"Sittin' 'round The Pot Belly Stove"

blizzard · #521 Postby **blizzard** » Mon Dec 15, 2003 5:25 pm

Good Luck, Shannon. Must be a Grrrreeeaaaattt feeling to have them all out of the way almost.

#522 Postby **pojo** » Mon Dec 15, 2003 5:26 pm

that feeling is coming closer and closer!

Guest · #523 Postby **Guest** » Tue Dec 16, 2003 7:27 am

Well its Tuesday one week and two days before Christmas. Today we are having our Christmas luncheon for the City. Going Christmas shopping for my daughter tonight - getting the last few gifts for her. Then this weekend will be down to the wire on purchases.

Well got the sniffles again - trying to ward them off and not get sick before Christmas....let's hope....

Hope everyone has a great day - another coldfront moving thru here in SE Texas - so temps should be in the low 30's in the morning - with another warm up for the rest of the week and weekend.

Happy Holidays.

#524 Postby **azskyman** » Tue Dec 16, 2003 9:58 pm

Took the day off, listened to some Christmas music on the radio, stood in line for 35 minutes to mail a package, bought some Christmas cards, and finished buying all but two more small items for Santa to deliver.

When done, I took a hike on a nearby park trail that slips alongside a rock-laden mountain known here as Pinnacle Peak. Stood in awe of the day, the clear sky, and sun in my face, and that I could still make it up the trail!

Happy to share a photo of the view along the way if you're interested. Just let me know.

Back to work tomorrow. Breakfast meeting at 8 with all my team leaders. I'll be presenting my work vision for 2004. They'll be eating steak and eggs for breakfast!!! Mine will get cold as I do all the talking.

Congrats Pojo and all others who wrap up their fall school semester!

skyman

furluvcats · #525 Postby **furluvcats** » Wed Dec 17, 2003 7:22 pm

Wanted to say a quick Merry Christmas to everyone! Leaving for FL tonight. Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday...and thanks for the Cards!

#526 Postby **azskyman** » Wed Dec 17, 2003 8:42 pm

Have a great trip Shannon and family. Hope the holidays are super for you!

I visited the learning center today and talked with the counselor I worked with last year. Got a chance to meet up with a couple former students of mine. Nothing like a genuine hug or two after work to get a Christmas smile on your face!

I've been invited to come back anytime and help with the ADHD kids...there are two at the center now with Aspergers, too. Hope I can find some time in the new year to help a few hours a week again. Only so many hours in a day.

Been toying with a couple other opportunities for 2004 too.

Been asked to serve on the Board of Directors for the Phoenix Youth Theatre group...and that has its merits too. Being around talented people is always fun.

Also am considering the Joe Foss Institute...an organization that is hoping to instill patriotism back into our schools. Only former combat veterans are being asked to be guest classroom speakers. The organization is headquartered within walking distance. It would do wonderful service to those who gave their lives to open the eyes of students to patriotism on their behalf.

Still...I love the idea of one-on-one with a child who needs and enjoys my help.

Any of you making plans to join something bigger than yourself in 2004? Just curious what you might have in mind. Maybe it will help me make a decision.

#527 Postby **coriolis** » Wed Dec 17, 2003 9:57 pm

Hi everyone. Just checking in. I've been running around like crazy lately and have'nt been able to spend a lot of time here. After Monday, I'm taking the rest of the year off from work. My work had their in-house X-mas luncheon today and I won the grand prize: $500 off a trip of my choice thru a local travel agent! I ruined it when I came home and told my wife. Thought maybe I would need to take a "training seminar" in the upcoming months.
OK, OK, just kidding. We're excited about it. Maybe will try to arrange for a bread and breakfast weekend getaway or something. $500 off a $5000 cruise just wouldn't work for us.

I hope everyone has a very happy holiday and I'll be back.

StormCrazyIowan · #528 Postby **StormCrazyIowan** » Wed Dec 17, 2003 10:00 pm

Wow lucky you!!!!

X-mas party at Wally World is on Saturday, don't know if we're doing anything like that.....but it's ok cuz Im winning the powerball tonight! :wink:

blizzard · #529 Postby **blizzard** » Wed Dec 17, 2003 10:37 pm

StormCrazyIowan wrote:but it's ok cuz Im winning the powerball tonight!

You'll be splittin' it with me I hope you know 'cause I have the winning numbers right here.... :lol:

Guest · #530 Postby **Guest** » Wed Dec 17, 2003 11:13 pm

Blizzard and Jacki - if you both win powerball - you have throw a huge STORM2k party and foot the bill :-)

blizzard · #531 Postby **blizzard** » Wed Dec 17, 2003 11:38 pm

No problem there, you can bet on it. What do you say Jacki?

furluvcats · #532 Postby **furluvcats** » Wed Dec 17, 2003 11:44 pm

Coriolis...you Can take a nice cruise with your wife for an xtra $500.00....I say you start a cruise fund and you're already halfway there! Counting down the time til we leave tonight....God Bless everyone and have a super wonderful Christmas!

