The Bean is HOME

Well two days ago she got home, but it's sweet nonetheless. Paj, I don't have it as bad as you, but I feel you on the not functioning on all cylinders when your woman is gone. But she's back!
And our 4runner got here. It's pruty hot. But I'll let bean tell you about it seeing how it is her truck.

I'm in my forth week of english now, and surprising...or not surprisingly it isn't too bad. Normally I would think english stinks, but UoP is not exactly the hardest school.

The Spurs are on top. That's sweet. I need to watch some more games to be ready for the playoffs. Should be great.

It's time for dinner though, so I reckon I'll check on my pizza.
Later on.

Tax and UoP

The good news is we received our tax return from the state of California today. The bad news, is that although during the year we will no longer see extra money every month taken out of our paychecks for the state, we won't get a little present at the end of every year. So depending how you look at it, it's a bummer and a sweet deal!
In other sad news, I started a new class last week. English. Also known as......nuts! I can't stand English. It's not fun and I'm not good at it. Yeah, yeah save all the funny jokes. I'm aware that you could find tons of typos and mistakes, I know, I could really use this class. Yet I don't really want to do it. Then again, only three and a half weeks and it's over and on to Geography of World Commerce.

OK, well the Spurs are about to start, so I'm gonna watch. It's not the Kings, but then again the Spurs are doing much better than my real home team.

My new and slightly improved blog

It feels like I change my template pretty often, but oh well. My last template was just so hard to work with, so I found one that was easier to play with. Hopefully over not too long of a span I will have cool pictures and other cool html and java junk. We'll see.

In other news, we finally got the garage cleaned out and swept and then put back in order. Although I could use a Zachary and maybe chuck and caleb to help me with some shelves and a workbench. I was measure tonight where to put the workbench and shelves, now it's just a matter of getting some help to build them.

I finish Human Nutrition tonight, and start College Writing tomorrow. Just because I am in the class though, does not mean I will apply what I learn to use in this blog. That's all I have to say about that.

And the last thing I will say or ask is for y'all to pray for God's leading in my career path. I'm really not sure what to do as far as getting out and finding a civilian job or staying in the military. I do know that praying though will eventually bring an answer to this crazy question. Thanks.

The Professional

I'm pretty stoked. I was pretty sure that when I came here I wouldn't be able to get any of my photos published, but today I was proven wrong. Unfortunately it is really not part of my job here that I took photos of. It was mostly a few shots of one of guys in the shop doing his job. He's an illustrator, and he is the man. Really I'm just glad I get to work with him, so one day when he gets real famous I can say " I know that guy". You can check some of his stuff out here....

Anyway back to the story. So I am getting something published, which is pretty great if I ever want to get a photography job outside of the military. Not likely I will want to, but just in case.
Alright well it's not that exciting of news, but it's my news, so hey.

Oakhills

So bean just found in the church paper that Big Daddy Weave and Todd Agnew are going to play a concert there. Oh by the way, when I say church paper, it's not like the weekly trifold bulletin or oven flyer, no I mean actual newspaper that probably has the thickness of the NY Times A section. Stinkin crazy. Anyway, so we think we may go see them seeing how it's so close and all. Plus Big Daddy Weave is pretty good. Not as good as say Jars of Clay or Third Day, but good nonetheless.

Not much has really been happening. We cleaned house and hung some pictures finally. I mean to say the house is usually clean, so it's not "finally" that we cleaned it. But that Finally we hung some pictures. Either way it's good stuff.
Now we just have to get the garage painted and then some shelves and work table made/bought/I don't know.

The view!

I'll upload a few more, but this is the view from my hotel. It's weird there not more snow, but I guess they are having their heat wave. The 40's and all. Well, I have to get ready to catch my shuttle to the airport, so I'll post more later.

I'm in the Big CO

Well, if you didn't know I get to take pictures of autopsies. It's not the most fun job, but I think it's pretty interesting. Today I flew into Colorado Springs for one of these fun jobs. I was told before hand that this would be the nastiest job as of yet, and they were right. But when it comes down to it, it wasn't so bad, and I'm making a little extra money for coming here. I can't complain. However it's weird to be in a hotel all by myself. Actually Johnny is here to train me, and also the pathologist, but you know what I mean. Anyway, I finally got done, ate some dinner, and now I'm just hangin out, using the free internet access.
I'm sure my sentences are worse than usual so maybe I should go. I'm pretty tired. It's only one hour different here, but all the flying and standing makes tired.
Anyway I hope eveyone is doing good.
Oh have I said how beautiful Colorado is? It is so nice to see mountains again!
Alright, I'm out.

