Vacation

Well, my first piece of vacation is about over. I am bummed about having to go back to work. My schedule looks to be shaping up well, though. I have to work Saturday and Sunday, but will be off Monday for Labor day. Tuesday will be tough. I am working at the Supercenter on I-35 in Norman, which is usually busy anyway but the day after a holiday could be a monster. Then, I work Wednesday and Thursday at my store. Friday will start another 8 days off, that is so cool! People have asked where we were going on vacation, and aside from seeing my family in Ada, we did not go anywhere. That is OK with me. I enjoy traveling as much as the next guy, but sometimes there is something to be said for spending some downtime at home. If you have not noticed, I added a new link to my flickr page (the links are on the right just below the picture labelled "Little Miss Stinker"). It is a site that I am in the process of uploading my digital photos to. Take a look and see what you think. Right now I am still loading photos from early '06, so it is a little trip down memory lane. If my blog can handle it, I am planning on adding a widget that will display ALL the pictures from my flickr page, so be on the lookout.
Another thing that has me smiling is the start of college football season. OU plays this weekend and I am ready for the season to get rolling, BOOMER SOONER! The new season of House will be starting September 16, I think. I am excited to see some new episodes. Here is a link to a little video montage of House that is pretty cool: http://www.fanpop.com/spots/house-md/videos/2163020 . If you know my Dad, see if you don't think Hugh Laurie looks like him. Sometimes he really looks like Dad to me. If you are having trouble with motivation to get something done or believing in yourself, see if this video doesn't get you moving: http://www.fanpop.com/spots/michael-jordan/videos/3109 . It is just after 11PM and Al just came in. He can push the backdoor open by himself to get back in the house and he scares me to death every time he does it. I wish I could get him to close it, too. I hope everyone has a good weekend. Check out my new stuff and tell me what you think.

Tonicity

Man it is amazing to look back and see where "a train of thought" can take you. As I was mowing today, I had sweat get into my eyes. It stung, but why did it sting? My thoughts on this and other ocular related problems from today are tonights topics.

Where to begin? Earlier today, before I mowed, I was messing around on the computer when I heard Abbie. Generally when she cries for something I can tell her fake cry from her angry or "I am serious" cry. This was something different all together (and everyone says "This was something different.") This was a high pitched cry of "Uh-oh, what is happening?" I run in and find her in our bathroom. She has a tube of cream in her hands, cream on her hands and face and cream smeared on the floor. I must interject that Abbie likes to get tubes of cream and rub it on her face, pretend and for real. This time was for real, but the unfortunate thing was that this was not body or face cream, it was a sore muscle rub equivalent to Ben Gay. So Abbie was getting a new sensation from her cream. The problem was that she had it all over her hands. Every time I hurriedly tried to get it out of her eyes she would stick her fingers right back to her eyes. After trying to flush her face with water in the bathroom, I ran her into the kitchen and used the spray nozzle on the sink to hose her eyes as much as she would let me. It was a sight to say the least. Once we both we hosed off, I noticed she had also dropped a huge load in her shorts. So she was drenched in cold water, her eyes burning, skin tingling like never before, smelling like a spearmint life saver, and loaded up with a poopy pull-up. After we got her cleaned up, she was shivering uncontrollably. Amber bundled her up and rocked her for a while and Abbie fell asleep. I was freaked out. I was afraid she still had something in her eyes and she would wake up blind. So while she was sleeping, I went out to mow. As I was mowing, thoughts of Abbie's eyes were running through my head. Then some sweat got in my eyes and I started to think about what it is in sweat that stings your eyes. Is it a tonicity issue, or is it the components of the sweat or is it both?
Tonicity is basically a term for how much stuff is floating around in your eye. If you put a liquid in your eye that has more stuff floating around in it than what your eye has, the water in your eye will push out of the eye into the liquid. Generally, this is not something you want to do because your eye will let you know about it if you know what I mean. There is an eye drop on the market that actually does this. I think the percent of solution that is in the eye is about 0.9%, and the eye drop (Muro-128) is 5%. So if you have swelling in the cornea, put Muro in there and it pulls fluid out. But, I have been told that it will sting a tad, too.
Kind of strange stuff to be thinking about while mowing, huh? Anyway, I got the yard mowed and when Abbie woke up, she was her usual happy self. Her eyes looked just fine. I was very relieved. I am afraid our bathroom is going to smell like a spearmint life saver for a long time, though.

