Where Has Halloween Gone?

I may be the only one that feels this way, but Halloween just doesn’t seem to be fun anymore. I dread neighborhood kids coming to the door. It’s not that I don’t like having to buy three $20 bags of candy, I just don’t like having to hand it over to kids who aren’t from my neighborhood or are too old to be trick-or-treating to begin with. And of course, their parents are standing right behind them like it’s perfectly fine! Really? How about me and some of my adult friends dress up and come to your neighborhood and knock on your door? Uh, oh. I’m starting to sound like that guy.

Anyway, I found a very interesting website. In this day of “sexy” this and “naughty” that, it’s kind of hard for a girl or woman to find a really cool costume. But, Take Back Halloween aims to fix that by giving girls of all ages ideas for strong female characters. You get historical, mythological, and literary figures to draw from and if a guy tries hard enough, he can get a few ideas for his own costume. Check it out and let me know what you think!

Ramblings and Wishes

I don’t know why I do it, but sometimes I just can’t help myself. How I found the first video I couldn’t tell you, but before I knew it, I had watched about ten Daddy-Soldiers-Reuniting-with-Their-Kids videos. I guess I wanted to see someone get their parent back, when I know that Lilly and I won’t. It’s okay, folks. I’m not going mental. It made me feel good. And it cleared my sinuses.

I got in the photos that I had printed. Most of them are from the memorial, but I added some of Lilly and family members. I wanted to have them to put around the house, so that Lilly and I will have reminders in front of us. When they’re on a computer, you have to voluntarily search them out, but if they’re on a wall, you see them all the time.

I was thinking one night while I was out about all the things that Carroll and I didn’t do. Not big trips and the such, but little things like going out to dinner. The few times that we got a baby-sitter, we didn’t know where to go. Here’s our date would go:

Silence for the first 10 minutes of the drive and then we look at each other. Carroll: smiling “I want to go home and pick her up right now.”

“I do, too, but we’re not. We’re going to go and enjoy ourselves. Where do you want to go?”

“I don’t know. How about you?”

“I don’t know. You decide, because you don’t always like the places I pick.”

“I do, too!”

“Okay, Pappadeaux’s.”

“That’s Cajun. Everything is too spicy, even the chicken.”

“Ha Ha, see? So, how about some place we’ve never been?”

“I don’t know any places.”

And so on . . . . .

While I was out one night a few weeks back, I stopped by Barnes & Noble and then hit this little pizza place with a patio. The weather was perfect. I got a pizza, sat on the patio, watched traffic, and thought that Carroll would love this place. Of course, now, I’ll just have to tell her about it, but while I sat there, I thought why couldn’t I have found a place like this before and then we would have a place to go?

My only answer to that was something that I had heard before. You have to plan. If you don’t plan, then it doesn’t happen. Even little things like dinner with your spouse have to be planned. Especially, when you both are fighting a disease together. But this doesn’t have to just apply to the sick. You healthy folk could use a stress reducer like this. So, plan your date. Write it on a sticky note and put it on the fridge or the back of the front door. Then, when a miracle does happen and you get a free night, it’s already planned.

If it ever comes a time, and you’re the only one enjoying a great pizza, you won’t feel so guilty.

National Brain Tumor Walk 2013

It’s fund-raising time again and the date has been set for the 2013 National Brain Tumor Walk at Trinity Park in Ft. Worth. I lost my wife, Carroll, in February after a three-year battle with the disease. She never lost hope and never lost that smile and I want to continue to wage the battle, so that no one else will have to go through what we did.

It’s so easy to help, too. You can join us in the walk, donate, and spread the word by going to the Team Kiwi site. Once you are here, you have several options and I go over them in the videos below. The team goal is $10,000 this year and I think it is very doable. Our goal was $2,000 last year and we beat that by a few hundred dollars.

So, I ask. Go to the site. Register to walk with us, if you can. If you can’t, donate and help spread the word.

Video – How to register to walk

Video – How to donate to team or team member

Video – How to set up personal page to fundraise

2-year-old is walking again!

This came across my web this morning and I just had to post it. It started with a most horrible accident, but ends in hope. In April, the father of little Ireland was mowing the yard on a riding lawnmower and backed over her. She lost both legs below the knees.

Now, I’ve had to come to terms with death when I lost my wife back in February due to brain cancer. There is a big hole that will never be filled and I deal with it daily. I know that it will get easier; it’s a long hard road. But this father has to see his little girl everyday and be reminded that he was the one that was in control when the accident happened. I don’t know if that would ever get easier for me.

I’ve actually thought about things that could go wrong here at the house. Things that I have control over. I put a lot of thought into a task before I ever start doing it, because I couldn’t live with myself if I ever hurt my child. I think that’s the most stressful part of being a parent, worrying about the safety and health of you child.

I’m like most parents. I think “what was she doing in the back yard when he was mowing? She’s only two for Pete’s sake! Where was Mom?!” But, you know what? We don’t know, so we shouldn’t be judgmental. I’m sure he wasn’t hot-rodding around the yard with a blindfold.

The good news is that little Ireland got her new prostheses and took to them like they were the genuine deal. Check out the video and see what I mean. I love the cape with her initial on it. The story goes on the way it should, living happily ever after.

Do you torture yourself over what-ifs? What are some weird fears that you have that might befall your little ones? Do you know of any little superheroes like Ireland?

Ireland Nugent walks on her new prosthetic legs on June 17, 2013.WTSP.COM

Rising & Shining . . . . Somewhat

I've found a new way to get the Kid up in the morning. Actually, it helps me get out of bed in the morning, also. The problem originally was that it took a long time for both of us to finally wake up, then get dressed and make it out the door to school. When I wake up, I turn the TV to Disney Junior and then take a shower. By the time I'm done with the shower, the Kid is awake because her favorite shows are now coming on, and I will admit the Disney Junior has some cool shows.

At 7 o'clock, a show called IMAGINATION MOVERS comes on, and it's about a group of guys who work in a warehouse and their whole job is to come up with creative ways to solve problems. It's right down my alley. It's got a lot of songs, which I now know by heart. At 7:30 AM, it’s CHARLIE AND LOLA and is about a brother and a sister and their relationship together. It's a really cute show, and it teaches a lot of good lessons.

