Emily, Scott and Jude arrived about 6:00 PM on Friday and we all immediately went to the GHS soap scrimmage. Immediately means after changing Jude's diaper. Young Joe played well. He plays first string defensive tackle and second team offensive tackle. That bothers him because he really believes he is better than the first team guy, who is a senior. You could really tell that he was playing with a lot of intensity while on offense. Many plays called for him to block a linebacker and he really fired off the line quickly. I don't think he missed a single block all night. After the scrimmage we went to Sister Sarah's for dinner. Joe 3 was on his way to another HS football game but he stopped for a few minutes. This morning Emily, Scott and Jude left for Minneapolis to se long time friends and they will be back here tomorrow (Sunday) evening and will be here until we all head for the farm. We'll see you all there next week. Stevo and Joe, we got Cathy's message about your finishing the painting. We are all grateful. Dad
Happy Anniversary Mary and Joe! Happy Birthday Molly! Thank you to all who painted! We're back, from vacation, and had a great time...we musta caught 150 fish! Today is a catch up day of laundry and yard work...the boys start school tomorrow (they missed 3.5 days) and they are surprisingly, excited...Mom is too! We are, also, happy to report that we did NOT get any water in our basement...woohoo! Have a great week, all! :-)
Re The fridge for the farm. As Nance said earlier we do have one in our garage that we are putting forth as an option. I've measured it and it will fit as far as width and height. From front to back it will stick out a few inches.
But, I think we need to also say that it is in "okay" shape. The ugly color aside it has a shelf that is precariously attached. One door shelf has lost the little retaining bar that keeps stuff from falling out so that door shelf is useless. There is some mold on the gaskets (which I'm sure will clean up).
I guess the bottom line on this thing is it "ain't pretty" and isn't in great shape.
Suggestion: I will go to a couple of the appliance dealers here in town and see what they have. Maybe we could get a good used one on the cheap. Maybe for as little as $20 each we could have a decent fridge.
What do you say?
Again - we are pefectly happy to bring ours. We've used it for leftovers and beverages for years. I just want everyone to know that it is far from perfect.
I'm all for buying one downin Leon. Having the dealer install it and remove the broken one. It doesn't have to be a spectacular one. Just one that works. It could be a Christmas gift or a thank you for hosting this event for so many years. If we all pitched in just a little we could get one.
Any way we do it, we're in. Would we be able to get one in Leon and get it delivered that weekend? Who will be there on Friday? Or, there's probably a Home Depot or Lowe's in Osceola, but then we would have to take the other one to the dump (the cost is only $15, but it has to be hauled there and they won't be open till Tuesday, I imagine, so it would have to be another time with a truck or trailer and storing the old one in the shed until we can take it) but the fridge itself might be way cheaper. If Tom finds a great deal on a used one - don't forget the size limitations! - at least we'll have one there this weekend. I guess it would be worth calling Leon and seeing what they have in stock and at what price.
We'll probably be coming on Sunday...not sure if that matters in regards to, "where," a fridge is purchased. Additionally, please let me know if yah want us to bring ours as I will need to give it a Clorox, "spit shine," before the weekend. Thanks.
Just got the tickets. Thanks so much. We'll call when we're approaching Ames and try to get a spot close to you.
All-
I just got back from vacation. The flight to Chicago took about nine hours due to some weather we had to maneuver around. For some reason, the plane didn't have those personal air vents. And when you're flying on a hot day with a bunch of Frenchies...let's just say it would have been nice to have them. It was getting a bit stuffy in the back of the plane. Things started to look up when they announced that the in flight movie would be Blades of Glory. But the video broke half way through the show. Seven hours left. And then a funny thing happened. The bathrooms started to break one by one until there were no more functional restrooms on the plane with two and a half hours left (and over 200 passengers). None of the toilets would flush and they were already filled with waste. Announcements were made including one from the captain who requested we only use the facilities in cases of extreme emergency and that nobody is allowed to go number two under any circumstances. The restroom aroma didn't help the stuffiness. Luckily, I had loaded up an entire season of Heros on my laptop and Jen and I were able to escape our current reality for half a season.
Don't get me wrong, the trip was incredible. I'd be happy to share stories over some beers at the farm. And I'm not complaining about the flight as much as I am astonished by how things kept on getting worse. It was one of those situations when after every announcement people were just laughing.
Anyway, I can't wait to travel again. See you all (most of you anyway) this weekend.
A few observations on the farm fridge fiasco. There are many fine suggestions and ideas and all deserve additional consideration. Tom and Nanc's offer to either donate their extra fridge or look for a used one (which we will all pitch in for)and deliver it in their truck is generous and a good solution. However it is alot of extra work for them and since they won't be coming until Sunday we will be using coolers and ice until then anyway. If buying a used fridge, will it have a warranty and how long will it last? If it was a great deal at a great price, then if it only lasted a few years it could still be worth it cost-wise but then there would still be the same old problem of replacing the fridge again. Monica's idea of buying one locally and making it a gift to Mom and Dad is also a great idea. It could be part of this year's Christmas present to them or just a "thank you " for all the great times we all have had at the farm. (By the way, Monica and Joe also offered to donate their extra fridge but it won't fit.) Buying locally might solve the problem of gettng it delivered and having the old one hauled away as Monica stated. The questions that come up regarding that is what will the price be (and is there a delivery and removal charge)and is there enough time before this coming weekend to arrange that? A delegation of would-be refrigerator replacers could go out shopping on Fri or Sat but that won't solve the problem of having it there for the whole weekend and who wants to spend half a day or more shopping for a fridge when we could be falling off bicycles competing in the Cash Farm Graveyard Games?
If we could all get by this weekend with coolers and ice then we would have time to adequatly research this problem, find the best fridge for the best price (complete with warranty) that will last a long time and get together to make it a gift to Mom and Dad. If anyone absolutely has to keep something cold in a fridge for an extended period of time (like medications or insulin) then perhaps someone with a compact fridge (like the kind used in dorms, etc) could bring it just for the weekend. We could all bring the kinds of foods that will keep well in coolers and ice (just like camping)and if a large quantity of meat is being brought, it can be packed in dry ice or just brought on the day it will be cooked. Likewise, any perishables can be purchased at Hy-Vee on a daily basis.
Home Depot, Lowe's, and Sears have great sales from time to time and we could watch for one of them to get a great price. Cathy and I bought our fridge from Home Depot while on sale which included free delivery and removal and when we went up to pay for it the cashier gave us an additional 10% discount coupon for in-store purchases whice made the total price only a little over $300.00. I don't know if we can get that good of a deal again but I saw some refrigerators that will fit that space on Home Depot's web site for $360.00. If we wait for a sale, perhaps it will be even lower and maybe get free delivery.
