Well it sure FEELS like Christmas of old outside today! brrrrrrr hovered at 30-32 degrees all day with a constant call for a freezing rain...
You know what that means...right kiddies.....MILK & BREAD RUN ... and school closings...at 1:00pm for a storm that - as of 6:32pm - has stayed on the JAY'S from "Cynical Ba**ard" side of the Mississippi...That would be the west side for those geographically challenged...(I looked at a map, trust me!)
You know what that means...right kiddies.....MILK & BREAD RUN ... and school closings...at 1:00pm for a storm that - as of 6:32pm - has stayed on the JAY'S from "Cynical Ba**ard" side of the Mississippi...That would be the west side for those geographically challenged...(I looked at a map, trust me!)
The weekend was really a lot of fun and we packed a great deal into the three days...
Beginning Friday night when I finally completed the hopefully one-time only "Rehanging O' The Lights!"
With the tree lit and decorated by Nancy & The Boys, I took the last photos...(all enlarge with a click)
Beginning Friday night when I finally completed the hopefully one-time only "Rehanging O' The Lights!"
With the tree lit and decorated by Nancy & The Boys, I took the last photos...(all enlarge with a click)
The Final Product
Close-up Of The Front Door With Tree
Then a little fun...
right out of the camera
Close-up Of The Front Door With Tree
Then a little fun...
right out of the camera
Saturday morning came quickly and we were on a 9:00am flight. Non-stop Memphis to Greensboro. We traveled with the basketball team from ...Wright State...We were in a small jet and these poor guys had their knees in their chins!
When we land, there is no gate for us, so we sat on the tarmac for a half hour! At one point the pilot announced "for the guys over 6'5", we are turning off the seat belt light to let you stretch"...funny thing is not one of them stood. Nancy said they were too afraid they would not be able to get back into the seats!
And of course from behind me one of the players says to his buddy "John, you are only 6'4" you can't get up!"
Nancy had told a co-worker we would wait for them since we were renting a car, so we grabbed the car and drove around a bit before meeting Al at the Marriott Hotel on the airport property and off to the Grandover Resort.
When we land, there is no gate for us, so we sat on the tarmac for a half hour! At one point the pilot announced "for the guys over 6'5", we are turning off the seat belt light to let you stretch"...funny thing is not one of them stood. Nancy said they were too afraid they would not be able to get back into the seats!
And of course from behind me one of the players says to his buddy "John, you are only 6'4" you can't get up!"
Nancy had told a co-worker we would wait for them since we were renting a car, so we grabbed the car and drove around a bit before meeting Al at the Marriott Hotel on the airport property and off to the Grandover Resort.
Man I hate those GPS things squawking in your ear! Especially when it is a new highway and the dang thing does not recognize it and keeps chirping "Recalculating"..."Recalculating"..."Recalculating"...
Anywho...we got to the resort and Nancy checked in while I parked the car. We go up to the room and it is not the room reserved. So Nancy calls down and I hear this end of the conversation "Yes, it was not the room....Well there are two double beds...sharing the room?...who?...Hazel?....let us come down there and we can get it straight, thank you"
HUH? What kind of company is this? They are putting three in a room? Hummm...what does Hazel look like - this last got me a shot in the arm...LOL
We go downstairs and the woman says, yes you are sharing with a Mr. Vince Marini...OH WELL that is a horse of a different color!
image found at Journeys
Back to the room for some rest and then off to the party. The cocktail hour and a half began at 6:30...I was talking with the bartender Zoltan - no I did not try and feed him quarters and find out my fortune - and he said he went through 6 bottles of vodka, three of Black Label, two of Jose 1800 and 2 of Jack...beside the numerous bottles of wine and beer!
Last year this company had 25 employees. This year 79...most brought a guest...they flew in those who worked remotely and many drove (The company office is in the Durham area - we were in Greensboro)...but the owner said "If you drink, you stay" so he had a minimum of 70 rooms at the hotel!
Then there was dinner, which after I had begun to eat, I realized there were not two types of potatoes on the plate - I know...but what can I tell you! - one of them was crab cakes...When the waitress came back all that was left was a veggie plate, which was not bad, but those two tenderloin steaks looked so dang good...-for those who do not know I have a fatal allergy to crab, lobster and shrimp -
Then the awards were handed out and as this was going on the DJ next door was heard every time a staff member went through the connecting door.
As there was no plans for dancing at this party, people drifted next door when all was done.
Nancy's company took over the party and at the end - for the last dance - it was only people from her company left!
Then we went to the bar and closed that down with about 40 people.
We finally made it upstairs and got settled around 3:30am...
Sunday came fast, we arranged a 1:00pm check out and had some breakfast in bed and then napped ... We had made arrangements to hook up with good friends Steve and Cindy who live in Kernersville.
We headed over to their house and then out to a local sports bar for lunch.
They had been at a party in their neighborhood the night before, so when Steve said, you want a beer, while at his house, I just laughed and he said "yeah, me neither"
We had a great 2 hours with them and then headed to the airport and home. I slept for a while, Nancy tried, but those little jets are just so cramped.
We drove to Nancy's home, I got my car and that was the end of a gloriously fun, special weekend...
