Thu SEP 7


And so a new era begins.

But it's the same ol' story; the cat was so dang cute and needy it couldn't be ignored, and I knew after feeding it for a week that it would be coming home with me. But I feared Opie's reaction. Opie is huge (three times this cat's size) and is notorious for chasing the neighbor cats off his turf. To my surprise (and relief), Opie has displayed only curiosity with the small feline in his house.

We named the little one "C.C." for Calico Cat, only to learn later that it is probably tortoise shell, rather than calico. We still don't have an official ruling on that yet. But no matter, her name is officially C.C., which can now stand for Cacophonous Cat, because even though she is only five pounds, four of those pounds are vocal cords. I've never heard any animal voice opinions so loudly.

We took her to the vet for a physical and learned a:) she is not pregnant and b:) she doesn't have Feline Leukemia. She is about a year old, and we treated her to the necessary shots, and an appointment to be spayed in three weeks.

She is living in the garage in the meantime, 'til she and Opie are quite used to each other. When Opie is out, we let her in to explore her new surroundings. When Opie is in, and both the Wife and I are home, the Wife plays the villian and keeps the little one occupied while I stroke Opie's fur (and ego) and remind him that he is still Numero Uno. So far, the transition is progressing smoothly.

Further updates will definitely be forthcoming.

Tue SEP 12

Week Two of Operation New Cat

We prepared ourselves for the inevitable hissing and spitting, the territorial disputes, and possibility of physical encounters. We were constantly on our toes, ears sharply attuned to the gutteral growls of confrontation. We were nervous wrecks.

But the cats were doing fine.

Opie maintained his spot on the couch and watched C.C. roam about, checking out all the nooks and crannies of her new abode. C.C. does have a tendency to dart about, and if she darts in Opie's direction, Opie will hiss at her, but that's been about it.

C.C. is fearless and Opie is tolerant. We couldn't ask for a better arrangement. So we're starting to relax, cautiously.

We don't know what part C.C. will be playing in the Opie Project. We're hoping she won't pick up on Opie's avocation of collecting pets, but we have a feeling she'll be sufficiently opinionated to offer guest commentary at some point in the future. Stay tuned.

It's going to be all right.

Mon SEP 18

We have gradually been introducing the new cat to the house while making sure that Opie does not feel slighted. So far so good. They have accepted each other's presence and have staked out their own territories (C.C. has not tried to encroach on any of Opie's favorite spots). C.C. is no longer meowing for food every time she sees one of us, so Opie is able to ignore her for longer periods. And when both the Wife and I are around, C.C. gravitates to the Wife, while Opie curls up in his regular spot next to me.

In other words, everything is going great. There was one hurdle remaining. The bed.

C.C. had been spending nights in the garage to avoid this particular conflict. Opie claims the entire bed at night, and we're pretty sure C.C. is gonna want a piece of that once she is a full-fledged housecat. So we were kinda avoiding this step 'cause we didn't particularly want territorial disputes erupting in our bed in the middle of the night.

However, last Saturday night, we were inadvertantly thrust into a decision. I went to bed early and left it to the Wife to put C.C. in the garage for the night. But the Wife fell asleep on the couch watching tv (it's a very comfy couch). When I awoke in the morning, both cats were in bed with me. Opie had his usual spot next to me, while C.C. was several feet away at the foot of the bed on the Wife's side. And they were ignoring each other. This is good, thought I, after I realized I was actually awake and not dreaming.

The Wife had awakened several times during the night and realized C.C. was still with her, so she decided to let her remain. But somewhere after dawn (which means breakfast to the animals), C.C. decided to start hanging around the guy who feeds her. And without any complaints from Opie.

Sunday night was the big test. Is the bed big enough for two humans and two cats? Apparently it is. Opie spent the night between the Wife and I (he knows he maximizes attention by getting between us), while C.C. stayed at the previous night's spot at the foot of the bed.

What was I worried about?

