Happy Holidays!

Hoping this blog finds everybody safe, happy, and healthy! I wish everyone the merriest of times, and hope you recognize the importance of family, friends, and food! above are some pics I've been meaning to post, but hadn't have gotten around to it. The slideshow program has been giving me troubles so it may take awhile for them to update. Happy Turkey Day!

HIdy Ho!

Wuzz Up Peeps! Sorry for the collaboration of unwarrented stereotypical greetings...anywho! So let's see...Since my last blog, I've applied to Webster University and geared my degree to a bachelor of arts in managment w/ emphasis in human resource management; I went hunting and got my first deer, and started the process of finishing the interior of our addition to the house.
Webster has long been a goal for me. Limited by commuting restrictions, it seemed that the WingHaven campus location offered me the best name in education while still having a conveinient location. Also, I like how the instructors have full time day jobs, so they are working professionals sharing their knowledge. So I'm excited that I'll actually be going this time next year!
I camped out at our family campground on monday night and got an early start tuesday morning in my deerstand, and froze my tail off until about 9:30am when I decided to get down and warm my buns by the fire, and grab some coffee. I rest my gun against a tree, took off my camo to keep it from getting smokey, and started messing with the fire. I talked to caryl for a few minutes on the cell, then when to the log pile for some more logs, when out of the corner of my eye 3 deer come bounding down the edge of my campsite. My gun was 20ft away, and I thought, man I'd better get my gun and go see if I can scare the deer up again, by the time I got my gun and turned around there comes this deer almost at full run straight at me. I managed to get the gun up, cocked and got my crosshairs on him just about the time he realized I was there. Just as he turned to go the opposite direction I shot and nailed him. He was a little button buck, who probably lost his spots early this fall. Little yes, but I got him! My 1st deer.
Well, just in writting this blog, Caryl called to tell me the guy called back with the estimate to finish the interior part of the addition, and it looks like another$7500! I was thinking more like $3ooo -$5000. That extra $2500 is just a kick in the pants! Then I guess Jen and Matt can tell you a thing or too about expecting one thing and it turns out to be way, way more than what you thought!
Well, thats about it for now. I'll try to post some pics of the deer when I get a second. Talk at you later!

Happy Halloween!

Hope everyone has a safe and fun Halloween! I know there are a few new parents out there who are super excited about dressing up their little ones. Here's to a good haul for all! I know I'm a bad blogger (to quote Mrs. Binning), but thanks for keeping me in the loop. Even though I haven't been dilagent on blogging I am an avid reader of each of your blogs.
Whats new, huh? Well, I found out I will graduate in May, as opposed to August as originally thought. I'm applying to Webster University in the upcoming couple of weeks. I'm all registered for my spring classes; Financial Accounting, Principles of Marketing, and Macroeconomics( whats funny is these are all electives...I know I'm a glutton for punishment). Caryl is excited about finishing her last couple of weeks in clinicals. We're hoping the baby comes a little early so her last semester of nursing school won't be affected to dramaticly.
I think that's about it for now. Oh yeah, for the fellas outthere...I'm planning a trip to vegas sometime in mid to late june. Let me know who's interested so I can get details out. the more the marrier, as they say!
that's it for now! Happy Holidays!!!!!

What a great time to be alive!

I know, the economy sucks, gas prices are high, and there's nothing but political advertisements on the television. But I'm excited non-the-less! We finished the exterior part of our basement addition and got our interior walls framed (pictures to follow shortly), I am for the 1st time since prior to high school under 200lbs (196.4lbs to be exact), I'm celebrating my 5 year wedding anniversary with Caryl this weekend at the Chase Park Plaza downtown, and I'm relishing every moment of Caryl shopping for cute boy stuff! I know in these troubling times it's easy to focus on the negative, but I'm writting this blog in hopes that your lives are as blessed as mine has been. I'm certainly not big on forwards (email or txt versions) however someone sent me a text fwd today, and I thought it would be good to share. It said, "tell some one you love them, becase you never now when God will call them home." So to all my friends, "I love you!" I hope you each take the time to share that with your loved ones. I beleive these hard times give us the opportunity to appreciate the things and people we have in our lives. And remember, don't take life so seriously, nobody gets out alive anyway!!!!
Well, i'm off to class! Later gators!

