I Found My Thumb

Gotta HEADlight now

Hanging at Aunt Suzy's

Pearce really gets into this visiting the city folks. Putting his feet up, chomping on some cheese, and watching Arsenal vs Chelsea is a fun thing to do at Suzy's.

Words Can't Describe

Having a Talk With Buzz

Christmas Morning

Well, the day did get started in a good Christmas style. I got up at 6:30, went and turned on the Christmas Tree. Then I moved the Advent Wreath to the dining table so we could light the candles undistracted by the toys. We used Pearce's Bible (we've used it throughout the season) for the lesson.

Only difference this time was Pearce wouldn't read with me. He has been parroting every word I say during the Advent readings. Pearce wouldn't even sing Happy Birthday to Jesus. I do believe he wanted to get to the toys. Especially a certain space ranger.

Well, Santa was all that Pearce had eyes for (and Nana). Buzz Lightyear and the Weeble Wobbles were pretty much all he cared about at first. As we opened more presents for him and showed him his stocking he still went right back to Buzz.

Half way through the gifting we noticed a little something white falling from the sky. It kept on falling and falling. Then we got a call from Calhoun saying that the youngest nephew was sporting a fever of 102+. Alternate Christmas dinner plans were resorted to. Have you ever seen A Christmas Story (fa ra ra ra ra...)

Nana and Regina headed for Calhoun to represent at Christmas Dinner and deliver presents to the Holland children. The snow is still falling. I forgot to mention that I got a calendar from Tang's Garden.

Well, I might have forgotten something but maybe Kristi will fill in details through the comments. Pearce is now sitting in front of the tv with Buzz watching Toy Story (with Jessie)

Christmas Bread

This the first Panettone recipe I tried in the machine. It is good, but I meant to try another recipe first. I really wish I had more people around to eat up what I make, as I make it, so I have an excuse to make more.

Oh, yeah! I didn't put a picture of the first loaf out of the machine up because it got pretty much used up in cheese toast and slathered with butter and honey.

Breakfast and Movie

Chillin'

Going For A Christmas Eve Cruise

Il Panettiere

I have made my first loaf in the bread machine Kristi and I got for our wedding. No you don't really need to to do the math. I made the basic loaf tonight and if it does well I'll make one of the panettone recipes I found. After I find the right panettone recipe I'll get to work on the pile of recipes Suzy sent me. I think I'll start with the cheddar bread and move to the applesauce bread. I can't wait to try them all.

Andrew Elkins

Holland/Elkins Christmas Dinner

Claire's Big Day

Sunday was a big day for a little lady. Claire was baptized at Westminster and the whole local crowd was in attendance, minus Randy who had to play at his own Church. Nana, Papaz, and Daddy posing with the Queen of the Day.

No Eclipse For Me

Stinking cloud cover. Claire was such a good girl she woke Daddy up at 1:00 to see the Lunar Eclipse. The clouds had other ideas about my observing this rare phenomenon. Nice thick layer of condensed moisture between the earth and the greater heavens blocking out the not so frequent obscuring of our local natural satellite left me staring. Staring at the Christmas Tree and listening to Christmas music and contemplating the adjuration to always be awake, always be watchful, to always be prepared for the coming of the Lord. Two hymns came to mind; Sleepers Awake and Watchman Tell Us of the Night.

My Mamaz Made This For Me

Mid-Week Advent Devotional

My Son Rocks

Claire was fussing and crying so I was going to check on her. Pearce put his hand up and said, "Don't touch her. My got this." at which point he ran over to Claire and gave her a pacifier.

Andrew Elkins

Bag o' Sleep

If you have a gently used sleeping bag or access to one that could be given to WPC we'd love to have it. During the Session meeting last night we realized we have huge amount of space and the temperatures are really, really low. So we decided to look into opening our doors when the other shelters are full. Once we approve that use of the facility I want to immediately be able to open the doors if necessary.

If you are coming up Sunday for Claire's baptism and have a bag to donate bring it along. If you have no idea what I'm talking about drop me a comment and I'll get in touch with you.

Andrew Elkins

It's My Weekend Next Weekend

Just a reminder to the Elkins world that Claire's baptism is this coming Sunday 12/19. Drop us a line to let us know you're coming. The menu is Kristi's Loaded Potato Soup and Reba's Chicken and Rice Soup with sandwiches. The service is at Westminster Presbyterian at 10:55 and food will follow at Glenridge Rd shortly there after.

