DD got to go to school last week ONE DAY and THAT was after a two hour delay. I am tired of being woken up at 6 in the morning to send out closing information, (part of my job – I LOVE my job, but doing this every weekend is getting old). I am tired of watching DH shoveling for hours so we can get out of the house and let the kids run around at the mall (which apparently all parents who can get out of the house do). I am tired of not being able to go to church because the valley is too dangerous to drive through to get to church.
Now you Yankees may be laughing at me, but you know, I live in the South. The average snow we get where I live is 23″ a winter. This winter, so far, we are at 39″ – which is not a record believe it or not. The record is 62.7″ in 1959.
Anyway, the next time you Yankees get weather in the 90s, remind me to laugh at you when you are over. it.
I have been checking out some health insurance leads on my own. See, I have been working with folks at work to decide what to do with our health insurance since rates are going up and budgets need to be cut.
Not that we need more insurance, but people have been asking about benefits for domestic partners. It is pretty interesting what I have found out. Some places will provide a rider of sorts for a gay partner, but heterosexuals who are not married are not covered.
I guess their reasoning is that heterosexuals can get married and be recognized by the state.
Then there is the how much more should people pay if they have family or spouses on the plan? Why should singles supplement those who choose to have children?
So we bit the bullet and got Netflix. I decided with this weekend’s storm, it would be a great investment. So far, DH and DD have watched two movies, so it has already paid for itself.
Last night DH and I talked about how we could set up the fitness equipment area in our basement so we can watch a movie while working out. Or in may case, watch 1/16th of a movie while working out.
Discovered on May 27, 1987 in Rockbridge County, Virginia.
Estimated Date of Death: Weeks prior
Cause of death was homicide by gunshot wound to the head and abdomen.
Vital Statistics
Estimated age: 21 – 22 years old Approximate Height and Weight: 5′4″; 150 lbs. Distinguishing Characteristics: Brown hair. Wedge shape narrow mouth. Near sighted. Wore black plastic frame glasses. Eyeglasses were of a military type issue. Prescription for nearsightedness. Dentals: Available. Lower 6 year molars removed around age 10; upper eye teeth removed around age 13; may have needed braces. Clothing: Spec. 4 military shirt and a brown winter coat with wool/fur interior. Blue jeans with brown belt and Longhorn Steer, square belt buckle. White sweatsocks with green/yellow ankle stripes. Brown slipover shoes. He had a metal Crucifix with chain, switch blade knife, cigarette lighter, cassette tape, eye glasses, pocket size memo pad and $10.12 in cash. Fingerprints: Available
Case History
On May 27, 1987, highway workers discovered a partially decomposed body along 81 South, Mile Post 183. The victim died as a result of a gunshot wound to the right side of the head and right side of the body. Handwritten notes in the victims pocket referred to a truck and trailer number and the trucking firm of J.B. Hunt Trucking Company out of Lowell, Arkansas. A check of this company revealed that John Swartz was operating a tractor-trailer through Virginia at this time.
John Swartz, who was convicted in this homicide, left Little Rock, Arkansas on May 16, 1987 with a load of toys to be delivered to Edison, New Jersey. Along the way he picked up “Chris” at the Petro Truck stop in Wytheville, Virginia, four to five hours away from this destination. At the truck stop, Chris told John he had been stuck at the truck stop for two days without food. Chris stated he was trying to get to an uncertain location to go camping. John made an offer to pay Chris for unloading his truck. They arrived in New Jersey on the 18th of May and he paid Chris fifty dollars for unload help. Chris bought food and a small folding knife with this money. An argument ensued over money with Chris demanding $100 and several of Swartz’s personal items in the truck. Chris threatened to turn in John for having an unauthorized rider, and at some point put John’s name and truck company in his pocket. The next day they got another load, and started back toward Arkansas. While at a truck stop in Raphine, Virginia, Swartz said that Chris pulled out his knife, and made threats of harm if he did not get more money or Swartz’s personal items. Around 4.00 a.m., several miles down Interstate 81, Swartz pulled over to the shoulder, and told Chris that he had to relieve himself. Chris got out and at this time, was shot and killed. The next morning Swartz discarded Chris’ possessions and continued on to Arkansas. Swartz died in prison.
The accuracy of the sketch is unknown; it was compiled with the aide of the killer. The victim was gathering camping supplies for a hike on a trail (believed to be the Appalachian Trail). Victim misspelled simple words.
Investigators
If you have any information about this case please contact:
Virginia State Police – BCI
First Sergeant George Gibbs
540-375-9546
You may remain anonymous when submitting information.
I was in a hurry tonight and bribed DD to take a bath with DS. Since DS is a little crazy, DD does not like taking a bath with him. Tonight, a little chocolate bribe got her to take a bath with him.
Last time.
DS would not listen to me and stand up so I could wash him, so I convinced DD to wash him instead. Liking the idea, he stood up for her. So she said, “I’m washing your pits!” Then she got to his bottom and said “I am washing your… uh….” I said, “Penis.” DD said, “Penis! It hangs there.” Then she proceeds to flick at it. I stopped her.
My children’s child care center was featured on a local PBS show on positive parenting. They featured a couple at the beginning with three kids. The dad works full time and the mom works at home, (besides the mom stuff). They were interviewing the parents in their living room. The place looked like it was out of a magazine – Murray Feiss lighting and all man!
Now of course I know they probably cleaned before the camera crew came, but our house would never look like that with two full time work outside the home parents with kids in activities, mom having to work some nights and dad doing fire department stuff.
Then again, maybe their kids have no toys or maybe they have a maid.
“Pray without ceasing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (King James Version)
My heart is heavy. I am asking for prayer for a lady I met on an parenting forum.
Simon is 18 months old, born at 24 weeks gestation and is fighting for his life right now against RSV. The last post from his mom didn’t look good: Mysti: “Simon has been moved to respiratory failure and the options for treatment are becoming more and more slim. No one is throwing in the towel as long as Simon continues to fight, himself.”
And then this morning, “‘There isn’t much more we can do to treat this.’ We heard that today and while it is frightening, it wasn’t all bad. Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas!) isn’t the standard protocol for treating RSV or hMPV. They decided to give it a shot as it wouldn’t hurt him….”
Please, I ask you pray for this family: Mysti (Mom), Rob (Dad), Jaden (Big Brother) and Simon.
I am over it! Time to pack the Titan luggage and getting outta Dodge. We had over a foot of snow before Christmas. Ice, more snow this past weekend, snow/sleet/rain today and more and more snow coming. This is the SOUTH! I HATE winter! I mean, a real hate for winter. We never get this much snow and every weekend being ruined by snow and ice is horrible!
DD has been invited to a birthday party at an observatory and it has to be rescheduled twice… still needs to be rescheduled. OVER IT I TELL YOU!
When it comes to that time of the month, I think I will say that I am on the Apple. Yes, I am behind posting about the iPad, Sosumi (Mac joke).
I LOVE Apple and their products. Or I used to. The iPhone is great, but comes with a sucky service provider. So forget that. And now, the iPad. Seriously, who came up with the name? Maybe a Microsoft insider posing as a Mac person?
I could forgive the name if the thing was freaking useful. But I can’t. I for see some huge sales on Cyber Monday this year since I think the only people who will buy the thing are the people who have to have every techno gadget out there or those who worship at the great altar of Steve Jobs.
Surf the internet. Read a book. It is a big iPhone.
Apple, if you want my attention, move the iPhone to a reliable provider!
