Oh my goodness Dairy,

What the crap was I thinkin. I let Lynn sweet talk me into getting a cat. We took off this morning and went to Wal-Mart(tween taxes and wal-mart I ain’t got much money), we got cat litter, a litter box, a freakin cat condo, water bowl, food bowl, cat toys, a pet taxi, cat food, and who knows what else. Then we went to a pet store that had a humane organization adopting out pets. Lynn and the kids picked out a real purty solid gray boy cat. Now we have two stupid pets in the house. I don’t know if I have ever mentioned our yorkshire terrier Daisy, hey that’s just one letter off of your name Dairy. I always told them no more pets until daisy is dead. So much for that.

I had the perfect chance to be rid of her about 6 years ago. She got sick so we took her to the vet. The vet said that her bowels were blocked and that we could try some medicine and if that didn’t work he could operate on her for $700. I said we’ll do the medicine and if that don’t work we will bury her. So I gave her the medicine according to directions, it didn’t help. There was about 2 or 3 times the amount I gave her left. I told Lynn “I’m gonna give her all of it.” Lynn says “You’ll kill her if you give her that much.” I shrugged my shoulders and told her that “she’s gonna die either way so what does it matter.” Unfortunately I gave her all of it and she passed one of Lynn’s hair scrungies. Jamie(he was only 4 or 5) wanted to know if mamma would use that scrungy again. I reckon that was a missed opportunity. Well the durn dog seems so healthy we may never get rid of her.

I plan on having a long take it easy kind of weedend. I certainly don’t plan on drinking no Ovaltine. I plan on taking a nap and sleeping all night and then another nap tomorrow. Yea that sounds cool. I just wonder what is gonna happen to ruin all these good plans.

Hey Dairy I almost forgot to tell you. We were near one of my favorite restaura, reastar, one of my favorite eating places. It is called South 21. It’s one of those places where you order and eat in the car. My parents always took us there a couple of times a year when we were kids. They have the bestest trout plate. But Dairy, this ain’t no lie, they have the absolute best, best, tarter sauce in the whole world. I will eat it on their fish, chicken, fries, or on their ribeye steak sandwich. I usually get an extra order and bring it home and eat it on any other kind of meat we have. They also have wonderful slaw, it’s mainly just shredded cabbage and carrots soaked in vinegar but it is good. I think I really like this place because of the nostalgic ambience that it represents for me. Going there was one of the best experiences that we all enjoyed as a family. We all liked the food and looked forward to going. We didn’t go much because it is several towns and cities away.

Well I better take one of them naps I was talking about before something comes up. I better get all the rest I can this weekend because next week will be busy. Working overtime and taking the kids and grandma to the dentist. I gotta get the Chrysler inspected and get the oil changed in the Prizm. Boy I better get to bed I’m getting tired just thinking about it.

PSALM 118:14 THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH AND SONG, AND IS BECOME MY SALVATION!!!

I AM VONSTEGALL AND I HAS A KITTYCAT!!

What up Dairy dude,

Yesterday just after I laid down to go to sleep the phone rang. It was a detective calling me about seeing our neighbor the day after she went missing. After I told him what we saw he said that she just didn’t want to come home and that she has been seen around town. At least she is alright, but it ain’t a good situation anyway you look at it.

About 6:30 my supervisor told me to be in the dept managers office at a quarter til 7. I thought oh no, what did I do. Well I went in and told him who I was. He said “How ya doing Mr. VonStegall”. I said fine and he said “How ya doing”. Anyway the reason I was called in was to get my 15 year anniversary service award. I picked it out a few weeks ago it is an ESQ Swiss something or other watch. I put it on the table and Lynn says ain’t you gonna open it. She says you don’t seem to thrilled to have it. Actually I isn’t. I got to thanking about what fifteen years up there has been. Its been long hours on crappy shifts doing a whole buttload of tedious body aching labor. YIPPEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I sure hope that I can get in another 19 years in. I’ll be 55 and have 34 years in and can retire with full benefits and start drawing a pension. I’ll probably kick over the day before I retire. Work 34 years and not be able to enjoy any retirement. I reckon an eternity of heaven is better that 20 or 30 years on this earth though.

