How much can I get for a kid?

Seriously, I have a 12 year old I am willing to sell if the price is right. I have considered selling her to the circus in the past, but I think I could get more for her in the open market.

Audra got a call yesterday from the Assistant Principal at the Middle school. He says that they are very concerned about Jillian's grades. She is apparently failing Math, and when we asked her about it she says it's because she doesn't understand it. She also doesn't tell anyone she doesn't understand it and therefore I can't be upset at the teacher.

I have had to again threaten to remove her from Band. It's about the only leverage I have with her, as she doesn't seem to care about much else. How do you get through to a kid who has no passions and doesn't seem to care about anything? How do you infuse a sense of responsibility into a kid like that?

I don't mean this in a bad way, but the older she gets the more she reminds me of my sister Colleen, and I'm not sure how to deal with that. How do I get through to her?
I can't remember ever having problems with motivation, I am naturally competitive and always wanted to excel at things. I mean, that's why you decide to do something right, to get good at it? Well, what if you are not really motivated by anything?

Any suggestions out there? PLEASE!!!

New photo for my profile...

Here's what I am using from here on out...it's sweet isn't it? I love GIMP!

Hit it hard this weekend

I started the weekend off by taking a Friday night off from workouts. That was nice. Then on Saturday I reorganized and consolidated the wood piles out back. I also split some of the logs that had been seasoning, and stacked them too. I then did a heavy chest and tricep workout. I was toast, but it was Michelle's birthday so we were up late. Sunday I went with Brian and we cut a shit load of Oak, Ash, and Locust. I estimate about 2500-3000lbs worth. Got home at about 4pm and I was wore out. After taking a hot shower I sat down and watched Bill Mahers Religulous with Audra and ate some supper. I was so tired that couldn't keep my eyes open anymore by 9pm.

Anyway, I thought I would be a lot more sore today, but I'm feeling alright. Of course I slept like a log last night.

Chili con Ardilla

So today is the chili cook-off at work, and I have made something special. I am calling it Chili con Ardilla. For those of you who don't speak Spanish that means Squirrel Chili. I did not put any squirrel in the chili, but we'll see if anyone gets the joke.

Anyway, I started with a 3.5lb chuck roast cut into 1/2" cubes and marinated that in lime margarita mix for about two days. Then last night I simmered that in a cast iron skillet with 1 onion, 1/2 cup of chili powder, a sprinkle of garlic powder, and about 1/2 TBSP of Cumin. Then I cooked it until all the liquid was turning into paste.

In the meantime I added 4 cans of chili beans and three jars of whole canned tomatoes (from the garden this summer)into the Crockpot. Then I added about 2 TBSP's of brown sugar, lots of salt, some fresh ground black pepper, half of a diced green pepper, and several shakes of Franks Original Redhot sauce.

Stir in the meat and let cook on low for about 10-12 hours.

Heaven...Wish you could just smell it, don't you? Anyway, we'll see how it does against the competition.

***update***

There were 10 entries and awards were given for the top 3. I did not even place, however, they ate every last drop of my chili and left some of the others. That just doesn't make any sense to me. Anyway, there's always next year.

Ropin' tonight

I have been hitting the weights pretty hard this week, and tonight it's time to work in some cardio in the form of the rope. I love to rope, and as soon as i can I am going to buy a 4' x 4' sheet of 3/4" plywood to put down over the carpet in the Rec room so I can rope in there anytime I want. It would be perfect because it has a 9 foot ceiling and plenty of room. Also, putting the plywood down over the carpet will be better than jumping on the concrete of my neighbors garage, and the carpet will provide cushion to the jumps instead of the friction it now provides to the rope. Essentially, jumping on the carpet slows the rope down so much it keeps me from getting really into it. When the rope is able to fly without friction you can really crank up the rpm's and zip. 

I have a place lined up to go get a bunch of wood this weekend. The guy says that he has locust already down that just need to be cut into logs and hauled off. I needed some more as this has been a fairly cold winter in Tennessee. I hope to get enough to get me through some  (or all) of next year also. The wood really does burn better when it has been seasoned for at least 6-8 months. Anyway, I hope to talk him out of some of his Oak and Hickory too. Wish me luck...

Come on Baseball, I'm getting the fever...

I know the World Baseball Classic is coming up pretty soon, and it's making me want to watch the Cards. Pujols is on the roster to play in the Classic, but the rules state that anyone that's had surgery during the post season is not eligible. We'll see how that goes. I would hate to see something happen to him that would cause him to miss any time during the season. 

Anyway, the team is looking OK from what I can tell, but you never know. It could go either way.

The picture above is of course the Pujols/Lidge moment of legend. The shot heard 'round the world. Over the train tracks...bye bye. Click the pic for an even more satisfying resolution. Mmm...Mmm..that's good. I wonder if there was any leather left on that ball?

History made today...

No matter who you voted for in November, today is an historic day. Certain events are destined to stand out in the minds of every generation. Our parents remember Ford, Nixon, and Carter, and the important events surrounding them. We remember Reagan, Bush, Clinton, and the lesser Bush. Our children will remember this day for the hope that it offers. 

The inauguration of Barack Obama represents a fundamental break from the past 232 years. That course of history is forever changed. You don't have to like it, but I for one don't care what you think. It's happening, deal with it. We need this change, we need things to make sense again. We need some guidance after an 8 year assault on our dignity and pride that has left us wondering who we even are anymore. Churches and religion no longer fill that void, community activism is at all time lows, most other Countries cannot stand us, and how many of us are willing to stand up and say aloud "I'M PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!"?

