Sunday, 07 February 2010

  • I suppose it is only human nature that most of us focus on the bad things that happen around us. I mean, it sells newspapers and is used to tease you into watching the nightly news. Disaster movies are big hits and folks still slow down to gawk at accidents.

    I'm guilty. The economic woes of the past eighteen months have been foremost on my mind... So much so that it is an effort to remember the good things that have happened. Recently I have had friends, family and strangers remind me that my world is not all bad. In fact, if not for the financial worries, it has been an outstanding year.

    I have my health, great kids, friends and family that love me and last week I met a couple of people that proved there are good folks left in the world.

    Just like me, my old truck had developed a hitch in its get-a-long. It lost the reverse gear and would not pass the smog test that is required for registration. I had estimates to fix the transmission of close to $2,000 and was feeling like someone had placed that last straw... you know, the one that broke the camel's back.

    Enter Leo and Andee of the HIGH TECH TRANSMISSIONS & AUTOMOTIVE SPECIALISTS. They had been recommended by a friend who said simply, "...they could have taken advantage of me and didn't." After listening to my description and taking a test drive, Leo informed me that my transmission had lost reverse and 2nd gears. He then surprised me by saying that he did not think I needed to rebuild the entire transmission as the other shops had insisted. He took me into the shop and showed me a part that he thought was at fault. He then let it be known that a new part installed would only be about $700. 

    The truck now backs up on demand. It passed the smog test without further repairs and now I also say, "...they could have taken advantage of me and didn't." And I will also say, if you are in Las Vegas and need a great mechanic, call Leo at HIGH TECH TRANSMISSIONS & AUTOMOTIVE SPECIALISTS. They are at 2011 S. Decatur and the phone is 821-1544.

    So far, I am remembering to be thankful for all the good that is in my life. I am sure that at some point human nature will take over and I will forget to count my blessings. However, I trust that the folks around me will be there to knock me back into line. My question for you is simply, "What is going right for you? How have you been blessed?"

     

    Currently
    The Promise
    By Il Divo
    Amazing Grace
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Tuesday, 26 January 2010

Sunday, 24 January 2010

  • USA Winter Olympics 2010

    It's been quite a weekend ...... Friday night started well. Maddie and Dalton were dressed up and looking great. Maddie had been asked to help with the awards presentation. The awards were for being ranked in the different competitions for the year 2009 and the event served as a type of social event before the competitions.   

    100_0756  Maddie presenting Dalton his award.

     

     

     

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    Then I got my turn. 

     

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    And then we got a family shot of me with my two champions.

     

    Saturday morning started early ... we were at the Tuscany by 0630 to help with details before the tournament started. My job for the day was Security. That's right. I handled security for a ballroom full of martial artists and their families and friends. A lot of that was just keeping non-competitors out of the ring areas and in some cases out of the rings during a competition.

    Team Martin (the demo team Maddie and Dalton compete with) was in first event of the 000_0001 morning. There were four teams and they placed second with a brand new routine. Unfortunately most of my 100_0767 pictures from Saturday did not turn out. Luckily, one of the parents taped the rountine and is making me a DVD (even better than photos). Eventhough they did not beat their main rival (Team Youshock) this time, they were all encouraged by the judges' positive feedback on the new routine and have high hopes for the future. It is encouraging to see all these kids pushing this team and themselves harder than the coach. I think it says something about all of them.

    As blackbelts, both of them served several hours as scorekeepers while I tried to ride herd on the crowd. I am proud of the feedback I received on my kids from the judges and others they worked with.

    At the end of the day (actually it was early last night), Dalton competed with two of his Team Martin teammates in a 3 man tag team point sparring match ...... as far as any of us know, it is the first of it's kind in martial arts competition. Six minutes of fast and furious action that3 man team ended with Team Martin victorious and everyone that saw it wanting more (and the girls wanting to put a team together for next time). It may well be back in June with more than just two teams.

    Eventhough we were all exhausted and sore (it was after 8 pm), the ride home was animated with talk of things that happened and things that were planned for future events. I'm still glad I got all of us involved with martial arts.

    Currently
    Greatest Hits
    By Queen
    We Are the Champions
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Saturday, 23 January 2010

Wednesday, 20 January 2010

  • Rain is big news in Las Vegas........................

     

     

    After experiencing a rainy day, Las Vegas is expected to get another toad strangler today as a stronger storm brings heavy rains to the valley and heavy snow to the mountains tonight, according to the National Weather Service.

    On Tuesday, Las Vegas broke a 56-year-old record for rainfall, getting .49 of an inch of rain at McCarran International Airport. The previous record for that date was .42 of an inch, recorded in 1954.

    So far, Las Vegas has had .53 of an inch of rain for the month.