Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Is it Fourth of July Yet?

Tis the season to be jolly. And nothing makes me more jolly than some venison in the freezer. I am not jolly right now....no deer...no jolly. I have not been able to hunt as much as I would like to because of the shift I am on, however I have been trying to hunt as much as I can in the mornings.
But when you get off work at midnight and try to get up at 5:30 every morning...lets just say it brings some challenges.

I hunt this field that is privately owned and my brother Scott is very good friends with them. '
A couple years ago Scott and I built a shack to hunt out of. Best thing we ever did. We built it on a trailer so in case we wanted to move it we could. Great idea right? Well it would have been even better had we of built a tornado shelter around it. Last year we found our shack and the trailer blown 20 feet back from its original spot. The shack was off from the trailer and the trailer was another 10 feet behind the shack. I was taken back by the sight of it. We had to flip the shack over a couple times and move it into a good position. So now its a permanent shack. This year we put insulation in it to help with keeping the cold outside. What can I say... I am a wussy when it comes to getting cold. We have a new heater in the shack this year too and it keeps it rather toasty in there. There is nothing like sitting in a very warm spot and watching the snow fall. It is hard to leave the shack sometimes because its so darn warm.

Hunting with Scott is something I really enjoy. We have many laughs and share something that we both love to do. I wouldn't change it for the world. Our shack is big enough to easily fit four people in it so once in a while we will bring a guest to sit with us. Scotts oldest son Justin is starting to hunt too and its nice to share our tradition with him. I really cant wait until he shoots his first deer. Of course is is still more into his video games right now but he loves to come out with us.

I am using my muzzle loader this year vs. a shot gun. I am learning more about it every year. This year I had a beautiful looking 6 pt. come in and I got all ready. Steady....take a deep breath ....relax...wait for it....wait....ok get ready ...I slowly pulled the trigger and it sounded just like a bottle rocket went off in the end of my gun. A Bottle rocket? WTH...Isn't it supposed to go BOOM?
The deer even looked puzzled....they gave me a look like "Hey dude...its not fourth of July...get with the times bro" and he slowly trotted off. Well...apparently if you take your gun inside after its been outside in the cold...it collects moisture and causes your powder to go bad. Who knew? Not me...but I do now. Its just one of those things you learn as you go.

I still have a few more weeks until the season is over so I am not losing hope just yet. But in the end of the season if I still don't have a deer...I wont be too upset. I am spending time with the people I love and doing something that I really enjoy doing. It really doesn't get any better than that does it?
Well..it kind of does..... I could have the 6 pt. come back and I could show him what I learned.  : )
 

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Chess with Family



I have this routine every morning, I get up and get a cup of coffee and my phone and proceed to start my day. First and foremost…. I check my Chess with Friends game to see if my dad has made his move.   Chess with Friends….or even regular board Chess is a game in which I have only beaten him twice….EVER.   But those two times that I did win, went down as huge accomplishments on my list of “Ian’s Life’s Accomplishments” that I don’t really keep but I always say I do.(like now)
 I can only compare that feeling of beating my dad in chess  as the same one when you finally win that level of Candy Crush that you have been struggling with for 3 months….okay… 6 months.  Only beating dad in chess has more like a 10 year window before I win. So, when it happens, it makes my whole day, in fact I think it makes my whole week a better one because I have this sense of accomplishment that I carry around with me.  I will go to work and my boss yells at me for something, I can look at him and say: “Do you even know who I am?” “I am the guy who just beat my dad in Chess with Friends” “Yeah…I know …I am a bad MoFo” “Now go get me a cup a coffee and quit your bitchin”.  Okay, maybe that’s a bit much but still….. you know that feeling I’m talking about right? It make my chest stick out a couple more inches.
I still remember when my dad taught me and my brother how to play. I was all of 9 years old, and we had gotten a chessboard for Christmas one year.  We played every day for about 3 days….that’s how long it took until we lost our first pieces. But we always used coins as a substitute for missing pieces. I lost a lot back then just like I do today, which just goes to show….well I guess it just goes to show that once you get used to losing it isn’t so bad. J
I could be a much better chess player if I had the patience that my dad has. I am always in a hurry no matter what I do.  I don’t check to see what the other player is thinking of doing. I am only wrapped up with what MY plans are. Hmmm I am seeing a pattern here with my life. J  Once I master that aspect of the game …..I might actually win more often.  However, its been 40 + years so I am doubting I will get it any time soon.  And besides…if you think about it….does dad really get as much enjoyment beating me as I do when I beat him? I doubt it….actually he probably just goes in a state of shock when I win, just because he never expects to lose to me.
I enjoy our games of chess…win or lose just because it’s been in our family for so long…it’s kind of like tradition. With the actual pressure of an actual tradition. We can take a break for a few days and start back up fresh or we can play game after game after game….it’s all fun to me.  It makes my mornings special to make a few moves in the game thinking that “This could be the day that I win”                        Once I have my cup of coffee and actually wake up from that dream of winning….I realize that I might not win but I will always try to win. And that my friends…..That’s what Life is all about.  
F

Friday, November 8, 2013

How Big is Yours?




