Open Mouth Insert Sock

Some may remember Socks our outside cat that disappeared a couple years back shortly after having three of the meanest kittens ever. To help Adam get through it we told him that she found an inside family and still loves him very much. Just off the cuff on the way home I blurted out that I thought I saw her. Suddenly Adam starts bawling like no tomorrow.

The crying lasted all the way home, the whole time he was getting ready for bed, and was still going on after lights out. Nothing Mandy or I said could make it better....but I know what may have made it worse.

Gigi asked me to walk him down to her place so she could try and calm him down. Noticing his feet and suffering from my typical lack of filter, I blurted out "Aren't you hot? Why don't you get rid of those socks"

As I was saying it I was literally trying to pick up the words as they dripped out. He of course cried out "We got rid of Socks!!!". That's why I'm a blockhead.

Double Dish Duty

Lately Adam has been attempting to help out more around the house. I haven't quite figured out if this is an attempt to make up for the trouble he typically finds himself in or if he wants money. Regardless of which reason the end result is kinda nice. While I must shed a tear or two lamenting over how old he is getting, I'm also proud of the person he is becoming.

With increasing frequency he has started making his bed, cleaning his room, and routinely makes sure everyone gets cold water whenever they start breaking a sweat. Monday night he caught us all off guard by sneaking into the kitchen and washing dishes. This was a complete surprise and so was what we found an hour later after he went to bed. While we def gotta give the guy an A for effort apparently he didn't use hot water or soap as they all had to be re-washed.

Feeling Froggy

We are still trying to decide if the leak in the pool will be fixed this year and three frogs have taken up residence. At night it's as if we live in the country. The sound of the croaking frogs filling the night air.

The boys love checking on them and mention them at least once every couple of days. Yesterday Adam noticed something especially fascinating.

"Dad guess what!!! The frogs are sleeping and guess what!!! The baby frog is sleeping on the mommy frogs back. Isn't that awesome?"

Not ready to have the birds, bees, frogs, and trees talk with my 6 yr old I simply said "Well isn't that nice. Hey what's for lunch I'm thinking cheese burgers!!"

Thankfully he took the bait and ran inside eager to help make lunch.

Row Row Row Your Boat

Went canoeing down Cypress creek this past Saturday. We took my buddy Mitch's canoe and learned a valuable lesson: A 10 minute drive in a car equals about an hour & 1/2 of paddling. We unfortunately learned this the hard way.

There we were having the time of our life. The water was nice, a good breeze was in the air, the sun managing to stay behind the clouds just a bit, and more importantly the fish were biting. We figured the halfway point and that the finish line would be about 30 minutes away from there. We were wrong.

Now I didn't hear what his wife said and he didn't hear mine, but both conversations sounded similar:

"I'm good!! Catching a ton of fish"
"Where are we? Cypress creek."
"Yeah I know what time it is"
"Yes I know when I said I would be home"
"I know there are things that have to be done....but...but um...well we've been paddling for an hour and still have not made it to the car."
"No we are not lost! We just don't know where we are compared to where the car is. Honestly it HAS to be up here somewhere."
"Love you Sweetie"

I have never caught that much fish in one day in my life, however I have also never tried that hard to get out of the water in my life either. Next time we park closer!

TRON: Up Rising Over His Head

To my knowledge here is what I believe to be the story of TRON. This guy named Flynn was a scientist who also created a video game. What he doesn't know is there is a world inside of all computers which is being taken over by the Master Program (red people are bad). The Master Program zaps Flynn into a game he (Flynn) created in which the hero Tron is trying to keep the other programs (the blue guys) free.

With the help of Flynn, Tron saves the day. Flynn then creates Clu so he (Flynn) can keep peace and manage his life outside the computer. Clu gets power crazy traps Flynn inside the computer where he goes into hiding, Tron is defeated...until the end of the second movie in which Flynn's son finds his father 15 years later and with the help of Tron, Clu is defeated.

Disney's new series TRON: Uprising takes place in between the two movies and features an injured Tron mentoring a guy named Beck who poses as Tron to spark a revolution against Clu.

Here is what Adam understands: Red is bad and Blue is good. Sure it's basic but he loves it and I love it so what's not to love about that.

Crabby Contact

This used to be the picture that came up when Mandy called my cell phone. I lovingly refer to her as my Lucy and this remake if the JAWS poster was classic. The sight of tiny Snoopy unaware that he is about to be eaten alive was so funny to me.

Last weekend Mandy's phone died and she asked to use mine. Looking for Mo's number she hit hers by mistake and the picture popped up. Needless to say she was not happy and I made sure I stayed on the couch watching movies a little later than normal just so I'd not face any resistance coming to bed.

Once we were all able to laugh about it the next day I did change the picture to something less controversial. I am still using the picture though. The new person just may never know.

A Show Of Anger

Alex is a little over 2 and we are just starting to swat him on the back if the leg with our hands. Yes we are parents that spank get over it. We only save such severe punishments for when the child simply refuses to obey. Yesterday Alex reached this level of no return.

The new inflatable pool came with a pump and two valves. Water goes in, is filtered, then goes out the other tube. Alex would not quit standing on the in flow tube. We told and told. We begged and pleaded. Finally we spanked.

The moment my hand met his back side Alex cried out in pain. The crying only lasted a moment though and was very quickly replaced by anger. Almost immediately Alex crossed his arms and stomped to the back door. Lips sticking out all the way. With a look of disgust and his face red with rage our little sweet 2 year old walked inside, slammed the back door, and stood there in the window with his arms crossed and smoke coming out of his ears.

Now had he been 6 this little trick would have required a further attitude adjustment. For the moment however his cuteness saved him from further punishment. That being said the cute routine is starting to wear thin.

Falling Off The Wagon

I accidentally slept late. Missed my morning walk. Neck is killing me from where I tried unsuccessfully to get the pressure washer started. Almost fell asleep in the morning meeting. Nobody at the office was in a good mood. Mandy and I went a round or two. I sank my sorrows into a giant roast beef sandwich from Arbys. I just felt even more guilty afterward for swan diving off my diet.

I was sure by three that time had stopped and I was doomed to be chained to my desk forever. By the end of it I was fed up and determined to do something drastic like eat a whole box of Little Debbie zebra cakes washed down with a gallon of whole milk....then I pull into the driveway to find Adam pulling Alex in his wagon. Both laughing as if they were touring the streets of Disney. All I could think about was how great life is and how blessed I am.

Game Of Thrones

From what I can remember (and I suppose that if I really needed to know I could look through the Charlie archives) Adam was not that difficult to potty train. Sure it didn't happen overnight, but once we learned the trick of giving him a handful of Reese's Pieces with every successful attempt the training was just about accomplished. Like everything else Alex seems determined to clear his own path.

It's like a circus act without the guy being shot out of the cannon. He says he has to go, gets you all geared up to take him, sits down on the potty, and then....then he...he..he makes a hissing noise with his mouth. Like I said tons of build up with no reward.

A-Mish Upon A Star

As I mentioned last night Saturday we went to the Amish Country. Just inside Eldridge Tn. you can pick up a map at the local gas station which gives a list of all the local families, directions on how to find them, and what they sell.

To say that it's a different world there in the sprawling fields that lie between Highway 242 & 43 would be an understatement. It was my first introduction to true Amish culture and I was amazed. There are of course the obvious things that pop into your mind; no electricity, no air conditioning, no Internet, television, or radio. As you make your way from family to family though it really starts to sink in.

Handmade soap, blankets, furniture all made on the family land. Cucumbers, corn, tomatoes, and onions grown just a few feet from the front porch. Children that do not speak unless spoken too and little in response at that. In some ways it's a simple lifestyle in others it seems at least from the outside to be a harsh existence filled with toiling away in the hot sun from sun up to sun down with little in the way of luxury. Still though I can help but view the Amish countryside with a bit of whimsy similar to that of the beach. A place where the world has never been more quiet, the sky more clear, and the people more full of life

A Mish You When You're Not Around

Last month Mo, Mandy, & The Gigi got up and went to the Good-will in Lawrenceburg. This past week they decided to go back for 1/2 off Saturday. There is a large Amish population just outside the town and each house sells the various things they produce. Mandy invited me & the boys to tag along and we gladly accepted. Normally I drive where ever we go, but this time around I decided to sit in the back with the kids.

Initially I brought a book thinking I could get caught up on my reading, thankfully I realized right away that if I had stuck my nose in between those pages I would have missed out on all the fun. Back there just the two of us sharing the same seat, Adam and I really had a chance to connect. We learned about the Amish and how they lived. We shared headphones while listening to our favorite songs on the iPod. I know it sounds sorta simple but my favorite thing we did....something I hope we do again is we talked. No yelling at him to stop this or that. No threatening to beat him for acting like a crazy person. We just talked about stuff...I wish the trip had been longer.

