This article from the Star Tribune reminds me of why I love being from Minnesota. Minnesota also boasts the largest adult wiffle ball league in the country.
It says to me, "we know how to have fun" no matter the weather conditions.
I grew up with a pond behind my house and we used to play hockey on the ice and even if you couldn't skate, you still played.
I have a dream that one day there will be a major Broom Ball league. And an Ultimate league. One day, there will be Disc Golf as an Olympic sport. And it's a Minnesota thing.
AJ
December 30, 2005
December 29, 2005
I Love Being a Daddy
So I came home the other day from the office and as soon as I walked in the door, Kallsen stopped what he was doing ran over to me, said Dada and raised his arms for me to pick him up.
I love being a Daddy.
AJ
I love being a Daddy.
AJ
December 28, 2005
Following the lead...
of a friend of mine, I have added Google Ads to my blog. The way it is suppose to work is this...the topics I talk about should be reflected in the ads you see, so hopefully if something in a blog interests you, you click on the ad and I make money.
So if I talk about Disc Golf, Inflatable Games or Fishing Boats, ads on those topics might appear. Click away on the ads. So far I've made $.76.
AJ
So if I talk about Disc Golf, Inflatable Games or Fishing Boats, ads on those topics might appear. Click away on the ads. So far I've made $.76.
AJ
Made it Home
At about midnight on Tuesday. The kids were traveling fine so we pushed and arrived home late Tuesday.
We left later than we had planned on Monday. We ended up leaving my parents house at 12-Noon Monday instead of earlier in the morning. We drove through Chicago before stopping for the day. And that was probable farther than we should have gone because neither Parker or Kallsen traveled well on Monday.
Tuesday we left Northern Indiana at 8:30 and went until we made it to the Louisville Slugger plant and museum in Kentucky before stopping. We toured the plant, got our free miniture baseball bats and then it was back on the road. We stopped shortly there after for lunch at an A&W and then back on the road. With both smaller boys a sleep and Joseph focused on his PSP, Sara napped and I drove and listened to talk radio. We ended up stopping in Gatlinburg, TN for dinner at a Mr. Getti's and the kids were able to play and wore themselves out and we were able to push it all the way home.
Back to work today and not as many messages as I thought so that is good. I will take this week to look over January's goals and to figure out our best way to reach them. I'm thinking 2006 will be a great year for the Clayton Stations. Vicki is pumped, I'm pumped and with a new sales rep starting next week, we should have a great year.
I'll post some through on 2006 in the next couple of days.
AJ
We left later than we had planned on Monday. We ended up leaving my parents house at 12-Noon Monday instead of earlier in the morning. We drove through Chicago before stopping for the day. And that was probable farther than we should have gone because neither Parker or Kallsen traveled well on Monday.
Tuesday we left Northern Indiana at 8:30 and went until we made it to the Louisville Slugger plant and museum in Kentucky before stopping. We toured the plant, got our free miniture baseball bats and then it was back on the road. We stopped shortly there after for lunch at an A&W and then back on the road. With both smaller boys a sleep and Joseph focused on his PSP, Sara napped and I drove and listened to talk radio. We ended up stopping in Gatlinburg, TN for dinner at a Mr. Getti's and the kids were able to play and wore themselves out and we were able to push it all the way home.
Back to work today and not as many messages as I thought so that is good. I will take this week to look over January's goals and to figure out our best way to reach them. I'm thinking 2006 will be a great year for the Clayton Stations. Vicki is pumped, I'm pumped and with a new sales rep starting next week, we should have a great year.
I'll post some through on 2006 in the next couple of days.
AJ
December 25, 2005
Tragedy on Christmas Day
Shortly after my sister's and their families arrived at my parents house, my twin sister's husband got a call from his family in Wisconsin. His mother was admitted to the hospital this morning. Only a little while later the call came in...his mother died.
It's times like this that I reflect on my family and my life. I am ever so grateful for the family I have. I don't know what I would do without my wife and kids.
As I sit here and ponder things, I think about what others are going through this Christmas. I have several friends that are having difficulty with the holidays this year. I am thankful for my family. I am thankful for Sara Beth. I am thankful for Joseph, Kallsen and Parker. I am thankful for my parents and my sisters. I am thankful for the people I work with.
AJ
It's times like this that I reflect on my family and my life. I am ever so grateful for the family I have. I don't know what I would do without my wife and kids.
