Welcome to the Peoples Republic of Maryland

New car seat law makes even more parents criminals

Some Maryland children who thought they were free of car seats will have to climb back in beginning Monday, when a new state law takes effect.

The law requires that children use safety seats until they turn 8, weigh 65 pounds or reach 4-foot-9.

Safety advocates say the law strengthens Maryland's standards that require a safety seat or booster seat until children reach 40 pounds and age 6. The law allows older children to use either booster seats, which elevate children to allow seat belts to fit properly, or car seats that have a five-point safety harness. Younger children should use a car seat with a harness until age 4 and nearly 40 pounds, officials said



Once again the Nanny State is hard at work (using our stolen tax dollars) keeping us safe from ourselves. Telling people how they can live their lives and what they can do with their children. It’s so nice to have politicians watching over us and helping us. It worked wonders for the Indians.

I don’t think for a minute that the State Mooches, I mean lawmakers, have my kids interest in mind. It’s all about power and money. They can’t seem to help butting into every aspect of our lives. It’s some ingrain survival instinct for politicians. They have to justify taking a huge percentage of our money. If you are living off the hard work of others you need to pass these asinine laws to show that you are doing something for the people. It can be tax “rebates”, onerous business regulations (in the name of helping consumers), bailing out Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (which the feds screwed-up in the first place) or this new car seat law to protect our precious children. You just have to show that you ‘care’.

And let’s not forget about the money that the State will make form this new ticket-able ‘offense’. 48 bucks a pop for a violation. But it’s not about the money; it’s about the kids…riiiight. More money into the government coffers to pay for the Bread and Circuses and Wars. Not to mention the salaries of these dedicated public servants.

This isn’t about whether or not 7 year-olds are safer in a booster seat, heck I don’t remember using even a seat belt growing up, it’s about MY right as a parent to decide what is best for MY children. I’m guessing they are probably safer and I’m sure my bride will have our poor 6 year-old strapped into one until he is 8.

And I don’t want to hear about parents who would be irresponsible and never use a car seat unless they were forced to. First of all there aren’t as many of those as the state would have us believe and second, I don’t care! It’s their lives and their kids. It’s none of my business.

It will only continue. More and more laws will keep coming that take away more and more of your personal freedoms. The State must feed itself.

This law is just hilarious coming from a state with some of the most liberal abortion laws in the nation.

Tour de France 2008

Riccardo Ricco of Italy crossing the finish line to win the ninth stage of the Tour de France

Stage 9

The Pyrenees! Lots of hills with two major climbs at the end.

Riccardo Ricco of Italy crushed up the last hill and held off everyone to take his second stage win of the tour. Viva la Italy.

The American Christian Vandevelde moved up from 4th to 3rd overall.

Cadel Evans hung on to 2nd overall despite crashing.

The Jersey status (the white jersey was the only one that changed hands):

Maillot Jaune (yellow jersey - overall leader) – Kim Kirchen of Luxembourg who rides for the American team of Team Colombia

Maillot Vert (green jersey - points leader for sprinting) – Oscar Freire of Spain who rides for Rabobank. Kim Kirchen is actually the points leader but since you can’t wear two jerseys at once…

Maillot à pois (red and white polka-dot jersey - best in the mountains) - David De La Fuente of Spain who rides for Saunier Duval - Scott (he rode a heck of a race today)

Maillot Blanc (white jersey - best young rider - under 25) - Andy Schleck of Luxembourg who rides for CSC

Tomorrow's stage 10 - More high mountains in this stage which, despite being just 156 kilometres in length, should prove to be one of the toughest of this year's Tour. Despite a reasonably flat start, the stage finishes with the legendary ascents of the Col du Tourmalet and Hautacam. This stage should see some real gaps appear between the overall contenders as the favourites for victory in Paris start to show themselves.

À demain


Today's Tour Tidbit:

Twice in the history of the race has the rider awarded the win being disqualified at a later date. The first time was in 1904 when the leader was found to have caught a train for part of the event, and then at the 2006 race Floyd Landis of America was disqualified for elevated testosterone levels found in a urine sample taken after one of his stage wins.

Silly Sunday

Freak or Geek? Which were you?


Moving on up!


Come on, Get Happy


Dasiy and her dukes


and only because my bride had a crush on him...the truck driver not the monkey

Today's Workouts

36 mile bike ride this morning.

3.2 mile run this afteroon with Robert following along on his bike.

Puke No More

Well the plague seems to have left the household. All the sick ones are back to their ornery selves. I think I liked them better sick...it was a lot quieter around the house...well except for when they were in the bathroom heaving their guts out.

Joey (10) still has not succumbed to the nasty little bug. A few more days and we shall know for sure

Tour de France 2008

Stage 8

Hills at the beginning then it flattened out for a sprinters finish.

Team Columbia did a great job setting the pace at the end of the race and chasing down the break.

Then Mark Cavendish of Great Britain made all their hard work payoff by taking the stage win. It was the young sprinters second stage win of the tour.



The Jersey status (no change from yesterday):

Maillot Jaune (yellow jersey - overall leader) – Kim Kirchen of Luxembourg who rides for the American team of Team Colombia

Maillot Vert (green jersey - points leader for sprinting) – Oscar Freire of Spain who rides for Rabobank. Kim Kirchen is actually the points leader but since you can’t wear two jerseys at once…

Maillot à pois (red and white polka-dot jersey - best in the mountains) - David De La Fuente of Spain who rides for Saunier Duval - Scott (he rode a heck of a race today)

Maillot Blanc (white jersey - best young rider - under 25) - Thomas Lovkvist of Sweden who rides for Team Columbia

À demain

Today's Tour Tidbit

What's the deal with the stuffed lion that the yellow jersey holder is given after each stage by one of the Poduim Girls?

One of the major sponsors of the tour is Credit Lyonnais (they are the yellow jersey sponsor) and their corporate symbol is a lion.

Tour de France 2008

Stage 7

Today's stage is one of the shortest of the tour (159km). But there is not a lot of flat and the country roads are twisty. The stage starts in Brioude and ends in the town of Aurillac

A very active stage todayu. Lots of atacking and other action. It was a great stage win by Luis Leon Sanchez of Spain who rides for Caisse D’Epargne.

The Spaniards had a great day today. A stage win, the green jersey and the polka dot

The Jersey status:

Maillot Jaune (yellow jersey - overall leader) – Kim Kirchen of Luxembourg who rides for the American team of Team Colombia

Maillot Vert (green jersey - points leader for sprinting) – Oscar Freire of Spain who rides for Rabobank. Kim Kirchen is actually the points leader but since you can’t wear two jerseys at once…

Maillot à pois (red and white polka-dot jersey - best in the mountains) - David De La Fuente of Spain who rides for Saunier Duval - Scott (he rode a heck of a race today)

Maillot Blanc (white jersey - best young rider - under 25) - Thomas Lovkvist of Sweden who rides for Team Columbia

À demain




On the negative news side of things:

Veteran Spanish rider Manuel Beltran has tested positive for EPO at the Tour de France.

And 5 riders today either withdrew or didn't make the time cutoff. That brings the total to 9 who are no longer in the race - from 180 at the start. Not too bad so far. But the real mountains await.

Today's Workouts

10 mile run at lunch time on tired and sore legs. But not as bad as I had feared after yesterday's long run.

Puke Happens

Last Saturday and Sunday I was sick. Some weird flu/stomach virus hybrid. Flu in the summer????

