Thursday, January 27, 2011

Like Snow? H*ll NO!


I was getting ready for work this morning and after I called our local weather line for the current temp (33 @ 6am) I flipped on the TV as I finished getting dressed and had my cereal. I saw that the northeast had been hit hard with snow - Philadelphia (PA) had declared a "snow emergency" and New York City (NEW YORK CITY!) had been hit with over a foot of snow overnight. City offices and services were closed along with all schools. I could see lots of people digging out while the report went on. So for everyone that lives up north and say they like snow - "You are welcome to it!" Go ahead and laugh at us in Mississippi when we get an inch or 2 of snow and close things down. We don't have to shovel and its usually gone on its on in a few hours. Now - there was a heavy frost on my truck's windows, but I had taken the precaution of putting a plastic tray on my windshield last night so the driver's side was clear and after it warmed up a couple of minutes I was on my way to work.

In between the news and leaving for work I had gone out to feed Beider. Now it had rained yesterday and the damp ground was frosted over. I guess I stepped wrong (but I'm not sure - it happened so quickly) and ended up slipping and falling. My right leg bent and my right foot was under my butt when I fell on it. I think it scared me more than it did any damage - but my leg is killing me right now. I took some tylenol when I got to work and hopefully the aching will ease up as the day goes on. The only casualty (I think) is the plastic pitcher I used to carry the dog food in. It got busted up in the fall - but it can be replaced. Think I'll probably replace it with a 3 pound coffee can - might bend but won't break.

Everyone have a great day!

Monday, January 24, 2011

Random Ramblings (Again)


I started this entry with no specific purpose but thought I would share some miscellaneous musings instead. Yesterday I was taking out Sophie (our 3 month old puppy that we are trying to house-train) and as she was checking our the aromas in our yard and doing her business I found myself thinking over the just past holiday season. One (or maybe even more than one - I don't really remember) of my children had remarked that our family didn't seem as close as it used to be at Christmas. So after considerable thought - this reply came to my mind "WELL-DUH!!" When my first wife passed away in December 2005, our 5 children were either married, had a significant other or getting married and within a couple of years either had or were expecting children of their own. Whoever you are - Family dynamics change as children become adults and forge their own lives. And that's as it should be - you have a person in your life that you have chosen to love and in all probability have a family with. That significant other and offspring should be the primary focus of your life. So no - things aren't as they used to be. But the changes had either started or were in place years ago. It just amazes me sometimes how selective folks' memory can be (and I'm just as guilty).

So to all my offspring - I love you now just as much as I ever did - never doubt that - but life evolves and changes - if it didn't things would be very dull and stagnant. For example - I can't imagine not having even one of my grandchildren. And I do enjoy spoiling them a bit when I can.

Well - the Superbowl is set. Packers and Steelers. As a life-long Raiders fan I can't help but hate the Steelers (Remember the 1972 Playoff game - Arrrggggh! - I still can't and won't watch replays of "the immaculate reception"). So GO PACK!!!

I've decided to sell my motorcycles. It was a difficult decision. I've loved riding for many years but after my accident in June (2010) I discovered (after getting another bike) that with my leg injury I'm not as steady as I used to be and I've lost a little of the enjoyment I had. Plus, I will soon be 56 and if I can't give it my full attention I would rather not chance another accident at my age. I want to be around to enjoy my retirement years when they get here. Plus, it may be a "beater" but I like driving my old truck (1985 GMC S15). It has its quirks, is noisy and doesn't get fabulous (good but not fabulous) gas mileage. But as long as it can keep taking me to work and home with the occasional work-load, I'll keep it. As one of the stickers I have on states "Don't Laugh - It's Paid For".

Everyone Have a Great Day

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Today in History (Heh!)


Well, I'm back to work after what was an unscheduled 3-day weekend. We were closed here at MSU yesterday due to snow. (Read DKW's Blog about it - She writes well - plus read about our doggies.)

Well, watched the four NFL games over the weekend and 2 of the 4 went the way I was pulling. Saints & Chiefs lost (Dang it!) to Seattle & Baltimore respectively. Jets & Packers won (Yeah!) over Indianapolis and Philadelphia respectively. Of the 8 teams left there are 3 I can pull for (Packers, Falcons, & Jets) if they make it to the Superbowl. The other 5 teams I am either indifferent to (Seattle, Chicago) or don't like at all (New England, Pittsburg & Baltimore).

Today, Jan. 11, is my oldest child's birthday. I still have vivid memories of the day in 1978 when she was born. I got up that Wednesday morning to get ready to go to work only to find out that my wife was in labor. We drove out to the Millington (TN) Naval Air Station Hospital. (I was on active duty with the Coast Guard and stationed in Memphis.) After a long day of labor My daughter was born late that afternoon and with her birth came the largest snowfall that Memphis had experienced in over 25 years. I can remember driving in the snow to "The Treasury" (a big chain store) to buy my baby's first outfit to wear home from the hospital. I was so excited - I was a daddy! For years we called my daughter the "Snow Queen", because every time I was transferred after that the area we went to experienced the heaviest snow fall that they had experienced in decades. So it must have been her - since she brought snow when she was born. :-) Oh - if interested - here is the national news for Jan 11, 1978. Hapyy Birthday M!

Everyone have a great day!



Monday, January 3, 2011

New Year. New Beginnings


I'm not going to try and catch up everything that happened during the last couple of weeks, but I will try to hit the highlights and maybe try to throw in a couple of "Awww!" moments.

Christmas was very enjoyable. My youngest son is in the Coast Guard and wasn't able to make it home this year and he and his wife were missed. I did enj0y Christmas with my other 4 children, but not all at the same time. Of course, my favorite part was seeing the grandkids' faces as they opened their gifts.

A couple of days after Christmas, DKW and I took my daughter Donna to the airport in Birmingham (AL) so that she could catch a flight back to Portland. After spending 5 months with DKW and I we will both miss her. After we dropped her at her airline and she was in line with her bag, she looked back and gave a little wave as we drove away. I nearly broke out in tears (again) - because even though she's nearly 30 - at that moment - my mind saw the little 5 year old girl (with a cast on her arm thanks to a brother's slamming door) catching the school bus and waving bye on her way to kindergarten. Sighhhhh!

New Years Eve DKW and I went to Applebee's for a late supper (consisting of 1/2 price appetizers) and free Champagne at midnight. Our waitress turned out to be an old friend of mine (hi Annette) who had worked for me about 15 years or so ago when I had been a manager at our local Quincy's Steakhouse. We had a very good time.

On the 2nd (Sunday) we had my grandson's 2nd birthday party (Jonas - my oldest son's boy) at my house and had a lot of fun. My youngest daughter (Mary) came and as I was helping get her youngest son out of the car he looked up at me and very seriously asked "Where's Donna?" I confess I choked up a bit and didn't answer. So he asked again - a little louder - "Where's Donna?" I told him she's not here. She had to leave town. He looked crestfallen - for about 30 seconds - they looked up,grinned and asked "Cake?" I nodded, said "Yep" and the party was on.

Finally, before I sign off this first entry of 2011 - I would be remiss if I didn't address the first weekend of the year's football. (1) My Raiders beat KC (31-10). Finished the year 8-8 and while they didn't make the NFL playoffs - I have optimism for next year. (2) HOW 'BOUT DEM DAWGS!!!!!!! Mississippi State opened a big ole can of Whup A** on the Michigan Wolverines in the Gator Bowl on New Year's Day. They set all types of records in their 52-14 victory and it would be a gross understatement to say that expectations are high going into next year since this is a young team and most of them return in the fall.

Everyone have a great day and a fabulous 2011!