The last week or so, I have been writing these blogs without a Post Title. I wait until the end and see what it looks like and then make something up. It is not that I'm uninspired to write, it is that I am not sure if I can stay on a consistent theme long enough to make the title a good thing. I am fairly sure that you really don't care what I call them so unlike the books with the great beginnings, I will go for the content as much and then try to match a good title.
Yesterday I asked Barb what she wanted for Mother's day and she said lets go looking for rocks. Yes, those big red Glacier carried rocks you find in Kansas at the edge of streams. People say that during the ice age they were carried from Minnesota or one of the Dakotas to Kansas. At KU, I had a geology professor tell us that the Kansas river was the edge of the glacier. I cal BS on that unless the river was once about 10 miles south of where it is now. We seem to have several but those out there now are not in convenient places. If they were, I would have already drug them up to the house. At least I now have a tractor to lift those big heavy SOB's to where Barb wants them. One of my adventured with them led to a trip to the emergency room with mashed toes. Note- do not put your foot out to try to stop a 300 lb rock from falling. Let it hit the ground and go from there.
I had planned on starting on the bathroom renovation at the rental house today but I had a blinding flash of the obvious. They have kids and the thought of having them underfoot all day was just more that I really wanted. I also have a tenant that is grossly behind and if I can get him out of the little house, we can have that bathroom to use while I am redoing the one in the bigger house. The lady of the renovation house agreed that this is a good plan she had some real misgivings about trying to work around me tearing out the bath. I guess I will just have to get out this morning and try to wrestle up one of those big red rocks. I am going to harbor freight to get some chains to augment the small supply of them on hand.
Oh well, more later. We went to Lawrence and my sister sent us home with the salad makings for several good salads. It fits well with our diet and I love a good crisp salad. One time I had a class of managers over to my house because of a lack of class room space and one of them was a chef in a previous life. He took the greens and soaked them in ice cold water for about an half hour prior to serving the salad. Man did that ever make a difference. I loved it and still do.
On our way home, it was nearing 90 and Barb said that it was going to be cooler starting tomorrow. I delayed the rock hunting (really rock fetching, I know where they are) until it does cool down. I am also going to have to cut a path in places so the tractor can fit. The tractor is about 5 feet tall except for the roll over protection cage that is about 4 feet taller and there is a 9 inch fiberglass roof on top of that Trees just are in the way. When we moved here, Barb would guard each tree and make me ask for permission to cut them down. She now realizes that there are enough trees that a few now and then just don't matter. Cut one out and the rest grow in to that space soon enough.
Better run.
MUD
5/06/2012
5/05/2012
Engrish
Yep'er, I am enthralled with the Engrish language as you can tell. The only part that I have trouble with is the spell checker doesn't recognize about half of what I write. It does OK when I use the wrong word and spell it correctly, it is all those strange usage things (idioms?) that it objects to. For example the first word in this post was red lined when I wrote it. I added it to my dictionary and moved on smartly. I wonder how many of those words are misused and or misspelled and you have to slog through. One of the things I do is to make the words large and then look for the red lines under the misspelled words.
About a month back, I wrote a lot about my Military Service. The spell checker doesn't know an acronym from apple butter. I spent about half my time writing and the other half editing. OK, just adding words to the dictionary isn't really editing but hey, this is my blog and I can call it what I want. Kinda (Mom's word) like when my mother would make a meal in one pot someone would always say - What is this? Mom would say, "I cooked it, I don't have to name it!"
Just this last week someone took offense at my Mom's cooking on Facebook. The young kids only remember Mom's chili disaster where she made Chili with cinnamon. Just so you know, don't try that at home. I have added a pinch of chocolate to my chili but the pungent spice of cinnamon does a whole lot better on sweet rolls than in chili. A cup of cinnamon is a taste disaster in the happening. My mother made the best Bedrocks in the world. He combination of cabbage, hamburger, onion, garlic, salt and pepper wrapped up in a great roll was a treat that people would show up at our house for. Mom learned this from our German neighbors the Longhoffers and continued to try to make it better each time. If I were to get to pick my last meal, it would be a pot of Mom's beans with a side of cornbread and one bieroak.
So far, I am making good progress on my attempt to keep diabetes at bay. I am down about 17 lbs in about a month and hope to continue to get skinnier until I hit about - 30 lbs. I will be the first to admit that I have my failings but for the most part, Barbara keeps me on the straight and narrow as defined by Weight Watchers. It doesn't hurt that it is springtime and the asparagus is working full time to keep out larder full. Just this morning, Barb made an omelet with onions, asparagus, ham and a little cheese. Great stuff. Has this Blog gone over to the food side?
Oh well, better get on with things. PS, on our afternoon outing, Barb wanted to have a sundae with hot chocolate, caramel and nuts. I broke down and had a buster bar.
MUD
About a month back, I wrote a lot about my Military Service. The spell checker doesn't know an acronym from apple butter. I spent about half my time writing and the other half editing. OK, just adding words to the dictionary isn't really editing but hey, this is my blog and I can call it what I want. Kinda (Mom's word) like when my mother would make a meal in one pot someone would always say - What is this? Mom would say, "I cooked it, I don't have to name it!"
Just this last week someone took offense at my Mom's cooking on Facebook. The young kids only remember Mom's chili disaster where she made Chili with cinnamon. Just so you know, don't try that at home. I have added a pinch of chocolate to my chili but the pungent spice of cinnamon does a whole lot better on sweet rolls than in chili. A cup of cinnamon is a taste disaster in the happening. My mother made the best Bedrocks in the world. He combination of cabbage, hamburger, onion, garlic, salt and pepper wrapped up in a great roll was a treat that people would show up at our house for. Mom learned this from our German neighbors the Longhoffers and continued to try to make it better each time. If I were to get to pick my last meal, it would be a pot of Mom's beans with a side of cornbread and one bieroak.
So far, I am making good progress on my attempt to keep diabetes at bay. I am down about 17 lbs in about a month and hope to continue to get skinnier until I hit about - 30 lbs. I will be the first to admit that I have my failings but for the most part, Barbara keeps me on the straight and narrow as defined by Weight Watchers. It doesn't hurt that it is springtime and the asparagus is working full time to keep out larder full. Just this morning, Barb made an omelet with onions, asparagus, ham and a little cheese. Great stuff. Has this Blog gone over to the food side?
Oh well, better get on with things. PS, on our afternoon outing, Barb wanted to have a sundae with hot chocolate, caramel and nuts. I broke down and had a buster bar.
MUD
5/04/2012
Mixed Message
Years ago, I had Malaria as a result of my service in Vietnam. I spent a couple of weeks in the VA Hospital in Wichita. As a part of that time there, I asked to have my hearing evaluated. They gave me a test and the technician said that right then, I didn't need any hearing assistance but as I got older, I might. Just recently I went over to the VA to have my hearing tested to see if the service connected part of my hearing loss was bad enough that they owe me hearing aids. You can't walk in off the street and go to the hearing clinic. I had to jump through their paperwork hoop and apply for a disability. I had no clue if I needed aids, just a thought that I might. It seems like it to me that I could walk in get a hearing test and apply based on the results of the test. As it wound up, I finally went to Sam's club and had my hearing tested and he said I didn't need aids. I completed the paperwork with the VA and didn't expect much contact with them.
Wrong! For the amount of paperwork sent me, they could have tested hundreds of us old guys and given a significant number of us the hearing assistance. In the process, I was told that if I went to the VA for services, as long as I had medical insurance (Personal BC&BS kind) they would bill. I was told that Tricare (from my Military service and Medicare were both Government pay services and they could not bill those providers.
Compound that with the admonishment that the VA can't provide all services to all people, I expected to hear no more from the VA. I basically was told that if it ain't service connect and I could pay for it, go somewhere else. Works for me!
Today I got a letter from the VA and they want to be my first line of health Care providers. My thought is What the hell is their real message. In a couple of months, I will cancel my BC&BS health care and be totally on Medicare, Tricare and my own pocket. Wouldn't the VA have been better off to have found me way back when and asked me to use the VA when the deep pockets of my civilian health care would have paid?
I guess I should not think that anything about my Government would make total sense. In a system where both sides are out there creating new laws to make us more equal and fair, they are sure spending a lot of time with each side telling us that those Pesky republicans and those danged Democrats are sure screwing up things. I don't expect them to agree, but I do once in a while expect them to talk to each other.
