Oh No! More Elves

More Elves—In the Country
Here’s Granddaddy and Grandmother with our 3 grandchildren doing the Elf thing. (On the left side is Granddaddy and Grandmother, Kara’s in the middle, then Zachary and Mandy are on the right side.)

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

OK… OK… I promise. No more elves this year.

Jade Countdown
Jade will be here on December 22 in the evening.
That’s only 2 more days!!!

 

~~~

Tennessee Granddaddy Says:

It is good to have something to do, something to achieve. We never get so old that we don’t need to have something to work toward.

~~~

Quote of the Day
Brew me a cup for a winter's night.
For the wind howls loud and the furies fight;
Spice it with love and stir it with care,
And I'll toast our bright eyes,
my sweetheart fair.
~Minna Thomas Antrim

 

~~~
Joke of the Day

"I have good news and bad news," a defense attorney told his client. "First the bad news. The blood test came back, and your DNA is an exact match with that found at the crime scene."

"Oh, no!" cried the client. "What's the good news?"

"Your cholesterol is down to 140."

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Winters of Long Ago

Click on the beautiful artwork below to see some great talent that has been placed in an slideshow with music. It shows us some beauty of those long ago winters. I think you will really enjoy the pictures, and the memories.

“Winters of Long Ago” was provided by Great Dane Pro. (When you go to the Great Dane site be sure and look for the menu items across the top of the web page.)

Candy Making
Yesterday was candy making time at our house. Sharon and Beverly made those delicious peanut butter balls, some covered with chocolate and some covered with butterscotch. This is a wonderful time of the year. All the cooking, making candy & cookies, all the fun of getting ready for Christmas and the New Year. It’s a good time to be alive and enjoy the sounds, smells and sights of the holidays!

Yesterday was the 3rd and last candy making day. Beverly has already made the fudge, and on another day she and Sharon made peanut brittle. Here’s a close-up of some of those peanut butter balls. Doesn’t it make you want to pick one up and try one? I like the butterscotch the best.

~~~

I wish you a very Merry Christmas!

& A happy and healthy new year!

 

~~~

Tennessee Granddaddy Says:

Stop every now and then and think.
Are you on the right road for the destination you desire? If so, are you moving forward?

~~~

Quote of the Day

It's so hard when I have to,
and so easy when I want to.
~Annie Gottlier

~~~
Joke of the Day

There's this drunk guy who decides that he wants to go ice fishing. He packs up all his tackle and sets out in search of a suitable spot.

Eventually, he stumbles across a huge area of ice and decides that he'll give it a go. Taking out a saw from his tackle box, he starts to saw a whole.

Suddenly, a loud voice booms out at him, "There's no fish in here." The drunk looks all around him but can't see anyone. He decides to ignore the voice and carries on sawing.

Again, the voice booms out, "I've told you once, there's no fish in here!" He looks up again but there's still no sign of anyone so he returns to his task.

"Stop it!" shouts the now very angry sounding voice, "You'd better pack up your stuff and get out of here or there'll be trouble."

"Who are you" shouts the drunk guy, "you don't scare me!"

"Look," replies the voice, "I'm the manager of this Ice Rink!"

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The Wright Brothers

Yesterday was the anniversary of the first heavier than air powered flight accomplished by the Wright brothers on December 17, 1903.

I received a slide show from TechRepublic a few days ago named First in Flight from the Wright Brothers’ Camera. I enjoyed the pictures that showed the flight history and ingenuity of Orville and Wilbur Wright.

Then I found another site that had more photographs of the Wright Brothers and their adventures. Here’s one picture or Wilbur and Orville taken in 1909. Check out the Wright Brothers Aeroplane Company for more pictures and information about the Wright Brothers being first in flight. For the home page click this line.

~~~

Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
There’s Faith, Hope and Love.
Remember that Love is the one thing
that matters in the long run.
We won’t need faith and hope in eternity.

~~~

Quote of the Day

It is Christmas in the heart
that puts Christmas in the air.
~W.T. Ellis

~~~
Joke of the Day

Some crazy definitions:

• Consciousness - the time between naps.
• Accountant - someone you hire to explain that you didn't make the money you did.
• Wedding - a funeral where you smell your own flowers.
• Justice - a decision in your favor.
• Paradox - two physicians.
• Court of law - the place where a suit is pressed and a man can be taken to the cleaners.
• Flattery - an insult in gift wrapping.
• Alimony - the cost of loving.
• Capitalism - the survival of the fattest.
• Oboe: An ill woodwind that no-one blows good.

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The Interview

Have you seen the interview with God? If not watch it here. It lasts over 5 minutes. I would recommend watching it alone when you have time and are not rushed. It has some very good thoughts. My thinking is that God has told us all we need to know through the Bible and His Son Jesus. But watching this should not hurt you.

 

~~~

Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
There are some things in life you can feel but not see.
Like the wind that blows, or true love, faith in God, inner peace, … I am thankful for what I can feel as well as what I can see. God is Good.

