Vacation
Into week 2 now and it is flying by. The weather has been good so that has been a big plus.
Yesterday the boy and I went to the driving range together. That was a lot of fun.
Then Joan and I went to see Slumdog Millionaire. This was a really good movie and it was great to have a date night.
Tomorrow night is the annual New Years dinner party with friends. We take the young master to the Grand parents for an over-nighter and the girls go their own way.
One more day of 2008, how did this happen?
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Tamale Night
To start the festive season off we had Tamale and Pictionary night. The parents, older brother, oldest daughter with significant other and son, and all of the other children came together at our place on Sunday evening. Earlier I had picked up 5 dozen tamales from Joe T. Garcia's bakery in Fort Worth. The evening started by devouring the delicious tamales. All really enjoyed this and gut busting goodness was had.
Then we had a great game of pictionary. These were the advanced set of cards Joan had made. Two teams were made and off we went. Nothing like the free association that comes pouring out when your trying to figure out what the person is drawing. Lots of family fun.
The highlight was my brother trying to get us to guess zombie. Here he is below as well as the zoom in of the clues. Needless to say we didn't get it. After the timer went off and he was explaining it I'm still not sure I followed his logic. This included his picture of the pituirary gland... So all night the phrase "Chris, is that a pituitary gland?" kept coming up!!

More activities are planned, can't wait!
Merry Christmas yall!
To start the festive season off we had Tamale and Pictionary night. The parents, older brother, oldest daughter with significant other and son, and all of the other children came together at our place on Sunday evening. Earlier I had picked up 5 dozen tamales from Joe T. Garcia's bakery in Fort Worth. The evening started by devouring the delicious tamales. All really enjoyed this and gut busting goodness was had.
Then we had a great game of pictionary. These were the advanced set of cards Joan had made. Two teams were made and off we went. Nothing like the free association that comes pouring out when your trying to figure out what the person is drawing. Lots of family fun.
The highlight was my brother trying to get us to guess zombie. Here he is below as well as the zoom in of the clues. Needless to say we didn't get it. After the timer went off and he was explaining it I'm still not sure I followed his logic. This included his picture of the pituirary gland... So all night the phrase "Chris, is that a pituitary gland?" kept coming up!!

More activities are planned, can't wait! Merry Christmas yall!
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Man Shack
Yesterday I took advantage of the beautiful weather and played a round of golf with the club. Afterward we went over to one of the members house for the post festivities.
We had the gathering in his new man shack! This baby sported a shop, gym, ping pong table, pool table, soon to be indoor driving range, and 50" HDTV. Outside the shack was his new putting green and outdoor driving range with markers.
Wow, now that is a man shack like I have never seen...
Yesterday I took advantage of the beautiful weather and played a round of golf with the club. Afterward we went over to one of the members house for the post festivities.
We had the gathering in his new man shack! This baby sported a shop, gym, ping pong table, pool table, soon to be indoor driving range, and 50" HDTV. Outside the shack was his new putting green and outdoor driving range with markers.
Wow, now that is a man shack like I have never seen...
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
Texas Winter
Yesterday it was a beautiful 80 degree day. The boy played outside all day. Positively shorts and t-shirt weather. Then about 7pm a front blew through and the temperature dropped 40 degrees! Today's high will be in the 30s! But don't worry by Thursday it will be back in the 70s.
Such is winter in Texas. A see saw of temperatures for several months. I was in Chicago a few weeks ago and those people already had their winter regalia out. Layers of heavy clothes. You could tell they were dressed for the cold and ready for it to be cold for a long time. My wardrobe hardly includes any long sleeves. When it gets cold I just throw on the coat and power through knowing in a couple of days it will warm up again.
Yesterday it was a beautiful 80 degree day. The boy played outside all day. Positively shorts and t-shirt weather. Then about 7pm a front blew through and the temperature dropped 40 degrees! Today's high will be in the 30s! But don't worry by Thursday it will be back in the 70s.
Such is winter in Texas. A see saw of temperatures for several months. I was in Chicago a few weeks ago and those people already had their winter regalia out. Layers of heavy clothes. You could tell they were dressed for the cold and ready for it to be cold for a long time. My wardrobe hardly includes any long sleeves. When it gets cold I just throw on the coat and power through knowing in a couple of days it will warm up again.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Saturday, December 06, 2008
The Stove
We have your typical stove, oven on bottom, burners on top. Our stove decided to kill itself about 6 months ago. For some reason it went into full self clean mode all on its own and burned itself up.
