New Years resolution

And progress continues with my resolution to be a healthier eater this year.  

I had to put on a pair of jeans this morning before I could go grocery shopping.  Surprise, surprise, they were size 36 and they fit.

I continue to be motivated by results and today has been good.

Each day begins with treadmill work.  Minimum 10,000 steps a day.  Then controlled eating throughout the day.  Keeping total calories around 1,000.  Eating times are breakfast 6-9, snack 9-12, lunch 12-3, and finally dinner 3-6.  Calories for breakfast 300-400, snack 200-300, lunch 250-350, dinner 200-300.

Amicalola Falls

Jeanie and I are enjoy a bite of breakfast and some coffee before loading the cycle up for our trip to Amicalola Falls today.

First, the check list of what we need to take is nearly complete. Camera; check, Handouts; check, Pen; check, Snacks; check, Water; check.

This ride will take about 2 hours and we will be joined by two or three other bikers.

Looking forward to it.

Hope and Change

It is time to be patriots. Stand up for America.

Web Site Ideas

1. Family tree information with updates possible by all members

2. Venting blogging area

3. Weight loss or fitness/health
a. ideal weight calculator
b. exercise table
c. nutrition table

4. Personal favorites to follow ie, palin

RIP Farrah

Thanks for all the joy and intertainment you brought into my life. You will be missed greatly.

Healthcare

America's health care system is the best in the world. Why are politicians looking for ways to bring it down to the level of the third world countries?

Bailouts Plus

Interesting concept here.

Any corporation receiving funds from the Federal Government will be prevented from donating any funds to political groups, individuals seeking any public office, or any political action committee.

These business will submit a monthly statement online (accountable to the public!!) that will list in detail their epenses. Where there is doubt in the undertanding of the terms used (lawyer speak), then the public can request clarification. If response is not submitted to the public within 72 hours, then no further availability to funds will be in place.

The business can submit a request for funding continuance that must be voted on by the public (online with security). The Federal Government may, upon receiving popular vote (80% affirmative vote online), initiate the availability of acceptance for the corporations to submit their request for funding.

This is "We the people" speaking.

Glenn Beck "The Real America"

Sometimes it makes you laugh,
Other times it makes you cry,
But through it all you wonder why,
You neither do nor die.

My thoughts immediately upon finishing the read of Glenn's book, "The Real America".

Glenn Beck

I have come to look forward to getting relaxed each evening and winding down by watching Glenn Beck at 5pm on the Fox News Channel.

He looks at and provides comments on the current events of the time. Interesting commentary and all around intelligent guy.

He has initiated a program called "The 912 Project". This is a must see site on the web. Get involved.

District Republican Meeting

Looks like Jeanie and I will be traveling to Jasper, Georgia on April 18th for the meeting. I am looking forward to it.

Also will be going to Savannah, Georgia on May 15th and 16th for the State Convention. We will try to get reservations for a meal at Paula Dean's restaurant, "Lady and Sons".

I did attend the Walker County Convention yesterday and helped put the officers in place for those future conventions. Being my first time ever in being involved in the political process was eye opening for me. For someone who avoided politics for the first 40 years of his life, this was a big turn-about.

Avoidance of many issues has been my modus-operandi for most of my life. I had to stop and come to the realization that I couldn't very well rant and rave if I had no stake in the problem or solution. It's like I was a part of the problem I was raving about. So rather than continue to being a part of the problem, I decided to get off the couch and become a part of the solution.

Sure, my solution may not necessarily be the correct one, but it will be mine. I can then promote several reasons why I feel the way I do about the issue and if enough people agree, then we can finesse the wording and continue up the political ladder.

So basically it boils down to this, I refuse to be a sideline soothsayer any longer. Hope that if you are reading this you can offer some encouragement and maybe even join me in makingsu our country a place to want to live in.

Sure I will have to place my ego to the side. I have to realize that my thoughts were formed through many years of social connections that provided me with the substance of thought that will carry me to the end of my timeline. I am what I am and will work with that.

Republican Party Meeting

Well, I guess if I am going to sit and seeth everyday, the least I can do is get involved.

So tomorrow evening at 6pm I am going to make myself available at a meeting of the republican minds. The meeting will be at the historic "Lee & Gordon Mills". Neven been inside, so what better opportunity than this to get that done.

I am looking forward to it. Maybe some of the passion I have for justice will find a proper channel for good.

Roberts Reunion

While I am short on detail at this time, I do know that there will be a Roberts reunion in Virginia on Jun 26, 27, and 28.

I believe it will probably be in the Wise county area.  Will make a new note when I find out for sure.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving day to all. I am thankful that I have so many wonderful friends and family. I am thankful for each of the beautiful grandchildren that is in my life.

Ray's Recovery

Looks like Raymond is coming along just well with his recovery. He has been doing his daily walking to get strength back into his muscles and to build up lung capacity. He should be getting pretty much fed up with hospital living by now and wanting to go on home.

While he has a long way to go, he at least is beginning to adapt. If you want to give him a call his number is:
828-298-7911 ext 4637

Ray Update Nov 20th Evening

We got here about 2pm and went straight to the va hospital. Well, maybe we did take the scenic tour through parts of Asheville.

Raymonds surgery was completed about 1:15 and we got in to see him around 3pm. He was still groggy and couldn't speak because of the tubes and other devices connected to him. He came through real well with a triple bypass operation. The doctor suggested the usual, exercise and non-smoking. When we left Raymond in the room was giving us a thumb's up.

Tomorrow he will be able to talk and will be in a room other than ICU.. They expect that he will be able to go home in about 4 or 5 days.

Ray Update Nov 19th

Ray has moved into the va hospital in Asheville, NC. Tomorrow am he will have the bypass surgery. Jeanie and I will be travelling in the morning and will be there in the afternoon. I will take the laptop and update all.

Ray Update Tue Nov 18

Talked with Sharon while I was on my way home from work. What she knows at this time is that Raymond will be transported either tomorrow or Thursday from Johnson City, Tn to Asheville NC. If that happens then they will do the open heart surgery on Friday.

Here is the information that I googled for va hospital in Ashevlle:

1100 Tunnel RoadAsheville, NC 28805Phone: (828) 298-7911 or (800) 932-6408Fax: (828) 299-2502

If I learn of any thing different I will post.

Ray Update No 2

Just got off the phone with Raymond. They didn't tell hm a whole lot but he thinks they may send him to the VA hospital in Asheville NC. More than likely it will be open heart to fix the blockages. Mom is travelling back to Letcher county with Kristin.

Ray Update

They did the cath today and decided to send Raymond to the VA hospital in North Carolina. Now I will go online to find out where that is. Sheraye said there was quite a bit of blockage in his arteries.

Raymond & Va

It was good to see Raymond again. Also saw mom and Sharon.

Raymond, as always, was his usual hyper self. Sitting in the bed, more like a recliner, and inhaling some sort of white vapor. It's my understanding that it helps the breathing.

He talked about his cause for being there. Apparently, he had felt some discomfort in trying to breath and unusual feelings in his arms. This was enough to get him to go to the hospital in Whitesburg. There they checked him and dispatched an ambulance from the VA hospital in Johnson City, Tn to come pick him up and take him to their facility. Mom and Sharon followed in the car as Raymond waved at them from the back of the ambulance.

The whole time we talked to him, he was being Raymond. Fidgety all the time. So much so that he kept disconnecting the leads that monitored his vital signs. It is easy to tell when you hook up the wrong one. Lights begin to change colors on the monitors.

Of course, we had to share some family history with the nurse. She seemed awed by mom. I can understand that.