MUD
Wrong! For the amount of paperwork sent me, they could have tested hundreds of us old guys and given a significant number of us the hearing assistance. In the process, I was told that if I went to the VA for services, as long as I had medical insurance (Personal BC&BS kind) they would bill. I was told that Tricare (from my Military service and Medicare were both Government pay services and they could not bill those providers.
Compound that with the admonishment that the VA can't provide all services to all people, I expected to hear no more from the VA. I basically was told that if it ain't service connect and I could pay for it, go somewhere else. Works for me!
Today I got a letter from the VA and they want to be my first line of health Care providers. My thought is What the hell is their real message. In a couple of months, I will cancel my BC&BS health care and be totally on Medicare, Tricare and my own pocket. Wouldn't the VA have been better off to have found me way back when and asked me to use the VA when the deep pockets of my civilian health care would have paid?
I guess I should not think that anything about my Government would make total sense. In a system where both sides are out there creating new laws to make us more equal and fair, they are sure spending a lot of time with each side telling us that those Pesky republicans and those danged Democrats are sure screwing up things. I don't expect them to agree, but I do once in a while expect them to talk to each other.
MUD
Dennis Miller's Radio Program
Yesterday evening I got the urge to mow a little and I took my headphones with me. I plugged into talk radio and listened to Dennis Miller. It was funny that he spends so much time laughing at all the silliness going on. He thought that Romney should select the actor Lovitz as his running mate strictly because of the bumper sticker -
Romney Lovitz
Kinda cracks me up too.
I listened to the segment that was about Cain's new book. It is 9 9 9 and is his compilation of how to solve our budget crisis. He wants a straight 9% tax with no deductions or exceptions. He would start with throwing out the tax code of 72,000 pages and impose a straight 9% income tax, a 9% corporate tax and a 9% sales tax. It is all collected at the start point and the federal Government would be responsible for collecting it not making us pay an income tax that is full of holes and deductions. He cited Warren Buffet, Mr I don't pay my fair share of taxes as an example. Warren's company made 200 Million and he would have to pay 9% of that and 9% on his take home pay. That amount by simple math would be more money than his poor secretary. This was the first time I had listened to the whole discussion on the 9 9 9 tax plan and I think it sounds straight forward to me. The only problem is I see the need for it to be 10% but I always want an extra tip for education.
Have a great day...
MUD
Romney Lovitz
Kinda cracks me up too.
I listened to the segment that was about Cain's new book. It is 9 9 9 and is his compilation of how to solve our budget crisis. He wants a straight 9% tax with no deductions or exceptions. He would start with throwing out the tax code of 72,000 pages and impose a straight 9% income tax, a 9% corporate tax and a 9% sales tax. It is all collected at the start point and the federal Government would be responsible for collecting it not making us pay an income tax that is full of holes and deductions. He cited Warren Buffet, Mr I don't pay my fair share of taxes as an example. Warren's company made 200 Million and he would have to pay 9% of that and 9% on his take home pay. That amount by simple math would be more money than his poor secretary. This was the first time I had listened to the whole discussion on the 9 9 9 tax plan and I think it sounds straight forward to me. The only problem is I see the need for it to be 10% but I always want an extra tip for education.
Have a great day...
MUD
5/03/2012
Vacation
One of the topics on Facebook this week within my family is the vacation we are going to take this fall. One of the nieces has a connection to a company that rents houses on the gulf shores and many of us are going to go down there and play on the beach and splash in the ocean. One of the Nephews-in-law is like me and likes to cook. In the past, when we would have a family get together, a trophy would be awarded for the best dish. So far I have failed miserably in the race. At least one time my meal was barely edible. Now, there is talk of having a contest during the family vacation. Being a cook in the heartland, I feel totally inadequate in the seafood category. Give me some honest beef, chicken or pork and I'm your guy. But, Fish is just something beyond my normal range. I guess I have a few months to get ready for a throw down. We'll see.
One things about me is that ages ago, I found that I truly can be glad for others to succeed. There is always some grumble heard from the distaff side about why him and not me? I have truly been blessed with the ability to be glad for others when good fortune strikes anyone. I guess part of the blessing is that I have been rewarded in a lot of ways and I think there is always enough room for everyone to succeed if they want to. How can a conservative be an optimist? I sure don't know, but I am glad.
This election year has me a slight bit frustrated. I am not sure how a person with no personal integrity like Newt could even be considered let alone divide the party like he has. I think Romney has the ability to be a good President but Just once I would like for us to have a charismatic President that can expand the number of people that support the office of the President. I did listen to Barack as he ran for the office and his speeches had the right tone. Change, hope and pride were used and as a result he was elected. The economy has caused him to not reach the heights he desired. I think he was misled by the Military-Industrial complex into making Afghanistan a bigger war. Like every other invading force, we should have just come home and let them settle their differences. I am pretty sure that the Billions spent there could have done a lot back here. Perhaps even paid some of the National Debt.
One thing I want to assure you is that I don't care one whit that Romney is a Mormon. I don't care if Barack is a protestant or a Muslim. I am glad we have the right to have freedom of religion here and I would like for everyone to continue to have the the right to have their god, or not. I guess I was amazed when the subject of JFK Kennedy being a Catholic was made to be a big deal. I would much rather have a person with some moral values in the White House than a person that has no moral compass.
Speaking of a lack of a moral compass, have you been watching the John Edwards fiasco? I guess some people with money think they can do things differently in private than they do in private. The first time I heard that he got a $500 haircut, I was taken back. The most expensive haircut I ever got was $14 with a couple dollar tip. My current barber charges me $10. heck, I don't even really look in the mirror when the Barber is finished. It is a haircut not a masterpiece. That reminds me of what the Shawnee County Commissioners did the other day. They awarded a contract for mowing to the highest bidder because the two lower bidders didn't have great references. It was for Mowing. Seesh! just how hard is that? What special talents does a person have to have to mow? How does the little guy start out if he can't even qualify for a job mowing?
Oh well, on with the day.
MUD
One things about me is that ages ago, I found that I truly can be glad for others to succeed. There is always some grumble heard from the distaff side about why him and not me? I have truly been blessed with the ability to be glad for others when good fortune strikes anyone. I guess part of the blessing is that I have been rewarded in a lot of ways and I think there is always enough room for everyone to succeed if they want to. How can a conservative be an optimist? I sure don't know, but I am glad.
This election year has me a slight bit frustrated. I am not sure how a person with no personal integrity like Newt could even be considered let alone divide the party like he has. I think Romney has the ability to be a good President but Just once I would like for us to have a charismatic President that can expand the number of people that support the office of the President. I did listen to Barack as he ran for the office and his speeches had the right tone. Change, hope and pride were used and as a result he was elected. The economy has caused him to not reach the heights he desired. I think he was misled by the Military-Industrial complex into making Afghanistan a bigger war. Like every other invading force, we should have just come home and let them settle their differences. I am pretty sure that the Billions spent there could have done a lot back here. Perhaps even paid some of the National Debt.
One thing I want to assure you is that I don't care one whit that Romney is a Mormon. I don't care if Barack is a protestant or a Muslim. I am glad we have the right to have freedom of religion here and I would like for everyone to continue to have the the right to have their god, or not. I guess I was amazed when the subject of JFK Kennedy being a Catholic was made to be a big deal. I would much rather have a person with some moral values in the White House than a person that has no moral compass.
Speaking of a lack of a moral compass, have you been watching the John Edwards fiasco? I guess some people with money think they can do things differently in private than they do in private. The first time I heard that he got a $500 haircut, I was taken back. The most expensive haircut I ever got was $14 with a couple dollar tip. My current barber charges me $10. heck, I don't even really look in the mirror when the Barber is finished. It is a haircut not a masterpiece. That reminds me of what the Shawnee County Commissioners did the other day. They awarded a contract for mowing to the highest bidder because the two lower bidders didn't have great references. It was for Mowing. Seesh! just how hard is that? What special talents does a person have to have to mow? How does the little guy start out if he can't even qualify for a job mowing?
Oh well, on with the day.
MUD
5/02/2012
Life as I See It
Just in case there is one person left out there that doesn't know, I am a conservative and unhappy with the way our Government is Governing. At the start of this year, the two things our State Legislature had to do was pass a budget and redistrict. They are at the end of the session and neither of those tasks are done. Were I in charge, I would hold their feet to the fire and not let them go home until both are done. I would also not pay one penny of extra pay for them to do their job.
