whoa long time

I guess I kinda forgot I had a blog.

Today Sharon and I got a new car. Well it is not new but it is new to us. It is a Honda Accord LX coupe. Ours pretty much looks like the one in the picture but we have upgraded rims, fog lights and tinted windows! It is really fun and looks WAY WAY better then the 91 Dodge Spirit I had been driving. I am so lucky, proud, humbled, excited, to have a wife that loves to wheel and deal. So far she hasn't used those skill on me, but She haggled and stood up and walked out and did got us a great deal.

I got a bowling ball for free from a local bowling alley and possibly recruited a new patient. I will use the ball in my office for a visual aid/teaching aid. The owner of the alley said that somebody dropped the ball off and that he probably wouldn't use it. It was made by some company that went out of business 30 years ago. The ball even says BERT on it. It is perfect.

I also went to one of my new favorite stores. Disc N Dat. It is a Disc golf store that also sell a bunch of hippie stuff. I like it for the disc golf. I got a new disc that I am excited about and hope that it will improve my game. It is a new sport for me but I REALLY like it. It is a ton of fun. There is probably a course near you and you didn't even know it!

I also got a few little things at wal-mart.

All in all, a good day.

oh yeah, the whole time we were gone we had a good friend watching the kids. Sharon and I actually got to see each other in daylight hours without children climbing our legs. it was AWESOME!

Sleepless

I should be exhausted. I don't know why I am not. Today, this week, this month have been draining. We went to the temple this morning, which is peaceful but also included 3 hours of driving (hour and a half each way). Then put the kids to bed and had a 20 min dip in the hot tub. So that leads me to updating my blog.
We are now in our first home. We have got almost everything unpacked and not much of anything on the walls. We want to paint but are a little indecisive about colors. Any suggestions would be appreciated, send pics of your house. We live in a home in Alexandria Kentucky. We are in a subdivision, it is mostly finished but there are still some empty lots here and there. We have almost half an acre. It backs up to a wooded area so no neighbors behind us. there is one of the empty lots to one side and a nice lady next door. It is about 25 minutes to work and about 35 to church. I love where we live. I really enjoy a small commute. but more than 35 min gets to be too long in my opinion.
The fun really started after we moved in. We gave the kids a bath and then got water spots on the ceiling underneath. It turned out to be something minor and I re-caulked the tub and there have been no more problems. The toilets had a weird flushing problem that I finally figured out and got fixed for 3 bucks and about 10 min. The hot tub was in really bad shape. It was NASTY. I had to drain it twice. Then when I did turn the power back on it wouldn't work. After flipping the power a few times it decided there was no problem after all. So that is in good shape now. Sharon changed all the locks. I was very proud. There are some minor issues with the design but they keep the bad guys out, so check that one off the list. The dryer cord had to be replaced, the washing machine pad was replaced (was actually difficult). and the big thing was the refrigerator. After about a week and a half of living here I noticed the milk wasn't that cold. so I flipped the dial and waited. The next day it was worse so I flipped it the other way... still bad. So we looked online and found if you unplug it for a day it will be fine. It was. Hallelujah. but then went bad again two weeks later. We called Dr. Phil the repairman out. he fixed it and also gave Sharon a lesson on how to make marriage work. that was weird.
Sharon and I take turns mowing the lawn. It takes about an hour, and I kind of enjoy it, for now. It is a cool feeling to be mowing MY lawn. Oh yeah the iris ladies came through and I have probably close to 150 different kinds of iris'. I need to get them planted, and if the rain stops I will next week. We also will be getting about 40 different kinds of Lillies. They should all look very nice in the spring. The other garden stuff that I am excited about is the thorn less blackberries. I will get about 5 chutes and hopefully they will be very fruitful!
Work is still going great. We are doing the right things and I am getting a reputation for being a good doctor. That is really cool and when we get a little more busy I will be much happier.
Holly turns 4 in about 2 weeks. I can't believe it. Life is rolling along.

