THE END OF THE YEAR

It's the end of 2010. The end of the first decade of the second millennium. The year has been a fun, challenging, frightening yet encouraging one.

Just a few things that happened at our house in 2010...

Jaime & Shawn outgrew their old house and hoped to build a new one to house them and the kids. The plan was to sell the house...move in with us...while they built their new, bigger house. After 18 months and a lousy housing market, the house finally sold this spring. Unfortunately, it's been a lousy job market too. Shawn ran out of work...and so they will stay with us until that changes. But that ain't all bad. Shawn has been here to oversee the kids to and from school...and be a great help to me around the house doing things that I don't have time to do or don't know how to do. For now, Cindy & I are enjoying them all being here. Although...for Shawn's psyche...we hope he'll find work in 2011 to get them on the road to their goals.

Julie had a successful year as manager of her place of work. She has done a great job there. This summer Julie met Eric. As the new year begins...Julie will move to Florida and start a new life there with Eric. If all goes as Julie & Eric hope...Mason will join them this summer.

Joni & Ryan decided they had lived long enough in Chicago, and moved back to Lafayette this summer. Taking a chance...they left their jobs in Chicago...without jobs to move to in Lafayette. But with hard work, persistence and some luck...they both found jobs they like. They will begin the new year...moving into their new home they bought.

The entire family...all 10 of us...enjoyed a fun summer vacation to Disney World. It will be difficult to find a more fun vacation.

Late this summer...I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. After surgery this fall...all indications are the cancer was successfully removed. Shortly after the start of the new year, I will have my first of many tests to make sure the cancer is gone...and stays gone.

It has been a fun...challenging...frightening...but good year. We'll hope that the new year...2011...will be a good year too.

Happy New Year to all of you.


Dan

DON'T DO IT

I heard a commercial on the radio as I was coming home from work...that ruffled my feathers. It was so sinister, so galling...yet advertised as if 'they' were doing us a favor.

I didn't catch the name of the institution...but I'm sure there are some (many) in your neighborhood too...so it doesn't matter.

The advertiser was reminding us that it's 'post Christmas'...and soon will come those dreaded credit card bills...with all those charges that we put on the cards to buy those gifts we wanted to buy.

He went on to say how 'low' mortgage interest is..."some rates as low as 3.85%"...or whatever he advertised.

Then the galling part was..."why don't you refinance those credit card bills and your mortgage at this new 3.85%"?

Sure...lets put that $1000 or $2000 or whatever we put on those credit cards...and add it to our 30 year mortgage plan. We won't have to pay those credit cards off when the bills come, the mortgage company will pay them. Yes...and then you'll pay that $1000 or $2000 or whatever...over the next 30 years...and end up paying $10,000 to pay that $1000 credit card.

Unfortunately...there are way to many gullible people out there...who will fall for that line of crap (not knowing about the last part...the total amount to be paid back)...and will sign up.

There's a whole big list of people who are on my 'need to be taken out and shot' list...and these type institutions certainly deserve to be put on it. Damn them.


Dan

A TRIP WEST...NEEDED

Eight years ago, I spent a few days in San Francisco with my sister and neice. The purpose for our trip was to be a part of our brothers' (and uncles') wedding.

We had an opportunity to visit a number of the 'touristy' part of San Francisco...Fisherman's Wharf...Golden Gate Bridge... Ghirardelli Square...the lights of downtown at night...a drive down Lombard Street...Coit Tower...Chinatown...a ride on a cable car...

When I returned home (Cindy didn't go) I told Cindy what a cool city San Francisco was to visit...and that we needed to go visit sometime.

Well...it's 8 years later...and we still haven't gone. Shame on me for not doing that. My brother has made a number of trips to see us in those 8 years...and I haven't made 1 to go there.

That needs to move to near the top of my 'to do' list.

Also...Happy Anniversary Dave & Chris.


Dan

TIME FLIES

Sometimes...when you're having such a good time...you just don't notice how the 'time' is passing quickly. We sure have had a good time this weekend of Christmas.

It's Sunday night. How can the weekend be over? I had Friday off to make it a 3 day weekend...and it's almost over.

How'd that happen?

Sometimes...time flies.

Don't you just hate it? I do.


Dan

CHRISTMAS 2010

Snow fell last night...must've been another 4" or more...and we had a nice, snowy Christmas morning. It was actually quite pretty.

Julie's boyfriend Eric flew in from Florida to surprise her for Christmas. After a quick sleep...the grandkids were up early to check out what Santa had left. They had to wait about an hour for aunt Joni & uncle Ryan to come over...then it was a 2 hour present fest...as we all ooohed and aaahed at what we got and at what 'they' got.

We had plenty of good food to eat all day...played some games...played with new toys...and enjoyed the warmth of being inside.

It was a great Christmas Day for the Clark clan.

Hoping all of my faithful followers had a great holiday time too.


Dan

CHRISTMAS IN THE BIG CHURCH

Reading a headline today...took me back to the Christmas of 1961. I don't even remember the article now...it just took my mind back to the little church in Owensville...in my growin' up years.

