Some Last Thoughts for 2006

Gee, 2006 is coming to an end and what ever happened to the 365 days? I can only remember 299 of them. Help, I have been cheated out of some great times.

Here are some highlights of the year from my eyes. I know I have forgotten something so please don't execute me ... I am getting older.

January - Our new Years Cruise -- oh what fun.

February - A much sadder month as Dad went on to be with the Lord. Just to think, he is up there having fun. I miss him so.

March - National Bowling Tournament in Corpus Christi Texas and a great week with my Mom.

May - Two things happened to change my life. Someone who means the world to me turned 50. And a beautiful high energy Blonde came into our life. It has changed our life forever --- for the best.

June - Daughter #1 graduates from High School and our hearts beat proud for what she has done.

September - Financially free ... oh how it feels so good.

October - Son #1 moves to Colorado as he leaves the nest. A great opportunity for him but we sure miss him. Pssst ... Don't tell him though. Daughter #1 gets married and makes us as proud as possible. We love her so.

November - Paul blesses us with a whole year of healing and prayers. God is good.

December - Our first Christmas without Son #1 and with Daughter #2. I won't trade a moment except to have Son #1 here for the Holiday's and share the season with him.

I have many reasons to be happy and thankful for but one is the most important. Without her I would have been lost 31 years ago. My wife is so special I can't even start to tell you. In my mind, she defines wife, mother, friend, lover, and companion. If only I could find the right way to tell her the depth of her meaning to me. I can't wait for the next 31 years and then some.

Happy New Year and May whomever you worship may they bless you with a great life.

Christmas - Part 3

We celebrated 31 years last night. In my humble opinion it was as good as the first. Our best friends went with us and we had a slow and fun dinner. Work continues to provide a million laughs even if they aren't wanted. I just love those early morning phone calls especially when it is a morning to sleep in a bit and regain some of what I lost last week. Oh well! Do you realize it is time to once again plan for the tax day and start collecting that pile of supporting paperwork. Gee, with New Year’s Eve approaching, I wonder hat resolutions I can make so I can have something to break in January 2007.

Upcoming Events:
28 – Polish up the Baseball bat and practice saying “no.”
31 – New Year’s Eve party
3 - #2 Birthday – 21st isn’t that old? Time for a beer belly?
11 - #1 Birthday – 25th now that is ancient .. He may even have grey hair now.

#1: Battening down for another snowstorm. Imagine, he left this beautiful 60 degree weather for that. Maybe he has found a snow bunny to keep him warm.

#2: Chomping at the bit to get his new computer on order. He has already changed his mind from what he decided on earlier this week. Shall we try for 4 times?

Star: Will be here in a few days when she finishes tying all the loose ends together. I think she just wants to keep me waiting ... but I won't beg.

Princess: Oh the travails of boy friends. I guess we now will start riding that roller coaster. I wonder how many she will go through before Mr. Right shows up. 100? The 2-day sleep over has ended. What excitement that 5 young ladies generate. We now have several "new colored" towels to use following the latest hair coloring adventure. They even wanted to color mine ... what a waste of dye.

Toy: sorting life out after sending the Fiancé for a cold shower and a long walk. I think it was the right move though trying to explain a hunch is very hard. We had a long talk while Princess was pining over "babe". I some times wonder why they want to grow up so fast; I always thought being a kid is fun. Perhaps we as a society have failed by forcing our kids to be an adult too soon. Could that explain the 45% divorce rate ... married too soon?

Christmas - Part 2

Hope Everyone had a great Christmas and will have a even better New Year. I will.

