Happy New Years 2008

 

Here's hoping that we all, young and old, have a wonderful, healthy and profitable 2008.

So far, the plan now for NYE is that we're going to friends house for dinner and a game or two. There should be 4 couples, having Lobster and Steaks, and we're making an appetizer. Luckily, it's only about a half mile from our house, so we won't have to travel far.

I am working a half day, so I'll be able to come home early and help with the appetizers (Ham Puffs) and we'll pick out a couple of bottles of wine to take with us. It should be fun.

New Years Day, we're just going to stay home and relax. We have a spiral cut ham in the fridge that we're going to have, that we've all been dying to eat. *S*

Oh, and we may have found a cruise to go on with our friends from Alabama!!! More news on that later this week.

Not much else to say right now, so I'll post a few news items before slipping out for 2007.

Just in case you missed that story about the Norwegian military promoting a penguin to Colonel in Chief of the Royal Norwegian Guard, here it is

Here's one for you Mark:
The 2007 Texan of the Year? The illegal immigrant. There's another job taken

Wild and Wacky laws about alcohol!

And in case you want to re-live 2007:
Time travel is real, and it's available on eBay. Yes, it's $10 million, but you have 90 days to pay it. And if it works, you have a whole lot longer than that!

Until 2008......

Planning for NYE (New Years Eve)

Well, we've begun the planning phases for NYE, but it's going nowhere fast so far. I'm kind of hoping that something good happens, as some of the ideas being tossed around aren't my kind of "NYE Fun".

I've also been looking around for more of my favorite wine (the Chateau Prieure Lichine 1999 Margaux), and I actually found a case of it, again in New York. They have one case left, and I'll be talking to the wife about the possibility of getting our hands on it.

Other than that, not too much else is new. Tomorrow after work, I might be going out with a friend to a movie, hopefully to see "I am Legend" with Will Smith. He's one of those guys, that so far, I think hasn't done anything bad. He's one of only 2 people that I'd see any movie in. The other person, is Gene Hackman. I've never seen him in a bad movie.

This weekend, I'll be going to see the UCONN Husky Women's basketball team take on the Hartford University Hawks, coached by one of the very best former UCONN women's basketball players, Jen Rizzotti. UHART just beat Michigan State that was nationally ranked, but I don't think they'll beat UCONN, who's now ranked #1 in the nation. I'm going to see them with my friends Dave and TJ. Should be great.

On the same day, the UCONN Football team will be playing in a bowl game down in Charlotte NC. I'll hope to watch them before leaving for the basketball game.

On to the news:

17 year old American girl buys school for Cambodian children. What were YOU doing at that age?

Must be a slow news day when there is a front page article about a 56-year-old toaster (with pic of said toaster, ooh ahh)

Remember the GPS installed in the baby Jesuses to track the thieves stealing 'em? Got one

That's it for today.... have a great weekend!

Christmas Evening

It's now (as I write this) about 7:30pm on Christmas night.

It's been a long day, with the whole family coming over to eat. We had an old family recipe called "Pork and Pepe's" (pronounced pep-ayes). If you're interested in the recipe, let me know and I'll post it.

After eating today, we all played a game my wife got for Christmas from my daughter called "Eat It" (think trivial pursuit about cookies, candy, cake and chocolate). My daughter won, and we all had a great time.

Everyone seemed to get what they wanted for Christmas, my daughter getting 3 or 4 charms for her Pandora bracelet and a nice clock for her new condo, my son got a lot of clothes, and me, I got what I went to get myself on Friday.. a 6 piece, 18 volt cordless tool set by Ryobi. I also got a new winter jacket (dressy), and two new shirts for work, and some money from both our mothers.

All in all, it was a nice day.. family all here, and it's winding down quietly (andI'm kinda tired).

I hope everyone had a wonderful day, and got just what they wanted for Christmas.

Until Friday.... have a great hump-day..!

To one and all....

 

Merry Christmas!

 

Tomorrow, I work a half day, then go home to work on some food to take to moms house for Christmas Eve.

Tomorrow in work should be nothing special, as we'll probably sit around drinking coffee, eating munchies and counting the hours till we leave.

For the most part, I think I know everything I'm getting for Christmas, as I went and got my own big gift on Friday afternoon with my friends Dave and TJ. I won't spoil it now, but between that, and some stuff I got with my wife a couple of weeks ago, I'd be surprised if there were a surprise in store! *chuckle*

Yes people, as you get older, you tend to know exactly what you're getting for Christmas.. *laughing*

Tomorrow night at moms house, we'll celebrate with the whole family (including my mother-in-law), and then on Christmas Day, everyone is coming here for lunch. It'll be nice to have everyone here. In the past, we've all kinda gone our separate ways on Christmas Day.

To all of you who read my blog, old friends and new... I hope you have the happiest of holidays ever.

Dave

4 More Shopping Days.....

Believe it or not, all my shopping is done except for my wife. I got her one small thing, and for the other things I want, she has to be there, so hopefully before the weekend is over, we'll get her finished up.

