Proper Parenting...???

Here is a $64,000 question...When do you know you are doing a good job as a parent??  I mean, at what point can you sit back, kick your feet up, and say "Wow...I did an awesome job raising my kids!"??  I am sure I have a ways to go yet...cause I have yet to feel like the second moment yet.  I keep asking myself about number one...and the fact I have no answers is kinda scary.

Do you do this??  I am sure all parents do.  I am sure my mom still does...and if my dad were still alive, most likely he would be too.  I have come to the realization, that you may never really know.  But you stick to your guns, and you give it your all, and you raise your child to the best of your ability.  Couple of things that I have experienced that I thought I would share...

1) Kids & Vegetables...why won't they eat them??  OK...we all have gone thru this at some point...and if you haven't...you will...and it will be an interesting experience to say the least.  My eldest son Jack, who is now 8, hates almost every vegetable known to man.  And he is not afraid to let you know it.  "Oh...yuck...it's a green vegetable...I hate them!!"  Green beans, Broccoli, Corn, Brussel Sprouts, etc...  The one vegetable he does like...Carrots.  That's a start.  He will occasionally change his tune and eat Corn on the Cob.  But Carrots is his favorite.  To get him to eat anything else, is like trying to pull teeth.  It's ridiculous.  "Do I have to eat that?" is a very common phrase at dinner for us.  It's laughable sometimes, because you expect it, and sometimes he just doesn't wanna deal with it...so is quiet and eats the veggies, and moves on.  But that is a rare occurrence in itself.  Now of course on the flip side...my youngest, Jonny, who is 4...eats EVERY VEGETABLE!!!  And he has no problem trying to rub that in Jack's face.  He even asks for seconds...and Jack just responds with the fact his brother is weird, and possibly part alien from outer space.  Ah...Siblings!!!

2) Ever get this one..."What is this yucky stuff on my plate?  Do I have to eat it?  Can I have something else instead?"  Again...my 8 yr old...not a big fan of trying new things yet.  Although...while on vacation...he tried the lobster dinner...and HE LOVED IT!!  However, like I said...he is not a big fan of trying things, and he rarely is willing to try something new!!!  The other night...perfect example...my wife made Salisbury Steak.  Now while it may not have looked like something too edible to a child...it looked fine to me...and Jonny of course loved it.  Jack made a rude comment, something like "the most grossest thing he ever saw" which didn't make mommy happy.  And she let him know how it hurt, and how it felt to hear that.  He sorta apologized...and he left the table...and came back after we were all done, and he decided to try it.  And yes he ate it all...including the broccoli!!  I can't really say what motivated him...but maybe he heard me say...she and I will cook for the 3 of us...and give Jack bread and butter...to see how he feels then.  But he wasn't at the table when I said it.  So who knows??

3) Anyone else's kid feel the need to bring their favorite toy everywhere they go??  My eldest does, which has rubbed off on the youngest...and the problem is that lately...it's Legos.  Really??  Legos??  Every time he goes somewhere, unless it is told beforehand, he tries to bring them.  And lots of times, it is a contraption made up of a bunch of little pieces.  And then the little pieces get lost.  Then he gets mad, or upset, and when you try to explain to him that he should not have brought them in the first place, he doesn't care...you can't leave until he finds the pieces!!  This has resulted in declaring before we go anywhere...you may or may not bring anything with you...and if he can...anything but legos!!!

4) "Why can't I get that??  nsert Name> has it...and it's really cool!!"  This is always tough.  Half the time, it's a toy that you know he shouldn't have, or won't take care of, or will break in minutes of owning it.  The other half of the time, you just don't have the money for it, cause you just spent it on groceries, car repairs, or any other thing that life has shown you must buy for necessity, not for pleasure.  My first response is usually, "Well i am not 's parent...I am yours...and I say no."  But then it turns into the other thing...trying to make him realize, you either can't afford it, or he needs to convince me he will take care of it and it will last.  Oh...and never fall for the "I promise never to ask for anything else again" line, cause as soon as you give in...I guarantee, whether in 5 min, 5 days, 5 weeks, etc...he will ask for something else again!!!

