Don't blink....

Don't blink...what a song. But what a message. Not only does life happen fast, but it can change in a hurry also. Life is great no matter how we look at it. Sure, there are problems here, problems there, but all in all haven't we got it good? Lately I have been thinking a lot about life and how fast it can change. I had a companion in LA, we had a hell of a time. Haven't talked to him in years, and I ran across a story on KSL.com about his family and the trial they are going through. I have been lost in a fog of holy crap life can change so fast don't take it for granted. A link to their blog about their boy Charlie is listed under my favorite links, read it, I guarantee you won't finish with a dry eye. And then, you too will have that feeling of, holy crap life can change in an instant, I better start appreciating what I got. It is hard, life is hard, but is it really? Even since I have had this hit of reality, I still find myself getting upset at my kids over the dumbest things, or not taking time to read that last book, or not taking that 5 minutes to take my wife in my arms and hold her, no need to talk, she will know that I am telling her that I love her and appreciate her. But still, I let those moments pass by each and everyday. Why? Because I am human, and haven't perfected the skill of forgetting myself and serving others at all times. Probably never will, but when you do little things for anyone, you can feel it, you know what I am talking about, it feels good to your soul. When trials come my way, will I face it with an rotten attitude or look at it as an opportunity to learn something? I hope it is the latter. I know Rob will probably never read this but, buddy, you and your family have been an inspiration to me, and I hope I can take that and become a better person, a more loving, kind, caring husband, father and friend. Change is inevitable, but if we are doing the best we can in this life, we will get through the changes, we will learn from them and add another notch in the lifes experiences pole and move on, hopefully better people than we were before hand. One way we can assure that we are doing all we can is by trying to incorporate the following saying into our lifes, this came from Sister Lexi Judd and I have used it many times since: work like it all depends on us and pray like it all depends on him. Now, go on and do it, keep you head up an remember take every breath god gives you for what its worth...and don't blink.

Reunited with and old friend.....

So I have to say that I was reunited with an old friend this weekend. We used to hang out all the time, seemed everytime I ate he was around. For the past 3 years I have missed him, and finally on Sunday, we bbq'd some burgers and I thought I am gonna invite an old friend and boy did I miss him. I forgot how good Red Beans and Rice really is, simple to make, somewhat healthy and mighty tasty. It's good to have old friends come back around...interested well here you go http://shop.zatarains.com/zatarains®-red-beans-rice-p-882.html or you could simply go to the local grocery store and pickup some for tonight, you won't be disappointed I promise...

Enough is enough....

Alright, I have come to the conclusion that just like nobody is going to give me money to get out of debt, nothing is going to magically take away about 40lbs that I would like to lose, well ok make it an even 56 pounds. If I could get back to 200 even I would be so happy. The past week I gained 4 lbs, I am sure that eating out, drinking gallons of pepsi and then half dozen krispy kreme donuts had nothing to do with it, no, nothing at all. But as I stood there on that scale, looking at the increase in only a week, little kids running around, knee killing me cause I kneeled on it the wrong way, I thought to myself, you better wake up and do something about this.

So here I am confessing to whomever reads this (although I am not sure if anyone at all reads it except my beautiful wife on occassion) I am done with it. I am going to give it my all to achieve the goal of 200. I am giving myself a year, that seems like an attainable goal at this point in my life. So this time next year I will weigh 200. I am not going on any freak fad diet, I am just going to start being more active, limit my intake of Pepsi, and watch what I eat. I did it before I got married, I walked my dog everyday almost for 1/2 hour, limited pepsi to one can a day or sometimes none at all (although on weekends I would drink more usually) but I lost 10 lbs in a month, so I know I can do it, but I also know it ain't going to get any easier the older I get...so wish me luck.....

ClamatoMac

I like to cook. If I had the money, I would open a restaurant and do that for a living. I like to BBQ, and I would love to learn how to smoke some good ole pork butt and brisket. But I also like cooking simple things, and one of my favorite is the following:
Boil up some pasta, either elbow mac or some twisty noodles
Drain them and then cover in Clamato juice. I like adding a crushed chicken bouillon cube also. Warm it up and enjoy. I can eat this until I am sick....

April Vogue Cover....what's all the fuss????

Bottom line, when people want to stir the pot, they will. In April, the cover of Vogue magazine will have a picture of LeBron James and Gisele Bundchen. LJ is holding her around the waist and looks as if he is screaming. There are people freaking out about it saying it is racial, it is sterotyping the black athlete...to them I say get over it. In my opinion it is their own insecurities and fears in regards to race that are driving them to say these things, or maybe they just want to stir the pot. However LJ is a professional on and off the court, do you think that he would have approved the photos if he felt it portrayed him in a negative light let alone the black athlete? I myself think he is smarter and more professional than that. In an article written by MEGAN K. SCOTT, Associated Press Writer, I found what I think says it best, "he is pleased with the cover, saying he was “just showing a little emotion.” “Everything my name is on is going to be criticized in a good way or bad way,” James told the paper. “Who cares what anyone says?”" That statement should end all the nonsense right there. Too many people like to freak out over what people say, as LJ put it, who cares what people say.

Left Hand Turn....

Tell me why, please for the love of Pete, do people hesitate on a protected left hand turn light? This could possibly be the number one thing that gets me cussing, as well as golf, bowling, putting things together...but by far possibly the worst. I mena, I don't get it, you know that you are in a turning lane, protected by a left turn only signal...why, oh why, do you then wait 5-10 seconds before you go? This is really annoying when the light itself last no longer than 15 seconds.....UGHHHHH!!!!

Smoking-Pepsi/Stupid loan decisions-Stupid credit card usage...the difference please?

People who smoke, and had been warned about its health risks, addictive nature, etc...can sue for millions. Now, here is my problem...I can't quit drinking Pepsi. I have tried and tried and tried. I love it, I love the smell, taste, and breathing in the burst of fresh Pepsi air out of a newly opened can, I admit it, I am addicted. I can't quit, and it is making me (or contributing) to my inability to lose weight..shouldn't I be entitled to millions?
The current mortgage crisis, sure some people may have been preyed upon by predatory lenders and real estate agents. But what is the difference of those people jumping into gigantic houses that they could not otherwise afford without the crazy ARM loans or interest only loan for a few years and me racking up a bunch of credit card debt to get things that I could not otherwise afford? Shouldn't there be some sort of goverment subsidized program for people like me? Come on Uncle Sam, aren't you going to bail me out for my stupid decisions?
Now, don't get me wrong. I accept full responsibility for my actions, I am simply pointing out some similarities between situations and wondering when will people be accoutnable for what they are doing? I mean come on, nobody is forcing me to buy that 32 oz Pepsi everyday and nobody is making me purchase that got to have item on credit. I am making those decisions, me, myself, I. I don't get it...