Da' na, na, nant' Bbbbbbbaaad.. Bad to the bone.

Can you hear the George Thorogood music?

Quick update

Grace is still battling the on-again-off-again fevers. As soon as the Tylenol or Motrin dosing wears off, she's been shooting right back to about 102/103F. -I think its the viral thing that's been going around, which means it should only last about five days tops. As long as we manage the febrile issue she should be good-to-go before the weekend.

Noah has been doing just fine. Checking his temp regularly as well. He's been good to go with no difficulties.

Tess is running around like a one armed paper hanger trying to clean the house up for the weekend, so it won't appear that we've actually got a toddler and a 24 weeker in the house. (Yes, I'm contributing, and taking responsibility for all of the outside grounds as well.)

I've been working on my geek project to gain MORE POWER! (Mary, your husband knows all about it.)

Remember the Midland GMRS two-way radios we (I) purchased for the family around Christmas?

You know.. the ones that were suppose to have a "26-mile range".. Well, they've served us well, and paid themselves off. BUT.. No 26 miles folks.. More like 3-5 miles. They're great around A-town, and I even hit home from Coopersville when I was on my motorcycle and T' was at home in the house. -But I concede, and say again; NO 26 mile range unless you are on a mountain top, on the ocean, or perhaps a dry desert lake bed.

So, I wrangled a base station radio off of eBay (much less expensive than the original midlands), got some coax cable from G.R. telerad, and a 'J-pole' antenna ordered from a radiohead in Wisconsin. -Soon, I'll put all of it together, tactically mount a small 8' John Deere Green antenna up on the roof, run the coax and we should finally be able to 'reach out and touch someone'. (ie; have T' reach me at much more considerable distances.)

More Power + external/elevated antenna = Excellent communications range + No subscription fee (FREE!)

--It's got to work. It's just gotta..

Anyway, that's been my hobby as of lately. -I get plenty of rolled eyes from T' about it, but it is a challenging, interesting learning experience. Not intending to sound 'Armageddon like', but when the next crazy national event hits and all the phone lines go down like they did on 9/11, or when the power grid fails the entire Midwest like it did 4 years ago, we'll be up and running. -That would be a pretty cool return on investment for a short term hobby project. I'll let you know how it goes.

-C

Laptop internet troubles

The posts might be lean (as if you cannot already tell lately) this week due to some issues we are having with my laptop.. I may have to 'go-in' and do some never-attempted-before computer hardware work.

Grace has had a fever for the past day or so.. about 102.7 axillary when not managed by Acetaminophen or Motrin. -That's pretty darn hot. Pray that she heals up well this week so that she is good-to-go for Noah's Baptism/Baby dedication this Sunday. (And their upcoming trip to Charlotte, N.C.).

I've got to get ready to head out to Fictionville in a little bit. Have a great night.

-C

Miss Independance

"I can fill these shoes just as well as Daddy can.."

"No. no. I'm okay. I can do it myself.."

Day in Pictures

Full moon at fictionville E.R. last night. Enough said. I'll be in day sleep/night work mode for the next few. -T' took some really great pictures earlier today, hopefully she'll get them posted.

-C

One Way

Tyler was more than a praise and worship bud. He had a rational voice of reason gained from living some times in life that didn't have much reason. Because of that, and the Grace God willingly poured out on him, he turned into a solid rock of a Christian man.. and enjoyed God's provision of a wonderful young solid-rock of a Christian family.. For some crazy reason, I still expect to see him (and swear I do at times) every time we walk into the side doors of our Church.

Tyler passed away 1 year ago today.

Well bro, we'll catch up to you in our assigned time I guess.

Prayers of serenity, wisdom, and peace over Debi, Kaitlyn, and Chloe. We love you guys and consider you family.

-C

Onward to the next task

Since Grace and Noah have adapted to their new rooms quite well, it was deemed time to take care of the next task at hand.

Grace's thumbsucking.

