ImGunnaJump

I'm glad to hear your friend is improving...my prayers to one and all! "...I've learned that while the "needs" in life are important (food, water, shelter), it's the "wants" in life (ice cream, chocolate, sex) that make it worth the effort." Kbordson

I'm still working on my prerequ's...it seems like such a long haul. Good to hear from someone who's come out the other side...congratulations to all who have done it but especially to Kel now! "...I've learned that while the "needs" in life are important (food, water, shelter), it's the "wants" in life (ice cream, chocolate, sex) that make it worth the effort." Kbordson

...good vibes...good vibes...good vibes...

Why sir, I'm shocked, shocked I say! "...I've learned that while the "needs" in life are important (food, water, shelter), it's the "wants" in life (ice cream, chocolate, sex) that make it worth the effort." Kbordson

I'm assuming your dog is a puppy still?? We have a neighbor who when they first moved in allowed their 20something son to bring over 3 pups and dumped them in the yard, much like one of the previous posters talked about. Two were labs, the other some sort of smaller type - when they weren't barking all night long, they were fighting ,sometimes viciously. It was awful!! One saturday, after a looong day a work, I came home to take a nap before running errands and it all started, during the day. I couldn't take it anymore, so I went over there to talk to the kid. He had all sorts of excuses...he tried obedience school, he spanked them, he tried to shock me by saying "I guess I could use a shock collar and zap them everytime they bark...they're just puppies lady, they're gunna bark", which was all B.S. He never walked those dogs, let alone played w/them. I think they were all high strung because of lack of exercise and attention. Young dogs need exercise to wear themselves out so that they are tired when it's time to sleep. They also need companionship - like people have already said, they are naturally "pack " animals and don't normally like to be alone a lot. So hopefully, you are addressing those to issues: exercise, and not letting him be isolated. I would make sure you really play hard w/him especially in the evening - let him run like crazy chasing a ball or whatever. Then, perhaps, if you have a garage attached to the house he could sleep in there at night w/some of your family's blankets around him, or do the crate thing in the house - you let him out every hour or 2 hours to do his thing outside. I've never done the crate training, but my brothers have and it's worked - they had a Huskey and a Golden Retriever. I would try every suggestion that has been made before you get rid of him - you said he is smart, something will work. You just have to have a realistic expectation of a dog and patiently work through all the suggestions to find the right thing for him. Go to the pet stores and pick up a book about the crate training thing. You're doing the right thing by asking for help, and I say right on to that - none of us know everything. Good luck - I'm sure it will all work out

...more Yodas for all the Lukes/Lukettes out there! Way to go!!! "...I've learned that while the "needs" in life are important (food, water, shelter), it's the "wants" in life (ice cream, chocolate, sex) that make it worth the effort." Kbordson

__________________________________ I love this!! Sometimes there are herds that are wadded-up, and they do form a single line and herd back up again...I've noticed this phenomenon before, but didn't know how to articulate it...thanks Chuck, you made me LOL!!

Yeah, it came through...it's a great picture!!! "...I've learned that while the "needs" in life are important (food, water, shelter), it's the "wants" in life (ice cream, chocolate, sex) that make it worth the effort." Kbordson

I've rewritten this post a couple times trying to find the right words...like the previous poster, your story has also hit me hard. I have a brother fighting cancer now. You've had such a long road to walk, and it must seem endless right now...my prayer is that you have friends and family to comfort you, and that you make a full and complete recovery. You and Dylan will be in my prayers. "...I've learned that while the "needs" in life are important (food, water, shelter), it's the "wants" in life (ice cream, chocolate, sex) that make it worth the effort." Kbordson

[ O.K, well now I thought you were mocking the posers - the guys who are more interested in talking about riding than riding, and who also want you to know they spent a lot of money. Not the people who were genuinely trying to exercise. The guys w/the guts and us girls w/the butts have to start somewhere! "...I've learned that while the "needs" in life are important (food, water, shelter), it's the "wants" in life (ice cream, chocolate, sex) that make it worth the effort." Kbordson

Yes, they are annoying. But I didn't know they were talking about their sweaty nutsacks - I thought they were all complaining about how that little, skinny, pointed seat was going up their ass!! "...I've learned that while the "needs" in life are important (food, water, shelter), it's the "wants" in life (ice cream, chocolate, sex) that make it worth the effort." Kbordson

Congratulations!

