Time for the Superbowl

In rainy Miami there is a football game about to be played. Will it be the. we could have tried to win every game, but decided not to, Colts or the wow, I can' t believe we lost three straight and are here, Saints. Either way there is a Super Bowl Sunday.

Not sure who I am pulling for. I live around the corner from the biggest psycho fan of the great Payton Manning and the Colts, right Ann? My father in law adopted the Saints, back when they were horrible, because the fans when they came to Gulf Shores, threw a heck of a parteee! I guaranteee.

There are lots of questions. Will a rookie head coach get the win? Can Payton win his second Superbowl ring? Will Payton and brother, Eli, be shown enough times on their stuuuuupid Double Stuff Oreo's commercials? Will the ads this year be any good?

What ever happens it is Superbowl Sunday!!!

I wonder how many burgers, dogs, chips, sodas, frosty adult beverages, and salsa will be consumed tomorrow? This should be a huge food day for those who support the national pastime of football. It is truly the last game of the year.

McDonald's was offering a special of no less than 50, count them 50 chicken nuggets, two large fries and two large sodas for $15.00. Now that is sum bunch of nuggets. My son, who is a chicken, fan attic, noticed the deal. Only challenge is that is enough nuggets to last him until the middle of this decade. He is a growing boy but not that growing.

Back to the game. Who ever you are pulling for in this game let's hope it is close. I'm not a big fan of the 30 point blow out by half-time. It isn't fun. Last years last second heroics by the Steelers was a really good game. It was the first Superbowl that I had watched the full game. Most of the time I lose interest since some team is usually mailing in the game around midway through. Don't think we are going to see that. But, one, Never knows.

How about dropping comments on who you think will win and by how much. This is just for fun. There are no prizes awarded except you will get the chance to have a post dedicated to the fact that you are correct if you participate, prior to the beginning of the game. Once the kickoff takes place please only submit who you think will win!

Hope everyone has a safe and happy football game. Then the bragging can begin.

On the Move! International Style

This was a fun Saturday. Starting early this morning it was finally time to move a good friend to her new place. This was started a couple of weeks ago but delayed due to snow and ice. In this case the second time was a charm.

H and K went with me to assist. They got up early on a Saturday morning, with minor grumbling, to ride along to help.

Upon arrival the fun started. With lots of boxes, a 24 foot truck and a house full of stuff; the moving was on!

There were some great people there. It was a like a United Nations of volunteer movers. As I describe it, I promise, it will sound like a set up to a joke. There was a Greek farmer, a Panamanian Industrial Engineer, a Global Security expert, an Alabama football fan and a lady from Wisconsin. Please add your punch line here.

We took furniture apart, loaded and unloaded boxes, and made multiple trips to and from the truck. And along the way, we had a great time.

My buddy Tammy proved that she is a truck driving woman! She backed that truck up a seriously angled drive. She also made a couple of trips.

Powered by Chick fil a nuggets and sandwiches, Chinese food, Green Tea, Coffee, Hot Chocolate, and soda this motley band worked hard to get the stuff moved. There were times that we didn't speak the same language or approach the challenge in front us with the same way. But, it continued throughout the day.

I was impressed with the motivation of my son and daughter. They played like kids would but they put forth an effort that was beyond what was expected. And, the impressive part, they moved at a pretty high rate of speed throughout the 10 hour day.

As the day progressed we learned Greek words for boss, thank you, please, and fun. We practiced Spanish, joked about not understanding each other then solved issues with hand signals and some good ole' fashion let me show you how!

The day grew to a close with the temperatures dropping and the muscles of the participants getting a little sore and tight. As I left the unloading the last five items were in view on the second trip of the truck. The garage at the new place was full of plants, boxes, furniture, yard furniture, cushions, towels, and tools. It was in a stage to be wrapped up.

When we headed home there was a great discussion about the fun we had tackling a challenge and meeting some neat folks.

Greek: Ποια διασκέδαση, σας ευχαριστεί

Spanish: Qué diversión, le agradece

English: What fun, thank you.

