To My Daughter, Caitlin...

You're only a "Bolte" for a few more days... but you'll be my daughter forever!  So many memories... so many laughs... so many arguments... so many unanswered phone calls... so many delicious cherry pies... so many reasons to love you... so many smiles... so many decisions in the past, and in the future... so many years as a "Bolte".

But as of Saturday, April 13, 2013, you'll become a "Burchett".  We've prayed for you so much throughout the years... for many reasons.  One of the most important topics was your future husband.  Michael is a wonderful young man from a wonderful family. We already count it a blessing to have him as part of our family.

So, on Saturday, I will count it my honor to have you on my arm for our walk down the aisle toward your new husband and future life.  You are the last of our three children to wed, but the wait will be worth it.  Michael and you will be a beautiful addition to our family.

May God abundantly bless you as you strive to seek and follow his will for your lives with a laser-like focus.  Please remember that we're always here for you both, during good or tough times.  It doesn't matter if you're a "Bolte"... or a "Burchett".  Caitlin, we will always love you.  Please know how proud we are of you.

Love, Dad

Caitlin - A Girl with Taste...

Check out one of the most impressive web sites I've seen in a while...

You'll love reading it as much as I love tasting it!

Thanks Cait!

I'm Freezing!

Can you say "I Love Granddaddy?"

It's almost mid-January in North Alabama and I feel like I'm living in Northern Canada instead of Huntsville, Alabama. This morning it was almost single digits as we awoke to a bright and sunny day. Signs of our brief, albeit exciting, snowfall remain from a couple of days ago. We received a whopping 1/2 inch of measurable snow. Mostly it was simply blowing around on the streets, but nonetheless, everyone around here was excited to see the white stuff. Schools closed preemptively, as much for the temps as for the precipitation. In this area, as soon as bad weather is even forecasted, the bread and milk fly from the shelves. Not sure why everyone always goes for those particular staples, but they do.

Cody enjoying the Snow!

Of course, the main reason that this kind of weather creates angst, is because the city is not really prepared to handle and accommodate the snow & ice - since it occurs so infrequently. The city does a good job dispensing sand and cinders, but salt doesn't get used very often. It also means that folks don't have much experience driving on the icy roads - roads that are also quite hilly in some areas. Ice braking, steering, scraping, etc., are seldom used skills that are honed in this TN Valley city.

Dad & Jim at the UK - U of L Game

Even though the weather is suspect, the Alabama Crimson Tide Football team isn't. Come on, say it with me.... "National Champions!!" Around here football is king! Even if you are not a rabid Tide fan, you have to be impressed with an undefeated season and a National Championship. It's good for UA, the SEC, and the state. Now... it's basketball season: Go Big Blue!!

No Worries! We have Plenty!

We are enjoying living with our new "housemates". However, we are naturally going through many more basic household items, such as food, toilet paper, paper towels, laundry detergent, etc. Did I mention toilet paper? But, it's OK!

Caitlin in Her 2009 Corolla

Caitlin has enrolled at Calhoun Community College and is looking for part-time work to help pay for gas. She loves to drive! Daniel has a job interview next week and Lauren & Savannah are keeping us entertained. Savvy seems to be changing everyday. She is a very pleasant baby and smiles all the time. She's starting to make all kinds of joyful little noises - baby talk, I guess. I'm still trying to get her to say "I love my Granddaddy the most...". So far.... she just squeals... We're still working on it. Stay warm...

Where Do You Rank in Your Family?

At least number 3... that's where I rank in our household of, let's see....., three! Yep, 3!! Let me rank the three for you: it's Cody, Tami , and Jim. Or, best case: it's Cody, Jim and Tami. In either case, I am below the dog!! Of course Tami would disagree and tell you that she loves me much more than Cody, our black 2 year old flat-coated retriever, but her actions speak

differently....

Here are a few examples:

• Cody can chew up a perfectly good pair of shoes, and Tami says "they were old anyway".


• Tonight I got home before Tami did. When she walked in the house, she said, "tell me how your day went today beautiful." Of course she said these words using a voice that sounded like she was talking to a 2 year old... and she was (one with 4 legs).


• What do you do with any unused bottled water? You guessed it.... pour it in the dog's bowl... bottled water for heaven's sake!!


• After a wonderful evening dinner with Tami on our back porch... maybe grilled steak, I notice that there's still steak left on Tami's plate.... cut into appropriate sized bites for you-know-who. Yoo hoo.... remember me? I'll eat the beef tenderloin....!!
• The frequency of our car washes has increased significantly since Cody likes to stick his head out the window and drool down the side of our Toyotas. She says, "they needed washing anyway".


• The dog has a bark that will raise the dead. Not just loud - but it's a sort of howl... not a howl exactly though, it's more "howl-like" than anything. Actually, for a few seconds, it sounds like someone just stabbed him. Trust me, at 2 AM, I sit up in bed like I'm the one that just got stabbed!


• When I punish the dog for something, you would think I was a convicted criminal. I punish the dog and 10 seconds later, she's loving on him... You think he's confused??


• I have spent more money on this animal than I could have ever imagined: $1000+ for an underground fence, $100's on Doggie Day Care, $100's on overnight boarding, $100's on vet visits, and no telling how much on treats, food, and car washes...
• Cody likes to "goose" people. Consider yourselves warned if you come to our house. Tami thinks it's cute...

Cody is a rescue dog from a pound in Lexington, KY. Our daughter Caitlin gets credit for that kind act. But, then after keeping him in a small apartment and realizing that he was going to grow to about 60 pounds, she decided that we should keep him... thanks Cait! Of course, Tami loved the idea! So, we are now considered adoptive doggie parents...

I've calculated the number of hours I spend with Tami on an average day, and the number Cody spends with her. Yep, he spends more time with her than I do... They have bonded quite a bit, and seem to have this intuition and language all their own. She loves Cody and he loves her. I'm just the guy trying to raise my rank, while keeping my shoes off the floor. See ya at the car wash...

I was Impressed!

It's true... I drink coffee everyday! My wife may be addicted to Facebook, but I am addicted to coffee. It used to be Folger's or Maxwell House, but now, it's Starbucks. That's right, Starbucks. I don't usually buy a cup of this particular brand of java at a Starbucks kiosk - but instead, brew my own from freshly ground Starbucks beans.

So why did I make the shift to this public-favorite brand of coffee? To be honest, it was originally because my daughter works at Starbucks and she gave me a pound of beans as a gift. Since then, I've never turned back. I currently have 3 different flavors of beans in our pantry just waiting to meet "the grinder".

My daughter, Caitlin, is a shift supervisor at a Starbucks store in KY. I got the chance to see her in action when I visited her store on Father's Day. I must admit that I was impressed. She exuded confidence... she was giving polite directions... she was interacting well with customers & co-workers... the store looked clean, well stocked, and bright. I watched as a customer approached the counter and rattled off an unbelievable combination of preferences for his drink. She keyed in the formula and wrote on the cup until I thought she would run out of ink.... all while smiling and saying "Can I get you anything else?". Yes, I was impressed with Miss Caitlin!

Some people enjoy the experience of wine by observing the bouquet, the legs, the color, and the different tastes that create the wine in its entirety. Caitlin can do the same thing with coffee! It's amazing! I had no idea there was so much knowledge behind a cup of coffee... again, I'm impressed!

So the next time you raise a cup of brewed coffee in the mornings, take time to appreciate the intricacies in the aroma and on the taste buds.... and stop in & visit a Starbucks in Lexington - ask for Cait.... You'll be impressed too.