George Washington ... Prophetic? Who knew??!?

So it was probably about three to four months ago and my mom(Delite) had us watch a video called Finger of God. If you havent seen or heard - www.fingerofgodfilm.com - check it out. just know that the video will stretch you, wreck you, and make you consider your faith or maybe the lack of in our most awesome God and creator.

Anyways ... I watched the film, changed forever, watched it again with Manda and the kids, watched excerpts again on YouTube. I started digging around the net and found Heidi Bakers site and another titled Extreme Prophetic. While parusing those sites I found a historical account of George Washington that blew my mind. At first it made me kind of upset, because I had NEVER EVER heard stories like this about our founding fathers. Pretty pathetic really that our historical accounts, documents are being stripped of these types of amazing stories. Enough of my jibber-jabber ... on with the document. Its kind of a long read, but its WAY COOL!!!! Read on. :)

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GEORGE WASHINGTON'S PROPHESY OF AMERICA

The father of our country, George Washington, was a man of prayer. We have all read of how he went to the thicket many times to pray during the winter his army was at Valley Forge. However, little publicity has been given to the vision and prophecy he received at that time. The account of this vision was given in 1859 by an old soldier. He gave it to a writer, Wesley Bradshaw, who published it. In the vision God revealed to George Washington that three great perils would come upon the Republic. He was given to know that America was going through the first peril at that time. The old soldier who told the story of the vision said that the nation would soon see the account verified by the second peril descending upon the land. We give the account here as it was reprinted in the U. S. war veterans' paper The National Tribune, in December, 1880. The National Tribune is now called The Stars and Stripes. This article was reprinted in the Stars and Stripes December 21,1950. Here is the report of this phenomenal and most important heavenly message for us at this hour. Wesley Bradshaw wrote: The last time I ever saw Anthony Sherman was on the fourth of July 1859, in Independence Square. He was then ninety-nine years old, and becoming very feeble. But though so old, his dimming eyes rekindled as he gazed upon Independence Hall, which he came to visit once more.

MESSAGE DISCLOSED
"Let us go into the hall," he said. "I want to tell you of an incident of Washington's life-one which no one alive knows of except myself; and if you live, you will before long see it verified. Mark the prediction, you will see it verified." "From the opening of the Revolution we experienced all phases-of fortune, now good and now ill, one time victorious and another conquered. The darkest period we had, I think, was when Washington after several reverses, retreated to Valley Forge, where he resolved to pass the winter of 1777. Ah! I have often seen the tears coursing down our dear commander's care-worn cheeks, as he would be conversing with a confidential officer about the condition of his poor soldiers. You have doubtless heard the story of Washington's going to the thicket to pray. Well, it was not only true, but he used often to pray in secret for aid and comfort. And God brought us safely through the darkest days of tribulation." "One day, I remember it well, the chilly winds whistled through the leafless trees, though the sky was cloudless and the sun shone brightly. He remained in his quarters nearly all the afternoon, alone. When he came out I noticed that his face was a shade paler than usual, and there seemed to be something on his mind of more than ordinary importance. Returning just after dusk, he dispatched an orderly to the quarters of an officer, who was presently in attendance. After a preliminary conversation of about half an hour, Washington, gazing upon his companion with that strange look of dignity which he alone could command, said to
the latter:

AN UNINVITED GUEST
"I do not know whether it is owing to the anxiety of my mind, or what, but this afternoon, as I was sitting at this table engaged in preparing a dispatch, something in the apartment seemed to disturb me. Looking up, I beheld standing opposite me a singularly beautiful being. So astonished was I, for I had given strict orders not to be disturbed that it was some moments before I found language to inquire the cause of the visit. A second, a third, and even a fourth time did I repeat my question, but received no answer from my mysterious visitor except a slight raising of the eyes." "By this time I felt strange sensations spreading through me. I would have risen but the riveted gaze of the being before me rendered volition impossible. I assayed once more to speak, but my tongue had become useless, as if paralyzed. A new influence, mysterious, potent, irresistible, took possession of me. All I could do was to gaze steadily, vacantly at my unknown visitor." "Gradually the surrounding atmosphere seemed to fill with sensations, and grew luminous. Everything about me seemed to rarefy, the mysterious visitor also becoming more airy and yet more distinct to my sight than before. I began to feel as one dying, or rather to experience the sensations, which I have sometimes imagined, accompany death. I did not think, I did not reason, I did not move. All were alike impossible. I was only conscious of gazing fixedly, vacantly at my companion."

