Places I've Lived

Not necessarily going to give exact addresses, because I wouldn't want them all to be slammed with tourists looking for places the Bug has lived.

Or maybe I can't remember them all.

You choose.

PLACES I'VE LIVED

1. Orlando, Florida - Born and lived there for the first two and a half years of my life. Don't remember much of the place, but I have a piece of paper that says I was born there, and my parents tell me it was about two and a half years, so... Who knows, it could have been just a week or two, as well. :)

2. Baldwin, NY - This I know wasn't for very long, because it was just a temporary holdover before we moved to...

3. Commerce City, Colorado - Where I lived with my mom and grandparents, oh and I think that little brother I mentioned a couple of posts ago was there as well. We actually were living with my grandparents in NY, my dad's parents... Need I say more?

4. Beale AFB, CA - I actually remember a couple of things when we lived there. Like flooding the upstairs bathroom, because I used a wee bit too much toilet paper; I also remember walking through a park, barefoot, with my brother and seeing the bee, BEFORE he stepped on it. THEN making the mistake of telling my mom that I saw it. I seem to recall having a sore bottom that afternoon as well.

5. Commerce City, Colorado - Our own house this time: 7821 Larkwood. Go figure I can remember that address. My mom called me a girl here once - let me re-phrase that, she yelled that I was being a big girl. Mom had a big voice. Yep, my friends all heard it. We also had railroad tracks nearby, and yes we played on them. No, nobody got hurt. The only things that got hurt living there were the numerous dogs that leaped over our backyard fence and subsequently got killed by a car. Speaking of cars, we had a drunk driver deposit his car in our front yard once. My dad told me it was my birthday present - I was pretty excited until he clued me in. Plus, I might have been nine at the time, so I should have known.

6. Thornton, Colorado - A mere "big jump" away from our digs at Commerce City, to a house my Uncle Greg built. At least the company he worked for. We used to play "Explorers" while we lived there, based on a television show hosted by Leonard Nimoy. Oh and we road our bikes EVERYWHERE. This is the town where I got caught trying to shoplift a candy bar, as well. I guess it was my 'bad phase.'

7. San Antonio, Texas - My dad had recently been promoted to an officer and started teaching at the Officer Training School there. My impressions, it was very hot. You have to remember that I had lived in Colorado for over six years at this point, so I just wasn't used to it. I also "survived" my first hurricane, well at least it rained a lot. I had my first job there - delivering the San Antonio News-Express, or was it Express - News? Took my first and only flying lessons there. Also had my first crush - Natalie Kosovac. Was voted 'Most Popular' in sixth grade, I think by default because I showed up to the dance. Learned a lot of Texas history.

8. Northglenn, Colorado - Finished my "free" public education here. Learned how to drive here, learned to love skiing again, played a lot of soccer and basketball, and weighed about two hundred pounds less than I do now.(slight exaggeration) Was force to move back to

9. San Antonio, Texas - the day after my graduation. Got frustrated with not knowing anyone, and not being able to find a job. Found a cool radio station, that still rocks today, at 99.5 KISS, and made that fateful decision to join the United States Air Force. I should say I was strongly encouraged by my mother.

10. Aurora, Colorado - For technical school, I was there for another eight months, give or take. Lots of fun, and I think I learned something. Maybe.

11. RAF Feltwell, U.K. - Cool place to live and I had the best dorm room ever, all to myself. Saw lots of castles and Pizza Huts (I had a buddy whose goal was to eat at every Pizza Hut in the country), none of the food there tasted like chicken - even the chicken! It all tasted like fish. I am not a fan of fish, let me tell you. Traveled to Germany/Austria to ski the Alps - very icy, and I was a little disappointed (very little), I also traveled to Munich and Barcelona, Spain and Madrid, Spain. Almost went to Greece, but got tired of my traveling companion, so I stayed with my friends in Spain. Good times. Oh, and I fell in love with my wife, while I was there.

12. Abilene, Texas - Didn't really like a whole lot about this place, except when I drove to Colorado. :)

13. Batavia, Illinois - With Jenni's parents for a month or two, while I found a job, etc...

14. Naperville, Illinois - Our first apartment together, after we were married. Swinging bachelor pad before that! Okay, so not really.

