Shocking Experience

I was electrocuted for the first time tonight. It was a small shock...well I didn't get knocked out anyway. But, I must say , it was a shocking experience. I decided it was time to replace the dimmer switch in my dining room. I became impatient when I couldn't get the wires back in, so I unscrewed the box again (after turning the circuit back on) and zap. I took a second to make sure I was OK and then had a good chuckle. I always said my health insurance company's stock should have decreaed in value when I bought a house!

The Polls Agree With Me - Americans Don't Mind Governemnt Eavesdropping to Protect Them

National Security Agency: "Should the National Security Agency be allowed to intercept telephone conversations between terrorism suspects in other countries and people living in the United States?" Yes 64% No 23% RasmussenReports.com

Check out Chuck and His Millenium Falcon

eric, bethany, and william grover

Nestle Peppermint Brownies

I discovered this recipe in November in a Nestle cookbook while babysitting for some friends. We loved the recipe and I have made it a couple times since. Nestle recommends an icing to go with the brownies, but to be quite honest, these brownies are so rich, I can't imagine adding a thing! It makes a small batch, but you only really need a small portion.

Nestle Peppermint Brownies

Ingredients

• 1 ¼ cup of flour
• ½ teaspoon of baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon of salt
• ¾ cup of sugar
• ½ cup (1 stick) of butter
• 2 tablespoons of water
• 1 ½ cups (9 oz.) semi-sweet chocolate chips(divided)
• ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs

Prep Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9 inch square pan (I don’t have a 9 in square pan, so I have found that a pie dish works great, but use glass if it all possible) Directions

1. Prepare flour, salt, and baking soda in a small bowl and set aside.
2. In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, butter, and water and bring just to a boil, stirring constantly.
3. Once sugar, butter, and water reach a boil, remove from heat immediately.
4. Add 1 cup of morsels, peppermint extract, and vanilla extract and stir until smooth.
5. Add eggs, one at a time, into saucepan mixture, stirring well.
6. Stir in flour mixture until mixed well.
7. Add remaining morsels.
8. Spread into pan and bake for 20-30 minutes on 350.

Who is really upset about this so called "spying"?

Could someone please tell me, besides the liberal media and Democrats, who is upset about the President's authorization to the NSA to wiretap suspected terrorists? And, who is really fuming, that the government is monitoring properties of know Muslims outside of Washington D. C. for radioactive materials? To be honest, I have not heard anyone outside of the media or the Democratic party (I know, they seem one in the same) voice a single complaint. Perhaps, that is because most Americans feel more comfortable knowing that the government is doing things we don't know about to protect us. I for one, would rather to continue to not know. However, the NY Times, that great voice of the fourth estate, has felt its civic duty to air our intelligence to the world. So, now we all now, including the terrorists. Setting aside the fact that existing search warrant conditions do not meet the needs of modern technology, do we need to extend our rights (rights of American citizens) to those who are guests in our country, wishing to do us harm? I think the founding fathers would be sick if they could see the abuse of the First amendment that exists today ( and I do not believe that amendments IX and X apply here either), but that is a whole separate blog topic. I agree with Senator Santorum, the Constitution, does not necessarily protect our right to privacy. And I am sure there are liberals who would say,"What if happened to you?" Well, my brother and I have had that discussion and we decided that anyone wiretapping our conversations would soon be bored. So, who besides those wanting to see the President's rising approval rating take a nosedive are really unhappy with this so called "spying"?

Network of College Conservatives "Liberal Academia's Final Exam"

http://www.conservativesoncampus.com/Default.asp Check out this website that is designed to give conservative college students a head's up as to who is liberal on their college. Dean Christopher Flickinger founded the Network of College Conservatives to expose the conservative bias on college campuses in the U.S.

Steelers Enjoy Reborn Playoff Hopes

http://media3.steelers.com/article/60654/ What could have been a better Christmas gift to any Steelers fan than the 41-0 pounding that the Pittsburgh Steelers shelled out to our neighbors to the west, the Cleveland Browns? The Detroit Lions, one of the NFL's worst teams, is the only obstacle in the way of America's most followed football team snatching up the AFC's final wildcard birth for this season's playoffs.

Eating your words goes too far: | Cell phone lodged in woman's throat

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/13474487.htm Check out where this woman swallowed her cell phone so her boyfriend couldn't take it from her. It became stuck in her throat. Gee, I wonder why?

Welcome to Blogger World, Little brother

My little brother, Chuck, (go ahead and enjoy the irony in that) has entered the world of blogging. Look him up at Eric Grover.

Keeping Excited Kids Busy Waiting for Christmas

Kids Martha has some "Good things" to keep your kids busy while they wait for Christmas.

White Christmas? Only if it doesn't all melt!

