Wow...has it really been that long? I guess so. I've really got start writing on this thing more, else why am I taking up space? Fairly pretentious of me to think anybody wants to read what I have to say in the first place. Oh well...good for my soul anyway.
It's been a hard few weeks. Lots of stuff going on at work (as usual) and even more at home. I really don't even know how it happened, but we ended up buying 4 cars in 5 months. Crazy story...
Mid-May, I bought an old Honda Accord for Lillian, my daughter, to drive to work. Nice little beater of a car, and she liked it fine (car #1). A few weeks later, the Volvo wagon I was driving started having issues, so the wife insisted that I get more reliable transportation, so I got a little Scion (Toyota) to drive car #2). Rocking along just fine, until mid August, Lillian was in a fender-bender on her way home from class one day. She's fine, the other driver is at fault, his insurance will pick up the repair tab. Next up, the wife's diesel VW starts having issues. Into the shop it goes, and I am informed that the turbo is out (the same turbo I replaced 2 years ago for about $3500), and it will have to be replaced...again. Did I mention that the car was paid off in June? No go on the repairs and my better half decided not to throw good money after bad, so she drove home a new Jetta (car #3)
Next day, the body shop calls about Lillian's wrecked Honda. Too much money for such an old car, so it is declared a total loss. While waiting to settle with the insurance company, Lillian finds a car that she thinks she can afford, and here we go again (car #4)! Just how am I supposed to pay for all of this is still taking shape. I suppose every cloud has a silver lining, however. I settled with the insurance company on the Honda, and got the damaged car and $1700. The neighbor's son works at a body shop, and they were able to repair the Honda AND give her a new coat of paint for $1200. Middle child Chris, who just got a job, now has wheels, so everyone is good to go.
Anybody know of a large bank with little security?
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Sunday, August 22, 2010
It's been such a long time, I think I should be going...
I've been away for a while, but I'm better now...
No, I haven't been in rehab (you people, really!). I have just been really busy. I can't believe that this year is over half over. Mid-August, and I just got used to writing '2010' on my checks. Wait a minute, I don't write checks...well, you know what I mean. Lillian starts classes at UT-Arlington next Friday. Some of my friends that are teachers have already started back. Baseball is winding up the regular season, and football is starting to ramp up. It's still hot, but then again, this is Texas. Bummer, because I need to drop about 25lbs, so I bought a bike. It's too hot to ride before it gets dark at night, and I have to be at work too early to ride in the morning. Guess I'll have to drink lots of water and just suck it up.
Anyway, I just wanted to say that I'll be back here on a much more regular basis, so don't forget about me. I'll be cranking out the good stuff again pretty soon. Stop back by every once in a while...and thanks!
Love each other,
RD
No, I haven't been in rehab (you people, really!). I have just been really busy. I can't believe that this year is over half over. Mid-August, and I just got used to writing '2010' on my checks. Wait a minute, I don't write checks...well, you know what I mean. Lillian starts classes at UT-Arlington next Friday. Some of my friends that are teachers have already started back. Baseball is winding up the regular season, and football is starting to ramp up. It's still hot, but then again, this is Texas. Bummer, because I need to drop about 25lbs, so I bought a bike. It's too hot to ride before it gets dark at night, and I have to be at work too early to ride in the morning. Guess I'll have to drink lots of water and just suck it up.
Anyway, I just wanted to say that I'll be back here on a much more regular basis, so don't forget about me. I'll be cranking out the good stuff again pretty soon. Stop back by every once in a while...and thanks!
Love each other,
RD
Monday, May 17, 2010
Oz knows cool...
...or does he?
It wasn't too long ago when Oz thought that having a 'big ol Angela Davis fro" was the key to happiness. It wasn't too long ago that Oz thought that cuffed baggies was the ultimate in hip attire. It wasn't too long ago when Oz would not wear straight leg jeans 'cause he was sure they made his feet look big (they WERE big). It wasn't too long ago that Oz wore a vest with a jacket and tie, jeans and hiking boots. It wasn't too long ago that Oz had a Member's Only jacket and knew it was the shiznit.
