:(

Our house is mourning after the 4th quarter ended. The Pokes did pretty well, but about half way through the 4th quarter, they just couldn't keep up with the Sooners.

Lost

While watching the BIG game, we saw an awesome Lost preview. It looks really, really good. January 21st won't get here soon enough.

Back to the game.

Christmas Shopping

First things first.

Thanksgiving was AWESOME!!! The food was great! I got to see a whole lot of the family, we looked at the sales ads in the paper, and did I mention the food was great?!?!?

As usual, I went shopping today. I did get out early, but not as early as I have in the past and I was out earlier than I expected as I woke up before the alarm went off this morning for my wife to go to work, so I went ahead, got up and went shopping.

I didn't hit as many stores as I normally do, but as usually, my shopping is now complete. I spent WAY too much money, but I had a great time, and I can't wait to see everyone open their presents.

I love to shop, it's a lot of fun, but by far, watching everyone open the presents is by far the best.

I'm so tired though it's all I can do to stay awake and try to finish wrapping some of the presents I got.

I did manage to get the tree up, so later, when my wife gets home, we'll decorate it and get these presents under the tree.

I love this time of year!

Thankful

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day. While working out in the yard this afternoon, I got to thinking about what I'm thankful for. There's actually a lot.

So, as you glance/read through my list, maybe something I say will help you.

I'm thankful for:

• Jesus Christ - Without him, I'm not sure how I'd get through life. There are so many difficulties in our daily life. He doesn't make them magically go away, but he helps me get through them.
• My wife - My wife means so much to me! She is always there to make sure I don't take myself to seriously. To watch how she loves her kids and her friends and is always willing to give to them really makes me smile.
  
• My kids - Even when they drive me crazy, I'd not trade either of them. They are both so very special. It's such a blessing watching them grow.
• My family - I've been very blessed with a loving and caring family that is really close. I know people that don't have that. My family is always there to help each other out.
  
• My job - I've told several people over the years how much I really like my job. I believe this is the first job I've ever had that I really like. And I'm so thankful for that. Too many people go through life working where they are miserable. I can honestly say I don't work at such a place.
• Possible layoffs - Yea, you read that right. I am thankful for these layoffs that's going around at work right now. It really helps me see what I have. There's nothing like the possibility of losing your job that helps put a little perspective on your life (well, except for actually losing it).
• My house - I know I complain about this 100+ year house a lot, but I really am thankful that we have it. There are many other places we could live that isn't as nice as what we have here.
• My country - Yea, you read that right too. I am happy and thankful to live in the US. I know things aren't perfect. But they aren't anywhere else either. Plus, here I have the right to disagree with what is going on and not fear for my life. I have the right to worship God (or not). This country isn't the best, but I can't think of any other place I'd rather live.
  

Well, I guess that's long enough for the moment. Maybe I'll get on later and add to it. But that will do at the moment.

If I don't get on here again, I hope each of you have a great Thanksgiving. No matter what you do. If you go to friends and family's for big celebrations, or stay home for a small, quiet day. I hope you all take a moment to see how much there really is to be thankful for.

Mouse 5, us 1

ahh, but how much that 1 means.

I believe that Jerry stole the bait out of our traps at least 5 times... maybe a couple more. When I came home yesterday, both traps were empty. So I loaded one back up and tried the other but no luck (don't buy the off brand mouse traps).

My wife had me stop and buy some of those Don't view, don't touch mouse traps by Dcon, I did and got them set last night.

Anyway, when I woke up this morning, the trap I set after work yesterday had a little visitor, but this time, the cheese was still on the trap... as was the mouse!

I am victorious!

Now we keep traps set to see if we have more visitors I guess.

Mouse in the House

Today, I come home from work, and as I walked into the kitchen, I thought I heard some scampering noises coming from the oven... but I wasn't sure. I did have to check to make sure both of my boy's hamsters were in the cage, and they were.

So, I'm about to head to bed, and was walking into the kitchen for a drink and as I walked in, I noticed our cat looking up at the stove top. I look over and sure enough, there is a little grey mouse running for cover! It ran from behind the crock pot, through a slight clearing, under a cast iron griddle and into the stove top I think.

What good is having a cat if it wont keep the mice away. I'm picturing Tom the cat getting yelled at while Jerry raids the fridge. At least this one isn't doing that... yet.

I know it's getting colder out side, and they tend to run for warmer places, but I don't think I've ever seen a mouse in our house.

ISS Anniversary

Today is the International Space Stations anniversary.

The very first piece of the space station was launched 10 years ago today. It's really hard to believe it's been that long. It seems like that should have been just a couple years ago and here they are now making room for 6 people to stay at a time. Incredible!

I was going to post earlier today, but, well, just never got around to it.

Happy anniversary ISS.

Vote Today

Well, today is the day. The last day we'll hear those annoying political ads and have those automated phone calls.

But as much as I hate all of that, I do like that I can vote. I get to have a say in what the government does. It may not seem like much, but it's much more than many other countries allow.

I got into work too early to vote before going in, so after work today I'm going to take my son with me and go vote. Allow him to see how it works, and try to share the importance of today with him.

So, today, go out and vote. It's important.

And as I've said for many years, if you don't vote, you don't get to complain.