Another Delco Guy In South Jersey

My Little Helper

I turned my back for a second and Spunky is right there to help out!

A New Day

  It started as just a hint of pink over the trees across the creek.

Then built into a glow in the trees that became a ball of orange.

Unfortunately, before the sun came over the trees, the clouds rolled in and all we got was a bright gray morning.

Still, the bright gray is better than the cold darkness and we've got the day underway!

Happily Trashed!

It took about 30 minutes, but all the presents are unwrapped and the stockings are down and we're pawing through the piles of loot. Santa did a good job here according to the kids!

The Stockings Were Hung By the Chimney With Care

Well, we don't have a chimney, but we did it old school on the railing like when I was a kid! We've just about wrapped up the decorating here in Medford.  There's some wrapping to do today and a quick run out for 2 small gifts, but otherwise, everything's set!

How are your preparations going?

Friday Fantastic Four - Christmas Vacation

Today is my last day of work for 2011.  One of the benefits of working in higher education is the 2 week vacation around Christmas and New Year's. 

It's a great two weeks and gives me a lot of time off when most of the rest of the world is running hither and yon, trying to grab up last minute gifts and bottles of wine to take to holiday get together.  I get a week before Christmas to do all that I need to get done and then the next week to wind down.  There isn't any money to go somewhere warm this year, so I will be hanging close to my base.  I know you all don't get two weeks off, but if you did ...

What Four Things Are You Going To Do On Christmas Vacation?

1. Finish up shopping.  Yep.  Despite my earlier forays out into the shopping venues of Pennsylvania and South Jersey, I have procrastinated.  I have to make sure the piles are about the same and get a few more gifts and stocking stuffers.

2. Family Events.  While we won't have family visitors from afar this year, the locals will still gather.  My sister is the go-to person this year I guess.  I will be Swarthmore bound for Christmas Eve.  The Medford house is nice and cozy, but not really set up for large-scale family gatherings like the Mount Laurel and Moorestown houses were.

3. Lazy Days.  I have the kids a lot over Christmas Vacation, so there will be a lot of time spent just watching them play with their new stuff from Santa. 

4. Something for me.  If it stays nice, maybe some hiking.  If it's not so nice, I will have to find another way to stay out of trouble.  In the past I would always tackle some home improvement project.  I don't need to do that this year, but the days without the kids around can be tough, so I need to take some time for 'me' things!

So what are your Christmas (winter) Vacation plans? 

Have a great time this weekend!

John's Tree Is Up

Following his review of the latest Discover Channel Gold Rush, John got his little green Christmas tree put up tonight.  He took a good bit of time 'fluffing' the tree, as he's been taught,  to make it appear as large as possible.  He spent a bit less time clearing the area though, deciding it was best on his dresser among this technology and trophies.

Nevertheless, he is quite happy with the result and also feels that the tree complements his lava lamp. 'It's sweet!' was his proclamation.  Unlike his sister, he wants the tree off for sleeping. 

Emma spent her free time tonight extending her Christmas list.  From the little girl who last week could not think of anything to ask Santa for, the list sure has grown.  Emma also kept me company as I cleaned up from dinner, playing holiday computer games on the family computer.  They all seem to have hideous graphics and mindless pseudo-holiday music, but she was quietly enraptured until I saw her head drooping and dispatched her to bed.

As for me?  Two days down, Only three work days left for 2011!

Emma Does Some Writing

Emma has managed to find a quiet moment after the happy chaos of last night to begin writing her letter to Santa.  It's a really sweet moment for me as a dad so be sitting her happily sipping my coffee and watching her.

It's in the noises and movements of children that there is peace.  I hope that you are all enjoying your time with family and friends as we go through the annual parties, gatherings and rituals leading up to the holidays. 

While the kids play in Swarthmore, Uncle Kevin and I are headed over to Brookhaven to put up the lights at my parents.  Then it's back to Medford for some snuggling time on the couch in front of the tree.

Have a great day!

On Neighbors

We've got it pretty good where we live.  We live on a very quiet street, safe to play on and with a park, dining, shops and other kids within a block.  Every house has a friendly dog or two, bunnies are everywhere, the houses are well-cared for and everyone smiles and waves as you go by.

