Everyone Knows Jeff

This old house

2010-02-05T07:26:00.002-06:00

As I put on my blog the other day. We are going to have a White Family edition of "This Old House" for the next while. The picture above is of the home taken somewhere around 1885. My Great Grand Parents along with the first 2 boys of 12 children are standing in front of it. The oldest boy died 85 years ago and Grand Mother was the youngest of the 12 and she lived in this home all 94 years of her life. With Amy and I and living there, we are the 4th generation of family to live in the home. So Hunter is the 5th generation. I do not know many family's that can say that and I am very proud to now be living in and restoring the home for more generations to come.

Stay tuned in to this blog site for updates on the project and some pictures along the way.

NEW BLOG IDEA TO WORK WITH

2010-02-02T13:47:00.002-06:00

Hello everyone,

I have not blogged very much since I started using Facebook everyday. But now that I am taking on the project of redoing what we are calling "the Turkey Cottage", I thought I would pick back up the blog so i can share with you my experiences of doing it and show you the progress made. It will be a long adventure with a lot of ups and downs, but I am looking forward to every minute of it.

For those that do not know, when grandmother passed away, we decided that we wanted to take on the preservation and restoration of the Thurman family house. With us and Hunter now living in the home, 5 generations have lived in the family home. We estimate it to be about 130+ years in age.

We started moving in several weeks ago, but have taken it slow as mom and us have been working through Grandmothers things and then us putting our stuff in place. Of course we moved our beds first along with some clothing and the most important thing - the TV.

The first room we have decided to work on is the den / media room. This is the main room the family relaxes in to watch TV and hang out. We moved in the TV, computer and stereo, but used the furniture in it till we could do some work on the floors. I finished pulling up the carpet and getting the wood floors clean and ready for furniture yesterday and hunter and I moved our couch and chairs up last night. Here is a link to some initial pictures of this project. As we continue to work on walls and decor, I will give you some more.

Turkey Cottage House

Well, for today, I leave you. I hope to get the weather center done this week as well as maybe a couple small project. I'll just have to see what happens.

July 12, 2009 Web Cast blog

2009-07-12T13:38:00.000-05:00

July 2, 2009

2009-07-02T07:09:00.000-05:00

July 1, 2009

2009-07-01T16:11:00.001-05:00

"You mean to tell me that as good as that thing gets on gas, you ran out"

2009-04-28T23:22:00.002-05:00

Hello everyone,

Today has been a good day with some rest and some work that I enjoyed getting done.

I got to sleep about 11 last night after forcing myself to get off the computer. Amy introduced me to "Stumble" and I am addicted to seeing what I will stumble onto next. For those that do not know what it is, like I did not. Stumble is a web browsing bar that you add to your web bar. It has buttons on it to do different things, but the main button is the "Stumble" button. Every time you click it, it takes you to a new site on the web from a list of subjects you set up. It is neat to see what site you will get to. I have found several that I have marked as return to.

I woke up this morning to run Hunter to school due to Amy being sick. She has had a bad weekend with a bad UTI and now a cough with Fever. Anyway, I ran him to school and came back and went back to sleep. I slept till 1:30 p when I woke on my own. I had an alarm set for 2 anyway, but was up and ready by then. Hunter had a eye doctor appointment ASAP after school, so I picked him up and we headed straight there. He is getting contacts this time but they just did the exam today and will fit the contacts next week. We did some errands and got dinner and headed home. I was supposed to work this evening at 7:30p. Hunter had been driving us up till they dilated his eyes. He had already asked me if we needed to get gas and I told him I would on the way to work. Well, you guessed it. I got in a hurry and was just a driving to work when the car shut off. Yup I ran the SMART out of gas. So here I stood on the side of 280 thinking of who I knew locally to get some help from. A Police officer drove by and I guess he saw that I was amazed that he just drove by cause he quickly turned around and came back. But then he got out of his vehicle to say "you mean to tell me that as good as that thing gets on gas, you ran out". But he agreed to take me to get some gas up the road and brought me back. But while I was doing this, I called TCC to tell them that I would be late. That is when I found out that a mistake had been made and I did not work tonight. I was glad to turn around and head home. I will burn some PT for the missed shift.
When i got home, I went and checked on Amy and went to the shed to check on Hunter and his drumming. He had set up the stereo I had gotten from a friend for him to use and was messing around. For those that do not know. His drum set is set up in my shop right where I would set up saws and work benches to work with. I has drove me crazy not having my area. So I asked Hunter if he would help me move some boxes out of the other end of the shed to make him a space for his set out of my way. So we moved the boxes out into a storage trailer and I will move them to a storage area from there. But he now has some more room and I have my area back. I think that I will try and continue to work tomorrow on the shed and maybe get the old shed cleaned out and tore down. Now that would make me happy. We will have to see how the day goes. Just having a full day off will be something awesome.

Well, Now I am doing this blog while waiting on my alive to kick in and get to were I can go to sleep. I will let you know how it goes tomorrow another day.

JEFF

Along time since last blog

2009-04-24T22:18:00.004-05:00

Hello everyone,

It has been a long time since I did a blog post, but I feel like I might could use my blog better to talk on a more personal level to those that want to listen. I like Facebook and have been enjoying finding friends . But I was using my blog as my way of talking things out and letting everyone know what was going on in my life. It was a place of freedom that had gotten taken over by a since of intrusion that I imposed on myself due to worrying about saying something that would be interpreted wrong or was personal and would be held against me. Well, I have decided that if you are reading this, you want to listen. So I will go back to writing for me and not others here and let it link back to Facebook so that all can read if they want or not if they don't.

I will not even try to catch up since my last post.

This week has been a week form hell that I imposed on myself. If I try to do a schedule like this again, you guys have my permission to beat my ass. I have not even tried to figure out the ratio of awake time to sleep time. It would be scary, I know that. Maybe later tonight when bored i will work on that formula. I have worked or had obligations more than sleep, I do know that. I am sitting at ATCC tonight, Friday the 24th, after a long day with about 2.5 hours sleep. A friend and fellow Paramedic was buried today with a great service. Then had dinner with Amy and actually had some talk time. But then it was to here for the night shift. Tomorrow brings a 24 hour shift on the ambulance. With it being race week here in Alabama and me working near the track, I figure that we will have busy shift. Who know, maybe it will be a freak day with little to no action.

I look forward to Sunday being a sleep and rest day before another full, but not crammed week.

As far as what going on with me this week, it has been one of those weeks that has stressed me to my end. Work has been hard. Then some problems with Hunter that resulted in advancement of punishment. I know he does not believe me, but I do not enjoy having to strip him of his identity and personal choices. But if that is what the set punishments that were agreed to were and he went past the point of no return, then the punishment stands. For those that do not know Hunter, he is a great kid that prefers the goth / hard rock look. Long hair, black clothing, black finger nails. Well, those things are gone for now till he can earn the freedom to have those things again.

We have had a bad week of experiences at the school with about every aspect that we are involved with. I am truly worried about the school and what is going on there. I do not like the path it is on and do not feel that Hunter is getting the education or experience that he needs. So what to do is the big question for us. I don't know the answer, but will pray and think on it seriously and have to make a decision that i can live with long term. Amy and I will have to work as a team to decide what is best for our family and make sure Hunter is taken care of.

If you are a new visitor to my blog, I want to thank you for following the path that brought you here and ask that you look around at the links that I have included down the right hand side of the post to things that i enjoy. I hope you learn something about me that you did not know and return often to see what is going on with me.

JEFF

OK, I went back and calculated my hours for this week. I did it from Monday morning at midnight to Sunday night midnight. A full week, which is 168 hours in length.

My week is like this:

At work = 96 hours

Sleeping = 56 hours (13.5 of that was Monday morning till I got up to go to the school before work and then I project 8 hours sleep Sunday)

Doing other activities = 29 hours (mostly at the school or talking to hunter / 6 was for funeral)

Driving = 9.5 hours

I calculate a "normal" work week as follows

At work = 40 hours
Sleeping = 56 hours
Other stuff = 72
Driving will depend on person

Gobble, Gobble, Gobble

2009-03-22T04:01:00.004-05:00

Hello everyone,

I had a great day on Saturday. I finally bagged a Gobbler after a 8 year wait. I will tell you the story, so bear with me.

Charlie and I started before sunup by getting the truck threw the gate and getting into the woods. It started as a great day of pleasures for the senses. Just at day break we started trying to locate a bird as usual with a owl hoot. Now for those that do not know Charlie or have not heard someone that owl calls with his throat, it is impressive and always has been since I started hunting with Charlie. Anyway, his owl call is unbelievable in how real it sounds. Well, the first time he hooted, 2 owls called back to him very close to us. Then one of them came threw the trees and flew just over our heads. He hooted again and again an owl answered from somewhere over us. We finally found him straight up from us about 30 feet in the top of a pine tree. He was so beautiful sitting up there. So Charlie got the video camera out and we played with him for a few minutes. He would call to it and he would look down at us as if to say "where is that owl, let her go". IT was some site.

The first crow finally called at 6:30. after a few crows calling, we heard the first Turkey of the day. It was a long way off and over a couple ridges. Charlie had been in the area a few days before and said that he knew that there was a bird in this valley we were overlooking somewhere. We walked a little ways down the road and still only heard the same bird. We continued down the road and down into the valley more and more. The crows were yelling, the wood pickers were squealing and there were more sound in the woods than I have ever heard. We went threw a green field and over to a firebreak road to see what we could hear. As we did this, two wood picker were on a hollow tree that we passed and it sounded like a big bass drum as they hammer on it and courted each other. We heard a turkey that sounded like it was a few hundred yard to our right, so we decide too sit down on the fire break road and see if we could call it onto the road and get it to come to us. I headed down the road about 30 yards and found a good oak to sit against and Charlie went a little piece up the road after sitting out a hen decoy. After a few minutes, Charlie did a fly down of a hen call and started a few hen clucks here and there. Just after, I heard a bird fly down from a tree to my right and hit the ground. A bird a long way off gobbled at then the bird on the other side of the hill gobbled again. This happened several times before another bird gobbled off to my right about 300 yards. I could hear a hen or Jake bird clucking to my right, but that one gobble sent a thrill down the spine. We continued to do a little calling and the bird on the other side kept hard gobbling, but he was just pacing on the other side of the hill and not moving much. He was not going to come around or over the hill to us. Just as Charlie stood up and I had gotten up, Charlie walked down to me. On his way to me, the longest loudest gobble I had ever heard happened just over the hill. I had to have lasted 10-15 seconds. Charlie stooped and listened as I was shaking from the sound. Charlie made it to just as as another long , loud call happened again. The only thing we could come up with is that the bird that gobbled to my right earlier and the other bird had gotten together and were gobbling together. We decided that the bird that we were hearing was off the boundary of the property and it was not going to come to us. We started waling the fire break boundary road to see if we could find another gobbling bird on into the property. We crossed a creek and walked on up a step hill about 300-400 yards. We could hear a bird along way off but the bird on the other side of the hill was silent. Charlie gave a hen call with his mouth call with no response. He made the comment that that bird does m=not like the mouth call cause he had yet to answer to it. As we continued to walk the hill, Charlie had gotten box call out and hit it a couple times when a bird gobbled right behind us. We turned around and made the comment that that had to be that bird across the hill now in top of the hill. He called again and it was even closer that time when it gobbed. Charlie said "he thinks we are leaving" (us being the hens as we were calling). He told me to sit quickly on the road and watch to see if it would come up the road, he started to walk slowly up the hill calling lightly as he walked away. I got set down and ready when I heard the bird flop across the creek and I could hear it walking as if it were next to me. I had the gun a t ready pointing down into the woods were I could hear the walking expecting to see his white head at any point. I listened while he went right by me to the point I had no shot anymore if I could have scene him. I was trying to figure out how to get turned around and communicate with Charlie to look over the hill top, cause I thought it was going around the hill . I had drooped my gun to my lap and was going to roll out into the road on my belly so that I could point up the road to Charlie. As i was doing this, Charlie shot. I looked up the hill to see Charlie with gun extended and swinging the gun over my position. I looked up to see a gobbler fly into the tree I was sitting in and land. I could not get my gun around to him and he pitched out of the tree when I got the shot on him. I'm thinking the whole time that Charlie had shot the bird and it flew up and I just knocked him down for Charlie. The bird fell to the ground just a few yards in front of me. I jumped up to grab it. As I did, I saw Charlie running down the other side of the hill like he was hunting the bird. I was yelling at him that I had the bird right here, but he kept running. I made it to the bird I shot and he was sitting there like nothing was wrong looking at me. I have always saw on video and when I had scene others shoot a bird, the turkey would flop around until you got to them and held them down. So when this one was sitting there, like on a nest, it was weird. I kept telling Charlie that I had the bird but he was way down the hill side around from me. As I saw him lift up a Turkey, I realized that I had shot a second bird and my first. I debated for a second how to kill the bird. Do I shot it again, do I grab it and risk it flogging me or what. So i decide that if I could get to it I would hit it with my gun and try to hit its neck, which is what I did. It knocked him out and I got my foot on its neck and was able to grab its feet when it rolled over. i was so happy, I can not tell you. I made my way back out of the woods to the road to find Charlie holding a bigger bird and I holding a bird. I could not believe it, a 2 in 1 deal. How great is that.

Charlie started telling me that he had his gun on his should standing on the top of the hill when he had decided to pull his gun down and was looking for a place to sit down. He said he had the gun about half way off his shoulder when the turkeys head popped up over the dirt clump in front of him at 10 yards away and then the second. He got the gun around and hit the first bird that he said was in half strut. The the other one flew off and he was trying to keep up with it ad watch were his bird went when I fired and he saw it falling out of the sky. We rejoiced for a few and then hung out shells with a feather in them were each of us were when we fired. We then headed out to the green fiend down the hill to get some pictures in the sun of the birds. That was the best walkout of the woods ever for me.

To see all the pictures click here: http://picasaweb.google.com/everyoneknowsjeff/TurkeyHunting#

We went back to his home and got the meat out of the birds and got the tail and beard off them for mounts. I went ahead and took the head off mine to freeze so that I can send it to be bronzed. I headed home and washed the meat and vacuum sealed it and the head up and put in the freezer. I guess i should have told Amy that there was a head in the freezer, but as I was getting cleaned up, I heard her open the freezer and yell. It was quite funny for me.

I caught a small nap before I had to leave for work. That is were I am now, ATCC. We have had a bust night and it has flown by. Another hour and I will be headed home for a day of rest. I plan on not moving and sleeping as much as possible. Next week brings Jury duty for me. I hope to get dismissed and then I can hunt a couple days due to me already taking off a shift at the ambulance and ATCC for jury duty. I guess we will see. I know I need to get a hair cut and check on what ALFA has done with my car insurance with this new system they have, But other than that, I am going to try and let things just happen as they will. I will let you know later in the week.

C'ya later,

JEFF

A giger counter could have found me.

2009-03-15T21:15:00.003-05:00

Hello Everyone,

This week has been a full week of all sorts of adventures for me. It started with another busy shift at RPS in St Clair County. Let me tell you, that is a busy county on an ambulance. I got off Monday and ran home to get cleaned up to head to UAB for a Dr appointment. It was my first Endocrinologist appointment. I liked him. HE took me off the hormones and is going to start over with my evaluation. He thinks that I am sleep deprived and not having hormone problems. IMAGINE THAT, SLEEP DEPRIVED. Anyway, I got to do all the hormone testing again. Then Tuesday, I got up at 4 and headed to work for a day shift. When I got there, I found that the schedule had changed and I was scheduled for a night shift. So back home I went and boy did I sleep the day away. Then back to TCC for the night. It was a slow night and I enjoyed working by myself.
Wednesday morning brought on the fun. I got off at 7:30 a and headed to wal-mart to get some shorts and some walking shoes. You see, I had to have a stress test and Amy did not think it a good idea for me to wear my work boots to do the test in. I did not own a pair of non work shoes or boots. Well, I got to the hospital at about 10 am and checked in for the test that all three doctors had scheduled. I knew I was in for along day when the clerk had to register me twice cause all the test would not fit on one registration. So the fun began. Back to have 3 tubes of blood drawn. Then to another room to be stuck again for an IV. When the guy broke out the metal tube and unscrewed the top is when I got worried. He injected some sort of nuclear dye into me and immediately put me in a big machine that started taking x-rays of my heart. So Ive been shot up with radiation and now am being submitted to more radiation to see the first. Then into the stress test room where a nurse friend (Leslie) was awaiting me. She is rather good looking and I have thought so for years. So I really did not want to pull my shirt up and expose my overweight body to her, but oh well. Then she has to shave my chest. Yes, shaved it. Then put all the wires on me and put me on the tread mill. I did good with no problems. Then during the last minute of that, they shot me with more nuclear crap and then back to the machine to get more radiation. I felt like I was glowing by this time (and I don't mean with embarrassment). After that, another lady was awaiting me to take about 30 minutes of regular X-rays of everything from my chest up. And the I was taken to the MRI room. I was told that I would be in it about an hour and a half for more radiation. Now I am not a small guy, so I would have liked to see what it looked like for me to be squeezed into this tube. I know It was tight from where I was laying. The only problem is that I fell asleep and they had to redo one of the test because I jumped when I awoke in the machine. The lady ended up singing to me to keep me awake in there. During the MRI is where I was glad I had followed Amy's advice and gotten some shoes. I would have been stuck to the machine with my steel toed boots, and that would have been funny to see. A fat guy in a tube with his feet planted to the outside of the machine. Imagine that if you dare. So by 2:30 that afternoon, I figure that they could have tracked me with a Geiger counter.

Hunter, Charlie and I did some shooting on the firing range late that afternoon getting ready for Turkey season . Hunter had wanted to shoot for weeks. Its a shame that we have a firing range in the back yard and it takes weeks for us to get out there and use it. That Hunter is a natural shot like I was at a younger age. He was dead on with his shotgun and then fired a box of 270 rounds at 100 yards with about a 90% hit rate. I could not hit the broad side of the barn, but I blame it on the radiation poisoning from the day.

I actually slept in on Thursday then got out and just messed around for the afternoon. I got the weather center installed in the Tv studio at the school for Hunter. I helped dad clean some limbs up at the Sycamore parsonage and had dinner with the family before relaxing and watching TV. A rare day for me.

Friday was back to TCC and then Saturday a busy RPS day. And now to today. It is Sunday and I am here at TCC for a 10:30 am - 10:30 pm shift. I am on for the next 3 night shift from here. So the first part of the week is busy.

I hope to get a day of Turkey hunting in toward the end of the week and Hunter and I are going to Gadsden Music to goof off an do some pricing of a mixer board and microphones for the TV studio. Who knows what else we will get into. The back to TCC on Saturday night.

I will get back to you sometime next week or follow me on facebook daily.

C'ya

JEFF

Little Guys first snow and Hunter's second

2009-03-04T09:11:00.003-06:00

Hello everyone,

We had a decent snowfall here in the south on Sunday morning. I was at ATCC when it started and by the time to go home, we had a couple inches on the ground. It snowed hard all the way home and was a pretty site on the farm when I pulled in. The little car did good in the snow. I got home and was so tired from my 4 night straight at ATCC that I went to bed and did not awaken till 7:30 that night and it was mostly gone. Hunter got out and walked around in the woods to look around. I have to remind myself that this is only Hunter's 2nd snow event of his life. He seems to enjoy them. I put a few pictures on the Picasa link under weather pictures if you care to see. Here is one of my favorites I took.Anyway, this week has not started off well for me. We had a awful shift on the ambulance Monday with little to no sleep. The had to be in a paperwork class during the day Tuesday. Got back to home with just enough time to shower and get to the school for a meeting with a teacher and the principal. I don't feel like it went far enough, but did get some feelings out in the open. I did learn that for all the work done, it really does not matter. I kinda bummed out about it. Then we had Band Boosters, I guess it went OK but it made me look like a fool to have talked about how unhappy other parents were just an hour before and then none of them to even say a word about being unhappy also. I do not know what I want to do, but I sure am going to cut back my efforts except for what Hunter needs. Like I said, I am bummed out today from lack of sleep due to laying up all night thinking about the situation.

Maybe the rest of the week will shape up and be OK. I work today at ATCC and then tomorrow on the ambulance. I hope to get to go fishing Friday with Kelly and Charlie. It would be good to do something that does not require thinking hard for a few hours.

For those of you who knew I was going to the cardiologist, I got good news so far that he does not think there is a problem with my heart but rather a pinched nerve in my neck causing my unique pain when I sneeze. I go for a few test to make sure during the month and will let you know. I also go to the endocrinologist next week for the first time to see about helping regulate the hormone imbalance we found during my physical. Get this, they think that them being out of wake is why I am grouchy. I keep telling them that I am grouchy cause I am tired and work to much, but they say that I will feel a lot better when they get me fixed. We'll see!!

I hope all of you have a good week and I will talk to you later.

JEFF

Tornadic week for me

2009-02-22T21:48:00.002-06:00

Hello everyone,

Yes, it has been a long time since I have posted. Sorry, just have not had time to do anything or have not felt like doing one.

It has been Tornadic around our place this last week with so much going on. But it was literally tornadic on Wednesday of last week here. The picture above is one of a funnel cloud just west of Oxford Alabama from the Home Depot store. My friend Les took the picture while he was at the store. He is a manager for HD and was at that store when the storms broke out. He and I were online together during the storms and I forwarded his reports to James and Jason at ABC 33/40.

It has not been a easy week for Amy and I, but we are making it threw. The Mercury had to have brakes - tires - and other work. And work on top of all that.

The good news was that Winterboro Blue Knight Band brought back superior ratings from District competition on Friday. If you want to see the performance go to - http://www.mogulus.com/whsweb360 . This is the schools news web cast site that Hunter is mostly heading up. Give it a look every few days for updates of news from the school and events that will be on a loop on this site. Hunter is working on a competition piece for state in video production now then will turn to concentrating on the news cast development.

As for this week, it should be an OK week. Not much extra going on. Lots of work as usual.

I will try to be better at posting, NO PROMISES.

