Taffy? Come on!

Shouldn't I be a candy that I at least find some pleasure in? Taffy is the worst candy in the entire world. I hate taffy. Ah... perhaps it's time I come to grips with the fact that maybe I am taffy.


You're taffy!! You're a clever and kind person,
but you tend to hold grudges. You are not big
on dishing out forgiveness.

Which kind of candy are you?
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Ready for a long nap

I'm still paying for skipping a night of sleep. I need a vacation. One of them vacations where I don't get out of bed for a while. That kind of vacation. Not the kind where we bust our tails to get packed, haul across the state, unpack, enjoy a view hours in between the crying babies, and then turn around and come back. Those kinds of vacation require a vacation afterwards for recovery.

It's raining outside... the remnants of the latest hurricane. It's just a drizzle now, but I imagine it will pick up a bit as the day goes on.

Here's some more pics:


Note the toddler toddling on the edge of the counter, along with the baby in the tub also on the edge of the counter, the bread knife behind the toddler within her reach, the lamp (turned on!) right next to the baby in the bathtub, and all of this unsupervised!



Daniel enjoys a burger and fries with his Pappy.

Working Man

I got no time for livin'
Yes, i'm workin' all the time

It seems to me
I could live my life
A lot better than i think i am
I guess that's why they call me
They call me the workin' man

~G.L. & A.L.

One bad thing about working in a hospital is that someone always has to be here. So, when someone doesn't show up for their shift, it's not like everyone can just run for the door to go home. Well, tonight the nightshift staff person is sick, and the back-up is not avaiable, so here I am typing this just before 3am at work... working an unexpected double shift. Oh, well... tired tonight, richer tomorrow.

Of Weather, Trials, Food, Grace, and What Not?

Since the remnants of Hurricane Whoever came through here and flooded everything, the weather has been just beautiful. I wish I felt better on the inside. Sigh... I'm so prone to sorrow. This morning I woke up and almost immediately went for a walk (I put some sweats and shoes on first) to help wake me up. Then I sat down with my Bible, prayed, and read (John 4 this morning), and a little Calvin by way of explanation. For breakfast I had a scrambled egg and some coffee. At work, the Drug Lords were good to us, bringing us lunch consisting of barbecued pork (think country-style spare ribs), and a tremendous chef's salad. I felf good for most the day, and then started feeling bummed just before coming home. Oh well, I've been better... but I've most certainly have been worse. So I'll take what I got and be thankful.

A co-worker of mine was in a terrible car accident, and she remains in a coma after breaking both her legs, smashing her pelvis, and sustaining a head-injury (closed or open, I do not know). Things are touch and go. Her name is Raye if you're a praying person.

Ah! Little Beth just smashed a light bulb. I gotto go clean up glass. I leave you with some words from Anthony Burgess on grace:

1. Let the heart-searching Christian distinguish between Grace in the idea or definition of it, and the real existence of it in it's subject. When Divines do write or speak about grace, they commonly describe it in it's abstracted and exact nature: even as Tully deciphers his Orators, or Plato his Commonwealth. Now because the people of God reade and hear such rules and definitions, they conclude they have not grace, because not according to such a description. But grace in a definition is one thing, and grace in the heart is another thing: The participation of grace is not as perfect as the description of it.

2. Let them constantly consider the difference between truth of grace and perfection of grace. Not attending to this many times breedeth perplexing doubts; perfection of parts is one thing, and of degrees is another. It's true this definition is doubted of, thinking that to affirm even a perfection of parts, though not of degrees, bordereth too much on Pelagianism, and that no man hath perfection of parts, but is to grow therein, as much as in degrees. But certainly if there be not a perfection of parts, then believers could not be said to be regenerated, to be new creatures, to have the image of God repaired in them; for these expressions do necessarily suppose the essence, though not the perfection of godliness. Let therefore the humble soul aspire and breathe after perfection, but take comfort in the discovery of the truth of grace, though in a low degree.