Help us to Prevent - Milk Voice

We have discovered a new ailment that will require a telethon, a ribbon, and a national marketing campaign. It is an ailment called milk voice. I know, your thinking that Louis Pasteur handled everything that deals with Milk.


This occurs only after you have consumed a glass of milk or drained an ice cold milkshake. There is a something that happens that produces weird sounds in your voice. Something happens to your throat.


Our family discovered this ailment after enjoying, on a Thursday evening, some frosted goodies from Sonic. By the way the concept of the Happy Hour at Sonic, is a wonderful money saving event in the middle afternoon. All kinds of cool flavors!

Okay, back to the topic at hand. My lovely spouse decided to talk to the rest of the family after enjoying her chocolate milkshake. The strangest noise, that use to be her voice, was emitting, from her mouth. It sounded like her voice but it wasn't the full volume. It also had a strange wobble in it. At first there was concern. Then the first chuckle and then the full scaled laugh. It is unfortunate but yes, we did, laugh at the expense of one of our own. Family life is a tough place.

Once the source of the strange sound was discovered the group immediately worked to name the ailment. So there in the car, Milk Voice was discovered.

I wonder if a whole family can receive the Nobel Prize in Medicine for a ground breaking discovery. We aren't doctors, but, we have stayed at a Holiday Inn Express.

It’s Spring Break at our House

That wonderful event that all school age children love has arrived at our house, SPRING BREAK! For the next week, the kids are out of school.

In our house that means four kids are now available to assist their parental units in whatever tasks, deemed appropriate, for the development of their character. Parental speak for completing chores, cleaning rooms, and fluffing the parents pillows! Yea right! It is nice to dream.

This week has caused some confusion for my 5 year old. Since she is out of school, she would like to know when I get Spring Break! I can’t wait to see my boss on Monday morning. (With the economy the way, it is I’m sure it might not be the right time to ask!) Nevertheless, my darling daughter has hit on a concept that I think should be explored. With vision like this why can’t they wave the constitutional requirement that the President has to be thrity six years old. I wonder how she can do in Economics.)

We are scheduling the week of sleepovers, social events, mall trips, movies, travel to places, activities, and veg time to have a great break. If the scheduling is right, I may see each child every other day as they spend time with their extended families. We use that term for the families of the friends they hang out with. We joke that my son has three hyphenated last names since the families of his buddies kind of claim him as one of their own. (I wonder if we can work that all the way through college? Oops! There I go using my out loud voice again.)

Spring Break is also the time that all children believe that everything is possible. The question was asked; Can’t we just get in the car and ride to see the grandparents? To add context to the discussion we live pretty close to the geographic center of the United States. The relatives live in the far Northeastern corner of the United States and on the East Coast. Another option was proposed by my eight-year-old son. He decided he would like to go to California for the break. We used the chance to do map reading and mapquesting to determine it would only take about 27 hours to get there. Mr. Math was on top of that saying, “it is only 1 and 3/24th of a day to get there.”(Parental pride in the math skill!) (Parental shock in realizing that he believes that I can drive that many hours without bathroom stops and sleep to arrive on the coast!) By the way, I love the sense of adventure that is developing.

We are getting ready for day two of Spring Break. The kids are using the opportunity to sleep in since most stayed up late on the first full day of Spring Break.

Happy Birthday Boodles

Happy Birthday to you.

In the winter snows with Maria. The friends that do spend the nights, soda and whales.

Ms. Rock band hair. When she saw David Cook, the American Idol, winner and Randy Jackson.

With her friend Kennedy. Two of Charlie's Angels.

At age 2 1/2. The intense look with her dad before she was the flower girl in a wedding.

Becca the multi sport athlete. Gymnastics, Soccer, Cheerleading. She is competitive at every sport, game or even a staring contest.

Here she is at her 9th birthday party at the Flip shop.

It's the surfer girl. She is also a great student, avid reader, and a lover of music and her computer time.

Yep, eleven years ago today in St. Vincent's Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama, Miss Rebecca A. Wilson came into the world. My world is better because she is here.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to All.