I am still amazed at how some people operate their computers. By the way, the servers still give me fits as the bugs are slowly ironed out. Usually, the server gets wrung out for a few weeks before it is ever put into action. But I didn't have that luxury. Today, the main backup server decided to crap out so that is what I am working on now. The chuckles these people provide still continue. Someone complained their Internet didn't work. I fixed the problem and told them it was good. They replied no it isn't. It still has that error screen on the monitor. So I clicked a button and all was good once again. "What did you do? I clicked on the REFRESH button. Oh, I would have never thought of that, I am not the techie type." Another one! "Come and fix my mail. "After you fixed the server my mail folders are gone." So I checked the program, clicked once and the folders all appeared. "What did you do? I clicked on the plus sign by the mail folders icon. Oh, you really know your computers." Yet another one! Someone else informs me that the operators are not techie types and the engineer should fix things and let them focus on creative things. (Yeah, right, like surf the internet or generally pound their pud. Then later that day they come to me "can you record the show @ 3 pm for replay at 7pm? Do I look like a creative type? People want a paycheck and don't want to do anything for it. At times you just want to run and get away from the whole mess. I say "automate the whole lot" and get rid of the "creative ones."

Today is the big 31. Anniversary, that is. I can only wish I was referring to my age.

I can't imagine what Christmas would be like without all the kids. Just watching their faces and listening to their excitement was great. Though maybe 12 kids would be a bit much. It would be fun if my newly married daughter had 12 kids. Then I could try it out and if it didn't work out I could just move away. Sounds good to me.

Wild Mom: fighting plumbing problems.

#1: is in his new apartment. Now comes the problem of furniture. Sleeping on an air mattress will get old. Remember those days?

#2: Same old Same old.

Star: heading our way for a long visit. Can't wait.

Princess: Sweetie, Honey .... Hey there! That sounds like someone with a boyfriend. Time to polish the baseball bat and get it ready for some Boy friend attitude adjustment. Attitude like "your hands stay on yourself", "those lips best be puckered to kiss your mom" and "any intentions in your mind best be in the future ... like 6 years from now."

Christmas - Part 1

Well, it is about time I wrote a word or two. Starting last Tuesday the wheels came off the skateboard. At work the server crashed big time (after some 9 years). What timing! So after about 35 hours, I went home and snagged about 4 hours sleep then headed back to fine some knucklehead opened an attachment that contained a virus. So not only did I get to rebuild a server, I have the joy of getting rid of a virus from about 60% of the computers. Sure wish I could fix "stupid". What a Christmas present.

Finally about 1 PM on Saturday, I just left and came back this morning to finish up. Then the Holiday kicked in. Friday night was a super party with friends, Saturday was Mexican Food then shopping. Sunday was Church, shopping, and Christmas Eve service. At the service, as we sang Silent Night my thoughts turned to Dad and I was tired by time Christmas day came around.

It was a great day. I talked with all my kids. Spent the day with four of them and loved every minute. So what did my perfect Christmas present have in it? A phone call to Wild Mom to her her say "I love you." A kiss from Lady. Three long phone calls from #1, Star and Blue. Plenty of hugs from Princess, Toy, Critty. And a "thanks Dad" from #2. With Lew sprinkling everything with "I love you Pap Paw and that squeezing hug." See I am a simple person who wants nothing more than being with his family. Those gifts will last for ever and bring back memories long after the words grow silent and the hugs wear off.

On the present's scene, It was mostly clothes and some tools. Heaven forbid I run out of clothes and have to run around nekkid.

Goody - Goody

You Are a Gingerbread House

A little spicy and a little sweet, anyone would like to be lost in the woods with you.

What Holiday Food Are You?

A Dusty and Crumpled Letter

Dear Children,

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival ... although I do appreciate being remembered anytime.

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own.

I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth just, GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER. Now, having said that let Me go on.

If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all my followers did that, there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgot that one, look up John 15:1-8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth, here is My wish list. Choose something from it.

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know; they tell me all the time.
2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.
3. Instead of writing George complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year? Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you again.
4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.
5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.
6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile. It could make the difference.
7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work here. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one.
8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary, especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.
9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.
10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.

PS: Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And, do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember ...

I LOVE YOU, JESUS

SANTA CLAUS: An Engineer's Perspective

I. There are approximately two billion children (persons under 18) in the world. However, since Santa does not visit children of Muslim, Hindu, Jewish or Buddhist religions, this reduces the workload for Christmas night to 15% of the total, or 378 million (according to the Population Reference Bureau). At an average (census) rate of 3.5 children per house hold, that comes to 108 million homes, presuming that there is at least one good child in each.