Asia-n Influence

"Are you just home for lunch?"
"You are going back to work, right?"
"Are you home for the day?"
"You will be leaving soon, aren't you?"

Ever since Asia has started watching Adam for the Summer he no longer requires us to be around anymore. While I must admit to being a little jealous, he's apparently been acting like an angel all week so I can't help but be impressed. Since it was partly my idea to hire her I am also partly impressed by my awesome decision making abilities.

The Million Mile March

There are days when I jump out of bed. I dash into the new day like a world class marathon runner on mile 1. I blink once & I'm at the office. Blink twice and it's lunch time with my favorite girl. Blink three times and I'm wrapping up the day at the park with my boys.

Then there are days like today that start with Alex waking me up by pulling
my eye lids over my forehead. I fall asleep in the shower and need two cups of coffee to make it to lunch. Every step forward feels like I'm a million miles from home. I pray for mercy and all I want is the one thing I can't have i.e to be back under the covers in bed.

A Splash Of Misery

It seemed innocent enough, we surprised the kids with a trip to the splash pad. We went through the usual check list: sun screen, towels, backpack, flip-flops. Like everything else it was 30 minute process. During that 30 minutes the excitement built to an almost fever pitch. The kids started dancing, singing songs about how great we are....in their eyes we can do no wrong! All that changed in seconds.

We pull up and start the unloading process: sun screen, towels, backpack, flip-flops etc. all of this only to take three steps into the park and realize that there is a private invite only party going on. Gone are the songs about how great we are, the smiles have all turned upside down, tears began to flow. It wasn't our fault, but knowing that and not feeling that way are two different things.

Badminton Bandit!!!

We spent a hour inflating a pool that deflated in 20 minutes. We took an hour to fill 100 water balloons only to have them disappear in 5 minutes. We made homemade pineapple ice-cream. We did all of this & more before finding out this afternoon that Adam is a badminton bandit!!!

He runs to the right. Dashes to the left. Leaps as high as a building. Dives to the net. All of this in hopes of making that next shot. He is everywhere at once and nowhere more than a split second. He is the badminton bandit!!

In Mememorial

Today is Memorial Day. With all the swirling chaos that constantly surrounds us, it's easy to understand why we might forget what this day means. All too often we take for granted the freedoms so many died to protect.

I am not a soldier, yet I have known some great men who were. I've seen the faces of their families as they describe what their loved ones are going through overseas. I've heard the cries of those who have gotten the news nobody should ever have to hear.

It's with all of this in mind that Mandy & I set aside part of the day to talk with Adam about the true meaning of Memorial Day. To teach him that we are only free because of the men that fought for that freedom. Soon after with flags in hand, Adam & Alex spent an hour marching to patriotic songs all through the house.

God Bless America

Pool Talk

The new house has a pool slash frog pond. It hasn't been used in years for reasons we thought involved repairs needing to be made. Friday we learned things are not what we thought.

As it turns out the previous owners had completed repairs, but before they could test out the work done on it they moved. Essentially what I'm saying is that we could very well have a fully functional pool outside our back door and not know it.

The thought of this is slowly driving Mandy & I bonkers as the temps outside slowly creep to 100. What if all that needs to be done is adding water?

A Rat's Tale

Growing up I had one. That really long strand of hair that went down the back of my neck. Some kids up'd the cool factor by having their entire head buzzed except for that one strand in the back thus giving them a true rat tail appearance.

Alex is now a little over two years old and has yet to get his first hair cut. It's coming soon, but we are just not ready yet. Yesterday we were hanging out around the pool when he turned around. The water had laid his hair flat across his back and the result was a very long lock of hair going straight down his back.

"Check it out! Alex has got a rat tail!!"
"Where Dad?! I don't see a rat!"
"On his head Adam. It's a rat tail"
"Alex has got a rat in his hand?"
"No his hair looks like a rat's tail"
"I don't see a rat on his head...."

I tried to explain it a dozen times, but Adam still kept looking for a rat.

Rock Me Hot Potato

One of the funniest things to me is to hear songs get mangled by people who think they are singing the right words. Up until this past Thursday my all time favorites were  "Hold me closer Tony Danza!!" and "I'd die without shoe's". This past week Adam topped them all.

What was sang:
Amedeus, Amedeus, Amedeus
Amedeus, Amedeus, Amedeus
Amedeus, Amedeus, oh Amedeus!

What Adam heard:
Hot potato, hot potato, hot potato
Hot potato, hot potato, hot potato
Hot potato, hot potato, oh I want a hot potato

The Education Of Mandy Beck

I was trying to educate Mandy on the joys of The Rolling Stones (I was a butcher cuttin the meat! My hands are bloody, I'm dying on my feet!) when I was quickly reminded that Mandy had been educated enough today. You see after ten weeks of classes and two weeks of prepping for the big test.....Mandy is officially a liscensed real estate agent!!!

We are sooo very proud of her. Nothing ever worth having comes easy and she has literally put in her share of blood, sweat, and tears to make this achievement happen. We have of course been praying for this moment and for God to show us the path he desired for us to take. Finally those prayers have been answered. Thanks to everyone's support. Today was an awesome day!

Best Of Blockhead: Return Of The Flash (August 30,2007)

I just don’t seem to be posting about my favorite person anymore. Fred has turned into the coolest thing I have ever been a part of in my entire life. He doesn’t cry. He’s not whiney. He plays. That’s what the little guy does and he’s the best at it. I’ve never been the type to catch the spotlight when I walk into a room, but boy does my son know how to light up a room!! Take last Friday night for example.


The Gigi works at a retirement home (I prefer old folks home, but they don’t seem to like being called old folks Lucy calls them Littles) and part of her job is to organize different activities to keep them alive (entertain them). So last Friday night the whole place plus a few fraternity/sorority members turn out for an old fashioned sock hop. Root beer floats, moon pies, a boom box blasting the oldie goldie tunes of the 50’s 60’s, and there in the center of the room lies a dance floor.

Of course Fred spent the night running up and down and sideways around the joint. Bopping from one poodle skirted granny to the next, completely unaware that just outside the walls a major storm was taking place. Lightning, rain, the whole bit. Except none of it could be heard over all the noise the party was creating. So just to set things up Lucy and I are way across the room watching Fred dance around a couple of grannies when

BOOM!!!!!

The thunder clapped so loud the lights blink and 15 old men fall to the floor grasping their chests (ok nobody fell out just adding to the story). Out of nowhere Fred throws back his arms, screams OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHH!!!, and kicks those little legs into light speed….going nowhere in particular. He’s just running like his life depends on it and his arms are too slow to keep up. He doesn’t care where we are at he just knows he’s not going to be where he was the next time whatever that was decides to blow up again. Suddenly he trips and falls flat on his face, but his legs are moving so fast they somehow scoop him up and carry him to the end of the room straight to his GiGi!! Nobody’s run that fast in that place since the whole all you can eat prune disaster of 1995!!

Technorati tags: retirement, childhood, parenting, volunteer work, fatherhood

Jumping Freddy Flash Is Fast Fast Fast!!

I'm behind by two days in my posting and I'm not ready to let this New Year's resolution go by the way side so tonight you are getting three doses of Charlie!

If you know Adam then you know how much he loves to run. He has no concept of walking and every where he goes there's a sonic boom moments afterward. It's no wonder we used to call him Freddy The Flash. Now that baseball is officially over and the endless string of sports along with it (baseball, then football, then basketball, then baseball again all within weeks of each other), I've decided to test the waters of track & field. After all if,  running is his talent what a better way for him to use it.

I took him to the local track yesterday and could not believe my eyes. He ran around the entire thing without stopping!!! He then rested for a moment, took a few deep breaths, and did it a second time!!! I'm seriously looking into local marathons for him to run in. The only thing stopping me is that I'm not sure if I will be able to keep up with him.

Airplane Airplane I'm On My Way

I picked up an app yesterday that teaches you how to make 20 different types of paper airplanes. Adam is all into them especially since I told him how my dad was the master paper folder.

Growing up I can remember paper boats that could float for miles. Gliders that could sail over entire cities. Loopty loops that would do dozens of barrel rolls.

Adam is amazed by the stories and is begging me to pass on the tradition. So
as they say; practice makes perfect.