Pearce's First Solo Car Repair

Pearce is already getting started on the car repair business. He is checking and clearing Mommies check engine light. The light comes on every time the gas cap isn't exactly tight enough. I figured that this would be a good way to include him in keeping the cars up to snuff.

16 Days and Counting

This has been a crazy week. I being the impatient person that I am got my Christmas cold nearly three weeks early. Which may not be a problem since it won't go away. Committee meetings and MANDATORY afterschool meetings. Picking up the superboy after said school meeting (we got Lil Caesars). The list could go on.

However I have found what I want for Christmas. I want iTunes cards or Amazon cards (or the nearest approximation to that). I'm always wanting to buy something I hear on Pandora (Internet radio) I have also found Donna Leon (minus Death at LaFenice) and nearly everything Anne Perry wrote on my Amazon/Kindle app.

I Like This New Habit

We have developed the habit of stopping at Buffalo's on the way home from church. I like it especially because always forget that I got the Tex-Mex burger last time until it arrives on the table. Then I remember. Kristi then rolls her eyes.

Christmas Table

Aren't I Just the Cutest

Hello everybody.

I Just Mowed the Yard

And it is the second day of December. I should have made a picture before I started mowing. All those trees leave a lot of leaves all over the place. I just had enough gas to run over the yard twice to get it nice and clean looking. It was not a minute too soon because we are having Kristi's Murray County friends over Saturday for some family Christmas fun.

A Little Seasonal Poetry

Wanting to believe in the coming of the Lord
Not believing the possibility of a saving Christ
Having never known faith in a dream for peace
Astounded, skeptical of the stories told of Mary
Lost and struggling with a darkness without joy
Enduring the emptiness of life without any hope

Willing to believe in a Savior is the seed of hope
Looking for the signs of the coming of the Lord
Wandering towards the light of an expectant joy
Hearing with new hearts the legends of a Christ
Listening again to the angels words told to Mary
Silently praying for long denied feeling of peace

Believing the prophesied Savior will bring peace
The people wait for the fulfillment of a new hope
An angel’s message from God of serenity to Mary
Prepare a place of honor at the coming of the Lord
Hearing the promises of the prophecies of Christ
Friendship and concord are the messengers of joy

Heavens ring with the singing the news of great joy
People will be come together with a dream of peace
Lost sheep will be discovered once again by Christ
Nations will rejoice to find again their eternal hope
Happily making the way for the coming of the Lord
Having faith in the magnificent blessing given Mary

Elizabeth opened her home in celebration of Mary
To share their magnificent double blessings of joy
One’s blessing will herald the coming of the Lord
One’s blessing will always be the Prince of Peace
Promises foretold fulfilled in the blessings of hope
Singing the praises and glory of the birth of Christ

All magnificent praise and brilliant glory to Christ
The Spirit is magnified in the humble soul of Mary
All the world shines bright with never ending hope
Nations celebrate with ecstasy and abounding joy
The world rests in the quietude of protective peace
People parade in adoration at the birth of the Lord

The coming of the Lord is foretold in Christ’s prophecy
Peace is ushered in at the birth of Mary’s baby boy Jesus
Unending joy and boundless hope are gifts to all mankind

Andrew Elkins

Glory Glory to Baby Georgia

Aren't we just the cutest pair of baby dawgs. Of course we'll both be dead asleep before the game starts. We will be dreaming sugar dawgs pouncing on yellow jackets.

Look at Me and My Chair

Claire has her very own chair and Pearce loves to sit in it.

Babies Galore

Ken and Claire

Now he has held two babies.

Me and My New Skirt

Becky is an awesome models assistant. Mamaz is a phenomenal knitter.

I adore my uncle Randy.

Monkey In a Tree

€#

Working Turkey

My First Turkey

I've never cooked a turkey before and now I'm frying one. Amazing. First we get the cooking station set up and going. One propane tank, one fryer, and one chair (with the instructions on it)

Test

Sent from my iPhone

Big Brothers Rock

I think the picture says enough.

