I was looking at Google maps yesterday (which sounds nerdy and boring at the same time, really...) and was looking at the street level views (which are really incredible...you should try them!) and then got caught up looking at satellite photos of Oldenburg, Germany (trying to look for Klauspeter's house on an der braker bahn).
And then I started looking at the satellite photos of Strafford, Missouri. The reason I mention Strafford, Mo is that whenever I've looked online to see if anyone has a blog about Strafford, it's people who are passing through... rarely is it someone who lives in the small town of Strafford, Missouri (which is located just outside of Springfield, Missouri if you must know).
The reason I keep mentioning Strafford is that every time I type the name it gives people another option of finding it on a Google search or a blog search. So if you came here by searching and were hoping for some great wisdom about Strafford, Missouri or Stafford, Mo or Springfield, Missouri...forget it...cause it ain't here, buddy!
I got a bit sad looking at the Sat photos, because from them you can clearly see Farm Road 231 which is just off YY Highway outside of Strafford, Missouri. You can see the long, winding hill that goes just past our old house and down around the valley by where the Newberry's, Brewer's and Boehning's used to live. (To be fair, some of these families do still live there...)
As you go past the Carlson's house and the Avery's and then on up to the Lile farm, you will soon be nearing the city limit of Strafford. But first, you have to pass the Comstock's place and the house where Governor Matt Blunt grew up.
From the Satellite photo you can almost see the city limit sign...(I'm joking) but you can make out the high school with it's track and football field and the various ball diamonds scattered around. Even though the pictures were taken from miles above the Earth, you can pick out a lot of detail in them. (for instance, the seven acre lake that we used to own that was at the bottom of the hill in the valley between our house and the Boehning's.)
Someday, when I win the lottery (that is, if I ever played the lottery), I'd like to buy a bunch of land in that area and move back home to Strafford, MO and then I'd look at pictures from Independence, Missouri from space.
-David
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
It happens every spring
Winter has to be ending soon, doesn't it? The Winter of 2007-2008 seems like the longest, coldest and wettest one ever for some reason. Even the kids are getting tired of the snow days...and I think I heard the weatherman say today that we had snow (falling and/or landing) for 35 days so far! That's unbelievable! Not too far North of here they've had about 40 inches, whereas we've only had about 18...which still nearly doubles what we've gotten during any of the past 10 Winters!
But hey, soon and very soon... Spring will arrive and a young man's thoughts (or even a middle-aged man's) will turn to.... Baseball!
That's right, baseball fans...Spring training has just gotten underway and deals are being made...the fans are getting antsy and we're starting to look at the schedules and rosters, and promotions and such!
In other words...I can't wait! Now I love basketball, and I like football and even the occasional Nascar race... but I REALLY LOVE BASEBALL!
Now there are several teams that I pay attention to...Boston, St. Louis, New York (the Yankees),
the White Sox and last, but not least... My Royals! Yes, I know they aren't the best team in the world, but they show promise! Trey Hillman is going to get this team where it needs to be this season and I, for one, am on board from day one!
I'm going to have to stop writing about this soon, or I'll be overtaken by the urge to watch my DVD of the 1985 World Series or "Field of Dreams" again.
So, buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack, I don't care if I never get back....
-Dave
But hey, soon and very soon... Spring will arrive and a young man's thoughts (or even a middle-aged man's) will turn to.... Baseball!
That's right, baseball fans...Spring training has just gotten underway and deals are being made...the fans are getting antsy and we're starting to look at the schedules and rosters, and promotions and such!
In other words...I can't wait! Now I love basketball, and I like football and even the occasional Nascar race... but I REALLY LOVE BASEBALL!
Now there are several teams that I pay attention to...Boston, St. Louis, New York (the Yankees),
the White Sox and last, but not least... My Royals! Yes, I know they aren't the best team in the world, but they show promise! Trey Hillman is going to get this team where it needs to be this season and I, for one, am on board from day one!
I'm going to have to stop writing about this soon, or I'll be overtaken by the urge to watch my DVD of the 1985 World Series or "Field of Dreams" again.
So, buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack, I don't care if I never get back....
-Dave
Monday, February 25, 2008
Kids
Whew...kids! What would you do without them? What on Earth can you do with them? I once saw a book at B&N called "Cooking with Kids" and my first thought was "Where do find a pot big enough to hold one?"
Gross, huh? Sorry if I offend... Just the way my mind works.
Just when you think you have kids all figured out, they throw you some wacky curve. Like Dustin, for instance... Smart kid, funny kid, talented kid... does his homework and then forgets to hand it in... hands it in late for partial credit... grade point average drops...
What's up with that?
I tell him he needs to be more responsible and he gets mad at me...like it's my fault that he forgot to turn in his homework. (Wait, aren't I the guy who says all the time "Do you have any homework?")
Take Jared, for instance... Sick for the past several days...well enough to play in two basketball games a couple of days apart and then gets sick again right after. Then stays up all night worrying that people think he's short and stupid. I told him that he's always going to be shorter than some people, just like he might even be taller than some people... (some day perhaps!)
Jared is a kid who is tops in his class, who his teacher adores, and he's worried that some dorky, snot-nosed kid in his class called him "stupid." (I've met this "Wonderful" name-calling kid before and he has no right to call anyone stupid....)
Other than his constant fixation with loud music and the fact that it's all he wants to talk about, Dustin is a pretty good Son. He makes me proud on a daily basis, and he is amazing with his musical talent...but as soon as he does something nice, he quickly Dr. Jekyll's into "SURLY TEEN" and becomes all MR. Grumpy-BUTT.
