Year is over

This year is over. Well, almost, but close enough for government work.

I always look forward to the start of a new year. Just something about what feels like a fresh start.

I hope everyone has a very safe New Year.

Growing Up

Today, my son and I went and bought my wife her birthday present and then went to McDonald's to eat lunch. We ordered and ate then afterwards he played on the indoor playground.

While I sat there and watched him play, I realized how fast he is growing up. I watched him as he interacted with the other kids. I saw kids that were still in diapers and how it wasn't that long ago he was their age. In a couple of weeks, he'll turn 6. It doesn't seem like it's been 6 years since he was born. In another 6 years, he'll be 12... almost a teenager.

I love my children. I missed watching my daughter grow up during this time of her life. And like most parents, I feel like my boy's time will soon be over, and he'll not want me around anymore.

He is so sweet, loving, caring and innocent. I don't want to see those qualities in him change.

I'm going to get off here and go play with him some more.

Parents, enjoy your children. Don't try to rush them from one stage of their life to another. It will be here before you know it.

Busy Vacation

I took this week off from work to lounge around the house, and not do a whole lot. Well, my wife and daughter changed my plans. My wife and I have switched rooms with her.

My daughters room was green and purple, and our room was a cream colour. Well, after repainting the rooms, our room is now summer pecan (light brown) and our daughters room is now hot pink and black.

This has been a lot of work. You don't have a clue how much work. Here are some pictures to help get across how much work this was. We nearly filled up a dumpster with the trash we moved out of the room and there was only a path through the living room during the move. There wasn't a single room in the house that didn't have some of my daughters stuff in it.

Downstairs room was:



Downstairs room now:




Upstairs room was:





Upstairs room now:

12/31/2005 > 24 hours

I was very interested in this article I found at CNN.

Long story short, December 31st will have an extra second added to the last hour of the year. Clocks usually go from 123:59:59 to 00:00:00. This year, the atomic clocks are having a second added. So, the time will go from 23:59:59 to 23:59:60 to 00:00:00. This will happen when it is midnight in the GMT time zone if I read the article correctly.

Looks like we will get to enjoy New Years Eve a second longer this year. What I did find interesting, is this is not the first year for the leap second. In fact, the first leap second happened in 1972. The last leap second was added in 1999.

A leap second is added to keep uniform timekeeping within 0.9 second of the Earth's rotational time.

So, not feeling just right, like something is off? Well there you go.

Home Improvement

Monday morning, we started the latest home improvement project. Well, if you want to call it that. My wife and I are moving upstairs to the largest bedroom in the house and our daughter is moving into ours.

So far, so good, but it's been crazy.

We have removed tons of trash and everything out of her room. I've just finished painting, and hopefully in the morning, my daughter and I will be able to put the trim back on and start moving everything from my current room to the new one. Once that is done, we'll paint the downstairs room and move all of her stuff from the living room, hall way, and anywhere else we have it stored, and into it. Then the hard part of cleaning and setting stuff back up. Though, that is one of my favorite parts.

Anyway, I'll have pictures soon. I'm too tired to mess with it now.

Christmas Part 3

Today, we had our Christmas get together with my dad's side of the family. It was really good to see everyone. I probably see this side of the family less than anyone else, and the sad thing is they live the closest to me.

We had a nice dinner, and then got to open some presents. I got some very nice wind chimes from my grandmother. I really like them.

My boy made me smile tonight. After he opened his presents, he said "I thought I would get more than that." hehehe. He had about 3 or 4 presents to open I would guess. Definatly the smallest set of presents of the 3 stops so far.

Tomorrow night, we'll have one last Christmas get together with the whole family on my mom's side. Same crew as Sunday, but more than double the people that were there. I think there will be close to 25 or so. Sunday, there was only 12.

Christmas Part 2

I finally woke everyone up around 7:30. Well, my wife got up a few minutes before I was about to wake her. We had several things to do this morning, so we had set a backup time for 7:30, never imagined we would use it.

My boy wasn't ready to get up till I said Santa has been here and he set up in bed so quick it was funny.

We had a good time opening presents. My wife loved her Ape Escape 2: Pumped and Primed PS2 game. My daughter enjoyed her DVD surround sound system that Santa got her. My boy loved all his presents especially the the Lights, Camera, Pants Spongebob Square pants PS2 Game and he even liked his Bicycle.