15. Batavia, Illinois (West side of the river) - In an apartment where I wouldn't want to ever live again. Bad people started moving in after we moved to

16. Batavia, Illinois (East side of the river) - The river being, of course, the mighty Fox River! Love living here, love the fact that the kids have way more stability than I ever had growing up (we were always moving every three to five years). We're thinking about a move in the future, either to Byron, near the mighty Rock River or to Hanceville, Alabama, near the might Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament. Tough choice. God will show us the way though, so we're not worried about it.

That be it.

Hope you enjoyed the trip through some old neighborhoods of mine. We'll see you all later.

Good Night and God Bless!

Guess Who Is Two Today?

My little monster himself, Daniel Patrick Miller... Yep, two years ago today you came into our lives and brightened them right away. Could have had something to do with the glowing booth, but we don't think so. :)

Always such a joy as a baby, bringing a smile to our faces, no matter what you did...
Knowing full well, that you are loved by many, and will always have someone to talk to...
You have grown so much in the past two years, it is hard to believe sometimes that you were once this small... Some say you even look a little like me, but I say no way... You are MUCH cuter...
You love playing with your Zoe and kigley (Quigley), and mem (Kirby, the cat), and they always tolerated your games of jumping on, and pulling the tail. Of course, they don't like it as much now since you have started to grow bigger and stronger...Do you have aspirations to a higher calling? We would be so blessed if you did, but you don't have to make that choice, just yet...Always thinking of your next mission, be it dog, cat, sister or brother that you choose to "play" with...
You can still come to Mommy whenever something goes against your plans...Don't forget your older brothers and sisters, they will be there for you as well...Even if you become a famous "Rock Star!"
Let us not forget your fine and furry friends from down south, now either... They can't wait until you come back, neither can we wait to go back...Just keep on Smiling!!!WE LOVE THAT SMILE!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DANNY!!!!

Say A Prayer For The Auburn, Alabama Community

The Philosopher-Mom: Requiescat in pace, Lauren#links

A List For The Fifth

I really have no idea what this list is going to be about... Call it poor planning on my part (I did have the better part of three weeks - I think - to get ready for this crazy month) but I just ran out of time.

Whatever.

Here goes...

PET PEEVES (in no particular order, because they all equally tick me off)

1. Tardiness - Both on my part, I hate being late. I also HATE it when I have to wait for someone to show up. After all, I took the time to make it there on time, why couldn't you? Now, if you are running late and you know that you are running late, call me! One of the funniest and most irritating things is with the 'Little Flowers' groups that are supposed to start at 7PM, but people don't even START arriving until 7:20, I am not exaggerating.

2. Smacking food - By this I mean sitting there smacking your food and/or gum. In other words, I like to enjoy my meals with some good conversation (no food spilling out of your chops) and quiet chewing. My wife and kids know that this drives me crazy, so when they want to get me going they will smack their lips and become very noisy. Urgh!

3. Gulping Water - Like the eating of food, water and or whatever it is you are drinking, should be quiet. Now how insane am I with this? I even hate it when I can hear myself gulp. No kidding. Send me a Doctor, now.

4. Ignorant People - By this I mean, people that don't know the basics. You would be amazed at how many people are just plain ignorant to basic knowledge points. I mean we all graduated high school, in theory, at the work place. You should have a better knowledge of the world than my seventh grader.

5. Spelling - Oh this one drives me nuts. First off, every computer has some sort of spell check going for it. Use it, it doesn't take long to push a button, right? (Yes, I know that I misspell words, but I try not to, on formal documents like letters or memo's or email's - blogs are okay, for the most part. :) )

6. Incorrect word usage - The word 'like' is an irritating word, when it is used incorrectly. ( you know, like, for sure. He, like really said that I, like, totally, like, rocked his world. Like, you know what I mean?) Irregardless is another. It isn't even a word. Quit using it like it is one. Know your to, too, and two's an why they are different, etc. I am going to post one of these emails I get once a month, that is full of errors like this and worse. The sad part is she either doesn't care, or thinks I am just a Grammar/Spelling Nazi. Sad.

