Photo of the day, Thursday

Merry Christmas!!!

I hope that you got not what you wanted, but just what you needed to make this an awesome Christmas. Seems funny to say that, but a lot of times what I want is one thing and what I really need is totally something else. Like this one year, I wanted fun stuff, you know, electronic games. What I got though, was a board game that required me to interact with someone else. Just what I needed. You see, while I may appear social, I really am a homebody. Interestingly enough though, many times our wants are driving us in directions that God would just as soon not have us go. So then He arranges a gift that causes us to consider a different path. We still have the free will to choose, but usually His way is better. If I had a nickel for each application of this I think the house would be paid for.


For Christmas this year I got something that I didn't want or need, but will really enjoy. It's an adapter that lets me plug my iPod straight into my car stereo. It is way cool. The only trouble was, I needed to disassemble the trim around my radio. To Larry, my brother-in-law, that would be no big deal. For me, it was a very big deal. But I decided that I could figure this out and save $55. OK, to be honest, I no longer figure things out, now I search the Internet. I did, and I found a great article that explained how to remove the trim, the essence of which was to go really slow and not rush. Rushing is how you break those plastic parts. It worked and within minutes Ian and I were sitting in my car with the stereo cranked. It is very cool to bond with a teenager when loud music is involved. Additionally, I had him figure out how to use the controls and then teach me. It's very cool if your dad needs you to help him. While I don't know a lot about parenting, that little thing, him teaching me, ... that was great for our relationship.


During the day someone kept slipping away upstairs to his room. Here you can see that I tracked him down and landed a wet one on him for my troubles. As you can see by the "rock on" hand gestures, he was cool with this invasion of his privacy.





Have a great day,
Pat

Photo of the day, Wednesday

Merry Christmas Eve!

Work has wound down to...nothing! I am on vacation! Yee Ha!

Holly the boys and I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

We went to the Christmas Eve Service at our church and it was lead by the youth minister. It was the most strange message yet, it really pointed to why I chose to become a christian, Jesus came, he suffered, he died and then he rose. Praise God!

Our latest entry into the "share yourself with our gang" is below. Here is the story that goes with the photo, all I have to add is, Jim and Nancy, you guy totally are awesome! I wish I was that cool.

The following was submitted by Kathy.
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Thought I would send this picture to you of my sister Nancy and Jim Bell,Th with my husband Norm in the back ground. I, Kathy took the picture. We are about to go on the zip line. This was during our recent trip to Alaska in August. It was at the point of no return. Can you tell? Turned out to be an awesome experience. At the end, the guides told Norm, (when they get older folks like us), they have problems, but that we did a great job.

Kathy, thanks for sharing!

I hope that you all have an awesome Christmas!
Pat

Photo of the day, Tuesday

Still snowing here. I know, those near here know, those not here, well, feel our pain. I can barely see the mailbox at the end of the driveway due to the huge piles of snow. What's that noise? Dang, the snow plow just buried us again, guess I better get this done and head out with the snow blower.

Work gets pretty weird this time of year, trying to juggle the shutdown schedules for the customers is pretty crazy, but now, with a down economy staring us in the face, some have extended their shut down, others are doing another week in January. We even have set up next week with out team as voluntary, should be fun trying to

The thing that really gets me is that the snack food is becoming a way of life! I have been noshing on all kinds of stuff, chocolate cookies, cakes, brownies, cheese, salami, crackers, peanuts, popcorn and it goes on and on and on. The guys in the tool shop were even slowing down and told me it could take a few days to get through the latest, multi flavor popcorn tin. He seemed disappointed with that.

Still looking to share photos of you guys. Herb, OK to share the one that you sent? (even though you aren't in it) Herb is the area leader for the Toy for Tots program in Polk County. They had an awesome year and over 400 kids were able to have a Merry Christmas. God Bless you and the elves that work with you!

Here are Holly and the boys. Forced pose, but at least I got them all into one frame.

Have a great day!

Pat

Photo of the day, Sunday

Cold and snowy again today. It was so bad that about 150 churches cancelled their services for this morning. I went any, because I was working with the kids. Holly and the boys stayed home and it was probably a good idea. The roads were dicey at best, but you know what, that little black Ford Focus that I drive is pretty darn dependable and I didn't get stuck at all.