Now, back to the really important things at the National level. When have you been given a list of the priority of this Government? Do you think they have a clue? I hear complaints that the judicial branch is driving legislation and then I see that the budget process (or lack thereof) is steering the social agenda without many people knowing what the heck is going on.
My priority list would start with those responsibilities mandated by the Constitution. Defense of the US, Interstate commerce, are at the top of that list. I would do my best to make the programs out there work or get eliminated. If an item goes unfunded for more than one budget session, it would have a sunset provision.
Life is not fair or equal. You have the same opportunity I had to get an education, work hard and save money. You will not be given equal pay for unequal work. Ditch diggers do not make the same money as Brain surgeons. I know the ditch digger works physically harder, but it isn't just the working hard but the benefit to society. What I do not understand is why professional Athletes and Actors get paid millions of dollars to play or act. But, I will not try or even address making it equal on the benefits side or the income side.
For one, I would call the heads of the Military. The Joint Chiefs of Staff would be a good place to start, and tell them they have three years to shape up the Military. There would be a Naval force, Army Force and an Air force. The Marines would be in the ground or Army Component and the Coast guard would be in the navy. Homeland defense would be at the table with the joint Chiefs of Staff but no forces above what is already there in the forces allocated. I would give the Army a reserve component and put it under the National Guard. I would put the Air Force reserves in charge of the Air Guard and the Navy would be in charge of the navy reserves.
I would make sure that our congress and the Executive branch agree on every dollar spent and not foreign aid would get spent if it wasn't funded in the regular stream.
This is the place where I want you to comment and let me know what you think.
MUD
Now, back to the really important things at the National level. When have you been given a list of the priority of this Government? Do you think they have a clue? I hear complaints that the judicial branch is driving legislation and then I see that the budget process (or lack thereof) is steering the social agenda without many people knowing what the heck is going on.
My priority list would start with those responsibilities mandated by the Constitution. Defense of the US, Interstate commerce, are at the top of that list. I would do my best to make the programs out there work or get eliminated. If an item goes unfunded for more than one budget session, it would have a sunset provision.
Life is not fair or equal. You have the same opportunity I had to get an education, work hard and save money. You will not be given equal pay for unequal work. Ditch diggers do not make the same money as Brain surgeons. I know the ditch digger works physically harder, but it isn't just the working hard but the benefit to society. What I do not understand is why professional Athletes and Actors get paid millions of dollars to play or act. But, I will not try or even address making it equal on the benefits side or the income side.
For one, I would call the heads of the Military. The Joint Chiefs of Staff would be a good place to start, and tell them they have three years to shape up the Military. There would be a Naval force, Army Force and an Air force. The Marines would be in the ground or Army Component and the Coast guard would be in the navy. Homeland defense would be at the table with the joint Chiefs of Staff but no forces above what is already there in the forces allocated. I would give the Army a reserve component and put it under the National Guard. I would put the Air Force reserves in charge of the Air Guard and the Navy would be in charge of the navy reserves.
I would make sure that our congress and the Executive branch agree on every dollar spent and not foreign aid would get spent if it wasn't funded in the regular stream.
This is the place where I want you to comment and let me know what you think.
MUD
Bathroom Update - Kinda
My rental house is one of those houses that was built in stages. I think the original house was a two bedroom house serviced by an outhouse when it was built. The reason I think this is that the floor where the plumbing is run is raised by 6 inches so the lines can be above the slab the house was built on. There are no utilities below the floor grade right now. The second addition was a living room and one more bedroom built in the 30's. It has a crawl space below the floor and you go up a couple of stairs to get into that addition. The back addition that is now the master bedroom is over a basement and none of the utilities are run there. There are three fuze boxes and they have different combinations of ages. The oldest has screw in glass fuzes and the latest has the typical breakers.
Somewhere out there in the distant future there will be a bathroom added over the basement area but that will also mean that I will have to add a sewer line, a water line and hot water heater. That will be on hold until after it gets a roof.
I went to Lowe's and Home Depot yesterday and I am of the opinion that Home Depot seems to be slightly better at pricing the products for a private person doing his own job. No matter where I shop, the nicer stuff is kinda expensive. There is one kind of flooring that is a "lifetime guarantee Waterproof" floor. At a $1.59 a square foot it will probably be the flooring. They have it in a travertine stone look and in an Oak look. It is a click lock product and one I can do myself.
In about an hour, Barb and I are going to go bike riding over at the lake. I really love to feel the wind in my face and to get a little exercise. After the Sunday dinner for the family, we have lots of left overs so we will probably come home to eat. I am managing to cut down on the eating out at local restaurants and have dropped about 15 lbs by Barb's weight watchers scale. The Doctor threatened me with a comparison of my A1C reading with normal. I have no idea what that is other than it has to do with the tendency to be Diabetic. My reading was 14.1 and a reading of 14.6 is where they start you on the oral medication. With my Dad and an uncle both diabetic, I am in no hurry to go there. My goal is to lose another 10 to 15 lbs and have the test run again.
What makes me wonder is that my niece that was here over the weekend commented that the butt of my jeans were baggy. I am not sure if they are baggy because they are too big or if I buy the "Old Guy" baggy jeans so the Boys will have more room. I do know that thank god most of the jeans for old men are not that low cut kind that shows off your plumber's crack even when you are standing. I guess I'll just have to revert to being a "Double Safety" man and wear a belt and suspenders when I really have to have my pants held up. I am pretty sure that I can use a razor blade and cut the name Carhardt off the suspenders when I need to go a little dressed up. What? Buy new jeans? Are you crazy? Not until I wear the old one's out.
Oh well, better get moving, need to check out the pressure in the tires. Need to drag out the compressor.
MUD
Somewhere out there in the distant future there will be a bathroom added over the basement area but that will also mean that I will have to add a sewer line, a water line and hot water heater. That will be on hold until after it gets a roof.
I went to Lowe's and Home Depot yesterday and I am of the opinion that Home Depot seems to be slightly better at pricing the products for a private person doing his own job. No matter where I shop, the nicer stuff is kinda expensive. There is one kind of flooring that is a "lifetime guarantee Waterproof" floor. At a $1.59 a square foot it will probably be the flooring. They have it in a travertine stone look and in an Oak look. It is a click lock product and one I can do myself.
In about an hour, Barb and I are going to go bike riding over at the lake. I really love to feel the wind in my face and to get a little exercise. After the Sunday dinner for the family, we have lots of left overs so we will probably come home to eat. I am managing to cut down on the eating out at local restaurants and have dropped about 15 lbs by Barb's weight watchers scale. The Doctor threatened me with a comparison of my A1C reading with normal. I have no idea what that is other than it has to do with the tendency to be Diabetic. My reading was 14.1 and a reading of 14.6 is where they start you on the oral medication. With my Dad and an uncle both diabetic, I am in no hurry to go there. My goal is to lose another 10 to 15 lbs and have the test run again.
What makes me wonder is that my niece that was here over the weekend commented that the butt of my jeans were baggy. I am not sure if they are baggy because they are too big or if I buy the "Old Guy" baggy jeans so the Boys will have more room. I do know that thank god most of the jeans for old men are not that low cut kind that shows off your plumber's crack even when you are standing. I guess I'll just have to revert to being a "Double Safety" man and wear a belt and suspenders when I really have to have my pants held up. I am pretty sure that I can use a razor blade and cut the name Carhardt off the suspenders when I need to go a little dressed up. What? Buy new jeans? Are you crazy? Not until I wear the old one's out.
Oh well, better get moving, need to check out the pressure in the tires. Need to drag out the compressor.
MUD
5/01/2012
One of those Days
I woke up this morning to the sound of a thunder storm. The weatherman said a small storm would pass in the night but by early this morning it would be dry and clear. I waited for a few minutes before I had to get up. The sound of running water just reminds me of the need to pee. I went up and had to work hard to remember the code for the burglar alarm and had thoughts of reading the Sunday Morning paper. Yes, I now know it is Tuesday and I was wrong.
Sunday, I was told that you didn't have to do the finger test to see if a baby's diaper is wet. There is a little blue line that does that for you. Cool. It reminds me of the Coors beer label that turns blue when the beer is cold enough. Not sure why you would need that but hey, it is their gimmick. I do fully understand the diaper marker. Reminds me of the Bladder warning sign for helicopter Pilots It goes Pee.Pee.Pee!
