Der Schnee

Correct: It may snow this weekend. God Forbid!

Tom and Andrew are both sick. My tooth is bothering me
again. The one thing we all have in common: The pit!
Perhaps it's the airport that is making us all ill!

My last 2 Christmas gifts arrived today. Je suis finis!
All done! The only thing yet to do is get a bottle of
champagne, but I won't do that until right before giving
it. Christmas can't be over with soon enough for me.
Cards to send- crap. I hate doing that. It would be nice
to not have to deal with it.

Unless I am severely mistaken, I've killed a bird with
the new car. My brother tells tales me me driving around;
birds and other small animals "meet their fate" by getting
in front of me and my car. My first new car actually had a
bird hanging out of the grill, not once, but twice. TASTY!

Icelandair left 108 bags off of the Sanford flight last night.
They put them on a truck to BWI to go out to Keflavik tonight.
4pm: The truck is in Richmond...... sounds like a delay to me.
Peter is taking them to London on Saturday for his Step-
Fathers funeral on Tuesday. Flights are wide open so he
shouldn't have a problem getting on.

Okay, things around the house need to be addressed.

Guten Abend, gute Nacht !!

Enmore, Somerset, U.K.

My aunt sent me what she has on my Maternal-Grandfather
over the weekend. It was interesting, if not totally confusing
reading. Oliver John Ballam was born in Enmore England, and
no father listed on the birth records, and took his mothers
maiden name. There must have been quite the stigma attached
to being a bastard child in the 1890's. He served in Afghanistan
with the British Army prior to coming to the States. It appears
there are family members also in Kent, and Liverpool.

Growing up when asking my Paternal-Grandparents about the
family the answer was always the same: "There is no need for
you to know." (Yes, Tom, I think that is exactly what you think
it means) I know very little about any of my family. Never a
tight-knit group to begin with. I know exactly one Heger from
Germany. I know none of my family from England, unless you
count my cousin John, who is a transplant from Frederick County.

It is interesting to hear from both sides that each family started
out in France, and ended up elsewhere. What's the deal with that?
It appears the English side of the family were Huguenots who left
because of the fact they weren't catholic. The Germans could have
just ended up there because of redrawn borders or better living
circumstances. Who really knows.

Saturday I kind of hid-out after going to Christmas market. I
got about 1/2 of what I got last year for the same amount of money.
The weak dollar was VERY evident. They had what I wanted,
although much more expensive than anticipated. 10 boxes of Asbach
Chocolates was the big ticket item this year. It was good to see
they were 5 dollars less than what Amazon wants for them!

Okay- got stuff to get done.

Christmas Market

Standing in the cold with a bunch of Germans in Baltimore
this morning was not my idea of a good time. However,
$150.00 later, I was done. Prices are much higher than
last year, owing to the weak dollar, but I got what I wanted.

Dinner last night in Annapolis was really REALLY nice.
Good food, great wine, and crazy people. I tell you they
are NUTS. (or as in "History of the World NVTS) Now
that the house has been redone, it looks even better than
before.

I'm hiding in the office today. It was either that or kill a
parent. That mother of mine. There was a GREAT
temptation to take her to Cherry Hill and kick her out of
the car! When you leavin' again?? Today is also "avoid
all retail establishments" day.

Okay off I go . . .

It's over- Thanks!

Turkey day is over. God be praised! Nasty lazy family.
I hid most of the day. Got home from work at almost 3am-
then the first call at 0800. It seems I am the national "go
to" for Thanksgiving help. The food was good, although
too much, but I only had one plate and no dessert. Too fat!

Now the civic: The clutch is different from any other clutch
I've dealt with. However, I have figured out some of the
21st century features. How to work the interior light, how
to dim the dash lights, program the radio, but the odometer
still has me baffled. It will all come in time. I think I'll like
the car, but it's not the Scion!

The dealership let me write them a check for $11, 500.00.
I hope the check from the insurance company gets here
to cover it when they cash it! 4.9% financing through
Honda Motor Credit, and yes the extended electrical
warranty. The "space shuttle" amazes me to say the
least. The auto up/down on the drivers window is cool.

33 days until Christmas.

'abend!

Atomic!

The car dealership had a car they didnt' know about.
I got it for a great price. The beast even has cruise
control! The color is "Atomic Metallic Blue." Think
blue gray. I think. It was dark when I got it- so who
knows if that's really the color. When driving it away,
the entire dash is electronic. From the tachometer to
the gas "meter"- all electronic. It will take a while for
me to get used to the clutch, but all is well.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. There is a lot for all of
us to be thankful for. Without going into detail we
all know what we're grateful for. Happy Thanksgiving
everyone!

