I, too, almost forgot!! You can't go wrong by giving someone Harvey's Bristol Cream!
And, I could use a new wallet to hold what little money and many credit cards are used to buy wonderful gifts for you all.
November 29, 2007
November 28, 2007
WISHIN' AND HOPIN' AND WORKIN' AND PRAYIN'
Since the rest of the family is posting their wish lists on their blogs, here is mine.
Chiapop's wish list:
1. World Peace
2. An end to Global Warming
3. ALL my children attend Mass for Christmas (This is really # 1)
4. A Cobra Billet Light Bar>
5. A blackberry
6. Music CDs - Celine Dion, Sarah McLachlin, Sarah Brightman, David Phelps, Country, Classic Rock, Oldies, Soundtracks (Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables)
7. iPod accessories
8. Neat computer gadgets (like a lighted keyboard, for instance)
Chiapop's wish list:
1. World Peace
2. An end to Global Warming
3. ALL my children attend Mass for Christmas (This is really # 1)
4. A Cobra Billet Light Bar>
5. A blackberry
6. Music CDs - Celine Dion, Sarah McLachlin, Sarah Brightman, David Phelps, Country, Classic Rock, Oldies, Soundtracks (Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables)
7. iPod accessories
8. Neat computer gadgets (like a lighted keyboard, for instance)
November 24, 2007
November 23, 2007
THAT SINKING FEELING
Perhaps by now you've heard that a cruise ship, the MV Explorer is sinking near Antarctica. As I was reading a related article, I learned to my amazement that the ship was formerly the Lindblad Explorer
which actually docked at McMurdo Station back in 1970 or 1971, while I was there as part of the U.S. Navy's Operation Deep Freeze! At the time it was the first cruise ship visit to Antarctica. Just a tidbit of useless information.
which actually docked at McMurdo Station back in 1970 or 1971, while I was there as part of the U.S. Navy's Operation Deep Freeze! At the time it was the first cruise ship visit to Antarctica. Just a tidbit of useless information.
November 22, 2007
Have A Happy Man's Holiday!!*
*Don't believe me? What other holiday involves looking for a "bird" with nice legs and big breasts?
The bird is stuffed and in the oven. Now it's a waiting game until time to start the rest of the dinner. We're expecting a smaller crowd than in years past, but it will be a good gathering, I think.
I heard talk on the radio about airlines looking into charging passenger fares according to weight... Guess I won't be doing much traveling any time soon if that happens, unless I get a LOT more money! Another weight loss incentive!
Yesterday the high temperature was in the 80's. Today it will start in the 60's and go DOWN from there!! But only for a day or two. We're on a temperature roller coaster that has made a lot of people suffer. There appears to be at least two different illnesses going around in a big way. Not only the intestinal bug that ripped through our family, but there's also a flu-like cold that is running rampant. Here's hoping the family doesn't get that one, too!
As I look at the title to this post, I realize that it can be interpreted in two ways. It could be "Have a Happy "Man's Holiday"" or it could be "Have a "Happy Man's" Holiday". The former is the intended meaning. Just so you know.
In two weeks Major Dad will complete the final week of some advanced law enforcement training he and others have been attending in Baton Rouge. Congratulations to him for his hard work and success!
This just in for Ellie!!!
Hope your birthday (Saturday) is wonderful!!
Once again, I want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
May God continue to bless you as we prepare for the upcoming Christmas season.
The bird is stuffed and in the oven. Now it's a waiting game until time to start the rest of the dinner. We're expecting a smaller crowd than in years past, but it will be a good gathering, I think.
I heard talk on the radio about airlines looking into charging passenger fares according to weight... Guess I won't be doing much traveling any time soon if that happens, unless I get a LOT more money! Another weight loss incentive!
Yesterday the high temperature was in the 80's. Today it will start in the 60's and go DOWN from there!! But only for a day or two. We're on a temperature roller coaster that has made a lot of people suffer. There appears to be at least two different illnesses going around in a big way. Not only the intestinal bug that ripped through our family, but there's also a flu-like cold that is running rampant. Here's hoping the family doesn't get that one, too!