5) This is a tough one...it's a Sunday...it's 5pm...you have not done anything all day, except all kinds of household chores, while they have either vegged out on the TV, or played video games, or whatever to occupy themselves with while you did what needs to be done...and then they decide..."can we call up for a play date?  I am bored and wanna play with them."  Then you have to explain to them, that at 5pm on a Sunday is never a good time to call up someone for a playdate that late.  And they don't wanna hear it.  And I feel bad for him...but I didn't know doing the chores that I did, were gonna take so long.  And it does suck, when you get the feeling, they wasted the day.  So...I guess in the future...when you know it's a chore day for ya...see who may be around to keep your kids occupied so they don't go insane with your responsibility madness. 

Well...that's some decent examples/experiences I thought I would share.  And God Bless my wife Christy...she puts up with a lot from me.  And lately it is times where she is constantly explaining to me how I need to change the way I talk to my boys.  I am guilty of talking at them and not to them more often than not.  I keep trying...and trying to remember.  I may never get it 100% right...but I will always try hard, and give it my all. 

So...I guess, in hindsight, the answer to the $64,000 question...how do you know...well you may never know, but you just keep trying and never give up.  You keep letting them know how much you love them, how you will be there for them always, and hope that everything you do and teach, works out for the best.  I think I have done a pretty damn good job of raising them thus far...and I know I got a LONG WAYS to go...but I believe in us...as a family...and we can accomplish anything together!!!  So never say quit, never lose faith, and always believe!!!

Till next time!!!
 

It's Been A While...

Well...like the title says...It's been a while since last I posted!!  About 6 weeks!!  Hmmm...why is that??  Is it because I have been busy??  Is it because I didn't wanna just post anything negative and bitching about anything going on??  Hmmm...Could I be turning over a new leaf??  Nah...that can't be it!!!  I guess I just been busy!!  HAHAHA

So...what is going on...well...Little League has finally ended!!  I am sad to see it end...I enjoy coaching.  Although depending on responsibilities...it can be tiresome and draining!!!  But in the end...it is for the kids...and if you're not at least doing it for them...then you should not be coaching!!  That's all I am gonna say about that!!!

So...the long awaited verdict has come out for Casey Anthony...and all I can say is...REALLY???  REALLY???  Oh well...guess the defense did their job, the prosecution did not, and the world is still without an angel known as Caylee.  That is the real loss here!!!  A child was taken from this world, for reasons we will probably never know...let alone understand...and that is truly sad!!!  On another note...karma is a bitch...and I am sure that Casey will get hers soon enough!!! 

So...as the Little League season came to an end...some of us coaches were discussing an idea to go out with one final hurrah...and then got some other people talking...and so the T-Ball coaches will be having an exhibition softball game!!  I love this idea...and the people picked to be captains are awesome!!!  It should be a fun game!!!  Looking forward to it!!  Some of us decided to get together and have some softball fun just for the hell of it before we play the actual game...and as it turns out...stretching is very important...and when you are as old as I am...you have to learn to accept the fact that you can't do what you used to, and bounce back quicker, unless you are in shape.  I mean, I am in a shape...I think it's called round!!  LOL  Needless to say...I pulled something in my lower back last weekend, while playing in a pickup game to prepare for our big game.  Yeah...I am still in a lot of pain!!  Been to the doctor once this week, and I go again today.  What really sucks about getting hurt...is not being able to do things that you normally do.  My wife yells at me to relax...and I can't...I HATE WHEN I CAN'T DO ANYTHING!!!  It just royally sucks!!!  I should be good to go by the weekend...but the whole waiting game just sucks ass!!!  Just saying!!

Doing a second round of the Biggest Loser again with some friends.  Yeah...this time around really sucks...as I am NOT doing well at all.  I have hit a wall...and I can't seem to get past it.  One of the biggest reasons for this, if not THE biggest reason, is I am not exercising enough!!!  Finding time is so hard lately...and it's such a crock!!!  For health reasons alone...I need to make time, to find time, and to just do it!!!  Need to drop some weight...for no other reason than, it will be healthier to do so!!!  And since I ain't ready to kick the bucket just yet...I need to get my lazy, fat ass in gear!!!

