Happy New Year- almost

Well it's coming around again. Time to reflect back on 2006 and ahead to 2007.

Here's my five things:

1- Just got back from a holiday party at the Kelly's. It was a fun time to chat with all our neighbor's. It looks like we'll be getting wood floors instead of carpet... thanks again Tim!

2- Here's a great article about significant players in Detroit Sports histroy as identified by the number on their jersey. It's a fun read: http://forums.detnews.com/top99athletes/index.cfm

3- Got to love those Chargers. Sitting at 13-2.. they need to win tomorrow to secure the home field advantage through the playoffs. So put on your Charger jersey's and shout... Go Bolts!

4- Here's to hoping that U-M kicks USCs butt in the Rose Bowl.

5- Time to make some Resolution's for 2007? Here's a site for some ideas: http://pittsburgh.about.com/cs/holidays/tp/resolutions.htm

Another rainy Day in San Diego

Yes- it's raining again. A weather front is blowing (20-40 mph gusts) through America's finest city and right now it's beginning to clear up.

My Five Things:
1- Went to Big Lots for Laundry soap.
2- All the leftover Turkey is gone!
3- BMO has been glued to Diablo 2.
4- Our stocks are all rising.
5- The Prez from Michigan, Gerald R. Ford died last night in Rancho Mirage. A very good man and leader, Jerry never was given a chance. Handpicked by Nixon, he was doomed from the start. After he pardoned Tricky Dick, the press turned on him and sunk thier sharp teeth into his flesh on every turn. In the end, pardoning Nixon went a long way in healing our country and it's presidency. Sadly this fine, everyman's president didn't get his just rewards until now- after his passing.

Happiest of Holidays

My Five things:
1- We enjoyed a houseful of family this Christmas. Bill, Toni and Kieth joined us along with ALeix and Gary for a fancy and delicious Christmas dinner.
2- Everyone seemed to get something they wanted. I guess we were all more nice than naughty this year.

3- Honoring the legends-------James Brown, aka: the 'Godfather of Soul' and 'The hardest working man in music' died. He was 73. Owwwwwwwwwwww! Mad Dog Thornhill, a star LB for the 1965-6 MSU Spartans died- he was 62.

4- We've enjoyed some glorious days both yesterday (25) and today (26). These are the kind of days you appreciate living in So Cal and not Motown.

5- The Church was nicely decorated and it was a lovely service. Rodrigo Rodriguez serenaded us with some fantastic guitar playing and Erin only counted four people who were sleeping during the sermon... A big Amen! Maranatha.

Bonus: The Governator goes under the knife to fix his broken leg. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Arnie.

Off to the WAP--- Happy Holidaz

Hi all- Merry Christmas in two days.

Here's my Big Five for the past few days...
1- We set up the new CPU for BMO. It works well, is plenty fast and was less than $500. That makes it a winner in my book.
2- Wheeeew....... All the shopping is finally done. It's good to not have to go "out there" and fight the huddled masses.
3- We opened Granny and Grandpy's present early and went to the bank to ca$h the checks... we'll be ready for the after Christmas sales.
4- We went out to dinner with Gary and Aleix. We started off heading to Outback Steakhouse but got scared off by the 1-1/2 hour wait. I guess they take reservations by phone now since they asked us if we had "called ahead". Well hell no we didn't call ahead... or we wouldn't be here now! Bottom line was that we had a nice evening at Islands instead.
5- We're heading out to the Wild Animal Park for their "Festival of Lights". Afterwards it'll be a tour of the neigborhood --- Candy Cane Court--- before a quiet dinner at home. Yeah it'll be late.. but it's Christmas...
Bonus Plan>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Church tomorrow at Maranatha Chapel and then Monday gifts at 8 a.m. and then family Christmas dinner at 1 p.m.

Big Charger Win !

Here's my five things:
1- Chargers beat the stinking Chiefs 20-9. LT does it all- again. 199 yards and 2 TDs.

2- Got a lot done around the home front this week. Painted GMO's old room. Moved the bookcases and all the books downstairs. Moved two chairs into the new 'library'. Vacuumed, mopped and cleaned until I cried. Did five loads of laundry, cooked three meals. Sorted old notes and cleaned out a mess of junk. I'm whipped.