As I sit here and ponder things, I think about what others are going through this Christmas. I have several friends that are having difficulty with the holidays this year. I am thankful for my family. I am thankful for Sara Beth. I am thankful for Joseph, Kallsen and Parker. I am thankful for my parents and my sisters. I am thankful for the people I work with.
AJ
Merry Christmas!
We'll it's almost here...the day most of us wait for the entire year.
Christmas in my family has always been a special day...it will start with Joseph waking everyone up to head down stairs to open stockings and the day will go from stockings to presents right a way. Later in the morning...about 11:30 my sisters, their husbands and kids will arrive at my parents house and we will do a gift exchange with them and then we'll do a light lunch. At 2:30 the rest of the family will arrive. We'll do another gift exchange and then we'll eat dinner. Everyone will stay around untill late telling stories and the like.
I've always enjoyed this type of Christmas...surrounded by family. And this year, I have a new son to enjoy it with. Of course Parker has no idea and I don't think Kallsen does either. As far as our kids go, this Christmas is really one that Joseph will enjoy.
AJ
Christmas in my family has always been a special day...it will start with Joseph waking everyone up to head down stairs to open stockings and the day will go from stockings to presents right a way. Later in the morning...about 11:30 my sisters, their husbands and kids will arrive at my parents house and we will do a gift exchange with them and then we'll do a light lunch. At 2:30 the rest of the family will arrive. We'll do another gift exchange and then we'll eat dinner. Everyone will stay around untill late telling stories and the like.
I've always enjoyed this type of Christmas...surrounded by family. And this year, I have a new son to enjoy it with. Of course Parker has no idea and I don't think Kallsen does either. As far as our kids go, this Christmas is really one that Joseph will enjoy.
AJ
December 23, 2005
He looks like Kelsyn (Kallsen)
So we are in an elevator headed up to the eighth floor of Marshall Field's Department Store in Downtown Minneapolis when a man in the elevator says to his family while looking at my son Kallsen and says...He looks like Kelsyn!
Kallsen and Kelsyn are pronounced the same way. Such a different name and there are two boys that share the name (at least the annunciation.)
Small World.
AJ
Kallsen and Kelsyn are pronounced the same way. Such a different name and there are two boys that share the name (at least the annunciation.)
Small World.
AJ
December 22, 2005
Holidazzle, here we come!
We're headed to downtown Minneapolis tonight for the big parade. The city of Minneapolis has been sponsoring a nightly parade during the holiday season to lure people from the Suburbs to the downtown to shop.
I've never been to one of these parades but I understand they are just a great time. I'm hoping for something more fun than your average small town Christmas parade that lasts 15 minutes.
AJ
I've never been to one of these parades but I understand they are just a great time. I'm hoping for something more fun than your average small town Christmas parade that lasts 15 minutes.
AJ
Minnesota Car Wash
When driving in Minnesota in the dead of winter, your car gets covered in salt, sand and all kinds of muck. So after going out to dinner tonight, we decided to get the car washed to get all the muck of of our Suburban.
We pull into a Holiday Station Store and being that we weren’t getting gas or anything else, we pulled around to the car wash. This particular car wash has doors on both ends and the door at the entrance opens when you pull up. You drive on to a track and put your car into neutral and the car wash pulls you through. It stops at the station where you either can put your code in if you paid inside the store or at the pump or you can insert money into a bill acceptor and pay right there.
Well we pull in and get to the station to pay and the bill acceptor is out of order, the door behind us has closed and we’re trapped in the car wash with no way to get out. We had to call the store on the phone, explain we were trapped in the car wash, and convince the clerk to give us a code with the promise of paying for the car wash when we got out. Once we pull out of the car wash and drive around to the front of the building, my wife goes into pay and the clerk was on the phone telling one of her friends about this couple from Georgia that got stuck in the car wash.
AJ
We pull into a Holiday Station Store and being that we weren’t getting gas or anything else, we pulled around to the car wash. This particular car wash has doors on both ends and the door at the entrance opens when you pull up. You drive on to a track and put your car into neutral and the car wash pulls you through. It stops at the station where you either can put your code in if you paid inside the store or at the pump or you can insert money into a bill acceptor and pay right there.
Well we pull in and get to the station to pay and the bill acceptor is out of order, the door behind us has closed and we’re trapped in the car wash with no way to get out. We had to call the store on the phone, explain we were trapped in the car wash, and convince the clerk to give us a code with the promise of paying for the car wash when we got out. Once we pull out of the car wash and drive around to the front of the building, my wife goes into pay and the clerk was on the phone telling one of her friends about this couple from Georgia that got stuck in the car wash.
