Two weeks...

Just two more weeks until Needles and I are off on our next adventure. The next couple of weeks are gonna drag.

The Cow Has Landed.

Today Needles and I headed South to Haubstadt, IN. and to Dewig's Meats to pick up a half of cow she ordered. A friend of Needles was having some cows processed so she wanted to know if we were interested. We decided on a half and called to tell them on how we wanted the meat cut and we awaited the phone call when it would be done. Wednesday we got the call so today we made the trip to pick up our order. The Dewig's building is a very nice and clean. Just about anything and everything that pertains to meat is available. The smells inside the building is amazing. I think it has the hint of smoked bacon and spices. We loaded up our haul and made it home to pondered if we would have enough room in our freezer. We hand plenty of room and probably enough room for 2 to 3 good pork butts. We now have a full freezer and plenty of beef to last us at least a year or so. After we get back from our trip I will have to get busy smoking and enjoying some of our beef.

Anniversary Day Out.

Needles and I enjoyed a day out and about to celebrate our anniversary since it fell in the middle of the week. We slept late and got ready to leave the house just before noon. We drove down to Princeton to the recently opened Bay Harbor Seafood Restaurant. The interior is sparsity decorated but nice and clean. We were seated and quickly asked what we wanted to drink and if we wanted appetizers. I decided on the crab cakes and we both ordered ice tea. Shortly after the tea arrived we were enjoying the crab cakes with a side of tartar sauce. The cakes were pretty good but not as good as what I had on our trip to the North East. Needles ordered the Bourbon Glazed Salmon and I had the Stuffed Lobster. After a short wait they brought out or meals. The lobster was good and sweet with a little of the salty brininess of the ocean. Needles said her Salmon was good and after we were done walked over to the Showplace for a mid day movie. We decided on Underworld Awakening in 3D. The movie was good but not as good as some of its predecessors. After the show we did a quick run to Walmart for some needed grocery items and then on our way out of town stopped in to Sonic for Cherry Limeade for the road. We arrived home at sundown and now are relaxing a bit before Big Bang Theory comes on and we sip some evening coffee. It's been a good day. Sweetheart, let's do it again in another 15 years.

15 years

Fifteen years ago today Needles and I went on our first date. It seems like only yesterday and yet it seems like I have known her my whole life. We have been through so much. The good times and the not so good times but I wouldn't change a thing. I feel like the best is yet to come. Happy Anniversary Sweetheart.

Do Nothing.

This weekend is the first weekend that we haven't either had company or been company for several weeks. This morning I got to sleep late and when I got up I went straight to the couch. Needles made a nice breakfast and for supper I grilled New York strip steaks with sides of grilled asparagus and potato blend. Saturday is almost in the books and in a few more hours I will be back in bed. This is has been a great, do nothing, day. I have enjoyed it.

Happy New Years.

As you can see it is a new year and with a new year comes a new look to the blog. I finally dumped the old hard HTML code and slipped into the easy template type blog which is a lot easier to edit but less customization. OH Well to cap off 2011, I would have to describe it as an exciting adventure with highs and lows and I am glad it is behind me. Probably the high for the year would be our Alaskan vacation and the low would be the ongoing family drama with sprinklings of mediocrity in between. I am hoping that 2012 will be better. I hope that everyone had a happy and safe ringing in of the new year. 2012 I have faith in you, don't let me down.

PS. I have never been much on new years resolutions but I think I am going to try one this year. I won't make it public so in a way it's kind of an experiment. Maybe a year from now I will look back on this post and think Wow!...and hopefully not thinking "What a waste of time."

Christmas Part 2

Saturday we went down to the farm. We had sandwiches for supper in preparation for the feast the next day. Christmas morning came at 7:00am and was time the get the turkey in the oven. After the bird was in the hot box it was time for coffee and pecan pie squares. Around noon the uncles showed up and exchanged gifts. I ended up winning 7 bucks on scratch off lotto tickets and got some candy and few bucks to put in my wallet. We had our meal and to say I over ate is an understatement. Now I need to get back on my diet. Also I think Needles and I are going to get back on our regular exercise program. Our trip in March is getting closer day by day and I am glad to state the the Kilauea Volcano is spilling lava in the ocean again after a several month hiatus. I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas.

Christmas Part 1

Friday night my parents made the trip North from Kentucky. They arrived before I got home from work but Needles had everything in control and she even made an amazing tomato bisque soup with dill bread. I got home a close to 3:30pm and settled in.The plans were to go out for supper and the Trace Inn was the decided destination. When we arrived around 5:15pm there was a line at the door and the wait was over 30 minutes before we were seated. The food was very good and we all had a good time. After our supper we went to Rudy's house and visited until time to go home. The next morning we had breakfast and after all the preparations were ready for us to head out for Christmas Part 1. We all ate our fill of ham, green beans, broccoli cheese casserole and turtle and pecan pie. After the meal it was time to open the gifts. After the gifts were all opened and the malaise of over eating was pulled over us like a warm blanket. I had trouble staying awake for the movies we watched. When the movies were over, one of the local churches was putting on a live nativity scene. The road from town was lined with lights all the way out to the scene. We got back and watched Christmas with the Kranks and then Needles and I returned home. We had a great time and flet like everyone had time to visit with each other. I think the kids wanted a little alone time with the grandparents. Maybe next time. Hope everyone had a great Christmas part 1. Next weekend will be part 2.