3- We got rain this week. For a solid day, we enjoyed some deep soaking rain... Whoops better go turn off the sprinkklers now!

4- We have been big conservers on energy last month. We were down 32% this years vice last year for the month of November.

5- Went for a long ride in the 108 horse closed sleigh to see the Christmas lights. Powered by hot chocolate, we went to Candy Cane Court and all around Poway and CMR.

Whatzup? Lucky 13

Here's my thirteen things...

1- Chargers Rock! 11-2 --- best record in the NFL!
2- It's paint the bedroom time.
3- Always let fresh spackling dry for at least 48 hours.
4- Never buy cheap paint. Unless you're whitewashing a fence you'll always need a second coat.
5- I had to buy a new paint stick and no matter how careful you are- you still drip!
6- I finished Poway Cup III- 73 USC defeated 74 Mich St 27-24 on a last second FG.
7- Time to get the teams ready for the 1962 Jalapeno Baseball Association season.
8- Got a nice yearly dividend check from the insurance company.
9- Taladega Nights! I want to watch it.
10- I'm starting to finish off my Christmas shopping.
11- I spent last night working on the Italy Flipbook... waiting for the paint to dry.
12- P-U!!! Whatever skunk is leaving his scent out there every morning I wish he'd stop!
13- It's been cold lately- I guess it's winter!

It's raining again!

My Five Things

1. Winter has arrived! Mini-me and I were out drinking hot chocolate and viewing the Chrismas lights and a winter began to fall. It feels good to finally be getting a little rain after so many months of dryness.

2. On a sad note, our neighbors dog started seizing and had to be put down. He wasn't that old and I know that I'll miss him. He was a very friendly and good dog.

3. Went out to dinner for the office Christmas Party at the RB Inn. Wow- what a nice place. It was the first time I'd been there and it was great. It was a good evenbing with good friends and co-workers. The boss really does it right!

4. I have been invited to join a writer's group that meets monthly. I'm definitely going to consider it. A writer's group and it's critical eye would be an excellent way to take my writing to the next level.

5. Chargers play tomorrow at home versus Denver. Go Bolts.

Bonus. I am beginning to consider our 25th anniversary and want to save up for a three week Rick Steves Euro Trip in 2007 (we'll both be 50 and it will be our 25th anniversary).



here's the link:



http://tours.ricksteves.com/tours07/product.cfm/rurl/code/EUR07/

Ola and Happy Thursday

My five things:

1- I tried some range feed, no hormones 100% Beef. It was delicious! It tastes lioke meat we used to eat as kids growing up.

2- I got the big oppps feelinmg today. When discussing thast I hadn't finished my shopping for the family back in Michigan.. a patient said "You know you need to get it into the mail by next Monday--- or it might not get there..." Gulp... I better get shopping.

3- Three interesting websites:

Health and fitness: http://sparkpeople.com
Forbidden Archeology: http://www.forbiddenarcheology.com
A place to post your photos: http://photobucket.com

4- Rain in the forcast for here in San Diego this coming Sunday and the Chargers play the arch rival Broncos at 1:15 pm at the Q. It could be interesting.

5- Cable Guy comes out to visit tomorrow. Last weekend Channel 10 was telecasting the USC-UCLA game and it was a terrible picture. I mean I nearly lost it! The cable company (Time Warner) didn't seem too upset... thus they waited nearly a week to come and check it out.Can't they get their priorities straight?

Hiking machine!

Monday (Dec 4):
1- I made it to the observation point of Iron Mt. It was 5.6 miles up and back. What a view. It was grueling hike. I started at 10:30 am and got back to my car about 1:15 pm. Whew.














Tuesday (Dec 5):
2- I was down at Balboa Park and visited the Museum of Natural History (free this Tues) , the Model Train Museum, the Fleet Science Center and the Botanical Garden. It was all free this Tuesday.
















3- Balboa Park is all decked out for Christmas. The Old Globe is doing "How the Grinch Stole Christmas".

Wednesday (Dec 6):
4- Went to the Commissary to grocery shop today. It was the first time I have been on a military base since I retired on Nov 1. It was sort of nice! Karen is right. I filled a grocery cart full of food (including a holiday ham) for under $150.

5- We've had a black cat (no collar) hanging around the back yard and driving our two cats wild. Talk about meowing!

