Merry Christmas To All

Our family wishes you the best Christmas ever, knowing the Lord Jesus Christ was born this day.

David, Mandy, Scott, Lisa, Emma, Nichole, Stacy and Frank.

Where did the Weekend Go?

Friday night we visited David and Lori to check on how Lori was doing. We had a great time, catching up with the Graham clan. Saturday morning Stacy and I went to Moss' cafe for breakfast, we go there often and would love to make this an every Saturday event.

After breakfast, Stacy tried to convince this guy she has been nice all year. She made a plea deal for me, so I'm good with Santa too.

We went to Ft. Campbell and picked up Emma for the day and she spent Saturday night with us.

After we picked up Emma, we went to the commissary to get some Christmas dinner stuff. We got the stuff and so much more. Emma and I broke into the animal crackers before we even hit the checkout. We like to watch people as they move around, not aware that they look so silly.

Then it was on to WalMart for whatever we could not at the commissary. (We ended up going back to Wally World in the afternoon too.) We were at the Oak Grove WalMart, you want to people watch, that's the place.

I could not find a tag on this little girl so we went to customer service, she rang up as 'priceless'.
Sunday morning we were up and getting ready for church at Grace. The Christmas service was so touching, and really too much to describe, the music, the message and the fellowship were awesome.

Emma got picked up by her daddy in the late afternoon and we took a break and relaxed.

After watching the Whopper virgin commercials all weekend Stacy had a craving for a Big Mac, so while we were out running we stopped in at Mickey D's. I didn't want a Big Mac, and the double cheeseburger looked good.

At least the photo on the menu did.

Monday I decided to take a vacation day and stay home. Yea, right, after 20 phone calls, I changed it to a work at home day.

We had our weekly community group meeting, and afterward I had to travel to Chattanooga for some early Tuesday morning interviews.

As I have posted before, I always get the best views from my hotel room.

That Christmas Question

Well, I made up my mind, it's the highway bars. I just hope they get here before Christmas morning.

I still need to finish up with some Christmas gift getting, but according to what they tell me on TV, I have seven days left before Christmas.

By my math, that gives me a six day cushion.

We have been dodging the sickly bugs for weeks now. Stacy could no longer fight off what ever took her down yesterday. I have never seen my baby so sick in my life, I have to admit I was scared. Today she is sitting up and watching a few DVDs, feeling and looking much better.

But she would not let me take her photo for this entry.

Seems everyone I know in someway has a loved one who is hurting, either by accident, illness or had their feelings hurt.

My prayer is that the Lord will heal all wounds, physicial, emotional, spiritual and those wounds that are hidden from sight.

In doing so bringing glory to Him.

Pop and Emma watching the Titans play on Sunday.

(Don't tell Emma's mommy that she was watching TV)

What's for Christmas?

OK, I am not like most folks when it comes to Christmas shopping, I put it off until it's almost too late.

My daughters have accused me of shopping at Mapco and the BP on Christmas Eve for gifts. I will not deny this in part, as sometimes while stopping for gas, I have been known to pick up a rose or a candy bar for my baby.

Stacy finished shopping weeks ago, mostly online. One day last week I could not get into the front door as boxes were piled high against it. My front door looked like a war between UPS, FedEx and the US Postal Service. She is so happy she is finished with her shopping and wrapping that I am constantly reminded that I am not.

This year Stacy wanted me to select and pick out my own gift as I am so hard to buy for. I thought this was a great idea! Problem is I can think of so many things I could use, but it still comes down to "wanting" or "needing".

I was suppose to have it ordered, shipped and under the tree already. Let's just say, I have not even decided what I want yet. Before you judge me, I am a card caring member of the procrastinator's society, in fact I'm not just a member, I'm the president.

I hope she does not read this blog, so let's keep this our little secret.

So, I need some help. (before it's too late and I get into big trouble). I have listed somethings that I want but don't really need.

But it's Christmas and if I don't have anything under the tree from Stacy on Christmas morning I will need someplace to live.

