re-visiting the aftermath of the Christmas party at Kelly and Beths

One of the "traditions" of our gift exchange is that on occassion some have been known to "forget" and leave behind some of our more favored gifts in the hosts house. I know, I have been accused of this many times. This year I of course have documentation - see previous post - that both of our gifts made it back to our house - (a first?) . Anyway for those of you whe do not read comments on my blog, let me share the most recent.- and one that indicates a new twist to an old tradition.

In the comment cousin Janet relays an event something like this : when she got to church this past Sunday, she opened her purse and found the Clay Aiken book that was mentioned in last post.

Congratulations are in order! a hearty well done is in order to someone. As hosts next year, Patt and I are encouraging this new trend.

It was a very good time and well celebrated

Christmas Day was very quiet, I, yes, I actually baked some cookies, molasses cookies of course, a few oatmeal and raisin too, and played some really nice Christmas music too. Patt and her Mom were out visiting Betty, so there I was with cookie dough and the oven and it happened. Don't know if I should have mentioned it but I have. So I have now demonstrated that I can actually cook more than scrambled eggs. That is partial documentation above.
Christmas Day night Florence, Patt and I hosted the family for dinner - well actually guests brought some food too, but we did the work - I mention this because of the previous post when I went to the grocery store so many times - about 200 it seemed. Loved each and every trip too. -- and that is how I get to be a host. You go to the grocery store that many times, it counts as hosting. We exchanged gifts and of course Grandmother got the most. (hear that you all -- Grandparents get lots of presents ! ! ) Another feature of the party was opportunity to meet new boyfriends such as Evan here with Melissa.

On the day after Christmas, Patt and I with friends and neighbors drove up I-85 to Kelly and Beth's, James and Maddie here with tree. We played Jungo or Jingo or Jengo some name like that and had some fun competitive cross generational games. Kelly prepared a prime rib on his cooker that was awesome ( bet someone went to the grocery store too ) and we had our traditional gift exchanges.
Patt was fortunate enough to draw one of Eric's special entries, and doubly fortunate in that no one chose it from her in the following auctions and trading extravaganza. Unfortunately the original cap of whatever it is - is missing and someone had added another cap that takes away from the ultimate value of this collectors item.
Not sure who contributed the porcelain object I selected in an unmarked package. I was unfortunate in that no one selected this in the subsequent exchange as there seemed to be a surplus of porcelain or objects with no apparent purpose available for exchang. (though there was a book about Clay Aiken, three D painting of a tiger, nose hair trimmer, large flying cardinal flower pot holder, inflatable underwear, - you can see some good stuff) . Below is where I think we will keep the porcelain thing I got, assuming Patt approves. - I tossed out the cup and saucer -

Christmas Eve Day

We drove to Charlotte Christmas Eve Day stopping in Graham to visit briefly with Kelly, Beth, James and Maddie. Kelly posed in his Fighting Sioux sweatshirt looking ND like in his neighbor's north facing yard - the remnants of snow a week ago - so you can see it's been cold in NC too!Later in the day we did some grocery shopping along with everyone else in Charlotte - friends and neighbors as Dad likes to say. The store was a mad house - Dad said only on a Saturday afternoon in Oak Island has he seen a more crowded grocery store. We went back twice later - Dad once and me once - to get what mother didn't have in her pantry. Made cookies - photos later!

PS - this is my first post - practicing for China!

Holidays are here !

Empty office, yes sirree, work is over for the Christmas Holidays !! I left that office headed home, changed and got close to the Christmas tree. Dressed formally too as you can see. Now we are off for a few days, going to Charlotte for Christmas. Then after all the holidays and such it is back to work for me --- and guess who is off to visit Grandchildren ? That would not be me ! guess who is excited about going to visit Grandchildren ? That would be Patt. She will soon be entering the world of entering stuff here on this site. So get ready!

