Cooling Off!!!!

Here it is our first pool! And what a challenge it has been. We are finally able to enjoy it after a few weeks of work. First I had just set it up right on the ground, without leveling it off. So, when it filled up it was oval shared. We took it down, wasting 2800 gal. of water. Then it took about a week of work to get the sand from back in the field and level it out. Once that was done we filled it up again and it was round. Then, we noticed that the ground on the other side of the pump (in the above pic) was wet and not drying. We figured we would just let it go for a while so the kids could swim in it! Then we had a chemical problem and I put to much of one of the chemicals in and made it unsafe to swim in. Tina fixed that mistake and then the pump quit on us. So we had to buy a new on, the pump in the pic above it a better one then the pump that came with the pool. Just this past weekend on Father's Day we figured we would fix the leak we had. So we emptied it again, patched up the hole and filled it back up, and it still leaks; AAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!

Over the Hedge

We went to see this on Monday after getting Anthony's cast off, kind of like closer for us. We when to see the Wild the day he got them on and so I figured why not now that he got them off! It was great, Dreamworks really does a good job on keeping the parents and the kids into the movie! Very funny and a great message, but I would wait until the DVD comes out. We went to the movies for a different reason then just to see this movie. So, that's my short and sweet advice to you on this one. I don't little spoiling the movies for you, that's why I stay away from telling anything about it.

Xmen III: The Last Stand

What a great movie!!!!! We were about to see this on Sunday afternoon and thought it was done very good!!! Though the movie as a whole has a dark atmosphere to it and some things happen that you wouldn't want, it still was very good. I have to revisit the comic books to refresh my memory on the Pheonix Saga, but off the top of my head it was pretty accurate! Definity glad we watched it on the big screen and would erge anyone on the fence to get the ticket and go!!!! I'm staying way from details about the movie so I don't spoil it for anyone. Just get to the theater and see it while you can!!! Oh, I will tell you that I think there will be more movies of the X-men to come!

BIG DIEHL !!!!

Way to go Dave & Diane!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great job on hitting the $300,000 income per year mark with your PFS Business! Tina & I are happy for you and know you deserve to be making $1 million per year, because of your commitment level and desire to help everyone in your office and community. Keep plugging away and you'll hit it soon!!!! Thank you for all you have taught us, not only in the business, but in life as well. We love you and will be joining you in the Financial Independence Council book very soon (18 months from now)!!!!

The Wild

We got a chance to see this on Monday after Anthony's Dr. appointment. A great movie for everyone! I thought it would be close to Madagascar, but I was wrong. Way better as far as the messages it sends out and animation, but about just as funny if not a little more!!!! It was a time we were able to spend together as a family and enjoy laughing together. We needed it because we have a tough 6 weeks ahead of us, with Ant being in walking casts! So, as far as a must see in the movie theater, it is not one of those movies! But, it is one that will have a spot in our collection as far as DVDs go!!! Next movie will most likely be X-men III as we are taking care of our finances and need to focus there right now. We will catch up to the movies we want to see once they hit the rental shelf!!!!

Draft News

ST. LOUIS (AP) - Signing the son of actor Denzel Washington on Monday ensured the St. Louis Rams of making a splash the day after the NFL draft ended.

John David Washington, a 5-foot-10, 200-pound running back was among 10 undrafted players signed by the Rams. He played for Division II Morehouse College last year.
"This is all a good story," Rams coach Scott Linehan said. "I hope he's a good running back."
Washington had a school-record 1,198 yards with a 5.6-yard average and nine touchdowns, and added 10 receptions for 69 yards is senior year. He also ended his career as the school's single-game (242 yards) and career (3,699) leading rusher.
Washington led the conference in rushing last season, and was named national player of the week by D2Football.com last season.
Linehan said he didn't know about Washington's famous father until after the Rams became interested in him. Coincidentally, Linehan's brother-in-law, actor Jim Caviezel, who portrayed Jesus in The Passion of the Christ, just finished a movie with Denzel Washington that is scheduled to come out in about a year.
Linehan joked that Denzel Washington and Caviezel might make a nice little "sideshow" at training camp.
"I hate to tell Jim, but I think most of them will be looking for Denzel's autograph," Linehan said. "But they should start with Jesus first."

Lets Go E-85!!!!!

Henry Ford’s Model “A” was designed to run on either alcohol or gasoline... because Gasoline wasn't readily available.
This photo, taken in April 1933, shows a Lincoln Nebraska gas station of the Earl Coryell Co. selling "Corn Alcohol Gasoline." The test marketing of ethanol blends was common in the Midwest at this time, but it did not succeed due to the market dominance of the major oil companies.

Many countries around the world have millions of vehicle running on alcohol today. The idea of using alcohol for fuel is not new but becoming more attractive to the public as our dependence on gasoline becomes increasingly more expensive.