Monday and Tuesday the baby and Cecilia (2) had it. Wednesday and Thursday Barbara (12) had it. Last night between midnight and this morning Sam and 6 of the kids came down with it. Normally 3 bathrooms are enough, even for our large family. But Tupperware bowls seem to work just as well as the porcelain bus when one needs to do the Technicolor yawn.

Robert (8) and Joseph (10) are the only ones not to succumb yet. They have barricaded themselves upstairs in their bedroom and will probably hide out in there for a few days. I image they will be lowering a rope with a basket attached to it out their bedroom window for food supplies, masks and Lysol.

They are dead men walking.

I’m fully recvored and at work. It’s nice and quiet here and doesn’t smell of last nights dinner.

***Update from home*** Robert just went down for the count. Sam says Joey is the only one left and he’s teasing the others. Oh how the mighty shall fall…

Dinner and a show

Josh is home for 2 weeks before going back to NH for the summer and then on to seminary in the fall.

Last night we had Father James, the vice-rector of the school in NH, and Brother Daniel - one of the deans, over for dinner.

Dinner was shrimp scampi over linguine, tomato cucumber and onion salad, garlic bread and lots of ice cream.

The kids behaved pretty well. I guess threatening them with having their faces torn off if they didn't behave actually works.

There was no yelling at the table. The 2 year-old didn't pull her dress over her head. The boys bodily functions were nice and quiet.

We used the good china and nothing was broken.

We didn't have to say:

"Stop burping your ABC's"

"Don't eat with your fingers"

"Clean up your spilt milk"

"How do you know what worms taste like and no I don't think this meal does"

"One bite of food doesn't qualify you for dessert"

"Clean up your spilt milk"

"No I don't think linguine makes nice hair extensions"

"Yes a shrimp stuck in each nostril does make you look like an elephant, no take them out and you will eat them"

"Clean up your spilt milk"

"Do not use the baby for target practice with your peas"

"Yes it is kinda cool how milk comes out your nose when you laugh"

"Clean up your spilt milk"

"'Rub-a-dub-dub, thanks for the grub' does not count as grace"

All and all it was a pleasant evening. There are times when I really do like my kids and think maybe I’m not a total screw-up as a father. I wish these moments were more common than the “dear lord why do you let me breed” moments. Baby Steps.

Tour de France 2008

Stage 6

Nice stage today. Cool long uphill finish. While it’s not the mountains yet, it was enough to make the day more interesting. Pyrenees are coming!

Ricardo Ricco won the sprint to the line. Nice ride by the youngster. He’s having a very good tour so far.

The Yellow Jersey (Schumacher) went down in the last kilometer. Normally if you crash in the last 3 kilometers you get the same time as the others but this was an uphill finish so that rule doesn’t apply.

Kim Kirchen moved into the yellow jersey. Nice job by the new team from American, Team Columbia


The French countryside is beautiful.


The Jersey status:

Maillot Jaune (yellow jersey - overall leader) – Kim Kirchen of Luxembourg who rides for the American team of Team Colombia

Green Jersey (points leader for sprinting) – Thor “the god of thunder’ Hushovd of Norway who rides for CREDIT AGRICOLE. Kim Kirchen is actually the points leader but since you can’t wear two jerseys at once…

Polka Dot Jersey (best in the mountains) - CHAVANEL Sylvain of France who ride for French team Cofidis Credit Par Telephone (how do you fit that on a jersey?)

White Jersey (best young rider - under 25) - Thomas Lovkvist of Sweden who rides for Team Columbia

à bientôt


Ricco winning today's stage

Today's Workouts

21 miles running (34km). Don't ask why. I feel old today. Walking like an old man who has had too much prune juice.

He's Home

He seems taller.



The little kids have been having fun with him.




His momma is being a momma.



He's got a second High School diploma (New Hampshire to go along with his Maryland one).

He's leaving in 2 weeks...for a long time.

But he's home for now.

Today's Workouts

4.3 mile sticky run at lunch time.

Tour de France 2008

Stage 5

Today was the longest stage of the tour, 232 km’s, but a flat one. This lead to a bunch sprint for the last few hundred meters. Nothing really changed with the overall leaders. The green jersey is the only one to change hands today.

Tomorrow is when it gets interesting. We will finally start getting some hills to break things up and make the riders really work. the race resumes its southerly course across France's hot Massif Central and has an 11 km uphill finish to Super Besse, a ski resort.

The Jersey status:

Maillot Jaune (yellow jersey - overall leader) - Stefan Schumacher of Germany who rides for Gerolsteiner

Green Jersey (points leader for sprinting) – Thor “the god of thunder’ Hushovd of Norway who rides for CREDIT AGRICOLE

Polka Dot Jersey (best in the mountains) - Thomas Voeckler of France who is the leader of the French team BOUYGUES TELECOM

White Jersey (best young rider - under 25) - Thomas Lovkvist of Sweden who rides for Team Columbia

à bientôt

You Mess with the Bull

You get the horns.

13 are injured in Pamplona's running of the bulls

PAMPLONA, Spain (AP) — Daredevils kicked off the running of the bulls Monday with a long, messy and particularly dangerous dash through the streets of Pamplona, with 13 people injured but none gored, officials said.

It was the first of eight scheduled runs. The most crowded ones will be next weekend, when the throngs of thrill-seekers will swell dramatically as people pour into Pamplona from out of town for two days of revelry and Adrenalin.
Since record-keeping began in 1924, 14 runners have died.

The last fatality from a goring was a 22-year-old American, Matthew Tassio, in 1995. In 2003, a 63-year-old Pamplona native, Fermin Etxeberri, was trampled in the head by a bull and died after spending several months in a coma.

On Sunday a young man died after falling 30 yards from an ancient wall that encircles the old quarter of Pamplona. Authorities identified him Monday as Aidan Holly, a 23-year-old from Ireland, and quoted friends as saying he had been drinking.

I know, shocking that alchol was involved in the poor lad's death.

I tend to pull for the bulls to get in a few good licks. They are going to end up in bull-fights and dead by the end of the festival so they might has well get in a poke or two.

But don't worry because Big Brother is wathcing out for it's servants, I meant citizens.

From the New Zealand Embassy's Website warning about the run.
"Running with the bulls is dangerous," the site said.

Masters of the obvious.

People are actually paid (with stolen tax dollars no less) to write this drivel.

So politicians in New Zealand are just as worthless as the ones in the US.
I'm sure the first thing every New Zealander visiting Spain does is to logon to their embassy's website and see what wisdom they have to dispense. Who knows they might have some other useful information like smoking is bad for or driving while plastered might cause accidents or messing with a PMSing woman could get you "Lorena Bobbitt'd".



is a bikini really proper attire for running with the bulls?

pay no attention to this, doctors orders

Today's Workouts

2 mile w/u
8 X 1/4 mile hill repeats at 10mile race effort. Jog back down the hill.
2 mile c/d.

around 9 miles total

Tour de France 2008

Today's 4th stage is a 29.5 KM (18.3 miles) individual time trial in the town of Cholet.

The riders start every 2 minutes and they are racing the clock. No team for support. They get to use their time trial bikes. It's basically 35-40 minutes of pain.

The time trial was won by Stefan Schumacher of Germany which put him into the yellow jersey over Kirchen and Millar by 12 seconds.


