so surreal

the apps did it again, and again, and again! it's been a little over a week since the big 3-peat in chattytown and, well, people are still chattin' about the historic accomplishments of the mountaineers! we had another great time in chattanooga and have come to feel like it's another home game with so many of the black and gold nation in the stands and on the streets. this year i guess you could say it wasn't simply the stands and streets, heck it was sidelines too - four corners full of proud mountaineers ready to rush the field to celebrate the victory. regardless of the crap espn take on things, our crowd rocked the river city and did so with lots of enthusiasm...give 'em hell apps!

i'm home for the holidays and it feels nice to be here for a few days. i can already tell that i'll be putting on a pound or two with all the food before me. too bad i can't run off the calories quite yet but hopefully soon after the new year. it's been too long and i really hope i can resume the running routine since it provides a nice stress relief. but for now i will have to rely on walking my brother's two jack russells who have come all the way from nashville for the holidays! they are a handful but fun to play with and they keep us all entertained.

speaking of entertainment...we braced ourselves and ventured out to the mall late this afternoon to take in the annual last minute shopping endeavor. mom & i were amazed at the number of people who really do wait until the final hours to prepare. further, i didn't realize the number of international folks in catawba county...i had heard there was an influx of hispanic and hmong cultures in hickory and i truly saw this tonight. it was interesting to see the interactions of all the people - and yes, regardless of the cultures, everyone seemed to be sucked into the pop cultures of hollister, a&f, aeropostale, and such crap. trust me, i'll take mast general store any and every day.

tomorrow we'll begin the christmas festivities in earnest with christmas eve services and an open house at my oldest brother's new home across town...to be christened and celebrated with our traditional holiday spirits ~ a.k.a. white russians and "christmas tree" beverages! oh the setzer traditions...

may you and yours have a wonderful holiday and remember those traditions!

p.s. in honor of the apps oh-so-sweet-3-peat...the photo up top is of the crew in chatty celebrating with pride!