I got a Silicone oven mitt, a Chronicles of Narnia book I can read with my boy each night, and I think the best gift of all, Star Wars Episode III.

Once we were done here, my wife had to go to work for a while and me and the kids went to church. Afterwards, we went to my grandparents house. It was a lot of fun. I got a new leather jacket. Since my last one had a broken zipper and wasn't usable, this was a GREAT present! Thanks mom. (Not that she reads this.)

We all had a great day! We still have 2 more nights of Christmas to do and we'll finally be done.

I'm exhausted.

Waiting / Christmas Eve Recap

I'm sitting here waiting on the family to wake up so we can open presents.

I've been up for over an hour, but that really has been nice. I've been able to read my Bible and spend some time with God this morning before the busy day gets going.

Last night, we went to my in-laws. It's a big tradition that they have a big Christmas Eve shindig and as usually, it was a lot of fun, but as usually, we left late.

We have a Dirty Santa over there last night. I had number 2. Probably the worse number you can have in the game. The present I opened was a very nice BBQ set. I was ecstatic, but within 2 or 3 people, it was gone. So off to the stack to pick again. This time, I wasn't as lucky. I got a set of 4 OCC coffee mugs and 2 packets of coffee. Did I mention I don't drink coffee? Anyway, it was a lot of fun!

My daughter got a new car yesterday. It was the one I spoke about earlier. She is too happy. We sold her old car to a salvage for a whopping $50. Considering we spent $1300 when we bought it, that was sort of depressing. Hopefully she'll take better care of this one since she is paying for it.

Well, the family should be getting up shortly. Have a wonderful and safe Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be to all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:10-11

This is what today is really about. God sent his one and only son to earth as a baby. This was the greatest gift we have ever been given!
A couple of years after his birth, Wise men from the east, magi, came to him bringing gifts and to worship this child.

While you celebrate today, I pray you remember that Christmas isn't just about giving gifts to friends and family. It isn't' about food, or what you might get.

Christmas is when we celebrate the birth of our Lord! But the story doesn't end there. The story doesn't even end when Jesus was crucified. The truth is, the story hasn't ended. Christ rose from the dead that we may have eternal life. It is a free gift that He has offered us all. All any of us has to do is accept this gift.

I wish you a Merry Christmas, but more than that, I wish you the peace of accepting Christ as your personal Lord, Savior, and King.

Happy Christmas Eve!

Today is Christmas Eve. Many have already started their Christmas activities and may already be traveling.

"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" - which means, "God with us"
Matthew 1:23

This prophecy from the days of Isaiah came to past over 2000 years ago when Mary gave birth to Jesus.

With all the activities, shoping, preperation, gift wrapping, hanging the light, traveling, the contriversy of Christmas vs Holiday; Remember that Christmas really is about Christ.

Happy Holy Days, and Merry CHRISTmas!

Whew

I finished making my last present of the day.

The thought of my day actually has me amused.

I woke up and worked on the car and truck.
I had a nice walk.
I did sevearl loads of laundy.
I cleaned out my daughter car and removed the stereo before we send it to the junk yard.
I worked on my grandmothers computer.
I did dished and more laundry.
I did some sowing
I wrapped some presents.

No wonder I'm tired.

Night all.

Happy Christmas Adam!

Yes!
Happy Christmas Adam!

What's Christmas Adam? Well, tomorrow is Christmas Eve, and everyone knows Adam came before Eve.

Busy Day

I did it! I replaced the radiator in the pick-up and it didn't have any leaks!

It really wasn't as bad as you would think it would be. I replaced the radiator, 2 hoses, 4 clamps and the thermostate for about $205. Not too bad.

I also got the car's oil changed and cleaned it up a bit and a couple loads of laundry done.

I'm exhausted. I'd like to rest, but I have to get some dishes done and finish up the laundry.

Look, I'm a mechanic... I hope.

Tomorrow will be an interesting day for me.

I will be replacing the radiator in the pick-up and changing the oil in the car.

I'm strangely looking forward to this. Maybe I'm sick?

This could be interesting.

