Catchup - Steroids

Two weeks ago Indy had this major rash outbreak and swollen tonsils due to allergies that she ended up staying home from school for three days and had to take the steroid prednesom to recover. The steroids made her very hungry. I also thought they made her a bit hyper. I remember looking at her and she had that maniacle gleem in her eye that I see in Taryn when she forgets her Adderall.

Catchup - Tombstone

On the 19th, Chrissie and her mom left for Rio Rico, Arizona (near Tombstone). Chrissie's cousin John got married on the 20th. There were lots of family there, Steve, Francie, Rich, Grandpa Gird etc. John was all dressed up as wild west dude (normal for him) with a gun strapped to his leg for the wedding. John is a Border Patrol agent. Sunday, they had scheduled a trip to Tombstone, but Chrissie and her mom had to drive back to phoenix. Turns out they had arranged to get married again in Tombstone. I think they all had a good time. I stayed in TN with the kids and we did just fine. They returned on Monday night after a delay in the Atlanta airport.

Catchup - Calcific Tendonitis

Just before I left on my business trip earlier this month, Chrissie started feeling some pain in her shoulder. She thought she might have just pulled a muscle and that it would work itself out. But, it steadily got worse until she had pain all the time, couldn't use it and had a difficult time sleeping. So off to the bone & joint clinic where they took xrays and diagnosed calcific tendonitis. They scheduled an MRI for later which validated the diagnosis. She has had one cortisone shot and numerous darvosets to date, but seems to be ok now. They will monitor and if it flares up again, may resort to surgery.

Stock Market

Bought BWLD @ 29.98
Sold GS (B 070606 @ 225.88 S 071031 @ 248.84) apr=24%

Stock Market

Bought HAL @ 39.22

Stock Market

Sold CROX (B 071002@66.18, S 071029@73.13) apr=139%
Sold EMC (B 070716@19.25, S 071029@25.36) apr=108%

Stock Market

Sold HAL (B 060705@37.58, S 071015@41.90) apr=9%

New Family Picture

We got our new family pictures from the photographer, so I uploaded the new one. This is the one that was up on the main page previously.

Soldier Pen Pal

Letter from Gib to 1st Lt. Hardin:

Dear Lt. Hardin,

Hi, I am Gib and I am from troop 137. Yes, I am the babe magnet my mom was talking about. Well let me tell you about who I am. I am in middle school and I am in the pre-algebra class, reading, geography, Language Arts, and science. Well enough about me lets talk about the backpacking trip I went on.

This backpacking trip was to Savage Gulf, TN about two hours from the barn. We had to bring two quarts of water because the ranger said because of the drought all of the streams had dried up (those things were HEAVY). So when we got there we talked to ranger who told us the rules. While he was talking to the adults the 16 scouts that were there noticed a black and white cat, which we named Bo-Bo (my idea). So then we hiked up to the campsite which was ¼ of a mile. The next morning we went down to the picnic tables and had breakfast. It was made of several flavors of oatmeal (have you ever done that?) some muffin thingies, and raisins. After that we made patrols and assigned patrol leaders (which I am happy say I was one of them). Being the youngest of the patrol I felt proud to be assigned a leader, but I think the only reason I got it was because there was no other candidates. So we were off on our 7 mile hike setting a pace of 25 minute miles. We only had a few stops only for suspension bridges, which could only hold two at a time, and for overlooks viewing the gulf. We also stopped when I tripped going down a rocky hill. I landed on my hand, my knee, and my head. The head wound swelled up into a huge egg. We decided to call that place “Gib Falls”. We also stopped for snacks and lunch. We had snacks at a very shady spot with two logs were in a strait line and a huge, pointy stump the held our hats, we had some nutter butters and some Oreos with and crackers. We had lunch at the breeziest and shadiest overlook, (it was HOT) we had some triscuits and cheese with some nutella which a chocolate made from hassle nuts. It was really good (We called this palace “Nalgene Falls” because one of the guys lost their nalgene over the over look). I think we were there for and hour and a half because of the great view. Then we finally got to camp and hour later. We kicked back and relaxed, after we set up our tents and actually fond a puddle that was part of the dried up stream (we only used it for cooking because there was too many micro-organisms in it that the purifier couldn’t take out. Then we checked out the stage coach road, this was the road the stage coach took in case you didn’t pick that from the title, which was a 2 mile hike. Then when we got back like two minute later the ranger was there. I asked him what the cat’s name was. He told me it was Muffy, but we still called it Bo-Bo. Then I and an older scout made the best fire ever! I made the tip of the stick I was holding turn a perfect black, let me tell you this was not an easy process. I had to stick it in, catch it on fire, let it sit there and then put it out in the dirt. Then I had to do it over and over again. Then I drew on the rocks because I was bored. Then when we put out the fire at 11 and I went to bed.