I remember being in the sanctuary of General Baptist Church on the corner of Brummitt and Mill Streets, in downtown Owensville. That was our home church...the only church I remember attending. And on one evening around Christmas, I recall a sanctuary full of people...and Santa getting presents out from under the tree at the front of the church...and he found one under there with my name on it and brought it to me. As I recall...all the little kids...like me...had a gift under the tree that Santa gave to them. I think the gift ended up being a coloring book and crayons...but in those times...that was an okay gift for me.

I don't remember getting the number of gifts back then...like my kids and grandkids do now...because we didn't. Two or three gifts was about all dad could afford back then. My wife...ever since I've been with her...goes crazy at Christmas...and I love her for it. But my kids and grandkids would wander what they did wrong...if they only saw 3 gifts under the tree!

But back to General Baptist...like many things...what I see now and what I saw then...differ greatly. Our house in Owensville was big THEN. With today's eyes...I bet it wasn't 600 square feet inside. General Baptist was huge...THEN. Now...I see it with about 8 rows of pews in 3 sections.

No matter the size...nearly 50 years later...the BIG little house has great memories...and the BIG little church...does too.


Dan

BATMAN !!

In 1966, in 6th grade...BATMAN came out as a weekly TV show. The 'colors' of the outfits on the show were outrageous...but caught everyones attention. Color TV was catching on about this time...so it was a great way to initiate the public with fascinating colors. The bad guys on each week, wore wild colors of green or yellow or purple.

I must have had to watch it on TV at dad's work...or at friends houses...as we didn't have a color TV at home then. Cindy & I got 'our' first color TV after we were married in 1974. Until then...it was black & white for me...or go somewhere else to watch it.

The shows of Batman were 'corny'...but so much so...that you had to watch. I don't think there were too many that I missed in the 3 or 4 years that it ran on TV.

To the batpole!


Dan

LET IT SNOW...LET IT SNOW...

Last weekend we had about a 3" snow. Not a big snowstorm but enough to make it a white...Christmas season.

This morning...we woke up to a couple more inches of new snow. I made a quick pass through some of the driveway and sidewalk with the trusty old snow shovel so the kids could get to the cars for school and/or work but left the bulk of it.

When I got home from work this afternoon...I couldn't get in my garage because one of Santa's helpers put a 'snow blower' in the middle of my garage.

Apparently the helper thought she wouldn't wait until Christmas to give it...because all the snow may be gone.

So I cranked it up and cleaned off the driveway.

Now my thought is....'let it snow' !

Thanks...Santa's helper.


Dan

GOING GREEN AND THE BMV

Daughter Joni reminded me today of a new problem we may be creating. She had a run-in with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles today. She had to provide multiple forms of ID...and barely eeked out what was needed.

The BMV asks for proof of residence and proof of ID. Usually, I think a passport, social security card, paystub and a utility bill are some of the items that will work. I think HIGH on the list...is some type of proof of residence...so a bill with your name and address on it.

I, like many people, have tried to 'go green' with many of the places that send us bills. I pay almost everything 'on-line' and do all my banking on line. Couldn't tell you the last time I've seen the inside of a bank lobby...or mailed a bill into a company with a check in the envelope.

So...since I have no bills coming to my house with my name and address on them...how can I take one to the BMV when I need to get something done?

Maybe the BMV will adjust to the 'new way' of things.

Bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!!!


Dan

DON'T OPEN 'TIL CHRISTMAS

Last night...Jaime & Shawn took the 3 grandkids out to look at Christmas lights. That allowed two of the remaining 'Santas helpers' left at the house to get some wrapping done.

Most of the things that were wrapped are hidden in places throughout the house...but one gift for each member of the family...10 of them...were placed under the Christmas tree.

This morning...just Cindy & I were awake...reading the paper in the living room with the tree...and Mason came in to snuggle and tell us about all the lights and Christmas'y stuff he saw last night. Eventually...he stopped in mid-sentence as he saw the gifts under the tree...left there by Santa's helpers.

He crawled under the tree to read whose gifts were there...and realized there was one for every family member. Then he pulled his out from under the tree and looked at it...felt how heavy it was...ran his fingers over the paper (probably hoping that it would miraculously tear open so he could see more contents).

Finally...I had to tell him to put it back...that it was left under the tree for a reason...that he had a few weeks before he could open it. He slid it back under the tree...much to his displeasure.

I was reminded of a younger time in my life...when I was alone at home around Christmas...and there were 3 or 4 gifts under the tree with my name on them. Knowing I had some time before someone would be home to catch me...I carefully lifted the tape off...then carefully unwrapped...then carefully opened the box enough to peek at what was inside. Then when I was done...I carefully taped the wrapping paper back in place and put the gifts back under the tree. No one was the wiser.

WORST CHRISTMAS I EVER HAD!!

On Christmas morning...as we unwrapped...I had no excitement...no thrill of wondering what was in each box as I unwrapped them. I already knew.

Part of the fun of Christmas...is that instant when the unopened gift is in your lap...and you WONDER what's in it...but don't know yet.

