Helloooooo

I haven't posted since Nov 3. Just thought I would put something here so any followers would know this is still a great way to communicate things.
Look for a rendition of the night before Christmas poem. The theme has been used before but i thought I would give it a try.

Twas

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;The stockings were hung by the chimney with careIn hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

The children were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads; And mamma in her kerchief, and I in my cap, Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap,

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash, Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below, When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,

With a little old driver, so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick. More rapid than eagles his coursers they came, And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:

Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen! On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen! To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall! Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!”

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky; So up to the house-top the coursers they flew, With the sleigh full of Toys, and St. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof The prancing and pawing of each little hoof. As I drew in my head, and was turning around, Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot, And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot; A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back, And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
His eyes—how they twinkled! his dimples how merry! His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry! His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath; He had a broad face and a little round belly, That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself; A wink of his eye and a twist of his head, Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk, And laying his finger aside of his nose, And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, And away they all flew like the down of a thistle. But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight, “Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night.”

election day 2011

Wow, I am very happy that the election turned out like it did. Republicans in charge of the US House of Representatives, gains in the US Senate (even if gains would have been limited to 1, Harry Reid), 19 state legislatures going over to republicans, and I don't know how many governorships changed to republicans.
The heart is doing very good. I see the cardiologist next week. One year of Plavix and then we will see.

Wow, another month gone

Here it is, 30 April 2010. I missed the Indy 500 on TV today. It's not that the 500 is my favorite sporting event, but since I went to the Indy 500 in May 2007 I have not missed watching the race the last 3 years. Open wheel racing is the best.
This month has been memorable. First the house, Donna and I never thought we would own again. Our thought was Hunter's Woods would be our last move. It is so nice to be in our own place. Still more work than I care to think about, but it is our home and over time it will look and feel like our home (the garage drives me nuts).
Second was the news about the job hunt. Same government agency, same department, just about the same everything, just a different supervisor who reports to my previous boss. Start date is 21 June and maybe even a 3 day weekend in the first pay period.
The third thing and most difficult in nearly 21 years was my Mom's passing away. I had only one wish for her since she moved here 13 months ago, that wish came true on May 18th. She is no longer trapped in that body that had served her well for over 85 years. Mom would have been 89 years old on May 28th, 2010.
The fourth, we bought a 13 foot travel trailer. Sleeps 2, has a stove, a furnace, all lights work and the refrigerator cools but does not keep things cold (but that is what ice chests, ice and dry ice are for). We pick it up Tuesday. Oh it is a 1977, we are so excited.

Mom's passing & Paul's visit.

I really don't use this blog enough. We buried my Mom yesterday, May 22 she passed away on May 18th, 2010. I wasn't really sad nor did I cry much until this morning when I said goodbye to Paul at the SLC airport. Goodbyes or see ya soon or take care is just so hard these days. It is quiet right now, first in many days. Peaceful even. I have cried more this morning than I have since the 18th, guess with everyone leaving and going back to Virginia, St George, Des Moines and other places this just makes me sad. For some reason many of my siblings chose to live and work elsewhere. I too traveled the country with family and work, and though I bitch a great deal about the weather here in the SL Valley I guess this is home. Though I think after I start drawing Social Security in 3 years Mom and I may travel more. It is so hard to put all of the feelings I have into words. Maybe I will write more later but as for now it has been a hell of a week.

Black Hawk Down

I justed started to watch this movie and a thought popped into my head: "THE DISCRIMINATION FELT BY THE MINORITIES IN THE UNITED STATES PALES IN COMPARISON TO THE DISCIMINATION DIRECTED AT THE MAJORITY BY THE MAJORITY IN AFRICA!"