~~~

Quotes of the Day

Don't do what you'll have to find an excuse for.
~Proverb

No one ever excused his way to success. 
~Dave Del Dotto

~~~
Jokes of the Day

A man walks into a bar and asks the bartender, 'Was I in here last night?'

'You certainly were,' replies the bartender.

'And did I spend a lot of money?'

'You spent over $150', replies the bartender.

'Thank goodness for that,' says the man, 'I thought I'd wasted it.'

              And…

A duck walks into bar,
Duck: got any bread?
Bartender: no
Duck: got any bread?
Bartender: no...
Duck: got any bread?
Bartender: NO
Duck: got any bread?
Bartender: NOOOOO!!!!!
Duck: got any bread?
Bartender: If you ask that one more time I'm going to nail your bill to the counter.
Duck: got any nails?
Bartender: NO
Duck: got any bread?

 

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A Wonderful Birthday

I had a wonderful birthday thanks to my family and friends. Thanks for all the birthday card, phone calls, emails and blog comments I’ve received the past few days. I’ve learned that reaching 70 is not very painful. In fact, it has been just plain enjoyable! Here’s a few examples that illustrate my reasons for having such a happy birthday. There would not be any happiness without love.

Dec 14, 2008 We had a nice visit with Bobby & Sharon. We enjoyed a wonderful birthday supper that Sharon had prepared!
Dec 15, 2008 I was surprised by a bunch of birthday posters that Bethany had made and mailed back to Beverly. This picture was taken during a visit from our wonderful  neighbors, Kenneth & Helen. they surprised me with a gift and a birthday card. Mandy, Kevin, Bethany, Dad, Mary, Jade and many others have called me today. Kara & Zachary also called and sung a special Happy Birthday greeting. It was neat!
Dec 15, 2008 Our good friend Sue showed up at the house this evening with this dish of homemade sugar cookies. And she also brought me some corn chowder. Both are delicious!

~~~
The following is here because I love each of you.
This may help keep you safe in the days to come.

Cruise Control & Wet Roads
I received this the other day and thought it was worth sharing. If you don’t have time to read the following, just remember

Do Not Use Cruise Control
When the Roads are Wet or Icy.

Here’s the email:

”A 36 year old female  had an accident several weeks ago and totaled her car.  It was raining, though not excessively, when her  car suddenly began to hydro-plane and literally flew through the air. She was not seriously injured but  very stunned at the sudden occurrence! When she  explained to the highway patrolman what had happened

Wet Roads – Don’t Use Cruise Control

he told her something that every driver should know - NEVER  DRIVE IN THE RAIN WITH YOUR CRUISE CONTROL ON. She  thought she was being cautious by setting the cruise  control and maintaining a safe consistent speed in the  rain.

”But the highway patrolman told her that if the  cruise control is on when your car begins to hydro-plane  and your tires lose contact with the pavement, your car will accelerate to a higher rate of speed making you  take off like an airplane. She told the patrolman that was  exactly what had occurred.

”The patrolman said this  warning should be listed, on the driver's seat sun-visor: NEVER USE THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE PAVEMENT IS WET  OR ICY, along with the airbag warning. We tell  our teenagers to set the cruise control and drive a safe  speed - but we don't tell them to use the cruise control  only when the pavement is dry.”

It’s True! Check this out on Snopes.

~~~

Tennessee Granddaddy Says:

Don't ignore the panhandler who asks you for a dime for a cup of coffee. Give it to him. Then follow him and find out where they still sell coffee for a dime.

~~~

Quote of the Day

Those who think they have not time
for bodily exercise will sooner or later
have to find time for illness.
~Edward Stanley

~~~
Joke of the Day

A man went into a bar after work and ordered a drink. As he started drinking his beer, he heard a female voice saying, 'You've got nice hair'.

The man looked all around him but couldn't see where the voice came from. A minute later he heard the same voice saying, 'You are a handsome man.'

The man was really puzzled by this so he asked the bartender what was going on.

The bartender replied, 'It's the nuts - they're complimentary.'

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A Birthday to Remember

Mom’s Birthday
Today is my Mother’s birthday. She would have been 95 years old today (Like my Dad, who is 95). She died in 1974 at 60 years of age of a heart attack. She was the most wonderful mother anyone could ever have. Loving, caring, forgiving, serving and living a life that will never be forgotten. We have missed her dearly and will always morn our loss of the jewel of our family. The following is a picture of my Mother, LaVerne, taken by my Dad’s airplane, an Ercoupe.

LaVerne White Picture taken at the Island Airport in Knoxville, TN around 1950(?)

My Birthday Today Also
Tennessee Granddaddy was also born on this day in 1938. Yes, I was born on my Mother’s birthday. So you have done the subtraction and have already figured out that today is a big round number of 70. WOW! I sure don’t feel like I should be that old. That’s older than dirt. Anyway, it’s true.

Here’s a few pictures taken last Saturday after I returned home from the hospital. We had an early celebration for my birthday with Kevin, Lesley, Kara and Zachary.

Jim with his arm around the love of his life. (I have a little pillow that says, “A man lives here with the catch of his life.” How true!)	Beverly & Jim
Granddaddy with two of his three Grand-children. (Mandy, I wish you could have been with us!) I got some good hugs from them for part of my birthday present. Zachary gave me a coupon to go fishing with me 3 time this coming year.	Kara, Jim & Zachary
The picture says it all. It was delicious! There was also some ice-cream. I told them I wanted 70 candles instead of numbers. They said they didn’t want to have to call the fire department to stand by.	The Cookie!

