Where is the Cold?

Well, National's are less than a month away, my 22 year. Where did the year go? Looks like Lady won't make the trip this year as her boss goes home for his mother's birthday during the same timeframe. Life at home continues to be great, now just to have more time to enjoy it. Work is the same, more stress than it should be but what the heck, it is a paycheck. Bowling still is fun. The youth league this season is very small but this way you know everyone and it is more personal. The Sunday nite league still is a challenge. We just can't break out of the bottom group. Funny thing is my average is the highest it has been in a while. I worked on concentration and my release last summer and it shows.

The biggest changes lately have come from VJ and AJ as they grow up. Sometimes I think you can see them growing right before your eyes. Peanut is working and managing her avon stuff. Money and smell good ... what a combination. Lew is bowling this year and trying to throw the ball with one hand after the first few seasons of doing a 2-handed push. That has proved to be most interesting at times. He will learn in time though some of those gutter balls put the pressure on me to figure out a way to win. Lil Princess, well, she gets cuter by the day. Sometimes she seems so grown up and others, well, you just want to stuff her back in mom's belly and say ... start over!

Lady's mom is slowly recovering from her surgery, which is great news. Lady was able to go home to be with her that week though it sure got lonely here. Not, AJ and VJ were here and kept the activity level high. I think between the 4 kids there isn't a wall in this house without something written or colored somewhere on it.

Wild Mom and Squirrel Man are waiting for some test results ... seems like they are always getting tests and waiting for the doctor to figure it out. They are ready for Nationals too.

We have been looking for a mini-van, in our price range, so we can fit everyone in. Sure would beat driving 2 cars every time we go some where. So far, no luck.

Catch up 101

Where has the time gone. I can't believe how far behind I am. I guess I will have to set up a reminder in the Blackberry to remind me to blog at the right time.

Well, Christmas was great. I saw all the kids and watching Vinnie having his first Christmas was great. AJ, Lil Princess and Lew were all energy as they tore into the gifts. After the high of the gifts, we stuffed our selves on a feast featuring Lady's and peanuts cooking. Star and Chicken man were here as they had moved back into the area the previous month. Christmas Eve service was great as many of the kids were there. Hey, nothing wrong with going to Church at least 2 times a year. Their generation defines regular church attendance as 1.8 times a month.

We, Lady and me, celebrated our 36 wedding anniversary on the 27th. I wish I could stay as good looking and young as she does. I still count marrying her as the best decision of my life, bar none.

Youth Bowling ended with us barely missing 2nd place. One more week and we could have had it. Lew did great though his average was a little lower than last season. next season he wants to swing the ball instead of his 2 hand push. That will be interesting if not occasionally amusing.

Work is the same as Salem decided to get the ball rolling on the power increase for the new AM station. Why do they always wait for holidays or special events to make major changes. Oh, that is right, they don't do the work that interferes with my time off.

The cruise to the eastern Caribbean was pure relaxation. No phones, computers, or tablets. Our stops at St. Thomas, San Juan, and Grand Turk fun and done at our pace. For the most part it was in the 80's with only a few afternoon rain showers. We did manage to spend some money as Lady bought her Ammolite necklace and I added a Philip Stein watch to her wardrobe. We did decide that while the Carnival cruise was nice, we prefer NCL. On Sunday, January 8, the ships autopilot malfunctioned and we managed to list 35 degrees to port. A ships officer said we had about $1 million dollars of breakage as a result. I managed to take about 200 pictures and TLJ had about that many also.

More later!

Day of Feasts and Family

Once again, I have been less than faithful in keeping this page up. I accept my punishment of flogging with 50 wet noodles. Only about 6 weeks till vacation week. I am really looking forward to the sun and fun. Lady is too. The Youth bowling is going ok and we have been hanging on to the 3rd place for several weeks now. We just can't seem to take the next step and move up. The Sunday Night league is interesting in that we are doing better than last year but can't get out of the bottom 3. Green Giant is back and settling in nicely. His ribs don't protest too much. Work is the same. Perfection and 24/7 support is expected of us but mediocrity is allowed for others. The web server has been a pain for me the last two weeks but hopefully I now have it under control and running right. A little birdie told me Star and Chicken Man are returning to Virginia to try their luck here once more. I thought Georgia was heaven! Oh well, we wish them all the luck in the world and besides it might be nice to have them closer than a measly 10 hour drive. Not much change for #1 and #2. #1 gets hooked for babysitting a lot now that Peanut is working again. While I wish she was here for the kids, I understand her decision. Lew is doing great at bowling and hopefully he will start swinging the ball in January. We tried it this season but he wasn't quite ready. Lil Princess, well what can be said. She has the beauty, personality, and youthfulness that will melt any heart. Though finesse isn't in the cards yet. I can spot that attempt to persuade me instantly! AJ is a hand full but a fun handful. This Christmas should prove to be the best one ever. Vinny is growing like a weed and is already up to 16 pounds. We just had to switch the formula over to Soy-based to help him out with his stomach and gas. Cereal is next to come though this morning he managed to eat a bit of my oatmeal. I couldn't get it in fast enough.

