Quote of the Day

Out of intense complexities intense simplicities emerge.

— Winston Churchill

Quote of the Day

Wine should be taken in small does; knowledge in large ones.

— Chinese proverb

Quote of the Day

The best thing about the future is that it only comes one day at a time.

— Abraham Lincoln

Quote of the Day

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.

— John Fitzgerald Kennedy

What should be the focus of Christians on Thanksgiving?

First, a brief history of Thanksgiving - the original thanksgiving celebration was held by the Pilgrim settlers in Massachusetts during their second winter in America in December 1621. The first winter had killed 44 of the original 102 colonists. At one point their daily food ration was down to five kernels of corn apiece, but then an unexpected trading vessel arrived, swapping them beaver pelts for corn, providing for their severe need. The next summer’s crop brought hope, and Governor William Bradford decreed that December 13, 1621, be set aside as a day of feasting and prayer to show the gratitude of the colonists that they were still alive. These Pilgrims, seeking religious freedom and opportunity in America, gave thanks to God for His provision for them in helping them find 20 acres of cleared land, for the fact that there were no hostile Indians in that area, for their newfound religious freedom, and for God’s provision of an interpreter to the Indians in Squanto.

Along with the feasting and games involving the colonists and more than 80 friendly Indians (who added to the feast by bringing wild turkeys and venison), prayers, sermons, and songs of praise were important in the celebration. Three days were spent in feasting and prayer.

From that time forward, Thanksgiving has been celebrated as a day to give thanks to God for His gracious and sufficient provision. President Abraham Lincoln officially set aside the last Thursday of November, in 1863, “as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father.” In 1941, Congress ruled that after 1941, the fourth Thursday of November be observed as Thanksgiving Day and be a legal holiday.

Scripturally, you find things related to the issue of thanksgiving nearly from cover to cover. You find individuals offering up sacrifices out of gratitude in the book of Genesis. You find the Israelites singing a song of thanksgiving as they were delivered from Pharaoh's army after the crossing of the Red Sea (Exodus 15). Later, the Mosaic Law set aside three times each year when the Israelites were to gather together. All three of these times [Unleavened Bread (also called the Feast of the Passover) (Exodus 12:15-20), Harvest or Pentecost (Leviticus 23:15-21), and the Feast of Ingathering or Tabernacles (Leviticus 23:33-36)] involved remembering God’s provision and grace. Harvest and Tabernacles took place specifically in relation to God’s provision in the harvest of various fruit trees and crops. The book of Psalms is packed full of songs of thanksgiving, both for God’s grace to the Israelite people as a whole through His mighty deeds, as well as for His individual graces to each of us.

In the New Testament, there are repeated admonitions to give thanks to God. Thanksgiving is to always be a part of our prayers. Some of the most remembered passages on the giving of thanks are the following:

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God" (Philippians 4:6).

"Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men" (1 Timothy 2:1).

It is also interesting to note that one of the charges brought against mankind universally is that, although we have an innate knowledge of God and of His provisions to us, we are unthankful (Romans 1:18-21). This is brought out in one pastor’s attempt in trying to illustrate the importance of sharing with those having less than we have. He had asked the children to come to the front and sit in the front pew on both sides of the church. Then he began to hand out a few M&M’s to the children on one side and none to the children on the other side. After doing so, he stood back and asked if they noticed anything wrong. One child, on the side having the candy, piped up, and indicating the child next to him, said, “Yeah, you gave him three, and you only gave me two!” So, too often, instead of noticing all that we have been given and being thankful for it and sharing it with others, we focus on what we don’t have instead.

Of all of God’s gifts, the greatest one He has given is the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. On the cross of Calvary, Jesus paid our sin debt, so a holy and just Judge could forgive us our sins and give us eternal life as a free gift. This gift is available to those who will call on Christ to save them from their sin in simple but sincere faith (John 3:16; Romans 3:19-26; Romans 6:23; Romans 10:13; Ephesians 2:8-10). For this gift of His Son, meeting our greatest need, the Apostle Paul says, "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" (2 Corinthians 9:15).

We, like the Pilgrims, have a choice: in life there will always be those things that we can complain about (the Pilgrims had lost many loved ones), but there will also be much to be thankful for. As our society becomes increasingly secular, I am afraid that the actual “giving of thanks to God” during our annual Thanksgiving Holiday is being overlooked, leaving only the feasting. May God grant that He may find us grateful every day for all of His gifts, spiritual and material. God is good, and every good gift comes from Him (James 1:17). For those who know Christ, God also works everything together for good, even events we would not necessarily consider good (Romans 8:28-30). May He find us to be His grateful children.

