First of all, some people are stupid. No, I did not just learn that, but simply had it confirmed during the weekend. A temp worker at a Long Island Wal-Mart was trampled to death because he was TRYING to open the door to let stupid people -er, shoppers into the store. (story here) Seriously? Saving $20 on an iPod Shuffle was worth KILLING someone over? Then, the cops had to be called in because the shoppers refused to leave after they were informed they had KILLED A MAN! Every single one of the people that trampled that mans should face manslaughter charges. Period. I don't what reason they give. If you trample someone to death, you deserve to face the music. I understand the authorities are reviewing the tapes trying to figure out who was involved. I hope every single one of them is brought in. Frankly, I think they all ought to be put in a room and trample each other until one is left standing. That person can then be put in prison for life without parole, subject to weekly tramplings by the other inmates. But, that's just me.
I learned that getting Christmas decorations out during a rain storm (even if it was a light one) is really not the best idea in the world.
I learned that vinyl tablecloths make great padding and a nice barrier between wet storage boxes and laminated flooring.
I learned that farm animals are not too happy when someone shakes said tablecloths out the door late at night and begins to shake them vigorously. Man, does THAT make a lot of noise, which consequently seems to really tick off horses and cows, possibly the rabbits as well.
I learned that no one seems to sell inexpensive, non-foil Christmas stickers anymore. Foil? Yes. Cheap? No. Magic Motion? Yes. Cheap? No. Look, I just wanted some Santas and snowmen, okay? Just sayin.
I learned that a lot of other people went through a lot of the same things I did as a kid, and those people are now on Sirius satellite making a killing telling their stories.
I learned that I knew a lot more people in High School than I ever realized, judging by the things people wrote in my yearbook. Oh, before that, I learned that I had put my yearbook in a box that had been sitting in the closet for years.
I learned that "layered" does not always mean the same thing, depending on who is cooking one's Texas Cheese Fries at Roadhouse. Look, if you work at Roadhouse, please tell the cooks that layered means: fries, cheese, bacon, fries, cheese, bacon, fries, cheese, bacon. Really, it's not that hard.
I learned that having a 13-year old and a 6-year old spoiled me. We babysat our 18-month old niece this past week. She was an absolute riot and is a great baby. But, she is quite handful that was far too busy playing to take a nap and she wore us clean out. God gives babies to young people for a reason. Seriously, if you're 40 or close to it, think long and hard before adding a little one to your household. In fact, borrow one or two for a weekend as a test drive. Really.
I learned Emily can do some seriously amazing gymnastics and is far more flexible than any six-year old should be. On top of that, she likes to jump on the bed, do a split, land in the split position and yell out "Boo-Yeah!" That is just.... ouch...
I learned Tyler is about a whisker shorter than I am. He is growing so fast, he is going to be taller than 6-foot when it's all said and done, I'm sure...
I learned shopping doesn't matter as long as you enjoy the company you're with. Shan and I spent the whole day Saturday going from store to store and only once was I about to drop over. And, that was from the place being toooooo hot. Look, it's FIFTY DEGREES out people, you do not need the heat on in a store (or mall)!
I learned that the older I get, the smaller and lower to the ground a Corvette is...
I know I learned a lot more, but it's 10:30pm, and I'm wiped out...
Nov 29, 2008
Nov 27, 2008
Happy Thanksgiving!
It is officially Thanksgiving here in Central Time, USA. I wanted to take just a sec to let you know how much I appreciate you coming by to see what on earth is going to pop out of my head and onto these 'pages.'
A lot of times, those things really only make sense to me, but you come by here anyway, and some leave comments, and I am very thankful for that.
I am also thankful for my family, who have endured many things over the years and yet still loved me enough to keep me a part of their lives. I wouldn't be writing on here at all if it wasn't for my wife. Shan sees things in me that I will probably never see, and I am extremely grateful for that, and for her. I thank God for my children, who have contributed to my 'pattern baldness' I'm sure, but without whom I would be lost. I have two of the greatest kids in the world, bar none.
I am thankful for my Mother and brother and extended family. It took me a long time to understand the power of living so close to one's family, including in-laws. I have one of those non-typical relationships with my in-laws - no fighting or bickering. We all get along, even when I've got CRS... That's Cranial-Rectum Syndrome for those not familiar with the acronym.
As my family will tell you, I am not a sentimental guy. Every once in a while, I get bit by the bug, but for the most part, what's here today is gone tomorrow, and what has come and gone did so for a reason and that reason has been fulfilled. It's not always an easy trait to have to live with (or maybe a better phrase here would be 'live with'), but I am thankful that my loved ones do just that.
I am thankful for the people I know and the people I have known. That includes you reading this right now. I know some of you read because you want to see if I'll tell on something Shan has done, or the kids have done, but you may not be reading because you know who I am from Adam. I appreciate that you think of them enough to stop by and check in. I know some of you come by because we do know each other, have known each other for years, and you want to see what bone-headed thing I've done or what strangely connected thoughts might be running through my head. Thanks for reading along!