I think I will go over to the other side of town and see if the new Big Box Store behind Lowe's is open yet. Mervin or something like that. I have a bathroom remodel coming up soon and am looking for great prices. I will have to tear out the tub and replace it along with the sub floor. I will also replace the 1950 vanity while I am at it. The door to the bathroom is only 24 inches wide so I'll probably have to bust the cast iron tub up to get it out. The other day I saw that they have new tubs that are a combination shower and are only about 17 inches tall. It also has a built in enclosure so that won't be too tough to get in. I am going to rent a porta potty
It was funny to listen to my niece and her husband discuss their plans for a bump out for the kitchen. She has great ideas and firm plans. He had great ideas and financial ability now if they can agree on his part of the deal. I wish them well.
Every once in a while, I break down and buy lottery tickets. I can't find a good reason as the odds of winning are so low. Besides, I would probably be one of theose stories where the lottery winner wins a million and spends two.
Did you hear Barack's joke? "How do you tell the difference between a Hockey Mom and a Pit Bull? The Pit bull taste's better." I don't get how that's any less offensive than the joke about the County Commissioner dating a girl from the Indian Reservation and every time they danced, it would rain. Or his other girl friend must have been a magician, she charged him $25 per trick. Or did you know the new association in Shawnee County is Mothers against dyslexia or DAM.
Oh well, on with the day.
Went over to Lowe's and Home Depot. Sheesh are they proud of the stuff to go in the bathroom. A good tub and enclosure is over $500 a vanity and top is $300. A Wall cabinet is $300 and fixtures will probably run 250 to 300. I figure the structure to support it all is at least $200 and another 100 for flooring. I haven't even figured the rent in that. When I get down to the bare walls, I may have to do some sheet rock and pretty sure there is some paint needed. I did see that on TV they spent about $13,000 on a bath but it was purdy.
MUD
Sunday, I was told that you didn't have to do the finger test to see if a baby's diaper is wet. There is a little blue line that does that for you. Cool. It reminds me of the Coors beer label that turns blue when the beer is cold enough. Not sure why you would need that but hey, it is their gimmick. I do fully understand the diaper marker. Reminds me of the Bladder warning sign for helicopter Pilots It goes Pee.Pee.Pee!
I think I will go over to the other side of town and see if the new Big Box Store behind Lowe's is open yet. Mervin or something like that. I have a bathroom remodel coming up soon and am looking for great prices. I will have to tear out the tub and replace it along with the sub floor. I will also replace the 1950 vanity while I am at it. The door to the bathroom is only 24 inches wide so I'll probably have to bust the cast iron tub up to get it out. The other day I saw that they have new tubs that are a combination shower and are only about 17 inches tall. It also has a built in enclosure so that won't be too tough to get in. I am going to rent a porta potty
It was funny to listen to my niece and her husband discuss their plans for a bump out for the kitchen. She has great ideas and firm plans. He had great ideas and financial ability now if they can agree on his part of the deal. I wish them well.
Every once in a while, I break down and buy lottery tickets. I can't find a good reason as the odds of winning are so low. Besides, I would probably be one of theose stories where the lottery winner wins a million and spends two.
Did you hear Barack's joke? "How do you tell the difference between a Hockey Mom and a Pit Bull? The Pit bull taste's better." I don't get how that's any less offensive than the joke about the County Commissioner dating a girl from the Indian Reservation and every time they danced, it would rain. Or his other girl friend must have been a magician, she charged him $25 per trick. Or did you know the new association in Shawnee County is Mothers against dyslexia or DAM.
Oh well, on with the day.
Went over to Lowe's and Home Depot. Sheesh are they proud of the stuff to go in the bathroom. A good tub and enclosure is over $500 a vanity and top is $300. A Wall cabinet is $300 and fixtures will probably run 250 to 300. I figure the structure to support it all is at least $200 and another 100 for flooring. I haven't even figured the rent in that. When I get down to the bare walls, I may have to do some sheet rock and pretty sure there is some paint needed. I did see that on TV they spent about $13,000 on a bath but it was purdy.
MUD
4/30/2012
Great Weekend
At least 20 members of the family came over on Sunday and we had a great time. Just about the time I needed to start the grilling on the deck, it was raining cats and dog with a little lightning thrown in. I can cook in the cold, rain, heat or snow but I don't fool around when large amounts of electricity is looking for a 6'3" lightning rod. I managed to get all cooked in time and a lot of it was consumed. Barb's coconut cream pie won the Petty family traveling trophy. The funny thing is she made it sugar free and o one noticed.
This morning I worked on the truck again for what should have been a 15 minute job and it took me most of 4 hours to get the spark plugs changed. I won't go into the details but I will say thank god it will be another 50,000 miles before I change them.
The weather here in the heartland is cloudy and the temperature hasn't hit 70 yet. I was looking forward to a bike ride but perhaps tomorrow.
I am going to spend the rest of the day just doing little. Might even get to throw in a nap also.
MUD
This morning I worked on the truck again for what should have been a 15 minute job and it took me most of 4 hours to get the spark plugs changed. I won't go into the details but I will say thank god it will be another 50,000 miles before I change them.
The weather here in the heartland is cloudy and the temperature hasn't hit 70 yet. I was looking forward to a bike ride but perhaps tomorrow.
I am going to spend the rest of the day just doing little. Might even get to throw in a nap also.
MUD
4/28/2012
Truck Troubles
In case you didn't know, I am an old car kind of guy. OK, I am an old guy and I like cars I can fix. Day before yesterday, I went out to start the truck and it cranked hard but didn't hit a lick. I started with the assumption that I flooded it first and cleaned the plugs one at a time. I checked the gas line and then the voltage to the ignition. So far so good. I am going to invite Barb out and have her crank the engine while I look at the spark for one of the plugs. I suspect a part in the ignition. It doesn't have a coil, just one of those fancy distributors with some electrical works inside.
Oh well, better get cranking
MUD
Later on tonight
My 53 Chevy Pick-Up Truck has a late model Chevy 350 motor in it. Along with the later model displacement, it has a High Efficiency Ignition (HEI) That is completely different from the systems I worked with as a kid. This opened a whole new world of troubleshooting for me from where I grew up. The big difference is the structure has a coil built in to the distributor cap instead or a separate beer can shaped coil. There are no points to adjust, just an engine control module that does god only knows what. I had a dead truck and no way to troubleshoot with the help of a computer so it was replace as you go. With no spark, I started with the coil and the distributor cap. No, that didn't fix the problem. Next, there was the rotor and the engine control module. Between each step, i would put the whole mess together and try to start it. I can now take the entire system apart and put it back together in about 15 minutes. Under neath the rotor, there is a set of rotating weights that advance the spark as the rpm increases. These tiny parts have a spring that return the parts as the RPM decreases. Those little springs are impossible to find if you drop one and wouldn't you know I dropped one. Thank God for Ace hardware's assortment of springs. The one that was the right tension was a little long. I managed to cut it too the same size as the one that didn't jump off into the grass. It looked like a home made spring and i duplicated the shape and length.
The good news is that when I finished the last time, it started and seems to run like a champ. I am not sure what tart of the almost $100 dollars worth of parts finally fixed the darn thing, but I'm not sure I really care so long as it runs and runs well.
Oh well, better get cranking
MUD
Later on tonight
My 53 Chevy Pick-Up Truck has a late model Chevy 350 motor in it. Along with the later model displacement, it has a High Efficiency Ignition (HEI) That is completely different from the systems I worked with as a kid. This opened a whole new world of troubleshooting for me from where I grew up. The big difference is the structure has a coil built in to the distributor cap instead or a separate beer can shaped coil. There are no points to adjust, just an engine control module that does god only knows what. I had a dead truck and no way to troubleshoot with the help of a computer so it was replace as you go. With no spark, I started with the coil and the distributor cap. No, that didn't fix the problem. Next, there was the rotor and the engine control module. Between each step, i would put the whole mess together and try to start it. I can now take the entire system apart and put it back together in about 15 minutes. Under neath the rotor, there is a set of rotating weights that advance the spark as the rpm increases. These tiny parts have a spring that return the parts as the RPM decreases. Those little springs are impossible to find if you drop one and wouldn't you know I dropped one. Thank God for Ace hardware's assortment of springs. The one that was the right tension was a little long. I managed to cut it too the same size as the one that didn't jump off into the grass. It looked like a home made spring and i duplicated the shape and length.
