MOVIE NIGHT: The Da Vinci Code

"Based on Dan Brown's best-seller of the same name, Ron Howard's gripping film stars Tom Hanks as Harvard professor Robert Langdon and Audrey Tatou as cryptographer Sophie Neve, who must untangle a web of deceit when the curator of the Louvre, a member of a secret society and a relative of Neve's, is found murdered in the famed museum's hallowed halls. To crack the case and arrive at the truth, they must look to the works of Leonardo da Vinci." - from Netflix

I thought it was pretty good movie, some interesting theories in there. Makes me definately want to visit the Louvre when we go to Paris on our Disneyland Paris trip. I believe another movie is being made from one of his books, Angels and Demons and he is working on a third book that may become a movie someday, a trilogy I guess.

SOCOM: Combined Assault

Look what was in my mailbox today! Since it takes the Base Exchange ahwile to get games I decided to order it from Amazon.

I am off this next weekend (Dec. 1-3) so I should get some time to play online. Jim, James, Robert and Jeff, you in? Or are you scared?

Raiders Fall To 2-9

After a confusing (BOGUS) call involving a Charger receiver and a supposed forward pass that was ruled a fumble at first and then changed, RB LaDainian Tomlinson took a pitch from QB Philip Rivers and throws a 19 yard pass to TE Antonio Gates.
RAIDERS 14, CHARGERS 14

LaDainian Tomlinson gives the Chargers the lead for the first time today with his second rushing touchdown of the day with 3:39 left in the game.
RAIDERS 14, CHARGERS 21

On 4th and 13, Aaron Brooks' pass is tipped and intercepted. GAME OVER!

The Raiders fall to 2-9 and it is starting to look like they will have the #1 pick in the 2007 NFL Draft.

It was nice to be able watch the Raiders on television regardless of the outcome. I am going to bed now!

Raiders Lead 14-7 After Three Quarters

Rookie WR John Madsen appeared to score on a 59 yard pass from Aaron Brooks on the Raiders first possesion of the second half but the play was challenged by Marty Schottenheimer and reversed. Madsen was ruled out of bounds at the 2 yard line for a 57 yard reception, his fifth of the season. On the very next play Aaron Brooks faked the hand-off to the runningback and went back to Madsen near the back of the endzone for a 2 yard touchdown reception, the first of his career.
RAIDERS 14, CHARGERS 7

Toward the end of the third quarter Nnamdi Asomugha intercepted Phillip Rivers and to end the quarter the Raiders are threatening with a first and fifteen on the Chargers 25.

Raiders, Chargers Tied At The Half

The Raiders are on the scoreboard first. They drove 70 yards on 8 plays on their third possesion, with ReShard Lee scoring on a 1 yard run.
RAIDERS 7, CHARGERS 0

On the ensuing kickoff Antonio Cromartie ran the kickoff back 91 yards to the Oakland 12 yard line and LaDainian Tomlinson scored two plays later from 4 yards out.
RAIDERS 7, CHARGERS 7

On four possesions in the 2nd half the Raider Defense forced two 3 outs and limited the Chargers to just 55 total net yards. The way to stop the Chargers is to keep their offense off the field and that is what the Raiders did, winning the time of possesion battle 21:21 to 8:39. Besides the one touchdown for Tomlinson he was pretty much held in check and was outrushed by Raider QB Aaron Brooks, 29 yards to 26 yards.

The Chargers will get the ball to start the second half.

Football Is On - Oakland at San Diego

The last few weeks I haven't been able to watch too many football games because it seemed I was always working on Mondays and would have to go to bed too early. This week I am off tomorrow so I get to watch some football tonight and one of the games being televised over here is the Oakland Raiders at the San Diego Chargers!!!!!

After the first quarter it is tied 0-0, the Raiders drove into Charger territory on their first possesion but Sebastian Janikowski missed wide left on the field goal. The Raider defense has looked real good in the first quarter stopping the Chargers twice and limiting LaDainian Tomlinson to 12 yards on 3 carries. Can they do that for four quarters?

It's The Holiday Season

It is now officially the holiday season on The Culley Family Blog. I am sure most malls and stores have had their Christmas stuff up since after Labor Day but I didn't want to start that early. So far we have changed up some colors, added a new banner on the top and on the right side of the site a twinkling Christmas tree.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

We want to wish everybody a safe and HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Although we are spread out across states and even countries we will be thinking about each of you today and enjoy the TURKEY!

We are having dinner at our house with Amanda's family. The Macy's day parade starts at 2:00 PM here so that will be on and of course no Thanksgiving would be right without some football and we will be watching that too. This year their are 3 games on; Miami Dolphins at Detroit Lions, Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Dallas Cowboys and Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos. Although I won't get to watch too much of the Cowboys/Buccaneers and the Chiefs/Broncos because they come on real late here and I have to be to work real early in the morning on Friday.

