WORK:PLAY:FAMILY

Resolutions!

2009-01-03T08:00:00.001-05:00

New Years Resolutions!!

I don't think I need to make any resolutions this year. I'm already excited about how awesome this year will be. Plus, with the new addition coming in April, I will be extremely busy to worry about keep any resolutions....

But for the sake of it..

1. Making lists again - I stopped because the wife teased me too much about it. But I'm getting old and I forget things...

2. Read more... I keep buying books I never read...

3. Yes, I'm running again - Well I'm starting tonight!!

4. more Organized!! What happened? Tax Time is coming and I have 2 reciepts from 2008. What Happened??

5. SAVE more!! With this economy -- I need to buy more!!!! Anyone notice how Kellogs stock has continued to increase while many other stocks have decreased... Poptarts I tell you -- Poptarts...

Bad Service

2008-12-16T10:10:00.004-05:00

You know those guys in sales that had it so good the past few years. Everyone was buying everything and paying for it. And if you didn't buy it, they didn't care because someone else would.

How about now sales guy?

With this economy isn't it time for something new? You can't lower your prices anymore? But you know what you can do?

GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE!!!

It's been a long time since we had it --- Bring it back!!! It doesn't cost you anything and it really makes me happy!!!

One place I hope it starts soon -- Restuarants .

*** an update

THULE -- yes it's true I alway thought you were a little over priced. But today when I called the 1-800# and I spoke with a real live person and I told you that I just recently purchased a cargo carrier that is over 10 years old and you told me no problem - we have a lock and key that will fit that model - no problem - and you even told me where to get it. Well that's perfect -- Great Customer Service.

Maggiano's -- Yes, my wife is in love with your Rigatoni "D". So when I called this morning - and was transfered to Carryout -- and no one picked up. When I called a 2nd time and told the person answering the phone that no one picked up and was transfered again and again no one picked up. So on the 3rd try -- I was a little peeved my voice a little more stern - told the girl - that I did not want to be transfered but I needed to place an order for carryout. (did I mention my wife loves the Rigatoni "D" and did I mention she is pregnant and it's her birthday)

So when you told me at 10:00a.m that you needed to put me on hold to go ask the chef if he could do a 1/2 pan of Rigatoni "D" for a 6:00pm pickup. You need to call and personally thank my wife that you were able to still sell me that order... Customer Servce -- FAIL

Solution -- Small Business Security

2008-11-21T09:36:00.003-05:00

Just a random thought here.

Last week the Bon Air Seafood store got robbed. Now this is no different from the many other places that got robbed last week, this week and so on... Except I'm familier with Bon Air Seafood - the owners are great and they sell some good seafood.

Anyhow, my thoughts were -- what if you just stopped excepting

CASH

Credit/Debit only?

That's right I said it. Honestly, I could not tell you the last time I actually had CASH in my hand or in my wallet. I would think that's the same for many other people. Yes??

Ellwood for Lunch!

2008-11-14T13:30:00.000-05:00

Remember that time back in Elementary school when you thought if you asked a question -- everyone would turn around and laugh?? That's the kind of vibe you get when you go into Ellwood Thompson. Okay maybe it's not quite like that. This was my first visit to Ellwood.

Anyway, I saw the menu for todays Hot Bar Menu and I wanted wings.

Wings, Salad, Sweet Potatoes = $6.36. Everything was great and how about those recyclable containers (does the weight of the box effect my price?).

Leaves Leaves Leaves

2008-11-12T10:00:00.000-05:00

It's that time of year again! Where every weekend for the next few months will be devoted to blowing, raking, bagging, dumping, tarping leaves.
Not this year!!

We built a compost over the weekend to help us manage our leaves. So no more 12 bags every weekend going to the landfill. Our 2 neighbors with the nice green lawns will be adding in their yard waste to help our compost work.

DIY: 4 cinder blocks, 16 landscape timbers, 4 metal rods.

Kickin the Can!

2008-11-07T11:00:00.000-05:00

The good folks over at thisyounghouse seem to be enjoying the rewards of recycling and composting. Check out their great DIY post on starting your own compost. (link).

We have been doing the compost thing since 9/6/08. (2 months) And we have been recycling ever since the WM made it easy to do so w/ curbside recycling. But now that we compost we are even more aware now of what is going where. Our kids tend to stop and think about where something goes before they just throw it in the trash. Even at times correcting us when we forget.

And just like the folks over at ThisYoungHouse we too have also seen a significant decrease in the amount of "trash bags" that we are sending to the landfill. Right now we are sending 1-2 bags a week for a family of 4. It would be nice to have less and maybe save some "green" on paying WM.

What's in those 1-2 bags??

Plastic and other non-recyclables - food packaging

Styrofoam - the stuff that holds your chicken and meat.

Meat waste - mostly bones and some scraps -- a small bit...

Now how about those leaves that are falling...

.18cents to much!

2008-11-07T09:00:00.002-05:00

When you work for a non-profit you tend to watch the budget a bit. and when you work for a non-profit in this economy you tend to WATCH THE BUDGET A BIT.

So when I ran out to the local officemax to pick up some name tags to use for a workshop. I almost fell over paying $26.00 for 140 labels. Granted it wasn't my $26.00 but in the non-profit world that might be $26.00 less in a raise next year.

For the next workshop it's bring your own name tag.

How to convince the wife and kids?

2008-10-30T16:51:00.002-04:00

Someone help -- We are at the end of our Comcast promotion. How do I convince the wife and kids to turn off the cable - and watch everything through Hulu, iTunes, Xbox360, Netflix??

You can do it!

2008-10-24T09:00:00.004-04:00

This weekend do this -- maybe you will save some $$ this year.

1. Change the 6 - lights bulbs you use most -- to Compact Flourescent (CFL).
2. Buy this - and stop buying bottled water.
3. Drop to 120 - on the Hot Water Heater... (free)
4. Stay home tomorrow - and eat all the food in the Frig that's getting ready to spoil... (free)
5. Cancel - the RTD, and this Crap - you read it online anyway...
6. Don't water your grass, wash your car, or take a shower tonight - it's going to rain tomorrow. (just kidding on the shower part...)

Were wrapping the hot water heater tomorrow.. I'm not sure I totally get it -- I would understand if the thing was sitting outside -- but it's inside and isn't this thing already insulated? Am I really go to improve the heater by wrapping it in insulation???

STOP THE STAR WATCH

2008-10-23T10:18:00.003-04:00

Anyone out their -- tired as I am with this worthless paper each week??

I hate it -- always have -- I finally took the time to find out how to STOP IT.

Guess what -- It comes from the Richmond Times Dispatch / Media General.

Call this number and you too can be free of this paper from filling up your mailbox each week. (and doing so you just saved 3 polar bears, 2 woodpeckers and a dozen feral cats)

644-4181

Another Great Tip!!

You can stop all of your 3rd class mail from even coming to you by calling your post office.

You call the Post Office - they send you a form -- and poof -- No more 3rd Class mail. (which is all that stuff addressed "to current resident".)

Almost Done!

2008-10-23T09:00:00.000-04:00

We knocked out a few more light bulbs with CFL's over the weekend. (If you are doing the same - i'm finding them cheaper at HomeDepot - at the store - not online.)

Anyway, when we added it up again all of our old bulbs equaled about 1800 watts. Now by replacing them all to cfl's it's about 720 watts.

That's a big difference.

If doing the entire house is too much for you at one time. I would recommend at least replacing the most used lights - such as the kitchen and porch lights. We even did the closets, and the light above the stove.

The news is out!!

2008-10-22T10:46:00.003-04:00

What ever was in the water in Richmond seems to have trickled its way to the southside. We caught the bug and our little family will grow from 4 to 5... I'm thinking 3 kids is going to be awesome - but probably won't be getting our own reality show for it.

We have been prepping the 7yr and the 5yr for months about it. Asking them if they would like to be a big brother one day, how cool would it be to change diapers (that didn't work). But when we did share with them the good news. We didn't quite get the response we were looking for from the 5yr.

He immediately got upset -- He knows that you have to stay in the hospital for a couple of days when you are having a baby -- so he was very upset that mommy would have to go the hospital.

He then said "Mommy if you're in the hospital, How am I going to get to the Bus Stop".

From a 5yr olds perspective that's pretty important...

Bailing Water!

