sparkypantsyo's Xanga

UPDATE

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 12:10:55 GMT

UPDATE...

Monday, June 09, 2008

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 12:58:49 GMT

I have decided to just post here everytime I update my blog with the word "UPDATE" with the link to my blog...LEAVE COMMENTS on the new one...no signing up or nothing...

www.helmet-decals.com/rantings

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Tue, 27 May 2008 11:17:26 GMT

UPDATE...

www.helmet-decals.com/rantings

MOVED

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 20:05:43 GMT

After 4 years or so on xanga...I am moving to my own blog on my own site...

www.helmet-decals.com/rantings

So visit me there...

Jack

Snow Day

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 14:26:41 GMT

I like snow...I really do...however, I do not like snow, rain, snow, 10 degrees, 40 degrees, 20 degrees, 35 degrees, melt, freeze, snow, melt...do you get my point? That is the way things have been around here...so I finally took a snow day with the kids. I have been working 50 miles north for the past 3+ months and driving can be terrible (it usually takes me 45-50 minutes...there have been a handful of days where it took me over an hour and a half...today would have been one of those days). It also doesn't help when you have to use a tow truck to get you out of your driveway...STUPID PLOW TRUCKS!

Sorry Erin...I am not posting any pics of our winter wonderland...you will have to use your "imagination"...I think we have around 18" of snow on the ground...and to think we lost it all last week when it rained and was 45 degrees out...before the rain and warmth there was about a foot...

Driving home Wednesday was a blast...we had this blizzard come in around 2pm...visibility was next to nothing...well, I had to drive in it. The roads were covered with a combination of snow, slush and ice...too bad people weren't driving like there were bad road conditions...surprisingly enough...I only saw 3 cars in the ditch over the entire 50 mile drive. I was almost one of them...the car driving next to me started to lose control of their vehicle. They thought they would change lanes...the thing is...I was in the other lane. By the time they saw me they didn't have a lot of room or time to compensate and started swerving in the snow...I slowed down so I wouldn't get hit...he did recover and went on his merry little way...probably with a wet seat though.

I do have to say this...I LOVE HAVING A "TEENAGER"...they make great sidewalk and driveway shovelers...(is shoveler a word? It is now). And yes, Jesse will be a full fledge teenager in a couple months...scary.

Okay...I am done...bye

"monthly update"

Sat, 26 Jan 2008 12:44:17 GMT

Since it has been a month since my last update...

Not much has been going on here in the life of the Miller household...I have been working 6 days a week since November and am enjoying a rare Saturday off today.

A couple of Saturdays I did go to Grand Rapids after work and went to the Auto Rama...I didn't go to see the cars (although there were some beauties...like this '63 Corvette Stingray ragtop and the "General Lee") I went to see Charlie Sanders. Sanders was a Tight End for the Detroit Lions in the 1960's and 70's and was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame last year. He also played college ball at Minnesota. Just a week before he came to town I made a Minnesota helmet from the 1960's with his number on it. It wasn't till after I made the helmet that I found out he was going to be in town...so I HAD to get it signed.

While standing in line people looked at me funny because I had this odd white helmet with the number 87 on it with maroon and yellow stripes. Everyone else had Detroit Lions stuff. Finally a few people asked me what I was bringing...so I explained and they thought it was cool. Then it was my turn to see Mr. Sanders...

He was still talking to the person in front of me when I put my helmet in front of him...when he turned and saw the helmet (the exact replica of his helmet in college), his eyes got big, his jaw dropped and then a smile appeared on his face as he stated he hasn't seen one of those in a long time and how mine was in much better condition than his. I could tell by looking at him he was going down memory lane. He even signed it "Charlie Sanders #87...his college number (he wore #88 in the pros and was signing the rest of the stuff "Charlie Sanders HOF 07). As he handed it back to me he said I made his entire week...

How often do you go to get an autograph from a celebrity and end up wowing them?

The only other news is Church related...and I am going to refrain from giving many details because well...

Our Church is in transition...we lost two Pastors in December/January...that should say enough. I have decided to be more "active" in the Church...I attended my first Elders meeting this week and plan on going to many more (like all of them) down the road. I must say though...I was quite encouraged listening to the men talk and I would encourage others to go.

Besides that...life on the home front is GREAT!

Till next month...

Jack

Christmas

Wed, 26 Dec 2007 00:42:13 GMT

Just a quick post for Christmas...

We had a great Holiday Season this year...it all started Friday evening. We left for Jenny's Parents for the weekend (her two brothers, sister-in-law and two nephews along with her mom and dad) all meeting at one place for 3 days. That adds up to 13 people in one house and it doesn't really seem too cramped.

We opened gifts (three different times) on Saturday. Kids in the morning, adults in the afternoon and then the kids again in the evening. Jenny and I got a date for Christmas. Her one brother gave us gift cards for TGIFridays and her other brother gave us popcorn and a movie rental from Blockbuster. We will have to take advantage of this on New Years Eve...it's the only time we will have to ourselves (kids are going to my Mom's for the night).

This morning we had Christmas with the three oldest kids and then with Jaylen when she decided to wake up. I have some pics from this one. Jaylen got a bouncing Zebra toy...she LOVES it!!!

The pic of Jesse is from my Mom's house. We went there for Lunch/Dinner and opened gifts with the rest of my family. The next pic is just for fun...isn't she a cutie?