FIRST GREAT PERIL
"Presently I heard a voice saying, 'Son of the Republic, look and learn,' while at the same time my visitor extended an arm eastward. I now beheld a heavy white vapor at some distance rising fold upon fold. This gradually dissipated, and I looked upon a strange scene. Before me lay, spread out in one vast plain, all the countries of the world-Europe, Asia, Africa and America. I saw rolling and tossing between Europe and America the billows of the Atlantic, and between Asia and America lay the Pacific. 'Son of the Republic,' said the same mysterious voice as before, 'look and learn.' "At that moment I beheld a dark, shadowy being, like an angel, standing, or rather floating in mid-air, between Europe and America. Dipping water out of the ocean in the hollow of each hand, he sprinkled some upon America with his right hand, while with his left he cast some over Europe. Immediately a cloud arose from these countries, and joined - in mid-ocean. For awhile it remained stationary, and then it moved slowly westward, until it enveloped America in its murky folds. Sharp flashes of lightning gleamed through it at intervals, and I heard the smothered groans and cries of the American people.

SECOND GREAT PERIL
"A second time the angel dipped water from the ocean and sprinkled it out as before. The dark cloud was then drawn back to the ocean, in whose heaving billows it sank from view." "A third time I heard the mysterious voice saying, 'Son of the Republic, look and learn.' I cast my eyes upon America and beheld villages and towns and cities springing Up one after another until the whole land from the Atlantic to the Pacific was dotted with them. Again, I heard the mysterious voice say, 'Son of the Republic, the end of the century comes, look and learn." "And this time the dark shadowy angel turned his face southward. From Africa I saw an ill-omened specter approach our land. It flitted slowly and heavily over every town and city of the latter. The inhabitants presently set themselves in battle array against each other.

As I continued looking I saw a bright angel on whose brow rested a crown of light, on which was traced the word 'UNION.' He was bearing the American flag. He placed the flag between the divided nation and said, 'Remember, you are brethren.' "Instantly the inhabitants, casting down their weapons, became friends once more and united around the National Standard." "Again I heard the mysterious voice saying, 'Son of the Republic look and learn.' At this the dark, shadowy angel placed a trumpet to his mouth, and blew three distinct blasts; and taking water from the ocean, he sprinkled it upon Europe, Asia and Africa.

THIRD AND MOST FEARFUL PERIL
"Then my eyes beheld a fearful scene. From each of these continents arose thick black clouds that were soon joined into one. And throughout this mass there gleamed a dark red light by which I saw hordes of armed men. These men, moving with the cloud, marched by land and sailed by sea to America, which country was enveloped in the volume of cloud. And I dimly saw these vast armies devastate the whole country and ~ the villages, towns and cities which I had seen springing up." "As my ears listened to the thundering of the cannon, clashing of the swords, and the shouts and cries of millions in mortal combat, I again heard the mysterious voice saying, 'Son of the Republic, look and learn." Where the voice had ceased, the dark shadowy angel placed his trumpet once more to his mouth, and blew a long and fearful blast."

