My Boy

Wow.. Today I have a 7yr old boy... Yeah I know yesterday he was 6 and 1 day is not a huge change but really.. He is a 5th of my age..

A few things about this kid..

Quaid has always had a spot in my heart... He is my first born... In old days that meant he got the biggest part of the inheritance... Which brings me to what does that mean... Most would think monetary or literal things... But my bigger concern is that I am giving him a greater inheritance... Am I investing the right things... Things that the world may think of as old fashioned or outdated...

Self control
Patience
Love
Grace
Wisdom
Maturity
Respect
Courtship (this one in another 8 years or so)
Old fashioned things like Yes Sir, Yes Maam, thank you and please, opening doors for people etc etc...

Funny thing is I look over that list and wonder how many of those things listed I am actually fit to teach any of my kids... I fail my kids often in many ways and they are so forgiving and it reminds me that each day is a new day to invest again...

Quaid is an amazing boy for a 7yr old... 2 yrs in a row he has won an award at his kids Awana class (like a youth group for kids)... He stacks the dishwasher everyday and is always absorbing information from everything... He has read like 2-3 book in the last week or so, and when I say books I am not talking Dr Suess but a book called Boxcar Children as an example.

Today he got a new bible and though some of the words even I struggle with, he still read thru it with gusto...




Deb gave him a Nintendo DS a while back that Karen won on Debs blog, but we didn't have games for it...

He hasn't asked about it or for it in like 2mths but last week when he was telling me how it was his birthday on Saturday he dropped some subtle hints about how he hoped he got a game for his DS... Well he got 3 games and although I think they may take a bit for him to play, when I went in to say goodnight he was onto his 3rd game...



He has really started to grasp the idea that he is like a hero to his Lil bro Jentzen, and this last week he has gone out of his way to teach/encourage Jentzen to ride his own bike without the training wheels.. In fact Jentzen now pops a little wheelie and can do skids like a dude....

Anyway... Quaid you are a delight to my heart, your spirit shines bright and your emotions you wear openly, which in your generation some may think is weak, but truly it is a rare trait and one I hope you carry as you grow to a man and raise your own family... I love you son and I am so honored to be your dad.










-- Post From My iPhone

Thoughts I ponder!

Standing at work waiting for the process to finish.... And my mind wanders to things like this...

* I have two girls who will get married..... I'm gonna have to pay for that!!!

* When they get married will my family be able to come??? Can I afford to bring them over?

* Wait.... I have 3 gorgeous nieces... Bwahahah Anth has to pay for 3 weddings... Oh crap... That's 3 trips back home at $1-2K Per ticket and if we take all the kids that's 6 tickets each time... Sorry Nieces but God has called some to stay single...

* 2012 we plan to take a trip back to Australia... This time though we are looking at staying North of where I lived... 2hrs North.. So visiting old friends may not happen.. But I should shouldn't I?? Somedays I say why bother... Virtually none of them stay in touch with me as much as I don't with them!!! This one is still in the air!!!

* I may be good looking but Im fat... Hahaha yes I am at least one of those... And that is changing..

* I know I am getting old when it has taken me 4 weeks to mostly recover form falling in the Church parking lot... although I did it with such grace and style.. Shame no-one saw my effort... How do I know no-one did?? Because I jumped up so damn fast and moved to the side of my car, all while looking around to see if ANYONE saw... I was kinda torn on joy or sadness...

* How can I be better?? at everything... Being a Dad, a Husband, a friend, a Christian.... total sum of everything...

* How come I have all these Ideas but never the drive to accomplish them?

* How should I measure success... Look at my possessions?? because some would think I was super rich if that was the case.. but no I still want more and usually the things others have... toys toys toys.. my weakness (being cars, electronics, bikes etc)

* Do I really have No regrets in life??  I know I have some things I feel I could've handled better but do I regret anything?? cause after all I am who I am because of those things?!?!?! hmmmm maybe I do thinking deeper about things...

* Will I ever re-pursue the call of God on my life...??

* Will I ever be a good machinist??  Guess it starts where I am at now....!

* Will I ever live back in Australia with my family???  This is one that tears at my soul/ my heart/ my mind a lot!!

I am sure there are many more thoughts... but... another day..

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Me and my Buddy

His name is Jentzen..

His nickname is Buddy...

Used to be called Dash (from the incredibles)

I love this kid.. He has such a soft heart.. Cares for people.. Loves to pray... And has a really really fun giggle...




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Kids and things they say..

