Random Thoughts and Interests

Thanksgiving

2013-11-26T17:14:00.001-08:00

Four years and one month ago we lost Bette, one month from now is Christmas.

What am I thankful for?
I am thankful for meeting Bette 36 or so years ago at college. I am thankful for Bette marring me. I am thankful for all the time we had together. I am thankful for family and friends - past, present and future. Everyone that has shaped me to be the person I am today. Sure I like the "stuff" I have but that is all replaceable. As I and everyone Bette's life has touched or anyone who has lost someone close know, it is the people in our lives that are not replaceable. When we loose someone we need to go on. But while going on we should not forget them or their legacy. How they made us feel. How they influenced us, what they taught us. We are the sum of everyone we have met.

Thank you all...

http://youtu.be/xzMtXUWO8pQ

Four Years Ago Today The Love of my Life Died

2013-10-25T18:05:00.000-07:00

I have been debating with myself about what I would write today. I was first thinking I would speculate about what life would be like if Bette had not died. But how would I do that? I could say things like Bette would by now have finished school to become a teacher. However what happens after that? Would we still be in Sandown? Would I still be doing the job I am doing now? Would we have moved someplace where there were more teaching opportunities? In the news there have been stories about teachers being hurt or killed at school. Life is so fragile. How can I possibly know or predict the future? Sure I know what we had planned. The main thing is that we had planned on living together to a ripe old age. Walking arm in arm supporting each other - forever! Bette, I miss you so much..

So please take this thought with you - embrace your family and friends now. You never know what awaits you.

September 2013

2013-09-30T18:12:00.001-07:00

Its going to be short and sweet for this month

Since last time I have gone to a NASCAR race in New Hampshire. I had great seats thanks to Don. Other than that not too much new. Here is a video of the house and land around it taken with one of my newest toys:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rd3ZXwH3RHk&feature=share&list=UUzZ__tPvRSf73F8If1PqGMw

IF CLICKING ON THE LINK ABOVE DOES NOT WORK COPY AND PASTE THE LINK INTO YOUR BROWSER.

34 YEARS

2013-09-03T17:25:00.001-07:00

This weekend has been the 34th anniversary of my marriage to Bette. We always considered it to be the holiday weekend not the date.

I had an interesting visitor yesterday. Peter and his wife, Annmarie. Of significance is that this is the anniversary weekend of being married like I stated, but not known by too many is Peter was suppose to be my Best man. However he was not able to make it back to Massachusetts in time. So my next choice was family friend Ken P. Bette would remind Peter of this just about every year so of course I had to!

It was very nice visit yet kind of sad for me too. Peter showed me a bunch of photos of his vacations with some old photos of our College days in Fitchburg... It is nice seeing pictures of Peter and family being happy at the same time it reminds me of losing Bette.

I'll end with this (dumb) question: Since I went to Fitchburg State and now it is a University have I retroactively graduated from a University?

:+)

Later

2013-08-25T18:30:00.001-07:00

It is again the 25th of the month. There were all sorts of things I was planning on writing about but they all pale in comparison to what I experienced this morning.

Pease Greeters:

There is a group of people that meet and welcome every plane of our Troops that lands at the Pease airport in Portsmouth New Hampshire. http://www.peasegreeters.org/
Since 2005 they have greeted more than 600 flights and 170,000 troops.

This morning I, and some friends participated in one of these greetings. I made a short video http://youtu.be/AoxObeYG62o that you can watch part of what goes on. To say the least it is emotional! I would recommend that if you ever get a chance - DO IT! This may have been my first time but I know this will not be my last time.

Some of what is done as well as greeting the Troops they are offered phones to use, food, people that are happy to talk to them and welcome them home, and time off the plane after a long flight. From what I have heard the troops do not know about the Greeters before they land.

There were several people from work there which was good to see. My friend Kit was chosen for the ceremony of presenting a shirt (see the video). By the way this was the 100th flight they have greeted this year. They are there no matter what time of day the plane arrives.

I think Bette would be very happy I did this.

Until next time...

