One Benefit of the Blog

During the school year, 1991-1992, our family hosted an exchange student from Finland and had a wonderful year with him. Several years after that he came back to the USA for a brief summer at a University and we saw him again but about 5 years ago, I lost contact with him and had tried, unsuccessfully, to find him. I had searched the "find people" services many times and had tried to find phone numbers through international phone information channels.

Yesterday, out of the blue, my daughter got a comment from him on her blog and he had tracked her down . Thank you, blogsphere, for helping us find our long lost friend !

What About Those Multiple Ceremonies ?

Four months ago today, I published a post about Pamela Anderson and Bob Ritchie (Kid Rock)planning to get married in four different places around the world. They only made it to three of the ceremonies - ditching the Michigan location at the last minute.

Today, I read where Pamela filed for divorce less than four months after the marriages - guess having multiple ceremonies isn't the answer after all.

Things to be thankful for ....

While our Thanksgiving holiday was not without some stress, for the most part, it was absolutely wonderful ! We had some sickness of extended family members which caused some changes of plans and unexpected trips and rearranging of schedules but despite all that, here are the things I enjoyed:

1. Thanksgiving day with my family - eating, talking, laughing and did I mention eathing ?

2. A raucous game of Balderdash which left us with sides hurting from laughing so hard.

3. Shopping on Friday with my girls - yes, I know it's insane but I'm one of those who loves to hit the stores the day after Thanksgiving and stand in long checkout lines with the other go-zillion people who have the same idea of shopping that I do.

4. Eating at Bonefish Grill with my family on Friday night. Wow! I have eaten there many times and have never had a bad meal. (Sorry, Heidi, I can't remember the names of all the food I ate but it was wonderful) Of course, the company could not have been better.

5. Putting up my Christmas tree and outside decorations certainly put me in a festive mood. I sat in the living room last night watching the twinkling lights, looking at the fire and listening to Christmas music .

I'm thankful for holidays and thankful for my family who brings me so much joy !

Think About It

In Dakar this week people waited for days to get bread and water.

People in Zimbabwe have been waiting for weeks to get life-saving vaccines for their children.

In South Africa, people walked for days and stood in line for hours in order to vote.

In America, people camped out for days, stood in line, shot other people who were in line, and robbed people at gunpoint, to get a Play Station 3.

It's sad. We need to be better than that.

Happy Birthday, Eric

My son-in-law Eric is celebrating a birthday today. I credit him for getting me into blogging - a pasttime I thoroughly enjoy. I credit him for making us laugh with his one-liners, for being a good sport , for being a loving family member to us, and for being a good husband to my daughter. Can't ask for much more than that in a son-in-law. Happy Birthday, e, hope you have a great day !

The Good, The Bad and the Ugly

THE GOOD : Auburn beat Alabama 22-17 for their 5th straight win over their main rivals. The game was exciting, the weather was beautiful, we had tons of fun with our awesome family and friends, and for Auburn fans, it couldn't have been better.

THE BAD: Our Fort Payne football team lost to Athens in the playoffs 41-7. Fort Payne had lots of turnovers and certainly didn't have a good night Friday night.

THE UGLY: After the Auburn/Alabama game, as Auburn players and coaches tried to enter the tunnel going into their dressing room, Alabama students pelted them with cups, full bottles of water and other trash items. As Auburn's David Irons reached to shake a police officer's hand, an Alabama fan hit him in the eye with a full bottle of water, prompting him to have to be treated by team doctors for a serious eye injury. Now if that's not UGLY, I don't know what is. To be fair, all Alabama fans are not like that but it doesn't take many instances of poor sportsmanship to ruin the reputation of a school.

Great Football Weekend Ahead

As you may have guessed by now, I am an avid football fan - particularly high school and college (not so big on the pros). Anyway, my two favorite teams are playing this weekend. Tonight, my high school alma mater is playing its 12th game of the year - all of which they have won so far. First time since 1935 they have gone undefeated and they are now in playoffs. Go, Wildcats !

Secondly, tomorrow I will be traveling to the Iron Bowl in Tuscaloosa to cheer my Auburn Tigers to victory. If we win, it will be our 5th straight victory over the Tide. Win or lose, it promises to be a great day with family and friends! War Eagle!

Would have taken a picture but . . .

Unfortunately, my cell phone does not have a camera on it but I was in the drive-through line at the bank today and the new truck in front of me had two bumper stickers: The one on the left said, "God Loves You." The one on the right said , "Welcome to America. Learn to Speak English or Go Home."

Seems to me, one would have to subscribe to one of those beliefs or the other - not both at the same time.

First Family Member Goes Hybrid

My brother Charles came by yesterday to show me his new Toyoto Hybrid. He drove 49.9 miles on his first gallon of gas and claims that in-town driving gets around 60 MPG. The car automatically switches from gasoline to electric when in the idle mode so when stopped at traffic lights or in busy traffic, you are not using gas.

It's a pretty cute design and I'm sure sooner or later we will all be driving cars that do not use gasoline at all - just a matter of time.

Thanks, Tiger

Saturday, after 20 years of representing Auburn University's school spirit, golden eagle Tiger will retire. Tiger has served as War Eagle VI since 1986, soaring over the football stadium at the beginning of home games in a spectacular display of grace, beauty and elegance.

She was honored by the 2002 Winter Olympics Committee in Salt Lake City when she was asked to fly over the opening ceremony of the games.

Earlier this year, Auburn veterinarians diagnosed Tiger with skin cancer and she has since undergone surgery and radiation therapy. In 2005, she was honored for her contributions to Auburn and the state of Alabama by being inducted into the Alabama Animal Hall of Fame.

Tiger's successor, War Eagle VII, will take over at halftime Saturday after Tiger's last flight.

Thank you, Tiger, for making Auburn fans feel so much pride. Job well done.

Favorite Movies

I love going to movies and it is almost impossible to pick out favorites - there are so many I like but there are some which I have watched dozens of time each and still enjoy them. Here are my top 15 picks:

1. The Sound of Music
2. Back Street
3. Titanic
4. Gone With the Wind
5. Pretty Woman
6. Notting Hill
7. Forest Gump
8. Christmas Vacation
9. The Prince of Tides
10.The Notebook
11.An Officer and a Gentleman
12.Driving Miss Daisy
13.The Shawshank Redemption
14.Sleepless in Seattle
15.One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

Hard to Believe

A news article today claimed that a 23-year-old woman in Washington state went to the hospital with a severe stomach ache and left there with a full-term baby boy ! She said she didn't have any idea she was pregnant.

Having experienced pregnancy three times, I have some questions about it :

1. Did she notice a large bulge on the front of her body ?
2. Did missing 9 months of "you know what" give her any clue that something
was wrong ?
3. What about the smell of food cooking sending her flying to the bathroom to
throw up ?
4. And even if she missed all those clues, after about the 5th month, a baby
starts moving around inside - initially giving fluttering feelings which
ultimately turn into full-blown, blatent, hard kicks to the ribs commencing
about the 7th month and continuing for the duration of the pregnancy.

Do you think after all that she just figured she had eaten some too spicy chili dogs ?

Check Out This Clock

This is a fascinating clock.