She is verbally guided to 'take it out', and she complies.. for all of five seconds. We have physically removed her thumb from her mouth, and earned an additional five seconds of compliance. This week T' bought 'thum'. It is a thumb paint-type pepper flavor that is suppose to deter thumbsucking and nailbiting.. It worked for all of three minutes... Grace popped her thumb into her mouth as usual, except this time, said: "Ewwww! Yucky" -And promptly walked into the bathroom, pulled up the step-stool, turned on the water, and washed her hands thoroughly. The thumb went back in without further complaint.

That kid is too smart.

-C

P.ost S.cript to Parents:
There is no need to point out the difficulties I dished out as a young kid sucking my thumb. I know ...I know.

Random

Grace's morning check on the bunnies.. Okay? Okay! Let's go sliding at the park!

Limerick and Molly.

Grace the Florist inspecting the Lilacs.. (Photo credits to Tess.. I was sleeping.)

Politics and Faith 101

With the impending 'Dream Ticket' of Obama and Edwards, and Grand Rapids still enjoying the euphoric high of their recent visit, I must admit; -I'm not a staunch republican. I like the guys. However, nor am I a democrat.

As the L.A. Times states:

Barack Obama wins the nod from NARAL

In a news release, the political action committee for NARAL Pro-Choice America had kind words for Clinton but announced its backing for Obama, citing its reading of the status of the Democratic presidential race.

"Today, we are proud to put our organization's grass-roots and political support behind the pro-choice candidate whom we believe will secure the Democratic nomination and advance to the general election," NARAL's president said in the release. "That candidate is Sen. Obama.
Clinton's chief spokesman, Howard Wolfson, expressed "surprise" over the endorsement during a conference call with reporters (including The Times' Noam N. Levey).
____________________________________________________________



As simply minded as I prefer to be; the logic escapes me, on how an entire political party bent on taking care of every one's social and global woes, negates the fact, that abortion is scientifically, methodically, and medicinally, killing a human baby (for profit, I might add), to appease the constituents around them.. This issue, when "in-your-face", makes me seriously, nauseous. -I just don't understand the dark power behind it. -It's not a "Choice", as some choose to title it as.. It's an irreversible ending. A devastating, remorseful, (yet profitable) killing. No wonder so many endorse and market such an act as a "choice". It makes huge dollars.. Enough, that the market for abortion clients is a financial 'runaway train'.
____________________________________________________________

Some Brief facts:

Of the 1.6 million abortions performed in the U.S. each year, 91 percent are performed during the first trimester (12 or fewer weeks' gestation); 9 percent are performed in the second trimester (24 or fewer weeks' gestation); and only about 100 are performed in the third trimester (more than 24 weeks' gestation), approximately .01 percent of all abortions performed.

Approximately 1.5 million U.S. women with unwanted pregnancies choose abortion each year. -Most are under 25 years old and unmarried. Women who are separated from their husbands and poor women are more likely to choose abortion than other women. More than two-thirds of the women who seek abortions have jobs. Nearly one-third are in school. More than two-thirds plan to have a child in the future.

...It should be noted that many second trimester, and most all the third trimester babies are as "viable", or more viable, than our deeply desired, prematurely born daughter, Abby..

-Born kicking and crying at 22 1/2 weeks. -We lost Abby. Which is devastating enough.. With today's technology, she could have made it... -But, THAT crying baby and kicking child is abortable?!?! You must be kidding me! (Shaking my head in disbelief..)

--I see young women in the E.R. every week that have undergone botched (perfectly legal and "safe") abortions that suffer from "procedural side effects."

All of the patients that I've observed, have ended up suffering at least some degree of post traumatic stress disorder.. Either grieving from their "choice" exacerbating the physiological issue at hand, or desperate to reverse the regrettable and unfortunately, unchangeable physical detriment, or experience the painful, procedural side effects of the abortion itself...

I've not seen ONE happy post-abortive woman.

Not one. Ever. -Not as a street Paramedic; and certainly not while working in the E.R.

-Abortion clinics are profit making rackets.

In my professional, and personal opinion, they kill babies, and psychologically wound women... For profit.

Now, I'm not going to be straight-forward enough to tell you how you might consider voting; -But I will ask you to hypothetically propose this question to yourself.. (Regardless if you feel 'voting' is choosing the lessor of the evils..)

• Is "abortion" glorifying God? (Yes or No?)

"If you are not glorifying God, then, whom are you glorifying?"