Some folks read here because I have this blog connected to other blogs I write (or contribute to), and I want to thank you for taking the chance on wandering off the path, coming here to see another side of who I am.
In a broader sense, I want to thank ALL of our Armed Forces. Each of you who serve are doing a wonderful thing for our country, whether we agree with the politics of it or not. I know it is so hard to be away from your families if you are serving overseas. Thank you for everything you have to sacrifice in order for the rest of us to enjoy the freedoms we have, including little things like writing down thoughts for the world to see. I also want to thank the families of those who are serving and those who have served. I know it is VERY difficult for you all, especially at holidays, and it means more than I could ever express that you stand by your family as they serve our country.
Happy Thanksgiving, from the bottom of my heart.
A lot of times, those things really only make sense to me, but you come by here anyway, and some leave comments, and I am very thankful for that.
I am also thankful for my family, who have endured many things over the years and yet still loved me enough to keep me a part of their lives. I wouldn't be writing on here at all if it wasn't for my wife. Shan sees things in me that I will probably never see, and I am extremely grateful for that, and for her. I thank God for my children, who have contributed to my 'pattern baldness' I'm sure, but without whom I would be lost. I have two of the greatest kids in the world, bar none.
I am thankful for my Mother and brother and extended family. It took me a long time to understand the power of living so close to one's family, including in-laws. I have one of those non-typical relationships with my in-laws - no fighting or bickering. We all get along, even when I've got CRS... That's Cranial-Rectum Syndrome for those not familiar with the acronym.
As my family will tell you, I am not a sentimental guy. Every once in a while, I get bit by the bug, but for the most part, what's here today is gone tomorrow, and what has come and gone did so for a reason and that reason has been fulfilled. It's not always an easy trait to have to live with (or maybe a better phrase here would be 'live with'), but I am thankful that my loved ones do just that.
I am thankful for the people I know and the people I have known. That includes you reading this right now. I know some of you read because you want to see if I'll tell on something Shan has done, or the kids have done, but you may not be reading because you know who I am from Adam. I appreciate that you think of them enough to stop by and check in. I know some of you come by because we do know each other, have known each other for years, and you want to see what bone-headed thing I've done or what strangely connected thoughts might be running through my head. Thanks for reading along!
Some folks read here because I have this blog connected to other blogs I write (or contribute to), and I want to thank you for taking the chance on wandering off the path, coming here to see another side of who I am.
In a broader sense, I want to thank ALL of our Armed Forces. Each of you who serve are doing a wonderful thing for our country, whether we agree with the politics of it or not. I know it is so hard to be away from your families if you are serving overseas. Thank you for everything you have to sacrifice in order for the rest of us to enjoy the freedoms we have, including little things like writing down thoughts for the world to see. I also want to thank the families of those who are serving and those who have served. I know it is VERY difficult for you all, especially at holidays, and it means more than I could ever express that you stand by your family as they serve our country.
Happy Thanksgiving, from the bottom of my heart.
Nov 25, 2008
Clean Sweep, David style
Had I thought about it, I would have taken pictures. On Monday, our household held the annual "Red Up the Playroom" event. Yes, I've lived in Arkansas for nearly twenty years, but I still say "red up." It's a Pittsburgh thing. It means "clean up."
This year was different than in years past. This year, I told the kids that we were doing it "Clean Sweep style." If you are not familiar with the television program, let me fill you in. People have messy houses. A crew comes in, and empties the contents of a few rooms to be made over. The stuff in the rooms are placed in one of three piles: Keep, Sell, Trash. So that's what we did. The kids got to put anything they wanted into the "Keep" pile.
Shan had to conduct a training at school, and she was VERY worried that I was in charge of the cleanup. I know she was afraid that once I entered 'the zone,' I wasn't going to let the kids keep anything. I opted not to go that route and instead let the kids decide what they wanted to keep.
Everything else went into the "Sell" and "Trash." Oh, there is one catch. Once the entire room is done, the "Keep" pile must be cut in half. Well, that's how it works on the show anyway. At our house, I let them keep it all. Why? Because they worked their tails off and really thinned out the stuff in their playroom. I was very impressed.
So, what are we doing with the things that are in the 'sell' pile? Well, some of it is going to be listed on eBay and some of it is going to a local charity that takes clothes, toys, etc for needy families.
Now that the playroom is cleaned out and ready for this year's Christmas, I am going to work on the shed today (Tuesday) to see what else we can "sell, keep, or trash."
I know what you might be thinking: Dave is...CLEANING!? Voluntarily!? Yeah... Call it getting into the Christmas Spirit, I guess... :-)
This year was different than in years past. This year, I told the kids that we were doing it "Clean Sweep style." If you are not familiar with the television program, let me fill you in. People have messy houses. A crew comes in, and empties the contents of a few rooms to be made over. The stuff in the rooms are placed in one of three piles: Keep, Sell, Trash. So that's what we did. The kids got to put anything they wanted into the "Keep" pile.
