Happy Holidays!

Thanksgiving in Galesburg and Other Tall Tales

We've returned from a delightful Thanksgiving weekend in Galesburg, where we were joined by the Howells and my Uncle Bob (Joanne's brother). It was a typical Goudie gathering -- no shortage of oddities, mishaps, and risky behavior. We had a lively and spirited dinner at Mom and Dad's and then spent a full, adventurous day at the Farm, where Patrick wrestled for an hour with some 7'-tall stalks of burdock in an effort to blaze a new trail. Here he is emerging victoriously from the nasty patch.















Unfortunately his sweater didn't fare so well...

Below are Harland and James Harland on the farm's back porch, with Harland enjoying an 11 AM Stout Ale. (Yes, the house is heated now!).

And the Goudie parents and grandchildren just before we left the Goudie household early this morning. Note Galesburg's first dusting of snow this season.

Ashley Lake Fun

Here's a picture from the Anne. Bailey and Hallie look like they are having a great time. Chuck? Well perhaps not so much. Smile

The Last "1st Day of School" Photo

"Snap" -- and that's that. The end of a 13-year tradition: Katie and James with their backpacks, on the back steps, on their first day of school (with the morning sun hitting them right in eyes). They went through a phase in middle school where they didn't much like to cooperate with this routine, but I persevered. So now somewhere, in albums, boxes and on discs throughout our house, there are the makings for an interesting photo montage, K-12 -- from 35 mm to digital. It might make for an interesting Graduation Day display, eh?

The summer went by too quickly. I'd had hopes of contributing some "news", but by the time I got around to it, it was old.

Ringo on YouTube

Hey, check out the video we put of Ringo on YouTube. Crank up the volume to hear his frustration level.

10 things yo don't know about Halle

1.) I can't stand my hands being sticky!!

2.) I get annoyed very easily :]

3.) BUT I am very good at hiding being annoyed... and many other emotions!

4.) I've always kind of wanted an older sister to help me defend myself against all the dang boys in my life!!!

5.) When I am sitting in a car while waiting to turn it bothers me if the rhythm of the turning signal doesn't match the rhythm of a song.

6.) I always have something on my mind...I tend to think to much sometimes :]

7.) I LOVE watching football..... I'm Very lady like ;)

8.) I could spend each and everyday at the lake with the family nooo problem!!!

9.) I wish I was more of a "Dare Devil" sometimes!!

10.) I try my hardest to be in the best mood possible everyday.

Fourth of July Weekend

Poor Bailey Trying To Take A Pee In Private


















Happily Hairless

















High Pups To People Ratio

Ashley Lake June 2008

Excitement Builds As The New Vanity Is Carried In To The Cabin


Does It Fit?
Uh..... nope

Dad Working On The Dock

Mark Working On The Pump
Dad Working On The *@$# Pump


John And Quinn Suffering Through A JetSki Ride

Kelly & Jareth

Quinn, Tanner, Halle

Tanner Taking A Ski

John & Laurie

Quinn Pays The Price For Antagonizing Tanner

Dad Gets The Last Laugh

Mom During One Of The Few Minutes She's Not Actively Cleaning The Cabin

Leslie's Rose Carrying On With A Little Help From Quinn

Halle Is A Gorgeous Girl

Bailey Practicing Safe Painting Procedures By Wearing A Flotation Device

Bailey & Tanner

Look! The New Couch Can Hold All Four Of Us!

Who's This Handsome Dude?

Johnny Rocks!

Last night brought John's return to playing for his adoring Missoula fans. This time without his band of close to 15 years, the Oblio Joes. Missoula warmly welcomed him back. He played a couple songs alone, a few with good friend and keyboard player Ian Smith, and a couple more with the band Volumen. Anne and I danced to the music and sang along. Anne also survied a friendly (we think?) head lock by Crazy Jim, a long time Oblio Joes fan. Jordan and his buddy Shawn were also there. Embarrased beyond belief by the antics of his mother and aunt.

Leslie's "10 Things You Might Not Know About Me"

1) I really enjoy the company of old men. I think this is because I never knew either of my grandfathers.


2) That being said, my fantasy is to spend a day with each of my grandfathers: to learn what their voices and mannerisms were, and to look for parts of them that have lived on through their descendents.


3) I wear shoes and socks only when I absolutely have to. (Does this surprise anyone who watched me grow up?)


4) Like Annie, I “type” conversations in my head. And sometimes my fingers even move accordingly.


5) I won’t join in on a movie that’s already started (if I haven’t seen it before). It doesn’t matter if I hear the whole family cracking up. I’ve always been this way.


6) I used to be squeamish about worms. I could never stomach spaghetti on a rainy day after walking home from school and seeing scores of drowned worms on the sidewalks. My "friends" knew they could chase me all over the playground just by dangling a worm. Worms are my garden friends now, although I avoid touching them directly.


7) I am always charmed by miniature things. Be they cars (Minis!), tiny potted cacti, small versions of animals, small packaging, toy tea sets. My whole psyche says “Awwww!”

8) If I see a distant island I want to roam it. If I see a lighthouse or tower I have to climb it (and count the number of steps).

(I've been wanting to climb around on Foula, Shetland since age 8. Some day!)

