The Pause before Thanksgiving

A nice weekend is in the books and a short week awaits as we approach Thanksgiving. I have much to give thanks for this year as so many are suffering, being out of work, having homes foreclosed on, fires in Southern California, a slumping financial system in this country. My personal circumstances are nothing to complain about. I'm lucky to have a good family, a fantastic granddaughter, a good job, my health and a solid and secure roof over my head. I give thanks for Samantha's Daddy, John, who has kept us in pictures of Samantha while Jennifer struggles through some personal issues in her life. John is such a good Dad and I direct you to the link for Samantha's blog that shows pictures of a recent Turkey Trot run that John took Samantha on as well as an update on how Samantha is doing. There are some cute pictures on the site of Sam with her new "kicks". She was first place for babies and is now giving kisses. She continues to learn to walk as she totters about between places before landing back on her bum. I really miss her and feel for the pain that she will feel because of the split of her parents. Jennifer is living with a girlfriend and working overtime right now and trying to figure out what direction she wants to take in her life. I just hope and pray that she puts Samantha first in ALL of her decisions because it is about Samantha now and not Jennifer.

I played poker here at the house Friday night and took my guests for about $100 and didn't feel at all bad as they were trying just as hard to part me from my money. The cards were coming my way Friday night. Saturday was golf and I really felt the week off the weekend before as I struggled to a 42+44=86. Boyd had wanted to play in a Turkey Shoot at Woodcreek, but it is a two man scramble and I wanted to play my own ball and post a score. As it turns out, I'd likely have been happier with the scramble.

Darla's friend and maid of honor, Joni, is living in Roseville now and just dropped off an apple pie. She was in Apple Hill, the orchard area up above Placerville and thought of us as she was baking pies for the holiday. Her Dad is coming in to town from Reno and Joni is fixing the Thanksgiving dinner, but her dad is deathly allergic to her cats and she is bringing the dinner over to the Residence Inn in Roseville and they will have dinner there.

It was great to get back to church today. pastor Rick is in the middle of a sermon series, Money Traps, that examines the issue of money and Christians and how we all fall into the traps of More, more, More and the Debt and unhappiness that follows. We are built with a hole in our hearts and the only thing that can fill that void is a relationship with Jesus. So many try to fill it with possessions that end up possessing them. It was convicting and enlightening.

I took the opportunity on Friday morning while the market was tanking yet again to clean up my portfolio and sell some of the dogs that have been fouling the nest. I bought Fortune Brands, a large conglomerate made up of three basic divisions: home and hardware consisting of brands like Moen faucets, Master Lock and Simonton Windows; Premium spirits like Jim Beam, Courvoisier, Sauza, and Canadian Club; and my favorite Golf with brands like Titleist, FootJoy, Scotty Cameron, Pinnacle and Cobra. The stock has been up around $80 and really overvalued, but I bought in Friday at $31 a share. I also added to my Masco position and bought Pepsi Bottling Group. My portfolio is much stronger today than it was last Thursday. A bonus is that the market turned around Friday afternoon and my positions increased, so me well over $1.00 from when I bought them early in the morning.

Darla and I will spend Thanksgiving with Alicia and her boyfriend, Don, at his house in Folsom. We will then host everyone at our house Friday with the boys home from Cal Poly. I have golf plans on Saturday. Next week is my final board meeting as President of the Roseville Golf Club and we will have pizza Tuesday night as we welcome the new board in. Saturday December 6th is the Christmas party where I will officially turn the gavel over to my VP, Rick. We will play golf with the board on Friday the 5th and the final tournament of the year is on that Sunday. Some busy times ahead.

Well, dinner awaits and there is another football game on. The Cowboys handled the 49ers today and saved me the indignity of listening to the boys crow about their crippled and inept 49ers. Take care and in the words of Pastor Rick, "own your possessions, don't let them own you." Ciao.