Yo Dairy I ordered my tires for my truck. I had to make two selections. A first choice, and guess what the other one was. Yea a second choice, in case the first choice is unavailable. I sure hope the first choice is there. They look pretty cool. Big grips an I think it is a white wall or white letters. I sure do hate building the white walls though they are a pain in the butt. The second choice is just a plain ol black round tire. I had to order a different size than what I have. Working at a tire plant you’d think I’d know something about tires. But I had to call my father-in-law to make sure it would work. He worked at the plant for 30 something years and ran a recapping shop back in the 20′s I think it was. So he knows more about it than I do. I can build a tire but I don’t know nothing about what size fits on what rims or what different sizes do as far as handling and crap like that.

I kinda hope it rains all weekend, that way I can just lay around on my lazy carcass. Heck even if it don’t rain I think I’ll just lay around on my lazy carcass.

BLESS YOU ALL AND PRAY FOR REIGN, OR IS IT RAIN, OR IS IT RAYNE?

I IS VONSTEGALL AND I HAVE A NEW WATCH.

What’s up Dairy!!

Last night was like christmas from 11p.m. to 2 a.m. We did such a good job sunday night they opened up all the snack and drink machines. Getting something free just makes a long and boring night a little more less boring(it was still long.

We also had our plant wide quarterly meeting. They told us how good and how bad we are doing. They seem to concentrate a little more on the negative, but then again they did just give us free snacks last night.

We learned yesterday that our 16 year old neighbor has been missing since last thursday. The news stations were here all day. We have heard that they thought there was foul play involved and we have heard that it was just a runaway situation. I was surprised to hear that since her little brother has been over here almost everyday this week and he hasn’t said a word about it. Me and Lynn were in the kitchen the afternoon of the morning she disappeared and saw a truck pull up in their yard and she got by herself and went into the house alone, so it didn’t look like foul play at that point. I called the sherriff department and told them. I don’t know if it was useful info or not, but they haven’t called back so they may know more than they are telling. I would appreciate any prayers that would be said for her.

Now on a lighter note I would like to say a couple of things to someone named Rayne. If you are not Rayne this ain’t none of your business so please skip this part it is confidential and you may not understand it anyway. First off Scarlett O’hara said “I’ll worry about it tomorrow”. At least I’m pretty sure that’s what she said. I just finished the book. But if you saw the movie she may have said something totally different. Books are usually better. Second I would like to say I AM VONSEAGULL AND I AIN’T SWAPPED SINKS WITH NOBODY, ESPECIALLY jamisink.

I am through with my confidential statement to Rayne so anyone else may read the rest of this entry. I am going to bed now goodnight.

PSALM 85:11 TEACH ME THY WAY, O LORD;……

I AM VONSEAGULL OR IS IT VONSTEGALL AND I LIKE TO ACT SILLY!!!!

Hey! Hey! Dairy,

I done all the things on my to do list and then some. First I carried off a load of crap from the closets. Then I took Kimmie’s bike to dad’s and pumped up the tires for her. After that I cut the grass, all of it!! Not a quarter of it or half of it, but the whole cotton-picking yard. It looked like rain and I kept mowing. It began to sprinkle and I mowed on. Then it started to pour and I didn’t stop. Then the snow came and then it began to hail… Wait I got carried away, it was just a steady drizzle, but I did mow the whole yard. I don’t think I have ever mowed the whole yard in one cutting before. I was so stoked that I ran up the four steps of the porch and began jumping up and down with my arms in the air shouting VonStegall, VonStegall and humming the Rocky theme music. Then I cooked those ribs on the grill, man they was good. After Jamie kicked my butt at video baseball I took a short nap. Then I went to prayer meetting. After that me and Lynn took the kids to mom and dad’s so we could go get an ice cream. I told you I had an easy night last night. Usually after four twelve hour shifts I ain’t man enough to do much of anything. I feel pretty good about a very productive day.