HEAVEN INTERVENES
"Instantly a light as of a thousand suns shone down from above me, and pierced and broke into fragments the dark cloud which enveloped America. At the same moment the angel upon whose head still shown the word UNION, and who bore our national flag in one hand, and a sword in the other, descended from the heavens attended by, legions of white spirits. These immediately joined the inhabitants of America, who I perceived were well-nigh overcome, but who immediately taking courage again, closed up their broken ranks and renewed the battle." "Again, amid the fearful noise of the conflict I heard the mysterious voice saying, 'Son of the Republic, look and learn.' As the voice ceased the shadowy angel for the last time dipped water from the ocean and sprinkled it upon America. Instantly the dark cloud rolled back, together with the armies it had brought, leaving the inhabitants of the land victorious."

"Then once more, I beheld the villages, towns and cities springing up where I had seen them before, while the bright angel, planting the azure standard he had brought in the midst of them, cried with the loud voice: "While the stars remain, and the heaven send down dew upon the earth, so long shall the UNION last." And taking from his brow the crown on which blazoned the word 'UNION,' he placed it upon the Standard while the people, kneeling down, said 'Amen."

THE INTERPRETATION
The scene instantly began to fade and dissolve, and I, at last saw nothing but the rising, curling vapor I at first beheld. This also disappeared, and I found myself once more gazing upon the mysterious visitor, who, in the same voice I had heard before, said, 'Son of the Republic, what you have seen is thus interpreted; Three great perils will come upon the Republic. The most fearful for her is the third. But the whole world united shall not prevail against her. Let every child of the Republic learn to live for his God, his land, and UNION" With these words the vision vanished, and I started from my seat and felt that I had seen a vision wherein had been shown me the birth, the progress, and the destiny of the United States.'"

'Such, my friends," the venerable narrator concluded, were the words I heard from Washington's own lips, and America will do well to profit by them."

Blessed Christmas

To any who come across and read this posting I wish you had a most Blessed and spirit filled Merry Christmas. The day is now come and gone but not over.

I have so many things to be thankful for ... so many blessings upon my life. My wife is the most amazing and wonderful being ever to grace my life. Thank you Jesus for crossing our paths some eight and a half years ago.

My kids rock! They bring so much joy to my life and the mantle of grace and Jesus filled nature is surely laid upon them. Both of my kids are manifesting the love and supernatural powers of our awesome God more and more each day, but there is something most special happening in Eli. He calls his hands magic hands. :) We dropped the kids off at my mom's last night so they could spend some extra Christmas time with their Nanna and Poppy. Before we left there was mention of Randy(my step-dad) cutting his chin with a razor last week while shaving and how it is completely healed, no mark, nothing. My mom turned to Manda and I and said - last week when Randy showed the kids his cut, Eli turned to Madeline and said "come on Madeline, when two come togethor prayers are answered". They laid hands on Randy and well ... the cut healed extraordinarily quick. Kids ... specially at the age of five dont talk like that. At least not most kids I know ... I think its awesome and it excites me to see them both grow. I LOVE IT!!!!

Whats more amazing than a simple cut being healed is the power and ministry Jesus is doing through our kids to the people in their lives that they are touching and will in the future. I LOVE IT! Thank you Jesus!

So Christmas Eve? It was nice ... laid back as usual, kids had a blast with their cousins, and the adults had a really awesome time just sitting around talking, laughing, and opening up some very practical gifts. Sure there was some "want" gifts thrown into the mix but definately needed gifts given for everyone.

My in-law's are a couple of amazing, spirit filled, loving, oh heck scratch the "in-law" word and lets just call them parents, because I definately regard them with the love and respect that parents deserve. I have never been one to purchase or investigate companion books to the Bible. Ya I have devotional/inspirational books of sorts, but never a study guide IE Strongs, etc. Anyways ... they gave me the Hayford Bible Handbook this year which is really cool from what I have flipped through so far. Im excited to dig in and start uncovering some new treasures. Manda and I also both recieved the book Love Dare, which is a study spun off from the movie Fireproof that was in the theatres this fall. Manda and I didnt make it to the movie, but we will be going through the study sometime soon. Its a forty day excercise that honestly Im scared/apprehensive to go through. BUT! I know that something amazing will come out of it because of those feelings and I am excited to press in and see what our most awesome and mighty God does.