Thank you Steve...hope your whole family is together for a special holiday celebration. Be well, my friend.

#533 Postby **Stephanie** » Thu Dec 18, 2003 7:54 pm

Hey gang!

Been busy myself. Every night there's been something to do - Monday finish the tree; Tuesday, haircut and wrap presents; Wednesday bake for today's office Christmas party and wrap gifts and tonight more gifts to wrap.

Shannon - I remember the excitement that I felt when I was finishing college. I graduated in the fall as well. Congratulations!

Steve - I'd love to see those pictures. Sounds like a great trip.

Ed - what a wonderful surprise for you and your wife, especially after everything that you've been throught the last few months.

Ticka - I sure do hope that those sniffles don't get any worse! :eek:

Furry - Have a wonderful time in Florida - your userid should be "cruise queen"! :lol:

I hope everyone is doing well! Have a great evening!

#534 Postby **Pburgh** » Thu Dec 18, 2003 9:31 pm

I everyone!!!
Sounds like everyone is busy. Me too!! Just trying to get ready for a trip to Columbus then down to Roanoke. Gotta see those Grandkids!!!!! Can't wait.

Poppysky, I'd love to see the pic of your inspirational time. Wish I could do that too.

Ticka, lemon, honey, tea and bourbon. Drink very quickly cause it tastes like crap but really works. Sore thoat???? Gargle with hydrogen peroxide. Please don't swallow!!!! Take 2 aspirin and call me in the morning!!!!

Furry, have a safe and loving Christmas.

Pojo, take a much needed break - you have definitely earned it!!!!! ((Hugs)) Good job.

Did anyone have that winning Lotto number???? Couldn't have been me, cause you gotta play to win!!!! Will you guys share?????

Ed, a bed and breakfast sounds so very relaxing. Have fun and Congrats!!! You've earned it.

Steph, don't work to hard. Sit back and have some tea with me.

Ok, I'll stoke the fire and leave some orange cookies of the mantle.

Hey Miss Mary and raine, I've brewed some Earl Grey and it's steeping for ya.

Dennis, I need to talk with you young man. You brought tears to my eyes tonight!!!!!!! Call ya later. Thanks my friend.

Take care
Karan

#535 Postby **azskyman** » Thu Dec 18, 2003 11:25 pm

Sent that pic your way Stephanie and Karan!

Looks like white Christmas chances will be limited this year as the weather calms down in all but the northeast and the northwest for the holiday.

Have a good friday all!

Miss Mary · #536 Postby **Miss Mary** » Fri Dec 19, 2003 8:23 am

Karan - thanks so much for the tea. As usual, I need it!

My last day before my kids' winter break begins. This year they're off for two full weeks! They can't wait for it to start. I can't wait to sleep in - 7 a.m. feels like sleeping in now! LOL We'll feel almost normal getting up at decent times again. 5:45 is brutal........could be worse. My sister-in-law starts work at Home Depot at 4 a.m.! She goes to sleep by 8:30 p.m., getting up at 3. Can't imagine that schedule.......

We may have a white xmas in Cincinnati. Woohoo. We received several inches yesterday and it will stick around if it stay below 32. But more snow is predicted for the 24th and 25th. Pinch me, I'm dreaming.....LOL I love snow!

Well, I'd best get cracking on that long list of things to do today - errands, baking, etc.

Happy Holidays everyone!

Mary

PS - I decided to add a copy of the latest email we've all received from my nephew, Kristopher, stationed in Iraq right now with the 101st. I didn't want to actually start a new topic, but for those interested his email sure sums up what it's like over there right now. Please keep in mind he's not great at spelling. Once you get past that, his message comes thru loud and clear. When you're all in Church this Christmas, please say a special prayer for Kris and all our brave soldiers fighting right now. Thank You! Okay here it is:

________________________

Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2003

Dear Friends and Family,

I don't have much time to write tonight because we have alot of missions running today . 1st I would like to thank every 1 for there support and love . 2nd , after the capturing of Saddam things have been crazy for all of us over here . From protests to riots and non stop missions running all day and sometimes all night. With the little sleep we get [4-5hours] we remember that this may be all over sooner than we think . Most of us can not wait till we see U.S. soil once more and most of all are loved one's and for me my wife and NYC fam . Anyway now that we have Saddam we are making more and more enemy's with his loyalists . These are people of a different breed I speak of . People that will kill to have this ass in power again . Why you say ?! Well because thay are scared of anything different . For 30+ yrs thay had only known this type of life and now all the sudden blame things change . Point is thay don't know any different and that sad . This morning we had massive riots in the city of Mosul and we responded with everything we had available to us to put a stop to these insane people , who were doing everything to piss us off . Throwing rock and eventual shooting at us . Thank god non of are boys we hit but for the most part we starting taking action towards them mostly ganging up on and snatching all the big mouths up and detaining them but not with out a fight . At 1 point a large male grabbed my S.a.w. gunners weapon and try ed to take it from him and punch him several times also , I yelled shoot him well need I say more . Thay all got the point stay back or the American's will shoot you .

