Gnomie Says, "Play Ball!"

Seasons Greetings!

From our family to yours.

Hello

Just thought I'd drop a line to say "Hi!" to anyone still checking in. Hopefully we'll get back to more regular blogging after the holidays.

Until then, a fuzzy belly (not mine) and sunbeams to warm you up as winter finally settles in.

Twins

Gettin' Ready for Halloween!

American Gladiators

I recently heard that American Gladiators is going to make a comeback.
This show would be so much cooler.

OH-NO CAPITAL ONE DI'NT

OH YES I DID.

[Consumer beware: Capital One is run by Mandy Patinkin]
(for everyone besides my parents and Chris, translates to: The Devil --story for another day)

You Write the Caption: Part II

You Write the Caption: Part I

Mr. Tooth Decay

I had a dentist appointment this morning.
Ali and His Gang put up a good fight, but I had a cavity.
I share this only because...

If it has been awhile since your last visit...
Consider this a friendly reminder to schedule your appointment today.
(Or Mr. Tooth Decay's gonna getcha...and he's one bad dude.)

TLC in NYC

Last minute plans are the best.

Still Life

So I borrowed my boss's camera when he wasn't using it.

Uh-oh...

Mom's been evacuated. The winds picked up and the fire jumped the fire line and is headed towards Tahoe Keys, where she lives.

Her and her cats are headed to a friend's house in nearby Carson City.

Updates to follow.

UPDATE (Wed., 12:30 p.m.)
Mom's still in Carson City, hopes to return home tomorrow. There's a high wind advisory in effect for this afternoon, but hopefully the fire will be contained by the time the winds kick in.

According to the Tahoe Daily Tribune, yesterday, while protecting the Tallac Village development (the area of the Tahoe Keys where the house is), the blaze "descended so quickly that two firefighters were forced to deploy the emergency shelters they carry to protect themselves as a last resort." Without the shelters, they would have died, "but after missing for nearly an hour, they managed to walk away uninjured."

UPDATE (Wed., 9:00 p.m.)...Winds don't come as anticipated
The high winds expected this afternoon didn't materialize. Crews are catching a break as they attempt to shore up defenses against the Angora blaze, according to the Associated Press. The extra few hours of calm allowed firefighters to fortify their lines, a U.S. Forest Service spokesman said.

FINAL UPDATE...She's home, fire is under control.

Only Fox News

Tahoe is Burning

My mom is safe, as is the house she just moved into, but a few of the other homes she was considering are likely gone. Thanks to everyone who checked in to make sure she was okay.

South Lake Tahoe mayor: 'Our absolute worst nightmare'

By Stuart Silverstein
Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

June 25, 2007

Mayor Kathay Lovell of South Lake Tahoe said the fire threat posed by the woodlands around her picturesque city long has been in the back of her mind but, thankfully, it had never materialized.

That all changed Sunday when a fast-moving fire scorched 2,000 acres and destroyed at least 165 structures south and west of the city. (It's over 230 now--c.p.)

"It's a grim situation," the 54-year-old said after spending the evening at the fire command center at the South Lake Tahoe airport. "This is the most devastating thing that's ever happened to our community, certainly in my 47 years of being here."

A massive wildfire, she said, "has been our absolute worst nightmare. We all kind of knew this potentially could someday happen."
Lovell, who was elected to her second City Council term in November and took the position of mayor for a second time the following month, said the fire was heartbreaking for the 27,000 people living in the city and its environs.

It's affected this community in an enormous way, and we're not done," she said.

Still, Lovell said she took heart in the knowledge that no deaths or injuries had been reported by the end of the fire's first day.

Although the U.S. Highway 50 corridor — a magnet for tourists — had not been burned, the hardship would be severe for people who lost their homes in the fire, she said.

“We're a very close-knit community, and we're going to have a lot of folks who are going to need a lot of consoling and assistance and support," she said. "We'll pull together."

Arts & Crafts

In case you're feeling crafty.
This looked cool to me...
http://www.wikihow.com/Turn-a-Book-Into-a-Picture-Frame

Dear Cindy…

Hey there, it's been a long time. How have you been? I know it's funny to hear from me after so long, but I was just thinking about you the other day and thought I'd see how you are doing.

Gee, you look great, just the same as I remember. Sure, I've seen a few miles, picked up a few dents, and I'm a little more oxidized around the fenders, but I feel great. I really do.

Wow...remember all those good times we had? All those summer, fall, winter and spring nights, loading up ten or more of our friends, driving up to Cucamonga Canyon, partying the night away? Those were the days, Cindy. Those were the days.

So, I...uh...I was thinking maybe we should hang out again some time. Maybe we can grab a 12-pack, listen to Tommy and Sabotage, just like the old days. Maybe even a little Ballroom Blitz (“Are you ready?!?” I know I am!).

Look, I know you’ve driven other cars since then. A lot of other cars. And, let’s be honest, other people have driven me. But it’s just not the same, you know? Nobody rocks like you, and nobody rolls like me.

So…what do you think? We don’t have to jump into anything serious right away. Maybe just cruise down to Stop-n-Go for a tall-can and some 87. C'mon, just hop in and we'll go for a drive, just you and me. Be honest--you can't tell me this doesn't look inviting:

I miss you, Cindy, and really I hope to see you soon.

Sincerely,

Your Loving Pinto.

Chick Cheney