QOTW 11/21/07, Question of the Week from gotquestions.com, (The Bible has answers, we'll find them for you.)

Huh...

I'm trying to figure out why kamikaze pilots wore crash helmets...

A New Diet

I have a great diet! You're allowed to eat anything you want, but you must eat it staring at naked fat people.

Quote of the Day

What being at leisure means is more easily felt than defined.

— Vernon Lee

Quote of the Day

Treasure your relationships, not your possessions.

— Anthony J. D'Angelo

What to pack?

I'm leaving for the freezing tundra called Alaska on Friday. And being that this is a holiday week, and I'm working a 1/2 day Friday, I think it's time to start packing.

But what do I pack?!?!

Thick socks. Jacket. Sweaters. Water resistant shoes. Every long sleeve shirt I own. What else? I have this fear of the unknown.

Do I take the big suit case, or the medium size one?

Ahhhhh....

Life is going to get crazy the next couple weeks. And it's starting to sink in...

So if you've ever been to Alaska or have experience in temperatures in the teens and lower, please send your advice my way. Here are the details that I know... I'll be there for 4 full days. I know, not very helpful.

Did you ever notice...

...when you blow in a dog's face, he gets angry? But when you take him in a car, he sticks his head out the window?

Quote of the Day

We all live with the objective of being happy; our lives are all different and yet the same.

— Anne Frank

Christmas Survey

I received this little Christmas...questionnaire...a couple days ago at work. I thought it would be fun to post my answers and give everyone else a chance to answer them too. So if you have a blog, copy and paste into your blog with your answers, then leave me a comment so I can check it out. This should be fun and a good way to start getting you in the holiday spirit!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Depends on the size and shape of the gift.
2. Real tree or Artificial? I love real ones, but hate the maintenance of them. So how about a fake tree that looks real.
3. When do you put up a tree? Or maybe the more accurate question should be this… When did you put your tree up? Generally it goes up the beginning of December, except this year it went up undecorated about a month ago. Long story.
4. When do you take it down? When I’ll feel like it. I’m not going to commit myself to a date or time of the year. HA!
5. Do you like eggnog? No, not really. I’m all about the hot buttered rum hold the rum.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? That would require remembering gifts that I received as a child. I can’t even remember what I got last year.
7. Hardest person to buy for? Parents
8. Easiest person to buy for? Siblings
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, the faceless angels. That reminds me, I need to get that out so I don’t forget to put it up.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail Christmas cards. Sometimes I even make them myself. Not sure what I’m going to do this year.
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? See #6.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Miracle on 34^th Street
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Haha! Every year I swear I’m going to start earlier in the year. Every year I start around the 1^st of December. Then I cuss malls, shopping centers, and shipping costs. Then I swear that I’ll never go to a mall, shopping center, store during the Christmas season again. Until the following year happens. See #6, I have a horrible memory.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Hummm… Can’t remember. Probably not. But maybe…
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Cookies. Oh! And the See’s chocolates.
16. Lights on the tree? Is it a Christmas tree without lights? Simple, classic white lights.
17. Favorite Christmas song? All I Want For Christmas is You
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Travel on Christmas Eve to aunt and uncles. Then home Christmas day.
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Dasher, Donner, Blitzen, Prancer, Rudolph, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Dancer. Yes, I had to sing the song a few times.
    
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? I don’t have either one yet… Maybe I should put one on my Christmas list.
21. Open presents on Christmas Eve or morning? Depends on Dad’s work schedule. General schedule: open stockings, then Santa gifts, breakfast, then all other gifts. Everything still happens in that order, there just might be an 8 hour break in-between.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Crowds.
23. Favorite Ornament theme or color? Stars
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Whatever mom makes. I’m not picky, just preferably not something commonly made.
25. What do you want for Christmas this year.? A new computer/laptop and/or an iPhone.

Tag! I'm it!

My friend Allie tagged me!

List 10 random things about yourself and FOOD...

