Rambler

Prayers needed....

2008-10-28T09:05:00.002-05:00

Please pray for my cousin Jenna. She is in the hospital after having a brain tumor removed. Thanks in advance.

Buddy Walk

2008-09-27T19:41:00.002-05:00

Tomorrow is the fourth annual Buddy Walk for Down Syndrome in Ann Arbor. We are members of the local Down Syndrome Support Team (DSST), which exists to support families with child who have DS, as well as to increase awareness and inclusion of individuals with DS.
Laura and I got involved with DSST about a year ago, and we are so proud to be involved with this organization. When we found out about the Buddy Walk, we were excited and jumped in. The community support has been phenomenal! It amazes me that so many people's lives have been touched in a positive way by DS.
Part of our responsibilities were going throughout our wonderful community and collecting donations of goods and money to support DSST. Every single person we talked to knew of someone in their immmediate circle affected by Down syndrome. The generosity was overwhelming! Our local paper ran a 1/2 page story on our family as well:

It's humbling to have such an awesome responsibity with Manny, but I know that God has GREAT things in mind for him! If anyone still comes by, I want to thank you for your support of Laura and I over the last four years. The years have been trying and sorrowful at times, but God has carried us through it all! Praise Him.

weird but strangely captivating

2008-09-16T21:30:00.003-05:00

I know I said good bye, but I am back. I found something that had me transfixed for over 6 minutes. And since my family motto is transfixed but not dead, I thought it appropriate:

MUTO a wall-painted animation by BLU from blu on Vimeo.
Have a wonderful day!

Goodbye for now

2008-05-03T20:22:00.002-05:00

My posts for the last few months have been sporadic at best, and although I loved this forum at the start, I have felt guilty when I don't post for a while. My time is precious to me, and I feel it could be best used to other endeavours at this point. Who knows, I may return. In the mean time, God Bless, and keep your gaze set on Him, all the rest is small potatoes.

Another inspiring talk

2008-03-13T18:21:00.002-05:00

This is a bit long...10 minutes or so, but worth the watch. Helps put my minor struggles in perspective, and also helps keep the right attitude towards struggles.
Dr. Randy Pausch is the guy speaking:

Crazy busy

2008-03-09T18:38:00.003-05:00

It's been a little hectic around my house lately. Wow is on strict rest, her mom is here helping, but I seem to busier than ever. Thanks for all the prayers, keep 'em coming.

Eye-opener

2008-02-25T20:53:00.002-05:00

TIME: 0707
DATE: 02/22/2008
***ring, ring, ring***
Me: Hello?
Wow (crying): I think I just totalled the Jeep...
Me: Are you ok?
W: I don't know, but I think the Jeep is totalled
Me: I don't care about the (expletive) Jeep, are you ok?
W: I'm waiting for the ambulance...

Last Friday morning, I was busy shoveling the walk when my cell phone in my pocket rang, and the above conversation took place. Wow was driving to work, and hit some black ice, fishtailed a bit, was hit in the driver's side rear of the car, spun 90 degrees to the right, and hit the guard wall of a bridge over a river at 50 miles per hour. She was right, the Jeep was totalled.
Here are a few events of that day:
1) She hit a wall at 50 mph, and received only muscular injuries. (Both the airbags deployed, rear windows blew out, front end was crushed)
2) There were no other cars on the bridge at the time, even though it is normally bumper to bumper at that time of the morning.
3) The man who was driving the truck that hit her was extremely kind and considerate.
4) The trooper who showed up didn't issue a citation, even though wow was 100% at fault (according to him).
5) When we got to the hospital, everyone was phenomenal, rushed her in, got her CT's/Xrays, etc within 2 hours.

Looking back on the day, I just keep thanking God for answered prayers, keeping my beautiful bride safe, and providing in His perfect way.

Wow has a long way to go on the road to healing, physical therapy, exercise, etc.
I just can't stop praising and thanking God for all He has done and is doing...

When I figure out how to transfer pics from my phone to the computer, I will update w/ pics.

Manny

2008-01-30T10:15:00.001-05:00

This child has a habit of running away in stores, so wow found this item around Christmas, and it has been sitting in the box since she bought it. It's a little monkey backpack, but the tail is a long ~~leash~~ tether (I couldn't bring myself to call it what it really is). I decided to try it out today...
He loves it!

New Year

2008-01-15T21:51:00.000-05:00

We are half way through the first month of the new year, how are things going? Are new year's resolutions still holding out? Attending Mutemath concerts perchance? :) Have a beautiful day.

Merry Christmas

2007-12-25T06:47:00.000-05:00

Luke 2:11-40

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived.
When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord"), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: "a pair of doves or two young pigeons."

Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of all people,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel."

The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too."

There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.

May God bless you today, and grant you the peace and contentment that is a gift only he can provide.
Sam

Gripping!

2007-12-14T21:16:00.000-05:00

I love Wednesdays

2007-12-12T08:03:00.000-05:00

I think Wednesday is my favorite day of the week. It's not spelled phonetically, it's generally refered to as "hump" day, the work week is half over, I don't usually work on Wednesdays. All good reasons, but my favorite reason is:
WEDNESDAYS ARE DADDY DAYS! I get to be home with my kids on this day, and I have some great kids. If I could, I would totally be a stay at home dad! I don't even mind doing the housework and cleaning up that goes on constantly when I am home.
Anyway, another pic of my family:

Sick and a Dog

2007-12-07T07:51:00.000-05:00

About twice or thrice a year, I get a nasty chest cold. It usually starts as a sinus congestion, but rapidly settles in my chest for a few days. I don't know why it happens, it just does. I have been more diligent than ever with eating right, taking vitamins, eating/drinking vit. C, etc. So I have been at home the last 2 days, hanging out with Homer, and trying to keep him from peeing in the house. So far so good...
Have a nice day.

Too Long

2007-12-02T21:08:00.000-05:00

It's been nearly a month since I've posted again. I could sit here and type excuses and what not, but here I am.

Anyway we are nearing Christmas, so enjoy...

Oatmeal

2007-11-09T16:07:00.000-05:00

There is a lot of talk out there that oatmeal can reduce your cholesterol up to 10%, etc. As part of my heart healthy diet, I have added the stuff:

I am not a huge fan of oatmeal, except in cookies but I think all the butter negates the good effects of the oameal. Well last weekend I wandered into a store downtown called "The Boulevard Market". You can imagine my surprise and delight when I came across this:

Wow! oatmeal in beer! My favorite!

Funnies and Costumes

2007-11-02T06:44:00.000-05:00

Evan is doing very well is school, and applying what he learns in life.
For example last evening, he wanted some water after he had climbed into bed. Wowgirl told him that it was his job to get his water, but since he asked nicely, she would do him a favor and get his water.
She brought the water back in, and he had a sly little grin on his face, and he said, "I sense an ABAB pattern here. I got the water yesterday, you got it today, tomorrow I'll get it. Do you see the pattern?" He's so silly, it made me LOL for real when wow told me.

