Yep, Turkey day is tomorrow. Since Mom and Dad are going to be up this weekend, we are doing a Thanksgiving dinner Saturday at our house. We are staying with the traditional meal theme, but are doing some kind-of-different dishes. We will have turkey and stuffing and such, but are trying some different things like grilled asparagus and a "gourmet" mac and cheese bake. We also just got a turkey breast instead of the whole turkey, but I think the turkey it came from must have been hopped up on steroids as this thing is HUGE. I'm going to try brining it this year - I hear a lot about how good and juicy it is when you do that. Hopefully it will be defrosted tomorrow and I can brine it while we are away at my in-laws.
Hokie got loose on Sharon today, but she couldn't chase him because John was asleep. He actually came back rather quickly, which leads us to believe that he doesn't really want to run away, he just wants us to chase him. Blasted dog......if he wasn't so cute.......
We've been struggling with how to re-arrange our living room area for the Christmas tree and decorations. It hasn't been hard in the past (we just put the tree in the foyer), but since we are starting to set up a Christmas village, we need room for that too. So, we have resolved to put our big chair in the foyer and set up the tree where the chair usually sits. This means we can get a tall tree, since our living room is vaulted (though I don't know that we have enough ornaments for a really tall tree). We will then use the DVD tower and two end tables, covered in "snow" blankets, to the side of the tree to house the village. We've only been collecting for a year, but due to gifts and big sales, we have 5 houses so far, along with several accessories, lights, and trees. The houses are pricey (regularly $75 - $125 each, though we've NEVER paid close to full price for any of them), but the detail is incredible (I think that's why I like them so much - I appreciate the artistry).
The tree reminds me of a kind of funny story. Our first Christmas "together", 4 years ago, we were in the 2nd floor of a little house in Christiansburg. The ceilings were probably 7 1/2 feet high, but Mr. Excited about Christmas went and bought what was probably a 9-10 feet tall tree (hey, it was my first ever tree purchase). I kept assuring Sharon that it would fit, but once I set it up and saw the top of the tree bent against the ceiling, I was reminded of the tree in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. Luckily, no squirrels in this one. I did end up sawing off about 2 feet. We will be doing our new tradition this Saturday; visiting a local tree farm to select and cut our tree for the season. Sure enough, I will remember that first tree fondly, and that first Christmas; the first together of many to come.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
Just call me the critic...
Sharon and I haven't been able to go to many movies lately, as John will not sleep through them anymore, but we've been to a movie each of the past two weekends (John was with someone else). We saw Quantum of Solace opening weekend; I thought it was very good (not quite as good as Casino Royale), but you have to get through about a half hour of nothing but action scenes and chases before the plot really hits. This weekend, we saw Twilight with April and Jerry, who is a reader of the series. He thought the movie was awful compared to the books, but the rest of us rather liked it very much, and now I am interested to read the books myself (I have ordered the first one). I've heard mixed things, but mostly positive from readers my age. I used to always buck the "trendy" and "popular" books (ie., Harry Potter), but now I find myself reading them as well. It's hard to be out of the loop in book discussions :)
We think the kitten must have found his way back home - we haven't seen him in days. It's probably for the best, as the last thing we REALLY need is another pet.
I was hoping to finish the outside lights this past weekend, but we didn't get to it. We'll probably do them at night this week, as it is easier to see the lights at night (we just have to do the bushes). We're hoping to get all of the inside decorations up next weekend as well. We've started collecting the North Pole series Christmas village, so we're excited to set that up (we have some really neat houses).
We'll be having Thanksgiving at Sharon's parent's house, followed by the Black Friday gig. Mom and Dad will be here Friday night, and we'll do another different Thanksgiving dinner Saturday evening after the game.
Thank goodness this is a 3-day workweek. I have lots to do as well, so it will go very quickly. Sharon has her doctor's appointment in the morning (the follow up to the procedure after the miscarriage), so I'll head to that with her.
It's been extremely cold and dreary today - I don't mind the cold so much, but I DESPISE cold rain. Hopefully it will either turn to snow or the sun will come out.
