Entry for December 31, 2006

Happy New Year's Eve! I'm going to try something different today.. I'm opening up my blog to the public. YIPES!

This is my baby step into the New Year! We'll see how it works out. I know, many of you don't mind having yours open to the public.. I just fear that they will name me as the number one way to put folks to sleep!

I refuse to make resolutions. Why.. cause that would just be a lie to myself. If I plan on doing something.. I'll do it! I don't need to psyche myself up by writing it down. So, what are my hopes and dreams for the coming year? That my family will be blessed. That my friends and family will be blessed. That everyone that needs a blessing.. receives one! Peace and goodwill to all! That is my wish for 2007. I also want to continue learning all there is to learn from folks and the many interests that I have! For good health for my family and friends! And, a VERY special prayer for our troops! May they soon be back in the comfort of their families enjoying their warm embrace!

My Hope for myself, my loved ones, and You!

Dream what you want to dream.

Go where you want to go.
Be what you want to be.
Because you have only one life,
and one chance to do all the things you want to do!

Happy New Year's!!

New Year’s Resolution – No More Regular Workouts

New Year’s Resolution – No More Regular Workouts

Dear Diary... For my end-of-year 40th birthday, my wife (the love of my life) purchased a week of personal training at the local health club for me. Although I am still in great shape since playing on my college football team 25 years ago, I decided it would be a good idea to go ahead and give it a try – as my 2007 New Year’s Resolution!

I called the club and made my reservations with a personal trainer named Belinda, who identified herself as a 26-year old aerobics instructor and model for athletic clothing and swimwear. My wife seemed pleased with my enthusiasm to get started! The club encouraged me to keep a diary to chart my progress…

Monday:
Started my day at 6:00am. Tough to get out of bed, but it was well worth it when I arrived at the health club to find Belinda waiting for me. She is something of a Greek goddess - with blond hair, dancing eyes and a dazzling white smile. Woo Hoo! Belinda gave me a tour and showed me the machines. She took my pulse after five minutes on the treadmill. She was alarmed that my pulse was so fast, but I attributed it to standing next to her in her Lycra aerobic outfit. I enjoyed watching the skillful way in which she conducted her aerobics class. Very inspiring. Belinda was encouraging as I did my sit-ups, although my gut was already aching from holding it in the whole time she was around. This is going to be a FANTASTIC week!!

Tuesday:
I drank a whole pot of coffee, but I finally made it out the door. Belinda made me lie on my back and push a heavy iron bar into the air-then she put weights on it! My legs were a little wobbly on the treadmill, but I made the full mile. Belinda's rewarding smile made it all worthwhile. I feel GREAT! It's a whole new life for me.

Wednesday:
The only way I can brush my teeth is by laying on the toothbrush on the counter and moving my mouth back and forth over it. I believe I have a hernia in both pectorals. Driving was OK as long as I didn't try to steer or stop. I parked on top of a GEO in the club parking lot. Belinda was impatient with me, insisting that my screams bothered other club members. Her voice is a little too perky for early in the morning and when she scolds, she gets this nasal whine that is VERY annoying. My chest hurt when I got on the treadmill, so Belinda put me on the stair-monster. Why the hell would anyone invent a machine to simulate an activity rendered obsolete by elevators? Belinda told me it would help me get in shape and enjoy life. She said some other nonsense too.

Thursday:
Belinda was waiting for me with her vampire-like teeth exposed as her thin, cruel lips were pulled back in a full snarl. I couldn't help being a half an hour late, it took me that long to tie my shoes. Belinda took me to work out with dumbbells. When she was not looking, I ran and hid in the men's room. She sent Lars to find me, then, as punishment, put me on the rowing machine - which I sank .

Friday:
I hate Belinda more that any human being has ever hated any other human being in the history of the world. Stupid, skinny, anemic little cheerleader! If there was a part of my body I could move without unbearable pain, I would beat her with it. Belinda wanted me to work on my triceps. I don't have any triceps! And if you don't want dents in the floor, don't hand me the &%#(#&**!!@*@ barbells or anything that weighs more than a sandwich (which I’m sure she learned in the sadist school she attended and graduated magna cum laude from.) The treadmill flung me off and I landed on a health and nutrition teacher. Why couldn't it have been someone softer, like the drama coach or the choir director?

