January 2009

Happy New Year from Matt, Elin, Eddie, and Lucky! Sorry this is a little late for Christmas wishes, but at least it's getting done. Hope you had a wonderful holiday season, and that things are settling down from all the chaos. Here's what's been happening with our family over the past year.      Matt continues to take classes part time at UNC for a degree in Peace, War, and Defense. He is also teaching automotive courses full time through Durham Tech at the federal prison in Butner. This, of course, has him running hither and yon, barely able to catch his breath. In his spare time (HAH!), Matt remains the president of the Tarheel Gem and Mineral Club and our neighborhood's home owner's association. When he's got requests or occasions, he still enjoys making jewelry and rock creations. He's found an online game called Eve to help him wind down in the evenings.      Elin has been quite busy at work this year, and has been involved in several good collaborations. She hired a student contractor, who helped with computer work on a project that started during her postdoc in Denver. She might even wrap up some loose ends this year and cross some projects off the "to do" list! The EPA band Alexander Drive is still going strong, with more events in 2008 than we've ever had before. Outside of work, Elin still enjoys selling PartyLite candles. When we're not otherwise busy, we support our Carolina Rollergirls, play D&D with friends, and enjoy dinner out with a group of non-parents called No Kidding.      We were able to do some traveling in 2008, including a trip to Atlanta to see our friend Sissy, the beaches of North Carolina with the Humphries family (Matt's sister's husband), and Christmas in the Midwest with Elin's family. Elin visited Geneva, Switzerland and Tampa, FL for scientific conferences. We also made a road trip with friends to Baltimore for a roller derby match. The price of fuel canceled our summer trip, but that's ok because we remodeled our bathroom instead. Before and after pictures are below. Matt has hated the small shower since we bought the house, so when it started leaking through the ceiling down stairs, we knew it was time to remodel. We now have a nearly 9 ft long shower with plumbing on both ends, corner seats, and a heated tile floor. Other pictures from our adventures can be found at Elin's website: http://www.oocities.org/ulrichem

We added to our doggie family in May by fostering a guide dog puppy named Lucky. He's now a 9 1/2 month old 65 pound yellow lab, mostly well behaved, but loves to play. He picked up on the obedience training quickly and has accompanied us on many adventures. Eddie (the corgi) tolerates him well, and even initiates play by barking at Lucky. It didn't take very long for Eddie to fit underneath Lucky, and uses this to his advantage during bath time (see picture below). Lucky will probably go back to the Guide Dog Foundation shortly after he turns a year old in mid-March. There are sure to be tears when he goes back, but we hope to have tears of joy when he graduates with someone who needs his skills and love. If our schedules allow, we hope to continue this fun volunteer work with more puppies.

In family news, we lost Matt's Uncle Bob after a terrible spill down the stairs. Another nephew arrived this year, with a niece on the way. Jamie and Luke brought Mark Charles Ulrich into the world at the end of May. Elin's dad and stepmom visited NC for Thanksgiving. Elin's family hadn't been all together since Sept. 2005, so it was about time for a fun gathering. Camp Tecumseh (where Luke works) hosted our fun after-Christmas reunion. We even had family pictures taken: top to bottom and left to right: Carlos (mom's friend), Luke (brother), Matt, John Carder (uncle), Lois (mom), Elin, Mary Catherine (stepmom), Sandy (aunt), John Ulrich (dad), Jamie (sister in law), Elizabeth (grandma), Melissa (sister in law), Mark (nephew), Ethan (nephew), and Shaun (brother).

Wishing you and yours peace, prosperity, love, happiness, fun, health, and relaxation during the next year.     Matt, Elin, Eddie, and Lucky