CHRISTMAS PARTY AT THE OFFICE

Today at work our department had a Christmas Party.

The event included a traditional holiday feast of turkey, ham, yams, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie. We also had our traditional white elephant gift exchange.

I ended up receiving one of the most highly sought-after gifts at the party: An elf hat. But this was no ordinary elf hat. This elf hat was special.

Click the "play" tab below to see why this elf hat was so special.

This clip can also be viewed FULL SCREEN by clicking here.

MELTING STALACTITES

It's been cold lately. We arose this morning to see several stalactites and only one stalagmite in our yard. A few melting stalactites hung on our back deck. By the time I grabbed the camera, the single stalagmite had already collapsed.

Ashley asked how I remember the difference between a stalactite and a stalagmite. I remember because of a memory link I was taught by a teacher when I was in elementary school. "Stalactite" is spelled with a "c" for "ceiling". "Stalagmite" is spelled with a "g" for "ground".

The rail on the left side of the steps heading up to the deck.

The post supporting the rail on the left side of the steps heading up to the deck.

The rail on the right side of the steps heading up toward the deck.

The post supporting the rail on the right side of the steps heading up toward the deck.

The steps.

The steps up close.

An underside view of the steps.

The rail on the deck.

A different view of the same rail.

A deck chair.

PINK GLOVE DANCE

Last week at work, I received an email from our hospital administrator. Actually, it was sent to every employee in the hospital. The message stated that one of our sister hospitals, Providence St. Vincent in Portland, had just posted a video on You Tube. Over two million viewers had watched the video and ABC World News was doing a story about it.





So, I got on You Tube, found the video titled "Pink Glove Dance", and played it. At first, I smiled and started tapping my foot. It was a very fun, upbeat production featuring about two-hundred employees trying to promote breast cancer awareness. But by the time the video ended, I must admit that tears were in my eyes.

Then I got Debra and had her watch it with me. Again, it produced a bit of an emotional response and Debra saw me wipe another tear.

Out of appreciation for the effort done by these employees at Providence St. Vincent, I thought I'd make and post a video response. I wish I had a better singing voice, but I don't.

Oh well.

My heart was in the right place and I truly was touched by "Pink Glove Dance".

To view this video, click here.

To view my video reply, click here.

INTEGRITY

We knew during our busy summer that our carpets would again need cleaning after the crowds left. Debra found a coupon in the mail and called Integrity Carpet Care and Restoration to do the job. They arrived at 11:00 a.m. this morning, Saturday, and were done in less than an hour.

As I handed the check to one of the two brothers who owns the business, he asked, "Are you Ashley's dad?" I thought that was an interesting question since Ashley never left her room while they were here.

"Yes," I answered. "Do you know Ashley?"

"Yes," he replied. "I work with the youth group at church and Ashley helped with camp last summer. I saw her picture on your wall."

So, we now have clean carpets and they were cleaned by someone from our own church whom I had never met before, until today.

Our dining room, without the table and chairs, but with a clean carpet.

Our family room, without the love seat and recliner, but with a clean carpet.

Our living room, with living room furniture, dining room furniture, family room furniture, and with me enjoying an afternoon cup of coffee and a new John Grisham novel. This guy really knows how to get his hooks fully embedded into your mind in only about two pages.

THANKSGIVING SIMPLICITY

For the past few years, Thanksgiving has always included a full house. Sometimes the house has been ours and sometimes it has been someone else's. But it has always been full, usually more than 20 guests.

This year nobody, including us, seemed to have the energy to host a big turkey bash at their house. So, we kept it simple. Debra, Ashley and I picked up Dee, Debra's mom, and the four of us went out to eat at Hometown Buffet.

The 2009 Thanksgiving gang.

The place.

The line outside the place. Ashley at the end of the line.

Debra and Dee in line.



The female part of the 2009 Thanksgiving gang in line.

Ashley eating.

Me eating.

Debra waiting for me to turn off my camera so she can start eating.

Debra eating.

Dee looking at Ashley eating.

Dee ready to start eating.

Dee eating.

I CAN FLY

Our three grandchildren - Silas, Devon and Naomi - just left with their parents after an enjoyable weekend visit. Part of the enjoyment included reading stories. Usually Papa and Nana read stories to the grandchildren. And we did that.

But we also enjoyed the privilege of having five-year-old grandson Devon read a book called "I Can Fly" to us.

Click the "play" tab below for a pleasant story time featuring Devon.

This clip can also be viewed FULL SCREEN on YouTube by clicking here.

A QUIET FRIDAY NIGHT AT HOME WITH THE WEATHERSBYS

Well, sort of quiet.

Aside from the three grandchildren who had spent a major part of the day couped up in a van for about five hours while traveling along Interstate-5, and who also had energy to burn once exiting the van and entering the house on Hybiscus, the rest of us remained relatively quiet.

Silas discovers a book of optical illusions.

Silas ponders some of these optical illusions with Nana and Devon.

Silas and Devon check out one of the optical illusions: The Floating Finger.

Three siblings.

Devon displays his acrobatic skills while Naomi watches.

Naomi displays her acrobatic skills as well.

Papa holds a digital voice recorder while Silas and Devon sing "You're a Grand Old Flag".

The evening ends with story time on Nana and Papa's double-recliner. Girls on one side, boys on the other side.