IT'S A BOY!

You read it here 1st! I have just found out that Caryl and I will be blessed with a bouncing baby boy during the start of the new year! I am so excited. I knew ahead of time what it would be, though. I saw a sign. Caryl and I were about to turn off the highway on the exit ramp to the doc's office and a car passed by whose last 3 digits of the license plate red ---BOY. I told Caryl that it was a sign, and she was like, (shit!) under her breath. Then the Doc had the ultrasound machine up and said, "so, can you tell what sex the baby is? Well, this is one leg, this is another leg, I bet you can guess what this is!" Woohooo! I'm excited can't you tell?! That's it for now, just had to blurt that out. TTYL, as they say~~

Back from the lake

Well, got back from the Lake of the Ozarks this weekend. My dad owns a condo their so we went for some boating fun! I've uploaded some pics on the slide show. I hope you like.
We finally got a bid from a contracter to finish the addition part of our house...yikes, it was $1500 more than we had planned. I have no idea where we're gonna come up with that kinda money. The guy says he could have the framing done and have us under roof by next weekend! That will be so nice.
I also would like to place my personal congrats to the Binning family! I am so happy for you guys! A lot of work, love, and patience awaits. Oh yeah, and blood, tears, and head aches, will be prolific, too! I the positives DO outweigh the negetives, though. A growing family is a happy family! And all those other proverbish sayings, but simply put...Congratulations!
Well, I think thats it from my little corner of the world. Blog @ u l8er ;~P

just another day

Just another day. Nothing special just sitting inbetween classes and thought i'd blog a bit. Let's see... what to blog about...oh, yeah, this weekend, I will leaving Caryl at home, and taking Sophia to the Lake of the Ozarks! My dad owns a condo just up the beach from Brad Pitt's mansion. My brother and his family, my dad and stepmom, Sophie, and I will be boating and playing in paradise while Caryl sits at home with her nose in a book! She really needs the time to study and having a weekend to herself will definately do wonders for her nerves. Besides, she can't stand my family anyway ;~) Just kidding.
And in regards to the weight loss announcements. I'm currently hovering at same weight
(207 lbs) for the past couple of weeks :~( but hey, at least I'm not gaining weight, right! I refuse to allow myself to go back to the way I was. Things are so much better now, and can only get better as the weight continues to come off. Not only for my self esteam, but also my persumptions of how others see me, as well as, my over health and abilities. One of the goals I have is to defeat the most embarrassing moment of my life. Several years ago, I went to Six Flags, and stood in line to ride my favorite ride (batman) and to my embarrassment, when I got to the seat in the front row (which is a must for this ride), I couldn't fit in the seat. Can you imagine trying to squeeze into a seat and having the employees try to push/stand on the harness to try and make me fit. I was devistated. I never realized how big I was until that day, and I hadn't been back since. Amazingly enough, it took several more years before I did anything about it. I am quite sure that my size is not an issue as far as this scenario is concerned, but I want to make sure of that. So my goal is that by next summer I will go to Six Flags, I will wait in line to ride in the front row of seats, and I will ride batman again! Wow, I think I just teared up a little there. I hope that some of you will be able to join me. I have no idea where whole rant came from. I just started typing and this kinda fell out. Pardon my emotional outburst please :~)
I'm procrastinating again. I should be working on science homework, but the excuse to blog was to readily accessible. I should probably get going. I'll chat @ you later!

Whats up?

