FAMILY CHRISTMAS PARTY

Here I am in my crabby hat. It was my gag gift from the faily Christmas Party. We had 50 or so people attending. My sister from Florida surprised everybody this year. It was the first Christmas she attended in about 30 years. She also brought gifts for each of the kids. Now she is the favirote. There was more food than I want to think about. The children had their exchange gag gift time and then it was on to the older "kids". You see what I got.

Now that the holidays are over for another year, it is time to get back on a schedule. And that schedule is to eat less an exercise more.

Next week we have the inaugural here in Washington (10 minutes from me). It will be a mess and I expect massive problems and I will stay as far away as I can get.

I HAVE BEEN UPDATING THE FAMILY WEBSITE RECENTLY. IF YOU HAVE A CHANCE PLEASE VISIT IT AND SEND ME YOUR COMMENTS.

TRIP TO GETTYSGURG AND LANCASTER

It was a beautiful clear fall day for a trip to Gettysburg, PA. Upon arriving we were greeted by thousands of Black Eye Susans gracing the entrance and parking lots to the visitors center. I have not been to Gettysburg in years and forgot about the beauty of the area. Recently I heard about the restoration of a 377 foot painting of Pickett's Charge was now on display. I am still in awe seeing it and listening to the narrative. This alone was well worth the drive up.

After lunch in town we went on to Lancaster, PA. I have always enjoyed browsing through the little Amish towns at a slow pace. I enjoyed the feeling of getting out of the madness around Washington for a couple of days. Turning off the radio, TV and not looking at a, newspaper helped me tune out the bull**** of the election. I also needed to stop thinking about the credit mess and lower my blood pressure. Why some of the greedy bas**** haven't been put in jail and why they are allowed to spend thousands of taxpayers (bailout) dollars for a luxury week in California while I worry about my retirement fund, which is less then they spent that weeek. I am sick of the whole situation and was happy to turn my attention much more pleasant things even if it was only for a couple of days..

Birthday Party in Raleigh, NC

Last weekend I went to Raleigh, NC to celebrate my sister's birthday. She lives in Hilton Head, SC and Raleigh was halfway point. Joni (birthday girl) and John came up from Hilton Head. Beth and A. J., Madge, Bob and me went from the D.C. area. Cory(Joni's son and Katrina) came over from Winston-Salem area. Niece Chris with Gerri arrived from SC and niece Candi came from Texas. Tropical storm Hanna was expected later Friday, the day we arrived. It never amounted to much there. Let's just say it didn't stop us from celebrating for 3 days. I had a wonderful time.

HARD TO BELIEVE

It is hard to believe it has been 2 and half months since my last posting. Labor Day was yesterday, so I guess summer is over. It has been a busy summer. Redoing my kitchen. I have gone to my sister's lake property and attempt start landscaping a acre and half of woods. First I had to clear out the underbrush and poison ivy. Yes! I did it in shorts and short sleeve shirts. Oh yes! I did get a good case of it. Fourth of July and spent at a Bar-B-Q on the 12th floor condo overlooking DC. Great view of the fireworks. Every year near the second weekend of August we have a family reunion at my niece's lake property. It now last from Tuesday thru Sunday. Original it was to celebrate mother's birthday. We do have fun and it is great that we can get together. Couple of weeks ago a friend and I went over the Skyline drive and hiked one of the trails for an hour or so. It was a great day. The butterflies were out in abundance. Way back in the woods we heard running water and came upon this little falls and creek. This coming weekend we are going to Raleigh NC to be with my sister for her birthday. This is a very special birthday in that last May she discovered she has stage 4 stomach cancer and sure she would be around September 4 for her birthday. Not only is she here to celebrate but she will coming the first of three series of chemotherapy. She looks great, acts great and said she feels wonderful. She has a very positive attitude which has a great deal to do with it.

Wedensday June 18,2008

I had a great father's day with my two daughters. They took me out to lunch at Austin Grill in Springfield. Afterwards we stopped at Wal-Mart. Back at they home we had dessert and they gave me some presents. We played Clue for an hour or so. Then it was back home for me. Later that evening I had a call from my son in Florida. We spent about an hour on the phone. It was a great day for me. I will be spending this week helping my sister with her front door and then part of next week I hope to go to Lake Anna for a few days. It is nice and quite and I can walk to the lake and reflect.

Monday June 9, 2008

I have returned

I just got back from Hilton Head last Wedensday. I took the train back during one of the worst rain storms in the D. C. area for years. When I got home at 10PM, after 9 hours on the train, I didn't have electricity. It didn't come back on until 8 the next morning. Then my computer wouldn't work. Ended up spending my stimulis check on a new computer.

May 28, 2008

I made it through the week. It was a trying time. My sister came from Hilton Head to the Lombardi Cancer Clinic. Her prognosis is good. She will start chemo next week in Charleston. My sisters from Baltimore and Florida also came. We had a gathering at my sister's in Alexandria. All six of us was there. I am going to help my sister and her husband drive back to Hilton Head. Hoping for some beach time before coming back to the busy life of a retired person.