1. I don't like to eat foods that involve pulling with your front teeth (i.e. ribs, corn on the cob, artichokes). Don't get me wrong, I love the flavors, just not the method of eating. I think it goes back to my younger days when I had braces and that was a big no-no.
2. I went 19 years not liking or eating hamburgers. All of the sudden when I was 19 and carpooling back to college, I had a hankering for an In-n-Out burger when we stop to get a bite to eat. I've been eating them ever since.
3. I love to cook. But I never do because I live alone. And I enjoy trying new recipes.
   
4. I've been in the food service industry since I was about 7. Oh the joys of a family owned/run catering business. So cooking for 100+ isn't a big deal.
   
5. I don't like tomatoes. Unless they're in spaghetti sauce, ketchup, cooked on this yummy pizza, mixed with basil,olive oil, garlic and mozzarella. So basically, I don't like them fresh on salads (with the exception to this recipe), in my burgers, ummmm... Guess I'm kinda picky about how and when I like tomatoes.
6. I like all things sugar. Cookies, candy, cake, tarts, pie, etc. It's my downfall really. I'd probably only be 120 pound if I didn't have this problem.
7. When making brownies, I always lick the bowl. And the spoon. And if the batter isn't level in the pan, then I level it off and lick the spoon again.
8. Eating breakfast for dinner is a common thing. Pancakes, french toast, a bowl of cereal, omelets, etc.
   
9. I can eat a 2 pound bag of baby carrots over the course of a week. Eating them only during lunch.
10. Growing up my mom made dinner 5-6 times a week and we ate as a family. Because of that eating has been in grained in me as family time, or as a social occasion. I hope to one day instill in my children the same values that I grew up with. Dinner is a time for family to come together to talk and enjoy each others company.
    

Now I'm supposed to tag 5 people who like food...

I tag Kaitlin, Stacey, Paige, Krista & Amanda... (if you want)

Quote of the Day

The purpose of life is a life of purpose.

— Robert Byrne

Words to Live By: Love

love, noun.

1. a strong affection for another
2. a warm attachment, enthusiasm, or devotion
3. an unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another
4. Biblical: the passion of God for human beings
5. Personal: your obedience to God's commandments toward others.

God is love.
-1 John 4:8

Whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him.
-1 John 2:5

Where love is, there is God also.
-Leo Tolstoy

Whoso loves believes the impossible.
-Elizabeth Barrett Browning

What is love to you? Is it feeling? Or is it an action? The idea of love is one of the greatest themes of Christianity. Christians are told that God is love, that love is what put Jesus on the cross, and that believers are supposed to love their neighbors as themselves. This call to love often means instant guilt for those who take it seriously. The truth is, people pressure themselves too much. And they misunderstand Scripture.

As the Bible presents it, love is not a feeling. Love is a commitment to a course of action that may result in feelings, but isn't dependent on feelings. The kind of love God calls his people to isn't primarily a matter of feeling a certain way toward others, it is a matter of treating people as God commands. God doesn't tell you that you are responsible for producing feelings towards people. God tells you that his love flows through your biblical actions towards others.

Feelings change; they aren't stable, and they usually don't last. Feelings will come, but they follow obedience. You become loving by doing loving things. You become forgiving by forgiving, not by having feelings of forgiveness. You act patiently and a supernatural patience enters your life. Love is the same way. Action first, feeling second.

So here's something for you to think about. If you had a choice between having all your friends "feel good" about you but with the knowledge that their feelings could change, or having all your friends obey Scripture in their treatment of you regardless of their feelings, which would you choose? Probably the latter, right. It would mean that your friends would always forgive you, always encourage you, always be generous with you, and, even if they should come one day to view you as an enemy, they would have to bless you because Scripture commands that you bless your enemies.

God, let your love run its full course in me. Grand me the grace to act lovingly without requiring the feelings of love first. I yearn to love as you love and so complete your work on earth.
-Amen

I challenge you, begin treating people in your life according to Scripture regardless of feelings. The Bible says that an approach like this will allow love to "run its full course." This is important, for, as Paul says, "Nothing matters except faith working by love."

Words to live by, Bethany House 2004

Upgraded Palm Pilot

I want an iPhone. Really badly I want one.

These are the reasons why I want one...

• Cell phone
• Text messaging
• E-mailing
• Internet
• Camera
• Calendar (sync-able with google calendar)
• Applications!
• GPS/Directions/Maps
• iTunes/iPod
• Calculator
• Weather

Can't you see I obviously need one?!?