As I look at the title to this post, I realize that it can be interpreted in two ways. It could be "Have a Happy "Man's Holiday"" or it could be "Have a "Happy Man's" Holiday". The former is the intended meaning. Just so you know.
In two weeks Major Dad will complete the final week of some advanced law enforcement training he and others have been attending in Baton Rouge. Congratulations to him for his hard work and success!
This just in for Ellie!!!
Hope your birthday (Saturday) is wonderful!!
Once again, I want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
May God continue to bless you as we prepare for the upcoming Christmas season.
November 20, 2007
THANKSGIVING THOUGHTS
Thanksgiving is next to “nigh”. While I’m at work this week, L is home preparing for family and friends who will be joining us on Thursday for dinner.
I anticipate a lively group to include, hopefully, Big Bridget and Auntee, and several of the Ugandan seminarians. Sadly, H1/DIL1 will not be with us, but we will keep them in our thoughts and prayers, and probably in our snide comments, as well. (Hey, they won’t be there to defend themselves, right?!?!)
On a serious note, I want to reflect for a moment on some of the things for which I am thankful.
First and foremost, I am thankful for family. For Linda, wonderful wife and mother that she is, who I love without reservation and who completes me in a way that no one and nothing else can. I am thankful for the blessings of my four children and three grandchildren. I want them to know that I love them and am proud of them. I am grateful, too, for Jerrod, Hannah and Gisselle. I can only hope that they find in their relationships the joy, happiness and love, in at least some small measure, that I experience daily with Linda.
I am thankful for my brother and sisters, nieces and nephews, in-laws and soon-to-be’s. I am thankful for my friends who, through the grace of God are too numerous to try and mention, but especially for Bob and Helen, Mick and Bev, Keith and Chris, and Big J and the Lunch bunch. I pray that God blesses you all in a special way this Thanksgiving.
I am thankful for both H2 and I coming through our health issues relatively intact, and for all the support and prayers offered for us and to us.
I am grateful for the opportunity to serve my God and His Church, and for the many graces He has bestowed on me through that service. I am thankful for my diaconate experience, the many new friends made along the journey and the opportunity to share my faith with others.
I am grateful for parents and grandparents who taught us love, respect, responsibility, humility, morality, faith and hope, not just by word, but by the way they lived their lives.
If you’ve made it this far, I am thankful for YOU, for giving me the reason right now, at this moment, to stop and think about all the blessings that I’ve received in my lifetime, not the least of which is YOU!
May the peace and love of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, be yours, not only this Thanksgiving, but every day of your life!!
I anticipate a lively group to include, hopefully, Big Bridget and Auntee, and several of the Ugandan seminarians. Sadly, H1/DIL1 will not be with us, but we will keep them in our thoughts and prayers, and probably in our snide comments, as well. (Hey, they won’t be there to defend themselves, right?!?!)
On a serious note, I want to reflect for a moment on some of the things for which I am thankful.
First and foremost, I am thankful for family. For Linda, wonderful wife and mother that she is, who I love without reservation and who completes me in a way that no one and nothing else can. I am thankful for the blessings of my four children and three grandchildren. I want them to know that I love them and am proud of them. I am grateful, too, for Jerrod, Hannah and Gisselle. I can only hope that they find in their relationships the joy, happiness and love, in at least some small measure, that I experience daily with Linda.
I am thankful for my brother and sisters, nieces and nephews, in-laws and soon-to-be’s. I am thankful for my friends who, through the grace of God are too numerous to try and mention, but especially for Bob and Helen, Mick and Bev, Keith and Chris, and Big J and the Lunch bunch. I pray that God blesses you all in a special way this Thanksgiving.
I am thankful for both H2 and I coming through our health issues relatively intact, and for all the support and prayers offered for us and to us.
