.

Random thoughts...

2010-04-28T18:30:00.006-05:00

So, I got to thinking about this whole political thing with health care, oil drilling, taxes, bailouts, and got a headache, pissed off and then just whatever about the whole thing. Then it hit me.

I have no idea how many seeds are in a dill pickle.
Playing a record backwards doesn't actually sound like anything except crap, then again, trying to find a record and a record player is increasingly difficult.
Some people came to my door and asked me if I had heard the word of god. I said yes and handed them a pamphlet and went back to breakfast.

I saw this picture and knew I was being stalked...

Then someone down the street at the trailer park wanted to know if I knew what trailer trash pony looked like. I said no and they showed me.

I was laughing so hard after that I decided I had to go back and see if I could spot any more things I recognized in my video game montage. See what you can do with it if you want. :) That is all. More posts later.

Front yard must change... so must cars...

2010-04-20T20:44:00.007-05:00

And change, and change, and change. So, as you can guess, we were tired of the front area and changed it. So, let us take a journey through time. Let us set the way-back machine to just under five years. Destination, the front yard.

Here is the original state of the house. So many memories so awful colors, yet look at the palm tree. It was lonely (and dying) so we had to get rid of it and make it into what you see below.

Well, the little white fence and all that had to go. So here is our newest project...

We didn't think fast enough to take a picture before we got the pond in, but here it is anyways. :) And I am about to spray the sand down to pack it in. Gotta love FL sand.

Time to plant. Wait, we can't forget the tree. Should have some nice lemonade in a few years.

Now that the planting is done, lay the mulch and whala. New garden. I added the lighting in myself and now this is what it looks like up close and personal with nighttime mood lighting. :)

Kinda cool. Now the only thing left is where the bushes were. Anyone know how to get out stumps with killing yourself trying to do it? ~LOL~ Bushes have tree roots? Who knew?

Also, Dawn's b-day is tomorrow, so for a major b-day gift which we needed anyways as mine was dead. She got this... Happy b-day baby. It really is cool.

Movie madness...

2010-04-14T22:07:00.002-05:00

Okay, so it has been a really long time and I decided I have to start keeping tabs here, so... 3D. I gotta say, I was skeptical at first and with everything I am hearing, I am waiting for reviews to see which to see in 3D and which not. After the first week, it is obvious which ones have real 3D and which ones don't. We saw How to Train Your Dragon. Now one must realize, up until this point, I have had problems with 3D for some reason, however, someone told me polarized was different and I had to at lest give it a show. so I did and it was AWESOME!!! Even matinees are expensive, but awesome. I am so gonna have to do that again. And the movie was just cute as all get out and what can I say? It had dragons. Weeeee... Anyways, on that note...

I am not going to bore everyone with the past details, but needless to say I will be updating more often, so stay tuned. Next update will be in a few days when I show off what I got Dawn for her B-day this month. Laters all and until next time remember to avoid the closet monster, he might lick your face.

ME!!! Signing off...

Wedding day come and gone...

2009-10-01T17:51:00.002-05:00

So, we are back from the wedding now for a couple of weeks and finally settling back into a routine. We have sent cards out to everyone, so if you don't get your, please let me know. Some didn't get the complete invite, so... please speak up if your card vanishes.

As for the wedding, I couldn't have wanted anything more. The weather was fabulous, the venue was perfect and the people were amazing. Almost everyone had hippie clothing. It was amazing that everything came off so perfectly. I was very happy that everyone could make it. There is a great feeling about the whole thing and Dawn and I couldn't be happier. So, take a look at the Flickr over there for the wedding photos and once I get everyone else's I will make a full compilation and send them to everyone so get to sending.

The honeymoon was pretty darn special too. We stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge at Disney. A must for anyone stay there in the future. It was way cool. There were animals outside our window every single time we looked except the day we were checking out. It was almost like they knew we were leaving and moved on. We had dinner at some amazing restaurants and just got to be lazy and have a great time. We got ourselves a massage one day, swam with dolphins another, and even just took one day to laze around and do almost nothing. It really was a perfect wedding all around.

Thanks again for everyone that came out and be looking for pictures once I have all of them in one big gallery.

WOW!!!!

2009-05-17T07:59:00.006-05:00

Okay, what else is there to say? I am updating. Isn't it amazing? I decided that I should really start writing in here more, so... Let's try again. Who knows what will happen, but hey.

I already gave the major updates last time around, so I will simply throw up a few pictures onto my brand, shiny new Flick'r and let you all look at some of the things that I already told you all about. I have the Flick'r kink going up over there -----> on the right when I get the pictures loaded in a little bit. Other than that, I also wanted to add a few nifty thing I found while out and about the net. Take a look and enjoy.

First off, let's take a look at some new currency.
MONEY!!!

I didn't know they made a commercial about me...
Yeah, I am aren't I?

What really Happened to the Enterprise C
The Rest of The Story.

And no offense, but this was damned funny...
A new fragrance.

And on a final note... OMG go see Start Trek if you haven't. It was awesome. The casting was amazing and the story line opens up a whole new plethora of options. You will see what I am talking about if you haven't seen it yet.

Laters all,
Brian

Hmmm... why does the carpet go squish???

2008-08-10T13:31:00.006-05:00

Well, there is a really funny story there. Okay, I think I forgot what funny means, but anyways. Friday rolls in and I get up to take a shower. When I step into the closet, the carpet squishes. Great, wonderful... Well, low and behold it is the water heater leaking. At least that is what we think it is. So, I take the day off work and have a friend of a co-worker who is in the business come over and take a look. Sure enough, when we unscrew the front panel, water comes pouring out. Off to Lowes with my just cashed paycheck to get a new water heater and tools for the guy to fix it. Well, we get my check cashed and I pay him $150, which is a great deal. The only problem is, that he takes 6 hours to fix it and in the end, when my co-worker comes to pick him up from my place, she says, "Why don't you just use compression fittings?" To which he responds with... "I didn't even think of that." We are off to Lowes again. I see these things called gator bite fitting and ask about the and the guy explains they snap onto the old pipe and the new one with no soldering, no fuss and no mess. We pick them up and head back to put them in place in about 20 minutes after he had spend 6 hours trying to solder copper fitting in place. So, all in all I get a $150 lesson on how easy it is to change one of these water heaters out. I am glad I was watching the whole time as the next morning... no hot water. So, I call the number on the side and I end up having to unhook it and take it back as the sensors are bad. Thank goodness for those gator bite fittings. Removes, returned, replaced and rewired in about an hour tops. Then we spent the next couple of days vacuuming up water out of the closet. What fun it was. Now it's all in top form. Weeeee....

Jeff is getting bigger and the bigger the herd dog gets, the more annoying he gets as he wants to constantly be under foot and on the move and trying to push you this way or that and smell all your bits and slide around on the wood floor at mach five and so on and so on with hyper dog... In other words, he can be a lot of fun, but a lot of work as well. Here is a picture of them both.

In other news, we "finally" got around to doing our bathroom. It only took how long? Anyways, we stripped the walls and begged borrowed and stole supplies and such, dug up the fixtures we had bought I don't know how long ago and finally put it all together. We bought an accent clock and wind chime to go in there though for the whole spring bathroom, retro 70's look. Watch the video, you will see. You may want to save it to the desktop, then play it so it appears at the right size and not all grainy.