Last week he was watching Ninja Turtles, turned to Wow and asked, "Are the ninja turtles real?" Wow replied, "No, they're make believe." He got a very concerned look on his face and said, "Then the world is doomed!!?" When we got done laughing, we told him that the whole show was pretend, which relieved a lot of stress in his little head! Man that kid cracks me up.

Anyway, I promised costume pics. I got a new camera, and I am still working out the kinks, but here are the pics that turned out the best from Halloween:
Evan, as Captain Jack Sparrow:

Manny as his Parrot:

Grace as Ariel the Mermaid:

Happy Halloween

2007-10-30T22:02:00.000-05:00

here's a pic of the older 2 with the pumpkins they transformed into jack-o-lanterns. I couldn't get Manny to hold still long enough to take a pic that wasn't blurry, so here he is, tasting the pumpkin guts, and a pic of his jack-o-lantern.

Have a fun and happy Halloween, be safe.

Status check

2007-10-27T08:20:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was the day, HME (Health Maintenance Exam). Yep, haven't had a full physical since I was in college. Thankfully I am not old enough to have the old finger in the nether regions. (When I asked the doctor, she said "not for a couple of years." To which I replied, good, cuz I was gonna ask you to clip your nails.")
I got clearance to participate in my triathlon in the spring! I am in better physical shape than I have been in years, my back is straighter than it was a year ago (when I went in for a herniated disc flare up).
My vitals were great: BP 119/75 HR 71, Weight 146.3 (down from 155.6), BMI 22.9

Not all the news was tip top though:
Cholesterol: 237 mg/dl Blood (Normal=<200)
Triglycerides: 151 mg/dl (Normal=<150)
HDL: 44 (Normal 0-100)
LDL: 163 (Normal <130)

I gotta cut back on the eggs I eat, and my cholesterol should improve with that...

Have a great day.

Best Buy

2007-10-19T11:43:00.000-05:00

I got a gift card a few months back to Best Buy. I've been holding on to it, watching sales, and biding my time... Finally today, I saw something on sale, and lept to my keyboard, entered the card code, and arranged for pick up in A2. A brand spanking new Razer Death Adder mouse:

The emblem fades in an out, very cool. This mouse is highly precise, too.
:)

Gall bladder no more

2007-10-18T12:05:00.000-05:00

Hopefully, that filthy little green gall hoarding sac has died a death deserving of one who has caused so much pain to my wife. Wow had it removed this morning, and is sleeping serenely sans bile bag. She will have a couple of days of recovery, but right now is doing well.
Thanks for all the prayers, everyone.

Appleumkin fun

2007-10-14T18:55:00.000-05:00

This weekend was the annual Appleumkin festival downtown. We walked down there and enjoyed a great time.

Kids enjoyed the rollercoaster.

Wow and Manny taking a cuddle.

Have a wonderful week. Oh yeah, and Bart, our newest pet, says "hello:"

Progress

2007-10-09T09:11:00.000-05:00

I was proud of myself last nite, I made myself get my butt off the couch and exercise, afterwards I read some scripture, and prayed. It felt good. I need to build momentum.

Basic Training continued

2007-10-08T07:34:00.001-05:00

So, nearly a week into my training restart, I seem to be paused. I have only studied the Bible twice, I have prayed a lot, but not enough, and my physical activity level is also lackluster. Motivation seems to be the main problem, I just can't get my tail off the ground. What do I need to get to get going?

Basic Training

2007-10-04T13:54:00.000-05:00

Holy Crappy (the fish, pronounced CROPPY, vera), it's been nearly a month since I've posted again...bad etiquette I know, and if there are any folks still hanging around occasionally checking for new cobwebs from my dusty mind, you have my apologies.

On to the topic of this post:

A few of us were talking the other night, and as such sessions always do, led to more in depth discussions of our lives, hangups, obsessions, laziness, etc. Now the details of the discussion can't be shared because of the code, but I think it is worth sharing the results of that discussion. I have formed an email group whose sole purpose is to lift up and hold accountable each member. We committed to daily emails and/or phone calls to one another to help keep us honest in our back to basics philosophy. So we'll see how this goes, and how committed we remain to this and each other.

This post was inspired by: Mudd

Wow

2007-09-11T09:20:00.000-05:00

touching.
Donate at Curesearch.org

New Post

2007-08-29T15:51:00.000-05:00

I realize it has been almost a month since I have posted. I have been whirlwind busy, wife sick, son getting ready to start kindergarten, church duties expanding, friends, summer, life, etc.

God bless you all!

Unplugged at the Connection

2007-08-03T06:48:00.000-05:00

Every Thursday nite through the end of the August, Newsong is hosting "Unplugged at the Connection" featuring local talent. Last evening was the first time I was able to catch this wonderful gem. It's so nice to have something to do downtown after 5 pm. You can grab a cup of coffee, bowl of softserve icecream, or other snacks/beverages and sit and listen to a local performer play his/her unique brand of music. It's all free, too.
Last evening, was Al Jacquez, playing very folky music, most of which could be mistaken for early Dylan, or pulled directly off Harry Chapin's "The Gold Medal Collection." I couldn't find a youtube of Al playing alone, but here is a viral video of his band, measured chaos performing a blues number. Enjoy, and if you have a chance, come to the Connection Center next Thursday. 133 E Chicago Blvd Tecumseh MI

Sampson

2007-07-30T19:11:00.000-05:00

For the gangsta on the go

2007-07-30T19:05:00.000-05:00

I don't know why I found this so funny. It's a "glockberry" I would give a h/t, but I can't remember who sent it to me.

Edit:Jeremy is the originator of this image. Hat tip to him!

On Vacation

2007-07-23T16:25:00.000-05:00

We are in South Haven, have been since Saturday. We rented a condo that is I think bigger than our house, the kitchen is at least triple the size of the one at home (complete with an island and all... We are having a great time, the weather is awesome, sunny and HOT. The water is really cold, about 63 degrees, I've been in 3 times, but still brrrrrrrrrrrrrr. We are going to go to an inland lake tomorrow or wednesday though! Have a great week.
Sam
P.S. this is Gracie, after I buried her in the sand up to her waist, and one of Evan as well!

Pause and Wonder

2007-07-20T19:04:00.000-05:00

Every year for the last seven years, I pause at about 10:45 am on this day. I pause for a moment of prayer and reflection on what happened and what might have been. I don't question why or for what purpose, I just like to think about what might have been.
You see, on July 20, 2000 at approximately 10:44 am my first born son was stillborn. His name was Nathaniel David Walsh, and he weighed just under 1 pound. He had the same down syndrome that Manny has, only he was called home before he ever took a breath. It still brings tears to my eyes when I remember him, and the deep sorrow that his passing left and still leaves.

