Jiffy Pete

Peak the long story

2009-04-28T10:40:00.001-06:00

4/28/2009

Peaks to Prairie was this past weekend and as they advertise it was an adventure race. I went up Saturday before the race to hang out with my cousin Lisa. She lives there with her husband Dennis. It’s nice to get up there a day early and visit and not have to get up so early the day of the race. The weather forecast was a little dicey calling for cold and snow. My thoughts on that is you dress warm prepare for the weather no big deal this is Montana late April what do you want sunshine and a warm wind at you back. (Well ya). My runner I guess didn’t car for the forecast. Paul calls Saturday around 19:30 and goes on about how there is going to be 2-3 inches of snow and just above 20 degrees and he thinks the roads will be icy and he doesn’t want to run on icy roads and sorry but he’s gonna bail out wuss .

This brings up the issue of how I will get my car. Paul was going to come up with Karen and one of them was going to drive my car from Red Lodge to Laurel. I mean yeah I will be in Laurel with my bike and my car will be in Red Lodge and I sure as hell do not want to ride back to get it. It turns out that Lisa was planning to do some shopping in Billings that afternoon. Okay now all I have to do is get to Billings and Lisa can give me a ride back to RL and my car. (Did I mention that this is an adventure race?)

I figure the race is more of a series of time trails and even if we don’t have a full team I can still ride and Drew can still kayak. We can do it for fun and see how our times stand with the other competitors. I give Drew a call and tell him what’s up and he says he is still in. (good for him) I tell him I should be at Riverside Park no earlier than 11:00, but since we will not have a timer chip he could hit the river any time he wanted to. He tells me he’ll see me at the river.

9:15 Sunday morning, 32 degrees and big fluffy flakes of snow furiously falling in front of me as I start the race. I have my shoes covered with gaiters newly purchased the previous day because I knew if I were to be biking in cold wet weather I wanted to keep my feet warm and dry. My leg and arm warmers protect my stems and an old Up With People windbreaker from 20 years ago helps keep my upper body and head dry. The first couple of miles with limited visibility and snow flying so fast it is hard to see I wonder again why? I guess it is because I set out to do it and the weather is just part of doing it. I was reminded of my cross country days from high school. We ran rain or shine and you just dressed for the weather and went out there knowing that when you are done you can warm up. The sooner you get done the sooner you can warm up.

Twenty minutes in the race I look down and snow is collecting on my water bottle, slush on my shoes and my windbreaker is a nice red with white snow settled in the creases. I’m not cold just in wonder of how crazy we all must be to think that this is fun? Did I mention that my bike computer was not working so I could not keep track of my time, miles or cadence? Not a big thing, but that was why I got the darn thing in the first place. No matter I’ve been to the gym enough to know what 100 RPM feels like on the bike so I’ll just go by feel. Dude the race went by pretty quick. I lie. It felt like forever. Well the first 20 miles went by pretty quick then my legs started fatigued my left ankle sore and I was coming down with an acute case of bikeasoreass. Only 23 more miles to go. To make a long story short I got to Riverside Park in Laurel about 2 hours 20minutes after leaving RL. Drew who was doing the boating part was no where to be found I assumed he had already left and why not we didn’t have a timing chip, he could leave anytime he wanted. Okay so now I have to get a ride to either Billings or Red Lodge. The Lord is good to me and as I get to the boat launch I see some people I have known since small kid time. Coby Theade who would been in the race but took this year off is helping some other people I know he is heading to Billing to the end of the race and can give me a ride to my house no problem.. (Did I mention that this is an adventure race?)

I get home and life is good I just have to wait for Lisa to give a call and I can go back to RL and get my car.
!

Kimball

2009-01-02T10:23:00.001-07:00

100-year-old buildings get makeover
by JENNIFER MOLK - For The Outpost
Rocky Mountain College in Billings has seen its share of growth and progress over the years, as a century of development has sprung up around its campus.
Now it is this institution’s turn to undergo sweeping renovations that will shore up unstable buildings, offer better access to those with disabilities and modernize the college with state-of-the-art technology and facilities.
Brad Nason, vice president of Student Life, said Rocky is halfway through a substantial growth mode. “Last summer, we did just over $700,000 in maintenance and renovation projects to the Fortin Center,” he said, “and over $5 million of renovation projects have either been completed or are currently under way.”
With the combined efforts of CTA Architects and High Tech Construction, one of the oldest buildings on campus, the current Kimball Hall, has been gutted to the lathe and plaster. Mr. Nason expects renovations to that building to be completed by July 2009. Then another phase that is expected to begin in the fall will include renovations to Eaton and Alden Halls.
In the end, Nason estimated the total completed projects to cost upward of $6 million, all paid for from donations. “All the money is donated by friends and supporters of the college right here in the community,” Nason stated. “You’re not going to find better classrooms or instructional spaces on any campus in the state or perhaps even the region than you will at Rocky Mountain College in the fall of 2009.”
That was then …
The grandfather of higher education in Montana, the college was founded in 1878 and underwent several name changes and academic structures before becoming what we know today as Rocky Mountain College.
The campus occupies 60 acres of prime real estate in Billings between 13th and 17th Streets West and Poly Drive and Rimrock Road. Its surroundings are lush and expansive set against the city’s trademark Rimrocks. It was stones from those Rimrocks that were excavated by hand a hundred years ago to build the dorms and classrooms that have for the most part stood the test of time. But as any century-old structure will reveal, there is always room for improvement.
“These old buildings were designed by students and faculty and built by students and faculty literally by hand,” Nason revealed. “They cut the stone, they did the drawings. There are all kinds of quirks in the buildings that you just wouldn’t see if it had been put together in a different way. We’ve tried to highlight some of those areas and leave some of the quirkiness in place. The floors are not going to be perfectly level. There are some arches that will be left exposed so that students and faculty and staff can see how the building was put together when the students first designed it. So that was an important component.”
Tech Hall
The most current completed renovations have been to Rocky’s Tech Hall building. “We put on a new roof,” Nason began. “It actually had some water damage inside, and we did some repairs to walls and ceilings on the inside of the facility, and then put in an ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) accessible ramp to the front of the building.”
Those services had been made available elsewhere on the campus, but Nason said that adding more of those services that are in compliance is a huge step forward for the college.
“In 1918,” he said, “the building wasn’t designed with wheelchairs in mind. And so our architectural consultant, Wayne Gustafson, designed a ramp that was added to the facility as well. And it really looks very nice. This year we have two students in wheelchairs and a couple of other students with physical disabilities who just can’t go up stairs.”
Nason said that without that ramp, the college would have really been limited in its accommodations.
“This way we’re better able to accommodate students than we ever have before,” he said.
Fortin Center
The college’s gymnasium was also included in this phase of the renovations. “We put in new bleachers in our Fortin Center,” Nason said. “The bleachers we had felt like they dangerously moved and wobbled when people walked on them. The bleachers now will seat 1,900, and while that is a reduction from what it was before, it’s certainly far safer and more comfortable than the Fortin Center enjoyed before.”
The Fortin Center is the institution’s hub for sporting events, camps and conferences throughout the year.
Kimball Hall
Kimball Hall was built in 1909 and is undergoing the most extensive renovations, which in the end, will result in a new name.
“We’re renovating what was Kimball Hall,” Nason said. “It will then become Morledge Kimball Hall. The Morledge family generously provided resources for us to renovate that facility.
“It is a top to bottom renovation,” he continued. “We’ll have 10,000 square feet in the existing historic building, and then we’re going to add about 9,000 square feet of an addition on the back. That will be classroom space and faculty offices.”
The completed facility will serve around 30 faculty members and 250 students in seven large classrooms and four smaller seminar classrooms. “Our fall classes will be scheduled in that facility,” Nason projected.
While some may frown on adding on to a historic building, Nason said that the original building will retain its historic charm, while the addition will only serve to complement its predecessor.
“The new addition pays homage to the existing facility, but it wasn’t designed to look exactly like Kimball Hall,” Nason said. “It’s designed to pay homage to Kimball Hall but be a new type of structure and in doing that we created more efficiency, just a better product for our students, with more creature comforts.
“The real challenge with a project like this,” he went on, “is honoring the tradition and intent of the existing structure, of a building that was built in 1914 but still bringing it up to current standards and making certain the character of the original facility remains.”
Indeed, Todd Hauck of High Tech Construction and foreman for this project said the first challenge for his team was to find the defects and come up with a solution that was cost effective and didn’t compromise something else, structurally or historically.
“It made things very interesting,” he said. “We were pretty creative. We had to figure out how to get it structurally sound again without tearing it down and starting over.”
One of the ways the builders have done that is evident in the basement of Kimball Hall. They’ve purposely left a portion of the floor to characteristically and charmingly slope, while underground the necessary fixes were made to its footings.
Next on the drawing board
Eaton Hall is also among the oldest buildings on Rocky’s campus. “Eaton is one of the next priorities for us,” Nason said. “It is one of the older brick structures, and Alden is one of the older sandstone structures. And those two are on our radar for sort of the next phase of our construction.”
The plans for those buildings include renovating the floors and changing the layout so it would be more efficient for students and employees.
The college and its architects have also started the design process for a renovation to the Science Center.
“We’ll more than double the size of the existing structure,” Nason said, “adding some research labs for faculty and for our students, so each program within the natural sciences will have their own research lab as well as general classroom laboratory space. That would be probably a two-year renovation and construction project.”
In the meantime, Nason will advocate for adhering to tradition. “When you’re an institution that’s 130 years old,” he stated, “paying respect to tradition I think is critically important. Tradition is an important part of higher education and an important part of this institution. I don’t think it was as hard because of the unique nature of how these buildings came together originally. It wasn’t as hard to decide what needed to be preserved. It was more a matter of balancing what was there and creating comforts for everybody against 1900s design.”

To Laurel

2008-04-13T18:02:00.003-06:00

The weather was nice an warm today. The high got up to 73. I took advantage to go on a nice long bike ride. I figured with 2 weeks to go before Peak to Prairie I should see if I can go the 43 miles I'll need to go for the race. I checked the weather channel to see which way the wind was blowing, figuring I would go into the wind for the first part of the ride. This would make the ride home with the wind. With the wind at 8-12 mph from the southwest I decided to bike to Laurel. The last time I rode a bike to Laurel was about 2o years ago. That was also when I was last in Peaks. I took the back roads to Laurel and average 15 mph. On the way back I took the interstate and cruised at a average speed of 25 mph. When I got home 2 1/2 hours later I had gone 43.1 miles. Felt pretty good I think I use the hot tub at the gym tomorrow.

