Because this one might be long...
Christmas
I hope everyone had a merry. We certainly did. I know that I said I didn't want anything, and that was true, but I did get this cool cookbook. I'm a huge fan of Jamie Oliver...he has a very loose and relaxed style with great ingredients. Suits me fine. I got Teresa a day planner (not exciting, I know), but she had an event to plan tucked inside of it...a trip to the spa. She liked it alot. Score points for me! grin The spa trip includes a 50 minute massage and a 50 minute facial. I've heard that girls like that kind of stuff...
We kept it smaller for the girls this year, just one big present to share. What? You want to know what that was? Well...it was a Wii! That's right...yours truly stood in line for 4+ hours in sub-freezing temperatures so that I could guarantee that it was under the tree. I coordinated the gift with the in-laws, which meant they paid for the extra controller and Super Mario Galaxy. The girls were very happy; they've been playing it ever since. I also picked up Elebits, which everyone hates except me. That game is addictive, and very Japanese in design and implementation. I recommend it highly. If you haven't played a Wii, it is a very cool thing. I've never been a big console gamer, but this is different. The controls are fun and extend the game playability. I am buying in to Nintendo's spiel here...it isn't about the graphic power, it's about the game play. And the games are fun. F-U-N.
The Sunday before Christmas we went back to Vallejo to visit them and to be part of their first annual shindig. There was food and fellowship, followed by entertainment. I led some singing during the pre-dinner devotional and Anne and I sang a couple of songs during the entertainment. By the end of the night, my voice was gone. I couldn't figure it out at first, but then I remembered that I had sang alot that morning as part of the worship team at Cordova's service. The highlight of the night for me was seeing some very good friends and reconnecting with all the people we served with for so long. Johnathan, Carrie, Jenna & David: It was really great seeing you all, and a very pleasant surprise. The only downer on the night was the fact that we all got sick from the food. Not full-blown food poisoning, but I spent significantly more time in the bathroom on Monday than is usual, or pleasant.
As far as the actual Christmas day went, we were very relaxed. I made a prime rib roast with smashed potatoes and gwavy. And veggies and rolls and salad. No elaborate desserts...we were all pretty full anyway. We just kind of laid around most of the day and enjoyed watching the girls bowl and play tennis and baseball (on the Wii). Later, we took the girls to see National Treasure, Book of Secrets. Teresa's parents stayed home and watched Fox News. The movie was pretty okay...bubblegum and popcorn. Don't go expecting enlightenment, and you'll be fine. It was better than Fox News by far. 
It was a good Christmas. I recommend low-key every year...just stay home and be with your family. It's what they want, and what you want. If others want to share Christmas with you, they can come over and relax with everyone.
Computers
It seems that everyone I know breaks their computers at the same time. I've been busy building my home office lab (pictures soon). Jack was having serious computer issues...I spent all night Wednesday rebuilding his system, which I delivered on Thursday after I got off work. Teresa has been complaining about her wireless connection, so I went and purchased a better USB adapter, which didn't work. So I took that back this morning and got another one...which also didn't work. I believe, in both cases, her machine fried the adapter. I spent two hours on it last night and half the day on it today. Finally, I just got completely fed up and purchased her a laptop. She's been wanting one anyway, and this way she can do her Partylite stuff at the show instead of bringing it home. So, it's a business expense. Plus, I get a pretty good employee discount at Dell. I hated spending the money, but her machine is toast. I think it is because of the excessive amount of static in our house lately...I've been shocking myself everywhere I go. I've taken to touching something metal before I touch my computer so I don't fry my machine, too.
Also, Ben is having computer issues, which will require a rebuild. Like I said...these things seem to group themselves together.
Work
I'm getting better and better with the new firewalls. I got my management server set up this past week and was able to configure the HTTP proxy and setup some IPSec tunnels between my devices. However, the noise output from the larger unit was driving me UP THE WALL. So, today I built a plywood enclosure for my desktop rack and lined it with quilt batting to help deaden the sound. There is a gap in the back for the fans to exhaust the air...I'm hoping they stay cool enough. I think I'll drill a hole in the side big enough for a meat thermometer so I will know what the ambient temperature is inside of the box. If I need to adjust for airflow, I can. Installing a large (quiet) fan in the top is certainly feasible and easy to do. The sound isn't muffled completely, but it is certainly more liveable. I feel like I can work with it on now, and even take phone calls. We'll see how it goes.
I feel really good about where I am and how it is going. January is going to be a busy month, with some trips planned to the Bay Area, SoCal, and Seattle. I'm planning all that stuff out next week with my team. I'm excited.
Mom
Mom's health is not going to improve much, I don't think. She is over her infection, but she has another surgery coming up in a month or so to take care of plaque buildup in one of the arteries in her neck. She is going back to Louisville soon to consult about her diabetes. This is all getting expensive, and I don't see how she is going to be able to keep her house. I'm slowly preparing her for that talk...not looking forward to it at all. I wish I didn't have to deal with this stuff, but you take the bad with the good. Part of me feels guilty that the past few weeks has been so good for me and my family, but so bad for her. Honestly, I am having difficulty reconciling it. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers, and me too, for that matter. I need His help to work out what to do in this whole thing. If anyone has had to go through this before, I'd like to know what resources you used. A book got recommended to me, but it seems to focus on dealing with Alzheimer's and dementia. I'd like something a little different, I think.
In Conclusion
Well, that wasn't as long as I thought it would be. Here's wishing all of you a safe and happy New Year. May your life be blessed to overflowing, and may you make wise and considered decisions. Two bits of advice, both stolen from different sources:
- Always wear sunscreen.
- Don't be hasty.
God bless.