The Jersey status:

Maillot Jaune (yellow jersey - overall leader) - Stefan Schumacher of Germany who rides for Gerolsteiner

Green Jersey (points leader for sprinting) - Kim Kirchen of Luxembourg who rides for the American team, Team Columbia

Polka Dot Jersey (best in the mountains) - Thomas Voeckler of France who is the leader of the French team BOUYGUES TELECOM

White Jersey (best young rider - under 25) - Thomas Lovkvist of Sweden who rides for Team Columbia

Au revoir

Meat Eaters Rejoice

Tofu causes dementia

Eating high levels of some soy products - including tofu - may raise the risk of memory loss, research suggests.

The study focused on 719 elderly Indonesians living in urban and rural regions of Java.

The researchers found high tofu consumption - at least once a day - was associated with worse memory, particularly among the over-68s.

I knew that hippie tree-hugger food was bad for you. Besides tofu tastes like toe-cheese. Don't ask me how I know what toe-cheese tastes like. It was a long time ago and involved alcohol and a triple-dog-dare. Plus I never could eat tofu because I always felt so bad for the poor soybeans that had to die to make it.

If the choice is between a heart-attack and Dementia, I'll take the heart-attack and enjoy my meals in the meantime.

So go eat a nice big fat juicy steak!!! It tastes like spotted owl with a hint of snail darter.

Yeah Yeah I know it doesn't say to rush out and eat red meat - I'm reading between the lines. Don't be such a buzz-kill people...sheesh.

Tour de France 2008

Stage 3

It was a good day for the host country. A Frenchman, Samuel Dumoulin of team Cofidis, took the stage win. And another, Romain Feillu of team Agritubel, is now the holder of the Maillot Jaune (yellow jersey). Neither of them is expected to be in contention when the race reaches Paris, but it’s nice for now. Feillu is a young rider who is also now the holder of the White Jersey but since you can’t wear both and the yellow is 1000 times better, the white will pass to the second place youngin’.

William Frischkorn of the US and a member of the Garmin Chipotle team took second in the stage. A nice showing for the new US team and a young rider.

There may be some trash talking tonight as the peloton was split in a few pieces towards the end of today’s stage by a crash. It’s a rule of etiquette that you let the riders affected by a crash get back to the group before pressing the pace. But the front end of the peloton just kept hammer away. In their defense they were trying (unsuccessfully) to catch the 4 man break away before the end of the race.

Tomorrow is a 30km individual time trial.

Maillot Jaune (yellow jersey - overall leader) - Alejandro Valverde of Spain who is the leader of the Spanish team CAISSE D’EPARGNE team

Green Jersey (points leader for sprinting) - Kim Kirchen of Luxembourg who rides for the American team, Team Columbia

Polka Dot Jersey (best in the mountains) - Thomas Voeckler of France who is the leader of the French team BOUYGUES TELECOM

White Jersey (best young rider - under 25) - Andy Schleck of Luxembourg who rides for Team CSC Saxo Bank of Denmark.

Au revoir!

Dumoulin winning the stage with a hurting Frischkorn coming in second

Today's Workouts

4.3 mile very slow run at lunch. Still suffering from the flu a bit.

RIP Bozo

LOS ANGELES - Larry Harmon, who turned the character Bozo the Clown into a show business staple that delighted children for more than a half-century, died Thursday of congestive heart failure. He was 83.

Bozo was a staple of my childhood (no not my father - kidding). I watched him on TV a lot in my younger years.

Although I must admit that clowns kinda creep me out a bit. I mean just exactly who is lurking behind that disguise?

But not nearly as much as Mimes. They are down right freaky. With all that Black and white makeup they could at least have the common decency to be Goth.

Pretending you are inside an invisible box is not fresh or entertaining.

Say something Freak!!!

Tour de France 2008

Stage 2 is over. The results haven't change much. Just the Green Jersey will change hands. The stage was won in a sprint by Thor Hushovd of Norway who rides for the Credit Agricole team.

Yellow Jersey (overall leader) - Alejandro Valverde of Spain who is the leader of the Spanish team CAISSE D’EPARGNE team

Green Jersey (points leader for sprinting) - Kim Kirchen of Luxembourg who rides for the American team, Team Columbia

Polka Dot Jersey (best in the mountains) - Thomas Voeckler of France who is the leader of the French team BOUYGUES TELECOM

White Jersey (best young rider - under 25) - Riccardo Ricco of Italy who rides for the Spanish team SAUNIER DUVAL - SCOTT

Wimbledon 2008

Ok so was that a great gentlemen’s championship or what?

I managed to get off my death-bed (flu) to watch it. I actually missed the first 2 sets. We were at church and then the whole family went out to lunch. Thank God for rain-delays.

I’m glad it didn’t go any longer; I was starting to get stressed. Not because I wanted Nadal to win so badly but because I was starting to not want anyone to lose.

Anyway I still feel lousy from the flu so no more on this for now. Everyone else feel free to chime in.
I’d like to know how others enjoyed the match.

Silly Sunday

AYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!


Count Chocula


T & J

Tour de France 2008

The tour has started and stage 1 is in the books.


Yellow Jersey (overall leader) - Alejandro Valverde of Spain who is the leader of the Spanish team CAISSE D’EPARGNE team

Green Jersey (points leader for sprinting) - Philippe Gilbert of Belgium who rides for the French team FRANCAISE DES JEUX

Polka Dot Jersey (best in the mountains) - Thomas Voeckler of France who is the leader of the French team BOUYGUES TELECOM

White Jersey (best young rider - under 25) - Riccardo Ricco of Italy who rides for the Spanish team SAUNIER DUVAL - SCOTT

Wimbledon 2008

I did get off my death bed long enough to watch Venus beat Serena in straight sets. The match was better than I thought it would be.

The Williams sisters' also won the doubles championship.

I aslo watched stage of the Tour de France. More on that another day.

Today's Workouts

Actually yesterday's workouts:
10 miles running and then 35 miles cycling.

Todays workouts concisted of laying in bed sleeping due to the Flu.

It's 4th of July Weekend

What are you people doing here?

You should be out partying!

Now go grill some dead animal flesh, drink some beers and blow-off a few fingers with some fireworks.

Except for you Catherine. Since you aren't in this country you can do something else. Or you can join our celebration of getting free from the Limeys. Or you could use this as a warm-up party for Bastille Day.


I look forward to seeing your lovely country as the Tour starts today!!! Were you selected to be a Podium Girl this year?

Sounds like a good course this year.

Du samedi 5 au dimanche 27 juillet 2008, le 95e Tour de France comprendra 21 étapes pour une distance d’environ 3 500 kilomètres.

Ces 21 étapes se décomposent comme suit:

10 étapes de plaine,
5 étapes de haute montagne,
4 étapes accidentées,
2 étapes contre-la-montre individuel.
Les particularités de l'épreuve

4 arrivées en altitude,
2 journées de repos,
82 kilomètres contre la montre individuel,
17 cols de 2e, 1re et hors catégorie seront escaladés

A Haiku On the Death of a Good Friend

Your time is no more
Thanks for all the scenery
300 miles done good

Never fear my friend
Out of my life you won’t be
Mowing lawns you will



Yes one of my pair of running shoes are being retired.
They have 300 running miles on them. After that they become yard work shoes or the teen boys take them and abuse them as only boys can do.

Wimbledon 2008

Serena beat Jie Zheng of China and Venus beat the shrieking Elena Dementieva of Russia.