So far six months it has sat there with breaker off. And we have cooked without it. What is suprising is that so far we have not missed it. The kitchen is so full of additional cooking appliances that it turns out the stove is really just not necessary. While we have discussed getting a new one so far there has been no rush to do so. In fact its now like a mission to just avoid buying one.
I suppose there are a lot of things we have that we would get along just fine without.
We have your typical stove, oven on bottom, burners on top. Our stove decided to kill itself about 6 months ago. For some reason it went into full self clean mode all on its own and burned itself up.
So far six months it has sat there with breaker off. And we have cooked without it. What is suprising is that so far we have not missed it. The kitchen is so full of additional cooking appliances that it turns out the stove is really just not necessary. While we have discussed getting a new one so far there has been no rush to do so. In fact its now like a mission to just avoid buying one.
I suppose there are a lot of things we have that we would get along just fine without.
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Planets
Maybe you have been noticing at dusk the last couple of weeks two bright objects in the southwest sky. The moon has been passing through them this last week. These two objects are Venus and Jupiter. Both are very bright and you can see them clearly before it gets dark.
So take a few minutes, go outside and take a look at dusk.
Maybe you have been noticing at dusk the last couple of weeks two bright objects in the southwest sky. The moon has been passing through them this last week. These two objects are Venus and Jupiter. Both are very bright and you can see them clearly before it gets dark.
So take a few minutes, go outside and take a look at dusk.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Vacation
-The Saints ROCKED the house last night! Even without Reggie. And Duece set the all time Saints touchdown record. DEUUUUUUUUUUUCEE!
-It's nice to be on a full week of vacation. The company has a use it or loose it policy so about this time of year people really start disappearing. I'm using 3 days to get the week off!!
-Winter is real tough here in Texas - NOT! I was in Chicago last week and forgot how people really layer and dress for cold. I don't have any of that stuff so maybe I should quit complaining about the cold we get here.
-The kid and I have been playing football and basketball everyday. Great fun. I'm going to try and get him to the 9 hole golf course this week too.
-My brother had his first kid, a son. I'm so excited for him. He and his wife will have a lot of joy with the little prince.
-This year for Thanksgiving my Mom is cooking a prime rib instead of turkey. Yum, Yum!!
-I can't get enough of the new XM channels. Between the Grateful Dead channel and the JAM ON channel I'm listening all the time.
-I still can't believe how low gas prices have become! At racetrack yesterday it was $1.58!!! Wow.
-The Saints ROCKED the house last night! Even without Reggie. And Duece set the all time Saints touchdown record. DEUUUUUUUUUUUCEE!
-It's nice to be on a full week of vacation. The company has a use it or loose it policy so about this time of year people really start disappearing. I'm using 3 days to get the week off!!
-Winter is real tough here in Texas - NOT! I was in Chicago last week and forgot how people really layer and dress for cold. I don't have any of that stuff so maybe I should quit complaining about the cold we get here.
-The kid and I have been playing football and basketball everyday. Great fun. I'm going to try and get him to the 9 hole golf course this week too.
-My brother had his first kid, a son. I'm so excited for him. He and his wife will have a lot of joy with the little prince.
-This year for Thanksgiving my Mom is cooking a prime rib instead of turkey. Yum, Yum!!
-I can't get enough of the new XM channels. Between the Grateful Dead channel and the JAM ON channel I'm listening all the time.
-I still can't believe how low gas prices have become! At racetrack yesterday it was $1.58!!! Wow.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Chicago...
Traveling to Chicago in November is usually not fun. And when its for me to give a customer demo with lots of buisness implications it's really no fun! But you know what makes it all better??

Traveling to Chicago in November is usually not fun. And when its for me to give a customer demo with lots of buisness implications it's really no fun! But you know what makes it all better??

That's right, yummy, delicious Portillo's!! Especially the Italian beef and sausage combo with sweet peppers on a roll plus crinkly fries on the side. Man that is to die for.
It just may have to be deep dish tonight at Lou's...