Car problems, -2 +1

Tuesday night, the Mass Air Flow Sensor and the Crank Shaft positioning sensor were replaced on my car. I actually did the Mass Air Flow while a friend worked on the Crank Shaft sensor. It's nice driving without that silly check engine light staring at me.

However, As I stated before, with the truck overheating, it is time to replace it's radiator. Guess I get to learn something new next week.

Winter begins

At 12:35 p.m. today, winter officially starts.

What I find amusing is it is warmer than it has been in a week or 2.

Welcome Winter.

Funeral today

This morning is 2 of the kids funeral that died Sunday morning.

My wife and daughter are going to one of them. They are at the same time at 2 different locations, so they will not be able to go to both. Personally, I think this is good for my daughter. She was close to only really one of the kids, but after the loss of her best friend almost 2 years ago, the thought of her sitting through the funerals of 3 other kids isn't something I think she needs to do. Each of these funerals will bring back the memories of her other best friend she lost 2 years ago.

Please pray for both my wife and daughter though. This will not be easy for them.

Big Bang Theory

Ok, do you see the title there? Big Bang Theory.

Theory. hmmmmmm.

Lets look up theory in the dictionary and you'll see several different definitions. My favorite is:

An assumption based on limited information or knowledge; a conjecture.

If it is a theory, an assumption based on limited infomration, then why are we even teaching this in the schools? And why are they teaching it as fact.

When I was in high school, we had about 10-15 minutes on the Big Bang. She said something to the effect of:

I do not believe in what I am about to teach you, but the majority of you will be going to college, and you will at least need to know about this. So here you go...

There are all these complaints and law suites, etc about Intelligent Design and Big Bang Theory and Creationism, etc.

Here is what I think, and I know that is very little.

Don't teach any of it.
That is right. Don't teach Big Bang, don't teach Creationism (well, except in church), don't teach anything else. Then, there isn't this big to do.

Truth is, it all comes down to Faith.
I belive in the Big Bang... God spoke and BANG it happened.
So, I belive that God created EVERYTHING! Why? Do I have any proof other than the Bible said so? No. So why do I belive it? FAITH.
Can any of these scientists really prove what they belive? No. why do they believe? Faith. Now they wouldn't say that, but it's true.

Hebrews 11:1 - Now Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

None of this is seen, we all take it on faith.

So, as long as they are teaching something that comes down to faith, then Faith is still being taught in schools.

Tron anyone?

While over at Gizmodo, they had a story about lighted frisbee's.

These look cool. You can find these at The Cool Hunter

Tron anyone?

Car problems (again)

I've had an interesting morning.

This evening, I will be getting 2 sensors in my car fixed finally. They have been going out for several months but we didn't have the money to get them fixed. Now I do. So I've made arrangements with one of the men in my church who is a mechanic and he said he'd fix it. I got the parts ordered, and we are to fix it tonight. Because of this, I was going to have my wife take the car today so it wont get as hot as if I had driven it into Tulsa. That left me with the truck.

The morning started pretty good. I got up and round and left on time. Dropped my boy off at day care and was on my way to Tulsa and it appeared I would be at work on time.

Just after I passed Owasso, my "check gauges" light came on and the truck was getting close to 250 degrees... Still out of the red zone on the gauge. I pulled over and steam was just came billowing out of the engine. Once I got the hood opened, what I found most interesting was the cap to the radiator was cool to the touch, not the least bit hot.

I knew the truck had a radiator fluid leak, but it had never gotten bad enough to overheat it, even when pulling a loaded trailer in the middle of summer to Falls Creek.

Well, my wonderful wife was able to leave work and come help me out. We got the truck filled with fluid and off again. We took are car to where we will work on it tonight, so it will be nice and cool when replacing those sensors. We then went to my wife's parents house and they let us borrow a car for the day. My wife took the truck back to work, and I followed her to make sure she got there safe and sound. Once she was at work, I finally made the trip into town. I was only 1.5 hours late. Oh well, guess it could have been worse.

PS2 Adaptor

If you have a PlayStation 2, your AC adaptor may need to be replaced.

You can find the full text here on Sony's web page.

So, stop reading this and go take a look at your Playstation and it's AC adaptor.
You will need the following information for their web page.

• PlayStation 2 model number
• PlayStation 2 barcode number
• AC Adaptor Manufacturer
• AC Adaptor Date of Manufacture

This is for Playstation's sold after October 2004.

