Should I really say "Happy Memorial Day?" On one hand, it's a somber day when you think of why we observe it, but in another way it's the unofficial start of summer...the end of school...a day off from work...and an excuse to have picnics and get-togethers!
So, be mindful of the reason you're off work today, but also have fun!
Sorry I haven't written in a bit... the reason for that is sheer busy-ness. It has been a hectic week so far!
A sample
Monday: Work followed by baseball practice
Tuesday: Work followed by a baseball game and shopping
Weds: Work (a very short workday as I got very sick-to-my-stomach that day)
and then I felt a bit later that day and went to work at my second job
Thurs: Should not have worked my second job cause I woke up REALLY sick and ended up sleeping most of the day. Thursday night we had Dustin's final orchestra concert of the year and then I came home and went straight to bed.
Fri: Worked my day job and then worked at the book store that night
Sat: Jared participated in the Junior Olympics Basketball Competition and won a silver medal... then, still tired and not feeling great I slept all afternoon until I had to get ready for the book store again!
Sun: Church... Jared and I were door greeters.
Birthday party for Jared's friend, Aaron
Band Practice
Mowed the lawn and did other yard work
MONDAY MEMORIAL DAY:
After listening to it storm most of the night, I got up early and let the dogs out and got the paper and read it. Everyone else was still asleep, so I went back to bed and slept in for a bit.
Now I'm blogging and shortly we'll be going to a picnic if the rain has stopped.
WHEW!
On top of all that, Sherry had Strep throat and Jared got hit in the eye with a rock...
After all that, I think I need a nap!
Happy Memorial Day!
David
Monday, May 26, 2008
Sunday, May 18, 2008
What I did on my Saturday vacation
Wow...
I actually had a Saturday night off! That hasn't happened since the last time I had a Saturday night off! (Which was a little over a month ago as I recall)
So, I was off from the bookstore, but still sort of working in a way. John (our friend and music Teacher) is in a group called "Blast from the Past" who play with Bobby Simkins, a local Elvis impersonator, who is actually quite good.
Long story short, John recently hired Dustin to assist with equipment and run the lights for the show and last night was Dustin's first "gig." And of course, I'm proud of the fine work he did. The show looked very professional...the lighting was great, the singing was great and the music was great! Especially that drummer, John...man! was he good!
So, how did I end up "working" you may ask? Well, John asked me to videotape the show, which I did... and even though it wasn't difficult, I still ended up with a stiff back from holding the camera and walking around filming for two hours. So, yes I was tired, and no, it wasn't that hard of a job. Besides, the music was great!
One of the many highlights was John and his Daughter, April (who just got back from Africa this week) singing a duet. Another was Rachel Wicker, who made it as far as Hollywood on this year's American Idol, and who has an amazing singing voice. Plus, being on stage, shooting video was a lot of fun. Also, seeing my oldest Son being so responsible and working on stage was kind of a kick for me too. Jared and Sherry got to sit in with the crowd, and they liked it a lot!
Also on Saturday I trimmed the hedges and mowed. (Not exactly highlights) and played catch with Jared, which I always enjoy.
Sunday morning we missed church. Sherry was sick and we were all really tired from the previous night's fun...so the lazy bums we are, we stayed in bed. Well....Socks got me up at SEVEN! And so I let her out and just stayed up. I read the paper and then made cheezy scrambled eggs, biscuits and bacon for everyone and got them up and around. Then I visited with my Neighbor, Joe and then worked on weed-eating (with a weed eater, not me actually eating weeds!)the yard...and might I say, it looks WONDERFUL!
So, now I'm tired and just realizing that I was busy all weekend and forgot to rest.
Maybe I can at work on Monday... HA!
David
I actually had a Saturday night off! That hasn't happened since the last time I had a Saturday night off! (Which was a little over a month ago as I recall)
So, I was off from the bookstore, but still sort of working in a way. John (our friend and music Teacher) is in a group called "Blast from the Past" who play with Bobby Simkins, a local Elvis impersonator, who is actually quite good.
Long story short, John recently hired Dustin to assist with equipment and run the lights for the show and last night was Dustin's first "gig." And of course, I'm proud of the fine work he did. The show looked very professional...the lighting was great, the singing was great and the music was great! Especially that drummer, John...man! was he good!
So, how did I end up "working" you may ask? Well, John asked me to videotape the show, which I did... and even though it wasn't difficult, I still ended up with a stiff back from holding the camera and walking around filming for two hours. So, yes I was tired, and no, it wasn't that hard of a job. Besides, the music was great!