I find the Disney Junior channel is much better at teaching lessons than other channels such as Nickelodeon, Qubo and the like. The Kid’s favorite of favorites is Doc McStuffins. It's about a little girl who has a special stethoscope that makes her stuffed animals and toys come alive, and she goes about fixing said stuffed animals and toys. In addition to teaching the general lessons, it also shows children how not to be afraid of a doctor and may even encourage some kids to think about being doctors. By the time Charlie and Lola comes on, the Kid is awake and awake enough to get dressed, which usually means she's watching TV and I'm just putting clothes on her. 8 o'clock rolls around, I turn the TV off. She's almost fully dressed or brushing teeth and headed out the door. Not a bad routine.

I've definitely had to watch what I'm watching around the Kid lately. I can't watch any news programs. She seems to pick up on the negative, really, really quickly and brings it up in conversation. Not in the “Why did they do that?” type of conversation, but as in the “Is that going to happen to me?” type of conversation. It scares her more than any horror movie could think of doing. Matter of fact, it does that to Daddy sometimes. I will usually record the news and just watch it when she's asleep. If I really need to read the news, I have a channel set up on Facebook and Twitter to where I can see all the local news as it happens.

What are different ways that you wake up your children to get them off to school in the morning? Can you wake your children up with a good “Rise and shine”, or do you need to spray cold water on them. Also, what are your TV viewing habits with your children? Do you pay attention to what they’re watching or do you even watch TV around them? If you do watch TV with small children, what are some of your favorite programs to watch?

The Joy of a Mailbox

My grandmother Carmon has always been a letter writer. My brothers and I would receive cards in the mail for birthdays, holidays, and days that I think my grandmother made up just to get rid of the cards that she had stockpiled.

Well, now Lilly gets cards in the mail and Great Grandma Carmon sends cards filled with stickers. Any kind of sticker that looks pretty or interesting will get sent and Lilly loves to put them in her coloring books, regular books, notepads, or just blank sheets of paper. It gets to the point that she will walk with me out to the mailbox to check it expecting an envelope and if there isn’t anything for her, she’ll comment, “I need to write Great Grandma Carmon and tell her to send me more stickers!”

“I think Great Grandma Carmon would love to hear from you, Toot.” May be why Great Grandma Carmon slips up every once in a while, is to get that phone call?

So, I thought that it would be cool to set up something where she did get mail on a regular basis. No, I’m not getting a credit card in her name. Though, that is a . . . .  Any way. I go to Half Price Book Store and will get those National Geographic Little Kids magazines. Then I got to thinking, why not get a subscription and have them mailed. I’m still paying about the same price after subscription discount and she gets something in the mail.

Another that is for her age group is Highlights High Five. I’ve never read this one but it’s a younger version of the Highlights Magazine that you always found in the dentist office, so it can’t be all bad.

Do you have any favorite kids magazines? Give me some titles so that I can pass them along.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

I’ve come to find over the last five to six weeks, how much I took my wife for granted. All the little things that she did of which I was oblivious. From taking care of Lilly to jobs around the house, and most of it on her sickest days. I offer up an apology every day to heaven, knowing that she hears me and that she forgives me, but knowing that an apology is not enough.

I have to go forward and keep up the work that she left behind. That means raising Lilly the way the Carroll wanted, getting healthy so that I can be here for as long as Lilly needs me, and keeping Carroll’s memory alive and introducing her to new people though she is gone.

Valerie Harper of THE MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW and RHODA fame, that is if you are a child of the 70’s, announced in her book and on TV that she has terminal brain cancer. She, like Kiwi, has survived her expiration date, but knows that the end is inevitable. And, also like Kiwi, she doesn’t let that stop her. In her words, “You can die with cancer, but not of it.” It’s basically a choice. You can let just the thought of cancer go ahead and put you in a bed and you wait for it to happen, or you can go out and live your life until it does come for you. That is what Carroll did. She said that when it gets here, she’ll be ready, but until then, come get me.

So, with the will to live that my wife exhibited, I step forth with some changes in my life. My child will be my first and last thought everyday, just as my wife was, but with a renewed sense of empowerment. I will teach my child that every day is a new day and that we are not dead until the dirt is put over the top of us. We will wake up every morning and think, what can we do to make our world a better place or how can we help someone else who may not have it as well.

We will also learn how to be healthy. The day that Carroll passed, one of the last things she said to me was, “get healthy.” Meaning, give up the cokes and the eating out and make sure that you are here for our daughter. So, I will start by cutting down (I can’t do cold turkey) on the cokes, eating out once a week as a treat, and walking more.

I miss my wife so much, but it hurts less when I’m doing things of which I know she would be proud. So, here’s to the changes and keeping a smile on my wife’s heavenly face.

Our Visit to the Gaylord Texan and ICE! featuring MERRY MADAGASCAR

We were treated to the ICE! exhibit at the Gaylord Texan the last day of the show and had a blast. The theme was Dreamworks’ Merry Madagascar and the sculptures were just amazing. What was really cool was to watch one of the 40 artisans repair a sculpture right before my very eyes. Very skilled people! I think the temp was somewhere about 10 degrees in the building but the heavy coat they provided actually caused me to sweat a little. The only parts that were frozen were my hands and face and by the time we were exiting was just about the time I would have cried “uncle.” If you get a chance to go next year, do.

Constructing a finger out of ice.

Happy New Year to Friends, New & Old

This year comes to a close and I look back on it and think that though we’ve been fighting medical issues, we still have a lot for which to be thankful. My wife had the foresight to have disability insurance several years ago, so when she went on permanent disability, we had something to help out so that it wasn’t such a dent in the wallet. We’ve been able to pay for COBRA (how I don’t know) and so she stays taken care of for now. I went back on the VA for my medical, but for now I’m healthy. For now. And Lil’ Bit is as healthy as a pony could be! So, we look ahead to 2013 with bright eyes and wishful hearts and hope to make it to the other side in the same or better condition with which we entered it. And we hope that you do too.

But more importantly this little blurb from my favorite author, Neil Gaiman, sums it up perfectly.

May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you’re wonderful, and don’t forget to make some art – Write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself.

As magical a quote as can be found. And inspiring. Best of all, for 2013, be inspired.