Well, i had a fun weekend! On saturday, my friend robert and I went to the Dodge Ram World Challenge. We drove Dodge Ram pick ups on various off road coarses, and compared them to other pick ups in the class. Unfortunately, the Toyota Tundra kicked Dodge's ass! There was free food, and we got to get inside a dodge viper(they wouldn't let me drive it though :~( but it was super nice!) There were also some give aways, and we got registered to win a new dodge ram pick up! Keep your fingers crossed!
Then that same night, Caryl and I went on a date night. We left Sophia with Robert and his children. We started out with appetizers at Friday's. Just enough to fill an empty tummy but not to over indulge. Then we went to see the Dark Night (the new batman movie) It was pretty cool. I thought some of the effects and toys were cheesy, but that's kinda the point for batman, right? Then we finished the night with a trip to Ameristar. I didn't have a bunch of money, so we stuck to the slots. I actually won $50! I've never won anything on slots before, so I thought that was pretty cool.
On sunday, I spent the morning taking down some trees for this winter's firewood supply. I love the chain saw! Then we took the fish I caught on a camping trip a few weeks ago, and went to the inlaws for dinner where we fried up the trout as a mid afternoon snack. Overall, it had been a pretty relaxing weekend. One of the last we'll ever have, i'd bet. What now with school in full swing, work, and the new baby on the way.
We'll find out the sex of the baby in a couple of weeks. Caryl and I are still debating if we'll tell anyone, or keep it a secret until it arrives. My brother had a cool idea, where he let everybody know he was having a girl, but didn't release the name until she was born. Then he made proper introductions when people came to visit. I don't know, a whole lot of ideas to play around with. We'll see. Well, thats it for now. Blog at you later~~

School Again

Well, it's the first day of class of the Fall semester! Whoopee... I'm killing time in between classes, so I thought I'd blog a bit. I hope this blog finds you well, and in great spirits! As they say life is too short to waste on worry and stress.
So nothing new here. Caryl and I are finally rolling around baby names for the new addition to our family. We may have actually come to an agreement, but Caryl has a history of letting me get used to something and then changing her mind, so we'll have to wait and see. Caryl's doing the same thing she did with Sophie, though. She plays along like its a boy, so then fate will be forced to suprise us with a girl instead. I'll be happy either way, though. Boys and girls both have their pro's and con's, in the mean time, the anticipation is killing me!
Well sorry this is so short, but I've gotta run to class now. I'll try to blog again sooner!

hola, que tal? (that's hello, what's up in spanish)

I know, I know, long time no blog. Sorry, I've been busy wrapping up the end of my summer semester. I passed both classes with an "A". I'm a regular Albert Einstein, ain't I? At least that's over with, only 3 more semesters to go b4 I get my associates degree! it only took 10 years, but hey, who's counting?
Well, I just spent the weekend with my buddy Robert backpacking through Maramec State Park. It was actually a lot of fun. I had forgotten what its like to get down to basics again and really rough it. Now I say roughing it, but we did finish the trail early and decided to reward ourselves with a fifth of Southern Comfort and som Mickey D's b4 heading back to the trail to finish our adventure. The only bad part was on the last night it rained nonstop and my tent leaked like a sive. Aside from that it was a good time. I've got some pics posted in the slide show above.
So I've heard that everybody was thinking about a float trip here in august. Make sure you keep me informed. I'd love to go if I can get off work. I miss hanging out with everybody. Jen has been kind enough to invite me to her Nov dinner party, but I hope to see everybody b4 that!
What else? Oh yeah, we just bought a 07 Chevrolet Uplander yesterday. It's pretty nice for a mini-van. We were originally looking for best gas milage, but then decided in the bigger picture a fuel efficient mini van would be best for hauling 2 car seats, people, and other things for vackay and such. The van comes pretty much fully equiped and even has a dvd player! I never thought I'd own a vehicle with an entertainment system built in, but the price was right. I think we got a good deal on it, we only paid $13995.
And my now, for my regularly scheduled weight announcement...drum roll please....i weighed in after my backpacking trip and I am officially 208lbs! At the current rate, I should be under 200lbs within the next 2 weeks! I'll keep you posted as the drop continues. Thank you all so much for your well wishes and support! I'm extremely embarrased that I allowed myself to become as big as I was, but with all my friends and family behind me, I know I can accomplish this dramatic comeback! Thanks again!

