December 26, 1998
We had a wonderful ride on the sailboat last night. The response from all the people onshore was outstanding. They clapped, sang, called out, showed flashlights, etc.. They were excited and made us feel excited and good too.
Dad and Tracey then went home, Nate, Justin and Adam played computer games till midnight, the two smaller ones played on the computers. They all had fun, Darrell and the two little ones slept in the boat, Justin and Adam slept on the pull out bed and on the couch. Everyone slept in then we had a big breakfast of eggs, french toast and pancakes (with Sue’s real maple syrup, thank you!), and ham. After all the guests left this noon we went to the mall to spend our Christmas presents. Nate got a CD changer, Denise got an outfit, and I got a massager. We had a very fun Christmas, thanks to Sue and Al, Dad, Darrell, Tracey, and all.
Michelle wrote:
Hello everyone, Jim had his transition appointment yesterday. He will receive clearing papers on December 30th. The movers will be here on January 8th and 11th. We clear housing on the 12th. Jim’s last day in the army is JANUARY 13TH!!! Finally a date. A little later than what we had hoped for, but a date none the less. It may change, this is the Army. But as far as we know, it will be the 13th. We also had our first ultrasound yesterday. We are at 19 weeks and 5 days. The due date is May 15th. Everything looked good with the baby, very active. I will try to make an appointment with my midwife before we leave, since we will be here a little longer. We will keep you updated. Take care, we hope to see you soon. Happy Holidays Jim and Michelle
December 25, 1998
Merry Christmas!
We had a great Christmas, Dad Herrick, Tracey McVetty, Darrell, Justin, Adam, Tyler, Caleb, Nate, Denise and I had a great big dinner, less the turkey (not you, Al, the one we were supposed to cook today). I bought a 20 pound turkey last night, I thawed it out overnight, this morning it was rotten. So into the dumpster it went. The neighbors supplied us with a 12 lb corned beef so we would not go hungry! Then we had Dad H.’s world famous apple pie. We all will be going out on the boat in a few minutes to show off our Christmas lights!!
Guest writer Darrell:
Wow, what a feast we enjoyed this afternoon. A short nap was in order after all that food, but not before we sat around and opened up presents to each other. All in all it has been a great afternoon. We are all staying overnight, either in guest rooms or on the boat. This is the best hotel in town!
Let me take a moment to wish each of you a very blessed Christmas. It may be cold and rainy (snowy?) where you are at, but you each hold a warm spot in our heart. We miss you all and although we are far apart, we share a common love. This is the first Christmas that Mom hasn’t been here to share the fun and festivities we all enjoy. But I’m sure that she is up there watching us and smiling at each of us as we celebrate what I know was her favorite holiday. We miss you Mom, but you leave behind many different Christmas traditions that we all will carry on. Thanks Mom. God bless each one of you.
December 22, 1998
It has been a very busy time. Nate has a new possibility of a job, he wants to do day care again, that is obvious! He is going to respond to a local day care’s ad today.
Last two weekends went by so fast. We worked so hard on the boat, got her all decorated, a ten foot wide star hoisted up the mast, and all the decorations inside and out. Then, Sunday night was the parade. We had not had rain for six weeks, it started to rain at 11:20 in the morning on Sunday. Finally, as we were about to sail off, it stopped. It was nice and warm, thank goodness. There were supposed to be 100 boats in the parade, only 20 showed. We got rained on a little but the parade was fun nevertheless! We had 18 people aboard, a nice crowd. They ate all the ham, the turkey, the dips, and generally all the food we had! We sang, danced and had a great time waving at the crowds on shore. Nate brought along five fireworks, they were a hit. We set them off over the stern and got the loudest reception (clapping and yelling) from the crowd! We started at 4PM and broke off to come home at 9PM. We had motored down to the parade starting point when the engine died. The battery was dead, but the generator was going and was able to charge it. We anchored to keep from running into the docks, then got her going again and had no more problems the rest of the night. It was a lot of fun.
Last weekend we spent with Mom and Dad L. They came and stayed the day. I played three ames of cribbage with Dad L. while the ladies went shopping. We watched the impeachment hearings as we played. Then went to the Chitester Christmas party in the MOSI. We watched the movie Everest. Dad H. would appreciate all the effort it takes to climb that mountain. It was very sobering, nine people died the day before the team with the camera was to go up. The team did make it, but the last run to the top was absolutely mindboggling. The air contains only a third of the oxygen needed to survive, so one has to carry oxygen and climb for 12 hours to get to the top, a very tedious chore. They made it, but get to stay only a few moments, and start the 12 hour climb back. If they do not make it in 12 hours, they will run out of oxygen and die. Even with oxygen, it is excruciating. It takes a special person to have the strength, stamina, and the mental ability to complete that journey!
Those who have not seen it, and those who have not checked in recently are invited to check out the Herrick Genealogy (look to the left down a bit). I have finished the structure of the Herrick one and am starting on the Loiselle branch. If anyone has any changes or additions, please click on the bottom of the page and a mail screen will come up, the automatic address gives me the page you are looking at and I can make the addition.
I need input, especially from Sue and all my bothers, uncles etc. who have the data to complete the bio’s! Dad will be here Friday and will help with all his knowledge, everyone else?
December 7, 1998
What a weekend! Denise and I spent all day Saturday cleaning the boat! Saturday evening we went to Home Depot because we needed some supplies. We found a new fan with four lights marked down to $26 from $61 because it was “damaged”. It looked perfect to us so we brought it home. The only thing I could find wrong was one wire to the light fixture was bad. I replaced it (at no cost!), it works perfectly now, and Denise has her new light and fan.
We spent the whole day Sunday attaching the lights to the boat. Then in the evening I installed a new light in Nathan’s room and the new fan. Nate had gone to visit his friends in Washington DC over the weekend. I picked him up at 9:23 last night. We are a family again.