My blog.........

How sweet is this bumper sticker!!!

2007-06-13T14:25:00.000-07:00

I think an even better version of this would be "1-800-KISS-MY-REAREND".
I'm having this warm and fuzzy feeling, like maybe we (USA of course) should bomb the hell out of someone or something?!?!?!

Peace out, and God bless the USA (Well, except for the freakin' GAS PRICES!!!!!!)

I hope it's not this bad..............

2007-06-11T14:48:00.000-07:00

(This is hilarious - some people were offended!) This is the message from the Pacific Palisades High School (California).
The entire staff voted unanimously to record this message on their school telephone answering machine. This is the actual answering machine message for the school.
This came about because they implemented a policy requiring students and parents to be responsible for their children's absences and missing homework. The school and teachers are being sued by parents who want their children's failing grades changed to passing grades - even though those children were absent 15-30 times during the semester and did not complete enough schoolwork to pass their classes. The outgoing message:
"Hello! You have reached the automated answering service of
your school. In order to assist you in connecting to the right
staff member, please listen to all the options before making a
selection:

* To lie about why your child is absent - Press 1

* To make excuses for why your child did not do his work - Press
2
* To complain about what we do - Press 3

* To swear at staff members - Press 4

* To ask why you didn't get information that was already enclosed
in your newsletter and several flyer's mailed to you - Press 5

* If you want us to raise your child - Press 6

* If you want to reach out and touch, slap or hit someone - Press
7

* To request another teacher, for the third time this year - Press 8

* To complain about bus transportation - Press 9

* To complain about school lunches - Press 0

* If you realize this is the real world and your child must be accountable and responsible for his/her own behavior, class work, homework and that it's not the teachers' fault for your child's lack of effort: Hang up and have a nice day!

*If you want this in Spanish, you must be in the wrong country.

********************************************************************

This actually makes me wonder about our educational system. Now I know that I haven't had the wonderful experience of Lilly being in school yet, but it's coming. If this was an actual message that I had heard, especially if I had a serious question about my child, I might be tempted to stomp someone a new one!!! I understand why some schools (well, OK, ALL schools) might feel this way but it's know reason to get rude about it. What I mean is, I understand that it's not the school's job to raise our kids but I think they have a lot to do with it. It's absolutely not their fault for someone being a bad parent and not raising their kids to have what I call "common sense". I do think that it should be the school's responsibility to at least try and do a better job of communicating these problems. You know, try something new maybe!!

All in all, I could go on complaining about this for hours, but I'm not going to. I just want to say that I know that school's do a lot of positive things for kids and teenagers, but doing something like this is JUST the reason why I think it's gotten worse over the years. I want the best for my child and I know most others do as well.

Have some fun with this.....

2007-06-04T16:15:00.000-07:00

QUESTIONS THAT HAUNT ME????

1. Can you cry under water?
2. How important does a person have to be before they are considered assassinated instead of just murdered?
3. Why do you have to “put your two cents in”, but it’s only a “penny for your thoughts”? Where’s that extra penny going to?
4. Once you’re in heaven, do you get stuck wearing the clothes you were buried in for eternity?
5. Why does a round pizza come in a square box?
6. What disease did cured ham actually have?
7. How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage?
8. Why is it that people say they “slept like a baby” when babies wake up like every two hours?
9. If a deaf person has to go to court, is it still called a hearing?
10. Why are you IN a movie, but you’re ON TV?
11. Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground?
12. Why do doctors leave the room while you change? They’re going to see you naked anyway.
13. Why is “bra” singular and “panties” plural?
14. Why do toasters always have a setting that burns the toast to a horrible crisp, which no decent human being would eat?
15. If Jimmy cracks corn and no one cares, why is there a stupid song about him?
16. Can a hearse carrying a corpse drive in the carpool lane?
17. If the professor on Gilligan’s Island can make a radio out of a coconut, why can’t he fix a hole in a boat?
18. If Wile E. Coyote had enough money to buy all that ACME crap, why didn’t he just buy dinner?
19. If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, what is baby oil made from?
20. If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?
21. Do the Alphabet song and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star have the same tune?
22. Why did you just try singing the two songs above?
23. Why do they call it an asteroid when it’s outside the hemisphere, but call it a hemorrhoid when it’s in your butt?
24. Do you ever wonder why you gave me your e-mail address in the first place?

You know, I really try to think shit up to write instead of blogging this stuff, but what I really have to say is just so much more depressing. This is much funner!!!

This one is not all that funny, but I truly found it interesting.

THE GINGHAM DRESS A lady in a faded gingham dress and her husband, dressed in a homespun threadbare suit, stepped off the train in Boston, and walked timidly without an appointment into the Harvard University President's outer office.

The secretary could tell in a moment that such backwoods, country hicks had no business at Harvard & probably didn't even deserve to be in Cambridge.

"We'd like to see the president," the man said softly.

"He'll be busy all day," the secretary snapped.

"We'll wait," the lady replied.

For hours the secretary ignored them, hoping that the couple would finally become discouraged and go away.

