LIFE INSURANCE

Hey y'all!

I know it has been a while, but a spark hit my rapidly aging, balding head, and I thought I'd just throw this out there.

I was thinking about all the tearing down of statues, and stuff, and about how morons even want to remove statues of George Washington.

It reminded me of my Great Uncle C.H. Kendall.

Uncle C.H. was an interesting cat.  He was the "black sheep" of his family.  They were all proper folks in the Chicago, IL area, and had started this Insurance Company called "Washington National Insurance."

Uncle C.H. (actually he was my Mothers' Uncle, so I guess he was my Great Uncle or something) was a veteran of WWI, and WWII.  He got banned to the hot environs of Louisiana to run the local office in Shreveport, LA because he was such a pain to the family.  He had been married 6 times, and was a constant problem to the Kendall family.

While on his assignment he met my beloved Great Aunt Peggy Newland from Mooringsport, LA.  She was working in his office in Shreveport in the late 1930s, and she fell for him.  I guess he fell for her, too.

She became his 7th...and LAST wife in 1938. 

The Kendall family never cared for any of C.H.'s wives, but when he took Aunt Peggy back to Chicago/Evansville that was all over.  As I remember, C.H. told us that his Dad, and Uncle just loved Peggy, and he was back in good graces.

Eventually he was moved back to civilization, and took Aunt Peggy with him.  She never really did fit in with "High Society," but did her best to enjoy the good money that C.H. was now making, and did make a lot of good friends with the same down to earth values that she was raised with.

C.H. became the Chairman of the Board of Washington National, and when he died in I think 1968, he left Aunt Peggy in good shape financially.  C.H. had actually set up a trust fund for my beloved Great Granny Laura, Peggy's Mom that provided for her well too, until she passed away at the age of 104 in 1994.

Aunt Peggy moved back to Mooringsport, LA about a year after C.H.'s death, leaving a mansion behind to come back to the old raggedy house on Caddo Lake to take care of her Mom, and even some of her siblings later on.  Of course she made the old home place VERY NICE, but never flaunted her money...just gave to a lot of charities, churches, and individuals without making a big deal about it.  She was good folks.  And she was an EXTREMELY GENEROUS LADY.

So, how does that have anything to do with taking down statues of George Washington?  Well, I remember Uncle C.H. telling me once on one of their visits down South that his Father, and Uncle named that company after their hero, George Washington.  He also told me about how rough it was for them starting the Company, and how hard they had to work.  It seems I remember him telling me that when the first claim was filed they didn't have the money to pay it.  So, the brothers agreed that they had to get out there, and sell enough policies to collect enough deposits on them to pay that claim.

They did.  And the rest is history.  Uncle C.H. said it started to snowball, and that things just got better and better.

Indeed it did.  The Kendall family was able to establish The Kendall College of Business at Northwestern University, and contribute millions of dollars to worthy causes.  I'm honestly not sure if the Kendall College is still at Northwestern University any longer...I didn't Gooble it.

Trust me, I'm not recommending any Insurance Company.  I'm just thinking back about what a rich history I've been exposed to in my life, and what a blessing it is.

I found this video:

Aunt Peggy died at the age of 99 in late 2018 just a few months before my parents did.  She was fine, until she broke an ankle at her Elderly Residential Facility in Boston, near her daughters' home, and then deteriorated quickly because she couldn't move around anymore.

We had a memorial service for her at the old place in Mooringsport, LA with all of the family, and a few close friends, lead by her daughter, and son (both adopted children that loved her very much).  Some of y'all that have been around Andy's Place a long time may remember the Commentor "Walt."  Walt was her son.  Walt passed away unexpectedly about a year ago at the age of 70.  He had just retired from teaching as a College Professor in Dallas.  He was SO looking forward to retirement, and was teaching his last Semester.

Ya' never know, huh?

Regardless, these are the kind of people that built America.  They believed in "hard work and dedication."   They were Patriots that went off to wars to preserve, and build a new way of life the world had never seen.

I just hope the Company doesn't change its' name, but who knows?  In these crazy times I wouldn't be surprised at anything.

