2007------THE GREAT!!!!

---FREEDOM! Finally got out of state on January 24th, to North Carolina for my niece's wedding. Drove four hours down, photographed the wedding, enjoyed the reception, met Daniel and family members, drove four hours home, which was four of the quickest hours in my life; it was fun!!!

---Dad turns 75 and Rachel turns 10---the same day! We celebrate in Carolina on the 25th (birthdays were the next day).

---THE MOODY BLUES!!! August 5th at Wolf Trap. What a night; even better than the 2004 show here in Richmond. They're in Baltimore in April. Maybe??

---I turned 40! Yes, I consider this positive, why not? I made it to 40; there are many who do not.

---Robbie's first big trip without the parents. Chorus trip to Orlando. He had a blast, and was kind to call home alot! :)

---Enjoyable visits from Uncle Frank and Aunt Tammy, especially near year's end; a great source of fun during a ROUGH time for moi.

---A final GREAT ten months with my friends at work (love ya Kim, Dionne, Rodney, Desiree, Gina, and Angela!!)

---The chance to spend significant time with the kids since November 5th (about the ONLY positive that came from THAT day...)

---BONNIE LOST 71 POUNDS IN ONE YEAR!! Go, Lap Band, Go! Go, Bonnie, Go!

---Robbie heads to 10th grade; Rachel is elementary queen (5th grader) and becomes safety guard and TV announcer (the morning announcements!)

---WELCOME, HARRY J!!!!!!!!!!!

---Two trips downtown for wrestling.....

---"24": Season 6. Disappointing, but still good.

---The opening of my campaign to open the first Smithfield BBQ outside North Carolina.

---The continual pathetic play in the Raider Nation. (Good? Yeah, it didn't surprise me.)

---The continual pathetic play of the Orioles. (Good? Yeah, it didn't surprise me.)

---Sidney Lowe's red jacket.

---Women's Murder Club

---Jessica Biel

---Rachel's SURPRISE birthday trip to see Rascal Flatts in Charlottesville!

---Bonnie and Rachel to VEGAS, Dad and Robbie do 'da bachelor thing!

---A playoff year for Patrick Henry Football!!

...and the Withams survived another year at Witham Nation.

As Rodney Woody would say, "It's all good!"

Orlando, lots of money.....

....pretzel at Universal Studios....outrageous

....SpongeBob toe socks for little sister....$7.50 on clearance

....going to Florida without Mom and Dad....priceless

The gang returned to school last night around 1030. They were a bunch of exhausted high schoolers. He had a wonderful time, but was ready to come home.

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Me? We're completing day 15 of no voice. This has become WAY past annoying now. Can't talk to kids on phone, can't talk to co-workers in same room, so it's like I'm watching reality unfold around me but I'm in Section 308 instead of on the field where I should be. The coughing sucks, too.

So? I'm contemplating a call to my ear/nose/throat doctor who did an incredible job with my deviated septum surgery back in '03. Just want to make sure that there's not more than meets the eye.

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I, as usual, didn't do very well picking the Final Four.

I got one right, though. And they were also my pick to win it all, so my hope is still alive in that center line in the bracket.

Georgetown.

And here's some optimism....

UNREAL, BUT GET THIS....our Sports Director for WRVA and Virginia News Network (and fellow "24" fan) Gary Hess, correctly predicted all four teams!

He ALSO chose Georgetown to cut down the nets. Maybe I can ride his coattails...:)

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Good episode of "24" tonight....at least the Rick Schroder character shows promise of having more depth than just a bully who got away with something in Denver.

President Palmer's last second phone call seemed a bit surreal, but it is television, folks. And, well.....I'll be interested to see where Vice President Daniels come 6am tomorrow morning.

And Jack....great interaction with Brady. Love seeing the 3D-side of Jack. Great writing, great character, excellent way to bring out that line of the story.

Good night, folks. :)

And Mr. Witham's off to Orlando!!

Robbie's high school chorus trip to Orlando, Florida and Universal Studios began tonight as the charter buses left Hermitage High just after 8pm.

I was great there and while waiting for him to depart.

I cried at work before, and when the bus is pulling out of the school. Rachel and I cried, hugged, and she said...even though he bugs me, I still love him.

He's one step closer to being on his own.....and it's all happening way, way too fast.

Happy trails, Robbie! Get some sun and bring back the grand prize!!!