3. Let them make a difference between truth of grace, and the evidence or assurance of it. It's no good argument to conclude they have it not, because they perceive it not: Some diseases take away the sense of natural life, and no wonder then if there be such obstructions that do sometimes hinder the perceiving of our spiritual life; and although it be a known saying of Austin, That whosoever doth believe doth perceive and feel he doth believe, yet that is to be understood of a potential aptitude, if there be no strong impediment, otherwise grace and the assurance of it are many times separable, hence the promises are made to him that hath grace, not that knoweth he hath it.

4. Let them yet further distinguish between the having of grace absolutely, and the enjoying of it according to our desires. The godly man sometimes staggereth, questioning whether he hath grace, because he hath not as much as he would have and praieth for: Even as some covetous men think not themselves rich, because they have not so vast an estate as they have inordinately propounded to themselves.

5. Let not the godly man make the work of grace upon another mans heart the Rule upon his own; yet how often will the tender heart be making such comparisons, because they have not been wrought upon in such a manner, and to such a degree as others whom they know, therefore they are apt to doubt of all. But we reade in the Scripture of different conversions of men to Christ, and therefore we must not limit God to one way.

6. Let them not fail to distinguish between partial hypocrisie and total. There is no godly man but he hath hypocrisie in him, as well as others; but the presence and the predominancy must be distinguished, else woe to the most upright man that liveth. Lastly, This must not be forgotten, that even in hypocrisie or any other sin predominating, there must be difference made between a violent infested prevalescy, and a constant, total and quiet submission to it. David in the matter of Uriah had hypocrisie and guile of heart, even prevailing over him, but it was contrary to the principles of grace within, and therefore sin did not alwaies keep durable and quiet possession. In so much that a difference is to be made about a godly mans sins of infirmities; some are ordinary, but some (such as Davids we mentioned) are extraordinary; in these sinne hath more reigning power, yet it can never obtain a full and quiet possession.

Look what the cat dragged in!

Anyone who ever owned a cat should be able to relate to this. Cats like to catch things. Not only do they catch things, but they bat those things around and play with them, sometimes until the thing is dead. Then, the cat proudly brings the thing to display it before its humans. Well, over the weekend, we let the cat out, and laying at the door in the morning was... well... a gross display. There were three green, I don't know, sacks of some sort. Placentas maybe? Laying next to the three sacs was a little baby something. Here's a blurry out of focus picture:

A baby mouse, maybe? Did Harley mangle a pregnant mouse? Gasp!

Now, in case that grossed you out, I'll post a couple pictures that are more cute to help get that nasty image out of your mind. Here’s a picture of my brother Jeff holding baby Jesse:



Next is a picture documenting our status as unfit parents. Little Daniel is funcitoning as our counter-caddie, right next to the hot stove, a sharp knife, and the electrical outlets!

Yow!

Sandwich

Sometimes I'm hungry for a sammich. There used to be a great place to get sandwhich around here, called Mancino's. Well, they up'd and moved. Oh Vinnie! How could you? Where have you gone? Do you think they will love you more than I? Sigh. Vinnie made the best toasted Italian super, EVER. Know why? He made it with love, that's why. A&M does a decent sandwhich, but it ain't no Mancino's, I'll tell you that right now.

Sometimes I crave a good peanut butter and jelly. Jif and Welch's Concord grape is my fav. What's your favorite sandwich?

Uh oh, all the kids are crying. I gots to go.

Sinners choosing sin over God

"O sinner! Stop in your way and consider what you are doing. Know that all your life has been nothing else but a continual profession before all the world by your sinful life that you find more good in a lust than all the good in the blessed God to be enjoyed to all eternity." ~ Jeremiah Burroughs.

Mousercise

It's exercise, but for your mouse.