So...that's about all I got for now!!!  Hopefully the next post will come a lot sooner than this one did!!  Hope everyone had a GREAT 4th of JULY!!!  Till next time...

A Childhood Dream Come True!!!

When we were kids, we all had dreams about what we wanted to be when we grew up. Some of us firemen, some policemen, some doctors, some lawyers, some pro athletes, some actors/actresses, some entertainers, some famous singers, some wanted to be superheroes like in the comics. Pretty much a lot of what I listed was what I wanted to be when I grew up. One thing not listed, because I rarely remember other kids talking about it, was being a professional wrestler. When I was a kid, a few of the many idols I had were people like Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat, “Macho Man” Randy Savage, The Ultimate Warrior, Sargent Slaughter, Jake “The Snake” Roberts, and Hulk Hogan. Some of those names you may not recognize, but I know everyone recognizes Hulk Hogan. Who doesn’t?? The guy was a legend in the world of professional wrestling. He fought wars in the ring, he entertained, and he stood for all that was good in the world. He was an iconic legend for all of us to look up to. With his famous saying, “Say your prayers, take your vitamins, and exercise” all the little kids wanted to be like him. I mean who didn’t wanna be a “Hulk-a-maniac”? I mean and his other line, “Whatcha gonna do, when the largest arms in the world, and all of Hulkamania runs wild on you?”…it’s unforgettable!!! I wanted to be like Hulk Hogan someday. Or Sargent Slaughter, heck maybe even “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair!!!

Well…I wasn’t the best at sports in school. I wasn’t the super jock. I never tried out for the wrestling team. (Probably because this 140 pound dork would have gotten killed!!) I went off after high school and joined the Navy. I got in shape in boot camp…I went to my schools, went to Italy for my first duty station. Then I went to Virginia for my next one. Then I was given shore duty in NJ. And that’s when I made a dream come true.

I was working part time hours when I first got to my command. I was bored, I needed something to do. So I got a part-time job at a gas station in Lakewood. While working there one day with a guy named Kent…we somehow got onto a discussion about wrestling. I started to reminisce and talk about watching Hulk, Andre, Ricky, Flair, Rude, The Warrior, etc…and then Kent said to me, have you heard of ECW, I responded yeah, Extreme Championship Wrestling, with Tommy Dreamer, the Dudley Boys, and Raven, and Shane Douglas. He informed me, he wrestles in Raven’s Flock…his name was Lupas. I had started to remember seeing him…because in wrestling his clothing was obviously different, and his hair style was different too. I was like no way!!! Dude…you’re awesome…you get to do what I have always wanted to do. Well, he offered me the chance to try it. I jumped at it of course. So, the following Monday we met up and went to “Iron” Mike Sharpe’s School of Professional Wrestling in Asbury Park. I remembered Iron Mike from the days of watching him on Saturday mornings when I was younger, and he was famous for chopping people. I got to try out some basic things, and took a few body slams, clotheslines, punches, kicks, hip tosses…it was awesome!!! I signed up immediately!!!

So for 1 year, I trained, and trained, and trained every Monday night from 7-9pm…sometimes even till 10pm…it was great!!! I learned all kinds of things, like arm drags, suplexes, atomic drops, DDTs, figure-four leg locks, sleeper holds, just to name a few. I did my best to learn what I could, how to take them, how to give them, and most importantly, how to not get hurt doing any of them!!! I started to referee matches after training for only six months, so I had to learn how to take ref bumps. One of the most important things I learned was how to entertain the crowd. If you don’t keep the crowd entertained…they won’t care at all about your match. There was only one issue I was afraid of…I was kinda shy in large crowds…so I had to overcome my fear of embarrassing myself in front of the 50-100 people I would be performing in front of. I wasn’t expecting to be in the “big leagues” like the WWF, WCW, or ECW…for me it would be the smaller crowds, smaller shows…and that was fine with me!!!

