After a brief weather delay, our family landed at Philadelphia Airport on Christmas night, where Blake was waiting to drive us to his apartment. As we approached the vehicle, Bethany said, "Blake, I didn't know you owned an (Honda) Odyssey." To which I replied, "He doesn't. You do. Merry Christmas!"
For months, if not years, my bride has wanted an Odyssey van. About a month ago I asked her what year, miles, and price range she was thinking about. Lo and behold, I found a 2002 with 96,000 miles that had only one previous owner, located in Philly. The year, miles, and money were right for Bethany, so I bought the van, unbeknownst to her.
Blake and Meredith actually test drove the van and handled the transaction for me. (Thanks you two!) My biggest challenge was keeping the secret for a month. When Bethany finally grasped the fact that the van was hers, she was thrilled. She couldn't believe that I kept it a surprise for so long. "But how will we get it home?" She asked.
I gave her three options. The whole family could drive back together (about 16 hours). I could drive home by myself. Or Alex and I could go on a father/son road trip. Plan "C" was agreed upon. I look forward to the journey.
Here in Philly, we have gone to an IMAX movie called "Under the Sea", ran up the steps to the museum that Sly Stallone did in "Rocky", ate cheesesteaks at world famous Pat's Steaks, and spent a lot of time playing with baby Kennedy. Today we will see the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, and Truman will get to ride a train for the first time (something he has been wanting to do since forever.)
Hope you're having a happy holiday season. Be thankful for your many blessings and for your family. For the second year in a row, tragedy has struck the Naughton family at Christmas time. My Uncle Mike (my dad's brother) died suddenly of a heart attack on Christmas Eve while visiting his daughter in New York City. Our thoughts and prayers go out to my cousin Dora and her mom Kay as well as my grandmother Jean (Grandma Sweetie Pie, who has been in the hospital herself for a week or so) for the loss of her son, and to my dad for the passing of his brother. Parents shouldn't be allowed to die during the holidays. (Last year, Bethany lost her dad one week before Christmas and I lost my mom the week after.)
The moral of the story is to enjoy life as much as possible while you can. Buy a van to surprise your wife. Fly to Philly to visit your new niece. Eat one-too-many cheesesteaks now and then. Pretend to be Rocky and race your son up the steps of the city museum. See the Liberty Bell. Take your kid on a cross-country road trip. And Tell your family you love them as often as you can.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
Monday, December 28, 2009
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Naked Snow Angels
The revised title of my revised book is "Naked Snow Angels." You'll have to read the book to learn why. Thus far, I have finished writing 14 essays that fill 72 pages (8 1/2" x 11") containing 40,163 words. Call me butter, 'cuz I'm on a roll. Stay tuned...
Monday, December 21, 2009
Analyze This
I have always possessed the ability to remember my dreams, often in vivid detail. Ask my wife and she'll tell you, "That boy ain't right." Last night was a very entertaining slumber.
Dream #1: I dreamed that I was at a class reunion which morphed into a memorial to a fallen classmate that died in elementary school. Nevermind that the person involved did not even exist in real life. By the end of the dream, I was selling subscriptions to Reader's Digest to all of my classmates. (I sold 30, by the way.)
Dream #2: I dreamed that Bethany and I went to a party at a couple's house. When I walked in, I proceeded to pinch a nipple of the hostess, as sort of an informal greeting, kind of like giving a "high-five." Well, the woman was not amused. Especially considering the fact that her entire family witnessed me giving her the "purple-nurple." Soon enough, as Bethany and I were making our rounds saying "hi" to everyone, the husband confronted me, demanding an apology. I immediately complied, but the wife's father insisted that I leave the party at once. Bethany tried to smooth things over with everyone by apologizing for me while reminding everyone that I am an idiot- what did they expect? But the damage had been done, and we took our leave.
Dream #3: I was abducted by two truckers and driven to a junkyard. I was tossed out of the cab and tried to hide from my rednecked pursuers behind a pile of scrap metal. The driver then tried pushing the pile on top of me with his big rig, and I narrowly escaped death. Then they gave me a ride back to town, no worse for wear, but without apologies.