We were close to another blogger, but unfortunately did not have time for a visit...but if we are in the area again...we will give them a call...
Ah...pictures
The infamous dress...Nancy looked great
Then we were told "have fun"...and...
Then we were told "have fun"...and...
Coming up this week on DR. BLOGSTEIN’S RADIO HAPPY HOUR:
(Live on Tuesday December 16 at 9PM ET and forever archived at BlogTalkRadio.)
Its a very Merry Blogstein as we celebrate the holidays on our last live show of 2008.
This year is the 25th anniversary of the best holiday movie of all time, A Christmas Story, and joining Dr. Blogstein, Dangerous Lee and Vinny Bond to commemorate the milestone is Brian Jones, founder and owner of A Christmas Story House & Museum.
When Jones heard that the house used in the film was up for sale on eBay, he bought it sight unseen and restored it back to its original movie appearance. The house which opened November 2006 has been visited by more than 60,000 people.
Jones also started and owns RedRiderLegLamps.com, a largely online venture that sells replica leg lamps.
Also this week:
Join us live every Tuesday night at 9PM ET. The Radio Happy Hour Lounge-a live, interactive chat room during show time! It’s the show within the show!
This year is the 25th anniversary of the best holiday movie of all time, A Christmas Story, and joining Dr. Blogstein, Dangerous Lee and Vinny Bond to commemorate the milestone is Brian Jones, founder and owner of A Christmas Story House & Museum.
When Jones heard that the house used in the film was up for sale on eBay, he bought it sight unseen and restored it back to its original movie appearance. The house which opened November 2006 has been visited by more than 60,000 people.
Jones also started and owns RedRiderLegLamps.com, a largely online venture that sells replica leg lamps.
Also this week:
- Bob Eckstein, author of The History of the Snowman will tell us all we didn’t know about Frosty and his ancestors.
- Award-winning singer, songwriter and producer Jd Webb joins us to discuss the controversial end to his former group Raze and to showcase his new single “Everything I Need this Christmas”
- Gina Beltrami, writer of the smelliest Christmas Carol “I Farted on Santa’s Lap (Now Christmas is Gonna Stink for Me)”
Join us live every Tuesday night at 9PM ET. The Radio Happy Hour Lounge-a live, interactive chat room during show time! It’s the show within the show!
Nice shots of the house.
You and Nancy do make a very nice looking couple. Glad you had a great week-end.
Looks and sounds like a pretty good time Vin. And Wright State? It's only 20-25 minutes from my home. They're team isn't too good this year. Cheers!!
...that's one heck-a-doodle of a house!!!...
You both look very nice! LOVE the last pic of the house. ;-)
The house looks festive, and you two look like you had a great time. Glad the trip was worth it and that you made it home safely.
The Harry CD arrived, but since I just got home, I haven't had a chance to listen yet. Soon!
Nice review of our lovely weekend. Wow you're a handsome devil and I do love that smile ;)
Nice....so festive, so lovely...oh and the house looks good too ;-)
Sounds like a fun time..
Got your card...LOVED IT! Yours went out today.
Merry Christmas Vinny!
HUGS!!
Looks like a LOT of fun!
Just in the arm?
Excellent review. The house looks great too. Very Christmasy and festive.
DRILLERAA: Thanks...I think she makes us look good!
MATT-MAN: We thought of you when we realized they were from Wright State...nah not too good
PHFRANKIE: Well TY Sir
TUG: Thanks on both counts
SONGBIRD: We had a fab time...glad the CD arrived safe
NANCY: The smile is there because of you darling
LEELEE: LOL thanks...glad the card arrived..and MERRY CHRISTMAS
TURNBABY: As much as we will have on NYE
ANNDI: LOL yeah, I expected that from you especially!...
JAY: TY my man....
Hey, get a room! . . . Oh ya, you did.
Great recap, thanks for sharing.
the house is so pretty! Nancy is so pretty! You're a lucky guy. Glad you had fun. I'll check in before Christmas but hope your shopping's going well.
What a lovely couple you two make. Very very nice picture :)
We are gearing up for round two tomorrow on our weather. I was home again today but my dad is here tonight to put on my chains. Of course he is going to have to stay here tonight and catch a ride with his boss tomorrow.
Kidlet has no school tomorrow. Third day in a row. I will be surprised if they have any school between now and Jan 5th. They are off starting Friday anyhow.
I love Nancy's lights! You did a great job and Nancy is totally rockin' that dress =)
I like the architectural style of mid-south homes - lots of brick. Down here, it's all stucco...pretty boring. The lights look great. Like I said in an earlier comment, I gave up on anything that requires a ladder.
Wonderful pictures of you and Nancy. Glad you didn't have too much fun. For the camera, anyway.
JEFF: LOL yup eventually!
Thank you Sir
TOPCHAMP: Thank you on both accounts...we did and I did ...I work fast
LU': Thanks so much
STARR: ugh..nothing happened here! LOL Even longer break...then they have to make it up?
Thanks on the lights...and yup she chose the perfect dress
Sounds like a lot of fun. And Nancy looks marvelous!
Well done on the house lights.
I am so late in reading this, but may I say that "You look MAHVALUS!"
I thought I saw a glow from the west of us...
the dress is perfect!
the fun looks like....well...fun!