'Tis the season ....

Two snows and teen degrees, while on display are the Christmas trees and TV and radio proclaim that now is the time to buy, buy and buy. Hum Bug.

Baskets (Boxes & Bags) for Thanksgiving

Well, the holdidays are upon us. Basket Bragade is the clue. Saturday (week after Katie's wedding) it was off to Subaru to get the wagon's oil changed, then to Jim and Terry's for a Penn State / Jim's 50th birthday party, then down to the warehouse to help the Herzka's pack boxes and bags of donated food stuff that will be delivered to the needy in time for Thanksgiving dinner. Deb Herzka really works hard rganizating the food drive throughout the year and Jeff drives the forklift to set up the the food for packing by 75 to 100 volunteers. David, Arron and Stefanie (sp) Herzka were there helping their parents. Boy how they have grown. Stef is cheerleader and Soph at Delaware about to switch from Bio Pre-Med major to a Doctor's Assistant. Over 2,000 "baskets" were packed. Ann work real hard. I was proud of her ... she was so happy to be able to help.

Today, Sunday, Clyde the plumber came at 9:30 am to plunge out our bathroom sink drains. His daughter came to play with Aspen, Cedar, Lexie, and Charcoal. The pups got a good work out chashing the ball. I then went up to Judy's to bring home my inheritance.... some books, the Hitcock chairs for Katie, a pie cubboard, (put if in the kitchedn by the phone), a side table (next to living room chair), a hall table (put it up in the 2nd floor hall by the guest room, another little table I am taking to the office, and my Dad's antique roll top desk which my sister locked with the key inside (it goes in my home office). and then there is my Mom's TV which Judy tried to swtich on me and now is pissed at me for calling her on it. So be life. Happy Thanksgiving!

My daughter is married

Well, Katie tied the knot with Conor yesterday afternoon at St. Ann's and sealed the deal with a big reception at the Farmhouse attended by about 150 close and new family friends. She was/is beautiful! Photos were taken down by Brandywine Creeek on the rocks across from the Zoo. It was a beautiful day for a beautiful bride, so the photos by Scott. the professional, should be outstanding. It was brunch today for the morning after drunks that made up the wedding party. And I had fun at the reception dancing with Lynne, Carolyn, Diane, Dr. Janet, Kerry, and Ann, drinking only two ice teas with artifical sugar. No hangover for me these days...but then I never did suffer much from hangovers. Sat with John and Pat, jeff and Deb, Bonnie and Phil, Norm and Bobbie, Lynn and Ann. The fare was good crab cakes and/or filet with mushrooms and, of course, wedding cake. Ann fit into her June blue dress and look great with new dangling earrings ... one which fell off when she lost the clasp at dinner, but I found it on the steps at home while going to bed. Charlene gave Ann a spare clasp which enable her to dangle the night long. Up early this morning to feed the pups and with Byron missing called on Ron Mask to help me return the Lincoln Town car used by Roy to chuffer the newly married couple. Terry was here to help prepare Ann's Christmas brunch egg dish, chicken salad, lox, bagels, fruit, breads and cake enough for 50, but only about 15 came and most of those too hung over to eat much. Katie and Conor head for their honeymoon leaving at 3 am Monday for flight from Baltimore to Belize for four days in the mountains and four at the beach. Then it will be the rest of their life together, we all hope. I pray Katie and Conor will be happy and healthy and safe as they live married. We are lucky to have a new son-in-law who fits in so well and is easy to love with Katie.

Spending Saturday

Well it was a real fall Saturday. Cool morning kept cool all day long with a wind that bit in. Finally got Ann moving out of the house by 11 and we went back to ABC Appliance and purchased a new refrigerator and a washer/dryer duet. Frig is by Amana and the laundry equipment is of Whirlpool make. They are scheduled to be delivered and hooked up Nov. 14....after Katie's wedding. Katie seems to have everything in good shape. I have to give her credit for being well organized and keeping to a schedule that will not wear her out before the big day. Ann and I went to Casco today to buy 17 toss away cameras to be used at the reception. We then had lunch at Bugaboo where the wait staff was dressed Halloween. Our waitreess thad painted on a beard and mustash.

Byron got a new HD 37" monitor delievered today. He had it hooked up with the hour and it sure is pretty. Great clean, bright color. Ann and I may buy his old HD that he thought was sold Wed. but the guy buying it never showed up. With HD going to be mandated in the future, we might as well buy in now and take advantage of the new programming that is coming on stream. Byron discovered that Mr. Wilson, his tabby cat, was in a fight again...came home last night with a cut in his side and some other scrapes and scratches. The puppies are great. Aspen napped in my lap in the green recliner for a good half hour this afternon while we watched Penn State win football again. OSU might upset Texas tonight, but that is is only if Texas does not catch up in the 4th quarter.

Rainy Saturday

Well, another day of light rain. The pups were bored being inside, so I just took them out and played ball with them for 15 minutes. Now they are resting. Our next door neighbor had a surprise 50th birthday party for his wife last night. About 60 people, few known to Ann and I. Catered food was good. Guitar players were LOUD... the house is beautiful, the traffic flow is much nicer than when Carlsons lived there, and I like how Laurie has decorated the big rooms.
Went to barbers this morning at 8:30 and Frank now has a son Frank. Baby and mother doing well ... Frank says down at 11 up at 2 and then sleeps until 6. Frank is a happy, proud Dad. And his dad, Mike, is a very proud grandpa. It was slow in the shop this morning...guess due to the rain. Just me and another early riser.
Forgot my wallet, but my security stash paid the bill. Next haircut is 8 am Nov. 12, morning of Katie's wedding.

Feeling down

Well the stock market continues its downward spiral. Not much fun to post the numbers recent nights. Harry says stick it out, but it is getting harder and harder to bite the bullet waiting for the tide to turn. If it is this bad for a little investor, think what the billionaires must be loosing. Well, new PR Director due to start Monday and hopfully will take some of the presure off.

Ball Time

Aspen MarCom and Cedar enjoyed playing ball with me tonight before bed. We took out the trash and then went out back and I kicked and threw the ball towards the woods as they raced after it and fetched it back. They both are getting much better, but Aspen is a better retriever. Dogs are fun!