Splashing Fun

Another weekend has come and gone. Bible School is over and a complete success. Some kids asked if we could do it next week ... they were having a blast. Wild Mom continues to heal and get stronger. Before long she will be back to full strength and on the road again. lady is happy VBS is over so she can rest and shake the last effects of her cold off. I managed to clear cut one half of the back yard jungle. A couple of times I had to follow the bright yellow electric cord back to the house. I will try and finish up the yard today provided the rain holds up. #1 is on a roll, 2 phone interviews in 7 months. I think half of Manassas will faint if he gets a job. #2 is sneaking around trying to find out #1's secret of landing them interviews since #2 is O-fer during the same time frame. Star is fine and the day of her calendar debut is drawing closer. She will be visiting Pennsylvania for a few days. We got a kiddie pool and Lil Princess, Lew and AJ made the most of it. AJ was blue and shivering like a leaf in a hurricane ... but he pitched a fit when we dried him off and took him inside. We had a blast watching them and Lady managed to get a few pictures of them in action. Peanut is doing fine though her are work hours are drawing down ... we knew this would happen from the start but the chance was taken. Saturday, Peanut and I went to see the Star Trek movie. It was ok, but the original series is still the best. Youth bowling is approaching mid-season. I averaged 201 but it takes more than one person to win. It looks like Indiana will be our next trip.

I am tired of Whacko Jacko memorials. Funny how in life they were avoiding or not supporting him (sales were at the bottom) but now are going stupid over him once again. They forget what kind of person he was and pump him up as the Greatest Ever. Funny how we change when we try and exploit him by collecting his stuff.

No need to say anything about the Nationals ... they lived up to their potential.

Summer Reflections

Hot times in Virginia. Today is 90+ and humid. Wild Mom is doing well. Her stamina isn't where she would like it but as long as she goes slow she is fine. It looks like she will be able to attend the Reunion in Lynn Haven Florida next weekend. It has been a long time since my last one ... well, maybe one day I will make it. Lady is really enjoying Vacation Bible School as she has the pleasure of corralling 8 kids under two years of age. Somehow I think she will be ready for another weekend vacation just to recuperate. #1 managed to scrape up an interview and at the same time run the Caddy out of gas. All the while the jungle grows ... even the wild strawberries are having to fight for their sunlight. #2 continues to be a room lizard and dodge any interviews. Star is doing fine. She continues to push to get her life organized. Who thought she would be a famous model ... featured in a calendar. It kind of made me think of a reality show where the young lady informed her parents that she was a centerfold in Playboy magazine. Hmmmm! Rub that thought from my mind! We will get to see Lew and Lil Princess this weekend after missing the last two. How much have they grown? More than the weeds in the yard? Work is the same ... frustrating ... plus Cheng is going on vacation next week but he deserves it for all the crap he deals with.

For those who are concerned ... I am fine. Just a bit disappointed as another piece of my dream dies. I wonder if it is possible to set them too high so that you can never have any real expectation of them ever succeeding? Sure seems like it.

9 Days till the Race ... Tour De France

The cruise is getting closer as the other night we actually started dreaming and scheming of what will transpire on the cruise in January. We have only 6 months till then ... I can feel the breeze on my face as we race downhill to the sailing date. Not to mention ... Lady in a bikini.

Back to Reality

We have landed safely back at home. After the AC was fixed about Monday noon, we headed for lunch and the road. The drive was long and uneventful as usual but we made it. Wild Mom is fine and healing slowly. Today, she had a small issue with some fever but after clearing the drain tube, everything seems to be back to normal. The yard looks like a scene out of the Jungle. It will be quite a job to cut. Maybe I might need a shotgun to take care of the critters that are hiding in the grass. I am amazed how quickly it grows ... when I first started it never seemed to grow but now when I wish it would slow down ... no way. Vacation Bible School is well underway and I am hoping to get there but there are a few issues at work that I am working on. Work is the same with no hope of changing anytime soon.

At least the nationals haven't changed ... thank God for something consistent. I am looking forward to the Tour De France starting soon.

She is on the Loose

Well, we arrived in Florida fine ... just tired from driving all night. Wild Mom's surgery went fine. She went in about 11:30 and they were done about 3:30. She spent the night and was discharged this morning about 9:00. Of course that happened just as I sat down to breakfast ... needless to say ... I finished it an hour later and 30 seconds for the microwave. Also the air conditioner decided to mess up today. The fan motor burned up on a day when the heat index was 103+. The old fan blades were so rusted that it will be Monday before they finish the job. It is running now and the inside temp is 85 and dropping. Lady fixed potato soup and it was good as usual ... and "no" there wasn't any left to bring home. At one point today all five of us were sitting around sleeping. It was funny. As you get older those "power naps" work wonders. The usual computer work gets done as it is amazing how much can get messed up between visits. last night we had to buy more dog food and when we got home ... it was full of bugs. Gee, great price and extra bonus protein. We took the bag back and lo and behold ... every bag on the shelf contained bugs. The Store Manager wasn't happy. It looks like the dealer sold him bad food. The Church down here is having a breakfast for Father's Day, so perhaps I will stuff myself before Sunday School. Lady bought some great looking tomatoes for making tomato sandwiches ... but alas ... we will have to wait till tomorrow to taste test them.

Way Down South

The drive to Florida as uneventful and long. Both of us are really looking forward to a complete nights sleep. We left about 2:30 pm and arrived in Florida at 7:00 am. We did manage to attend the "Over 50" Luncheon at the Cracker Barrel. Even though I wasn't qualified ... they didn't check ID's and we got it. The food was great and the company even better. That drive gets longer each time we make it. I think the days of driving straight through are fast coming to an end. We drove the truck and it ran well. The lowest gas we found $2.39 in South Carolina. Wild Mom is doing well and right now we are sitting here waiting for the surgery to end. They say it will last about 1 hour. With the prep work and stuff, I figure she will be done about 4:00 pm. We got here about 8:30 just to hurry up and wait. Lady is doing fine. Her cold is still hanging on. Good thing about all this waiting is she can catch up on her reading of the book. No change with #1 and #2. Though #1 had a bit of trouble with his teeth. After removing three he does feel better for the time being. Peanut continues to work and find out just how far a paycheck does not stretch. AJ continues to grow stronger and doing what one-year olds do ... get into trouble. Starr is doing well and working at Pizza Hut. She is getting excited as the day of receiving her tax refund gets closer and then she can get her own place. There is no change on the work scene and I have even managed to get caught up some ... but alas ... more projects. Both Bible Studies are doing very good. Every one wants to participate and talk ... thus that makes it easier for me. The Youth bowling is about a third of the way completed. While we both have higher averages than last year we are almost in last place. We are getting killed by the handicap difference. It doesn't take much for a 70 average bowler to bowl over their average.

Florida ... Here we come

June is well underway and lots of things are happening. Watching the D-Day specials just remind me how great those men and women were. They truly are the Greatest Generation. I salute you all.

The Youth bowling is rolling along. Personally, I am doing great (196 with 3 of the 4 series over 200) but the team isn't. Two of our partners haven't showed up and bowling two blind scores just about guarantees you a loss. We try but keep coming up short. It would be nice to find two kids who want to have fun and learn a little about bowling. I have an idea on one but they don't have time. It is a pisser when they grow up or at least think they have. This week I have two Bible Studies starting up and that excites me. The book (The Shack) is great and there is a great potential for a lot of discussion. Everyone that has been reading it so far really likes it. The excitement level for everyone is high. Work is so-so and if given the chance I could think of dozen of things to do in its place. Most people are gone or busy doing whatever they do when they aren't in the office getting face time or creating work for the engineers. The equipment is running fine ... just like we arranged. Fix it right and it runs fine for a long time. Keep the Operator fingers out of it and it runs flawlessly.

We will be heading for Florida on the afternoon of the 18th and returning on probably the 22nd of June. Wild Mom is have some surgery and we are going down to be with her, if nothing more than giggle at her discomfort. Probably even eat a great tasting What-a-burger while she eats that bland and tasteless hospital food. Your prayers would be appreciated for her. Peanut is working and having a great time. #1 and #2 still manage to dodge the work bullet and lay around the house. Though #1 does it with some pain ... his teeth are bothering him. Did AJ punch him in the chops like Lil Princess gave Lew a good shiner? The kids are great and growing like weeds. Lil Princess and AJ are learning to talk and that provides a lot of laughs. Lew is becoming a computer games geek ... hmmm ... just like #2? Vacation Bible school starts on the 22nd and the kids are looking forward to it. They sure get in the way while Lady and I do our planning and getting things ready. Starr is tossing the pies at Pizza Hut. Can you imagine her with flour all over her face and pepperonis in her hair? She and Dave are doing fine and learning that building a home takes some work and I think they will be up here in August. Batten down the hatches ... the storm is coming ashore. We love her and can't wait to see her again. Lady is a little under the weather and trying to rest a lot right now as she apparently tries to shrug off a summer cold. I am about finished with my sinus issues and all the coughing fits it started.