Twas the annual reading of the night before Christmas

New pajamas and slippers were had by all on Christmas Eve to assist with the long winters nap.

Christmas morning began in our house at 7:30 a.m. Thank you kids!!! I did hear some movement around 6:00 a.m. but decided that until it got louder all was fine. Our youngest two arrived at 7:30 ready to go.

Twas the day of Christmas and all through the house the people were playing all over the house. The kids all in jammys they receive just last night were working hard making sure all the playing didn't lead to a fight.

Lovely wife was exited to have her new prize. A vest and a red blackberry curve was her surprise.

Ipods, clothes, and a Nintendo DS were some of the items under the tree.

My son received from his Godparents a Hot Wheel race car set that has been a hit. There was a 1555 piece building set, Bakugan battle brawlers, hot wheels cars, and laser tag. He also received two Nerf footballs. There were lots of wonderful gifts. I have only mentioned a few.

Aunt Liz and Aunt Fran gave the kids money, cool gifts and McDonald's gift cards. The kids had a special message during the picture. (See the attached Video)

We have played a couple of rounds of Pictionary and lovely wife is now the proud owner of the game, Clue. I can't wait to see who done it, with what and where they done it.

The best fun is having the family together for a day without any activities to drive the schedule. It's all about having a nice time today with each other. We will also check in with our friends and family who are spread all over the globe.

Merry Christmas to all.

Three snow days. Why can't I be a kid?

I know the jealously is not a virture. But, three snow days in a row? Going to work is hard enough each day. But, when the whole house is quiet, the covers are warm, and there is a blanket of ice and snow outside. I want a snow day. I'm a dedicated employee yet, I like being a kid.

So, off I go. Carefully making sure I don't land on my hind quarters infront of the homestead.

It was nice to hear from my kids on my cellphone. The calls were few. We have been outside playing in the snow. We just came in to have Hot Chocolate. Can you come home early to play in the snow? That one from my son made we a little squishy.

They seemed to enjoy themselves. I did get to make a snowball. They also were able to make a couple of snowmen.

Can't wait till the next time it snows.

Can you say snow day?

Yep, the first snow day of the year occurred this morning. We had an idea last night that it could be a unique morning. We had thunder, lightening, and ice. It was a thunder ice storm.

The sound of the ice hitting the house sounded like someone was outside the house with a garden hose on the windows. Dabba wasn't a fan of the thunder ice.

This morning when I went outside to head to work I slid down my sidewalk to the driveway. It took 30 minutes to thaw my car so I could get in the thing. As I slid down the drive way into the street it was a little unnerving especially since I had only barely touched the accelerator.

My kids were loving the day off. My lovely wife was looking for some reinforcements later in the day.

The kids are excited, the weather doesn't look like it is getting any better soon, the schools cancelled classes for snow day number two. This happened even before bedtime!

So, snow day number two on the way!

Iowa State Names New Auburn Football Coach

The fun continues on the prettiest little village on the plains. It appears that this afternoon the Iowa State's Athletic Director announced that Auburn University had hired Iowa State's football coach, Gene Chizik. I cracked up on how the announcement was, or wasn't handled, depending on who you believe.

They have hired a coach who has a record of 6 and 18 in the last two seasons as a head coach. I'm all about going out on a limb but, sawing the limb off the branch behind oneself is what appears to be going on here.

My question. Why would you hire someone who is a defensive coordinator? Wasn't it Auburn's failed attempt of rolling out a new offense that caused the previous coach to get the pink slip? The high school guy didn't work out. But, at least at the level he played he'd won.

Welcome to the SEC! Coach.

Things will be fun in the South Eastern Conference next year with all the new coaches opening day next year should be lots of fun.

Good Luck Auburn.

Becoming a better Blogger

The beginning of the year is when most people make resolutions on how they will change their behavior, stop eating, start exercising, save money, play well with others, you get the picture. My resolution, a whole month early, is I want to become a better blogger. That means posting on a regular basis, following up on the postings of my blogging favorites, and learning the new cool things to add to my blog. Yep, it's out there. And, yes, I said it.