Little town USA

SO I did end up taking the job in Falmouth, Kentucky. That is pronounced Fal Muth not Foul Mouth. I am the only chiropractor in the County! I am really enjoying it. I am learning a bunch as well. the owners of the Office come in once a week and check up and pay bills as well as do a little training for me and the rest of the office. I didn't think I would like it but I actually look forward to their advice. It is helping me be more efficient as well as more profitable.
I got my medicare number in record time. only took like three weeks! That may not seem like much to most of you reading this but they prepared me for like 6 months! so it was way fast. It basically means I am closer to making more money faster. Not that medicare pays much. it doesn't but when I am on with the major insurers then I will be getting a percentage of the profits rather that a salary. but whatever.
I also am becoming very involved with the city of Falmouth. I am on the "Falmouth Festival Committee" which means I help plan city wide events throughout the year. We are getting ready to have our 2nd annual Mud Wrestling tournament. It may sound silly but it is a lot of fun! There will also be 2 live bands, a bunch of vendors, including Falmouth Chiropractic Center and Aunt Thelma's Caramel Corn. Both of which I have a vested interest. I will be running the kids games which will include a frog hop race where the kids make frogs jump to the end of the track. A hula hoop contest and a sand castle contest. There will also be a Cornhole tournament. It should be fun. it is on June 6th!
I also have joined the Falmouth Chapter of the Lions Club. It is a club that works mostly to make sure that people of all ages have the necessary vision correction, (glasses for those who need them). It is a worthy cause and I am meeting some great people. We have an event coming up where we are going to be doing some screenings for preschoolers for free! anyone can call a lions club and get your church or daycare to have the same done in your area!
The only negative thing about the the job is the distance. It takes about and hour and a half to get to work. If I go one way it is close to a hundred miles. if I go the shorter way it is only 75 but much more slower as it goes through the little hills and back country. Either way is gorgeous right now. Spring is Kentucky can't be beat!
I also have been trapped by one of the people on the way to work. There is this little house with about 3 acres of road frontage that is all covered with iris, there is all different kinds and colors. The other day she had a sign out that they were for sale. so I stopped and talked to the cutest little old lady and she said to walk around and pick out which ones I liked and in July when the bulbs split she would label them and call me. I ordered 17. I met someone else who said she would give me for free any I wanted of her 400 different kinds. and I got 8 more. Both will probably send a bunch of other at the same time. I am probably going to end up with around 40 different kinds of iris! I am excited for next year! Also the second lady said I could come back in a few weeks and pick out any and as many kinds of day lilies I wanted. cool huh!
The kids are doing well. Check Sharon's blog for more details.
oh yeah and Sharon and I close on a house on the 17th of June!

Job?

So I got a job offer this last week. I have actually been given a few job offers but for some reason this one is more appealing than any other. It is for the most money, but that isn't the only reason. It is in the booming MEGA METROPOLIS of Falmouth. Population 2500. It is cute and little and chiropractic has a great reputation there. It is the only Chiro in the county. The chiropractor that was there a few years ago was also the Mayor of the town! I think that is kinda cool. Anyway. We are still debating and pondering and praying about weather or not this is a good thing. We may or may not move, if we did Cold Springs looks like it is at the top of our list. so it may or may not be a long commute. sorry this is so short. thought it had been awhile.
thanks for checking me out!

No Itch

We did it! We made it to the 7 year mark. I don't know how Sharon has put up with me for so long but she did. I am thankful for her and appreciate her for all that she does for me. She has been my support and confidant, She has been my best friend and play mate. She has mothered two children and mothers three daily.
In our 7 years together we have lived in 8 homes in 5 cities in two states. We have moved across the country and across town. We have moved little children and a little cat. we have moved from palm trees and perfect weather to a land of monthly power outages and snowstorms, ice storms, tornadoes, humidity, and worst of all BUGS! She has been happy and loving to our children through it all.
We have also doubled our family size in the last 7 years. we went from a happy couple to a fearsome foursome. We have a three and a half year old who knows everything and a 15 month old that is the mini version of a 10 man demolition unit. We also have the perfect cat that only occasionally yacks on our bedroom carpet. We still have very supportive parents, in-laws, and siblings that we have grown to love more all the time. We both have lost a grandfather but feel grateful for knowing them and know that they will both be there in the world to come to welcome us Home.
When we were married I had been laid off of work 2 weeks earlier. Sharon was working and was supportive to the fact that I would get another job. She didn't realize that 7 years later she would still be waiting for me to start my career. She is so patient. I changed majors twice but eventually earned a doctorate degree and then passed the national board exams. It will be only a matter of weeks until I will be able to be the supporter and husband she saw in me seven years ago. Her patience is inspiring.
We look different too. I have dyed my hair at least 3 times, permed it and gained or lost up to 45 pounds. Sharon has had 5 different haircuts, and gone from her cute little petite self to her "get outta my way" pregnant self and back down again. We have dieted and binged together. We have exercised and been lazy. We have both learned to love new foods, both healthy and less than healthy. It has been fun.
We grown together too. she has been patient while I learned to overcome flaws, as I have with her. We have been forgiving, mostly her, she is almost perfect. We have learned to compromise. I have learned to communicate more freely about my emotions and wants and desires. She has learned to give me an hour or two when I need it.
I love my wife so much more now than I did 7 years ago. I can only imagine how sad and lonely I would be with out her. I could not have done any of the thing I have done in the last 7 years with out her. She is best wife for me. She compliments and strengthens me in every way. She is my perfect match. I don't have the 7 year itch at all. I want another 7 years and then 7 more for eternity!
I love you Sharon!