The good news is that when I finished the last time, it started and seems to run like a champ. I am not sure what tart of the almost $100 dollars worth of parts finally fixed the darn thing, but I'm not sure I really care so long as it runs and runs well.
4/27/2012
Gettin' Ready
We have invited the family over this weekend to celebrate the April Birthdays and I am really looking forward to the great time with the family. It is also a good excuse to start the spring house cleaning, and well deserved too I might add. Barb has been really busy doing her gardening thing and I have just been too lazy to work hard inside the house.
The son of my best friend lives near Dallas and posted a picture of his daughter riding her new bicycle. Barb and I have been riding our recumbents over at the lake and know fully well what the wind in our face puts a smile there. We rode from the South end up to the dam this last week and it was clear that we were both not in bike shape. Like ship shape but without the legs. The first hill from the south is long and it just makes my knees hurt when I try to zip up the hill. I was glad to see the picture of our newest bike rider and that she wears a helmet.
I think it is funny that people watch the "Roasts" on the comedy channel and then make such a fuss over a couple of the same type of jokes from our Mayor. I will point out that he was a lot cleaner than the Comedy Channel stuff. It must have been a slow funny day as Jay Leno put the mayor in one of his segments. How can you be funny today if the Political Correct Nazi's are out there reporting any attempt to tell a joke that might offend everyone.
Lately there have been several attempts by the bloggers to play the job of the President down. Many have reduced it to a figure head and a lot more like a celebrity position than the true merit of the job. I feel the job of the President is to set the tone and be the cheerleader of our Nation. He should have some leadership skills and be able to arbitrate failings between the parties. I think it is important that we have the three parts of our Government and the executive branch should be where the direction for the future comes from. My biggest disappointment in the Obama administration is that his "Change" has been lacking.
Oh well, I guess it is about time to get cracking on the day. Just a little more cleaning and we'll be ready for the people to come here and enjoy the hospitality and family.
MUD
The son of my best friend lives near Dallas and posted a picture of his daughter riding her new bicycle. Barb and I have been riding our recumbents over at the lake and know fully well what the wind in our face puts a smile there. We rode from the South end up to the dam this last week and it was clear that we were both not in bike shape. Like ship shape but without the legs. The first hill from the south is long and it just makes my knees hurt when I try to zip up the hill. I was glad to see the picture of our newest bike rider and that she wears a helmet.
I think it is funny that people watch the "Roasts" on the comedy channel and then make such a fuss over a couple of the same type of jokes from our Mayor. I will point out that he was a lot cleaner than the Comedy Channel stuff. It must have been a slow funny day as Jay Leno put the mayor in one of his segments. How can you be funny today if the Political Correct Nazi's are out there reporting any attempt to tell a joke that might offend everyone.
Lately there have been several attempts by the bloggers to play the job of the President down. Many have reduced it to a figure head and a lot more like a celebrity position than the true merit of the job. I feel the job of the President is to set the tone and be the cheerleader of our Nation. He should have some leadership skills and be able to arbitrate failings between the parties. I think it is important that we have the three parts of our Government and the executive branch should be where the direction for the future comes from. My biggest disappointment in the Obama administration is that his "Change" has been lacking.
Oh well, I guess it is about time to get cracking on the day. Just a little more cleaning and we'll be ready for the people to come here and enjoy the hospitality and family.
MUD
4/26/2012
Crap
I can figure out if my dyslexia is getting worse or my attitude about typing is flagging. I look back over the Facebook posts and realize that when I sent a message my letters looked OK but now are reversed. When I typed the title of this post, I wrote Carp. Spell checker won't red line a word that is something else in its other form.
The other day our Mayor told a joke about Dam, Mothers Against Dyslexia. You know, that joke is the kind of joke I resemble. Like the Dyslexic Atheist that believed there was no dog. We expect our comedians to be irreverent but our politicians not so much.
I went over to my rental house and found that my tenant has a new dog. She has climbed the wall by the front door and it looks like someone kicked the door in. I am going to do some work there in a week or so and I guess I will have to remind them that they are responsible for the damage the dog does. I am a little pissed off that they have jumped up and down on the bathroom floor in the last few weeks and it now needs some serious work. The last time I was there it was mostly cosmetic but now the structure is seriously bad. Probably would have needed work this year but now it is a lot more serious. I will replace the bathtub and a major part of the floor. Not sure what I will do to put down a new flooring yet. I need to get into the wall behind the vanity so I will probably replace it with a newer one. Oh well, we'll see what comes from the whole mess once I get it torn out. I am going to rent a porta potty and they will shower at my other rental house. The porta potty is as much for me as it is for them.
Barbara and I have been working on the yard lately and it is clear that the more I get done, the more I want to do more. There is a place by the front door that just cries out to have a retaining wall built. I also need to move the wisteria that has been there for several years and never bloomed. I also need to hire the nephew to do some mowing on a regular basis. he can use the money and I can use the help.
We are going to have the family over this weekend for a gathering. It is to celebrate the April Birthdays. This year is one of those years where a whole bunch of people hit birthdays that end in 5 or zero. My mother would have been 90, my brother-in-law will be 75, a sister will be 70, I will be 65 and my brother will be 60. I will cook burgers and brats and Barb will make (or buy pies) My mother often told us that she would rather have a good pie for her birthday over cake. I like a good cake now and then but won't turn down a slice of a good pie.
I hope the weather settles down some soon. Yesterday we set a new record high of 97 and this morning it is about 55 and falling. Our normal temperature swing is about 20 degrees and this seems more like Barstow California where a 50 degree swing is not unusual. Will be in the 60's this weekend. We will need to watch for Frost overnight Saturday. Sweat to frost in a couple of days. Sheesh.
MUD
The other day our Mayor told a joke about Dam, Mothers Against Dyslexia. You know, that joke is the kind of joke I resemble. Like the Dyslexic Atheist that believed there was no dog. We expect our comedians to be irreverent but our politicians not so much.
I went over to my rental house and found that my tenant has a new dog. She has climbed the wall by the front door and it looks like someone kicked the door in. I am going to do some work there in a week or so and I guess I will have to remind them that they are responsible for the damage the dog does. I am a little pissed off that they have jumped up and down on the bathroom floor in the last few weeks and it now needs some serious work. The last time I was there it was mostly cosmetic but now the structure is seriously bad. Probably would have needed work this year but now it is a lot more serious. I will replace the bathtub and a major part of the floor. Not sure what I will do to put down a new flooring yet. I need to get into the wall behind the vanity so I will probably replace it with a newer one. Oh well, we'll see what comes from the whole mess once I get it torn out. I am going to rent a porta potty and they will shower at my other rental house. The porta potty is as much for me as it is for them.
Barbara and I have been working on the yard lately and it is clear that the more I get done, the more I want to do more. There is a place by the front door that just cries out to have a retaining wall built. I also need to move the wisteria that has been there for several years and never bloomed. I also need to hire the nephew to do some mowing on a regular basis. he can use the money and I can use the help.
We are going to have the family over this weekend for a gathering. It is to celebrate the April Birthdays. This year is one of those years where a whole bunch of people hit birthdays that end in 5 or zero. My mother would have been 90, my brother-in-law will be 75, a sister will be 70, I will be 65 and my brother will be 60. I will cook burgers and brats and Barb will make (or buy pies) My mother often told us that she would rather have a good pie for her birthday over cake. I like a good cake now and then but won't turn down a slice of a good pie.
 |
| My mother, the mechanic |
I hope the weather settles down some soon. Yesterday we set a new record high of 97 and this morning it is about 55 and falling. Our normal temperature swing is about 20 degrees and this seems more like Barstow California where a 50 degree swing is not unusual. Will be in the 60's this weekend. We will need to watch for Frost overnight Saturday. Sweat to frost in a couple of days. Sheesh.
MUD
4/25/2012
My View on War
Being an old retired Army guy and veteran of the Vietnam conflict (I hate that term) I feel that I have earned the right too comment on War and why we do it.