So, beginning today. The fun begins.

I'm trying out the new early resolution process since everything else is beginning early. The Christmas candy was put out after Halloween. The end of the year sales are now before Thanksgiving and people are releasing the Black Friday ads for stores in early October. So, why not early New Year's resolutions.

I hope this takes. If not, I hope you all had a good holiday season and isn't it a happy new year?

Do the Roads Close?

We have the newest entry for The Book. During our recent trip we decided we would cover as many miles in one day on the road trip as possible. We are talking the distance from Maryland into the Louisville, Kentucky area after a number of stops, some shopping, a couple of pit stops, and of course stops at the historical markers along the route. That is a lot of car riding.

As we arrive late into the Louisville area, without a hotel reservation, we make a few calls to begin checking out the options. There is a "Huge" car show according to everyone we talk with in the Louisville area, and it is the night before the American Idol stop in that town, there are no hotel rooms to be found. So, we cross the Ohio River and push on. This is about 10:45 p.m. on a beautiful Saturday evening.

Continuing on the highway the discussion turns to the hour of the evening. So after another hour of driving we start the process of looking along the highway for lodging. First stop gets us a call down the road to another place that has rooms. Due to the hour they will not take a reservation. We arrive and sure enough there are now no rooms. As we continue heading west on the interstate a voice from the back of the car asks, "What time do the roads close?" At first I wasn't sure I had heard the comment correctly so I asked for a repeat. Yep, same question.

It dawns on me that this member of the family, who likes to go to bed early doesn't usually see the time of night we are up and driving. So, it is a good question. Then it occurs that this young lady hasn't really been up on the trips that we would drive late to various places. Usually, she was asleep so she didn't really understand the time of night or morning as the case may be. The lack of traffic on the highway was also an indication to her that just maybe we were out riding along on a stretch of highway that was closed.

We chuckled at the question and explained that it is really late. The highways don't usually close unless there has been some kind of accident or weather reason to close them. The roads are not like stores they are open all the time.

That is good news. The rest of the story is that after a number of stops we pulled up in the parking lot of three hotels and a fast food place. Found some secure parking and slept. We didn't find a hotel that evening.

We experienced a beautiful sunrise the next morning. Did some freshen up and completed the next 6 hours home. We saved a good bit of money and added a new chapter to our travel adventures. We also discovered a new entry to The Book.

I'm Gonna be an Uncle!

Last Wednesday my youngest brother and his lovely wife made the announcement that they will have a baby. That makes me an Uncle! Very Cool! I am very excited for the two of them and the arrival of the newest member of the family.


On Uncle stripes this will be number eight. Not that I am counting. All of the kids are important and I am glad to be their uncle. This one is fun because this is my youngest brother. He is sixteen years younger than me. Which of course makes him closer in age to my kids than me. So he is one of the cool uncles to my kids.


Anyway, in March of 2009 we are expecting the arrival of the newest member of the family. It was joyous news when shared. We all can't wait for the arrival. Let the naming game begin.

News from the US Olympic Trails in Eugene

Checking in this past week with a couple of my sibilings I was making calls to see what is happening when I reached one of my brothers. We chatted, shared upcoming travel plans, stuff about work, asked about the spouse and kids, then I asked what are you doing tonight? His response floored me. "I'm at the Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon, so I am going to work and watch a couple of races." This would be at Haywood Field at the University of Oregon, the land of the ducks.

Well, that night is much cooler than I'm going to run a couple of errands, cook some dinner, and finish off my last John Grisham novel. It was kind of the adult version of my night is cooler than your night. Charlie won and I didn't even know we were competing.

Both he and my sister, who are runners, in the athletic business and are from the west coast. So it was not unusual they would be doing something fun and athletic, my sister has competed in four Olympic Trials, but Charlie won the evening events prize.