My New Pet Peeve

My new pet peeve is this....people who ask my opinion about something then drive you crazy when you say the opposite of what you think. One minute you are minding your own business and the next you're suddenly on trial for treason. For example:

"I've decided to spray paint the car black. What do you think?"
"I think the color that the car is now is fine. Besides that's tacky!"
"Tacky! What do you mean by that?! I was trying to save money. I saw somebody do it on TV and it looked good. You must not know what I'm talking about. You don't even know what tacky is. I wasn't asking you anyway. I was telling you what I was going to do."

This has happened to me three times this week from various people.

Message Mix Up

I'm not the fastest text messenger in the west, but I do okay. At times while waiting on someone to respond I have been known to carry on 3 discussions at one time. Today I apparently proved this may not always be the best idea.

To Mom: u coming over today?

To Mandy: How is Adams team party @ the park?

Mom: what time u going to be home?

Mandy: it's raining.

To Mom: after 3:00

To Mandy: I bet Adam loves that.

Mom: let me see something...

Mandy: he's running wild.

Mom: okay I can come

Mom: I'm going to kill your child!!!

To Mom: I don't want u coming over then!!!

Mom: why not?!

To Mom: oops sorry!!! I thought u were coming over to kill one of the boys. Mandy is going to do it instead

It was.....

A great idea to walk to Gattman park for Adam's team party.

A great opportunity to get some exercise.

A good way to spend some family time.

About half the way there when it started pouring down rain.

A good thing I'd been working out for three weeks because I had to run 3 blocks back to get the van.

A blessing I have such a forgiving wife who patiently waited in some random strangers carport with Alex crying until I could make it back to them.

Worry Just Won't Seem To Leave My Mind Alone

Wednesday night seven o'clock church services are always a tricky thing to get to. The kids are both soaked in sweat after school. Dinner has to be ate. Clothes have to be changed. Plus it's not like Mandy or I leave at exactly five o'clock everyday.  Somehow we manage and for good reason.

Tonight's lesson was all about worry and how the only thing we should be really concerned about (to a certain degree) is whether or not we are living our lives for God. Worry constantly plagues me and slows down my every decision. I've yet to find a way to shake this off, but tonight's lesson definitely helped. A little bit of luck would do wonders though....

Tonight also featured Alex's debut performance as a song leader. The moment the closing song started his arm went up and he started swaying it up and down/back and forth. The entire place was cracking up!

Back On The Wagon

Last week I wrote about the problems with my new involuntary diet and how I was off the wagon already. Today I'm happy to report that I am learning new ways to eat, even in a fast food environment. My first accomplishment has been to ignore french fries. Fries are my enemy...my archenemies....my kryptonite. Hardly my most favorite food ever, but they are always around. Next I've learned the joy of a grilled chicken sandwich with lettuce only and no sauce. Combined with a fruit smoothie and it makes for a healthy alternative to a double cheeseburger with bacon. So far I've managed to quit drinking soda, I'm drinking more water and Mandy even got me some sugar free cookies the other night to help my chocolate fix! Plus I'm exercising at least every other day. I know a week is a long way from a habit, but they say that it only takes a month to make a routine permanent. 

Monday Night Blues

Not much going on tonight. Alex has an ear infection so I'm taking tomorrow off. Thank goodness for sick days. Adam is down to only a week and a half of school left. He's ready for summer to start mainly because his favorite babysitter of all time Asia Duren will be keeping him for the next three months. For me it all feels like it's going by too fast. If I could freeze a moment in time it might be this one. Alex as cute as a button wondering from room to room laughing at every little thing. Adam learning to read, singing church songs, always ready to play or wrestle with his dad. Life is changing too fast to keep up with.

Maywood Youth Rally Group Picture



Potato Chip Potato Chip

Saturday I took Adam to a youth rally at Maywood Christian Camp. He absolutely loved it and couldn't wait to spend the whole week. Here is his favorite song:

Potato Chip, Potato Chip
Munchie Crunchie
I love Jesus
A bunchie bunchie

Of course I couldn't remember the words when we got home so I made up my own version he liked better.

Potato Chip, Potato Chip,
Potato Chip, CRUNCH!
Who loves Jesus as much as US?
Sock it to the Devil UUUUUUGGGHHHH!

I Still Resolve Too

Back at the first of the year I made a list of News Year's Resolutions and I thought it would be neat to go over those just to see how I'm doing. Here goes:

1. I resolve to go to the dentist more than I did last year......I have not done this yet. I almost went last week but my tooth stopped hurting so I opted out. Who knows if I get around to this or not...the year's not over yet


2. I resolve to try harder to not bite my nails....I have good days and bad weeks. I am getting better though!


3. I resolve to lose weight.....This is happening. Mainly because of my recent heath scare in which the Dr. told me I was killing my self by eating what I want whenever I want. My cholesterol was through the roof and I was having chest pains


4. I resolve to watch less TV, read more, and play outside more with the boys....I'm doing this more too. The new house came with a huge yard that just begs to be played in.


5. I resolve to be a better husband....You'd have to ask Mandy about this one, but I'd say I'm way more patient.


6. I resolve to pray more and not just close my eyes while wondering what's for lunch, dinner, breakfast, etc....This is definitely happening. I feel closer to God then ever before.


7. I resolve to save money and be in a better financial position come the end of 2012....Working on it. Every journey has hills and valleys. So does every financial period.


8. I resolve to be a better Christian.....I pray that I am. I'm definitely more focus on getting Adam involved more at Church. To see it as something more than just a place to run and play with friends.


9. I resolve to help others more....This one I need to work on.

There was one last resolution that I have kept and really enjoyed. I resolve to post all 365 days this year. So far I've lived up to that.

Nothing Left To Do But Admit She's Always Right

My day started out on the wrong foot trying to get Adam to take a shower before school. It was late last night when we got home from church and done with dinner. I mistakenly thought it would be easier to get him up and in the shower then it would keeping him up another half hour past his bed time. Not one to always have her way, Mandy simply agreed to go along with the idea.....boy was I wrong. Getting him in the shower was not really the problem it was getting him to do more than just stand there. At the two minute mark he was barely even wet. After 5 minutes he had managed to scoot under the water. Surely I thought to myself after 10 minutes in the shower he'd be done.....he was all wet but had not touched the soap. As I stood there threatening various forms of torture if he didn't get a move on it, one thought kept repeating itself "How did she know? Why is she always right!!"

Thankfully she would never rub it in my face; still how can one person be so right about every single thing?

Tonight I decided to take the long way home thinking I'd drive by to check out the old house. Within seconds she caught on to what I was doing, sharing her concern that it might make Adam sad. I shrugged it off and kept going. A block away Adam says "I miss the old house so much. Can we go see it?" Trying to recover Mandy gave it her best shot "I just wanted Daddy to look at something over here. Look Daddy there it is." Not giving up Adam pleaded "Can we please see the old house?"

Some people are born with the ability to do mass calculations in their heads. Others can draw master works of art. There are those that can remember every book they have ever read word for word. My wife? She always knows the right thing to do. Thank God I have her.

Too Soon To Slide Back

It's been week and I've fallen off the wagon. I'm back to eating whatever I want. Not excercising like I should. Not taking my medicine. Will power has never been my strong suit, but even still it's a little early to be falling off a wagon I barely have even climbed aboard yet. If you see me eating junk food scold me and tell me I'm an idiot.

I'm Virbra! What's Your Sign?

Since I started getting the paper delivered to my door on a daily basis, I've become addicted to the comics page and the horoscope section. Sometimes I like to read my horoscope in the morning, sometimes I like to read it at the end of the day just to see if they got it right. The thing that I don't get about these little bits of wisdom is how do they pinpoint the exact day you switch signs. I mean where do they (whoever they are that come up with these things) decide that if you (like myself) are born on Sept 22 at 11:59:59 you are a Virgo, but one second later you are suddenly a Libra. For an industry built around being as vague as humanly possible that seems like a very specific line in the sand. Instead of pondering this mystery of the universe, I simply work around this conundrum by reading both the Virgo and Libra fortunes and picking out which one I like best. Let's look at today's:

Virgo:
Avoid passionate discussions with romantic partners today. People are entrenched in their views, and they are very jealous as well. Be cool.

Libra:
Impulsiveness and emotional outbursts with family members will be the order of the day. Therefore, tread carefully! A small comment could escalate into a messy scene.

Essentially the above say the same thing i.e. "if not careful you are going to get in a fight with someone you live with" so if given a choice between the two today I'm a Libra. After all I'd much rather argue with Adam aka "a family member" than Mandy otherwise known as "my romantic partner"

Best Of Blockhead: Welcome To Walmart. Now With Less Clothing! (June 09,2009)

Somebody asked about Fred recently and if he was as hard to handle as their child. The answer to this is of course "He's way worse than your kid", because honestly who doesn't think their child is the biggest handful ever to be brought into this world. The question did spark a string of recent memories that I feel proves Fred (though he may seem out of control at times) is everything an All American Child should be.

