Car Collection

I would love to be able to say they are real cars but they are, in fact, Matchbox cars. My Mom kept my collection of Matchbox cars from when I was a kid and when we returned from Korea, my Dad gave them to EJ. It may sound silly but when we were playing with my old Matchbox cars the other day, I actually felt like a kid again...even just for a few minutes. I was holding my favorite car thinking, the last time I held this car, I was so innocent and my hands were soft and smooth and didn't tell the story of my life.

Here are some pics of EJ's new collection. Every time we go to store, he always wants to pick up a new car to add to his collection. He loves jets, helicopters, and heavy equipment (bulldozers, excavators,...etc). The pic below shows off his car carriers.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Compare to Truck Rental

I've moved over a dozen times in the past 20 years, so I've become quite the expert on the logistics involved in everything from local to long distance moves. A truck rental is an efficient and quick way to accomplish a local move but not so much the case when you're moving longer distances. When you start adding up the cost of fuel and other miscellaneous expenses, the end price is always more than what you estimate.

To keep costs low and to eliminate the hassle of driving long distances, ABF U-Packing is the way to go. You simply pay one set price which covers the truck, fuel, taxes, and a driver. For just about the same price as a rental truck, you can have someone else do the driving and make your move a relaxing and enjoyable experience. To find out more, click on the helpful link above.

Lazy days

We are a bunch of couch potatoes on lazy days. When we lost our Internet and Phone connection, there is nothing much to do. Can't blog, can't search, can't do anything online. I am just so glad that we have Direct TV instead of Comcast cable or else we could have been so bored over here especially the kids. Here are some photos taken by my wife while me and the kids watches TV.

Even Champ bonded with us.

Join the fun in finding new friends at

Eyeglasses at Zenni

A couple of years ago, my wife was experiencing difficulty with her eyeglasses and realized that she needed to update her prescription. We decided to try a vision center, at a local retail chain, so that we could save a few bucks. We were really shocked to find out that new eyeglasses came with such a big price tag, even at the vision centers that boast big discounts and savings. We assumed that, due to inflation, this would be the standard price regardless of where we looked and she ended up purchasing from them.

Then she found out that she could get the same quality and style from Zenni optical at a fraction of the cost. In fact, she could have purchased three or four pairs for the price she shelled-out for just one pair at the vision center. Zenni optical can pass these huge savings on to you because they have no retail overhead, no middlemen, and practically no advertising budget. They strive to provide you, the customer, with a stylish and quality product at a very reasonable price. Zenni optical believes that you shouldn't have to put off your eye care needs because of cost. If you need eyeglasses or would just like to get a few pairs for back-up, check out Zenni optical by simply clicking on the link above.

My Wife's Eyeglasses

If you are in need of eye glasses but you've been putting it off because of the high cost, you should consider shopping online. You don't have to settle for the mediocre selections at your local vision center that usually come with big price tags. Let's face it, times are tough and money doesn't come that easy these days. Why pay top dollar for a pair of eye glasses that you can purchase online with comparable quality and a much lower price tag? It just makes sense.

A couple of years ago, my wife visited a local vision center to get her prescription updated when she noticed that her old glasses weren't as effective as they use to be. She ended up purchasing a her eye wear from them and couldn't believe the final bill. The quality wasn't there, but the big price tag was and this didn't sit well with her. She began browsing the web for better deals and was really amazed at what she discovered. For the price the vision center charged, she could have easily purchased three or even four pairs of comparable quality glasses. To find out how you can save big bucks on your next purchase of quality eye wear, simply click on the helpful link above.

My Elf-Look face

This is one of those photos of my childhood that I am not very fond of. I look like an elf here and my hair cut ahh hideous. Oh well, my wife thinks I look cute lol! I just joined Friday Follow, come join us too by clicking the badge below.

Martial Arts Fighters

I really enjoy the martial arts and I'm a huge fan of the UFC. MMA has taken the world by storm and has gained the respect that it deserves and has become one of the most popular sports around. Martial Arts Fighters have emerged from all over the world to show their skills and to answer the age old question of which style is the best.

If you're into MMA and want the most up-to-date information and news about the greatest in the sport, you can get connected by simply clicking on the link above. You can also find great deals on equipment, training videos and literature, fight tips and techniques, and even the latest gossip on the fight scene. If you wish to become an up and coming hopeful in this dynamic sport, this website can help you get there faster. Check it out and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Early Years of My Naval Career

It wasn't long after I arrived in China Lake, CA that I was awarded my first Sailor of the Quarter. I remember this award well because my Department Head was a Search & Rescue pilot and he took me out flying as an additional reward. His crew placed me in a harness and dangled me about 20-30 feet below the helicopter while they flew through the sky. It was really scary at first but after I adapted, it was invigorating.

For those of you that don't know China Lake, it is situated near the Mojave desert and it gets extremely hot. Nearby, in the mountains, there is snow during the winter months. Within a matter of minutes, I went from 110 degrees to about 30 degrees. We landed in the mountains, the crew jumped off, and we had ourselves a snowball fight. Those were the good ol' days.

Please join us for a Friday Flashback by clicking the badge below.

Confidential STD Testing

If you are experiencing the symptoms of a sexually transmitted disease but don't want to deal with the embarassment of getting tested, you're not alone. Many people live with the harmful effects of various sexually transmitted diseases because they are afraid of their confidentiality being breached. Now you can get Confidential STD Testing without leaving home and without any public knowledge of your test or results.

This is a big relief, especially if you live in a small town with a close-knit community where news travels fast. You definitely don't want to delay your tests any longer. Time is a crucial factor in getting cured of many STDs. Irreparable damage can be done if you wait too long before receiving treatment.

Just click the link to visit the website for more details about the confidential STD testing or go directly to tstd.org. Its better to be tested than regret at the end.

Farewell My Lady

This picture of the USS Samuel Gompers was taken near Alameda California in the early 90s. This was my first ship and I really enjoyed being a part of the crew that decommissioned her. We enjoyed a nice WestPac in her final days. Capt. Rankin will always be one of my favorite COs. Thanks for the fond memories Skipper.