I told you so......

It's the week of Thanksgiving, the weather is awesome... not too cold, not too hot..... it's the first Autumn I can remember that is not "winter-ish." Son is on break from college and although I work most of the time, I at least get to see his smiling face in the garage. He and his dad are putting modifications / upgrades on Jolly, the green giant of a pickup. After Thanksgiving, I plan to help him move from one apartment to another, so we'll have some quality time then.

Daughter emails less frequently now that she is in Brazil, but I'm hoping her plans work out to return next month in time for Christmas together. I've started on her room, but never quite got around to getting in there and getting it done. An email from her would certainly motivate that on the to-do list!

We're planning a party at the church building this Wednesday night for Jennifer. She has come to her senses and moved back to Kansas. A big welcome home party is in order.

Hubby has been working on cleaning out the garage. He has my side done to where I can park my commuter car for the winter nights. I'm thankful for that. It's nice not to have to scrape windows of a morning.

I think I'll go make some pecan pies on a trial run for this week. If they turn out ok, I might try the chocolate ones, too.

Now somewhere, at some point in time, I mentioned I am not much of a writer. I did not keep a diary as a kid, wouldn't send birthday cards or letters or emails on any sort of regular basis. So, this "random" blog is just that...... random. So, if you've been expecting a daily / weekly / monthly or even quarterly update, you might remind me on that basis to update my blog. Otherwise.... I told you so.

Evening pics

Before X Box, there was....

Nick was thirsty

More of the evening.....

While we're gathered around the table for dessert, the kids gather around the t.v. Outside pics were too dark, this is after the bonfire.

Whatchya up to?

Relaxing, seeing what Oprah has to say, and enjoying conversation on various topics. Getting ready for the bonfire in a couple hours.

Spatacular

Nothing like gathering with a few friends, soaking your feet and breaking out the nail polish. It's Spa-tacular.

the guys in the hood

This is Ray's idea of entertaining his nieces and nephews.

Ingredients: One beat up hood, one four wheeler, four willing participants, and one crazy driver. Oh, and throw in a few trees for scenery purposes only...... or obstacle course, if you like.

Lincoln logs

It's interesting to go to places and find out a little bit about history that you kind of knew about and yet totally didn't comprehend until you experience it visually. I knew Abraham Lincoln grew up in a log cabin type house. I imagined something like Little House on the Prairie type days, but still didn't realize how small this dwelling was, until I visited Kentucky and saw for myself. I believe my bedroom is larger than his entire house was. I am amazed.

Whassssup?

Now I know what Einstein meant when he was asked to speak at a university and he got up on stage and said, "I have nothing to say."

I never kept a diary for the same reason.

This year we celebrated the 4th early. It was June 28th when we went to Hanover to watch the fireworks and tuned into the local radio station to hear the display set to music. It was the best music KNDY has put on in years. Knights in White Satin, the Chicken Dance, Ring of Fire....

We're planning a drive of the east coast states this month. I guess I'll have something to write about then. :)

Son is home from college, daughter just visited this weekend and went back to Kansas City. I've got laundry duty, and the man of the house is working on the cars. Same ole same ole.

Changes

It's leap year, and it's February 29th! I just finished two weeks of training for my new job. I'm very glad this company invests in a training program for new employees. The computer system itself, although user friendly, would take an enormous amount of time to learn on your own.

The company put me up in a hotel right in the middle of the city where I had access to all sorts of stores I love but rarely get to grace the doorsteps of. The past two weeks has gone by so fast. Every night I'd be up until 1 a.m. and be at work by 8:30. Then it was shop til I drop again.

My biggest find was a suit sale. Since son took pop's suit (with permission) to school with him.... "that's ok, I don't wear one anyway"....... then he's pallbearer. uh huh. So, I happened upon a favorite store with already low prices and on sale to boot. Some guy was trying on the jacket of one style that I thought looked really sharp, so I got that one in Grandpa's size, found a shirt on sale to go with it, and voila. I turned around and there's a suit for pops and a shirt to go with it too. Everything was on sale except the ties, but I already found ties elsewhere. These look great! I hope they fit.

This morning there was a special at Mickey D's where you buy a drink and get a skillet burrito thinger for free. So, the office went over and got breakfast. We happened upon the man himself, so I got a phone-photo with him, and then the office got together and snapped a shot for the newsletter. I don't think this was the genuine guy because he's so short, but, it is unusual for the guy to be there in person, so we got photos. Check out the shoes!!

Dear Diary

A long long time ago in a land not so far away, I was a kid. It was popular back then to write in a diary and it didn't have to be anything special or anything important, for that matter. Still, I didn't do it. I knew it was something I could not commit myself to doing on a regular basis. Now, there is this thing called Blogging, which is the same concept as a diary really. Only it confirms my suspicions that I would not be a good candidate for a diary..... then or now.

Today, I woke up late, went to work late, took a late lunch and brought it back to my cubicle, worked late, was late meeting my father-in-law and husband, and got home and had a late supper. Then, I realized it's been a while since I wrote anything on this blog, so I might as well stay up late and write something down.

Although I was late, it was a good day. It was 14 degrees on the way to work, although clear skies. Soon after arriving, it began to snow, and the wind whipped the snow like a tornado of styrofoam tidbits. I had read my son's latest blog addition before heading off to work, and it was more important for me to write a comment than it was to be on time this particular day. Although I was not missed, there were those glad to see I arrived to help them do their jobs. I have turned in my resignation to be effective February 7th and have accepted the offer of employment with what I think will be my last employer. Not that I plan on dying anytime soon, or retiring for that matter, I just think this employer has the most to offer as far as places to go, people to be (account exec, branch manager, regional, etc.) I put in 9-1/2 hours today and got paid for 8. Why? I dunno. I love my job.

Right after work I was supposed to meet my father-in-law at his rental house. He has some prospects coming in Friday and the house isn't quite ready. He needed the carpets shampooed, and yours truly just so happens to own, well at least one but probably two, yeah, two carpet shampooers. Why? I dunno. They must've been on sale.

The guys scrubbed some greasy wall while I ran the machine. If I would have known there was so much carpet, I would have brought both machines with me, but I only remembered the livingroom having a covering. Yeah, it's pretty much wall to wall except the kitchen. The kitchen. Now that's a sight.... not a pretty one, either. I volunteered to paint it tomorrow night after church and Thursday night after work. Why? I dunno. I love my father-in-law and I kinda/sorta think he could use my help. Besides, the prospects come Friday. I hope they like the smell of fresh paint.

Last night I made chili and meatballs. The meatballs were for supper, well, the chili is too, just not last night's supper. I didn't have all the ingredients I normally put in my BBQ meatballs, but they turned out ok enough. The chili is good. Just hot enough to smack you without losing the flavor of the sauce. We'll probably regret eating it later, but hey, that's a part of life.

Speaking of gas prices, I paid $2.94 a gallon for gas the last time I filled up my Aurora. It has been fluctuating between $2.88 and $3.19 lately. Crude oil hit $100 a barrel earlier this year. Sent the price of gas soaring. It's back down around $90 a barrel, but that won't last long. Politics. Let's not go there. It's an election year as it is. Did I mention it's also leap year? Happy Birthday to all you young folks who have a birthday every four years.

There, Diary, are you happy now?