Saturday, November 29, 2008

The Perfect List

So what do you want for Christmas? At my age most people would say, "I don't know." Remember though, when you were a kid. You didn't know where to start. It would take you hours and sometimes days to compose the perfect list. The list that couldn't fail. I can remember getting a catalog out and circling everything I wanted. After I was done the pages would a be nasty web of blue ink. Most of the time you couldn't really understand what I wanted on any particular page. So my response would be, "I just want everything on the page." I didn't realize at the time this had to drive my parents crazy. I had no concept of what they would be able to buy or not. The mere thought of how much things cost verses what my parents could spend never entered into my head. I look back and in a way feel guilty. Because now I would trade all those toys in for one more magical Christmas morning at eight years old. A Christmas with the family all together so I could soak in the the smiles and reactions. So I could just relish the joy in my parents faces when I said, "This is exactly what I wanted." The problem is those memories seem so distant and when I think about them it makes me somewhat sad. Oh well I can only hope in the upcoming years I can start sharing those moments again. If you have kids make sure you capture the spirit of Christmas. Because it will be what you will wish you could hold on to and never forget.

Friday, November 28, 2008

Stand By Your Man

I am not much of a movie buff, frankly with my short attention span its hard for me to make it through most movies. Although the other day I found myself glued to the TV watching one of my all time favorites, Rocky. I know, I know, Stallone, but this was before he had jumped the shark with the whole Rocky Brand. This was the original, the one that won three academy awards including best picture in 1976.

As I watched it this time I left with a whole different takeaway, a feeling that kind of made me understand why Rocky was so great. Its a story about two people who compliment each other and depend on each other so deeply. I am sure most of you have seen the movie so I won't bore you with the details but it kind of reminded me of Nicole and I. In some ways I see myself like Rocky, a guy who is simple, funny, but not really gifted with the best brain. Nicole, like Adrian, is so very supportive and knows that Rocky means well and is always at his side. She knew in order for him to be successful she had to support him and encourage him to be a boxer. Even though she didn't want him to be a boxer, and get beat up she would be the first one telling him to get back in the ring. Nicole does that same for me and I don't really take the opportunity to tell her that enough. She stands by me through it all and always tries her best to encourage me.


By the way my favorite quote from the movie is:

"Rocky, I am going to have you eat lighting and crap thunder."

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving


From the whole staff here at kendurbin.net would like to wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving.
Okay that was so cheesy it made me throw up in my mouth a little. Hey just eat, laugh, and make memories. Don't forget to share with others what you are thankful for this year.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Thanksgiving Classic

Dream Weaver

As I sit at work I day dream a lot. Needless to say my job is mindless. Sometimes I dream of days to come and wondering what I would do if I actually won the lottery I never play. Although I must say, especially during this time of year, my mind wonders to the holidays and my Dad. Sometimes I try to make sure I haven't lost precious moments I once spent with him. This is what I did today, and it was kind of weird. I couldn't remember one particular memory of a trip we took together as a family to Pennsylvania. Sad really but I sat here almost all day trying to remember the place we went but still no luck. The weird part is that through all of that I was able recall a memory of my Dad thought to be long forgotten. It had to do with Thanksgiving

When I was younger we would make the the six hour drive up to my Grandmother's house for Thanksgiving. The best part of this drive would be the call my Dad made to my Grandmother about an hour to her house. He would ask what she made, and how the dinner was progressing. During this call I always made sure I was about three inches from the receiver. Once the call was done my Dad would be telling us for an hour what kind of feast we were about to devour. Now that is a memory I thought I had forgotten. I guess they are all up there in my head somewhere. I think I will add that to my list of things to be thankful for this year.

Monday, November 24, 2008

The Return Of Mr. Cranky Pants

So I guess by now you know I can be cranky from time to time on this blog. I am sorry but I feel like I poses an equal balance of crankiness and sensitivity with a pinch of sarcasm. Okay maybe not a pinch.

With that being said, I come to you today with a rant. I know everyone is getting ramped up for the holidays and can't wait to show their Christmas cheer. But put away the Christmas trees and for goodness sakes take down the lights. I know Grinch huh? Well I am sorry with the mall starting Christmas before Halloween someone has to take stand. Don't get me wrong I like to start singing the barking dogs rendition of jingles bells as soon as I can. But not before Thanksgiving.

Putting up Christmas trees and lights before Thanksgiving cheapens Thanksgiving. A holiday that has a lot going for it in many ways. For those who forgot about Thanksgiving please review this
link. Aside from the mashed potatoes and Nicole's amazing green bean casserole there is deeper meaning for Thanksgiving. It is one of those moments throughout the year where you can just sit with family and realize that this is what being an American is all about. Sharing moments with family and friends and knowing that nobody can take those away. If you ask me Thanksgiving may be more important right now than Christmas. With everything that has happen this year all we have is each other and the bonds we share.

So if you have put up lights already just don't light them yet. There will be plenty of time to enjoy them. This week its about the turkey and ooey gooey pumpkin butter cake. Its about Mom's burnt dinner rolls and stories you have heard a million times. Its about having so many things to be thankful for, and so many reasons to enjoy them.

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Oh Snap

Introducing Snap Shots from Snap.com


I just installed a nice little tool on this site called Snap Shots that enhances links with visual previews of the destination site, interactive excerpts of Wikipedia articles, MySpace profiles, IMDb profiles and Amazon products, display inline videos, RSS, MP3s, photos, stock charts and more.

