Dec 13 ~ Juliette's Wedding ~ Brett
We went to Virginia for an extended weekend for our nieces wedding. It was very nice. Her mother is a theater manager (or something of the likes - sorry Bonnie, I forget the title) and those skills where brought to the wedding. It was held at Busch Gardens and it was very nice. We are used to the usual more usual wedding routine. This was not so different but it added a bit of dramatic flare to the event. I think everyone was happy. We saw a bunch of people that we only see maybe once a year. Maria rented an extra suite at the hotel there in Williamsburg for everyone to hang out in. There where wings and wine, what else do you need.
After the wedding we headed over to Culpeper to decorate the grandparents tree. We hit Lowe’s at closing time to get the tree and were forced to select one from a sorry batch. I think that it came out well, though it was a little small. Tristan of course thought it was great. They will not be with us for Christmas.
We gave Tristan an early xmas gift, well it may have been a gift for us. He got a portable dvd player. I must say that this vies for one of the best inventions in the history of family road trips. We didn’t let him use it all the time, only intermittently. I’m just happy he was not using it when puked all over the backseat. There is nothing like standing on the side of the freeway as semis pass doing 80 mph while stripping a vomit soaked car seat and listening to a crying, shivering kid ask for a “snack” while he wipes his last, partially digested, snack off his shirt. Parenting rocks!?

Dec 5 ~Trimmed Tree ~ Brett
The castle is progressing very slowly. We have decided that it will be a birthday present instead of a Christmas gift. I was lucky in finding a neighbor who would loan me a table saw for some time. I think that this thing is going to be a BIG toy.
The tree is up. Christmas is in full swing. Tristan will most likely need counseling after the holiday – to acclimate him to normal life that is. Ever since Halloween he has been pumped full of sugar and other treats. It’s quite cute really; he has parked a whole armada of planes, trains and autos under the tree.
I got to go on a business trip yesterday. That’s big news for this lowly cube dweller. ITSEC- Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference. I was only there for one day but it was still a blast. It’s a gamers dream to get into some of these simulators. Unfortunately, having only one day I was busy “making rounds” and trying to schmooze. I say trying because I had only a “white” badge and I got mostly the cold shoulder in most booths. Apparently red and blue badges get the executive treatment. Still, I got to see some stuff. I went a couple of years ago and got to try several of the sims – absolutely amazing.

Nov 28 ~ Thanksgiving ~ Brett
Thanksgiving was splendid. A beautiful day for it. The food was, of course, wonderful. Thank you to everyone. Tristan gave his signature grace before the meal in which most everything in his immediate sight is thanked. We need to work on a proper blessing.
Valerie is not getting a Christmas gift. She tricked me. She appealed to my frugal side and pulled several adds for marked down products…black friday only! Next thing I know I’m fighting traffic and people only to end up empty handed and frustrated. Tricky little Lassie.
Ashton hooked me up with a new video game! Star Wars. Its my first in quite awhile. I’m having to recall my VGA (video gameaholic anonymous) training. I must choose to accept that it is not reality no matter how real that rebel frigate looked when I blasted it back to alderan.

Nov 16 ~ Limo Nite ~ Valerie
It was a fun night out. Dancing was great. I did not know how much work out it was… well I forgot and didn’t realize how long it had been since the dance was on.