Seemed like a good idea at the time

that could be the title of many of my activities. That new, well now not so new front yard feature has been there going on half a year now it seems. It is a pile of mulch that tree guys make when they grind up trees. I thought it would be good stuff to have to put around bushes, in the compost pile with some leaves, and so on. I had done it years before - well it sits there and grows. No one moves it. A few wheelbarrow loads have made their way around a few shrubs in the back and a few have made their way to the compost pile but I cannot keep Patt on the job.

I move a little every now and then from the back side as you can see but basically it just will not go away. If you want any -- it does not seem to be going anywhere.

We did it -- went shopping --

Oh the traffic outside was frightful, and the parking was non-existantful. (sung to some Christmas tune)

and Patt and I ventured out after all and went shopping for Christmas presents and bought stuff. Stimulated the economy somewhat modestly if you will note the size of the bag below. We did end up with a bit more for ourselves and do still need to go by Goodwill for stuff for the family members whose names we drew in the family draw for gift exchange.- or possibly we will be able to find something in the church closet for the needy.

We did see this group on one of the corners and I am trying to find out how one joins such a group. I can just see Stephen in a group like this too. He and Jen would look so cute.

Its Christmas time in the City step 2

Check out that tree! Patt and I put it up today. Decorated it between naps, Panthers losing (again) and enjoying a warm house on a cold rainy day in the big city of Raleigh. Decorated ! lights ! Camera ! and does not turn over ! might have something to do with no children, pets, diminutive size, experience, and being nailed to the floor. The stories of trees crashing to the floor in the household of my youth are legend. Well we remember the year Dad was so frustrated he had our tree so that it swung freely from the ceiling. Helping Dad wire the tree to the wall and cornice became a normal, expected, "big boys" part of the routine of putting up the tree of our youth.
We have decorations in the den and little angel choir is in the living room next to our Ecuadorian village church.
and even more little decorations are in the book case next to the box where the Cowboys are losing to the Chargers as Philip Rivers is looking real good. (Go Pack)

Christmas is close step 1

The tree is in the garage, heck you could say it is half way up compared to where it was - at Crabtree Baptist parking lot. I am making progress. I got the boxes of decorations down stairs, some even partially unloaded and stuff set out. Talk about your basic move in process. The boxes almost become furniture before they get unloaded. I think it was last weekend I brought them down from the attic.
As you can see, once again we went all out in the front of the house. Four, count 'em, four windows with candles in them. I reckon we need some yard art and another light or two.

We found the box of angels and have them out and on the mantel and in various other places around the house. We like them. The actual number of them is unknown but it is quite large and many come with stories.
we just might enter a house Christmas decoration contest or something..... yeah -- right...

On our way back home from visiting Patt's family this Thanksgiving we took business 64 and drove through town and stopped at the cemetery behind the Pittsboro Baptist Church to put some flowers on Granny's grave. It was a very pretty drive up 49-64, blue sky and beautiful weather (yes, the top was down too). As we drove by the house, we spoke of the many times we stopped and visited with Granny and Hazel and Clyde on trips back from Charlotte and I of course can not drive through Pittsboro without all kinds of wonderful memories from childhood summer vacation time spent there so long ago.James Kelly and Myrtle Smith lived life in such a fashion that left a legacy of such a positive reputation among people who knew them in Pittsboro and Surry County in the mountains where they were originally from that they must have been really an amazing couple. Of course we remember Granny so well for the love she so freely gave so many people and she so willing and selflessly showered on us.-- and weren't we blessed for it.

Friday after

Thanksgiving day came and went with Patt working like all get out. She was cooking early and long, as we did not eat until late, but the gravy was good as was the rest of the fixin's. I think final count was 15 people in the house though not all for dinner as some came late. Me I helped a little (very) mostly by going to the grocery store for last minute stuff. The day was nice and the top was of course put down in celebration of the pretty day - though it turned very stormy and cold at night.

now on Friday, Patt was no where to be seen as she left the house for a day of shopping in south Charlotte at some big mall with a friend, and I spent the day watching ball games in front of the fire place. (or go shopping? ) I mean a really tough day. Some one had to do it and I reckon it was me so I stayed at watched. Auburn almost beat Alabama and West Va and Pitt are playing a real good game right now. and tomorrow promises more of same.

second visit to a reviewed restaurant

perhaps I should subtitle this post "something to keep in mind"

On our way to Charlotte tonight Patt agreed to dine with me at the Blue Mist (see Restaurant Review number 1 ) despite the relatively large crowd of vehicles parked out front. Patt normally does not like cigarette smoke with her dinner. There was an empty table or two in the non-smoking section in the rear where they have three tables of the eatery-- the rest were full-- and are for the smoking guests.