One of the many highlights was John and his Daughter, April (who just got back from Africa this week) singing a duet. Another was Rachel Wicker, who made it as far as Hollywood on this year's American Idol, and who has an amazing singing voice. Plus, being on stage, shooting video was a lot of fun. Also, seeing my oldest Son being so responsible and working on stage was kind of a kick for me too. Jared and Sherry got to sit in with the crowd, and they liked it a lot!
Also on Saturday I trimmed the hedges and mowed. (Not exactly highlights) and played catch with Jared, which I always enjoy.
Sunday morning we missed church. Sherry was sick and we were all really tired from the previous night's fun...so the lazy bums we are, we stayed in bed. Well....Socks got me up at SEVEN! And so I let her out and just stayed up. I read the paper and then made cheezy scrambled eggs, biscuits and bacon for everyone and got them up and around. Then I visited with my Neighbor, Joe and then worked on weed-eating (with a weed eater, not me actually eating weeds!)the yard...and might I say, it looks WONDERFUL!
So, now I'm tired and just realizing that I was busy all weekend and forgot to rest.
Maybe I can at work on Monday... HA!
David
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Bragging Rights
Okay
I'll admit it... I brag on my kids a lot. Maybe too much... but you know what? I'm proud of my kids and hey, they're the only kids I've got!
Sometimes I brag on myself... I'm a decent drummer, a good writer, a fairly good photographer and a pretty nice guy. (Most of the time)
Occasionally I brag on my Wife. She's brave (having lived most of her life with a significant hearing loss and still doing well in a hearing world), she takes good care of me and the kids. She's a good cook and housekeeper. She's good at her job and with the kids at school. She's also the most beautiful woman I've ever known.
(She gets special bonus points for sticking with me for the past 20 years!!!)
I have even bragged on my dogs a bit... Luke is the best friend a person could ever want. Yeah, he barks too much sometimes, especially when we're making pancakes or baking biscuits, but he's loyal, lovable and smarter than the average dog.
Socks is smart too, and where Luke sometimes does his own thing rather than minding his Master, Socks always minds and follows the rules. I rarely, if ever, have to correct her about anything.
I also think we live in a nice neighborhood, have good neighbors and a good school. We have a great Doctor (thank you Doctor Smithson), good teachers, a good Pastor (Pastor Fred), and a batch of great relatives and friends nearby. We have pretty good jobs and a good music teacher (John!) and a lot of things going well in our lives.
Oh sure, I wish I had better knees that weren't falling apart and a few less migraines. I also wish my kids would mind all of the time and that the world was full of Republicans and Christians and that there would be no war, famine or bad guys...
But overall things are going okay...and I still have bragging rights!
David
I'll admit it... I brag on my kids a lot. Maybe too much... but you know what? I'm proud of my kids and hey, they're the only kids I've got!
Sometimes I brag on myself... I'm a decent drummer, a good writer, a fairly good photographer and a pretty nice guy. (Most of the time)
Occasionally I brag on my Wife. She's brave (having lived most of her life with a significant hearing loss and still doing well in a hearing world), she takes good care of me and the kids. She's a good cook and housekeeper. She's good at her job and with the kids at school. She's also the most beautiful woman I've ever known.
(She gets special bonus points for sticking with me for the past 20 years!!!)
I have even bragged on my dogs a bit... Luke is the best friend a person could ever want. Yeah, he barks too much sometimes, especially when we're making pancakes or baking biscuits, but he's loyal, lovable and smarter than the average dog.
Socks is smart too, and where Luke sometimes does his own thing rather than minding his Master, Socks always minds and follows the rules. I rarely, if ever, have to correct her about anything.
I also think we live in a nice neighborhood, have good neighbors and a good school. We have a great Doctor (thank you Doctor Smithson), good teachers, a good Pastor (Pastor Fred), and a batch of great relatives and friends nearby. We have pretty good jobs and a good music teacher (John!) and a lot of things going well in our lives.
Oh sure, I wish I had better knees that weren't falling apart and a few less migraines. I also wish my kids would mind all of the time and that the world was full of Republicans and Christians and that there would be no war, famine or bad guys...
But overall things are going okay...and I still have bragging rights!
David
Monday, May 12, 2008
All I need
I was recently reminded of all the things I need by listening to the sage advice of two wise men... Pastor Fred and Steve Martin...
Pastor Fred recently reminded me that all I need is:
1. A deep and abiding relationship with Jesus Christ.
2. A fulfilling relationship with the woman I love (that would be Sherry of course!)
3. The love of and for my two Sons...
Now of course, Pastor Fred is correct, because what he says not only makes sense, but it is Biblical too, which makes it sacred...
