I hate computers...

Just as I'm finishing up the home page for the family website, my laptop crashes. Turns out the hard drive went. Not looking forward to having to reload and redo all of the things, but such is life. Guess I'll start backing up better (or at least create a boot disk for next time). Take care and happy holidays!!!

My life as a sitcom...

So our neighbor told us the other day that he doesn't need to watch TV anymore. Wondering why, we blindly asked. The return comment is that he feels watching our family is more fun than any sitcom he can find on TV these days...example: Son in full batman gear poop scooping the yard. Hmmm, still not quite sure whether we should be looking for a cable outlet to profit or offended that others think we're not "normal". I'm thinking a little of both...so - anyone looking to start another reality show and want to pay us for being us? ;)

Back to the sitcom...

But he's cute...

So the kids and the wife are playing today and it leads into this conversation:

Son: Wait!!! How do you spell Y-M-C-A?
Mom: Next you'll be asking how to dial 9-1-1!!!
Son: Huh?

Yep, that's my boy - isn't he cute?

HOCKEY!!!!

I want my hockey. The fact that Bettman is keeping me from it is getting really annoying. This bonehead creates the situation and then feels he is the only one who can come up with a workable solution? How does what the players put forth not help? How does it not offer cost control measures? In what other industry do you get a clear idea of what your numbers need to be to be truly profitable - especially a large industry? If they want to fix the system, this was a great place to START. It may not be the end all be all, but if they don't get playing soon, it will be.

I truly can understand why a cap is a bad idea from the players perspective, but I can't understand why the owners aren't open to alternative ideas to a cap - many of which could be even better. I also don't understand why no one is talking revenue sharing. Ultimately though, I don't really care. If the NHL can't get their situation straightened out, I suggest the players organize a new league and get the puck moving again. Either that or we reincarnate the IHL with NHL players. Hmmmmm....

Things you should know...

So, yesterday my wife takes the middle child in to the doctors for a physical. While signing in to the office, the wife notices she needs to put the date down. Not wanting to expend the energy actually thinking about the date and knowing the middle child knew (being type A and recording it daily without fail helps), the wife has the following conversation with the daughter:

wife: What is the date?
child: (exasperated and questioning - I know, hard for a 7 year old to pull off, but done admirably here): Um, it is December the 13th. You know, the day after your son's birthday Mom? (Like duhhhh....)

If only to be 7 and know everything again (or to remember to expend that little bit of energy to actually figure out what the date is). My wife is so pretty... :-p

Belated B-Day...

Sorry for the delay folks - just kinda been a crazy bit of time lately. Sunday was the boy's b-day and he had a ball. Truly enjoyed hanging with his friends and being center of attention. The boy (or slick-E as I'm taking to thinking of him) was smooth enough to convince us to eat at Chuck-E-Cheese's based on our premise with the children that they can pick where we eat for their birthday and his happened to fall on a Sunday - so he was able to finagle a bit better party than what his mother or I had initially been planning on. Oh well, he enjoyed and he didn't break the bank.

Now, to deal with my personal issues with Slick-E. I lobbied hard for him to be able to have the party there based on the premise. Granted, the boy could not know this, so I don't wonder why I get no credit for this. However, his favorite gift (and pardon me those without small children) is a fashion statement which allows you to play a card game on it from Yu-Gi-Oh. He had asked and the discussion again hinged on whether or not we should get it for him with the wife somewhat on the fence and me tilting the discussion in favor of yeah. So, the boy gets the gift, obviously enjoys it, and now for the last three days I've heard nothing but "Mom, that was exactly what I wanted. You are the greatest." - with nary an even nod in my direction for my efforts on his behalf.

Dang momma's boy is lucky I love him... ;) Welcome to the wise old age of 6 buddy. Maybe this year we can work on you cleaning your room in under 4 hours.

XMas...

So, we've gotten some presents wrapped and under the tree. What do the kids think?

"Can we open them?"

