2008 Year in Review

The past year has certainly been a world wind for me and my family. We started the year off with a trip to New York for the new year. The kids were with us on this trip. My Honey and I then went to Vegas to gamble in the middle of January. I was very lucky to go to Biloxi, Mississippi with my Step-Mother, Aunt, two cousins and a few other friends. We did this in February and August. March brought a lovely cruise to Panama, Costa Rica and Belize with good friends of ours. Of course who can forget our trip in April to Nashville for the scrapbook Event. The Diva's were on a 4 day road trip with all the scrap book stores in between. In May we celebrated all of our birthdays in northern Fla. We also attended the Bath and Kitchen show in Chicago. MY Mom and I helped move my son into a Condo in Savannah. What started out as an over night trip lasted 3 nights and 5 days. June saw my Honey and I off to Key West for a week. We were also back in Savannah celebrating our 22 year old son's birthday. July we were back in Vegas trying to win back the money we lost in January. In August we embarked on a 12 day trip to the Baltic. We departed on Aug. 26th and returned the middle of September. We visited UK, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Russia, Finland and Holland. Boy, what a trip. We had a wonderful time. On our way home we stopped in New York City again for a trip with SunTrust bank. Boy was I ready to get home. For October we visited our daughter in Arizona for 10 days. The diva's and I also attend CPR in Connecticut. My Honey and I spent Thanksgiving in Boca Raton enjoying the beautiful warm weather. It was so nice to ride around in a convertible and wear summer clothes. I could get used to that life. Can you believe that in December we were at home. Thank Goodness! We have truly had a wonderful year with fun every where. Please join us with a short slide show of a Year in Review. Click on the photo above. Some photos are good and some are awful. Some are at home and some are from far away. I only picked a few which was hard to do. Hope you enjoy!

Why Men Should Not Shop At Wal-Mart

Subject: Men at WalMart

This is why women should not take men shopping against their will. After I retired, my wife insisted that I accompany her on her trips to Wal-Mart. Unfortunately, like most men, I found shopping boring and preferred to get in and get out. Equally unfortunately, my wife is like most women - she loved to browse. Yesterday my dear wife received the following letter from the local Wal-Mart: Dear Mrs. Evans, Over the past six months, your husband has been causing quite a commotion in our store. We cannot tolerate this behavior and have been forced to ban both of you from the store.

Our complaints against Mr. Evans are listed below and are documented by our video surveillance cameras.

1. June 15: Took 24 boxes of condoms and randomly put them in people's carts when they weren't looking.

2 . July 2: Set all the alarm clocks in Housewares to go off at 5-minute intervals.

3. July 7: Made a trail of tomato juice on the floor leading to the women's restroom.

4. July 19: Walked up to an employee and told her in an official voice, 'Code 3 in Housewares. Get on it right away. '

5. August 4: Went to the Service Desk and tried to put a bag of M&M's on layaway.

6. August 14: Moved a 'CAUTION - WET FLOOR' sign to a carpeted area.

7. August 15: Set up a tent in the camping department and told other shoppers he'd invite them in if they would bring pillows and blankets from the bedding department.

8. August 23: When a clerk asked if they could help him, he began crying and screamed, 'Why can't you people just leave me alone?'

9. September 4: Looked right into the security camera and used it as a mirror while he picked his nose.

10. September 10: While handling guns in the hunting department, he asked the clerk where the antidepressants were.

11. October 3: Darted around the store suspiciously while loudly humming th e 'Mission Impossible' theme.

12. October 6: In the auto department, he practiced his 'Madonna look' by using different sizes of funnels.

13. October 18: Hid in a clothing rack and when people browsed through, yelled 'PICK ME! PICK ME!'

14. October 21: When an announcement came over the loud speaker, he assumed a fetal position and screamed 'OH NO! IT'S THOSE VOICES AGAIN!'

And last, but not least .

15. October 23: Went into a fitting room, shut the door, waited a while, then yelled very loudly, 'Hey! There's no toilet paper in here!'

You just have to love it. When my honey does not want to do something, he can cause a scene. Enjoy!

Crab Legs and the Ladies

Long Branch restaurant, in Fayetteville, Ga is owned by a good friend of ours. Every Monday night, he features all you can eat Crab Legs. Both of our nieces love crab legs. Hence, when the girls are with us on Monday night Long Branch is where we dine. The first serving comes with 4-5 sections of 5 legs. And the feast begins. I was adised to be aware of the splash zone.

Each additional serving came with 2-3 sets of legs. The girls did not want to give up their plates. Those plates were their counters. They accumulated 18 plates of pride at our table. My dinner selection was steak, fries and salad. No crab legs for me.

