Well the saga continues..............
Cody has been unhappy at Waypoint Academy and wanted to transfer to Orchard View adult education credit recovery program. Once he transferred there, he found out at he had to be with a bunch of older people and not anyone close to his age. We then transferred him to Muskegon High School. I found out today that he can't attend Muskegon HIgh because he is considered a Senior already and they can't take seniors halfway through their senior year. In other words, Waypoint has screwed up his credits so bad we may have only one choice. He are transferring him to Mtec to finish up his senior year. He needs 23 credits to graduate, and an average year is around 12 credits. The fact that he has been in HIgh School for 4 years and he is 17 and would in fact be a 2 year senior at the age of 18. This would put him in adult education. If you are confused, stand in line behind me. If you understand, "you are a better man then me Gungadine." Hopefully by the end of the day I will understand a little bit better.

For all of you who have received these emails................
>
>
> I just want to thank all of you for your educational e-mails over the
> past year. I am totally screwed up now and have little chance of
> recovery.
>
>
>
> I no longer open a public bathroom door without using a paper towel or
> have them put lemon slices in my ice water without worrying about the
> bacteria on the lemon peel.
>
> I can't use the remote in a hotel room because I don't know what the
> last person was doing while flipping through the adult movie channels.
> I can't sit down on the hotel bedspread because I can only imagine what
> has happened on it since it was last washed.
>
> I have trouble shaking hands with someone who has been driving because
> the number one pastime while driving alone is picking ones nose
> (although cell phone usage may be taking the number one spot).
> Eating a little snack sends me on a guilt trip because I can only
> imagine how many gallons of trans fats I have consumed over the years.
>
> I can't touch any woman's purse for fear she has placed it on the floor
> of a public bathroom.
>
> I MUST SEND MY SPECIAL THANKS to whoever sent me the one about poop in
> the glue on envelopes because I now have to use a wet sponge with every
> envelope that needs sealing.
> ALSO, now I have to scrub the top of every can I open for the same
> reason.
>
>
> I no longer have any savings because I gave it to a sick girl (Penny
> Brown) who is about to die in the hospital for the 1,387,258th time.
>
> I no longer have any money at all, but that will change once I receive
> the $15,000 that Bill Gates/Microsoft and AOLare sending me for
> participating in their special e-mail program.
>
> I no longer worry about my soul because I have 363,214 angels looking
> out for me, and St. Theresa's Novena has granted my every wish.
>
> I no longer eat KFC because their chickens are actually horrible mutant
> freaks with no eyes or feathers.
> I no longer use cancer-causing deodorants even though I smell like a
> water buffalo on a hot day.
>
> BECAUSE OF YOUR CONCERN, I no longer drink Coca Cola because it can
> remove toilet stains.
>
> I no longer can buy gasoline without taking someone along to watch the
> car so a serial killer won't crawl in my back seat when I'm pumping gas.
>
> I no longer drink Pepsi or Dr. Pepper since the people who make these
> products are atheists who refuse to put 'Under God' on their cans.
>
> I no longer use Saran Wrap in the microwave because it causes cancer.
>
> AND THANKS FOR LETTING ME KNOW I can't boil a cup of water in the
> microwave anymore because it will blow up in my face... disfiguring me
> for life.
>
> I no longer check the coin return on pay phones because I could be
> pricked with a needle infected with AIDS.
>
> I no longer go to shopping malls because someone will drug me with a
> perfume sample and rob me.
>
> I no longer receive packages from UPS or Fed Ex since they are actually
> Al Qaeda in disguise.
>
> I no longer shop at Target since they are French and don't support our
> American troops or the Salvation Army.
>
> I no longer answer the phone because someone will ask me to dial a
> number for which I will get a phone bill with calls to Jamaica , Uganda,
> Singapore, and Uzbekistan .
>
> I no longer buy expensive cookies from Neiman Marcus since I now have
> their recipe.
>
> THANKS TO YOU I can't use anyone's toilet but mine because a big brown
> African spider is lurking under the seat to cause me instant death when
> it bites my butt.
>
> AND THANKS TO YOUR GREAT ADVICE I can't ever pick up $5.00 dropped in
> the parking lot because it probably was placed there by a sex molester
> waiting underneath my car to grab my leg.
>
> I can no longer drive my car because I can't buy gas from certain gas
> companies!
>
> I can't do any gardening because I'm afraid I'll get bitten by the brown
> recluse and my hand will fall off.
>
>
> If you don't send this e-mail to at least 144,000 people in the next 70
> minutes, a large dove with diarrhea will land on your head at 5:00 p.m.
> tomorrow afternoon and the fleas from 12 camels will infest your back,
> causing you to grow a hairy hump. I know this will occur because it
> actually happened to a friend of my next door neighbor's
> ex-mother-in-law's second husband's cousin's beautician . .
>
> Oh, by the way..... A German scientist from Argentina, after a lengthy study, has discovered
> that people with insufficient brain activity read their e-mail with
> their hand on the mouse.
>
> Don't bother taking it off now, it's too late.
>