It is finally Summer time

2013-06-26T18:30:00.001-07:00

It is finally Summer time and my Summer vacation is over.

I had a wonderful time on the shore of lake Canandaigua NY. with Bonnie, Jenny, Brenda, the young mister Bill, Jane, the staff of Camp Letourneau, and their families. We got there in time to see Art and his Wife off.

They retired and bought an RV to travel around and visit family and see America. Seeing them off was real bittersweet for me. While I was happy for them to be able to do this it reminded me that Bette and I were planning to do the same thing...

There was much good food, conversation, fun, fishing (not me), and play. There was even a little Shakespeare, pool, and Password. A little rain, a little coolness, much sunshine and warmth. In short something for everyone. The only thing missing were Drake's Cakes products.

And the best there was much LOVE!

I brought three of my Traxxas Radio Controlled trucks for vacation. On the first day I almost killed Bonnie by accidently running one of the trucks into her ankle. After that I had to watch it every time Bonnie had the controller. You can follow this link to a short youtube video I made (www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDYSgT2MkYg) Click here to see video of RC trucks at camp. By the end of the week all three trucks had injuries that retired them from use until I can get new parts. One the drive shaft broke. Second one has some sort of transmission problem (smoke coming out of the tranny). Last the shock absorber came loose on the right side. I recorded probably several hours of video shot from the trucks. Eventually I will edit some more of it and put it on YouTube.

The Raptor drove very well and used about 60 gallons of gas. Going out it got about 14.4 miles per gallon and on the way back 15.6 MPG. My only explanation is that the camp is at a higher altitude so going home was downhill.

On the home front

The garage is almost painted. Only one more side to go. The Gas company is coming out to move the propane tank away from where the electric goes into the house. When they finish the pavers are coming to pave the dirt in front of the garage and a walkway to the back door of the garage.

The Sunday I got back I went with some friends to New England Dragway. It was the first time for the BIG guys of the National Hot Rod Assoc. (NHRA) to come to New England. It was HOT and the competition was stiff. The Funny Car finals came down to John Force vs his daughter Courtney Force. The last race was close and the younger Force won!

Now it is back to reality. Or at least my own version of reality.

until next time...

Better late...

2013-05-26T17:48:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was one of those cool rainy lazy days where all you want to do is nap. Today looked like is was starting out the same but around 11 AM the sun came out. Then I went over to some friends for their cookout. It was a cook out but an eat in because of the cool and wind. Along with good food was watching the Red Sox come from behind and win!!!

The last month nothing much happened. I got new racing tires for New England Dragway (NED). They are on the car but it has rained every Wednesday since then.

The Car Show season has started (last Monday). I am planning on going to one tomorrow afternoon weather permitting. I'll have to wash the Shelby. Then there is another one on Thursday evening.

Next month I should have more to write about. There will be a vacation and I will have gone to a professional Drag Race (watching not racing). It will be the NED's first NHRA national level race. I think I was the first person to buy tickets for it. NED regulars were able to purchase tickets a few weeks before they were released to the general public. When I was asked where I wanted to sit I was told I had my choice of any seats. Which kind of tells me no one else bought any before me...

And in case you are still wondering the answer to last month's question - April showers bring May Flowers, What do May flowers bring. Well the answer is... Mayflower(s) bring Pilgrims.

I would like to end by thanking all of our Veterans for their service to our country, and I would like to add our police, firefighters, and all that unselfishly serve for the better good.

April Showers bring May flowers, May flowers bring...

2013-04-25T18:28:00.000-07:00

Not too much has happened in the last month. I’m still working on the video from my visit to the NC RR museum from last month. It finally seems like spring might actually be here. I did hear a weather forecast for tonight predicting it getting into the 20’s.

I have been to the drag strip twice this year - opening day and the second Wednesday Street Night. Not many cars yet. Not much competition either. I know there were faster cars than mine but I never went up against them. So far I am undefeated. That includes a couple “races” where I only got up to about 70 MPH. I need to get some new DOT street legal drag tires before I do much more racing. I’ll try to include the video from one of the runs last week.

