Weekend in review...

It all began when our friends left on Friday...from top to bottom...Sarah, Hannah, Andrew, Vicky, Ron, Sheri, and Kelsie. Missing from the picture...Danny (stayed in St. Louis), Cameron (Gone to Boot Camp), Jewel, and me....

We will miss them...yes, we'll even miss Ron...



After the Klaus' left for St. Louis I got on an organizing kick!!!

It all started with my "Life in a Box". Since we've moved to Georgia I've had all our important papers; Will, Trust, Stocks, Bonds, Bank Accounts, Taxes, Birth Certificates, etc., etc. were in different boxes all over the house. I spent a few days organizing all of it...Now if you want to know anything about my life all you need to do is look in one of these two boxes...

While I was going through all my papers I decided to figure out my Net Worth...based on my calculations when I add up all my assets (including my unmatched socks, unused gift cards, and plugs, adapters, and chargers) and subtract all my liabilities my Net Worth is -$2.33!!

My next organizing project was related to something that has driven me crazy over the years...

As you know I love technology/gadgets; I have cell phones, iPods, iTouches, computers, laptops, DVD's, CD players, radios, cordless electric razors, DS Nintendo, Video Camera, etc., etc., etc. Unfortunately, all these items come with plugs, cords, chargers that plug into wall sockets, chargers that plug into car cigarette lighters, adapters that plugs into DVD's, TV's, TIVO's, BUT the worst thing about technology is the chargers, plugs, adapters are ALL BLACK and THEY NEVER...YES I SAID NEVER!!!!! THEY NEVER TELL YOU WHICH PLUG, ADAPTER, CHARGER GOES WITH WHICH GADGET!!!!! So what I have (and I bet you do) is a drawer full of black chargers, wires, cords, adapters, plugs...which are all twisted and knotted...and so when I need to charge, connect, or plug something in...the odds are very low that I will be able to find the correct plug, wire, cord, adapter, etc...it's actually easier to buy a new gadget than it is to find the adapter, charger that goes with it...

BUT THIS WEEK...I SAID...NO MORE!!!!!! NO LONGER WILL I BE A VICTIM!!!!! I DECIDED TO TAKE CHARGE OF MY LIFE...I DECIDED THAT IF BARAK OBAMA CAN SOLVE ALL THE WORLD'S PROBLEMS...I COULD AT THE VERY LEAST SOLVE THE BLACK HOLE DRAWER, TWISTED/KNOTTED WIRE DILEMMA!!!!

I LOOKED IN THE MIRROR, CLENCHED MY FISTS OVER MY HEAD, AND SCREAMED AT THE TOP OF MY LUNGS - YES I CAN!!!!!!! So I spent several hours organizing the wires, plugs, adapters. I put them in baggies and I placed a printed label on the outside of every baggie (I found the label printer plug at the bottom of the Black Hole Drawer). I also solved some beguiling problems in the meantime..I discovered my electric skillet hasn't worked since 1987 because I was plugging it in with a 1989 Verizon Wireless Cell Phone Charger...now it works like a charm!!! On another positive note - my electric blender and my nose hair trimmer are now working...no more unsightly nose hairs!!!!!!

My next project was my daughters...I mean my son's hats. Girls have shoes...girls have purses...my son has hats!!!!! Whenever we go someplace special...vacations...baseball games...etc...Cameron buys a hat. Most of his hats can be found in his room, my room, the bathroom, the back of the car, the garage, the basement, under the sink, behind the dryer, and everywhere else you can think of...BUT NO MORE...now they are hanging on the CAT ROOM Wall...that's right...it's called THE CAT ROOM...not dad's room...not the my workout room...not the storage room...fathers get no respect!! But at least the "CAT ROOM' wall looks pretty good...

Can you name all the hats??