What does it all mean? I really don't think I want to know. Freud would have loved me, though, don't you think?
Dream #1: I dreamed that I was at a class reunion which morphed into a memorial to a fallen classmate that died in elementary school. Nevermind that the person involved did not even exist in real life. By the end of the dream, I was selling subscriptions to Reader's Digest to all of my classmates. (I sold 30, by the way.)
Dream #2: I dreamed that Bethany and I went to a party at a couple's house. When I walked in, I proceeded to pinch a nipple of the hostess, as sort of an informal greeting, kind of like giving a "high-five." Well, the woman was not amused. Especially considering the fact that her entire family witnessed me giving her the "purple-nurple." Soon enough, as Bethany and I were making our rounds saying "hi" to everyone, the husband confronted me, demanding an apology. I immediately complied, but the wife's father insisted that I leave the party at once. Bethany tried to smooth things over with everyone by apologizing for me while reminding everyone that I am an idiot- what did they expect? But the damage had been done, and we took our leave.
Dream #3: I was abducted by two truckers and driven to a junkyard. I was tossed out of the cab and tried to hide from my rednecked pursuers behind a pile of scrap metal. The driver then tried pushing the pile on top of me with his big rig, and I narrowly escaped death. Then they gave me a ride back to town, no worse for wear, but without apologies.
What does it all mean? I really don't think I want to know. Freud would have loved me, though, don't you think?
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
The Doors
As I sit here at my computer this morning, I am waiting for a phone call from the work crew who will be installing our new French doors today asking for directions to our secluded homestead. They were supposed to instal the doors last Wednesday, but they were concerned having a gaping hole in the side of our house for up to five hours while it rained and snowed would be counter-productive. I agreed. However, they were supposed to show up here today between 8:30 and 9:30 am. They've got 15 minutes.
Yesterday, I spent my morning with Truman and Princess (our St. Bernard) at the veterinarian's office. Princess has yet another ear infection, but that wasn't the main reason for our visit. She has a nipple so engorged and swollen that it looks like a cow's udder. I'm not kidding. It is the most disgusting thing I think I've ever seen on a dog. The worst part was when I picked her up to put her in the truck, I accidently grabbed the festering teet, which smeared a coating of god-knows-what across the palm of my hand. I may have thrown up in my mouth a little bit then. The vet said that the growth is benign, but needs to be removed and that while we're at it, why not scrape the six years of plaque build-up off of her teeth, too. Between yesterday's visit and the impending appointment, we should be out about $800. Merry Christmas, Princess!
On Monday, I got the oil changed in Mom's old car, a Nissan Altima. I washed it, cleaned it out, and delivered it to its new owner, Bethany's mom Glee. I am glad to keep it in the family and I'm sure Mom would be happy about it, too.
I have written 57 pages (over 30,000 words) of my new book so far. Nine essays are done with many more to follow. I have a list of over 40 essay ideas I'm working with. Stay tuned...
Yesterday, I spent my morning with Truman and Princess (our St. Bernard) at the veterinarian's office. Princess has yet another ear infection, but that wasn't the main reason for our visit. She has a nipple so engorged and swollen that it looks like a cow's udder. I'm not kidding. It is the most disgusting thing I think I've ever seen on a dog. The worst part was when I picked her up to put her in the truck, I accidently grabbed the festering teet, which smeared a coating of god-knows-what across the palm of my hand. I may have thrown up in my mouth a little bit then. The vet said that the growth is benign, but needs to be removed and that while we're at it, why not scrape the six years of plaque build-up off of her teeth, too. Between yesterday's visit and the impending appointment, we should be out about $800. Merry Christmas, Princess!
On Monday, I got the oil changed in Mom's old car, a Nissan Altima. I washed it, cleaned it out, and delivered it to its new owner, Bethany's mom Glee. I am glad to keep it in the family and I'm sure Mom would be happy about it, too.
I have written 57 pages (over 30,000 words) of my new book so far. Nine essays are done with many more to follow. I have a list of over 40 essay ideas I'm working with. Stay tuned...
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Book Progress
As of this moment, I have written eight chapters, 47 pages, and 25,800 words of the new version of my book. And it's pretty damn good if I do say so myself.
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