This afternoon was a prime stay in and watch TV kind of day so we watch the Wizard of Oz, the enhanced color version and then one called "Your, mine and ours", a pretty good family flick. Ian watched the Wizard of Oz under protest, but once it was going, he was hooked. He made fun of it, but hey, he's a teen, he makes fun of anything that I want him to do. It was really nice being curled up for the afternoon/evening.

Here's one of some friends that are living the dream somewhere near St. Louis MO. It's Cil, Kevin and Aanika. I love the joy in this shot. How can you not smile when you see them?

Have a great day!
Pat

Photo of the day, Saturday

Happy Saturday! We just got back from Larry, Terri and Jake's for our annual "Smithmas" with them and Holly's dad, Bob. It was one of the best trips on record, maybe they just keep getting better every year, I don't know, but this one was great. We had a chance to see the truck that Larry is working on and it looks really cool, trouble is, I forgot the camera at home, so I have no photos. It's still not quite done, so we have time for the big unveiling anyway.


Great time, thanks Larry and Terri, you were awesome hosts. And the dinner was great too! Jake was such a gracious host for his goofy cousins, it's truly impressive.


Since I forgot my camera it's a great time to start sharing the photos that you all have begun sending in. Remember, I would like to post a photo of you and yours, along with some detail (though I have no problem making up a story). We are a really small community, why not see who else is listening in to my ramblings? With that, our first entry.


Below is a shot from Nancy and Sandy's class reunion from this summer. Nancy, top left, is married to Jim Bell, and Sandy, bottom right, was married to Russ Bell. The Bell boys are cousins on my Grandma Ames (nee Bell) side. It is so cool that we have reconnected this year. So, it was their class reunion and I think that Nancy's name tag with her high school photo says it all. To me it says, here's what I looked like back then, don't you remember me? I remember you! Anyway, can you believe that they want me to believe that this was their 45th year class reunion for St. Ansgar. For those not in the know, follow the link, it's a pretty cool little town in Iowa that produced two awesome women.



Have a great day!
Pat

Photo of the day, Friday

Snow anyone!?! Schools were being canceled last night, before the storm even arrived. Spencer was nervous, would he get an extra day off or not? He's a fretter that boy. He's up at 5, in front of the TV, waiting for the news. I come down at 5:15, they like it if I determine if they have to go to school extra early. I log in, sure enough, Rockford's closed. I tell Spencer that he can go back to bed, nah, he says, I'll just go mess around, I'm already up now. That's my boy, and morning person.

We had about 40% of our people out, unable to get in to work. The best was one of the guys working in production called and said he couldn't get in, but how late would the office be open to pick up his paycheck. Always makes for a crazy day, trucks getting stuck, meetings delayed and generally just everyone trying to make the best of it. I worked through lunch and when I did finally get a few minutes I located the snack area, it's Christmas goodies everyday you know, and dined quite nicely on cocktail weenies, meatballs, tortilla chips, candy and cake and coke for good measure. Yes, I am nearly fully recovered from my bout with the stomach flu.

The boys are out to a place called Pando tonight with some of the boy scouts. They are on the tubing side, 3 hours for 12 bucks. Each boy gets a large tube and there's a tow lift that brings it back up the hill. Holly was saying that an area doctor that we know says that Pando really keeps the orthopedic surgeons busy. Nice. I'm sure all is fine, well, at least they have the cell phone if they need it.

Here's our mailbox, it was very accessible yesterday, today, we didn't get mail because the post office couldn't get near it. We have carved it out, so we should be good to go now.

Have a great day!

Pat

Photo of the day, Thursday

Days like today can really take it out of you or make you stronger. I chose to let it make me stronger, so no matter what the deal, I smiled and worked with someone to make it better. It seemed to work out ok.

Oh, yeah, by the way, I have recovered from my minor illness. Thanks for the prayers and kind thoughts, truly appreciated.

The answer to the "Where's Spence" is shown below. A few waded in with votes and unfortunately, fewer yet were correct. Thanks for playing!


As we are coming on my favorite holiday, Christ's Birthday, I was wondering if anyone would like to share a favorite family photo from 2008. Send it in with a note and I'll post it/email it around. It would be good for everyone to see each other, you know our own little band of fellows. It's funny, but as I type, you are all in my mind and I try to please you and make you laugh so that you can forget your cares. Anyway, here's me and my Peep's.





Have a great day!
Pat