My dad

This is a picture of my dad. I never really knew him personally because he died when I was like four which is when we first moved to Indiana. I know him more from stories my mom, and my brothers & sisters have told me. My mom was his 2nd wife. That was "not normal" in my mom's family and caused some strained relationships-the biggest of which was between her and her mother.

My Mom at 17

I am helping my sister with packing to move, and we came across this picture of my mom at 17 years old. I think she looked like a moviestar.

Fried Green Match.com

This is such a sad marketing tactic! Fried Green Tomatoes DVD and if you buy it, you get a free month of Match.com. Ugh...

Janet & Lexie

My friend Janet and my daughter Lexie ar poking around my blog today. Not sure how I feel about that...

Insight & Derby Run A-holes

Here's what happened...

I got a refund check from AT&T for like $18 for my phone bill. At the
bottom it said it was leftover from cancelltion of services!! I
didn't mean to cancel so yesterday I called them. I said how I needed
the phone line for my DSL and the lady (besides assuring me it was not
going to be cancelled) gave me the upsell pitch about how they have
this great package. She said if you have our phone and DSL, then you
can get DirecTV for a great price using our bundles!! I explained
that I had DSL through Iglou, and she said they would beat the price I
was paying by $10 per month! I went through the whole deal with her
and the offered me local and long distance with call waiting & caller
ID, plus 200+ channels of DirecTV WITH 2 DVR's in two rooms, plus
their highest speed of internet for under $90! Beyond that, she
offered me what was called a "closer coupon" that would mean I would
receive a $200 Visa card in the mail. Plus, DirecTV charges like $21
for install, but they ALSO have a $50 Visa card "coupon"!! I was
getting PAID to take their service, one of which I was already
using!!! I was spending a few bucks on Netflix and Blockbuster
Online. If I cut those two (or cut way back) and replaced my DSL with
them, I could actually SAVE money each month!! This was what I have
been looking for...

...Then I called Derby Run and spoke with the manager. She told me
that I couldn't have a satelite dish unless it would be mounted in a
bucket on my balcony, but...(she said) "You face north so that won't
work." Damnit.

Today I did something I have been reluctant to do for a long time. I
called Insight Communications. I spoke with a CSR, and explained what
all AT&T was offering me. She said "sorry, can't help you." basically
they could only get their price for all three down to a little over
$100 and that was by giving the fewest channels, and the slowest speed
internet...

I don't know who to dislike more. Would it be Insight for having a
virtual monopoly on the cable TV business in Jefferson County, or
would it be Derby Run Apartment for breaking the FCC ruling that says
they have to let people have a satelite dish?

Secret Message?

Does this message imply they need their van washed, or their cat (Kat?) It varies from the standard "WASH ME!" so often seen...

Pedestrian Struck on Outer Loop

My daughter called me just after she left the house. She was telling me about a kid that got hit on Outer Loop while running across the street to get to school! Lexie always waits for the crossing guard, or else it could have been her! My girlfriend Kat heard it on the news and immediately called to make sure Lexie was ok. I called Lexie's mother to tell her so she wouldnt worry. I am sorry that someone got hurt, but very thankful it was not Lex.

Stolen?

You gotta wonder when you see a shopping cart from Target in your office...

Pajamas are not acceptable in public!

These people just need to stop. It makes me uncomfortable to see people wearing what they sleep in. Its also insulting that they dont take the common courtesy the rest of us take to make ourselves presentable for the general public. It outrages me to think "What next? Underwear???" idiots. If you are offended by this, you should suck it up and get dressed before you leave home! I make no apologies for my opinion on this!

UPS containers

I have no clue about these things, but the were aluminum frame with clear plexiglass and had hatches that could open and close. For some reason they were on this flatbed being hauled by a pickup. They look like the sort of containers that are loaded into UPS planes. Kinda wierd to see them going down a city street.

Kat & Logan

Now Kat and Logan are up. We NEVER play video games!

Horseshoes

Now Liz is teaching Logan how to play Wii horseshoes.

Lexie Wii Skeeball

Lexie and Kat are playing skeeball.

Treadmill & Wii Fit

Logan and Lexie are having fun on the treadmill, burning off their pancakes from Ihop!

Wii with Steve and Liz!

We are over at Steve and Liz's playing Wii!

Lexie's Hat & Shirt

Lex spent some of her Christmas money from Pawpaw & Dana. She got this shirt from the Louisville Store and hat from Urban Attic. The hat is retro with little owls on it.

Logan statue

The coolest chandelier

This is wicked. PLUS in the center is a ceiling fan!

Hippie Stank

You just have to be curious about something named Hippie Stank. No. I did NOT smell it.

My Special Children

Bardstown Road

Gary and Bobbie are in town and we are all wandering around on Bardstown Road.

Lexie & the Coke Bottle Rocket

Lexies rocket is not doing well for some reason, but she's being a good sport.

Logan's Sprite Rocket

Logan's Sprite Bottle rocket won first in his race! And yes, it was confirmed by the other judge also...

Space Derby!