How big is your shell?  I’m talking about the shell you live in. No…I’m not talking about the size of your house either.  I’m talking about your entertainment shell. The shell that is either big or small that you live in and you do your socializing or have fun in. For example…take the internet.  I think that this internet thing is very cool but yet I only explore a miniscule part of it all. I stalk Facebook and my blog and check my mail. And that is about it. But yet I get bored so easy. There is a whole world of new and exciting things on the net but yet because I live in such a small shell I don’t ever explore any new things on it.
But it goes beyond the net…what about what you do for fun?  I work, I come home and eat and sleep and repeat for the most part. But where’s the fun in all that? (Besides the eating part) (Ok and the sleeping part too) The shell I live in doesn’t allow me to travel past the county lines very much for any type of entertainment or socializing. Obviously I could if I wanted to but that is not the life I lead. I like my little shell life for the most part. We go into town and gamble a bit but that is about the extent of our “fun factor” of our daily shelled life.  Please don’t get me wrong here…I am not complaining at all. But in contrast I see people who live in a very large shell and they do so many things. These large shell people always seem to find fun things to do because they are not confined to a small shell.  They will go to where the people are or the fun is.
We pick what shell we live in. But sometimes when you look at the other larger shells and what they encompass….you sometimes can’t help but get a little antsy to think that you might be missing out on some aspects of life.  However, if I look at it truthfully and honestly….I am too damn lazy to live in a large shell. I enjoy having a nice little routine of waking up, drinking my coffee while I play candy crush and do my morning stalk on Facebook.  I enjoy coming home after work and watching late night television on the boob tube. And I also enjoy the company of my wife while we run to town in hopes of winning it big at the gaming place.
So what would I be missing really? The shit I am to lazy to do at home would still be there for me when I got home only I wouldn’t have to spend hours in the car. Maybe one day I may think about expanding my shell….but for now…I am content with the economy size shell I live in. Besides....my motto has always been...its not the size of your shell that is important, but how you fit in it ...is. 

Thursday, October 31, 2013

The Reality Of Getting OLD



Let’s face it….getting old sucks. It doesn’t suck to the point where you start hating life…it just sucks because so many things happen in your life that you never really thought about much.
I believe that life goes in stages…
Stage 1- (1-6 years old) You have your baby years where you get pampered because you there is no other way you can survive without it. You’re only  learning the very basics of life as you get pampered.…I know some who still get pampered and they are 50 but I’m talking about normal lives here.
Stage 2-(7-17 years old) Then you get in that annoying, awkward, clumsy, acne, puberty stage of life where you learn so many things about life but nothing to really prepare you for your later years. You are only living for the NOW. You haven’t gained any wisdom at this point yet.  Of course I know some 50 year olds that still don’t have wisdom but I’m still talking normal lives here.
Stage 3- (18-35 years old) this is the stage where you really think you have grabbed life by the balls and you’re running with it. Yes, you are still learning but really you are on top of the world at this point. You may have graduated college, got married, perhaps you had a couple kids and you are really starting to realize that Mom and Dad were right about a lot of things. And you start to think more like them.  And you start telling your children the same things they told you. “That will make you go cross-eyed” or “Don’t make me come in there”. But even at this point in your life you still haven’t been prepared for the later years in your life.
Stage 4- (36-49 years old) This is when you really think your hot shit….Your 40 now so you’re  considered in an old timer now….your  hair is gray or at least salt–n-pepper colored. You are in debt past your limit and you still have 20 years to pay on your two bedroom home. The kids are old enough that you don’t need a babysitter and you and your spouse start to spend more money on yourselves….oh wait….that was just a dream you had….actually you’re are spending all your money on the kids dancing lessons, gymnastics, hockey, piano lessons, or anything else they might want to do that you yourself never had the chance to do. Your grandpa or grandma may pass away during this stage of your life and you start thinking about life insurance. Your life starts to be a bit boring going to work every day but “you have to do what you have to do” (at least that what you tell yourself ) And you have been so busy living your life that you still haven’t learned a damn thing that will help you in your later years.
Final stage- (50-till your final breath)  Your now 50 something and you only have a few years left before retirement….but wait….you didn’t put away enough money in stages 3 & 4 so you wonder how you will ever retire. Deep down you know you won’t be able to afford it especially if you refinance your now 30 year home. This is the stage where you start blaming the government for everything…some justified…some not.  This is the stage in life when you really start to understand that perhaps you should have done things a bit differently.  It’s also the stage in life where you start to recognize that you may not even live long enough to retire.  You start to hear of some of your classmates and friends dying and you really wished you would have taken better care of yourself. In fact you start dreading the class reunion because you know you will see less and less people there each year. But it all comes together for you during this stage….you now have wisdom. Because you now know what you should have done in the past. Not only do you think of the past but you’re really looking closely at the future…..the near future. And perhaps you may wonder why no one prepared you for all this. But you also realize that you’re not alone…..everyone is like that….No one is prepared. Perhaps that’s the way it is supposed to be.  But the ironic thing and also the most important thing that you learn during this stage is the same thing that you have heard so many times before, and only NOW you get it ...…”Life Is Too Short”

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Da Boys All Dressed Up




Kim and her gals at work are doing a calander for their boss so everyone in the office had to take pics of their pets. Kim got the months of October (Ricco) , Feburary (Romeo) , and July, (Tanner)

The Boys all dressed up....they loved every minute of it......NOT
The things we make our pets do to be cute. : )




Monday, October 14, 2013

When I was a Kid...I Wanted To Be...



There were days when I was a kid, when I would dream about being a cowboy or an Indian. Not sure if I would have qualified as an Indian as I only have 1/16 Indian blood in me but nonetheless, I dreamed of being a full blooded …ride on a horse bareback and shoot my bow and arrows kind of Indian.   I also dreamed of being an astronaut and being in space…well at the time of my dreaminess, I wanted to go to the moon just like ones I saw on TV.  Now I still dream about it and think how cool it would be to just be up there drifting in orbit. Being weightless would be an awesome feeling, especially nowadays. J   I can’t help but think of the great reception I would have on my TV up in space as well. I could get all the channels up there vs. the 6 or 8 that I receive now.  That would be the real bonus. But the real reason I would really love to be in space is really for the view. To be able to see the earth form such a distance in all of its glory, would just be totally awesome. Having spent many a night up north just watching the stars and the moon, I just think it would be even more awesome looking back in the opposite direction.     I think that I would dedicate the rest of my life if NASA was looking for someone to just travel space and see what’s really out there.  Seriously…I would go in a heartbeat.