They didn't, and the secretary grew frustrated and finally decided to disturb the president, even though it was a chore she always regretted.

"Maybe if you see them for a few minutes, they'll leave," she said to him!

He sighed in exasperation and nodded. Someone of his importance obviously didn't have the time to spend with them, and he detested gingham dresses and homespun suits cluttering up his outer office.

The president, stern faced and with dignity, strutted toward the couple.

The lady told him, "We had a son who attended Harvard for one year. He loved Harvard. He was happy here. But about a year ago, he was accidentally killed.

My husband and I would like to erect a memorial to him, somewhere on campus."

The president wasn't touched. He was shocked.

"Madam," he said, gruffly, "we can't put up a statue for every person who attended Harvard and died. If we did, this place would look like a cemetery."

"Oh, no," the lady explained quickly. "We don't want to erect a statue. We thought we would like to give a building to Harvard."

The president rolled his eyes. He glanced at the gingham dress and homespun suit, then exclaimed, "A building! Do you have any earthly idea how much a building costs? We have over seven and a half million dollars in the physical buildings here at Harvard."

For a moment the lady was silent.

The president was pleased. Maybe he could get rid of them now.

The lady turned to her husband and said quietly, "Is that all it cost to start a university? Why don't we just start our own? "

Her husband nodded. The president's face wilted in confusion and bewilderment.

Mr. and Mrs. Leland Stanford got up and walked away, traveling to Palo Alto, California where they established the university that bears their name, Stanford University, a memorial to a son that Harvard no longer cared about.

You can easily judge the character of others by how they treat those who they think can do nothing for them. ---- A TRUE STORY By Malcolm Forbes

This made me think of Violet. It makes you think twice about what you say to your little ones, I know it does me.

~~~ A little girl was talking to her teacher about whales.

The teacher said it was physically impossible for a whale to swallow a human because even though it was a very large mammal its throat was very small.

The little girl stated that Jonah was swallowed by a whale.

Irritated, the teacher reiterated that a whale could not swallow a human; it was physically impossible.

The little girl said, "When I get to heaven I will ask Jonah."

The teacher asked, "What if Jonah went to hell?" The little girl replied, "Then you ask him."

~~~ A Kindergarten teacher was observing her classroom of children while they were drawing.

She would occasionally walk around to see each child's work.

As she got to one little girl who was working diligently, she asked what the drawing was. The girl replied, "I'm drawing God."

The teacher paused and said, "But no one knows what God looks like."

Without missing a beat, or looking up from her drawing, the girl replied, "They will in a minute."

~~~ A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five and six year olds.

After explaining the commandment to "honor" thy Father and thy Mother, she asked, "Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?"

Without missing a beat one little boy (the oldest of a family) answered, "Thou shall not kill."

~~~ The children had all been photographed, and the teacher was trying to persuade them each to buy a copy of the group picture.

"Just think how nice it will be to look at it when you are all grown up and say, 'There's Jennifer, she's a lawyer,' or 'That's Michael, He's a doctor.'

A small voice at the back of the room rang out, "And there's the teacher, she's dead."

~~~ A teacher was giving a lesson on the circulation of the blood.

Trying to make the matter clearer, she said, "Now, class, if I stood on my head, the blood, as you know, would run into it, and I would turn red in the face."

"Yes," the class said.

"Then why is it that while I am standing upright in the ordinary position the blood doesn't run into my feet?"

A little fellow shouted, "Cause your feet ain't empty."

~~~ The children were lined up in the cafeteria of a Catholic elementary school for lunch.

At the head of the table was a large pile of apples.

The nun made a note, and posted on the apple tray: "Take only ONE. God is watching."

Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies.

A child had written a note, "Take all you want. God is watching the apples.

I have a few others, but I can't spoil all the fun in one post.

I hope all are doing well and I'm sure I'll see ya's later.

Peace out.

Who needs their oil changed??

2007-05-04T13:48:00.000-07:00

Hope you guys enjoy this, I know I did. It kind of reminds me ooooof....... well me! (except for the beer and getting a DUI of course!)

I will actually write something next time. (he he!)

Oil Change instructions for Women:

1) Pull up to Jiffy Lube when the mileage reaches 3000 miles since the last oil change.
2) Drink a cup of coffee
3) 15 minutes later, write a check and leave with a properly maintained vehicle.

Money spent:

Oil Change: $20.00
Coffee: Free
Total: $20.00

Oil Change instructions for Men:

