We made it through another one!

Lori and I celebrated another year together today. I have a friend that I went to church with back in the late 80's and early 90's. We were involved in youth ministry together and I played softball on a team that his company sponsored. This morning I left my house before Lori got out of bed and was busy going about my day. Around 8:30 my phone rang. It was my friend calling to wish me a happy anniversary. I hadn't seen him in many years and the last time I spoke to him was on my birthday. (He calls on b-days and anniversaries)

Well, to make a long story short, I had forgotten it was my anniversary and Rick saved my hide. After I finished a window washing job I was able to make it to a florist and pick up a nice arrangement for Lori and have it sitting at her desk at work before she even got there.



So here is to another year of wedded bliss with the most beautiful woman I know!

ps... Thanks Rick!

The 1/2 Pound Big Jim Burger

Dig in! This is a 1/2 pound gorge burger from Big Jim's in The Dalles. We were rolling through last night and had to stop to wait for two eastbound trains. While we were there I ran across the rail yard to Big Jim's and bought a couple burgers...



We don't get many opportunities to get off the train when we are rolling along so when the opportunity arises I take it.

It was a good day for it since I had only a sandwich and a jar of peanuts left to eat and 7 hours left to work.

I found a bird nest in the brake rigging of a train car on my train today. This thing has travelled from Canada to Portland in the past 3 days. I hope the bird finds a new home...

another sunrise

Real Life Sea Horse

Strange Flowers

Amongst our bunch of pink roses today I discovered two yellow ones. Strangest thing I've seen in a long time.

Happy Birthday Nathan

Today is Nathans birthday. He brought some cupcakes to the game for all of the players.



HAPPY BIRTHDAY NATHAN!!!

Urban Wildlife

I went for a walk this afternoon in SeaTac and noticed that this new home has finally finished it's landscaping. In the landscaping there are wild animals. A giraffe, a lion, and an elephant. I found it kind of interesting to say the least.

Another Day Of Fun In The Sun

Eating a burger

Just finished umping in a tournament this weekend and was getting to eat. Great weekend for baseball!

Something New Every Day

Have you ever gone through a day and said to yourself, "I haven't seen anything new today?" Well, I have. I find days where something new comes to my attention numerous times throughout the day and other days when I can go by the entire day and be focused so much on the familiar that I am not able to see anything around me that is new and fresh.

Today I saw something for the first time. I suppose that there are some of you who have seen this and I am sure that most of you have not. I was washing windows this morning and the client had a cat. Two of them actually, but I was only blessed by the presence of one of them. The other is too shy. There was something strangely unique about these two cats. They both have only one eye. What are the odds... Having two cats, each with one eye. The craziest thing is that they happened due to separate occurrences. One was due to illness and the other was due to the cat making a decision to jump off the second floor balcony to the floor below.

The other fun fact about these two piles of fir is that one has a right eye and one has a left. I am told that when they stand next to each other it is a sight to be seen. No pun intended. Anyway... I hope you enjoy the picture from the one eyed cat farm. I am sure it is not something you see every day!

Graduation Boy 2009!

Today was a big day for Austin. His twelve years of homework, tests, and just plain hard work has finally paid off. He graduated with a 3.93 GPA for his last four years of strenuous work.

Pre-graduation Dinner


The Fam... well some of them anyway.


His future college buds... At least that is the plan!


More friends.


Getting ready to party at the Senior all nighter. You can never accuse Austin of not having style... Love the socks!


Now I am really feeling OLD!!!

LIVESTRONG

Here is an email that I received this afternoon from a good friend of mine. She is raising funds for cancer patients through the LIVESTRONG Challenge. During these difficult economic times charities tend to be some of the hardest hit. She has a financial goal of $250... won't you help me help her reach her goal!

The link is in the copy of the email below and May God bless you for serving Him in this way.

Good Afternoon,

Today, there are nearly 12 million people living with cancer in United States, and it is estimated that close to 1.4 million more will be diagnosed this year alone. One in three people will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime. We all have friends and family that has faced this challenge, and that’s why I choose to raise funds for this cause.

About the LIVESTRONG Challenge

The LIVESTRONG Challenge is the Lance Armstrong Foundation's signature fundraising event. Your donation to the LIVESTRONG Challenge will support the LAF's mission to inspire and empower people affected by cancer

The LAF’s website serves as an invaluable resource for cancer survivors, families, and caregivers around the world, including information ranging from what you can expect during your cancer experience to the opportunity to get one-on-one advice and support through the SurvivorCare program. The LAF also works to increase awareness of issues facing cancer survivors within our communities and among our representatives in Congress.

How you can help

Visit my LIVESTRONG Challenge website: http://seattle09.livestrong.org/carmen where you can donate online.

I am truly excited to share this journey with you. Thank you for your support and for being a part of my fight! Please forward this message on to anyone that you think wants to pick a fight with cancer.

Thank You,

Carmen Mazzia

Not your typical lap dog

I was reading tonight and Champ was lying on his carpet in the living room nursing on his blanket. I guess he decided that he had spent enough time alone on the floor because the next thing I knew he was climbing up onto the couch to sit on my lap.

Out of all of the dogs, he is definitely the most loving, I guess I will keep him around for awhile longer...

The original picture had the entire couch and him and me in it, but since he climbed on my lap it pulled up my shirt and my big fat belly was hanging out... therefore, you get the cropped version :)