Steve Martin, on the other hand, while being very funny and also very wise...(well, with the exception of the "Pink Panther" remake and "Three Amigos..." I'm not sure what he was thinking at those junctions in his career) reminded me of things I might also need (or want as the case may be) with his deft portrayal of Country Bumpkin, Navin R. Johnson... a.k.a. "The Jerk."
In "The Jerk" we see the poignant downfall of a man; a hayseed, if you will, who finds fame and fortune and then loses it all because he has forgotten the one thing that means the most to him in his life... the love of a good woman.
Toward the end of his downfall, he realizes that all he needs is an ashtray, a paddle-ball game, a TV remote, a chair and a plaid thermos...among other things, and other than that...he doesn't need anything at all... (quote, unquote)
So other than Jesus, Sherry and the boys...I don't need anything at all... but here are some things I like:
4. Baseball...(a good game, a bad game or any game at all...even more so if Jared or the Royals are involved... heck, I'll even root for the Red Sox or Yankees if that's what is on TV! Provided they aren't playing against Jared or the Royals...)
5. Jiffy Pop Popcorn---(well, any popcorn is fine, but Jiffy Pop is still kind of fun!)
6. Pop... I love pop... it is my worst habit by far and I bet I could lose 25 lbs. if I'd just lay off the Dr. Pepper and Mountain Dew. Honestly though, I would still have to have some A&W Root Beer with my Jiffy Pop Popcorn.
7. Television... "LOST" "THE OFFICE" "30 ROCK" "SCRUBS" "ER" "BASEBALL TONIGHT"
or the classics like "GREEN ACRES" "NYPD BLUE" "HILL STREET BLUES" "CHEERS" "FRASIER" and "BOB NEWHART." Nuff said?
8. Chicken--- Fried, Baked, Cordon Bleu, Smothered, Grilled, I don't care...!!! I love the stuff!
9. Making Music with my friends---John on guitar and vocals. Sonya singing. Steve on electric guitar. Dennis on Fiddle and Flute. Jared Singing. Marc and Dustin on bass and me on the drums... Pure bliss!
10. Friends---even the ones I don't see that often...but still think about or email or hear from when I least expect it... I know you're out there and I love you all...
Other than that, I don't need anything at all...
David
Pastor Fred recently reminded me that all I need is:
1. A deep and abiding relationship with Jesus Christ.
2. A fulfilling relationship with the woman I love (that would be Sherry of course!)
3. The love of and for my two Sons...
Now of course, Pastor Fred is correct, because what he says not only makes sense, but it is Biblical too, which makes it sacred...
Steve Martin, on the other hand, while being very funny and also very wise...(well, with the exception of the "Pink Panther" remake and "Three Amigos..." I'm not sure what he was thinking at those junctions in his career) reminded me of things I might also need (or want as the case may be) with his deft portrayal of Country Bumpkin, Navin R. Johnson... a.k.a. "The Jerk."
In "The Jerk" we see the poignant downfall of a man; a hayseed, if you will, who finds fame and fortune and then loses it all because he has forgotten the one thing that means the most to him in his life... the love of a good woman.
Toward the end of his downfall, he realizes that all he needs is an ashtray, a paddle-ball game, a TV remote, a chair and a plaid thermos...among other things, and other than that...he doesn't need anything at all... (quote, unquote)
So other than Jesus, Sherry and the boys...I don't need anything at all... but here are some things I like:
4. Baseball...(a good game, a bad game or any game at all...even more so if Jared or the Royals are involved... heck, I'll even root for the Red Sox or Yankees if that's what is on TV! Provided they aren't playing against Jared or the Royals...)
5. Jiffy Pop Popcorn---(well, any popcorn is fine, but Jiffy Pop is still kind of fun!)
6. Pop... I love pop... it is my worst habit by far and I bet I could lose 25 lbs. if I'd just lay off the Dr. Pepper and Mountain Dew. Honestly though, I would still have to have some A&W Root Beer with my Jiffy Pop Popcorn.
7. Television... "LOST" "THE OFFICE" "30 ROCK" "SCRUBS" "ER" "BASEBALL TONIGHT"
or the classics like "GREEN ACRES" "NYPD BLUE" "HILL STREET BLUES" "CHEERS" "FRASIER" and "BOB NEWHART." Nuff said?
8. Chicken--- Fried, Baked, Cordon Bleu, Smothered, Grilled, I don't care...!!! I love the stuff!
9. Making Music with my friends---John on guitar and vocals. Sonya singing. Steve on electric guitar. Dennis on Fiddle and Flute. Jared Singing. Marc and Dustin on bass and me on the drums... Pure bliss!