Jared (or the Terminator) as we lovingly refer to him at home. Is a 24 hours a day athlete who will play any game anywhere at any time, and pity the furniture that gets into his way! He's broken car windows, knocked holes in sheet rock and thrown way too many rocks over the neighbor's fence! And then you have to stop and remember that he was the number one ranked seven year old in all of Independence for the National Pepsi Pitch Hit and Run competition. So, someday when he's a top sports star we'll all just laugh and laugh and laugh...and take out some of the repair money from his signing bonus.
I love Dustin and Jared...what can I say? They drive me crazy, but at least they're good drivers!
David
Gross, huh? Sorry if I offend... Just the way my mind works.
Just when you think you have kids all figured out, they throw you some wacky curve. Like Dustin, for instance... Smart kid, funny kid, talented kid... does his homework and then forgets to hand it in... hands it in late for partial credit... grade point average drops...
What's up with that?
I tell him he needs to be more responsible and he gets mad at me...like it's my fault that he forgot to turn in his homework. (Wait, aren't I the guy who says all the time "Do you have any homework?")
Take Jared, for instance... Sick for the past several days...well enough to play in two basketball games a couple of days apart and then gets sick again right after. Then stays up all night worrying that people think he's short and stupid. I told him that he's always going to be shorter than some people, just like he might even be taller than some people... (some day perhaps!)
Jared is a kid who is tops in his class, who his teacher adores, and he's worried that some dorky, snot-nosed kid in his class called him "stupid." (I've met this "Wonderful" name-calling kid before and he has no right to call anyone stupid....)
Other than his constant fixation with loud music and the fact that it's all he wants to talk about, Dustin is a pretty good Son. He makes me proud on a daily basis, and he is amazing with his musical talent...but as soon as he does something nice, he quickly Dr. Jekyll's into "SURLY TEEN" and becomes all MR. Grumpy-BUTT.
Jared (or the Terminator) as we lovingly refer to him at home. Is a 24 hours a day athlete who will play any game anywhere at any time, and pity the furniture that gets into his way! He's broken car windows, knocked holes in sheet rock and thrown way too many rocks over the neighbor's fence! And then you have to stop and remember that he was the number one ranked seven year old in all of Independence for the National Pepsi Pitch Hit and Run competition. So, someday when he's a top sports star we'll all just laugh and laugh and laugh...and take out some of the repair money from his signing bonus.
I love Dustin and Jared...what can I say? They drive me crazy, but at least they're good drivers!
David
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Dedicated to my good friend, Gail....
Hi Gail,
This is David... how are you? I'm fine, thanks for asking. You know how you've been saying I complain too much. Well, you'll be happy to know that I've been doing much, much better. In spite of the way the world is turning lately, I'm really pretty much complaint free.
At least I was until yesterday. Sherry decided that she wanted to eat at Long John Silvers, which is something we haven't done since I don't know when... Anyway, we went in and I placed the order at (according to the ticket) exactly 1:51 PM. (It was a busy day...we lunched late...)
and then waited, and waited and waited.
We met some nice people yesterday while waiting in line. I met a guy who spent his entire lunch break from work waiting on his food and then he was mad because he was going to have to scarf it down while speeding back to his office, so that he didn't get into it with his boss for being late.
We met a nice retired football referee, who was from Archie, Missouri. We told him that we had reletives there and then we discussed Strafford, Missouri (which is where we're from originally) and then we talked about the weather with him and a nice older lady who'd been waiting about ten minutes longer than we had.
at 2:17 PM we received our food and only after driving several miles did we realize that they'd forgotten to include french fries with my meal. Rather than waiting another 20 minutes for fries and burning off another 5 miles worth of gas driving back, I figured I'd just do the dippy survey on the back of the receipt and let them know at corporate that the floors were dirty, the walls needed painting and the staff was unfriendly and slow...
But guess what? After spending 10 minutes on the phone doing the survey, the silly phone tape or whatever it is, starts repeating the same question over and over again. Then it says I didn't answer a question so I need to call back again to re-do the survey on a touch-tone phone, which is what I was using at the time.
So Gail... other than the fact that I shouldn't have eaten the grease-filled food that is Long John Silver's specialty anyway, do I, or do I not...have reason to complain?
You be the judge...I shall respect your decision. And while you're at it...should I call them and complain about the absence of fries?
-David
This is David... how are you? I'm fine, thanks for asking. You know how you've been saying I complain too much. Well, you'll be happy to know that I've been doing much, much better. In spite of the way the world is turning lately, I'm really pretty much complaint free.
At least I was until yesterday. Sherry decided that she wanted to eat at Long John Silvers, which is something we haven't done since I don't know when... Anyway, we went in and I placed the order at (according to the ticket) exactly 1:51 PM. (It was a busy day...we lunched late...)
and then waited, and waited and waited.
We met some nice people yesterday while waiting in line. I met a guy who spent his entire lunch break from work waiting on his food and then he was mad because he was going to have to scarf it down while speeding back to his office, so that he didn't get into it with his boss for being late.
We met a nice retired football referee, who was from Archie, Missouri. We told him that we had reletives there and then we discussed Strafford, Missouri (which is where we're from originally) and then we talked about the weather with him and a nice older lady who'd been waiting about ten minutes longer than we had.
at 2:17 PM we received our food and only after driving several miles did we realize that they'd forgotten to include french fries with my meal. Rather than waiting another 20 minutes for fries and burning off another 5 miles worth of gas driving back, I figured I'd just do the dippy survey on the back of the receipt and let them know at corporate that the floors were dirty, the walls needed painting and the staff was unfriendly and slow...
