Greetings from far away!!!

Hello out there all. Greetings from Jacksonville FL!!! Thats right yours truly is a few short hours away from getting on a Cruise ship and heading for the warm sunny beaches of the BAHAMAS
!!!! More to come at a later date.


Sarge99

Farewell Old Friend.

It is with a very heavy heart that I write this today. Our Beloved family friend Calle passed away yesterday after a short bout with lymphoma. My wife "Angie" used to work at a vets office when we were engaged to be married. One day shortly after we bought our first house, I was living there alone for a few months, she brought home this little mop of hair that had a tail wagging. And for our first 5 years of marriage she was our only child. We kept her in kennel at nights and during the day while we were at work. My office here seems a lot emptier this morning. When our daughter was born Calle watched her like a hawk and if she happened to be crawling down the hall and we didnt see for whatever reason Calle would follow her and bark for us. That's the problem with having a dog. You get so attached and it just hurts so bad when they are taken from you. I will always remember when I would come in from a hard day at work. Calle would meet me at the door, She would always wait for me to take off my shoes and then she and I would wrestle a little bit. She always ended it by licking me on the face. I miss that most. I know dogs arent people but they sure do teach us a lot about unconditional love. Dexter was the name of the last dog I had when I lived with my parents. He just passed a year or so ago from a stroke. The last thing I told Calle before I laid her to rest was to let Dexter know that we still love him too and they would have a great time having the angels to rub their bellies and throw their tennis balls. The hardest thing so far as a dad that I have had to do is come home and console my two favorite people then go out and create a final resting place. I think I did it right? Calle loved the outside, when we would let her out on a day like yesterday she would find the nearest shady spot and just lie down and chill. That is what she was doing when she passed. So farewell Callebell!! We Love You!!! And we will never forget you.

Good Times!!!!

Hello out there!! Time for another episode of how the trailer turns!! I want to talk to you all about beliefs. The people who are important to me know some of my beliefs. For those of you who do not know me personally, let me enlighten you a bit. Yes I am a christian. No I don't believe that you have to go to church regularly to be considered a real christian. I feel that is your own personal conviction. I have been a youth group leader and a sunday school teacher. That all went away when I made mention of enjoying an adult beverage and that I listen to various kinds of music, (metal being the most notable). I also believe that you should give thanks to God for the good and the bad in life. Always remember that the bad days make you appreciate the good ones even more. I also believe that good friends are hard to find and when you find them you should appreciate the good and the bad points about them. Especially if the good things they do for you as a friend outweigh the bad qualities they may or may not have in your eyes. Where their intentions may be the best, their way of carrying out those intentions could be something you may not agree with. Now that my little sermon is finished I want to take a minute to thank my Mom and Dad for a great time at the house the other day with a fish fry to celebrate not only my Birthday (33) but also my Grandparents anniversary (58). It was a wonderful night with most of my favorite people in attendance. Some of my close friends didnt make it and that's ok. They treated me to a birthday dinner earlier in the week. And I wonder why I am fat, HAHAHA. As with any get together with me and my Mom there was of course a little speedbump, but I thank God everyday that I have a relationship with my Mom that allows us to discuss our differences like adults and try to come to an understanding. We don't agree with each other sometimes but at least we respect what the other is saying. Love ya Mom. Hey and I know I didnt talk about it last month but Fathers Day came around again and I thank God everyday for my Dad. It is because of his example that I feel I am the man I am today. I know I make mistakes in raising my children and its ok. I know he feels he probably made a few with me. I still love him and I know he still loves me. My best friend lost his Dad a few years ago. I couldn't imagine. Of all the men that I have come in contact with in my life, I hold them up to the example that my Dad set to me as the perfect father and quite honestly most fall very short in my eyes. We are on a bowling league together and I cherish all of those nights at the alley. We are like best friends instead of Father and Son for a few hours on Monday night. Love ya POP!!!

Until next time!!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!