ABC's

You may have to turn this up, Abbie was not very close to the microphone. She is actually signing the letters while saying them. Do not forget to pause the music player while listening to Abbie!

Tons of fun

We just got back from visiting my family in Ada. We had a fun time and Abbie really enjoyed playing with her cousins. As you can see in the pictures, it was constant motion and commotion. The battle for our attention was sometimes fun to watch, but almost became sensory overload. I think Abbie and Rosie (in the middle of the bottom picture) could be a terrible twosome and good friends, if they get to spend some more time together. I have a new appreciation for my sister as she loves and guides these three wonderful souls. They are wonderful children and I look forward to seeing them grow. I need to figure out some times to get together more, it is good to be with family. I am too prone to getting into the go to work, come home, go to work rut. I hope to get into better "ruts," but it is hard for me to do.

Sadly, the Olympics are over. I sure did enjoy watching, I just wish they could have gone on another week. Then I would not have to wait a whole week for OU football season to kickoff. Again, I would like to go to a couple of games, but I am not sure if it will work out. Just having college football start up is exciting enough, though.

I have been messing with my playlist and I kind of wonder what everyone thinks when they listen to some of my choices. I almost wish there was a way for me to explain why I like some of the songs. I bet some of you would like an explanation, too. I noticed I have a number of songs that have some heavy guitar riffs, but I also enjoy harmonies and melodies. I may try to explain some of them if you wish, just let me know.

The Olympics

I think it is safe to say that I have "olympics-fever." If you have read my blog much, you know that I really enjoy watching people performing at their best. The Olympics are just that, the best in the world showing their talents. Throw in the national pride that is involved and I am hooked. I have been watching as much of the coverage as I can. I have even watched badminton, trap shooting, and synchronized diving. Can you believe that? I just love watching the competition. The event that really got me up off of my seat was the Men's 4x100 freestyle swimming relay. I have been on a Michael Phelps watch since the games started. If you do not know about Phelps, he is a swimmer who got 6 gold and 2 bronze medals 4 years ago (at age 19). This year he is attemping to break Mark Spitz's 7 gold medal record in one olympics. I could talk about that for quite awhile. Phelps was the first leg of the relay. Before the race, the anchor for the French team (the heavy favorites) was talking trash and saying all they came to do was "smash the Americans." I do not like trash talk like that to begin with, but when it is the French and they are dogging Phelps and Co.? Oh man, it is going to get serious. If you have not watched the relay, you should. Before I go on, click this link and watch the race.

http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/player.html?assetid=0811_hd_swb_hl_l0194&channelcode=sportsw

Now, was that not inspiring? I was watching that live at 10:45PM and since Abbie was asleep on the couch, I had to jump and quietly go nuts. That kind of performance by someone who has been ripped on by the media and considered washed up (Jason Lezak) just gives me goosebumps. Usually when Phelps wins a race he is pretty calm. I have never seen him so pumped up! I just wanted to go run 20 miles at 11PM! I could go on about a number of other events and people that are fun to watch, but I think that relay has been the best event so far. Phelps swims for 2 more medals tonight (Tuesday). I will give you one more amazing fact before finishing up. While training, Michael Phelps consumes 8000 to 10000 calories a day. Can you believe that? It takes most people 3 1/2 to 4 days to consume that much, and he is a bean-pole! I hope you all have a good week and I will try to write some more if I can get some time away from the Olympics.

