Tomorrow is September 1st. Hard to believe September is already here.
2 weeks ago tomorrow was the first day of school this year.
2 weeks ago tomorrow was also my daughters 5th Birthday. That was something I have meant to blog about since then, and hadn't done it.
It's time I do.
For those of you that read my blog, you know my daughter is in High School and drives a car. So how can she be 5?
I adopted my daughter 5 years ago... About to be 5 years and 14 days. My daughter is my oldest child. My son is my first born. My daughter is my youngest child! Sorta neat huh?
Well it is to me!
Adopting her was a wonderful (if not expensive) event!
When my wife and I were dating, she wanted to know if I was willing to adopt her once we were married. She was not content on me being a step dad for her daughter! That was great! Too often, people don't think about their children when they make decisions. They just make them, and they don't care how it effects their children. My wife was not that way. I am so thankful for that!
At our wedding, after we were presented "man and wife", I knelt down and asked her if she would be "my little girl" and gave her a ring. When I married my wife, I married into my daughter too.
I've now been my daughters daddy for over half of her life! I know I will always be her father, but I pray I'll always be her daddy.
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
SQ723
Ok, I thought I had talked about this over the last month or so, but I can't find it.
My wife was watching TV while I was sitting here on the computer. And I saw a PRO ad on the TV. Not get this. They said this will only cost you an additional $2.50 in taxes a month.
Bull!
I calculated that. It will only cost you an additional 2.50 a month if you only buy 50 gallons of gas a month.
That is 1500 miles if your car gets 30 miles to the gallon.
That is 1000 miles if your car get 20 miles to the gallon.
My car gets around 27, my truck about 18 (been a while since I've done its gas mileage, haven't been able to fill up the tank 2 times in a row).
In my car, I would spend more than that!
This is just a stupid tax.
We pay gas taxes, we pay car tag taxes, we pay taxes when we buy cars. Does evey cent of those taxes go to roads and bridges? If not, why? It should!
The problem isn't with the amount of taxes we have, its how much of our tax money the government is spending on things besides roads and bridges.
IF we need a new tax, or a tax raised, then lets look at it. But it needs to be related to the problem, not something unrelated!
On September 13th, I'll be voting no on SQ723!
My wife was watching TV while I was sitting here on the computer. And I saw a PRO ad on the TV. Not get this. They said this will only cost you an additional $2.50 in taxes a month.
Bull!
I calculated that. It will only cost you an additional 2.50 a month if you only buy 50 gallons of gas a month.
That is 1500 miles if your car gets 30 miles to the gallon.
That is 1000 miles if your car get 20 miles to the gallon.
My car gets around 27, my truck about 18 (been a while since I've done its gas mileage, haven't been able to fill up the tank 2 times in a row).
In my car, I would spend more than that!
This is just a stupid tax.
We pay gas taxes, we pay car tag taxes, we pay taxes when we buy cars. Does evey cent of those taxes go to roads and bridges? If not, why? It should!
The problem isn't with the amount of taxes we have, its how much of our tax money the government is spending on things besides roads and bridges.
IF we need a new tax, or a tax raised, then lets look at it. But it needs to be related to the problem, not something unrelated!
On September 13th, I'll be voting no on SQ723!
Fuel Savings
With gas prices they way they are, I decided to do some research on how to save gas, and in turn save some cash at the pumps.
Here is what I found out:
Looking to buy a car?
You might want to check out fueleconomy.gov. This site has information on fuel economy of cars and other information.
Also, in my own personal experience, I have found manual transmission cars get better gas mileage than automatic transmissions. Might keep that in your head when your are shopping.
Here is what I found out:
- Fill up with lower-octane gas - This may seem like a no brainer, but I know people that only use 91 octane in their car. I always use the cheap stuff unless the car tells me it needs it. The higher octane does not boost fuel efficiency or performance.
- Combine errands - Several short trips taken from a cold start can use twice as much fuel as one trip covering the same distance when the engine is warm.
- Remove excess weight from the trunk - Avoid carrying unneeded items, especially heavy ones. An extra 100 pounds in the trunk reduces a typical car's fuel economy by one to two percent.
- Don't top off - Here is one I'll have to stop doing. What happens, is it will slop or seep out, and you don't end up burning that gas anyway. When the pump shuts off automatically, your tank is full.
- Make sure your gas cap is tight - Gas will evaporate if it has a way to. Loose or missing gas caps just waste gas.
- Park in the shade - This helps keep the heat build up in your car down. As stated above, gas likes to evaporate. The hotter things are, the faster they will evaporate.
- Use a windshield shade - This also helps keep the heat from building up in your car as bad.
- Use a garage - If you have it, use it! Move the junk and park in there! It keeps the car cooler in the summer, warmer in the winter, and the A/C and defroster don't have to work as hard. (Poor me, I don't have one)
- Proper Tire Inflation - Keep the air in your tires! Under inflated tires can drop your gas mileage by 15%. Check your tires while they are cold, (relatively speaking). Best bet is first thing in the morning after the car has set there all day.
- Get a Tune-up - Fixing a car that wont pass an emission test can boost your gas mileage by 4%. Also, misfiring spark plugs can drop it by about 30%!!! (glad we fixed the pick-up).
- Replace air filters - Replacing a dirty air filter can boost gas mileage as much as 10%!
- Don't skimp on maintenance - The harder your car has to work, the worse your gas mileage will be.
- Easy goes it - Don't be an aggressive driver. Slow down on the acceleration, that can help a lot.
- Avoid excessive idling - Your car is getting Zero miles per gallons when you idle. If you warm your car up before driving, just give it a couple minutes.
- Don't speed - According to the US Department of Energy, Gas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph. Each mile driven over 60 will result in an additional 10 to 34 cents per gallon.
- Use cruise control - This will help your speed remain constant!
- Proper Air conditioner use - If you are going below 45 mph, roll down the windows and turn that thing off! Doing that will give you a 10 to 20% fuel savings! However, at highway speeds, anything over 45, roll up the windows. Wind drag becomes an issue, and your gas mileage can drop 10%. And speeds 55 mph and higher can make it drop as much as 20% or more. Now, if you are hard core, roll up the windows and just turn on the vent, but since I'm not hard core (I hate the heat), I'll be using the A/C.
Looking to buy a car?
You might want to check out fueleconomy.gov. This site has information on fuel economy of cars and other information.
Also, in my own personal experience, I have found manual transmission cars get better gas mileage than automatic transmissions. Might keep that in your head when your are shopping.
Anon comments
For those of you that had noticed I had turned off anonymous comments, I've decided to turn them back on, but I've added Word Verification to help on spam.
So all of you Xanga people that read my blog, you can now post without creating a Blogspot account.
So all of you Xanga people that read my blog, you can now post without creating a Blogspot account.
Gas Prices = Skinny Piggy
With gas prices currently at 2.79, and expected to go up before the end of the week, I just had to share with you what my piggy bank is looking like now.
Sad, isn't it?
(A co-worker sent this to me today, and I thought it was great!)
Terry's Proverb for the day: "May your journey be short, and your vehicle get good mileage"
Sad, isn't it?(A co-worker sent this to me today, and I thought it was great!)
Terry's Proverb for the day: "May your journey be short, and your vehicle get good mileage"
Rock & Roll Yeast
While reading my Bible this morning, I read a verse that I wanted to share.
