Xmas, Family and "My Car's on Fire!!"

Well, I survived Christmas with the Reeder's up north. The drive up went smoothly, made it in fourteen and a half hours...didn't hit traffic until the beltway which immediately reminded me why I moved from there in the first place. Dad and mom looked good, Dad gets around slowly but he looks and sounds better then last September. The nephews and niece are growing like sprouts....see below from left to right, Matthew, Mitchell, Elizabeth and Brandon.

Every time I see mom I'm reminded that I am a "chip off the ol' block". I act more and more like her everyday...which when I was younger used to bother me. As I've matured (o.k. stop laughing I don't mean mentally mature, but you know...older) I've come to take being just like mom as a compliment. I don't think any children could ask for more devoted parents then what we have. See picture of me and the queen mother below.

Now, I'm no mechanic but when my car started smoking from the hood about 40 miles into Georgia on the way back, I figured something was not right. A small fire caused by a broken AC belt melting against the compressor was the culprit. Luckily "Sweet Daddy", complete with mechanics shirt with the aforementioned name patch and missing front teeth, convinced me that that particular belt is uneeded and, as long as I kept the AC off, I could drive the car safely. He was much nicer and honest than the idiots at AAA and we were lucky to run into Sweet Daddy from Georgia. I don't think he appreciated Cindy nipping at him, though..she is such an ingrate!

Graduation with a Hangover

I finally finished my Master's degree and graduated yesterday. Thanks to the Champagne provided by Susan Friday night, I was forced to attend the ceremony with a slight hangover. I made it through and didn't trip on stage. Susan got me some balloons, but we had to put them in her room because they spook Cindy too much.....it's allllllll about Cindy. I'm in there somewhere with the group up front with the red and silver hoods...

La Casa de Cathy

Susan at La Casa






















I close on the 30th...948 NW Highland Ave., Palm Bay, FL

A Lot Going On

Wow...so much going on in my life. I'm finishing up my paper, with all of Dad's edits. Thanks Dad for your help!! I was disappointed to see that you did your mark ups in black pen and not the dreaded red...argh. Graduation is set for the 17th, same day as Mitchell and Dad's birthday...can you believe little Champ is going to be NINE!!!!!

Susan is going back to school, finally....she is taking a math class to start. She took a placement test and we studied for it all weekend. It was funny. Neither of us has done algebra in a long time so we were like dumb and dumber...X2+y3-(-6y)=y3X2...or something like that...teehee.

Also am closing on my new house on the 30th...pictures to come. It will be nice for Cindy to have a yard and for Susan and I to have some space. I love her and all....but jeez....and the cat's need their own domicile too...I keep trying to push butternut out the window with the broken screen but that damn cat is too fat to flop. The other day I threw a plastic bag in Susan's room and told the cats to crawl in it...one actually obliged (see picture above), but to my dismay Susan came in and cut a hole in it so she could breathe...almost got away with it....

Work has been swamped as well, not the usual holiday slow downs. So, I've been too busy to post.

A and I went to the Brevard Community College men's basketball game last night after having a few (wink) cocktails. They were playing a team(Central FL CC) that has a recruit going my alma matter next year, GMU. He looked awesome and it was a good game. Thanks to the Creighton coach and the Daytona CC coach (go KState), who we sat near, for their explanation of some calls and the conversation. Nice guys....

H, I'm going to call Patrick....I swear.

L, keep your head up.....he sounds just like JE....not worth your time.