I remember how tiny he was, not quite the length of my hand. How wow and I cradled and loved on and spoke to him. How he looked so peaceful, just lying there in my hands. How scared we were, how heartbroken, how unsure of what was next.

I remember coming home and thinking, "why is everyone acting normal? Don't they know our world has collapsed?"
Gradually these feelings faded, not abated, just faded.

Now I smile through tears when I look at the picture my mom got for us of a little boy playing soccer w/ Jesus, and how that boy looks like Nate would have. I wonder what his little 7 year old voice would be asking me, playing with his younger siblings, reading to me....

I thank God for bringing me through this experience, it has opened my eyes to the beauty of those around me, has enriched my nursing career because I know what it is like to be walking through the halls of the hospital with your guts feeling ripped out, it has brought Laura and I closer than anything else, it has made me appreciate my children (especially Manny) more than most dads I think, and in a round about way, it has brought me closer to my God.

Charles Dickens wrote a short story about a boy and a girl who were the best of friends, and the girl died. The night she died, the boy dreamed of a star, and the girl was waiting for him in the beams of the star. That is what brings me the most comfort and Joy, My little Nate is waiting for me in the star...

Dickens' "A Child's Dream of a Star"

Why

2007-07-12T19:26:00.000-05:00

Why does doing the right thing cause so much consternation?
Why do those we love deeply hurt us the most?
Why can't we all just get along?
Why is it that when I say something with the intent of restoring peace, it is taken as underhanded or "stirring the pot?"

I have kept things very light and silly lately on my blog, and if any one still reads it, maybe you can help me answer these questions...

Yes I know I need to change my bracelet, but I have given up wearing it for a few days. I will try to restart my 21 day salute later.

For all of my WoW friends

2007-06-25T09:42:00.000-05:00

Sorry I haven't posted in a while, need to do that more. I am taking lunch at work, but thought you guys might enjoy this.

Have a wonderful day.

Proud Daddy

2007-06-16T14:16:00.000-05:00

Evan entered an essay contest through preschool for Father's Day.
He Won!
Here is a scan of his essay:

Evan got a little plaque, I got a wallet and key fob, and our whole family gets to have a free photo session at Brindamour Photography, who sponsored the contest!

Happy Father's Day everyone!

Another question

2007-06-10T22:07:00.000-05:00

I know, 2 questions in a row, but this one is urgent.
Is this a pick? It's what it appears to me, but the perpetrator claims it wasn't.

imgsrc=anonymous

Question

2007-05-31T19:08:00.001-05:00

There was a discussion the other night about whether or not "extreme sports," such as skydiving, hangliding, drag racing, rock climbing, etc. are testing God. I've had some good input but I was wondering what some of you all thought?

Last week we went to the park.

2007-05-19T16:08:00.001-05:00

It was fun:

amazing

2007-05-19T16:02:00.000-05:00

There is a door in my house that I have never been through. It leads to the outside from my garage. Once, when I first moved in, I thought about going through it, but it is easier to use the other doors, so I didn't got through that one. Today I was looking at that door, and I saw something very strange. Apparently mice don't use that door either. I am as confused as Homer J.

Couple of things

2007-05-16T06:34:00.000-05:00

The last few weeks have become really busy again. The weather has become warm, and we have been spending most of our free time outside.

My buddy, Ryan's wife, Melissa, delivered their third child Monday afternoon. I am so happy for them! Little Elijah is absolutely beautiful, see for yourself:

Enjoy your day.

Random pics

2007-04-30T21:01:00.000-05:00

What a beautiful weekend. I was sorry to have to go back to work today. Pics from this w/e:
My 2 favorite girls in the world:

Evan cuddling w/ mommy:

How fast Two Years goes by!!!

2007-04-27T06:19:00.000-05:00

Today is the second anniversary of the greatest miracle I have ever witnessed.

I was at work, working a "short" day, 8 hours in the ICU. Around 2:30 pm Wow called me and said she was having contractions, about 4 minutes apart and getting more frequent. She asked me to come get her, and I said she had better have her mom bring her in. She got to the hospital, and we were ushered into the delivery area. She was in labor for a couple of hours, not progressing, and since Manny was known to have cardiac issues, they took her to the OR for a C-section. At approximately 9:19 pm, Immanuel James Walsh was born into my life!
When he was about 16 weeks gestation, we had an ultrasound with horrible news, baby had severe Down Syndrome, with associated cardiac defects, and wouldn't survive to term, let alone survive to age 2!!! He is a healthy happy baby boy.

God has given us this wonderful child to raise and enjoy, and I thank Him every day for this!

2 years ago and ................................................. today!

Evan the pirate

2007-04-09T16:28:00.000-05:00

Evan is sporting new glasses and a patch for part of the day. His vision is very poor on the left(<20/400), so he is wearing a patch on the right for a few hours every day. He got his glasses today. Now we match, and I promised him I would buy him a pirate hat if he wants...

Happy Easter

2007-04-08T05:56:00.000-05:00

Everything you ever wanted to know about PEEPS!.

Ever have a song haunt you?

2007-04-04T20:14:00.000-05:00

Wowgirl and I were watching Jericho on television tonight, and the theme song struck us both. We listened to the words and music, and found both extremely hauntingly beautiful. After the show, and a few keystrokes later, Google brought forth its knowledge, and I found out the singer is Gary Jules, and it's a cover of the Tears for Fears song of the same name, "Mad World." A quick trip to Amazon, sampled the song, yep, that's the one. Over to Itunes, purchased for 99 cents. While I was listening to it for the third time, found the video on YouTube. Gosh I love technology. Enjoy. These kids are freaking talented.

DO ELEPHANTS REALLY HAVE LONG MEMORIES? AN INTERESTING STORY!

2007-04-02T20:18:00.000-05:00

I don't usually like these heartwarming stories, but this one is truly interesting...

In 1986, Mkele Mbembe was on holiday in Kenya after graduating from Northwestern University. On a hike through the bush, he came across a young
bull elephant standing with one leg raised in the air. The elephant seemed
distressed, so Mbembe approached it very carefully.

He got down on one knee and inspected the elephant's foot and found a large piece of wood deeply embedded in it.

As carefully and as gently as he could, Mbembe worked the wood out with his hunting knife, after which the elephant gingerly put down its foot.

The elephant turned to face the man, and with a rather curious look on its face, stared at him for several tense moments. Mbembe stood frozen, thinking of nothing else but being trampled. Eventually the elephant trumpeted loudly, turned, and walked away.

Mbembe never forgot that elephant or the events of that day.

