Still Have a Job

Just got out of the Meetings with our Speaker-Director.

I still have my job! :)

He's got some big plans and promised to be a better communicator from this point on - so we'll see.

Thanks to those of you who've been praying!

It is much appreciated!

Great Weekend or Today's the Day

Man, with all the drama at work, this weekend at home was really simple and just FANTASTIC!!!

I've already told you about the activities on Saturday, let me tell ya about our Super Sunday.

The girls didn't wake up until after 8am. Ohhh yeaaaahhh! In fact, I woke up and couldn't get back to sleep so I snagged my book and read a few minutes, when we heard them finally stir - the go into full whirlwind mode! :) Having the kids sleep in like that always makes a GREAT start to a Sunday!

We had breakfast, then my in-laws came over and we put up Christmas in our house. We put up the tree with lights and ornaments. We hung the stockings by the chimney with care - we really did. We put lights in the front window and have little decorations around the house that just give it a holiday feel. Very nice.

We finished in time for lunch - ate a nice meal and then everyone, except Doreen and Joelle, ended up taking a nap. Boy did I feel good! :)

After Natalie & I got up we put on some warm clothes and headed to the park for some playtime and a walk. Good to get a bit of exercize - hadn't been able to recently.

Got home, snagged a quick simple dinner then the girls went in their room to play. Doreen watched some football and I made some fresh apple juice. A week and ahalf ago we bought a bag of apples and just hadn't eaten them all and they were getting soft. I like a good crunchy apple, not one that's mushy. So I cut 'em up - threw them in our champion juicer and made 2 1/2 quarts of fresh apple juice. The girls drank some, Doreen wanted hers later, and I threw a bit of cinnamon in mine and drank it down.

Oh my word was that yummy!!! :)

Watched a bit of football when I got everything cleaned up. Up until the Sunday night game, I was perfect on my picks for this weekend. Man that was awesome. But then I found out this morning that My Broncos let me down and got beat by the hated Raiders. *&#@!##@$% Can't believe they got beat. How annoying. Not only do they lose 1st place in the division to the Chargers, they blew probably my only chance ever to get a perfect week with Pigskin pick 'em. Dag-nabbit! :)

Well, I couldn't watch the game cuz we don't have access to ESPN, so I kept up with the score through the beginning of the third quarter with my Sirius radio. Doreen and I watched Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, then we watched two shows of American Chopper that I had taped at work. They build the !Black Widow Bike. Awesome, AWESOME bike man. $150,000 bike though. Ouch!

Then I went to bed at a very decent hour to get plenty of sleep for today.

Well - it was nice to have such a great weekend because with the 'drama' that may be unleashed today with our Speaker-Director/President, it has helped calm my nerves. Family is really great for that! I didn't even feel a bit of 'dread' driving in today. But that's probably because I was surving around my Sirius radio trying to find out of the Broncos won or lost. Of course, once I stepped in the front door it was like, oh great, "it's" gonna hit the fan today. Should be interesting. I'll let ya know what happens

Nice to Be at Home

How are ya?

Good! (Right? LOL)

Sounds like many of you had a very blessed Thanksgiving! I just LOVE blogs and being able to keep up with family and friends and what they're up to on a regular basis.

It's not that I'm a bad brother, but I haven't talked with my sister Staci since we were out there in October. It's not that I don't love her, but calling and talking isn't high on my list. But between her blog and my bro-in-law Scott we're able to know whats happening in each other's life. (That is if she reads my blog! He, he, he - Hi sis - how are ya? *GRIN*) At least we can keep up with them.

Well - the ongoing saga at work continues. I would love to just enjoy my job for what it is... but we've got all this drama with our Speaker-Director (Just got a piece of mail today with his NEW title on it. It was an upgrade from President Humm - it would be nice if he actually was a speaker on any LifeTalk program and if he actually communicated with more than 1 employee I'd agree with the director part, but I digress.) Friday was pretty OK, because only 3 of us were there - and we pretty much stayed out of each other's hair. I didn't feel like discussing it with those present. Monday the Big announcement comes down. (Jaws music playing in the background - or Twilight zone if you wish! :)