Like last week during vacation bible school, right there in middle of the puppet show he decided to stand up and show the crowd how well he can do flips. He did 3 before I was able to stop him.

The next night he ran as hard as he could, caring less of where he was going, and managed to look up just in time to see the support beam hit him dead center between the eyes. It's been a week and he's still got two blackeyes.

Monday night he slept in his Spiderman costume. At 3:30 that morning he woke us up because he'd had an accident and gotten it all wet. It took us half an hour to convince him to change clothes.

One thing we are learning is that spanking may be useful at times, but in the end (no pun intended) it really doesn't have any long lasting effect. I think it's because during the normal course of the day he somehow manages to hurt his own self at least two dozen times, so us adding a couple of licks turns out to be nothing compared to what he's already been inflicted on his poor knees and elbows. To get to Fred you have to out think him. Pull out some logic and blind him. Dazzle him with your common sense and wisdom.....and if that doesn't work distract him with a distant prize that can only be obtained by listening to Mommy and Daddy. And even then he can't help but be who he is......the kid that out of the blue decided yesterday that it would be fun to chant "Let's get naked!!" over and over while we stood in line at Wal-mart.

Lessons From Ali The Alligator

Ali the alligator is Adam's class mascot. She's green with big eyes, a cute smile, and body that just begs to be cuddled. She also happens to be Adam's homework assignment this weekend. Each Friday one student is selected to take Ali home with them, take pictures of all the adventures they have together, and write a report about all the fun they had. Adam thought this was the best most wonderful thing ever and made sure that everywhere he went so did Ali.

Over the past few days we've collected snapshots of Ali eating popcorn at Adam's baseball game. She was caught playing with Adam in the middle of a wheat field. Ali went on our tour of local parks yesterday where she got to see a waterfall, Indian Tee Pee, and take a riverfront walk. She even managed to make it to the comic book store and the Avengers movie with us. Today Ali attended Sunday school with Adam and tonight she was there enjoying a turkey sub at Lenny's right next to her pal Adam.

Wouldn't it be great if we all had a friend that would shadow us like Ali. Someone who was always there to give us a hug when we need it the most, make us laugh at exactly the right time, and help us feel safe late at night when it's just us and our thoughts. Adam would certainly attest to the fact that Ali is a great listener, never lets him down, and never asks for anything in return other than love. Luckily we do....

Just like Ali the alligator, God is there for us no matter what. Through the Bible his words of inspiration speak to us in our time of need and through him all things are possible. I know we may not be able to see him all the time, but if we would learn to just stop and listen God is always speaking to us. It might be through the feeling we get from the evening breeze, the sound of a little child praying, or a voice deep down inside us all that knows the true way out of a tough situation. As Adam prepares to say goodbye to Ali the alligator, I pray he never forgets his other constant companion the Lord Jesus Christ and the sacrifice he made so we could all live.

Family Day In May

Mandy and I think it's important to take the kids out on the town every couple of weeks just to have fun. There are always going to be a ton of things to do around the house, but you gotta learn when to set those aside and focus on the fun things in life. Today we ran with that thought and tried to do every fun thing in town.

First we went to the waterfall. Adam jumped in a puddle of course splashing mud all up his back, but we found a millipede and Alex learned he hated the place. Next up Casa! Fajitas for Mandy, cheeseburger for  Adam, nuggets for Alex, and low cholesterol Bill got Mexican rice with grilled shrimp and vegetables on top. Next up free ice cream and a walk down by the river to see the Indian Tee P's. That lead to Adam wanting to go to the dips which are a series of hills in Sheffield that make you feel like you're riding a roller coaster. Two rides later and we were ready for a quick walk at the new River Front park pier which Mandy hadn't seen before, but Adam and I fish off of sometimes. After a quick stop to pick up the Gigi, Adam and I went see the most awesome superhero movie of all time The Avengers while the rest of gang went shopping! Adam wore his Ironman costume and every person that walked by told him how cool he was! He even clapped a few times as the HULK took care of business. Last but not least a trip to the grocery store to get some cholesterol free foods then home to crash.

From start to finish we visited 3 different parks, saw one 2 1/2 hr movie, and were gone from 10 this morning to 8 this evening.

The Occasional Withdrawal

I'm not going to lie Thursday was a hard day. I'm not naive enough to think that the tests were going to come back 100% perfect, but I didn''t really expect the hammer to be dropped either. It's only been a couple of days and I'm trying to make changes. I'm taking it seriously and I'm getting a ton of support from those around me. Mandy could not be a better wife. Soooo supportive. Anyways I'm trying to watch what I eat but it feels like someone else has different plans for me at times; take yesterday for example.

It was Field Day at Adam's school and we met him for lunch. Mandy asked if I planned to eat there or get something after and I couldn't help but think of what he normally gets for lunch i.e. vegetables, juice, turkey slices, etc....instead what's on the menu? Hot Dogs and potato chips. Can you believe it? I did the right think though and passed, opting to head over to Zaxby's for a grilled chicken sandwich. Figuring I'll grab some baked Lays and a bottle of water at the office, I just ordered the sandwich.

"I'd like the grilled chicken sandwich, plain with no tomato"
"You don't want the meal?"
"No thanks just the sandwich"
"Would you like something to drink with that?"
"That's okay. Just the sandwich."

As I'm walking out I notice the bag is kinda full so I stop to find out why and...I got free fries! Now a week ago I would have stopped right there in the middle of the restaurant and Tim Tebow'd as I thanked the Lord for my good fortune. Things are different now. I'm playing by a different set of rules. As I stand there staring at the fries, I notice my friend Kenny Ford who was aware of what I'd been going through the last few days sitting nearby and I explain.

"Kenny! Free fries! They gave me free fries!!!"
"That's okay. Eat them"
"Kenny! Dude we talked about this last night these could kill me!"

That's when Kenny open up the gates of wisdom and poured forth a bit of gold.

"Bad food is like borrowing money. If you go to the bank everyday and borrow money soon you'll be broke with nothing to show for it but heartache. But if you go to the bank one day a week to borrow money, it won't hurt you because you've been depositing money into it all week."

So I ate those evil fries and today I passed when they were offered again. Thanks Kenny!

The Results Are In!!!

As if I needed yet another reason to hate tests (I'm horrible at them), the results from my physical are in and the blood tests weren't good. Seems I am not the perfect specimen of a man I once was. As of this afternoon at roughly 1:00 central time, I have turned into Heathcliff Huxstable. Not the cool Heathcliff from the earlier years that always had a smile and a funny story to tell. Sadly I'm the older version that had to sneak around with a footlong hoagie hidden in his gym bag and slices of apple pie under a Tupperware container full of lettuce. The difference being the earlier was happy because he was eating whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted it and the later was forced to live off rabbit food. Just so you the reader know the extent of my problem here are the official results:

Total cholesterol ---Mine was 258


Normal: below 200 mg/dL

Borderline high: 200–239 mg/dL

High: 240 mg/dL and higher



LDL cholesterol ---Mine was 165

Normal: below 100 mg/dL

Borderline high: 100–129 mg/dL

High: 130 mg/dL and higher



HDL cholesterol ----Mine ws 42

Normal: 60 mg/dL and higher

Borderline low: 40–59 mg/dL

Low: 40 mg/d and lower



Triglycerides ----- Mine was 255

Normal: 150 mg/dL and lower

Borderline high: 150–199 mg/dL

High: 200 mg/dL and higher

As you can see I'm high in ever category. Goodbye pizza, bacon, pretzels, burgers, and pretty much any chance of eating real food ever again. Very bummed about this.

The Results Are....Coming Tomorrow

Unfortunately not much to add to last night's post other than I don't know anything and I'm back to eating junk food now that I know my heart is okay. Still though they want me to wear a monitor which the insurance company ok'd today. I figure I will schedule the appointment once the blood and x-ray results show up. And I'm not entirely on the junk food, I just sorta fell off the wagon tonight. 3 cookies. However I did eat a grilled chicken salad for dinner with dressing on the side...and bit of Lex's chicken tender...and a couple spoon fulls of ice cream. Sounds like somebody needs will power.

Let's Get Physical

I hate the title of this post, but couldn't shake it. Much like the song of the same name that won't get out of my head. I hate going to the doctor too (no this is not my grouchy smurf impression). Actually it's much more than that. Not a hate based on fear, more so a hate centered on the fact that some where deep down in my psyche it means I've given in to the pain and must admit I'm not an over grown muscle head (which you'd think one look in the mirror would rectify). Going to the doctor means I'm not able to tough it out. On a separate level going to the doctor also means that I'm putting actions behind my ache of the day.