JEFF

Tired and frustrated

2009-02-05T16:44:00.003-06:00

Hello everyone,

Have you ever just wanted to throw a computer out the window to make you feel better? I did yesterday and may still in the days to come. Mom's computer crashed a while back and ever since, I have been trying to restore her financial files. I do not think it can be done. I will say, my happiness with Quicken is very low right now. I was under the impression that you reinstalled the program then restored the data file and it was done. NOT!! I had at least 8 versions of data going at one point yesterday. and got all them so intertwined that it was not even funny. The 2 service reps that tried to help me made since, but as soon as I would get off line with them, I would do something and get myself right back in the same mess. After 6+ hours yesterday, I gave up with a partially restored file that has a balance in the negatives of thousands. So I guess if any of you a re Quicken experts, I need help.

Anyway, I was so tired and frustrated last night, I had a headache to kill a person. So when I hit the bed with a sleeping pill and 500 of Alive, I was out of here.

Not much exciting has happened around me other than I am working halfway steady on a shift for RPS on the side now. I hope that being on a steady shift will allow me to better regulate my sleep and have more usable off time. I will let you know. I know I am going to work A shift in Pell City threw April as of right now. I think I will like working there. I have a good partner currently and a decent station.

I am loving my little car. The Alabama SMARTIES club is a lot of fun. We are going to do a car show in April that I think will be fun. For those that do not know, the caar i got was not the car i ordered. It is just like the car I ordered but was acually an "orphan" that I accecpted. My car came in a couple weeks ago and I orphaned it out. I did get by to actually see it. So I parked my LiL Guy next to it and here is a picture of them together below. I understand that a young man adopted it last Saturday. I sure wish I could have gotten it for Amy. Maybe later we can get Amy and Hunter one.
So, as you can see, they were twins.

Have a good night and several days till I talk to you again.

JEFF

Alabma Smarties and the Mad Drummer

2009-01-23T22:39:00.004-06:00

Hello to everyone,

I am at ATCC tonight after working the Ambulance last night. Tomorrow brings the 2nd BAMA SMARTIES club meeting. We are meeting then having a cruise around town and then going to eat. It should be a great time. I will let you know.

Let me tell you, my son is a "Mad Drummer". The reason I say that is demonstrated in the picture below.As you can tell, he gathered every drum he could get a hold of to make his set "BIG". I think he is off his rocker brain. But he enjoys it. I just wish he would be serious and play some good stuff instead of just playing around. I guess he is just having fun.

Well I will let you know when you can come listen to a concert from him. Until then, I will keep letting you know how he progresses.

Talk to you later.

JEFF

One more till the big 40

2009-01-20T23:17:00.002-06:00

Hello everyone,

Yes, Another year has gone by. I can not believe that in another, I will be 40. It has been a good day for me. I got off from RPS this morning and rested most of the day. I watched the inauguration for a while and then took a nap. The nap was just not long enough. I guess I should have turned Obama off and slept, but I wanted to watch and listen. Then mom cooked a birthday dinner to die for and we ate before I had to head to work for the night. It was awesome, MOM. THANKS. Then, of course, there was the Savage's cake that is a tradition in my family. Again, it was awesome.

Now, as for next year. We are going to have a 40 year throw down. So consider this your warning or invitatation. But we will be having a birthday bash. I will have to figure outt the details, but you must put it on your calendar now so that you can be there. And be saving up for the cover charge for the band.

I have not done much but work since the last post. I am loving my little car. It is so much fun. We are having a BAMA SMARTIES meet and greet this Saturday and it should be a lot of fun. You can go to the BAMA SMARTIES web site if you want at: http://www.smartusainsider.com/group/bamasmarties

So I work tonight, then go to Still Waters for a day shift tommorow. RPS in Odenville on Thursday and TCC Friday night. So as you can see, I am going to be busy for the next few days. I will update you soon.

JEFF

2009-01-02T19:59:00.003-06:00

Hello everyone,

I went and got my tag for the SMART today. I went last week and the lady told me that new tags were coming today, so I waited. It looks good on my blue car.

I am on a 3 night straight at ATCC then a day off and 3 straight days at ATCC. Not much to tell you about. Hunter left on his hiking trip today threw Monday. Amy rode in with me and has gone to do some shopping that she wanted to do and just generally have time to walk around an look at what she wants to. She likes doing that by herself when she can. We stopped and had a great meal at Bella's on the way in and she is going to hang till I get off and we care going to get the Honda and head home in the morning. She is out in the LiL Guy right now. I knwo she will enjoy it once she relaxes about driving it. Se loved her Focus cause it was small and easy to park. So she will be in heaven with my car.
I will talk to everyone later,

JEFF

A Merry Christmas to everyone

2008-12-24T22:27:00.002-06:00

Hello and Merry Christmas to everyone,

I hope that you have great day with your families as I plan to. I thought I would share a couple of my favorite memories from my childhood with you in the form of the videos. I LOVED this cartoon for these two clips as a child. I out one at the top and one at the bottom. ENJOY

All I have done this week is work and enjoy driving my car. It is a blast and the attention is very amusing to watch.

Again, have a MERRY CHRISTMAS,

JEFF

I got my SMART

2008-12-20T12:25:00.007-06:00

Yes everyone, It is finally mine.

It's only taken a year and a month to get, but I have a SMART. It's name (for now) is LIL Guy. May change later. I picked it up this morning and plan on driving as much as possible today. I will get more pics on my picture place later.

We are awaiting Peggy to get home from the hospital right now. She seemed to be doing good last night. I will brief you later on her progress. Oh, I guess I should tell you why she was in the hospital, for those that did not know. She had a pace maker placed on Friday.

Hunter and I are going to Trans Siberian Orchestra concert tonight. We are staying with the Rogers for the next couple nights to help with her care.

Well, talk to you later.

JEFF

Smart group of People

2008-12-08T09:47:00.002-06:00

Hello Everyone,

The people in the picture above are members of BAMA SMARTIES, a enthusiast group for Smart cars here in Alabama. As I said, a group of Smart people. You can visit our blog site for the group at the Smart USA site at the following link.

http://www.smartusainsider.com/groups/group/show?id=2029424%3AGroup%3A6866

We had our first meet and greet on Saturday at the Smart center in Birmingham which is at Crown Automobile. It was a lot of fun for me. I enjoyed having people that have the cars already to ask some questions and then Susan let me ride with her on the ride part and I got to experience the car first hand. It is all that I thought it would be. I can not wiat for my car to gfet here!

Other than that, the only thing besides work that has happened was the parade in Sylacauga Saturday night. It went pretty well. It was COLD.

This week is packed full. I will be in Birmingham most of the week. I will stay with the Rogers several nights. Saunday was at TCC and back today (Monday). I have the BREMSS Banquit Tuesday night, than back to work at 6:30 am Wednsday. The I have to be in Jasper Thursday morning. Hunter performs at the Hospital Thursday night and then I am back to UAB Friday for a class before going to StillWaters Friday night for a Christmas party. And then class on Saturday for annual licence CEUs.

I will try to update you sometime during the week.

JEFF

A thought for us during this christmas season with the help of Casting Crowns

2008-11-30T19:42:00.004-06:00

Hello to everyone,

I am at TCC for the 5th day this week and am ready for a break. I go to Still Waters for a 48 hour shift tomorrow, but at least it is a change in scenery.

Amy and Hunter got home safely from ATL on Saturday night. They stayed at the Rogers till tonight and are now on the way HOME. Yes, I said home. Amy and I are going to work threw some additional issues, but have missed each other and have come to an agreement to work threw our differences and road blocks together as a family. This means a lot to me and I will continue to pray and work hard to make my family happy and one again. Thank you all for your support and words of encouragement over the last few weeks. I know that all is not healed nor perfect, but I also know that with love, all things are possible.

I will talk to everyone later in the week.

JEFF

Christmas stress is upon me.

2008-11-29T23:03:00.007-06:00

Hello to everyone,

As we have passed Thanksgiving, It is now time for all the stresses of Christmas and gift purchasing to emerge on us. This time of year is always stressful on me, even with most of my gift decisions already made and for that much, mostly ready for pick up. There are always a few gifts that seem to be hard for me to find or figure out.

Then it comes to the question at hand that I never can answer, "What do you want for Christmas?". I am a dreamer of things, but really do not care one way or the other. Yes I dream of a lot of things, but they are dreams and not needs. But since I was told that my wish list was small the other day, I have gone in and made a true dream list on amazon. The button above will take you to that list and just knock yourself out from it. Just kidding.

Now, a little soap box about Christmas time. I love Christmas, I just hate the stresses of Christmas and that brings me down. I ask all of you to reflect on the value of your family during this time and devote quality time with them. I am not one that has done this well in the past, but want to try hard this year to make more time to relax and love with my family. Unfortunately, I have to work Christmas Eve, but plan on spending the day with them and some more days around that time.

For those that need to know a few crucial dates for December, I will give you the important dates that I know of for my family. 4th is WHS Band concert at 6:30pm, 6th is WHS parades in Sycamore and Sylacauga, 11th is Hunter's performance at CVMC for the tree lighting, 13th is the White family Christmas day, 19th is Early School Dismissal day and of course the 25th - Christmas day

I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving weekend and it was safe for you all.

And the last thing for today.

ROLL TIDE ROLL !

A long Thanksgiving week to come.

2008-11-22T17:19:00.002-06:00

Hello to everyone,

I have been away from here for a couple weeks to let myself do some thinking about how I want to proceed with my blog or if I was going to even do it at all. I do enjoy working with it, so I have decide that I will do it when I feel the urge to do something on it. i know a lot of you use this to keep up with me and I will do my best to let you know what is up with me.

Since my last post, there has been a little progress made between Amy and I to a better understanding of feelings, or lack there of, and what each of us are looking for. I still pray for a resolve. I feel that we have both grown in understanding and respect of each others feelings. Still a lot to work on.

Hunter has stayed with me for the last couple weeks and we have had some good times. We went to the ABC 33/40 skywatcher program last weekend and re certified in our storm spotter for the year. If you watch ABC 33/40 and you see a weather advertisement where James talks and then the watchers are shown behind him, Hunter and I are to the very top Right side of the group.

Amy has not felt well in a couple weeks with a cold and then a stomach bug, butt seems to be doing better. She and Hunter are going to ATL for the Thanksgiving holiday.

I get to work night shifts this week and pull Wednesday threw Sunday morning straight threw. I am still hunting a part time job since Home Depot did not have any openings for me. I guess I will call around to some ambulance companies this coming week and see what is out there.

I do not have anything else for today. I will try to update you during the week.

JEFF

What to do about an attitude?

2008-11-05T22:26:00.002-06:00

Hello to everyone,

Does this boy look like he could cause me so much grief? HE IS! I am at my end with him about his attitude and not doing his school work. Amy called me today to tell me that he once again had grades that were going to hold him from being allowed to participate in the pep rally. Then when she looked further into his grades, he is failing 2 classes badly. There nothing else to take away except to pull him from band altogether and that is what I threatened to do. He is so smart, I do not understand.

Anyway, I hope all of you are well. I myself am sleep deprived and still have a long week to go. I sure hope to rest some on Saturday. I, of course, sit here at ATCC for the night. I got off this morning from Still Waters ans got a small nap this afternoon, but not enough. I go back to Winterboro for a commitment from 11 till 2 or 3 tomorrow then back to ATCC tomorrow night. Then Friday, I will head home and get a nap before heading to Linden to watch Hunter and the Band perform. I am off Saturday, but will have to get up to take Hunter to a scouting event and then maybe get some rest after that. I hope Amy and I get to go get some dinner Saturday night, but if not, I will just rest at home. Then its back to work at ATCC Sunday and Monday. Don't that sound like a fun schedule. Not to me.

I don't have much to say tonight. Kinda lonely and not feeling the best. It's gonna be a long night I guess. I brought my book and think I will try to just read.

Talk to you later,

JEFF

Tractor Cruise, Done for this year!

2008-11-03T23:57:00.005-06:00

Hello Everyone,

Yes, its really over for awhile. I guess I will start working on next year in the summer. It went well, just wish we had more participation. Everyone had a good time. The picture above is all the participants at lunch in front of the sign that was pulled threw out the cruise with kids and teachers from the school riding. Joe ended up pulling the float since my tractor would not handle it at all. I hope to make a collaboration of pictures from everyone I can get them from and make a album. I will let you know when done.

After the cruise and cleanup. We headed to a throw down Halloween party. I can't tell you to much about it for the risk of ruining my reputation or incriminating myself. Lets just say that I had a good time but do not remember the getting home part. Thank god for Amy not drinking. I will post a picture of me in my costume of a Tequila Bottle for you to see. I wish there was a better one with the full head part on, but there is not. Unfortunately, It looked like a Tequila bottle from the front when you could see the logo, but Hunter made em take it off cause of what it looked like from the side and back which we can not mention on here where kids might be reading.OK, so stop laughing now. It was fun.

Not much else to report to you. No big changes have happened in the situation at hand. I may not say a lot on this about that for awhile so that we can have the privacy to work threw some issues without help from the peanut gallery. We thank all of you for your concerns and prayers. Please be patient and keep praying for us.

Love to Everyone,

JEFF

Its Tractor Time in Winterboro

2008-10-30T14:23:00.005-05:00

Hello everyone,

Yes, after a year of you hearing about it, it going to be over soon. This Saturday is the First Annual Tractor Winterboro Cruise. Everything looks to be in place and I am ready to get on the road.

Fox 6 News reporter Chris Montana did a great piece on the cruise. The link to it on the web site is -http://www.myfoxal.com/myfox/page/Home/Detail;jsessionid=FFFC75166B0A114EF3BFBA4802E0F792?contentId=7751502&version=2&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=1.1.1&sflg=1

If you can not get the video, try this:
http://www.myfoxal.com/myfox/MyFox/pages/sidebar_video.jsp?contentId=7754730&version=1&locale=EN-US
I will have a ton of pictures for you after the weekend is over.

Not much to tell you right now because all I have done is work on the cruise and talk to Amy.

Need to get a good nap in, but that will not happen any day soon. Wish us luck on the cruise.

JEFF

40 years to correct 1 day

2008-10-26T11:09:00.007-05:00

Hello to everyone,

I want to share with you this morning a message that I received from the local pastor. Yes, I went to church this morning. I decided on the way to Work at Still Waters that I would go to the local Methodist church that is just down the hill from the gate to Still Waters. It is a small church and I knew that one of the members of the fire department went there. It was a wonderful church. Hard to describe, but it was both small and old and new and modern. It had a great fill to it. The picture above is the front of the church as you look out during the service. It reminded me so much of the views from Christ Church and the feel of Sycamore or Berry.

Anyway, I received a message today during the pastors sermon that I want to share. It is based on the scripture of Exodus 32: 1-14. It talks about that even god became angry at his people but was able to change his mind and let go. In the verses, Moses has been gone some time into the mountain and the people became restless and felt abandoned. So they went and built an idle to worship because they were scared that Moses, their leader, had abandoned them. from here I want to quote what the Bible I am using says;

God spoke to Moses, "Go! Get down there! Your people whom you brought up from the land of Egypt have fallen to pieces. In no time at all they've turned away from the way I commanded them: They made a molten calf and worshiped it. They've sacrificed to it and said, "These are the gods, O Israel, that brought you up from the land of Egypt!"

God said to Moses, "I look at this people--oh!what a stubborn,hard-headed people! Let me alone now, give my anger free reign to burst into flames and incinerate them, But I'll make a great nation out of you."

Moses tried to calm hid God down. He said,"Why, God, would you lose your temper with your people? Why, you brought them out of Egypt in a tremendous demonstration of power and strength. Why let the Egyptians say, 'He had it in for them - he brought them out so he could kill them in the mountains, wipe them right off the face of the Earth. 'Stop you anger. Think twice about bringing evil against your people! Think of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, your servants to whom you gave your word, telling them 'I will give this land to your children as their land forever,'"

And GOD did think twice. He decided not to do evil he had threatened against his people.

As I listened and took in the words of the pastor, he talked of how we all don't do right all the time and "even God can change his mind". But then he said something else that just really struck me as the truth of especially my situation. He said" It took 1 day for GOD to get his people out of Egypt, It took 40 years to get Egypt out of his people." And that lead me to the revelation that even though I have decided to make a change to find HAPPINESS, FAITH and PEACE in my life, I can make the decision quickly, its the change that will take awhile to happen.

Then I heard myself saying, ' why did it take so long for you to see that a change was needed.' The answer is that it did not take a long time for me to see that a change was needed, I saw that a change was needed many a year ago. I just did not follow threw when I said I needed to make a change. Even though I promised GOD, Myself, Amy and Hunter that I would change, It was easier not to change and I would forget about it before I was out the door. I am going to insert a song that says this in as clear of words as I have ever heard before. The problem is that I have listened to this song many a time and thought the same thing, but with out conviction, it is not possible to change.

Thank you for listning to me and my GOD be with us all as we try so hard to be who we need to be.

JEFF

A song for Amy

2008-10-26T01:59:00.007-05:00

Hello everyone,

Today has been a day that I have been on one of the roller coasters that I have been riding for the last few weeks. Amy decided that some time for us to breath and think was in order. I understand what she is saying, but that does not make it any easier for me. I don't think it is easy for her either, but she has the edge of understanding her thoughts that I do not have.

As most of you to know, I am a music person anyway. As I have been listening to my i-pod or radio, I have found several songs that I identify with right now. The song with this blog page is one that says a lot of what I am feeling in words that I identify easily. I have several more that I am hanging onto right now. I have already used a couple in previous blogs, but still keep coming up with more. I have made a playlist of these songs for Amy, and once she has listened to them and we talk, I will post this playlist to the side of my blog to share with you also. I feel it important that we have a chance to talk about the meaning of them before I share them.

I do have a playlist to the right side of the blogs of songs that I like right now. But these are not specific to Amy or our situation.

Last night was Homecoming at Winterboro. The Bulldogs were victorious and everyone seemed to have a good night. I worked for the band boosters by frying french fries. I never heard how we did as far as money, but I know the kept busy. After the game, there was a dance and Amy was asked to be a watch dig for "dirty dancing" so she asked me to help. I floated around and helped keep eyes on students. Again, everyone seemed to have a good time, except for Hunter. I wish he could learn that his dad's ways of being grumpy are not the best way. I sure have struggled with it all my adult life, but I hate that he has it. He should have had a blast instead of not.

I don't think it took to much to get me to go to sleep after the day I had, but it was still not easy with the feelings stirring in me of what was happening and how can I fix it. I guess my sleeping aid kicked in and I went down. Unfortunately, I awoke about 10 to 10:30 and my mind cranked right up. I decide about 11 that I could still sleep almost 6 hours before getting up for work, so I took another aid to sleep. Sometime this afternoon, Amy and Hunter showed up to get some things from the house and about scared the crap out of me. When they had gotten whatever they came to get, I finally was fully out of my stupor from the pills. I knew I could not take another and perform tonight here at TCC, So I just got up and tinkered around. I did some laundry and gathered some cans up for recycling. I then got ready to leave for work and went ahead and left to make some stops along the way. The first stop was for something I have not done in along time, but had a craving for a good cigar for tomorrow, so I stooped at "The Humidor Room" in Inverness for a sinful treat. I then stopped at the book store and picked up "Brisingr" by Christopher Paolina. This is the third book of three in this series. I look forward to seeing what happens. I then went up to the Apple store to see if they had any suggestions on how to get Hunter's i-pod back running. He would have gotten a new one had he keep better care of it. It was still under warranty but due to it having 5 dents in the back if it, they consider it to be abused and would not cover the damage because that is what caused the failure. I have an extended warranty threw Wal-Mart, but it has to be sent off and we will see what they say. I then was so hungry from sleeping all day and not having a dinner last night. I decided that I would splurge just a bit and went by Dreamland for some ribs. This was out of budget, but I figured that it served as 3 meals and that would add up to the cost of the ribs. They were good, but I'm sure Hunter and Amy would have loved to have gone with me. So now it is 0337 in the morning and I sit here writing to you. I think it is time to close out and try to read in my new book.

Please keep my family in your thoughts and prayers that we can find the peace and happiness that was lost.

Love to all of you,

JEFF

P.S. - I did put some new pictures from the Pell City Compitition in the "Picasa" link. I now have a ton of more room to bring you pictures for a long time. You can just click on the picture of Hunter to go there.

Struggling to be the the man I was not for so long

2008-10-24T10:11:00.003-05:00

Hello to everyone,

As most of you know, family life in our home has been and continues to be tested everyday. Amy, Hunter and I are trying to find that happiness that went missing along time ago. Amy is doing much better than I . Hunter is struggling with being a teenager and the decisions that he is making in his life. And I am facing the fact that I was missing from life altogether for some time now.

The song above is a Casting Crowns song that has spoke to me for a long time now, but I never admitted that I was struggling with finding myself. As I am attempting to make the changes in my life to make myself happy and in turn be able to give happiness to my family, friends and co-workers, I find that it is so easy to go back to the way of the past and the comfortable. It takes me thinking about every word that comes from my mouth and every action that I make. It is not just with Amy or Hunter that I have neglected to live and be present. As I have thought about things and looked at what Amy was pointing out to me, I have found that I can see way more that I have done or not done that disturbs me. I want to say to all that care for me that I am sorry that I was absent from life and want all of your support and help to make me be present. I can not fix years of damage overnight, but I will do all I can to make the changes and to keep them changed in the future.

I do want to warn all of you that part of that change is going to take control of this blog as being my way of talking to the world without compromise. I have edited myself many times for the sack of others that read this and not wanting to hurt or anger anyone. But he reason for a blog is to be able to share thoughts and activities without the fear of censorship. So this is my warning to all of you that I am going to write my feeling and thoughts as I wish to. I welcome your comments or questions, but expect you to honor that I have feelings that may hurt your feelings at times and wish for you to have an open mind with me or stop reading this. Thank you for your support, prayers and help.

I don't have much on the day to day to tell you about. Mostly because the daily activities are overshadowed by the thoughts and changes that are going on. Hunter got in trouble at school and elected for licks instead of OSCAR today and he has to miss the Homecoming pep rally today which is not good since he is the section leader for the drums. If any body has a cure for teenage hood, let me know. Kelly and I are working on the trailer that we hall the tractor on and making it easier and safer to use. He is on the way to Tractor Supply now to get a new coupler for ti so that when we get to welding the ramps (hopefully Monday) we can put it on also. We have both been concerned when hauling the tractor that it was going to come off because our coupler is so warn and loose. Of course tonight is homecoming at Winterboro. I am working the concession stand and Amy is going to take the night to sit in the stands with her friends and watch the activities of homecoming. She has really grown into loving her work at the school and she deserves to participate in Homecoming an not work for the band tonight. I hope to sleep most of tomorrow to change from day shift to night shift again and then be at work tomorrow night. Next week is going to be a crazy week with work and prep for the tractor cruise. I will keep you up to date as much as possible.