Salutations!

I hope everybody had a wonderful 4th of July weekend! The Welcome home party for Sam last week was fantastic. I enjoyed seeing everybody and meeting a few of the faces I blog with from time to time, but had not had the chance to meet until then. Caryl wished she was able to come out, but was greatful for her time away.
We had a few friends and family out to our neck of the woods (that statement made quite literally) for the holiday. We bar-b-qued some hamburgers, hot dogs, and pork steaks. We drank some beer, played washers, and threw a baseball around before we unleashed the furious wonder that is FIREWORKS! I love them so much!!!! It was a good time had by all.
Okay, now for the big news. It is official...I have reached my 50 lbs mark!!!!! Thats right, you read it hear first. I am officially 215 lbs, down from my original 265 lbs for those of you not keeping track! Thank you all so much for all your complements when you saw my progress at the party. Those complements do not go unappreciated. They are my motivation to continue my new goal of another 50 lbs. My height weight ratio should be 5' 7"/ 157 lbs so I'm half way there. I know I can make it with the support and prayers from all of you. I will have a huge party when I reach that mark for anybody who wishes to celebrate with me! Can you tell I'm excited :~D (thats a big shit-eatin' grin I'm wearing right now).
I just found out that my in-laws have laid gravel for the road to our 18 acre family camp ground we are reclaiming from the wilderness, so it is now accessable without 4 wheel drive. So ladies, tell your gents that I will be planning a weekend escape here shortly and I expect all the guys to attend. (I understand that this is an impossible request, however I can be delussional if I want!)
Well that's it for now! I'll blog again soon

It's Almost time!

Well the big party is just days away, and I can barely contain my excitement. It looks like it might rain that day, so we'll keep our fingers crossed for some better weather. Those weather guys don't know what their talking about half the time anyways, so I'm not worried. And if it does rain, then we get wet! no biggie. I just hope its dry for the firework show! Pam, tell Bry his ears should be ringing. I keep talking about him to my friends and coworkers. I tell everybody that his works could rival that of some of the best shows throughout the country. I don't know if that's something he's looked into, but perhaps he could find his way into that business and make fortune turning his hobby into a career!
Anyways, oh, Caryl went to the local church's rumage sale and stumbled on a great find. We had been looking into a "kitchen nook" for our tiny house. Our kitchen is so small that you cant fit chairs around the table, so we turned the table into a kitchen desk where the computer sits. Well, the kitchen nook would be a series of benches that fit into the corner of the room with a table in the middle. The perfect fix for our tiny space. When we started looking into these, they were priced around $400-$500! Too expensive for our meekly income, so instead we eat our meals on the couch around the coffee table. Well, as I mentioned, Caryl was at the rumage sale and found the exact same kitchen nook we were looking for in the catalogs and stores that was all but brand new. A few nicks and scratches but its "nude" and unfinished, so those can be sanded out and the whole thing can be stained and sealed easily. We took it home for the mere price of $100. Great job, Caryl! It's gonna look so nice when its done. I can't wait to eat a meal at the kitchen table again. God, it's been a long time!
Well, I was going to wait til the party, but I already spoiled the suprise to Jen. Are you ready for this?! Caryl and I are gonna have another baby! Yep, number 2 is on the way. Caryl is about 8 and 1/2 weeks along now and we've already seen the heartbeat on the ultrasound. Those ultrasounds are amazing. They have this 3D imaging where you can see a 3D image of the little tiny baby. You could see the nubs that will soon be arms and legs, pretty neat! I'll tell everybody more about it at the party. Well, gotta run! see every body on saturday!