First of all, let me state clearly that it is the failure of the Governments to talk about what is important that brings them to throwing the lives of their youth into a place that kills a lot of them. I'll bet they would be a lot more careful if they had to go fight the war rather than the young men and women. It is hard to govern and a hell of a lot easier to throw men and women into the pit of war than to make things work right. In my looking at history, I can't find many instances where peace and prosperity just broke out and all was well. Mostly it was the change that war brought that made people realize that peace is a lot harder but a lot safer. (and I might add cheaper)
The troops that have been there call it Ass-Crackerstan! or for most of recorded history, the most desolate place on earth has been the scene of battles. How can we ever achieve peace in a place where people have to carry AK-47s to be safe? How can we do what the English and the Soviets could not do? How can we send three times their GDP into the country fighting a war that can't be won. Oh sure, there are some guys that go there and are safe in rear areas but the average guy out in the countryside is just one Improved Explosive Device from a Medivac trip to Germany or home in a metal coffin.
It may be clear to some of you that because you are safe the war is on someone else's shoulders. It is for those young men and women out there that I think this is one war that is just more of the same. I don't know who said it but "Doing the same thing and expecting a different outcome is lunacy."
Bring our Soldiers, Airmen, CIA and DEA guys home and let the Afghanistan people work it all out. We sure as hell can't fix what is so broken.
MUD
First of all, let me state clearly that it is the failure of the Governments to talk about what is important that brings them to throwing the lives of their youth into a place that kills a lot of them. I'll bet they would be a lot more careful if they had to go fight the war rather than the young men and women. It is hard to govern and a hell of a lot easier to throw men and women into the pit of war than to make things work right. In my looking at history, I can't find many instances where peace and prosperity just broke out and all was well. Mostly it was the change that war brought that made people realize that peace is a lot harder but a lot safer. (and I might add cheaper)
The troops that have been there call it Ass-Crackerstan! or for most of recorded history, the most desolate place on earth has been the scene of battles. How can we ever achieve peace in a place where people have to carry AK-47s to be safe? How can we do what the English and the Soviets could not do? How can we send three times their GDP into the country fighting a war that can't be won. Oh sure, there are some guys that go there and are safe in rear areas but the average guy out in the countryside is just one Improved Explosive Device from a Medivac trip to Germany or home in a metal coffin.
It may be clear to some of you that because you are safe the war is on someone else's shoulders. It is for those young men and women out there that I think this is one war that is just more of the same. I don't know who said it but "Doing the same thing and expecting a different outcome is lunacy."
Bring our Soldiers, Airmen, CIA and DEA guys home and let the Afghanistan people work it all out. We sure as hell can't fix what is so broken.
MUD
Advanced Education
Let me begin here with the fact that Barbara and I both finished a Degree post High School. Barbara's first two years were in California where she had to pay little more than books to get her AA from Barstow Junior College. She brags about the quality of her education and how much the low cost helped her get that far. If you would meet her, it would be clear that she is a highly educated person.
I started at Wichita State University in 1965 but really didn't have a clear goal in my life and no Barbara to help me. I goofed around the second semester and dropped out because I couldn't attend classes and play 10 point pitch in the Campus Activity Center. At least I couldn't drink beer there. I found myself Drafted the next fall and my goal there was to use the GI bill to pay for my education. When I first was drafted, I had a 24 month obligation and that would have paid for my education through the start of my senior year. I decided that I would attend Officer Candidate School and that would add 9 months to my GI Bill. By the time I finished my Military Obligation, they had upped the benefit to 36 Months and I went through my degree using the GI bill.
When Barbara and I returned to Kansas after I came home from Vietnam, she too went to Wichita State with me for two years. She completed her degree in Education and I finished my AA at Wichita State. We drew a radius around every college in Kansas and Barbara applied to the school districts to get a job teaching elementary Education. She was hired by Leavenworth and I commuted back and forth to Kansas University. If I had it to do all over again, I would try a lot harder to stay at Wichita State. You could take any class anytime as they focused on all segments of the community.
We delayed starting our family until we both had our degree and I had a full time job with the National Guard. Barbara took a couple of years off when Dave was born and also completed her work on a Special Education degree through Kansas University. We both finished our education without significant student loans. Barbara also finished her Masters Degree from KU.
I am not sure of the exact dollars, but I am pretty sure that over our lifetime, we by the end of our working years made at least $50,000 more per year because of our degrees.
I advocate that everyone try to find a way to get an advanced education is something. The world is full of things to do and jobs that will pay you almost as well as the jobs that require a degree. The next time your furnace, car or any electronic item breaks look at the bill to fix it. I'll bet the labor cost is listed there on the bill and those guys are worth every dime they cost.
MUD
I started at Wichita State University in 1965 but really didn't have a clear goal in my life and no Barbara to help me. I goofed around the second semester and dropped out because I couldn't attend classes and play 10 point pitch in the Campus Activity Center. At least I couldn't drink beer there. I found myself Drafted the next fall and my goal there was to use the GI bill to pay for my education. When I first was drafted, I had a 24 month obligation and that would have paid for my education through the start of my senior year. I decided that I would attend Officer Candidate School and that would add 9 months to my GI Bill. By the time I finished my Military Obligation, they had upped the benefit to 36 Months and I went through my degree using the GI bill.
When Barbara and I returned to Kansas after I came home from Vietnam, she too went to Wichita State with me for two years. She completed her degree in Education and I finished my AA at Wichita State. We drew a radius around every college in Kansas and Barbara applied to the school districts to get a job teaching elementary Education. She was hired by Leavenworth and I commuted back and forth to Kansas University. If I had it to do all over again, I would try a lot harder to stay at Wichita State. You could take any class anytime as they focused on all segments of the community.
We delayed starting our family until we both had our degree and I had a full time job with the National Guard. Barbara took a couple of years off when Dave was born and also completed her work on a Special Education degree through Kansas University. We both finished our education without significant student loans. Barbara also finished her Masters Degree from KU.
I am not sure of the exact dollars, but I am pretty sure that over our lifetime, we by the end of our working years made at least $50,000 more per year because of our degrees.
I advocate that everyone try to find a way to get an advanced education is something. The world is full of things to do and jobs that will pay you almost as well as the jobs that require a degree. The next time your furnace, car or any electronic item breaks look at the bill to fix it. I'll bet the labor cost is listed there on the bill and those guys are worth every dime they cost.
MUD
4/24/2012
When and Where Will it Start
It is my hope that I am not the only one out there that feels we need to have a Mulligan on our National Budget? It is my hope that it will happen before the rest of the world just call us Greece and tell us to go pound sand. In my perfect world, the Congress would pass a budget that includes a percentage of the National Debt (Paid off not increased) and be within the amount of intake they get from our taxes paid. Yes, boys and girls I will say it again - Out go must be equal to or less than income.
The only solution for this is for our Government to stop trying to fix all our problems with new legislation. Then, we will need to trim down each budget area until we hit something that resembles equilibrium. Just so you know, there must be some increases in our spending and let me share you where I think that needs to start.
First, Education or re-education of all the personnel we will downsize from the Military needs to start now and be ramped up quickly. I am not talking about high priced college educations for everyone, some of the personnel need to be able to be plumbers, carpenters, brick layers, auto mechanics and electricians. A good share of the budget will be needed by the VA to pay for all the young people that will need adjustment to a life where they make the majority of the daily decisions.
I also think there needs to be increased spending on programs that pay for the education of teachers. I would include in that spending a way that the young men and women can work in a school as well as go to school. They would be paid for their time helping as a para and a stipend to help them pay for the education would be included.
The negative I would require is that our Military would have to be combined in a way that a lot of the Military just wouldn't agree to. I would have an Army with a reserve. I would have an Air Force with a reserve and a Navy with a reserve. The National Guard would be the reserve of the Army. The Air Force Reserve would be the reserve for the Air Force and the navy would have the Naval reserves. The Army would absorb the Marines and the Navy would absorb the Coast Guard. Homeland defense and the Border patrol would be included in the Army and overlaps eliminated. This would take about three years to sort out and absorb all the people in an orderly transition.
Instead of all the wrangling going on in Washington, they would have to stop and make a list of the biggest problems and fund the solutions only to the limit of the amount received. That should keep them busy.
Starting as soon as I could make it happen, the Military we have overseas would be brought home and our focus would be on our problems. The foreign aide would dry up and let the Arab world with all the money pay for the problems in Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan or whatererstan.