My Flag, My Country's Flag

I am in the process of reading a two inch thick book called, A Patriots History of the United States, 1492 to 2000 plus the war on terror and a couple of other topics. One of the authors was interviewed by Rush Limbaugh for a March 2006 Limbaugh letter. Now don't go crazy or think that this is about Rush Limbaugh, it is not. The author stated that he believed that George Washington was put on earth by God at the time that this country was being founded. The reason, George Washington was the only man that had the credentials, the history to insure an infant representative form of democracy would survive it's beginning.
Most of my six children sang the song that is the title of this blog. As I reflect back at those times I find myself proud of each of them and hope their children know the song. Today as Mom and I were driving home from a not so good movie I noticed flags being furled by the wind, a couple being blown so hard that they appeared to be standing up. We as Americans born in the 20th century have a huge advantage over every generation that preceded us. There are great challenges that face us. For the first time in history my grandchildren face a less affluent life than my children.
The problem? Government. Not just the federal government, though they are the biggest problem, but every layer of government down to a town the size of 100 people. I would say that a small town like the one my mother was born in is probably more efficient than any other size of government. You can go to Huntington Utah or Adel Iowa and probably not see a government owned and run physical fitness swimming aquatic spa tennis court racquetball court basketball floor and sand pit volleyball area. Is this really a responsibility of government. It takes tax dollars that most levels of government do not have. Public education has never been free, though in my day it was called "free" education. Property taxes is the primary source of public education's revenue. So what am I rambling about? The United States is nearly 14 trillion dollars in debt. $14,000,000,000,000 dollars in debt. In the next 10 years that will increase by another $10 billion (Congressional Budget Office estimate released today). That is a debt now of roughly $72,000.00 per household. By 2020 it will increase to $106,000.00 per household. Do you have a spare $72,000.00 lying around? Where does that money come from? Currently it is borrowed from other countries and to an extent Bonds that are sold by the US Treasury.
SO AS I LOOKED AT MY FLAG, MY COUNTRY'S FLAG I SEE A DIFFERENT FLAG THAN ANY GOVERNMENT ENTITY SEES. A different flag than the President sees or a Congressman and Senator sees and it doesn't matter what political party they claim loyalty to. For none of them are loyal to you or me. Each of them are loyal to the once almighty US dollar and anyone who will give them large amounts of it. Each of them is loyal to each other so they can perpetuate there own self interest, not yours or my interests.
Post log: The US House of non Representatvies is now controled by the Republican party. Thanks to the movement called the Tea Party. Don't let anyone convince you otherwise.

The house

Today I met our realtor at the house so a plumber could fix the water supply line just as it enters the house by the water. I didn't think about the cost when I made the appointment. Fortunately it is only about $86.00, the cost for the first hour though they were there 26 minutes. So with the leak fixed we hope when the VA appraiser/inspector looks at the house all will be good and we can set a closing date. Other than three doors with holes in them and 3 holes in walls everything is good.

Mom & the net

Mom has had problems using the desktop computer, it makes her back and shoulder hurt a great deal. Today we went to Best Buy and bought a laptop so she could use it while sitting down or while waiting for me to come to bed. We are using a wireless connection through Verizon and it is cool that we can do such a thing. Now maybe I will figure out how to add music and photos to this so it is not so generic. The best thing is the wireless thingamabob was free. For now we will keep the desktop and with Brad's help it will run faster, maybe not as fast as this computer but I'm sure faster than the snails pace it now has.
The best thing about the desktop and the worst thing about this laptop is the screen. I don't have to scroll up and down as much on the desktop and I don't need glasses to see some things on the desktop.

Congratulations to the Saints

They aren't the "AIN'Ts" anymore. But to the SOB that took my Colts flag last night...can't write that kind of language here and expect anyone to continue to read.

Wow, it has been how long?

I talked with Paul and he thought that blog spot was the way to go instead of Face Book. I think he may be correct since anyone you have as a friend can see what you post. Then there are the relatives, some of which you may not want as one of your 150 friends and relatives.
The Utes won as did that team from 30 miles south of here, it was a good season for the two best teams in the MWC (TCU hasn't shown enough yet for me to say they are in the best category).
Mckenzie came into this world yesterday and was home today by 130 pm. She is not eating enough and hopefully Heather's milk will come in quickly.
Matthew and Kat are expecting number 2 in late July or early August I think.
Grandma Beth is OK but changes happen like wow she can't feed herself, is moved to a different dining room and behold she feeds herself. Gregg thinks it is because she was the only person at the table in the other dining room, makes sense since Joann and Sophia were no longer there.
It has been seven weeks since I quit the VA, do miss the money but not the job. Still have the heart issue but much less than say 4 weeks ago.
If this computer had more usable RAM I would post some pictures or video like Kim, Nichole, and Kris do. I am just technically challenged on that thing.
I am approaching the two year anniversary of retiring from the Army, Jan 31, 2008 last day in uniform or Feb 1. 2008 is the day I was put on the retired rolls of the Army. It has been rough and seeing certain things while at appointments at the VA has caused problems. A neighbor who I knew from Evanston IL, left today for Las Vegas. SFC Chris Miranda and her husband/boy friend left. Chris got tired of the bull shit that goes on in any corporation, not just the Army though there may be some "special" things limited to the Armed Forces of the US. Seeing the moving packers and the moving van brought back some great memories and some not so great experiences along the roadways of America that now are funny. Just to many emotions.