Band of Brothers Adventure

Paul and I went to the Strategic Air Command Museum this morning to meet and get autographs of some of the original members of the World War II saga "Band of Brothers". There were over 900 people there to do the exact same thing! In the one hour and 15 minutes they alloted for signing we were able to get two signatures! But they were really cool.

This is TSgt Donald Malarkey signing our book "Band of Brothers" by Stephen Ambrose who, by the way, was not there to sign autographs. Seems he passed away in 2002 unbeknownst to me. That is another emabarrasing story best not told here...

Here is Edward Heffron signing our book.

In an interesting side note to the autographs, Mr. Malarkey explained that in this book there is a page quoting Shakesphere that says, "From this day to the ending of the World, ...we in it shall be remembered...we ban of brothers" which is from the play Henry V. He and Mr. Heffron always sign that page in honor of the seargant who suggested the quote to Stephen Ambrose as the title of the book.

We hope the recipient of this autographed book enjoys having this memento in their collection. These gentlemen were a pleasure to meet and their efforts during World War II in behalf of our Nation and freedoms are very much appreciated.

Annual Robbins Family Christmas Exchange

So...here is the news that you have all been waiting for...the results of the annual Robbins Family Christmas Exchange drawing.

And the results are.....

This Family..........Buys for this Family

Mom and Dad..........Denos Family
Newton Family........Jon Family
Jason Family.........Hughes Family
Jon Family...........Mom and Dad
Paul (Family???).....Doty Family
Doty Family..........Newton Family
Denos Family.........Jason Family

Merry Christmas to all!!!!!

Finally-An Accurate Explanation

When someone annoys me or I disagree with someone during a discussion/argument I generally get emotional during the argument and yes, I even have been known to become angry. But as anyone who knows me well will tell you once I have gotten angry (or as I like to describe it...become passonate) I get over it and I generally get over it pretty quickly and forget about it.

Because of this it has been difficult for me to understand why those in the press, politics, and academia have not let go of Sarah Palin. At this time last year she and Senator McCain were soundly defeated in the general election. She has since resigned her governership (which, in some circles, could be considered another defeat of Mrs. Palin). So why, in the name of all that is important have these folks continued to villify, demean, attack, and ridicule Mrs Palin over the past year? You would think they would move on to attend to their liberal agenda. I have been unable to adequatly explain this behavior. Until yesterday.

Robin of Berkley, apparently a lifelong liberal who has recently denounced her liberal beliefs, provided what I think is the most insightful analysis of this behavior. In the process she also provides enlightment into the liberal mind that I have been unable to coherently describe in my attempts to articulate what really scares me about liberal thought.

I encourage you to read her analysis which can be found in the article The Wilding of Sarah Palin at the American Thinker web site.

Please comment on your opinions about her thoughts.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Zip Lines at the Berry Farm

The kids had some fun on the zip lines at the Berry Farm Haunted Playground!



Gabe was the expert and zoomed along on the zip line with no problem.




Then Sammy got onboard and hung on as long as he could.




Then there was Alycia...I have no words for this...you just have to see it.

Berry Farm Fun at Halloween

On a cold Saturday afternoon we decided a trip to the Bellevue Berry Farm was in order with Greg and Alycia's family. For me at least it has been about 25 years since I have been back and we had a ball. The kids played in the haunted playgrounds, roamed the pumpkin patch field and picked out their Halloween pumpkins and enjoyed some hot chocolate around the cast iron fire stove in the main Barn. We had a ball! See for yourself.

On our way up to the barn to visit the Farm! Lots of ghosts and folks to greet us on the way in.

I really liked this cowboy hanging on the front of one of the barns! The kids didn't see him at first but when we got in the wagon they all looked up and saw him for the first time! Their eyes got kinda big. If it were night I think they would have really freaked!

The kids are ready to go and play with the resident characters!

We are off on the hay ride through the haunted farm where we see lots and lots of haunted areas of the farm before getting out to the pumpkin patch itself!

Then we made it out to the pumpkin patch and the kids were very excited to get out of the wagon and find their pumpkins!

Pumpkins are cool but getting your hands muddy is not! Just ask Sammy! He did not like the mud or tripping over the vines left on the ground.

Enjoying hot chocolate in the Barn!

And as always...watching the caramel apples being made...nice and hot!!
What a great day at the Berry Farm...we loved it.

Abbott and Costello and Computers???

This is TOO good! Yes, this IS what they would do if they were still here!
Read on:
You have to be old enough to remember Abbott and Costello, and too old to REALLY understand computers, to fully appreciate this. For those of us who sometimes get flustered by our computers, please read on....If Bud Abbott and Lou Costello were alive today, their infamous sketch, 'Who's on First?' might have turned out something like this:

COSTELLO CALLS TO BUY A COMPUTER FROM ABBOTT
ABBOTT: Super Duper computer store. Can I help you?

COSTELLO: Thanks I'm setting up an office in my den and I'm thinking about buying a computer.

ABBOTT: Mac?

COSTELLO: No, the name's Lou.

ABBOTT: Your computer?

COSTELLO: I don't own a computer. I want to buy one..

ABBOTT: Mac?

COSTELLO: I told you, my name's Lou.

ABBOTT: What about Windows?

COSTELLO: Why? Will it get stuffy in here?

ABBOTT: Do you want a computer with Windows?

COSTELLO: I don't know. What will I see when I look at the windows?

ABBOTT: Wallpaper.

COSTELLO: Never mind the windows. I need a computer and software.

ABBOTT: Software for Windows?

COSTELLO: No. On the computer! I need something I can use to write proposals, track expenses and run my business. What do you have?

ABBOTT: Office.

COSTELLO: Yeah, for my office. Can you recommend anything?

ABBOTT: I just did.

COSTELLO: You just did what?

ABBOTT: Recommend something.

COSTELLO: You recommended something?

ABBOTT: Yes.

COSTELLO: For my office?

ABBOTT: Yes.

COSTELLO: OK, what did you recommend for my office?

ABBOTT: Office.

COSTELLO: Yes, for my office!

ABBOTT: I recommend Office with Windows.

COSTELLO: I already have an office with windows! OK, let's just say I'm sitting at my computer and I want to type a proposal. What do I need?

ABBOTT: Word.

COSTELLO: What word?

ABBOTT: Word in Office.

COSTELLO: The only word in office is office.

ABBOTT: The Word in Office for Windows.

COSTELLO: Which word in office for windows?

ABBOTT: The Word you get when you click the blue 'W'.

COSTELLO: I'm going to click your blue 'w' if you don't start with some straight answers. What about financial bookkeeping? You have anything I can track my money with?
ABBOTT: Money.

COSTELLO: That's right. What do you have?

ABBOTT: Money.

COSTELLO: I need money to track my money?

ABBOTT: It comes bundled with your computer.

COSTELLO: What's bundled with my computer?

ABBOTT: Money.

COSTELLO: Money comes with my computer?

ABBOTT: Yes. No extra charge.

COSTELLO: I get a bundle of money with my computer? How much?

ABBOTT: One copy.

COSTELLO: Isn't it illegal to copy money?

ABBOTT: Microsoft gave us a license to copy Money.

COSTELLO: They can give you a license to copy money?

ABBOTT: Why not? THEY OWN IT!(A few days later)

ABBOTT: Super Duper computer store. Can I help you?

COSTELLO: How do I turn my computer off?

ABBOTT: Click on 'START'.............

SlapHappy at GeMa's

A typical Sunday evening at GeMa's house...I can't explain it...you just have to see it to believe it!
Enjoy.