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Thoughts of the Day
-Thanks Dad and all the other veterans who fought for our country. We will never know your sacrifice but will benefit it's reward.
- Nothing is as perfect as Joan's sweet tea
- Traffic in Denton is horrible. But gas there was only $1.84/gallon today!
- Google maps on my Motorola Q phone is pretty awesome
- I have to go to Chicago next week for work. Talk about winter shock, ug.
- Very much looking forward to the holiday time off coming up soon.
- For the most part cars are there for you but when things go wrong it can be painful.
- Is anybody really going to shop this Christmas season???
-Thanks Dad and all the other veterans who fought for our country. We will never know your sacrifice but will benefit it's reward.
- Nothing is as perfect as Joan's sweet tea
- Traffic in Denton is horrible. But gas there was only $1.84/gallon today!
- Google maps on my Motorola Q phone is pretty awesome
- I have to go to Chicago next week for work. Talk about winter shock, ug.
- Very much looking forward to the holiday time off coming up soon.
- For the most part cars are there for you but when things go wrong it can be painful.
- Is anybody really going to shop this Christmas season???
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Polotics 4
I know a lot of one side is saying the sky is falling and the other side is pointing fingers at the current administration. But really if you look at it the president's office over time it oscillates back and forth between right and left. That means most people are in the center. After 8 years one way it's time to drift back the other way and so forth. To much of one thing, especially in politics, is a bad thing. And change in our government is always slow no matter who you are. So I think this will be good for the country and in 4 years we can all decide again which way to head.
I know a lot of one side is saying the sky is falling and the other side is pointing fingers at the current administration. But really if you look at it the president's office over time it oscillates back and forth between right and left. That means most people are in the center. After 8 years one way it's time to drift back the other way and so forth. To much of one thing, especially in politics, is a bad thing. And change in our government is always slow no matter who you are. So I think this will be good for the country and in 4 years we can all decide again which way to head.
Monday, November 03, 2008
NASCAR Nation
Today was Monday after one of the big NASCAR races. I drive to work down 35W so go right by the track. I could avoid it but I love to see the spectacle of NASCAR nation leaving sacred ground. Monday morning all the thousands are peeling out of the track and heading home. The freeway is bumper to bumper RVs with all the faithful. In a sense I'm people watching as I'm driving. You get to see all kinds. And they all have crazy flags, stickers, trailers, custom BBQ pits, and the best of all suped up golf carts. These people know how to have a good time and they come prepared!
This evening I drove home in the dark, it was only 6pm :-(
Today was Monday after one of the big NASCAR races. I drive to work down 35W so go right by the track. I could avoid it but I love to see the spectacle of NASCAR nation leaving sacred ground. Monday morning all the thousands are peeling out of the track and heading home. The freeway is bumper to bumper RVs with all the faithful. In a sense I'm people watching as I'm driving. You get to see all kinds. And they all have crazy flags, stickers, trailers, custom BBQ pits, and the best of all suped up golf carts. These people know how to have a good time and they come prepared!
This evening I drove home in the dark, it was only 6pm :-(
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Winter...
Yesterday there was frost on the ground. Our electric blanket has been used twice this week. The mornings and evenings are getting dark. Even though I'm still wearing a short sleave shirt to work with no jacket the season has changed. Let the long winter stretch begin as my depression sets in...
Yesterday there was frost on the ground. Our electric blanket has been used twice this week. The mornings and evenings are getting dark. Even though I'm still wearing a short sleave shirt to work with no jacket the season has changed. Let the long winter stretch begin as my depression sets in...
Monday, October 27, 2008
Politics 3
I think the old adage that if the economy is good the incumbent party wins and if the economy is bad the opposing party wins is about to play out.
I get at least one email a day from a concerned friend passing along a detailed account of why it is party X's fault we are in this economic mess. Of course one day its from a Republican friend and the next its from a Democratic friend. Some things just don't change.
Maybe I will vote this week to get the drama over with. I still have yet to decide. Barr is looking pretty good at this point...
I think the old adage that if the economy is good the incumbent party wins and if the economy is bad the opposing party wins is about to play out.
I get at least one email a day from a concerned friend passing along a detailed account of why it is party X's fault we are in this economic mess. Of course one day its from a Republican friend and the next its from a Democratic friend. Some things just don't change.