Mon SEP 25

The new little one continues to delight and amaze. C.C. has discovered the cat door and its function. We weren't planning to give her full access to the outdoors just yet, but we can't very well discourage her from using it now, only to try encouraging her to use it later, y'know? So we've keep keeping her outdoor forays under observation. She's being a cautious kitty. She never ventures far from the house. Her first experience with the cat door was entertaining - she didn't realize it worked both ways. So after an hour of curious exploring, she made her way to the garage door and began meowing loudly to be let in.

Because she kept her distance from Opie, we figured she'd never find the cat door. But then she began following Opie around, reasoning that this cat knew the locale, and much could be learned from observation. Like using the cat door.

So we have gotten comfortable with her outdoor excursions, and she now uses the door both ways. And she doesn't go out for more than an hour or so, then curls up inside for the rest of the day.

This Thursday (three more days) we're taking her to be spayed. The indoctrination's final bit of trauma for her. And for us too.

Fri SEP 29


The Recovery.

I picked C.C. up at the vet last evening, and even though she was still groggy from the anesthesia, her vocal cords were unaffected. She complained loudly all the way home. We had three other cats spayed, and I didn't remember it being a traumatic experience. But C.C. is not the type to take ovariohysterectomies lying down (figuratively speaking) and she was nervous and antsy even after arriving back in familiar surroundings. I had to hold her in my lap for two hours before she calmed down. By then the Wife was home and she took over. But as the anesthesia dissipated, the pain and soreness took over. C.C.'s loud complaining turned to mild whimpering. She finally, on wobbly legs, headed for her litter box, but crawled under the family room couch instead. Our first impulse was to go after her, but we decided with some difficulty that she wanted to be alone, so we obliged.

She was still under there when we went to bed, but at four am I awakened and listened intently in the dark. But there was nothing. I couldn't go back to sleep, so I got up and wandered toward the family room, when I noticed her sleeping in the dirty laundry by the washer. It was a curled-up comfortable sleep (rather than an upright, tense sleep), so I went to the kitchen for the baby food we had bought just for this occasion. I put a small amount on a dish and left it by the laundry.

This morning much of the small amount of strained turkey was gone, but she still didn't want to leave that pile of laundry, so we left her there. The Wife went into work late, and I came home for lunch to check on her. She seemed better, though not eating.

Now we cut straight to the good news. Tonight she is up and walking around, keeping us company on the couch, and generally complaining. But she is still rather weak (she hasn't eaten much in 48 hours).

All the above is normal, by the way. But you have to keep checking constantly. By the time we get through the weekend, the little cat should be okay. I hope I can say the same for the two humans.

And Opie has been too cool through all this. We have the latch on the cat door set so that Opie can come in, but he can't go out (to keep C.C. from getting out). He has accepted that, and lets us know when he wants out. He has not interfered with the weakened newcomer, despite the extra attention we've been giving her. In other words, he's been the as-always perfect cat. Thanks Opie.

Thu OCT 5

It's been one week since c.c. was spayed. We were instructed to limit her activities for the first week after surgery, and that meant not letting her out. The cat door can be configured for in and out, out only, in only or totally locked. It's been set on <in only> for the past week so we could let Opie out when he requested and he could return at his leisure. Monday, c.c. figured this out and managed to pry open the door inwardly and got out. But it was just before dinner, and she was back shortly. I didn't want to lock off the door entirely because of Opie, so I periodically checked to be sure the door had closed fully when Opie came in. There were no further escapes.

We assumed c.c. was still experiencing some discomfort over the weekend, because she would find a comfy spot and not move for hours. But by Sunday night she was feeling rather frisky again, and her appetite was back to normal (voracious).

Monday night she spent in bed with us and Opie for the first time since the operation.

Tuesday night she dismantled the humane mouse trap and ate the shredded cheddar cheese that was the bait.

So after a brief examination of her incision (it's healing nicely), we let her go out on her own. The cat door is fully functional again. Except Opie hasn't figured that out yet. He still meows to go out.

