Christmas Exchange

As a disclaimer, I used only the immediate Hutchings names to simplify this little chart considerably.  We love you all unconditionally.  We are doing single exchange from one family to another, with no separate system for the children.  How you choose to do that is up to you—single family gift, individual gifts for all, mostly adult gift—whatever.  Your business, and we'll never spill the love.

So here we go.  Due to unforeseen complications and the desire to avoid them in the future, we are doing the following:

2008

James➙Michelle

Heather➙James

Michelle➙Justin

Justin➙Marquie

Marquie➙Heather

We will then RESET to the following  (no complaining.  EVER.  You'll thank me later.)  Each year, you'll move up the birth chain, so everyone will move from Marquie to Justin to Michelle to Heather to James to Marquie, all starting in a different place.  Clean.  Simple.  Effective.  Here's the breakdown, in case my verbosity spawned incertitude:

2009

James➙Justin

Heather➙Marquie

Michelle➙James

Justin➙Heather

Marquie➙Michelle

2010

James➙Michelle

Heather➙Justin

Michelle➙Marquie

Justin➙James

Marquie➙Heather

2011

James➙Heather

Heather➙Michelle

Michelle➙Justin

Justin➙Marquie

Marquie➙James

At this point, the natural rotation would leave us all gifting ourselves this year, so it will cycle up an extra person this year for a four year total rotation.

2012

James➙Marquie

Heather➙James

Michelle➙Heather

Justin➙Michelle

Marquie➙Justin

Then we start over . . .

2013

James➙Justin

Heather➙Marquie

Michelle➙James

Justin➙Heather

Marquie➙Michelle

etc.

Any questions?

Traditions

OK, I am still browsing pictures being nostalgic. I have been filled with joy as many memories from over the years have been rekindled. Here is one that spans four generations. It started with my grandpa Palmer. I was told that it came about in the spring when the family was working in the fields and grandma Palmer would bring the younger children and lunch to the fields for those working there. To get out of the wind they would go into the canal, which did not have water flowing yet, and have their lunch. A fire was built and hot dogs were roasted.

Throughout my growing up years this tradition was kept alive. I tried to find picture of those times but must not have them scanned yet. I have good memories of this tradition.

I am very grateful we took the opportunity to share that tradition with you, our children. You see, with all of the homes and subdivisions, the canal is never without water as it is the drainage for the area. Perhaps there could be a time you could pass on to the next generation if you could find a time when the canal did not have water in it. Or, when you won't get in trouble for having a fire!

Thanksgiving Fun Facts and Memories

Good Morning Family and all others who may be reading. It is a gorgeous Thanksgiving morning in Front Royal, Virginia. We have started the day slowly, having breakfast wrapped up at 11:00! It was delicious, omelets, juice and hash browns. We are planning for dinner around 4:00 PM. It is very different to have only the three of us together but we have a great deal of love in our family and that is something to really cherish even through we are celebrating in four different places today.

OK, Fun Fact --

You may have read that President Bush pardoned the National Turkey this morning in a tradition that goes back to President Trumanan. What you may not know is that this pardoned bird is rushed off to Washington Dulles International Airport for a non-stop trip on United Airlines to the west coast, first class. Yes, that is passenger first class. I have been advised that by the time the plane arrives in Los Angeles the passengers are more than happy to get off the plane. I am grateful my assignments do not include bird sitting!

Memories --
I was browsing through pictures to try and find some from Thanksgiving celebrations from when mom and I were children. I struck out on that but found some from 1991 when we lived on Tower Road. Marquie, you were part of the family, but were still in the hospital for this holiday. Hope you enjoy the pictures and also that your holiday today is fill with the joy of creating your own family memories. Love Dad

got far wood?

howdy y'all!
we jist wan'ed ta post a lil' note frum our fareastern-suthen region. we-all-r tarred after our rousin' church meetins. we hope y'all're havin' a stupENDous day now. y'all don' even know how cold it is here. we got this huge house all over here, and our daddy won't let us heat it now. so we're freezin' our lil nuggies off. we got this here a nice lil far place, an' it's keepin' us some cozy warm and all, though here now in are office.
alrighty now, we luv y'all soooo much!
love,
mom n' marquie

*you might jist wanna read this outloud to yerself now y'all.* It's jus' much better that way. =D

Under 30

As I wrote the name of my blog because it made me laugh. . .  one of the running jokes in our house is that James says I'm still in my mid twenties.  While this is no longer true I am still under 30.  :)

But that is not what I wanted to blog.  Instead I was basking in the current low fuel prices.  I filled my tank (over 18 gallons) for under $30.  Yes, I have no small tank and had accepted the fact that every time I went to put fuel in I was going to be spending about $70.   Outrageous!  But $30 a fill-up I can handle.  The sad things is that I did all of my traveling for $70 a tank and now that it is much less I have nowhere to go because everyone is coming to visit me.  So, I hope you all enjoy the low prices and can't wait to see you here in Columbia, MO!

Cold In Virginia

We are really glad to have mom home and are even more grateful she was able to spend time with Heather. As parent of this incredible family we feel greatly blessed. We did however turn up the hear when mom came home. Marquie is happy for that and our house is a bit warmer. It is still cool here. About 30 degrees below normal for this time of year. We do want it to get back to normal.

Here are a couple of picture just to remind you of who we are for PHOTO FRIDAY, HINT, HINT!!!

Love Dad

it's....FRIDAY!!!!!

Well hello everyone!!!!!
First of all....
YAY HEATHER!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so happy you are doing so well. I love you SOOO much! (and thanks for letting mom come home...(she could've stayed, though)) :D

mmkay..
now...
it's FRIDAY!!! i forgot last week. my goodness. i'm so sorry. :( so here is today's!
this picture is cuz i thought it looked cold, and it's perty cold, so, i don't know. here it is. =D
and then this one is halloween...



















and this one is my beautimous guitar!