Update on the Wife 11-28-2012

For those that caught the last post and heard how we were all miserable at some point the last few weeks, well, we’re all on the mend but some of us had to go to the hospital to do it.

My wife went to her doctor Monday afternoon to see if maybe there was something stronger than what she had been given two weeks earlier. Her doctor, being the ever-vigilant care-giver that he is, told us to go to the ER and request blood cultures, X-rays, and other assorted tests to make sure that she wasn’t fighting borderline pneumonia. The ER would get results faster than he would and he thought time was of the essence. The question was, “which ER?”

We could have went across the street to the one in Carrollton or we could go to downtown Baylor and be right across the street from Wife’s oncologist. We thought that would be better. That was before we got to the downtown Dallas Baylor ER.

We arrive at 6PM to an ER filled with old folks, young folks, children, some questionables, and took our place in line. Twenty minutes later Wife was triaged and given her bracelet. At 8:15pm we were taken to a smaller waiting room closer to the examining area. More crying kids. It broke my heart as one young woman sat totally aloof from her crying one year old daughter. The child was obviously miserable but mother couldn’t be bothered to give her any comfort. I try not to judge people, but that to me was wrong. I almost asked if I could pick her up myself, but I was sick also, and didn’t want to add to their problems. Needless to say, hours later, I saw the little girl and she was in much better spirits.

Anyway, we finally got into an examination room about twenty minutes later. Nurses and other assorteds come in to get blood and urine and whatever else they could and we finally saw a doctor at 10:30pm, just a mere four and a half hours later. Upon their call, they decided that Wife should stay overnight with lots of antibiotics and fluids and be observed. Her oncologist would come in and be in advisement also. She didn’t get to a room and a comfortable bed until 3:30AM. A young team of nurses, Kevin & Rachel, got her situated and feeling better and I finally left at 6AM.

All during the night, my tonsils started getting more and more sore and by the time I got home, it was Nyquil time. I stopped for a quick sandwich, since I hadn’t eaten since 2PM the prior afternoon, and drank my drug and was asleep by 7:10AM. I woke up several times to check in on the Wife, but stayed home in my induced-coma and am now going to see her today, Wednesday afternoon, hopefully to bring her home, but, at least take her some clean clothes.

The Bug, this entire time, has been under the care of Grandma and has been in school and feeling wonderful! Thank you, Grandma!

I have a few other things that I wanted to write about this adventure, but they will come in later. I mainly wanted to let everyone know how the Wife was doing.

The Magical Season Begins

Well, we’ve survived the Thanksgiving holiday as we pull into the garage, all three of us sniffling, coughing, hacking, and wheezing. The wife has been fighting a really bad cold for almost a month now, thanks to the immune-lowering disease Sjogren’s Syndrome and the equally immune-lowering chemo that she’s on. Bug and I are suffering because we don’t want to be left out.

We spent time in North Louisiana with my brother and his family and had my Dad, step-mom, sister, Dad’s aunt & uncle, and my little brother and his family show up for some great food. Both my brother and his wife can cook. I even think my nephew had a hand in there somewhere. If you need a recipe for Bacon-wrapped Duck with Jalapeno Cream Cheese Stuffing, holler and I’ll get it for you. The Bug even lucked out with some early Christmas from her Aunt and Uncle, so you know she’ll want to go back very soon.

On the way back, we had late Thanksgiving with Mama and Wife’s cold seem to get worse. We decided to leave earlier than usual so that other visitors wouldn’t run the risk of catching what she had, though I feel that no one has an immune level as low as hers. Poor thing. I wish there was something I could do for her, but I don’t have a lot of options.

Then upon returning, I catch up on news and other things and it seems all hell has broken loose. The usual at first, Black Friday videos of people gone crazy, the loss of a favorite TV villain, and then word from back home that a good friend has taken the life of another. Brother was able to fill in some gaps, but details are still coming in. I’ve known the one since about 7th grade and the victim was the brother of another guy I knew in school. I’m not putting anything else out until I know more, because I hate speculation, but just please pray for folks back in Bastrop, Louisiana.

I hope your holiday went well and that you were able to be with the ones you love. I am truly thankful for all I have.

Legacies in the Making

We decided to let Grandma have the kid this weekend and the wife and I headed out to find the gravesite of my best friend. Friday was the one year anniversary of his passing. Randie, aka Spankee, was sixty five when he passed away from complications of diabetes and a bad heart.

For the fifteen years or so that I knew him, people who cared about him would get on to him about his eating habits and sedentary lifestyle. On one occasion after leaving a hospital due to a close call, he made us take him to Whataburger. Yeah, we could have said no, but he’s a grown man and we truly thought he would change his ways. Well, I can tell you, he didn’t. He was an only child. He had two half-brothers, but he hardly ever saw them. The one he did see more than the other was “Cowboy.” He always called him his baby brother and talked about how proud of him he was. But on his passing, he had no close immediate family.

Getting all the way out to the cemetery and not finding a grave marker, just made my heart sink. Randie had friends his whole life. At the end of his life, he found out how many of them were true friends. And after, well, he’s not even marked. Randie was cremated and supposedly a marker had been placed in the cemetery, but we never found it. I don’t know the situation with that. I’m not sure I really care. The point is that though Randie touched many lives in his lifetime, he went out silently with no one by his side. For over thirty years, he tended bar, serving drinks to and befriending many a face, but in the end, none of those faces could be found. I’m not blaming anyone. If any was to blamed, I would be the first. But, we get tangled up in our own lives. Our own medical problems, our own trials and tribulations. Doesn’t make it any easier to accept.

Now, I’ve got a wife that is being tested every day by a brain tumor and a child that needs me here in case Mama doesn’t make it. This requires me to take a long hard look at myself. I’m the largest I’ve ever weighed, regardless of how the doctors say I’m in okay health. For a guy my size, you’d think I’d feel worse than I do and already be diagnosed with diabetes, but I’m not. I’m taking that as a sign, that the good Lord is giving me a chance to take the first step. So, I’m slowly making changes in my lifestyle to start losing. Kick the cokes, watch the portions, and start walking a little everyday. Take the baby steps, so I don’t end up crawling and cussing in three weeks. I’ll keep you posted on how that works out.