Things we still need to plan is an Indiana weekend (AUG) trip, Virginia Beach weekend (SEPT), Chincoteague weekend (Jul), Maryland Renn-Faire weekend (Sept), and the Training Course in Kansas City Mo (OCT). Of course, already planned is the Western Caribbean cruise in January.

##########

It is a rare day when the Nationals win ... and to add insult to it ... their fireworks display when they do win has been banned by the Fire Marshall. Talk about losers!

Too bad the stimulus money hasn't been used to stimulate the Alternative Fuels industry ... especially since the Oil Companies are jacking the prices up to bring their profit margins up. No reason for it to jumping like this except greed. Just like Bush, Obama won't do anything to help ... so are they any different? They are both Politicians ... and thus crooked as the rest.

Way to go ... Grasshopper!

Would You Ever Believe III ...

West Virginia Trophy Squirrel

Would You Ever Believe II ...

The rarely photographed South Florida Squirrel

Tick ... Tick

What a life. Today work was one of those days I about tossed the old #1 finger and left. Five people were so important their computer had to be the priority. One of them just needed to wake up and reboot. The other screwed his computer up with 3 viruses and several tracking cookies. They continually say "I don't know where they come from." Knock ... Knock ... Another just wanted to belly ache because they were tired of a pop-up. When you have 30 computers to update ... someone has to be second. The I was in the middle of setting 1 up and later come to find out, the person had logged in somewhere else and was screwing me up. I would log off (windows favorite response to anything) to do the update and then get locked out because of their work. I will fix that tomorrow ... it is called changing the password until I am frickin ready for them to play around. I did get some good done on other computer systems but these nuisances ruin the whole day. Oh I love those emails at 4:00 pm on Friday telling me they need to computers on Monday morning. Duh, don't we plan around here and have some lead time? Oh, that is right ... not in Salem. I also love those listeners that just wait to tell us "what is wrong." If you can't operate your computer then get a pencil and pad of paper. If you have a job where you are supposed to have some computer skills ... then learn the basics other than pushing the power button. Believe me ... I know one person that can't even figure that out. Then there is the question, "Will this automatic function run by itself or should I stay there and run it?" Since that function will cost you your job if it is botched ... be there and be ready for anything. Oh well, enough soap box.

80 and Climbing

Can you believe it is June. If I was a kid ... Summer vacation would be here! Not much has gone on except work and Church. I am starting a new Bible Study up on Wednesday Nights. We will read and study the book "The Shack" by William P. Young. The reaction to this book is unbelievable. I recommend reading it. Wild Mom survived the Wedding reception but now her house is empty. There was a really good turnout though they did not manage to eat all the food. But like all good "Davis's", they put a pretty good dent into it. We will heading down to Wild Mom's for a few days. The actual dates are still up in the air. Lady is doing well but she is very busy. Vacation Bible School starts very soon and that usually wears her out. No change in #1 and #2 other than the storm clouds are gathering and shortly the storm will be upon them. Peanut started her new job on Saturday. It is an office job so that makes it a lot nicer than working for a rental company. AJ is growing like a weed. He is very active and constantly makes us laugh as he does little things. Right now he is battling some congestion. I guess even kids suffer from allergies. Lew and Lil Princess are doing great. Lew is becoming quite the computer gamer. Lil Princess is really expanding her vocabulary now and that leads to some very funny moments. Starr has a new job and soon with some luck a new apartment with no extra roommates. Hmmm, a quiet house is a luxury for only a few. Youth bowling continues and this league has 14 teams. That makes it really nice and it is very competitive as there are some good teams with very good bowlers. We now have FIOS for the TV, Phone and Internet. It has been good so far. I don't do much downloads anymore so I haven't really tested the Internet side. TV is ok especially if you like 9 HBO channels.

Nationals: You can take the players out of Montreal but you can't take Montreal out of the players. 13-36 ... pretty pathetic.

Food For Thought

Subject: DEPT. OF ENERGY

Does anybody out there have any memory of the reason given for the establishment of the DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY ... during the Carter Administration?

• Anybody?
• Anything?
• No?
• Didn't think so !
  

Bottom line ... we've spent several hundred billion dollars in support of an agency ... the reason for which not one person who reads this can remember.

Ready??????? It was very simple ... and at the time everybody thought it very appropriate...

The 'Department of Energy' was instituted on 08-04-1977 ... TO LESSEN OUR DEPENDENCE ON FOREIGN OIL.

Hey, pretty efficient, huh?????

And now 32 years later ... the Budget for this "Necessary" Department is at 24.2 Billion dollars a year.

For that amount we get:

• 16,000 Federal Employees
• and approximately 100,000 Contract Employees

AND LOOK AT THE JOB IT HAS DONE!

• Gas Companies making Billion dollar Quarterly Profits.
• Gas Prices averaging $2.60 per gallon for Regular Unleaded.
• Automobiles and Trucks that suck the gas up with amazing fuel efficiency of 15 mile per gallon.
• Plans for High Effiency Nuclear Power Plants that still sit on the drawing table.
• Millions of gallons of unrefined oil waiting to be drilled for in the Continetal US.
  

>>> THIS IS WHERE YOU SLAP YOUR FOREHEAD
AND SAY "WHAT WAS I THINKING?" <<<

Ah, yes, good ole bureaucracy ... And NOW we are going to turn the Banking System, Health Care & the Auto Industry over to them?

A Child's Prayer

Dear God,

Please send clothes for all those poor ladies in Daddy's computer.

Amen.

A Friend Returns Home

Sorry for the long time between posts ... Verizon managed to cut my cable for the Internet and it took COMCAST 5 days to repair it. The more I deal with any large corporation the more messed up they seem to be. All is well around the homestead except for it being so cool. We had frost last night (May right?) It has been fun the last few days not having cable or Internet, reminds me of the 60's though the kids didn't like it. I did manage to read a book, "The Shack" by William P. Young. It is well worth reading in my humble opinion. I am still puzzling over some of the things that were said, even after finishing it. Perhaps shortly I will blog about it some. A friend wants to sit down and discuss it, so that should prove most interesting. Last week, I learned a friend died on May 10th. He and I had bowled together for some 22+ years. I met him every year at the National Tournament. I will miss him and the times we shared letting the bowling lanes beat us up. The funny thing is we have now lost a bowling team member every year for the last three years. Is God telling me something?

Vincent Russell
September 01, 1932 - May 10, 2009

Wild Mom is getting nearer her deadline as the weekend grows closer. Now we just have to get her to slow down and just let things happen. Lady is getting ready for her birthday weekend coming up. I am still not sure what we will be doing but we will do something. No change in the job status for #1, #2, or Peanut. Good thing the unemployment is only 4% here ... if it was higher like most other places there would be a chance they would become permanent (for life) guests. The grandkids are a source of many laughs and chuckles. They each try an out do each other. AJ will stand in front of the TV and dance. Nothing is too sacred to not climb on. Lil Princess remains the center of attention and demands such. Lew is independent and acts like it. The similarities between him and #1 are uncanny and too numerous to count. Starr is still modeling and enjoying it. I think the telemarketing shine has worn off and it has revealed it self as the pain it really is. Peanut is consumed with "mommy duties", though she has managed to do some cooking. Believe it or not, but she is good. --- DISCLAIMER for my safety ... Lady is still my favorite cook. ---

Youth bowling has started and will run for 14 weeks. The season looks bright and full of optimism and hopefully one that is successful. The adult league will start the last weekend in August.

Work is the same and no one changes. We do manage to escape to WAMD to work. That gives us a 4+ hour window to recover and experience the real world. Don't they teach you virus scans and hard drive scans take time? Noting is instantaneous, well, except for their questions on why "MY System is broke."

What is it about Washington Sports ... the teams always seem to lose in the most ugly manner? Their skill level makes you wonder if they ever finished Junior Varsity sports.

Mothers Day 09

It was a great day. Lady had all three grand kids (Lew, Lil Princess, and AJ) go to Church with her. That was an adventure in itself. Lew managed to get a good shiner when Lil Princess hit him with her head. All three of them got some good time swinging on the swing set while Lady counted the morning offering. Then #1, Peanut, and #2 prepared dinner for her. It turned out very good though #1 kept worrying about it. Lady was very happy at the whole day. Even Starr was able to get through on the phone and talk with her. I had a great day because Lady was happy. Plus #1 managed to get the whole yard cut so the weeds aren't higher than the basement windows.

