A Tribute to The Glory of Autumn in Utah

There are few places on earth that do Fall better than Utah. In fact, when I got out of the Air Force, I had planned to go to Seattle and live and work there, but we came down through Spanish Fork Canyon in October, and we were hooked. Many places in the United States have a beautiful fall, but few of them have the kind of Autumn that we do here. The mix of mountains, snow, and beautiful fall leaves is unparalelled. Enjoy.



















When the bible says that "all of nature testifies" that there is a creator, I couldn't agree more. These beautiful palettes, these amazing colors, these hues of the autumn of life are a strong witness to the reality of God. Thank you Lord for your stunning show every year.

This is indeed a life unhinged.

Do we really PAMPER our kids?

My Father-in-law is fond of saying that if reincarnation is real, he hopes he comes back in life as one of our dogs. We are VERY fond of our animals - as if you haven't figured that out by now... But sometimes, I have to say we go just a tad too far.

This is McGwire who was interrupted during his nap. As I look at this picture, I have to ask myself, how did we ever get so lucky?!

Oops... we interrupted Geeter's beauty sleep

Recently, we've had to talk about losing our pets. McGwire has a lump in his neck much like the one that Cricket started out with before she died of cancer. Not that he has cancer mind you, but we have to think about things like that if we're to be responsible pet owners. I read an article not too long ago that spoke of pets in heaven. Many people have the misconception that animals do not have souls. In fact, many bible teachers or pastors will teach this, but anyone who has ever had pets and looked into their eyes HAS to know that there is someone looking back. This article was from a famous Christian Pastor/Evangelist and shares his personal belief that pets will meet us in heaven, and that they will testify about/against us in our judgement. I believe this because the bible says that the Godly treat their animals kindly and take care of them. So, looking at McGwire, should we lose him, I think he'll have plenty of good things to say about the way we treated our pets.

I love our pets... it's part of a life unhinged.

Halloween Fun with Pumpkins!

This year we all got together to carve pumpkins. Chris and the kids for fun, me for a competition at work. My pumpkin didn't win dangit, but I had fun. It was fun having Sadie with us as Linz, Zack, Chris and I got creative with the produce!

Me, holding some delicious "PUMPKIN Pi"

The scene of the crime...

Sadie and her FIRST pumpkin she ever carved!
It was a ZOMBIE pumpkin... and it was HUNGRY!

Chris always does wonderful artwork...

Of course, weird things happen on Halloween!

I MEAN REALLY WEIRD!

(NOTE: No Sadies were harmed in the making of this website. Every care was taken to ensure Sadie's safety and continued happiness!)

Our encounter with a GEN-U-WHINE U.F.O!

The other day, I was summoned from my room to the cries of my family telling me that I "had to come and see this!!" I got up as soon as I was able, and came into the living room to see them all looking out our front windows and pointing at an object in the sky...

A hushed and fearful silence fell over the family. I began wondering if we really SHOULD have bought into that whole 72 hour emergency kit craze, and whether or not I had any fire arms in the house. Then suddenly, a whole new thought entered my mind. What if this was the end?! Was Jesus comin' back to see us in a '59 Ford? Were we about to see the end of life as we knew it?? Was I going to be the next victim, ala "Men in Black" and have an inter-gallactic cockroach try and wear ME like a suit? HOLY CRAP!!

I hollared for Chris to "git the gun, woman!" Then, realizing we didn't have one, I ran for the only thing I knew I could shoot... my camera! Now, ladies and gentlemen, prepare yourself for the first genuine image of a UFO ever captured by your's truly...

The beginning of the alien horde's invasion!

As we stood looking in wonder, we noticed that the craft was hovering! It seemed to be staying in one place, and then we noticed that it was SLOWLY DESCENDING! I clenched my buttocks to keep what was inside from coming out side, and told my family to start looking for anything to defend our humble abode with! We were UNDER ATTACK! Cries of "What is it?!" "What could they want!?" "Where's the damned remote!?" echoed through the house as we watched the hovering "craft-o-death" come nearer and nearer. With trembling hands I lifted my camera and swallowing hard, I ventured another shot:

The Spaceship-0-Death turns on it's axis to align it's Phasers!

Fearing I wasn't getting a good enough shot, and in complete disregard of my personal safety or the fact that I could shortly become the outer rainment of a space bug, I ran outside, set my camera to continuous shot, and fired off a few more images. Sadly, they were blurry:

The spaceship obviously had some kind of cloaking device,
rendering my camera focus uselss. What other
terrifying technology were we facing?

The lower it got, the more afraid I became, until suddenly, I thought I could detect something protruding from the side of the craft. Images of long alien probes began flashing through my mind, sending my heart racing. "Click, click, click" I took more and more pictures. I zoomed in on the ship and the first seeds of doubt began to creep in. Something didn't look quite right...

