I have known that I would be needing tires for some time. I started investigating the situation when my Camry hit 40K. When I first started looking at tires I discovered that Toyota put tires on the 2007 model Camry's that are sprinkled with "magical gold dust." This HAS to be reason that they cost $153-$158 A TIRE!
Knowing that I obviously would not be replacing the tires with what was on the car and I still had time on my side mileage wise I started shopping around. You name the tire store I checked it out. Well at least all of the major ones. I thought about stopping by Jose's Tire and Rims (actual name not making it up) but I wanted to go to a store that I KNEW would be there next week.
I found that National Tire and Battery had the best deal for me. I ended up getting a 60K tire for $93 a tire with free rotation and balance for the life of the tires. This should get me to the 100K mark.
While I was there I asked the service guy why the tires that were on the car were over $150 a tire.
He said that they were a 50K tire but most people get 35K-40K on them before they need to be replaced. The big reason for the price hike was that they were a 140 rate tire. That means that you can travel 140 miles per hour on the tire before you risk the tire blowing up on you.
I just looked at him with a WTH look. He commented that I probably don't travel
140mph so I was going to be very pleased with the tire I got. I asked him if he ever thought about going 140mph in a 4 cylinder Camry? No, probably not.
So I was very pleased with the service I got. THEN IT HAPPENED...THE UPCHARGE!!
I am sitting in the waiting room and he comes in and says Mr. JDHTEACH did you know you had a BUSTED STRUTT on one of your back wheels? WTF??? NO!
I go out there and he shows me where the strutt has some oil on it. I get the price of $180 for the strutt and $88 for service. Total- $268.
HHHHHUUUUMMMMMMMM!!!!
I told him to hold off and I was going to take it to my mechanic. For those of you that don't know what a strutt does.... when your car goes over a bump...if your car continues to bounce long after that bump..your shocks and or strutts need to be replaced. That is why I was confused....I have none of that!!
I took the car to my mechanic and said that yeah the strutt is starting to show signs of wear but that I could drive the car for at least another year before anything needed to be considered. If I had the money to do it fine go ahead but if it was his car he would hold off.
His price to replace... $172 for the strutt but $159 labor.
So who do you chose....the store that had me thinking my car was falling apart at a cheaper price or the honest guy who you have used in the past but is more expensive?
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Bill Cosby Parenting
So I had one of those Bill Cosby raising a child moments a few days ago with Jack. Tracey came into the house and approached me with a look. My first thought was, man I hope that look is not for something I did. As she got toward me she said, “You need to go outside and get your son. If I have to do it he may get hurt.” Relieved she was not after me my response was “I am on it.”
Tracey tells me that Jack was supposed to come inside and go to his room but instead jumped on his bike and took off down the alley.
So I go outside the front and there he is riding down the sidewalk. I call his name and he looks at me with a very upset look on his face and he begins to whine as he walks up the front side walk.
This is where I inform him that AT THIS TIME I don’t know all of the details as to WHY he is in trouble and that I am here to collect him and bring him into the house. I also inform the boy that at this time I am the only friend he has who can HELP him. So he needs to knock off any attitude before he proceeds any further. My advice to him is to go around the back of the house and put his bike up and to quietly enter the house without drawing any attention to himself from his mother and to meet me in my bedroom in three minutes.
He understands the situation evidently because his only response at this time is “Okay Daddy” and off he goes to the back.
This is where the fun part begins.
He enters my bed room and hops up on the bed with me. I ask him why he is in trouble and he begins with the following:
Jack: WELL CAROLINE
Me: STOP- I don’t want to hear about Caroline. If I determine I need to speak with her I will but right now I just want to know what JACK did to make MOM upset.
Jack- Big EXHALE followed by 5 second pause. Well I was getting on to Caroline in the store because she was irritating me and MOM got mad at me.
ME- Okay, mom is mad at you for getting onto Caroline in the store. Anything else Jack?
Jack- Mom getting on to ME made me mad so I started acting like a brat in the store to get back at her for getting on to me.
Me- OKAY JACK- I think I found your problem. Let’s look at this line of thinking. You got mad at mom for getting on to you in the store.
Jack- Yes
Me- So you decided to act up in the store to make mom MORE upset with you.
Jack- Yes
Me- Jack, does that line of thinking make sense to you? Mom is mad at you for acting up so you act up MORE in the store.
Jack- 3 second pause. Throws arms up in air.
WELL NO NOT NOW DAD!
He left the bedroom to go find MOM and apologize. As he was hugging on his mom I was doing everything I could to keep from busting out laughing .
Tracey tells me that Jack was supposed to come inside and go to his room but instead jumped on his bike and took off down the alley.
So I go outside the front and there he is riding down the sidewalk. I call his name and he looks at me with a very upset look on his face and he begins to whine as he walks up the front side walk.