1) Wait until Saturday, drive to auto parts store and buy a case of oil, filter, kitty litter, hand cleaner and a scented tree, write a check for $50.00.
2) Stop by 7/11 and buy a case of beer, write a check for $20, drive home.
3) Open a beer and drink it.
4) Jack car up. Spend 30 minutes looking for jack stands.
5) Find jack stands under kid's pedal car.
6) In frustration, open another beer and drink it.
7) Place drain pan under engine.
8) Look for 9/16 box end wrench.
9) Give up and use crescent wrench.
1 0) Unscrew drain plug.
11) Drop drain plug in pan of hot oil: splash hot oil on you in process. Cuss.
12) Crawl out from under car to wipe hot oil off of face and arms. Throw kitty litter on spilled oil.
13) Have another beer while watching oil drain.
14) Spend 30 minutes looking for oil filter wrench.
15) Give up; crawl under car and hammer a screwdriver through oil filter and twist off.
16) Crawl out from under car with dripping oil filter splashing oil everywhere from holes. Cleverly hide old oil filter among trash in trash can to avoid environmental penalties. Drink a beer.
17) Install new oil filter making sure to apply a thin coat of oil to gasket surface.
18) Dump first quart of fresh oil into engine.
19) Remember drain plug from step 11.
20) Hurry to find drain plug in drain pan.
21) Drink beer.
22) Discover that first quart of fresh oil is now on the floor. Throw kitty litter on oil spill.
23) Get drain plug back in with only a minor spill. Drink beer.
24) Crawl under car getting kitty litter into eyes. Wipe eyes with oily rag used to clean drain plug. Slip with stupid crescent wrench tightening drain plug and bang knuckles on frame removing any excess skin between knuckles and frame.
25) Begin cussing fit.
26) Throw stupid crescent wrench.
27) Cuss for additional 5 minutes because wrench hit bowling trophy.
28) Beer.
29) Clean up hands and bandage as required to stop blood flow.
30) Beer.
31) Dump in five fresh quarts of oil.
32) Beer.
33) Lower car from jack stands.
34) Move car back to apply more kitty litter to fresh oil spilled during any missed steps.
35) Beer.
36) Test drive car.
37) Get pulled over: arrested for driving under the influence.
38) Car gets impounded.
39) Call loving wife, make bail.
40) 12 hours later, get car from impound yard.

Money spent:

Parts $50.00
DUI $2500.00
Impound fee $75.00
Bail $1500.00
Beer $20.00
Total $4,145.00

(But you know the job was done right!) With Mr. Right!

What's up my peeps?!?!?!?!

2007-05-03T14:18:00.000-07:00

I thought I would let everyone know that, thanks to Chris's help, I have a different E-mail address. Just look at my profile and presto!!, you have it.

Don't have alot to talk about, work suck's, but what can you do except keep on keep'in on!!

I leave you with this, another one of those just so funny E-mails I get from my lovely sis.

Lesson 1:> > A man is getting into the shower just as his wife is finishing up her shower, when the doorbell rings. The wife quickly wraps herself in a towel and runs downstairs. When she opens the door, there stands Bob, the next-door neighbor. Before she says a word, Bob says, "I'll give you $800 to drop that towel, " After thinking for a moment, the woman drops her towel and stands naked in front of Bob After a few seconds, Bob hands her $800 and leaves. The woman wraps back up in the towel and goes back upstairs. When she gets to the bathroom, her husband asks, "Who was that?" "It was Bob the next door neighbor," she replies. "Great," the husband says, "did he say anything about the $800 he owes me?"

Moral of the story:
If you share critical information pertaining to credit and risk with your shareholders in time, you may be in a position to prevent avoidable exposure.

Lesson 2:> > A priest offered a Nun a lift. She got in and crossed her legs, forcing her gown to reveal a leg. The priest nearly had an accident. After controlling the car, he stealthily slid his hand up her leg. The nun said, "Father, remember Psalm 129?" The priest removed his hand. But, changing gears, he let his hand slide up her leg again. The nun once again said, "Father, remember Psalm 129?" The priest apologized "Sorry sister but the flesh is weak." Arriving at the convent, the nun sighed heavily and went on her way. On his arrival at the church, the priest rushed to look up Psalm 129 and It said, "Go forth and seek, further up, you will find glory."

Moral of the story:
If you are not well informed in your job, you might miss a great opportunity.

Lesson 3:> > A sales rep, an administration clerk, and the manager are walking to lunch when they find an antique oil lamp. They rub it and a Genie comes out. The Genie says, "I'll give each of you just one wish." "Me first! Me first!" says the admin clerk. "I want to be in the Bahamas, driving a speedboat, without a care in the world." Puff! She's gone. "Me next! Me next!" says the sales rep. "I want to be in Hawaii, relaxing on the beach with my personal masseuse, an endless supply of Pina Coladas and the love of my life." Puff! He's gone. "OK, you're up," the Genie says to the manager. The manager says, "I want those two back in the office after lunch."
Moral of the story:
Always let your boss have the first say.

Lesson 4> > An eagle was sitting on a tree resting, doing nothing. A small rabbit saw the eagle and asked him, "Can I also sit like you and do nothing?" The eagle answered: " Sure , why not." So, the rabbit sat on the ground below the eagle and rested. All of a sudden, a fox appeared, jumped on the rabbit and ate it.

Moral of the story:
To be sitting and doing nothing, you must be sitting very, very high up.

Lesson 5> > A turkey was chatting with a bull. "I would love to be able to get to the top of that tree," sighed the turkey, "but I haven't got the energy." "Well, why don't you nibble on some of my droppings?" replied the bull. "They're packed with nutrients." The turkey pecked at a lump of dung, and found it actually gave him enough strength to reach the lowest branch of the tree. The next day, after eating some more dung, he reached the second branch. Finally after a fourth night, the turkey was proudly perched at the top of the tree. He was promptly spotted by a farmer, who shot him out of the tree.

