Christmas Anticipation

I'm going to piggy back on what my dad said and add a few thoughts of my own. Please read his post first.

Christmas has become for me totally about giving and spending time with family. I still like stuff as I have documented on here before, but there are 364.24 other days in a given year.

I can remember almost every Christmas Day or at least parts of every Christmas day going back at least 15-18 years, which is more than I can say about any other calendar day.

I am really looking forward to being with my family this year. I appreciate them more every year than I did the previous.

On slightly comical note is that this year we are giving PRESENCE instead of PRESENTS, in which case it might indeed be better to give than receive. Especially if your name is Chad Ochocinco.

Adultery

My son, pay attention to my wisdom,

listen well to my words of insight,

that you may maintain discretion

and your lips my preserve knowledge,

For the lips of an adulteress drip honey,

and her speech is smoother than oil;

but in the end she is bitter as a double-edged sword.

Her feet go down to death;

her steps lead straight to the grave.

She gives no thought to the way of life;

her paths are crooked, but she knows it not.

Thanksgiving

In honor of Thanksgiving here are some things for which I am thankful...

• My Wife
• Our Church
• Friends
• Family
• Food
• Financial Blessings
• Health
• Bella
• Democracy
• Freedom of Speech
• Freedom of Religion
• Our Hot Tub
• New Career Opportunities
• Broadband Internet Access
• Those that Serve in the Armed Forces
• Those that Serve Locally Fire/Police/EMT
• Sunrises
• Direct Deposit
• Cars with GPS (even though I don't have one)
• Smart Phones (even thought I don't have one)
• The Burn of Physical Activity
• Racquetball
• Mashed Potatoes
• iPod Touch
• HDTV
• Colts
• 10-0

What are you thankful for?

Mr. Fix It

2 years ago Staci and I moved from here to here. I remember celebrating with Staci that we would no longer need to do dishes by hand since our new house had a dishwasher that worked (or we assumed). The dishwasher at the apartment did not work, which was annoying, but I never bothered to have someone take a look at it, since we only lived there for a couple months.

Imagine our surprise when the dishwasher did not work here at our house. We assumed it would be more expensive or too much of a hassle than just hand washing the dishes on a time by time basis. We basically put up with not using the machine for anything more than a drying rack and storage space. Staci and I hated doing the dishes, and it often lead to "intense" conversations about who would do the dishes and when. We would just use all of our plates and bowls until we had none, then contemplate eating out every night. I got to the point where I wanted to go buy new plates instead of wash the old set.

I finally broke down and decided to take the thing apart and see if I can fix it. I was able to find what I thought might be the problem and gave it my best shot at restoration.

Now, the dishes get done about every other day. They come out of the washer nearly spotless. With just 40 or so minutes if rumbling and whirling they are like new! No more pruned hands. No more civilized discussions about who's turn it is. Just peace and tranquility. And a happy Mr. and Mrs. Fix It.