Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Pool

When I was young, I always wanted a pool.  We lived in the middle of nowhere.  We had 2 neighbors and one house down the road a bit.  Of the 4 houses we were the only ones without a pool.  I felt so deprived.  Truth is I grew up very, very spoiled.  A pool was pretty much the only thing that I wanted that I didn't get.

That memory drove me.  I was pretty sure that I would have a pool as an adult.  1. I wanted to satisfy that desire and 2. because I wanted to spoil my kids.  Two summers ago we finally bought one.  It was a surprise for the kids.  We bought the pool during the week that they were all away at summer camp.  They loved the pool.  For the rest of that summer we could hardly keep them out of the pool.

Last year was a different story.  For what ever the reason, I had to threaten or bribe the kids to get them into the pool.  I think the primary complaint was that they hated having to put waterproof sunscreen on before getting in.  I also think they got bored in the pool with just the 5 of us, or some subset variation.  It got so bad that for the last month or so of the season, I had trouble keeping the pool from turning green.  The water was too stagnant; not enough water churn.

This year, I hope to have better usage of the pool.  We need to make a better effort to have friends over to swim with us.  If you read this and are our friends, you ARE invited.  Feel free to call if you want to come over.

Hopefully the pool will be open in a few days.  I plan on putting everything together, filling with water and adding the opening chemicals tomorrow night.

Friday, May 27, 2011

Camping

We're going camping.  I love to camp.  I hate to camp.

When everything is going right, camping is one of the purest forms of enjoyment that there is.  Two years ago we went camping over Memorial Day weekend.  Just about everything went perfect.  The weather was great.  Cook Forest State Park was beautiful.  We all caught some trout and cooked it up.  We met some camping neighbors who were a lot of fun and who have kids the same ages as ours.  It was the absolute best camping experience that we have had as a family.

The previous camping trip was almost the complete opposite.  We arrived at the camp grounds in Tionesta on Friday night.  We unpacked the truck and set up the tent.  Then it started to rain.  It rained non-stop until Sunday morning... just in time to take down the tent and pack up to head home.  The showers and restrooms were absolutely disgusting.  The only saving grace for that trip was that we spent most of the day Saturday at Tammie's aunt and uncle's house in town.  Their whole family was home for the holiday so we had some great company.

The time before that, we went to Coopers Rock State Park with some friends.  The first day there was pretty nice... until the niece of our friends (who was on the trip) was discovered to have lice.  The second day there was a decent day until it started to rain that night.  It rained so hard that night that our tent sprang a leak and we (and our stuff) were getting wet.  One of our kids was very young at this point and she cried all night long.  We woke up early on Sunday and packed up in the rain and headed home soaked and wet.  This was the absolute worst experience that we've had as a family (camping or not).

So what will this trip be like?  It almost depends on the hour that you check the weather.  One report says sunny and hot (near 90) all weekend.  One says 20 - 30% chance of rain all weekend, but sunny otherwise.  One predicts scattered thunderstorms over the weekend.  And one even predicts 40 - 60% chance of rain every day of the weekend.  So what will we get?

One thing, those friends that we met 2 years ago will be there this weekend and we'll be camping next to them again.  We have cots this year' my back will be very happy.  I have a shade canopy that is large enough to cover our tent, so if it rains we should be able to stay dry.  I have packed my huge tarp, which I now always bring to hang between trees over the tent in case it rains hard.  So we should be comfortable if it rains.  I'm just hoping that it doesn't.

I love to camp.  I'm just not sure that camping loves me.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Headaches...

I am working hard at getting healthier.  I've been running, playing basketball and playing racquetball.  Probably some time soon, I'll be adding some weight training.  I'm also working at giving up caffeine and artificial sweeteners.  Finally the last thing that I am working on is lowering my triglycerides.

In the past, I have had high cholesterol issues.  Last week at a health fair at work, I had my lipid profile tested.  The numbers were closer to being normal than they've been in a long time.  Basically if I can get my triglycerides in check, the other numbers will be in the normal range.  That's exciting to me.