Shari: ...healin' vibes, virtual hug

OMG - $7k?? And you have to work as a team?! This is like an episode of The Apprentice!! I have no single idea for all that cash, but I was thinking if you could get some sponsorships from some pet supply stores - contact as many businesses as you can, of any kind, for sponsorships $100,200 and up and mayby put together one of those coupon type books or advertising books where the businesses pay $100 to advertise in it (but you know it only costs you 20 cents to put them in there, find a way to print the books so the cost is low, obviously and keep the differnce); recipe books - my mom is always a sucker for those! People contribute their favorite recipes, you print them up cheap and you put some cutesy tie-in name on the front...although one that ties in w/spaying and neutering fails to come to mind just now! Teams that sell candy at traffic lights - I'm always buying M&M's from people. I'm tapped out now...good luck! "...I've learned that while the "needs" in life are important (food, water, shelter), it's the "wants" in life (ice cream, chocolate, sex) that make it worth the effort." Kbordson

When you start feeling resentful, that's a big clue it's time...if you continue to hang on, one day you're just going to blow up at someone, probably for something minor, and feel really bad. I know you're worried that you're going to leave the church hanging, but you may be surprised to find that once the pastor knows you're outta there (by giving him a firm last-day date), that he gets a replacement pronto! If you explain it to him like you did to us, he'll understand if he's any kind of pastor. If he doesn't, not your problem. It's his, he's the pastor. "...I've learned that while the "needs" in life are important (food, water, shelter), it's the "wants" in life (ice cream, chocolate, sex) that make it worth the effort." Kbordson

I took a course but didn't find it all that helpful, only for things that you didn't need to read very carefully...maybe certain reports or articles where you only needed to get just some idea of what's going on, "skim" reading I believe they called it. And for learning that, I agree w/a previous poster that you could self-teach that concept. Comprehension is the key - it does you no good to be able to zip through material if at the end you don't know what it was all about. For anything important, I found I had to take the time to read it regular...but then, it could just me and my fart-slow brain!! "...I've learned that while the "needs" in life are important (food, water, shelter), it's the "wants" in life (ice cream, chocolate, sex) that make it worth the effort." Kbordson

I could never stand the taste of coffee until someone turned me on to Starbuck's Caramel Macchiato...luvl,luv,luv that stuff. I have to have coffee that has so much cream, sugar, flavorings, etc. that it is more like hot chocolate than coffee. Besides coffee, I love the smell of: Jet fuel - like so many others. Sharpie markers men who wear Aramis...it's an oldie but a goodie. My first serious boyfriend wore that and it still takes me back to all things good!! "...I've learned that while the "needs" in life are important (food, water, shelter), it's the "wants" in life (ice cream, chocolate, sex) that make it worth the effort." Kbordson

Well hooah or hooyah (I'm not sure of the spelling of that thing you guys/gals yell) to you getting back in the air!!! Let us know what your favorite brew is, and DZ's all over will hoist a few in your honor after your first jump back. I'm not much of a beer drinker, I prefer the drinks w/parasols and fruit and/or salt, but I'm willing to chug a few to celebrate. I'm a giver, what can I say?? Tell the good folks in the P.T. dept. at Walter Reed that they have to get you air-worthy and party ready, soon! Keep the postings coming, even about the mundane, we're all here to talk back at ya. P.S. I think I'll save my hip/stomach muscles for activities other than kayaking! "...I've learned that while the "needs" in life are important (food, water, shelter), it's the "wants" in life (ice cream, chocolate, sex) that make it worth the effort." Kbordson