Friday was cool though. Did my work and got home and everyone was asleep - so I crashed out on the couch for about 30 minutes. Joelle got up to go potty so Doreen asked me to make sure she fell asleep. (Turns out she was only faking being asleep when I walked in.) So, I climb up in the bunkbed and within 10 minutes we're both out like lights! I just LOVE Naps! :)

Woke up and grabbed a quick snack (hadn't eaten since 5am) and then started cleaning around the house because our friends the Vences (formerly known as Heather McRae) was coming over with Rebekah and Grandma Betty for the girls to all play together. So we got the house spic-n-span and they show up. The girls played together so nicely and we had a good conversation. Then the rest of the Vence clan shows up and we have a nice meal and good conversation. (A group of us did end up talking Shop for a bit, just to see where we all stood on the Monday meeting - but it was good.) They went home and we crashed.

At 3am I woke up - because of the lousy alarm I had set - and headed to work to downlink a set of 2, thirty minute programs we have to grab off the satellite every weekend. I got to work and realized I'd grabbed Doreen's key. No key to the front door at work. So I ran back home, swapped keys and got back to work - got the programs, auditioned them and headed back home with enough time for another 90 minutes of blissful sleep.

Got up showered and we went through our Sabbath morning routine. For some reason we were running WAY behind today. Typically we're ready to leave between 9a and 9:05, but we didn't get in the car until 9:21. Still made it on time - barely.

I got to tell the childrens story today - and I think it went well. Had a great sermon and delicious potluck and home to put the girls down for a nap. Natalie crashed in the car, so we just transfered her to her bed, minus shoes and she didn't even bat an eyelid. Joelle got into some comfy clothes and asked to sack out on the futon in the Bronco room. Within 3 minutes she was out like a light. I tell ya - there's some magic in that room! :)

Then Doreen and I read for 30 minutes or so. (She - the Guidepost, me - Atlas Shrugged) Then we crashed. Did I mention that I LOVE NAPS???!!!

After waking up, my in-laws come over with pizza and cake and we have little family birthday party for my mother-in-law's b-day today. Joelle JUST loved it. She LOVES to sing happy Birthday. It was cool!

We had a nice fire going in the fireplace (It's been in the 40's here the last couple of days.) the girls watched the little drummer boy and the adults talked. Then we put the girls to bed and we just finished watching For Richer or Poorer with Tim Allen and Kirsty Alley. Funny, funny movie! (By the way Scott, we're down to either 3 or 4 movies left to watch. Gimme a 'short list' of the addition to your collection you'd like to have when we send 'em back.)

Now I've just checked news and info on the web - decided to write a blog and now I'm gonna go join Doreen who's already close to dreamland.

Night y'all!

Happy Thanksgiving 2004

What a NEAT holiday.

It's really very simple and just a blessing!

We basically celebrated Thanksgiving last week with Doreen's sister and family here from Minnesota. So I'm at work today and this afternoon we've gotta clean the church for Sabbath.

We can still be thankful though! ;)

Cute Joelle story that emphasizes Thanksgiving.

Yesterday, my in-laws volunteered to watch the girls while we did our grocery shopping. (We pretty much figured Wal-mart was going to be a mad-house, and it was!)

Sandra told us that Joelle brought a picture over that had everyone in it, the Ottos, Pesters, Great-grandparents etc. She went through and named EVERYONE, then put the picture back. Joelle then went to stand next to Sandra again and then announced, "The perfect family."

That is so special - that is the true spirit of Thanksgiving.

I'd have to agree with her -- we've got the perfect family!

Have a happy holiday!

Doing Better - Still Annoyed Though

Hey,

I actually didn't DREAD coming into work today. Maybe because I knew it is Thanksgiving and I'd be the only one in the office. That helps because I know I can get actual 'radio work' done and not worry about the office politics.

Got an e-mail from the Prez yesterday about our Staff Meeting on Monday. His 3 points he wants to discuss in the general staff meeting are...

#1 - The Direction of the Ministry
#2 - The Move to Collegedale
#3 - Job Assignment Changes

All three have challenges. #1 & #2 have been planned without talking to the staff. We've had NO input and suggestions. He is planning it all independently of any of us who have done radio, have degrees in broadcasting, who have to maintain and use the equipment... and I could go on and on - but I'll stop there, cuz thinking about it is getting me worked up! :)

What the heck does #3 mean. Are some people going to lose their jobs? Is he taking the power from everyone? What does that mean? Aaarrrggghhhhhh! I HATE BS like this!