I'm right, you're WRONG

I no longer watch Saturday Night Live with any regularity, but there was a skit they used to do that reminds me of myself. It was when Dana Carvey was on the cast and he would imitate John McLaughlin's talk show. Carvey would have about 4 guests and ask them random political questions, but he would usually cut them off by yelling "WRONG!" It did not matter what they said, they were WRONG! I know I am not always right, not by a long shot, but if I am questioned when I KNOW I am right, I feel like Dana Carvey's character. I do not know why, but I just get an insatiable urge to prove that I am right. I know there are two sides to every story, and that the other person has their reasons for whatever they are doing/saying, but if I am right, then I am right. Even as I write this, I feel bad for acting this way. I do not know if it is competitiveness or just pride, but I really want to prove I am right. It is not like I am brow beating people with my opinions all the time, it just seems to catch me here and there. Something someone says that makes me feel like they think I am wrong (and stupid for being wrong) and it just goes all over me. I have to watch it at work, because customers can do this type of thing pretty often. I think with them I have learned to take the high road for the most part and let them have their way. It sure is hard to swallow the old pride down, hard enough that I still do not do it very well. I think I sound pretty egomaniacal right now. I hope I do not come across the way this is sounding. I just had some stuff at work get me thinking about how I handle these situations. For example, customers often ask questions about over the counter medications. I often enjoy helping people find remedies over the counter. But, sometimes people ask questions strictly to hear someone say "yes you should take what you have already picked out, you are right." But if they do not have the right medication for their symptoms, I am not going tell them that. It really bugs me when I tell someone they should use a different product and they use the one they had already decided they wanted. WHY WASTE MY TIME? I simply wasted my time trying to explain the rationale of why they should use something that might work better than what they have in their hands. WOW, where did that come from? Sorry for getting on a rant like that. I AM glad to have the weekend off, though (obviously). Have a good one.

MUSIC

Unless you have your volume turned off, have no speakers, or are real hard of hearing, you hopefully have noticed the newest addition to my blog. I have added a playlist of some of my favorite music. The songs that play are hand selected by yours truly. I am trying to add more of my favorites all the time, so the list will change. You may recognize some, you may despise some, but I thought it would be a cool way to add a little more of me to my blog. If you really do not like the sounds, turn the volume down or click pause on the player. I would recommend scrolling through the list and see what you think. Click on a song to hear it. Let me know what you think of the tunes, and enjoy!

Whew

I am thankful to have made it to the end of the week (my week anyway). Seven days straight is not what it used to be. Dad is working seven on and seven off and driving 3-4 hours to begin and end as well, so here's to you, Dad, I feel for ya. Although, seven days off would almost make up for the seven on. I am afraid for what this winter is going to be like. Our intern is going back to school in a couple of weeks and I think we are going to be hurting when he goes. It is nice to have an intern working because he can really take up the slack, plus our intern is a hard worker. Let me just interject that it is very frightening to be typing a blog with earphones on and have your elbow licked out of nowhere (Thanks Al). But as I said, I think if we have anything of a cold season like last year, things could get hectic to say the least.

I upgraded to a new cell phone this week. Who would have imagined 30 or even 15 years ago that we could have cell phones with live TV on them. It is pretty cool. I fancy myself fairly up to date with electronics, but this has some cool stuff. The storage disk that goes in it is no bigger than my fingernail and holds 4GB. That is just mind-blowing to me. The thing is, this phone is really not even the "top of the line" model anyway. Since I have been playing with my new phone, I have been messing with ringtones. Usually, if I hear someone's goofy song ringtone, I wonder what they are thinking. But, I kind of like trying to attach ringtones to contacts that kind of remind me about that person. For example, if my sister calls, the theme from Rocky plays. Jami is a runner and a very determined one at that. If Amber calls, the theme from Law and Order plays, because that is her favorite show in the whole world. If Derrick calls, Boomer Sooner, because...need I explain? I found a ringtone from a cartoon that is a very young child trying to get his mother's attention by saying "Ma, Mom, Momma," over and over and over. I thought that was good for mom's number. For my In-Laws it is the theme from Cape Fear, JUST KIDDING! I would not do that, I love Ralph and Janice alot. Anyway, it may sound stupid, but I kind of have fun with it. By the way, I have the theme from House as a ringtone, too. If I called myself, that would be MY ringtone.