Peaks To Praire

2008-04-10T09:19:00.003-06:00

With a little over two weeks to go things look good for at least being able to finish the 43 mile bike ride which will be my part of the race. Yesterday I went on a 32 mile ride and today my legs feel fine. The main thing is the upper arm soreness. One puts a lot of stress on the neck and shoulders while biking. You don't get that work out from the stationary bikes in the gym. I am fortunate enough to be riding a Trek Pilot road bike. I am borrowing it from a friend. I got the bike on Sunday and road 22 mile that day, 20 miles Monday, gym work on Tuesday, and 32 mile yesterday. Today I plan on gym work mostly for the upper body; need that upper arm strength. Another good think about the training is that I've dropped 15 pounds from the beginning of the year. I can almost wear my "skinny jeans"

http://billingsgazette.net/articles/2008/04/09/news/local/29-peaks_m.txt

2008-03-27T09:39:00.000-06:00

Your Score: Whoa!

72 % Literacy

Reading is your thing, isn't it? You like a little of this, and a little of that, but you haven't read it all. No big deal, you can converse well about literature, and it makes you happy. Good for you!

Link: The Basic Literacy Test Test written by minainblue on OkCupid, home of the The Dating Persona Test
View My Profile(minainblue)

2008-03-24T09:16:00.000-06:00

first impressions

2008-02-10T19:44:00.000-07:00

We had a pretty busy week-end at Jakes. The all state wrestling tournament was in town so there were a lot of people. I was in the over flow section so after a busy first turn or so they closed down my section. I still had people I just wasn't to be sat any more tables. A couple was sitting at one of our smaller tables which was fine while they were eating their appetizers. He had order the full rack of ribs which comes out on a very big plate. I call that particular order the "Barney Rubble" special. She orders a filet and a small order of onion rings to have with dinner. All this will not fit well on the small table I thought. Thankfully a larger table open up and I suggested to them before the entrees arrive that we move to the larger table. All was good as we brought the food we now had plenty of room. A little bit latter the guy asked me if I was "Uncle Fester" The couple had met around Halloween of 2005 and I was there server. I looked different back then as I was dressed up as “Uncle Fester”. They said my voice sounded familiar but it was the good service that made them remember. I guess I must have made an impression.

2008-01-28T00:00:00.001-07:00

Peaks to Praire

2008-01-25T12:56:00.000-07:00

Ran into a friend last night I hadn't seen in a long time. Last time I saw her was probably in November when she came to Jakes for dinner. She had asked me then if I might be interested in getting a team together for Peaks to Prairie. That would fun but I wasn't sure how serious either one of us were at the time. So night I brought up the subject. She kayaks and I would do the biking part so all we need is a runner. She thought it would be fun and would give each of us a reason to get in shape. I have been going to the gym on a fairly regular basis but it always helps to have a goal.

The last time I did Peaks to Prairie was around 1986. My friend Jon Stickney did the running I did the biking and both of us did the river leg in a canoe. The race is usually the last Sunday in April so that gives me 3 months to get in shape. What the hell it should be fun.

Scanning Up With People

2008-01-24T09:33:00.000-07:00

The last couple week I have been busy scanning pictures. Twenty years ago I first traveled with the group Up With People. This year we we be having a 20 year reunion held in Tucson AZ. Reunions are always an opportunity to see friends one hasn't seen in long time. We take new pictures and look at old pictures. If we are lucky we recognize ourselves in the old pictures and we recognize our friends in the new pictures. Using the scanner I got for Christmas, (thank you Annie) I am in the process of scanning pictures from my albums from Cast E 1988. It will be much easier to bring a flash drive with pictures than 3 bulky albums.

This year will also be the 80's decade reunion at Rocky. In the process of helping with that I have discovered facebook. I started a group for the 80's decade to start bringing people together. Face book is a wonderful program. Through it I have reconnected with past friends from my Up With People days as well as friends that have moved away from Billings. Oh yeah also a few students from the Rocky 80's.

Which Harry Potter Character Are You?

2008-01-16T14:44:00.000-07:00

Which Harry Potter Character Are You?
	You are part Harry. You're a loyal and courageous friend. You'd do anything to protect the people you love, especially if it'll get you a break from class for a little while.
	You are part Ron. You're the typical sidekick. Sometimes you get jealous of your more popular friends, but that's only because you don't how much work it is to be in the spotlight.
Find Your Character @ BrainFall.com

Happy 08

2008-01-01T15:04:00.000-07:00

Another busy night at Jakes. From last years pictures 4 people no longer work with us and 3 new people in this picture. It was a good smooth night. We blocked out reservation from 7-7:15 and 8-8:15. It may not seem like much but not taking reservations in those 15 minute blocks makes the night flow much better.

Christmas 2007

2007-12-26T13:17:00.000-07:00

Christmas celebrations got started early this year with a visit from the North Dakota Taylor's. They came into town Friday the 21st. I was at work when the arrived and figure they would be in bed when I got home. I had 8:30 Christmas party so I knew I wouldn't be home much before mid-night. When I did get home the living room light was still on. Teen-agers I forgot don't go to bed early especially on vacation. Jonathan and Natalie were still up so I got to catch up with them.

The next day (Saturday) Dad made sourdough waffles which are always a treat. After lunch Mark and Rosanna came over and shared pictures from their trip to Germany. I took a picture of this and it looks like an ad for Apple. Later we got a picture of the apple lap tops and Natalie with her "baby lap top". Okay so it's not a lap top it's a DVD viewer, but for purposes of the picture... Naps were had in the afternoon and then dinner at Jakes.

We had a busy night at Jakes. The family came in at 5:30. I thought I'd have time to chat before getting busy, but we were busy from the get go. The Chase Hawks Rodeo was that night with a 7:30 start. People wanted an early dinner then off to the Rodeo. I ended the night with over $1400 in sales. That's more than I'll do on New Years, which used to be one of our busiest nights. I usually clock out 10-10:30. That night I didn't get done until 11:30. Of course when I got home the "kids" were still up.
Sunday afternoon the visitors headed out of town, not before Natalie found her date for the prom. He's a little skinny but won't cause any problems.

Fudge

2007-12-18T11:54:00.001-07:00

I was at the store with the purpose of getting something else. I'm not sure what that something else was anymore. Walking down an aisle I saw the marshmallow cream. Normally not a big fan of marshmallow cream. Really no use for it. Threw some out this summer that had been sitting in the kitchen so long it was yellow and no longer creamy. So why should it give a siren now. One word FUDGE. "Fantasy Fudge- Recipe on the back" I haven't had homemade fudge in a long time. Mrs. Johnson ,the next door neighbor of my youth, would always make a candy tray for Christmas. Buttery caramels, rich chocolate fudge, cookies, pralines. Oh it was good stuff!

Mom would teach us kids how to bake and Christmas was always the best time. Even before she died she had made cookies and fudge and other goodies preparing for the holidays. They were kept frozen and after her death we could still enjoy some of Mom's good cooking. So seeing that jar of "Jet Puffed Marshmallow cream" I just had to make some fudge. Mom of course could make fudge from scratch, I have to cheat. Another thing Mom use to make was Penuche candy. So I tried my hand at that too. After all we have family coming over this week-end, so we must have treats!

remembering Mom

2007-12-04T10:33:00.000-07:00

So one of those little synchronicity moments happened at work last night. It was almost the end of my shift i had one more table to pay out. I go back into the kitchen and Gary our sauté cook is singing "Country Roads"

"Almost Heaven West Virginia..." I smile a little as I hear the song that Mom liked.

My table has paid out so I go to collect their checks. It was an group of seven with 5 separate checks. I gather up the folders and some change falls out of one, a couple of quarters, one from Wyoming and one from West Virginia. I laugh at the sight of the WV quarter and go to the kitchen to give it Gary. After all he was just singing that song. I get my side work done and go to change out of my work clothes. It was then that I noticed what time it was. Just a little before 10:00 as I think about it Gary was singing about WV around 9:30 and I got left a West Virginia quarter around 9:30. That in its self is no big deal but it was 2 years yesterday around 9:30 that Mom died.

Oh the mystery of it all. :-)

Movie freak

2007-11-18T17:28:00.000-07:00

61% Movie Freak

Get a Cash Advance

By way I saw Beowulf yesterday. The 3-D was amazing. The movie was enjoyable but the 3D made it.

dried apples

2007-10-09T10:38:00.000-06:00

Yesterday I dried apple from the tree. A couple of weeks ago I had purchased a dehydrator. There are so many apples on the tree and they might as well be put to good use. I remember last Thanks giving when Cec brought Apple Chips and how good they were. I asked her how she made them so I could try my hand. The first batch I made didn't turn out so well. Instead of dusting sliced apples with jello powder and shaking them in a Tupperware bowl to get a nice even cover. I placed them one at a time in a pile of powder while still wet. Like one would do when breading shrimp. The jello dissolved, the apples where unevenly covered and things didn't turn out so well. So I went back and re-read the e-mail Cec had sent me. A little jello goes a long way and shake them like shake and bake. The second batch turned out better.
This third batch I cut the apples thicker and made four different styles:Plain, cinnamon sugar, ginger sugar, and blueberry jello. The pictures are pre and post dehydrated

blog addiction

2007-10-08T11:08:00.000-06:00

48%

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oops

2007-10-05T11:40:00.000-06:00

So Wednesday night I'm taking a tray of drinks to a table. It was one of those nights when it's hurry up and wait and then you get a bunch of tables. I had just gotten a bunch of tables. After dropping off the drinks I cleared some of the finished plates off the table. A fellow server noticed that I had gotten some new tables and offered to take the tray back to the the kitchen so I could great my new tables. As he grabs the tray and walks off, my tie starts going with him. My tie had gotten underneath a couple of plates. We looked at each other in surprise and started laughing. Oops.

