Vinnie’s Vlog

1.  Not lose any weight.  – FAILED – Thanks to a lot of eating at home, both Diane and I are at record low weights

2.  No more making fun of smokers.  – FAILED – Numerous posts on the blog ruined this one for me.  And when that idiot flicked a butt from his car onto my windshield last month.

3.  I’m going to resolve to answer the phone, at least once a week, when I see by the caller ID that my inlaws are calling.    – FAILED – I think I was good on this one until Feb. or March.

4.  I’m also going to try an be more politically correct – like not using phrases like “No speaky English”. – FAILED – The doctor that stitched me up after the lizard attack had a Russian accent and I’ve been making fun of her since… “Dee lizzerd beet your feenger?  He is pet?”

5.  I resolve to quit tricking Lily.  – SUCCESS – Only because I can’t get anything past her anymore.

6.  Cheesecake, once a month. – FAILED – Probably the reason I’ve lost weight.

7.  I’m going to try and quit talking to my pets like they are human.   FAILED – The aforementioned lizard and I had a lengthy conversation.  And several choice words were exchanged when he initially bit me.

That’s how much time is left in the year.  I, however, plan to end my year in 9 hours.  Or less.

Front coming through today.  It can’t really decide if it wants to rain or not, mostly just sprinkles.  Nothing measurable.  Lots of clouds, yet the blue breaks through occassionally.  The bad news is that it’s getting cold for the next couple of days.  I think Wed morning should be in the low 30’s.  Same for Thursday morning.

I’m working on my New Year’s Resolutions.  I have to go back and see what I resolved last year.  I don’t think I did very good.   Things are quite different this year.  There were some big changes in 2007 and more to come in 2008.   Funny how we tend to re-evaluate things at the New Year.  And how differently things can look from one year to the next.

I don’t think we have much planned for tonight.  I know fondue is on the menu for dinner.  I know Lily will be on her regular schedule tonight.  We are all going to the Outback Bowl tomorrow.

Actually raining now.  Hope my yard is loving this!

This is more for Diane than it is for anyone else…
Tuesday night at 9pm on HGTV, they are previewing the Dream Hose give away for this year.

You know what I miss?  Good TV theme songs.  A good theme song that summed up the entire plot…”till the one day when this lady met this fellow…” ,  “Just sit right back and you’ll hear a tale…”

There is a great comic in today’s paper.  The censor would never approve it, so I’m not even going to try.

Lily is off to bed.  She fell asleep quickly on account of no nap again AND some busy play time with her friend.  Leo’s a goner too.

Tomorrow is Saturday.   I never know what it’ll be…pancakes or French Toast.

Happy Friday afternoon!

It’s nice here today – mid (maybe upper) 70’s and a nice breeze today.  Looks like the weather is changing as we head into the weekend and the New Year though.

I’m debating on whether or not to get a jump on taking down the Christmas decorations.  I can’t decide.  The next pickup for the tree won’t be until Monday morning, so maybe I’ll wait.

We’ve not nailed down our plans for New Years.  I just hope it involves getting to bed by 10.

I like the look of the year 2008…nice even, round number.  Isn’t it also Leap Year?  Me thinks so.

Not sure I’m in favor of the Senate Judiciary Committee stepping in to make sure everyone can see the Patriots run for an undefeated season… Click here for Story  I guess with all other problems in the country solved…

Nice here again today – mid 70’s…sunny.  Even a slight (very slight) breeze.  We spent the morning running some errands.  My fault – I screwed up some Christmas presents – sent the wrong things to a couple of people.   We’ve got things straightened out – so, again, my apologies to those involved.

The news media is having a fun day, huh?  If it isn’t wall to wall coverage of the tiger attack in California, now they have Pakistan to talk about.  Sorry – a part of me is rooting for the tigers.