Happy Birthday Robert!

Birthday cake and Turkey, can't get any better then that.

Happy Birthday Robert!

Love,
Jason, Marsha, Jordan, Calvin and Kaylee

Happy Birthday Tyler!

We hope you have a great birthday.

Love,
Uncle Jason, Aunt Marsha, Jordan, Calvin and Kaylee

Physical Therapy This Week

Monday was Physical Therapy Day #6 and I have graduated to some new exercises for this week.

When I first arrive I get on a stationary bike for 10 minutes. Next comes squats, I do 6 sets of 20 squats. After that I move to what they call a step-up. I have a box on the floor and step up with my right foot and then back down. The next exercise I do is swaying from side to side then move onto standing on one leg, the right leg. This one has got to be the hardest! On to the treadmill and I walk backwards for 10 minutes.

I also got my new brace so now I just walk around with one crutch. I still have the second one in case I am walking around a lot I can use two. The extension of my knee is at about 5 degrees and my flexion at about 120 degrees now, so it is coming along slowly.

"Believe ... In Holiday Magic"

Every night during the holidays (November 7 through January 10) this year Disney is putting on the "Believe ... In Holiday Magic" fireworks show. The show lasts about 10 minutes and like last season they have the snow falling right afterwards. If you are going to Disneyland and don't want to ruin the surprise of the show then do not click on the play button, but if you want to see it then click it.

Jordan and Calvin Celebrate Early

Tonight we celebrated part of Jordan and Calvin's birthday a few days early. Henry, Amanda, Cole and Gaige came over for dinner and some cake and we watched the movie Cars on DVD. They opened up a few presents tonight from each other and a few from us and we saved most of their presents to open on their actual birthday, Calvin tomorrow and Jordan on Tuesday. This year Jordan chose yellow cake with chocolate frosting and Calvin chose strawberry cupcakes.













Kids waiting for dinner, TACOS!













Kaylee smiling for the camera.













Happy Birthday to you! Blow out the candles!













Excited!













Is this cake all mine?













This strawberry cupcake is good.













Kaylee agrees with Calvin.













Cole is still waiting for his.













Calvin opening his first present.













Jordan guessing, he guessed LEGOS . . .













. . . he was close, it was K'NEX.

Jordan and Calvin Having Fun

Jordan and Calvin auditioning for the next High School Musical! Then back to the LEGOS.

MOVIES: Cars

On Tuesday, November 7th, Cars was released on DVD and after my Physical Therapy I headed right over to the BX to buy it. Although I think all the Pixar movies are great this is my new favorite one. Followed closely by Toy Story, which was the movie Marsha and I saw on our first date over 10 years ago! For those who have not seen the movie (there can't be anybody that hasn't can there?) it's the story of Lightning McQueen, a hot-shot animated stock-car voiced by actor Owen Wilson. In route to a big race, McQueen gets lost and ends up in Radiator Springs, where he finds the true meaning of friendship and family. Some other cool cars in the movie include Doc Hudson (Paul Newman), Sally Carrera (Bonnie Hunt), Mater (Larry The Cable Guy), Ramone (Cheech Marin), Fillmore (George Carlin) and of course John Ratzenberger who I think has appeared in every Pixar film. When you buy the movie make sure you watch it through the credits if you didn't stay for the credits in the theatre.

Here are some Car posters I found on the internet (Click on each poster to open a larger version):

Check It Out, Nice Flash Intro

My favorite Disney related website has a new Flash intro for the holidays that is pretty sweet. Make sure your speakers are turned on.

Visions Fantastic Flash Intro

I can't believe it has almost been a year since we went to Disneyland during the holiday season. I had never been during the holidays and that was probably my favorite trip of all time, plus the 50th was still going on!

Physical Therapy (Day #4)

Pretty much the same routine. I think they are going to take away one of my crutches next week. I tried walking with just the one crutch and it seemed akward, I am sure they will show me the right way to do it.

One more day of Physical Therapy this week, I get Friday off for Veterans Day!

Physical Therapy (Day #3)

Had my third day of Physical Therapy today and boy was it fun! Made some decent progress though so it wasn't all that bad I guess. On my first day my extension (laying the leg flat) and flexion (bending the leg at the knee) was measured and it wasn't too good. Extension was measured at 25 degrees and flexion was at almost 90 degrees. When I was measured today extension was down to 10 degress and flexion was at 110 degrees. I am also able to put more body weight on the leg when I walk, still have crutches but now I set the foot all the way down and push off with it when I walk. It looks like I may walk again after all! (LOL)

Physical Therapy (Day #2)

My first appointment with physical therapy was last Friday. Apparently someone on their side dropped the ball and I should have been in earlier in the week to get started so now I am a little behind schedule. The first day they measured how far I could extend and bend my right leg and showed me how to do the exercises. I could almost bend it to a 90 degree angle but trying to straighten it out I could only get it to a 25 degree angle and it needs to go to 0 degrees.