2008-10-15T09:00:00.001-04:00

I showed you our electric bill. and since then we have made some easy changes that anyone can and many of you probably already do. Like turning off lights when you leave the room, turn the TV off when its time to eat (I'm referring to the 5 year old), and not forgetting to turn the Wii off (7 year old). We have also changed many of our high wattage bulbs to CFL's. Which turns out is not that easy. The 60watt equivalent CFL bulb will not necessarily produce the same amount of light the original 60 watt produced.

Anyway, here is our water bill. and this is going to be tough. We water our GRASS and I take a 30 minute shower. Enough said.. Goodnight!!!

This bill however, covers 7/21/08 - 9/23/08 - 63 days. and shows that we used 15 CCF. Which means we:

(15 ccf)748 = 11220 gallons

11220 / 63 = 178 gallons per day. (wow)

178 / 4 = 44.5 gallons per day per person.

Now the 5yr, 7yr old probably didn't use 44.5 gallons of water and we were not watering our grass during this period. But you get the point. We use up a lot of water....

Quick fixes -- shorter showers, fix some leaks, water grass less.

HOW MANY CCF DOES YOUR HOUSEHOLD USE??

Bottled Water - Stops with Kaine

2008-10-09T11:09:00.002-04:00

Yesterday, Govenor Kaine announced more budget cuts. It may or may not be a significant cut but he has ended the purchase of bottled water. Well, if Kaine can do it. So can we. Now in our house that's not really going to be a great deal of savings. We only buy a 1-2 packs of bottled water a month. For us that would be about $96 per year.

I liked that Kaine announced that he would send more invitations to functions by e-mail instead of U.S. mail. I think he could go a step further and get rid of some of the fax machines and go to an online fax service - such as myfax.com. Which I have used for about 3 years and have no complaints!!

Kaine has also reduced newspaper subcriptions -- Kaine - Just end them all together - everything is online!!

35 mpg - What do you get?

2008-10-07T11:00:00.001-04:00

Last Year - I sucked it up and traded in the Isuzi Rodeo for a newer Toyota Yaris. The obvious reason was that I was just commuting to work in it. and Second was that we needed a bigger SUV anyway. Cough Cough -- Yes, we wanted a bigger SUV... So I commute in the Yaris about 30-40 miles m-f. So far I am averaging about 35 mpg. Which is Good! Could be better if I changed my driving habits. But still 35 mpg is nice compared to the 17 mpg I was getting in the Rodeo.

As for the bigger SUV -- I guess we justify it as - We just love it!!!

Get rid of your JUNK!

2008-10-06T11:25:00.002-04:00

I'm sick of Junk Mail. We stack it and stack it because some days we think we better shred this. But then who has the time. Stack gets higher and higher until one of us finally decides to throw it in the recycle bin.

Greendimes - States -- Rather GUARANTEES that it will get rid of 90% of your junk mail. They offer 2 options - the free option where they link you to every direct marketing service out their and you manually take your self off the list. and the Premium option for $20 -- where they just do it all for you and everyone else in the house. They also plant some trees for you... Nice!

I'm glad it will get rid of the tons of credit card offers, mortgage offers, catalogs. But really -- I hate that Star Weekly Newspaper. I hope that the Star Weekly is not the 10% of junk it cannot get rid of...

* Friday -- Starts the NO TAX holiday for Energy Star products.

Update CFL

2008-10-03T09:00:00.001-04:00

The previous post got me anxious and I remembered I had a 4-pack of cfl's laying around. I'm certainly not going to make a post for every light bulb I change - but I did want to make this one just to show what the difference can be in just 1 room.

Our upstairs bathroom had 3 - 40w bulbs. Which totaled 120watts. I replaced them with a 3 - 9w cfl. Which as lighting goes is pretty darn close to the amount of light that the 40watts produced.

Total watts now being used 27. Saving 93watts.

Sent from my iPhone

CFL

2008-10-02T15:00:00.002-04:00

Everyone's going Green -- Right?

I'm not sure if going Green - is the correct term here. I'm not buying solar panels for the roof, or putting a wind turbine in the back yard.

I really just want to save a couple of bucks off the Electric Bill.

Getting rid of your old light bulbs and replacing them with CFL seems to be a "what to do first" for folks.

Here is a run down of how many light bulbs need replacing. I never realized how many light bulbs are in our house. Over 40 bulbs...

(Energy Sales Tax Holiday Oct. 10 - 13th)

Room	# of bulbs allowed	# of CFL needed	Current CFL Replaced
Den	4	4
Living Room	0	0
Office	n/a	n/a	n/a
Foyer	2	1	1
Coat Closet	1	1	1
Bathroom	2	1
Utility	2	1
Kitchen	4	4	1
Dining	1	1
Stove (above)	1	1
Garage	2	2	1
Sunroom	1	1	1
Adam Room	1	1
Matthew	1	1
Matt Closet	1	1
Hallway	2	1
Bathroom	3	3
Back Room	0	0
Master	1	1
M. Closet	1	1
M. Bathroom	4	4
Front Door	2	2	2
Front Motion	2	2
Back Motion	n/a	n/a	n/a
Back Flood	1	1
Side Door	1	1
TOTAL	40	36	7

* Bold -- used often

Sams Club 13 watt – 10pk $14.78 (free shipping)

Sams Club 23 watt – 6pk $13.86 (not free)

Sams Club 15 watt – indoor spotlight – 3pk $15.12 (free shipping)

Sams Club 26 watt – Outdoor Spotlight - 3pk $13.76 (nf)

Still making Dirt -- slowly!

2008-10-02T14:32:00.003-04:00

Back in September we set up our Compost Bin that we got from The Richmond Clean City Commission. We actually picked up 2 - and will be using #2 in about another month when our first Compost gets full.

So far so good. I'm really impressed and somewhat amazed about about much waste we produce. We are a family of 4 (soon 5). And on average we produce about 3-4 bags of garbage a week. and 2 recycle bins full every other week. Since we started the compost bin - we have been averaging about 3 bags of garbage each week.

No we are not putting that much trash in our compost - but I think we have been more aware of what goes in our trash. Since, we are saving our food scraps (no meat or dairy) for the compost, I think we are catching more of what can be recycled. Cool!!!

Weekend!

2008-09-29T09:23:00.002-04:00

The weekend flew by again.
Much work is needed on the lawn. Aerating, Seeding, Liming and fertilizing. I'm not sure about the fertilizing part - we live fairly close to the swift creek reservoir. Would like to try something thats friendly and affordable.

Friday -- Date night with the Wife - Got switched to Sunday. The movie Fireproof was SOLD OUT for Friday and Saturday. So we got our tickets for Sunday. Great Movie!!!

Saturday -- Went by so fast - I don't even remember it. The wife is nesting so I'm sure we were all cleaning something...

Sunday -- Sinners we are SINNERS. We missed Church. Spent the morning at Windy Hill with the fam at the driving range. Kicked the kids to Grandma's for a much needed afternoon date. We went to see Fireproof. A Great movie for couples!!!

- Bought a few more CFL bulbs to replace our most used bulbs. Hope to have all replaced soon.

Holy! Electric

2008-09-24T18:45:00.002-04:00

I really thought we were at least average with our electricity consumption.

I don't have the link but 920 kWh a month was the average kWh per household in the U.S. Yeah, our 2500 sqft home of 4 (soon 5) averages 1600 kWh per month. We don't have gas so it's all Dominion Power.

Just curious what is yours? Average kWh?

Make your own dirt!

2008-09-09T23:57:00.001-04:00

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West Point!

2008-08-20T11:38:00.004-04:00

As we were driving through West Point, VA.
Adam -- what do they make over there?
- Clouds!

Hilarious - the 360 has a blog.

2008-08-05T13:48:00.002-04:00

The xbox360 has it's own blog. Yeah, I know you folks with no kids - knew this a long time ago.. I'm just getting around to playing it.

Also, I have always rooted for Blockbuster being the better movie store - over NetFlix. But with news that the 360 and netflix are teaming up. Well, sorry blockbuster.

To Blockbuster --

1. Stop selling those framed posters. Who's buying them! You are wasting floor space - for something that really won't generate revenue..

2. Let me rent video games by mail...

3. Lower your price on buying DVD's after I rent them.

4. Not buying Circuit City -- Good move.. Go buy Gamefly!

5. Don't buy Gamefly. Open more stores!!

Seriously, Summer is Awesome!