Wait a minute... what's that there doohickey?

As the realization that this could be nothing more than a rouge mylar balloon, I took one last shot to confirm my growing suspicion. And this is what I saw:

Somewhere, someone is missing their get-well wishes.

Needless to say, my family couldn't quite decifer the angry words that slipped from my mouth as I stomped down the hall bow-legged intent on finding the box of pre-moistened medicated cleansing wipes. That's the last time I fall for the whole "HONEY, YOU HAVE TO COME SEE THIS!!"

This is truly... a life unhinged.

This is the new love of my life...

If he isn't the cutest thing in the world, I don't know what is!

Pico is working his way into our hearts very quickly. Recently, he SINGLE-HANDEDLY (or single pawedly) attacked and killed a roll of toilet paper that was trying to invade our home! I just don't know what we'd have done if he wasn't looking out for us!

We really didn't know how much we missed having a cat in the house, but he has really filled an empty spot in all of our hearts! He loves the dogs, and stalks them as much as he snuggles with them. He is turning out to be a WONDERFUL little friend.

We are getting him neutered soon - before he starts spraying to mark his territory. It's my hope that he then balloons out and just gets GIGANTIC! I would love to have a huge orange tiger tabby in the house.

He makes sure to see that I'm ok when I'm lying down. He purrs loudly, holds my face still with his paws and rubs his face all over against my beard. He selected me as his human. I am so grateful.

So yes, this is a life unhinged, but loved!

Holy Cheatin' Tigers Batman!

I'm sorry Kenny... that just ain't "dirt"

OK... so I'm no rocket scientist, but that sure looks like SOMETHING on Kenny Rogers' pitching hand! The image on the left is from the ALCS game against the Oakland A's, and the one on the right is from game two of the World Series... I personally think that Kenny was counting on people not believing anyone would be so brazen (and STUPID) to cheat so obviously, that he would get away with it. Um... WRONG!

After having switched my allegence to the Tigers at the end of last season, I'm crushed to think that my favorite AL team would engage in this kind of garbage. The only saving grace in it all is that Kenny Rogers has been a dink from his introduction to Baseball... Kenny, YOU SUCK!

This is me - a pissed off Cardinals AND Tigers fan... wholly disappointed in the blatant act of cheating - take it or leave it.

Who woulda thunk it?

So, here I am, doing a Google search trying to see how hard it is to find my blog, and low and behold, do you know how many people have named their blog, "This is me...Take it or leave it" ? I was stunned!

You know what this means don't you? I HAVE TO CHANGE MY BLOG NAME! I can't have a blog name that's used by everyone on the planet! I can't be just one of the nameless hoard! I can't be yet another follower! I must be different! (Like THAT'S hard!)

So, I'm looking for a new name... I'll let you know what I come up with, but right now I'm leaning towards, "Mike's Blog." Catchy huh? Or, how about this one, "My Blog" ? Come on! You gotta love that!

There is a belly dancer who's blog is called "This is me... Take it or leave it." There is a gal who's WAY into witchcraft, the occult, and fairies, and her blog is called "This is me... Take it or leave it." So I'm certainly going for another name!

If you have any suggestions (keep it clean), let me know! You can't imagine how crushed I was when I realized I won't be signing off with my typical line... now, I'll have to change it all.

One thing I do know - I've loved blogging... it's a radical cross between scrapbooking and journaling... where else can you have so much fun!? Keep watching... something new this way comes!

This WAS me... I think I'll leave it!

Kitty Kitty Mau Mau

The repose of kings... ahhh to be a kitty!

A closer view - in case you couldn't tell how cute he is!

"Humans... such sentimental beings!"

"I am using my psyonic mind powers... GO AWAY HUMAN!"

This is PICO... take him or leave him...

I know I'll take him!

How it looks today!

After the last blog, I thought it would be a good idea to post some shots of how things look, now that we've gotten almost everything back in place. I was honestly shocked at the change that paint made to the living room. At first I was afraid that it would make it too closed in, but it really made it have a nice warm feeling. I love it! And I know Chris does too! Thanks again Mark, Lisa, Morgan, Brady, Gerrick, and Logan!

The front entryway... The warm glow from the window
is nice and inviting!

The living room - looking at the wall opposite the windows.

The walls next to the fireplace. These images really
don't do the job they did justice... it's wonderful!

Looking back towards the hallway... OK, so we're not
COMPLETELY put back together again... live with it!

Once more, thank you Mark and Lisa and the Boys. You've done a great thing for us, and you've shown us so much love and support! I can't say enough how much I appreciate you!

This is me... take it or leave it.

I just want to say, "THANK YOU!"

My family and I have recently been the recipients of some tremendous blessings... blessing that have come largely part because of my sisters, Lisa and Jeannie.

