Kevin's Watch

I feel content. I had a great day with my great-aunt; we went to see a special exhibit at the museum, went out for lunch, made scones, and had a good conversation. I watched some good movies with my family. I received some documents in the mail that I've been waiting for so that I can apply for a visa. Everything seems to finally be falling into place.

Well, I've finished baking some cookies for the family dinner tonight. Now, to play the waiting game (which is best done with the help of a hyper cat

The husband got back last week from a four day trip to D.C. for a job! It will help pay the rent, so we are able to stay here another month. Along with unemployment and the money we got from friends and family over Christmas, things are looking up.

I sent in a ton of applications the other day, so keep your fingers crossed I get an interview!

My Christmas loot was amazing, btw. My mom really spoiled us this year.

Excited

When I was a kid I lived for snow days. Waking up to blankets of pristine white snow was the greatest experience of childhood. I remember stepping out into a white world, the snow muffling sound and making you feel like you wandered in a clean padded room where every sound was magnified. Spending the day playing, building snow forts, snow angels and snow men was like nothing else I can remember. I remember fighting with my mother as she would keep calling me into the house at the end of the day. When I finally would relent and come into the house I was frozen encrusted snowman, exhausted,windblown and content. My mother would make my brother and I hot chocolate and I would slowly thaw out, blissfully staring out the window, hoping for another snowfall during the night.

Today I took a walk with helldog through the new snow that blanketed my tiny town in the last few days. It was 11 am two days after the blizzard. The most striking thing was that the snow was still pristine, no children's footprints, no snowmen, ............no children anywhere. After walking for about a 1/2 hour I saw one little boy, about 12 attempting to build a snowman. I watched as he took handfuls of snow and patted them into to top trying to make a head. I realized that he did not know how to make a snowman. So I went over to him, made a snowball, and rolled it in the snow, showing him how to roll a ball into a larger ball. The little boy looked at me like I was a magician.

All I could feel was sad, like I am witnessing the death of another tradition, that all the children, hidden in their homes playing xbox and playstation, would never now the thrill of sledding down a hill on the top a a garbage can lid.

I hear ya, lorin. When it would snow here, I'd send my kids out to play -- remembering my experiences as a kid, which were much like yours. I'd figure I've have at least a couple of hours of peace and quiet while they burned off some energy. Instead, they'd be back inside in 15 minutes, demanding hot chocolate.

So true. Back in the day, we would have a very popular winter camping event -- Klondike -- for the Scouts. Planning and building sleds for gear-hauling competitions, building igloos or snow caves to sleep in, always having a kettle on for some warming food or beverage...it was fun. Not as easy as summer camping, but the adversity brings out the true Scout.

Now, almost all the boys (and their parents) have the attitude that snow camping is the equivalent of streaking through thorn bushes. Nobody seems to want to...

Well, I'm away for a couple days...getting out of the city for New Years.

Have a good one everybody, and see you next year.

--A

Today, I was soooo tired. And glad to be home.

On the 4th of this month, my wife, grandson, and I took off in our trusty Monte Carlo,
drove to Iowa, and visited my brother and his family for a week.
The weather there wasn't bad and we all had a good time.

Then it was off to Ohio to see my other brother and his family for a week.
Everyone enjoyed themselves and the weather was getting a bit cold for this Florida cracker.
My wife hated it even more.
It was nice to have the fireplace going.
I kinda miss those.

Georgia was the last stop for Christmas.
This time we were with her relatives and we had some fun with them.
The weather was FREEZING cold and nobody went outside very much, so we played cards and board games a lot.
It was the first time our grandson seen snow and he thought it was awesome.
Ahh, to be young again...

Anyway, getting back to Florida feels good, except for the 30-something degree temps.
Should be warmer for New Year's Eve though.
We're just going to kick back, get wasted, and watch the ball drop on T.V.

We're getting the snow now! Looked like a little blizzard for a second there as freezing rain turned to driving snow, now big flakes are falling. Probably won't even get an inch. It IS cold though 22 degrees with the wind chill.

Supposed to warm up here to 50 on Saturday.

Decided to take tomorrow off, after all, so I've officially begun my 4-day holiday weekend. Gonna take next Friday off, too, for a road trip. Going back to regular work weeks is gonna kill me....

Just recovered from some nasty stomach disease... seriously, I feel like I've developed a six pack as a result.... I blame it on global warming

danlo wrote: Probably won't even get an inch.

I can spare a few inches if you are feeling snowinadequate.

My head hurts.

I'm spending NYE alone.

I have a wager with myself to see how many shots of rum I can do before I pass out.

Yay for 2011 and crap.

Meh.

Well, you're never alone with the Watch. (or is it you're never alone with a schizophrenic LOL!) happy New Year!

Took the dogs out to my favorite beach today and cooked sausages. It was chilly but fun and gorgeous and we left just in time to miss getting rained on. Yes, Danlo, the beach you and Lady Tam renewed your vows on! Today it had a rainbow. I'll post pics when I stop being too lazy.

I'm *sure* there's a saying about seeing a rainbow on New Year's Eve being good luck. Isn't there? And if not, we should make one.

I'm alone on New Year's Eve too. Dropped off Magickmaker at her dad's earlier today. He's going to drive her back to college on Sunday. Tomorrow I get to spend some time reclaiming my living room from its periodic repurposing as Magickmaker's bedroom...

Alone too. Weird feeling after 10 years of foster kids consuming my life. I am not unhappy about the solitude, it feels comfortable. I need the mental repair time.

My usual sleep aides are not working so I am spending money I do not have online. Anyone that buys from Coldwater Creek MUST know they are having 50 percent off EVERYTHING. until Jan 3.

Feel free to pick me up something cool.(kidding)