We think the kitten must have found his way back home - we haven't seen him in days. It's probably for the best, as the last thing we REALLY need is another pet.
I was hoping to finish the outside lights this past weekend, but we didn't get to it. We'll probably do them at night this week, as it is easier to see the lights at night (we just have to do the bushes). We're hoping to get all of the inside decorations up next weekend as well. We've started collecting the North Pole series Christmas village, so we're excited to set that up (we have some really neat houses).
We'll be having Thanksgiving at Sharon's parent's house, followed by the Black Friday gig. Mom and Dad will be here Friday night, and we'll do another different Thanksgiving dinner Saturday evening after the game.
Thank goodness this is a 3-day workweek. I have lots to do as well, so it will go very quickly. Sharon has her doctor's appointment in the morning (the follow up to the procedure after the miscarriage), so I'll head to that with her.
It's been extremely cold and dreary today - I don't mind the cold so much, but I DESPISE cold rain. Hopefully it will either turn to snow or the sun will come out.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Here kitty kitty....
Haven't seen the kitten in a little while - he usually goes out exploring during the day, and comes back at night, but he didn't come back last night. I was getting kind of excited about keeping him, but as long as he gets a good home, that's fine (maybe he found his way back to his old home).
Sharon told me about a person in Floyd who has a 1-year old female Jack Russell that is AKC registered - they are giving her away. Most people don't have the patience or tolerance for a Jack Russell's excitement. I, however, would like another one, though it would be a bigger commitment (two vet bills, two boarding costs when we travel, etc.) I don't know if Hokie would like a friend, or if his jealousy would take over. I think he would bond fine with a younger female dog. Don't worry though, we aren't going to go look at her.
It's been really cold here, and it has snowed twice in the past week - really odd to have snow before Thanksgiving. Tommorrow is MV Alumni Band Day at Tech, so I'm hoping the wind dies down and it warms up a little bit.
Hopefully I'll get the rest of the Christmas lights up this weekend, and we can light it up starting next Friday!
Sharon told me about a person in Floyd who has a 1-year old female Jack Russell that is AKC registered - they are giving her away. Most people don't have the patience or tolerance for a Jack Russell's excitement. I, however, would like another one, though it would be a bigger commitment (two vet bills, two boarding costs when we travel, etc.) I don't know if Hokie would like a friend, or if his jealousy would take over. I think he would bond fine with a younger female dog. Don't worry though, we aren't going to go look at her.
It's been really cold here, and it has snowed twice in the past week - really odd to have snow before Thanksgiving. Tommorrow is MV Alumni Band Day at Tech, so I'm hoping the wind dies down and it warms up a little bit.
Hopefully I'll get the rest of the Christmas lights up this weekend, and we can light it up starting next Friday!
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Holy cow.
I have the utmost respect for teachers. After having 20 or so 7th graders over for dinner last night (see my previous post), I was about ready to pop a cyanide pill. They never stop talking, including over top of each other, and they have one volume!
"Nigel Tufnel: The numbers all go to eleven. Look, right across the board, eleven, eleven, eleven and...
We got our first snowfall of the year last night, and ended up with about 1 inch, though it was still snowing when I left. People were sliding all over untouched roads this morning, which I find ironic since a news article was published yesterday lauding VDOT for all of the preparation they are doing for this winter season. Did I see a single VDOT truck this morning? No. It took Sharon 50 minutes to get to school (it's a 15-20 minute drive), and only 10 or so cars were in the lot when she got there (and this was right at the start of school).
Looks like we may be adding one more animal to the barnyard. Last night, a steel-gray kitten showed up. Of course, all of the little kids played with it, so it didn't leave. He looks to be about 3-4 months old, and felt really skinny. Being that it was so cold, snowing, and he was so skinny, I gave him some food and set up a bed for him in the basement, with access outside if he wanted. He was still around this morning - I'm going to post flyers in the neighborhood and if nobody claims him, we will keep him. Don't know if he will become another indoor cat or if we will keep him to the basement and outside - we'll decide that later. I do think he had a previous home - while he has no collar, he's extremely tame and friendly. Here's a picture of him:
"Nigel Tufnel: The numbers all go to eleven. Look, right across the board, eleven, eleven, eleven and...