The wife and I went and saw the movie Gravity with Sandra Bullock and George Clooney last weekend.  The movie was in 3D and was awesome. I was fixed to the screen and could not take my eyes off from it. I thought they captured what it would be like in space very well. (At least what I thought it would be like in space)   I am not a huge Sandra Bullock fan but have watched probably all of her movies before.  However I thought she did a decent job in this movie… nothing stellar but just ok. The thing with Sandra Bullock is that every time I see her in a movie her characters are all the same….I mean…I feel like I’m always watching Sandra Bullock playing a runway model, or Sandra play an astronaut. It’s like she is limited on how much she can sell me that this is a new character. I don’t feel like that with other actors…just with her. But I still think she is easy on the eyes and has her moments that make you overlook the criticalness of all that. The special effects of the movie were out of this world. (Pun intended)  I really felt like I was in space.
So we are walking out of the Movie theater and I say to Kim “Man that was a Great Movie” She responds and says…”I thought it Sucked…but I wasn’t the boy who wanted to be an Astronaut when I grew up” I said to her…..No…It’s obvious you wanted to be a Dream killer when you grew up J
What did you want to be when you were a kid?

Thursday, September 19, 2013

A Battle With No Winner


       Our daughter Timberly had a boyfriend before she had passed away. His name was Justin. He was a bright young man with a lot of potential to really make a good life for himself and her. He cared for Timberly better than most boys his age treat their girlfriends. He was there for her when she needed treatment, when she was in pain and there for her both emotionally and physically. He really cared for her. I did and always will appreciate that fact about him. He also had a wonderful sense of humor and a good heart that truly cared for people.  
       After Timbers passing he struggled a bit but eventually found his way.  He like most 20ish boys do, dabbled in alcohol and that made his mother and father worried at times. But it was when she received a phone call from an anonymous caller who said that Justin was doing Heroin….that’s when the parents put their foot down.  Now, try and put yourself in their position.  You just found out that your child is doing heroin….it’s just frightening isn’t it? What would you do?  I just couldn’t imagine what I would do if I was in their shoes. It’s embarrassing as a parent…because some how you feel like you did something wrong. And since I know both parents well, I can tell you that their home is as loving a home as you can get.  They are just a great family to be around. They ended up admitting Justin to a rehab facility and gave him all the love and support he needed to get through it.

       He finished and came out doing pretty well. He started his own business with his cousin, and was doing quite well for himself….that was until he started hanging out with his old friends again. He started using again and the downslide starts all over again. He is currently back in rehab. However this time, the mother and father did something different. They stopped being embarrassed and discovered that this is not the result of something that they did. It is something that the drug does.  They joined a group called Family against Narcotics(FAN) and learned more about this drug and what it does to the body. They also learned about enabling, and what they can do to stop it.  They also realized how lucky they are that their son is still alive. So many kids who do this drug wind up dying from an overdose from a mixture of other drugs and alcohol while doing heroin.  This drug is nothing but a dead end road.
       I was so proud that they stepped up to this and faced it head on…without the embarrassment that causes most parents to just turn the cheek.  They helped out with putting on an awareness rally last Sunday that Kim and I went on with them. We marched with our signs and posters and many people honked their horn in support. It was just a good thing to do.  We walked to the down town park and had lunch. It was also very interesting to hear the stories of some recovering addicts and also some very sad stories from people who have lost friends and family members from this most wicked drug. The rally was to raise awareness about the heroin epidemic that is reaching so many towns and cities. It is killing so many good kids.  That message cannot be said loud enough.
       I was really amazed at what I learned at this rally. I just could not imagine what it would be like for not only the parent of an addict but also the addict themselves. I can only compare the addiction to cigarettes and the additive habit that it has on somebody….but from what I learned….heroin is 100 times more addictive. One usage of heroin you will be wanting more…and more…and more. These kids don’t want to be addicts….they don’t want to die….they don’t want to hurt and embarrass their families. But they made a mistake of trying it just once…and the struggle starts there.  A kid with so much potential can go straight down the heroin ally with so much as one toke of this drug. It’s very sad and yes…it needs to be heard and a rally is only a starting point. It needs to be taught in the young schools that HEROIN IS BAD. IT WILL KILL YOU, so the kids grow up knowing this fact and they don’t have to learn the hard way.   Dealers of this drug should be put in jail for a very very very long time.  
       I would like to think that if Timber was still alive, I really don’t think this would have happened to Justin. She kept him out of harm’s way for the most part and I know she would have no part in that drug.  But the reality of it is, it can happen to anyone’s child, even your own.

Saturday, September 7, 2013

Learning from Dad

       Most people would love to live on or near water. It provides many activities for the summer months and even some in the winter. When the kids were younger we would go swimming and float on tubes….until they reached the age when the discovered that turtles also live in the lake, all of a sudden it wasn’t fun for them anymore. And then all of a sudden….it wasn’t fun for me anymore either. Not because of the turtles, but just because I didn’t have anyone to do it with. I don’t think I have swum in the lake in 12 years or so. However one of the other benefits of living on a lake is the fishing. But wait…. I haven’t done much of that either….what is wrong with me? I live on a lake….and hardly ever fish it?  That just doesn’t make any sense.
       I decided it was time to “just do it” so I asked my dad to see if he wanted to go. Fortunately he said yes. So one Saturday morning I gathered the gear and off we went. I love being out there in the morning when the fog is just lifting from the lake. We did not make it out in time to see the fog lift but we did get out there at a respectable 8:00am. It is not only the best time to fish, but it is also very beautiful. I caught the first fish but it was only a small sized bass. But it was still the first fish. (at least thats what I said to myself anyway) I am not  sure why I am so competitive when it comes to …well…anything, but I guess it just makes it more funner when your trying to accomplish something. Im sure my dad could care less who caught the first, biggest, smallest, smelliest, or even the most fish, he was just out there to enjoy the day.  
       He would try all the bait in his tackle box before he caught his first fish. I on the other hand caught 4 before he caught his first…I try not to get to fancy when Im fishing…I stick to rubber worms or real worms on a bobber. I have always liked fishing with a bobber because it uses the sense of sight. And to see your bobber go under water is just exhilarating sometimes, especially on a very still water like we were fishing on. Dad finally started catching some and then another, and another. Here is one of his that he caught.


