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Just had my va disablty raised from 10% to 70% due to PTSD took about one year to do. Now most of my Navy retirement will be state and federal tax free along with a big reduction on personal property taxes. Took about 6 weeks to get into the VA for health care but all my meds are free now and...

when your 5 year old grandson has under wear and granddaddy is wearing adult depends.

Bruce Springsteens mom passed away a few days ago at 93. She went to many of his concerts. mark

Carl Weathers just died at 76, I remember him from in the heat of the night. mark

my Navy is going down the tubes... no high school or GED is required any more. I see many issues in the future. Not the Navy I spent 21 years serving in. mark USN retired

Just found out yesterday that Alvin Lee from ten years after was dead. Some sort of brain tumor at age 69. Scary I'm 69! mark

I heard that JFK's wife Jackie was a chain smoker and the press tried to cover it up. mark

David Soul dead at 80. I think he was a heavy smoker. mark

My wife and daughter sent her youngest sisters daughter thru RN college in the Philippines a few year ago. Now she has a 3 year conract working in Md and making very good money. First cold weather she has experienced and is probably supporting her mother and father back in the Philippines...

Holididay specal adds are listing omaha steaks at $90.00 a box, I'm not much of a steak eater because of missing teeth. Just curioous if a box of steaks, burgers and chicken breast are worth it. mark

Norman Lear dead at 101.

Special place in hell for people like him.

US Navy for 21 years, hard to tell how many countries I saw. Spent about seven years in the Philippines at NAS Cubi Point. Many port calls at Subic Bay and Cubi Point. Made Chief first time up remained a CPO for ten years. Spent years riding carriers around the world and have flown aound the...

Worst part is much productive farm land will be lost due to buc-ee's construction. mark

I have been watching a bunch of Charles Broson movies the past few days in cluding Mr Majestic. mark

Heard today that we are going to get a buckee's in the county. About 175 thousand square feet with 200 gas pumps and car charging station. County says it will genrate about a million dallars in food and beverage taxes. I have never been to one but hear that they are almost a vacation point...

Pon Hoss

I have lived in the Philippines for years, Barain, Dubi and the Abrain gulf. Most people don't kinow what hot is. Ride a aircraft carrier and its 120 in the shade but their is no shade unlless you duck under an aircraft wing and Navy aircraft wings fold. mark, USN Retired

Navy vet and fellow shipmate and airdale if I'm correct. mark

Ronnie Wood and Tom Petty mark

I waited until age 66 to apply, get a bit more than most other folks. My Navy retirement with 21 years service and VA disability is good money but its all taxed but the VA disability is not. mark i

Morrisons caferaterias in TN use to be great. some the best liver and onions and spinish salad I ever ate. very resonable price too along with good cold sweet tea. mark

cream cheese and olives, hard to beat. I'm still in the philippies for another 3 weeks or so and have a box of ausie cream cheese in the frig but no green olives. mark

9.1% my a$$. Double the number and add 10% and you might get the real number. mark

Just picked up six 1.5 liter bottles of calamansi soda, man this stuff is good cold. Had a can of New Zenland cornded beef a few days ago, a bit more course than stateside brands but good. Stocked up on cans of Australian pork and beans, cans are small but good. Wife chartered a van today...

Been back in the Philippines for a few months now so I have no clue what state side prices are now. My son and daughter are to arrive here in about a week and she is bring me 3 sticks of summer sausage (hopefully one pound sticks). I'll be good for a week. mark

Family Afair. Still watch all these old shows on metv, a prime or hulu. mark

Black history month in the Navy. Chittlings being cooked and served could stink up an entire aircraft carrier. mark

I'm still in the Philippines for a few more months and discovered the best powered drink mix. Calamansi (about the size of a key lime) taste like a cross between a lime and tangerine, tart and juicy. Mix 2 20g packs with a liter of water and place in the freezer for a few hours to set like a...

Leave it to beaver and my three sons. Still watch every day on MeTV along with many other old shows from the 60's. Still think sue randall beavers 4th grade teacher was hot and diane brewster his 3rd grade teacher was hot too. both died young from cancer. mark

220 pesos for a bottle of Tanduay rum at puregold in Olongapoe mall. About $2.10 in US dollars. A bottle of coke to go with it was about 10 pesos. mark

Been back in the Philippines for a while now since my FIL passed. One of the first things I did was go to PUREGOLD which is like a costco but without a membership fee and buy a couple bottles of mustard. Most folks in the Philippines don't eat mustard but I must have it on spam sandwiches and...

Nothing, been retired for 15 years. FIL just died at age 85 so I,m back in the Philippines for a few months dealing with his passing and hating the 90 degree heat every day not looking forward to the rainy season that will soon be here. mark

Turned 66 last month and decided its time to start drawing social security, went to my local office, yep closed. Spent about one hour online applying. Did get a reply email stating my request was received. Have no clue what the monthly amount will be or when it will start. Any one else...

It is my understanding that when you turn 65 your medicare card arrives in the mail. Insurance company have been tracking me for months telling me my medicare card will arrive in the mail. It has been two weeks now after turning 65 and no medicare card has arrived. In my mind, I now have no...