This is where I inform him that AT THIS TIME I don’t know all of the details as to WHY he is in trouble and that I am here to collect him and bring him into the house. I also inform the boy that at this time I am the only friend he has who can HELP him. So he needs to knock off any attitude before he proceeds any further. My advice to him is to go around the back of the house and put his bike up and to quietly enter the house without drawing any attention to himself from his mother and to meet me in my bedroom in three minutes.
He understands the situation evidently because his only response at this time is “Okay Daddy” and off he goes to the back.
This is where the fun part begins.
He enters my bed room and hops up on the bed with me. I ask him why he is in trouble and he begins with the following:
Jack: WELL CAROLINE
Me: STOP- I don’t want to hear about Caroline. If I determine I need to speak with her I will but right now I just want to know what JACK did to make MOM upset.
Jack- Big EXHALE followed by 5 second pause. Well I was getting on to Caroline in the store because she was irritating me and MOM got mad at me.
ME- Okay, mom is mad at you for getting onto Caroline in the store. Anything else Jack?
Jack- Mom getting on to ME made me mad so I started acting like a brat in the store to get back at her for getting on to me.
Me- OKAY JACK- I think I found your problem. Let’s look at this line of thinking. You got mad at mom for getting on to you in the store.
Jack- Yes
Me- So you decided to act up in the store to make mom MORE upset with you.
Jack- Yes
Me- Jack, does that line of thinking make sense to you? Mom is mad at you for acting up so you act up MORE in the store.
Jack- 3 second pause. Throws arms up in air.
WELL NO NOT NOW DAD!
He left the bedroom to go find MOM and apologize. As he was hugging on his mom I was doing everything I could to keep from busting out laughing .
Custumer Service? S-T-R-U-G-G-L-I-N-G
Tracey and I have our services in our house bundled with AT&T. About 2 months ago they came through our neighborhood and began updating their internet service with AT&T U-verse. Supposed to be an upgradeable program they offer that will speed up your internet. That is if you want to pay the additional $12.99 a month. I was perfectly happy with what we had at the time so we decided to stick with what we had.
While they were putting the necessary cable into the ground we lost internet service because they disconnected everything while they put in the new material. Since this time we have had nothing but trouble with our internet service and phone service.
Internet service has not been that bad actually. We have stuck with the original package and for the most part we are good. We have noticed however on some evenings that our internet service is
S-L-O-W. Don’t know why really but it is only occasionally.
The phone however has been a completely different story. First of all AT&T is telling us that U-Verse has nothing to do with our phone. Yeah I understand that but what they do not understand is all we saying is when they started digging in our alley we lose our phone service from time to time for no reason. They have tried to fix the problem but we have now NOT had a phone in our house more days than we have.
When it comes to their service department the right hand does not know what the left hand is doing. Here are some of our experiences.
1. They want to schedule a service time in a 3 hour window in the middle of the day. We work for a living so it is going to have to be a Saturday. We are told this is not a problem and we are set for a Saturday appointment.
2. 3 hour window on Saturday goes by with no one showing up at the house to work on our phone. We call AT&T and we are told that we did not have an appointment set for Saturday and that we set the appointment for Monday in a different 3 hour window. WHAT THE HELL???
3. I talk to Tracey who verifies that I have not lost my marbles and I call AT&T back. I am told at this time that the previous attendant must be lost because they show that I DO have an appointment and that the tech must be running late. They apologize and do the leg work to find out where the tech is at that time. They call back 2 minutes later to let us know he is on his way and 20 minute later the tech is at our house. Phone working but internet is out and he can’t figure out why. He is the phone guy and not the internet guy.
4. 8:00 Sunday morning a female tech shows up and 10 minutes later internet is up and running.
5. We lose phone service 2 more times and a tech shows up and fixes the problem. You know a tech has come to your house too often when he offers his business card and gives you his direct phone number. By this time he also knows the names of all three of your dogs.
6. THE KICKER!- We lose our phone service for GOD KNOWS how many times and Tracey and I have H-A-D IT with At&T. We call them to notify them of the problem and they tell us they will send out a tech. They show up when we are not home AGAIN. What part of WE WORK FOR A FREAKING LIVING DO THEY NOT UNDERSTAND? GET THIS- AT&T CALLS US ON OUR HOME PHONE TO LET US KNOW THAT THE TECH WAS AT OUT HOUSE AND WE NEED TO BE HOME FOR THEM TO COMPLETE THEIR WORK!
NOW FOLLOW THIS LOGIC- WE CALLED TO INFORM THEM THAT OUR HOME PHONE IS NOT WORKING!!!
SO THEY CALL US ON OUR HOME PHONE TO LET US KNOW THEY CAN’T FINISH THE WORK ORDER.
ANYONE SEE THE PROBLEM HERE?
So we called them last night to cancel our account. When the poor lady asked why Tracey very politely told her the problems we have had with them over the past two months. And the lady on the phone very graciously apologized and understood why we were doing what we were doing.