Ya' know, sometimes you just write a post that you know nobody else will care anything about.  You just write it for yourself.  Sometimes you write, just because you want to write something that is not a reply to an email, or putting in a Purchase Order with your Supplier, or just because you need to write.  Rusty as it is, this one is really just for me.

Thank y'all for reading.

WE ROCK!!!

WE ROCK!

I MEAN, WE REALLY DO ROCK!

I just love me some Slippery Rock.

This Rivers kid is really, really good.  Trust me, I know.

I have said in the past that one day I will tell y'all why, but it all has to do with my beloved Granddaddy.

Trust me, I will.

Eventually.

Love,  

Andy

I JUST KNEW IT!

THE ROCK IS 4-0

I JUST KNEW IT!  We are looking at the next imaginary national Champeen, behind Boise State, who always bitches and moans because they cant' get no respect.

I am VERY proud behind the Rock!

That is all.

Thank y'all for reading.

Love,

Andy

SMQ WEEK 2 2019

Hey y'all!

I know it's not Sunday Morning (I'm a bit under the weather, and slept in), but here be my thoughts after watching real sports all day Sattidy.

1)  I am quite sure that Bo is face down in his grave right now.  

Okay, we all know that The US Military Academy has a way of messing up everybody (ooops I don't mean that in a bad way.  I love me some Soldiers) that is ranked high in preseason guesses.  But c'mon!  When you know exactly what your opponents game plan will be, you need to prepare for it, and shut it down.

The Whooferines were not able to do that...even though anybody that understands football with an IQ over 30 knew exactly what  Army was going to do.  And they did it.  And Michigan was their victim.

I'm sorry...I have read a bunch of stuff today trying to 'splain why Michigan sucked so much, and that they are really really good...yada yada...

I don't buy any of it.  When you invite any mid-level team (even our beloved Soldiers) to your "BIG" house to play a game, and you're supposed to be one of the elite teams in 'Murica, it is your obligation to crush them, not luck out in OT.

Michigan needs a new drawing board...and somebody else to draw on it.

I don't think Bo is available.

2)  The fAGGIES ain't all that bad.

It truly pains me to say it, but they are not.  They did NOT embarrass themselves against the BEAST that Clemson is.  A 14 point loss AT Memorial is nothing to be ashamed of.

3)  Ole Miss is not as bad as Arkansas

That's all.

4)  Arkansas is really bad

5)  the Ohio State...keep a sharp eye on them.  

I have never been a fan, but they did EXACTLY what you are supposed to do.  When you invite a mid-level team to your "BIG" horseshoe, you are supposed to humiliate them.  You are supposed to prepare for how they might be able to humiliate you, and shut that down.

They did.

6)  Clemson is a BEAST.

My good buddy Gary (last name will not be revealed, so as to protect his life here in NWLA) is a Clemson grad, and huge fan.  He flies to almost EVERY Clemson game no matter where it is.  He was in Memorial yesterday when the Tigers beat the fAGGIES.  He told me "Wuh', we coulda'dun' awot bettuh'."

Honestly, I don't see how.  These. Guys. Are. Guud!

7)  My beloved LSU Tigers...I don't think I've ever been prouder.

Seriously, I don't.  Not even when we beat St. Nick 9-6 in 2011 (Still a classic for the ages).  Texas is a quality squad, and I knew they would bring some O.  They did.  Aranda will have to pick that apart, and retrain some stuff, but he is a genius when it comes to such things.

It was just lovely to see us get a quality win, against a quality team in Darryl K Royal Memorial.


8)  OU crushed South Dakota.  Yawn...


9)  'Bama is yet to be tested, but I am predicting two losses in regular season play.  


Yep, 2 (two).


10)  Boise State averted disaster, and will still probably be the the next IMAGINARY NATIONAL CHAMPION.  

The Thundering Herd gave them all they could handle on the blue turf, but they figgered a way...

FAQ (FRIDAY AFTERNOON QUARTERBACK)

Hey y'all, don't be getting your hopes up that this will be a regular thing...but a MAN keeps his promises, and I promised I would keep a sharp eye on Slippery Rock, because I had high hopes.  We played last night...on my 60th birthday...and I could not be more pleased with the results.