Mon OCT 9

Mondays are always such fun. Today we awoke to near record lows (38 degrees), which made moving about a more-than-usually-difficult Monday morning chore.

This weekend we heard from a new visitor, a dog person in Oregon who just adopted a very lost and hungry cat. Thank you, Oregon dog person, for making the world a slightly better place.

Well, it had to happen, we just didn't expect it this soon. Saturday, c.c. brought us a present. A rabbit. And considering that c.c. wasn't much larger than the rabbit, it was quite a feat. The rabbit wasn't injured, and c.c. had dropped it on the stair landing by the front door. It scurried to a corner and huddled. I opened the front door and it was gone without coaxing.

Unlike Opie, c.c. would not proceed to a neutral corner once she dropped it (I suspect she dropped it from exhaustion, rather than choice); the wife had to remove her from the scene of the crime. It's too early to tell if c.c. has Opie's penchant for being gentle with his acquisitions, but this cat has surprised us before (numerous times) in the short while she's been here.

Cats do not instinctively know the fine points of hunting. They have to learn by watching their mother. Perhaps Opie is being a surrogate parent and teaching c.c. the fine points of capture, carrying through the cat door, and releasing in the house.

Hey, it's possible. Especially with these cats.

Mon OCT 16

Friday evening, 6:00 pm. -- c.c. would not eat her dinner

Friday evening, 8:00 pm. -- The little cat threw up in the kitchen; just clear liquid with a single blade of grass.

Saturday morning, 8:00 am. -- A repeat of last night's barf, minus the grass.

Saturday, 9:00 am to 7:30 pm. -- She avoided people, slept on the deck stairs all day. Refused food.

Sunday -- See Saturday

Monday 8:00 am -- Refused food

Monday, 9:00 am -- Called vet, got 10 am appointment.

Monday 9:30 am -- Appointment made, c.c. then ate her breakfast, then Opie's, then meowed for more.

Monday, 10:00 am -- Vet finds nothing wrong, presumes she ate something that inflamed her stomach, was over it, gave us a week of anti-inflammatory pills and a free sample of Hairball Treatment Pounce.

Monday, 10:30 am -- Home, c.c. gobbles down four Hairball Treatment Pounce, demands more (doesn't get it).

Monday, 6:30 pm -- Worked late to make up for time missed in the a.m., c.c. eats all her food and whatever Opie left.

Monday, 8:00 pm -- We all begin relaxing, cautiously

Never a dull moment.

Sun OCT 22


This could be the last weekend of weather suitable for working on the truck this year. So I used it to winterize said truck (fresh antifreeze, clutch and brake fluid, stuff like that. But I also chose to put its convertibleness on hold 'til spring by re-installing the steel top and fiberglass cap. It looks more like a truck now (the Wife says it looks more like a hearse now).

I haven't mentioned the truck recently. I spent this summer finishing up what I never got around to last year. Specifically, I replaced the nose piece that I had made from wood (seemed like a good idea at the time) with one of sheet metal. The valance under the bumper was also replaced with sheet metal. I added a single clearance light in the center of the front bumper to detract from the fact that the bumper was actually two pieces, and did not meet evenly in the middle. I added side exhaust pipes and dummy spotlights and some extra chrome trim.

For those who are saying "Huh?", the story of this four-year project in roadworthy creativity can be found here, along with some newly added recent photos.

Now I can spend the winter figuring out what other goodies I can add to it come spring. I'm still considering the fuzzy dice.

Sun OCT 29

Sure enough, it's cold. Wind chill factors of 25 degrees. Time to close out one season and begin another. I adjusted the parking brakes on my truck and the Bronco, and that's it for car work for me this year. Both the truck and the Bronco have to be inspected in November. The truck is as ready as it's gonna be, but the Bronco has some problem with the abs brakes (they grab when they shouldn't - not an ideal situation), requiring the intervention of professionals.