Going out to see Randie’s grave added to the ever-present shadow of my wife’s health problems makes me think, not just about my health, but also my legacy. It used to be we talked of legacies being what we left our children and the world. Parents would be proud to leave the children with a business or money. Or we strove to cure diseases, right wrongs, or explore the uncharted whilst we were alive. But, I believe differently. I believe that what we leave the world when we die is our children and the lives that we’ve touched around us. My child will go on and touch others. Through her actions, her ways of thinking, her charity towards others, she will be a product of what I’ve taught her. She will then go on to teach others, as well as her children. Thus, they will also be a part of my legacy. In a way, this is how we never die, this is how we are eternal. So, I teach my child to be courteous to others, and treat each stranger with a gentleness, and most of all not to hate. She is my legacy.

And with that in mind, I feel that whether Randie has a grave marker or not, his legacy goes on for all the people that he has touched will have been changed in some small way because of the man that he was.

How to Search for Free Books from Audible.com

This is a tip that was posted on Lifehacker.com from a post that they found on Reddit. It explains how to do a simple Google search using the correct syntax to find free books on the Audible.com website. There’s also a tip on how to weed out all the stuff you don’t want. Enjoy!

Score Free Audiobooks – LifeHacker.com

ONE HEART MOVIE Needs Extras!

This was received in an email. Check it out folks!

 

WE NEED YOU IN THE STANDS

The ONE HEART Casting Department is looking for fans of all ages to be in the movie. We will be recreating the emotional and inspirational special, game that has launched a movement and inspired millions. The night will be filled with fun entertainment, food, and other excitement with the cast and crew. It will be well worth staying until the end.

When: Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Where: Grapevine Faith Football Field (map)
Time: 6p-12a
Click here to download a flyer

Registration: Each person coming must be registered for this night, as this will allow those who are registered to be put into a drawing for Giveaways through out the night. Click here to Register if you have not already registered as a "Fan". Participants will not be paid.

If you have previously registered to be an extra in the movie, this is a separate assignment and you need to register at the link above. We need you to come this night as well. Please register so we know you are coming.

Wardrobe: Please wear RED and bring optional clothing in BLACK (Please try to avoid wear clothing with logos, wording or anything that says "One Heart") You can bring clothing with "Faith" or clothing from Grapevine Faith School. In addition, please pay attention to the weather, as it might be necessary to wear warm clothing.

Commitment: It is very important that you are able to stay during the entire filming session. By registering, we will be counting on you being in the stands.

Process: During the filming you will be asked to follow various instructions given by the Director, which will include cheering on cue, and from time to time moving around the stadium. Some will be invited to be on the field. Simply bring a great attitude and get ready for loads and loads of fun!

LOCATION

CELEBRATE WITH US!

729 E. Cannon Street
Grapevine, TX 76051
Directions and Map

Stay connected:
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OneHeartMovie.com

Learning To Tighten Up The Belt

Just heard on the news that Nevada casinos made over a billion dollars this past year. Just Nevada. Now, I'm all for people making their own decisions on how they spend their money, but come on. Then I heard the next story about how one in seven families earn below the poverty line. Then, the next story says that one in five people spend less on groceries than their cell phone plans and that one out of three spend less on basic utilities than cell phones.

So, I got to looking at what we spend. Without going into details, we spend a lot more than we should. But, we also don't go out to bars, we don't drink, don't smoke, we don't do drugs, or really have any other vices. Actually, I'm the one with a vice and it's called "books," so, it could be way worse for us. As a society, do we even know what it means to truly do without? I really believe that if we started making smarter money decisions, we would have more in our bank accounts and when gas prices went up or we had a bout of unemployment, we wouldn't be so quick to say "woe is me." We would be in a spot to ride it out.

Is your cell phone bill out of control? What’s your worst bill? What’s one of your vices?

Donna Summer and Chuck Brown Pass Today

Chuck Brown & The Soul Searchers–Bustin’ Loose

Donna Summer–Last Dance (In Concert)

Censorship Sucks!

Let me start by saying that I'm against censorship in any form and that includes television. There are enough channels for everyone to watch what they want and not encroach on other people's freedom to watch what they want. If you don't want your child to see some things on TV, then set an example and don't let them watch or stand up and be a parent and watch it when they aren't around.

I was raised Baptist and though I don't go to church, I'm a believer and I watch my P's and Q's pretty much for that meeting at the pearly gates. I, also, believe that religious folk need to walk the walk a little more and quit talking so much and the same could go for the non-believers. Each side seems to have a fear that the other side is too dangerous, in even the generalist of ways. Yes, there are extremists in every religion, but Joe Christian that lives next door isn’t evil and neither is Max the atheist that runs the corner market. Basically, learn to live together and quit worrying about the other guys beliefs.

That being said, I was watching a movie the other night and through the whole thing there was only one word that might have been bleepable; a**.  It didn't get bleeped and that was fine with me, the kid wasn't in the room. What did get bleeped was the word “Christ,” from the phrase, “for Christ’s sake.”

My question is this, did they bleep it for the Christians who consider that blasphemy or did they bleep it for the atheists who do not want to hear that word, period? Your thoughts?

Half Price Books Children’s Book Drive

Half Price is running a book drive that will benefit local nonprofits in the local communities. It is already in motion and will continue until March 31, 2012.  You can drop off a new or gently used Children’s book at any location.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas

To all who follow this intermittent blog or “like” me on Facebook or are fellow Twits, Twitterers, or whatever: Have a blessed Merry Christmas and a Bright Shiny New Year!

Lower that grocery bill!

Got a Simon & Schuster email in today with the latest from Crystal Paine called The Money Saving Mom’s Budget. Granted, I’m not the Mom, but I like to take an active step towards cutting the fat from the budget and if I can do that without coupons then so much the better. That’s what this book promises. Cutting the grocery bill without having to clip coupons.
The book doesn’t release until January 10, 2012, but you can get a sneak preview HERE. In addition, you get access to some really cool worksheets that are totally free!
Short of coupons, what’s your biggest bill cutter at the grocery store?
(Photo courtesy of Ambro)

Black Friday! Is it worth it?!?!

