Update for everyone...

We had a great Christmas with Audra's family here and got to video chat with Mom, Elisa, Colleen and their families. This has been a very hectic year and hopefully things start to turn around next year. However, these are the things that build character and strength in a marriage. We still have a roof over our heads, two healthy children and food and clothes.

Audra's car is fixed. It was a timing belt. Parts and labor for that and a water pump (which was leaky) were $494 after tax. It really pays to know people. Thank you to our neighbor Chance for that.

Colleen and Daniel are coming down for New Years, and we are really looking forward to that. Keep us in you thoughts as we try make this next year a little more financially fruitful.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

Happy Turkey Day

This year has been a rough one. It seems like the Universe has had it out for us sometimes. However, we are still here, and we are still optimistic.

The holidays are going to be different this year, thank you to everyone for understanding.

Hopefully we'll get some stability back in this coming year.

Happy Holidays everyone.

Disc golf is fun

I know I haven't posted for a while, but as most of you know, I have been working long hours trying to make ends meet.

One of my current co-workers at Electronic Express has introduces me to Disc (Frisbee) Golf. If you haven't played it, you should. The courses are usually free to play and it is thoroughly enjoyable. The concept is the same as traditional golf except that you are using specially made discs to reach the basket (hole), and the distances are reduced by approximately 1/3.

Read up on it, try it out. It only takes about 1 - 1 1/2 hours to play 18 holes and I guarantee you'll love it.

We'll be in IL this weekend.

Audra and I are both looking forward to seeing all of the Zurliene family at the wedding this weekend.

They did it again

I got to catch the game from the seventh on last night. I know we got swept overt the weekend but it wasn't like we were playing bad ball or anything. Anyway, when will they learn that putting Albert on is no longer a no brainer? We have so many guys in this lineup that can do damage, you might as well let Albert get his solo or 2 run shot in, instead of letting Holliday or Rasmus make it a 3 run shot.

I love this team.

Can we keep it rolling...?

By the way, I really want to root for Motte, but can we get just a little more maturity and control, or is that too much to ask? 99 is great but 94 with precision control is much more effective.

Cardinals ROCK

I got to watch the last 2 innings last night which obviously included Hollidays 2 run shot. Man this team is exciting to watch. Hopefully they can pull off the sweep today. I so happen to have the day off and will be watching it. Yea!!!

4 Circles

10.5 GAME LEAD

I'm really trying not to get too excited. I wouldn't want to ruin anything you know. But, 10.5 games ahead on the 1st of September is damn good. Can we keep it rolling. I would love to watch some Cards in October again. We definitely have the talent, it's just a matter of all of us not jinxing them by noticing how well they're doing.

So don't get too excited yet.

By the way, Pujols hasn't even gotten HOT yet this second half. When that happens we can get excited. Because at that point, nothing will stop us...

The Tempo LIVES!!!

So yesterday I went to the neighbors house where my car has been parked for 2 months. As everyone knows I was pretty sure that she was done this time. We got to messing around with it and narrowed it down to an ignition issue. At first we thought that the key lock cylinder had gone bad so we took off the covers and panels surrounding the steering column to access it. When we did that I noticed that several pieces of copper and plastic fell out. Obviously that's not a good thing. Turns out that the ignition switch had basically broken into pieces. I don't know if it was just age or what, but I bought a new one for $15 and now the Tempo is back to running like a champ.

That car just never ceases to amaze me. I really thought she was a goner this time. What a relief that we still have 2 vehicles in good working order. I know some day I'll have to say goodbye to her, but she wasn't ready just yet.

So anyway, I drove her home and the first thing I did was enlist Miri to help me clean her up. We cleaned her inside and out and then I went and picked up a friend and we just went riding for a while. It's so good to have her back. I missed driving her...

The Down Lizzle on the new Jizzle

So I know everyone wants to know how the new job is going. So here goes. It's good so far. They brought me in specifically to train to be a store manager. Electronic Express is family owned, and there are only 15 stores right now. The plan for me is to get me up to speed on their procedures and ready to take second command in the newest store which will open in a month or two. Interestingly, that store is going to be located in the same building where the CompUSA was that I worked at.

So far I'm getting plenty of hours, but the pay is not good ($7.25/hr + commission). I am being paid as a floor salesman, but since they are training me for management I'm not afforded much time to sell. It's kind of a catch 22. I seriously haven't made this little since I worked at Hardees in High School. It definitely does not pay the bills. Once I get the Manager status then we'll be talking more like $45,000/yr base. That's a lot more comfortable. Hopefully everything moves quickly and we can get back to having some semblance of security around here.

Anyway, that's the gist of it. We'll be OK, just like we always are. But, if you really feel inclined, we do take cash donations. Or you could request one of our self addressed prepaid envelopes to put all of your unwanted gold and jewelry into and mail it to:

No Cash for Gold
1703 Christi Ave
Chapel Hill, TN 37034
c/o Brant A Zurliene

House Pics

New job starts today

I got a job at Electronic Express. It starts today. Doesn't pay much, but they say they are putting me on the fast track to management. Wish me luck.

I miss my beard

I know it sounds funny, but I really miss having the beard. Mark my words...it will be back.

I'm a Duct Tape Mechanic

Audra's 2002 Mazda Milenia has been running a little rough for weeks now and it was really starting to get annoying. Whenever you would gun it it would just sputter and sometimes die. Well, I finally got fed up and started checking things out on it this morning. I could not find anything wrong and was about ready to take it to a mechanic when Audra came out to check on my progress. I was leaning into the engine compartment when she says, "Is that supposed to have cracks in it?"

I looked at what she was talking about and it was the Main Air intake from the Air Filter Housing to the engine. Not only was the Rubber hose cracked in several places and sucking for air big time, but one of the tiny vacuum hoses that are supposed to be attached to the Air Filter Housing was unplugged.

I looked at it for like ten seconds and then told Audra I would be right back. I ran into the house and got some paper towels to clean the hose and duct tape to patch it up with. After doing both, we then plugged the vacuum hose back up also. Anyway, to our VERY pleasant surprise, we just got back from taking the car on a short up and down trip on Highway 99 and it is now running like the day we bought it. There is no hesitation at all when you gun the pedal and it has all it's power back.

Duct tape really can fix anything...

Next is my car...I wonder if I can use duct tape to replace the timing chain on it...???

We went Cruising!!!

Well, we just got back from a 4 day cruise to Cozumel, Mexico. The whole purpose of the trip was that Dad and Gina were getting married on the beach at Gulf Shores. That was th most unique wedding I have ever been a part of. There was no rehearsal and everything about the wedding seemed to be decided as we went. However, it seemed to have some sort of flow to it. Anyway, all in all it was great and everyone had a great time. we stayed in Gulf Shores that night and then the next morning we traveled to Mobile, AL and caught the carnival Ship "Holiday". It is the oldest in the fleet and they say it will be retired this fall, but we all thought it was in excellent shape.

There was so much to do on the ship that you just never got bored. Audra and I had to force ourselves to go to bed several nights because we just wanted to keep going.

Saturday we arrived at Cozumel and went on an excursion with the kids. This consisted of taking golf cart/4-wheelers along the coast and visiting a Mayan ruin, a part of the 9000 acres of lagoons on the island, and about a mile of snorkeling along the reef. Near the end of the snorkeling a huge storm kicked up and we had to take cover quickly. The wind was so strong that the sand felt like it was taking your skin off and the rain felt like it was hail. Anyway, all turned out well and we returned to the boat safely.

I know that Audra and I have both put cruising at the top of our list of affordable and exciting things to do in the future. We both want to do it again and again. The most memorable thing for all us has been the wonderful food and service you get on the boat. The food is all you can eat and gourmet and is included in your ticket price.

Now we're home and it's back to reality and job hunting. Wish me luck.

Pujols + Fathers Day = Kickass

Girls coming home tomorrow

I have really started to miss them this week. Apparently Miriana reciprocates. She has been calling us each of the last 3 night at bedtime just to hear our voices. She also likes to read us a story over the phone. Anyway, they'll be back tomorrow, and I can't wait.