But guess what? After spending 10 minutes on the phone doing the survey, the silly phone tape or whatever it is, starts repeating the same question over and over again. Then it says I didn't answer a question so I need to call back again to re-do the survey on a touch-tone phone, which is what I was using at the time.
So Gail... other than the fact that I shouldn't have eaten the grease-filled food that is Long John Silver's specialty anyway, do I, or do I not...have reason to complain?
You be the judge...I shall respect your decision. And while you're at it...should I call them and complain about the absence of fries?
-David
Negative Campaign
Okay, here's my take on the election so far.
Richardson-never stood a chance....gone!
Biden-never stood a chance...buh, bye!
Thompson-stood a chance, never took that chance...sniff,sniff...gone!
Romney-stood a very good chance, spent WAY TOO MUCH MONEY...gave up and left with his tail between his legs...gone! (oh, and large sums of money...gone!)
All the other bozos who dropped out...buh, bye and good riddance!
And now that leaves us with, McCain, Hillary, O'Bama, Huckabee.......and now RALPH NADER???!!!
Here's how I rank the remaining few:
Hillary--knows the White House, knows Washington, had an inside view of the Presidency...however...does not make her qualified for the job. Her career as a Senator has been brief and unremarkable. Comes off as cold and inhuman at times with the personality of really thin paper.
On a scale of one to ten: 5
McCain--War Hero, Long-Time Senator...many accomplishments and is qualified....BUT, has zero personality and charisma and a really hot temper. Could handle the war effort with his eyes closed, but economic background is iffy and voted no on Bush Tax Reductions...
On a scale of one to ten: 7.5
O'Bama--short term in Senate...short term serving in Illinois...not a large legislative background... Loads of personality and is the best speaker of the bunch, however...while offering hope, he offers little else. Looks good, sounds good...pretty wrapping on an empty box.
On a scale of one to ten: 3.5
Huckabee--Governor of Arkansas. Touts his tax reductions in that state, but actually raised many corporate taxes and took in more tax money than the previous administration did.
Likeable guy with a good sense of humor and CHUCK NORRIS! Could handle the economics of the job, but I worry about the War with him in office. I LOVE THE FAIR TAX, but it will never fly.
On a scale of one to ten: 5.5
Nader--Single handedly cost Al Gore the election in 2000 due to his taking votes away in the state of Florida. Offers sound advice on economics and energy spending vs. saving, but is seen as too far off the map for most voters. No personality so to speak, but is a decent speaker and offers loads of stats to back up his stand on most issues...but still appeals to very few voters.
Stands less of a chance of winning than Huckabee.
On a scale of one to ten: 2.5
So there's my opinion on that... Let me know what you think...
David
Richardson-never stood a chance....gone!
Biden-never stood a chance...buh, bye!
Thompson-stood a chance, never took that chance...sniff,sniff...gone!
Romney-stood a very good chance, spent WAY TOO MUCH MONEY...gave up and left with his tail between his legs...gone! (oh, and large sums of money...gone!)
All the other bozos who dropped out...buh, bye and good riddance!
And now that leaves us with, McCain, Hillary, O'Bama, Huckabee.......and now RALPH NADER???!!!
Here's how I rank the remaining few:
Hillary--knows the White House, knows Washington, had an inside view of the Presidency...however...does not make her qualified for the job. Her career as a Senator has been brief and unremarkable. Comes off as cold and inhuman at times with the personality of really thin paper.
On a scale of one to ten: 5
McCain--War Hero, Long-Time Senator...many accomplishments and is qualified....BUT, has zero personality and charisma and a really hot temper. Could handle the war effort with his eyes closed, but economic background is iffy and voted no on Bush Tax Reductions...
On a scale of one to ten: 7.5
O'Bama--short term in Senate...short term serving in Illinois...not a large legislative background... Loads of personality and is the best speaker of the bunch, however...while offering hope, he offers little else. Looks good, sounds good...pretty wrapping on an empty box.
On a scale of one to ten: 3.5
Huckabee--Governor of Arkansas. Touts his tax reductions in that state, but actually raised many corporate taxes and took in more tax money than the previous administration did.
Likeable guy with a good sense of humor and CHUCK NORRIS! Could handle the economics of the job, but I worry about the War with him in office. I LOVE THE FAIR TAX, but it will never fly.
On a scale of one to ten: 5.5
Nader--Single handedly cost Al Gore the election in 2000 due to his taking votes away in the state of Florida. Offers sound advice on economics and energy spending vs. saving, but is seen as too far off the map for most voters. No personality so to speak, but is a decent speaker and offers loads of stats to back up his stand on most issues...but still appeals to very few voters.
Stands less of a chance of winning than Huckabee.
On a scale of one to ten: 2.5
So there's my opinion on that... Let me know what you think...
David
Friday, February 22, 2008
Irony
So yesterday when it was slick and snowy and icy and all, I made the trek to downtown Kansas City in bumper to bumper traffic that lasted about an hour or so... and I had no problems...
I made it back home slippin and a slidin and in pretty good time because traffic was light. Then, overnight we got a bit more sleet and a bit more snow and I thought "Okay, no big deal, I can handle this..."
And then...
Jared started throwing up. I tried to get out of bed, and my knees which had been pretty bad yesterday ARE NOT WORKING AT ALL TODAY! (Well, they work, but they don't bend well, don't support my weight well, and hurt like a _________! A LOT! That's what I was going to say, they hurt a lot! Please don't think I would have stooped to cursing on my blog!!! What kind of person do you think I am? )
So, the irony is...I'm willing to go to work in spite of the crappy weather, but don't want to try to when my knees are this bad! Besides, if I fell on the ice, what then? I'd look like Randy in the move "A Christmas Story!" "Help, I can't get up!"