Well…finally after a year of training…I was asked by one of my trainers, The Jersey Hurricane, if I would be in his show. Of course I said yes…and my very 1st match was held at Edison High School, in the gym, in front of about 120 people. Boy was I scared!!! I was also, thrilled, excited, and anxious…it was an awesome feeling…I was giddy like a little kid!!! My match was was supposed to be a tag match. My gimmick was a military style, I was called The Battleship!! Fitting huh?? As I was still in the Navy…why not…right??!! Well…I was supposed to do a tag team match with Lt Warhead…and we were gonna face Duke Dastardly and Professor T Eacher. Well…Lt Warhead got hurt a week before the show…so they turned it into a singles match…The Battleship vs. Duke Dastardly w/Professor T Eacher as his manager. Boy was I green…and by that I mean nervous…and so raw. I barely had any offense…I got the snot pounded outta me. I lost the match by DQ…as I used the briefcase, the Professor brought, on Duke before he used it on me…and the referee saw it. So…I lost my first match…but it was AWESOME!! My wife was there…before she was my wife, and some friends too…they were happy for me.

I went back to training more…to improve…and by my next match…I think it was 3 months later, I was greatly improved. I wrestled in my first Battle Royal…20 wrestlers in the ring, the only way to get eliminated, was to be thrown over the top rope. This was something I NEVER practiced before. I was one of the final four participants…and me and The Freak got eliminated at the same time by Lupas. It wasn’t so bad going over…as I was able to watch my landing on the hard gym floor…using the bottom rope for some leverage and ease. It was GREAT!!! LOL Then…later on in that show…I wrestled against Lupas aka Kent, who got me into wrestling…and we wrestled for his US East Coast Championship (or something like that…I don’t remember)…it was a title match…which was awesome to me!!! This was one of my best matches…I had a LOT more offense…and working with Kent was just one of the best experiences…he knew how to play off the crowd!!! This time I had my wife, my sister, my brother-in-law, and a bunch of friends!!! They were excited, impressed, and thrilled for me!!! I lost that match…but I didn’t care…I was doing my childhood dream…it was an amazing experience!!!

I wrestled for almost 3½ years…before I hurt my knee…and I decided to stop. I could do it again…now…but I am pushing 40…and well…that may not be the wisest thing to do…but then again…I am not known for being too wise…LOL I was tag team champion with The Jersey Hurricane twice, and 6-man tag team champion. I finished with my head held high!! It was a great experience. I have some of the video footage of my matches…watching them brings back some great memories!! The point or moral of this story I guess…if there is one…is to never give up on your dreams completely…cause you never know when one can come true!!!
I have babbled on for long enough!! Till next time!!!

Deadly Hole???

What is up with a dog's need to dig a hole???!!! Especially when you yell at them constantly to stop??? This hole next to a trash can that's covering another hole...I just filled in!!!! Can't you stop the madness Buddy??? Just for a moment??!! Anyone else have this problem?? How did you resolve it??

Feeling Lobster Blue

Sometimes one just has to ask...What do they put in the water that makes a lobster turn so blue?? Or better yet...is that a mood lobster?? Does it change colors based on it's emotions?? I mean...they have feelings too you know!!

A Worthy Cause

This year...I am doing something new...I am walking the Relay for Life in Florence Township on April 29th-30th at the Florence High School.  Relay for Life is a fundraiser for fighting Cancer.  Now of course we all know someone who has been affected by this terrible disease.  My father had it.  My grandfather had it.  My father in law had it.  My mother in law had it.  Only my mother in law has beaten it.  Cancer and hospital stupidity and ignorance took my father on May 7th, 1999.  It will be twelve years this May that he is gone.  I miss him.  Just 6 months later, my grandfather passed away.  In October of 2000 my father in law passed away.  I am walking in their memory, and in her honor!!!  I am walking for anyone else out there that has been affected in life.  I am walking to help raise awareness. 

You possibly have heard for Relay for Life.  Donations are welcome...and I am not asking you to support me!!!  Support my team if you want...we are called "Belize" In A Cure!!  Support the Relay.  Support the fight against Cancer!!!  You have probably seen my facebook posts about the relay.  There is a link there!!!  Just click on it...and it will take you to my page...but you don't have to donate and support me individually...you can go to the main page and donate just because!!  I am walking with my wife...and bringing my boys...I hear it's a fun time!!!  And I plan to take LOTS of pictures!!!  Hope you will check it out!!!