While we were cleaning the closets we came across a pillow that I had used up until a few months ago. I have had that pillow since I was a little kid. At one time it got a hole in it and before mom sowed it up somehow or other a Lincoln Log found its way into the pillow. A Lincoln Log is a toy log that comes in a kit that you can make log cabins and other things with. Through the years as I have slept on that pillow I would feel that log and think about my childhood. I worked the log to a corner of the pillow and cut it out. I put it in a chest that I have had for years. I keep corny sentimental crap in it that I have acquired through out my boring life. I have an old hunting liscense that belonged to Paw Paw VonStegall from the 1960′s. I also have an old pocket watch and a ring(looks kind of civil warish) that belonged to him. I also have one of his pocketknifes. Paw Paw VonStegall was an important part of my childhood. I also have things like a match box car that I have had forever. I have my wisdom tooth and some other crap that I can’t remember without getting off my lazy duff and looking. I know this was a heaping, helping, serving of corn. But these things are priceless to me even if the have absolutely no monetary value at all.

I am now through boring you with my busy and productive day. Goodnight and keep out of trouble Dairy old pal.

ECCLESIASTES 2:13 THEN I SAW THAT WISDOM EXCELLETH FOLLY, AS FAR AS LIGHT EXCELLETH DARKNESS.

I AM VONSTEGALL AND I AM LOUSY AT VIDEO BASEBALL!!!!

Oh Dairy,
I’ve been a bad boy!! I have to make a confession to you Dairy. I am so glad that I can confess something to you that I would not want to tell anyone else and know that it is strictly confidential. It’s hard to admit when you have done something wrong but my conscience is bothering me so bad I must tell you the truth even if someone over hears it. Well here goes, Dairy you know that entry I made yesterday, you know the one about the merry-go-round. Well I stole that. And not from just anyone but from one of my bestest friends. That was not my experience, it was Hannahclair’s. Oh my word, I feel so much better now that I have that off my chest. I don’t know what possessed me to do that. It’s bad enough to be a thief but to steal from a 15 year old, I am so ashamed. Now maybe I can sleep at night.

I went in for some overtime last night. It was a pretty easy night. I had two machines down at lunch time and did not have to give those two breaks so I was able to keep caught up on all the little stuff I have to do. Plus I got to take an extra break myself. They were going to have the quartely meeting this morning for the last hour of the shift, you know to tell us how good or bad the company is doing. Since I was overtime and will be going to the meeting on my shift, I talked the supervisor into letting me come home early. So I feel pretty doggone good and the best part is I get paid time and half for those easy hours. It looks like there will be plenty of overtime on my job for the next 4 or 5 weeks, so I will be working a good bit. I promise Dairy that I will try not to neglect you, old buddy, during that time.

This morning on the way home I stopped to get a coffee. I had to dig through my change tray and I came across a strange looking coin, I’ve never seen one like it before, and I had a good idea. On bingo night we use pennies to cover the called numbers. Last year we put a couple of wheat pennies in and who ever wound up with the wheat pennies got an eight pack of cheese on wheat crackers. I will come up with something like that for this coin also. I know that sounds corny but I think everyone enjoyed it. We work on bingo night all year round, that’s how much me and Lynn and the kids enjoy it.

Today I have big plans. I have had that truck for almost a week and have only drove it the day I got it. Today we will do some spring cleaning and I will drive my truck to the dump. I will get to drive it to prayer meeting tonight if I can stay awake until 6:30. Oh yea I almost forgot I’m gonna cook some ribs on the grill if it ain’t raining at lunch time. And if I can think of some other reason to take a spin I’ll drive my truck some more. I may just take off with the kids and go for a ride just to be riding.

