Side by Side

bonding,
originally uploaded by ralknz.

This is the long awaited picture of the "kids." Lexie is the gray one and Caesar is the other one. Lexie got her name because she looks like a gray ghost which was the nickname of the aircraft carrier Lexington in WW2. Caesar got his name because Kristi just thought it would be a good name for him. I think she chose that because he acts like a little emporer.

It's About Time

I don't have a whole lot of it these days. We're back from Vermont (if ya didn't already know). We came back under duress. I'll put some pictures up soon. It's so cool we've been married for a month already. It just keeps getting better. Well, I'll go into more detail later.

Oh Wow

We are almost there. I am beyond excited. We got two cats this week and I may put some pictures up later in the week. Don't hold your breath. I may not post again until the middle of October. Just pray that we remember to get the claw clippers before we have to redo the couch. We'll see y'all soon.

Later

Three Weeks to Go

I am getting infected with the antici--------------------pation bug. Three more weeks till the big day. We are in the final run down to mawiage. I can't wait till the week after. I get to spend a week alone with Kristi in a place far far away.

How Time Do Fly When Your Having Fun

It has been exactly 365 days since Kristi made me the happiest man in the world. Where did the time go? MomDadSuzySam's banniversary was great friends of Mom and Dad showed up for their weekly run to Slope's while we were there and got to join in the festivities. Becky and Kristi and I nearly bought the same exact cards. She just chose the ones we didn't. This is wierd/cool Kristi thinks too much like us.

Well It Is the Weekend of Labor

And how. We finished moving the big stuff today. Mom and Dad have been together for 50 years this year. Today actually. Sam is a year past driving and Suzy is 29 yet again. I can't wait till Monday when I get to sleep in at least till seven or eight. We're heading out the door for Roswell to celebrate all the honorees tonight. We even have one of them with us Sam helped move us up here today. Well, hopefully I'll remember to post again before the end of the week.

I'm A Little Late With This

S reminded me that I had been neglecting my blog. That is not good since I don't live in the epicenter of Elkinsdom any more.

School is going along just fine. The kids are a challenge, but what do you expect with the population I serve. I have a wonderful assistant that I don't know what I'd do without. She reminds me of myself as an assistant... anoyingly knowledgeable.

I still believe Floyd.

&^%*&%*&% the Press and the UCI

Hey guess what the French lost again so who will they trash this year. The conviently American winner. OOPs we leaked confidential information, AGAIN. Oh its ok he just a filthy American. Let's ruin his entire future on a whim.

Logically how could the testosterone have helped if it didn't show up earlier in one of the three or four other p tests he had to take each time he wore the yellow jersey in the preceding two weeks, o wait, THREE WEEKS.

I wish the great American racers would fall in love with the Giro like I have. Then I wouldn't have to go through this torture every year. I really don't like the French as a whole. They aren't losers they just can't win.

Floyd Is Still Alright By Me

The type of steroids that would cause that positive result are not overnight fixes. In other words they could not have helped him to that super human turn around. They would have had to be present during the previous week and gradually helped and if they had been there he probably would not have blown up the day before. I continue to be very much a Floyd fan.

Floyd Rocks!!!! Floyd Rocks!!!!

I am breathless. This has been one of the best Tours in the last 20 years and yes I'm including Greg and Lance. Il Pirata's victory is the only one close in my estimation. Excitement? This was the epitome of excitement. Floyd gives up the yellow jersey to gain an unwilling ally. Insanity to give up 30 minutes! or pure genius? Let the other guys work for a few days in the flats and scoop the jersey back up in the mountains. Blow up in the most spectacular way in the Alps.

Wait that wasn't part of the plan.

ANIHILATE!!!!!!!!!!! the competition the very next day. Take it easy for a day and ANIHILATE the competition again in the final time trial and take back the Yellow Jersey for good and all by a minute.

I shall always thank God that I was alive to see this Tour. I hope Floyd has a few more of these up his sleeve. I shall be praying for his recovery from impending hip surgery.