2008-08-04T23:04:00.001-04:00

Summertime!!

2008-08-04T12:13:00.002-04:00

Man, I just love Summer!!!

Fam Vacation!!

2008-06-30T17:00:00.002-04:00

Back from Vacation and wish I was back on Vacation!

- When is a Family Vacation -- Really a Family Vacation??
- When everyone can swim on their own!!!
This year everyone was old enough and swim ready. It was nice to sit and watch!

This is what happens when the Suburbs go on Vacation!! (I'm Guilty)

Paul Goldman Cannot Parallel Park

2008-06-20T15:17:00.002-04:00

Mayoral Candidate Paul Goldman wants no cars and no bikes in Carytown. From Thompson Street all the way to the Boulevard.

Question: Is it the parking that is keeping people from Carytown??
Question: Where can I park?
Question: Can I ride my Bike to Agees to get repairs?

Here's my take --

People go to Carytown -- to walk, talk, eat, and "window" shop. Yes, we occasionally buy something here and there - but mostly we are like "look how much they want for this". And I understand that everything has to be $$$$ in Carytown - because of increasing rent by landlords. and the Landlords want the increase becasue the demand is so high -- we get it. But what happens then?? To the little guy?

Whats the future of Carytown?? Eventually no more mom and pops stores that we like -- it will all be - chains. A kind of "short pump in the fan" place.

As for the no cars/bikes. I say go ahead -- Paul Goldman.

Read more here at the RTD.

Summer Begins Tomorrow!

2008-06-19T11:47:00.002-04:00

James River Reeling & Rafting

Circuit City --- same old story!!

2008-06-19T11:20:00.002-04:00

Remember when you walked into a Circuit City Store and the folks their were wearing suits and knew exactly what they were selling?? Remember when they had a good selection? Those were the days.. Circuit City -- no need to cry economy or gas prices -- THIS has been the same old Story for Years.

I still appreciate that you came in for me when I was on my Wii hunt a couple of years ago!! But here is what I would like to see!!!

1. I want the same deal -- If I'm in your store - I want the same price as you have listed online.

2. I'm glad you have internet access available - so I can google my questions -- but really I would like to be able to ask someone in the store - and feel confident they know what they are talking about.

3. Seriously, we need a new store layout!!! Do you need all that room for CD's?? Are people still doing that??

4. More Selection.

Someone is wrong on the internet!!!

2008-06-19T00:31:00.002-04:00

No seriously -- big oil we do blame you!

2008-06-18T13:58:00.002-04:00

If supply was the problem?? How do you do this

If Bush and McCain want to open up our protected areas for drilling -- How does that really help us? If oil is selling for $140 a barrel -- wouldn't opening up drilling in these protected areas just make the oil companies richer?? -- Really - just think how many more barrels they could sell if they can drill for oil in Alaska and in the Gulf of Mexico or the Chesapeake Bay.

If most of our oil is coming from over seas and these guys can decide to increase production and have production increase to 1/2 million barrels a day and have this start in 30 days time. WOW

Then this is what I hear.
1. They have a lot of oil.
2. The Demand is High!!.
3. They have a lot of it.
4. They just can't get it of the ground fast enough!!!

Were Doomed!

2008-06-18T13:29:00.002-04:00

Is anybody really excited about Obama or McCain??
Well how about their potential VP list?? Don't fall over but

Eric Cantor possible Republican contender for VP.

or

Tim Kaine possible Democrat contender for VP.

Really???

The National

2008-06-10T09:04:00.002-04:00

Delirious -- June 28th...
A Christian Band coming to Richmond!! Good Job Richmond!!
The National

3 more things!!

2008-06-05T13:15:00.003-04:00

Since I already griped about losing $5.00 to Mr. Ukrop -- Why not give you 3 more things for the day.

1. Tobacco and VCU -- Yeah, Yeah -- smoking is bad for you!! I agree!! and am sometimes surprised people still do it. But then again -- I don't always use sunscreen and sometimes I drive without using my seat belt... So who am I to judge... But VCU receiving a couple of dollars -- is that really a big deal?
Seriously, $1.3 million from $227 million is just a couple of dollars. And was it really a Secret?? To me the big point would be -- what are they researching?? and Is their Research Ethical??

2. RMA -- Hey I could gripe about the tolls -- but really - I have no Gripes. June 2 was the start of the 3 toll lanes closing -- making only 6 left. RMA thought we would have to adjust our schedule or find alternative routes. But when they put the smart tag lanes on the left hand side instead of the middle -- it finally created a smoother commute... Give that person a raise Jack!!! We have only been suggesting this for years.. And really everywhere else you go they do this!!!

3. Don't Believe it!! Yep Gas prices are high -- but all this talk about people trying so hard to sell their SUV's is bull. Please someone send me an ad for an SUV that looks like they are desperate to sell?? New or used!!!

Mr. Ukrop I want my $5.00 back!!

2008-06-05T12:15:00.002-04:00

I'm a little peeved at First Market Bank.

I had some money in a checking account with First Market. I mainly just used it to throw extra money in for random / impulse buys. Then I got married and my random/impulse buys decreased and decreased even more over the years. and quite honestly I forgot about it. BUT HEY "MY MONEY IS SAFE IN A BANK"... Wrong...

I just happened to open a statement -- and realized that I have been slapped with a $5.00 fee -- they call a Dormant Fee.

WTF!!!

I'm sure all banks are doing this. What's alarming is

1. The $5.00 dormant fee is a monthly charge until the owner makes a deposit or withdrawal from the bank. -- So you could lose up to $60 a year if you don't open your bank statements.

2. How many people has this affected?? I'm thinking Elderly? Disabled? Trusts?

Mr. Ukrop I may have to eat some fruit off of the salad bar next time before paying.... Ridiculous!!

2008-05-29T09:32:00.002-04:00

- Having a 4 day work week is awesome -- unless you have deadlines on Friday...

- When the RMA made this announcement - and said you might want to change your work schedule or find an alternate route --- I'm thinking -- How about no tolls until your done. Jack!!!

- When are wives make fun of our love for Star Wars and Star Trek. Telling us you are going out with the Ladies for Apple Martinis and then going to see Sex and The City movie on Opening night -- is kind of the same!!! Except Star Wars is way Better... Not even measurable!!

- Even though Gas is Crazy High. I still Love our Toyota Sequoia ---- True we don't drive it very much -- but we still love it... And to our Yaris -- Thanks for another week and your only Half Full!!

Baseball!!

2008-05-21T11:54:00.002-04:00

The Braves are leaving -- Who Cares!!

This is the next best thing!!

Matthew has really kicked it up since playing at the Y for the past 2 years. I think sometimes folks make a big deal about sports this young being too competitive. I find that true for tee-ball. But I think the added competitiveness has helped his game this year.

It's Adam's second year of ball. No more Tee-Ball!!! He is in a hitting slump right now - hopefully will get out of it by the next game. Still working to improve on his infield/outfield work -- throwing is great. Still needs some work on catching. Next year -- I think everything will catch up and it will be a great season. He does look good though!!!

The Commute

2008-05-21T11:21:00.004-04:00

View Larger Map
The Commute -- I have been trying different commutes into the city from the southside lately. Basically, the construction on the toll plaza has backed the traffic up on the Powhite in the mornings all the way back to the Midlothian Turnpike Exit. So most days I give up and take the Midlothian Exit -- travel down Midlothian -- take the chippenham exit -- then take the powhite exit. Not to bad - but a lot of work for a couple of miles of traffic.

Today, I decided to forget the tolls and forget the traffic. I took 288 to the Patterson Ave exit. And took Patterson all the way down to Thompson. Again -- All the Way Down. I forgot how far that was. And how many stop lights. and the stop and go traffic. "Old Man in the Acura --- please give the car back to your son -- and stop driving so aggressive on a 2 lane road". Going the speed limit - and sticking to one lane is -- how you can save on gas too -- Jack...

Tomorrow -- leaving early to compensate for the traffic on the powhite.

The weekend is here!

2008-05-09T10:09:00.004-04:00

Wouldn't it be great if your cable/satellite service worked like a cell phone bill? You could lower your service during the summer months -- maybe only have cable on nights and weekends after 7:00pm... Or even pay for only 900 minutes per month...

