Didn't make it....

Well, I started strong - blogging everyday at the beginning of the year, but like most new years resolutions I faded into the third month.  Once I missed one day,  then another, it snowballed into nearly three weeks straight.  I am mostly to blame, however, a small portion of the blame can be placed on the fact that our main computer went down with a virus and had to be taken in twice before it was cleaned and working properly.  Another small portion of the blame can go on Sharon, as she is taking more time on the computer than usual working on plans for her class reunion.  Another small portion of the blame can go on Nick, as he listens to music on line and chats with his multitude of friends.  Another small portion of the blame can go on the volcano in Iceland...I'm not sure why, but it seems like the thing to do these days.  Another small portion of the blame can go on the economy...again I'm not sure why, I'm just a lemming following the crowd.  I guess in reviewing all of this there are so many small things to blame that I guess I am not at fault at all.   Whew!  Now that I've settled that, I think I'll go watch Bolt.

blog name

I enjoyed a nice family day today.  Sharon's side of the family came over and we feasted, went for a walk to the river, played Whoonu, watched some basketball and also watched one of my favorite movies, Bolt.

While watching the movie, just after the part where the cats tease Bolt, Melanie (Alex's girlfriend) figured out that part of the movie is where I got my blog name from.  I laughed.  Of course I laughed at several parts of the movie....yes, even after multiple viewings I still laugh.

Fun TV themes

Remember these?

Dairy Queen

I'm hungry for a Dairy Queen....are you?

Recalcitrant

I'm feeling recalcitrant today......beware

Be afraid, be very afraid

I'm afraid of what is REALLY going to happen when they pass the "health bill".  If that is all it really was I probably wouldn't mind....it is all the "extra" stuff they tack on that I'm afraid of.  The little perks that are tagged along that will really cost everyone of us.

Also, quit trying to put a bandaide on the bleeding....start looking for what is CAUSING the bleeding.   

Little Falls Boys Basketball Section Champs

Unbelieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeevable!!

Congrats Little Falls Flyers Boys Basketball Team!!!

Going to state with a 52-49 OT win over Apollo.

Unbelievable - couldn't imagine this final after trailing 17-11 at HALFTIME....that is right, only 11 points in the first half.  17% shooting.  Horrible in nearly every facet of the game - except defense.  That kept them in the game. I think the missed 8 or 9 free thows, only making 2 or 3 (I don't have the official stats). 

Then....they started pecking away.   They got their first lead with about a minute left in the game and almost won in in regulation, but the shot at the buzzer just rimmed out.  In overtime they were down by 4 with little time left, then incredibly tied it up with 13 seconds left in the game....but that gave Apollo the ball for the last shot.  Unbelieeeeeeeeeeeeeeably, the Apollo guard FELL DOWN on the inbound pass and turned the ball over (traveling).  That gave Little Falls the ball, they ran the clock down to 8 seconds before breaking to the basket....5......4......3......2......kicked the ball back to the top of the three point circle....1.....ball away......IN FOR A THREE!!!!!!!!

LITTLE FALLS WINS!!!!!

Unbelievable.

Lilly of the Valley

Lilly of the Valley are my favorite flowers.  When I see them I know it is finally spring!  The temps have finally hit 60, but I know it is only the middle of March, this won't last, but I'll enjoy it while it is here!

25th Anniversary

Sharon and I drove up to Brainerd to dine at El Tequilla for our anniversary supper.  We had never been to this Mexican restaurant before, but had heard from several people that it was very good.  We both agreed, it was VERY GOOD!

I had the Spicy Steak Burrito - it was HUGE and SPICY!  I could only eat half of it (I'll eat the other half for lunch tomorrow).  Sharon had some chicken enchiladas that she was very pleased with.  The food was plentiful and the service was excellent.  We'll go there again......and again.......and again.

The next phase of our anniversary celebration.......we stopped at Mills Fleet Farm to buy Easter candy for the kids.  How romantic.