The next day was shorter because we did things so much quicker. We had of breakfast made of applesauce and bagels with peanut butter. Then we were off, we set a much quicker pace this time because we didn’t have as much water we got there in 2 hours and 45 minutes. Then we waited for two guys a boy and his father for an hour than we set out a search party of our adults in 20 minutes we found them and were on our way back home. Well I hope this letter had brought you a lot of laughs and time to not think about the war you are fighting for our country’s freedom. Thank you!

Sincerely,

Gib

When it Rains it Pours...

I left on Monday for Detroit to attend a 3 day training class on Novell's Access Manager. Training went well but Thursday's attempt to fly back home went from bad to worse. I checked in a little after 5pm for a 7pm flight to Nashville through Cincinnati. Clear up until 6:45pm all seemed to be ok, except no airplane at the gate. All the monitors indicated the flight was on time etc. Well come to find out that the plane is stuck in NYC and will be 4 hours late. Not good!! So working with a gate agent, he gets me on a Northwest flight direct to Nashville, but it leaves at 7:13pm and it is 6:58pm and a significant distance between gates. So I run..., but no, the agent did not call the other gate and inform them that I was on my way, so the plane was already set to be pushed back when I got there. So back to where I started, no running this time -- I am too old for this sort of stuff unless it is going to payoff, to see what else can be done. Spoke to the same gate agent who got me on a later 8:58pm NW flight, but again had to go from one end of the terminal to the other. Turns out that this NW flight ends up being delayed, but only by 30 minutes. Finally get onboard and in the air, I am going to make it to Nashville. Get to Nashville and find out my luggage is still in Detroit, NW will deliver it today. Head out to the longterm parking only to find the van has a dead battery and wont start, have to get the airport dude to come and give me a jumpstart. Now driving home and wouldn't you know it -- traffic!! They are repaving I65 and have closed down 3 out of 4 lanes -- makes for slow going. Long and short of it, once you solve one problem there will always be another waiting.

Stock Market

Bought BA @ 98.83

Bought(I) BA @ 98.70

Soldier Pen Pal

Gib's scout troop had some members of Delta Company from Fort Cambell come and visit at a troop meeting a while back. This companay has since been deployed to Iraq. Scoutmaster Green has suggested that the boys adopt a soldier by writing letters to them while they are overseas. Well we decided to take this on as a family project. We have been given 1st Lt. Patrick Hardin. Chrissie has written and mailed the introductory letter as follows:

Dear Lt. Hardin,

My son Gib is a boy scout with a troop you visited. That’s how we got you as Our Soldier. We hope you enjoy our letters. I know not everyone likes to write, but if you could squeak out a couple to let us know a little about you or whatever, we can have an idea of who we are boring with ours!!! So, here’s a bit about us to break the ice:

Let’s start with Gib, since I hope he will develop a liking for letter writing as he writes to you. Gib is the only boy in a family with 3 sisters. Recently on one of those “get to know you interviews” he answered the question of what he wanted to be when he grew up as “a brother to 3 brother-in-laws”. Me and the girls like to tell him we are raising the Perfect Man and not to let the testosterone from the scout troop get to him too much. He just laughs; he’s a great kid. I call him the Troop Puppy because they all pick him up, spin him around, and just generally love the snot right out of him.

Gib is named after my dad, Sherman Gibson, who went by the name Gib to most of his friends and Navy buddies. My dad worked his way up from enlisted to Chief Sonar Officer in the Navy. After several years in subs, taught at the naval warfare school in San Diego, CA, where I grew up. After retirement from 20 yrs in the Navy, he did electrical work with satellites. He was a cool guy, loved hiking and nature, and died too young at 63 of pancreatic cancer 3 yrs ago. He was so healthy the docs thought he might make it 3 yrs but it was only 9 months. He died at home with my mom, brother and I at his side. The Navy determined his death was service related-exposure to stuff like asbestos. We all miss him terribly. My brother still lives in San Diego and is a watershed biologist for the county. My grandpa is there too, born and raised, and is almost 88 yrs old. He’s a rabid ham radio operator and travels, and likes to go RV camping. We lost Grandma only 7 months after my dad, so it’s been a rough few years for us. My mom, she’s Lynda, recently sold their house in San Diego and moved out here to live with us. We sold our house in [] and went in together on a house in [] just a few miles north. It’s a great house with a granny flat on the main level so she has her space and we have ours, but we’re all together most of the time. Out back is “woods” and land that will remain undeveloped. It borders a golf course and our neighbors to the north of us look out on the greenway, but we see only trees and the hill. It’s great here – so beautiful and private and an awesome location. At little buggy, but between all the birds, butterflies and deer it’s very cool. I’ll print a photo on the back of this page for you.