Everyone...and I mean Everyone! At work is getting this nasty cough and flu stuff, and so far I've been fortunate enough to bypass it all. Jared, on the other hand...looked pale all night and then finally announced he was joining the citizens of Barfville, and then began to recite their pledge right into a bucket!
I REALLY don't want to get sick... Gail, Irene, Amy, Adam, Mary, Liz...etc...all of my friends are disease-ridden flu carriers! Stay away! Stay back! Maybe by the time I get back to work on Monday my knees will be better, the roads will be clear and the population of Barfville will have dwindled to but a few lowly stragglers.
Ah have muh fangers crossed... Ah will pruh-vale!
Dave
I made it back home slippin and a slidin and in pretty good time because traffic was light. Then, overnight we got a bit more sleet and a bit more snow and I thought "Okay, no big deal, I can handle this..."
And then...
Jared started throwing up. I tried to get out of bed, and my knees which had been pretty bad yesterday ARE NOT WORKING AT ALL TODAY! (Well, they work, but they don't bend well, don't support my weight well, and hurt like a _________! A LOT! That's what I was going to say, they hurt a lot! Please don't think I would have stooped to cursing on my blog!!! What kind of person do you think I am? )
So, the irony is...I'm willing to go to work in spite of the crappy weather, but don't want to try to when my knees are this bad! Besides, if I fell on the ice, what then? I'd look like Randy in the move "A Christmas Story!" "Help, I can't get up!"
Everyone...and I mean Everyone! At work is getting this nasty cough and flu stuff, and so far I've been fortunate enough to bypass it all. Jared, on the other hand...looked pale all night and then finally announced he was joining the citizens of Barfville, and then began to recite their pledge right into a bucket!
I REALLY don't want to get sick... Gail, Irene, Amy, Adam, Mary, Liz...etc...all of my friends are disease-ridden flu carriers! Stay away! Stay back! Maybe by the time I get back to work on Monday my knees will be better, the roads will be clear and the population of Barfville will have dwindled to but a few lowly stragglers.
Ah have muh fangers crossed... Ah will pruh-vale!
Dave
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
I hate to keep thinking about death, but...
I'm not even going to try and count all of the people I know who've died this year. I will say that there have been at least 5 in the past 4 months, if that's any indication of how things have gone.
Someone once referred to death as "God just thinning the herd," which makes me think that someday I'm going to be standing here in the midst of a REALLY SMALL HERD!
This girl I went to school with, who I used to be friends with but haven't seen or heard from in about 15 years... her Brother died this week. I didn't know him well, but I do remember him from school. He was three years older and in my Sister's class at Strafford. Always seemed like a nice guy, and ran with the smart kids as I recall.
It just seems weird that people my age could be losing siblings, spouses and kids... Parents, I can understand because now that we're in our 40's, our parents are getting along in years. Several weeks ago I feared that one of my old friend's Son had gotten killed, because there was someone with the same name, near the same age that had died in a car wreck...luckily it wasn't him, although I still feel sorry for the family of the kid who died.
When I was in college, a guy I knew with the same name as mine, died in a fire. He lived in Seymour, Missouri and I lived in Strafford. People I hadn't heard from in years thought it might have been me who perished in the fire and that I might have moved to Seymour...anyway, the calls poured in like crazy... I even had one friend of my oldest Sister's (who is 13 years older than me) call, and she hadn't seen me since I was a kid! "Thank God you're alive!" she said. I was touched by that, because I couldn't believe she even remembered me, much less would take the time to check up on me!
When someone I know dies, I always have the best of intentions and think of sending a card, but sometimes I just never get around to it. Like when Rob died this past fall.... I meant to send a card, but somehow I never got around to it... why is that? Psychologically am I avoiding the whole "death" thing by not acknowledging it?
Who knows...all I know is that I've had a lot of people I know die this year!
David
Someone once referred to death as "God just thinning the herd," which makes me think that someday I'm going to be standing here in the midst of a REALLY SMALL HERD!
This girl I went to school with, who I used to be friends with but haven't seen or heard from in about 15 years... her Brother died this week. I didn't know him well, but I do remember him from school. He was three years older and in my Sister's class at Strafford. Always seemed like a nice guy, and ran with the smart kids as I recall.
It just seems weird that people my age could be losing siblings, spouses and kids... Parents, I can understand because now that we're in our 40's, our parents are getting along in years. Several weeks ago I feared that one of my old friend's Son had gotten killed, because there was someone with the same name, near the same age that had died in a car wreck...luckily it wasn't him, although I still feel sorry for the family of the kid who died.
When I was in college, a guy I knew with the same name as mine, died in a fire. He lived in Seymour, Missouri and I lived in Strafford. People I hadn't heard from in years thought it might have been me who perished in the fire and that I might have moved to Seymour...anyway, the calls poured in like crazy... I even had one friend of my oldest Sister's (who is 13 years older than me) call, and she hadn't seen me since I was a kid! "Thank God you're alive!" she said. I was touched by that, because I couldn't believe she even remembered me, much less would take the time to check up on me!
When someone I know dies, I always have the best of intentions and think of sending a card, but sometimes I just never get around to it. Like when Rob died this past fall.... I meant to send a card, but somehow I never got around to it... why is that? Psychologically am I avoiding the whole "death" thing by not acknowledging it?
Who knows...all I know is that I've had a lot of people I know die this year!