Wild Mom had a good day that included going out to eat. I sure missed having her around but I know she enjoyed being with her friends after her long vacation.

Thanks for the Great Memories

The weekend finally arrived. Our Bible Study group started a new course of study just doing Bible questions. The kicker is that we just can't give the answer ... we have to give the verse to support your answer. That makes it a little tougher. Of course you have a week to do 20 questions and you can use any resource you like. Friday Night was Chili Dogs and Brats at our friends house. Instead of dropping $125 eating out we made sandwich's and watched a movie, "License to Wed", all for less than $20 bucks. Eating out is nice but we would rather save the movie for the cruise which is 7 months away.

To Wild Mom, Lady, and Peanut ... I hope your Mother's Day is the best. I love you all and wish I could do more for you. Maybe one day I will be able to give you everything you want, until then I give you my heart and love.

Wild Mom is doing well and getting things done for the Reception. That is scheduled for the weekend of the 23-24 May. We haven't decided about going yet especially since it is Lady's birthday. Lady is fine and losing weight. Her and Peanut are losing weight using different programs but talk about it a lot. I just hope they both don't put a bikini on and ask me who is doing better. That would be a kiss of death for me. Peanut is fine and relieved that AJ is doing so well. The Cardiologist says every thing is good and he will not have too go back in. AJ is really active now and very opinionated. Chairs are not for sitting but standing up in, especially rocking chairs like the one he got for his 1st birthday.

#1 and #2 are pretty much the same ... still unemployed. #1 did do the yard work this weekend and I am very happy about that. Lil Princess and Lew aren't here yet since Lady and Peanut went to the Sister's In Christ banquet together. Too bad the other two couldn't find time. Last year when all three went Lady was unbelievably happy. Starr has an excuse and we love her just the same. Starr is doing well and working at her new job. I think Dave works their too. Hopefully they don't sneak off to the janitors closet too much and put smiles on their faces.

Work is the same. Cheng does his best to make it nice but the Stupid one's we can't fix seem to get more radical and father from reality. Thanks Cheng for doing it right.

We are trying to plan several things for the summer:

• A trip to Indiana so see Lady's parents.
• A weekend at the Cheat River Lodge in West Virginia. It has been a while since the last one.
• A weekend on ChincoTeague Island.
• A weekend in Florida for the Reception in May.

I got my first pay statement where they took less tax withholding out. Yes, it is nice to have the extra dollars but that means my tax bill will be larger next year. They don't mention that I will have about $1900 more to pay since they withheld less. Thanks Obama for the secret wedgie.

I see the Media must have been paid off since the gas prices have been creeping up (now at $2.17) and they haven't said one word about it. Last time they were screaming all the time. I guess Exxon's 400 Billion profit wasn't enough ... they need more to fund the exorbitant bonuses for the Executives.

Way to Go Manny ... you have been busted! You would have thought when the heat was turned up only a fool would test the waters ... oops ... you are the fool!

No Pollen!

Well, the week is coming to an end. It seems the days just fly by. AJ continues to get stronger and seems to do anything he feels like ... climbing, jumping or walking. He celebrated his first birthday on Tuesday and as usual destroyed a teddy bear cake made just for him. Wild Mom is doing well and getting ready for the wedding party to be held later in May. Her camps went well and the woods were left in one piece. Though most of the animals evacuated to safer areas. Peanut is well and looking for a new job. Interviews are coming but nothing yet. #1 and #2 continue to spin their wheels when it comes to interviews. Makes you wonder what is wrong? Starr is working and doing well. She is still recovering from the other week but getting stronger every day. Lew and Lil Princess will possibly be here this weekend, at least we are hoping so. We haven't seen them in almost two weeks and feeling some withdrawal pains. Lady is doing well but asking about a weekend vacation in a month or so. We are still trying to figure out if a trip to Indiana is possible in May. Do you realize we only have about 8 months till the next cruise? Ginger (the cat) passed this week as Age caught up to her. It seems different without her but she is better off and who knows ... maybe someday in the future we will see her again. For now, the memories are rich and many. I wish we had a few pictures of her as reminders. I managed to get the front yard cut but already it is in need of another one. What is the downer is that this is just the start of the growing season. Maybe winter will hurry back and stop the growing.

Work is the same ... busy and steady. Yes, "Can't Fix Stupid" reigns supreme. Now we have a new antenna in Aberdeen MD to get fixed up to our humble standards. We have a satellite feed now from Today's Christian Music (TCM) and I like it. I sure wish the station would put it on the air. It sure makes the time pass and the music isn't half bad. Sure beats what we have on the station on the weekends.

Anyone tired of Hockey Playoffs, Basketball Playoffs and the NFL Draft? I am. I am surprised there isn't any other sports news to focus on.

My rating of Obama's first 100 days --- "C" though I do give him an "A" on Personality. It is amazing how the Democrats with no plan or good ideas can win you over with words and personality while the Republicans have a solid plan but are inept at selling the idea to you.

Easter Pics

Lil Princess

Lew

Who can avoid saying yes to either of these kids?

Big #1

April 28, 2009

Happy Birthday ... The Big #1 .... to Aiden James Mellott ...
better known as AJ.

His recovery from surgery has been great ... first doctors report is Good.
His First Year has been very eventful.

Another Piece of Our Heart

Goodbye ... Ginger (the cat) ... she will be missed after all these years.

Warm and Lazy Day

Should be a great weekend. The temperature should be Mid-70's and sunny. Just what I wanted so now I can do the yard work that is needed. AJ is doing great. He is almost his old self. He still gingerly uses his arms but after last night and his climbing I feel those days are past. Peanut is doing well and already starting to job hunt. I wonder if I could hire her to train #1 and #2 how to find a job. You would expect pride to kick in soon and motivate them. Wild Mom is off again at Camp Bluebird. She has been there since Wednesday. This afternoon she gets home and tonight she will head downtown to a church retreat. It must be nice to be on the go all the time. Not, I am glad to be a homebody for a while. I miss the food, my bed and the little ones. As far as I know Lew and Lil Princess will be over for the weekend. Ginger the cat isn't doing so well. I am afraid her time is measured in days and they are only a handful in number. She has a mass on her shoulder and isn't eating or drinking very much. She basically just lays around sleeping. Starr is doing well and hopefully going to be more involved with her firefighting buddies. National Certification is the goal. Lady is well though she is fighting the sniffles. Hopefully this warm weekend will help her get ahead of this stuff. Maybe we just need to go for a quiet get-a-way somewhere? ChincoTeague or Cheat river?

###########

If a town passes a law with a 72% majority ... where does a Judge get off declaring it unconstitutional? He should administer the law equally and fairly as the voters determined. The voters have a right to determine how they want their town run. If a small percentage of voters don't like the new law ... then move to somewhere they agree with! Since when did the Minority run this world? This is a great reason for term limits for a Judge. After awhile some of these Judges seem to get arrogant and think they know best.

Government Motors (GM), err, the old General Motors should just cut their losses and move on. Lets quit bailing out a sinking boat and do something with our money that has a better future. The Unions deserve what they get. They have raped the industry for 50 years for their benefit ... it is time for them to bend over and get a good dose of their medicine.

Don't you just love it when Tiger falls short and the person the Media does give a chance of winning ... wins. If Tiger wants to be great ... let his record speak ... not the Media trying to hype up the ratings and create a story to report.

The Conclusion draws Nigh

Tuesday, April 21. The trips are over and now it is time to get back to work. AJs surgery went very well and it did not take nearly as long as they thought. Which is good. We now are awaiting his return home and have our fingers crossed that will happen today. I was told they will release him once he starts crawling and walking. I can imagine the little guy is pretty sore, I know I would be. Peanut is fine knowing her little guy is ok. These past two weeks have been a whirlwind of activity and hopefully now things will settle down into a dull roar. Well, after 6 weeks, Wild Mom is back in Florida though she won't be there long as more planned trips are upcoming. No one can ever say she just sat still and did nothing exciting. She did manage to get some shopping done in Pigeon Forge and naturally the car was totally packed for the rest of the ride south. There was an antique auto show in Pigeon Forge and both sides of the street were packed with antique cars. I could easily believe they stretch for about 9 miles through town. Did I ever see some nice ones, good thing my checkbook was at home. We left pigeon Forge after having breakfast at The Apple Barn and a side trip to the Old Mill Candy Factory and then went straight through the Smokey Mountains. I love that drive though it does add some time to the trip. We stopped in Woodstock Ga. and picked up Starr for the ride south. That was a lot of fun and we were able to spend time and chat a lot. It is fun listening to someone talk about their dreams and plans. The excitement and hope just oozes out as they do. Something that we haven't had the luxury of in a long time. All is well and full of dreams in Woodstock. We stopped in Montgomery Al. at a BBQ place and it was very good. It did make the rest of the ride hard since my body wanted to rest and not drive. After a quiet Sunday in Florida, I headed home on Monday. The return ride home was long and uneventful. I dropped Starr off in Woodstock and finished the last 11 hours by myself.