I am grateful for the opportunity to serve my God and His Church, and for the many graces He has bestowed on me through that service. I am thankful for my diaconate experience, the many new friends made along the journey and the opportunity to share my faith with others.
I am grateful for parents and grandparents who taught us love, respect, responsibility, humility, morality, faith and hope, not just by word, but by the way they lived their lives.
If you’ve made it this far, I am thankful for YOU, for giving me the reason right now, at this moment, to stop and think about all the blessings that I’ve received in my lifetime, not the least of which is YOU!
May the peace and love of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, be yours, not only this Thanksgiving, but every day of your life!!
November 18, 2007
HAM IT UP, YOU TURKEY!!
It looks like we've made it. After three days of being holed up in the house I ventured out yesterday evening to vote, and today went to church. The virus seems to have lost its grip on me, and hopefully L and H2, finally.
The weather is abso-tively posi-lutely gorgeous!! The sun is shining, the sky is blue and the temperature is in the mid-70s. Perfection! At least for a little while. It's supposed to cloud up and probably rain (50% chance) later today. Then another front moves through, so Thanksgiving will also be a wet one, then very cool days follow, with highs in the low 60s for a couple of days.
On the neighborhood news side, it looks like one of our ankle bracelet wearing neighbors is moving soon. That should bring our number of convicted felons within a 3 house radius from us down to one. Life is good.
We are, as are probably most of you, getting ready for Thanksgiving. Every year I try for an Outback Thanksgiving, but Linda is adamant that we will cook at home. Which is really ok, because she makes the BEST sausage stuffing ever. And home cooked turkey is really the tastiest, too, so I'm looking forward to the feast.
Speaking of traditions (or not), we've had a few come and go over the years. Such things as turkey for Thanksgiving, ham and turkey for Christmas, and ham for Easter. Then there's my mom's eggnog at Christmas/New Year's, made ALWAYS with Canadian Mist, no other brand will do. That one is kind of hit or miss. We do it some years and some years we don't. Linda sometimes makes fruit cake cup cakes, which actually got me to like fruit cake because hers are so fresh and delicious. Aunt Daisy's cookies for Christmas. Pumpkin pies, apple pies and (thankfully) NO MINCEMEAT!!! And, there's always spaghetti and cole slaw, which I remember from my childhood, but everyone else thinks I'm nuts. Actually I think they go well together, but it has to be MY cole slaw, not the kind you get at Popeye's, or Chick-fil-a, or some such stuff. On New Year's Eve my folks used to make oyster stew (actually oysters in a milky buttery broth) that tasted great, but I couldn't handle the oysters. How I loved the broth with oyster crackers!! That's something I should try to make, now that I've finally developed a taste for oysters. Maybe it's time for a tradition revival?
I guess some traditions will have to change now that kids are married, or moved, and are now mixing traditions with their spouses to create new ones. It's another sign that we've earned our gray hair.
Last Saturday, November 10th, we went to see Trans-Siberian Orchestra at the New Orleans Arena. The concert was terrific! Wonderful music, awesome light and fireworks show, and just a good time altogether. KenEllie joined us and I think they enjoyed it, too. I would definitely recommend the show to anyone who has the opportunity to go. Hopefully TSO will be back next year.
Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving!!
The weather is abso-tively posi-lutely gorgeous!! The sun is shining, the sky is blue and the temperature is in the mid-70s. Perfection! At least for a little while. It's supposed to cloud up and probably rain (50% chance) later today. Then another front moves through, so Thanksgiving will also be a wet one, then very cool days follow, with highs in the low 60s for a couple of days.
On the neighborhood news side, it looks like one of our ankle bracelet wearing neighbors is moving soon. That should bring our number of convicted felons within a 3 house radius from us down to one. Life is good.
We are, as are probably most of you, getting ready for Thanksgiving. Every year I try for an Outback Thanksgiving, but Linda is adamant that we will cook at home. Which is really ok, because she makes the BEST sausage stuffing ever. And home cooked turkey is really the tastiest, too, so I'm looking forward to the feast.