Till next time,

JEFF

Say What you Need to Say

2008-10-23T06:54:00.002-05:00

Hello to everyone,

I hope everyone finds themselves living there lives in truth and honor to self. I have found out that for years I have been stuffing feelings to the back and living a unhappy life that did not honor myself and especially my family. Even with the things that effect the lives of the three of us in our family, I have had to come to grip that I did not handle the events real well for many a year now. So now I struggle to figure out how to become honorable to myself which in turn will honor all those that I come to deal with, weather family, friends, co-workers, or even a stranger.

As I put the video on the top of this, This song says a lot about how I feel right now. For those that have not scene the movie "The Bucket List", it is a must see along with "Pursuit of Happiness". I wish that you would take the time to see these.

I am not going to go into all that is going on at my house right now due to the complexity of the situation. But I will tell you that it has been a hard week and will take some time to bring it back to a comfortable state.

I thank all of you that have been affected by the situation and supported Amy and I and continue to do so. Please keep us in your prayers.

As far as other things that have gone on or are going on. The band had competition in Pell City on Saturday. They did a great job. Rodney scored a 1 and got best in class. We would have liked to have scene better scores across, but were pleased with the performance and scores over all.

I still am getting ready for the big Tractor Cruise next weekend. I will be relieved when it is over. Amy continues to do her thing at the school and is growing in confidence like I have not scene in along time. She has also lost weight and is looking real good. Hunter is a 15 year old . rebelling teenager that is driving us crazy. I just wish I could break threw to him and make him understand that his action cause our actions of discipline and concern. HE told us last night that if we did not bug him about his homework he would do it, but he did not turn in two assignments so we had to step in. Its a vicious cycle.

Well , I am going to attempt to do an upgrade on my picture link during the day to day to get more storage and I have a lot of pictures to upload for you to see. I will let you know when they are online.

Jeff

I've got a date

2008-10-17T11:29:00.002-05:00

Hello everyone,

I am so excited, but with some reservation, I have a date for delivery of my Smart. They are now showing a delivery date to Crown Automotive for January 4, 2009. It can still move ether direction, but at least there is a date. I can not wait.

Guess where I am, yes Tcc or as it is now know ATCC ( Alabama Trauma Communications Center). We are growing to be state wide and the state has renamed us. The good thing is that we are now state funded. I work 10:30 a to 10:30 p today. I will miss going to the away game tonight, but we have competition tomorrow in Pell City. For those that want to come see the band and support the kids and Grayson, we perform at 12:40 p. It is at Pell City High School.

I have been a busy bee for the last two days. I don't know what I would have done without the 2 days off. I spent both days doing projects that needed done. I took the tractor to the shop and got it fixed where they messed up last time. I got my car checked and found the noise I keep hearing and thank goodness that it is not a big deal. The rest of the time, I worked around the shop and in the yard. I have been refinishing a desk for Amy for several months now. I have most of the paint on it. All to do now is add a couple more layers of top coat on the top surface to make it durable and smooth than put the legs on it. It is an antique school desk. I don't remember where I stumbled upon it, but the legs had been sitting in water and had rotted more than half off.the top part was in great shape except for multiple layers of old paint and a lot of gum stuck under it. It is a neat desk with a full size table top with 2 drawer cubbies under it on each side. Anyway, I painted a coat here and a coat there for the last two days in between working in the yard. I don't know what it is about cutting grass that makes me relax, but It was good therapy for me. I am sore today, but that will go away.

The family reunion is at the farm on Saturday while we are gone to the band competition. Kelly will finish a few small things today and the yards are ready for the visitors to have a beautiful day on the lawn.

I will post video from the competition as soon as I can Sunday or Monday.

I hope everyone has a good weekend.

Jeff

Mid October and getting close to all the fun events

2008-10-14T08:48:00.004-05:00

Hello to everyone,

Its Tuesday morning as I sit here at TCC for the second day in a row. Don't take me wrong, I like doing back to back shifts. It gets them out of the way. I could see how if I could stack all 3 shifts for the week, I would and then have the other 4 to do whatever with. I stayed with ma and pa Rogers last night. They seem to be doing good.

Not much to tell you about right now.

This week seems to be a long week for Amy and I will do what I can to support but not get in the way. I plan on working around the house for the next couple days and help get ready for the family reunion at the farm this weekend. I am also going to attempt to paint the desk I have been refinishing for Amy to use a t Sycamore School and get it put together. I don't want to rush it and it takes all I can not to. I want to paint it and let it sit for several days before assembling it so that the paint can be a hard as possible to be durable. I think I will also spray the top with a polyurethane to help it last a while. I have to work this Friday and will miss going to the away game with the band. They travel to Nogasulga down close to Auburn. I will get to go to the competition in Pell City on Saturday. They are working hard to be the best they can be for this competition. I invite any of you to come out and support the band at competition. I will update a time of performance later in the week.

The Tractor Cruise is getting closer now and I am so nervous that the participation is going to be low. I am going to make it the funnest day possible for who ever shows up.

We have been invited to a Halloween party the night of the 1st that promises to be a fun event since you have to be in costume to get in. I can't wait. Just hope I can stay out of trouble. LOL.

Well, I will let you know more later.

JEFF

It official, I'm a UAB Employee

2008-10-07T23:46:00.003-05:00

Hello to everyone,

I know that the title confuses you since I have worked for almost 3 years now here at TCC, but as of today, I am off probation and am an official UAB Hospital employee. I was worried after bombing my review test, but made a good interview and pulled threw. It does not mean a lot of change for me other than I can now us my benefits of time off and discounts for education for me and the family.

Yes I am sitting here at my desk at TCC for tonight. I worked Still Waters yesterday and last night. We have staff meeting tomorrow morning then some errands. Amy has got me going to Brookwood Village tonight to stand in line and get a number for getting in line on Thursday to meet an author and get him to sign some books. The books are for the library at the school. I do not know who he is, so do not ask.

Nothing much to report on. All I do is work, work on the tractor cruise and sleep. Oh and do Band stuff! The band did well on Saturday at competition, but did not score as well as they should. It was a great day for them and they got to see some great bands. Maybe the scores will be better on the 18th. I personally can not wait till the season is over.

Amy and I are still battling the colds or whatever illness we have. I am so tired of coughing and wheezing.

Well, as most of you know, Hunter turns 15 this Friday. OH MY, I am feeling old. It will be good to have a chauffeur for the year, but scary as well. I will let you know how that is going.

For now, see ya,

JEFF

Half time show for September 26, 2008

2008-09-27T14:37:00.002-05:00

I finally got it to upload. Sorry, the quality is not good.

JEFF

Hunter plays his pants off

2008-09-27T08:37:00.003-05:00

Hello to everyone,

Last night we (Winterboro Blue Knights) were at Vincent. Hunter was in rare form, he was in a happy mode and played his pants right off. Watch the video and you will understand.

So you can see, Hunter was having fun. This drum number is one that Hunter wrote for the line this year. The Cheerleaders have made a dance to it and the band is picking up the dance also.

How do you like the picture of Hunter with his hair pulled up. He did not like it, but Amy and I did and everyone else did. I will upload more pictures from last night another time. I have to upgrade my account to get more room for pictures before I can. I will let you know when I do.

There is not much to catch you up on for this week. Just work and more work. Still working on getting last minute plans done for the tractor cruise. I bet you can not guess where i'm at today. yup, TCC.

Hope everyone is doing OK,

JEFF

Meet the good reverend - Rodney

2008-09-20T13:21:00.008-05:00

Hello to everyone,

I had every intention on giving you a big blog about life and all that is going on in my brain, But I just don't feel like it now.

Of course I sit at TCC on this Saturday. We are watching the tide roll over Arkansas right now. Our own Bulldogs did some rolling last night to a big win against Donaho School. Let me tell you, this year vs last year is a total different feel at the games. It is so enjoyable to have the band rocking the crowd and everyone having a good time. Mr. Lawrence (or Grayson to me) is doing a great job keeping the band active during the game and letting them get into it. For all that can, I would ask you to come see the band perform the half time show, especially in a couple weeks when they have finished it completely.

For those that don't know, the bands show is a southern gospel show and is great. I personally still get chills when they are doing Amazing grace and the the drum line kicks it in as the band makes a push forward bringing the chills to your skin. I, of course, enjoy hearing the drum line and watch Hunter play. But this single event during the show is so dynamic, you can not miss it. The band came off the field last night to the cadence that Hunter wrote and it made me so proud. As far as the good reverend shown above. This is Rodney, our drum major and the spirit of the band this year. HE enjoys doing his thing so much and it shows as he directs and dances on the podium. I look forward to the competitions when the crowd will be listening to the band more than they do at half time and I believe the crowd will be on their feet several times as this show and energy is delivered.

As far as Hunter goes, he is giving us fits. I sure hope it is just age. He is so smart, I hate to see him blow it. He has decided to audition for the Spirit of JSU Drum Corp on bass drum this year. I sure wish he could get on, I feel it would be good for him to get out and see the nation and be able to grow in his talent and as a person. It will be difficult for him at his age to make the Corp, but if he wants it, he can do it.

Amy has had a long week. She had to proctor the Alabama Graduation Exam Thursday and Friday. The first part of the week was just busy for her. She called a while ago and said she awoke not feeling well with a runny nose and sore throat. It is probable from the air last night at the game, it got cool and there was smoke from the grill blowing over us most of the game. She works tonight, so I hope she gets to feeling better.

As for me, I get off at 6:30 this afternoon and head home to hopefully get to bed early and catch some sleep. I work at Still Waters tomorrow for a 24. I am actually off 2 days this week (Monday and Wednesday) but then work 2 days back to back at TCC on Thursday and Friday. So I will stay with the Roger's on Thursday night. I hope to go get the Tractor from the shop on Monday and maybe bush hog the grass down some.

I did put some more pictures in the Band folder and the school folder today for those interested.

I guess I will cut my self off there for today and talk to you later. Have a good week.

Jeff

Its 9/11

2008-09-11T03:55:00.002-05:00

Hello everyone,

It is now early morning of 9/11, and I hate to say it, but I could not remember which anniversary it was. I had to look it up to find out that it has been 7 years since the attacks on the twin towers that killed so many. As a Paramedic and Fire Fighter (of sorts), I should remember better those that died in the line of duty. I do remember that day well as I was in a meeting for the ambulance service and watched the tower fall in the ED of Coosa Valley Hospital. The next year I remember more of the day after, when Amy got sick and we found out she had Lupus.

I do ask that we all stop and remember those Fire Fighters, Police officers, public service workers and just the ordinary people that died that day of terrorist hands.

I bet you can't guess that I'm at TCC tonight. Well I am of course and headed to Still Waters from here for the day shift. I will be a zombie by tonight. Tomorrow brings on the "Friday Night Lights" aspect of high school life. For us at Winterboro, we dread this game the most out of the year. I am glad it is early in the season and will be over with. It is when we have to play TC (Talladega Central). I guess it is just rivery, but it has gotten rough in the past between the two crowds and schools. For some reason, the TC kids and crowd are not the nicest people out there. Anyway, I will be glad when it is over. I will let you know how it goes.

I wish I had blogged the other night when I was inspired about something, but I can not think of what I wanted to rant about now. So be thankful, it will come to me eventually.

Not much to update you on. We live a boring, work filled, school filled life here and not much changes from day to day. I can tell you this,;If we do not get the tractor back from the shop soon, you will not be able to find my house beneath the weeds in the field. It will take us (Kelly) the rest of the year to get it back to a normal cut and looking good for the family reunion.

So good day to you all,

JEFF

Just another day!

2008-09-04T23:57:00.002-05:00

Hello everyone,

Yes, I sit here at TCC in the middle of the night once again. I worked last night and then tonight again. I stayed in my second room at the Rogers last night so as to not have to drive so much and save some liquid gold. I got a great nap today and then got out to run some errands before work. First was Nextel to get Hunters phone put back together again. He goes threw flips like water. I guess he is going to start being a lot more careful since they told me that was the last time they would put a flip part on it without a $100 deductible. He and I are going to have to have an agreement on repair costs and he can be careful or do without. I also went by Hancock's To get some embroidery supplies to try and do the stole for the drum major (that is another story). I got some dinner or Breakfast in my case and headed to work. So far so good, RIGHT. Well that is where it became JUST ANOTHER DAY!

I am working with a co-worker that is either just plan lazy or does not care. Several of us have complained, but nothing seems to change him. When the boss says something to him, it gets better for a short time then back to the same old way. Well, tonight has been one of those nights were he has not helped. He even did not answer the phone when I was on the phone with Amy and knew it. I got MAD. I was dealing with a computer problem in Huntsville and a radio problem a Trinity while all of this was going on, he never bother to try to help. Well, the boss called to see if we had followed up on the radio problem and I told him that I had not had time due to the computer problem. He said "you have a partner, Don't you?" I think I said, "sort of" but can not really remember there was so much going on. He asked if he had helped me at all and I was reluctant to answer. He told me it was a yes or no answer, so I said no. He said he would handle the problem, so maybe something will be done. I just hate causing trouble, but I am tired of doing 80% of the work and he makes more than I do. I had even made a complaint about a week ago about this issue, so it was not the first time the boss heard it from me. Well, I decided that I would say something to him about making me put down the phone with Amy and answer the TCC line with him just sitting there. He said he did not hear it at first then said he knew it was for me about the computers, so he did not answer. I am just trying not to say anything to him now and get out of here in the morning.

Anyway, sorry for the venting, I just needed to tell the story .

Tomorrow is an away game at Fayetteville, so I will head home for a nap then get the band trailer clean and ready to go. I did not get the light in it this week but will before the next away game. As for the robe and stole story from earlier. The bands show this year is a southern gospel theme. So the secondary Drum Major wanted a robe and stole to wear as if he was a choir director or preacher (I don't know which). We at first got him a borrowed robe and stole from the church and they decided not to use it. When we lost the primary Drum Major, it was decided to go back with the idea. I was asked to help figure out a Blue Robe and White stole with some embroidery on it. We tried getting a several ways to get a gown and found several sites to order one from. But as with luck would have it, Mom ran across a representative from Balfour at church and he donated a nice Blue robe today and mom has already cut out a stole to be embroidered but then today made a back up stole for him to use tomorrow since the embroidered one is not finished. So I will get a picture tomorrow night of our "preacher". It is going to be great. And THANKS mom for all your help with this project. I will post pictures and story from the game this weekend when I return for Saturday and Sunday nights at TCC.

I am going to find something on the computer to watch and talk to you later.

JEFF

Happy Birthday - AMY

2008-09-01T20:52:00.002-05:00

Hello Everyone,

It is Monday night now and I sit here at TCC like normal. Has been a hard night and day for some reason, but we will get to that later.

On Wednesday the 27th, it was Amy's Birthday. I had to work at TCC during the day but still managed to get her a cake from Savage's. Even as careful as I was, it still feel apart somewhat before getting home (it did not affect its taste). Well anyway, Here birthday gift from Hunter and I was a horse riding lesson on Sunday the 31st at El Gezira Riding Academy in Harpersville. Amy had mentioned several times over the past years that she had never ridden a horse and wanted to try. So when she mentioned it again a few months ago. I was bound and determined to make it happened. I asked around to some friends of mine that raise horses but could not get a taker to teach her. So I called El Gizera and a lady named Pam said she would be glad to work with Amy. So Amy got almost two hours with a horse named Cody yesterday. She seemed to enjoy it a lot. I think it would be a good thing for her to do every so often, she got to groom Cody and take care of him along with ride. You can go to the picture link for more pictures from her day; http://picasaweb.google.com/everyoneknowsjeff/HorseRidingForAmySBirthday

This week was also Mrs. Rogers Birthday. We meet the Rogers at Olive Garden yesterday for a dinner to visit and celebrate the two birthdays. Thanks for the dinner Hubert, I enjoyed mine. There are a few pictures in the Rogers Family Album from this dinner.

A lot has been happening since my last post, so I will try to catch you up somewhat.

As you know, Uncle LaVerne died and so we went to Atlanta to the funeral on the 19th of August. As sad as a funeral is, I found it a good feeling day due to seeing some of my nieces and nephew that I have not scene in forever along with their kids. There are some pictures from that also in the Rogers Family Albulm to the right column. I do wish to keep the Farr's in our prayers as they adjust to the loss of LaVerne.

Between the funeral and Amy's Birthday was just more of the same, WORK, WORK AND MORE WORK. I think that is all there is anymore.

I did get out and try to do some fund raising on Tuesday, but did not do to much bring it in. Friday brought the first change in my schedule for some time now. I got off from Care that morning and headed to Sylacauga to run some errands before going home. Got a hair cut and did some banking. When home, I worked on the pick-up to get it ready for band season this year. Dad helped me and we had a few hours of talk time as we worked. We got a new wiring plug installed on the truck so that it has a high amp. hot wire to go to the band trailer so that some outside flood lights can be put on to light the area when the students are putting up instruments. I hope to get those light sin and working tomorrow. After working on the truck, I got ready so that when Hunter and Amy got home we could run get some dinner and head to the school for Friday Night at the football game. We worked out butts off, let me tell you. We lost the game, But the band looked good for the first game out. The band s show is going to bring the house down when all finished and polished up. As we were going to leave the concession stand with a load of trash, that is when it went the wrong way for me. First, my hand got slammed in the truck door. Then as I was getting into the bed of the truck to throw out the garbage, I feel or slipped and ended up hitting the bed rails of the truck and the tailgate with various parts of my body. OUCH!!!!!. Well needless to say, I did not sleep well after getting home late and being so sore it was unbelievable. I got up at 4:45 and got ready for work as normal. But when I came in to tell Amy buy, she told me that there was no way I could go to work in the state I was in (this is what she tells me, cause I don't remember any of it). I apparently called in and went back to bed to awaken about 7 that night. I think I got up for a little while but right back to bed till Sunday. I feel a lot better now even with the soreness that lingers.

Between Hunter and I having mysterious illness or injury, that sums up the last couple of weeks. This week does not look to be as bad but it is just starting. I will let you know.

Till then,

Jeff

R.I.P. to Uncle LaVerne

2008-08-17T06:43:00.004-05:00

Amy's Uncle LaVerne died this morning. Seen center in the picture above.

Please keep him and his family in your Prayers. He will be missed by all that knew him.

Need some participants to sign up!

2008-08-17T04:34:00.002-05:00

Hello to everyone!

As you can tell, I am thinking about the tractor cruise. Actually, I do believe that it consumes 80% of my brain at the present time. I sure wish that some folks would register as participants. I will relax somewhat when we start to get those people in and the number grows. We are going to have a blast, but convincing people of that is proving somewhat difficult. There are a lot of 'interested parties out there. I just have not gotten them to fill the paper out and send in the registration fee. It will happen, I have to have some faith.

I am of course at TCC and have been pretty bored through the night. Not much happening. I got a lot done thought. I got the financial statement for the WEF meeting done, I did some research on the Smart car, I dreamed about a laptop computer by configuring several to figure cost, and of course watched the Olympics. But I am now ready to head home and make my frame for the Tractor cruise billboard sign that will be mounted to a trailer so that it can be moved about over the next several months. I will post a picture of it when done and on the trailer. i am also going to help Brett with his weather truck so he can go chase the hurricane this week. I have to keep myself busy so that I can remain awake to reset for day shift on Monday again. Wish me luck and pray for those around me the later in the day it gets.

Today is Kelly's Birthday, So;

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KELLY !

I hope you have a good day of sleep (he is on his weekend shift of nights). We will celebrate one day with a cold one (or two).

Not much to tell you about, Hunter and Amy made it threw the first week of school. They are getting use to the new schedule and new principal. Amy seems to have gotten her room at Sycamore School finally clean, now to decorate it I guess.

This week is another busy week for our family with not much relax time. I have to work almost every day except for Wednesday, but I am going to hunt for sponsorships to the north end of the county and beyond that day. I work at Still Waters later in the week and weekend.

Well of course it has gotten busy because I said something about being slow. Got to go.

Jeff

Smart Center Birmingham is open

2008-08-10T02:20:00.003-05:00

Hello to everyone,

I sit here at TCC like normal. It has been a very busy night here, so my blog will not be as long as last time (I know you all are relived).

I worked last night also, so I went to the Rogers for sleep today. When I got up, I went by the Smart center in Hoover and looked at the little guys. I did meet the sales staff and talked to several people. I just wish my car was there. I will hopefully get some info this week on where it is in the process. I will let you know. I got to stop by on Wednesday, but did not have a lot of time to really look like I did today.

Not much has happened over the past several days except for sleep and work. I did get the Chain saw and it looks to be a good one. Have to cut something up to test it soon. I ended up not working the ambulance this week due to a stomach illness, but I seem to have recovered OK. I will admit, the rest was good on that day off.

This week is just as full as last. I will keep you up to date a couple times during the week.

Sorry, no deep thoughts today, to tired to think that hard. I have felt better the last several days and look forward to a good week.

Till then,

Jeffrey

Where did the summer go? I sure don't remember a break!

2008-08-05T21:30:00.002-05:00

Hello to everyone,

I know that I have not blogged in awhile, I am sorry for that. I have not felt like sharing my thoughts as of late due to I am afraid of what might spill out. It has not been an easy summer and I sure have not done anything spacial with my family. I want to share a video with you before I continue. Please take time and watch and then come back for some more.

American Dream - performed by Casting Crowns

Ok, I am stuck with the reality that the "American Dream" consumes most of us. My problem is that I do not feel that I want the dream life that is spoken of. I do want to live comfortably and have some things. But I do not desire a huge house or feel that I am unrealistic in my dreams for my family or myself. But I do work, at last count, 3 paid jobs and have very little time that I am ever off that I get to enjoy or do something that we just want to do. The reality is that i feel that I does not matter how much I work or even Amy works, we are still behind and left wondering how the world is surviving. I look around and see people that do not work that are "living off me as far as I am concerned", that are having fun and playing all the time. I WANT TO PLAY. I hope I am making since. As the song states, I am left empty at the end of the day, chasing the dream. I am tired of doing that!