The Book - I'm So Tired my eyes flickered

The last three nights me and the crew have been participating in after work fishing. It is a great family event. The calling at work starts on the cell phone asking me how the day has been followed by, Dad, what do we have planned this evening? Then it advances to calls about have you left yet? I have enjoyed the events. Lots of fun.
Once I get home we quickly grab the fishing poles, worms, the fishing box and head for the local pond. We will then fish until dark. All four kids are out fishing together, with me and sometimes my lovely spouse.

This evening there were a number of fish caught. Just as we are about to head home there is a flurry of activity, my son hollers. DAD, I've got a huge fish....with the sound of excitement and a little fear. The pole in his hand was about bent in half. The other kids are beginning to gather. Keep reeling I'm am hollering, keep the tip of the rod up. His sister is trying to help him lift the thing and get it where we can see it. Oh! No, I have caught a turtle, the young man announces! (This causes some concern, the girls love turtles and don't want to harm any, catching it on a fishing pole oh, my!) Relief, the fish breaks the top of the water. We land a monster bass, at least a couple of pounds. I know, this is a fish tale. Especially since it was dark and we don’t have a good picture. However, my son landed the biggest fish. (Pride welling up in my chest, that's my boy!)
All of a sudden the eldest young lady says, hey, DAD, I’ve got a fish. Okay, this is fun. I haven’t even unhooked the monster bass that my son caught. Then the kids are over trying to help the landing of fish two which was a close second in size. Unbelievable. What great fun. We try to take cell phone pictures while we are returning our prize fish to the lake. Great fishing, lots of fun, great activity, we are outside with worms, and bugs, and fish and fresh air. This is a Mutual of Omaha moment.
As all this activity is taking place I notice it is getting to be significantly darker by the minute. When a voice, of our youngest calls out. Hey, dad, I’m ready to go home. I’m so tired that my eyes are flickering. (All the kids together said, aaaahhhhhh!) As I am unhooking the second fish a small head is leaned against my leg. Dad, we really need to go.

So, home we go, fish stories in hand, a new entry for The Book, and plans already started for the next evening of family fishing.

Now that's a fan and the Parent Voice!

Last week I had the opportunity to take two of my kids and two kids of some Alabama friends to a concert. It was Lifehouse and Taylor Swift playing together. It was a fun concert. I recognized some of the music from the radio and my kids I-Pods, MP3's, Zen players and shoe phones. We had a great time.

We had great seats for the event. And the venue was nice. Once the bands started no one wanted to sit in the chairs that had been provided. (Yep, showing my age again, huh?)

One young man, pictured below, had the opportunity to meet Taylor Swift before the concert. Well you know how some people when they get around celebrities will make the story sound better than it really is. This kid didn't. He had the proof.

Taylor Swift signed his head! I mean right on the forehead where everyone can see.

His dad even had pictures of the event taking place. Being a guy, even an olde one, I thought, dude, way cool!

This kid is a genius. He solved the number or the autograph washing off when he eats, drinks, goes to the little boys room and does the washing thing. He doesn't have to worry about getting it on his clothes or rubbing off on his pants. Shear genius.

This kid should be president! (Why not?)

It was right in the middle of his miniature hero worship session that the parenting voice kicked in. I don't know where it came from, or why. All of a sudden I noticed that all of the people that though this was cool were the males of our species. I then noticed that the proud father, showing pictures of the event, with a really cool camera, was only accompanied by a daughter who was not as interested in the outcome of the celebrity meeting. My initial thought, she is just not getting it because, you know, she is a girl! Then the parent voice got louder. The young hero is going to get killed when he walks in the door! I went from coolness to down right afraid for this former hero's development! His Mom is going to have a Code Brown! You know, first she is going to say it, then she is going to do it. How could this have happened? Instantly, I became worried if the Sharpie marker would come off his head without removing to much skin. I was also thinking of the comments the proud father was about to receive over this lapse in judgement. The parent voice. It had me. Then parent voice made me turn around and check on all of my kids. All okay. Nothing that would get me in the dawg house. Phew!

Back to the concert. I had a great time and learned that you don't have to have paper anymore in this digital age to get an autograph. My spouse is also concerned that with all of the youngins we have I will use the new method of communication for my next shopping list! On the kids silly, not me. How would I read it!