Yes...my organizing fit spread to the kitchen...here is the pantry...I added a couple of bigger shelves. The shelves weren't very deep and so I went to Home Depot to get deeper shelves because I got tired of stepping on Cherrios, Rice Crispies, Cocoa Crispies, Lucky Charms, and Fuit Loops and hearing the crunching sounds as I walked through the house. I also went the extra mile...I organized everything in alphabetical order...avocado dip is on the top...zucchini sticks are on the bottom...

I was feeling so good about my organizing...I decided to take on the single socks...they had defeated me before but I decided to give it a second try...I felt sure I could match at least five socks...after 45 minutes I gave up...a beaten man...

BTW, I still can't find my camera charger!!!!! I'm seriously considering blaming it on my kids and just moving on...

Weekend in Review

My blog has been down for a few weeks due to technical difficulties - my charger for my camera is gone...I lost it while I was organizing everything in my house a couple of weeks ago. I'm sure I put it in a very safe place...I'm sure I labeled it...I'm sure I put it in alphabetical order...I'm sure I put it in a place where I would NEVER AGAIN forget where I put it...the only problem is - I DON'T KNOW WHERE THAT PLACE IS!!!!

Yes, I would love to blame the missing charger on Kelsie...or Cameron...or my cleaning lady...or the cat...but I can't...I've decided the only thing to do is to follow Barak Obama's lead...IT'S GEORGE BUSH'S FAULT!!!! I only hope President Obama has included money in the stimulus package for lost camera chargers!! Yes, I know...I know...if I accept federal funds there will be strings attached to it and ultimately my kids will have to pay for it. Yes, I know Obama's economic policies don't make sense to any sensible economist...but hey...who cares...if he wants to give me money for my lost camera charger...I'll take it...

Alright...I don't know what caused me to go off on that little tangent...maybe Obama's insane/irresponsible spending, outrageous regulation, and unprecedented involvement the private sector has gotten to me...sorry...

Now back to my Weekend in Review...

Our close friends...the Klaus'...have come for a visit. We originally planned on going to Myrtle Beach but that didn't work out and so we decided we could have a better time staying in Georgia...and so we did stay in Georgia...and we have had a better time...

On Sunday we drove to Poole Mill Park which is located about 30 minutes from our house. It's a very nice public park where you can picnic, swim, and slide down the slippery rocks. In my opinion a more appropriate name would be "Break Your Neck Park". We had a great time but it's amazing that no one was hurt...here we are getting ready to slide down one of the rocks...



Now...I think it's important for me to address a question I'm sure everyone reading this blog has. In an earlier blog I mentioned that NO ONE, YES NO ONE, has ever seen my feet...which is 100% true! But I'm sure you are now asking, "Ken(ny), how is it possible for you to go swimming without anyone seeing your feet?" First let me say...it's not easy...but it has a lot to do with foot positioning...angles...shade...sand...dirty water...and well timed distractions. Let me also say...I've never said that portions of my feet have never been seen...they have; a flash of my big toe...a glimpse of my my pinkie toe...a brief, indistinct vision of my toe nail fungus - YES - this happens all the time...but full foot nudity...NEVER...it has never happened!!! Ask anyone, "Have you ever seen Ken(ny)'s feet?" And they'll say, "Yes, of course I have...ah wait...yes, I think I have...wait, let me think...actually I don't think I ever have seen his feet..."

So how do I do it??? Wait...I can't...I can't tell you my secrets!!!! Just like a true magician doesn't share his secrets...I can't share mine!! But notice in the picture above and below...notice the precise positioning of the feet...is it a coincidence you can't really see my feet???? NO!!! This is by design...I am very in-tune to my surroundings especially when my feet are exposed...I know precisely where and when pictures are taken...and I make sure a clear shot at my feet is impossible...paparazzi - eat your hearts out!!!!!...



Later on Sunday we went to the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater to see 38 Special, REO Speedwagon (I'm Gunna Keep On Lovin You), and STYX (Come Sail Away)...it was GREAT!!!

We got there early to get good seats...