I picked green beans yesterday and ended up with a heaping colander full. With just us here, that's way too many to eat in the next couple days, so I decided to try out the 23 quart Presto pressure canner I bought last year. Everything went smoothly and easily. It took a total of 1 1/2 - 2 hours to go from fresh picked beans to 6 jars of sealed and preserved beans. I was able to do it all myself very easily and I think I actually prefer the pressure canner to the water bath canner. There seems to be a lot less mess for some reason. The biggest thing is to make sure that the pressure gauge get to and stays at the correct pressure the whole processing time. That means that I had to make minute adjustments to the heat settings throughout the 20 minutes that the jars processed.

The tomatoes are starting to finally come on decent. I had to boost them with some general fertilizer which helped a lot. However, they hang directly above the pepper plants and so any excess water from the buckets drips onto the pepper plants. I did not think about that when I also fertilized the pepper plants. So the peppers got direct fertilizer and indirect fertilizer and now they are dead. Oh well, this is my 3rd year trying to grow peppers and my 3rd failure. Maybe I'll skip them next year. I seem to be good at green beans and tomatoes, so I'll stick with them for now.

A/C is fixed

$110 to have some guy come out and turn the unit on and off a few times. Apparently there was some Reversing valve that was stuck because we don't use the unit enough. What a pain. Anyway, the house is nice and cool and DRY. Yeah!

Pujols is on pace for 127 walks, 62 K's, and 57 HR's. His numbers just get better and better. 8 1/2 seasons and I am still just in awe of this guy.

Right now we're only one game out behind Milwaukee. Go Cards.

Now that's how you play Baseball

Last nights game against Detroit was FANTASTIC. 11-2 and we got to see just about everything. I was impressed with the bats. Hopefully they are starting to come alive again like they were in April.

Let keep it going tonight.

It's been so hot and humid here that I finally called the A/C repair place to have them come out and fix our unit. It's not getting over 83 or so in the house, but with the humidity levels staying near 97%+ all the time, everything is just sticky and nasty. Hopefully the repair is not too expensive.

No Bites Yet

Well, I applied for at least 5 different jobs today. Let's hope that I get some calls on them. Things are definitely not dire yet, but I get real bored being home all the time.

Going to New Mexico

Dad called last night to confirm that I would be available to fly out and help him get moved. Of course I will. No question about it. I am actually really looking forward to spending a few days just Dad and I. I can't really remember a time when we got to do that, since....I don't know...when we used to go fishing...when I was like 8. Anyway, he needs my help and so I'll be there.

That got me thinking though. You know between taking the kids up this last weekend to Illinois, and then Elisa and Rick bringing them back, Dad needing help in New Mexico, the birthday bash in Illinois after that, and then the Cruise directly after that, I would have needed to take off like an entire month of work to get all those things in. So, I guess getting laid off has opened up a lot of family opportunities that I wouldn't normally have been able to do. Cool.

OK so the Cardinals are back to sucking it big time again. This trend is getting old. Again the stats show that if Albert isn't hitting then no one else is hitting. What's up with that? We need some consistency, or we're in big trouble this year. Pujols has already said that he will stay in St. Louis, but only if we can surround him with the caliber players that can protect him in the lineup and have the potential to get to the playoffs. I seriously doubt that this team is THAT team. This year we have surrounded him with mostly inexperienced rookies. I would hate to see him go, but I do understand if he is not feeling the support this year. One man does not a team make.

Nice Weekend

So we took the girls to Illinois this weekend. Miriana has Church camp this week, and Jillian is going next week. When we dropped Miri off yesterday she was soooo excited. I just know that she's going to have a great time.

We got to see everyone, and got to see Grandma and Grandpa too. Elisa has her first garden in and it looks great. Kurt has replaced his grass with some kind of artificial Astro turf and thinks no one noticed. :)

We got back to Tennessee to discover that it had (of course) not rained all weekend. Everything, including some of the garden plants were starting to get a bit crispy. The lack of rain here is definitely the hardest part of trying to have a garden here.

Elisa and Mom both called last night and said that they had really bad storms roll through after we left. Apparently there was lots of hail too. Definitely didn't sound like any fun.

And best of all, Colleen and Daniel returned my BABY to me this weekend. She said that they had unwittingly been in possession of it for quite a while. How cool. I love that paddle. Thanks Colleen.

Well, nothing yet?

I know it's just Tuesday, and only my second day of looking, but I thought I'd let you know I haven't had any bites yet.

Time to hit the pavement

Well we had a really nice weekend with the in laws. I got to cook out twice and once was on their dime. Anyway, I have talked to my ex-coworker Paul a couple of times and it looks like the total damage was 14 people. What a bummer. That's 14 people that are all going to be hitting the pavement at the same time as me. Oh well.

I really have no idea where to start with this looking for a job thing. I know I've updated my resume this morning, and I'm going to be updating that and my profile at Careerbuilder and Monster, but after that, what do I do? It's been a while since I was under the gun to find a job. The good thing is that I'm at a point where I have the knowledge and skills to do a pretty vast array of things. But do I just take the first thing that comes along, or should I be picky at all. With the job market and economy the way they are, I tend to think that I should just take the first thing that comes up...

Rough Day

So at 10:45am this morning I was called into a conference room and told that the company is downsizing. I was one of the 15 most recent hires and therefore had to go.

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Damn!Damn!Damn!Damn!Damn!Damn!Damn!Damn!Damn!Damn!Damn!Damn!Damn!
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The thing is...I want to be angry about this, but I totally understand. I was told that they would like to bring me back if things turn around for the company. I guess that's no real consolation, but it does make me feel better for some reason. I really enjoyed working for this company and they really enjoyed having me work for them. That's the messed up part of what is happening right now in our economy. It's not that companies are just finally getting to let go of their dead weight workers and underachievers, they are being forced to let go of valuable assets because they just can't afford them anymore. Now I get to be another statistic with all the others who have lost their income and are looking for some hope.

The point is that now it's back to pounding the pavement, and it couldn't be a worse time for having to do that. Luckily the garden is in already, and we have cash in the bank from the Home refinance, but things could get real tough, real quick...

This weekend

The in laws are coming for the weekend. They will get here tonight. I still haven't lined up a project for Cary and I to work on. I guess I'm slacking this time. Maybe we can lay the tile in front of the fireplace. Audra what do you think?

Finally took one from the Brew Crew

Even Waino helped himself out. Last night was a homer fest. Hopefully we can keep the bats going and take the series today.

It's supposed to T-storm today. We need the rain.

Not much else today. Bye.

Carpenter's almost Perfect Game

Wow, that was a great game to watch. When you get to watch a game that good you don't really care if you end up winning or losing. Just a pitchers duel. Fun, Fun, Fun.

We spent most of the weekend outside tending to the lawn and gardens. Yesterday Audra and I transplanted a grapevine that was growing wild in the empty lot next to us, and put it up near the house by the deck. Hopefully it will survive. There is also at least one more wild grapevine growing in that lot. We don't know how they got there and can't figure out how we've missed them the past couple of years. They are in plain view, and judging by the size of the plants and the root ball on each, they are probably a good 3-5 years old.

I tweaked my lower back on Saturday and didn't get to throw any horseshoes at all this weekend. That sucks, because I was really wanting to. Anyway, it has been feeling better each day, so hopefully it will be healed up in the next couple of days.

3-day c'mon...

I love 3-day weekends. I hope to get a whole lot of Baseball watching in too. We start a 3 game set against the KC Royals tonight and we're coming off of a 3 game sweep of the Cubbies at home. LaRussa has really got these rookies rocking this year. Hopefully Pujols bat will come alive again and we'll see some historic shots this weekend. Last night he took out the I in BIG MACLAND, that was sweet to see.

The girls pick up their report cards today. We'll see how may booty whoopin's have to be dealt out.

Anyway, there is a chance for rain today and tomorrow, and since we haven't had any in a week and a half, we kind of need some now.

Wow, Kris pulled it off!

When Kris won last night it looked like he thought they were kidding. I thought he was going to give the trophy and the title to Adam. At one point he even said something like "this is Adams...".

I can understand humble, but man he really did not expect to win. This guy needs some confidence. I guess that was part of his charm. He was unassuming without being "awe shucks" like Archuleta last year. Anyway, Idol's over and we can now get back to our normal daily routines.

I bought the speed bag and platform from Academy Sports yesterday and mounted to the wall in the Rec room last night. Between that and the roping, I should be able to shed some pounds. Yeehaw! :) Then the ladies won't be able to resist...did I say ladies...I meant wifey.