Then after we 'meet' and listen to him talk - we each get our own special little meeting with him. Don't I just feel special. :(

Do I listen to him talk, do I tell him what I think, will I lose my job, will I be given more responsibility that I don't have time for, will responsibilities be taken from me?

Monday is NOT going to be a good day I'm thinking. Too much up in the air. Too much having to 'walk on eggshells.' Too much DRAMA!!

Oh well! Only 96 hours until D time. (Drama time! LOL)

Pentecostal Daughter

My oldest LOVES birthday parties. It doesn't even have to be her own. She just loves to help people celebrate another year.

My in-laws invited us out to eat last night, and after we finished, paid and walked out we stood on the steps of the restaurant for few minutes talking. Earlier, we'd decided to have a birthday party for my mother-in-law on Saturday night, her actual birthday.

So my father-in-law tells Joelle that on Saturday night, 4 sleeps (that's how we help her grasp the concept of time right now), we're going to have a birthday party for grandma.

Joelle lets out a huge "WHOOP" gives my mother-in-law a MONSTER hug. After about 5 seconds of hug, she lets go and runs, jumps and skips around with her arms in the air with a yell, that we can only describe as something we've heard in a Pentecostal meeting when people are gettin' the 'holy spirit.'

Then she ran a couple of circles, still yellin and gives grandma another hug.

We laughed and laughed and laughed! :)

It was SOOOOOOO cute!

You just had'da been there!!! :)

Can't Shake the Funk

Darn-it.

Today isn't any better.

Typically, when something pretty 'negative' goes down in my life - a night of sleep will give me a better outlook on it all.

Not with all this crap going on at work.

I was actually fine getting up, taking a shower, dressing and getting my lunch together - but on the way to work, this sickening dread came over me.

I REALLY DON'T WANNA BE HERE RIGHT NOW, OR AT ALL! I don't have motivation to do anything.

What is with this funk? Very FEW times have I felt this way and you know what, I don't much like it!

Doreen and I, and my in-laws (who are still in town) talked this subject around the block six or seven times last night.

I did forget about it all for a bit while watching
The Rebel Billionaire (Sir Richard Branson is like the leader I'd like to have here right now instead of 'little dictator') and The Amazing Race 6. Needed those two hours to not think about 'stuff.'

Well - hopefully today will get better. With ALL the rain we're having, it'll be a challenge! :)

Right Now - I Hate Work!!!

I'm going to have to agree with my Brother-in-law's Scott's blog from Nov. 18.

I don't even want to go to work tomorrow. Don't want to look at the place. Don't want to get more accomplished there. I don't want to do anymore for them right now.

Background, about 4 months ago we get a new President. I've seen him in the office 2 maybe 3 times since he became President.

Anyway, we've had little or no communication with him since he took the helm. When we have talked with him - he's been very vague on the direction he wants to take the ministry, etc. We've needed some decisions made and he's put them off. For the last two months we've done nothing new - just all the same old stuff. We've had opportunity to add some new quality programs and have been stopped dead in our tracks.

Well, we found out today that our new president has hired a freelance engineer to build our new studio facility at Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, TN. Supposedly he and our president have completely worked the entire facility out, studios, rack room and office space all out WITHOUT talking to ANY of us who currently work there.

This man knows LITTLE or NEXT TO NOTHING about running radio. He was previously a church conference president. And yet he wants to build us a complete studio without our input. We are the ones that have to operate it and keep it functioning. This is OFF HIS DESIGN.

Supposedly we have financial issues - if so, why is he hiring an outside engineer to do the work when we have 2 very capable full time engineers.

This has been a brewing issue for the last couple of months and we've all felt like we're walking on egg shells. Now this bomb is dropped on us.

We have a general Staff meeting scheduled for Monday at 10am for our President to lay out his vision and direction for our ministry. Our Chief Operating Officer has requested that we listen to him first and then talk with him privately about our concerns.