Hi All!!! Glad that I am apparently getting some new readers to the blog. ;) So HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!! I hope all the ladies in your life know how much you appreciate and care for them on this special day. I thought I would drop a few lines about the important ladies in my life, starting with my grandmother Nancy. I love this little woman, she never has had a house that you couldnt play in as a child and she never showed any of the grandchildren more love that the others. But we all knew not to cross her, just ask me and I will tell you about Kmart. My wonderful and beautiful wife Angie, there is not enough space on the web for me to begin to tell you how much I love, adore and respect her. She has not surprised me at all with how great of a mother she has been to Madison. I tell Maddie all the time that she should just watch her mother and she will learn how to be the perfect mom and wife. Our best friend Jamie is so awesome!! Not only is she a 3rd shift nurse after going back to school in her late 20's, but she also juggles the duties of being a wife, the stress of nursing, the fun ;) of being a mother to a daughter who is very headstrong, but she is also the mother to an autistic son. Jared is a very complex child whos mood will change in an instant but you can tell he loves his mom. Angie and I admire Jamie more than anyone will ever know. Now this is the first year that my Mom and I didn't spend Mothers Day together and that was ok. She got a free trip to the beach with some friends and needed a getaway. My Mom is and always will be one of my best friends. I know that I can call her anytime of the day or night if I am upset about something and I know she will talk to me and calm me down. Quick background, I just started a new job after leaving the one I was at for over 5yrs. I have been very depressed and took a big hit to my self confidence. I haven't really told many people but I have been depressed for several months now. I talked to Mom a few nights ago for about 2 hrs. I am now happy and content with every aspect in my life. THANKS MOM!!!! I LOVE YOU AND HOPE YOU HAD FUN AT THE BEACH!!! Guys, tell your Mom you love em. You only have one!!! Ladies, a sincere HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO YOU ALL!!! Angie, Jamie, Meemaw Nancy, I LOVE YOU AND ADMIRE YOU ALL!!!!

Spring has Sprung!!

Well all it looks as if spring is upon us. Yours truly has already cut the grass 3 times this year. That is about all I did last year all together. So I have one question for the local governments and weather people......WHAT DROUGHT??!?!?!?!?!?!!? Most of the local weather people are still saying we are in a severe drought. Well let me just tell you a few things, THERE IS NO MORE DROUGHT!!! The government and the local news stations only survive on you being scared. Scared there is a shortage of water, gas and other basic essentials to human life as we know it. The truth is we have no shortage of any of these. There is plenty of oil in the world but it takes the people who matter to not give in to every special interest group to be able to drill where they need to. You granola eatin, tree huggin, prius driving hippy idiots know who I'm talkin to here. Lets address the water issue now. Have ya looked on either side of the country??? Thats a ton o water there people. The money would come in with filter systems to make it worthy of drinking. We as a people need to band together and bring some common sense back to the people who matter!!! Get out and Vote this year and let your voice be heard!!! THAT IS ALL!!!!


SARGE 99

R.I.P Uncle Nickey

Hi all! Sorry for the long absence. This has been a rough little time in the family arena of life. My Dad's youngest brother was involved in a tragic accident a few weeks ago and we are still dealing with the after effects. Those of you who have lost loved ones certainly understand what my Dad is going through. Let me say that I love my old man. He is one of the kindest souls that I know of. His family is a different story for me. I haven't said too much to his mother and father for the past 10 or so years. You would have to know the history to understand why. I wont get into it here. His way of dealing with the pain was to insure that his brother left this world with dignity. This was accomplished in a very loving fashion. I have several good memories of Nickey, and would like to share some with you. Nickey was a trucker, and a mechanic. He always had the cool cars to me. The one I remember best was a mid 70's Mustang II Cobra, white with blue racing stripes. Man that was a cool car for sure. I also remember he had the biggest smile EVER!!! I know he is with GOD and looking down at all of us, probably smiling bigger than all outside!!! Thanks for indulging me. The following is a copy of my Mom's columm that will run the local paper soon. Many thanks to all the friends that called to wish there sympathies on us during this tragic time.