I love the toture of the next few weeks for them...

HOCKEY!!!!

Those of you who know me know that I am a truly die hard fan (part of what kills me about living in the south). Anyway, with no hockey on the horizon, I've been watching the proceedings very closely to try and decide if the players are becoming as responsible as the owners in keeping me from seeing my favorite sport. If that becomes the case, then hockey will go by the wayside for me just like baseball has.

This week, there has been a large change in the situation. The players union (practically begging) asked the owners back to the table and offered to take a 24% paycut and other very good incentives to get the bargaining agreement back in place and allow hockey to be played. It was, in my opinion, a great step. Add to that, all of the players I've heard interviewed have made excellent points in that the lockout is not hurting their wallets - they have money. It does however hurt the hardworking folks in concessions and the like and nobody is doing enough to help those people.

The players will find a place to play and will make money doing so. However, they feel a commitment to the groups who have been providing for the fans at their games. The players are being reasonable and are ready to go - so what's the problem? Gary Bettman. This guy needs to go. He has expanded the league creating many teams which were destined to lose money for years (2 teams in FL, 2 in CA, 1 in NC, ATL and other cities - not exactly part of the good ole boys hockey network there...).

So, we'll see what happens, but in any case - PRESSURE BETTMAN TO GET OUT AND BRING BACK HOCKEY!!!!

Breakfast of Champions...

At the kids school, they do a really great program called "Breakfast of Champions" sponsored by the local grocery store and set up to encourage kids to do their best. The boy was honored by the school for citizenship and had been sooo excited to go all week (mainly for the doughnuts I think...).

While at the breakfast, the principal informs everyone there they are being honored for citizenship and then asks who knows what that means. The boy is practically bursting out of his chair raising his hand and his mother is so proud. The principal calls on him and he says (drumroll please):

Ummmmmm, Uhhhh, ummmmm

The principal tells him its all right and calls on someone else and he leans in to mom and says - "I just wanted to be called on. Can I have another doughnut?"

Congratulations son. Your proud parents are sure you'll keep up the good work and this is just signs of more acknowledgement to come.

Attitude...

The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than
circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think, say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company, a church, a home. The remarkable thing is that we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we embrace for that day. We cannot change our past, we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% of what happens to us and 90% is how we decide react to it. We are in charge of our attitudes.

-Charles Swindoll

Charles, I gotta say I've had that proven to me this year and it can't be more true.

Joys of growing up...

So, the oldest has her first orchestra concert. The day before, mother asks if she has her uniform ready to go since she'll need to wear it to school, and of course the answer is yes. However, on the morning of her concert, mother gets a call from the oldest who is very upset an doesn't want to admit that her concert shirt has been misplaced.

Another instance, mother comes home from work to find open cereal box on the counter next to a 3/4 full gallon of milk which has obviously been sitting out all day. Then finds that the brush isn't where it is supposed to be and there is various other sundry left out from the oldest getting ready for school.

So, what's the point? It just put me in mind of when I was growing up and could barely remember my name most of the time. So, while it is incredibly frustrating, I realize that it is all part of her growing up and like all else it will pass with time (assuming she does survive). In the meantime, I need to state a long overdue comment: Mom, Dad - thanks for putting up with me and I'm sorry for all of those trying times I put you through. Love ya.

It's the 21st Century...

Oldest: "So, like, she said, like, ..."
Me: "Like, gag me with a spoon. Like, I just can't, like, believe it."
Oldest (with full look of scorn): "Dad, it is SOOO like, the 21st century."

Right you are. Once the laughing in the room subsided, I like, didn't even remember the point I was trying to make...

Welcome to the holidays...

Ahhh, the joyous time of year when we feast on turkey and then turn around and spend lots of money fighting crowds. Happy, happy, joy, joy. This year offered many firsts - my wife didn't get up for her annual running of the sale happy on the day after Thanksgiving...but I did. Worked out pretty well though as I pretty much knew what I wanted to get and I didn't get held up too much. Three hours and I was home singing "I'm almost done Christmas shopping" to which my wife almost killed me.