They were so proud of their over flowing bucket. This one did have to be replaced with a new one. Our waitress was so thankful. I think she envisioned cleaning up legs off the floor.

Does this look like one happy little girl or what? Their was still more to come.

When eating all you can eat Crab legs, all manners are left outside.

This one is on a mission. At this point in the evening they wanted to see how much they could eat. We were there for so long that I was receiving free Heineken.

When we were leaving the restaurant this is what the sign read! The girls saw it and cracked up. Boy can those two little girls eat.

How to Saber a Champagne Bottle

Watching the Today show has brought me to the subject of Saber a bottle of champagne. This is the coolest technique. A few hints from the Today Show host was, champagne must be very cold, use a big knife and go with the seam in the bottle. Intrigue, watch the video below and let me know how it goes.

How to Saber a Champagne Bottle with Brice From Bubble Lounge
During the Napoleonic era, victories were often celebrated with a champagne saber. Learn how to remove the top of a champagne bottle using this impressive technique.
http://video.about.com/wine/Saber-a-Champagne-Bottle.htm

Mircle Times of Christmas

Ti's the night before Christmas, all my list are complete. The trees are shinning with colors so bright.

My, oh my, how did I do it? With each ticking moment the presents were wrapped.

Our family room tree wearing ornaments from near and far. They came from Georgia, and as far as Holland and Russia. From around the world they gathered for our holiday season.

Our stockings were unavailable but we made due. They were hung with eco-friendly, reusable bags for the whole year through.

While everyone slept with visions of fun, the guard pups guarded waiting for presents to come. They spotted their basket with toys, cookies and chewies. How can you sleep? When waiting for something new.

I love Christmas Eve night, when everyone is asleep. Everything is done and ready for the big day ahead. There is always a peace that settles over our household. Sometimes I enjoy a cup of hot chocolate and enjoy the lights. Is is always worth all the work when this time comes. I look forward to hearing the song, Mary Did You Know? What special moment do you enjoy at Christmas? Is there a time, place or maybe a song? Christmas is truly a time of miracles, big and small. What miracles do you wish for? Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season.

Day After!

My two fuzzy little cocker spaniels have the right idea about the day after Christmas. No big meals, no shopping malls, no wrapping paper, no last minute items to do. The day after Christmas should be declared "National Stay In Your PJ's Day". My little girls are so smart. They know what is best for me, if only I would listen. What did you do for your day after Christmas?

Give A Way

Drivin' 55 is having a give away. It is a beautiful Christmas box with stand up album inside. Go to her site to enter. Good Luck. http://drivin55.blogspot.com/

What Christmas is all About!

The reason for my not blogging lately is in the photo above. They are my two darling nieces who I simple adore. The dark hair beauty lives in California and I only get to see her twice a year. The fair hair angel lives in Newnan and I see her often. They are both 12 with birthday's one month and one day apart. It has been such a pleasure for me to watch them grow. This Christmas they are still little girls with one foot in the pages of a teenager. It is so much fun! My poor little Dixie was almost lost in the photo. Hang in there Dix, they are only here for two weeks.

This summer the subject of digital cameras came up. Two years ago I gave both girls cameras. They have taken great care of them and used them a lot. They happen to tell me that this Christmas they would love a new PINK camera. Of course, Aunt Chere remembered with baited breath. Pant! Pant! This one special gift they get to open before Christmas, to take pictures of course.

Skylar got hers open first. There was pure joy on her face. And of course a big scream "IT'S PINK"!

Makayla was seconds behind in the excitement to tear open her gift. They both hugged, rolled on the floor yelling "IT'S PINK". To me, this is what gift giving is all about. It makes my heart sing to see the joy and thrill of these two beauties.

The budding little photographers were armed and ready at a family gathering last night. Mac is really getting into looking at her pictures and seeing how it looks. She will delete it if the photo is not to her liking. Skylar is still in the mode of click, click, click. That is the great thing about the digital world. Step one: click away at anything standing or sitting still, Step Two: down load photos to computer, Step Three: look at the picture, Step Four: decide what pictures you want to print, Step Five: print photos, Step Six: delete.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!!!! THREE DAYS AND COUNTING!!!!!!!

A Christmas Wish

My wishes for you today is that your Christmas to do list is shrinking. I will finish wrapping present today. That is my goal. Of course we have to go see Fred's brother in law. John is in the hospital in serious condition. My darling wants to go this afternoon instead of tonight. I would have liked to go tonight but, you know how husbands are. Hope everyone has a wonderful day. Enjoy our 75 degree weather. Tell a stranger today "Merry Christmas and smile"!