Patt had BBQ chicken and of course I had the BBQ plate, -- we both agreed the hushpuppies were among the best ever eaten by humans anywhere anytime. Light, crisp yet fluffy, hot, fresh, not at all greasy, in other words, very very good. While enjoying our meal, I overheard the guests at the table behind me discussing vegetable choices -- pinto beans and macaroni n cheese were the two requested. (Does that sound good or what? I about ordered another plate of food right then and there) Anyway back to our neighbor table. The waitress said they only had macaroni n cheese on Tuesdays -- hence the subtitle "something to keep in mind" for this post. I am pretty sure Tuesdays that place will be crowded but worth a stop.

Out of town visitor

We had a guest this past weekend and early part of the week. Stephen and a friend, Drew, came to town on a business trip. On Saturday Stephen, Drew, Eric and I went to the Wake v FSU football game and then on Sunday evening Stephen and Drew went down to meet with some business partners in the eastern part of the state on Monday and Tuesday. They flew back to Panama on Wednesday morning. It was a short but very nice visit with Stephen, who is as full of plans and ideas and fun as always. We had a good and busy time.

This is the Wake band prior to the game on Saturday, (we should have put football suits on them and played them, rather than the football team). The band looked good, our team did not. A sorry final to a not very good season. I had a lot of fun going to the games, and enjoyed having Stephen and Drew at this one, but winning a few more would have been nice. Got all the character built I want, ready for learning how to win now.

After the game, we met a host of relatives, brothers, cousins, in-laws and such, some of whom who attended the Elon v ASU football game and we all enjoyed a wonderful Thai dinner. We were not to disruptive a table to the restaurant, but we did enjoy our family style meal, and piled up plate after plate of some really good food.

Saturday, for the first time in nearly 100 straight Saturdays, I stayed home and did yard work, no football games to go to as Wake had an open date and the betting line was even, the Panthers had lost on Thursday, my adopted team was on the road I think, we were not in Charlotte as we had church responsibilities for Sunday, and so I stayed home and worked in the yard. Raked leaves, cleaned the gutters, and noticed we have this really pretty tree. It is a Red Oak, and just plain pretty.

restaurant Review #5 Health food supply house

In Boone last weekend Mark, Susan, Graham and I stopped by this health food place for breakfast. We struggled with what to order among the various choices of brans, granolas, fruits, and whole organic grains. I do not know if you can see the table below or not, but the portion sizes were small, which took some getting used to, but the nuts were a pleasant surprise.Here is the actual menu- you get it all - no choices - you get it all -- , two kinds of gravy, three kinds of pork, eggs, two kinds of bread, stewed apples, grits, coffee, juice and plenty of water (the pork was salty)(more on that later). The family style servings were large and very very good, and we went after a clean plate club membership too. I asked for a glass of skim or low fat milk when the waitress came by on one of her frequent coffee/water refilling trips (the country ham was salty) and she offered whole milk, to which I declined, stating a preference for skim or low fat. The waitress, offered to put ice in whole milk with the comment "We don't serve anything healthy here". You will note Mark and Graham look a little satiated - they are.Yessiree, if we are back in Boone we will be certainly be eating healthy here again- and be advised you can drink all the coffee and water you want, the bacon is really great (a little salty) and the gravy over the grits and biscuits, wow. We left the parking lot behind with this familiar sign and drove to the airport, flew 2 hours to Maryland and Graham and Susan left us - (they did not even stop by restroom prior to going to the car prior to driving home from the airport- I think I mentioned that the food was salty) - Mark and I then flew on back home. (after a trip to the room). We were looking at a two hour plane ride.

pushing the season

This stuff has been up for at least two weeks, I meant to document it sometime back, but just got to it today. How soon is to soon? I am fixing to tell you - this is. This was up before Halloween even got here -- and leaving Sears tonight, heard the happy sounds of "I'm dreamin' of a white Christmas" --- perhaps but not yet and I had the top down on the car today too.