Thanksgiving was great. Vinny and I watched football and had crab dip and generally interspersed naps during the commercials. Lady and Peanut put together a spread worth waiting for. Though Star and Chicken man weren't here physically, I had my family all around and that was great. I hope Christmas is a carbon copy with Star and Chicken man physically here! I was asked once what I wished for on Thanksgiving and I answered Family and the fulfillment of one little secret wish. I received the Family part but not the other.

I am avoiding the stores on Black Friday though Lady is braving the Crafts store as she gets some stuff for Christmas presents.

Dallas Cowboys are moving up just as fast as the Redskins are imploding. It seems like forever since the 'Skins 3-1 start.

Memory Lane - October 2011

Well, we made it safely to Florida and back home. The drive was beautiful with the leaves changing but no matter how I do it, the drive is too long. Where are rocket cars when you need them. Wild Mom's sonny-do list was completed. I finished the most wanted ones. We still managed to eat at Barnhill's (Buffet) in Pensacola and then ate at Ed's Seafood Shed in Mobile on the Causeway. I haven't drove there in quite a while. Coming home I drove the old highway (US98) back to Pace. That area hasn't changed a lot so a lot of memories were stirred up for everyone. Wild Mom's new shed (craft room) is nice and the work that Squirrel Man has done is impressive. Maybe I will have to get a shed and bring him up to finish mine. Lady loved the trip since all she did was read and sew. There wasn't a daughter-do list ... favoritism? We pre-bowled Sunday Night and managed to win 4-3, so we are not in last place anymore. Close but not there. On the kids league, we are in second place. This is better that last season but the surprise is my average sucks and we are still winning. Work continues to be a source of frustration but like a good soldier, I report in every morning for my tour of duty. On our trip we even manged a short stop at Star's and Chicken Man place in Marrietta. It was great seeing them for the first time since they were married. Amazing, she was alive and in one piece with no bruises. Just Kidding, they are doing great and constantly are pursuing the job market and planning on moving before long. We even managed to see Jenn (camerabug) for a little bit. She is as beautiful as ever though her neck/shoulder is giving her a fit.

On the home front, #1 works and spends his time with Vinny and AJ. #2 doesn't work and spends his time with the computer. Peanut spends all her time with Vinny and AJ. Vinny is now over 2 months old. Will someone please slow him down, he won't be a baby very long at this pace. It seems some days you can see him growing. Sometimes the thought of a #1 mini-me is frightening. AJ is excited about Halloween. Costumes, trick or treating, and pumpkins are his favorites. We will get to see Lou and Lil Princess this weekend. How we missed them and they were not very far from our thoughts the whole trip.

Well, as the year winds down, the one thing I have wished for all year has not occurred. I still hope it will appear as a Christmas present. Being at home last week brought many memories back. The pictures, memento's, and places where the memories were created brought home the thought that family is the most important thing we have. What would I do without them? We found the Half Dollar I gave to Dad when I saluted him the first time as an officer. The hand written note with the coin taped to a sheet of paper in a document protector was priceless. We even found my first discharge certificate as an E-1 from the United State Marine Corp in 1972. Now I must get it framed. Man, did my mind then take a whirlwind trip down memory lane. It would be 3 more years till I met the love of my life. Ok, enough of the Memory Lane stroll.

Reflections on the last Day of September

Today is the last day of September and I am amazed as I wonder where all this year has gone. I just want to slow things down and enjoy them a bit longer. With Facebook constantly changing (not for the better) and their desire to own what ever you post, I plan to do most of my writing here. Though my preference still remains to be face to face and talk about this stuff. There is a lot to be said about eyeball contact.

The Hebrews Bible study is finally over with and the next one will be a study of the Book of John. We previewed the DVD last night and it was interesting. Now I have to go and get the participant books ordered to we can get started soon. The Hebrews Study drove the point home that "Jesus is better than anything else."

Many things I want to get back into if I can find some time. Things like geneology, rebuilding and updating my website, reading my 4 books that chronicle the movie series "Game of Thrones," and eventually watch the season premiere of "TerraNova." I guess this is a good reason to retire, so I can have more time for myself and what I like to do.

Looks like we will be going to Florida for a few days in October since our weekend in Pigeon Forge fell through. I have to really look at the map and see if it is possible to get to Florida without passing through Kennesaw Georgia. That place is full of Redskins Fans, NY Jets Fans, animal lovers and crazy women who love cameras. Man, itn't there one normal person in that town?