Not super huge but still a nice fish.
I caught one nice fish.

               And a few really big monsters that got away…..riiiiight !!I really enjoyed our time fishing, I remember my dad took me fishing up at Evans Lake once and I remember having a blast. I don’t remember catching many fish but I remember that I really enjoyed spending time with him. And just like then….I really enjoyed our time spent fishing on this Saturday morning as well. Sometimes it isn’t about how many fish you catch, or who caught the first fish. Sometimes its just recognizing the quality time your spending with someone and learning to enjoy it for just that. Yeah....I learned that from my Dad.  

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

A Man And His Cross




I thought I would tell you the story of this cross today. It may sound like I am preaching the gospel in some way but that is not the intent of this story. The story is mine and mine alone of why this particular cross is so very important to me.
It was April 09 when I received this letter in the mail. I looked at who the sender was and noticed that it was from a Catholic church somewhere I have never heard of before in Ohio. I thought it was quite odd that I would receive mail from a church that I have never attended before…and certainly one from a different state all together.  I continued to open the envelope and I find this cross inside as a gift from them. I have always been a fan of the cross symbol anyway so I thought I would keep it since I did not have one at the time. The message that came with the cross was words on God’s Love and his grace…and of course I didn’t read it all….but I scanned with my eyes and quickly and threw it away.          I remember thinking to myself, “Why would they send out such a cool thing like this to everyone…it must have cost a fortune to have them all made.” Not that it was made of real gold but I am sure I was only one of thousands who received one….right?
I carried this cross with me in my pants pocket with the intent of one day putting it on a nice gold chain or something. I was also hoping that carrying the cross with me would bring me some luck. It was a month later that my daughter passed away. Not the luck I was wishing for. But on that dreaded day as I left the hospital and sit in the car to make some dreaded phone calls to family members to give them the dreaded news, I pulled out my phone from my pants pocket and on my phone laid this cross with the words Faith and Grace faced up. I instantly grabbed the cross and prayed.
During that prayer I was crying (ok sobbing) but something happened during that prayer also that instantly changed the way I thought of what had happened to Timberly. I can’t explain it because it just happened so fast. It wasn’t that I just came to the realization or I saw something to make me think this. It was just something that I think God does to people when they need it most. And I needed it because I was about to ask god WHY?  You see, it was at that moment…I understood the meaning of both of those words, Faith and Grace.  I felt it in my whole body…hairs on my arms stood to attention, I suddenly understood that it was by the Mercy of God that Timberly had passed. Timberly would have suffered many surgeries and possibly transplant surgery as well and only God knows what other painful operations she would have had to endure. And if you understood the pain and suffering that this child went through like my family did, you would understand that it was only by God’s Grace that I was not angry about losing my daughter so early in her life. It was like God suddenly gave me understanding of his plan…it wasn’t the total plan, just an understanding of it. I know I am not explaining this well but I hope you understand what I am trying to say. Its like when you have a math problem your working on and all of a sudden you realize how to solve it, a green light goes off in your head and
Faith is something that I had to cling to during this time of grieving and something I still hold on to. The faith of knowing that Timberly is not only in a better place than we can even imagine, but also knowing that she is pain free and is able to do all the things that she wasn’t  able to do while suffering from Lupus, such as dancing, running, and playing kick ball with the children.
Here’s what I believe, I believe that this cross was sent to me from God, sent to me from God with the intent that I would need it at the given time. It was like he was saying…here…”hang on to this because you will need when I take your daughter from you”.  Sent to me to remind me that God always does things for a reason and also to remind me to always have the faith that those reasons are all part of his plan.
I could write a book on how many blessings we have witnessed since Timberly has passed. But this cross was the first blessing for me and it is reminds me of what is important in life and also what is not important.  So yes…this cross is very special to me. That is why I was devastated when I lost it about 2 years ago. I searched high and low and could not find it anywhere. I’m sure you all know what it is like losing something that has meaning to you knowing that it cannot be replaced?  It hurts.
My wife went to Texas to visit Taylor a few weeks back and I received a text from her saying “Look what I found” with the picture of the cross in her hand. Happiness doesn’t even describe what I was feeling when I saw the picture. There are very few material things that I cherish and couldn’t live without but this is something that I refuse to lose again. I mean….if the house was on fire and I could only grab one thing….that would probably be the thing that I would grab. (Assuming my wife and animals were already out of the house) J 
I also believe that the reason it is so important to me is because deep down, I don’t ever want to forget about or take for granted what God has given me. The cross helps me to never forget.

Friday, July 26, 2013

Left Field post.



This post comes from the place I like to call….”Left Field”  I live in a place called "Right Field" but occasionally I like to visit left field and if I can leave with my wits still intact...I will blog about it like this.
I do a really weird thing.....Ok I do many weird things but I am only going to share this one with you.
I keep a record of how many times I drop my towel in the shower.
I know...it’s weird and it bothers me.  But surely there must be others out there in the world that secretly keeps track of stupid stuff like that right? I am really not even sure why I do this....perhaps because it doesn’t happen that often. Here’s my theory….It happened to me once, the towel dropped and I was like… ”Dang it...hey I think that is the first time that ever happened to me” And the more I thought about it the more I realized that it truly was the first time that I have ever done that.  And ever since that moment….I can’t reach for my towel without thinking about how it only happened to me once.  That was back when I was in my 30s. So I think I just put that memory in my head at that time and now it is stuck there forever. That’s my theory. Or it could just be that it is a small case of OCD or something of that nature.  But either way….it happens every time I reach for the towel.  I don’t count it if it falls outside the shower as I am picking it up…I only count it if it falls in the shower I’m standing in. So I really don’t know which is weirder…the fact that I count how many times I drop my towel in the shower or the fact that I actually have rules on HOW I count it.
It happened again the other day, and I seriously think my heart skipped a beat. So now the number is 2 now…..and counting.
It doesn’t bother me that I actually dropped the towel…in fact I wouldn’t care if I dropped the thing a hundred times….what bothers me is the fact that I think about not dropping it every time I grab the towel.  I take a shower daily with the exception of maybe a twice a year or something so it’s like a daily thought for me.  I open the door to the shower and immediately the thought of “Not Dropping the Towel” pops into my head. At that moment I say to myself….”Self….can’t you go one day without thinking about that?” And every day my mind answers back…”NO …and besides, it’s too late…you already thought about it.” It gets me every time.

