Our First Trick Or Treater Of The Night

Conner - 18 months old - from across the street.

Last Medical Update

I saw my orthopedic surgeon today and told him that he was indeed the miracle worker that I told him he would be in December 2007. It's been a long 10 months since the first knee replacement in January but today, he said he doesn't need to see me for a year. I have gone from struggling to walk 2 blocks last December to walking 2 miles. I saw the vascular surgeon last week and the blood clot I had has dissipated. I can even begin to ween myself off anti-inflammatory medication. The only thing left is to have the filter in my chest taken out next Tuesday. That's a routine procedure where they enter through a vein in my neck and pull it out. Its nice to be on the backside of 2 knee replacements in the same leg. I can finally say, "it's been worth it." I'll chalk this one up to another lesson in faith and patience. I think those are 2 quizzes we get to take quite a few times in our lives. With God's help, I think I passed.

Here's To The Delta / Northwest Merger

I Don't Really Like Halloween

I've always thought it was a strange holiday. It seems more and more people are decorating their houses for Halloween in an almost Christmas-like fashion. We have 3 or 4 houses in our neighborhood complete with orange lights along with various ghosts hanging from the trees and skeletons in the yard. THIS LEXINGTON HOUSE is actually a finalist in some kind of national competition on the TODAY SHOW (Vote house # 1) I will admit, I like sitting outside (weather permitting) and handing candy to the "kids." But even that gets weird whenever a bunch of 16-year old boys walk up with baseball hats as costumes and hold out their hands. Oh yeah, and the kids who just turn and walk away without saying thank you. I usually go ahead and say "your welcome" to them because I'm sure they just forgot. Happy Halloween - the strangest day of the year - besides election day this year.

Lyndsey's Birdseye View Of The Worst UK Defeat In Recent Memory For Me - 63-5

Federal Bailout Math

Palin On SNL - The Resemblance Is Incredible

Game Day - KY vs Arkansas - 7pm - ESPNU-TV

Coincidence?

The timing of the release of this movie this weekend is no coincidence. It's timed perfectly to go along with the campaign slogan of "a vote for McCain is a vote for four more years of Bush." This is one movie I will not be going to see because I already know what it's story-line will be.

Why I Have Tuned Out Election Coverage

I think it's because of my expectations. I have become increasingly irritated as Obama has climbed in the polls. I expected McCain to do better. He's had moments of greatness on the campaign but for the most part; he's a poor communicator, not real likable and he's old. There it is! The three deficiencies I mention unfortunately are what most voters are looking at too. Elections are no longer about deep felt beliefs or understanding the results of following certain types of policies and philosophies. Elections now are about voting someone off the island or off the show. Our short attention spans prohibit a very large voting block from taking the time to do the necessary research to make rational decisions when it comes to executing our most important duty as a US citizen; voting. I expect people to do their homework before they vote. I expect people to have a basic knowledge of how government works. What am I thinking? Expectations have always presented a dilemma for me. I am usually right in the middle of a funk before I realize it's cause. Add the absolute ignorance of many who vote to my political fatigue from the endless commercials and I have almost had all I can take with politics. At least Obama will look good in a presidential press conference and that's all that really matters isn't it?

Maybe Some People Shouldn't Vote

CHECK THIS OUT

Jam-Packed Weekend

This weekend was so full of festive events there's no way to cover it all in one post, so I'll be posting more when I can. One big highlight was that on Sunday afternoon KY basketball received a verbal commitment from Daniel Orton, a 5 star center ranked as one of the top players in the country. This is a huge commitment for KY. This video is of Justin and I joining in on the "Daniel Orton Chant" at Big Blue Madness on Friday night. Throughout the night, 24,000 fans we're chanting his name. He said the fans had a huge impact on his decision to sign with KY. We were glad to do our part. STORY (Scroll down for chronological recaps.)

There Was The Tribute To Mr Wildcat...

I learned the sound cuts out when I zoom.

Justin & Me Getting Ready For The "Cat Walk" Into The Stadium

There Was The "Cat Walk"

Notice the guy with a chicken (Gamecock) dangling from a rope

We Had Special Visitors Come By The Tailgate We Attended

My friend Barry Jackson and a couple of his friends always have awesome food and fun at their tailgate and Justin and I stopped by for some breakfast casserole and more just in time to experience the UK pep band dropping by to "play for food."

Pre-Game - When All KY Fans Were Very Hopeful

Unfortunately - South Carolina beat KY 24-17 which put a bit of a damper on our festive weekend. If KY can get their offense going, we could be a good team. Right now, it doesn't look too good for KY football going into the rest of the SEC.

On Sunday It Was Off To Keeneland

Unfortunately, the horse out front was not picked by me, Mary or Justin. Justin actually won $33 on 1 race and I won $11.80 on another race.

On The Way Out...