17 years ago

17 year ago today, I had a car wreck.

I had gone to see a friend for her birthday. I was driving home down a gravel road, and topped a hill like I had done hundreds of times before, but this time, there was a car topping the hill in front of me. At the bottom was a one lane bridge. (and I knew you could not get 2 cars across a 1 lane bridge at the same time)

I hit my brakes as hard as I could, but not too hard, gravel handles like snow), and the other car got across the bridge and I tried to get my car onto the bridge and missed getting my right tire on the bridge by about 2 or 3 inches.... The car flipped into the creek.

Long story short, I ended up having some complications in the hospital. I had 105.8 degree temperature, 106 is brain hemorrhaging. I had NIGHTMARES and only remember bits and pieces of that time. I ended up with rheumatic Fever. I opened my Christmas presents in the Hospital that year, but I didn't (and still don't) remember doing it. When I finally got home from the hospital mom had to show me the presents.

God was watching after me during that time. The doctors told my parents that they could do nothing more for me, and whether I lived or died, it was up to me. (Course we all know it was up to God)

I had planned on talking a bit more about this, but it's late.

car wreck

We got word this morning that my daughters best friend was killed in a car wreck overnight with 2 other kids. I do not believe her friend was the one driving. Without going into much detail, they were in a little honda and pulled out in front of a semi.

She is so upset right now.

Please Pray for:

1. My daughter.
2. These kids families.
3. The driver of the semi. I have no information about him. I'm sure is is probably fine, but emotionally, I doubt it.
4. My wife and I as we try to help our daughte through this.
   

Road Condition Numbers

I am proud to anounce Oklahoma has joined the surounding states in offering toll free road condition checks.

Here are the numbers for the 5 state road conditions:

800-245-1672 - Arkansas
800-585-7623 - Kansas
800-222-6400 -Missouri
888-425-2385 - Oklahoma
800-452-9292 - Texas

Christmas Shopping Done

I finished up my Christmas shopping today.

I went one of the Stores in Owasso today looking for something for my wife. I got to the store, and they only had a display. I asked someone about it, they looked it up in the computer and showed there was one in Claremore. We called the store and the person we talked to said they had it. We had them put my name on it, and off to Claremore I went to get it. I got to the store, and couldn't find it where they said it would be. I found someone and asked them about it. Turns out they were out afterall. Someone had put the wrong item in the bin and it was inventoried that way. So, ended up leaving empty handed.

I was able to find the last of my wife's presents and what I need to make my present for the Dirty Santa at my grandmother's house inspite of the adventure.

I can't wait till Christmas!

School Party

Today was a first for me.

I went and helped out in my boy's class for his Christmas party.

It was a lot of fun, and I didn't find myself going crazy at all. I was a bit concerned before going.

Afterward, we went to his Baby-sitters house and got to see Santa, and he got to tell Santa what he wanted for Christmas.

It was a fun afternoon.

Car Shopping

Well, it appears that we have stumbled upon a very nice deal on a 93 Saturn SC2 Coupe.
It has spoiler, leather (or pleather not sure) interior, electric locks/windows/right mirror/sun roof. It has a 124 HP twin-cam and gets around 25 city/34 hwy

We may get rid of the Mazda 323 letting my daughter buy this car instead. We explained we would not buy it since we bought her a car already and she has trashed it. That isn't our fault.

Her insurance will go up a bit, but if she can get that B average back, it would actually drop.
The car belongs to one of my wife's bosses son. But before Christmas, she may be sporting a new set of wheels... We'll have to see.

Doom

It appears that there is now a movie based on the fun first person shooter Doom.

What I find most amusing is that it was released on October 21st, and I've just found out about it. Doesn't sound like it's going to be a blockbuster or anything.

Happy Holidays?

Ok, I just had to add my 2 cents in here.

Happy Holidays? I don't have a problem with the phrase. If you are wishing many groups of people Happy Holidays. You don't know what holiday they are celebrating. They may be celebrating Christmas, Kwanza, Hanukkah, or something else.

I send out Christmas Cards! Why? cause that is what they are. I do not know if people send out Hanukkah or Kwanza cards or not, but I've never heard of them. They are Christmas Cards.