It's mothers day weekend!!! You know another holiday where your wife says "really - please no gifts this year" "I mean it".. Cough Cough!! Seriously, why do they set you up like that??

It's Mothers Day weekend -- It's going to be awesome!! I think she is looking forward to not having to do anything this weekend. Just the fact that I'll be cleaning up behind everyone all weekend is enjoyment enough for her. But theirs more...

So - what else is going on!!!

This guy (KamenLee.com) is blogging about weight loss - which in turn motivates me for weight loss / working out. The biggest problem for me - is sticking to my schedule - I will let the smallest inconvenience - change the fact if I go to the gym or not -- I am my own worst enemy.

What Weekend?

2008-05-05T11:05:00.002-04:00

The Weekend came and the Weekend went - We need more Monday Holidays!!

Friday -- Realized I may be too old for Video Games -- Rented Super Smash Brothers (Wii) for the 7 year old. Got beat every time - and honestly had no idea what was going on in that game.

Saturday -- All I can remember is Little League Baseball, Cutting Grass and Dinner at Vinnies w/ the neighbors. (add Feta to your pizza!!!)

Sunday -- Still in Awe of the video we watched in Church -- I am excited about Lamanin.

Got kids? Got kids in Little League? Check out our week this week.
Monday -- Baseball Practice
Tues --
Wed -- Baseball Game
Thurs --
Fri -- Baseball Game
Sat -- Soccer Game / Soccer Picnic - Then Baseball Game
-- and that's just 1 kids schedule...

Today - is my Friday!

2008-04-24T09:26:00.003-04:00

What's Really Going on Today!!!

1. What they are doing in Texas is WRONG!!!

2. Who makes up all those 1 liners - that Obama and Clinton use in their speeches? I don't think their was really a writers strike -- they were all working for the democrats.

3. I haven't had time to blog about my own work, play, family -- because - I'm too busy reading other peoples stuff...

4. I went to New Orleans last week --- Why can't Richmond have a Trolley -- going up and down Broad Street? Why can't Richmond use our Waterfront like that? Our River Front even looks and smells (sometimes) better.

5. Our kids have more on their Calendar than we do -- Thanks Little League.

Legend Brewing Co. -- Smarts

2008-03-26T10:12:00.001-04:00

Now that is a compromise - I can live with.

Legend Brewing Company Now smoke-free before 9 p.m., (link)

Taking it Back!!!

2008-03-13T14:12:00.002-04:00

I originally said that little league sports was so unorganized it was killing me.
Okay, I take it back - Didn't realize the extent of how many leagues and how many kids the organization has to - well --- organize.
Their I was once again put in my place. Too make up for it
I volunteered to be the Coach... So their it is Coach Eric. Coaching my sons team of 7-8 year olds.

Play Ball!!!

But as for those folks on Craigslist --- come on I'm not even reading your post if you can't put up a picture. IT'S FREE.

That Last post -- Told you about my new Yaris. I know its not an SUV. But the SUV is still in the driveway and will come in handy on vacation, camping, kayaking and going to Lowes to buy nails or something.

Anyhow -- The Yaris ... Yeah I filled the 11.1 gallon take last Tuesday (3/4/08). I have driven 289 miles as of Thursday (3/13/08) -- 8:55am (late). And I have just under half a tank. Yeah, I know - you and your car have been doing this all along. I just caught up -- thanks..

Top 3 things that Bug me Today!

2008-03-10T12:06:00.003-04:00

1. People who sell stuff on Craigslist - put don't post a picture!!!

2. E-mailing a salesperson... If your buying they email you back before you can hit send. Need something from them after the sale -- and it takes weeks...

3. Little League sports --- so unorganized it just kills me!!!

Their I got it out!!!!

Finding the time!

2008-03-05T10:27:00.001-05:00

I have been so Busy at work. Busy at home. and I read entirely too many blogs now - that I don't even have time for my own.

Anyway -- It's been a busy couple of weeks at the home. We recently bought new living room furniture. Funny how the news media has been saying things about this economy and that sales are at all time lows with buying houses, cars, furniture... Really - we actaully had to wait in a long line of other people buying furniture. Who's not buying?? Real Estate Agents perhaps? Mortgage Lenders Maybe? Construction/Contrators??

Last weekend we finally did it!!! I bought a "Commuter" car -- the Toyota Yaris... I know I can't beleive it either. But it gets 34/39 miles per gallon. Compared to the Rodeo which got like 16mpg.

I have been driving our Isuzi Rodeo to work every day for the past couple of years -- paying about $50 - $60 a week in gas. Why?? Because I like it!!! But, I finally got tired of the gas!!! So the Wife will "happily" be driving the Rodeo - since she works only 1 mile from the house. We got rid of her car (The Volkswagen Beetle Convertible) - and she has been crying ever since - but I couldnt use that as the commuter car - because I still need to keep some of my manhood intact! and we need the SUV for hauling kids, camping, vacations, kayaking, and for lowes and we would probably lose are Southside Suburbs pass.

Are people buying cars?? Well maybe it was just a fluke - but their were plenty of folks at the Toyota dealership - more customers than sales people.

I'm just saying - all I hear on the news is how terrible everything is becasue of this economy. But what I see -- Is folks buying new furniture to make their current house look better - because maybe this isnt a good time to buy a new home. I see folks buying cars - (even SUVs) - maybe it's because they decided to stay at their current home - and not buy a more expensive house. Your Right - I don't see any FOR SALE signs through my neighborhood -- but I do see a lot of neighbors - Adding on Additions to their house -- why? Becasue the rates are great. I see people fixing up their current houses - adding new landscapes, painting, remodeling...

I think it's awesome - maybe neighborhoods - will be "neighborhoods" now - where you and your neighbors will actaully be invested in the neighborhood for more than a couple of years... How awesome would that be. Well unless you don't like your neighbor...

Our new Friend!!

2008-02-22T21:04:00.003-05:00

The old thermostat was a hundred years old and always 5 degrees off. Now we have 7 day 4 times a day programing - yeah yeah everyone else has one too.

Global Warming - ruining Childhood

2008-01-30T11:47:00.000-05:00

A couple of weekends ago - the Fam went up to Wintergreen to do some Tubing. Yeah, we drove 1.5 hours and paid about $48 (not including Hot Cocoa) for something that was once FREE to do at least once a year.
That's when I realized our kids have never had a good Richmond Snow. The oldest who is 7 has never built a snow man, no snow angels, not even a good snow ball fight. All the things that I remember very well.
I think the last time I enjoyed a good snow - was back in college. Classes were canceled (can you believe VCU closed) and we headed to Forest Hill Park and then to The Virginia Country Club. The Virginia Country Club tried unsuccessfully to run off all the kids, dogs and adults off the property. They have since spent $$$$ on a fence to block those future Tubing and sleighing. What a waste of $$$$ probably...
Anyway, as much as snow would make it a pain for my work commute - I would like to have at least a couple of days of some good - ground sticking, school closing, Ukrops out of Milk and Bread snow.

F150 -- Weekend!!

2008-01-25T14:09:00.000-05:00

This is going to be a great weekend.

I'm currently driving this for the next week or so - while my wife's bug is in the shop. Volkswagon sent us to Enterprise to pick up our courtesy car. Choices left on the lot - Ford Focus or Dodge Neon. -- Yeah!! That's not going to work. (Salesman) - Well we have a Ford F150 on the lot. (Me) - Sold!

13 miles to the gallon - As much Fun as it is to drive - I won't miss paying the $75 to fill it up...

Tonight -- Friday - Wife is gone, Kids are gone for the night. and I still have my brothers Xbox360 and Halo3 and Call of Duty 4. And now access to Xbox Live. Anyone looking to join in - eOneil - is my member name..

Saturday - See above Truck - To Lowes - Purpose buying Drywall to finally finish the garage... awesome...

Saturday Night - Out with the Wife and Friends going Old School - Downtown like we were in college again... Is the Bus-Stop still open?? Now if anyone remembers that place you are Old School...

Sunday - Repent Repent Repent

Paid Vacation!

2008-01-24T10:32:00.000-05:00

Is it a done deal??? Looks like we might be getting some extra $$$$ in the mail to help boost this economy. $300 for paycheck receiving individuals and up to $1200 for a family of 4. (link)

When we get it - if we get it - it will be going straight to our much needed Family Vacation in June. With the rates on everything dropping - it might be a good year - to buy that new (used) car, and do a refi on that house?? Maybe??