Hello everyone, sorry I have not been able to blog in awhile. It has been a long week. I have not had a day off since last Sunday and will not be off until Monday. Work has not been bad, it just really chews up any spare time I might be able to find.

Swimmin

We went swimming today. This picture is from a few days ago, Abbie and her cousins were trying out her "slip and slide." When I got home today, it just seemed like a day to be in a pool. Abbie's cousins Jake and Zach were over and I asked if they wanted to go. They have a pool in their subdivision. Once I said swimming, Abbie was all for it. She said "swim, swimmin," to me about 20 times in a minute or two, so we went swimming. Abbie loves it. She has a floaty vest that she wears, but she is pretty brave when it comes to getting a mouthful of water. She knows to kick her legs and really has a ball with it. If Daddy hadn't gotten sunscreen in her eyes, it would have been the perfect time. I hope she continues to enjoy swimming and that we can keep giving her those opportunities.
Tonight, I worked out. It was the first vigorous workout I have done in almost a year. Anyone who has seen me recently will attest to this. I got my Garmin out and hooked in to the new computer, so now I just need to push myself some to get back to running. I think 3-4 weeks of regular workouts on the eliptical and I may be able to venture onto the track. I will keep you posted, keep your fingers crossed.
Have you ever had one of those miniature tape recorders for notes and stuff? I have one and I did not even have to pay for it. It is the Abbie Kay Young virtual repeater 3000. She has a nack for spitting out whatever goes in her little ears. At times it is funny, sometimes embarassing, and sometimes downright scary. I enjoy getting her to say "hi, thank you," and "you're welcome," even though she can still get the timing mixed up. I may try and get her to read her favorite book for you all soon, so keep watching. Have a good week.

"He was his own greatest fan"

I often wonder why it is that I generally laugh the hardest when I tell a joke or funny anecdote. Is it that I am the only one that gets it, or is it that it is just not THAT funny? I get a kick out of plays on words and sayings that you have to think about for a second to catch the humor. For instance, have you seen the stickers at the gas pumps lately that say "our gas has at least 10% ethanol"? I saw a sign outside of a liquor store today that said "our ethanol has absolutely no gas in it." I guffawed for a block or two over that one. But, most people probably barely giggle at that. I am one of the oddballs who likes a good pun, even though that is probably an oxymoron. I just think a good pun is its own reword. See, even now, I am having trouble not giggling at that one. A pharmacist I used to work with would tell people who were about to take a colonoscopy prep, "I hope everything comes out ok." Generally, when I come up with one of my own puns about something at work, I think it is hilarious and everyone else moans in agony. The oddities of words and how they can be twisted has always been cool to me. I love words like "palindrome," "onomatopoeia," and "over-pronation." Maybe my enjoyment of words and the twisting of meanings is also the reason for my aggravation at butchering those same words with bad grammar. I would like a little input on this blog, let me know what you think of puns or if I have ever annoyed you with one before. In the meantime, here is one I found just now, so enjoy!

A woman has twins, and gives them up for adoption. One of them goes to a family in Egypt and is named "Amal." The other goes to a family in Spain; they name him "Juan." Years later, Juan sends a picture of himself to his mom. Upon receiving the picture, she tells her husband that she wishes she also had a picture of Amal. Her husband responds, "But they are twins-if you've seen Juan, you've seen Amal."

Thank you, thank you very much.

