Sledding in Rangeley

Hey, this is Spencer, John E.'s son, and we went up to a camp in Rangeley, Maine this weekend, where there was an intense hill down to the lake.  I was able to take my camera on the ride down, as well as letting my mom film my descent down the hill.  I took these clips and edited them on Apple's redesigned iMovie program very quickly.  Oh, and make sure you have your speakers on, because there is music.

Posing like a pirate, drinking like a bear

Still waiting on word about the recent job interview. I'm not expecting to hear anything until next week anyway. In the mean time...we headed over to South Mountain State Park and took some photos, plus I threw in one I came across from when we had our snow.

They put together the annual NASCAR issue at the paper where I work part time. This translated into extra hours for me and allowed us to go out to eat on Valentine's Day at a restaurant that did NOT wrap the food in paper. We went to a little German place here in town. Great food and they had beers from the owners' hometown of Bamberg. I tried the Rauchbier, a dark, malty brew which had a rich smoky flavor to it that was incredibly good. Definite vote for beer of the month in my book!

The Fam in Feb

Hello Men of RELAX. OK, here are the photos I was badgered for... just kidding.

The first is Marissa. Just about 11 months old! Nothing makes you feel old like being around the young. I'll turn 45 about 3 months after she turns 1!

But she is beautiful and I am in love with her. Love makes time disappear.




Following Marissa are the men in her life...

Evan in the blue shirt - 6.3 years. My engineer. Loves concepts (Does everyone know everyone?) and fasteners (Dad, the robots need some new bolts). Wants to know why there is no end to numbers. "How can you just keeping adding one?" he asks. You just do I say, glad that there are questions that I can't always answer.

Danny in the stripes. 6.7 years. My politician. Loves love and the people who love. Wants to know why Jesus let the bad guys beat him up. "If we were there Dad, we would have helped Jesus out, right?" You betcha buddy. I think. I hope. Gosh, maybe it's best I wasn't there. I am sure Danny would have jumped in the scene and mixed it up with the Roman soldiers. Fearless for love.

Me, still breathing at 44.5 there Kevin. There is life after 44 smart guy!

So here is my day, I wake at 5:00 / pray / run on the tread mill / work from 7am to 4pm / home by 4:30 / catch up with Ellen / time with Marissa and maybe make dinner / homework at 5:30 with the boys / dinner at 6pm / more time with Marissa from 7pm to 8pm / read with the boys / get them to bed / bottle for Marissa at 8:30ish / her to bed by 9pm / more catch up with Ellen / chores from 9:30pm to 10pm / time to think / write / paint / read / watch CNN / blog with the RELAX boys / brush teeth / get to bed by 12am / thank God I am alive to live my days and smile for the millionth time / kiss Ellen good nite / sing myself a song from days gone by (tonight it will be Road to Nowhere by the Talking Heads / sleep

I never thought I'd be so lucky.

I hope your days bring you love, life and happiness. Know that I think of you all often, somewhere between the 5:00am and 12am, and that I intend to drink a beer in your presence someday soon.

The Carolinas sound good to me. Maybe we can find out where Mark is and meet him.

Buddies for Life - JK!

Snow anyone?

We have had more than 6 feet so far this winter - good thing we've had a few days like today (42degrees) to let some of it melt, or we would really be buried. Last year we had exactly three snow storms for a total of 21 inches. Now its over 80" and only mid Feb. Please don't take this as complaining: Really, I don't envy all you guys down south in that balmy weather. No sir-ree, not me. I mean, who needs 60 and sunny when you have sleet and freezing rain to look forward to! Why get all excited when the sun warms the day up to somewhere above 55, just so you can take your coat off for awhile? Humans were meant for goose down. Its not natural to expose all that delicate skin to the sun - you really must keep it hidden under layers, especially the fragile hands - must keep those gloves on! That's the way neandthal man would have wanted us to be.

Now, lets get focused on spring training and take a long look at those pitching rotations.

Couple of memories

Here are three shots of my past... long long ago... Who can guess the dates? Maybe this will get Bruce to sign up and post a reply or up me one!

Old man in Texas

My mom came out a week ago and we had a great time celebrating my big 44th! Thanks for the comments on getting older! Here are a couple of shots of the kids and mom. Everyone is doing well here. I am doing the MS150 bike ride from Houston to Austin on April 12th. Two day ride ~180 miles or so. This is the 6th time I have done it. I need to get on the ball and get some rides in or I will be hurting!! Glad to see we are blogging again! Take care and RELAX

Gentlemen. It is nice to be back. I will attept to post some photos of my family and life shortly. We just got a new digital camera and I am lerning how to use it. We are well. We lost Tricia's dad in '07 and are helping her mom in her battle with lung CA. Our shildren are great including little Fiona who is now 16 months old. It is good to be back and I would love to see each other in '08. We are looking for a way to maybe meet my parents in the carolina's (outer bank maybe) as they are married 50 years this July.

Kevin

Happy Belated Birthday!!!

Hey Johnnie P! Birthday wishes to you! I meant to call you. I remembered it was your birthday because it was my Mom's, too. She's 80! 44 is young compared to that!

Hope you were able to blow out all those candles!

I say that when we all get together this year, we should split a birthday cake to celebrate all the ones that have gone by over the years.

I've been in touch with Bruce! He says hello. I made a pledge to him that I would see him this year! I make the same pledge to all of you!

Let's do it! How about those May dates you mentioned, Egan. Any takers?