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February 27, 2007

What a _______ (fill in the blank)

You all have a word for the guy that doesn't post on a regular basis... Go ahead, fill in the blank, I deserve it!
The buzz is Oscar... I have yet to see them (I did DVR them) but I do know the results... I need to get to the movies more often. I only saw a few of the nominated films, as I usually wait for the Netflix release...
Jim got over the bug he had without sharing it with me (thanks gawd)...
We had a visit this past weekend from my daughter and her boyfriend. She called Friday to see if they could come down and spend the weekend. I said YES of course! Her boyfriend has a 7 month old female pitbull pup, and she asked if they could bring her. I again said yes. We all spent portions of the weekend playing referee between the pup and our two dogs. Our's were not at all interested in playing with her (I guess gay men raise gay dogs) and were actually snarling at her. They just didn't realize she was trying to play, she was very sweet and gentle, but has not changed my mind about the breed in general.
Anyway, my daughter and I spent most of Friday evening and Saturday morning catching up on things. I had not seen her since November and I really missed her.
We all went to Red Lobster for dinner Saturday night with friends and had an awesome meal and time...
Sunday was a rainy day and after our company left we got some errands done and then came home, changed into loungewear, and watched 4th/5th season episodes of OZ... Very relaxing afternoon and evening.
Not much more going on in our neck of the woods. I will try to post with more regularity!
Over and "Out" from Toano, VA

February 20, 2007

Twenty Seven

My second oldest son turned 27 today... Happy Birthday E!

I remember finding out that my first wife was pregnant, right after my Dad passed away in 1979. They say that for every soul departing, there is another arriving... I always kinda hoped that the news was "the big guy's" way of returning my Dad to us.

My oldest son B, was the most mellow child. Rarely did he fuss, rarely did he cry, he slept through the night very early on. As a matter of fact, we were taking him out to places within weeks of his birth, and he was always so "easy" for lack of a better word and always seemed to be able to entertain himself...

There would probably never have been a number two son, if number two was born first!

E came into the world at 10lbs 13oz, and had a full head of blond hair. He was the "nastiest" little baby (sorry son) he cried all the time, never slept through the night, cried all the time, puked, burped, farted, and pooped endlessly, and did I mention he cried all the time? He always needed attention... At 24, I had never been exposed to anything as needy as this little thing was...

As time progressed, the infant needs subsided. E was no doubt the one interviewed, when whoever it was coined the phrase "The terrible twos". "Sdat?" (what's that) and "Upme" (pick me up) were his favorite words/sentences. After a while even my Mom commented to me... She said something like "You know something Tom, after all the heck you put me through when you were younger, you deserve him!!!" (E and I actually look alot alike too).

Tweens and teens were spent with his mom and brother, alternating weekends with me and a new family of siblings. At home, his mom kept him involved in scouting (he got his eagle). With me he was "one of five" and always an entertainer and irritator. We (the five collective children, my second wife and I) took a couple of vacations in rented motor homes... E was always training the younger kids in the ways of a boy scout, teaching them how cool an open fire was, and how to fish for trout in a 24' above ground pool... "My last meeel... was a peeece of corn" became a family joke, (imagine the phrase uttered in a middle eastern accent) that's what E muttered as he opened and closed the trout's mouth when they returned to our campsite with $60 dollars worth of fattened fish. Many a time I would hear his name hollered by a younger brother or sister from the other end of the house, as if he had just set their bed on fire... He had a way of pissing all of them off and getting blamed for anything that went wrong... Probably more times than he really earned on his own...

Today E still lives in South Florida. He and I talk periodically but not nearly enough. He has grown into a polite, handsome, caring (and somewhat twisted) adult and seems to be happy...

Happy Birthday Son!
I will always love you more than you know!

Over and "Out" from Toano, VA

February 17, 2007

I forgot the 16th

Ok, I am really loosing it...
Yesterday marked two different milestones for me!

1. The two year anniversary of my "Cardiac Event" (read: heart attack).
and:
2. The first birthday of "My New Life".
I can't believe it's been a year since I started blogging... Anyway here is a little something for you to drool over, no licking the screen anyone!


Over and "Out" from Toano, VA

February 16, 2007

What a DRAG!

Not a lot to say here, Jim has been down with the flu, so "Nurse Tom" has been attending to him. Got this picture in an email from a friend in Miami, and couldn't pass up posting it.

Enjoy!







Over and "Out" from Toano, VA...

February 9, 2007

Finally!