Here's REO Speedwagon...



On Monday we rented a boat and went tubing on Lake Lanier...here's Ron and Vicky soaking up the sun with Kelsie and Hannah being dragged behind...



Here's Cam and me FLYING across the water on the tube!!!!! ...don't let the lack of waves fool you - WE ARE FLYING!!!! ...sure a lack of waves usually means the boat isn't going very fast...but not in this case...Cam and I are NOT wimps!!!! We are rough and tough and we are FLYING across the water!!!!!



I let Kelsie drive the boat for while...here's Kelsie looking at a cute boy on a passing by boat while she was "driving" the boat...that's me behind her looking at Ron about to get run over by a boat Kelsie just cut off...





A thunder storm came in around 2:00 pm and so we had to call it an early day...



On Tuesday we went to Six Flags...here are the kids with Buggs...





Here is Sheri and Vicky...




Here's Cam going on a Roller Coaster...sort of...



Andrew Klaus and Cam after riding on Thunder River...




Hannah and Kelsie on the swings...





Here is Cameron on his favorite ride with Andrew...the swings...




It was a very hot day 95+...Vicky and I purchased drinks to cool off...Ron finds panting to be a much better way to cool his body...

There's more excitement to come...

Weekend in review...

The weekend began with Cameron graduating from 5th grade...



Here's a little sample of the ceremony...



Here's Cam with a few of his classmates...



Buddies...



On Saturday we met friends in Nashville for a weekend of swimming, shopping, and golf...



My friend Dale is a History/Social Studies teacher in Hazelwood Central. I learn something new every time I'm with him. He is always making profound statements...and this weekend was no exception...if my memory serves me correctly here he is making the profound statement, "Could someone please pass the Ketchup...?"

hil

Here we are at Ruby Tuesdays...



After dinner we played some card games...



We played three rounds of golf over the weekend...before each round we met in the lobby for breakfast...

The courses we covered with turtles...here's a large snapping turtle...

Cam learned the finer points of golf over the weekend...here he is meeting the snack lady at the Two Rivers Golf Course...

Cameron liked the snack lady so much at Two Rivers he made it a point to meet the snack lady at the Presidential Golf Course...

Cam's game really improved over the weekend...check out this swing...

Cam can teach me a few things about a golf swing...

Here's the group on the 18th hole on the last day of golf...we were all tired at this point...

Is this my little girl?

Weekend in Review...

Piano Recital...Baseball...Horses...Mother's Day...Dresses...

On Friday night Cameron had his piano recital. I am VERY proud of him. He did a fantastic job!! Here is a picture of Cameron with the other students and his Piano teacher.


It was a LONG program but I'm not complaining...however...there was a Taliban Terrorist in the back row who was overheard saying, "If I had a choice I'd choose waterboarding over THIS anytime..."



Here is Cameron waiting for the recital to begin...he is sitting next to a girl who goes to his school. After the recital I asked him who the little girl next to him was...he said, "Daaaaaaaaaaaadddddddddddddd!!!!!" Can anyone help me to understand what that means???? I think this picture might help answer my question...



On Saturday Cameron had a big game...a battle for first place. It was a very exciting game. It was a real nail bitter until the last out. Unfortunately his team lost 4-2. But that's okay...it's not whether you win or lose...it's how you play the game. I'm just so glad Cameron enjoys playing; it's a good opportunity to get some fresh air and to enjoy the great outdoors!!! It's also good for me. I get to interact with the other parent as we sit in our chairs and watch our team give their best effort!