Stay tuned, at the bottom of this blog post, I'll show everyone, what I REALLY want for Christmas. You need not wrap it either.

I took today off of work to attend the funeral of a good friend's mother that passed away last weekend. Not the best thing to have happen near the holidays, but it means a lot to be there to support him.

Happy Birthday michelle (this weekend is her birthday)! I hope you have a very happy day with lots of fun and love.

Has anyone seen this in the news:
Asteroid could hit Mars in January

Today's my daughters' 26th birthday. Good grief how time flies. *sigh* I think I'm getting old!!!

Well, I have to get ready to go, so on to the news:

A guy in Colorado thought it would be okay to keep a live tiger in his home. Darwin gets cheated yet again after wildlife agents show up

Idiot sues 8 year old for skiing accident!

7 Medical Myths that even doctors believe!

and finally....
What Dave REALLY wants for Christmas.....

Have a wonderful weekend all...!

Reflections....

At this time of year, it's a good time to reflect on our blessings, and give thanks for what we have.

Our family, friends, health, everything that means things to us. That includes being thankful for the things we can't see in our every day lives, like the men and women in our armed services doing a very difficult job, far from their families when they'd much rather be home.

I was sent something in my email today, that really moved me. I hope it moves you too.

It's called The Gratitude Campaign

Please watch the video, and reflect upon what you have, and be thankful for not only those who are serving now, but who HAVE served.

Remember the saying, "All gave some, some gave All".

(stepping down off of my soapbox now)

I'm happy to say I have a new blog on the left, Simian Farmer, a good friend of Marks, who writes a great blog.

Other than this one, there's only one or two blog posts before Christmas.

 

I'm not going to post any news, as I want the link above to be the most important thing about this blog post. I'll just say, have a wonderful Hump-Day, and I hope to see you Friday morning.

Dave

Two times in four days....

We've had two good sized storms in four days now. The first, on Thursday, left about 5 inches of snow here, and made driving home almost impossible. We got let out of work at 1pm, and it took me about 30 minutes to go a half a mile on the way to pick up my wife.
I saw a Lexus sliding in the middle of the road, unable to move forward at all. I also saw a woman in a four wheel drive going so slow, that cars were passing her (non four wheel drive). People up here kinda forget how to drive at the first snowstorm of the season.
Here's a slideshow of some of the storm's impact.

Late Saturday night and Sunday, we got another storm. This time, it was a "Nor'Easter" that hit us at a very odd angle, and dumped about 4 inches of snow on us before changing to freezing rain. I went to bring my son to work, and the only cars on the road were all-wheel drives. Yes, I'm getting tired of snow *sigh*.

The good news is, Saturday, we got quite a bit of Christmas shopping done. I even picked up a few things for myself that my wife and son will end up giving me. I got a little thing for my wife, but I'll have to go out again this week to get something else.

It's been kind of an odd Christmas season so far, we don't have a single Christmas thing up in our house. No tree, nothing (yet).

This week, I'll have to do some shopping and start sprucing up the house.

Lets move on to some news:

Vails Gate, NY is home to the world's oldest barber, who's been at it for 83 years

Excuse me, miss. Get off your cell phone. Your car is on fire

School disciplines girl for wearing Tigger socks on the first day of school. Her family laughs it off as a big misunderstanding. Just kidding. They want $95,000

Here's one for Mark:
Sci-Fi's Top 25 TV/Movies of the past 25 years!

That's it for today... hope you have a wonderful Monday!

Snow is a Four Letter Word!

This is just a test writing from a second PC, but we got about 8 inches of snow last night and I didn't have time for my regular post today.

Please bear with me, and I'll have a new post on Monday.

 

ps, we're supposed to get a major Nor'Easter on Sunday, adding up to a foot of snow *groan*.

 

Dave

Wordful Wednesday

Normally, I would have put a wordless Wednesday up, but I have some things to say, and it wouldn't seem fair.

First of all, I'm posting this on Tuesday night actually where I'm at my daughter's place and we just installed her new 40" Flat Screen TV! The bad news is, she doesn't get her cable hooked up till next Tuesday.

While we were moving her in on Saturday, her couch got delivered.

Here's my little girl sitting on her new couch! Click on the picture to 'embiggen'. The area rug on the floor is absolutely gorgeous and I love it. The place still needs those finishing touches like pictures and cable TV (chuckle) but it's coming along real nice. She seems to be happy, and I'm happy for her. ps, the stuffed animal on the couch with her is Lola. She's a leopard that she got from Build-A-Bear Workshop. Lola normally goes in her car, but tonight she let her come in. I got my girl a new one, Lila, that's a cheetah, and she'll be arriving at the condo soon.

Now for some cool links I found for you all:

Time's 50 top 10 Lists of 2007

The Commodore 64. People still love them after all these years!

CareerBuilder.com's Weirdest Work Stories of 2007

That's really it for now... enjoy your Wednesday!