Do those copper skillets realy work? I'm looking for an egg cooking skillet that is non stick. Currently using a non stick pan but still need to use a teaspoon of butter to keep fried eggs or omlets from sticking, would like to not have to use butter. Butter taste gread but I don't need the...

Old dogs and Children & Watermellon Wine. I went back in time on the computer today, what ever happened to the cast of? Many died young and many lived long lives. I never knew that the star of a CBS was the daughter of Jane killed in a car wreck in 1967. mark

Use to be that every mid size town on east coast had a Bonza, Ponderso or Sizzer steak house with steaks at all price levels. I went to sea with the Navy in 1980 and when I retured three years later they were all gone. The buildings are still here, but other eating establishments. I miss...

I have a down stairs clogged toilet that I have plunged for five days with no results. The first few days, the liquid would drain over night but not anymore. Its getting nasty now and my wife hates me useing her bathroom and I hate using hers. Is there anything on the market to break up this...

Great job by a funny man. mark

NETFLIX just released season three of the TV show departures about two Canadians who travel the world spending money like it grows on trees. They appear to be mid to late twenties. Just who is paying for this? It is a very interesting show, they even enter North Korea. mark

Publishers clearing house big dollar give away has been going on for years. Now its win $5000 dollars a week for life. I remember getting ready to mail my letter about 30 years ago and realized I would be on a Navy ship in the middle of the Indian ocean on Jan and no one was going to knock on...

My 24 year old daughter has graduated from airline flight attendant training and just got an offer from united express for a job. Will go to Abany NY in January for four weeks training. Hope she likes it and can see the country on some one elses dime. Probably be a cut in pay from her current...

I have always been a M*A*S*H fan, one of the only shows that can have you laughing and crying in a half hour show. All my favorites are dying. mark

My son just graduated from James Madison University. First two years was at a commuity college under a transfer program. Took almost six years to complete, but not in debt on student loans. My wife, who is filipino is even more proud than I. Never did she think she would have a family member...

GM is back in the courts seeking protection from law suits. I wish that GM will just fail and drop off the map. No such thing as too big to fail. mark

Just returned back to Virginia yesterday after spending three months living back in the Philippines. 90 degrees when I left, 37 degrees when I got off the plane in DC. Wife and kids came back in January but I stayed for the month of February and flew back alone. The non stop flight from Korea...

I have round trip tickets to Manila Philippines leaveing Virginia on December second, even bought a new refer and flat screen 42" TV for my inlaws in the Philippines that we can use during our visit. Country is a disaster now. We visit about five hours north west of Manila so hopefully things...

13 Marines returning from Afghanistan via Chicago were treated impromptu and moved into first class airline seats. Seven first class passengers give up their seats to the Marines! makr

My daughter who lives in Elliot City Md. went to a plane pull at Dullas airport in norther Va. last month and won a free round trip ticket via ANA airlines to Japan. She should buy loto tickets. She wins so often when she enters contest. Bad part, its a week long visit in the most expensive...

Yesterday we bought five round trip tickets (Korean Air) to Manila. It has been three years since we were back in the Philippines. Wife and kids have to come back to the US early due to school and jobs. Not me, I plan to stay three months. Nothing like Christmas and New Years in the...

No, not a tractor. The Spirit of Texas and Problem Child. Drag boats. I used to think 150 mph was fast! 261 mph is the new speed to beat. Problem child set a record 261.33 mph with a drag boat. Dang fast with nothing but the prop in the water.

Manila is 70% under water. All my wifes family live in the Philippines (not Manila). We visit every few years... round trip airfare is a killer. Filipinos all keep smiling even during the worst of times. Gotta love them! mark

Watched a 60 minutes story about Marfa Tx. yesterday and found it to be very interesting. Marfa is a small town miles away from anything. I've been through Texes a few times on my way to San Diego and back. After watching the 60 minutes story, I am having a interest in visiting Marfa Tx for a...

United States Navy Chiefs... I have been a Chief for almost 27 years now. Made Chief on 16 Sept 87 at NAS Cubi Point, Republic of the Philippines (PI) and life has never been the same. Ask the Chief is a house hold term. If not for Chiefs, a Navy ship could not get under way, a Navy airplane...

I'm up in age and have spent alot of time in the woods, mountains, state and national parks but have never seen a bear in the wild. Yesterday, I was putting some stuff in my burn barrel, turned around and there was a 200 pound black bear looking at me. Both of us went the opposite direction...

Capt Crunch is only a Commander. Loved the stuff as a kid and read the front/side/back of the box while eating. After a 21 year Navy career... he was only a three stripper, not four. mark

I was watching some old Jonny Quest shows the other day and found them interesting. Dr. Quest, Race, Jonny and Hadgi were using jet skis, cell phones, DNA and aircraft that were unknow in these 1964/1965 shows. Note: Jonny Quest was the first show I ever saw on color TV. mark

Sent him a few dollars to eat a buffet lunch at calalens in harbor point Subic. He took 12 family members with him. Buffet lunch for all 12 was 3,072.11 Philippine Peso's. Very cheap compared to a US buffet. Harbor Point Subic is a high end place located on the former Subic Bay Naval Base...