The Rock Raiders did not let us down.  The Rock crushed Wayne State 62-37...and there were over 3,700 fans in the stands to watch the murder of Wayne State (WARRIORS...nyuk...I'm surprised the NCAA hasn't make them change their name to something like Eagles...oh wait, that is an endangered species, so it will never happen...but WARRIORS  are connected to Injuns, so...where does poor Wayne State go from here?  I am quite sure when the NCAA forces them to change their name, they will probably hold a campus-wide vote, and come up with something really wussy like...well, I don't know...maybe Crimson Tide? ").

Serves 'em right too, for daring to put Slippery Rock on the schedule!

My beloved Rock was just completely awesome!

My new favorite small college team...it's a LONG story that I may share one day that has to do with my beloved Granddaddy who passed in 1981, has kicked butt!  

Just a little trash-talkin'...Eat our dust Shippensburg!  We got y'all on Sattidy' night, and you will rue the day that you scheduled us!  Trust me, you will.  And y'all must know that I was the first one to tell y'all.  Maybe the only one, but...well...you know...but it's gonna be bad.

Really bad.

SUNDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK (SMQ) back by popular demand

Thank the good Lord up above, College Football has finally returned!  It is a great relief to me in the intense heat to have something to actually look at on the TeeVee in the AC.

I know y'all share my joy...

I have been coaxed in to trying another shot at SMQ.  So, when I write "by popular demand," it really just means that the one guy that liked it suggested it (he might not have really liked it, but is just a guy that likes to encourage anybody, no matter how bad they are at sumpin').

Let's get on with it...

My takeaways from Week 1 of collij football...

1)  Unfortunately, Florida Atlantic University will not retain their National Championship. 

Lane Kiffins' Owls lost right out of the box to the meager Buckfries.  HA! 

How wuss....  I mean...they must have all had the flu or something, because as the reigning National Champions I personally thought they would come out and kick Buckfries! 

I thought at the end of last season when FAU claimed the National Championship that all those sun-drenched lizards must be just as crazy as Lane Kiffin.  But, after pondering it for a long, long time, I finally realized, and said to myself, "Andy, you're right."

I will give them that they did score 21 purnts agin' that worthless program in Columbus.  But as our good Buddy Two Dogs said, we won't really know how bad they are until they quit scheduling the Big 10 as warm-ups, and actually try the SEC.  I mean, if they had any guts they would schedule Vandy, or Arkansas...or maybe even Ole' Miss.

2)  Ole Miss sucks. 

Don't get me wrong...The Rebels faced a very tough Memphis squad (that Taylor Kid from Memphis is spooky good) from the American Conference, in the hostile environment of a football stadium.  But, I think Matt Luke forgot to show the Smiley Bears their standard pregame slide-show entitled "WHAT IS AN END ZONE?" in the locker room before heading out to the hostile environment of a football stadium.

3)  'Bama is not all that great.  

Sure they killed Duke, but I saw a zillion flaws.  Nick is losing his edge.  Just sayin'.  Sure, the commentators were all like, "well just wait until so-and-so gets in there, and it'll all change, yada yada."  But there is just something not cohesive that is the trademark of a Saban team.

The Tide can be beat.  Maybe twice this season.  (Remember I told y'all that first).

 

4) Boise State might be the next Imaginary National Champion.

The Broncos might actually run the table after defeating Flarda' State.  Looking at their schedule, I don't think any opponent can take them down.   Unless they all have influenza like Lanes' boys from FAU did against standing trees, they will run the table.

They have my wishes, and prayers to end up undefeated, and we will have to hear them bitch once again like we did a decade ago again about how "we can't get no respect...we can't get to the big dance...we could kill Clemson if we just had a chance, etc."

Schedule 'em.  And find out..

5) My beloved LSU Tigers might actually have a shot. 

Seriously.  We started the season ranked #6 in many preseason guesses.  As a life-long fan I have learned to distrust any poll that ranks LSU Under #20.  However...even though it was only Georgia Southern (those boys tried hard), I saw something I've never seen in LSU football, even when King Nick ran the show and was a National Champeen.