See, I was letting the worldly music act like yeast in a batch of bread. Even a few songs of sex, violence, and drugs effected my life.
Now, luckily, Christian Rock is readily avaliable to listen to, so if you like Rock & Roll, you have a good alternative than the worldly stuff. I'm not saying it will be easy, but you can do it.
I want to challenge all of you, to stick to some of the Christian Rock stations... you really will notice a difference... well, I did anyway, both for the good and the bad.
(BTW, I am not saying all Rock is bad, but when listening to normal radio, you get the good and the bad)
Don't you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough? Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast - as you really are.Things in this world can really get to you. A while back, when I really started living for Christ again, I switched from listening to Rock & Roll to Contemparary Christian. That wasn't an easy switch, and quite often, I would switch back to the other radio station. but when I did, I noticed my attitudes on things would change.
1 Corinthians 5:7
See, I was letting the worldly music act like yeast in a batch of bread. Even a few songs of sex, violence, and drugs effected my life.
Now, luckily, Christian Rock is readily avaliable to listen to, so if you like Rock & Roll, you have a good alternative than the worldly stuff. I'm not saying it will be easy, but you can do it.
I want to challenge all of you, to stick to some of the Christian Rock stations... you really will notice a difference... well, I did anyway, both for the good and the bad.
(BTW, I am not saying all Rock is bad, but when listening to normal radio, you get the good and the bad)
Monday, August 29, 2005
Java
Well, I've spent the morning in a Java class at work. Part 1 of at least a 3 day class. So far, it's real good.
I'm not a huge Java fan... just too slow for me. But we are beginning to do some projects in java, so time to refresh my memory.
I had taken a few classes and come Computer Based Training (CBT's) on Java, but never really used it after those... so I basically know nothing.
I'm not a huge Java fan... just too slow for me. But we are beginning to do some projects in java, so time to refresh my memory.
I had taken a few classes and come Computer Based Training (CBT's) on Java, but never really used it after those... so I basically know nothing.
Sunday, August 28, 2005
Green Hair
Well, over the summer, my cousins and I were talking about hair turning green if you get it in the pool.
Our grandmother used to always tell us "Don't get my hair wet, it will turn green!" ALWAYS
This summer while we were swimming, one of my cousins was getting her hair dyed, and she almost got it wet. That got us to wondering.... would her hair really turn green? We discussed get her or my grandmother's hair really wet to see.
Well, we didn't. But today at church, I saw one of the girls who's hair has a slight green tint to it. Sure enough, she had dyed her hair, and went swimming... a lot!
So, to answer our question, it can really turn green. Her mother told me, that once or twice probably wouldn't do it, but she had gone a WHOLE lot.
Anyway, enjoy the new wealth of knowledge I've blessed you with tonight!
hehe
Our grandmother used to always tell us "Don't get my hair wet, it will turn green!" ALWAYS
This summer while we were swimming, one of my cousins was getting her hair dyed, and she almost got it wet. That got us to wondering.... would her hair really turn green? We discussed get her or my grandmother's hair really wet to see.
Well, we didn't. But today at church, I saw one of the girls who's hair has a slight green tint to it. Sure enough, she had dyed her hair, and went swimming... a lot!
So, to answer our question, it can really turn green. Her mother told me, that once or twice probably wouldn't do it, but she had gone a WHOLE lot.
Anyway, enjoy the new wealth of knowledge I've blessed you with tonight!
hehe
Friday, August 26, 2005
Bloggers spell checker
Ok, this seems to be the day for me to have strange and random thoughts... ok, they really aren't random, but I have had to chase a few rabbits to get them.
As I was posting my last post, I did a spell check to try to help on my horrible spelling. But, I noticed that Bloggers spell checker did not know what blog was.
Well, I thought it was funny.
As I was posting my last post, I did a spell check to try to help on my horrible spelling. But, I noticed that Bloggers spell checker did not know what blog was.
Well, I thought it was funny.
Word Verification for Comments?
I was just getting ready to log on and make a post, but saw this interesting link about Word Verification for Comments, so I had to take a look see.
Seems, you can turn on word verification on comments. This is suppose to make it so automated spam tools can't spam comment your blog. I've had lots of those lately... I wonder how much that would be worth. I might turn on anonymous comments again, and turn that on... my only concern is that no one would bother to comment if they had to do that.
May have to think about that... I hate spam, unless its the type you eat, then I love it... Especially fried, as a sandwich with mustard and cheese. (I know, I'm sick)
What do y'all think?
Seems, you can turn on word verification on comments. This is suppose to make it so automated spam tools can't spam comment your blog. I've had lots of those lately... I wonder how much that would be worth. I might turn on anonymous comments again, and turn that on... my only concern is that no one would bother to comment if they had to do that.
May have to think about that... I hate spam, unless its the type you eat, then I love it... Especially fried, as a sandwich with mustard and cheese. (I know, I'm sick)
What do y'all think?
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Military laser brings 'Star Wars' reality closer
While doing a quick glance over headlines on CNN's web page, this artilce caught my eye.
Military laser brings 'Star Wars' reality closer.
Ok, I'll ready that article.
Here is the jist of the story.
New Lasers called High Energy Laser Area Defense Systems (HELLADS) have been created that combine the high energy density solid state lasers with the thermal management of liquid lasers.
What that means is they can make powerful lasers smaller.
A 1 kilowatt (KW) laser has already been produced with plans for a 15-KW laser by the end of the year, and if everything goes well, a 150-KW beam capable of knocking down a missle ready by 2007 that can be fitted onto an aircraft.
Military laser brings 'Star Wars' reality closer.
Ok, I'll ready that article.
Here is the jist of the story.
New Lasers called High Energy Laser Area Defense Systems (HELLADS) have been created that combine the high energy density solid state lasers with the thermal management of liquid lasers.
What that means is they can make powerful lasers smaller.
A 1 kilowatt (KW) laser has already been produced with plans for a 15-KW laser by the end of the year, and if everything goes well, a 150-KW beam capable of knocking down a missle ready by 2007 that can be fitted onto an aircraft.
Job Description of a Parent
While doing some research on some possible soccer practice games, I ran across this Job Description of a Parent, and I just had to share.
For those without kids, you'll shake your head, it may help to think back to your parents. For those with children, you'll know exactly what this is talking about.
Sometimes on my site, you'll read the frustrations of a father, but in truth, there really isn't a better job in the world.
enjoy...
Position : Parent
Job Description: Long-term player needed for challenging, permanent work in chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work evenings, weekends, and frequent 24-hour shifts. There is some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far-away cities. Travel expenses not reimbursed.
Responsibilities: Must keep this job for the rest of your life. Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily. Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly. Must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule. Must be willing to tackle stimulating technical challenges such as small gadget repair, sluggish toilets, and stuck zippers. Must handle assembly and product safety testing, as well as floor maintenance and janitorial work. Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars, and coordinate production of multiple homework projects. Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and levels of mentality. Must be willing to be indispensable one minute and an embarrassment the next. Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of end product.
Advancement and Promotion: There is no possibility of either. Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you.
Previous Experience: None required, but on-the-job training is offered on a continually exhausting basis.
Wages: None. In fact, you must pay those in your charge, offering frequent raises and bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 and attend college. When you die, you give them whatever income you have left.
Benefits: There is no health nor dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays, and no stock options. However, the job offers limitless opportunities for personal growth and free hugs for life.