I know the company will not fold because of my account and I want to praise all of the people who have tirelessly worked at my home to help us out. My problem is with their scheduling department. Clearly they don’t communicate very well. Who the heck calls someone on their land line when the reason you calling in the first place is your land line is OUT?
While they were putting the necessary cable into the ground we lost internet service because they disconnected everything while they put in the new material. Since this time we have had nothing but trouble with our internet service and phone service.
Internet service has not been that bad actually. We have stuck with the original package and for the most part we are good. We have noticed however on some evenings that our internet service is
S-L-O-W. Don’t know why really but it is only occasionally.
The phone however has been a completely different story. First of all AT&T is telling us that U-Verse has nothing to do with our phone. Yeah I understand that but what they do not understand is all we saying is when they started digging in our alley we lose our phone service from time to time for no reason. They have tried to fix the problem but we have now NOT had a phone in our house more days than we have.
When it comes to their service department the right hand does not know what the left hand is doing. Here are some of our experiences.
1. They want to schedule a service time in a 3 hour window in the middle of the day. We work for a living so it is going to have to be a Saturday. We are told this is not a problem and we are set for a Saturday appointment.
2. 3 hour window on Saturday goes by with no one showing up at the house to work on our phone. We call AT&T and we are told that we did not have an appointment set for Saturday and that we set the appointment for Monday in a different 3 hour window. WHAT THE HELL???
3. I talk to Tracey who verifies that I have not lost my marbles and I call AT&T back. I am told at this time that the previous attendant must be lost because they show that I DO have an appointment and that the tech must be running late. They apologize and do the leg work to find out where the tech is at that time. They call back 2 minutes later to let us know he is on his way and 20 minute later the tech is at our house. Phone working but internet is out and he can’t figure out why. He is the phone guy and not the internet guy.
4. 8:00 Sunday morning a female tech shows up and 10 minutes later internet is up and running.
5. We lose phone service 2 more times and a tech shows up and fixes the problem. You know a tech has come to your house too often when he offers his business card and gives you his direct phone number. By this time he also knows the names of all three of your dogs.
6. THE KICKER!- We lose our phone service for GOD KNOWS how many times and Tracey and I have H-A-D IT with At&T. We call them to notify them of the problem and they tell us they will send out a tech. They show up when we are not home AGAIN. What part of WE WORK FOR A FREAKING LIVING DO THEY NOT UNDERSTAND? GET THIS- AT&T CALLS US ON OUR HOME PHONE TO LET US KNOW THAT THE TECH WAS AT OUT HOUSE AND WE NEED TO BE HOME FOR THEM TO COMPLETE THEIR WORK!
NOW FOLLOW THIS LOGIC- WE CALLED TO INFORM THEM THAT OUR HOME PHONE IS NOT WORKING!!!
SO THEY CALL US ON OUR HOME PHONE TO LET US KNOW THEY CAN’T FINISH THE WORK ORDER.
ANYONE SEE THE PROBLEM HERE?
So we called them last night to cancel our account. When the poor lady asked why Tracey very politely told her the problems we have had with them over the past two months. And the lady on the phone very graciously apologized and understood why we were doing what we were doing.
I know the company will not fold because of my account and I want to praise all of the people who have tirelessly worked at my home to help us out. My problem is with their scheduling department. Clearly they don’t communicate very well. Who the heck calls someone on their land line when the reason you calling in the first place is your land line is OUT?
Does This Bug You or Is It Just Me?
Not too long ago I was given a responsibility to inform a certain group of people of the requirements that needed to be met to accomplish a goal. Some of you may laugh but when it comes to my work I am very detail oriented.
So I create an email and include a check list of what is needed from to complete our goal. In addition to that I create a list of possible questions they may have along with the answers to this question.
Well it is not to long before I start getting hit with questions of what they need to do to accomplish their goal. I refer them back to my email with the QUOTED portion of the email that answers their question.
Which leads me to this question- Do they even READ the email before they ask a question?
So I create an email and include a check list of what is needed from to complete our goal. In addition to that I create a list of possible questions they may have along with the answers to this question.
Well it is not to long before I start getting hit with questions of what they need to do to accomplish their goal. I refer them back to my email with the QUOTED portion of the email that answers their question.
Which leads me to this question- Do they even READ the email before they ask a question?
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Frankie Goes To Hollywood in the 80's- Who Knew?
This is a song that I LOVED in the mid 80's. It was played on the top 40 radio stations in 85 or 86. I can't remember exactly. I was in junior high I know that. This video was played on MTV for quite a while on the daily top 10 requested video's of the day. This was back when they actually had VJ' and played videos. This first video I would say has a theme. The theme here is WHERE THE HELL IS THE SECURITY STAFF? Look I don't mind the ladies throwing their underwear up here or even the ocassional boob flash or to actually get on stage and give me a peck on the cheek before you carry her off but when the chick is able to get up here and jump on my back while I am singing...COME ON!!!
