My honey called an hour ago to say that he had made it to Sydney and was just waiting for his connection to Brisbane. Glad he’s safe and sound!

His older brother just arrived here to spend the week while he subs for a couple of chiropractors in Ogden and next week in West Valley City. I showed him how to work the TV (some big NBA game is on), got him on the guest network with his laptop, showed him how to run the clothes washer and dryer and he’s good to go.

I have set the DVR to tape the Tony Awards tonight so that my honey can watch them when he gets home. I guess I’ll be upstairs watching them live, so as not to disturb the game.

The weekend is fast ending!

We had brunch with Allison & Rawlin, Rob & Lee this morning at Over the Counter. Scotty bailed, but we gave him a pass because he’s got a new dog. (but that’s the last time, Scott)

I’ve spent the later afternoon updating my photoblog with images from our trip to Rome in 2006. Lots of memories sprang up. In spite of being back from Mexico only a week, I’m ready for another vacation.

I wonder if the economic issues facing the US and the rest of the world will impact us directly. These are scary times.

And writing of scary times reminds me that I think I mentioned that we early-voted on Thursday. It feels good to have that out of the way and to watch election coverage with a less-than-vested interest. My blood pressure is lower.

I guess it’s not a secret that I didn’t vote for McCain and 2012 candidate Palin.

Latest scuttlebutt is the $150k spent on new clothes to make her presentable to the common man. They could have saved money by shopping at Wal-mart.

The $22k bill for two weeks pay for her makeup artist bordered on obscene.

I remember rapid right-wingers screaming because Bill Clinton and later John Edwards had $300-400 haircuts, which made them “elitists”.

I suppose that if I had hair and money, I might spend that much to look good as well. But probably not.

We’ve spent a nice quiet weekend at home before the busy season starts next week: I’ll be driving home to Wyoming to attend a nephew’s high school graduation and my honey makes his 3rd trip to Brazil this year — with one more scheduled in early June.

The weather is finally remaining spring-like with occasional storms, mild temps and no snow for almost 10 days now. We felt confident enough in the weather that we stocked the decorative pond in the backyard with 43 “feeder” goldfish this afternoon. We’ll see how many make it through the first 24 hours.

My honey was up at the crack of dawn this morning painting the deck and finished it in fine form after we broke for brunch with Lee and picked up another gallon of stain/weatherproofing. It looks really good and now we feel like we need new patio furniture to make more like a living room than a dining room as it’s always been. A couple of outdoor chairs, a sofa and maybe a love-seat would make it very nice.

My honey got his “economic stimulus check” from the pandering government on Thursday. I’ve not seen a cent; whether because my social security number is higher or because I made too much money last year to qualify….I hope it’s the former, but suspect it’s the latter.

Our friend Rob is having a housewarming party at his new digs just off 90th south. Quite a few friends are anticipated, so this should be a fun evening. We are waiting for our friend Brook to join us and Mike called this afternoon to say he was still in mid-town Manhattan, but expected to be back in Salt Lake this evening and join as well.

It’s been a quiet day with just a sidetrip to Wal-Mart, where my honey was checking out the dollar fabric table for some additional material for his Halloween costume.

Is it me, or does the place attract mullets and bleached hair? I felt like I was in Rock Springs, Wyoming instead of a few blocks from our house.