Moral of the story:
BullShit might get you to the top, but it won't keep you there.

Lesson 6> > A little bird was flying south for the Winter. It was so cold the bird froze and fell to the ground into a large field. While he was lying there, a cow came by and dropped some dung on him. As the frozen bird lay there in the pile of cow dung, he began to realize how warm he was. The dung was actually thawing him out! He lay there all warm and happy, and soon began to sing for joy. A passing cat heard the bird singing and came to investigate. Following the sound, the cat discovered the bird under the pile of cow dung, and promptly dug him out and ate him.

Morals of the story:
(1) Not everyone who shits on you is your enemy.
(2) Not everyone who gets you out of shit is your friend.
(3) And when you're in deep shit, it's best to keep your mouth shut!

It's nice to have good friends.........

2007-04-02T14:03:00.000-07:00

True" Friendship

None of that Sissy Crap

Are you tired of those sissy "friendship" poems that always sound good,

But never actually come close to reality?

Well, here is a series of promises that actually speak of true friendship.

1. When you are sad -- I will help you get drunk and plot revenge against

The sorry bastard who made you sad.

2. When you are blue -- I will try to dislodge whatever is choking you.

3. When you smile -- I will know you finally got laid.

4. When you are scared -- I will rag on you about it every chance I get.

5. When you are worried -- I will tell you horrible stories about how much

Worse it could be until you quit whining.

6. When you are confused -- I will use little words.

7. When you are sick -- Stay the hell away from me until you are well

Again. I don't want whatever you have.

8. When you fall -- I will point and laugh at your clumsy ass.

9. This is my oath.... I pledge it to the end. "Why?" you may ask;

"because you are my friend".

Friendship is like peeing your pants,

everyone can see it,

But only you can feel the true warmth.

I was recently sent this and thought it was pretty darn funny. I hope ya'll enjoyed it as well.

All joking aside, I would like to throw a shout out about a couple of my good friends. This is for Bill and Chris. I know that I've already told you guys thank you for helping me out in my time of need and how much it meant to me, but I thought everyone else should know just how special you guys are. It sounds mushy, I know, but you guys are the best. (Bill, as you are reading this try not to think about the pink, oh I mean violet shutters!!!:-) )
I'm not going to make this a long and boring thing, so I'll just say it. Bill and Chris, while I was at your place I was treated better than I would've ever thought of being treated. Like a part your family. I don't know about everyone else, but that says something about what kind of people you really are. I know that I've already told you this guys, but if you ever need ANYTHING from me, just ask. It doesn't matter if you need a mediator for when you are arguing about the color of your............, let's just use shutters as an example, just call. I mean anything. (Bill, this does exclude all sexual favors of course, but anything else!)

Again, thanks guys. Love ya's.

So much to do and nothing but time.....

2007-03-30T08:04:00.000-07:00

Well, it's Friday morning and let me tell ya, rain SUCKS! I had recently preplanned to take a couple of days off (yesterday and today) and wouldn't you know it, freaking rain! That's all right though, I'll still get all my plans accomplished with no problem. Stuff might just get a little wet. This was what I was to accomplish in 4 days.

First is definitely to finished getting moved. A little harder in the rain, but it still can be done.

Second would be to build a rack system for Donnie's new tents that he has recently bought. This will be the most time consuming but worth it. I actually started on it yesterday and probably got about 1\3 of it finished. The rest of the time that evening me, Josh, and Donny were wabbit hunting. This was quite interesting, but fun.

Third would be to get mine and Bill's lawnmowers Springatized! I purchased all the stuff to do this yesterday and will have it completed today before I leave to take Lilly's dance stuff to Mindy. It's that time of year for cutting the grass and it has to be done.

Fourth (and the coolest part of this weekend) is to get my tattoo. It probably won't take to long to get one of Roy Orbison on my ass would it?! The guy at the tattoo shop gave me a funny look when I asked for this. Sorry, bad movie humor, I had to throw a little humor some were in this damn thing though. There is no way in hell I would ever get that tattooed on my body.................................... well, if the money was right, maybe? You guys will have to just wait and see what it really is for yourselves.

Well, it's time to get busy and try to have some fun while I'm doing it.

Peace out yo. See ya on the flip side.

Seven songs???

2007-03-28T18:40:00.000-07:00

Sorry it's been so long since I've posted, but I've been so busy lately that it's not even funny. I think that I can come up with seven songs pretty easy though. Let's do it!!

First would be Saliva with there new album. "Ladies and Gentleman" just freakin' rocks!! I do highly recommend listening to the whole album, the whole album will rock your ass!

Second would be "Lonestar's Greatest Hits". Pretty much any song on this CD is good, but one of my favorites is Smile. It describes how I feel right now with the whole relationship deal that I'm going through. (Yes, it made me cry.)

Third would be Hotel California by the Eagles. I couldn't even begin to give this song the credit it deserves, so I won't. It's just simply one of the greatest songs ever made.

