Chis's new storm team

Chris is going full steam ahead on his storm chase and research team. He has settled on MIDSCAR. MIDwest Storm Chasers and Researchers. We have to get a non-profit tax number, and get a web URL bought. He is getting ready to create a logo, and has lot s of awesome ideas for his team. He get on some storm chaser sites, and already has 2 people in Nebraska ready to be on the team when he gets it up and running. I just love his passion and enthusiasm for weather and meteorology, and want to encourage him any way I can.

We're going chasing...

the storm chasers. Friday night, all of a sudden I hear DAAAAAAAD. My first thought was great, what did Kim and Chris get into it about now. Then both of them-Dad you have got to come here now. When I got to Chris and Kims room, they had a website pulled up. It was about the 2008 National Storm Chaser Convention. In Denver Colorado. The weekend of Feb 14. Every high profile Storm Chaser in the country is going to be there--researchers, meteorologists, 2 days of tremendously packed speeches and seminars. I said I would try to get time off and go. I told Deb that I need to go to hold onto Chris's ankles and keep him from floating up into the clouds. Our plan is to leave early on the 14'th and drive straight through (15 hrs) . Friday will be a kick back day, maybe find something to do close to Denver--go see the Tom Cotter family? I would like to get a nap before the festivities start at 6 (sorry Chris and Kim) because then the fun starts. An evening social event on friday from 6-10, then get to bed. Saturday is a long day. The events start at 8am and runs all the way until 11pm. Then on Sunday, a 745 am start and running until 4pm. The last session is a 3 hour basic and advanced Skywarn training session. Theres even a person thats going to talk about digital photography methods, so that ought to be fun. Monday the long drive back home.

Big Basement Cleanup day

Spent all day working on hauling stuff out of the basement. We have to get the basement cleaned out before the heat system gets redone, so we definitely have some incentive to work quickly. It almost seemed like and impossible task when we started. We had taken some stuff out last week, and Deb had organized some stuff earlier in the week, but today was the big day. Chris needed some coaxing to help, but I did get help from him. First thing this morning, Kim and I took a load of computer parts to Macks for recycle. Then home and to work. Lots of trips up and down the stairs, first metal out to the scrap pile. Then a load of old drywall to the same place to disintegrate over time. Chris and I then started working on the bigger items. An old mouse-eaten chair to be burned, and then an old water softener and an old well tank to the metal pile. Running out of energy, an ice cream break sounded great. Late in the day, the calvary showed up to get the bigger items out. Jeff and T.O. came and loaded up a couple of cabinets and a countertop for Jeff and Tracy to use. They then brought up an old couch and a stove up to the garage for us. After we bid them a kind adieu, Chris and I started hauling paper and furniture to the burning pile. By this time it was almost dark, so we went ahead and lit it up. Once it got going, boy what a blazing bonfire. The we heard fire trucks. Getting closer. I wondered who the moron was that called the fire department on us, but thankfully they stayed in town. We have a way to go yet in the basement, but at least we can see that there actually is a floor now. Its amazing what gets accumulated over time and kids moving in and out.

My computer got "Sweet P'd"

I was on my computer this morning a few minutes before work, when the dog brushed past me under the desk. Not wanting her under there, Chris and I tried to coax her out. No luck, so I just left her there. My computer then suddenly shut down. I wondered why my UPC didnt kick in with the power outage, then realized all the lights were still on. I looked under my desk to see Sweet P sitting on the battery backup and on-off switch. Sigh....

