Christmas Is Over And I Had A Good Time

I have been thinking (or trying to anyway) all the way back to my childhood.... I think this was the first Christmas EVER that I spent Christmas away from my own family to spend time with someone else well sort of........ I still spent Christmas with my family, we do our Christmas get together on Christmas eve.

On Christmas morning I got up bright and early to catch a flight to Georgia so I could spend Christmas with Amy, her son, & their family. They didn't have a Christmas get together until Friday the 26th so I was able to spend Christmas with them as well. It was funny to watch the small children opening gifts. All the small children in our family are for the most part grown up and some how it's not the same as watching little kids enjoy the gifts.

Brandon got a Wii from Santa I think Amy and I enjoyed playing with that as much as Brandon did. Well other then the fact I about broke my thumb when I hit my hand while playing bowling. Just a little side note: I BEAT AMY AT BOXING!!!! woohoo That's right I knocked her right out. On the Wii of course not for real thought I better say that before someone charges me with abuse....

Amy what a joy it was to spend Christmas with you, Brandon and your family. I am so lucky to have you!!!!

The Duggar Family Part 2

Here is the Duggar Family Web Site from my other post today

The Duggar Family

Wow I saw this news story today.... I can't believe it. If I was this guys wife I think I would have to start saying "Get away from me" LOL

Some more comments will be at the end of this story"

Credit Fox News:

ROGERS, Ark. — An Arkansas woman has given birth to her 18th child.

Michelle Duggar delivered the baby girl by Caesarean section Thursday at Mercy Medical Center in Rogers. The baby, named Jordyn-Grace Makiya Duggar, weighed 7 pounds, 3 ounces and was 20 inches long.

"The ultimate Christmas gift from God," said Jim Bob Duggar, the father of the 18 children. "She's just absolutely beautiful, like her mom and her sisters."

The Duggars now have 10 sons and eight daughters.

Jim Bob Duggar said Michelle started having contractions Wednesday night. She needed the C-section, her third, because the baby was lying sideways. Jim Bob said both baby and mother were doing well Thursday night.

"We both would love to have more," he said.

The cable network TLC broadcasts a weekly show about the Duggars, called "17 Kids and Counting." Chris Finnegan of TLC — which handles public relations for the Duggar family — said the show's name would be updated to account for the latest addition to the family. He said TLC also will air a show Monday on the baby's delivery.

I think its great that they want to have a BIG family they are stronger and make much more money then I do to be able to support all the children in that family. What is interesting is this story is close to the same facts that I always find with these big families. I have written about big Christian families. I did post here about a Big family who's vehicles we service. I have 3 questions one of them I asked the last time I posted about this.

1. What is it about "conservative" Christian families that makes them want to have hug families
   
2. Do you really think they are being good to our planet and it resources? I mean 18 children that family is using allot of consumable goods are they not?
   
3. Again there are enough children in this world that need a good home what about adoption?
   

No Cake For Adolf Hitler

Some times I read things that just make me shake my head.... I'm sorry what kind of parent names their child Adolf Hitler? Yes yes I know its just a name BUT it's not a name to be proud of is it? And ALL of you and I know it won't really matter what we think. Just think about all the torment this kid is going to have to deal with in school? I don't know it makes no sense to me.

EASTON, Pennsylvania — The father of 3-year-old Adolf Hitler Campbell, denied a birthday cake with the child's full name on it by one New Jersey supermarket, is asking for a little tolerance.

Heath Campbell and his wife, Deborah, are upset not only with the decision made by the nearby ShopRite, but also with an outpouring of angry Internet postings in response to a local newspaper article about the cake.

Heath Campbell, who is 35, said in an interview Tuesday that people should look forward, not back, and accept change.

"They need to accept a name. A name's a name. The kid isn't going to grow up and do what (Hitler) did," he said.

After ShopRite refused the request for the cake as inappropriate, the Campbells got a cake decorated at a Wal-Mart in Pennsylvania, Deborah Campbell said.

About 12 people attended the birthday party on Sunday, according to Heath Campbell.

The Campbells' other two children also have unusual names: JoyceLynn Aryan Nation Campbell turns 2 in a few months and Honszlynn Hinler Jeannie Campbell will be 1 in April.

Heath Campbell said he named his son after Adolf Hitler because he liked the name and because "no one else in the world would have that name."

Campbell said his ancestors are German and that he has lived all his life in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, which is across the Delaware River from Easton.

PEOPLE WHO READ THIS...

Those Dang Christmas Shoes

Well I knew it was going to happen sooner or later I heard it on the radio just a little bit ago.... "Christmas Shoes" You know the song about the little boy buying his mom the Christmas Shoes. I like that song BUT do they have to play it while I am at work. You see I work around a bunch of men "tough guys" if you will. And you see the issue is that Christmas Shoes song makes me cry. It makes me cry EVERY TIME I hear it. There is nothing I can do about it when it comes on I have to listen and then soon after it starts I start crying.