The T****** family has had a rough few weeks. As many of you already know, Gary's youngest brother Nickey died on March 22. Nickey lost his life in a tragic accident that happened at his home in Liberty. He and his 15 year old son Travis (yes, there are two Travis T*******) were working on Nickey's small pickup truck when it rolled off the portable ramps and pinned him underneath. He yelled for his son to get out and thankfully he did but Nickey was unable to get out from under the truck. He lost oxygen to his brain for too long a time. Even though he was rushed to Randolph Hospital and soon thereafter airlifted to Chapel Hill, the damage had been done. This happened on Tuesday, March 18 and he never regained consiousness. Life support was taken off on Saturday, March 22. I know I've left out a lot of the small details but they don't matter. A wfie has lost a husband, a young man lost his father, two dear parents have buried a child and three brothers lost their "baby" brother. And all his many friends and fellow truckers? It was obvious by the long line at the funeral home, these folks have lost a devoted friend.
Gary's family has never been like my family. The S***'s pretty much send out the SOS signal if one of us sneezes more than once. We have been called "the Waltons". That name was given to us many years ago when our Travis was in the hospital for emergency surgery and so many of my family members camped out at the hospital during his entire stay. When a new baby is on the way, my family takes up residence in the waiting room on the maternity floor of the hospital and waits, sometimes for hours. We talk every day about pretty much every thing. We know who's going on vacation, when we're leaving, when we arrive and when we get back home. We hug. A lot. That's just how we are. It doesn't mean we love each other any more than another family. It just means we have the need to stay very connected.
On the other hand,Gary's family has always taken the approach that they'll stay out of the way unless needed and wait at home for any news. As they have gotten older and have more health issues Gary has started letting his parents know when we're traveling and our itenerary, just in case of an emergency. Gladys and Robert had four sons, no daughters,five grandsons and no granddaughters. Since boys don't hug a lot, there wasn't much of that going on either. Oh, I've seen Gladys try to corral these grown boys into a hug but they always kind of half-heartily hug her back. They don't love her any less, they're just not comfortable with all that" touchy-feely stuff. Doesn't bother her one bit, she enjoys the half-hugs. There's not a lot of telephone talk either. Communication is not their strong point. When they need to talk, they talk. When either Robert or Gladys is in the hospital, these men come together. Whenever there is a family emergency, the phone lines start heating up and things get done. They may not communicate on a daily basis as much as my family or another family might but when they need to communicate, they get the news out.
A few hours after Nickey's accident, we were all gathered at Chapel Hill Hospital. Nickey's wife Robin, their son Travis and Robins' mother Dean were there as well as Robert, Gladys and Billy, the oldest of the sons. Gary and I got there soon thereafter followed by Wesley and Sheila. Gary is next to oldest and Wesley is the third son.
As we all stood around Nickey's bedside and listened to the doctors as they gave us very little hope, I looked aournd at these three brothers and my mother and father-in-law and I knew then that it doesn't always matter if you talk to each other every single day, if you know every single thing or even if you hug every single time you're together. What matters is the history you share as a family. Your family may not be like my family. Just being family is what counts.
One had fallen. The others lifted him up in prayer. They held onto each other and lent support to Nickey's wife and son. I've been a daughter-in-law to Gladys T****** for almost 34 years. I looked at my mother-in-law and could not imagine the depth of her grief in knowing that she was going to bury one of her children. I had no words. I've not lost a child.
I knew a woman a few years ago who lost her son when he was 38 years old. She taught me a valuable lesson. Never tell someone that you know how they feel unless you've been down that road.
This has been a sad column for me to compose. We didn't see and visit with Nickey and his family very often. He drove a truck and was gone for a week or more at a time. Our lives didn't cross paths too much. You know how you take family for granted. "Oh we''ll see them at Christmas or at one of Mom's get togethers." But we alwyas knew he was out there somewhere. And just when we were least expecting it, I would answer the telephone and hear his big, booming voice coming across the miles and he'd be wanting to ask Gary about something.
Many people will miss that big voice and that big hearty laugh. He had a ton of friends as was evident in the long line of folks that came to the funeral home. We heard stories of his strong faith in the Lord and his goodness to his friends. We were so blessed by the friends and extended family who paid their respects to his memory and to all of us...his family. It felt like one great big hug. Thank you all.

Round and Round we go!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! I trust all of you had a good holiday season and a very Merry Christmas. I know my family sure did enjoy all of the fellowship with each other. As some of you may know I am an avid bowler. My dad and I are on a league together and go about 2 times a week to practice. So let me take this time to give a free plug to the FAMILY SPORTS CENTER in Asheboro. Me, my parents, and my wife Angie, spent New Years Eve there for their NYE special. Folks, I can tell ya that was one of the best New Years I have ever spent. Maddie went and spent some time with Angie's parents. They live like 20 mins from us and dont see her as much time with her as they or we would like. Back to the story, for $45 a lane we got 2 1/2 hrs of bowling, shoe rental for mom and angie, and the best appetizer tray I have ever seen. The staff really went out of their way to make it a fun night for all with different games and activities for us to enjoy. Sorry no rants this time around as I feel I am in a good time in my life and that 2008 IS GOING TO BE GREAT!!! For those of you who do pray please keep us in your prayers as we are making some life changes that will definitely be for the best. Angie is trying to lose some weight, and I am looking for a better job. I know these are very minor problems to have but we still need the prayers. Yall have a good week and I will see ya soon!!!!

SARGE 99