This is a more updated version of the song.... The lead singer is there but he is not singing lead vocal on the song. It seems they have a new lead singer... interesting outfit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SouGhbXz6_s
This is a more updated version of the song.... The lead singer is there but he is not singing lead vocal on the song. It seems they have a new lead singer... interesting outfit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SouGhbXz6_s
Saturday, April 18, 2009
WHERE...IS...MY.....SUPERSUIT?!?!?!
I hate it when I misplace or lose something. I have a rush of emotions when this happens to me. They usually hit me in stages.
1. Phase One- (The Huh Phase) During this phase you go to where you thought the item was and it is not there. Thus, you think to yourself Huh, I thought I put it right here. No panic or worry has set in just yet.
2. Phase Two- ( Where is it?) During this phase you are starting to look in multiple places in the off chance you set the item down somewhere and forgot about it. At this time worry is starting to creep into your thoughts.
3. Phase Three (Adamant Phase) During this phase you are confident beyond belief that you know where you put it and that SOMEONE clearly came and borrowed it or took it without talking to you first. At this point you are just mad and worry has graduated to full blown panic. In addition you start to determine in your mind who TOOK your item from you as clearly this is their fault.
4. Phase 4 (Clueless Phase) You have now calmed down a bit and you have mentally retraced your steps. You have gone to every place you went with said object and it is still not there. At this time you run up the red flag and pronounce yourself defeated as you have NO CLUE where said object might be.
This morning I misplaced something and I am somewhere in between phase 3 and 4. I am still adamant about what I did with the object because there was no down time for me to misplace it somewhere else and I am mad and somewhat in a panic mode that I cannot find it. You see this object was not mine in the first place and it is somewhat expensive to replace. At the same time I have back tracked my steps in the off chance they appear somewhere and I have had no luck. Thus I am mad and clueless. (Yeah I know I am clueless..ha!)
1. Phase One- (The Huh Phase) During this phase you go to where you thought the item was and it is not there. Thus, you think to yourself Huh, I thought I put it right here. No panic or worry has set in just yet.
2. Phase Two- ( Where is it?) During this phase you are starting to look in multiple places in the off chance you set the item down somewhere and forgot about it. At this time worry is starting to creep into your thoughts.
3. Phase Three (Adamant Phase) During this phase you are confident beyond belief that you know where you put it and that SOMEONE clearly came and borrowed it or took it without talking to you first. At this point you are just mad and worry has graduated to full blown panic. In addition you start to determine in your mind who TOOK your item from you as clearly this is their fault.
4. Phase 4 (Clueless Phase) You have now calmed down a bit and you have mentally retraced your steps. You have gone to every place you went with said object and it is still not there. At this time you run up the red flag and pronounce yourself defeated as you have NO CLUE where said object might be.
This morning I misplaced something and I am somewhere in between phase 3 and 4. I am still adamant about what I did with the object because there was no down time for me to misplace it somewhere else and I am mad and somewhat in a panic mode that I cannot find it. You see this object was not mine in the first place and it is somewhat expensive to replace. At the same time I have back tracked my steps in the off chance they appear somewhere and I have had no luck. Thus I am mad and clueless. (Yeah I know I am clueless..ha!)
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Car Trips
I love car trips. I was not a huge fan growing up but then we did not do many car trips when I was a kid. Ninety percent of my family lived local growing up so there was no 7 hour car trip to see grandma.
As I have gotten older I enjoy getting out on the open road and cruising to my destination. When my wife and I got married we went on a car trip touring southern plantation homes all through Louisianna and Mississippi. To this day that is still on top of my list of fun car trips. As the years 1-4 clicked by we pretty much covered Texas. We even got up and decided over breakfast one morning that we wanted to go to one of our favorite places to eat that day for lunch. That favorite place is on 6th street in Austin. We piled into the car and drove to Austin for a late lunch and turned right around and drove back to Dallas.
When kids came along that slowed the car trips down a bit. We have still done a few by ourselves and we have taken the kids to Austin by car a couple of times but car trips with kids can be a bit more stressful. The kids have been on car trips that typically at the most last 4 hours. I must say that a built in video system has been nice to keep the calm but the kids are also getting to the age where they have their video games and activity books to keep them busy. Believe it or not they actually take time to talk to us as well.
So far I have found that when the kids get restless a simple stop at a gas station or rest stop takes the ants out of the pants.
In May I would like to take Jack to Houston to see the Battleship Texas. I think he would really like that.
In June or July if all goes well I may take Jack to Corpus to see the USS Lexington. That is a good drive there so we will have to see how it goes.
As a kid I think the longest car trip I went on as a family is down to McAllen Texas to see family. That was a good 550 miles one way.
With family and friends we drove to Cloud Croft New Mexixo to ski. That was a bit of a haul. Coming home with the worst hangover of my life (still to this day)made the drive home seem like we traveled over 1,000 miles.