So we are stuck with a Venus and Serena final…oh well…

I’m going to go with Venus. Based solely on her being the more athletic of the two. I can’t figure out how Serena moves around the court with those big thighs and caboose. I’m not being a pig. This isn’t a looks criticism, she looks a lot better than Venus; I just can see how she can keep up with Venus.
Hopefully the match will be a good one.

The men’s semis were rounded out today. Schuettler of Germany beat Clement of France in a 5 set match that was played over two days and few rain delays. The lucky German gets a whole days rest be racing the Nadal juggernaut.

Sorry Catherine. If it’s any consolation I thought Clement looked better. His bandana look was better than Schuettler with his baseball cap on backwards. On my 8 year-old that’s cute…it makes a grown man look like a doofus.

Today's Workouts

18.5 mile long run or 30 kilometers.

I Guess $5 Hot Drinks Aren't a Priority...

...at least not in this Economy

Starbucks is closing 600 stores.

That's out of 7,257 stores. Only 6,657 to go until that yuppie plague from Seattle is gone from this country.

Tough to get people to buy your stuff when they can hardly afford to buy food, pay their mortgages or put gas in their tanks.

Let's see a 20 ounce plain coffee runs around 2 bucks. That works out to around $13 a gallon - makes gasoline look down-right reasonable.

I've bought Starbucks coffee a few times in my life - on the Jersey turnpike (talk about plaques) at one of those big rest plazas where they were the only choice and I was driving 9 hours straight. So I have a good excuse.

I don't really care if someone wants to pay $2-$5 for some 'coffee' type drink. But I can grind my own beans and make better coffee for around 25 cents a cup.

So even if I was inclined to go to Starbucks, it doesn't really make financial sense. A weeks worth of coffee purchased there would cost me the same dollar amount as a new pair of running shoes. And yes I do think of the cost of everything and how many running shoes I could buy with it.

And all you Starbucks Idolaters, chill. My 18 year-old daughter goes there too. Besides the 'good' Senators and Congressmen from Washington State will probably get a bill passed to send out a coffee stimulus check, redeemable only at Starbucks of course.

Today's Workouts

4.3 miles easy at lunch time.

Wimbledon 2008

Its men’s quarter finals day

First up is Roger “what a great name” Federer against Mario Ancic. And Marat “I’m making Mary Margaret look like a genius” Safin faces Feliciano Lopez.

The second set of matches (why do they have to play matches at the same time?) features Rainer Schettler of Germany against Arnaud “Catherine’s last chance” Clement of France.

And Andy Murray of England verses Rafael “Man-Crush” Nadal.


Results:

Federer took care of Super Mario in straight sets.

And Safin, after dropping the opening set, beat Lopez. The legend of the Tennis Genius/Geek continues to grow.

Nadal cruised past Murray 6-3, 6-2, 6-4


The Schettler and Clement match was suspended due to darkness with it tied at one set apeice. Couldn't they have started it a little earlier? Or was there a rain delay. I hate when I have work to do and can't watch it.

$840,000 for a House and a Wife

Apparently a Florida woman is tired of her house and being single. So all you single guys who want to live in Florida might want to check it out.

After a year of trying to sell her four-bedroom home and eight years of singledom, Deven Trabosh is offering her South Florida home and a shot at marrying her on the Internet.

"I figured let's combine the ad because I'm looking for love and I'm looking to sell the house," said Trabosh, a Barbie-esque blonde who teeters around the nearly 2,000 square-foot house in patent leather heels.



This gave me a great idea on how to make money. I've decided to sell my house and family on EBay.

For Sale:

1 - 45 year-old house. Broken-in and comfortable...like an old pair of loafers

1 - 40 year-old wife. See description above for house. Actually more like flashy and classy running shoes than loafers. Seriuosly people, I could never sell my Soul Mate...the kids on the other hand...

1 - 18 year-old daughter. Can drive and do errands. Also proficient at babysitting. Does not clean well.

1 - 17 year-old son studying for the priesthood. Will pray for you and will eventually be able to say Mass and perform baptisms, weddings and funerals.

1 - 15 year-old son. Would be a good mid-fielder if you are starting a soccer team.

1 - 13 year-old daughter. Very responsible. Great babysitter and cleans well too.

1 - 12 year-old daughter. Feisty but loves to play with little kids.

1 - 10 year-old son. Sweet disposition. Loves to play baseball. Cuts lawns.

1 - 8 year-old son. Confident. Swims in a Speedo.

1 - 6 year-old son. Goofy. Will keep you entertained for hours on end.

1 - 4 year-old daughter. A little cutie-pie. Will talk your ears off.

1 - 2 year-old daughter. Look-up firecracker in the dictionary and you will see her picture.

1 - 10 month-old son. Possibly the happiest baby on earth.

No reasonable offer refused. Will consider a trade for a Harley Davidson or 66' GTO.

All sales are final. Absolutely no returns for defective goods after 30 days.

Buy now. Pay later. 12 months and 0% financing available with approved credit.

Caveat Emptor

Wimbledon 2008

The march of an all Williams’ final continues. Both of them cruised to the next round.

Venus will face Elena Dementieva of Russia and Serena will face unranked Jie Zheng of China. She is the 122nd ranked player in the world. Not a bad showing by her.

Oh and the Williams' Lasses are playing doubles togther and still going strong in that too.

Today's Workouts

Ok so registration opened today for the JFK 50 mile race in Boonsboro Maryland. The race is on November 22nd. Yours truly for some bizarre reason signed up for it today.

So today was an 8 mile run with an emphasis on hills. Since there is a decent chunk of hills in this race.

2 mile w/u
8 X 1/4 mile hill repeats at 10mile race effort. Jog back down the hill.
2 mile c/d

Pray for me. Pray for my wife.

Balance and Moderation my Fanny

My wonderful honey thinks we are balanced parents

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

To quote my bride:

"11 kids...and an exercise crazed man???"

Who is this person she is referring to? You get up at 4am daily to work out and you are labeled for life.

I only have a few minutes to respond to her post between workouts. Hopefully I won't get sweat or Gatorade all over the keyboard.

Here are our True Parenting Styles.

Sam's - Firm but loving and always has time for the kids - to talk, to play a game, go for a walk, read a book to them etc...

Mine - Easy going until they get on my nerves one too many times and I erupt like Mount Vesuvius. I always have time to put a movie on or...um...put on a movie.

Sam treats this as a 24 hour job/vocation without even trying to. It just comes naturally to her. She is the youngest of 9 kids and she has always wanted to be a wife and mother of a larger family as far as I can tell. I met her when she was 16 (I was 20 - what were her parents thinking? I know what they were thinking, "one more to get out of the house and we are free") and knew not too long after what she wanted. I'm surprised I didn't run in the opposite direction (being a young, stupid and self-centered male - that's all redundant). It must have been her stunning looks and fantastic out-going personality. Whatever it was about her that was so appealing to me, it was enough to keep me around until I got my act straightened out (ok, semi-straightened out).

I never really thought about having kids let alone a lot of them until I met her. I'm the oldest of 3 who thinks he's an only child. Isn't that right my brother and sister? Whatever your names are.

I’ve had to work at this parenting thing (the marriage gig too). My natural inclination (being an introvert) is to want to be left alone. I I’m perfectly happy to sit alone for hours in the evening reading a book and ignoring everyone or going out and running or cycling for hours by myself. Whereas Sam would have company over every day of the week and twice on Sunday if I would agree to it.