HOT DOGS, PEANUTS

2008-01-16T11:03:00.000-05:00

It's true - I only go to 2-3 Braves Games a Year. So, I guess that doesn't make me a die hard fan. But its something I have done every year since moving to Richmond in 1992. It sort of became a tradition in our family. Our summers are spent with a vacation to Florida, a couple of weekends camping, and 2-3 nights at a Richmond Braves Game - and we always get a Hot Dog and some Peanuts.
(What other Sporting Event can you go to for the Price of a Braves Ticket??)

Sure, Richmond will probably get another Baseball Team. I seriously doubt it will be another AAA team. But maybe AA. But would Richmond really invest in a new stadium for AA or A team?

I don't blame the Braves for their move - to Gwinnett County, Ga. Have you seen what is planned for their new stadium?? Do you blame them for wanting what every AAA team has? Mayor Wilder and his administration did drop the ball. This hasn't been just a couple of months of discussion this has been going on for years. Richmond Had a Great AAA Team. The farm team for the Atlanta Braves. You don't have to be "Braves" Fan to understand it really doesn't get better than that!!!

Garage This

2008-01-09T14:15:00.000-05:00

It's finally time to find a new hobby. This house we bought came with a garage. How awesome is that? Well, it would be awesome if it served a purpose other than storing bikes, outdoor toys, chairs, coolers, kayak, punching bag, golf clubs, camping gear, recycle bins, and yard work equipment.
Over the summer Matthew and I built a very rough looking workbench (if you can call it that). But it was nice to do something with Matthew. He had a great time learning how to use a tape measure, making straight lines, and drilling in some screws. Anyway, Since never having a garage before I have never really acquired many power tools other than things needed to fix stuff around the house. So for the past year or so I have slowly added tools to the garage. Now it's time to do something with them.

Of Coarse a New Work Bench is needed.

Currently Reading:

I'll start posting some projects soon w/ pics...

It’s 2008. Now back to Work – Play – Family

2008-01-02T10:02:00.000-05:00

I have certainly enjoyed all these 4 day weekends. Christmas came and went so fast it’s unbelievable. If it wasn’t for the tree still standing and the lights on the house I would have to question if we celebrated it yet?

New Years was awesome – The wife and I checked into the Omni on Monday – enjoyed some much needed relaxing – no kids – no phones – no xbox – no wii – no ratatouille. Something about staying in a hotel is great – you don’t have to clean it and you get all the towels you need. – Later that night we headed over to Toads Place for the New Years Celebration with Carbon Leaf… It was awesome. They played a joke on us – and we were probably the only ones that fell for it.. Thanks to the Me and Her opening act…

New Years Resolutions???

Gym!!! Running!! How crazy busy will the gym be tonight??
Ducks!! Big plans for 2008 – 1^st have to get my ducks in a row!!
TV!! Turn the Da** thing off!!
Xbox360!! Give it back to my Brother!!
Read More!!

Someone call Professor Charles Xavier

2007-12-20T11:40:00.000-05:00

It has started??

A former Oregon man who's skin is bluish-purple is hoping to put down roots and find acceptance. His name is Paul Karason.

I think I might call him Hank...

(abclocal.go.com)

We asked - Flickr Provided - Finally!

2007-12-14T11:20:00.000-05:00

Flickr can now tell me that this is the most viewed photo out of the 1,833 photos and some 4,045 views. Crazy!!! and probably 3,945 views is just from me.

Over the last few weeks Flickr has finally updated and provided some much needed tools.
My favorite so far is the stats -- because hey -- we all love graphs... (Update your account to have all the Graphs and Charts you will ever need).
Also download the much improved uploader3.0.
And now Flickr is letting us edit the photos online. I just used it to turn the most viewed photo into a black&white - because b/w pics just look better. Anyway, this is much better than downloading the pic, editing it with adobe and then uploading it back online.

Simple

2007-12-13T10:25:00.000-05:00

Just tell us who hasn't

Who loves Charts??

2007-12-11T09:54:00.000-05:00

Google has released the Google Chart API. Perfect for making charts on the fly. The downfall to this is that Google is limiting you to 50,000 API requests per day. So Pace Yourself...

Go Make Your Own.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

2007-12-05T09:33:00.000-05:00

and today he turns this many.

Well minus one hand.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUD!!!

Weekend!

2007-12-03T15:03:00.000-05:00

Our weekends out here in the burbs consist of Leaves and lots of them.
I believe are neighborhood has more trees than any other neighborhood in Virginia. I could be wrong.

Saturday Night - The wife and I were able to get away and enjoy some Fish and Chips at the Restaurant we went to on our first date. And we even got seated at the same table. Yeah it's corny. But Melinda likes that stuff...

Sunday -- Almost finished our Christmas Shopping. Got all of our Christmas stuff out of the attic. Made several trips to Home Depot for lights, extension cords, more lights, extension cords... Almost finished!

Today - we ordered our Christmas Cards. Now the remaining 22 days will be stress free.

Surviving!

2007-12-03T15:01:00.000-05:00

We Survived Thanksgivings. It was our first "all the families"are invited to our house - But you have to bring a dish Thanksgiving. Melinda handled the Turkey and 10lbs of potatoes and some awesome stuffing - I made the Sausage Balls and horded all the fresh shrimp my Dad brought. - I'm sure we had more stuff - I just don't eat what other folks make...

We Survived Christmas Shopping. December 3, 2007 -- and we are finished and we are on budget. How we did it. We made are list several months ago - and started one by one until the list was finished. and used zero credit cards -- why? because we don't have any. (I LOVE MY WIFE).

Melinda is trying to survive her Post injuries from running the Marathon. How do you Fracture a bone and not know it for 2 weeks???

Thankful!

2007-11-21T13:14:00.000-05:00

Thankful for:

1. Jesus
2. My wife
3. My kids
4. Not having to drive this holiday.
5. My parents coming to dinner.
6. that I have a job.
7. my other job.
8. Aflac
9. Forgiveness
10. 4 day weekends

Aflac Aflac AFLAC!!!!

2007-11-20T09:18:00.000-05:00

My Wife and I kid all the time about having a baby. However, now I think she wasn't kidding.

My Clue -- She has signed up for Aflac.

Just when the other 2 are finally able to dress themselves, get their own drink, and turn the T.V. on by themselves. It's time to have another!!

Well at least this time - I will have more patience with putting the crib together, expert at car seats, and crying -- "It just happens".

She Did It!!!

2007-11-14T11:14:00.000-05:00

26.2 miles is definitely no run around the block.

Melinda started all this running back in January 07. All she wanted to do was run and finish the Ukrops 10k. Back then she stated she couldn't even run 1 mile without stopping. 6 miles seemed impossible. Well she ran and finished the Ukrops 10k and has been running ever since. Carytown 10k, XCountry 1/2 marathon and the Scholarship 30k.

11 months later and 4 pairs of running shoes - She completed her first Marathon - and even managed to beat her goal time.

26.2 miles --- 4:58:57
Awesome -- We Love You!!

26.2

2007-11-09T10:22:00.000-05:00

Well -- So much for the 30 days of blogging.

Anyhow, What's going on this weekend??

Melinda will be running her first Marathon on Saturday. Very Cool - Very Crazy -- 26.2 miles.
I will be running the Ntelos 8k. Basically, Melinda and I will drive down together. She will start at 8:00a.m. my race starts at 8:35a.m. After my run I will be able to hang around downtown, eat breakfast, drive back to the southside, shower, change, watch a little tv, rake the leaves, drive back downtown and still make it to the finish line to see Melinda come in. and I wont have even driven 26.2 miles.

Not really anything else planned for the weekend. Monday is a holiday for me - 3 day weekend - awesome.

Urbanna Oyster Fest 07

2007-11-03T22:26:00.000-04:00

Weather was perfect. I think though for us. The best part of Oyster Fest is the boat ride into town - the boat ride leaving town and the Oyster Roast that evening. Definitely the oyster roast.
We had a great time - We sadly missed the oyster shucking contest - but we caught the parade - and saw lots of intoxication. Oh and they had a replica version of the Godspeed their which was kind of cool for the kids.

Missing Summer

2007-11-02T12:50:00.000-04:00

Mornings.

2007-11-01T09:38:00.000-04:00

The Start - 30 days of Blogging.