But currently I can't have one for a couple reason, which are below...

• I'm currently still within my contract, so the phone would cost me an extra $100 to break and restart my contract. No biggie, I'm willing to pay it.
• The service for unlimited minutes and texts is outrageous, which I need to talk to Dennis.
• Dennis isn't with AT&T, so no free mobile to mobile, which means that I have to have the outrageous service.

So, what I told Dennis I want for Christmas from him is for him to cancel his current service and switch, which he's planning on doing when the contract is up anyways.

One day oh iPhone, I will own you!

Quote of the Day

Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other.

— Abraham Lincoln

Quote of the Day

The love we give away is the only love we keep.

— Elbert Hubbard

Can we just talk about the gas prices real quick?

I filled up tonight. I paid $1.79 per gallon. One dollar and Seventy Nine cents people! Quite the drop from the high $4 we were paying just a couple months ago.

Now if only the powers that be had dropped the prices of gas earlier in the year we, as the economy, may not be in such bad shape as we are now.

By the way, I bought the gas at Costco in Turlock. Sure, I had to wait in a little line. But it was totally worth it!

Leave it to a JRT

For those of you that know me, you know that I have 2 crazy dogs. The breed should probably be outlawed quite honestly. The proof is in this video...

Now, I don't know if my dogs would do exactly that, but stick some rodents in there somewhere and they'd be all over it!

Only in Hawaii?

While in Hawaii we were introduced to a canned beverage. I wouldn't say it was soda as there was fruit juice and no carbonation. It was just a beverage.

But it wasn't just a beverage. It was delicious liquid goodness. It was sweet, but not sugary. It was refreshing. It was Aloha Maid.
I didn't drink any soda while in Hawaii. And no, the ginger ale on the plane doesn't count. In fact, I didn't drink all that much water either. I drank a lot of Pineapple-Orange, Guava, Strawberry-Orange, and Passion-Orange Aloha Maid. Which is probably why I gained weight while there. I drank that stuff like it was going out of style.

Now what I really want to know, is where can I find this true nectar of the gods on the "mainland"?!?

The stuff is made by Ito En (USA), Inc. somewhere on one of the islands. And there are many more flavors that we didn't try. But when I look at their website, I find no evidence of an Aloha Maid brand. In fact, besides ordering it from places online, I can't find it. And I'm not at the desperation level yet of paying $10 for a 12 pack.
Help! If you have ever seen this can/label anywhere in the Continental United States please let me know! I'm looking for it. I'm craving it. I'm having withdrawls!

Quote of the Day

The good life is inspired by love and guided by knowledge.

— Bertrand Russell

Quote of the Day

Friendship is one mind in two bodies.

— Mencius

Myspace

At the end of 2008 I plan on canceling my myspace page. I'm torn about it. I really don't use the website, but I like staying caught up (by pictures) with people I don't talk to often.

So, here's the deal. If you think I should keep myspace, leave me a comment with the reason why. I'll base my decision off that.

The fate of my myspace rests in your hands... kinda...

What I Really Want...

I'm going to start this new series "What I Really Want...", which will feature items that ... I really want! Look how that works! HA! Some items my already be listed on my wish list, but I'll show specific things that I would like.

Like this bathrobe from Bath & Body Works.
Doesn't it just look so super comfy, cozy? I like that it has a hood. I don't know why, but I like the hood. I do wish it was more knee length. Long robes on me are just too long. I'm short.

I currently do not own a bathrobe. And I'd like one.

Oh, and I'd really like to look like that chick in the robe.

Quote of the Day

Dreams are today's answers to tomorrow's questions.

— Edgar Cayce

Quote of the Day

They cannot take away our self-respect if we do not give it to them.

— Mahatma Gandhi

1/4 of a Year

3 months ago I received a very random myspace message from a stranger. A message that I almost ignored, blew off. But for some reason I was compelled to respond. Or course, only after checking out that person's page. Who knew that 3 months later I'd still be talking to that person? That that person would have visited me. And that I would be going to visit that person in less than 2 weeks.

Here is the message that started it all...
Hi Courtney

No, you don't know me, but I saw your caption and love that quote. Anyhow, hope I didn't bug you. You are attractive too. Yes, that did make it easy to read your caption a few times as well. lol. Anyhow, at the very least I hope I made you smile. Maybe we can talk sometime. Bye girly

Dennis

So there you have it. Needless to say we did "talk sometime". The start to a relationship, albeit a long distant one. One based purely on communication and learning about one another without physical distractions.