Now it is back to work, yard work and paying for these little jaunts across the country.

He is Alive!

Another week and this one will prove to be a tough one. AJ has his surgery on Friday and it is something we all dwell on. Sunday, we had the whole church pray for him and that helped knowing others will be praying for him on Friday. Peanut is worried and that goes without saying. Also this week contains Tax Day. I finally finished Monday night and will file it tonight. Another task finished for the year. Yes, I paid for several people on welfare. It is sad when some welfare recipients live better than the taxpayers. After 40 days with no caffeine, I am able to drink coffee and tea once again. Actually, several times I have found myself drinking water instead of coffee or tea. What did I gain for the sacrifice? Well, I have a few new insights and feel better about a few things. Friday night is also when I will take Wild Mom home. After 6 weeks, she is ready to get back to her house and friends. We will miss her but I also understand the desire to "get home". I will even get to spend some time with Starr as she rides down to Florida with me. Could it get any better? The job situation for #1 and #2 remains in a frozen state -- no change. Lil Princess, Lew, and AJ looked smashing in their Easter outfits. Of course, the chocolate face and hands went without saying. Doesn't the Easter Bunny bring anything else than chocolate? The dining room was full Sunday with all the grandkids and family. How can we be so easily changed to let the family meal time around the table be taken from us. Those moments are precious and full of memories. I am so thankful that for just a moment in time we shared that time. Though the sleep monster held Peanut and #2 back from the Easter Sunrise service they battle through and made the 11:00am one. For that, thanks, it meant so much to share that time together. Also this weekend we watched the movies Fireproof and Flywheel. They are awesome and I challenge you to see them if you haven't. This is our second time and it was still great. The message they bring is timeless and really tugs at your heart. Are you right with God? Hmmm.

Nationals are 0-7 ... surprised? I am not. The basketball and hockey seasons are ending, now the never ending playoffs start ... Ughhhhhh. Dancing with the stars this season will never be the same with Holly and Steve gone.

Springtime Daze

It is back to the grind as the vacation season ends. The trip was great but now comes the ugly part ... paying for it. Plus to make life worse I am doing my taxes. It is a double dose of bewilderment of how to make things stretch that far. I sure wish bowling would hurry up and start again. There are a few things I want to try before I forget them. We always end early when the Ladies State Tournament comes to town. The Youth bowling doesn't start until after school ends. The next big event will be AJ's surgery on the 17th. After that I will be taking Wild Mom home to Florida with a swing through Pigeon Forge. By then she will have been here almost a month. Life will never be the same. With Easter just days away I am looking forward to seeing the kids dressed up in their new outfits. Lil Princess is sure to get the second looks. Though AJ and Lew will be cute in their clothes. I wonder how many of the older kids will make it on Sunday Morning? Lady is recovering from the time-off and getting used to the work schedule. No changes in #1 or #2 job situation. They have had some nibbles but no bites. Peanut is slimming down. Sure hope she doesn't fly away in a strong breeze. Can't wait till the bikini gets pulled out and tried on.

Baseball season is here and the Braves are 2-0 while the Nationals are well on their way to another bad season. Tomorrow is the first round of the Masters and I am looking forward to seeing and sleeping through so of the days. Cheng is out till next Tuesday so work will be a special challenge.

The End of the Adventure

Well, the adventure is over. We arrived home last night about 0200 am. It was a long drive but a lot of fun. Will I do it again! Heck yes. We had lunch and a great visit with Lady's parents in Indiana. Her niece was there and we wrestled and tickled and put ice everywhere. She was so full of energy and hopefully I wore her down a bit though sometimes she put up a really good effort. Seeing lady's mom and dad was great especially since it has been a while. We talked and laughed about many things and memories. The food was great and lady managed to bring home a bagful of homemade noodles. Enough to do some serious damage to a bowl of mashed potatoes and gravy. We managed to stay just ahead of the weather though sometimes when we stopped long enough it would catch up. The ride was accident free but the traffic jam in Columbus Ohio was enough of a headache. Now that we are home, we will have to readjust to reality and get caught up on some of the things we have missed while on the adventure.

AJ's surgery is on April 17 with about 6 weeks of recovery. That same day after the surgery, I will head to Florida to take Wild Mom home. We need to get her home so she won't go into debt paying the phone bill. She is ready to get home and get ready for her next adventure ... Keren's wedding party and Camp Bluebird.

I went to work today and nothing has changed ... well it was worth a wish.

This years trip was a success and well worth it. I just wish it could have been longer and others come with us. Let me see ... where will the next adventure take me too?

If you had one wish ... what would you wish for?

Day Nine of the Vegas Adventure

We are spending the night in Terra Haute, IN. We just ran out of time trying to get to Lady's parents house. We should get there for breakfast since we are about 140 miles away. Driving today was good. No weather or problems. But time changes, a truck wreck, and construction combined with the 65 mph speed limit to keep us from reaching our goal. Lady once again was text queen. Wild Mom tried her hand at backseat navigating once she got her hands on the road atlas. We only missed three turns.

We should be home late Tuesday night if all goes well.

Day Eight of the Vegas Adventure

Well, I am writing this late since today's travel was really long. We left Vegas and drove until we were in Guymon, Ok. That was a long day ... some 858 miles. The trip home started early and very quiet for the first part. We sure hated to leave and start the journey back to reality. We had good weather and the traffic wasn't bad. In Tucumcari NM, we headed northeast to intersect with I-70. In Oklahoma, we started seeing the remnants of last weeks snow. Some places were still snowed in. A lot of businesses were closed. Lady quickly and effortlessly slipped into text mode and kept busy the whole day. Wild Mom tackled the crossword puzzles and crafts. It was nice cruising at 80 mph and the Toyota did very well and the mile per gallon stayed around 26.

Day Seven of the Vegas Adventure

Well, like all good things, it must end and we head home tomorrow. Saturday was a very relaxing day. We went to the Venetian and had lunch at the sidewalk cafes. We ate at Wolfgang Pucks cafe. The food was very good and very filling. The entertainment varied from renaissance singers and dancers to living art. We topped off the meal with some sorbet. After returning to our room we split paths as I headed out to bowl and Lady and Wild Mom headed to a show. No, it wasn't Chippendale's or Thunder Down Under. Bowling went well and as usual and I wasn't last and I did win some money. Now it is time to wait and dream about next year. I fought with the strikes but I was deadly on splits, picking up every one of them ranging from 5-7, 2-10, 5-6 and a myriad of double wood spares. Lady and Wild Mom really enjoyed the show. It was a collection of skits from illusionists, magicians, acrobatics, guys flying in the air and comedy. The little cafe downstairs makes a mean bagel-ham-cheese-egg sandwich and breakfast burritos.

Well, time to get some rest since we will be hitting the road early for the ride home. Still not sure of which way we will go since the weather is so messed up.

Day Six of the Vegas Adventure

Well, the fun continues. We drove the Vegas Strip at night and saw all the lights. If course there was a zillion people hanging around doing nothing important. That is except for the working girls. Who else would dress like that? Bowling was fun and I did ok. I wish for more but delight in the fact their were others with higher averages do a lot worse. I did manage to win a few side pots ... so that helped. Looks like the tournament schedule is:

2010 - Reno Nv.
2011 - Reno Nv.
2012 - Baton Rouge La.
2013 - Reno Nv.
2014 - Orlando Fl.
2015 - Wichita Ks. (25th consecutive tournament)
2016 - Reno Nv.

So it looks like a lot of fun. We did go to the Venetian Casino and saw the sights. They have a small Italian town built up including the river with Gondolas to ride in. This is all on the second floor of the building. The room is painted like a sky and is extremely real looking. When we first walked in you would think it is real, we did until we realized it was dark outside. The Sorbet was great and they had a Violin, Flute, Guitar trio playing love songs. They were really good. Saturday, we will go back and eat lunch there in a sidewalk cafe. We have been sitting here planning some more vacations ... that is fun. Lady is just taking in all the sights and keeping busy. Especially with the text messages. Wild Mom is her usual self. We have a fridge full of leftovers as she keeps bringing the doggie bags home. Today is laundry day so the washer and dryer are in full swing in the other room.

Well, time to run and get ready for Saturday.