Signing Time

Greetings and salivations to all. I hope the week is going well. I was wondering if I have talked about Signing Time yet? If I have, I am sorry, but it is such a big thing around here that I would be remiss if I did not talk about it. Signing time is a children's show on PBS that teaches ASL (American Sign Language). The host of the show is a woman whose two girls use sign language due to their disabilities. They make learning signs enjoyable by using children and songs to show and remind what the signs are. Abbie loves it. She is starting to get her ABC's down and she continues to surprise me with signs she has learned. The other day we were getting ready to go somewhere and I asked her if she was ready. She said and signed "ready". I had no idea that was a word she had learned. Another time, Abbie was wanting me to watch her and she signed and said "pay attention" (That was both cute and scary at the same time). It is pretty neat to see her get into singing and signing a song. If you get a chance to see Signing Time, just watch for a little while. It is a pretty neat show.

Let your yes be yes...

Amber and I had a sad revelation today. We are becoming an endangered species, the married couple that stays married. I do not know what the failure rate is for marriages today, but I think it is 60% or higher. That is such a sad statistic. Amber and I have been married for 9 years now and it seems to us like no time at all. The scary thing is that most people would look at us and think we have been together "forever." It just seems to me that when people vow to someone "for better or worse," and "til death do us part," that better than 40% of them would actually MEAN IT. I usually try to stay away from preaching or politics on my blog, but it was a sobering thought that our 9 year marriage would be considered a "long" one. I could really go on and on about taking responsibility and how everything is someone else's fault these days. Let me just finish my preaching by thanking my parents and my in-laws for setting a standard and providing two great examples to their children of taking a vow and meaning it.

Lots to say

So much time and so little to say. Strike that, reverse it. I feel like I have a bunch of stuff to talk about, but I am afraid it will only come out as random anecdotes and ramblings. I am in a musical "mood," if you could call it that. I took my MP3 player to work this weekend and it was eye-opening to hear some tunes again. I listened to some classic rock, contemporary Christian, and of course, The Beatles. Then, Amadeus was on this evening. Although it is not really a documentary, it is a great movie and Mozart had unbelieveable talent. So, after listening to The Beatles, and watching Amadeus, I have been thinking about people who can not only play wonderful music, but about the people who wrote it. Mozart was composing at 4, can you believe that? Lennon and McCartney went from Love Me Do to the epic Abbey Road and even to the sometimes bizarre white album. There was a big evolution in their songs from the early to late 60's, but they still produced some of the best music ever (in my opinion). I just want to interject a word of thanks to my Dad for introducing me to most of the music I have been talking about. Without Dad's album collection or listening to classic rock stations to and from our trips to work, I would have no idea who Edgar Winter is or what the rockin' pneumonia and boogie woogie flu is. Dad's enjoyment became my enjoyment. Then, about when I hit my junior year of high school, I started to have my own music to enjoy. Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots, and some other bands from the Seattle area just really seemed to have the music I liked. When the lead singer of Nirvana died, the drummer, Dave Grohl, went on to make an album of songs he had written. He played drums, guitar, bass, and sang on almost the whole album. Just another example of a really gifted musician and song writer, just in a different package than John Lennon or Paul McCartney. Actually, Dave Grohl recently got up on stage at a Paul McCartney concert and played drums for Band on the Run (one of McCartney's hits with his band Wings), and Grohl's group, the Foo Fighters, did a remake of the song. I feel like I am rambling a little, but as I say, listening to some music has gotten me thinking.

Post-birthday thoughts

Well, Abbie's 3rd birthday has officially ended. Celebrations may now cease. All kidding aside, things went pretty well with the birthday this year. Amber toned down the extravaganza and I think it helped her (Amber) to be able to relax a little and enjoy the party more. Abbie had a good time at Chuckie Cheese with Barney, but really enjoyed the cupcakes and presents at home. The family enjoyed putting together Abbie's blocks (yes, we really did). At my parents house it was fun to see Abbie playing with Rachel, Rosie and Lawrence. I did not take my camera, so I am sorry for no pictures of that. I was glad to have some time off to celebrate, it was a fun time.

It was different to see Mom and Dad's new house. The house at Newkirk was such an icon that I have a tough time thinking of Mom and Dad "at home" anywhere else. Their new home is real nice. It is always fun to get into a home that no one else has been in yet. They both seemed happy with the home and I think being nearer to Jami and the kids is good for Mom and Dad and Jami. They are closer to us, too. It really is not that far for us, but that two lane highway through rural Oklahoma is a little bothersome at times (for some reason, Dueling banjos started playing in my head).

