Debt

Well, on October 15th, 2002, we had around $31,000 in debt, most of that credit cards. We actually had more, cause we had the house and the car, but we had 31K of stupid debt.

Today, 5 years and 5 months since we started, we made the last payment on our stupid debt. And let me tell you how good it feels! It's incredible!

We still have a car loan, and our house payment, but everything else is paid off!!!

Well, I'm going to get off here and go see about buying that boat I saw for sale.

Just joking. Actually, going to finally start up my 401K again at work, and adding to the car payment to get it paid off faster, and also trying to get some money saved up.

Fishin

We went fishing today. I'm really enjoying the Collinsville Lake (Pond). It's nice to be able to drive to the lake, fish, and be back in 1:15, and fished for about an hour.

We did pretty good. I caught 4 fish, and my boy caught 1. 1 crappie, 1 bass, and 3 perch. All too small to keep, but it's always fun catchin. I took pictures of 4 of the 5 fish, but too small to mess with putting up here.

The weekend calls for rain and cooler temps, so probably wont go out this weekend.

Prayer

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Eph 6:18 (NIV)

I know many that read my blog are Christians, and I ask each and every one of you, right now, to please, take a moment, and pray for a little boy named Treiton.

He is the son of my wifes life long friend. He has been battling cancer for a couple years now, and had been doing well. Tonight, he's fighting for his life. We don't know what the problem is. We know his kidneys aren't working well, his blood pressure is down and his heart rate up. Last I heard, they think an infection may be causing it, and with his weakened immune system, it's tearing him up.

He is one of the most precious kids I've ever had the privilege to meet.

Our God is alive and well! He has made us, and can heal this little boy. I believe in the power of prayer, and at the same time my heart breaks for this little boy. Younger than my own boy by a year or so.

Also, please keep his family, and especially his parents in your prayers.

Hair-less

Or maybe less hair would be a better title.

I got all crazy this weekend and shaved.

About 2 weeks ago, I shaved my beard back into a goatee, but today, I shaved almost everything else off.

Back in September, I started growing out my goatee into a beard, and didn't mess with it until the day after Thanksgiving. I trimmed it down, and kept the beard trimmed until Saturday when I shaved. I took pictures then, so you can see the before here.

And here is the after.....





wait for it.....





ok, you ready?




Here you go

(Click for larger view)

I realized that I have had either a goatee or a beard for over 11 years!!! My wife had never seen my upper lip. Every time she looks at me, she laughs. She hasn't decided yet if she likes it or not. I had a lady at church tell me today, I look about 10 years younger. I don't know about 10 years, but I will agree I look younger.

Ram it?

Today, I went out to lunch with a few of the guys at work and as we were walking to the car, we passed this Dodge truck, and well, I guess the tag and pictures say it all.



For those that can't read the tag, it says "If you can't Dodge it, Ram it!"

Looks like he did.

Spring fever

I guess you'd say I have a full case of Spring Fever. After the fishing trip this morning, my boy and I washed the car and the truck... Planning on charcoaling some trout on the grill later.

It's a beautiful warm, sunny, windy day. It's 3:21 and 73 degrees.

I'm really hoping all this activity will help me get my strength back from being sick all week.

Fishin

It's been a long week with both me and my boy having the flu. So, today, we got up, ate some donuts, and went fishin. We went to the Collinsville Lake to give it a try. Not quite sure if I'd really call it a lake or not, but it was a place close by to go for a nice little fishing trip.

We had fun, and my boy even caught a little bass.

It's days like this that build memories.

(click for a larger picture)

And yes, I have seen bait larger than that fish.

Flu Sucks

The flu sucks! That is actually an understatement, but I've learned something that is worse than the flu, and that is having your son sick with the flu... that he got from you.

I guess I started getting sick Saturday morning. By the afternoon, I had a slight fever, but didn't think much of it. Saturday late afternoon, my dad called asking if I was up to a trip to OKC? I asked when and he said now. He was in a wreck, so out of bed I came and headed to OKC to get him and my mom. (Neither of them were hurt, but the lady that was with them was.)

Anyway, I got them home, and I've been real worried they would get this. If I had known I had the flu, I'd probably had them try someone else. See, they headed out of state Tuesday. The drove to Alabama I think for some convention, where they are speaking. If they get what I have, it's not going to be pretty.

When I talked to them yesterday, dad was starting not to feel well. When I talked to them today, he was feeling better. That's good, cause if that's the case, he didn't get the flu.

OK, more rest. I'm trying to get back to work. Today is the first day I've even tried to get out of bed.

Format Wars Over!

It truly may be the end of the format wars.

I've already talked about Best Buy and Netflix, but last week Walmart was added to the Blu-Ray only stores.

Then today, Toshiba announces that it is to quit producing HD DVD's!!!

Stick a fork in it, it's done.

Hugo Blogs

Ok, so technically, that isn't true. Jorge Garcia (who plays Hugo) blogs.

His blog is called Dispatches from the Island.

One of the guys I work with sent me the link. I've read through several of his posts. Amazing! He is as down to earth as I am. And when I say that I mean normal. You know how actors can be.