Sal and Cheryl cleaned up my yard. All those nasty leaves and twigs are gone. Also the BIG tree branch that broke this winter is gone. Sal has all the really cool toys. Like a Kabota tractor with a backhoe, a dump truck, and a bunch of smaller tools.

Here’s to spring and warmer weather. Until the next posting.

Just back from visiting some of Bette's family (and mine)

2013-03-25T18:55:00.001-07:00

I have spent the last several days in North Carolina.
I have now visited all of Bette's Brothers and Sisters this year. It was really nice seeing everyone. Too many people to mention so I will not. (LOL) (tired) But Bonnie must be really tired she drive home today.

Today was a travel day. I spent it in airports and planes times two before finally landing in Manchester. Can they make the plane seats any smaller? But now - Home sweet home.

Once home I picked up the right front wheel for the Shelby. It had a scratch that was just fixed. Now I am all ready for spring...

Below should be a few photos, in no order, showing some of what I did in the last week.

On the ground on way to jetport.

Where in New Hampshire is this?

Or is it in Mass?

We are cold.

What can happen when you get too close to an alligator. Even a brass one.

I don't like spider or snakes but that's not what it takes...

Choo choo. I'll be putting a video on my youtube channel. More about that later.

Had a good ride.

Big cat sanctuary and lots of rain.

I feel safe now...

Baaa till next time....

Photos from 2003 to 2006

2013-02-25T18:18:00.001-08:00

I ran across some photos from 2003 to 2006. Thought you would like to see them. I spent a snowy Sunday going through them. They appear here in random order. Most are from Florida and a few are from New Hampshire.

Florida beaches

Hampton NH Seafood Fest.

Karaoke Party

Fast cars (not ours)

Painting

Swimming

Boating

Hampton NH

Everglade City FL.

Karaoke in FL.

Bonnie not fishing

Florida wild life.

Painting "Florida" post cards.

Twins....

Christmas (silver Mustang with black stripes - who would have guessed?)

Bette loved the holidays.

Back home in the cold winter - hibernation time.

2013-01-27T07:19:00.001-08:00

Vacation is over and winter is in full swing here in New England. It has been mostly bright and sunny but cold. One morning I woke up to -4 and I do not think this week has gotten above freezing. The garage is finished and the building inspector has given it his seal of approval. In face he wrote "Nice job" on the form he left for me. It is nice not having to clear the truck of snow or frost on the windows...

What have I been doing for fun? There is always sleeping. Seriously, yesterday and today the racing season has started for me with the 24 hours at Daytona Grand Am race is running. Had friends over for the start. I have been doing a little with my RC Trucks. I got extra wide tires so the truck can run in the snow. Those that were at camp last year playing with the truck should have a better prepared truck this year. Most Saturday and Sunday mornings I have been having breakfast with friends. It has been a little cold to do much outside. I have a Shelby Model to put together. I want to do a good job so I can display it with the Shelby when I go to car shows like some people do. Hopefully winter will end soon so we can all end our hibernation.

I was looking at the Stats for this blog. I only have one follower. This is the 119th Blog posting I have made.

If you have any ideas about how to make this more interesting please feel free to contact me.

Fourth Christmas without Bette

2012-12-25T14:44:00.000-08:00

Again I am down in Fort Myers for the Holidays. Last week I went to the beach where we sprinkled Bette's ashes. It was nice and sad visiting her. I have also been to the Fort Myers Beach a couple times and to Ding Darling Preserve.

There are some photos on my Facebook page. I think you can get to it here:

http://www.facebook.com/UnofficialPopeJaimeBrown

I have had a real good time this Christmas. Got more than I expected in more ways than one.

I hope you all had a good Holiday.

Until next time....

Jaime

Happy Birthday Bonnie!

2012-12-01T12:40:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday Bonnie!

Here are a few pictures from Thursday, ‎December ‎08, ‎2005. They were taken at Bonnie and Bette's 50th birthday party in Fort Myers Florida.

A lot has changed…

Here are a few pictures from that day.

Bonnie have a very Happy Birthday!