Ive learned something the later half of this year ... that when I have feelings of doubt, fear, apprehension towards something or somewhere I am most likely to meet God in or at, then I need to step out and get to that place as soon as possible. Those are the most important times in our lives because thats when the most amazing and supernatural experiences happen.

Well I think that is all for now ... again Merry Christmas and a most blessed new year to you and your family.

Thank you Jesus ... I love you!

One more day!!!

Oooooh Christmas time, I can not believe that it is upon us already. It seems like just yesterday my dad and I were working ourselves to death in the back yard on our deck.

And what is up with the crazy weather?!!?? Two Sundays ago we walk out to the van to head to church and the temp read 51 degrees. In a matter of 15 minutes it had dropped to 37 and by the time service was over it was a balmy 17 degrees. Hahaha got to love Iowa weather.

I have a newfound love for Christmas this year ... thank you Jesus. In the past it has been almost a chore and not even really enjoyable. Filled with stressfull shopping and anticipation/ill thoughts of the multiple trips to the parents(times 3), two more Christmas gatherings some years for my divorced grandparents, and on top of that hauling of WAY TO MUCH stuff back home.

So whats different about this year over the rest? Simple, the miracle of Gods love for us through His most special gift ... Jesus.

I have heard the "story" hundreds of times and as I have believed for so many years, the words have transformed to something so much more, of a precious baby Jesus that was given to us as the greatest sacrifice we will ever know.

The story is absolutely amazing to consider the people involved and what they had to have gone through - physically, mentally, and emotionally. I mean lets just take Mary and Joseph for the sake of me not writing till my fingers bleed and you stop reading this to check out the latest item on woot.com. So heres this dude who see's this hottie going back and forth to the well or tending a field or whatever they did in that time, probably pays some crazy dowry for Mary's hand, and between the time they are "engaged" and the ceremony/consemation of their marriage happens the Holy Spirit swoops down and BLAMO! Mary is prego, bun in the oven, etc. OK so ya thats wierd, but what about Mary!!!

Imagine her sitting down taking a break and the angel Gabriel presents before her and exclaims she is carrying the Son of God. I can not imagine what these two went through ... people are no more synical now than they where then. So my guess is A) people thought she was a tramp or B) that her and Joseph came togethor before being wed. Both being EXTREMELY scandalis for that day and age.

Then you have Joseph ... by the way I think Joseph has to be one of the most honerable dudes in history. He could have said she was nuts, said forget this chick, and found another to marry. He could have joined in with the rest of the village and stoned her for committing adultry. NO! He listened to the almighty God, said to heck with my reputation and did whatever God told him to do. They both did ... said forget my reputation, listened to God, and followed His instruction in their lives.

Speed forward nine months to the birth of Jesus or the night of rather. Oh to have been one of the shepards in the fields that night to have seen the spectacular event
spewing forth from the heavens. Some of you that read this may have been lucky enough in your lives to have experienced the Aurora Borealis/northern lights ... thats beautiful and all, but angels and oodles of heavenly hosts singing, praising, and worshiping Jesus as He is born? I just cant imagine what it was like to experience that.

So ya ... when I think about Christmas this year, its different ... way different. Its not stressfull, not a chore, but a really cool time that I can get with my family, bless others with gifts, and let the reality of the most blessed gift ever given really soak into my life.

I wish you and your family a most Blessed, loving, beautiful Christmas ever!

How Great is our God ... Thanksgiving

I hope that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving ... ours was pretty good, noneventful in any bad ways which is awesome, Thank you Jesus.

The deck is almost done ... so close I can taste it hehe. We have the "frame" of the handrail done and stairs are completed all around. We made a very smart move and worked on it last Wednesday. Now there is like 5 inches of snow ... ugh ... it would appear no more work until spring, but thats ok.

