A.U. girls played basketball at home against Georgia College and State. This is the only division 2A school to beat us. They won the last meeting by 14 points at their school. While they are not in our division bracket, and this game has no over all effect there was pride at stake. Our Girls came out looking like the defending champions they are and put 11 points up within a blink before State even got close to a point. We never trailed in the game, but State pulled within two just before the half. The Trojans came out in the second half and never let up. Forcing turnovers and miscues by State at every turn. A.U. won with a final score of 78 -59. Boys play tomorrow night.

Yes I know it's silly But I loved this

Angel on top of a Christmas tree
One particular Christmas season a long time ago, Santa was getting ready for his annual trip... but there were problems everywhere. Four of his elves got sick, and the trainee elves did not produce the toys as fast as the regular ones so Santa was beginning to feel the pressure of being behind schedule. Then Mrs. Claus told Santa that her Mom was coming to visit. This stressed Santa even more. When he went to harness the reindeer, he found that three of them were about to give birth and two had jumped the fence and were out, heaven knows where. More stress. Then when he began to load the sleigh one of the boards cracked and the toy bag fell to the ground and scattered the toys. So, frustrated, Santa went into the house for a cup of coffee and a shot of whiskey. When he went to the cupboard, he discovered that the elves had hid the liquor and there was nothing to drink. In his frustration, he accidentally dropped the coffee pot and it broke into hundreds of little pieces all over the kitchen floor. He went to get the broom and found that mice had eaten the straw it was made from. Just then the doorbell rang and Santa cussed on his way to the door. He opened the door and there was a little angel with a great big Christmas tree. The angel said, very cheerfully, "Merry Christmas Santa. Isn't it just a lovely day? I have a beautiful tree for you. Isn't it just a lovely tree? And thus began the tradition of sticking the little angel on top of the Christmas tree.

As is my 007 tradition I went back to see James Bond tonight. I have always tried to see the Bond movies on opening day at least once and then again about three weeks later. This gives me a chance to look with another perspective. Kris had gone to to Hartwell visit Teresa and their friends for their Christmas get together so I had a bachelor night. What better way to fill a free evening than fast cars, beautiful places, guns, and cool spys. Still love this Bond. He IS 007 now. owns the part. And I am so happy with the direction they moved the series. Casino Royale comes out on home video and DVD on March 27th. I will be excited to add it to my collection. And to see it in detail and often.
Bond....James Bond.

Chelsea Stewart spoke at NewSpring today. She is an amazing person. Her story is one everyone should hear. Kristie and I arrived early because we expected a big crowd. And we were right. Packed full for the first service. Uncle Talmadge and Eloise came back and brought Alan and Gwen and Jessica. We just happened to see them in the lobby before we went in. So we all sat together. The band was hot today, and Perry did a great job with the first half of the service, setting up for Chelsea. She came out and Perry stayed at a table with her and the rest was told like an interview. Chelsea did a wonderful job, She is a brave woman. Not only to speak in front of a crowd as large as NewSpring, but to speak of the blessing her loss has brought while seeing her father in video. The Staff did a fantastic job putting together the whole thing. When we came out we ran into Anita and her family. All except Mark who was working at his church. Kristie was working the media team so we all just hung out a little.
While Anita and crew went to the second service the rest of us we to Ryan's. I had not been in a while. In fact not since they built the new one. I was pleasantly surprised. It was nice inside and the concept tweaked and very well done. And the food was great. It's not you grandma's Ryan's any more. May just put it back on my list. We all had nice visit and a good meal. BTW I had mostly Steak and Shrimp.
Kristie and I went to the Mall afterwards and picked up a few things more. Saw Diane Whitaker there at Belk and chatted a little. Then home for a quick nap after making dip and Brownies for Homegroup. Tonight was our Christmas party Homegroup and we had a gift exchange thingy going on. We'd set a $ 5 limit to the gifts and it was fun to choose or steal a prize.
I got a cool windup flashlight that also flashes so we had a disco party going on after a while. All the gifts were funny and we had a great time.

