This never happens around here.

Recently an ATM machine in London went on a generous streak.
It started paying out twice as much money as it should. Giving users a double cash windfall.
Needless to say the unplanned event drew a large crowd. After several hours the machine finally ran out of money.
I can’t remember the last time I actually used an ATM but if this happens maybe I should renew my visits quickly.

Well as long as she has her priorities in order.


A California woman (where else ..other than here I mean) lost control of her car while reaching for her cell phone during her morning commute. She careened wildly into a lake around 6 am.

But she was able to get out of the wreck and make it back to shore, clutching her formerly fresh cup of coffee. The car and the phone were lost, but she had her priorities straight. At 6 am nothing ... not even driving into a lake comes between me and my coffee.

The Vac is put away, and the broom is once again standing ready in the closet ( harder than it seems ) You know.. we have two vacuum cleaners an Oreck and a Kenmore. We have a Dirt Devil hand vacuum, a Dust Buster and a Broom Vac. Assorted brooms, mops, dusters, sprayers, a feather duster, a Swiffer, and the always trusty wisk broom and dust pan. Do any of these make the job easier?. Yes!! , Probably so, but I am still convinced house cleaning is for the weak of mind and was invented by some sadistic Taliban who hated apple pie and his mother.

Everything in the house should be painted gray with white specks so that dust doesn’t show. All floors should be gray/brown and carpet should all be Georgia red clay orange with splotches of black so stains don’t show .

Better yet the whole house should be tile…walls and all. With drains in the middle of the floor so that all you need to do is hose everything down and it’s clean.

Did I mention, I hate baseboards ?

I love music / concert DVD's And you know I am a music and stereo fanatic, so you can understand why I have my DVD player hooked in to my sound system. This evening when Kristie got home I was rockin' out to a concert DVD by the Canadian Progressive Band Saga. When I say rockin' out I mean earth shaking LOUD.

Usually I turn it down to a mere floor rattling level if she is home Tonight when she came in I stopped the video, but for some reason left the system on.

After dinner she and I wanted to watch an episode of Home Improvement also on DVD. Have you ever heard the theme song with big speakers ?
It is Awesome. There are some bass notes in there that caused the mail box to rattle and it is a few hundred yards outside.

YES !!

BTW doesn't that show have the best transitional graphics ever?

HuhhRRRRrrrh !!!

One of our favorite places is the Spitfire Deli located in of all places Winder Georgia right in the terminal building of the airport. You can fly in and park right in front of the door. Celia, who moved from her native England a few years ago is a warm and friendly host. Not only does she cook amazingly, but she'll spin a few great stories too.

You should make it a point to stop there sometime. You can get there via car too and it's worth the drive next time you head out toward Atlanta. Don't forget to save room for her signature dessert. Homemade Banoffi Pie.

Deep Thoughts # 7

# Why do we wait until a pig is dead to 'cure' it?

# Why do we wash bath towels? Aren't we clean when we use them?

# Why do scientists call it 'research' when they are looking for something new?

# If went to a book store and asked the saleswoman, 'Where's the self-help section?' And she tells you, wouldn't that defeat the purpose?

# Why doesn't glue stick to the inside of the bottle?

A Real BPM

My wife and I love to fly together. Between work and other commitments sometimes it’s real work just to make time for trip together. This year because of the early date of Easter she had two Easter / spring break days in a row. Since I was finally over my lingering cold we planned some flight time together on Friday.

We made our way over to the airport around 11:30 on Friday to preflight the plane. We planned our trip first to the Winder Airport where there is a great restaurant on the field. Then fly over Lake Lanier and up along the lower-eastern raises of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

After a careful preflight we taxied out for our flight. The runways at Anderson are roughly “x “ shaped and this morning we used the one facing south. That is itself unusual but the wind favored it.

We made our takeoff run and just a moment after breaking ground she looks at me and says, “ There is smoke coming up from around my seat. “ I glanced over at her for a very short moment since we were only 75 to 100 feet off the ground and sure enough I could see wafts of smoke between her seat and the instrument panel. I could smell it too but it wasn’t strong.

The first rule when something odd happens is FLY THE PLANE.