So if everyone can get by for one weekend with ice and coolers, we will have time to find and expedite getting a new fridge to the farm before any big future get-togethers. On the other hand, Tom and Nance, If you still want to bring your extra one down (and if it really is not too much trouble and you really don't need it) then it would be greatly appreciated and if we did get a new one then yours could be used until we do. Then if you don't want to take it back to Algona, it could be moved to the machine shed and be used to keep that extra "liquid refreshment" ice cold when we are all down there.
Happy B-day Molly...belated as it might be...Hope you have (had) a great day! Happy anniversary Joe & Mary! Hope you have a rest filled day without all the waterworks! Mike
Stevo's idea sounds great. We have a little dorm fridge I can bring down. By little I mean one that hold about 2 gallons of milk and a 12 pack of what ever.
As of this past weekend, the rural water supply had not been reconnected. You can shower, flush, etc (we washed dishes in it)but we chose to drink and cook with bottled water. Or the water in the big orange things we lug everywhere. Alan Norman said they tried to come last week but it was too muddy for them to drive where they had to go. Pray for drought. C'est la Vie!
Super Target in West Des Moines sells fish and bottled water. You can also buy dental floss, saffron, luggage, desk lamps, men's belts, Prozac and iPods there. Literally everything you could ever ask for. If I was a ghost, I would haunt a Super T. If Super Target was a girl, I would marry it. If Super T was a horse with a broken leg, I wouldn't shoot it. In fact, I would nurse it back to health like Seabuscuit. That's how much I love Super T. I love Super T because Super T loves me back.
The announcers on MNF are talking about how the rehabilitation of Michael VIck has already started. What a bunch of crap.
You ever notice that the majority of dog fighting happens in urban areas? Areas that typically do NOT have Super Targets. Coincidence? I don’t think so.
I think they're making too much of the dog-fighting thing. Repulsive and cruel, sure, but Vick participated in a deeply embedded south cultural activity. Depending on when he's sentanced he could lose 3 years out of the prime of his career, not to mention the hundreds of millions in endorsements he'll never recover. How many NFL guys are charged with assault, or beating up girlfreinds/wives or being involved in late-hours strip club shootings? Those guys participate in activities that are injurious or fatal to humans. They seem to skate compared to a guy who was cruel to dogs.
Yeah and how about the fact that as a society we can choose which animals are abused and which are not. What about catch and release? What about hunting? What about animals like chickens in little cages? He didn't think of those dogs as pets. P
Des - I think you're on to something here. If you connect the dots you will be able to see that Super Target (aka "The Man") won't go into urban areas because they don't want to supply backpacks to that segment of society.
Pat - Hunting is not abusing. If hunting was not allowed the greater populations of the game animals would suffer starvation.
Such as people who cram a billion chickens into one building. Such as people who catch fish and then release them. Such as people who have a billion cats in their house and get fined but don't go to jail for a year.
Vick spent years participating in a cruel and illegal activity. He planned, supported and was a central figure in an industry whose product was the gruesome death of animals. More importantly, this industry's side effects include thousands of injuries to humans, often small children, that do result in death. Dog fighting is a real problem in this country and I do think that Vick will go down hard to send a message. I support that. I also support Tank Johnson never playing anohter down of football in the NFL.
None of this would have happened if there was a Super Target in downtown Atlanta.
I agree that it's awful. I just think it's a huge class issue and we can be outraged bc it's not a form of cruelty to animals that is accepted by those raised in the wealthier classes. It's about a lot more than Michael Vick and this case.
I can never understand those animal rights types. Many are upper middle class or even wealthier. They drive to the rallies in their expensive imports and write big checks to PETA. While within a couple of miles of where they live is abject poverty. Kids going to school not having had breakfast or dinner the night before.
Yet, they get all up in arms about mindless chickens who live in a cage for 6 weeks. I don't understand how they can deem the welfare of a chicken to be more important then that of humans.
Michael Vick plays in a sport where millions of Americans watch (highly) paid 300-pound gladiators crash into each other at full speed, trying (whether anyone admits it or not) to damage each other. No value judgement implied, I'm just saying that what's one man's savagery ceiling is another man's floor. But, he darn well knew that whether he agreed with it or not, he was participating in an illegal activity with all kinds of corollary illegal activities and it was not a victimless crime. He felt that he had so much money he was immune to society's rules. I'm sure this whole thing has been a big shock to him and I hope the judge doesn't decide to give him the absolute max. On the other hand, I don't feel much sympathy for a guy who will lose millions in merchandising. Poor guy. Sell one of your mansions. Incidentally, the way we drive down to the farm, we take 34 to 25 and down to 2. At the corner of 25 and 2, there's some kind of animal facility (we think it's chickens or turkeys) that smells like death. I'm not kidding, it smells like the ninth circle of hell for vegetarians. I don't even really want to find out what they're raising in there because I would think about it every time I ate whatever it is. Surely we can do better than that. But just because you hate cruelty to animals and say so in a certain situation doesn't mean you don't care about people too. You have a right to get upset about whatever abuse is set in front of you.
Speaking of...did anyone else read over the weekend about whistleblowers in Iraq who have been detained, sometimes for months, by private contractors? Apparently, if you're Halliburton, you can send out some of your mercenaries to pick up American citizens who have tried to expose waste or fraud and imprison them and even subject them to "soft" torture like sleep deprivation and constant loud music and never face charges of kidnapping, assault, unlawful imprisonment or anything. All in the name of national security. I truly, honestly think Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Rove and their whole gang of CEO thugs should be right beside Michael Vick. Maybe he could make them fight each other to the death for the entertainment of other inmates.
As Cathy mentioned previously, as of last weekend the rural water is not hooked back up yet. Hopefully it might be done before we all descend to the farm for Labor Day weekend. If not, the well water and pump is currently hooked up to the house for flushing, showers and use in both sinks. It is not advisable to drink the water from the well at this time so a heads-up to all to bring drinking water in bottles and/or water from your tap at home in larger containers if you have one.
Milk and left-overs can be keep in coolers too.
Cathy and I are bringing a portable shower tent to be hooked up to the outside water hose for all those brave souls who don't mind a COLD shower.
Good news!! I just called the water company and they told me that the water was connected yesterday. Steve, does this mean that we will have to disconnect the house water from the well before we can use the commercial water? If so, the first ones there should probably bring some bottled water to use until Steve gets there. Also, Monica called and gave me the measurements of her old fridge. We spoke about taking ours to the farm and bringing her old one here, but it is just a little too high and a little too wide (a half inch each way) so it looks like the best option is to look for a used one in an appliance store there or to get a new one at a sale. Dad
That is great news. I will have to disconnect the well water from the house and reconnect the rural water supply as soon as we get there. Should only take about 10 minutes to do so. Then before drinking from the sink taps I think the pipes in the house should be flushed out. This can be accomplished by using the shower and sinks a few times for washing so as not to waste the paid-for rual water by just letting it run down the drain to flush out the system.
We can still use the well water for the portable shower tent.
The answer to that is yes. No mutt is going to get any of my Aquafina. Besides, my dog can chew on a rancid carcass and be happy as a clam. A little water with some spores in it isn't going to hurt him.