2012-11-27T18:55:00.001-08:00

I have been trying to think what to write this month. It has been three years and one month… Thanksgiving was this month.

So that is where I will start. I had decided I was going to stay home and just relax. For the first time since Bette died I did not go to my friends Kim and Ellen’s. I kind of missed seeing them. My neighbors talked me into having Thanksgiving with them. So I went across the street instead of staying home. I was very nice day. Met some people I did not know and was made to feel like family. We were eating from about 1:30 PM until around 6:00 PM. Other than being tricked into eating some chips with fish dip everything was very good! As my close friends and family know I do not like fish! And I proved it on Thursday.

Of the six adults there, four of us had lost our spouse in one way or another. One was separated; one lost their spouse about five or six years ago. As you know I lost Bette three years ago and my host lost his wife this year. What could have turned into a depressing trip down memory lane instead turned into a celebration of our lives with our spouses. Tearful at times knowing what we have lost but uplifting because of what we had…

I hope you all had a good Thanksgiving and will have a wonderful Holiday season.

Garage update:

Still have the doors to put on but I am parking the vehicles in it.

The "Shelby Shack" is partly taken down. It will be going to its new home soon. I and the Shelby will still be able to visit it.

4 years

2012-10-25T18:04:00.000-07:00

It was four years ago today that I learned that Bette had died. I first got a phone call saying Bette was in an accident. About a hour before that Bette had called me and said what fun she was having and we should go camping where she was because it was so pretty. After the phone call about an accident I was getting ready to go where Bette was to comfort her. Before I could find out where she was a police car pulled into my driveway. As soon as I saw the two Officers walking up the walkway I knew Bette had died.

The rest was just a blur. The next thing I remember the house was full of neighbors, friends and Bette's family (which I consider my family). It seemed like everyone just showed up at once which I know is not true because all of Bette's Brothers and Sisters and family had to come from out of state. You guys are great! I love you all. You have helped me so much! The last three years have been a trial of coping. With your help I am continuing with my life. But Bette is still always right there with me.

Today the cement for the floor of the new garage came. The guys actually woke me up. It was still dark out when they started working. Setting up for the cement. I will have some photos soon of the floor and garage build in general.

Drag racing season is almost over. Had a good night last night. Won all of my runs. Even a 2011 Shelby GT500 (year newer than mine). The car hit the 28,000 mile mark doing about 100 MPH on the track. Next Wednesday is the last Wednesday for 2012. If it does not rain I hope to make it. If I do I will have been there for the first day and last day of the season.

Please take a moment to remember Bette.

Until next time...

A Day Late

2012-09-26T18:42:00.002-07:00

Yes, I know I am a day late. But I did not know that yesterday. Yesterday my mind told me it was the 24th not the 25th. My watch is no help either. It thinks today is September 22. Work has been real busy this week.

Had a good weekend. I went to the NASCAR race with some friends Sunday. Below are a few of the over 2,000 photos I took. Had good seats up in the clouds (good thing it was sunny) near turn 4. We could see the pits, and front and back straights. Good race - no accidents or even spin-outs.

Jr leaving the pits

Jeff G. back straight

Jr in the pits

This coming Saturday I will be at the Grand Am race in Limerock Conn. You can watch it on Speed Channel 3:00 PM Eastern.

The Deck is 95% finished. The cement has been in place and the hole around it has been filled. Photos later. The Shelby and Raptor are really looking forward to living in their new house. The floor cement should be coming soon.

Sorry no new personal incite this time. Next month it will be three years since Bette died. And I hope to have special visitors in October. I guess that means I have to clean up the house...

Until next time keep the shinny side up and the dirty side down.

Photos for last post...

2012-08-25T19:25:00.008-07:00

Read the Post before this before looking at these photos.

NETTTS trucks with

"In Loving Memory of Bette Brown"...

Future site of garage.

24'X24'

One of many car shows.

This one at Moooos on route 111 Salem NH.

Summer is almost over.

