The end has come-------------

Another 8 hours, and 2008 will be history, with its electioneering, voting, promises, and everything that goes with it. In a way, it is nice to have most of that behind us, as the long, drawnout campaigning got to be a real pain, after months and months of it. Of real interest is the change in tone between the former opponents, Obama and Billary. She formerly had no experience in foreign relations, during the campaign, and suddenly she is the most qualified person available. Just a good sample of the political lies and stories used when trying to win an office. Time will tell.

Three more weeks, and we will suddenly be living in a world with no problems. I think I saw that as a quote somewhere, probably in a speech back a few months. I have seen on TV, people coming from his rallies, saying "He is going to pay my rent, pay for my SUV, fill the tank with gas"------all kinds of baloney! What a sudden awakening these people are going to have. Sudden, and painful. I am sure that when he decided to run for the office, there was no idea of the economic turmoil that was going to be present, come 1/20/09. It is going to take a very dark-rose colored set of glasses to make things look bright and cheery when he moves into the White House. Good luck.

The end has come--------

Not even $38------------

let alone $38 million! In fact, out of two 6 number lines, Carol's Christmas lotto ticket only had one out of six numbers on each line. Oh well, the thought was there. Actually, there were two winners to split the money, and one of the tickets was purchased quite close to us, but close only counts in horseshoes and hand-grenades, right?

Our company all left by yesterday morning, (two of them at 5:30 am, headed for GA,) and the last before noon, so it is quiet around here again. So quiet, in fact, that we both took naps in our recliners in the afternoon. My system is not used to being wide awake in the middle of the night, so having to make a bathroom break, and then visiting with the kids at 5 am, I was up much too early myself. Went back to bed, but not really back to sleep.

Winter weather is not being nice to so much of the country lately. Son in Utah had flown to Oregon last weekend, got snowed in, and was leary of finding his flight cancelled on Tuesday, but managed to get home, ( a bit late, but home.) Kids in Ohio and Michigan had lots of snow and slick roads to contend with, but no big travel plans, as far as I know. Friends in northern Indiana may have had bigger problems, with enough ice to close the TP and an Interstate, I am sure the side roads were a skating rink as well. Maybe fun if they got skates for Christmas, but not great with four rubber tires trying to get traction. Saw a picture in todays paper, of a dump truck hauling snow, and a frontend loader, both in a ditch from icy roads at South Bend. Didn't look like any fun at all. Think we will just keep our warm weather, thanks.

One more big holiday, (New Years, not Kwanza,) and then a dirth of them for a while. I know, Valentines, Easter, May Day---but it always was a bummer when part of the working force---no paid days off until Memorial Day. Being retired, NO paid days off anyhow, but life goes on. Feeling enough better that I need to get back to a couple of small projects for people that have been on hold for a couple of months. Glad they have been so patient. Even the handyman business has been slow, with the economy as it is, and with some unemployed construction people going into handyman things, to make a buck, it probably will continue slow for a while. Guess it will give more time to do projects at church that are waiting, which will not be a bad thing.

The big guy is on the way

It must be official, I just saw the NORAD sighting on AOL. I wonder if he knows of the economy, black Friday, (and bleak days following for retailers.)?? We are getting our south Florida snow, like the rest of the country, except ours is dripping from the awnings and soaking into the ground very quickly. Just makes for messy driving conditions, even for hopefully sober drivers. The police units are not planning on cutting drinkers any slack, so they had better either have a sober driver, or let AAA haul their vehicle/bodies home for them. And that is as it should be!!

Company coming for the holidays are slow to arrive. One had a number of chores to do, before leaving Lakeland, and the other had a supposed 'work' day to contend with. Not sure when they are going to get here.

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Took a break for some food. Can't wait forever for the company to arrive!! Actually, we had a very hard rain for a few minutes, as well. Needed that. Carol will probably stay home with the kids, assuming they get here, but I probably will go to the Christmas Eve service, particularly since we have invited several other people to come by for a visit after the service. (That is the 7:00 service, not the 11:00 service!!) Not sure I could stay awake for the late one.) Sounds like Amanda may be coming for the night, also. Going to be a busy place around here in the morning.

The stockings are hung on the mantle, a few wrapped presents under the tree, nothing fancy or expensive this year, for sure. Major discounts available, if you care to spend some cash, (or plastic,) but no real needs for either of us. I did finally get a clue for something, just earlier this week, so did a little shopping yesterday, and have a couple of things under the tree. We used to have stockings for the kids, and usually filled them with some snacks, or fruit, to hold off the ravenous beasts until breakfast could be fixed on Christmas day. Now they usually get some chocolate or candy--but not as eagerly attacked as with the kids. No 'sugar highs' needed. Tim will be coming down in the morning, to join the fun. Got a very nice bouquet delivered this afternoon, from Tim, made in a very pretty (bright red-what can I say,) candy dish. A very nice surprise.

