We are back!

Bailey has been going through some health challenges. In the last six months she has gone blind for "Sudden Lens Luxation!" This is caused by the lens coming loose and falling forward in the eye. She has adapted to being blind and is doing well with that. Just this week she was having trouble breathing so we took a trip to the Vet. She found that Bailey had a enlarged heart and a build up of fluids around her heart and lungs. So we are on heart meds and water pills. She is also on a diet because she is gotten a little fat.
  As for Lucy she is doing just fine No health issue so far for that loving Beagle!

More Winter Madness!

Here are some more "Before and After" photo's.

Here is the area around my Koi pond and the Japanese Maple (it's the one in the center of the photo). On the right is what the tree looked like during the snow fall. The photo on the left is the aftermath of the Ice storm. I am not sure if the tree will ever look like it did before.

In this setof photo's is the big tree in the next door neighbors backyard. This tree looks so cool covered in snow, but as you can see it was just destroyed after the ice storm. This tree was really hanging low but it has bounced back a little.

Cold Bailey Beagle!

Cold Lucy Beagle!

The Beagles have not been happy with all the snow and ice. They didn't quite make it to the yard to poop, so I had to shovel some poo off of the deck for the last few days. I think they will be happy when the plain rain comes back!

Monte

Old man Winter Sucks!

Here is a before on the left and after on the right. Look at the tall trees in the back ground, much thinner on the right. Look at my truck on the right it's coated in a half inch of ice.

This is a couple of big branches that fell from one of the trees in Dad's back yard.

This branch fell from almost 25 feet to the ground and landed on the sidewalk in front of Dad's house and there are two more big branches hanging from the neighbors tree.

More big branches from some trees in the backyard!

This is a huge tree in my neighbors house you can see that it is split down the middle.

This is my Japanese maple during the snow. It is gone now; frozen and fell all apart. I am hoping that this ice crap is over. I have family and friends that are still waiting for the power to be restored to their homes. I pray that all will be safe.



Winter Quarter!

Well my month off for Christmas break is now over and it's back to college. I am really looking forward to this last year of school, because most of the classes are going to be computer/IT related I think that it may be more interesting. I am looking to see what God has in store for me this quarter and what new things he has in store for me.
For now, Monte

Death on the Mountain

One new years eve, a gunmen took the life of a Park Ranger Margaret Anderson as she was doing a routine traffic stop. She was killed and the man hunt was on. The Park Rangers, Pierce County Sheriff, State Police and the F.B.I looked for the Gunman. The man they were looking for was a Gulf War veteran, suffering from Post Thematic Stress and going thorough a major challenges. This morning they spotted him dead in a stream, he had died from exposure.

So, I wonder if more could have been done to help this man; so that the whole event could have prevented and two lives could have been saved.

Happy New Year, Patches Pals!

Well 2011 was a long one for me. I finished my first year of college with a surprising GPA. This first year was a big adjustment to college life for this old man, LOL!

We took a summer trip to Montana to see family. Our first stop was at Glacier National Park and to visit my cousin Gregg. He came over to the campground every night for dinner and a visit. I got to see my first Grizzly bear and man was that bear a great looking animal. We then went to Columbus, Montana to See my uncle and aunt. I love going there and we always have a great time. There was only one problem I got sick and spent the majority of the time in the motor home. Our last stop was back in Washington in Spokane to visit my family in the Spokane Valley.

Kirk 2010 Rookie of the Year

Chad, 2010 Compact Outlaw Champion

WOO Racing

Our racing schedule was a wet one. Too many races rained out in 2011. I am hoping that in 2012 we will get more racing action. So I am wishing that the 2012 year will bring us happiness, laughter, and stability in our lives.

Happy New Year may friends,

Monte

Dog Types!

Found this on a facebook friends post and I love it. As we traveled to Montana and Colorado the Beagles introduced themselves to many different types of dogs and many others types of animals. They even shouted out to a group of rabbits, wild turkeys and even some animals they didn't even see. These photo;s were on facebook and I thought of our travels and the dogs we met.

Is this Shepard a Country or City dog!

Bye-Bye Tubebe!

We dad is in the plasma zone now. We went to the store and picked up a 51" Samsung Plasma.

 He didn't put up mush of a fight. You see he was watching a 19" Tube type TV at the distance of ten feet.

