Holy Cow

I have just returned from the planet BeenSoBusy. It is an interesting place with something for everyone. I hope to get a few more posts up than I did this summer.

In case you haven't seen this . . .

Catching Up . . .

I failed to write about all the different activities this week so I thought I would take a moment to hit the high points. Last Sunday was Father's Day and my family did a top notch job honoring their dad/husband. I was so pleased. It really made me feel special. That evening we had kebabs that were to die for. We used rib meat and chicken. Emily had found a great marinade and the vegetables were just right!

Monday was my birthday. I ran out of fingers and toes a long time ago and perhaps I lost count, but everyone keeps telling me that I am 31. I ended up going to work, even though I had wanted to take off. However, when I got home I had a nice surprise, my father-in-law was here and he took us out to eat. My wonderful family gave me a toolbox--I know scary--and some camping equipment I will use this upcoming week.

Tuesday both Emily and I were not feeling well--I think it was the fish from the restaurant. I ended up sleeping almost 11 hours that evening.

Yesterday we went to the river and spent some time in the civil war museum at Tredegar, which was much bigger than I previously imagined. It capped off a great week and I hope the rest of summer is this fun!!

How quickly time passes

I haven't gotten a post up in a while . . .

Saturday the civic association we belong to fed the workers helping with "Community Cleanup" a day when you can throw stuff away that normally wouldn't be allowed. We were at Bob's place and we had a good time on the tree swing.

Surpise Vistor

This week I was walking out to my car after work and found a little visitor in the car--I left my windows cracked about 2 inches or so. I tried to get a picture while he was in the car, but he kept flying around. I finally opened the door, walked to the other side and out he hopped. He took a second to think about finally being free and then he flew off. I'm not sure how long he was in there, but I am sure it is glad to be free.

All Mine!!

Well, we like many others used our tax return to pay down some debt. We were lucky enough to have worked down our van enough that we could pay it off. No more car payments for us!!! This is an older picture, but it was one of the few I could find. I need to take another picture of our van. :)

Congratulations Emily

Emily trounced everyone in the Tourney Pick Em game. She won by more than 50 points!! Anyway, congratulations and next year--I'm copying your picks. :)

1 Queen Emily Emily C
2 ADE's Picks abinadi
3 HighlandSprings * Carlosjr C
4 Ana's Genius Picks Ana
5 LaurieNana Laurie

MSN Messenger

I haven't read a whole lot about it; however, it appears that MSN messenger can somehow be hijacked somehow and send random links to contacts. The appears to happen mostly when the user is set to 'away'. Do not click on random links!! You should not accept files unless you know the person is there and you are positive of the content.

New Job

Well, after almost three years with the state I have decided to take another job with LandAmerica. I will be doing pretty much the same type work and was hoping to make more of shift, but I feel good about making a change.

I started working this week and while it always take some time to get adjusted, the people are great and I have enjoyed jumping in.

Weekend in Baltimore

Well, before the job change I ended up taking Friday off and we headed up to Baltimore. We stopped in DC Thursday evening so we could see some of the monuments Miriam had been learning about in Kindergarten. Miriam was so impressed with the Lincoln Memorial and shocked that MLK gave his 'famous' speech from it's very steps.

We ended up staying in the inner harbor, and enjoyed it immensely. We stopped by the Duff Goldman's Ace of Cakes shop and they have that place locked down--cameras, the windows are black outed, and there is a big sign on the door saying--BY APPOINTMENT ONLY!! I guess Duff doesn't want visitors--unless they are paying over $500 a cake.

Me and Cutie . . .

She is getting so big!!!

Blogs are read by everyone

While I always knew my blog was accessible by everyone, I always thought that just my family was looking at it. Then I showed a co-worker--no big deal I thought, he'll never go to it again--until he sends the link to everybody in the office. I didn't mind; however, my 'audience' got a little bigger and I knew my office mates were watching. . . . Then the other day I had a recruiter call me and he told me he had been looking at my blog.

Anyway, just a reminder that world is watching . . . so don't wear all your emotions on your blog.

NCAA Tournament

Ok fellow blog readers, I have created a NCAA bracket in Yahoo and I would like everyone to join. Use this link, to join. You don't need to know what is going on and I haven't followed basketball all that much this year so don't worry.

The password is my middle name, and if you can't remember it shoot me an email so you can sign up.

There is no prize for winning other than that satisfaction that you guessed better than the rest of the family. :)

Carlos

Trying to do the right thing

I was driving on the interstate yesterday and I notice a car stopped on the side of the road and I have tried to be more conscious of stopping to help when I am by myself and I think it is safe--during the day--this goes back to a Sunday school lesson.

Anyway, I stop and it an older gentleman and his wife. They have a flat tire and have already call AAA, but I offer to help him. I had a blow out last year and it was not fun. It is a new Toyota and it actually takes us a while to get the tire out--they really secure that thing in there!! Anyway, I start jacking the car up and then start loosening the lug nuts; only one big problem--I can't loosen two of them. I was pulling and pushing and yanking as hard as I could. The man actually told me to take a break!! How embarrassing. Anyway I tried one more time but they would not budge. He had called AAA and I felt comfortable they were safe so I took off. They guy actually tried to pay me, which I probably wouldn't have accepted anyway, but I definitely wasn't going to take it with the flat tire still on!!

Taxes are done . . .