Speaking of traditions (or not), we've had a few come and go over the years. Such things as turkey for Thanksgiving, ham and turkey for Christmas, and ham for Easter. Then there's my mom's eggnog at Christmas/New Year's, made ALWAYS with Canadian Mist, no other brand will do. That one is kind of hit or miss. We do it some years and some years we don't. Linda sometimes makes fruit cake cup cakes, which actually got me to like fruit cake because hers are so fresh and delicious. Aunt Daisy's cookies for Christmas. Pumpkin pies, apple pies and (thankfully) NO MINCEMEAT!!! And, there's always spaghetti and cole slaw, which I remember from my childhood, but everyone else thinks I'm nuts. Actually I think they go well together, but it has to be MY cole slaw, not the kind you get at Popeye's, or Chick-fil-a, or some such stuff. On New Year's Eve my folks used to make oyster stew (actually oysters in a milky buttery broth) that tasted great, but I couldn't handle the oysters. How I loved the broth with oyster crackers!! That's something I should try to make, now that I've finally developed a taste for oysters. Maybe it's time for a tradition revival?
I guess some traditions will have to change now that kids are married, or moved, and are now mixing traditions with their spouses to create new ones. It's another sign that we've earned our gray hair.
Last Saturday, November 10th, we went to see Trans-Siberian Orchestra at the New Orleans Arena. The concert was terrific! Wonderful music, awesome light and fireworks show, and just a good time altogether. KenEllie joined us and I think they enjoyed it, too. I would definitely recommend the show to anyone who has the opportunity to go. Hopefully TSO will be back next year.
Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving!!
November 15, 2007
FEEL THE LOVE... SHARE THE SICKNESS
There's not to much exciting going on in MY life at the moment, hence the extended hiatus from blogging. Add to that that both DLG and DIL1 have been keeping me in stitches with their own e-diaries, and the lack of fodder and time have been the cause of this mini-sabatical.
I'm not sure what the time stamp will be on this post, but it is 2:52 AM as I write, and I've been up since before midnight. It seems that both L and I have come down with whatever has been tearing up our extended family, keeping me at home yesterday, and probably both L and I today. If you've been reading DLG's blog then you know that the end result of this little inconvenient bug is the inability to stray too far from a toilet for any length of time.
It looks like we're going to get a bit of much needed rain (40% chance) today. I hope so. Our five Bradford (Cleveland?) pear trees need it. I'd really like to see them flourish and grow into some nice shade trees. Since the loss of the sycamores to the storm, the front rooms of our house really heat up in the afternoon sun!
A special CONGRATS!! to S2 (my PA sister) on getting her new motor vehicle license! Way to go!! Looking forward to seeing your new set of wheels. Be sure to send pictures.
Keith and Chris, how are you doing? We don't hear from you nearly often enough, but think of you often!
Still missing Mick and Bev since they moved to Colorado. I hear that Mickey does a mean impression of Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow! And who knew that Aunt Bev could be such a witch?!? (I saw the pictures!)
Well, the porcelain throne calls, yet again, so take care, and God bless!
I'm not sure what the time stamp will be on this post, but it is 2:52 AM as I write, and I've been up since before midnight. It seems that both L and I have come down with whatever has been tearing up our extended family, keeping me at home yesterday, and probably both L and I today. If you've been reading DLG's blog then you know that the end result of this little inconvenient bug is the inability to stray too far from a toilet for any length of time.
It looks like we're going to get a bit of much needed rain (40% chance) today. I hope so. Our five Bradford (Cleveland?) pear trees need it. I'd really like to see them flourish and grow into some nice shade trees. Since the loss of the sycamores to the storm, the front rooms of our house really heat up in the afternoon sun!
A special CONGRATS!! to S2 (my PA sister) on getting her new motor vehicle license! Way to go!! Looking forward to seeing your new set of wheels. Be sure to send pictures.
