Let the party begin!

Okay, some of you may not want to start partying until later this evening, but you could start now if you go to bed by 8 pm. It only makes sense!

Pop tarts and bubble cider!

New Blog information:

If you click on photos, they get larger – you can also right click and save on your hard drive too.

If you click on the little arrows to the left of the dates that show on the left side of your screen (either the year or the month) they’ll open up and let you see the posts for that period of time.

Under every post or article are several items:

If you click on a label like “Neidon” for example, every post with his name on the label will come up. Sort of like a blog search engine just for this site.

If you click on the comments, you can add a comment to the post.

If you click on the small envelope, you can email this post to a friend (or enemy).

And last of all, on this new page format, click the main title “Chautauqua” and it will take you back to the main page. You couldn't do this before.

2006 almost gone

I can't believe it - this year is almost over! I can count the days left on one hand. I hope you had a great year - an exciting one is sure a-coming!

(As always, click on the photo to see much larger)

New Year, New look

I'm getting ready for the New Year and decided to update my blog's appearance. Hope you like it. 2007 is just around the corner!

Casual Friday

Hooray - it's casual Friday. Hmmm ... when you work for yourself, what do you wear that's more casual than Monday through Thursday?

Cindy and I went downtown with my mom and dad to see Christmas lights on the Riverwalk - beautiful. But everyone from Texas and Iowa colleges were there with their bands and teams and it seemed like all of their folks too.

Weight loss

If you are like me, the holidays have been very full-filling. In fact so much that I need to drop a few pounds. So, I've decided to start a new weight loss plan. I don't know who came up with the one I'm reprinting below, but it sounds terrific.

EXERCISE FOR REAL LIFE (If you're busy like me)

Monday:
Beat around the bush.
Jump to conclusions.
Climb the walls.
Wade through paperwork.

Tuesday:
Drag my heels.
Push my luck.
Make mountains out of mole hills.
Hit the nail on the head.

Wednesday:
Bend over backwards.
Jump on the band wagon.
Balance the books.
Run around in circles.

Thursday:
Toot my own horn.
Climb the ladder of success.
Pull out the stops.
Add fuel to the fire.

Friday:
Open a can of worms.
Put my foot in my mouth.
Start the ball rolling.
Go over the edge.

Saturday:
Pick up the pieces.

Whew! What a workout!

Hands full

Rachel has her hands full with two kids, just wait until she has three!

Have a great day!

What a great Christmas

Christmas is behind us and we look forward to the New Year that is just around the corner. As Cindy recently told me, we're in that gray zone or no-man's land right now.

In San Antonio, all of the construction crews are in Mexico, schools are out and life is slower than usual.

Have a wonderful. blessed, relaxing week.

Move on

Well, Christmas is over and it's time to clean up the mess and move on. Some won't take it very well. You may have to talk them down from their Christmas 'high'.

Have a great week, 2007 is right around the corner.

Your advice

I recently got this letter. Worth looking into? Your thoughts?
-------------------------------------------------------------
FROM: BARRISTER Usman Obi (ESQ)

Usman Obi & ASSOCIATES,

# 30 ADISA BASHUA STREET,

SURULERE, LAGOS - NIGERIA.

MEIL:barr_usmanobi@hotmail.com


Dear Sir/Ma,

I am Barrister Usman Obi ,the Personal Attorney to Mr Larry Kidd,A foreigner who used to work with Mekon Associates company in Nigeria,On the 2nd of March 2000, my client, his wife And their three children were involved in a car accident along Port Harcourt Road. All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives. Since then I have made several enquiries to your embassy to locate any of my clients extended relatives,this has also proved unsuccessful.After these several unsuccessful attempts,I decided to trace his relatives over the Internet,to locate any member of his family but of no avail, hence I contacted you.

I have contacted you to assist me in repartrating the money left behind by my client before they get confisicated or declared unserviceable by the finance house where this huge deposits were lodged.

Particularly, the African Banking Inco-operation(ABI) where the deceased had an account valued at about $10 million dollars has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the account confisicated within the next ten official working days.since I have been unsuccesfull in locating the relatives for over 5years now I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin to the deceased so that the proceeds of this account valued at $10 million dollars can be paid to you and then you and I can share the money. 55% to me and 40% to you,while 5% should be for expenses or tax as your government may require,I have all necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make.

All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this transaction through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.Please get in touch with me by my if you are willing to assist.

Best Regards.

- usman obi

Hard choice

Okay, here are the submitted answers, you be the judge.

Neidon, can you believe it? One more day until Christmas. I'm so excited!'

Neidon replied, 'can you please move over Kaireia, you're sitting on my __________.

From my mom and dad Adams ...
you're sitting on my ribbon and paper and I need to get Grandpa Adams' gift wrapped!!!!

From Reed ...
you're sitting on my Super niatro electric rayon blaster with 42" casters and a 312 alpha scion booster.

1 more day

'Neidon, can you believe it? One more day until Christmas. I'm so excited!'

Neidon replied, 'can you please move over Kaireia, you're sitting on my __________.

Okay, I admit, I'm getting bored. Maybe a day of rain and watching '24' fried my brain - send me your answer to the blank and I'll post them later.

2 more days

I hope you are still not decorating the tree. There are only two days left until Christmas. In fact, if your last name start with 'A' like mine does, he actually comes Christmas eve. It only makes sense or he wouldn't get to the 'Z's' until the day after Christmas - duh!

Winter nights, summer dreams

After a few cold nights, I'm ready for summer again. I often wonder if I moved far enough south.

At least I can dream of warm weather.

Another bunny

Neidon is not quite so sure about this. This world has a lot of interesting things to explore.

Bunny

Kaireia loves bunny rabbits.

Isn't she a pretty girl!

Aren't I rich!!

It's a jungle out there.

Looks like Kaireia and Darin are on Safari. They told me that Columbus was a real jungle, but I didn't take them literally!

Kaireia doesn't look to worried.

My Fortune

Yesterday Cindy and I had lunch with some good friends at a Chinese restaurant. After the meal, I got a fortune cookie and my fortune was 'You will be coming into a fortune". We were all laughing and I was thinking, 'that'll be the day, when Leslie told me that it was true. I was reminded I'm going to get a new daughter-in-law and a new grand baby next year.

She's absolutely right. I will be coming into a fortune next year! But I gotta tell you, I realize I already have a fortune. What about you?

I also have this quote on a bookmark, one of my favorites ... "How can we be poor if our Lord is wealthier than all Kings?" - Bernanos

My Little Princess

So does something look different here? Maybe the gloves? Hmmm ...

A typical princess type of day.

Day of Rest

A new week starts - this is the week before Christmas. It's going to be crazy, but I hope you have time to enjoy the season and relax a little.


Have a great Sunday!