Yeah, Oz knows cool...now. Cool is different than what Oz used to see. Cool is what makes you happy. Cool is what makes you be yourself. Cool is what makes you love and accept. Cool gives you the ability to really see folks for who they are, not what they look like. Cool is subject to change as one gains knowledge.
There's an old Tower of Power song that says "Hipness is what it is, and sometimes hipness is what it ain't". Cool ain't a job title. Cool ain't a bank balance. Cool ain't a skin color, a religious affiliation, or a particular preference. Cool ain't a car, a house, or a boat.
You want to be cool? Accept, love, give, enjoy, be genuine, really care, listen, talk. Smile and laugh really hard...do both often. Be a friend, help somebody, hug your kids, call your mama. Open up a little, take a closer look, be receptive, look for some positive.
Before you know it, you'll know cool, too...just like Oz. He has decreed it so.
Love each other,
RD
It wasn't too long ago when Oz thought that having a 'big ol Angela Davis fro" was the key to happiness. It wasn't too long ago that Oz thought that cuffed baggies was the ultimate in hip attire. It wasn't too long ago when Oz would not wear straight leg jeans 'cause he was sure they made his feet look big (they WERE big). It wasn't too long ago that Oz wore a vest with a jacket and tie, jeans and hiking boots. It wasn't too long ago that Oz had a Member's Only jacket and knew it was the shiznit.
Yeah, Oz knows cool...now. Cool is different than what Oz used to see. Cool is what makes you happy. Cool is what makes you be yourself. Cool is what makes you love and accept. Cool gives you the ability to really see folks for who they are, not what they look like. Cool is subject to change as one gains knowledge.
There's an old Tower of Power song that says "Hipness is what it is, and sometimes hipness is what it ain't". Cool ain't a job title. Cool ain't a bank balance. Cool ain't a skin color, a religious affiliation, or a particular preference. Cool ain't a car, a house, or a boat.
You want to be cool? Accept, love, give, enjoy, be genuine, really care, listen, talk. Smile and laugh really hard...do both often. Be a friend, help somebody, hug your kids, call your mama. Open up a little, take a closer look, be receptive, look for some positive.
Before you know it, you'll know cool, too...just like Oz. He has decreed it so.
Love each other,
RD
Friday, April 23, 2010
Wisdom? Geez, I hope not...
I had dinner with some friends last night. Actually, they were more in my sister's wheelhouse more than mine, but I remember them well, and we had lots of acquaintances in common. It was a great evening spent in the company of several very delightful people who I had not seen in a looong time. I was comfortable right away.
I watched my friends interact with each other, and it was really cool. It was a group of people that grew up in very diverse backgrounds, but somehow were able to put aside their differences and became close friends. Now, some 30 years later, thru a lot of trying and some very strange times, the friendship has not only survived, but seems to have flourished. They talked and laughed and told stories all night. I, of course, added what I could, when I could, and I think we all had a great time.
It really gives me hope.
Sometime during the evening, the concept of getting to know a person before forming a lasting opinion was brought up. Such a simple, yet often overlooked little piece of advice. I gotta tell you, there have been many people in my life that I was pretty unsure of at first glance. Fortunately for me, I was able to get past that and get to know the person behind that first impression. Some of those people are best friends now.
I'm getting older, and, hopefully a lot wiser. If I've learned anything, it's that first impressions are lasting impressions, but don't have to be the ONLY impression. Give people a chance, be honest with your feelings and genuine with your intentions, and people may just surprise you. You really can't afford to tick off anybody nowadays. You never know when you might need a ride home...
Love each other.
I watched my friends interact with each other, and it was really cool. It was a group of people that grew up in very diverse backgrounds, but somehow were able to put aside their differences and became close friends. Now, some 30 years later, thru a lot of trying and some very strange times, the friendship has not only survived, but seems to have flourished. They talked and laughed and told stories all night. I, of course, added what I could, when I could, and I think we all had a great time.
It really gives me hope.
Sometime during the evening, the concept of getting to know a person before forming a lasting opinion was brought up. Such a simple, yet often overlooked little piece of advice. I gotta tell you, there have been many people in my life that I was pretty unsure of at first glance. Fortunately for me, I was able to get past that and get to know the person behind that first impression. Some of those people are best friends now.