Anyway, back to our Gib: He is a typical little guy, kinda short for his age, but I think he’ll be OK once a growth spurt hits in a year or two. He likes Playstation, NFL football, computers, reading, and everything about Boy Scouts. Gib also plays drums and is enjoying being in the jazz band and percussion ensemble at school. He used to have several guy friends but they all moved away (that’s when we broke down and got him a Playstation) and then we moved, so he doesn’t get to toss the football or play street hockey like he used to anymore. Gib is on his second backpacking trip with the troop this weekend. He’s a big Mama’s Boy but in a good way. He has a great sense of humor and from what I hear; he’s been a big hit with the girls since Kindergarten. I should probably be worried.

Indy, our oldest, is celebrating her birthday this week. She is way too outgoing and beautiful for us to think the next few years will be easy! This is a sample of our life with teenage daughters and it’s only just beginning: A 23 yr old asked her out after getting to know her a little (OK, let’s be real – looked at her) at the pool this summer (he was rather shocked to find out she was still in HS). Once he found out how old she was, (he thought 21-22) he started calling her Little Sister. Smart Guy, eh?! A coworker asked her to be her room mate, and Indy says she’s been asked out for a beer after work a couple times now. She says “sorry I can’t” and thinks to herself “for 4 more years”. She’s in high school and we are starting to think about colleges. I think she is thinking more about boys, but we are always in the mode of looking out for her! Actually, she is seriously considering [] University. We’re going to some campus day in November to get a head start on the whole college thing. [], which is less than 20 minutes away, is almost too good to be true for us as parents, so I’m trying not to get my hopes up too high that my baby won’t be moving far away right after graduation after all. Indy plays guitar, likes music, art, photography, and works at a music store. She is an aggressive soccer player, and an honor student. She’s having a fun birthday weekend – 2 concerts, a hockey game and a football game.

Next up is Taryn. She’s a quiet little cutie. At least around us. She’s also an honor student, and she and Gib are the closest friends with each other of our children. Taryn likes to spend a lot of time alone on the computer, reading, also likes photography, or hanging out with Gib. She designs the most amazing things with a paper and pencil. She was drawing all these intricate quilt patterns but has recently started doing these cool drawings with straight lines making a neat abstract pattern. She is very geometrical and I wonder where that talent will take her. Taryn is on the same soccer team as Indy so it’s fun for us to go to games and cheer them both on at the same time, and the sisterly dynamics on the field are interesting to watch as well. Indy is protective of Taryn and woe to the player that takes advantage of Taryn’s diminutive stature. Taryn just tops 5’ and is about 85 lbs. She’s small but very speedy. We call her the cheetah because she gives a lot of speed but only for so long and then she’s done.

Our youngest is Mariah. She looks quite a bit like Hermoine in the Harry Potter movie. She is currently spending a heck of a lot of time planning to be in a girl band. My mom said she was working on their answers for media interviews last week. She spent hours on it. She’s been taking lessons on her electric guitar for a year now, so who knows, someday she could be in a band. She just talked me into adopting a Fiddler Crab from a recent science study at elementary school. I said NO! 15 times, but on the 16th just couldn’t break her little heart over the phone while she was at school, saving the life of this poor last little crab nobody else wanted. At least it wasn’t one of the millipeeds (too gross to spell correctly). I named it Apple (get it? Crab-Apple? But she’s calling it Shaliya or something like that). Mariah is waaaaay into Webkinz. If you haven’t heard of that, let me tell you, somebody is a Marketing Genius. It’s like the whole Beanie Baby craze, but they took it to a whole ‘nother level. You buy the stuffed animal. Register it online, name it, etc., and get a whole bunch of $$ in your webkinz account to buy it furnishings to live in, food, and who knows what else. You win more money by playing games with your little critter, and when you buy another one? You guessed it, even more $$ in your special account. I think she’s up to about 9 or 10 of them. She even has Gib liking them too, but I’m sure he’d deny it if asked! They’d be on the computer 24/7 doing webkinz stuff if they could. It’s all I can do to get them to eat. As long as the homework gets done, they practice 30 min on drums and guitar, they are free to plug in all they want.