David
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Thanks
I've been a bit overwhelmed by the calls and e-mails I've gotten this week about my health scare with the evil prescription drug "NIASPAN." So, first just let me say thanks, because I've had a LOT of nice feedback on it, and your comments have been very kind.
I also know that even though Sherry got the stuffing scared out of her watching me "react" to the drug, her love for me really did shine through both in her words and actions. I'm very lucky to have someone who loves me as much as she does. (She takes pretty good care of me! Yes, she does!)
So again, to all of you who've "checked up on me" to make sure I'm still breathing...Thanks! You're good people and I treasure your friendship.
Friendship and Love,
David
I also know that even though Sherry got the stuffing scared out of her watching me "react" to the drug, her love for me really did shine through both in her words and actions. I'm very lucky to have someone who loves me as much as she does. (She takes pretty good care of me! Yes, she does!)
So again, to all of you who've "checked up on me" to make sure I'm still breathing...Thanks! You're good people and I treasure your friendship.
Friendship and Love,
David
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Happy Valentine's Day
Well... one day removed from feeling like being hit by a bus, I'm still dizzy and worn out... I worked today and all went well, but I'm tired! Whew! Work was good...I stayed busy and got a bunch done.
Tonight we did the Valentine's day stuff and planned to take the kids to Logan's Roadhouse, which has good food, but the main draw for the kids is the big bucket of peanuts in the shell that they bring to you before your meal gets there... It's messy, tasty and fun... The prices aren't bad and the food's good, and they were packed to the walls with patrons.
Sooooo, we went with our second choice, Panera...which is always, always good. I got the Bacon-Turkey Bravo (which we all got, which we all always get!!! We're so predictable!) and Dustin and I got Potato soup and Sherry got the Broc and Cheddar (like we always get...) Jared opted for Pizza at Sam's Club where we shopped prior to going to Panera...and then he got an Asiago Cheese Bagel to snack on later... mmmmmmmm!
We came home and watched "LOST" which continues to dazzle and freak me out at every twist and turn! Sayid is a hitman working for Ben??? NO FLIPPIN WAY!!!??? Hugo is a traitor???!!!
NO FLIPPIN WAY!!! I love that show...AMAZING!
So, anyway...the kids are out-o-school tomorrow and tomorrow night is Dustin's big 14th B-Day party... they're watching "Cheech and Chong's Next Movie" and eating Pizza... whoo hoo! I think the girl to guy ratio is about 2-1 and I think Dustin really enjoys it being that way...
Way to go, stud!
Jared's team won their game Weds night 27-15, or did I mention that already? They continue to steamroll over the competition... Go Mustangs!
Talked to Dad today and he and part of Springfield, Mo continue to be out of power because of their second massive ice storm in two years. That and the Tornados that hit in January have done a lot of damage to the trees and homes around there. I don't know how they can stand it....
The temp here today was about 52-54 degrees and then it dropped to about 35 degrees within an hour... now it's cold and windy (Wow, now there's a change! Of course if you've been following the weather you know I'm being sarcastic cause this Winter has really stunk weather-wise!)
Could be worse, I guess...
Have a Happy Valentine's Day, okay??? Oh, and on the plus side, the new INDIANA JONES preview hit the net today and it looks great!
Dave
Tonight we did the Valentine's day stuff and planned to take the kids to Logan's Roadhouse, which has good food, but the main draw for the kids is the big bucket of peanuts in the shell that they bring to you before your meal gets there... It's messy, tasty and fun... The prices aren't bad and the food's good, and they were packed to the walls with patrons.
Sooooo, we went with our second choice, Panera...which is always, always good. I got the Bacon-Turkey Bravo (which we all got, which we all always get!!! We're so predictable!) and Dustin and I got Potato soup and Sherry got the Broc and Cheddar (like we always get...) Jared opted for Pizza at Sam's Club where we shopped prior to going to Panera...and then he got an Asiago Cheese Bagel to snack on later... mmmmmmmm!
We came home and watched "LOST" which continues to dazzle and freak me out at every twist and turn! Sayid is a hitman working for Ben??? NO FLIPPIN WAY!!!??? Hugo is a traitor???!!!
NO FLIPPIN WAY!!! I love that show...AMAZING!
So, anyway...the kids are out-o-school tomorrow and tomorrow night is Dustin's big 14th B-Day party... they're watching "Cheech and Chong's Next Movie" and eating Pizza... whoo hoo! I think the girl to guy ratio is about 2-1 and I think Dustin really enjoys it being that way...
Way to go, stud!
Jared's team won their game Weds night 27-15, or did I mention that already? They continue to steamroll over the competition... Go Mustangs!
Talked to Dad today and he and part of Springfield, Mo continue to be out of power because of their second massive ice storm in two years. That and the Tornados that hit in January have done a lot of damage to the trees and homes around there. I don't know how they can stand it....
The temp here today was about 52-54 degrees and then it dropped to about 35 degrees within an hour... now it's cold and windy (Wow, now there's a change! Of course if you've been following the weather you know I'm being sarcastic cause this Winter has really stunk weather-wise!)
Could be worse, I guess...
Have a Happy Valentine's Day, okay??? Oh, and on the plus side, the new INDIANA JONES preview hit the net today and it looks great!
Dave
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
As I lay dying (or at least it felt like I was)
Okay,
Those of you who know me know that I have a seriously whacked-out immune system. If there is an illness out there, I'm gonna get it. Most of the time I can still make it to work or at least suffer through it, but every so often something comes along that knocks me totally off my feet.