Had my federal and state taxes completed today. Two weeks early! Daughter still had a return on file from 2010. She will get two federal refunds and two state refunds. Me, a nice federal refund and once again, need to send the state a check. Going to sleep well tonight. Usually wait until...

My niece just graduated from nursing college in Philippines. She will begin looking for a job as a overseas Filipino worker in the medical field. mark

Wife just bought a lease return 2010 toyota rav4. While looking around the show room floor, I reviewed the window stickers. It's really amazing how they add ADP on stuff that has been around for years. Down hill traction devise (second gear) on my old 24 year toyota... I have speed controled...

I was listening to Clark Howard this afternoon and some one called stating that they have started a pet food bank and are operating in about six states now. What a great idea for folks loosing their jobs or down on their luck. First time I ever heard of that idea! Our local food banks are...

Looks good to me, but non in tbn. mark

Love those Philippine hot peanuts, last year when we left, my wife bought about 600 pesos worth from a street vendor. Lasted about a week once we arrived back home, just don't rub your eye after eating a hand full. Friends arrived yesterday from a Christmas visit to the Philippines and are...

Two killed when Md train derails. Just found out one was a local college student. What are the odds of being killed by loaded coal railroad cars falling on you from a rr over pass? I use to have a saying that the only way a plane would kill me is if it fell on me. Falling rail road cars...

I just received photos from my family in the Philippines. Half of Manila is waist deep in water, Olongapoe is waist deep in water and our house in San Felipe is ankle deep in water. Everyone is sleeping upstairs. Victory Liner buses are still runninng thru the deep water. This is why I don't...

As most of you know, the current lack of rainfall has hit American farmers hard. Corn crop is basically non existent this year. Listened to the assistant Department of Aig on the radio last week. When asked if bio-fuel requirements would be relaxed this year, he said absolutely not. Actions...

Just found out the septic tank (above ground) used as a cistern (spring fed) has a crack in the botton and won't hold enough water to supply the house. Have not looked at it yet. I'm thinking of maybe a can of spray foam, tube of calk or expoxy might fill the crack and at least slow the leak...

Always payed FED taxes before wrote a check for $800.00 last year. This year, a refund for $1750.00. Fixed income, same income year after year. I did't pay that much in taxes. Best news, wife and daughter are now both PCT,s at the local new hospital earning fat paychecks and its only 2 miles...

My wife works next door at the 36 hole golf course (full time) until this new season (part time now). Wanted a full time job. After two weeks of job hunting, she landed a new full time job at the new, one year old (brand new building) not for profit hospital thats only 2.5 miles away. Best...

Left Manila yesterday at about 1230 at night, landed in Soul Korea four hours later, had a layover of five hours, than departed for Washington DC arriving at about 0945. Trip back was about 36 hours with very little sleep. Arrived back home to get a bill for a $500.00 for a replacement blower...

Dang, been in the Philippines since 8 December 2010, thought I was flying back to Virginia on 8 February 2011. Was looking forward to going back to my private bath, hot showers and cold drinks with ice. Double checked my return flight last night, I'm stuck here until 15 February 2011. I think...

Nope, Jeepneys, victory liner buses and light rail. I'm off to Manila today for a three day stay. Going to visit some sights including mall of asia, might even enjoy a large pizza. Since we will travel all day today, having a breakfast of fried rice, fried egg and fried spam. I've been there...

BIL's father was just found dead in his garage. 92 years old, WW2 tank crew in the Pacific. Free meal at many places today. He is not at the table. God bless the Vets. mark

I've eated many things while traveling the world, but my daugher came home from a trip to Pa. with a pint of pumpkin butter. Don't have a clue how to eat it? Treat it like apple butter? Make a pie? Toss it in the trash? Any ideas from you folks from Pa.? mark

Bheng, my maid in the Philippines back in the mid 80's ($40.00 a month) just found us on facebook. She is now married and living in Osaka Japan. Glad to see she is living a good life. mark

Two days ago, it was in the 90's, Today it made 70. My flip/flops are retired now and I am wearing socks and sheepskin lined slippers and jeans. HVAC might go from cool to heat in the next few days. mark

About one year ago, daughter had a deer hit the newer car, damaged the hood and grill... nothing else. She had her license for a total of two days when this happened. Insurance deductable was $500.00. Didn't want to fill a claim. One year latter with the help of the mechanic next door at the...

Need ideas on how to crush cans? Wife started a recycle program at the 36 hole golf course next door where she works, about every other day, she brings home a 60 gallon trash bag full of cans (12oz to 24oz). Recycle center, they must be crushed to reduce space. I have cans running out of my...

About two months ago, wife lost my Navy Federal Credit Union debit card at a gas station. I felt sick. Canceled it two days later. Monitored the statement for two days and got my statement about 5 days later... NO damage, nothing spent on my dime Called the NFCU and had it reinstated...

Three local kids in their 20's were killed within two day in car accidents... NONE wearing seat belts. I don't understand what they were thinking. PLEASE folks... buckle up. mark

Finally, County Supervisors voted to not issue anymore county decals. Claim to save $36,000 in printing cost. Still, will add $20.00 to personal property taxes. Glad to not have to drive, stand in line and put that stupid decal on my windshield anymore. Yep, they still get the $20.00 for...