AccuWeather.com - Weather News Our best chances for a white Christmas seem to be if the temps on Friday and Saturday don't reach the highs that are predicted. Friday's high is fore-casted to be 42 degrees. We have around five to six inches of snow on the ground thanks to last night fresh coating, so we might skim by with what we have leftover.

Born Christmas Night

Words in verses by Isaac Watts New words and music by Eric Grover Soveriegn Grace Music BORN CHRISTMAS NIGHT Verse 1 Shepherds, rejoice lift up your eyes And send your fears away News from the regions of the skies Salvation’s born today Jesus the God whom angels fear comes down to dwell with you Today he makes his entrance here, but not as monarchs do Chorus Praise to the King who was laid in a manger Praise to the child who has brought us great light Praise to the God who lived here among us Praise to God’s Son who was born Christmas night Verse 2 No gold nor purple swaddling bands Nor royal shining things A manger for His cradle stands And holds the King of kings Go, shepherds, where the infant lies and see His humble throne With tears of joy in all your eyes, go shepherds, kiss the Son Verse 3 Lord, and shall angels have their songs And men no tunes to raise? O may we loose our useless tongues When they forget to praise Glory to God that reigns above that pitied us forlorn We join to sing our Maker’s love, for there is a Savior born

J. C. Ryle on Christmas

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1533457/posts Click on the link above to read J.C. Ryle's tract on Christmas. Although it was written for unbelievers, there is an excellent exhortation for us to live "experimentally". I was taken aback by that word at first, but then realized that Ryle was merely urging us to live our doctrine.

Christmas Posts and Snow!

AccuWeather - World Weather - International Local Weather Forecasts Accuweather is officially throwing its hat in the ring and making an early call about snow for Christmas. Stay tuned this week, as I will be eagerly checking for updates and keeping blog updated with weather and other Christmas related posts.

What Happens When Transactional Leadership Fails to Transact?

As a Verizon employee, I have been pondering the impact of yanking management's retirement benefits. And, white it is true, that we still have a 401k, what is also true, is that the company has broken their agreement with us. The rationale: we were never going to be able to keep it in the long run anyway, so lets cut our losses now. But today, I began to ponder the question, what happens to an organization that is dependent on transactional leadership, when it fails to transact? Transactional leadership is based on the notional that people are fundamentally motivated by compensation, namely money. Inherent in transactional leadership is the common inattention to other motivational factors. Hertberg would identify that in providing retirements Verizon was merely meeting a hygiene need, or the needs associated our most basic needs for safety and welfare, and that our motivational needs have not been addressed. So what can we expect to see will happen? Will employees really buy the line that "everyone else is doing it"? Will they be happy that our senior management had the foresight to cut our losses early enough to sustain and grow the business and prevent irreparable harm? Or, will employees feel embittered by Verizon's failure to transact and look for either employment with companies that will transact or will address motivation in other ways? I am not naive enough to believe that Verizon's management workforce is about to up and leave. I do however, suspect that fewer of the employees in my age bracket will pursue much of a tenure with Verizon. To the outsider, that doesn't seem like a big deal. However, to anyone who knows telecom, specifically RBOCs, you understand the significance of incumbent employee job knowledge and how difficult it can be to outsource work or hire off the street versus bringing people up through the ranks. Unless senior management aggressively pursues a leadership style that addresses other fundamental motivational needs (in contrast to transactional leadership), Verizon could find itself in a less than enviable situation as it again absorbs another company at the forthcoming close of the MCI deal. Disenchanted, disengaged are never good to work with, but try blending them with another company's culture.

Name That Tune

My my brother is a gifted songwriter. My gift seems to be in discovering where a song sounds like another song. My sister-in-law, Bethany, suggested I blog about my most recent discoveries on the latest Sovereign Grace Ministries album, "Worship God Live". My brother has long been a victim of my connection (or seeming connection) of the dots, so I thought I would let others share in the fun. Let me know where you have made similar discoveries. From the song "O God, Our Help In Ages past", the following lines are the same as the lines "a three hour tour" from the theme song to Gilligan's Island:

• "And our eternal home",
• "And our defense is sure"

From the Song, "Jesus, Thank You" you can hear the King (Elvis) singing, "I can't help, falling in love with you" in the line:

• "Lover of my soul, I want to live for you"

Christmas Blizzard?

http://headlines.accuweather.com/news-story.asp?partner=accuweather&myadc=0&article=6 Alright, well, I have refrained for a couple for days now. A couple of days ago, a meteorologist on Accuweather dared to mention the "B" word...Blizzard! Rudolph, shine up that nose. Although the jury is still, out, we have the best chance that I can remember since 1978 for a good old fashioned blizzard for Christmas. My brother says I am hopeless, maybe I am. Just think of how pathetic I will be by the time I am 80!

