Christmas Day

A family from the church, the Schallenbergers, invited me to spend Christmas with them...

Around 8:30am I headed out to the car...it appeared we would have a white Christmas after all

Here is the upstairs Christmas tree at the Schallenbergers

I arrived around 9am, in time for the traditional Christmas breakfast...the McSchallenbergers! These were invented by Scott, just two days before he and Robyn were married. (They were married on Dec 27th...she claims it was for tax purposes!)

Here is the view behind the house, looking out to the north from the kitchen table

Here is another view out of the same window...still looking north

After breakfast, we went downstairs to open gifts. Here Scott and Joey wait for the presents.

Even though I was a guest, I received a gift! (Two ties...which effectively doubled my tie collection!...very useful as I wear ties when I teach Sunday School)

Joey received a new stocking cap and didn't mind modeling it for the camera

Here Scott is figuring out how to make the fire truck come launching out of the firehouse doors

Robyn uses osmosis to try to figure out what is in the package

Maria patiently waits for her next gift

Robyn and Joey try to figure out how to work Joey's new Spiderman arm gadget

It is true...sometimes the wrapping paper is as much fun as the gift

Veronica smiles after receiving the present she wanted...a ring with her birthstone in it

Kaitie unwrapping the gift Veronica gave her...all the Narnia series in one book

Kaitie takes a break from her reading to smile for the camera

Most of the family in action!

Another gift for me

After opening presents, we went back upstairs and Scott and I had a cup of coffee. Several hours later we sat down to a wonderful turkey dinner with all the "fixin's". One of the family gifts was a puzzle, so Scott, Robyn and I worked on the puzzle for a good portion of the evening. When we finished there was one piece missing! AAARGH! We ate some leftovers for supper and around midnight headed downstairs to watch a Gaither/Signature Sound video. I left around 1:30AM! What a great day and what a blessing to spend Christmas with some good friends!

Merry Christmas

Just a quick note to wish everyone a Merry Christmas! I spent the day with a family from the church and just got in (it's 2:15am). As I have to open the store in the morning (well, in a few hours) I'd better go...will catch up with y'all later.

I Speak Penguin!

So...where have I been for the last couple of months?

Well, here in Logan...

...and learning to speak "penguin"

Ok, still confused? Does anyone recognize this icon?

No?

Well, alright, it's the symbol for Linux.

What is Linux?

Ummm...it's an alternative operating system to Windows or Macintosh OS X.

- It's free.

- It comes in over 300 varieties.

- It is not vulnerable to adware, spyware or viruses.

- It can run on old computers (or new ones).

- And that's just a few of the advantages off the top of my head.

Since the first part of November I have been running different distributions of Linux on my computer. It is fast and very flexible. With Linux and the additional open source (aka "free") software packages, the $100 computer could definitely be a reality. Even that old tower sitting in the corner could once again be used with a brand new operating system.

Currently I am still learning more about Linux, it's commands, layout and structure. I went from being interested, to liking it, to loving it...so I guess for me Linux is here to stay...now which of the 300 distros should I choose???