About a month ago, My sister Jeannie, her husband Jeff, and their kids, Noah and Hannah, plus all of Jeff's brothers and sisters and their spouses, AND his Dad, all showed up at my house and put themselves to work! Tim and Kelly Shore and kids, Brad and Keri Kramer and kids, and Don Doll all came to be part of this blessing to our family. My father-in-law George D. and my brother-in-law Mike D. (Chris's dad and brother) also showed up and helped! What a great day!

The showed up and began to work on all kinds of things aroundour house. They landscaped, painted, repaired and painted the front deck, and helped to install the hot tub that has been sitting at the side of our house for almost two years! (And guess what? IT WORKS!!!) When Jeannie had been to our house earlier in the month, she'd asked Chris for a copy of her "master-wish-list" of things she'd likd to see done around the house, or things that were needed doing, and took it back to her family and organized a work party! I couldn't believe it.

I have to admit that I am not a very good receiver of love and help. It makes me feel accutely inadequate and embarassed. I know that's wrong, and I'm trying to work my way through feeling that way, but it was so humbling to watch all of these people come to our house - most of which I only knew in passing, or not at all - and have them do so much to bless us. I am so grateful. Words are a poor substitute for the deep feelings of my heart to explaing how I feel. I found the following a couple days after these wonderful people came and blessed us... and of course, the Word of God always does a better a job of expressing things...

"The seeds of good deeds become a tree of life,
a wise person wins friends."
Proverbs 11:30

If I can be so bold, I'd like to say that not only have they won our friendship, but they have also planted seeds that have given us life, and joy. Thank you Jeannie, Jeff, Don, Tim, Kelly, Brad, Keri, and all the kids! You will never fully know how much you blessed us! Thank you!

I wanted to get some pictures, and I asked Chris to do it, but she was so busy helping that we only got a couple... Sorry I missed almost everyone! Here are the ones that I got:

Jeff setting a great example for his son Noah!

Noah showing his Dad how to work the weed weasle!

Noah worked the entire time... what a great helper!

My brother - not only on this earth, but in the Lord!
Thank you Jeff!

I asked Jeff for his "best side" and well...
"Take it in what sense thou wilt..."

Jeannie playing in the dirt... after all these years,
things really haven't changed much!

Dad D. doin' what comes natural-like... He was tuckered out
after helping with the hot tub... Normally, we drop things in his
open mouth... but not today!

My nephew Cody was also part of the crowd!

Zack and Cody helping out on the roof.

"Whaddya mean "SMILE?" I AM SMILING!"

"Just KIDDIN! You know I love the camera!"
And the camera loves my Hannah Banana!

THEN... as if that wasn't enough, two weeks later, my little sister, Lisa and her whole family came all the way up from St. George to bless us with a work day too! Mark, Lisa, Morgan, Brady, Gerrick, and Logan all came up and spend a COLD wet Saturday painting the inside of the house! Again, I was in the position to be blessed... and I am so very thankful!

Their boys have always amazed me with their work ethic and drive. They worked very hard, side by side with their mom and dad and painted our hallway, stairwell, and the ENTIRE living room! I felt bad for Mark... he always gets so cold up here, and was shivering when he got there! He started working and soon (after turning up the heat) he seemed like he was ok!

My sisters and their families have blessed me so much. I can't express how much it means to me to have them in my life - let alone to be loved so much that they would go out of their way to bless me and my family this way. And to involve extended family... I don't know how to say thank you enough!

Here are some shots from Mark and Lisa's family visit:

Logan doing his part! Thanks Yog!

Everyone coordinating the work

Lisa and Gerrick layin' it on thick!

Morgan just got back from his mission back east...
and here he is, holding onto that pesky painting pole...
Damn thing kept trying to get away!

The hallway... it's a carmel color... like the rest of the place!

The bedroom and it's chocolate colored wall!

Right in the middle of all of the fun with Mark, Lisa and boys, Jeannie showed up, and Lisa and her finished painting our bedroom! She said she came down to finish her part. Like an idiot though, I didn't take any pictures of her and Lisa together! Duh!

The wreck in the living room... had to move everything away from the walls!

The walls around the fireplace... The color really warmed the room up!

Over the stairs...

The living room in progress!

Brady, I'm sorry! I didn't end up with any shots of you (that you could tell you were Brady anyway!) Thank you all for your help and hard work. We've been so blessed! Not only the labor, but the financial help too! ALL OF YOU! We couldn't have made it through this month without both of my sister's families!

You know, there are days when you get so sick of people telling you they are Christians... then there comes a day like these weekends, where nothing at all needs to be said. You just have to see the love being shown through hard work and help... and you know... you just simply know these people know the Lord.

I thank God for my sisters. Like Chris says, they are PRECIOUS! Thank you to all the families involved. You'll never know how much you blessed us.

This is me... humbled, and happy... take it or leave it!