But I'm having a problem with headaches.  Usually that would be normal for someone giving up caffeine.  Except that I made it through the whole weekend with no caffeine and no headaches.  The last 2 times that I had horrible headaches have come directly after playing basketball or racquetball.  I can tell that the source of these headaches is in my neck and shoulder muscles.  As soon as I can get them to relax, the headaches go away.

Visiting the chiropractor helps because he twists my neck and puts electric stimulation therapy on the muscles that makes the muscles relax.  But I want to work my way away from the chiropractor.  I need to figure out what I do while playing sports that causes the tightness.  And I need to figure out how relax those muscles on my own.

Any ideas?

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Men Who Stare at Goats

Wow!  Could they actually make a dumber movie?  Answer -- I don't think so.

A few years ago we watched "Don't Mess with the Zohan".  Both of these movies are of a genre that we don't usually watch.  But every once in a while, we'll watch one of them.  The Zohan movie, though a bit crass, was actually funny.  But "Men Who Stare at Goats"... not quite.

3 words... Don't Watch It!!!!!

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Behind in Schedule

A few weeks ago, I set a goal to lose 10 pounds before my next wedding anniversary. Basically I've gained 10 pounds since I've started working at Dick's Sporting Goods, 3.5 years ago.  But I haven't been faithfully working at losing the weight.  I am down 2 pounds, but I'm also about half way to the target date.  I need to get working at it.  To get to my goal, I'm going to have to get really serious with diet and exercise.

Well tonight I did a good thing.  We took the kids to a birthday party at Krispy Kreme.  They had free donuts.  I spent the entire hour and a half there and didn't have a bite, even though I was extremely hungry.  Not only that, but I came home had a small dinner and then did 2 miles on the treadmill.  I realize that 2 miles on the treadmill isn't very difficult, but remember that I hate running.  It is good on my part that I am actually working on my goal.

24 days and 8 pounds to go.  I can do it.

Saturday, May 14, 2011

BBQ

Well, we grilled out again tonight.  Paige actually asked me to put my homemade BBQ sauce on her burger.  So I decided to try to mix a batch of it again.

In my first go round of it, I applied the ingredients to the meat individually every time I flipped the meat.  Tonight, I actually mixed all the ingredients together in a bowl.  It turned out quite tasty.

The first time around, I sprinkled minced onion spice and garlic salt on the meat.  Then I squirted and brushed on some Heinz ketchup.  But I still felt like something was missing.  I told Paige that every BBQ sauce needs one thing... something sweet.  Since Jacob had just made snicker-doodle cookies the day before, we just happened to have a mix of cinnamon and sugar sitting in a bowl on the kitchen counter.  It was the perfect final ingredient to the sauce.  I know, there is probably a real BBQ recipe out there that this resembles.  But the point is that I haven't read any of them, so this creation was all my own.  It was good enough for me and tasty enough for my picky kids.  Paige especially loved it.

So tonight, I made a sauce.  I put some ketchup in a bowl and sprinkled in some minced onion and garlic salt.  Then I added cinnamon (more than you might think to overtake the ketchup flavor) and sugar.  Stirred it all up and gave it a taste.  Yum!  But I wasn't finished yet.  I needed Paige's thumbs up.  I got 2 of them.  She loved her burger with Dad's BBQ sauce.

Next time I should probably take measurements for the ingredients.

Friday, May 13, 2011

A Tale of Two Dealerships

First things first... if you're in the market for a vehicle and Chevrolet is your brand, check out Washington Chevy and look up my friend Wil Barkey (http://www.washingtonchevy.com/).  Unfortunately for me, I don't like GM vehicles and will probably never buy one again.

