Wow. I'm actually blogging.

Weird, the things chamomile tea will encourage one to do.

Things like resetting his blog password.

(Yeah, it's been long enough that I forgot what my password was.)

//

Does anybody remember stage 9 back in 2003, when Lance Armstrong threw a little cyclo-cross action into the Le Tour de France? (No? well, then check it.)

The great news is, he got back on the asphalt and continued his legacy.

Me? I started this blog.

//

So as many well know, there's been a significant amount of reason behind my blog's silence. Namely, my elopement with the beautiful lady that is now my wife. Events like that can really complicate blogs in a hurry.

I feel like now is as good as any a time to put some official (brief) word out on the matter.

Basically,I've done my share of screwing up. I've developed a disregard for family, an issue of pride and self-love, and a stubbornness that culminated in the recent wreckage I left behind at our church and in her family.

If I could do my life over again, I roll it back to about age 14. There, I'd give up my dreams of being a powerful, rich, man, and I'd focus on building relationships with my family that might have actually survived.

As it is, I think I'll have to hug my wife a little tighter, and spend more time fishing with my little brothers. That's the nice thing about big families. You at least get a second batch of kids to be nicer to.

Families heal, but not without their share of scarring.

..
What's been happening with me? Plenty

Like I finally finished my degree.

Turns out the diploma is only sorta' good at getting me work. So I'm takin' extra classes. Not sure what good they'll do me. But I've always wanted to take a Human Anatomy class. So there.

My wife roped me into taking guitar lessons, so I've been struggling with training my fingers to do things they never thought they'd do. It's frustrating to say the least. Good training, but frustrating.

The old colt finally died. Ok, so it's on three legs. Fourth gear went out, so now it's my daily driver for around town. We bought a 'lil (that's the model: "lil") 1993 mazda that needs a paint job. I'm just really thankful that God has met our needs so wonderfully and kept us in a car.
..

We put the bikes away for the winter. 'Twas sad, but the wife said they couldn't stay in the bedroom. *sniff

I ran a 5 k and got passed by a dude pushing a stroller.

Guess it's time for a gym membership

...and with that thought I'll wrap up what has been a rather self-centered blog post.
Thanks for stopping by!

Need more Hamp news? visit this blog. Fascinating (outdated) stuff.

Free College...and other stuff

Had the random privilege of getting to go inside the Potter's Mansion outside of Fair Grove yesterday. There was some furniture that needed picking up, and well, I was the lucky one ;).

It's such a beautiful structure, and has gorgeous views out of every window (plus four incredible porches). It's not huge, but it is so elegant that one can't help but wish he could raise his family there. Too bad I couldn't find any pictures of the interior.

Maybe if I get a pay raise at work, I'll just buy it and have you all over.

It'd need to be a significant pay raise

bbb

I am trying to get the last of my school figured out. I only need four credits, and, in working with an advisor, I found about the FEMA courses that are offered free of charge. These are independent study courses provided by the Emergency Management Insitute to help prepare local officials for emergencies.

Now, colleges like Thomas Edison (TESC) and Fredrick Community College (FCC) are offering credits for those courses. (pretty much 1 credit per course) TESC will give credit for up to 25 courses, and FCC will give credit for up to 30. FCC also allows you to use them as the cornerstone for their A.A.S. in Emergency Management.

There's no charge for the courses (and you gotta admit, when it comes to electives, "Radiological Emergency Management" has gotta beat "Underwater Basket Weaving" .)

FCC charges $60 per course to transfer the courses into credits. For TESC there is no charge to transfer them, however you would have to choose one of their enrollment options if you planned on graduating... the least expensive one is going to cost at least $2455, which is fine when you are taking other course inorder to complete a degree.

Anyhow, free college courses. Hard to beat, huh?

b

So hold on, we're headed for a better life - Keith Urban

rainy day livin'

...Chilling at the House of Mud. Watching it rain.   Thinking about what life'll be like in a couple of years. Still rocking the whole headachy/Dizzy/Naseau deal from yesterday.  But at least I can concentrate enough to study.  Good stuff.

Tracy Chapman. Enjoy...

bb

In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness. Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me.For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me. 

Psalms 31:1-4

b