Also on Wednesday I went to the dentist for the first time in 6 years. After hearing about dental woes a couple months ago I figured I'd better get back in the routine of teeth cleaning. I didn't have any teeth giving me problems so I wasn't to worried. I had to get all my x-rays caught. The only problem was a lot of tartar. So much so that the cleaning will take place it two stages. The first with a "hammer and chisel" let the gums heal and then a fine cleaning. The dentist said with the shape my teeth are in the only thing to worry about are my gums. I've often said about us Taylors "good teeth bad eyes"

geek boy

2007-09-24T09:58:00.001-06:00

So do you get more nerd points for posting a geekie picture

MOD

2007-09-14T00:02:00.000-06:00

Another Thursday another Manager on duty shift (MOD). The weather being nice I decide to walk to work. I listen to my new CD from CMJ (College music Journal). CMJ sends a CD once a month with different music that I would probably never hear in Billings. Walking to work gives me a chance to check out the new tunes. One of the songs "1234" happens to be featured in the new Ipod commercial. I decided to walk down along the "Tree Streets" and through the alleys. I like walking the alleys too see what people might be growing in their gardens. There are enough gardens in our neighborhood we could have our own farmers market, not so much on the "Tree Streets".

My walk takes me past the medical corridor where I walk past the new Deaconess Healing Gardens. They have been working on it for awhile and it seems almost done. In fact in Friday's paper there is an article about it: http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2007/09/14/news/local/22-garden.txt

While walking through the corridor I notice how spread out everything is. Not a lot of tall buildings to block the view of the Rims or the sky. If this were a city in the East there is no way so much land would just be used for parking lots. They would build up and have parking towers. The Hospital would be more than 4-5 stories high and blocks long. This is "Big Sky Country"so don't block our view of the sky. With those thoughts in mind I cross 27th and see how the construction on Cobb Field is going. Last week at this time I was going to the final game in the old stadium. The bleachers are all gone the infield is being torn up, the tickets booths are gone. The entry way is torn up and come Monday the stadium itself will begin to feel the wrecking ball.

Once I got to Jakes it became a typical Thursday. The hand sink by the wait staff station was clogged up but in a state of being repaired. My 5:00 hostess misread the schedule and thought she was expediting at 6:30. The opening serving though there to open had no work shirt to wear until his girl friend brought a clean one. We of course got busy right at opening so I had to fill up the section of a server who was prepared. I prefer not to slam a server but to space the guests out so they get better service. That don't always work. Thankfully my expediter came in at 6:00 my host at 6:15 and things started to run a little smoother. My buser came in at 6:30, but he wasn't feeling well and after about an hour I sent him home. We made it through the night in typical Thursday fashion everyone helping out and picking up slack. I am great full that once everybody is there they do a good job. After I long night it's time to go home. I then realize one of the draw backs or walking to work is walking from work. Up hill tired and a little chilly.

2007-09-11T00:09:00.000-06:00

You Scored an A

You got 9/10 questions correct.

It's pretty obvious that you don't make basic grammatical errors.
If anything, you're annoyed when people make simple mistakes on their blogs.
As far as people with bad grammar go, you know they're only human.
And it's humanity and its current condition that truly disturb you sometimes.

The It's Its There Their They're Quiz

Of course at work when I ask if people want sour cream and chives and they say just sour cream I want to say , "I said and not or!" It's all mixed together

carpet

2007-09-06T11:07:00.000-06:00

One of the nice things about having a carpet cleaner is one can take their time cleaning. With Dad in Portland this was a good time to give the carpet a good cleaning. I started with the living room on Tuesday moving as much as I could to the bed room. Let the rug dry over night and then did the dinning room Wednesday. For some reason the rooms look so much bigger with nothing in them. This morning (Thursday)I put every thing back. If I would have gotten a rug doctor I would of had to do it all in one day.

Grand Ave is open after a summer of construction. The section from 8th Street West to 12th is like driving in another city. A turn lane into Wendy's or McDonald's who'd have thought it.

This Friday I plan on going to the last Mustangs game at Cobb Field. I originally was going to work but some one was trolling for shifts so I thought what the heck. To go to one last game at Cobb field I couldn't pass it up. I'll bring my camera and take lots of last pictures.

Sugar Cookies

2007-08-31T03:52:00.000-06:00

So I'm looking through the cupboards and see a lot off powdered sugar that Mom had got. What can I do with all this powdered sugar. Make cookies!! I had told my friends at Jakes that I would make them some cookies so this is what I made. With Dad not here I didn't need to leave so many in the cookie jar. It is full by the way. I know I make cookies in honor of Mom. I think it is a good thing to remember her by. I keep the cookie jar full for me and Dad because I think Mom would want it that way.

Some regulars were in tonight who have met Mom and Dad and were in last year when Lee and Irene were in town. I had some cookies left over after giving them to the crew and they thought they were great and wanted the recipe. So I made sure I posted it. (Your welcome Rachel.) I never follow a recipe so I used Rum extract not vanilla

POWDERED SUGAR COOKIES

1 c. butter
1 1/2 c. powdered sugar
1 c. white sugar
1 c. oil
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
4 c. flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cream of tartar
1 tsp. baking soda

Cream butter, powdered sugar, white sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla. Mix in flour, salt, cream of tartar, and baking soda. Refrigerate overnight. Roll into balls. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Makes 75 cookies.

wands

2007-08-30T13:42:00.000-06:00

center>

Wood type: apple
Length: 8 inches
Core: Kelpie Hair

get your own wand!

Apple:

It is an old English custom to drink to the health of the Apple tree with a good glass of cider all in hopes of encouraging the tree to produce a good crop next year. The apple tree symbolizes youth, beauty and innocence. Apple Wood wands are well suited for healing spells, and is an especially good kind of wand as it also helps to focus the energy very well. Apple wood wands tend to choose those who are slightly immature, or have a great youthful sprit. The wands tend to not respond well to those who do not fit it's temperament, and in fact are very unpopular among wand thieves as it tends to ignore the orders of others altogether.
Apple's personality is Motherly

Kelpie Hair: Kelpie hair comes from the mane of a Kelpie, a water demon commonly found in Britton and Ireland, who often takes the shape of a horse. The most famous Kelpie is referred to by Muggles as the Loch Ness monster. Kelpie's are adaptable creatures, and thus the wand is a good core for most types of magic, but especially water magic

peace village

2007-08-18T11:36:00.000-06:00

I had a busy past week. Monday, "Peace Village" started which is a day camp sponsored by the "Institute for Peace Studies" at Rocky. I volunteered to help. The camp went from 9-3 Monday though Friday. I would arrive around 8:30 The kids would start showing up around 8:45. There were a little over 40 kids. After all the kids arrived we would have a little all together time before splitting in two groups one group would sing and the other would go and do crafts after about 40 minutes we would switch. I was helping in the craft group. Each day we would have a different theme like how we interact with others or the environment. What conflicts are going on in the would or in our life. How can we control our own behaviour. We had a lot of siblings at camp so there were talks about conflicts with brothers or sisters. Not that I would know anythings about that. I did share about how I would wake up one of my brothers with a squirt gun and how that probably wasn't a good idea. Then we would draw a picture depending on the theme of the day.

After crafts and singing we would have a guest speaker which would take us into lunch. Bribe the speaker with a free lunch. That's one thing the kids didn't have to worry about was food. We had snacks in the morning big lunch, after noon snacks and lots of water. (which meant for lots a potty breaks). After lunch was free play, then story time. We learned about Nellie Bly, George Washington Carver, FDR, and the conflicts in their lives and how they over came them. Before you knew it, it was 3:00 and time for the kids to go.

Twice a day we would also give out prizes. Rewarding positive behaviour. Most of the prizes we things the kids could use when they went back to school. On the last day one of the parents told me how nice it was that the kids were getting school supplies. For some of the kids getting makers and colored pencils and and note books and folders is a big deal.

After Peace Village I would go home take a quick nap and then off to Jakes. This being Fair Week we were busy people coming in early and late. As I said it's was a busy week.

SOLD

2007-08-03T12:54:00.001-06:00

Looking at posts from this time last year, I had spent most of the summer working on the house on Rockrim getting it ready to sell. It finally has sold!! Not as much as we were hoping for but it is no longer my problem. The appraisal came it about $20,000 under our agreed upon price. The bank will only loan based on the appraised value. Seems to me that something is worth what some one will pay for. Oh well at least it's finished, after almost two years I'm glad to not have to worry about it any more.

The next Thursday

2007-07-27T10:14:00.000-06:00

After last Thursday I didn't know what to expect this week. Steve is on vacation and usually the first day he is gone something breaks down (nothing yet). But at the end of last night I was happy nobody chipped a tooth, no chairs broke, and those that were scheduled were only schedule for one shift. The only out of the ordinary thing was a tour group of 70. They had come in Tuesday night so we knew how it would work. They will also be coming in next Monday. They only have a choice of prime rib or salmon it's a lot of people but not complicated. So it was just a nice busy crazy normal night. One down two more to go.

ravenclaw

2007-07-27T00:29:00.000-06:00

I did finish the book very much enjoyed it. She tells a good story. I 'll now have to go back and read the others so far I've read two of the books. The first and the last. I have seen the movies so I wasn't totally lost.

Sort me!

Thursday 19

2007-07-20T10:32:00.000-06:00

Last night was one of those crazy nights at Jakes. Never a dull moment in the business. Thursday is my night to play manager on duty and always something strange seems to happen, last night was no different. One of the first things I do is check and see who my opening server is. Lauren has that covered and I see she worked during the day because some opening work is already done. I begin to set up a banquet in section 6 for Southern Montana Electric. Around 4:30 I notice the early cocktail hasn't shown up yet so I check the schedule and see that Lauren is also scheduled for early cocktail. This will happen sometimes when people are cross trained and have there name on more than one schedule. Steve is usually pretty good about checking that but oops. Since Lauren is running late for early cocktail but early for setting up the restaurant I assume she didn't notice she was double scheduled. No problem we have an extra section scheduled for the night so I'll just slide Reilly from section 5 to section 4. We usually work with 4 sections so I'm not to worried and am happy to have the extra person.