This is why you never want to stay in Left Field for long.....it will suck you in and make you think you belong there.
 

Friday, June 28, 2013

Purpose



I just feel like blabbering today so that's just what I am going to do....because I can.



Have you ever wondered what your purpose in life is? Or do you even believe in living a purposeful life?
Like living a general life isn't pressure enough on ones soul. Or perhaps it would be too much pressure for you know what it is and maybe it would make your life full of stress and failure. However, don't you just want to know a little of what it is you are put here on earth for?

I will admit, I am a little curious. I am a firm believer that God put each and every one of us here with a purpose in mind. Whether it be to have children and raise them well, or save someone from a bad car accident or a plethora of other things that we could do that may have a purpose. We may not even know they are purposes at the time, we may just think that its just an event that happened in our lives. Sometimes the purpose may not even happen as an event in your life, but rather something that you said might have changed the course of someones life. And that someone could be a total stranger.

I remember back when I used to be a chatter, meaning I would go in the chat rooms and  chat with total strangers about funny stuff and life in general. Everyone left the room but me and Redwolf329. He was just talking and talking and talking and I wasn't really paying a whole lot of attention to the conversation but I did notice that it had turned from the weather to a very depressing life history about himself.  I generally started feeling bad for my fellow chatter and got more involved in the conversation.  I have know recollection as to what I said to this person but a few months later he messaged me and told me that I saved his life that night by what I had said to him. He had plans of killing himself right then and there. I told him that I was glad I was there and was glad that he decided not to do it. My point to this story is that sometimes you just never know who you can help even through the simplest things such as words on a computer. Was that my purpose? I doubt it but you never know and it sure is nice to know that I helped someone in need.

Am I naive enough to think that God would only give us one purpose? No...I'm sure there is more expected from me and this simple life that I live. However, I cant help but think that it sure would be nice if God was more of a "List" type of guy though...you know...he makes me a list and I will check them off as I get them accomplished. Sort of like a bucket list but only its a list of what God wants instead of my wants. I guess we just keep trusting in him and let him guide the way like he has always done. And from what I have seen so far...he is way better than any GPS gadget that I own.
(I almost started preaching there for a moment)

If we  think of people as being the strings of a fine tapestry and God is the artist.That means we go over and under, change colors to what is needed at the time and may even get tied up sometimes, ....but no matter where we go and what we do...there is a purpose to it all. Its all in the Big Picture....we just cant see it....YET.

So that's my blabbering moment,

Peace my friends,

Ian

Monday, June 24, 2013

Zoo Keeper

Free at last....Free at Last....Thank you God...oh wait...never mind. For a moment I actually thought I was Free. You see Kim is on vacation this week in Texas so I am home again babysitting. When she first left I felt this feeling of freedom come over me. And then it hit me ...I wasn't free of anything, in fact, I am now loaded with things to do...and the majority of it is babysitting the animals. How hard is that you might ask? Well let me tell you.
First of all ...all of our animals have needs that must be met....and I am not kidding here.

Ricco- Needs to sit directly on you even though there is ample amount of space next to you for him to lay down. But oh no...on your lap and in your face....its what he needs.  Without it he will paw at you until you recognize him and if you wanna talk about puppy dog eyes...this dog can lay it on thick. And its not just one time....its every place I sit down...he could be sitting on the couch all by himself and I will go and sit in the chair...BAM...its like I am made of food or something, he comes running full stride.
He also needs to be lifted onto our bed. If you get in bed and try to reach your arm down to lift him up...you will find out that you can only do that if you have a "go go gadget arm" or you are a power lifter from Switzerland named Sven. But its just another thing he needs.  (I just thought of something....I wonder if his jumping ability would increase if I had food in bed...hmmm food for thought (get it?) But I digress)
Romeo- He is not to bad really...besides that he needs to be lifted onto any piece of furniture we own. But he is only 15 pounds vs 40 pounds. Here's the thing with him. Ever since we got Tanner, he seems to thinks he owns the couch. Any time Tanner even walks near the couch the growling and barking begins. Its very annoying and I always have to yell at him to be quiet before the noise suppresses. He also cannot have treats unless it is a soft chewable kind. His teeth are not that strong so sometimes I have to chew his food up for him and then give it to him. (Just kidding...I just wanted to see if you were paying attention.) So if the boys gets a treat...I have to find a something special for him. Its just another requirement that he needs. Oh yeah...and he also requires something mixed in with his dry dog food. He seriously wont eat it if you don't....talk about spoiled. The other boys will snarf it up even before the bowl hits the floor.

Tanner- What he needs most...is your full and undivided attention. He's not one year old yet...but I think he skipped it and went right on into the terrible twos. This dog will get into anything and everything. I mean everything...mail, sticks he brings in from outside and chews up until there is one thousand little tooth picks on the floor, books, shoes, Dog food pantry, toilet paper rolls, sun glasses,....and if none of these things are available, he will choose a cat to pick on...doesn't matter which one...any one will do. You can almost read what hes thinking when hes walking around looking for something to play with. Its almost like he is smiling the whole time too.  And if I slip up and leave my coffee cup on the end table....or my water bottle near the edge of the counter top....BAM...hes got it and broke the cup or punctured holes in the water.You have to be on your game. Its a never endless chore babysitting him. But its just what he needs.