Niaspan did just that. Niaspan is a prescription drug for those people who suffer Hypercholesterol...that is, super-high cholesterol. I've had this for several years now and my levels go up and down like the world's biggest teeter-totter. I've had numbers as high as the 500's on more than one occassion, and low for me, is about 280.
Diet, excercise, pills...they help to some extent, but I haven't had below 200 in ages. Where does this leave me? Well, I'm safer shopping at my local Target than I am dealing with heart disease...which means I'm a prime candidate for a heart attack. (Wish I was like Chuck Norris, when he had a Heart attack, he beat it!) There's a joke there if you think about it.
Which brings me back to my new pal, Niaspan. Now if you had asked me yesterday which I'd rather have, Niaspan or a Heart attack, I'd have said Niaspan...that is until I took Niaspan!
I took my two cholesterol pills last night along with a baby aspirin (one of the things you need in conjunction with Niaspan) at about 10:30. I watched some of Jay Leno and was in bed by 11:30 and asleep soon after that.
1:00 AM on the dot:
I awoke with pain in my chest. My face hurt and was burning, as were my arms, legs and chest. I staggered to the bathroom and flipped on the light. My face was sunburn-red and my eyes were swelling shut. I was having trouble breathing and even standing at that point, but I staggered back to the bedroom, turned on the light and woke Sherry up.
"These pills are killing me!"
She followed me back to the bathroom and I took off my shirt. I was red all over and burning inside. I told Sherry that I felt like I was about to explode and then the next thing I remember I was lying on the floor.
I was chilling on the outside and burning on the inside. I was having some sort of muscle spasms and crying at the same time. I really did think, from the way my heart was beating that I was in the middle of a heart attack.
I could hear Sherry talking to someone and at first I thought it was one of the kids, but then I saw she had the phone. She asked if I wanted to go to the ER and my first thought was that I wanted to die at home. (I know this sounds dramatic, but let me see you take this pill and get through it without any problems!!!)
Then the itching started. Apparently this is part of the process as the pill works it's way through your system. I wanted to scratch out my eyes and tear off my skin at that point. I've had sun poisoning once in the past, and this was every bit as bad. Sherry offered me some liquid benedryl...she was still on the phone with the Doctor's office and was telling me what he was saying, but I have no idea what she said.
I tried to drink the benedryl, but thought I was going to throw up or pass out...so I held off for a few minutes until I could drink it. Sherry got me back into bed and somehow I fell asleep. I woke up a couple of times after that, but to only a very fast heart beat and some dizziness.
I ended up sleeping till 11:30 and then got up and searched the net about this new "Wonder Drug" and did find a few mentions of people going to the ER with the drug, or having bad reactions. Typically the web site for the pill mentions "discomfort and minor flushing."
Do you call looking like a tomato minor flushing???
I told Sherry I would not take the drug again. A friend of her's said her Husband went through the same thing and he was afraid to take it again. 1 in 10 people have this reaction and it's still considered "Minor Flushing???" Get real! I felt like I was dying, and it wasn't all that much fun!
Beware of Niaspan! If it kills you just to heal you, is it worth it?
David
Those of you who know me know that I have a seriously whacked-out immune system. If there is an illness out there, I'm gonna get it. Most of the time I can still make it to work or at least suffer through it, but every so often something comes along that knocks me totally off my feet.
Niaspan did just that. Niaspan is a prescription drug for those people who suffer Hypercholesterol...that is, super-high cholesterol. I've had this for several years now and my levels go up and down like the world's biggest teeter-totter. I've had numbers as high as the 500's on more than one occassion, and low for me, is about 280.
Diet, excercise, pills...they help to some extent, but I haven't had below 200 in ages. Where does this leave me? Well, I'm safer shopping at my local Target than I am dealing with heart disease...which means I'm a prime candidate for a heart attack. (Wish I was like Chuck Norris, when he had a Heart attack, he beat it!) There's a joke there if you think about it.
Which brings me back to my new pal, Niaspan. Now if you had asked me yesterday which I'd rather have, Niaspan or a Heart attack, I'd have said Niaspan...that is until I took Niaspan!
I took my two cholesterol pills last night along with a baby aspirin (one of the things you need in conjunction with Niaspan) at about 10:30. I watched some of Jay Leno and was in bed by 11:30 and asleep soon after that.
1:00 AM on the dot:
I awoke with pain in my chest. My face hurt and was burning, as were my arms, legs and chest. I staggered to the bathroom and flipped on the light. My face was sunburn-red and my eyes were swelling shut. I was having trouble breathing and even standing at that point, but I staggered back to the bedroom, turned on the light and woke Sherry up.
"These pills are killing me!"
She followed me back to the bathroom and I took off my shirt. I was red all over and burning inside. I told Sherry that I felt like I was about to explode and then the next thing I remember I was lying on the floor.
I was chilling on the outside and burning on the inside. I was having some sort of muscle spasms and crying at the same time. I really did think, from the way my heart was beating that I was in the middle of a heart attack.
I could hear Sherry talking to someone and at first I thought it was one of the kids, but then I saw she had the phone. She asked if I wanted to go to the ER and my first thought was that I wanted to die at home. (I know this sounds dramatic, but let me see you take this pill and get through it without any problems!!!)
Then the itching started. Apparently this is part of the process as the pill works it's way through your system. I wanted to scratch out my eyes and tear off my skin at that point. I've had sun poisoning once in the past, and this was every bit as bad. Sherry offered me some liquid benedryl...she was still on the phone with the Doctor's office and was telling me what he was saying, but I have no idea what she said.
I tried to drink the benedryl, but thought I was going to throw up or pass out...so I held off for a few minutes until I could drink it. Sherry got me back into bed and somehow I fell asleep. I woke up a couple of times after that, but to only a very fast heart beat and some dizziness.