Forget You

So...Here we are...Almost Tax Day...Did ya get yours done??  I did...finally...what a bunch of unwanted stress that can be.  Went with a new tax guy...see if this one finds anything more that I can get back...instead of the usual..."What bill should it go towards this time?"  I mean...does anyone ever do anything different??  I hear it all the time, about these big tax breaks friends or coworkers get and I am like...what am I doing wrong??  Well...hope this time I get the answers!!

So...recently...I was the victim of some unwanted, unnecessary, bullshit, small town gossip.  Yeah I know...you are just as shocked as I am...LOL  I am the quiet one...HAHAHA  yeah right...like there is anything I ever do that's quiet!!!  Actually there are a few things that I can successfully do quietly.  But like 9 times out of 10...yeah I am not the quiet one!!!  Anyways, it would seem that it is true what they say...unless you are face to face with person...you never can tell if there is a tone, or a laugh...or a hint of sarcasm in dead print!!!  I recently made a comment on facebook...in a message...and questioned whether a room was big enough to hold a party.  Well...apparently...that is actually bashing the party. 

I...DID...NOT...KNOW...THIS!!!!  I wish someone would have taught me better back in high school in my English Classes!!!  What the hell was I fucking thinking??  I guess I am stupid...sorry!!!  Long story short...this dance involves a fundraiser for the Little League...and the past two years I have attended...it has been a fun time.  This year it has a new location...and I questioned whether the new venue could hold the party.  I got slammed in a response...or at least that's how I took it...(but then I thought)...One cannot understand dead print, and if sarcasm was involved...So I guessed...and said thanks for the info.  Well...word got back from one person...to another...to yet another...and then to the president of the Little League...that I or my wife was bashing the party on facebook.  Now she did not...so why the hell would she even be brought into this??  So...I did some digging...and the only thing I could find was...MY QUESTION!!!  So...My suggestion to all of you out there...beware what you write anywhere...cause it could be taken totally out of context...and the next thing you know...your getting a phone call questioning you!! 

Oh...and I also got questioned on being pissed off...or a chip on my shoulder...ya know...I can't remember honestly if I do or not...but if you have a problem with me...then why not just fucking ask me!!!  Why complain to people who don't need to be concerned or bothered!!!??  Better yet...if the ploy or method behind the madness to this is to get me OUT of coaching in the Little League...then I got a suggestion for ya...just tell me you don't want me coaching any more...I may surprise ya and just say...OK!!!  I am out there for the kids...to teach them the basics and fundamentals...and above all else...to teach them that it's a game...and games are supposed to be fun!!!  If your kid is not having fun...then I am doing something wrong!!!

So...Is it just me...or are there a lot more assholes out on the road who think they own the road...and don't give a damn about anyone else on the road??  I got cut off 4 times yesterday in my travels to and from work...on 295...and I have some tips for you asshole drivers.  For starters...how bout you start using that fucking turn signal.  It ain't out there as a fucking decoration on your car.  It's supposed to come on to tell people that you are changing lanes...is it that hard assholes??  I don't think so!!!  And turning it on as you make your lane change inches away from my car to get in front of me...DOES NOT FUCKING COUNT!!!  If you can't use the turn signal properly...then you need to go back to driving school!!!

Secondly...why must you feel the need to switch lanes and cut people off...by squeezing into a space that your car shouldn't fit in??  Are you special??  Are you someone important??  Do you own the road??  Do you make the rules??  Since the answer is most likely none of the above...just stay in your own fucking lane...and get over yourself...and stop cutting people off!!!  Ya  stupid Jack-Wagon!!!

Hey Government...thanks for coming to a solution to avoid the shutdown at the last possible minute!!!  I appreciated the threat of me being put on furlough because you dumbasses can't agree on the budget...and figure out how to rip us off for more money!!!  Seriously...what was the hold up??  Did you have to figure out your proper raises??  Ya know what...it doesn't matter...I am thankful I have a job...and thankful I was able to go back to work!!

Well...I should have finished this before lunch...I had a lot more anger in me!!!  Now I am calm...now where do I go from here??  For now I will bid farewell...to collect my thoughts...and maybe blog twice in one day!!!  LOL