How the Time flies...

Wow, I did not realize it had been six months since I posted something on here.  And what an eventful six months it has been.  Nothing like the prior six months, just busy.  A is almost halfway through with her second year of school here.  Dealing with all the dramas of a preteen.  Friends, clothes, rebellion, lack of respect, just to name a few.  G is going strong.  I still battle his stubbornness each and everyday.  He is slowly speaking more and more each week. 

I am on my last week of the first semester of my college career.  Was hoping to keep a 4.0 but that went out the window with a brutal History class.  The grading rubric honestly states that it is uncommon to receive an A and only exceptional students will accomplish this.  Gives you a lot to strive for, huh?  It has been interesting though.  I found out that I am a decent writer.  That I can take classes and actually get an A in them.  That my mind just does not get statistics.  We have reached a few milestones too.  We have been Ohioans for over a year now.  The fire was 13 months ago.  This blog is just shy of a year old. 

In the last six months, we have done a ton of home repairs.  Repaired our front stoop to keep water from coming in the basement.  Repaired a corner of the basement wall to keep water from coming in.  Although there still is water coming in that area when we get a 2 or 3 day soaking rain, it is much better.  And hopefully when I finish the repair it will end it all.  Cut out and rebuilt our cabinets to accommodate a dishwasher, which I hoping to put in next week.  A lot of yard maintenance.  A lot of preventive caulking.  A lot of grilling and smoking and beer, lol.  Put a booster fan in A's air duct, to help get the warm and cool air up to the second floor. 

So to end this post, I thought I would talk politics.  I am a conservative.  I have mainly conservative views.  But I am not a strict party line voter.  There are sometimes I know the candidate or feel another party will do a better job.  At this moment, I feel all parties have let us down.  The issue that brought me to write this is simple:  money.  How much tax payer money did the current administration spend on the health care bill, only to know that as soon as a republican president enters office it will be torn to bits?  How much state tax money was spent on Senate Bill 5 here in Ohio fighting the Union's collective bargaining rights?  How much tax payers money is being spent in Kansas fighting abortions?  While each of these issues are important, and need to be discussed, reviewed, and corrected, it seems these day it is a race to finish line to pass new bills.  How many federal tax dollars were spent on the never ending battle of the budget?  It seems that common sense has completely left politics.  Compromise is an evil word.  Our newly elected politicians need to be cautious of what they promise on the campaign trail.  Let's look at the Health care Bill.  This is something our administration could have worked on over the course of their four years.  They could have actually developed a real plan, that possibly both parties could have backed.  But no.  It was rushed.  Pushed through as quickly as possible.  Now it is a calamity.  Many states are battling the constitutionality of it.  I guess my bottom line is the fact that we should actually think about the cost of these battles.  That most are continual battles, or the vast majority that are passed will be overturned by the next administration.  Why can we not actually work towards a finale. 

I generally keep most opinions to myself, but this was something that popped into my head today.  The cost of these battles and bills is never brought up.  But the national debt, the salaries, and wasteful spending on other areas are discussed all the time.  My two cents...hope I didn't bore you.

Busy Weekend Ahead

Memorial Day Weekend is finally here.  The unofficial start to summer.  BBQ's going full blast.  Coolers full of ice and cold drinks.

Today is G's birthday.  The big 2.  He has been through so much over this last year.  Mom was living 800 miles away for months.  He lost pretty much every familiar face he knew from the first year of his life, by moving here.  He adjusted to the new house right away, like he knew it was home.  He was awoken by a fire in the middle of the night.  Now the car accident.  And he still is a well adjusted kid.  I watch him learn something new each and everyday.  Whether it is something educational, or some new way to irritate us.  So I say big Happy Birthday to my little man. 

Lastly, remember what this Monday is about.  If you know a soldier, or see one on the street, say thank you.  Whether you are against war or violence, remember these are men and women that have volunteered to risk their life for you to have the right to say or believe whatever you want.  Say a silent thank you for the lost ones and a prayer for all the current ones. 

Enough of my ramblings for one day.  Enjoy the weekend.

Simple Day Turns Into a Nightmare...

So yesterday, G and I loaded up to head to the zoo.  We were meeting some of the playgroup to have a day out.  This was our third try on scheduling this.  We made good time getting ready.  So out the door we went.  Backpack with some toys, a packed lunch, and a sippy cup.