I have a Christmas Tree! Why? cause that is what it is. They don't have Kwanza tree's or Hanukkah tree's. They are Christmas Tree's.

I understand that the Christmas Cards that were sent out from the White House said Happy Holidays in them, well, yea. Think about who all their cards are going to. Why was there a fuss about it? They are printed generically. The white house could print and mail groups to all the different people and have their special holiday on the cards to those people. Course, that would cause people to throw a fit to. Get over it!

I don't believe we need to get bent out of shape over the phrase Happy Holidays, but removing the word Christmas from typical Christmas items is taking it too far.

Merry Christmas!

Oh, and if you are offended that I wished you Merry Christmas? You can get over it, cause you obviously get offended over silly things.

Christmas Shopping

We finished up Christmas shopping for my son last night.
So, I think we are all done except for a present I have to make for a dirty santa we are doing at my grandmothers house, and I need to finish up shopping for my wife.

She has given me a few ideas, but for some reason she is the hardest to buy for. I think it's because I want her to enjoy her presents more than anyone else.

Hopefully I'll get them taken care of this weekend.

Google Reader Update

I really did not intend on making a post so quickly about Googles new Reader, but after using it yesterday afternoon/evening and this morning, I just had to give my thoughts.

I really do like it as much as I thought I was going to. I had been using Bloglines as a reader but there were things about it I did not like. My main complaint with Bloglines was I could go several days without seeing an update for a site, and then have 3+ days worth of posts show up.

With Reader, it seems to find the updates much quicker.

Reader is a really nice tool.

Counting

My son, who is almost 6, asked me if he could count to 100. I told him I didn't know, and to try it.

Well, he did it. He actually when to 101.

What I find so funny is after Christmas break, they will be having their 9 weeks test, and on it, he has to count to 20.

I'm so proud.

Google Reader

Google has done it again.

Google has another program that is in beta that you can give a try.

Google Reader

It is an RSS feed reader similar to Bloglines for those that use it. I'm switching over all my blogs that I monitor using Bloglines to the Google Reader.

So far, what little I've played with it, I've liked. Just type in the address of the blog (i.e. tkjarrard.blogspot.com) and hit enter. It finds it and you can preview the feed. If that is what you want, click the subscribe button.

I'll try to give an update in a couple days and let you know what I think.

Kid Friendly PS2 Games

I'm a bit frustrated.

My son, who is almost 6, loves to play the PS2 (Playstation 2 for all you that don't know what I'm talking about). It seems that though there are a lot of sites out there, like GameSpot that review games, none really give me a good idea if it is a game that my son could play.

I know the ESRB ratings are there, but just because the game is rated for Everybody, doesn't mean my almost 6 year old is able to play the game. For example, Jimmy Neutron Boy Genius is rated E, and my boy is able to play that without much help from me. However, Heroes of Might and Magic is also rated E, but he could not play this game.

I haven't decided yet, but I'm considering getting a GameFly subscription and renting different games and playing them with my son decide if they are games that are games kids can/should play and then either starting a new blog or making posts here about mine and my boys thoughts of the game.

I know he would like that idea since he would get to play more games.... I'll have to think about this some more.

7 Things

I've just been tagged by Bowden from Counseling Notes.

So, I'll give this a shot.

Seven Things I Want To Do Before I Die
1. Live in the mountains
2. Watch my kids graduate from college
3. Have a house with a fireplace
4. Have a house with a pool
5. Give my daughter away to a Godly man
6. Watch my son marry a Godly woman.
7. Get (and stay) out of debt

Seven Things I Cannot Do
1. Stop eating Olive Garden bread sticks
2. Say not to Canadian Bacon pizza
3. Stop biting my finger nails
4. Understand my wife and/or daughter
5. Go a month without hurting myself in some silly way
6. Go a couple hours without checking my email.
7. Pass by Star Wars when it's playing on TV.

Seven Things That Attract Me To My Wife (romantic interest, best friend, whatever applies to you)
1. Her smile
2. Her laugh
3. Her honesty
4. How great of a mother she is
5. How beautiful she is
6. What a giving woman she is
7. Her Faith in God

Seven Things I Say Most Often
1. Theoretically...
2. No! (that's for my children)
3. Google it!
4. *sigh* (again for my children)
5. Does that make sense?
6. Loop it.
7. Let me check the weather.

