At The Tracks

                                                Seriously...do you know what this says?

Today,.I took the long way to work thinking that I needed a change in scenery. Well I got it. Normally when I take this route I would see open fields, large farms, a few small businesses that are no longer open, and if I was lucky a few deer frolicking in the fields. But today all I saw was the side of a train.

As I approached the tracks I saw that the train was moving rather slowly, maybe three miles an hour in my estimation. And although waiting for trains to pass can be somehow frustrating, I wasn’t going to let this bother me as I had left a few minutes early anyway.

So I am waiting as this ridiculous train passes by, 5 min, 10 min…O ‘come on…how long is this thing?

Well, apparently each train car is between 55.5 to 58.2 feet long. So if the train had 100 cars on it, it would have been 5500 ft. long not including the space that is in between the cars. We are talking well over a mile-long train I figured. (I figured all this out as I was waiting…. but what I didn’t figure out was the time it would take for this train to pass. (I know…A mile-long train traveling at 3 miles an hour would take 20 min.) I Just didn’t think about it at the time, Instead, I was just getting frustrated. So what did I do next? I played a game of poker on my phone. What were you expecting, me to take a detour? No that’s what a person in their right mind would do. I obviously wasn’t.

So during my poker game, I happened to notice that the train was no longer moving at a snail’s pace, in fact, it wasn’t moving at all.  Are you flipping kidding me right now? Now is when I thought about taking the detour, but wait, I was in the middle of a poker game for a million dollars (um play money of course) How could I leave now? I had to make a decision quickly.

So after I finished my game I looked at my clock and it had been 25 minutes. That’s when I actually decided to leave and take a detour. I accepted the fact that I was going to be late.

Now having told this long ass story about me waiting for the train, I didn’t tell you what I saw.

What I saw while I was actually watching the train traveling at 3 miles an hour was Graffiti on the sides of the train. I have never really put much thought into the graffiti that I see on trains….but when they are moving so slow…you actually have time to read them and admire some of the artwork.

Oh wait…did I say read them?  I meant look at them and try to understand what they actually say. Because by no means could you possibly read 95 percent of them.  Which really baffles me because some of them you could tell had really good art skills. But what good does it do if no one can read them. It just looks like someone didn’t know how to spell. If I were going to put my name on a train and actually take the time and money to put in the materials that you need to do so….I would make sure everyone would be able to read my name. And it would be on the middle of the train car…not just the area I could reach. I mean there in front of you there is a blank canvas and all you can do is write on the portion that you can reach? Dude, I would so carry a ladder and keep it by the tracks somewhere so when I find the urge to write my name on a train so everyone stuck at the tracks watching the train go by could see it, They would not only see that it is as big as the train car itself…but they could obviously read that it said:

IANSTEIN

Show Me The Love

I had this thought the other day, and I just wanted to put my thoughts down on paper, thus this blog moment.

 

I was just thinking how on an everyday basis we as human beings take life for granted. I know that we all have our moments in life when we realize how short life is and how important it is to be kind and loving to those who are closest to us. For example, when someone dies that we knew…then we have all sorts of thoughts about how short life really is. But I’m talking on an everyday basis, those thoughts are usually nonexistent for the most part.

Could you imaging if we didn’t take life for granted? Would we treat people better? Would we do random acts of kindness on a daily basis? What about helping those in need? Would we seek them out?

When we leave our jobs at the end of the day, we usually say goodbye to those that we work with and sometimes not even that. Or we leave our homes saying bye and I love you and maybe even a quick kiss before we head out the door.  But what if we knew it was the last time we would see them?               What would we do differently then?

Would we say something like, Hey Tom, it was great working with you today, you always make my day better and I just want to thank you for that. Would that I Love you to your loved ones be sincerer, would that quick peck on the lips turn into a heartfelt kiss from the heart? I should think that it would be.

Look, I know that this is just a thought provoking topic and we will never be able to know in advance when we would or if we would see anyone again on any given day. I do know that life happens and death happens. But sometimes I just think we as people, forget how important we all are to each other. And we don’t express how much we really love each other on a daily basis because we think that there is always going to be a tomorrow.

Shouldn’t we treat everyone as if we may never see them again? (not including the afterlife)

Ok, so glad that I got that down on paper….because that was a bit deep even for me. J

But I Love you all….and I really mean that.