Idol was just ok...

I wasn't really impressed by either Adam or Kris last night. The whole thing jsut seemed really low key for a Finale. I expected to see some excitement and some shit talking, but it was a dud. The songs pretty much sucked, especially the dumbass song that Kara co-wrote. It's really a travesty that the last two contestants and then the winner are forced to sing a cheesy ass coronation song like that every year. The one that Cookie had to sing last year sucked too. The reall travesty is that they are then forced to release that as their first single, and they are also forced to put it on their first album. Yuck. Yuck. Yuck.

Anyway, Pineiro threw a complete game shutout last night, which was a great feat, however, we still did nothing really on offense. If we don't start swinging the bats we are going to be in some real trouble this year.

Go cards.

Let the roping begin...again.

OK. I don't want to talk about the Cardinals. They are breaking my heart. Even though they are playing the Cubs the next 3 days I don't think I will watch. It hurts too much.

On a brighter note, since the garden is in and everything is on its' own for now, I have had the time to start back on the roping. Man, I forgot how much I really love to rope. I built a 7' x 7' platform in the Rec room out of 3/4" B/C plywood and painted it with gray garage floor paint. That's what I am using now to jump on. It is fantastic. I can tell already that my metabolism has shot through the roof just in the last week. I can't wait to drop about 10-15 pounds in the next month or 2.

I think I am going to also invest in a speed bag and rig. My neighbor has one and I was really amazed at the upper body workout you get from hitting that thing. So I figure that between roping and a speed bag I can get a highly intensive full body workout in less than 45 minutes.

I have also been trying to get out and throw horseshoes whenever I can. I have gotten much better at the turn throw, so much so in fact that it is now becoming difficult for me to throw the old flip shoe that I learned from Dad while I was growing up. This 1 1/4 turn style really is a superior way to throw the shoe. The way it lands and opens to the peg allows it to really "stick" when it hits. The flip shoe may open to the peg but because of the straight on angle, you have a higher percentage of bounce offs. The turn throw very rarely comes off the peg. Right now I have gotten to where I am throwing a fairly consistent 30-40% ringers. I would love to get that to 50% before I have to showcase my new skills to Dad. :)

The girls have like 1 more full day of school after today. They are so excited. Jillian told us last night that she is not going to have to attend summer school. We both told her we were proud of her, and that she may not let this happen again. Miri just wants to quit getting up at 5:30am everyday for a while.

The Adam and Kris showdown is tonight. Most people don't think that Kris has it in him to defeat Adam, but Audra and I both have a different idea. Figure it like this, Last week Ryan said that only about 1 million votes separated the top 2 (Adam and Kris), and you gotta figure that the people who were voting for Danny Gokey are more likely to throw their support behind Kris than Adam since his vocal styling are less over the top and more similar to Danny's. So, the way I see it, Kris has a real legitimate shot tonight. He just has to put some "performance" into his performance. He can't just stand there and deliver a sweet vocal, he needs to get the crowd into it. If he does that, I think we'll have a REAL showdown. Look out Adam, Kris is in da house!

Slump

What's up with the Cards? I listened to the game on Saturday and got to watch yesterday, but man, it's tough to witness. They need to get back on the horse. Maybe they can turn things around tonight with the makeup game from Friday's rainout.

Not much else going on today.

Gokey, Cardinals, both losers

So Gokey got booted. Who would have guessed? Well, I think the Aerosmith scream was what did him in. It definitely didn't help that Adam then came out this week and did Aerosmith and nailed it. Bye Bye Danny. I really hope Kris brings his game next week. It would be so sweet to see him take down Adam. Anyway, this season has turned out to be pretty suspenseful.

The Cardinals have been really struggling this week. With Ankiel and now Ludwick out, we have really cooled off at the plate. Even Albert has had a couple of 0-for games. Well, hopefully we turn it around tonight and avoid the sweep. We CANNOT let the Pirates sweep us. This weekend might be rough too if we can't pull things together. Milwaukee has a tough team.

Idol will be a squeaker tonight

Man, I think I was with Simon and had written off Kris until last night. I think he showed up both Adam and Danny. This is going to be one hell of an elimination show tonight. I won't be one bit surprised to see Adam go. Although any one of these three guys could really take the prize. Very interesting. I guess we'll see tonight.

Days are getting longer.

I noticed last night that it was still fairly light at 7:50PM. I know the length of the days has been slowing getting longer for a while, but we have had so much bad weather that I haven't even noticed. So I guess last night was the first time in weeks that we didn't have cloud cover in the evening.

We are thinking about getting a membership at either Costco or Sams. Does anyone have an opinion or a good/bad experience to share about either one of these places? I have been kind of weighing the pro's and con's of each place and want to get other peoples opinions. So far I am leaning toward Costco, even though it is $10 more per year ($50 vs. $40). We haven't spent any money at Wally World or it's affiliates in nearly a year and a half so I don't really want to start now. However, if you can convince me that Sams is better than Costco, and is worthy of my support (considering my aversion to what I call "the Wally World experience") then I am willing to give Sams a chance.

We will mainly be using it for food stuffs like rice, pasta, beans, flour, and other unprocessed bulk foods, so you know. Thanks for any opinions you may have.

Went Bowling Yesterday

We took Audra out to Shoneys for brunch and then we bowled 3 games in Columbia. All in all it was very relaxing weekend. When we got home I mowed the lawn. After that I grilled some burgers and threw some shoes with the neighbor. Then we sat down for supper and watched some tube. I was asleep by 9pm.

Jillian and Miri both got their rooms cleaned up this weekend. Miri's was just a matter of picking up, but everyone knows that Jillians always requires a bit more attention. Anyway, she dilly dallied at it all day Saturday, and then we headed to bed at about 10:30pm, or so I thought. Apparently Jillian went to her room and while the rest of us slept, she stayed up until midnight and got a huge amount of her room cleaned up. When I came into her room the next morning, I could not believe it. I went and got Audra and had her come look. What a Mothers Day gift for Audra. Jill finished it up yesterday and I think she even vacuumed. The kicker is that she did all of this of her own accord. I am so proud of her.

HTPC

I have been working on this HTPC on and off for a few months now. I put in the dual ball bearing fans this week and noticed while I had the case open that one of the fans on the power supply was dead. So I fixed that this morning and thought I'd post some pictures and specs for everyone. The case was a nasty OLD tan desktop case I got from work. The motherboard is an ASUS K8NE-Deluxe with an AMD 64-bit 3200 Processor. 3GB's of PC3200 RAM. The OS runs on a 250GB SATA HDD, and for storage I have a 1TB SATA HDD. Video card is an AGP Sapphire HD3850 with 512 RAM on board. DL SATA Liteon DVD Burner for an optical drive. It has a total of 8 very low DB low RPM fans in it, which means it pushes plenty of air through it and it always stays nice and cool, but the fans all run very quiet.

I have our entire movie library (most of them DVD ISO images), music library, and picture library all on this machine. This means that I never have to play and actual CD or DVD anymore even though it can. So I boxed them all up and there are now in the attic (not getting scratched).

This is also the machine that host my Subsonic Music Service. For media playback you have lots and lots of options. I use XBMC (Xbox Media Center) for all movie, music, and pictures. I use the internet to pay media like Hulu or MLB.tv premium (Cardinals games). It's really nice to have and it beats the crap out of a standalone DVD player.

Let me know what you think. Also, if you want an account to my Subsonic Music Service just let me know, it's free, and I have quite a bit of music.

Guess what the weather is like today

You're right, it's raining. How did you ever know?

Miriana had a stomach bug this week, but went to the doctor and is feeling better and back to school today.

Jillian has brought all of her grades up a letter point. I am very proud of her.

The kids only have 1 1/2 weeks until summer break. I know they are itching for it.

4 for 4 including a Homer

How can anyone make an argument against Pujols being the greatest player in the game today? It's impossible. We still don't know if he's the greatest ever, and won't know that until he's done. But, come one. Is anyone else in either league capable of the consistently incredible numbers this guy puts up? I mean 4 for 4 in Pujols book is nothing. For most guys they are glad to pull out a 2 for 4 night.

What's amazing to me is that he doesn't really seem to care about his personal stats all that much. When they ask him about an accomplishment, he always defers to whether they won or lost the game. He could go 4 for 4 with a homer in a loss and be upset that he didn't do more to help the team win. He's unreal. Really!