There are some serious flaws in the American voting system.. But for some crazy reason, we've got the best political process on the face of the planet.

Vote your conscience. And if that fails, vote what we might feel, Glorifies God. (Or, vice-versa?)
-C

Grace's Excitement

Thanks for all your landscaping help around the yard today Grace. You Rock!

-Dad

On the Ranch. Week in Review

Numerous changes over the past few days.

I sold the Magna (the beloved motorcycle that I built from a "piece of crap" to an excellent piece of machinery..)

-It was a bittersweet breakup, but it was time.. I had outgrown her, we needed the funds for some home improvements; but.. at the same time, it was economical, fun, challenging, and a great growing experience for me, and Tess (who by-the-way had NEVER ridden it..) -I look at it as an 'investment'. -In time, perhaps it'll pay off and I'll get a larger, blacker, badder looking cruiser. Until then, I trust.... That selling my Magna.. was a good investment. (Boy it was fun while it lasted.) http://magnav30.blogspot.com/

Tess, Grace, and Noah made a last minute trip to Wisconsin over the weekend with her Mom to visit 'Great-Grampa Joe'. His health is not what it used to be, and it was important to make the time.

I'd love to say I enjoyed the private time, but of course, over the mothers day weekend I was working the entire time. -I didn't even have time to really mess up the house. Grampa Joe's not been doing too well, and it was important to Tess to be able to make a quick trip and be able to have him meet Noah, and see Grace again. -I believe they ALL had a good time, and entertained each other. And of course it's good to have everyone home safe-and-sound again..

It's now 02:26am and Grace is at her doorway asking: "Daddy?.. daddy?".. I love to hear her confidently calling my name to help her, but at the same time, I know she just wants some play time. -Kids are such "players". Especially ours.

The township actually finished replacing the destruction that they had made from last fall when they put the sidewalk through our front yard.. I can say that they've finally followed through on their promises..

-To replace our bushes that they ripped out, the contractor finally brought by, and planted a nice pear tree in it's place.. (Did you know that horticulturists have bred pear trees that produce blossoms, but don't produce fruit?) Amazing! -It's amazing (and partially creepy) to be a part of a culture that values beauty over production of sustenance. -Although I'm very grateful for the pseudo-fruit tree, I'm slightly disappointed at being notified that "due to regulations" they cannot provide a fruit bearing tree.. only an aesthetically pleasant tree. -Oh well. As in life, It is, what it is...

We've got a litter of bunnies in the back yard. They must have been born over the past two days. The neighbors dog ran over tried playing with them this afternoon and we intercepted the game. Hopefully the Mama rabbit will return. Otherwise, I don't think they'll last the night.. It's suppose to get pretty cold tonight and there is really nothing we can do.. If the mother returns and smells human scent on them, she'll kill them. I'll check in the morning to see how they are doing. I don't want to have to explain to Grace the harshness of worldly reality quite yet.

Well, that's the "Fill-in" from the 'HiltonLife Ranch'. Aside from the excitement of selling motorcycle accessories on eBay, there's not much else going on.. And besides, it's late. ..and time to go to bed. Most of us have to work the rest of the week and need to get some ZZzzzz's. (Quit using your work computer to surf blogs!)

( ;-)

Have a good night/morning,

More stories from "Fictionville" to come

-C

The disappearance of the stay at home Moms

The next time you hear a politician use the word 'billion' in a casual manner, think about whether you want the 'politicians' spending YOUR tax money.

A billion is a difficult number to comprehend, but one advertising agency did a good job of putting that figure into some perspective in one of its releases.

A. A billion seconds ago it was 1959.

B. A billion minutes ago Jesus was alive.

C. A billion hours ago our ancestors were living in the Stone Age.

D. A billion days ago no-one walked on the earth on two feet.

E. A billion dollars ago was only 8 hours and 20 minutes, at the rate our government is spending it..

While this thought is still fresh in our brain, let's take a look at New Orleans. -It's amazing what you can learn with some simple division... Louisiana Senator, Mary Landrieu (R), is presently asking the Congress for $250 BILLION to rebuild New Orleans. Interesting number..

What does it mean to us?