I have also been struggling with my faith and feelings on the issue. I recently spent some time with a friend of mine that pointed out that I may be doing a disservice to Hunter and myself by not going to church. We talked for many an hour on the subject and I tried explaining how I felt, but never really got the impression that he understood my point. I will explain in short; I do have faith and Amy has a lot of faith. I can not speak for Hunter and do admit that I have wronged in his development of faith. I am a believer, but do not feel that you have to attend church to be a faithful person. Like I told my friend, I know several people that go to church, even sing in the praise band, that I do not believe live a Christan life. They are faith full in church and all nice a friendly. But then in the real world, they do not demonstrate a life that is the same and are mean and act like they do not know you cause you are not in there social group. So going to church does not mean that you are a Christan. I do understand that it is said in the bible that you must congregate with fellow Christians, but can't you do this without the politics of a church. I feel that I worship to the world by having a caring hand and showing friendship to all I can. I know that I have witnessed to many a patient in a way that I can not describe. So am I not a christian cause I don't go to church?

The fact is that I feel that time is a valuable thing that is going to waste. The world is spinning wildly out of control and we focus on the wrong things in life. The world is just to busy and to costly for us to live a comfortable lifestyle anymore without giving up or dreams. My dream is to be able to spend time with Amy and Hunter along with all the people that matter to me. I dream of there not being the nay sayers and the negative people who just bring the world down. My dream is to be able to work and purchase the essentials for living and be able to have a few fun things thrown in there somewhere. MY DREAM IS TO BE HAPPY ALL THE TIME.

So, as you can see, I am struggling a little with everything right now. I know I don't show it to those that see me out and about or even my family. I am sorry that I suppress so much that you don't even know about. But I feel that editing what you see and know is the only way to make you guys happy. Amy is always on me about why I am "happy" when out and around people, and not when I am at home. I always tell her that it is just a show and that I am really miserable. I have to admit that I am a people person and love to be around people, even when they make me unhappy. As most of you know, I love to volunteer my time away and do it way to much. But it makes me happy and I feel good when I do for whomever I am giving to. But I need to learn to say no and give more to myself which in turn will give more to my family. So I am going to try to make this change. I will be hard for me to do, but I feel it is necessary. I ask for your support and prayers as I make this effort to change. I even ask for you to out right tell me to stop if you see me doing something that I can eliminate. Now don't go to crazy, I can not stop working like I do right now, so don't even go there unless you have a million to loan me to invest and live off the interest. If you do, I will return it to you in 10-15 years and live the rest of my life off it. But that probably want happen, so I will keep working.

Now, Amy believes in a book see read recently called "The Secret". From what she has told me , it states that if you ask the universe for something or an answer for something, that it will give the thing to you or give you the answer. I have to interpret this in my mind as turning the decision or want over to God to answer. To me. " The Universe" is "God". But I do believe that with faith, the answers are given to us for life and even the common questions. The problem I have,and I believe the world has, is I am impatient and do it an my own. We need to learn to slow down and listen and be patient. I can give you an example of this that happened to me today. I was asked to purchase a new chainsaw by my parents. I have know we were going to need one for a while now and have been doing research. Well, when Mom told me to get one, I went back to my research yesterday and actually got myself so confused as to what I wanted, It was awful. I called several stores and read as much as I could on which of the brands I wanted. Well I had decided on a Husqavarna since there is a local dealership and service center, but I really wanted a Stihl based on research. Well, I went to dinner with a friend and co-worker last night and he overheard me talking with my brother about his opinion. He told me that his son was a Stihl dealer and would call him in the morning and see what price he could get me. I just said thanks and went on. Well, as I was laying there trying to go to sleep and thinking about the saws, I decided to let the universe decide which one I was supposed to get. I said that If the son called me and could save me a little money, I would take that as a sign that I was to get a Stihl. But if he did not call or it was trouble to get threw him, I would just go with the Husky. So this morning about 0820, he called me to find out what I wanted. he said he would call me later in the day and give me pricing. he called back within 10 minutes and said he had a minute, so he got the pricing for me and he was $100 cheaper than the dealership I had talked to. He set it up for me to pick up and it was done.

I would say that was a pretty clear sign. So "why can all things not work like that" is the question I came up with. Well my answer to you is, they all can if we will slow down and let the answers come instead of worrying or rushing. Now to teach myself that lesson and live by it.

As you can tell by now, I have been thinking a lot lately about everything. There is so much more that I want to tell you. But I think I will end this Blog and save some for another time.

For a quick update on what is up in my life:
1)My car is a big unknown right now since they have again moved my delivery date back to June 2009. They can not tell me why it moved in the wrong direction, but are supposed to be working on it.
2)If you have not visited the link for the pictures of the drum line. I urge you to go to it and see the completed (or almost completed) drum line that Hunter and I did over the summer. They look good and everyone seems to be happy at the school with them.
3)Band camp went well last week. I am glad it is done and they band seemed to be coming along good.
4)Amy has already started back at the school and Hunter starts on Thursday.
5)The Tractor Cruise is coming along, just not as fast as I want it to. I really wish we had more active members to help with some of it, but we will get it done.
6)SUMMER IS GONE FOR ANOTHER YEAR!

Thanks for reading and caring enough to read all my rant.

I leave you with another song to listen to that is inspiring to me. ENJOY.

Voice of Truth - Casting Crowns

Nothing to say

2008-07-13T05:27:00.002-05:00

Hello Everyone,

I know it is hard to believe, But I can not even think of anything that is worth telling you about.

I am alive and kicking and ready to sleep all day long!

See ya later,

Jeff

Three days straight

2008-07-08T04:09:00.002-05:00

Hello to everyone,

I sit here at TCC for the second of three nights in a row. WHAT WAS I THINKING. It has not been bad the first to nights, But I have to sit in the lead chair tomorrow night , so a little more pressure and duties. Any way, I will be glad when Wednesday morning comes around and head home.

I have not done real well blogging as of late, but I promise that there has not been much to tell you about. I guess the only exciting thing recently was that Smart moved my delivery date up 90 days and say that i will get my car sometime between August and October. I know it is still a big unknown, but better than December threw February like it was a week ago. The Birmingham Dealership should be open sometime around the 1st part of August. I will keep you informed, as as normal, will gladly accept any offers to pay the payments that come with it.

Today is Patsy's Birthday, so if you know and see her. Wish her a Happy Birthday!

Amy and I have been chatting most of tonight on the Yahoo web cam. She just went to go to sleep, so I am doing this post and then going to wait for 6:30 to come around and go get a nap.

See Ya, Jeff

Tractor Cruising in Missouri and a long work week

2008-07-04T10:28:00.002-05:00

Hello to everyone ands sorry for the long delay. It has been a busy two week period. Last week was work everyday up till Thursday,which was rest and get ready to go to the Tractor Cruise day. Daren and I left on our trip at 11:30 pm from the Chevron in Sylacauga and arrived in Savanna, Missouri at about 3 pm the next afternoon. It was well worth the trip and we had a blast and learned so much about what we have got to get done for our event. The people up there were incredible and helpful beyond belief. We ate great and left with a lot more than just information. We headed home about 5:30 am on Sunday morning and were at Daren's right at 10:00 pm that evening. We put 1817 miles on in our 3 day event and used right under $500 in fuel. There is a picture area in the Picasa site to the right column ( be patient as I label and get all the pictures in order).

Besides that, It has just been the normal busy life around our home. Hunter was at Spirit Camp last week then overnight, turned over to go to BSA camp for this week. This month looks extremely busy and of course we will be to school stuff and school before we can think about it.

I hope all of you are having a good summer and look forward to your family time as much as I do.

Till next time, Jeff

another long June night

2008-06-19T04:46:00.003-05:00

Good evening or good morning to all,

I get them confused more than I keep them straight anymore. Hunter thinks I am crazy cause I always say good morning in the afternoon. But That is when it is morning to me. I actually think I am getting used to this crazy schedule, but can't say yet that I like it. I of course sit here at TCC this early morning while waiting on 6:30 to get here so I can get home and get a nap.

Hunter and I have some work to do this afternoon to repair the satellite cable and possibly work on some drums. I hope to get some relax time also tonight. I unfortunately have to go get a shot at the Dr office this afternoon to. I know that it is not a big deal, but it just the thought of getting stuck. But if it will make me feel better, it's worth it. I'll let you know soon.

Not much to tell you about, so I will stop not making since and talk to you later.

Jeff

THANKS SO MUCH DAD!

2008-06-15T23:09:00.003-05:00

Hello to Everyone and a special Hello to my father,

It is now late in the evening of Father's Day 2008. I sit here at TCC as normal. I has been a slow Father's Day for me with me working and coming in late last night and sleeping till late into the afternoon today. As I left for work, I headed up the hill to wish my father a happy Father's Day. I was slightly down due to the fact that I had not found a gift that I thought my father could use or needed. I do not like to by token gifts if it is not meant or from the heart. So I went into the home to find him on the computer doing something and gave him a hug and a verbal wish of the day "Happy Father's Day". I explained to him that I had not bought anything and as I knew he would, he told me not to worry about it. Well dad, I do worry about it. You have always been there for me and my family and I wish I could do so much for you and mom to say thank you for all that you do for us. I love you so much and have learned how to be a man from you and feel that I fall so short of being a father compared to you. So as I sat thinking about it. I do want to give you a gift, but it is the gift of my gratitude for you and all that you have shown me and taught me threw the years. And by the way, thanks for my fathers day gift from you guys, I do wish you would not do so much sometimes. I love you both.

THANKS SO MUCH DAD! I LOVE YOU!

Amy and Hunter are home from Georgia and I am happy they are. I am not around a lot, but I still miss them when they are not close. This week will be no different with me working a lot, but I hope to get to work with Hunter on the drum some and help him get ready for the two camps he has coming up the next two weeks.

For those that are interested, here is my schedule for the week: Sunday - TCC night, Monday - off day, Tuesday - Care 24, Wednesday - TCC night, Thursday - off, Friday - Care 24, Saturday - TCC night

I have to go to the Traffic Court in the morning here in Birmingham and pay my ticket. I can not believe that I even have one. For those that don't know, I got a ticket for supposedly running a red light. IT WAS YELLOW, but the officer did not see it that way. So it will cost me $133. I tried talking to the officer with no result, so I figure I should just pay it rather than take a day off work to go to court and then still probably pay it plus loose a days pay. I don't like it, I did nothing wrong. Oh well.

I will talk to everyone later,

Jeff

A load off Hunter's back

2008-06-13T01:08:00.002-05:00

Hello to everyone,

As you can see, We have gotten Hunter a stand for his Tenor Drums. This will take a big load off his back next week during Drum camp and then during practice and season. I hope that the band is able to come threw and purchase stands for all the drums for the line, but we wanted Hunter to have one for the camp. So when the school gets them, Hunt will have is own for at home. It will be much better on him and on the drums. Also, some of the stickers from Pearl came in so that the drums we are redoing will look awesome and just like new. Jason at Gadsden Music got Pearl to give them to us, so that was great. I will send some pictures as we get them done.

I had a good day yesterday at Care, only ran one call. Talk about some easy money! The only problem is that I was unable to keep myself going all night and fell asleep, there for I did not rest a lot today. So I will be a zombie tomorrow.

TCC so far has been busy tonight. I guess it makes it go by faster, but I would not mind it slowing a little. Not much to tell you other than that, SO I will check back later.

Jeff

Wish I was fishing

2008-06-11T00:06:00.003-05:00

Hello to everybody,

How I wish I was in the waters at Costa De Cocos fishing. That is where the picture at the top of my page was taken. In the shallow, beautiful blue waters between Mexico and Belize. Hunter and I fished there a couple years ago, and I so want to go back there instead of being here.

I did not get to write last night, so I thought I would catch you up tonight. As you know from my previous post, I switched back to night shift last night. It went good and slow. I got off late but made it home OK and hit the bed hard. Now I sit here at home, trying to get sleepy so that I can work tomorrow. But since I slept till 4 pm, It is going to be hard. Glad I don't drive at Care tomorrow. But I will make it.

I had a interesting day today that I will share with you. Just as my alarm went off at 4 this afternoon, the radio went off for a medical call here in Sycamore. As we were responding, we got canceled. I had just gotten back in the door good when the dispatcher came across the radio and asked if any one in the department was willing to go mess with a snake in a home. Scott answered her and said that he would go, I immediately, also told Scott that I was responding. Scott had gone on to the house and I stopped at the FD to pick up a CO2 extinguisher to freeze the snake if it was poisonous. I arrived to find everybody gathered around on the back porch with a Rat snake in the corner. I wrangled the snake out the door and got him picked up to take away. He was about 4 feet long or so and in good health. I'm sure he was just hunting some place cooler. I brought him here to the farm and let it go in the back field to find some more rats. When I was leaving to go to the snake call, I noticed Mrs. Barnett pulling up at Grand mom's. So when I got back and got my hands washed I headed up the hill to see her and Grand mom. She was getting ready to leave, but I got a hug in. Mom mentioned to me that Mrs. Barnett was having trouble with her tractor. I told her I would run over and see what it was doing. I hugged Grand mom and then headed to Mrs. Barnett's. I found that the alternator had seized up causing the tractor belt to not turn and there for not letting the tractor turn over or run. I removed it and am going to pick up a new one tomorrow and stop on my way home and put the new one on for her.

I then headed to the FD meeting that I sure did not want to go to. It went about as expected with some feeling mixed in with rational thoughts. I know in the long run, it will run its course and come back around. But till then, it going to be rough going. I sure will keep an open mind and pray for the well being of every person involved and for the department. I ask that you join me in my prayer.

After the meeting, I got something to eat and got home to just have to go back out the door for another medical call with the FD. I then came home and did some cleaning around the house and got a shower. And that brings me to know, at almost 1 in the morning, needing to get some sleep but not sleepy. So I will leave you for now and try to lay down for a nap. I will talk to you in a couple days.

Jeff

Scuppernong Vine Pergolas

2008-06-07T07:39:00.002-05:00

Hello To Everyone,

The last two days have been pretty good. I worked at Care on Thursday for a 24 hour shift and had a decent shift. Then on Friday, Amy and I went to Homestead Hollow while Hunter went to a friends house on the lake for the day. The craft show was OK but not as big as last year. Hunter seemed to have a good time but was sun burnt and tired when he got home. Amy and I even ventured into the lake on the spur of the moment from a friends lot and pier. The only problem was that I forgot that I had my contacts in and ended up hurting my left eye by trying to get out a contact that was not even there when I came up out of the water. The water felt so good. I do not remember when the last time I went for a swim in the a lake. When we got home, I went up and put the finishing touches on the pergolas since dad had found toppers for the 4x4 post. Here is a link to the pictures of it. http://picasaweb.google.com/everyoneknowsjeff/ScuppernongVinePergolas

I am now at TCC for the day. I work Care tomorrow for 24. Then swap back to nights at TCC for two weeks starting Monday night. Amy leaves to go to Georgia for the week on Monday morning, so I guess I will work and sleep all week. Tuesday night is the VFD meeting and I do not look forward to it. I sure hope everyone will come in with open minds so that we can work threw the problem at hand and get on with normal operations.

I hope everyone has a good weekend and I will talk to you Monday night.

Jeff

Good Bye Mary Anne - R.I.P.

2008-06-04T11:53:00.003-05:00

Hello to everyone,

It is Wednesday and another Beautiful Summer HOT day. Of course I am at TCC working but wish I was home and in the bed. I did not sleep much last night at all.

I received some tragic news about a friend and old employer on Tuesday. Mrs. Mary Anne Blake died on Monday morning in a car wreck. For those of you that have known Amy and I along time, you know that we worked for the Blake's for several years and even lived and worked on their farm in Chelsea for awhile. Of course there where ups and downs of our relationship with the Blake's. But over the last several years, I had gotten to see Mrs. Mary Anne as I went in and out of Shelby Hospital ED and had renewed a friendly relationship with her and always enjoyed seeing her when I walked in the door there at the ED. So I was with sadness that I took the news of her passing. I will continue to pray for her and her family. My grief is with Dr. Blake and her two daughters and family.

The last couple days have been very busy for me around the house. I have worked on outside projects to the point of exhaustion. But as you know, I love a project and don't ever know when to stop till I am about laying on the ground. I did stop yesterday afternoon in time to spend a little time with Amy and Hunter and have dinner and a movie. I know have a couple days of work here and tomorrow at Care. Friday is a family day out and then back to work again. I of course will do my best to blog on Saturday when I return to TCC. I then change to nights for two weeks and have several shifts for Care next week.

I do want to make a quick note as a follow up to my last post. I received a comment from "anonymous" and thank you for your input. I do have concern that you do not know me very well to tell me that I am two faced and one sided. I don't think you can find anyone that tries as hard as I do to be impartial and open to comment. I usually speak my opinion on a event or situation freely and with out regret. I believe that it is right to say what is correct and be objective all the time. There are times when you have to know when to speak and when not to, but to lie or deceive is never the right way. So I do take offence to being told that I am two faced. I do have some deep friendships within the department and therefore do have an opinion of my own. But even my deepest friend will tell you that we have not always scene eye to eye and agreed, but have talked it threw and came to a understanding. As far as being told one side of a story or whatever you refer, I have listened to all for several years now and if you open your eyes and ears, the division will hit you square in the face. Is one side right or wrong is not for me to judge. I do have to decide where I stand on issues as I see them, and at that point make a decision. I do know that we have lost some good people due to the personal feelings between parties. If we all were to stop and just talk, we can work threw all the problems going on. I do have my opinion as you do. But that is our right to make. I feel that you have your mind made up on issues and for some reason feel that I am a threat. I AM NOT. I joined the Fire Department 11 years ago to serve the people of Sycamore due to my training as a medic and as a professional firefighter. I have not enjoyed it for a long time but tell myself that if I can help just one person in need with the skills that I have, it is worth the pain. Everyone at the department has something to give. New or Old. I do not like the comment about maybe needing to get rid of the Old to make room for new. It takes the Old to past the lessons learned and teach the new. I still learn from people all the time. Sometimes it is an old timer telling me something they have learned in the past, sometimes it is a young person telling me of a new improved way to do something. Just Saturday, as we all sat in the department during the wait of EVOC, I learned several things (some personal and some professional). But I also learned a lot about the division that I feel is the problem and heard things that bothered me greatly. Then that evening, you yourself saw that the night started with a division of parties , but got better as we relaxed and had fun. We can get along and have a great department. It is up to each of us to decide that we want to accept that we are all different and have different opinions, but are still a family. I don't know about your family, butI promise that even my personal family do not always see eye to eye, but still love one another and find a way to forgive. I am sorry that you feel the way you do and hope that it can all be worked threw. If you wish to talk, please feel free to get with me and we will work out a time to talk. I do not wish for my personal blog to become a forum for this type discussion. I use this blog for my personal thoughts on issues that I wish to share with the world that is getting to know who Jeff is and feel that a feud or misunderstanding can be addressed in a more productive way. I do feel that I know who "anonymous" is, but since you choose to not identify yourself, I felt that I should address the comment. You can always go to my e-mail link to the right column and send a personal message to me and we can continue to talk. Again, I do thank you for the comment and feel that I understand some more know that I did not before.

For you that read this and are not part of Sycamore Fire. I do appoligize for the personal manor of the last couple of post. But I do feel that it is a part of my life and there for addressed.

Tell next time,

Jeff

17th Aviversary

2008-06-01T07:36:00.005-05:00

Hello to everyone,

Today is Amy and my 17th wedding anniversary, I can not believe it is already that. we have certainly had a great marriage even with its downs, there are always the ups. We have a wonderful son ( that I currently want to ship off due to the terrible 14s) and for the most part, a good life. I sure wish we were a lot further toward being comfortable and happier, but I will not complain. I want to tell all of you that have been there for us over the years, THANKS. Both The Rogers and my parents have always been there when we needed something and I don't think that if I had a million dollars that I could repay ether of them back for all they have done to help us threw the years. I could not ask for more.

We, of course, don't have a lot of plans for this year. We are just happy to be together and have the family support we Have.

Yesterday was a day full of Sycamore Fire events. It was a good day. We got or yearly EVOC done in the morning. I then cut the grass and weed eated the grounds for the get together we had last night. We had a great get together with food, fun and fellowship. I wish that more had participated, it was a lot of fun. I sure miss the good days of the department when it was strong and we all helped each other and enjoyed doing the duties of the department. The inner division that has formed over the last few years have taken such a toll on the department, I'm not sure it will ever be the happy, all together department it was. I predict that it will self destruct from the "clicks" that have formed and witch hunting that is always going on. For those of you in the department that might read this. My wish for us, is to all put our egos and personal feelings to the side and realize that we all give what we can give and it does not matter whether you run one call or 100 calls or that one person has a number that is higher than yours. The person in # 30 can sometimes teach the person in #1 something and it takes us all to make the department go. There must be order and a chain of command to ensure that the department meets regulations and runs. But no matter weather you have years of experience or are new, it takes us all to make it go. Open up your minds and realize that we all are a family and if you shut your family off, you will be left alone and miserable. We need to come together and work threw these problems and rebuild the department to the fun filled working place it can be and be the leading department in the county and be the best as we have always been. We now have the equipment that we have worked for years to get and can now come together and do the best jobs ever. Look around on the next call that we run like the wreck on Oldfield road last week end and realize that we look awesome with or togetherness, structure and equipment.Let make it work and come together to make a department that we can all enjoy to be a part of and not dread coming to functions or meetings due not wanting to be around one another and bitching at one another.

I have to go to work now, but will come back and talk some more later.

Jeff

Sounds of Summer 2008

2008-05-30T12:05:00.005-05:00

hello everyone,

Its been a full week for us here at our home. Actually, we stayed at the Rogers Wednesday and Thursday while Hunter went to Sounds of Summer drum class. The picture above is Hunter with his refurbished set of drums for this year. He seemed to enjoy the camp. Amy and I enjoyed relaxing somewhat over the couple of days. Here is a link to a video of Hunter's performance on Thursday afternoon. He is to the left, second one in: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08ILnF56Xv8

There are some pictures from the camp also in the picture link to the right column.

Of course I am TCC today and will be back on Sunday again. Next week is full if I work at Care like they are wanting me to. Hunter and I have to work on the drum line as much as possible to make sure it gets done and is ready for marching season. It will be here before we can blink if we don't watch.

Not much other to report on. I hope everyone is having a good summer so far. I will be back soon.

Jeff

working on drums

2008-05-22T01:52:00.002-05:00

Hello to Everyone,

As you can see above, Hunter and I have worked on one of the snares and are currently working on the tenors. You can go to pictures link to see more and keep up with progress.