We were well past the end of the runway so continuing was my option. I did a quick scan and saw nothing amiss, all the gauges were normal and no circuit breakers had popped. Everything was working. No fire was visible. All that emergency training has a purpose. Upon reaching a safe height, I swiftly made the decision to return to the ground as quickly as safety allowed. I called my turn on the radio and set up for a downwind approach and landing on the westerly runway as it was the closest and the winds were light.

An uneventful landing ( a squeaker BTW ) followed and we taxied clear and shut the plane down. By the time we got on the ground most of the smoke had cleared. Fortunately there was never more than about what a cigarette would have caused. Climbing upside down and peering under the panel showed no sign of heat, smoke or fire. I know the backside of that panel like my palm from all the equipment modifications we’ve made there. I poked my head in the cowl flaps and other engine compartment openings too. Nothing seemed to be wrong. Then I remembered my aircraft mechanic partner saying he’d washed and degreased the engine after spilling a quart of oil during the change the afternoon before. That is what we saw and smelled as the airflow crossed the hot engine. Why only on her side? The panel air vent is located there and it was slightly cracked open even though it was cold.

Assured everything was fine we once again started our trip, this time flying around the airport a few times just to be sure. Everything was normal and the rest of the flight was uneventful.

I have got to hand it to my calm non-pilot wife. She bravely hopped right back in the plane.

Still smoke in the cockpit on takeoff is no doubt a BPM…. Blood pressure moment.

I've won the Lottery.

Not just any Lottery but the UK Royal National Lottery.

And better than that I've won it three times in a year and a half.

I won 1.98 Million pounds in Oct 06. A little over Seven hundred Fifty thousand pounds in Jan 07. And today in an incredible stroke of luck I won two and a half million pounds.

Three wins and amazingly I never entered. What a great deal. By my calculations at this mornings exchange rate my bank balance is going to be $10,385,864.00 more in the black.

Since I just KNOW (wink wink ) this is real, after all I got the notice in my e-mail box. I am calling Delta to reserve my ticket to Tahiti. ... No wait... with that kind of cash I think I am calling the Learjet company to get my very own tail burner.

Sorry if I don't get back to you right away when you call. You know how people come out of the wood work asking for a donation. So I may have to resort to screening my calls.

FROM: PROMOTIONS DEPARTMENT OF UK ROYAL NATIONAL LOTTERY, WINNING
NOTICE
FOR GOLDEN STAKE WINNER-Ref.

Attention:

We happily announce to you that you are one of five winners.
and therefore are to receive payouts of 2,500,000.00(TWO MILLION, FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND ONLY)

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Reference number for your prize is: Ref. NO.-

MR. MARK DARREN
Finance Director,
Fortis Finance & Securities Company
United Kingdom
Email: darren-mark@hotmail.com
Phone:+
Fax: +

We congratulate you once again and it is our hope that you participate
in
any of our international programs in the nearest future and we will
appreciate your assistance in helping us maintain the integrity of the
entire UK Royal National Lottery. Thank you and CONGRATULATIONS!!!.

Sincerely,
Ms. Jane Anderson
Promotions Manager,
Royal National Lottery,
United Kingdom

Just when you thought it was safe in the Blog world

I'M back.


Beware

After a short break my blogs are beginning to flow once more.

Be very afraid

Some time ago we were dining at Olive Garden with a group. A couple student workers at our table ordered Bellini Peach Iced Tea.

In case you are wondering it is good old southern style sweet tea with a little peach juice mixed in and a slice of peach as a tasty garnish

I had never had it before but I tried it and loved it. I order it every time now. Sometimes I would want to eat there just to get the Bellini tea.

I always wanted to make it at home. Using my wife's fantastic sweet tea. But we seldom have fresh peaches and I'd hate opening a can. Honestly while making it is easy. It does take an effort. And it's messy.

Recently I discovered Welch's Peach Melody. In the juice section. It's a great drink all by it's self and is cheaper than soda.

But the real reason I like it is mixing it to simulate my Bellini Peach Iced Tea.

Refreshing

My personal mix is 50 / 50 but you may want to experiment a little.

Try it. You'll slap your granny it's so good.