9) Here’s a weird one: I recently realized that, with the exception of my junior year in college, I’ve always slept along the North-South axis. This was never something I planned when arranging the furniture – but it might be in the future.

10) I like to cook. I hate deciding what to make.

Stu's 10 things you did not know about me.

1. I think education is wasted on children. Other than the basic "R's" education should end at age 12 at which time children should be put to work. Their education would start again at age 21 if their IQ is high enough and they have accumulated enough funds to pay for it. I don't think I cared about learning anything until I was 30 or so, that is when I should have gone to college!

2. I am surprised to still be alive. Since I was about 50 I expected the Wilson cancer curse to get me before age 65. Still think about it every day.

3. I have a mild (sometimes) or more severe (most times) phobia of going into any kind of a healthcare facility. Nursing homes and hospitals are the worst, chiropractors are the least.
I was even uncomfortable at the service for Lorna last summer.

4. I can not stand to be late for ANYTHING!

5. I would rather do research for a major (or even minor) purchase than own the thing! The anticipation is what I enjoy, I guess. That is why I enjoyed working as a clothing buyer so much.

6. In high school we all took a
ptitude tests to find out what we occupations we would be best suited for. I scored highest in artistic and mechanical and was horrified to learn that I should pursue interior decorating! I tried to keep those results as quiet as possible but my friends found out and I was branded as a possible "fairyboy" until I got into a couple of fights and lost some friends. Guess you all know I worked for a gay interior designer in Great Falls for a few years at the Pin Cushion and was even on local morning TV with advice about the latest in fabric design etc. What was I thinking???

7. I sing along with the radio when I am driving alone. Sometimes I make up Italian opera to sing to classics. Only when I am alone!

8. I greatly admire the jobs Cathy, Mark and Renell do as teachers. I have NO patience when kids act up and could never handle their jobs. Kudos to them and I was just kidding about my first item. (sort of).

9. I will not put up with ill prepared restaurant food. Cathy has been embarrased many times I am sure when a waitress has asked if everything is "all right?" and I answered truthfully.

10. I want a convertible.

Sorry about the downers. Couldn't think of anything funny. STU.

Ringo The Deer Hunter

Check out this picture of Ringo our super hunter.
We were watching a small herd of deer about 50 yards away when all of a sudden one came trotting toward our house. He must have sensed danger from Ringo the predator because he stopped a few yards from Ringo and began stomping around and kicking up dirt with his hoofs. This standoff lasted about 5 minutes until the deer was scared off from the sound of one of our guests sneaking across the yard to get a closer look.

10 Clues to Our Family's Genetic Eccentricities!

Wow. This has been fascinating reading. Who knew there was so much OCD running through our bloodline? Must be all those centuries (millennia?) of our Shetland ancestors living the crofting lifestyle --- the women knitting while carrying kishies of peats on their back.

I am definitely Edith's granddaughter when it comes to the weeding obsession. Do you remember Gramma pulling weeds in public parks? That would be [is] me. And yes, the OCD manifests itself in me in several other ways.

Anyway, I'll give some thought to this and put my own list together.

10 Things That You Might Not Know About Jareth Wilson

This following list may be somewhat of a struggle for me. Due to my ever present lack of an ability to shut my trap for much longer than 10 to 15 seconds I am not sure how many things there are that people don't know about me......But here goes anyways!


1. I wear a size 10 shoe, 7 and 3/8 hat and have very small hands. This may not seem like anything out of the ordinary to most people. That is until you see the size of my dad, brother and other Wilson's feet/head/hands. A comparison would show how out of the ordinary I truly am within this family.

2. I dislike math and most anything that involves forms of it which require more work than simple arithmetic. For one reason or another of which I am still unaware, it seems to have become common place among people that I know, especially within my family that I enjoy math. This is totally and completely false.

3. More often than not I enjoy romantic comedies and other chick flicks. I should also include that I watch the One Tree Hill. Hey we all have our flaws!

4. I am constantly battling to make things even. Whether or not it is when I make a right turn in a car, step on a crack with only one foot, brush a tooth more than another or do something with my right hand instead of my left. I am always fighting against some inner drive to make things feel and look even. It's hard to explain but it drives me nuts!

5. I still feel uncomfortable when my head goes underwater.

6. I grind my teeth constantly. In addition to grinding I will sometimes mix it up and tap two corresponding teeth together, back and forth across my mouth.

7. I think subtle humor is the best. I also think that there is nothing funnier than a person who can be funny without meaning to. In addition I love sarcasm, which I've found to be a gift and a curse. It seems like more often than not I find sarcasm much funnier than others involved. Strange how that works.

8. I am embarrassed by my hand writing. I will willingly admit that I have never really put any effort into improving my penmanship and I think it shows. I will type things whenever possible because of my extreme lack of anything even remotely resembling clean handwriting.

9. I struggle to sit still. This is probably not much of a secret to most who know me, but as I am getting older I am realizing how hard of a time I have sitting still and also how hard it is for me to control this. However I am trying to work on it!

10. I am a shower freak and hate not feeling/looking/smelling clean. It is not uncommon for me to shower four times in a day and I try very hard to make it three. I just do not like a feeling of uncleanness.