Something I forgot to mention

Kim and Connie duToit will be starting a new internet radio show this weekend on BlogTalkRadio.com .

The show will run on Saturday and Sunday evenings, at 7pm Eastern/6pm Central. You can find a BlogTalkRadio widget to listen to our "preview" show at our new site: www.kimandconnie.com.

Notes on the Saturday show include "What can a conscientious citizen do in this political climate?" and "Holding their feet to the fire".

Looks like it should be interesting; give them a listen if you have some free time.

I have an advertiser!

Blatant capitalism at work... yay!

Preparedness Pantry is actually a really great company. I've done business with them several times; I've always been (at a minimum) satisfied with their goods AND their service.

Actually... their service is downright impressive.

I was really surprised, the first time I ordered some Gamma Lids from them, that the invoice that came in the box was initialed and/or signed by two people - the order picker, and the supervisor who checked the order. That's some pre-emptive customer service right there.

Add to that, I've never gotten anything from PP that my family and I didn't like... their freeze-dried stuff is really good!

They've been working hard on getting their blog out in the social networking circles, with multiple giveaways, etc, but this one is a straight-up $10 gift card for any blogger that puts their button on the blog.

I'll tell all of my readers, this is a fine deal. I've ordered several pieces of hardware, and quite a bit of freeze-dried food, and all of it has been at least as good as I expected. Some better than I expected, and always with top-of-the-line service.

I can recommend Preparedness Pantry wholeheartedly, and say honestly that I'm one of their satisfied customers. Please go check them out, and get your pantry or Bug-Out-Bag just a little bit more squared away.

Doc Russia is home

This guy ranks in the Top 5 Bloggers I'd Like to Meet and Haven't Yet.

I've met Kim du Toit, Rivrdog, DavidWhiteHorse, ThePackingRat, Ry, Josh, and Joe Huffman... great guys all. But I still want to shake hands and do some shooting, and maybe have a beer with Doc Russia.

In other news...

Elvis is NOT dead.

He just went home.

Since it hasn't been in the news for over 24 hours, remember...

Micheal Jackson is still dead.

Today's Life Lesson

Pay attention, folks.

When welding up a repair on a broken piece of farm equipment (or anything else, for that matter), DO NOT:

1) Decide to take a break, and just raise the welding face shield up,
2) Light a cigar, and hold it in your teeth, and
3) Turn up some music that makes you want to nod your head with the beat.

This Life Lesson goes double for anyone with facial hair.

Thatisall.

Lisa Laughs Again

She didn't read the earlier blog post, but when I reminded her of the conversation, she started laughing all over again.

She says I'm paranoid, and dark-minded... but then she laughs almost uncontrollably at the darkest of concepts....

Eh... she married me, that obviously means she has a seriously warped sense of humor.

But I still love it when I can make her bust out laughing.

Good Stuff, Bad Stuff

July 22 isn't a great day for me.

It's the birthday of mine and Lisa's first son, Aaron Taylor. Today is his birthday, but his birthday should have been in November; he was born about 4 months early. 22 July 2004 Aaron Taylor was born and he died about two hours later. His lungs weren't developed enough. Remembering that day hurts like hell; on the other hand, having lived through that, I know I can live through anything. Nothing can hurt me as much as having my first son die in my arms. He would have been five years old today.

But now there's Alex. He's our second son, and he just turned two last month. The Terrible Twos... except not. I don't know who coined the term "Terrible Twos", but I figure they must have been somebody who did NOT believe in discipline.

Alex has only a few rules, but they are firm... and when he tests them, he finds that they ARE firm, so he knows EXACTLY where his boundaries are, and he's a wonderfully-behaved little guy. We've already gotten multiple compliments, from multiple people, on how well-behaved he is, and how fun and playful he is. He's also currently learning about Manners, such as "Please", "Thank You", and "You're Welcome". Pure joy, and I think Dad would be proud.

We also do some unauthorized stuff, when Mama's not around... especially at the shop AKA Dad's Garage (grin) This afternoon, Alex learned about driving the mower. He also learned about stick-fighting, when he picked up a broomstick at the shop and came after Daddy with it... I had to teach him a little bit about using both ends of a good long stick :) That's the kind of thing Mama would totally disapprove of; but she left early to come home and make dinner :) And Alex wound up decently using both ends of his stick, as well as holding one end and using it as a spear :)

I really miss my first little boy, Aaron Taylor Neal, and wish he could be a big brother to Alex. But God giveth, and God taketh away... I quit cursing God a few years ago for taking Aaron Taylor and Daddy from me, now I'm just really happy I have Lisa and Alex, and hopefully, some more little brothers or sisters for Alex in the future.

And yeah, any future little ones will get "unauthorized" training as well, whenever Mama's not looking... I don't intend for ANY of my kids to be "easy pickings" for bullies or criminals.

I miss you, Aaron Taylor, and Mama and I love you very much.