To cap off our exciting evening, as we pulled back into Little Falls, we stopped at Dairy Queen.  Do we know how to have a night out on the town or what!!

In all seriousness, our marriage of 25 years (so far) has had it's share of ups and down, good times and bad times, but through it all our LOVE has held us together.  I'm very happy and thankful.  The work, on both our parts, has been worth it.

Sharon, I love you and I'd do it all over again!!

25 years ago, tomorrow

We were married in this church.

1985 tribute

In honor of the 25th Anniversary of our marriage (March 16th) here is some trivia from 1985

World Series Champions: Kansas City Roylas


Superbowl XIX Champions: San Francisco 49ers

NBA Champions: Los Angeles Lakers

Stanley Cup Champs: Edmonton Oilers

U.S. Open Golf Andy North

U.S. Tennis: (Men/Ladies) Ivan Lendl/Hana Mandlikova

Wimbledon (Men/Women): Boris Becker/Martina Navratilova

NCAA Football Champions: OKlahoma

NCAA Basketball Champions: Villanova

Kentucky Derby: Spend A Buck

The Hotties: Catherine Bach, Christie Brinkley, Elle Macpherson

"The Quote" "Courage" - Dan Rather,a new ending for his daily news broadcast.

Miss America: Sharlene Wells (Salt Lake City, UT)

Miss USA: Laura Martinez-Herring (Texas)

The Scandal: Airplane Celebrity Death: Ricky Nelson

American Jonathon Pollard was captured spying on the U.S. for the State of Isreal.

1942-1985 quick fact: Dentists used uranium in dental porcelains, because it helped give a natual color.

Nerd News: The plastic thingy that saves hot pizza from the top of the box was invented by Carmela Vitale (patent #4,498,586)

1st appearances & 1985's Most Popular Christmas gifts, toys and presents: Super Mario Brothers, She-Ra Princess of Power action figures, Care Bears, Teddy Ruxpin , My Buddy dolls, Pound Puppies, Wheel of Fortune Game

Best Film Oscar Winner: Out of Africa

The Big Movies:
(according to boxofficemojo)
1. Back To The Future
2. Rambo: first Blood part II
3. Rocky IV
4. The Color Purple
5. Out Of Africa
6. Cocoon
7. The Jewel of the Nile
8. Witness
9. The Goonies
10. Spies Like Us

1985 Billboard

Number One Songs December 22, 1984 - February 1, 1985:
Like a Virgin- Madonna

February 2 - February 15:
I Want to Know What Love Is - Foreigner

February 16 - March 8:
Careless Whisper - Wham! featuring George Michael

March 9 - March 29:
Can't Fight This Feeling - REO Speedwagon

March 30 - April 12:
One More Night - Phil Collins

April 13 - May 10:
We Are The World - USA For Africa

May 11 - May 17:
Crazy for You - Madonna

May 18 - May 24:
Don't You (Forget About Me) - Simple Minds

May 25 - June 7:
Everything She Wants - Wham!

June 8 - June 21:
Everybody Wants To Rule The World - Tears For Fears

June 22 - July 5:
Heaven - Bryan Adams

July 6 - July 12:
Sussudio - Phil Collins

July 13 - July 26:
A View to a Kill - Duran Duran

July 27 - August 2:
Everytime You Go Away - Paul Young

August 3 - August 23:
Shout - Tears For Fears

August 24 - September 6:
The Power of Love- Huey Lewis & The News

September 7 - September 20:
St. Elmo's Fire (Man In Motion) - John Parr

September 21 - October 11:
Money For Nothing - Dire Straits

October 12 - October 18:
Oh Sheila - Ready For the World

October 19 - October 25:
Take On Me - a-ha

October 26 - November 1:
Saving All My Love For You - Whitney Houston

November 2 - November 8:
Part Time Lover - Stevie Wonder

November 9 - November 15:
Miami Vice Theme - Jan Hammer

November 16 - November 29:
We Built This City - Starship

November 30 - December 6:
Separate Lives - Phil Collins & Marilyn Martin

December 7 - December 20:
Broken Wings- Mr. Mister

December 21, 1985 - January 17, 1986:
Say You, Say Me - Lionel Richie

Long Day.....sorry

Just got home from a long day.....no blog tonight.