Fourth would be Chris Daughtry. I can't remember the name of the song, but I do know that it's the first one on the CD. I also think this whole album rocks!!

Fifth would have to be U2. The song would be "With or Without you". I don't know, there's just something about that song that gives me the chills.

Sixth would be John Mellancamp. Of course it's Jack and Diane!! Although the whole American Fool album was great, that's my favorite!

Finally, seventh would be Five for Fighting. The song choice would be Superman. It's just a great song.

Well that's all for now, I'll try and post sooner next time. See Ya's.

What's on the mind......

2007-02-04T01:28:00.000-08:00

The super bowl party will soon begin. I've been kind of looking forward to this party. Football, poker, friends to share it all with, what more could you ask for? Well, I could think of a few things, but why be greedy? I've been thinking a lot lately about things in general. You know, looking for my own place, life, Lilly, and love. There's a lot of contemplation going on in my head at times. I don't know why, but there is. One of the things I've been debating about is were to live. I love living out in the country. But I also liked living in the city too. Just simply for the easy access to work and the general community perks. You know, malls and novelty stores. I just think I personally like the country scene better. But who knows were I'll end up. Oh well. Now on to life. It really sucks sometimes, life that is. But you are always supposed to make the best of it for some reason. Maybe for your family? Maybe for yourself?? Or is it just because someone told you that's how it's supposed to be. Who knows.... I think that I will just do it for a little of everything. I'm all about life, love, and the pursuit of happiness. The American dream that would just be a little easier if I won the freaking lottery!! I think that I can make dew until then though. Next is Lilly. My ultimate joy! Man is she something. Smart as a whip, so darn cute (oh yes, she gets her looks from me!), and she still makes my heart melt when she just says out of the blue, "I love you daddy." If I can say that God has given me anything, it's her. She is truly my angel. Last but not least, there's love. I use to think that I had finally figured it out. Who the hell was I fooling! Obviously myself. But what can you do.

I don't know why I started writing this damn thing at all. Maybe because I'm not tired yet, maybe because I don't really have anyone to talk to (right know that is), or maybe my brain is unleashing some thoughts. I think I'm done, at least for now. I'll try and have some juicy stuff next time, just to make it a little more interesting. Peace out yo.

Ft. Lauderdale was great!!

2007-01-10T19:30:00.000-08:00

I had previously posted about going to Ft. Lauderdale. I wasn't sure about it at first but I'll tell you what, It was the most fun I've probably had in years!! Don't get me wrong, I have a lot of fun hanging out with all my friends but this was just a totally different experience for me.

Let me start the trip off for ya!! First, me and 15 of my fellow co-workers went to the airport for our flight. I was told that we needed to eat before we left so we needed to get to the airport a little early. We did that. Mind you, I usually don't hang out with people from my work, but I think I've earned a little more respect for ALL of them. After we sat down to eat the oddness set in. I mean come on, I thought that we were (Dr. Mike especially) the most perverted bunch of people that I've ever met. Well if we are then I found the second most perverted group of people to hang out with. We all give each other a hard time at work but they topped the cake in my eyes last weekend. It was great!! I've never heard so many cut down jokes in my life. After we got off the plane my boss met us at the airport with two rental cars that we took to the hotel. As we were checking in we were told to come over to the bar to have some drinks. Of course we did. The bar was kept open 5 hours later than it should've been. I guess when you have money you can do those things. The next morning we all woke up at 6:30am to have a small breakfast and some coffee. We spent about 8 hours or so with no breaks working on business. It wasn't to bad. I had originally thought that after we were finished that we would just do whatever. Boy was I wrong!! My boss told me and the others that we were going on a boat ride for the rest of the night. We get to my boss's father's house (the founder of NCC, he is retired and liven large!) and after a small tour of his amazing house we go to the back yard and I see this 60' yacht! I couldn't believe this thing! We all load up and head on our way. We were out for about 7 hours. We rode around in some canal ways, then on coast line for about 4 miles or so then back into a canal and stopped at a restaurant called Shooters. We got back to the house at about 10 or so. Then we did one of my favorite things, played poker. That was the easiest money I ever made playing Texas Hold'em. The way they were all talking I thought that at least half of them new how to play. Come to find out, they all need to practice a little more. It was still fun though. The next morning I was in for a treat. I had never been deep sea fishing before and I was totally looking forward to it. I'm glad I had the chance to experience it because it was a blast. We took off in the boat about 7:30am. As soon as we got about 1/4 mile into the ocean the fun began. There was a guy there that did everything for us except catch the fish. I personally caught two Kingfish and are you ready for this, a 150 pound hammerhead shark!! That's right, I said a shark! Now anybody that knows me also knows that sharks are probably one of my worst fears, so I never thought that it would be that exciting to catch one. Well I'm gonna get. Write some more later.

This is the beast that I caught!!!

Late holiday wishes to everyone...

