Welcome to 2011...

I tried posting yesterday but it failed miserably. Going to try again while I have a few minutes.

The New Year celebration at my house went very well this year. We were all well awake for 12am EST (New York) and cheered for that. Staying up until 12am CST proved difficult. It was a long day for all, even though Ann only worked 4 hours.

Let's talk about that a moment. I told you in the past that the plan was to go to Downstream, this time get a room either there or a nearby hotel (which were running shuttles for NYE), and party plenty. Well, being she was scheduled to work, plans got scrapped. Too late home, rush too much, yada yada. Well, she got home at 1pm. FIGURES!!

Anyway, we made it to midnight, cheered, then went outside to blow horns (ended up in a competition with houses a couple of blocks away. I think they won!). After that, we cleaned up and went to bed. Very few drinks were had. But a great time nonetheless.

End of 2010...

Happy New Years Eve! Well, maybe not for all. Tornadoes (more than 1? Don't know) went through the area this morning. The airport is temporarily closed so they can clear the runway of debris. Also, there are reports of 3 fatalities in a small town a couple of counties away. Very sad. Who in the hell ever figured a tornado in December. Crazy weather patterns lately. Today the temperature starts out at 66, and by midnight, will be 31 degrees. Then back into the 50's by the middle of next week.

Ann is working this morning, but not sure how long she will be there. There are very few kids at the daycare, so not everyone is needed. Figures that we have NO plans for this New Years, figuring she was working all day! Shit!

Last payday of the year for me today. Also found a nice little surprise. Very grateful for it. I am honored, but not necessarily humbled *wink*

Here's hoping 2011 brings you everything you wanted. May all of your dreams and wishes come true!

Happy New Year!

Great holiday!

This Christmas went much better than expected in my house. Let me preface, I warned my wife and son that on Christmas morning, this would be my routine: wake up when I heard the dog whining, let her out, then let her in to eat, then let her back out. While she was out the 2nd time, I would log on to my work laptop to capture some reports that run (yes, even on Christmas), which would only take about 5 minutes or so. Also, would make some fresh coffee (a little stronger than usual). When the work was done and the coffee was made, I would be waking everyone up. This would probably be around 7am. I was right on the schedule with this one. At 7am, I woke everyone up. The wife was easy. I go in, she was coughing, and I told her "it's time" and she got up. Then it's the son's turn. Usually, when I want to wake him up, I go in and yell "WAKE UP!" or shake him. But, being it's still dark during the winter at 7am, his room was dark. So, I simply put on the light. The reaction I got was better than any Christmas present. All I heard was "Oh God! Light!" I fell on the floor from laughing so hard.

Everyone very much enjoyed the gifts they received. I got the Rapala Bass Fishing game for XBox. My son got a couple of XBox games that he wanted. My wife got a sapphire ring and necklace (her birthstone), which she liked, although "where am I going to wear it" was the reaction I expected and received. We also bought 2 new board games for the family, which we enjoyed over the weekend. Had great laughs, great times. It was much needed and well deserved.

Now, it's a short week at work. I am working today and tomorrow, will "pop on" the next two mornings to retrieve a couple of reports, then Friday is New Year's Eve. Can't go far as Ann is working, but that's ok. All the bowl games will be on TV, so I'm ready!

What's to say...

14 years ago today we put you in the ground. Hallowed ground that will be yours forever. I still miss you sweetheart. Never forget, daddy will love you forever.

Another birthday in Heaven

Happy 14th Birthday Danielle! I love you and I miss you more than you can possibly know. Hopefully I will come join you soon so you don't have to be without daddy anymore.

Almost Christmas...

As many of you know, I am not a "party person" in the sense that I don't like much going to parties. Yeah, I'm fine if it's a smaller group of people. There isn't too much going on, everyone basically holds one (or two) conversations, and it's somewhat calm. Well, last night was our Supply Chain Christmas party at my manager's house. There were upwards of 50 people there, I would guess. I was wishy-washy about going, but I knew how disappointed a couple of people would have been if I didn't show. Unfortunately, Ann could not make it because of her sore throat. She is not sure if she has bronchitis, strep, or what. So I went alone. Surprisingly, I had a good time. I started the way I normally do...in a corner. I talked to a couple of people and it was nice. Then I decided to try something I have never done before. Beer Pong! First time in life.

Would like to take this time to thank the cheering section I had at the game. I was beyond surprised, and more than overwhelmed. The first game, we won. Second we lost. But that was OK. I am not much of a beer drinker in the winter, and "shooting" it is not in my best interest. Played again later (to a much smaller viewing audience), and again won the first game. Lost the second. Still a great time.

Overall, last night was much fun. Once again, ate WAY TOO MUCH! Stomach not as bad as the other day (thankfully), but ... well, let's just say it's a good thing there are 2 bathrooms in the house!

Quiet day...

Not much going on. Had a work meeting off-site yesterday, and ate too damned much. My stomach STILL hurts! Also, the meeting did not go as well as planned (or hoped). There were other meetings in the office which did not allow for "cutting loose" and relaxing the way we had hoped. It was great being out of the office though, so I am going to look at the positives. I have to, because the negative is the fact that my stomach STILL hurts, and at this rate will continue to hurt until 2011.

Anthony having his semester finals this week. He took 2 of them yesterday, has 2 more today, then one tomorrow. Not sure if I have to pick him up from school tomorrow or if he is going to get a bus home. Hoping for the bus, as I have a meeting until noon, and school ends at 10:30. Then he is off from school for 2 weeks. Lucky kid.

Actually, the next 2 weeks at work are going to be fairly wierd for me. I am in the office Monday through Wednesday, then online at home Thursday and Friday. The New Year's week I am online Monday and Tuesday, on vacation Wednesday and Thursday, and the office is closed Friday. Let's see how well that goes for me.

Here's a new thing: Question of the Blog! Every now and then I think back on my past, the past of my "friends", and for some reason more times than not I remember the "bad" rather than the good. On my next blog, I hope to write some kind of answer. So, here's today's question:

Is it bad to be majorly crushing on someone who has someone else? Is it worse when you have someone of your own at the time?