POLITICAL QUIZ @ the End of 2009...I cannot Help it!

10 Questions regarding Politics...

1. The Speaker of the House is...
2. The Senate Leader is...
3. The Top Republican in the Senate is...
4. President Obama's Chief of Staff is...
5. Robert Gibbs does what for the President...
6. If the Pres & the Vice Pres were incapacitated who would take over?
7. Who is the Vice President of the U.S.....
8. Are Progressives considered Democrats or Republicans...
9. Who is Mahmoud Auckmandinajad? (the spelling may be way off, but you should get the gist)
10. The Mayor of Allentown is? While the Mayor of Harrisburg is....

I Love Quizzes !

Is this the First Year of a New Decade, or...

...the Last Year of the existing Decade? THE Three worst ways to spend New Year's Eve...

1. Go to an Expensive Restaurant
2. Go to Times Square
3. Fall asleep in front of the TV @ 11:48PM

• The Four best ways to spend New Year's Eve...

1. Don't go to an Expensive Restaurant
2. Don't go to Times Square
3. Take a Nap & Celebrate @ Midnight...
4. ...with some crackers and Cheese in a Can !

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE...!!!

Timber!!!

When is the correct time to take down your Christmas tree? On "D" St. it stayed up until after January 6th, feast of the Epiphany, when traditionally the Magi arrived. The Eastern Rite of the Church celebrates Christmas on Jan 6th. Following Al Gore's lead we recycle our tree. Last year we used it to make salad spoons. This year we're building a 7 foot drawer to hold last year's 7 foot spoons. Another Tip from Tim!

Anyone planning to Fly in the Near Future ?

If so, Good Luck!

Meatless near Manayunk on the way to Dropping 31 Large.

Is pizza considered a Meatless Meal if you only get Extra Cheese, half pepperoni and thin crust?

• The "Lose 31 by May 31" quest is about to begin!

I picked up a pizza from Papa John's tonight...ate the whole thing, other than the one piece I gave to Coco.

• Judith Ann taunting me the whole time..."31 by May 31??? You are Killing yourself!"

The Pizza was good, then I did some math...to lose 31 by May 31 I need to loose about one quarter pound per day...Duh!?!...I can do that by not eating Pizza and regular bowl movements!

• ...and going Veggie!!

Is a chicken breast considered Meat?....or, Can we call that "going veggie?"

The Star Spangled Banner

Think about it...it is sung before every Major Sports Event. You stand, you mouth the words from the P.A. system or the celebrity on display, but...Do you know the words to The Star Spangled Banner ?

• TRY to Sing it now...

And, what is a Spangled Banner?

HEY!

Enjoy Christmas everyone......

The Philadelphia Flyers & Defrosting my Freezer in Philadelphia

On Saturday, 12/19, I decided to Defrost our Freezer. Yes, 10 years ago we were suckered into buying the last Non-frost free Freezer in America (we never thought to ask if it was Frost Free). Thus, every 3 months or so we have to open the door, lay towels down on the floor and watch the ice melt; while we carefully chip away making sure we do not Rupture a Coil. On Saturday I decided to put the Flyers game on TV. A Saturday afternoon game vs the NY Rangers. Caught the 3rd Period...

• UGH...!

Flyers did Zippo in the 3rd Quarter that I watched. Actually, I had more fun watching the ice melt in my Freezer than watching the Flyers melt on their Ice. The Guys in Orange are not Good players, or, they are in need of Counseling ...

• They are an embarrasment, embarassment, embarasment, embarrassment, embarassers?

You get the Point you Flyer Fans... Demand your money back!

• And Go EAGLES........!!!

Ice Hockey is still more Exciting than Soccer, however...

Christmas 1947 was a tough Christmas

Alyce, John and Gerald pea had a Mother in the Hospital with a New Born that showed up when the Angelus was ringing. Mother & Child were hospitalized for up to 7 days at that time, so A,J,& Gp were Home Alone.

• As I recall, Dad & Hughey Malloy came home on Christmas Eve with a Fully decorated tree that had a "Gimbles" sign attached to it.
• Alyce threw more tinsel on it, John scrambled for more lights, while I played the Piano and recited "The Night Before Christmas"...the three of us were sipping Egg-Nog as I recall.
• Dad and Hughey were having High-Balls in the kitchen

Christmas morning we awoke to NO gifts under the tree with the Gimbles sign on it...A,J&Gp asked Dad, "where did Santa put our presents?" Dad said...