Well my friends that doesn't work. He actually looked happy, yes I said happy. If your wondering what the heck I'm talking about. My father usually never shows Happiness. I think we got this one right this time!

For Now, Monte

Fashback Friday, Dave Niehaus Style!

Just finished watching the statue ceremony at SafeCo field on TV. This is a great addition to the ball park and to the Seattle Mariners home. I think it looks great. Here is a photo from the Seattle Mariners Facebook page.

The Niehaus Family

My Flashback on this Friday is a call Dave made after a prediction that was made by Mike Blower.

Listen in will you!

MY OH MY!

Remembering my chidhood!

I can remember my mornings when I was a kid. Getting up to watch Our Gang, then my favorite show J.P. Patches. While watching his show I would eat breakfast, get dressed, and brush my teeth. He always had cartoons, humor, and special guests. When his show was over I knew that it was time to head out the door for the long walk to school, LOL! You could say that he made our day start out with some laughter. I really wish they would put these back on the air as reruns. Wouldn't that be cool to see the wonderful master in action. I you were on his show, to see yourself as a kid again.

Here is one of my favorite clips from KIRO New!

What a Clown, LOL!

Later, Monte

Eggshells & Respect!

Hello Patches Pals, I have a question for you all. Do you have a person or two in your family that you feel like you have to walk on egg shell around? I mean Damn, this is really bugging me. I am getting to the point that I don't care if I piss them off anymore. The fact is, in my family we have several babies that we have to look after or they might just throw a tantrum. I mean after the age of two isn't that suppose to stop. I don't know, I guess my patients is running thin. If you know me, you know I rarely get mad! Life is made up of a bunch of Rules and Laws we as adult must follow. These are made by man and God, so, I guess they are meant to be followed by everyone.

I mean it just plain RESPECT to your family. You don't get respect, you have to earn it. Yes, some people even lose it after acting like a child. Then, Yes, you must re-earn this respect; it just not given out like suckers.

You learn allot from your parents and I have had two of the best examples of respectful and thoughtful parents in the world. Yea, we are not perfect! Today most parents just don't give a darn if these kids grow up to be disrepectful babies!

You say just forgive them! You can forgive these babies, but they will never learn how to treat people with any respect. They need to be accountably for their actions or lack of action. They think that they have the right to talk to anyone in a manner that is disrespectful. They will tell you they are just telling it like it is. Well, hurting people with condescending words is selfish and evil.

If you have someone like this in your family, your not alone.

Pray that God will change them, because you will drive yourself into the funny farm trying!

For now, Monte!

I forget sometimes!

"I pick up the phone, but I remember that you’re gone. I have a question, but then I remember you’re not there. I would give anything to talk to you just one more time, but I can’t. I want to huge you, but I can’t. I hear a song on the radio that reminds me of you and I start to cry.  You are home, not in pain, you’re happy; you’re at peace, because you’re with our Father God. I miss you mother!"

I think that with all the stess in my life, she would be my rock. Our life changed in so many way's and if you haven't lost someone you love it's hard to explain the feelings. When I think I have gotten over the pain, something pops up in my life that reminds me of you and your love. I will never forget, I wish that it didn't hurt so much. I know it's me being selfish, because she is in the best place one could be. Maybe it will someday!

See you someday mom!

Monte

10 years after 9-11

It’s the day after of the September 11^th, 10 year anniversary. I spent the day watching some of the specials on the television. I wonder if the world has learned any type of lesson. I know most of us in the U.S. have, but I think the government still has a lot of work to do.

I think the most important thing is to take care of the hero’s that did the back breaking work at Ground Zero, the fire fighters, police, and all the other that didn’t think twice in helping on September 11th.

Cancer is being discovered in these workers in a alarming rate, some with diagnosed with more than one type of cancer. The toxic fumes from whatever was burning in that pile is killing these men and women.

The government needs to quit hiding their heads in the sand and step up and take care of these men and women. Government officials look at these heroes’ as your example and just jump in there and take care of this issue.

The service men and women that went to war to find the terrorist that attacks on the U.S. have not been taken care of. They often come home to NO Jobs, medical issues and mental issues. These things are not acceptable.

Get off your dead ass and do your job and take care of these hero’s and their families. The families that loose a service man or woman need to have more done for them. I am so tired of hearing of soldiers losing their home while overseas. If it wasn’t for them you in Washington DC would not even have a job.