Just a thought ---

I was walking around in a supermarket when i saw a cashier hand this little boy his money back, the boy couldn't have been more than 5 or 6 years old. The Cashier said, 'I'm sorry, but you don't have enough money to buy this doll.'' The little boy turned to the old woman next to him, ''Granny, are you sure I don't have enough money?'' She replied, ''You know that you don't have enough money to buy this doll, my dear.'' Then she asked him to stay there for just 5 minutes while she went to look around. She left quickly. The little boy was still holding the doll in his hand. Finally, I walked toward him and I asked him who he wished to give this doll to. 'It's the doll that my sister loved most and wanted so much for Christmas. She was sure that Santa Claus would bring it to her.' I replied to him that maybe Santa Claus would bring it to her after all, and not to worry. But he replied to me sadly. 'No, Santa Claus can't bring it to her where she is now. I have to give the doll to my mommy so that she can give it to my sister when she goes there.' His eyes were so sad while saying this, 'My Sister has gone to be with God. Daddy says that Mommy is going to see God very soon too, so I thought that she could take the doll with her to give it to my sister.'' My heart nearly stopped. The little boy looked up at me and said, 'I told daddy to tell mommy not to go yet. I need her to wait until I come back from the mall.' Then he showed me a very nice photo of himself. He was laughing. He then told me 'I want mommy to take my picture with her so she won't forget me.' 'I love my mommy and I wish she didn't have to leave me, but daddy says that she has to go to be with my little sister.' Then he looked again at the doll with sad eyes, very quietly. I quickly reached for my wallet and said to the boy. 'Suppose we check again, just in case you do have enough money for the doll!'' OK' he said, 'I hope I do have enough.' I added some of my money to his without him seeing and we started to count it. There was enough for the doll and even some spare money. The little boy said, 'Thank you God for giving me enough money!' Then he looked at me and added, 'I asked last night before I went to sleep for God to make sure I had enough money to buy this doll, so that mommy could give it to my sister. He heard me!'' 'I also wanted to have enough money to buy a white rose for my mommy, but I didn't dare to ask God for too much. But He gave me enough to buy the doll and a white rose.'' 'My mommy loves white roses.' A few minutes later, the old lady returned and I left with my basket. I finished my shopping in a totally different state of mind from when I started. I couldn't get the little boy out of my mind. Then I remembered a local newspaper article two days ago, which mentioned a drunk man in a truck, who hit a car occupied by a young woman and a little girl. The little girl died right away and the mother was left in a critical state. The family had to decide whether to pull the plug on the life-sustaining machine because the young woman would not be able to recover from the coma. Was this the family of the little boy? Two days after this encounter with the little boy I read in the newspaper that the young woman had passed away. I couldn't stop myself as I bought a bunch of white roses and I went to the funeral home where the body of the young woman was for people to see and make last wishes before her burial. She was there, in her coffin, holding a beautiful white rose in her hand with the photo of the little boy and the doll placed over her chest. I left the place, teary-eyed, feeling that my life had been changed forever. The love that the little boy had for his mother and his sister is still, to this day, hard to imagine, and in a fraction of a second, a drunk driver had taken all this away from him.

Now you have 2 choices:

• (1) Use this to make a difference in someone's life, or
• (2) Ignore it as if it never touched your heart
  

Just realized I way behind on my blogs. Where did the time go ... oh, I know. Work and home stuff. A lot has happened and I will just briefing cover them for now. The biggest item was Vincent Joesph Davis being born. It has changed the whole dynamics of the house. Every day he has something new for us to see or experience. Yes, he is healthy and very active. Peanut is well especially since his birth went a lot easier than AJ's.

Green Giant and TL decided to take the scenic route across the field on the motorcycle. Seems the bike didn't want to and ejected them both into the soft grass. They are ok for the most part. Nothing that won't heal back together given some time. Gave us a little scare but we are glad things are going so well.

Summer bowling was less than spectacular. Now that fall leagues are going it is mildly better. Lew is bowling this season with me. He tried briefly to throw the ball like me but went back to the two-handed push when his arm hurt. Maybe in January we will try again.

Work is the same and never letting up. With my birthday in September I am only 6 years away from official retirement age. Maybe with fingers crossed it will happen that way.

National Bowling Tournament is in Baton Rouge La. this year ... make your plans!
Cruise in January to the Eastern Caribbean.
We have a week off in October and still haven't firmed up what we will do for those days yet. Any ideas?

• Lady is still gorgeous and the love of my life.
• Wild Mom is in building mode (new shed) in between camping and Camp Bluebird.
• #1 still works.
• #2 still doesn't work.
• Peanut is having kids right and left.
• Starr is starting her own animal farm.
• Lil Princess, Lew, and AJ keep growing and warming our hearts.
• Gung-Ho Jenn left us for Germany and another family.

We love them all and wouldn't change a thing ... well, not everything.

August Days - Fun in the Heat

Heading for the weekend and it can't come soon enough. There has been some movement on my new job in Salem but nothing firm and besides as it stands now, I am not a happy or secure camper. More to come later when someone decides what is going on. The other big news is Peanut is scheduled to download on the 18th. So life will move to another level of frenzy on that day. Youth Bowling still lacks a lot as another week passed with a 0-7 record. This is the fourth week of this skid and no end in sight. I think this week we slipped into last place. Maybe I should start driving an 18 wheeler cross-country. Don't know what that would accomplish but heck, it is a change. Doctor's appointment on Tuesday went so well that she invited me back 3 weeks. Yeah! Trying to figure out a weekend to sneak away and just chill out. Hmmm, I wonder who wants to go! I saw a few movies lately that weren't too bad. They were Splice, Daylight and Hurt Locker.