The ache of the day could be back pain, maybe a cold, stiffness in the neck, a possible return of the gout. Very seldom could I honestly say nothing hurts. I don't walk around complaining all the time mind you, but there is typically a daily internal battle going on as to whether or not it really hurts that bad or am I just exaggerating. The point to all of this is that today I went for my first physical. Not a "turn your head and cough" physical more like an "lets just make sure you're still breathing properly" physical. I've been having chest pains for a week. I'm not falling over three times a day grasping my chest or anything. What I've been feeling is more like a spasm at times and an ache at others. Nine times out of ten the left side of my neck hurts so I've been writing it off as an extension of that. Yesterday morning there wasn't a pain of the day and yet the spasms were still there and so were the aches. Mandy didn't have to push too hard to get me to make an appointment.

It started with my shirt off. Scratch that....it started with me not being able to eating anything after 6:30 this morning. I'm hypoglycemic so come 2:00 this afternoon things were already kinda fuzzy. The EKG was first and that's where taking my shirt off came in. I think that was the first women to see me with my shirt off since 1997-ish when I started dating Mandy. I tend to swim with a shirt on. No sense in flaunting what I got. As the electrodes were placed all around I fully expected to flop on the table like I was going into cardiac arrest once the kicked the juice on. Instead nothing and honestly I was kinda dissapointed....

Next up I had to describe all that was wrong which included an explanation on why I waited a week and how I'm fully aware that I'm mental. The EKG came back fine and then came the hints that it my by my gallbladder. I'm going to try not to offend a few people here, so this is me treading lightly.....gallbladder surgery is the medical equivalent of Air Jordans. Jordans used to be huge!! Even last year people were lining up a week a head of time to give $200-$300 bucks for a pair of shoes. I remember in high school kids were "Do you have your Jordans? Are you gonna get Jordans? Check out my Jordans? Love my awesome Jordans!! They make me jump higher!!" That's how I see gallbladder surgery. I'm the only one that still has mine and everyone I know won't shut up about how awesome it is not having one, until of course lunch time comes around and they see me eating an entire large pizza with 50 toppings on it. Oh and pooping at a moments notice just doesn't sound like the thrill ride some of you are making it out to be. 

Still though there is the spasm (flutter) problem.....so they poked my right side so deeply their finger came out my left side then asked if it hurt. Which of course it did, kinda like falling a fence post would except I was left looking at the lady with the thought that now was the time to see her diploma from an accredited college. My blood pressure was the lowest it's been in a long time so no talk of a daily pill. Then there was talk of making me walking around with a heart monitor for 24hrs, but insurance had to approve it first so that idea was tabled. Finally I had three large vials of blood, two x-rays, and any hope of them not finding something wrong from me taken and was sent on my way pending results....to McD's where I enjoyed my first bite in over 9 hours in the form of a double quarter pounder with fries and a coke.

Our Star Student Of The Week

Adam is the Star Student of The Week for his class. As part of this awesome achievement he got to take several pictures to show off at school. He also had a form to fill out that tells all about who he is.

Name: Adam Beck (He got this one right away!!)
Age: Six (This one was a no brainer too)
Siblings: Brother Alex 2 years old
Favorite Color: Orange (War Eagle!!)
Favorite Subject: PE (His first answer was outside. It took a minute for us to convince him this was not an actual subject)
Favorite Food: Daddy's grilled cheeseburgers (Take that Clown & King)
Favorite Book: Harold and The Purple Crayon (This one was a close first to his original answer of Star Wars 3D)
Favorite Movie: The Adventures of Tin Tin (For five minutes he kept pushing us to put down The Avengers, but since it hasn't come out yet we didn't think he could technically call it his favorite)
Hobbies: Play outside (had to get that in there), ride his tooter scooter (he calls it this after something he saw on Wow Wow Wubzy), golf, ride horses (something apparently he's very good at)
What do you want to be when you grow up: A Power Ranger (that's a story for later on in the week)

Presenting William Bryant Beck Jr

Many of you may not know this but my dad is a genius when it comes to photography. On a daily basis he takes some of the most amazing shots I've ever seen in my life. I know I'm a little bias, but you have got to check out some of his work below. For more visit him on his facebook page under William Beck. Click on the images below for a better look

Yea Mommy Did It!!

"Alex! Mommy is trying to use the bathroom. Please leave and close the door back!"
"Hmmmm...Mommy got potty?"
"Yes Mommy go potty, please go!"
"Yea Mommy did it!!!"

We Can't Forget.....The One Year Anniversary

Spider (Little) Man!

For a week we heard all about it. Adam's heroic deed in front of the entire class
"There was a huge black spider! Everybody was scared of it!!"
"I wasn't scared of it! I just went over there and stepped on it."
"Mrs. Wallace patted me on the back and said "Good Job!"

Every time we were outside it was brought up.
"Did you know I killed a big black spider yesterday?"
"I just went up there and stomped it."
"Good thing I don't see any big black spider's out here. I'd run up and jump on it. Yes sir"

This morning....
"Dad there's a big black spider in the bathroom!! Come get it! Come get it! Come get it!"
"Adam I thought you were the spider slayer? What happened to stomping on the next one you saw?"
"Well I didn't know I'd see one in the bathroom."
"What about Mrs. Wallace patting you on the back?"
"Mrs. Wallace isn't here Dad. It's getting away! Get it!!"

Could I BE Any More Preachy?

Tonight I gave the sermon that I published the notes to on Monday and for the most part it went pretty good. Being as my Grandfather Beck has been preaching for The Church of Christ for over 50 years, it does come some what naturally for me. I'm genetically engineered to have an above average ability to speak in public. Trained by the best, I don't typically get nervous and for the most part never worry about coming up empty with nothing to say. In fact most of the time there are huge chunks of time that I find myself missing when I review what I said afterward. The trick is to know your material and if you can't remember your notes, make sure the topic is something you are passionate about.

It never fails that at some point during the lesson I inadvertently throw the script out the window and do a little freestyling. One minute I'm talking about the dangers of serving things other than the Lord (Twitter, Facebook, Television, etc....) the next I'm proclaiming my love for Chandler Bing and how thankful I am that Friends is back on every night. Plus it's hard not to get up there and proclaim myself a complete fraud who has so many flaws to get off his chest that class will be starting a little later than usual tonight.

In another life maybe that's what I'm doing; preaching the Gospel three times a week. In this one though I'm continent at having my say when asked.

Best Of Blockhead: I'm Such A Potty Mouth (January 9th 2008)

Everyone seems to be talking potty training lately. Weird Girl has been trying for some time now with mixed results:

"Wednesday - almost all day successful tinkling in the pot when I took him in.  I think there was a turning point when, at one point, he started to go on the floor and he shut that valve off and walked to the potty instead! Yeah, baby!  However, I did/do have to remind him to go.  He wouldn't tell me when he had to pee."

It's no secret that after 22 months of changing dirty diapers, I still can't stand the smell and regularly pull my shirt over my nose choosing the smell of my own BO over what I'm about to be wrist deep in. This is such a predictable habit that if I don't do it Fred starts pulling my shirt up to my face for me. Still even though diapers aren't cheap and supposedly it's every parents dream come true the first time they make it out of Target without having to fork over $30 bucks for them, I think I may prefer diapers when compared to the alternative.
Lucy bought Fred a potty (or poop bucket as I like to call it) for Christmas for a number of reasons. The first being that he now can be seen entering a room with a fresh diaper in hand saying "My boot. My boot." on a regular basis. The second reason is he's moved up at the Hill and his new teacher insists he'll be potty trained in 6 months. Now they did say this was an option, but everyone else is learning and we can't very well expect him to use a potty at school and a diaper at home just because we don't want to clean out the bucket. I have a cat, which means I already have one poop bucket to clean and I think 2 may be over my "Poop-Buckets-To-Clean" quota.
Another thing that has got me stumped is how are we supposed to know when he has to go? Let's face it, I forget to go sometimes and I've been practicing for 30 years. That's why I keep that "Cleanest and Most Convenient Bathrooms In Town" map in my head. No matter where we go I always know where a good potty is just in case I have an emergency. It's not like he says "Hey! I'm about to wet myself!!!" Letting us know after the fact is great, but should we just pull his pants off and stake out the potty just in case? And if that's the answer, what if we get the origin of exit wrong?
I can just hear myself discussing the previous nights events with the folks at work the next day:
"Did you see The Biggest Loser last night?"
"Nope"
"That guy almost won a million bucks on Deal or No Deal"
"Missed it"
"What was the score of the game?"
"Didn't see it."
"So I guess ya'll rented movies?"
"Not exactly"
"So what did you do?"
"We spent a cozy night in the bathroom huddled around a plastic toilet looking for signs on Fred's face that could give us a clue as to whether or not he's about to go #1 or #2."
"Oh.um how did that work out for you?"
"Not so great. We are hoping the cat will have better luck teaching him to use the litter box."

