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?

So Long ... 2008

Well, 2008 is almost over and this will be my last blog for the year. A lot has happened this year and a lot did not happen. No, I am not going to do a Top 100 list for every area of my life, so you can relax and take a deep breath. I will vent and stand on the soap box in other venues. What meant the most to me this year? My wife, Lady. My mother, Wild Mom and my patchwork Family (#1, #2, Peanut, Star, Lew, Lil Princess, and AJ). Without them, this would have been a very boring and dull year. My first resolution and probably the only one for the New Year will be to tell them how much I love them.

I hope work improves because the last day sucks and has tried my patience. I remember a time when I couldn't wait to get there ... and then delayed leaving to get just one more thing done. I have a great boss but the list dies off extremely fast. I remember a time in my past seeing people fired or removed from the position for much less.

Many of our friends have made this a great year. Especially Carl & Lynne and Tom & Wendy.

I look forward to 2009, and especially on Thursday, the crab dip, football games, friends and family. I want to hug them all (friends and family, not the dip) and express how much they mean to me.

So I will end the year with a prayer;

God of our yesterdays, our today, and our tomorrows. We praise You for Your unequaled greatness. Thank You for the year behind us and for the year ahead. Help us in Your New Year, Father, to fret less and laugh more. To teach our children to laugh by laughing with them. To teach others to love by loving them. Knowing, when Love came to the stable in Bethlehem, He came for us. So that Love could be with us, and we could know You. That we could share Love with others. Help us, Father, to hear Your love song in every sunrise, in the chirping of sparrows in our backyards, in the stories of our old folks, and the fantasies of our children. Help us to stop and listen to Your love songs, so that we may know You better and better. We rejoice in the world You loved into being. Thank You for another new year and for new chances every day. We pray for peace, for light, and for hope, that we might spread them to others. Forgive us for falling short this past year. We leave the irreparable past in your hands, and step out into the unknown new year knowing You will go with us. We accept Your gift of a new year and we rejoice in what's ahead, depending on You to help us do exactly what You want ... I say it again, we rejoice! ... In Jesus name, Amen.

Aftermath

Well, did you get all you wished for? I hope you did, but if you did not ... then wish harder for next year. Things have been hectic for the last couple of weeks. Hours were spent locating, buying and wrapping the many gifts ... only to see them unwrapped in less than 45 seconds. Some of them generated tears and others laughter with the grandkids receiving the spotlight. I think that "oh my god" and "awesome" topped the list of their exclamations. I did ok and enjoyed the whole experience though the present I wished for the most must of got lost in shipping. So I will just wish harder for next year.

Wild Mom had a quiet Christmas compared to the one at our place. Jennifer was supposed to be there but decided at the last minute to move to Nashville. Peace or Pandemonium ... which is better. It has been decided that next year she will be with us and get to experience the Pandemonium. Thanks Harold and Betty for being there for Mom!

Lady was awesome as she directed all the activity. There was no lacking of food to snack on and the Christmas Day meal hit the spot as we had Ham and Au Gratin Potatoes and all the appropriate veggies. We managed to avoid most of the deserts but the fruit salad hit the spot.

#1 was himself and really enjoyed his Tennessee Titans Division Championship hat. Not! He liked the Jaguars stocking cap better. He received his bowling ball earlier and the secret to its operation is avoiding him. Maybe it will show up as a birthday present!

#2 managed to eat everything on site thus ensuring that we had no leftovers. He is still chuckling over the Chuck Norris book. Kindred Spirit?

• If you have five dollars and Chuck Norris has five dollars, Chuck Norris has more money than you.
• There is no 'ctrl' button on Chuck Norris's computer. Chuck Norris is always in control.
• Apple pays Chuck Norris 99 cents every time he listens to a song.
• Chuck Norris can sneeze with his eyes open.
• Chuck Norris can eat just one Lay's potato chip.
• Chuck Norris is suing Myspace for taking the name of what he calls everything around you.
• Chuck Norris destroyed the periodic table, because he only recognizes the element of surprise.
• Chuck Norris can kill two stones with one bird.
  

Peanut was inundated with gifts ... actually they were mostly AJ's but as mom she got to open them with his help. She even managed to get her picture taken in all the bustling activity. AJ was a laugh as he experienced his first Christmas. The toys never seemed to end. Already we are tired of the incessant ABC and 123 songs, and the only colors in the world (red-blue-green-yellow). Stuffed animals and clothes were the fillers. Especially the onesie that had Me, Mommy, and Asshole on the front. That shirt was worth it and received many roars of laughter as he wore it.

Lou and Lil Princess were great though our time with them was very limited. We made up for some of it later during the weekend but lost time can never be made up or compensated for.

