When I Take Over My World: Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest is a humungous event in Munich, Germany to celebrate pumpkins and beer. The original festival was actually a public celebration of Crown Prince Ludwig's marriage in 1810 to Princess Therese of Hildburghausen and was centered around, not pumpkins and beer, but a horse race. These days, over 5 million people attend Oktober Fest the world's largest fair.

That's a whole lotta beer and lederhosen.

Like June, Oktober is full of birthday celebrations.

Katie, Deb and Mike's oldest is 24 now and has three kids of her own. Twenty four?Mother of three kids - really five 'cause you have to count Caleb and Justin. Impossible. It was just the other day that she was tottering around our house. Now she has kids of her own that are tottering around. Impossible.

Our friend, Tom has a birthday on the tenth. I am not sure just how old Tom is. He's older than me, but younger than Randy. That would make Tom somewhere in the mid-40's. Seriously impossible. But I don't want to embarrass myself by attempting to figure out his age and be wrong.

This is Tom trying to teach me how to smoke a cigar. There is not enough wine - either boxed or bottled - in this world for me to try that stunt again. About the monkeys - don't ask, don't tell.

My girlfriend, Nina's son turned twenty on the 24th. Again, impossible. It was yesterday when I got the call from Ed to let me know Eddie was born. It was in the morning, I was standing in the kitchen of the Milton house. Yesterday, I tell you. Twenty years and six houses ago.

Will is twelve now. Next year, he will be a 'teen'. Next year! Will got Call of Duty for his birthday. That should simply not be allowed - he should still be watching Veggie Tale movies.

Sammy turned ten. Ten! She is now grown up enough to get her ears pierced. Prom dresses and high heels are just around the corner.

How can my beloved grandkids be growing up so fast? That's it! I refuse to blink anymore. When I blink, time goes at warp speed.