It's getting close to 6:00 and I make a commit about Amy and will she be right on time or a little late her first day back after getting married last Sunday. Cramer our kitchen manager looks with a surprised haven't you heard kind of look. Amy's sister (Anna Scott) was involved shooting. Anna's boyfriend shot her in the head. She's doing fine in the hospital, but Amy's not coming in because she's with her sister who got shot in the head. Amy had called Kathy to let her know what was going on but no body told me. Now I believe that Amy's doing the right thing and am glad to hear her sister's condition is not life threatening but could some one have told me after all I am Manager on Duty and it helps to know these things. I'm sure Kathy figured we could just move Reilly into Amy's section and we would be fine. After all she didn't know that Lauren was double scheduled and I'd already switched Rielly.

Torrie shows up ready to do the banquet. I have 5 sections that need covered and 4 people. I could stretch the servers out and go with three in the restaurant and keep Torrie with her banquet or I can move Torrie in the restaurant and I can take the banquet. I make the call to be "player coach". I have two hosts, a busboy, and a food runner, so I have the support staff. I know we can make this work. The night was busy and everyone worked together so I was felling good about the night.

Then Sarah comes up to me with I know you don't need to hear this after the way the night has gone but a chair broke while a women was sitting in it. The women was a little shaking up but not hurt. I go talk to the table they are pretty cool about the whole thing. I give them Steve's card if they feel the need to talk with the Manager, but I think she was just shaken up not hurt. A table close by motions to me and gives me his business card. He wanted to let me know he saw what happened just in case we need a witness. Looking at his card I notice his name is Mark Astle.

"Any relation to Lisa Astle" I ask.

I went to high School with Lisa. Turns out this guy is Lisa's Uncle. So because a chairs breaks I get caught on a high school friend. Lisa's brother is a screen writer and wrote the movie "Failure to Launch" Mark tells me Lisa is in the movie. Not Lisa herself but her brother used Lisa as inspiration for some bits in the movie. How cool is that.

That night came to an end and we made it through Thursday. By taking the banquet I even made some tips. So it all worked out.

the bed room

2007-07-15T23:11:00.000-06:00

hot

2007-07-07T09:07:00.000-06:00

It was hot yesterday. This is the temp inside and outside. Keep in mind the outside temp is from the shade of the northern part of the house. Gold wingers have been in town and have kept us busy at Jakes. I guess Chris knows some people who own Gold wings. They came in to Jakes to say hi to Uncle Pete from Chris. I wasn't there but I did get the message. There was also a couple in last night from Ashland, Kentucky and has gone to school at Marshall. Small world

Dad's new toy

2007-06-27T10:37:00.000-06:00

Dad has a new toy. He got a lap top Tuesday morning and has been busy transferring information. The picture is him up-dating his blog sites. Annie helped with the google reader.

kick ball

2007-06-25T09:55:00.000-06:00

Yesterday was a busy one. It started with church morning and ended with a symphony in the park. In between I did something I haven't done in over 30 years. One of the local bars held a kick-ball tournament. The tourney was for other bars and restaurants. There were 7 teams total. I guess in had been planed for a couple of months but at Jakes the first we heard about it was Wednesday. We are closed Sundays so it was no problem getting people together to play. The rules were pretty loosed. The idea was just to get people in the food industry together and have fun beer and BBQ. I rode my bike so I would be warmed up. It didn't work I still managed to pull a hammy. Not much but just enough so I wasn't going to play any more. We were well represented by one family. We have twin sisters working for us as well as their step brother. Their Mom and Dad set in for the first game.

After I pulled my hammy I rode my bike home so I could take a nap before going to the symphony in the park. When I got up from the nap Dad had prepared a tasty meatloaf dinner. The old man's not a bad cook. The symphony is always enjoyable. I like to watch the kids as they move to the music. There are friends I see every once in a while and the music's not bad either

http://picasaweb.google.com/jiffypete/Kickball

biking

2007-06-14T13:21:00.000-06:00

Went for a long bike ride yesterday. Last week I notice the wild flowers blooming and how green everything was. Yesterday I brought my camera. I am always in awe of the different colors and shades of the same color. The contrast of brown rock and purple flowers. Green leafs growing on a "dead" tree. One of the pictures shows the purple colors of grass going to seed and I couldn't help think about the purple mountains majesty. What looks like a water fall by a nice stream is just behind the water treatment plant. The deep blue of the sky and the cotton candy clouds. God's creation is a wonder, that's one of the reasons I enjoy going on a bike ride, so I can see it. So this is the first time I'm trying the album feature to share some pictures. Hope it works
http://picasaweb.google.com/jiffypete/RimrockBikeTrail?authkey=cBXpxRvOLWE

Blood test

2007-06-13T09:09:00.000-06:00

Went and had my blood drawn yesterday. This week is national men's health week. One of the hospitals sent out a mailing to the Men of 917 Harvard for 6 point health check.(Men's panel)

www.svh-mt.org/services/all_health/labcheck/mens_panel.htm

The other hospital had an mention in their what's going on this week in the paper. The mail out had more information was more direct so I went to that hospital. Dad figured I should get a base line established and he offered to pay for it. So I took him up on his offer. A water fast of 8 hours is needed before the test so I opted to have it first thing in the morning. During the blood drawing the nurse got the first vial no problem. When she went to fill the second vial the needle must have slipped because she wasn't getting any blood. She tried to reposition it but came up with a dry hole. So she used the other arm. Once in high school while giving blood something similar had happened so I didn't worry about it. I do have a nice junkie bruise on my right arm though. My last blood test was while I was at Rocky almost 14 years ago so it was about time. I'll see if I'm still in the low cholesterol ranks

ginger oatmeal cookies

2007-06-08T15:40:00.000-06:00

I have been making cookies from the Betty Crocker Cooky Book lately. As a child Mom would have us pick a recipe and we learned how to bake. What a better way to teach a child about baking then making cookies. One of the first cookies I learned to make were snicker doodles. I think I picked them because I liked the name. When you're a kid snicker doodles is just fun to say. Last week I made some for the first time in years and they turned out pretty well. In fact Dad gave me permission to make them again if I wanted to. I also tried something new. "Ginger oatmeal cookies". A very simple low fat cookie very much like a cake mix cookie. I was talking with David about them and told him I'd post the recipe.

Ginger Oatmeal Cookies
1 pkg Betty crocker ginger bread mix
1 cup apple sauce
2 cups quick cooking rolled oats
1/2 cup chopped nuts
1/2 cup chopped raisins

Heat oven to 400 (mod hot). mix all ingredients.
Drop dough by teaspoonfuls 1" apart on well-greased
baking sheet. Bake 10 to 12 minutes

Very simple and something a little different nice flavours

Catch up

2007-06-08T12:49:00.000-06:00

So what have I been up to over the last 3 months since last I really blogged?
February 19th I started working at Alphagraphics(AG). A high end print shop. I started basically answering the phones and taking orders from people that walked in with something to print. It sounds easy. Then they want a certain paper and will it be more cost effective on the digital copier or on the printing press. What color do they want? How many? When do they need it (yesterday)? What size is the finished product? What size will it run? How do I write the order so others will know what the customer wants? The phone rings and they ask for a person and I don’t even know yet who all works here. That was the first day. No the first day wasn’t that bad but I did feel like I was given a quick over view then started the on the job training before I really was ready.

As some one from the food service industry I credit my ability to do a good job in the front of the house with the fact that I started in the back of the house. I knew what we served and had a good idea of how it was prepared. I didn’t have that cushion at AG. I felt as if I was shown the menu given a quick tour of the kitchen then asked to go out on the floor. The people that work there are very helpful. They did guide me through the first couple of weeks and I started to feel more comfortable. The first wedding invitation I did was for the nephew of a friend of mine. This couple comes in (15 minutes before closing.) They have an idea for a wedding invitation. Before them is a sample with many folds looking very origamish. I’m thinking what the hell can we do here? I talk with them a bit and realize we’re just doing the printing; they are going to be doing the folding part. Now this becomes just a simple print on two sides what kind of paper and ink color do you want job. It’s never that simple. The sample is a pencil sketch of the trailhead of the Appellation Trail along with the regular wedding invite stuff. Please join us as we… the parents of … the date…. rvsp at the web site www….

I see the name of the couple and the last name of Pogue stands out, it is the last name of a friend of mine (Gary Pogue) Gary and my brother Jimmie were best of friends and Gary and I have been in many shows at BST together. So I ask if he were related as Pogue is not a common name. Gary is his Uncle. His name is Halleck Pogue and his fiancé is Shanon Scow. Far out so my first invite is part of the connectedness we have in the 6 degrees of separation. Only in Montana it’s 3 and in any given city in Montana it’s 2. We decide that the best option for the invite is to put it on the press. We pick out a color of ink. Inks come in what are known as PMS colors. One picks the PMS numbers and the printer knows what color to mix. We pick a color and this being my first invite I check with my trainer Amanda as to the proper way to write it up. Good thing because PMS colors are for coated and uncoated paper. The colors will look different depending on the paper.

Remember when I said that it’s never that simple, good thing I checked with Amanda because I had chosen a coated PMS for uncoated paper. I think Halleck and Shanon actually felt better knowing this was my first invite because they knew I would be checking things to get it right. The next simple thing was to get the pencil drawing scanned with enough resolution so we could transfer it to the press. Keeping in mind that we are printing on both sides and they have folds in certain places and the drawing and information have to line up front and back so when it is folded it will make sense. Simple all we have to do is print a double sided document. In the end the invites turned out really nice. Even the veterans liked the origami nature of the invite and thought it was cool.

It really is amazing what the design people can do. A sponsor for West High’s softball team comes in with an idea for a poster. Stick sketches on a sheet of paper with various boxes indicating were pictures should go. She wants the posters landscape instead of the traditional letter. With a list of names and a disk with the photos of team members:
“Here you go call me when you have something to show me”
“We don’t have all the sponsor logos could you send them to me?”
“This name is spelled wrong and could you add another name to the sponsor list?”
“I want the pictures bigger”
“No not all of them just the varsity picture the JV’s can be smaller”
“We have another proof for you to see”
“This looks good but I have one more change”
“We have another proof for you to see”
“That looks great when can you have them ready?”

