Merry Christmas

Hello all in JournalVille.
I'd like to start by wishing everyone a joyful, happy and above all, a peaceful holiday season. I won't say Christmas because a lot of folks are celebrating other holidays. Kwanzaa, Hanukkah etc. So being pc the Leprechaun will just say Happy Holidays.
Yesterday we ventured to Wall township which is about 45 minutes from here to a shoe store the Lovely One likes alot. She got a bonus and wanted some dressy boots and she scored a very nice pair. They look great on her but the downside is they have a heel. A big heel and she will now tower the Leprechaun. Of course the ten year-old next door is towering me now so I guess that's not a big deal after all. My wife works her arse off and she deserves to get Herself something nice. So I'm happy that worked out.
All year my wife does for everyone. She is the most caring and giving person I have ever met. I wish I made more money so I could buy her something really nice. Like a freakin' Acura or a house at the shore. Maybe someday.
The said darts I mentioned in my previous entry have been purchased. I made a stop at our local Dicks Sporting goods and they actually had them! The set I got is a bit heavier than what I'm used to throwing but they were so much cheaper than going online that I could not resist. I have practiced a bit with them and they seem real nice. So thanks Laura for that.
Today we ventured over to see my step-son TomCat. He lives in an old town called Allentown. Once we entered his apartmen I was greeted by Tinny, his bird. Tinny came into our lives last year. I was having dinner and my seat faces the sliding door and I saw something bright fly by. I jumped out of my seat and walked to the patio and this beautiful bird lands on my shoulder! We tried to find the owner but nobody seemed to know where the little fellow came from. So after we held onto him for a few hours, Tom came to get her and she ( Tinny that is) is now living La Vida Loca. Why didn't we keep her you may ask?? Well let's just say Chainsaw had a great interest in ther bird, as cats will do.
After Toms we stopped in a couple of funky shops that are housed in a historic mill. Cool stuff.
The we ventured to this great little pizzeria for lunch. When I say little I mean little. 5 booths. They have the best food man.... Enzo and Anna and the staff are great.
Then it was on to Jackson to see Herself's brother Bob and his family. They are the best let me tell ya. His wife and two kids are super and the kids have grown like freakin' weeds since I've first met them. And they have always been very good to me. Always making me feel like I'm part of the family.
Tonight we are going to try and make Midnight Mass. We have done it for the last 3 years and we would hate to miss it. However, Chainsaw had us up at 530 again today. He is slowly killing us. He isn't a bad cat. He just wants to be fed on demand at all hours. I'm searching the phone book for a vet who will do a staple job on his gut. No luck so far.
I hope you all have a wonderful holiday..
Leprechaun out.

Long time no post..
Here we are on thursday and Im happy to report I'm out of work until next Tuesday. Yeah me. I need the break.
Work has been nutty but that's nothing new. I made my boss some of my French Onion soup and he was pleased. I went into the market this mornig for just 4 slices of cheese from the deli and I stood there for what seemed like an eternity while the older woman behind the counter discussed my choice of cheese with another older lady employee person. I stood just watching. It was early and my brain had just started to awaken and I still found this a bit odd. After meaningful discussion and a quick lesson in how to make said soup I was on my way. A quick stop at the bank and then into work.
After work I came home to a nice hot meal and of course, a cold beer. Tonight we are just going to realx as the Lovely One has had a rough couple of days. Couple of weeks actually. Her Dad has not been feeling well and has actually spent some time in the hospital. He's a tough cookie and he's home now resting. I hope he's feeling better soon. Tomorrow I will bring him some of my French Onion soup.
I got an unexpected surprise in acard from a friend of ours yesterday. A nice little cash amount and I'm debating hat to do with it. There is a set of darts Ive had my eye on for a couple years and the price has come down considerably since they first came out so I debating. We'll see.
I'm done shopping and it's a good feeling. I hope I done good. I think I did.
AOL has pissed off the Lovely One and Meself to the point we cancelled our account. Today we received a letter saying theyb will give us the next three months free....go figure..
More later