Ok, it's official.... I finally moved over to the new Blogger. Seems everything made the transition without fail... I know alot of fellow bloggers have moved over to WordPress, but since I am one of those guys that likes routine (not that any of you don't) I have decided to stick with Blogger/Blogspot/Google.
I received a really cool email on Wednesday and decided to share it here.
Enjoy:

PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE EMAIL AND YOU SEE WHAT IS MEANT BY RED FRIDAY.
Last week, while traveling to Chicago on business, I noticed a Marine sergeant traveling with a folded flag, but did not put two and two together. After we boarded our flight, I turned to the sergeant, who'd been invited to sit in First Class (across from me), and inquired if he was heading home.
No, he responded.

Heading out I asked?

No. I'm escorting a soldier home.

Going to pick him up?

No. He is with me right now.
He was killed in Iraq I'm taking him home to his family.

The realization of what he had been asked to do hit me like a punch to the gut. It was an honor for him. He told me that, although he didn't know the soldier, he had delivered the news of his passing to the soldier's family and felt as if he knew them after many conversations in so few days. I turned back to him, extended my hand, and said, Thank you. Thank you for doing what you do so my family and I can do what we do.

Upon landing in Chicago the pilot stopped short of the gate and made the following announcement over the intercom.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to note that we have had the honor of having Sergeant Steeley of the United States Marine Corps join us on this flight. He is escorting a fallen comrade back home to his family. I ask that you please remain in your seats when we open the forward door to allow Sergeant Steeley to deplane and receive his fellow soldier. We will then turn off the seat belt sign."

Without a sound, all went as requested. I noticed the sergeant saluting the casket as it was brought off the plane, and his action made me realize that I am proud to be an American.

So here's a public Thank You to our military Men and Women for what you do so we can live the way we do.

Red Fridays.
Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing Red every Friday. The reason? Americans who support our troops used to be called the "silent majority." We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for God, country and home in record breaking numbers. We are not organized, boisterous or overbearing. Many Americans, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognize that the vast majority of America support our troops. Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and respect starts this Friday -- and continues each and every Friday until the troops all come home , sending a deafening message that ... every red-blooded American who supports our men and women afar, will wear something red. By word of mouth, press, TV -- let's make the United States on every Friday a sea of red much like a home coming football game in the bleachers. If everyone of us who loves this country will share this with acquaintances, coworkers, friends, and family, it will not be long before the USA is covered in RED and it will let our troops know the once "silent" majority is on their side more than ever, certainly more than the media lets on.
The first thing a soldier says when asked "What can we do to make things better for you?" is .."We need your support and your prayers." Let's get the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example, and wear something red every Friday.
WE LIVE IN THE LAND OF THE FREE, ONLY BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE!!

February 7, 2007

What the superbowl means to ME

What the superbowl means to ME 2

What the superbowl means to ME 3

February 6, 2007

California here we come...

Ok... It's finally settled. Jim and I have been trying to figure out what to do, where to go, etc... For "our" birthdays this year (mine 9/18 and his 9/22). We thought maybe a cruise, or an all inclusive resort, or maybe a European Vacation... Jim has been to LA before, but never to San Francisco, so? Can you guess where we are off to yet?


You got it... The Gay Capitol of the U.S. of A... San Francisco Cahleeforneeah. It's been about 20 years since I have been and I am getting just as excited as Jim is. We booked the flight, using an American Airlines frequent flyer ticket for me, and got the matching flights for Jim on Priceline.com for $249.00 round trip. We have been researching and emailing (over the past week) different hotels in the city to determine the best place to stay, and have finally decided on the Parker Guest House, in the Castro District. We have decided not to rent a car unless we really need to, relying on packaged tours for the Muir Woods/Napa Valley tours, and public transportation along with our 4 good feet for the rest...

Any of you with suggestions and places to go or see are welcome to comment...

I spent the first 12 years of my life in Northern California, but as I said earlier, my last visit was 20 years ago, and I'm sure that things have changed a little since then. I also want to know if there is any locale in SF that even closely resembles "28 Barbary Lane" from the "Tales from the City" books and series?

Anyway, no doubt I will be rambling on this subject for months to come!! For now, it's back to reality, laundry, shopping, housekeeping... Oh and it was 14 frigging degrees out this morning when I got up! brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr...

Over and "Out" for today, from sunny, but chilly, Toano, VA

February 2, 2007

Miss-posted comments

I got an email today from my ex-sister-in-law... She wanted to know if I remembered her, and if she was famous enough to be posted on my blog...
This is for you Aunt Sharon:
Hi Tom. It's me Sharon. Remember me? The kids from Miami's aunt. You look great. Sounds like things are sort of tough. Makes us stronger and more humble. I find a little humility goes a long way and keeps me at peace!! No matter what we choose we always end up hurting someone, I suppose. Just remember to do the next RIGHT thing. And I guess you are the only one who knows what that is. Sometimes it is not just about US. That is where it gets tough!!!!! Am I right. Hope I make it on the wall! Hugs from Gainesville. I know....where is that???????????? Love Sharon
Over and "Out" for today, from Toano, VA