Also above you can see the Apple store where I go to computer class and learn how to find the on - off switch on my computer. A lot of people never learn that.

Here is Patt standing outside the Santa station at the Mall, I had to about drag her away as she was convinced that Santa would be right back. She really put up a fuss and kept saying she just had to "talk to Santa". Patt had waited and waited and you know how she is when she gets something in her mind --- and listening to me and reason was not on the agenda. Do not let this smile fool you.

they are working hard at finding a new team for me

This past weekend Mark, Susan and Graham took up the challenge of finding a new team for me. Feeling my pain with the long suffering losers I had been pulling for they hauled me off to Boone and after climbing the "graduation picture" stone wall outside the old library took me to meet my new team at the stadium.

Backing up a bit -- Flying over Boone on our way to the airport we passed over the stadium and we saw the Band practicing. (I think that was arranged for me too) (The band did play Tennessee Waltz after the game -- need any more proof ? ) The mountains were sans leaves, but still dramatic and very very pretty on a very clear day.

Of course they arranged for me to meet the coach down on the field before the game though our conversation was brief we did get to chat a while.Down on the field I did get a chance to observe the pre-game warm ups and the team looked ready, the players looked large, and I was pleased with the view, I kinda like close up sometimes.
All in all it was a favorable way to begin the day. Our seats were pretty good too. They were in a skybox up there over my right shoulder. The skybox came complete with cold beverage of choice, (you can imagine mine), fried chicken, all kinds of dip, chips and such, --really nice too by the way.

The opponents were the U Tenn. Chattanooga Mockingbirds and the puns on the name Mockingbirds were so thick you would have thought Atticus Finch and Scout would show up.

They did not but the ASU Chancellor did , with the play on words associated the novel did, and he was glad to meet me too.

and it turned out so as my new team whooped the Mocs pretty badly.

Do not put your trust in idols/false gods or weak teams

Wake Forest has a losing record, as does the Wolfpack, as do the Carolina Panthers, don't get me started on the Carolina Hurricanes, (won 1 lost 13 straight) and even the Onion has lampooned the Charlotte Bobcats. If I were tempted to put my trust in any of these turkeys, I ought to reap the destruction promised in Deuteronomy, Exodus, Leviticus and in the Psalms and so many other places where admonitions against placing faith in false gods are stated. Well, in case some were thinking of trusting in these teams of mine - think again. They are suffering. I am tired of developing character.

Last Saturday, Wake had Miami beat, and in the rain too. Low and behold, we find a way to lose, State got whooped, and the list of pain just went on.

Check out the Bobcats- they are a bunch of scaredy cats.

you can see the actual site here

http://www.theonion.com/content/news_briefs/bombastic_team_introduction

I have been unable to make the link thing work with the blog.

try to double click on the picture, I think you can then read it.

Next week Mark and I are taking up with Appalachain State

yesterday was October 29th

As was mentioned earlier, I received a small blue basketball from my granddaughters as an early birthday present. Well the 29th was my actual birthday and Patt took me to a nice Raleigh seafood restaurant for dinner and presents, with of course the special ball from Julianna and Lydia. I expect the other diners thought we must be very special to have such a good looking small basketball on our table. I know I thought I was.

Speaking of feeling special, that would be me, as I am glad the work week is over, and football games and nap time in the afternoon is on schedule (especially when the Panthers play). For those of you who were worried about the North Carolina taxpayer getting his money's worth of work out of me, well you did. I surprised myself and was more cognizant than expected. Some might add that is a rather low bar to set-- and I say lets not get too picky.

ttfn