Okay. This has to stop. I'm still hacking and hiccuping. It's now officialy not funny. I had Tuesday and Wednsday out of work and faithful (stupid?) employee that I am, I ventured back to work. I don't think that was a good idea. Thursday night we went to the Timberland outlet and I got some goodies with Christmas money given to me by my mom-in-law. Of course the Lovely One says I may not enjoy said goodies until Christmas.
Herself felt I may be getting worse so she said I might want to go to our local hospital e.r. I was reluctant as I am a Yankee. And Yankees don't need no stinking emergency rooms. We'd rather be stubborn and tough it out. I have felt though, I was all toughed out and I agreed.
I must say the staff at Centra State hospital in Freehold is pretty darn good. I was taken right in and the nurse who took all my info was very kind and answered all Herself's questions in a manner which made you believe she cared about us. (Unlike a hospital in Rhode Island I won't mention.)
I was taken in and given a little gown (opening in the back) and was seen by a cranky little Ukranian or Bulgarian or whatever she was. She started off kindly enough as I explained my malady to her and she had me do the deep-breathing thing and told me she would have bloodwork done and a chest xray. She was slightly less patient and I made her night when she asked me to do the following. Stick out my tongue and say 'ahh'. Well I did and as soon as I did she proceeded to jam a tongue depressor into my throat. This made me do two things. A: recoil in horror because I was being gagged and B: pull my tongue back. This happened about four times and I must say she was quite annoyed. I guess it's like rubbing your tummy and patting your head. Sue me. Now I'm genreally a very nice guy. But when I get sick I tend to get..well...cranky. She said in her accented English "I trying to help you you not cooperating."
And I believe my reply was something along the lines of not trying to choke me..I don't remember. To make the whole situation worse, Herself was standing there covering her mouth, suppressing her laughter. When we finally got the whole tongue-out-ahhhh-thing done and the crazy Ukranian left, we both had a good laugh. Herself more than me saying 'that was like watching a Monty Python skit'. Which was a high compliment.
My next visitor was nurse2. She plopped a speciman cup in front of me and demanded a sample.
I told her there was nothing in the tank and she said 'well we need it if you want to get out of here soon.' Wow! I now have to pee!
Nurse3 arrived soon after and was by far the best of the bunch. She was friendly, smiley and really seemed to have her shit together. She got my goldstar award. She said I would be going for my xray soon.
Return of nurse 2 who stuck me twice and took several vials of blood and put an IV port in me. "Just in case." And by the way, once I loosened up and started kidding around, she saw I was a good sport, she spent a good deal of her time busting my ass.
So I had my xray and the tech was cool. He noticed my bars and said" got some hardware, there huh bud?" Yeah a little...
So to end this ramble, I have an upper respiratory infection. On top of pneumonia? Well, hard to say says Dr Cranky-Pants. Just stay on your anti-biotics.
So finally, after two hours, the good one comes back and reads me all the info I need and tells me on more than one occasion if I continue to feel like poop, she wanted me to come back immediately. I'll do just that......not.

Today I did some more shopping for the Lovely One. I got a few little things and there is one or more things I want to pick up but that will have to be done next weekend.

The Devils played a great game last night and were fantastic in the shootout (well, Marty was fantastic) but lost when Colorados 8th shooter scored. Next time boys.

Tomorrow will be low-key. On tv tomorrow FoxSports will show drats. Yes darts. I wish it were on more often like in Europe but America hasn't embraced it yet. Exciting stuff. I should practice more. Many years ago I was pretty good but alas, darts like anything else, if you don't use it, you lose it.

It Had to Happen

I have bad news and worse news. The bad news is, I have 'walking pneumonia'. The worse news?? It snowed last night. Yes snow. The evil form the sky. We only got about four inches but still...
On Sunday I had a well deserved day off. I had worked almost 60 hours last week, including a full day Saturday and was ready baby. Ready to slip into a 22 hour coma so I'd be refreshed for Monday. Well, that was not to be. The Lovely One was kind enough to secure the wee beasties downstairs so I could sleep in a bit but when I awoke something was awry. I have had this nagging cough for..I dunno..three weeks or so but finally it got to a point where Herself said maybe I should see the doctor. So I agreed and spent the day doing alot of nothing, relaxing and made a trip to the attic for some Christmas decorations which Meself and herself put outside. The day went well and after dinner I noticed I had the hiccups. I still have the hiccups and my cough is worse. PLease don't laugh, the hiccups are not funny. Well, wait. Okay its funny. So Herself brings me to the doctor today and I describe my symptoms and he even gets a demonstration of my lovely cough. He puts his tiny, chilly stethescope on my chest, then my back and nods.."Uh-huh. Just as I thought. Walking pneumonia." It is in my lower lobe or some thing in my lung and he suggests a antibiotic and an inhaler. So on my way out I stop at the desk and request a note for my employer. Not my boss, no he's cool and understands human beings actually get sick. For the uppers and for HR.
I asked at the desk for this note and Zakeeha asks me "for just today?" I hesitate and she smiles and peers over the tops of her glasses. A look that speaks clearly. It says "little man, I'm offering you some time off.." I read the vibe and say weakly.. "well...." and hold up two fingers. She gives me the "now you're talking" smile and prints me my note. Thanks you Zakeeha!! And thank you also for squeezing me in. I do appreciate it. The office staff there, primarily Wanda and the aforementioned Zakeeha are just wonderful. And they have been great to me and especially to Herself. So thank you ladies.
I speak to my boss who called to check on me and he says not to worry about the time out. Thank you Pai Mei.
So anyways today I have started the arduous task of mailing all me favorites from my AOL account to my MSN account. AOL is being cancelled and they will not be making any more money off Mr and Mrs Leprechaun. SO affective on the 18th you can email me at ZamBoni831@hotmail.com.
Tomorrow will be a day of rest. I will be home with the boys and do nothing. Rest.