helping friends

One of our dear friends, the Richins Family, is moving out of their home of a billion years, into a rental, while they look for the perfect home to die in. After 20 some years aof accumulation, they had quite a bit of stuff. We, as an entire family, went to their old home and helped them load up all they owned and move it a block to the rental home. To make it interesting, it was cold and snow was everywhere around us, which makes moving interesting. We took 2 truck loads over to their rental, with the first load being packed by TJay. He loves to pack trucks and gets great joy out of cleanly stacking things as high as possible, filling the space as well as possible. The second truck load contained many odd shaped items and could not be as packed as tightly as the first truck load.
We started around 10am and figured we'd give a few hours of help to this family before being done. However, in the end, we spent over 6 hours with them, and this comprised many trips back and forth, moving many boxes and items, along with removal of enormous snow drifts both in front of and behind the new rental home. Much energy was expended by all Belt Family members. Much sweat was created. Happy memories of helping, working and being together with our immediate family and those Richins we have adopted into our family as more than mere friends. A Saturday well spent.

Chili Cook Off

Tomorrow, our company will be having its annual Chili Cook Off.
Last year I entered a white chicken chili into the contest, and took 3rd place. Woohoo.
This year, i will put a little more time into the preparation of the meal, and cross my fingers. I have also submitted this description to the judges to describe my chili.

This award winning chili boasts a spicy yet full and soothing flavor. It accosts your senses with is seemingly simple algorithm of culinary delights. While is seems smooth and creamy, it will punch you in the gut in a way that you will gladly ask for more. Its assortment of rapturous ingredients may have as well been picked by the gods of our ancestors when they initially descended to inspect this dish and judge it worthy of the term the mere mortals had dubbed it with; ambrosia. Eat up me hearties, yoho!

I hope that above all, it tastes ok, and someone enjoys it. At best, I win something for the effort. At worst, its simply enjoyed.