• "your Gift is with your Mother and his name is Michael..."

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LITTLE BROTHER...AND YOU OWE US A Gift!

Sidewalks, Snow, Lawns, Grass, Windows & Teenagers...

For 12&1/2 years we have lived in a Row-House neighborhood. Sidewalks abound, postage stamp lawns are all around. Very few long driveways. We have a Double lot, which requires Double Duty in shoveling than most neighbors have to deal with. Of course, no-one dares shovel past the crack in the sidewalk that separates you from your neighbor!

• Lawn mowing is an entirely Individual thing!

Some Mow often, some rarely.

• In 12 and one half years not One teenager has ever asked me if he could Mow my lawn or Shovel my pavement, or Clean my windows!
• For the Snow removal I would pay $20.00 (took me 35 minutes w/ a shovel). My wife does not insist I clear to the "black top"
• For the Lawn I would pay $35.00...when Jason does it, it takes him about 25 minutes & he doesn't charge...when Michael helps, it takes about two & a Half Hours! But, there is not a blade of free flowing grass left on the Lawn! (have you ever met Michael's wife?) and Michael also doesn't charge.
• For the Window cleaning I would pay $80.00 for inside & out. There are only 10 windows!

Judy Ann's Dad used to tell the story of his moving into a second floor apartment, he had a TV in his car and asked a Teenager walking by if he would carry it up the stairs for him (he offered the kid $20.00). The teenager grunted and kept walking...

• Teenagers.....

"I want my Burger to Rest"

So. we are having Burgers and Fries (trying to Bulk up before the Pound Club Weigh In) and I ask Judy Ann, do you want your Burger? I had already made mine and was headed to the basement to watch the Eagles. She says...

• "...no, I want my Burger to Rest..."

I gasped and headed to the basement...so far, I have heard no Snoring from the Burger.

• apparently, it's a Food Channel reference

The Pound Club...how about this idea...

Instead of a Competition amongst us, how about we Challenge ourselves? e.g...

• I Challenge Myself to lose 31lbs by 5/31/2010! Jason tells me there is No Way I will do that!

So, instead of Challenging each other, let's Challenge ourselves!

• Slim has already taken up the Challenge and so has someone named Tango...

So, Jan 2 thru Jan 5 you can Post your Pound Loss Goal on the Blog...In person or Anonymously!

• 5/31/2010 is "Revelation Day" !

Barbecue in Roxborough Hosted by Coco....to Celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Peas' 39th Birthday!

It was a Big Storm today

This photo was taken at about 12:45 PM. It was snowing, blowing, windy-ing, lightening, and Rapturing! I did not venture from my Porch...

The Pound Club

Two weeks from today is New Years' Eve, a time when many make Resolutions...it is also Jason's 32nd birthday. I want to Broadcast my Resolution. Some say that when you let other people know what your intent is, it helps you to achieve your Goal.

• I want to get myself feeling better, I am so tired of the pain...

To do this I believe I need to lose weight and become more Flexible.

• So, by May 31, 2010 I want to lose 31 Pounds from my 12/31/2009 weight. (do you get the 31 theme there?)
• I want to Pound the street on my bike and be "capable" of riding from Phila to Sea Isle City. Whether I "choose" to ride is another question; ala Jerry Seinfeld I may "choose not to run!"

If you are Resolving to lose Pounds, Pound the pavement, Pound the gym or the pool, or even put on Pounds or, if you believe you are the "Best Pound for Pound Family Member", then become a Member of the Pound Club and quit Dogging it!

• Before Jan 1, 2010 state your Goal, you can do it Anonymously! Make a Name Up!

It has been four years since the WIWO competition launched the Blog. WIWO had to do with Fitness, whether you knew it or not. People actually lost weight during that time.

• Go ahead and Pound on me if you don't like the idea, but I'm still going to be 31 Pounds lighter by 05/31/2010 and riding my bike to Sea Isle (if I choose) or...

...Pounding my head against the wall in humiliation.

• OK...how many spelling and punctuation errors in this Post?

