http://severedheads.org/home/ http://severedheads.org/home/news.php?readmore=498 Although it's a running joke that I live in the ghetto, I've never really had any issues or reasons to be concerned about living here. Then, last Monday morning, my neighbor informs me that several cars in our parking lot were burglarized Christmas Eve. Needless to say, I removed all of my cds and bank information (deposit receipts, atm receipts, and other sensitive information that had accumulated in the console or glove compartment) that evening. Just now, I am returning from a long, relaxing weekend where my only worry was whether or not I was going to get shocked when I turned on/off the lights. I decide I need another glass of bubbly, so I head to the kitchen. As I near the kitchen, I notice the pretty light show on my blinds and wonder what on earth could be turning my blinds red and blue. I was really disappointed with myself when I looked out my peephole and saw the police car. I should have known. Upon a closer examination, I saw a car with some nasty dents parked in the space right in front of the police car. I was wondering if it had something to do with last week's burglaries. Perhaps someone was trying to break into the car and decided a baseball bat would be the best method. Perhaps it was a lover's quarrel. I returned to the living room to drink my bubbly and write a little blog entry about this excitement, but made several trips back to the kitchen to check the progress. In my most recent trip, I found my neighbor walking from the lot toward his apartment. Apparently, the crumpled car had backed into his car (the well-kept white Caddy that's always parked directly in front of my apartment door, just two cars away from mine). That wasn't nearly as bad as I was imagining, but it still makes me question my neighborhood. I've been biding my time and planning to move in a few years when I am more certain that this is really the area for me and I'm financially set to buy a house that won't collapse on top of me within the first five years of living there. Now, however, I'm starting to think that I need to reconsider my options. http://severedheads.org/home/news.php?readmore=497 so we have this cat that is a fully gown male, but it's really small. It meows like it's in heat (that deep and painful, "meeeeeaaaaaaooooooooooooowwww") every day for the past year, even though we had it fixed a very long time ago. It pees in my daughter's room all the time, and scratches the carpet. Plus, it acts like it's deathly afraid of us. it used to cuddle, but now he runs away when we walk in the room. I think maybe that's due to the fact that we never named it. We always called it Kitten; we tried out a few names, but never liked them, so we call it Kitten to this day. It's 4 years old.<br /> <br /> Well, one day it just disappeared. It actually cuddled with us for a few days before Thanksgiving, then he was gone. WE went to Ohio for the holiday, and when we came back, still no sign of him.<br /> <br /> Lily sends the other animals out and tells them to look for him (how cute and sad). Annie is sad too, me not so much, I hated it.<br /> <br /> We talked the other day about how we always thought he had a second family. Annie even put collars on him to show that he belonged to someone else. She chalks his disappearance to either him being taken into his other family's home, or dead. And I agreed.<br /> <br /> The truth is this: One morning he was crying, I was getting ready to go to work, and I noticed that I was the only one awake. So I grabbed him, put him in my truck and I set him out in the country to fend for himself 15 miles from our house. And I'm waiting for the opportunity to do it to the rest of our animals. http://severedheads.org/home/news.php?readmore=496 I got a call from Brandon tonight from the hospital, apparently there is some problems with his kidneys and they are keeping him there for a few days. Not 100 percent sure what is going on, as they just put him on pain meds and he wasn't super coherent. I'll keep everyone updated as I hear more, please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.<br /> <br /> http://severedheads.org/home/news.php?readmore=495 Mother had to be rushed to the hospital Christmas Day. She is kinda bad, but we are hoping she's too stubborn to give in. Apparently sometime in the recent past she suffered a heart attack (we're such great caregivers that we didn't even realize anything had happened) !!!!!<br /> <br /> We got her to the hoispital and discovered her lungs were full of fluid. She's going to have a long road back to "health" but the doctor seems to think she can do it.