El Hombre, The Machine! These are nicknames that definitely suit him, but I would go so far as to add one more. THE CARDINAL, because he is THE CARDINAL. He started here, he has dominated the game here, he defines all that is good about (Cardinals) baseball here, and I truly believe that no matter what, he will stay here until the end.

Go Albert. Keep on doing what you do. We love to watch!

The Mystique of the Beard

Of all the facial hair styles that one may choose to wear, the full beard is the most powerful. It is the "King of Men's Beard Styles."
It may seem like the easiest style to grow and wear, but ask those who have tried and only ended up patches of tuft all over there faces. Even if you are genetically gifted and able to grow a full beard, don't be fooled into thinking it will be easy. The King of Beard Styles is not one to be trifled with. It may be technically easy to care for as far as trimming goes (although you will need two beard trimmers for proper care) but the emotional fortitude necessary is second to none.

No other beard style will require more commitment and dedication and yet no other style will give so much back. It is beautiful picture of making the big commitment and reaping the benefits of risking your heart and soul. When a man properly wears the full beard he is indeed a lion, he is the king. He demonstrates regal strength and power in a firm and fair way; he will turn heads and command the respect of his peers.

No other beard style can do that for you, the depth of the full beard cannot be measured. It is a well that has never run dry; its source is the beginning of mankind. Its potential is limitless and that is why all other styles will forever bow to it. It's no coincidence that every facial hair style is born of the full beard, the full beard was the beginning and it too shall be the end. When you don the full beard you are making a bold statement, if you lack the necessary strength of character and will power you will be shamed. Don't worry about the beard itself, for unlike any other style it can never be shamed. The prestige of the beard is too strong to be affected by an unprepared user.

OK enough already...

Seriously!!! It did not rain at all yesterday. So when I got home last night I threw on my old tennis shoes and basically mowed the lawn at a running pace. I got the whole thing mowed in about an hour and a half. That's close to a record. Ate supper at about 8pm, and then tucked in the girls. Audra and I watched Fringe (our favorite show this year) and went to bed about 9:30pm.

So of course you know by the time we got up this morning it's raining again. It looks like we'll get several more inches today, and they are predicting rain everyday again for the next week at least. Neither of us can bring ourselves to complain too much about it though given the past couple drought years. However, it does get dismal, and you do start to notice that things never get/stay dry. For instance, you take a shower in the morning, and then the next morning your towel is still wet from the morning before. I have started to put my towel in the dryer before I get in the shower, that way it's dry when I get out. The humidity makes everything sticky, and because everything is staying moist, I fear that we are going to start to see mold popping up in places. There's really nothing you can do about that when it's this wet all the time.

I noticed this morning that the Tempo passed 292,000 miles on the way into work. Rick, you should have kept yours, you could still be getting 30 mpg. Ha Ha. Anyway, this year she turned 16, which I guess means that she should be able to drive herself now. Man am I on a roll or what.:)

One last thing. You know if I was Brad Lidge, I wouldn't even think of throwing a hittable pitch to Pujols ever again. I mean the guy just continues to make Lidge look like a batting practice pitcher. I guess Pujols does that to a lot of people though.

Awesome!!!

Unbelievable to us now days. My God we've come far.

But seriously, Audra, have dinner ready by 6pm....or else?

Thanks Colleen.

Sprouts coming up

So last night I walked the gardens and here's what I saw. Onions, beans, and potatoes all sprouting. We are still waiting on the carrots and beets. The tomatoes are starting to flower already. the yellow squash, zucchini, and cucumbers are all coming along nicely. The peppers have all grown several inches, and the lettuce and spinach are doing great. Out front Audra's herbs are kicking. She has chives, lemon balm, lavender, parsley, dill, thyme, oregano, etc...

I forgot to mention that we have tons of strawberries too. some of them are really getting big, but the quantity is what I am amazed by.

Last week I made up a skin and beard conditioner using the lemon balm and lavender. In a sauce pot I steeped a bunch of the leaves from both in some olive oil and mineral oil until the leaves were fairly wilting. Then I strained the leaves out and added pure bees wax until I reached the desired consistency. After that I poured it into a couple of containers. It has a salve-like look and feel and smells very subtle, but it conditions my beard very well and is great as a skin and cuticle salve. I didn't have a recipe or anything I just made it up. That's how I roll...

I went out last night at around dusk and adjusted the new flood lights so they are now pointing exactly how I want them for maximum backyard illumination of the Horseshoe pits and the deck. What a wonderful addition to the house. Between the new flood lights, the outdoor speaker system I installed last summer, and the new Horseshoe pits, we are set now. Bring on the party.

Cards got it handed to them last night by the reigning Champs. I guess you kinda had to expect that. Oh well, we can still split the series. Thank God, Ankiel didn't break anything with that crash into the wall. I can't believe he made that catch though! Get better quick Ank, we need ya.

I don't remember a time before the RAIN.

I have forgotten what the Sun looks like, and how it feels on the skin. I could never live in Seattle. It has now been raining nearly non-stop for like 8 days. How dismal. Anyway, we're supposed to get a break from it tomorrow, and then it's back on Wednesday for several more days.

Onions, beans, and lots of other things are sprouting. The grass is out of control, but it's been toooooo wet to even attempt to mow. I may need a scythe by the time I can think about mowing.

Got the flood lights up and they work well.

16-7 April

What a way to start the season. 16-7 and rocking. I hope they can continue the pace. It's been so exciting to watch. I will say that aside from the Pujols homerun in the first, last nights game was a little boring until the ninth. Anyway, we got the job done.

I post this with thunder in the background. The rain finally got here last night. It knocked out the power in the middle of the night and if it hadn't woken up Audra we would have all been late this morning.

I wish you all a happy Cinco de Mayo. Bye.

The Love/Hate Home Depot relationship

You know I really don't know what to think sometimes about Home Depot. I have mixed feelings about the place. As everyone knows, I worked there for over 2 years. I was decently happy while I was there, but I can tell you that they definitely do not value their employees like they should. In 95% of cases the management would side with the customer. As an employee that was very frustrating.

Now, as a customer, I can appreciate the business model more. I can see how being so customer oriented really benefits Home Depot. In Spring Hill we have the choice to go to either Lowes or Home Depot, as they are only a couple of miles apart. Since I left the Depot I would say that we have frequented the Lowes more often than the Depot. I can only explain this as an quite natural aversion possibly related to the fact that I worked at one. However, I have recently been changing that habit and I think I have realized why.

It seems to me that the big difference between the 2 stores IS the customer service. The people at Lowes are friendly enough, if you seek them out. The people at Home Depot on the other hand seem to go out of their way to find YOU and see if you need help. I used to think that was really corny when I worked there, but I now find that it is what has been drawing me to spend more of my time and money there than at Lowes.

I am not saying that this is the experience in all Depot or Lowes stores, but it has been my experience in Spring Hill. I now only go to Lowes if Home Depot is out of something.

Isn't it interesting how a change in perspective can really change your mind about something.

They still have miles to go when it comes to compensating their employees, but, I don't work there anymore, so whatever. If an employee doesn't like it there, they should do what I did and leave.

No rain yesterday at all.

Well, I guess we'll see today, but yesterday we didn't get a single drop. I should have been a Weather forecaster. They can be wrong most of the time and still not only keep a job but make lots of money at it. It just doesn't make sense. Anyway, we had to water the new grass seed and the garden because of the lack of rain.

This weekend I hope to wire and mount the flood lights to the back of the house. They will be a nice addition to the backyard. Then we can have parties outback without worrying about people falling down the deck stairs. Also, It should be enough light to allow for some Horseshoe and Washers play after dark.

That's about it for today. Bye.

RAIN, RAIN, RAIN and other thoughts

Rain is in the forecast for the next 5-7 days. Just in time to help sprout all of the stuff we planted this weekend. Man sometimes things just work out great, you know? Anyway, I got to talk to Dad last night. He called me while he was taking a walk. He said he originally was going to call Colleen, but she didn't answer. So then he tried calling Elisa and got no answer there. So I guess that left me. Oh, well, I'm pretty much always home so I got to talk to him. :)

I miss seeing him more than twice a year. I guess it's like that for all of us, but I hear a lot of loneliness in his voice. Oh, how our lives change and evolve over time.