II. Santa has about 31 hours of Christmas to work with, thanks to the different time zones and the rotation of the earth, assuming he travels east to west (which seems logical). This works out to 967.7 visits per second.

This is to say that for each Christian household with a good child, Santa has around 1/1000th of a second to park the sleigh, hop out, jump down the chimney, fill the stockings, distribute the remaining presents under the tree, eat whatever snacks have been left for him, get back up the chimney, jump into the sleigh and get on to the next house. Assuming that each of these 108 million stops is evenly distributed around the earth (which, of course, we know to be false, but will accept for the purposes of our calculations), we are now talking about 0.78 miles per household; a total trip of 75.5 million miles, not counting bathroom stops or breaks. This means Santa's sleigh is moving at 650 miles per second --- 3,000 times the speed of sound. For purposes of comparison, the fastest man-made vehicle, the Ulysses space probe, moves at a poky 27.4 miles per second, and a conventional reindeer can run (at best) 15 miles per hour.

III. The payload of the sleigh adds another interesting element. Assuming that each child gets nothing more than a medium sized Lego set (two pounds), the sleigh is carrying over 500 thousand tons, not counting Santa himself. On land, a conventional reindeer can pull no more than 300 pounds. Even granting that the "flying" reindeer could pull ten times the normal amount, the job can't be done with eight or even nine of them --- Santa would need 360,000 of them. This increases the payload, not counting the weight of the sleigh, another 54,000 tons, or roughly seven times the weight of the Queen Elizabeth (the ship, not the monarch).

IV. 600,000 tons traveling at 650 miles per second crates enormous air resistance --- this would heat up the reindeer in the same fashion as a spacecraft re-entering the earth's atmosphere. The lead pair of reindeer would absorb 14.3 quintillion joules of energy per second each. In short, they would burst into flames almost instantaneously, exposing the reindeer behind them and creating deafening sonic booms in their wake. The entire reindeer team would be vaporized within 4.26 thousandths of a second, or right about the time Santa reached the fifth house on his trip. Not that it matters, however, since Santa, as a result of accelerating from a dead stop 650 m.p.s. in .001 seconds, would be subjected to centrifugal forces of 17,500 g's. A 250 pound Santa (which seems ludicrously slim) would be pinned to the back of the sleigh by 4,315,015 pounds of force, instantly crushing his bones and organs and reducing him to a quivering blob of pinkish goo.(editor note: easier to pour down the chimney :-)

V. Therefore, if Santa did exist, he's dead now.

The Engineer's Night Before Christmas ...

Twas the night before Christmas and I had finally gotten home When my Wife met me at the door and handed me the phone.

"It's that darn remote control thing" she said in great dismay And the Burk doesn't call simply to say Happy Holiday.

So while my children were hanging the stockings by the chimney with care I'm preoccupied trying to get the transmitter back on the air.

"ON filaments, ON plate, NO output? You stupid ____"
"Recycle, RESET, Overload? I'm fixen ----!!"

Regaining my composure to notice my Daughter's staring face Asking "Daddy - do you HAVE to go to that transmitter place??"

"Yes Princess", I said "But it won't be for long"
Hoping deep down inside that I wasn't wrong.

So out I trudged into the cold winter's night
To the world's most remote tower site.

Driving past all the houses, lit up with holiday glee
Feeling sorry for myself -- and asking why me ??

But as I got closer my heart was feeling some lighter when all of a sudden --
I started hearing the EXCITER!

"Powr Supply"! I thought ... "surely it's not the final"
My heart's racing now, anticipating my arrival.

With schematic after schematic dancing in my head
"what if the plate transformer's shorted dead"??

Throwing open the gate and running into the shack
I start to tackle the problem and race around the back.

Where much to my amazement what did I see ??
A half open back door door --- apparently not shut good --- BY ME !!

So as I return to my cottage after a night so tiring,
I'm wondering if perhaps McDonald's is hiring !