Like I said it was a close game. The other team scored all their runs in the first inning. The other team's first run came when our third baseman, who comes from such a nice family and who has terrific parents, missed a slow grounder which went right between his legs. The next run came when that kid I just mentioned missed a pick off throw!!! It was thrown right to him but the punk missed it!!!! It went right through his hands!!!!! How???? I don't know!!!! How do you miss a ball that's thrown right at you????? The third run came when this SNOT NOSED kid playing third base, who has NOOOOO business playing anything but water boy AND who can't catch a ball to save his stinking life dropped a ball that was thrown to him when a player was trying to steal third...all the lousy, sticking kid had to do is catch the ball!!!!! He would have been out by a mile!!!! HOW HARD IS IT TO CATCH A LOUSY, STINKING WHITE BALL...I MEAN COME ON!!!!! CATCH THE BALL BUDDY!!!!!!!! HERE, LET ME TIE THE BALL WITH A RIBBON AND HAND IT TO YOU - MAYBE THEN YOU CAN CATCH IT!!!!!!! :)


Here is Cameron crushing the ball to the right side...








On Sunday Kelsie had to go to work...on the weekends I drive her to her job. If I didn't mention it...Kelsie was asked recently if she wanted a job riding a horse. The horse's name is Blackjack. Apparently the man who owns Blackjack has a bad back and he can't ride him anymore. Kelsie pays me $5.00 to drive her back and forth...I haven't seen a penny of it yet...BUT I WILL!!!


Kelsie has become a beautiful young lady...here she is being checked out by some young stallions...




She had to lock them up to keep them away from her...




Here's a video of Kelsie hard at work...shouldn't the horse be the one getting paid?







Kelsie has her first dance this Friday night...or maybe it's the first dance I'll let her go to...I can't remember. Over the past few weeks she has been busy shopping for the perfect dress. She found a couple of dresses that she liked and she needs help in deciding which one to wear. Can you let me know which one you think she looks best in?

Do you like this very classy, sophisticated black dress which makes her looks like a beautiful, elegant, sophisticated young lady? Or...or...or...do you like the one which makes her look like a....





If she was ever to walk out of this house in this dress she would be grounded for life!!!!!

When you look at the next three pictures I want you to ask yourself what you see. Do you see clumps of crabgrass? Do you see weeds? Do you see hours and hours of yard work? OR...OR...OR...OR do you see OPPORTUNITY?????







I SEE OPPORTUNITY!!!!! THE OPPORTUNITY TO BECOME THE NEXT TIGER WOODS!!!!

Camarachi and my new favorite activity...MULCHING!!!

Here's my little boy practicing for his show (recital)...sounds pretty good!!



As you know I spent a lot of time "mulching" over the weekend. If mulching isn't a word...it should be! I have two different colors of mulch.
On the right...the mulch I picked out from the store...on the left the mulch I ordered without seeing the color...

I like the darker red mulch more...

Weekend in review...

This was another busy weekend...

It started out on Friday with Cameron's baseball game...they won 10-2...



After the game on Friday we had some good friends from St. Louis come in for a long weekend visit...here is Kelsie with her close friend Heather Kotlarzek...this isn't how you spell her last name...there's a bunch of c's and z's in her name that don't make sense so I just spelled it phonetically...

On Saturday Heather and Kelsie went horseback riding...but before they went riding they had to clean out the horse's stalls...why is it that Kelsie will take a pitchfork and clean out piles and piles of horse manure but she won't clean our toilets at home because 'THAT'S DISGUSTING'????

Here are Kelsie and Cameron riding together...they like to complain about each other but when they're busy having fun they sometimes forget they're not supposed to like each other and they have a great time together...here is one of those touching brother/sister moments...as you can see they are very close...

On Sunday the girls went out to get pampered...while I stayed at home and "pulled weeds"... (from left to right...Ruth...Heather...Kelsie...)

I spent most of Saturday and Sunday doing yard work...I had a truck load of mulch delivered...below are the results of all my hard work...my hands are blistered and bleeding, my back hurts, and I'm sunburned - but do I complain? - NO!! All I asked for are a few 'poor babies' and I'm fine... (I'm a throw back to a time when men were men) As you can see, my hard work was well worth it...

Note to Ron Klaus and Kenny Croke: It's safe to come down...I've done all the hard work...

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