"Don't think of it....

as losing a daughter", my friend Dave told me as we moved her, "think of it as gaining 200 or so square feet of your house!" *LOL*

Before I go on, thank you all, for the kind words in the comments Friday.

The move went on as planned on Saturday, moving her waterbed (she's been on water since she was born, even had a water crib), bureaus and other large items in. Due to her having to wash her sheets and all, and us needing the hot water for her bed, she ended up sleeping at our house on the couch last night, but tonight, it's the first full night in her condo.

It's going to be different getting up tomorrow morning, looking at her room door and seeing it open and empty as I go to work.

Welcome to another new reader, (or maybe just commenter) Reba!

Now that most of the stuff for my daughters move is over, I guess I should start thinking about Christmas shopping! I haven't done a thing yet, and I don't have a clue what to get anyone.

Oh, and I have a new post over on on my wine blog. Please head on over and check it out!

On to the news.....

Over 3500 TV Show Theme Songs!!!!

Oh my GOD!
Police try to deport Paddington Bear after immigration interrogation! I LOVE Paddington Bear! I even own one...!

Redneck wedding couple marries in muddy demolition derby arena, exchange vows standing on top of derby cars. Bride: "I'm ready to smash into a whole bunch of stuff"

That's it for today... have a wonderful Monday!

The Move is ON!

Well, this is the weekend that "Daddy's little girl" moves out. We move her bed tomorrow morning, and the rest of her stuff in the afternoon.

My brother is coming to help with the water bed, and my friend Dave to help with the bigger stuff (only 2 pieces) in the afternoon.

How's it going to feel with my daughter gone you ask? (or did you?)

Well.... I have a feeling she'll be around a lot. But if not, she's less than a mile away.

Welcome new reader Deb! I have to ask though... do I know you from another blog or someplace else? *S* Either way, please come back soon!

The Wordless Wednesday picture this week, was of me and my bud Mike when we visited New Orleans this past summer. We're hoping to hook up with them for another vacation this year (they're from Huntsville AL).

Oh, I had felt kinda down that I couldn't even LOOK at vacations because I had sent my passport in to be renewed the Saturday after Thanksgiving... and holy moly, it came in yesterday! How's that for fast service! Thirteen days, including shipping time. Not in my wildest dreams did I expect it back so soon. Now, on  to looking at vacations! WHOO HOO!

Well, so much to do and so little time... on to the news!

Mom not lovin' it when daughter comes home with free Happy Meal coupon attached to her report card for good McGrades

Ten unexpected uses for beer!

Middle school inadvertently names their school after beer, and they used the beer’s logo as their mascot. Hooray beer

The winner of the ugliest house in America is in Florida... was there a doubt? (with pic)

That's it for today...have a great weekend!

Wordless Wednesday - Mike and I on Bourbon St.

 

                               

                                    Click on picture to 'embiggen'

BUSY Weekend, and Bad Weather

Wow it's been a busy weekend!

Friday night, my friend Dave called and asked if I wanted to go out to get some dinner (and we did), then came back to my house to watch something I had on my DVR that we both wanted to see.

Saturday, my daughter and I went out for breakfast, then to Home Depot for a few things, then came home. My wife and her went up to her condo to do some painting, and I did some work around the house. At around 4pm, we started making our munchies for the Holiday Party we were going to for our wine club. I'll have to post the recipe some time soon, as it's a real good one.

The party was really nice, but unusually subdued for some reason. We saw some friends we don't see too often, and got to catch up while drinking some great wine and munchin on some great food.

Me, I brought a bottle of my newest find, a 2000 Bordeaux Superiour Reserve called Chateau de la Vergnee. For under $13 a bottle, it was an instant hit and the bottle didn't last very long. (some bottles didn't fare as well as they were still half full when we left)

We got home around 11pm, and we were both exhausted from the long day (not to mention the great wine and food).

Sunday, Sarah and I went to see my mom as we always do, then home to get ready for a graduation party at my friend Ray's house (all 4 of us went). We didn't realize it, but it was an elaborate luncheon with great food. We got home around 5pm, and just kinda vegetated as it'd been a busy weekend for us all.

Well, that was my weekend, how was yours?

Oh, the weather.... on the way home from Rays tonight, it had snowed a bit, then it changed to freezing rain, so everything's kinda slippery. Luckily, Ray only lives about 1/8 of a mile away.

And Peter, on the old blog, I had a VERY long post, and nobody commented (hence my note on long posts! *LOL*)

On to the news:

Parents of dead skydiver sue plane maker for "defective" plane. You know, instead of blaming their stupid son for trying to jump out of planes

The University of Hawaii offers a course in Homebrewing. Dave seen checking airfare to Hawaii.

Not news: Customer gets letter from bank asking to correct negative balance. News: balance owed is $211 trillion. Bill Gates, Donald Trump, Warren Buffet combined unable to assist

That's it for today.. have a great Monday!