Don't you see the damage that Bush has done? It's for shame. It's for shame that we let him do this by turning a blind eye for eight years. We let him make an ASS out of America.

Obama, I hope your shoulders are broad and strong, because if Bush is what it means to be a President, then I think we need a father instead. Someone who can show us the way to live peacefully and prosperously. Someone to provide hope for the future and true understanding of what it means to be an American.

Are you ready to adopt us all, bring us under your wing, protect and nuture us in your house? Are you ready to raise the bar in regards to what it means to be the Commander in Chief? We are all counting on you, no pressure...  

By the way, excellent speech... I was truely inspired.

Crossword addiction...

I LOVE to do Crosswords. I know, I know, there only supposed to be for old people. I guess I must be old. I started doing at least one a day over 2 years ago and I'm so hooked now that I go through mental withdrawals if I don't get to do one. I have gone 2 days before, but it gets almost unbearable. 

I think they should make Crosswords a Class 1 drug, with Meth and Heroine. They should be illegal. 

Next time you walk by a homeless person think to yourself, maybe they had a severe Crossword addiction and that's why they are homeless and lost their family. It can be that bad. There are times when I'd kill for the chance to do a good Crossword. I'm hooked. Don't get between me and the Puzzle, or you WILL get hurt. I'm not kidding, I'll find out where you live and I'll hunt you down. 

On a lighter note, history will be made tomorrow, where will you be. Stories to tell the grandkids. I'll be telling mine about the Great Depression II and the first black president, right along with tales of the Little Tempo that Could. Yeah, those were the days...  and yes that's Cat Stevens up there...we're twins.

Cold weather shuts down Tennessee

Tennesseans are wimps when it comes to winter. They called off school all across the mid-state region for Friday because the temperatures were predicted to be close to zero. Can you believe that crap. Also, anytime it is forecast to snow even just a dusting they call of school. I can understand that the state is not prepared to handle roads if it snows, but closing things down because of cold just blows my mind. 

Anyway, it only got down to 6 degrees last night out in the boonies where I am. For some reason though the power went out several times throughout the night. Luckily I'm so used to getting up at the same time each morning that I didn't even need the alarm (which isn't battery powered). 

Audra stayed home with kids today because the only heat with the power off is the fireplace, and I did not want them having to tend to that all by themselves today. As usual my trusty car started right up this morning, what a car that Tempo has been for me. Just turned 287,000 miles today and still getting 25-31 MPG. Amazing.

The Beard is progressing nicely...

Trumpets again???

I went and picked up Jills' trumpet last night from the music store. It looks much better than it did, and I know that the chemical dip cleaned out the inside, and now all the slides come off easier. Jill was really excited about it and I was glad to see that. She brought most of her grades up this quarter and that is our contingency for continuing to play the trumpet. The new case I ordered for her should be in this week sometime also. 

Now that the holidays are over Audra will be redoubling her efforts to find a full time position somewhere. I don't know how but there always seems to be enough in the account to cover our needs. I just don't ask questions, I wouldn't want to jinx it, you know. 

I got another squirrel on Saturday which made 3 in the past week. I clean the legs and freeze them as I get them so on Saturday I had 12 legs in the freezer and decided to make some stew. It was very good. Jillian liked it a lot, Audra didn't care for the toughness of the meat (I'll start by pressure cooking them next time for starters) and Miri ate everything but the meat. Squirrel is a dark meat and has a consistency similar to a chuck steak. I enjoyed it very much, and look forward to getting more as they try to steal my hickory nuts. 

Last night we reheated the stew and this softened the meat quite a bit more. It was a much more enjoyable texture. It just needed to cook a little longer to soften up. 

The Family Trumpet

At Christmas we picked up The trumpet that has been passed down through the family, for Jill to play with. It started with my Uncle Steve and was then passed to my sister Colleen. It was more than likely purchased used in the 60's and I have no idea how old it really is. For the past several years it has been stored in Dad's basement and the case is really musty and moldy. 

I took it to the music store and ordered up a new case for it. $82 for that. Then I had them send it off for cleaning and maintenance. Still waiting to hear about how much that's going to be. I believe the service includes replacing the felt and corks, but I think that spring replacement is extra.  After that we should be able to maintain it at home and keep it in good shape. Jill has been very excited about playing this Trumpet because of the warm sound it has and the sentimental aspects of it being passed down through the family.

2009 here I come, and I'm da bomb!!!

I think I'm going to approach this year with a Muhammad Ali attitude. 2009, here I come and you better watch out cause I'm the greatest. Rope a Dope. Float like a wingless butterfly, sting like a Bumble Bee. 

New Years celebration was fairly low key with a few friends and some beverages. We capped off the night with a fireworks display that was unimpressive to say the least. 

Got to talk to Mom and Dad both (separately) yesterday. Spent most of the day watching movies and relaxing. Nice. 

Today is back to the daily routines, at least for one day and then of course it's the weekend again in just a few more hours. Yeah!!!

I hope that 2009 will be a more prosperous year for all of us. Maybe someone in the family will win the lottery (Mom)(hint, hint, start buying tickets) and then spread the wealth around. I'm not asking for a lot, just a cool Million. I could make that last. See, I'll take it and plant it in the back yard and from what I understand within about 5-6 years I'll have a full grown money tree. Or I could just open my own bank and see if I can get some of the Feds (fake) bailout money. Yeah, that's the ticket. 

I still think that starting my own religion would be the best financial decision I could make. No taxes and everybody reveres you and gives you their money and wives. Then when your all done with that thing and ready to move on, you just mix up a bunch of Kool-aid and have a party. Wait, I thinks someone already did that, I'll have to come up with something new.