Back to Thanksgiving ... turkey was awesome, taters nummy and coma inducing, rolls and green bean casserole very tasty - Thank you my loverly wife - stuffing ... well ok so Im just going to call it like I tasted. :) I love my mother in-law and usually her stuffing launches me into another world of food induced extasy, but for whatever reason this year it was a touch off. Maybe it was the cold that has gripped my sinuses I dunno. So ya everything and the pie was satisfying, 'cept for the stuffing. Hehe ...

Anyways on to the title of this post ... mum-in-law sat us all down and shared an AMAZING video of which I will link here on you tube.

Do yourself a favor ... get a nice cup of tea, coffee, wine, whatever and watch each part. There is like five ... yes it will take you a while ... like 45-50 minutes but it is so worth it. Its the coolest thing I have seen, heard, etc in a long time. Well actually about two or three weeks ... when Dan Mohler spoke at our church. Dont know who Dan Mohler is?

http://www.neckministries.com/preachings.htm

... download some mp3's and be ministered to. :)

On to the cool videos ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_82lZ2PpYQE&feature=related

WOOT! Tuneage on my little carved out space of the Intarweb

So ya I found this little ditty tonight called Playlist ... freaking AWESOME!!! Makes me want to put all of the stuff Im listening to right now on my iPod on this thing hehe. I just want to share the awesome tuneage I have been so blessed to be introduced to over the past couple of months.

You might hit pause, stop, you might close down the page as fast as the playlist starts ... my recommendation ... let it roll, turn up the speakers on your PC to right before they start to distort, turn off all of the distractions - IM, cell phone, home phone, throw the dog or pets in another room and just soak up His love.

You also might come across this blog and think ooooh noes another Jesus freak, bible thumper, flake ... One comment - religion is NOT Jesus. So throw out all of that junk you might have experienced in your past ... the preconceptions of Christianity, the legalistic rules, laws, do this - do that to be saved/born again, the disgusting glances, rude comments because of the way you looked, acted, whatever in Church and just soak ... I mean soak it in ... God loves you ... He oooooh so loves you. He just wants you to let his forgiveness rain down on you like a most gentle rain, to ease your spirit, to heal your heart and have a relationship with you.

He's knocking ...

Jesus LOVES you!

Unutterable, Indescribable ... Nah not even

God is good, Jesus I love you ...

So ya the title of this post is everything that has been going on lately in my life, my wife and children. You want to know whats cool about a relationship with Jesus? Is at that point of thinking or saying to yourself "Ooooh how sweet is His love, I don't think I can stand another ounce" He pours it on and turns it up a notch, or two, or ten. When you think you come to an understanding of the precious and most awesome creator and you realize what you thought you knew or understood is like a grain of sand on the beach and then it hits you that to understand His endless, most pure, and inconceivable amount of love He has for each of us blows our minds.

So on to life's happenings ... were to start ... Eli ... ya lets start with that most awesome and precious dude. Its dinner time about a week ago and he asks to give thanks. So he starts digging in thanking Father for the day and things and then the Holy Spirit grabs him and he starts praying for President-elect Obama and all of those that voted for Obama to become Christians. Let me back up and give you some insight to the political discussions or lack there-of around our household the past couple of months. THERE WAS LITTLE TO NO talk about politics. Yes the kids asked if we were voting, but we never dug into the details of who, why, what, why-not, etc... And especially Manda nor myself have prayed for Mr Obama or his supporters in front of the kids. Oh and come on ... how many 5 yr olds out there that you know of pray for the leaders of our country? Makes you think about were your prayer-priorities are at. :)

Madeline ... sweet, tender, and beautiful mystery that is our daughter ... all I can say is ouch she knows how to stretch us. And for the boy that is out there that God has chosen for her ... whooooa man ... look out hehe ... your in for a treat hahaha. So we are sitting around the dinner table tonight and God bless her she asks why mom and dad are talking about Jesus, Church, and listening to various worship cd's, etc so much more now than ever before. Now some might hear that and say "OUCH!" that's a hit to the pride bucket ... but as I am writing this I can only think, say, and write Jesus I love you and Thank YOU! for making it evident that there is something going on in our lives.