We are at the scouts pack meeting and they are having the Space Derby. I helped some in setting it up, and now I get to be one of the finish line judges. Logan loves scouts. Tonight started out very bad. Logan has not worn his uniform for the past several weeks. I told him he HAS to wear it if he wanted to go to the pack meeting and race. He tore his room completely apart looking and could not find it. Kat was on her way over so I left to go help set up. I told the kids they would have to miss this one. After working so hard on the rockets, it was difficult for us all to take, but I thought it was the right thing to do. The scout leader Paula said she had one he could borrow, but I tolhr no. After all, a scout should be responsible for himself and his actions. Lexie stayed home and I was going to come right home after setting up. This is because for us, scouts is a family thing. We either all participate, or all of us don't. Well I got a text from Kathy about a half hour to 45 minutes later saying they were on the way--she had found the shirt for Logan. I am glad it was found, but Logan should have taken the responsibility and done it. I would bet that he will keep his shirt put away from now on. I know he is very happy to be here and Kathy is his hero for the day.

Wash-O-Rama on Bardstown

This place is horrible. You can spend $15 in quarters drying your clothes and they are still wet. And don't think we overloaded the dryers either! Plus they have roaches, and very scary people. This is the place where I heard a guy having this 45 minute very heated conversation. I assumed he had some bluetooth going on, but... Finally I just realized he was not on a cell phone!!! People here leave their clothes in washers or dryers and dont come back until an hour after they are done! Also they had like some pretty inappropriate stuff on the big screen TV one time I was there. Its a poorly managed, never cleaned, and generally nasty, frightening place. I am NEVER going back.

Iced me like a cake!

I have never experienced freezing fog on my scooter until this morning. It was pretty alarming. I kept thinking "the wings are icing up!". Also, I just about dropped the bike at a stop because the road was a lot more slick than I thought it would be. I have known for a while that someone who works at my son's school rides a blue T-max, and his wife introduced herself to me this morning when I was dropping Logan off. I gave her a card and she said "oh, you're with the scooter group! I have seen you guys online!" That was kinda cool.

French Chalet Toast

I made this french toast for Kat and I, and cut it to look like a house. It was an experiment. Next time I'll make it for the kids!

V-BELT!

Although just about every dash light on every vehicle I have ever owned represents the expenditure of hard-earned dollars, when Lois' (my 2008 Yamaha Majesty) V-BELT indicator started flashing, it also made me smile. That 12,500 miles has taken me to 8 states, three rallies, to the grocery, the doctor, romantic rendevous, family & friends homes, restaurants and coffee houses, across pavement in all conditions, on gravel, mud, rock, dirt, brick and metal, over bridges, through streams, on a little ice and snow, and back and forth to work. I have enjoyed about every single mile. Wonder if I can get to spring time on this belt?

Scouts Meeting

Logan loves scouts. He learns a lot and does really well. Space Derby is coming up soon!

Ride Home

When does fifty degrees feel like seventy? When you've been suffering from temperatures in the friggin' teens for weeks!!! Today after work, I took the scenic route home, and it felt like a true shot of life.

Waffle House salad = suck

The Waffle House on Preson Highway near the on-ramp/off-ramp for I-65
sounded like a good idea for a quick bite. Kat and I were the only
two customers there, which should have told me something. We both
ordered salads. I got the grilled chicken, and she had a club. Both
salads were frozen. Some of the lettuce was transparent, and the
tomatoes were either mushy(from being frozen) or hard(still frozen).
The grilled chicken on my salad was fresh and ok, as was her boiled
egg (who could F up a boiled egg?), but the lettuce, carrots, tomato,
radish...all the veggies were nasty. I guess I should have known
better than to go into a lard spoon restaurant and expect them to make
something that was both halfway healthy and also edible.

Icecicles!!

They kids have been eyeing the huge icecicles hanging from the corners of the apartment complex like a dog looking at a peice of meat! They crack me up. Yesterday I was doing some early spring cleaning and organizing, and I had some stuff for them to take out to the dumpster. They came back carrying these huge icecicles and got the hallway sopping wet down its entire length. But hey...it was fun!

Bonus Points

Bonus points goes to the person who can tell me what this is...and who
can associate 3 or more people with the CODE NAMES on this list.

And the Winner Is???

Ok, this ticket belonged to one of my good friends at Ball State
University. I happen to know for a fact that he or she will likely
see this posting. The first person who can tell me who this ticket
belongs to, wins a prize!!!! (ok, no prize, but just the fame that
goes along with the correct guess...)

Bulletin Board

Kat made this bulletin board which is really cute. I helped her with some of it. She's very crafty & an organizational genius. She also helped me pack away all my Christmas stuff into one big blue plastic storage bin...even the tree. I am impressed. You should be too!! Kat really rocks. The kids dig her, and even that d*mn dog loves her. I keep telling her to kick him, but she doesn't listen to me about that. Regardless, she's a pretty awesome girlfriend.

Sledding

Patti called on the way over and said she wasn't feeling too good. We had about an hour or so of daylight left, so we went to Veteran's Park i Jtown and in the back there was a pretty good hill. The kids had lots of fun!

Kids Eat Free

Kids eat free every weekend at Steak N Shake.