I encourage you to call your Congress person or Representative and tell them to do the right thing or they will be replace with someone that will listen to the people. The Ground Zero workers are dying of cancers, some with multiple types.

“FIX IT AMERICA, JUST FIX IT!”

September 11th, 2001

     This day is one that most Americans will never forget. As most people where getting ready for work, I was just leaving mine. The new of the attack spread like wildfire in the plant and before you knew it we were huddled around the computer monitors. The news was shocking that a jet could have crashed into the World Trade Center. We all thought that it was just a bad accident. Little did we know it was NOT!

  While driving home I listened to the radio and as soon as I got home I was glued to the Television set. Like most on that day I was in shock to watch as the second plane plunged into the second tower. The news showed the Police and Fire responded to help those in need. Little did they know that the tower would fall.

   The tower fell like a house of cards, people injured walked the streets, and New Yorkers help the thousands trying to escape the falling buildings. I sat in shock and wondered if or what was coming next.
"Breaking New" sound on the television once again. Two planes just crashed, one into the Pentagon and on in a field in Pennsylvania.

    I watched the news for days as rescue worker battled to find someone alive. The sad thing was that most in those tower would not be found alive. Oh, they did find some and this just fuel the search to find more.

That night due to a national grounding of all planes the skies there silence. I sat in the hot tub and not one plane was in the sky. The highway next to the house was almost silence, just a few cars.

   It's been 10 years now and the world has changed in many ways. Some nations have fallen, some removed the dictators, and some have had attacks of their own. America found the leaders of the attack in the U.S and terminated their lives. We made places more secure, airports, borders and public places. There would be more attempts to harm American's, but average Americans would spot them and turn it over to the police to handle.

    When and if anything happens again we Americans know that we are strong and will fight back. As my cousin Ken would say, "Don't poke the Bear!" We will never forget this day by honoring the VICTIMS of this attack.

"We will never forget" and "God bless the U.S.A!"

Pre-9-11 thoughts!

     Well, on the eve of the 10 year anniversary of the 9-11 attacks. I sit her thinking of that day and what I felt. I knew that when that first plane hint the first tower I was out of a job, no one will want to fly for awhile. I was at work at the Boeing Plant in Auburn, just getting ready to go home, when someone started screaming that a plane had hit the World Trade tower. When you work at Boeing any plane down is news and mostly we all feel bad because of the loss of life.
  
    I rushed home and turned the TV on and I never moved from there until it was time to go to bed, but who could sleep. I went out and sat in the hot tub and the silence was unnerving. There was not one plane in the sky. You see I live about ten miles from Sea-Tac International airport and five mile from two small airports. One in Auburn and one in Puyallup. As I sat there I felt that I had been punched in the gut and in the Balls at the same time. The loss was great for man kind, America, and the world.

   I will never forget the site of those huge buildings falling into themselves, the faces of the people in the streets of New York, and the pain of all America's.
  
   I did loose my job as the industry came to a stop and many worker where affected by this act of terrorism. The world was changed that day for many people. Some lost family, jobs, sense of security and I think we just felt helpless for know what would be next. Maybe we needed to be attacked to find out how strong we could become and what we would do to the one's that sucker-punched America. We became stronger and more aware of the evil that wants America to fall and give up, but we will not!
   Please remember all the children, men and women lost that day, So many life's lost!

"I will never forget that day and feeling of loss!"

Flashback Friday!

LeAnn Evans, Aleanne Wasell Armstrong and Laurie Wasell Couper

Here are three great women, but in this photo just girls. Look at the 80's hair, LOL! Just kidding we have always have the best time when we get together. As little kids we would laugh for hours and it's just the same now-a-days. Sometimes I wish that we could stay small kids and not have a worry in the world. It seems that as we grow up everything becomes more complicated and stress full. I miss the carefree days of youth. The days where cleaning your room was the most stress full job we faced.

OK, now that we have "responsibilities" and read jobs you can say it; GROW UP MONTE!

For now, Monte!

Grandpa's Hands!

Grandpa's Hands 

     Grandpa, some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench. He didn't move, just sat with his head down staring at his hands. When I sat down beside him he didn't acknowledge my presence and the longer I sat, I wondered if he was OK. Finally, not really wanting to disturb him but wanting to check on him at the same time, I asked him if he was OK. 