Cathy - I think you are wrong about pro football players wanting to hurt someone. Over and over you see when a guy gets a serious injury the opposing team, and especially the player who hurt him feels really bad.
They don't mind taking a guy out of a game. But, by and large they don't intend to inflict long term injuries.
The well water smells like death. Thank God the rural water is back!
Anyone else think of good graveyard game ideas? Joe and I thought, since it had to be fair between men and women, another intellectual test is appropriate. But it could be incorporated into something physical, like doing an obstacle course then completeing a timed-test of some sort.
Here's what really bothers me about dog fighting (like anybody cares)...
It's not so much the gruesome images they use for B roll on the nightly news (though they are disturbing). Just about every week we hear about some poor little kid on the South Side of Chicago getting attacked by a dog that was being raised for fighting. It often results permanent injury and occasionally even death. It just sucks.
What sucks even worse is that this sport is cool in a certain cultural contexts. Hip hop videos and other imagery show celebs/stars with Pit Bulls in tow. Though they don't show them fighting, it's assumed because those are the stereotypical dogs used for fighting (based on physical ability rather than nature - that's another discussion). And then some people think they can and should fight dogs without considering the residual effects of doing so - like what would happen to a little kid who was left alone with one of these animals.
Sorry. The NFL got so bent out of shape and apologetic after Janet Jackson showed her breast under the guise of being a "family sport". It just makes me sick to think that they let felons play.
i did an adventure race a couple years ago, and in between each physical portion there was an intellectual portion. at the beginning you memorized some numbers, then recited them after the completion. after the run they would take a cover off of about 30 objects, then replace it after 15 seconds an you would have to then write down as many as you could remember. stuff like that.
That sounds like something I could do badly at in all kinds of ways.
I have to say I am always cautious or even nervous if a dog running around loose has any resemblance to a pit bull and I'm not afraid of dogs at all.
I was exaggerating about the pro football players, although I think there are plenty who will go after the quarterback's weak knee or whatever and try to take him out of the game. I was really talking about their role as gladiators - warriors who battle for the entertainment of the masses to distract them from the ruining of their economy and trashing of their constitution by the emperor - and whatever that says about the savagery of humans in general. But, hey, how 'bout dem Bears, huh?
How about this for a mind bender? You go on vacation. You get a call from your manager that the electrician needs to replace a breaker switch. You say "thats fine". You get back from vacation and are presented with a bill for $1800. The part alone accounts for $1600 of that bill.
I called the parts place and they verify the amount of the part.
The real pisser is that I've had problems with this breaker a couple of times in the past and have been able to get it reset myself. So who knows if it really needed to be replaced or an over zealous electrician thought he was doing me and his sales line a favor.
Actually, I think the well water was OK to drink. Just not knowing for sure we used bottled water.
The last time the Richardsons came with us to paint, Gus the beagle showed up with the remains of some critter's entire hindquarter, very happy and proud. Any animal that eats other ripe-dead animals and their doodoo don't get no bottled water from me, not even store brands. Especially since they probably just had a long refreshing drink from the toilet.
Michael Vick - idiot. At least he's paying for his crime. Sort of. Now the bigger crime is listening to the announcers talk about Vick through an entire game. Dog fighting - obviously cruel. But in my opinion, a lesser offense than wife-beating or manslaughter. Catch and release - not torture. First, fish don't have nerve endings in their mouths, so hooks don't "hurt". Second, the average fisherman is very knowledgable about how to handle fish so they don't get hurt, they spend tons of money on livewells that keep the fish healthy in transport, and in large tournaments, they pay dearly for letting a fish die. The whole point of catch and release is to keep the fish healthy and reproductive. Fishermen are also usually quite environmentally savvy. They are one of the largest groups to spend conservation dollars. After all, they don't want the habitat of their favorite pastime getting screwed up. Hunters, also environmentally savvy. And that stuff is strictly regulated by fish and game laws. Games - I endorse physical activity/memory trials. How about something where you have to do three things all at once? Blindfolded... with one hand tied behind your back... Football players - yes, they want to hurt each other. But not permanently. Like Tom said, not in a career-ending fashion. It sure is fun to crush someone on the field, though. Competitive human (male) nature.
From cnn.com on the Senator arrested in Minneapolis:
In a statement released Monday evening, Craig denied any inappropriate conduct and said he regrets his guilty plea, which he entered without having an attorney present.
"At the time of this incident, I complained to the police that they were misconstruing my actions. I was not involved in any inappropriate conduct," he said. "I should have had the advice of counsel in resolving this matter. In hindsight, I should not have pled guilty. I was trying to handle this matter myself quickly and expeditiously."
A lawyer. One of our nations lawmakers needed a lawyer present. sweet.
Mistreatment of any living creature for any reason is wrong and unacceptable. This runs the gamut of (physical and emotional)spousal, child, gender,and sexual abuse to cruelty to animals and everything in between. Just because certain events and practices are or have been tolerated in some segments of our society and other cultures does not make it OK. The fact that others who have committed similar or worse injustices and violations got away with it or were only lightly punished or reprimanded is not an excuse or defense.
I do not relish in anyone's career or source of income being elimated or severely reduced but do we really want our children, or anyone else for that matter, to support or emulate any individual who shows such little regard for others? By purchasing products that such an individual endorses we are doing just that. Being a fan and/or looking up to such an individual because of their professional ability and success (no matter what area it is in)and looking the other way at anything unacceptable they might do is the same as condoning those actions. I believe that anyone can change and deserves to be forgiven if truly remorseful but sometimes you have to accept responsibility AND pay the price.
Just for the record, I don't think hunting and fishing by responsible sportsmen and women is mistreatment or cruel. Certain types of trapping is another matter. I also don't think swatting flies and mosquitos or squashing poisonous spiders is cruel if you do it fast and can't just shoo them away. Pulling wings or legs off insects or sicking pins in them is another matter.
I watched Vick's apology. If nothing else it seemed sincere. I liked the fact that he said that he takes total and complete blame for his actions. That he specifically apologizes to the kids who looked up to him. And that now it is time to work on Michael Vick the person and not Michael Vick the football player.
He seemed genuinely remorseful and humble. Not like so many of these athletes who need to say sorry and their apology is full of "I'm sorry but it's not ALL my fault".
Of course I'm sure Vick's statement was as much for the sentencing judge as anyone else.
I just think we all become inured to various sorts of poor treatment of animals and some of those acceptable behaviors can be a product of class or some other demographic, and it warrants thinking about as we all (myself included) consider our disgust for M. Vick's actions.
It is true that fishermen and hunters are some of the most supportive of environmental and wildlife protection. Some even have a connection or respect for the animals they hunt that could be emulated by the rest of us carnivores who prefer not to know anything about the last moments of the hamburger we're enjoying while it was still on the hoof. (This endorsement does not apply to jerks who hunt drunk and shoot at anything that moves.)