Twenty years later, Mbembe was walking through the Chicago Zoo with his teenaged son. As they approached the elephant enclosure, one of the creatures turned and walked over to near where Mbembe and his son Tapu were standing. The large bull elephant stared at Mbembe, lifted its front foot off the ground, then put it down. The elephant did that several times then trumpeted loudly, all the while staring at the man. Remembering the encounter in 1986, Mbembe couldn't help wondering if this was the same elephant.

Mbembe summoned up his courage, climbed over the railing and made his way into the enclosure. He walked right up to the elephant and stared back in wonder. The elephant trumpeted again, wrapped its trunk around one of Mbembe's legs and slammed him against the railing, killing him instantly.

Probably wasn't the same elephant.

Holy Mackerel

2007-03-28T06:45:00.000-05:00

I haven't made a post in almost a month!
What has happened?

A. went to Minnesota for a few days, that was fun. 2 feet of snow the day we got there, but 50 degrees the next day, snow melted really fast.

2. work. enough said.

III. Kids are growing up really fast, Grace and Manny's birthdays will be in a couple of weeks.

*. Haven't spent nearly enough time on my New Year's Goals.

e. Working on building my minstry team at church, proving more difficult than I imagined.

6. It's been really warm the last few days, and we have been outside playing almost every day. I love the spring time.

Lastly, here are some things I found really funny:

THONGIES???

"DON'T MISS YOUR TRAIN!!!!!!!!!!" LOL

sick kids

2007-03-02T07:21:00.000-05:00

The week started with Manny getting a little fever, and feeling cr@ppy for a few days, then on Tuesday, Evan got it, and now last evening Grace got it. They all have chest congestion and a cough. Uggh. I hope they're better by next Wednesday, when we are supposed to leave for gramma's house in Minnesota...

Why?

2007-02-24T10:59:00.000-05:00

Why do I feel like the world is spinning faster and faster? Family, church, work...all seem to be pulling harder and harder. I am not complaining, just tired. I think I need to take a break and get my bearings straight again.

Tax time

2007-02-17T16:03:00.000-05:00

Tax time is here. I have found turbotax online to be the easiest and most accurate to use. It took me only 2 hours to do all of the taxes, and it allows you to efile and set up direct deposit. Worked great for me. What's your best/worst tax story ever?

Random stuff

2007-02-04T17:31:00.000-05:00

OK, I am a proud big brother: My sister Mary graduated yesterday Summa cum Laude from Spring Arbor University with a bachelors in elementary education, majoring in Special Education.

Manny and his "girlfriend" Trinity:

And finally, a warning to everyone: be careful when you look at a candle too closely, your hair and eyelashes might get a little singed:

Sometimes you don't know what you have...

2007-01-31T09:35:00.000-05:00

I've been using this as a coaster for at least 20 years, and now thanks to this guy I find out it's rare....dang.

Another week....

2007-01-27T22:41:00.000-05:00

This week I had to make up all the hours I missed last week because of illness, furnaces, etc. I ended up being at work for almost 17 hours yesterday, I am tired. Even as tired as I am I continually am amazed at my kids. They are SO MUCH FUN!
Check them out:

Manny: playing with a little school bus that Papa (my dad) and Evan made him.

Evan being the goofball that he is:

Grace, copying the scene from "The Little Mermaid" where Ariel combs her hair with a "dinglehopper" (fork):

furnace update

2007-01-21T15:19:00.000-05:00

We have managed to retrofit the existing furnace to work for a while. I am hoping and praying that perhaps I can get through the next four months with the motor working this way, and then do some retrofitting of the wall structure to accommodate a fireplace style furnace. Have a good week.

What a week so far

2007-01-17T21:08:00.000-05:00

There are times when I struggle with patience. This week was one of them. On sunday, while we had friends over, one of my kids had an accident and pooped all over the floor. I took Monday off to help take care of her, she was still having diarrhea and wow had to work. I tried to check my email on Monday afternoon, and my computer crashed. Not a normal reboot and you're fine kind of crash, but the good old, wipe the hard drive, re-install Windows and every program kind of crash. (I know, Russ, things would be more stable on a Mac). On Tuesday morning I got the GI issues a bit. By Tuesday evening, I was better, and had my computer mostly fixed. Today, the furnace in my living room quit. I live in a cape cod with an addition on the back that is served by separate heating. I knew there was a bearing going out in the motor, but I was hoping I had lubed it enough to last for a few more weeks, but no such luck. I spent the better part of today greasing and retrofitting the blower motor to last until the weekend, maybe I was successful. We'll have to see. I am a little afraid to go to work tomorrow....

On another note, I got some very nice news from my buddy Ryan, but he will have to share the news with you if you want to know!

I just reread this post, and it really sounds whiney. I am really thankful for so many things and people in my life!
here is a picture of my backyard from yesterday morning after the ice storm:

Beautiful!

And here is another of my favorite things I took today:

New Years Goals

2007-01-10T07:42:00.000-05:00

I know I'm over a week late, but that's me.
We had a discussion last week about New Years resolutions vs. Goals. I like the goals better. Resolution is so final. If I mess up once, I'm done. A goal is something I can keep working toward.
So, with that in mind:
1. Spend more time with my wife and kids.
1. Say something nice to a stranger every day.
1. Spend more time studying the Bible. (I plan to read through Romans twice, and then do a very in depth study).
1. Pick up where I left off in August when I hurt my back, on my exercise routine. This means getting up earlier, or making time on my day off.
1. Waste less time playing on the computer. Including staying up until 12 am playing games all the time.
1. Save some money for Christmas, so I am not struggling to make ends meet at the end of the year.

These are all number 1 because if I think they are important enough to list here, then they need my attention. Now comes the hard part: making a plan to accomplish these goals. I believe all of these goals are realistic, attainable, and sustainable, I just gotta develop an attack plan.

Happy New Year

2007-01-07T07:24:00.000-05:00

Hope your New Year's celebration was happy, healthy, fun and safe. Hears to making New Year's goals and attaining them.

This coming week is National Mental Health week.

You can do your part by remembering to contact at least one unstable person to show you care.

Well, my job is done!
Have a nice day.

This time of year....

2006-12-14T12:12:00.000-05:00

I love the spirit of Christmas, the good will that even normally unhappy people display, the lights, the tree, the realization of the true meaning of Christmas, the opportunities to witness.

I have been so busy with life that I haven't taken time to blog. I am going to be on hiatus until after the new year, so that I can take some time to re-focus and re-energize. Have a blessed Christmas and a happy new year.

