Thanksgiving in Anniston

Change of plans. We were supposed to go to Jacksonville for Thanksgiving at my parents, but Chrissy's Great Aunt Sarah passed away so we're in Anniston instead. We went to the funeral today. I only met Sarah twice. She had many friends, and I know she was a special lady. We had Thanksgiving lunch with Chrissy's family. Great food, good times. I had some excellent green bean casserolle. If anyone wants the recipe, they can get it from Chef Chrissy. We're staying at Chrissy's parents so we don't mess up our house which is still on the market. Our agent said the week after Thanksgiving is usually a good week to buy a house so be praying for that. The possibility of two mortgages is my biggest worry right now. Like Chrissy keeps reminding me though, I gotta let go and trust God.

Beckett To The Olde Towne Team

October, three years ago, I was going through a rough time. I had just been dumped a few months earlier. I was working in South Florida, away from all of my family and friends. Things were not going well, but when I woke up each morning, the terrible feeling in my stomach didn't come from being away from home, or from being dumped. The nauseous feeling was a result of one swing of the bat by Aaron Boone. The Yankees and Red Sox had just played one of the greatest playoff series in baseball history. It was the best series I'd ever seen (until the next year). Boone's extra inning home run was a crushing blow to an already crappy year. I moped every day for weeks; except one. In the last game of the World Series, 23 year old Josh Beckett pitched a complete game shutout and beat the Yankees. It put a smile on my face to see this kid beat them IN Yankee Stadium. Yesterday, the Red Sox and Marlins agreed to a trade to send Beckett and struggling Mike Lowell to Boston for three minor leaguers. Why was Lowell included in the trade? I assume the only way the Marlins would let Beckett go was if the Sox would take Lowell and his hefty salary as well. Beckett is a big game pitcher that will help the Sox next year. Hopefully, the injuries that have plagued him will no longer be a problem. Beckett also adds another goofy looking goatee/facial hair to the team. He pitched in 29 games last year. I think he'll be a good pitcher for years to come. I think management made a good decision in getting this guy. Its always good to have Yankee killers on your team. Welcome to Bean Town Mr. Beckett.

Warm Springs not so warm

Me and Chrissy went to Warm Springs, Georgia this weekend with some of my coworkers and their families. Warm Springs is a small town north of Columbus with a great restaurant called the Bullock House. The Bullock House was a buffet with fried chicken, dressing, corn, green beans, biscuits, and really good chocolate cake. The town also had some little Christmas stores. It was fun, but would have been better if it wasn't so cold. All in all though, it was another great evening with my wife. Saturday, I worked all morning and we went to Auburn in the afternoon. We didn't go to the game, but we spent some time with Chrissy's parents and brother. Church was good today. Mitch (the pastor) talked about being thankful. He told a story about a friend of his who is teaching English to college students in China. He was telling them about Thanksgiving and the history behind it. He said one of the students asked him who we were thankful to. It is amazing that some people don't even know. Sometimes I catch myself just being grateful for all I have, but forgetting about the God who has blessed me so. We're going to dinner with some friends tonight. I'll work until Wednesday and then we're heading to Florida for Thanksgiving. Good times. 

Wow It's Cold Outside!

My goodness it's cold. I took Maggie out this morning and nearly froze to death, thank goodness for coffee. Poor Maggie goes crazy when it's cold like this. She jumped around and started running back and forth almost yanking my arm off.

In Trouble

Friday night Chad and I went to the Inquirer's Class so we can join our new church. Although I was paying attention to what Mitch, our preacher, was saying I drew a picture on my paper. Chad saw it and decided that it would be a good idea to scribble over it. I couldn't believe he did that it was so mean. In retaliation I drew a mark on his hand. He then felt the need to draw on my arm. Again I retaliated and drew another mark on his hand. For some reason he couldn't believe that I did such a thing so he drew a mark on my jeans and then started laughing which made me start laughing. We couldn't hold our laughter in so we interrupted the class. I felt so bad, as I am sure that Chad did, for disrupting class like that. We're sorry Mitch.

MVP?

