Vacation

I am leaving in thirty minutes for a two week vacation.
I don't go back to work until June 9th.
Three days in Hong Kong, three days in Jakarta and a little less than a week in Bali...
If you aren't jealous- you should be... :-()
I have a pocket full of money and white legs. I plan to return with no money and a tan.

Happy graduation to me...
Happy graduation to me...
I finally made it...
Happy graduation to me...
And many more......

Stand by for awesome photos in about two weeks.

I did it

I have passed through...
I passed through a triumphant arch Tuesday night and on one side was my GED I got when I quit high school because I couldn't stay sober long enough to show up or to do any work, and on the other side was Bachelor of Science degree from Walden University.

I finished my undergraduate degree- finally.
Yes I remained an overachiever throughout the whole process and ended with a 3.942 GPA. I am going to have the words Summa Cum Laude on my diploma, which I plan to look up soon and see what they mean, although I do know it is the highest Latin honors you can get.

I am so grateful that I was allowed the opportunity to take a second try at life in general, and at an education specifically. It took a lot of patience from my family and a LOT of sleepless nights. I have foregone true hobbies or personal interests for seven years to get this done. I did it through two relocations and promotions and the birth of a new child. I did it in spite of the little voice in my head that continually told me- right up to the last minute- that I couldn't do it.

The sky is not even close to the limits for me now, I just am going to take some time to decide what's next for me and the family.

Fly Fishin

This is what a dedicated fisherman like myself goes through.
you have to get past the frozen part of the river to get to the part that's thawed. If you give up when you see it frozen and turn back then you can't catch any fish.
This weekend Michael and I went past the frozen spots to see if we could find any water to wet a line in. We were rewarded with a great open spot of water brimming full of trophy rainbow trout.

Real true fishermen never ever give up...

By the way we didn't catch a single fish, but that's not the point. They don't call it catchin, they call it fishin...
It isn't so much about the fishing as it is about the journey.

This Summer

Man do I ever miss being able to wear shorts...

College

11 more weeks and I will be a college graduate!
I won't have officially graduated, but I will have completed my classes- all of them!

If I keep going, I could eventually get my doctorate and you all would have to call me Dr. Eric!!!!!

Adios Amigos

What Happened?

Seems like just yesterday that little Katie wasn't in trouble or gang banging...

Winter

Apparently it gets cold here in January and February. They say that's when it gets the worst.
Thank God it doesn't get cold in December...

It is -4 degrees Fahrenheit outside right now, but everyone assures me "You aint seen nothin yet Eric."

Michael and I just threw a cup of warm water outside and watched most of it turn to steam before it hit the ground.

I don't know what I would do if it was really cold...

Katie

We don't let her outside in her baby blue football jammies...
she looks too much like her dad.

It snowed here...

A lot...

Just for Granny Peggy

Here is one of the dogs- buttercup- sunning on the window seat.
Neely this Summer on vacation at Thermopolis
Bryce a couple of years ago in Playa del Carmen Mexico.

Don't forget- you can left click on the pictures to make them larger and then click the back button on your browser to return to this page...

Halloween at the Waller's

I was heading up to bed, and didn't realize I had my ears on until Neely started laughing.
Note to self: always try to remember if you have decorations on your head, especially when posing for the camera.

Michael's New Truck

Michael got a new truck today. Yes, I know he isn't old enough to drive, but I had a little money, and the truck we have been looking for popped up. We had originally planned to get him one like it next year, but this one caught my eye yesterday. He is one lucky (and good) kid.

1979 4x4 Chevy Cheyenne 10 (1/2 ton)
4" body lift + 4" suspension lift for a grand total of 8" of lift.
Dual headers with chrome tail pipes.
Non stock 400 Chevy small block.
36 mudder's for tires.

If that aint redneck- I'll kiss your ass...