Then I think "What a profession --- I could never leave"
After all, I've got maintenance scheduled for NEW YEARS'S EVE !!

(Author unknown)

MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL!!!

Whew!!

This past weekend was a blur. Wild Mom left about Midnight on Friday to head for home. I did my best to convince her not to sneak out of town. But she is home now and glad to be there. Saturday was Choir Practice as we prepared for Sunday Night. Lady's work Christmas Party was Saturday night with us getting back home after midnight. Yes we pooped out but when the guys started dressing up in dresses, used toilet plungers as microphones, sang "I am Woman" and did it without being drunk ... well, it was time to leave. As usual between the snacks and the meal we overstuffed. Sunday was also a world wind as we had ate breakfast at our usual place, Sunday School, Church, Choir Practice, Youth Bowling Awards, pre-bowled our Sunday Night league, had another choir practice and ended it with the Christmas Program. Lady and I finally dragged in from the weekend about 11 pm.

Work continues to be a laugh a minute as we watch the corporate weenies try and run the company. Somehow incompetence keeps ringing in my ears. Nothing more like a joke than a Lawyer playing at being an Engineer. Maybe I need to get some "flight-line", then stuff some "Grid-Leak Bias" up the Kazoo with a "Di-pole" and tie it off. That is after he goes on a FOD walk after filling his "plate with current and topped off with some Flux." That just might work.

The Christmas Program was a smashing success as the place was literally packed. I was happy for my part with 3 kids there, 2 out-of-town, and 2 missing in action. For the three that made it ... it means a lot to me for that day I found the perfect Christmas present ... and it was you. Only as you grow long in the tooth do you realize the importance of "family" at this time. I would take "family" over any present in the world.

Well, congrats to the Redskins in their win. I was impressed as they won a hard fought meaningless game that had no pressure to make them choke at the most critical time.

Even the Wizards won as they beat a team they could never beat (0-12) ... it helps when your opponent's three best players sit out. Performance like that will win the Championship ... just ask The Redskins.

Hee Hee!

Well, the week is over and perhaps the fun will begin. This week I did something I haven't done in a long time. I sat up all night and played a game. Needless to say, this old body complained all the next day. I can remember the days when I could do that for several days before I crashed and burned. Oh well, I will have to make do. Work is fine but sometimes I really have my doubts. It is really hard to fix "stupid." :)

Wild Mom: Returned from England broke and pissed of at the airlines. She managed to come home with more suitcases than she left with. She will be heading for home later tonight. Bubbles (the dog) asked for asylum so he could stay and play with all the kids.

Lady: Tired as she prepares for the Holidays. But she would make you proud.

#1: Work is fine and he is starting to look for an apartment. He is in our prayers as he establishes himself in Colorado.

#2: Job Interview was negative, so the search continues.

Star: May be coming to stay with us for a month while her hubby goes off and has fun, errr, I mean train for his new job.

Princess: Sick this week so we have stayed away from her so we wouldn't get those GERMS.

Today I heard a great example of Motherly Protection. 4 men broke into her home. She immediately runs out the back to call the police. Great idea except she left her baby laying there in the crib. Then stood outside crying because she was afraid the child would be harmed. Well, duh.

Local Politicians want to raise the gas tax some $0.50 per gallon. The reason is to improve the roads since the state won't. The other part is to force more riders to use Metro and not drive. The same day Metro announce a large fare increase and the elimination of some service. Looks like I am fixing to get hosed again and either way I will have to pay for it. I wouldn't mind a tax increase if part of the funds went to Metro to improve their service. But do you think these County Crooks will do that ... nope.

Somebody this week said the Redskins problems were caused by over-confidence. Gee, it took them 17 weeks to figure this out. Imagine how long it would take if there was a hidden problem if an obvious problem took that long!

It is amazing how the media is reporting more human interest stories in Iraq and slowing the body count stories down. The republicans asked for that for six years and now that the Democrats / Liberals are about to take over the media

Baa Humbug

Well, another weekend draws to a close and the Monday Blahs prepare to interject themselves. What started off as a great weekend has managed to end on a crappy note. Bowling went well though it could have been better. A bright spot was the Redskins (Deadskins in disguise) finally losing the game and officially ending their inflated hopes of the playoffs. Now maybe the media will find something else to pump up into the next World Champion.

