Thursday, December 31, 2009

Icy New Years Eve


Woke up to a bunch of ice on the trees, cars and road this morning. It's all better now but made for some lovely ice laden trees. The kids are off again today so I stayed home and worked while the boys spend hours on the Wii and Xbox. Probably too much time but I had things to do to close out the year. I think it's time to take them out and buy them some new bikes.
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Friday, December 25, 2009

Favre and Harvin


Favre and Harvin
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

The boys got new Vikings jerseys and track suits to really get their
inner purple power going. We all had a nice Christmas day with a bunch
of new snow and a trip back to the sledding hill. The boys said they
heard Santa last night. They are already planning on what they want
from him next year.

Merry Christmas


Did the crazed present opening session with these four last night and then santa showed up so the boys had more to open this morning. It's still snowing this morning and is suppose to snow all day. That won't stop us from going to the sledding hill a little bit later. Should be some good powder.
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Thursday, December 24, 2009

Sledding Fun


Sledding Fun
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Got out to the big hill today for two hours. It was 32 degrees and
snowing the whole time. Very pretty and not at all cold. Christmas
cheer now, then the child present ripping apart will begin.

Twas the day before Xmas


Twas the day before Xmas
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

And the first six of some twenty inches of snow has fallen on a decent
base of the white stuff to begin with. Off to sled at Orono Golf
Course before the heavy stuff starts coming down.

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Snowapallooza 2009


Tons of snow but we are all shoveled out and waiting for the plows. Here are some pictures from the last couple days.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/homerclees/sets/72157622913012017/
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That's Some Snow


More shoveling on tap today. Did the driveway twice yesterday and I'm sure we have another 4 or 5 inches on it again. No snow plow yet and I imagine, it will be a while.
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Saturday, December 19, 2009

The Weatherman didn't disapoint


I don't think we will be in the catastrophic 20 inch range but it's already 8 or 9 with some hours left of this storm. Time to get outside and throw some snowballs as the boys.
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Friday, December 18, 2009

The Eighth Night


Burning all the candles before the big snow. I have a whole slew of lego contraptions to assemble this weekend from the eight nights of presents and goodies. They will be getting tons more stuff in just a few days when old St. Nick comes a callin but it looks like the bikes we are getting them will have to wait till the snow melts. Which, probably won't be that long.
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This looks even more promising


If not a little scary. We could be snowed in for days if the 14-22 line moves a few miles north. Virginia doesn't have enough snow plows. I've got firewood, movies, cheese puffs and wine. Let it snow.
This looks Promising


It looks like the plan to go out and get the boys new bikes for Christmaka will be on hold this weekend. Shoveling and fire staring will be on the agenda it appears. This is all suppose to fall by Saturday night so hopefully, not getting in the way of Christmas travel plans. DC has not had this much snow in many years, the kids were less than one the last time we had as much as they are predicting. Should be fun.

Monday, December 14, 2009

Cast Free


Cast Free
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Sam got his cast off today but was very upset to learn he can't play
basketball for two more weeks. He cried most of the way home and also
came to the realization that he really shouldn't go to the gym during
after school care either. Dylan piped up at that point and said, "I
won't go to the gym either, I love you Sam, more than the gym". It's
nice to have the cast off but I guess the doctor wants to ease back
into the full contact 7 year life style. He'll be ready for sleding
next week.

Friday, December 11, 2009

Happy Hanukah

The first of 8 crazy nights. I got me some sweet Viking pajama bottoms and I'm not even Jewish. I heart pajamas and the whole casual pants catagory.
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National Yule Log

Driving in to work this week like usual, brings me past Presidents Park, which is right behind the White house. This is the home of the vary large and gaudy National Christmas Tree and the yes, you guessed it, the National Yule Log. It's really just a big fire pit with some rather large logs burning 24x7 for most of December that the Park Service added to the National Christmas Tree area in Presidents Park in the recent past. The problem I'm having is that when I get to that spot on 15th street where I get a big whiff of the burning wood, I want to turn around and light a fire in my fireplace instead of continuing on to work.

It's pretty cold in these parts today and I will head home in a few hour and get that fireplace blazing. I wonder if I can get one installed in my office?

Monday, December 07, 2009

New Fairfax County Cemetery Database

For those of you that have been to our house, this cemetery is right behind us and the one below is a little three stone plot right off Telegraph road. I really didn't have the full story on either but now with the new database, I have most of the story.

ALL SAINTS EPISCOPAL CHURCH - SHARON CHAPEL


The first church was built here in 1848 as a mission of the Virginia Theological Seminary. That building burned in 1864, the same year that SAMUEL and THOMAS PULMAN became the first members buried in the cemetery. The third building was erected in 1903 and used until the congregation was combined with St. Marks Episcopal Church and the church closed in 1955. In 1959 Sharon Chapel reopened as a mission of the Diocese of Virginia. The current church was built in 1961. The congregation became a Parish in 1974 and the current name adopted.



Pullman/Struder Family Cemetery

5918 Telegraph Rd., Franconia, Va.

This small cemetery is on a triangular shaped lot and contains an undetermined number of burials. A 10' x 20' brick border has been installed around the three existing headstones and one marble corner marker. Daffodils and annuals have been planted inside the border. All three headstones have been broken in half. The cemetery is clean and well maintained.


(1)
IN LOVING REMEMBRANCE OF OUR
DEAR MOTHER
ADELIA STRUDER
BORN
JUNE 22, 1842
DIED DEC. 17, 1911
May she rest in peace.
f.s. "A. S."

(2)
....
SEPT. 8, ----
DIED FEB. 28, 1906
May he rest in peace.
f.s. "V. S."

(Top half of stone missing)

(3)
MARTHA ROSEANNA
DAUGHTER OF
VICTOR & ADELIA
STRUDER
BORN AUG. 8, 1860
DIED APRIL 2, 1899
At rest
f.s.

Saturday, December 05, 2009

First Basketball Game


First Basketball Game
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Getting warmed up for some basketball action. This is a little painful
to watch.

Got the tree


Got the tree
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Went out this morning as the cold rain was turning to a wet snow and
picked out our 2009 Christmas tree. Going to let it dry in the
screened porch while we go to the boys first basketball game. Yes, the
7 year old terrepins are taking in some other team in the first rugby/
basketball game of the season.

Thursday, December 03, 2009

Terra Cotta Warriors


Terra Cotta Warriors
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

The whole wso staff went next store to the National Geographic to see
the Terra Cotta army. It is worth a trip if your in town in the next
few months. It's not a huge exhibit but tells a great story of china
more than 2000 years ago and has a couple dozen warriors from the
excavation pits in xig.

Check it out online here.
www.nationalgeographic.com/terracottawarriors/