Logan's Hat

Logan looks like an employee!

Lunch at Steak N Shake

We had lunch at Steak N Shake on the way over to help my sister Patti.

Rosy Cheeks and Bad Hair

This is Mr. Logan after playing outside in the snow a while. He's so cute with is red cheeks and hair funky from the tobogan!

Sledding

We didnt get started sledding until after dark, so we stuck around the apartments. That worked ok because the have some "landscaping hills" that you could get some speed on. I even went down once!

The First Snow of 2010

This is pretty wimpy as far as snows go, but you couldn't tell by the "state of emergency" mentality. There will be no bread, milk, or eggs to be had. School is letting out one hour early. Some parents are keeping their kids home today. The worst thing though is how much drivers panic when everything turns white. It is a nuthatch around these parts. People who are the worst fall into two opposing categories and are equally dangerous to those of us who are sane. The first is "I must drive everywhere at 2.7 miles per hour". These folks clog up the roadways for no reason. I'd like to take this opportunity to remind you about the laws of physics. Remember that if you're going in a straight line, you probably don't have to worry about losing control of the vehicle and sliding into a ditch. Unless you do something extraordinarily idiotic. You can pick up a little speed folks, just give yourself plenty of reaction time and keep your wits about you. Most importantly look out for people in the second category, which is: "I own an SUV or 4WD truck and it is impossible for me to lose traction or slide". These morons act like they have a solid wall of stability and invincibility around their vehicle. They believe they cannot slip or slide, they cannot get stuck, and cannot get into any sort of predicament that their "superior technology" cannot handle. You will know them as the ones who pass you doing 20 over the speed limit, take curves and stops as if it were warm, dry, and 70 degrees. Much of the time they are oblivious, so they can leave a wake of minor destruction behind them by eating up your spacial cushion, forcing you to react to their stupidity, and usually causing more problems than they realize. Be careful out there people. The crazies are about. Good luck getting your milk!

He did it again!!

I will have to start putting the trash just over the kitchen gate. I yelled at Splott and whacked him lightly on the head and told him "No!" and "Bad dog!" When I was finished he was cowering in a corner and shaking in fear! I felt bad about it, but he has to know he did bad. Now he is confined to the kitchen for a little while. *sigh*

Grrrrrr!

Splott decided to root through the kitchen trash in between when the kids left with their mom, and when I got home from work. Not only that, but he was "escaped" when I got home! He's supposed to be in the kitchen, but the little b*st*rd is getting out!

Celebrate!!

I took my dumb dog out this past week and one day he finally both peed and pood!! I could not believe it. First time for both!!!

Logan's New Boks!

Logan, not to be outdone by his sister, had to follow Lexie and look for shoes. He latched on to these good looking Rebok tennis shoes with the Christmas money from Dana and Pawpaw.

Lexie's New Shoes

Lexie had some money from Pawpaw and Dana that has been burning a complete China Syndrome hole in her pocket. We were out taking a movie back to Blockbuster, and so I thought I would see what AJ Wright had in after-Christmas sales. Lexie immediately went looking for shoes. Logan followed her. She found these really cute shoes...she had been dying to get something with a heel. I made her walk around in the and she didn't break anything, so I let her get them...

Icy streets

I remember one year we had pretty icy streets in New Albany where I grew up.  We lived on Linden, and I had missed the bus.  It wasn't too bad to get around on, you just had to be careful.  Well my step dad Jack was nice enough to run me to school so I wouldn't have to walk.  If I walked to High School it kinda sucked because it was like 2.5 miles (which you could cut some off if you too a short cut through the New Albany Country Club) and when it was cold, that was a glum hour--plus I would have been late.

 

Jack had gotten a fairly new pickup and was headed out for the feed mill in Sligo anyway, so it was not that big of a deal.  So he's cutting through the neighborhood and comes up to the stop there at Adams and State.  There were cars parked along the opposite side of the street coming up to the stop and (for some reason unknown to me) Jack, my step dad just locks the friggin truck up!  The long slow slide starts and I'm just waiting for a crunch, but all that comes is a low thump of the wheels hitting the curb...on the opposite side of the street.  We had done a 180 degree slide and ended up parallel parked between two cars about an inch from the curb facing the direction we had come from!  Is that crazy or what?  It happened right there in front of the Nolan solar building.  I don't know how he did that.  In thinking back and it took him a full ten minutes to get out of that "parking spot" I don't really think he knew how he did it either!!!!

Vampires everywhere!

This is Logan's Twilight Face. We were at McDonalds on Preston at Indian Trail where the cashier was mean and nasty, they took 30 minutes for drinks and one large order of french fries, and they only gave me 3/4 cup of coffee. I ripped open the paper bag (no tray for dine-in!) and left the message "Service SUCKS!" in catsup (which I had to ask for because the dispensers were empty) on the bag and left it on my table. Morons!

Skate World

I have only been inside Skate World on Preston twice. The kids went to skating lessons there a couple years ago on Tuesdays after school with their mom. I thought it was alright until yesterday when I was there with the kids. This was the first time I felt human feces was more clean than the flushing commode it was being put into! It was pretty disgusting.