I discovered last week that this site, when viewed on Explorer 5.0 with fonts set to the largest size, is very messy to look at on a low-res setting. So I spent most of last week tidying up and moving things around, for those who like big fonts at 640x480 (you know who you are). And even without the big fonts, wrapping text around pictures required inconvenient scrolling back 'n forth at low res, so that will be discontinued in the future as well. We aim to please.

Today is my brother-in-law's 50th birthday, and we had a family gathering last night to celebrate. I don't see my family very often (they live in another state), so it's always a welcome opportunity when we can get together. We went out to dinner and returned to my sister's place for cake and ice cream, and to catch up on each other's lives. It was fun.

My brother just returned from a week at Junior Johnson's NASCAR Driving School. It's more of a fantasy vacation thing, but he did get to do 40 laps at Rockingham at 140 mph in a 700 hp stock car. He loved it. He's going back for the advanced course; he's after 200 mph.

Speakin' o' goin' fast, Tuesday is Halloween awready. A coupla weeks later is Thanksgiving and the Wife's birthday, followed shortly by Christmas and the actual new millennium.

Zoom.

Fri NOV 3

One scary Tuesday down, one to go. Election day is four days away, and by popular demand (and laziness on my part), I am reprising the "Husband's Election Reform Plan" from last year, to wit:

Eliminate political ads entirely (sounds good already, huh?) Billions of wasted dollers saved. The victor would no longer be the richest candidate. Elizabeth Dole could run for president.

Create a central election website (crap.gov) where every candidate for every office from dogcatcher to president posts his platform (the site would be subdivided by federal/state/county, etc.). The candidates can use their page to say whatever they want. At no cost! They can add and/or change their message at any time. And voters would be actively forced to find out about their candidates, rather than be bombarded by them. The week before the election, each candidate would submit his resume to the local papers, so that voters could compare them side-by-side.

You say voters won’t bother to do the research? You think they do now? They tune out those billions of dollars of advertising and stare dumbly at the panel of names in the voting booth, awaiting divine intervention. Is there a benefit to making it easier for the clueless to vote? Did you think the incumbent’s advantage meant they were the best person for the job?

What about people without internet access? Introduce them to the library. The government’s "matching campaign funds" (which would no longer apply) would go to providing terminals at every library strictly for the purpose of accessing crap.gov. Take it further: put a terminal in every post office. Or every shopping mall. Someday we’ll be voting on the ‘net, y’know?

Every position on the voting machine would include a "no confidence" choice. If No Confidence receives the majority of votes, all candidates for that office are eliminated, and a new election for that office would be required. Eliminates the lesser-of-two-evils choice.

Every voting machine should have a keyboard for write-in candidates. Computers could search and count the names, rather than the tedious manual reading and counting . Nobody understands the write-in procedure anyway. And they should.

Tax cuts (every candidate promises 'em) would only go to those who vote.

Election day should be two days long, with results reported after the first day. Dunno if that would help, but it would make it interesting. Kinda like a halftime report.

But I had you after "eliminate political ads entirely," didn’t I?

 Thu NOV 9

I thought it would have been settled by now. But it's cool that it's not. History is being made, precedents are being set, and I'm soaking it all up.

I mentioned last time, in my "Election Reform Plan," that every voting machine should have a keyboard to type in the "Personal Choice" (write-in) candidates. There were new electronic voting machines this year, and they had keyboards for write-in candidates! The first step of my plan is in place.

Those 19,000 votes that were disqualified were mostly Gore votes gone wrong, thousands that would have assured a Gore victory. The constitution does not allow for a re-vote (as is being demanded in Palm Beach county), only qualification or disqualification. Even if a quarter of those votes were awarded to Gore, he would win. But they were legally disqualified. And more people voted for Gore than Bush, but the electoral vote is the only legal vote. So Bush could legally win the election. But is being legal enough in this case; there's a lot at stake.

