I was out shopping with the family over the weekend when someone stopped by and said "We miss you."
Nice gesture... and made me realize that I've been gone a while.
I've had my "Twenty Years with Mike" segments this fall, commemorating my twenty years here at KVUE. That also means I get lots of time off. And since I can't really take any during football season, I'm left with lots of free time in December.
But, let me share with you how my free time was well spent.
- Spent a few days in Lake Tahoe with my entire family, celebrating my parents' 50th anniversary
- Watched my kids learn how to ski. The ups and downs, but especially the ups of finishing a "tough" green run standing up!
- Taught my sister how to gamble. Unfortunately, I couldn't teach her how to win. :(
- Learned there is a difference in WII, Game Cube, and X BOX. Who knew?
- Ushered two Christmas Eve services at Church, and saw the plate overflow with offerings in both. Can I take credit?
- Continued a Barnes Family Christmas Eve tradition by passing out hamburgers to the homeless. Great seeing the kids wish someone "Merry Christmas" and see the smile on their faces, and the people on the side of the road who get the burgers.
- Had chances to get new ballcaps in Tahoe and new baseball jerseys at the mall over the weekend... and I said "No" to both. Trust me on this... that takes a lot of strength on my part.
- Put in wireless internet at home. I remember when cordless phones were big and bulky and all the rage. How times continue to change.
- Went a little crazy recording old bowl games on ESPN Classic. The family's still trying to figure out why that makes me giddy.
- Talked a lot about the BCS Championship. And some people apologize for asking me about it. Don't worry... it's my job!