Leo is making “motorboat” noises with his lips.  Almost non-stop.  He really likes it if you do it back to him – I think he thinks it’s how we communicate.  B-b-b-b-b-b-b-th-th-th-th-th-h.  I’ve got to post some more video in the next day or two.  I can’t wait to post the video of Lily “Evel Kneivel” Belcher on her bike.  She’s had some good falls – and no tears yet!  She’s got to learn to slow down on those curves!

Like the snow on the blog?  It’s a little something the blog people cooked up.  I think it automatically goes away after the first of the year.

Well, I’ve got some work to do today so I’d better get to it.  I’d taken a day or so off of the blog, just wanted you to know I’m still here.

It’s all over.  All over except for taking the boxes and bags to the curb.   The packages are unwrapped, the batteries are installed.  Diane has even cleaned “ground zero” and all the toys are mostly put away!  But more on Diane later.

It was an amazing morning.  Every piece of it.  Lily came downstairs around 6:45…maybe it was 7am.  She was initially a little upset because Santa not only drank the egg nog we left for him, he also finished the bottle in the fridge.  Once I reassured her we could get more at the store, she was fine.

As for Diane, she was up even earlier having successfully got Lily back to sleep at 5am after she woke up with a cough.  Then Diane came down and didn’t go back to sleep.  In fact, she was the only mother on Christmas morning who will be forever recorded in video and still pictures perfectly dressed in ironed clothes. 

Lily spent the morning opening, playing, opening, playing…playing, playing, then opening.  There was no real rhyme or reason.  No method to her maddness.  We broke for breakfast, opened some more. I think the last present was unwrapped close to 11am.  Leo was a real trooper – he usually had a handful of paper and could be found drooling on the next package.

Santa decided Lily was good and she was rewarded with a new bike, lots of princess stuff and some great toys.  Leo scored a lot of toys (his are all “developmental” at this age!) and some clothes.  Everyone was so nice and generous to these two kids.

We spent the day playing with princesses,  and riding the new bike.   You wouldn’t believe how good this little girl can ride a bike!  It’s amazing.  It’s almost neglectful how I’ve kept her on her little trike the last couple of months!  She was SO ready for a big girl bike!

I can’t begin to describe those first moments this morning.  So much work went into it.  So much anticipation.  So much excitment.  I hope, more than anything, that we gave Lily a Christmas that she’ll always remember.   She loved everything!  It was so much fun. 

So, if there is nothing else I can get to tonight as the hour gets late – it’s Thank You – to everyone who did anything for Lily and Leo.  In your wildest imagination, this morning was ten times what you think it was.  It was that good.

Merry Christmas to you all.  We are going to try and get some much needed sleep, despite the fact that we all have a terrible cough. 

…and all through the house, the only ones awake are me and my spouse.

We’ve got Lily to bed a little later than usual tonight on account of the fact that we added a drive to see some lights and a late walk to our routine.

The cookies and egg nog are out, the letter has been written.  In fact, as I sit here, the quiet is broken only by Lily hollaring from upstairs, “I forgot to add something to my letter!!!”  I promise to add it for her.

We had a great “family” Christmas Eve together.  We shopped, we cooked, we went and looked at lights.  In fact, the neighborhood we drove through had Santa at the end!  He stuck his head in the window and talked to the kiddies!  I’ve been looking forward to driving through there with kids for years!

Oh come on…there’s still one day left!

Click here for Christmas Idea for Vinnie

Ok, not really.  Windows are open, temps in the low 60’s – falling into the 50’s.  We had a nice, pleasant afternoon.  We got some cleaning done around the house, I cooked steaks on the grill and Lily even went swimming.   Not sure what that girl would do without her pool.

The Bucs lost.  Not sure it matters.  I think the Seahawks had to lose and the Bucs had to win to improve our seeding in the playoffs.  So not a big deal.  The last game of the season is at home against the Panthers.

Both kids in bed!  Time to fold laundry by the looks of it.

Click here for Story

Artificial tree goes up in very real fire!

Click here for Story

I guess the schedule of Christmas on a Monday/Tuesday this year means we get a lot of NFL football around the Big Day. Monday Night Football is on Christmas Eve. I guess football beats watching the video of the Yule log burning. And I don’t think Diane will let me watch It’s a Wonderful Life.