I am of course at TCC tonight. It has been another long week at our house. I guess the big news would be that Hunters girlfriend broke it off with him. He was not a happy person., but seems to be recovering decently. The rest of the stress is just normal schedule related items of the stress of life.

I don't have alot to tell you about other than that , so this will be a short post.

Talk soon,

Jeff

a midnight of a long week

2008-05-17T02:27:00.002-05:00

Hello to everyone, I have been very busy or very sleepy for a couple of weeks now. I will be glad when school is out or May is over one. This has been the longest month but yet it seems that April was yesterday. Anyway, things here are crazy with getting all the things at the school done before school gets out.

I don't know of much to tell you about. It all such a blah story.

I did finally configure my SMART car. It still does not tell me when it will come , but made me feel pretty good to make a move closer. I do know that they are working on the dealership in Hoover. My hope is that when it opens, they will start filling the Alabama orders and my # will get moved up from the national list. I can not wait to get it.

I finally got some money for drum equipment out of the money that I have generated for the band. That is a long story in itself and I really don't want to get into that. But I ended up generating right at $10,000 for the band this year. I did get recognized for that at awards day from the Principal, but I would trade my award for the new drum line that I was working for any day. I hate that the bands debt took it all and disappointed me. Anyway, off the soap box. We are getting new heads and a lot of parts and stuff to refinish out drums and make them look and sound new. I will post some pictures as Hunter and I do the work.

We have had a rough time with Hunter as of late. He is going threw a really rough time of being 14 and figuring out who he is and how to separate that from the influence of his peers. He is had several bad days this week and I hope is learning some lessons from them.

Amy is still battling feeling bad and the pressures of the end of the school year. It is hard to understand how she feels most of the time and I just wish that I could be better at understanding. I feel that she will sleep for days when school is out. But then maybe we can have some time threw the very short summer to make some progress around the house and our lives.

I am considering taking a full time shift on the ambulance for a few months to attempt to help make some financial progress. This has been a hard decision to make and Amy and I are still talking about it. It would be god financially, but it would mean absolutely no family time for the summer due to I would work the 24 on the ambulance then ether the night after I got off or the day before the ambulance shift at TCC to keep my status there. I don't know exactly what I will do right yet, but i will let you know.

I am praying for Thomas and Paige teat they can be lead down the path of adoption with ease and understanding. I salute them for being so gracious to help this child in the most important way that they can and give that child the greatest gift it could ever receive. PARENTS that love and care for her.

My we all pray for Hubert to get well also from his infection, and be with Peggy as she continues to work with he doctors to keep well. We all also pray for Cynthia with her illness, may it subside and allow her to be well. I guess this list could go forever since we all have something going on. So I will just ask that we all pray and think about each other always.

I am going to close with that idea of how we all have to take care of each other for that is all we have is our family's to relay on. May God be with each of you and with me.

Jeff

Ok, I've not been good

2008-05-05T12:08:00.002-05:00

Hello to everyone and yes I am still alive and kicking. It has been crazy for me for several weeks and when I had a chance to blog, I was sleeping. I have worked some crazy hours and then just had one project after another. So that my excuse for not keeping you up to date.

I will run threw a few of the latest events in the life of the White's. As I said, I have been working crazy hours. My sleep pattern is so messed up, I don't know what to do.

Amy has been real sick for about a week and a half. She came home on Thursday before the race for the 4 day weekend she had been looking forward to. She had planned on doing some house work and things she wanted to do. I had to work the 4 nights of that time. Well on Thursday night about 10:30, I had not heard from her so I called and she was already asleep. When I got home about 9:30 the next morning, she was still asleep and I crawled into bed and slept till 4:30. I got up , got ready for work and left for work with her still asleep. Hunter and I chatted on the IM most of the night and he would check on her but she remained asleep. I again got home about 8:30 and she was still asleep. She finally got up sometime about 12:30 or so a while I was sleeping. She was sicker than I have scene her in a long time. I got up a little early to go to work and ran to town to get her some cough medicine. Well, again she was asleep early and Hunter and I chatted threw the night. I was at home on Monday with her and she was up and down. I medicated her and Nursed all day. I had to work the next day, so when I got home about 8:30 pm, I cooked Hunter and her dinner, but she was still so sick, she asked me to take her to the emergency room. We were there most of the night and the medicined (I know that it is not a real word) her up. She has made a slow recovery and is still weak but went back to work today. I will be glad when school is out for the summer and she can get some rest.

Friday, Amy drove Hunter up to meet me at work and Hunter and I went to the Crawfish Boil concert. Amy did not want to go. But anyway, Hunter had wanted to go for several months to see the group Seether. The picture at the top is of him next to the lead singer after the show. We had a good time except for the drunk 17 year old passing out and me having to work on him for about 30 minutes in the middle of the crowd till the medics found us to get him out.

Saturday was mostly a rest day. Then that night, Hunter had a dance at school and I went to help him with the sound system and to help chaperon. It was fun.

Sunday, Again was sort of a rest day. I work around the house some and Hunter helped me. He got his new ipod touch when we went to Walmart. We told him he could get it with some of the tax money a while back and he was driving me crazy about it. Its pretty neat.

Well now its back to a full week and the normal work and go life style.

I will attempt to do better with posting, but no promises.

Jeff

A week with personal time. Could it be?

2008-04-14T04:02:00.002-05:00

Hello everyone,

It is 0402 on this Monday morning here at TCC. It has been a busy night with flights. I have swapped for my two weeks of night shifts. With this schedule and obligations, i have found it impossible to schedule any ambulance time for this week. So that means that I have some time for myself. Amy told me to use it and do some of the things that i have been wanting to do. So I will try.

Charlie and I are to Hunt some Turkey this afternoon and possibly Thursday. I am having lunch with my friend Les on Wednesday and hopefully working on my friend Brett's storm chase vehicle on Friday. Other than that, I am playing it by ear. I hope to enjoy the time away from work and have some quality time with Amy and Hunter in the evenings.

I do have to continue to work on the tractor cruise sponsorships this week, but I will work on it at my own pace.

I will update you Wednesday night, when I am back here for another shift.

Jeff

Another Week and stormy Weather

2008-04-11T06:54:00.002-05:00

Good Morning to Everyone,

It has been another week since my last post. It is again Friday and again, the weather is to be bad. I don't know why on Fridays it seems to want to storm. Of course I am sitting here at TCC. I over slept this morning and again ran late. But it is better than yesterday when I received my first ever traffic violation ticket. Of course "I did not do it" but the officer did not see it that way. He says I ran a red light, but it was YELLOW and I never saw ant red during my time going under it. Oh Well. Just have to go to court and talk to the judge and see if I can explain it to him.

Not much to tell you about this week. Another busy week with work and stuff. I did get to finely go chase some Turkey, but no luck on getting one yet. The tractor is back home and cutting grass.

I have worked into overtime here at TCC again this week. That along with Tractor Cruise stuff going on, has made it for a non restful week. I work today then work Still Waters tomorrow. I then change to nights here at TCC on Sunday night and supposedly will have a couple days off next week. I of course have a ton to do, so it wont be a laid back week. I just hope I can catch up a little on the list of stuff I need to get done.

Talk to you later,
Jeffrey White

Stormy weater and I am getting old

2008-04-05T06:51:00.002-05:00

Hello to everyone,

It is an early Saturday morning here at TCC. Yesterday was full of events to tell you all about. My day yesterday started with a early morning Dr. Visit for a follow up on a high blood pressure issue that UAB is worried about. So I hate to tell you, but it is official, I AM OLD. I was placed on BP meds and told to watch my intake of caffeine. I ran a ton of errands after that. When I went to leave Wal-mart, we were put under a Tornado warning that was coming out of Shelby County toward Childersburg. I ran up 280 toward Childersburg to see if I could catch it. I DID! I chased the storm system all the way into Talladega reporting to EMA as I went. Never got a funnel, but had good wall cloud and up drafts. After losing my chase due to traffic in Talladega, I went back to Winterboro to help them get the kids on the buses and home in between systems. After getting home. the family was sitting watching the TV and live radar while I was on the weather blogs talking to all my weather watcher buddies. Another storm came into the county from Shelby county and was headed to Winterboro again. So Hunter and I got in the car and did another run up to Winterboro and caught some fairly decent pictures of the shelf cloud coming over and the rain shield coming threw. You can see some of the pictures Hunter took on the picture link to the right side of the blog. We relaxed after that and watched a movie before bed.

This week has been non eventful except for work. I say that and then remember that Amy had surgery on Monday afternoon for an impacted Wisdom tooth. She has done real well with it. It is just now starting too give her the soreness I have been expecting all week. But she did awesome with her recovery and only missed one day of work.

So, I have caught you up for the most part. I will talk to you later,

Jeff

Hay fever has struck in the White house

2008-03-28T19:01:00.003-05:00

Hello to everyone,

Yes, hay fever is swepping its way threw the two households of the White's. Hunter and Nana have ear infections, I have a sinus iritation and the polen just keeps coming. We need a ggo, hard rain sower to wash some of it away.

Other than that, it has been a decent week around here. Not much to report other than work. I have worked all week to get the money for the band presented and get the State of Alabama DPS to issue a OK for the Tractor Cruise. Niether have been successful, but looking good. Work has been real busy and we are going to start our new schedule this coming week. I sure hope it regulates it out and I can settle in and not be running at such a radid rate.

I sure hope I can find some Turkey Hunting and Fishing time. I realy want to get out some this spring.

The tractor is in the shop for its spring physical. The grass is growing fast, so it will be working hard soon.

t has gotten real busy here, so I'm cutting this short.

Jeff

Monday morning and I am sleepy

2008-03-24T07:06:00.004-05:00

Good morning everyone,

It is now Monday here at TCC. Let me tell you, I did not want to get up this morning.
Not much other than work to tell you about. Friday was another day here at TCC till 2:30. I headed home and Hunter and I refinished one of the marching snares with a recovering. I meant to get a picture but forgot, but let me tell you IT LOOKED GOOD.

I worked a new job Saturday and Sunday. I worked down at Still Waters Fire Department. It was a laid back job and I liked it a lot. I did not get to run a call, but they have nice equipment and the people seem very nice. I will let you know further later.

I stayed a Wind Creek with Andrea Saturday night instead of driving all the way back to save gas and not have to get up so early Sunday.

I hope all of you had a good Easter Sunday. I am working everyday this week, so I will check in with you sometime during the week.

Jeff

Atlanta for Spring break

2008-03-20T07:57:00.003-05:00

Hello to everyone,

It is now Thursday the 20th of March and it feels like this year is just flying by. The family and I went to Atlanta for short stay for a spring break trip. We had a good time once we figured out how to get to our downtown hotel wit all the streets blocked due to tornado damage. The picture above is me at The World of Coke and the 3D glasses for the show there. Go to the picture link on the R for more pictures from our trip.

We got to Atlanta Monday morning and had planned on going straight to the Weston and parking the car so we did not have to deal with it. But that plan went south when the police shut a lot of roads downtown due to falling glass. We went on to the Aquarium and then to World of Coke. By then the streets were back open and we got to the hotel. The damage from the tornado on Friday was very visible from the hotel room on the 56th floor. We ended up going to Lenox Square mall by the MARTA that evening and then had dinner at the Varsity before returning to the room to rest. We all hurt from the walking we had done for the day. The next morning, we awoke and got in the car to make some more stops. We were hunting for a belt that Hunter wanted and found it at a Journeys at Atlantic Station development. From there to IKEA. We then headed out to the Smart dealership to look at the cars. I can not wait till I get mine. Late that afternoon, we were headed home.

Yesterday was a good day for me. I had a class at BREMSS and while there got news that I have been awaiting for almost two years now. I got a full time position at TCC. I was so happy. We stayed the night at the Rogers and had a good evening with them and some good rest that night.

And now I am back at TCC for a 10 hour shift.

Take a look at the pictures from our trip and have a good day.

Jeff

Its Spring Break week

2008-03-16T11:19:00.005-05:00

Hello to everyone,

It is Sunday and of course I am at TCC. I know I promised to be a better blogger, but it has been crazy around my place. I feel like i have not stopped moving for weeks till yesterday, and I would have been going yesterday if the rain had not forced me to do differently than planned.

I have had some events happen to bring you up to speed on, so here goes.

Most of my days have been work of course. I did have a eye Doctor appointment and another doctors appointment. Both went well and they did not tell me any bad news. As normal, the FD meeting was full of drama and lasted about an hour more than it should.

Hunter went to Montgomery on the Beta Club meeting Monday and Tuesday. He seemed to have a decent time and got into normal mischief of a14 year old. He is driving us crazy wanting to buy a drum set. So don't be surprised if he starts asking for donations towards his cause of getting one. He already wants to sell some of his older game systems and games to go toward it. I guess it is about time we start looking at him getting one.

On Wednesday afternoon, I got to get up in a helicopter and get some pictures of our property that I have wanted for several years. It just feel together that I was able to hitch a ride long enough to get them with a LifeSaver crew. They were in the Sycamore area for a call that got cancelled. You can go to my picture site on the R side bar and see all the pictures if you would like.

Yesterday was opening Turkey season, but when it was hailing and storming at 4:30 and time to go, it did not take me long to decide not to go and go back to sleep. I had been up for almost 48 hours and was tired. I actually slept till 6 pm. of course that messed me up and I have now been up since. I will go to bed early tonight.

We are having two family days out Monday and Tuesday for spring break, than I go back to work. Amy and Hunter are going to do some visiting (I think) and relaxing (I know).

I sure wish I was off more with them, but we will use the time we get wisely I hope.

I will talk to you later in the week and let you know how it is going.

Jeff

Hunter got to fly for just aminute while he moved the helicopter from fuel to pad.

Sorry for the long time, But I have been sick

2008-03-05T09:58:00.002-06:00

Sorry that I have not done a post in few days. I have been under the weather or working or both. Nothing really to tell you about so I just have not worried with it.

I will do a better post when I feel a little better.

Jeff

Grandmaw went to Big Rock

2008-02-25T15:39:00.003-06:00

Hello Everyone,

I know, I know. It has been over a week. Sorry, Life is dealing me all I can do right now. But I will bring you you to speed. I hope you don't get to upset, but I am going to give you an abbreviated report.

I left you headed home to sleep on the new mattress. It slept OK, but I was so wound up I could not sleep good.

Sunday (17)- worked at Care for 24. We had a rather long shift and had I did not rest much. I was glad it was over on Monday morning.

Monday (18)- I ran home and got myself a shower and headed to TCC quickly. I made it in at 09:30. Had a good day at TCC. But it got better. It was mom's birthday so we all meet at Golden City for food and cake. Yes I blew my diet to pieces. Not on the food, but 3 pieces of cake did me in. We had a lot of fun and enjoyed each other for about 2 hours. My family left and went to Lowe's (yes Pam, I said Lowe's) to get a new front porch light that the storm damaged a few days before then headed home. I slept better on the mattress tonight.

Tuesday (19)-Back to TCC for the early morning shift.I will be real honest and I do not remember much of that day, so it must have not had to much going in it. I do remember that I reprogrammed the phones at TCC for the North part of the state all shift, but not much after that.

Wednesday (20)- Another 24 hour shift at Care. I went to Sylacauga for the day part of the shift. We ran 4 calls which is the first good day in Sylacauga. Then back to Talladega for the rest of the night.

Thursday (21)- Guess what, I was off for the day. It was raining hard and I headed home, got in bed and slept till 2 pm. I then headed to the school to work on the sound system. I needed Hunter's help to pull wires , so I had to wait till he got out of school.. We got it set up for the most part and it feels good to have it working correctly for the school. We all went and got some dinner and then to bed.

Friday (22)- Back to TCC for the morning shift again. We had staff meeting about bringing on North Alabama on Monday and about putting more shifts on to cover the load. I was not told I had a full time position, but it looks a little closer. I got off late and headed home. We got dinner then watched some tv.

Saturday (23)- I got up and went to put in the siren in the Brush truck at the FD while Amy went to the school for a clean up day and Hunter was at Jacksonville for a merit badge class. I had to be at TCC at 2:30 and had a good day. Amy got sick due to being out in the cold so I went home to take care of her.

Sunday (24)- I was off and slept in. When I got up, it was a beautiful day and Hunter and I headed out to get some lunch. While out, we went and got Charlie's Bad Boy Buggy so we could take Maw Maw to Big Rock. She really enjoyed getting out and seeing the land and the creek. There are some pictures in the albums to the right side. After that, Hunter and I tested that cart to its all. Not on purpose, but we sure got into a place I would have never thought it could get out of. IT DID with the help of the winch, but it was amazing. We got it returned to Charlie and then I relaxed and watched a movie and headed to bed.

So it is now Monday the 25th. It has been a bad day so far and does not look to get better. Maybe it will be better when I awake this morning.

See ya everybody,

Jeff

Turkey Turkey Turkey Turkey Turkey - wow at the Turkeys

2008-02-16T17:04:00.003-06:00

Hello to everyone and look at the sight of the spring Turkeys,

Can you believe this, spring toms strutting about. I nearly wrecked when I came over the hill and looked into this field to see five toms side by side. It was an amazing sight. These turkeys are in a field up from the house on HWY 21 and I see them about every day that I travel to Winterboro or to Talladega during the 8 to 9 am hours. But I have never scene them like this. I was on the way home from work at Care when I saw them the first time. I stopped and watched a few minutes. I then went home, got ready to go to TCC and decided to take my camera with me and went back to see if they were still there. As you can tell, they were. If you go to my picture link on the right bar, there is many more pictures. I could have stayed there all day. But as if they knew I needed to go to work, they let me take pictures a few minutes then decided to go over the hill and out of sight. As much as I would have loved to have followed them, I went on to work.

I am of course at TCC and it is Saturday the 16th. So that means I have failed everyone this week, so I will catch you up. Be prepaired for a long one.

I left you on Saturday of last week by telling you my schedule for this week. On Sunday, I did work TCC and Amy brought Hunter and meet me so we could go to the World of Wheels show. It was Ok, but nothing that just took my breath. Hunter enjoyed seeing a few of the tuner cars and for me it was the more classic cars or trucks (I secretly want to find a 70 modle chevy truck to restore). As we came out of the civic center, Children's Care Flight helicopter went over going to base. This is one of the new LifeSaver helicopters that Children's leases. I had not scene it yet, so we drove a couple blocks over to the base. Hunter did not believe me when I said we were going to look at the helicopters. We went to the door and right in and out to the pad. The two pilots for the day were securing and fueling for the next flight. So we got to look close at the helicopters and I talked awhile with the pilots. When we got in the car to go meet Amy, Hunter said " I thaught you were crazy when you said that you could just walk in, You really know everybody". I tought that was funny. He said he was bored while I talked to the pilots but I saw him looking close at the aircraft and he enjoyed it. He could not believe how small the pilots were but agreed that they have to be to fit into th flight control area of the aircraft. We headed from there to meet Amy at Moe's for dinner. Hunter got me to stop at the music shop so he could look at some drums on the way. (And I will gladly accecpt donations toward the drum set he wants at $6500.00). We then had dinner and went to Wal-mart on the way home.

Monday, For those of you that don't know, I an slightly over wieght. I started a diet today to attempt to lose about 130-150 pounds. It is a diet that Amy's doctor recomended and I think it is a good one for me. I will let you know soon. (Amy is supposed to be on it with me). I went to work at Care for what was supposed to be a day shift and the first one in Sylacauga. I actually went in early for some one but found out that the ambulance for the day shift had to be moved to a shift unit due to their unit blowing up the night before. So I ended up getting off at 11:45. I headed to the school to have lunch with Amy. I ended up there for the rest of the afternoon helping Amy try to get some laptops and a wireless roughter set up in her room. We did not get them working but oh well. I ran into town to do some banking before they closed. Amy and I decided over the weekend to use some Christmas and Birthday money, we had put into savings, to buy us a new mattress. I had to move the money so that I could order the mattress. I ran back home and got Hunt and Amy so we could do dinner and Scouts. Amy and I went to Wal-mart to get stuff for our diet for the week. I did get the new matress ordered when we got back home. It is a memory foam matress we ordered from Costco. Then to bed.

Tuesday, Back to care for another try at going to Sylacauga. We did spend most of the day in Sylacauga doing PR and working on finding a office location. Not alot to tell for today. I got off and went to the VDF meeting which of course drugg on for to long. So we ran to town for a quike supper.

Wednesday, I went in to TCC at 6:30. After a couple of hours, Joe came in (he's my boss) and wanted me to go to Huntsville to install computers with him. It was cold and snowing so he thought it would be slow in TCC, so one could person could handle TCC for the day. It was an interesting day for me. Joe informed me that I was one of two that were going to be trained on IT so that we could take some of the load off him and Micheal with the computers as we go statewide. We will be able to go do installs and trouble shoot or do maintanience every now and then. We got back to Bham around 4 so that the computers we had changed out could go to the software guys. They will get reprogramed so they can go back out to somewhere else. I headed home about 5. I was so tired on the way home. We got a quike bite and I was in bed by 8 and from what Hunter and Amy said., I was gone. Amy even did crafts on the bed and I did not awake.

Thursday, it was back to TCC at 6:30. it was a busy day in here for some reason. I again headed home during rush hour. I stopped at Nextel to get Hunt's phone worked on and got home about 7. Our new matress had come during the day, so hunter and I got the old one out and wrestled the new one into the bedroom. Let me tell you one thing, that thing ways 180 pounds and it was tough to carry. It came in a vacume sealed bag wrapped in a thick plastic wrap. You put it in the middle of the bed and follow the instructions on releasing it. They really need to tell you that it takes several hours to come back to shape and 72 hours till fully filled out. We did not get it on the bed till 9 so it was a long night of waiting. It slept pretty good the first night but it is supposed to get better in the next couple of days. Just another late day and night for us. I look forward to Saturday night when I get to finally sleep in it fully expanded.

Friday, Hunter and I went to the school early to get the trailor loaded for the band to go to Distric compitition. There are some pictures in the Band's section of my albulms on the right. We had a great day and the band did well. I had to go into Care for the night shift when I got back. Amy and Hunter got him ready for a camp out this weekend. I went to work. We had a decent night with only having to get up once in the early morning hours.

And now to today, Saturday, As I told you at the first of this post, it has been a great day with seeing the Turkeys. We have been steady here at TCC but not to bad. I can not wait to get home and go to sleep. It will be my first night to really evaluate the new matress. I will let you know how it is on Monday when I get back here. Tommorow, I am at Care for 24 hours and the weather may get rough. I hate working in the rain, but oh well.