I hope everyone in the family knows that I Love them very much. I am not good at just picking up a phone and letting people know that they are important to me, but you all are. I do look forward to when we all get together, no matter how much things have changed.

I miss my relationship with Rick, remember we used to be best friends...I miss that.

I miss seeing Grandma and Grandpa any time I wanted to. I miss a lot of things we all had together growing up. It was a very incredible time. Mom and Dad did a great job providing a fantastic upbringing for all of us. I know things are quite different now, but, that's the way things work. The torch has been passed to us. It's our responsiblity to ensure that our kids have the same kind of quality upbringing that was given to us.

Even though we are not all together, we are still connected. Even though Mom and Dad are not together, the memories and years we all spent together connect us. The things they taught us still guide us in our everyday endeavors. That will never change.

We are so lucky to have been brought up by them. I know that most of the time I feel like I could never live up to the standard they set as parents. I try my best and I know that's all that can be expected. But I sincerely hope that when my children are grown, they will have the same feeling about me and Audra as I do about Mom and Dad. It's a mix of many emotions. Love, admiration, respect, and most of all a tender forgiveness.

They were not perfect, with us or with each other. But, I don't judge. I don't have that right. I am nowhere near as good as they were at this parenting job. I let too many things get in the way. Trivial things. It blows my mind that my children are nearly 8 and 12. Where has the time gone? How did they get so old so fast? How did I get so old so fast?

Pujols is Amazing

Albert Pujols is a freak. In a good way. I mean, have you ever seen anything like him before? I keep telling people that watching him play is like watching history being made. Growing up I always heard about the greats like Mantle, Ruth, Williams, etc... but this guy is on par with them, and I feel honored to be watching him every chance I get.

On another note, we finished all of the planting this weekend. The temp was mid to high 80's both Saturday and Sunday. It was gorgeous. Anyway, I'll update as things start to come up.

More planting this weekend.

This weekend we will finish the rest of the garden planting. We still have to put out potatoes, sweet potatoes, onions, beets, carrots, turnips, beans, and there are still some herbs, cucumbers and zucchini that are sprouting in a window sill in the house. On top of that, we've decided that we're going to check out this huge community-wide yard sale going on right down the street from us tomorrow. If there is anything you'd like us to keep an eye out for leave me a comment or email us at home and we'll grab it for you.

I bought Audra a kick ass Pfaltzgraff tortilla warmer and an 8" cast iron tortilla press which arrived on the mail yesterday. She's trying them out tonight. For a long while now whe's been making all of our tortilla's from scratch by rolling them with the rolling pin. The press will make that job so much easier. I can't wait.

Felling much better today.

I actually slept all night last night. I feel like 90% today. For some reason Audra and I both have been having trouble sleeping through the night lately. I think it is allergies, but it sure makes for some tired days. Anyway, today is much better.

Out sick...

I was under the weather for the past couple of days. I don't know what it was but I'm getting over it.

Anyway, here are some more pictures of the pits. I'm so proud of them and they play just like professional pits. I can't wait for Dad to come and check them out.

There's not much else going on this week... so far.

Horseshoe pits are finished

Friday night Audra and I spent about an hour and a half digging out two pitch runs for my horseshoe pits. Saturday I was outside and digging by 6am already. I dug the other two pitch runs out, made the pressure treated frames, filled the frames with gravel and leveled them. Then I poured sand on top of the gravel and used that to level each paver in its' place. after all of the pavers were set I locked them all in place by sweeping sand in between them all like grout.

It was a little after 5pm when I finished and I was beat. I was so tired that I only had the energy to throw about 20 shoes. Anyway, click on the picture above to get a larger version. I think they ROCK!

It's rain here for the next 2 days, so it may be a few days before I can really test them out. I bought flood lights for the backyard, but haven't had the chance to put them up yet. That will allow us to play Horseshoes and Washers even after dark. Nice!

Thinking about chickens...

I drew up plans yesterday for a chicken coop and run. I have been thinking very serious about investing in about 10 hens. I figure it would cost a few hundred to build and then whatever food we need to buy for them. What do you think?

Great Commercial

This explains everything! It's not steroids after all!!!

Click the post title to learn Albert's secret...

Damnit Carp

I know it's not his fault, but come on man! And he did it at the plate...

Sorry, long post today

I know it's becoming redundant, but, I absolutely LOVE this time of year. I love getting my hands dirty in the gardens. The smell, the cool weather, it's all is fantastic.

I noticed last night that some of the flowers on the strawberries are already turning into strawberries. That means we'll be eating fresh strawberries in less than 2 weeks.

The kids have T-CAP tests this week. That's the yearly State required assessment tests that all kids have to take. Both girls are really excited about them for some reason.

I have noticed a marked improvement in Jillian lately. She has been much happier and is coming home everyday to tell me about the grades she is getting. I can see now that she is really blossoming into an awesome person.

I think that some of the issues that we have been having with her this year stem from two things.

Number one is that I have not been paying enough attention to her. So I have recently started to include her in a lot of the things I do around the house. She helped me to build Audra's flower beds last weekend by using the drill to do most of the deck screws. This weekend she used the reel mower to cut about a 3rd of the lawn which was a huge help.

Number two is that I think she was getting caught in a cycle. She was getting bad grades and it was making her feel ashamed, and feeling bad about herself led to her getting more bad grades. It seems to be much better now. I take the fact that she is openly talking about school and grades now to mean that she is not hiding it anymore.

I know I have always expected her to act older than she is. I mean, she started talking so early and it seems like she has always been sooooo bright. I really need to work on just letting her be a kid sometimes.

Anyway, I talked to Dad this weekend, and he reminded me that I only get one shot at this. That always makes me tear up, because I know it's so true. After all, Jillian is turning 12 in just a couple of months.

Am I that old? Yeah, I guess I am. It was 17 years ago that I left 17 North Madison in Trenton Illinois, to go off and make a life for myself. Half of my lifetime ago. I'd like to think that I've learned a few things along the way, and I sure as shit know that I am not the same person I was back then. Whether that's good or bad is subjective.

All that to say that we're all on this trip together and it hurts me to think that I could let Jillian's part in my life dwindle to the point that it did. I am making a pact with myself and her that I WILL be a bigger part of her life, and I want her to be a bigger part of my life.

Miriana is such a different personality. I find her to be so much easier going and laid back than anyone else in the family. That's not exactly true. In the past few months I have been having these weird moments with Miri where she'll do or say something that TOTALLY reminds me of Corrie Huff. This sounds dumb, but I have always thought that Miri's toes looked like Corrie's toes. But recently her mannerisms, inflections, sense of humor, and even her laugh have really been reminding me of Corrie. Must be the genes.

Anyway, Miri is an absolute joy nearly all of the time. She is a very special person and I am proud to have her in my life. I hope she always keeps her innocent perspective on life. It's an incredible gift, and it affects everyone in her life.

and we're off...

Well, I distributed 3 more pallets of dirt this weekend. I used it to fill in Audra's new flowerbed and then filled in the bare spots and low spots in the yard. We made a run to the depot and Lowes for whatever plants, seeds, and flowers we still needed and then got about a third of our gardens planted yesterday before we both ran out of steam.

I am so excited about the gardens this year, but I feel like I never get any time to rest. I am sitting here right now feeling like I could start snoring any second.

Friday is the best.

Why can't everyday be like Friday? They're always the best day of the work week. I just don't get it.

Dirt Delivery

I ordered up three more pallets of dirt to be delivered tomorrow. That will fill in the last flowerbed and give me plenty to fill in the low spots around the yard. That makes a total of 8 pallets of dirt for this year, but we really needed it. I'm sure everyone who reads this knows that our yard is mostly red clay and instead of grass here in Tennessee our yards grow rocks. Not just any rocks, huge rocks. I have dug rocks out of my yard that weighed upwards of 100lbs.

That's why we have had to build all of our gardens above ground. It's great once it's done, however the initial building and filling are a lot of work. Hopefully using the excess dirt around the yard will enrich those areas enough to actually support grass growth. We'll see.

Gonna plant root vegetables and onions this week. Probably wait another week to put out any starter plants though.