It is a complex offense.  Our D has always rocked, and has been almost impossible for everybody except for Nick to figure out.

I just hope that Corch O didn't play all his cards against Georgia Southern, so everybody will now know.

I have a feeling he didn't.

6) Slippery Rock still plays football.  

I have high hopes for The Rock this season.  I will be following with a sharp eye.  

Don't bother to thank me.

 

 

 

"WOW, WE SURE DID GET TO BE ORPHANS QUICK!"

That is what I said to my Big Sis about 6 pm on Saturday, December 15, 2018.

Our beloved Daddy, Don Reeves had just passed away a few minutes before.

Daddy was a wonderful man.  He was so kind, and sweet, and extremely generous.  He would help anyone with anything.  It seems that he made his life goal to focus on "others," and not himself.  Maybe he was just born that way.  It seems so looking back on things.  I can't remember a time when I EVER saw, or heard Daddy do, or say anything that was just for himself.

He was a GIVER.

To rewind...Mom and Dad had been married almost 64 years when Mom passed away on November 9, 2018.  He was her full-time caretaker.  He did EVERYTHING for her.  Moms' health had declined over the last several years, and at 81, she was an "old" 81.  She had not been able to walk more than a few feet for a long time.  He would drag her out of the chair to get her on the potty chair, and then clean her up before getting her back in her chair.

It would take Daddy about an hour to get her in the shower, get her nice and clean, dry, and dressed.

He was madly in love with her.

About two years ago she was in the Hospital, and she was ready to die.  She looked me in the eyes and said, "Andy, I want to die, but your Daddy just won't let me!"  And, she was right.  He was determined that he was going to make her get better...get back up and walk...get back up and get in to life again.

Without rambling on and on with stories, I will tell y'all that he failed.  Mom was just not gonna get better.  Her heart was weak, and it finally gave out, even after Pacemaker surgery, and Home Health, and Physical Therapy.  She was ready to go, and I was happy for her.  In the last few days before she died, Mom was describing the things that she was seeing...Indian Tribes with lots of women, and children around a fire...she told me I had a Black Bird on my nose.  I asked if it could be a mosquito.  She said, "No!  It's a Black Bird...swat it away!"

I did, and she was happy.

The night that Mom died a lot went on, but the thing that I will always remember is that when we were all getting ready to leave the Hospital, Daddy said he needed to go back in the room to make sure that he hadn't left anything in there.  My Big Sis and I acted like we weren't watching, but we did.  Daddy halfway looked around the room for stuff, and then he walked over to Mom, gave her a last kiss, and said something.  I'm not sure what he said.  I didn't ask.

My Daddy was the strongest 83 year old man I've ever seen.  He was a HOSS!   He could pick heavy stuff up, get around, take care of their massive house and property, cook, clean, get Mom in and out of their car for Doctor appointments, and back home and make her comfortable.

A week or so after her death, a Memorial Service was held for Mom.  Daddy didn't really want a Preacher to do it.  He wanted us 4 kids to speak.  I don't think any of us really wanted to, but because Daddy wanted us to we did.  And, it was an amazing time.  Daddy was right, as it was good for us all.  Too many stories from the day, but Daddy was on his feet for over an hour receiving guests, visiting with those coming to console, and then seemingly just fine for a few hours afterward at the Family Dinner at Big Sis' house.

About a week later he couldn't stand up on his own, and 10 days later he was in the Hospital.  Every possible scan, and test was done.  The Neurosurgeon couldn't figure it out.  The Radiologist couldn't figure it out.  He was just in tremendous pain, and immobile.

But still so sweet, and thanking everyone for everything they were doing for him.

Finally we got the word.  Daddy had extremely advanced Multiple Myeloma.  The very fine Doctor, Dr. Royal Becker (who I will always be grateful to for his love, and care for Dad, and us) notified us that Daddy had probably had this for several years, and it was so advanced that there was no way to treat it.  When I heard bone marrow cancer, I was ready to let Daddy go.  Pam's Dad died with the same thing, and we watched the hell that it is on the body...and all those trying to care for them.