So when we were dating and I realized what she wanted out of life, I was like "sure no problem. Whatever you want babe. How hard can this 'kid' thing be"?

Pretty darn hard as it turns out. It's funny how something can be incredibly difficult and satisfying at the same time (kinda like doing marathons). But that is just what this parenthood adventure has been. From the million little issues and drama’s of the young kids, to the few but trying and scary troubles of the teen years (just you parents of little kids wait - you think a 2 year-old is a handful? Wait until they are teens ). You will be longing for the days when getting them to keep their shoes on or eat their veggies or not go poo in the kitchen were the issues of the day. But don’t worry too much…when the time comes you will be given the grace that is needed to deal with your daughter wanting to dye her hair purple, become an exotic dancer and date Spike a member of Hell’s Angels or worse your son wanting to do the same.

So to my under-appreciated wife, thank you so much for being the driving force of this wonderful adventure. It’s been heckuva ride so far.

We balance and complete each other. I love you more today than ever before.

Today's Workouts

4.3 mile run at lunch time.

Wimbledon 2008

At work today so no could watch any tennis. I don’t have the Wimbledon package like T.G.

Ladies results

Both of the Williams’ sister won in straight sets and don’t appear to have had a tough time.
And all Williams final? Blech.

I do have to give the Williams' a little love. After their singles matches today they played doubles together and steam rolled over a couple of Spaniards.

All four of the top women are out. Can #5 Elena Dementieva beat Venus if they meet in the semis?

On the gentlemen’s side both Federer and man-crush I mean Nadal cruised through to the quarters.

And TG's dark-horse. Marat Safin, keeps making her look like The Tennis Genius of All Time, by beating Stanislas Wawrinka.

Late note. Andy Murray beat Richard Gasquet in 5 sets and gets to play Nadal for his troubles.

And Mario Ancic's reward for beating Fernado Verdasco is to aaly Federer in the next round.

TG - please correct any assumptions I've made.

Most People Just Hang onto Photos

or maybe some letters or a wedding dress.

Anna Nicole Smith's former boyfriend spent nearly $3,000 at a celebrity auction Saturday scooping up lingerie once worn in a Playboy shoot by the late playmate.

Birkhead said he is trying to make sure his 1-year-old daughter, Dannielynn, has something to remember her mother by.

Such a loving and thoughtful dad.

I realize she lead kind of a wild and scandalous life, but couldn't he have found some nicer items for his daughter to remember her mom by? A teddy bear, a picture of the two of them, maybe a silver tea set?

Makes me wonder what the kids will keep of mine when I buy the farm.

What material possessions do I own that they might like?

My savings account with $157.13 in it, is not going to go far when divided among 11 kids.

Pictures come to mind. But everyone has those. And there will be plenty to go around unless my hard drive crashes.

My clothes are boring, at least compared to Anna Nicole’s.

My CD’s? They will probably think they are old and dated just like my Neil Sedaka 8-tracks are.

My running shoes? I don’t think so…I’m being buried with them. They already smell like death anyway.

My most monetarily valuable possessions are my bikes. My triathlon bike in particular with its race wheels (HED3's) could be sold to feed a small African country or buy a tank of gas for our van. Joey and Robert might want them, they are signed up for their first triathlon at the end of July.

So that’s about it…other than my belly button lint collection. Not my own lint - you weirdos. I collect the lint of famous people (EBay is great). Don't laugh. It's the next big thing. Just wait and see.

So far I’ve scored some from Barbara Bush, Woody Allen and Roseanne Barr. I’ve got a line on some from Amy Winehouse…if I can just get it before she smokes it.


That’s the main reason I started this blog. I figured it could be a glimpse into the past and what are lives together were like. So assuming I keep blogging for awhile and it doesn’t get deleted off of some server in the future, this will probably be the best memory the kids will have of our life together.

They will be able to look back and see the craziness that our lives were at times. But they will also be able to recall all the great times we had together. The keeping of the Faith, the laughter, the smiles, the tears and the love. And maybe, just maybe they will apprectiate the lives they had with their mother and I. Hopefully they will understand the reasons we raised them the way we did (assuming they turn out alright).

Not as exciting as lingerie but in the long run I think they will appreciate it more…at least most of them will.

The New Running Shoes are Here, The New Running Shoes are Here

A Haiku in honor of my new shoes that the wonderful UPS driver brought on Friday.

running shoes are new
but the legs are old and gone
new kicks will revive

Look how nice the shoes look against the black background of my blog.

Silly Sunday

Big Wheels are the Coolest

Wimbledon 2008

I didn't get to watch tennis today. Swim meet in the AM and wedding in the afternoon/evening.

So recapping by just looking at the scores.

Nadal won :) 7-6, 6-2, 6-3 over Nicolas Kiefer of Germany.

Richard Gasquet of France beat fellow Frenchman Gilles Simon 6-3, 6-3, 6-7, 6-3.

Paul-Henri Mathieu of France lost to Marin Cilic of Croatia 7-6, 3-6, 4-6, 6-7.

On the ladies side.

Jelena Jankovic (Serbia) beat Caroline Wozniacki (Denmark) 2-6, 6-4, 6-2.

Venus Williams beat Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez of Spain (and I thought some of my kids had long names) 6-1, 7-5.

Elena Dementieva of Russia beat Gisela Dulko of Aregentina 7-6, 7-5

Shahar Peer of Isreal beat Dinara Safina of Russia 7-5, 6-7, 8-6

Yo Tennis Genius,

How did Nadal look? I'm assuming fine going by the score.

And was the Peer/Safina match great?

Today's Workouts

4.3 mile run this morning.

Yesterday's workout - 8.6 mile run in a whole lot of heat.

It was the Lifebuoy

Joey (10) at bed time "Mom, Dad, Dominic (6) called me a stinky butt-head crack and stuck part of my blanket up his nose."

Dad "Send him down here"

Dominic comes down not looking contrite at all.

Dad using his angry voice "You are never to call people names like that, not even politicians. Well OK, maybe politicians. Now open up."

Dad putting liquid dish soap in his mouth. Oh boy that was a lot.

Dad "Now go to bed, turn out the lights and right to sleep...and no blowing bubbles with all that soap I put in your mouth."

Who says parenting isn't fun?

I'm a Lifer!

To you, a job is what pays the bills. You put in your hours, follow the rules, and then go home. Occasionally, you consider quitting, but then you think of how bad the job market is and you reconsider. Whatever happiness you get, you get from your life outside the workplace. Relationships, family, hobbies, and outside creative pursuits are what really matter to you. You're probably taking this test at work because you don't have anything better to do.

Talent: 44%
Lifer: 62%
Mandarin: 36%

Take the Talent, Lifer, or Mandarin quiz.

Got this quiz from my French 'Sister', Catherine.

The above is very true about me. The only reason I work is to pay the bills. I don't care about a career and never have. If I won a big lottery the first thing I'd do, right after buying a Harley, would be to quit my job. I wouldn't even go back to the office. I'd pay someone to go clean out my office.

I would much rather spend my time at home hanging out with Sam and the kids and my runing shoes and bikes.

Don't get me wrong. I don't hate my job. I like the situatuion I have now. The job isn't painful and it pays for my running shoes. But it doesn't define me. I put in my time (usaully) and get my work done (most of the time) and that's it.