10. Friends---even the ones I don't see that often...but still think about or email or hear from when I least expect it... I know you're out there and I love you all...
Other than that, I don't need anything at all...
David
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Whoob arda peechal in da nabuhoo
Translation: "Who are the people in your Neighborhood."
Sorry, but we were talking about Eddie Murphy playing Buckwheat the other day and for some reason, we got off on "Sesame Street" during the same conversation and somehow in my head I could hear Eddie Murphy as Buckwheat singing "Rubba Duppie," "Whoob arda peechal in da nabuhoo," and other beloved "Sesame" songs...
On that note, or some other note perhaps...
The people in my Neighborhood this week should be David Cook from Blue Springs and of "AMERICAN IDOL" fame and famous singer/musician Leon Redbone (who I happened to see at work today.)
First...David Cook... if he is not eliminated tonight (and I have no reason to think that he will be) then he will be performing twice and appearing in a "Homecoming" parade this Friday. He'll also be singing and throwing out the first pitch at a Royals game on Friday Night.
Redbone, on the other hand is performing at one of the local casinos this week and just happened to be in the library looking up info on microfilm. I thought it looked like him all dressed to the nines in a dark blue suit and straw fedora, but then I heard him talk and there is no mistaking that voice.
I didn't get to meet or talk to him, but it was interesting having him in the building.
I've had several people ask me this week about our storm damage, and other than a banged up bar-b-que grill and some broken trinkets, I think we're okay. No structural damage and other than some sore muscles from sawing and hauling limbs, we remain unscathed.
So, thanks and more news as it develops...I guess!
Dave
Sorry, but we were talking about Eddie Murphy playing Buckwheat the other day and for some reason, we got off on "Sesame Street" during the same conversation and somehow in my head I could hear Eddie Murphy as Buckwheat singing "Rubba Duppie," "Whoob arda peechal in da nabuhoo," and other beloved "Sesame" songs...
On that note, or some other note perhaps...
The people in my Neighborhood this week should be David Cook from Blue Springs and of "AMERICAN IDOL" fame and famous singer/musician Leon Redbone (who I happened to see at work today.)
First...David Cook... if he is not eliminated tonight (and I have no reason to think that he will be) then he will be performing twice and appearing in a "Homecoming" parade this Friday. He'll also be singing and throwing out the first pitch at a Royals game on Friday Night.
Redbone, on the other hand is performing at one of the local casinos this week and just happened to be in the library looking up info on microfilm. I thought it looked like him all dressed to the nines in a dark blue suit and straw fedora, but then I heard him talk and there is no mistaking that voice.
I didn't get to meet or talk to him, but it was interesting having him in the building.
I've had several people ask me this week about our storm damage, and other than a banged up bar-b-que grill and some broken trinkets, I think we're okay. No structural damage and other than some sore muscles from sawing and hauling limbs, we remain unscathed.
So, thanks and more news as it develops...I guess!
Dave
Sunday, May 04, 2008
Saturday, May 03, 2008
The Wind in Independence drops the limbs upon the fences
Okay, in yesterday's blog I mentioned how the storms had hit but the worst had passed us by...
The following pictures indicate why I am not a highly paid Weatherman...
Thursday, May 01, 2008
It was a dark and stormy night
Okay,
So tonight was the first night in weeks that I've actually planned on being home and doing nothing...and then...the storm hit!
It rained, it blew (a little) and it hailed (a tiny bit) and then the Tornado Sirens went off. This on a night when I planned to do nothing more than watch Earl, Scrubs, The Office, 30 Rock and Lost... Instead, I watched weather coverage and the last 27 mins of LOST.
The storm really amounted to nothing where we are, however not far from here they had a lot of wind, hail, rain and possible tornados.
I guess it could have been worse.
Tomorrow I'm getting my eyes checked and need new glasses. Other than that, I am planless (without plans) until I have to go to work at 6PM.
I just want to take it easy...that's all...
Dave
So tonight was the first night in weeks that I've actually planned on being home and doing nothing...and then...the storm hit!
It rained, it blew (a little) and it hailed (a tiny bit) and then the Tornado Sirens went off. This on a night when I planned to do nothing more than watch Earl, Scrubs, The Office, 30 Rock and Lost... Instead, I watched weather coverage and the last 27 mins of LOST.
The storm really amounted to nothing where we are, however not far from here they had a lot of wind, hail, rain and possible tornados.
I guess it could have been worse.
Tomorrow I'm getting my eyes checked and need new glasses. Other than that, I am planless (without plans) until I have to go to work at 6PM.
I just want to take it easy...that's all...
Dave
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