Picture This for a Shower

CalhounInvite,
originally uploaded by randrewelkins.

Here are the pictures from the shower on Saturday in Calhoun. Anyhoo, the day was awesome. Kristi's family can't get over how excited I was about the cooking utensils. I love to cook. One aunt offered to marry me. Bread machine, mixing bowls (ceramic and stainless), MORE springform pans, cast iron skillets (graduated 3 of the suckers), and so much more. Peruse the slide show. This was one huge shindig. To top it all off I got to end the day at Pirates of the Carribean with Kennedy. He's not going to be back from New York before I have moved. Weird.

Someone Is Giving Us A Shower We're Not Taking It

Tomorrow we are heading up to Rome to be showered with more wonderful gifts. I can't wait to see what we get this time. I also get to show my Mom and a sister or two my new home up close and in person. Well, it's time for me to go float off into la la land. I'll update on the loot later.

Home Sweet Home

condofront,
originally uploaded by ralknz.

Well, folks we have found us a place to live. FINALLY. We'll be staying in Calhoun to start off with. Then moving into Rome within a year (as the plan goes).

Ain't it purdy? Take a look around. The tour starts at the front and works its way back. We have the front of the condo, then the view from the entrance, next the front room (office), and move into the living room with laminate floors, off of this is the master suite (with walk-in closet), finally the kitchen "suite" the dining area cooking area and pantry. Also there is a laundry and garage (two cars). At last we reach the back yard. You will have to remember this as you look at the pictures, but do take a look.

OOOO Velvet

Case2,
originally uploaded by ralknz.

My cello is very happy now a days. It has new accomodations

Happy 4th of July

This fourth rocks. I am not your usual American. I woke up to the third stage of the Tour de France, and I'll see two soccer games before I go to bed (one is even live and in person). I am grilling ribs and watching fireworks. To top it all off; last night I bought a biography of Hamilton (Chernow) and a biography of Franklin (Isaacson), and I'm reading a book on Washington and one about Jefferson (that one is on again off again in the reading).

Remember we shrugged off the bonds of tyranny more than two hundred years ago. Let's not fasten them on again.

Happy 4th

On the Road Again

tractor,
originally uploaded by ralknz.

Good to be back on the road again. I got road shoes for my "tractor." That's what I call my cyclo-cross bike, because it gets the job done. The engine is gas right now (just ask Kristi) but I'm working on making it a diesel. I actually went and did my fav-o-rite thing to do on the bike today. I went exploring. Of course I was just across Trickum in the neighborhood there, but I had fun. Gotta go shopping for supper fixins. Bye

Latest Veggies

LatestVeggies,
originally uploaded by ralknz.

On a happier note would ya look at these veggies. The maters still haven't turned yet; a few may get sacrificed soon to the southern breakfast gods (fried green tomatoes). I still need to take a out a few chipmunks that absolutely love my veggies. Well, anyhoo this is the latest update on the garden. RAIN, pray for RAIN.

A Sad Day

Musashi has taken that last long dive. He succumbed to injuries sustained at the hands of our former algae eater (Squeegee). Musashi battled on for a few days after Squeegee was "removed from the bowl," but he just couldn't make it with half a tail and the numerous sores all along his body. He will be missed greatly, not least by Hiroshige who remained untouched by the evil Squeegee.

Musashi and Hiroshige

MusashiHiroshige,
originally uploaded by ralknz.

I forgot these guys earlier. They are my desk buddies. That is Musashi on the left and Hiroshige on the right. If you look down on the bottom of the bowl you'll see what looks like a plant. It is. I put that dwarf waterlily bulb in there a month and a half ago. Finally, it has put out shoots. I can't wait to see how it turns out. Later

Aren't We Cute

Aren'tWeCute,
originally uploaded by ralknz.

I'd forgotten this picture. We were at Kim and Rob's for our engagement party. Isn't that Pig window just beautiful. Yes, it hangs right over the dinner table. I personally like it. Well, the big day is getting closer and closer. I just can't wait.