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Home for the Holidays: Lights are up!
December 2, 2007
Home for the Holidays: Giving Thanks
November 21, 2007
Dorky Dad reminds us what this holiday is all about: Giving thanks. Seriously, you need to read what he wrote. Even if you don’t know him (and I don’t) it might bring tears to your eyes. So, what is der5er thankful for?
- Family: This year, more than ever, I’m thankful for my family. In the past, there was a Thanksgiving where we couldn’t be together, because I was out of the country serving the Marines in Japan. In the past year, we’ve survived so much, that I am very thankful we are all here to celebrate together. I am thankful for my wife, Christi, who loves me in spite of my love of tools and the clutter in the garage. I am thankful for Leanna, and her love of gadgets. I am thankful for Sarah, who loves to hug and cuddle. I am thankful for Cooper, who loves tools almost as much as I do! I am thankful for Grandma Shirley, who loves us all, and keeps our scrapbooks full. I am thankful for Grandma Dixie, who loves to play Jedi with Cooper, and has tea parties with the girls. I’m thankful for Papa Max, who dotes on the kids so much that you can see the smile goes all the way to his heart. I’m thankful for Papa John, who loves my children like his own. I’m thankful for Great Grandma Marjorie, who makes sure all the kids have boo-boo blankies, and Pop JB who makes sure they all have a healthy sense of humor. I’m thankful for all of our extended family, too. I know you love us, and I am thankful.
- Friends: This past year taught me that the value of friendship is closeness in times of trouble. My family had so many friends take care of us and nurture us back to ‘normal’. We could not have survived without the love of our friends. So many meals cooked to get us through the holidays, so many gifts to get us through Christmas, and so much love that I could never say thank you enough. I am thankful for all our friends.
- Home: I’m thankful to Beth and Jimmy at Sunstar Builders, for making sure we had a home for the holidays. Not just a house, a home. They held our hands through the whole process of unexpectedly rebuilding the place your children will grow up, and they made sure we were comfortable the whole way. I’m truly thankful we have a home.
- Smoke detectors: I was going to try not to mention this one, because I really want to move past this, but I am thankful for smoke detectors. I just can’t avoid thinking about it sometimes. I don’t know what my life would be like right now if it weren’t for smoke detectors.
I’m thankful for everything I have, and every new experience that life brings. I’m thankful for the food on our table, and the warmth in our hearts. I’m thankful that I am here, and I’m thankful that you are here, too. Happy Thanksgiving.
Home for the Holidays: Time to Carve the Turkey!
November 21, 2007
It’s almost Thanksgiving! We have many traditions in our house on Turkey Day, but one of my favorites is carving the turkey. This task always seems to fall to the man of the house, and, of course, that’s me! I’m definitely not an expert, and I’m always looking to improve upon this skill that I only practice once (maybe twice) a year. Well, Geekdad has helped out by pointing to a Wikihow article on turkey carving. Let’s see if I can pick up any tips!
The first tip is to place the turkey on a wooden board, to make sure it doesn’t slip. I’m not going to follow this tip. We’ve got a rough plastic board that will do the trick. Plus, the plastic board is more sanitary.
Step 2 is a no-brainer for me, but in step 3, they tell you to remove the wishbone. I have never even thought about the wish bone until I’m practically carving into it. They don’t give a reason, but I’m guessing that this makes it easier to carve.
I also found out from reading this that I carve in the ‘traditional’ style – making individual slices of the breast as you carve instead of removing the breast before slicing (kitchen method).
Of course, what turkey day would be complete without a tool? In the picture above you’ll see my tool of choice - a (possibly) 25 year-old electric knife. I’ve never even thought of carving a turkey without it!
And, so Cooper won’t think we’re lying to him, here’s a picture of him enjoying turkey in 2004! Just look at the smile on his face! I doubt that we’ll get him to eat turkey this year, as he’s gotten very picky, but at least we have proof that he’s eaten it before!
Home for the Holidays: Hanging Lights!
November 20, 2007
This Thursday is Thanksgiving, and that marks the beginning of my favorite time of year! The Holidays! I could call Halloween the beginning, but that’s just really a warm up for the main event!
Normally, we’ll spend this first weekend of the holiday season eating Thanksgiving dinner (of course), shopping (of course), and decorating for Christmas! My favorite part? Well, it’s hard to pick a favorite, but I really like hanging the lights and decorating the outside of the house. This year, our Christmas display will have to start from scratch, so I’m scouring the internet to look for tips and tricks.
Plan: Number one on my list is to plan a layout. Now, just because I’ve listed it, doesn’t mean it’s going to happen! I say I’m going to do this every year, and every year I’m out there with a pile of lights, reindeer, maybe an outdoor tree or two, and no plan. That’s probably what will happen this year, too. What I should do is draw up a plan that includes where on the house I’m hanging lights, where in the yard I’m putting displays, and where all the power is coming from. But I’ll probably lay it all out by the seat of my pants.
Test: You’ve got to test the lights before you hang them. Lay them out and plug them in. It’s much easier than hanging them and then disovering that half the string doesn’t light. For this year, I’ll still be testing even the new strings of lights, just in case I have to run back to the store!
Put away the staple gun! I’m going to try not using a staple gun this year. I’ve already bought 3 packs of multi purpose clips that should allow me to hang lights on gutters, shingles, or siding without making any new holes in either the siding, fascia, or light strings! Yes, I’ve put holes in strings of lights before! I’m also interested in these Holiday Hangers, but I’m not ready to drill holes in the brand new porch.
Timing is everything: I’ve bought 2 timers for running the outside lights this year. In the past, we had a switch inside that turned the lights on. Now, with these timers, the lights will come on automatically at dusk and stay on for whatever duration I set.
Power to the Yard: I’m still searching for extension cords. In the past I had a few power stakes and I plan to get them again. They keep the connections up off the ground–which keeps them dry!
Hopefully, by the time this weekend is through, I’ll be ready for the Tacky Light tour.
Run on Wed, Jul 28
5.09 mi in 43:48 (08:36 min/mi)
HR 162 bpm - Burned 716 C
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