Thrusday Thirteen

Thirteen Things I Intend to do in 2008

I don't know if these count as resolutions because some of them are done deals and some are tasks that I need to get done. Not all of them are self-improvement but they are virtually all achievable.

1. Finish setting up my new computer. I ran into a software issue so I have had to order a new copy of MS Office Professional 2007 before I complete the set-up. That should happen in the next couple of weeks.

2. Build a couple of new flower beds. I need to get some of the landscape stones (200-400) to get this project underway. This may take most of my spring week-ends.

3. Take a PhotoShop Elements class. Actually I am doing this beginning Jan 16. It is an online class from the local community college. If you read this blog very often, you may be subjected to some of my assignments.

4. Lose 100 pounds! Yes, I am going to divest myself of enough weight to make up a small adult human being. I have to keep saying this in order to hold myself accountable.

5. Take the grand kids to Disney World!!! WOOOO Hoooo, this is another done deal. We will be making the reservations later this month. There are four of them ranging from ages 4 to 12. These are the perfect ages for the vacation of a lifetime. I can't wait. Yes, we're taking their parents along as well.

6. Learn more about customizing a blog. I have no idea how to customize the look of a blog like some to the best ones I have seen. I know, I can just use this template and change the colors, but that isn't custom enough for me. We all want a unique identity in the blogosphere don't we?

7. Read the Bible from cover to cover. My grandmother would do this two or three times a year. I have never done it. I need to get started 'cause I've already lost three days.

8. I need to not worry so much about keeping this blog updated. The world will not come to an end if I fail to post two or three times a week. Besides, this doesn't really impact that many people.

9. Do a lot more fishing. I need to get the three younger grand kids involved in this sport. The oldest is already hooked and asks me to take her all of the time. I just need more time. Retirement in a few years will fix that problem...I think.

10. Paint the deck. Actually it will be a semi-transparent stain. It will be one of those spring projects. The honorary Christmas elf will help with that.

11. Go to some minor league baseball games. Springdale, AR wil be the new home of the Arkansas Naturals minor league team. This is always a great source of entertainment.

12. Clear some of the undergrowth from the ravine (green space) behind the house. I need to start this very soon. It is much easier to do when everything is dead.

13. Buy a big screen television set. I've probably made this a higher priority than it needs to be, but I think we're ready for a new source of entertainment. Besides, I can hook up my lap top and have a 50"-65" monitor. WooooHoooo!!

Ok, that's it for now. It took way longer than I anticipated to come up with this and it is not very original, but at least I got my T13 posted.

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Reasons I Celebrate the New Year!

This may be very quickly put together, therefore, not terribly well thought out or original and certainly not as serious as my previous Thursday Thirteen but here it is, for what it's worth. And, there won't be any photos to accompany this.

1. I made it through another year. That may be all the reason I need to celebrate.

2. I'm one year closer to retirement. I don't want to work this hard for this long and miss out on the best part of life.

3. We're taking the grand kids to Disney World in 2008. This could be the best vacation ever! I can't wait to see the reactions of the two youngest. We haven't told any of them where we are going. In fact, we may not tell them until we board the plane.

4. At work, we will move into our new office building in May. You have no idea how much this will help productivity and staff morale. Currently we are scattered in seven different buildings across a five block area and it can be a nightmare to manage staff.

5. The Arkansas Razorbacks got rid of Houston Nutt. At least for a little while the local sports talk show call in fans will quit whinning about all of the problems with the football program. Of course Nutt left the recruiting cubboard bear so Bobby Patrino will have nothing to work with when he gets here. I can almost hear the whinning again.

6. The Oklahoma Sooners will be ranked preseason No. 1. Now if they can just keep from tripping over Colorado or Texas Tech, they could win the National Championship in '08.

7. All of the holiday food will be gone and I can get back to seriously trying to lose weight and exercise. Seriously!

8. American Idol starts in a few weeks. WooooooooooooHooooooooooooooo!!!!

9. My annual trout fishing trip is coming up during spring break. This is just four or five guys fishing, eating, and sittin' around a campfire for a couple of days in March. It may not sound like great fun to a lot of you, but I look forward to it every year.

10. Mrs. DrillerAA (the honorary elf) and I will celebrate thirty-four years of wedded bliss in May. WOOOOOOOOOOO-HOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

11. '08 could be the year of the big screen TV in our house! I passed up an opportunity to get one this year at half price. That won't happen again.

12. I will have my new computer set up by the beginning of '08...I hope. Actually, I will probably start that process this afternoon or in the morning....or not. After all, I am on vacation.

13. I will look forward to making it to 2009, with the understanding that time is flying by at much too rapid a pace.

Happy New Year All!!!