ANYWAY, it has been a bit crazy schedule-wise with all that has been going on the last three weeks. The workshop in Norman went well; I learned truly how slow the government moves on certain things. However, the trip presented an opportunity to get caught up with friends I haven't seen in many years as well as making a few new ones. Unfortunately I did return with a souvenier - a weak cold that wasn't enough to knock me totally out but I was dealing with congestion and a stuffy nose for three days. Not having found a doctor yet was the largest reason I didn't seek help from antibiotics for what possibly was a sinus infection but plenty of fluids, Vitamin C, and chicken noodle soup helped to ward off the cold and I was (unfortunately???) well enough to work my round of graveyard shifts. Oh well...
During this time I was also pondering a vehicle to replace the Exploder, doing all my Christmas shopping (only having to brave the mass hordes at Best Buy and Barnes & Noble), and trying to pack for my trip home all while working my crazy schedule. Then there were the Christmas parties, a couple of going-away dinners for a good friend and co-worker, and the occasional snap of cold weather to deal with. All these things going on made the time before I left for home fly by in a hurry and before I knew it, it was time to head for the Hill Country. But I had to make a detour to Frederickburg on my way home.
What was the detour for you ask? Meet my new mode of transportation:
This is my 2006 Chevrolet K1500 Silverado 4x4 with the Z71 package. 30,130 miles when I bought it, and is in excellent condition. The only two things it is missing that I really wanted were XM radio and bucket seats in the front. However, these were small items and decided not to risk passing this vehicle up. Many thanks to Zimmermann Truck and Auto Sales for finding the vehicle closest to what I wanted in the price range I was willing to plink out. So, the Explorer has been put out to pasture after 160,579 miles, one unintended wedding present, and a trip to the Canadian River. Now for a couple of months of lean living and tight spending...After this purchase, it was finally time to head home and enjoy my week-long Christmas vacation with the family. I can tell it was a good time as I regained the 5 lbs I had lost the previous couple of weeks, came back with the Christmas bounty, left only two tags on my hunting license (out of the 4 I had when I arrived), and all the jokes, fun, and love shared with family memebers. There was also some shooting with my XDM (results scanned in soon), some hand loading for friends and family, and a LOT of reading. My book reccomendation from this trip: The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis.
Last but not least was some photography. This is just a subset of what I have...I'm still sorting through the images and doing minimal post-editing (sharpening, contrast, image resize, and copyright). Enjoy:
Give them another couple of years. They'll be mighty nice, that is if the neighbors won't get to them first...
A porcelain tree my grandmother made before she passed away.
My 2008 Hallmark Ornament series installment.
Yeah, I was playing around on this one and managed to catch myself in the reflection.So, now to look ahead to 2009. Unfortunately I will have to work through New Years Day so my celebrating New Years Eve will not last through Midnight. Something about having to get up for a day shift on 6 hours sleep doesn't sound like fun. As for resolutions...I'll have to think about those for a while as I probably batted around .500 this year.
Merry Christmas and may 2009 be full of blessings and joy for y'all. And now to return to watching the Cowboys playing with Ducks in the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl in San Diego.
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