How far have you gone on a car trip as an adult? Kid?
As I have gotten older I enjoy getting out on the open road and cruising to my destination. When my wife and I got married we went on a car trip touring southern plantation homes all through Louisianna and Mississippi. To this day that is still on top of my list of fun car trips. As the years 1-4 clicked by we pretty much covered Texas. We even got up and decided over breakfast one morning that we wanted to go to one of our favorite places to eat that day for lunch. That favorite place is on 6th street in Austin. We piled into the car and drove to Austin for a late lunch and turned right around and drove back to Dallas.
When kids came along that slowed the car trips down a bit. We have still done a few by ourselves and we have taken the kids to Austin by car a couple of times but car trips with kids can be a bit more stressful. The kids have been on car trips that typically at the most last 4 hours. I must say that a built in video system has been nice to keep the calm but the kids are also getting to the age where they have their video games and activity books to keep them busy. Believe it or not they actually take time to talk to us as well.
So far I have found that when the kids get restless a simple stop at a gas station or rest stop takes the ants out of the pants.
In May I would like to take Jack to Houston to see the Battleship Texas. I think he would really like that.
In June or July if all goes well I may take Jack to Corpus to see the USS Lexington. That is a good drive there so we will have to see how it goes.
As a kid I think the longest car trip I went on as a family is down to McAllen Texas to see family. That was a good 550 miles one way.
With family and friends we drove to Cloud Croft New Mexixo to ski. That was a bit of a haul. Coming home with the worst hangover of my life (still to this day)made the drive home seem like we traveled over 1,000 miles.
How far have you gone on a car trip as an adult? Kid?
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Root Beer
So Jack and I have been hanging together out here in Abilene. In our travels Jack has discovered the "greatness" of A and W Root Beer. He loves the stuff. He has had root beer before but on this little car trip any time we stop somewhere to get a drink he wants a root beer and it has to be A and W. No Mug..No other brand will do.
I remember as a kid A and W being my favorite RB of choice so I can't blame him. I thought it was pretty funny when he and I were discussing in the car that this type of beer did not change (his words) your brain like regular beer.
Well mommy and baby girl made it to Abilene and we were on our way to a baseball game so I stopped off for a drink to bring to the game. I asked everyone in the car if they wanted anything.
As I am getting out of the car standing there Jack yells out really loud.
DAD....GET ME A BEER WHILE YOU ARE IN THERE!!!
On behalf of the academy I would like to thank everyone for voting me for father of year.
At this point as I quickly scan the parking lot to see if anyone esle heard that.
I remember as a kid A and W being my favorite RB of choice so I can't blame him. I thought it was pretty funny when he and I were discussing in the car that this type of beer did not change (his words) your brain like regular beer.
Well mommy and baby girl made it to Abilene and we were on our way to a baseball game so I stopped off for a drink to bring to the game. I asked everyone in the car if they wanted anything.
As I am getting out of the car standing there Jack yells out really loud.
DAD....GET ME A BEER WHILE YOU ARE IN THERE!!!
On behalf of the academy I would like to thank everyone for voting me for father of year.
At this point as I quickly scan the parking lot to see if anyone esle heard that.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Daddy / Jack Time
Growing up I always enjoyed spending time with just me and my dad. It did not matter what we were doing as long as it was me and him. It could be working on one of the rental properties or hanging out at the smoker all day smoking turkey and brisket.
This weekend was my first weekend to take Jack and have a little car trip. It has been great! We are only about 200 miles out of Dallas here in Abilene. We are visiting my bone marrow donor and his entire family. They are in town to see his little brother who plays for one of the universities in town. I must say Abeline is a neat town but I am getting off topic.
Jack and I have had a lot of fun just being together. The car trip was great. I thought we were in trouble when we were 30 miles into our 200 mile trip and he started asking how much further but it was fine.
When we are not visiting with Jeff and his family we are just chilling in the hotel room or cruising around town.
Mommy and Babygirl are on their way but in the mean time it's just the boys!
This weekend was my first weekend to take Jack and have a little car trip. It has been great! We are only about 200 miles out of Dallas here in Abilene. We are visiting my bone marrow donor and his entire family. They are in town to see his little brother who plays for one of the universities in town. I must say Abeline is a neat town but I am getting off topic.
Jack and I have had a lot of fun just being together. The car trip was great. I thought we were in trouble when we were 30 miles into our 200 mile trip and he started asking how much further but it was fine.
When we are not visiting with Jeff and his family we are just chilling in the hotel room or cruising around town.
Mommy and Babygirl are on their way but in the mean time it's just the boys!
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
So What Is A True Friend? That Is A Hard Question For An Eight Year Old
Many times you wonder if your kids are listening to you when you are talking to them about life’s lessons. Jack has a HUGE heart and wants to believe everyone is like him. He loves playing with his friends at his school and his neighborhood and openly shares all of his possessions with his friends. Guns, swords, cars, star wars, Wii, Xbox 360, Nintendo DS. Jack shares all of this with his friends.