Nice weekend

Although the weather is cold, it's been a pretty great weekend. Katie got to go out Friday with Brandy, and I got to do homework. Then Saturday, we hung out and watched movies and stuff at home. I also got a Whataburger. I think it's my new favorite burger place, other than In-n-Out. Then yesterday we went to Oak Hills Church. I think Katie posted about it already, but it was good. It seems really huge, but they say they try to make it as small church atmosphere as possible. We met this lady, and she explained all about the small groups and the sunday school classes and what not. We are very hopeful about this church. We have to call the director lady about which small group to join. As of yesterday there is only 20 small groups "Open". 10 adults groups with kids, 10 adult groups without. I know not much of a selection. But actually we are optimistic. We'll keep praying God is showing us where to go.
Last night we went to Date Movie. It was kinda gross in some parts, but on the whole a pretty funny movie. And right now we're gonna go to IHOP for breakfast. What a great weekend eh?
Well I do have to finish my homework for the week, but I'm sure I'll be energized by the pancakes and coffee.
Hope y'alls weekends went good and you're not freezing too much. What's the deal with low pressure?

iPod Nano

Dude, so I got a Nano! It has got to be the coolest present ever. Bean got it for me for Valentines Day. She'd been all excited to give it to me, and I thought I had an idea, but I was wrong. In a good way. It's even better than a new Palm Pilot I thought it was. So I just want to say what an awesome wife I have.

In other news, I got to go to Ft Hood yesterday. That was lots of fun. Three hours to, and three hours back, plus you know, doin' my job. Good times. At least I got paid some extra money. So that's cool. And because I worked SOOOO hard yesterday, I got today off work. So all in all, not a bad deal.

I'm still sick, but almost better. However my stinkin jaw has been popping all day. I barely open my mouth and it pops. Maybe it's a sign for me not to open my mouth. And that would be ok, except then I don't get to eat, and frankly eating is on my top five things to do. Probably top one other than breathing.

Ok well anyway, I sure hope all you folks reading my blog had a good day, and that the sun is shining. Or moon is beaming? I don't know

Dang sick people

Well I thought I was in the clear since I didn't get sick right after katie, but I was wrong. I started feeling like junk yesterday and got worse through the night. I hate being sick. It's only a sinus thing, but it hurts my throat. That's the worst. Anyway, other than that, I just sitting at work, finally having some free time. I worked Thursday, Friday and today hardcore. It's pretty nice to be real busy, but it makes your eyes hurt when you're looking at a screen for 8 hours.

working hard

One of my favorite all time lines from SNL. You know the one with President Bush. Yeah good stuff. Anyway, I'm here at work and I finally got done with all my work orders. It took me all day to get them logged out. You gotta love the web based databases. Or not so much.
Not much has been happening I guess. I went to some girls house from work who helped me get my rear brakes done. Then yesterday I did the front brakes in our garage. What a great feeling! I even got to buy a hydralic jack. That made my day. I think I have really gotten the hang of disc brakes. It only took me about 45 minutes to get the front done. Maybe that's not quick, but I was happy. Once again it could be that I got to use my own garage and tools. I don't know.
I'm in my last week of class, in which we are learning how to write. Long story short, not such a good class. But how much can you really learn in 5 weeks?
After this class I start Human Nutrition. I think it will be fun, but then again, it may make me feel bad about all the pizza and Olive Garden I eat.....Nah probably not.
Oh I almost forgot to tell you about the church we went to on yesterday. I can't say it was a bad church, it actually had a pretty good message, well it made me think, and that's what counts. Anyway, I think including all the little kids, there may have been thirty people. Katie made a comment that we are always in the extremes. Either the church is toooooo big or too small. Is it so hard to find a church that is somewhere in the middle as far as people?
Ok well I hope everyone had a relaxing good weekend. We sure did.

Another thing

I guess I'm really just in a weird mood, but maybe that's alright. Plus that has nothing really to do with this post. Anyway...

