Hello on Thursday Morning

Dear Friends,

As the saying goes: "What a difference a day makes?" It was 34 degrees when I
headed off to Retro Fitness this morning. Three of us opened the doors at 4:30
AM. I did my thing without any interruptions which was a great way to start my
day.

Wednesday went as planned.
Linda and I hung the Christmas tree decorations on our fresh tree. Linda dug
out all the old decorations which have more sentimental value than you can
imagine. Yes, the decorations are kid proof, but cute. Some of the decorations
were actually made by our two sons when they were in elementary school. Linda
and I are hoping that they will recognize their own creations.

Linda never left the house on Wednesday.
I did venture out around 2 PM to mail a few items, and pick up some items at
one of three local hardware stores which are still trying to compete with the
Home Depot type of stores. The local stores are so people friendly. I purchased
a box of those artificial logs and a 50 pound bags of sunflower seeds. The clerk
carried the birdseed out to the car for me after I paid for the items. As a
matter of fact, the bird seed was on sale in 40 pound bags, but they didn't have
any in the store. They substituted the 50 pound bag for the forty pound bag, but
charged me the sale price for the 40 pound bag.

Linda can't sleep late this morning. There is another one of those radio
auctions which starts at 9 AM today. My 3 month gym membership was secured by
Linda by way of a previous Radio Auction. The restaurant gift certificates are
what we usually go after, but there are so many great items besides the ones
related to food. Linda is socially engaged this evening.
I think that there is a Boston Celtic basketball game to keep me entertained.
Oops! I almost forgot that at one of the local jewelry stores it is "Mens'
Night" from 6 PM until 9 PM. They are even going to serve beer. In the past,
they just served champagne along with appetizers. I prefer the Champagne of
bottled beers!

Speaking of sports --> 4 Patriots were told to go home yesterday morning
because they were late for their 8 AM team meeting. Randy Moss was one of them.
The Tiger saga continues. Most of us are tired of hearing about it, but the
media are like mean pit bulls. One of Tiger's transgressions was a porn star.

I didn't know that Tiger owns two homes about a mile from one another. The
media isn't sure which one that Tiger is living at.

On a different note, John Daly, the often in trouble blue collar type of
golfer, has lost 115 pounds. He has four ex wives. He is trying to make a
golfing comeback, and I think I might start cheering for him.

We picked up about 7 inches of snow here in Pittsfield.
It is mild outside right now, and it will be so throughout today. This evening
the bottom falls out, and we are in for a stretch of weather where we will not
get out of the 20's right into the weekend.

My first task of the day is to attack the snow deposit at the bottom of our
driveway left by the city plows as they got right down to the blacktop on our
street. The private contractors, which the city hires to plow the side streets,
just can't do the job of the few multiple ton trucks that the city owns. My plow
guy had trouble getting up my driveway in his rear wheel drive pick up truck. I
would do my own driveway since I have a snow blower, but when the snow is really
deep, and heavy, my snow blower just can't do the job.

The crock pot soup was wonderful once again. As a matter of fact, Linda has
some of her Tuesday group of Mah Jongg ladies using their crock pots for the
first time in a long while.

Observation -- When I left the house yesterday, I had to drop off a package at
the UPS store, and then make a stop at the Post Office. I didn't realize that
the UPS store can do all the stuff that a Post office can do. I bought stamps,
mailed a package, and dropped of some Christmas Cards. This is going to be my
new Post Office. The parking is easier at the UPS store than at the Post Office.
The lines are almost non existent. The clerks are very friendly.

Speaking of Christmas Cards--> Last year I sent off almost 100 Christmas cards.
I think that I am going to discontinue this practice unless someone sends us a
card first. The money saved can be spent for grandchildren type of things. As an
example, I purchased a toddler sled, and a regular sled yesterday in
anticipation of our grandchild being here for Christmas. I can't wait to take
both of them sliding!

Well, I have to read the local newspaper, and get to some quiet chores.
Have a great Thursday!
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad