It's coming! It's coming! Everybody duck!

Good Morning and welcome back to the rain!

When I was, I think 12, my parent's took the family on vacation to Disney World. Back then, there was just one park. The Epcot Center was being built, but, really, who needs more than one Disney park.
My favorite was 'Mr. Toad's Wild Ride.'
It was basically as advertised. You sat in a dinky old car and went through some crazy turns, jostling back-and-forth against your ride partner. The highlight was at the end where your car suddenly jumped on train tracks and was careening right in the front of an oncoming train. Everybody ducked before crashing through the doors to the end of the ride.
Sadly, they replaced the ride in 1998 with some kind of Winnie The Pooh thing.
Anyway, I started thinking about Mr. Toad this morning when I looked at the calendar.
It's June 10.
That means there's only a week left of school.
That means summer is coming.
I have a feeling it's going to be another wild ride.

Rise and Shine --- Too early for the tree?

Good Morning and isn't Global Warming pretty nice?

So, when the dishes were put away from Thanksgiving dinner and everybody was sitting on the couch, the question came for the first time: 'Can we get a tree?'
Of course, I knew that didn't mean taking a ride to the garden shop and picking up a peach tree.
It was time to start thinking about a Christmas tree. Growing up, we always had the artificial one, so timing didn't matter. Pull it down from the attic and start decorating.
With a real tree, though, you have to balance out how far in advance of the holiday you get one. I'm always afraid it's going to dry out and we'll be greeted Christmas morning with brown needles.
So, I've been able to put it off for the last couple of weeks. I somewhere along the line mentioned Dec. 10. They can't remember what was for dinner last night, but they remember that date.
So, we'll be out tree hunting this weekend.

Rise and Shine --- Back to the grind

Good Morning and, man, it's hot out there!

So, probably one of the worst weeks of the year is that week after a vacation. Well, at least for me, the vacation mindset is still there, especially when you have a great time.
Spend the last week in Orlando checking out Disney World. Had a fun time. Didn't have to wait in long lines, ate too much and spent too much money. All factors of a great vacation.
Now, it's time to get back to work. Time to forget about the pool at the hotel and the laughing children and the yummy ice cream.
OK, maybe not yet. Check back next week.

Rise and Shine --- Tick, tick, tick

Good Morning and Welcome America!

I remember those days in school (yes, that part of the brain still works) when the clock couldn't tick off the minutes fast enough.
"Wait, it's only 9:30 a.m., it feels like we've been here for hours!!!"
We all go through that every once in a while, no matter how much you like your job or school day.
That darn clock just won't tick. Hey, it looks like the bosses/teachers have taken the batteries out. What are they trying to do? Torture me? Is this what they do in Guantanamo?
Now that a much-needed vacation is on the horizon, that clock is once again slowing down. Now, I'm not one to look too far ahead. I like to live in the moment, enjoy the sunshine of today.
Still, come on clock, let's get going...

Rise and Shine --- End of Days?

Good Morning and here we are again!

Now that we are winding down the school year (and doesn't it go faster every year?), it's time to really think about the summer.
Every year at this time, I try not to look too far ahead. I don't want to think about what's going to happen in a couple of weeks (trip to Disney) or what might happen in July (swimming) or even August (maybe another trip). I want everything to slow down for the summer.
I want to enjoy the nice, hot days. The playing the backyard. The catches. The drives to Grandmom's pool. The cooking on the grill. The lighting of the Tiki torches. The spraying of water guns.
While many may be bemoaning the end of the school year, I revel in it. I want the voices around me. Sure, it's going to be frustrating at times (No, you can't have any more cookies!).
The summer, though, is my time. It's time enjoy these little things.
OK, by the end, I'll be looking forward to the start of school once again, but that's down the line. I want to feel and remember every minute of this summer.

Rise and Shine --- Bags and money

Good Morning and welcome back to Thursday!