The thing that amazed EVERYONE is that Daddy had been able to function so long at the level that he did, taking care of Mom.  Dr. Becker, nurses, and really everyone with any knowledge of this disease just could not believe that he had been able to push through the pain to keep going.

Daddy was a HOSS.

The morning of the day that Daddy died my older brother Chip, and I were in his Hospital room.  Every once in a while, Daddy would lift his left hand, and point right straight up to the ceiling.  Then a couple of minutes later he would raise both hands up toward Heaven.  Then the cycle would repeat.

Later on in the day, our little brother David (who had driven in from Columbus, OH in his big-rig in about 12 hours) was in the room with Daddy.  Daddy was lifting his right hand, and thumbing his fingers.  David asked him what he was doing.  Daddy said, "I'm trying to see if these flowers are real."  David told him they were, and Daddy smiled.

It was a terribly rainy, gloomy day, and had been for days.  Dr. Royal Becker was in the room with Big Sis Neale, holding her hand as Dad slipped away to Heaven.  The clouds opened up, and a bright beam of sunlight lit up the room.

Daddy was gone.

About two days before Daddy died I could tell he was fading fast, and it didn't seem like a time that you should leave anything not said.  I would always tell him that I love him, and have probably done that a thousand times.  But, before I left the room, I said, "Daddy, I need you to know something.  I need you to know that you are my hero."

He smiled big, and said, "You're mine, too."

That was SO Daddy!  Always about the other person...

Before we left the Hospital after I said to Big Sis that "we sure did get to be orphans quick," I went back in to the room and kissed him one last time.

I don't know what Daddy said to Mom when he last kissed her, but I know what I said to him.

Thank y'all for reading.

This one don't count!

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Hey y'all! I know I said that I only had ONE post left before retiring with 3,000 strikeouts. This is indeed post #3,000, but it don't count! 

It ain't a strikeout...

NO SHOES, NO SHIRT!

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This is post #2999, and counting up to 3,000 strikeouts before we call it a career, btw.  I'm saving the 3000th strikeout for something REALLY SPECIAL...probably gonna be a good long while.  I thought about posting a list of what's on my iPhone Music that I listen at regularly.  It's kinda' interesting...Judy Collins, Dean Martin, Peter Frampton, Frank Sinatra, Gretchen Wilson, The Eagles, Willie Nelson, B.B. King, George Strait, Al Greene, Brad Paisley, The Ronettes, my cousin Martha Reeves, Jim Croce, Sam Cooke, Kansas, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Lionel Richie, Dire Straits, Santana, Faron Young (yeah...really...Faron Young), Buddy Holly, Boston,  The Doobies, Sir Elton the Queer, Queen, Sir Paul McCartney, etc., etc., etc.  

(Even got a track of John Belushi singing "You Belong To Me.")

Really. 


This is the second day (hand-runnin') that yours truly has been shoeless, shirtless, and FINALLY feeling like it might finally get Summertime.

I decided NOT to take pitchers of myself, and post them.  

Don't bother to thank me.

I swear, I'm so dang pasty white (temporarily) that I doubted my Cherokee heritage...just pasty white on the legs and torso...I'm already Injun-lookin' on the forearms, face, and neck.
 
Just sayin'...

Thanks be to the Good Lord Who giveth all things good!  I just KNEW that He would make cold weather go away eventually!

I don't know if I've EVER mentioned it before, but cold weather sucks.

Maybe I have.

Not sure.

Regardless, Imma mowing grass again, and lovin' it!  

I hate cold weather.

Just gonna post one of my favorite iPhone songs which I have snagged for FREE at www.listentoyoutube.com.  If you want to snag audio off of YouTube, that is the site to visit.

I hate to even imagine about paying money again for old music that I've probably already bought LPs (or 45s, cassettes, etc.) in the way back.  So...now I've got it all digital for free! 

I'm shameless.

 

Guud Nuuz!!!

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Eldest son, Dean, is boots on the ground in Omaha, Nebraska tonight.

This is post #2998, and counting up to 3,000 strikeouts before we call it a career, btw.