I went today for my 2nd visit and man did they try and hurt me. The normal stuff was okay but then one of the technicians had me flatten my leg out as much as possible, then placed his hands above and below my knee and pressed downward. The pain was excruciating! He did this 5 times for about 30-45 seconds each time but it felt a lot longer. Then he had me lay on my stomach with my legs hanging over the table and put a 3 pound weight on my right ankle for 7 minutes. Now 3 pounds doesn't seem like very much but this was almost as painful as the previous exercise.

I get to do all over again tomorrow and the next day and the next day! This week they have me going every day and on Friday I guess they will determine how many days next week. They told me I should be off the crutches by the end of next week, I don't see how but if they say I am then I guess I am.

MOVIE NIGHT: Click

"Workaholic architect Michael Newman (Adam Sandler) stumbles on a universal remote control that allows him to pause events in his life or fast-forward through them. But things get really bizarre when the gadget develops a mind of its own and takes control of Michael's viewing choices, causing him to see how much of his family life he's sacrificed for his career. Christopher Walken and Kate Beckinsale co-star in this high-concept comedy." - from Netflix

Marsha and I watched the latest Adam Sandler movie, Click on Saturday night. I can't think of an Adam Sandler movie I have not liked, and this one is no differant. Besides the normal Sandler humor there is actually a message that applies to most people who live a hectic life. Marsha seemed to enjoy it also even though she is not a big fan of Sandler. I give it a 4 out 5 stars.

New Features On The Culley Family Blog

In an effort to keep things fresh and new on the site and because I have too much time on my hands I have added a few new features to The Culley Family Blog.

The first one you can see right below our main banner on the top of the site. With Christmas (My favorite holiday!) just around the corner I added a graphic that will count down the days until Christmas Day.

The second one you will see on the right hand side of the page underneath Meet The Culley's. It is called a Tagboard or Shout Box. Anytime day or night you can leave us a note or a shout. Just type the name you want displayed, your email or a webpage and then your message.

Thanks for visiting our family site and ENJOY!

Jordan's New Email Address

I created an email address for Jordan a few days ago but he wanted to change it to something he created. So Jordan's new email address is - jcknex@gmail.com.

Happy Halloween

My Halloween was uneventful this year as I couldn't do much walking around. Unfortunately for Calvin and Kaylee they didn't get to go either because they weren't feeling too well. So Marsha and Jordan went over to Amanda's house for Trick-Or-Treating without us. Jordan decided he wanted to be a ghost this year again. I am not sure how many times he has been a ghost but apparently it is his favorite. Cole was dressed up like Wolverine and Gaige was Batman.

Jordan and Cole ready to go.

Amanda and Gaige.

My Surgery

It has been awhile since I posted and wanted to update everyone on my surgery. On Tuesday, October 17th I had ACL reconstruction surgery on my right knee. I arrived at the hospital around 9:00 AM and checked in and was brought to my room. Marsha arrived shortly after I did, she was dropping Calvin and Kaylee off at the hourly daycare. After changing into the medical gown and robe (sorry no pictures of that) we sat around for awhile. I don't remember the exact time but someone came and led us down to the pre-surgery area. Marsha had to wait in the waiting room while I met with the anesthesiologist and received my IV. Around noon I was wheeled out of this room and apparently saw Marsha one more time before I was taken into surgery but don't remember that. Marsha said when I saw her I asked, "Who are you?" According to Marsha I was joking because the doctors told me earlier I may not recognize her when medicated. Not really sure how long the surgery lasted but around 5:30 PM Marsha was notified she could see me. I can remember seing her and the kids in the room but don't remember saying too much because of the drugs.

The doctor said the surgery went well to repair the ACL but their was more damage to the Meniscus (serves as a shock ansorber for the knee) then he knew and he couldn't repair that.

I pretty much slept all Tuesday night, the nurses did a good job of keeping the pain away with the medication (Percocet and Morphine). On Wednesday Marsha arrived around 9:00 and I was released shortly after that. The roads here in the UK are not the greatest so it was a painful ride home but Marsha did a good job of avoiding the big bumps!

Once I got home my bed for the next couple weeks was made on the couch and I was out. After about a week I was able to take off the bandages and finally got to see what my knee looked like again.








Last night I finally decided it was time to head upstairs and sleep in my bed for the first time in two weeks. It was so comfortable I slept for almost 10 hours! I start my Physical Training tomorrow and from what I have heard about it I am not really looking forward to it. I will let you know how it goes.