The official recount won't be official for another week. And legal challenges could drag it out even more. What happens if it still remains undecided on January 20, when President Clinton's term ends? What if one or the other claims victory and tries to take over? Who authorizes or denies him? I'll be net-surfing tonight to see if I can learn the answer.

So if Bush wins, the opposition won't let him forget that he wasn't America's first choice, and if Gore wins, the opposition will accuse him of stealing the election by legal wrangling.

Whoever wins, I feel sorry for him. He hasn't got a chance. 

Sat NOV 18

Yesterday I bit the bullet and went and had my truck inspected. It's not due 'til the end of the month, but the lines are shorter now. As you may know from previous entries, I was a bit apprehensive because this would be the first inspection since installing the new body on the old truck frame. Pictures here. I envisioned state bureaucrat know-it-alls finding reasons in their heads why they can't okay the truck (even though I researched all the laws before altering my vehicle). Turns out I was worried for naught. They all had to stop what they were doing to come check it out. While the inspection was going on (it lasts about fifteen minutes), I was busy answering questions from everyone else. Everyone thought it was cool.

Worry number two was more reasonable. A 12-year-old truck with 107,000 miles on it is not gonna be squeaky-clean, emissions-wise. And it wasn't. But in addition, I also had a leak in the exhaust, air in the hydraulic clutch and bad front shocks (translation: expense). The emissions problems can only be made by authorized ERF's (emission repair facilities), most of which don't do shocks. Or clutches. If I want to take it to places I know and trust, it means going to three separate places, then back to the inspection station and hope it passes again. Or I can find one place to do it all (including the reinspection) that I've never been to and risk getting ripped off. I decided not to think about it this weekend. I have 'til the end of December.

Our newest feline, c.c., continues to be a hyper cat. Cats who always have access to food tend to "graze" (eat small amounts whenever they're in the mood), but cats that find themselves abandoned with no regular food source will eat all they can. Opie did that once we got him home, and he gained seven pounds in six months. The same was true for c.c., but she wolfed down so much food that she threw it all up again. We fed her smaller amounts, but she then raided any food Opie had left, plus his dry food. Gradually the barfing incidents tapered off, and she doesn't seem any the worse for it. But just when we thought it was over, she left her breakfast on the kitchen floor again. So we've decided that was the last of the bingeing and she'll be a normal eater from now on. That's what we decided.

Why is Thanksgiving here so soon, and the Christmas shopping season begun already? Because election day has turned into election month. And it may be next month before it's resolved. I hope you're taking notes, 'cause you'll be telling the grandkiddies about this one.

Sun NOV 26

The Chaos Season is here. It's not just the Christmas season and all the parties, shopping, decorating and card mailing that has to be accomplished in a finite timeframe, there are also seven birthdays and their parties, presents and time constraints. Add to that this year the failure of my truck to pass New Jersey's new rigid vehicle inspection, and the time and expense involved in rectifying that. And to further complicate matters, the Bronco has also failed the aforementioned vehicle inspection, with the same additional time and expense to factor in. And as an added bonus, both vehicles cannot be in the shop at the same time or we are faced with serious transportation dilemmas, so that has to be coordinated as well.

So it's motor vehicle repair for two vehicles at alternating times, gift-shopping for dozens of folks, numerous holiday and birthday festivities to attend, and whopping credit card debt for all of it.

One of those seven birthdays is the Wife's (next Tuesday), and I have already purchased an excellent gift that she will undoubted expound on next week. Her party, however, is today, to give all participants a chance to coordinate their busy schedules (it's this weekend, 'cause next weekend is already booked with two other birthday parties involving all the same attendees).

So shortly we will be dining on leftover Thanksgiving vittles and birthday cake and opening presents (I gave the Wife the option of opening her gift at the party or waiting 'til the actual date on Tuesday and she chose Tuesday).