That's Right World!

Well, it finally came. About a week ago, It seems like no one can actually do what they say they are going to do. The lady at the State Board was supposed to call me when they had everything. She didn't. A few other organizations were supposed to let me know when the things they were doing were done. They didn't either. It seems to me that if you work in any sort of licensing agency that one of the criteria must be that you are short or have to many chromosomes. Seriously. Doesn't it seem like the stupidest people on the planet are in charge of letting "us" (the rest of the educated world) do what we have been trained or want to do. Even public library ladies, (they can be the worst by the way). Why is it that smart people need permission from dumb people to do smart or good things. Ok, I admit that is a bit stereotypical. Not all people that work for licensing or accrediting agencies are retarded. But when I am in such a hurry to get stuff done and checked off the list, every little thing that slows me down seems like a big deal.
There I have it out of my system. I feel better.
My wife just told me that I sound prideful. She is just doing her job of keeping me humble. She is right. I don't mean to sound haughty or better than anyone else. I really don't. It is just frustrating when things that seam so simple take so long and no one keeps their word. I am appreciative of the work that has been done in my behalf so that I could be where I am today.
So Now I am licensed in the state of Kentucky. I have a few things going and all of them look great. I am setting off on my own. It is scary but exciting. I am most excited about getting to meet new people, and becoming a force of good in their lives. I am most nervous about all the business stuff. Treating people = No problem, Running a business = Scary but not unattainable problem.
Wish me luck! Here I go!

Still Waiting

I am hoping this week that I get a message from the state! I learned last week that the State has all the information they need except for the last page of my application that my school was supposed to send in. I gave them the paperwork in Early December and for some reason they forgot that one VERY IMPORTANT page. The lady at the board said that as soon as she gets that page that has to be mailed, it would take 24-48 hours to be complete and issue me a license! I am excited and frustrated at the same time!

The Wait

As of earlier this week I turned in all the information the Kentucky State Board of Chiropractic needs. By now or at the latest Tuesday they should have everything they need. That means soon I should be officially licensed. I am gonna make all y'all call me doc. but only for a little while. Then the novelty will wear off and I will just be Brad again. I feel like the kid in the above picture. We don't have that much snow but I would dig a path just like him. Thanks for all the good karma sent our way!

I passed

I finally got the results back from my last national board exam! I passed! The test is out of a possible 800 points but they curve it to where 375 is a 75%. So since I got a 495 I scored a 99% on the test! not bad eh? Well I just wanted to post a little one to let everyone know how excited I am and to say thank you to all of those who had me in their thoughts and prayers! I send good karma back to you all.

too long

Ok for the last two months I have been kinda busy. I have been to St. Louis twice, had a birthday, my second child celebrated his first birthday, my parents and my sister came to visit, Also my favorite holiday Halloween, happened. so... where to begin.


I went to St. Louis in September for a review class I just got back from. for the big test I have high hopes that all went well, it was hard but I think I did ok. I still worry but there isn't much I can do anymore.

I turned 31 on the 8th of October. Sharon made me couple of cakes. We were trying for sticky toffee pudding. In the end we decided that we need to find a new recipe. It was very good but not one we will make again. I am not having any issues with getting older. I wasn't sure if I would but I feel good, I look not too bad, I have hopes and dreams that have yet to be squashed so, no complaints. That is not the cake by the way.