Day Five of the Vegas Adventure

Well, we have arrived. The drive across Hoover Dam was awesome and crowded. The sheer size is breath-taking. We only had 104 miles to drive today so it was easy after the last three days. We arrived at the Resort and it rivals the cruise ship in features. The room ( 2 bedroom suite) has two bedrooms plus a fully stocked kitchen, sitting room and dining room. The bathroom is bigger than our room last night at Days Inn. The spa tub helps take up room along with the glass shower. We ate lunch at Harrah's, played Keno (no luck) and then came back for some rest. I may have to try out the massage facilities on the 2nd Floor on Saturday after my bowling experience. They have pool tables, air hockey, WII, Xbox centers and other game places for the gamers at heart. Too bad the kids didn't come along. The pool is big and a very active place. They have poolside activities much like the cruise ship. They are setup so that you can have a great time without ever leaving the Resort Complex. Tonight we will go to the 10pm showing of "The Blue Man Group" at the Venetian and Saturday night we will go to a Variety Show at Planet Hollywood. I am really looking forward to the BMG show it has been about 5 years since I last saw their show. Wild Mom is chilling out with her feet propped up while Lady is exploring all the amenitites of the Place. They even have an Arts & Crafts place ... that lit up Lady's eyes. Vegas has really grown and the traffic is nasty. We have used the shuttle bus or walked all we can. We are located one block off the Strip but can see the lights very easy.

Time to rest and get Ready for Tonight.

Day Four of the Vegas Adventure

A long day, we went from Amarillo Tx to Kingman Az. Rolling along at 80 mph helps too. I managed to drive 107 miles today without touching the brakes. The day was great with no weather and clear blue skies and the low 60's. There is not much to say since the terrain was mostly desert and very little trees. I did like just looking at the terrain and seeing so many different things. I was disappointed that we didn't get to see any wildlife as we drove through that desolate place. The highest elevation we reached today was 7250 feet. I think so far we have drove through the reservations of Cherokee, Hopi, Zuni, Navajo, and several others I can remember. Custer would have been proud of me not losing my scalp. Flagstaff did have some snow on the ground. From Seligman Az to Kingman Az (some 90 miles) we drove on the historic Route 66 instead of the Interstate. What was nice was that each town had a Historic Route 66 building with vintage cars all around it. Some of those cars were really nice. We ate lunch at Sky City Az. and had to really work to keep Wild Mom out of the Casino. The highest I paid for gas was $2.17 in Flagstaff but the highest we saw was Clines Corner NM at $2.49. Good thing I didn't need gas there. Tomorrow will be really easy as we only have about 101 miles to go. Lady and Wild Mom did pretty much the same thing as the previous days. Princess must have worked today since Lady only got 750 texts. Wild Mom must have chatted with most of Florida as she kept the cell circuits busy. Lady didn't like the elimination results so she will have to watch it next week and hope.

Las Vegas ... here we come.

Day Three of the Vegas Adventure

Well after a restful sleep in Little Rock Ar., we are going to try out the beds in Amarillo Tx. We even manged to get here in time for Lady to see the eliminations on Dancing With The Stars. We ran into a very hard rain just west of Fort Smith Ar. There must have been a hundred frogs killed as that frog strangler of a rain came down. They predicted hail, lightening, and tornadoes but we saw none of those. After we got through it the sky cleared and we had a beautiful day for driving. It was 72 degrees and sunny as we cruised the Interstate. At one point I went almost 100 miles without touching the break. For the day my average was 70.2 miles per hour. The highest gas price was $2.02 per gallon. We did contribute to Dennys as we ate breakfast there. Not much changed for Lady and Wild Mom. Well, Lady did forget her camera in Little Rock so we will have to arrange to have it sent back to us when we get home. We had dinner at Texas Roadhouse in Amarillo and it was very good even after Wild Mom sent it back to be made into charcoal. Mine was medium rare and very juicy. Once again ... I ate too much. I am trying to figure out how to squeeze a midnight snack at Whataburger. Tomorrow we will try and make Kingman Az. but I fear we may only get to Flagstaff Az. Especially if we have to stop a lot. The Toyota is doing quite well as a road car. I even got 29.1 miles to the gallon on one tank today, the rest averaged 25.5.

Let me see if I can recall anything from home. #1 is counting and recounting our bowling winnings from the Sunday Night league. #2 needs to get dog-washing refresher course. He could even call Wild Mom and update her on Muffin. Peanut's working days are drawing to a close as the week ends. Starr is having a blast moving and cleaning the old apartment. Not sure what Princess did today, surely wasn't work, since she text Lady at least a 1000 times today.

Beautiful

A Lil Princess at her finest ...

It is worth a second look ...

Day Two of the Vegas Adventure

Day two has ended as we spend the night in Little Rock Arkansas. Lady needed to get to a TV to see Dancing With The Stars or we might have made Fort Smith AR. The day started off with breakfast at the Apple Barn in Pigeon Forge. As usual it was great and we started the trip stuffed ... more business for the rest areas. Also many plans were made for the next time we pass through Pigeon Forge. We met up with a friend ... Blue ... in Memphis TN. He drives an 18 wheeler for Prime Inc. We had a great dinner and spent a couple hours talking. At one point today, Lady was texting so much the keyboard just leaped across the car. Lady spent most the day reading, texting, sleeping and sewing. Wild Mom did her usual ... knit, read and sleep. It is amazing how many snacks she has squirrelled away in the backseat. I spent the day driving ... fun! Gas has been pretty consistent hanging around $1.85 per gallon. We haven't drove through this area much since we left Blytheville AR in 1978. So the changes have really changed the looks but we were still able to find things that we could remember. Tomorrow we hope to make Amarillo Tx.

Day 1 of the Vegas Adventure

Well, the first day of the trip is over. We are in Pigeon Forge. Better yet, they have no wireless so you are reading this later. The trip was uneventful except for the 90+ minute delay in Bristol as the NASCAR race ended. 10 mph on the interstate was dumb. I won't even go into my feelings on this topic. Sunday before the trip was good. Lil Princess looked georgeous in her green and white dress. While we went to pack and leave on the trip, Lil Princess and Lew went to some friends to play with the baby goats and rabbits. Lady and Wild Mom are doing good except for the snacks ... before we reached I-81 they were into them. For the most part Lady slept (partially because of the sun) and Wild Mom knitted. Three times, the person passing me got pulled over for speedin. When you pass a trooper and then he pulls out and flips the lights on, even if you are innocent, the old heart races until you realize it was the other guy. That is also a great way to keep awake cuz the adrenalin does flow faster. Just so you the reader isn't disappointed, we did eat dinner at Denny's. Hopefully tomorrow we will make Arkansas and spend the night. Well, it is 7am ... time to wake these sleeping beauties ... later.

Time Marches On

Well, five days till we hit the road to Vegas. Wild Mom is now here with us. We drove to Pigeon Forge last Friday and brought her back to Virginia. Of course we ate at The Old Mill and did some shopping first. The only down side to the whole weekend was that it rain the whole time. Coming back the trunk was crammed full along with half of the back seat ... and she packed light! We had to cut the shopping trip short since the car was full already. Lady is ready to go and anxiously awaits the day we leave. Though the grandkids will be missed ... we will have a blast and enjoy every minute of the trip. I wish a couple of my friends would be able to make it to Vegas for a visit but it seems doubtful.

Peanut and AJ are now in their own room downstairs. Wild Mom was happy to have somewhere to sleep other than the futon in the living room. Today, she even bought a small lamp so she could lay there and read at night. No change for #1 or #2 ... the job market is so quiet I even wonder if it exists. Since we were out of town last weekend we did not see Lew or Lil Princess. But we will get to see them this Saturday before we leave. I did manage to get a dress for Lil Princess and I will post pictures soon. Starr is still enjoying her job and has even managed to squeeze in a move to a new apartment. Wonders will never cease to happen ... I wonder what will happen when she turns 30? A pink dress with lace ruffles?

The bowling season is over for the leagues. The youth team finished in second losing the title by one pin. Ever doubt that one (1) pin counts? The adult team finished in the middle of the pack above .500. So that was good though it gives us room to improve next year. I did manage to get my goal on Sunday by rolling a 619 in the morning and a 655 that evening. The last series gave me enough pins to get my average to 185 for the year. A far cry from the 169 two years ago. I am hoping the slump is over and I can get back to where I belong ... in the mid 190's.

Work is the same ... a big pain. One project ends and they drop another one with a even shorter deadline. It is amazing how with just a couple of days left till we leave and the number of people that call me for computer work. It never fails. 5 people called me yesterday and today. Some of them I haven't heard from in almost a year. It is almost like the computers know my time is limited and take advantage of it.

I will post about our trip ... so stay tuned. Who knows, maybe even a few pictures.

Time gets Shorter ....