He called his Mama.  He was trying to get his car started.  He parked it in a rented garage when he left for Afghanistan a while back, but it won't crank.  It's probably just as well.  An Airman just back in the US after deployment probably just needs to walk, or take a cab for at least the first day or two (if you know what I mean).

And, I think you do.

Thanks to all y'all for your prayers, and concern.

I appreciate it more than you can know.

One back.

One to go.

Just a little news from my war boys...

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Hey y'all!  Hugs, kisses, yada yada yada...

This is post #2997, and counting up to 3,000 strikeouts before we call it a career, btw.

Got some news from the boys in Afghanistan.


My Soldier, #3 son, is doing well.  His Reserve Unit (704th Engineer Co.) has been in country for almost a month now, and their deployment is going well.  We're able to communicate with him every few days either on Satellite Phone, Facebook, or Skype.

This is a photo that someone posted on the Unit's Facebook Support page.  This was before their departure from Ft. Bliss.  That's Phil on the right (front), sporting his standard "dookie-eatin' grin."  I know he's thinking that he wished he was carrying the big gun.  (He's always suffered from weapon envy).


His Unit has enough missions behind them now (Route Clearance) to know where they are.  And, the consensus is that they're well prepared for the job.

Man, they grow up fast, don't they??? 

Fortunately, he hasn't had any Medic work to do on his troops.  He has treated several Afghan citizens (vehicle accidents, etc.), but to this point, his troops have all been fine.  Thank God.

----------------------------------

In other news, my Airman (eldest son) will be wrapping up his current deployment in about a month.  He's attached to the 361st Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron.  This will probably be his last deployment.  

He wanted to change jobs, due to changing needs in the USAF.  He likes his linguist/cryptology gig, but the times they are a'changin'.  He applied for the new USAF Cyber Command, and was accepted!  Great news!  He'll be stationed permanently (hopefully) at Lackland (fingers crossed).  He'll be much closer, so we can visit him, and make his life miserable again!

Well, that's about it.  I just wanted to give a little update, and to thank you all once again for your love, support, and prayers for my warriors.  

It means a lot.

Logitech HD Webcam C525 (Product Review)

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Well, since we are working real hard to make it to 3,000 strikeouts on this glob before we retire, I figured I'd go ahead on and post #2996.

I didn't really intend to post this, as it was just an experiment I did.  But, it passed THE RETARD TEST, and seemed lame enough to be figured in the mix.

It's a V-log.

Sorry.

"Things get complicated when you get past 18." (For no particular reason)

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Okay...I am 20 years separated from The Class of '57, due to being born too late (Mama always said that I should have been born 20 years earlier, and that I was "born 30 years old").  Heh!  Now everything makes sense...I've entered my second childhood!

But, that makes truth no less true.

This has always been one of my favorite Statler Bros. songs.

For no particular reason.

It could apply to the Class of '67, '77, '87, '97, ought '07, and probably will to the Class of 2017.

For no particular reason...

(BTW...Bitchin' leisure suits, too!)

Let's see if we can make it to 3,000 strikeouts...

...by using old work.

Maybe we can actually hit 3,000, (if we dig deep enough in to the archives).

A Facebook post by a friend sparked a memory of an old post I did.

I thought it was worth posting again.

Willie.

I almost forgot to wish myself a happy blogiverssary!

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I'm iz five years old today on The Globber.

And, I almost forgot that I was turning five today.

It all started with this.  (Interestingly, the links, and video are still active...surprised the heck out of me)!

Gotta admit that I've walked away from her about a dozen times, but she always beckons me back.

The Globber is an evil mistress.

Truth is, I'm pretty dang wo' out with her, though.

The Failbook is a lot more fun (when I have time to screw around with her).

Many thanks to you all for putting up with my foolishness lo these many years.

This is post #2992.

I thought about going for the 3,000 mark!  But, I'm not sure I've got it in me.

The bad thing about having a blogiverssary is that you get to looking back at old posts, and realize that your glob was once entertaining...insightful...sharp...heartening...memory-reviving...even occasionally, "funny."  (If only for yourself).

I guess five year old blogger men kinda' lose their edge.  Well, at least this one has.

The proof is in the archives, and archives don't lie.