While I was in St. Louis the second time Oscar turned 1. He won't know the difference so we are going to celebrate this week or next. Still I felt guilty. He is so cute and such a good baby. well maybe Sharon has a different point of view on that one. He is tough and puts up with a lot of beating from his sister. He is lucky to have her though, she really loves him and most of the beatings are unintentional.
My parents were here at the end of September through the first week of October. It was great to have them here, but I didn't get to spend all that much time with them. except that my Dad and I went on a little road trip. we went up to Northern Indiana and took pictures of headstones in tiny little cemeteries in tiny little towns. We got a lot of geneology straighted out and even put some families back together. It was cool to see the places where a lot of my family came from. I also got to see the town where my paternal grandmother was born. I am glad she moved and I grew up in California, but it still was cool. My parents also gave me a cool birthday present while they were here. They took down the shelves in our kitchen pantry and put up new more useful shelving. It went from wire racks to actual shelves that were custom made. Thanks Mom and Dad!

My Sister came out at the end of October and stayed for Halloween. She wasn't feeling all that great when she got here and so I think it wasn't her most favorite vacation, but we had a good time and it was great to see her.

Halloween was, as always, a lot of fun. I single handedly decorated the office I work at with spider webs, skulls, bats , and other good stuff. We also had a Pumpkin decorating contest. There was supposed to be a prize. but the boss never came through on that one. I won with my carving or a simple smiling face with big teeth and long skinny balloons coming out of his head for hair.
It also looked good flying through the air into the dumpster with its multicolored dreadlocks trailing after it.

My hand is starting to hurt, if I took the Phalen's test I would not pass. (props to anyone who knows that one)!

Oh yeah. One more thing. The picture behind the blog title changes with every blog. I love bamboo, and typically look for a picture in google images that is either black or green or something close to keep with the color scheme.

There are green apples

I don't know if anyone noticed, but I usually have a green pic to go with the color layout. Well those apples looked so good, I couldn't help myself. Plus there are some green ones too. The apples made me think of fall, and landscape is just barely starting to change around here. Some of the trees are starting to turn a slight golden, and the grass is losing its vibrant green that it was for spring and summer. The temperature this weekend has cooled down and with it the humidity has dropped. Around here the weather is always a big topic. I guess it is rubbing off on me. I used to not care about it so much but that was because it never really changed. Now it is actually something to talk about.

During the recent storm scare of hurricane Gustav, there were about 1500 hundred people that were flown to Louisville. On Sunday our ward got a call for volunteers, I was one of the volunteers that got to go down to the State Fairgrounds and help out. I worked as a volunteer for the American Red Cross and got a brief training then we got to work. The shift I worked was from about 7:00 pm to 6:00 am. it wasn't really that bad until about 4:30 then it started hitting me. The next day my jaw was sore from all the yawning. We did things like set up cots, make lemonade, move some of the palates of food and plates and stuff around to get it ready for the next meal. We also cleaned and pointed people to the right places to go for the different services offered. The main job I had was working with another volunteer handing out towels to people on there way to the showers. We also had to escort them to the shower area. I guess they had some problems with people taking off and some of them even found a crack houses and liquor stores. I guess if you got an addiction you find a way to feed it. It was sad really to think about that kind of stuff. For the most part the people were very nice and appreciative. A lot of the kids looked like they were having fun. Almost like it was a big sleepover with their whole neighborhood. Not many of the adults looked like they REALLY wanted to be there. no surprise. but there wasn't any major complaints that I saw either. It was humbling. It make you grateful for the things you have and place you live.
After working a 12 hour shift on top of a full days of activities, I got 3 hours of sleep and went back to work at my normal job. that was not that fun. when I got home I knew I couldn't go to sleep right away or I would wake up at 4 in the morning so I started reading Breaking Dawn. I finished it yesterday. That is one seriously good series. It gets a little silly but for the most part there is enough action and drama and romance to keep you interested. but not so much that it loses the story. I thoroughly enjoyed each book but I think my favorites in order are 4, 3, 1, 2. 4 best 2 worst. but even at its worst it was really good. I know there are a lot of guys out there that think I may be a little girly for reading them, but so what. I liked them. I also like to bake, and decorate. Acessorising isn't my thing. but I like the design part of decorating. My point is I like what I like. Twilight is one of them. I still like football and hunting shows, and motorcycles, and power tools too.