This time around I was shopping around for 40 MPG.  Just about nothing else mattered, besides it not being a GM (or a Prius).  I had done some shopping around on the web and pretty much settled on a Honda Civic since the 2012 models boast an impressive 39 MPG.  For the record, a little over 3 weeks into owning the Civic and it is averaging 35.6 MPG, combined city and highway (mostly highway).  I'm pretty happy with that, especially when you consider that I was getting 16.5 in my truck.

So when I was looking at the Civics, I went to Washington Honda (http://www.washingtonpahonda.com/).  Before you go any further, my recommendation is... ABSOLUTELY DO NOT BUY THERE.  First off the salesman flat out lied to me.  I asked him about the other nearest Honda dealership so that I could find a specific color; I like black cars and they only had silver or blue.  Also, the model he was trying to put me in had leather interior.  The guy told me about the closest Honda dealership... one that was about 40 miles away.  I knew that there was one about 15 miles, or less, away.  So I asked him about South Hills Honda (http://southhillshonda.com/).  He told me that it was an Acura dealership.  I didn't call him out on it.

Then I stayed while they looked at my truck and worked up the numbers.  When it all came out, Washington Honda was $100 a month more than I wanted to pay.  I told the man thanks.  He said, "That's it?  We can't find middle ground somewhere?"  I told him that we were $100 off and that there wasn't a middle ground that made me happy.  So he let me walk out the door.  I was off to South Hills Honda.

When I got to South Hills Honda, I asked where the new Civics were.  They pointed me in the right direction. I walked out to them and saw a black one that didn't have leather interior (had all the other major bells and whistles, though).  I walked back to the sales room.  When a salesman approached me and asked if he could help me, I handed him all my papers (owners card, payoff statement drivers license, etc.) and told him to work me up numbers on a trade, my Titan for the black Civic.  He was a bit flabbergasted that I didn't want to take it for a ride.

So I told him about my experience at the other dealership and that, in my opinion, Honda had a black eye.  I also told him that they had 1 shot to hit it out of the park or I'd never own a Honda.  He was appalled about what had happened and said he'd do everything he could to make it right.  He had me tell the sales manager the story, who was shocked as well.  When the numbers came in they were only about $20, not $100, away from my target payment (the difference in leather and non-leather interior is only $1000 which is only about a $20 a month payment difference).  I told them that they were close and we'd have a deal if they could meet me in the middle... $10 a month difference.  They did.  The experience at South Hills Honda was very pleasant.  And... they have free inspections (for all of my vehicles) as long as I own my Honda... a pretty nice perk.

So if you're in the market for a Chevy, help out my friend Wil.  If you're in the market for a Honda, check out South Hills Honda and Ron Paree.  In either case, tell them that I sent you.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

To Be or Not To Be...

A few years ago, my sister-in-law told me that I was weird.  True that may be.  Actually she didn't tell me that I was weird.  She told me that I talk weird.

It might be a Pittsburgh thing.  It may be a Pennsylvania thing.  Maybe it is even more common than that.  She corrected me for dropping the phrase, "to be" from sentences.

I would say things like, "The grass needs cut."  When I really should be saying, "The grass needs to be cut."  I didn't even realize that I was doing this.

But now, I try to make sure that I say "to be" when appropriate.  But that's not where it ends.  Now it drives me nuts when I hear other people leave out those 2 little words.  It's like nails on a chalk board to me... and everybody does it!

Phew!  I got that off of my chest.  This blog needs posted.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

I forgot to mention...

Back in my blog post about OBL, I forgot one thing.

I am extremely thankful for the work of the Navy SEALs and ALL of our military, past, present and future.  I forgot to mention that in my previous post.  It was not intentional.  I have several friends and family members who either have served or are currently serving in the greatest military ever.  I cannot express my thankfulness for their service enough.  I live a great life.  My family lives a great life.  We are free to worship an awesome God.  All because of the men and women who heeded the call.

Proud to be an American... Land of the Free, Because of the Brave!

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Happy Mothers' Day

Epilogue: The [Mother] of Noble Character

10 A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica


I'm so blessed to have a Proverbs 31 wife!  My kids are so blessed to have a Proverbs 31 mother!

