Friday December 18, 2009

This morning both Nancy and Bob slept in. We got up at 0640. Today is the day I run to the MAC. I had no pain running today and my time was for the first time below a 12 minute pace. When I got back home Kim the cleaning lady was already her so I took a quick shower got in the C2 and headed to the Kava House. After the Kava House I headed downtown to Perrigo Printing to pick up my personalized note paper. It was not ready so I headed to Woodland Mall. I purchased Nancy's Christmas gift. I was surprised at how crowded the mall was.

I headed back to Perrigo and picked up my note paper. Parking the C2 is easy.
When I parked downtown I had to really crank the steering wheel. When I got in the car the steering wheel was locked as was the ignition. I could not get the car to start. I called Berger and they said they would send a repair man. As I was waiting I continued to try and free the steering wheel and start the car. Finally I moved the tilt steering wheel up and down and the steering wheel unlocked. I got the car started and called Berger and told them to sent the repair man home.

I spent about an hour doing some Christmas Cards and then walked to the post office to mail them. It was 4:55 at the post office and the line was out the door. I hope everyone in line got served.

This evening Nancy and I attended a neighborhood TGIF. It was well attended. The food was great. Nancy and I talked to our neighbors, the Burns, and they told us about a great barge trip they took in France. It sounded like something Nancy and I might enjoy.

On this day in 1962 I was scheduled to leave Midway Island on the 2 PM log flight. I had spent 1 year 2 weeks, 3 days and 13 hours on this rock and I was ready to leave. It was 75 degrees when we left. I changed planes in Hawaii and headed to San Francisco. From San Francisco I flew to Chicago and then to Alpena. I never left a terminal. I had on my tropical weight Navy uniform. When I got off the plane in Alpena my Mom and Dad greeted me. It was 17 degrees below zero. I spent about three week in Alpena. It was great to be home for Christmas.

Thursday December 17, 2009

I slept in until 0640 this morning. I am now 100% back to my normal exercise schedule. I drove the C2 to the MAC this morning. It was very cold, 17, but sunny. I had to wear my cool shades. After the MAC I drove to the Kava House and read the DFP. When I drive to the Kava House I don't have time for the WSJ because my parking meter expires just when I finish the DFP. Today's DFP was more doom and gloom. Local governmental agencies in the Detroit area are broke. Police and Fire personnel are being laid off right and left. What really does right and left mean?

After the Kava House I headed downtown to Perrigo Printing. I got Nancy and Bob's Medicare cards laminated. I also bought some personalized note paper.

This afternoon I wrote several more Christmas cards and I also sent some checks to local charities. I finished the afternoon with a 3 mile walk.

Nancy and I resumed our Thursday ritual by eating at Great Lakes Shipping. The place was jammed. I think Thursday is senior citizens night.

We watched MSNBC until 8 and then we watched Bones. It is now 9:27 and I am heading to bed to finish my book. Today we had only 9 hours of daylight. In four days the days will start getting longer.

Wednesday December 16,2009

Today is Breakfast Club day. I get up at 0536 and check outside to see if I need to shovel or deice. The drive is clear. The attendance at Breakfast Club was near 100%. Only 1 or 2 empty seats. As usual the breakfast food was great. After the meeting I stopped at the Kava House so I could read the DFP. The DFP is running a series on the steps leading up to GM declaring bankruptcy. It is not very good, only a rehash of their past stories.

After the Kava House I headed to the Kent County Health Department and got my H1N1 shot. I was pleasantly surprised. It was well organized and I had my shot within 5 minutes. After the shot I headed to Meijers to get bird seed and a fruit basket. Nancy took the fruit basket to Meijers Garden for the volunteers at the front desk. A very nice gesture.

After a quick lunch Ms P and I got in the C2 and headed to the post office and then to a local store to purchase a Christmas gift for Nancy. Our next stop was the office. Eric Rickert wanted my opinion on several items. I gave my opinion. Eric and Ryan are busy. This is great in these tough economic times. I remember in 1982 I had to go off payroll for about a month because we had no work.

When Ms P and I got home I decided I needed some exercise so I walked around Reeds Lake, a distance of 6.6 miles. This evening Nancy and I watched two 1/2 hour sitcoms and wondered why they are still on TV. At 9 we headed to bed to read.

Tuesday December 15, 2009

We woke up to a very icy driveway. I got out and salted the drive so Nancy could get to the MAC. We really like the all wheel drive feature on the Taurus. Last night we attended a party at the Nameys and we had no problem going up their icy drive. Our friends with a 2 wheel drive Taurus had difficulty getting up the hill. In fact they had to back down. If you live in ice and snow country all wheel drive is the way to go.