We were driving along, about a quarter after ten, and then next thing I know is I see yellow coming from my right side.  I gripped the wheel, tried to swerve, and screamed no (like it was going to help).  I remember at one point I was looking up and I was actually looking at the floor board.  Heard G scream.  Then it was all over.  We were right side up facing the opposite direction.  I panicked because G was not making a sound.  I had to physically kick open my door got out and opened his door.  There he was sitting trying to figure out what had happened.  Not a tear nor a scream.  Cool as a cucumber.  While we were in the ambulance, I was shaking so bad I could barely dial the phone.  My blood pressure was 164/98.

There is no chance of me playing the lotto any time soon, seeing how I used up all my luck yesterday.  But by the grace of god, we made it out with no injuries, and just some sore muscles on me.  A friend told Bri that we have nine lives.  By my count, we are down to 6.

Great Weather...

The look, feel, and smells of summertime are here.  Fresh cut grass.  BBQ grills being fired up.  Kids out playing.  Just brightens your mood. 

A has been having a blast riding her new bike we got her for her bday.  G has been chasing the birds and squirrels or "gurrels" as he calls them. 

A was just signed up to be an extra in a local movie being shot here in Cleveland.  She is ecstatic.

Tomorrow I will try to throw up pics from our BBQ for mothers day.

What a day...

A is 12 today.  Made her favorite dinner:  Steak, Grilled Asparagus, Fried potatoes, and fried biscuits.  Topped off with a Strawberry Boston Creme Cake.

I became a college student today.

How Time Flies...

At the encouraging of my wife, I am writing here today.  I honestly did not have clue that it had been so long since my last post.  So I apologize for the lengthy delay.

Whats new?

The weather is trying it's best to warm up.  We keep seeing brief glimpses of 70 degree weather.  Just making me and G itchy to get outside.  Over the last month we have started meeting up with our local Moms Like Me group.  He seems to be having a blast with the new friends he is making, and it is nice for me to meet some people too. 

A turns 12 in 2 days.  My goodness, as the title says, time does indeed fly.  With Osama being taking taken out this week, I reflected on that tragic day almost ten years ago.  She was 2 at the time, and her grandmother had driven over to watch her for the day.  That is the only reason the tv was on for me to see the second plane hit the second tower.  Seems like a year ago, not 10 (Never Forget). 

I took G out with me Monday to hang our flag.  When A got home, she asked why the flag was out.  I told her it was to show our unity and pride for the country.  It is great that she asks those questions. 

The Wonder Years

Just as I thought leaving the house was the biggest burden I could imagine, it seems the world flipped flopped.  To get G ready to leave it was a battle to get the coat, the shoes, the hat on, along with toting everything else you might need.  Then there was the fight to get him into the car seat.  Once you got going he would settle.  Now in the last few days, he has been more than willing to go.  Has been really good sitting through the BMV (we are trying to get licenses and plates).  So maybe we have turned that corner of throwing a fit about going. 

On a side note, don't you love this weather.  Snow covered for months.  Melts just in time to get 8 inches again.  Then another 6 inches.  Then melts thoroughly to saturate the ground and we get an inch and a half of rain with tornado watches in February.  Spring might be right around the corner.  If this winter has been any indication of what is to come, it is going to be a stormy spring.

Isn't It Amazing How We Age

Sorry for the extended absence.  Trying to get life back to a somewhat norm.  I think we now have 95% of the boxes unpacked.  Two truck loads of broke down boxes taken to the recycling center. 

So as the title says, I am slowly starting to realize that I am not as young as I used to be.  In the past few months, I have found out I have osteoarthritis.  A nice thing to know at the ripe old age of 31.  A pill the size of a tic tac makes me feel 10 years younger.  I can walk up steps now with out moaning and groaning.  Just finished a sleep study to see if I have sleep apnea. 

Here I was making fun of my parents just 3 months ago (and for many years past), over pains and medical issues.  And here I am.  Same situation.  Me, a person whom rarely sees a doctor, now I am OLD.  I blame it all on A & G.  A mainly, since she is the oldest. Just joking.