This is my list, and yes, I checked it twice, and no comments are needed from you if I have been naughty or nice.

So let me know what you think I would like from Stacy for Christmas.
Chrome highway bars for the bike. These are 1 1/2 inch chrome and will look sooooo cool on the bike and will make me look good while cruising down the interstate.A Cross pen and pencil set in sterling silver with 10k gold accents. These would look cool in my pocket as I am cruising with the highway bars on the bike.

A cold weather suit for winter kayaking, I have something like this already. But not as stylish, and will not look so good while cruising on the bike with the highway bars.A high carbon Gerber rescue knife, I have something like this already. But not as compact, and any knife will do while cruising down the road with my feet on the highway bars on the bike.

These are what the girls usually get me, Churchill Cohiba cigars. I could get myself a box, they too would look cool as I rode the bike with the highway bars.

So what do you think? Not to sway anyone, but I'm leaning towards the highway bars and Cigars.

I will thank you for your help in advance, have a great week.

And remember the True meaning for the Season, Jesus Christ The Lord.

100th Post

I had not realized this was my 100th post until I started editing it.

Since my last post, the Christmas elves have thrown up all over the house.

Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas and the true meaning of it, that the Lord Jesus Christ was born to save us sinners.

Not so some retail establishment can start to put out Christmas "things" in the middle of September! To bombard me with statements that I must buy these "things" for my family or it won't be a "merry" Christmas.

Just some of the stuff pulled out of the attic to get the house ready to decorate. My job is to get all the boxes and containers out, then I usually find some place to hide. Growing up in the 1960's, my parents had a silver metalic tree that spun, all the while a rotating green, yellow, red and blue spot light shone on the tree. I still feel faint when I think about it. That would be the true root of why I don't like to decorate for Christmas, but I do love the results when Stacy does it.

Stacy is probably the most rabid Christmas fan I know. I mean that in the most loving way. I love that about her, she is always so full of the holiday spirit that sometimes she seems to glow.

The stocking are hung from the chimney with care.
No bake "doo doo" cookies, my favorite.
We also celebrated Emma's first birthday today! She is looking all nice in her birthday dress in front of the tree.

Just a little trip down Emma lane.



About 3 months old.


If I'm not mistaken, the cigar is older than her.



About 9 months with Nana.


Looking all of 1 year.


We have a birthday tradition, the person celebrating their birthday gets to pick what they want for dinner. Here, Emma has her favorites, animal crackers, Cheerios, and applesauce. She also got dressed chicken, angel hair pasta and cake too.


It was a great weekend with family and friends.

Please remember the true reason for this season.

Just an update...........

I tried to work from home the day after Thanksgiving, but work would have no part of it. So I got on the bike and rode into Nashville for a few hours of straightening things out. Then it was back home, Stacy and I went out to eat, then to WalMart (date night). We visited our neighbors later Friday night and then we got ready for Saturday.

On Saturday, David, Perry, Dave and I went to Eastland Green for 18 holes of golf. It was cold, but nice. We usually have a snack at the turn, but waited until the 16th hole and were treated to a lunch by Mrs. Graham. After golf, I got back home, put my clubs away, sat in my recliner and could not get back up. My back went out.

So I spent the rest of the afternoon trying to stretch it out with the help of Motrin. Nothing doing, it was still out when Stacy, Mandy, Dave and I went to dinner.

I wanted a buffet, but we went to Longhorn instead. The food was good, then we all went to the movies to see Four Christmas'.

On Sunday, my nurse, Lori gave me several doses of Pecan Fudge. The fudge buzz was what I needed to take away the back pain.

Monday night it was community group time. We scheduled a game night, turned out to be a finger food fellowship with a game thrown in. It was a great night of fun and fellowship.

Monday it was back to work for a road trip. This trip was suppose to be to Knoxville and return. But like most days in my job, nothing but changes are predictable. So it was Knoxville via Chattanooga.

Crossing the mountain at Monteagle in the winter is always special. There is usually snow if we have rain. I look forward to what is on top of the mountain.