Someone did their home work last week. Got a letter in the mail from some one who wanted to buy my old house (probably 140 years old). They got all the address right... but its not for sale. House means nothing to me... but the Bank barn and machine shed are priceless. Yes, the property is...

Today, I turned 56... stuffed peppers, baked salmon and scalloped taters for diner. All my family is here... haven't had a job in five years... Going back to the Philippines in December... Daughters passport arrived in the mail this week... She starts College on monday, son finishes College...

Took a trip Sunday with my family, visited a large city... Closed my eyes, took a wiff and said to my wife, where are we. Manila Philippines. Nope, we are at the fence in front of the white house. Spent all day Sunday around the National Mall in Washington DC and I thought I was in a third...

Been fighting a tricare medical bill for a few days, talked to a retired HM Chief at Sugar Grove Naval Station in Sugar Grove West Virginia who steered me in the right direction (problem fixed hopefully). Car needed a new inspection sticker, went to the local shop, no waiting (even needed new...

Pulled the trigger monday... going back this winter for two months or more. Kubota is not moving snow this winter. Got $12,000 dollars from a account, daughters junior college is payed for plus books, Kid's will probably not see their kin folks for years to come. FIL & MIL are getting old and...

I hate it when my wife takes it or daughter... After 16 hours this morning looking it's gone. Wife called the Navy Federal Credit Union to cancel it. How many fuel tanks did I fill in 16 hours, maybe bought some flat screen tv's at walmart. Don't know. She thinks she dropped it after buying...

On 6-22-10, I was having diner with my wife, son and my daughters friend. Yikes, a 95 plus day. I felt strange, went to the bathroom four times and could not pee. Next day, I was felling fine... No more Dr. Ppper, Only ice cold water. The next day, slured speach, drouped left lower mouth...

60 pound pig is roasting... 55 gallon drum is full of ice and beer/soda/water bottles. Hay wagon will be filled with food... no rain in sight and temp to be 90 degrees. Life will be good today. Wife even bought me new shorts and shirt. mark

Yep... doing it again this year, last year he was at 72 pounds, this year, maybe 52 pounds. Philippine history is repeating... I will pull the hay wagon up in the yard, wash and apply sealer and have one big party. About 100 people... Hay wagons make great picnic tables. We might make our...

Did I just see a van commerical showing the importance of GPS leading to a Hospital. A sucide bomber in the back seat... I won't mention the car company, but they did get a bailout. mark

Use to eat there about once a month, Great deal, wife who probably might be 100 pounds soaking wet could hit the food about 6 times. New deal is all you can eat baby back ribs on the menu for about $10.00. I never had baby back ribs until last year, Golf tournament next door catered lunch and...

In 1994, Went to Dubi to catch the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson... I had to turn over all bill paying to my wife. I used to set down once a month and pay the bills. That was many years ago, I never took the bill paying back. She still pays the bills to this day. mark

I have a 11 year old GE 21 cubic foot frost free refer in the kitchen that kicks out of the bottom about one pint of water in front about two times a week... its killing my hardwood floors in the kitchen. Yes, the ice maker copper line was kinked and leaked, replaced that with a new 200 psi...

For the last 3 days, 5 manure big trucks have been busy draining two large dairy farm manure ponds... dust is awlful... how ever, folks who live in townhouses next door who don't own lawns and walk there dogs on the fields are at wits end. Can't walk the dogs next door on property they don't...

Killing me... Wife and daughter were in San Diego a couple months ago for a wedding. Daugher met a kid from Alabama, looks like next week he and his sister will be visiting for a few days. He will take her to the prom here. Dress she wore in the wedding, he's seen, can't be used again, shoes...

I just dumped about half a gallon of chainsaw mix that was about two years old. I need to do about 10 minutes of chainsaw work and don't want to mix up another gallon that I will never use for probably two more years. Think I can safely mix about a pint just eye balling the oil I will need? mark

Looks like today will be my first shorts, t-shirt and flip flop day. This past winter was terrible, 30" inches of snow for three months. Weather forcasts of hight of 23 degrees today, etc, etc. Tired of long johns, insulted shirts, heavy coats, two pair of socks, etc. I'm going practically...

I must be getting old... saw a Chevy S10 today tricked out with antique virginia plates... Plus side is we now have cattle on the farm... I just love to watch them and had the farm sprayed for weeds about a week ago... No cost to us. Neighbor farmer payes the taxes and keeps the farm going. mark

year Doom and gloom... My daughter got a job two months ago and makes good money for a 17 year old... Wife was out of work from the next door 36 hole Golf course for three plus months... she was offered two jobs that she turned down knowing she would be back to work in late March. I can't...

Just had some friends return after spending three weeks in the Philippines. They stopped by my inlaws and brought back a box of goodies. Big bags of garlic peanuts and other things including a Philippine flag. Can now fly the Philippine flag when we roast a pig (leachon) and have pot lucks...

