Better Late Than Never

Quentin holding up the wall.

Mother and daughter.

Isabella all dressed up.

Me and Justin.

Isabella in her new robe and PJ's.

Isabella at Great-Grandma's

Mom and Bennie

My three sons.

Josh at Grandma's

Justin and Vanessa at Grandma's.

Josh had put in the bubble bath, then turned on the jets. Isabella had a time!

WHEW!

I just got home from the ballgame. It was a close one - up until the last three or four minutes. Monroe was ahead of Starmount after the first quarter, at halftime (30-28), and I can't remember about the third quarter. But they were pretty neck and neck with the lead going back and forth the whole game. And then in the middle of the fourth quarter SM just took over! It was a sight to see. Of course the crowd was going wild. We ended up winning by 14 points! So we are now Sectional Champs. Next week we go to the Regionals in Winston at the coliseum. These playoffs started out with 64 teams, and now it's down to the "elite" eight - four from the west and four from the east. And guess who else is still in? That's right. North Surry. I don't see why SOMEBODY can't beat them so we won't have to play them anymore!

Letdown

What a dumb ending to a really good show, well at least it was good up until Marissa died. That is when they "jumped the shark". If you don't know, I'm talking about The O.C. I've been watching this show from the beginning, several years ago, and it has been a very interesting, fun show to watch. But last night's series finale was absolutely the worst ending to a series I have ever seen. It was just dumb. They left out so many things, like Ryan's child - what happened to him (or her?). And did they forget that he had a real mother? And his father, although Kevin Sorbo is a hunk and a half, he just didn't quite fit the picture of Ryan's abusive, alcoholic father. I mean I know people can change, but . . . And what did they do about their house? Just leave the mess there after the earthquake for someone else to clean up? Anyway, it was very unrealistic, and I was very disappointed. It was a good show, and they ruined it. At least this way I won't miss it though.

And what about American Idol this year? I thought the girls did really well, but I only liked one guy - Blake. And did you see Fantasia last night? She was fantasia-stic! And one other comment. They showed the musicians who are going to be mentors for this season. Where did they get some of these people? Peter Noone? I mean I liked Herman's Hermits, but a mentor? Jennifer Lopez? Gwen Stefani? And who has heard from Lulu in the last 40 years? Jon Bon Jovi will probably be okay, and Tony Bennett should be great. Anyway.

Well, I've got to go and get ready for the ballgame. Go Rams!

Another Good Game

Last night I went to Denver, NC, to watch Starmount in the second round of the sectional state playoffs. Starmount, because of a very close loss to North Surry last week in the conference tournament (buzzer shot), was ranked #2 in the conference and played East Lincoln, #1 in their conference. So, after driving through the stupid Charlotte/Lake Norman traffic we got to the school about 20 minutes early. They had a beautiful gym. Everybody was commenting on it. It was kind of strange though because five minutes before the game the visitors' side was full and only a handful on the home side. More came in later, but still, Starmount had a LOT more people than East Lincoln. So, the game started. We have Victor, 6'9", and they had a guy 6'8". This was going to be different because usually Victor just towers over his defenders who haven't been nearly as tall has him. AND the EL guy looked just like Napoleon Dynamite. Anyway, the game started, and we started scoring. We were ON FIRE. After the score got to 12-0 their coach called time out. The Starmount stands just rose as one and yelled, cheered, whistled, etc. It was so cool. I knew then that we had nothing to worry about. So we just enjoyed the game. Victor must have dunked the ball 7 or 8 times. He came away with 31 points for the night. We actually put in the JV subs at the end of the game. I think the final score was 77-59. It was a really fun ballgame.

Last Monday we played in the first round against Ledford and beat them by about 30 points. Tomorrow night we play Monroe. This will be a different ballgame. Monroe has consistently been one of the top ten teams in the state. So, back to business.

FINE

Pandemonium . . . Rock Star(?) in the Gym!

