2007 is Toast!

Happy New Year!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FINNY

You're getting too big, baby!!!

Aa loves the snow

In about 15 second he was in the snow with bare feet.

And he didn't care how cold it was.

World War II Christmas Poem

How old is Santa Claus, and where does he keep? And why does he come when I am asleep?
His hair is so white from the pictures I know, that he must stay out all the time in the snow.
And if he does that, why don't he catch cold? For I know he is all of 21 years old.
I'd just like to see him stand on his head and climb down the chimney like grandmother said.
And if he does that, why don't he get black? And if he comes head first, how does he get back?
Grandma knows all about him, but she won't tell me.
I begged her and teased her but still she won't. I'll find out Christmas Eve, you see if I don't.

John Dudek, 85, of Hempfield can recite it from memory. This is the Christmas poem his Army buddy told him.
His eyes twinkle as he recites the poem. It takes him back to December 1944, when he was 22 years old and his infantry company had taken shelter in an abandoned building.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_544257.html

Billy Preston and Eric Clapton

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQ8qLui_YfM
Fun!

46 Years Old

Wow!

DECEMBER 7, 1941

Yesterday, December 7th, 1941 -- a date which will live in infamy -- the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.
The United States was at peace with that nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.
Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japanese ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. And while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack.
It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time, the Japanese government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.
The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.
Yesterday, the Japanese government also launched an attack against Malaya.
Last night, Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.
Last night, Japanese forces attacked Guam.
Last night, Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.
Last night, the Japanese attacked Wake Island.
And this morning, the Japanese attacked Midway Island.
Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.
As commander in chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense. But always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us.
No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.
I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.
Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger.
With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph -- so help us God.
I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7th, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese empire.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt

IF A TREE FALLS IN THE FOREST...

...and there is no one there to hear it, does it make a sound?
Apparently it depends on the tree.....

Konichiwa XR

Found a screaming good deal on this '03 XR100

The boys all get bumped up a size.

Sayonara TTR

I unloaded the Yamaha to catch up on some things.

Now I regret it. Oh well, I get another dirt bike someday.

Heading Home

This was the sunrise that we saw on the way home.

Yep, We'll be back!

ZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Not everyone is cut out for mattress commercials.

Beach Bums

Ocracoke Sunset

Finny loves to read.

No one put him up to it, he read about the Ocracoke Lighthouse on his own.

FISH!

We pulled in a small bait fish and Aa was the first one to get his hands on it.

He's not afraid of much.

Aa and the rainbow

A million questions down, 10 million to go.......

Aa is really becoming a big boy. He has tons of questions and observations for everyone he runs into.

You stick the hook where?

The surf was a little too strong for Finny to be fishing in so Garrett got some one on one lessons about fishing. He's baiting up shrimp and mullet by himself now.

On Ocracoke

We love it on Ocracoke.
Maybe some day we'll be able to live there.

Ferry to Okracoke

Everyone got out of the truck to ride the rail...except Mama.
I think she'd be chummin' if she did.

Sandman

Back from the Beach

It took me a while to get to it but here are a few shots

from our week at the beach. Oct 20-27.

The guys really like it there.

SEPTEMBER 11: FORGOTTEN ALREADY?

I will never forget!

But it seems that many, many have already.

I had to send an e-mail to the school district to remind them that they forgot about lowering the flags to half staff last year.

Here is a small list from this year:
Howard Hannah Realty on RT19
Goldberg Insurance
Pro Adjuster
Peters Township Fire Department
North Strabane Fire Department
Wendy's Restaurant
Canonsburg Hospital
McDowell Shops
Peters Township Municipal Building
Texas Roadhouse
Charleroi Bank

And the one that totally baffles my mind
The National Cemetery of the Alleghenies (A federal installation)

Pretty amazing but all the McDonald's that we passed on the road today had their flags at half staff.

What a small act to accomplish; lower your flag and honor the victims and heros of the attacks on September 11, 2001.

Oh well, I guess people have more importantant things on their minds...

YAMABOB!

The Donnanator's new unit!

(until I get a shot of him on it with his smilin' mug)

My favorite WWII fighter

What an awesome airplane.

http://www.aviation-history.com/vought/f4u.html

CORSAIRS!!!

You can't possibly imagine how big these planes actually are until you are under them.

Now try to comprehend the size of this building...

USMC: THE MUSEUM

I made a call on the Marines today in Quantico, VA.

On the way out I stopped at the the National Museum of the Marine Corps.

One word? AWESOME!

http://www.usmcmuseum.org/

Just about sums it up

Albert Styron's Store

Ocracoke, NC

Say What????

FISH STICKS
FISH STICKS
FISH STICKS
FISH STICKS
FISH STICKS
FISH STICKS
FISH STICKS!!!!!!!!!

Long Weekend at the Beach

Babe won 4 free days at the beach so we went over the President's day weekend.
She did not tell the guys until breakfast the morning that we left.
First they cried because we were not going to the mall show. I think it set in somewhere around New Stanton...
It was a great time.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IZGSqq_nDk

Don't forget to visit our "Sister Blog"

It's actually Mama's, we have no sisters!!!!

http://assbreaththeblackmenace.blogspot.com/

Diesel Dave

Diesel Dave and his new BIMMER!

"7"

Too Fast!!!

Big Blue is Gone

Well, he wanted it, found it, got it, rode 7000+ miles on it and sold it.

All in the matter of a year.

NOW HE'S FIZZIN' in '07

Stop back for shots of the Fizzer

Wow, I thought I lost it.....

But I found the blog.

AA and Mama.
We're back to posting!!!!!!