Serving 3 Ways

I'm giving the lesson this Wednesday night at church so like everything else I thought I'd share this on Charlie too!

Lesson Notes 4/26

Serving 3 Ways

I. Thank you

a. Those To Serve

b. Lords Supper

    i. 10 on the table + 2 Alts + Talk=13

    ii. 2 for PM Lords Supper=15

    iii. 3 ushers for each Sunday Service=18

         1. 4mth rotation= 72 individual people

c. Prayer & Scripture

    i. 3 for each Sunday service= 6

    ii. 2 for each Wednesday service= 2

    iii. With 4 weeks in the month that’s 32 individuals

         1. Other than who is doing Lords Supper

d. 26 Individual helpers each week

II. Preachers Who Are Always Serving

a. Jack, Ben, MJ, MS, MB

b. How do they not treat the pulpit as a confessional

    i. Teaching by preaching their faults?

III. What does it mean to serve?

a. The movie Courageous

    i. Tragic event leads a father to reexamine his role in his family

       1. Joshua “As Joshua prepared the children of Israel for the land of Canaan he made it clear that first priority went to those with whom he had immediate and direct control: he and his "house."

       2. Joshua 24:14-15 “Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. 15 But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD”

b. What does it mean to serve?

     i. Def. 1. a. To work for.b. To be a servant to.

    ii. 2.a. To prepare and offer (food, for example): serve tea.b. To place food before (someone); wait on: served the guests a wonderful dinner.

    iii. 3.a. To provide goods and services for (customers): a hotel that has served tourists at the same location for 30 years.b. To supply (goods or services) to customers. See Usage Note at service.

    iv. 4. To assist the celebrant during (Mass).

    v. 5. a. To meet the requirements of; suffice for: This will serve the purpose.b. To be of assistance to or promote the interests of; aid: "Both major parties today seek to serve the national interest" (John F. Kennedy).

    vi. 6a. To work through or complete (a period of service): served four terms in Congress.b. To be in prison for (a period or term): served 10 years for armed robbery.

    vii. 7. To fight or undergo military service for: served the country for five years in the navy.

    viii. 8. To give homage and obedience to: served God.

    ix. 9. To act toward (another) in a specified way: She has served me ill.

c. Who are we serving?

    i. The iGroup?

        1. iPhone, iPod, iPad, iTouch

    ii. Music

    iii. Facebook

    iv. Twitter

    v. Television

    vi. Alcohol

    vii. Drugs

    viii. Money (Too much time at the office)

d. How much more clearly does the Bible have to make it?

        1. Joshua 24:14-15 “Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. 15 But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD”

    e. Who are we serving when we spend all night watching TV? Texting? Playing Words With Friends?

    f. What would our lives be like if we spent as much time serving God as we did serving other things?

    g. As men we are supposed to be the spiritual leaders of our families. Are we?

    i. Are we the ones that are setting the spiritual examples like Joshua or are we being dragged to church by our wives, by our children, by guilt, by fear of what people might say if they don’t see us walk through those doors?

        ii. Nobody expects us to be perfect. I fail at this all the time

       1. Making Christ your Lord and Savior does not mean you will never sin again, but it does mean you will never be comfortable with it when you do.

    h. If you feel you are not serving the Lord the best way you can or if you are not the Christian example you should be for those around you, come as we stand and sing.

To The Parents Of Alex Beck

To The Parents Of Alex Beck,
             Unfortunately it seems that Alex has had a very bad day and we must tell you all he has been up to. Alex has been misbehaving all day long and was sent to time-out three different times. The first thing he did was pick up a plastic frying pan from the toy kitchen, walk over to a nearby child, and whack him over the back of the head (Mandy, this is surely something he saw you do at home. lol). Next he decided that the child sitting next to him was way to close for comfort and hit him until he moved. Last but not least Alex took a toy away from another child and kicked them in the leg, apparently he has not grasped the concept of sharing.
             We love Alex to death and hate that he had such a rough day. This really isn't like him at all and are worried that maybe he just didn't feel well today. Still, we felt we needed to say something to you considering how much trouble he was in.

If we can help in any way,
Mars Hill Bible School

Pepper Ponderings

We were out junk'n today and came across this framed picture. Honestly the thing fascinates me on sooo many levels the first being on a parental one because I cannot understand how "Mommy" could throw away artwork from her little Pepper.  You put it in a box under the bed where you can easily get it so you can add the weeks latest masterpieces. Frame it sure, but don't donate it to the junk store. If you wanna give the frame away fine, but at least take the picture out first.

Now judging from the picture Pepper was a boy, but I see pepper more as a short red haired girl. A tom boy who loves to climb trees and go fishing with grandpa. I also see Pepper as a child with tons of potential. There is some awesome detail in the picture. Check out the lines in the trunk of the tree, the way the clubhouse is tilted to the left, Mommy is drawn very clean with a great fluid shape. Oh and the colors are spot on. Green grass, brown trunk, red shirt for Mommy with an orange one for Pepper.

Then I think about the date 4-20-2007 and wonder where Pepper is....maybe Mommy was a foster parent and this was Pepper's way of attempting to be close to her. Maybe Pepper moved on and "Mommy" didn't see the need to keep some picture from a foster kid she'll never see again. There could have been a fire and sadly nobody survived. As the fire fighter was sorting through the pile of debris he came across this picture in good shape and donated it to charity. Maybe Pepper's family got caught in a big storm that destroyed their home. The tornado sending their belongings hundreds of miles away where they were found and put in the goodwill box. Pepper and Mommy living to see tomorrow with nothing to hold on to but each other and their faith in God.

No Mo Fro!!

Before

After

This is the longest I have ever let my hair get. I've traditionally had scalp problems, that all changed with the new house. The shower in our bathroom is like a pressure washer shooting out ferocious beams of water at break neck speeds. For weeks Mandy has been saying I look like a Golden Girl (it was a toss up between Dorothy and Blanche). My barber had mentioned how he had seen me out one day last week and almost dropped a business card on the table because he thought I may had forgotten who he was. While some of it was definitely done out of spite, for the longest time I was very happy with it and wanted to see how long it would get before I got tired of it. Finally I'd had enough and decided the only thing to do was go to the opposite extreme i.e. shaved with a three inch guard.

Best Of Blockhead: Showdown After Sundown (February 08,2007)

It is a cold and frosty night along the border between the den and dinning room. The only light comes from a single lamp off in the background. The two gunslingers now staring each other down have never been the greatest of friends and it seems a line has been crossed.

Baby Fred sits firm holding the cat toy in his hand like a lion tamer grasping his whip. Across the five-foot expanse ready to pounce at a moments notice, Buttons the 20lb cat can only think of one thing “That there’s my toy and I reckon I’m about to take it from ya.”

Lucy and I are motionless waiting to step in on behalf of the baby at the slightest twitch of a tail or crack of cotton whip. Neither side budges. Suddenly Fred swings the whip over his head “Whakish Whakish” “Chirp Chirp Chirp” goes the fake bird noise inside the cat toy. Button’s back legs start gearing up like the Road-Runner about to be chased by Wyle Coyote. It is now or never. If he backs away from this battle his reputation as the King of Everything Below 3 Feet would be forever tarnished. Dare he give up his seniority to this drooling, infant that doesn’t even know how to use a litter box? “Somebody must lose this contest young bottle drinker,” says Buttons as he inchs his front paws forward while arching his back.

Baby Fred isn’t about give up what he considered to be “his” new toy. Not only does it have a cool handle, but also just like his furry, tuna-eating counterpart, Fred just can’t resist the chirping noise. The stage is set. Who will make the move first?

In a flash Buttons leaps up out of his stance and is about to grab what was rightfully his!! Until in mid-air he locks eyes with the only thing that can stop his forward assault….DADDY!!

Heart broken and with nothing left to do but tuck his tail, Buttons turns around and decides to play with Lucy’s shoe instead.

There Fred sits basking in the glow of his victory. Swirling the cat toy around his head…but wait Daddy has other plans. “Let’s just put this up for now, Little Man. I don’t want the cat to eat you for dinner when I’m not looking.”
Disgusted all Fred can do is scream “WWWWWAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!”