You see most people that know me closely know that I am a very tender, caring, and kind person Although at times I am very harsh and don't seem very compassionate towards others. Again don't misread my lack of compassion sometimes. My lack of compassion is towards people who are freeloaders whiners & people that generally get on my nerves or take advantage of others or government systems.

But if I had a little boy infront of me like this one in the song I would for sure have to help him out how could you not.?

I will post the words to the song for you....

It was almost christmas time
there i stood in another line
trying to buy that last gift or two
im really in the christmas mood
standing right in front of me
was a little boy waiting anxiously
pacing around like little boys do
and in his hands he held
a pair of shoes

and his clothes were worn and old
he was dirty from head to toe
and when it came his time to pay
i couldn't believe what i heard him say

Sir i wanna buy these shoes for my momma please
its christmas eve and these shoes are just her size
could u hurry sir?
daddy says there's not much time
you see she's been sick for quite a while
and i know these shoes will make her smile
and i want her to look beautiful
if momma meets jesus tonight

they counted pennies for what seemed like years
and the cashier says son there's not enough here
he searched his pockets franticly
then he turned and he looked at me
and he said momma made christmas good at our house
most years she just did without
tell me sir
what am i gonna do?
some how i gotta buy her these christmas shoes

so i laid the money down
i just had to help him out
and i'll never forget
the look on his face
when he said momma's gonna look so great

sir i wanna buy these shoes for my momma please
it's christmas eve and these shoes are just her size
could u hurry sir?
daddy says there's not much time
you see she's been sick for quite a while
and i know these shoes will make her smile
and i want her to look beautiful
if momma meets jesus tonight

i knew i caught a glimpse of heaven's love as he thanked me and ran out
i knew that god had sent that little boy to remind me
what christmas is all about

sir i wanna buy these shoes for my momma please
it's christmas eve and these shoes are just her size
could u hurry sir?
daddy says there's not much time
you see she's been sick for quite a while
and i know these shoes will make her smile
and i want her to look beautiful
if momma meets jesus tonight

i want her to look beautiful
if momma meets jesus tonight

Let us not forget what Christmas is all about. Lets all help who we can help this year even if its something small .

Everyone have a GREAT DAY!

Whats wrong with people

Parents have flooded a British primary school with complaints after a teacher told a room of tearful seven-year-olds that "it's your parents who leave out presents on Christmas Day," The Daily Mail reported.

Outraged parents were sent a letter saying the substitute teacher at Blackshaw Lane Primary School in Royton, Greater Manchester, had been disciplined.

The class of 25 allegedly became rowdy talking about Santa Claus and the teacher blurted out that he did not exist in an effort to calm them down, The Mail reported.

"My son came home and said that his substitute teacher had told the class that Santa doesn't exist," one father told The Mail. "I thought it was wrong. He was distraught about it. He's only seven-years-old and it's part of the magic of Christmas to him."

You know its one thing if you and your family don't believe in Santa. But what is wrong with this guy these kids were only 7 years old. :( I feel bad for them I still to this day remember the first time that a cousin of mine told some of us that Santa was not real.

Not A Ford Man but...

Well well well.... I got to tell you I am not a Ford man I never have been I just have never really cared that much for Fords. I have always been a GM man until my last purchase of a Honda. But this might make me take a look at Ford the next time I need a car or truck. Way to go Ford for being able to hang on with out Government money my hats off to you!

Part of the story from Fox News..

DEARBORN, Mich.--By shunning government loans, Ford Motor Co.'s (F: 3.12, -0.11, -3.41%) top executives say they hope to buff up the automaker's image and set it apart from its cash-starved Detroit competitors, General Motors Corp.(GM: 4.53, -0.17, -3.60%) and Chrysler LLC.

GM and Chrysler are in desperate need of government money and may not last until the end of the year without it. But Ford set up $23.5 billion worth of credit back in 2006, and both Chief Executive Alan Mulally and Executive Chairman Bill Ford Jr. told The Associated Press Tuesday they are confident that the borrowing, coupled with restructuring and new product plans, will get them through the recession without relying on the government.

Ford even said the century-old company that bears his family's name might be able to use the independence from loans to its advantage.

"I think if they see Ford as a company trying to pull itself up by its own bootstraps, and making it on its own and pulling the right levers, I think that could be a positive for us," Ford said.

Mulally said Ford has completed much of the restructuring that Congress is demanding of the other two, slimming down its brands by selling Jaguar, Land Rover and Aston Martin and studying the sale of Sweden's Volvo.

Ford, he said, has cut its factory capacity to match demand, and it anticipates no further cuts will be necessary as long as the U.S. auto market doesn't worsen considerably. The company has announced the closure of 17 factories and eliminated 50,000 jobs since 2005, many through buyout and early retirement offers.

An Interesting Take On Creation & Evolution

I thought this was an interesting take on evolution from Bush's mind.

WASHINGTON -- President George W. Bush said his belief that God created the world is not incompatible with the scientific theory of evolution.