MUD
The only solution for this is for our Government to stop trying to fix all our problems with new legislation. Then, we will need to trim down each budget area until we hit something that resembles equilibrium. Just so you know, there must be some increases in our spending and let me share you where I think that needs to start.
First, Education or re-education of all the personnel we will downsize from the Military needs to start now and be ramped up quickly. I am not talking about high priced college educations for everyone, some of the personnel need to be able to be plumbers, carpenters, brick layers, auto mechanics and electricians. A good share of the budget will be needed by the VA to pay for all the young people that will need adjustment to a life where they make the majority of the daily decisions.
I also think there needs to be increased spending on programs that pay for the education of teachers. I would include in that spending a way that the young men and women can work in a school as well as go to school. They would be paid for their time helping as a para and a stipend to help them pay for the education would be included.
The negative I would require is that our Military would have to be combined in a way that a lot of the Military just wouldn't agree to. I would have an Army with a reserve. I would have an Air Force with a reserve and a Navy with a reserve. The National Guard would be the reserve of the Army. The Air Force Reserve would be the reserve for the Air Force and the navy would have the Naval reserves. The Army would absorb the Marines and the Navy would absorb the Coast Guard. Homeland defense and the Border patrol would be included in the Army and overlaps eliminated. This would take about three years to sort out and absorb all the people in an orderly transition.
Instead of all the wrangling going on in Washington, they would have to stop and make a list of the biggest problems and fund the solutions only to the limit of the amount received. That should keep them busy.
Starting as soon as I could make it happen, the Military we have overseas would be brought home and our focus would be on our problems. The foreign aide would dry up and let the Arab world with all the money pay for the problems in Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan or whatererstan.
MUD
Earning It's Keep
I guess I should have known that Barbara would have the tractor earning its keep. We are working on a retaining wall and I am busy moving rocks and dirt. The kind of fun thing is to maneuver the tractor between the Ford, the trees and get the rocks close enough to where they are going to finally be. I swear that my hands are busier than a teenager at a Drive-in Movie. I may need to take up Yoga to get limber enough to watch in front and behind as I maneuver the beast.
Dave Ramsey is doing a piece about trivia in our lives that gets reported over and over. He call it "Stupid Butt Stuff" that gets reported on Facebook, e-mails and reality TV. Some people become so tied up with the daily trivia that we become enslaved by it. He says the cure for the enslavement is to work on having real goals and working on important things not the unimportant. He also points out that Scopes is the place to look up the stupid things before tying up the net with trivial things that are wrong.
On the other hand, many of us have goals and don't have a clue how to actualize them. Starting on the biggest goal, you need to break that goal down into smaller steps and then figure out what you can pay for this year and then the next. That becomes you program and then you need to budget your money to make them happen. The biggest mistake people make is to be over aggressive with their budget and lose focus on what you are doing. Giving up is a whole lot easier than working hard.
Barbara and I have been paid once a month for most of our life. I am pretty sure that this helped us understand the value of spending less than we made. I have watched her build up our "Emergency Fund" each month until she could start moving the extra funds from a checking account to our savings account. I think we always talked about what we wanted (goals) and what we are spending our money on (budget).
I am always reminded of the poster on the back of the bathroom wall Mom had in Arkansas. " Happiness is not getting what you want, but wanting what you have."
Had she lived, Mom would have been 90 yesterday. We ate a piece of pie in honor of her birthday.
MUD
Dave Ramsey is doing a piece about trivia in our lives that gets reported over and over. He call it "Stupid Butt Stuff" that gets reported on Facebook, e-mails and reality TV. Some people become so tied up with the daily trivia that we become enslaved by it. He says the cure for the enslavement is to work on having real goals and working on important things not the unimportant. He also points out that Scopes is the place to look up the stupid things before tying up the net with trivial things that are wrong.
On the other hand, many of us have goals and don't have a clue how to actualize them. Starting on the biggest goal, you need to break that goal down into smaller steps and then figure out what you can pay for this year and then the next. That becomes you program and then you need to budget your money to make them happen. The biggest mistake people make is to be over aggressive with their budget and lose focus on what you are doing. Giving up is a whole lot easier than working hard.
Barbara and I have been paid once a month for most of our life. I am pretty sure that this helped us understand the value of spending less than we made. I have watched her build up our "Emergency Fund" each month until she could start moving the extra funds from a checking account to our savings account. I think we always talked about what we wanted (goals) and what we are spending our money on (budget).
I am always reminded of the poster on the back of the bathroom wall Mom had in Arkansas. " Happiness is not getting what you want, but wanting what you have."
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| My Mother in Eldorado, KS |
MUD
4/23/2012
Stats
I have written about 2006 Blogs read by 52,804 hits. I sure hope I get the hang of this stuff some day.
MUD
MUD
Thoughts for the Day
As you might tell by the above post, I am concerned that many people don't understand the concept of freedom. There are many of you out there that believe the government can cure our Ills by limiting the freedom of the people we don't like or agree with. Over and over, I hear people say that we need a law to shut down the Westborough Baptist Church so they don't picket at Military Funerals. That is just so wrong on many levels. First, they have the right to peacefully assemble, they have the right to free speech and the freedom of religion might be a stretch for me but for them, it is their way of showing what they believe.
Start down the slippery slope of giving the government the right to start limiting our freedoms and the next thing the Government will come to your house the next time you voice your opinion about a politician. I for one fought for the right to bear arms and shout that I am free to do what I can to bring change to our country. I am fully aware that I must do the right things and will do my best to not do the wrong things, but whatever I chose, I understand your right to chose something different. 44 years of being married to the Master Gardener must be good for something.
Have a great day.
MUD
4/22/2012
This is a re-run of an old post:
I ran into a blog that had important quotes with proper names attached. Here is some of the stuff I have heard and I don't care who said it:
A bird in the hand will probably bite you or poop on your fingers. Even if they are very costly and worth a lot of money at "Pet Land". Try to get one of the nasty little buggers to fetch a stick.
He who dies with the most toys, dies!
A penny saved isn't worth very darn much. Talk about dollars and you might be on the right track.
You are your own worst critic. The other guys just get under your skin!
If the going is easy it probably is an ambush (Murphy's rules of Combat but who the hell was Murphy?)
Kids learn to read until about the end of the second grade. After that they read to learn. Reading is the most important thing a parent can do with their children. Make it fun and good and they will continue to read and learn. I can't imagine a house without reading material. A child ought to want to go to the Library as much as he/she wants to go to the DQ. (To tell the truth, our son wanted to do both about equally)
Do you know how to get out and stay out of debt? Want the things you have rather than wanting the things you don't. If it is important enough to have something, save up until you can pay cash. Get out of debt and stay there. Most people don't appreciate having a budget and living within it. You aren't the US Government and can print money. It sure a hell isn't worth anything if you don't have any!
Why don't schools teach about money as important as it is to us?
Everyone at least once in a lifetime should have a new car. That's it, only once. The cost of depreciation the first year can be as much as $5,000. Add the taxes ($1,000), insurance ($1000) and you can see why at the end of the first year you owe more than the car is worth. Ask yourself if a one year old car on the lot at $12,000 is as good as a new one at $19,000? Those first 20,000 miles are a costly bitch. (divide $9,000 by the 20,000 miles) It makes the cost per mile for that first year at .45 cents per mile without the cost of gas, oil or further depreciation. I estimate the cost of a new car at somewhere about $1.00 a mile. Like I said, everyone needs a new car once in a lifetime but after that you need transportation.
Why doesn't Super Chevy magazine care about the cost of gas and mileage? They talk about an engine that generates 455 horsepower but don't care that most of the hot rods get around 10 MPG. I want to get at least 25 MPG with my daily driver. I'll let the 57 stay stock at 13 MPG and just not drive it on a daily basis. HELP!
If you want to know what is going on in your schools, don't look at the budget, look at the expenditures. That's where the money really goes and is the important thing. A budget is at best a "guesstimate" of what they are going to spend it on.
If you think the quality of our educational system is a risk, get off your butt and go there to see. Every parent needs to spend at least one day a year in the classes with their student. Yes, learning is inspiration, but it sure as hell is a lot of perspiration. Been there , done that!
You'll miss your mother and father when they are gone. It doesn't matter how close you were or how old you are. You'll miss them.
Love, laugh and live. You get only one chance to do so. It is nice if you can have a few new things and enjoy them now and then but it is not near as much fun as living you life and live, love and laugh.