EXODUS 20:15 THOU SHALT NOT STEAL!!

I AM VONSTEGALL AND I HAVE BEEN A BAD BOY!!!!!!

Hey Dairy,
I remember going to this park a few times with a big group of kids, when I was about 7 or 8, that had this merry-go-round that you had to push by hand. I LOVED that thing. And yet, it is such a simple concept.(You make a big saucer shaped object that can hold about seven children, and can spin on the ground. Put a few big handle bars on it so someone can push it to make it spin, and also for the passengers to have something to hold on to so they don’t fly away.) It’s brilliant!
I remember one day, this other kid and I, who was about my age, were the oldest kids playing on the merry-go-round, so we were the ones pushing it for the younger kids. So he would stand on one side and I would sand on the opposite, and while holding the handle bars, we would run as fast as we could about five times around the thing, then jump on and scream our heads off! And every once in a while one of the dads would come over and push us. And when that happened you would HOLD ON FOR DEAR LIFE! Sometimes men can get a little over zealous, push a little too hard, and about five kids will fly off at once. But all of them will jump right back on and beg for more.
I heard a comedian once say, when you’re a kid getting dizzy is your first high. There’s just nothing like that feeling after you have spun around as fast as you can, then suddenly stop and feel that WHOOSH in your head and seeing the world keep spinning around you.
But after doing that for non stop for about 45 minuets to an hour, it starts to wear on you. That’s when you experience your first hangover.
That boy and I sat on the picnic benches, feeling like we could throw up our whole stomachs for a half an hour. Now, to a 7 year-old, that feels like the closest thing to dying. But some how I lived, and being a slow learner, as soon as we felt better we jump right back on the merry-go-round.
I guess you could call me a recovering “dizziholic”.

GOD BLESS YOU ALL

I AM VONSTEGALL AND I DON’T WON’T TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY POKER!!!!!

Oh Dairy,
Please say it anin’t so. All the stars are leaving the tarheels. The seven top scorers have graduated or are turning pro. I reckon next year we’ll see how good of a coach Roy Williams is. Maybe they wil have unexpected star come out of one of the subs from this years team. I think they will be competitive but I don’t know if they will set any records.

Dairy dude, it is a trip at the plant. We aren’t working together, each shift is trying to build as many tires as possible, and running the next shift out of material. I know it’s important to get the numbers, I reckon teamwork don’t mean diddly squat. It always seems like a machine that supplies material goes down and it puts everyone in a bind not to mention bad moods. Oh well, all I can do is do what I can and not worry about it.

Hey Dairy, I’m going to get new tars for my truck and it ain’t gonna cost me one red cent. When you get perfect attendence two years in a row you get a free set of tars. So I get a set this year. You still have to pay to have them mounted. But my brother-in-law has the same size tars that I have. His is in bad shape but the ones on my truck are still in real good shape. So I’m gonna get a new set for my truck and give him the old set. He will pay to mount my new ones for me and then pay to put my old ones on his truck. So he gets a good set of tars for less than half what he would pay for a new set and I don’t have to pay anything. I love it when a plan comes together.

Catcha later Dairy it’s bedtime. Goodnight.

PSALM 118:14 THE LORD IS MY STRENGHT AND SONG, AND IS BECOME MY SALVATION!!!

I IS VONSTEGALL AND I WILL BE BACK(IF GOD WILLS)!!!!!!

There seems to be alot of cases of kidnapping and molestation and the murder of kids in the news lately. There seems to be an awful lot of this going on in Florida especially, or maybe those cases are just getting the most publicity for some reason. Anyway some of the news programs that I watch are discussing this and it seems that the govt is getting alot of the blame. I’ve heard why isn’t govnor bush doing more, or why isn’t law enforcement doing more? I personally would like to know why aren’t parents doing more.