Sometimes Snap Shots bring you the information you need, without your having to leave the site, while other times it lets you "look ahead," before deciding if you want to follow a link or not.


Should you decide this is not for you, just click the Options icon in the upper right corner of the Snap Shot and opt-out.

Friday, November 21, 2008

Give A 100 Back

You know the yellow LIVESTRONG wristband. Now take your support of the Lance Armstrong Foundation to the next level by giving back while giving this holiday season.
Absolutely 100% of Nike's profits from the entire LIVESTRONG Collection go to the Lance Armstrong Foundation



Thursday, November 20, 2008

Howdy



Well my friend Andrea tagged me again. This time I found it to be interesting. What I was instructed to do was post the fourth photo from the fourth folder on my computer. Well this pointed two things to me immediately. For starters my computer is not organized properly as far as folders go and such. Secondly I am pretty sure the picture that I was to pick is the worst picture of me ever!

This picture is from Destin, Florida in 2005. And for Nicole and I it was out first real trip together. We had a blast all week staying is our awesome condo and just enjoying the ocean and each other and the jellyfish.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Chill Out Dude

I am sorry I haven't blogged in a few days but I have fallen on somewhat of a block. Not too hard for me really. This time of year I start stressing out and I don't know why. Maybe its the holiday season and the gifts I have to buy. Or it could be the change in the weather and realizing I am too fat to fit into last years clothes? For what ever reason I can't get a good nights sleep. Stress... Stress... Stress.... I can't relax!

Today I woke up and tried to do some things differently to see if it would affect my stress level. I started off by trying to eat a little bit better and stay away from too much caffeine. By lunch time I felt a little weak but I was having an ok day. Then a smile overcame my face like Ralphie on Christmas day holding his Red Rider BB gun. Why you say? Because it was massage day at work! For beating year over year sales for last month we got the owner to get us all massages. This could be my chance to ask the masseuse if she could offer any tips on beating the stress I have been dealing with lately.

As I arrived down the hall to the massage room Mary Alice, the message therapist, asked me if I was okay? I responded back and said, "Is it that obvious?" She said you look tense from which I said, "I am and I need some help." She said to make sure that I take time to relax and use music or meditating before I go to bed. I am fine with the music, but the meditating may not work I am way too scatter brain for that. She also said a hot shower before bed could benefit me as well. I can't wait to try this advice out to let go of this stress. Wish me luck!

If you have any tips I would love to hear them.

Saturday, November 8, 2008

A Night To Remember

So Friday night Nicole and I went over to visit with an old family friend of mine. Actually I would consider Kevin and his wife Brenda my Dad's best friends. I just love going over to visit them and laugh at old stories about my Dad. Sometimes when we sit around and talk its like he is in the room.

There is a feeling that everyone misses him a lot and it seems to be some type of group therapy session when we can laugh about old memories. Memories that we hope we never forget. For instance, tonight Kevin talked about how my Dad could hold his liquor. How funny is that, I mean that is not something you really talk about with a parent. I guess like Father like son lol.

After a while we threw in the wedding DVD from Jamaica and we all sat around and watched. As we watched it, we laughed and made jokes about all the crazy things the photographer and videographer were having us do. Once the video was done Kevin looked at me and said he was proud of me. As cheesy as it sounds, it kind of felt like that was my Dad telling me that in some weird way.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Thank You John





It's crazy the difference a day makes. Yesterday uncertainty and tension. Now today everyone is reaching out and sending the proverbial fist pump to each other. Let me go on record and send out my own fist pump to Mr. Obama. The election was the easy part, now the hard part begins. Good luck. I hope he can deliver the change that everyone voted for you to bring.

As for me I will do what every disappointed red state hillbilly will do now. Listen to some Toby Keith, clean my gun, and spend my waking hours in front of the TV watching UFO Hunters. So don't worry about us we will be fine just as long as they don't close the Dairy Queen.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

We Have Come A Long Way

Okay, maybe it's not what you thought. But you have to admit we have came a long way since Vanilla Ice.

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Honored




Ummmm ....toes! Now that is cute. This is Lauren, the beautiful little girl of our friends Carrie and Casey. I can't believe how big she is getting lately. Just seems like yesterday I was holding her in the hospital just hours after she was born. It has been great for Nicole and I to share the ups and downs of parenting from Carrie and Casey. It is something that excites me and freaks me out at the same time.

I bring this up today for a reason. Last Friday Nicole and I went over to Carrie and Casey's for Halloween. When I first got there I was told by Carrie that Casey needed me to talk to him about something. To be honest it kind of caught me off guard. Since when do guys talk about anything? It also seemed kind of weird having his wife tell me he wanted to talk to me. Nevertheless I went down the hall to Lauren's room where Casey was holding Lauren getting ready to lay her down to sleep. I noticed that Casey was kind of serious and nervous at the same time. He began by saying he wanted to ask me something and that it may be kind out of the blue. Now I was freaking out inside, and before I could make a nervous joke, like I normally do, he asked me to be Lauren's Godfather. It was certainly a lump in your throat moment. I was so surprised and excited. All I can say is that its a huge responsibility that I look forward for many years to come.

Its an honor to be a part of your life Lauren.