You'll shoot your eye out!

Friday after work Needles and I made the trip South to visit with family. We made good time arriving in Owensboro just after dark. We were greeted warmly and invited in to sip coffee, catch up with each other and enjoy the Christmas cheer. For supper we had Cynical goulash with corn muffins. Mmmmm, tasty. A quick Starbucks run and we stayed up way too late. The next day we had breakfast and then headed out the door to Target. Needles wanted to lay hands on a Kindle Touch and I scored some Wasabi covered peas. We stopped by Great Harvest Bread Company were we got some great sandwiches and soup. I picked up a couple of brownies that were very rich. We made our way back home where Cynical and Ragged prepared a pre Christmas Christmas meal. We had ham, mashed potatoes, green bean almondine and rolls. It was all very good and fortifying for us to brave the cold temperatures and venture out to the local theater for a play. The play was A Christmas Story. It was done very well and it included all of the memorable moments from Flick getting his tongue stuck to the flag pole to Ralphie's infamous saying of the word FUDGE! We returned home by way of seeing a few Christmas lights and then off to bed. Sunday morning we had breakfast and the adjourned to the living room to get in a few more conversations before it was time to return North. We had a wonderful weekend with great food, great conversation and great friends. We will have to do it again very soon.

Rant/ Venting.

I don't need any response. I just need to get this out there and off my chest. It seemed just a few short months ago that life seemed to be going pretty good, not great but working on it. It seems that since then one life disappointment has lead to another and another. It seems that drama and immature behavior has crept into my life and won't go away. I have been trying to ignore the situation which probably isn't the best thing to do but I am not sure what to do about it as I am unfamiliar with a situation like this. It is a terrible terrible thing when family disappoints you. It's one of the worst things that can happen to you in your adult life other than the death of a loved one. In away it's a kind of death of how a person is perceived and now that perception is forever changed. When a friend lets you down there is a feeling of hurt and disappointment but when its family, it hurts you to the core of your soul. I have been hurt and disappointed multiple times by my family almost to the point that I wonder if I really need that portion of my life anymore. It is a painful decision and believe me not an easy one. It can be compared to cutting a piece of your body away and expected to not to miss it but sometimes when a body part is diseased to the point that there is no cure then it must be removed to cure the rest of the body. These words may sound profound and deep but I am hoping that by writing this that it maybe cathartic to my soul. As Needles says that sometimes you just got to release it into the universe and let it sort itself out. I don't have a lot of faith that it will but I hope it sorts itself out before I have to start cutting.

11-11-11

Happy Veterans Day and Happy 11-11-11 Day!

Almost Here.

It is the time of year I look forward to. I have been going through the usual preparations. I have checked my gear and have grown my annual deer season beard. We have 3 of our 6 only paid holiday coming in the next 2 months and also shotgun deer season that I have been counting down the days. I know that idea of setting in a tree stand freezing your rear end off doesn't sound like a lot of fun to some but it seems like the first weekend deer season is to me the official start of the holiday season. Just setting in the stand with the sounds of nature all around is something that seems to bring me an inner calm just before the hectic holiday season. The next few weeks will come and go in a blur.

All good things.

After 15 years of decorating for Halloween, adding new things to our display every year to get the kids to venture down to our end of the block passing all the darkened porch lights and handing out handfuls of candy to make the trip worth it. We have had steadily declining numbers of trick or treaters so I think Needles and I have come to a decision. This will be the last year we decorate and hand out candy. I think the best year we ended up with around 70+ T or T'ers. Last year we had 52 and this year 37. I think we can decorate our yard all we want but I can't make my stingy ass neighbors turn on their porch lights and hand out candy. Oh well it was a good run. They win, our light will be off next year.

Zombie Walk 2011 Video

Zombie Walk 2011

Made the trip down to Greenville, Kentucky this weekend to attend the Zombie Walk. We had a great time watching all the Zombies and getting some pictures. I think the last head count was over 350 zombies with well over 500 watching the event.

Bar Harbor Coastal Panoramic View

TGTFWIO

Thank God This F*cking Week Is Over.

To say I am done with this week is an understatement. October is getting off to a rough start.

Sense of Loss.

This week hasn't been a good week. There seems to be a little uproar with my family that I am not taking sides and just staying out of it. The less I know the better. On top of that situation we had a long time neighbor and friend of the family pass away on Wednesday and I found out about it Thursday and if that wasn't enough we received a phone call this morning that informed us that my sister-in-law's brother loss their 14 month old child in her sleep. This of course would be devastating news to anyone but this same thing has happened to one of the parents more that once just makes it even worse. I feel like I am numb from all the emotions I have been through this week and I feel like my emotions aren't in check as they usually are. I hope that the situation with my family resolves itself soon and my heart goes out to my neighbor's and sister-in-law's family.

Acadia National Park

Portland Lighthouse Cruise