<br /> <br /> Even as dire as her situation is, she is still "quite a character" as the staff on her floor have begun to call her. So I do have some new posts for the Diary, because she is just so funny sometimes. Since she started the antidepressants, she has gotten a bit of a sense of humor again. like today. We told her she had to get better and come home so she could start growling at Dave again. The smirk on her face was priceless! <br /> <br /> I will be telling the funny stories in Diary. And probably some not so funny -- and I'm not even going to TRY to keep 'em short, A-Mac. I'm at the hospital now, trying to get her to rest, but she just keeps fidgeting and fussing. <br /> <br /> She's 88, and we realize that she may never come home. Believe it or not, I do hope she beats this and comes home even if it's only for a little while. We are just praying that if the Lord decides it's time for her to be with Him, He sends His Spirit to comfort and reassure her. I want her to know she is going somewhere better. <br /> <br /> But the selfish part of me hopes He lets her come home.<br /> <br /> She is at Blessing Hospital in Quincy, IL room 3432C -- she'll probably have to go to a nursing home for rehab, but that will only be for about 3 weeks. Then hopefully back home. http://severedheads.org/home/news.php?readmore=494 would any of you that make candy for Christmas would u have a chocalate fudge reciepe that doesn't take marshmellow creme. http://severedheads.org/home/news.php?readmore=493 Today was interesting to say the least.<br /> It started out with the truck not starting and the fuel gauge on empty... After I had just filled the tank my last trip.<br /> Therefore I thought someone had siphoned my gas.<br /> I take my car, purchase a gas can and locking cap, fill the gas can and return only to top off a full tank of gas in the truck.<br /> Yes, children, sometimes Chevy just gives you the finger.<br /> After adding two gallons to my pretty much full tank of gas, the truck decided to start without hesitation.<br /> I'm now being made fun of at the office.<br /> I hate Chevy.<br /> Anyway, I got to spend this wonderful snow filled day on the road installing new stuff.<br /> Its amazing what runs through your mind when your sliding uncontrollably towards an LP truck.<br /> Most of which I can't repeat here.<br /> Overall the day was a success.<br /> We had a crazy error, but one of the new features cut diagnosis from a whole day to 5 seconds.<br /> A whole day of me on top of a tank with an oscilloscope in a -7 blizzard mind you. So that makes me very happy.<br /> Tomorrow I get to do the same thing. http://severedheads.org/home/news.php?readmore=492 [shameless promotion]<br /> <br /> I've been spending a lot of my free time working on therunningblog.org recently. I'm pretty proud of the work I've done on the logging system. Despite the name of the site, it's not just for runners, it also can log general workouts (that's what Mandy uses it for). Make a resolution to get fit for the new year, and join the site so we can help each other stay accountable =)<br /> <br /> <a href='http://therunningblog.org' target='_blank'>http://therunningblog.org</a><br /> <br /> [/shameless promotion]<br /> <br /> In other news, my semester ended a week ago and Payson school gets out this Friday, so I'll be enjoying a two week break with no work or schoolwork. <br /> <br /> Mandy and I went to Kansas City last weekend for Christmas on the River, it was good to hang out with our friends. We brought Rock Band, which is always good times. We forgot our camera, so no pictures this year =(<br /> <br /> <br /> http://severedheads.org/home/news.php?readmore=491 I'm back! But I bet most of you didn't even know I was gone. Shows how much I'm missed... *sniff* <br /> <br /> Anyway.<br /> <br /> My computer monitor decided to quit working last Thursday, so since I had an errand to run in Ottumwa ANYWAY, I decided to swing by Radio Shack and pick up one of their monitors that they had on sale. Brought it back, worked great, we were happy. Friday morning, Ben gets up and the NEW monitor is no longer working EITHER. It turns ON, but the screen flickers and then goes black. Gr. So I call Radio Shack, who says they'll replace it, but I got the last one, and it might be a week before new ones come in. FINE. So today (as you'll notice) I am on the computer using a borrowed 2002-era big box monitor that has been sitting by the stairs at our church since before we moved here. No computer, just the monitor. Odd. But I'm borrowing it, and I'm betting no one will even notice. So there.