Marty DiBergi: Oh, I see. And most amps go up to ten?
Nigel Tufnel: Exactly.
Marty DiBergi: Does that mean it's louder? Is it any louder?
Nigel Tufnel: Well, it's one louder, isn't it? It's not ten. You see, most blokes, you know, will be playing at ten. You're on ten here, all the way up, all the way up, all the way up, you're on ten on your guitar. Where can you go from there? Where?
Marty DiBergi: I don't know.
Nigel Tufnel: Nowhere. Exactly. What we do is, if we need that extra push over the cliff, you know what we do?
Marty DiBergi: Put it up to eleven.
Nigel Tufnel: Eleven. Exactly. One louder.
Marty DiBergi: Why don't you just make ten louder and make ten be the top number and make that a little louder?
Nigel Tufnel: [pause] These go to eleven."
-'This is Spinal Tap'
We got our first snowfall of the year last night, and ended up with about 1 inch, though it was still snowing when I left. People were sliding all over untouched roads this morning, which I find ironic since a news article was published yesterday lauding VDOT for all of the preparation they are doing for this winter season. Did I see a single VDOT truck this morning? No. It took Sharon 50 minutes to get to school (it's a 15-20 minute drive), and only 10 or so cars were in the lot when she got there (and this was right at the start of school).
Looks like we may be adding one more animal to the barnyard. Last night, a steel-gray kitten showed up. Of course, all of the little kids played with it, so it didn't leave. He looks to be about 3-4 months old, and felt really skinny. Being that it was so cold, snowing, and he was so skinny, I gave him some food and set up a bed for him in the basement, with access outside if he wanted. He was still around this morning - I'm going to post flyers in the neighborhood and if nobody claims him, we will keep him. Don't know if he will become another indoor cat or if we will keep him to the basement and outside - we'll decide that later. I do think he had a previous home - while he has no collar, he's extremely tame and friendly. Here's a picture of him:
Cute, huh?
Monday, November 17, 2008
And the wild ride begins....
The holiday season wild ride, that is. I think that this was probably our last weekend "off" through the end of the year. Let's see.....we have MV alumni band this weekend, Thanksgiving, Pigeon Forge, H.S. all-district auditions, Christmas at my parent's, Christmas back here, and then New Year's. Phew!
With that said, I was out starting to put up Christmas lights this weekend. It takes me a full day or two to get the outside lights up, and since we have not much weekend time (and because it is dark when I get home), I decided to start early. Don't worry - I won't start lighting them until after Thanksgiving. I got all of the icicle lights up on the eaves, but I need to buy some replacement bulbs as I have 3 sections not working. I still have the bushes, candy canes, ski lift, spots, and reindeer to finish. I don't think I'm going to add this year; I spent waaaay too much last year, and it's better to buy lights after Christmas when they are on clearance. It was funny to see all the cars slowing down to wonder what this moron was doing putting up lights already ;) Sharon said that I should get a big lit turkey that I could put up on the roof - that way, they could be "Thanksgiving lights" until after Thanksgiving.....haha.
We saw the new James Bond movie Friday - I thought it was very good, though it takes about 30-40 minutes of non-stop action scenes to get into the plot. A lot of people have not liked it, but we did enjoy it.
Sharon's 7th graders are coming over for dinner tonight - each year, the top fundraiser earners get to come over for dinner. Tonight, it's Italian night. It will be interesting to see how we will fit 20 7th graders into our little house for a sit-down dinner. The pets are going to freak.
