And Down Goes The Ball

Happy New Year to all my friends and family

The Grand Experiment

As the new year approaches, I wanted to take a moment and reflect. I started this blog last February as an experiment. I was looking for an outlet - a place to record the day-to-day happenings as well as some of my thoughts and my struggles. To a large extent, this has worked well for me. Over the last 10 months, a fair number of you have followed on a regular basis. (Jack-Sean, you rock!) A few have even posted. (Thank you)

The blog has accumulated over 500 messages (posts and comments) as well as almost 14,000 page views. As to where this will end up next year? I really don't know. For my part I intend to continue chronicling my journey through life. Hopefully in a way that will, at least part of the time, entertain capture the interest of a few of you out their in the blogsphere.

blessings on your day

Out With The Old

Well it has been a wild ride, this 8th year of the 21st century. Between the melt down of the economy and some pretty intense personal/familial struggles I am happy to see it go. For many, the new year is a time to make changes - or at least purpose to. For me it is a time to refocus on the future and put the past where it belongs - in the past.

I am not a huge fan of New Year's Resolutions as few of those ever come to pass. However, I have taken 2 weeks off from the gym and will be starting back up come January 5th (with half of Roseville & Rocklin I am sure).

In our house we have few traditions around the new year. We often have pork loin and sauerkraut but we didn't get any. It is the day that I work on taking down the (rest of) the Christmas decorations and start getting tax records in order. I am sure Andrew will be watching bowl games.

may God bless you with a Happy New Year
the Wizard

My Girls

My girls from Christmas Eve [Jocelyn was not there :( ]

The Christmas Eve service was spectacular as always. We went to the 10:30 service (the last of 13 services) and managed to get very good seats thanks to Sarah and Hannah who parked across the street and sprinted through the kitchen in the pouring rain to get inside prior to the doors opening.

The Happy Couple

It was nice having Andy here for Christmas. He and Rae spent almost 5 days with us. Andy made Yorkshire pudding (see below) for Christmas dinner. Rachael took Andy and I to the King's game last night (the Celtics whomped 'em) were we had a glorious time.

Christmas Dinner

We had 17 at Christmas dinner this year. Brian and his mom were there as well as Jocelyn & Andrew's dad. We cooked a turkey and Jocelyn brought the ham. Diane was, unfortunately, sick this year but sent her sweet potato casserole along.
The one spot of real excitement this year was the Yorkshire puddings which bubbled over the oil and started a small (we had to evacuate the house) fire in the oven. As I told Andy, these are the things we remember and will tell around the table for years to come.

I pray that you all had a blessed Christmas day

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from
the Otto Family

The Greatest Story Ever Told

Luke 2 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

The Eve

I am still working today so it feels less like Christmas Eve than in previous years. It seems that there is a mad dash to finish everything up at work prior to the end of the year. I am betting next week will be worse.

Emma is at home getting the house ready for Christmas dinner. She is amazing :o) The kidlets will arrive at 4 pm or so. They are having their "Christmas" with mom and step dad this morning. Jocelyn and Andrew are enjoying time with their dad this week as well. It will be the first time in 10 years that both their mom & dad are in the same place for Christmas.

My wife got me a new shirt and tie to wear with my suit this evening. We will be leaving at 9 to head over to church. They expect 3,000 people for the last service at 10:30 so we may have to get creative to get seats.

blessings on your day

The Countdown Continues

Only 2 more days until Christmas. The ham and turkey are thawing in the garage. All the side-dishes have been assigned out and beds are allocated. Noah went over to grandpa & grandma's house yesterday and made a gingerbread house.

I am in the office again today, but will finish up the afternoon working from home as E goes to work at 2:30.

blessings on your (crazy) day

Party Recap

The annual Arabesque Christmas Party was a smashing success this year. Most of the neighbors managed to show up at some point or other. And almost everyone got into the spirit of the season by dressing up as their favorite persona from the 80's :) Madonna was particular good. A special mention to Jack-Sean who was a very good sport about his house lights which developed a mysterious case of random flashing over the last couple of weeks.

Christmas Party, 2008

Interesting

I was rather surprised at President-To-Be Obama's choice to give the invocation at his inauguration. Don't get me wrong, I have a great deal of respect for Rick Warren. What I am questioning are the motives behind the choice. Mr. Obama has never struck me as one to put a lot of trust in God. He is by far, one of the smoothest politicians of our generation. His choice of Rick Warren has inflamed the gay community and is seemingly at odds with his stance on many of the social issues of the day.

Tell me what you think - is he genuinely reaching out to the "Christian Right" at the expense of the gay community or is this simply another political ploy designed to smooth things over?