AJ
December 19, 2005
More Fair and Balanced?
I know a lot of people that swear by Fox News. They all say...Fox News is more fair and balanced..." But they really only think that because Fox News views things the way they view things. It sometimes amazes me at how some people can be completely snowed.
Here's an interesting article about media bias and I think you'll find this interesting.
The most middle of the road? The most moderate? PBS's "News Hour with Jim Lehrer," CNN's "News Night with Aaron Brown," and Good Morning America.
Just something to think about. Fox News was the most right sided. No surprise there. Just like no surprise that CBS is the most left sided news.
AJ
Here's an interesting article about media bias and I think you'll find this interesting.
The most middle of the road? The most moderate? PBS's "News Hour with Jim Lehrer," CNN's "News Night with Aaron Brown," and Good Morning America.
Just something to think about. Fox News was the most right sided. No surprise there. Just like no surprise that CBS is the most left sided news.
AJ
Minus 10 degrees
So my first morning in Minnesota I wake up to -10 degrees. While eating breakfast with Kallsen, Sara and my mom, my Dad calls the house (he was on his way to his office) to say that there were two Sundogs on either side of the sun. He thought that would be something Joseph might find interesting.
Sundogs are a cold weather phenomenon. It's when straight rainbow streams are on found next to the sun. Joseph had no interest in leaving the comfort of the computer game he was playing. My mom and I thought we could go get a picture of it. So we went outside to see. The sun was behind the trees from our view and my feet were cold (I went outside barefoot) so we went back in the house. I guess we'll have to wait for which ever morning we're planning on getting up and out early.
Today is the main day of relaxation. Tomorrow is the day for just me and Sara Beth. We're leaving the house between seven and eight in the morning and won't be back until late. Should be fun.
I'll update later today.
AJ
Sundogs are a cold weather phenomenon. It's when straight rainbow streams are on found next to the sun. Joseph had no interest in leaving the comfort of the computer game he was playing. My mom and I thought we could go get a picture of it. So we went outside to see. The sun was behind the trees from our view and my feet were cold (I went outside barefoot) so we went back in the house. I guess we'll have to wait for which ever morning we're planning on getting up and out early.
Today is the main day of relaxation. Tomorrow is the day for just me and Sara Beth. We're leaving the house between seven and eight in the morning and won't be back until late. Should be fun.
I'll update later today.
AJ
December 18, 2005
Made it to Minnesota
Two days in the car, 1,200 miles driven, and we've made it to Minnesota.
The kids, Kallsen and Parker, traveled much better than I thought they would. And we made it here in two days. There's eight to ten inches of snow on the ground the temp never got above 17 for the day (that was in Indiana) and the temp was 6 degrees when we finally got to my parent's house.
Tomorrow will be a day of relaxation. Tuesday Sara Beth and I will take a day to ourselves and my mom and sister will watch the kids. That will be nice.
I'll update on the trip through the week.
AJ
The kids, Kallsen and Parker, traveled much better than I thought they would. And we made it here in two days. There's eight to ten inches of snow on the ground the temp never got above 17 for the day (that was in Indiana) and the temp was 6 degrees when we finally got to my parent's house.
Tomorrow will be a day of relaxation. Tuesday Sara Beth and I will take a day to ourselves and my mom and sister will watch the kids. That will be nice.
I'll update on the trip through the week.
AJ
December 15, 2005
A Crippling Ice Storm
A ice storm has crippled several of our markets across South Carolina and Georgia. The storm was expected to hit hard just south and east of us and that's what happened.
WNEG, our Toccoa Radio Station is broadcasting right now from their transmitter site due to power outages across the downtown and two of our three markets in South Carolina are having trouble with the ice.
In Rabun county, the Southern portion of the county is covered in ice but from about Tiger north the temps have stayed above freezing and we have just rain and cold. If it drops a couple of degrees, we will be in trouble.
AJ
WNEG, our Toccoa Radio Station is broadcasting right now from their transmitter site due to power outages across the downtown and two of our three markets in South Carolina are having trouble with the ice.
In Rabun county, the Southern portion of the county is covered in ice but from about Tiger north the temps have stayed above freezing and we have just rain and cold. If it drops a couple of degrees, we will be in trouble.
AJ
Getting Ready for Christmas
I'm leaving Friday to drive to Jonesville, South Carolina to celebrate Christmas with my inlaws and we will leave their home on Saturday to drive to Minnesota. This will be my first Christmas in Minnesota since 2001.