I ended up sleeping till 11:30 and then got up and searched the net about this new "Wonder Drug" and did find a few mentions of people going to the ER with the drug, or having bad reactions. Typically the web site for the pill mentions "discomfort and minor flushing."
Do you call looking like a tomato minor flushing???
I told Sherry I would not take the drug again. A friend of her's said her Husband went through the same thing and he was afraid to take it again. 1 in 10 people have this reaction and it's still considered "Minor Flushing???" Get real! I felt like I was dying, and it wasn't all that much fun!
Beware of Niaspan! If it kills you just to heal you, is it worth it?
David
Monday, February 11, 2008
Basketball, Football and Baseball (and a Birthday)Today
Okay, so last week we played the toughest team in the league...the one our team has been trying to beat for 5 seasons... and guess what? We won!We actually won 23 to 21 but they changed the scoreboard so fast and then took it off that I didn't get a picture of it... But hey, we won!!!
Jared started the game by being a part of the jump-ball...the problem with that is that he's 42 inches tall and the other kid (who is a very good player and goes to our church) is at least 20 inches taller. At first we couldn't figure out the strategy behind this move...but trusted that the Coach knew what he was doing...
The Referee dropped the ball and Jared jumped high... Cameron smacked the ball right over Jared's head, where one of Jared's teammates intercepted it and quickly headed down court for an easy two points... I guess the Coach did know what he was doing!
This past Saturday, Jared had batting practice and hit 10 out of his first 10 pitches. The next 20 or so pitches saw him hitting at about 85 percent, which is pretty good just coming from the off season. I can't wait for baseball to start.
I got a coupon for some free Royals tickets, and although I'm saddened that Mike Sweeney is off to the A's, I'm happy that our team is looking pretty good so far. Spring training starts in a day or two and I CANNOT WAIT!
Football season ended with the astounding Superbowl win by the Giants. I was leaning towards the Patriots cause Jared is such a HUGE Tom Brady fan...but we both like Manning and weren't too upset that the Patriots lost...just a bit shocked... I think it would have been nice if they'd kept their perfect season, but hey, someone has to win and someone has to lose...right?
Today I have to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my oldest Son, Dustin...who turns a big 14 today!
Where does the time go? Now he's taller than me!!! Happy Birthday OLD MAN!
And to everyone else...stay warm and have a great day!
-David
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Today I went to church
Today I went to church. It was Sunday, it was cold...
Pastor Fred talked about being a Follower of Christ rather than just being a Christian.
As usual, Pastor Fred was right.
I love going to a church that is based on the Word of God and not just based on "Hey, let's try this...it's popular..."
I also love having a Pastor who is not only knowledgeable, but funny and informative. It's a good Church...it has a HUGE place in my life.
Today at Church I was a door greeter and somehow I always get the door with the coldest air blowing through it...to be fair, with all of the construction at the Church, the Northwest door is one of the most heavily used so it's always open...and thus, in blows the cold air. This morning it was about 18 degrees and very windy... which equals a frozen door greeter.
Still, Fred preached a good message and the music was amazing, so even though I go to Church to add something to the experience, I feel like I got a lot out of going...
Mission accomplished...
David
Pastor Fred talked about being a Follower of Christ rather than just being a Christian.
As usual, Pastor Fred was right.
I love going to a church that is based on the Word of God and not just based on "Hey, let's try this...it's popular..."
I also love having a Pastor who is not only knowledgeable, but funny and informative. It's a good Church...it has a HUGE place in my life.
Today at Church I was a door greeter and somehow I always get the door with the coldest air blowing through it...to be fair, with all of the construction at the Church, the Northwest door is one of the most heavily used so it's always open...and thus, in blows the cold air. This morning it was about 18 degrees and very windy... which equals a frozen door greeter.
Still, Fred preached a good message and the music was amazing, so even though I go to Church to add something to the experience, I feel like I got a lot out of going...
Mission accomplished...
David
Have you heard the one about the really tall lady with the 5 o'clock shadow?
So at the bookstore where I work we had this "lady" come in last night who was very tall, (and very fat as I recall) wearing 4 inch high ruby-red high heels with spangly-shiny things all over them. She was also wearing a 1950's style floral printed dress and a short, red wig that looked too small for "her" head.
She also looked like she'd been shaving her legs with pumice, or a belt sander, or possibly a Bowie Knife. She had big, white (PASTY ALBINO WHITE) legs that looked like she'd shaved about three layers of skin off of them. (and black rimmed old lady glasses!)
It was like seeing Bigfoot or Nessie or something... blechhhhhh!
Oh well, at least there's still a market for Dorothy's slippers in a size 13!
-David
She also looked like she'd been shaving her legs with pumice, or a belt sander, or possibly a Bowie Knife. She had big, white (PASTY ALBINO WHITE) legs that looked like she'd shaved about three layers of skin off of them. (and black rimmed old lady glasses!)
It was like seeing Bigfoot or Nessie or something... blechhhhhh!
Oh well, at least there's still a market for Dorothy's slippers in a size 13!
-David
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Sex: it's the Real Thing...
I was going to call this blog entry "Sex: the Agreeable time killer," but I thought that would be too weird, so forget I mentioned it...okay?
Okay Kids, today we're discussing Sex. Why is it that people are so obsessed with sex? Hmmmm.... okay, there are lots of reasons, way too many to discuss in one simple blog.
Meanwhile, as the adult film industry continues to rake in millions of dollars each day and as the news reports keep reporting about teachers sleeping with their teenage students, more and more people are getting into sex.