--Author Unknown
For those without kids, you'll shake your head, it may help to think back to your parents. For those with children, you'll know exactly what this is talking about.
Sometimes on my site, you'll read the frustrations of a father, but in truth, there really isn't a better job in the world.
enjoy...
Position : Parent
Job Description: Long-term player needed for challenging, permanent work in chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work evenings, weekends, and frequent 24-hour shifts. There is some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far-away cities. Travel expenses not reimbursed.
Responsibilities: Must keep this job for the rest of your life. Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily. Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly. Must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule. Must be willing to tackle stimulating technical challenges such as small gadget repair, sluggish toilets, and stuck zippers. Must handle assembly and product safety testing, as well as floor maintenance and janitorial work. Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars, and coordinate production of multiple homework projects. Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and levels of mentality. Must be willing to be indispensable one minute and an embarrassment the next. Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of end product.
Advancement and Promotion: There is no possibility of either. Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you.
Previous Experience: None required, but on-the-job training is offered on a continually exhausting basis.
Wages: None. In fact, you must pay those in your charge, offering frequent raises and bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 and attend college. When you die, you give them whatever income you have left.
Benefits: There is no health nor dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays, and no stock options. However, the job offers limitless opportunities for personal growth and free hugs for life.
--Author Unknown
Lost Season 2
Season 2 of Lost will start on September 21st at 8:00 CT. Which has been moved back an hour from last year.
Oh, and Laura, that will probably be September 28th for you.
Oh, and Laura, that will probably be September 28th for you.
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
1st Soccer Practice
Last week, I scheduled a soccer practice for today. I woke up to the sound of rain... which I LOVE... and to the sound of a scardy cat dog... which I hate!
Wasn't sure we'd even beable to have practice... but it turned out nice.
Practice was HOT, but it went pretty good. The 2 kids that have never played before are WAY excited. It is so cool to see. I spent about 20 minutes talking to parents about all the stuff, course that was after waiting 10 minutes for everyone to get there. The we had a very short practice, about 15 minutes. I played a new game with the kids, and then we had a couple races. I wanted to get an idea of the speed of the kids. Some of them are very fast, the youngest are of course the slowest, but I don't think they are that slow.
Anyway, this should be an interesting soccer season.
oh, and you have guessed it, now that soccer season is starting, there will be many more soccer related posts.
Wasn't sure we'd even beable to have practice... but it turned out nice.
Practice was HOT, but it went pretty good. The 2 kids that have never played before are WAY excited. It is so cool to see. I spent about 20 minutes talking to parents about all the stuff, course that was after waiting 10 minutes for everyone to get there. The we had a very short practice, about 15 minutes. I played a new game with the kids, and then we had a couple races. I wanted to get an idea of the speed of the kids. Some of them are very fast, the youngest are of course the slowest, but I don't think they are that slow.
Anyway, this should be an interesting soccer season.
oh, and you have guessed it, now that soccer season is starting, there will be many more soccer related posts.
More on Cars
Well, I just finished changing my daughters alternator. Didn't take as long as I expected... a lot less than it took to take the old one off. Now, I just have to charge up the battery, and it should be good to go again.
I hate cars, but I guess I'm blessed to have 3.
I hate cars, but I guess I'm blessed to have 3.
Monday, August 22, 2005
Hallelujah!!!
Miranda got the job at Dollar Tree!!!
She'll start Friday, and get paid weekly!
We are all very excited!
On a sad note, the alternator turned out to be 120+70 core, not -70 core. So, after tax, the alternator was $130, not the $50 I was hoping for.
She'll start Friday, and get paid weekly!
We are all very excited!
On a sad note, the alternator turned out to be 120+70 core, not -70 core. So, after tax, the alternator was $130, not the $50 I was hoping for.
Google Desktop 2
Well, Google Desktop has a new version out. Lots of interesting things.
It has a sidebar that can have email, scratch pad, rss/atom feeds, photo, etc.
It adds a search toolbar to Outlook to help find email better.
It is suppose to search network drives now. (a very nice add)
You can read more about it here.
If you are interested, you can get it at the Google Desktop Download Page.
It has a sidebar that can have email, scratch pad, rss/atom feeds, photo, etc.
It adds a search toolbar to Outlook to help find email better.
It is suppose to search network drives now. (a very nice add)
You can read more about it here.
If you are interested, you can get it at the Google Desktop Download Page.
Sunday, August 21, 2005
*sigh*
Well, Today started off pretty good.
Got to go to church this morning and worship God. It was great. Our pastor talked about how worship should be a daily event, and not just a once a week thing.
Came home, and my wife made spagetti. Yummy! Course, my wife is a wonderful cook, so not like it could be bad.
Then I did something very bad. I looked at our finances. Wasn't pretty. I stopped looking at that, and made a blackberry cobbler for tomorrow. It looks yummy... can't wait!
We were about to leave for church this evening, and my daughter called, her car died.
Alternator. $120 - $70 core charge making it about $50 plus tax.
We have $5.
*sigh* It's times like this that my faith is challenged. I know God is with me, and is always there. Everytime we have finance problems, God always helps us. Alway. Every time... but I still worry about it. Satan knows this is one of my weak points, so I'm attacked there time after time.
It also doesn't help that my daughter is a new Christian, and car problems really stresses her out.
Things will work out, God ALWAYS works them out.
Got to go to church this morning and worship God. It was great. Our pastor talked about how worship should be a daily event, and not just a once a week thing.
Came home, and my wife made spagetti. Yummy! Course, my wife is a wonderful cook, so not like it could be bad.
Then I did something very bad. I looked at our finances. Wasn't pretty. I stopped looking at that, and made a blackberry cobbler for tomorrow. It looks yummy... can't wait!
We were about to leave for church this evening, and my daughter called, her car died.
Alternator. $120 - $70 core charge making it about $50 plus tax.
We have $5.
*sigh* It's times like this that my faith is challenged. I know God is with me, and is always there. Everytime we have finance problems, God always helps us. Alway. Every time... but I still worry about it. Satan knows this is one of my weak points, so I'm attacked there time after time.
It also doesn't help that my daughter is a new Christian, and car problems really stresses her out.
Things will work out, God ALWAYS works them out.
Saturday, August 20, 2005
Tooth #2
My son pulled his second tooth today… all by himself. He did it at my parent’s house. It was so cool.
Founders Day Update
Today’s Founders Day was fun, but wet.
We got down there and got everything set up before 9 this morning. It was VERY hot! It was miserable. It was a lot of fun painting the kids faces. The smiles on their faces is wonderful! Makes you feel great!
After several hours of being there, clouds moved in… which made the temperatures MUCH better. About 30 minutes later, the sky opened up!
My Grandmother had left here windows on her van cracked, and now it is raining. I walked home in the rain to close her windows for her… I got drenched!!!
We ended up closing up about then… when I had looked at the radar when I came home to roll up the windows, it looked like it was going to clear for about 30 min or so, and then rain some more. We got things packed up, and then the sky cleared up. Hadn’t rained again until now… around 4:15. Most everything else closed up around 3 when we went down for a funnel cake.
It was a lot of fun.
BTW, I wrote this with Blogger for Word.
We got down there and got everything set up before 9 this morning. It was VERY hot! It was miserable. It was a lot of fun painting the kids faces. The smiles on their faces is wonderful! Makes you feel great!