2012-08-25T18:04:00.006-07:00

Summer is almost over. Too fast, but good. My September calendar is just about full. The first weekend I have two cookouts. It would have been Bette and my 33rd anniversary. The second weekend I may have off. The third weekend Sunday I have a ticket for the NASCAR race in New Hampshire. Watch for me I will be in row 41 near the pit entrance. Then for the last weekend I am getting tickets, with the same friends I am going to NASCAR with, for the last Grand Am race of the season in Limerock Park in Conn. I hope to meet up with some of the people (drivers and crew) that Bette and I would see and hang with when we went to the Grand Am races.

New England Tractor Trailer Training School (NETTTS) North Andover MA. School has put on their best road trucks “decals” saying In Loving Memory of Bette Brown (see photos). Bette was very proud of that school and the opportunities it gives it’s students to learn a trade, get a job, and most importantly improve themselves. Well for some reason I am not able to download the photos tonight. I will try to put the photos on the Blog later.

The past month I have gone to several and been in several car shows and “Cruise Nights” showing off both the Shelby GT500 and the Raptor. In the next two months these car shows will continue and I’ll be going to a lot of them. I also hope to get back to New England Dragway in September. This summer it has either been too hot (you are not allowed to use the car’s AC and have to wear a helmet) or raining on the days I would have gone.

On the Home front my deck is being rebuilt. You would not believe all the rot that was found! Don’t tell anyone. This is just between you and me. One of the boards I stepped on broke loose and I fell through up to my knee. I’m OK but that board is being punished and sent to that big wood pile in the sky. The deck is almost all taken down. There is enough for me to be able to still get in the house. This next week the replacement wood should be arriving. The Shelby and Raptor house is proceeding nicely. The new fill is in. We are waiting for one more quote for the foundation… Then the trenches can be dug and the cement poured. As it is with only the dirt I have started parking the Raptor “in” the garage so it gets use to it’s new home. Photos as I am able to post them….

That’s it for now. Until next time – take care…

PS I know I have been missing a lot of people’s Birthdays and for that I apologize. I will endeavor to do better the remainder of this year and in 2013.

July 2012

2012-07-26T16:49:00.006-07:00

I know I am a day late posting this. There was a good chance that I would have some good news the day after my normal posting date of the 25th. As it turned out I got the good news I was hoping to get. Now I expect that you are asking yourself why doesn’t he spit it out and tell us the good news? That is a good question to which I say: To keep up the suspense.

The past month has been interesting. The car shows are going strong. I went to about five shows at different locations. I showed both the Shelby and the Raptor. I got to catch up with people I have not seen since last fall. Then a Saturday night a couple weeks ago I was sitting watching TV when a neighbor knocked on the door and gave me tickets to the New Hampshire NASCAR Sprint Cup race the next day. I had a good time going to the race with a friend. We left my house around 9 AM and I got home at 8 PM. Last night I went to New England Dragway Street night with the Shelby. Some friends came to watch. My car is too fast to give rides on the track. I made nine runs. Seven of them I was the first across the finish line. One of the two I was not first I crossed the finish line at a higher speed than the other car. How is that possible you ask? Well, if the other car is really good at getting a quick start it can get ahead. It can top out at a slower speed so it is a game of catch up. Another 100 feet or so and I could been first. In any case I had fun. I will try to post a video. Wish me luck.

Ok, enough suspense. Today I got a building permit to build a garage for the Shelby and Raptor!!!!! It will be 24 by 24 feet. From the road it will look like a mirror image of the house at the end of the driveway. I will provide photos as the building progresses.

Take care and come on back….

Time Goes On

2012-06-26T16:36:00.008-07:00

The march of time never stops. Before I forget I just want to say I have something very nice and touching to show next month. Maybe even mid month. Stay tuned.

On a sad note Tommy dog had some medical problems and had to be put to sleep. He had a good life. He was 19 years and three months old. The house is a little emptier now.

I just got back from vacation. Had a really good time at Camp LeTourneau with Bonny, Brenda, Bill, Billy, Jenny, and Jane. Did not do much but sometimes those are the best times. Every evening after watching sunset we played games. Dominoes, Apples to Apples, and Password. Haven't laughed so hard in a long time. During the day played follow the shade. The weather couldn't have been better.