As for my diet, I am so tired of salad. I have done well this week with only one little slip of some fries. I have lost 6 pounds so far. I will keep you up to date.

Till Monday everyone,

Jeff

Good Saturday Morning To everyone

2008-02-09T11:03:00.002-06:00

Hello and good morning.

I am of course sitting at my desk here at TCC of a 10:30 to 10:30 shift. It was a beutiful drive in this morning and I look forward to a great day.

I had a great day yesterday to. Let me tell you about it. I slept in till 0930. Got up and got a good hot shower. I then headed to the school to work on the sound system and knock around. I like being around the school alot and got most of the sound system installed. All I have to do know is get the monitor wires pulled up from under the stage and connector boxes installed. The school is not going to know what to do whit a fully fuctional system instead of pieced together system. I even put in a DVD player so that when they do a movie or something. it will go threw the system. I have to find a couple more connectors to make connctions and it will be declared finished. I am then going to maybe start a Audio/Media Club and teach some of the kids about how to operated the system correctly and even teach about other systems. Anyway, after being at the school, Amy and I went to town run a couple of errands. We went to both banks, got my hair shaved off, and got her medicine. I even got back home with some daylight left and got my new humidity sensor installed on my weather station. Then it was up to moms for a feast of fried chicken, mashed tators, limas, english peas and rolls. She fixed Red Velvet cake for the girls, but I dont eat it so I ate a donut. We had the honor of Tammy being there for dinner (Kelly's girlfriend) and she seemed to enjoy being around. She is a good person as far as I can tell. Kelly showed me his new computer chip he got in his boat that shows unbelievable detail of the water and the bottom of the lakes that works with the GPS unit to help you fish. Amy and I headed home about 9. We had decided a couple of days ago to order us a new mattress with some money we had in savings , so we did that before going to sleep. Our mattress is 17 years old as far as we can tell and is worn down. Well, then it was to the bed and I went to sleep while Amy watched a movie. And Like I said, It is a beutiful day here in Birmingham today.

I work again tommorow from 6:30 till 2:30p. and look forward to seeing what comes of tommorow. I'm going to see if Hunter still wants to go to the World of Wheels. If he does, Amy will bring him up and we will go. If not, I will go home and relax. This upcoming week is again full everyday with Care on Monday and Tuesday, then TCC the next two day for 6:30 to 4:30 shifts. Then on Friday is Distric band compition and I am pulling the band trailer and going to help shaperon. Saturday brings me back to TCC for 10:30 to 10:30 then Care for 24 on Sunday. So as you can figure, my next off day is Monday the 18th. I will keep you up to date as much as possible.

Mom's Birthday is on Sunday the 18th, So all wish her a happy Birthday, and of course send money for gifts. LOL

I thank all of you that read my juornal of life. I wish all of you the best.

Jeff

p.s. - the spell check would not work so I know i missed spelled some words.

Just a few days behind

2008-02-07T14:31:00.000-06:00

Hello to everyone,

Let me bring you up to date on the things affecting me. I left you on Friday the 1st. It is now Thursday the 7th, so thats only a week.

When I got off friday morning, I was going to go to Costco for a quike visit. I arrived to find that it did not open till 11 am and I was not about to wait that long as tired as I was. I did stop and bug the Mercedes dealer about my car for a minute. I got homeabout 10:30 and took a nap till Amy and Hunter got home. I realy dont remember doing much other than dinner and relaxing. I got to sleep in Saturday till time to head to work . I worked the 2:30 -10:30 shift and back home. I was off Sunday and did basically nothing ( afew odds and ends around the house). Then it was back to the grind on Monday morning at 6:30. I got off at 4:30 and then headed to Costco for my visit. I like going there and looking around. I got home just befor Hunter and Amy got in from Band Boosters. We got dinner and back to get some rest. Tuesday, I went in at Care for a day shift but ended up working till 9 the next morning. We had some real rough weather on Wednsday morning around the state and school was cancelled for the day. So I got a day with Amy and Hunter yesterday which was nice. But now I am back at TCC since 6:30. It has been a busy day here. I leave in just a few minutes to head to Krispy Cream to pick up 250 dozen donutes for the band, then have to be at the school for Hunters concert.

So anyway, Maybe I brought you up to date enough. My life has not had anything exciting except work to tell about. Of course there is drama everyday of some sort, but nothing to important.

If you are interested, I did put some new pictures on the picasa site of all the Tony Stewart stuff I am tring to sell. I am working on getting them on e-bay or something.

Talk to you later.

Jeff

The passing of Uncle Woodrow

2008-02-01T00:48:00.000-06:00

Hello to everyone,

This has been a full week so far with one major event taking place. On Monday January 28th, 2008, Uncle Woodrow Thurman passed in his sleep at the age of 95. As Amy stated that afternoon, it is not hard to see him sitting with Paw Paw Franklin in rocking chairs with Tag laying at their feet in heaven. I know he is much more comfortable now and we will one day again see him.

On Monday, I was at work at Care when I got the phone call from mom about Woodrow. I was supposed to work a day shift but ended up working a full shift. We had good shift. I even got a phone call from the Department of Public Safty's lawyer in regards to the tractor cruise during the day. He is going to be working with me on getting the permissions needed for our route.

Tuesday, I was off for the day. I spent the day at the school working on several projects around the school. We went to the visitation that night then to dinner and back home.

Wednesday, I took off from TCC so that I could be at the funeral. I used the morning hours to do some local errands that I needed to do. By 1245 I was in my suit and headed to the funeral. It was an all afternoon event with him lieing in state at the church, then the funeral and graveside services. We then came back to Woodrow's home and all the family and friends had a visitation time with food. Hunter, Amy and I headed to Patsy's house about 6 pm so that Hunter could help her get some ipods working. He figured out the problem and got them to sync for her. We then went and had dinner then home.

Thursday, oh thats today or actually yesterday now. I am at TCC for a night shift. So, as you can guess, I slept much of the day. I did go and get dinner, on my way to work, with Amy and Hunter. It has been an OK shift so far. I have not felt real good since I awoke but I think it is just a mental sickness of being drained from the week. I will head home in the morning and get soem sleep till midafternoon and then so some errands that are needed and spend time with the family.

I am back here Saturday evening at 230 pm, so I will catch you up then. Maybe I will feel like writting more then.

Jeff

Christmas gifts that I have yet to show you.

2008-01-27T00:42:00.000-06:00

Hello to everyone,

I have posted some new pictures to my picture album (in "Jeff's favorite things") on the side links. But the two above show two of the great gifts that my brother Kelly gave to me this last Christmas. I have been meaning on sharing them with you for awhile but finally got around to taking the pictures. As you can see, The four bottles of Tequila are in a nice metal travel case. For those of you that do not know, I like Tequila and follow Cabo Wabo Tequila mostly. But this is a Patron set of four different variations or qualities. There is the standard silver in the upper L, a anejo in the upper R, a reposado in the bottom L, and the special bottle of Coffee Tequila to the bottom R. This bottle is what he was hunting for me and he could only find it in this gift set. I certainly don't want to know what he paid for this set but I loved the gift. He told me about the Coffee Tequila about a year ago and we have both hunted for it, but he found it. Someone had a bottle of it at a party he was at and that set off the hunt. He knew that I had to try it. It is great and I recommend it for those of you that like coffee and a kick. The other gift from Kelly is what he and I had agreed to. You see, we always struggle to get for each other so we agreed to tell each other what we wanted. So I told him that I had seen this antique cigar ashtray at a local shop and would enjoy it when we build our house and I can sit on the front porch in a rocker with a good cigar. He had told me that he wanted gift cards from BASS Pro Shop which is what Amy, Hunter and I got him in different amounts. Anyway, Thanks so much Kelly for the gifts and I will enjoy them for awhile I know.

Now, don't think that I did not like any other gifts. I thank all of you for all you gave, especially the cash which has been secured till I can come up with something worth while to us it on. I love all of you and appreciate all that you do for me and all that you give to me and my family.

Now for what you come for, my so called diary of the things in my life. I have had a decent week this week with a couple good family nights. I don't like working everyday like I am right now but I do like being home at night almost every night. I will have to evaluate if I want to go back to a 24 hour shift when one becomes available. Anyway, I left you on Monday the 21st and of course I was at TCC. Tuesday brought about a day shift at Care. It turned out to be a long shift since as we were about to get off, a long out of town trip came in and so the day truck was held till the other truck could get back. So I got off at 0114 in the morning. We made several calls but overall it was a good day. Wednesday; guess what? I slept in (more than i had even planned). Anyway, I was off but had a list of stuff to do. I fixed the leaking facet out back of the house and fixed a shower head inside along with running errands in town for us and WEF. The best part is that by 1730 I was in and cleaned up eating some pizza and we watched a movie as a family and went to bed. Thursday; At TCC by 0630 till 1630 hrs, So not much to tell you but to have to fight traffic home and then eat and go to bed. Friday; Back to Care. We had great day, NO CALLS. I did teach six people EVOC refresher throughout the day and got that handled. I got home at a decent hour and we again watched a movie then went to bed. I did enjoy a little of the Tequila Kelly gave me in a Margareta. I slept most of Saturday away, getting up at 1600 to get ready to head to TCC for the night shift. So here I am at 0120 writing to you and catching up with everyone out there. I am here till 0730 but am just going to take a nap in the back till 1430 when I have to be back in here at TCC. I must have just not paid any attention to have scheduled myself like that. But I will make it. Monday I head back to Care and then another OFF day on Tuesday. I will catch you up sometime in there.

Till then,

Jeff

A relaxing Birthday.

2008-01-21T13:24:00.000-06:00

Good day to everyone,

Not much to update you on. My Birthday was relaxing and nice. Mom, supper was great and thanks so much for all you do. To everyone else, Thanks for my gifts and respects.

I am at TCC today and we have been steady. Can't wait to head home in a few. Tomorrow is Care then I actually get a day off. Of course I have a long list of cores to do, but at least it's not work.

Update you again on Thursday. I will update this this afternoon with a picture of my cake.

Jeff

Snow for my birthday? Missed by one day.

2008-01-19T21:14:00.000-06:00

Big Rock in the snow

Hello everyone,

I hope all of you find yourself well. It is January 19, 2008 and tomorrow I turn 38 years of age. I sure am feeling my age here recently. It almost snowed on my birthday like it did when I was a kid. For those that do not know, when I was younger (a kid), it snowed many a time on my Birthday. It even did it, I think 3 years in a row one time. But I think we counted 7 years that it snowed on my Birthday. I know that for anyone that may stumble on this from the north, this seems trivial. But from central Alabama it is quite unusual. I have put a album of pictures on the Picasa link to the side. Hunter took most of them for a photo competition for BETA club. They are pretty. I especially like the ones of the creak we know as Big Rock.

I really do not know where I left off right now, but i will tell you about the last couple of days. It has been a very busy week here. I do not think I have had a early evening all week. I know I have worked every day this week. I had to be at Sylacauga City Council meeting on Monday night about the Tractor Cruise. Tuesday night was WEF meeting. I don't even remember the rest of the nights.

Yesterday, I worked at Care Talladega. We had a easy shift. I was sure glad that the weather did not happen while I was on duty or I get stuck there for days. I got off on time and headed home. Amy and I sat and watched a movie while watching it snow today. It was very relaxing and tranquil for me. I am now at TCC for the night shift.

Tomorrow, like I said is my Birthday. I guess I will sleep for awhile. then we are having dinner and cake at Mom and Dads. Kelly has to work tomorrow night so I don't know if we are eating early so he can join or not. I'm sure it will be a good day.

Talk to you later,

Jeff

Saturday morning at TCC

2008-01-12T11:09:00.000-06:00

Good Morning everyone,

I am sitting here at my desk at TCC. It is now Saturday morning and I hope most of you are having a relaxing weekend. I will bring you up to date.

I left you on January 9 so we will pick up there. I did get off and had a nice evening. We had dinner early and I was in bed by 8:30.

Thursday; Worked at Care. It was a rainy day but went pretty good. We had training on the new tough book computers that we will be using for our patient data input. Only had to run one call, but it was to Birmingham. It did get stormy here just as I was getting off work but we did not get the severe stuff like other parts of the state. I again got home at a decent hour, making it possible for me to get some more rest. It sure was nice.

Friday; I SLEPT IN !! Did some errands on the way to work in Birmingham. Most importantly, I picked up the sound board stand for the school. At TCC, we were busy. I stayed here last light, but slept like a dream.

So now it is Saturday, We have been real busy with LifeSaver flights. I look forward to heading home shortly and having some more time at home. I have to be back here in the morning at 6:30 am so I will attempt to get to bed early bu who knows.

I will talk to you tomorrow.

Jeff

The first week of 2008 has been Busy

2008-01-09T07:55:00.000-06:00

Hello everyone,
Its been a few days since I talked with you. I have been none stop since the new year began. Ill give you a quick run down.

Tuesday the 1st; worked TCC, I think this is where we left off last time.

Wednesday; I slept in for awhile, then got up a did some stuff around the house. I went in front of Childersburg City Council that evening to get support for the Tractor Cruise. It went well and they passed the resolution giving us support and use of the city name for publication. As soon as I got home, I got called in to work at Care due to someone getting hurt, so I headed up to Talladega and had a decent night on the ambulance.

Thursday; I did not do much of anything it feels like. I had a physical for some life insurance I am renewing and then went and had Lunch with the SA crews that I used to work with. I went to the school and worked on the WEF file cabinet. Amy and I had dinner that evening and rested.

Friday; I worked at TCC that morning shift. On my way home , I stopped at Best Buy and got a router and Ethernet card so that I could get Hunters PS3 online. Hunter got home from his camping trip about 7 that evening (Hungry and Cold of course) but we went home and got him fed and warm and most of all clean. I worked on getting the router set up for almost 5 hours before giving up and calling support. Of course he had me up and running in about 15 minutes. He was a great support person from Bangalore India.

Saturday; I went to work at Care to work at the MX track. The picture up top is on from the finish. There are a lot of pictures on Picasa from the event. so check them out. The rest of the evening was used to relax.

Sunday; I did nothing that I can remember except relax. That is a rare thing. But it felt good.

Monday; I puller a 9-6 shift at Care. Had a good shift. We then had band boosters and went to dinner before getting home late. Amy and I had to get some stuff done for the Tractor cruise presentation to Sylacauga City council and get some EMT refresher certificates printed.

Tuesday; Back to TCC at 6:30 am. I sure wish I had know what I was getting into there. We cleaned from ceiling to floor while multiple people worked on putting in a new work station in preparation for the State Trauma Committee to come on Wednesday. It looks like a new place. I did not get off till 4:30 pm. I had to rush to Sylacauga to get some RX refilled before they closed at 6 pm. Then I had a Sycamore Fire Department meeting. I sure wish I could figure out what is going on in the department. It feels as if it is falling apart from the inside. I hope it gets better. We went and got a late dinner due to me getting off late and the meeting. Then Amy had to help me get more stuff done for the WEF meeting announcements so they could be mailed today. In other words, I did not get but 3 hours sleep again.

So now I am at TCC again for a 6:30-2:30 shift. I am tired. I sure hope tonight goes as planned and I get to bed early. I have another shift at Care tomorrow and they are calling for severe weather most all day. Then back to TCC Friday. I will try to up date you then if all goes well.

Visit the pictures on Picasa and have a good day.

Jeff

Welcome to 2008 from Jeff

2008-01-01T08:52:00.000-06:00

Hello and Happy new year!

I have started my new year in my normal spot, Yes I am at TCC for the 0630- 1430 shift. I hope all of you had a good and safe New Years evening. Ours was quite and boring. Amy did laundry and Hunter and I watched TV- mostly ESPN to see the world record motorcycle jump. I laid down just a few minutes into the new year for a nap before heading to work this morning.

I sure am hoping that 2008 brings good events for us all. I hope that my job here at TCC will progress to full time and that I can make life easier for the family. I wish the best for all of you also.

Not much has happened over the last few days. My first shift with Care went good. We were steady but not to busy. Then the next two nights, I have pulled the midnight shift here at TCC. I am sleep deprived today tyring to transition from nights to days but will catch up in the next few days. Hunter leaves in the morning for a 3 day hiking trip with the scouts. We have to finish packing him this afternoon. Amy starts back at the school on Thursday. So I guess the holidays are over, not that I noticed there being a holiday period much. I know that I am ready for a true vacation here pretty soon. I hope we can plan something for the spring. It probably wont be much, but anything to get away for a few days would be good. Amy and I have been wanting to cruise, so maybe we can find a last minute deal or something. Who Knows.

Well, I just took a flight for the Children's team so I better go and follow it.

Tell next time,

Jeff

Stormy Weather

2007-12-28T15:47:00.001-06:00

Hello everyone,

I hope you all had a good Holiday. Mine has been mixed between good and not so good. Kinda like today, stormy.

I had a great Christmas eve and a good Christmas day cause I got to rest and spend time with Amy and Hunter. On Christmas night, we went up to mom and dad's for our traditional Christmas evening meal and exchange of gifts. Mom and dad, you of course over did but I love you and appreciate all you do for us. I enjoyed myself and enjoyed the fellowship. Thanks for all.

Unfortunately, after the evening was over is when it all went down hill here. Amy got real sick in the night and it has been a long couple of days with her feeling so bad and in the bed. Hunter and I got up the day after and went to exchange the PlayStation from a 40G to a 80G so it would do what he wanted. I sure did not know how complex those gaming systems had gotten. You can say that he got a computer for Christmas instead of a gaming console. it does everything. He even gets on the web and stores data. I like the blue ray disk player. It took us almost all day to get the Ethernet cables ran and it set up. But he enjoys it and that is all that matters. As for Amy, she is still under the weather but seems to be a little better.

I worked TCC yesterday (Thursday) morning and then taught a Basic refresher class last night. I am now at Care in Talladega working a 24 shift. The weather is stormy just like the last few days but I look forward to the sun to come back out.

I have to work at TCC the next two nights for the night 12 hour shifts (that will be Saturday and Sunday nights). I will update my blog then and let you know how Amy is and how my shift here goes.

Tell then,

Jeff

On the day before Christmas, all is quite. Alot of creatures stiring, especially Jeff

2007-12-24T06:34:00.000-06:00

Good Morning and Merry Christmas.

It is early Christmas eve here at TCC (0640 to be specific). Amy and Hunter rode into work with me to go visit the Rogers and do some last minute shopping. Amy a nor Hunter slept last night. I got 3 hours sleep. But this afternoon and tomorrow are rest and relaxation days. I look forward to some time with my family.

Amy and I did some shopping yesterday and I think got finished, at least I hope so. It was good to have some time with just Amy and I. We had a good time. If I have never told you, I hate shopping or maybe I just hate crowds of rude people.

Anyway, Here is a picture of the Drum that I did for Hunter as a bedside table.It really turned out well I think. As I was doing it things changed from my original plan. I cut a piece of wood that fit tight to go under the head and then Hunter had this head that his friends had signed that we put on it instead of painting the wood. It made it look more real. Then we had some glass cut to protect the head. the legs are bought from HD and painted. It does not have a bottom head on it but the ring is screwed in so it looks like it is holding a head and the snares are on the bottom. It is pretty cool for a drummer table. I have 3 bass drums now that I am going to do something with for his room. Probable shelves. Can't wait to get to work on them.

I am also going to share this picture of the jewelry box Amy made for my friend at the Humidor Room. it is a gift for his mom. He gives me all the cigar boxes for Amy to use. She makes some beautiful keep sake boxes out of them.

And lastly for today, a few pictures of Amy's foot warmer - Archy

For more pictures, go to the Picasa link to the right side.

Have a good Christmas.

Jeff

Christmas is near. So Merry Christmas

2007-12-22T13:02:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas to everyone,

Hello to all. It has been a long week for me, so I will bring you up to date. I last left you on Monday night/Tuesday Morning from TCC. Well guess where I am now. Yes I am at TCC.

Tuesday was a long day. I left TCC at 0730 hrs and headed home. I slept for about 3 hours till I had to go meet with the Sheriff about the Tractor Cruise. It went good and very fast, but we have his support. After that I stopped by and chatted with the new band director for a while. Amy and I went to the Christmas party for the WHS staff that night. I went real well and I enjoyed it very much. It was at Mrs. Head's home which is very country nice home.

Wednesday, Amy had to work, so Hunter and I slept in somewhat. We got up and went to the school to get Hunters drum for the holidays. He and I had some conflict due to him missing some drum sticks. Anyway, while we were discussing responsibility, Sycamore was paged out on a fall. It was a interesting call. One of the students from Winterboro was going down a stair way into a cellar and the whole stair way collapsed and he fell in. We had to get ladders into the home to get down to him, than board and basket him to be able to lift him out with ropes and us pushing from below. He hurt his back but will be OK. When Amy got home, We all went to Alex City. Amy was dropped at Wal mart and Hunter and I went to Sure Shot to get his bow serviced and get new broad heads for his arrows and make sure his draw length is OK. We then had dinner at Ruby Tuesdays in Alex city. When we got home, Amy helped me get packets ready for the mayors of Childersburg and Sylacauga for meetings tomorrow. We were in bed early.

Thursday started with me meeting Daren in town at 0830. We went to Childersburg and to Sylacauga to meet with the mayors about he tractor Cruise. Both meetings went well, but Sylacauga seems to really want to get involved and help host the riders as they pass threw. We have to now go to the city council meetings in both towns and we have been put on the agendas for both in January. After that, I went to Care for more orientation. I rode there till midnight. Let me tell you what, I went from no structure to a lot of structure. I think I will work well in their system. We will see. I love the tablet PC for doing the patient report. I cant wait ill it is fully in place. We ran several interesting calls and got to show my skills quite a bit to my FTO. He released me to work on my own now and I have my first shift on the 28th. (For you medics out there, one of my calls was a 34 yo man in v-tach with a pulse and talking to me even with a few syncope episodes but converting in and out on his own several times. Amioderone finally got it stopped and he was going to his cardiologist on his own. He had had his internal defib sensitivity reduced the day before, I think it was set too low LOL.