Merry Christmas

Jack

The Nutcracker Suite

Sun, 16 Dec 2007 12:58:28 GMT

Jordan and I went to see the Nutcracker last night at the Grand Rapids Ballet...it was our first real "date". We started with dinner at Fridays and walked the Mall for a while (doing a little shopping too). We stopped in Bath and Body Works and I bought her some American Girl Makeup. We also ran into her 3rd grade teacher and she had to tell Jordan how beautiful she looked (and so did every other person we came into contact with Saturday night). Jordan was really excited about seeing the Nutcracker live for the first time. She could not wait for it to start after we got our seats. On the way up the elevator I felt out numbered...I was the only man in an elevator full of women. So I did what any good man would do in a situation like that...I stood in the corner.

Every time I looked at Jordan during the performance she had a huge smile on her face...ear to ear. Needless to say Jordan enjoyed herself...and so did I. Below is a pic of Jordan and I before we left...isn't she pretiful?

I don't know why I do these...

Fri, 16 Nov 2007 23:29:32 GMT

1. What is on your mind?
Finances…why? I do not know…I guess it is out of habit

2. What body part do you hate?
HATE? That seems to be such a harsh word…I would have to say throat…due to acid reflux

3. Where is your biological father right now?
Um…working?

4. Where was the last place you made out?
First of all I am married…married people don’t “make out”, they kiss passionately…Second…it is none of your business

5. What body part do you wash first in the shower?
Hair first, face last

6. Do you have any piercings?
Left ear

7. Do you have any tattoos?
Not at this very moment…but one day maybe. I have to come up with a good design first

8. Is your driveway steep?
I currently am without a driveway

9. Name five things you did today:
Accidently turned the radio on on my alarm clock…went to work…went to the Chiropractor…kissed my wife…hugged my kids

10. Have you ever been tied up?
Like with a rope? Only for fun (reenacting “Along came Jones” in College…I was the girl)

11. Last person you text messaged?
I have NEVER sent a text message

12. Have you ever had two dates in one night?
Does taking two girls to Homecoming count?

13. What have you eaten today?
I had a Christmas Cupcake (Little Debbie) at 8 am…a Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pop Tart at 9:30 am…2 PB&J sandwiches with a bowl of Taco Doritos at Noon…Oven Fried Chicken, mashed tators and stuffing at 6:15 pm

14. Which shoe do you put on first?
Whichever one I pick up first

15. Are you an expert on any subject?
I am not an expert at anything…I am a “Jack of all trades and master of none”…hopefully that will change one day

16. Tell me exactly what you are wearing right now?
Mel Trotter “Golf Marathon of Hope” T-Shirt and my favorite Reebok jogging pants

8. Where is the last person you kissed right now?
Walking into our bedroom

19. Did you kiss before you were 13?
I was 1 hour away from being 16 and never been kissed…

20. What was the last text you received say?
I don’t know…it was spam

21. What is the last thing you do before you go to bed at night?
Turn my alarm on

22. Have you ever kissed anyone named Amanda?
Nope…that is one name I missed as a teen

23. What did you do last night?
Went to the bank to deposit my Paycheck…came home and crashed on the couch

24. First time you kissed the last person you kissed?
Right before dinner (about 45 minutes ago)

25. What was your childhood nickname?
Jesse (only certain people), Little Jack (I am a Junior and only my Dad’s side called me that)

26. What would you change about your life right now?
Employers

27. How do you feel about public displays of affection?
Depends on the display…a kiss or hug is fine…but when people are grabbing each other’s buttocks…that is another story…GET A ROOM!!!

28. Whats the weirdest thing you have done while driving?
Changed my clothes…from shirt to pants to shoes…

29. Have you ever bitten your nails?
Yes…but not nearly like I used to…

30. Do you live alone?
Like I said…I am married and I also have 4 kids…

31. What is your happy place?
The Right side of the couch with the recliner…

32. Do you like someone right now?
I would hope so after the answers you've already read....

33. Can you keep a secret?
Sometimes

34. What was the best year of your life?
2006 (so far)

35. Do you have any strange phobias?
Just the whole port-a-potty tipping over with me in it…

36. Have you ever stuck a foreign object up your nose?
Nope…my fingers were made in the USA

37. Your favorite romantic movie is?
I’m a guy…ROMANTIC??? Probably Pride and Prejudice

39. Are you happy with your living arrangement?
More than you could ever imagine

40. Have you ever played naked Twister?
NEVER…

41. What are your plans for Thanksgiving?
Going to Grandma’s

TIRED!!!

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 23:33:30 GMT

So it is great that I got a job and all...but I am dead tired! I am getting up at 4:45 AM..leaving at 5 AM. I get to work just before 6 AM and get out at 4:30 PM. I don't get home till 5:30 PM...that means I am away from home for 12 and a half hours!!!

Working at a real Electrical job does feel good, 10 hours of nothing but electrical work...running conduit, pulling wire...NOT unclogging toilets and changing light bulbs. I was talking to my supervisor today and he believes I will be working on this job for around 6-8 months and then working full time with them after that. (I am working for them through a tradesmen "temporary agency"). If I do work there full time, my pay will go up even more!

One other thing...there is NO STRESS on this job!!! I am not concerned about people watching me or having to worry about what people are going to say...it is so nice. I do miss the lunches at the Mission...I have gone from prime rip, new york strip, thai pork...to PB&J...but no complains. My lovely wife takes care of me...she makes my lunches for me every night...I love her very much (and not just cuz she makes my lunches)...

OK bye...