That Thing You Do

I always thought it was funny how everyone on the show Friends knew that Chandler had a job they just didn't know exactly what it was. I still think this is one of the funniest running gags on the show mainly because I face the exact same problem every day.

"So how's work?
"Good. My spreadsheet on the latest payment trends is almost done"
"Ummm....that's cool.....I think"

"How'd it go today?"
"It was rough. The new price list I was waiting on still didn't show up. We are three weeks into the quarter."
"Wow...that's not good....I guess."

I seriously doubt that most of my own family members know what I do other than collect past due invoices. In fact while that definitely is what got my foot in the door, as an Accounts Receivable Supervisor I do very little collections and mainly spend my day fixing problems in an attempt to save the company I work for money.

Let's take today as an example of everything that went on:

* The morning always starts with cash being applied. This morning we received a large of amount of funds that didn't have an account that it could be tied to. Through out the day I spent time trying to figure out why this customer paid us for product I couldn't find they owed

*XYZ customer from Germany responded that we didn't actually ship their product under normal 60 day terms but in fact it went to a consignment (third party) warehouse and there was an entirely unfamiliar system that had to be gone through so we could get paid. Unfortunately XYZ couldn't tell us how this system worked even though they created it. This problem split off into a second problem involving trying to figure out if any other XYZ locations were also doing this.

*Customer ABC sent us a letter saying they were reorganizing and would be contacting us soon with a reduced payment plan for the balance they owed us. Anytime you hear payment plan and reorganizing you can bet the words bankrupt are not too far behind. Hours were spent trying to get as much unused product back as possible.

*Customer DEF wanted us to begin shipping to three dozen new locations each of which required their own individual accounts in our accounting system. Today I researched, tomorrow I implement. Goodbye Thursday morning.

It may sound boring, but it's what pays the bills and I'm good at it. Not the most interesting job in the world, but for the most part I enjoy it. It's nice to be able to fix things even if it is for a brief period of time. If you have trouble sleeping please bookmark this page for future use.

A Prayer Request

I don't normally talk about work for various reasons but tonight I feel called to speak about one person in particular that is need of our prayers. It was just a few months back that she found out that there had been a hole in heart her entire life. The moment it was discovered the surgery was scheduled and the damaged heart was repaired. This past weekend though my friend's life took another unexpected turn.

After having some severe chest pains her husband rushed her to the emergency room where they discovered several blood clots in her lungs. Today they learned that the clots may be tied to what they think may be a genetic disorder. The recent surgery caused the dormant disease to come to the surface. That hole in her heart may have been saving her life all this time by letting the blood clots pass and not being redirected to her brain.

While this is definitely a tragic turn with a still unknown outcome, it does go to show that we never know what God has in store for us. Today's health scare may turn out to be tomorrow's saving grace. Blessings come in the most unexpected of ways at times.

Please pray for my friend......

All NetGear'd Up

Gonna be a short post tonight. After weeks of going back and forth with AT&T about why I suddenly no longer had Internet service at home, I am finally back up & running. Oh but how have I been posting every night you ask? Every night I go to the far corner of the house also known as our bedroom and steal some stranger's vine nearby who doesn't seem to care or know their Internet is not password protected. Our router/modem went out two weeks ago and at first we were told the entire network was down in my area. This held water for a couple days until it still never came back on. Then we were told our router/modem went bad. First we replaced the plug which was the recommended course of action by AT&T then unfortunately we had to buy a whole new box. Luckily it was installed in minutes and so far I'm zipping through the web like never before.

New Home Favorites: Have Dirt Will Plow

Tonight's picture in the series on my favorite parts of the new house features the garden we planted today. Our next door neighbor plowed it a few weeks ago and we've been waiting for the perfect afternoon to get it planted. Today I raked it, hoed it, raked it again, and then the whole family got out to plant a ton of crops. If only half of it makes it to full growth we will have more than enough to feed the whole block. Just check out the list of what was planted:

*Two rows of cumbers
*Two rows of okra
*Seven tomato plants
*Two rows of green, hot, and salsa peppers
*Two rows of petite and rainbow carrots (Adam had to have rainbow carrots)
*One row of yellow squash
*One row of zucchini
*Four strawberry plants
*Two rows of sunflowers
*One row of cantaloupes
*Two rows of watermelons

Next week I'm thinking about planting an herb garden next to the house.

Below The Belt

I don't normally get pranked too easily, but tonight Mandy got me good. I've been complaining about my weight lately and that I was going to have to go on a diet. Tonight while in line for Zaxby's I'm sitting there in the car huffing and puffing to myself about what I've already eaten today and yet there I was still hungry. As I'm breathing in and out, Mandy slips her hand down, pops my seat belt and off it goes. Only I thought that I popped it off with my mega-belly so immediately I'm all "Good Grief I'm so fat I just broke the seat belt!!" She couldn't hold it in and just busted out laughing. It was all I could do to hush her so I could order a chicken tender plate.

Party Foul

I need to the tell the story the boy's birthday party before too much time passes. As I mentioned last Saturday, we could not have had a better time. The party which was Adam's 6th and Alex's 2nd was held at Gattman Park under a perfect sky with temps in the low 70's. The park was deserted except for the boy's friends from school and church. The funny comes from what was going on just a few feet away from where Adam was busy having a birthday blast.

It started with a text the night before from coach saying that a make up practice was going to be held at 9:00 the next morning at Gattman Park. We politely sent word that Adam wouldn't be able to attend never realizing the confusion that was about to be created. So there we go strolling into the park at 9:30 with plenty of time to get the decorations up when Adam shouts "HEY THERE"S MY TEAM!! WE ARE PLAYING BASEBALL TODAY!!"

What followed next was a series of questions from a very confused child followed by several awkward answers from two parents trying to handle a delicate situation.
"I thought I was having a party?''
"Um you are...."
"That's my team. I have a game first?"
"No....you are having a party."
"My team is coming to my party?"
"Well I guess if they want to. You don't really know any of them that well yet and all your friends from school and church were invited. That's like 30 kids that might show up."
"Sooooo I don't get to play with my team?"
"No but you get to have a birthday party!!"

Thankfully Adam got the idea after a few minutes and things were fine again until we stepped out of the van....."Adam we're over here!! We got your uniform! You're late, grab your bat."

Mandy flashed me a look that said "DEFCON 5 Emergency Maneuvers Must Be Taken!!" She grabbed the kids and rushed off to start decorating while I jetted in the other direction to have a few very awkward words with the coach who was standing on the pitchers mound. All the while praying silently that I would find the words to explain how we were not only skipping practice, but that a mere 50 feet away we would be having an amazing birthday party in which no one besides Adam's best friend Max who was currently playing first base was invited to; including might I add said coach's son.

"Hey I know you are in the middle of practice and I hate to catch you off guard here, but Adam's um...well that's his birthday party over there. Um....he didn't really know anyone on the team....I guess you guys could come by after....the odds of you picking this field out of the 100 around here are just mind blowing...um so yeah I guess...anyway that's why we are here..but we really aren't here....we're over there."

I remember Coach smiling and nodding his head, but for the life of me I was too embarrassed and so desperate to get out of there that I have no idea what he said. It must have been said with understanding because he did pop over for a few minutes after to deliver Adam's uniform.

Best Of Blockhead: Attack Of The Monsta Possa (From 5/10/10)

Up until a few weeks ago the closest I had ever been to a possum (other than running one over with my car) was staring out across the yard late one night at the Garfield house. At the time I swore I had scene an armadillo. That changed a couple weeks back around midnight as I stepped out onto the back porch and landed about 5 feet away from one. Shrieking like a little girl I let out an expletive and ran inside deciding immediately that the trash could wait until the possum free morning came.

Always one to have my back Mandy "encouraged" me to finish the task of taking out the trash knowing what lurked just out of sight. I banged and clanged my way to the trash making as much noise as possible in order to scare the beast away. This seemed to work except that in my haste to get outside and back I closed Buttons between the wood and screen doors. Once this was discovered yet another expletive was heard echoing through the neighborhood that night.

I quickly learned my lesson though. Don't go outside after dark and I won't have to face the giant possum (or possa as Adam calls it). Then last week at 5:30 in broad daylight as I was staring out the kitchen window the Monster Possa proved that I had more to fear than a late night stroll around the backyard. There it was just walking through the yard in broad daylight like a cat or dog except twice as big and with many many more teeth. Afraid to go outside at any time of day or night for fear the giant possa will attack at a moments notice I am have become the caged animal. Trapped in my own home scanning the terrain with every step. Fearing the MONSTER POSSA!!

