Go Caden Go

A little pre Christmas gift. The gang from Frisco, TX called this morning and said that Caden has a surprise for us. Here are the pictures of the surprise. It's time to start moving things up and out of reach.

Bob and Lorraine's Krishmush Kookys

Yesterday was, as I suspected, low key. There were however a few surprises, Colleen and Mark arrived at the house at 2:02, and the Carters and Calonico's came over for dessert and after dinner drinks. We polished off four bottles of wine, one Kahlua, one Baileys, some Crown Royal, Old Bushmill (Irish Coffee), vodka and Dewar's. Now thats getting into the holiday spirit(s). Our guests didn't stay long as they waking up at thee in the morning to take advantage of the "Black Friday" sales. Jill said she could save $100 on a DVD player, WOW. I told Jill I would give her the $100 so she could sleep like a normal person.
It's now on to Christmas. A very good friend of ours, Lorraine Cole, was kind enough to share a old family recipe with us. The Cole's are great people and when they aren't upsetting their neighbors, they are a lot of fun. Maybe in 2009 they can visit us. Thanks again for the secret recipe.

Christmas Cookies

1 cup of water
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup of sugar
1 tsp salt
1 cup of brown sugar
Lemon juice
4 large eggs
1 cup nuts
2 cups of dried fruit
1 bottle Jose Cuervo Tequila

Sample the Cuervo to check quality. Take a large bowl, check the Cuervo again to be sure it is of the highest quality, pour one level cup and drink. Turn on the electric mix er. Beat one cup of butter in a large fluffy bowl. Add one teaspoon of sugar. Beat again. At this point it's best to make sure the Cuervo is still OK, try another cup just in case.

Turn off the mixer thingy. Break 2 leggs and add to the bowl and chuck in the cup of dried fruit, Pick the frigging fruit off floor. Mix on the turner. If the fried druit gets stuck in the beaterers just! pry it loose with a drewscriver. Sample the Cuervo to check for tonsisticity. Next, sift two cups of salt, or something. Check the Jose Cuervo.

Now shift the lemon juice and strain your nuts. Add one table. Add a spoon of sugar, or somefink. Whatever you can find. Greash the oven. Turn the cake tin 360 degrees and try not to fall over. Don't forget to beat off the turner. Finally, throw the bowl through the window, finish the Cose Juervo and make sure to put the stove in the dishwasher

Give Someone You Love the Bird

GOBBLE GOBBLE !!!!!
Today will be very low key, Colleen and Mark are scheduled to come over at two (which means three) to celebrate Thanksgiving. Like so many other families our children split up the holidays alternating between their in-laws and us. As this will be a relatively quiet day it will allow us to mentally prepare for what is about to happen. While raising a family one needs adequate space to exist and when a person retires they usually downsize their home. In our case it was six people, now the number has risen to twelve. Our house is only 3200 square feet, so things at Christmas time will be a little close for a few weeks. Did I say weeks??? Ooops, I forgot to mention that we will also have about 200 lbs of dog running around. In preparation for Christmas I plan, starting today, on drinking heavily. HAPPY THANKSGIVING !!!!!!!!

Back To Normal

Since the last full posting a few things have happened. The Madge has returned from Conn., rolled into the house yesterday afternoon, grabbed a Pino Grigio and asked "Where are we going for dinner?". Meaghan's operation hopefully will be a success and she has one more week on crutches, however she is getting around well enough to be left "sans Madge". Today will be Erin and Caden's last day here until Christmas, they have been here all week babysitting Cooper and myself. Thank You Erin, you've been a huge help. Colleen is up in Philadelphia today running in the Marathon, I purposely got up early to watch the start (no luck), watch the race (no coverage) and track her progress (not working). Good Job Philly. During The Madge's absence I booked another cruise, this time we are leaving from Galveston and I only have to pay for the two of us. Whew. We are joining the Kennedy's and the Calonico's (professional cruisers), and will learn the art of sneaking on alcohol and winning at the slot's.

OUCH, No Make That Double OUCH !!!

Tried to watch the Texas Tech - OU game but it got real ugly early.

De Boat Boss, De Boat

People have asked us "How was the Ship?". Well thanks to Mark who isn't big on family shots I now have 290 pictures of the ship and about 10 of the family. So for you people who are curious about the biggest cruise ship in the world (at least this year).














Now just in case you are family and want to see yourself

It's Rugby Time

Yes sir, it's official, this morning it was 37 degrees and it's time to whip out the infamous rugby shirts. Maybe it's the color combination or the style, then again maybe it's the way the horizontal stripes look on my svelte body, but my family hates them. Hey they are warm and that is all that matters.
Cooper ran out this morning, did his business and cried to come back into the house. He is a big wimp for sure. Since "The Madge" is gone, the kids are filling in. Colleen is heading up this way for lunch, then flying up to Dallas, then she, Erin and Caden are driving down here tomorrow morning. Erin will then stay the week, making sure I will eat properly and don't get into trouble. Looks like the potato chips and Coke will have to wait. Colleen will hang around Houston until next Thursday when she then flies up to Philadelphia to run the marathon. Erin's husband Brad then flies in on Friday to spend the weekend. "The Madge" is schduled to fly back on Saturday. Colleen returns to Houston on Sunday. It's going to be a busy week with many trips to the Airport.
While surfing the interent I came a across an interesting site that allows you to be creative with your pictures. Here's some examples of what can do. By the way Colleen is bringing about 300 cruise pictures so be prepared.





For those that are interested it's http://www.photofunia.com/

Forgive Me For Being Serious

I read this morning that Obama is pushing for a 50 billion dollar injection into the car companies, Huh???? Is this guy nuts???? I also read the other day that the average cost to build a car BY DETRIOT is 75% higher than the highest foreign company, that is also building here in the U.S.. Doesn't this tell you something?? Detriot's production is controlled by the UAW (United Auto Workers), this is the problem plain and simple. Obama also is saying that he wants to makes the unions stronger, Huh again????? Any chance of ME getting money from the Government? Sorry for this gripe.

Hard To Believe

It's hard to believe that one week ago a decision was, do I have a frozen banana daquiri or a strawberry pina colada now it's back to reality, so the decision is a vodka tonic or a beer? People have asked, "What islands did you go to and were they nice? The answer is "Not sure and I didn't get off the boat". You see one island you see them all and besides the entire family were island sightseeing en masse, need I say more? The best time on a cruise ship is when it's in port, the onboard shops are closed, restaurants are empty and the general hustle bustle is at a minimum. Much to my surprise the amount of "Bermuda Schwartz's" from NY were hardly noticeable as the majority of the passengers were European. I met a few during my early expeditions out and about, they being on Europe time and me just an early riser that couldn't stay in our room as it might disturb "The Madge". The only drawback of having so many Europeans was Pool Time, men with my physique wearing speedos and the women, also with my physique, wearing bikini's. UGH!!
Well anyway some things are better off forgotten, "The Madge" heads out again this Friday for Conn., no vacation this time as she will be helping Meaghan recuperate from yet another sport related injury. This is number six and she hasn't picked up a tennis racquet since college, we saved with the tennis scholarship but we are paying for it now.

With a Little Help from Erin

Many thanks Erin for sending me some more pictures of the Cruise. She also pointed out some overlooked awards.
1. Most girlie drink award - winner Ryan - see photos
2. Most trips to the Infirmary award - winner Allison
I might also add that the family decided that this should be an annual event ???? If anyone can guess what this trip has cost me I will buy them a dinner at Mels. An annual event my A#$.

Allison on her 33rd birthday in Puerto Rico