There have been a few times where his friends have taken advantage of his trusting nature and they have taken items from him without him knowing.
Kids Who Jack Thinks or Thought Were Good Friends
Kid I- Lives At End Of Street- Tracey busted the kid who was basically casing Jack’s room while Jack played with another kid in another room and caught the kid with a couple of Jack’s small toys in his pockets. This kid does not come around very often (which is fine with me) but when he does we make sure he is WITH THE GROUP.
Kid II and III- Brothers- Live down the street from us. These are twins. They can get wild outside when they play together but individually they are the salt of the earth. No matter what they are ALWAYS respectful to Tracey and I and they LOVE the snacks that Tracey gives them at our house. They have had dinner with us a couple times and those boys CAN EAT!!! This is who Jack wants to play with 90% of the time. The only problem is Jack is a little aggressive when he comes home from their house or from playing with them. He gets caught up in all of that manliness I guess. I am not sure why but the boys have not been out playing in the neighborhood regularly in a couple of months. Jack plays over at their house but they are not out in the yards playing.
Friend IV- A “friend” that for some reason Jack loves at his school. I have seen this kid at Jack’s school when I eat lunch at Jack’s school and this kid is an A-Hole. There is no other way to put it. He is a spaz and he treats Jack poorly. I will spare you the list but just recently he stole one of Jacks toys and claims it is his. He says that he “found” it back behind his house and has sense changed his story.
Friend V and VI- They live in our neighborhood are just a short bike ride away. They like to play sports but the two kids start out playing fare and tend to gang up on Jack and it usually builds up to making fun of him. By that I mean making fun of his size. Jack only plays with these kids in a group and rarely plays with them at all.
Friend VII- Lives in another city but is at his “grandparents house” every weekend. Jack and this friend get along great and there are never any problems.
I told you all of that to tell you this. Jack is learning one of life’s major lessons. Not everyone is the same. He has decided that friend IV is not such a good friend and asked Tracey this morning to help him think of a way to back out of a play date with this “friend” this morning because Jack decided he can’t trust him. Jack told me that he knows this kid took his toy and he is lying about it. I can’t trust him in the house he will take everything! YEAH!!! Tracey and I are really excited. Because A- he has been listening to us and B- we really don’t like this kid.
About a week ago Kid V and VI showed up at our door and Jack answered. They wanted to know if Jack could come out and play. Jack said, Um, hold on a second and off he ran to the back of the house. The door was half open and I invited the boys into the house to have a seat. While I am not too fond of boys I am going to be kind. In comes Tracey with Jack behind her acting a little sad. She tells the boys some story about why Jack can’t come out and play and the boys leave. Tracey turns around and pats Jack on the head and kisses him on cheek as he grins and hugs his mom. I am really confused because the story that Tracey told the boys was just that … A HUGE STORY.
Seems Jack went to the back and told Tracey that Friend V and VI wanted to know if Jack could play but he did not want to play because the gang up on him in games and call him names and he wanted to know if Tracey could help him. So Tracey made up a story as to why he could not play.
I am proud for Jack. He is learning that not EVERYONE is his friend and he is making good decisions on who he should and should not spend time around.
There have been a few times where his friends have taken advantage of his trusting nature and they have taken items from him without him knowing.
Kids Who Jack Thinks or Thought Were Good Friends
Kid I- Lives At End Of Street- Tracey busted the kid who was basically casing Jack’s room while Jack played with another kid in another room and caught the kid with a couple of Jack’s small toys in his pockets. This kid does not come around very often (which is fine with me) but when he does we make sure he is WITH THE GROUP.
Kid II and III- Brothers- Live down the street from us. These are twins. They can get wild outside when they play together but individually they are the salt of the earth. No matter what they are ALWAYS respectful to Tracey and I and they LOVE the snacks that Tracey gives them at our house. They have had dinner with us a couple times and those boys CAN EAT!!! This is who Jack wants to play with 90% of the time. The only problem is Jack is a little aggressive when he comes home from their house or from playing with them. He gets caught up in all of that manliness I guess. I am not sure why but the boys have not been out playing in the neighborhood regularly in a couple of months. Jack plays over at their house but they are not out in the yards playing.
Friend IV- A “friend” that for some reason Jack loves at his school. I have seen this kid at Jack’s school when I eat lunch at Jack’s school and this kid is an A-Hole. There is no other way to put it. He is a spaz and he treats Jack poorly. I will spare you the list but just recently he stole one of Jacks toys and claims it is his. He says that he “found” it back behind his house and has sense changed his story.
Friend V and VI- They live in our neighborhood are just a short bike ride away. They like to play sports but the two kids start out playing fare and tend to gang up on Jack and it usually builds up to making fun of him. By that I mean making fun of his size. Jack only plays with these kids in a group and rarely plays with them at all.