We all missed Bette.

May 25, 2012 - Another month has passed

2012-05-25T17:36:00.001-07:00

Another month has gone by. It is getting closer to summer and warmer out. It is predicted to be close to 90 tomorrow with chance of summer like showers. My allergies are working overtime. Nothing new. Planet Earth continues zooming through space and we all continue to hang on and not fall off.

I had a strange thought/feeling mid morning today. I had the desire to call Bette. Like in the past we would sometimes just call each other in the middle of the day for no other reason than to hear each other’s voice. Make contact. Some days being apart for eight hours seemed like too much time away. Now it has been over two years without her…

Jaime

2012-04-25T19:05:00.001-07:00

I have been putting this off, but it is getting late in the day so I will not put it off any longer. It has been two and a half years since Bette died. Two and a half years! The pain is always just under the surface and I can talk about Bette and our life together without always getting teary. Some days the pain is just as strong as that first week. The last few nights driving home I have been thinking about our almost nightly call to each other (hands free and voice activated) on the way home to check in to see how our day was, when are you getting out of work, and what we wanted to do that night. Who is cooking, what we are cooking, how about a pizza? What do you want on the pizza, or how about Chinese food? What movies are playing? I guess I’m tired how about picking up some pre-cooked meal at the grocery store? I’ll get a video too… I really miss that!

Since last month I have renewed a hobby and started a new one. The weekly Wednesday Street Night at New England Dragway has started. I have been there twice. Once in the truck once in the Shelby. I got the truck up to about 91 MPH in about 15 seconds and at the 660 foot mark it was going about 72 MPH. The Shelby had the street tires on it and was about a second off my normal times. I had fun though. The new hobby is RC (radio controlled) trucks. What got me started was seeing an article in a car magazine saying there is a cool RC Raptor. I found one in the internet and bought it. And it is the same color as my big Raptor truck! That would be cool to have at the car shows I go to. It came in and I ran it out in the back yard. Boy did it go? I had to get me another one of these but 4 wheel drive. The 4 wheel drive one came in and it was even faster. Last weekend I gave the first one a new motor. Now they are equally fast. I have been told they can do between 35 and 60 miles per hour and they come with gearing that will get them even faster (warning: faster speeds should only be done on smooth large paved areas). Since I do not have a large smooth pavement I’ll keep them slower. For now anyway…

That has been a little bit of my life for the past month. I hope you continue to enjoy my blog. Until next time.

2012-03-25T19:16:00.004-07:00

Today was the kind of cold dreary day you just want to stay inside in front of the fireplace. It was in the 40s and drizzly and rainy most of the day. It was the kind of weather that just chills you to the bone. It was the kind of weather that Bette just hated. Flannel pajamas, big heavy robe, and hot chocolate or tea – if she didn't have to go out.

Well despite the weather I had breakfast with some friends, went to the bank (yes I belong to one of those banks is open on Sundays), I went to a museum (more about that little bit), and I went home to watch some races (and promptly fell asleep). I did do a few other things not worth mentioning. The museum I went to is the Museum of printing (museumofprinting.org). Some friends are involved with the museum and I got an invitation to their opening day today. It was really interesting, a lot packed into the building. I don't want you much away about the museum, you should visit it yourself. There is one thing from one of the tours really struck me is interesting. The museum has printing presses maybe I should say devices from over 100 years ago up to modern. The interesting part, to me anyway, is that printing presses over 100 years old are still functioning and able to print but many of the modern 1970s to present typesetting printing machines are not working or unable to work because of things like electronics that no longer work with the software or operating systems that run the machines are no longer available. Why does something from 100 years ago work but today everything grows obsolete within a few years? I've some ideas on the sundial discusses a later time.

It's Sunday night, it is getting late, time to let the dog out one last time, then go to bed. Monday morning and going off to work is going come much too early. I hope everyone that reads this little blog of mine enjoy it, maybe learn little, get to know me better, maybe even inspire you to do something. I welcome you to my world. Take care, until next time…

Vroom!