My mom is a bit worried if her house is Kallsen proof or not. My mom's house has been kid and baby proof but Kallsen is a whole other challenge. When my parents came to Rabun County to see their newest grandson Parker in October, they commented that of their six other grand sons, Kallsen is by far the most active and wild. Not that that's a bad thing. Kallsen just likes to climb and get into things. And he is persistent in getting what he wants. If he wants on the kitchen table, he will get on the kitchen table. If that mean pulling, dragging or pushing different things to the table to climb to get to the table top, that's what he does.
One of the things I'm hoping to do while in Minnesota is too take Joseph and Kallsen to Boone Hill to go sledding. We weren't able to sled in 2001 because it didn't snow until right before we left and the other times we've been in Minnesota when there has been snow on the ground has been for funerals.
I'm guessing that Joseph won't be able to climb the hill more than three or four times. It is steep and slick and fast.
I'll probable update the blog while in Minnesota.
AJ
My mom is a bit worried if her house is Kallsen proof or not. My mom's house has been kid and baby proof but Kallsen is a whole other challenge. When my parents came to Rabun County to see their newest grandson Parker in October, they commented that of their six other grand sons, Kallsen is by far the most active and wild. Not that that's a bad thing. Kallsen just likes to climb and get into things. And he is persistent in getting what he wants. If he wants on the kitchen table, he will get on the kitchen table. If that mean pulling, dragging or pushing different things to the table to climb to get to the table top, that's what he does.
One of the things I'm hoping to do while in Minnesota is too take Joseph and Kallsen to Boone Hill to go sledding. We weren't able to sled in 2001 because it didn't snow until right before we left and the other times we've been in Minnesota when there has been snow on the ground has been for funerals.
I'm guessing that Joseph won't be able to climb the hill more than three or four times. It is steep and slick and fast.
I'll probable update the blog while in Minnesota.
AJ
December 09, 2005
Trumped by the Schools
Rabun County Schools have trumped us at the radio stations. They've just put into effect an automated system that calls all families with children in their schools if school will be delayed or if school is cancelled.
Why I can completely understand going to this automated system, the one time radio has been given a time to really shine is when winter weather happens. It's the one time the ones that don't listen to you on a regular basis will tune in to you.
While radio has overcome lots over the years, it will to overcome this as well. And at least we know this...all the workers will still be turning in to find out if the mill or the factory has closed.
AJ
Why I can completely understand going to this automated system, the one time radio has been given a time to really shine is when winter weather happens. It's the one time the ones that don't listen to you on a regular basis will tune in to you.
While radio has overcome lots over the years, it will to overcome this as well. And at least we know this...all the workers will still be turning in to find out if the mill or the factory has closed.
AJ
December 08, 2005
Parker back to Normal
Parker went and got his two month shots yesterday. Being that Parker has been feeding fine since Saturday and has not vomited since, the doctor said he can go back to his soy based diet.
We think everything will be fine.
AJ
We think everything will be fine.
AJ
December 07, 2005
Parker Doing Better
Parker is doing much better since his test at Egleston on Saturday. He has not vomited at all and has only spit up once, that I'm aware of, since Saturday.
Sara Beth has taken him to the doctor for his two month check up and shots this afternoon and when I know something, I will post it right here.
AJ
Sara Beth has taken him to the doctor for his two month check up and shots this afternoon and when I know something, I will post it right here.
AJ
December 06, 2005
Play by Play
I suck at Play by Play. There's no if ands or butts about it. I suck at Play by Play.
Last night we were short for our coverage of the girls and boys basketball game so I filled in as play by play then color commentator. There's a reason I never did this before. I suck.
And doing a sucky job when your team loses 117-33 is even worse.
AJ
Last night we were short for our coverage of the girls and boys basketball game so I filled in as play by play then color commentator. There's a reason I never did this before. I suck.
And doing a sucky job when your team loses 117-33 is even worse.
AJ
December 04, 2005
Wendy's and MacDonald
I came across thus on another blog. I thought this would be a really funny thing in our News of the Weird we do on SKY 104's morning show.
AJ
AJ
Parker back from Egleston
Our trip to Atlanta with Parker may have solved the problem. The first test on his pyloric showed it was of normal size but that it was not passing from the stomach to the intestines very well. They then gave him an 'Upper G-I' and that seemed to have pushed what ever was causing problems through his system.