Saturday:
Belinda left a message on my answering machine in her grating, shrilly voice wondering why I did not to show up today. Just hearing her made me want to smash the machine with my planner. However, I lacked the strength to even use the TV remote and ended up catching eleven straight hours of the Weather Channel.

Sunday:
I'm having the Church van pick me up for services today so I can go and thank GOD that this week is over. I will also pray that next year my wife will choose a gift for me that is fun - like a root-canal or a vasectomy.

Entry for December 30, 2006

Yea!! My eye exam went well! Even though I'm getting older.. The eye doctor assured me that I would probably NEVER have to worry about needing bi-focals!! As I suspected earlier.. she was very interested in my tear ducts and their unusual capabilities! Thank goodness, EVERYONE and their brother was in having eye exams today to use up their flex spending or she would have ran off to grab a glass of milk and made me show her what I can do!

Steve had his eyes dilated. Good thing that it wasn't to bright outside. Beau was given a prescription.. but.. she indicated he probably doesn't need them as it is for really far distance. He loved that! Tyler also popped in and had his eyes done too. He needs his glasses for night driving.. so, he had his pair made up within an hour.

Tyler leaves next week for Louisiana. He will be deployed there until April. Perhaps, longer. He is struggling with having so many good friends over in Iraq.. and now.. his best friend is leaving within days. They went through Basic, AIT and a tour of Korea together. Not often that happens.. where a few good friends actually continue to get the same orders and MOS!

We learned that his best friend will be near a large PX and won't have any worries of needing supplies! But, he did suggest that he wouldn't mind me sending him cookies.. homemade, of course! Some things never change, eh? His mother passed away years ago. Our family took him under our wing many years ago. I've always loved calling him on Wednesday to wish him a "Happy Hump Day"! The ulitmate in the military.. get them FIRST!! lol. Mom's do NOT play fair!! SOME soldier's battle buddie's mom's! GRIN!

We are all watching CNN and taking in the news of Saddam's execution. I am beginning to believe that the Iraqi people may actually breathe a huge collective sigh of relief! The reign is OVER! I think, they may not have believed it was ever going to be over. Perhaps.. there is a glimmer of hope for us all! I pray that is the case!

On another note.. we were very fortunate NOT to have tornadoes here today! But, President Bush and Laura Bush had to take cover. Texas had a bit of an outbreak today. Hard to believe.. but, it was in the mid-seventies most of the day!! Now, rain.. and rain.. and more rain. Just in time for the Alamo Bowl tomorrow!! Hook'em Horns!

Entry for December 29, 2006

Turkey cravings got the better of me yesterday! I had read so many different blogs about turkey dinners.. that I just couldn't stand it anymore! We were at the grocery store.. it was 4:30 in the afternoon.. and they had fresh thawed turkeys! Fresh and THAWED! It was a sign from above! I had Steve pick out one that we could easily throw in a turkey baking bag and have dinner ready by 9 PM. Grabbed the other things we needed.. and raced home to pop turkey into oven!!

The leftover ham has been bagged and tagged and returned to the freezer for another day. TURKEY!! Turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes, homemade gravy, rolls, fruit salad, cranberries.. HEAVEN! Dinner was actually done by 8:30 pm! The whole house is in total agreement.. from now on.. only turkey will be served for Christmas. No more breaking with our family traditions! lol. Ham.. you had your chance.. Just couldn't make the grade!

I couldn't believe my eyes when I read that Saddam was going to possibly be executed by Sunday. As we have a close family friend going over to Iraq in a few days.. I'd rather they go AFTER the hanging than to be there WHEN it occurs. I'm uneasy about what is going to happen in Iraq in the next few weeks. I pray for our troops that are over there now. It is going to get dicey the next couple of weeks. More so than before, I fear.

Today, we are all going in to the eye doctor for exams. I know that part of my day will be wasted while this new doctor has fun looking at my eyeballs. You see.. when I was in middle school.. I had a firework.. Roman Candle, I believe.. go off in my eye at close range. Now, this did some weird stuff. I wore a patch the rest of the summer. And, it left me with one eye near sighted and one eye far sighted. Ok, googly eyed.. but.. the excitement doesn't end there.. I can shoot stuff out of the corner of my eye. The ducts that connect to the throat are NOT closed.. (there are a few of us in the world with this strange condition) and YEP.. If you wanted to see me shoot milk across the room.. lol.. I could get it to at least dribble down my face.