Last night I went to a fantastic basketball game! North Surry (11-0) came to Starmount (10-1) for the final regular season game. The only team to have beaten Starmount in the conference was NS, but the two best players from Starmount couldn't play that night. So, this was the real deal, to see who was the best. I've been to a bunch of ballgames at Starmount over the last 43 years, but I've never seen as many people as last night. The stands were full, the aisles were full, there were people sitting and standing on each end of the court along the walls, the lobby was full, AND there were a bunch of people in the cafeteria watching it on TV. So, the stage was set. North Surry has a really good team, and they played hard - just not quite hard enough. It was a nail-biter, close the whole time. NS actually was ahead with three minutes left in the game, but SM came back. It came down to the last few seconds - tied at 51 with 6 seconds. SM called time out, then came back, got the ball to Victor under the basket, and an easy 2 points to seal. With 2 seconds left NS tried to get it down the court but just couldn't. When the buzzer blew the SM stands just emptied onto the floor. We were sitting in the corner on the visitor's side, and the referees came RUNNING out the door as soon as the buzzer went off. It was so cool! So next week is the conference tournament, and this will probably happen all over again, but at Wilkes Central's tiny gym. Fun times ahead.

AND, before the game I noticed a commotion like someone was making their way through the throng at the door. There was this really cute guy, dark hair, with a WF shirt on. I was just wondering if he was a scout or something when I realized he was just running interference for the man himself, Skip Prosser. They sat about five feet from me. I saw him give out several autographs. Nice guy.

A Visit to the Grocery Store

Do you ever do something that you wished you hadn't as soon as you did it? I've been doing a lot of that lately, and I don't know why. The other night I told a friend that I didn't like her soup. I shouldn't have been so blunt, but I didn't like it. But, as soon as I said it I wished I hadn't said it. I should be nicer. And then today at the store. I had my cart about halfway full and went up to check out. There were a lot of people in the two lines that were open, like four or five deep, so everybody was looking at the closed counters, kind of waiting for someone to come by and say, "I'll get you on 6", or something like that. So, that is what happened. I saw the lady coming, and before she could get the words out, I guessed, correctly I might add, where she would be and started that way, passing this Mexican woman with a small boy in the seat and a cart full of groceries. As soon as I got by her she noticed the woman too and started that way, but I got there first. And then, as soon as I did, I regreted passing her. I looked back to let her go in front, but she had by now changed her mind and was up a few counters in another line. So, feeling guity, but happy that I got there first, I proceeded to get checked out. Now, Lowes has this promotion thing going where if you spend $75 at one trip once a week for eight weeks you get a $50 gift certificate. Well, I knew that I had made it last week but wasn't sure about when the new week started. I asked the checkout lady, and she said it started today. So I was kind of hoping that I had that many groceries. But I didn't. I only had $67 something. And then I remembered that they had shrimp on sale - regular $14.98, buy one get one free, so I asked the bag boy if he minded running back and getting the shrimp. So he did, and the lady finished bagging my groceries. So he brought back the shrimp, and it still wasn't enough, because you can't count tax. Well, now the guy behind me was starting to get irritated, but I only had a couple dollars to go. So I ran over and got a bunch of bananas. I already had one bunch, but the bananas were close by. So she added those, and the guy left the line (big mistake). Well now I needed ten more cents. So I reached around the lady behind me and grabbed an Almond Joy candy bar. By now the guy realized our line was shorter, so he comes back, but has to get behind the woman behind me. So he's pretty mad by now. But anyway, I got my $75 - before taxes. And then when it printed out, the week doesn't start until Saturday, and I had already qualified for this week. The checkout lady apologized to me over and over, but I think she probably should have apologized to the mad guy. Soooo, as I was leaving the store I got right in front of the Mexican woman with the cute kid again, feeling bad for doing that. Anyway, as I was putting groceries in my car I came across the second bunch of bananas and had one of those inspirational moments. I quickly ran over to the Mexican woman and gave her the bananas. She thanked me, and I feel better now.

