One of the grandtwins had a bad cough so Keri made a doctor's appointment for this morning.
As long as you're taking one, you may as well take two so Keri, Kathy and I plus the boys went to the doctor's office. When you are waiting in the lobby, everyone comes over to ask if they are twins. While we were waiting we met one of the most remarkable women with whom I have ever visited . She had one boy of a set of twins. She and her husband are foster parents to babies many of whose mothers were on drugs during pregnancy. She said they only take in children with medical problems. Normally they only take them one at a time but these two are numbers 16 and 17 because they are twins. The mother is suspected of doing meth dining pregnancy and the twins are three months old and have already had two surgeries. We were called to go to a small examination room. As the nurse took us back to the exam room, she remarked that they see that lady quite a bit and they consider her a saint. With the twins plus three adults, there wasn't much room. I volunteered to go to the waiting area. I went back and talked to the foster mom of the twin. She said her background is she is a surgical nurse for spinal surgeries. She and her husband had adopted one foster child who is autistic and is now 10 years old. She said these kids will be on Medicaid as long as they live as no one could afford the medical bills if they adopted the child. She said the effects of meth are still unknown but these two have internal organs that are dying and that's the reason for the two operations. About then she was called to an exam room. I knew I had met a person who gave me an uplift. It's a shame though of what she has to do. What made her even more special to me is she is originally from Cheyenne and a University of Wyoming School of Nursing graduate.

Every year at this time papers, magazine, TV, etc., give their top picks in several categories. I decided to give my "Top Ten" TV shows for 2010. Remember, I watch most of my TV shows on Netflix so I'm watching the previous season-2009-10. Here they are sort of alphabetically:
1. 30 Rock
2. Bones
3. Burn Notice
4. Castle
5. The Closer
6. Dexter
7. GLEE
8 The Good Wife
9. House
10 Weeds

We celebrated Christmas with Eric, Keri, Aiden and Reid (known as E-kar) last night. I think the boys enjoyed tearing the paper was much as the toys although they seemed to like some of the gifts too. Among my gifts were an Ohio State cap, a GLEE calendar, and a Redneck calendar. I still haven't found my 2010 Redneck calendar from when it was packed in June-maybe 2011 or 2012.

We got some 30-40 mph wind last night and early this morning as a front came through. The weather forecasters are all predicting a bad storm tomorrow and Friday. I got gas and oil for the snowblower and mixed it. The blower started on the second pull which made me very happy.
The temp was in the high 50's at noon but it's dropping. We'll see although I expect nothing like what the Midwest has been experiencing.

Went to Cheyenne yesterday and spent about four hours with my mother. She opened Christmas presents from both Keri and us. One present didn't arrive until Christmas eve so I decided to take them all up yesterday. She enjoyed having someone there when she opened her gifts and read the cards. We talked business and then I showed her photos that Kathy had uploaded onto my laptop. She is still amazed at what computers and cell phones can do.
I stopped in Fort Collins on the way back and had supper with a fraternity brother and his wife. We watched the fourth quarter of the Air Force Georgia Tech FB game and the first half of MNF.
Once back on the interstate driving toward Denver there was so little traffic that I didn't use my brake pedal until I was within a mile of my house. The highway patrol was out in force practicing for New Year's eve.

It definitely wasn't a white Christmas here in Littleton yesterday. I spent almost an hour watering my shrubs and trees. Some neighbors were out flying remote model airplanes and finally there was a field hockey game played on roller blades. None of that ice hockey stuff played at the farm pond in Minnesota. We are expected to get a big storm at the end of this week, however.

Interesting bumper sticker:
There's a big battle in California, Colorado and a few other states regarding the sale of medical marijuana to relieve severe pain. There's a fear that it will be sold to people who are just recreational users thus this bumper sticker:
"NO PAIN
NO JANE (slang for marijuana)"

Correction:
I've been told the bumper sticker is an ad for Mary Jane Ski Area near Winter Park. It is a very challenging area (I've skied parts of it) and I imagine it is difficult enough that with its very steep slopes, it could cause a little pain (especially if one fell). I do, however, like my initial interpretation better.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all.