Jillian and I counted almost 20 strawberry flowers and lots of buds last night. I think our strawberry crop is gonna be good this year. The plants have expanded out into the new area we gave them last year really well and there is lots of new growth. I've had to use Grandpa Huff's remedy of burying a can and filling it halfway with beer to kill the slugs and snails. Last year they got a bite out of nearly every strawberry we grew. This year I plan on staying on top of them.

I hope that moving the squash plants to the buckets on the deck will keep them from getting killed of by the squash bugs that have gotten them the past 2 years. They will be up off the ground and away from the grubs too. I am really hoping for a good squash and zucchini crop this year.

I have noticed also that everywhere I turn up dirt in the yard and garden there are lots of earthworms. I think that's a good sign that the things we are doing to improve the quality of the soil in our little patch of earth are working. Earthworms usually are a good gauge of how healthy the soil is. Plus they are really good for plant growth.

Make Thompson the Closer!

Although the guy looks like a 16 year old kid, he has the composure and command to get the job done. It was nice to see someone take the ball and actually close the game out. Thompson, you're hired. Also a nod to Lohse who went 7 with 5 hits and 3 runs, and Reyes who went one and gave up none.

Pujols knocked one out (419 feet), and went 2 for 3 with 2 walks. "The Machine" doesn't even begin to describe this guy. I've been watching him for 8 years and he still amazes me by getting better and more consistent every year, considering he was already the best in the game. I don't think there's any doubt that when his career is over people will have to say he was one of the greatest players ever to play the game. He is the total package, and for me, has come to represent what baseball should be. He IS the St. Louis Cardinals.

Should be an very interesting year.

Closer problems already...

Well, Motte gave up the game in the ninth. Surprise, surprise. I hope this year is not a repeat of last year in the closer department. It is so demoralizing to take a lead into the late innings and have your closer hand it over. I know it's only the first game, but it felt all too familiar. Our closers blew over 30 games last year. That makes a huge difference in whether we contend or not. What are we paying the closers for anyway? Aren't they supposed to CLOSE the game?

On another note, El Hombre went 3 for 4 with a double and is batting .750.

Albert can't do it all though.

Home Opener today

I am so stoked that baseball is finally back. I hope I don't get a speeding ticket on the way home to watch the game. I have to work until 5 and won't get home until 5:45-6:00 so I'll have to watch the Archived game at MLB.tv. I don't care, as long as I get to watch it. YEEHAW.

Go Albert!
Go Albert!
Go Albert!
Go Albert!
Go Albert!
Go Albert!
Go Albert!
Go Albert!

I hope they don't start in with the Bonds treatment today. Let him put one in Big Mac land to start the season off right.

Work, Work, Work...

Man I can tell it's springtime, my whole body hurts. I spent this whole weekend outside again working my ass off. I helped my neighbor Brian to frame up his 12x14 shed most of Saturday, and that was after I cut the lawn. Then on Sunday Jillian and I used the leftover landscape timbers from the garden project to build Audra another flower bed along the entire length of the east side of the house. We also built some really sweet backstops for the horseshoe pits. It was great spending the day with Jillian, and I think she really liked being included in the work. I did all of the Miter saw cuts and she did most of the screws.

Anyway, I'm pooped. Next week we'll be planting, and I don't expect to get any rest until maybe Thanksgiving or so. It's all worth it though, and you really get a sense of accomplishment when you stand back and look at everything you've done.

Beef...Yummy

We have some friends in Chapel Hill who have access to a discounted rate on premium grass fed beef. They asked us if we wanted to split a side with them.

At $2.50/lb for primo top quality you can't go wrong. Not only is grass fed leaner than the grain fed you get at the store, but they are also packed with omega 3 fatty acids instead of the omega 6 that the store bought has.

I think we're getting somewhere around 150 lb's, which should last us quite a while.

BRANT LOVES AUDRA!!! 4EVER

Sometimes I get so wrapped up that I neglect the most important things in my life. Springtime is all consuming at our house and I need to make sure that I am paying enough attention to my family, along with the yard work, gardening, and Cardinals Baseball.

So, Audra, keep on me, so I don't lose track of the things you need from me. There should always be time to do something together, even if it is just spending a few moments gardening together or cooking a meal together.

I feel very lucky to have you and the girls in my life, and I hope you know how much I LOVE you.

Garden Project Done!

So the weather didn't really cooperate this weekend, but we got the new gardens built anyway. 50 landscape timbers and 5 pallets of dirt later we have effectively quadrupled the amount of garden space we have. This year should be a real boon to our food pocketbook.

I figure I had close to 300 bags of dirt at 40 pounds each. Plus I lifted each bag 2 times, once from the pallet to the cart and then again from the cart to the garden. Add that up, and yep I lifted around 24,000 pounds by myself all in one day. Needless to say I was a little beat yesterday. Luckily I had thought forward enough to have requested to be off work Monday.

Anyway, Audra and I sat down yesterday and mapped out the garden spaces and what we will be growing where. Even if we only have a decent growth year, we will have lots and lots to put away for the future. I am really excited, as you all know, we both really love to tend to the garden and this year it will be a real job.

Don't do it Mike!!!

Last year Mike Atwood had surgery on one of his knees, after which he was as spry as a spring chicken. This surgery enabled him to improve his quality life and to yet again partake in some of life's rewarding adventures. This continued pursuit of his passions, namely bike riding, went on for a great many months, until, recently, it was discovered that his other knee had possibly the same flaw, and may also require this life altering surgery.

Now, it is perfectly normal for our bodies to start to fall apart as we grow into our advanced years. However, for someone to be falling apart so quickly is a downright mystery. Could it be all of those years of abusing his body by filling it with sugary caffeinated beverages?

Coke addiction is by far one of the worst travesties a person can wreak upon his/her own body. In Mike's case this craving has always been an unquenchable thirst. His body yearning for the instant gratification, the rush, the ecstacy of sugar and caffeine shooting through his veins.

Apparently all of this has taken it's toll on Mike. I have recently been made aware that Mike is now on a mission to drown himself from the inside out by self-administering a daily dose of water so large as to be nearly incomprehensible to the Human mind. It is my understanding that Mike has committed to not only giving up the Coke, but to replacing it with approximately 64 ounces of water every day. As we all know this is insane, and utterly impossible. This feat would be equal to drinking 8 full glasses of water, and Mike proposes to do this to himself every single day.

I know, I am not alone in my concern for Mike regarding this. I have tried in earnest and with all of my "friend powers" to dissuade him from this course of action. However, it seems that no amount of expressed concern, no amount of warning about hyponatremia will deter him.

If you are a friend of Mike, or even if you just care about all living things (including hippopotami and sea urchins), please join me in helping Mike feel like life is still worth living, and that water poisoning is not an option. Show him that you care and want him to go on living by visiting his blog at http://www.ridehorsey.blogspot.com/
and leaving a comment for him.

Thanks you everyone, we may have just saved his life.

290,000 miles and counting

The Tempo turned 290,000 miles old on Tuesday. It's hard to believe that I've had her for 14 years. She still runs fantastic and gets me 28+ MPG's. I just keep taking care of her and she keeps taking care of me.

On another note, we are 12 days, 2 hours, and 40 minutes from Opening day. Go Cardinals.

I miss my girls, and so does Sawyer. Whenever Jillian isn't here he just kinda mopes around the house. This morning he came up and wanted me to pet him, that's how desperate he was. He never wants love from me. Oh well, they'll be back soon and I have lots to keep myself busy with.

This weekend I am building 2 more above ground gardens. I ordered up 50 landscape timbers and 4 pallets of top soil from the depot. It's all being delivered tomorrow and I suppose I'l be awful damn sore next week. But it's gotta be done, and I have a feeling we'll really enjoy having all the extra crops. The garden we have used for the last 2 years will be strictly green beans this year. I'll have 8 tomato plants all hanging from the top of the deck. I'm going to put corn in at the edge of the property, so it won't take up any garden space. Lettuce is going in the tub at the end of the "bean" garden.

That leaves the other two gardens for squash, potatoes, onions, turnips, beets, cabbage, peppers etc.

It's raining here today, and is predicted to rain all weekend. Hopefully we get a break so I can build this stuff.

I almost forgot to mention that the strawberries are coming back to life and starting to spread into the new area we gave them last fall. Hopefully that will almost double the crop we get from them this year.

Between canning, freezing, and dehydrating, we should be in good shape this year.

Spring Break

This week is spring break for the kids, so they will be gone to Illinois all week. Whatever shall Audra and I do without them .............................???