Another of the seven birthdays is my brother's, whom I saw over Thansgiving but forgot to bring his present (he lives in another state), so he'll be getting an extra Christmas present labelled "Birthday" this year.

So what am I doing about all this pending chaos? Nothing yet. There's an extra week between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year, and I'm taking a procrastination break to rest up for said chaos.

Merry Chaos to all, and to all a ta-ta.

Thu NOV 30

Another month draws to a close, and we're well into chaos. Yesterday I had a mold made of the inside of my mouth to have a bridge made to replace the one I broke recently. This required taking time off from work which I must make up, since I'm out of vacation time. Otherwise I get docked for the time which I can't afford right now 'cause I hafta pay for new bridgework (familiar with Catch-22?).

The wife is fluish but still going off to work. This morning we had to drop off the Bronco for emission repairs, and that has to be completed before we hafta do the same for my truck. All this is gonna cost more money that neither of us is prepared to spend, especially in light of the coming season of gift exchange. So we both made plans to get up early to leave the Bronco at the shop and still get to work on time. But when I went out for the morning paper, I found a flat tire waiting for me. Left rear of my truck. So I had to change that before we could leave (did I mention it was raining? A freezing rain?), and of course the lugs nuts were hanging on for dear life. But I prevailed, and with sufficient time remaining to get the Bronco to the shop and me to work on time. If I didn't mind going covered with dirt (changing tires, especially in the rain, gets no points for cleanliness). So there was a delay while I cleaned up. Still, I was only fifteen minutes late, which was not bad, considering ...

That tire has had a slow leak for over a year, and I've twice tried to have it fixed, but the source of the leak remained undisclosed. Whether it will be easier to find now that it has completely given up, or whether it was a totally unrelated puncture, which, once fixed, would not solve the slow leak, is an unknown. The easiest solution is to get a new tire, meaning more expense.

The Bronco had its timing readjusted and must now be reinspected, meaning more time off from work (which must be made up to pay for the repairs, yadda, yadda, yadda ...). Then the whole process must be repeated with the truck. And in two weeks I hafta take off from work to be fitted with the new bridge (see aforementioned yadda's).

Tonight I had to pay more bills and lament about how our debt is never going to clear if these unplanned expenses keep bullying their way into our lives. Then I picked up the paper and read three accounts on the front page of people who had died in unrelated mishaps. I'm sure none of them left the house yesterday planning to die. It kinda offered perspective. So I hafta get two vehicles and one piece of bridgework fixed.

Count your blessings.

Thu DEC 7

Today is Delaware Day. On this date in 1787, a little hunched-over man named Cesar Rodney put his signature on the new United States Constitution, temporarily making Delaware the only state in the new republic. Delaware is quite proud of this - the date is part of the state flag. So for 154 years, December 7th (in Delaware at least) was Delaware Day. Then came Pearl Harbor, and it was relegated to a date which will live in infamy. Now non-Delawareans ask why the infamous date of the Pearl Harbor bombing is on the state flag. Delawareans point out that Pearl Harbor was not bombed in 1787. Delaware had that date first. But alas, it will still forever be a date which will live in infamy.

The Bronco has been tuned up and passed the infamous NJ emissions inspection and can once again be driven legally. Which is fortunate, because the Ranger just had its differential (affectionately known as the rear end) rendered non-functional (it's drivable, but it sounds like a washing machine full of marbles). Should one of the differential gears completely break, it could jam the axle and lock the wheels. Meaning the vehicle would screech to a halt in the middle of the road and not be able to pushed over to the side. I managed to get it home last night, but I'm afraid to move it at all now. It's still too fresh an occurrence for me to be as angry/frustrated/annoyed/dejected as I know I'm going to be. The Christmas budget should just about cover getting it fixed. Not that any gift recipients will suffer as a result -- I'll just put it all on my overburdened credit card. I'm never gonna get outa debt. And adding up all my credit cards, I've still got $80,000 in credit available. How ridiculous is that?.

So what else can go wrong? Forgot I said that. Please.

