Busy, busy Saturday

Hey my dad finally persuaded me to write!This morning began with mushing mashed potatoes into patties to fry oh did the gushiness feel great!Then it was cleaning time which i got through. Wahoo! I'm a little frightened. I'm starting to get these cleaning urges sometimes.My mom doesn't mind a bit. She'd better not get used to it. I'm gonna get into my experiment mode and find a cure for this VERY odd urge! Hehe. Haha. I'm excited.Well, Mother is calling for more cleaning. Love, y'all.

Sunny Days Again

What a great looking day! The sun is shining brilliantly on everything the wind is blowing around. And the wind has been at work. Last night I cracked the bedroom window a bit and we listened to the gong of the windchime through the night. I love it. And that's half of us, although it is not now and has never been a majority. Nor do I expect it to be. But the chime still hangs from the clothesline as a testament to my stubbornness. This morning I look out the window and watch the boughs of the cedar trees sashaying in the breeze. The grass that should have been cut a week or two ago twists and cavorts in a victory dance, mocking me for having guided the riding mower into that fence post and putting it out of commission for the season. And that's alright. It looks kind of nice. The bare trees that Beth so loves are now in evidence all around us. Even the foliage of the olive bushes is a bit scanty.

We will have the Bonds and Puzzinis over to visit around noon. Joanie made a ham for everybody. I was still in a stubborn mood, so I begged for beans and cornbread. I've had enough turkey and such to last for a good long while---or until Christmas---whichever comes first.

Must go. Hard as it is to believe, we need to straighten up a tad around here.

Just an update

Hey Everyone, We had a yummy day yesterday too. Dinner at Eleanor and John's (always lovely) and the good company of Sue, Scott, Tori, Grant and Scott's folks. His folks are hilarious. So Jersey. I'll have to fill you in sometime. Let this be notice. They're on vacation and calling Scott to give him an update. He in turn calls Sue and lets her know that his parents are on "The National Enquirer Vacation". That's an appropriate description. They are people-watchers. Particularly famous people watchers. They've got stories. We listen. Too funny. Very Jersey.

Eleanor marinated the turkey and it was the best turkey I've ever had. Need to get that recipe. I think it was in the Sunday paper a few weeks ago. So tender and juicy. Yum.

We tried to Christmas shop today but it was a lot of expended energy with very little accomplished. Mid-stream we took all the kids to Target because they were feeling left out. That was as you would expect. Eye-rolling. Tonight Sue, Amy and I ran to King of Prussia. We do that once or twice a year and it's always a let-down. Why bother. Anyway the drive was pleasurable (if you leave out the driving rain) and Amy filled us in on her men.

Time for me to head to bed. Have to get up tomorrow and make monkey bread for the monkeys. Love you all! Beth

Happy *burp* Thanksgiving!

We had a relaxing day at Puzzini’s yesterday. We’re all stuffed with turkey, pie, dressing, and the occasional Girl Scout cookie. Joan and I went into work today. It was verrrry quiet (shhhh…you’ll wake somebody). Not only was it quiet, it was empty. But it was Friday, so we were able to dress for the damp weather. It was blue jeans, sneaks, and a sweatshirt for Dave. Joan, as always, looked very nice.

To celebrate our 22nd anniversary, Joan and I went to the Ford dealer to price an F-250. I scored some serious points with that stunt. We were standing around for nearly an hour when we were told that the unit we went to test drive was actually already sold to somebody as a fleet vehicle. The depth of the stuff I was metaphorically standing in increased significantly at that point. So I got just a little bit more information and we left.

On the way home, we stopped and ate at a Japanese restaurant. Things were on the mend. Then we stopped at the grocery store for Joan. I’m back in her good graces now. So that’s our story. We’re home enjoying the comforts of a roof during a driving rain and getting ready for family to visit on the morrow.

