Simplify Life! Join Me and Have Some Fun!

With this year coming to a close, I am starting to focus on the New Year, 2012. I am not someone that has usually looked for, or created New Year's Resolutions, but this year is going to be different. This blog, Father Thinks He, Knows Best is going to get more attention, as will my Old School Sports, site. America's Voice will continue to grow, of this I am sure. With this said I want to get back to my theme for today and that is simply, simplification. Yes I did actually mean to write it the way I did.

Simple is a way of life that we all have gotten so far away from and need to get back to it. Back to basics. I have already driven Pat crazy with the word and variations of the word simple. As we get into the year I am sure she will be on the verge of strangling me, because of the word. I am determined to go through closets and cabinets in search of the "Stuff' we have accumulated and no longer use. Donate the good and throw away the trash. I am going to start making food simpler, with fewer and fresher ingredients. This may mean more stops at Publix, but it will be simpler and healthier for all of us.

Simpler means more reading and less television. Simpler means more exercise and less sitting around thinking about it. Simpler means more conversations and less mindless disconnect. Simpler means more health and less weight on me. Simpler is a way of life and I will also spend time writing about it and my struggle to achieve it. I am going to strive and make all of my postings on each one of my blogs, more frequent and less words. Me saying less may end up being the greatest struggle of all.

In short, I am asking you to join me, first by reading and then joining me as I fight against the complications that life throws at us each day. Share your ideas, successes and struggles. Together I know we will learn from each other and have some fun, but most importantly we will regain control over our lives. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to all of my loyal readers on all three blogs.

Thanks Darden Restaurants, from This Veteran.

Yesterday Pat and I had a day of errands and, yes Christmas shopping to get done. As the day progressed it became apparent that coming home and cooking was not going to be part of the agenda. We did not want to go someplace to eat and pay a fortune, so the choices we went through ranged from Panera, to Chilli's, to T.G.I.F and finally Olive Garden. Pat decided she really wanted, salad from Olive Garden. There was our choice. We picked Jayden up at after school and drove down to the Loop.

When we entered to give our name for the waiting list, I was asked if any members of our party, were a veteran. I let her know I was. When we were seated I was given a choice of a special menu for Vets or the regular menu and also given a ten dollar Darden gift card that could be used at this time. To me this was a very pleasant surprise.

My friend Jon, the editor of SOG Oracle, writes most eloquently about his experiences at local eateries in the Tampa area. I will forgive Jon for not using the low calorie font on his last review, which I enjoyed reading, like I do all of his writings. I bring Jon up to point out that first of all Olive Garden is not a five star restaurant, but I enjoy it when ever we go. I had Spaghetti and Meatballs, wine, and salad. Pat and Jayden chowed down on their food and were very satisfied and full. Over all we enjoyed good food, good service, great company and even a discount, courtesy of Darden.

So to this corporation I say, "thank you" from an appreciative veteran and a loyal patron. To my readers I say support their company at Olive Garden, Red Lobster and any of the other fine Darden enterprises.

And they try To Fight Gay marriage!

I have been watching the media blowout on Kim Kardashian's pending divorce after 72 days of marital bliss and could not help but wonder. Why do the self righteous Christians, who are so adamant against gay marriage, remain silent? They get worked up over two people wanting to have legal rights to match their love and concern for each other and yet we watch a continuous march of celebrities and celebrity want-to-Be's, such as Kim Kardashian, without as much as a whimper from them. She makes a joke out of the sentiment and feelings involved with a true marriage between two human beings that love each other. Just something I wonder about.

Halloween and Fun Sized Candy

As I was opening the bags of candy in preparation for the trick or treaters tonight I noticed the phrase, "fun sized" on the small bars of candy. I don't know about you, but fun sized to me is not something that can be placed in my mouth all at once. To me fun sized would be a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup about the size of a large dinner plate. One that if I ate it in one sitting, I would go into sugar shock for about three weeks. What is so fun about something that just whets your appetite? The candy companies came up with this size years ago to appease the healthier lifestyle movement and have continued to convince us this is the best bag and size of candy to buy. Now my beautiful wife has me on weight watchers and it has been working. I have lost about 30 pounds and am continuing to loose, but tonight I will have to use all of my will power to avoid eating as much chocolate as I pass out. Each time I hand some little kid a hand full of "fun" sized candy, I will be dreaming of eating a Hersey Bar the size of my couch.