The folks who live right next door have two teenage girls, but even so it's way quieter that you would expect.  One neighbor lets the kids use the pool in the summer and another is my daughter's teacher. 

There is a creek with a trail for the kids to walk on, some interesting woods and fields for boys to be boys in and some nice swings for little girls to have fun on.  Medford Village is a pretty darn nice place to live.

Last night, one of my neighbors and I were talking and she said, "So what are you going to do at night now that the Phillies have lost?"  I chuckled and said, "Oh you noticed I am a big Phils fan?" She kind of looked down and said, Well I can see right in your living room windows from my bedroom."

Time to buy some curtains!

Happy Thanksgiving!

It's cold and gray outside.  There is a hint of woodsmoke in the air. Geese honk softly above.  It's Thanksgiving in America.  While this has not been an easy year For Another Delco Guy, there is still much to be thankful for.

The recession finally directly visited our doorstep this year as Char lost her job in July in the wake of Gov. Chris "Chainsaw" Christie's budget cuts to schools across our state.  Through a ton of work and perseverance on her part, she has found new work since then, but it's been a struggle in a lot of ways.

We had to take the kids out of the schools they love a few weeks back, but they are adjusting to their "new normal" and have really been an inspiration to me as I have been rolling with this year's punches.  There is nothing in my life I am as thankful for as the love that John and Emma bring to our home.  Wether it's dancing with joy on stage or triumphantly striking out the side, they are really amazing children who have brought us so much laughter and happiness.

I'm a pretty lucky guy.  I've got a solid job at a great place.  I was able to get an education that has given me virtually everything I could have hoped for in life.  I am able to write, travel and live pretty much as I please.  My freedoms are protected by the service of men and women who I have never met and who place themselves in harm's way for my family and our country.  I thank them today for their service to our nation.  I also thank all the teachers and mentors who have helped me at every stop in my life.  I may not be where I thought I would be, but where I am is a pretty darn good spot!

The men and women who, in 1620, came to what would become the United States left everything they knew, persevered though horrible weather and hardships that make my life look regal.  After the harvest of 1621, the remaining colonists gathered with the local native Americans and shared a simple meal.  From that first peaceful meal, grew the Thanksgiving tradition we have today.  The values that they set forth then, of shared sacrifice, hard work, freedom of choice and providing for a community's education and defense are the foundations of our great country today.

A small tradition here at Another Delco Guy is Norman Rockwell's Freedom from Want, which always graces our page on Thanksgiving.  It reminds me of the great Thanksgivings of my childhood in my grandparent's house back in Delaware County.  This is our fifth Thanksgiving day post and Norman has been here since the beginning.  I am thankful for a childhood that taught me to not take anything for granted.  My parents and grandparents worked hard to make sure that we had all that we needed and then some.  I hope I can do as well for my children.

Today is my favorite holiday.  We will be surrounded by family and friends who will come from far and wide to our little house with their offerings of food and friendship.  All of those who will be here and the family and friends who are celebrating elsewhere but have been so incredible to me over the years are the reason that my life is great and Thanksgiving is the best holiday of the year.  We will celebrate each others company, watch football, remember those who can't be here, become thoughtful about all that we have to give thanks for and finally fall asleep against each other in front of the fire. 

And that's the way it should be.  Happy Thanksgiving America!

Summer of Produce Rolls On

This morning's surprise from the garden was a trio of perfectly ripe cantelopes.  While we had been hoping to wait to pick them until the kids get back on Monday, these babies were to ready to leave out for the wildlife to enjoy.  The half I enjoyed for breakfast was very sweet, with delicate flesh and incredible aroma.  I enjoy melons of all types, but this was my first home-grown cantelope.  The fight with powdery mildew and various rusts were worth the flavor.  Cantelpoe is back in the rotation for next year!

Safe and Snug at Home

Blizzard and Lights
Originally uploaded by Cavalier92

Well I braved the 16 inches of snow we have here in Mount Laurel to get you this shot of our Christmas lights in the Blizzard of 2009.

The roads are barely plowed and our driveway and walk are unshoveled.  What's the point when you are getting an inch of snow an hour?