Most gasoline cars can be converted to alternative fuels with no need for a new or replacement engine. Other benefits include total elimination of smoke. It also contributes to a quieter and smoother running engine. Besides the environmental benefits, Flexfuel combines high performance with economy, making it the best current alternative to gasoline fuels.

Best of all ... Grain alcohol (ethanol) is a renewable fuel, and it is pretty much pollution free, since the by-products of combustion are only water and CO2. Furthermore, it is economical to make, and your car will run cooler, faster, and better on ethanol. It is a home grown fuel and we don't have to import it from the Middle East.

Ethanol (ethyl alcohol, grain alcohol, EtOH) is an alcohol-based alternative fuel produced by fermenting and distilling starch crops that have been converted into simple sugars.

Ethanol (CH3CH2OH) is a group of chemical compounds whose molecules contain a hydroxyl group, -OH, bonded to a carbon atom. Feedstocks for this fuel include corn, barley and wheat with corn being the most commonly used. Ethanol can also be produced from "cellulosic biomass" such as trees and grasses and is called bioethanol. Ethanol is most commonly used to increase octane and improve the emissions quality of gasoline.

The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 mandated the sale of oxygenated fuels in areas with unhealthy levels of carbon monoxide. Since that time, there has been strong demand for ethanol as an oxygenate blended with gasoline. In the United States each year, more than 1.5 billion gallons are added to gasoline to increase octane and improve the emissions quality of gasoline. In some areas, ethanol is blended with gasoline to form an E10 blend (10% ethanol and 90% gasoline), but it can be used in higher concentrations such as E85 or in its pure form. All automobile manufacturers that do business in the United States approve the use of certain ethanol/gasoline blends. Fuel ethanol blends are successfully used in all types of vehicles and engines that require gasoline. Approval of ethanol blends is found in the owners' manuals under references to refueling or gasoline.

To learn more visit : http://www.ethanolstill.com/ and get educated on all the positives of this and hopefully we get on this fast so we can save money at the pump. If you make you own it brakes down to 65 CENTS PER GALLON vs $3.03 per gallon!!!!!

For us it would mean $11.05 to fill up instead of $51.00!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TINA (Mommy)!!!!

Just letting you now we love you & think you're a wonderful Woman of God, Mom, Wife, Daughter, Partner, Friend, and Person. You are a great example for our kids and I love how we are about to work through our challenges in a positive way. You're there for us when we need it the most and words can not express enough of how much we love you!!!! I hope you have a wonderful day and enjoy your gifts that you got!!!!!

Disgusting Public Acts

When it come to politics I don't have a loud voice, but I will address this. I am not against people coming to America LEGALLY. We have a great country and we came from all over the world to this new land and created this great country for all to share. The only way we will stay great is by putting our foot down and standing on the laws set forth by generations of previous leaders! This Act disgusts me because it shows a lack of appreciation for the USA!!! If you don't like us or our country then GET OUT!!!!!!! Otherwise get legal and stay legal so our country can get back the respect it deserves!!!!

Subject: American flag v. Mexican flag at CA. high school--disgusting public acts

THE AMERICAN FLAG COMES SECOND?
By Michelle Malkin · March 29, 2006 01:15 AM

You will not see this heart-stopping photo on the front page of the NY Times or on the lead story of the major news networks.
You should.


03/28 : Student protest in Whittier area students from Pioneer, California and Whittier high schools walked out of classes to protest the proposed federal immigration bill March 27, 2006. The protestors put up the Mexican flag over the American flag flying upside down at Montebello High.
(Leo Jarzomb/Staff photo)

More:

Meanwhile: Mexico Cheers Passage of Immigration Bill
Like I said: Welcome to reconquista.

I predict this stunt will be the nail in the coffin of any guest-worker/amnesty plan on the table in Washington. The image of the American flag subsumed to another and turned upside down on American soil is already spreading on Internet forums and via e-mail. Pass this along to every American citizen in your address books and to every representative in the state and federal government. If you choose to remain uninvolved do not be amazed when you no longer have a nation to call your own nor anything you have worked for left since it will be "redistributed" to the activists while you are so peacefully staying out of the "fray". Check history, it is full of nations/empires that disappeared when its citizens no longer held their core beliefs and values. One person CAN make a difference. One plus one plus one plus one plus one plus one.........


The battle for our secure borders and immigration laws that actually mean something, however, hasn't even begun.

GOD BLESS AMERICA

Yard Project!!!

Well you've heard we have had a lot of rain in CA over the first 3 months of the year. And here is and example of what happens when it rains so much and so often! The grass never got a chance to dry off enough for us to cut it and we didn't get a chance to cut it like we should have! So, over the past few days it has been nice and sunny for us to be able to cut it! We started at 10am on Sat. and got finished around 8pm. Pretty much none stop, except to unclog machines and a sandwich that the kids made us!!!!