We got up today and braved the 16 degree weather to be in the Reindeer Run Marathon. Brrr it was cold and we both felt the effects of our late night at the Carpenter Cellar. But we don't regret going for a moment. We saw Monica and Sheila and their kids, Russell Brown and his boys, and several other old friends. Amy was under the weather this week, so she stayed home, but Joel and Ashley came and ran. Afterwards we all got together and enjoyed the pancake breakfast. They had Mayfield Snow Cream Milk to drink . Whoa I gotta find that in stores.

After we went home to change we went to Wally World. Both to finish the Christmas shopping and to buy groceries. Whew !! No really it was early enough it was not too bad.

I just wanted to post this last photo and let you see what amuses me. Funny huh?

We did something new and fun tonight. Kristie and I headed over to Greenville for a night out. Our first stop was downtown at Sticky Fingers. Let me say first I had to circle the block several times, but it was worth it. I got a spot right in front of the door. And it was COLD to. About 28 degrees at 7pm. But it was warm enough inside. More so for me because I ate the Habanero BBQ sauce. If you go to Sticky Fingers try the sample platter. But split a plate. It was so much I expect the doggie box will feed us both at least twice more. I loved the ribs. Better than anywhere around here and I think better than Tony Roma's. Kristie says almost equal to Bubba Gumps in San Francisco. I was surprised I loved the chicken. I tried all the sauces, but like the hot the most. Kristie had bid and won a meal in a silent charity auction , and it included dessert. She had Chocolate Oreo Pie. while I ordered Reese's Cup Pie. We actually split that too.
After we ate we walked the two blocks to the Carpenters Cellar dispite the cold. Parking was just too hard to find. Lee McDerment was playing there and we had been wanting to check it out for a while. It is a nice place. Typical underground ( basement ) coffee shop, club. But nice because of the Christian focus. There were four "acts" playing. Tyler James /Micah Dalton /Joe McCready. Tyler played alone on keys and guitar. Kristie really liked him. He was very laid back and relaxed. Micah had a three piece band and some really cool songs and riffs. Joe played just before Lee acoustic and did a great job. He is young with a huge future I think. Then it was Lee. Jeff Hook came along and joined on drums and it was more free style / Jazz/ funk than the church music. It was amazing. I have long been a fan of Jeff's drumming and he amazed me on the heavy jazz stuff. It was great guys, MORE !!! Dainel Harper was there to record for Lee and run the sound. So maybe a few cuts will get posted. Hint Hint !!! A very crowded good time was had. And a lot of the crowd was NewSpringers. We saw and chatted with most of the band, Carla Temples, LB and several of the production crew. Tom and a couple of the guys from Overflow also came in. Kris and I will be there again for sure.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest came out on video today. So naturally I was there at trusty Best Buy to get a copy of the collectors edition two disc set. With that came an additional Best Buy only disc with even more features.

Now if you are one of the 11 people in the entire world who did not see this movie, you need to. It is part two of a trilogy. But it had to be reverse engineered and written because the first movie was never expected to become one of the biggest hits in history. They did a good job with that aspect and tying the stories together. I don't think the second one is as good as the first. ( Pirates of the Caribbean : Curse of the Black Pearl ) But that is not to say it isn't good. In fact it is, just a little different. I personally love movies with snappy dialogue, and while this movie has that, the Black Pearl has much more. Dead Man's Chest has much more adventure. It is not as quirky but it is full of unexpected events. Jack Sparrow is an interesting character and I can't wait until May 25 next year to see the next chapter, Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End, which was mostly filmed at the same time as Dead Man's Chest.

Oh and I picked up another flash drive. A SanDisk - Cruzer Micro 1GB Flash Drive for $19.99.