2012-02-26T16:15:00.004-08:00

I am a day late in posting this. Bette has been heavy on my mind these last few days and weeks for reasons I cannot discuss.

Today was supposed to be the Super Bowl of the NASCAR season– the Daytona 500. But it got rained out. So I'm going to bore you talking about my cars. For those not interested just skip ahead to next month.

Above you can see photos of my current fleet. I did not realize how tall the pickup truck really was until the Shelby was sitting next to it. I don't think the roof of the Shelby even reaches the top of the hood of the Raptor. Both vehicles are made by Ford's Special Vehicle Team. I've probably talked about the power, of the fun I've had with the Shelby. Dyno tuned to little over 550 hp at the rear wheels ( supposedly 667 hp at the flywheel). The Raptor is sort of the pickup truck equivalent. It is 411 hp stock off the showroom floor. Supposed to be able to do hundred miles an hour in four-wheel-drive over open country. There are several YouTube videos you can see Raptors doing this and jumping small buildings in a single bound. I don't intend to do either. I was however hoping that there'd be enough snow for me to go to an empty parking lot that has not been plowed and drive around and try doing doughnuts and other fun stuff like that. Nothing harmful. The way this winter is going I will have to wait till next year for that. The Raptor is probably just as much fun to drive as the Shelby but indifferent way. The Shelby is low, sleek, and fast, the Raptor is large, tank like in its size (little over 7 inches wider than the standard F150), and quick. the Raptor seats are very comfortable. Up until about a week ago my mileage been 13 miles to the gallon, in the last week specifically this weekend I've noticed the average is about 15 miles per gallon. the last two days it is occasionally hit 20 miles to the gallon for 10 or more minutes averaging 16 1/2 for entire trips. It's getting better gas mileage now than I thought it would. It has about 2800 miles on it and is about 2000 miles from its first service. To wrap this up I am very happy with both of my SVT vehicles.

I can picture Bette looking down on me and smiling. Knowing these are the type of vehicles we always wanted to have. And I can't help thinking she may be a little jealous that I am driving these since she is not able to. But in a way she is able to because she is in my heart and head always and forever. Death did not do us part – Bette's spirit was always with me.

-Jaime

Another month gone by

2012-01-25T19:27:00.000-08:00

Another month has gone by… Since Christmas I have returned from my vacation in Florida, bought a new pickup truck (Ford Raptor), and my friend and neighbor Sal lost his Wife, Shelia, after a long and hard struggle. Going to the services for Shelia brought to the surface a lot of feelings. As you can probably imagine I have been thinking of Bette a lot. Between the way Bette loved the holidays and found joy in the smallest gift or jester and thoughts of her Service I have done a lot of soul searching. What have I done in the two plus years? I have genuinely wanted to visit with Bette’s family more than I have been able to. This year does not look any better because of having even less vacation time than in the past. I will muddle through doing the best I can. Except for house work. I hate house work. I feed myself and Tommy the dog alright but when it comes to putting things away I never have the time or can find the place where it belongs. OK – I know that is not entirely true – I know my sox go in the sox drawer, my underwear goes in the underwear drawer, and my shirts and pants go in the closet. And they should know this too but they do not put themselves there either… And don’t get me started with the vacuum. I have been threatening it by saying I will buy one of those little robot vacuums but it has not helped.

This weekend is the last weekend of January and Bette and I would probably be in Daytona watching the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona road race. We know several of the drivers. Some just a nodding acquaintance some well enough to talk to at length. This year I will be watching the 50^th Daytona 24 hour race at home on the Speed channel. I would say three of the drivers I know have a real good chance of winning in their class. Maybe next year I’ll make it.

I see Kit and Mike most Saturday mornings for breakfast (Sunday is Mike’s birthday I hear he is turning 147 this year) and I see Jimmy and Debbie on Sundays for breakfast. I’ll talk more about the new truck probably next month or maybe have a mid month posting about the truck.

So life is progressing. Different but moving forward. Until next month.