Roy A. Barnes over at Yahoo! commented that Black Friday hysteria has gone too far. Well, if you watch the videos of people moshing to get a two dollar waffle iron or hear of pepper-spraying mother of three, then yeah, it's a little crazy. No, it's more than crazy, it's bat-poop nuts! Watching the video was akin to watching parents gone wild at a child's sporting event. Adults taking on adults in a steel cage match that not even the WWE would touch. Wait, a minute. I might have to fact check that one.



In a time when we hear that the economy is down and not likely to recover soon and unemployment is holding steady around nine percent, we have people camping for days to purchase something that will just be cheaper in a few months and you won't have to beat someone over the head with a skillet to get it. Photos of people in tents furnished with couches and big screen TVs with gaming consoles attached. My first question is why aren't you working? Oh, wait. Unemployed. Okay, but if you're unemployed why are you looking at purchasing something so expensive? Yes, even with a hundred dollars knocked off, an HDTV is still expensive.


Why is there so much emphasis on spending? Are we that shallow as a society? Don't get me wrong. I have a lot of cool tech gadgets and I have an addiction called "reading," but you don't see me set up in front of Best Buy a week before the show or even getting up at four a.m. If I want it bad enough, it will eventually go on sale after the first of the year.

Barnes actually lays some of the blame on the stores and rightly so. But, when you are owned by stock holders who want a little something in there Christmas stocking then you know that you better be out there selling the goods. Stores know that they can make a pretty penny because they've got a line a mile long around the building to prove it. If the consumer changes their habits then the stores will, but that will never happen.

Ooh, look! Another gadget that's exactly like the last one, but this one's purple and plays Janis Joplin's 'Mercedes Benz'! Shiny!

Asking for a little help

You probably haven’t heard but over the last few months my wife has been dealing with some medical issues. They had to remove a category 4 brain tumor from her left temporal lobe and the surgery was a success. Chemo was started during surgery and through the work of many doctors and some new wonder drugs, my wife is going through radiation treatment five days a week and daily oral chemo, but is in good spirits and great shape and dealing with it day by day.


While visiting the chemo office, I noticed a sign for Fink’s Fighters. Dr. Fink is the doctor who is supervising my wife’s chemo treatments and she has a team set up for the Dallas-Ft. Worth Brain Tumor Walk on November 6, 2010. I’ve decided to do the walk and am asking everyone I know to help out in any way they can. On my page you can see how much I’ve raised so far and also gives info on how to help out. Anything is appreciated, be it time, money (no matter how little) or just thoughts and prayers.

You never know how much it really means until something bad happens to one you love. Again, all I’m asking is a little help to try and raise awareness for this cause. Even if you can’t donate time or money, at least send this to someone who might be able to do the same.
Thank you.

Lilly visit the Great Grandparents

Arrived home Thursday night at 11pm after a 17 hour trip from the northeast corner of Georgia. It wouldn’t have taken so long if not for the 30 minute feedings every 3 hours or the Texas State Trooper who pulled me over for doing 5 miles over the speed limit. From amongst a small group of cars doing the same. Neither in front of or last in line. Anyway.

I got off work last Saturday at 3pm and came home to load up the car and take off. I like to get on the road as soon as possible and we had already talked about stopping halfway to get a hotel room.  We would have found relatives to stay with, but didn’t know if we would be able to afford the trip in the first place, so I felt it would be rude to impose on family at such a late date. We did stop in Louisiana to see my brother, Jeremy, and his kids and I got my Johnny’s fix while I was there. We got a hotel room in Vicksburg for the night around 11pm. Had all intentions of getting up around 6am and heading out, but “Deathrace” with my boy, Jason Statham, was on and I hadn’t seen it yet. Asleep at 3am so we moved the launch time to 9am.

Once on the road, we made good time. Some work had been done on the road leading to the house up on the mountain and so we had to call Mammaw and get specifics. Every time she picked up the phone the signal would drop so we backed up the road to the top of the ridge and finally got through. Found out that we were headed the right way, just didn’t go far enough. Things look different in the woods after dark.

While we were there, we got to visit with my cousin Chris who was in from Kentucky and my Uncle Mitchell came up several times and talked. Aunt Bernadette popped in shortly and we visited what little we could, but she was working long hours.  Grandaddy seemed to be doing really well while we were there. Only a few times did he seem to not remember somebody or forget something else, and he liked to play with Lilly when she was awake.

It’s been four years since our last visit and I hope that we get to visit sooner than that, now that Lilly is here. I want my grandparents to see her as much as possible, but we may have to resort to technology to help out in that department.

Imelda May

Saw her with Jeff Beck on the Grammys and just had to look her up. Oh boy, look what I found! This girl rocks!

The Known Universe

Thanks to AstroPixie who posted this on her blog. She leads a very exciting life as an astronomer (I envy her) at Nottingham University in the UK.

Things have changed . . . forever

Just a quick blurb for everyone. Most of you knew that Carroll and I were expecting a baby sometime in the near future. How little did we know that the near future was this morning.

Due to certain events, we had planned on delivering a baby by c-section somewhere around January 19th. Baby had other plans. Thursday, Carroll and I did our thing earlier in the day. I took her book shopping and then to lunch and a movie and I think that may have stirred the kid up. We rang in the new year at midnight and were asleep around 1:30, but about an hour later Carroll yells from the bathroom that something is wrong. Without going into details, let’s just say that there was some bleeding that with her placenta previa was bound to eventually occur and in the amounts of blood there wasn’t supposed to be a lot of worry. As it seemed to diminish, we just decided to call in the morning.

As I prepared for work, Carroll was on the phone with the doctor and the doctor asked her to come on in for a look-see. We checked in at 10:30am and after some exams and blood work it was decided that Carroll would probably stay until the 19th. Then as more lab results came in, the doctor found that Carroll had indications of possible preeclampsia which is pregnancy-induced hypertension which can affect both mother and child. Not wanting to push things, the doctor ordered more blood work and said that with bad results the birth would take place that evening or with stable or good results we would do it Sunday.

Again, baby had other plans. Around 5:30 or 6pm Carroll started having contractions. And I mean bad ones. She went through about 4 hours of it before the doctor said that they may just do it a little after midnight. Carroll decided that I should go check on the cat and get something to eat since I hadn’t eaten since about noon. When I got back around midnight, plans had changed again to just let her ride it out on morphine until the morning and see then.