Gobble Gobble- ick

Another holiday is screaming toward us. With the event of
Thanksgiving, it means the "big one" (not you though Tom)
is just around the corner. For the first time since High School,
I am just not ready. This week despite all of the problems,
for some reason there has been great progress made. While
it's not the thing to say I hate Christmas, I hate Christmas.
All that work, time, effort, money, and headache to get some
crap you don't want, don't like, and some family member's
passive-aggressive behavior generally screwing up the day.

This time last year the lebkuchen was ordered, there was a
list of what was needed at Christmas Market (Saturday, at
the Zion Lutheran Church in B-more), cards done, everything
wrapped. Not this year. With the accident, not having a car,
(see below), work being a nightmare, it hasn't happened. Were
it not for the internet, I'd be dead meat.

Now, the car: The Honda Dealer called me this morning "We
are unable to locate the car you want." Uh, that's not what
you said on Friday when you happily took my money. SO,
I sent them an email with what I am willing to do, and spend
based on what they told me last Friday. The title for the pod
came today, and it's been sent via FedEx over to SBY so they
will write me a check and get it back out. (Please God)

Peter's Step-Father's postmortem has not been done yet,
so the funeral won't be until the first week of December.
Tomorrow we explore further options for him to travel
to LHR or MAN (EGLL or EGCC) - It will be over to the
terminal for us.

Sheherazade is blasting on the stereo. Wonder what the
neighbors think. (as if I care??) Why do I like this piece
of Russian music so? The tension. Throughout the whole
work you know something is getting ready to "go down!"

Okay- off for today.

Abend!

Good bye friend.

Today I went to the auto body shop and cleaned out the Scion.
It was a sad day, and hard to say good-bye to such a faithful
"friend." I've had so much fun with that car. We've been on
vacation twice. Lots of running around, and hauling junk hither
and fro. It did appear that the damage was truly more severe
than I thought. I walked away from the accident, so she did
what she was supposed to. Good bye my little pod!

Peter Wadsworth's Step-Father passed away this morning.
I asked British Airways for a pass: "It will take at least three
weeks." Thankfully Lis took care of business, and I've gotten
him a pass to go via Keflavik. Three weeks. Disgusting to say
the least. Don't ask me for any favors. Allow me to say how
truly wonderful Elisabet Kincaid is.

All day it's felt like snow. Cold, clamy, close. Thank God it's
too warm for der schnee. I told Seb that it would be nice if
it was in Germany, and I was there with it, but not here! I'm
simply too old for it any more!!

Andrew Conlin stopped today, he's gonna go get his hearing
test in the next day or so. This means he can go on payroll
and start officially working here. THANK GOD.

Okay- got stuff to do!

Abend!

Change

This should be an interesting week. I may be getting a new car
this week, certainly I'll be getting rid of one that I would rather
keep.

Thanksgiving is Thursday. A lot of things are going on this week.
While not a number of flights - it seems that personally I'll be busy.
My family and some friends will depend upon me to get things
together for food on Thursday and Friday. Tuesday will start
major food prep. The turkey will begin the brining process, pies,
and generally getting the menu set must be done. I'll need to
visit several stores to get what will be needed (and I hate that
part of getting ready)- so we'll see how things work out.

The "Pre-Christmas" panic has really set in. So much to get
done, and very little time. We'll see! This morning I checked
the list, and it's not quite as bad as I had thought. Whether
or not I'm done "on time" is now irrelevant. My own rules
for Holiday shopping is now "busted" so- when I'm done, I'm
done.

Seb: Can't find your Mothers new street address . . . send it
to me please!

Abend!

Christmas Tree Stands

That's right: Christmas Tree Stands. So far I've seen two
going up in the 'dena. Last year there were eight between
my house and Downs Park. For me, I'll use the nice little
tree I got last year. It's a display tree from a Department
store. While I've always been a "purist" when it comes to
a tree, this is so much easier and cleaner. It's the clean part
that is important.

My house is haunted again, my folks have returned from
South Carolina for the Holidays. They were greeted with
a nice meal. Slow roasted pork with apples, onions and
fresh sage. Oven browned baby potatoes and brussel sprouts
finished with lemon and wilted shallots. They pigged out
BIG TIME. It was really good if I do say so myself!

Down my way the trees have just finished "peak" and are
really starting to come down. Bright reds, yellows, some
purples mixed in with some remaining green. Just beautiful!

Okay, back at work and getting a DC-10 ready to go off to
a part of the world I hope never to have the misfortune of
having to go to!

Be good!!!

More than I imagined!