After several hours of being there, clouds moved in… which made the temperatures MUCH better. About 30 minutes later, the sky opened up!
My Grandmother had left here windows on her van cracked, and now it is raining. I walked home in the rain to close her windows for her… I got drenched!!!
We ended up closing up about then… when I had looked at the radar when I came home to roll up the windows, it looked like it was going to clear for about 30 min or so, and then rain some more. We got things packed up, and then the sky cleared up. Hadn’t rained again until now… around 4:15. Most everything else closed up around 3 when we went down for a funnel cake.
It was a lot of fun.
BTW, I wrote this with Blogger for Word.
Blogger for Word
This looks like a real nice add-on that has come out for blogger. Lets you add a plug-in for Word. So those of you who use Word to do your typing, you can now post directly to Blogger without Cut & Paste.
Interesting.
Interesting.
Friday, August 19, 2005
Founders Day
Tomorrow is Founders Day in Collinsville.
I'll be doing some face painting and possibly making some balloon animals with out church at the founders day. It's an outreach/mission work. It's usually a lot of fun, unless of course its in the upper ninties and humid... which it will be! course, it will probably be fun.
I'll be doing some face painting and possibly making some balloon animals with out church at the founders day. It's an outreach/mission work. It's usually a lot of fun, unless of course its in the upper ninties and humid... which it will be! course, it will probably be fun.
Thursday, August 18, 2005
Work today
Well, as you have already seen, today was the first day of school in my house.
I went to work for a while, but I came home WAY EARLY because I wanted to take my son to school on his first day. (with mom of course)
Anyway, I stopped at Wally World to pick up some things we told the teacher we would pick up.
I got home, and my boy was ready to go. We went and measured how tall he was before going to school (44 inches with shoes... forgot to take them off).
After getting him dropped off, I came home, VPN'ed into works network and managed to get some work done... actually, I got several hours of work. Almost managed to have a full 8 hour day today... almost.
After we picked him up from Kindergarden, we went to Braums and had ice cream... yummy!
Came home and did more work once I shipped him off to a friends house to play.
I went to work for a while, but I came home WAY EARLY because I wanted to take my son to school on his first day. (with mom of course)
Anyway, I stopped at Wally World to pick up some things we told the teacher we would pick up.
I got home, and my boy was ready to go. We went and measured how tall he was before going to school (44 inches with shoes... forgot to take them off).
After getting him dropped off, I came home, VPN'ed into works network and managed to get some work done... actually, I got several hours of work. Almost managed to have a full 8 hour day today... almost.
After we picked him up from Kindergarden, we went to Braums and had ice cream... yummy!
Came home and did more work once I shipped him off to a friends house to play.
Mischievious Daughter
Tuesday night, my daughter had a friend spend the night. During the night, they came down and posted a funny picture of my daughter on my blog... guess that is what I get for having Hello remember my password.
She does look cute though. :)
Anyway, here was her post...
My beautiful wonderful and amazingly talented daughter
She does look cute though. :)
Anyway, here was her post...
My beautiful wonderful and amazingly talented daughter
First Day of School!
Well, this is the first day of school, so I had to post some pictures.
Getting ready to drive to her first day of her Junior year.
"This is the first time mom hasn't taken me to school on the first day."
Getting ready to go to Kindergarden!
Outside his classroom! "Bye mom & Dad, I love you!"
Getting ready to drive to her first day of her Junior year.
"This is the first time mom hasn't taken me to school on the first day."
Getting ready to go to Kindergarden!
Outside his classroom! "Bye mom & Dad, I love you!"
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Back to School
Tomorrow is the first day of school. My son will now be in Kindergarten, my daughter, a junior in High School.
It’s interesting to see the difference in outlook of my 2 children. My boy is very excited about going today to meet his teacher, and tomorrow for school. As for my daughter, I think she is ready for the social aspects of school, but not the work. It’s really hard to tell about her.
Monday, August 15, 2005
250 miles per gallon?
Now, this is what I'm talking about.
Especially when gas just hit $2.49/gallon this afternoon.
Normally, I think that gas price increases is a scheme of the gas companies, now I'm beginning to thing it may be the car manufacturers so people will want to buy electric and hybrid cars.
Either way, It's making me want to buy one.
sheesh!
Especially when gas just hit $2.49/gallon this afternoon.
Normally, I think that gas price increases is a scheme of the gas companies, now I'm beginning to thing it may be the car manufacturers so people will want to buy electric and hybrid cars.
Either way, It's making me want to buy one.
sheesh!
Sunday, August 14, 2005
Taking a stand
How long has it been since you have lost a friend because you've taken a stand for what you know to be right? One of the youth in my church has lost 3 friends this week. She has recently become a Christian, and she is taking a stand for what God says is right and wrong. She's lost 3 friends because of it.
I can truthfully say that is has been a very long time for me. Is that because I don't take a stand, or is it because I'm more careful in choosing my friends.
I hope it is because I'm more careful in my friend choice. I really do try to not alienate people that have different beliefs than I do, but I do have a very strong belief on what is right and wrong, and I'm not afraid of stating my opinion.
Anyway, it's very encouraging to see youth truly taking a stand for Christ!
I can truthfully say that is has been a very long time for me. Is that because I don't take a stand, or is it because I'm more careful in choosing my friends.
I hope it is because I'm more careful in my friend choice. I really do try to not alienate people that have different beliefs than I do, but I do have a very strong belief on what is right and wrong, and I'm not afraid of stating my opinion.
Anyway, it's very encouraging to see youth truly taking a stand for Christ!
RAIN!!!!
Yes, after what seems like forever, Water is falling from the sky. We've had to do some research to figure out what it is called. An old wise man informed us in the old days, water that fell from the sky was called rain.
This was a foreign concept to us, but who is to argue with old wise men?
As you can tell, it's been a very long time since it has rained here. It is so nice to hear the rain fall and to smell the rain in the air.
This was a foreign concept to us, but who is to argue with old wise men?
As you can tell, it's been a very long time since it has rained here. It is so nice to hear the rain fall and to smell the rain in the air.
Friday, August 12, 2005
Gas Prices!
What is the deal with the gas prices?
I don't believe all the "excuses" that have been going around.
The gas companies just want to stick it to us, and pad their pockets. And what is worse, there is nothing we can do about it.
Can't stop driving.
Well, guess you can buy a fully electric car, but who can afford that?
Anyway, Gas prices in the Tulsa area are now around 2.39/gallon. (Though I was able to fill up the car at 2.26 this morning before coming into work.)
BAH!
I don't believe all the "excuses" that have been going around.
The gas companies just want to stick it to us, and pad their pockets. And what is worse, there is nothing we can do about it.
Can't stop driving.
Well, guess you can buy a fully electric car, but who can afford that?
Anyway, Gas prices in the Tulsa area are now around 2.39/gallon. (Though I was able to fill up the car at 2.26 this morning before coming into work.)
BAH!
MRO - lifts off
Well, after 2 delays, the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) finally lifted off this morning a little before 7:00 a.m. CDT.
There are several things that are interesting about this orbiter, but one is the digital camera onboard. It can resolve objects on the surface the size of a kitchen table... that is some resolution.
There are several things that are interesting about this orbiter, but one is the digital camera onboard. It can resolve objects on the surface the size of a kitchen table... that is some resolution.