In an interview with ABC's "Nightline" on Monday, the president also said he probably is not a literalist when reading the Bible although an individual can learn a great deal from it, including the New Testament teaching that God sent his only son.

Asked about creation and evolution, Bush said: "I think you can have both. I think evolution can -- you're getting me way out of my lane here. I'm just a simple president. But it's, I think that God created the earth, created the world; I think the creation of the world is so mysterious it requires something as large as an almighty and I don't think it's incompatible with the scientific proof that there is evolution."

He added, "I happen to believe that evolution doesn't fully explain the mystery of life."

This is just part of the interview with him... I would have to say I am in agreement that there HAS TO be something other then JUST evolution. BUT I still say if there is a God he has turned his back on us....... There is to much suffering in this world to believe any other way. Plus I have a real hard time in believing in something I have NEVER seen.

Am I wrong about this

This is a paragraph from our paper. With all the Christmas tree lighting's I have heard this many times in the last few weeks. I even heard them use this phrase on WTOP News radio when talking about the tree lighting in Washington DC .

In the town’s first tree-lighting ceremony, town officials lighted a blue spruce in Veterans Park along Water Street at about 6:10 p.m.

lighted? should it not be lit?

In The Dog House

You know one advantage to being single for ALL of my 38 years so far is.... I can learn from other men what NOT to give my wife for a gift when I do get to the point where I am married that is.... Enjoy this I thought it was funny.... Thanks Amy for showing this to me.


Beware of the Doghouse- Hilarious! - Watch more Free Videos

If An Everyday Joe Had Done This

You know I read this and think to myself........ should something happen to this guy?

A Washington County Sheriff's Department cruiser on Monday night "lunged" through the window at AC&T, 21411 Jefferson Boulevard in Smithsburg, Maj. Bob Leatherman said.

Deputy Jeremey Kuhnke, who was operating the cruiser, probably forgot to put the car into park, Leatherman said. As Kuhnke was getting back into the vehicle, he probably hit the gas, causing the vehicle to jump the curb and hit the storefront, Leatherman said.

No one was injured in the accident.

The vehicle caused about $3,000 in damage to two windows, and the sheriff's department is working with its insurance provider to cover the damage, Leatherman said.

Kuhnke has been with the sheriff's department for 1 1/2 years. The department is treating the incident as an accident, Leatherman said.

- Erin Julius

You know this deputy should be charged with something

1. It says he probably forgot to put the car in park
2. When he got back into the car he probably hit the gas.... & the vehicle jumped the curb and hit the store front???

It is illegal for someone to leave their car running unattended You can be charged or get a ticket if you do it...... I am sure if this had happened to a regular person..... They would have been charged with negligence or something and maybe the charge for leaving the car run as well.
Sorry Deputy YOU DON'T GET A PASS FROM ME!

Not News To Me Or My Boss

I saw this today on the Fox News web site. I can tell you it is not news for us here at Autoworx LLC. How many of you that know me have heard me say we saw our first declines in early 2007 April as a matter of fact. The report says the recession started in December of 2007 but we saw signs as early as April....

The U.S. economy has been in a recession since December 2007, the National Bureau of Economic Research said Monday.

The NBER -- a private, nonprofit research organization -- said its group of academic economists who determine business cycles met and decided that the U.S. recession began last December.

The White House commented on the news that a second downturn has officially begun on President George W. Bush's watch without ever actually using the word "recession," a term the president and his aides have repeatedly avoided. Instead, spokesman Tony Fratto remarked upon the fact that NBER "determines the start and end dates of business cycles."

"What's important is what is being done about it," Fratto said. "The most important things we can do for the economy right now are to return the financial and credit markets to normal, and to continue to make progress in housing, and that's where we'll continue to focus."

Many economists believe the current downturn will last until the middle of 2009, and will be the most severe slump since the 1981-82 recession.

By one benchmark, a recession occurs whenever the gross domestic product, the total output of goods and services, declines for two consecutive quarters. However, the NBER's dating committee uses broader and more precise measures.

The GDP did contract by 0.2% at an annual rate in the fourth quarter of 2007. However, that drop was followed by a 0.9% rate of increase in the first quarter and a 2.8% spurt in the second quarter, when the economy was boosted by the distribution of millions of economic stimulus payments.

However, employment, one of the measurements tracked by the NBER, has been falling since January.

The GDP turned negative again in the July-September quarter of this year, falling at an annual rate of 0.5%. Many economists believe the GDP is falling in the current quarter at an even sharper rate of 4%, and that the economy won't begin to rebound until late 2009.

In a news release, the NBER said its cycle dating committee held a telephone conference call on Friday and made the determination on when the recession began. Founded in 1920, the NBER has more than 1,000 university professors and researchers who act as bureau associates, studying how the economy works

The NBER decision means that the economic expansion lasted from November 2001 until December 2007. Economic expansions peak and recessions begin in the same month, according to the NBER's dating methods.

The decision on the recession means that during the eight years that Bush has been in office, the U.S. has seen two recessions. The first downturn lasted from March 2001 until November of that year.