Test Post

A setting on blogger says that I can post by sending an e-mail. This is my first attempt at doing this. If it works, it could allow me to post more easily.

I have also tried to add a picture of K, from this past fall. Lets see what happens.

Update: A) Mail-to-Blogger goes into drafts, this is good, sometimes.

B) Mail-to-Blogger does not accept pictures at this time, so it is a text only. Bummer

Christmas Pictures

These pictures are in semi random order, but represent a smattering of photos from Christmas gatherings.


This is a picture of A and C, while A was testing her new digital camera.

The above is a picture of my mother-in-law.

The above is a picture of K and niece B.

The above is a great (in my opinion) picture of sister in law L and her daughter K.

Above is M, L and K. Missing in this picture is A their son who was off playing with his cousin N.

The above picture is of my Brothers in Law, M, D R and B. This photo was taken at the family party on K's side.

The above picture is of the ladies of K's family, L, K, Mom A, L and J

This is a picture of my nephew N. Please look at N and ignore the feet.

Nephew A (the one with the cup) and N catch a snack after dinner.

Here is another of A and C. No C did not taste the Champagne. In the background is B-I-L R and nephew M

Here is the happy couple.

And a picture of Dad opening his newest technology, a Cell phone from us kids.

Another picture of niece B and one of her husband S below.

Below, Niece K seems to enjoy the present she is opening.

Niece S is also enjoying a present that she opened.

It was a quick trip, up Friday, back Tuesday, but we got to see most of the friends and family. It was good to hear all of the cousins trading stories of their college days, the good and the bad.

Merry Christmas to all.

Better Late than Never, Part 2

K and J sit and chat.
A and M read together.

Blogger would only let me post so many pictures, so here are 3 more from the trip to Toledo.

Better Late than Never

Although these are late, I thought I would at least post them to let everyone see pictures I took while in Toledo at Thanksgiving. As shown below, L (aka the King) did not spend the entire time mad! Of course when you have pretty girls holding you, it makes the day a little brighter.

Even though E and J get plehty of publicity, the west coast blogger can be seen, she does exist!




E and the Kentucky blogger get some sharing time.

One other thing

We did when K and I were in Virginia at B and K's Christmas Party was to teach B how to use his nice digital camera to take pictures of his salt water aquarium and the fish. We spent about an hour and a half taking pictures of his fish, starfish, crabs, etc.

B has a fully automatic Canon EOS Rebel digital SLR. It has auto-focus and can do many things. However the glass on the aquarium confuses the autofocus, so his prior attempts at pictures were out of focus. B learned how to use the manual focus and to set the aperture for proper depth of field for the aquarium.

I will ask him to forward some of the pictures and post them when I get them.

Digital Cameras

One of the best uses of the digital camera is documentation. When in the middle of some project, I can take a picture of something, send K off to the local Hardware store with the statement: " I need to have some of these". While K is very knowledgeable and helps a lot, she does not know all of the terminology, so she pulls out the camera and says" "My husband sent me to get this, can you help?" It saves 3 cell phone calls and an extra trip to the store by me.

It also helps me remember how things go back together. I am usually pretty good at disassembly and re-assembly, but sometimes back-up is needed. By taking a picture of the before, the after can get back to the way it was designed, with fewer extra parts.

Digital cameras are also good for parts identification without removal. By using the Macro mode, the ID label on parts can be viewed, even when on the wrong side of the part. And if the photo is taken with high enough resolution, it can be enlarged on the computer so that every digit can be interpreted properly.

Digital cameras are great!

Homecoming

A has come home from her first semester at college this past Thursday. Life is no longer quite the same here at home. There is much more drama here, with the comings and goings of a college freshman.

There are people to see, shopping to be done and all around disruption of the parents routines to do. All in the name of "it is what I did when I was at UNC!, Duh!"

We are glad to have her and happy that she is enjoying her time at school. Life is fun, and never boring.

Work Post

At this time of the year, the leaders at the company I work for severely curtail overnight travel for all people. This is fine with me as I get to spend more time with K, A and C.

C has to be either at the school at 5:30Am or at the practice pool (not at her school) at 6 AM. Since I can drive C to either location, get back into bed by 6:15, asleep by 6:20, I really loose no sleep. It is a trait handed down from my mom. Any place, any time, I can fall asleep. But never when driving.

K really appreciates the mandated no travel. Anytime K's feet hit the floor, she will be awake for 2 hours. This allows her to remain at home, saving for the time, after the first of the year when I start traveling again. I am happy to do it.

I will

Get more pictures soon, I promise.

Last weekend

K and I went to a Christmas party at B and K place in Virginia. I would show the pictures, but the camera chose that time to get weird and the photo's look like something that belong in a horror movie or ghoulish Andy Warhol painting. I think the CCD in the camera is becoming uncoupled.

Attending the party were K's sister Catherine, Mom S, and nephew A. A was the ring bearer at the wedding and is still very cute. S has custody of A while her son and D-i-L are deployed overseas in Kosovo. Also attending the party was V (best man at the wedding), J (bridesmaid) and another couple who are teachers at the local HS along with their children.

The food was prepared by K and S, and all of what I ate was great. The house looked wonderful and the conversation was lively. A good time was had by K and I.

New addition to the family

K and I have purchased a new to us auto to replace the last Civic that was wrecked. It will be used by A and C as a combined car. The car is a 1998 VW Jetta. It has a sunroof, electric everyting and is a 5 speed. It should be good for a while.

I have not

Posted for a while and am busy for the next day or so, but will post soon.