As I said, everyone deserves to be forgiven and is entitled to a second chance. However, I still don't plan to buy any Michael Vick Jerseys as Christmas presents for our grandchildren this year even though they will probably be on sale.
So many after thoughts... We like blindfolded ideas, such as who can hit the most tennis balls blind folded. Or balance something on their head?
I am sure MV is sorry, sorry that he got caught also sorry because he knew it was bad. But, I am not ready to accept his apology even though it is probably sincere. There hasn't been enough time yet for him to show change. I question whether or not he really thinks hurting animals is bad, or if he is just sorry because he broke the law? I am glad he is getting punished, but what is the typical rehabilitation for people charged with cruelty? Are they forced to go to PETA rallies? Work at an animal shelter? Probably not, but they should be. By the way, I will be bringing my dog's blanket and pillow this year, but he will not require bottled water now that the well is out of the picture.
Sometimes one must be forced to realize that their actions are cruel. I agree that...at this moment...he may not, fully, realize that what he did was morally wrong. Perhaps, he will figure it out. I do not think he should be jailed. I think that he should be made to do many community service hours, volunteer at an animal shelter for 3 years and pay a heavy monetary fine.
Sean had his first cross country meet today. No less than 8 kids were rushed away in ambulances. The temp was 95 with high humitity here. Somebody needs to be punished for not cancelling. If it was 10 below and snowing hard a high school football game would have been cancelled. I would have been so pissed if it were my kid. After the second kid being rushed off they should have quit.
By the way, Sean did great. He could have done it blind folded and backward. Working in the corn fields prepared him.
I think as a punishment of Mike Vick they should have a Pay Per View like event of Mike Vick taking on 10-12 pit bulls. I think it should be free for the public to watch and that if one of the dogs starts to get hurt a bit they call time out and it is replaced with a heathy one. I would watch and I bet it would be a bigger hit on youtube then the beauty contestant from SC. Just a thought.
Last night I bought a used bike for $15 for any bike related Straub game events.
THis is funny - about the senator caught in the msp airport:
Lesson No. 1: If a guy is in an adjoining stall, it's probably not a good idea to knock and then step into the guy's stall.
This was one of Allen's major social faux pas. Generally, the rule is one guy per stall, except for heart attacks. And even that's a borderline call.
Allen explained that his visit to the undercover officer's stall was to ask "if he's all right."
Allen said he was just checking because there was lightning in the area.
Lesson No. 2: When in doubt, assume that the guy in the next stall hasn't been struck by lightning.
If there isn't a hole in the ceiling, the smell of charred flesh or a deafening ringing in your ears, it's safe to assume that a lightning bolt hasn't crashed into the next stall. So there's no need for a visit.
Lesson No. 3: Limit your "wide stance" tendencies while using a stall in a public restroom.
You should make every effort to keep your shoes on your side of the invisible line that separates your stall from the adjoining stall, especially when it's being occupied by another man.
Craig explained that some of the misunderstanding in his case came from the "wide stance" he takes in a public stall.
The undercover officer in the Minneapolis-St.Paul International Airport restroom, while sitting in the adjoining stall, noted that Craig's shoe had crossed the line.
"Craig tapped his toes and moved his foot closer to my foot ..." the officer's report said. "The presence of others did not seem to deter Craig as he moved his right foot so that it touched the side of my left foot which was within my stall area."
This innocent stretching of your leg so that you're inadvertently playing footsie with the stranger in the next stall can obviously lead to an undercover cop jumping to conclusions. Especially when coupled with a violation of Lesson No. 4.
Lesson No. 4: Don't stick your hand under the divider and wiggle your fingers at the stranger in the next stall.
Yesterday (Tuesday) Mary Ellan made arrangements to have a port-a-potty delivered to the farm on Friday morning. We will not be there until after noon on Friday because we cannot pick up the pork chops until mid-morning. I know many of you will spend Thursday night in Ames, but will anyone be at the farm Friday morning? The guy will want to be paid. I think Mary said it will cost about $80. If you pay the guy Mom and I will reinburse you. Also, Mary asked where we want it placed and we suggested in the area of the storm cellar, perhaps between the old out house and the storm cellar. If anyone plans to be there by mid morning Friday, please let us know. Otherwise, we will try to have the guy deliver it later that day. Dad
Joe, Cathy and I plan on getting there by mid-morning on Friday. We talked with Mary Ellan last night and said we would contact Don's Johns today and set up a time for delivery and fax them directions to the farm.
Pat-I'm going to Joe's game friday night and on to the farm Saturday morning. Monica-They wouldn't cancel a football game for 10 below and snow. I do agree they should have postponed the cross country meet. That's so idiotic, they close schools down early because of the heat yet the boneheads ran a meet. I'm not a Vick fan, I just thought things were a little out of whack. I didn't see his apology. I heard that he said he found Jesus.
Joe, they would too if the weather was dangerous. School get cancelled for bad weather all the time in Iowa. It was let out early here because of the heat. They wouldn't cancel a pro game.
The TOP 10 reasons that school gets cancelled in Iowa are: 1.) Severe Thunderstorm. 2.) Fog. 3.) Heavy snow. 4.) Blowing snow. 5.) Heat. 6.) Cold. 7.) Sleet. 8.) Too cloudy. 9.) Too sunny. 10.)Too...too anything.
84 comments:
Happy Anniversary!
We're keeping the girls overnight, so I hope Molly has a happy birthday! Brian's playing somewhere, so that's where she's going, with lots of friends.
Happy Anniversary!
Happy Birthday Molly! See you soon!
Emily, Scott and Jude arrived about 6:00 PM on Friday and we all immediately went to the GHS soap scrimmage. Immediately means after changing Jude's diaper. Young Joe played well. He plays first string defensive tackle and second team offensive tackle. That bothers him because he really believes he is better than the first team guy, who is a senior. You could really tell that he was playing with a lot of intensity while on offense. Many plays called for him to block a linebacker and he really fired off the line quickly. I don't think he missed a single block all night. After the scrimmage we went to Sister Sarah's for dinner. Joe 3 was on his way to another HS football game but he stopped for a few minutes. This morning Emily, Scott and Jude left for Minneapolis to se long time friends and they will be back here tomorrow (Sunday) evening and will be here until we all head for the farm. We'll see you all there next week. Stevo and Joe, we got Cathy's message about your finishing the painting. We are all grateful. Dad
Good job Jayjacks!
Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad.
Happy Birthday Molly. Is it 29?
Have fun tonight.
Yes 29, so does that make anyone else feel.... OLD? Ha Ha Ha! Happy Anniversary G and G! See you all soon.
happy birthday mommy rose
Happy Anniversary Mary and Joe!
Happy Birthday Molly!
Thank you to all who painted!
We're back, from vacation, and had a great time...we musta caught 150 fish! Today is a catch up day of laundry and yard work...the boys start school tomorrow (they missed 3.5 days) and they are surprisingly, excited...Mom is too!