Rude Drivers

As I was leaving the development this morning, a beat up honda came screaming around a corner forcing me to take abrupt evasive action. In the course of which, my coffee cup tipped over dumping coffee and creamer onto the passenger seat soaking the seat and everything on it. What kind of idiot drives 40-50 mph through a housing development in the rain?

Sigh...

R U Done?

'Tis the season, eh? Hopefully, the casual reader has finished his or her Christmas shopping. The malls are ugly this year and the mood seems very grim. I have noticed a lot more incidents of road (parking lot) rage and intolerance this year. The collapsing economy has everyone on edge. Even the sales clerks seem a tad desperate and less willing to be gracious and accommodating.

As Christians, we are called upon to make a difference in the world around us. I will admit that I struggle with not getting caught up in the frantic, frenetic chaos and general gloom that seems to characterize this holiday season. It is harder and harder for me to remember to be gracious, kind, loving and compassionate as I deal with the ugliness that pervades the stores and surrounding areas.

There is only a week left before Christmas. Take some time today and for the next week to remember what Christmas means. Go out of your way to spread some cheer. Make it a point to encourage someone. And above all else, don't get caught up in someone else's "grinch-ness."

Warming Up

It was only 36 this morning when I got home from the gym. This is MUCH better than the 27 degrees on my display in the car yesterday :) We are fortunate to live someplace that rarely sees a hard freeze (below 30 for several days at a time). Unfortunately, we are rarely prepared when we DO get one. Some of my pipes are wrapped and protected - some are not. It is always a crap-shoot when the temps dip down below freezing at night.

blessings on your day (and your water pipes)

A Time To Give

We finally got some rain :) Hopefully it will stay for a day or so. They got at least a foot of snow up top with another foot forecast for today.

Went to start dinner this morning and discovered that we had no "cream-O" soup in the cupboard so I improvised. Tonight we are having chicken-veggie-tomato-curry :) It smelled yummy by the time I left. E is on days today so we get to eat dinner together for the 2nd night in a row.

If you still have doubts about the economy, listen to the ads. A number of stores are already starting their "after-Christmas" sales and everyone has steep discounts. Now is the time to increase your giving to the charity of your choice. If you are working, current on your mortgage and paying all your bills, consider helping out those that are not. All the charities are reporting alarmingly low contributions - and at a time when record numbers of people are in need. If you have been blessed, pass the blessing along.

blessings on your day

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Ecclesiastes 3:1 There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven

Lego my Robot!

Saturday Sarah and I drove down to attend Nate's last Lego Robotics competition (click HERE for the pictures and videos). His team did better than he expected, ranking about 30 out of 90 teams.

Socked In

Wow, was it ever foggy this morning! Visibility was down to maybe a tenth of a mile during the morning commute. The sun is poking through a little bit right now, but they are calling for rain and snow (down to 5,000 feet) this weekend. It sure will be good to get some rain. Hopefully this is just the opening salvo in a long line of storms.

Bound for Clovis

Nate's last Lego Robotics competition is this Saturday. Tomorrow morning, bright and early, I am heading down to Clovis. Sarah is going to hitch a ride with me as she hasn't seen her brother for a while. We should be back around 5 p.m. with lots of pictures.

Brrrrrrr

It was chilly this morning in the car on the way to the gym. The gauge on the dash claimed a frosty 35 degrees. It seems winter is finally here. Unfortunately, the rain is not. It has been disturbingly dry this year after the opening salvo of rain. The ski resorts are using man-made snow for the most part and they are already talking about drought restrictions for next year.

The Slow Road

It has been quite a while since my last posting and longer still since any substance. The holiday times continue to be a season of struggle for me. Over the years, I have come to feel like an alien within my extended family - an outsider or visitor with little or nothing in common with most of them other than genetics. I watch bigotry be tolerated. I see verbal abuse as the standard for interaction. I see the next generation lacking basic skills like respect and politeness. I see some family members so out of control as to present physical danger to the younger children.

I struggle with the loss of cohesion and intimacy within my own family as the children grow, move on with their lives, and retreat behind a facade of small talk and pleasantry.

The meaning of Christmas seems lost amidst the chaos of shopping, preparations and marketing. Even the church is so caught up in pageantry and extravaganza to the that the message of Jesus is diluted and watered down or absent entirely.

This is the season when we are remembering the birth of a Savior, let us work harder to keep Him at the center of our Christmas.

blessings on your day

It's Official

CNN reports that "The U.S. entered a recession in December 2007, according to the National Bureau of Economic Research."

Can you say 'Duh' ?