This week’s schedule:
Tuesday - Choir Practice and Wild Mom's return
Wednesday - My Work's Christmas Party
Saturday - Lady's Work Christmas Party
Sunday - Youth Bowling Awards Party, Church Christmas Play

So you can see it shall be a busy one as we approach Christmas. I hope everyone is making this a "Family" holiday and enjoying every minute of it. Oops, hope I didn’t offend anyone’s sensibilities with the thought of family time.

I wish someone would explain to me where I missed the boat on what a family truly is. If you have the answer please email me. What I see in my mind doesn't match what others around here see it as being like. What I hear does not match what they show in their actions. I almost get a sense that "Family" is just a word to banter around so others think you have something special. Family is being together instead of scheduling the family into little nooks and crannies that happen to be convenient thus keeping the illusion of belonging alive. I want to be together to share the love and the nuances of the season. You know the types of memories I mean. The ones that will be in your mind 25 years from now and still bring a smile to your face and a tear to your eyes. The memories that while you sit there and look at a picture and wonder how they ever got you to pose like that all the time forgetting the gallon of egg nog you swilled as part of the preparation for that picture. As I sit here my mind asks me "why care?" Obviously I missed the memo that changed things around and relegated everyone to being passing ships in the day and night. Speaking of ships, perhaps this is the time to forget my thoughts of a "family time" and book a cruise every year that leaves before Christmas and returns after the New Year. That would solve things because then everyone could do as they like with no obligation to feel anything else during this season of Christmas. The wife and I could then create our own memories to last a lifetime. If not, then the picture album would burst at the seams of the places we searched in a vain effort to find that elusive idea called "family."

I wonder how many more accidents will occur before some knucklehead in the State or City Government does something to stop the carnage at the highway intersection near our house. Tonight, once again for the umpteenth time there was another accident at that intersection. It seems to be a weekly affair that somewhere around that intersection someone innocent gets hurt and possibly even loses their life. I was once told that a certain number of people must die before they take action to fix the problem. Why must even 2 people die ... I was taught that everyone is worth something and their life shouldn't be wasted. If the intersection was designed wrong then fix it, don't kill people just to make it worth your time to fix it. I wonder how quickly they will change their mind when it is someone they love that is injured or killed at that intersection.

Ho Humm!

Well, the week draws to a close and Christmas gets closer. Maybe my gift this season should be "more of a scrooge." That would prove to be fun since I am such a push over. I will be in real trouble if Princess ever figures out how to wrap me around her finger. But I feel safe in the thought she probably will never figure it out. Starr came close but I wriggled free with only losing my heart to her. Next week will be interesting because of 2 Christmas parties and one Christmas program at the church. Gee, I wonder how many of the kids will show up for the Church program? Last weekend I had no one to go see "Happy Feet" with me so I guess I will go and find a "rent-a-kid" this weekend.

Work is about the same ... everyone wanting the world but not willing to learn the first thing about it. There is plenty of job security since the project list will take the rest of 2007 to complete. Maybe I should get sick with one of those 4-week colds and drag this process out. Hmmm!

Wild Mom: No updates so far. Maybe she is being held "in communicato" by the German Government for having too loud of a party in her room. I know Jenn would never do something like that.

Lady: Sure getting tired of her cross-stitch project. She is also fighting off a cold. The downside of the cross-stitch project is that it has slowed down the Christmas baking. Oh well, maybe my body could use the rest from all the goodies.

#1: Got his new cell phone and my wallet is already feeling heavier.

#2: Something big in the Business world must have happened. He has a job interview today. Or is it "Be Kind to Big Kids Day?"

Starr: Getting prettier by the day ... or at least my mind says so since we haven't seen her for a while. Hope to see her soon. Now let me see, where did that invitation sneak off too.

Princess: Still around and growing ... must be the water. Between School, work, our schedule and the Fire Station we haven't seen her a lot. We know she is there by from the ringing of her phone.