Love y'all!  I mean it. 

New Year's Eve 2012

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Ez Rainin' dogs, and cats, maaaahhhhhnnnnn....

Gonna look at LSU v. Clemson in The Chick-fil-A bowl in a while.

(I thought the gay folks had boycotted Chick-fil-A...I guess Clemson got some special dispensation from their higher-ups to go ahead on and play the game).

Hope I can stay awake long enough to figure out who won.

Probably won't.

The final sko will be on the internet at 0400 HRS when Mr. GE ALARM CLOCK reminds me that there be bills to pay.

Happy New Year, y'all!

This'll have to DO.

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My great desire was to do y'all a V-log this evening, to wish all y'all a Merry Christmas.

I had it all planned out in my rapidly balding cranium.

It was gonna be a classic.

Trust me.

But, my staff was all "on call."  Being the generous employer that I am, I had told them to just stand by in case I had need of their services.

So, the mood to do y'all one of my famous V-logs struck me.  I heated up my iPhone, and began calling in Makeup, Wardrobe, Audio, Digital Manipulation, Key Grip, and Best Boy.

Voicemail is what I got.

From ALL of them.  Here we are several hours later, and not ONE of the ingrates has showed up!!!

Let this be a lesson at you...NEVER, EVER, NEVER, distribute Christmas bonus  8 Pound Frozen Brookshire's Turkey Coupons to your staff too early.

Crud...

So...this'll have to do.

I wish for all of you the merriest, and happiest of Christmases.  I really do.  May the peace of Christ envelop you, and yours.  May you see the light in a young child's eyes, and hear the ever raising pitch in their voice, and hearken back to when you were just as mystified, and excited at the prospects of the coming day. 

May you suffer a WHOLE night, hoping against hope that you can fall asleep, and not jinx the whole deal for your siblings, and yourself...

It was good to be a kid.

(long pause for dramatic effect)

Merry Christmas, y'all.  I love you all.  

I mean it. 

(I was gonna use the audio from this as background music for my V-log, but since my staff abandoned me...and of all times, on Christmas Eve...just use your imagination at how bitchin' it would have been).

So cute, you really hate to eat 'em...

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Hey y'all!  Hugs, kisses, yada yada yada...

I thought I would pass along an idea for your holiday entertaining.  I know Christmas is tomorrow, and there is no way in the bad place that I'd get out to the grocery store tonight to rake up provisions for tomorrow, but...

New Year's Celebrations are on the horizon (unless the Mayans missed it by a couple of days), and you might want to give this a try.

Or not.

A friend of mine at work blessed me and my fambly with the Christmas gift of a cheese & cracker tray.  

The cheese is good.

But, here's the wrinkle...

The cheese is surrounded by mice (kinda' like they're standing guard, or something).

Now, is that cute, or what?

The mice are made by dipping maraschino cherries in melted Chocolate Bark, then applying a Hershey's Kiss as a face, and then shoving slivered almonds down between the body and face for ears.

Brilliant.

I guess the eyes are just little dots of red icing.

I'm thinkin' you could do this with Almond Bark, white chocolate Hershey's kisses, and black icing for eyes (Do they sell black icing?), if you wanted you some white lab mice to garnish your cheese tray.

They're almost so cute, you really hate to eat 'em.   And, trust me, I do really hate to eat them.

I mean, to eat them ALL.  We've still got about four that we're saving for tomorrow.

Be safe in celebrating!

.

In the inbox from a friend...

"With the holidays upon us, I would like to share a personal experience with my family and friends about drinking and driving.

As you may know, some of us have been known to have brushes with the authorities from time to time on the way home after a "social session" out with friends.

Well three days ago I was out for an evening with friends and had several cocktails followed by some rather nice red wine.  Feeling jolly, I still had the sense to know that I may be slightly over the limit.

That's when I did something that I've never done before - I took a cab home.  Sure enough on the way home there was a police road block but since it was a cab they waved it past.

I arrived home safely without incident.

This was a real surprise as I had never driven a cab before.  I don't know where I got it, and now that it's in my garage I don't know what to do with it................any suggestions?"