<br /> <br /> (Ben just walked in and asked if I was going to play Oregon Trail on my new monitor. He's such a kidder...)<br /> <br /> (Click read more, unless you're Amac...) http://severedheads.org/home/news.php?readmore=490 Most of my fish have died from some unknown disease that I think I took care of with random stuff I found that originally came with the tank so many years ago.<br /> Anyway, so the tank was sitting with only 3 survivors; two of which hid all the time so people thought there was only on fish in the tank.<br /> Its been a couple weeks like this as I was hesitant on putting more fish in the tank.<br /> Leave it to a coworker to take care of that for me.<br /> I come in to the office Tuesday morning, I'm placing my hat and gloves on top the cabinet next to the tank when I see something so ugly out to the corner of my eye that I literally jump.<br /> A coworker had caught some pond fish and thought it would be fun to put them in my tank.<br /> <br /> Read More http://severedheads.org/home/news.php?readmore=489 I just realized I haven't really been very active on the site since before Thanksgiving! It's time to catch everyone up on all my exciting adventures!<br /> <br /> I was not part of the shopping saga I told about in my Dementia Diary because I took Mama to the doctor Oct. 22 and left her at Sister Kathy's right after the appointment. I got her antidepressant prescription filled and delivered the following day. On the 26th of October I flew back to Palestine, Texas to assist in training and Dave drove my Suzuki x90 to California to give to Scott and Noelle.<br /> <br /> My "Zuki" had not been a happy vehicle since we brought it back from California two years ago. It is definitely a "California Car" and we figured the kids would get better use of it than we were or they could sell it for more money out there than we could back here.<br /> <br /> Dave and I both returned home the 1st of November and spent a whole Mama-free month together. That was so nice. Our first task was cleaning out Mama's room and bathroom and we found an electric bed for her and completely rearranged her room. We then tackled the rest of the house and by Thanksgiving had things almost under control.<br /> <br /> We brought Mama home on the 22nd of Nov. and then had Thanksgiving dinner here. I did the whole Black Friday thing mostly at Kohl's w/my credit card and then returned to Palestine, TX for another week of training assistance.<br /> <br /> I finally returned home Dec. 6th and in the week that followed, discovered I had a new Mama. Yep. Totally different woman was living in Mama's body. I could kiss the feet of her doctor for prescribing those antidepressants. Mama even laughs again. I am so amazed at the change. She said she knows she's feeling better but she just thought Dave was being nicer to her since she came home. Nope. She's just not the mean, grouchy old woman she'd turned into the last couple of years. It is so wonderful, I could cry for joy. Antidepressants rule!!!!<br /> <br /> She still has her moments. And I'm sure I can come up with new Dementia posts, but I may have to resort to telling on myself and others to keep it going! But she was getting pretty riled up last night over her wrestling and I worried that she was going to throw something at the TV, but she managed to get herself under control.<br /> <br /> So that's about it, Kiddies. This weekend I plan to initiate my "AuntBob's Rantings and Ravings" thread and maybe even open a couple of story threads. I'm making this blog as long as possible just so A-Mac won't bother reading it! (We really need an EVIL grin face for me to use repeatedly!)<br /> <br /> Christmas is coming and I think "SOMEONE" should open a thread entitled "Another Annoying Christmas Letter" which would allow each Severedhead member to share their year in a letter! <br /> <br /> Two more weeks til Christmas! whoo hoo!!!!! http://severedheads.org/home/news.php?readmore=488 hubby got cleared to go back to work next Monday. Those disability checks suck not even enough to pay your bills with. Now maybe we can get cought up and those doctor and hospital bills just keep rolling in yuk http://severedheads.org/home/news.php?readmore=487 man what a cold night furnace went out in the middle of the night furnace repair man didn't show up until 8 this morning he couldn't get to our house because of a train derailment in town had all the crossings blocked. Their only like 4 or a5 blocks from us he had to go half way