Happy Delaware Day.

Thu DEC 14

Exactly one year ago I had finished my Christmas shopping. I've barely started this year's. I have my new bridgework (actually it's the old bridgework, re-soldered and porcelainized), and the truck is in the shop having the clutch, rear end, shocks and exhaust updated before the notorious state emissions inspection can be performed for a second time, and work is quite busy (and about an hour longer each day as a result), but things are falling into place. I have set aside this weekend for serious shopping, with the following weekend reserved for gift wrapping.

We had a master plan for getting out of debt in two years. But it did not involve major auto repair and/or dental work. The Wife finally told me to quit griping about money (I think "Put a sock in it" was the precise terminology). Christmas shopping is always stressful (for me - and most guys, I think), and having one's shopping budget unexpectedly decimated only adds to the dilemma. I think once I get the shopping done and the car back (the dental repair is complete), that weight on my shoulders should ascend skyward, despite the payment due looming large in the new year.

I think I've even gotten a twinge of Christmas spirit.

Thu DEC 21

This was my favorite Christmas card this year:

Thu DEC 28

I got a CD burner for Christmas. The Wife already had one, and I just used hers. Now I have my own. I also got a high-res (1200x2400) Canon scanner. It's only 1.5 inches thick. It is too cool.

And I got clothes, DVD's and mucho gift certificates (always my favorite gift). And the usual (but always welcome) socks and underwear.

It was a fun Christmas. But I don't have my car back yet. And it has to be reinspected by Friday. This is not good. What is good is that noise in the rear end was not the rear end. It was the left rear wheel bearing (Approx. $500 cheaper), so that's a plus. And I need tie rod ends. The guy said I may get it back today, but so far no word.

The Christmas tree vs. c.c. - it's a scoreless tie. The way c.c. gets into things, we were sure she would find her way up the tree, scattering ornaments as she went (the tree is tied to the railing that separates the living room from the stairway, mostly because it was a very heavy tree, but partly because we envisioned it toppling due in some way to c.c.'s curiousity). But so far it's been a non-event. The little one does curl up under the tree, as does Opie. Other than that, no tree/cat interaction.

Both the humans in this house are still transmitting sore throats back and forth to each other (it's going on three weeks now). What a way to begin a new millennium. Does anyone even care that a new millennium arrives on Monday? Of course not.

Happy new millennium.

Sun DEC 31

Millennium Eve. We will be spending a quiet evening at my sister-in-law's house (these celebrations get quieter every year), eating, gabbing and letting the kids run amok. I already took a nap this afternoon, so I might get through to midnight without falling asleep. Or not. Last year at this time I joined the Wife at work, who had to pull an all-nighter in the event the Y2K bug put in an appearance. It didn't. But it was a different way to ring in a new year.

I did get my truck through inspection, at a final cost of $742. But it's back and legal and I'm good for another two years. Hooray.

Yesterday it snowed. And snowed. And then it snowed some more. We got about nine or ten inches. I decided that it would be easier to shovel five inches twice than ten inches once, so in the heaviest part of the storm, I'm out there shoveling the driveway. By the time I was done, there was another inch of snow on the driveway. Observing it all was c.c., huddled beneath the Bronco, being amazed by it all. It was probably her first real snowstorm (last year's snows were light, and she's only a year old). I would occasionally roll a snowball her way, and she would bat it around under the Bronco. Opie had no interest in things cold or wet, and he slept well all day.

The snow finally stopped around seven, and I went out to shovel, part II. It was somehow easier the second time. The plows, of course, had been through and piled a wall of packed snow in front of the driveway, but I took it in stride.

We attended a party last night, which went on despite the weather, and we took the 4wd Bronco (hey, that's what it's for), but the roads were pretty well cleared, and driving was not a problem. On the return trip, the roads were even more clear. The crews had been earning their overtime.

Tomorrow the Opie Project begins its fourth year. Happy New Millennium, one and all :).