Yes, we are still alive. Thanks for asking. For a while it was touch and go.

It has been ages since Krl and I were hit with a stomach virus, but that little booger whipped us good and even took our names! We had felt a little "off" Tuesday and we knew that two attendees of the family Christmas had had bouts with a stomach bug, but both attributed it to not stringently obeying a water boil order when they were in Angelo the previous week. By Wednesday morning, I was running fever and just trying to select a spot to lay down and die. Then the festivities began. We hadn't eaten all day, but our bodies had saved up for this special occasion. Another of those decision problems as to which end to aim where! Needless to say, we spent most of our day under the blankets, on or near the toilet or running to get Tylenol. Worst part was when the dry heaves set in. I am so sore.

I need to lose weight but not like this!

One thing us feeling poorly did was to keep us from driving over to see the grand boys open their presents. I had dropped them off when I made my Christmas morning jaunt to my parents. We gave both of them cowboy hats, Holt got a truck loaded with cows and also a farm activity scene. He also got a Baby Einstein dvd. Reid got a pair of six shooters complete with holster (I couldn't find the rolls of caps for them but I am still looking, I plan to buy a case of them for him). Reid also got a guitar (a real one) and a harmonica.

I talked with Reid on the phone and he was excited. His favorite is his pickle. ?????? Huh? We haven't quite figured it out but he likes his harmonica and marches while he plays it.

Reid's Dad was kind of chastising me about all the music instruments we have given Reid. My response was that you never know what they are going to take up with, all you can do is present it to them.

I did take a walk down memory lane when we were shopping and I ran across the six shooters. Of course growing up we had Roy Rogers, and the Lone Ranger. Numerous other westerns molded our play time as well. We would divide up into cowboys and indians or as lawmen and outlaws and make for a day of play, in and out of the shrubs surrounding the house. It was quite common for us to have a fort constructed somewhere. I think back to the compression rifles that we would place a cork in the end of and cock the lever. I'm sure these would probably be considered unsafe today. Our divisions would be considered unethical and politically incorrect.

For some reason I just can't get into space invaders and vaporizing guns. I'm sure though that Reid and Holt are forming the very own special memories of games they play while growing up.

FATHER, I ask that YOU replenish Krl's and my bodies.