 

Fighting For The Cause

I have never been to Washington DC before…so when the opportunity arose to do some lobbying for more research funding, I jumped at the chance. I wasn’t real excited to talk in front of congress men and women because let’s face it….I can barely remember what I said 2 hours ago let alone try and remember what bills need to be passed in order to increase funding to the N.I.H. But I figured me being the thespian that I am was, I could surely memorize some lines that would communicate our needs for more research.

My nephew Kevin who happens to live downtown DC picked me up from the airport and took me on a casual site seeing tour which consisted of the White House and the Washington monument. I was a little surprised at the fact that there were airplanes flying so close to the White House….not alarmingly close but close nonetheless. You would think that after 911 there would have been stricter airspace policies put in place. But I absolutely loved the vibe of this city….busy during the day a lot calmer at night. Easy to get around and some really great restaurants all over the town. I can see why he lives there.

Anyway…The Lupus Research institute flew us out there to lobby with them along with other organizations around the country.  They trained us in the legislation bills and also showed us what else was happening in their world. They orchestrated times for us to meet with the Congress men and women from our own states. I found it a bit frightening at first but I seemed to calm down after the first visit where I didn’t say much. After that I realized that it was just a conversation and anyone we were going to talk with was already going to know what bills we were talking about and surely knew more about them then we would on any given day. But what they were clueless on was …what Lupus really is and how it effects patients and family’s that live with it. That’s where I stepped in. This is a subject I could speak on that was close to my heart. So now they could see why these bills were so important to pass. We shall see if they were paying attention or not soon.

My favorite moment was my picture with Congress woman Candice Miller. She walked in while we were talking with her Legislative Aide. I was a little awe struck but I couldn’t let this moment pass me by without a picture.

 Congress Woman Candice Miller and I 

Marquita and I with Senator Gary Peters

Theres always time for a Selfie

Cool Sculpter in the Capital

Capitol under construction

The magnificent Executive building

The White House



Inside the dome



Not sure who these guys are but they looked important : )



Life is a BEACH Sometimes

Everyone has those embarrassing stories to tell right? Lets face it...Life is just funny sometimes.
My life is no different, and there are times when you just have to laugh at yourself.
Here's my story:

I went to Beaufort SC. for a work trip. I don't normally go on a whole lot of trips for work so when I do, I like to make the most of them. (and when the company is buying...) This trip I knew I wasn't that far away from the ocean, so my plan was to get there early and make a quick road trip to swim in the ocean.
everything was going smoothly, flights were on time, got my car rental and went directly to the hotel to check in. First question I ask was...how far is the ocean from here? "Take this street here about 18 miles" the hotel clerk said. I get to my room and started to gather my stuff I would take with me. I searched frantically for my shorts only to find out that I forgot them at home. No big deal right? I will just find a store and buy some on the way. I start to travel with the directions the clerk gave me only to be turned around at one of the bridges where there was an accident. Again...no big deal...I just went and found a restaurant and had my company paid for lunch which included some of the freshest crab legs I have ever had and a nice cold beer.
So far so good...I continue on my way. I past a quite a few tourist shops but none that looked like they had any apparel suitable for swimming. That was until I saw this beachwear store about a mile from the beach. Its a good thing because I was beginning to think of what color underwear I was wearing and if they could be passed as beachwear.
I went inside and saw nothing but beachwear...friggin way cool. I saw some cool looking shorts that had some writing down the one leg...I didn't even bother to look at what it said...because it really didn't matter. Found a Large size and thought that I had finished my shopping in record time. I get to the car and thought to myself "You know what? I had better get some sun glasses too....if I'm going to the beach...I may as well look cool while I'm there. (I mean...I have been working out...right)
Anyway....I get to the beach and had to do some impromptu changing in the car.
Pants off....shirt off...underwear off....shorts on...shorts...on...WTF...I said Shorts ON dammit.
These shorts were not cooperating with my plans...yes..these shorts were like I was putting on a freaking dive suit. Tight as HELL. I tried every trick in the book to break them in and make them fit looser. I pulled and yanked them like nobodies business. I tried squatting but Hell no...these things would just not loosen up...it was like they were made of spandex or something. I was faced with a decision...go like this and hope no one notices or just go back  and get a different pair of shorts. Wait...I will just cover up in my towel.
Now where is that thing...oh @#$%#@^* I DIDN'T BRING ONE...Are you kidding me right now?
I was so mad at myself...but I finally just said , screw it...I'm going....I just don't care anymore...I don't know anyone here...I can handle the looks...the stares...Ive seen worse pictures of old men at the beach in their speedos. Did I tell you that these shorts were WHITE? I honestly think these shorts were so tight you could see my skin through them. I start walking trying not to look at anyone and found a nice litter area where no one was around....within a 50 ft radius anyway. I go directly into the water and just sit there...And I must say...it was everything I had hoped for and more...the water was warm...the sun was shining...my shorts were pinching my privates...But I just didn't care. I made it ...just like I said I was going to do.
I sat there for a good 20 minutes before I thought I had better start working my way back to shore. I was doing the crawl method and feeling around for shells in the sand...found one...a big one too...I start pulling it up to see what it looked like and all of a sudden I get this pinch on my had...SHIT...its a damn crab. I shook it off my hand and was kind of freaked out by it...not that I am afraid of crabs....just didn't know how many more were around and was unsure if I was going to step on any on my way back to shore.
So I hurriedly out of the water checking occasionally on my package to make sure it wasn't ..well you know.
I sit on the beach just wishing everyone would just leave so I could walk out with some type of dignity.
But instead...more people showed up...I hightailed it to the car.
Later I texted my wife about the incident. She laughed as well as I did about the whole event.
But it wasn't until after I get home that the real funny part happened. I was at work when I got this picture via text from her that said "Next Time PAY ATTENTION"