Bowl games

Here's the story. The BCS system in all it's imperfections has deemed Florida as the worthy opponent to play Ohio State for the national championship.

Fellow Riverviewite, Lloyd Carr will coach his Wolverines in the Rose Bowl against USC.

Big Sunday!

Well I hope everyone reading this had a fine Sunday. It was a good one here. Have you ever noticed how nice things look at Christmastime? I would love to say that people are nicer and more polite (they're not) and that you can stop and smell the roses a little more (nope it's too hectic this time of year). But really, I think we need to MAKE the time to enjoy the season. So make a vow to yourself that you'll take a little time ot enjoy the GOOD THINGS going on around you and not rushing past them on the way to completing your next task.

I'll list my five things:

1- It was TGIO for the nanowrimo group. That is Thank God It's Over party. We held it at Callahan's in Mira Mesa and all the winners (those who wrote 50,000 words in 30 days) showed up to celebrate. Many made a pledge to keep writing and even meet for write-ins in the future.

2- The Chargers won 24-21 in chilly Buffalo, New York against the surging Bills. Dick Jauron's Bills made a game of it and it came down to the Chargers having to recover an onside kick to seal the deal. They didn't but the kick didn't travel the required ten yards- so the Chargers got the ball. Good job Chargers!

3- I completed the family christmas letter and I am beginning to hand address the envelopes to send them out. I'm trying something new and sending the card via e-mail to some distant friends. We'll see how it goes--- either I'll be seen as (1)_saving the environment and trees or (2) just cheap. I'll be happy if it's #1.

4- BMO and I went out got some hot chocolate from 7/11 and drove around to see the Christmas lights. Candy Cane Lane was already lit up and wonderful.

5- The laundry is getting caught up! Yes- it's a simple thing but very satisfying and pleasurable when it is completed!

Christmas is in the air

I've been looking forward ot saying Merry Christmas for some time- not Happy Holidays- but Merry Christmas. Just like our founding fathers (and founding mothers) did.

Here's my Five Things:

1- Uncle Sam came through on his part of the bargain with my first retirement check. I saluted the little Navy man as he dropped the money off and I said, "see you next month?" and he smiled, returned my salute and said, "aye, aye, Sir." Somehow all those endless weeks and months at sea don't seem quite so bad.

2- Brandon brought home a good report card. Aaq a bonus we'll be meeting family from out of town for dinner tonight.

3- I hung up all the outside lights for this year. I just pushed the EASY BUTTON... and ... "That was easy!"

4- Navy beat Army 26-14 and UCLA leads #2 USC 13-9 with 5:52 to go. Go Bruins!

5- I finished the Christmas card letter and it was a poem this year. Here it is:

It was a good year- I am happy to say,
I’ll hope to inform you in a very nice way.
We’re all doing well- our health is quite good,
We’re all exercising and eating right- like we should.

Gary our eldest is doing quite well,
He makes us the proudest we’re happy to tell.
A senior at college, learning many new things,
Computer programs, mathematics and about Saturn’s rings.

He’s studying hard and working a ton,
Part time at Circuit City and having some fun.
Living in an apartment is something quite new,
Cooking and cleaning to name just a few.

A new high school grad was our Erin in June,
She finished her studies and shot for the moon.
She successfully navigated the educational maze,
Graduating from Poway High School- with all grades as A’s.

This Spring we received some very good news,
She soon would be wearing UCLA’s true blues.
She is studying hard in her dormitory halls,
And spending her weekends watching Rose Bowl footballs.

Brandon is growing up tall- like a tree,
He no longer looks like a mini version of me.
Taller than Karen he smiles at the thought,
At thirteen with bruises his skateboard has wrought.

With Karen in D.C. we should all sleep quite sound,
We’re safe from the terrorist threats that abound.
Protecting us from dangers- both old and new,
Concentrating on stopping the nasty Bird Flu.

As for me I’ve retired from Navy employ,
No more commuting for hours- Oh, what a joy!
I’ll still be a dentist, of that I won’t tire,
I’m out there in Poway, tooth-fixer for hire.

From our family to yours I hope to convey,
The happiest, most merriest and blessed Christmas Day,
To bring us new life- Christ was born on this day,
So we’ll wish you the best in our own special way.