Shan had to conduct a training at school, and she was VERY worried that I was in charge of the cleanup. I know she was afraid that once I entered 'the zone,' I wasn't going to let the kids keep anything. I opted not to go that route and instead let the kids decide what they wanted to keep.
Everything else went into the "Sell" and "Trash." Oh, there is one catch. Once the entire room is done, the "Keep" pile must be cut in half. Well, that's how it works on the show anyway. At our house, I let them keep it all. Why? Because they worked their tails off and really thinned out the stuff in their playroom. I was very impressed.
So, what are we doing with the things that are in the 'sell' pile? Well, some of it is going to be listed on eBay and some of it is going to a local charity that takes clothes, toys, etc for needy families.
Now that the playroom is cleaned out and ready for this year's Christmas, I am going to work on the shed today (Tuesday) to see what else we can "sell, keep, or trash."
I know what you might be thinking: Dave is...CLEANING!? Voluntarily!? Yeah... Call it getting into the Christmas Spirit, I guess... :-)
Nov 23, 2008
Slow Learner
You may remember some time ago, I posted an entry regarding a field camera and blinding flashes.
You would think that little foray into troubleshooting would have rubbed off on me. Nope. Tonight (Sunday), I went to Mom's in order to troubleshoot her motion sensor outside light. I set the sensitivity, messed with the duration,, and the light just wouldn't come on.
i went into the house, turned off the light at the switch for a moment, flicked it back on and still nothing. I messed with the control a little more. I went back into the house and turned off the switch for a full minute then turned it back on.
I went out and began messing with the light housing, and POW! I was blinded. Then the light went out. I moved the sensor, and BAM! I was blinded again! I was quickly getting that feeling of Deja Vu!
After one last shot directly to my eyes, I was done. The light works now. It works just fine, thank you.
You think I'll remember this the next time I have to work on a lighted contraption? Yeah, me either....
I have to give a MAJOR CONGRATULATIONS to Shan!! She tried on clothes that have been packed away for years. These were her "when I lose weight" clothes. She tried on EVERYTHING, and every stitch fit great! In fact, some of her 'weight-loss' items were TOO BIG now!! She went from 'can't wear it yet' to 'gotta give it away because it's too big' in one fell swoop! AWESOME! I say 'fell swoop' but really, Shan has worked very hard for quite a few months to get where she is. She has WAY more willpower than I do! I am VERY proud of her!! WAY TO GO, BABY!!
You would think that little foray into troubleshooting would have rubbed off on me. Nope. Tonight (Sunday), I went to Mom's in order to troubleshoot her motion sensor outside light. I set the sensitivity, messed with the duration,, and the light just wouldn't come on.
i went into the house, turned off the light at the switch for a moment, flicked it back on and still nothing. I messed with the control a little more. I went back into the house and turned off the switch for a full minute then turned it back on.
I went out and began messing with the light housing, and POW! I was blinded. Then the light went out. I moved the sensor, and BAM! I was blinded again! I was quickly getting that feeling of Deja Vu!
After one last shot directly to my eyes, I was done. The light works now. It works just fine, thank you.
You think I'll remember this the next time I have to work on a lighted contraption? Yeah, me either....
I have to give a MAJOR CONGRATULATIONS to Shan!! She tried on clothes that have been packed away for years. These were her "when I lose weight" clothes. She tried on EVERYTHING, and every stitch fit great! In fact, some of her 'weight-loss' items were TOO BIG now!! She went from 'can't wear it yet' to 'gotta give it away because it's too big' in one fell swoop! AWESOME! I say 'fell swoop' but really, Shan has worked very hard for quite a few months to get where she is. She has WAY more willpower than I do! I am VERY proud of her!! WAY TO GO, BABY!!
Nov 22, 2008
Monkey Brains, part two...
My Aunt responded to my "Monkey Brains" post, but only gave me half a point because I did not call them 'monkey balls.' The way I even discovered what they were was because i did a search for "monkey brains tree" and read the results. I can only think that SOME people call them balls and others call them brains... I think maybe I get at least 1/4 credit back... :-)
The other thing she said was that the creek was near a house we used to play near as kids. I remember the house and the creek very well. But, that is not where I remember seeing the monkey brains. I remember them from a park where my Dad had been refereeing soccer games. So, maybe there is somewhere else that jogs your memory, Shar??
In either case, I had long forgotten about playing with Billy and Selene as kids... That was back before the woods were replaced by apartments, for sure!!
The other thing she said was that the creek was near a house we used to play near as kids. I remember the house and the creek very well. But, that is not where I remember seeing the monkey brains. I remember them from a park where my Dad had been refereeing soccer games. So, maybe there is somewhere else that jogs your memory, Shar??
In either case, I had long forgotten about playing with Billy and Selene as kids... That was back before the woods were replaced by apartments, for sure!!
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