A Degree of Rhymes

Yes, Sam I am, Graduate I can. In a gown without a frown. Play my music sing on key that's the plan. Watch me graduate, yes I can. Princess Dabba has graduated from Mom's Day out to Kindergarten.
She was beautiful. Can you see the proud parents? It was fun to see the dress rehearsal for high school, college, and medical school. She announced when she grows up she wants to be a doctor.

There is a Teenager in My House

I can't believe it. The young lady in the picture is a teenager. Its not that she can't handle it. I'm the one who is having to believe that many years ago this little tiny thing joined us at 2:47 p.m. in the hospital in Birmingham, Alabama.

Happy B-day Sweety.

One for the Book - Blinding Flash of the Obvious

This is a category of post I know well and get my self in trouble with occasionally, mostly with my lovely wife. Let's call it the think before we speak category.

Please understand we all have moments when we think things then because of the faces of people around us we can instantly tell that, oops, I must have used my out loud voice to express the thought. That happens to the best of us.

Over the past couple of days I have heard a question over and over again so there must be some disconnect between the visual, the thinking, and the speaking parts of our brains that is degrading. Maybe it is due to the lack of social interaction some people have due to an abundance of television. It could just be a function of I'm going to ask just to see if the answer I hear matches the visual I see. Not sure, I may have stumbled onto my thesis for my PhD. in the land of the non-academic.

I will provide you the visual just as a test. Since I know only the cultured, well informed, smartest, and most articulate read this blog. It is only an example of the test that was given to others.

Okay, what question came to mind? Did you say it out loud?

Since I know you all passed the test with flying colors there is no need to explain the reams of data and surveys that we had to accumulate for this unscientific poll, that was not statistically significant. It wasn't even valid.

Here is the question I was receiving from others in the neighborhood and people coming into the area for the city wide yard sale. With the above sign pounded into the yard, complete with a flyer explaining the asking price, attributes of the home, and a phone number to call for information on both the sign and the flyer, the following was still asked, " Are you selling your house?"

In my head answer:
(Being the good smart a$$ that I am;) Nope, this was just a test of the neighborhood communication system. Had this been an actual attempt to sell, the Goodyear blimp would have been flying over head, I would have rented search lights to crisscross in the sky, and a marching band would have been parading by every 15 minutes. I'm begging you to give me a price below what I am asking so I can feel really good about the decision to sell.

Outside voice answered:
Yes we are. Are you interested or do you know someone that is in the market for a wonderful house with fine neighbors?

I think there is going to be a new telethon established for the think before you speak campaign. If you have ideas on who the spokesperson should be for the national ad campaign or come up with the cool acronym that could be used let me know.

For now, please start saving your pennies for the people you may know who ask questions just to hear the answer! Also, if you know anyone with the number to the Goodyear blimp people...would you share?

The Checks are in the Mail - April 28 and May 9

In the words of President John F. Kennedy, “And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country. The George W. Bush corollary is; And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country has sent you in your direct deposit or mail box - ask what you can do for your country’s economy. Or in the words of Rod Tidwell, played by Cuba Gooding Jr., in the movie Jerry McGuire, Show me the Money!

On Monday, April 28, 2008 the Treasury Department will begin delivering the first tax rebates by direct deposit, called the Economic Stimulus Payments. During the first week alone nearly 7.7 million Americans will receive their tax rebates electronically. Then on May 9th, the IRS will begin mailing checks to millions more across America.

By this summer, the Treasury Department expects to have sent rebates to about 130 million American households. These rebates will provide eligible Americans with payments of up to $600 a person, $1,200 for couples, and $300 per child.

According to President Bush, “If you've already filed your income tax return your rebate is on the way. Even if you don't owe any income taxes you may still be eligible for a check, but you need to file a form with the IRS. And it's not too late to do so. Now, you can find out information as to how to proceed by calling your local IRS office, or go to the IRS website.”