The Squirrels Ate our Pumpkins

2007-10-25T20:05:00.001-04:00

Who knew???
Last week we carved our pumpkins. We had 4. We are now down to 2. Adam's pumpkin got eaten by a hungry squirrel. Melinda's pumpkin(not shown) caught a case of the mold. The remaining 2 are barely holding on. Will we make it to Halloween? Anyone else over run by squirrels??

We have Pictures!!

2007-10-25T14:39:00.000-04:00

It's been a little over a year since we moved into our house. Their are no more boxes, 1 room has been painted, we purchased 1 kitchen table and 4 chairs, 1 sofa, 1 chair, 1 twin mattress and box spring, 1 TV (we now have 4 - and yes I'm ashamed), bought new kitchen knobs (which are still in the bag), 1 kitchen faucet, and converted a screened in porch into a sunroom, we also bought 9 frames for some 8X10 pics. What hasn't been done - is picking out those pics and hanging them on the wall.

and I hear about it daily!!!

So this week I will be searching through our flickr account and looking through old negatives to find some family pics to hang on our walls.

Where did it go!

2007-10-22T10:03:00.001-04:00

The weekend came and the weekend went.
Did the burbs thing - went to SAMS Club Saturday morning. Crossed the River with the wife for more shopping and more Car Shopping. I am finally ready to purchase a new (used) car and now I can't decide on what I want...

Sunday - Melinda went on her 20 mile run - her longest run yet in preparation for the Richmond Marathon. 20 miles - I know - "crazy". I slept in and did some yard work in place of running. (that counts) Bought a new ladder - Gutter Guards don't really make it so you never have to clean gutters again. and we went to see Rendition.

Our Weekend

2007-10-19T16:26:00.001-04:00

Trying out this Google Talk + Imified to update everything from Blogger, Gcal, Basecamp, Todo and my reminders. Any how - we actually have a kid free weekend. Their will be lots of TV watching, lots of eating, pretty much just laziness. You need one every once in awhile.

The Weekend!

2007-10-15T11:13:00.000-04:00

Remember the days when you did absolutely nothing on the weekends. What happened??

Friday -- Went to add songs to my Ipod Shuffle for my 5k -- and wouldn't you know it -- my Ipod died. I had to borrow - Melinda's PINK nano. Thankfully I was able to hide it under my shirt on race day...

Saturday - Went over to the Children's Hospital to run in the American Family 5k. This is my second 5k. Again my goals were simple -- to show up and to not finish last. Apparently I need to add a third goal -- do not let MOM's pushing strollers beat me in 5k. (see pic above)
As for the race -- very well done! Plenty of activities for the kids, a live band, plenty of food - they really made it a good time for the whole family. Well Done!

After the race - we came home I blew the leaves off the lawn and fertilized - we finally have grass - now we just need some rain. Later we headed over to the Chesterfield berry farm to get some more pumpkins.

Sunday - Melinda got up at 6:30am so she could run 16 miles before Church. Again 16 miles that is crazy!! Made it to church -- Church was great!!! -- we recently have been visiting other churches in the area -- I'm glad we did that and I am Glad to be back at TCC. After Church we went to Sundays and Matthew and I went Kayaking while Melinda and Adam played in the park. Ending our day at Radio Shack to purchase another Ipod with warranty.
Sunday Night -- Evan Almighty -- FUNNY!!!

Al Gore should run for what??

2007-10-11T12:31:00.000-04:00

Not to many political posts here. But I did run across this story where the folks at draftgore.com took out a full page ad in the New York Times. asking our former Vice President to run for president again.

Is any one else running full page ads begging someone to run?

Al Gore - Maybe you like him - maybe you don't. He said he won't do it so it doesn't really matter. But you got to appreciate someone that has passion. And this guy has it. I think Passion is something we haven't seen from anyone running for president in a really long time. Really long.

Maybe he should run -- look who he is up against...
any of those folks invent the internet?? Anyone else have 3 large screen monitors?? How about that awesome frog??

GODS Last name??

2007-10-04T13:34:00.001-04:00

taken via - cell - broad rock blvd.

Blogging in the Burbs

2007-10-03T10:33:00.001-04:00

What could us folks over in Chesterfield have to blog about??

- How many relatives were at the county fair?
- Excited about a new Applebees?
- Making plans to cross the river this weekend?
- Guess who got a new SUV?
- Got Gang Violence?
- Were getting another Mall?

Now thats just silly. We may not have all the drama that Richmond gets. But occasionally we will share our opinions and inform you on whats going on at our great place across the river.

Seriously, check out the newest addition of community Blogs Chesterfielddaily.net. It's awesome I promise - and their will be no mention of any new Applebees or who got a new SUV. New malls however, I can't make that promise...

Go here now!!!

How is your Week?

2007-10-03T10:04:00.001-04:00

Yesterday - I had a break from the office. I spent the day at VCU at a class offered through their "Especially for Non-Profit Organizations". It was a welcome break and one that I get to do 3 more times this month.

I was so excited to go back to school -- I broke out some shorts, t-shirt and some flip flops. It was a pretty good day. Parking was a lot easier than it was 7 years ago. At 8:00 a.m. all parking decks were open. Lunch at the Village was good - still serving PBR. The old Frat house still their. And the "Commons" was completely different. Anyone remember many many years ago that you could buy Beer in the Commons. What other University can say that?? Maybe next week I can get their early and have breakfast at Hibbs. --- Yeah I don't miss it that much...

My Last Weekend Update::: Melinda ran her legs off at the Maymont 1/2 Marathon. Not too much longer and we will be cheering her on at the Richmond Marathon. 26 miles?? Who runs 26 miles?? I don't even drive 26 miles most days?? She is awesome!!

This Weekend: Off the couch Weekend -- has me running 4 miles on Saturday... sweet!!
Melinda however is running a 30k at Pocahontas State Park on Sunday. 30k -- Crazy!!! Hopefully, she will feel up to doing a little kayaking at Pocohontas after her run. It's not like you need your legs to kayak??

Lucky!!!

2007-09-26T13:50:00.000-04:00

This guy gets Halo 3 and appears in the Style Weekly top 40 under 40 all in one week.
How Lucky can one man get??

Good Job!!!

Ninjas Rob Gas Station

2007-09-25T08:59:00.000-04:00

Seriously

http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/14181828/detail.html#

1 Crazy Week!!!

2007-09-24T10:49:00.000-04:00

Weekend in Review -- Ran some, Kayaked some, ate a lot, chopped a tree down (don't tell the association), spent some $$ at Lowes. -- it was a perfect weekend!!

This week is going to be crazy --- not only for me but for the TIVO as well. It's had a few months off so it should be well rested for the week. Tonight we have Prison Break on at the same time as Chuck, then K-ville on at the same time as Heroes, then Journeyman. Hey haven't we already seen Journeyman years ago -- I think it was called Quantum Leap?? Tuesday -- The Unit is Back, Wed - Bionic Woman and on Thursday -- The Office is back. Thanks to the Tivo - I won't have to be a coach potato all week...

This weekend we have rented an Aerator -- so far we got about 4 other friends and neighbors in on it - just a few more and the thing will be FREE --- and the wife likes free!!! Much to do to the yard before the weekend though -- much to do!!

Our off the Couch Weekend!!!

2007-09-17T09:29:00.000-04:00

Friday Night -- Movie night. Now if I would have asked Matthew and Adam if they wanted to watch E.T. they probably would have said no - because other than the ride at Disney World - they have no idea who or what E.T. is. So, I had to be a little tactful - because I really wanted to watch E.T.
"Hey Adam and Matthew you guys want to watch a movie tonight? (YEAH) -- How about E.T. -- we can watch this with POPCORN and ROOT BEER."

They didn't hear E.T. all they heard was POPCORN and ROOT BEER! Yeah, I feel a little bit guilty... but the movie is awesome!! and now they think so too...

Saturday -- Melinda went for her long run (11 miles) -- that just sounds crazy to me. I don't even want to drive 11 miles on the weekend... But she did it -- was it cold - yeah, a little rainy - yeah. Should we have breakfast ready for her when she gets home -- Yeah!!
The sun popped out -- the kids were off to a birthday party -- and I was off to go Kayaking. What an awesome way to spend an afternoon -- in the middle of a lake with no one around -- very relaxing... Also, trying to cross the lake looks easy from the shore -- in a 9.5 foot long Kayak not so easy.