He looks like he's going to be a Max...puppies are so sweet when they sleep all curled up together! "...I've learned that while the "needs" in life are important (food, water, shelter), it's the "wants" in life (ice cream, chocolate, sex) that make it worth the effort." Kbordson

You rock! ...even if you can't do the kayak roll yet! It will come w/your determination. I've always wanted to try kayaking, but I was afraid of that roll thing you gotta do. I don't have much upper arm strength - I'm afraid I'd get stuck under. But I guess you're the living embodiment of feel the fear and do it anyway, so I can't let myself get away with that, huh?! Keep the updates coming - we're all pulling for you! "...I've learned that while the "needs" in life are important (food, water, shelter), it's the "wants" in life (ice cream, chocolate, sex) that make it worth the effort." Kbordson

all the picutes were cute, but these were too funny!! OMG, how funny! Your kids were probably really mad at the time you took these, but they'll be glad they have them later to trot them out at their graduation parties, or maybe the wedding reception(for laughs during the toasts or something). "...I've learned that while the "needs" in life are important (food, water, shelter), it's the "wants" in life (ice cream, chocolate, sex) that make it worth the effort." Kbordson

Well, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and say you missed my point...I'm not a democrat, but I did vote "democratically" in the last 2 elections because I felt that GWB was not nearly up to the task of the world's highest office. I would much rather have had the option of voting for John McCain - who should've received the republican nomination, but GHWB swung it to his moronic son (which really causes me great disappointment in the elder Bush, because I guess I was naive enough to think that he would ultimately do what's best for the country not his family and friends. Nothing is sacred, not even the highest office of the land). The fact that my opinions bear some resemblence to "talking points" doesn't make them invalid - just annoying to you, and I'm not so concerned about that. "...I've learned that while the "needs" in life are important (food, water, shelter), it's the "wants" in life (ice cream, chocolate, sex) that make it worth the effort." Kbordson

He definitely is a lame-ass moron who can't be cured and most definitely has to be endured!! I understand how he got the republican nomination in 2000 - his daddy bought it for him. Then he was assigned to us by the supreme court ,essentially, after all the hanging chads business. But what I really don't understand is how he got elected by this country for a second term - and I've pretty much voted republican since I cast my first vote for Reagan! Heck, I voted for his dad!! But Jr. was/is so clearly not equal to the task. The only thing I can figure is between the people who are afraid of Osama, and the people who are anti-abortion and who think that is the only issue they care about (and I am not pro-abortion per se, but I know it's not the only issue to consider), the knucklehead still flies around in Air Force One. Sweet baby Jesus give me the grace to endure! I did see a funny billboard that said "Will somebody please give him a blow-job already so he can be impeached!" "...I've learned that while the "needs" in life are important (food, water, shelter), it's the "wants" in life (ice cream, chocolate, sex) that make it worth the effort." Kbordson

You know Skyrad, my initial post in this thread was not my finest effort...I was quite irritated by some of the postings (which is a very good lesson for me about not posting when irritated, but that could have been a troll goal, no???). And yes, I attributed some of Daruis' comments to you, which was unfair because looking back, Darius clearly made some of the more disturbing comments. For that, I apologize. But no where have I used a derogatory term like raghead or even thought of it. FYI, I truly enjoy where I work, otherwise I wouldn't still be there....99% of the people I meet are lovely, kind, considerate people and I have been priviledged to get to know them. I only reported what I have observed. Are ya trolling, pal???? P.S. I'm done w/this thread. Good luck to you, and I mean that. "...I've learned that while the "needs" in life are important (food, water, shelter), it's the "wants" in life (ice cream, chocolate, sex) that make it worth the effort." Kbordson

Um....probably no boots or hats, but Skyrad,on one of the first few post pages, suggested they may have some guns!! He has a picture but I'm not technical enough to figure out how to add it to my post "...I've learned that while the "needs" in life are important (food, water, shelter), it's the "wants" in life (ice cream, chocolate, sex) that make it worth the effort." Kbordson