Chico Boots (aka Thing Wrecker)
And if you thought tanner was bad...whoa...You cannot let this bird out of your sight. This isn't the type of bird that you just place on a perch and he stays there and sings beautiful songs to you. No...This is a special needs bird that requires every second of your time unless he is in his cage. Its just easier if I tell you what he has wrecked. So here it is...the list "

1) 2 computer cords
2) 1 wooden paper towel rack
3) 24 foot of wooden counter top that goes around our basement stairs.
4) 4 books, two of which were borrowed
5) 100 pens (that's an estimated number...but its probably close)
6) 1 lid to the coffee pot
7) 1 Air cast boot (For Kim's foot)
8) 1 water pic hose
9) 8 keys on my laptop
10) 5 pairs of reading glasses
11) 3 finger nails
12) 1 toe nail
13) 1 Lamp shade

And I am sure I am forgetting a few items.
I have seen puppy's ruin this many things....but were talking about a 8 inch bird here.
Had I listed the things that he ALMOST wrecked...it would have required a whole page by itself.

Now look, I am not blaming the animals for their needs or ability to ruin things in the house. And I am not blaming Kim or myself either for not having eyes in the back of our heads.
I am purely stating the facts here of whats its like in a day at our Zoo. 
I can only tell you that I am much more appreciative of the 3 cats these days than I ever was before. In fact I hardly ever see them except for feeding time.

So you see ...I am not free .I'm in like a wardon watching the jail bird and his accomplices.
But I do hope my wife is enjoying her time away....seeing as she is the one who usually copes with all these critters....she obviously deserves this time away.




Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Say What?



Did you hear Miss Utah....I mean...On one hand, I feel so sorry for this women. I am not sure that I can compare anything I have ever done to the type of pressure that these women are put under. I can only think that on the outside she looks all beautiful and composed but on the inside there is this nightmare going on that we cannot see when its question time.  I get that there is a tremendous amount of pressure...but isn't that what you train for?...I mean, don't you get into this pageantry stuff knowing that if you make it all the way up to Miss Universe, that there will be pressure on you to answer with clarity any question that they might throw at you? But it seems like nowadays these women just try to answer like someone they are not. Just be yourselves ....is that to hard to do?


This is something that I could never understand....we are in search for Miss Universe...and what are we really looking for? Are we looking for the biggest, fakest, Bullshitter with a great smile? They all use duct tape to get lift and who really knows how much botox is injected in them, and I would bet many of them all have had some type of implant. Its just so fake to me....just like the answers to all the questions....fake and rehearsed. Why cant we have a pageant where all that stuff is not allowed. You have to be all natural or you cannot be in. Make them give a speech on any topic of judges choice....but they have to write it as part of the competition. Timed...and read allowed. Then we could see how they really think on a subject.
I just don't see the point in the question part of the pageant. What does it show? I just think the pageant needs a makeover....a Big One!! (I'm stepping off my soap box now)

Miss Utah was given what I thought was a perfect question for a women to answer.

Here's the question:
A recent report shows that in 40 percent of American families with children, women are the primary earners yet they continue to earn less than men. What does this say about society?
Here's her answer:
I think we can relate this back to education … and how we are continuing to try to strive … to figure out how to create jobs right now. That is the biggest problem. I think especially the men are seen as the leaders of this and so we need to figure out how to create education better so that we can solve this problem.
Working women everywhere were stunned.  

It was worse when you watch her talk....kinda just makes you cringe a bit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlgqWeuhJj4

I think I know what she was trying to say, but it just did not come out right. At ALL

So as it turned out she freaked out on the inside and answered like a cave women trying to explain how to maneuver the space shuttle during entry to the earths atmosphere. So yes...she sounded silly. So do you think she knew she blew it? I am pretty sure she did, and that is why I feel so sorry for her.
I can only imagine what she was saying to herself on her way back to get in line after she answered. What a long walk that must have been for her.

In her defense....this chic is only 21....yes...21. To me all these girls look 30 or better. So when I look at them and their tall and wonderful bodies that they live in...I think that they should be more mature than that. But this girl hasn't even been out in the work force long enough to answer that question. So she screwed up....it just sucks for her that it was on national TV. I am sure she was heart broke over the whole thing. I do hope she didn't lose sleep over it all because in the overall scheme of life's details.....this is pretty small to lose sleep over. Well, at least from my perspective anyway. I'm not the one chasing the crown.
She did get 3rd runner up....which is 4th place in case you didn't know pageant talk. I do wonder where she would have placed had she answered differently.

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Big Pimpin (Reincarnation style)


 


I figured it out....I know...it took me awhile but I did it.
I finally figured out exactly what I would be if reincarnation exsisted. There are just so many things to choose, but I really wanted something that where I knew I would be happy. I have decided to come back as one of my wifes dogs. I know what your probably thinking....your probably thinking that Im just trying to stay with her so I can hump her leg a few more years. Ummm no. I was actually thinking of something that lived a pampered life...you know....big pimpin style. But before you judge my decision, let me first tell you what comes along with this pampered lifestyle and then tell me if you wouldnt want to come back as one of her pets too.



1) Fed two meals a day...not just ordinary dog food. I get the healthy stuff...the best that money can buy...you know the stuff with the crap in it that is supposed to make me live a long time.
2) Treats for anything I do....like come back in the house after she lets me out...or even if I dont...I still get a treat when I do decide to come back from the neighbors house.

3) I can sleep on the most comfortable bed with everyone. I dont even
get push around in the bed...in fact...they move for me. Now that I think about it....I can sleep anywhere I want to actually, and I might even get a treat for doing it.