I Wonder If It's Cold Where Saddam Is Now?

Bennie is going to the basketball game with me tonight!

Good News

I woke up to good news this morning. Dan Henning was fired. Yay!! Now maybe we can do something.

We'll See If This Works

Here are some pictures Quentin took last week.

Isabella on Grandpa's lap.

Me and my beautiful granddaughter.

Isabella relaxing.

Christmas with the family.

I Love Christmas!

I was just sitting here working and thinking about the past week or two. I just love Christmas, everything about it. All the decorations, food, family coming in from everywhere, and just sitting and looking at our tree at night with no other lights on. And not having to work for a few days! I love watching people open the gifts I got them. And, okay I'll admit it, I love getting gifts myself. I got really good gifts this year - well I do every year. I got GC's and money, which I really like because I can pick out stuff, I got some disc golf gear - my new hobby, a hand-painted mug from Isabella, and then a really cool gift from Bennie and Justin combined. Years ago (20?) we got a Nintendo and my favorite game was Zelda - the original Zelda without all the dimensions and different angles and stuff, just the fun, simple Zelda. So anyway Bennie got me a game cube and Justin gave me his game that came with his (but didn't come with mine) that had the original Zelda on it, as well as other Zelda games. I'm in heaven! We've had good visits from all three boys, Vanessa and Megan, and sweet Isabella, and we've visited other family. It seems like Christmas is a time to step away from your everyday life for just a few days. And then, New Year's is right around the corner. I have to work today, but then not again for five more days! Did I mention I'm in heaven?

Hitchcock's in the Neighborhood

Something strange just happened that I thought I would share. I was sitting here at my computer this morning, a little after 7:00, working on my transcription. Bennie was still asleep. So as I was working I started hearing these little murmurings, like soft voices or something. I would stop typing and listen, thinking maybe it was the TV and Bennie was up, but then it would be quiet again. I would go back to work, and again hear these little whisperings. Then, I realized it must be a mouse. So again I stopped work to listen, but it wasn't quite the mouse noises. And then all of a sudden the whisperings/murmurings got a little louder, and then got a little chirpier. And it was coming from outside. So I got up to look out the window and parted the blind - that's when I saw it. Our backyard was black with birds. I have never seen anything like that. Apparently we have a lot of bugs or something in our yard because they were all picking at the grass for something. I watched a while and gradually they would move over to our neighbor's yard, a few flying up at a time. So after a little while I went to our other window to see them next door, and I noticed across the road in the vacant cornfield was the motherload of black birds. And - contrary to popular cliches - they weren't all the same. There were black ones with brown heads, black ones all over, and speckled grayish ones. It was a sight! Now, back to work.

That Doesn't Sound Good

Starmount has had a terrible football season this year, but they are supposed to have a really good basketball team, so I've been looking forward to going to the games. They have a junior this year who is ranked #1 in North Carolina. He is from Puerto Rico and has played the last two years at SM. He is really good and is around 6'10". They also have two other Puerto Ricans playing, plus a guy who transferred from Surry Central to play this year. So, they are supposed to be really good. They have even been invited to the holiday tournament at NC State, playing some of the top teams in the nation.

So, imagine my surprise. I was looking on the NCPreps.com site and reading about this team. They had a scrimmage game last night with High Point Central. So there were comments asking about what time, who was playing, etc. And then this morning when I went to see how they had done last night I saw the following comments from Starmount fans - "Who won?", then "No one kept score", and finally, "Thank goodness".

Prestigious

I visited Quentin on Thursday, and we went to the movies. We went to see a movie he had already seen and said was really good - "The Prestige". It WAS really good. It was one of those movies that you are lost the first half, and then the second half answers all the questions. Very interesting questions. I can't remember the last time I had to think so much, and enjoyed the thinking. If you haven't seen this, you should. Remember when you saw "The Sixth Sense", and you had to see it again right after you finished? That is how this movie is. I can't wait to see it again.