I waited only about an hour for our ham – not too bad. The weather was pleasant enough to be outside and inside they had samples and TV. It’s was nice not having Lily or Leo – they wouldn’t have enjoyed the wait. I made friends in line and we discussed leading everyone off in a round of We Wish You a Merry Christmas, but we couldn’t get much support. Bunch of Grinches.

Both Lily and Leo are down for naps. We have a few chores to do outside this afternoon – salt for the water softener, birdseed for the feeders. I’ve got a pool pump to work on, but I don’t think I’ll get to that.

Not sure about how we are all feeling. Lily has a cough that matches the cough Diane and I have. Other than the cough and a little chest congestion, I feel ok. Sleep has been restless – I hate waking up with a dry mouth and the congestion is making for some snoring.

I probably didn’t need to stay up and watch the Cowboy’s game until after 11 o’clock last night!

Mid 70’s today. The fog has been slow to burn off, but it’s breaking now and giving way to clear, sunny skies.

I’m performing one of my holiday duties by waiting in line for our ham. The line looks long – maybe 75 yards down the sidewalk plus the line inside the store. It’s moving, actually quicker than I would have thought.

Lily and I made pancakes this morning then we all ran to Target and Home Depot. The mall parking doesn’t look too bad considering they opened at 7am.

Sorry about my rant from last night. I’ve decided it was a little too “soapbox” so I deleted it.

Christmas comes tomorrow. Lily is still adding things to her list. I don’t think she has a clue what awaits her Christmas morning! The tension and excitement are mounting!! I think this is shaping up to be my favorite Christmas yet!

The farmer’s market was good.  I scored a cool windchime made out of spoons.  And a neat looking bird feeder.  And some honey.   The rule is we never pass up honey at a farmer’s market.  Lily and I both needed a haircut, so we got that taken care of at a nearby barber.  Good haircuts, just took forever.

We’ve had lunch and now Lily is heading up for a nap.

It’s supposed to be a nice sunny day, but this fog is hanging around.  We expected this to have burned off by now.  Still pleasant outside and we have the windows open – no AC!!!

Wow, barely 72 hours to Christmas morning.  Up til now, I don’t know that Lily had a very good grasp of “when” Christmas was.  Now I can tell her Christmas Eve is the day after tomorrow.  And I think she gets it.

She let me skip pancakes this morning on account of the fact that I was in the kitchen for four hours yesterday making cookies and then dinner.  We’ll try and do one last batch of cookies this afternoon.

Diane has a haircut appointment early this afternoon, so the inmates will be running the asylum around here.

Not sure what we are doing this morning.  There is a new farmer’s market in town I wanted to check out so we might go there.  I also need a trip to Home Depot for an extension cord.

Other than that, it’s a regular Saturday.  I might give the dogs a bath.  I’ve got to vacuum the pool.

I’m feeling a little better.  Still a bad cough and chest congestion.  I hate being sick.

Not much to blog about, although I like to.

We went to Lily’s ballet tonight – thanks to everyone who came!  She liked looking over to the family section and seeing everyone there.  Even Leo sat nicely the entire time!  Lily was very, very good.  She keeps her eyes on Ms. Laurel and has obviously learned something.  I’m not sure that she’s more “graceful”, but she tries!  I took some video and I might even make some DVD’s to send around.  Not sure I could post 20 minutes of video, but I might try to post a few.

I’m not feeling very good tonight.  Last night was rough and I think tonight will be worse.  I have terrible body aches and a very bad, scratchy throat.  My chest is tight and it hurts to cough.  Oh how I’d love to pound some Nyquil.

It was a great night to put kids to bed.  Both went to bed with no fuss.  Lily was especially good tonight.  Leo took a nice warm bath and then he was out for the count.  It’s been nice and quiet around here since about 8 o’clock tonight.  Just hope Lily isn’t up at 5:30a like she has been the last couple of nights.