So Jillian's camping trip got cancelled and she was pretty upset about it. That meant that we got to have Saturday night and most of Sunday together. I had a really good time with her. We didn't really do anything that special, just kinda hung out and did some errands. We did watch The Princess Bride Saturday night and went to Home Depot on Sunday. She is a cool kid...and I do Love her a lot. I hope she knows that.

Help PLEASE!!!!!

So this is apparently camping weekend for the Girl Scouts. Jillian is leaving tonight and Audra is going tomorrow with Miri. They won't be back until Sunday night. So I have the house to myself Saturday night. What's really funny is that I will probably be in bed by like 10pm. I know, I'm getting old. Plus I need my beauty sleep.

On another note, report cards came out yesterday. Miri is very close to straight A's. She has 2 classes that are just a hair under A's. I am very proud of her.

As you recall, Jillian has been struggling with school this year and so far we have been unable to figure it out. After here last report card we were told that if things don't improve she will be repeating the 6th grade. Well yesterdays report card was accompanied by a letter from the school. Yeah, not good. Not only did she NOT improve her grades, but several of them actually went down. I cannot tell you how this makes me feel. She expected us to be angry with her, but I only feel severe disappointment.

Apparently if she only actually fails one class then she would be eligible to attend summer school. If she passed summer school then she would be able to stay with the rest of her current class.

If she fails more than one class however, she would be automatically held back with no option for summer school.

Guys, I really have no idea what else we can do for her at this point. She scores very high on all her tests, and it seems like she understands her schoolwork. As I understand it the issue is completing and handing in homework. Some of it she completes and just "forgets" to hand in, and some of it she just doesn't do.

Could it be that she is just bored with the level of education she is getting? Is it too easy and so she is just disinterested? I don't know. Of course I would choose to believe that's the case, but it could just be a maturity issue.

How do you convey to a nearly 12 year old the importance of at least PASSING in school. She is in serious trouble here and not just by Audra and I, and yet she doesn't seem to understand.

Spring is sooooo close

18 days 2 hours and 34 minutes until Opening Day for Mr. Pujols and his band of crotch scratching manly men in tights. I cannot wait. I got to watch a spring training game last Sunday and have been checking the website everyday. Got the fever...

I had to cut the lawn last night when I got home from work. I am so glad I bought the Husqvarna reel mower last year. It is such a joy to use and gives a fantastic cut. Plus because it's so light, Audra can get a head start on the lawn while I'm still at work. She had all of the front done by the time I got home.

Today I called the Verona Caney Nursery and inquired about topsoil. I will probably build the other two gardens this weekend and have the dirt delivered the next. By then we'll be ready to put out onion sets and lettuce seeds. YEAH!!!

I changed the Subsonic website address

I was able to make it easier to access the Zurliene4 Music Service. So for anyone with an account, now you only have to type:

zurliene4.gotdns.com

into your browser and viola! You no longer need to remember that it's port 8080. If your account no longer works (I had to re-enter them and might have forgotten one or two) or if you need to setup an account just let me know and I'll hook you up.

Admin out...

Started to fill the attic

We started putting things in the attic this weekend. So far we have put all the camping equipment, Christmas and holiday decorations, and lot's of other things up there. I am amazed at how much space is left. It barely looks like we have put anything up there, and yet we have cleaned out most of our walk-in closet already.

On another note, the 1TB SATA drive I ordered on Thursday is being delivered today. I got it at Newegg for $89. I will put it in the HTPC tonight and start dumping all my media to it. I have boxed and stored our CD collection since we don't ever use CD's anymore. And I think I am going to work on doing the same thing with our DVD collection. I'll rip all of them to ISO images and store them on the 1TB drive. The XMBC software reads ISO's just like an actual DVD so no problem there.

I know I'm a geek. I get excited about this stuff...XBMC really is incredible.

Cold and Rainy here this weekend

I was really hoping to get to work in the yard this weekend. I have lots of projects lined up to get ready for the growing season. I am building two more garden areas which will more than triple the amount of garden space we have. I will be utilizing currently unused spaces near the deck, so I won't be intruding into the yard at all. Both spots get full sun, so we're good there. I am building hooks off of one side of the deck where we will be hanging 5-gallon buckets to grow our tomatoes upside down. That way they will not take up any garden space at all.

Audra has all kinds of good ideas about how to lay out the gardens for maximum production, and I guess we will be starting some seeds this weekend.

I can't wait...

Click images for eye pain...really!!!

XBMC, Hulu, and MLB.tv

About 2 weeks ago I purchased the RAM and whatnot that I needed to max out all our machines. So here is where we are now. My main machine - P4 2.8, 2Gb PC3200, 120Gb HDD - Audra's main machine - P4 3.0, 3Gb PC3200, 250Gb SATA HDD - and the HTPC (Home Theater PC) - AMD 3200 64 bit 2.0, 3Gb PC3200, 250Gb SATA, and an ATI Sapphire HD3850. The girls also have a machine, it is a P3 Coppermine 733, 256Mb PC133, 80Gb HDD.

Anyway, We have all been running Ubuntu 8.10 (Intrepid Ibex) with absolutely no issues at all. Linux really is great.

Last week, however, I decided to rebuild the HTPC from scratch because I didn't like the way the Linux drivers were controlling the ATI card. So I did a fresh install of XP Pro SP3. The Catalyst drivers are working excellent and the 480P and 1080i feeds are great. So the next step was to install some Media Center software to make the experience that much easier. There is just something that's no fun about using a regular old desktop on a TV. Anyway, after much research I have ended up with XMBC. Let me tell you, it is sweet.

So now not only do I have very user friendly access to all of my media, but, I can also use IE or FF to browse to Hulu and MLB.tv premium. So this year it may be totally possible to kiss goodbye to traditional television. I may be able to get rid of Dish and thus save over $50 per month.

Both Hulu and MLB.tv premium stream in HD, so the quality is great. With Hulu I just have to wait until the next day to watch shows, which I already do anyway. MLB.tv not only streams in HD, but also offers DVR functionality and Archived games as well. I am diggin' it. So this year we'll get to watch all the Cardinal games and more in HD. Go PUJOLS!!!

The Attic Project

Cary and Tonya came down this weekend to visit. Cary is always more than happy to help with projects around the house, so we decided to go ahead with building the attic above the Rec Room. We started by cutting a hole in the ceiling to find out what we were up against. There were several surprises. First was the fact that the space was already insulated. That saved me several hundred dollars I had been fully expecting to spend. Second was that the 2x10 (nice) ceiling joist were spaced a sturdy 16 inches on center. That was a nice surprise and means that we don't have to worry about weight up there. Third, the space was dry and clean, which meant it was ready to be converted to an attic without haveing to clean out critters or debris.

So we went down to the Depot and purchased some pull down aluminum attic stairs and everything we would need to wire up a light and lay a 5/8" OSB floor.

We started the project at around noon and with only one stop for supper, we had it all done and cleaned up by about 9:30pm. We trimmed out the stairs the next morning and it is sweet. Audra is ecstatic to have the storage space.

I figure I added about 350-400 square feet of storage to the house, which means we can now keep the closets and shed much more organized.

I will say that spending all day in a cramped space makes for a sore next couple of days though. I also have to give credit to Cary. At 59 he still stays neck and neck with me on projects, which absolutely amazes me. I tend to get really focused and work myself and him like a dog until the whole thing is done. We probably should have split it up into a 2 day project, but what the hell. I do suspect he'll be sore a couple of days longer that I will though.

5 month beard

As you can see, I have updated my profile picture. That was about 2 or 3 weeks ago. I have to say that the longer it gets the more I like it. In the past I have worn a beard many times, but I would always keep it trimmed short. This is by far the longest I have ever let it get. I am not sure how to explain to someone why I like it so much, it just feels more natural. 5 months is a real accomplishment and I hope to hit what's called the "Year Beard". That is one full year without trimming. I figure at the current rate of growth that by one year it should be about 7-8 inches.

You'll be so proud of me, I just know it. It may be the greatest accomplishment of my life...

Chicks dig it too!!!

Dinovo Mini is a DREAM!!!

I ordered this for my Home Theater PC. I was tired of having a keyboard and mouse always plugged up to it. This thing is fantastic. First of all, it is tiny. Secondly, it's beautiful. And thirdly, it works. A 4 hour charge gives you at least a month of use. Sweet Sweet Sweet. I'm in love.