“I have 36 different pictures and I want them to be on the back of a business card. The fronts will have the same information but the backs will all be different I want 500 and I need them by the end of the week. How much will that cost?”

This was a good one, this guy has a board meeting presentation of 100 pages single sided mostly color coil bind. We can do it but just to let you know with all that color it will be about $40 a book. They want 20 copies so we are looking at an easy $800. The Friday that it is due we are busting hump to get it done so it can be picked up by 5:00. We just make the dead line and life is good. Well it turns out they had to make some changes. We had to remove 15 pages and add 20 pages. This is a very thick book at over 100 pages to be putting on a coil (spiral) bind. It was a pain in the butt the first time and now we have to unbind them and then rebind them. Welcome the printing biz.

Having been in the food industry for most of my working career, getting up at 7:00 being to work by 8:30 working 4 hours having an hour lunch and then going back to the same place for another 4 hours was a bit of an adjustment. I now know why they call it happy hour. The first month pretty crazy, but that is to be expected at a new job. I told myself I needed to give it at least 2 months. I wasn’t sure if this was going to be something I could see myself doing for the next 10-15 years. How much stress did I want to add to my life? I was still working at Jakes so I was putting in about 60 hours a week.

So as the 3rd month approached Keith (owner) asked me how things were going. I had to be straight with him and let him know that I didn’t really see myself in this position. I guess it was time to fish or cut bait, so I cut bait. I could do the job but did I want to stay in the job? I told Keith I would stay for another 2 weeks so he could find someone else. I mean no sense in leaving on bad terms. They hired this guy named Larry seemed like nice enough guy. I did some of his training. This seemed a bit odd having been there such a short amount of time myself. Having just trained things were still new and I could give him a heads up on things that I had problems with. I could also let him know what things if he did wrong Amanda would come down on him. He didn’t seem to thrive under the pace. It’s a quick pace. Like waiting tables and being in the weeds. After the 2nd week he told me this wasn’t for him and he quit.

So I am again just working at Jakes. Not a bad thing I mean the summer is coming and I do like going out for bike rides and doing work in the yard.

cookies of course

2007-04-28T16:07:00.000-06:00

Life is keeping me busy. Today I made oatmeal chocolate chip craisn cookies. I also made cake mix cookies. A friend (a cook a jakes) is having a house warming party tomorrow and I asked him what I could bring.

" Cookie of course" he said.

Mom use to always make cookies and give me the the "xtras". I would take them with me to Jakes knowing I couldn't eat them all. The cooks got use to having "Mommy made cookies." When Mom died the cooks were bummed they wouldn't get any more of Mom's cookies. So I still make cookies to bring to the cooks. It's both a tribute to Mom and also a bribe to the cooks. If I mess up on a table I just ask the cooks how they liked the cookies.

Turkey and Cat

2007-04-07T13:07:00.000-06:00

So there I was last week just watching TV and a huge dark object flies past the window. I have never seen anything so huge in flight. At least anything alive. Leaping up I look out and in the neighbors yard is a giant turkey. I grab my camera, step outside hoping it hasn't taken flight so I can get a picture. I wasn't the only one with a interest in this good eating kind of bird. A cat is stocking the turkey or at least wondering what it would do if it were to catch it. The Turkey looks back with a "what ever cat" kind of look and takes flight. As if that little cat had a chance. That turkey was HUGE.

bible test

2007-02-16T14:05:00.000-07:00

You know the Bible 98%!

Wow! You are awesome! You are a true Biblical scholar, not just a hearer but a personal reader! The books, the characters, the events, the verses - you know it all! You are fantastic!

I quess I was paying attention in sunday school
Ultimate Bible Quiz
Create MySpace

Bishop Lord Pete the Calm of Lardle Midhoop

2007-01-19T13:45:00.001-07:00

My Peculiar Aristocratic Title is:
Bishop Lord Pete the Calm of Lardle Midhoop
Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

Dog House

2007-01-19T13:00:00.000-07:00

So this guy comes into Jakes last night (about 5:00). A scruffy looking guy kinda ganksta meets oil rig. He's in the dog house with his woman and wants to bring her in and make it real nice and impress her. Money's no object. The guy looks like money would be an object but one never knows. I tell him we'll dress up a table nice with a white table cloth black napkins and crystal wine glasses. He's planning on coming back at 5:30 so he doesn't have a lot of time. Before he leaves he hands me $100 to go toward the tab. Okay so he does have money. I have just the table in mind and put him in Todd's section. Not only is Todd good turning on the charm when he needs to, I know he's had to get out of the dog house a time or two himself. 5:00 the guy comes back ... alone.
"It didn't work out", he says.
"Sorry man"
Give him back his $100 and wish him good luck.
8:00 he comes back and says it's on again for 9:00 and gives me the $100. So we set up another table and hope he comes back with his woman. I mean this guy is trying hard I wonder what he did to get it such a big dog house. We have his $100 deposit so I expect to see him one way or the other. 9:00 comes and goes we figure either he's out of the dog house and won't be coming in or around 9:30 he'll be back to get his money. He didn't come back. I put his money in an envelope and leave a note in case he comes back when I'm not there. If he doesn't come back it'll be the easiest $100 I"ve made in a long time and if he does I got a story.

Happy New Year

2007-01-01T09:13:00.000-07:00

Here is the latest crew I worked a New Years. This was my 13th one at Jakes. It was a bascis hurry up and wait night. We were booked until 9:30. I was done by 11:30. The sections were split a little smaller. Enstead of 5 tables we had 4. Makes things a little smoother. After work a friend had set up a private party at the Legion Club. The logic was why fight the crowds in the bars to find your friends we you can bring them all to place. So I rang in the New Year with a group of friends at the legion. We were in the basement and it a very differrent group was up-stairs in the main room. DJ-hip hop- dance Puerto Rican rap downstairs. Big band style swing up stairs. The room was done at 1:00 so I was home before 2:00. Happy New Year everyone

dude you got a dell

2006-12-24T09:34:00.000-07:00

Here I am at the mall and I can get on line. My sister gave me a lap top that was not being used and she thought I could put it to use. Such a smart sister. There happens to be an open wireless network so badda boom badda bing I'm up and going. Sales were good yesterday close to 1300. Over all it has been a dissapointment, but the first year is always a learning year. Comments have been positive we just need to tweak the inventory. More western theme. Starting to pick up a little so I'll be brief. Just wanted to take my new Dell for a spin. Thank Annie

Carol of the Bells

2006-12-22T22:02:00.000-07:00

At the mall I've been listening to George Winston "December". A wonderfull album to calm the noise of people rushing about. Okay really for me it's a nice counter point to the thumping bass driven dance music played by Abercrombie and Fitch across from our booth. My favorite sing on the album is "Carol of the Bells", as I listen to the song the Christmas lights in the mall seem to move to the music and I picture our booth... well this is what I wrote in my mall journal: The Carol of the bells wraps us in a snowy night. Light off the snow twinkles. A frost on the window warm inside. Moonlight night wood faires in the sky alive the air moves glistening. Peaceful calm. The shortest day the longest night, the Son has come to guide us. To give us warmth and shine his light a child was born to set things right. Always winter never Christmas quoth the Lion, "Nevermore"

Fire in The hole

2006-12-14T22:19:00.000-07:00

When a guest orders a steak black and blue it means they want it charred black on the outside and blue rare in the inside. To do this the cook gets a area on the grill a little extra hot. When the meat gets put on it you generally get a nice little flare up. Flames looking worse than they are. Well tonight the flames got away a little bit. Got on some grease on the on the back flared a little to high and set off the ansel. This is a fire extinguish system that spays a liquid and shuts off the gas. Once finished the fire is out and your gas is shut off. A good system to have in case of fire, but then one must clean up the mess. Not a good thing to happen around 6:15 on a busy night with Christmas parties booked and many large tables in the dining room. This will take at least two hours to clean up and then we have to get the system recharged so the gas will not be cut off. Pretty much put a damper on a busy night. The Christmas parties decided to stay and drink and do gifts first them eat. Most other tables left. They were very understanding but it still sucked. All in all not a bad night to be manager, I still got paid and didn't lose out on any tips. We also didn't burn down the building and we all still have jobs

2006-12-08T21:52:00.000-07:00

Last year on this Friday we put
Mom to her "Final" resting place. I was looking at pictures from the joyous celebration of her life and thought I'dl share some. They brought a smile to my face and joy to my heart as I remember both my Mom and my Brother and the life and love they represent.

2006-11-29T22:13:00.000-07:00

a Toast

2006-11-09T22:35:00.000-07:00

After the election I still have sour taste of mud in my mouth. So as I rinse out the taste I raise a toast, "To long arms reaching across the aisle"

Cheers

What have I done

2006-11-09T22:30:00.000-07:00

Got this from Dad who got it from Trudy who got it from...
Things I've Done...

...are in bold face type. What have you done? Or not as the case may be?