Saturday was our 33rd Anniversary and we celebrated it with friends at the Blue Ridge Seafood Restaurant. The food was excellent and worth another trip another day. We started the whole evening with a movie matinee where we saw "Seven Pounds" with Will Smith. A`good movie though it took a bit to figure it out. In an attempt to maintain my PG rating ... details of what happened later will be skipped.

Work is the same and getting more hectic as we get closer to the deadline for the automation system changeover. I like orderly and planned and the mode of operation lately has been shoot from the hip when the mood strikes. I would have retired a second lieutenant if I had ran my maintenance squadron this way.

Other Christmas presents:

• The Redskins lost and their preseason anointed playoff team finished 8-8.
• Dallas Cowboys got what they deserve ... get rid of T.O. and give the team a chance. Hopefully the eagles spanking of them will get their attention.
• Jacksonville stumbled their way to a lousy and losing season. next year their uniform will proudly display a very large and contrasting color ... "L".
  

24 DAYS UNTIL THE CRUISE AND 84 DEGREE WEATHER!!!!

Why Christmas Trees are better than Women

10. A Christmas tree doesn't care how many other Christmas trees you have had in the past.

9. Christmas trees don't get mad if you use exotic electrical devices.

8. A Christmas tree doesn't care if you have an artificial one in the closet.

7. A Christmas tree doesn't get mad if you break one of its balls.

6. You can feel a Christmas tree before you take it home.

5. A Christmas tree doesn't get mad if you look up underneath it.

4. When you are done with a Christmas tree you can throw it on the curb and have it hauled away.

3. A Christmas tree doesn't get jealous around other Christmas trees.

2. A Christmas tree doesn't care if you watch football all day.


And the # ONE reason Christmas Trees are better than women


1. A Christmas tree doesn't get mad if you tie it up and throw it in the back of your pickup truck.

Christmas Trees Over men

Why is a Christmas tree better than a man?

1. A Christmas tree is always erect.

2. Even small ones give satisfaction.

3. A Christmas tree stays up for 12 days and nights.

4. It looks good - even with the lights on.

5. A Christmas tree is always happy with its size.

6. A Christmas tree has cute balls.

7. You can throw a Christmas tree out when it's past its sell-by date.

8. You don't have to put up with a Christmas tree all year.

Top 10 Comments Made By The Reindeer During Their Xmas Flight

10. "Sheesh! What's he been eating this year? ROCKS?"

9. "He shouts all our names all the time, sure, but do you really think he
knows which one is which?"

8. "I never knew Donner had a tattoo THERE."

7. "Sure ... HIS seat is a flotation device. What about us?"

6. "Tried those new lite oats? You really should."

5. "Man, I hope we pause on a rooftop soon. I'm beat."

4. "HEY! Watch the antlers there, buddy!"

3. "Did you hear you-know-who got a nose job?"

2. "You know, after a few hundred miles, these jingling bells really get
annoying!"

And Finally ...

1. "So, you want to go someplace afterward for some reindeer games?"

Party Time

Well, the weekend is over and the work week begins once again. For the most part the weekend was a quiet one. Saturday Night was Lady's work Christmas Party. It was fun. The location for the party was changed at the last minute on Friday. The only way to keep her from taking up all the karaoke slots was to ply her with wine. The music was quite loud but a fun time was had by everyone. Is everyone that deaf? Saturday lunch at El Agave was quiet as it was just the two of us and AJ that went. No words from the South so we assume Wild Mom is busily crafting away. #1, #2 and Peanut all worked so that was the biggest reason the house was so peaceful. Lady managed to get the Christmas Tree up with a little help from #2 with the electrical wires. AJ did his best to eat the tree. Just as soon as you shooed him away from the tree he headed for the TV and its controls. Back and forth. Sunday was the last weekend for Youth Bowling until the new year. Looks like they will finish 3rd. With the party on Saturday, Lew and Lil princess were not around this weekend. Probably a good idea since AJ got sick Saturday and it literally spilled over into Sunday. By Sunday night the stomach virus was gone and he was more like his old self once again. Does his battery ever run down? Starr has decided that it is not feasible to roller skate all the way up here. Our Church is in full swing for the season. Christmas programs, carolling, cards and gifts is the norm. This upcoming Saturday is the Youth group Christmas party so that will consume most of my Saturday.

What do I want for Christmas? Two things ... something from you to me. It could range from a note to something you made for me. The cost of it doesn't make it anymore special but the maximum value comes from the thought that it came from you. The other gift is a special unspoken one, so I won't say anything. If it happens, well, then I know my angel just received their wings.

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Anyone tired of Football and Bowl games? Not me. It is just another excuse to eat more dip and chips. What makes me happy .... Cowboy wins, Redskins lose, Jets win and Green Bay loss. Hopes that Chicago wins despite the Viking attempt to cheat their way in by using the Court Injunction to cover up a wrong doing.

I am saddened that this year is the last Republican White House Christmas ornament for the next few years. Almost feels like the Dark Ages are upon us.