A video that makes you think...

So, I am on the "Green Team" here at eBay, which tries to focus on doing things for our work community and the community we live in. Things like water conservation, reducing carbon footprints, recycling, etc. One of the persons on the team then sent out this little video about "stuff" and how we Americans use it.

I have to admit, this is a little left as far as the person, but the message is loud and clear - republican, democrat, liberal, or whatever. I strongly urge those who read this blog to watch this short, 20 minute video and think about your own contribution to "stuff". I know it made me think about some of the habits and tendencies I have and if they're really required.

www.storyofstuff.com

Happy Newer Year!

Hey everybody - hope you all had a great holiday. I know we did, and I've got a few pics to share with you all. We enjoyed Christmas dinner with the McIllece extended clan and playing some Puerto Rico with Donny and Lena.

This new year brings some reflection opportunities and a chance to re-assess where I am in life. The good news, I've been working on being healthier and exercising more frequently for the past year and it has carried over well. Some things I'd like to work on, though, are saving more $$$, having FHE more often, and becoming a more patience person. All of this will require a fundamental change in organization.


Here's the kids at Christmas - such cuties.

It's (L to R) Conner, Easton, Dylan, Preston, and Ella. I don't know where Jordyn escaped to during this picture, but she's there somewhere, maybe buried in wrapping paper.









Here's Easton at his Christmas program giving his part for "The Night Before Christmas". He was the loudest presenter and singer for the whole program.



This was me and Ella for her 2nd birthday party. How do you like those bows that Michelle put in her hair? That's what I thought, totally girly, but I love it. She's such a cute stinker.

This is Ella laying on her Dora blanket that she got. Talk about an obsession. I wish I were the one who came up with Dora, talk about $$$ merchandising genius.



That's her opening her presents with Mom, with Grandpa watching on in amazement at how a 2 year old already knows how to rip through presents.


Well, not much else going on lately. Just livin...

Post to you all later.

Tis the Season - Fa La La La La La La La La

So, after reading my fellow blogger's thoughts and opinions, I felt compelled to share my thoughts and feelings around this magical season. I love being able to know that we celebrate this holiday for one single reason - the Lord Jesus Christ. Now, generally, I don't get spiritual, so I won't but I just want all to know that I am so grateful for the blessings in my life and the opportunities His life and death afford me.

Now that I've gotten the deep, heavy stuff out of the way, let's talk about the other things that really get me excited (more so than the Magic Bullet even). I love: the smell of pine, sugar cookies, krumkakes, having an excuse to wear pajamas into the afternoon, reading Christmas books to my children (especially the ones I was read as a child), knowing that I have time off of work, seeing the look on people's faces as they open presents, seeing the look on grandma Nome's face when a picture is taken, playing with the kids and all their new toys (and my toys too), having Christmas Eve dinner at the McIllece's, Christmas music, Christmas movies, and a plethora of other things that have anything to do with St. Nick, elves, Rudolph, Yukon Cornelius, tasty treats, and bright lights.

Mostly, I'm glad that I get to spend time with my loved ones.

"Fragile... must be Italian."

Gobble Gobble Mutha Trucka

Hello all - I have to say that this last week was a great time and that this time of year really does make you reflect on how good life is. I am SO thankful for my wife and kids, they bring such joy to my life. I'm thankful for the blessings the Lord has placed in my life.

I'm also thankful for things like good friends, and good times... cannoles, video games, the internet, bleach, hardware stores, dry humor, the magic bullet, salad spinners, saran wrap, heaters, hot showers, and countless other things that would continue to make this list longer than it needs to be.

Lastly, I am thankful that I got four days off work and didn't get a single work related phone call the entire time. Now I just need to take about a week and a half off for Christmas and life will be golden for 2007.

...young little whipper snappers able to run up and down hills. In my day, we didn't get to wear red because people thought you were a communist and from the Soviet Union...

Tagged by Emily

Here are the rules:#1. Rules of the game must be posted at the beginning.#2. Each player lists 6 facts/habits about themselves.#3. At the end of the post, the player then tags other people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

"Wrote a song about it, like to hear it, here it goes..."
1 - When I was in middle school I won the geography bee - booyah!
2 - I still have one baby tooth that does not want to let go.
3 - I like chick-flicks, it's true... I think it's the happy endings. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoy bloodshed though.
4 - I start listening to Christmas music as soon as the radio begins playing it (I share this with Donny I just found out - rock on brutha!)
5 - I have 7 siblings, 3 brothers and 4 sisters.
6 - I have an addictive personality - things I am trying to satiate it with right now: fitness, eating healthier, energy sodas (kind of contradicts the one right before it, I know), game nights, and sex (just can't seem to get enough, or maybe just don't get it often enough to know if it's sated).

Well, there you go. I choose to tag Russ (Emily, please inform him that he needs to write some interesting things) and my brother-in-law Rick (give us real facts, not things like your adopted Turkish son).

Peace out!

FOUL!

So, this past weekend I celebrated 29 wonderful years on this planet. In those years I've been through quite a few things and consider myself fairly accomplished for my age. However, after meeting with the high councilman tonight, I now know that I am about to embark on a new journey wrought with intrigue, mystery, and sweaty people. Yes, it's true, I am now a stake referee for all men's, women's, and young adult's sport activities. I know, I know... how can someone who cusses in sports be called to this position? Well, my guess is humility and patience. Humility for controlling my language when people dare question my calls and patience for young people questioning my calls.

Well, not much else happening in life. Em - I still owe you 6 things for being "tagged". Look for them shortly...

Halloween & Beantown

Here's a quick update on the last couple of days from us. We had a good Halloween with the kids. Both Conner and Easton got to dress up in their costumes for school and they loved it. We carved pumpkins the night before with my sister Emily and her husband Eric. It's always fun to get together with them. I'd also have to say that we all did a pretty good job on our pumpkins (bet you can't guess which one I did).


As for "Bahstun", good ol' Beantown, it was a blast. If you've never been I highly recommend it, even if you're not a Patriots or Red Sox fan (which was also a great time of year to be there... Go Sox!). We stayed on the harbor and were able to walk everywhere, which took away some of the guilt of having so many cannolis from the world's best pastry shop. We did the Freedom Trail, saw the Patriots game, and basically did some serious relaxing. It was good to get away, but good to be back too. Here's a couple of pics... first one is at Paul Revere's house, the next is the view from our hotel.