Merry Christmas from the Joneses!

Greetings, friends and family. Welcome to the 2001 edition of the Joneses Almost-Annual Christmas Letter. For those who track such things, last years edition succumbed to the year-end bustle, and I thought Id never hear the end of it from some of you. So here goes.

It was, indeed, another year. It started in January, pretty much like most years do. I was traveling a fair amount for work; Gail was holding down the fort at home, making sure Ariston made it to school each day and finished his homework each night. Buddy, the irrepressible (or is that irresponsible?) beagle (nestled snuggly against me on the couch as I write this), assists in those duties. Im not sure how, but he does.

We attempted to shorten last winter by taking advantage of the nearby ski hill. Ive been threatening to get A.J. started on skiing for the past few years and finally did it. He took a snowboarding lesson, then a skiing lesson. We decided to go with the skis, although that decision may be under review. In any event, Buck Hill proved to be a lot of fun and we made several family outings, including a long weekend of skiing with Gails brother Gary and his family.

Spring and summer seem like a blur. Spring break allowed me to combine a business trip with a little family vacation on the Gulf of Mexico. Then in April a friend and I picked up an old, cheap 1-26 glider in the spring and enjoyed soaring in it during the first half of the summer. After June weather and schedule conspired to thwart much serious soaring efforts. Next year.

We did spend a fair amount of time on the lake, as usual, particularly during a blisteringly hot stretch in August. I think we beat Atlanta for the number of days over 90 degrees. Whats wrong with THAT picture??

Buddy The Budster Beagle, had a traumatic summer with a medical ailment that stumped three vets, as well as my banker. Ultimately, the University of Minnesota stepped in, scratched their heads, and then did surgery. Bud took it all in stride, never letting little things like lampshade collars slow him down. He seems to be doing just fine. I wish my wallet could say the same.

Along the way we managed to wrap up a few odds and ends from the preceding summers landscaping project, but no new big projects were undertaken. Thank goodness.

It was a year of transition, too, as we said goodbye to my Grandma Jones (93) in Kentucky, and Gails Aunt Sheila (only 53much, much too young) in Wisconsin. My folks posted 50 years of marriage, bought a condo, cleared out the family home of 41 years and put it up for sale. Through the process of cleaning out the old house I definitely got in touch with my Inner Packrat. Throughout, the trusty Mooney carried us every place we needed to be and brought us safely home again.

In August my company purchased a small software company in New Mexico. My project was transferred to them and since I didnt have a burning desire to leave Minnesota I am winding down my tenure with West Group by years end. It was a great experience, but Im looking forward to the next challenge, whatever that might be. If you have any ideas, do drop me a note! J

In November we spent a week vacationing in Orlando. A.J. enjoyed SeaWorld and Universal, while we enjoyed the small pleasure of wearing shorts for a week. We also got to check out our neighbors Thor & Annes new winter getaway in Fort Myers Beach. We will definitely need to visit them again in the winter! (Is that a subtle enough warning for them??)

Since skiing at Buck Hill proved to be a pretty good family activity last winter, this fall I purchased season tickets for the family so we can drop in for an hour or two of skiing any time we feel like it. It seemed like a great idea, and still does, but for one thing: The very act of purchasing season tickets seems to have assured Minnesota of its first snow-less winter!!

Actually, to be honest, it has snowed once. Then it melted. It was just enough to be a nuisance, but not enough to have any fun. So, all you fellow Minnesotans who think brown winters are good things can send your donations to Lorens Useless Season Ski Ticket Fund which made it all possible. If enough contribute, I will repeat the favor next season.

We wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year! God bless you all!

Email us at: loren@lorendjones.com (note the d); gail@lorendjones.com; or aj@lorendjones.com

Check out our 2001 photo montage at: www.lorenjones.com/2001 or www.lorendjones.com/2001/