We are, also, happy to report that we did NOT get any water in our basement...woohoo!
Have a great week, all! :-)
mia looks funny !!!!
ha ha ha!
i am 29, almost 30,
YIKES!
Re The fridge for the farm. As Nance said earlier we do have one in our garage that we are putting forth as an option. I've measured it and it will fit as far as width and height. From front to back it will stick out a few inches.
But, I think we need to also say that it is in "okay" shape. The ugly color aside it has a shelf that is precariously attached. One door shelf has lost the little retaining bar that keeps stuff from falling out so that door shelf is useless. There is some mold on the gaskets (which I'm sure will clean up).
I guess the bottom line on this thing is it "ain't pretty" and isn't in great shape.
Suggestion: I will go to a couple of the appliance dealers here in town and see what they have. Maybe we could get a good used one on the cheap. Maybe for as little as $20 each we could have a decent fridge.
What do you say?
Again - we are pefectly happy to bring ours. We've used it for leftovers and beverages for years. I just want everyone to know that it is far from perfect.
Tom
I'm all for buying one downin Leon. Having the dealer install it and remove the broken one. It doesn't have to be a spectacular one. Just one that works. It could be a Christmas gift or a thank you for hosting this event for so many years. If we all pitched in just a little we could get one.
I'm down with that
Any way we do it, we're in. Would we be able to get one in Leon and get it delivered that weekend? Who will be there on Friday? Or, there's probably a Home Depot or Lowe's in Osceola, but then we would have to take the other one to the dump (the cost is only $15, but it has to be hauled there and they won't be open till Tuesday, I imagine, so it would have to be another time with a truck or trailer and storing the old one in the shed until we can take it) but the fridge itself might be way cheaper. If Tom finds a great deal on a used one - don't forget the size limitations! - at least we'll have one there this weekend. I guess it would be worth calling Leon and seeing what they have in stock and at what price.
We'll probably be coming on Sunday...not sure if that matters in regards to, "where," a fridge is purchased. Additionally, please let me know if yah want us to bring ours as I will need to give it a Clorox, "spit shine," before the weekend. Thanks.
Bob -
Just got the tickets. Thanks so much. We'll call when we're approaching Ames and try to get a spot close to you.
All-
I just got back from vacation. The flight to Chicago took about nine hours due to some weather we had to maneuver around. For some reason, the plane didn't have those personal air vents. And when you're flying on a hot day with a bunch of Frenchies...let's just say it would have been nice to have them. It was getting a bit stuffy in the back of the plane. Things started to look up when they announced that the in flight movie would be Blades of Glory. But the video broke half way through the show. Seven hours left. And then a funny thing happened. The bathrooms started to break one by one until there were no more functional restrooms on the plane with two and a half hours left (and over 200 passengers). None of the toilets would flush and they were already filled with waste. Announcements were made including one from the captain who requested we only use the facilities in cases of extreme emergency and that nobody is allowed to go number two under any circumstances. The restroom aroma didn't help the stuffiness. Luckily, I had loaded up an entire season of Heros on my laptop and Jen and I were able to escape our current reality for half a season.
Don't get me wrong, the trip was incredible. I'd be happy to share stories over some beers at the farm. And I'm not complaining about the flight as much as I am astonished by how things kept on getting worse. It was one of those situations when after every announcement people were just laughing.
Anyway, I can't wait to travel again. See you all (most of you anyway) this weekend.
Des
Two more things -
Happy Birthday Molly!
...and...
Happy Anniversary Granny and Grandpa!
See you soon.
A few observations on the farm fridge fiasco. There are many fine suggestions and ideas and all deserve additional consideration. Tom and Nanc's offer to either donate their extra fridge or look for a used one (which we will all pitch in for)and deliver it in their truck is generous and a good solution. However it is alot of extra work for them and since they won't be coming until Sunday we will be using coolers and ice until then anyway. If buying a used fridge, will it have a warranty and how long will it last? If it was a great deal at a great price, then if it only lasted a few years it could still be worth it cost-wise but then there would still be the same old problem of replacing the fridge again. Monica's idea of buying one locally and making it a gift to Mom and Dad is also a great idea. It could be part of this year's Christmas present to them or just a "thank you " for all the great times we all have had at the farm. (By the way, Monica and Joe also offered to donate their extra fridge but it won't fit.) Buying locally might solve the problem of gettng it delivered and having the old one hauled away as Monica stated. The questions that come up regarding that is what will the price be (and is there a delivery and removal charge)and is there enough time before this coming weekend to arrange that? A delegation of would-be refrigerator replacers could go out shopping on Fri or Sat but that won't solve the problem of having it there for the whole weekend and who wants to spend half a day or more shopping for a fridge when we could be falling off bicycles competing in the Cash Farm Graveyard Games?
If we could all get by this weekend with coolers and ice then we would have time to adequatly research this problem, find the best fridge for the best price (complete with warranty) that will last a long time and get together to make it a gift to Mom and Dad. If anyone absolutely has to keep something cold in a fridge for an extended period of time (like medications or insulin) then perhaps someone with a compact fridge (like the kind used in dorms, etc) could bring it just for the weekend. We could all bring the kinds of foods that will keep well in coolers and ice (just like camping)and if a large quantity of meat is being brought, it can be packed in dry ice or just brought on the day it will be cooked. Likewise, any perishables can be purchased at Hy-Vee on a daily basis.
Home Depot, Lowe's, and Sears have great sales from time to time and we could watch for one of them to get a great price. Cathy and I bought our fridge from Home Depot while on sale which included free delivery and removal and when we went up to pay for it the cashier gave us an additional 10% discount coupon for in-store purchases whice made the total price only a little over $300.00. I don't know if we can get that good of a deal again but I saw some refrigerators that will fit that space on Home Depot's web site for $360.00. If we wait for a sale, perhaps it will be even lower and maybe get free delivery.
So if everyone can get by for one weekend with ice and coolers, we will have time to find and expedite getting a new fridge to the farm before any big future get-togethers. On the other hand, Tom and Nance, If you still want to bring your extra one down (and if it really is not too much trouble and you really don't need it) then it would be greatly appreciated and if we did get a new one then yours could be used until we do. Then if you don't want to take it back to Algona, it could be moved to the machine shed and be used to keep that extra "liquid refreshment" ice cold when we are all down there.
Happy B-day Molly...belated as it might be...Hope you have (had) a great day!
Happy anniversary Joe & Mary! Hope you have a rest filled day without all the waterworks!
Mike
Stevo's idea sounds great. We have a little dorm fridge I can bring down. By little I mean one that hold about 2 gallons of milk and a 12 pack of what ever.
France, schmance, we've got Leon.
What about the water down at the farm or are we all going to be like the French?
As of this past weekend, the rural water supply had not been reconnected. You can shower, flush, etc (we washed dishes in it)but we chose to drink and cook with bottled water. Or the water in the big orange things we lug everywhere. Alan Norman said they tried to come last week but it was too muddy for them to drive where they had to go. Pray for drought. C'est la Vie!