Friend VII- Lives in another city but is at his “grandparents house” every weekend. Jack and this friend get along great and there are never any problems.
I told you all of that to tell you this. Jack is learning one of life’s major lessons. Not everyone is the same. He has decided that friend IV is not such a good friend and asked Tracey this morning to help him think of a way to back out of a play date with this “friend” this morning because Jack decided he can’t trust him. Jack told me that he knows this kid took his toy and he is lying about it. I can’t trust him in the house he will take everything! YEAH!!! Tracey and I are really excited. Because A- he has been listening to us and B- we really don’t like this kid.
About a week ago Kid V and VI showed up at our door and Jack answered. They wanted to know if Jack could come out and play. Jack said, Um, hold on a second and off he ran to the back of the house. The door was half open and I invited the boys into the house to have a seat. While I am not too fond of boys I am going to be kind. In comes Tracey with Jack behind her acting a little sad. She tells the boys some story about why Jack can’t come out and play and the boys leave. Tracey turns around and pats Jack on the head and kisses him on cheek as he grins and hugs his mom. I am really confused because the story that Tracey told the boys was just that … A HUGE STORY.
Seems Jack went to the back and told Tracey that Friend V and VI wanted to know if Jack could play but he did not want to play because the gang up on him in games and call him names and he wanted to know if Tracey could help him. So Tracey made up a story as to why he could not play.
I am proud for Jack. He is learning that not EVERYONE is his friend and he is making good decisions on who he should and should not spend time around.
My Baby Girl
I think (and yes my vote counts) this is the prettiest little girl around. You GOTTA PROBLEM WITH THAT?!?!
You Go JACK
This was taken a few weeks ago. Jack is learning how to mow. In a couple of years he will be doing it full time. NOW THAT IS WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT!!! Go forth young man and mow. ME and UNCLE MJP have been waiting for this.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Do You Feel That??? That is my STIMULUS!!
Well Tracey and loaded up the kids and went to Lowes this afternoon. For the record their commercial with the guy who tells his wife they need to shop around only to end up back at LOWES 7 hours later to buy what they saw that morning...pretty spot on. I checked out Home Depot the other day and Lowes had them beat (not by much on some things) on almost everything on my list.
We got a new faucet for the kitchen. (The other one is worn out after only 3 years..get what you pay for. I tried to save money last time and I got burned)
I got the new pedistal sink and faucet for the half bath and the new toilet. I am actually pretty stoked about the toilet. I know that sounds wierd but I got an elongated space saver and water saver. Since the bathroom is very small. (3x7).
We also got the paint for the bathroom and the 2nd and 3rd living areas with some much needed painting accessories.
The only thing I have left to purchase is the tile and we found the tile Friday afternoon at...you guessed it..LOWES. I am going with a 12 inch tile for both the bathroom and the library and kids rooms.
Now....where are my paint clothes.
We got a new faucet for the kitchen. (The other one is worn out after only 3 years..get what you pay for. I tried to save money last time and I got burned)
I got the new pedistal sink and faucet for the half bath and the new toilet. I am actually pretty stoked about the toilet. I know that sounds wierd but I got an elongated space saver and water saver. Since the bathroom is very small. (3x7).
We also got the paint for the bathroom and the 2nd and 3rd living areas with some much needed painting accessories.
The only thing I have left to purchase is the tile and we found the tile Friday afternoon at...you guessed it..LOWES. I am going with a 12 inch tile for both the bathroom and the library and kids rooms.
Now....where are my paint clothes.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Let Me Clean It For You!
Tracey and I have been working with the kids on cleaning up their rooms. For the most part Caroline is pretty good at it considering her age. Beside the fact that she puts stickers EVERYWHERE she does a pretty good job of cleaning up after herself.
JACK??? Well...he struggles.
Tracey and I have worked with him...showed him where it goes and I have talked to him till I am blue in the face.
I explained to him WHY- Mommy and Daddy work very hard for him to have the nice things he has and he has to do HIS PART as the family to treat his things and his room with respect.
Thursday night I walked past his room and it looked like a small bombed went off. I told him he needed to put everything away BEFORE he went to bed. An exasperated OKAY was the answer I got. Of course he did nothing.
Friday Night- Jack, I asked you last night to pick up your room and you did not do it. I am not asking you again. Again....OOOOKKKAAAAYYYYY DDDDAAAADDDDDD
Result- NOTHING
So this morning I went to the garage and got a garbage sack and I quietly walked past Jack watching cartoons with my trash bag. ANYTHING THAT WAS SITTING OUT on his desk, bed, or dresser I put in a pile in the floor. I then had Jack come to his room and place all of the items in the floor into MY TRASHBAG!!
Jack was crying his eyes out. YOU ARE THROWING AWAY ALL MY TOYS. It has been a long time since I have seen Jack cry that hard.