Well, I guess spring has finally arrived ... so it is time to put up the jacket and get the shorts out. The worst thought is that the grass will start growing and before long the dreaded mower will have to come out and a weekly chore starts up once again. One more week of Bowling left and our Sunday's will be free for a about 10 weeks. The Youth team is in first place and the Sunday Night team is in the middle of the pack. Wild Mom should be starting her journey here sometime this week. We are supposed to pick her up in Pigeon Forge next Saturday. Peanut is happy as her new room is about done. Once the paint dries she can put the furniture together and set the room up. That also means AJ has a new are to explore and make his mark. Then we will have a few days to get the old room done and ready for Wild Mom. Lady is ready for the road trip about as much as I am. It is nice just to get away for a bit from the drama of normal everyday life. #1 and #2 are still waiting for the job fairy to visit. Lew and Lil Princess spent the weekend with us and we were in constant motion. We will miss them while we are gone ... but not enough to take them with us! Starr is doing well just working and getting healed up. We are proud she is hanging in there though the job is not the ideal one ... but it is a job and a paycheck.

I haven't drank any caffeine for two weeks and surprisingly I didn't have any withdrawal problems. especially considering how much tea and coffee I drink on a daily basis. I imagine my mood changed some ... but I am so lovable in the first place.

Only two weeks before we head for Las Vegas. I am looking forward to the drive out there and seeing the countryside once again. The last time we made that trip was 1990. Gee, have we been in Virginia that long? 19 years? Good thing I am ageless or I would feel old.

By time Obama undoes everything Bush did, we will be back to the Clinton Years. I said a small prayer today when Obama said that programs would be judged on their scientific value and not on their moral value. Why do we try so hard to destroy our values and play God our self? They also said the number of Christians are decreasing and the number of people believing in an unspecified higher power is increasing. Are we forcing History to repeat itself?

Brrrrrr

Well, it is snowing and everything is white. We got abut 6" of the white stuff. The rest of the week will be cold (below freezing). The weekend was busy on Saturday as we cleaned and moved boxes around. Wild Mom arrives in about 12 days, will life ever be the same? Last week included a funeral for a lady at our church. Normie will be missed, especially I will miss her since she made a wicked BBQ sandwich. Lately the Church has kept me busy. One Sunday morning the Pastor had some business and was late getting back to the servive and I filled in until he returned. Then on Ash Wednesday, the funeral caused a conflict and I stepped in and conducted the service. This is a major change from past Pastor's and their not letting the Lay leader assist. Bowling is almost done. The Adult league has 2 weeks left and we are in the middle of the pack. So finishing much higher won't yeild anything more than we will get now. There is always next year. The Youth league has 3 weeks to go and we are in first. So we have our work cut out on that league. This youth teams seems to click a lot better than the recent past ones. As I said Wild Mom will be here soon in preparation of our trip to Las Vegas. We will head west about the 23rd of March. Lady is also getting pumped to go since she missed the last couple of trips because of work. #1 has had a couple of interviews and is still waiting to hear back. #2, well, he is still alive and not working. Peanut keeps trudging to work though some days are harder than the others. AJ is growing and is on the verge of walking. lately he has been side tracked with his climbing. He is climbing on everything whether it was meant to be climbed on or not. The sofa has a constant stack of pillows across the front of it as he loves to climb up there. Lew and Lil Princess continue to give us laughs and tears. These times make us laugh but sometimes the constant use of "no" dampens the enthusiasm. No new words from Star since her job started. She must really be working hard and making a lot of money. Maybe we should move down there and let her support us. Our cruisin buddies have a new car --- 2006 Cadillac DTS. Sure is a nice car but I am partial to mine.

Work is the same. It has slacked off some but dealing with certain people is a major league pain. Maybe one day the petty wars will subside and everyone just do their job like they should. Cheng and I are trying to get back to our 8 hour days but haven't been too successful so far.

Well, the stock market continues to sink lower and wipe out most of many Americans retirement plans. When will all this throwing of money about ever start showing some ability to stabilize the economy. Maybe he should listen to the Citizens who helped him get there and do what we think will work.

Smiles

“Life is not a journey to the grave with intentions of arriving safely in an attractive and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming

... WOW! What a ride!”

Wonders of it All

Well, I came in early and still didn't manage to get out before HOV restrictions ... so I will write a bit before I join the rat race out of Washington DC. Adjusting to life after the cruise has not been easy this time. By the second week following previous cruises ... I was back to normal and in the grind. This time it is taking a major effort to even get started. Both bowling leagues are winding down and will be done by the 15th of March. We seem to be in the middle of the pack on both leagues though the potential to finish higher is more possible on the Youth League. About a month until I head to Las Vegas for a brief respite from work. Right now there is one open seat in the car for someone with aspirations of a Vegas holiday. I have mixed emotions about this year. While this year of bowling is better than last years, I still have some apprehension. Also, this time last year, George and I were planning this trip ... and now he is gone. I can still vividly recall that trip. This year will be my 19th year ... 6 more to go. Wild Mom is offline as her computer went on vacation. Well, more work for me. She will be here on the 16th of March. The plan is to drive down to Pigeon Forge and pick her up. My sister will get her there from Nashville, and Gung Ho Jen will get her from Florida to Nashville. She is being passed around like a worn football on Thanksgiving day. So hang on Old Mill Resturant and Apple Barn, we are coming soon. $$$$ Also Wild Mom's health is fine and she is in serious packing mode. Lady is looking forward to the trip also but there is one cloud in the sky. AJ is scheduled for heart surgery sometime soon and that will impact our plans a lot. Peanut is fine just having so much fun working. Pssst, #1 had an interview ... could that mean the great job freeze is done with? Imagine Grumpy with money in his pockets! Of course, #2 isn't so lucky ... but the Bible does say there will be miracles and wondrous happenings in the end times. Lew and Lil Princess are great and a pure joy to be with ... well, for the most part ... as with any 2 and 5 year old ... they will be kids. Starr is working but I don't have a lot of information ... we play phone tag a lot. Work is the same ... it sucks for the most part. It seems when they pass out the VP titles ... they also collect any common sense to be returned only upon their retirement or death. If I had to rate anything, I would say work is my biggest stress generator.

On The Treadmill Once Again

Well, our first week back from the cruise has passed. Can we go back and get off the merry go round? Work is the same and morale is pretty low after we were given the chance to help the company with a pay cut. Yeah Right. The project is late but not because of engineering. That's right ... operators, you know the prima donnas that never make a mistake. It is Saturday and Lew and Lil Princess will be here ... the first we have seen them in a couple of weeks. Our cruising buddies headed back to South Carolina to spend a week with her mother. So our normal activities will change this weekend. It is amazing how close you can get with another couple and then miss the little things when they are gone. Lil-Bit got groomed this week and now he can see once again. No word yet from Starr on her new job. Hopefully she is working so much she hasn't had time to update her blogspot. I guess it is time to get the taxes started. Another one of those life events you just grow to hate. The new dishwasher was installed yesterday so the cabinets are now reasonably clean. For a while even the sink was empty. Wild Mom is doing fine and planning her next three upcoming trips (Vegas, Germany, Pigeon Forge). Looks like AJ will need surgery but we won't now anything more for about a couple of weeks. Peanut is fine. Just worrying about AJ and working all the time. I sure do miss the times we could just goof off but that is life with a job.

The blood says it his and the residue says its steroids but Juicer Bonds continue to say he didn't. Just change the name to Clemens and you have a repeat. Give up guys and be honest ... you got caught cheating, so pay the piper like everyone else does.

How could I live on $500,000 a year if I were forced to do that. Let me count the ways I would be happy to do it. Hey, Obama, fire the CEO and hire me at $250,000. I would struggle but manage it.

Need to run and visit someone in the Hospital ... see you later.

All in All

Well, as you can guess ... the vacation is over with and life is back to normal. We are starting to plan the road trip to Las Vegas in March and then Lady's and Wild Mom's road trip in May. I am really leaning towards driving to Las Vegas. We could even manage to have one rider. I am thinking of the 23 March to 01 April time frame for the fun. The final decision will be made hopefully this week after I do some final investigating. I would really like to see Blue Man Group again because it has been a while since I last saw them. Work is the same which is no surprise . My first piece of news was that we all got a 5% cut in pay effective last Friday. Welcome Back ... I had to tell about the trip numerous times to those interested. It only made me want to go back more especially after the first bit of news. I hope the next 11 months go fast. We will get a bit of nostalgia this weekend as we take the van back to Lake Anna where it belongs. Wild Mom made it back home safe and sound ... though her luggage decided to take a little bit longer vacation. Lady is back into the routine but she managed to get her nails done yesterday so she could start work in the gorgeous mode ... as if she needed any help. Yesterday, we ate dinner with our cruising buddies as a closeout to the whole excursion. Earlier in the day we replaced the dishwasher that had died on us a couple of days prior to us leaving. The house was still standing and in relatively good repair ... so we assume #1, #2, and Peanut managed to be civil. AJ apparently kept them busy keeping up with him. Ever see a 9 month control so many adults? He is growing like a weed. He is a lot heavier than when we left ... a result of too many pizza crusts. He is moving about better and faster and even takes spells of standing by himself ... that is until he thinks about it. He has become proficient in clapping his hands and blowing on a whistle. On the southern scene ... Star is hoping for the new job after her interview today. We have our fingers cross that things will start going good for her. Who knows ... if things go bad up here ... we will move down there and let her support us for the foreseeable future.