As my mom didn't really forsee that I'd have a wonderful career in the circus.. I was always yelled at if I did it on purpose. lol. My opthamologist insisted that I'd get all kinds of infections in my eye from bacteria.. and gave me many speeches of the damage I could self-inflict if I indulged others in this little "condition". The only time it really irratates me is when I have a cold.. Try blowing your nose.. and have it come OUT your eye ducts. Yee gads. And totally gross.. too! Men think it's cool.. women tend to look the other way! lol.

Saddam to be hanged by Sunday

Ex-dictator’s execution expected to be carried out by start of Eid holiday

BREAKING NEWS

NBC News and news services

Updated: 11 minutes ago

function UpdateTimeStamp(pdt) { var n = document.getElementById("udtD"); if(pdt != '' && n && window.DateTime) { var dt = new DateTime(); pdt = dt.T2D(pdt); if(dt.GetTZ(pdt)) {n.innerHTML = dt.D2S(pdt,((''.toLowerCase()=='false')?false:true));} } } UpdateTimeStamp('633029478523170000');

Former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, sentenced to death for his role in 148 killings in 1982, will have his sentence carried out by Sunday, NBC News reported Thursday. According to a U.S. military officer who spoke on condition of anonymity, Saddam will be hanged before the start of the Eid religious holiday, which begins this Sunday.

The hanging could take place as early as Friday, NBC’s Richard Engel reported.

The U.S. military received a formal request from the Iraqi government to transfer Saddam to Iraqi authorities, NBC reported on Thursday, which is one of the final steps required before his execution. His sentence, handed down last month, ordered that he be hanged within 30 days.

Earlier Thursday, Saddam’s chief lawyer implored world leaders to prevent the United States from handing over the ousted leader to Iraqi authorities for execution, saying the former dictator should enjoy protection from his enemies as a “prisoner of war.”

“According to the international conventions, it is forbidden to hand a prisoner of war to his adversary,” Saddam’s lawyer, Khalil al-Dulaimi, said in Amman, Jordan.

“I urge all the international and legal organizations, the United Nations secretary-general, the Arab League and all the leaders of the world to rapidly prevent the American administration from handing the president to the Iraqi authorities,” he told The Associated Press.

Meets with half-brothers
Saddam met with two of his half-brothers on Thursday and passed on personal messages to his family, a lawyer said.

Badie Aref, one of Saddam's lawyers, said the rare meeting with maternal half-brothers Sabawi and Watban Ibrahim Hassanal-Tikriti, who are in U.S. custody, was at the request of the ousted Iraqi leader and took place inside his heavily guarded prison cell in Baghdad.

Aref said Saddam was in very high spirits and had sensed “something was happening relating to the sentence” when prison guards took away a small radio he had been given several months ago.

“He met Sabawi and Watban and gave them letters to his family in anticipation.... He is clearly unaware of the details of what is happening around him and prepared to give his life as a martyr to his country,” Aref told Reuters by telephone.

Entry for December 28, 2006

Having had one of the more exciting times of my life.. I just HAD to repeat the excitement again yesterday! Beau and I spent the day circling parking lots looking for an open spot. At our local Barnes and Noble.. we had to park a whole parking lot over. Wild! All to return ONE book. lol. The line inside was worse than the parking lot.. but.. we know a "secret"! Again, we ambled back to the music section where there was NO line at all.. and returned the book for store credit! Ahhhhhhhh! The gal told us that when she arrived at work yesterday morning that the nearby Body and Bath store's line was out the door and onto the sidewalk. YIPES. I did find the coolest item at one of the stores! Roses made out of FEATHERS! So, soft and wonderful!! I bought a few for the house! Amazing!!