7. Getting interrupted by anyone - This one pertains to a select few people in my life that seem to enjoy flustering me, by asking the dumbest questions at the most inopportune times. Benjy. Okay, that wasn't fair but it applies, especially at this point in time.

8. Someone reading over my shoulder - Yep, B-Man, this one is ALL you! The funny thing is, I know that you know I do not like it, yet you continue to do it. Funny thing is, you probably won't even read this. Is that irony? I'm not sure. :)

9. Misspelling my name - Okay folks out there... It is Roger, not Rodger.

10. Religious ignorance - I get grief about being a Catholic and not a Christian. Excuse me? What Church has been celebrating Jesus' love for the past 2000 years? Oh yeah, that's right, the Catholic Church. Just because I don't follow your local pastor's rules, does not make me less of a Christian than you. Last I checked, all Christian denominations came from Catholicism, some more heretical than others.

11. Invasion of Personal Space - There are a limited few people in the world that I allow in there, and all of them are related to me in some way. Two feet is plenty close enough, I can hear you just fine from there. Heck I think I can hear you better from three feet or more, even. :)

Okay, enough of the Pet Peeves, too negative. I love everyone and wish everyone nothing but the best. As long as you are like three feet away, like okay. :)

Good Night and God Bless!

So You Say It's Your Birthday?

Yes, my younger brother (by 2 years and almost 5 months) Michael, is turning another year older today.

Thirty-eight years ago, I welcomed this new guest/friend/annoyance/whatever into "my" world, and it hasn't been the same since. :)

He is having the last laugh at the moment though, by celebrating his birthday in Hawaii. Yes, the Air Force has been very very good to him. He also kicks off this full month of birthdays.

Oops, my Uncle Scott actually did on Saturday, sorry about that Scott.

Like I said it is a full month of birthdays, both of my brothers, my youngest son (tomorrow!), my darling wife and one of my nieces all have birthdays in March. Whew!

Anyway, Happy Birthday Michael!!!

Ya Hey Dere! Them Be Chickadees!!

The girls were in Minnesota this past weekend, at the International owl Festival. They had a good time and learned a lot about all different kinds of owls. As a bonus, they were able to spend some time with their Great Aunt and Uncle. This is the same Uncle of all the bird photography. Anyway, the girls had seen a picture of Alan with a Chickadee feeding from his hand, and wanted to give it a try. So, they bundled up (it is cold in Minnesota, dontcha know?), and grabbed some peanuts (who knew Chickadees liked peanuts, anyway?) and waited. And waited. And waited.





FTB says that she waited the longest, about ten minutes... Doesn't she look happy. :) I actually thought she looked to be frozen in place, but as you can see, success!! A chickadee has landed.





Next up it was Cuddlebug's turn, I guess she didn't have to wait too long. Apparently FTB woke the chickadees up and let it be known in chickadee world that there were peanuts to be had.

Baby Girl really didn't want to try, but then she did and said that it felt weird. I think little Mr/Mrs chickadee could feel her trepidation and took off, to Baby girl's surprise! Alan captured the moment very well, and now the blogosphere knows all about it. :)

While Baby Girl was "playing" with the chickadees, this deer was checking her out, trying to figure out if she was a friend or foe. Plus, I think that the deer is normally used to having no one around, so was a bit curious. Once Baby Girl let out her little yelp of surprise, I believe that the deer bolted for the security of the surrounding woods.

Like I said, the girls had a good time and I want to thank Alan and Jo for being great hosts. Who knows. (pun slightly intended) Maybe we'll all be back next year.

The Starfish

Okay, as promised, here is the actual text of the story I wrote down last night.

The Starfish

As the old man walked the beach at dawn, he noticed a young man ahead of him picking up starfish and slinging them into the sea. Finally catching up with the youth , he asked him why he was doing this. The answer was that the stranded starfish would die if left until the morning sun.

"But the beach goes on for miles and there are millions of starfish," countered the old man. "How can your effort make any difference?"

The young man looked at the starfish in his hand and then threw it to the safety of the waves. "It makes a difference to this one," he said.

Author Unknown