2006-12-31T15:23:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year's!! I've been so busy lately I haven't had time to do much blogging. I sure miss reading every one's blog, it's just so stimulating to my brain!! (not really, I just need a good laugh sometimes!):-) But anyway, I think we are getting ready to leave to go to Mike and Paula's house. I know it'll be a great time. After talking with Dr. Mike at his office a couple of days ago it sounds like it will be a very relaxing, fun evening. You know though, he did say that we were going to play poker and I'm really gonna hate to take every one's money. (he he!!) Yeah right. I'll still have fun though because I'm going to be with the people that have made my year good when times were good and brought me up when times were shitty. Again thanks to those individuals!! You guys are the greatest. Well, me and Frank (Sinatra that is) are gonna hit it!! I'm outta here, see you guys on the flip side. Peace.

Bueller..., Bueller..., Bueller........

2006-12-04T11:23:00.000-08:00

Something that I thought I would share with everyone. I found it to be very stimulating and interesting to say the least.

It's almost scarry how true this is. It makes you wonder.....

The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on a CBS Sunday Morning Commentary............
Herewith at this happy time of year, a few confessions from my beating heart: I have no freaking clue who Nick and Jessica are. I see them on the cover of People and Us constantly when I am buying my dog biscuits and kitty litter. I often ask the checkers at the grocery stores. They never know who Nick and Jessica are either. Who are they? Will it change my life if I know who they are and why they have broken up? Why are they so important?
I don't know who Lindsay Lohan is either, and I do not care at all about Tom Cruise's wife.

Am I going to be called before a Senate committee and asked if I am a subversive? Maybe, but I just have no clue who Nick and Jessica are.

If this is what it means to be no longer young. It's not so bad.

Next confession:
I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are: Christmas trees.
It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, "Merry Christmas" to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu. If people want a crèche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.

I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution, and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.

Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea co me from that we should worship Nick and Jessica and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him?

I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too.

But there are a lot of us who are wondering where Nick and Jessica came from and where the America we knew went to.

In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.
Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her "How could God let something like this Happen?" (Regarding Katrina)

Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, "I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives.

And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?"

In light of recent events...terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found recently) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK.
Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.

Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said OK.

Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.

Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with "WE REAP WHAT WE SOW."

Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell.

Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says.

Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing.

Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.

Cold to warm, back to cold!! (What the heck!)

2006-11-29T09:41:00.000-08:00

I'm sure that all of you are aware of the weather situation in the great state of Missouri. I would love to see some snow though. As you all know Lilly is now 5 years old and I have yet to be able to take her sledding! I mean come on, where's all the snow been! Every year since Lilly has been old enough to comprehend what it means to go sled riding (since she was 3) she's asked me if we where going to go. I always tell her "Well, if it ever snows." I think the closest she's ever come to riding a sled was at Bill's on the hill by his house. I remember as a child that this use to be a yearly ritual for me and my friends every winter to go to Forrest Park ball field's and sled. There was always some kind of snow. But anyway, enough complaining about that. I'm sure that one day I will get to take her, snow willing.
I was informed today that I would be going to Ft. Lauderdale Florida in January. I don't know what to think about this. A lot of you are probably wondering if I'm nuts or something. Let me assure you that I'm not. I mean come on, I spend probably about 80% of my time with these people already. What makes them think I want to spend my other 20% with them. Me and about 10 of my fellow managers, engineers, and upper management would be going. At first I'm thinking, I don't know. But then the President of NCC starts in with the agenda. First we will fly down there on Friday, right after work. Next, after we are all settled in, we will be in a conference for most of the day on Saturday. (I'm not liking this deal yet!) Then, after all that is finished he starts in with the cool stuff. He has already chartered two deep sea fishing boats (I'm thinking about it now!). Then he says we'll all go out and just have a good time! I thinking to myself, "Is this my boss?" Don't get me wrong, I like working for the guy, he's a great person, but he can be a little anal retentive sometimes. After I thought about it for a little while, I guess will go. Who knows, I might have fun. It's a first for me anyway.

Everyone could use a good laugh now and then!

2006-11-28T11:16:00.000-08:00

Redneck Logic

> Two Poor Boys from Georgia, Bubba and Jim Bob , are sitting at their favorite bar, drinking beer. Bubba turns to Jim Bob and says, "You know, I'm tired of going through life without an education. Tomorrow I think I'll go to the Community College, and sign up for some classes." Jim Bob thinks it's a good idea, and the two leave. The next day, Bubba goes down to the college and meets the Dean of Admissions, who signs him up for the four basic classes: Math, English, History, and Logic. "Logic?" Bubba says. "What's that?" The dean says, "I'll show you. Do you own a weed eater?" "Yeah." "Then logically speaking, because you own a weed eater, I think that you would have a yard." "That's true, I do have a yard." "I'm not done," the dean says. "Because you have a yard, I think logically that you would have a house." "Yes, I do have a house."
"And because you have a house, I think that you might logically have a family." "I have a family." "I'm not done yet. Because you have a family, then logically you must have a wife." "Yes, I do have a wife." "And because you have a wife, then logic tells me you must be a heterosexual." "I am a heterosexual. That's amazing, you were able to find out all of that because I have a weed eater." Excited to take the class now, Bubba shakes the Dean's hand and leaves to go meet Jim Bob at the bar. He tells Jim Bob about his classes, how he is signed up for Math, English, History, and Logic. "Logic?" Jim Bob says, "What's that?" Bubba says, "I'll show you. Do you have a weed eater?" "No." "Then you're a queer."