The past 3 months have surprisingly gone by quickly looking back on it now. Wow, August was just 3 months ago. May was 6 months ago, and will be again in 6 months. I know that this upcoming trip to Alaska won't be the last. With a new year approaching there will be many more trips, and visits, and even a vacation is in discussion.

This is my prayer... That God will continue to be a focus in our relationship, that we will grow towards Him while we grow towards one another. I pray that God will bless the time we have together. I pray that when we do visit one another that we can see each other for who we are, not just the person on the phone; I pray that our visits aren't necessarily like vacations. Maybe it's too soon, but I also thank God for answered prayer; even though it took awhile to answer. I thank God for his faithfulness and His plan.

One good thing about the time change...

the earlier sunsets...

(Taken from my back "porch" last Saturday evening. If only I was out in wide open spaces...)

I am in complete awe everyday as I walk to my car after work. The sunsets have been beyond beautiful. Even with milk silos in the foreground.

Quote of the Day

Wherever you go, go with all your heart.

— Confucius

Lots of Bricks

Last Saturday I got a wild burr up my butt and decided to finally start working on the brick pile. Brick pile, that's funny. Most people have a wood pile. But no, I must be different and have a brick pile.

Back to the wild burr! So you see I have this pile of bricks. The big pile still has mortar on them. But there are 2 small piles that don't. Those are the pile I want to use first.
Use for what you ask? Well, you see, I'm gonna line my driveway with brick. And I'm gonna make a path to my front door. And I'm gonna do this all with my Daddy's help. Part one, the driveway...
Back to last Saturday. Last Saturday I moved 5 wheel barrel loads full. I'm full, like super heavy and caused callouses. And I killed 6 black widows. Like, the venom from 6 black widows would have definitely killed me good. After the third load Dad came over. We figured out the plan and went to work.

And this is what we did in just a short time...
And this is the pile of bricks still left to use.
So if anyone is looking for something to do on a random weekend afternoon, give me a call. I've got bricks to chip and a path to pave.

Quote of the Day

Once in a young lifetime one should be allowed to have as much sweetness as one can possibly want and hold.

— Judith Olney

All I Want For Christmas

are my two front teeth. And an iPhone. And a new laptop. OH! And a gift cards for groceries.

For reals list...

• iPhone
• a new computer (laptop or PC)
• gift cards for groceries (Safeway, Raley's, Save Mart)
• IKEA gift cards
• gift certificates to Eterna Spa for massages
• gift certificates for Alaska Airlines
• a bathrobe (preferably a short one)
• Target gift cards
• Money
• Photoshop CS4
• the set of golf clubs that Angie offering to sell me for $200

And well, how about I just give you the link to my amazon wish list?

Courtney's Wish List

Check back frequently as I update it often.

*disclaimer*
You'll notice that there are wedding books towards the end of the list. I love wedding books. I dream of someday being a wedding planner. But they work weekends, so that may never happen. So instead I dream of someday planning my own wedding.

updated 11/14

Yank!

Call me brave. Call me crazy.

Today, after a massage I tried something new. I know right, I got a massage. It was great! The masseuse said I should come in ever 3-4 weeks because my shoulders were so tight and "full of toxins". We'll see.

But, after the massage... I... got... a... bikini line... wax. Honestly, it wasn't that bad. Seriously. For those of you who have had your eyebrows waxed, imagine that on a grander scale. But the pain still only lasts a couple seconds.

I just always been curious. And today I decided to check it out. That's all.

False Alarm

So I had to take this little test...

JUST KIDDING!!! Wow, had you worried there for a minute didn't I?

The false alarm is this...

Yesterday I got a call from my mom telling me I got something in the mail from the Superior Court in Fresno. When you get something like that it's never good. It means grand jury. Like, trials that can last months. Not good. I'm thinking shoot, poop, crap! I just got summoned for jury duty in Merced County, which I petitioned for postponement being as I'll be in Alaska at the time. All that was flashing through my mind was... Alaska in 2 weeks, Dennis is supposed to come down at the end of December, and I'm going on a cruise at the end of January. (I know, sounds rough doesn't it?)

Mom told me where my mail was at their house, which she wasn't home to open to tell me what it said. And they had already left the house so she couldn't drop it off at my work.