Spring ahead

We get to spring ahead this weekend - Daylight Savings

Why do we still follow this seemingly bizarre practice of setting clocks ahead or back every six months or so?

I'm sure there was a very valid reason at one time in history, but is it really necessary now?  Why don't we just adjust a half hour and call it good?!  This is silly if you ask me - especially when areas in our own country refuse to participate.

Stop the madness!

ARGH!!

ARGH!!

I missed my first day of blogging for the year yesterday.  DRATS!!  and DOUBLE DRATS!!

A combination of someone else using the computer and me going to the Fitness Connection and I spaced out blogging.

Oh well, day one of the new streak.  I really don't have too much exciting going on.  My new career as a LADC is going well.  I enjoy my work and feel appreciated - which is really nice.

Playoff basketball

Playoff basketball - Little Falls crushed Sauk Rapids/Rice.  Nick actually got some official playing time.  Great job Nick - way to hang in there.

Grace

Good Supper

We enjoyed a nice basic meal tonight.  I peeled up some carrots, potatoes and an onion and baked them in the over with some seasoning salt and butter.  Then I fried up some thick pork chops in olive oil seasoned with Lowerys salt.  Mmmmmm.  I also made some lime Jello, which turned out to be a light dessert.  Sometimes the simple things in life are the most satisfying.

movie night

No time for blogging, it is movie night with the family.  We wanted to watch 2012, but the stinkin' DVD wouldn't work in any of the players - almost seems like the move was never burned to the disc.  Plenty of others to choose from, not sure what we'll watch yet.

Season almost over

Just watched Nick play what could have been his last basketball game.  Good job Nick, as usual, I'm proud of you.

Great Family

Just a quick note to say how proud I am of my family.

Sharon, you are AWESOME (yes, like Bolt). 

Zach and Jess - shocked and pleased that Zach is actually reading a book.....just for fun.  Jess, happy for your new job!

Alex - way cool that you got such an uplifting comment from your professor.  Knew you could do it all along.

Nick - last basketball game tomorrow night.  Proud of all the hard work you've put in.  You know you can hold your head high!

evil people

People who create computer viruses are just plain evil.  I hope the fleas of a 1000 camels invest their armpits (my G'ma said that once).

My home computer has been hit with a different virus four days in a row now.  I'm guess the first one started a chain reaction.  The last one is the worst so far.  The others I could run Maleware and "clean" them out, but this one won't even let me start the program.  The virus is Antivirus Soft.  I'm going to have to take the CPU in and have it cleaned professionally.  Freakin' jerks who make these viruses!!!

Also - freakin' Symantec Antivirus won't even recognize the virus.  I was able to run a scan and it reported no concerns.  Really?  Then why do I have ten thousand popups telling me I have viruses and to download their program along without being able to run anything else? 

Can you tell I am less than pleased?

Old and Crabby or Wiser With Age?

I just got done doing the dishes.  I HATE doing the dishes.  I have dishpan hands and a backache!

The ground is still covered with snow and it is still below freezing outside.  I HATE cold, ice, snow, etc.!

So, the question is: Am I getting old and cranky or wiser with age?

We've lived in the same house for about 14 years - in all that time we've never had a dishwashing machine.  So why does washing the dishes seem so much more horrible now than it did 12, 13 or 14 years ago?

Each winter I seem to become less and less tolerant of the wintery conditions.  I've lived in Minnesota for the majority of my life.  Why do the winters make me so unhappy these days?  It has gotten so bad that I don't even want to leave the house on the weekends - don't want to go out into the cold.  I've got friends and relatives saying, "oh, it is so nice outside today." and all I want to do is smack them upside the head and remind them that 33 degrees is colder than the inside of their refrigerator - you don't see me smiling and sitting in there do you?!?