4) I get regular check ups form the Doc and if my hair grows to long....I will get to go see the groomer every three months so they can make me look like a Fox.
5) Regular excersize....I have to work off some of them treats that I get
for doing nothing but being cute.
But I also like to think of the walks we take as a chance to scope out where I will run off to next.

6) I get to snuggle with Kim during movie night...with a blanket....while being fed popcorn every 10 seconds.

7) My owners will never be gone longer than 10 hours a day ....ever. Yes...they miss us that much when they are gone...they live for us...we complete them.

8) I can go outside anytime I want to....all I have to do is just put a few more scratches in the door. And did I mention that I get a treat when I come back inside? Two if I look really cute.

9) I get more food every time the humans eat...they are always throwing me pieces of food....all I have to do is just sit there and look adorable.


10) But heres the kicker....we get our own poop room. I dont have to ever go outside and take a poop...I can  just go in the P room and have at it. Them poor dogs that have to wait until their owners get up...I feel so sad for them. Not me though...I can go to the P room any time day or night. That my friends... is doing it Big Pooping Pimpin style.
So there ya have it....Dont even think about coming back as the same thing as me...but if you want to come back as one of her cats...you get the same benefits except with no treats. Sorry Charlie !!

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

The Web We Live In.

Its funny how as you get older you stop and wonder about the little things in life. These "little things" sometimes turn into really big things once you stop and think about them. Take for example a spider web.
Do you really know how a spider makes its web? To see a spider web is a "little thing" but understanding how it makes its web is when it turns into this really "big thing".
There are over 37,000 different species of spiders in the world. How many have you ever seen?

I took this picture on the side of the building where I work. If you think the photo is a little blurry, its because I was shaking ...I kept thinking he was going to jump on me.

I had often wondered why spiders exist? What is their purpose in the world?  I found that their main purpose on earth is kill insects. In fact they eat more insects than birds do. Their only other purpose is to amaze us with the web designs. I am fascinated with them but to really honest wth you....I am not a big fan of spiders themselves. They rank right behind snakes on my list of "Things that make me say ewe". But being that they make such cool houses for themselves I have to give them credit.
The intricate web they weave just fascinates me. and to think that it is made from their tiny little legs that have no fingers on the end of them...I started to look at how the web is actually made but did have some difficulty finding a good explanation of it all. Then I thought to myself...why do I want to know so bad? Cant I just be fascinated with it and leave it at that? The answer is yes...I have to decided to just call it  a very cool thing and move on. (See how I justified having to not look it up and then write about it?...Damn I'm good)

Another thing I found fascinating recently was the fact that Robins can fly in 10 days after being hatched. And I didn't even have to look this one up. I saw it/documented it all first hand...10 days is all...I mean just look at how frail they look after being hatched from the eggs. How can they grow that fast...amazing I say...just amazing. and even the nest is pretty damn amazing too. Who teaches them how to make these things? Maybe Im just getting older and am just now starting to stop and smell the roses? But nature is pretty darn cool if you ask me.

I posted this pic on Face book and everyone was like....awwe how cute. Are you Nuts?
This is not cute...Amazing maybe but not cute.
Ive seen homely babies before but these little guys take the prize.
This stage kept mumma busy all day long....to bad they didnt make binkys for baby birds.
They look all dorky at this stage too...but kinda cute.

What was your mother feeding you...steroid worms? This is cute I think.

I am a empty Nester again.

Thursday, May 30, 2013

The Plan

I have been thinking alot lately about my bucket wish list.
There are two things on it that I feel like I just have to do and do them quickly. I have no idea as to why I think I need to do them quickly but nonetheless I do. Maybe its just my selfishness telling me to do what I want to do and just throwing in the need to do it quickly just because it becomes even more selfish that way....I don't know. Maybe its Gods way of telling me to "get er done"
There were two items on my list that I think I can actually do....one is to give away a large amount of money to someone who is in need. I know what your thinking....and no.... I did not hit the lottery....please remember that the words "Large amount of Money"  means different things to different people. To me  it means.... an amount of money more than I thought anyone would ever just give me. Anyway....my thought is to give away my piggy bank money. I put in almost a dollar a day into this thing and it is starting to get full. I was driving home the other night from work and Bingo...it hit me....why not just give it away. Its money that I am not going to miss because I haven't done anything with it in a few years and it will accomplish the great feeling of giving that I just Love. So the real question is ...to who...and how do I find someone who is in need of it. Should I seek this person out or should it be just more a random act. Personally , I would like to find a single mother who might have a special needs child who could use the extra cash just to help catch up on bills or something like that. I will have to run all this by my boss of course but I am pretty sure she will say a hesitant yes. But first I will hear the..."ya know Ian...we could use that money to catch up on some of our own bills" then she will think about it for a few seconds and say... "but hey...if you think this is something you want to do...go for it"
And I will say what I always say when I get my way "Thank You Honey,...You are the best wife anyone could ever have."

My second thing on my bucket wish list is to take my dad on a fly fishing trip. For some reason in my head I was thinking about going to like Colorado or something but when I looked it up online most of the really good fly fishing is in the eastern parts...including Michigan....(But definitely want to get out of Michigan) Someplace I can drive to that is not a arm and a leg a away...and I think I have decided on Maryland. It is 8 hrs away and some really great fishing in the Savage river. I just imagine seeing my dad fly fishing in the early hours of dawn on a beautiful river, thinking to myself...it doesn't get any better than this.
Because you know how everything goes just like you think it will...right? Riiiight.

So that's my plan....I will do the money thing first and then early next spring do the fly fishing.
I love having a plan....even if that's all I have ....I still love it.