to Macomb which is 4 miles out oh his way to get to us to find out the furnace was fine but the gas meter frozed up lets just say had the ole electric blanket cranked up. All it took apparently was 3 bowls of hot water to get the meter thawed out. So the furnace man went back to his shop and came back and made a shield for the meter so water don't drip into it thank goodness he is a ma and pop shop he seen Kevin was wrapped up from surgery told him don't know when will be able to pay him he goes whenever u get back to work will be fine so i guess it's one good thing for living in a town that if u blink u miss the town. http://severedheads.org/home/news.php?readmore=486 The Running Blog is now up and...well..running! =) Running is one of the best ways to lose weight and get fit, plus it's one of the easiest fitness plans to get started, just lace up some shoes and start moving! It doesn't matter if you start slow or can't go very far, that improves over time. The Running Blog is designed for you to log in your miles and receive support from other members. Check it out at:<br /> <a href='http://therunningblog.org/' target='_blank'>http://therunningblog.org/</a><br /> http://severedheads.org/home/news.php?readmore=485 Hey folks. My Mom is in the final 2 for the female team. The upside is she's lost the most weight percentage wise and hasn't been on the chopping block since she started competing. The downside is the other lady has a ton of votes. That said, please vote and vote often. Pass it to your friends and family if you feel so inclined. <br /> <br /> Here's the link: <a href="http://www.11alive.com/life/contests/atlantas_biggest_loser/">http://www.11alive.com/life/contests/atlantas_biggest_loser/</a><br /> <br /> And the read the following from my Mom:<br /> <br /> Hi everyone,<br /> <br /> As many of you know, I've been a contestant in Atlanta's version of The Biggest Loser. Thus far, I've lost over 30 lbs and have retained the lead (percentage) in weight loss among the Blue Team (the women's team). Now that we're down to the top two women, I need your online vote to remain in the competition and compete with the last standing member of the men's team. <br /> <br /> Wow, I'm feeling great – have renewed energy and my core has strengthened considerably. At the beginning of this competition, I couldn't run two minutes – now I'm running 20 and then working out for an hour followed by classes. <br /> <br /> You can vote online once per day per computer (beginning this afternoon) at: <a href="http://www.11alive.com/life/contests/atlantas_biggest_loser/">http://www.11alive.com/life/contests/atlantas_biggest_loser/</a><br /> <br /> The best news of all this Thanksgiving is that my son, Brian, who has been in Iraq since March is now back in the states and is on his way here from Mississippi to spend the Thanksgiving weekend with me. This will be the best Thanksgiving ever!<br /> <br /> Happy Thanksgiving! http://severedheads.org/home/news.php?readmore=484 I imagine after Thanksgiving I'll be packing supper along with lunch.<br /> Its about to get interesting.<br /> So, a mild recap:<br /> Last post I blew up a battery.<br /> Since then I've started testing different batteries to replace the exploding kind, and so far they aren't holding up too well in the freezer.<br /> The same day I hear the battery exploded, I'm talking with a tech who mentions that he's found some units still on when he gets to the site, blowing my "Its the batteries" excuse out of the water.<br /> So I decide that if a unit's staying on, then its cellular modem is staying on and therefore the network can tell us what units have not shut off.<br /> We put in a request and to this day still haven't heard back from AT&T. (I hate AT&T)<br /> So I take more of a shotgun approach.<br /> <br /> ~Read More~<br /> http://severedheads.org/home/news.php?readmore=483 <P>So yesterday this lady shows up at my door with the police...&nbsp; 9:30am, right after breakfast...&nbsp; I answer the door:</P><br /> <P>Lady:&nbsp; Is Penny here?<BR>Me:&nbsp; No...<BR>Lady:&nbsp; How about Gertrude?<BR>Me: No...<BR>Lady:&nbsp; They don't live here?<BR>Me:&nbsp; Nope...&nbsp; Never heard of them...<BR>Lady:&nbsp; Okay then...</P><br /> <P>Now, this lady has been by my house&nbsp;BEFORE asking for Penny.&nbsp; I informed her that she doesn't live here, and that we moved&nbsp;here in June.&nbsp; I guess she thought she'd come back with the cops for an answer she liked better?&nbsp; Weird.</P><br /> <P>In other news, our Adjustable Rate Mortgage reset this month.