Beau had a few gift certificates that he wanted to spend. We went to the nearby sports store and circled around.. found our parking spot and walked in! This particular store was smart! They had a table with about 5 or 6 employees handling returns. Wowzers! Very efficient! Beau bought a odometer for his bike and a water bottle. We had bought him a set of lights too. So, when we returned home.. he was out in the garage doing "GUY" stuff! lol. Tim Allen would be proud! Arrrr Arrrr Arrrr

Steve and Tyler spent the day working. SIGH. Steve is supposed to be on vacation.. but.. he worked the WHOLE day. Yes, he put in his hours.. That is NOT the point. lol. I may have to hog tie him today! Everyone is sick of ham. We've had it for every meal starting with Christmas day. My tongue feels like it has a salt burn. lol. We all went out for authentic Greek food last night! Mmmmm! Very fitting, as we'd all stayed up the night before watching "The Odyssey" with Armond Assante! Everyone had a gyro (yeeeer OH) with beef and lamb. The feta cheese was very fresh! It was heavenly! One could almost expect to see Zeus pop in the door!

My photo albums are NOT working. I can click on photo's and get to all of my albums from the Yahoo toolbar. But, they just aren't showing up in my blog. Grrrr. I submitted feedback and was informed this morning in an email.. that I'm not alone.. and they are working on it. SIGH. I've also lost two feeds. Yahoo is working on that as well. I know a few of my friends are unable to post a blog as well. Now, that would be soooo frustrating.

Have a wonderful day! May it be the best ever!

Entry for December 27, 2006

What an uneventful day we had yesterday! Seriously! It was our day to run around and do necessary chores. SIGH. Even as adults.. we still have things we HAVE to do. Our vehicle needed an oil change as our maintenence plan specifies that it be done EVERY 3000 miles or we LOSE our plan. We also needed our state inspection done and sticker for the SUV. So, while they were doing our oil change and whatever it is they do at the dealership.. we wandered the new cars and drove the sales people bonkies! tee hee. Call it revenge for my RUDE awakening yesterday! I'm actually very interested in the new hybrid's but.. dealers can't seem to remain stocked in them.

Onto the insurance company to drop off payment for the house and vehicle for the year. OUCH. Then, not having spent enough money.. stopped and paid for our vehicle's car tags! We are totally legal for the year! This is riveting stuff isn't it? By now.. our day is shot and it is time to go HOME! After seeing Barnes and Nobles parking lot.. the book return I have to do.. can wait at least one day. Yep! Only one thing to return!! A duplicate book!!

Home for leftover ham. I was craving turkey.. so.. that SUCKED! Now, I will have to buy a turkey for New Year's dinner! Mmmm. Tyler called from Waco, TX. He was stuck in traffic and needed an alternative route. Not realizing that President Bush was flying in.. Steve directed the kid.. down the highway. lol. Tom Tom doesn't know everything! tee hee. (GPS travel aid) Steve Steve knows all of the alternate routes! Poor kid.. it took him 7 hours to get from Dallas to San Antonio.

Well, time to get to my EXCITING day! Hope your day is as exciting as YOU want it to be!

Entry for December 26, 2006

I was awakened early this morning by a dang solicitation phone call. Grrrrrr. There should be a law that governs when these folks can call. Donations, my hiney. This particular organization is known to only give back about a nickel on the dollar. Not really a non-profit group. But, enough of one to bypass the federal Do Not Call list. SIGH.

We stayed up a bit late last night. Steve tried to teach Beau how to play Texas hold'em. Good thing it was all in fun.. Beau drove Steve crazy.. saying things like, "I think, I'm going to bluff on this hand." "Why does two pair lose to three of a kind?" "Do I HAVE to call?" "Who am I calling?" "If I let you win.. can I quit????" KIDS!

I called a few family members and old friends yesterday! It's a much nicer way to catch up! I did NOT send out a Christmas letter. I've used e-mail for so many years.. that there are only a few select folks that don't hear from us on a routine basis. My oldest emailer is almost 90 years old! Funny thing, my brothers and sisters are computer illiterate. It drives me to distraction that my mom is ten times more computer literate than they seem to be.

My brother-in-law cracked me up yesterday.. the phone would ring once.. his cell phone would register.. but.. NOTHING. lol. Finally, an hour later and several one ring calls.. we connected! He had apparently messed up his phone settings and had to reset a bunch of stuff. Sounds like everyone had a really great Christmas or Hanukah! Yep, we have different beliefs across the board in our large extended family. It makes us a diverse group. lol. Other family members had get togethers with those that are geographically close to them. Sounds like everyone had a wonderful day!

