Oil Change

Today, I changed the oil on our Jeep Commander myself for the first time in the new garage at the station. This isn't my first time changing oil - I've been doing it since before I got my first car - but what I've found is that the later model car you own, the harder and messier it is when you go to change the oil. If I didn't live where I do, I would have taken it to a shop and got an oil change, fluids topped off, tires checked, and a multi-point inspection for $29.99. Instead, I bought 7 quarts of oil and a filter for almost $20 and changed the oil myself. Deal, huh? Sure it's a deal if you enjoy searching for the 13mm metric socket that fits on the oil plug of your "American made" vehicle; pulling out the plug and having a half quart of dirty oil flow all over your new mechanic's gloves, down your forearm, and exiting via your armpit onto the new garage floor; having to call your wife to look up the location of the oil filter on the internet, because the filter is under a skid plate and colored black, the same color as every other thing under the vehicle; finding out that the latest and greatest of oil filter wrenches (two different designs, mind you) won't fit in the tiny opening where the filter is located; finally getting the filter off after pulling your shoulder out of socket and having another quart of oil spill down your freshly cleaned arm; taking forever to get the new filter back on because you can't see the threads; putting the plug back in; pouring new oil in the crank case; cleaning up all that mess you made; disposing of the old oil and filter; and last but not least, having your wife chew you out for ruining another shirt. If you enjoy all that - then I guess it' all worth the $9.99 you could have paid a mechanic to avoid all of the above. Personally, I would rather get a sharp stick stuck in my eye.

Now - on to the van!

Pirate Party.......Arrrrrrrrrrrgh!

Click here for pictures!

Today was Abe's "Pirate Party". After two solid days of cake and cookie baking, craft making, grocery shopping, wood working, hole digging, stencil tracing, knot tying, party planning, and house cleaning - the two hour party is finally over. According to Abe, it was "wicked awesome!" Once again, I think about how much I need to get these kids out of New England! Just kidding, my North Eastern friends! Funny thing is I just watched a news program about how parents should strip down the parties and just let the kids eat cake and play in the yard again. I totally agree. I wish I had seen that program before we sent out the invitations! Next year.

Besides the work, the party was fun - and I think the kids had a good time. We were worried this morning, because we woke up to rain; but by the time noon rolled around, the sky was just overcast and the temperature was a balmy 33 degrees - perfect treasure hunting weather! The party was from 2-4 pm, and here was the schedule of events.......

1. Kids arrived and started making their own pirate flags with various markers, crayons, glitter
glue, etc.
2. Kids made their own parrot with fake feathers, eyeballs, and the above.
3. Kids colored pirate ships and solved pirate puzzles.
4. Kids played "Pin the Pirate on the Treasure"
5. Kids received the Pirate Facts lesson from Tater Todd the Treacherous Tyrant.
6. Kids and adults went on treasure hunt. Kids were divided into five teams of two. One
member was the "pacer" and the other the "digger". Each team was given a map with clues
to find each treasure (a wooden box filled with loot).
7. After warming up, we had cake and ice cream.
8. Abe opened his presents.
9. We barely had time to break open the pinata.
10. Kids went home!

Abe's Birthday, Basketball, & SUB-Arctic Blast

I thought it was cold last week until I walked outside this morning. Compared to today, last week was speedo weather. 7 degrees with -14 windchill. I thought my face was gonna freeze off before I finished my three minute commute to the station.

On Wednesday, Noah had his third basketball game this season. It was a thriller! 40 - 38. Noah's team lost, but they played their hearts out, all the way to the buzzer. Noah is starting to really slim down and get taller. Lydia and I are happy that he enjoys sports so much. It keeps him moving and lets him socialize with other kids his age - since there are none his age near our home. Cory is starting to practice lacrosse now. He seems to really enjoy it so far.

Last but not least - My little man is one year older today. I asked him how it felt to be seven this morning, and he said, "Strange." I'm sure he's happy to be over his two-day stomach virus he had earlier this week; especially since he has eight of his buddies coming over for his Pirate Birthday Party!

Cory's Birthday and an Arctic Blast

20 degrees, 40 mph sustained winds, gusts of 50 plus - I'll let you do the math. I almost got frost bite today staking down the trampoline so it wouldn't blow away. Storm - no. Just the normal beautiful S'conset weather in January. I feel sorry for Cory and Abe since they both have birthday parties this month. Cory had a banana flavored ice cream cake and couple of people over. We sang happy birthday to him and he blew out all 16 candles. Check out the VIDEO (remember, it takes awhile!) We're gonna try and have a few more people over for Abe's party. It would be a shame for him not to have a party on his seventh birthday.