Eskimo Boy: Kind of a quiet type. They only way we know of his existence are the dirty dishes and glasses. We hope to spot him one day.

Anyone want to see pictures of Princess with her pj's torn after her fall at MacDonald's?

Salt Mines -- Here we come!

Well, the new week stares me fully in the face. The weekend is never long enough to do what I want to do. Bowling was good. The youth team finished second. The evening team went 5-2 and should move up to 2nd or 3rd.

22 days till Christmas and not all the wish lists are in to us. Guess they don't want anything. Anyone else want the leftover presents?

Wild Mom: Doing well just running short of money. They should be getting ready to fly over to Germany soon. She only has a little over a week left.

Lady: Also wishes the weekend could be longer. She did manage to bake some cookies with M&M's in them. There goes the diet the Doctor wanted me to start.

#1: Got his new phone. He is getting a good dose of snow and cold weather. For me, give me the warm weather.

#2: Spent most of the weekend gone and when he was here he was asleep downstairs. I guess I am too much of a social person to spent that much time alone or asleep. As I have gotten older I find the family time more special and something to look forward too. I am so tired of hearing that blasted alarm clock constantly beeping. The next time I will take the baseball bat by the door and beat the crap out of it. :(

Starr: I wonder if she is ready to move again? What she needs is someone to sneak down there and check out her new guest bedroom. Plus Lady is ready to see some more wedding pictures. Will I recognize her or has her hair changed again. Doesn't matter though because we love her. :)

Princess: Nothing new. She left Friday night and returned late Sunday night, spending the whole weekend at the fire station. :(

Eskimo Boy: Had someone rearrange the rear end of his car. He is fine. He spent the weekend chatting on line.

Lew: It is amazing how a 3 year old develops an attitude. One minute he is defiant and the next so cute. Life is never boring. We just love it when he stuffs tools in his pants and runs around calling himself "Builder Bob." The walls of this house will never be the same after his efforts.

***************

All this week I listened to the local media brag about how vulnerable the Falcons were and how the Redskins would use this to start their Playoff run. The bragged how the Falcons, Giants, Phillies were prime to be beat by this surging Redskins Team (They had won 1 game). Well, after their 24-10 whipping ... I am waiting for their next attempt at bragging. Admit it. The 2006 Redskins are a losing team and look very bad in losing. What they need for 2007 is to get rid of the whole lot of them and get some people who really want to play.

Congrats to the Florida Gators. Despite the crookedness of the BCS committees, you get a chance to prove yourselfs. Playoffs are the way to go. But the Committee won't allow it because it would mean the end of the "Good ol Boy" system.

Thoughts

The old knight sat against the old tree in the courtyard watching the young squires sparring. The sun felt good on his aching legs. These brief respites felt good as he paid the price of many days in the saddle and quite a few blocked blows. It didn't take long for the squires to filter over and take a seat only to be followed by some seasoned knights. Everyone had learned that the words of this old knight were to be carefully listened too and remembered. After a bit the Captain of the Guard spoke up. "Sire, might you tell us a story and provide a few pointers?" The old knight nodded and slowly started a story.

"From my experience I have found that Brotherhood is the essence of what every squire needs. You can only go so far on your own. Why even the strongest is weak when facing the Brotherhood. You see the Brotherhood provides you knowledge of life, a base of experience no one man can assemble and companionship when you feel the loneliest. I would even believe that if you avoid the Brotherhood then your days as a Knight will be counted in days and not years." The old knight paused as if to recollect his thoughts.

The Captain looked about and from what he saw he could almost pick out the ones who would succeed and those who will possibly never see their second battle.

In all fairness

To the light of my Life ... I love you.

I love those knees .... :)

And other times she scared me ...

Really?

Your Elf Name Is...

Flakey Mc Mini

What's Your Elf Name?

Silent Alarm

We were unable to catch Princess when she drove the ambulance for the first time but we did manage to get a picture when she drove the Fire Engine the first time.

Kind of reminds you of Fred Flintstone and his big feet.