Jessie...not her real name.

At church today I sat next to, and met, Jessie. It turns out she is from main line China. She is here to study engineering. She is a communist, and not a Christian. She was going to church to learn about different aspects of American culture. I have never met a real born and raised communist. Only fake wannabes back in my college days. Anyhow, I hope to talk with her more.

Febreze...this is so funny.

It started a few weeks ago, I was on my way to the store and Jenny says, " Daddy, will you get me some Febreze?"
And I said, "Why?"
"I just want some." She says.
If you don't know, Febreze is a spray that kills odors.
I forgot the Febreze that day, so this exchange goes on for the next couple weeks.
"Daddy, can I have some Febreze?"
"OK, next time I go to the store." And I would forget. But today I remembered! I saw Febreze and picked up a bottle.
I walked in the house and proudly presented my wonderful, patient daughter with her request.
"Thanks Daddy! I love you."
"I love you too, sweetie."
Then she immediately, with out another word, proceeded to spray her brother with the Febreze. She then walked in to the next room and sprayed her other brother. Then she took the bottle, still with out a word, and put it in her room.

I'm still laughing about it!

It would be sad....

Well, I posted that impeachment video...
It would be sad if it happened. I see Bush as being out of his league. He has been "handled" into a lot of this. I'm not sure about any of the allegations in the video.
Interestingly, Woodwards book does not say that he lied about WMDs, and he was quite pissed when he found out that his intelligence was wrong.
Time will tell. I hope if the Dems regain congress in Nov. that they don't waste the next two years with investigations, etc. We need some real leadership...tough, complicated decisions need to be made...OK, enough politcal BS from me.

How to Impeach a President

Yahoo Mail

Yahoo redesigned their email platform. I don't like it. It is slow, and doesn't permit some web navigation that I normally use. I wonder if I can go back to the old platform.

The kids are back!

We got up this morning and about an hour later the kids one by one walked out the door. "Bye" they said w/o a word as to where they were going, or when they were returning. No chores had been completed, and the kitchen was a disaster area. Sydney and I looked at each other and said "we have lost control of the family". So that was it. We called them all back and grounded them, in a manner of speaking. Until we see some willingness to help, and some more positive attitudes they will be somewhat restricted.
As it turned out, the day was nice. With exception of Luke, who had one day more to record with his band (that's a legit reason to be out), they all helped with some home projects. We had a family dinner. Jenny baked brownies. And attitudes seem better.
I love em.

I'm losing my kids!

So, I am a little bummed. My faithful friend, the dog, is at my side trying to get my attention to take her for a walk. But I miss my kids. They are always busy now, and almost always gone. It is fall break. We tried to get a family thing going but it fell through. Luke has been recording with his band all day. I can get a copy of the demo for a buck. Jenny has been gone all day with friends and so has Max. He even plans to sleep over. Yea, I've spent some nice time w/Sydney. She is the best, and is my soul mate. But I miss the kids. I know this will only progress. They are growing up. I guess I need to grow up a little myself.

Old Liberal ?

I am not a liberal. I am a disolutioned conservative. As a financial advisor, I've seen investments work in any business climate. China, one of the greatest growth stories ever, is communist for God sake! And they have national health care. I have seen more clients go down financially because of health problems than investment problems. Maybe it is because they have such a fantastic financial advisor! Nevertheless, health is the torpedo that sinks a significant number of people. And long term care insurance is not the answer.
Other than that, the republicans did not deliver what they promised, and they are responsible for Iraq and the Patrot Act, Abu Ghraib, and now the Military Commisions Act...Boo.

The Day King George Was Crowned...

Slippery slope! It started with the Patriot Act. Now this.

DOW

Big news all week. The Dow is at record highs. Well, that's great if you own the Dow...( 30 companies in all). The S&P 500; however, is not back to breakeven after 5 years! So much for indexing. Actually the S&P making new highs would be quite an event...(500 companies in all).

Learning the value of a dollar.

We have taught and encouraged our kids to work for money, and learn to save it, as well as share it.
We have a deal with them that if they save money for a car we will match what they save up to $2500 when they are 16 to get their first wheels. All my kids have done a good job at this. Well, two out of three. Their is always the oldest, who will be the death of me, who has spent all his money on amplifiers, but more on that at another time. He is 16 and has not saved for a car.
Tough luck,right? Go get a job!
No, no, no, a friend of his won a car. She is not 16 so she gave it to him! It's a junker, so I said OK. When you are learning the "value of a dollar" don't knock "FREE".

Ok, let the "your making a mistake" comments begin...go ahead...

A Message From Chad and Steve

Well, it's offical. Meet America's two newest billionaires!
Bought out by Google.

Feedback

Our church asked for feedback on their main meeting. I gave em some.:

1. Don't pressure people to engage in varrious "forms" in worship.
2. The meetings are too long.

I haven't heard back. Hope I didn't make anyone mad!

OU/Texas

Today is the day! The last 10 yrs the leader in the polls at the time of the game won. Uh, Oh.
I thought the game time was 12:00 so I scheduled my sons birthday party for 3:00.
Bad move.......
Do you know why it's windy in Oklahoma?

Because Texas blows and Kansas sucks.
HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!


GO OU!

Who's in Denial?

Slate.com says Woodward's new book is the "hottest" thing going right now. I wonder why? Maybe people are sheep. Stupid, gullible sheep. Which I guess we are, however....
I'll tell you the reason I bought the book, besides that I thought it might be fun to read.
I was around during Watergate. I supported Nixon almost till the end. Woodward took a lot of political heat as I remember during that time. He had it out for Nixon the Republicans said. It was implied Woodward was an evil, liberal journalist. Well maybe he did hate Nixon, and maybe he was a liberal, but he was not evil, and he was not lieing. Nixon was. So is he putting his long, respected, award winning career on the line to misrepresent the truth? Maybe....maybe not. Time will tell. But for now this, for me, falls in the category of "fool me once...".

Fate

State of Denial, the new book by Woodward, deals in endless politicing, manipulation, deck stacking, power playing and the like. It's really quite facinating the length people go in these areas, and the energy they expend. What is funny is that after all is said, decided, and done it all boils down to fate.

I must say in my personal life this truth has saved me a fair amount of grief and worry. Although those who know me will say I spend lots of time trying to arrange outcomes! And I am no stranger to worry. But w/o realizing this I'd be worse! We have to do what we can, right? Then the rest...fate...or Gods will...or both.

Reading

I just finished "Showdown" by Decker. It's an interesting novel dealing with the questions of good, evil, truth and human nature. Really a unique story.
Now I've started "State of Denial" by Woodward. It's like being a fly on the wall in the White House during the Bush Presidency. I wonder how he gets such inside information, and if it is accurate. I'm starting with an assumption. Woodward has been around a long time and is respected, so I will assume most of what he has written will prove true.