Dr. Smith

A flat-chested young lady went to Dr. Smith to see about enlarging her breasts. Dr. Smith told her, "Everyday after your shower, rub your nipples and say, "Scooby doobie doobies, I want bigger boobies." She did this faithfully for several months, lo and behold, it worked! She grew great boobs! One morning she was running late, got on the bus and realized she had forgotten her morning ritual. Frightened she might lose her lovely boobs if she didn't do the little rhyme, she got right out there in the middle aisle of the bus and said, "Scooby doobie doobies, I want bigger boobies." A guy sitting nearby asked, "Are you, by any chance, a patient of Dr. Smith's?" "Why, yes I am. How did you know?" she replied. He leaned closer, winked, smiled and whispered, "Hickory dickory dock!"

How many times have you ever needed this store!?!?!?!?!

A poem to share and maybe a little more......

2006-11-27T08:14:00.000-08:00

A Different Christmas Poem

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white, Transforming the yard to a winter delight.The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep. In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,And I crept to the door just to see who was near.Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight. A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child."What are you doing?" I asked without fear, "Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!" For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..To the window that danced with a warm fire's light Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night." "It's my duty to stand at the front of the line, That separates you from the darkest of times.No one had to ask or beg or implore me,I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December,"Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers." My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ', And now it is my turn and so,here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while,But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile. Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag, The red, white, and blue.... an American flag.I can live through the cold and the being alone,Away from my family, my house and my home.I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat. I can carry the weight of killing another,Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..Who stand at the front against any and all,To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall." "So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright, Your family is waiting and I'll be all right.""But isn't there something I can do, at the least,"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?It seems all too little for all that you've done, For being away from your wife and your son."Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,"Just tell us you love us, and never forget. To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,To stand your own watch, no matter how long.For when we come home, either standing or dead,To know you remember we fought and we bled.Is payment enough, and with that we will trust, That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."

LCDR Jeff Giles, SC,
USN30th Naval Construction RegimentOIC,
Logistics Cell One
Al Taqqadum, Iraq

I just thought that I would share this with everyone. Don't forget about our troops during the holidays.

I would also like to write about something else. I just got done reading D's post. First let me start by saying thank you to her for doing the right thing. There's no need to hide any of the stuff that's going on. I believe that it's better to be honest than to lie or even bend the truth. I also pray for my family (Me, Mindy, and Lilly) that everything will turn out for the best.
I would also like everyone to know that I haven't given up on them either. I love my family more than anything. I did what I did because I think it's best for them and me in this whole situation as of right now. I will never give up on them. Giving ourselves space is a wonderful thing sometimes. It gives us all time to think about what's really important to us. I think there is a few songs out there that reference to this statement and boy is it true, "You don't realize what you got until it's gone."
If I could say that I've learned anything from this whole situation it's that sometimes it's better to be yourself than to try and please people all the time. Remember this, don't ever be afraid to be yourself and love truly, one doesn't work without the other. We need to remind ourselves daily of this in more ways than one.
Now that I'm done writing about that I thought it would be nice to say once again, THANKS!!!, to everyone for being there for me and my family. Love you guys.

Bearded or not... (Argggggg....)

2006-11-24T04:23:00.000-08:00

As most of you guys know I'm attempting to grow a beard. I just don't know about it though. At first I asked myself why am I even doing it? Then I so remembered (on a drunken night) that I received $2 in tips at Bill's bar for agreeing to grow one. It's funny how that works. But anyway, It almost makes me feel like a pirate or something. It's only been..... I believe 5 or 6 days since I started the actual growth process and it kind of sucks! But because I said that I was going to do it I'll keep it for at least a couple of weeks(as long as this damn itching goes away in the next couple of days!!).

I thought that some of you might find this interesting. I'm going to show you what I do, well not what I do because that's boring, but what goes on at National Cart(my work). Oh, this is not what my day generally consists of. It's usually a little more involved, but since I have a slow day I thought it would be cool to do.

This is a robotic arc welder. I actually brought Lilly into work once and when we were walking I asked her if she wanted to see a robot. With a natural 4 year olds response being, "You guys have a robot?!" I replied "Yeah we do." Totally not prepared for what I was about to encounter, we walked up to this robot and I said, "Well, there it is." She says, "I don't see any robots daddy." I then say, "It's right in front of us", as I point to the robotic arm. Wait, here it comes, she then said, "Daddy, that's not a robot, robots look like people!" Dumbfounded and shocked by her response, I then thought, Mr. Obvious!! I then proceeded with a 15 minute conversation with, what seemed to be about an hour, Lilly about how all robots don't just look like people. Needless to say I learned something that day.

Below is the actual process for welding a side rail for a Cart Coral. You know, those things you put your shopping carts in at Wally World or the grocery store.