My question is - why should we listen to him when he hasn't even attempted to listen to us - AT ALL???!!! WHY?

Dog-gone it - this has me both ticked off and sick right now because this man has done nothing to foster a feeling of 'teamwork' and staff unity and basically made it him against us and I hate to see what is going to happen Monday.

I'm not going to say anything at the meeting and just listen - then probably come home and puke - then decide what to do.

At this point I have NO interest in working for this man AT all. If he doesn't even show us the least bit of respect by at least communicating with us, instead of just keeping us in the dark, I don't want to work for someone like that.

I don't know! Crap!

All I know is right now - I HATE WORK!!!

What a Shot!

Sports Office 1

Sports Office 2

Fun Famliy

Rough Bunch of People!

A Proper Pose

Racing Girls

Blah - Blah - Blah

Hey,

Ok - a quick, vague explanation to the Aaarrrggghhh Post from Thur Nov 18. You know where you get into one of those situations where it's kinda catch 22 type thing? I got myself into one of those no-win situations. Things were happening and I didn't feel they were quite fair. So I could #1 - said nothing and just simmered inside or #2 - spoke my peace and then look to be the bad guy. So, I kinda felt that either way I was gonna be unhappy for a while - so why not (nicely, I might add) tell what I felt and see if that made any difference. WRONGO. Boy did I end up being the bad guy for speaking up. Doreen and I talked about it later and we came to an understanding as to why everything came down the way it did. Part of it was a mistake, part of it was not clearly communicated and part of it was not fair to part of us - so it was a multiple problem, that eventually got worked out - but did cause a bit of trouble for a bit. I HATE those situations.

We had a GREAT time with Doreen's sister and family visiting from Minnesota. Gatlinburg is a cool place to play. LOTS of stuff to do. We hit Ripley's Saltwater Aquarium. Beautiful! We played miniature golf, rode go-karts, did some shopping, went on this HUGE slide (The kids REALLY loved this one) ate lots of good food, stayed in a comfortable Chalet, enjoyed watching the kids interact and had some good time to visit.

They split Sabbath afternoon - and we just hung out with Doreen's folks and grandma. After we put the girls to bed, they played a game called Upwords which is a 3 dimentional version of Scrabble. Not for me so I watched Tomb Raider. (Almost done with your movies Scott.) Then crashed.

Sunday I wasn't feeling so good - so I just lazed around ALL day pretty much. I watched an edition of American Chopper. Cool show. Love watching them build those bikes.

Got a call from my brother-in-law Scott, who had to 'rub' in that he was watching the Bronco game and I was forced to watch the Tennessee game and the Cowboy game. Glad to hear though they did score two touchdowns within the first four plays. Awesome! :)

Later in the afternoon we did have a Thanksgiving Banquet at our church. Man their was a TON of good food and we had a neat little program. My wife and her dad played the marimba and piano for a couple of duets. At the end - everyone watched my 'end of the year' slideshow/video and seemed to thoroughly enjoy it!

Came home and crashed.

Now we're back into a work week. I'll be working through Thanksgiving because I took the holiday last week with family visiting - so no holiday this week. In fact on Thanksgiving we'll probably be cleaning the church! :)

This morning I got up at 3 to take our Pastor and wife to the airport and bring their car back to keep it where I work LifeTalk so they didn't have to pay $8 a day for long term parking. That adds up pretty quickly. We'll take the car back they day they return and leave it in short term a couple of hours before they arrive so they only have to pay a few bucks. Just trying to be friendly!

Hey what's the deal with the "Malice in the Palace" there in Detroit? Both the fans and players were wrong on that deal. Hope some of the 'fans' that got involved will be dealt with just as harshly as the players who have multiple game suspensions.

Can't believe our society has gotten so out of hand that we have stuff like that going on. YUCK!

Just like the NHL lockout. Both sides have gotten so greedy that they won't even talk. (Worthwhile talks that is) to try and meet in the middle and get the season going again. Do they NOT realize this is NOT helping to improve their fan base? I mean HELLO! Quit screwing around and come up with something and play, or just completely dissolve! Both sides need a good spanking and thumping up side the head for throwing tantrums and get back to hockey!