Summer Semester

Well the summer semester of online courses at the community college is certainly speeding by. I'm taking applied accounting and completeing my sophmore portfolio over the summer and we're almost half way through. I'm doing suprisingly well so far. I am maintaining an "A" in both courses so we'll have to see how well I can hang on to those. I haven't been much of a bloger lately b/c of the summer semester all my spare time is going into these courses. Well, I say that, and yet I'm currently taking a break from my camping trip that the family and I are currently on, to write this blog entry. We're camping down at Quiver River State Park this week. I managed to get a couple of days off in a row and Caryl said hey lets go! I can't wait to see everybody at the party coming up! I'm very excited. Caryl is going to be out of town so it will just be me and the Sophster, possibly my dog (Parker). I know you guys like to bring your dogs, do you think I should bring him? Or do you think I should just leave him @ home? He doesn't like to be tied up. He's an overgrown lap dog, and very hyper! Susan or Jen, do you need me to bring anything to the party? I'll definately bring a cooler of my fav anheiser busch product before the become german! That's so sad what's happening there. Hostile takeover's should be illegal. If a company doesn't want to sell, then it should be allowed to turn down offers of buy outs. Free Capital can be a bitch, huh?!
Well, that's really about it for now. blog @ u l8r!

Back from the beach

Well, I'm baaack!!! Florida was awesome. If you get a chance you should check out some of the pics in the above slide show. Some pretty amazing scenery. We had a good time, a few hickups, but overall a pretty good trip. We hauled a popup camper and camped on the beach in Grayton Beach, FL, which is in between Seaside and Destin Florida. I was pretty nervous through the first part of the vacation, because I didn't know if I had passed my Stats final until I could finally locate a wifi connection. I passed! whoohoo! On top of that I got a voicemail from my school saying I had won a $200 gift certificate to the campus bookstore! So everything turned out pretty nice. The beach was just a little too rough for the Sophster to enjoy, but she loved playing in the sand. The expression on her face, when we came over the ridge and got the 1st glimpse of the ocean, was worth the whole trip. I was even able to coax Caryl into boogie boarding on some of those narly waves! I think she had a pretty good time too. We went to the beach in the morning and evening and napped in the A/C during the hottest part of the day, so thankfully no sunburns! We got suckered into some tourist traps, and had 8lbs of shrimp spoil on the way home, but that was the worst that happened. Well, I feel like I'm rambling, so I'll get back to you soon. I don't have school for another week, so I'll have more time to post again. Later peeps!

What? Has it been that long? Its exactly 1 month since I last checked or posted a blog. Sorry! I've been kinda busy, you know how it is...what with school for me and my wife, the kid, and school, and, oh yeah!, work. Well, the progress report comes 1st, I guess. I'm doing much better in my Stats course, but still have a D. I'll pull it up. It won't be spectacular, but it will be passing soon. My lit course is at its most climactic. All semester, my prof has been tagging little comments to the bottoms of my papers, almost as if trying to establish a conversation, about the paper I submitted. When I submitted my last thesis he said, "I look forward to reading your paper". Talk about pressure to perform! ugh! So its due by midnite tonite, and I haven't yet started it :) I love procrastination.
Work is work, not much I can say there. I've been trying to get together a softball game a few times this spring, but the damn Missouri weather just will not cooperate! I'm still trying so if you're available the next time I set it up, please try to make it. The more the marrier. Its just gonna be a pick up game of beer drinkers. I'm not looking to win the Pennant or anything. Just a good time in the sun with beer and friends. I'll post more info when I know more.
My weight is still on the downslope! I'm very excited. I'm in size 38 jeans. I haven't been there since jr. high. I'm down to 233lbs. If you remember I started at 270ish. I'll hopefully make my 3 month goal weight by vacation in mid may of 225lbs. Not too shabby!
I'm thinking about having a 5yr wedding anniversary party at the new brunswick lanes in Ofallon on Oct 3rd. I'm just throwing that out there to see if there is any interest.
I mentioned I'm going on vaca in mid may! I'm very excited. Caryl, Sophia, and myself are going camping on the beach in Grayton Beach, FL. My mom is letting us pull her pop-up camper, and off we go! That IRS Incentive check should be deposited just before we leave so that will be sweet! I'll try to post some pics when I get back. Well, I posted 1st so now its time to see what yall have been upto. later!