Now what really are the odds of being called in for 2 different jury duties within 2 weeks of each other?

I'm panicked all day. Asking people if they've ever served on a grand jury, or know someone that has served. I'm imagining myself having to drive (or stay with Paige or my aunt) for months, while working away from the office as much as I could and going in on weekends. Even though jury duty is an excused absence from will and I'll get paid to miss, there is no that I could be gone from my job for that long. Panic! Freak out! Stress! Chew a finger nail off!

So after work I find the mail.

It's from the Superior Court of Merced County with a Merced address. Mom and dad just read Superior Court, not the rest.

So basically they were confirming my postponement. I have to report for my civic duty February 10, 2009.

Phew! Dodged that bullet!

I heart Yapta!

Who here travels? Wants to travel? Wants to save money on airfare while traveling?

ME, ME, ME!

Some time ago I stumbled upon the website Yapta.

You see, what Yapta does is track airfare. So you can go in, put in your to and from, dates, etc. It'll find airfare for different airlines, for many combinations of departure and return times. Then you can click to "track it". OR, you can track tickets you already purchased.

Here's the cool thing, Yapta will let you know when prices have dropped for your flights per your confirmation code. Depending on the airline you bought your ticket from, yapta will tell you how much of a voucher or a credit you are eligible for, and how to redeem it.

Today, I received 3, that's right, 3 e-mails regarding my flight to Alaska in 2 weeks. The first e-mail told me the price dropped by $25, the second told me it was down $44 from what I bought it at, and the last one told me it was down $106. That's right, $106 dollars less. Well, I jumped on that one. So I went through the process, and Alaska Airlines will be e-mailing me a voucher for $125 (rounded up to the nearest $25).

How sweet is that?!? You know it'll be used!

And, from the new flight price, Yapta will continue to track it and let me know if it goes down any more. And if it does... that's right, another voucher could be coming my way!

I heart Yapta.

Quote of the Day

Kind words do not cost much. Yet they accomplish much.

— Blaise Pascal

They're Back

Welcome back Flitterbees!

I saw one of them just the other day. Now for the rest of the family to show up.

Quote of the Day

Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine.

— Anthony J. D'Angelo

It's beginning to look...

a lot like Christmas.

As I'm sure you know, every commercialized store in America has had the Christmas decorations up for months now. What, since August or September?

Since starting choir rehearsal last week for the Christmas service I've caught the bug.

I admit, this past Monday, I...started...putting up Christmas decorations in my house. There, I said it!

I don't have anything fall. At least not that I could remember. And quite honestly, I couldn't remember all that I have for Christmas. So I started pulling stuff up and putting it out. Kinda. I'm taking inventory, and making a shopping list. Garland is needed in a bad way.

Honestly though, I put my tree up about 4 weeks ago. I was tired of seeing it sitting outside in a box not big enough. Covered in dust, spider webs, grass clippings. It was time to just put it up. Although, the pre-strung lights that worked last year, don't work anymore. So maybe that will be this weekend's chore, removing the old and putting on the new.

Friday Night Lights

Go Fresno! Go Reno! Go team go!
This past Friday I went to the University Nevada Reno vs. CSU Fresno football game. I had 2, no 3 reasons to go.

1. Visit Paige in Fresno...even though we sat in different sections.

2. See #10 of Reno play. #10 = Colin Kaepernick, brother of my friend/co-worker Devon, and son of the VP of Operations. #10 = starting quarterback that scored 2 touchdowns during the game.
3. See #85 of Fresno play. #85 = Bear Pascoe, brother-in-law to my (2nd) cousin, therefore a relative of mine. #85 = big guy that catches the ball and blocks the players.There was a crowd, all spread out, of people from Hilmar Cheese that went to the game to cheer on Turlock's Kaepernick. Face it, the game was closer than Reno, and warmer.
Devon, Chris, and I drove down early, kinda, so Chris could meet up with Paige and Coleman to get seats in the student section. (Somewhere in that picture (I think) by the aisle is Chris, Paige, and Coleman.)
The Wolf Pack beat the Bulldogs 41 to something 28, 31...I don't know. Devon was happy. So I was.
The night ended with the Montague's visiting the Cheesecake Factory for a very late dinner. Chris and I shared an appetizer and cheesecake. Chris then drove my car home while I slept.

At 1:30am I crawled out of the car and into bed.

Where I stayed for many hours.