Aufwedersehn 2007

It has been an interesting year. Return to coaching, return to wrenching, vacation in St Augustine, new teaching assignment, exit from coaching, return to coaching, first anniversary, we're pregnant, failed return to cyclocross, first sonogram.

Well, I don't have a great deal of profundity to send y'all's way. I do have to say it's a sad end to the year with the murder of Benazir Bhutto. I'm not really enthused about seeing who doesn't lose the race for president. I am looking forward to the Olympics. We are both looking forward to our first child. That is the all encompassing joy of our life at this point.

Christmas Day

What a day. I got up around 6 this morning and got the Christ candle ready to light. There wasn't a holder for one taper so I hunted one up. I used an old cup from a bottom bracket I removed from a bicycle. That candle fit right in there. We lit the candle and had breakfast in the Christmas Room and enjoyed the tree for a little while. Then I got my shower and we got the car loaded up for the ride to Mom and Dad's.

We had breakfast at Suzy and Sam's and opened presents. Everyone enjoyed the time together. We even had a fire in the fireplace. (I don't have a real one of those at the moment)

After the food and presents Kristi and I went to Mom and Dad's to hang out and nap. Randy and I got the fire started in their fireplace. Mom got a good laugh making references to us being like a presbyterian horse(something to do with a camel). Anyway, the fire went roaring on its way. I racked up, well, we both racked up a few more presents before we left the folks house.

Last of all we had Christmas Dinner at Becky's. Turkey, of course, my favorite oyster dressing, olives, cranberry mold, sweet potato sufflet, dressing, mashed potatoes, pecan pie, apple pie, mincemeat pie, pumpkin pie, and brownie along the lines of my grooms cake (made by Kennedy), and asparagus. We all partook in verying states of gluttony. Then we opened more presents. At last Becky took Kristi and I for a ride in her Christmas present. Actually I forgot my computer and we had to deliver Dad's Christmas present from Jody to M&D's. She has a really cool car. It won the Dakar Rally 13 running. The day is over and I must retire to the sleeping chambers.

Christmas Room

The cats are not fond of leaving anything alone. They feel the constant need to explore and taste everything new in the house. That will be interesting when Baby Elkins gets here. For now however we have the problem of Christmas decorations. Last year they dismantled the tree by perching in it. This year Christmas decorations have been sequestered in the music room. To be known here in this blog entry as the Christmas Room, or CR. Well, we put up a little 3 foot tree in the window of the CR. I printed out a pretty Mary and Jesus Icon for the cover of my Christmas Music binder. We broke out the cathedral window pillow, Christmas afghan, and both of Mom's Angels. You can't forget the Advent Wreath and the old and new Advent Books.

Christmas Gift

The star above the door is an unexpected present from Dad. I was supposed to put this picture up a while back, but here it is now

The Anticipation Builds

We are free of the school yard at last. There is no real work standing between me and Christmas now. I do have to go in to the bike shop but that really doesn't count. Yes, I have to be there. Yes, I don't get to be with Kristi. Yes, I have to build bikes. But, hey, I get to build bikes. Maybe I'll even sell a few of the things to go under someone's tree.

Guess what!!! The Elkins' are lighting the fourth advent candle on Sunday. This is so cool. I don't ever remembering getting to light the candle as a child at RPC. Mom will have to provide that info. I will also be playing on the Sunday after Christmas (12/30).

Well, now that I have completed any and all work to be done infront of a classroom for the calendar year of 2007 I am going to go do vacation sorts of things TTFN

Gitin' Happy about the NATS

I won't name names but a certain nephew of mine has been excepted to the Georgia Institute of Technology. I'm not naming names because he hasn't bothered to call and tell me yet. My pride has caused me to be ostracized by a few fellow Dawgs. O, the sacrifices we make for the young ones. I have even been called the equivalent of mudblood.

Doctor Visit

Kristi got to go to the doctor this past Wednesday. I went to a department meeting. The doctor helped Kristi hear the heartbeat. By the way the heart rate is 140 bpm. I am going to get to go to the next visit for positive and sure because we aren't back in school yet. It is on the 2nd of January. I will be taking the camera and will attempt to take a small video of the monitor. So y'all can see the heartbeat as well. Well, the doctor says that we have a happy baby. More later.

'Tis the Season

It is Christmas, but that's not what I'm talking about. 'Tis the season to start working the team out. Time to start the process of getting the soccer wolves ready for this spring's campaign. We start the conditioning on Wednesday. I have a different role this year I am the goalie coach this year. Back to where started at Milton, lo those many years ago, back in the previous century.

I kinda need to commit to paper a workout for my goalies. I'll set up a rotation to work them out. I can only work with two at a time until sometime towards the end of January. I think I might enjoy this more; not being in charge of the team. All I have to do is work with the keepers.

Well, TTFN