Last night we had the Wingers over for dinner.. Jared is from New Zealand so I guess in a twisted way you can say we are comrades (Even though Aussies are better in every way)...

Anyway... We had all eaten dinner (4 adults and 8 kids) and it was dessert time.. The kids had theirs and were all playing in the toy room, when Lil Miss Keira comes climbing onto my lap trying to smooooze my apple crisp & ice-cream..

Me: You've already had dessert go away!

Keira: No I havent, I haven't had yours...

Then later as they were in bed and I was giving them a kiss good night,

Me: leaning in to kiss Keira

Keira: go away (pushing me off)

Me: that's kinda mean Keira

Keira: go away... PLEASE!!!

How does one argue with that logic from a 2 year old????







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The fairy and the Asylum Seeker

A beautiful fairy appeared one day to an asylum seeker claimant outside the Welfare Offices.


'My good man,' the fairy said, 'I've been told by Julia Gillard to grant you three wishes, since you've just arrived in Australia with your wife and seven children - all costs to be borne by the Australian Tax Payers.'

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.

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The man told the fairy:
'Well, in Sri Lanka where I come from we don't have good teeth, so I want new teeth, maybe a lot of gold in them.' The fairy looked at the man's almost toothless grin and -- PING !!! The Asylum Seeker had a brand new shining set of gold teeth in his mouth!

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'What else?' asked the fairy, 'two more wishes to go'.

The Asylum Seeker refugee claimant now got bolder. 'I need a big house with a three car garage on the Gold Coast with eight bedrooms - and a Gold Visa Card in each room -for my family and the rest of my refugee relatives who still live in Sri Lanka . I want to bring them all over here.

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PING ! - In the distance there could be seen a beautiful mansion with a three car garage, a long driveway, a walkout patio with a BBQ, and a sparkling swimming pool and a BMW, full of his nephews playing their music.

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.

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'One more wish left for you', said the fairy, waving her wand..

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The Asylum Seeker refugee claimant really decided to go for broke now and said "I want to be Australian with Australian clothes instead of the rags and shawl , and I want to have white skin like the Australians.'

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PING ! - The man was transformed, wearing worn out Stubbies shorts, a dirty Bonds T-shirt and a greasy terry-towel hat.. He had his bad teeth back and the mansion had disappeared from the horizon. 'What happened to my new teeth?' he wailed. 'Where is my new house? Where's my Visa Gold Card?'

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The fairy said 'Tough luck. Now that you are Australian, you're entitled to sweet f*** all like the rest of us".

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And she disappeared

Emma Arrives today

Today Emma arrives from Australia for 10 days I believe of what one can only explain as a climate shock.

Yesterday I found a bunch of CDs with ok pictures from when I was her Youth Pastor back in Australia... Can't wait to poke fun of her when I show them to her hahaha


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Vegas - A Story for another time..

So here are some vids

Bellagio Fountain

Nascar Event on Main Street

Kids and their Ingenuity

Kids sledding on the little hill out back

Quaid Sledding

Q&A Snowboarding on a piece of Siding...

Machine Class

Well the last couple of weeks I have been using a Lathe.  It has been fun.  I just today finished of my hammer project.  I think what is most fun about this course is you are making something that is useful, and will be used in your career.  Unlike the stupid Project Management course that has wasted the last 2.5 months of my school life.  Seriously... who uses Gantt charts??

here are some pictures of my hammer:

The handle and head are made of Stainless Steel.  The inserts are made of Aluminum, Copper and Nylon.

.

Guess I need clearer pictures...

Project Management

WHAT A WASTE OF MY TIME!!


only a few more weeks of this dumb class

A brilliant letter

Thought you might like to read this letter
to the editor of a British national newspaper. Ever notice how some people
just seem to know how to write a letter?.
Written by a housewife, to her daily
newspaper. This is one ticked off lady.


'Are we fighting a war on terror or aren't
we? Was it or was it not started by Islamic people who brought it to our
shores in July 2002, and in New York Sept 11/2001 and have continually
threatened to do so since?


Were people from all over the world, not
brutally murdered that day in London , and in downtown Manhattan , and in
a field in Pennsylvania ? 

.

.

Did nearly three thousand men, women and
children die a horrible, burning or crushing death that day, or didn't
they?


And I'm supposed to care that a few
Taliban were claiming to be tortured by a justice system of the nation
they
come from and are fighting against in a brutal insurgency.


I'll start caring when Osama bin Laden
turns himself in and repents for incinerating all those innocent people on
9/11 and 7/7. 