Tomorrow is Friday.  We are going to Lily’s school concert at 8:45am.  She comes home with us, so there really isn’t any school tomorrow.  I’ll have to run into the office only briefly and I might even try to get some last minute shopping in.  If I feel like it.  The way I feel now, I may just come home and go to bed.

Good night!

Didn’t Willard Scott used to only do his stupid Happy Birthday thing for centenarians? Now he’s showing 105, 106 year olds. I just wonder if there isn’t some 100 year old dude who can’t get his birthday wish from Willard because he’s to busy showing older folks.

Lily was up early this morning. As in 5:30am. Actually, I think we all have a little bug. I had a cough most of the night that kept me up too. And don’t even get me started on what Leo was doing. Leo had a bit of a thrill this morning. We decided to give him an early Christmas present. We opened and assembled his bouncy, activity seat thing. I don’t know what it’s called. He liked it! He sat in it while I made breakfast and even spun himself around. The kid always is grinning. I think he knows the power of the dimple.

Another beautiful December day. Temps in the low 60’s…maybe even upper 50’s. Lily and I have made breakfast and taken out the garbage. Garbage day always brings up the debate around her about whether or not to do what the Today Show says and tip our garbage guys. First of all, we have three garbage pick ups on garbage day. The regular garbage guys come through, then the lawn waste guys and finally, the recycleables. Each crew has at least two guys (never any girls), sometimes three. And it’s never the same crew that comes through on our second pickup day. That means I owe 12 guys a tip? I don’t think so, Tim. And given the battle I’ve had this year with the garbage guys, I don’t think they’d want what I’d leave them anyways.

Now that’s not exactly the Christmas Spirit is it?

Beautiful this morning – mid 50’s, not a cloud in the sky.  Should be 70 by day’s end.

Lily wanted to take a book to school for Show and Tell.   She took one of her Christmas stories.

Leo is laying on the floor talking to someone.  Or something.  He’s quite animated, especially in the mornings.  You’d swear he’s going to walk and talk any minute.  He loves…LOVES…his sister.   I held Leo while we all ate breakfast this morning and he and Lily sat there giggling and making faces at each other for 10 minutes.

Still putting the finishing touches on Christmas around here.  I think I have one more UPS shipment to make.  Other than that, I think it’s time to sit back and watch it happen.  I think I’m more excited for this Christmas morning than I’ve been in a long time.  I can’t wait to see it unfold Tuesday morning.  Lily is going to absolutely blow a gasket.

From the Farmer’s Almanac…

The Ember Days are the Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays that follow in succession after (1) the First Sunday in Lent; (2) Whitsunday–Pentecost; (3) the Feast of the Holy Cross; and (4) the Feast of St. Lucia. The word ember is perhaps a corruption of the Latin quatuor tempora, “four times.” Folklore has it that the weather on each of the three days foretells the weather for three successive months; that is, for December’s Ember Days, Wednesday forecasts weather for January, Friday for February, and Saturday for March.

Not on my Christmas list:  Edible books

Did I post the story on the escapees from NJ?  Click here for Story  One was serving time for manslaughter.  And I guess since NJ just outlawed the death penalty, he’d have to sit in jail and die of exposure to toxic air like the rest of the state.  (Oh, I’ll pay for that one)

It’s warmed up here after a cold, cold night.  I think we hit 40 last night.  It was cold.  Cold enough that we had more than one conversation about the thermostat setting during the night.

Person 1:  “What is the heat set at?”

Person 2: “It was set for 68, but the temperature was 70″

Person 1: “Well, I’m freezing”

Person 2: “I’m not.  I got an extra blanket out of the closet”

Person 1: “Go raise the temperature”

Person 2: “Sure.  What do you want it set at?”

Person 1: “Raise it to 69″

British Santa refuses to wear a pillow under his suit because he thinks it encourages child obesity.  Hello?  Santa?  They see you once a year.  You don’t think a Happy Meal 4 times a week has something to do with it?  Click here for Story

It’s noon.  And it’s only 50 degrees outside.