Have you guys heard that Mercy Me song "I Can Only Imagine"?
I don't know, but if there was a song that really gets me, this would be it. I can't wait to see Jesus. I know I might have another 50 to 60 more years hopefully on this earth, but I can't wait. That song just makes me so excited to be able to be in His presence. Standing before him, kneeling, bowing, dancing, singing, quiet in awe, I don't know what I'll really do, but I can only imagine that it will be the most awesome experience to see and touch Him. I am so glad He loves me and wants me there with Him someday.

What to do

By now I'm more than sure y'all have read or heard about Katie's new job. Those few weeks of prayer and awesome answers from God were so great. I truly believe God used that experience to build Katie and I up. He showed us His awesomeness and love and how he works in such miraculous ways. I really can't express the joy that these answers brought me. God is so good.
I just thought I would get that out because I don't say that enough. God is always in our prayers and in our lives even when it seems like he's not listening. It's hard to be confident in that fact sometimes, but this experience has really strengthened my grasp(however small that grasp may be)on God's desire for us to pray to him. I am thankful and truly blessed to be saved and loved by Him.

Please keep praying for me to know whether God wants me to stay in the military or get out and find a civilian job.

I've been tagged....

Ok well I guess I'll respond to the questions, but I don't know who else to tag...

4 Jobs that I have had in my life:
Photographer: Right now I take photos in the Operating Room for Doctors, so they
can train other doctors.
Barrista: I worked at Starbucks for a second job in England. Probably one of
the best jobs I've ever had.
Assembly Worker: I worked for a pool cleaner manufacturer. Great fun it was.
Stocker/Bagboy: At the Valley Market in Happy Valley


6 Movies I could watch over and over:
Office Space
Pirates of the Carribean
Billy Madison
Zoolander
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgandy
SNL: Best of Jimmy Falon

4 places I've lived:
Lakeridge, Virginia
Omaha, Nebraska
RAF Alconbury, England
Happy Valley, California

4 TV shows I love to watch:
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
Friends
Seinfeld
Cops-Although I just got to watch it for the first time in a real long time.

4 Places I have been on vacation:
Menorca, Spain
Mt. Bachelor, Oregon
Blue Ridge Mountains, Virginia
Graceland, Tennesee

4 Websites I visit daily: Other than blogs
CNN
Daily Bread
In Touch Today
University of Phoenix

4 of my favorite foods:
The new stuffed shells at Olive Garden
Pizza. Papa John's is the best, but I like Digourno and most others as well.
Prime Rib. The best is from Cattleman's in Redding, CA
Bertha Burgers.

4 Places I would rather be right now:
Skiing, doesn't matter where, but it would be nice to be with Zach and Brenda
and the rest of the skiin walkers.
Redding, CA hanging with the homies and my parents
Maybe in the carribean on the beach
At home doing homework...it needs to get done.


I'm not tagging anyone. Is that ok?

It's been a while....

Yes, I know, I am quite the slacker. What can I say?
Well for one, I just restarted school again. The class I am taking is College Writing, or something like that. It has to do with English, so I am sure that it will not be fun and exciting. But hey, you have to keep your eye on the prize.
Then I found out I would be on call a day early because my boss, that was on call, is now going TDY to do a job in the great state of Louisiana. So now I have an extra chance to be woken up late or early depending on how you look at it, to take photos of hurt or messed up people. I know what you're thinking, That sounds really fun. Yeah, not so much, but it's my first time since I've been here, so it's all good.
I'm sure you've read Katie's blog, but I just want to say have thankful we are to just have her going to job interview. I know that she's got skills, so she should be able to get the job just fine. We'll keep praying.
Oh and Happy Birthday Mom!

Dallas is awesome

As I'm sure you have read Bean's blog, that we went to dallas for New Years. It was purty awesome. I finally got to meet Gary and Karen, and Jennifer and Patrick. We had a good time. Especially the Ping Pong. Just ask Maj. We're pretty even matched. Although, I think she beat me more than I beat her. Oh well it was great fun. While at Gary's, Paj bought Marshall's BBQ. It was great. I could really go for some right now.

I'm sure I'll come up with some more stuff to write, hopefully. Hope everyone had a great New Year!

It's Christmas Eve Day!

The Bean and I are finally finished all the shopping. We had one last present for each other to get, so we did that this afternoon. Then we watched an episode of Friends Season 6, and I cut the turkey/ham, and now Bean is making the crust. We are going to Crossbridge Community Church today at 5:30 for the Christmas Eve service, and then we'll come home and have pizza and a movie.
Hopefully we can find a church to go to tomorrow, but we'll have to do some searching.