Enjoy the other picks of the past month on the flickr site, just click on the photo!!!

Time to Move to Ohio!!!

The winning ticket from the $265 million Mega Millions drawing Tuesday night was sold at a local Kroger supermarket, an Ohio Lottery spokeswoman said.

It was the 5th winning Mega Millions ticket purchased in Ohio since June and the first grand prize winner sold in Cincinnati, lottery spokeswoman Mardele Cohen said.

The winning numbers in the 12-state game were 13, 14, 25, 34 and 50. The Mega Ball was 6.
In addition to the grand prize winner, 21 tickets, including two purchased in Ohio, matched all five numbers but not the Mega Ball for prizes of $250,000 each.

Another 109 tickets, including four from Ohio, matched four numbers plus the Mega Ball for third prizes of $10,000 each.

The last Mega Millions winner from Ohio claimed the $270 million prize — the biggest lottery jackpot won in the state — anonymously by forming a trust.

The winning ticket from the Feb. 28 drawing was sold in Lyons, a farming village of about 600 people 30 miles west of Toledo.

The Greatest Game Ever Played

This movie is great! We got this for ourselves for Easter and watched it last night. A great story about never giving up on your dreams and simply playing a sport because you love it! We didn't know how much of an important movie this was until the end! We check out some of the bonus features and found out that Francis Ouimet basically single handedly changed the sport to where the amateur player could play and be respected, instead of just the upper class! Also learned about Harry Vardon, a international golf celebrity, and easily one of the game's most influential players. His record of 6 British Open Championships still stand today!!!
If you like true, positive stories and if you like golf, this movie is for you. We are glad we added it to our collection and will bring it out if anyone in PA would like to see it with us while we are visiting!!!!

Ice Age 2

We saw this movie on Sunday and thought it was pretty good. The kids stayed into it the whole time which means they liked it and it was good for the parents as well. Scat was a bigger part of the movie this time adding in a large part of the comic relief. Sid, Diego, and Manny were just as funny as the first movie and there were a few additions to the cast of this movie. Ellie played by Queen Latifah, Crash played by Seann William Scott, Eddie played by Josh Peck, and Fast Tony played by Jay Leno!!!! It's worth checking out in the theater especially if you save like us. We had two of the free kids tickets that come in the DVD's (Anastasia had one and the first Ice Age movie had the other one), so it saved us about $10. Some real funny parts to it and a good message as always! This one will be added to our collection when it hits the stores!!!! Also a great preview of a Tim McGraw film coming out soon called Flicka, where he plays a lead father of a family that owns a ranch and his daughter tries to catch a wild mustang on her own and then train it after her Dad (Tim) catches it and tells her to leave it alone!!! He is becoming quite the actor, for those of you that don't know he had a smaller role in Friday Night Lights, with Billy Bob Thorton. Enjoy the movie for those of you who check it out, and for those who want to wait, it would be worth buying in a few months!!!

Ghost Rider is coming along

This doesn't come to the movies until Feb. of 2007, but they give you enough to get you thinking about the movie!!! Mike this is for you, because I know how much of a fan you are or were of Ghost Rider. You were also a huge Punisher fan and they did that character proud with the most recent movie that came out about him!!! This movie has built the darkness surrounding Ghost Rider already with this photo, but you can see with the preview if you follow the links that they look to be staying turn to him as well!!!! Be patient though it could take some time to load, just click on the above photo!!!

Dreamer

“Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story” tells the story of a father who, for the love of his daughter, sacrifices almost everything to save the life of an injured racehorse and bring the promising filly back to her former glory. The film stars Kurt Russell (“Miracle”), Dakota Fanning (“War of the Worlds”) and Kris Kristofferson (“Lone Star”).

Ben Crane (Kurt Russell) was once a great horseman, whose gifts as a trainer are now being wasted on making other men’s fortunes.Sonador—called Sonya—was a great horse whose promising future on the racetrack is suddenly cut short by a career-ending broken leg. Considered as good as dead to her owner, who also happens to be Ben’s boss, Sonya is given to Ben as severance pay, along with his walking papers. Now, it will take the unwavering faith and determination of Ben’s young daughter, Cale (Dakota Fanning), to bring these two damaged souls together in a quest for a seemingly impossible goal: to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic. However, the true miracle might be that, in helping this injured horse, what they are actually healing is their own family.

Kristofferson stars as Ben Crane’s father, whose strained relationship with his son is bridged by their mutual hopes for Sonya. The main cast also includes Oscar® nominee Elisabeth Shue (“Leaving Las Vegas”), David Morse (“The Green Mile”), Freddy Rodriguez (HBO’s “Six Feet Under”), Luis Guzman (“Traffic”) and Oded Fehr (“The Mummy”).