Sam

Friday sales and things

2006-11-24T19:30:00.000-05:00

Holy cow, I never knew how crazy people get on Friday after Thanksgiving.
I saw an ad for a new monitor for my computer, so I thought, hmmm I think I'll get that (I had some gift cards I received for my birthday and such). Laura told me I should get up early, at least an hour before Best Buy opened. I got up at 3:30, got to Best Buy on Lohr Rd. at 4:30. The line stretched from the front of the store, around the side, and 75% of the way across the back of the strip mall. I guess about 500 people were in line when I arrived, and about 100 more lined up behind me.
The line moved quickly once the store opened, I didn't get the monitor I wanted, but got a better one for the same price.
While waiting to check out, I was chatting with a guy in front of me. He had a flatbed cart with 3 TVs, 2 computer outfits, and some random peripheral components. In the course of conversation I mentioned that I was surprised at the length of the line, he chuckled. He had been camping out since 8 pm the night before!!!!
That's intense! Too much for me, I think next year I will sleep in a bit, and digest my turkey more.
Have a happy day...

It's over

2006-11-19T06:53:00.000-05:00

The perfect season is over. Michigan lost last evening in one of the best college football games I have watched in a long time. Time to pick up the pieces, start listening to people bashing Carr, calling for his resignation, etc.
I am proud of my team, they played well against the number one ranked team in the nation. Go Blue!

Things

2006-11-09T20:18:00.000-05:00

Things are still plugging away here. I still haven't caught up at work for the three weeks I missed. Family stuff is picking up, more parties, etc. Church responsibility is keeping me on my toes too. I feel tired a lot. Life is very good. I am blessed to have all of these things. Have a nice day.

finally a pic of manny's costume

2006-11-02T20:48:00.000-05:00

Spidermanny:

speed tests

2006-10-25T07:50:00.000-05:00

I was doing some speed tests this morning, testing my cable download and upload speeds...

18.77 mbps down, that's wicked fast!

2006-10-22T16:41:00.000-05:00

Why we lock our cabinets

I finally caught him!!

And while I'm at it, I should show some pics of the other two from the halloween party we went to last evening:

I like this story

2006-10-22T11:25:00.000-05:00

Does the statement, "We've always done it that way" ring any bells? ...

The US standard railroad gauge (distance between the rails) is 4 feet, 8.5
inches. That's an exceedingly odd number. Why was that gauge used?
Because that's the way they built them in England, and English expatriates
built the US Railroads.

Why did the English build them like that?

Because the first rail lines were built by the same people who built the
pre-railroad tramways, and that's the gauge they used.

Why did "they" use that gauge then?

Because the people who built the tramways used the same jigs and tools
that they used for building wagons, which used that wheel spacing.

Okay! Why did the wagons have that particular odd wheel spacing?

Well, if they tried to use any other spacing, the wagon wheels would break
on some of the old, long distance roads in England, because that's the
spacing of the
wheel ruts.

So who built those old rutted roads?

Imperial Rome built the first long distance roads in Europe (and England)
for their legions.
The roads have been used ever since.

And the ruts in the roads?

Roman war chariots formed the initial ruts, which everyone else had to
match for fear of destroying their wagon wheels. Since the chariots were
made for Imperial Rome, they were all alike in the matter of wheel spacing..

The United States standard railroad gauge of 4 feet, 8.5 inches is derived
from the original specifications for an Imperial Roman war chariot.

And bureaucracies live forever.

So the next time you are handed a specification and wonder what horse's
ass came up with it, you may be exactly right, because the Imperial Roman
army chariots were made just wide enough to accommodate the back ends of two war
horses.

Now the twist to the story

When you see a Space Shuttle sitting on its launch pad, there are two big
booster rockets attached to the sides of the main fuel tank. These are solid
rocket boosters, or SRBs. The SRBs are made by Thiokol at their factory at Utah.
The engineers who designed the SRBs would have preferred to make them a bit fatter, but the
SRBs had to be shipped by train from the factory to the launch site. The railroad line
from the factory happens to run through a tunnel in the mountains. The SRBs had to
fit through that tunnel. The tunnel is slightly wider than the railroad track, and the
railroad track, as you now know, is about as wide as two horses' behinds.
So, a major Space Shuttle design feature of what is arguably the world's
most advanced transportation system was determined over two thousand years ago by the
width of a horse's butt.

Now for the truth:

Snopes.com debunkery

It's still pretty funny.

Takin' a break

2006-10-17T14:05:00.000-05:00

Well, after Saturday's post, a few developments. My back is pretty messed up. Saturday evening was pretty painful, Sunday was worse, and yesterday I broke down and went to the doctor. Pretty much same song, fourth or fifth verse. Herniated disc flare up, if it's not better in 2 weeks, we'll do some imaging, no lifting more than ten pounds for 2 weeks, etc... So my return to fitness is on hold for now. At least I can monitor my food intake, and try to maintain healthy eating habits, and doctor said it was ok to walk on the treadmill, no running...

Uggh

2006-10-14T13:46:00.000-05:00

Back on June 21, I decided to make an effort to get back in shape. I did pretty well sticking to an exercise regime for July, August and the first 2 weeks of September. Then i got "busy" and "tired" and really, just lazy. I hadn't exercised in over 3 weeks until today.

Holy Mackerel, I have lost a lot of ground! I could barely make it through my workout. I need to get back into a steady routine again!

Kind of reminds me of my spiritual life. So often I have developed a "great" routine of prayer and Bible study, only to let it slip away for "more (read less) important" things.

Anybody have any suggestions as to how I can build more of both into my schedule? Have a wonderful day!

Friday Funny

2006-10-13T09:00:00.000-05:00

A man is dining in a fancy restaurant and he notices there is a gorgeous redhead sitting at the next table. Suddenly she sneezes, and her glass eye comes flying out of its socket towards the man. He reflexively reaches out, grabs it out of the air, and hands it back.

"Oh my, I am so sorry, " the woman says as she pops her eye back in place. "Let me buy your dinner to make it up to you, " she says.

They enjoy a wonderful evening together. They talk, they laugh, she shares her deepest dreams and he shares his. She listens. The guy is amazed! ! Everything had been SO incredible! !!

"You know, " he said, "you are the perfect woman. Are you this nice to every guy you meet? " "No, " she replies. . . . . .

"You just happened to catch my eye."

Back

2006-10-11T08:43:00.000-05:00

Well, we had a nice visit to Minnesota.
We had a wonderful time, went on a scenic train trip along the St. Croix river with some breathtaking views of the river, and the fall colors. Had a great visit with Marta and Kevin and his family. I would have liked to stay longer, but we had to get back cuz Laura has to work today, tomorrow and Friday. Besides, it's supposed to snow there today, and I am just not ready for all of that. :)
We've got a lot of work to do to get back to normal, 1.5 weeks worth of laundry to do, a hideously filthy van to clean out, groceries to buy, and lawn to mow, among other things.

I have the rest of the week off, and if it's nice, I think I will tackle the garage, trying to clean it out.
Have a blessed day.