Busy Sunday. NewSpring in the morning. Uncle Talmadge and Eloise were there so we sat with them. A little father back than I like but the view point was still pretty good. I just like my up near the front seats best I think. Perry was good today and I saw a lot of tie-ins with previous messages of the past few months. Also I want to extend kudos to Ken Wilson and the production staff. Ken you may have taken the day off, but the team did a good job. I really liked the snowfall graphic in the verses. I have a graphics idea. Maybe we should do a snowball coming right at us , splatting on the screen with the words to some announcement or something. Like a snow ball hitting a window that just saved you. A silly thought. But it would be fun to create. And it would( got to say it ) MAKE AN IMPACT. ( sorry )
After church we went to lunch with Talmadge and Eloise at El Patron. We invited Amy and Joel, but they had made other plans. We got there before they opened, but they went ahead and let us in and served a very good meal. I always enjoy it there.
Next it was home for 15 minutes to pick-up a couple things and then off to the Christmas parade. We sat near the beginning again this year parking at Elliot Davis and watching from in front of the bank. It was a little cool when the wind blew, but nice when the sun hit you. Saw several people we knew and enjoyed the fun.
Next Kristie and I ran by the mall to pick-up a gift for the kids Katelyn and Logan. Katelyn wanted a specific Sweatshirt from Aeropostial and some lotion from Bath and Body. Logan also had asked for some men's body wash. ( ?? Go figure ) We were able to find everything. I got a great shirt from Aeropostial and Kristie was able to pick-up several goodies for her office staff.
Then on to homegroup. Held this week at Ben and Mahaile's. since Tod and Amy had had such a busy week. Thanks again guys. We got home just after for the official Clemson is going to to the Music City Bowl talks on the radio. Georgia at the former Peach Bowl. And just in time to write some checks, paying the bills once again. Whew..bed time and the tree which now has had lights near a week yet is still not decorated. Maybe Monday night.

A.U. Basketball games this afternoon and evening. A double header against Belmont Abbey of Charlotte.
We joined the Trojan club this season. After all we went to nearly every home game and a few away games also. And since we expect to do the same this year why not take advantage of the extra benefits, like parking and reserved deluxe seating.
Anyway the boys played first. It was a spirited game. The first look at the guys, the first home game. The Trojans are loaded with young talent this year. 10 freshman on the roster ( 2/3 of the team ) and a new head coach. Jason Taylor moved to the helm this year after three years as the assistant when the previous coach took a job at the Citadel.
This will be a rebuilding year but things are shaping up well from the looks of it. Two of the new players are from Kevin's high school team the Oconee Warriors. J-max and JC will add spark to the team for sure. I've seen them play and they will be an asset.
The boys overcame a deficit at the half and held off the Crusaders to win 70-66. I hope this is a sign of things to come.
The girls also played tonight and after a shaky start returned to what we know. Our amazing girls team won again their fifth in a row 69-61. Kim a senior is also from Oconee so we have developed a connection there.
These games were also the debut of the Solid Gold club a booster fan club for the students. By the looks of the t-shirts it was a success.
GO A.U.

Attending in our little group were Kristie and I, Amy, Joel and Ashley, John, Winford, Dan. Danny and Amanda had said they were coming as late as 3 hours before game time, but did not make it. I missed them. Danny Parker and his wife, and Bob and Nancy were sitting with us as well. Kevin Selman had a new PA toy that was cool, and the new floor looked fantastic. Good job John! It was nice renewing contact with several of the parents and fans from last year. We also saw J-Max's folks, and talked a while with them. It's gonna be a good season I think.

Joel called this afternoon and ask if I could help him move a few things. I met him at the house where he had a small trailer hooked up and ready to go. We loaded the trailer and took the stuff to the new place. Did not even break anything. Can you believe it?

Finally got around to watching Man on Fire with Denzel Washington. I was disappointed. This movie had moments, but was poorly done. Mostly I blame that on the director Tony Scott, and his herky jerky camera / editing style. It seemed cheap. For their parts Denzel and Dakota Fanning were very good, as was Christopher Walken. Tony Scott just mismanaged the rhythm and look of the film. I really like Denzel, and Dakota is
the best child actor I've ever seen. I mean look at I Am Sam. It was good seeing Christopher Walken play the nice guy for a change, with him you always get the best. It is a shame, because stars like these deserve better.

FYI : I've discovered a new flavor of ice cream

Breyers Very Chocolate Cherry.

YUM x 10.