The kids enjoyed the day and are looking forward to even more fun in the snow tomorrow.

Holiday Lights Are Up!

It's been a busy week and I have a week of travel coming up, but I had to squeeze in some holiday decorating today.

It took 4 hours and 3 trips to Lowe's, but I think the result is very nice!

Making Fire

It's nice that Acme sells the little bundles of firewood from Custis Farms of Nassawadox, VA.  For those of us who won't be getting a firewood drop until Tuesday it makes the thought of a cold Sunday night a bit warmer.

Just the thought though.  Even with the assistance of a Duraflame log and all the cardboard and paper I have, the wood remains unflappably fireproof.  It just sits there sizzling and taunting me.

I teased Kevin pretty badly a few weeks ago when his store-bought wood wouldn't ignite, but tonight I too am humbled.

John's 8th Birthday Party

CAKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Originally uploaded by Cavalier92

We had a great day yesterday, with over 40 guests filling our house and yard to celebrate John's 8th Birthday. John had a great time seeing his family and friends, and "especially enjoyed having cake, blowing bubbles and running around like a maniac."

You're only 8 once.

Special thanks to Cathy for the macaroni salad, my mom for multitudinous appetizers, Gram for pasta salad, Arlene for baked beans that got rave reviews, Carin for the cold, sweet watermelon and Heidi for the cookies that Emma especially loved.

Thanks also Anne and Carlo for the supplement to the summer beers and Joe for the nice bottle of red.

The signature totem poles and Indy decor were also courtesy of Arlene.

In the 94 degree heat, the grill chores were handled Jim and Patti and no one is more grateful than me!

Finally all the hard work and effort was really done by Party Planner, Chef and Coordinator Extraordinaire --- CHAR!!

Thanks to everyone who made it such a great day for John.

All Good Things Must Come To An End

My old Toro mower died tonight.  It was a hand-me-down from my Dad who bought it in the spring of 1980. I believe it was his first lawnmower. An old-fashioned 21" rear-bagger, it shook and rattled but still did a great job cutting the grass.  I used it to cut the lawn at 5 different homes over the years.

When it would not stay running tonight I was afraid of the diagnosis.  When the lawn center guy confirmed the worst, I headed to Home Depot.

And bought a brand-new, bright red 22" Toro.

The new one did a great job but I miss the shakes and rattles.

Friday Fantastic Four

I spent some time at home yesterday and thought about all the things that make it 'my' space.  In that vein, a home-based Fantastic Four for this week:

What are your four favorite things about where you live?

1. The location - I love Moorestown.  I like the downtown area, I like the proximity to the kid's schools and to Philly.  It's just plain beautiful at times.  While I am looking for a new place and want to stay I know I may need to give this up to get something larger.  That's kind of hard to deal with.
2. The back yard.  Almost 1/3 of an acre of grass and trees for the kids to play and me to relax.
3. Big windows - looking out on the back yard!
4. The patio - it's old and cracked and broken, but it's a great place to grill or picnic, or just to enjoy a book and the nice weather!

So what's great about the place you call home?

Everybody have a great weekend!

New Wall Cabinet!

Emma and I took a trip to Home Depot (she calls it the worker store) today and came home with a new wall cabinet for over the sink. It's no masterpiece, but it will give us someplace to store the stuff that is usually all over the counter.

It's a white foil finish over particleboard and weighs in at about 40 pounds. Getting it in place was no easy task, but it's up there now. I added an under cabinet light rigged so that the switch is next to the door, which is a huge upgrade from having to fumble to the other side of the room in the dark. A pair of brushed metal knobs dresses up the rather plain white front panels.

Now out to pitch to John!

Spring Cleaning!

We're having special guests for dinner tonight and the house looks like a herd of wild animals has been wintering here. Actually it's not that terrible, but there are dustbunnies in the corners, the kitchen floor needs attention and the accumulation of junk needs to be removed.

It' early spring cleaning!!!

So out comes the Murphy's Oil Soap, the Fantastik Anti-Bacterial, the Scrubbing Bubbles Bathroom Cleaner and the Windex.  I hope we are ready when the company gets here!

Have a great day.