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.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
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.
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.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
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.
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.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
ahem ahem ahem
It's evening, I should be reading a good book. A bad book would be ok too ... you know something that wouldn't cut it in literary circles, but nonetheless is entertaining. Lucie is in the next room reading her Esther study by Beth Moore. That's enriching, that is stretching her understanding and growing her faith. If not reading, I should be jogging, or doing some aerobics on the treadmill ... something to burn off excess calories. I'm sure there is a caloric figure for typing, so I guess it is better than doing nothing, but I'm not quite sure my doctor would qualify it as life improving. (Calories Burned: 37 calories per hour)
Bekkah, Brielle and I (Brielle, is a neighbor and classmate of Bekkah's) went to Boone NC to visit App State ... the potential higher institution that Bekkah would like to attend.
The "mountaineer" is Yosef, the Appalachian State mascot. I always talked about the appalachian trails in NH, but here they pronouce it differently I used to say: AP-uh-LAY-shun but here it is pronounced: AP-uh-LATCH-in. So Bekkah wants to attend AP-uh-LATCH-in State. The campus was really nice, and the price for in-state tuition/room and board hovers around 10K / year. She wants to do something with sciences and loves the outdoors. Boone gets an average of 3' of snow per year ... so that would suit Ms. Bekkah just fine.
Bekkah, Brielle and I (Brielle, is a neighbor and classmate of Bekkah's) went to Boone NC to visit App State ... the potential higher institution that Bekkah would like to attend.
The "mountaineer" is Yosef, the Appalachian State mascot. I always talked about the appalachian trails in NH, but here they pronouce it differently I used to say: AP-uh-LAY-shun but here it is pronounced: AP-uh-LATCH-in. So Bekkah wants to attend AP-uh-LATCH-in State. The campus was really nice, and the price for in-state tuition/room and board hovers around 10K / year. She wants to do something with sciences and loves the outdoors. Boone gets an average of 3' of snow per year ... so that would suit Ms. Bekkah just fine.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
10 Things I hate about ... cars
Okay, so how could any guy hate anything about cars? Well, being less than a motorhead, and having grown up in a bevy of grease monkeys (I'm sure bevy is for quail and not monkeys, that would be "troop") You would or could assume that cars could be my thing. They are and they aren't. Let me try to explain, I love a cool set of wheels just as much as most people ... but its the whole falling out of like with cars that I hate. The process, the cost, the ten things I hate about cars:
1.) Depreciation: drive it off the lot, and it ain't worth as much as it did 4 seconds before
2.) Maintenance: sure oil changes, air in tires, washing all part of the deal, but wash and wax, let alone hand wax? Cleaning interiors? Vacuuming? Not a joy, just a once in a while thing for me.
3.) Parking ... our driveway is not easy, and parking on NC soft clay (after a rain anyway) is a PAIN. Where will I park/house a 4th vehicle?
4.) Jockeying for "which wheels" in a family of 4.5 drivers (Rachel is on permit) ... one standard, two automatics, now w/ Lucie's knees giving out, the standard is pretty much mine, however let's move cars around to get it out of the garage.
5.) Features: we got the scion, bare bones EXCEPT for the remote door lock, that was the only optional feature. Buy new and a whole bunch of features, like can you really do without carpet mats? We did for the scion, now I kinda wish I didn't have the ADAP generics that slide all the time.
6.) Gas, gas and more gas ... and the auto needs fuel too.
7.) Insurance: 17 year old, no accidents ... "A" student: all good, but get a 4th car and insurance goes way up, not just to ensure the new vehicle, but because purportedly she has access to wheels 12X7 (curfew hours for another few months)
8.) NC tax, the price of the car is NOT the price of the car, you have to pay Gov. Purdue, we all know she needs the money more than I do. I miss NH's tax-less policy ...
9.) Where am I gonna get $400 extra a month? egads do I go credit union? 0% dealer finance? 3.75% loan from 401K?
10.) The whole buying process, sure there is Streetwise buying guide ... but I hate the whole charade they play, like the: "let me ask my boss about this price" deal ...
So the whole thing "stinketh high heaven" .... I don't wanna do it, but our "youngest" car is 6 years old ... we don't have reliable 12 or 11 year old cars, they have squeaks, pings, and their jiggles abound ... why couldn't I be born rich instead of handsome ... oh yeah, that's just my imagination again ;^)
I could go "used" and hope for the best, 'cause that's what I feel I would be doing ... I don't trust car dealers, and even if you find one you can trust, it's still a lemon roulette ... do I get a 5K vehicle that costs tons to keep up? still a loan as I don't have 5K ... how long will it last? Will I get lucky ... surely someone must love to quibble and do the whole car thang? Are you out there?
My requirements are relatively few:
* A/C is not optional, we are in NC
* FORD sorry, you are NOT in my gonna drive category, I'd rather not have a YUGO either (whole other blog post on FORD, but it is a vow I plan on keeping)
* Gas mileage is a factor ... so most gas guzzlers would be passed over
* Safety: will it get me from point A to B in one piece
1.) Depreciation: drive it off the lot, and it ain't worth as much as it did 4 seconds before
2.) Maintenance: sure oil changes, air in tires, washing all part of the deal, but wash and wax, let alone hand wax? Cleaning interiors? Vacuuming? Not a joy, just a once in a while thing for me.
3.) Parking ... our driveway is not easy, and parking on NC soft clay (after a rain anyway) is a PAIN. Where will I park/house a 4th vehicle?
4.) Jockeying for "which wheels" in a family of 4.5 drivers (Rachel is on permit) ... one standard, two automatics, now w/ Lucie's knees giving out, the standard is pretty much mine, however let's move cars around to get it out of the garage.
5.) Features: we got the scion, bare bones EXCEPT for the remote door lock, that was the only optional feature. Buy new and a whole bunch of features, like can you really do without carpet mats? We did for the scion, now I kinda wish I didn't have the ADAP generics that slide all the time.
6.) Gas, gas and more gas ... and the auto needs fuel too.
7.) Insurance: 17 year old, no accidents ... "A" student: all good, but get a 4th car and insurance goes way up, not just to ensure the new vehicle, but because purportedly she has access to wheels 12X7 (curfew hours for another few months)
8.) NC tax, the price of the car is NOT the price of the car, you have to pay Gov. Purdue, we all know she needs the money more than I do. I miss NH's tax-less policy ...
9.) Where am I gonna get $400 extra a month? egads do I go credit union? 0% dealer finance? 3.75% loan from 401K?
10.) The whole buying process, sure there is Streetwise buying guide ... but I hate the whole charade they play, like the: "let me ask my boss about this price" deal ...
So the whole thing "stinketh high heaven" .... I don't wanna do it, but our "youngest" car is 6 years old ... we don't have reliable 12 or 11 year old cars, they have squeaks, pings, and their jiggles abound ... why couldn't I be born rich instead of handsome ... oh yeah, that's just my imagination again ;^)
I could go "used" and hope for the best, 'cause that's what I feel I would be doing ... I don't trust car dealers, and even if you find one you can trust, it's still a lemon roulette ... do I get a 5K vehicle that costs tons to keep up? still a loan as I don't have 5K ... how long will it last? Will I get lucky ... surely someone must love to quibble and do the whole car thang? Are you out there?
My requirements are relatively few:
* A/C is not optional, we are in NC
* FORD sorry, you are NOT in my gonna drive category, I'd rather not have a YUGO either (whole other blog post on FORD, but it is a vow I plan on keeping)
* Gas mileage is a factor ... so most gas guzzlers would be passed over
* Safety: will it get me from point A to B in one piece
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