Well our refund came in and so far no audit!! Hooray!!

annual credit report

If you use any kind of electronic commerce--credit cards, atm, on-line bill pay, etc--you must be vigilant in regards to your identity. While I don't know about all states, Virginia passed a law allowing Virginians one free credit report check per 12 months. I check mine around tax time, just to pick a time and it is good just to review and keep up to date with how creditors determine your credit score.

This is what the FTC has to say . . . actually now that I read it, everyone should be able to use it.

"A recent amendment to the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act requires each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion to provide you with a free copy of your credit report, at your request, once every 12 months. But there’s only one online source authorized to do so. That’s annualcreditreport.com. Beware of other sites that may look and sound similar. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) advises consumers who order their free annual credit reports online to be sure to correctly spell annualcreditreport.com, or link to it from the FTC’s website to avoid being misdirected to other websites that offer supposedly free reports, but only with the purchase of other products. While consumers may be offered additional products or services while on the authorized web site."

I actually just did mine. You have to put in all your sensitive information and then it asks you about a recent payment, so you may have to get out a recent bill if you don't know it off the top of your head. It will offer you a credit score--which is not free--but the report will tell you about the accounts you have opened and what other creditors are looking at when considering offering you a loan.

Anyway, if you haven't done it, I would encourage you to do so. :)

Tax return is in the mail . . .

or going through e-file, really. TurboTax has really improved this year and I thought it was easier than ever; however, we did have a fairly basic return.

One wierd thing that happened this year and last is there is a section under the income section where I put some contracting work I did several years ago and I can't figure out how to get rid of it. It doesn't show up in any of the income options; however, when I go through the 'error check' it always comes up and I have to put in a value. It is happy with zero; but that that is my only complaint.

Anyway, taxes are always a pain, but it is nice to get some of your money back in the process. Let's hope we never owe any. :) I still remember the first year my Dad owed--he was not happy. In fact, I think he has been grumpy ever since. (Love you Dad)

Etiquette activity

Our etiquette activity went well. We had fun and there was good food. Our cook canceled at the last minute so I spent quite a bit of time in the kitchen, but I had lots of ordering around help from the sisters. No, they were extremely helpful.

We ended up with one of the older ladies in the ward presenting the 'lesson' and I think the kids enjoyed it. They enjoyed eating and I think for the most part their etiquette improved, but there's always next year. :)

Virginia's Political Weekend

Well, the candidates hit Virginia this weekend, and the democrats spent a little more time in Richmond than did the republicans. It was my intention to go see President Clinton but somehow I got the day wrong, so I got nothing. HRC and Barak were here Saturday evening, but 1) you had to pay to see them--it was the democrat's yearly fund raiser, 2) I had to go to chaperon the youth dance that evening and 3) I wasn't invited.

Huckabee came by this morning at 8AM, but I didn't find out till noon. McCain swung by the airport which is about 3 minutes from our house so I went to see and be seen. There were several former governors and other Virginia legislators. Jerry Kilgore spoke--lame, no wonder he didn't win the governor's seat--George Allen spoke--boring--Senator John Warner spoke and chastised George for speaking too long only to tell a story about Reagan, two stories about McCain, and go on about how long they had served together. McCain thanked everyone for coming and I had to split as it was family night and I promised my family I would meet them for dinner.

I was caught of guard and I missed the onslaught weekend of future presidents. As much time as I have committed to following from afar, I am embarrassed at how much time I spent while the candidates were in my backyard.

Heather--I read the link you sent and have some thoughts, but haven't organized them enough yet. Now you know why I have so few posts.

Mac is Back???

Well, I am sure you know by know that Romney decided to drop out--hugely disappointing especially for a candidate who is willing to say this (emphasis added by me)

". . . And tolerance for pornography – even celebration of it – and sexual promiscuity, combined with the twisted incentives of government welfare programs have led to today's grim realities: 68% of African American children are born out-of-wedlock, 45% of Hispanic children, and 25% of White children. How much harder it is for these children to succeed in school and in life. A nation built on the principles of the Founding Fathers cannot long stand when its children are raised without fathers in the home.

The development of a child is enhanced by having a mother and father. Such a family is the ideal for the future of the child and for the strength of a nation. I wonder how it is that unelected judges, like some in my state of Massachusetts, are so unaware of this reality, so oblivious to the millennia of recorded history. It is time for the people of America to fortify marriage through Constitutional amendment, so that liberal judges cannot continue to attack it."

I did not like the fact that Romney was standard bearer for conservatism--a word I don't entirely find appealing, but I did enjoy that he would always bring the family into his dialog.

What I find so sad is that I could hop on the Barak rock concert if I knew he would be a bigger supporter of marriage, chasity, and personal responsibility. I think Barak would make a good president; however, like so many others he forgets about the small and important elements that make a great society--strong families--especially when his family helped him become the person he is today.

Dining Etiquette

Our youth have chosen to have an Etiquette dinner next week. We plan to have a spaghetti dinner with a salad and a lite dessert. We will try to have a nice place setting; however, all the silverware will be plastic.

Does anyone have any simple etiquette rules/ideas they would like to pass along?

Is it over yet?

ouch! My man Mitt, did not do so well on Super Tuesday. We vote in Virginia this next Tuesday--if he doesn't win Virginia, I think I will stop following presidential politics for a while.

Perhaps everyone should watch this and then they would see . . . even if the end is a little cheesy.

Super Tuesday

Ok, people if today is your primary voting day, get out there and vote!!!