Super Target in West Des Moines sells fish and bottled water. You can also buy dental floss, saffron, luggage, desk lamps, men's belts, Prozac and iPods there. Literally everything you could ever ask for. If I was a ghost, I would haunt a Super T. If Super Target was a girl, I would marry it. If Super T was a horse with a broken leg, I wouldn't shoot it. In fact, I would nurse it back to health like Seabuscuit. That's how much I love Super T. I love Super T because Super T loves me back.
The announcers on MNF are talking about how the rehabilitation of Michael VIck has already started. What a bunch of crap.
You ever notice that the majority of dog fighting happens in urban areas? Areas that typically do NOT have Super Targets. Coincidence? I don’t think so.
I think they're making too much of the dog-fighting thing. Repulsive and cruel, sure, but Vick participated in a deeply embedded south cultural activity. Depending on when he's sentanced he could lose 3 years out of the prime of his career, not to mention the hundreds of millions in endorsements he'll never recover. How many NFL guys are charged with assault, or beating up girlfreinds/wives or being involved in late-hours strip club shootings? Those guys participate in activities that are injurious or fatal to humans. They seem to skate compared to a guy who was cruel to dogs.
Yeah and how about the fact that as a society we can choose which animals are abused and which are not. What about catch and release? What about hunting? What about animals like chickens in little cages? He didn't think of those dogs as pets.
P
Des - I think you're on to something here. If you connect the dots you will be able to see that Super Target (aka "The Man") won't go into urban areas because they don't want to supply backpacks to that segment of society.
Pat - Hunting is not abusing. If hunting was not allowed the greater populations of the game animals would suffer starvation.
Tom
All I'm saying is we choose what animals are for sport and what are for other uses. P
They and all other resources were put here for responsible use. Tom
Exactly. And that isn't the case but M. Vick gets a year in prison whereas other instances of irresponsible use don't warrant any punushment.
p
such as...?
Such as people who cram a billion chickens into one building. Such as people who catch fish and then release them. Such as people who have a billion cats in their house and get fined but don't go to jail for a year.
What about prison over crowding? That would be cruel.
Tom
Sure is.
p
Vick spent years participating in a cruel and illegal activity. He planned, supported and was a central figure in an industry whose product was the gruesome death of animals. More importantly, this industry's side effects include thousands of injuries to humans, often small children, that do result in death. Dog fighting is a real problem in this country and I do think that Vick will go down hard to send a message. I support that. I also support Tank Johnson never playing anohter down of football in the NFL.
None of this would have happened if there was a Super Target in downtown Atlanta.
I was in Super Target last night. I bought Kleenex, a binder for Sean, some tea and looked at a minifridge. You can wander for hours in there.
Maybe someday they will have dog fighting in Super Target. They have everything else.
I agree that it's awful. I just think it's a huge class issue and we can be outraged bc it's not a form of cruelty to animals that is accepted by those raised in the wealthier classes. It's about a lot more than Michael Vick and this case.
P
I can never understand those animal rights types. Many are upper middle class or even wealthier. They drive to the rallies in their expensive imports and write big checks to PETA. While within a couple of miles of where they live is abject poverty. Kids going to school not having had breakfast or dinner the night before.
Yet, they get all up in arms about mindless chickens who live in a cage for 6 weeks. I don't understand how they can deem the welfare of a chicken to be more important then that of humans.
Tom
Happy anniversary, Mom and Dad!
Happy Birthday, Molly!
I greatly look forward to seeing all of you soon!
By the way... there are also plug in coolers that you can use by plugging into your car
Monica, that mini-fridge that you have sounds perfect if you have room to bring it.
Whenever I'm in Super Target I look around and say "Is this Heaven?"
Michael Vick plays in a sport where millions of Americans watch (highly) paid 300-pound gladiators crash into each other at full speed, trying (whether anyone admits it or not) to damage each other. No value judgement implied, I'm just saying that what's one man's savagery ceiling is another man's floor. But, he darn well knew that whether he agreed with it or not, he was participating in an illegal activity with all kinds of corollary illegal activities and it was not a victimless crime. He felt that he had so much money he was immune to society's rules. I'm sure this whole thing has been a big shock to him and I hope the judge doesn't decide to give him the absolute max. On the other hand, I don't feel much sympathy for a guy who will lose millions in merchandising. Poor guy. Sell one of your mansions.
Incidentally, the way we drive down to the farm, we take 34 to 25 and down to 2. At the corner of 25 and 2, there's some kind of animal facility (we think it's chickens or turkeys) that smells like death. I'm not kidding, it smells like the ninth circle of hell for vegetarians. I don't even really want to find out what they're raising in there because I would think about it every time I ate whatever it is. Surely we can do better than that.
But just because you hate cruelty to animals and say so in a certain situation doesn't mean you don't care about people too. You have a right to get upset about whatever abuse is set in front of you.
Speaking of...did anyone else read over the weekend about whistleblowers in Iraq who have been detained, sometimes for months, by private contractors? Apparently, if you're Halliburton, you can send out some of your mercenaries to pick up American citizens who have tried to expose waste or fraud and imprison them and even subject them to "soft" torture like sleep deprivation and constant loud music and never face charges of kidnapping, assault, unlawful imprisonment or anything. All in the name of national security. I truly, honestly think Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Rove and their whole gang of CEO thugs should be right beside Michael Vick. Maybe he could make them fight each other to the death for the entertainment of other inmates.
As Cathy mentioned previously, as of last weekend the rural water is not hooked back up yet. Hopefully it might be done before we all descend to the farm for Labor Day weekend. If not, the well water and pump is currently hooked up to the house for flushing, showers and use in both sinks. It is not advisable to drink the water from the well at this time so a heads-up to all to bring drinking water in bottles and/or water from your tap at home in larger containers if you have one.
Milk and left-overs can be keep in coolers too.
Cathy and I are bringing a portable shower tent to be hooked up to the outside water hose for all those brave souls who don't mind a COLD shower.
I do agree that it's wrong that someone who beats his dog or horse faces harsher penalties than someone who beats his wife or children. Wrong.
Good news!! I just called the water company and they told me that the water was connected yesterday. Steve, does this mean that we will have to disconnect the house water from the well before we can use the commercial water? If so, the first ones there should probably bring some bottled water to use until Steve gets there.
Also, Monica called and gave me the measurements of her old fridge. We spoke about taking ours to the farm and bringing her old one here, but it is just a little too high and a little too wide (a half inch each way) so it looks like the best option is to look for a used one in an appliance store there or to get a new one at a sale. Dad
It depends on how good looking they are...if the kids and Mom are really ugly, then I don't mind as much. Just like the dogs.
That is great news. I will have to disconnect the well water from the house and reconnect the rural water supply as soon as we get there. Should only take about 10 minutes to do so. Then before drinking from the sink taps I think the pipes in the house should be flushed out. This can be accomplished by using the shower and sinks a few times for washing so as not to waste the paid-for rual water by just letting it run down the drain to flush out the system.