Seven Books, Or Series, That I Love
1. JRR Tolkien Lord of the Rings/Hobbit
2. The Elric Saga
3. Neuromancer
4. Star Wars books
5. ShadowRun books
6. Star of the Guardian series
7. My Bible

Seven Movies I Would Watch Over and Over Again
1. Star Wars (all 6 of them)
2. The Lord of the Rings Extended (all of 3 them)
3. Pirates of the Caribbean
4. Hildago
5. Robin Hood: Prince of Theives
6. The Princess Bride
7. Harry Potter movies

Seven People I Want To Join In To
1. Tracey
2. Laura
3. Kimberly at Momma Moments
4. Hannah
5. Addie
6. Caitlin
7. Chad

It is amazing how difficult this was. It has taken me a several days to do this. The Movies/Books/ and my wife were easy to fill in, it was the others that took so much time.

I'm a Monkey...

I saw this cute survey on Stevens blog, and decided to take it.

You Are A: Monkey!

Monkeys are intelligent and agile, well-adapted for jungle life as they swing happily from tree to tree. As a monkey, you are a social animal who is quick to learn new things, loves to climb and is known to show off. A monkey's tiny primate features are irresistable, as is his gregarious personality!

You were almost a: Duck or a Squirrel
You are least like a: Chipmunk or a LambDiscover What Cute Animal You Are!

Give it a try, it's amusing.

I hate being sick

I hate being sick. Friday, I left work early because I wasn't feeling good. I think I got a cold. Well, last night, I also got the stomach virus that is going around.

Not been a good weekend for me.

Redneck Christmas pt. 2

A couple weeks ago, I had talked about Redneck Christmas lights.

Well, I have a new one for you, but this time, it's a bit closer to home. This belongs to my brother-in-law.


You might be a redneck if you have one of Santa's reigndeer hanging up for slaughter... in your front yard.

hehehe

Dr Pepper

I love Dr. Pepper. It is by far my favorite soft drink!

Well, I was at Walmart the other day, and found Dr. Pepper with the old 10-2-4 label. Not only was it the old label, but it was also made with Imperial Pure Cane sugar!!!

This made me soooooooooo happy. Soda made with sugar is so much better than when it is made with corn syrup. I've had it before. But only at the Dr. Pepper Museum in Waco, Texas.

I hope this is not just a random thing and they will continue to ship Dr. Pepper with sugar.

If you see it and you like Dr. Pepper, give it a try. You WILL notice a difference!

Snow Fun

Last night, almost 9, me and the kids went outside and played in the snow.

Both kids made snow angels, and then we went and sledded in the road. It was a lot of fun even though it was a bitter cold 16 degrees.

Here are some pix of the fun event.

Sad Day

Today we had to put down Dixie, our German Shepard. She was a really good dog, but has been acting really strange the last few weeks. She has been on high doses of valium and benadryl, while the other meds take effect, but she just wasn't getting any better.

I was up with her till about 1 a.m. trying to get her to settle down and stop crying, but she never did. I finally had to put her in the bathroom and shut the door so I could hopefully get some sleep.

We are all very sad today, especially my wife.

Dry Gulch Christmas Train

I was reading this story on KOTV's web page that the Dry Gulch Christmas Train wasn't going to run this year.

We went a few years ago, and it was really fun. My boy first rode a pony while we were there.

If you have never been, it really is fun. Old West town during Christmas. While on the Trainride, you get to see the True Message of Chirstmas.

Bowling

I almost forgot to tell you. At bowling last night, I think I bowled my 2 best games ever.

I got a 149 the first game and a 167, I think, for the second game.

I know those aren't great, but considering I only bowl once or twice a year, that isn't too bad.

It was a lot of fun.

Fun night out.

Last night, when I got home from work, we had our $90 state refund check. So we went out to eat at a chineese buffet which is Miranda's and Tracey's favorite place to eat.

We had a coupon for a free game of bowling and shoes for up to 5 people. So we went and bowled. It was a lot of fun. As my wife already expained on her blog, fun times like that doesn't happen a lot. Not as a whole family anyway.

8 years ago today...

... I proposed to the love of my life! (yes, I mean my wife) :)

It was a Friday.