A whole month?!?!

How did that happen? I guess a week went by and then another and then two more! oh well, My blog is inconsequential anyway. So I have not read any books this last month. I have started one, and I even like it, but life got busy and then the olympics, and I just haven't read much. Tomorrow I am probably going to get the latest Twilight book, Breaking Dawn, is that the name of it? so by Friday I should have that one in the bag.

I have been busy working and trying to find a car cheap enough that runs well enough for us. There are some amazing vehicles out there. Most of which are out of our price range, but even the ones that are can be interesting! We found a 78 Civic, looked cool but was won on ebay by a collector. I wasn't pay too much for one of those. I even put a bid in for one of my dream cars. it was a 2006 Jaguar XKR it was a convertible, I prefer hardtop, but I didn't win that one either. Oh well, the search goes on.

Olympics... We only get NBC so I missed a bunch from the other networks, of which I am most disappointed in not seeing was the Handball. I know only a little bit about the sport but it looks really fun. and really cool! I read somewhere that it is like the number two or three team sport in the world behind Soccer. I wish the US had more of that around. good workout, fun, exciting, challenging, tons of action, lots of scoring! what more to sports is there? OK I guess that is enough for the Handball.

I also have received a new assignment in church. I am now the Ward Mission Leader. I am replacing a Former Mission President, but I am super excited about it, and I am looking forward to doing things a little differently, but hopefully just as well! That is also a bit of a vampire for my time. I don't mind, it just is.

I got a comment on the last post from and old friend about boys blogging. I realize I am in the minority. Most of you reading this are probably women. I recognize that typically it is the woman in the family that would do one of these blog things. Well... I don't care. I like it. Mostly I like trying to find obscure pictures for the top of my blog. It also is a way for me to communicate with my wife and family. I know that sounds dysfunctional, and well, it is, but I don't get cut off here, (mom) I don't get interrupted, (kids, they are asleep), and I can re-read things and then delete the things I shouldn't say or don't sound right, (wife). Now tell me, what man wouldn't love to be able to use the delete key in a few conversations with his wife! NONE, we all would! So Becky, I am happy you found my blog, I appreciate it even more you made a comment, and welcome more. BUT, Blogging is not just for girls. I can be a manly guy and still keep a blog!

Book

I finished "One for the Money", it was a good read. Not hard to get into at all. There was someone that told me the author was HILARIOUS, well she was funny but not HILARIOUS. The Next in the series is "2 for the show"

I also just finished a book I heard about on NPR called Sunshine by Robin McKinley. It was a vampire story but it was a little bit weird. I liked it but it was set in some weird future setting where it was a world of people that fought against demons vampires and were people. it sounds really weird like that but it was pretty good. The main character was a baker and also a vampire slayer and magic handler. If I had known it was going to be that weird I don't know that I would have started it, it was good but I wouldn't read a sequel.
It did however inspire me to make Muffins for breakfast this morning. I got the recipe off of allrecipes.com, that is my favorite site for looking up fun things to make. The Muffins had over 2ooo reviews, and the average rating was 4.5/5. They were very good! The picture isn't mine but they looked about like that.

Wild Rabbits

Well I don't know if "wild" is the right word. The neighbor behind us has an acre or two and his land covers the length of the complex we live in and the fence isn't that high. He has a couple of bird feeders and a bird bath and the birds and the squirrels all love it. Well, I have been noticing more and more a little brown rabbit hopping around and usually going toward or away from the vegetable garden. I haven't ever seen a hutch so I assume he is wild, but really how wild could he be. It is kinda cute and it looks well fed.