Elmo Gets a Segway

Pearce built Elmo a Segway and helped Elmo ride all over the room. Kristi is helping Elmo ride around the boppie

Just Call Me Squanto

Pearce is loving his Indian headdress. Today was Thanksgiving lunch at Westminster Christian Academy. They told me yesterday that the kids were going to make Pilgrim hats. Pearce showing up at home looking like a little Indian made me happy. He had to show Claire two or three times. This shot is of my dear little Squanto after a hard day of helping the Pilgrims survive the harsh winter.

Too Early Daddy

Claire's so happy I'm staying home she's cheering in her sleep. This is the best way to start the Thanksgiving week. Of course there is a lot of cleaning and decorating to do. Right now, however, I am going to get some sleep while she is still out. Though it won't be long.

Boiling Peanuts with the Pman

There's nothing like a brisk Saturday morning boiling peanuts. Testing out the business end of the turkey fryer. So far it is making a good show of being a full time peanut boiler. Pearce and I are out on the porch enjoying the fall morning; the train going by, pancakes on a stick, coffee, a wrench, and good conversation.

Friday Night at Nana's

I want FOOD! We're at Nana's getting ready for a bonfire. When Phil gets here with the fire pit we'll be in business. In the meantime we are fixing burgers and ogling bitty bear. Of course Pearce is learning the rudiments of fridge raiding.

More About the Iron Situation

Since I have been diagnosed with hemochromotosis and it is hereditary I thought I'd give the family the hint to check themselves out. Well, have a medical pro do it. If your an Elkins or related by blood you should probably invest in an blood feritin [sic] level or an iron saturation screen. I would tell Moms side but Mom was a one and only.

Andrew Elkins

Hurry Up and Wait

We went and saw the Gastro today. Didn't tell me anything I didn't really already know except that the northern end of normal iron levels is 50 and mine is somewhere north of 650. When the Gastro gets the final numbers back from my biopsy (yeah, I know, right) he will start taking my blood. The bleeding will go on once a week for about six months to clean me out. After that I'll only have to donate maybe once every couple of months. Of course I can donate more if I wish. That's the update for now.
Andrew Elkins

Mamaz and Papaz and the Bitty Babies

Mamaz and Papaz came to Rome today for a fly by. The Pman and Sister were in full swing loving on Mom and Dad.

No Turkeys This Week

Kristi and I went to the Exchange Club Family Resource Center's "Strikeout Child Abuse" bowling event tonight. It was the FRC's second annual strikeout event. I got a coffee mug last year. This year I got a lecture on bowling etiquette from an overly serious participant. Of course we got our T-Shirts. We had a great time, despite my perpetual second place. Kristi was really pleased with the turnout. I think were only two lanes not in use. Talking to Kristi I came up with the bright idea of getting together a group from the Church next year. The only thing I was disappointed with was that I couldn't string three strikes together. I love turkeys.

Tis the Season for More Deprevations

Below is an email our staff has just received and my request/response to Governor Perdue.

"PAGE has learned from Scott Austensen, the Department of Education's Deputy Superintendent for Finance and Business Operations that the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget (OPB) will not be sending QBE monies to the school districts for November and December until the last day of the month, as they do in all other months.
According to Amy Jacobs, an official with OPB, the total amount of funds is $500 million and the QBE allotment will be released at the end of November and December due to cash flow concerns. She also indicated that local school superintendents were notified of this change in September.
Prior to this the state had, as a courtesy, sent the funds earlier in those two months so that districts could issue paychecks to staff before the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. PAGE has contacted interim state school superintendent Brad Bryant to request that the courtesy be extended again this year, particularly given the morale situation caused by budget cuts, furloughs, etc. PAGE believes this move will work a hardship on all staff, particularly school support employees such as custodians, food service staff and others.We encourage concerned educators to contact Governor Perdue to request assistance in getting officials to revisit their unfortunate decision."

The link to contacting Governor Purdue is http://gov.georgia.gov/00/gov/contact_us/0,2657,78006749_94820188,00.html.

And here is what I said to the office of Governor Perdue.

"People have made major budget decisions on the expectation that we would be receiving our paychecks at the same time we have received them for years. The budget office's decision to withhold the necessary funds to do this will cause hardship for many families at a time when we desperately need normalcy. Christmas is not the time to take money away from families. We in the education community have suffered cut after cut and now when we need it least of all, you are going to cut us again. Please show compassion to the people who hold and mold the future of Georgia. We aren't asking for more we just want what we are getting when we are accustomed to getting it."