I had a great night last night. About 3 a.m. I woke up coughing and couldn't stop. I took some Dayquil, since we didn't have any Nightquil. I should have just got up, made some coffee, and went to the station to work out. But instead, I laid in the bed with both eyes wide open listening to Lydia sleep soundly. At least I stopped coughing. About 4:30 a.m. I heard what sounded like someone trying to break down the back door. I got up, got dressed, and went out back to find my big trash can being blown all over the back patio. I threw that in the garage and went back to bed for some more ceiling staring. Fifteen minutes later I heard some rackit up in the roof gutter in the back of our house. I knew immediately what that was, and I also knew that it wasn't going to stop anytime soon unless I did something about it. Once again, I got up, got dressed - this time with coat, gloves, hat, and boots - went to the garage, grabbed my step ladder and flashlight, and proceded to search in the gutter for whatever the boys threw on the roof. After throwing the little plastic football as far as I could out in the tower field, I put the wooden step ladder back in the garage. It was only then that I noticed my aluminum step ladder was missing. Now I had something to think about when I went back to bed. Was it the Brazillian house painters? The neighbor? Or did I let John the Coast Guard housing guy borrow it and forget about it? Stay tuned - I'll keep you posted.

Foundation Pictures

Our neighbors pulled through for us once again. We have some new photos on our website of the foundation work on our house.

MLK Day

I can't tell you how sick I felt last night when the Chargers Lost. And yes, that's Lost with a capital "L", not a typo. In every situation, the Chargers dominated. The Patriots could not stop our running game. Blocking was outstanding. Tackling was great. Rivers was hitting his receivers in the hands with the ball. Our defense pretty much shut down any offense they had. Our punting was superb, pinning them behind the ten yrd line on more than a couple of occasions. What happened? I'll tell you what happened - The Chargers turned the ball over 4 times. The receivers could not catch perfectly thrown passes. Stupid personal foul penalties gave an otherwise stagnant Patriots offense field position and first downs. What happened in the end was the Chargers losing the ticket to the AFC Championship after it was placed firmly in their hands. The Patriots were trying to provide an armed escort for the Chargers to the AFC Championship, but I guess the Charger players didn't want it. I think I would feel better if the Patriots would have crushed us. Yes, the Chargers Lost that game; but the Patriots darned sure didn't win it.

Having said all that - HEY! It's just a GAME! And I'm not even playing in it! But after waiting 30 years for this team to come together and get great players; it's hard to watch them throw it away. It's the Old Yeller Syndrome - I should never have let myself get so attached.

Well, until next football season, GO COLTS!

Patriot Land

Well - I'm stuck smack dab in the middle of Patriot Land, awaiting Sunday when the Chargers will destroy the Patriots at Qualcom Stadium.

Happy New Year!

Yeah, I know I'm late. Lydia and I have really been sticking to our new workout plans - four days and counting. Hey - it's a start! January started out with wacky weather - rain, sun, hail, and as always, wind. The boys started school again yesterday, and boy am I glad! Two weeks of being cooped up in a tiny house is too much! I'm actually looking forward to getting back to regular work hours myself.

Today I updated our website with a new web page for our house. You can get there through our Hertford page or clicking HERE

- Steven

Pictures of Footers

Our future neighbors, Marvin and Lorraine, were nice enough to send us photos of our footers............ GO CHARGERS!

Christmas 2006

Well, it's finally here. All the presents have been opened, the boys have settled down with their new toys, and the sound of video games and a new drum machine fill the air. Fourteen hours have passed since Santa ate all the cookies and drank the oversized cup of eggnog that the boys left out for him. He can relax now - the Pepto worked this time.
In a few more hours, I'll sit down with the boys and read them the story of Christmas from the Bible. After a few years of trial and error, I've figured that the story sinks in a little more after all the excitement of presents and new toys has worn off a good bit.
I just heard Lydia fussin' at the oven, so I know she's starting our Christmas dinner. Somehow, I talked her into cooking a turkey today since we were on the road in NC during Thanksgiving. My negotiating skills get better and better with age. Maybe I'll sell cars again after I retire...............NOT!
Tomorrow, the old (it's hard to believe that I'm calling a '92 model old) Ford will get loaded with old toys and Christmas trash, and I'll join several other revelers at the #1 after-Christmas hot-spot on Nantucket - the landfill.
Well, I hope everyone is having a very merry Christmas. And if you sent us a present, thank you very much. If you didn't - shame on you! You can redeem yourself by sending me a birthday present by Jan 11th. Anyhoo, enjoy your holidays and God bless you all. - Steven