"This and That"

• This picture was taken on Christmas Day, 2008, at Sarah and Keith's house. I like it because it's a good one of me and the kids. It is on my desktop of my notebook computer.

• Tomorrow is a government holiday--horaaay!

• I will spend at least part of the day working on some organizing projects. Both the desk downstairs and the library closet need some help, so, I believe I will work on one or both of those.

• Right now Bob is in Manland watching football and Shawn is working the sound at a play being put on by one of the local community theater groups. Bob and I plan to attend the play, The Foreigner, on the 24th. Shawn received one freebie ticket and gave it to me. We just have to buy one more.

• I spent a good deal of my day today reading. I don't do that often. I have a stack of magazines I'd like to get through--maybe I will pull some out in a little bit and get through those, too.

• Right now I am watching the Star Wars Prequel movies. I don't watch them as often as the original series. They are good--but I will always like the original films best. I hadn't seen these 3 for a long time.

• Earlier, I watched 2 of my Netflix movies. "Spencer's Mountain" and "Saving Sarah Cain."

• Bob and I watched a couple of movies the other night. "Deep Impact" and "Air Force One." Hadn't seen those for YEARS.

• Still getting some cold weather for this area. They aren't used to zero and near zero temps and it's been a big news story the past few days. Some area schools closed due to the cold temps. When I lived in Michigan we never got out of school just because it was cold. We only got out when the snow reached several feet and the buses couldn't get down the roads. And, because there was no visibility. But, of course, that was Michigan and they are used to getting tons of snow and the extreme cold weather. They have the equipment to clear the roads and keep the kids in school.

• Bob gave me an automatic tea brewer for Christmas and I think that turned out to be my favorite gift. I absolutely love it. I have used it everyday since I got it.

• Earlier, as I watched "Saving Sarah Cain," I was sitting in the living room and looked up to see all 3 cats staring at me. It was getting near dinner time for them, and I suppose they were hungry. Nothing like laying on a guilt trip. Good grief!!!!!!!!

A good friend

Today Bob and I saw a good friend in church. We hadn't seen him in years. The interesting twist is he was the priest.

One of the priests. He was assisting our pastor as a visiting priest. His name is John and he and Bob were stationed together years ago right here on the base. He retired from the Navy after 20 years. He had never been married and after working for a while in the outside world, he "got the call" and decided to become a priest.

He was just ordained not that long ago and his now "stationed" at a church in Rockville, MD--north of us--near DC.

It was very good to see him. We chatted a little bit after Mass. He was surprised to learn that Sarah has been married for 4 years now and that Shawn is 22.

He hopes to come down and visit again soon.

My braces are off!!!!

Back in November of 2007 I got braces to correct a couple of problems I waited more than 20 years to be able to fix. At the time I was told it would take 18 months to 2 years for the procedure to be complete. That was fine with me--I wanted to fix my teeth.

However, I got my braces off TODAY--after having to wear them just 14 months!!!!!!!!

They look and feel funny--I'm not used to seeing all of my teeth.

They look great, though. I sure am glad I finally did it. It was well worth the sometimes pain, and hassles of keeping them clean, and not being able to eat certain foods. I sure am glad I took the time to get them done and it was worth the money I invested. I'm SO happy!