With the morning light, they had decided that the baby would be delivered a little after 10am. Dressed in my finest scrubs (I looked like a big blue sausage), they had me wait in a little room while they prepped Carroll. Earlier, I got to watch them put the epidural in but not up close. Thank goodness for that one. For those that don’t know, I don’t handle needles too well. Into the delivery room and not 20 minutes later, unto Carroll and I was born a screaming baby girl. At a not-too-shabby-for-being-6-weeks-premature 5 lbs and 3.4 oz, Lillian Josephine Pickering let loose. I got to hold her right away and mommy got to giver her a kiss before I escorted her and the nurse to the warmer.

She’s breathing well on her own, has already taken a bottle since Carroll can’t breast feed right away, and again has exercised her voice several times, though she was fast asleep the last time I saw her. Mommy is resting up also, and will probably be in the hospital for about 3 or 4 more days. Baby will probably be there for at least another 2 or 3 weeks, until they deem her to be able to perform as a baby should on her own.

Thank you for your prayers and well-wishes and look for more pictures and stories to come in the years ahead.

 

 

 

 

 

Civility ends at the driveway

Forgetting that school is out and adults are probably still on vacation, my lovely pregnant wife and I ventured out into the snow to get groceries. Yes, my wife should have stayed at home, but she feels that a grocery list is not enough to keep me on the straight and narrow and plus, she’s getting a little cabin fever and I just don’t like sleeping with Jack Nicholson, if you get my drift.

So, we make the drive up to Highland Village where the Wal-mart is never crowded and people are a might bit friendlier.

Boy! Was that a mistake!

I can rant all day about drivers. I’ve often thought of putting a video camera in my truck to document the idiocy of the roadways, but then, everyone has heard them all. But today, it just seemed to be worse.

For starters, we pulled into our favorites little food place and it looked like the Keystone Cops had invaded the parking lot. Almost got run over by two people on cell phones, vying for the same spot. Then, after making my second lap, had to pull into a spot at an odd angle and before I had time to correct, I had an SUV up my behind blaring on the horn because I wasn’t moving fast enough.

Parking lot wasn’t the worst of it. Take those same drivers, put them on their cell phones and let them loose in a giant box store with metal carts. You don’t have the protection of a car frame here! And the added insult is that there are no words uttered. No “excuse me”, “pardon me”, “coming around on your right”, or even “Hey! Get the hell out of the way!” I could’ve handled that last one, at least they acknowledged me.

I have to constantly tell myself, “They are not bad people. They are just not paying attention.” It’s become a mantra with me. It’s also a real shame that I even have to do that. The more society expands and the closer we live with each other the more we ignore the other person. No consideration, no “thank you”, and no acknowledgement when I extend courtesies to them. At the retail job where I work, I find it rude to greet someone and only get a grunt in return. How hard is your life that you can’t afford me a simple hello?

So, there’s my rant! I feel better. Thanks for letting me share. How do you cope? Or, are you one of THOSE people, and if so, why?

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Christmas and moving toward a most Happy New Year!

Long time no post

Yes, I’ve been busy.  In fact, the last post came about two days before I started my current job working at Borders Books.  I love it! Plus, we have a baby on the way!  The wife is going thru some complications but nothing that has really jeopardized anything, just made it a little tense here and there.  I am going to attempt to post more often on this as well as keep up the work that I do on “A Galaxy Called Dallas”.

Here are some photos from the last sonogram and as soon as I can get it converted, I’ll upload video.

Thomas Payne – We The People

Bob Basso is the gentleman here dressed as Thomas Payne. In the first video, he gives an impassioned speech about taking back our government and the second American Revolution. Not everything he says is totally accurate but he puts up a great argument. Now, the controversy around this video is not the video itself, but a hoax that was started (not by him). Supposedly, President Obama invited Mr. Basso to the White House to discuss the troubling rhetoric but was forbidden to speak to anyone about this meeting. The second video is Mr. Basso, again as Payne, refuting the rumor but giving another fiery speech as to what he would tell President Obama. Mr. Basso is a motivational speaker and very good at what he does, but again I do urge you to research the points that he makes in the first video so as to have the full picture. Over all, a very good rally cry!

Bubbles in Times Square

Not necessarily a flash mob, but a great video of a bubble mob. Astro Pixie posted this on her site. She always has really cool videos and photos. Did I ever mention that she’s a real professional astronomer?

The Spending Habits of the Average American

 

J.D. over at “Get Rich Slowly” found this visual piece of information that details where the average American spends his/her money. I always find it interesting to see how we compare to the average and how we do not. As J.D. points out, this counts the average family as 2.5 people with 1.9 vehicles and only 1.3 wage earners. My wife and I almost fit this. We have a baby on the way, though we really haven’t started spending for it, we have 2 cars, though one has been paid off for 3 years now, and my wife is the only wage earner, though I pick up the odd job here and there. J.D. also points out that in the picture, the average person spends $118 on books and over $1100 on clothes and yet his are reversed. So are ours. We spend close to $600 or 700 on books and $500 to 600 on clothes (60% to 75% of that being my wife’s). How do you fit the picture? Where are you average and where are you unique?

Things you can do with your Google

Lifehacker - Top 10 Obscure Google Search Tricks - Feature

Where have you been all my movie-going life?

When I first saw this website, I couldn't believe my eyes. The site is RunPee.com and it is
a helpful tool for movie-goers. Find a movie that you will be seeing and the site will tell you
the most opportune times to visit the loo and about you have before something interesting
starts happening again. If your so inclined, The section that tells you how long you have
also holds a synopsis of what's happening during that time that you're away.  Don't worry,
that section is scrambled so that you won't see any spoilers if you don't want. Just click
the unscramble button and all will be revealed. I remember reading somewhere that they
will also tell you if there is anything after the credits worth watching, but I have found anything
to support that mention yet. There is even an iPhone app so that if you forget to check the
movie beforehand, you won't be stranded.

Don't know how many of you fly out there, but if I was a flyer, I would think that
this would come in real handy. Print it out and take it with you and never wonder
how much your credit card was going to get hit for.