Never again...have I wanted to look...in advance...at what I was getting on Christmas. It would all come-and-go too quickly as it is. Thank you...I'll just wait 'til Christmas morning.


Dan

THE NEW CHILD

I spoke with an acquaintance today whom I haven't seen in a few weeks. He and his wife had a new daughter several months ago...just before my surgery...I think.

I asked how the newest member of the family was doing. This is his third daughter...just like I have...except my youngest is in her 20's and his...is months old.

He said this one is quite different than the others. The first two were easy. His oldest is very smart. His middle child is the lover and must hug and kiss everyone...including the dog...before bedtime. The newest is...different.

She seems to require lots of attention...rocking...holding...feeding...and lots of talking to. Apparently...in a recent late night rocking encounter...dad whispered to the new one that 'she was not endearing herself to him' with all these antics.

I didn't have the heart to say...these are the good times. Enjoy them while you can.


Dan

TOO POLITICALLY CORRECT

I saw something today...while Christmas shopping with Cindy...that I haven't seen before...or at least it didn't hit me before...like it did this time.

We still warn smokers...on every package...that smoking is hazardous. We still warn people that eating raw meat can be harmful. We still warn men using ED drugs that an erection lasting 4 hours might be harmful.

All right...maybe some/most/all of these have their place. Good reminders to make us think twice.

But we have all been taught 'right-from-wrong'. We all have a conscience (alright...some don't) about doing the right things.

Today...I saw a warning to criminals on some electrical devices at one of the stores we shopped.

Warning: This package has a security device attached.

So now...we are being PC to criminals...in case you 'didn't get taught right from wrong...in case you don't have a conscience...we have one more deterrent. An alarm on this device will alert us that you are stealing it.

Okay...I guess we gotta cover ALL bases.


Dan

CHRISTMAS SPIRIT

I've been on-call with the hospital since Thanksgiving morning...so it's been a lonnnng week. I haven't felt too Christmas'y this week to help Cindy get the house ready...until today. My call time stopped at 7am. So after work, I came home...parked the car outside the garage...went inside and pulled down the attic ladder and proceeded to bring ALL the Christmas decorations down from the attic.

This year was much easier...as Shawn was here to help me. I went in the attic...and handed it all down to Shawn. All 20 tubs...you know the ones...about the size of a big cooler. And yes...there are at least 20 tubs. It will take Cindy (and I'll help a little) most of the weekend to get it all in the right place.

I've already put some strings of light outside...but I got too cold and am too tired to overdo it. So tomorrow...we'll get to making the house Christmas'y.

It's gonna be a great Christmas. In recent years, it was Cindy & I and Mason (if he was with us and not with his dad) and Julie. We'd have to wait until Jaime & Shawn and kids had their Christmas at their house before they came over here to see what Santa brought all of us. And Ryan and Joni were in Chicago and probably sleeping in at 'his' parents house until it was time to come over.

But this Christmas...Ryan & Joni now live up the road. And all the remaining kids and all the grandkids live under our roof. My guess is that Christmas will be VERY early Christmas morning...so the grandkids can see what Santa brought.

First the decorations will go up this weekend...and then the big fun in a few more weeks.

I'm now in the Christmas spirit. It will be a great Christmas.


Dan

THE BEST CHRISTMAS PRESENT

Our Radiology department produces a news letter every 3-4 months, that is available for all hospital personnel to read on the hospital intranet (yes that's the correct spelling i-n-t-r-a-n-e-t). It is called the X-File. Each issue shares a little something that's going on in the Radiology Department and/or some of the individual departments of Radiology (CT, MRI, Ultrasound, Nuclear Medicine, Interventional Radiology or general x-ray)

Last year I began contributing an article for each issue titled, Meet Your Co-Workers. In each article, I pick out 6 or 7 staff members and ask them questions that will shed some light about them...things that most people wouldn't know.

We are making an issue for December and my questions include...What was the year and model of your first car?...What do you like on your toast?...and...What was your favorite childhood Christmas gift?

For some of the guys and gals that I asked the gift question...they struggled to come up with an answer. When I was thinking up what questions to ask, when that question popped into my head...I knew immediately what my answer would be.

In 1960 or 1961...Santa brought me a 'Rifleman' rifle...from the TV Western, The Rifleman. The show was about a western cowboy/farmer and his young son. The dad, Lucas McCain, carried around a rifle that had a special lever on the handle, so that as he 'cocked' the rifle, he was able to make the gun shoot immediately. With this attachment, rather than cock the gun...aim...and shoot...he was able to repeat the action quickly and fire the gun in 'rapid fire' mode. (Watch this video of the opening credits of the show and you'll see what I mean.)

Well...when I got my rifle (toy rifle...not a real one)...I became the fastest shootin'est cowboy in Owensville. I was able to put a roll of 'caps' in the gun and it produced the noise, smoke and smell of a real shooting gun.

I was shootin' bad guys faster than they could make 'em.

What a great Christmas present. One I've never forgotten.


Dan