Bathroom Video and Commentary

Now for the B-day thank you to everyone since I just never seem to be able to get a stupid card in the mail. I am a bad person, I know, but I really appriciate everyone remembering me, so I have to do at least this much. Why? Because you all know I will NEVER get thank you cards in the mail. With that in mind, as a way of thanks...

Dan is married. Even if I hadn't been to the wedding, I would know he was married. Even if no one in the family told me he was married. How do I know this??? Because, for the first time I got a birthday card from him. It was a totally unexpected and cool shock. Thanks Kristina and Dan. ~LMAO~ Now I have to remember (and find out) two more birthdays. :)

Mom, really went with the modern age this year. No, money, no checks, just a wonderful online gift card with no wasted paper, no trying to figure out how to ship from Egypt, very green and very awesome. Where were we before internet and Amazon?

Pam and Tim, great people as always, sent me this really cool fantasy card. Thank you so much. It was right up my alley.

Gramps, the holiday check/card. Gotta love traditions. =^.^= (Kitty smile)

And dad... okay, so I get the mail and see a letter from dad. I know what it is, so I wait to open it until after we get settled in and I start dinner. I laughed so hard. It was sooooo cool I just had to post his letter here. The first thing out of Dawn's mouth was... "That is soooo cute. I totally approve." So, dad gets props for being dad.

Isaiah, unbeknown to me, has a card for me on my birthday as well. His mother, after giving me Robot Chicken Star Wars, (which totally rocks) tells me that when they were shopping for christmas "last year", he found this card and begged her to get it. She told him he was responsible for it and so for 8+ months he has been holding on to this thing and I had no clue. It was awesome. It plays the star wars theme when you open it.

I scanned all the cards, (Except Gramps because Isaiah accidentally threw it away with a pile of junk mail on the table. Sorry.) so you can see them here.

Pam & Tim | Dad

Kristina & Dan | Isaiah

Other than that, life goes on as usual. Calliope will be here in two days for a month and it's perfect timing as my vacation is in a couple of weeks. Planning on a camping trip. I will update again after the trip. No mom, you don't look 60'ish in that picture, you look fuzzy. ;) Must be all the wine at dinner. No, I still haven't seen Keith on WOW, though I know he will get hooked. The path to fitness is hard and expensive, but I am having fun... I think Dawn and Isaiah are as well and I will get phase one testing in December. Hope I can memorize everything by then. Isaiah even got to do some volunteer summer camp assistant work for our TKD school this year. It was a good learning experience I think. Keep in touch all and I look forward to hearing from you all.

Love to all my family, I couldn't have wished for a cooler set of people in my life.

Brian

The 4th & beyond....

2008-07-20T18:01:00.005-05:00

So, this year was Disney 4th of July. We are pass holder, so we got to sneak in after the actual park closing. It was cool to see others turned away when we got to waltz right in. Above, for those who have never seen it, is the Hall of Presidents. (Click picture to see bigger image)It is a presentation about the history of this great nation with the usual Disney stilt to it, but the hall is creep as Bush, Lincoln, and a couple of other give speeches, the rest of them move as if fidgeting while listening. Creepy to see Reagan absently giving a slow toe tap with his crossed foot. But, we figure we would share a couple of fireworks shots as well as the lovely lady posing for a very patriotic picture. All in all, it was fun and we hit several of the attractions we rarely hit. As always, the fireworks were fabulous. All around the part and beautiful. So, more pictures anyone? And don't forget, Walt & Mickey as your leaving the park. :)

Alright, what else? Well, it appears that the marriage is moving forward finally. YEA!!!! So, here is the dilemma, we would really like to head off to Egypt with a stop over in Greece for a week. This causes dual problem. First, money. (Perhaps Italian wedding??) Second, family. We were thinking of wedding proper in Egypt with the whole signing of the papers at the US Embassy and then hit a few sites, maybe a river cruise and then a day or two in Greece. Mom, your the expert there, so would you advise us the best course on this. Everyone else, we were thinking of the reception after the honeymoon so the family could all get together. Maybe a couple of months apart so we can save up more funds. Perhaps even do the NE or CO thing. I really want to do the family thing, but I also want to be able to take Dawn to Egypt before mom leaves as having her there just makes the trip sooooooo much easier. Please everyone let me know what you think in this and advice is welcome from everyone.

Speaking of mom in Egypt. I got this funny picture from her where she said she was the one in red on the boat for the 4th. I am wondering why she is sitting on the food table??? Hmmm...

Also, had two more things I just had to share. Maybe you have seen them, maybe not, but here goes. First, reading is fundamental.
Only great minds can read this

This is weird, but interesting!
fi yuo cna raed tihs, yuo hvae a sgtrane mnid too

Cna yuo raed tihs? Olny 55 plepoe out of 100 can.

i cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't mtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Azanmig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt! if you can raed tihs forwrad it.

Next, I was having computer issues the other day, so I couldn't respond to anyones email.

World Around Us...

2008-06-28T09:03:00.004-05:00

Well, let us start off with the Tae update. We have added more classes to the group in the list. Well, at least Dawn and I have. We are now adding Krav Maga twice a week. It's all about self defense or should I say self offense. Talk about a killer for getting back in shape. It's all about offense if you can't get away. The whole, what happens if you can't escape first? Well, lets just say it is aggressive and a HUGE workout, but also a lot of fun. We are trying to get Isaiah into it as well and hopefully toughen him up. As for myself, I have started down the road for CIT. Someday, I won't be the old guy taking classes, I will be the old guy teaching them. Not to mention I have lost weight and haven't been in this good a shape since high school. We had our next belt promotion last week and are now officially yellow belts. Onward and upwards.

Well, it was sad to hear about the Lincoln house. All in all though, from the article mom sent me, it sounds like they might just rebuild it. I don't know if it will ever be the same again though. As Dan said, there were some really cool things about that house. The atrium was one of the big ones. How many people have a split level water fountain in their houses?

Well, it is that time of year again when the beach gets visitors. Yes, even local like us. I made my first real sandcastle. At least that I can remember ever building and we saw some unusual things this time around. What is this???

I guess the cars really have to drive defensively now if they have to share the road with planes. Only in Florida. Also, we had a trip to Sea World recently, it was the first time Isaiah had ever been, so it was a good time all around. After all, where can you go to the arctic in the same place as you step out of 90 degree weather? And Dawn just loves the animals.

Last but not least, the last of the paperwork for Dawn is all finished for custody and such, so now we can all look forward to the wedding. Mom sent along this beautiful picture of her work place overview and we are seriously thinking of going there to visit her for the wedding, but we also would like to have something here for our families... hmmmm... how to do this and afford it is the question. We will keep everyone informed of what we figure out. Take care all.

Muscles, Trees, & Holidays...