01. Bought everyone in the bar a drink
02. Swam with wild dolphins (do wild seals count instead?)
03. Climbed a mountain (Mount Mac at Templed Hills)
04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
05. Been inside the Great Pyramid (Climbed the pyramid outside Mexico City
06. Held a tarantula.
07. Taken a candlelit bath with someone
08. Said “I love you’ and meant it! (And I still do when I look at that picture on the wall.)
09. Hugged a tree
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise
14. Seen the Northern Lights
15. Gone to a huge sports game
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables (Tomatoes)
18. Touched an iceberg
19. Slept under the stars
20. Changed a baby’s nappy
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
22. Watched a meteor shower
23. Drunk champagne
24. Given more than you can afford to charity
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
27. Had a food fight
28. Bet on a losing horse.
29. Asked out a stranger
30. Had a snowball fight
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
32. Held a lamb
33. Seen a total eclipse
34. Ridden a roller coaster
35. Scored a winning goal
36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment
39. Visited all 5 continents (okay only 4)
40. Taken care of someone who was drunk
41. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country
42. Watched wild whales
43. Stolen a sign
44. Backpacked
45. Taken a road-trip
46. Gone rock climbing
48. Midnight walk on the beach
49. Gone sky diving
50. Taken a train through Europe
51. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love
52. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger’s table, and had a meal with them
53. Milked a cow
54. Alphabetized your CDs
55. Sung karaoke
56. Lounged around in bed all day
57. Gone scuba diving
58. Kissed in the rain
59. Gone to a drive-in theatre
60. Started a business
61. Taken a martial arts class
62. Been in a movie (But my role was cut)
63. Crashed a party
64. Gone without food for 5 days
65. Gotten a tattoo
66. Got flowers for no reason
67. Performed on stage (Many, many times)
68. Been to Las Vegas
69. Recorded music (But not my own)
70. Eaten shark
71. Buried one/both of your parents.
72. Been on a cruise ship
73. Spoken more than one language fluently
74. Picked up and moved to another city to start over
75. Walked a famous bridge London Bridge in Arizona)
76. Had plastic surgery
77. Survived an accident that you shouldn’t have survived
78. Wrote articles for a large publication.
77. Tried to lose weight seriously
79. Piloted an airplane
80. Petted a stingray.
81. Broken someone’s heart
82. Broken a bone
83. Eaten sushi
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Parasailed
86. Skipped all your school reunions
87. Shaved your head (Uncle Fester)
88. Caused a car accident
89. Pretended to be “sick”
90. Swam in the Pacific Ocean
91. Saved someone’s life.
92. Fainted
93. Been in the room while someone is giving birth
94. Hitchhiked
95. Adopted a child
96. Been caught daydreaming
97. Been to the Painted Desert
98. Called off a wedding engagement
99. Donated your blood
100. Become a follower of Jesus Christ

The Mall

2006-11-04T16:55:00.000-07:00

We are at the Mall. This is our booth. It is 10X10. We have been open since the first. It is slow going right now but we are getting some good feed back. Some people have recognize the Thai carving from when Spencer had a store front down town. The people watching is interesting. During the week I kept woundering why aren't this kids in school.

uncle fester

2006-10-28T16:41:00.000-06:00

Uncle Fester says have a Happy Halloween

World circle

2006-10-23T20:02:00.000-06:00

World Circle is reborn. The store the Doug and I had in the 90's will be reborn for the months of November and December. We have a friend in Thailand who had some extra inventory stored out in Lockwood Doug thought that is might be a good business venture to get a bunch of inventory at a ridicules low price and sell in the mall. When we had World Circle the Mall was by far our best money maker. Posted is a sample of the Thai stuff. We will also be getting items from India and other place aound the country. It will be a busy two months for me but it should also be very profitable

I'm right

2006-10-23T19:54:00.000-06:00

You Are 35% Left Brained, 65% Right Brained

The left side of your brain controls verbal ability, attention to detail, and reasoning.Left brained people are good at communication and persuading others.If you're left brained, you are likely good at math and logic.Your left brain prefers dogs, reading, and quiet.
The right side of your brain is all about creativity and flexibility.Daring and intuitive, right brained people see the world in their unique way.If you're right brained, you likely have a talent for creative writing and art.Your right brain prefers day dreaming, philosophy, and sports.

Are You Right or Left Brained?

80th

2006-10-07T16:26:00.000-06:00

As I go to work tonight I can't help but remember that last year I had the night off for a very special evening. I told people we were so happy to have everyone together for the first time in I don't know how many years. We were going to squeeze it for all the joy we could because who knows when it willl ever happen again. We know that that it never will, but that doesn't take away from the joy we had that night. If anything it make it more special. Thank God for our Family

Stuff

2006-09-29T17:04:00.000-06:00

Had a nice walk along the ditch today Sept 29th. I had gone to the gym earlier for my work out, but the weather is just to darn nice not to do anything outside. The colors or just amazing. I agree with Ann in her blog when she talks about spring and fall being good seasons. I have often( Well since high school when during the football games I would try and find some one to cuddle up with while watching the game) referred to fall as cuddle weather.

A week after I started this the weather is not so warm but still pleasant. Monday I fixed the dinner I was planning on the last Monday before Dad went to hospital. A little "shake and bake" Cajun style pork loin. We had more pork than would fit on the rotissery so I used the B-B-Q grill. I also fixed up some fried rice with lots of healthy veggies including fresh tomatoes form the garden. I made extra rice so I could do different thing with it during the week. I told Dad fried rice is just a good way to use left overs and yes I used healthy veggie oil to fry the rice.

Being a Dad

2006-09-25T21:07:00.000-06:00

Dad had a heart attack this afternoon. He is doing well as is at Decconess Room 2204 ATU his phone number is 406 657-4504. There was some blockage in the grafts from the by-pass surgery. They put in a couple of stents and he is doing well. He has good color as was talking to us before we left. He'll be in for a couple of days
He had gone shopping this afternoon and a had little pain and thought it was gas since he had just eaten. KMart was having a sale on soda so he was hoping to get some but they were out they so he went to shopko. The pain wasn't getting better so he went home. When it still didn't pass he called 911. Before he knew it there was a firetruck at the house. I was at a movie, So up until I got home it was a normal A neighbor motioned to be when I pull up the street and told me that the grandfather who lived in that house had a heart attack. I said, " you mean my Dad!?" " He wanted to let you know was a Decconness" The calm in her voice told me that Dad had talked her so I wasn't in a panic. I just went in the house grabbed my cell phone and went to the hospital.
When I got to the hospital this nice nurse took me to the waiting room and told me that Dad was joking with nurses. He seemed fine he just had pain in his chest that needed to be taking care of. I thought just like Dad. Another thing that was just like Dad was he told me when he talking to the people taking care of him that his wife had died last Decmeber and a son in August and he didn't want to do that to the rest of us so could they keep him alive. Being a Dad and thinking of his kids.

Not my Bike

2006-09-19T23:21:00.000-06:00

Steve is on vacation this week so I get to be HHIC (head honky in charge). Usually not a big deal but this week is the SYSCO food show so we were very busy tonight. Glad I talk John into a raise a couple of years ago so I don't feel like I'm losing to much money being manager. We've got a new crew over the last year it reminds me of a line from the classic movie "Dazed and Confused" "I keep getting older and they stay the same age." I often use the analogy not my bike when I talk about being MOD manager on duty. Steve has his way offing doing thing and I may want to do thing differently but he is the manager so when I manage it's not my bike so it feels a little off sometimes. So I ride his and give it back to him in good shape. Hopefully by the end of the week I haven't got into a wreck Cheers

smokey air

2006-09-06T16:49:00.000-06:00

You know it's smoky when you can see the air move. I went for a bike ride today and I swear there where time I could see swirls in the air as a breeze would move the smoke along. I cannot imagine how it must be close to the fires. It was a little freaky while biking north in the heights I could see a shape of black moving through the skies. Sometime clear sometime not. Birds in the distance flying in a wedge then a column then round moving in and out of the smoke. Seeing some but not them all. Often while biking I'll look at nature and the timelessness if it. What was it like for people to see the same thing hundreds of years ago, but not knowing of a fire or volcano. Not knowing what it was they saw and trying to explain it.

Roller blades

2006-09-02T15:35:00.000-06:00

When I went to my storage unit to get my computer I also stumbled on my roller blades. I had thought about them and how often I used to blade. I would start downtown blade to Mom and Dad's visit refill my water then go down to Rheberg and make my way back home. This was when I lived downtown over 5 years ago. It has been a while since had bladed. So I strapped them on and went to Rheberg around Rose Park and back home about an hour latter. The next day I realize just what different muscles are used blading as opposed to biking. It was a good hurt. I went again the next day and decided if I'm going to do this,which I enjoy I need new wheels my are worn to the nubs almost. I went to price wheels and it would almost be cheaper to buy a pair of lower end new blades. We'll see.

Jimmie

2006-08-30T16:48:00.000-06:00

I finally got access to my computer and pictures. They have been in storage. I just wanted to share some pictures of Jimmie. The center picture is the one David mentions in his blog. Jimmie never played the violin but a graduation should be fun especially from a liberal arts college. The picture to the left is his high school graduation. The one of Jim coming out of the water was at Templed Hills. We had gone up early to work on the camp and Jimmie brought along Paul, Russ Sietz and myself. We found a swimming hole that was there only for that summer. During camp Jimmie was a counselor and I made sure my friends and I were in his cabin because I knew we would have fun also I wanted to share my brother with my friends. He was a good teacher. I had to include a weight lifting photo. We all know why. I remember Jimmie would do push ups and I would be on his back then we would add Paul then Willie. We were all much smaller then but he could carry us on his back. Then one Summer he invited Willie, Paul and myself to North Dakota to work. He figured it would be a good for us to get out of Billings and work some place else. There was a picnic when we first got there and all of Jimmies friends were in shock. "All my God they're all a like" We do come by it honest. After we put Jimmie to rest it was a joy to spend time with his Hellmann family. We shared stories of how Jimmie made us laugh and appreciate life. Good on ya Jim

Fried Green Tomatos

2006-08-30T16:36:00.000-06:00

So the garden of tomatoes is full, just that they are not ripe. Big huge Green Tomatoes. It's an attack. I've told people at Jakes and they go oh Pete you need to try Fried Green tomatoes. I've heard of the movie but I have never had the product. What the hell I have access to some mighty fine cooks, so tonight I brought a couple of big HUGE green toms. Nice and simple for the first time we just used flour, egg wash and panco, deep fried them a little salt and pepper and I must say I thought they were pretty good. The tomatoes were meaty not juicy, no squirt. I will have to try them again. Lord knows I have a garden full and if I don't eat them green there will that many more to eat ripe. Which is not a bad thing either

Open house

2006-08-29T16:03:00.000-06:00

Had an open house on Rockrim Sunday. It's the first one since we have done all the remodeling. If nothing else it was a wonderful smelling house. Dad had made sourdough waffles the day before for Farmer Market. (see his Blog) SO I talked him into letting me bake some bread up at the house to give it the fresh baked homey smell. The open house was from Noon to 14:00. Church is from 9:00 -10:00 On the way to church Dad realize that after putting in the wheat flour it would need to rise 1/2 hour then after kneading and placing in the baking tins it would need 1 1/2 to 2 hours then it would be ready to bake. That extra 1/2 hour meant we were not at church to long. We time it out and the bread was ready to bake right at noon when the open house started. I baked one loaf then the other for maximum aroma affect.