Also, Thursday afternoon Bennie and I met Quentin at his law school for a family thing. We had a "tea" and met his professors and deans, and then we went into a classroom and observed his professors "teaching" the class. It was a lot of fun.

One other thing that happened this week. I was talking to Josh on the phone on Wednesday night, and Isabella got on. We talked a little bit, then it got kind of quiet, and I asked her a question. She didn't answer. So I asked again. Still, no answer. I said, "Isabella, . . . Isabella?" Then I said , "Josh, . . .Josh?" No answer. I could hear noises and conversation in the background. So I just waited. Finally I heard the phone being picked up, and Josh said, "Mom? Are you still there?" Apparently Isabella was through talking to me and just laid down the phone, then went on about her business.

Don't Mess This Up

That is my message to Marcus Vick. He was just given another opportunity to play in the NFL. He had some trouble at Virginia Tech last year, BUT he did a great job as their quarterback, although he was still kicked off the team. So he went in to the NFL draft, but the only team who wanted him was Miami. So he tried out for the Dolphins and played in the exhibition games. But then he was cut from that team. The next day he was placed on their practice squad. And then a couple days ago he was called up to be on their regular team. I can't wait to see him play. I think he is a great football player with a lot of potential.

Life's A Beach

Bennie and I got back last night from a week at Virginia Beach. We had a great time. The first couple of days it was storming and raining off and on. But the ocean was beautiful! I had never seen it like that. We always stay right on the beach, and our room on the 5th floor had a big window that we could just sit and watch the ocean. The waves were huge, and there was white water everywhere. By Sunday things had calmed down, and the sun made its first appearance.

On Monday we were out about all day riding our bikes. There is a great boardwalk at Va Beach, 2 1/2 miles long, with a bike trail right next to it. And then there are bike trails all over town. Each day the ocean would get calmer and calmer. By Thursday, our last full day, it was so calm that the surfers were just sitting on their boards doing nothing. So we took a dolphin-watching tour. We had done this before and had always seen the dolphins, but never like this. There were dolphins EVERYWHERE! The boat would ride right into the middle of them and stop, and we would just watch them come up out of the water - like Flipper, and then we would move on another 100 yards or so, and there would be another school (herd?) of them. The announcer said there were approximately 50 at one place. Anyway, it was a lot of fun. And we ate. I gained three pounds. I had to try the she-crab soup every place we went. And Bennie usually got the key lime pie. I think every restaurant had those two items. And then at night Bennie and I would play Yahtzee. I think I won the most. And as far as TV went, Law and Order was on ALL THE TIME. What is up with that show? It was a good thing I was recording all my favorite shows at home.

Also one day we went over that stupid long bridge that I hate, but Bennie loves it, so I went. But I told him that was the last time I would ever do that. We took our bikes and actually found a park on the other side that we rode around some. And we saw a strange-looking snake crawling across the parking lot there. I had never seen one that looked like that. It had ugly gold-yellow and black markings, mostly the dark yellow. I stayed away from it, but Bennie had to circle it a time or two on his bike.

One day we went to a state park just up the beach called "First Landing". There was a biking/hiking trail that went 6 miles. So we got on that trail which was pretty neat, at first. It went through the woods, and then through a murky swamp, which was kind of scary, and then out around a back bay. There were mile markers telling us how far we had gone. I was getting kind of tired at about 4 1/2 and 5 miles, thinking that we were almost done. Well, instead of circling around, the trail just went somewhere and stopped. So we had to come back the 6 miles too. We were both dead by the time we got back. And sore the next day. But still I'm glad we did it. It was an ACCOMPLISHMENT.

It was sad to leave yesterday, but a week is about right, for me. I was ready to get back home, and get back to my SOFT bed. Why do all hotels have such hard beds?