Sunday -- Got off the couch and out of the house at 7:00 a.m. to go run the Midlothian Blaze 5k. My goals were simple:

1. Show up
2. Finish
3. Run the 3 miles without stopping
4. Don't Come in last
5. Try to finish in 30 minutes

Well I got the first 4 done... But my time was 32:13. Hey I'm just happy I finished.

Next 5k -- American Family October 13

The Weekend is Coming!!

2007-09-13T10:28:00.000-04:00

Last week was only a 3 day work week for me -- So this week having to actually work a full week and doing some other work in the evenings has made this a very long week. So how will we enjoy the weekend.. Another Trip to Chincoteague.. Unfortunately -no.

Friday -- kids pick movie night -- (I'm pushing ET)

Saturday -- Melinda does her long run - in prep for the Maymont 1/2 marathon. Kids off to a friends B-Day party at the playroom, for me Kayaking in the new Kayak (see above) in the Swift Creek Reservoir. Bike Rides on the trails. Hopefully, getting the 4 year old off the training wheels...

Sunday -- Off the couch and running my first 5K -- The Midlothian Blaze. It's only 3 miles -- I say only... Church, rest, maybe convince Melinda to watch 300 one more time.

Chincoteague Island

2007-09-10T10:39:00.000-04:00

A much needed 3 day weekend. We finally got away and went to Chincoteague Island. It has been a really long time since the 2 of us have gotten away without the kids. Chincoteague was awesome.

When we finally arrived on Friday -- We spent much of the day walking around the island -- plenty of shops and things to check out and surprising a lot of good restaurants to choose from.

Saturday -- We spent much of the day kayaking in the Assateague Bay - great views all day - and a great workout -- with that current. We really wanted to rent some bikes - but by the time we finished kayaking and going to the beach on Assateague the shops were closing up their rentals -- maybe next time.

Sunday -- We got up and did some running on the island. I ran a whole 3 miles. Melinda strolled on and ran 6. We probably should have stayed most of the day - but I was anxious to get back across the Chesapeake bay Bridge Tunnel -- thought that the tropical storm even though it was far away - might bring some strong winds - which would not have been good for carrying 2 kayaks on top of the car.

--- We did see some wild horses but they were really far way. - maybe next time. Also, found it interesting that no one locks anything up. I was really nervous about leaving 2 new kayaks on top of my car overnight - but their were plenty of other people who did not lock theirs or their bikes for that matter. Their were bikes everywhere and no one locks. -- pretty unheard of especially if you have ever had your bike stolen in Richmond.

Look Up!

2007-08-27T15:19:00.000-04:00

Start tonight -- Tonight MARS will be closest to earth than it ever has before (186 light seconds) according to space.com. You should be able to see MARS just after dusk. How cool is that.

Don't forget tomorrow morning you will be able to see a total lunar eclipse (thanks RiverCityRapids).

All cool -- see how Earth Stacks up.

It took all Summer...

2007-08-27T12:39:00.000-04:00

It took all Summer but he was finally was able to do it!!!
Awesome!!!

Only 1 more Weekend!

2007-08-27T11:57:00.000-04:00

Only 1 more weekend until school starts.

Last weekend we were able to go camping during the hottest weekend of the year. Thankfully, we did have the lake to cool off -- and it did get quite cool at night. Cool enough that we needed some extra blankets.

Bear Creek Lake
Which surprising was only 45 minutes from Chesterfield. Park offers Tent camping as well as RV and Pop-ups. Finding a good spot was a challenge -- many of the spots are not flat or well defined. But the bath/shower houses were very clean - which is always good. The rangers / staff were extremely nice and checked on us several times during our stay. Matthew and Adam did a couple of the park activities - such as making smores and catching water bugs. We had a great time and will be going back next year. Our next camping trip is hopefully going to be in October somewhere in the mountains - maybe Big Meadows...

what's happening this weekend

2007-08-17T13:19:00.000-04:00

Tonight -- friends, grill, chicken and a movie - wild hogs

Saturday -- trashing all leaded toys, kids crying, make up -- hours upon hours at the pool. maybe go see the birds

Sunday -- visiting a new church, yard work, rest

Good Stuff: Pandora Radio (thanks)

Thanks -- Made in Richmond

2007-08-15T11:26:00.000-04:00

A couple of weeks ago. Ms. Catrow of Made in Richmond had a little trivia contest on her blog. Well, lucky me - I WON (still can't believe that I couldn't get the Biloxi Blues quote).

Anyway, The best part -- their were prizes to be had. Not knowing what the prize was going to be I anxiously -- waited by the mailbox for days. I was hoping she was sending this --- but excited to have received an awesome movie theater gift card - that we used immediately to go see the Bourne Ultimatum. (good movie!!)

Thanks Again for the prize!!!

Today Should be a Holiday!!

2007-08-14T10:41:00.000-04:00

GRTC THIS!!

2007-08-13T15:17:00.000-04:00

Okay, everyone is using the bus these day. According to the commercial. So, I went to the GRTC website to see how I would get to work from my house. Not an easy thing to do - since I live way out here in the burbs - south of the Rivah.. But GRTC does in fact come out here. So here is my schedule from getting to Work from my House.

Drive (a short distance 2-3 miles)to Commonwealth 20 (Hull Street) to the GRTC Park and Ride lot.

6:43a.m. Board #32 bus ($2.50)
7:19a.m. Arrive @ 14th and Bank St.
Wait until next bus (25 minutes)
~Transfer~ (.15)
7:44a.m. Board #24 bus ($1.25)
8:03a.m. Arrive @ Robison and Broad St.
Wait until next bus (15 minutes)
~Transfer~ (.15)
8:18a.m. Board #20 Bus ($1.25)
8:30a.m. Arrive / short walk to work from Broad.

TOTAL TRAVEL TIME (1 hour and 45 minutes)*
TOTAL WAIT TIME (40 minutes)*
TOTAL COST ($5.30)*

VERSUS (Driving)

TOTAL TRAVEL TIME (20 MINUTES)*
TOTAL WAIT TIME (5-10 FOR TRAFFIC)*
TOTAL COST ($3.28) gas/tolls*

* TOTALS are 1-way only.

Am I ready to give up the convenience of my usual way of travel. The 20 minute travel time in my own car. The $3.28 per trip travel cost of gas and tolls. Yeah - I don't think so. Not yet.

But this is not the fault of GRTC. I choose to live way out here, and my work is near Broad Street - but not really near any large businesses. GRTC does seem to have a lot of routes and most of Richmond covered. The site is relatively user friendly. The Customer Service was great - I had to call 3 times concerning my route.

So what would get me to ride the bus -- if GRTC added another route that would only have me using 1 transfer. I think with 1 transfer my travel time would be cut in half.

our wii is blue

2007-08-10T18:01:00.000-04:00

a metroid prime demo
a little disappointed that its only a video

but happy to see some new stuff.

Are You GREEN??? Get your Score!

2007-08-08T09:16:00.000-04:00

With all this talk of going Green - I decided to take the quiz on EarthLab.com.
So whats my ECP Score (My Carbon Footprint).

Ouch -- 302

I answered the quiz for the entire family.
The site said that the Average Score was 324 for the US and 304 for Canada. So, we're slightly below the average. 302 is still pretty high. I think our low electric bill (thanks to our house being shaded by woods), are partial use of CFL's and the fact that we recycle like crazy -- got us below the 324. What didn't save us was the amount of bedrooms (5), and are lack of using public transportation, or non-car means to commute, our lack of water saving features on our showers, and our SUV.

Easy things that could change are carbon use:
Water Efficient Shower heads
Bring our own bags to the market
Compost (not sure how easy that is - but we have plenty of leaves)

So what's your Score??

Things to do!!

2007-08-07T11:08:00.001-04:00

* Make a Tabletop Biosphere.

* Use this -- Wikipedia on the go.

* Ipod This -- Leeland

* Can this be True? Guitar Hero III for the Wii

Hey Insurgents -- lets fight fair!!!

2007-08-06T10:52:00.000-04:00

I'm not one to blog about the war or politics. But after reading this
WTF?

"The U.S. government can't account for thousands of weapons that were supposed to go to Iraqi security forces, raising the possibility that they ended up in the hands of insurgents and other militants"

Maybe the idea was to even the odds -- so they could fight a fair fight and stop the road side bombings. okay maybe not -- but really - how do you lose all those weapons??