We really didn't have to many looking 10-15 people. Some neighbor's came over and gave some much appreciated feed bake on how nice the house looked and right a wonderful job we did on the remodel. The was one couple in particular that were taken by the house. She just started at Rocky and he at Red Lodge. She mentioned she loved the house many times and they were talking about the thing they could do with it. Just the type of people the house needs. They can see the potential

Keep our finger crossed

at least it's a comedy

2006-08-05T16:47:00.000-06:00

The Movie Of Your Life Is A Black Comedy

In your life, things are so twisted that you just have to laugh.
You may end up insane, but you'll have fun on the way to the asylum.

Your best movie matches: Being John Malkovich, The Royal Tenenbaums, American Psycho

If Your Life Was a Movie, What Genre Would It Be?

B 4 and After

2006-08-03T23:19:00.000-06:00

flip it

2006-08-03T23:10:00.000-06:00

The house has been on the market since the beginning of March and we have had offers on the lot but then what the hell do we do with the house. So it came to pass that we have to flip the house. Paint the walls fix the cracks and replace the wood on the decks. So this summer we have been doing a lot of work on the house it’s like doing all the projects you take a couple of years to do and do them all in one summer. You know it’s summer let’s do some work on the deck and replace the rotten boards. It’s winter let’s paint inside and redo the living and dinning room next year we’ll do the bed rooms. There is big crack running through the Mexican tile we should get it replaced. So this summer we are doing it all. If the house doesn’t sell after this Doug will probably move back and we’ll put the house back on market next spring.

The carpet is being put in the next couple of days they have to put the padding on first then the carpet. We are putting in some new carpet in an area where the tile has cracked. The previous owners put some Mexican tile on the garage floor when they made it into a family room. How ever they did not put any mesh so when settling occurred the tile cracked and we either replace the tile or cover it. We think the cover up is a better idea.

If it’s not one thing it’s another and another and another. With all this working outside I noticed a lot of bee activity around the house. The ones flying in and out of the siding in particular bothered me. There are two holes and in door and an out door if you will. So I call up Armstrong Pest control to do their thing. If it’s not one thing it’ another.14 nests latter we thing we got most of them. Not all the nests were in the house there were some in the green house some in the shed, but still. Really don’t want buyers to get stung.
We are at a place where we can atleast show the house now. There is still some detail work to do but it looks so much better

2006-08-01T17:34:00.000-06:00

You Are a Auditory Learner

You tend to remember what you hear, and you have a knack for speaking well.You excel at debating, foreign languages, and music.You would be an excellent diplomat - or rock star!

What's" Your Learning Style?

I"m back

2006-07-26T22:40:00.000-06:00

Well between working at Albertson's and work on my house on rockrim I noticed I haven't really bloged since May. I have since quit albertson's and and still working on the house on Rockrim. The house has been on the market since March 1. with no buyers the need to paint and repair became aprarent. Thanks to Mark and Rosanna we were able to save on replaced rotten deck wood. Doug and I have done of the painting and filling in of cracks. All the face plates have been changed. years of just painting over the plates made some hard to take off. Most I had to use a hammer and chisel. One of the outlets broke in half, good thing I had the power off. I'll put pictures of before and after after I get to after. Then pray the house sell

Middle east

2006-07-26T22:24:00.000-06:00

Family fights are the worst. a good book to read is" Blood Brothers" by Elias Chacour.Referenced in Dad's blog Feb 17. One mans freedom fighter is another mans terroist. Dad and I recently watched the movie "Kingdom of Heaven" A movie about the crusades liberatingJerusalem. There has never been peace in the Middle east and will never be peace in the Middle East. Blood Brother, Bloodd Feuds theHatfields and McCoys have nothing on the Jews and Muslims.

2006-07-08T22:55:00.000-06:00

You Are Cookie Monster

Misunderstood as a primal monster, you're a true hedonist with a huge sweet tooth.
You are usually feeling: Hungry. Cookies are preferred, but you'll eat anything if cookies aren't around.
You are famous for: Your slightly crazy eyes and usual way of speaking
How you life your life: In the moment. "Me want COOKIE!"

The Sesame Street Personality Quiz

2006-07-08T17:02:00.000-06:00

You Are Cookie Monster

The'>http://www.blogthings.com/thesesamestreetpersonalityquiz/">The Sesame Street Personality Quiz

Work

2006-05-31T21:46:00.000-06:00

So as it goes, part time becomes much more than you want it to be. Last Tuesday May 23 we had a huge shipment in my department at Albertson’s. Memorial weekend was coming up and hot dogs go hand in hand with picnics, and of course what goes good on a burger but cheese. A shipment normally has been 80 units or boxes this one was 150. So after a long day Tuesday from 8:00 to 15:00 I went home took a power nap then off to Jakes to work 17:30- 22:30. Knowing we had a sale starting Wednesday at Albert. I went in for 3-4 hours to make sure all was good to go. "It's Joe Albertson's supermarket but the meat deli department is mine" Deliveries come Tuesday ,Thursday ,Saturday, so those are the days I usually work. So Thursday come and no truck well no truck until 14:30. I have time to sort the delivery off the palate then off to Jakes. Friday I come in because well I wasn't able to get anything done on Thursday the truck was late. Thank God Saturday was a small load and nothing strange happened. This week I go in on Tuesday and the cheese cooler doesn't seem so cool. I tell my boss and thinks it might be on defrost. I know it's to warm to just be defrosting but we have to play the let's what and see game. I do manage to get a thermometer and to get a reading 42 degrees. Two hours latter its still 48, so we call in the pros from Dover. In the mean time I'm not going to put any more product on the shelves until I know the cooler is working. I don't want to have to pull any more than I have to when they have to fix the cool and move everything. I leave it's still not fixed and go to Jakes. Not having to work the next morning I think about going out but in the back of my mind I'm thinking if they had to pull everything out I bet there is a call for me to come in Wednesday and put everything back maybe I should go home. I do and there is. Dad gives me the news. So of course I go to Albertson’s clean the coolers and put stock back on the shelves. Curse those parents for giving me a work ethic. So today is Thursday the truck was late but not that late I was able to get everything done and I don't have to go in tomorrow, so what will I do with my time? I know maybe I'll blog.

2006-05-23T23:10:00.000-06:00

These are some pics from this weeks trip from Riverfront Park to the Heights and then over the rims. It's like being in a different state how green and lush everything is. I'm really happy the way the pics turned out. Doesn't look like the Billings I know

zimmerman to metra

2006-05-16T19:16:00.000-06:00

When I did an earlier blog about biking and how Zimmerman has sprouted houses and the trail from the airport to metra has changed I thought I would take my camera and take pictures. So Monday I spent two hours on my bike and rode the trail from Zimmerman to the Metra. It was a beautiful day and a good ride. The metal scuplture over looks the campus of Rocky where the steps are. The house on the bottom left is my house on Rockrim as seen from the rims. My legs got tired and my skin got burned. I'll put more pics up latters

2006-05-16T18:29:00.000-06:00

To all those that have or will graduate I thought you'ld get a kick out of the Robed Bear on Rocky's campus

bike trail

2006-05-16T18:18:00.000-06:00

BIKE

2006-05-12T16:46:00.000-06:00

Was getting ready to go to the eye doctor today and the weather was so nice I decided I would ride my bike. I use to bike pretty much everywhere I'ld go but cars are so much easier and faster. This spring I took the bike down to the Spoke shop to give it a tune up. I remember when a tune up was around $30 this time is was closer to $80. Clean up lube replace cables and cable housing. Time to get new biking shorts because they do make a difference on the old bum. So with money invested it's time I use the bike. I have been using the stationary bike at 24 hour fitness too so I am in a little bit of bike shape ,but how would the legs responded to a true test of being outside and going up Zimmerman. As it turns out pretty well. I only stopped once and that was a planned stop at the concrete curve. I stopped to look at how the city has grown and to look at all the new construction and houses. The sea of green with slashes of blossom made the Magic city look pretty awesome. Once a top the rims the ride to the airport was pretty quick and I thought I have time to check out the bike trail. From the airport past black otter trail is a paved bike path. Not nessarily good for off road biking but for walkers and bladers and joggers it does the trick

african violet

2006-04-27T17:04:00.000-06:00

This African Violet was the one Aunt Jean gave to Mom on her 80th birthday. The flowers are just going to town. Thought I would share Mom's flowers with you all.

good friday

2006-04-14T22:07:00.000-06:00

It was a Good Friday. The seeds I've started for the garden are starting to sprout. I've got tomatoes, peppers and herbs. A salsa garden if you will. Dad basically told me to plant what ever I want as long as he gets his share of tomatoes. I made Easter cookies for my friends at Jakes. I used a cherry chip cake mix and jelly beans. It's from one of the recipes Mom used for cake mix cookies. They appreciated the snack.

At night a couple that were married April 12 1986 came in to celebrate their 20th anivesary. Lisa and Craig Hazen have been coming in to celebrate their anniversary at Jakes for the last 8 years. They appreciated the fact I have a brother and sister in-law who share an anniversary with them. Lisa had sent 20 roses to decorate the table and I added a table cloth to make it a little more special. After Lisa and Craig left the table was taken by another couple whom have become my regulars and she has the same birthday as Dad. It was the unless you share a special date with my family you cann't sit here table. It was a fun night. I had a good friday.

Two jobs

2006-04-13T21:32:00.000-06:00

For the first time in 11 years I am working two jobs. I started at Albertson's this Tuesday April 11th. Since starting there happened so fast and I already had my schedule at Jakes it has made for some long days. Reminds a bit of when I was in Up With People and the day would start at 8:00 and go till midnight now at AB I stock the prepared meats and cheeses. Lunch meats hot dogs shredded cheeses and the like. Amazing how many different ways one can do shredded cheeses. Shredded, fancy schredded, low fat, no fat, 2%, sharp, mild, extra sharp. I feel as if I'm at Starbucks getting a half caf skinny grand latte or something like that. Don't even get me started on the different types of hot dogs. Kinda tired right now but it's a good tired.