Dust off those 1st Communion Photos

Got a good pic? Want to win some stuff? And if you do enter, make sure you mention you saw it on my blog. There is a $100 gift certificate in it for me for refering the winner photo. You didn't think I was doing this to be nice did you. I need some new roasary beads...mine are prayed-out...

Then read on.

The Catholic Company, the market leader for online Catholic books and gifts, has just announced a First Communion Photo Contest. What a great excuse to pull those photos out of the photo book and show them off again. Bloggers, podcasters, and webmasters can also win a $100 gift certificate for referring the winning entry to the contest, so be sure to spread the word. Winners will be featured on View From a Pew, The Catholic Company blog

Wimbledon 2008

Today’s highlights, upsets and ramblings

Once again I am the kiss of death for whomever I pick to win the Ladies title and Mary Margaret is The Tennis Genius!

The #1 ranked player in the world Ana Ivanovic of Serbia lost in straight sets to Jie Zheng of China, 6-1 6-4. Zheng is ranked 133rd in the world for crying out loud.
The hotness factor for the ladies draw is dropping dramatically day by day. At this rate we are going to end up with a Rosanne Barr vs. Rosie O’Donnell type final.

Serena Williams beat former winner Amelie Mauresmo of France (sorry Catherine) in straight sets 7-6, 6-1

Now I don’t know who to pick in the ladies draw. I could go with Mary Margret who thinks that Venus Williams might be a good choice. But she reminds me to much of the Predator movies to pick her – yes I’m that shallow people.
There is always Serena Williams but which Serena is here. The one focused on winning or the one distracted by outside interests (not that that is always a bad thing).

I could go with Jankovic but since I just got burned by picking another pretty Serbian – I’ll pass.

So I’m not going to pick…so there.


On the gentlemen’s side the hotness factor seems to be just fine…but what do I know about that.

Roger Federer won easily in straight sets over Marc Gicquel of France (sorry again Catherine) 6-3, 6-3, 6-1

The Aussie and former champ, Lleyton Hewitt, also won in straight sets over Simone Bolelli of Italy, 6-1, 6-3, 7-6. Which sets up a nice match against Federer

The Tennis Genius’ crush, Marat Safin defeated Andreas Seppi. Mary Margaret's ledgend grows

Maybe I am Getting Old

See my bride’s blog first.

Maybe it’s the tight bike shorts and hard bike seat I use while cycling.

Or all the chemicals in the swimming pool.

I do sit my laptop, with its wireless internet, on my lap all day long.

And there was that time I sat on top of a microwave on full power for 6 hours on a dare.

Try getting any amount of alone time around this place – the only time it’s quiet is 2-4am.

It can’t be me…can it? Not the IronMan...It MUST be her.

I don’t have to turn in my man-card do I?

The baby is only 10 months old for crying out loud…leave me alone people.


Oh well, a touch of grey
Kinda suits me anyway

You'll Shoot Your Eye Out.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A woman who says she was hurt by her thong panties when a metal clip flew off and hit her in the eye has sued Victoria's Secret, saying in a TV interview on Thursday that the injury caused her "excruciating pain."

Macrida Patterson, a 52-year-old Los Angeles traffic officer, told NBC's "Today" show that she suffered cuts to her cornea from the small piece of metal that had been used to secure a rhinestone heart onto the blue thong.

When Patterson was changing after work, the metal piece snapped, creating a "slingshot effect," and either the pendant or the metal piece "cut her eye," Buccat said.


Who knew thongs were so dangerous. I guess they aren't just for robbing convenience stores any more.

And here I thought only Red Ryder BB Gun's could put out an eye. What's next? People suing when they get a hang-nail from undoing a bra? Running to court when you get a thigh bruised from a Donk kicking you?

Far be it from me to tell a 52-year-old she shouldn't wear a thong...but a rhinestone heart on a blue thong? Honey, what were you thinking? Who buys underwear with rhinestones on them anyway? Well other than someone who works with a brass pole for a living.

Do you hand-wash those things? Or maybe use the delicate cycle on the washing machine? You probably don't want to take it to the cleaners and have the old lady working the register giving you a 'church-lady' look like you are some kinda hussy.


Let's assume for a minute that Victoria Secret is at fault. Just what should the damages be? She suffered pain to her eye and a cut to her cornea that healed. No permanent damage...other than looking silly on The Today Show.

If looking silly was reason enough to be handed a pile of money, I'd own dozens of bikes and piles of running shoes...um...bad example.

Maybe as part of a settlement Victoria Secret could host 'underwear putting on classes'. I'm sure there would be no shortage of guys volunteering to teach that class. Or they could partner with McDonalds to provide the prize for kids meals. Talk about a Happy Meal!

Things sometimes just happen people. Get over it and move on with life. Quit looking for a hand-out by suing over every little thing that happens to you. Or at the least, if you do find a big enough hand-out, share it with me...all these kids are expensive.

Get Free Catholic Schwag

h/t: Mrs. Danielle Bean

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Wimbledon 2008

They are dropping like flies.

Well unlike Mary Margaret the resident tennis genius, I am a moron.
Maria Sharapova was bounced in the second round by fellow Russian Alla Kudryavtseva (#154 in the world – never heard of her) in straight set 6-2, 6-4.
So my back-up Ladies pick is now Ana Ivanovic of Serbia, the #1 seed.

My gentlemen’s pick, Nadal, moved on but he did drop a set and look human at times. He beat Ernests Gulbis of Latvia (#48) 5-7, 6-2, 7-6, 6-3. I missed a lot of the match because ESPN2 kept showing the James Blake vs Rainer Schuettler match. Now I realize Blake is an American who is ranked #9 but Nadal is #2 and a bigger draw from my viewpoint. Btw-Blake lost in five sets. It was a good match too. I just wish they would have shown a little bit more of Nadal.

American Andy Roddick (#6 in the world) was upset by Janko Tipsarevic (#40) of Serbia 6-7, 7-5, 6-4, 7-6.

In other matches of interest (to me). Venus Williams advanced in straight sets over the scrappy Anne Keothavong of the UK 7-5, 6-2.

Jelena Jankovic (#2) of Serbia beat Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain 6-1, 6-3.

Lindsay Davenport ‘lost’ in a walkover to Gisela Dulko of Argentina.

Today's Workouts

16 miles running. 10 miles at long distance pace (8:45), 5 miles at goal marathon pace (8:12), 1 mile cool down.

For my Honey

A little Jackson 5. Back when Micheal was still black and male.

I posted this because she likes the song...not because I'm in trouble with her...that would never happen...I'm the perfect husband ;)

Just Keep Swimming

Dominic(6) and Robert(8) had a swim meet Tuesday night. They are the only kids of mine doing swim team this year. I'm not sure how they did because I was taking pictures of them.

This was Dominic's first ever swim meet. He swam the 25 meter freestyle. I think he was 3rd or 4th out of 6.

This is Robert's 2nd year on the team. Last year he swam Free and Back. When he got to the pool last night the coach told him he was also swimming Fly and Breast. I didn't even know he could do those strokes. Apparently he learned them at practice last week. He was 1st in Breast, 2nd in Back and I'm not sure what he did in Free and Fly. Probably around 2nd and 3rd respectively.