I am back running to the MAC. So I bundled up and ran the 4K to the MAC. I worked out for about 30 minutes and then ran back home. When I got home I noticed that a man driving a mini Cooper was stuck in Ordway's drive. He asked if I would give him a push. The push didn't work so I got a pointed steel shovel and shoveled down to the bare pavement. He was then able to get his sissy car out. Mini-Coopers are not good in ice and snow. After my shower I got the Kindle and walked to the Kava House.

In the afternoon I completed some more Christmas cards and then took a short nap. At 5:20 Nancy and I loaded up the car and headed to the book club Christmas Party. Two members could not attend so the girls invited their husbands. The food and drink were good and everyone had a great time.

Monday December 14, 2009

It started out as a gloomy, misty December day and it remained that way all day. After my morning routine at home, I got in the C2 and headed for the MAC. I had to use the windshield wipers during the trip. The upside of all this moisture is that my skin has not dried out like it normally does in the cold months.

After the MAC I drove to Berger Chevy and asked the service guy how to remove the head rest. He pulled and pulled and the head rest would not move. He finally found a small hole in the head rest bracket that you stick a pin in to release the head rest. I can now install seat covers. The first problem solved. I then headed to Mr Thang's shop to get a toggle fixed on my toggle coat. Ms Thang said she could fix the toggle. Second problem solved. I then headed for the Kent County Health Department to sign up for a H1N1 shot. I am scheduled for 1045 on Wednesday. Third problem solved. I am having such a good morning that I take a well deserved break at the Kava House.

This afternoon I spent some time writing Christmas Cards. I did type some of my comments to friends. I then inserted the typed comments in the Christmas card. Is this tacky or should cards be hand written?

I walked over to the mail box at EGR city hall. It is a 3 mile walk. This evening I took Ms P out and it appears that the rain has stopped. The temperature is suppose to go down to the low teens tonight. I want the temperature to stay below 32 until St Patrick's Day. Remember St Patrick's Day is also GG birthday. GG would have been 156 on St Pat's Day, 2010. I got my 30 in today did you?

Sunday December 13, 2009

Ms P got me up 2 times last night. The first time, 2330, the ice was starting to build up on the drive. At 0230 the ice was so thick that even Ms P with 4 wheel drive could not negotiate the drive. The alarm goes off at 0646 and Nancy and I get ready for our swim. The first thing that I had to do was salt the drive. The temperature was now 34 degrees so the salt worked immediately. We got to the MAC with no problem. We both swam for 45 minutes, 1500 yards.

It being Sunday we headed to Meijers for supplies. I took in some bottles for the refund. Much to my surprise the Kirkland beer from Costco would not be accepted by the machine. I will take them back to Costco and tell them they are in violation of MI law. I was steamed. However, it did not last long because Nancy fixed her world famous poached eggs for breakfast.

I took a short nap this afternoon. After the nap I took Nancy's Christmas cards to the mailbox at the EGR city hall. It was a 3 mile walk. Dinner tonight was tomato soup and ham sandwiches. Right now I am typing this blog on Nancy's Apple. We are watching the Mentalist on TV. Just remember in 11 days the days will start getting longer.

Saturday December 12, 2009

The alarm goes off at 0626 and Nancy gets up and heads to her early body pump class at the MAC. I sleep in until 0646. I put on warm running pants and head out for a run. I wore my GPS. I ran 4.25 miles with an average speed on 12'14" per mile. That is pretty slow.

After a quick shower I get in the C2 and head for Bill's. Dollar for dollar Bill's is the best breakfast place in GR. I get home, load up Ms P and we head for Auto Zone. I purchased a front seat cover for the C2. It took some time getting the cover installed. The biggest problem I had was maneuvering around the car. It is a very small car. I would not want to sit in the back seat for a long trip.

This afternoon Nancy and I drove to Rockford to visit the Hush Puppy store. I bought a pair of Merrill fleece lined sliders and Nancy got a pair of casual shoes. We took Ms P with us. She likes to run errands.

I am starting to write some Christmas cards. That is right folks Bob is writing Christmas cards. Do I have too much time on my hands. I walked to the post office to mail some letters.

This evening Nancy and I had dinner at Russ's. I had the bread bowl with pea soup. Nancy had chicken rice soup and a salad. It is now 9:42 and I am watching the Bourne Supermancy while writing this blog. I cannot multi-task.

For the first time in a week we had a nice sunny day. The temperature got above 32 and our driveway is now bare.