Channel 191 on My Cable Dial !

Thanks to my Son Jason, I found out that I have been paying for the MLB Network for 4 years now without ever accessing it, along with the NFL Channel! I have now watched the MLB Network and tonight I saw an interview by Bob Costas with Dick (don't call me Richie!) Allen. Richie/Dick said that the Face of the Phillies is Robin Roberts! I was surprised by that since Robbie preceded Richie/Dick.

• It is amazing what you find on TV when you click stations above Channel 62, which is my Comcast Sports Station

A Challenge in Memory of Dad...

WANNA HAB A SBELLING BEA ??? I think we and our children speak the English Language well. I find it Fun when we correct each other, or quiz each other about spelling and punctuation of language on the Blog. It is innate, Dad was a "wordsmith", he even made up his own words! The Blog has put Challenges out there in the Past:

1. WIWO
2. Bake-offs
3. Bowling

...to name a few. No one took up the Challenge (other than a couple of Cheaters in the WIWO Competition with the handle, Triple A's) ! A New Challenge is being proposed by the Staff at the Gpea Blog....drum roll please...

• A Family Spelling bee !!!

The winner will be presented with the Kamakazi Trophy! That's right, he may not have pronounced it correctly, but, He did get it Phonetically Correct! are there any mis-spellings or bad punctuation in this POST ?

# 66 of the Giants started the FRACAS at the end of the Eagle 45-38 Win! .

...and the Skinny Announcer never noticed it...he Blamed Trent Cole ! The Skinny One was a Homer for the Giants the whole game...and when it ended on a Nasty note, with an Eli Fumble and a scuffle, he blamed it on Trent Cole, who was caught on camera pummeling someone with a Blue Helmet. (WOW, that was a run-on sentence!) BUT...the Skinny One never mentioned the Sucker Punch delivered by #66 of the Giants (Diehl?) on #81 (Jason Avant) of the Eagles right in his back, after a slight Push on the last play.

• Am I the only Eagle Fan that notices this stuff...?

One other thing....

• I Love the Andy/DeSean Body Slam !

The Most Recent McK and a Question about Old Dogs...

You have, by now, probably gotten this from Slim's "friggin" I-Pod! Can one of you Grand kids steal Pop Pops I-Pod?!? Anywho...this Lovely Canine is Mack! Where and when they "adopted" Mack is so far unknown...but I am sure we will soon receive another message from Slim's I-pod about the History of Mack!

• I think it is really cool that you guys find and care for these dogs

Coco is now 12 years old and seems to be so much more Demanding and obsessive...she won't leave us alone...

• Is that normal ?
• is it normal for "old dog" brothers' too?

And Happy Days in Lancaster Mack! You could not have chosen a better Home to be adopted to !

The Pea Blog advice on how Tiger can AVOID being the Biggest Loser...

I just ran this Idea past Jason and he Completely disagrees with me...but here it goes...

• If Tiger would hire "Murray" as his New Agent this is what "Murray" would recommend...

1. Send the wife and kids back to Sweden
2. Buy, and wear a "Chastity Belt" for himself (Elin would have the KEY)
3. Drop All your Current Sponsors (Tiger has No Owner to answer to, No GM, No Coach)
4. Start playing Golf again
5. Kick Butt on the Golf Course in 2010, win, win, win...$$$$$, win...

The wife and kids appear in the Public Eye after you Win the Last Major, completing the "GRAND SLAM" of Golf...Have a Family Photo Shoot...and Publicly Cry...

• When ALL that is done...you open yourself up to Bids to New Wannabe Sponsors!

Everything Hunky-dory by Christmas of 2010...and Elin could give him the KEY back for a Christmas present!

• Anyone have "Murray's" Number ???

I watched The Biggest Loser Finale'...very Inspiring

...HOWSOMEVER...I see a Problem. The Winner of TBL (the biggest loser) gets $250,000. ONLY $250,000!!! Meanwhile, if you are a Fan of Daytime TV you would know that the people on "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" win between "25,000.00 and $1,000,000 "every single day"!

• The people on TBL go tru Weeks of Torture (I heard that next season they are moving the Show to Guantanamo Bay once Barak brings the current occupants to Phila or NY to Derrick Jeter's Estate)
• The people on WWTBAM (who wants to be a millionaire) are given HELP thru the Audience, Friends and Experts!
• The Losers on TBL should also get a shot at WWTBAM
• ...and visa versa

Bottom line? The Producers of TBL are cashing in BIG TIME !!!