It's the grandtwins first Christmas.
We won't be having a white Christmas here. The temp is predicted to be in the low 50's. I'm going to get out the hoses this afternoon and water the trees and bushes.
The ol' slow poke

Traffic signals gone rogue.
This morning, around 9:00 am, I came to a stoplight at an intersection near an overpass which connects traffic to highway C-470, a major 4 lane highway around south Denver. There are 4 traffic directions connected with this stop. I was first in my lane and the light turned green but apparently it turned green in all 4 directions. Two cars cut in front of me and onto C-470. I think the rest of us realized something was wrong. We all stopped and then eased forward in our respective direction taking turns. When I returned to that intersection, there were two state trooper cars and a third vehicle which was over near the box that controls the lights. I didn't have any trouble getting through. When I went through this afternoon, there were no troopers or anyone working on the signal box, however, I will slow down approaching the intersection and won't be in too much of a hurry to go when there are cars in the left turn lane. I think we were all lucky.

My favorite thing about the beginning of Winter is the days will start to get longer. I like seeing the sunrise and sunset times posted on the Weather Channel.
Speaking of weather-I watched the first half of the Vikings-Bears game Monday night. It reminded me of going to FB games at the old Met Stadium where the Mall of America now lies. We used to fly back to Minnesota over Christmas vacation. My father-in-law Tom always managed to get a couple of tickets from his nephew Roger and we would all go up to the Twin Cities for a playoff game (it was a 14 game season then and the playoffs started around Christmas). After tailgating and a little "grandma's tea" and dressed in our warmest clothing we would take our sleeping bags into the stadium for the game. Bundled in our bags, it wasn't too bad. I was at one game when the Vikings coach wouldn't let his players wear gloves or have sideline heaters. His receivers dropped passes all afternoon while the 49'ers huddled around heaters and wore gloves and made several critical catches. The 49'ers won. A second game was against the Dallas Cowboys. With Minnesota leading in the last minute or so, Drew Pearson of the Cowboys pushed off the Viking defensive back and caught a pass from Roger Staubach for the winning score. No penalty was called. As they went to commercial break, a liquor bottle came flying out of the stands and coldcocked a referee. Fans starting to leave or warming up in the restrooms came running back to the stadium. How could the Vikes lose? Well they did.
Great memories of Vikings outdoor football in December.

Among the Christmas cards, bills, etc., in yesterday's mail was an envelope addressed to me. On the outside at the bottom it read "Free Pre-Paid Cremation-Details Inside." In the week when the "Nativity" is the big celebration, I couldn't believe a company would send out an ad for this topic. Sure enough it condemned the practice of a traditional burial costs vs cremation-just what I needed. If a card is returned, it would be included in a drawing for a free cremation. It even named "Last Month's Winner." It was sent from something called the Neptune Society, which I've never heard of.
There was a footnote-"Please accept our apologies if the letter has reached you at a time of serious illness or death in your family."-yah, right.
My wife's only comment, with a smile on her face, was she was glad it was sent to me and not her. I wonder how I can get off their mailing list.
Bah, Humbug to the Neptune Society.

The last couple of days I tried something new with my Netflix account-streaming. I've done this with a couple of other things (football, baseball games) and I think on Facebook but this is my first time with Netflix. Rather than waiting for the disc, I watch it on my computer. I have a 20" wide screen on my office computer and a comfortable office chair. The value I see is on my 15" screen laptop when I travel and can get WIFI.