2008-05-25T08:08:00.005-05:00

As the name implies, we have them all. Muscles... OMG I did not know that the human body had so many muscles. We have been working fives classes a week on our TKD and even went through our first belt promotion. We all passed and have our new orange belts. Aren't we just the cutest things? Isaiah is getting so much better. His coordination is improving and he doesn't look like he is going to fall over every time he kicks. I am so proud of him. Whether she wants to admit it or not, even Dawn is looking better and seems to have more energy. He knee prevents her from doing some thing, but she is in there like a trooper and is really hanging tough. I took an XMA (Xtreme Martial Arts) class on Friday and was surrounded by kids. Even though I looked foolish, (I had never actually done a cartwheel before and I do my first just before turning 38) I had a great time. Yesterday, our instructor asked to speak to me after class and when I talked to him, he said he wants to extend an invitation for CIT (Certified Instructor Training) to me and wanted to set up a time to talk about it. How cool is that? Me an instructor. However, being a business I am sure there is some sort of charge for that. I am sure it isn't a free invite, so I may not be able to do it, but just that fact that I got the invite is so cool.

Lets see... what else is happening in the world... Something about trees... There is this park near us that boast about having the senator in it. So, we are all thinking a house or something like that. No, this is called Big Tree Park and has Liberty and the Senator in it. They are trees. Massive trees. The Senator was so huge before the last set of major hurricanes came along and took off the top half of it, that when Florida still have working forts, ships would use that tree as a navigation tool. So, the boy and Dawn went to go look and got a nice picture or two. Also, since we are talking nature, I have to show you guys a picture I have of this place called Devils Pool. This is awesome. It's in Africa and a few month out of the year is moving at just the right speed and has just the right rock formations that you can sit right at the edge and not get pushed over the cliff. Isn't that way cool?

And finally, holidays. As you all know, Mother's day recently came and went. Well, I got Dawn up early in the morning and took her to her favorite spot. Disney. We spent the day there and around 7:30 ended up at the Contemporary hotel for a character dinner at Chef Mickey's It was fun and the food was good. It was a buffet style so wasn't as good as I am use to with Disney restaurants, but it was good. We got pictures with all the different characters, which was a hoot and they even had little special desserts. And sure enough, Dawn goes right for the ears first. You would think she was Mike Tyson or something. But we had a good time.

Other than that, life is going along as it will. Trying to fight rising costs of everything and survive paycheck to paycheck. I am thinking of getting a small motorized bike soon if gas keep up like it is. Sheesh. Anyways all, have a great holiday tomorrow and remember family, we love you all and can't wait to see everyone. Some of you for the first time in Dawn's case and the rest of you, and you know who you are, need to come to Florida and visit sometime. Laters gators.

Ouch my toe...

2008-04-13T09:47:00.006-05:00

I call this, "Ouch my toe...," because there is a story here. I only wish that I had had the foresight to actually take a picture. Oh well. So, let us start off by answering a question that was posed by my infamous brother. Okay, now you have to imagine the face and hand movements and the really slow, loud speaking like when stupid people think that talking louder helps talk to a deaf person. Hey Bro... Jeff... he looks like a dog! :)

So, that question answered. Let us talk about toes. So, mine has finally stopped hurting. For several days, it was so purple and red that one look might have given the onlooker the impression that I was going to lose the toe to some weird pest living within, however, it is almost completely healed now. Now I know the question is what the heck happened. So, in the famous words of Indigo Montoya, "Let me explain. No, let me sum up."

A couple of weeks ago, we signed up Isaiah for some exercise. What kind? Tae Kwon Do classes. So a long story short, we are all now taking classes with him at the Victory Acadamy (Go Team Victory) and during one of these sessions, the foot didn't go as high as I wanted it to, the curled back toes didn't quite curl back far enough since the leg wasn't high enough and whack, mangled toes into the bag. OUCH my toe! Four days later and it still isn't fully healed. Oh well, I will probably get many more bruised, bumps and abrasions before all is said and done.

Now, we are happily moving into our third week of classes, Tue, Thur, & Sat. Twice most Tue & Thur, so about 5 times a week. We are having fun and getting great work outs. The only problem is, and someone should have told me, that there are muscles in the human body that hide or suddenly grow when you start exercising. Wow. I have stomach muscles hidden in there somewhere. ~LOL~ Anyways, that is about the extent of the new business so take care all...

Huh? Oh right, can't leave the bro hangin' now can we. Okay, here he is... Here they are... The Jeff and Clyde show. Weeeee.... Take care all and remember, sometimes a peach is just a peach.

Delayed Reaction...

2008-02-25T19:51:00.004-05:00

Well, I haven't been here in some time. I realized, when Manders said I needed to post again, that I haven't done so since our trip to Hawaii. So, I figured she was right and I needed to post again. :) So, here it is...

Christmas...

Well, this year was the year of Guitar Hero III and food. Okay, well it wasn't really food, but I did see lots of food packaging, so...

But seriously, we all got things we wanted and had a great time. Dawn with her bath stuff, Isaiah with his games, and me with my dragons. It was a blast all around. :)

January...

Well, dawn got another puppy. This one is is names Jeff and he is a little cutey. Which is probably why the little chew monster isn't beaten daily. Yes, he love cords and anything else he can get in his mouth.

We also have our disney thing that we do every year and other than revamping the Haunted Mansion, its all pretty much the same. And other than that, there isn't a lot going on. We are actually starting planning for the wedding now, so once we have an actual idea, we will let everyone know. Dawn is in Phoenix right now for regionals for her work and I will let her tell everyone about the computer woahs. Other than that it is pretty much been work, home, sleep, work home sleep, that pretty much entails the rest of life. :)

Take care all and have a great one.

Aloha and Mahalo for all the pineapples...

2007-12-09T15:42:00.000-05:00

Yes, its me again. Once more back from a fabulous adventure. After all, when else do I post on this thing? Thats right, not unless its exciting. Which, unlike my bro, is not nearly that often. So, as you all know, we were off to Hawaii last week. And it was cool. I have pictures to prove it was. Anyhow, let me relate a little tale of trials, tribulations, and beauty. Oh and lets not forget the gifts we got at the end of every day when someone would break into our room and leave us stuff. Backwards, but cool.

Day 1 : The departure and arrival.

So, its Sunday, the day after we had to drop off Isaiah at the airport after getting up at 4am, get a few last minute purchases, and pack. Not bad, got about 6 hours sleep and was up again at 4am to get ourselves to the airport. Woosh, we are off and running with the first leg from Orlando to Denver. (3 hours) Woosh, we are off again from Denver to LA. (3 hours) Woosh, we are off again from LA to Hawaii. (5 hours) And the pony is looking out the window as we are about to land in Hawaii. Okay, so now get this, we have backtracked in time, like something from the "Time Machine" and have been 11 hours on the plane. Dawn never set her watch so according to FL time, we have now been up for 19 hours when we land at the airport. (Shown Below)

Then, because this is a company trip, they want to have a Beach Bash at 8:30 that night, so after 45 minutes on a bus, we arrive at the hotel. Get checked in, get our complimentary Hawaian shirts, then head off to dinner and such. Needless to say, I was WAY too toasted for pictures that night, but it was okay and we ended up crashing out at about the 25 hour awake mark.

End Day 1 : Gift, Hat, Shirt, Kazoos (For Day 2) and snacks.

Day 2 : Olympics and Shopping

After a nights sleep on a not so pleasant bed, I am starting to think this whole trip is doomed. Rain is in the forecast every day and the reports are that the water is going to be too choppy to do anything in the actual ocean. So, morning rituals taken care of, we head down to the beach to at least look before breakfast. The rain is light and the beach turns out to be breathtaking.