Lifehacker - State of the Airline Industry Chart Compares Airline Service Fees - Money

Even dogs get the blues

Larry Winget speaks the truth

We as a society have gotten very lazy especially when it comes to personal responsibility and
especially thinking. I mean the real authentic act of "thinking." Thinking of others, thinking ahead
of what the consequences might be for your actions, thinking of where I need to be in traffic and
going ahead and getting there now, instead of waiting til the last minute and crossing four lanes
and three automobiles and . . . . .sorry, got carried away. Anyway. Read Larry's article. Please.

It’s Easier To Be Stupid | Larry Winget -- Money - Personal Development - Business

Free Downloads for your Mac

I posted this mainly for my friend, Skye, because she has a Mac. I've never
owned one, thought about it a few times, but I've just always had a PC. I've
never had all the problems with Windows that most others complain about
so, I've never seen a reason to swap. Here you go, Skye. Enjoy!

Lifehacker Pack 2009: Our List of Essential Free Mac Downloads

Online Banking offers higher interest rates

I am often appalled at the rates that traditional brick and mortar banks offer their customers. Many online bloggers tout the usefulness of online accounts and just such a person has done that. This link will take you to "Get Rich Slowly" and where the research has already been done for you.

Online Banking: 13 Choices for Higher Interest Rates and Increased Security * Get Rich Slowly

Neville's Homeless Experiment

I've been reading this gentleman's blog for several months now. I started at the beginning and read it all the way to present. I have to admit that I admire Neville. He is a true explorer. He asks questions and is not afraid to experiment. I'm always in awe at the way he just dives in. That doesn't mean that he doesn't think things out though. He's very analytical. He asks questions, prepares, and implements. This experiment is one in homelessness. Neville has decided to become homeless for 5 days and 4 nights. Follow him at the link below to see what he sees.

Thank you Neville for a great website.

Neville's Financial Blog

Komen Race for the Cure and Lora Williams

Carroll's cousin, Lora has asked for help in her entry into the Race for the Cure. You can either pledge money by clicking on the "Support Lora" link or you can "Join Lora's Team." Even though you don't know Lora, odds are that you know someone who has been affected by breast cancer. In these hard economic times it's hard to donate money, so even if you can't do that, please pass this page on to someone else so that they might also make a difference.

Perfect Morning

A brisk morning walk, a light rain for a few hours and some blogging. Perfect.

I've finally decided to get off my behind and walk off my behind. Well, I've decided before but never enough to get up and do it. Well, let's see if I can keep it going all week. This week has really shown me my age. Not being able to perform certain tasks, having recurring dreams of running, then waking and knowing that it really was a dream, and the constant back and knee pain. Yep, definitely time. After Carroll left for work, I got dressed and took off. It's .8 miles around the apartment complex. I know that it's optimal to walk at least 30 minutes, so I decided to do two laps and figured that was a good start. Half-way through the second lap, my hips starting to ache. I finished the lap and saw that I did 25 minutes. Not too bad. I figure that I'll keep doing 2 laps for the first week and then I'll up it a lap at a time until I'm doing 6 laps. That will be just under 5 miles. Then, I plan to slowly up my pace. Maybe, I'll run again. I've often thought of at least running one race in my life.

I used to not be this way. In high school I was a chunky kid, but I wasn't fat. I was called fat, but if you look at my photos, I wasn't. Kids can be so cruel. Mom says that when I was little, she heard that the kids were picking on me. She asked me what did when they did that to me, and I told her that I would just laugh at them. I don't remember my feelings being hurt very badly, but it wasn't a happy memory.

I weighed 203 when I joined the Navy. That didn't last long. My military id that I received in boot camp said that my weight was 167. 36 pounds in 13 weeks. I had an instructor that took it upon himself to follow me around the grinder (the workout area) and "motivate" me. At electronics school, I remember running alot. I even enjoyed it. On the ship, I got into lifting weights and the rowing machines. I wasn't ripped or cut, but I had a pretty good physique.

I still have that physique but it's been covered by a hundred pounds of extra weight. Right now, I weigh about 325 and am 44 inches in the wast. That's not around my stomach, we won't go into that. Needless to say, I need to do something. It's a given. So, I've put it out here so that you can keep me honest.

I'll keep you posted on my progress.

Local radio stations on your desktop

Over 12,000 online radio stations can be had with this simple download. Check out the link below from the How-To Geek. I the download took longer than it took to get the program up, running and listening. 26 locations in the Dallas, Tx area from 70s/80 to variety and all your favorites in between. If you have more eclectic tastes you can listen to stations around the world. This little gem also allows you record while you listen. Check out the link and let me know what you think. Oooh, that rhymed!

Listen and Record Over 12,000 Online Radio Stations with RadioSure :: Mysticgeek’s Realm

The Taga Stroller Tricycle Bike something or other

The Taga: Part Stroller, Part Tricycle, Completely Awesome : TreeHugger

V V Brown - Crying Blood

I can't explain it. There is just something about her and the song that I love. What do you think?

Swine Flu and the Economy

Swine flu seems to be cramping my lifestyle. The news just broke in on the TV to say that the entire Fort Worth school district will shut down til May 8th due to a confirmed case of swine flu. We had planned to visit a few events this week to get out of the house. Now that we think about it, maybe we should stay at home. So if the economy is not a downer you have this flu throwing it's hat in the ring. I'm actually thinking about doing what I said I wasn't gonna do in the first place; I'm getting worried. Not the "run out and buy out the pharmacy" kinda worry, but I will take a few precautions.
The CDC has put a set of guidelines and they are as follows:

• Stay informed. This website will be updated regularly as information becomes available.
• Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
• Take everyday actions to stay healthy.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
• Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

• Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
• Develop a family emergency plan as a precaution. This should include storing a supply of food, medicines, face masks, alcohol-based hand rubs and other essential supplies.
• Call 1-800-CDC-INFO for more information.

How has the "possible" pandemic affected what you do, if at all? Or just point out my misspellings?

Two Tons of Steel remake of The Ramones - I Wanna Be Sedated

"Heard this song on my way out to see my Dad a few weeks back and just remembered to look for it. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Or not.

I Wanna Be Sedated - Two Tons Of Steel

Has the economy bit into your movie budget?