Whoops I did it again!

No, I didn't pull a Brittany and shave my head, drive wrecklessly with my child in my lap, or anything like that. However, I did drop another 2lbs, which puts me down to -26lbs since the start of the year! Yeah me! I'm excited, can't you tell? It's a big deal because no Bartlett male has weighed less than 240lbs since I was in Jr. High. Guess what, I'm 239lbs now :~D Yeah Baby! I'm not finished there. This is just more motivation to keep going!
Only a little while longer til Sam comes home for good! I bet Susan is counting the minutes. I know it's hard girl, but hang in there. Its almost over. I can't wait til the welcome home party! It will be more emotional than the last time I bet b/c Sam will finally be able to enjoy being a Daddy. Hey Sus...I know you'll want Sam all to yourself for a while when he gets home, but make sure he gives me a call when he's ready to venture back into the real world again so I can have a few beers with the man!
I keep getting updates from classmates.com about this high school reunion thing, but nobody seems to know what's going on. I still haven't decided if I'm gonna go, but I'd still like to know some about how its gonna go down. Any '98ers out there let me know if you hear anything that I might not have heard. I just like to be informed.
Check out the youtube vid on my cool vids link. The guy with the dark hair and goatee (sp?) is the brother of a friend of mine. This is a part of a recuring video series he does with his church. I think it's hilarious!
does anybody know how to add music to this site? I had a song or two I'd like everybody to hear and it would be easier for you to hear it on this site as opposed to sharing files through the internet.
well thats it for me on my end. l8r fellow bloggers!

wuzz up!

Well, another week came and went, I lost another 2lbs on my weight watchers deal. So for those of you keeping score, I have lost a total of 21lbs since the 1st of the year. Tell me that's not motivation! I'm looking forward to this weeks results. I've slacked off on the actuall work-out part, but i've been splitting firewood, I went to the park with Sophie today, and I'll spend tomorrow under the van working on putting on a new bumper and seatbelt, and maybe some more wood splitting, who knows. Anyways, the point is I'm becoming more active. Thats a very good thing.

Thanks for responding to my question lynn! I'm pretty much in the same mindset. If I go, it will probably also be sans spouse. That kind of thing is really not Caryl's cup of tea. Jen Talley was telling me that there were more people at the mixer than at the actual reunion. We'll have to see I guess. Any thoughts Scotty, and Bushhouse? If nothing else, it might just be an excusse for us older kids to get together for an evening and make fun of the fat bald people ;~)

Tonight I plan on making the trek to Swansea, IL to see my brother's name in lights! I'm going to go with my friend Robert and his family.

I found this great coffee shop in St Peters next to St Chas Community College. The coffee's alright but the atmosphere is outstanding. I took a few pictures so ladies pass them on to your hubbys and such. I'm sure they'll appreciate 'em. This place is called Java Girls. Their slogan is "we put the hot in coffee!" I know, I'm horrible, but I am a sucker for a gimmick!

Well, that's about it from me for now. Later peeps!

drum roll please....