The next picture is the process for welding the "header" as we call it. This is the part of the Cart Coral that has the sign on it that usually says "Please return carts here." So simple, but aren't those guys doing a great job!! What you don't see is me behind the camera with a whip saying, "Hurry up darn it!!

The next one directly below is just simply some carts that we make for Lowe's Home Improvement stores. You know, those things you put your lumber and crap on.

These below are some items that have yet to be powdered coated. If you ever notice when you go into Wally World right by the front doors a park bench. Yes, these are the same ones, just bare metal. Woooooooow!!! Amazing isn't it?

I don't know, maybe it's me, but do you think someone has way to much time on their hands or what? Interesting as it maybe, have you ever seen such comedy in a bathroom stall??

Ever wondered what they do with all the old shopping carts from stores, well wonder no more, we buy them for little or nothing and make a retarded profit just by fixing them up. This is only about 1/5 of the used cart supply we have here. Inside the building there is about 5 times this many.

No, we don't work for the city or state but we do make stop signs for Target. Ours look so much prettier, don't you think???

Well, I've just about used all my break and lunch time so that I could take you guys on a tour of National Cart Company. So I better get to work.

Bill's Bar and Furniture Shop...

2006-11-22T07:54:00.000-08:00

So anyway, Chris is right. Me and Bill are back to building stuff. Last night we fabricated some bar table components (which I would have to say are just marvelous!). We should be able to finish those tonight. We were talking last night also about what else you see in a bar?? We couldn't think of anything. So I went online and was looking around, didn't find much but did come across some ideas for bar stools. Bill originally wanted me to fabricate them out of metal, but I'm going to see what he thinks about these that I have attached. If you would notice the big one (he he), it's my favorite. Let him know what you guys think and if you have anymore ideas.

What's up with the weird dreams??

2006-11-21T13:07:00.000-08:00

I'm sure that I am not the only person that has weird dreams, but I've been having some very disturbing ones. I've been having a lot of "deja vu" dreams if you know what I mean. You know were you dream something and then swear you see it a week later, or at least you think you do. One example is I was standing on the shop floor at my work watching employees going about their business and then just all of the sudden BAM it hits me, I've seen this somewhere before. I don't know why I'm even writing about this because it's probably just all in my head. Plus I'm still pissed off that the dream I had about winning $56,000,000 in the lottery hasn't come true. But anyway, what can you do?!?!
I'm sure that I'll have something even more useless to write about tomorrow.

The greatest thing I ever learned was to love and be loved in return

2006-11-20T09:07:00.001-08:00

Man was this weekend a good time or what!? I had just a great time with everyone. I think I may have had just a little to much to drink, but whatever it was still fun. I would like to throw out a special THANKS!! to Dave for his comment. That means a lot to me. It just makes me realize how great my friends really are, (let me wipe the tear, sniff, sniff). Don't let anything I write give anyone the wrong impression though. By know means will I ever push blame on anyone. That is not my intent. I'm just trying to express how I feel. It's kind of corny, you know. I'm still new at this. Anyway I should keep this short because I'm a busy camper today. Again, thanks to everyone for everything, I truly do love all you guys. I have to come to know all of you, not just as friends, but my family. Thanks.

What can you do.......

2006-11-17T11:33:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure what I'm writing this for. Maybe it makes me feel better just to sit down and poor out my thoughts. Let's see, what's on my mind.... Well for starters work is finally going pretty smooth. Then I guess there is my life outside of work. Things are pretty hard to handle emotionally sometimes but I know it's for the best. Sometimes you just feel like it's all pointless to even fight for but then again you start (or at least I do) thinking about what's really important to you in your life. For those of you that know me you know what I mean. The most important thing to me is my family and friends. Not because somebody told me I had to care and love them but because I choose to for who they are and what they stand for. I am very fortunate to have the people I do in my life. I just wanted them to know that because I may not say it enough. You know who you are. Anyway, I just wanted to sit down and write these things because it makes me feel a little more at ease about things in general, but then again what can you do except write or talk about it.

Is watching baseball supposed to stress you out?

2006-10-27T07:19:00.000-07:00

Last night was just the greatest baseball game I've ever watched! I was on the edge of my seat all night. Everyone that knows me also knows that I don't get excited when I'm watching sports, but there is just something about the world series, superbowl, or even the stanley cup that just gets me going.
Anyway, last night during the game the commentators kept mentioning that the last two times that the cardinals and tigers met whichever of the two teams won the forth game went on to lose the world series. I think those guys just need to shut their pieholes! It sounds interesting but who cares about what happened in the past. Why do they always have to find something negative to say about either team. Let them play and do your damn job!, comment on the game at hand and show replays. Maybe I'm just being a butt, but oh well I'm having fun.
Other than last night being extremely exciting with the baseball game, Mindy made some of the best chili that I think that I've ever eaten.

I'm actually blogging.

2006-10-09T14:13:00.000-07:00

I'm still not completely sure what I am doing here, but I will figure this thing out. So anyway I've been reading everyones blog's off of Mindy's blog spot and thought it might be kind of fun to join in on this craziness they call "blogging".