We loved this movie, a great story on believing in what you can not see! Teaches you to go after your dream, even if you don't see it happening for you now, just go after it and along the way, if it is truly what God has planned for you, it will all happen for you. But, it starts with belief!!!

Chicken Little

We were able to get this on Tuesday and we had a chance to watch it yesterday!!! We loved it!!! The kids watched it two times in a row, and I believe to catch everything as far as the hidden jokes you need to watch it more then once!!!! A great story for parents, not just kids!!! It touches on how we should believe our kids even tough we might not be able to understand what they are talking about all the time. We should stick together and always let them know we are behind then 100% of the time, not just when they do something special or whenever we feel like it, all the time!!! I would have loved to see it in the theater, but time hasn't been on our side now that Tina is working! Definitely a keeper and one we will watch over and over again!

Back to a two car Family SOON!!!!

Tina's Dad has agreed for us to fix up and buy his '78 El Camino.

It has a 8 cyl. 305 engine, Automatic Trans, Power Steering, Power Brakes, Tilt Steering, After market wheels (w/oversize Rear Wheels), Air Lift Rear Shocks, with a Corvette Steering wheel, Cadillac Seats, and a Tow Hitch.

Mike, you'll be happy to know we (Tina & I) will be doing all the work on it!!!! It needs a new exhaust system from the manifold back, a battery, and some other touch up pieces! Jerry has the manifold, and the Catty for it, and as I type we are ordering a Flow master muffler and taking all the old pipes we took off to a guy that will be bending new pipes to match for $120 + ordering our muffler for us!!! We should have this all completed by this time next week. I will be driving to Shingle Spring to pick up a Window Regulator from a salvage yard that we need, on Monday. It's about 45 mins east of my work!!!! So inside of 2 weeks we should have the car running and ready for Tina to use for traveling back and forth to work!!!!

Chris Daughtry

His inspiration in music ranges from Richard Marx to Rob Thomas and he calls his wife his "Hero" in life. Chris is from McLeansville, NC and in 2006 tried out for American Idol - Season 5. Chris is currently in the top 12 of American Idol contestants. The show's finale is in May of 2006.
Below is the biography Chris posted on his old Absent Element band website:
Biography - Chris Daughtry
Age: 26

Status: Married
Wife: Deanna DaughtryWife Occupation: licensed massage therapist in Burlington, NCPreviously lived in: Mebane, NC

Cute Fact: Chris discovered his singing ability in algebra class

Quotage:
Chris Daughtry, 26
ON HIS WIFE, DEANNA: "When we got married, I took on the two kids as my own. So, you know, she was saying that she was scared that I was sacrificing my dream by doing that, and that she was just really excited that I'm still gettin' to live it -- even though I took on the married life and the family early, that I'm still able to live my dream."

ON REJOINING HIS BAND: "If it was up to me -- yes. But when it comes to doing contracts and being under a label, you know, it's not always up to the artist. I'd love to work with those guys, but if not, they understand that it's beyond my control."

http://www.absentelement.com/

THE BALD-HEAD-WITH-SIDEBURNS THING: "I think I started that look. I've been doing my sideburns like that for a couple of years now. It's kind of a trademark."
"I was told I could really sing when I was in 11th grade (I was 16), by my friend Robert. (I hope y'all have'nt been lying to me all these years). We had to write a song for class, so I forced myself to sing in front of him. I always enjoyed singing but never had the confidence that Robert gave me that day. We wrote a couple songs and I was hooked. I knew at that time, that's what I wanted to do with my life. He taught me some guitar chords and I took off from there. I've been in several bands but have never experienced the chemistry that Absent Element share. Though I've always enjoyed singing, I was never pushed until I was in a rock band. Therefore it took years to develop the strength and range it takes to deliver Absent Elements' screaming sound. My song writing comes straight from the heart. I write about my relationship with God, my wife (who inspires most of my lyrics) and other life experiences. If it did'nt happen to me, I can't effectively and honestly write about it. " - Chris Daughtry

American Idol has already been won in our book!!!!

Technology Is Wonderful

I thought this was awesome, and figured I would post it here for everyone to see something I think is totally amazing! Our world is getting more and more like the movie world as far as technology goes!!!

Click on the photo to read more about this Virtual Laser Keyboard!

Summer Trip

We wanted to let everyone own that we will be out to visit again this summer, from June 26th to July 3, 2006. We are hoping to see as many of you as possible, and one way to do that is to come to our family picnic on Sat. July 1st!!!! We haven't worked out all the details yet, but we will be renting a car so we can get around better! We also hope to stay over night at a couple of different places, so some of you can have extended time with us!! If you would like to make sure we get to see you while we are in PA, please try to make it out to the picnic, as that will be the best way to see us!!!! SEE YOU THERE!!!!!