Merry Christmas everyone, and I hope your eves and Christmas will be fun and festive!

Less than a week

It is going to be a good week. Only four days of work this week two days next week. How awesome is that. I guess the military has some good deals to it. And then we get to see Paj and Maj and Belac and Lauri, and Nanny, who I haven't seem in years. Mostly it will be like meeting her all over again, but that should be sweet too.
We decorated some more last night, so now the house looks more festive. And we moved furniture so we can be ready when our new couches and dining room table get here. It should be great, especially so I don't have to sit here on the floor typing.
Well I need to finish getting ready for work, so have a nice week everyone and soon it will be Christmas.

Christmas Info about me!

That was a good idea, so I'm stealing Marla's idea. So here's my info

Hot Chocolate or Egg Nog? I'll drink Egg Nog, but I much prefer the Hot Chocolate
Does Santa wrap the presents or just set them under the tree? There's no such thing as Santa Claws!
Colored or white lights on the tree/house? It makes no difference as long as there is lots of them. But my awesome wife likes the blue lights, so those will definitely always be around.
When do you decorate? Well this is our first year really decorating a lot, and we still aren't done, so I'd have to say all the way up until christmas. Next year will be sooner.
What is your favorite holiday dish? I really like the sweet potatoes, and pecan pie, but on the whole I just love getting together and eating a ton with family. Family is what all the memories are derived from for me.
Favorite Holiday memory as a child? I actually have some of the best memories when we finally got to spend Christmas with all the family. Ever since we were little we lived far from family, so when we got to be in CA for Christmas with Grandpa Bob and the whole crowd of Stricklands it was great!
Do you open gifts on Christmas Eve? No, but I always want to.
What kind of cookies do you set out for Santa on Christmas Eve? Well if I did, I would set out some awesome cookies from England called digestives. That would be funny.
Snow! Love it or hate it? I love it so much. I really want to come to Redding to go skiing!!!!! I miss my skis!
Can you ice skate? Yeah, but it's been years since I have.
What is the most important thing about the holidays for you? It is good to remember why we celebrate Christmas, but it is also a good time to evaluate the past year and life in general. I know that Christmas always gets me thinking about how I can live me life better and more meaningfully.
What’s your favorite holiday dessert? Oops, I already put it, but Pecan pie is the greatest. My grandma Betty makes a great pecan pie. I'm sure there's more, but for right now I'll leave it at that.
What type of tree? Real for sure. Not really sure though that I have a preference on the type. I think we have a Douglas Fir this year. And since it's our first Christmas in four Christmas's I guess I'd have to say then that Douglas Firs are the coolest.
Which do you prefer, giving or receiving? I like both. Sometimes it's great to give a gift that you know the other person really really wants and it's a surprise when you get it for them, that's a great feeling to see their face light up when they get it. But I sure do like to get presents too.
What is your favorite Christmas Carol? I'm not sure that I have a favorite, I just like them all because they bring back such good memories.
Candy Canes, YUCK or YUM? I like them. But after having too many I get tired of them. Like Crazy Uncle said, when having Camel breath, it's good to have a candy cane!

So much to do...

So USAA, our bank and insurance people, also who we went through to find a realtor gave us a check just to use them. What a great deal. So now Katie and I are going to get a garage door opener, and some shelves for her in the closet. We already have shelves, but it seems as thought the builder made the shelves for an NBA center. I can reach them, but even I have to reach quite a bit to get my stuff up there. Anyway so I guess it's cool that really these two things are free to us, seeing as all we had to do is say " Sure we'll take a free realtor that we can trust, and then have you give us a chunk of money to do so." or something like that. Good stuff.

Even better we finally got katie's compy upgraded to TIGER so now she's as cool as me and zach and do you have it PAJ? Well you should get it if you don't. Oh wait wasn't I supposed to get that for you? Yeah nevermind.......

I'm really excited that our downstairs and to the right is all done. The kitchen and fireplace room look good. Just as long as you don't look in the garage or upstairs. It's weird, I don't know where to put everything. We hid so much junk in the closets in England that now that we had to put it into boxes, now I don't want to take the junk out. Oh the humanity!

Alright, well I'm kinda just rambling like always, so I guess I'll go.