Dad 121: Sandy, the World Series, & Those Political Ads

(The day after "The Day After." Enjoy Dad's post! --Tracy)

Derf here! The sun shone brightly this morning but we have the threat of showers for the next few days. Halloween is here, but our local police have decided to tell the trick-or-treaters to stay home tonight and go out Saturday evening instead. The storm called "Sandy" wasn't as bad as expected in our coastal area. We had severe winds causing some trees and lines to be down, but our house had not a flicker of power loss. Fortunate indeed! We lucked out!

I must admit at times our house did seem to shake occasionally as the winds were blowing. Our thoughts and prayers go out for our neighbors to our south that lost everything in the storm. The devastation witnessed on the news seems unreal. Snow in West Virginia; New York City flooded; a whole town burned (80+ homes); New Jersey absolutely destroyed. The power of Mother Nature seemed to exceed anything witnessed to date! Will the destroyed areas be rebuilt? Only time will tell. I can't imagine how I would feel if in the same predicament as those who lost everything!

Well, now to the 2012 baseball season. It is over. Thank goodness! It wasn't the result I wanted, but the San Francisco Giants were the better of the two World Series teams. The Tigers were totally outplayed as Marco Scutaro drove in the winning run. Just think, a short while ago he was playing in Fenway Park for the home team. Wait till 2015!! We'll be back! Hopefully! Maybe! It is only a game!

Are you "sick and tired" of all the political advertisements on TV? I'm watching one as I write this. I am sure glad for the remote's MUTE button. By the time I write my next post, if all goes well and there is no extension of the voting day, I'll not have to watch any more of these promotional ads. Vote for me! I'll change Washington! Don't discriminate! Vote "yes on one" for same-sex marriage! (My "no" vote has been cast.)

It has been an exciting Fall. We've witnessed an earthquake, the storm of the ages, a bad Boston sports team, birthdays for Josh, Zack and Eli (Zack's will be this coming month), and a most important election within the next week.

One last comment. I like what Jay Leno said: "Don't ask, Don't tell" is back.... It's Obama's new policy for questions about Libya.

Enough for now! Soooo....

Until next time!

Toodle Pip!

Derf!

The Day After

Hurricane Sandy has come and gone.  We never lost power at our house, and to my knowledge our road never flooded over.

Lew got a phone call this morning from a work colleague.  No power at the office.  A day off for Lew -- the only abnormality that we really encountered.

We are thankful that we fared so well.  Our thoughts and prayers are with those in areas that experienced so much devastation.  May the Lord calm them and grant them peace within.  He is able....

Jesus Calms a Storm

23 And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. 24 And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. 25 And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” 26 And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27 And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?”

-- Matthew 8:23-27 (ESV)

Sandy

Hurricane Sandy has presented her calling card. It is raining and very windy here in Southern Maine.

Lew arrived home from work a few minutes ago. I was so glad to see his vehicle turn into our driveway.

We are not expected to get the worst of Sandy. However, we have been warned to expect power outages and possible flooding.

I am praying for all those that are in the path of this storm. Please be safe!

Photos From My Birthday... By Eli

I turned a year old yesterday.  That blue stuff on my face?  Cookie Monster frosting!

Yum!  You make good cake, Momma!

Happy Birthday to MEEEEEE!!!!!

There were lots of people at my party!  I had so much fun.
My cousin Josh was playing with my blanket, making me laugh!
My cousin Zack laughed, too!

Karma stayed in Momma and Daddy's room the WHOLE time.
I have only one thing to say to you, Karma:
"Every party needs a pooper, that's why we invited you.  Party Pooper!"

I got PRESENTS for my birthday!  Lots of clothes and toys.
Daddy and I were VERY busy playing in this picture.

Uncle Riean made this toy box for me.  WOW!!!!!

That was a great party.  But I'm ready for a nap now.
It's not EVERY day that you turn ONE!

Eli is the Birthday Boy!

We went to a big birthday bash at Eli's house today. It is hard to believe he is one year old.

Happy Birthday to you, Sweet Baby Boy!!!

(Postscript: Below is a party photo of Eli with cousin Zack, Uncle Glen, and cousin Josh. Check back tomorrow for more pics!)

I Write a Song

Jerry heard Lew and I when we got home from the grocery store tonight, so our little gray kitty came downstairs to hang out with us.  (Kurt opted to stay upstairs on our bed.)

When I saw Jerry, I started to sing to him.  I sang a song that I made up.  It goes like this:

Jerry Kitty!
He's my Jerry Kitty!
He's Jerry Kitty!
He's my Jerry Kitty!

The above is repeated as many times as one wishes to sing it.  And the various lines are interchangeable.  For instance, one could sing:

He's Jerry Kitty!
He's my Jerry Kitty!
He's my Jerry Kitty!
Jerry Kitty!

I asked Lew if he enjoyed my song, and he indicated that it might become tedious after a while.

Hmmm.... I wonder why he feels that way....

The Things You Learn When You Buy a New Hairbrush

I purchased a hairbrush at the grocery store yesterday. When I got home, I threw out my old brush and also my comb. I don't really need a comb for my short hair, so I figured, "Why not simplify?"

When Lew got home from work tonight, he asked, "What happened to the comb that you used to keep on the bathroom sink?" After I told him, he got a funny look on his face. He certainly doesn't need a comb, so I was confused by his reaction.

He explained, "It was a great backscratcher."

In response to my look of horror, he said, "I always rinsed it off. But I never told you about it, because I know how you feel about such things."

Uh, okay.

I eventually recovered from Lew's revelation that he used my comb to scratch his itchy, sweaty back.

And I even fished the comb out of the trash for him.

Scratch away, Sweetie!