The insurance company gave me the figures for what they would
pay for the Scion. To say I was pleased (and relieved) with what
they are going to give me, well, that's an understatement. So off
I went to the Honda dealership, and ordered a new Civic LX, white
with no extra crap on it. They have to find one, and I'm not in a
hurry..... won't get the check for at least a week or so!

While I really wanted another xA, they stopped making them, and
I was not really comfortable getting a used (previously owned to
be politically correct) vehicle. Now if I could get my CHEAP folks
to pony up some cash! No, actually I've got it all covered.

To make the day better, someone came to me and made nice-
nice in their own way. They claimed what was said didn't come
out right, and it wasn't meant the way it came across. Good
thing!

Okay- almost time to go home. Thump and Bump return sometime
tomorrow.........

Be good!

Rest In Peace

The official word is in: The Scion has been totaled.
I had so much fun in that car. Such a good companion.
Never left me stranded, never a seconds problem with
it mechanically. The fact that I got 37mpg. on the way
to Murrells Inlet didn't hurt either. All me to also say
that while the car was broken, I didn't even get a bruise.
For that, my little car will always be special to me.
Nothing will really replace it.

Things are still the same with the individual in the office.
Their loss, not mine. The additional leg work they have
had to do over the last couple of days has been apparent.
Good. Now where's the money you owe me?

Tomorrow is an early start. 0530. Joy. Can't wait! Ferry
to EDDP/LEJ at 0830. I hope to make it an early day
as there are some things around the house that need to
be done, and just generally chill for a bit prior to the
return of the kids. (Just keep reminding yourself they
leave again in just a couple of weeks!)

I've gotten brochures on the vehicles I'm interested in.
Sadly, not a Scion. I'd have ordered one in a flash.

Be good!

Neblig Tag

Yes, very foggy today. Very. Odd it never really cleared up
even during the day, it was still kind of misty looking. Be that
as it may.

My friend Connie called me today: "You know every time I
think of what _____ said to you, I get angrier and angrier."
Get in line, my dear. Get in line. Someone from H.R. called
me about it today! Apparently said individual has a LOT of
folks out in the field mad at them, a number who refuse to
come her and work with them. Oh well. Je suis Finis. Unless
a full apology is forthcoming (my chances of winning the lottery
six weeks in a row are higher)- my assistance and friendship
have officially been terminated. Done, I tell you!

Still no word on the car. My options now, should I need to
replace the vehicle are (1) Honda Fit, (2) Honda Civic, and
(3) Toyota Corolla. I'm leaning toward the Civic. We'll see.
Everyone I know that has one loves it.

The kids return this weekend. Scheisse. I just remind
myself they disappear for 3 or so months soon, so I should
bide my time!

Okay, 803 is almost here, so I need to be certain the children
have gotten everything set-up for the arrival.

Be good!!

Obscene Phone Calls

My day started out at 0158, with not one but TWO obscene
phone calls. The number intentionally blocked. Obviously I
didn't go back to sleep for several hours. Today I'm tired,
cranky, and generally in a bad mood.

An individual who I though was a friend (key on this was
"thought"), when I went to them to express concern about
them blew me off, and REALLY insulted me. I've made it
a point to watch my language here, so I won't put in writing
what my current opinion on this individual is. Next time
they come to me with a problem, need help, or generally
want something: I'll remember what was said. Arschloch.

No news on the car. tomorrow will be another round of
[frustrating] phone calls where no one has communicated.
It's been -3- weeks, certainly something needs to be done
and a decision needs to be made. Either fix it or total it.
Make up your bloody minds already! Screw it, I'm
calling the body shop. They think it's totaled.

Time to call the insurance company.




certainly by

Retournier

Back at work. It's been an "interesting" day to say the least!
Frank is quitting. Master is in a bad mood. The mechanics
are being idiots. Who knows.

The auto body shop wants to total my vehicle. The insurance
company doesn't. It's gonna be another week before I know
something AGAIN.

The catering manager from Atlanta is in town. He was to call
me "around 1:30" - that was almost 2 hours ago, and nothing.
I'm gonna split around 4 so I can come back to push a freighter
to CHS. Tomorrows flight is 24 hours late, due to a multiple
lightning strikes on an aircraft. Apparently the aircraft is fried.

That's about it for today.

Free at last: sort of!

Today was my first day off since September 3rd. While my
work phone was demon-possessed most of the day, and I
felt extremely guilty for not being there, I took today off.
What pray tell did I do? Ran errands, tried to find some
smaller work pants (having lost 40lbs, they're a bit loose),
to no avail. I was also unable to find a pair of jeans that fit
that I was happy with. Allow me to also add in a quick "I
hate Wal-Mart" while I'm at it. White trash central.