A. Well, if you are one of 484,674 residents of New Orleans (every man, woman, child), you each get $516,528.

B. Or, if you have one of the 188,251 homes in New Orleans , your home gets $1,329,787.

C. Or, if you are a family of four, your family gets $2,066,012.

Consider all the many taxes we are liable for through a life-time... .
...Building Permit Tax, CDL License Tax, Cigarette Tax, Corporate Income Tax, Dog License Tax, Federal Income Tax, Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA), Fishing License Tax, Food License Tax, Gasoline Tax, Hunting License Tax, Inheritance Tax, Inventory Tax, IRS Interest Charges (tax on top of tax), IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax), Liquor Tax, Luxury Tax, Marriage License Tax, Medicare Tax, Property Tax, Real Estate Tax, Service charge taxes, Social Security Tax, Road Usage Tax (Truckers), Sales Taxes, Recreational Vehicle Tax, School Tax, State Income Tax, State Unemployment Tax (SUTA), Telephone Federal Excise Tax, Telephone Federal Universal Service Fe e Tax, Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Tax, Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax, Telephone Recurring and Non-recurring Charges Tax, Telephone State and Local Tax, Telephone Usage Charge Tax, Utility Tax, Vehicle License Registration Tax, Vehicle Sales Tax, Watercraft Registration Tax, Well Permit Tax, Workers Compensation Tax... There are more, but not we don't have enough patience to type them out..

Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago, and our nation was the most prosperous in the world. We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in the world. ....And, Mom stayed home to raise the kids 'right'; instead of paying someone else to do it, 'as best as can be hoped for, given the circumstances'. : )

Proportionally, we should understand the importance of revenue-vs-expenditure in comparison to the chosen lifestyle that we, as Americans, seemingly 'demand', and the baseline norm (ie; 2 + cars, + recreational vehicles, + inanimate children's entertainment systems, ect.).

Accept it or not, natural development tells us that, 'our children will be trained.' ..By someone, in one way, shape, or form.

Either we do it, as 'Moms and Dads', or, today's society will do it for us..

If we, as parents don't invest ourselves to teach and train our children personally; the law of society dictates that: somewhere, someone else, will. ..And with their perception of "values.." Not ours. (Even if it closely resembles) -I have trouble accepting that 'In the begining', God created it to be that way..

In reflection on the big picture, it just.. doesn't.. seem worth it... -Not even for a BILLION dollars.

-C

Happy Mothers Day!

Vickey, Pam, and Barb..

Even though our day-to-day obligations (work, travel, ect.) may distract us, we wanted to say:

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!

...and, Thanks. ; )

-Love C, T, G, and N

Semper Fi, Code Pink

Marines at Berkeley!

-C

What could you spend $73.00 on?

Getting a start on the seasonal yard work (mowing) the other morning I was confronted with both of our 5 gallon gas cans totally dry. Knowing it would cost 'a bit', I loaded them up and headed to the gas station for little lesson in industrial arithmatic:

1- 5 gallon can

+

1- 5 gallon can

+

1- 1 gallon can

+

8 gallons to top off the car

__________________

= $ 73.00 !! (for less than 20 gallons!)

Never in my life have I ever spent seventy-three dollars on any type of fuel !! (And this was before gas jumped to $ 3.89 a gallon.)

-I've a feeling that pretty soon, we're going to be faced with a few tough choices to fill our tanks:

OR ... Sheese.

T' the sleeptime paparazzi

"MOM! What are you doing!? -The flash woke me up!"

Filler

Cinco de Mayo celebrations have become very popular in the United States and serve as a great marketing tool for many restaurants and bars. -So much in fact, that at 'Fictionville E.R.', they've been hosting people over-enjoying Tras-de-Mayo, Quatro-de-Mayo, Cinco, and probably Sas-de-Mayo! -Which of course is where I'm at tonight.. (Fictionville, not the bars or restaurants.)

Short post for today, because we had errands this morning, naps this afternoon, and working tonight. -Enjoy your Cinco de Mayo.. safe at home!