Store Wars: This video has been approved for all audiences

Join the Organic Revolution (Not) It is totally liberal propaganda, but once you get past that, it is hysterical. Watch this short Star Wars spoof. The kids will love it!

Me, William, and Buddy

I was taking pictures of Chuck's family for their Christmas postcard and then we took some of me and William and Buddy joined in the fun.

Cutest Dog

I have the cutest dog. Doesn't he look like Smokey?

Find the Famous Restaurant Icon In the Photo

Can you find the famous restaurant icon in this picture? Click on the photo to enlarge in a separate browser.

More snow In Pittsburgh!

I am enjoying the view out of window this afternoon as I watch the Steeler game. If you happened to catch the game you probably noticed how hard it was snowing in the second half. The pictures above were taken at my house. Accuweather is calling for a snowy December for us, and it looks good for a white Christmas in Pittsburgh.

The Grovers Take NY

I think the Grovers pretty much look like a remake of "Green Acres" when they visit NY. Nonetheless, My brother Scott's family visited the Big Apple on "Black Friday" and had a ball. They hit The American Girl Place, Build-A-Bear Workshop, Central Park, Time Square, and some other places. Since they now live just north of the city in the Hudson Valley they were able to travel by train. I am not sure anyone enjoyed the trip quite as much as Scott did. I think he is mostly happy to have his family together after having to work out of town for over 2 months. Some friends from their old church were visiting for Thanksgiving.

Most of you will be able to guess which ones are the Grovers, but in case you can't:

1. Scott (10 years older than me) - brother salt and pepper hair (American Girl Place/Armed Forces Recruiting),
2. Zach - nephew (13) (Green coat, glasses, blond, ),
3. Samantha - niece (Sam 15) (Blue-Green coat, long hair, no hat),
4. Hannah - niece (9) (Blue hat, blue coat, long hair),
5. Nina - sister-in-law (age not provided) (Redish-brownish hair, yellow coat)

Come, Thou Long Expected, Jesus

One of my favorite Christmas hymns is Come, Thou Long Expected, Jesus. It is a song that capitalizes on Jesus' fulfilment of prophecy in the incarnation, identifies him appropriately as the desire of every nation, and the true joy of every heart. Come Thou Long Expected Jesus Charles Wesley Come, Thou long expected Jesus Born to set Thy people free; From our fears and sins release us, Let us find our rest in Thee. Israel’s Strength and Consolation, Hope of all the earth Thou art; Dear Desire of every nation, Joy of every longing heart. Born Thy people to deliver, Born a child and yet a King, Born to reign in us forever, Now Thy gracious kingdom bring. By Thine own eternal Spirit Rule in all our hearts alone; By Thine all sufficient merit ,Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

Woe is Tree We had a wonderful time trimming the tree as it snowed! We were blanketed with 6 inches. Above is a poor camera phone picture of my house around 2:00 AM.

You may wonder why I was awake at that hour. I wasn't merely excited at the snowfall. Read the tale below to learn why (remember to be gracious given the hour it was written):

As I stood tiredly at my kitchen sink From yon in the living room arose such a clatter I rushed from my dishes as I started to think What was that sound? What is the matter? But alas! What did I encounter? What did I find? That the hours we spent were spilled on the floor I froze in my tracks as thoughts raced through my mind What could have toppled that tree? What else is in store? I looked for a cause, I could not find one My dog had been sleeping in the same room with me But then I looked down and what did I see? My Roomba at work, humming happily It seems as though my automated friend Has climbed onto the tree skirt And pulled it clear to the end Though I know not for sure how my tree came to fall It’s once again standing tall in the corner upright If it comes down again, you might get a call But for now, I bid you a final good night.

Bush Holiday Video is a Winner

http://www.wpxi.com/family/5487725/detail.html

The annual Barneycam Whitehouse video is a real winner this year. First Lady Laura Bush took the video on the First Lady's annual visit to a children's hospital.

Click here to watch.

Trimming the Tree and a Winter Storm

AccuWeather.com - Weather News Well, it looks as though I am finally in for my first REAL winter storm of the season. We are already under a winter storm warning and are expecting to have six inches of snow before dawn on Friday according to local forecasters. The timing couldn't be better. Thursday night I will be putting up my tree and decorating it with the Calvettti clan. Talk about ambiance! If only Zerita were here to make hot chocolate and sing carols.

More Bah Hum Blog ABC News: After Verizon, Are Pension Freezes on the Way? Just in time for Christmas Verizon yanks management employees' pension and retirement benefits. Scrooge lives in corporate America.

Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!

AccuWeather.com - Weather News We can only hope for a doosey next week. I have lived in Pittsburgh for 9 years and we have yet to get walloped since I have been here. We had more single storm accumulations when I lived in Knoxville then we have since I have moved to the 'Burgh!