Well the results are in and on my 1st week of weight watchers I lost another 3lbs. Woohoo!!! So thats a total of 19lbs since January 1st. I'm so excited. The thing that gets me through, I think, is that I told myself that this was not a diet. This is a lifestyle change. This is how its going to be, forever. Not just to loose 50lbs then be done with it.
So, I hear everybody got together on Sunday for brunch. I'm sorry I wasnt able to make it... I got a later start out of the house than I thought and while i was headed into the city, the party was still a little out of the way. I hope everybody had a good time, though. I haven't had a chance to check your blogs yet, but I'm sure someone wrote about what happened. I just wanted to say thanks to Jen for getting you hubby to give me a call. It really meant a lot to me to be invited. I really wish I would have gotten to see Sam before he leaves again. Hey Susan, if you read this maybe you could have him drop me a line just to say whats up. No biggy though, I know he's got a lot on his plate being a new dad and all!
Anyways, that's about it on my front. I'm blogging right now instead of writting my Lit essay which is due tomorrow. I am the king of procrastination. Well, I better jet. Later peeps!

The amazing disappearing Ordog!

That's right, I am officially on the loosing side of my weight issue. But this time its good to be a looser! I started the new year off with a new resolution; to change my lifestyle. I refused to say it was a diet, because diets fail. I simply said this is the way its going to be, from now on. First I just started paying attention to what I was eating. Staying within portion limits and choosing healthier foods. Since my willpower is soo weak, I thought this was a good way to start and strengthen that. I wasn't denying myself anything, I was just making sure I didn't over do it. After a month and a half, I lost 16lbs. You heard me 16lbs! This past sunday, as a birthday present, my mother-in-law purchased a 3 month membership to weight watchers.com. There method of "points" matched what I was already doing, so this is refining what I had already started. Not only am I watching what I'm eating I'm now putting limits on it. I added a simple excersise plan to accelerate the initial effects, and we'll see on this Sunday the results. I think my wedding day, and the birth of my daughter were the only things I've ever been more excited about!
That being said, I don't want to be one of these people who change, and then push their views onto other people, so if I start to sound like one of those bible thumpin' food nazi's feel free to tell me to shut the fuck up!
On another note, I don't know if I said this in a prior blog, but my brother Matt just bought his own Outback Steakhouse in Swansea, IL. So I'm thinkin' we need a road trip, what do you say? Swansea is right next to Bellville on the otherside of the river. I'm not talking tomorrow or anything, but maybe sometime when the indiana crew is headed this way, the Missouri crew could meet there for lunch or dinner or something. My bro is definately having a good year. married, baby, homeowner, business owner!

I'm gonna try to blog again on Sunday, so everybody can see my results for the weigh in. Until then, l8r peeps!

What up

Hey peeps,

yet another day, and another dollar. I don't think I mentioned in my last blog but I went to mardi gras with my buddy Robert on Feb 2. it was a blast. needless to say, I gave away a ton of beads, and trust me, those girls earned it. I wish everyday was mardi gras! I self medicated before I went and it was a good thing I did, because drinks were fuckin' expensive! It was definately an experiance. I don't think I'll go again, though. Its one of those i've been there now so I don't need to do it again things.

Anyways. My birthday is coming up. Don't worry you don't need to get me anything. ;) I'm almost 30 (28 technically, but its close enough). I'm too old for presents. Except from Sophie. She takes good care of me. I can't wait to see what she gets me this year.

Well, gotta run! Hope everybody is doing well. Those new babies are soo cute! Congrats again and good work!

later!

its me again!

Well, well, well, some of you thought I was gone. I heard the whispers. "Ordog will never post again..." Well, I'm here to prove you wrong. I've been a little busy getting back into the school semester, but here I am. Well, whats new. 2 friends families have gotten larger, my brother, Matt, just bought an Outback Steakhouse, and Sophie had her 2nd birthday. So I'd say there has been some development.

I'm so happy that Susan and Tracy are doing well. I know things can be rough in the begining, but being a parent is the greatest thing. Congrats again. I hope your family bonds strenghthen with every moment you're together.