Well, I have a bunch of stuff to get done today. Oil change in car, car inspection, car tags. SIGH. One duplicate book to return. Physical for Beau. Holiday vacation time!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all! We opened our gifts last night! Everyone got something that they wanted or didn't know that they wanted.. until they opened it! The weather was wet, windy and cold. So, we opted to stay home and watch the San Fernando midnight mass and the Pope's midnight mass on tv. I'd love to go to Rome for a Christmas midnight mass! The pope had a great message about the children. Sadly, there are so many children that didn't have a nice holiday. My thoughts also wander to the troops who are in harm's way this day. May they be safe and enjoy a few moments of peace today!

Today, will be spent baking pies and later.. a big ham dinner! Tyler decided it was a good time to run up to Dallas and bring some stuff for us to store. He'll be back later tonight or tomorrow. He has to be in Louisiana on Jan. 2nd. So much for my guest room. SIGH. They don't want him to bring his own vehicle.. so, we'll be storing that as well. Beau is busy converting our rec room into a space lab. Complete with telescopes and what nots.. I sure hope our favorite donation organization will be doing a pick-up soon. Bursting at the seams!

Merry Christmas to all! May your day be blessed and joyous!

Entry for August 08, 2006

My internet connection has been giving me fits the past few days. Have NO idea what is causing it to lose connection on the wireless network. Steve and Tyler are able to bring me back on.. after a few choice words to say to my computer.

Tyler goes to Dallas on Monday. I know he's getting antsy to get back to work. Steve's had a few headaches at work as well. The budgets are getting so tight.. they are literally squeaking now. He is going to need a vacation soon. Beau goes back to school on Monday. We got him registered last week. They will have a "calf scramble" tomorrow night.

We've been a few weeks without any rain. The lawn REALLY could use a bit of rain. Soon, I hope! Never thought I'd be praying for a hurricane to hit Texas. But, everyone is.. lol

Entry for August 01, 2006

Today, is one of those days that you fantasize about Antartica. But, it is warmer in Kansas and Maryland.. so, that is GREAT for us!! Beau only has a few days left of summer vacation. This Friday we will go down and get him registered for High School. Hard to believe that time has flown by that fast, eh? Tyler will be off to training soon. Steve is going out to dinner tonight with a fellow that is flying in from the East Coast. Busy, busy, busy..

Entry for July 27, 2006

Pretty quiet on the homefront.. I took Beau school shopping yesterday. Bought several pairs of new shorts. He does NOT need any shirts at all. lol. Tyler is waiting to head to Dallas around the first of August. Steve is busy working and doing budget. We have a sandstorm coming from Africa.. it will start arriving here later tonight. WOWZERS! Beau is worried about sand fleas. lol. KIDS.

Entry for July 21, 2006

Finally! We got the new bookshelves made and were able to put up a bunch more books. Steve ran into one of the shelves last night and really banged his toes. It's still warm here.. but, not as hot as Kansas!! Earl has been sending me a bazillion jokes this week. He must be cleaning out his computer. lol.

A guy goes to a supermarket and notices a beautiful blonde wave
at him saying hello. He's rather taken back, because he can't place
where he knows her from, so he says "Do you know me?" to which she
replies, "I think you're the father of one of my kids."

Now he thinks back to the only time he has ever been unfaithful to
his wife and says,

"My God, are you the stripper from my bachelor party that I laid on
the pool table with all my buddies watching, while your partner spanked
me?"

She said, "No, I'm your son's Math Teacher."

Entry for July 18, 2006

Hot, hot, hot.. as you can guess.. it is HOT today. The whole country is roasting. I just read an article that they are concerned about the power grids holding up all over the country today due to the triple digit heat that most of us are experiencing.

Steve is at Fort Hood today. He'll drive home later tonight. We got our furnace leak fixed yesterday! The drain was plugged with some item that had fallen into the drain hose.. probably when they put it in the fellow said. Whoever lived here before sure did some idiotic things to that furnace.

Entry for July 16, 2006

The neighborhood is finally calming down after the shooting incident last Thursday. Yesterday, all the guys got much needed haircuts! We went to Hobby Lobby and found some things to display the new swords that Steve bought. Looks good! The ? leak over the front door should be fixed tomorrow. I told the company to give priority to those that don't have working A/C. Steve will be home all this week. So, he and the boys are coming up with "guy" things to do.