.

.

I'll care about the Koran when the
fanatics in the Middle East start caring about the Holy Bible, the mere
belief of which is a crime punishable by beheading in Afghanistan


I'll care when these thugs tell the world
they are sorry for hacking off Nick Berg's head while Berg screamed
through
his gurgling slashed throat.


I'll care when the cowardly so-called
'insurgents' in Afghanistan come out and fight like men instead of
disrespecting their own religion by hiding in mosques and behind women and
children.


I'll care when the mindless zealots who
blow themselves up in search of Nirvana care about the innocent children
within range of their suicide bombs. 

.

.

I'll care when the British media stops
pretending that their freedom of speech on stories is more important than
the lives of the soldiers on the ground or their families waiting at home
to hear about them when something happens.


In the meantime, when I hear a story about
a British soldier roughing up an Insurgent terrorist to obtain
information,
know this:


I don't care.


When I see a wounded terrorist get shot in
the head when he is told not to move because he might be
booby-trapped, you can take this to the bank:


I don't care.


When I hear that a prisoner - who was
issued a Koran and a prayer mat, and 'fed special food' that is paid for
by
my taxes - is complaining that his holy book is being 'mishandled,' you
can
absolutely believe in your heart of hearts:


I don't care. 

.

.

And oh, by the way, I've noticed that
sometimes it's spelled 'Koran' and other times 'Quran.' Well, believe me!!
you guessed it ......


I don't care!!


If you agree with this viewpoint, pass
this on to all your E-mail friends. Sooner or later, it'll get to the
people responsible for this ridiculous behaviour!


If you don't agree, then by all means hit
the delete button. Should you choose the latter, then please don't
complain
when more atrocities committed by radical Muslims happen here in our great
country! And may I add:


'Some people spend an entire lifetime
wondering if they made a difference in the world. 

.

.

Our soldiers don't have
that problem.'


I have another quote that I would like to
add, AND.......I hope you forward all this.


Only five defining forces have ever
offered to die for you:


1. Jesus Christ


2. The British Soldier.


3. The Canadian Soldier.


4. The US Soldier, and


5. The Australian Soldier


One died for your soul, the other 4 for
your freedom.




YOU MIGHT WANT TO PASS THIS ON, AS MANY
SEEM TO FORGET ABOUT ALL OF THEM.


AMEN!



GIVE THIS LADY A STANDING OVATION. 
SHE HAS INDEED TICKED ALL THE BOXES

I'm 63 and I'm Tired

This should be required reading for every
man, woman and child in the United States of America , Canada and Australia
New Zealand .. 

"I'm 63 and I'm Tired"
By Robert A. Hall


I'm 63. Except for one semester in
college when jobs were scarce and a six-month period when I was between
jobs, but job-hunting every day, I've worked, hard, since I was 18. Despite
some health challenges, I still put in 50-hour weeks, and haven't called in
sick in seven or eight years. I make a good salary, but I didn't inherit my
job or my income, and I worked to get where I am. Given the economy,
there's no retirement in sight, and I'm tired. Very tired. 

I'm tired of being told that I have to
"spread the wealth" to people who don't have my work ethic. I'm tired of
being told the government will take the money I earned, by force if
necessary, and give it to people too lazy to earn it. 

I'm tired of being told that Islam is a
"Religion of Peace," when every day I can read dozens of stories of Muslim
men killing their sisters, wives and daughters for their family "honor"; of
Muslims rioting over some slight offense; of Muslims murdering Christian
and Jews because they aren't "believers"; of Muslims burning schools for
girls; of Muslims stoning teenage rape victims to death for "adultery"; of
Muslims mutilating the genitals of little girls; all in the name of Allah,
because the Qur'an and Shari'a law tells them to. 

I'm tired of being told that out of
"tolerance for other cultures" we must let Saudi Arabia use our oil money
to fund mosques and mandrassa Islamic schools to preach hate in America and
Canada, while no American nor Canadian group is allowed to fund a church,
synagogue or religious school in Saudi Arabia to teach love and tolerance. 


I'm tired of being told I must lower my
living standard to fight global warming, which no one is allowed to debate.

I'm tired of being told that drug addicts
have a disease, and I must help support and treat them, and pay for the
damage they do. Did a giant germ rush out of a dark alley, grab them, and
stuff white powder up their noses while they tried to fight it off? 

I'm tired of hearing wealthy athletes,
entertainers and politicians of both parties talking about innocent
mistakes, stupid mistakes or youthful mistakes, when we all know they think
their only mistake was getting caught. I'm tired of people with a sense of
entitlement, rich or poor. 