Anyway - hope you enjoy some of the photos I've posted.

Those are my thoughts for the day. Now I've gotta get more 'dust' to fill the empty space left in my head! :)

Have a Terrific Tuesday!

Aaaarrrrgggghhhhhhhhh....

'Nuff Said!

Fun, Fun, FUN

We're havin' lots of fun now!!!

Yesterday afternoon, Randy (Doreen's Sister's Husband) and his two oldest and me and my oldest went on our first Geocaching treasure hunt. This is what we were searching for.

It took us only 10 minutes to get to the location - but probably 20 to find our bearings the first time and actually find the Latitude and Longitude where we were supposed to find the treasure, but finally got there. After some searching through the leaves at the base of the stump we found what we were looking for! Way cool dude!

Then we hopped back into the car and headed to the video store to get Spiderman 2 to watch - IT'S NOT OUT YET!!! RATS! Doesn't come out until Nov 30. CRUD! :( So we picked up Stepford Wives instead. Pretty funny movie with a pretty good twist at the end!

Watched the rest of Monday Night football after everyone split, then crashed. I spent a few hours at work this morning then came home early to get ready to head to Gatlinburg, TN.

Did a few things around the house - then called Randy to test out our new toys. So in about an hour, we shot up a box of clay pigeons. We'd alternate throwing and shooting our 12 gauge shotguns. WAY COOL DUDE! In the beginning, we were missin' them ALL over the place. After we got more comfortable with our shotguns, we were nailing those skeet! Most excellent dude.

I've gotta make a couple of sound tracks now for Sabbath so they can practice their songs - then I'm gonna take a 30 minute nap and then we're gonna eat one of my favorite meals, Lasagna, garlic bread & salad, then go.

FUN FUN FUN!

Update y'all later after we get back!

How Much do You Match Your Zodiac Sign!

Yup,

This is kinda what I expected on this! :)

Try it for yourself - it's kinda fun!

Have a terrific Tuesday!

You are 73% Taurus

How much do you match your zodiac sign?

Family Visiting Or Suprise Purchase

Well, Doreen's sister Shelly and her family are visiting from North Central Minnesota. (Hubby Randy, Calvin 7, Carlie 5, Colby 2 -just 39 hours older than my 2 year old Natalie.) They got here late Saturday night.

We had a great Sabbath. Church was a blessing, potluck was yummy. Got in a Sabbath afternoon nap, then went with my in-laws to a friends house who has a home built recording studio. My father-in-law, friend and I spend the evening recording a song to make a sound-track for my wife, her dad and sister to sing with on Sabbath. That was a TON of fun.

We got home and the girls crashed and I popped in "Princess of Thieves." Ok movie - but I expected a 'princess of thieves' to be a bit more 'proficient' in her thievery and not so bumbling. Decent movie - probably wouldn't watch it again though! :)

The movie finished up and I jumped on-line for a bit and Doreen flipped through the channels and then we heard Shelly and clan arrive. We popped up and scooted over to my in-laws to welcome them here. Talked for a bit and then crashed.

Sunday, after breakfast we headed over and talked for about an hour - then Randy and I headed to a friends to help move a desk and a couple of other bit pieces of furniture into a newly finished upstairs.

When we got back - we checked out our shed, which had pawprints across the sidewalk in front of it... coming from a hole in the ground going right under the shed. It was the prints of a skunk that Randy and Shelly saw going in when they got here. So we've got an UNWANTED neighbor under our shed.

We had 45 mins while everyone was finishing getting ready for the day, so Randy and I went to Wal-mart to get some 'bug-bomb' to try and flush the skunk out. All we had to 'finish' it off is a little .22 target pistol I've got - so we made a quick decision and bought a couple of 12 gauge shotguns. (I had done some audio editing work and from another source I had about $440 of cash in my pocket. So after some quick calculations in my head I figured I could spend $100 without too much getting in trouble, so I bought a New England single shot, cool gun.) The only catch was they people at the sporting goods desk were SUPER slow. It took about an hour and 15 minutes to get everything processed in this transaction - meanwhile everyone's basically waiting for us. Ouch!