Thursday, August 11, 2005
It's done when it's done
A Freeplay story at Gamespot was discussing the fact that movies have schedules that they have to make, but games don't stick to the schedules that they set, if they set any. The game developers state that "It's done when it's done". And he was complaining about this.
This really irritated me.
This game reviewer doesn't have a clue what it takes to write software, much less video games. Some of the games I've seen that set schedules, and stick to them, are the crappiest ones you'll ever play. Bugs galore! Now, I'm not stating that if you don't have a schedule you'll not have bugs, but hopefully, it will be a better game with fewer bugs.
This writer talked about how movies are more complex than games, and if they can keep schedules, the so can games.
One thing I see wrong with this view is the ticket price. If you go to a theater to see a movie, you'll spend around $8 plus snacks. If you go an buy a game, you'll spend between $50-70 for the game plus snacks.
If it sucks, you area out a whole lot more than $8. And gamers will let others know how bad it is, and you're sales will slump... bad. No DVD release, toys or anything else to try to get a second wind and to make some of your money back.
Now, I will give PC games a slight break. They have the ability to create patches for problems, but that isn't an option of the console games.
This really irritated me.
This game reviewer doesn't have a clue what it takes to write software, much less video games. Some of the games I've seen that set schedules, and stick to them, are the crappiest ones you'll ever play. Bugs galore! Now, I'm not stating that if you don't have a schedule you'll not have bugs, but hopefully, it will be a better game with fewer bugs.
This writer talked about how movies are more complex than games, and if they can keep schedules, the so can games.
One thing I see wrong with this view is the ticket price. If you go to a theater to see a movie, you'll spend around $8 plus snacks. If you go an buy a game, you'll spend between $50-70 for the game plus snacks.
If it sucks, you area out a whole lot more than $8. And gamers will let others know how bad it is, and you're sales will slump... bad. No DVD release, toys or anything else to try to get a second wind and to make some of your money back.
Now, I will give PC games a slight break. They have the ability to create patches for problems, but that isn't an option of the console games.
MRO - Friday launch?
The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter's launch is now scheduled on Friday after weather scrubbed the first launch and a faulty sensor scrubbed todays launch.
Third times a charm right?
Third times a charm right?
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Gas Vote Results
Well, here are the results of todays vote
34.2% to 65.8%
These are as of 8:00 p.m. I'm not sure if they were not posted, or if no one voted at that poll.
Either way, it looks like the gas system will stay with ONG.
Makes me wonder how much the Electioneering helped?
More than anything, the lack of supporting numbers on this proposed purchase and income as well as the rush for the vote probably hurt more than anything else.
| Yes | No | |
| 84 | 223 | Health Center |
| 117 | 365 | Meadowcreek Methodist |
| 0 | 0 | Maranatha Baptist Temple |
| 201 | 588 | Total |
These are as of 8:00 p.m. I'm not sure if they were not posted, or if no one voted at that poll.
Either way, it looks like the gas system will stay with ONG.
Makes me wonder how much the Electioneering helped?
More than anything, the lack of supporting numbers on this proposed purchase and income as well as the rush for the vote probably hurt more than anything else.
Electioneering Collinsville
This article on Electioneering Collinsville posted on Tulsa Today is very interesting. I wish I had seen this earlier.
If you have a minute, take some time and read the article. In my opinion it sheds a little light on what's been going on with this ONG vote.
If you have a minute, take some time and read the article. In my opinion it sheds a little light on what's been going on with this ONG vote.
Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter
The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter will start its journey toward the Red Planet in less than 16 hours from now. It should arrive in March 2006 and start a 6 month long aerobraking manuevers to adjust its orbit. In November 2006, it should start its science mission.
This orbiter will be able to transfer 10 times the data per minute than any previous Mars spacecraft. This orbiter will be carrying a KA Band experiment to send data back to Earth using KA Band.
If you get the NASA channel, or have internet access, I would imagine this event will be televised.
This orbiter will be able to transfer 10 times the data per minute than any previous Mars spacecraft. This orbiter will be carrying a KA Band experiment to send data back to Earth using KA Band.
If you get the NASA channel, or have internet access, I would imagine this event will be televised.
Gas Vote Today
Today is the day to vote on if the city will purchase the gas system from ONG or not.
When I voted this morning at my polling place at about 7:50 or so. I was the 43rd person to vote if the based on the counter on the vote counting machine.
I expect that there will be a good turnout today on this issue.
For those who care, I did vote yes.
We'll see how this turns out. I'll post as soon as I hear the results.
When I voted this morning at my polling place at about 7:50 or so. I was the 43rd person to vote if the based on the counter on the vote counting machine.
I expect that there will be a good turnout today on this issue.
For those who care, I did vote yes.
We'll see how this turns out. I'll post as soon as I hear the results.
Manned space flight
Discovery has landed safely.
This is wonderful news, and this will also be news for several days.
While listening to one of the press conferences, one of the NASA officials made a comment that I found very interesting.
First, this is only our 145th Manned Space flight (in the US). When you think about it, that isn't very many. We sent our first satellite (Explorer 1) to space in January, 1958. On May 5, 1961, Alan Shepard became the first American in space during a fifteen-minute suborbital flight, and John Glenn made the first orbital flight nine months later.
So, it has only been 44 years since the first American was sent to space. That is only 3.3 flights per year on average. Could you imagine where we would be if we had only had 145 airplane flights in 44 years? We defiantly would not have any planes that broke the sound barrier.
Second, we are still new at this. Until recently, with the successful flight of SpaceShipOne, spaceflight has been only in the realm of Governments. Unlike airplanes, space flight has been a government only club. And like aircraft, I think now that the private sector is getting involved, we may see some huge changes. I don't think because private sector is any smarter than the public, but that more risks can be taken in the private sector. Some of which just are not allowed in government, well, in ours anyway.
Third, space flight is barely possible for us. In 1903, the Wright Brothers flew. Then, in 1919, the first transatlantic flight was made. I wonder how many flights took place before that first transatlantic flight was possible. More than the 145 I would say. So, compared to normal flight, spaceflight is still in it's infantcy. It is a very risky business leaving the confines of Earth and going into space. When you think about it, every person we send to space sits on top of an exploding bomb. Granted, it is a controlled explosion (usually). However, the men and women that do this WANT to do this. Do they know that it is dangerous? YES. But the desire and benefit far outway the risk to them.
I am sure there will be more shuttle missions up till the 2010 shuttle retirement. When they are gone, they will be missed, but there will be more manned spaceflight once the shuttle are gone. I'm sure that what is coming will be far superior to what we have now. But each step in important.
Each step is exciting.
Interesting Tid-Bit:
Here is something you may not know. After both the Challenger and the Colombia Disasters, Discovery was the next shuttle to be launched.
You can find out more about human spaceflight at answers.com
This is wonderful news, and this will also be news for several days.
While listening to one of the press conferences, one of the NASA officials made a comment that I found very interesting.
To date, this is our 145th American Manned Space flight.Those are 3 very interesting statements to me.
We are still new at this.
Spaceflight is barely possible for us.
First, this is only our 145th Manned Space flight (in the US). When you think about it, that isn't very many. We sent our first satellite (Explorer 1) to space in January, 1958. On May 5, 1961, Alan Shepard became the first American in space during a fifteen-minute suborbital flight, and John Glenn made the first orbital flight nine months later.