Went shopping with the wife today...

...and went into a Store where I can say that there was absolutely NOTHING there that I wanted! Michael's. I have been in many stores and there is Always something I would see & say, "that's neat". But not in Michael's. There was NOTHING there I wanted！ Of course, Judy Ann found something we needed.

Does anyone Deer Hunt ?

I read an article this week about the Penna Deer Hunting Season...more people Hunt deer in Pa than any other State. I remember going Deer Hunting with a certain Macho guy from Mechanicsburg in the Fall of 1970. I remember breakfast at a roach infested Diner/Bar where guys in plaid were bellying up for a "pre-hunt" shot & beer @ 4:30 AM. I remember Freezing my "cougars" off. I remember wishing I was Deep Sea Fishing...and I Hate Deep Sea Fishing! I remember shooting a Rabbit and thinking, "what did I do that for?"

• Hunting is Good
• ...just not for me...

Just my thoughts...

Christmas Shopping and Grandkids...

I was told to buy the Grandaughter something "Art Related" and the Grandsons something "Sports Related"...That was it... from my Talkative Son, their Father...YIKES!

• Any suggestions as to what "Sports Related" and "Art Related" are ?

A whole lot of Sport Pretending going on in the City this week...

These two "ice skaters" pretended they were fighting...

• The 76ers and Allan Iverson pretended they were Happy to be back together
• ...and the Phillies are pretending that the Plaxico, er Placido, er Placid Polanco, er, Palamino,erPalmyra signing will take them over the TOP next year!
• while Andy Reid pretends it's all his Fault and he has everything under control
• ...while Michael Vick pretends he is an EAGLE!

What was wrong with Pedro Feliz? Pretend you know...

POLITICS!... If I had an Estate these Democrats would make me Estateless...they want your Money !

";Under current law, if someone inherits a $5 million estate in 2009, they would pay $675,000 in federal estate taxes, according to an analysis by Deloitte Tax. In 2010, they would pay no estate tax but the estate would be subject to a 15 percent capital gains tax. If they inherit the $5 million estate in 2011, they would pay $2,045,000 in estate taxes, according to the analysis."...and according to what the current Democrat Congress is proposing...

• But, I still think it is unconscionable that the Gov't could take about 50% of what you worked for and intended to leave to your Family...!@#$%...

Of course, Rich people can make Plans to get around this, but, is a $5 million Estate "RICH" in today's Society? Should it be necessary to have to "make Plans" to get around this Tax?

• The Democrats in Congress are setting the Bar @ $3.5 million for the Tax to take effect.

Does anyone else think this is Thievery?

Ray King should seriously think about taking his CD to Market!

Susan Boyle's CD...

• Sold 701,000 in the first week
• Beat Eminems Record
• and beat Ashanti's Female Record

I may not have all the Facts right, but you get the Gist...

• 701,000 x $15.00 per CD =
• Over $10 Million in the First Week !

People are Crazy...

Ray King Sings: Who Knew?

I know it's been many, many years since anyone from the McKendry's has seen Joan and Ray King but I thought I'd share this story. They are both getting very old and are dealing with a range of physical issues but Ray recently made a request. Here is the story and the video. Ray King was a young boy in Springfield, MA during the 1930's and he liked to stop into the Kresge's 5&10 cent store to hear a woman play the piano. She played in the store in hopes of selling sheet music that a mother, father, or child would play at home. Seventy years later, Ray is about to celebrate his 82nd birthday and recently announced that he'd like to sing some of those old songs and record them on a CD. No one in his family had ever heard Ray sing, he had never recorded his voice before, and no one knew what to expect. But, his family got behind the idea and on a sunny Saturday in November, Ray sat in his chair and sang into a microphone. He completed three songs made famous in the 1930's, "These Foolish Things", "How About You", and "Where or When". Here is a video of Ray's home recording session.

Have you ever seen Mt Rushmore?

• Do you know where Mt Rushmore is?
• Do you know who is carved into Mt Rushmore?
• Do you know who did the Carving?
• Do you care ?