Anyway - we finally got the guns, threw them in the trunk and met up with everyone - swapped car seats and kids - and headed to Collegedale to visit our property to show Randy and Shelly. We had fun walking around and stuff, then we headed to Chuck E Cheeze for dinner and playtime for the kids. What a blast - but what a NUTHOUSE. It was packed. It was hard not to turn around and not trip over someone! :) (Translation someone=kid blowing by ya. LOL)

Finally finished our pizza and all our 'game' tokens, got the goodies at the giveaway desk and headed home. Everyone went over to Larry & Sandra's house. Randy and I got out our guns and threw down a little Debbie cookie down for bait and went 'a skunk huntin. Sat for 40 mins with nightscope, headlamp and 12 gauge shotguns unfortnately and no skunk. So I set off a bug-bomb underneath the shed to try and smoke him out - nothing. So we figure he had already left 'home' for his nocturnal activities of eating and stinkin'. So we're gonna give it another shot today (pun intended) after I get home from work and see if we can snag this little bugger. (Translation snag=shoot into oblivion)

Well - it was a GREAT weekend. This week should be good. I'm working on Monday, Tuesday and Friday. But Wed and Thur we're going to be in Gatlinburg enjoying the sights and sounds and fun up there with everyone and another famliy of friends from Collegedale. Can't wait to tell y'all about it!

Have a Wonderful Week!

My favorite cartoon! This one today REALLY cracked me up. Have you ever had a day where you felt like you kept smaking your head against the sneeze guard at a salad bar? I have - I can relate - I know exactly what those kind of days feel like.

The Croup

Well, it's official. After visiting the Dr yesterday, both our daughters are officially sick. Both of them have a mild case of the croup and are doing better with the medication we were prescribed.

Sunday night Natalie woke up - coughing, breathing quickly and croaking like a frog. Poor little girl. She had worked herself into a panic and trying to cry - but couldn't get a big enough breath to cry. So I held her for a few moments - and she calmed down and did much, much better the rest of the night.

Now she's on steroids to clear this stuff up. Joelle just has a wicked cough, sore throat and a runny nose.

Doreen's doing MUCH better and I've not gotten this yet, (Knock, knock, knock on wood! LOL)

I've been working on a video for our Thanksgiving Social at our church in two weeks. My computer does all right - but it's just woefully pityful when it comes to video editing. I wish I could afford a full power video editing system to really do some cool stuff - but that's like 2 1/2 miles down the list of things we need/want. :)

This is actually the first time I've gotten a video done for any church event and not stayed up to 3 or 4 am the night before we show it! :) The reason...

Doreen's sister and family is coming down from Minnesota next week and I won't have time to be working on it - cuz we're gonna be playing. Oh yeah!

Well, better get back to work - have a Wonderful Wednesday!

Crying at My TV

It is VARY rare for a tear to roll down my cheek while my TV is on. A movie or two has caused me to ‘well’ up. I still get ‘teary’ when I watch the replays I have of my Denver Broncos winning Superbowls 32 and 33. One program on the air now, constantly touches my heart and pretty regularly I get teary. Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is that show. Doreen and I absolutely LOVE it. Every week, Ty Pennington and Crew spend and hour (This week it was a 2 hour special) showing us how they and 100+ construction workers take a home that is in pitiful shape and fix it up to be extremely functional, good looking and just plain cool! I can guarantee that just about every week, I’ll get choked up, or have tears rollin’ down my cheek, because they help REAL people.

Most of TV is trash – as my brother in law, Scott – will attest to. We enjoy some reality shows (Amazing Race, The Apprentice and Survivor), but mostly we just watch sports and movies.

We make sure though – that every week we either watch or tape and time-shift Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.

This week’s two hour show, was for a family where the parents are deaf, they have a son who is normal and a younger son who’s blind and autistic. They were living in a dump and putting all the time and money and effort into helping the younger son.

EXM: HE came in and gave them a new home complete with ALL the gadgets and doodads to help them in some amazing ways.

That is ONE awesome show!!! It’s worth the time to watch it every week.

On to the rest of life – most of my family is still battling being sick. I’ve still got a hint of it myself, but not as bad as I felt Sabbath. Hopefully we’ll get all well soon!

The Broncos won this weekend – by playing like I know they can. It’s about time!