Maybe I will vote this week to get the drama over with. I still have yet to decide. Barr is looking pretty good at this point...
Monday, October 20, 2008
Stuff...
- The Bosox went down in the 7th game. Nobody took their eyes off of them until that final out was done because those guys prove over and over again how scrappy they are. Funny how a few years ago the Red Sox were everyone's favorite underdog (besides the Cubs) and now they are the dynasty winning machine. So overnight the world has become Ray's fans. Its a great story, I'm on board.
- Fall is here :-( And looming is the worst day of the year for me. We shall not speak of the day when the clock hands move in the middle of the night 1 hour.
- The wife and I are secretly lamenting our age. It seems to be that point when you realize everything really has changed and you are on the other side of it. I recently had 2 great aunts die. One from my Dad's side, one from my Mom's side. Both of these were the last of their generation in our family. So my Mom pointed out that now they have moved up into that oldest generation slot and therefore I have moved up in the order as well! doh!
- My answer to polotics and a bad ecomony is sports. Give me college football, MLB and NFL so I can ignore the problems of the world!
- It's time to retire the traditional Elvis mask I wear on Holloween. I need something new, going to have to make a mask run.
- The Texas State Fair has come and gone again and I didn't make it, again :-(
- I'm not going to miss the King Tut exhibit
- Happy Monday.
- The Bosox went down in the 7th game. Nobody took their eyes off of them until that final out was done because those guys prove over and over again how scrappy they are. Funny how a few years ago the Red Sox were everyone's favorite underdog (besides the Cubs) and now they are the dynasty winning machine. So overnight the world has become Ray's fans. Its a great story, I'm on board.
- Fall is here :-( And looming is the worst day of the year for me. We shall not speak of the day when the clock hands move in the middle of the night 1 hour.
- The wife and I are secretly lamenting our age. It seems to be that point when you realize everything really has changed and you are on the other side of it. I recently had 2 great aunts die. One from my Dad's side, one from my Mom's side. Both of these were the last of their generation in our family. So my Mom pointed out that now they have moved up into that oldest generation slot and therefore I have moved up in the order as well! doh!
- My answer to polotics and a bad ecomony is sports. Give me college football, MLB and NFL so I can ignore the problems of the world!
- It's time to retire the traditional Elvis mask I wear on Holloween. I need something new, going to have to make a mask run.
- The Texas State Fair has come and gone again and I didn't make it, again :-(
- I'm not going to miss the King Tut exhibit
- Happy Monday.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Baseball
You got to love playoff baseball. Last night's Red Sox come back was amazing and exciting! Within two innings to go from being down 7-0 and winning 7-8 was incredible! The bad part is I wish both teams could win. Not sure Bosox have it to come back all the way this time though.
Looking forward to some more games like this.
You got to love playoff baseball. Last night's Red Sox come back was amazing and exciting! Within two innings to go from being down 7-0 and winning 7-8 was incredible! The bad part is I wish both teams could win. Not sure Bosox have it to come back all the way this time though.
Looking forward to some more games like this.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
More Politics
Things are heating up. We were discussing this the other day.
Person 1: "I vote straight regardless of what the name is. It doesn't matter who the actual person is and I'd never vote any other way." This person went on to say almost everyone is this way and that its rare for people to vote based on the person and to not follow a strict party line.
I have to admit I do see this behavior from the majority of the people. I guess I'm in the minority. Although I have been registered with one party all my voting life on every election I decide based on the information I have on the person running and party is just part of the equation.
Person 2: "I'm not registered to vote and have never been registered to vote. I have no opinion and just don't want to be a part of it."
I can see a lot of people opting for this as well. The alternative is to seek opinion of others and that usually goes down the path of there is only one right choice...
Things are heating up. We were discussing this the other day.
Person 1: "I vote straight
I have to admit I do see this behavior from the majority of the people. I guess I'm in the minority. Although I have been registered with one party all my voting life on every election I decide based on the information I have on the person running and party is just part of the equation.
Person 2: "I'm not registered to vote and have never been registered to vote. I have no opinion and just don't want to be a part of it."
I can see a lot of people opting for this as well. The alternative is to seek opinion of others and that usually goes down the path of there is only one right choice...
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