Saga of the dog

We now have had the new pet for just about a week now. She is a real nice female German Shepard from a rescue group locally, a little over a year old. Currently she is named Sweet P, but are considering other possibilities. I thought of Deracho (means devil wind). She is a nice dog, but VERY timid, (remember this point) which we are working on. I called Deb just before I started work, and all I hear is "HELLLLOOOOO. Sweet P No No oh no. The dog just got loose, have to go." Click. Ever have that feeling you were going to catch it later. Apparently, as Deb was answering the phone, the retractable leash fell out of her hand. She takes off, the leash extends, bounces up, retracts, hits her in the butt, which makes her run faster. Repeat for about 3 miles, and 30 minutes. BTW, her full speed is VERY fast. Kim and Deb takes off cross country, Chris gets the tractor. Chris doesnt fully understand the directions she was given, leaving Kim tired and cold. He got a NASTY chewing out, so they get in a verbal war. Finally, the dog gets exhausted enough that Deb is able to step on the leash, again after about 30 minutes. I call Kim on one of short breaks, and get greeted with "Dad, dont ever call Mom again". After holding the phone away from my ear contemplating if it was technically possible to crawl inside the phone and take a ride over the cell waves and come out her phone and wring her neck (I concluded no), I said "What is that all about?" Kim:"Well when mom tried to answer the phone she dropped the leash and that caused us to chase her for a half hour." Me:"OK, from now on, before I call, I will put on my psychic powers and my x-ray vision and any other really cool super powers I can think of to see if its a great time to call, and if it is I'll call." That pretty well was the end on the conversation at that point.
And that concludes another day, Heater style.

Kitchen remodel

Saturday, Deb and I went to see what we could come up with for a cabinet plan. I had detailed measurements of both bare walls and the way its laid out now. Deb told her kind of what we had planned, but that really it was blank slate, because we just didnt know exactly what we wanted there. The working area in the kitchen was not efficient and cramped, and the dining room space was wasted. The kitchen table would very likely come out. Diane thought, said to give her a couple minutes, that she had a plan in mind. She did her computer magic, and then showed us. Boy I havent seen Deb that excited in a long time. As we were finishing the plan, I first saw the non-discounted rate. A look of panic crossed my face, wondering how I was going to tell Deb that wasnt possible. When we got the discounted rate, I felt SO much better. Diane wondered what was wrong, I said I was just recovering from the shock of the full price and relief of not having to say no to Deb. All Deb could talk about was how that would be so much better than she has now. Once we get the full installation price from Blair at CBE for the kitchen and 2 baths, hopefully by the end of the week, we can then decide to go full speed or not.

Grills, geothermal and farming

When Hicksgas came to fix the grill, they found other parts bad, so had to order them this morning.
Bill came over today to meet with the geothermal people about my situation. He was impressed with their knowledge, so I look forward to seeing their proposal late next week.
I'm going to take Kim for some testing tomorrow, and then meet with the tenant doing the farming to discuss plans for 2008. Prices are good, but expenses are shooting up, so 2008 could be challenge. We are seriously looking at some GPS soil testing to target fertilizer where its needed most. Its been a busy and hectic week!

January 17, 2008

The weeks seem to fly by lately. We are now in the last two days of first semester and all the grading and reports need to be done. The kids love it - they have a 5 day weekend. Teachers, not so lucky, we work Tuesday and Wednesday. It's not too bad, though, there are no students!!!

Kim has begun her trek through Parkland College. Her first English paper was a hit and she may be on her way to her vet tech experience. She has four classes this semester.

Chris is finishing finals tomorrow and is working on a good average so far. German and Algebra will tell the full story. He is also counting down the days to March when he will get his license. It's a shame his birthday is on Monday this year, DMV is closed on Mondays! I've promised to take Tuesday morning off and take him to get his license. He has Helen's old Taurus to drive until he can find a job and a new set of "cool" wheels.

Hope the winter weather isn't getting you down - Remember we will soon be complaining about how hot it is!!!

Big day today

Everything seemed to happen today.

The pool building people did complete phase 1 of the job. Most of the largest windows and doors did get put in. The crew did a great job, and cleaned up completely.

The repair crew for our Weber grill came to install the new firebox. The old one warped so bad, the grates would rest on the burners. After a few e-mails back and forth to a company rep, the appointment was set up. A hearty thank you to Weber, what great customer service!

And, I have a couple representatives coming to recommend a geothermal heating and cooling system setup Thursday. From what I understand, the economics of geothermal look great, we will see when I see all the numbers.

And so it begins......

Mandi inspired me to start this blog. I like this way of keeping up to date with all of you. Now, I just have to fit it into my schedule!!!