My brother Matt had been long waiting his own Outback Steakhouse, and finally got the nod! His new store is in Swansee, IL. He's also just gotten married, and has a baby girl on the way. He is having the best year ever, I think.

Can I make a suggestion. What ever you do. DONOT have your children's birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese. Sophia just turned 2. We wanted to have a decent party for her, but to register a party at CEC's you have to buy the party package and pay extra for anything not included in the party package. However, CEC lets you have your own party without registering. Great, right? Wrong. We got there about a half hour early so we could get a table and be set up for when the guests started to arrive. It was the coldest day of the year, and the line went out the door. We waited for a half hour before getting inside to wait to get in. Then they wouldn't let us order food or get a table until our entire party came through, and they all had to wait in the same line, even though we were already in. Needless to say it was a headache. Sophie had a great time, though, and I guess that's really all that matters. right.

Jen, I need to thank you so much (sarcasim intended)! As soon as Sophia wakes up in the morning she says "play with playdough?!" Everyday, all day, all I hear is "more playdough please". Your gift was certainly a hit. This thanks is sincere.

Well I'm tired and have to go to bed so I can get up early and cut firewood. Oh, that reminds me, next year (for those of you with fire places in your homes) Don't buy firewood off that truck that goes door to door. Let me know and I'll cut you some. As long as my back holds up I won't charge any thing but gas money to get it to you. If I get a lot of demand, a small fee might be incurred. Let me know if you're interested. I have a never ending supply of firewood in my backyard. Well, thats it. toodles.

What up peeps?! We are trying to move forward on the addition on our house, as much as possible. It aint easy! We cant get enough dry days in a row to pour concrete for the floor of our house, so instead of twiddling our thumbs til that happens, I'm trying to find an electritian to move our electrical box. This is one of many mundane little tasks that has to be done before we can frame the addition. So it should go something like this, move the electric box, pour the floor, frame the walls, install the windows and door, build interior walls, add plumbing fixtures, lay carpet & linolium, and presto...we're done! You might say, "oh, is that all?!" but if you knew what we've had to deal with so far, you'd be amazed at how close we've come. Once the addition is done, we'll live there for the next 3 or 4 years, and then move up with the house. We'll get a loan for the full amount and pay someone to build it for us. This build it yourself crap is for the birds.
Aside from that, school is getting ready to start again. I'm a little scared this semester. I didn't do very well in my last class and completely blanked on the final. I squeeked by and passed the class, but i'm kinda freaking out that this might happen again. I'm sure I'll be fine, but I have had a few sleepless nights since that last final.
I've got lots of pictures to show everybody, but I can't figure out how to make that slide show like a few of you have on your sites. Jen showed me the widget thing (I think thats what its called) where you can add things to your site. Could someone let me know how to do that so I can make my site more interesting?

Well, thats it for now. Later!

Wow, I was thrilled with the responses I'm getting on my blog. I'm so glad to connect to everybody on a semi-regular basis. I tried doing a blog thing with my brother on windows live, but we were the only people on it, so I said just email me. But being able to see whats going on in everybody elses life and them seeing how I'm doing is pretty cool. Now we need to get some of the guys in on this. I've heard from a couple of you, but not everybody. Where my peeps at? Don't I sound ghetto? Well gotta run!

Well, the new year has come and gone, and its time to shake off the holiday season and get ready for the long slow drudge of life. Gee, don't I sound enthousiastic! Maybe its just that I've been docked $50 at work because of a mistake the company made, call me crazy but that just sucks.
Anywho, the holiday's were pretty good to us. Caryl and I walked away with over $700 in cash, not to mention gift cards. We were pretty happy. Sophie loved Christmas. She would find a present under the tree, then scream, "whats in there?!" tear open the paper and say, "ooh, preettyyy!". Then promptly throw it to the ground, and scramble for another one. She didn't care wat was inside, she just wanted to open the presents. Ahhh to be young again.
I'm running short on time so I'll blog again later.