I never have any... use debit card for just about everything. Only cash I ever get is for about half the rent for my second house and my wifes tips from the 36 hole golf course next door. My only needs for cash is for hair cuts, a few local eats that take cash only and for tips for service...

Hit it really close this year... $6.00 federal refund and owe the state $86.00. Can't get much better than this! Not bad for an old retired Navy Chief. mark

Anyone else watching this on History Channel? I've been glued to the Sony 60" (not HD) for a week now. Best show in years! mark (old retired CPO)

I have a 1989 Toyota Corolla SR-5 Sport Coupe with 144,000 miles on it and need to replace the orginal thermostate. Problem is, I don't know where it is located in the cooling system. Pulled the top hose entering the engine and didn't see a thermostate. Where is it? mark

Stayed glued to the ABN/CBN TV channel over the weekend as Manila (Philippines) had the most rain fall in over 40 years. WOW, so much destruction by floods and mud slides. Death toll is over 140 and climbing. All my inlaws are fine and dry but did loose power for two days. We get Philippine...

BIL just bought a Kubota B7100 and it came with a Howse three foot rotary cuter. Did'nt know they made one that small... kind of cute! mark

Yesterday, I donated two rare items to the Naval Aviation Museum at Pensacola Fl... rare items from the long gone NAS Cubi Point, Republic of the Philippines (probably worth big bucks on Ebay). Still have a few more items from Naval Station Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines that I may...

For you retired military folks... I wanted to visit the exchange and commissary while in the metro DC area and needed to spend the night... Got a two room suite at the Quantico Marine Corp Base BOQ for $35.00 a night for myself, wife and daughter! Where else can you stay in the DC metro area...

Just got a copy of the new Northern Tool catalog and it seems that about everything with a engine is not for sale in Ca. No tractors, mowers, chainsaws, generators, water pumps, etc. Do folks living in Ca. even get a Northern Tool catalog? What is this all about? mark

Citi finally sent the paperwork... My Mortgage is history! Nice refund of escrow funds too... 20 years early on a 30 year loan (house is 10 years old). Cars, trucks and tractors are all paid off... Still have money in the markets, another house paid off with a new standing seam roof, new...

Just fried some hot sausage in the pan... a bit of toast and hit the side of the old Griswald skillet with two eggs... nothing like cracking two eggs on the side of a hot griswald skillet on a cold night! mark

Wife says... Your 16 year old daughter needs a gown for high school pictures... All tractors, implements, trucks and equipment are in danger of being lost! mark

The last 5 years, I kept a little 8 X 10 raised garden (tomatoes, cukes, not much more. I would like to have a bigger garden this year, maybe 25 X 50? The location where I can get water is not very big due to trees and fence. I have a Ford tractor, ford 2 bottom plow, disk, spring tooth, etc...

Don't know if it is a local thing or not but JD dealers here have a 0% interest for 60 months or a free loader on some utility tractors! Might be a good deal? I still like blue and orange! mark

My son is looking at buying a used car, newer model 2006 or later... He is a cash buyer and I'm trying to avoid pitfalls... Rule number one, they must provide a clear tittle or walk away... Any thing else I should be looking at? I never buy used and run cars and trucks until the wheels fall...

Dang... Bought some a few weeks ago and they were so good... Bought some beet pickles today, ate half of then and added eggs... Cheap and good snacks (No redneck jokes please). mark

Nothing... Wife worked probably ten days in the last month at the local 36 hole golf course! My electric bills are horrible... burning coal now but down to my last two 50 pound bags... Dang, I left a half glass of 6% wine on the garage workbench yesterday and it was frozen this morning! Still...

Wife got the Verizon and directTV package back in January... Saved us about 30 dollars a month... Great Deal at the time. DirectTV went dead last Thursday due to non payment... No TV for six days now (can't even watch my President tonight address the Nation)... No converter boxes or rabbit ears...

After a Sunday concert watching the United States Navy Band, needed to stop buy Food Lion for a jar of coffee and some coconut milk... (Chicken Curry is Great on a cold night). Went to the 12 items or less and there are kids with a full cart... Yep, I said you must be college students and can't...

Went to the first concert today in Harrisonburg... About 16 more to follow on the 2009 tour... GREAT show and I loved every minute... Free show, free parking. Best hour and a half ever. They will be in NC the next day, TN, next AL next, MS next AR next, LA next and hit TX... Jim, Denton TX is...

My son just bought a new 32" flat srceen TV and some how hooked into his laptop... TBN is great when viewing on a wall hanging flat screen... mark

Just got a offer from AAA in the mail today... no thanks, I'm not interested. Day before, a offer from my insurance co, $20.65 for insurance, $500,00 deductable per ocurance... old stuff not included, ie, stoves, refers, heating/cooling equipment... It pays nothing, pure profit. I do not use...

Wife bought a bag of snacks today with a unkown 8-07-07 experation date! I would'nt want to be the manager on duty tomorrow! mark

The I remember thread got me thinking... went to the local country store today and bought a couple pounds of salt fish... yea, five gallon plastic buckets setting on the floor, not the 5 gallon wooden kegs I remember as a kid. Currently soaking in water but I can't remember how to cook. I'm...