I'm real tired of people who don't take
responsibility for their lives and actions. I'm tired of hearing them blame
the government, or discrimination or big-whatever for their problems. 

Yes, I'm damn tired. But I'm also glad to
be 63. Because, mostly, I'm not going to have to see the world these people
are making. I'm just sorry for my granddaughter. 

Robert A. Hall is a Marine Vietnam
veteran who served five terms in the Massachusetts State Senate.

Now what??

Now the family has returned to the Mother Land... NOW WHAT??


guess back to life as usual...

more posts to come soon with some pictures etc.. but meh.. no-one reads it anyways..

Simeon.. sorry about the shaky viewing.. but its a phone video haha

Ava riding

Ava attempted the fiddy bike again for the 2nd time....

A normal Update

Well finally getting down the the finishing efforts on the weekend turned 3 month backyard playground make-over..

I guess we feel the pressure of getting things looking real nice and being safe for when my Sister and her family visit for almost 2months within the next 3 weeks..  I even cleaned up the pile of timber stacked against the house that has been there since we built it... upon doing this there was a huge and loud BUZZZZZZZZZZZING noise coming from under the pile.. yep a nest of carpenter bees that was about a foot round was sitting there.. The solution (little solution for every issue).. pour gasoline onto nest and light er up... then once 98% of them were burnt I proceeded over the next day or 2 to hunt down the remaining bees with a can (actually 2) of brake cleaner... no more bees...  1 of them did manage to fly into my nose and OOOOOUUUCH!!

Native bees that may be mistaken for bumblebees (left to right): blue-banded bee (10-14 mm long), great carpenter bee (13-18 mm long) and teddy bear bee (13-18 mm long).

So anyways I piled the wood up and burnt the stack... it was epic... small video here

(yes that is a gasoline can in the video.. I ran a trail of it away from the fire and that is what almost got me)

and of course some pictures of the backyard as of today so far

.

Had to fix the trampoline when my buddy decided he'd jump on it

(Guy in the Middle also nicknamed SHREK)
.

As of this afternoon this is where it is at..
.

I have some raking to do on the pea gravel (probably named for play areas cause kids pee on it haha), but now we can breath a sigh of relief cause we aren't having to constantly make sure we don't have any floaters in our backyard... by floaters I mean kids face down in the water style... Due to this...

(we actually dug the trench after my sister asked about pools for Anthony to swim laps in)
.

thats it...

Bye

and another

Racist Microwave Buyer

Posted at: 2009-11-16 13:02:45

Original ad:
WANTED - Microwave
I am looking for a used microwave. WHITE ONLY

From Me to *********@************.org:

I have a LG microwave that I want to sell for $30. I am aware that your ad said whites only, but I am an African American. I sincerly hope that this won't be a problem for you, and we can put race issues aside and just do business.

Thank you,
Jamal

From Amy ****** to Me:

I am so sorry that you misread my ad. I meant the microwave should be white, because it would match my kitchen.

Amy

From Me to Amy ******:

Oh, so because I am black, you think that I can't read? It really is amazing that the world we live in is still so racist. I'm sorry, but your insults have left me feeling sick. I don't think I can sell my microwave to a bigot.

Sincerely offended,
Jamal

From Amy ****** to Me:

I wasn't suggesting that you couldn't read. I'm not racist. If you read my whole email you would see that the ad was looking for a white microwave, not a white person. I changed the ad to avoid any confusion.

Amy

From Me to Amy ******:

So now you think that because I am black, I am too lazy to read your whole e-mails. Your racism is overwhelming. You will never get my microwave from me. I will, however, sell you a burning cross for your next klan meeting. Does $20 for the cross sound fair?

From Amy ****** to Me:

I can't write anything without you being offended! I give up!

From Me to Amy ******:

So you don't want the microwave?

From Amy ****** to Me:

Will you still sell it to me?

From Me to Amy ******:

I would never sell anything to a racist.

From Amy ****** to Me:

Ugh I'm done with you.

More funny emails

Handicapped Movers

Posted at: 2009-06-18 10:09:18

Original ad:
I am looking for help moving on June 23rd into my new apartment. We will need to load everything from my old apartment into a truck, and then drive to my new place and unload it. I have a lot of furniture that is very heavy, as well as a big screen tv that is bulky. We will need to lift a lot of this stuff down three flights of stairs since it won't fit in my elevator. I will pay $25/hr.

