I have been dreading this like someone would dread having a root canal. Although, I wouldn't know what that's like because I've never had so much as a cavity or had any work done on my teeth. If my dentist told me I had a cavity, I would probably get a second opinion. Simply put, I'd rather watch paint dry than to have another picture taken for the blog.

I have to try to decide if I want to pose next to another driver or do some other type of prop. I picked Dale Earnhardt Jr. as a prop for two reasons: One, because I like him and Two, because I think most people when they see that red fire suit with the "Bud" on it, know immediately it is something to do with racing. I think I said a while back that I wanted to pick a prop that would stand out and yell, NASCAR. I didn't want anyone thinking that it was about knitting, shopping or some recipe cooking-type blog.

So here I am faced with deciding if I should or should not get a new picture taken. In a way, I would prefer keep the picture as is. I hate change. I hate that he is going to a new team, new colors, new number, all of it. I hate thinking that I am going to look at the blog and see a new picture of myself staring at me with possibly a different driver also. The concept of me trying to take a picture that I actually like, makes me ill. I'll have to go and get my hair done, get my brows waxed, maybe get in a couple tanning sessions so I can "feel good" about having it done....uugh! I'm so not a fu-fu girl.

Part of me says, just leave it alone. But I am feeling the pressure of several folks saying that I can't have the same picture if Junior isn't in the Bud car. Ultimately, I think that decision is mine but I'll ask you for your two cents.

What do you think? What are your thoughts and/or suggestions? I would like to hear what wild and crazy ideas you all have. Thanks.

I'm back, remember me? I hope you had a safe and relaxing Christmas.

One of my favorite gifts from Christmas was a global positioning system. I already have it up and running in my Toyota Camry. I just love it. I call her Jorja. (pronounced Georgia) She's actually named after Jorja Fox from CSI. I was going to name her Gloria but I have a friend named Gloria and I couldn't make it work. So Jorja it is.

I am just loving it. She and I went on our first road trip (out of Pownal). I had to take my computer to get serviced. A couple keys fell off and I couldn't put them back on myself. I was getting sick of hitting the rubber things where the keys were supposed to be so I finally took it in to get them fixed.

So I get in my car and set the destination in Jorja and get going. We were heading in a direction that I clearly wouldn't have been going. I found myself asking (out loud), "where the hell are we going Jorja?" But she got me there. We just didn't go the way I'm used to going. The more I use her the more confident I am in her decisions.

Seriously, this gadget is the best. If you do any sort of traveling, this is really a must have. All you have to do is put in the address where you are going to. Even if you don't have the exact address, you can do searches on the device to find the location. You can actually search for the closest hotels, service stations, restaurants etc. that are closest to where you are. Once you find the place you are looking for, hit "Go" and it directs you there. It actually talks and prompts you in advance of each turn.

Detours ... no problem. It automatically reroutes me. If I get lost, no worries, it gets me right back on track. I will be taking Jorja with me to New Hampshire Motor Speedway next year. There will be no mishaps on the way back to the hotel each night.

Alright, so I did mention NHMS. I think that qualifies this as a NASCAR entry. I've been asked by a few people to update the blog. I've lost touch and have been in holiday mode only.

This may be old news to you, but what is going on with adding another lap to the Sprint Cup Series race at NHMS in June?! It will be the Lenox Industrial Tools 301. 301?, that is the strangest thing I have ever heard of. Here's the full release.

All for now. Happy Holidays.

Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus

sing along...

Schlemeel, schlemazel, Hasenfeffer Incorporated.
We're gonna do it!
Give us any chance, we'll take it.
Give us any rule, we'll break it.
We're gonna make our dreams come true.
Doin' it our way.

HAHAHAHAHA! I couldn't resist. This picture of Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus put the biggest smile on my face and the first thing I thought of... the Laverne and Shirley theme song.

I watched part of the NASCAR awards ceremony. I don't know about you, but I was quite disappointed. David Spade, what can I say? It was almost too painful to watch. He wasn't funny in the slightest.

Kelly Clarkson, well, I've never been much of a fan. There were definitely some technical difficulties with the mic. It sounded really muffled so that didn't help the burning in my ears listening to her.

On a more positive note...

Tom Brokaw's tribute to Bill France Jr. was absolutely touching. His speech was well written and was just so sincere and touching. His personal stories and insight into the France family kept me wanting to hear more and more.

He went on to reflect on other prominent figures in NASCAR who passed this year: Benny Parsons, Bobby Hamilton, Billy Hagan, Ray Cooper, Shav Glick, Joe Collins, Pete Babb, Dennis James, Morris Metcalfe, Mike Klemm, Dr. Bruce Kennedy. I hope that you got a chance to see it. If you didn't, try to make it a point to see it, it was that good.

And per usual, the speeches from each of the drivers were very standard. They thanked all their sponsors and in most cases, the support of their wives. Every now and then they would throw out a one liner that would make me chuckle.

What did you think of the banquet?