Keith and Chris, how are you doing? We don't hear from you nearly often enough, but think of you often!
Still missing Mick and Bev since they moved to Colorado. I hear that Mickey does a mean impression of Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow! And who knew that Aunt Bev could be such a witch?!? (I saw the pictures!)
Well, the porcelain throne calls, yet again, so take care, and God bless!
November 5, 2007
H-TOWN STANDS FOR "HERRICK" THIS WEEKEND!!!
It's been a great weekend! We left NOLA on Friday morning and headed to Houston. The weather was, and has been, absolutely beautiful. Turns out we had quite a group, what with H2, Big Boy and Bride, FTT (Frank the Tank) and Linda and myself.
Houston is a HUGE city! Everything really IS bigger in Texas! I guessNew Orleans is a sleepy little town after being here for a few days. It seems like rush hour traffic 24x7 and construction is EVERYWHERE! We still managed to get around to see some sights and have some good eats.
Saturday we went to Galveston to see the Lone Star Rally. It was crowded and noisy but we all had a good time. H1/DIL1's friend, Russell met up with us on this trip, along with Lisa, a self-proclaimed psycho! It was a fun day with lunch at Fuddruckers and dinner at Pancho's. Remember Pancho's? NOLA used to have THREE of them... no more.
Sunday was a nice, quiet day at H1/DIL1's. BB&B, and FTT left for NOLA around mid-morning, just as we were arriving at the apartment from our motel. After lounging around and chatting for awhile we went out for lunch to Pappasito's (voted the best Mexican restaurant in Houston) for a really great late lunch. Then back to the apartment for some more talk and chilling. We finished out the evening with supper at Barry's Pizza, then dessert at Marble Slab Creamery followed by an evening of watching "Wild Hogs". Then it was back to our motel for a good night's sleep.
We leave for NOLA today after we check out from our motel and meet up with H1/DIL1 and H2 for brunch. Once again it's a beautiful day and the drive home should be outstanding. Although the visit has been great, it will be good get back to the menagerie (Maynard, Gumbo, Evil G, and Craiger), not to mention KenEllie (THANKS!! for taking care of the animals) and PJIBM.
OH, and "WAY TO GO, SAINTS!!!!!"
Hoping for a safe trip. Take care and God bless.
Houston is a HUGE city! Everything really IS bigger in Texas! I guessNew Orleans is a sleepy little town after being here for a few days. It seems like rush hour traffic 24x7 and construction is EVERYWHERE! We still managed to get around to see some sights and have some good eats.
Saturday we went to Galveston to see the Lone Star Rally. It was crowded and noisy but we all had a good time. H1/DIL1's friend, Russell met up with us on this trip, along with Lisa, a self-proclaimed psycho! It was a fun day with lunch at Fuddruckers and dinner at Pancho's. Remember Pancho's? NOLA used to have THREE of them... no more.
Sunday was a nice, quiet day at H1/DIL1's. BB&B, and FTT left for NOLA around mid-morning, just as we were arriving at the apartment from our motel. After lounging around and chatting for awhile we went out for lunch to Pappasito's (voted the best Mexican restaurant in Houston) for a really great late lunch. Then back to the apartment for some more talk and chilling. We finished out the evening with supper at Barry's Pizza, then dessert at Marble Slab Creamery followed by an evening of watching "Wild Hogs". Then it was back to our motel for a good night's sleep.
We leave for NOLA today after we check out from our motel and meet up with H1/DIL1 and H2 for brunch. Once again it's a beautiful day and the drive home should be outstanding. Although the visit has been great, it will be good get back to the menagerie (Maynard, Gumbo, Evil G, and Craiger), not to mention KenEllie (THANKS!! for taking care of the animals) and PJIBM.
OH, and "WAY TO GO, SAINTS!!!!!"
Hoping for a safe trip. Take care and God bless.
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