Karen
11/29/13
Happy Black Friday -- did anyone go out to shop? I always tell myself I won't do it, but then I change my mind. I went to Shopko this morning about 5:30. I was pleasantly surprised. No line, in fact very few people in the store, had all the items I was wanting. In and out in less than 30 minutes. Starting to pull out the Christmas decorations, will spend the rest of the day putting them out and decorating the tree. Thanksgiving dinner in Lincoln looked delicious! We have tons of leftovers -- so I will reheat them and watch the football game.

I don't know of anyone shopping today, but I do know the Metcalf group went out last night around 6. Thanksgiving dinner at Mom's was amazing (thanks again, everybody!), and today will be leftovers and football. Doesn't get any better than that! --Gary

Also, if you are viewing this on an iPhone or iPad the "elf yourself" videos I posted below won't play. You will just see a big blank spot. Check back on a computer, if you can. Later: I changed the videos to links as the auto-play was getting annoying. So now just click below to see the videos.

Gary honky-tonk

Teghan & Tristen office party

The Thanksgiving menu looks good, but what it is Teghans surprise? I have my menu completed and the groceries in the cupboard. Emily and Jack are going to Columbus, so it will just the three of us. Had a dusting of snow last night and it is cold!! Poor kids at school, we had a big fundraiser last year and got enough money to buy some new playground equipment. It was delivered about the first week of school, but couldn't get anyone to install it. Waited and waited, finally had the guys come this week to put it in. So sad to have those kids sit by the fence during recess and watch the men put it up. Got it done yesterday and now snow and cold, so there it sits untouched. So happy to have it be Friday -- long week (mostly the kids wanting to play on the equipment), have a "Christian Magician" coming this morning -- should be interesting. Hope to finish the last few items on my Christmas shopping tonight. Runzas and football tomorrow.

Thanks, Sam. Great photo! --Gary

Memorial stadium is very cool; sort of reminds me of the galactic council chamber. The fans in section 29 were fun and super friendly. The odd cabbage onion meat roll thingy was tasty. You have a great atmosphere -- it was rocking... Happy to get out of there with a W. Good luck the rest of the way.

I asked a couple of folks about it, and the best summation I got was "a lot of us are real farmers, so we spend all but 7 weekends a year working, and we treasure coming in for Husker football and truly love to meet other fans that visit." Very cool.

Spent Friday night on the town. Not once did we have an issue with the Husker fans. We had drinks bought for us left and right. Had half the people thank us for coming and the rest told us good luck tomorrow. The bands in the bars were great and welcomed us with our fight song. We mentioned over and over 'when will they turn on us.' Never happened. Even after the game we got high fives and congrats. Nicest in the B1G.

That's the thing. I didn't catch it -- Donna did. :-) --Gary

(Gary, are you talking to yourself? :-))

Oops. That should be "Karen" in the post of the 14th below. Now fixed. Sorry, Karen! --Gary

Advent calendar is almost done. The concept is one I've used before, but the stuff in it is mostly new. My own Christmas cards are done and I'll be sending those out in the next couple of weeks. (Wow, time is flying!) And like you, I've got most of my Christmas shopping done, too! --Gary

Are you looking for a gift for the person who has everything? How about a 32,000-piece jigsaw puzzle? It comes with its own hand-truck! (Check the pictures at page left.)