Last night as were stopped at a traffic light, we watched a coyote cross a highway between Trailmark, our subdivision, and Chatfield State Park. This is a four-lane highway with the north-south traffic doing between 50 and 60 at this intersection. The coyote artfully dodged a couple cars and headed into the state park. I don't know if there's a "Why did the coyote cross the road?" joke in there or not. Our newsletter tells to be aware of coyotes as well as other critters. Small children and small pets could be targets. I really wish the coyote would meet our neighbor's small yapping dog-"Hey, Winston; come meet coyote." There's a possibility that two of the three of us could be happy over the possible outcome.

As the grandtwins become more agile and mobile, the first line of defense against the TV, etc. is two Bumbo chairs and two large blankets. How long will this be adequate? Stay tuned.

It snowed again last night but it didn't amount to much. I'm thankful for that because last night when I left to go home around 7:00 pm, I accidentally dropped K & E's mailbox key (I have the third key) in the street when I was reaching for my car key. I managed to find it this morning as I was shoveling their sidewalk and driveway. This was a little after 6:00 am. About that time a guy and his dog were going for a walk. The dog had a flashing light on its collar. Technology is everywhere. What's next?

We got some snow last night-nothing like our friends/relatives in Minnesota and Iowa are experiencing. I did have to change from sandals to shoes, however. More snow/rain expected today. No more temps in the 50's expected until this weekend.

How bad are the Donkeys (I mean Broncos)? One outlet this morning was selling Bronco stuff for 50% and more off. I bought a $15 cap this morning for $5-heck of a deal.

Most people who reside is Colorado aren't originally from here. Where I work out I see T-shirts from all over the country. This morning there was an Indiana State, a Marquette, and there's a guy who wears a Missouri Tiger T-shirt every time I see him. I wear a U of Wyoming shirt every once in a while. I also like to see the alumni license plate holders from all over. Most are from this area-CU, CSU, Northern Colorado, etc. My wife's car has a St. Olaf holder. Driving home this morning I saw one from Gustavus Adolphus (Sp?). The only Gustavus Adolphus I know of is in St. Peter, Minnesota. With temps in the 50's and 60's this week and no wind or precip, it's a whole lot better to be in Denver than anyplace in Minnesota.

I am dreading the time when we take our weather hit. I know we are going to get clobbered some time this winter. I don't even have gas for my snow blower yet. I know we will pay a price.

The collapse of the Metrodome roof brought back a lot of memories. I did go to a couple of Vikings games there but the vast majority was spent rooting for the Twins. I always felt this venue was designed for football rather than baseball due to the poor sight lines for baseball. One night I took my son David, who was probably four or five at the time, to a Twins game. The Twins at that time might draw 8,000 on a good night. The Dome held around 50,000 for baseball and David tried to sit in almost every seat. I don't remember much about the game.
If the Vikes can't play there the rest of the season, I predict you will soon be looking at the Los Angeles Vikings. LA got the Lakers, didn't they?

Today is Sunday which means it's a watch the Denver Broncos day. I am becoming a bigger Bronco fan because they fired the head coach and last spring they drafted Zane Beadles, who is now the starting starting left guard (#68) on the offensive line. Although I have never met hime, Zane is special to me because I was his father's and aunt's junior high counselor. I also used to referee football with his grandfather. Zane was born in Casper but the family move to Salt Lake where the parents divorced. I ran into Jack, his grandfather, and he told me they were following the U of Utah all over to watch Zane play. Ironically Zane's mother married the head women's basketball coach at the U of Wyoming. That must have led to some interesting family discussions. I don't think I ever considered buying a Bronco jersey but I might if I can find Zane's number in my size-not too likely.
Go Broncos!