I really don't have anything all that exciting to post, as you can tell. I have been working and coming home and do a little bit of other stuff in between. I recently have been going out and doing "massage days" at local business', I go and do a ten minute chair massage to the employees. I also give out a little gift bag with a bunch of stuff with the company name, you get the idea. I am also supposed to try and bring them in as new patients if they seem like they would benefit from treatment. Well really, who wouldn't? So I do my thing, and I have got a few people to sign up and come in for an exam and blah blah and per the coupon there is no cost. When someone that I sign up comes in, I get a $25 dollar bonus, plus when they come back and actually become a patient, that $25 turns into $75. So I have been kinda pumped about that since I don't really make much. Well the first 4 people I signed up flaked. one called but the other 3 just never showed up! I was pissed! That could have been an extra $300, that would have been nice. Well on Friday, one finally showed up. and he will more than likely turn into the $75. On the schedule there will more than likely be one more come in, she seemed solid when I scheduled her. So keep your fingers crossed for me that they all come in!
Oh yeah, I also started reading a new book. It is called One for the Money. A brook woman becomes a bounty hunter, that is the premise for the story. it is pretty good, a little bit rough around the edges but fun.
and one more book I would recommend is called "The Arrival" by Shaun Tan, it is all pictures, but a compelling story none the less, it has been done very well!
oh yeah one last thing, Happy Birthday to my favorite Brother in-law in Mountain View with blonde hair and 3 children. Way to go Paul for making it 3 decades!

Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blog

There really isn't much to report on for me. Life is pretty much on cruise right now. I go to work, I come home, kids go to bed, we clean up, talk to the Mrs., go to bed. At least that is what is kinda feels like.
The main picture above is of a gadget on igoogle (if you don't know what that is I'll explain in a sec.) that I think funny but feel a little guilty about. The girl falls through space and crashes into the bubbles. it is a very simple idea, but I get great amusement from it.
igoogle gadgets are little features you can add to your google homepage. ig you go to google you can see a little link to igoogle. then you make it your own by adding stuff, that is the link "add stuff" type is boneless girl. and add the gadget. you too will enjoy countless minutes of watching injuries. hint: if she gets stuck, just click and drag her. that can be fun too.
oh yeah when you do the search don't look at too many other gadgets, some (most if not all) are kinda bad.

Bringing Home the Bucks

I got a job. I have had the occasional summer job or job on campus, but this is the first real job that I have been excited about in a long time. There are things that don't excite me. like the pay, but that will be changing soon. SO for any you who don't know, or those of you reading this for the first time. I have been in chiropractic school for the last 3.5 years. I graduated officially on the 13th of June, The ceremony was on the 30th of may and we stayed in California until the 10th. I had been looking for a job around here for the last two months. I was mostly looking for a job in a chiropractic office since I knew for sure I wouldn't be able to practice until the fall because of the National Board exams that I take in November. I hadn't seen anything posted on craigslist.org and I couldn't find anything close by and that looked interesting either. well the day after I got back there were three postings for positions in chiropractic offices. I emailed my resume to 2, One was too far away. I got a call back the next day, I had an interview the next, had a follow up two days after that and started working the next day. I am now employed by Health Source Chiropractic and Rehabilitation. I work for a doc named Dr. Wheeler. I am an assistant there but I am getting some additional training as well. He had a strong business background before he became a chiro, and I am learning so much about running an office already. He also uses a bunch of techniques that I haven't been taught so I am learning that side of things too. I feel like it really has been a great blessing to have to wait to take that last section of tests so that I can grow and learn on his dime and be more ready when the time come for me to branch out on my own. so if any of you know someone that needs some help and they live near Westport in louisville send them my way, cause I get a bonus when I do that.

Big Brad Bounces Back Home

We went to California for 13 days. We went primarily for my graduation and then stayed for visiting with family. We were also hoping that my sister in-law would have their 1st baby while we were there, but she is probably about to have it I right this. We had a blast but were ready to come home! It was strange that after living in the Bay Area my whole life, (minus a mission for church) that when I got off the plane in San Jose and drove around, it didn't feel like home. It felt more like I was visiting the place where I grew up. I knew that the little town of La Grange Kentucky is now my home.

The flight there and back were with Frontier Airlines. I don't know if it was because it was with this airline or if it was because we were going in and out of Denver, but we had more turbulence than I have ever had before. It was AWESOME! I don't know why but I always enjoy it. It feels like a roller coaster but you never see the bumps coming! Sharon however, feels differently. I'll let her tell that story though.
The next big thing was graduation itself. It was a pretty normal graduation. A valedictorian, a couple of old guys talking and people walking around in weird costumes. the cool part was that I won almost every award. I did not win Valedictorian... I know what you're thinking... duh. But I did win the Philosophy, Clinical Excellence, and Student Fellowship awards, I was also recognized for my services in a few of the clubs and organizations I was involved with. Kinda cool. but whatever. I also got a book given to me by our commencement speaker. Also cool. I just wish that stuff would all translate into a job right now, or money coming in.