I then took the trashbag and walked to my room.
The big ticket items that I have is Jack's Star Wars Figures, most of his pokemon, and all but two of his DS games.
I told Jack...I am going to keep these for a unspecified time and then I will dump the contents into his floor. He will then have an opportunity to put those items away in a designated time period. If he choses not to do it I will donate his toys to Good Will so that they can be given to children who WILL RESPECT the toys.
I am thinking after a couple of days of his limited selection in toys he might listen a little bit better when I say JACK, YOU NEED TO CLEAN YOUR ROOM.
In the mean time he will have to "suffer" as he can ride his bike or scooter.
JACK??? Well...he struggles.
Tracey and I have worked with him...showed him where it goes and I have talked to him till I am blue in the face.
I explained to him WHY- Mommy and Daddy work very hard for him to have the nice things he has and he has to do HIS PART as the family to treat his things and his room with respect.
Thursday night I walked past his room and it looked like a small bombed went off. I told him he needed to put everything away BEFORE he went to bed. An exasperated OKAY was the answer I got. Of course he did nothing.
Friday Night- Jack, I asked you last night to pick up your room and you did not do it. I am not asking you again. Again....OOOOKKKAAAAYYYYY DDDDAAAADDDDDD
Result- NOTHING
So this morning I went to the garage and got a garbage sack and I quietly walked past Jack watching cartoons with my trash bag. ANYTHING THAT WAS SITTING OUT on his desk, bed, or dresser I put in a pile in the floor. I then had Jack come to his room and place all of the items in the floor into MY TRASHBAG!!
Jack was crying his eyes out. YOU ARE THROWING AWAY ALL MY TOYS. It has been a long time since I have seen Jack cry that hard.
I then took the trashbag and walked to my room.
The big ticket items that I have is Jack's Star Wars Figures, most of his pokemon, and all but two of his DS games.
I told Jack...I am going to keep these for a unspecified time and then I will dump the contents into his floor. He will then have an opportunity to put those items away in a designated time period. If he choses not to do it I will donate his toys to Good Will so that they can be given to children who WILL RESPECT the toys.
I am thinking after a couple of days of his limited selection in toys he might listen a little bit better when I say JACK, YOU NEED TO CLEAN YOUR ROOM.
In the mean time he will have to "suffer" as he can ride his bike or scooter.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Are You Talking To Me?
Last night Tracey and I went up to our local elementary school to enroll our daughter in kindergarten for next year. Overall I would say it went by very smoothyly. I was a little disappointed in what they had planned. I had hoped there would be some type of assessment of her skills while we filled out paperwork. I have seen other districts do this and it is very informative. Instead she just colored over at another table. Which I guess is fine. She was happy.
The funny thing had to be when we were in line. They had us going through this door and they had nothing holding the door open so as you progressed through the line everyone took a turn holding the door. As I moved through the door I moved over to the side as people were coming through the door. So our line turned into a group of people just standing around. As we got back into our line this lady looks at me and in an annoyed tone says..Do you MIND (emphasis on this word) if I get my spot back in line??
I look around like is this lady talking to me? When it was obviouse she was talking to me I said...BUT OF COURSE and moved so she could get in line. She was obviously upset.
She then looked back at her husband who was holding the door and she yelled at him to get off the door and get over here! The husband just looked at her and said...I am just trying to help. She said nothing.
Tracey said mam the counselor asked him to hold the door. The woman turned around and said, YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE RUDE ABOUT IT?
I just looked at Tracey and said...is she talking to you? The lady turned around AGAIN and said..YES!
Just to piss her off I just giggled to where she knew I thought she was an idiot.
Poor sad mean lady.
The funny thing had to be when we were in line. They had us going through this door and they had nothing holding the door open so as you progressed through the line everyone took a turn holding the door. As I moved through the door I moved over to the side as people were coming through the door. So our line turned into a group of people just standing around. As we got back into our line this lady looks at me and in an annoyed tone says..Do you MIND (emphasis on this word) if I get my spot back in line??
I look around like is this lady talking to me? When it was obviouse she was talking to me I said...BUT OF COURSE and moved so she could get in line. She was obviously upset.
She then looked back at her husband who was holding the door and she yelled at him to get off the door and get over here! The husband just looked at her and said...I am just trying to help. She said nothing.
Tracey said mam the counselor asked him to hold the door. The woman turned around and said, YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE RUDE ABOUT IT?
I just looked at Tracey and said...is she talking to you? The lady turned around AGAIN and said..YES!
Just to piss her off I just giggled to where she knew I thought she was an idiot.
Poor sad mean lady.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Conjunction Junction
Ask a 5th grader how a bill becomes a law or a 6th grader what a conjuction is and I get blank looks. Yet I know both of these to this day because of these toons on Saturday morning. I am definately picking up the DVD's for my kids.
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