Part of that reason is that some are reaching the age where they want to try things, and part of it is the fact that Paris Hilton has now slept with over 80% of single men in 48 of the 50 states.
(those two states are still securely held by Madonna despite the fact that she claimed them nearly 20 years ago. )
I totally understand why people are interested in sex. But to go to the lengths that some people do is just crazy! Every day I hear something new that I never really wanted to hear in the first place!
The bookstore I work at has about 20 shelves of only instructional guides about...guess what? Sex? Judging from the covers of these books you have to be a fashion model who isn't shy about nude photography and you have to have been an Olympic gymnast. (or a contortionist!) My favorite book cover has a couple engaged in an "activitiy" while hanging from a chandalier.
I can always use the excuse that I've never tried that because we don't own that type of light fixture! (Good thinkin' Dave!)
One of the other popular Sex books is called "Threesomes" and judging from the cover, it takes the premise of the old TV series "Three's Company" a lot, lot farther than it's creators ever imagined. My thought on this is.... if you've reached a level in your sex life where you're regularly having sex with more than one person at a time, do you really need an instruction book? I'm guessing if you've gotten to that point, you're either really good at what you do or extremely lucky. (or drunk, or perhaps all of the above). I guess the only thing more advanced than that would be a Threesome while hanging from a chandalier.
The books in that area that kill me are the ones that are titled things like "Really Hot Sex," or "The Best Sex You'll ever have," "Or knock his socks off," or something along that line...
How come you never see a book entitled "You've been married thirty years, you'll be lucky if you get any," or "Really boring sex," or "Leave your socks on, I could care less."
Now I'm sorry this topic has been a bit "off-color..." I had no intention of offending anyone. But hey, we're all adults here...right? I mean, I'm a Christian, and although I have no plans of having group sex or hanging from anything to be intimate, I still think of sex from time to time... I mean, I grew up in an age where we were required by law to have a Farrah Fawcett poster in our rooms or face the ire and ridicule of our classmates and friends. So, how can you have a poster like that and not ever think of sex. (hmmmm.... I think I still have that poster somwhere....but I doubt Sherry will let me put it up.)
Whatever you think about sex...admit it...you still think about it... but keep it pure, keep it holy...keep it as God intended. I don't think he minds me joking about it...he invented it after all... I don't think he had threesomes and chandaliers in mind though...
David
David
Okay Kids, today we're discussing Sex. Why is it that people are so obsessed with sex? Hmmmm.... okay, there are lots of reasons, way too many to discuss in one simple blog.
Meanwhile, as the adult film industry continues to rake in millions of dollars each day and as the news reports keep reporting about teachers sleeping with their teenage students, more and more people are getting into sex.
Part of that reason is that some are reaching the age where they want to try things, and part of it is the fact that Paris Hilton has now slept with over 80% of single men in 48 of the 50 states.
(those two states are still securely held by Madonna despite the fact that she claimed them nearly 20 years ago. )
I totally understand why people are interested in sex. But to go to the lengths that some people do is just crazy! Every day I hear something new that I never really wanted to hear in the first place!
The bookstore I work at has about 20 shelves of only instructional guides about...guess what? Sex? Judging from the covers of these books you have to be a fashion model who isn't shy about nude photography and you have to have been an Olympic gymnast. (or a contortionist!) My favorite book cover has a couple engaged in an "activitiy" while hanging from a chandalier.
I can always use the excuse that I've never tried that because we don't own that type of light fixture! (Good thinkin' Dave!)
One of the other popular Sex books is called "Threesomes" and judging from the cover, it takes the premise of the old TV series "Three's Company" a lot, lot farther than it's creators ever imagined. My thought on this is.... if you've reached a level in your sex life where you're regularly having sex with more than one person at a time, do you really need an instruction book? I'm guessing if you've gotten to that point, you're either really good at what you do or extremely lucky. (or drunk, or perhaps all of the above). I guess the only thing more advanced than that would be a Threesome while hanging from a chandalier.
The books in that area that kill me are the ones that are titled things like "Really Hot Sex," or "The Best Sex You'll ever have," "Or knock his socks off," or something along that line...
How come you never see a book entitled "You've been married thirty years, you'll be lucky if you get any," or "Really boring sex," or "Leave your socks on, I could care less."
Now I'm sorry this topic has been a bit "off-color..." I had no intention of offending anyone. But hey, we're all adults here...right? I mean, I'm a Christian, and although I have no plans of having group sex or hanging from anything to be intimate, I still think of sex from time to time... I mean, I grew up in an age where we were required by law to have a Farrah Fawcett poster in our rooms or face the ire and ridicule of our classmates and friends. So, how can you have a poster like that and not ever think of sex. (hmmmm.... I think I still have that poster somwhere....but I doubt Sherry will let me put it up.)
Whatever you think about sex...admit it...you still think about it... but keep it pure, keep it holy...keep it as God intended. I don't think he minds me joking about it...he invented it after all... I don't think he had threesomes and chandaliers in mind though...
David
David
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Tired from the election
Hillary, O'Bama, Huckabee, McCain, Romney...
I just worked all day at the polls and I'm tired from the election. The results are pouring in all over the airwaves and they are strange so far...
Getting up at 3:30 to go to work was a chore...but the polls were busy, so the day flew by...
I guess we'll see what tomorrow brings...
David
I just worked all day at the polls and I'm tired from the election. The results are pouring in all over the airwaves and they are strange so far...
Getting up at 3:30 to go to work was a chore...but the polls were busy, so the day flew by...
I guess we'll see what tomorrow brings...
David
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