A Phone Call

You know it's going to be an interesting call when it begins "I'm going to kill myself, and I want you to be on the phone with me when I do it." I enjoy my work, and I actually feel fairly comfortable dealing with these kinds of calls, but they can be stressful and they do tend to take an emotional toll. Being as jaded as I am, my first goal in such a crisis is to determine if this person is being honest, or if the person is simply doing this for some kind of secondary gain. It didn't take me too long to realize that this poor woman was not playing games. The woman on the phone was convinced that killing herself would end all the pain. I asked her how she knew that was the case, and she responded "because then it's over." I asked her is she believes in God and the afterlife, and she said she wasn't sure. I told her that she then has no idea whether or not the pain would be over, and that perhaps she should give this some more thought. She agreed that she would seek some help "one last time." She called from her cell phone while driving around in her car, so part of the stress was related to getting her to some safe place before she wrecked her car like she was threatening to do. After about 40 minutes, we ended the conversation as she, following my direction, walked into the local emergency room and asked to speak with a Crisis Intervention counselor. She should be safe for tonight at the very least, and likely for the next few days. Her name is Rachel if you're the kind of person that prays for people like this. Well, off to bed, so I can get some rest... I have to get back to grind in the morning.

My next post.

"...he not busy being born is busy dying." ~ Bob Dylan.

My clothes barely fit me anymore. I'm down to my tightest belt loop, and I have to sinch my pants on tight or they'll slide right off. It's kind of nice, but it concerns me sometimes too, as I'm not doing anything to purposefully lose weight, and yet I've lost about 25 lbs thus far. I hope I'm not busy dying.

I've purchased Jeremiah Burroughs' The Evil of Evils, and I highly recommend it. It's fairly easy reading, the chapters are short enough to read several in one sitting, and the subject matter is very very important. Burroughs demonstrates that sin is the greatest evil, and is to be feared, hated, and avoided above all other evils. Buy the book, you'll benefit from it. It'll help you make sure your busy being born, and not busy dying. While you're at Soli Deo Gloria, ask for the free book Why Read the Puritans.

I've been working extra shifts here and there to help make some more scratch. I've worked a few double-shifts, a nightshift (that was horrible... I still have PTSD from working the graveyard shift for 10 years), and this week I'm working an extra day, so I only have Lord's Day off. Too bad, as my buddy asked me to come shooting with him, and it doesn't look like I'll have time to join him. Time, time, time.

Got my annual TB test today, late as usual. Now that's excitement, people.

Past Lickdale

Lickdale, PA. No matter where my grandmother is giving directions to, she always begins with "You know where Lickdale is? You go past Lickdale." Everything is past Lickdale. Today, some members of my side of the family gathered at an eating establishment at Twin Grove to celebrate my grandmother's birthday. Which birthday? I heard guesses ranging from 72 to 79, so take your pick. Anyway, how do you get to Twin Grove? Why, it's past Lickdale. Sure enough, we drove past Lickdale and there it was. We even noticed a sign inside that said "Twin Grove Campgrounds -- past Lickdale." Think about it... no matter where you're going, you must always be going past Lickdale... UNLESS...
you already ARE past Lickdale. Either way, past Lickdale is applicable. The day was nice. The Feed the Waybrights Fund received a nice contribution which should help pay for our oppressive medical bills that were racked up when Calle had her eyes operated on, and when I was mysteriously ill in late December/early January. Our family got down on our kneeses and thanked God for this special provision. Soon, we may be able to purchase some beer, but the Beer Fund is secondary to the Feed the Waybrights Fund.

In other news... Daniel looked my dad straight in the face and asked, "Are you black?" I about fell off my chair.

God hates Florida?

This is the latest projected track of Hurrican Ivan, recently measured as packing 165 mph winds. I've heard the phrase "the gods hate Kansas" in reference to all of the tornadoes they get there. Now, I'm not a polytheist, nor am I so bold as to presume to know the reason why afflictions come to these people and not to those, and vice versa. So, I'm not going to apply that exact phrase, but I can't help but get the feeling this year that God hates Florida.