My son turns 21 in two weeks and always knew he has something coming from the family trust and started asking me how much? I didn't know, so I asked my little sister who manages the trust yesterday... I was shocked... about $50,000 dollars! My days of paying College tuition are over now! I...

Local county bus driver died this weekend... lived in Florida for the past two years. Great guy, when my kids were late, he honked the horn and waited... Son and Daughter alwayes ran to the bus... I was there alot when they got off in the afternoon and we talked. He was a vet, like me... Great...

50 pounds of rice just added to the rice bin... 5 liters of olive oil placed under the sink... Hopefully 2009 will be much better than 2008! "honey, what did you do today, nothing, what are you going to do the next day, nothing, I did'nt finish today" mark

Yes, I'm a old born and raised boy ont the family farm guy... I have a horse shoe hanging above each barn/garage door... wife is from the Philippines, built the new house about 9 years ago with a Philippine peso on every corner of the foundation... Rice bins are always filled for New Years...

My first cruise was on the USS America... Yep, did the ditch twice... messdecks were horrible, lived on peanut bars after standing in line for hours to buy a case... used to eat breakfeast at 1900 hours... Best job I ever had in the Navy working for a CAG staff... Never carried a cruise box...

Turned on the big screens today and had many new chanels... Military Chanel, always wanted it, History Internal, plus many more! This is Direct TV and my daughter says these are teasers and will go away soon, just trying to get you hooked to sign on for more. Some days, 50 chanels and nothing...

Finally went to the new Marine Corps Museum at Quantico MCB yesterday... Neat place to spend the day. Also, went to the base commissary and stocked up on can goods for the winter (much cheaper than local stores). Museum is FREE and parking is FREE. mark

My son borrowed a .22 Ruger handgun from me and after doing some shooting, he left it laying on the trunk of his car and drove off. A newspaper delivery truck found it laying in the road at 3:30 am and turned it over to the Sherriffs office! Deputies just handed it back to me (gun case still...

Yea... I'm gettiing lazy and get dizzy on the second step on a ladder, so I contacted the local college (James Madison University) art department and Kappa Pi elected to use the barn doors for a outside art project... 13 folks signed up to paint, just haven't decided what to paint yet. Doors...

I like clocks... have a grandfather clock in the living room, a cucko clock in the dining room and a Royal Navy clock (and wheather station). Two antique clocks in the garage that I bought in Korea... Great looking but don't keep good time until there is a earthquake (seems to get them started...

Just ordered a Northstar 1700 PSI, 120 volt pressure washer from Northern Tool... $509.34 with 3 to 5 day delivery via UPS at 95 pounds shipping weight... I don't need to strip paint, just clean siding, decks, etc... maybe a coupe standing seam metal roofs. Anybody have any experience with this...

Wow... my daughter just turned 16 today... O'charley to go furnished the Great foods...(Freee) Golf course thing. A DQ ice crearm cake topped it off... wow, great day... We got off for about $60.00 bucks... However the converstation turned to her friend who turned 16 about six months ago...

I've had DirectTV for many years now... BUT the last few days, when the comericals start playing, you can't hit the mute button fast enough... the volumn must double during comercials and will blast you out of the room... does this happen to others? Driving me crazy. mark

I have had it with the economy ups and downs... pulled the trigger yesterday on selling some stocks... With the potential of capital gains going up two or three times the present rate, decided to sell some shares. What should I do? a. A new corvette... b. Big new cab tractor... c. New...

Could'nt find my original post... My boy is now is now in his last year of Community College (two years) with a 4.0 GPA and is headed to ODU if all is will and going into Navy ROTC... Full boat, paid tuition, board, books, $250.00 a month spending money.... What a relief when this is done! 15...

I just love the end of the week... wife works next door at the 36 hole golf course... Seniors play on thursday, business' on friday and sat... Wow... BBQ beef, BBQ Chicken, Green beans, etc... She just brings home plates of the good stuff... No cooking for about four days, just in time for the...

My Daughter (age 15) just received her drivers license (leaners)... Wife says I need to teach her to drive... She won't drive a tractor, doesn't have a clue which way the front wheels are turned... just clue less on how to drive? HELP... I want to let my son (age 20) to teach her... he is good...

Recent thunder storm brought down a medium size tree limb... maybe 5" at the largest part... limb was completly disconnected from the tree... simple move, hook a 20' chain to the low point and pull! Murphy's law... large end of the branch fell and hit my ROPS (saved my life) them bounced off...

Starter finally starting to fail (can tap it lightly and it will still work) but needs to be rebuild before it completely fails. Can barely even see it. Can't figure out if it needs to be removed from the bottom or top? 1989 Corolla SR5 Sport Coupe. Any suggestions? Will have to move a...

After years of work, wife finally got FIL a VISA appointment at the US embassy in Manila... A few problems with Saint Lukes Hospital accross the steet. He is in his 70's and can remember dogfights above in WW2... Never lived outside of a third world country... I hope to show him a GREAT time in...