Yours from the perspective of over two decades of bledded wiss,

Dave

Da Job, Da Fam, and Da Bird

So how's the job, folks ask. Well, it's just dandy. I have nothing to do and a clean dry place in which to do it. Seriously, it's a pleasure to be in an environment in which courtesy and politeness are embraced as values. Some of that was missing in my hauling/electrician days. Just a bit, mind you, but some of it. I have yet to be provided a place in which to sit and a computer at which to work, so I've been reading documents, documents, documents. And I can not find my glasses anywhere. But that's another story. We're working on the house. Not that it matters. I think I left them at church. Or in the truck. All of which is to say that I haven't the foggiest notion where they are. If I had them at least I could see to find them. But that sort of defeats the purpose, doesn't it?

Amy, you're right. We do have a great family. I'm glad you're home and having a great time. Relax and enjoy it. You've worked awfully hard lately.

Thursday is just around the corner. Kathy and Jay are in town and staying with Anne and John. They're cooking the bird this year. I'm already warned, "You don't eat the bird, you don't get the pie!" I think I messed up last year. Maybe I should fast tomorrw.

What a silly idea. Scratch that. I have no idea what I was thinking just then.

I hope you're all having a great day. We're off to dance class in a moment. I've got to put on my tutu (just kidding. That's crazy. Nobody would see my tights and leotard if I dressed like that.)

dlc

Haha

Yes...by the way I AM STUDYING at this ridiculous hour...and will be up for at least another hour...:-)

I Love You Guys!!!

Hello Everyone, I don't really have anything to say to update but I just wanted to let you know that I have the best family ever!!! Seriously, you guys are great! :-) I feel like this is overlooked a lot...but we are really an awesome family! The world would really be a better place if there was more families like ours. Hope you all have a great day, I love you!

Almost time

Folks, we're counting down the hours until Dave shows up at a real job again. So many important things to remember: no swearing, no chewing tobacco, wear socks, bathe. I hope I can retain it all.

We're running the Katie shuttle again. I just dumped her off with the Nazarenes for youth group. Joanie's been at work all day (if your day starts around noon---she bailed on church but was still home when I called after second service). I think this morning her dedication lay somewhere between the fitted and flat sheets. I only type this because I was seriously envying her earlier.

Meanwhile, I'm chilling here with the iTunes merrily playing on the stereo. Right now it's the Steve Miller Band's "Fly Like An Eagle" album. Oops. Album's over. We've segued into a recording of Steve Allen trying to do a trumpet solo while fighting a fit of laughter and now we're into some Steely Dan. This is the life.

I'm listening to this music because I can't face ironing a shirt and pants just yet. Maybe I should go for the "old, rumpled editor" look. It's a shame they don't allow smoking in businesses anymore. The O.R.E. is really a thematic presentation. I need an overflowing ash tray and several piles of paper with a crusty coffee cup (3-5 months with nary a cleaning) to really pull off the look.

The living room is coming together. Most of the furniture is in place and (can I hear the cheers?) the piano is in the foyer! It's not as if we play it, so getting it out of our main living space is a boon beyond belief.

Here's a big Christmas hint: iPod. They come in 3 flavors: 10 GB (boo, hiss), 20 GB, and 40 GB. It would have to be a group thing because they start at $300 and go to $500. But I was looking at external Firewire drives to replace the fickle Maxtor 40GB drive that goes on vacation on a whim and the Apple consultant said, "Hey, why not get an iPod?" Such a smart man. And then he told me that it works with Windows and Mac (good point no. 1), it can be used as a backup drive to restore an entire operating system (good point no. 2), and/or can hold up to 7500 songs. That's even more music than I have (good point no. 3). If it truly works with both platforms, Joan and I can put files on it to bring home, on those occasions when we need to work from home. (Kyle, are you taking notes? If you really want something badly, you MUST provide justification!) Not only that, but it is roughly the size of a credit card, is faster than the Maxtor drive I must replace, and weighs approximately the same as 2 compact discs. It has a 25-minute skip-free memory. That means if you are walking or jogging (get real!), you'd have to seriously jar the unit for 25 continuous minutes before it would skip on a song. Thus, it can be plugged into a car's cassette deck and used to play music while traveling. Is that cool or what!? With the 20GB or 40GB models, Apple (or CompUSA, I'm not clear on whom) will throw in $120 of accessories. The time is ripe for the Apple (hideous pun gleefully intended).

It would be a great joint gift, family. Just let me know what I need to do. Will grovel for goodies.

Love to all, Dave