So, it has only been 44 years since the first American was sent to space. That is only 3.3 flights per year on average. Could you imagine where we would be if we had only had 145 airplane flights in 44 years? We defiantly would not have any planes that broke the sound barrier.
Second, we are still new at this. Until recently, with the successful flight of SpaceShipOne, spaceflight has been only in the realm of Governments. Unlike airplanes, space flight has been a government only club. And like aircraft, I think now that the private sector is getting involved, we may see some huge changes. I don't think because private sector is any smarter than the public, but that more risks can be taken in the private sector. Some of which just are not allowed in government, well, in ours anyway.
Third, space flight is barely possible for us. In 1903, the Wright Brothers flew. Then, in 1919, the first transatlantic flight was made. I wonder how many flights took place before that first transatlantic flight was possible. More than the 145 I would say. So, compared to normal flight, spaceflight is still in it's infantcy. It is a very risky business leaving the confines of Earth and going into space. When you think about it, every person we send to space sits on top of an exploding bomb. Granted, it is a controlled explosion (usually). However, the men and women that do this WANT to do this. Do they know that it is dangerous? YES. But the desire and benefit far outway the risk to them.
I am sure there will be more shuttle missions up till the 2010 shuttle retirement. When they are gone, they will be missed, but there will be more manned spaceflight once the shuttle are gone. I'm sure that what is coming will be far superior to what we have now. But each step in important.
Each step is exciting.
Interesting Tid-Bit:
Here is something you may not know. After both the Challenger and the Colombia Disasters, Discovery was the next shuttle to be launched.
You can find out more about human spaceflight at answers.com
Monday, August 08, 2005
File this under "not smart"
This story from CNN is just too good not to share.
It seems a Macedonian man and his Georgian wife were traveling with their 4 year old daughter. They pulled over for gas in Pesaro. He filled up the tank, paid, got back in the car, and left.
His wife, who was 30 years old, had gotten out of the car to go to the toilet sometime during this.
She had no money or papers with here. She contacted the police who eventually traced her husband to Milan which was approximately 210 miles north of Pesaro.
It took him 6 hours to realize he had driven off without her!
Here is a man we need to take marriage advice from.
NOT!
It seems a Macedonian man and his Georgian wife were traveling with their 4 year old daughter. They pulled over for gas in Pesaro. He filled up the tank, paid, got back in the car, and left.
His wife, who was 30 years old, had gotten out of the car to go to the toilet sometime during this.
She had no money or papers with here. She contacted the police who eventually traced her husband to Milan which was approximately 210 miles north of Pesaro.
It took him 6 hours to realize he had driven off without her!
Here is a man we need to take marriage advice from.
NOT!
Gas Purchase
Well, the vote on buying the Gas franchise back from ONG is tomorrow, August 9th.
I will more than likely vote yes for the purchase.
We have finally seen some numbers on the purchase price. They range from 1.5 million (city) to 3.342 million (ONG). We've also seen some figures on expected profit.
Even with the difference in the purchase price, the city should be able to pull a nice profit.
The above numbers are the first year projected numbers with the recent $5.75 ONG rate increase included in revenue; an inflation rate of 2%; and 30 year funding at 4.5%
I will more than likely vote yes for the purchase.
We have finally seen some numbers on the purchase price. They range from 1.5 million (city) to 3.342 million (ONG). We've also seen some figures on expected profit.
Even with the difference in the purchase price, the city should be able to pull a nice profit.
| City of Collinsville | ONG | ||
| Purchase Price | $1,500,00 | $2,975,655 | |
| Salaries & Benefits expense | $106,000 | $106,000 | |
| Capital Improvements expense | $200,000 | $200,000 | |
| dept repayment expense | $181,109 | $ 91,203 | |
| Profit after Expense | $281,797 | $191,891 |
The above numbers are the first year projected numbers with the recent $5.75 ONG rate increase included in revenue; an inflation rate of 2%; and 30 year funding at 4.5%
There is a $400,000 seperation cost not included in the ONG purchase price in the above table. As you can guess, this will be highly contested. My understanding of what the contract states says that the city can purchase the system back at the depreciated cost of the meters, pipe, and infrastructure. If it is truely written like that, I would guess that $400,000 would not stand up as the process continues (if the vote passes).
Discovery Landing Pushed Back
This is a good story on Discovery from Space.com
I know we are all anxious for the shuttle to return safely to earth, but this will likely be the last jaunt into orbit for some of these astronauts, so I'm sure they will not mind the stay too terribly much.
There are several landing opportunities tomorrow.
There are 2 Kennedy Space Center (KSC) landing opportunities tomorrow.
There are also 2 opportunities at Edwards Air Force Base in California tomorrow, as well as 2 opportunities at Northrup Strip at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. That is also the preference of landing.
I know we are all anxious for the shuttle to return safely to earth, but this will likely be the last jaunt into orbit for some of these astronauts, so I'm sure they will not mind the stay too terribly much.
"We were delayed four days coming home," said astronaut John Herrington, who served as mission specialist aboard Endeavour during STS-113, NASA's last shuttle to land at KSC. "[The delay] is a chance to sit back and really take a deep breath to look out the window."I've talked to my my friend Charity the other day about the landing. More than likely this landing will be just fine. We've only lost one shuttle on landing, and it was because of a damaged heat shield. The thoroughly checked out this shield, and it is good. Of course, launches and landings are probably one of the most dangerous parts of any space mission.
There are several landing opportunities tomorrow.
There are 2 Kennedy Space Center (KSC) landing opportunities tomorrow.
There are also 2 opportunities at Edwards Air Force Base in California tomorrow, as well as 2 opportunities at Northrup Strip at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. That is also the preference of landing.
Saturday, August 06, 2005
NCAA Bans Indian Mascots
The NCAA Bans Indian Mascots, Nicknames From Postseason Events?
What are they crazy?
First, Let me start off by stating, I am an American Indian! I am proud of it!
I'm not sure what they are trying to get at with this. What makes this ban even worse, it is very vague. The decision to ban "hostile" and "abusive" American Indian nicknames. Who is going to decide what is "hostile" and what is "abusive"?
For some reason, some Indians have gotten their panties in a wad over College schools mascots being American Indian based.
My college of choice is Oklahoma State University. It's mascot is a rough and tough, scruffy looking cowboy. Don't hear real cowboys saying that it shouldn't be allowed. What about Cornhuskers, Bulldogs, Bears, Eagles, Owls, Lions, Musketeers... The list can go on an on.
Here is a good example. Some Oklahoma history for ya. Oklahoma Sooners! Now, I am not a Sooner fan, but this will not be an OU bash. (I know, no one have a heart attack please.) Sooners, they were the group or people that crossed the line early into Oklahoma to stake their claim in this land of opportunity. Early?!?!? Yes, they were cheaters! They cheated! They didn't wait for the BOOM (hence the catchy name Boomers). No one is going around calling them cheaters! (well, not usually anyway). Most people do not consider being a Sooner a bad thing. The old connotation of being a cheater isn't there anymore. Why? Cause they haven't made it an issue. So why should seeing someone dressed in war paint holding a tomahawk be such an issue?
Indian Mascots are in no way offensive or racist or anything else. They are mascots. They are suppose to be fun. I wonder if these groups of Indians that are so upset about Indian mascots would be upset if they mascots weren't in feathers and war paint, and were standing there holding a deck of cards or had a roulette wheel or a slot machine.