Summer Lovin

GeeeezeOpeeeetz

Where have you been....you just upped and gone on me...left me hanging. You didn't even tell me you were going. The least you could have done was said goodbye.
OK so I know that's what you saying to me right now...but seriously I had six good reasons to leave my blog post. S-U-M-M-E-R 

Thought I would update you on my highlights so far...or at least the ones I can remember.

Went on a 4 day golf excursion with my brothers Scott and Dale and some good friends. I hadn't laughed like that in I couldn't tell you how long. Played 108 holes of golf. I now know why people drink when the go on golf trips like that...TO NUMB THE PAIN. And it works too!!  I am looking forward to next year already.

Getting the Garage all finished up. After 20 years of accumulation and straightening up the accumulation only to make more room for more accumulation.....I decided that this was the year I was going to make the difference and just do it. I did not take a before picture but I can only tell you that it would have been quite embarrassing had I did. But here are the after pics.

Also my new job has been going fantastically well. I celebrated my 1 year anniversary in March. I pray to God everyday thanking him for putting me there. Seriously Love it.

Scoped out a new place to watch fireworks this year. Few people and very close and way cool.

Had a family reunion

As you can see...my family loves to have their picture taken.

Took a trip to Savanna Ga. for work.
Funny story about this trip....just not now ;)

And I went to 3 Tigers games.

Saw Tommy LaSorda at one of the games and found out he doesn't wear socks...lol

Also found out that my wife is afraid of heights...see the look on her face? We were in the upper deck for this one and she could only handle it for 1 inning. She was a trooper though and let me stay until the 6th inning until I went and got her from the lounge and watched the rest of the game from a different location.

The wife and I have done alot together this year...we also re-did the basement floor. (Thus the idea for the garage) Both turned out pretty darn good I think.

So see...I was not just laying around drinking beer and farting on the couch. I was working what my mama gave me.

One Year Plan

I remember the very first time that I saw a muscle magazine. My jaw hit the ground because I was in disbelief. How can anyone have that many muscles on their body let alone have that much mass to them.  They looked so weird to me. That was probably because I have never had that many muscles and even when I dreamed of having muscles….it was never like those men I saw in the muscle magazine. My dreams changed after that day….I couldn’t get those images out of my head. I had imagined what it must feel like to have that kind of muscle on your body.  What a muscle cramp for them must feel like. What it must feel like to lift your bride up off her feet without throwing your back out. (Not that that had ever happened to me….I knew better…but it would have been nice)

That was then….but now days all I wonder is how many painful hours they spent in the gym to achieve that type of muscle.  Being new to working out I started reading on how muscle is made. I found out that in order for you to grow muscle you must first break the muscle down. (Thus the pain)    And since I am not a big fan of pain….the whole growing muscle thing stayed in my head as more of a dream than actually trying to make it a reality. That was until I actually started going to the gym on a regular basis and started seeing some muscle on my arms and legs. Once I saw them and how cool they looked on me….I find myself wanting more.  I am willing to endure the pain a little bit more than I could before. And no one is in the gym at 2:00 in the morning, so no one hears the agonizing pain screams I let out when my arms or legs feel like they are going to burn off from my body. 