Hopefully, this wasn’t TMI for ya. You were saved from page 3 by a bum shoulder that I have no idea how it happened. It could have been from yoga, or perhaps when I tried to get a kiss from Gib before he left for backpacking yesterday, but it is horrible and I can’t type anymore. I don’t do pain well. Next time, I can tell you a bit about my hubbie Mike (bless the man for living with 5 women) and myself. Better yet, I’ll tell you about the Boy Scout Water World Campout . It’s a family weekend at [] Lake. We brought all our daughters and their friends. For the scouts 14 and older, life got a lot happier. I played chaperone very diligently that weekend, lemme tell you. Seriously though, I have never seen a higher caliber of boys and young men all in one place as I did that weekend. What a great Troop it is. They thought the world of the soldiers that came to visit at the Barn before ya’ll were deployed.

We consider it an honor to send you a few minutes of light reading about our typical American Life that you are fighting for; and hope that you can check the stress for a few and kick back and enjoy. We also consider it an honor to pray for you and your company that you will return home safe and sound.

Take Care,
Mike, Chrissie, Indy, Taryn, Gib & Mariah

Birthday Week...End

Wednesday through Sunday of last week were a firestorm of activity for Indy's birthday. On Wednesday night her friend Blake, took her to a Dashboard Confessional concert. Friday, Indy and her friend Leanne went to a Korn concert. Saturday, I took her and six of her friends to a Predators game. And then Sunday, I took her and two friends to the Titans game. Needless to say, it was a very busy week. Indy's birthday present was a new digital camera to replace the one that got stolen during the WaterWorld event in July.

Meanwhile, Gib left for a weekend of backpacking with the scout troop on Friday and returned on Sunday. He had one minor incident where he took a tumble and put a goose egg on his head, but I think he is still intact and overall had a good time.

Deer

Since we moved to our new home six months ago, we are often visited by deer in our backyard. However, we have until this point only seen doe. Last Wednesday had four buck and three doe meander throough our back yard. I was even able to take some good pictures.

Stock Market

Sold JCI (I) (B 070828@36.45, S 071005@40.55) apr=99%

Family Picture Day

Yesterday was family picture day. We let all of the kids skip school because our sitting appointment was at 12:00pm. Chrissie and I had gone shopping previously for clothing options. We were originally focusing on blue jeans with some sort of matching color button down shirts, but as the shopping trip progressed, nothing seemed right. Then, we came upon some Titans shirts and decided that that was the what we were going to do. Since we are invested in the Titans we would all wear some sort of Titans shirt with blue jeans. I will post a picture here when we get them.

Stock Market

Bought CMCSA @ $24.21
Bought CROX @ $66.18
Sold EMC (B 070716@19.25, S 071002@21.26) apr=47%

Bought (I) UA @ $60.71

Tiebreaker...Heartbreaker...

Last night I stayed up to watch the San Diego Padres play the Colorado Rockies in a one game tiebreaker for the 2007 National League Wildcard spot. It was quite a game with the Padres starting off with a 3-0 deficit. Next comes a Grand Slam by the Padres to bring the score to SD 5 Col 4 at the end of the 3rd inning. By the end of the 7th Colorado had regained the lead 6-5, but once again the Padres comeback with another score to tie the game in the 8th and through the 9th. Now the tiebreaker game is into a tiebreaker (extra innings). Many pitchers later the Padres come up with a 2 run homer that puts them ahead in the top of 13th. They now turn to the all time saves leader, Trevor Hoffman, to close out the game in the bottom of the 13th and here is where the heartbeaker begins. For all of his accomplishments it was sad to watch him and the Padres lose this game.

In other sports, namely football, the weekend was also a dearth of "upsets". Our football pool results for the week are dismal even though Chrissie had the highest point total. This now leaves me in 5th and Chrissie in 7th for the first 4 weeks. As they say, focus on the next game not the last game.

This last sunday I was called to be the Ass't Deacons Quorum Advisor with emphasis on "Duty to God".

Tonight is the kickoff for the Wreath Sales Fundraiser for Gib's scout troop. Chrissie and I agreed to be the chairpersons for this event. Lets hope the boys do well cause we have ordered 750 Wreaths.

And so it begins....

I thought I would start this blog as a way to begin a sort of history as well as maintain a thread of current events. This is mainly for my family and therefore is not published or advertised, but can be accessed on the internet by anyone with the right url. I have never considered myself a very talented writer, that honor belongs to my wife. It is a struggle for me to put my thoughts into words, but I will make the attempt. As a beginning, I was born in Kentucky some 40 years ago, but did not stay there long. Short enough that I have no memories of it. My earliest memory is Marie, my natural mother, and I boarding an airplane (she called it the redeye) destined, I think, to L.A. As it turns out, my parents divorced sometime around my first year and my brothers, Ron and Carl, and I lived with Marie in California.