Please let me finish. I know that no matter how careful you are something can still happen. But I also know that sometimes we as parents can take more precautions. I would never be so arrogant to say that nothing like this will ever happen to my family but I also know that I can cut down on the chances of something happening. Last week we went to a baseball game, it was unreal how many little kids were walking around unsupervised. Many I’d say as young as ten or less getting out of site of the parents for extended periods of time. I am amazed at how many kids, I have seen in places like Wal-Mart off by themselves. I’m talking about 4 and 5 year old kids with no parents in site. I realize that some kids will run off, my son use to do this. I also know that because we knew he was prone to run off we watched him extremely close.

There was a story about a man who had a history of being a child molestor who was giving out cotton candy to kids at a circus. Personally that did not bother me because if I took my kids to a circus I would keep them with me at all times. I agree that this man should not have been given this job. Yes I believe that the sex offender registry is a good idea but I also realize that if these people are evil enough to rape kids that they probably would not think twice about refusing to register when they move or take a job.

I know that in some of these cases that are getting publicity that the parents were taking care of the kids. I think that in the lunsford case that she was being took care of. No dad was not at home but he knew the grandparents were there watching over the little girl. This was a case where the precautions were taken and it still happened. This just proves that kids aren’t safe no matter what we as parents do. There was another case where the little girl was taken in the middle of the night when there was no parent or responsible adult in the house, I think that this was completely irresponsible. I don’t know at what age you should be able to leave children home alone but I feel too many kids are being given responsibilities that they are not ready for or maybe it is just plain irresponsibility on the parents part. I would hate to think that my child was abducted because I just didn’t want to pay childcare. Yes I know that it is expensive but our children must be taken care of.

I have been accused of being over protective with my children. That’s OK with me. I’d rather be over protective and cut down the odds of something happening than to be under protective and take a chance on something happening. I don’t know the percentages of kids who are abducted, raped, or killed. But I do know that if something happened to one of mine it would be 100% for me.

My goal for writing this is not to condemn anyone for how they parent but to encourage everyone to watch their kids closely and cut down the chances of something happening. I know that a few years ago there was a case where a man took a little girl out of the church. I can’t remember the outcome but kids aren’t safe anywhere and that’s a shame. Kids should feel safe at all times but that is not the case in our society. That’s all I got to say about that.

I saw an article on a news show last night about a book that had a pretty thought provoking subject. The book is about abortion. It looks at abortion from the point of view that abortion has cut down on crime rates. The theory is that those who abort babies are more likely to raise criminals. That’s a pretty interesting thought. I can’t remember the name of the book I wish I could. But if you think about it, if someone will murder thier own child they probably would not raise the child to have any morals, therefore alot of these babies probably would end up as criminals due to the parents influence. I think that might be an interesting book. I may try to find out the name and get a copy.

These are my thoughts on these subjects. You are free to agree or disagree, it doesn’t matter to me.GOD BLESS YOU!!!!

GENESIS 42:22 …DO NOT SIN AGAINST THE CHILD…

I AM VONSTEGALL AND I AM OVERPROTECTIVE!!!!

A1right Dairy!!
I got my truck. It took most all day but I got it. First we had to go to the credit union and put a great big dent in our savings. I hated the long ride but a frosty from wendys always makes things better. Me and the kids got one and when the lady gave me my change she gave us a book of coupons for free junior frostys. That was 20 free frostys. Now that was a pleasant surprise.

I had to go to the bank and cash the credit union check. Then we went to the library. I met the man where he works and paid him. He talked like he was selling one of his kids. Either he really likes his,uh, my truck or he was trying to play me for more money. I don’t feel to bad for him it was his decision to sell it. He talked about how bad he needed the money or else he would not sell it. I think he really took good care of the truck. After filling out the title and getting it notorized I had to go get it added to the insurance. Then it was off to the license plate place. Then it was time to go get the truck.