I thought of DEP

2006-10-01T14:32:00.000-05:00

immediately upon seeing this at Henry Ford Museum:

Trains

2006-09-25T19:53:00.000-05:00

I like trains. If I had to pick a career again, I would be a locomotive engineer. Today, I actually got excited when I slowed down at the railroad crossing, and saw a double headed Ann Arbor Railroad mixed lumber/grain train heading my way. I stopped and waited for it, probably torquing off the dude behind me.
My kids love it, I will actually turn around and wait if I pass a crossing and see a train coming. Even if there is no train coming, the kids will yell, "I SAW A HEADLIGHT, DADDY, YOU GOTTA TURN AROUND!!!!!" Cracks me up. I am warping them for life....
Have a nice day.

yes, that's Grace kissing Thomas :)

Thanks

2006-09-15T19:18:00.000-05:00

Grace is home from surgery, and although in a lot of pain, and tired, she didn't have to stay the night at the hospital. (Which is where we thought the day was heading a few hours ago.)
Soon she'll be back to this:

Thanks to everyone for your prayers

my drive home yesterday

2006-09-14T19:04:00.000-05:00

A little rain is good for you.

Giant Girl Doll

2006-09-09T08:11:00.000-05:00


crazy

silly things

2006-08-30T09:18:00.000-05:00

I was exercising last evening, and I happened to read the sticker on my home gym again. I have read it many times before, but this time, it made me laugh. The last line of the warning is ridiculous!

Replace label if damaged, illegible or removed!??

Crossroads

2006-08-27T18:50:00.000-05:00

Ever feel like you are at a crossroads, with each direction only visible in part? I have some decisions to make regarding small groups, well as what I need to do next in my walk with the Lord. Manny and Grace are both having surgery, Manny on tuesday 8/29 (ear tubes) and Gracie on 9/13 (ear tubes, and tonsillectomy). Keep me and my family in prayer if you all would. Thanks. And remember, Aim High.

Photo credit: 3fingers. F16 shooting straight up at MIS on 8/20/2006

Busy life

2006-08-16T07:53:00.000-05:00

Thanks to everyone for the prayers and kindness during all the craziness of my life recently. Kids and wife are all healthy again, the summer cold thing seems to be gone for the time being, thank God. It's been a couple of crazy weeks around here though.

Besides the normal things:

We had a block party honoring my neighbor who passed away. A great turn out with about 40-45 people from the community showing up. Thanks to DEP for the help with grilling!

Then Sunday nite, Captured, our church's praise and worship band, headlined the opening night of the county fair. They put on an awesome praise session!

So sorry I haven't posted in a bit. Have a wonderful day.

Craziness

2006-08-03T13:54:00.000-05:00

This last week has been pretty crazy.
Went to Wow's uncle's house on Monday swam in the lake all day, that was fun. Rode a jetski, didn't wreck it...
Tuesday went to work all day.
Wednesday, Evan woke up with 101 fever, no daycare today, Poppy came over to watch E and Manny cuz Gracie had her appt. with ENT doctor. She needs tubes in her ears again, and a tonsillectomy&addenoidectomy (T&A-which btw, don't "google," you'll not get a picture of tonsils and addenoids). Got home later than expected, and Poppy left. Right after he left, I went to hug Evan who was sleeping on the couch. He felt like an oven. Took his temp 104.2 axillary. Tried to call Poppy back to see if he could come watch the kids while I took E to ER. couldn't get him on the phone, so called my mom to help. She lives 45 minutes away, so packed E in cool washcloths, gave him more tylenol, and called Laura, who promptly left work.
My dad came with my baby sister to help w/ the kids, took evan into the ER where they tanked him up w/ some fluids, drew blood, etc. Temp came down, white count normal, boy felt better, got sent home around 4 pm.
Thursday, I went to work at 7 am. At 9 am wow called me and said she had a fever, and was feeling really poorly, needed me to come home asap. Home I came.
Hope no one else gets this bug, it's a nasty one.

vacation

2006-07-26T06:37:00.000-05:00

Last week we went on vacation to Holland for a little mini-vacation. We stayed at the Residence Inn, and had a lovely 2BR 2Bath suite which was larger than our first apartment!

Tunnel Beach Park, the beach access is thru a tunnel in a dune. Was Beautiful the day we went! There is a sandbar about 25 yards out, where the water was only chest deep for Evan.

A nice little break in the action on the boardwalk in Grand Haven!

Go karts at a family fun center. Grace was more relaxed and enjoyed them it seemed more than Evan!

Quiet Time in the Hotel room after a busy morning.

Manny loved the mirrors on the closet doors.

Cosmetically restored berkshire locomotive in Grand Haven. C'mon you know I love trains! Have a wonderful day.

This made me think

2006-07-20T12:23:00.000-05:00

The characteristic of heroism is its persistency. All men have wandering impulses, fits, and starts of generosity. But when you have chosen your part, abide by it, and do not weakly try to reconcile yourself with the world. The heroic cannot be the common, nor the common the heroic. Yet we have the weakness to expect the sympathy of people in those actions whose excellence is that they outrun sympathy, and appeal to a tardy justice. If you would serve your brother, because it is fit for you to serve him, do not take back your words when you find that prudent people do not commend you. Adhere to your own act, and congratulate yourself if you have done something strange and extravagant, and broken the monotony of a decorous age. It was a high counsel that I once heard given to a young person, -- "Always do what you are afraid to do." A simple, manly character need never make an apology, but should regard its past action with the calmness of Phocion, when he admitted that the event of the battle was happy, yet did not regret his dissuasion from the battle.

Have a nice day.

Sorry this is long, but........

2006-07-11T19:23:00.000-05:00

Today I discovered my next door neighbor passed away, probably last Wednesday or Thursday. On Sunday, my neighbor on the other side called the police because she hadn’t seen him, and his newspapers were piling up on the stoop. The police came and investigated, poked around and chatted with all of us for a while (there were about 5 people gathered to talk to the police). I personally hadn’t seen Willis since Monday evening, but another neighbor was certain he had seen Willis on Friday. When the police heard this, they said that they couldn’t force entry without further probable cause. The little group of us disbanded, but Darcy (the neighbor on the other side of Willis), and myself were still very concerned.
Last evening Darcy and I talked for a while about the strangeness of it all. Willis has always been a bit eclectic and tended to be reclusive. He had a running argument with the folks who owned my house before me, and freely spoke of the animosity that had sprung up between that family and himself. The police had been called more than once, and Willis had told them that they had better watch themselves if they came on his property without a warrant. (Now you see why they were reluctant to enter). Darcy wanted to call the police again last evening, but she didn’t. An acquaintance of Willis’ also was contacted by the police, and he came by this morning. In the end, he heard the same story from the Tecumseh PD, so he contacted the State Police who came with the Tecumseh PD, and finally forced entry into the home where they found that Willis had indeed passed away.