For the past couple of years, my mom has like the idea of Spirit Airlines and their $9 fares. 'You can't beat that deal,' she likes to say.
Well, yesterday, Spirit Airlines finally figured out a way to break the deal. They are now charging up to $45 for carry-on luggage.
It was one thing when airlines started charging for checked luggage. OK, they needed to make up some cash, that's the way of the world.
Now, that one airline is going to charge for carry-ons, well, that's one slippery slope we don't need to start down.
Like most things in the business world, once one company tries it (furloughs anybody?) the rest quickly jump on board. They let the original company take the heat, then say, 'Well, we had to do it.'
It's just another way to squeeze every last penny out of our pockets.
Yeah, that's good for the bottom line, but it makes travelers think twice.
Look, vacations cost enough money. Add another $100 bucks on the front and back ends, well, that sounds like a deal breaker.
At least it does to me.

Rise and Shine -- Back into the fray

Good Morning and welcome to the start of a nice week!

Well, at least weather wise it's supposed to be nice. After spending a week away on vacation, it's tough to get back into the work mood.
Of course, it's not like you can slowly jump back into the void.
There's always something going on around here, but besides the start of a new Phillies season, we have Tiger Woods and Donovan McNabb to take our focus away.
So, for all those Eagles fans out there who wanted a change, well, you got it. McNabb was only the best quarterback the franchise has ever seen. He won more games and took the franchise to heights it never was before.
It really is amazing how Philadelphia fans like to get rid of some of the better players who come through. They've run out Charles Barkley, Scott Rolen, Curt Schilling, Allen Iverson, just to name a few. Heck, I can remember back when fans wanted Mike Schmidt out of town.
Oh, to be back on the island and listening to the water.

Rise and Shine --- Let the lights shine

Good Morning and welcome to the sun rise!

While waiting for school to let out yesterday, the talk was about Holiday lights and time and weather. You know, the usual small talk.
Anyway, it got me thinking. Sure, it's cold outside, but those twinkling little lights sure make things seem a little better. Think about it, you are out driving, the heat hasn't kicked in yet and, out of the dark, comes a house with some snowflakes blinking at you. Suddenly, all is right with the world (really?) thanks to a couple of lights.
Our decorator prefers white lights to the multi-colored versions. Either way, it makes things look nice.
After pulling out the lights the other morning and spending most of the next two days untangling the strands, then finding out which stupid light is causing half the strand to go dark, the lights started to go up.
Sure, it gives PECO a nice boost in December, but it still is a little bit of sunshine in an otherwise dark winter.
So, let in the light.
By the way, you can upload a photo of your lights to our online slide show, just CLICK HERE and upload the photo or video. You can also e-mail the photo to holidayindelco@gmail.com
Come on, get in the spirit. Give us the shots so we can all drive by.


If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

Rise and Shine

Good Morning everybody!

So, ever notice how quick a vacation week fades away.
Spent the last week in Ocean City, N.J., which, by the way, can still be a sleepy town, but is only a stone's throw from becoming overrun like Wildwood.
Anyway, after arriving Saturday, the week ahead looked long and relaxing.
There was no need to head out to the boardwalk or the beach that first day, because, hey, we have a long week ahead.
Same the next day. Take it easy, go on a family walk, watch the boats on the bay.
By Tuesday, the week was still a long way away. 'I know, we'll play miniture golf, but just be patient. There's a long week ahead.'
By Thursday, the week is on the downslide and suddenly you feel like everything has to be packed into the day. Get up early, go for a walk, head to the beach, head to the playground, walk on the boardwalk, play games, play miniture golf, watch movies. There's not enough time in the day!
Friday, the finality of it all steps in. We have to get back to the real world, but let's pack in even more. Spend more time on the beach. Let the children play on the sand and in the surf.
What, leave already? Just 10 more minutes.
Finally, the sun is setting and it would be a good idea to do some pre-packing.
No, let's do more. Get some ice cream. Walk on the beach. See the lights. Watch the boats.
No. No. No. It can't be over. We are having too much fun. We are enjoying everything. We are having fun. Don't let the real world intrude.
HELP!


If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com