We, the government, want to make sure everyone who's eligible for a check gets one on a timely basis. This money is going to help Americans offset the high prices we're seeing at the gas pump and at the grocery store, and it will also give our economy a boost to help us pull out of this economic slowdown.

My question to my fellow bloggers, what do you plan to do with your “extra” money? Paying bills, making an unplanned purchase, or saving the money?

Ever Had a Rough Day at Work? Its Not What You Are Expecting!

Last week I was headed into the sweat shop, my affectionate name for my office. I was thinking about the day ahead, peeking at my TREO for e-mail, making cellphone calls to friends and family, and just getting my game face on for the day. All of a sudden a car comes shooting from the turn lane into my lane, back over to the far right lane then straightened up to begin moving along. I couldn't believe how poorly executed that entry into traffic had been performed.


At the next light my game prep for the day is interrupted by the slowest person to make a left hand turn in the history of driving. I know, that sounds harsh, I'm sure when the Romans tried to turn their chariots it might have taken some time and skill. Plus the horses were I bet at times a handful. But the person ahead of me at the light. Oh! My goodness.


My e-mail dings. Ah! something to distract me from focusing on the person who still hasn't turned to the left. As I look up it appears there is a car coming in the opposite direction 5 blocks up. So, they will have to wait through the light again to turn. (Let's focus, be one with yourself, go to your happy place. Goose Fraba!)


The e-mail carries news that someone who was suppose to be providing support to a project of mine at work is defying the laws of nature. The status report provided electronically through the modern technology that they are actually going in reverse on the project progress.


All of a sudden it hits me. I am less than 3 blocks from my office and I am in a full blown, snooty, bad mood. And the day started out so nicely. What in the world happened.


So now that I am in full scale funk my lovely spouse calls to "chat" on the phone. I call it chatting when she calls and would like to engage in adult conversation after being surrounded by little curtain climbers all morning in the race to wake, feed, dress, press, scrub, and herd to the bus. Anyway, since I'm in the lovely mood the call isn't what spouse expects. I'm short, to the point, and quick to get off the phone. You know, since I'm not a happy camper all of the other campers within the range of Busy Dad are going to have a little bit of my version of sunshine sent their direction.


Okay, stage is set. Someone up stairs, and I mean the big upstairs, wanted to let me know not to take my little world to seriously. I also think it was a quick reminder about let's just get over one's self.


I step from the car, grab my computer bag, clip on the prerequisite name tag, shut the door and begin the walk toward my opportunity to live the dream for another day. As one of the guys at work says, LTD, Living the Dream.


After about three steps I begin to laugh. Not the going postal, people should hide or the Hannibal Lecter laugh. But the big, Lucy Ball type laugh that just comes from the deepest part of your heart. The cause you ask:


Take a look.

Yep, you saw it. I have arrived at work with two different color shoes on. So much for the trip to pitty party and dump on everyone day. This is just damn funny.

There is a moment of panic as I try to determine if there are any big possibly career enhancing meetings or is this a faux pas that may slide in under the radar. I think you know the answer to that.



I immediately call the spouse to make up for my earlier call. Then share the story. There is laughter. Not because I have said anything, but because she knows why I am calling. She has the opposite of the pair of shoes I am wearing sitting on the floor of our bedroom looking back up at her. She knows. She offers to bring the replacement shoe to work. Oh! no. I have to experience the if you take yourself to seriously then you get what you deserve moment for the full day.



Mood improves immediately.



Throughout the day the mistake is discussed and comments are made. It appears that another of my colleagues does this trick on a regular basis with socks and shoes. One upped again!



All that said it still gets better. A member of my team looks over the situation and she actually asks the next question. Do they walk different? Well being a practicing member of the IASA's (that is the International Association of Smart A**es) I said, without missing a beat, "the left shoe keeps wanting to walk off to the left and the other one, keeps wanting to go in circles looking for its mate.

Obviously, others don't find me as funny and entertaining as I find myself.


The point. Don't take yourself to seriously. Someone might be watching and provide you with the potential solution to your funk of the day moment. The day was lots of fun and very productive.