Maybe, just maybe, we as Indians should be more worried about where we are going as a people instead of where we have been?
Nah, that would make too much sense.
BAH!
What are they crazy?
First, Let me start off by stating, I am an American Indian! I am proud of it!
I'm not sure what they are trying to get at with this. What makes this ban even worse, it is very vague. The decision to ban "hostile" and "abusive" American Indian nicknames. Who is going to decide what is "hostile" and what is "abusive"?
For some reason, some Indians have gotten their panties in a wad over College schools mascots being American Indian based.
My college of choice is Oklahoma State University. It's mascot is a rough and tough, scruffy looking cowboy. Don't hear real cowboys saying that it shouldn't be allowed. What about Cornhuskers, Bulldogs, Bears, Eagles, Owls, Lions, Musketeers... The list can go on an on.
Here is a good example. Some Oklahoma history for ya. Oklahoma Sooners! Now, I am not a Sooner fan, but this will not be an OU bash. (I know, no one have a heart attack please.) Sooners, they were the group or people that crossed the line early into Oklahoma to stake their claim in this land of opportunity. Early?!?!? Yes, they were cheaters! They cheated! They didn't wait for the BOOM (hence the catchy name Boomers). No one is going around calling them cheaters! (well, not usually anyway). Most people do not consider being a Sooner a bad thing. The old connotation of being a cheater isn't there anymore. Why? Cause they haven't made it an issue. So why should seeing someone dressed in war paint holding a tomahawk be such an issue?
Indian Mascots are in no way offensive or racist or anything else. They are mascots. They are suppose to be fun. I wonder if these groups of Indians that are so upset about Indian mascots would be upset if they mascots weren't in feathers and war paint, and were standing there holding a deck of cards or had a roulette wheel or a slot machine.
Maybe, just maybe, we as Indians should be more worried about where we are going as a people instead of where we have been?
Nah, that would make too much sense.
BAH!
Friday, August 05, 2005
Pokes Schedule
I went and got the OSU Cowboy's football schedule.
* Homecoming
I got the schedule from the OSU Athletics Football Schedule page. Bookmark it and you can keep up, and also see where future games will be aired.
GO POKES!
* Homecoming
I got the schedule from the OSU Athletics Football Schedule page. Bookmark it and you can keep up, and also see where future games will be aired.
GO POKES!
Thursday, August 04, 2005
Well Run me over!
Actually, I was only hit by a car, not ran over.
As I was leaving the local Piggly Wiggly (hehe I still can't say that without laughing) I was walking out to my car, and I walked by this lady sitting in here station wagon... about the time I got right behind her bumper, she put it in reverse and backed up!
She did hit me though not hard. I almost really hurt myself trying to get out of her way, and I tripped over my sandles.
I just kept walking to the car. She did get out and appologize and ask if I was ok.
That's it really, not much of a story, but how often do you actually get hit by a car?
My wife said I should have fell over screaming and ask for $1300. heheh (we was just joking for those of you who don't know her)
As I was leaving the local Piggly Wiggly (hehe I still can't say that without laughing) I was walking out to my car, and I walked by this lady sitting in here station wagon... about the time I got right behind her bumper, she put it in reverse and backed up!
She did hit me though not hard. I almost really hurt myself trying to get out of her way, and I tripped over my sandles.
I just kept walking to the car. She did get out and appologize and ask if I was ok.
That's it really, not much of a story, but how often do you actually get hit by a car?
My wife said I should have fell over screaming and ask for $1300. heheh (we was just joking for those of you who don't know her)
Daughter Update
Back in May, I had blogged about bit about my daughter and my frustrations.
Well, all I can say is what a difference God and a few months can make.
Last week, she went to Falls Creek. This is the first year she wasn't there with a boy friend. Well, while she was there, she accepted Christ as her Savior!
What a difference!
A few years ago, I thought she had done this. But what she realized that she didn't really accept him as her Savior. She just went through the actions, but there was never a change of her heart!
The change is like night and day!
Well, all I can say is what a difference God and a few months can make.
Last week, she went to Falls Creek. This is the first year she wasn't there with a boy friend. Well, while she was there, she accepted Christ as her Savior!
What a difference!
A few years ago, I thought she had done this. But what she realized that she didn't really accept him as her Savior. She just went through the actions, but there was never a change of her heart!
The change is like night and day!
Good News
I have some very good news.
My wife has stopped smoking. This is her second week of no smokes!
I am so very happy and way impressed with her. I really do know that stopping is tough, but it will be so worth it!
The stress of the IRS letter and the car breaking down did NOT help her. But she didn't smoke!
So, please pray for her as she continues this very difficult task!
My wife has stopped smoking. This is her second week of no smokes!
I am so very happy and way impressed with her. I really do know that stopping is tough, but it will be so worth it!
The stress of the IRS letter and the car breaking down did NOT help her. But she didn't smoke!
So, please pray for her as she continues this very difficult task!
IRS
Yesterday, after getting home from work and getting ready to start working on the car, we checked the mail, and found a lovely letter from the IRS.
Seems we made a mistake on our 2003 taxes. And after doing to looking and talking to the IRS on the phone, we found the mistake. So, the $1204 mistake is currently close to $1300 after interest and penalties.
First, If I owe money, I really don't mind paying it, but 2 years later? My refund I got that year has long been spent. (I still would have had a refund that year, just not as large). Now, I have to come up with $1300. *sigh*
Second. For the last several years, I have been using TaxSlayer to do my taxes. I believe this was the first return that I had used them for. I had always used TurboTax in the years previous, but had switched to TaxSlayer because my refund was much larger. The first year, TaxSlayer was not as easy to use as TurboTax had been, but the difference in returns made it worth my time. Last year, I noticed that TaxSlayer now had a wizard to walk you through a series of questions like TurboTax had. I initially thought that the fault was TaxSlayers. I had cashed in a 401 K after I had been laid-off, and this was dealing with taxes associated with that. Seems that when I put the amount of taxes withheld on that in one place, well, it also needed to go somewhere else (line 59 if I remember correctly). Since there was no wizard, I probably missed putting that amount in the second spot.
Even though it might have been my fault, I'm not sure if I'll use them next year or not.
Oh and if anyone wishes to send me $1300, I won't complain. :)
Seems we made a mistake on our 2003 taxes. And after doing to looking and talking to the IRS on the phone, we found the mistake. So, the $1204 mistake is currently close to $1300 after interest and penalties.
First, If I owe money, I really don't mind paying it, but 2 years later? My refund I got that year has long been spent. (I still would have had a refund that year, just not as large). Now, I have to come up with $1300. *sigh*
Second. For the last several years, I have been using TaxSlayer to do my taxes. I believe this was the first return that I had used them for. I had always used TurboTax in the years previous, but had switched to TaxSlayer because my refund was much larger. The first year, TaxSlayer was not as easy to use as TurboTax had been, but the difference in returns made it worth my time. Last year, I noticed that TaxSlayer now had a wizard to walk you through a series of questions like TurboTax had. I initially thought that the fault was TaxSlayers. I had cashed in a 401 K after I had been laid-off, and this was dealing with taxes associated with that. Seems that when I put the amount of taxes withheld on that in one place, well, it also needed to go somewhere else (line 59 if I remember correctly). Since there was no wizard, I probably missed putting that amount in the second spot.
Even though it might have been my fault, I'm not sure if I'll use them next year or not.