The Season is Now Upon Us

Zechariah and Gabriel

from "The Birth of John" by me.

"...On the Lord’s Day Preacher Zeke did pray
When before him appeared Gabe
With the word of God to tell him
Fear gripped Preacher Zeke where he stood

Fear nothing Zeke said Gabe
Your Elisa will give you a son
His name will be called John
Bringing to you joy and gladness

Your boy will be filled with the spirit
No strong drink will he touch
Leading a great many to return
Preparing them for the return of their King

Preacher Zeke disbelieved Gabe’s words
Gabe in the power of the Word
Took Zeke’s voice and words away
Till the time that John should be born..."

How 'bout This Cute Dress

My first tights and my first dress and a headache band to boot. I'm ready for the field trip to the library Miss Laurie.

The Score Was This Big

Did ya see the size of the UGA score last Saturday? Wow. Why can't we do anything near that good back home? At least P-Man looks good in his new jersey.

Semper Fidelis for 235 Years

Happy Birthday to the Marine Corps

From Nassau to Fallujah to Kabul

May they always lead the way

May we always be faithful

As they are Always Faithful.

To Infinity and Eyond

Boiled Elephant Food Part Doo-Aaay

I think this would be more fun out in the cold all bundled up and stamping around tending the flame and the water. I'm just weird that way.

Boiled Elephant Food

What is the best thing to do on a fall Saturday morning? YOU GUESSED IT!! Boil some peanuts for the games to come. Of course when you do it in the house it tends to get a little humid, and not just in the kitchen. I am going to lay in some wood to use in the grill next week. Either that or get some fuel for my camp stove.

Andrew Elkins

What To Do With All Those Leftover Zippers

Hey! Just Call Me Rusty

I'm really not a patient person. The 18th won't get here soon enough. Knowing what is wrong is nice, but knowing what we're going to do about it would be even nicer.

Well, I shall drink my coffee, tea, and wine; eat my whole grains, rice, and beans; and keep molasses and red meat at an inconvenient distance.

Just Call Me Thomas

Magnet Suit Anyone

I have an appointment to discuss my treatment options with the Gastro on the 18th. Kristi is going so she can make sure all the right questions get asked. I prefer it that way.

I have discovered a whole bunch of ways to inhibit iron absorption in my body. Tea, wine, coffee have got to be my favorites. Of course there are beans, rice, grains, rosemary, and chili powder to name a few others. All favorites for me to cook with.

Right now the only way to get rid of the iron is to bleed. So, Dad has already offered to buy me some leeches. He also suggested the use of magnets to draw out the iron from my blood.

Too Much Cuteness

Brotherly Love

I Am Ironman

The Gastro has said I am suffering from iron overload. He did not specifically call it hemochromatosis, but I have to go in for a follow up soon. I'll put more info up as it comes in. I do know this though... No more molasses that is not fermented (rum).

The Great Pumpkin

Liver and Onions

Well, I have a story to tell. I went in for my annual physical a month or so ago. The doctor told me my foot problem was probably plantar fasciitis (inflamed tendons in the arch of the foot) and sent me downstairs to get some blood work. When the blood work came back with high liver enzymes. There are a number of things this could mean so the doctor decided to refer me to a gastroenterologist. The gastro sent me off for some more specific bloodwork to come at a better understanding of what is going on. Now, the bloodwork cameback and had narrowed the choices down to 2. Those choices are Hemochromatosis (too much iron in the blood) or Autoimmune Liver Disease (aka Autoimmune Hepatitis). I have come to understand that Hepatitis simply means liver disease. Well, anyway, the choices required a liver biopsy to determine between them. That wonderful procedure was carried out on Tuesday and we are now waiting the requisite 2 days to 1 week to hear the final word. Today would be the first day to hear from the doctor. I will post the news as soon as we hear here.

Gratuitous tiny tot photography

Quickie on the Run

Dude, it's raining out there. The fewer clothes the better.

Brother said this thumb thing right there on my hand was pretty good.

Is she supposed to be sliding off like this, Daddy.

Ahhh, I've got Daddy just where I want him.