From Mike Anderson to *********@**********.org
Good afternoon!

I saw your ad asking for help moving your furniture into your new apartment. I was wondering if you would be interested in hiring my son. I need him to have a job like this so he can feel better about himself. He has been paralyzed from the neck down for five years now. I always encourage him to do normal things like mow the lawn, take out the trash, etc. so he can still feel important even though he does not have the use of his arms or legs. This job would be a huge boost in his self-esteem and with a little help I am sure he can do it. Please consider him!

Mike

From ***********@hotmail.com to Me
Mike,

I'm sorry, but I don't think this job would be appropriate for your son. A lot of the stuff I need to move is very large and heavy. He sounds like a good kid, but I don't think he would be able to do this. Thanks for the offer, though.

Jerry

From Mike Anderson to ************@hotmail.com
Jerry,

I think you are underestimating my son. He can do anything he puts his mind to. I told him I got him a job and he was so excited. Do I really have to go and tell him that the guy changed his mind because he hates handicapped people?

Mike

From ***********@hotmail.com to Me

Oh man...

I don't hate handicapped people. I really just don't see how your son can help, no offense. How can he move anything with his arms and legs? You said he mows the lawn and takes out the trash, how is that even possible?

I apologize, but next time you shouldn't tell your son you got him a job before making sure it is ok with the employer.

Jerry

From Mike Anderson to ************@hotmail.com
Jerry,

Don't tell me how to raise my son. You don't see me telling you how to move your furniture, do you? You never even met my son, and already you are telling me what he can and can't do. He does a great job mowing the lawn. We tied the lawn mower to the back of his wheelchair and he drags it around. You'd be surprised how much torque that wheelchair has. It makes him feel normal again.

I don't have the heart to tell him that he won't be doing this job, so would you be able to come over here and tell him yourself that you hate him and will not hire him? It is the least you could do.

Mike

From ***********@hotmail.com to Me

You've got to be kidding me. This conversation is over.

Funny Emails

Disguised Weapons

Posted at: 2010-02-09 06:06:07

Original ad:
**** Disguisable weapons wanted ****
Wanted: hidden blades, belt buckle knives, cane swords, etc.....
Offering: cash, items for barter

From Me to **********@***********.org:

Hey,

I saw your ad looking for concealable/disguised weapons. I have several fine-crafted items you may be interested in. Respond if you are interested and I will send you pictures and prices.

Thanks,

Mike

From Jeff ****** to Me:

I am. lets see what you got.

From Me to Jeff ******:

Jeff,

Here you go:



Looks like a normal spoon, right?



Wrong. It is actually a deadly 2.5" half-smooth, half-serrated knife with tactical grip. One minute you are enjoying a bowl of cereal, and the next you are fighting off attackers with this deadly and disguised weapon.

I am asking $50 for the blade. Let me know if you want to stop by and take a look at it.

Mike

From Jeff ****** to Me:

that is stupid as hell and looks like crap. unless you have anything better to offer, dont waste my time.

From Me to Jeff ******:

Jeff,

I am sorry you feel that way about the spoon blade. I do have some other weapons that I think you will feel differently about.

Mike

From Jeff ****** to Me:

fine. but if it is another knife duct taped to a spoon then you can f*** off.

From Me to Jeff ******:

Jeff,

Thank you for re-considering. Here are three quality disguised weapons that I think you will love:



At first glance, this looks like a normal party cup. However, if you look close enough, you will see that it is really a fully automatic Glock 18C. You will be able to pour your enemies a nice warm cup of lead with this fine purchase. Asking $900 for the gun/cup combo.



Still thirsty for justice? Try this badass M16A2 disguised as a 24-pack of soda. The box has two finely crafted holes on each side to allow for any kind of optics (not included) that you wish to attach. This weapon is only for sale if you have a Class III permit.



This cleverly disguised weapon may look like a tissue box, but is actually a Benelli M3 12 gauge shotgun disguised as a tissue box. The ultra-soft quilted tissues serve as a comfortable grip on the pump-action shotgun. Also, if you find yourself sneezing during the heat of combat, you will have a handy tissue box ready for action. Asking $1500 for the weapon. Additional tissue boxes are an extra $5 per box.

Let me know if you want any of these items.

Thanks,

Mike

From Jeff ****** to Me:

youre a f&&*&*g dumbass, shitbrained, asswipe, retarded dipshit. you prob walk around with that shit too you dumb mother *******. I hope you get hit by a car. ***** off, eat ***t, and die.