Yesterday, Doreen and I got out and did what I “hope” is the final mowing, weed-eating of this season. It REALLY needed it, and it looks great now. I’m extremely sore from all the extra weed-eating I did around our fence line and the ‘plateau.’ (A ½ acre plot my in-laws bought across the street to ‘protect’ our view and investment purposes.)

We’ve got family coming from Minnesota this next weekend, arriving Sat or Sunday. We're looking forward to a week with them. We'll spend 3 days playing around Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg, TN having fun. It'll be a nice break from all that's been going on lately.

Have a great week!

I HATE Getting Sick

For the last week or so, my daughters and wife have been sick. Joelle has had it worse than Natalie. Doreen had it worse than both the girls.

Last night before going to bed - I noticed I had a bit of a sore throat, now this morning it is ABSOLUTELY on fire.

Aaaaarrrrrgggghhhhh!

Thank Heavens!

I AM so thankful that we know who our next President elect is with out a TON of legal brew-ha, ha, ha! It's not that I don' t appreciate lawyers, because in some situations - they are extremely necessary. I just hate it when the legal system gets misused and abused!

It is so nice that Kerry cowboyed-up and took his medicine and did the honorable thing and conceded instead of fighting, wining and pouting like a big baby. (Can you say Gore?)

Watched the election coverage until 9:30ish and realized that NO-One would have an inkling until the next day or two - so I crashed.

Well - we took Joelle and Natalie in to get pics today. It's time for Natalie's 2 year old pictures. (Post 'em when we get 'em back) They did great.

Now we're getting ready to watch Survivor and the Apprentice. Oh yeah!

Kids Say the Darndest Things or Wishing for a Landslide

Well,

Here it is, the Wednesday morning after the election and we still don't know who's going to be our President the next four years. I'll be happy if this gets resolved today and not WEEKS from now! It just makes me long for the days of the landslide victory - no legal wrangling, (you can read that as legal BS!), no arguing about how many provisional or absentee ballots are out there and no more difference of opinion over 'exit polls.' (Even More BS)

I'm hoping that by noonish or late afternoon we've got a president elected - or at least we've got a canidate (Mr Kerry - I'm talkin' to you) come to his senses and realize he's been beat - not by much, I'll give him that - but he's been beat and to not pull a Gore and drag this thing out. Concede, take defeat gracefully. Don't act like a 2 year old throwing a tantrum!!! :)

All washed up.

I was watching some of the election returns last night and actually getting into a bit of it - then I flipped over to CBS when Fox and ABC went local. Baaaaddd idea. Dan Rather just needs to RETIRE ASAP. A field reporter in Ohio told about how the polls had just closed and it was still too early to predict the vote of the people of Ohio. Then Mr Rather, very seriously said, "Let me repeat this to you to make sure I understand, the polls have just closed in Ohio and it's still too predict the vote of the people of Ohio. Am I understanding that correctly?" So the reporter repeated his statement, then Mr Rather went on to 'report' the finding of the reporter, that he repeated, that he had repeat the report and then reported on the report! DOH!!!! AAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH! I could sit at an anchor desk and do that. How incredibly ANNOYING. Get OUT man. Move on! Aye ayi yai! After this and the debacle of the 'forged' Bush papers story and a number of other things - it's time to retire Mr Rather!

On to a much more interesting topic...

Yesterday Joelle found a 'sucker' cup we had around the house for some reason. I think at one point it held a mirror on a wall in the bathroom or something. Anyway, Joelle started playing with it - sticking it to my face, books, walls, the refrigerator, well I think you get the idea. I went to give both my girls a bath and so I got them undressed and ready for the tub. Before I put Joelle in, I pulled the sucker cup off her chest - where she had most recently stuck it - and tossed it on the counter and dropped her in the water. I brushed their teeth, then started walking out of the bathroom to get something to finish the job and I hear Joelle pipe up as I'm walking out the door, "Daddy - where's my boob?"

I stop dead in my tracks and just start laughing. Oh that was SOOOOOOOO funny! I of course had to tell Doreen the 'line' and she got a pretty hefty chuckle out of it!

I LOVE MY GIRLS!!! The are extremely precious!