With that said, I was out starting to put up Christmas lights this weekend. It takes me a full day or two to get the outside lights up, and since we have not much weekend time (and because it is dark when I get home), I decided to start early. Don't worry - I won't start lighting them until after Thanksgiving. I got all of the icicle lights up on the eaves, but I need to buy some replacement bulbs as I have 3 sections not working. I still have the bushes, candy canes, ski lift, spots, and reindeer to finish. I don't think I'm going to add this year; I spent waaaay too much last year, and it's better to buy lights after Christmas when they are on clearance. It was funny to see all the cars slowing down to wonder what this moron was doing putting up lights already ;) Sharon said that I should get a big lit turkey that I could put up on the roof - that way, they could be "Thanksgiving lights" until after Thanksgiving.....haha.
We saw the new James Bond movie Friday - I thought it was very good, though it takes about 30-40 minutes of non-stop action scenes to get into the plot. A lot of people have not liked it, but we did enjoy it.
Sharon's 7th graders are coming over for dinner tonight - each year, the top fundraiser earners get to come over for dinner. Tonight, it's Italian night. It will be interesting to see how we will fit 20 7th graders into our little house for a sit-down dinner. The pets are going to freak.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
JUST SAY NO (to political signs still up a week after election day)
Hopefully I can get a bit better about posting more frequently......
John picked up a little stomach bug, so we kept him home Friday and yesterday. Dad stayed with him Friday - John seemed to enjoy that. We were planning on taking him to the sitter's yesterday, but he threw up Sunday and yesterday morning, so I stayed home with him. He was a poor little soul - very mopey and tired. Sharon did come home a bit early, which allowed me to get out and work on the goat house a little bit. I was trying to get a few things done before bad weather: reinforce the roof structure (done), finish shingling (not done), painting (not done), and building a hay feeder on the front (mostly done).
It's a busy week at work (especially since I missed a day). I have a 3-hour presentation to attend tomorrow at Gander Mountain, and meetings / site visits all day Thursday and Friday. Today, I have to prepare our monthly submittal to the Greenbrier. I'm also working on some smaller projects right now: a basement "finish-out" in Roanoke county (we're designing a recording studio in that one), and a music studio / office building addition to the "What About Bob" house on Smith Mountain Lake. Pretty cool, huh?
Finally, I have one rant. I think it's great that people are excited about elections and fully believe you should show support, but THE ELECTION IS OVER. That means that the signs can come OUT OF YOUR YARD. I fully believe that there should be some local ordinance to remove political signs so many days after the election. To me, the people who still post signs of the winner are gloating, and those whos still post signs of the loser are sore. I play no favorites either way - they need to go. Especially when they start blowing away and litter other people's yards, the streets, etc. Play the good environmentalist and take them to be recycled. Thank you, and good day.
John picked up a little stomach bug, so we kept him home Friday and yesterday. Dad stayed with him Friday - John seemed to enjoy that. We were planning on taking him to the sitter's yesterday, but he threw up Sunday and yesterday morning, so I stayed home with him. He was a poor little soul - very mopey and tired. Sharon did come home a bit early, which allowed me to get out and work on the goat house a little bit. I was trying to get a few things done before bad weather: reinforce the roof structure (done), finish shingling (not done), painting (not done), and building a hay feeder on the front (mostly done).
It's a busy week at work (especially since I missed a day). I have a 3-hour presentation to attend tomorrow at Gander Mountain, and meetings / site visits all day Thursday and Friday. Today, I have to prepare our monthly submittal to the Greenbrier. I'm also working on some smaller projects right now: a basement "finish-out" in Roanoke county (we're designing a recording studio in that one), and a music studio / office building addition to the "What About Bob" house on Smith Mountain Lake. Pretty cool, huh?
Finally, I have one rant. I think it's great that people are excited about elections and fully believe you should show support, but THE ELECTION IS OVER. That means that the signs can come OUT OF YOUR YARD. I fully believe that there should be some local ordinance to remove political signs so many days after the election. To me, the people who still post signs of the winner are gloating, and those whos still post signs of the loser are sore. I play no favorites either way - they need to go. Especially when they start blowing away and litter other people's yards, the streets, etc. Play the good environmentalist and take them to be recycled. Thank you, and good day.
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