MUD
I ran into a blog that had important quotes with proper names attached. Here is some of the stuff I have heard and I don't care who said it:
A bird in the hand will probably bite you or poop on your fingers. Even if they are very costly and worth a lot of money at "Pet Land". Try to get one of the nasty little buggers to fetch a stick.
He who dies with the most toys, dies!
A penny saved isn't worth very darn much. Talk about dollars and you might be on the right track.
You are your own worst critic. The other guys just get under your skin!
If the going is easy it probably is an ambush (Murphy's rules of Combat but who the hell was Murphy?)
Kids learn to read until about the end of the second grade. After that they read to learn. Reading is the most important thing a parent can do with their children. Make it fun and good and they will continue to read and learn. I can't imagine a house without reading material. A child ought to want to go to the Library as much as he/she wants to go to the DQ. (To tell the truth, our son wanted to do both about equally)
Do you know how to get out and stay out of debt? Want the things you have rather than wanting the things you don't. If it is important enough to have something, save up until you can pay cash. Get out of debt and stay there. Most people don't appreciate having a budget and living within it. You aren't the US Government and can print money. It sure a hell isn't worth anything if you don't have any!
Why don't schools teach about money as important as it is to us?
Everyone at least once in a lifetime should have a new car. That's it, only once. The cost of depreciation the first year can be as much as $5,000. Add the taxes ($1,000), insurance ($1000) and you can see why at the end of the first year you owe more than the car is worth. Ask yourself if a one year old car on the lot at $12,000 is as good as a new one at $19,000? Those first 20,000 miles are a costly bitch. (divide $9,000 by the 20,000 miles) It makes the cost per mile for that first year at .45 cents per mile without the cost of gas, oil or further depreciation. I estimate the cost of a new car at somewhere about $1.00 a mile. Like I said, everyone needs a new car once in a lifetime but after that you need transportation.
Why doesn't Super Chevy magazine care about the cost of gas and mileage? They talk about an engine that generates 455 horsepower but don't care that most of the hot rods get around 10 MPG. I want to get at least 25 MPG with my daily driver. I'll let the 57 stay stock at 13 MPG and just not drive it on a daily basis. HELP!
If you want to know what is going on in your schools, don't look at the budget, look at the expenditures. That's where the money really goes and is the important thing. A budget is at best a "guesstimate" of what they are going to spend it on.
If you think the quality of our educational system is a risk, get off your butt and go there to see. Every parent needs to spend at least one day a year in the classes with their student. Yes, learning is inspiration, but it sure as hell is a lot of perspiration. Been there , done that!
You'll miss your mother and father when they are gone. It doesn't matter how close you were or how old you are. You'll miss them.
Love, laugh and live. You get only one chance to do so. It is nice if you can have a few new things and enjoy them now and then but it is not near as much fun as living you life and live, love and laugh.
MUD
Sunday Again?
I am torn between posting a nice chatty piece or getting serious. Part of me wants to be Mean (as in Mean Uncle Denny -hence MUD) and part of me wants to be the kind of guy that makes little girls smile at my silliness. In the picture below is my brother Rick who turns 60 today. I don't have a clue who the little guy in the picture is. I'm sure that Barb took this picture and he is an example of cuteness.
Yesterday the Master Gardeners had a booth at the green Fair at the Library. As a member of the Youth Education Committee for that organization, Barb was in charge. In addition to her focus on Butterflies, they had a Fly Fishing pond. Barb put her normal twist in it by having fishing poles with spiders on as the bait and they caught plastic flies. It was neat to see the looks on the different kids. Barb also managed to have some Monarchs in her display. She had one large caterpillar that was doing what teenage cats do - Eat and Poop. and one that was in a chrysalis. (Thank god for spell checker I never would have gotten that one right) She didn't bring the Monarch egg she found late this week. Normally we don't find eggs and Cats early in the season. The Adults seem to be on their way north of here but this year with all the warm weather we had Milk Weed plants up in record number. Some year I want to go to Mexico to see the over winter sight in the mountains North West of Mexico City. Perhaps a trip to California will get it out of my system. There seems to be a place in Florida but I'm not sure where.
OK, end of the chatty stuff. On to some real important things - At least to me! And, after all this is my blog.
On Friday, I grilled some steak and Chicken outside on the patio. While I am out there, I am allowed to select the noise pollution of my choice playing as loud as I want. Barb says that from the inside of the house it sounds like that noise Snoopy makes on the TV specials. Wah, Wah, Yah Yah, Wah... The President of Standard Oil was on one of the Talk radio Shows and made an interesting point. He said that if the United States, Mexico and Canada all got together and developed all the oil fields they have there is more oil here than in all of the Arab States. He says that there will someday need to be new product to replace oil but if we put it all together we could generate millions of new jobs and tell the Arabs to go pound sand in less than 10 years. let them eat oil or some of that sand. I have advocated for years that we need to have an American Common Market and perhaps Oil production is the capstone of that.
We need to have a congress that is focused on trying to figure out what are the most pressing problems in our world and focused on finding solutions. They are so segmented now that they don't have a clue what is the biggest problem let along designing a horse by a committee. (That looks like a camel) The people in Washington seem to want to run around and solve all the problems of the people without supporting the system that got us here.
One of the Talk radio people said that if we divided all the money in the USA and gave everyone an equal share, in 20 years the money will have flowed back to where it is today because of the attitude of the people that want to make money. The bottom of the scale is filled with people that want to spend it and the entrepreneurs will figure out a way to sell them what they want. The Government will grow out of control because the poor will want the Government to divide the money again and again. 47% of the people paid no income taxes last year. As significant number of them also got an Earned Income refund for not making it. Unless we all put our shoulders to the wheel (or the brake in government spending) there is no happy ending for us.
Enough you say! Bye
MUD
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| MUD & Rick and a little KU Fan |
Yesterday the Master Gardeners had a booth at the green Fair at the Library. As a member of the Youth Education Committee for that organization, Barb was in charge. In addition to her focus on Butterflies, they had a Fly Fishing pond. Barb put her normal twist in it by having fishing poles with spiders on as the bait and they caught plastic flies. It was neat to see the looks on the different kids. Barb also managed to have some Monarchs in her display. She had one large caterpillar that was doing what teenage cats do - Eat and Poop. and one that was in a chrysalis. (Thank god for spell checker I never would have gotten that one right) She didn't bring the Monarch egg she found late this week. Normally we don't find eggs and Cats early in the season. The Adults seem to be on their way north of here but this year with all the warm weather we had Milk Weed plants up in record number. Some year I want to go to Mexico to see the over winter sight in the mountains North West of Mexico City. Perhaps a trip to California will get it out of my system. There seems to be a place in Florida but I'm not sure where.
OK, end of the chatty stuff. On to some real important things - At least to me! And, after all this is my blog.
On Friday, I grilled some steak and Chicken outside on the patio. While I am out there, I am allowed to select the noise pollution of my choice playing as loud as I want. Barb says that from the inside of the house it sounds like that noise Snoopy makes on the TV specials. Wah, Wah, Yah Yah, Wah... The President of Standard Oil was on one of the Talk radio Shows and made an interesting point. He said that if the United States, Mexico and Canada all got together and developed all the oil fields they have there is more oil here than in all of the Arab States. He says that there will someday need to be new product to replace oil but if we put it all together we could generate millions of new jobs and tell the Arabs to go pound sand in less than 10 years. let them eat oil or some of that sand. I have advocated for years that we need to have an American Common Market and perhaps Oil production is the capstone of that.
We need to have a congress that is focused on trying to figure out what are the most pressing problems in our world and focused on finding solutions. They are so segmented now that they don't have a clue what is the biggest problem let along designing a horse by a committee. (That looks like a camel) The people in Washington seem to want to run around and solve all the problems of the people without supporting the system that got us here.
One of the Talk radio people said that if we divided all the money in the USA and gave everyone an equal share, in 20 years the money will have flowed back to where it is today because of the attitude of the people that want to make money. The bottom of the scale is filled with people that want to spend it and the entrepreneurs will figure out a way to sell them what they want. The Government will grow out of control because the poor will want the Government to divide the money again and again. 47% of the people paid no income taxes last year. As significant number of them also got an Earned Income refund for not making it. Unless we all put our shoulders to the wheel (or the brake in government spending) there is no happy ending for us.
Enough you say! Bye
MUD
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