Willis was the best type of neighbor you could ever want. He was kind, courteous, and always eager to help anyone in need. When I replaced my roof 2 years ago, he was up with me every single day without fail, shingling, tarping, and whatever else I needed help with. I sometimes got so lost in conversation with him, that I would suddenly realize I had been talking with him for an hour. Laura and I used to joke that she needed to call me if I was out there too long, because he would literally talk all night.

I repeatedly invited him in for dinner, and he came only twice. He was an extremely private man. He spoke of his family rarely, and I don’t know for sure if he has any living relatives now.
I invited him several times to church with me, but I never really witnessed to him. This has been a real struggle for me today. Did I miss my chance to alter this man’s destiny? I should have been a better neighbor, should have checked on him sooner, should have insisted the police investigate further on Sunday, should have taken the opportunity to witness, should have been more persistently available to him, should have should have….

I am thinking of organizing a neighborhood potluck to celebrate his life, to share some stories of the wonderful neighbor none of us really knew.

My neighbor

2006-07-10T21:08:00.000-05:00

Pray for Willis. Not sure what's going on w/ him. Something bad I think.

230 years ago

2006-07-04T08:05:00.000-05:00

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their Public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected, whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation, and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & Perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence.
They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. — And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

Thank you to these men who bodly stepped out and forged a great nation UNDER GOD and GOD'S LAW, may we return to these principles and ideals. Happy independence day.

busted

2006-06-30T20:46:00.000-05:00

Have you seen this man?

Exercise

2006-06-21T12:23:00.000-05:00

I need to get back into a regular exercise regimen. I have woefully slipped from fitness, and need to return. Help keep me honest.

Great weekend

2006-06-12T16:10:00.000-05:00

What a great weekend. Set the tent up in the back yard for the kids to play with. They sure can have a lot of fun with simple stuff.

Softball game Sunday was fun to watch, (the 2 innings I saw!) Here's the victorious team!

fellowship night

2006-06-10T10:55:00.000-05:00

In our small group a few weeks ago we finished our series of lessons, but because of various interruptions we hadn't had a chance to do our fellowship night. Last evening, we had a wonderful time of fellowship and a few guests in our midst! I had a great time! We cooked hotdogs and hamburgers on the grill, talked, prayed and shared to our hearts' content. I should have taken some pictures to share. Thank you to all who came to the house, I am looking forward to the next set of lessons, but more than that, I am looking forward to the next night of celebration! Have a great weekend!

The Lord's Prayer

2006-06-05T07:13:00.000-05:00

THE LORD'S PRAYER
Rather cleverly done in two parts...

Our Father Who art In Heaven.

Yes?

Don't interrupt me. I'm praying.

But - you called ME!

Called you? No, I didn't call You. I'm praying. Our Father who art
in Heaven.

There - you did it again!

Did what?

Called ME. You said, "Our Father who art in Heaven." Well, here I am.
What's on your mind?

But I didn't mean anything by it. I was, You know, just saying my
prayers for the day. I always say the Lord's Prayer. It makes me feel
good; kind of like fulfilling a duty.

Well, all right. Go on.

Okay. Hallowed be Thy name.

Hold it right there. What do you mean by that?

By what?

By "Hallowed be Thy name"?

It means, it means . . good grief, I don't know what it means. How in
the world should I know? It's just a part of the prayer. By the way,
what does it mean?

It means honored, holy, wonderful.

Hey, that makes sense. I never thought about what 'hallowed' meant
before. Thanks. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on Earth as it is in
Heaven.

Do you really mean that?

Sure, why not?

What are you doing about it?

Doing? Why, nothing, I guess. I just think it would be kind of neat if
You got control of everything down here like You have up there. We're
kinda in a mess down here, You know.

Yes, I know. Have I got control of you?

Well, I go to church.

That isn't what I asked you. What about your bad temper? You've
really got a problem there, you know. And then there's the way you
spend your money - all on yourself. And what about the kind of books
you read?

Now hold on just a minute! Stop picking on me! I'm just as good as
some of the rest of those people at church!

Excuse ME. I thought you were praying for My will to be done. If that
is to happen, it will have to start with the ones who are praying for
it. Like you - for example.

Oh, all right. I guess I do have some hang-ups. Now that you mention
it, I could probably name some others.

So could I.

I haven't thought about it very much until now, but I really would like
to cut out some of those things. I would like to, You know, be really
free.

Good. Now we're getting somewhere. We'll work together - you and ME.
I'm proud of you.

Look, Lord, if You don't mind, I need to finish up here. This is
taking a lot longer than it usually does. Give us this day, our daily
bread.

You need to cut out the bread. You're overweight as it is.

Hey, wait a minute! What is this? Here I was doing my religious duty
and all of a sudden You break in and remind me of all my hang-ups.

Praying is a dangerous thing. You just might get what you ask for.
Remember, you called ME - and here I am. It's too late to stop now.
Keep praying. (Pause.) Well...well, go on.

I'm scared.

Scared? Of what?

I know what You'll say.

Try ME.

Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.

What about Sue?

See - I knew it! I knew You would bring her up! Why, Lord, she's told
lies about me, spread stories. She never paid back the money she owes
me. I've sworn to get even with her!

What about My prayer?

I didn't mean it.

Well, at least you're honest. But, it's quite a load carrying around
all that bitterness and resentment, isn't it?

Yes, but I'll feel better as soon as I get even with her. Boy, have I
got some plans for her. She'll wish she had never been born.

No, you won't feel any better. You'll feel worse. Revenge isn't
sweet. You know how unhappy you are. Well, I can change that.

You can? How?

Forgive Sue. Then, I'll forgive you. And the hate and the sin will be
Sue's problem - not yours. You will have settled the problem as far as
you are concerned.

Oh, You know, You're right. You always are. And more than I want
revenge, I want to be right with You. (Sigh.) All right....all
right...I forgive her.

There now! Wonderful! How do you feel?

Hmmmm. Well, not bad. Not bad at all! In fact, I feel pretty great!
You know, I don't think I'll go to bed uptight tonight. I haven't been
getting much rest, You know.

Yeah, I know. But, you're not through with your prayer, are you? Go
on.

Oh, all right. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from
evil.

Good! Good! I'll do that. Just don't put yourself in a place where
you can be tempted.

What do you mean by that?

You know what I mean.

Yeah, I know. Okay.

Go ahead. Finish your prayer.

For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever and
ever. Amen.

Do you know what would bring Me glory - what would really make Me
happy?

No, but I'd like to know. I want to please You now. I've really made a
mess of things. I want to truly follow You. I can see now how great
that would be. So, tell me...how do I make You happy?