The day starts to look up already and then came breakfast. The pond was amazing and it was literally a foot from our table. (Though we did end up right next to her DM which I thought was amusing and had to snap a picture) The food was wonderful, from the omellets to the fresh pineapple and more. Wow. And then, after breakfast, we wondered back through the open courtyard to our room to get ready for the event of the day and the view inside the hotel was as wonderful as outside. So, off we went to, as they say, let the games begin.

So, after dropping off the lei whcih we got when we landed and only vaguely rememberd the next morning, we wonder off to find our "team" meeting spot for this event when Dawn spots a web, complete with spider. It was awesome. Once we find the team we are supposed to be on and get dressed in our goofy attire, the rain starts up in earnest. We did the games anyway. Kona Coffee Run, shoveling coffee from a pail to a cup via 4 people, the Hula Race, dressing up the various Corp types in flippers, straw hats, glasses, etc and a few more of like games. I even participated in the tug o' war. Got three wins and a couple of losses and a few nice rope burns to boot. And here is everyone in the rain and not caring a bit. It was fun.

So, then it is off to our room just long enough to see a break in the rain and WOW, the view from our balcony is amazing. Needless to say, we spent every morning with a cup of coffee up there first before breakfast and every night there with a drink before bed. Listening to the surf every night while going to bed, made the rock bed almost unnoticable. However, the rain was not to be held back and came on even harder as evening approached. So, then it was off to Lahaina for shopping. It really reminded me of Key West with Hawaian items. However, the oldest Banyan tree in the US was amazing to see. It was HUGE! After a bit of shopping, a very bit and dinner at Bubba Gump Hawaii, it was back to the room for a night before the big excursion the next day. Needless to say, I was having doubt with all the rain, but that is tomorrow...

End Day 2 : Gift, Beach Towels that have Hawaian flowers and the names of all the Islands and flip-flops.

Day 3 : Excursion

So, up again in the morning to a bright sunny day. I am amazed by this as it was perfect since we were going on a hike to a waterfall. I was so proud of Dawn, even though she was scared to the height thing, she repelled down the final cliff and climbed the waterfall with me. I sat in under the fall while we have a picture of both of us standing next to it. It was beautiful. The sun lasted just long enough to get off the hike and ready for the nights Luau. Then, right before the big Luau, which was indoors due to rain, it began to pour and broke just long enough for the fire dancer, but that is for later. Now, pictured of the hike.

Half way up - Dawn, it isn't that high

Me so happy - Told ya I could do it!

Happy Couple - What? Me worry?

HOW much further? - WOW!

And on the ride home, the clouds begin a movin'

Then there was the Luau. Sometimes they brought a bunch of Leslie's employee's on stage with tehm even. It was a hoot. Those dancers are amazing and the pictures just don't do them justice. But here they are anyways with the grand finale - the fire dancer just before the rains really started up and all hell broke loose sometime that night. We also got a professional photo taken with the Hawaian dancer. Will scan and add later, along with more pics from the other waterproof camera.

End of Day 3 : Gift, Really cool carved turtle to represent protection.

Day 4 : Day of no power, so ROAD TRIP!

Yes, you heard it boys and girls, the whole south side of the island is without power due to the prior nights storm activity. So we decided to take the generous donation to our trip made by an annoymous person and rented a car. They don't call the Road to Hana (the drive we decided to take) the most beautiful drive in the US for nothing. WOW. Though, I have to wonder what is up with the broken down junk heaps on the road. There must have been 6 or more of them. Wierd. Even through the rain and flooded roads, it was amazing. We saw the last working sugar plant in Hawaii, drove through the flooded streets and then down the coast to Hana. The pictures say more tha I ever could.

Rain, pouring down - Sugar Mill

Flooded Road - Road starts with fastest trees ever...

Moving on up-Broken Car???

From on High - Pretty Pumpkin

Just... wow....

Clearing the road - Whats with these cars?

We drove that-Hard to see, but 30' waves from the storm

Once we get back, there is power just long enough to take a shower for the dressy awards dinner and then bamph, it is out again. Come to find out it was only on for about an hour or so. I won't bore you with any pictures of the awards dinner, because it was just that, pretty boring. However, Dawn got a tiny surf board with her name engraved on it and the awards club logo and such. It was way nice to hear her name announced as a winner and see it on the video they made of the trip. It was cool. Anyone wanting to see the video once we get it, ask and I will burn copies.

End Day 4 : Gift, Very nice frame for the Luau picture and picture book of Maui.

Day 5 : Waiting for power and plane...

Again, the power is out and it flickers on just long enough for us to take a quick shower and its gone again. Oh well. We wander a bit, then pack and I get the bright idea of sneaking onto the shuttle early for the airport. At least they had power. So, off we go. Now realize, we are on Hawaii time now and we got up at 6am. We hung out at the airport until 9:45 when the plane left and had the same three plane ride home, except the first stop was San Fran instead of LA. So, with the time we got up, the time shift, and the time on the plane, by the time we got home and unpacked, it was a 34 hour day. We were wiped. We slept for 15 hours and now I am writing this, the following day. Weee... Though, the monkey Dawn used for a pillow on the trips did get a bit drunk on the way out of Maui. All and all, it was a great trip. Hope you made it this far. :) Laters all...

Holy COW!!!

2007-11-06T16:57:00.000-05:00

Okay a real fast update from work. As you all know, I work for the jewelry industry. If you have old gold out there that you never wear and don't want anymore, you need to send it to me. I am not talking one chain or anything, but if you have a few chains and rings, send them to me asap as gold has now cleared $800.00 an ounce and I can scrap it for a decent price. Obviously, the more you have the easier it is to scrap out, plus the more you will get, and if multiple family members have stuff to get rid of, I can lump it together after weighing it all up and then send it to be scraped out. If your thinking abot it, don't wait too long as the market is crazy and this level hasn't been seen in quite some time. Can't guarantee anything by the time it gets there, but now is the time to scrap your gold out. Let me know. Toodles.

Destination... Maui!

2007-10-21T23:04:00.000-05:00

Yes, you and someone of your choosing (Over the age of 18) have been selected for an all expense paid trip to the beautiful isle of Maui where you will be staying at the glorious beach side resort of the Maui Prince Hotel. There you and your guest will have world class accommodations in one of our 329 spacious rooms, all of which have a wonderful either full or partial view of the ocean. Experience all that Maui has to offer from shopping in the nearby tourist traps (read local towns), swimming, snorkeling, breath taking beaches, and amazing trails with a variety of vistas. Come, be our guest from Dec 2nd-6th and we will pamper you in luxury.

How is that for an advertisement like announcement? :) Yes, she won the trip by working her ass off and she deserves every accolade I can heap on her shoulder. First off, they sent her this box full of stuff, of which can be seen below. Even the hula dancer for her car. Inside, was also the five page form we had to fill out that says in a nutshell, “You won’t sue us, you won’t sue us, you won’t sue us.” Everything from loss of personal effects to dying on the plane trip was in there. They really cover their bases. The hotel look fabulous, the link is http://www.princeresortshawaii.com/maui-prince-hotel.php for those interested in looking.