We are rapidly getting closer to inauguration day, and a change of leaders and ideas. Who can really say what the new year is going to bring. Still lots of promises being thrown about, some of which we all know will not make it to fulfillment. Part of the political life, I guess, but wouldn't it be nice if the spoken word, given to obtain votes, support, etc, would really happen? Wouldn't it even be nice if promises were made, only after a lot of thought, and knowing they could happen, instead of just to influence voters and sway the undecided? Oh well, one can always dream.

Oh, by the way, big guy, if you are reading this. I did buy a couple of LOTTO tickets for Carol's stocking--can you arrange for the 38 million $$$ to fall this way?? Still dreaming!

Back again

Made it thru the graduation, just not sure quite how! Glad it was a 'small' mid-year group of graduates--it only took 2 hours for the 'small' group. Not sure how long the summer group might take, but don't think I want to find out, either. This event was held in a rather new arena, used for a lot of sports activities, concerts, etc, and was full. I don't know where they might hold the larger event, maybe in an outside stadium, and pray for a dry day. As is was, each grad only was given 5 tickets, and only because some grads did not need that many, were we able to have 8 family members there. From our seats, the main view of the grads was a 'sea' of mortarboards and tassels, not much else to see, except that on the scoreboard, there were large video screens, and the speakers were televised onto the screens, as well as the grads as they walked across the stage.

Also got to see MUCH MORE of the campus than we wanted, or at least than I did. We parked in a parking garage, the one Amanda uses for getting to work, but then walked clear across the campus to get to the arena. And several of us did not have on hiking shoes! Way too far apart!!! Had I known how far ahead of time, I would have been dressed a bit more casually, and worn better walking shoes, not dress clothes and shoes. It was sort of downhill, slightly, as we walked, and I was not looking forward to the walk back, but a couple of drivers made the walk, and drove back to the arena and picked us up. What a blessing that was. I didn't really realize how much of a walk it had been, until I tried to walk around a mall for a bit on Tuesday morning! Don't even want to think about what a return walk to the cars would have done. Did OK yesterday and today.

It was a good trip, at least until we got to Pt St Lucie, on the way back, and then traffic was a royal MESS. We spent 30-45 minutes trying to cover 1/2 a mile or so. Partially because of IDIOTS ignoring the 'lane closed' ahead signs, and driving right to the point of losing their lane, and then insisting on crowding into the lane of people who belonged there. I hope that in eternity, there is a special place of punishment for drivers like that.

Thought when I mowed last week, that it would do at least thru Christmas, but once again, I miss-guessed. The fertilizer application, along with several showers of rain, and the 70-80 degree weather, of course, has made another cutting, in the next couple of days, an apparent necessity. Could be worse. I spoke to Nate at noon yesterday, his time, and he was shoveling out his driveway as we talked. He claims that the proper system is to use the mower for half a year, and the snow blower for half a year----personally, I can't figure out how you cut grass and make the yard look good, with a snow blower. I must be missing something.

Made a trip to Wal-Mart last night. Planned on just a quick trip, but no such thing with the people and carts all over the place. They could have had more registers open, but guess they are trying to run on minimal help as well. We had been in a small mall in Orlando Tuesday morning, and it was almost deserted, but Wal-Mart made up for it. Just think a week from today, and it will be CHRISTMAS. Hard to believe with weather close to 80 today. May have to go to the beach for Christmas!

Another weekend.

And getting closer. Our church did their cantata today, and once again, I was in the congregation, and enjoying it, not in the choir. I could have made the last couple of rehearsals, but most of the people had been working on it for some weeks--while I was doing all of the fun medical things from the past couple of months. They did not do a specific cantata, but our choir director/organist/music director had compiled a group of songs from several different contatas, and built a program of his own choosing, and it was very well done.

Heading up to Orlando tomorrow, for the UCF graduation. Carol's granddaughter, Amanda, is graduating, having done summer school, etc, and finished her 4 years in 3 1/2, and Summa Cum Laude, at that. Her minor, but really her major interest, is Criminal Justice, and she has been interviewing with several police departments in the general Orlando area, to try and land a job, and get them to sponsor her in the Police Academy, with the promise of a job upon completion of the academy. Her grandmother is less than thrilled with the job choice, but has not been able to convince her to look for other work. (Actually, that may be the most promising job opportunities right at the moment, anyhow.)

Carol wakes up very early in the mornings, particularly on a day like tomorrow, and wants to leave before the sun comes up, as a usual thing. I don't start that early, personally, but will no doubt have to roll out before the normal hour, like it or not. Have to be at the ceremony at 1:40 in the afternoon, but have to meet the grad prior to that to get the tickets, and carpool with her to find our way in. Might never find it otherwise! About a 3 hour drive up there, so I think Carol has a 7:30 start time in mind. Really, I'll try!! And then hope that I-95 thru West Palm is not choked up, with either accidents or just idiots, as there are plenty of them on the road.