YOU just did!

Once again, late

2006-06-01T18:31:00.000-05:00

Meant to post this yesterday evening, oh well, I hope everyone remembered. Have a great evening.

2006-05-27T20:47:00.000-05:00

Back from California. Tired. Took this picture on Thursday at a lookout over the Pacific. Have a nice day.

travel

2006-05-20T18:28:00.000-05:00

I am traveling to California tomorrow until Friday. Please keep me in your prayers for my safety, and for Laura and the kids while I'm away.

Home w/ the kids

2006-05-11T16:27:00.000-05:00

Having the last couple of days off, one regularly scheduled, other sick has allowed me some extra time to listen to my crazy offspring.
Here's some of my favorites:

Evan: Daddy, are God and Jesus the color blue?
Me: I don't know, why do you ask?
Evan: 'cuz I am looking at the sky and I can't see anyone, so they must be blending in.

It was thunderstorming, and Evan and I were sitting in the living room when Evan busted out laughing after a particularly long rumble of thunder. "Listen, the angels are farting!!" I had to join in the laughter too.

Evan came to me crying. "Gracie bit me."
Me: Gracie did you bite Evan?
Gracie: No, I bit the blanket.
Me: Then why is Evan crying?
Gracie: 'cuz he was under the blanket when I bit it.
Me: Go sit in the time out chair (while trying to suppress a smile)

Wild laughter was coming from the living room, I went to investigate, and there is two little hills in the middle of a king sized blanket. Evan is running between the hills, spinning them. I said "what's going on here?" "I buried Grace and Manny, and now I am drilling them up." I was still a little worried, so I took the blanket off, and there is Manny grinning at me, and laughing.

Gracie has been having a bit of trouble obeying. I will tell her to do something, and she says "Ok, but first..." or "No, daddy, I am going to..." Well she got punished by having to go to nap early with no binky for it. When she got up from nap this afternoon, she left her pants on the floor of the bathroom. I asked her to go pick them up, and put them in the hamper, and she ran off to do it. I heard her telling her bolly (bunny Dolly) "We better do it if you want a binky at bedtime." I found a new currency! Woo HOO!

Have a great day.

sick today

2006-05-11T07:31:00.000-05:00

yep, feeling under the weather. Hit me about noon yesterday, and got worse from there. feels like the flu--chest cold, body aches, head congestion. Lotsa honey tea for me today. Have a good one.

Positive Organizational Scholarship (POS)

2006-05-10T07:13:00.000-05:00

I went to a conference this Monday, talking about POS. I thought, "Oh great more sunshine pumping business bull plop." But after listening to the speaker, I changed my attitude a bit. I still believe that if someone is not performing up to par, they need to be told, but now I also see the benefit of telling people frequently and meaningfully when they are doing something right and you appreciate it. Granted the conference was peppered with PhD type rhetoric, "heliotropic effects," "organizations that foster virtuous practices..." etc.; however the overall theme I took away was to show appreciation for the people who mean a lot to me. A simple ratio that was suggested was 5:1. Five good comments, positive statements to one negative. Try it, it's hard. I had plenty of "helpful suggestions" for improvement for the people with whom I was sitting, but coming up with five meaningful positive statements was not easy. They handed out five "in appreciation" cards and told us to use them in the next week. The speaker told us she didn't think a single person was going to be able to use all five of them. I made a decision to send ten. Let's see if I can truly use them appropriately this week. Have a beautiful afternoon.

Perspective

2006-05-05T08:01:00.000-05:00

Got this in an email this morning...Have a wonderful day!

There once was a woman who woke up one morning, looked in the mirror,
and noticed she had only three hairs on her head. "Well," she said, "I
think I'll braid my hair today." So she did and she had a wonderful
day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror, and saw that she had
only two hairs on her head. "H-M-M, " she said, "I think I'll part my
hair down the middle today." So she did and she had a grand day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror, and noticed that she
had only one hair on her head. "Well," she said, "Today I'm going to
wear my hair in a pony tail." So she did and she had a fun, fun day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror, and noticed that there
Wasn't a single hair on her head. "YEAH!" she exclaimed, "I don't have
to fix my hair today!"

ATTITUDE is everything.

2006-04-30T16:37:00.000-05:00

Abandoned Ann Arbor RR turntable in the old ferry yard off Hoover Street in Ann Arbor.

Evan driving his truck, waiting for my old Lionel train to pass...

Evan and Gracie recreating "Roundabout Train," a favorite story of ours using Thomas and Friends' wooden railway

trains

2006-04-28T22:25:00.000-05:00

Most of you know I am a nut for trains, so here are a few pictures of trains and railroadania I have taken recently:

Norfolk Southern number 2517 (EMD SD70) pulling an intermodal through Toledo

Evan looking folornly out the window of the Jackson Michigan Central Depot.
Pittsfield Junction of the Ann Arbor RR viewed looking south across the old DT&I Diamonds on a misty morning
Pere Marquette number 1225 fully restored Berkshire steam locomotive pulling to the platform for the "polar express" This is the locomotive that the movie was based on.
this is a restored "10 wheeler" that I spotted from the highway driving through Black River Falls, WI. Very nice cosmetic restoration.
The view through the "first class" accommodations aboard the Southern Michigan Railroad at the partially restored, although fully functional Western Maryland RR number 75 (GE 44 ton center cab switcher).

Adrian&Blissfield RR's hard working number 1751 ( EMD GP-9)

More to come later Have a nice day

why blog

2006-04-21T13:11:00.000-05:00

I'm too busy
I am tired
I am trying to get more exercise
It's getting to be summer
I am busier at work than I've ever been
I miss my kids
I usually want to play video games at home
I still read the blogs pretty frequently though

That's just a few.

And now on a serious note.

2006-04-09T16:17:00.000-05:00

This season is also the time for healing and calm. It seems as though the devil has been extremely active among some of the people about whom I care very deeply. Those who have been struggling for a long time, feeling as though there is no light at the end of the valley, no port in the storm know what I mean.
Through your perseverence in these struggles you have inspired me to become a better husband, father, and man of God. Thank you.

Remember, Jesus has you in his arms. He has promised to hold you, not let you be tested beyond what you can bear (1 Cor 10:13), and that all things will work together for good for you (Romans 8:28).

Praise You in this Storm
Casting Crowns

I was sure by now
That You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen"
and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God
Who gives and takes away

Chorus:
I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God
Who gives and takes away

Chorus

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

Chorus

It's getting to that time of year again

2006-04-09T16:10:00.000-05:00

Yesterday we had Gracie's 3rd birthday party and grilled out hotdogs. Today, it's goodburger time. Woo Hoo I love the summer!

Pray

2006-04-07T21:08:00.000-05:00

Pray for Emily and her mommy and daddy.