Friday brought about another shift at TCC from 1030 to 1030. I had to go to SAS before going in to get my check and cash it to get it deposited since SAS did not direct deposit it for the 4 th time in a row. At TCC, it was a busy day. I don't remember it being this busy in a while. I got off about 1115 pm. I slept here at TCC. Let me do a product endorsement for a minute; Mom bought an AERO Bed a while back. Amy had told me that it slept well, but I was not prepared. When you do not want to get up from sleeping in the floor, that says it is comfortable. I would recommend it to any one. Not for outside, cause I can see that there would be no insulation and you would be cold from the ground. But for an extra bed at home, GOOD PRODUCT. Anyway, I slept good and now am back at work at TCC for a 0730 to 1930 shift. I am ready to go home, but doing OK.

Tomorrow, Amy and I have to finish shopping. Hunter will stay with my mom and dad. I work again Monday morning, so I will update you then and talk to you before Christmas.

Till Monday,

Jeff

Feeling a little stronger about my decisions

2007-12-18T03:27:00.000-06:00

Hello everyone,

Yes, I am out of SAS. I clocked out at exactly 0800 hrs Monday morning of the 17th of December. There was very little even said to me except by Preston and my partner Deanna. They were very supportive and wished me the best. Mr. Curtis did not even acknowledge anything was happening, but I did not expect him to. He does not even realize what was given over the ten years + I put into the company. Oh well and fare well.

I did orientation at Care today taking several competency test and watching a bunch of videos on all kinds of procedures and how to protect yourself and what to do if you have an incident. I did run my first call with Care also today. It went OK. I am not used to the modern equipment that they have to do vitals with and not do it myself. I will adapt quickly I feel. I even got to do a Drug screen and physical exam by a doctor. What a concept of prevention.

I am now pulling a 12 hour night shift at TCC. Its been a good night so far. I have painted the legs on Hunters drum table (pictures of final project to follow on another post), and worked on Tractor Cruise stuff to present to the powers that be to get permissions for road usage. I will again let you know more about the Tractor Cruise later. I am going to post the Logo that Paige and Thomas help me by designing and working on it. The whole Tractor Cruise committee love it and can not wait to start printing and preparing for our event. The Logo will look good on the fliers and t-shirts along with all that goes along with the cruise advertising. THANK YOU SO MUCH PAIGE AND THOMAS!!!

Till next Time,

Jeff

Want to go to East Buddaville with me?

2007-12-15T09:18:00.000-06:00

Hello to everyone,

It is Saturday here at TCC on December 15. I know you all are going, where is Jeff. Well, the truth is, I have been in my own little crisis world. I am so tired of all the problems and drama. I can not wait to get threw tomorrow and for Amy to be out of school. I hope it will calm down for a bit. Between SAS drama and all the problems that have plagued the school the last few weeks, we are ready to move to east buddaville.

I start orientation at Care on Monday. I am nervous about the change but will quickly relax once its done. I have certainly gone from one extreme to the other with Care. I have never seen so many policies and procedures. But that is what SAS was missing, so no complaints.

To much has gone on in the past several days to even start telling you all of it. I promise, you don't want to hear all of it any way.

A few things of note worthiness; Hunter and the band did well in the Childersburg parade on Thursday night. Hunter and I spent the day yesterday together running errands and going to look at things Hunter has requested for Christmas for his hunting bow. We ended the day with Christmas tree sales and home for dinner. It felt good to have some time with him. I look forward to more over the next couple of weeks.

I will keep you advised of the event of the next few days.

Jeff

2007-12-08T16:18:00.000-06:00

Hello to everyone,

Look at the trailer, it's come along way hasn't it. I am so proud of it. I am calling it finished, but I still want to put some spot lights on it for night time loading and unloading. I will get to it one day.

Just a quick note on the last few days, they have been stressful. Amy and I both have not felt real well. Hunter acted out and got in trouble at school then at home. SAS remains tense but I am feeling better about my decision to make a move due to more poor leadership decisions and money problems. I don't think I am alone in leaving. It looks like up to six others are also going with me now. We will have to see when it all shakes out. The school continues to surprise us, especially Amy, with what kind of kids are there. I feel it is a sign of the world, but it is hard to explain that to Amy and calm or comfort her. I sure wish I knew how. I don't feel it would be different somewhere else but am willing to look. I hope it will all calm down and settle.

I hope all of you are doing good. I am sitting at TCC and so far having a steady day. Can't wait to go home and get back in bed.

Till next time,

Jeff

To see a start to finish picture guide of the trailer, Go to my Picasa site on the R column and go to the trailer group.

The move is on !

2007-12-06T07:59:00.000-06:00

Hello everyone,

I finally reached the point of breaking at SAS over the weekend. So I have resigned from there with my last day being the shift of December 16th. It was on of the hardest things I have decided in along time. I can't tell you how much I put myself threw making the decision. I am so blessed to have the family support I have and all the advice they have given to me. Amy has helped me so much and held me up. Of course, I did not feel that the management even cared that I was leaving, which did not surprise me. I think all of you that read this know that i has not been good at SAS for some time. I just can not believe that my manager tried telling me about loyalty when he has been so did loyal to us and non supportive to us for so long. All he had to do was to be there and show interest in the company and we would all have been more patient. But that did not happen, so we now look for options.

I made my choice to resign and accept employment with a company by the name of CARE. They are based in New york with the Alabama base of operations in Montgomery. I will be working out of the Talladega office for now, but they are planning on placing a unit into the Southern end of Talladega county soon and I will be working that unit. A unit could actually be based close to Sycamore before to long and that would be great. I will keep you up to date as things progress in the process.

Besides that, We got a new band director in place on Tuesday of this week. I have not meet him yet, but he seems eager to do the job. We will support him as much as possible.

Not much more to tell you for now. I continue to work on WEF Tractor Cruise stuff along with band and PTSA projects in my spare time. The family is decent. Hunter got into some trouble and has D hall this afternoon which of course he also got in trouble at home for. Amy and I just continue to work and volunteer to much.

Talk to everyone soon,

Jeffrey

Some people just don't want to work with the system, Do they?

2007-11-30T10:45:00.000-06:00

Hello to all,

It is Friday morning as I again sit at my desk here at TCC. Came in to a busy morning after a long hard night for the off going shift. They had two really bad calls last night and all are kinda down this morning. One of the calls had seven (7) cheerleaders in a vehicle that killed three of them and seriously injured three more and one is already out of the hospital. the other call had several patients but it was not talked about much due to the other call being so tragic.

As for me, I have had a few good days even with them being busy. I was off Tuesday and slept in a little then spent the rest running a few errands and getting ready for the WEF meeting that evening. Amy and I meet with our insurance guy and worked on a life insurance policy to replace mine that is going to expire, then headed to the meeting. This is where part of my title comes from. The meeting was a board meeting of the foundation to figure out some old business that we (the new administration) did not understand. We have a good group of people that want to do good for the school, but are still working on getting to our goals as we see them now. But of course there is the old guard that gives resistance to change. I feel we are doing all we can to make the system work, but some people just don't adapt to a system. We ended up moving in a positive direction but still have a lot of work to do.

At SAS on Wednesday, it was a busy day all around. Besides medical calls, I ended up fighting a trailer fire by myself with a pump operator and one support personnel that really struggled to support due to medical problems. But by the time the other FD's that were coming to assist found us, I had it out and ventilated. Then, of course that rest of the day was busy. To make it worse, I don't understand what is going on with SAS. We are in desperate need equipment, trucks and many other things and it seems that we continue to fall further behind. The moral is so low, it is unbearable any longer. Then the next morning, I was told at about 0815 that my relief would be late if she gets to come at all. Of course the manager/director had no idea that this was going on even though the person had known she had court. I stayed till 11 and then just had to leave to make a appointment I had at noon. It just really gripes me that nobody is even respectful enough to handle themselves for this shift ad just dumps it on whoever gets caught. But My main complaint is the lack of leadership or discipline when these events happen. I just don't know how much more I can put up with. I don't feel that I work for a good company no longer and I do not feel the level of service is were it should be for the customers/patients we serve.

Like I said earlier, at 11, I just left with no relief. That bothers me so much, but I don't feel i was my fault that personnel were not in place. I went to the house and cleaned up, then headed to the school and had lunch with Amy. From there it was and afternoon full of errands and getting some grants submitted for the WEF. We had PTSA meeting last night which of course the same few people showed up for. I sure wish parents, teachers and students would get more involved, but like I told Amy - I just don't think they are going to. I think Amy has a hard decision of shutting it down due to lack of participation and support. Her and Rhonda can not do it all themselves.

Back at home, we relaxed and watched some of the DVR shows we never get time to see before I feel asleep. Then I was up at 4:30 to get ready to be here by 6:30. I can't wait to get back toward home. I plan on going and helping Hunter sell Christmas trees then again relaxing and preparing for SAS tomorrow.

I do not come back to TCC till next Thursday , but will attempt to give you an update from home before that. Next week is going to be an exciting week with band getting going again and meeting the new director and putting the train back on the tracks. besides that, I have a few off days to do some projects that I need and want to do. I can't wait.

Till then,

Jeffrey

Hunters questionable music is driving me crazy !

2007-11-26T21:29:00.000-06:00

Hello everyone,

Its been a few days since I talked to you all. I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving. I was at SAS but we had a very slow shift and I got to run to Sycamore for about an hour and visit. We ate too much at the ambulance service and slept the rest of the day. Unfortunately, we had a Bham trip during the night and then a wreck. So I was tired when I got off.

Friday, I was off and slept more than I was awake. It was relaxing for the most part. Amy did not feel well and did not rest well.

Saturday, I was back at TCC for a 1030 to 1030 shift. We were busy for the most part so the shift went quickly. Amy still did not feel well so Hunter and her did not do much.

Sunday, back to SAS, now you talk about a slow shift. it was absolutely slow. We ran 4 calls total and only transported two of those. I got a lot of rest but it still was a day at SAS which I would rather be home instead. Hunter aggravated Amy so that made life interesting for a little while. I sure wish I could get him not to do that when she feels bad. But he is 14 and showing it.

And now to today, I got off and spent some time working on WEF business. That is Winterboro Educational Foundation. Then after getting home and getting ready to go to work, got involved with working on band business. I don't know how much I have said about the band stuff, but it is in a mess. The school and us parents are getting it straightened out. They are working hard on getting a new director in place, and I can not wait. The kids need to be playing instead of goofing off. Maybe soon. I of course am at TCC now. We have been very busy. Then on top of that, I have been listening to music to approve or disapprove for his i-pod. I do not know where he finds some of this music, but then I have to remember how I listened to everything and found some weird music at times. And of course, if it was questionable I would try it. So I now find myself paying for that. He does not do to bad, but some is of question as to content.

It is now almost time to go to the house. I am ready. Tomorrow brings a off day, but I'm sure it will be full of things to do. I will let you know.

Jeff

Looks like a rainy Thanksgiving

2007-11-21T07:33:00.001-06:00

Good morning to all of my readers,

It is Wednesday morning here at TCC, Its foggy and rainy so maybe we will have a easy day. I know we will not have aircraft to deal with today. We had a busy afternoon yesterday, so I will gladly take the easy day.

Not much to update you guys on. No exciting events around our place. Amy and Hunter are out of school for the holiday weekend and of course I am working.

I hope everyone has a good Thanksgiving and be safe.

Jeff

Band in kaos, WEF bussiness never ends but was off two days

2007-11-17T16:19:00.000-06:00

Hello everyone,

Yes I am still alive and well, even though I have not filed you in for the week. I am again sitting at TCC and it is real busy, so forgive me if I seem spaced out.

This week has been both good and bad for me and my family. The good was that I was actually off two days in a row and got to rest and spend some time with Amy and Hunter. I enjoyed it a lot. The bad is the chaos at the school. We officially have no band director after she has been MIA for over a month. I wish I knew what happened? We have just been told that she resigned and the search for a new director will start. This does not make me feel good. We have put so much into this year and Hunter wants to play so bad. Then there is the WEF and all of its business which seems to be in a mess on one hand and becoming better on the other. And then on top of that, the VFD seems to be having another spell of personal conflicts that drags the department down so fast. I am beginning to question how many of these things I can handle at one time.

I feel guilty when I think about backing off of the "volunteer" position at the VFD, but I want more time for my family and myself. But is it wrong of me to not volunteer at the VFD with my skills or to pick and choose when I am going to respond and when I am not. I struggle with the fact that if someone close to me needs help, I want others to be able to respond. So I feel that I should do the same for the people of the community. But it is clear that other members do not treat it the way I do, so way do I worry? I don't think there is a way to win.

As far as the band and the WEF, I do those to try and help the school for Hunter. But as Amy tells me all the time, I do them for me more than Hunter. I do enjoy doing for them most of the time. I just wish the drama around them was different. It is not necessary at all. I sure hope we can land on our feet with a new director before to much time has passed and the kids miss getting to do all-county or all-state tryouts. Its going to make it hard for them to be competitive.

Well I do not have much more to tell you and my brain is in overload from the week, so I do not wish to go threw day by day with you. I did manage to get the power to my shop hooked up and on along with some organization of it done. And most of all, got to be at home a couple of days with my family. So it has been a good week, despite all the drama.

Till next time,

Jeff

Weather station is up and online

2007-11-12T07:22:00.001-06:00

Good morning everyone,

I have had a great weekend and I hope that you have too. Friday, after I talked with you, I went and took a nap at the Rogers than back to TCC. We had a very slow night. Hunter and I got up early the next morning and headed to the abc3340 weather Xtream class. It was at the car show in B'ham. I really enjoyed it and Hunter seemed to get a lot from it also. We are now advanced storm spotters for Alabama Skywarn/NOAA. We did get to go to the car show free (thank goodness it was free, cause it was very disappointing). We stopped at Hooters for Lunch on the way home. I guess I am really starting to realize that he looks at girls (women) more than I think. That scares me! Anyway, after that we headed to the school for the Ms. Winterboro Pageant. Amy helped with the decorations and organization. I was asked to run the sound board. It went well, but once again, I realize that Hunter is growing up. His girlfriend Heather was a contestant. When her interest were read, one of them was "spending time with my boyfriend Hunter". I about barfed! Sunday was pretty relaxing with sleeping in and not much projects or stuff done. It was nice. We laid around last night and watched the movie "SICKO" by Micheal Moore. I would encourage everyone to watch it. It will really make you think about what is going on with or health care system. I may move to Cuba, Britain, Canada or France to take care of my family. It will make you mad when he shows that the people of CUBA get better medical service than we do with better equipment and at no cost. When they showed the ambulance and fire trucks in Cuba, I was shocked to see equipment we dream of in the ambulance and how clean the ambulance was.We have been lied to for our whole lives about how bad the health care systems of those other countries are. We need a new government system.

Well, I will get off my soap box now and get to work. Yes, I am again at TCC this morning. I get off at 2:30 pm. and look forward to going home to have a little more time with Amy and Hunter who are at home due to the holiday.

Talk to You later.

Jeff

P.S. ; There is a new link to the Right side bar. It replaced the weather that I was putting in. It is a link to my weather station and keeps its self updated. You can also click on it and it will open to a full station detail with current data and history.

Long Hours with Little Sleep

2007-11-09T05:42:00.000-06:00

Good morning folks,

Its about 5:30 on Friday morning. I am working TCC an a 7:30p to 7:30a shift. I figure I will update a little about the last few days. I left you on Monday evening. So it wont take long to bring you up to speed. I went in early at 7 am at SAS on Tuesday morning and worked till 8 am Thursday morning. We did not have real busy shifts but just enough to mess sleeping up. Nothing exciting happened, just two boring days at my favorite place (LOL). I got off and went home, took me a sleep aid and slept till Amy and Hunter got home. Got up and got ready to come to TCC for tonight's shift. It has been a slow shift here. We did have a bad shooting early in the shift but since then, it has been sparse. I did finish the 3rd season on Emergency on DVD. I am headed to the Rogers to nap when I get off and have to be back at 2:30 this afternoon. So like I said, Not much to tell you about for the past several days. But you are up to date.

Love, Jeff

Football season is over but still can't get a day off

2007-11-05T15:28:00.000-06:00

Hello everyone,

I am again sitting here at TCC and able to update you on the affairs of my life. I left you on Wednesday with nothing new to tell. It been busy since, so here goes.

Thursday, back to SAS. Nothing really to tell about that place other than I am so ready to get out of there. I do not understand how a company can go so badly wrong.

Friday, I was off during the day but had a list a mile long of stuff I wanted to do. I got home and did a lot of work on the tractor till I of course broke the fuel filter off the tractor. I decided to go ahead and get cleaned up that I could run to Talladega to get the part I needed so that if I ran late I could be ready when Amy and Hunter got home. I did make it back and got the tractor running just as they got home. We got ready to go do the last football game for the year. We are so ready for it to be over. The game actually went better than expected. Ms. Street was still out, so Buster substituted as band director. I did not even pull the trailer due to my truck problems. So I sat with Amy for most of the game. We got home late and tired as usual.

Saturday, I slept in a little, then headed in to TCC. We had a busy shift, so I did not even open my blog. Sorry you guys had to wait a few extra days for some info.

Sunday, Back to SAS. We were busy during the day but slept all night. Again, I will tell you that I live getting paid overtime and sleeping all night. It may be the only justice I do get at that place.

So now I am to today. I go toff late from SAS due to a late call. Went home, cleaned up and headed back to town. I had to go get my tags renewed since I forgot they were due in October. I then went to WHS and had lunch with Amy. It was good old lunchroom food (It actually was good). I then headed to work and am to the present time.

I have updated the Picasa link on the right side column with some new pictures. Yes Mrs. Rogers, this is were you will find the ones you want (look in Rogers family pictures). Hope everyone enjoys the pictures.

Talk to you later,

Jeff

It's hard to believe but it's only been two days

2007-10-31T21:12:00.000-05:00

Hello, and to all of you whom doubted me, Ha! It is Wednesday and I am updating the goings on of my life.

Monday - SSDD
Tuesday - SSDD
Wednesday - great day so far. Slept in, had lunch with Virgina then went into TCC for some more SSDD

See ya later,

Jeff

I burned my truck up but still had a decent week

2007-10-28T12:11:00.000-05:00

I have been told that I write to much and it read like a diary. I figure, why change now. So I will continue to fill you in on my days here on this planet, for now.

When I left left you, I was at TCC on last Sunday. This week has been full of events, so get ready.

I finished Sunday night out at work and went to the house. I got up when Amy and Hunter left for school on Monday and went to go help Charlie. It was a beautiful, Rainy day. Like I told you before, I had truck problems the day before. Well, it did not get better. I got in the truck to go and made it about 100 feet up the drive when the truck blew a fuse again. I started trying to find the short in a wire. I had to jack the truck up so I could get to the starter and thought I found a lose wire on the top of the starter, but I could not see it or get a wrench to it. I called Charlie and told him I would not be making it and called my mechanic friend to see what he suggested as far as getting to the starter wire. He agreed with me that dropping the starter is the easiest way. Please remind me that I am not a mechanic from now on. I failed to undo the battery cable so when I dropped the starter and it touched the brake line, all hell broke loose. If you could have just scene me coming out from underneath that truck, you would not need to go yo the comedy club for a long time. I got the cable off the battery and the fire out. I let the wrecker come get it and a real mechanic clean up my mess. I just did a couple of errand s around town and went back home. The Foundation meeting went well. I was elected Secretary/Treasurer and the fund raiser I came up with was approved for next November 1st. I will fill you in later on the event. I'm sure you will get sick of me talking about it for the next year.

Tuesday, Another day at SAS. We had a great day and night with only a few calls.

Wednesday, It was another rainy day. I ran some errands around town then went to get mom so she could take me to get my truck. We met dad at The Raspberry Bakery for lunch then mom and I ran to the bank so that I could be added to their account in case of an emergency. I picked my truck up from the shop and headed home. Of course it still acted up and blew a fuse just as I got to my driveway. I just parked it and got ready to go to Pelham to see Thomas and his family. We had a great night with them and Pam and the Rogers. Thank you Mrs. Rogers for allowing us to have beer with our pizza (LOL). It was great to see the kids and visit with Page and Thomas.

Thursday, I pulled a 7:30a to 7:30p shift at TCC. It was a great shift. I love to have those easy days and get paid at the same time (its not near as rewarding as being in OT at SAS and sleeping all night, but close). I went to see a friend who is in the hospital at VA when I got off work. Then home.

Friday, Back to SAS. I only worked till 4:30, thank goodness, cause we ran our butts off. I left and went home to change quickly then to the school. I got the privilege to being substitute band director for the night. It was a blast. For those of you that don't know, our Winterboro Bulldogs played a great game and won with 1 second left on the clock. It was one heck of a party after the game.

Saturday, We went to Pelham for an early Thanksgiving meal with the Rogers and family. I had to leave at 2 to be back to Sycamore for the hay ride, but Amy stayed for the night. When I went to go, Amy and Hunter followed me to Sprint and we picked up their phones. Yes, I have lost it and gave my son a cell phone. He now has his own # and Amy's # is the same as our home #. The hay ride went very well and everyone seemed to have a lot of fun.

So we are now back to Sunday, I am again sitting at TCC. Thomas and Page came by and sat with me awhile. It was good to have some visiting time with them, even though it was while I worked. I look forward to going to see them in Colorado.

I will finish my shift out tonight at 10:30, then head home to get ready to start another week with SAS tomorrow. I will update you guys Wednesday when I am back at TCC.

Till Then,

Jeff

Watch the video at the side and bottom of this page

2007-10-25T11:39:00.000-05:00

All of you friends and family, watch the video that is in my favorite video place and at the bottom of the page. if you want to make it full page, click on the you-tube logo and then make it full page when it pulls up in you-tube.