We can still use the well water for the portable shower tent.
So the big question still remains:
Would we have given the well water to the dogs knowing it wasn't good for humans?
The answer to that is yes. No mutt is going to get any of my Aquafina. Besides, my dog can chew on a rancid carcass and be happy as a clam. A little water with some spores in it isn't going to hurt him.
Cathy - I think you are wrong about pro football players wanting to hurt someone. Over and over you see when a guy gets a serious injury the opposing team, and especially the player who hurt him feels really bad.
They don't mind taking a guy out of a game. But, by and large they don't intend to inflict long term injuries.
Tom
The well water smells like death. Thank God the rural water is back!
Anyone else think of good graveyard game ideas? Joe and I thought, since it had to be fair between men and women, another intellectual test is appropriate. But it could be incorporated into something physical, like doing an obstacle course then completeing a timed-test of some sort.
Here's what really bothers me about dog fighting (like anybody cares)...
It's not so much the gruesome images they use for B roll on the nightly news (though they are disturbing). Just about every week we hear about some poor little kid on the South Side of Chicago getting attacked by a dog that was being raised for fighting. It often results permanent injury and occasionally even death. It just sucks.
What sucks even worse is that this sport is cool in a certain cultural contexts. Hip hop videos and other imagery show celebs/stars with Pit Bulls in tow. Though they don't show them fighting, it's assumed because those are the stereotypical dogs used for fighting (based on physical ability rather than nature - that's another discussion). And then some people think they can and should fight dogs without considering the residual effects of doing so - like what would happen to a little kid who was left alone with one of these animals.
Sorry. The NFL got so bent out of shape and apologetic after Janet Jackson showed her breast under the guise of being a "family sport". It just makes me sick to think that they let felons play.
i did an adventure race a couple years ago, and in between each physical portion there was an intellectual portion. at the beginning you memorized some numbers, then recited them after the completion. after the run they would take a cover off of about 30 objects, then replace it after 15 seconds an you would have to then write down as many as you could remember. stuff like that.
That sounds like something I could do badly at in all kinds of ways.
I have to say I am always cautious or even nervous if a dog running around loose has any resemblance to a pit bull and I'm not afraid of dogs at all.
I was exaggerating about the pro football players, although I think there are plenty who will go after the quarterback's weak knee or whatever and try to take him out of the game. I was really talking about their role as gladiators - warriors who battle for the entertainment of the masses to distract them from the ruining of their economy and trashing of their constitution by the emperor - and whatever that says about the savagery of humans in general. But, hey, how 'bout dem Bears, huh?
How about this for a mind bender? You go on vacation. You get a call from your manager that the electrician needs to replace a breaker switch. You say "thats fine". You get back from vacation and are presented with a bill for $1800. The part alone accounts for $1600 of that bill.
I called the parts place and they verify the amount of the part.
The real pisser is that I've had problems with this breaker a couple of times in the past and have been able to get it reset myself. So who knows if it really needed to be replaced or an over zealous electrician thought he was doing me and his sales line a favor.
UNBELIEVABLE!
Angry Tom
Actually, I think the well water was OK to drink. Just not knowing for sure we used bottled water.
The last time the Richardsons came with us to paint, Gus the beagle showed up with the remains of some critter's entire hindquarter, very happy and proud. Any animal that eats other ripe-dead animals and their doodoo don't get no bottled water from me, not even store brands. Especially since they probably just had a long refreshing drink from the toilet.
Sorry about your breaker, Tom. That sounds way too high.
Ed, maybe did you read upside down and the vertical limit on the fridge is really 66 inches?
Michael Vick - idiot. At least he's paying for his crime. Sort of. Now the bigger crime is listening to the announcers talk about Vick through an entire game.
Dog fighting - obviously cruel. But in my opinion, a lesser offense than wife-beating or manslaughter.
Catch and release - not torture. First, fish don't have nerve endings in their mouths, so hooks don't "hurt". Second, the average fisherman is very knowledgable about how to handle fish so they don't get hurt, they spend tons of money on livewells that keep the fish healthy in transport, and in large tournaments, they pay dearly for letting a fish die. The whole point of catch and release is to keep the fish healthy and reproductive. Fishermen are also usually quite environmentally savvy. They are one of the largest groups to spend conservation dollars. After all, they don't want the habitat of their favorite pastime getting screwed up.
Hunters, also environmentally savvy. And that stuff is strictly regulated by fish and game laws.
Games - I endorse physical activity/memory trials. How about something where you have to do three things all at once? Blindfolded... with one hand tied behind your back...
Football players - yes, they want to hurt each other. But not permanently. Like Tom said, not in a career-ending fashion. It sure is fun to crush someone on the field, though. Competitive human (male) nature.
From cnn.com on the Senator arrested in Minneapolis:
In a statement released Monday evening, Craig denied any inappropriate conduct and said he regrets his guilty plea, which he entered without having an attorney present.
"At the time of this incident, I complained to the police that they were misconstruing my actions. I was not involved in any inappropriate conduct," he said. "I should have had the advice of counsel in resolving this matter. In hindsight, I should not have pled guilty. I was trying to handle this matter myself quickly and expeditiously."
A lawyer. One of our nations lawmakers needed a lawyer present. sweet.
Mistreatment of any living creature for any reason is wrong and unacceptable. This runs the gamut of (physical and emotional)spousal, child, gender,and sexual abuse to cruelty to animals and everything in between. Just because certain events and practices are or have been tolerated in some segments of our society and other cultures does not make it OK. The fact that others who have committed similar or worse injustices and violations got away with it or were only lightly punished or reprimanded is not an excuse or defense.
I do not relish in anyone's career or source of income being elimated or severely reduced but do we really want our children, or anyone else for that matter, to support or emulate any individual who shows such little regard for others? By purchasing products that such an individual endorses we are doing just that. Being a fan and/or looking up to such an individual because of their professional ability and success (no matter what area it is in)and looking the other way at anything unacceptable they might do is the same as condoning those actions. I believe that anyone can change and deserves to be forgiven if truly remorseful but sometimes you have to accept responsibility AND pay the price.
Ellen, the well water didn't smell THAT bad.
Just for the record, I don't think hunting and fishing by responsible sportsmen and women is mistreatment or cruel. Certain types of trapping is another matter. I also don't think swatting flies and mosquitos or squashing poisonous spiders is cruel if you do it fast and can't just shoo them away. Pulling wings or legs off insects or sicking pins in them is another matter.
I watched Vick's apology. If nothing else it seemed sincere. I liked the fact that he said that he takes total and complete blame for his actions. That he specifically apologizes to the kids who looked up to him. And that now it is time to work on Michael Vick the person and not Michael Vick the football player.
He seemed genuinely remorseful and humble. Not like so many of these athletes who need to say sorry and their apology is full of "I'm sorry but it's not ALL my fault".
