Rachel & Lucie are playing Monopoly

We got the Christmas tree today ... supposedly from the same farm that supplies one of the White House trees for the "blue" room. I'm impressed ... not!

We took all the stuff down from storage, actually I took it all down. Then we put the little white lights on ... and there it sits. Smells good, boxes all about. Bek is at Mikey's for their belated Thanksgiving feast. Liz is upstairs reading. She told me to be quiet as I howled outside her window as I let Stella out in the back yard.

I think Lucie is losing ... but she's having a ball. They shopped most of the day, while I dusted, vacuumed and brought the stuff down. I got to move a curio cabinet too, but still feeling like I should get out on the bike. It was cool today, rained last night, so I didn't mow.

Tomorrow the girls go to the Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC) to see the "Phantom" ... Lucie and I get to see it on Wednesday. I get to do an "ant colony" story this Sunday for the kiddos. The girls decorate the tree tomorrow, the older two go for a hair appointment, then Christmas pictures, then Phantom. Lucie is gonna prepare pistachio chicken ... In just a couple days Liz heads back to PA to finish her semester.

We STILL don't have our plans finalized. Is it the 20th we head up? Dunno, but we'll figure it out. It was a good Thanksgiving. The girls were laughing at me today, cause I started my bah humbug routine, and when Lucie told me not to, they said, "Mom, don't stop it, it is our longest lasting tradition to have Dad be a pill at the holidays!"

We take comfort in the silliest of traditions. Even if I do my yearly Scrooge routine ... bah humbug.

1963 on this date, where were you?

Anniversary of Kennedy's shooting. Do you believe in conspiracies? I'm heading off to church, we will be late, so I have to stop now ...

I'm back. What happened? Not much, a bit of mowing, a bit of leaf raking. Last night Lucie helped me clean out our gutters. She stood at the base of the ladder. Not that she'll steady it that much, but she keeps an eye on me. And she has 911 on speed dial ... (not really). It was getting dark, and I waited on Lucie to get back with the girls. Lucie handed me the blower, and helped me move the ladder. We worked as a team, which dovetailed nicely into what Pastor Benji had to say about marriage.

We haven't quite planned out what our travel plans are for December. Al made sure he told me that I hadn't asked him if he wanted us to come to NH ... so Al, can we come to NH? Is it all right with you?

So much to plan for before we leave. The Carney's are taking Stella ... we just need to have someone water and feed the kitty. Oh Santa, take Questra to the north pole with you!

We have a Christmas party invite to two parties on the same night. One at our Pastor's house, another at our realtor's house ... now one would think that wouldn't be a dilemma, but I wanted to go to Peggy Su's party.

Since Lucie works at the church office, I guess that is the right thing to do. (bet you nobody spikes the egg-nog though)

So I've been listening to Christmas Music on 106.1 ... normally WRDU plays country and lots of sports programs. Now it is playing Christmas music ... It drives the girls crazy ...Dad, you can't listen to that until next Friday. ... so I'm starting early .. big deal.

November 21st ... been a while

But been inspired by the Markerts starting their blog. So much has happened since our last post ... life happens, ready or not it happens.

I'm thinking of a work colleague, Ken. I've known Ken for about 20 years. We first worked together at DEC (Digital Equipment Corp) and he in recent years (at my urging) joined Fidelity. Last June Ken got some earth shattering news about his health. His prognosis is that he wont see 2010. Things we take for granted, that at least I take granted.

Lord, I thank you for my health... I thank you for my family's health. So much I take for granted.

Ken, I know even though you say it burns your skin (you crack me up) I'm praying for you.