~~~

My Good Friend Howard
My good friend Howard has developed a wonderful web page showing some of his beautiful photography from places he has visited in his travels. His page looks like this, and notice the links at the top which will take you to a great slide show of pictures.

Howard and I worked together at Eastman Chemical Company. He, too, is a statistician… like Kevin and myself. Howard and Kevin are still working while I am enjoying my retirement years.

I hope you click on the picture above or on Howard's Worldscape and view those slide shows!

~~~

Tennessee Granddaddy Says:

Another birthday just means we have completed another trip around the sun. And, I got a new camera
thanks to Beverly and Kevin & Family.
It’s a Canon PowerShot X10 IS.
(10 mega pixels and 20x Optical Zoom). It’s Awesome!

~~~

Quote of the Day

Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional.
~Chili Davis

~~~
Joke of the Day

Just before Christmas, an honest politician, a generous lawyer and Santa Claus were riding in the elevator of a very posh hotel. Just before the doors opened they all noticed a $20 bill lying on the floor. Which one picked it up?

Santa of course, because the other two don't exist!

~~~

A final note: They said to Back Up My Hard Drive?

How do I Put it in Reverse?

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Granddaddy’s Back Home

Our lives can change in an instant.
I had no idea that last Thursday would be any different than any other day. As usual, we left home around 9:30 AM to go to the gym for our cardio workout. After about 10 minutes on the elliptical machine, I felt “funny” in the middle of my chest, and I was sweating much more than usual. Beverly was on the machine next to me, and I just whispered to her that I felt I needed to go to the ER to get my heart checked out. So we left quietly, and I drove to the ER. We got there around 10:30 AM. I really did not feel that bad, and I wasn’t 100% sure I was having a heart attack.

It is amazing how fast you get attention at the ER when you say something about your heart. They took blood and did and EKG, and I don’t know what else. It wasn’t long before a doctor came in and reported that I had had a mild heart attack.

The next step was to plan a heart cath to see what was going on. I already had 2 stents and there was a question as to if one of them had plugged up. So they scheduled the heart cath for me on Friday.

I was still in the ER at 5 pm and there were no open rooms in the hospital. None came open and I spent the night in ER. It was a terrible night filled with phones ringing, people talking, alarms sounding, etc. It was a noisy, restless night for sure.

Around 5:30 AM on Friday they woke me in the ER, and started preparing me to go to have my heart cath. They finally called me to go at 2:30 PM. It seems there had been lots of emergency heart cath work. But I finally got called. Doctor Mayhew did my cath and we talked back and forth throughout the procedure. He found a 95% blockage in one of the large heart arteries, and everything else was in good shape, including the previous stents. The man fixed me up and by 5:30 PM I was in a real hospital room.

Picture by Kevin This was taken just before I went in for the heart cath

And today I came home, and I’m feel great. The doctor said within 2 weeks I could be back a my regular routine. There was no damage to the heart. I hopeful I will be back working out with about 2 weeks. I plan to be back with my regular blog posts next week.

Thanks
Thanks for all my family and friends for their visit, telephone calls and emails asking my situation.

~~~

Tennessee Granddaddy Says:

Our lives can change in an instant. Be ready!

~~~

Quote of the Day
Happiness is not being pained in body or troubled in mind.
~Thomas Jefferson

~~~
Joke of the Day

A man in a Porsche 911 stops at a stoplight and a guy on a scooter pulls up next to him. The guy on the scooter leans over and takes an admiring look at the inside of the Porsche and tells the driver that he has a really hot car.

Well, the light turned green so the driver of the Porsche decides to show off and peels out and leaves the guy on the scooter in the dust. Then, all of a sudden, he sees the scooter zip on past him. So, being a little cocky, the Porsche driver floors it again and blows past the guy on the scooter.

A few seconds later, he again sees the scooter zip on past him. So now he's a little irate as well as a little miffed that that scooter keeps passing him so he floors it until he is going over 100 mph. He thinks to himself that there would be no way that scooter could catch him now, but then looks in the rearview mirror and sees that scooter starting to catch up.

He then decides to find out what that scooter really is and slams on his brakes. Then the scooter crashes into the Porsche. After the dust settled, the Porsche driver sees the scooter driver lying in the road and goes over to him and asks how he could go as fast as the Porsche on a little wimpy scooter...

The injured man replied, "I can't really, but my suspenders were caught on your side mirror...."

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