Looking for tips on saving electric bills! Virginia Dominion is going to rase rates 18% in July... I am total electric, Trane heat pump (good)... but not the best, dryer will probably go except for bad weather (I have the best clothes line in the area but the wife won't ues it). mark

I heard today that only 9% of the midwest homes had insurance... I am shocked that folks who don't carry insurance! Did we not learn something from Katrina? mark

As hot and dry as the past week has been, can't buy a tomatoe due to the recent recall! I guess that I will just keep the bacon in the freezer until my plants produce! mark

Small local town (Bridgewater Va.) just built 8 bird houses for $2000.00! Tax dollars at work! mark

Last week I walked onto the screen porch with a cup of coffee... dang... a big tanker truck in my field... followed by a truck with about a 50' boom... in about 3 hours all 40 acres were sprayed with weed killer. To top it off, I went down to the barn and the lower barnyard was completely...

Getting ready to trim a couple low branches on some trees so I can mow without ROPS getting in the way. Stihl 026 that I have not used in about 8 years. I mixed fresh gas/oil the other day and installed a new chain. In about two hours, I will see if I still like orange chainsaws? Any bets on...

Add in the valley trader... Chain hoist half ton rated... will lift much more... old... made in York PA. Sounds like last words to me? mark

Yesterday morning a local 45 year old man was crushed to death in front of his 12 year old son when his tractor flipped backwards while trying to pull a tree. No ROPS on the older model red tractor. mark

I'm looking for a new .22 rifle... I have a old remmington that shoots great and just gave my son my old .22 browning BR22 (nice gun with a gold trigger).. I have been looking at some golden boy .22's and I like their looks. Really don't want to spend over about $300.00 bucks or so. In this...

It should be down to -15 tonight with wind chill... Nice to know that all diesel tractors are fueled and ready to go... parked in the garage... 5 gal fuel cans filled... cars and truck gased... coal containers full... just dumped coal ashes... rentals house had the 250 gallon fuel tank filled...

Yep... flipped my NAPA calendar to February 2008... Nice 1959 Ford Offset workmaster. 43 HP 134 CID Red Tiger engine with 4 speed tranney on the cover. mark

My daughter is excited about a Eroupe trip (England, France etc) during her Junior year of HS... I know these trips are popular for College students but for HS for Juniors? Cost is about $2400.00. My question is who can affort these trips? Yea... maybe we can but she has friends whose parents...

I have a 120 year old house that I rent to others... Many upgrades throughout the years... Darn kitchen sink keeps clogging up... No roof vent pipes in the house... I took the PVC trap apart today and cleaned... no problems... All PVC under kitchen pipes look brand new and are clean inside...

I was watching RFD TV today and one old guy had 500 running JD tractors... Lived in Montana... Most under roof! Goal was to have one of every JD tractor ever produced! Another guy had 150 Farmalls running in his yard... Amazing story! mark

I'm 53... Wife is 40... It's been a great 20 year together! mark

How far away are your fire hydrands? I have one about 300' away from the main house and about 600' away from my rental house... PSI is about 180! mark

Just bought 1500 pounds of coal and set at the computer... thinking... boy, I have some flying time... J-3 Cub C-150 C-172 C210 Turbo H-1 H-53 727 737 747 C-130 C-5 C-141 C-5 C2A C12 C9B DC9 DC10 MD80 DC-8 L011 Old Piedmont Airlines, Airforce jets and a few fights in Airbus aircraft... can't...

I know the standard is 3 months or 3000 miles... however, I probably never exceed 50 miles a month... been changing the oil about once a year and it comes out about as clean as it went in. What would be a good time frame for oil changes? 1994 Ford F150 with a 302 with 89,000 miles. mark

Saw an add on TV yesterday for one of those "money lenders" and saw on the fine print 99.25% interest! WHO in the world would borrow money at 99.25% interest? mark

Took a load of brush down to the burn pile yesterday evening and low and behold, there was a nice big JD cab tractor with 15' bushog batwing mower setting behind my barn!!! Guess my neighor is getting ready to mow my fields? mark

Yep... checked the hour meter yesterday on my 46 year old ford tractor. 36,243 hours based on 1412 RPM... dang 3 cylinder perkins diesel engine has only been rebuilt once that I know of... keeps going and going! I rarely run above 1000 RPM unless I'm using a PTO implement. mark

Local dealers are selling 5303 tractors for 15,995... not a bad price for a 64 HP tractor! mark

Moved the gage to about 1/3 of a tank on each tank! Gees... to fill my two tanks on the Ford truck will be about $100.00! Yes... there is a reason why it has two gas tanks... 302 CI and 308 rear end are still 17 MPG at best! mark

Just watching my dairy farm neighbor chop grass... fills a large tripple axel wagon and unhitches... backs the chopper to another tripple axel wagon and continues to chop... all without getting out of the cab! Some sort of auto hitch system? mark

Neighbor just brought home a NH TC33 with FEL and 72" MMM two days ago with 185 hours on the clock... Another neighbor has a late model Kubota B series setting in the yard... I'm not the only tractor guy around here anymore. I feel cheated! mark

Drywall above the upstairs tub/shower has failed (rotted) above the shower end where drywall meets fiberglass. Looks horrible for about two inches where the two meet. Is there a way to repair this without removing that section of drywall. It is dry so I was thinking about covering it with...