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Book Review

             I have read 2 books in the last couple of weeks. The first one is called "The Cross Roads" by William Paul Young.
          It was written by the author of the #1 Best Seller "The Shack" and also my #1 favorite book of all time. If you have never read "The Shack" you are really missing out on an experience. I know for me....I couldn't put the book down. "The Cross Roads" was alot like "The Shack" but with out some of the splendor in Heaven.It was a little bit of a slow starter but once it got going I found myself waiting in suspense as to what was going to happen next. What I really found interesting in this book is that a man enters a woman's mind and can see things through their eyes. ...yeah...I know...pretty scary right?  :) 

             The other book I read was called "To Heaven and Back".


This book was about a woman (Mary C Neil MD) who was raised in Michigan and drowned in a kayaking accident. She accounts her whole experience from this ordeal and explains what was said to her and why she was sent back from heaven. The book made perfect sense to me and I related to it 100%. She also lost a son and she talks about that too. It didn't really have a big ending or anything but I was more interested in her dieing and her experiences in heaven.

              I am so intrigued by books like this. If someone went to heaven and lived to tell about it....Yeah...I am all ears, or in this case... eyes. I have no idea why I am so fascinated with death, and the crossing over to heaven. I guess because I know that it is going to be something that I really cant imagine...but yet I try to anyway. She described it(and I am paraphrasing)  that it was like watching a 1960 Zentith TV and then all of a sudden your watching a 2014 Sony HD TV. But even that comparison didn't do it justice because ...Everything was more crisp and clearer than you could ever describe. After she was sent back from heaven, and was starting to heal from her injury's, she said that she felt depressed. And I could relate to that statement. I mean one would think that she would be thankful that she was still living but I would think that if you were so close to living eternally in the kingdom of heaven....earth would be like staying in a Motel 6.
              I also really liked the way this author described how people as a whole are connected and we are all a piece of Gods huge tapestry and we are all just little strings in it woven together to make something beautiful . It just made perfect sense to me.

             The author also got a chance to talk to Jesus, and I remember being a little disappointed at my impression of him (from her description of the conversation)  I just always hoped that Jesus would be cool...you know... say stuff like" Dude...you remember when you were so wasted that you called on my father and said you would never ever do that again....Liar." or even...."Ian...I'm afraid you wont be allowed in heaven with those skinny ass legs of yours...just kidding" But instead he was all serious and talking like ...well....Jesus.

So if you enjoy reading...and enjoy books about Heaven...they really don't come better than these.

Oh and just to let you know....I have borrowed 3 books from people including the 2 that I speak of in this blog...and each and every one....I have had to replace because the animals in my house have destroyed them....the puppy got 1 and the bird got 2.....real funny God.

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Breaking News

We made the news !!  Each year we try advertise about the Timber Ranshaw Memorial Walk as much as we can. One of the things we do is go on the Local news and do a brief shout out about the walk. I am usually a nervous wreck before the interview...but once we start going I'm alright. Anytime I have to speak in front of people I don't know, I usually go over what I am going to say in my head as many times as possible. Its a little hard to do this when your sitting in the studio as they are actually doing the news....I kept watching them and actually getting into it. I was trying to read the prompter to see if I could do that job.....I couldn't. The news people in the studio were very nice and chit chatted with us during the commercials. But the BIG News happened the day before the broadcast.

Kim and her friend were moving tables from a friends pole barn. (I was working...just so you don't think I was slacking) But anyway...long story short....she fell down the stairs and broke her foot.
She broke it pretty good according to the ex-rays she brought home with her. She even said she heard a snap. So ...when I came home I got the crutches down from the rafters in the garage. I guess you kind of take it for granted thinking that everybody knows how to use crutches. Ummm....not the case for Kimmy ....She was like a fish trying to walk....on cement....in Arizona....during a drought.
It was really just painful to watch....so I tried to give her lessons on how to lean on the crutches and swing your body forward. She didn't get it right away...but I figured she would pick it up pretty quick. Fast forward to the next day....the day of our news interview. She got up early and went and got her boobies smashed all by herself so I just figured she got the hang of it and was able to make her way. She got home and immediately we left to go pick up the tee shirts and Hoodies for the walk. And then made our way to the TV station. Now here is where it gets sad...I take her purse and a new shirt that I grabbed that she was going to wear for the interview and carry it for her, we get about a third of the way to the door (which was only 15 feet or so) and the next thing I know...DOWN GOES FRASIER....I turned  just in time to see her headed towards the ground. For a split second I thought she was going to maintain her balance....but no...she didn't. She held on to the crutches way to long and basically landed on the ground on her belly. I was stunned because I couldn't do anything but watch it all happen. At first...I thought that she might have been laughing about it all. But that thought was quickly removed when I seen the tears in her eyes. She sat there bawling saying "I cant do this".
It was like her last bit of strength was laying there on the cement and she hadn't the will power to retrieve it. My heart sank and I really did feel sorry for her. When ever something tragic happens...I always feel the need to be the person who lifts you up and say something stoic to bring back whatever it is that's lost. So in this case I said " Put your Big Girl panties on and lets do this". That was a line I stole from Timber....but it worked.....she reluctantly got up and cried herself into the studio office. I didn't know this at the time but she also landed on her hand which is now swollen and all black and blue. A woman from upstairs come running out and asked if she was OK. She said some people saw it all happen and called her....she said that she saw it on surveillance video. Luckily Kim was in the bathroom at this time and didn't hear that she had an audience watch her incredible feat. What else could go wrong on this day? Oh yeah...The new shirt I grabbed for her didn't fit. Really?  Oh well...we will just roll with what we got right?  The long walk (long hop in Kim's case) was painful to watch as she exerted every effort she had to get to the studio which seemed like a long ways away....and come to find out....it is a long ways when you only take 6 inches a hop. So after all that....here's the interview. The interview is usually twice as long but we were cut away early for some reason....it didn't break my heart (pun intended) as  long as people know when the walk is.

Timberly Ranshaw Memorial Lupus Walk
 http://www.abc12.com/video?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=8890872

She was quite the trooper if you ask me. Now ....she WILL have a wheelchair for the event because I would rather break both my feet than to watch this woman use crutches.