SLOW DOWN SUMMER

2007-07-31T21:47:00.001-04:00

Kayaking on the River. Everyone had a great time on Saturday kayaking in Gloucester, Va -- I'm seeing Kayaks under the christmas tree...

This summer is just turning out to be one of the best summers. Last year our summer was taken over by the purchasing of a new house - and all the joys (money) that goes with all that. This summer has been awesome -- with our vacation to Florida, Our 1st Family Camping Trip, Tubing on the James, biking around the hood, fishing @ Sundays and are many many trips for Italian Ice at Rita's.

What a great Summer so far... In a little more than a month -- our oldest will be going into 1st grade and the other will be going into a new preschool. Summers are again starting to fly on by... STOP!!!!!!

Got a Wii

2007-07-26T22:13:00.000-04:00

Go here and play:
Poom
RockPaperScissors
Distraction

Got money to Lend??

2007-07-26T13:30:00.000-04:00

Got Debt? Need a New Car? Need Start Up Money? --- Or you got Money to burn / Lend??. Well check this site that I ran across the other day Prosper.com

If you need money - you set up an account - verify some info -- write a little summary of why you need the money -- set up some terms -- and wait for folks to "lend you money". The people (lenders) with the best interest rate -- win. When enough people agree to lend to you -- and you have all the money you need the "auction" is over. You get your money and for the next 36 months you agree to pay back all those folks/lenders -- through Prosper.com.

If you got the money to "lend" you sign up for an account -- verify some info -- and transfer however, much money you would like to lend. You search through all the people that need a loan - read their "story" and review their credit rating/score and their debt to income ratio. When you find somebody - you enter how much you are willing to lend and the interest rate you want to receive. When the "auction" is over the money gets transfered to them and you start receiving payback for the next 36 months at whatever interest you stated...

It sounds good and the return could be good. But for 1 its an unsecured loan. and if someone decided their not going to payback the loan - sounds like thats just to bad - you picked the wrong person to lend to. Reading through the site - it didn't seem like their was really any way to recoup money not paid back. (they do say that late payments will be sent to a collection agency)

Also, it looked as though about 90% needed loans to pay off other loans. Do you Really want to lend folks money to pay off other loans? Also, how accurate is all the stuff Prosper.com is suppose to verify??

The James River is Awesome

2007-07-23T12:57:00.000-04:00

Friday -- All of our schedules worked out and every was home - so we finally made it to a Braves Game this season... Great Weather -- lots of junk food -- a couple of foam fingers -- and VCU Coach Anthony Grant -- Braves got a win... Yeah - it was a great time.

Saturday -- Cruised up to Scottsville to go Tubing on the James (here). The website said 6 years old and up. So the 4 year old didn't make it. He went to the Watermelon Fest at the Chesterfield Berry Farm instead.

Anyway, tubing on the James is Awesome -- Basically you sit on a tube for 3 hours and relax. Stopping along the way to eat lunch on an island - play football -- whatever. We had a great time. If you go bring some goggles - We saw some pretty big fish and a couple of turtles along the way. Matthew had us convinced we saw a beaver - turned out to be a dog... We were also amazed by the amount of beer people would bring on their tubing trip. But don't let that stop you from going - it was actually pretty funny - how some people will react to being in a tube drunk.

We plan to back in August - and with the 4 year this time. We pleaded are case - explained all $$ we spent on swimming lessons etc,etc...

Sunday -- a day of rest needed -- not sure how relaxing on a tube the previous day makes one so tired...

Too Hot For Camping??

2007-07-11T16:36:00.001-04:00

Last month I took Brooklyn camping for the first time. Some would say we really didn't go camping. Personally I think Camping is Camping whether it's in an RV, Pop-up or Tent - its camping.

About once a year I go "camping" with my friends - the kind of camping where you put on a backpack with all your gear - hike some trails - and crash wherever you can find a spot. (except on Old Rag Mountain - where you better not camp on private property).

Anyway, last month the fam went camping at Kiptopeke State Park over on the Eastern Shore part of VA. I like to give the wife a hard time and call her "Brooklyn" when it comes to anything "southern". Not that camping is strictly for "southerns". Anyway, She is from Brooklyn and never got the chance to go camping as a kid. So packing everything in a backpack and hiking some trails was probably not a good way to introduce camping to her. So instead I got a huge 8 person tent from Amazon.com for the Fam last Christmas. Then we got the air mattresses for us and the kids, the canopy with mosquito netting to surround our picnic table, the coleman grill, bug spray, etc,etc. Basically we got the works to make camping enjoyable to anyone who has never been camping.

The trip was a success. Brooklyn had a great time. Of coarse the 2 boys did as well. Which 6 and 4 year old wouldn't. And since that trip we have been planning 2-3 more camping trips to try and get in before the end of the summer. This weekend we are going to check out Bear Creek Lake over in Cumberland. We have not decided on the camping part yet -- with the heat like this Brooklyn may cancel the other 2 camping trips...

Thanks Bud!!

2007-07-11T10:33:00.000-04:00

A week ago I told Matthew that last Sunday was going to be just me and him. I wasn't surprised that he was excited about a day just for us - because - hey -- I am his Dad. But I was surprised that he figured it out and made a comment that it was just a day for us. Conversation went kind of like this:

Me: Matthew -- Guess what??
Matthew: What??
Me: Melinda has to work Saturday Night - So she will probably need to sleep most of the day on Sunday.
Matthew: Okay
Me: And Adam will be with his dad.
Matthew: Big Smile -- So Sunday will be a Daddy and Matthew day??
Me: Yep!
Matthew: It's been a long time Dad since we had a Daddy and Matthew Day!
Me: Oh! I guess it has been buddy.

And in looking back - I guess Matthew can remember a time when it was just me and him. Now that I am re-married and Melinda also having a son from a previous marriage - we have instantly become this family of 4. So weekends are filled doing things as a family of 4. Not too many weekends or weeknights when its not just the 4 of us. But it seems Matthew would like to have more time when it is just the 2 of us. Thanks for calling me out -- on this bud!!!

So how was our Sunday together!!! Awesome... I had planned to build a work-table for the garage on another weekend - but this seemed to be a good day to do it. So we headed to home depot - got some 2x4's and some plywood. Matthew got some safety goggles and an apron (thanks home depot). Matthew was all hands on with this project. From measuring and marking cut lines - to using the drill to put in some screws. He had a blast - We couldn't ask for a better day!!

After the workbench was built we decided to walk to the pool instead of riding our bikes or driving - so it gave us more time to talk and have fun. We spent the rest of the day at the pool. You can't beat a day like that!!!

A Refreshing 4th of July!!

2007-07-06T10:44:00.000-04:00

The 4th of July is always a good day. Besides celebrating our independence -- we also get a free day off from work (can't beat that). My day started off early to knock out some needed yard work. Then we headed to the pool until 3:00. Came home and got ready for our annual trip across the river to the Dogwood Dell. This was our 4th year at the Dell and again we had an awesome time. Melinda got our food together. The kids and I got all of our chairs, blankets and games packed into the car. We didn't do as good with parking this year as we did last year. (mental note: park away from dogwood dell) I think I was just anxious to get their and get our regular spot.

Anyway, we ate, we played football, frisbee, wiffle ball, some nintendo ds and we even colored in some coloring books. Melinda saved us about 2 thousand dollars. She went to the dollar store and bought a bunch of glow sticks. So we didn't have to spend hundreds of dollars from the local vendors. The mentos people must have thought we had bad breathe because they gave us about 100 packs of mentos - if anyone needs some mentos let me know. (Diet Coke anyone??) We also have a bunch of fans -- which I think was a great idea from the Mills Godwin High School to promote their upcoming Play (Chicago). We missed the folks from the ROC. They were passing out cards and such -- But I am sure they were promoting Jesus and encouraging folks to come to there Saturday Night -- 5 O'Clock Roc. Which we have gone to several times and it's also a good time. Don't be intimidated by the large group of bikers standing out front - they are their just to give hugs (which is kinda intimidating still).

Oh yeah, the dell did their firework show. I have no idea what time the show finally started it was late. I wish they had a count down clock or something - you never know when it will start. But once it does its a pretty good show. It's not the New York City fireworks -- but hey -- the kids love it and thats what makes us happy!!!