New Tee-shirt

This is my new favorite Tee shirt....and it was only like $7.95!!!

Lexie made me very proud

My daughter is pretty amazing. Today she was crying before school and she told me it was because she did something really bad. Then she said "well, really it is because I told on somebody who was doing something really bad." Lexie has a little friend at school who told their little clique Friday that she smokes pot. She admitted that she wants to quit and has quit for 3-5 days before and then starts smoking again. All the other friends laughed about it and that made Lexie furious. Here was this girl who was trying to quit doing drugs and couldn't--and all her friends just laughed and made fun of her. I told Lexie that I was very proud of her for being a good friend and that she had absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. I told her that the kids who didn't try to help their friend out of a dangersous situation were really not much for friends. I told her many real friends might just stay her friend and keep quiet or encourage her to quit, but not do anything else. Lexie was the kind of friend who cares enough to make sure her parents know so they can get her some help...even if it means that her friend will be mad at her. Lexie told the teacher on Friday. Since she was the only one who made a big deal about it, she is sure the girl will know it was her. I told Lexie that good friends get mad at each other sometimes. If they are true friends, they will forgive and forget. If they stay mad, chances are they are not they type of person you want as a friend, or even in your life. I do not know if I would have made the same decision. I'm glad Lex did the right thing. She didn't even do it because it was the right thing. She did it because she was concerned for her friend and she looked around and saw that she was the only one. This is her first real social test of peer pressure and growing up. I am always proud of Lexie, but I'm not sure I have ever been more proud of her than today.

Salad!

Mesquite grilled chicken salad with sweet vidalia onion dressing

First day of School

Today was the first day of school and both kids were excited to go. As a father, that makes me very happy. :)

New policies at the pump

I thought the laws passed so banks can't screw you into an early grave with overdraft fees was golden. Now that I see the measures the banks have taken to make sure they get theirs...man this just p*sses me off.

Sticker bushes

Just dont do it!

Focus!

Look at the Extreme concentration on the little guy's face! He is very careful with a knife.

Burnt

I often get scorched if I am at the pool for too long...

At the pool

Kids love the water...

Pool Party!

This is the second year our apartment complex has thrown a pizza party by the pool. They also had prizes. Lexie won a mini football, Logan won a wooden project to put together (tic-tac-toe board) and I won a free haircut at Greatclips. Lex said she didn't want it so some lady offered to trade me her gift certificate which was a free On Demand movie from Insight Cable. Lexie also guessed how many candies in a jar and won that.

Petting fish

Lexie, always the animal lover in the family, would not settle for just feeding the fish. She had to be PETTING them.

Feeding Coi

I asked the kids what they wanted for dinner and they said "Chinese Buffet!" so we went to the closest one. This place is right next to the apartments where we used to live. They have a big coi pond inside. Logan fed them.

Hot Rods

Its that time of year in Louisville again. We have all the cool and classic cars buzzing around all over the place. One week/end each year its fun to just ride around and see what you can see...

Red light district

Although I hit just about every red light there was on my scoot-commute this morning, it was still a great ride. It was the first day in a while I wasn't cage-bound because of running my dog back and forth to the vet. I got to see a Ford Maverick rolling down the road (which was my first car...special thanks to Steve Lopp for trashing it with me). Also, you know its a good sign when you get to work bone dry though you hear all manner of thunderstorm hell breaking loose behind you as you ride. Song for the day: Riding the Storm Out by REO Speedwagon (but not the cheesy live version with the "little story" at the beginning).

Naked leg parts...

Well since we finally got the electricity back on and is starting to cool down just a bit, I figured I would take Splott's bandages off. They said they could come off after about an hour. Poor little guy has naked little leg parts... :)

Living by candle light

Its hotter than hell in here, and the power is out. I have to stay inside with Mr. Splott since he just came home from the vet. :(

3PM update...nothing.