President Obama has come out swinging. He has told lobbies to be prepared for less business. He has told Americans to strap their belts tight and gather together. I hope he is right, but I've heard that rhetoric before.
The other rhetoric that I'm so tiered of hearing are the people who say that he wants socialism. The republicans for years have said, "It's, mine, Ive earned it, and I'm not sharing it." I can understand when non christian people say it, but when I hear christian people say this I get sick to my stomach. A true christian knows that we own nothing, everything is God's and we are the care takers. Also in our care is our fellow man,"What you do unto the least of these my brothers, you do unto me." And for the person who doesn't want to "support the lazy people", don't forget the story of the prodigal son. For the non christian, remember how quickly you would let a poor man go off to war to defend your fortunes. How many poor people died for you to get your materialistic things. It's time we became the America of old. Give us your tiered and weary. Lets give our people affordable health care. If you don't like the Canadian model, improve on it. We are only on this earth for a short time, lets make the best of it. You can't take it with you.

Well, the stratus is home. After the accident, Staffords towing towed it to their yard in North Muskegon. The driver said he was only authorized to bring it to their garage. Then they were closed all weekend, and i couldn't get to the car until Monday($25.00 pr. day storage). Their bill to tow and store the car was $500.00. I asked them to get me a price for the car as scrap, and they said all they could get was $200.00. I paid another $65.00 to have it towed to our house and put it in the garage. This is now my project to put it back on the road. The engine runs fine, and the drive train seems to be in one piece. I have knock out the dent in the roof.
This is what needs to be done to get it back on the road
2001 Dodge Stratus SE coup 2 dr. (6 cyl)

1- Front grill work $173.00
2- Headlights $158.00 each
3- Drivers side front fender $198.00
4- Driver side mirror $69.76
5- Rear window $300.00
6- Oil change
7- Check starter
8- Change plugs
9- Alignment
10- Fix tires
11- Knock out rear driver side fender
12- Check underside and wheel wells and casing
13- Fix inside roof
14- Cover seats
15- Clean insides
16- Paint
The prices are retail prices for new pieces that I have found so far. I will be getting parts from a salvage yard where possible.

...and now for the continuing saga of"As the Stomach Churns."

Last night, Friday night, Cody rolled the Stratus. He was coming home from North Muskegon when he was rear ended and forced off the road. The car went into the medium and flipped about 8 times (maybe more like a roll) Him and his friend were not hurt, but the Stratus is pretty bad. I went to the crash site last night and by looking at the car in the dark, the word "Total" kept coming to mind. Although witness' said that a vehicle rear ended them, they could not give a discription of the vehicle. The officer wrote it down as a hit and run. I believe it was a miracle that no one was hurt. I will try to see it if not today, maybe Monday morning.

As our soap opera continues..........

Liz got her report on her MRI. It looks like she has two bulging discs, and two herniated discs. Her doctor is refering her to a spine specialist. She is still in alot of pain.

Happy New Year

In a few weeks we will have the first black president. It's about time. I really hope this man can turn things around, not because he is black, but because he is not a Bush.( or republican).

The banks and the car companies have been bailed out. They will be sitting fine, and the rest of us can window shop.

Catherine is trying to go back to school at Ross. Should this work out, she will drop to part time and her and Sean will be with us at least 6 more months. Sean is still working at Game Stop.