My parents called me today. I pretended I couldn't hear
them and hung up. They didn't call back either. Good.
Stay in South Carolina, please! When they started talking
stupid, it was disconnect time.

I've been playing with youtube.com recreating my own
version of MTV. You see, in the "olden days" MTV
stood for "Music Television" they played videos that
artists had made. Yes, I have attended several "video
premier" parties- abeit almost 25 years ago.

Okay- nice quiet early evening, means "go to sleep early."
So that is exactly what I intend to do. 'abend!

The dreaded "F" word

No, not that "F" word, frost!

My departure for the park was greeted with icy windows on
the car. I was not amused. This means it's gonna happen all
the time now, and then there will be snow, ice, snain, and the
whole mess of winter. I'll pass, thanks.

My "help" for the rest of the month is being pulled to go to
Ft. Drum, and then onto Alaska for the rest of the month.
I'll make do, as I always seem able to to. Whatever, the
passenger flights are gone, so it's not too bad around here
right now. Don't get me wrong, it's busy, just not totally
out of control.

The kids haven't called me (yet) so I guess they are okay.
Llayne and Lisa are off in New Mexico with Ginny, Lis is
in Iceland (yes we've been texting and calling)- so it's
kind of quiet around here.

Okay- got stuff to do!

New Knife

Kirk Johns the visiting Stores Rep. is into knives. He got me
to buy a kit, and he "made"me a knife while he was here. It's
neat looking and extremely sharp. EXTREMELY. When he
returns, he will do some more refining. It already looks great.

Today has been a rough day. The maintenance boys are all
mad at me. I don't make the rules, simply enforce and abide
by them. Now, I am punished by them for doing so. I am
just about to the point of just doing nothing, as that is clearly
what they want.

Lis is in Iceland. Got a text message from her at 0430, and
then we called each other. Funny how easy it is to text and
call anywhere in the world now-a-days. Two rings and you're
in a far away land.

Tomorrow is just an arrival at 2010 from KSDF. I may just
let Bill meet it and put it to bed. I could use a quiet night at
home to get things done. I need to clean, do laundry, and
some other things to begin to get ready for the holidays.
My folks are gone, off to South Carolina, so I'm alone to
get done what needs to get done.

Okay- be good!

The Secret Life of Mother Teresa

Yesterday I got a time magazine off of the plane. While
waiting for the download to finish, I started reading. In
it was an article on Mother Teresa. What an eye opener.
She said that she had been devoid of communication with
God for fifty years. She had felt abandoned. Wow. If
someone like her and make it, I suppose we all can.

Today is Seb's birthday. I spoke briefly with him, he
and some friends were out for dinner in München.
Odd how we can press a few buttons on our cell fones
and be in contact with someone a continent away, in
a few short seconds.

My cousin Sheila called me today. When I saw the number
on my phone, I knew it was trouble. To make a long story
short, I ended up buying a round trip ticket for her son the
week of Thanksgiving to fly home from Nashville. You see
my cousin Denny is quite ill. They want the whole family
together for what may be the last family Thanksgiving.
I suppose it will be another 5 years before I hear from them
again.

The help I had for this insanely busy weekend was sent to
Bishkek last night- so no help until maybe Tuesday. Oh well,
I'll be dead soon, so it won't matter.

Be good!

Day 60

That's right boys and girls today is day 60. The last couple
of nights I've gotten good rest, so I'm actually sort of O.K.
right now.

For the first time in at least 2 months, I had fast food. When
I went to get the boys food, I got some myself. Chick-fil-a.
Their waffle fries have such a fresh clean potato taste. Yes,
it was bad, but it's been too long.

The auto-body shop has warned me the car may be a total
loss. IF this is the case, the replacement will either be an xD
or a Honda Fit. We'll see. They won't even start tear-down
until Monday. So I'll be sans vehicle for probably three weeks.
Fortunately Jed Clampett is letting me use his truck, then
Sunday I will change over to the Buick, as they (YEAH!!!!!!)
are leaving for Murrells Inlet. They should be pleased with
what was done for them over the summer.

The mechanics are referring to me now as "Pete's Bitch."
It's sort of funny in a not funny way. "Can you do me a
favor" always means trouble for me.

Tomorrow is Sebastian's 30th Birthday. I remember him
as a 19 year old in school. Happy Birthday, Seb. Sorry I
can't be there to celebrate with you. München this time
of the year must be a blast!

Tonight is the last Channel Mission for me until September!
Will I miss them? Uh, not really.

The V.P. of Military Sales is on the phone, need to scoot!