My wife and I don't go to the movie as often as we did when we started dating. As great as the movies are, we just can't seem to bring our selves to shell out $9.50 a ticket for a cramped seat and the chance to hear what the person four aisles away is talking about. Add snacks and they can cost as much as the tickets.

We finally tried the dollar (actually $1.50) movie across the highway and enjoyed it. For less than the price of one regular priced ticket we were able to see a double feature. Snacks still cost the same, but for $30 we did what would have cost us almost $60. Still the same old guy talking four rows up and the tight seats, but, hey, for that price, I'll deal.

Nowadays, we don't go out unless it's a blockbuster spectacular that has to be seen on the big screen. Any kind of blow'em-up, shoot'em-up, scifi, adventure, epic type of movie is why we shell out the big bucks. (Un)Fortunately, they are few and far between. Well, except for May, when Wolverine and Star Trek come out. We'll deal with that through the local comic book shop, Boomerang Comics. They're across the street and Neal, the guy that owns it, has a movie night at Studio Movie Grill. He rents out the whole theater and you purchase your tickets through him.

Another way of fighting the price of movies is through NetFlix. We have an account with them and it's great. For $16 a month, we can get 2 movies at a time. We watch them and return them and they send two more. As many as we can watch in a month for $16 and there are no late fees. Wife gets a movie and I get a movie. We watch one, stick it in the mail the next day and a new one usually arrives by the time we are done with the next movie (unless you watch them both one after the other.) They have bigger plans including 8 movies at one time. You manage your list online and as they recieve one movie, they ship the next one out. I've sent one out on a Monday and had the next one on a Wednesday.

And for those with fast connections, you can watch certain movies and tv shows on your computer. This is great for people like me who want to see things that the spouse is not interested in like my Red Dwarf tv series from the 80's. Even watched a book-turned-movie by one of my favorite authors and saw why he hated it. I did too.

I'm a NetFlix fan because we don't waste alot of money on the movie experience unless it warrants it. I've got a link for it on my other website, so if you'd like to try it out, please do.

So, how do you cut corners with your entertainment expenses? Do you rent, or do you deprive yourself during the economic downturn? Or are you even affected by it? Let me know!

What is news?

Susan Boyles' performance on Britain's Got Talent has been a world-wide phenomenon and people were weighing in on CNN about it. The typical comments were "never judge a book by it's cover." Then one woman posts a video comment and in it she says that someone being judged by their looks is not news. She being an over-weight asian woman means that she is judged every day. That is not news. Yes, I agree with her. It's not. She as well as others missed exactly why it was news. The look on Simon Cowell's face as well as the other judges' and audiences' is why it is so worthy of the attention. Yes, she is a wonderful singer and yes, she's frumpy. But that is far out-weighed by the eating of crow by so many people at one time.

Susan Boyle - Singer - Britains Got Talent 2009 (With Lyrics)

You have to hear her to believe her. And to see the look on the people's faces is a big bonus!

Cats are human too

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

Sharing the Awe-someness

Amanda Bauer is an astronomer in the United Kingdom and I love reading her blog. This latest post tells how she shared her love of astronomy even though there was a language barrier. Please check out the post and check out the rest of her blog. The Language of the Universe

Making the Sale

I've been out of work now for a little over three months. Most of it by choice, but now that school has fallen through on it's end of the deal, the wife and I have decided to get back to work and concentrate on building up our reserves. Again, if it hadn't been for Dave Ramsey, we wouldn't be keeping our heads above water like we are.

I'm going to an interview on Tuesday for a bank teller position with Wamu. They've been bought out by Chase and are looking to expand a little in my area. Wifey has had experience in the bank field, so we thought that if her job hits the skids then she might apply also.

While I'm preparing for Tuesday, I came across this article and thought it very timely and that I would pass it on to you. It's one of those articles that I wish everyone would read or pass on to anyone getting ready to go looking. Time and time again, I've witnessed, as well as the wife, people who show up to job interviews half-prepared. That's putting it politely. People who show up to fill out applications wearing short-shorts and flip-flops alongside those that bring all of their children. You can't tell me that Mama didn't teach them how to dress and that someone couldn't watch those kids for 2 hours. Yeah, yeah, I know. I don't know their story, but I see it too much to think that it's not a social norm nowadays.

Question: Have you been witness to people sabotaging their interview before they even begin? Please comment and give details. We love the details!

Here's To You, Mr. Jefferson

An excellent video! Hope you enjoy!

Greed

Kay from 'Perhaps we learned something' put together this little string of offerings about the 7 deadly sins or "vices that lead to sin" as she put it.

I decided to give it a whirl and talk about greed. I believe that you can be greedy without even being aware of it. In fact, all of the sins can be committed without any conscious thought. But, we're speaking of greed here.

Ever been in a buffet line and there's people behind you and there are three slices of pizza left. You think nothing of it and take all three. People behind you will now have to wait for the next pizza. (and you know who you are, buddy!) You cut someone off on the highway because the person in front of you isn't going fast enough. The person you cut off now has to throw on their brakes and thus everyone behind him does the same. Because of your impatience, people now have to slow down thus causing slight ripples in traffic that lead to backups.

These things are minor, but they are still examples of greed. You have gained while others "suffer." Is it something that you should go to hell for? I don't think so, but look at it this way. This kind of behavior causes the people who have been slighted to think bad thoughts or want to commit bad acts. The things that they want to say or do may be slight in our eyes, but in a world where we all live and work together, these add up. Almost a butterfly effect of emotions.

Then again, I could be full of hot air! Let me know what you think. Check out Kay's blog and leave my pizza alone.

It Should Always Be Sung Like This

Got this in an email from my dad today. Just beautiful. No gracenotes, no seeing how long or how high they can go. It's all about the song.


This was at a Texas Tech Basketball game, February 9th. The National Anthem is sung by five young ladies (ages 6-8). You have never heard it performed better than this! An entire arena remains completely silent throughout the song. You could hear a pin drop. Take a moment to listen to this.

The two young ladies on the right are six years old. The two in the middle Are seven and the one on the left is eight.

NationalAnthem CactusJH

Where the Wild Things Are

Here's a link to another blog that I produce with the trailer to the movie "Where the Wild Things Are." Enjoy!