He raised his head and looked at me and smiled. "Yes, I'm fine.  Thank you for asking," he said in a clear strong voice. 

"I didn't mean to disturb you, Grandpa, but you were just sitting here staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were OK," I explained to him. 

"Have you ever looked at your hands," he asked. "I mean really looked at your hands?" 

I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them. I turned them over, palms up and then palms down. No, I guess I had never really looked at my hands as I tried to figure out the point he was making. 

Grandpa smiled and related this story:

"Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have, how they have served you well throughout your years. These hands, though wrinkled, shriveled, and weak have been the tools I have used all my life to reach out and grab and embrace life.

 They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back.

 As a child my mother taught me to fold them in prayer.

They tied my shoes and pulled on my boots. 

They have been dirty, scraped and raw, swollen and bent. 

They were uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son. 

 Decorated with my wedding band they showed the world that I was married and loved someone special. 

They trembled and shook when I buried my parents and spouse and walked my daughter down the aisle. 

They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and cleansed the rest of my body. 

They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried and raw. 

And to this day, when not much of anything else of me works real well, these hands hold me up, lay me down, and again continue to fold in prayer. 

These hands are the mark of where I've been and the ruggedness of my life. 

But more importantly it will be these hands that God will reach out and take when he leads me home. 

 And with my hands He will lift me to His side and there I will use these hands to touch the face of Christ."

I will never look at my hands the same again. But I remember God reached out and took my grandpa's hands and led him home. 

When my hands are hurt or sore I think of Grandpa Young. I know he has been stroked and caressed and held by the hands of God. I, too, want to touch the face of God and feel His hands upon my face.

Thanks to Sherri B. Stillwagon for this in a emial!

Man of the Year-Vote for J.P. Patches!

VOTE

"Man of the Year!"

I come to you today, to ask for your Vote. I ask you to Vote for J.P. Patches as "Man Of the Year!" Go to King5.com to cast your vote. Let show Chris that he has touched many heart and cast many memories in our common life in the Pacific Northwest. I have cast my vote and I hope you will too.

The Salmon are runnning!

Here is my nephew Logan, his catch is might fine.It's crazy here in Washington the river banks are shoulder to shoulder with people fishing to catch the prize Salmon. Nothing like fresh Salmon on the grill, smoked in a smoker for hours or baked in a oven, It's the freshness of the fish and only in the Northwest.

My friend Randy last year at the same place as Logan. The Kolama River is a great place to camp and fish off the banks.

This is my dad two years ago at Camp Kalama on the Kalama river in Washington.

Here Fishy, Fishy!

Flash Back Friday!

Who could ever forget going to  North Bend to Aunt Merriam's and Uncle Herman's house. The fishing for Rainbow trout, floating down the river, playing pool and drinking soda's. Here is a photo of Ryann, Logan and Dan getting ready to go fishing. Then you have my mother and Florance "Grandma" Best, this is two classy ladies here. Grandma had the heart of an angel and was always a great time talking to here for hours upon hours.

HONDA UPDATE:


Well after six months of a fraud investigation of Butch Motors in Auburn, I was called by the DOL to get my title for the Honda. Man, this has been a Bunche of crap, but I am glad that everything has worked out. Now, I can do some work on it and not have to worry about the ownership side of things.


For Now. Monte

Theifs, Cheaters, and Crooks!

I bought a used Honda Accord from a Small car lot in Auburn, "A crook!" This Thief took my money, lied to me and never paid the wholesaler for the car. He lives his life like he is special, but he is really a lyre and crook. What happens to the one's he took money from? What happen to the people that gave him all the money they had for a car and now they don't know if they really own the car?

Hopefully he will loose all that he gained. He has to answer to God for his dishonesty. I will get my title this week, but may have to wait for the fraud investigators to finish their claim. I Will never trust "Butch Motors in Auburn and Jon Nelson the one who Lied to me for months!"

Thank God, it's almost over!

Have Faith!

God has answered prayer for my cousin Jeff, he starts his new job on Thursday at Dishman Dodge in Spokane.

He has always had the gift of gab and that salesman attitude. Even as a kid he talked me into golfing cow pies on my Grandparents farm. Note, "Do not golf fresh pile, they may backup on you!"

He will be a good sales person and if you need a car, truck or SUV go see him!

Good luck my cousin, god answered your prayer!