......what if this was the shortest day of the year......but tomorrow it would start to get longer as we head back up the hill.......looking forward to it I am...

I'm in the big rigs today.....heading down to Kansas...kinda out where Tom lives......sorry Tee its not that close and I have to go to Hope Ks after I unload and load again to go back to Nebraska......long day....but it pays well.......driver is off on vacation.......why do they think they should get a vacation......??

Have a safe and productive day Guru's......

Hidey-ho! Another balmy day here, mid-30's and sloppy. Since the days will start getting longer tomorrow, maybe I can translate that into more nap-time. I'm not gonna hold my breath.

Have a good day, Gurus!

No way Santa could ever get all that work done on his own. Luckily he has lots of helpers to get his sleigh up and into the air. I'm sure they take a load off his mind.

I have to get my ass (and the rest of me) to the nursery and cut the grass there and at the house. Today is party prep yard work day and I have more than enough to fill the day. I could use a little help from Santa's helpers but I'm afraid they would just slow me down. My back is letting me know the stuff I delivered yesterday was pretty heavy. Thanks Sue for keeping me young at heart. The body unfortunately is often in disagreement.

Morning guys....It's almost shirtsleeve temps out there, already 30 and headed for upper 40s.

I had a computer to work on brought to me last night. So got that done. Another one of my former colleagues (they both are teachers) had asked me, two months ago about making a mantle for them. They wanted it for Christmas as they were hosting his family. After some discussion, they decided that they would buy the chunk of wood and I would stain, finish and install it. They told me they would order the wood from a place in Colorado which would custom cut and mill to their specs. I talked to them a week or so ago and asked if they had gotten the wood yet. "No, but we need to get on to it. I'll call and see if it is ready." In all fairness the wife is the niece of my friend who was killed a few weeks back in the car accident, and she is the executor of the estate. And they both she and him, are the coaches of the girls basketball team, so they have had their hands full with all that. Well, I don't hear anything until yesterday morning. "Is there ANY chance that you can put the mantle up before Thursday?" "Well, if you have the wood I can probably get it done for you. Do you have the wood?" "No, but if you can do it, I'll go get it today." (The mill is in Woodland Park about 4 1/2 hours away) So about 7:30 last night he shows up with this big chunk of wood in the back of their Suburban. So today I'm headed out there to figure out the mounting and stain. Get the thing stained and sprayed then Tomorrow go back out and get it installed for them.

Marcus, if you do get out this far, you had better stop and see me. Hope is a Loooong way away from here. Probably 4 1/2 hours, you could make a quick little detour to come see me can't you?"

Tommy, I know what you mean. My back aches a bit today after all that lifting yesterday, too. The things our wives talk us in to. I could probably use a helper or two like those, but it might be a little distracting.

IT'S A HAZY 37 IN THE NATIONS THIS MORNING, THE CHEROKEES HOPE THE SUN BURNS THROUGH SOON.

GOT TO GET MY $50 CHRISTMAS HAIRCUT TODAY, AND I'M DONE WITH GIFTING EXCEPT FOR FAMILY. I LOVE CHRISTMAS. IT REALLY IS MORE JOYOUS TO GIVE THAN TO RECEIVE.

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Amen, Gris. I love giving. Presents to kids and grands, giving back to the community (like I did yesterday), just doing good works for others. Love it.

I go the mantle prepped and attachment figured out. Just waiting on the finish to dray so I can throw another coat on. I'll be able to install it this afternoon. While I was out there, they had a couple other woodworking things for me to do "...while you're out here". So my afternoon has filled. I'm going to get my #2 & 3 GSs to help me with that. I've already got most of the tools gathered. I'll need a little help with loading the miter saw.

Warming up some, but, it's still very overcast and dreary.

Good thing you're retired, Tom ;-)

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Sometimes I wish I would have stayed working. It was SO much easier then. Plus I got 4 weeks vacation. Well, I still have at least 4 weeks of vacation because I do the vacation scheduling.

Gris? What in tarnation do you get included with a haircut that costs $50? Perhaps we shouldn't ask but would guess Santa's helpers might be involved?

I swear one of these days here I'm going to open up a men's hair salon where all cuts are $50 and with it the licensed hairdressers will wear daisy dukes and bikini tops and you are allowed a max of 2 beers.

Was quite a bit warmer here today, can actually go outside without a jacket. Strange tho with the warmer temps came a busted pool line valve. BF fixed that at lunch and sent me a photo of everything running again like normal. Drug one of the palm things in the house and need to go bring the other one in -

question for Tommy - I have a (ginormous) "white bird" plant - thing grows rapidly and has new sprouts/leaves/plants everywhere out of nowhere - will this thing ever bloom? How big do these really get? Maybe it needs a new home....

Well I was one helper short this afternoon. #3 decided he would rather mess around with one of his buddies. That's OK #2 and I got it taken care of without the need for more help. The mantle looks great, if I do say so myself. Then I was able to cut the bottom and back out of the vanity so it is ready for installation (not me though ) And all the base is installed in the bathrooms. They are tickled that I got it all done in one day.

Tomorrow #2 and I will put some seat covers on his hand me down Pontiac that will be his to drive once he turns 16 (about 6 months away).

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DO IT! YOU'LL MAKE A FORTUNE. I WANT A FREE SEASON PASS.

You got it!