I bought my wife a dozen red roses and sent her a 11 of them to her work. Thanks to her boss at the time, she noticed that 1 was missing, and she called and asked me how many I had bought. I told her "a dozen why?" That's when she said that there were only 11. hehe Little did she know I had more in plan for her. She did ask that when I get the other rose, if I could get something besides red. She loves the look of red roses, but they are not a aromatic as other colors. I told her I would see.

Well, That was my last day working for the City of Tulsa. So, being the last day and all, I got to leave early. Well, I went and picked up the single rose, and slid the engagement ring over the stem. I was ready to propose... Once I found a place to do it. So off I go to find a nice place to propose.

It took me a while, but I finally found it. I found a nice park with a beautiful pond and the like... It was beautiful. Now I had the problem of figuring out how to get her there.

I picked her up from work, and I started heading to the park. She asked me where we were going, and I told her I wanted to show her something. On the way to the park, there was a tree covered in shoes. It was the strangest thing I've ever seen, and anyone who knows my wife knows how much she loves shoes, so I thought it would be something to get us to that part of town.

Anyway, I showed her the tree, and drove the next couple of blocks to the park, and I pulled over and got out and walked around to her side of the car and opened her door. When I helped her out of the car, I reached down behind the seat and picked up the other rose. We walked over to a bench next to the water and as we sat down, I bent down on one knee and proposed.

It was beautiful. The took the ring off the rose and put it on her finger and just kept looking at it.

Of course, all of our special moments are always interrupted by something. As we were walking back to the car, some lady comes up to us and asks us if we are the couple looking for the kid. Of course, that wasn't us.

Well, as we left the park and got back on the highway, I looked over to her and said "I assume this is a yes since you haven't said anything?" hehe unfortunately, we had to go and get the ring sized, but did we have a story for the City Christmas party that night.

I love you honey!

Movie Night

Last night, my wife and I had the house to ourselves! I was a very nice change of pace. We haven't had more than an hour or so alone in a long time.

Well, we had a little dinner and then watched a couple movies that we had rented from Netflix.

We watched Batman Beings and Ladder 49.

Batman Begins was a very good Batman movie. I really liked it. It was very well done and I really didn't have any complaints about the movie. I think I would enjoy watching that again. I would not have a problem letting my nearly 6 year old watch this movie, but I'm not sure he would. It definatly showed more of Bruce Wayne then Batman. That isn't bad, but a Batman movie for kid it does not probably make. I may eventually purchase this movie.

Ladder 49 was an ok movie but I will NEVER watch it again. Not for me. Stop reading if you want to watch this movie and not know a couple things. Spoiler for Ladder 49 ahead.









Ok, last chance, I'm talking about it now.
I am a Sci-Fi/Fantasy buff. Love these types of movies. I usally only see a movie like Ladder 49 is when I'm watching it with my wife. It was ok. the first 90 to 95% of the movie was great! Infact, I would have enjoyed the movie very much if it had a different ending. As you are reading this, you have either seen it, or don't plan on it. But as you may, or may not, know, the main character Jack dies at the end of the movie. He does a very self sacrificing thing. That in itself was good, but he leaves his wife and 2 kids behind.

I've been told I live in a dream world, and maybe I do, but I like movies to have a happy ending. They should have saved Jack from the fire so he can go home to his wife and kids. Don't want to save him? Fine, let him sacrifice himself for the sake of the othe firefighters that are coming in to save him, but don't let the guy be married with kids.

Hildago - Lord of the Rings

A while back, I first watched Hildago. I love this movie.

Tonight, I just found out something new. The actor that played Frank Hopkins also played Aragorn in the Lord of the Rings.

That's right, Viggo Mortensen.


I've liked him in these 2 movies... don't care for his politicial views, but he is a good actor.

Windows XP PowerToys

One of the guys I work with found this very interesting link on the Microsoft web page

Microsoft PowerToys for Windows XP.

I few of them looked interesting.

1 in particular is really cool. It is Atl-Tab Replacement.

With this PowerToy, in addition to seeing the icon of the application window you are switching to, you will also see a preview of the page. This helps particularly when multiple sessions of an application are open.

If you are running Windows XP you can click here and download the executable. But I would suggest you go to Microsofts page and look at the other things you can download as well.