Resolution Time!

The new year has been rung in and now it's time to make good on some of the promises I've been making to myself for the past 6 months.  It's really easy to say "I'll start running after the holidays" or "that'll be my New Years Resolution" but there comes a moment when even you don't believe the B.S. excuses you're coming up with to put off doing something you know is right and good for you.  In my case this right and good thing is getting back in shape.  With this being said I have made a commitment to get back in shape.  I used to go to the gym religiously and for a couple years I would make it there at least 2 times a day.  However, with the new job, travel schedule, activities for the kids, and the aches and pains that weren't there before it has become to easy for me to rationalize missing my workouts.  Well, as you can all probably tell my REAL New Year's Resolution is to get back in shape (become healthy). .................................. So, what is everyone else's resolution for 2009?

The Simple Things in Life Are Best

The blog title really says it all.  I guess that's why I like this song so much.  You know it seems that too many people today are concerned with who they know, what they have or what you can do for them instead of just being happy with the life they lead.  Don't get me wrong, I would love to be rich and not have to live payday to payday, but that's not my reality and I'm OK with that.   The simple things like a hug from the kids and spending time with family and friends are what's most important to me.  Enjoy the song.

Last Weekend of 2008

Well it's the last weekend of 2008 and as I reflect back on the year I can say with reasonable certainty it was a good year.  My family is well, work is going good, I got to take a 1000 mile road trip on my Harley to visit my brother in Texas and I got a new computer (Yep, still really loving the MAC). However,  I am already looking toward the new year.  My travel schedule kicks off early in 2009 with a trip to Kansas City in January and then to Dallas in Feb.  The good thing about the Dallas trip is that it will give me another opportunity to visit my brother Paul and his family.  This is the best part of the trip as I really enjoy being able to see my brother, sister in law and 3 nephews.  Anyway, I hope everyone has had a great year and that next year is even better for all of us.

I've Been Converted (To MAC That Is)

I have been thinking about buying a new laptop for several months now and have been torn between staying with a PC or switching to a MAC.  Well the decision was made and I am officially a MAC man now.  I have to say after several weeks of reading reviews,  talking to the IT guys at my work and getting some hands on with the MAC's I made the switch to MAC.  I absolutely love it.  I am still getting used to the track pad and navigating the Finder and Dock, but overall the applications are much simpler.  Connecting it to my existing home network was a breeze.  I simply turned it on, logged in and walla I was connected and could view the other computers in my house (which happen to be PCs).  Anyway, I feel like a kid in the candy store.  True it was more expensive, but most of the software I needed was already installed on the computer and after you consider what software you have to purchase with a PC the price is pretty much even.   Well enough of the sales pitch, that's not what I intended, it's just that I am so stoked (do people still use that term?).  Wishing everyone a great night and pleasant dreams.  Hopefully, I'll have something more substantial for my next post.

Merry Christmas

Well the kids just finished opening their gifts and like every year I realized they got way too much. It's OK though, because the best part of my Christmas is watching the kids and seeing the sheer joy on their faces as they open their presents. I hope everyone is having as good a day as I am. Merry Christmas everyone.

Paw Paw

Some of you who have been keeping up with my brother's blog http://wwwpaulsworld.blogspot.com/ may already know that our grandparents passed away recently. My Maw Maw left us this year and my Paw Paw a couple years ago. Anyway, I was surfing YouTube and came across this video. It brought back a lot of memories of my grandparents as my grandpa used to sing this song all the time. When I was a teenager I lived with my grandparents for a short time and I remember my Paw Paw would wake up in the middle of the night go knock on Maw Maw's room door and start to sing this song. This was at the top of his hit list right next to Roger Millers "King of the Road" (better known as trailers for sale or rent). My Maw Maw would get so upset with him for waking everyone up. It was hilarious. When I think about it it still makes me laugh. Anyway, Maw Maw and Paw Paw, I miss you and love you. This is for you guys.

Give Me Strength

Well the past day and a half has been extremely draining on me. More of an emotional drain than a physical one. My best friend's sister has moved up here with her 3 kids and is now living with him . She is down on her luck and needed a place to stay while she gets back on her feet. There is nothing wrong with this and my friend has stepped up to the plate and done what any good brother would do. He has accepted her and the kids in to his home. To help paint this picture my buddy is married, has 2 kids of his own, 4 dogs (3 labs and a mutt) and 2 snakes. Needless to say the house is now officially bursting at the seams. Now many of you may be saying to yourselves "that's not too bad", but I'm not finished. We have since learned that his sister is addicted to prescription pain medication and has been diagnosed as being bi-polar. In the 3 months she's been in town he's had to bring her to the ER 3 times so far. He is trying to get her the help she needs and has her enrolled in an intensive outpatient therapy program to help with the addiction. Needless to say he and his immediate family really needed a break from this situation and have left town for the Christmas holidays to spend time with his in-laws. After speaking with his sister's counselor it was decided that she should not go back and visit as this is where a lot of her problems begun. So he has taken his family and his sister's kids with him on vacation and left his sister here alone. Being a good friend I offered to check in on her from time to time to make sure she wasn't completely alone during the holidays. This is where my being emotionally drained begins. Last night I went to check on her and discovered she wasn't alone. She had a "friend" from therapy at the house. Come to find out this individual is a drug dealer and only 19 years old. Of course I didn't know about this kid's history when I called and talked to my buddy, but once I told him he asked me to go and tell this individual that he wasn't welcome in his home. I went back to the house and his sister had stormed out with this piece of shit kid in tow. She wouldn't take my phone calls and apparently threatened to go on a binge because she felt her brother didn't trust hergo figure and was trying to control her life. Anyway, around midnight she showed back up at the house and we talked. I asked her to come and stay with me during the evenings while her family was out of town. She refused and left. Well around 4am I hear a knocking on my door and sure enough it's her. Now, I was glad she was OK as I was worried she was going to do something to hurt herself, but today has been trying. I drove her to her therapy and then to the clinic where she was ordered to submit a urine sample for a drug test. We won't know the results for a couple days. She has decided to take us up on our offer of staying here in the evening with us until her family gets back in town. I am just praying that God will give me the strength to handle this situation. So, if any of you happen to be praying please throw in an extra one for my family, my friend's family and his sister. Good night.