Also I feel it is important to also share my accomplishment with my wife who has supported me in every step of this long long journey. She married me two weeks after I got laid off from a job and haven't been back to work at a real job since. What a woman. Plus she has been pregnant twice during all this and also stayed at home with the kids teaching them and loving them in a way I never could. On top of all that we lived with Fred for a year and a half of schooling and that alone is worthy of recognition.

We had other good times in California too. we got to see some very good friends, and their two kids and they even brought there little tiny blue chihuahua puppy. It was really cute. We were very tempted to bring back to Kentucky with us. They have been such good friends for a long time, they give us hand me downs and drive all the way from Gault, (right near the middle of no where). Can you tell which one is Holly and which two are Mitchell? We love Holly's fro but she has lately been wanting "BIG HAIR" so maybe we ought to compliment her more when her hair is less "BIG".

Holly and Oscar also had fun with the Hartung tradition of taking a bath in Grandma's kitchen sink. I think this was their first time together too. I am sure it won't be their last. We also got to spend lots of time with cousins at parks, museums, t-ball games, the pool, and had a lot of fun just hanging around with all the other family members and friends. We went out to eat too often and I think Sharon and I both put on about 5 pounds. ugg. The best food we ate was an appetizer at a place called By-th'-Bucket. It was a baked Brie thing with incredible sauce and it was SO GOOD! We then flew home and screwed up the kids sleeping habits and they are still trying to figure out when the right time to go to bed is.

thanks for checking in on me.

Title pictures

April asked where I got the pictures that go behind the title. I get almost all of them from Google images. Usually the pictures have something to do with the most recent post. this one not included. That is the answer. Google images.

Bye Bye Blues

OK, so the blues are over. I still hate job searching but I decided that I could choose to either be bummed or not.

Anyway. I am excited about going back to California and that is what is most prevalent in my mind right now.

I also had something funny happen to me. I was over at my in-laws house and I was playing with Holly in the sand box. I saw a little blueish ball over on the ground by some trees and went to go check it out. It looked like it was a little easter egg. It was the most beautiful blue color. I am pretty sure it was a robin egg. I saw some little white scratches on it and then I saw a little dent with a few cracks in it. I thought that is weird that a plastic egg would have those little cracks in it, mostly plastic eggs just dent, not dent and crack. It was so light it didn't weigh anything. I didn't think it could have been real. So I pushed around the dent a little and my finger went "squish" into what looked like an unfertilized egg. Thankfully there wasn't a bunch of bones and flesh, that would have been nasty! So I chucked the egg over the fence like every good neighbor does. I did look around for a little bit for a nest or other eggs but never saw anything. It was really random. How on earth does an unfertilized robin egg get on the ground near a sandbox.

The other funny thing that has been happening almost daily has been Holly. We are still teaching Holly to go potty, She is pretty good only has accidents once in a while. She almost never has a poop accident. She will go sit on the toilet and then makes a lot of noise. I have never heard such things before especially from my beautiful little girl. So after she is done she says "I'm all done" which is the cue for either Sharon or I to come and do the rest of the clean up. Then we flush and wash our hands. The funny part comes right before we wash our hands. Holly likes to flush the toilet, and when she sees the magic of the toilet happening she says to it "Bye Bye Poo Poo, We'll see you tomorrow" it is very cute.

thought this would be a good place to publish that.

blues

I got the blues. I got the blues
I got the aint got no job blues
I got the I hate looking for jobs to pay the bills blues real bad blues.

Now go back and read that in your best blues sing song voice.

ok so really it isn't that bad but I really do hate looking for jobs. IF anybody has got a suggestion for something to do until I get licensed as a Chiropractor in Dec. let me know. I basically need and extended summer job. or what are the good job listing websites?

This is supposed to be an exciting time of life. I should be all excited about graduating and becoming a productive member of society but instead I am filled with dread. I can't do what I have been trained to do. It sucks. Graduation or not it isn't really "all that" right now