As she looked for the mouse in the pile of clothes the rain blew in making her cold and rushed.  Ever piece of clothing she picked up she fully expected to find the little wet thing.  There was no way that the little guy could have fallen any deeper than the layers she had removed.  She could not take it anymore and she stopped looking to shut the window.  

Turning back to search again she realized she had reached to floor without finding the mouse.  Had she even really seen a mouse at all?  Was it something else that fell into the room?  The fact that she could not find the creature made her doubt what she had seen.  With great confusion and disappointment, she crawled back into her bed to warm herself from the opened window.  The dampness in her hair assured her she was not dreaming.  So there must have been something outside to maker her open the window.  

Up and down

Up and down the east side of the US. Up and down the bunk ladder all day long. Time passes differently behind the wheel. Just when you get tired it's time to pull over anyway. Also up and down the step ladder to secure the glass straps. It's all great fun really

My girl can draw

OMG

Why this picture? Because it made me smile.  Because I take my happiness where I can find it I tend to find it more offen BUT OMG....

Life is just passing by so fast nowadays.  I often wonder if this is the case for the younger generations.  I mean, does life seem to pass slowly as it did for me when I played out in the woods as a child?  Days seemed to go on forever for me and the next day would hold even more treasures than the last.  Kids today have to have extra activities and new math.  Having all the best clothes have given way to the latest phones.  It's hard to keep up with everything.  

My only prayer I pray to my God is thank you.  If I were a kid today I don't know if I could make it in this time of youth.  Arielle comes home stressed and struggles with math but she still pulls in a high B to her straight A lineup.  She just gets all the other subjects but Math is a mystery.  I am thankful for her diligence and I'm thankful for being old.  I had a good youth for the most part. I forgive those that I needed to and I love those who helped me feel accepted.

I do pray for my little girl but that is the only asking I ever really do.  I know well that I am the only one in God's way for me to be getting the things in life I truly desire.  I know that being out of work now is the gift that I have wanted from God because I was stressed out and unhappy.  Now I get to write a new chapter.  I basically know that the hard times are only hard because I don't see God's plan for me as he does.  I am thankful for all the lessons life has thrown on me because I have been highly impatient.  I no longer pray for patience because that is a lesson God graciously deals out like hotcakes at IHOP.  I know now more than ever that life is short and I have a lot of living to do.  "Thank you, God" is the only pray we really need.

Liver leverage

The liver has about 500 different functions.  So, to say the least, it is imperative to keep in a healthy state to function.  Well, as long as a quarter of it remains healthy it can regenerate, rebuild or replace itself in three years.  It could be damaged by fat, toxins, alcohol or any other abuse and still heal with TLC.

It helps me talk about the liver because keeping it in mind reminds me that decades of abuse must be given attention now.  Self-love helps me show others more love. 

Airelle's art at age 9

There are few supplements that I take that I feel any effect from.  I just bought some of this Organic Matcha Tea that is said to help curb your appetite.  Well, the bodybuilder that I saw review this stuff talked about so many other benefits but all I heard was its ability to curb cravings.  I order some from Amazon and it will be here on Sunday or Monday.   I will report back on its potential. 

Sugar sugar

Arielle draws at least once a day.  We have hundreds of drawings all over the house.  We have dozens of boxes hidden everywhere filled with drawings from a very early age. 

SUGAR!
The pleasure sugar brings last me as long as I have it in my mouth.  Yes, there is a chemical reaction that acts like a drug but I have eaten so much sugar that I have an insulin intolerance. The only pleasure I have is when the taste is in my mouth.  In which case I have to have more to sustain the feeling. 

Why am I talking about this now?  Well, because it's the Holidays and I have been off the wagon so to speak.  I have lost 30 lbs from Holloween of all days but I have put 15 lbs back on just because.  I could rightfully blame someone for my weakness but that would not be responsible.  I'm a sugar addict and I have to remove myself from the issue. 

I have so much more to share but this is a blog and not a book.  So until next time, ok tomorrow good day.

Just the Fats please

I only wear these sunglasses for the protection.  I go through glasses on a monthly bases.  I really dislike this picture but I don't think too many folks will see this.  It's not like I'm famous.

Speaking of fame.  Arie was enjoying singing but her talents lie in her drawing and storytelling skills.   So I chose to enlighten her to the spell of fame most young folks have to learn about in one fashion or another.  Before you process this too far all I told her is that we all desire to be famous at one point in our lives.  Trust me she has a great head on her shoulders and has seen the limited path that singing offered her.  She now pounds out great melodies on the piano and sings for the love of it but her passion lies in her drawings. 

 

December is to Remember

I tend to slow down in December and thus spend some time looking at Facebook and posting to old blogs.  Each year like a new years resolution I let the upkeep fade away like most of my good habits.  But I have some motivations such as reflecting on my daughter's drawings and a new commitment to a Ketogenic diet.

So to start with, here is a quick tip on dieting.  It is hard to find good food supplements.  Most available today are synthetic.  If you don't mind me saying so if you're urinating bright yellow it is NOT because you are taking too much vitamin B of any kind.  It means you are taking a synthetic vitamin most likely made in China.  Creating a cheap supplement from some petroleum compound is just easy money for the Agra-business companies.  Do some research and find something better for yourself.

I will be adding more of Arie's drawings each time I post.  She has hundreds to choose from and so many styles I can't just pick the best because they really just reflect her progress of growth and passion.

2017 summer

Great seats at the new Braves stadium

 I loved the time spent with my girls.  

It was the hottest summer on record

 but the coolest experience of our lives

Not shown here is all of the great food we enjoyed.

Still a family

2017 has been quite a year.  

Fastest I have ever experienced.

Tony's rebuilt custom Blue Ford Falcon

I have been blessed this year and I am thankful.

Some things just stick

Arielle has collected some stickers from the age of 4 on the side of the microwave

Stories

When Arielle was 2 I would talk to her as if she understood.  Her vocabulary flourshed.  Later I would tell her stories and have her fill in details of names and places.

Today we share stories where we take turns with the story line.  I created my character and she hers.  Mine being human and her's being dragon.  

I pray for imagination to keep my end up.

Saturday Morning Toons

Saturday mornings are not the same as when I was a little boy.  Was I ever a little bog?  Anywho, kids are not the same today.  Our culture evolves with time and time is zipping by so I decided to spend some time drawing with my girl.  What fun!

Ari discovers panther

Arielle finds the joy of the Pink Panther.  I never really knew why anyone much less myself enjoyed the Pink Panther cartoons.  

Sometimes clever and mostly not the Pink guy allows me to rewrite my childhood in a brighter light.  I felt a great joy watching the Pink Panther while waiting for Speed Racer. 

We'll have to wait and see what this influence has on our part-time angle. 

Dad cooking?

I'm making tortillas.  Is this cooking or baking?  Not my first batch but I hope make them better than my last.

Granted

Arielle draws everyday.  I forget to notice every wonderful piece of art she makes.   I take it for granted.

She's gone from asking to telling mother she will be famous.  I tell her success comes from loving what your doing.  Everything else will take care of itself.

Hollow hearts

This week seemed endless.  Hard work for one and all made time slow with the sorrow left from last weeks loss.  Thankful for our health and eachother.

Love makes it real

Arielle loves to draw every day. Even while watching TV.

Santa still lives and

Halloween still holds an inocent magic. I hope I get some chocolate before Arielle and Mom give away all the good stuff.

Lori and I enjoy An American in Paris hyped up on chocolate from the nights cash. I ask myself how I know the songs.