Does this look like an MVP? Somehow, the bushleague thirdbaseman for the pinheads in pinstripes was voted the AL MVP today. I guess the voters just don't understand that MVP means the most VALUABLE player. When your teams up by 9 or 10 runs, he's the guy you want at the plate, but when the games on the line, you can count on him to ground into a double play (check out the last play of the Yankees season). On the other hand, they could have picked the most clutch player that I've ever seen. Now, granted, I'm not that old, but I've never seen a player perform in the clutch like the Big Papi. Granted, he only played a few games of defense and Arod had a decent year in the field (4th in the AL in fielding percentage). I guess I just see value a little differently than the experts. Well, my MVP is Papi, the people's MVP. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go stair at the Monday Night Football game with a pouty look on my face.

Don't count out the champs

Everyone I hear talk football seems to think the Patriots will lose to the Colts Monday. On paper, it shouldn't be a game. The Colts are undefeated. They actually have a defense this year. They have a two great pass rushers (Mathis and Freeney). And of course, they've got Peyton Manning. On the other side, the big problem is the injuries. Best Offensive Lineman- out. Running back- questionable. 2nd String RB- out. Receivers Troy Brown, Tim Dwight, David Givens, questionable. D-lineman Jarvis Green, Marquise Hill, Richard Seymour, Ty Warren: all questionable. 2 of 3 best cornerbacks: questionable. Starting FB: questionable. Worst of all, Rodney Harrison out for the year. Even Brady is probable. Everything points towards a Colts victory, but don't count out the champs. Three reasons why I think the Pats can win tomorrow night:

1. Tom Brady. He is the best quarterback in football. He isn't the fastest. He doesn't have the best arm. He is simply a leader and a winner. He knows how to get the job done when his team needs it the most. When they are out talented, he has a way about him that just will not let them lose.

2. Bill Belichick. I don't think there is a better coach in football, or in any sport . He knows how to win. He's a genius, and he knows how to coach a team. He also knows how to pick winners. You'll never see a T.O. or Randy Moss on his team. He wouldn't allow that. He takes blue collar players that care about team and do their job. I'll take him over Dungy any day.

3. Clock Killin Corey Dillon (credit for the nick name goes to the sportsguy). After 1,635 yards last year, he has struggled in his second year with the Pats, mainly because of the young offensive line and nagging injuries. I just have a feeling that tomorrow will be a breakout game for him.

There is also the Tedy Bruschi return. A few days after the 04 Superbowl, Bruschi had a stroke. He wasn't even sure he'd ever play again. Now he's starting again. The fact remains, Manning has never won in Foxborough. Should the Pats win tomorrow? No. But you can't count out Tom Brady and Co. And in the words of the great philospher Rick Flair, "To be the man, you've gotta beat the man Whoooo!!!!".

Cute puppy

Have you ever seen a cuter dog? This is her "Are you gonna eat that entire hamburger?" look. Chrissy was looking at our pictures this afternoon and I overheard her tell Maggie that she looked thin in this picture. She tells me that I'm her best friend, but something tells me times might be a changin'. Is it crazy to talk to your dog like she is a real human? I guess that is a "pot calling the kettle black" kind of question since I actually have Q&A sessions with her. Oh well. Time to go to church. We're meeting together with the Spanish church tonight that meets at our church building.

Chrissy's Pumpkin

Here's a picture of our first pumpkin. I think it might be my first pumpkin ever. Did we ever have one Dad? Question of the day: How long after Halloween can you leave your pumpkin out? 

Happy Halloween!

It has been another uneventful halloween for me. Chrissy bought a bunch of candy and we didn't have one single trick or treater. Oh well, more candy for us. Alisa (my sister) sent me some pictures of my nephews. Have you ever seen a cooler pirate or rock looking guy? Chrissy bought a pumpkin. She did a great job picking it out. It looks like it has an m&m painted on it. We decided since it was halloween to rent a horror movie. We chose to watch the Amytiville Horror. It wasn't that scary. I was fine afterwards; as long as I didn't have to look in the mirror. What is the point of watching those kinds of movies? I always like them while I watch them, but then feel sick afterwards. Well, the OC is about to come on. Gotta go.