Grrrrrr.  When it gets above 6o I'll start agreeing that it is a "nice" day.  Until then....Grrrrrrrr.

Iceing my Groin

That just doesn't sound very fun.  I was talking with my son who this past weekend placed 3rd in the longjump at the UMAC Indoor Track and Field Championships.  He had the injury before jumping and said it was very painful during the competition.  I can't imagine jumping 21 feet without an injured groin.  His personal best is 22 feet 8 1/2 inches.  Hoping for 23+ as the season progresses.

Spiders on Drugs

I thought this was humorous....to a point....too real, to a point, as well.

Great comedy teams

This posting is dedicated to the great comedy teams that I remember watching as a kid (in reruns).  It was a special treat each Sunday when the comedy hour came on TV.   It was great funny stuff watching Laurel and Hardy, Abbott and Costello, The Three Stooges and Our Gang/Little Rascals.  When I was gathering pictures for this posting I was trying to figure out which was my "favorite".  At first I thought the choice was easy...Laurel and Hardy (who can keep from laughing when Laurel is in trouble and whimpering while pulling at his hair or rubbing his head?), but then I remembered how I laughed at Lou Costello when he was afraid (ab...ab....abb......abbo........AAAAAAABBOTT!!!!) and the Three Stooges...(nyuck nyuck nyuck).  A much harder choice than I first thought.  Scroll through the pictures and then let me know who your favorites were and maybe a little bit why.

Did you know you can click on the picture to view a larger image?

virus

Trying to get rid of a virus, Total PC Defender 2010, tick me off man.

Penny rant

I read something today that really ticked me off.  I read about the "redesigned US Penny".  WHAT?!?!  Why in the heck does the penny need to be redesigned?!  Why were thousands of my tax payer dollar used to retool the manufacturing of the penny - which by some estimates costs 1.62 cents to make already.  Yes, that means it costs more to make the penny than the penny is actually worth.

STUPIDITY!!!

I say eliminate the penny altogether - then maybe someday they will be worth something as collectibles. 

What do the rest of you think about this?

Nick homework

I didn't get computer time tonight....Nick's homework took priority.

12 hour day.....takin' the night off

Worked a long day today......have decided to take the night off from blogging.

Early musical interest

These are the first albums I remember buying

What are some of the albums/cassettes/CD's you first purchased?

More childhood toy memories

I used to play with this quite often.  Then later, as the troops and indians disappeared, I would use army soldiers.  I would set the figures up all over the place and "pick 'em off" with rubber bands.  Sometimes we used marbles, but shooting rubber bands was my first choice (until my thumb got sore due to my flawed shooting technique).

I remember playing with the Lite-Brite frequently.  I wonder if you could pay a kid to play with this today?  OOOOOoooh the excitement of picking up a peg and pushing it through the paper.....AMAZING it lights up!!  I will confess - it was enjoyable.  Does that mean I'm easily entertained or my life was really really dull?

Lawn Jarts were the best!!  I HATE the fact that STUPID PEOPLE and the idiot lawyers and government took this away from us!  Anyone who can't safely play with lawn jarts need to be isolated on a island, away from normal society...with the people who need a lable on their coffee cups that warn them that the coffee is HOT.

Slime was alot of fun!  It was oozy and squishy and just plain awesome for a 12-13 year old boy.  Lots of gross fun.  Yes, it was probably toxic, which could explain a few things about me today, but it was fun.

The toy Luger capgun.   Oh did I play with this!  The picture brings back that distinct gunpowder capgun smell.....mmmmmmmm.  Great fun!

And who didn't have a model airplane, tank or battle scene?  It was both joyous (smelling the glue) and aggrevating (as glue seeped everywhere and everything began to stick to everything it wasn't supposed to). 

Great memories.  Anyone else being transported back in time by looking at these pictures?

Random pictures

Random images of my family