Now I catch myself looking into the mirror more often, and looking to see if any new muscles have popped out. I do not intend to ever get like those guys from the magazines. But I would definitely like some good definition in my body. I also know that it does not come over night; it is something that happens over time.  I am still too embarrassed to put any pictures of progress on here even though I know I would only get nothing but support from my friends and family.  It has been since the second week of January since I have been working out so I still have a couple more months before any really good progress can be shown. But I am excited and have a lot to learn on how to make this a reality.

This is what kind of muscle tone I would like to have by next January

When I started this I had intended this to be a one year commitment. I still plan on keeping that commitment but I really think it will be more of a lifestyle change for me rather than a one year plan.   I did take a before picture in the mirror and was pretty disgusted by what I saw. I didn’t like it. I had to do something about it and so I planned it all out. I would quit smoking on Jan 1^st. Then I would start exercising the following week.  I would eat  better and lose the weight and get to the weight I had been at forever which was 187 lbs. (I started at 206) I am now at 193 and am determined to get to that weight I set.  At that point I will then focus on gaining more muscle mass by increasing my protein and calorie intake and changing up my work out routine. But the most important things I have to do are:

Enjoy it and take it one day at a time.

Holidays And Underwear

It has been a busy last couple of months….and by busy, I mean I’m using that word for the reason I haven’t blogged in that amount of time.  But if I was to be honest with you (Which I’m not…I am still sticking to my busy story) I would tell you that the holidays were quite boring for me.  I sat around and ate like a cow, and watched TV like a regular couch potato…..I think at one point Kim flipped me over to look for couch sores. The way it worked out this year it was 1 day of work, 2 days off, 2 days of work and then the weekend…..and repeat. It seemed like my spot on the couch never had a chance to fluff up before I was back at on it again.

I have quit smoking again….I had really been thinking about it and finally decided to give it another go round.  There is just nothing good that comes from smoking. I was smoking more from habit than from actually wanting a cigarette.  The food has never tasted so good this time.  I am trying to watch what I put in my mouth….and I can already tell that it is going to be tough.  But I have been eating salads and munching on celery…..I always wondered how animals that graze can eat all day long….now I know.  My hardest part of the day is at night when I get home from work.  I find myself really craving food that I know I shouldn’t eat such as pasta, burgers, more pasta, and more burgers.  But for just watching what I have been eating for the last couple of weeks….I at least feel skinnier. I don’t look any skinnier but I just feel skinnier.  I do splurge and eat something  that is not so good for me every now and then…but I figure if I am still consuming less calories that I was before…sooner or later some pounds should come off.  Just the fact that I am thinking about what I am eating is a good start for me.

Now for the next step…exercising.  That word scares me more than the words “quit smoking” ever did. Not sure what I am afraid of….all I know is that I would like to try a gym membership this time.  I think I would go more than if I were to try it at home. I could go after work when no one would be there…at least not many anyways.  I can picture it….I just have to act on it now….so I’m not sure why I haven’t done it yet.  My goal was to focus on quitting smoking first and then start on the exercise thing.  So I think I am ready now.

Here’s something really stupid…. And totally not related to the above paragraphs……remember my post about me keeping a running count on how many times I have dropped my towel  in the shower(3) ? Well I have this other thing that I do that is just as stupid…actually this one may be stupider.  And I am not a superstitious guy….at least I never thought I was until I realized what I was actually.   

I’m not quite sure how to explain this but here goes…. I choose my underwear based on the color because the color determines how my day is going to go at work.  I KNOW RIGHT?  WTH? But every single day I choose my underwear based on the color and what that color may represent….(to me of course).  And it doesn’t stay the same either…..meaning if Blue meant that I would be seen as an intelligent boss one day…it may mean that I will do something wrong if I wear the blue the next day (Different pair of course).  Basically it’s just whatever pops in my head as to what the color may mean.  Yes…I know that’s probably borderline psychotic…but that’s what I do every …single…..day….I justify to myself why I choose a certain color.  I am not sure how long I have been doing this now but it is a least been 4 or 5 months….everyday….even when I don’t go to work I still think about it.

And just so you know….Gray is the worst and Green is the best. These are the only two colors that don’t ever change in the meaning….don’t ask me why because there is no logic to any of it.  I haven’t ever figured out if what I think really comes true….because I forget what color underwear I have on after a few minutes….and let’s face it…that would be just down right creepy if I was right.  (As if knowing this now wasn’t creepy enough for you)

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.  : )
 

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

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. 

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”

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. : )

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?

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.

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.