So, we get to choose from several trips that are paid for and we decided to see something we can’t even come close to seeing in Florida. We are taking a hike through the wilderness to one of the nearby waterfalls for a swim. It should be a very cool nature hike. Oh, and did I mention all expense paid? Yeah, they pay for food, trips, buses, everything. The only things we have to take care of are, getting Isaiah to NE, the nice clothes we need for the one fancy awards dinner, things for the plane trip, the things we want to buy and extra excursions beyond the one they pay for (which we probably won’t, just do the beach). The only catch is that we have about three things we have to do as a group with the rest of the people who won from her company. Beach Olympics one day, two dinners, and the prior mentioned awards ceremony dinner. I think we are all okay with these minor events. We are going to freakin’ Maui. We are both psyched and can’t wait for the 1st of Dec. to roll around.

Anyways, I will be taking about… oh… a million pictures to share with everyone when I get back from the trip. So, be on the lookout. Isaiah definitely wants to be in NE when we go, so what the hell, we said he could. He will have fun there too.

Lions & Tiger & Oh my god this sucks!

2007-10-06T15:26:00.001-05:00

So, how long has it been now? A long time it appears. Why do you ask? Well I only write when something really cool or exciting or different or whatever happens and I have been trying to wait and post a positive note as well as all the crap, so... whats been happening? Lets examine shall we?

First... CAR DEATH! First, Dawn's car overheats and we manage to drive it all the way across town (45 minutes or more one way) back from her meetings for work to the mechanic. "Your car is tip top," says the mechanic, "except for your thermostat, thermostat casing, thermostat housing, AND head cover gasket are all shot." Wonderful. $800 later, the car is running again. However, 3 days later, it overheats again. Lucky for us, this time it was only at her work and not across town. Back to the dealer. "Oh, its the flux capacitor and the ion reducer." Says the mechanic. Or something like that dealing with the thermostat again. "What? I thought that was fixed?!?" "Well, everything was working when we tested it, this is a new issue and that will be another $300. Thank you & come again." I swear to the gods above that if he hadn't explained it so well at the time, cause we all know I don't remember a thing he said now, I would have thrown a fit right there in the office. So, $1100 later, the car is running fine.

Phase two... AC DEATH! So, the begining of Sept, last week in Aug. the AC starts making a funny noise one night and by morning is dead. This is Floriduh for the love of all thing sacred. We need AC. So, we call the home shield folks who have the AC guys come out. The first guy says its a capacitor. And hour after he leaves, clang, clang, it dies again. Now, I have a window unit and have already borrowed two from my boss because it was 5 days before the first tech came out because he was bitten by a snake the day of the appt. and had to reschedule. So back out he comes again, except this time, it is another guy who realizes the motor is shot and needs replacing. However, they have to special order it because they don't carry that old of a model in stock anywhere and have to get it from the manufacturer. Day after day of calling and asking status turns into week after week and finally, after 4 weeks, they install it and it is up and running again. This is 4 weeks of Florida heat so we are running WINDOW units. The power bill just about gave Dawn and I heart attacks.

Phase Three... FLOOR DEATH! So, the AC is kicking right along and I come home one night to find water coming up through the cracks in our fake wood flooring. The AC pan had overflowed, had no auto shut off, and had flooded first Calliope's room (who had been gone nearly 2 weeks by this point so we never went in her room) and then seeped up through the floor as it had no where else to go. Come to find out that the last people to put in the piping for the AC had it come out of the house, turn 90 degree straight up, then slope back down to the fence, which is why it was overflowing. It couldn't drain up hill. So, I cut the pipe and flushed it with chlorine and whalla, it worked. However, the floor is now totally damaged and our $1000 deductible on the insurance means 90% of repairs out of pocket. Hello crappy floors until it can be ripped out and replaced, this time with carpet.

Phase Four... MOWER DEATH! So, two weeks ago, I go out to mow the lawn and snap, zing, the mower throws a few sparks and refuses to start. Try again several times with the same snap, zing and instead of starting, the cord breaks off in my hand, the mower belches at me as if to say that it was sick of working anyways and was going on a permanent vacation and then became totally inert. Needless to say, the lawn is starting to LOOK like Halloween out there and it will have to remain so until we can afford a new mower.

Tada!!! And you people wonder why I never write... sheesh.

On the lighter side of tragedy, we passed our first year of home schooling evaluation. This is a good thing and it appears that we have a few new ideas from the teacher that interviewed us. Things that we didn’t really think would count as we weren’t sure what type of person we would get. She is a very good ex-teacher that believes in life learning as much as school learning and that teaching via hands on and experience is always the best way. Because of this, we can now move ahead in ways we were hoping we could. Using field trips, vacation, games, and other such activities linked with reading and study from online and reference material to go ahead into the next year. It should be good.

Other than that, life in FL just sucks. The people are total morons for the most part and the longer I stay in this state, the more I realize just how stupid they really are. I can't believe that the rest of the world is as stupid as most of these people. People in Floriduh can’t drive either. I have been in a few states now and these people couldn't handle driving in even Nebraska where it is even more flat than here. It is no wonder that we are ranked 48th out of 50 for education and amongst the lowest levels for living standards. Then, there is weather. I thought this state was supposed to be the sunshine state, not the rain every damn day state so the the humidity rises to a point that walking out the door is like walking into the wall of water. Yes, the humidity is starting to annoy me, and life in this state as a whole is tearing me down. Needless to say, it is doing likewise to Dawn who has said more than once that she thought she was stupid until she moved to this state and now she feels almost genius like. I swear, once we can afford it and have decent jobs, the first chance we get, we are outta here.

So, there it is, my life, my rant, my pains and bitches. I will now step down from the pulpit of me and let you guys know that I love you all and I know this too shall pass. Consider this my major bitch and take it with a grain of salt. Or maybe a whole damn salt lick.

Now for the fun, good news that I sorta mentioned in the begining to this. Dawn, working her ass off at work, is like 90% likely to be accepted and invited to Presidents Club this year for her work. What does this mean you ask? It means, Maui! Yes, you heard me, the company takes the top tier from each district that makes goal, secret shoppers, conduct reports and all the other garbage that goes with corporate working, and sends them on a trip if all these things are above standard. So for two week, we will be waiting with baited breath for the little box to arrive at her store congratulating her on her win this year. Weeee... Something about silver linings and all that. And I think Isaiah said something about Nebraska while we are gone if she does indeed win... hmmmm... wonder what he meant by that dad? If she does indeed win, we will talk Mort.

So in conclusion, lets just say, and I am keep everything I can crossed, that we hope this is the last of things on the down side and that we are on the upswing. Hell, maybe I can win the lotto... (breathing normal here) then we will all have fun. Take care all... El'Poofta....

...to life.

2007-08-18T08:34:00.000-05:00

"Please state your name for the record. Please remember, this is being recorded for prosperities sake, like it or not." And then there was 'P' and it was good.

I bet I am the only one in the world that takes a picture of the courtroom number where I was tried and convicted for not remembering that this episode was brought to you by the letter 'p'. I think there was something about a number too, but I can't remember.

