Week 30... Do "Old Guy's Rule?"

Greetings:  

First, let's get this whole "Mayan Apocalypse" thing out of the way.  Still here, still breathing, still smiling!!!  Booooooooooya...

This week, I am asking:  Do "Old Guy's Rule?"  A part of me says, "Heck yeah they do," and another part of me says, "Well, let's see."  Hang in there with me and let's figure this out.

Obviously, there is the macho side of me that says us "old" guy's do rule rock because we've "been there, done that."  We have experience on our side and in most cases, we are the better, wiser, person for it.  Mostly, we have aged gracefully.  Nothing against the "younger" guy...  "Magic Mike" aside, their time will come, some day.  But, I should also say there is the doubtful side of me that looks in the mirror and often times, I don't like what I see.  

Mirror, Mirror...  Tell Me The Truth (Doubtful Side)

Twenty four days from today's date, I will turn 57 years old.  Now, when I was much younger and my Mom and Dad hit their 40's, I thought they were a step away from their grave.  They were "old."  At least, I thought they were.  So, as I get ready to turn 57, I have a much higher appreciation for "old."  Let's not confuse old with 96 and in a nursing home living out one's final days.  That's a whole 'nother area I don't even want to think about.  But, as I look in that mirror to shave, there are things I see that I just plain and simple don't like.  My "six-pack" abs are completely covered up now, encased in a much softer, larger than I like, "wrapping."  My upper chest, once akin to hardened steel (ha!!!), now lives in that "soft butter" state.  And then, I put on my "readers" to shave and it get's really scary.  Older certainly means two things involving males:  1)  Hair starts growing on your ears, and 2)  Hair becomes much thicker inside your nostrils.  What is up with that???  Thicker and more course.  Like, you seriously almost need hedge clippers thick.  Yikes!!!

Macho Side  

Ok, so, I drive a Jeep.  My Jeep has a stick!!!  Heck, do younger guys even know what a stick is???  I wear shorts in the winter and I own a kayak.  I'm the cook in our household and I am down with that.  I am retired from the Houston Fire Department and I occasionally drive a School Bus.  And when I attend the Texas Lone Star Rally in Galveston, it's an "older" Biker crowd.  My hair is turning more and more grey (code for mature).  And I love football.  I can hear Tim "the Tool Man" Taylor grunting right now.  Can you feel me???  Now, I'm speaking mainly of myself here, but the "apostrophe s" in Guy's refers to my "Brothers from other Mothers." And...

I wear "Old Guy's Rule" Hats and T-Shirts!!!  That, in and of itself, makes it official.  See below:

In my Jeep:  My Hat, Work Gloves, & a Chair for...  You just never know (but I'm ready)

Seriously...  Need I add anymore to what this says???  Just sayin'

Can't you just hear Tim "the Tool Man" Taylor right now???

I want to Cook something!!! 

Toby Keith sings, "I ain't as good as I once was, but I'm as good once as I ever was."  A little older, a little wiser, a little better.  Do "Old Guy's Rule?"  Dang straight we do...

The "Puzzle" Re-visited

When I last showed a pic of the "Puzzle," it was about half way done.  I've had some help along the way, but this was pretty much my Baby.  Here is the before:

Straight out of the box...

...And here, about half way done

And finally...  DONE!!!

I learned a couple of things working on this puzzle.  First, I realized I really liked spending the time putting it together (even though it took forever), and second, I want to do more.  So...

On a Serious Note

Last Friday morning, an absolute nightmare unfolded as a gunman walked into Newtown, Connecticut Sandy Hook Elementary School, and proceeded to shoot and kill 20 Children and 6 Adults.  He wounded 2 others.  He then took his own life.  Earlier, he shot and killed his Mother at their home.  So much has been said in the week that has followed.  Debates have begun.  I simply cannot imagine the pain the families are going through as we are only days away from Christmas and family time.  Their loss is unimaginable.  I can only say may God Bless each of them as they go forward from this monumental tragedy.

Also, last week, my Blog spoke of the dangers of Texting and Driving.  Sadly, there was news this week of the death of a 19 year old female student from Texas A&M, as she was Texting & Driving while out and about.  My heart goes out to her family.  Please urge your loved ones to wait.  Text later.

OK...   

Houston Texans Football:  A 29 to 17 win over the Indy Colts propelled the Texans to a 12 & 2 record, best in the NFL, and they clinched the AFC South Division for the 2nd year in a row.  This week, the Minnesota Vikings come into town with Adrian Peterson vying for an NFL single season rushing record.  At stake for the Texans is Home Field Advantage for the entire Playoffs.  A win "seals the deal" for them.

Music:  In keeping with my Christmas Fave's, I hope you will give a listen to Gene Autry's hit from 1947, Here Comes Santa Claus.  How can you not just love this song???  Also, don't you think of the Griswald's when you hear this song?  Ha!!!

Market Watch:  And...  back down again.  Facebook closed yesterday at 27.36, coming back down a little from last week.  The zig-zag continues.

The End:  As always, Thank You for checking in this week.  I appreciate it and hope you will come back next week.  Have a Merry Christmas.

Be safe, be smart, and always smile...  It's "Happy Friday"

adios...  vaya con dios