Christmas decorations before Halloween!

I know I am old fashioned in many ways. My wife, could give you numerous examples of this, but I believe that any store that displays Christmas items before Thanksgiving, let alone, Halloween, should have it's doors shuttered in penalty. I remember the tradition of having stores ready for,"Black Friday". This is when we all started to get into the holiday spirit. Now as the Halloween candy is pared back the Christmas decorations start to appear. When the stores did it the day after Thanksgiving, it seemed somewhat magical. Now by the time Christmas comes I am ready to dig Bing Crosby's body up and beat the hell out of him. Why, I am tired of hearing so many renditions of "White Christmas". Please could we have a little bit of sanity! Wait, what's this. The Sunday, Target ads. They have Christmas lights on sale! I'm out of here. Better get there before they run out! 

Epcot Wine and Food Festival!

It is really hard to have a better day then what I experienced this past Sunday. I had the company of my favorite person in the world, my wife Pat, the skies over Central Florida were the most brilliant shade of blue, the sun was bright and we were heading to Epcot for one of our favorite events at Disney World, the Wine and Food Festival. Eating and drinking, something I am very good at.

We started our trek at the Norway bakery, where we waited until 11:00 for the doors to open. We have been here before and you do not have to wait for the W&FF, since this is always open. They serve Viking coffee. Now I am not sure if any real Vikings drink this, but it really doesn't matter to me. They have Bailey's Irish Cream,  Coffee Liqueur and, of course, coffee, I think. All I know is this is the perfect start to the day. Pat got her coffee with Baileys. We each got berry creme horns, a pretzel pastry and an almond pastry. Delicious.

As we left the bakery, I spotted the Norwegian food booth and got a plate of their specialty. Some pickled herring, smoked salmon, shrimp in a cream, dill sauce and a beer. Man this day is going great.

We then proceeded to Germany, where we each purchased a sausage in a pretzel roll. We dipped this in the brown mustard provided and quickly devoured the entree. I only had water at this time. Remember to pace yourself when drinking.

We strolled past several booths, enjoying the sights and smells of the delicious foods. Our destination was France. Here we wanted Champagne, for Pat and a Grand Marni er Slushy for me. Fantastic.

Our last stop for this day was Ireland. Pat ate a lobster and scallop Shepard's pie and I got the cheese plate. Man this was great. Again just water. Sorry but I am not a food critic, I just know what I like, so the rich commentary from critics will have to wait for the newspaper.

We were leaving to go to our daughter, Nicole's house, for a birthday party. Our youngest grandson, Elijah, turned one on Sunday, and Grammy and PopPop, wanted to be there and help celebrate. It was the end to a perfect day.

Beautiful weather. Great food. Great Drinks. Most importantly great company. It all adds up to a wonderful day and one we will repeat, soon. The food Festival ends November 19th and I know there is plenty of other foods and drinks to try this year. Oh and if you are looking for me at the Festival, you may want to start at the bakery in Norway. The Viking coffee is always hot and delicious. See you there!

Sunday Mornings!!

I didn't have to work today, and it was great. What is better then waking up at 7:30, it is pouring rain and the Sunday paper is waiting. That is what I did this morning. Add to that, a nice, hot cup of coffee, my favorite chair and lastly the Sunday news shows. MSNBC has a new show titled, "Up, with Chris Hayes," that started a few weeks ago. I usually record it and watch it on Monday, but this week I got to watch it live. If you haven't seen it yet, do yourself a favor and catch it. It is very much worth it. I promise you will learn something and get drawn into the conversation at the same time.

The rain let up long enough for me to get out and do my walk. It was a beautiful fall morning, despite the rain. I always enjoy my walk and really need to get more consistent at going out for one. For an hour, plus I get lost in my thoughts, boy that is scary, and just relax.

The Steelers were on at 12:30 and televised here in Orlando, so I got to enjoy watching them, blast the Titans. Watching Steeler football is one of the things I miss, since moving to Florida. Once a Steeler fan always a Steeler fan.

This afternoon Pat and I caught one of our favorite movies, "A Few Good Men," with Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson. Is there a better, more intense scene in movies, then the courtroom scene between these two actors, when Nicholson shouts, "You can't handle the truth!" I have seen this movie maybe twenty times and still feel the emotions.

This really was, very close to a perfect day.