Blonde has a flat tire while driving down the freeway. She pulls over and then goes to the trunk to remove two life size cardboard cutouts of naked men. A Police cruiser stops and asks her what is going on. "Well, duh" the blonde replies, "I have a flat tire!" The Police officer says, "No, what are those (pointing at the cutouts)." "Oh, she replies, they are my emergency flashers."

Dumbest Cruise Questions

The are some of the dumb questions asked on the ship by a guest to a crew member:

1. Which elevator takes me to the front of the ship?
2. Does the ship make its own electricity?
3. Does this stairway go up or down?
4. When I go to the Photo gallery to pick up my photos ... how will I know which one is mine?
5. Will I get wet on the snorkeling excursion?
6. Which floor is Deck 7 on?
7. What do I push to get the elevator to go to the 16th deck? (Ship only had 14)
8. How often do you clean the poop deck?
   
9. Does the Crew and Staff spend the night on the ship?
10. As the ship sails past the outer buoy in Miami Bay heading South ... When will we get to board the ship?
11. What do you do with the Ice Sculptures after they melt?
    

Surprise ... these people weren't all blonde's!

Paradise - Ended

Our last night (Saturday) on the ship was great and very memorable. Dinner and the show were the highlights. Barry John, Joe Yanetty and the Cats Pajamas managed to created a super farewell show. We didn't stay up late because we had to pack and get the bags ready for pickup by Midnight. So there was no final night karaoke for Lady and Wild Mom to sing to after a few Pina Coladas. The packing, actually going through all the souvenirs and papers of the cruise, was hard to do ... we never want the fun things to end ... but alas! We did manage to do some last minute souvenir hunting. I spent a good part of the day taking pictures around the ship. I even managed to win the raffle and won a bag of goodies worth about $200. Hey, maybe I will get lucky some more. Sunday was a quiet day as we waited for our color to be called to disembark the ship. We all sat about the stateroom and reflected and dreamed of the next cruise and what we would do differently. By the way, the next on is official now ... January 10, 2010 and we will do the Western Caribbean out of Miami on the same ship (MS Jewel). We even got to see the rooms we will have and they are awesome. It is a balcony suite on the stern of the ship and it even has a tub in it. We are excited, only 11 months to go and we wish the time would go faster.

Lady is anxious to get home but at the same time wishing this would never end. Our cozy little dinner at Cagney's turned out to be the absolute highlight of the trip.

Wild Mom made it off the ship safe and sound and should be home Sunday Night. Let me tell you, a week long trip with your mom is something never to be forgotten and I am so glad we did.

Even the tug of work can be felt .... uggggh!

Paradise II

Well, we are as far south and east as we will go. The trip home has began ... no more 80+ days. We had dinner at Cagney's ... we were the only two people in the restaurant with the undivided attention of the waiter. The food was out of this world. We have mainly done tours of the islands on this cruise. Every one of these has been great and we have learned a lot. The eastern coastline of Barbados is unbelievable. The panoramic views would make any home out of sight. However, swimming is dangerous, strong rip currents, as there is nothing between you and the west coast of Africa. We can't count the close calls as the buses took us about the islands. Something about a bus making hair-pin turns on a road barely larger than a single lane. Add the drop-off to the ocean one one side and there are a lot of gasps and white knuckles. Our tour guides are very informed and answered almost every question. Wild Mom can never come to Virginia as she has managed to buy a new purse at every port. She is becoming the ultimate bag lady. Talk about cheap booze on shore ... how about $10 for a fifth of Jack Daniels Black label. #1 would be in trouble. The ships entertainment is awesome ... last night Joe Yanetty kept us in stitches as he rattle off the jokes in rapid fire. The juggler made us wonder how he could do whet he did. Today has been a very lazy sea day as all we have done is eat, sleep on the deck chairs and shopped. I think Lady is now a medium rare color. "Stick the fork in ... she's done." Looks like our tour next cruise may change as we sat through several different briefings. They have a new cruise with two ports we haven't been too (Costa Maya and San Tomas) and two ports we really like (Cozumel and Belize). It is that or do the same one we just did and instead of tours ... do our own thing. So it looks like January 10, 2010 is the date. We keep joking about what it would be like with AJ, Lew, and Lil Princess. It seems the big kids have to work too much.

To nights dinner is at Tango's ... we will have our first Mexican food in quite a while. Then it is off to the Cats Pajamas show.

Paradise I

Well, can you believe it ... our cruise is almost halfway completed. The departure was completed with no complications ... well ... except for the power chair people with their turbojet chairs. One lady almost ran over a baby in a stroller. Obviously she needed the extra time crossing the last 150 feet to get on the ship. Our room wasn't ready so we ate lunch first ... our first 90 minute meal of the cruise. It was good and just what we expected. Saturday and Sunday were sea days as we headed south into the 85+ degree weather. Lady and I did a couples massage and it was great. Those hot rocks have a way of completely relaxing you. Usually it takes five minutes to get back in the swing of life after one of those. We even got a flash show on deck by a couple of drunk ladies. They decided to drop their tops and dance and jiggle around. Luckily the sober one prevailed before they dropped their bottoms. Our first excursion was at Samana, Dominican Republic. This place is definitely one of the poorer stops on our trip ... much like Roatan was. Lots of pictures as we toured the island. Funny part was it rained on us for the first part of the tour. The bus driver had only one setting on the bus air conditioner. Max Cold or off. We actually turned it off so we could feel the heat. Even in paradise people manage to bitch and complain. Lady wanted to slap one old man who gripped the complete time about things that really didn't matter. Oh well! Sunday nights entertainment was great as we watch a show performed by Second City TV (SCTV). The were hilarious and will have several other shows later on the cruise. Monday was spent on Tortola BVI. We had been here before so we knew a lot but we did still manage to learn more. I went crazy and snapped 60+ pictures. It was 86 degrees and that made the open air bus great and the quick rain showers were nice. Monday nights show was done by a group called "Cats Pajamas." Let me tell you ... they were good. I bought a DVD and CD of their performances. A "must see" if they ever come your way. Today is St Johns, Antigua. Lady will try out the new Bikini and hopefully I will not go crazy. If not there is a lot of water around to cool off in.

Wild Mom is doing fine. Just having a bit of trouble getting her out of the late night karaoke bars. We are having a blast. There have been a few changes to the way they do things but for the most part we love being pampered and spoiled.

Day 3 of Bill and Ronda's Most Excellent Adventure

Well, we made it to Ft. Lauderdale where we suffered through a 66 degree day. For a good part of the afternoon we rode with the van windows down. The fresh air was great. I don't know what we will do when it is 85. The ride down was very nice and very uneventful. I love them "Hands-Free" Rest areas in Florida. I go into the bathroom and some munchkin is there to whip it out for me. Then when I am finished he wipes and washes it down. WooHoo! What a Country. Tonight's dinner was at "Bubba Gump's Shrimp Company." The food was good but you would never figure out the theme of the place. We did manage to take a drive down A1a and see the ocean. The restaurant was right across the street from the ocean, so we watched the boats in the bay as we ate. Tomorrow should be another lazy day as we have a 30 minute drive and have to be at the ship by 4 pm. Wild Mom will be in the neighborhood about noon time. We figured out that her suitcase weighs 44 pounds ... why that leaves her room for the kitchen sink. This time tomorrow night we will be headed south. We downloaded some 360 pictures from Lady's camera tonight in an effort to get it ready for the cruise. The pictures ranged from AJ's first few days to just before we left on this trip. Of course we laughed and commented about them. Like the pictures of Peanut showed her with three different colors of hair. We even managed to get one of #1 wearing a losing football team's stocking cap. That makes the time frame from May 08 till January 09.

Driving the van the last couple of days has brought about numerous memories of the time we had our 1983 Dodge conversion van. We drove that van across the United States several times while we were stationed in California. Of course at that time #1 was a brat and #2 still in diapers. Hmmm, what has changed?

Starr is fine settling into her new place. The animals (pup and cat) will soon join her. The cruise bug has bit her as her and Dave now want to try out their first cruise before long.

All is well in Virginia ... at least the Police hasn't tracked us down yet.