Next year we're talking about going out west for a couple weeks for vacation. I dread the ride, but I'm looking forward to the sights. And of course visiting Josh, Megan, and sweet Isabella.

Exciting Fall

I was just thinking about all the things going on in my life right now, and since I needed to update anyway I thought I'd just write about stuff. So- boring alert. You can stop reading now if you want.

Since Bennie and I got bikes a few weeks ago we have been doing some fun riding. We've taken them to Mt. Airy to a trail called "The Greenway", which is right beside a creek and is 2 3/8 miles long. So we ride that end to end a couple of times, and then a little more to make 10 miles. It is nice, level, easy riding - very enjoyable. And then for the last two weekends we have taken them up in the mountains to the New River Trail. That is spectacular. It also is level and is a beautiful ride. We've been to two different sections so far, and, if it doesn't rain, we're going back tomorrow with a church group.

Speaking of church, since I'm the activities person I kind of get to do whatever activities I want, which is fun. So I planned this bike ride. We have about 12 people interested in going, and then some who don't have bikes but want to go and walk. Also I'm planning a Trunk or Treat for Halloween. If anyone has any ideas on this, let me know. One thing I want to do is have a pumpkin-carving contest. So, I want to have prizes for best decorated trunk (or back of pickup), best costume, the pumpkin art, and - what else? I need ideas.

Also I'm enjoying being involved in the political stuff. I think it's interesting watching the whole process. Our county Republican party has had three rallies already in the last couple of months, and we're having two more before Election Day. On the 30th will be a big one. We're going to the Elkin park and having free BBQ and a band- "None of the Above". And this week we have a booth at the county fair, so that's been fun, although it was freezing on Wednesday when I was there.

And then there's FOOTBALL. I love watching football. The Panthers HAVE GOT to win this week. They are without a doubt the best team in the NFL and WILL win the Super Bowl. They've just had some off moments in the last two games. I know everyone was talking about Chris Gamble's trick play last week that lost us the game, but the thing is, if it had gone well it would have been a fantastic play. Oh well. AND, what about Michael Vick? That guy is incredible. And I watched some of the highlights from the Giants/Eagles game last week. Eli Manning came through bigtime. It was 24/7 Eagles going into the fourth quarter. The Giants came back - in overtime - to win 30/24.

Plus, the new TV season is really shaping up. You know I already am hooked on "Justice". I've seen "Men in Trees" (not sure about that one yet), "Smith" (probably will like), "'Til Death" (half and half - but it's a short show), "Vanished" (hooked on it too), "Studio 60" (which was a GREAT premiere - I think it will be a favorite also), and I am recording but haven't seen yet "Jericho", "Shark", "Heroes", "Help Me Help You", "Friday Night Lights", "The Nine", and "Brothers and Sisters". I know this is way more than I can watch every week, because I'm already watching stuff like "House", "ER", "Lost", "Criminal Minds", "One Tree Hill", "The O.C.", "Supernatural", "My Name is Earl", and "Y&R". How many hours is that? Actually I'm just trying the new shows, kind of hoping I won't like them, but so far I've liked what I seen pretty much. And there's a show - "The Bachelor" - that I have never seen and never wanted to before, but this year one of the girls is a step daughter of sorts of one of my best friends, so I have to watch her.

So, like I said. It's an exciting fall. And another good thing about all this is by staying busy I'm trying not to miss my family so much.

And JUSTICE For All

OK, it's that time of year. I have been going over the Fall Preview of the new TV Guide and picking out what shows I want to watch. Two shows have already started that I like. One is called "Vanished". It is really good, but if you didn't catch the first one you're lost. It continues each week and has a lot of mystery to it. The second one, which BTW has become one of my all time favorites already, is called "Justice". It stars Victor Garber (Titanic, Alias) as a lawyer. It is a really good show. It moves quickly and is very interesting - not like another law show that seems to move like mud with the investigation in the first half and the courtroom stuff in the second half. AND another thing I like about "Justice" is that you don't know for sure what happened until the end. They will do the whole show, and then the last couple of minutes they will go back to the crime and show what really happened. PLUS they have a great theme song, Warren Zevon's "Lawyers, Guns, and Money". Each show is its own episode, so you can pick it up at any time. I highly recommend it.