I called at 3PM like Dr. Tripp told me and they just said he is resting comfortably (no kidding...that's about ALL he can do!) and the doctor would call me later with an update. So much for getting anything done but waiting... *grumbles*

In the morning

I got up and came to the kitchen first thing to check on Splott. He would not get out of his bed to greet me so I worried he might be paralyzed or something. It didn't look like he had eaten or drank anything all night, but his pee pad was full. I rattled his treat bag, and he did get up for that. He acts like he is sore all over, particularly his back right leg. He seems to be getting around just a little better but had a hard time getting up on the couch. He did his usual morning stretches and scratches, but everything seems a lot more subdued. I think he would eat his food if I didn't give him anything else, but the not-drinking thing has me concerned. The doctor said he's not dehydrated, so not to worry, but I wonder if that might just be from his fluids via IV. I gave him a cup and a half of both water and food last night. I will measure this morning before we leave and see if any is gone. I have not observed the "hyperventilating" this morning so far, and that makes me feel a lot better.

In the morning

I got up and came to the kitchen first thing to check on Splott. He would not get out of his bed to greet me so I worried he might be paralyzed or something. It didn't look like he had eaten or drank anything all night, but his pee pad was full. I rattled his treat bag, and he did get up for that. He acts like he is sore all over, particularly his back right leg. He seems to be getting around just a little better but had a hard time getting up on the couch. He did his usual morning stretches and scratches, but everything seems a lot more subdued. I think he would eat his food if I didn't give him anything else, but the not-drinking thing has me concerned. The doctor said he's not dehydrated, so not to worry, but I wonder if that might just be from his fluids via IV. I gave him a cup and a half of both water and food last night. I will measure this morning before we leave and see if any is gone. I have not observed the "hyperventilating" this morning so far, and that makes me feel a lot better.

Splott update: temporary parole

The vet, Dr. Tripp, wants me to come take Splott home for the evening and see if he does any good on eating, then bring him back in the morning. If he stays much longer here, I'm worried about how much it will cost. My rent was this past week! *shrugs* I guess I won't find out now until tomorrow.

Ball State bets big on geothermal effort

This article was in the Courier Journal on Sunday. I haven't read it yet, just skimmed...

Ball State bets big on geothermal effort

Splott still at vet

We went to check on Splott. He ate some of the his Baconz treats but none of his food. Instead of his regular seizure pills they gave him intravenious valium. The Dr. decided to keep him for continued observation. I'll have to call back at 6 pm to see if he can come home. We left some of his own food and they are going to give him something to increase his appetite.

Lard Needle

Even wikipedia stumped out on this thing. Raise your hands and BE HONEST-no Googling! Do YOU know what a Lard Needle is for?

Taking care of your mom

Nobody can really put a dent in paying their mother (or father) back for all the time that they put in raising us and all the sacrifices they made to take care of us. Although its never good for someone to be ill, it IS nice to get the chance to show you love and appreciate them by being around to do some of that caretaking. Kat is such a good daughter. (she's also an awesome mother, friend, and girlfriend. I'm gonna be quiet now so everybody doesn't think she's perfect--perfection is a lot to live up to).

Get Well Soon

Here are the flowers Kat and I got her mom. I liked the "vase".

Wierd Toilet Leg

I have never seen a toilet with a leg before... This was at St. Francis Hospital. Ah, those crazy Catholics! Hey, it seems like a great place! Everybody is nice, and Kat & her mom said the food is way better than the standard hospital food.

Outside Greeks

Not near as cool as the one at BSU...

Greeks Pizzeria

Until Saturday the 31st of July, 2010 I was unaware that Greeks existed anywhere else besides that fine line between on & off campus at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. Happily I found out different! When I rode up to Greenwood this weekend, Kat and I shared a medium. I think she has eaten here six times in the past ten days! If that's true, then why did she get to keep the leftovers??? :D

This takes me back

I have not had pizza this good in over twenty years. And I believe I got to share the double green olive and extra cheese with the best girl in the world this time!

Coming up on four hours

In fifteen minutes we will have been waiting for four hours. Splott seems just about dead. I think he's dehydrated. Poor little guy...

Panting

This is the first time I can recall ever seeing my dog pant. He's more of a laid back or "short burst of energy" dog. He doesn't usually get hot enough to pant without lots of running!

Splott sick

Splott has been since Friday night. He has vomiting and diarreah, and has not eaten or drank anything. I let it go 24 hrs to see if he improved and he hasn't. Its very important for him to eat because of the seizure medication he takes. We are at the vet now. :(