Veterans' Day...

Today is a day to remember those that have served and are currently serving in our armed forces. Some gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country where we as Americans can have the freedoms that we so enjoy. For those that have served and are still serving our country in our armed forces, I want to thank you for everything you have done to make this country so great!

Take the time to show your appreciation to those that have and are serving our country. Say a prayer for those that are in harms way. Pray for God's protection for them and to guide them in their daily path. As I have said, we have a great country and we owe a big debt of gratitude for these brave individuals. Think of the sacrifices they have given to make our nation a more safer place. Our nation was formed by individuals that loved their country. Thank God we still have those that believe the same way today.

God Bless our troops, and God Bless the U.S.A.!

My Window to the World...

Sorry to leave my loyal readers hanging the last few days. I went deer hunting with a great bunch of guys this weekend. We called ourselves the Lead Slingers. I was informed by Mike Francis yesterday that the name has been changed to Lead Savers. It was a good attempt at humor with a twist of disgust mixed in. If there is a big buck on Mount Magazine, he is still alive today.

Ok, so we did not kill any deer...but, we had a lot of fun. A lot of stories and jokes were told and laughs were aplenty. Men better be glad that their wives don't see how much work they do setting up a deer camp, because more work would be coming their way at home. Guys, your secret is safe with me. Just let me say, Jackie, Mike, and Jessie really had the camp looking great. It was complete with a firepit with a roaring fire as I came rolling into the camp.

The two pictures you see are from my stand I used. Mike was so gracious in letting me use it. One of the pictures shows one of the views I had in my location, and the other one is a picture of the stand itself. I saw one doe early in the morning, and at least two doe later that evening right around 5 pm. Again, no bucks in sight. The wind was howling all day and made for a chilly day. When you are alone you hear all kinds of noises and your imagination can run wild. And of course, most of the time the noises were behind me. I did not know if it was a deer, a squirrel, or the Blair Witch. But, something was behind me all day.




One thing I want to mention was the tent I stayed in that Mike supplied. The tent looked like a replica of the iceberg the Titanic ran into. I am sorry I do not have any pictures of it. If you saw it, you would see what I mean.

Also, a special thanks to Jeb for cooking for us. He went all that way and worked hard rustling up some vittles for us. What a guy. Everyone was great at the camp. I appreciated the invite and look forward to other adventures in the future.

Do Dollar Stores have the same problems as other stores?

A fellow co-worker Ashley and I were discussing how things are probably different in a Dollar Store as opposed to a regular store. Things you hear or issues that come up are no doubt different at a Dollar Store as opposed to a regular store. Also, have you ever wondered why certain things are done a certain way at a dollar store..for example:

1. At a Dollar Store - where everything is a dollar...do you really need a price check?
2. It is doubtful when a child breaks something in the store that the parent has to ask how much they owe for the damaged item.
3. Do you ever have to wait anxiously for the register to add up all of your purchases to give you a total? Helllllloooooo everything is a dollar. You have 15 items...you owe $15.00 plus what Uncle Sam gets. It doesn't take a Scientific Rocket to figure that out!
4. Purchases may be harder at an everything is a dollar store. When you go to a regular store do you ever compare? Do you ever say, "This ketchup must be better because it is higher priced than this one?" Well, if you are looking at two kinds of soap in a dollar store, you cannot purchase based on comparison of price.
5. I would doubt very seriously if you were a commissioned sales person that you would want to work at a dollar store...how much would you make?
6. Why would everything cost a dollar stores have surveillance systems and anti-shoplifting equipment in their stores?

I know you might find this to be mindless gibberish, but it is just something that came to my mind today. A mind is a terrible thing to waste.

Who is Mike anyway? The Truth Revealed...

As you know, I have blogged about Mike on numerous occasions. Many of you have asked me the question, "Who is this Mike?" I thought I knew. But, after seeing a picture he posted on his blog, "Here's What I got", I am beginning to wonder...Do we really know him? Was he trying to give us a hint as to his true identity by his posting of "the picture." I hate to sound like a conspiracy theorist, but here it goes...

If you are a history buff, you might remember hearing about a UFO that supposedly crashed northwest of Roswell, New Mexico, in the summer of 1947. It was said that the Air Force tried to keep this hush, hush. Who does Mike work for? Uh, huh...