How I celebrated my birthday-pm

Went back to K& E's a little after noon. I wasn't in the house five minutes and I was changing a dirty diaper. It was time for the noon feed which is fruit for the boys. The boys don't really care for the fruit stuff preferring veggies and cereal. Bananas are the worst. I dread the days I think we might feed bananas. Even Reid, who will eat almost anything, doesn't think much of bananas. Today was pears. Aiden has developed a defense I call spit and blow. If he doesn't like the fruit, he is likely to spew the contents of the spoon all over the feeder and feedee. He can be a mess to clean up and I usually wear old T-shirts. Today went well with pears. Then it was bottle and play time. About 2:30 I decided they needed a nap. I didn't care if they weren't tired, I was so they went to the nursery. I sat down to read the Denver Post. That lasted about 20 minutes until Reid started screaming. Two minutes later I had his leg freed from where he had stuck it in the crib slats. I'm glad he screamed because it got my attention. They were asleep when Keri came home around 3:30. I walked home to get ready for my birthday dinner. I had received 3 birthday cards in the mail: one from my mother with a check, a very nice card from my sister-in-law (there was no check but they'll have three kids in college next semester), and one from my broker in Casper and I don't think he wants me to forget him. Keri and the boys came over for supper. The boys were both wearing party hats. I got cards from Keri and Eric, Kathy and the boys and then we had dinner. No one sang Happy Birthday and that made me happy. They went home around 6:00.
I guess I spent most of my time today with two 8 month old kids who would call me "Grandpa" if they could talk, their mother, and their grandmother. Who could ask for a better birthday?

How I celebrated my birthday-am

Woke up this morning and realized that I'm in Colorado and this is the first birthday since 1954 that I haven't celebrated in Wyoming. I was born in Montana.
Reported for day care duty at 6:00 am. Dressed the boys and put them down for a nap a little after 7:00. Aiden woke up first (usually the sign of a dirty diaper) so I took him downstairs and put him on the changing table. Just as I had undone his diaper (yes, it was dirty) and started to clean up the situation, my cell phone rang. It was one of my best friends from Casper wishing me a Happy Birthday. I put him on speaker phone, continued diaper duty while we visited, finished and put Aiden in his play area. I'm still on the phone with Art as I go upstairs and get Reid who is awake by now. Still on the cell phone but Reid isn't fussy if his diaper is wet or dirty. While we're visiting, my cell phone beeps letting me know I have an incoming call. It's from my brother who is vacationing in San Diego. I change Reid's diaper (yes, it was very dirty) and then return the call. After about 10 minutes of conversation during which Aiden overturns his play area and later rolls into Reid who commences to kick his brother trying to get the weight of his legs, my cell phone beeps again to let me know my battery is almost dead. We hang up and two seconds later, the phone dies from a lack on energy. I had called Kathy earlier and told her to bring over my charger cord so I am saved.
The boys are unusually good at eating this morning. At 10:30 I head back to our house to shower and change clothes. Then I eat. I call this my planning time (still thinking like a teacher).
Have to see what the pm the date of my birth is like.

A sample of more unsolicited e-mails

1. "Beauty Buzz" I can buy the same products like the makeovers of the rich and famous. At my age?

2. "Luxury Getaway to Bangkok"-I have trouble getting away to the bank-Bangkok?

More G,B, and U from 2010

GOOD: The TV show GLEE. I feel better after watching each episode. I really felt uplifted after watching last night's show.

BAD: The national unemployment rate-somebody do something

UGLY: selling e-mail addresses. I got several e-mails yesterday I certainly didn't think I needed or wanted-
1. an e-mail for an over-45 dating service. Does someone know something I don't know? This came from a company in California.
2. an e-mail for follow-up knee surgery problems. Again, is there something I don't know about because I haven't had knee surgery-yet. This from Carson City, NV.
3. an e-mail for a degree in 14 months. Why would I need one? I have two already.
4. an e-mail for supposed job openings. Are my retirement fund and Social Security going broke in the next few months?

More GOOD, BAD, AND UGLY from 2010

GOOD: The Denver Broncos fired Coach Josh McDaniels yesterday
BAD: They waited too long
UGLY: The guy is going to walk away with millions of dollars for not coaching

Today is Pearl Harbor Day. I don't remember it as I was born three days later.