I'm getting older, and, hopefully a lot wiser. If I've learned anything, it's that first impressions are lasting impressions, but don't have to be the ONLY impression. Give people a chance, be honest with your feelings and genuine with your intentions, and people may just surprise you. You really can't afford to tick off anybody nowadays. You never know when you might need a ride home...
Love each other.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Long nights...impossible odds
Wow...what a day! 8 loads of laundry, replaced kitchen faucet, trip to the grocery store for supplies, cooked dinner, cleaned the kitchen after. I make one hell of a wife...
Lovely spring day today, but I wasn't able to enjoy a bit of it. My doc says my active vitamin D is low, so I could definitely use some sunshine. Most days I could be a vampire and not miss a beat. I usually go to work in the dark, and come home in the dark. Need to make a change. Think I'll spend my Sunday out in the man-cave, if I can get the tv to work again. A broken tv may be God's way of telling me to get off my lazy butt and do something. I know, a few hours reminding myself why I don't play golf more often. That would put me in the sun, but it's so HOT. Oh well...
Lovely spring day today, but I wasn't able to enjoy a bit of it. My doc says my active vitamin D is low, so I could definitely use some sunshine. Most days I could be a vampire and not miss a beat. I usually go to work in the dark, and come home in the dark. Need to make a change. Think I'll spend my Sunday out in the man-cave, if I can get the tv to work again. A broken tv may be God's way of telling me to get off my lazy butt and do something. I know, a few hours reminding myself why I don't play golf more often. That would put me in the sun, but it's so HOT. Oh well...
Friday, March 26, 2010
The 'Chalenge' Leaderboard-3/26/10
I'm working on a new home for the leaderboard, and it should be done soon...bear with me.
Winner Points
Ceanne 59
Lynette 39
Debra 31
Marcia 31
Glynna 23
Marie 22
Julie 11
Angie 10
Ann 10
Eric 10
Roger 9
Annette 7
Felix 7
Karoletha 7
Chris 6
Bill 6
Marla R 6
Adia 5
Karrie 5
Lillian 4
Jake 3
Cherrie 3
Marcus 3
Marla DR 2
Lisa 2
Shawn 2
LaDonna 1
Scott 1
Sharon 1
Christy 1
Winner Points
Ceanne 59
Lynette 39
Debra 31
Marcia 31
Glynna 23
Marie 22
Julie 11
Angie 10
Ann 10
Eric 10
Roger 9
Annette 7
Felix 7
Karoletha 7
Chris 6
Bill 6
Marla R 6
Adia 5
Karrie 5
Lillian 4
Jake 3
Cherrie 3
Marcus 3
Marla DR 2
Lisa 2
Shawn 2
LaDonna 1
Scott 1
Sharon 1
Christy 1
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
D.U.T.I. Leaders
***D.U.T.I Challenge Leaderboard***
March 23, 2010
OK, I've been threatening for a while, so here is the new board.
Winner Points
Ceanne 59
Lynette 36
Debra 31
Marcia 31
Glynna 23
Marie 18
Julie 11
Angie 10
Ann 10
Eric 9
Annette 7
Felix 7
Karoletha 7
Bill 6
Chris 6
Marla 6
Adia 5
Karrie 5
Lillian 4
Jake 3
Marcus 3
Cherrie 3
Marla DR 2
Shawn 2
Sharon 1
Scott 1
LaDonna 1
Christy 1
March 23, 2010
OK, I've been threatening for a while, so here is the new board.
Winner Points
Ceanne 59
Lynette 36
Debra 31
Marcia 31
Glynna 23
Marie 18
Julie 11
Angie 10
Ann 10
Eric 9
Annette 7
Felix 7
Karoletha 7
Bill 6
Chris 6
Marla 6
Adia 5
Karrie 5
Lillian 4
Jake 3
Marcus 3
Cherrie 3
Marla DR 2
Shawn 2
Sharon 1
Scott 1
LaDonna 1
Christy 1
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)