What a wonderful Christmas

Christmas is over now. We had a great time. I think this might have been the best Christmas the kids have ever had. Our familt present was a Wii. We had a lot of fun playing those games. Even my mom bowled! Action received Ben 10 and Hot Wheels for the Wii, I think he would still be playing them if we didn't make him take a break. He also got a R/C Helicopter. It is only about 7" long, but it will fly all over the house. I wish I had one.

Monkey got her "sick puppy" from Santa Claus. It isn't a real puppy. I wouldn't sink so low as to give my kids a diseased pet. It is some sort of Barbie puppy that comes with Vet equipment.

O got a tickle me Elmo that falls on the floor laughing when you tickle it. It is amuzing.

Jenn finally got her digital SLR that she has been wanting.

I got Guitar Hero, and of course the LCD TV (but that was a Sept. gift)

Of course we also had a good time with family. All of the uncles, aunts, and granparents were there which made it even more special.

I love Christmas. Only 363 days until next year!

Brush with Greatness

I have been traveling to Atlanta for work for the past few weeks. The last two flights have been shared with celebrities. The week before, Kordell Stewart (Slash) was sitting in first class when I boarded the plane. Last night I was fortunate enough to share a security line moment with the one and only Pam Oliver of Fox Sports Broadcasting. Little did I know that sweet Pam would be sharing the flight with me to Hotlanta.






I started thinking of all the celebrities that I have traveled with over the years. I have to say, this is an impressive list. My wife and I flew from DFW to LA with Paula Abdul of American Idol fame (straight up). I also saw Mike Starr of Ed and Dumb and Dumber fame. Then there was In Living Color's Tommy Davidson. There is no doubt that the all-time celeb I have shared an airplane with would be the great Rowdy Roddy Piper.

Grateful

I know that I am blogging while at work, but today is a travel day so I am little distracted. I am always so anxious to get home on these days, it is hard to concentrate on work. That leads me to this post.

We received a poem from the president of my company the other day. It was a poem about a soldier (our president is extremely supportive of our troops). One lady's husband is in Iraq sent the poem on to him. He responded with his Christmas list for Santa. It is very different from mine.

Dear Santa,I want.......
a Shower
a Hot Meal
a Warm place to sleep
No one shooting at me
My buddy to make it home with me
To see my new baby
To make a call home
To have clean clothes
To get some mail
To hug my kids
To hug my wife
To love instead of hate

This is not intended to be any sort of political statement (I hate politics). I was hoping to show how some of the things that we take for granted would mean the world to others. I never enjoy leaving my family on a weekly basis, but I have to remember that I do get to see them and hug them over the weekend. This man doesn't have that opportunity. Learn to appreciate what you have, and don't focus on what you are lacking.

First Post

Well, here is the first post of my blog. Let's see, I guess the first thing I am suppose to commit to posting regularly so not to disappoint my fans. Second, I am suppose to tell you that I have been thinking about starting a blog for a while now, check. Third, I hope you will enjoy a small view into the life of JSkelty. I know it interesting because I live it every single day.

Seriously, I have been thinking about a blog for long time. I have finally decided to jump in probably before I am ready. For example, I don't really like the title of my blog, I hope to have a better name sometime down the road. I also don't know what direction I want to take this thing in. I know I won't post everyday so I won't even begin to promise it. (I also won't promise the proper use of grammar). It seems that the majority of the blogs that I have been reading lately are written by upbeat happy people. Are they really this happy, or do they use this as an outlet to think positively and promote a happy atmosphere around themselves? I certainly think that expressing you thoughts for others to see has a way of affecting you positively. That is probably what I should strive for in this project, but at the same time I want this to be real. Although I prefer, I am not happy all of the time. Will I have the courage to write what is really on my mind? I don't know the answer, and that is why I have waited to begin. I guess we'll see where this ride takes us.

PS I am not going to tell anyone that I am doing this. I want things to happen on their own. I hope my friends will finds this and contribute, but I am going to let nature take it's course.