Christmas 2009

Well.....the 4 Frisco Blackfords got to experience the first WHITE CHRISTMAS Dallas has seen since 1926! Before that Dallas had Snow on Christmas only in 1871 and 1849. Unbelievable!!!


Relatives were hosted, turkeys were roasted, dressing was consumed, libations swilled and copious amounts of wrapping paper were torn as gifts were exchanged.



The big ticket items:



To Me from Stacey-An iPhone (my conversion to the Dark Side is almost complete)




To Kate from Santa - a new Gateway tablet laptop. EVERYONE---Please email her at katemblackford@gmail.com



To Stacey from Robert - new pair of Dynastar Exclusive Carve Skis and an iPhone too!!!




To Preston - a Transformers helmet, a play toy shotgun, a Nerf sword, & a Tony Romo jersey


In Lonoke........the big shocker. Kate received a Remington model 700 SPS Youth .243 rifle with scope for deer hunting!!!!! My jaw hit the floor!!!!





We spolied each other for sure. Best of all, we were able to have a perfect 2pm Eucharist family service as it snowed to celebrate the birth of Christ.

2009 will be remembered for time with family and the Christmas Season.


Happy New Year to all!!!!

In-Laws

12-23-09 Hunt @ JN Creek

Old Joke: What's the difference between in-laws and outlaws?

A: Outlaws are WANTED!

Ok, I admit, as in-laws go, I have the best.

As evidence, I submit the Hamiltons who are absolutely great people. They define what America is all about. Very close-knit family that takes care of each other.

I say this because I just took my most recent in-law on a 24 hr hunting trip. This would be my new bro-in-law, Derek Prosser. We headed out yesterday and indulged in way way way too much drinking, eating and fortunately PLENTY of shooting. The menu included a bbq rib dinner, beers-o-plenty followed by Makers Mark brown water, massive breakfast burritos and a cornbread and grilled pork chop lunch. 39 ducks and a single Canada goose fell this morning at JN Creek. Derek fit right in and I gave him my most treasured first shotgun to use: my 1995 Remington 870 Express 12 ga magnum....the most popular pump shotgun ever. He's a great match for my sister and pretty great in-law.....even if he's an attorney and Michigan fan!

The Dark Side.......

Ok.....I admit it. I have been a Windows PC customer since roughly 1990. I (like you) have paid for more copies of Windows (Windows 3.1, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows ME--disaster!, Windows 2000, Windows XP and now Windows 7) as well as untold copies of Microsoft Office. I think I can count at least 11 Microsoft PC's owned by our family in 17 years. It would be fair to say we are responsible for roughly 10% of Bill & Melinda Gates immense wealth.

So it is with a bit of shock and remorse that I fully admit I am considering joining the DARK SIDE........yes, you guessed it:

APPLE

In a world where customer service and simplicity effectively DON'T exist, Apple has bucked the trend.

I say all of this because I have visited the Apple Store twice and I am convinced. They SERVE you, EDUCATE you, and actually make talking computers easy.

Think about their products: iPod, Mac, iTunes, and the dominating iPhone. Try to find a problem with any.

I bought an Apple Airport Extreme router and 2 Airport Express range expanders. Now my iTunes play on ANY stereo in our house, I can share my iTunes library accross all 4 pc's in the house and our network is 3X FASTER! Moreover, it was simple!

Next decision: is our next computer going to be a Macbook or Mac Desktop?

Dell, HP & IBM better check their rear view mirror. Those blinking headlights are Apple getting ready to pass you.

"You'll Shoot Your Eye Out!"

The GREATEST Christmas Movie Ever

Dateline: Wednesday, December 9 @ 9:00PM Central

TNT Network - Check your local cable or satellite provider

Yes, that's right! In under a week it begins........

My family has grown tired of my affinity for this movie but it NEVER gets old to me. TNT will air the movie next Wednesday, but beginning at 5PM Dec 24 the 24 hour loop of A Christmas Story.....a tradition that started in 1998 (or earlier). Sadly some of the main characters and the author recently passed away but their careers live on each Christmas.

If you haven't watched it from start to finiash, I dare you to try making it through the entire movie without laughing out loud.......and even better, it's a great kids movie when the rugrats won't settle down on Christmas Eve.

So here's to you Ralphie Parker and your "200 shot Range Model Red Ryder Carbine Action Air Rifle with a compass in the stock and a thing that tells time".

The infamous leg lamp


Ralphie: The Pink Nighmare, The deranged Easter Bunny



A slight breach of ettiqute. "The Triple Dog Dare You"

A Classic !!

Igloo!

Snow blankets my office window from the 49th floor of the Trammell Crow Center

By any measure of society the residents of Dallas and most of the Metroplex (excepting Ft. Worth) are.....best aptly described......well.....as DRAMA QUEENS! I can say this as I have now lived here for 15 years. It seems to me (and I am also guilty), that Dallas-ites are always whining about something....a few examples:


1. The Cowboys. This gets really old. Ok---they haven't won a Superbowl since 1996. Get over it. We all want them to win. They don't. They won't.

2. Traffic. Think we have bad traffic? See Also: Houston, NY, NJ, LA, Atlanta

3. And my favorite.....ahh, yes........ The Weather.

Yes---it will always be hot in July/August. But my favorite.......(and this is good).....are the few rare occurences LIKE TODAY when SNOW and ICE hit Dallas.

Nothing brings out the DRAMA like solid precip in Dallas. If you had just landed here from Mars and turned on the radio in Dallas today you would think Armageddon is surely upon us. Seas boiling, 7 year plague, knashing of teeth and clinching of fists, fire and brimstone, dogs and cats sleeping together........you know....The End of the World.


People drive 14 mph on the Tollway, fur coats and space heaters magically appear everywhere, schools cancel based on a 24 hr forecast, workers stay home from work and people seriously consider putting their SUV in 4WD mode when a snowflake appears.


Now, I'm not from Canada, The Yukon, Maine, Alaska, or North Dakota.....but seriously!?!? (I wonder what the Prossers of ND would think about all of this).


Reality Check please: It will probably melt this afternoon.


In the meantime, I'll sit in my igloo (see picture) and enjoy the drama queens of Dallas!