So, I have this theory that states that everything in the uninverse is strange, bizzare, unique, sometimes bothersome and a pain, yet at the same time exciting and beautiful. What does this mean? I have no idea, but it sounds really philosophical doesn't it? Anyways, there was excitement recently. What is that you ask? Well, the reason I am updating this thing, duh? Oh, the event. Well, it was some guy marrying some girl somewhere. I mean, Cousin Dan marrying this wonderful girl Kristina. Yeah, that was it. Too much alcohol in the insuing days after brings about bouts of forgetfulness. So anyways, these two crazy kids finally, as we say down here in the south, gots themselves hitched. It was a beautiful thing really. All the family gathered around dressed in thier finest, the sun shining down at all the right moment, flowers in bloom all around, and the bride and groom wearing too much lipstick. :)

Arrival was the day of my birthday. And amazed as I was, my family, with the myriad of things going on around us from organizing this shin-dig and hosting it and... and... and... remembered it to the point of cake and icecream. I can't express what kind of feeling that gives to know that even though thier own son was getting married the next day, they still made time for me. That was sooooo cool you guys. (Hugs and kisses). Oh, right, the arrival... airport, family meet and greet, the usual. Then I get to see the house that McCallums built and where. OMG!!! It is amazing. And of course, the bride and groom to be with their puppy Tauny. Aren't they all so cute.

Seriously, look at this view, wow.... to wake up to this every morning. And not to mention, it was georgious. The weather was warm and I didn't sweat once even in the light of direct sun. It was amazing. How the heck do I pull that off in FL??? Hmmmmm. Must research this no sweat thing. So anyways, it was a quiet dinner and b-day thing, then the day of the event. We walked to the court house after a quick photo session in the lobby of the hotel were we learned that Keith just can't do Blue Steel. It really was a nice ceremony and the judge made me want to have my own in CO just so we can have him do the ceremony. Heck, in FL it reminds me of the scene from spaceballs. "Do you?" "Yes." "Do you?" "Yes." "Good. Your married. Kiss her." This judge was great. Hmmm... maybe I will have mine in CO. Who knows? Then it was pictures outside the courthouse with both families and then off to dinner.

So, there was this ceremony that was cool, then the dinner that started off making me wonder if we were gonna swim back to the hotel or not. Just as it looked doomed, just when we were all about to order dinner, the heavens above parted the clouds and it was perfect the rest of the night. Drinking, wonderful food, then off to watch movies at the lodge. Weeeee... it was all fun and how could one forget the rocking games of Guitar Hero with my one and only, bestest and most wonderful Bro Keith, (Or the rounds of drunken fun at the bar after each nights closing of family events) that just made it all complete.

Then, there was the last days horseback riding through some of the most beautiful country sides in the US. I have thise beast of a horse. Lordy it was taller than me at the slope of his back, he weighed in at 1900+ lbs and his name was turbo. Oh great, the fast one right. NOT! This was the epitome of gentle giant. Well, save the once or twice he tried to run me into the tree, but that was nothing compared to my Aunt Pam getting thrown from hers. Overall, it was fun had by all. Dan even fed one an apple. Keith the big pansy had some lame excuse about his back hurting or something to go, but his loss. All in all, I had a wonderful time and wish the bride and groom all the very best. (Ever notice how the man always gets second billing in that. Sorta makes me understand even moreso what the judge was saying.) Great bash kidding and we all have to get together again very soon. Laters... enjoy the salmon and potatoes on the way out.

Castle Dinner

2007-05-26T11:04:00.000-05:00

Ahhhh, such a wonder is the dreams which inspire the world. Or as it says on our picture that we got, "A dream is a wish that your heart makes..."

It was a great time had by all. Dawn was so excited, it was cute. Isaiah wasn't the least bit annoying and also seemed a bit excited to be there. Okay, so let me lay it all out for you.

We all know what the castle looks like right? But what does it look like with no people? I'll show you, but that skipping ahead in our little tale. So, first off, we get there and have to wait just a bit as they were setting up for the next set of dinner guests. Namely us and the other 20 or so people. As we wait, whom do we run into but none other than, THE ROPE NAZI! Why do we call her that do you ask? Well, as we were waiting outside, another couple came out, done and smiling. Since the park was gearing up for the fireworks, they had the area around the castle roped off to make people go around instead of through the castle area. Not realizing this was except for castle dinner guest, a nice couple was going to step over the rope and go around the castle like everyone else.

Enter the rope Nazi. She comes barrelling around the desk yelling at these people, "Wait! Stop! You can't step over the rope! Stop!" Enters another cast member that is watching the area to make sure people don't try and slip through the castle over the rope. "I don't think they can cross the rope, can they cross the rope, wait here, I don't think they can cross the rope can they?" She is muzzling out like a repeating rifle to the new cast member. To which the new cast member calmly says, "As long as they don't run through, trip and break their necks, sure, why not." To the guest, "Just make sure to follow the others around the castle and not back into the park area..." where he proceeds to explain that the firework drop debris in this area which is why it gets blocked off. Wow, talk about not a promising start. So, anyways, the rope Nazi lets us into the main floor of the castle where we wait for our picture with Cinderella.

I am rope Nazi! And I call your names too.

So, we get inside and look around a bit. Its pretty cool, all set up castle like, DUH! Everyone is calling us Lord, Lady & Prince which was kinda neat too and what do I notice, but Cinderella's little mouse friends hanging out on one of the cross bars above the fireplace. Cool. So, we wait a little bit and in comes the princess herself. By this time Dawn is giddy and having a great time already. So, we have our picture taken, wait about 5 minutes, rope Nazi calls out our name and its off to dinner.

Meeces to pieces ----------------Princesses

Now we walk up the castle stairs to the main dining room. We had a great table. Right above the main floor looking out the windows towards the carosel. This, which Dawn found out later, was perfect in more than one way because the fireworks actually go off at 10pm RIGHT behind the carosel. So we got to watch while we ate. They even dimmed the lights inside and played to music as well. It was even nicer because the ones that actually go off next to the castle, only made a slight popping noise inside, even the big ones. Very nice.

So, we eat, (Which was absolutely wonderful food. Pork Tenderloin for Dawn, Prime Rib for the boy, and Seared Salmon for me. Yummy.) we have fun watching the fireworks, and we are about to get desert, when what to my wandering eyes should appear? No, not that one... this one!

Man, that Fairy Godmother can move. She was all over the place. It was hard to get her picture. But I did, sorta. And they danced, Dawn got mouse bashed when one accidentally smacked her with its nose. Dawn thought this was funny and came back to the table giggling. So, desert was served, we were like one of the last ones there because we took our time and enjoyed it all, so we wandered around for a few more pictures and then went home happy and full. Oh, remember that first question at the begining to this? Well, with a few more pictures of the inside, let me show you.

Oh look, there is a blog here...

2007-05-17T19:11:00.000-05:00

Well, let me see here. Has it been six months yet? No? Then I am doing better. Weeeee... I just love having a life. Anyways... let me see... I think I left off with Jan. Yes, Yes I did. So, let the updates begin. And remember kiddies, there were no animal hurt in this invasion of the blog.