Nov 13 ~ Limo Nite ~ Brett
Our first ride in a stretched limo! A sleek white H2. Sweet ride, Needs a closet and you could move in. Our neighbors (wisely) thought that we could use the ultimate designates driver for our weekend fieldtrip. So, $40 a head later we’re being chauffeured to our watering hole of choice: Harmonious Monks. it’s a little bar in a Mandarin strip mall (Jacksonvillians seem to like their bars in strip malls). The waitresses and bartenders have too have some musical talent to work there as they are the entertainment as well. After serving a few customers they take to the stage and set into some bit. A few were notably good.
I don’t think I paid for a drink there, courtesy of my drinking buddies. Valerie on the other hand gave way to her own drink. Haha. Actually I wasn’t trying to not pay, somehow every time I finished a beer another magically appeared. I would have been content sitting there in front of our waitress who was singing Melissa Ethridge but I was reminded of the Carnival ship of fun parked out front sporting more free booze. This quickly made me realize that I didn’t really know any Melissa Ethridge songs and I was soon settled in beside our neighbors taking in the warm embrace of my little lady.
The Crazy Horse was our second destination. It is an ex-grocery store converted over to a R&B/Country/Hip-Hop club. Not to bad actually. They even have an electric bull to ride, though I admit I was a little too chicken to challenge that steer. The dance floors playing different music types are separated. Midnight came fast so our outing was abbreviated and we raced home to our drowsy babysitters. I think they appreciated the limo ride back to their homes. We need to do that again.
Mom and Dad Manley where here for the weekend. A nice time. It was Ashton's birthday and he requested fried chicken, home made no less. I shouldn't have been as surprised as I was. I just don't see him as a fried chicken buff. Well, mom made it and lets just say I almost slapped her because I don't remember that stuff growing up. Don't get me wrong, mom has some good dishes but this was incredible.
Dad hooked us up with a new amp for the entertainment system, The old one didn’t work right. This one actually uses all the speakers, 5.1, and pumps out some nice base.

Nov 6 ~ Castle Gegun ~ Brett
The foundation is begun! And already a success:
Foundation Integrity Test
Well, I had to see if I was going in the right direction. I best not write more now. There is a big pile of laundry beside me and the wife is due home any minute now. Gotta go!

Oct 26 ~ Halloween Party ~ Brett
The (adult) Halloween party was fun. I was an ATF inspection officer, appropriate since the host was a liquor distributor. Valerie was a ballerina. I’m not sure who officially won the costume contest but I voted for the executive secretary (in garters), the nurse (in garters), and the ballerina (in garters) It was the usual Oakleaf affair; excessive drinking, inappropriate dancing, and a slurred debate over who’s sober enough to drive the sitter home.
The Pumpkin brew was almost lost when I found that it didn’t carbonate. Some last minute yeast helped that out and produced a beer fine enough to satisfy the three people at the party to try it.
I started work on Tristan’s Christmas present. Assuming that my fingers aren’t sacrificed to the great table saw god the boy will become the proud owner of 1/32 scale medieval castle. I’ve planned the design out in 3D and transferred the foundation outline to plywood. Once I fire up my brand new DEWALT CIRCULAR SAW I will be financially committed. Note that I now own a DEWALT CICULAR SAW. It rocks! It weighs about 30000lbs. In shop terms that’s quality. I’m quite proud of this if you can’t tell. Valerie got me an early present, she won a silent auction. I’m really only excited because it’s my first power tool that didn’t come off the discount rack or hand me down (no offense dad, the Dewalt compound miter saw still works great).
But getting back, the castle is going to be pretty impressive if I do say so myself. 4 ft wide 3 feet deep and 2 feet high. Its scales to fit 3-4 inch action figures like playmobil or GI-Joe. I just thought that the play Mobil castle was a bit pricey at $150 and since I own a copy of 3D Studio Max and a DEWALT CICULAR SAW I can build one. Oh sure it’ll take a lot of time and sweat but I LOVE my son. Nothing is too good for him! Though I imagine that I should put it through a few “test” battles, just to make sure it works.

