Kaiser Christmas Letter 2008
Most all the Christmas letters have been sent off, and I apologize if this is posted before the mail carrier reaches your house, but here’s our Christmas letter of 2008:
(Pictures and a Christmas card were included in the mailed version)
December 2008
Another year gone by, and what a great year it’s been! Nate and Marissa stayed busy, keeping up with their many hobbies: skiing, sailing, soccer for Marissa, tennis for Nate; and finding some new ones: Marissa completed the Danskin triathlon—her third triathlon, as well as her first half marathon. Nate’s recently gotten a crab license and has taken up crabbing in the Puget Sound.
We witnessed several weddings and welcomed new babies (none of them belonging to Marissa and Nate – and we’re fine with that.) The most exciting addition by far was our niece, Hazel Gregg Barker, who’s cute as a button and looks just like Nate’s sister.
Our other exciting addition comes in the form of three hens: Eggy, Henny and Mo. Nate built a custom chicken coop, and they’re happily residing in our backyard. We have yet to harvest any eggs, but we’re anxiously awaiting the day … Maybe for Christmas?
After three years of consulting nonprofits, Marissa left her position to join a new business consulting firm: Red Sky Blue Water. The company specializes in business strategy, development, usability and other professional services, so if you know anyone who needs a website built or a marketing project managed, give her a call.
Nate’s company, nPost, remains an integral resource for tech-startups and entrepreneurs around the Pacific Northwest and across the nation. nPost’s network continues to grow, and with it, greater visibility and success.
With the passing of 2008, Marissa said goodbye to her 20’s and hello to her 30’s. The Kaisers celebrated in numerous ways, including an Ng-family vacation to NYC, a weekend in aboard a 42’ sailboat, and a blowout birthday bash that lasted from 3 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Looking ahead, 2009 will welcome a historic and new administration, which thrills Marissa and gives Nate plenty of fodder for his newest blog: www.CallingJohnGalt.com. (If you’re familiar with the book, Atlas Shrugged, you’ll know the reference.) Nate and Marissa’s political views differ greatly, and Nate needed an outlet outside their personal blog: www.KaiserTales.com. Check out KaiserTales for regular updates on their daily lives.
In true Texas style, we wish all-ya’ll a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
– Nathan and Marissa Kaiser
Winter Wonderland
Last weekend (Saturday the 13th) it snowed in Seattle. The entire city was shocked from its mild-weathered stupor into winter white. Before this, not a single mountain in Washington had decent base, and we were wondering if the ski season would ever start. (I spent most of the weekend in the house, watching the snow fall from my window or on the television, since I was avoiding the general public–trying to minimize the sideways glances, stares and concerned questions about my shiner.)
This initial snowfall was followed by a week of freezing cold temperatures.The freezing temps meant that our city of seven hills became one big, slick, slopped sheet of ice. Yay. But most everything melted by Tuesday… Unfortunately, another big snowstorm was forecasted for Wednesday.
Schools closed in anticipation. Childcare was arranged. Folks worked from home or fled the office early to beat the storm. Everyone awaited the flakes. And nothing happened.
… Until about 8:30 p.m. And if I wanted to sum it up quickly, I’d say it hasn’t really stopped snowing since.
Our house under a blanket of snow
Mailboxes
Wednesday night, it DUMPED. I worked from home Thursday while we watched the snow accumulate outside our window. The local news stayed on all day long. Nate and I felt sorry for all the reporters stuck at the truck stop in North Bend, standing in the deserted streets of Port Angeles, at the bottom of Queen Anne, or in the Junction in West Seattle.
It snowed all day long. And then everything turned to ice. Again. Since another storm was forecasted to hit on Saturday, a number of holiday parties and plays were postponed or rescheduled. Others went ahead as planned, but Nate and I stayed in anyway. We planned to head to Snoqualmie for a day of skiing on Sunday, but they closed the pass. Go figure.
Ballard walk by the Locks
The shades hide my shiner
Shilshole Bay Marina
Wintery sailboats
Nate and Leif Ericson
Strike a pose
Instead we walked around Ballard and visited with as many friends as we know in the neighborhood.
By the way, it’s Sunday night and it’s still snowing. I think this is getting a little old. Seattle’s not used to Winter Wonderland.
Robin Williams on American Politics
I just saw this on a friend’s Facebook and I laughed out loud! Though you would enjoy it too!
Black ‘n’ Blue Watch: Day 2
Black eye: Day 2 (36 hours after impact)
Battered glam shot
As a point of comparsion, here's Black Eye: Day 1 (15 hours after impact)
It gets better with age!
The holidays
I had all the best intentions to write a lovely post telling you about our holiday decorating, celebrating and general spreading of Christmas cheer. Instead, I’m writing in a foul mood, trying to hold an icepack to my face, and hoping the black and blue bulge goes away quickly.
Yesterday was Team Loafers championship soccer game. It wasn’t supposed to be a rough match, but we lost two players to injury before the first half! –I had the misfortune to be one those injured players. And now there’s a high likelihood that this black eye will last through Christmas. Grrrrr.
This is my recall of what happened:
I beat one of their chicks to the ball and pushed it upfield; her follow-through hit air and then connected with my knee instead of the ball; then the momentum carried her head into my cheek. Crack!
I was seeing stars and birdies for quite some time, but one of my team members told me that the foul was called on me. Really???
I’m bruised from under my right eye, around the bridge of my nose, down to below my cheekbone. It’s painful too. Yes, yes, I know I’m bitching but SHEESH! They took out two of our players before the first half!
At least we won the game…
OK. There’s my gripe. Now for some pretty holiday pictures:
Oh Christmas Tree! Oh Christmas Tree!
And the stockings were hung ...
Santa says, "Go Huskies!"
Nate sets up our Christmas tree. Isn't he handsome?
Top 10 Lessons for Living Through A Zombie Attack
A number of friends know about my (Nathan’s) “Zombie Plan.” What would you do if the Zombies attacked? (Or if there was an earthquake or other natural disaster?) One friend sent me the following:
- Organize Before They Rise!
- They Feel No Fear, Why Should You?
- Use Your Head: Cut Off Theirs.
- Blades Don’t Need Reloading.
- Ideal Protection=Tight Clothes, Short Hair.
- Get Up The Staircase, Then Destroy It.
- Get Out Of The Car, Get Onto The Bike.
- Keep Moving, Keep Low, Keep Quiet, Keep Alert!
- No Place Is Safe, Only Safer.
- The Zombie May Be Gone, But The Threat Lives On.
And one more from me:
- Always have chickens handy. –Luckily, we do!
A Sea of People
8,200 people signed up to do the Seattle Half Marathon. Marissa and Matt are chilling out for awhile. Asayo was too excited and bounded off into the throng:
Who would have thought
But there are quite a few urban chicken blogs out there. Thanks to @michaelrice for the link.