Jeff

Band Band Band, Will it ever end

2007-10-21T21:48:00.000-05:00

Hello again,

I Left you on Tuesday at TCC. I got off at 2:30pm and headed to the school to pick Hunter up. We left from there and went to Goodwater to see how Charlie was doing with the deer fields. After driving all over the property looking for him. we found him at sunset cleaning a deer. He had been in a tree stand hunting deer,while we were hunting him. We meet Amy for dinner and headed home. Wednesday was another day at SAS. Nothing exciting happened but we were very busy during the day. But got to sleep all night again. The best part is that I do not have to return to SAS till Tuesday. HEY!! I did some errands around town then home for a shower and to TCC. We had a busy day there. I got home late as normal. On Friday, I was off (don't go into shock) I did not mean to, but I slept in till 10. I had a list a mile long of projects to do. I got most of them done, but not all before having to head to the school for the band to load the trailer and head to Lineville. We had a great show. The football team looked good but then feel apart. We lost of course. we got home and got to bed, due to having the band competition on Saturday. I got up about 7 so that I could get ready and go get ice for the family reunion. I awoke Amy before I left. When I got back, they were almost ready to go. We headed to the school again to again load the band trailer. We got to Pell City for the competition and started the process of getting the band ready. We took the field at the designated time and I thought put on a good show. That is when my day went wrong. We got back to the trailer area to find Ashville's band parked in front of ours and all there kids all around our truck and trailer. This made it very difficult for us to reload ours and even do anything. It was a mess. After our band threw there stuff in the trailer, I stayed around to hook back up and move when Ashville left. Even with the band director knowing I was watching and waiting. He did not move the kids or even watch them. I came around the side and found a bunch leaned on our trailer and three of them sitting on our finder bending it down. I lost it. The stupid director did not even help me when I was asking the kids to get off our trailer. One of the Pell City folks saw that I was upset and came and helped me get the kids away and we got our trailer out of there. The rest of the day went OK when I finally cooled off. The band scores were not what we wanted, but We can get it next year. We headed home after the awards. Amy had driven her car so that she could go check out the Martha collection at K-Mart. Hunter and I got home and proceeded to relax. When Amy got home, we cooked dinner and watched a movie where I feel asleep. So now it is Sunday. I meet some of the FD members at 10 this morning so that we could map out our hay ride route. Of course, my vehicle broke down in the middle of the woods. Andrea went and got her Jeep and we pulled it to the house. I don't know which wire was shorted but we moved them all and replaced the fuse to the ignition and it fired back up. I guess I will have to figure out which wire some day. And as I said, I am now back at TCC. We have been very busy with flights today. I did get my Power Point presentation done for the Foundation tomorrow and it e-mailed home. I am now about to get off and head home. Tomorrow starts early again. I told Charlie I would help him with the tractor work to get finished than get it home. I have the foundation meeting at 6 pm and Hunter has Court of Honor at 7pm. Just another day for Jeff.

See you later.

An easy Sunday and a busy Monday

2007-10-16T11:03:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone,

I am again sitting here at TCC. Came in this morning (Tuesday the 16th) at 0630. I thought I would fill in the last couple of days.

Sunday was a SAS day. We ran a few calls in the morning hours. After lunch, I was able to work on the trailer some. I got the back area around the door sanded and repainted. It looks so much better. We had a real light afternoon and I laid down at 8 pm. We did not have a call all night, but the phone rang every time I fell asleep. David eventually asked if I was a operator or what. We did have a call about 6:30 the next morning.

After I got off from work on Monday, I started working on the trailer some more. I found aluminum wheels to fit it at a local wrecker service. They are off a Explorer. It took some time to get them off, but they will look good. I then went to Phillips Tire and used a breakdown machine to remove the old tires so I could check clearance of the wheels on the trailer. They fit great. Phillips has ordered a new set of trailer tires for it to be here Wednesday. They are donating them. I then went to HD for some supplies. Then to Childersburg Truck sales for some lights. I picked up some clear type lights for outside the back and side and some new marker lights to replace the ones that look so bad. I ended up also getting a couple of flashing LED lights for the back donated. I headed home after that. Picked up a couple of errands that needed done and headed to the school to take Amy something she needed and to take down a decoration from homecoming. From there it was to town to drop off cards to Daren for the Foundation. Then back home. to do what I needed to be doing hours ago. I cut over the grass that needed it before the family reunion. Smoothed over the lines that where trenched for the power and water lines to the shop and put grass seed on it. Charlie came over to borrow the tractor to do some deer plots, so I helped load it up. I did some more work on the conduit line to the shed then it got to dark for me to finish the electrical hookup. Maybe this afternoon I can do it. During all this work, Amy and Hunter got home and came up. Amy had ordered some silverware for our cottage we are planning on building. It is named Turkey Cottage, so the silverware has turkey on the handles. It is real nice. Unfortunately she also got to telling me about her day and that a kid had come to her and told her that another kid has Hunters long lost ipod. Well this got me to thinking about all the searching I had done were Hunter had told me he lost it. HE HAD LIED TO ME ABOUT WERE IT WAS ! We headed to dinner and I asked Hunter were he had lost the ipod and had he knew the whole time I was searching for it, where it was. He confessed that it had been stolen by a thug at school and he did not want to get in trouble for taking it to school and it being stolen. So he made up the story about dropping it at the tree sale. It is now a year later, so there is not much we can do to recover the ipod. I have yet to decide Hunters punishment for lying, but he needs to lean that a lie will always catch up with you. I'll be glad to take suggestions on punishments from you family members out there. Anyway, the night was not as relaxed as I wish it could have been. Amy and I talked some till to late. I did manage a few hours of sleep. And Like I said before, I am now at TCC. I get off at 2:30 and will head home.

Talk to you later,

Jeff

Week of October 8th thru 13th

2007-10-13T18:34:00.000-05:00

Hello again,

As you saw on the previous post, the trailer is coming along great. This week has been another long week of trials for the White family. As you know, our air went out on Saturday sometime. So of course the first chance I got to get a repair man there, I did.

Let me go back and just start from the end of the last post. I finished Sunday night at TCC. Amy and Hunter stayed up at mom's due to the air. I got some sleep and then headed out to SAS on Monday morning. Hunter was still out of school due to it being a holiday but mostly due to the race traffic. We had a good day at SAS. Nothing much to report. I had to leave SAS before getting relief due to the repair man coming at 0830. He got there shortly after I did. We found that the fan motor outside was out causing the unit not to transfer the air to cool it. It about put me in shock when he told me the total for the repair. During the time he was gone to get a part, I ran over to the sign man shop and approved the lettering for the band trailer since he had to change fonts on it. After the repair man left, I ran into town to get some lunch and pick up some metal trash cans for the school to use for homecoming decor. The good news is that I get them back next week to use for storage of the bird seed.I hung around the school for a little while till it was out. Hunter had band practice so Amy and I went home. We had to return at 5:30 pm to pick him up and for Band Booster meeting. I sure wish I could figure out how to get the boosters all together on issues and there not be a separation down the middle. I don't think it is possible. We headed for the AUCE wing place for our normal Tuesday dinner. Wednesday started off great for me, I got to sleep in. I did not mean to, but it sure felt good. When I awoke, I was heading out the door to the shed when I saw a Coyote in the yard. It was marking out where we feed the Deer. I made my way to the Gun safe area and got out my 270. When I got back out there, there were two of them. One was full blood Coyote and the other a wild dog or mix. They were laying together so I shot them together. I hate shooting them, but they have caused us so much pain and I don't want them getting the cats. After that, I worked on putting in the electrical conduit and line to my shop. Amy and Hunter got home and I got to a stopping point so we could head to Bham to have dinner at Ted's as per Hunters request. We stopped at the music store to get a new drum head then went to the Rogers to drop off some baby stuff. Dinner was real good as normal. Got home and into bed. Thursday was again a day at SAS. It was a steady day but not to bad. The best part was that We went to bed about 11pm and I did not awaken till 7:30 the next morning. I love getting paid overtime while I sleep. I was supposed to hold over till noon but did not get off till 1 pm due to a Bham trip. I made my way to get Amy's prescriptions then home for a quick shower then to the school for the Pep rally. I picked up the trailer from getting lettered on my way in.When I got to the school, I found out the rope on the flag pole is still broken. I got a line man from Alabama Power to come to the school and put in a new rope threw the pulley. We ran home and then right back to the school for all the fun of working the concession stand. Again, I sure wish I could find a way to get all the boosters on one page and to get along. We had a great crew tonight and it went pretty smoothly until we started running out of stuff to sale. I again do not understand why people want to behave badly when we tell them we are out of something. Its not like we are McDonalds with a truck that just comes and brings supplies in. We can't overstock but then we are caught understocked. I myself would love to somehow figure out the solution. Maybe with some thought and work, we can do it more efficiently. We were all so tired last night I do not remember laying down.

I am again sitting here at TCC. I came in at 1030 (1045 I was late). We have been super busy today. I did put a lot of new pictures in the picture link and have the new video of the band last night at homecoming. I still have to upload the last week performance from Ohatchee, Sorry.

An update on the trailer fund raising, we got $125.00 more this week toward it. So that means we only have $313.00 left to pay it off as of right now. I do have to buy some lights for the inside and outside this week, so it will go up by about $100.00 then. But we are doing good. I will keep looking for sponsors to help.

Till next time,

Jeff

The trailer is as good as done !

2007-10-13T15:41:00.000-05:00

After weeks of work, the band trailer is almost complete. All I need to do now is some final touch up on a rust spot or two and lighting inside and out. Go to the Picasa link to the side and check out all the pictures of the trailer and band.

The band is going to get a picture in uniform by the trailer soon.

I will update my blog later today with this weeks events.

Jeff

Yet another busy week.

2007-10-07T17:43:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone,

It has been another long week fort the White family. I left you on Monday night after working in the yard and being busy all day. So I shall try and feel in since then.

Tuesday, another day at SAS. It was not a bad day, but nor a good day (I was at SAS). I did get a new partner due to Patsy leaving to go to work at Citizen's Hospital. Her name is Deanna. I think she will be a good partner. She is pregnant, so I know she will be off when she gets to where she can not lift till she gets back from maternity leave. I do worry a little about her being on the same shift as her boyfriend or going to be husband (when he gets his diverse). I had a run in with Tanya today but that has gotten to be so common, it is not worth a response.

When I awoke on Wednesday, I felt good and for some reason decided to go to a few businesses to see if I could get enough donations for the lettering of the band trailer. To my surprise, I got a lot of good response and I did not stop going door to door till after lunch. I ended up with $420.00. to go to the trailer fund. the lettering is only going to be $250.00. That means we can use the rest for other things. I am keeping up with every penny that I bring in for the trailer so that I can show that we ended up paying for the trailer without using general budget money. So that means that with the money raised today with the cost of the lettering factored in, we only need $613.62 to have it paid for. I felt real good. While I was out, Amy called and needed me to go to Wal-Mart and get some bags for student of the week. She is going to to the students bags today due to a short day tomorrow and no school Friday. I got the bags and headed for the school. Amy gave me the list of what the students want in their bags and I went to get that. After getting it back to Amy, I went to the band room to tell Ms. Street about the money given for the trailer. She was not in a good mood because she had gotten the letter stating that the Grant we had applied for had been turned down. I headed back to town to do a couple more errands before going home to get cleaned up. I had a FD meeting about the new quick attack vehicle we are trying to get ordered.. It is supposed to be family night so as soon as the meeting was over I took off to home to get Hunter and Amy so we cold go get supper. We went to Giavoni's and had a great pizza then back home.

Thursday, I was at work at 6:30 am. had a good day at TCC. I spent most of the time faxing letters to every senator or congressmen, of our districts, to ask for help with money for instruments for the band. I got off at 2:30 pm. I wasted some time as I had a Doctors appointment at 4 pm. After it. I headed home. We went to Golden Rule for steaks for Dinner and then of course had to go to Wal-Mart for something. We did a few things around the house then to bed.

Friday, I was back at SAS. I went in at 6:30 am for Jim to leave early. I got my truck and the two ambulances of the day washed before anyone else got there. We had a good slow day. I ran a few more stops on my donation list for the band and got another $150.00 and several more promises of money made. That brings me to a total of $570.00 for the trailer raised (meaning we have $463.62 to go). I picked the trailer up from Watson's Paint and Body after lunch. The trailer is a beautiful blue now. It does not even look like the one we bought. I can not wait to get it lettered. My relief showed up at 2:00 pm and I was heading out the door to go home when Amy and Hunter pulled up. They had been to Subway to eat. She had a letter from Congressman Mike Rogers, but it was just to tell me he had no resource funds for the band. We headed to the house to get changed for the game and then we headed to to school to get loaded. The game was interesting. The team looked better and of course the band did awesome. Just after we started the 3rd quarter, the power went out. We were in the dark for I think about an hour and a half or so. It was chaos but fun at the same time. The game could not be called due to it being an area game and no other time to reschedule within the allotted time due to the race going on this weekend. After the power came back on, the team did not do as well and we ended up loosing the game. Amy and I also had a run in with a parent at the game that was not pleasant. we have since learned that this lady is just a problem maker and looks for fights, we just happened to get this one. The school administrators are planning on trying to bring her in to talk with her about the whole incident and the effects it had on the kids around her and us. We did not get home till about 1:30 am. Hunter got a shower and headed up to the hill to stay at mom and dads cause we have to be at the track so early. I think we finally laid down at about 4 after talking along time about the events at the game. I remember seeing the clock at 4:30 and must have passed out.

Saturday, I do not remember the alarm going off at 5 to go to the track. I awoke to find it was 5:38 am and we had to be at the school at 6. Amy could not get up so I went ahead and was only about 8 minutes late. We headed up to the track with a good group to work. We got the stand up and running and opened for business. Amy awoke I think about 9 and called to find out how to get to us at the track. She finally made it in after a lot of us talking on the phone to find each other in the crowd. We had a bad cash day but we had a great crew and a real good tip day. We got home about 7:30pm to find that our air conditioner was not working. By the sound of the compressor, It does not have freon in it. I guess when we ran the heater the other day it did something to bust a freon line. We just can't seem to win. In the mail was some great news for the band. State senator Pruitt has requested $5000.00 for the band to help with instruments. Hunter came down and Amy went to grandma's to work. It may have been warm, but I don't remember laying down after my shower.

It is now Sunday. I slept in till noon. Amy came in sometime about 8:30 and laid down to. It was very warm in the house. I got ready for work. Amy and Hunter headed up the hill to stay where the air worked. I took the band trailer to the sign man so he could get to work on it tomorrow. I headed to TCC to work. So far it has been an OK day. We are waiting on the storm of calls now that the race has ended and all the people are hitting the interstate to get home. Maybe it won't be to bad.

I will update the blog ASAP with the video of Fridays band performance, so keep on checking it.

Talk to you soon,

Jeff

Finely got the trench dug

2007-10-01T22:27:00.000-05:00

It has been a day around here. Started off with Amy not feeling well, but she went on to work. I did some laundry while I was clean to wash our sheets. When I went out to start working in the yard, Kelly had a friend of his over to plow a deer plot. I watched them for a few minutes then headed to do the trench. I cranked the digger and got it off the trailer, then moved to the start location. When I went to re crank it after surveying the site again, the starter cord broke. I headed to town to go to the lawn mower shop to get a cord. Of course it was closed. I did find some cord at Home Depot that I thought would work. I picked up a few other things too (you know you can't go for just one thing). I had to go by Bruce's office and look at a fire truck bid and then headed home. I finely figured out how to get the cord to wind properly and got to digging. It was going great till I saw water shooting into the air. I had miss judged the depth of my water line severely. Got it cut off and continued down the trench. I only found two other pipes or debris beside my water line. But I ended up redoing the start string several more times. When I got turned around to come from the shed back to the trench I broke the cord again. I'm sure glad the pack of cord I bought was 50 feet. I got the trench finished and was moving the trencher to the other side to do the water line when disaster struck. The trencher wheels on the right side got stuck in the trench already dug and the whole thing fell over onto the right side. I had to get the tractor out with the front end loader to pick it up. When I did, I noticed the muffler was missing from the trencher. It of course was broken off at the motor. It looked like it had been repaired before, so I took it off and have used JB Weld to see if it works like it claims to. Anyway. I did get the water line dug and even taught Hunter how to operate the trencher. The job I thought I would have done by 10 am was finally complete at 6:05 pm.

During all the above, it was also medical day for the people around me. First, the Band Director had a wreck in Anniston on the way to school this morning and was in the ED when she called me to tell me that we would postpone band boosters till another night. Then Dad called me and said he was on the way to the ED because he felt like he did 10 years ago when he had the cyst. Of course his Neurologist is in Chicago, so I was hunting up names of other doctors in case. It ended up OK but he is on serious pain meds till Dr Suede gets back Thursday. Then of course Amy does not feel good. So I would not get around me, I may be bad luck.

Hunter had Scouts tonight and I had a Foundation Nominations Committee meeting. Then we went to dinner and are at home. So I am going to bed. Sorry no pics of the events of today.

I do want say that I will pray for the health of all the people that are ill or injured around me and ask that you all include them in your prayers. And yes, Mrs. Rogers, you are on my prayer list with your surgery too.

God bless and good night,
Jeff

Friday night bliss and a Beautiful Saturday

2007-09-30T17:09:00.000-05:00

I left you as I was leaving work Friday headed to the game. As normal, the band looked good, but the team did not. I am not a football person, so I can not tell you what is going on with them. It looks like they just can't get together. As I said, the Blue Knights looked good. They performed the entire show for the first time and I thought did a good job. The video for the performance is in the right side area under a new link place to videos. Just click the video you want to see and it will start showing at the top of this column. Then you can click on the link under the video to go to a larger screen size viewing. I will attempt to keep the videos from the games posted. Other videos I post to Google will also show up here, so look for the band picture for band video. I have already posted two videos, one is of our band. The other is of the TCCHS band performance at the County wide exhibition at Childersburg on Tuesday. It is a show to see. I will get our performance from the exhibition uploaded soon. I upload from my computer at work due to the very high speed connection we have verses at home.

Let me cover the last couple of days for you. Friday night went well. We made a decent amount from the concession stand. It actually got chilly during the game. Amy worked a table to sign up PTSA members and I think got 5 members signed up. I slept good that night. Saturday, I headed to SAS with concerns due to the events of last shift. To my surprise, the day went pretty smooth. We only ran 8 calls total with my unit transporting two and a public assist and a PRT. We got some good sleep. during the day and night. My partner and I rode out to the Sycamore Fire Fighter appreciation day at Chief's house. It looked like they had a good time. We only stayed a short time.

Today, I got home about 8:15. I laid down with Amy to watch some TV before getting ready for work. I of course fell asleep. I got up at noon, got ready and left for TCC. Picked up lunch and take out for supper at Hooters. Made it in to work on time. A co-worked at TCC brought me his trencher so I can cut the conduit trench to my shop tomorrow. I think I will go ahead and trench in a line from the water line to the shop while I have it and put in a spigot at the concrete pad for so we can wash the tractor or whatever. I'll let you know how it goes next time I post.

I work tell 10:30 tonight and then have plans to work outside tomorrow till time to go to Band Boosters, Scouts and a Foundation meeting tomorrow night.

Till next time,

Jeff

Rough end week of Sept 07

2007-09-28T12:44:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone,

I have had a rough week this week. I sure hope you have had better. My works have both been very stressful this week with conflicts between fellow employees and my worrying on how to solve the problems. If you know anything about me, you know that I do not like conflict and am a saver of the world and its problems. Well, this week has been one that I have gotten into messes trying to do just that, solve the problems and reduce conflict. But as always, it has just made it worse.

I ended the last blog at work on Saturday, it ended without much incident.

Sunday was at SAS, the day was slow but of course we were up all night.

Monday, I went home and slept till noon. Got up to get ready for work and headed to TCC. I barley made it in time. We had a busy shift but during the shift I did try and solve some of the problems with the pool personnel shift schedule that a co worker and I are trying to get started at the request of Joe. We are getting some resistance to the change and a couple of people are real mad, but Joe approved the plan, so I guess I will just have to put up with the complaining and being mad at me till it all blows over. I did not get out of there till after 11 pm. That meant getting home after midnight. Amy needed help with a couple things so I did not lay down till after 2 am.

Tuesday, I got up with Amy at 6 am. I worked on getting the trailer ready to go get painted on Wednesday. I also worked on checking grants and doing some fund raising calls for the band. I went to town to check on Amy, who was a chaperon for the pool party at school. I then had lunch and headed home to complete getting the trailer done and to be at the school at 3 pm to get loaded for the band exhibition. The band did a great show. Then it went downhill. We had several kids decided to wonder off and be where they were not supposed to be. Myself and another parent went to retrieve them. One of the students decided to be trouble and resist the command to go back to where he was supposed to be, He was verbally abusive toward us and to Ms. Street ( the band director). this just made the rest of the night tense and unenjoyable. When we got back to the band room and were unloading, Amy called and said she was coming to meet us but the car would not start. We finally got all the students gone about 10 pm and Hunter and I headed home. We have not eaten supper even at this late of an hour. I got home and found that indeed the car would not turn over. It jumped right off, so we headed to town to get a bite to eat. The funny thing that happened during this was that Amy (known for going slow everywhere) got pulled over for going 40 in a 25. The officer knew me and did not give her a ticket, but it was funny to Hunter and I. We ate at McDonalds and Kelly came by and visited with us there. When we got ready to leave, the car would not crank again, Kelly couldn't jump us with the patrol car so as I was hunting for someone to help us, he pulled back up with a fellow Sycamore FD member that he had come across down the road who jumped us off. So once again, I got in bed about 2 in the morning.

Wednesday, I got up at 5:30 so that I could take the band trailer to the body shop and get the truck back home so that I can jump the car off and leave it for Amy to use. I then headed back to town to get a the battery checked and replaced. I made it in to work at SAS just a few minutes late. That is when everything went wrong. Of course I was grumpy and tired. I was in the supply room and was gripping about the lack of some supplies and not knowing who my partner was today since David had school again and Patsy would not be with me. Patsy heard my gripping and for some reason got upset with me and yelled about several issues and stomped off. I got with Preston and we left to run some errands. we got a call and then the other unit had to go to Montgomery. While they were gone, we ran our tails off. Then when they got back, we again had a small conflict with the other crew about a call. It took a four page report to Barry to explain all the events of that day and night, so I will not bore you with all the details. Lets just say that it did not get better but worse, to the point that Patsy left in the middle of the night.

Thursday, I was awoke by Barry to ask me to write a incident report on the events of the night. I had to work over till 6 pm today. I got up and wrote the report. The mood around the service was awful for the whole day and of course I was tired since I had all of 2 hours of sleep and not good sleep at that. We had a decent day with not to many calls. I got off work at 6 pm and made my way to the PTS meeting at the school. we than went to dinner and I got to bed a little before 10. Finally some decent sleep.

And now it is Friday. I am at TCC working the 6:30am - 2;30 pm shift. I left the house at 5:30 and made it in fine. We have had a very slow day. I got about 30 minutes before I get to head home to change clothes and go to the school to work the concession stand. Then to SAS tomorrow ( I am worried about what the mood will be).

I will update you on Sunday when I am back at TCC.

Tell Then,

Jeff