So Jorge, if you happen to read this, you rock!

Everyone else? Go read his blog!

Blu-Ray v HD-DVD update

I heard some great news today. It appears that Netflix is phasing out it's HD-DVD and going to only carry Blu-Ray.

This is great news on many fronts. Mainly cause I think think will help bring the end of this format war to a close. Format wars are not good for anyone, especially us consumers.

More studios are going Blu-Ray only than HD-DVD. Blu-Ray sales are also out pacing HD-DVD. I've said all along I hope Blu-Ray wins this war. But I'll not count my disks till they are burned so to speak. I've read specs and articles till I'm blue in the face (no pun intended). I've seen and heard the pro's and con's of both formats, and I've still chosen Blu-Ray.

Hopefully this event will help.

Precinct Delegate

Well, I'm not sure if you all know this or not, but there is a presidential election later this year. (Yes, I was being funny, you'd have to live under a rock not to know that)

Anyway, I had a lady call me a week ago asking if I would be able to come to the Republican precinct meeting. Unfortunately, I couldn't go, but I was very interested.

She called me a few days ago asking if I would be interesting as serving as one of our precinct delegate (we get 7 or 8, I don't remember). Anyway, I had been giving it some thought anyway from the call a couple weeks ago, and decided I would. So, I guess on February 23rd, I'll go to our county meeting.... should be interesting to say the least.

Lost

I love Lost. Have I mentioned that lately? No, I guess I haven't. But I do. Lost rocks. Plain and simple.

It is just so interesting how they do that show.

Wow, just wow!

Derby Update

We are back from the races. We had a good time. There were over 50 cars there!

The Pack got a new track this year to go with the new electronic timer we got last year. With the software they got and the timers, the races went fast! Each of the boys got 4 runs. It was great!

My boy didn't place in the Wolf division. But he enjoyed it. He came in 3rd, 2nd, 2nd, and 4th.

All the scouts got to vote on their favorite car in each age group. My boy did the

Wolves Coolest Looking Car

Needless to say, he was very excited about it!

Pine Wood Derby!

Yes, it's that time again, time for the Cub Scouts Pine Wood Derby.

We had a lot of fun making his car this year. And I think it looks much better than last years model.

He didn't really want to do it, or so he said. Truth is, he's excited about it. Especially now it is done, but he didn't want to take the time from playing video game to work on it. Silly boy.

The big race is tomorrow, lets hope we do better than last years last place finish.

Camo Formula 1 style race car? Who woulda thought?

Self Disclosure

I was tagged by Bowden McElroy from Counseling Notes to participate in the following exercise in self-disclosure.

1. Link to the person that tagged you, and post the rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself.
3. Tag 7 random people at the end of your post, and include links to their blogs.

Seven Facts About Me:

1. I am an Oklahoma State Alumni. I graduated with a BS in Com-Sci more almost 13 years ago.
   
2. The summer after graduating from High School, I went on a 3 week student exchange program to the USSR. It was a great, but at the same time, was the longest 3 weeks of my life.
   
3. I am a Junior. And I believe people should not add Jr's or numbers behind their son's names. It become confusing later in life.
4. This year will be married to my wife for 10 years! It's been a great marriage!
   
5. I enjoy gardening even though I don't eat many vegetables.
6. I really enjoy Sci-fi and Fantasy in all its forms. (Video games, books, and Movie/TV)
   
7. I've had a computer in my home since I was in 7th grade (around 11/12 years old). So though I've not have one all my life, I consider myself one of those that have grown up with computers.
   

I know this says to tag 7 others, but I'll save you all the worry and I wont. But I would love to have some of you do it. Comment if you do so I can stop by and read.

Birthday Cake

Today, we are having my boy's birthday party. On Tuesday (his actual birthday), my wifes parents went with us to CiCi's Pizza, and he got to open some presents. But today, 4 of his friends are suppose to come over and go with us to Chuck-E-Cheese Pizza.

Last year, I made him his birthday cakes. They both were Yoda and they were the first cakes I have decorated in a very long time. Today, I decorated this years cake.

The writing was a bit sloppy (as he pointed out) but it's not too bad. And for the record, the 8 eights are suppose to be at different angles.

He likes it, and that is what really matters.

Happy Birthday

Today is my boy's 8th birthday!!! It's hard to believe it's been 8 years since he was born.

8 years since he stopped breathing and turned blue. 8 years since they put him in N-ICU. My 9 lb 6 oz giant in with all the premie's. That day was one of the happiest and scariest days of my life.

He's growing up so fast! Though I guess all kids do.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday My Love

I wanted to take a moment before this day is over, and wish my favorite wife in the whole world...

HAPPY "29th" BIRTHDAY!

(Yes, i know, she's my only wife, but still doesn't stop her from being my favorite!)

Happy New Year

Well, today is January 1st, 2008.

It's hard to believe that 2007 is over, and 2008 is just beginning.

I always like the new year. Something about it is refreshing.

I hope everyone has a wonderful new year!