Jan.: January was different from most months around here as Dawn, Isaiah, and I all went to visit dad (Kerm to you numbskulls who don't know what I am talking about) and we got to freeze. Weeeee. I haven't seen cold like that in YEARS. It was great. We started off lunching at Speghetti Works and turning in early, then the fun began. Cold, weee, it was fun. Well, I and Isaiah thought it was anyways. Dawn didn't so much. We had a great time, saw some of the old family, namely Chris, Makenzi (I probably butchered the hell out of that, get over it. :) Sorry.) and Andy when we all went bowling. Keith made a surprise appearance. The Brian family built a snowman and had a snowball fight, we played games and just had a great time. Keith and I did our great Scottish rendition of craziness during a card game and even Kevin's girlfriend got in on the scattergories party one night we were there. Good times, good times.

The arrival-----------------------Sketti Works

Freezing Dawn-------------Snowman Hitler

Bowling if fun for the whole family!!!

Now the trip home. The first picture, Dawn made me take cause it was funny and she had never seen one before. The rest of the trip was not as much fun. The first plane; BROKEN. So, I call and get us switched to another flight which will arrive later, but still okay. Second plane lands; BROKEN. DAMN... So, I hurry up and call back and get us back on the original flight which will now be totally late and get us into Memphis after our layover. We catch the next flight to Orlando and don't make it home until 4 hours after it was supposed to arrive. Weeee... so we had real BBQ on our layover and wandered around the airport. What do we find... the worlds smallest escalator. I am not kidding. It is as long as the picture, the bottom is at the bottom the of pic and you can see the top. Talk about lazy incarnate. Sheesh. And then all is well. Weeee...

Kum & Go Gas Station----------TEEENy Escalator

Feb-Present: Well, lets see... ummm... well... Get up, go to work, pay the bills, pay more bills, oh and did I mention bills. ~LOL~ Dawn had her b-day the 21st of last month and the gang had a cake for her and sung for her, AFTER she got off work of course. Sheesh, can't even get her own b-day off, so we have a special surprise for her exactly one month off. (Best I could get.) Other than that, besides finding our mortgage going up over $200/month, the rest has been pretty uneventful. Came to find out that when they did the taxes on our house it was at the old owners house value and not the new really freakin high value, so hence our increase when they did the first year end recalculation. "it might go up a little" my ass. Ouch, that pains. As you with home know. Anyways, the rest of this is pretty usual. Gaming with friends, hanging with the family, and basically being here. Will update more after the end of he month when we have dinner in Cinderella's castle as a late b-day present for Dawn.

Toodles....

Million month stretch...

2007-01-30T10:27:00.000-05:00

So wow, it has been like six months sinceI posted anything. Does that tell you how boring my life is? Well, to cap the last months real fast. BORING! With a few notable exceptions. Well, excet for this last weekend when we all went to see dad in Nebraska, but we will get to that in a bit. Let us take a tour of the last few month shall we?

The last time I posted anything was July 22nd shortly after Mom came to visit and Calliope came for a few months. So, let us do a month to month thing. It should be fun. And if not, then everyone can watch me stick my tongue out at them.

Aug. : Pretty boring all around. My b-day came and went and not much else happened this month. So, lets move on to Sept.

Sept. : Well, Sept came and Dawn and Calliope went to the beach. It was Calliope's first time to the ocean. They had a great time. I am sure mom was a bundle of nerves after the last experience where all of us almost got swept into the sea because it was right after a hurricane, but that was fun too. Looky here. :)

Yo Homey, buried Alive : Look at all that water

They had fun and were there all day. Sadly, Calliope had to leave us just shortly after this to go back to Las Vegas to start her first year in school. It was sad, but we will see her again soon. Other than that, it there wasn't much going on.

Oct. : Now we start getting into the fun parts of the missing months. Why do you ask? Well duh, do we even need to say that its time for Halloween? We did the special Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party and it was great. I think Isaiah loved the candy alley more than anything. The whole walk behind the race track that is normally just a walking scenery thing, was lined with folks giving out candy. Yes, I think we all OD'ed just a bit on sugar.

Yes, that gang is all here. Disney really does go all out.

Disney Boo to you.... Duh, just read the picture.

We had a great time with the ghost and Ghoulies and even got a new one of our own.

Meet Gilda the death angel. Weeee....

Nov. : This was probably the most boring month. Nothing happened here at all. Well, Thanksgiving, but that is a very tame holiday. I mad ham and other stuff. So, nothing too major... What Isaiah? Birthday? What about... OH!!!! How could I possibly forget your 13th b-day was in there. Yeah, that too.

Dawn overcomes balloon issues : Duh! Video arcade. What else on your 13th?

Presents and cake for the dork boy. Yes, it's on the cake too.

Dec. : Hmmm.... I think there was a card about this too, but what the hell, there are always more pictures to go along with the Christmas season. Not to mention that we did the Disney Christmas party too. Special events are cool and Dawn has become the epitome of a Disney freak and all that goes with it. Even got annual passes this year with her bonus money and such. Wow. We are like there all the time now.

The parade was awesome as always. So were the fireworks that everyone saw in the christmas card. We did a few more show and lots of cocoa and cookies all over the park. Like I said, they go all out. Then of course there was the presents and the decorating. It was a good year. And a wonderful 2nd year for Dawn. Weeeeeee.... Just keeps gettin' better.

Mom and son prepare for presents and Santa...

Dawn opening Isaiah's gift and me delving right in too.

Mom keeps from freezing with her electric blankie. (Nevadians, sheesh) and the tradition lives on in the next generation.

Jan. : Well, you will just have to wait for the next blog entrance for Jan. That will be a whole one by itself since all the fun times we had in Omaha, NE of all places. Stay tuned....

Mom Visits & Calliope Arrives...

2006-07-22T11:14:00.000-05:00

Well, it has been some time since I have gotten to the update part of this thing. It seems like there isn't enough time in a day. Whew. So, Lets recap the events of the recent past shall we? As some of you already know, there was this time back in April that mom came down to visit. Well, as you also may know, Mom dosn't do pictures, so I had to neak one in of Dr. Lynn checking her email on the back porch. Yeah, I have a wireless network in my home and Mom thought that was way cool to be able to sit outside and check her emails. This is also the porch that has the grill that she bought us as a house warming gift. It is way cool and we use it alot more than I ever thought. I love grilling as there just isn't anything that compares to the taste.

Well, after she left, with a present for the Bro out there in the world, things went back to normal. I am sure you heard a bit about the game scaring the crap out of dear Keith. Gotta love it. F.E.A.R. was the game and it creeped him out so bad at one point he had to leave the house. Totally awsome game and I love the fact my fearless bro was wierded out by it. Anyhow, thing got normal for awhile, summer came, Isaiah will be repeating 6th as he failed with a .98gpa. I didn't even know that was possible. Needless to say, we are starting up a point system with him to see if it help this year.

Clyde is getting bigger and more cute by the day, work is work, summer is at an all time hot and humid state, and bills are up. They are coming sometime today to replace the air handler unit for the AC as it is on the last of many legs. I am never more greatful for home warrenty than now. Talk about a money saver with the new AC unit, wow.

Then came the big day, Calliope and Scott (Dawn's ex) were coming to visit. They came and over the next 4 days, Scott got to meet me and see the house, I met him and Calliope, and all in all it went much better than I had hoped for. Scott was, as Dawn put it, on his best behavior and he and I even had a few time alone where we talked about the kids and games and such. Will we ever be friends? Doubtful, but at least we enough respect & trust for each other that we could spend time at events and such without it turning ugly. I have a good feeling about the future with all of us and the kids. Very promising.