And then on the way out we encounter this bluegrass band playing one of my favorite songs of all time; "No Place To Hide" by Allison Krauss. As you can tell, the lead singer in the sunglasses is impressed with my singing. What a weekend! It doesn't get much better than this. Numerous times throughout the weekend we said "we wish Lyndsey, Andrew & Kacey were with us." Maybe next year? We then capped the weekend off with Mary's roast beef and some "healthy" ice cream.

KY Basketball Ranked # 1 Program

THE GREATEST PROGRAMS: NO. 1, KENTUCKY
Filed Under: Greatest hoops programs
The greatest college basketball program has it all. Kentucky has the titles, tradition, consistent success, iconic coaches and the passionate fan base to make it No. 1 on the list of greatest programs. And really, there shouldn’t be much debate about No. 1. READ MORE

Happy Birthday Kacey!!

I think it's neat how you march while Justin sings Happy Birthday to you.
We love ya!! Thanks for taking care of our boy!
(If you had some Palin glasses, you might be able to pass for her)

How About A Laugh To Start The Week?

KY Makes A Game Of It

92,000 Bama fans got quiet in the second half. If Hartline doesn't hand the Bama defense a TD in the first quarter with a ridiculous fumble inside the Bama 5 yard line - we win! But...it wasn't to be. #2 Bama 17 - KY 14. Surely we crack the top 25 now.

Big Sports Weekend Next Weekend!

Last year, Lyndsey & Whistle Britches were here for KY's home opening football game against Eastern KY University. What a joyous weekend it was! Justin was left behind and did not get to attend 1 KY football game. Next weekend however, Justin will be making the trek to the Bluegrass State and he and I will be attending Big Blue Madness Friday night for basketball and then the KY- South Carolina football game on Saturday. (Man I hope we beat Spurrier! We never have.) Unfortunately, Lyndsey & Whistle Britches won't be able to make it, but there's always next year!

The KY - Alabama Connection

KY vs. Alabama - Game Time - Sat 3:30pm - CBS - National Audience

Under Paul "Bear" Bryant, the Maryland Terrapins went 6-2-1 in 1945, but Bryant (standing behind Adolph Rupp) resigned after the season because he deemed the school's president as meddlesome. Hired by Kentucky, Bryant immediately revived a dormant program, leading the Wildcats to a 7-3 mark in 1946. In eight seasons, Bryant's Wildcats went 60-23-5 and earned four bowl berths. The highlight was an SEC championship in 1950 and a 13-7 upset of No. 1 Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl. After the 1953 season, Bryant signed a 12-year contract extension at Kentucky, with hopes of making football the school's primary sport. Within weeks, however, he realized popular basketball coach Adolph Rupp was also ready to receive an extension. Bryant had earlier been told by the school's president that Rupp would be fired for rules violations. Feeling as if he had been duped, Bryant quit. And now you know...the rest of the story.

"President Obama" We Better Get Used To It...

And here are my three main reasons why:
1. I thought we Republicans had a chance until financial institutions started folding and merging. The Republicans have demonstrated an inability to fight back with the facts about Chris Dodd, Barney Frank etc. So, it's all Bush's fault again which means it's the Republicans fault. This issue alone is enough to defeat the Republicans.
2. I noticed in the Vice-Presidential debate that Palin had one arm behind her back. McCain does too. Anytime the Democrats start wailing on "Bush's failed policies" it doesn't matter whether the accusations are true or false. The Democrats can literally say that Bush and Bush alone is responsible for global cooling, warming and pollution and no one defends him; no one. No one will say Bush has done anything right. If they do, they are perceived as backing the most unpopular president in history. The Republicans are campaigning with one hand tied behind their back.
3. Gov Palin has been neutralized by the pop culture. Tina Fey has the most incredible impression of anyone I have ever seen. Frank Calliendo is pretty darn good doing Madden but he doesn't touch Fey's impression. Rich Little was dead on Nixon, but again, not even close to Fey's impression. You cannot watch Gov Palin anymore without thinking Saturday Night Live; thanks to You Tube. I give her a B- on the debate. She totally missed the "experience question." Instead of saying she has more experience than Obama, she talked about her experience as a mayor and governor. I'm afraid the slick political advisors are in her head to the point, she's not sure who she is anymore.
I hate to say it but "that's all folks."

Keeneland Opens Tomorrow For The Fall Meet

Probably the most beautiful horse track in the country opens tomorrow and runs through Oct 25th. I didn't make it out last year but will definitely be going at least once this year. (This new knee is allowing me to do all kinds of things again) I usually take $10 and when that's gone, it's gone. Most of the racing scenes of the 2003 movie Seabiscuit were shot at Keeneland because its appearance has changed relatively little in the last several decades. It's fun to go out real early in the morning and have breakfast at the track kitchen with the people who work the horses (The jockeys are always easy to pick out) The picture of the track was when Lyndsey & Andrew were visiting and the other photo my brother Rick took of the entrance to Keeneland when he was in town last November.

I'm Against The Bailout

There's something in my gut telling me it's wrong for us to go forward with the bailout. It just doesn't seem like the right thing to do. I have contacted my senators and representative encouraging them to CONSIDER THIS