Little Man Whoop Whoop

Tonight before church we grabbed some McD's and headed down to the river for a quick picnic. We found a great spot near some genuine indian tee-pee's that were set up and of course the kids had a blast checking them out. Alex kept running around going WHOOP WHOOP WHOOP WHOOP!

The Boys Of Summer

Adam's first game of machine pitch baseball was tonight and I was able to snap this pic before the game got underway. Nobody is more happy than me to see summer come around and with it hours spent in the backyard playing with the boys. The new house just begs for you to be outside enjoying the fresh air.

The game went really well considering there were 1,000 people there including Gigi, Nani, Baby V, Alex, and of course Mandy & I. Adam hit the third pitch thrown to him and that was enough to call the game a success in his book. A Big Jack & fry afterward sealed the deal on a perfect night.

Sunday Suppers

Looking to make something different, tonight we took a yellow bell pepper, a red bell pepper, an onion, some garlic, laid it all on top of some pork chops, and set it to bake for an hour. The result was more than I bargained for. When we stepped out for a good dose of yard work, what we were leaving in the stove was simply another in a long line of meals. What awaited us when we walked back in though was a trip to a far off land that I had not thought of in quite some time.

It hit me in the face the moment I walked in the door. The smell of onions and peppers mixed with a hint of garlic and the sweet smell of the pork. In an instant I was back in my Granny Beck's kitchen begging to see what smelled so good. The sound of rice boiling in the background, Grandpa in his recliner getting ready to teach the evening sermon. Soon the table would be filled with black eye peas, peppers & onions, a fresh salad, homemade pickles, some of the best tasting pork chops I've ever had in my life, and surrounding it all was the sound of laughter coming from a family that truly enjoyed spending time together. Those days are few and far between now, but if ever I were granted a wish it would be that someday we will all come together every night to sit around that table once again.

Happy Easter!!

Happy Birthday Boys

We had the boy's birthday party yesterday at Gattman Park, then a cookout at the house, then we died easter eggs, then topped it off with a hotdog roast late last night. Needless to say that's why I didn't post last night (posting twice today to make up for it). The kids had a blast, the park was empty except for us and 50 of our closest friends, and the weather was perfect! God has truely blessed with such great treasures.

Money Down The Drain

As long as I can remember back I don't recall ever living in a house with a garbage disposal. I've really never put much thought into it. Never had any sleepless nights staring at the ceiling wondering what life would be like had only I been given the chance to dispose of my trash in the sink instead of a simple garbage can. Never got the feeling that I would have been a better man had I simply been able to empty my food scraps into the sink.

Now that I have one though I'm not exactly sure it's adding any value to the new place. The first night it ate a knife which put it out of commission for three weeks. Then it sucked up half a pot of fresh spaghetti noodles there were going to be our dinner. Last night it almost took two dollars from Alex after he literally tried to throw money down the drain.

At this point I'm not even sure if it can be considered an actual appliance. It's more like this swirling black hole sitting in plain site destroying anything that gets sucked into it's twisting vortex of death. Somewhere in the back of my mind as I reach down into it to remove the latest object of it's affection, I imagine a location somewhere in deep space where a similar black hole sits swirling only suddenly my hand comes rushing out of the opening to grasp some unseen piece of space trash.

Best Of Blockhead: Morning Glory's (May 16 2010)

Now that there are four of us waking up on the weekends is always an interesting slice of life. For one thing the same people that have to be yanked out of bed by their toes Monday-Friday seem to come alive at the crack of dawn on Saturday. I'm speaking of course about Adam. I'm the oposite. Alert by 6:15 during the week and still walking around like a zombie at 10:00 a.m Saturday. Now that Alex has come along, mornings around the house tend to fall into three varieties.

1)The sun is barely peaking through the blinds, the birds are chirping, a feeling of quiet calm covers me like a blanket. I resist opening my eyes for as long as I can, but eventually I take a peek to see what time it is....wow 9:00 a.m. Adam must have fallen out of bed and knocked himself unconcious or has run away from home....either way it looks like Alex and Mandy are still sleeping too. So I just lay there and enjoy the silence as long as I can.

2)The sound of something crashing to the ground jolts me out of a deep sleep. As I open my eyes I halfway expect there to be pieces of airplane wreakage laying around me as if I've woken up on LOST beach. Suddenly Adam yells I DON"T WANT TO CLEAN MY ROOM! I'M HUNGRY! The island is angry this morning. Mandy runs into the room with Alex screaming his head off. "Alex needs to changed, I'm about to beat Adam within an inch of his life if he does not quit whining, the kitchen is a mess, my mom is bringing breakfast, and I've have got to go the bathroom. Take the baby." Things are happening all around me too fast for me to even register them. The phone begins ringing. Baby in my arms I manage to make it before the machine kicks on. The doorbell rings. "Hey mom, Gigi is at the door with breakfast, I have no idea what we are doing today. I just remembered who I was. Got another call, Hi Granny" Can't go the door cause I'm in my underwear. Adam takes off running for the door, but it's locked so he starts yelling at her through the door "I CAN'T OPEN IT GIGI! DID YOU BRING ME A CHICKEN BISCUIT?" I put the baby down, he starts whaling again, I drop the phone, grab some shorts, a shirt, all the while trying to remember where I left my keys so I can unlock the deadbolt, trip over the cat on the way down the hall barely stopping myself and Alex from rolling through the house. The day never stops from there.

3)I hear a pounding sound coming from the other side of the wall. Adam is up and going through his closet for some reason. Good he's letting us sleep and playing in his room. He comes in a few minutes later. 'Can I wear this?" Without looking I say yes. Honestly I have no idea what time it is or what he's holding up, but sleep is my only priority. He returns moments later "Can I lay on you?" I say yes, get a few jabs in my ribs as he climbs up, but I think it's sweet he wants some attention. Plus I might actually get to go back to sleep. Alex is between Mandy and I so I put my arm around Adam so he doesn't roll over on him. That's when I get the finger in my ear. Laughing hysterically Adam has decided wrestling is more fun than sleeping. I go to swat him off and he almost falls on Alex. I catch him and get another finger in my ear. My child is kicking my A@# and there is nothing I can do about it. I plead to Mandy "Adam won't quit picking on me." Without opening an eye she whispers "Boys go play in the other room we are still trying to sleep".....looks like us boys will have to find breakfast ourselves.

Mug Shot

Adam got me a brand new mug this past weekend replacing my 100 year old Starbucks mug that looked like the real deal cardboard cup, but was actually glass. Love this one so much more!

New Home Favorites: View From The Couch

Another of my favorite parts of the new house are the French doors that open up to the backyard. Combined with the attic fan that is installed nearby, the result is a breeze that creates a slice of heaven. Soon the smell of fresh flowers will be coming through; plus once the pool is fixed I may never want to take a vacation anywhere other than my living room ever again.

Kiddie Continues

Adam and I are watching Ninjago last week. It's a normal episode till the end when we were hit with the TO BE CONTINUED closer. Apparently there is a major season finally coming up next week in which one of the major characters won't make it and I'm on the edge of my seat because....this is the dumbest thing I've ever seen!!

We are talking about a cartoon for six year olds!! Not an episode of LOST where actual fictional lives are in danger every week. Yes I'm smart enough to realize this is all a marketing campaign tied to some toy line, video game, exclusive DVD release that are all timed to come out together and spur millions of zombie Ninjago kindergartners to steal money from their parents, hitch a ride in the back of a pickup truck under a sack of potatoes, and put money in the pockets of some corporate fat cat.

I just remember when cartoons didn't come with commitments. Jerry cracked open the fridge, took out the cheese, Tom showed up, swallowed a bowling ball, end of story. We never had to hold our breath for a week while waiting to see if Bugs Bunny would regret making that wrong turn at Albuquerque only to find himself in the starving clutches of Elmer Fudd for the last time. Bugs simply put his finger in the mussel of the gun, it exploded it Fudd's face, and it was back on the road for Bugs.

New Home Favorites: The Boy's Bathroom

I haven't posted pictures much here on Charlie in a while and some of that is because I don't get the security that I would by posting them on Facebook where to a larger degree I can select who sees my profile. From the very start of this blog I've always been concerned about photos and their use. That being said, one thing I am going to start doing to celebrate our new house which we are absolutely in love with is taking smaller shots of my favorite parts as they come together. The above is one of my fav's from the boy's bathroom. The room is done in ducks with baby blue paint, white tile, and Mandy has really done a fantastic job giving it a classic boy look. This chatter box was made by Mandy's great uncle Joe and is perfect for showcasing rubber duckies (and of course bubble bath Spiderman).