Exhibit A...Picture of Mike from his blog...





I know on the surface this picture looks normal enough, but then I saw these pics...




Exhibits B and C...







Are you beginning to see the connection? Sure, Mike has never just came out uttering the familiar phrase..."Take me to your leader." I figure him to be too smart for that. And now the big guns...


Exhibit D...



I know I may be taking a huge security risk releasing this information, but I have to put the welfare and well-being of the citizens of the United States of America first and foremost in this matter.

We now resume your local programming...

Fun Day with Morgan on her Field Trip...

After last nights debacle of an election, I needed a little pick-me-up. Going on a field trip with Morgan's class was just what the doctor ordered. All my troubles went out the window as I spent my first half of the day with her.

We got on a trailer for a hayride to start off the festivities. We were met by a character Morgan affectionately called..."that old crazy guy!" His favorite words seemed to be "Yee-Haw!" Here is a picture of "that old crazy old guy" for your inspection.



During the hayride, Morgan and the other kids got to pet a horse named Patches. That of course was a hit for all the kids. Then we proceeded to shuck some corn and launch the corn cobs in a slingshot. The maze of corn was next. I think I scared some of the kids when I wondered out loud if we would ever get out of the corn maze or ever be seen again.

Next, the help at the pumpkin' patch catapulted a pumpkin at a target. "That old crazy guy" hit the target on his first try. He must have been a military man. Then Morgan picked out a pumpkin for her and her sister. After seeing some rabbits, goats, and pigs it was off to eat - not the animals...her sack lunch. That pretty much sums up our day together.

What a day! Morgan and I had a blast! I would say to anyone...spend some time with your kids. Life is too short. You need to enjoy life while you are here on God's Earth. It is all about building memories with your kids that they will never forget.

Just a note or two more...

Last night Lizzie Kate was looking at our family portrait. She said, "There is Zack (our dog - Don't even get me to talk about him), there is Morgan, there is Momma...hey, I don't want to be by momma, I want to be by daddy!" Like we can change it now!

And now a quote that was on my Daytimer...

Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been.
--Mark Twain

Vote...No matter how the election turns out - God Is In Control!

I guess this will make my seventh Presidential election to vote in. This election seems to be the biggest one yet. According to the pollsters, I may be on the losing end of this one. This has got to be the most passionate of any political seasons I can remember. My how our world has changed. It is amazing who has voices, or say-so in our government today. How did this come to be?

Who is right...Who is wrong? Our country is in a mess. I do not mean just financially, but also spiritually. We need to call upon God and ask him to heal our land. No matter how this election turns out...remember, God is in control!

2 Chron. 7:14
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Pray...Go out and vote...ask God for His direction!

On a lighter note...I received word that my 4 year old nephew got in trouble at school today...he got in trouble today on the playground for pulling down a girls pants...My, if that was all the problems we had!

Where do I start?

Where in the world do I start to tell you what has happened to me since my last post? Let me just sum it up in about four words...Mentally and physically exhausted! As many of you may know, I have been out of town to attend Kelley's sister Lexie's wedding. Plenty of work was had by all. Thursday night we worked on setting up the locale for the rehearsal dinner. The rehearsal dinner was actually held where Kelley and I exchanged our vows. It was the first time I had been in there since the wedding - seven years and some change ago. I told a few jokes while setting up for the dinner. Kelley was not really amused. The day we were married it was like 105 degrees outside and about 125 inside. You can see a few pictures of where the dinner was held and one of Kelley and I...





Now, Friday night and Saturday morning...more work. Setting up tables, dishes, flowers, pumpkins, and even corn stalks! Can you believe it? Then Saturday night 6 pm seemed to come quick. Lexie and John had a "beautiful" ceremony. Can guys say the word beautiful?

The picture at the top of this post is of my two girls that were flower girls for the wedding. Needless to say, I am a very proud dad! Yes, I can say the word beautiful. The picture was taken by Matt Terry. I want to give his website a shout...www.mattterryweddings.com. Kelley was also in the wedding. She was the Matron of Honor. I thought she was beautiful and am proud of her as well.

Oh, ok, I guess I will attach a picture of Lexie and John...after all it was their wedding for goodness sakes. This picture also was taken by Matt Terry...