Next day, the wife and I went shopping for all of the children in our lives. Kind of depressing as I realized that most of the kids are outgrowing Toys 'R' Us - my favorite store. The kids are supposed to stay little forever and they aren't. I guess it's time for them to start smoking and drinking coffee.

So, shopping is almost done and it is now time for the wrapping and such. Tree is up, and we are fully ready for the holidays. Let the fun begin!!! Happy Holidays!!!!

Happy Turkey Day...

So, it's time to spend with relatives, eating obscene amounts of food and watching football all in preparation for storming the malls tomorrow. Why do I think this wasn't the original intention of the first pilgrims? Oh well, HAPPY TURKEY DAY ONE AND ALL!!!!!

Shake what your momma gave you...

So, in preparation for Turkey Day, the children are doing chores. When we think they are all finished, we tell the young ones to take a shower. So, as I go in to the bathroom to start the shower I see the following scene:

Naked daughter standing on the bathroom counter cleaning the mirrors and shaking her behind.

And I thought it was the parents who were supposed to scar the children for the rest of their lives...

Mr. Baldy Head...

Yep, you guessed it; this post isn't likely to be pretty...

So, due to male pattern baldness and an exceptional amount of time off for hunting, I decided it was time to experiment and see how I'd look completely bald. So, my brother in law gleefully sliced and diced my hair off my head and I started the week as a skin head. My family was aware of this being a possibility, so when I notified them what had happened all I got from the children was taunts of "Mr. Baldy Head". I've decided that I don't necessarily care for the bald look on me, so at the very least I'm likely to keep it stubble as opposed to bald, but the children will continue to remind me with calls of Mr. Baldy Head and a rub of the short, soft hair. All hail Mr. Baldy Head...

Gone Hunting...

Ahhh, deer season. I just spent another fun filled week "roughing it" with the boys. There's nothing like spending a week out in the woods with loaded rifles and lots of liquor (yep, no danger there... ;)) Another of my favorite reasons for going is to be able to completely lose the technological tether for a week. Time spent without the ability to use the laptop, cell phone or any other such device which keeps me connected to everything is a wonderful break. Really makes you realize how nice things were before this when you hit the airport (or nearest cell tower) and realize that you received 7 business calls in the 5 days being out of reach and only 2 personal calls. Then you add in the email and it is even clearer why getting out of reach becomes so important.

We didn't see much, but we did have lots of fun. It was good to see everyone and as always, definitely worth the price of admission. So, at least from me, the deer are safe for another year. Finally tally through my stay - Hunters 2 (+1 from another locale), deer 30 (rough count of what was seen but not taken from our 9+ hunters for the week). As always, tally is in favor of the deer, but I'm sure the stories will grow bigger than the deer. From Troy's 3 point first buck (which he adamantly claims as a 4 point) to the many other stories which will be relived for years to come. Let the good times roll.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

We've got Batman, a dear devil, and a wonderful leopard this year. Still not sure what our kids will be going as...

Happy Birthday...

So, the birthday party is ending, and there are balloons everywhere. Children are trying to see how many they can keep in the air at one time (8 children versus 12 balloons and yet somehow the balloons keep winning). The next game of course becomes beating each other with balloons. This is my kinda game, which is why it ends up with me chasing all of the children around the house beating them. Another birthday party well worth the time.

Please drive through...

Son: Mom, mom, mom
Mom: Just a minute honey
Son: Mom, mom, mom
Mom: (exasperated) What is it honey?
Son: Can I have more dinner?
Mom: Honey, can you see I'm helping your sister right now?
Son: Yeah. Mom, mom, mom?
Mom: What is it dear?
Son: Can I have more dinner?
Mom: (totally exasperated) I'm helping your sister; I will get you more dinner in just a minute. Please drive through...
Son: (Bewildered look) Um, OK. (pretends to drive car) Brrrrrrmmmmm....

