It started like any other lazy Sunday

 but last week Pattie noticed some standing water in the kitchen sink. Why do they call it STANDING water? Why not SITTING water? Or LAYING water? Or even KNEELING water? Or some such thing? no matter!!!! At any rate the water was not draining and it was a Sunday – not wanting to know what a plumber charges on a Sunday I decided I could take care of it myself. It cant be that big of a deal? Can it? Yea right!!! It was a great reminder as to why plumbers charge so much. It seemed so simple – just snake out the clog. Yea right!!! Five hours later, a completely redesigned drainage system under the sink, a rental unit to snake out the drain in the basement, a borrowed wet dry vac (this was the weekend we loaned out our own) And presto everything is great -yea right.

Still have a leak under the slink (the garbage disposal)- I will get to it. Yea.     After a long shower I did feel a sense of accomplishment but I cant wait until I have my millions so I can just hire some one else to take care of this kind of thing. Than I will really have a sense of accomplishment.

Tags: family activities, smart ass by Randall
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Joel Osteen had a familiar message but one that I take to heart. It is not enough to believe things our going to turn out great , we must say it out loud. Speak of victory out loud. Every day thank good for our super natural favor. Nothing happens unless you speak it. Avoid taking about our problems and spend our energy talking about victory.I compare this to the so familiar contest to have the worst life. Their seems to be a need in our social climate to be an under dog. So much so that people want to be victims. Your not special unless you have health problems or a rough childhood or some kind of handicap (mental or physical). And you must talk about all your problems. If you are doing well it must be because of genetics or just luck – it cant be from working at it. Wanting everyone to believe we worked for what success (at what ever) we may have we seem to spend our time taking about how difficult things are for us than how great things are. It is incredible how often it becomes a contest to see who has the worst life. Why would any one want to win that contest yet I catch myself doing that very thing. If people want to believe that I am just lucky when I tell them things are going well. They are correct – I am lucky that I know if I work at having a good life I will. I am Lucky that we chose to have our children spend time in the pool and their swimming keeps improving . I am lucky that I choose to workout and eat less junk so that I will have good health (and can almost keep up with my kids). Pattie is lucky that she has made the decision (and is following through) to work out in the mornings so that see feels good about herself and can almost keep up with the kids. I believe that this is what Joel and Tony Robins and “The secret” are trying to get us – Me – to do. Start taking more about the success than the challenges in our life’s even if it is to ourselves. Every day declare that it will be a good one and that thing are going well and to say it out loud. If someone wants to have a contest to have the hardest life – let them win!!!!!!!!

Tags: Joel Osteen (weekly), smart ass by Randall
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Dad why have the girls taken over the bathroom?
You better get used to it. After a hard but enjoyable evening class of gymnastics – Melinda and a friend decided to make dozens of little braids on each others head. This braiding of the hair ceremony took well over an hour. The whole time Alex pondered their need to do this and their need to be in the bathroom the whole time. At some point he finally asked me why?? Why?? Are they still in there? Why have they taken over the bathroom? He truly was confused and all I could tell him was that this was something he would have to get use to and that this was just the beginning and that it would be best if he could except that certain things in this world had no real answer – at least not one that would appease his curiosity. NO IT IS JUST BEST TO EXCEPT IT AND FIND ANOTHER BATHROOM IF YOU NEED TO, BECAUSE IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SAY HOW LONG THE OCUPATION WILL LAST.

No!!! it is best if you do not try to throw them out – this is a battle you will ultimately lose every time (in one way or another). He looked at me with disbelieve. He could not believe I would give in so readily. They are just little girls after all.  I assured him that in my younger days I fought this battle many different ways and never gained any ground.  Move forward I told him, there are other battles to be fought.  So he moved forward – for now – I could see he was not satisfied with this answer and would take on the struggle alone if need be.  One day he will understand….

Tags: Kid's and animals, parenting, smart ass by Randall
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For her Birthday Melinda got pierced ears.  Now one of her ears is swollen and bleeding.   I am so glad that I do not have to mess with this kind of stuff.  Her biggest concern is that if we leave out the earring, to let the infection drain out and heal, the hole will heal shut and she will look funny with one earring.   The fact that it hurts and could get worse is of little concern compared to the possible embarrassment of only having one ear pierced.   I knew that one day fashion would over take common sense but I was hoping she would be in her teens before it took hold.   She went to bed sad, crying, and worried that her piercing would heal shut before morning.  I tried to relieve her stress.   I told her I could put a new hole in her ear with a nail, but for some reason this brought her no comfort.  I am working at the ski area tomorrow so Pattie is going to ski with the kids.  Melinda’s concern is what?  That’s right – her concern is how her helmet will affect her earrings.   I think I will find a couple of earrings and glue them to the outside of the helmet.  If this is a sign of things to come – I am in trouble.

Tags: Kid's and animals, Melinda, parenting, smart ass by Randall
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I am so glad I am not a woman – I do not have to deal with these hair issues. Pattie has become worried about the fact that she has a few gray hairs so has started coloring her hair once in a while to hide that little bit of gray. I told her that I could just pull it out for her – she rejected my help.  I don’t need to worry about coloring my hair or even pulling out the gray ones as they seem to just fall out on their own. At any rate Savannah and Melinda helped to color Pattie’s hair tonight and Alex and I tried to stay out of the way.

The clan at work on Pattie’s hair

And no she was not happy I took this picture and I am sure I will pay for it later - but it was worth it. 

Tags: smart ass by Randall
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