Albertson's

2006-04-06T22:34:00.000-06:00

Tuesday April 11th I start a new job. I will still be working at Jakes, but will start working in the meat and deli section at Albertson's on 24th and Central. They are opening a new store on 6th and Central and I had applied for a job at the new store but there were no day shifts. A friend who has worked for Albertson's for 11 years put in a good word, so my app was passed on to a store that needed day help. I will be there part time 20-25 hours a week and after a year will be eligible for health benefits. That is the main reason for looking for another job is to work some where with insurance. I t will be nice to meet new people and get positive change in my life. In the big picture it will allow me to consider getting back on the boards and do a play or two. If I take time off Jakes to do a play I will still have an income. It is a union house and after seven years I would be invested in a pension program. We'll see how I do working doubles.

posting pictures

2006-04-03T22:07:00.000-06:00

so I finally figured how to post pictures. I tried to what seemed the easy way. Up load picture using the picture icon, but I never was able to do any thing but a waste time. Thankfully there is a help button and I down loaded picasa use the blog this button as was able to attach a picture to my blog as well change my profile pic from uncle fester to something a little less scary.

Last night I went to the cookie jar a low and behold it was empty. Nothing worse than a lonely empty cookie jar. Not that I needed a cookie at 23:30 but there is usually cookie in there. So I today made a batch of oatmeal, chocolate chip, hazel nut, cookies. Using the recipe form Mom's hand written cook book. Interesting she has some recipes twice. One with all the ingredients but not what to do with them and a couple pages latter the ingredients and what to do with them. Gotta love that women. The cookie turned out fine as I munch on a hot out of the oven piece of gooey goodness

Cheers

2006-04-01T22:01:00.000-07:00

So this guy and his wife come into Jakes and sit at one of our square tables. The table is by the glass next to the bar, there is a copper rail around the table so they are in a corner spot. The guy sits and just looks around uncomfortable. He asks he if can move because he doesn't like being next to the copper rail. We move him to a rectangular table and he complains about the support pillar and the base of the table is to big it touches his feet. I'm thinking we are being "Monked" OCD in real life. It is April 1st but this guy is for reals. He tries to move to another table we have set up for someone else. Steve the manager tells him sorry sir but I can't moving you from table to table if your going to eat here tonight you'll have to stay you at. The guy thanks Steve for his candor finishes his drink and decides maybe he and his wife will find another place. It reminded me so much of "Monk" the way the guy was looking over the room trying to pick out a table that would be just right but knowing that none of them would be. All the base are big there is a lot of copper railing.

2006-03-30T23:10:00.000-07:00

What a rain we had yesterday. It started shortly after 16:00 and lasted until early this afternoon for almost 1 1/2 inches. Dad and I need to wash our cars more often. A couple of weeks ago when we had snow dad had washed his car a couple days before the precip and I washed my car Monday and got the rain on Wednesday. I was glad it came in the form of rain if it had been snow (I'm just glad it was rain)

2006-03-24T23:19:00.000-07:00

Tonight was a very busy (Saturday 25th) . I had a group of high school kids from Anaconda on a road trip to see the opera " Die fledermause"(I'm sure the spelling is wrong but that's not the story) There were 50 kids. we split them in to groups of 26 and 34. I had the group of 26. Choir kids and remember what it was like to be choir or band back in high school on a road trip. Thank God we had them in separate rooms. I had a fun time with them. Even if they did get a little loud and were singing and stuff. They had a private room and weren't bother any one. Okay so our buser got a little tired of it, but hey not his tip. So when they left a couple of girls got separate from the group. They went to the bath room and gone went everyone else. They came out all scared being left alone in the big city wondering where the Alberta Bair was. Two blocks away is the theater and we thought the rest of the kids would be walking to the show. I offered to walk the young ladies. Well we never did see any of the other students. Lazy kids had gotten on the bus. Two blocks after a full dinner no wonder there is an obesity problem. Making sure the girls got the theater I told them if I saw the others I would let them know what had happened. Back at Jakes I ran into one of the students and got everything straightened out.

The time was now 19:45 and I was going to get round two. Groups of 5,8, and 10 all at the same time. Good thing I had my track shoes on. It was a fun night. When it was all said and done I had 1600 in sales

2006-03-23T22:46:00.000-07:00

March Madness,it really belongs in a bar with a large group of people cheering and moaning from one minute to the next to once second or 1/2 a second to the next. Trying to remember who was in your bracket and what team you want to win then remembering it wrong and when you thought you won you really lost, but for the brief moment you were very happy. Not knowing can be a good thing. I had Texas going a head in my bracket but since I'm out of the money I could root from the heart and not the wallet and go WVU!!! They came up .04 seconds short of tying only to lose. I called Dad and told him at least at Jakes more people screamed when WVU tied then when the lost. The joining together in a moment of sports. Last week we had a reservation of 14 cancel because they didn't want to miss any of the game they were watching at some other bar. As a server I often have to give my tables up-dates.

It's mad baby just mad ;-)

2006-03-21T22:28:00.000-07:00

What a good week it was starting last Tuesday March 14th. Brother David came up from Texas for a visit during spring break. Ken drove down from Helena Tuesday so he could visit with Dave. For Ken it was a quick trip he left Wednesday early afternoon to go back to Helena. Annie did the same sort of thing coming down on Friday and leaving Saturday afternoon. Saturday David Ann and I had brunch over at John and Jean's with Mark and Rosanna. A week full of visiting family and eating I almost thought I was at a family reunion. Sunday morning I got to put my working out to good use and shovel snow from the drive way and side walks. The real crazy thing about that was I was up at 6:00 in the moring and stayed up.

Speaking of working out I've seen John and Jean a couple of times at 24 Hour Fittness where we work out. Today I had just gotten off the eliptical machine so I look like one who had just gotten out of the pool. I tend to sweat.

2006-03-09T21:59:00.000-07:00

The weather has taken a turn for the chilly today. Mostly in the 30's. Last weekend was considerably warmer. I was able to get in some yard work on the Rockrim house. Had planed to have a friend who had a lawn care busisness rake the leave and do general clean up. Give his nephews a chance to earn some money. They never did show up and with the house being listed I wanted it to look a little more presentable. Sunday March 5th the weather was so nice I felt I had to be outside so with my MP3 I got from Jimmie for Christmas I raked a whole bunch of leaves. It was nice just to be able to jam to the music and get some fresh air. Sunday I just raked the leaves into rows. That in itself took about 2 hours. Monday the weather being equally as nice I went up to bag the leave before the garbage men came. Usually they come around Noon to 13:00. Starting at 10:00 I firgured I had plenty of time go figure 10:30 here comes the truck. They took the 4 bags and the full "garbage can". Of all days why did they have to come early? By the end of the day I had 24 full leaf bags. I used the ones that stretch with out breaking so much. Worked really well. After all the yard work I was pleasantly surprised how sore I didn't feel. Going to the gym on a regular basis is starting to pay off.

2006-03-07T16:58:00.000-07:00

Sunday

Made it to church this past Sunday. It had been a while since I've been to First Baptist for a Sunday service. This year I have been good about going to the gym and getting my physical body in shape and figured I should do something about the spiritual body. I went to the 10:30 service the church also has a 9:00. The early one is conventional and the 10:30 contemporary. I figure I can be up and go to a 10:30 service. This Sunday was the first Sunday of the month so communion was served. Just last week Dad had found some cookies that Mom had made and of course upon eating them I was reminded of her life. Interesting how important food is in our relationships with people. Mom wanting us to just share a meal and remember her. No big funeral. Chris honoring his Grandfather with "Grandfathers sour dough bread" People I serve in the restaurant coming for business or fun. Dad and I taking turns preparing a meal for each other. I wonder if Jesus made the bread they shared at the last supper. "This do in remembrance of me" took on a new meaning for me as I shared in the Lord's supper and remembered my Mothers.

2006-03-01T22:28:00.000-07:00

Home

It was strange the first night to be sleeping at home. Even though I haven't live at 917 Harvard for a long time it will always be home. I miss Mom and being in the house with her not there leaves a big empty spot. The analogy I was looking for hit me when Dad was sharing a letter that Mom had wrote to him. Moving into the house stirred up a lot of dust and sometime the dust gets in your eyes and makes you cry. The dust settles for a little while and then some happens to stirr it up again.

2006-02-24T22:41:00.000-07:00

Moving

I am almost out of my house on Rockrim. I lived there for almost 5 years. The house was bought with my long time friend Doug. I hope we are able to sell quickly. We have been room mates for many years and have some financial entanglements which will be nice to entangle. It will nice to only have my finances to worry about.

Moving is both a pain in the ass and a kick in the butt. It is kinda fun to run into old pictures and memories but at the same time there is just so much junk to go through and throw out. Comic books from the late 70's and early 80's. Save those they could be worth something. Rolling Stone magazines from 1986. Some of the bands are still the same. Ads for a Apple IIE with 128K of memory. Wow!! All of my old Up With People stuff. Pictures from Church Camp 1975. Who is that little boy? How many more boxes do I have. Saturday Doug and I are moving the boxes to a storage unit and I will be moving in with Dad.

Moving is like a controlled fire. You get to choose the stuff you lose

2006-02-23T22:49:00.000-07:00

Origin of a nick name
I got the nick name jiffy or Jiffypete a long time ago back when AOL charged and arm and a leg per minute. 1995 or 96 I think. I tried the name Pete Taylor but it was taken. How dare that other Pete. AOL want to put a number after my name well I'm not a number so that just wouldn't do. Looking around my down town apartment I saw a jiiffypop pop corn top. I like popcorn and there is a fine art to stove top jiffypop. jiffypete sound like a good e-mail and there would be no number after that I was the first.

Let it be known that jiffypop was not the first stove top popcorn I had expierence with. In my family we had a large steel stove top pot that we would popcorn in. Pop corn was an almost nightly treat. I remember when a friend mentioned they only had popcorn on Sunday and I felt sad for them. This summer at my Taylor family reunion I introduced some cousins to Jiffypop. How could they have not know. Before popping my Mom told me to save some popcorn for Aunt Sis she likes popcorn Mom told me. No sooner had the kernels started making their pop pop pop poppop pop poppoppop sound then Aunt Sis stood up and walked to the kitchen. Pauses at the stove looks at me movinge the jiffypop back and forth she reaches in the cuboard grabs a bowl comes to the stove and in an inocnet little girl voice asks " Is it done yet"