When will people realize that these type of things are not normal and that there I no need for that type of violence ? Not soon I sure . After wards about 3 hrs latter the place we are staying at was Mortared 6 times and once again nobody got hurt thank god thay don't know how to work weapons systems ! Anyway all I would like to say is Hi to every 1 and let you all know that we should be home soon and able to lead normal life's again . Date's are always up in the air but the latest word from higher is Jan 20th we are out of Northern Iraq or should even be by that date . I hope no latter than Feb. 10th . So let's pray for a better date than that . Well thats all from hell talk to yo all soon . Love you all and God bless .

Always , Kristopher

___________________

#537 Postby **Stephanie** » Fri Dec 19, 2003 9:41 am

Karan - Ah! The tea is great! Actually, it's not that bad being so busy. If I had my other job as Hotel Controller, I'd be drinking that tea by the gallons just to relax!!! :lol:

Miss Mary - that e-mail from Kristopher must've made your blood run cold. We know that the loyalists will be fighting out of desparation now, but the first thing I thought of when our troops captured Saddam was that there is FINALLY a light at the end of the tunnel with regards to Iraq. The troops can actually feel hope (and so can their family and friends) that there is an end in sight and they will all be coming home in the near future (God willing).

Donna - I'm sorry that I didn't welcome you back to the PBS!!! It's great to see you back here!

Well, better get some work done - gotta pay for those Christmas presents!! Have a great day!

Miss Mary · #538 Postby **Miss Mary** » Fri Dec 19, 2003 9:47 am

Stephanie wrote:Karan - Ah! The tea is great! Actually, it's not that bad being so busy. If I had my other job as Hotel Controller, I'd be drinking that tea by the gallons just to relax!!!

Miss Mary - that e-mail from Kristopher must've made your blood run cold. We know that the loyalists will be fighting out of desparation now, but the first thing I thought of when our troops captured Saddam was that there is FINALLY a light at the end of the tunnel with regards to Iraq. The troops can actually feel hope (and so can their family and friends) that there is an end in sight and they will all be coming home in the near future (God willing).

Donna - I'm sorry that I didn't welcome you back to the PBS!!! It's great to see you back here!

Well, better get some work done - gotta pay for those Christmas presents!! Have a great day!

Stephanie - Kris' email did just that. I cried the day I got it. Then just posting it here, I cried all over again. I've had a knot in my stomach since the war started. When he was home for 2 weeks recently, it went away. Now it's back. We are all so worried about him. The one consistent thing he's told all of us - do not believe everything we hear about in the news. Sometimes it's slanted or biased. I thought his email told it all just how it is. After he got back in Iraq after his 2 week leave, he was only on the ground 10 minutes and he was pressed into duty. He was going house to house again, looking for Iraqi soldiers. And he was put into a management position right away too, his commander was called away. I honestly don't know how you go from one minute being on leave, and the next being in the situation he's described so well.

Mary

azsnowman · #539 Postby **azsnowman** » Fri Dec 19, 2003 6:50 pm

Howdy wxchums!

"I'm dreamin' of Green Christmas!" "WHEW!" It's *almost* HOT! Hit a high of 65° today with even HIGHER temps for the rest of the week! I may work in the garden on Christmas Day "LOL!"

I've been absent the past 2 days, got that darn flu bug *augh*.....talk about feeling like warmed over cow chips "LOL" what ever THEY feel like!

Not much else going on, getting ready for the BIG day, too much to do not enough time as usual, the flu put me 2 days behind.....AH WELL, I'll get it done (x's his fingers)..........

Have a great evening one and all!

Dennis

therock1811 · #540 Postby **therock1811** » Fri Dec 19, 2003 7:49 pm

Well good evening from a cold, snow-covered piece of Norhtern KY...

Dennis, may have been just as well if ya hadn't got the shot, huh?
Mary, that gives me goosebumps just reading that!
Karan, have a safe trip.
As for me, I'm off school for 2 weeks, which means it's time to get out of my house. Which in turn means that I'll be making a TV appearance, Monday at 7am.
Also, I'm going to be headed up to Columbus on Feb. 23, for a college visit to The Ohio State University. That is going to be a long day. I only have one appointment, but I also get to tour campus, and may stay for the rest of the day.
Everyone have a great night, and I'll see yas all either tonite in chat, or tomorrow on the board.

laters,

"Sittin' 'round The Pot Belly Stove"

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