And Manda ??!! she freaking rocks ... her beauty oooozes from the depths of her heart and beams out her smile ... shes sassy, beautiful, and makes me feel like a real man when she makes comments like she does in her blog. Just read it ... http://mandatee.blogspot.com/

Me ??? Jesus rocks my socks ... He's set me free with His unfailing love, grace, and mercy ... I cant help but love what is the most precious and awesome sacrifice man will ever know ...

... An Almighty, sovereign, irrefutable, creator of the universe that loves me and you and just wants us to plainly and simply let His forgiving atonement wash us, cleanse us, make us whole, and enter into a most loving and most satisfying relationship that you will EVER know.

God is more than good ... He's awesome! Grrrrrr

Almost there ...

WOW ... yesterday was very productive. We got quite a bit done. The kids are sick, Madeline is on her way to getting better and Eli seemed to be starting with the symptoms last night.

So we are staying home today. We decided to not got to church this morning, as much as Manda and I wanted to go, we thought to keep our kids germs and such to ourselves.

Agenda for today ... stairs and start the handrail. Oh and keep warm ... low of 27 degrees today. Brrrrr

As of last night around 7.30pm ... back of house


Side of house ...

For those that like a visual ...

This first pic of the side of the house ... we decided to use the stoop for support due to inability to dig post holes in that area. While attempting to dig holes on either side of the stoop we uncovered an unknown amount of scrap/junk filler concrete that was put in that area for filler. Plus those were the last to holes we attempted to dig ... and our arms fealt like they were gonna fall off.



Another pic of the side ... there will be stairs coming off the deck inline with the door ... should be like one step then driveway. Shouldnt stick out to far.



And the back ... middle of the three windows I think needs to be replaced by a nice door of somekind. That window is in our dining room off of the kitchen. I think it makes sense ... :)
Opinions welcomed on that ... oh and another set of steps will come off of the back somewhere.

And another pic of the back ... I just like the rays of sunshine in this pic. Only reason its posted. :)

Deck ... sometimes seems like a naughty four letter word

So another installment of the epic story that is the word DECK. Sometimes I wonder if it was even worth it ... specially yesterday morning. I had taken the day off yesterday to make some "real progress". Let me back up to Thursday evening. Anyone who lives in the DesMoines area and was outside that evening would understand how miserable it was ... cold ... rainy ... just BLAH, especially if you were looking forward to an early start the next day working outside. Ya that was me, so I went to bed praying and blessing God that he would bless me with an eventful and prosperous day. Waking up the following morning to what was even more miserable than the night before. It was that soupy heavy misty rain and cold ... almost like being in the shower, but definately not as enjoyable. Did I say it was COLD? Hop back inside after taking the dog out to look at the radar/forecast for the day and it really doesnt look hopefull. So now I am really feeling bad, getting uber-crabby, but trying to be joyful and thankfull for the day that was given.

Im going to back up a week now and just mention another concern that was uncovered in our home. Two years ago or so my brother-inlaw and myself gutted our bathroom to the studs and remodeled. Now it wasnt that grand of a remodel but it was humbly nice, clean, and new. Moving forward two years to just a week ago ... our son Eli decided to pull back a portion of our shower surround while taking a bath. At first I was extremely upset, but after some investigation of what happened was extremely thankful because to our shock there was black mold feeding on drywall mud behind the surround. Evidently the caulk job wasnt enough and allowed moisture to get back behind the surround. So my mind is going to the Nth degree and thinking "OH FLIPPIN GREAT!! I am going to have to tear out the surround, replace drywall and a surround enclosure for the shower. This(assuming around $500) was definately not worked in to the budget along with the termites(roughly $1500).