I guess the main thing I am getting at, is when did you realize you were old, i.e., a grown up.  Was it the first the first time you realized you were saying the same exact thing to your children that your parents said to you.  Was it the first time your child seemed embarrassed by you.  Was it the first time you tried getting off the floor and you caught yourself groaning.  I am guilty of all these.  Each one makes me feel older and older.  So I guess soon my words will be wisdom.

A Monday Rambling

So we purchased a new bed back in September.  A king memory foam mattress with solid foundations.   At this moment the bed is 4 months old with 6 weeks removed of us not sleeping on it due to being in the hotel.  So about 2 and a half months worth of use.  Well one morning last week I woke up and sat straight up.  First thing I heard was a big crack.  One of the slats in the solid foundation snapped.  Friday I called the store I purchased this through, and they gave me the customer service hot line to call. 

Here's where this gets fun.  I called the Hartline.  Customer Service was not polite, and not helpful.  They directed me to a link on their website to start the process of warranty work.  I was told I needed to fill out this form online and then an inspector will come out to see what the issue is and how it can be remedied.  I am pretty sure I just stated what the issue is and the remedy is not that complicated.  I pulled up the link; it was basically a 20 minute survey of part numbers, warranty codes, bed frames, etc.  Even though their is nothing wrong with the mattress, they wanted me to strip the bed to find that handy lil tag.  I politely wrote in the any other comments section:  I entered all the pertaining information for the affected foundation, any other information you may need, you can obtain while you are out inspecting the issue.

These large companies are turning into a large joke.  They do everything they can to eliminate costs for themselves.  The only thing I could do was laugh and tell the customer service rep that they were a joke when I was told the process.  Fill out the form, I will be contacted within 10 days, then an inspection, then resolution to issue.  Between 3-4 weeks of sleeping on a broken bed.  So if this causes issues with my hips, will this company pay for treatments due to their methods.  No.

Sorry I needed to rant about that.  That was just 1 out 4 things that pretty much went the same disastrous way Friday.  Another good one...  A local company advertising a remote start for a car:  Ad says $129 installed on most vehicles.  I called to have it put on B's car.  Asked what type of vehicle it was, and was told I needed a bypass transponder.  I asked why.  Because there is a microchip in the key that prevents the start without the key.  While I understand this, I also understand that most cars made in the 2000's have this chip in the key.  So how can you advertise $129 installed on most vehicles.  Why not just say the truth.  $129 installed on non micro chipped vehicles.  I would have probably have went ahead and scheduled an appointment at that point, but not after the initial advertisement. 

But that is the way I am.  I do not like to be tricked.  I do not like to be misled.  I want to use a company that has some honesty and integrity.  I ran a retail flooring store for years.  I head constantly fight against the big box stores and their $39 whole house installation.  A word of advice.  If you need new carpeting, and you go to the blue big box store, take a sample and all the info for the carpet.  Then head to local retail store and give them the information.  That box store charged an estimate fee, ours was free.  And every time, I mean every time I bid apples to apples against that blue stores $39 whole house installation, I beat it every time without having to lower my showroom pricing.  They hit you with so many add on fees and sundry fees that the end up being higher.  OK I am done, have a good day.

A New Year

Happy New Year to all.  I hope everyone had a nice relaxing weekend.  This a time of year for those fabulous resoloutions.  Setting goals that most of us trully know we are not going to keep.  This will be our first full year as Ohioans. 

An update on us:  Our house is finally repaired after the fire.  The painters finished on Monday.  We need to get a few boxes back from the cleaners and power wash the house in the Spring, and we will be all done.  It seems like November 14th was a decade ago. 

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to all.  I hope everyone had a safe and fun night.  We celebrated our first new year in the eastern time zone.  I hope this year sees everyone in a positive light. 

I have been told many times by B that I am a very pessimistic person (which I am, lol).  But the one thing 2010 showed me was, I am pessimistic about the little things.  Example, no way the Chiefs win the Super bowl.  But the big things in life I have to say I am pretty optimistic. 

So this is going to be one of my resolutions.  Try to see the positive in even the little things.  I am going to try and update here on a more regular basis.  Hopefully 2011 will not have 1 or 2 week gaps.  I have noticed that I have received quite a few views in my short time (shy of 100).  I think that is great, seeing how I thought I would have 5 at most, lol.  Feel free to leave a comment or say hi.  And thank you to everyone for reading my ramblings.