Oct 6 -Friday ~ Brett
Well the holiday season is upon us…officially. Valerie decided it was time for Halloween decorations and she dared to venture into the attic, which is what we call the tiny room that houses the air handler, I’ve no idea what our real attic looks like. I’m really quite pleased because by the time that I got home from work the lovely woman had decorated the whole house, plastic skulls, glow-in-the-dark spiders and all. Tristan thoroughly enjoyed showing off all the ghastly toys that now lie about my living room. I’m only hoping that we can keep his costume intact until the party. He’s about to fall apart with anticipation over his still packaged outfit sitting on the shelf just waiting for him. He will be a pirate, by the way. The sword was too much for him. It lasted about 5 seconds before it was out of the wrapper. I think that we are in for some trouble this Christmas (No comments about the infamous 1983 Millennium Falcon crisis please).
The pumpkin brew tasted splendid at bottling time so I think that it will be nearly perfect for the party. As I had feared it is short on pumpkin flavor but still holds up very well as a dark ale. It’s now just waiting for the 21st. Unfortunately, much like Tristan’s costume I fear that the beer will not go unmolested. How will I be able to resist, I am 1/8th German after all.

October 2 ~ Valerie
Grammy was in for the weekend. We had lots of fun. Jack took his first ground moving...gi joe crawl for Grammy to see. Then by the end of the weekend he was making some ground getting into Tristan's toys.. The peace is done. Grammy was great help she gave us the oportunity to get a lot done. Grammy and Mommy took the boys to finally get there picture taken at the mall. It was an adventure. Then we all hung out in the beautiful weather Friday night. Then mom and dad stayed out hanging out with neighbor friends. On Saturday, we mowed the forest down in the backyard to show off just how nice the new rock beds are and then dusted off the grill for some steak. Jack and Tirstan went to bed early as they were tired from all the play and swimming. Mom and Grammy watched a movie and Brett played computer :) The new Home Depot grand opeing on October 12 - preview (family) night Oct 11. One more week of no customer and then it's on again. It will be fun. I am very excited it's a great store and a fun team...

Sept 21 -Thursday ~Valerie
Things are going well. Kids are growing fast. Tristan tells us about his day and it is a good little conversation. Jack is getting big. Trying to pull himself up on anything he can. He is a great sleeper. Makes Mom happy.
Work is good. I love being 6 miles from home. I can come home for lunch but try to bring it and enjoy a little more time to me and getting to know all the new people. The store - The Home Depot is great. More showrooms, more space, less overstock. Everyone is excited. Cleaner than average Home Depot but dirty too. It is amazing how much dirt comes in off freight. I made it home today and did a few things around the house and ran couple miles before the family got home.
We're going to Cocoa this weekend to play. Brett will work in the garage. Then my Mom, Grammy, is coming on Wednesday. And while mom is here maybe Brett will be able to do the shelves in the office, at least the top one. Hint, hint :)

Sept 18 -Monday ~Brett
We got back from Cocoa early this morning and turned right around for work. I love driving in the morning, it's the perfect excuse for getting McDonald's sausage biscuits- I love those things!
The weekend went well, We worked on installing shelving in my parents garage mostly. Still have more to go though. Its so nice getting uninterrupted time to focus on a project, a little blue collar work really hits the spot. Of course, I'm sore today.
The beer is still fermenting … huh. I hope it gets done in time to bottle this week, I may have to go back to Cocoa for the weekend. This is what a secondary fermentor is for I image, I should get one of those.

Sept. 15 - Friday ~Brett
The pumpkin ale for the halloween party has been brewed. Fermentation was a little slow to start I think, but its active. The SG was 1.072, pretty high, I''m expecting about a 7% alcohol level. Next week I will bottle it.

Sept. 14 - Thursday ~Brett
The website progresses, I think this time I am happy with the overall look of it. I’m still getting the feel for Dreamweaver. This was done using the visual tools, but I want to learn the html scripting part of it so I will be able to build a site in just code view. I understand some of it as I’ve been working with flash action scripting (nothing like html syntax) and a bit of java script at work. Right now my time to work on this is limited to late night adventures, so work is slow. Additionally, I’m using some of that time to read up on Flash as I want to take the Adobe designer test for it. It has all been a big change from the 3D stuff I’ve been doing for the last …number of years. It’s a lot of creative thinking and planning as opposed to sculpting.
It is nice to get a family site up after all these years of being in the computer industry. I feel like its past due. But, better late than never.

No more emailing x-mas lists!