Of course I'm sure Vick's statement was as much for the sentencing judge as anyone else.
Tom
I just think we all become inured to various sorts of poor treatment of animals and some of those acceptable behaviors can be a product of class or some other demographic, and it warrants thinking about as we all (myself included) consider our disgust for M. Vick's actions.
P
It is true that fishermen and hunters are some of the most supportive of environmental and wildlife protection. Some even have a connection or respect for the animals they hunt that could be emulated by the rest of us carnivores who prefer not to know anything about the last moments of the hamburger we're enjoying while it was still on the hoof. (This endorsement does not apply to jerks who hunt drunk and shoot at anything that moves.)
By the way, I've seen that Stevo guy carry a spider outside rather than kill it. Of course, the fact that it was 20 below at the time....
It is true that I prefer the catch and release method when it comes to spiders. However I don't recall the 20 below part.
It is true that I prefer the catch and release method when it comes to spiders. However I don't recall the 20 below part.
Tom, I saw MV,s press conference too and I agree that he did seem sincere.
As I said, everyone deserves to be forgiven and is entitled to a second chance. However, I still don't plan to buy any Michael Vick Jerseys as Christmas presents for our grandchildren this year even though they will probably be on sale.
I don't think I ever go outside when it is 20 below if I don't have to.
Wait a minute, I do remember that time now. It was an arctic spider.
So many after thoughts...
We like blindfolded ideas, such as who can hit the most tennis balls blind folded. Or balance something on their head?
I am sure MV is sorry, sorry that he got caught also sorry because he knew it was bad. But, I am not ready to accept his apology even though it is probably sincere. There hasn't been enough time yet for him to show change. I question whether or not he really thinks hurting animals is bad, or if he is just sorry because he broke the law? I am glad he is getting punished, but what is the typical rehabilitation for people charged with cruelty? Are they forced to go to PETA rallies? Work at an animal shelter? Probably not, but they should be. By the way, I will be bringing my dog's blanket and pillow this year, but he will not require bottled water now that the well is out of the picture.
Sometimes one must be forced to realize that their actions are cruel. I agree that...at this moment...he may not, fully, realize that what he did was morally wrong. Perhaps, he will figure it out.
I do not think he should be jailed. I think that he should be made to do many community service hours, volunteer at an animal shelter for 3 years and pay a heavy monetary fine.
Sean had his first cross country meet today. No less than 8 kids were rushed away in ambulances. The temp was 95 with high humitity here. Somebody needs to be punished for not cancelling. If it was 10 below and snowing hard a high school football game would have been cancelled. I would have been so pissed if it were my kid. After the second kid being rushed off they should have quit.
By the way, Sean did great. He could have done it blind folded and backward. Working in the corn fields prepared him.
Monica
I think as a punishment of Mike Vick they should have a Pay Per View like event of Mike Vick taking on 10-12 pit bulls. I think it should be free for the public to watch and that if one of the dogs starts to get hurt a bit they call time out and it is replaced with a heathy one. I would watch and I bet it would be a bigger hit on youtube then the beauty contestant from SC. Just a thought.
Last night I bought a used bike for $15 for any bike related Straub game events.
I was helping coach Eli & Liam's football practice last night. First practice in full pads with contact.
One of the kids looked at the ball we were using and said, "We need a different ball. This one is signed by Micheal Vick." Funny.
As a child one of the first things I learned to do was to forgive myself. Then I said, "Do whatever you want. It's okay by me."
Tom
THis is funny - about the senator caught in the msp airport:
Lesson No. 1: If a guy is in an adjoining stall, it's probably not a good idea to knock and then step into the guy's stall.
This was one of Allen's major social faux pas. Generally, the rule is one guy per stall, except for heart attacks. And even that's a borderline call.
Allen explained that his visit to the undercover officer's stall was to ask "if he's all right."
Allen said he was just checking because there was lightning in the area.
Lesson No. 2: When in doubt, assume that the guy in the next stall hasn't been struck by lightning.
If there isn't a hole in the ceiling, the smell of charred flesh or a deafening ringing in your ears, it's safe to assume that a lightning bolt hasn't crashed into the next stall. So there's no need for a visit.
Lesson No. 3: Limit your "wide stance" tendencies while using a stall in a public restroom.
You should make every effort to keep your shoes on your side of the invisible line that separates your stall from the adjoining stall, especially when it's being occupied by another man.
Craig explained that some of the misunderstanding in his case came from the "wide stance" he takes in a public stall.
The undercover officer in the Minneapolis-St.Paul International Airport restroom, while sitting in the adjoining stall, noted that Craig's shoe had crossed the line.
"Craig tapped his toes and moved his foot closer to my foot ..." the officer's report said. "The presence of others did not seem to deter Craig as he moved his right foot so that it touched the side of my left foot which was within my stall area."
This innocent stretching of your leg so that you're inadvertently playing footsie with the stranger in the next stall can obviously lead to an undercover cop jumping to conclusions. Especially when coupled with a violation of Lesson No. 4.
Lesson No. 4: Don't stick your hand under the divider and wiggle your fingers at the stranger in the next stall.
He might think you've been struck by lightning.
Yesterday (Tuesday) Mary Ellan made arrangements to have a port-a-potty delivered to the farm on Friday morning. We will not be there until after noon on Friday because we cannot pick up the pork chops until mid-morning. I know many of you will spend Thursday night in Ames, but will anyone be at the farm Friday morning? The guy will want to be paid. I think Mary said it will cost about $80. If you pay the guy Mom and I will reinburse you. Also, Mary asked where we want it placed and we suggested in the area of the storm cellar, perhaps between the old out house and the storm cellar. If anyone plans to be there by mid morning Friday, please let us know. Otherwise, we will try to have the guy deliver it later that day. Dad
Joe, Cathy and I plan on getting there by mid-morning on Friday. We talked with Mary Ellan last night and said we would contact Don's Johns today and set up a time for delivery and fax them directions to the farm.
Pat-I'm going to Joe's game friday night and on to the farm Saturday morning.
Monica-They wouldn't cancel a football game for 10 below and snow. I do agree they should have postponed the cross country meet. That's so idiotic, they close schools down early because of the heat yet the boneheads ran a meet.
I'm not a Vick fan, I just thought things were a little out of whack. I didn't see his apology. I heard that he said he found Jesus.
He did...where?
Sometimes our pastor has a "Come-to-Jesus" meeting with a staffer. I don't want to be invited to one.
Joe, they would too if the weather was dangerous. School get cancelled for bad weather all the time in Iowa. It was let out early here because of the heat. They wouldn't cancel a pro game.
The TOP 10 reasons that school gets cancelled in Iowa are:
1.) Severe Thunderstorm.
2.) Fog.
3.) Heavy snow.
4.) Blowing snow.
5.) Heat.
6.) Cold.
7.) Sleet.
8.) Too cloudy.
9.) Too sunny.
10.)Too...too anything.
Post a Comment