Lindsey is returning to Mtec to complete her senior year, I hope.

Cody is trying to switch schools before his senior year. He wants to go to Mona shores or Orchard View with school of choice.

Liz had her MRI this week, and we hope to find out soon why she has difficulty walking. Although she has been diagnosed with degenerative arthritis in her spine, the MRI will show the extent of the damage and what,if anything , can be done.

Donald and Akiko are doing fine. He will finish up Hope College this spring and graduate. Akiko is working full time translating.

I just keep moving on. No rest for the wicked.

Im back. We had to go off line for a while until we paid comcast somemore money.
Huntington decimated our account by letting a lawyer garnish money from an account that is solely from Social Security. This is a no no. The bank blames the lawyer, the lawyer blames the bank and they both say that I must spend money to hire a lawyer to fight this. In the mean time, we get screwed. Oh, by the way, that medical bill that they were garnishing for had already been taken care of.
What is the difference between and lawyer and a snake. The snake hates being put in the same sentence as a lawyer.

One week until Christmas.
They have now named the presidency of Bill Clinton. It will be called,"Sex between the Bushes".
Here is a Christmas greeting we can all associate with. "Moneys tight, times are hard. Here's your freeking Christmas card."

Gm and Chrysler are now looking at merging to keep from going under. Ford is doing ok but could use some help. No one is talking about Saturn. Is it possible that they got it right?

Granholm has said that she won't except a position of Obamas staff. I guess it is better to turn down the possibility of getting the job then to be left out in the cold.

Super stars and famous people have things thrown at them like flowers, gifts, and underwear. Bush has a reporter throw both of his shoes at him. Both shoes missed their mark, something like Bushes Iraq strategies. Since it has got so bad that reporters are throwing articles of clothing at him, all future press conferences will be done in the nude. "Will the real bush please stand up".

Lets start out another fun filled week.
Last week, Liz was diagnosed with degenerative arthritis of the spine. She has been in a great amount of pain, and has a hard time even walking. With all her other problems, this was not needed. We are waiting for the doctors decision on what to do next. The pain pills and shots do not work as she is still in a great amount of pain. This has kept me very busy taking care of everyone and everything.
Cat and Sean will most likely move into their apartment after the first of the year. When they move out, we will take their room since it is on the main floor and will be easier access for Liz. We might even do it before then.

Today I had to go with Cody for his pretrial hearing. He was caught fishing in a forbidden stream. There were no signs posted and nothing to show that it was a closed stream. When Cody went in, I was not allowed because he is 17, they found him guilty. It was posted in a book that he got with his fishing license. He is suppose to remember every stream. Ignorance is not a excuse. Here is a young man who decides to fish and stay out of trouble. He was hit with $120.00 fine. When we went to collection I asked how they expect him to pay this fine if he doesn't have a job? I explained that he is in high school. He should drop out of school, get a job so he can pay his fine. This is another great example of how our court system fails. If he doesn't find a way to pay this fine, they would put him a jail. I don't know who is more ignorant. DNR busting a young kid for fishing in a unmarked, and closed stream. I know, they were just doing their job. DNR's failure to mark the stream and use the excuse of, "it's in the handbook, you should have known." The court failure to look at the big picture and just be more concerned about not hurting the DNR's feelings. It is the courts rational that for example, the state does not need to post speed limits on the highways because everyone know what it is. You should not need to post no trespassing signs because it is understood that trespassing is forbidden. It's the law and we as citizens should know all the laws, speed limits, and other minor things, should be memorized. Ignorance is not an excuse.
If you spend time and listen to people at the county court house and you will understand how a system can go so bad. One women was there on an arrest warrant for shoplifting. When walking thru a store, her young daughter reached out and took a $1.50 pin. She was found guilty because her daughter is her responsibility. A man was found guilty because his dog got out of a fenced in yard. His dog was licenced, but because he was running free, he was fined over $100.00. The law is the law. this was the first time that his dog got loose.
We need reforms, not obscure fines that nickel and dime us to death. The next time someone says that our prisions are overcrowded, or that crime has risen, stop and see what laws are being violated.
I could have hired a lawyer to defend Cody, but that would be cost prohibitive. Once again they are hoping to feed the system. I was prohibited from defending Cody because he is an adult in their eyes, and since I was not a lawyer, I was not allowed in. These are some of the reason that crime has risen. People will just pay the fine and plead guilty. It is cheaper. Guilty until proven guilty.