Here are a few pictures

Dominic chilling and getting some advice from his big brother. Or maybe they are checking out the girls race


Getting ready for that big push off the side of the pool


Getting some serious air. Is this a race of Belly Flop contest? We will be working on his starts.


Holy Cow! I made it to the other side of the pool.


The real reason he swims. I usually only buy them snow cones for a win...but since it was his first race, I decided to be nice. I know, I'm getting soft in my old age.


The Old Pro checking out the competition


Look mom, I'm flying


Take the picture already dad. We have partying to do.

Today's Workouts

4.3 mile run at an easy pace at lunch time.

Wimbledon 2008

Interesting Day so far. I had toyed with the idea of picking the third ranked Djokovic. Sure glad I didn't. He was upset today in straight sets by the #75 player in the world Marat Safin, 6-4, 7-6, 6-2.

Mary Margaret and her pick of a possible upset by the Russian Hottie Safin is sure making her look like a genius. I'll be sure to track Mr. Safin's progress from here on out.

And yes MM, a Nadal vs. Safrin final would be just fine with me. If nothing else it would make all the ladies happy to have all that eye-candy on the court at the same time.

In other matches of note today:

#1 ranked Ana Ivanovic of Serbia was pushed to the limit before beating Nathalie Dechy of France (#97) (sorry again Catherine) 6-7, 7-6, 10-8

Top ranked Roger Federer won in straight sets 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 over Robin Soderling of Sweeden (#41)

Serena Williams (#6) defeated Urszula Radwanska of Poland (#190) in straight sets 6-4, 6-4

How Many Bikes are too Many?

Ok so I admit it, I may have a bike problem. Is there such a thing as BA - Bikes Anonymous?

To spare y'all from counting (cause I know it's hard for The Donk - what with having hooves and all), there are 28 bikes in the picture. This picture doesn't include my 4 good bikes that no one but me is allowed to touch. Actually my bikes wouldn't be in the shed anyways. They usually stay in the classroom or our bedroom...hey it's a king-size bed so lay off.

We are kinda the default bike drop of house whenever anyone we know is getting rid of bikes (or pretty much anything else - well except for money). They figure we must have someone who will fit the bike. This actually works out fairly well. It saves me from having to do bike maintenance on a lot of bikes. Flat tire? Chain fell off? Tired of riding your sister's pink Princess Barbie bike? Go grab another bike out of the shed.

We had each of the kid select up to two bikes a piece that they wanted to keep and we gave away the rest. 13 were given away and 15 were kept. The shed is now nicely organized and clean...it should last about 15 minutes.

No making fun of my lousy grass...you try growing grass with 11 kids playing soccer, football, lacrosse, baseball, man hunt etc...all over it...

And yes I know that there are trees growing in my gutters. I'm starting a tree-farm to help pay for that new AC unit you see in the picture.

Much thanks to Sam and the kids for cleaning out the shed.

Today's Workouts

9.5 mile track workout and ice bath. Weather is awesome here today.

2 mile w/u
5 X 1 mile with 1/4 mile job between
goal pace 7:20
actual splits:
7:19
7:17
7:19
7:18
7:12
1.25 mile cool down

12 minute ice bath - that was at home...not at the track

Wimbledon 2008

Started yesterday in case you hadn't noticed or didn't care.

My top picks to win it all. (and no I didn't pick both of them because of their looks)

Gentlemen's winner: Rafael Nadal (Spain)



Ladies winner: Maria Sharapova (Russia)



Todays highlights:

Sharapova beat Stephanie Foretz of France (sorry Catherine) in straight sets 6-1, 6-4

Nadal beat Andreas Beck of Germany in straight sets 6-4, 6-4, 7-6(7-0). Tip of the hat to Beck. He is the 120th ranked player in the world playing for the first time at Wimbledon. He played on Centre Court against the #2 player in the world and his showing was more than respectable.

Random Updates to follow over the next 3 weeks.

How the Kids Treat Their Mother

Anyone else have this problem? Any ideas on how to stop the 'mom is our maid, cook, laundress, gardener, chauffeur' mentality? Or at least stop them from taking all she does for them for granted.

All our kids have chores each day which they for the most part do. But heaven forbid you ask them to do something else around the house that isn't on the Job Chart.


We've tried time-outs, beatings, grounding, starvation, being forced to listen to Barry Manilow, water boarding, thumb screws etc...(while water boarding seems to somehow not be against the Geneva Convention, I think being force-fed Manilow is, so no tattling to Home Land Security).

We explain to them that this is a large house with a large family living in it and everyone has to pitch in and help. Otherwise the house is going to turn into one of those old-lady houses you see on the news that have been condemned. You know the ones; forty years of newspapers stacked six feet high in there, Big Mac containers from when they used to be Styrofoam, 72 cats living there...If everyone does help out, it really isn't horribly painful to keep this household running.

And I must admit that sometimes we actually get through to them. Usually it's after their mother and I have had our 19th nervous breakdown. But at least that's something.

So we continue on (mainly Sam) trying to make this home a place people feel welcome in. I think most of the time we succeed. Sure there might be a few dishes in the sink and toys scattered about and a bike or ten on the front lawn and the laundry room looks like a clothing store threw-up in it (35 loads a week will do that). But the kids are always having friends over to hang-out or spend the night so it must not be too bad. I mean we haven't had to send out a search party for a missing child in the house.

We love the fact that our kids aren't shy about asking if their friends can come over and hang - better here than hanging out a Mall. Last Thursday night 3 of our teens had 5 friends total hanging out...and that was a light night. We always have plenty of drinks and snacks on hand. Plus we have a really large family room with a cool TV and stereo, plus game tables on the back screened-in porch.

Now if I could just get them to clean-up after these get togethers without complaining...

Today's Workouts

4.3 mile run at lunch time.

Left knee was a little sore...maybe I should buy a new pair or 3 of running shoes.

Let’s Put Mothers in Jail..

...or at least those who don't give birth the approved way.

Once again people are trying to get the government all up in people’s business.

This time it’s the AMA (American ‘Medical’ Association). This really not a surprise since over the years they have tried to monopolize every aspect of health care. They are constantly trying to have laws passed to regulate or outlaw alternative medical care. Everything from chiropractic care to acupuncture to vitamin supplements to Naturopathic doctors. Anything they can’t make a buck on must be done away with or at least discredited by them.

Heaven forbid someone try to heal or prevent a medical condition naturally. I mean who wouldn’t want to take one of those prescription drugs you see advertised on TV with 200 side-effects listed at the end of the commercial. Seriously hair-loss, impotence and fat gain seems like a fair trade-off to get rid of your heartburn.
Or the risk of picking up a staph infection that is antibiotic resistant just so you can have back surgery that may or may not actually work is well worth it.

Let’s assume for the sake of argument that hospitals and prescription drugs are perfectly safe ( there are 195,000-280,000 preventable deaths per year in US hospitals and 110,000-200,000 deaths from prescription drugs) And let’s assume that alternative medicine is a crock. SO WHAT?! When did the State become the Nanny of everyone? What gives them a right to boss everyone around? (Other than them owning tons of really big weapons) If someone wants to use Eye of Newt to treat their cancer instead of chemotherapy and radiation, so what? That is their business.

We still use prescription drugs when absolutely needed - after trying other methods first. For example I had Lyme disease 7 years ago. So I took an antibiotic. If Sam deservedly whacked me in the head and I needed stitches, I'd go to the emergency room - well after trying my staple gun and Super Glue first.