Friday, May 6, 2011

Just Call Me Angel

I love that car commercial (I think it is for the Toyota Highlander) where the parents were singing "Just call me Angel of the morning, Angel..."  That song is stuck in my head all the time.  Sometimes, I look for opportunities to just belt it out at the top of my lungs.

Last week, Jacob had a robotics class at Carnegie Mellon University.  While Nathan I were walking around the campus getting snacks for Jake and the rest of us, we were goofing around, joking around and saying silly stuff to passers by (mostly me).  At one point, I was a few steps ahead of Nate and as I walked passed a campus police woman, I said to her, "I think someone's following me."  She got a good chuckle out of it.  Nathan was pretty embarrassed by it.

Since he knew where we were and where we needed to go to get back to everyone else, he started walking ahead of me.  So I just kept saying and singing strange, punny things.  One guy heard our dialog (mostly a monologue with Nathan replying "Dad!!!!...")  The guy kept looking back and laughing.  Finally the 3 of us got to our building at about the same time.  Just before the guy entered the door, I started singing, "Just call me angel, of the morning."  At this point the man was completely in the building with the doors closed and we were still outside.  The man turned around, opened the door and sang with me, "Angel..."  Tammie and Paige saw it all happen.  We all got a good chuckle out of it.

Tonight the whole family went grocery shopping at Giant Eagle.  I was walking through in my usual manner singing along to the music that was playing on the store music system.  Paige was utterly embarrassed.  She was begging me to stop.  Finally Angel of the Morning came to mind so I started singing it.  Paige was really embarrassed.  So I took it one step higher.  I changed the words a bit.  Instead of:

Just call me angel of the morning ANGEL
just touch my cheek before you leave me, baby.

I was singing:

Just call me angel of the morning ANGEL
just brush my teeth before you leave me, baby.

or:

Just call me angel of the morning ANGEL
just floss my teeth before you leave me, baby.

Paige loved it and for the rest of the shopping trip joined me in singing it.

My kids complain that when I'm goofing around I embarrass them.  I think it's my job as a dad :)



Monday, May 2, 2011

Sad About Osama

Now, before you get all up in arms over the title of this post, just give me a moment to explain what I mean.  The events of September 11th, 2001 infuriate me, enrage me, sadden me and disgust me.  I am rejoicing that Osama bin Laden will never plot or cause such evil to occur ever again.  And, as an American and a patriotic individual, I want badly to rejoice that he has been killed and that 'justice has been served'.


But as a Christian, I am sad and I think I should be. If I am to live my faith out seriously and be consistent in my thinking, then I can never rejoice over any person who will spend eternity in Hell, separated from the Living God.  Scripture is clear that we all are created in the image of God and as such, we have intrinsic value.  Scripture is also clear that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God; we have tarnished that image-of-God-ness.  From God's perspective, we all deserve the same fate.  I am reminded that there, but for the grace of God, go I.


A friend of a friend shared these verses on Facebook.  They are verses that I can't ignore when they're inconvenient.


“Do not gloat when your enemies fall; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice.” – Proverbs 24:17

“As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live.” Ezekiel 33:11

“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” – Jesus, in Matthew 5:44



I am decidedly pro-life.  Yet, I am also pro-death penalty.  In my mind, I don't have trouble harmonizing these two seemingly opposing positions.  I don't think I can defend it adequately to convince anyone, but I'll give you a couple of my thoughts on it.


First, as I have already stated, we are all created in the image of God and therefore have value.  Second, if God didn't value life, then Jesus' life, or loss thereof, wouldn't mean anything for us.  Third, I believe that there is a line of depravity and disregard for human life such that when an individual crosses that line he/she forfeits his/her right to their own life (see Romans 13).  But even still, I am saddened by the prospect of another person spending eternity separated from God.


Another friend shared this link on Facebook today.  It is a better read than this blog and well worth the time.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2011/mayweb-only/osama-celebration.html