I met a friend at the doctors office yesterday. You know you are getting old when you meet friends at doctors offices. This friend of mine had hurt his finger in his garage door, and all those broken finger jokes came rushing back. I held my tongue and did not share my lack of intelligence. Why is it that some of us will try to crack a joke at someones misfortune. Are we cruel by nature, or do we think that this is a way to cheer someone up. My friend, a man a great intelligence,would have laughed along because of his gregarious nature and kind soul, but I'm sure his finger still will hurt after all the jokes are told. I think that it might be that little devil in me because I know he will read this and have to respond with his finger either sutured or in a splint and that could cause a chuckle or two as he tries to type out a response.

It's December, it's snowing, and it's cold. Winter has really roared in this year.
Liz was helping me this week and hurt her back. Just what she needs, one more thing to go wrong.
Cody had his first basketball game last night. This was the team that I coached last year, started up, and had it taken from me from a teacher who gets first choice. They lost, and Cody sat the bench. He is one of the top guards in the area, he worked hard to get his knee in shape after having his ACL replaced, and the coach says that he need to try harder. He missed two practices due to doctors appointment and court. I feel this was more directed at me in a effort to say that he is in charge. The coach has now gone as far as insisting that the team call him coach. It drives him crazy when I show up to pick up Cody and all the team members were still calling me coach. I have done everything in my power to butt out and not offer my opinion. My biggest question is, " This coach has pretty much the same team as last year." " He now has a home gym(all our game last year were on the road), new uniforms (home and away), a team bus, a larger basketball budget to buy more basketball and other equipment." They look worse then last year and have not improved at all. The Question is, "Should I be smiling or shaking my head in disbelief?"

today is thanksgiving Day, 2008. As I look back, I have much to be thankful about. Family, Friends, and a wonderful wife. Aside from these, here are a few others

1- Thankful that George Bush can't run again.
2- Thankful that Granholm can't run again
3- thankful that the executives from the ailing big 3 can take their corporate jets to Washington to beg for money.
4- I'm thankful that the cost of heating fuel has not risen anymore. Who knows why the cost of heating hasn't gone down along with gas prices.
5- I am thankful that my kids can live with us. (That I am able to support them)

Have a happy thanksgiving

Shortness of breath, ache in shoulders and on left side, and blood pressure jumping all over the place. Most people would jump up and yell, "heart attack". In my world it is a little different. Last night I had one of my attacks. After laying down and taking my nitro, everything fell back in place. The blood pressure balanced out, and the pain and stiffness went away. The doctors call these angina attacks and usually are not a heart attack. If it doesn't subside after 2 0r 3 nitro tablets, then I am suppose to worry. I would be lying if I said it didn't scare me, and I know it scares Liz. She is usually burning up the phone lines with the doctors. By the time they call back, everything has calmed down, and their response is, "if you feel it is your heart, go into emergency or call an ambulance". I know that they can't diagnose over the phone, and by the time I do go in, everything is back to being fine, but in the mean time my mind has made the trip from "am I dying, or am I going nuts, to the point that this too will most likely to away". Now that my bloodpreasure has made the roller coaster ride, I am wiped out for about 24 hours.
I personally think it is God's way of telling me to slow down. I was busy yesterday and was thinking why I am disabled? This is why I am not at work and can't work. Everytime I think I am ok, and try pushing myself, the old heart jumps up and Say's "No way Hosea".
I am sitting back taking it easy today. This can also drive me crazy because I have so much to do and only I can do it.

wow, more snow. I was playing in the snow with my little dog. She just has a panic in the snow, enjoying it like a child. I remember that joy as a child, back in the days when you would press your face against the window to watch the snow fall. We are really so lucky to have fresh white snow falling around us. This year could yield a lot of snow and we may never dig out of it. Maybe I will go out and build a snow fort, make now angels, and just shovel the drive.