Some of the GOOD, BAD, and UGLY of 2010:
GOOD: McRib sandwiches at McDonalds
BAD: Political phone calls beginning in August
VERY UGLY: Congress

Other than personal items, some other good things about 2010:
1. Geico commercials

Last Wednesday morning I drove over Loveland Pass to get to Arapahoe Basin Ski Area. Today there was an avalanche in the area and a back country skier was killed and and another injured. I believe I'll avoid that road.

With the high winds today how warm was it? Well, the Salvation Army bell ringer was working in short sleeves (December 3rd).
(Actually it topped out around 70)

If you remember "Winnie the Pooh and the blustery day," let me tell you that bear doesn't know sick-um about blustery. Friday is trash pick-up day in our hood. About 9:00 AM a front came through and the winds of 40 to 60 mph did a real number on the neighborhood trash-especially the recycling stuff. I put our trash on the curb about 6:00 AM when it was calm and headed for Keri and Eric's to take the early shift with the twins. The winds hit 2-3 hours later. At 9:00 I was chasing down two huge boxes that had contained highchairs for the twins. I caught one about a block down the street. The second one hadn't made it that far. At 10:00 AM I chased the boxes again and only found one. Hope whoever finds the second box will give it a good home or at least recycle it. Several of the neighbors were out trying figure out which rubberized trash container belonged to whom. They can all meet half way down the block tomorrow and exchange trash barrels. One recycling container had held several empty wine bottles (Australian wine no less) and the bottles had blown into the street where they either broke on their own or someone ran over them. Either way it was a mess and a hazard to tires. I left a message for Keri to call me before she came home to warn her. Then I decided to get a push broom and go over to the next cul-de-sac where the bottles were broken and where K & E live and sweep up the glass. I got the gal who lives behind us to help. I don't think they could have backed their car out without puncturing a tire. I swept the chunks of glass to the curb and she swept up the pieces up and put them in the trash.
I don't ever want to hear another Coloradoan talk about Wyoming wind.

I accidentally posted today's blog on my daughter Keri's blog. A case of early Alzheimer's I guess.

Skiing in Colorado is a lot different than skiing Hogadon outside Casper. For one thing it's a lot farther to the area and some interesting roads to get to them. I went to Arapahoe Basin yesterday. I drove I-70 to just east or the Denver-side of the Eisenhower tunnels. I got off and drove over Loveland Pass on highway 6. The elevation is slightly over 14,000 feet at the top. What makes highway 6 (it parallels I-70) interesting is trucks hauling anything flammable or otherwise hazardous aren't allowed to go through the Eisenhower tunnels. It's a wake-up call when you meet a truck on a highway 6 switchback carrying petroleum products or propane or similar cargo which is banned in the tunnels. It's also more awakening when the road is icy and you keep meeting snowplows as well as the previously mentioned haulers who aren't driving anything with 4-wheel drive. It is a short distance to Arapahoe Basin but it was a long nerve racking drive. Returning I took highway 6 past Keystone Resort to meet up with I-70 on the west side of the tunnels. With signs indicating it's icy in the tunnels I understand the precautions. I just wish someone had warned me.

Today I went skiing for the first time this season. I went to Arapahoe Basin which is just on the other side of Loveland Pass. As I was driving up there was a sign to watch for wildlife on the side of the road and not two minutes later there was herd of mountain sheep grazing right next to the highway. There was a big old ram with his family. In all my life I have only seen a mountain sheep in the wild through binoculars.
It was sunny and warm when I left Denver. By the time I got to A-Basin, it was snowing and the wind was gusty. Still I had a good time. I stayed mainly on green and blue slopes as I wasn't in any shape to try the blacks. There were hardly and skiers. How few were there-well, I managed to park in the second row of the "Early Riser" lot which is usually the first lot to fill up on a normal day. I road a quad lift to make my runs and I never had a companion on the lift. It was like the Hogadon ski area near Casper on a weekday.
Although I had an all-day pass, I quit around noon in deference to old age, poor skiing fitness, blowing snow, and a 10,400 elevation at the base. More tomorrow.