Speaking of conspiracy theories, they interest me. Not that I believe them all. They just interest me. For whatever reason I take some comfort in thinking "maybe I don't know what I think I know." Strange? I suppose. Check out this macromedia flash site about the Pentagon attack.

Three Things Survey

Three Things
Created by andy and taken 8454 times on bzoink!
Three things that scare me:
1	myself
2	loud noises
3	the idea of being unloved
Three people who make me laugh:
1	myself
2	my wife Rachel
3	my kids
Three Things I love:
1	God
2	good music
3	good food
Three Things I hate:
1	being sick
2	fighting/arguing
3	mean people
Three things I don't understand:
1	how albums, cassettes, cd's work
2	how people can be so cruel
3	Cantonese
Three things on my desk:
1	my computer
2	a toy phone
3	The Sermons of Samuel Ward
Three things I'm doing right now:
1	getting ready for bed
2	thinking about drinking something
3	simmering
Three things I want to do before I die:
1	see my children do well
2	get out of debt
3	set better goals
Three things I can do:
1	make a mess of things
2	tie a cherry stem in a knot with my tongue
3	beat up all my children at the same time
Three ways to describe my personality:
1	mostly melancholy
2	sometimes kind
3	sometimes funny
Three things I can't do:
1	fly
2	walk through walls
3	make myself invisible
Create a Survey | Search Surveys | Go to bzoink!

I almost forgot... he smiles, too!

Perhaps Jesse's first deliberate smile.

Moochie Moo.

"He's a cutie to the mootie. He's a moochie moo." -- Calle.

I'm NOT...

1. I'm NOT as fun as I used to be.

2. I'm NOT one to correct people when they call me by the wrong name.

3. I'm NOT looking for a perfect church.

4. I'm NOT as wise as I once thought I was.

5. I'm NOT the best friend you'll ever have.

6. I'm NOT the worst enemy you'll ever have.

7. "I'm NOT f-f-f-foolin'."

8. "I'm NOT a strong swimmer."

9. I'm NOT into fashion.

10. I'm NOT amused anymore.

11. I'm NOT sending my kids to public school.

12. I'm NOT available for comment.

13. I'm NOT a happy person, generally speaking.

14. I'm NOT voting this year.

15. I'm NOT where I want to be.

16. I'm NOT rich.

17. I'm NOT at my best with money in my pocket.

18. I'm NOT "a friend of Bill's."

19. I'm NOT very fast on my feet.

20. I'm NOT getting as much sleep as I need.

21. I'm NOT as patient as I should be.

22. I'm NOT as forgiving as I ought to be.

23. I'm NOT the safest guy you'll ever meet.

24. I'm NOT the most dangerous guy you'll ever meet.

25. I'm NOT a schismatic.

26. I'm NOT anti-American.

27. I'm NOT alone.

28. I'm NOT able to fix the old motor cycle sitting in my garage.

29. I'm NOT a fan of cotton candy.

30. I'm NOT very confident.

31. I'm NOT good with numbers.

32. I'm NOT the people's champion.

33. I'm NOT quite 34 years of age.

"You better come on in my kitchen...

... Babe, it's goin' to be rainin' outdoors." -- R. Johnson.

Once again, I'm reminded of how nice it is to live in Pennsylvania. Sure, we had a nasty tornado touch down in our county a few weeks back, but normally it's very quiet weatherwise. Today we're loading up the kids and heading north a bit, to Knoebels Grove. It's free to get on the grounds, which are cool grounds, and if you wanna spin around until you're dizzy, you can drop a buck or two and do that. There's a squirrel outside my window, trying to cross the street, OH! He made it, he made, calm down people he made it. Thought for a second there I was going to have to make some of my special roadkill chile. Yeah, sure, it tastes a little... squirrely, but I don't wanna hear it. Just be quiet and eat what's given ya.

Soozan

Get well, Mrs. B. We love you.