While all of our questions are not answered, knowing that Parker will not need surgery on his pyloric is good. Not knowing why he has been vomiting at least twice a day for three weeks is discouraging.
The good news is he has not vomited since his upper GI and hopefully that cleared the blockage.
AJ
While all of our questions are not answered, knowing that Parker will not need surgery on his pyloric is good. Not knowing why he has been vomiting at least twice a day for three weeks is discouraging.
The good news is he has not vomited since his upper GI and hopefully that cleared the blockage.
AJ
December 02, 2005
Parker goes to Egleston
Parker went back to the doctor this afternoon after vomiting several times through the day. After a quick examination, the doctor was convinced it was something more severe than he originally thought. We are headed to Egleston Saturday morning. We are suppose to be seen at 9am and should know something by 11am.
Sara Beth and I are prepared to stay in Atlanta through at least Tuesday. If Parker has Pyloric Stenosis like Kallsen did, we will have to have his stomach pumped for about 24 hours before surgery and would have two days recovery before being released.
According to the doctor that did Kallsen's surgery, the likelihood of Parker having the same thing as his brother is 80 percent.
If Parker doesn't have Pyloric Stenosis they will test him for other aliments. Either way, we're prepared to be in Atlanta for several days.
AJ
Sara Beth and I are prepared to stay in Atlanta through at least Tuesday. If Parker has Pyloric Stenosis like Kallsen did, we will have to have his stomach pumped for about 24 hours before surgery and would have two days recovery before being released.
According to the doctor that did Kallsen's surgery, the likelihood of Parker having the same thing as his brother is 80 percent.
If Parker doesn't have Pyloric Stenosis they will test him for other aliments. Either way, we're prepared to be in Atlanta for several days.
AJ
Coffee House Wars
While free enterprise is still alive and well, I have a hard time when a giant strikes down a small business out of fear. Especially out of fear of bigger competition.
If given a choice of franchise coffee houses to over-pay for a cup of coffee, Caribou Coffee has always been my choice. But now that they’re forcing another coffee house to move, just isn’t right.
Lima Coffee is being forced to relocate after five years in that location because the mall developer recently signed an agreement to bring in a Caribou Coffee in another part of the development. The article, if you read it, says Caribou Coffee does these type agreements so it doesn’t end up against Starbucks. Lima Coffee isn’t Starbucks. And I would bet the owner of the mall could have singed an agreement saying no new coffee houses could move into the mall after Caribou moves in. But to force an existing tenet to move is ridiculous.
If given a choice of franchise coffee houses to over-pay for a cup of coffee, Caribou Coffee has always been my choice. But now that they’re forcing another coffee house to move, just isn’t right.
Lima Coffee is being forced to relocate after five years in that location because the mall developer recently signed an agreement to bring in a Caribou Coffee in another part of the development. The article, if you read it, says Caribou Coffee does these type agreements so it doesn’t end up against Starbucks. Lima Coffee isn’t Starbucks. And I would bet the owner of the mall could have singed an agreement saying no new coffee houses could move into the mall after Caribou moves in. But to force an existing tenet to move is ridiculous.
December 01, 2005
I'm Speechless
I’m Speechless
I have laryngitis. It began on Tuesday with a slightly sore throat. On Wednesday, I could sort of talk but the more I talked, the weaker my voice got. I woke up this morning and I am unable to talk at all.
There is good and bad with this. The bad is I can’t finish up my telemarketing of Christmas Greetings I have been selling this week. I know I can get another 10 to 15 sold…and that could slip away if I don’t get better soon. The good is I need to find another way to communicate with my to youngest children. And I look forward to the challenge. Maybe we’ll both learn something.
I’m also wondering if there is something more than having laryngitis. I’m feeling more tired than normal and I have a headache. And I rarely get headaches. So now I worried that something worse is on the way.
AJ
I have laryngitis. It began on Tuesday with a slightly sore throat. On Wednesday, I could sort of talk but the more I talked, the weaker my voice got. I woke up this morning and I am unable to talk at all.
There is good and bad with this. The bad is I can’t finish up my telemarketing of Christmas Greetings I have been selling this week. I know I can get another 10 to 15 sold…and that could slip away if I don’t get better soon. The good is I need to find another way to communicate with my to youngest children. And I look forward to the challenge. Maybe we’ll both learn something.
I’m also wondering if there is something more than having laryngitis. I’m feeling more tired than normal and I have a headache. And I rarely get headaches. So now I worried that something worse is on the way.
AJ
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