Our Itinerary

With luck this is where we will be and there will be more on what shore excursions we will be doing later after we decide.

Depart -- Miami, Fl. -- 1600 -- 01/23/09

Arrive -- Samana, Dominican Republic -- 1000 -- 01/25/09

Arrive -- Tortola, British Virgin Islands -- 1000 -- 01/26/09

Arrive -- St. John's, Antigua -- 0800 -- 01/27/09

Arrive -- Bridgetown, Barbados -- 0900 -- 01/28/09

Arrive -- St. Lucia, Saint Lucia -- 0800 -- 01/29/09

Arrive -- Miami, Fl. -- 0800 -- 02/01/09

Arrive -- Home -- 02/03/09

Day One and Two of Bill's Most Excellent Adventure!

Well, we are on the road and heading south to catch the slow boat (Norwegian Jewel) to the Caribbean. The best part of this time is that I don't have to work. That is the last time I mention work until after February 3rd. We spent the first night (Tuesday) in Fayetteville NC. The day was uneventful except for a lot of laughing and having fun. North Carolina had several inches of snow and but the roads were in good shape for us and we just passed through. We did see several trucks in the ditches and woods and one very large boat in the median of the interstate highway. We still haven't figured out that one. Having dual DVD players in the van is nice. Yes we are old ... we watched "The King and I." We are spending the second night (Wednesday) in St. Augustine Fla. Everywhere we look we see water and seem to be traveling on bridge after bridge. Right now we are adjusting to the warm air ... 51 and tomorrow it is projected to be 62. Time for the shorts and light shirts. We don't know what we will do when it gets to 85 in the Southern Caribbean. Not! This trip is a lot different than last year when the group was 10 people. This year we have 6 people going. Sometimes it is really nice not being a tour guide. But at the same time, I do miss certain people. I did catch myself a few times just zoning out the window with my mind miles away. Lady is enjoying herself as she spent a good part of the day watching DVDs, talking, and sleeping. The stress level of the last few days is melting away slowly and I think it will be gone by Friday Morning. I tried to relieve some of it with a Root Beer Float for dessert tonight.

We are thinking of stopping by the Space Center when we return and do a little sightseeing there.

If you feel the need to call me ... call by 5 pm on Friday because after that the cellphones will be turned off and stored in the room safe until February 1st.

Well, I shall get out of here and get some sleep.

T minus 1 and Counting

Well, I can feel the warm breezes and smell the ocean air in my mind as the day is fast approaching. Tuesday is departure day and we head for Miami and the ship. After a year of waiting, it is finally time. Wild Mom is doing fine and doing that last minute packing of things she forgot to pack weeks ago. She is also happy that some old time friends are moving back into the area. Her Christmas care package finally arrived and I believe everything warmed her heart. Lady is almost ready for the trip. The essential tax stuff has been done and tomorrow she will run the payroll for this period and she will be done. Tonight will be our main packing night though a few things have been already packed or at least stacked on the dresser in preparation. I think we are all looking forward to this time as the craziness and stress of life and work has taken its toll. Though you may not know it ... but I am very proud of Lady and everything she does. I can't help but be in love with her. If you could have only met the young Lady I met back in 1974, then you would know how much she has changed. I know my life would have not been the same and most likely I would have not succeeded as I have. I think it is so great to have such a super mom and great wife. Two ladies that make my life so much more special. At least for me that is true. It seems the engineering department at work has been on 12+ hour days since mid-November. Hopefully, things will smooth out before long and we can enjoy all the work we have put into this station.

The weekend was on par with every other weekend. Dinner on Friday night, Mexican Food on Saturday and then Church and Bowling on Sunday. I guess we are creatures of habit. But we enjoy these times and each other and our friends. Add the grand kids to the mix and we have many memories to fill our mind. Lew is growing like a weed and becoming so independent and sure of what "he wants." Lil Princess is a blast though her personality is starting to seep out. She will definitely give her brother a hand full. AJ will hold his own. Not long till he starts to walk as he is starting to stand and let go. Though he only stays up a few seconds ... his confidence grows and before you know it ... Peanut is working and wishing for more free time. We are proud of her hanging in there. Just think ... only 45 more years of working! #1 and #2 are still looking for that ever elusive job.

Starr is doing fine and looks like they will have a new place to live this week. The new puppy is a surprise ... I thought training and handling Dave would be enough ... now she takes on the "PUP."

I am nearing the completion of my New Years Resolution. Only a few more to contact or at least attempt to contact. My biggest regret is the time I let pass in some relationships. I can never reclaim it and only hope to make the remaining time exciting.

Guess I get to root for the Pittsburgh Steelers. At least I get to dust off my Terrible Towel and wave it some.

T minus 9 and Counting

Well, we are a week past the start of the project changeover and we are just getting started. The equipment was ready but all the other parts weren't. Now the big question is ... will it be done before I leave for the Islands. A week from Wednesday is the big day ... Cruise. That fact is now settling in and we are all getting excited. It is almost here. Bowling went well with the Sunday Night team winning 7-0 on last night's position round. That should move us up a bit. The Youth league resumed for it's last 11 weeks of the season. We finished third in the first half of the season. Hopefully, we will improve and move up. Wild Mom is going great and starting her packing ... well, she moved the suitcase to the spare bed so she could fill it up. I advised her to not use the shovel to load her clothes. The dog has a kennel to stay at now while Wild Mom is gone. I have heard that her friends, who moved to Alabama, are moving back. See! No one can stand to stay, much less live, in Alabama very long. The same birdie also said she is contemplating a trip to Germany. Remember, Germany is like Alabama ... it is somewhere you can't stay for long. Lady is busy ... getting the taxes done at work and trying to get ahead before she leaves. We haven't started packing yet but will do so soon. #1 celebrated his birthday Sunday. He bowled good in the morning but like most aging people ... he slowed down that evening and being the kind loving person I am ... I gave him another bowling lesson. Still no job (just like #2) but we can always hope. Speaking of #2, not much to say as we don't see him a lot between friends and computers. He has been so busy he missed the trash pickup this morning. Poor baby! AJ continues to train Peanut. He is so animated and does he ever scoot across the floor. His crawling speed has really increased. Nothing is sacred. I haven't figured out where he learned it ... but he will sit there on the floor, get red faced, and then break wind ... followed by a smile. #1? Peanut? Lew and Lil Princess are great. Lew presses the boundaries with us like any 5 year old would. Lil Princess is so cute in her new pink jacket and pigtails (2). She will chat with you though the words are from a faraway land. Starr is doing well and hoping for a break. She has run out of matches so her fire stuff is on hold. We survived Christmas this year without her and we hope that won't happen again. I have done a fair portion of my New Years resolution but I still have a ways to go.

I am amazed that after almost a year how much drama gets generated over such small things. I know some people are unhappy about not being mentioned here but I just can't write about them if there is no contact. Most everything I write about is experienced first hand and I am comfortable writing about. As for Wild Mom and Starr, I am in contact on a regular basis with them and love writing about them. Simple solution: talk to me.

Who wants to cruise next summer? We are contemplating a Lighthouse cruise up the East Coast of the United States leaving from Philly.

2009 #1

Well, it is the first weekend of the new year and I sit here at work. What a great omen for the new year. I did manage to get breakfast in before heading down here. Doing nicely on my new years resolution ... I am not finished but well on the way to being finished. Dinner with our friends Friday night was a blast though since they were Alabama fans the night ended on a down note as the Utes ended their dreams. No youth bowling today as we are in between seasons but it all starts up next weekend. Yesterday we celebrated #2's birthday at El Agave Restaurant. Today I think we are celebrating #1's birthday ... provided I get out of here soon. Having three grand kids on Saturday is quite a chore. AJ pinched his finger in one of his new toys ... earning that toy a timeout until AJ is bigger. Lil Princess wore herself out playing and fell asleep in my arms. Snacks, Popsicles, wrestling and playing around all conspired to where her and AJ out. Lew was his usual self ... enough said. Lady went to Home depot and picked up the lumber for a special project ... a subtle hint for me to get busy. We need to get it down before early March. I have this suspicion that Wild Mom will drop in for a spell on her way to Las Vegas. We took sometime the other night to look at shore excursions for the upcoming cruise. The excitement is starting to build now that it is only 17 days till we head south. Life is tough in Kennesaw for Star. Hopefully this week she will start her new job and that will help relieve a lot of stress and worry. If not I guess a major league virtual hug will help. <<>> lady was happy today, Lil Princess hair is just long enough for a pony tail. Add the berets and she was a living doll. I remember a time when .... oh well, back to reality. I heard from an old friend yesterday. He had sort of dropped off the face of the earth the last few months ... but he is back. Maybe now I will get my truck ride in the big rig. Anyone tired of football yet?