-C

We be lookin good

The crib is assembled. The dishes are done. Our messes are cleaned up. The house is vacuumed. It almost looks as though she hadn't left (cleanliness wise).. Which is a good thing because she just called and said she's on M-6. -I gave her my best Ebonics. ..and I quote,

"Bring it on yo. We're not 'fraid a you landin' at our pad. Our crib be lookin' good, yo."

Granted, I'm not looking my studliest after getting the kids up and dressed, 10 diaper changes. cleaned up, fed, cleaned up, and fed again.. and cleaning the house before myself. I'm putting the kids down for naps right now..

Maybe I'll clean myself up, or maybe, I'll take a nap myself. (Yes. I again see the parallels everyone. That parallel being, Tess works pretty hard around here to keep the kids and everything "shipshape".

Gotta go look busy before she gets home and thinks all we did was sit around in a clean house and play on the computer. -We never get 'buy-in' with, "you should have seen it BEFORE we cleaned!"

-C, on behalf of: Grace, Noah, and Molly

Tick tock, tick tock..

8:48 pm

The troops are down for the night..

I think I've learned to develop a pattern with these two. They've got to be staggered about a half-hour apart. -All activities. From waking, to changing diapers, to feedings, putting to bed, and everything else in-between. Yeah. I can see where unless someone has a plan, it might drive someone nuts. (The chaos that is...)

Grace is "sleeping" upstairs as I type. So far so good. Noah is still in our bedroom in the bassinet until I break down Grace's toddler bed and convert it back into a crib. (It's halfway done). Right now I feel like the night before we brought Grace home from the hospital. -Nothing seems to be done, and Tess is going to be home soon. If she were to walk in the door right now, I think our marriage might be over. Joking.. (I think.)

Grace grabbed a paper bag full of loose insulation I had placed in the main level bathtub just to get it out of the way; "What's this Daddy?" (It was left over from last nights work project.) "That, my dear young daughter, is something not to be messed with.) ...I can just see her dumping it into the tub. Ooy vay. That wouldn't be good.

The kitchen counter consists of dirty dishes, power, and hand tools. (Perfect mix, right?) All of which have to disappear before 11am tomorrow.

Needless to say, I've got alot of hopping to do around here in the next 15 hours. Tess. VERY IMPORTANT! Remember the rule. Call home to give me a 'heads up' when you are in-bound and an hour away.

I'm off to the nursery. If anyone wants to wish me 'God's Speed', I'll take what I can get.

Cheers!
-C

Da' Bears

We tackled the huge project of making the 'move'. (Grace moving from the downstairs 'nursery' to upstairs to her new room)..

Why? Well, it's time to move Noah from the undersized bassinet, to the crib/daybed that Grace is currently occupying... So you could say, someone is getting evicted to make room for a new tenant, OR, you might say that someone is getting upgraded and someone else is getting the leftovers. It's all about perspective... -Either way, two people are going to be sleeping in two different places tonight.

Mommy (Tess), we are surviving just fine. The house is a wreck, but hey... I can only handle one project at a time.

Cheers!
-C

Did you know?

Did you know Walnut Grove, Sleepy Hollow, and Mankato actually exist? Seriously, check it on Google Earth..

These places won't sound familiar to you unless you've ever seen 'Little house on the prairie'. (Or read the books.) -I've not read the books, but the T.V. stuff I've seen over the years, and I like them. Woosie? No. Not really. It's more about moral survival while in the Midwest during the 1800's. A man staking his claim for his family on what God gave him... Dirt. Raise it. Run it. Graze it. Run it again. Survive on it, Do what you've got to do.. And, most importantly of all, trust in God to push you through.

Good morals. Good ethic. Saints against the bad guys. Right -vs- wrong. Blue skies -vs- hail. Somebodies got to win... -Who wouldn't like that?

Most importantly, beside the entertainment, it's got good guidance. ...And Oddly enough, at such a young age, Grace loves it, so I love it. I only hope she doesn't burn out on 'Little House' before she understands the values and importance it has the potential to instill.

-I'm on watch with the kids this weekend while mom takes a break and goes to a scrapbooking conference benefit for autism near Detroit. (Believe me, I'll keep you updated.)

-C

Writers Block

Wandering the isles of Costco taking in the sights, sounds, and wonderment of Chinese ingenuity..