So after a long day, it was a workout in the hotel gym and some dinner.

Take care and hug someone.

Giving Thanks

I am thankful for many things, my family, my extended family and my many friends. I am also thankful I live in a country where I can do all these things and worship my Lord. This year we did things a little different, we all met at David Ellison's brother's home. Brian and Shane have a wonderful home and is decorated in a Thomas Kincaid/Old Fashioned Christmas way.

The tree and fireplace were so picture perfect I could not resist taking a photo. I could write for the next hour on things we shared, the food we ate, and the football we watched. But it would take away from the perfect day we shared, and the many things we gave thanks for.

May God Bless You All.

This Year is Going Way Too Fast

This year is traveling way too fast, either that or I have not been dragging my feet like I used to.

Stacy and I recently went to the OG and were waited on by our daughters, Nichole and Mandy....wait, Mandy was on break, so she sat with us as Nichole did the running. (All the while with Mandy giving Nichole orders.)

I was going kayaking on Friday, but got side tracked early on, then Emma came to visit and I got even farther behind.

Emma complete with little piggy tails and a new friend.

Saturday morning I was greeted by ice.
And some more ice.

The L & O Train bridge in Stewart Co, Cumberland City TN.

The fishing around the bridge was excellent, I used a silver and black tube on a Carolina rig.

Around the corner, ya, more ice.
I could not keep my drinking water from freezing, adding more ice to the trip.
So while bundled in layers, one last shot, then it was out of the water and back to the house to thaw out.

Stacy greeted me with one of her usual comments, "I told you it was cold, you're crazy."

Different Day, Same Stuff

I am so tired of depending on others in my industry. I have 160 open hours as of today, these openings are in Nashville, Chattanooga and Johnson City.

Because of the distance between locations, recruiting and training are left to me. I hired enough people to cover all my openings, but half of those did not show up for work.

One quarter of those hired, when contacted liked the benefits of being unemployed. So, it's 1:36am and I have spent the last three hours covering the open shifts.

This job is going to kill me.

It's Been a Week to Reflect

I started out the week traveling, and got back to the house on Tuesday. Since then, I have celebrated another birthday. Office birthday cake, with donut frosting, M&M's and a card. The girls and the neighbor gave my favorite gift, can you spell COHIBA? Because of my travels and the girls schedule we are going to have a small get together tomorrow complete with my favorite dinner to celebrate my b'day.

I have never seen a crane sit on a house. I took this on my way home.

On my way back out later in the day, it was still sitting on the house. My Italian grandmother would have gone nuts, "biga bird ona da house isa nu gud."

Of course I had to go to the local Bass Pro at Opry Mills, cause it's there. I bought a bunch of stuff for fishing and my kayak. Now if the weather would just clear up. I don't mind the cold, or the rain with the cold, but my family thinks I am a loony tune when I go out in weather like this.
It never seems to amaze me the number of people who think they are too cool playing guitar hero in the store. This guy was so focused doing the head banging thing, he had no idea this kid was laughing at him and this guy was taking his photo. But that's how we should live life, not caring what others think. So Rock On, In Store Guitar Dude!

I reflect on the fact that I have a lot of acquaintances and that I am striving to make them all close life long friends. After losing a member of my Men's Fraternity this week, I will remember to love big, forgive quickly, laugh out loud, and just breath.

Good bye Rick Hurst.

Greetings From...................

In the next two days I will be in Knoxville, Loudon, Rockford, Johnson City, Cleveland and Chattanooga. Knoxville and Loudon were planned, the rest are a direct result of the ever changing job that I am in.

I always stay in places that have the best views, this is the pile of bricks outside my room at the Comfort Inn in Lenior City.

Before I left home, Stacy, Emma and I went to Ft. Campbell. We shopped at the PX and picked up four weeks worth of groceries at the commissary.

Because Emma loves to slobber on my electronics, I could not resist when I saw this toy at the PX. It's a "Babies first PDA." It makes makes all kinds of noice complete with blinking lights.

Emma could not get into the Santa Claus letter box, but she tried.