Only plan to stay over one night, and come home Tuesday. Had considered going to the Holy Land Experience, since we were going to be there, but in checking, I found that the HLE was closed on Tuesdays. Bummer! Carol is not a 'shopper', just to browse, or we could hit International Drive, and the big discount malls, but I guess we can both survive without the walking, crowds, etc, that would be part of that. I don't mind wandering thru the stores, for a moderate amount of time, but prefer not to have to battle your way thru the malls.

Let you know how we make out, later.

Working on the tree

Not very diligently, I admit, but the tree has been erected, and I have come up with enough lights, (I guess,) and it is ready for ornaments. Lights were something of a mystery. I normally, as they come off of the tree, take each strand, coil it carefully, and band with masking tape to keep it from tangling, and then mark the usage, (tree, etc.), and the year on the tag. Somehow, I cannot find the container with the lights used last year.
I have an abundance of lights, some dating back to living in the mobile home, in the early 90s. I think I had a total of 540 lights strung around the mobile, across the front porch, around the eaves, until they met at the back corner of the house. And that did not count the ones on the tree and various other places I chose to decorate, so there are a number of old sets still around. But they do not always light every bulb, when you check them, maybe a loose bulb, or an empty socket, so it has been a seek and find mission to get working strings located. The plastic bases of the minature bulb/socket sets are also not exactly the same size. Close, but no cigar at times, so considerable time has been spent making usable sets ready for tree hanging.
Now comes the fun of digging into three 16 gallon plastic storage containers, and deciding where to put the house decorations, as well as the tree ornaments, in the same storage boxes. Part of the fun is the memories that come out with certain ornaments, remembering who it was who gave them in the first place, or where they were purchased. Having enough lighthouse ornaments to decorate several fair sized trees, it becomes sort of a game to see how many of them can be hung,
before the tree starts to droop, or lean, or just runs out of hanging space. Doubt I could get away with getting a second tree, to use them all, so think I will pass on that possible option. (Besides, I don't want to find more working lights!)
Not very Christmasy outside today, and it was in the 80s, but another cold front is forecast before the weekend, so should get back in the mood soon. TV last night was at one street in WPB, well known for every house having large and elaborate displays, but with the economy as it is, many houses are less well decorated, and some are not decorated at all this year, to the disappointment of people who were driving by, or on bus trips, coming to see the lights. Could be a quieter celebration than normal this year, from the looks of things. Bummer.

A rapid approach

Christmas is coming to us very quickly, it seems. Already, not withstanding having had black Friday, and sales ads galore, the local holiday parade happens this afternoon, Santa arrives at the end of it, and things are officially under way. Maybe the good part is taking the spot light off of everyones gloom over the economy, jobs, (or lack thereof,) housing, etc. The news today of 1 in 10 mortgages being in trouble is enough to mess up most anyone's holiday plans.

We try to keep our emphasis on the reason for having Christmas in the first place, celebrating the birth of God's son, Jesus, as God's magnificent gift to us, and not worrying about trying to spend all of next years spendable cash, just to make a large pile of gifts under the tree for Christmas morning. Actually, with no small children to deal with in the family, the adult population has decided to forego most exchanges, or at least keep them to a minimum, since total non-gifting is hardly possible. The new theory is, buy yourself whatever it is that you want, (and can afford,) wrap it for yourself and put it under the tree, if it fits, and then act surprised when you open it! Takes quite an actor to make this happen. Of course, there are sometimes 'gag' gifts show up in this family. Last year there was a rather heavy package under the tree at the last minute, with my name on it. It turned out to be pickled pig's jowls, a delicacy Pat found up in the back woods area of GA that he lives in! Seems I made too much of a fuss about finding packaged chicken feet, in a store up there. Anyhow, the jar was being stored, waiting for 'regifting', and fell from the kitchen cabinet and broke a couple of months ago, and the whole household felt so bad about it. If it was going to come to you, please accept our condolences. We will try not to let it happen again.

My blogger son in Utah, confirms that he has selected his personal Christmas gift, has it in layaway, and is well prepared. I have to say that mine has been selected as well, several weeks ago, but has been residing at home since the selection. It has been amazing, the increase in traffic at gun shows/shops since Obama won the election. If he thinks people are not listening to his speeches, he had better be careful about what he says. Local gun shops have been overwhelmed at the number of people looking, and buying, tight money or not. Nothing like being prepared, and locally, ready to protect yourself as needed.

I was watching TV last Monday, and heard a helo circling close by. Not sure if it was the Sherrif's, or Traumahawk, I stepped out the front door, to see the police spotlight being beamed down just a few blocks away, and patrol cars with flashing lights close by that area. As I was looking, I heard 5 very quick shots fired, and shortly thereafter, the helo left the scene. Seems a car thief had made a sudden move toward his pants/waist, while being ordered to exit the vehicle, and it was the last move he made. Nothing beats being very cooperative with law enforcement, if you wish to make it a pleasant experience. He had enough of a criminal history that he evidently had not figured that fact of life out, but he now has made his final mistake.

Life is exciting, isn't it?