Oh and if anyone wishes to send me $1300, I won't complain. :)
Car Problems
Well phooey.
I had started this post last night, saved because of dinner, and never went back. Went to finish it this morning, and it was gone. Been blogging now for several months, and this is the first post I've lost.
Anyway.
I woke up Wednesday morning, all excited about the space walk that was going on. I got around and headed to work so I could start listening to as much as I could while I was doing my work.
I went out to the car, and it wouldn't start. I knew this was coming. I had taken the car to the shop almost a year ago probably because of a power loss I was sometimes seeing (usually when it was cold). What I was told is these cars (Oldsmobile Intrigue) pull lots of juice to run all the electronics, and because of some of this, can cause heavy corrosion. I would probably have to replace the battery, and the battery cable. It would probably cost between $100 and $250 to do these repairs. Not having the cash, I passed. Well, it finally caught up to me, and the car wont start.
Well, I got the battery cable off of the batter, but in the process, it took a good chunk of the battery with is. So the battery was just sitting there leaking battery acid. oh, and I couldn't remove the chunk from the battery cable from that chunk of battery.
My wife needed to get some errands ran in Tulsa, so she took me to work while she and our boy did the errands. They came and picked me up when they were done which allowed me to get some work done, so I could now go work on the car without thinking about stuff I needed to do at work.
When we got home, I was able to under one of the connections, and get the cable out of all the holders it was in. But my hands were to big to get the connections at the starter and the alternator. I thought I was going to have to take the start off to get that cable off. But my wonderful wife came out and helped me get those wires off. She is so great!
Well, we have this crazy wire off now! Yea! This cable was crazy. The cable connected to the battery, then one side went to one of the fuse boxes, and then on to the alternator. The other side of this cable went to the starter.
So, off to the store to get a new one.
I stopped at the local auto parts store. Took it in and put it on the counter. I need a new battery cable. He said. "hmmm, never seen one like this before."
He told me I didn't need to get a new cable, He took this one to the back, and fixed the part that the battery was still attached to, came out and picked up a little bolt and said, this is all ya need.
Also told me to soak the end in some Dr Pepper, or any carbonated drink, but to him, DP works the best, and that will eat off the rest of the corrosion.
We got home after going to Walmart, got the cable on, again, thanks to my wife's small hands, and got it started. We were very happy. But I understand why it was going to cost so much. The labor was a pain!
So all in all, not too bad. Total cost for us was about $75 for the part and the new battery.
I had started this post last night, saved because of dinner, and never went back. Went to finish it this morning, and it was gone. Been blogging now for several months, and this is the first post I've lost.
Anyway.
I woke up Wednesday morning, all excited about the space walk that was going on. I got around and headed to work so I could start listening to as much as I could while I was doing my work.
I went out to the car, and it wouldn't start. I knew this was coming. I had taken the car to the shop almost a year ago probably because of a power loss I was sometimes seeing (usually when it was cold). What I was told is these cars (Oldsmobile Intrigue) pull lots of juice to run all the electronics, and because of some of this, can cause heavy corrosion. I would probably have to replace the battery, and the battery cable. It would probably cost between $100 and $250 to do these repairs. Not having the cash, I passed. Well, it finally caught up to me, and the car wont start.
Well, I got the battery cable off of the batter, but in the process, it took a good chunk of the battery with is. So the battery was just sitting there leaking battery acid. oh, and I couldn't remove the chunk from the battery cable from that chunk of battery.
My wife needed to get some errands ran in Tulsa, so she took me to work while she and our boy did the errands. They came and picked me up when they were done which allowed me to get some work done, so I could now go work on the car without thinking about stuff I needed to do at work.
When we got home, I was able to under one of the connections, and get the cable out of all the holders it was in. But my hands were to big to get the connections at the starter and the alternator. I thought I was going to have to take the start off to get that cable off. But my wonderful wife came out and helped me get those wires off. She is so great!
Well, we have this crazy wire off now! Yea! This cable was crazy. The cable connected to the battery, then one side went to one of the fuse boxes, and then on to the alternator. The other side of this cable went to the starter.
So, off to the store to get a new one.
I stopped at the local auto parts store. Took it in and put it on the counter. I need a new battery cable. He said. "hmmm, never seen one like this before."
He told me I didn't need to get a new cable, He took this one to the back, and fixed the part that the battery was still attached to, came out and picked up a little bolt and said, this is all ya need.
Also told me to soak the end in some Dr Pepper, or any carbonated drink, but to him, DP works the best, and that will eat off the rest of the corrosion.
We got home after going to Walmart, got the cable on, again, thanks to my wife's small hands, and got it started. We were very happy. But I understand why it was going to cost so much. The labor was a pain!
So all in all, not too bad. Total cost for us was about $75 for the part and the new battery.
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
Space Walk
Wednesday morning, 2 astronauts will be headed back into space for a third space walk.
I have always found the space walks very interesting. This one, however, brings on a new aspect. One of the Astronauts will be doing some repair work on the shuttle. For years, astronauts have repaired the space station, but it does not go back to earth, it just stays in orbit. This will be the first time a return vehicle has been repaired in space.
To me, this is very cool. I will admit, this should not be a serious repair. In all likelihood, the shuttle could have returned without this repair. But as Wayne Hale, NASA's deputy shuttle program manager, said at a news conference. "If we can't prove that it's safe, then we don't want to go there."
Very good point.
NASA has received some serious bad press. But they won't get any from me, (except I'm not in space). They do a very hard job. Testing senarios are very difficult, neigh impossible. Car makers, make cars, then crash them to see how they will do. Can't do that here.
Anyway, there are lots of places you can watch the space walk if you are interested.
There is a NASA TV channel that some satellite and cable systems carry. Also, you can go to NASA's NASA TV page and watch in either Windows media player, or in Realplayer.
I will note, the RealPlayer looks like a better picture to me.
I have always found the space walks very interesting. This one, however, brings on a new aspect. One of the Astronauts will be doing some repair work on the shuttle. For years, astronauts have repaired the space station, but it does not go back to earth, it just stays in orbit. This will be the first time a return vehicle has been repaired in space.
To me, this is very cool. I will admit, this should not be a serious repair. In all likelihood, the shuttle could have returned without this repair. But as Wayne Hale, NASA's deputy shuttle program manager, said at a news conference. "If we can't prove that it's safe, then we don't want to go there."
Very good point.
NASA has received some serious bad press. But they won't get any from me, (except I'm not in space). They do a very hard job. Testing senarios are very difficult, neigh impossible. Car makers, make cars, then crash them to see how they will do. Can't do that here.
Anyway, there are lots of places you can watch the space walk if you are interested.
There is a NASA TV channel that some satellite and cable systems carry. Also, you can go to NASA's NASA TV page and watch in either Windows media player, or in Realplayer.
I will note, the RealPlayer looks like a better picture to me.
Garden Update
I know I haven't done a garden update in some time. And I wanted to share.
We picked our first Watermellon yesterday. 21.5 pounds! It looks so yummy. Can't wait to eat it. We also picked 7.5 pounds of tomatoes and a mess of okra.
Since it is Mid August, the garden itself isn't looking too great. The watermellon is taking over the yard, the tomatoes have fallen over, but still doing real well.
The Okra plants are very tall. I didn't realize how
tall they got.
Well, I gues that's all for right now.
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