&nbsp; We are now paying LESS in house payments than we were before!&nbsp; Rock on!&nbsp; I'm pretty happy with that fact.&nbsp; </P><br /> <P>This week I've been doing some hard research on the possibility of opening my own cake business...&nbsp; I guess I can sell foods that don't have to be refrigerated without a license unless I sell more than $1000 worth of products.&nbsp; If I get a LICENSE for my home kitchen&nbsp;(which will cost me $33.75) I can&nbsp;sell whatever I want to up to $20,000 worth of sales.&nbsp; Past that, I have to get an actual bakery...&nbsp; Now I'm just waiting on the insurance people to call me back and tell me what business insurance would cost.&nbsp; I could operate without it, but I don't know that I want to take that chance...&nbsp; Then I get my fwee business cards, some posters, fix my business website, make a little advertising display for a shop in town and then maybe bring some samples to a few businesses in town.&nbsp; We'll see.&nbsp; I'd like to get this all done by early-mid December, but I'm not sure that will happen.&nbsp; </P><br /> <br /> http://severedheads.org/home/news.php?readmore=482 <P>So YES, the cake wasn't supposed to look like that, but most of the branches broke while I was putting them on.&nbsp; The ones on the BACK of the cake looked more like they were supposed to:<BR><A href="http://photo.xanga.com/kansaswolf/2c92f220755945/photo.html" target=_blank></A> <BR>But I've learned my lesson: Don't try to put branches on a cake.&nbsp; &nbsp; </P><br /> <P>So I've moved on to a new skill: roses.&nbsp; I've never done them before, but I thought I'd give it a try.&nbsp; I never liked trying to make them with frosting, so I moved straight to gumpaste.&nbsp; Here was my first try: http://severedheads.org/home/news.php?readmore=481 Last Thursday I received a call from a tech saying he had a melted battery.<br /> Upon receiving this battery in yesterday, I took a picture and sent it to my superiors who then sent it to the battery manufacturer.<br /> They then said its not possible.<br /> I was then told to see if I can reproduce the melted battery.<br /> I was on cloud 9.<br /> I refer to this test as the bucket test.<br /> I dropped a brand new battery into a metal bucket and shorted it out.<br /> A group of us then watched.<br /> About 5 minutes later someone said "This sucks" and everyone left as the battery just sat there.<br /> This was a little after 1.<br /> I return to it several times to check the voltage only to find that its still completely charged.<br /> I venture to stick my hand in the bucket to see how hot the battery was and found it to be comfortably warm.<br /> I checked it before I left at 4:30, it had a slightly diminished charge, but was still good.<br /> I moved the bucket out into the middle of the lot and left it overnight with instructions on how to test it in the morning.<br /> I got a call this morning saying the lid was over 10' away and there wasn't much anything left of the battery.<br /> I forward this new information to my superiors and they then call the manufacturer and tell them that a battery exploded.<br /> There are safety measures in place to keep this from happening under almost any circumstance.<br /> My superiors are then in a conference call with the president of the battery company and found out some interesting facts and have our issue at the top of their priorities.<br /> In conclusion; we're onto a very solid lead as to why batteries have been dying and its all because I blew one up! http://severedheads.org/home/news.php?readmore=480 I've been busy the last 4 days creating a new site. A friend recently expressed interest in training to run a marathon with me, so I thought it would be cool to have a place to log and display training hours, as well as to share resources and give support. Despite the blog's name, it is not just for running, you can log walking, biking, times you tried to flip the 8 foot, 20 lb log end over end, trips to the soda machine, whatever. <br /> <br /> The site is : <a href='http://therunningblog.org' target='_blank'>http://therunningblog.org</a><br /> <br /> The site template is still a little bland, I've spent all of my time working on the backend, getting the logging system and forum up and running. Anyway, the first blog entry up is retelling my marathon experience, check it out =) http://severedheads.org/home/news.php?readmore=479 Strange things happen.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> I'm afraid that is just the beginning.<br /> The keyboard will be attached to allow for the table to swing up without sliding off.