So I'm not 100% against using conventional medical procedures but they are last resorts.

Of our 11 kids, 1 has been born in a hospital. That was Alex our first child. It was a big pain in the rear end. We were ready to leave an hour after she was born but the Nazi's wouldn't let us leave. After 6 hours I found a wheelchair and put Sam and the baby in it and then they finally took us seriously. It was like being in jail - and I should know;) After that we realized that hospitals are for sick people (maybe) and pregnancy isn't a disease - although it is chronic with us :)

The next 10 were delivered by midwifes. 8 at home and 2 in their birthing rooms because of commie health insurance. Every one of the births has been a better experience than that first one in the hospital. Hopefully Sam will post some day on the joys of home births...if you can use the word joy in the same sentence as giving birth.

The care is incredible. You have a Certified Nurse Midwife and Birth Assistant (a RN) at constant attention. They are 100% there for you. They don't have patients in another hospital room to worry about. They come early when your labor begins and stay until well after the birth and everyone is well. They even clean-up the house and do the laundry.

Sam loves giving birth in her very own bed and being able to have the kids see the baby just minutes old. They usually stay at my mom's house down the road. They even get to cut the cord. Sam also gets to have her sister there to help her out and me and my limited man-help. "I don't know nothing about birthing no babies".

As for people who have hospital births, that’s fine too. Do whatever you want. I really couldn’t careless what anyone else does. Just do me a favor and don’t tell us what to do with our lives. Just like how many kids we have is none of your business so where we choose to birth them is none of your business.

It costing less (no hospital fee) is just the icing on the cake.

Plus home birthed kids are much smarter...just kidding Alex.



From The Big Push for Midwives

Father Knows Best Meets Big Brother Is Watching
Physician Group Seeks to Outlaw Home BirthIs Jail for Moms Next?

WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 16, 2008)Just in time for Father's Day, at its annual meeting last weekend, the American Medical Association (AMA) adopted a resolution to introduce legislation outlawing home birth, and potentially making criminals of the mothers who choose home birth with the help of Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs) for their families.

"It's unclear what penalties the AMA will seek to impose on women who choose to give birth at home, either for religious, cultural or financial reasons or just because they didn't make it to the hospital in time," said Susan Jenkins, Legal Counsel for The Big Push for Midwives 2008 campaign. "What we do know, however, is that any state that enacts such a law will immediately find itself in court, since a law dictating where a woman must give birth would be a clear violation of fundamental rights to privacy and other freedoms currently protected by the U.S. Constitution."

Until the AMA proposed 'Resolution 205 on Home Deliveries,' no state had considered legislation forcing women to deliver their babies in the hospital or limiting the choice of birth setting. Instead, states have regulated the types of midwives that may legally provide care. Currently, 22 states already license and regulate CPMs, who specialize in out-of-hospital maternity care and have received extensive training to qualify as experts in the types of risk assessment and preventive care necessary for safe and highquality care for women who choose give birth at home. Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs), who are trained primarily as hospital-based providers, are licensed in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

The resolution did not offer any science-based information for the AMA's anti-midwife or anti-home birth position.

"Maternity care is a multi-billion dollar industry in the United States," said Steff Hedenkamp, Communications Coordinator for The Big Push for Midwives. "So it's no surprise to see the AMA join the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in its ongoing fight to corner the market and ensure that the only midwives able to practice legally are hospital-based midwives forced to practice under physician control. I will say, though, that I'm shocked to learn that the AMA is taking this turf battle to the next level by setting the stage for outlawing home birth itselfa direct attack on those families who choose home birth, who could be subject to criminal prosecution if the AMA has its way."

The Big Push for Midwives is a nationally coordinated campaign organized to advocate for regulation and licensure of Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs) in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and to push back against the attempts of the American Medical Association to deny American families access to safe and legal midwifery care.

Today's Workouts

3 miles running with Joey, Robert and Dominic following on their bikes.

1,000 meters swimming.

Reliving my Childhood Today

Via old TV commercials.

Oscar Mayer Bologna Song - Singing it is still the only way I can spell Bologna


He likes it!


Tootsie Pop


Hey Kool Aid!


Two all beef patties...


Ring around the collar


Ancient Chinese Secret


Clearasil


Remember when smokes ads were on TV?


Mother Nature


Mr Bubble


So what are some of your favorites commericals from childhood?

Today's Workouts

38 Mile cycling in the early AM with friends.

3.5 mile run in the afternoon with Dominic following along on his bike.

Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me

For your Saturday enjoyment.

10 Quirky Facts About Kissing. From MSN.com

1. Two out of every three couples turn their heads to the right when they kiss.

I’m ambidextrous…I can go both ways

2. A simple peck uses two muscles; a passionate kiss, on the other hand, uses all 34 muscles in your face. Now that’s a rigorous workout!

Will need to start adding ‘making-out with Sam’ to my ‘Today’s Workouts’ posts

3. Like fingerprints or snowflakes, no two lip impressions are alike.

Yeah but can they dust for lip prints…other than on CSI

4. Kissing is good for what ails you. Research shows that the act of smooching improves our skin, helps circulation, prevents tooth decay, and can even relieve headaches.

Well that explains why Sam and I never get sick

5. The average person spends 336 hours of his or her life kissing.

Shoot we get that many hours in during an off year

6. Ever wonder how an “X” came to represent a kiss? Starting in the Middle Ages, people who could not read used an X as a signature. They would kiss this mark as a sign of sincerity. Eventually, the X came to represent the kiss itself.

X marks the spot

7. Talk about a rush! Kissing releases the same neurotransmitters in our brains as parachuting, bungee jumping, and running.

Now if I could just mix kissing in during my runs

8. The average woman kisses 29 men before she gets married.

Honey I want to see that list and you better not be above average in this case!

9. Men who kiss their partners before leaving for work average higher incomes than those who don’t.

Sweetie, after all the expenses of the last few weeks, you better start puckering-up more in the mornings. I need a raise.

10. The longest kiss in movie history was between Jane Wyman and Regis Tommey in the 1941 film, You’re in the Army Now. It lasted 3 minutes and 5 seconds. So if you’ve beaten that record, it’s time to celebrate!

Jane Wyman and Regis Tommey are wimps…we can totally crush that time…I’m an Ironman for Pete’s sake and you are the Queen of 12 hour labors

If it's the 20th of the Month

It must be date night.

The 20th of each month is date night (we were hitched on May 20th).

Unfortunately the 5 oldest kids are at various places for the weekend and I'm too cheap to pay for a babysitter. That means we are stuck - I mean blessed with the 6 younger kids.

So date night will consist of putting the kids to bed early and then watching a movie together and eating ice cream.

Must Have Been a Crappy Wedding

The winner of Cheap-Chic-Weddings.com 4th annual Toilet Paper Wedding Dress contest sponsored by Charmin

Today's Workouts

13 mile run at lunch time (an extended lunch hour – it is really too nice out to work).

I found a new way to judge how the economy is doing. This is better than interest rates and unemployment rates.

On my lunch time running route there is an old guy who sits on his front porch and drinks beer and watches TV. I think he watches The Price is Right since he is out there from 11am to noon (good time of day to drink beer).

He used to drink Budweiser but ever since the economy has gone into the toilet he has been drinking Busch beer. If he switches to Red White and Blue or Milwaukee’s Best that will be a sign that we have gone from a recession to a depression.

I’ll keep y’all posted.