Once you washed and waxed your tractors... you are hooked... cars and trucks will set outside in the weather and all your efforts will be spent in the garage looking after the tractors. Been there... Done that! "Goat locker" mark

Any experience out there? I am looking at going to Eroupe this summer... Philly, Norfolk, Andrews seem to be the best departures. I have reletives in both Ireland and England... Cheap stays... just need to cross the pond! I used the system many times on active duty, but I am now on the...

New county windshield stickers arrived today... Wife says it must be placed perfect on the windshield... Ops... I put it on upside down! Drive her crazy for the next year! mark

I am a lucky guy... best friend was shot in a hunting accident at age 15... 30.30 thru the heart, I watched him die. Best friend died at age 51 of a weird adrilian glan failure... watched dad die from cancel... refused to watch mom die... my sisters did watch. Watched A-6E, A-7, A-3D, F-14A...

Finally filled my federal taxes today at about 2 PM along with paperwork trying to get my FIL a visa to visit the United States from the Phillippines. He has always wanted to visit the US and we can now afford to have him visit. He says that he can handle the cold but we are looking at a...

Many friends and family members attend Va. Tech. Setting on pins and needles waiting to hear the names? mark

No... not a tractor color... hot coal burning in the harmon coal stove... it is so damp and cold that I keep burning coal... hopefully it will warm up soon? mark

My son, age 19 is ready to enroll in college... Blue Ridge Community College for the first two years and then on to James Madison University (JMU Dukes). He called last night and said, Dad, get the checkbook ready... My question is... I educated myself (at the expense of the US Navy)... I am a...

Orange tractor just left on a rollback truck to the local Kubota dealer. Tried to finish mowing yesterday and the left spindle fell apart again... MMM sounds horrible. Broke last year also. Having the hyd system serviced while it is at the dealer. You would think MMM would last more than 4...

What is the effective range for rat shot... I have a chipmonk living where he should not be living. Old .22 and a box of rat shot in the closet at standby. Just don't want to shoot holes in my garage or garage doors. Looking at a range of about 100 feet. mark

Just had the wife remove three ticks from ME... yikes. Embeded in me petty good. Must have picked them up on my evening walk on the golf course? Must be the season. mark

I usually move all my paint, stains and water sealers into the basement from the garage each fall to keep from freezing. Forgot last year, was reading the label on a unopened can of water sealing that said "do not freeze - not effective if previously frozen" It was very cold for a few weeks...

Another nice day... mid 70's. I think I will ride the blue tractor down to the machine shed, remove the back blade and hook up the flail mower for the mowing season. I change implements on the blue tractor twice a year. "A working party isn't what it sounds like" mark

My Ford truck has tires on it that are a few years old and are weather cracking badly... tread is like brand new... truck is only driven about 500 miles a year... once went 18 months without buying gas (farm use tags). Is there something that can be applied to the tire to help prevent cracking...

Wednesday was a nice warm day (mid 70's) so I decided to take a blue tractor ride and drag some downed limbs to the burn pile and then ride around the farm. Decided to count gates... yelp... twenty-three metal gates at various locations. mark

I have another bird in my coal stove pipe... had one once before and it just flew out. This one seems to be stuck and I would like to burn coal tonight. Any suggestions? Chimney is about 32 feet tall. mark

Can you use carb cleaner instead of starting fluid to start a cold diesel engine... my ford tractor needs a boost when it is really cold. Been using a small shot of starting fluid but I know it is dangerious for the engine. Thanks. mark

Currently burning a Harman magnafire mark II coal stove... Spiral flame... problem is the spiral flame is now part of the glass door. Tried everything to clean the glass but nothing seems to work. Any suggestions? "You might be a redneck if your retirement is in collector plates" mark

Was in the garage yesterday and saw a gallon of windshield washer fluid setting on the shelf "frozen solid". It turned out to be summer formula. Glad it was not in the car, truck or tractor tire. "Ask the Chief" mark

Feels pretty good now... Beef stew with homemade vegges. Big pot full, Coal stove is buring hot, life is good and no need to start tractors in the garage... Weather man might be wrong? marl

1. You are freezing and its 75 degrees outside. 2. It doesn't bother you to walk into a McDonalds with a PC with a loaded gun at the door. 3. You think a hot water facuet is a decuration. 4. A luxuery hotel is one with a toilet seat. 5. A super highway is a two laner. 6. Someone...

Some how my son was able to loose both keys to my gun cabinat. There are three small round locks, one for the glass door and one on each bottom drawer. Can a locksmith make replacements at a reasonable cost or can I just drill out the old locks and buy replacements? It has been over a year...

Anyone have exceptions skill at tractor operating: Years ago, dad could pull a loaded hay wagon getting a running start up into the bank barn, hit a steering brake, turn the wheel and park that wagon just where he wanted in. Could back a loaded hay wagon it too. To this day, I just can't back...

I am looking at increasing my dividend investment retirement income... currently at 3.3% each quarter. I looked at HRL, MHP, PACAR, TOT, PBG, JZY, etc. Someone posted that southern copper corp had dividends of 9.5%. I'm not a pig, just looking at getting about 5 or 6 % dividend and a good...