How much further south do I have to move?

Darn it’s cold this morning.  I think we hit 40 degrees.  The iquana, despite his previous transgressions, was allowed inside.  Funny…thanks to him, I can’t feel my fingertip when I hit the L key to type LIZARD.

Did you see CompUSA is closing… Click here for Story

Bucs returned a kickoff for a TD yesterday – first time ever in franchise history!

The cold front has blown through leaving us with very windy conditions.  We ended up with maybe a 1/4 inch of rain which is quite welcomed during the dry season.  It’s sunny and, like I said, very windy.

Lily and I made French Toast for breakfast and did the grocery shopping while Mom cleaned.  I’m putting ribs on the smoker, which can be a challenge when it’s windy and cool.

Did I mention that it’s windy?

Leo is playing on the floor.  He’s trying so hard to roll over, crawl, scoot..whatever it is, he’s trying to get in motion.  He’s really good at sitting up – and I don’t necessarily mean sitting in an upright position.  He likes to situp – like the exercise.  I think he’s working on his six-pack abs already.

Lily is watching the Charlie Brown Christmas special before bed tonight.  She didn’t quite register the line Linus said – “Big sisters are the crab grass in the lawn of life”.  I thought it was funny.

Starting to rain this evening.  Our weather kind of goes down hill for the next 48 hours while this front blows through.  I think there is a 50% chance of rain tomorrow and 90% on Sunday.  Honestly, they aren’t really serious about it raining until they start talking about percentages over 50%.  Then you know it’s going to do something.  We don’t even blink when they say 20,30, or 40%.

We are going over the river and through the woods tomorrow for Grandma’s Christmas party.  I think it’s at noon.  Not sure.  I think we’ll show up at noon and see what happens.

Ten days to Christmas Eve!

Nice again this morning, but it won’t last.  We have a front moving in tonight thru Sunday.  Supposed to drop our high temperatures into the 60’s!  BRRRR!!!   Some folks are home today getting ready for the wintry blast hitting parts of the North.  For those of you, like me, who are working this morning, here is what you are missing on the Today Show – that fine, news source on NBC… 

Loch Ness monster update

What Turns-on Tom Cruise

Brian Boitano skates at Rockefeller Center

Anyways, Lily is off to school this morning.  We had the news on during breakfast and they showed the glow-in-the-dark cats that made the news yesterday.  I pointed the story out to Lily who watched with interest.  When the clip was over and they had shown the video of the cats mewing and glowing, Lily asked how they did that.  I thought, and I said, “Well, it’s hard to explain”.  She helped me out…”Did they put a light in their belly?”

Lily and Diane are due back from ballet any minute.  Leo and I ran to the grocery store and Starbucks.

Here’s a story that I found cool… Click here for Story

Spaghetti for dinner.

Current picture from a good, albeit a bit scatter brained, friend of mine up in Crazy Land.   Ya’ll enjoy that. 

Saw the doctor.  They tested my blood for about 60 different things and every single one of them came back in the normal range…I’m going to live forever.

Cholesterol, for those of you playing along, was 200.  He said 100-200 was fine.  In fact, he went on to say to keep doing what I’m doing because it’s obviously working.

Vince Belcher 
Vinnie’s Vlog  www.vinceb.wordpress.com 
Brandon, Florida  December 2007 www.vincebelcher.com

** LINK SUBMITTED BY CENSOR BUT BANNED BY VINNIE **

Just beautiful this morning.  Blue skies, cool breeze.  I’ve got the windows and my big door open at my office.  Nice.

Oh, in related news – up to a foot of snow forecast for the Northeast… Click here for Story

I have a stray cat at my office that Lily befriended one day when she was here.  Now every morning, I’m feeding a cat and Lily watches via web cam.  She (Lily) will call when I get to the office and have me move the camera so she can see the cat eat.

I have a doctor’s appointment later this morning.  Anyone want to guess what my cholesterol will be?  Anyone?