Happy Christmas!

Erin and I are in SLC right now.... sans Battlecat. We miss Battlecat very battlemuch.... we've acquired several toys for Battlecat and she will be showered with gifts upon our return. Battlecat is staying with BattleBill and Shannon Streger right now and is pictured below cuddling with Scout! (Thanks to Shannon for the picture).


It's been a really busy time for us. We spent Christmas Eve with family and left on Christmas day for WY to hang out with Erin's grandparents. On the 26th we went to Vernal to see Jenny and Richie's place and then to Duchesne to spend the night with Erin's dad..... who was gracious enough to drive us back to SLC on Tuesday.

Tuesday night we went to a get together at Clint's house where we saw many friends from far off lands! I think Ginodean.net took pictures, so hop on over to his blog sometime soon to check them out.

Today Erin is at the clinic working with her mom. I saw my mom and my brothers this morning and am hanging out with Joshnita right now.... I just got the e-mail from Shannon so I wanted to post a picture of the battlelove of my life - Battlecat!

I'm looking forward to hanging out with friends and family over the next couple of days.... but mostly I really want to get back to Houston to give Battlecat a great big Battlehug!

Here's a question for the readers:

What was the most random gift you received for Christmas?

I received two in the category of random/awesome:

1) First prize goes to my dad who got Erin and I battling sumo robots (complete with artificial intelligence)! My dad was so stoked about this gift! And I am too... you can program different moves and sumo the night away..... Erin is going down as soon as we get back!

2) Masters of the Universe DVD - this was a love offering from ginodean.net! This classic film features action hero Dolph Lundgren so it has to be good!

Happy Christmas.... Happy New Year

Erin and I miss all our human friends.... but especially Battlecat.

Battleplan

Battlecat set about on her quest for world domination..... I was speaking with Sticky (ostrichjockey.blogspot.com) about this - and he has a theory: Battlecat has been socialized toward world domination.... by calling her Battlecat we've given her a Napoleon (Bonaparte) complex and she is actively pursuing the expansion of her territory (perhaps Battlecat is familiar with the Prayer of Jabez).......

Anyway Battlecat's quest was marked by the digging of several holes in the backyard and then she began to wage inside our home.... Battlecat consumed: A pair of black sandals that Erin wore all the time, one brown shoe that I bought Erin recently, 1 pair of blue old-navy flip flops, and my Broncos beanie...... But who am I to complain... clearly she was operating under the power of Greyskull.....

Erin and I didn't do a whole lot this past weekend, Erin's been studying for her med school exams so please be in prayer for her... this is a huge week of tests for her.

Battlecat and I walked along a running path around the perimeter of Rice University this weekend.... Battlecat enjoyed it so much that when we got back into the car after an hour or so of walking she threw up and then slept for like the next four hours.....

Oh yeah! Kevin Eastham and I went to the Galleria (which is a mega-huge mall) for wife Christmas shopping - it was a good bonding experience. Usually I am way ahead of the curve on Christmas shopping.... and this year is no different.... I got Erin's main present in late July.... but I haven't hoarded away any other presents since then so I'm scrambling.....

One other thing I should note..... it has been downright chilly here in Houston lately... last week the high was in the low 40's all week.... I also discovered that the main heater in our house isn't functioning... so eventually the temp in our house equilibrated... I don't think Erin was bothered too much by it because she was at school studying all week, but Battlecat and I were almost popsicled. But fear not.... this is Houston... the current temp in our home is 67 deg.

Here's an online synopsis of Battlecat that I found.....
(It helps to read He-Man as 'Jake')

A worthy friend to He-Man, this fierce green and yellow furball is equipped with a saddle and helmet, ready for combat. His loyalty to He-Man is unquestioned as is his bravery in battle. He only becomes Battlecat when Prince Adam becomes He-Man. Otherwise he remains the sleepy tiger, Cringer.
Battlecat can pick up the scent of Skeletor's evil pet, Panthor, across great distances. The two battling animals despise each other and when they clash, they fight with incredible fury, leaping and clawing at each other with thunderous roars. A ferocious furry friend to He-Man, Battlecat is aptly named.

Assume the position

So I had to get a physical for work on Friday...... as I'm sitting there in the doctor's office I begin to read the checklist of things required for this particular physical.....and what to my wondering eyes should appear - how 'bout 'rectal exam'?

As panic courses through my body I'm hit with the realization that this exam will be 'proctored' by an all female staff. This is about the time when the medical assistant hands me a gown.... a backless gown, it's more like an apron and I'm instructed to disrobe and put that gown on..... now I'm freaking out!

So... I'm sitting there in my robe/miniskirt, legs crossed to preserve what little dignity I have left, and the oldest of the three women in the room tells me that I won't be needing the rectal exam because I'm too young for that to be an issue.....of course two women had to be present for my hernia exam which was very uncomfortable, and the staff gives a light knock on the door on their way in.... there's no pause.... so when I'm finally able to put my clothes back on, I'm scrambling.

Long day......

Anyway - just thought I'd share that story.

pow,

jake