So here is were it gets cool ... my dad(general contractor for 30 yrs) has been helping me with the deck project comes over to our house around 10.30am thinking that the rain would be done by that time. I get back from Menards and breakfast at BK with Eli(of which was a really cool time). It was a blast walking through Menards with Eli ... he kept commenting on how cool all of the man stuff in the man store was. :) So we get back and dad is starting to get things organized in his work van preparing for the day. Ya well the rain isnt letting up .. so we decide to go inside and wait it out .. hoping that it would be over in a few hours. So we sit down on the couch and the bathroom comes up in conversation and immediately out of dads mouth comes "lets take a look". After about 5 minutes of investigation dads wisdom of 30 yrs comes out in casual conversation of "well all this needs is a little cleanup, water sealant were the mold was, and re-caulked. So in a matter of a breath $500 in materials is reduced to <$10.

GOD IS GOOD!!! HALLELUJAH!!!

So I start scraping and cleaning out the area behind the surround that was moldy, slap a coat of Pro-Block water sealant on it. Let it dry ... still raining outside ... dad works his magic caulking abilities and rain stops. Im just going to stop again and say how awesome God is ... GOD IS GOOD!!! WOOT!

We poke our heads back outside and no rain. So on to the deck for the rest of the afternoon. Ya it was a pain working outside with all of the mud, but we got almost all of the framing and support joists done, just a few left for tomorrow and then we start laying deck boards, stairs, and hand-rail.

So all in all ... God has it under control ... ALWAYS. When it seems like junk is getting in the way its because the enemy is trying to get you focused on the junk and off of what should be the most important.

Which is ... Jesus

God is good ...

Peace ...

So its Friday night ... siting on the couch with the kids watching Chicken Run and listening to Corey Asbury. I came across him on Youtube while searching for videos on IHOP. Now your first thought that prolly comes to mind is ... why in the earth are you listening to someone that works at a pancake house. :) International House Of Prayer

Anyways ... so Im searching the countless numbers of people trying to stake a claim for themselves on that video wasteland ... but in the wasteland there are quite a few gems ... if you can keep from straying away from your original search. Anyways ... so you dont get lost Ill just post a link here so you can listen to this amazing artist.

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=383010570

My favorite so far is 'So Good to Me' ... check him out ... very good stuff.

AArrgh ... there go the poochy bells ... time to take the hound outside.

New Deck+TERMITES!!!=sucking force like a black hole on your savings account

So my dad has been so gracious to help me build a deck onto our house. We started two Saturdays ago on this beast. Well its not really a beast in regards to size, but oh let me stop right now and throw out a bit of advice ... if you are thinking of constructing something that requires putting posts in the ground either

A)pay to have them dug or B)rent a post hole digger thats automated in some fashion.

We used a two-man that we had to work down into the ground and back out. It was an extreme workout, but I guess since Im a desk jockey this type of manual labor affects me more than it should. The deck when complete will be really nice, it will wrap around from the back to the side door for easy access, and I have this vision of a hamock somewhere :)

OK so on the side of our house next to our driveway, the previous owners made the worst decision in landscaping/edging history and decided to use railroad ties. So ya you know where this is going, the wife and I have been wanting to tear out the ties for a few years anyways, so I rip the first couple out and nothing wierd a few millipedes that gave me the heeby jeebies but nothing crazy. Work my way further around to the front and rip two more up and much to my shock were these nasty little white things roaming about. A quick trip online to google images and yeap ... termites. So Im thinking flipping great how bad is this gonna get. Called the Orkin guy and after a free inspection it would appear that visually(from what you can see) the inside of the house is ok at this point. However the initial quote we recieved was just under $1500. I just about poo'ed myself.

I just hope these little devastators of wood can hold off from starting to eat at our house now that I ripped out their food supply. Hmmm .. maybe I should have left a few in o.O

Oh snap ...

So like the countless others on the intarweb I decided to start the madness. Not sure what the facination of all this is, but hopefully I will serve to interest some, humor others, and maybe have what is wet and fire at the same time work through me and touch the rest. If thats just one person then giddy-up.