This past week was spent at family gatherings - feasting and celebrating our Lord's birth. Wine flowed and the food was great. The food was not traditional stuff, we ate gumbo, and other South Louisiana.

On Christmas Eve we enjoyed family time at home. Sean, our nephew in the Air Force, spent much of the day visiting with us. Lisa and I cooked tenderloins with red wine reduction sauce and asparagus with a lemon/butter sauce.

Also on Christmas Eve we let the boys open their gifts. Christmas Morning, LP and I were up early. We loaded our kayaks on her jeep and for water. There was a strong north wind and it was thirty three degrees when we put the boats in the water. She and I paddled out to Rabbit Island and a bit around the lake, before we headed back home.

The boys were just getting up when we got home. I cooked pain perdu for breakfast. Pain Perdu has always been a special treat that I cook for breakfast.

Christmas was a good, but we miss our son Christian and lovely wife Jessica they are both serving in the U.S. Navy and are over seas.

Later,

Kenith

We've had two Christmas parties so for this week. The first was at our house. This one was with our family and the family of Lisa's sister. Lisa did a great job planning and getting everything ready. I provided wine and helped Lisa, who did most of the work.

Last night we were at my sister's house in Longville for my families Christmas party. We had a great time. The big event was my daughter getting her car stuck. She passed up the drive way and pulled in at the drive to to my bro-in-law's shop and tried to cut across the field. Not a good idea. Brian had to pull out the tractor and chains to pull her car our of the mud.

Lisa and I also took a little time to go kayaking in Prien Lake (pronounced (pre - an). It was windy and the water was a bit choppy but we had fun.

Later,

Kenith

Ps. Pictures to follow.

I am, as of 5:30 this evening, on Christmas vacation. Hallelujah!!!!!! It will be a VERY busy week, but I will be busy away from the refinery and with my wife and family.

I recently bought a case of good California red wine, so I'm set for wine wise.

Merry CHRISTmas,

Kenith

Spent much of the night before last at work, outside in the cold and rain starting one of our units. We got wet and got a good bit accomplished. Last night was much better, it was mostly quiet. This should be my last unit start up as an operator.

Now I'm off to bed.

Kenith

At work yesterday, we had a big feast. One of the guys brought in a deer roast (from a resent kill) a pork roast and deer sausage. It slow roasted all together. Of course, this being South Louisiana, we served it with rice. We also had beans, corn, hot rolls as well. We have some great cooks at work and the meal was great!!!!

I have no days off next week. I work every day until I start vacation on 21 December. I hope this will be one of my last 84 hour work weeks at the Refinery. I should start training at the lab in early January and they work MUCH less overtime than we do in our process units.

My family is well. LP got her blue kayak in on Tuesday. She is excited and anxious to put it in the water.

Coram Deo,

Kenith

Last night I built a fire in the fire pot on the back deck and simply relaxed and washed the fire with my son. A bit later Woody joined us. He and I sipped on a little Irish Whiskey (Tullamore Dew) and talked for a while in the cold near a warm fire.

T woke this morning about 7:30, got the family up. We attended Sunday School at Bethel. My good friend MK started a new series this morning on Church history: The Middle Ages. MK is a great teacher and has a passion for this subject.

Today is the second Sunday of Advent and worship today was on the song of Zacharias. Pastor Steve did a fine job (as always). I enjoy worshiping the Lord our God with the people at Bethel.

This afternoon, Lisa and I attended the 70th annual presentation of Handel's Messiah at McNeese University.

This evening nephew Woody, his dog scout and I went for a brisk walk (about 3 miles).

It was a good day!

Coram Deo,

Kenith

Yesterday was a big day. I took the test at the Refinery to go to the lab. I passed the test, so starting in January I will cease to be a top operator and begin training to be a Lab Tech. I'm excited about the change. It will mean less overtime so my pay will go down, but I want more time off and I can make it with out the overtime.

The other big thing yesterday, was it snowed here in SW Louisiana. That is a rare event, though this makes two years in a row that we got snow. Befor last year, it had been over a decade since it last snowed.

I just watched Bama defeat Florida for the SEC championship. Now I'm watching Texas and Nebraska play for the Big 12 Championship.

I plan to build a fire on in the fire pit in a little while and chill outside.

Coram Deo,

Kenith

Working straight days this week. Friday is Rescue team training.

It is going to be in the 30's tonight. That is cold if you live this for south. I love it. Before global warming (i.e. the Ice Age) it froze regularly down here. :-)

Coram Deo,

Kenith