While we were at Mom and Dad's, Jami played the piano. I fancy myself to at least be musically informed, but the piano is just beyond me. I took lessons as a youngster, but of course did not apply myself and they did not take. Now, I would love to be able to sit at a piano, put a sheet of music up and just play. That is a wonderful talent. I suppose I could pick up a tuba and play, but as you know, tubas are not quite as melodious as pianos. It is a little tougher to find one lying around, too. I say all that to say that I am proud and even jealous of my talented sister. I wish I had her talent with the piano.

OK, I am going to see what stinky-britches is up to. Have a good weekend. Oh, by the way, Tiger Woods is one shot off the lead in the US Open after two rounds. It may not sound like much, but it is his first tournament back since having knee surgery, so he is allowed to struggle, isn't he?

Abbie Kay is 3 today!

Three years ago today, Abbie was born. It is hard to believe. I remember some things very vividly, but I am already having trouble remembering how small she was, and what it was like to have a newborn to take home. Three years have passed so quickly, and I am afraid that they are going to pass even quicker now. As the great orator and leader Ferris Bueller once said, "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once and a while, you could miss it."


HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SQUIRT, DADDY LOVES YOU!

Horses, horses, horses

I have talked before about Tiger Woods and how dominant he has been in golf. I also talked about this year's New England Patriots and their try for a perfect season. But, the triple crown chase this year in horse racing has had me remembering a horse that dominated before I was even born. This picture is of Secretariat winning the 1973 Belmont stakes in what is possibly the most dominant display by a horse ever. He won by 31 lengths, and ran a time for the mile and 1/2 that has never been matched. I just watched his Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont wins on YouTube (just search Secretariat super horse on YouTube). The video is not the best, but the soundtrack is from the movie "Superman," and it is really something to see the performances this horse put on. I am not a horse racing person. But, I do think horses are very beautiful, graceful, and powerful animals. I do not know if another horse will come along like Secretariat, but I would love to watch if it does.

Pictures

Here are some pictures from Memorial Day weekend at Oilton. There were a ton to choose from. It was good to get Abbie together with her cousins, I am hoping to do more of that in the future.

Congrats Hannah!

Our niece Hannah graduated High school last week. She was in the top 10% of a class of over 600. That was pretty impressive to someone from a class of 52 (number of students, not the year, thank you). I had a different take on this graduation than I have before. After the ceremony, we went to Hannah's parent's house for food and presents. Howard and Alana had put together a slide show of Hannah growing up. It made me realize how fast things happen and that Abbie will be there in no time. I cannot imagine how hard it will be for Howard and Alana to let their little girl go. It breaks my heart to think of how to deal with that. I also came away from graduation with more respect for Howard and Alana. In the times that we live, they have done a great job in raising a wonderful, smart, and respectful young woman. I think being around more families like theirs was one of our main reasons for moving here. I think we have not expressed that enough. The whole evening was impressive to me, and I was glad to be a part of it.

Little Miss Sunshine

Abbie's last day at Mother's day out was Thursday. They had a little program to celebrate. Each class came out and sang a song or two for the audience. Abbie's class sang one of her favorite songs. She must have been overwhelmed with the crowd, because she did more staring than singing. The night before she had been singing her song a little differently than usual. She kept inserting the word "loud" at a certain point in the song. We figured they had been practicing and the teachers were telling them to sing louder as they sang the song. It was a real fun thing to watch, and it makes me feel like Abbie is growing up. She is talking more and more each day. One of her favorite shows is called "Signing Time." It is on PBS and is a cool show that teaches sign language. It has helped Abbie with new words and she has learned the signs, too. I think it is going to be another beautiful day today. I hope to get out and walk or go to the park so Abbie can play outside. She loves to be outside whenever she can. I hope everyone has a good weekend.