Snow...and lots of it too.

So we got like 8-9 inches of snow on Saturday night, and by Friday it will be back up to 70 here. Anyway, the kids had a great time playing in it and it's mostly gone by now. The weather has been real up and down this year.

Subsonic is sweet!!!!!

Last week I discovered a streaming audio program called Subsonic. When installed on your computer it runs in the background as a service and allows streaming access to whatever music content you tell it to. It has a sweet HTML interface that is fully customizable. As an admin you can create as many account for your friends and family as you want. The program is set up to use port 80 on the server it's on, so I set up my router to direct any traffic coming in on 80 to that server. So now I have access to it anywhere that I have internet access. I just open a browser and type zurliene4.gotdns.com and it takes me directly to my homepage.

For anyone else reading this who may want to access my music collection remotely, simply leave me a comment on this blog or email me. I'll set you up an account and email the info.

There is also a WAP version that can be accessed using your mobile phone. Once I email you your account information, simply type in zurliene4.gotdns.com:8080/subsonic/wap and then enter your account info. Download the application and have fun playing all of my music on your phone.

Let me know what you think. My family and I have completely gotten rid of iTunes and Rhythmbox and now only use Subsonic.

Glasses

I had to schedule an eye appointment today for Miriana. She has been complaining for about 2 weeks that she is having a hard time seeing the whiteboard at school. I didn't get glasses until 5th grade and I think Audra was about the same. Miri will be 8 years old in June. I was really hoping the kids wouldn't have the myopia, but I guess it's genetic. Thanks Dad.

So I guess we'll find out on Saturday if she really does need to get glasses. Like all kids, she is excited about wearing glasses and doesn't understand what a pain in the ass they can be. Anyway, if she needs them, she needs them.

I just hope she never develops the floaters in her eyes like I have, they can be very distracting, especially when when I'm looking at something white.

Chiro-quack-tics

I went to see a Chiropractor today, to see what he could do about a pain I have had between my shoulder blades for about 10 years. It comes and goes but when it flames up bad there can be a knot the size of a cigar. Anyway, he says that he can fix it for me. He took x-rays and also did an eval on the rest of my spine. Apparently I have lost 15-20 degrees of motion in my neck due to this back issue. I had never noticed until he showed me that I could turn my head quite a bit farther one way than the other. He also said that my right leg was over an inch shorter than the left, weird...

I scheduled to go in again next Monday and have him read the x-rays and do a first adjustment. I guess we'll see. I never considered a Chiropractor until I got the free assessment from this guy. It seems like he really knows what he's talking about, plus my insurance covers like 12 visits. So I guess I'll go 12 times.

Don't know what to do about Jill

The Assistant Principal called yesterday again. Apparently he thought he had made it abundantly clear to Jillian that she was to voluntarily quit band and start attending a tutor for math for the hour she would normally be in band. She has just continued going to band class and has not seen the tutor once.

I am not really sure at this point what to do about her. She is a bright girl, but is completely unmotivated. We have tried everything...believe me. The last time he called, she said she would do anything she had to in order to be able to stay in band, but when I talked with her last night it didn't even seem to bother her that he has forced her out of band. She said it bothered her, but I could tell in her reaction that it really didn't.

So I am at the end of my rope. She has no discipline, no sense of urgency, and no motivation in her life. How do you instill that in someone? I told her last night that there is a real possibility that she will be repeating the 6th grade, which means that all of her friends will be a year ahead of her. Even that barely garnered a significant reaction.

So, I am seriously considering asking the school to hold her back no matter what. She has proven over and over that she lacks the maturity to be in the 6th grade (middle school), so maybe she needs to do it again. I just don't know.

I told her that I am not expecting to have this conversation again, and she agreed that she would really try harder, but I am dubious.

Any suggestions? Please?

I'm still alive.

I haven't had much to say this past week. It seems like I have been really busy, but when I think back I can't really tell you with what. We heard yesterday that we are approved for the refi loan on the house and should be closing in the next week or so. That's exciting because it will give us the cushion we need and allow us to do some of the projects around the house that got put on hold when Audra quit her job.

That's pretty much it. Boring blog day. Damn, my blog is starting to resemble ridehorsey...

American Idol

I don't know if any of you follow Idol or not, but last night I was really surprised that they sent home Jamar. In my opinion he was better than many of the contestants that they kept. I mean come on, they kept Nick/Norman, Tatiana, and Joanna who couldn't ever remember her lyrics.

Anyway, the show is always full of surprises like that. Last year I was shocked as hell when America voted off Michael Johns, as he was much better than most.

I have Jasmine Murray and Danny Gokey pegged for the top ten, if he can get over his buddy Jamar being booted. Also, there is some overrated talent like the blind guy, Scott MacIntyre. His voice is only so-so.

Looks like it will be a fairly interesting year.

Tax Season

Well, I finally got everything I needed in order to file our taxes last night. Even with Audra quiting her job in August we still made $3k more this year than last. The bad news is that it put us just barely into a higher tax bracket. So this year instead of getting back $3k+ we will be getting a refund of $1400. Oh well, I guess I can't complain, I mean we are doing fine and all.

We are also still waiting to hear if we are approved for our Refinance on the house. We bought the house 2 1/2 years ago for $125k and had it appraised a week ago at $160k. If all goes right the loan will be a fixed rate of 5.5% on $154k with a Cash-out of $24k. This will go into the bank and be used to finally do some of the Home improvement projects we've been wanting to do. Cross your fingers for us, we need to get some of these projects done.

Had the Flu yesterday

I had some kind of bug yesterday. Don't know what it was except that I had no energy and all my muscles and joints hurt. Didn't check to see if I had a fever, but I assume I did. Anyway, I called into work at 6am and promptly went back to bed. I slept until almost 11am. That's how I know I was fighting something. Otherwise I could never sleep that long.

I feel better today, although I still feel sort of weak. Oh well, if it doesn't kill you...

The Day The Earth Stood Still

If you have never watched this movie, do. I have always assumed it was just a cheesy low-budget SciFi movie from the 50's, but it's so much better than that. I haven't yet seen the new one with "Ted" in it, but there is no way that it can live up to this masterpiece. Seriously, check it out, you will not be disappointed.

Anyone want some kittens?

About 4 years ago we adopted 2 little orange tabby kittens from the shelter. They were to brothers from the same litter and were about 8 weeks old. Anyway, we got to see the mother before we decided to adopt them and should have realized at that point how big these guys were going to be. Their mother was about 15-16lbs and fluffy orange. Sawyer is about 18-19lbs and Jack is just under that. We also have another inside cat, a little Tortoise shell colored female that I call "Baby Girl". She is full grown at just under 5lbs. What a interesting thing to see these near-Lions cower in the presence of her. She is feisty and gets what she wants with them. In return they play with her and groom her. It's so cool. Anyway, those are just the inside cats.

Outside we have Charlie, an absolutely beautiful snow white male with bright blue eyes. He really is striking to look at, and weighs in at around 10lbs or so. Charlie used to be an inside cat, but after we got him fixed he took to peeing on my beer fridge, and we can't have that now can we. Anyway, he's always been kind of a stand offish loner, so he does just fine outside.

Last but not least is our other outside cat Marshmallow. She started hanging around our house last year after we put Charlie outside. She kind of took him under her wing and showed him how to survive outside. I have personally seen her take on other cats and whoop ass to protect Charlie. She is a beautiful cat with gray stripes and white boots and weighs about 10-12lbs. She also happens to be a fantastic commodity as she is an excellent hunter. Last spring she killed 6 or more moles around the neighborhood.

Anyway, about 2 weeks ago I noticed that Marshy was looking like she was gaining weight, which was weird since we haven't started feeding them more food or anything. A quick feel of her belly confirmed that she was full of little kitties. I don't know how many kittens she's got in there, but, as of last night they are kicking and moving like crazy. I built her a little birthing box for the porch and we lined the whole thing with old towels. I don't know exactly how far along she is right now, but, it can't be too long.

I'll update you on how many she has and the colors when they come. Please let me know if you want a good mouser, as any leftovers will be donated to the shelter. If her kittens are anything like Marshmallow they will be kid friendly and have excellent loyalty and hunting instincts. Just let me know.