Another fun day at the homestead.

Another day older...

So, today is the middle child's birthday. She has turned 7. It's always fun to remember the joy that presents, cupcakes and parties bring to you at that age. Happy Birthday!!!

Proud...

So, we're chatting with the neighbor when up walks the boy child with a big smile on his face. My wife pinches his butt and realizes he's not wearing underwear. Incredulously she asks the question she already knows the answer to, and he starts giggling...

"Nope, I've been commando since yesterday morning..."

Ahhh, the joys of childhood. Now I'm beginning to wonder why we spent the extra money getting spiderman underwear.

Soccer...or dance practice...

So I take my son to his soccer practice today and I became very confused. Every time there was the slightest break in the action, all of the kids started breaking out in their favorite forms of freestyle dance; kids getting their groove on in every fashion imaginable. It's the first time that I realized my son could do an Irish jig...and he's pretty good too.

Every four years...

Every four years I find a new bunch of people I don't like. Watching the debates, I realize that I don't tust either candidate. I'd rather put anyone in the white house besides these yahoos. Bush sounds whiny and is lying while Kerry sounds better, but obviously isn't telling the whole truth either.

Where's the snoopy vote go? I want to vote for Woodstock. Charlie keeps asking for details on how the candidates are going to cut the deficit and neither candidate is giving an answer. Geez, it really is sad when you'd rather have a true crook in office rather than these legalized versions.

Dawn of a new day...

So, my youngest daughter finds one of our credit cards and states emphatically..."Ooooh, a credit card...I could buy all sorts of things."

To which my wife replies: "Sweetie, where would you use it? You can't possibly think I'd give you a ride to spend my money." (as if we don't do that already...)

Final answer, without missing a beat - "I'll just use the computer and order off the internet..."

Nice that the 6 year old is comfortable with that already...I'm thinking it's time to lock the PC up...

Just another fun family day...

So, it's been another day in daddy reality.

My oldest reminds me just how much she loves me by responding to every thing I say with a roll of her eyes and stating "Yeah, right". Then, ups the ante with "Dad, you are SOO weird". Good thing she was just kidding (I think).

Next, the middle child giggles, bats her eyes and just thinks I'm gonna melt. I'll tell you, her future boyfriends are in touble.

Last, there's the boy. He runs around all day in his redneck camouflage, then goes to his soccer game where he and is team mates each score about 10 goals apiece with the exception of one little girl who tries very hard but is neither as fast or aggresive as her team mates. So, on one play, my son takes the ball from the other team, dribbles through the opposition and down the length of the field, stops the ball on the goal line, encourages his team mate to catch up and when she does he passes it to her so she can score. Now, that's what I call team work.

One of those days...

So, I'm ordering business cards and I spend 4 weeks getting a graphic with enough detail to print at 3 inch wide (don't know why it had to be clean at that size or why they didn't say that right off). All this so the graphic can be put on the card at a quarter inch wide. Point is, at that width, my logo is virtually unreadable, making the business card useless. Glad for proofing.

The Wire...

Back to another season. My only question is how does HBO continue to keep coming out with addictive series, one after another? Just incredible. On with the show.

Out of the mouths of babes...

One of my favorite conversations overheard between my wife and son:

Wife (exasperated): Where did we get you from?!?!?!
Son (sweetly): Kmart

Ground rules...

All righty then. Figured since the site is operational, I'd start dropping some thoughts as to what the expected content is going to be. I guess it'll be fair to say it'll be far ranging, occasional thoughts on parenthood and the like, but also some diatribes about work. Things along the lines of what makes IBM folks (those who actually work for the company and those who work on those tools) the way they are, to java (my language of choice) to other factoids interesting to only me likely. Take a gander, hopefully enjoy some and complain about others.

Operational...

So, it's finally happened. I've sunk to the spot where I'm putting thoughts on the web...Let's see where it goes...