They all went to Disney and had a great time, did the dinner thing a couple of time (me included) they went swimming at Scott's hotel, which was like the invasion of cuba from what I hear tell, and then Scott flew home. Calliope has turned out to be an absolute angel, she went to her Florida preschool for the first time on Thur and that too went very well. there wasn't any crying or anything. She wanted to try on the belly dancer outfit mom sent from Egypt and go through all the other things sent and given to her for christmas and such that she had waiting here for her. Very fun all around. All in all, everything is looking up. I couldn't be happier with my life right now ... okay, maybe if I was independantly wealthy and didn't have to work, but other than that... ;) Today I have the kids with me for the first time while Dawn is at work and its been fun. Can't wait to see what the future brings. Take care family and we will write more as things get updated.

Time flies...

2006-05-25T20:38:00.000-05:00

Wow, has it really been that long? Rhetorical question, but still. Anywhosywhatsis. So, I am sitting around one day and this lady calls on the phone and tells me she is coming for a visit. Tells me she is coming from so far off land and that she will only be here for a whole day and a few hours. So what do I do? I tell my little wifey to be that she has to go to the airport and hold up a big sign so my mom will know how to find her and then drive her home. It was a pretty sign that said "Dr. Lynn Mortensen" in bold colorful letters. And the amazing part? She did it perfectly and with only the teeniest of complaint. I love her. ~Smooches~ Here's to you Dawn.

So, mom comes in and we have a day together. She is totally freaked out because they (being the airline) lost Keith's bag that mom was to bring home for him. It would have been priceless relics lost, but in the end... I told her not to worry as it would all work out and it did. So, let us look at Dr. Lynn on my wireless laptop doing work while here shall we?

Imagine if you will, its 2:30 in the am. You have to be up at 6:30 am, you have been asleep in a peaceful, warm, cozy, bed when suddenly, the silence of night is shattered like a pane of glass with... "WOOF! WOOF! BARK! BARK!" and this continues on for almost 40 minutes. No imagine, in a half dazed stupor having to go and take the (now huge) dog outside so he can do his business and then back inside to try and get back to sleep. Then imagine this happens at 4, 5, and 6 am as well. I was losing my mind. So... what do you do? What do you do?

You get another dog to keep them both happy. Boy are we nuts. But isn't he so cute. Clyde is the newest addition to the family. And it actually worked, they both sleep through the night now. Its amazing. And look how much bigger PH is now. Cool huh? Big, clumsy, oaf.

So, what happened in the mean time? Well, we had another visit to St. Augustine and did the tour the fort, the fountain of youth, and the original Ripley's Believe it or Not. Cheap touristy things. Its about all we can afford right now, but its gonna ease up soon. I have more pictures below. Oh, and we visited a really cool old lighthouse and went all the way to the top, it was exciting and scenic too. Other than that, not a whole heck of a lot going on. Work, family, work, dogs, work, and oh, did I mention work. Dawn knows all about that. Overtime gaory for the salaried lady. It sucks, but will be easing soon enough as well. Anyone know a good shrink? Anywho, keep in touch all and enjoy.

Fountain - Feeding the birdies

Isaiah in the barracks - All in the family

Ooo, powder - Up to the guns boys

Sure, Sarge gets good boarding - JAILTIME!

Fire Mr. Isaiah - Watchtower

Wow thats tall - 219 stairs to to the top

Dawn and me and pony makes three - Not again. Down too?

Bad to worse...

2006-03-29T23:21:00.000-05:00

So, in the infinate reaches of the cosmos, someone thought it terribly funning to see how much could possibly be piled into the heap of things already on the verge of tipping over that is our lives. (Dawn and myself)

So, come to find out that Progress Energy, our old electric company had us all signed up and ready in Nov. when we moved in. This was, until they realized they were sending a bill to Wax Myrtle ***DR*** and were billing us for Wax Myrtle ***LANE*** So, they refund our money and we sign up with FP&L only to be told that our bill is $700 more than we expected because we were using a lot more power here than before. If we had known the first month, we could have had it looked at like we did on Tue and found ways to cut back and get things fixed up to work better on the electric, but no, that would be too easy. So... $700. WHAM!

Then, we find out that in order to get Calliope out here, it will cost near $1000 because fuel prices are so high, she is underage and her father, who will be flying round trip, has to come out with her to drop her off, see where she is staying and then fly home. WHAM!

Then, last night, the cat (Joey) gets in a fight, we didn't think anything of it as he has done this before. Tonight, however, we come home and he has bled all over the carpet in Isaiah's room, licked all the fur off the place he was injured and lo and behold there are two pencil point sized holes in his flesh. Looks like a dog won this round, but now it is all red (No longer swollen, which is good) and blood is slowly oozing from the wounds. Another $200-$300 dollars for the vet tomorrow. WHAM!!!!

So, to sum up the events, we borrowed the $700 and are going to pay it back as soon as possible. Calliope won't be able to come out for several more months now as we don't have $1000, (Its already been 14 months since Dawn has seen her) the little we had saved up for the repayment of the $700 is now gone on vet bills tomorrow and then some, and somewhere in the multiverse the karma cops are laughing thier collective asses off. Needless to say, we are not amused and wish they would knock it the hell off.

Thats my rant for the night, the next one will be more pleasant I am sure, and the bright side is that usually when things all fall apart in a row like this, its a long time in coming before more piles of trash get thrown on you. At least that is a plus. Spirits bless all and hope your day is brighter than this one has been.

Avast ye land lubbers...

2006-03-22T20:02:00.000-05:00

Arrr me hearties. Here be da crew o da Insane Tempest. We be da finest crew ta sail da seas o da Spanish Maine. Here ya be seeing Capt'n Ripper. An no, he not be gettin' da name fer guttin' folks, he be getting for leavin' the stench. He be accompanied by the fair maiden Pony Dawn. She be the most feared o all da MLP (My Little Pony) hunters on da open sea. Finally, der be da cabin boy Master Whinesalot. It be said that he once brought down a mighty kraken with da most powerful death whine in recorded history.

This was our trip to St. Augustine to get some of the things in the Pirate Bathroom. It is a very cool place. And old Fort, windmill, and the oldest school house in America. I have more pictures, but unfortunately, almost everything is closed on Mondays and guess what... we went on Monday. Oh well, enjoy the pictures and I will have another update soon enough.

Pirates... Yar!

2006-03-17T23:32:00.000-05:00

Well, it is time for another household update. There was this ugly mirror, one that made it throuh the fith century I think and came complete with black streaking and chips. Seen here...

Pretty gross all around on this bathroom if you ask me. See also the picture after taking the mirror off the wall up there. Nightmare city. Anyways, I took two whole days of my week vacation to strip the bathroom down and completely overhaul it. Isaiah (a.k.a. the boy) wanted a pirate bathroom and after much brokeness (money), swearing, sweat, and headache later, he got his wish. And this is the final outcome.

It really did turn out a whole lot better than I thought, considering this was my first wall paper job and I am still crossing my fingers in hopes that it doesn't all peel off like some old Three Stooges clip. All in all, I am very proud of me. (Pats self on back) And being that it is still the 17th, Happy Patty's day to ya'all. Care care all you out there in family land and remember I love you all. Outta here til next time...