I'll Believe What I Want To Believe

I was just sitting here working, occasionally checking my email, and realized that I'm tired of people trying to tell me what I should believe or how I should feel about something. I got some email from one of these groups that was all up in the air about Sam's Club putting out advertising about the "holidays" instead of "Christmas", and they wanted me and everybody else to email Sam's Club to tell them not to do this, to keep the word "Christmas" in all their advertising. Well, I guess that's all well and good, except I could care less how Sam's Club does their advertising. I like to go there, and I will continue to go there whether they say "Christmas", "holidays", or "go jump in a lake". I don't care. AND I'm tired of getting emails from people with these stupid stories about someone having extraordinary experiences and then telling me to send this to 10 people so I will get blessings myself. Well, I feel like I'm being blessed every day of my life WITHOUT having to send some stupid email to 10 other people. 30 years ago I joined the Mormon church because I felt like it was right, and I still feel that way. I don't need other people telling me what I need to believe in, what I need to be praying about, what sites I need to go to for spiritually uplifting stories, etc. You get the idea. I feel very comfortable in my beliefs, and I DON'T NEED OTHER PEOPLE trying to force THEIR beliefs on me. I don't care about prayer in school. I think everyone can pray to themselves WHENEVER AND WHEREVER they want to. They don't need to have some kind of organized prayer in the classroom every morning. In fact, I don't think they should do that. Does that make me an atheist? I don't think so. And why have a "moment of silence" at ballgames? That, by the way, has taken the place of prayer. Years ago they would always have some preacher go up to the press box and give a prayer before the games so no one would get hurt. So now they do the moment of silence. Last year at the Starmount football games I noticed the chorus would be down there getting ready to sing the National Anthem, and during the moment of silence they would all together, out loud, recite the Lord's Prayer. What was up with that? And another thing. Concerning all these experiences all these people supposedly have (for example the little boy stuck under the garage door and seeing the angels). I know that some people DO have spiritual experiences. I have had many of them myself. The thing is, you shouldn't be talking about them to everybody in the world. You keep them to yourself - they are sacred. I'll admit there are some times when you feel like you should share them with someone else, but it would be at an appropriate time and in an appropriate place - not on the internet going to who knows who. That just cheapens the experience. I also feel that if you do this, you stop having these experiences, and personally I don't want that to happen. So, I hope I haven't made anyone mad. This is just the way I feel about some things.

Bad Day All Around

This is a bad day. Quentin has been living with us all summer and today he has moved out. I'm trying not to be sad. I'm trying to think of all the positive aspects of this. For example, no more crumbs in the mayonnaise. No more running out of bottled water because he came in late the night before and drank all the cold ones - without putting any back in the fridge. No more looking for the laundry basket. No more banging my head on the hangers of clothes in the laundry room that for reason he can't carry to his closet after he gets them out of the dryer and hangs them up. Well, I could go on and on.

But that's not the only bad thing about this day. We have ANTS in our kitchen, and I HATE ants. I called the guy from Wilson Pest Control, and he came over yesterday to take care of them. We have been doing business with them for over a year now. They come every three months and spray around the outside of the house, and we haven't had a problem, until here lately. I've seen some bugs and spiders too in the last few months. So, the guy came yesterday and put out some stuff that looked like glue and some ant traps. Then he said to me that it would probably take a couple of weeks to get rid of them. A COUPLE OF WEEKS? I just smiled and thanked him for coming, but I am steaming. And I can't stop scratching my head. I just FEEL them all over. So, goodbye WPC, hello Orkin!