This week is thanksgiving. It is customary for us to host thankgiving dinner, or lunch , or whatever. Trying to get everyone together on one day is an effort, but well worth it. When everyone is around the table, eating turkey, mashed patatoes, carrots, and just alot of food. By the time we sit down to eat, the Lions have already lost their game, but hopefully no one has lost their appetitie.

For years my parents use to host thanksgiving dinner, and before that we would visit my cousins house and celebrate Christmas and thankgiving with my Moms side of the family. We would end up playing tackle football in the snow. It was a day that we all looked forward to. I now look forward to it as our kids get older, married, and soon present grandchildren.

Life is great.

Lions are 0-11. How pathetic can you be. When you look at a street corner in Detroit, who are you like to see panhandling. Auto executive or Lions football players. they are both behind the times, slower then everyone else, and unable to fight their way out of a paper bag. I think we need to bail out the Lions. I also heard that a casino in Detroit is loosing money and might have to close their doors. What is the difference in bailing out a casino or bailing out a wall street looser. They both gamble with other peoples money.

It is the time of year to anticipate the great arrival. No, we are not talking about the turkey, or the baby Jesus. The great arrival is Obama, riding in to cure American of what ails her. If he can do what he says, I'll eat my words, but one person cannot change the mess we are in.

The first snow fall is always pretty. Now it can go away. Yes, I know, I live in Michigan and can expect 6 months of this stuff.
I haven't written lately because nothing of significance has happened.
Last week, Liz and I went to small claims court. Liz won most of hers because the dentist had failed to get approval to do the the work. I lost mine with Mosleys. This did not surprise me. If you remember, Cody had a road test that went around the block and failed him because of one rolling stop. I presented our case with two things in mind. The tester was already heading back to the shop when the rolling stop occur ed. I claimed that he was already committing fraud by not planning on doing the whole test.(He was heading back, and had no intention of passing him at all) The judge ruled that no matter what, the tester has the right to end the test whenever he wants. I guess that gives them cart Blanche to break the law whenever they want. I also claimed that the state of Michigan has a guidelines for what is included in a test, and only a Small part was tested. Once again the judge ruled that the testers have the right to end the test whenever they want. In other words, the road testers have the right to commit fraud without any check and balance system. They can continue to charge for a road test that they have no intention to pass someone. This is the definition of fraud, getting something for nothing. This is something that the state of Michigan needs to change, but they won't.
Christmas will be tight for alot of people this year and we are included in this. Retailers are already bracing for a bad Christmas. I predict that there will be alot of business closing after Christmas. Most of these business won't get bailed out. The American auto makers can't make it and can't figure out why. Let's see. When foreign makers went years ago to economic and energy saving vehicles and the American automakers kept making big SUV's, gas guzzlers, and cars that cost more then most houses. The reason I bring this up, is that lawmakers once again dropped the ball. Lawmakers blame it on big business which blames it on lawmaker, when they are both in bed together. Government needs money, big business needs money, and the only people to pay is the taxpayers. One way or another, your wallet is being picked. If we bail out the automakers, or we don't, we will pay. Massive job losses will ill effect Michigan and put many auto associated business under. They were free to make massive profits, but cannot take a loss?
I could ramble on, but I won't. Our check and balance system wasn't followed and now we are in deep.

Today is Liz's birthday. She has had a rough couple of days with her health. Hopefully today will be a better day. She is off with Don Jr. this morning which frees me up to get some work done at church.
This week I have been working on remodeling the kitchen and I also took down the white fence. If I hadn't taken it down, the winter would have.
We had an estimate for replacing windows. 13 grand is alot of money. I guess I'll do this one window at a time.
Well, I got to get some work done so I talk at ya later.

The black guy beat the white guy. I'm sorry, the African American beat the Irish American. The young guy beat the old guy. Once again I'm mistaken, the youthful candidate beat the seasoned candidate. I'm just glad that the Chaney/Bush era will be over. Sorry again, I keep forgetting that Bush was president and Chaney was Vice President. This new presidency could be great for Michigan if Obama takes Granholm and make her maybe, ambassidor to Canada. I think she can see Canada from her house.