After we picked up the truck I took Lynn and the kids home and we dropped off the car and took the truck to let great grandma see it. She liked it. Of course she would say that whether she meant it or not. She lives with Lynn’s parents and Lynn’s dad was impressed. That’s saying something, you can give him a birthday or fathers day present and he’ll say umm and lay it down. So when he said that’s nice and it sounds good and strong I knew I had a good truck at a good price. I also took it to show my parents and dad thought it was OK too, that’s saying alot from my dad. He sometimes doesn’t show any kind of emotion or excitment anything. I never realized that dad and dad-in-law were that much alike until now.

Then I finalized the truck transaction, I had to go get the spare tire that he had forgot to put into the truck. When I got there I was so glad that since he needed money real bad he decided to sell the old truck. I’m glad he did not decide to sell the corvette, the cadilac, or the silverado kingcab pickup. I really don’t want or need any of those.

Dairy I got a truck, one I really like, but do you know what the best part of the day was? While we were eating supper I was still talking about my truck. Lynn says “I haven’t seen you this excited about anything in a long time”. But the thing that struck me was she seemed genuinely please that I was able to get it. It makes me feel so good that me being happy about something makes her happy. Dairy have you ever heard a man say when she’s happy I’m happy, well it works both way. I have the most wonderful wife in the world. Even if I hadn’t of got a truck I’d still say that. Lynn is the most awesome blessing I have aside from my salvation and I thank the Lord so much for her.

PROVERBS 31:10 WHO CAN FIND A VIRTUOUS WOMAN? FOR HER PRICE IS FAR ABOVE RUBIES.

I AM VONSTEGALL AND I HAVE FOUND ONE!!!!!

Dairy dude,
What’s up! It was a tough two nights. The first night was smooth and then I got hit with two hectic nights. I sure is glad they are over with. I’m sorry I did not talk to you yesterday,old buddy, but I was just to tired. I checked with the deptartment manager and I have not received the relief job. Yet. He said just between me and you I am gonna do some courtesy interviews. He alluded(that’s a fancy word for hinted) to the fact that it is unofficially mine. My supervisors and coworkers want me to get it(have I mentioned that before?) and so does the low man on day shift. He is pushing real hard, harder than anyone else, for me to get it. That’s selfish though, if someone with more time than him gets it he goes to night shift.

Dairy my pal, I went to the doctor about that knot, it is knot a not or is it not a knot, anyway it is a cyst. Actually I saw a nurse practitioner(?) she seemed real eager to treat that rascal too. She burst it and then she went to squeezing on it. She would show me what she was getting out every once in awhile. It looked like runny nose snot with some blood mixed in. She really seemed to be enjoying herself, I reckon she is use to colds and sorethroats and such like that. She said it may fester up again or I may never have trouble from it again. I think she hopes it festers up again so she can cut it out.

Now for the good news Dairy, I’m getting a truck, that’s right I’m getting a truck. The 1980 Chevy I told you about. I drove it today and really like it. The dude that owns it is a service manager at a chevorlet dealership. So I’m sure it’s been taken care of. He told me that everything that you can’t see is relatively new. The rebuilt engine has less than 4,000 miles, new transmission, new belts and a bunch of other crap that I don’t know what it is. Anyway stacked up with the other trucks I have looked at this one is in the best shape and has a good price. I talked him down some, not as much as I would like. Hopefully the fact that he didn’t want to negotiate means he has confidence that the truck is as good as he says. Or maybe I was to easy. It don’t really matter because I’m getting a truck. Who gets excited over getting a truck that is 25 years old? I do, that’s who. I’m getting a truck. The best part is that Lynn is OK with it. YIPEEE!!! We’ve been praying about it and we feel it is OK to get this truck. We feel that it will be a good truck for what I will use it for, mainly just kicking around close to the house and local driving. I’m getting a truck!!!

Oh one more thing Dairy, did I mention that I am getting a truck!!!

PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW(I.E. TRUCK, JOB, HEALTH)!!!!
I AM VONSTEGALL AND I AM GETTING A TRUCK!!!!