the match for us at 4-2, his opponent defaulted. both of them have to play tomorrow in the individual tournament. so we beat orono 5-2 in the consolation finals of the state tournament. it was pretty awesome. sorry for the length of this post, but it is sure to be my last one for a while. maybe until next tennis season. peace.

Poetic license?

When I left Stevie's tennis tournament yesterday, I said, "You'll have to keep your blog entry honest as you have witnesses." But he must have taken that as a challenge. While he DID play well, and DID win, it was not quite the way he described. Of course, perhaps his opponent injured himself tripping over his own feet because he was so tired from battling Stevie???

http://www.startribune.com/stories/526/4819146.html

state tourny

I beat the second best tennis play in state today. it was tight. I played pretty good. he also played well, but in the long run I was just too much for him. peace.