Memorial Day Weekend in Dallas

June 6, 2010 Memorial Day Weekend in Dallas
We had the opportunity to take a brief vacation to fly down to see my two sisters for Memorial Day Weekend. This is my sister, Tracy, her husband, Dave, and their daughters, Lauren and Britney. Aren’t they just swell?
This is my other sister, Tammy. She also has a husband named, Dave, and three daughters, Lindsey, Mallory, and Bailey. They’re pretty swell as well!
This is my other sister, Tammy. She also has a husband named, Dave, and three daughters, Lindsey, Mallory, and Bailey. They’re pretty swell as well!
Grandma Linda also went down to Texas with us and actually seemed happy for a little while. Maybe that was because she was with me in this picture…
Most of the time she likes to yell at us for the little things like here where she was exclaiming “Where the hell are my chips to go with this salsa?”
We also had the chance to see our cousin Terri while we were there which is always a special treat for us!
As a special bonus, we had the chance to meet our niece Bailey’s new friend, Mark. Aren’t they just so cute together?
We didn’t have a lot of time in Dallas, but we knew what we wanted to do while we were there. Be in the water!
Most of the time, we were in the pool. But we did get to go out to Lake Grapevine on Sunday for a little tubing action!
I can’t remember if we’d ever been able to get Grandma Linda on the tube before. Not sure if we’re going to be able to make it happen again, though.
Most of the girls did great on the tube and exhibited no fear whatsoever!
Most of the girls did great on the tube and exhibited no fear whatsoever!
Then the nerves started kicking in as the waves became a little bit bumpier.
By the end of the day their enjoyment level for the raft went down quite a bit. I’m not sure why.
In any case, it was pretty hot that day, so I’m sure Uncle Dave enjoyed having the opportunity to jump in the lake to go help out the kids!
Whenever the boys suffer serious anxiety attacks from things like being thrust into the lake at high speeds, we’ve found that it calms their nerves to have them stare at carp and turtles for several hours afterwards. Not quite sure about the scientific reasoning behind the process, but it seems to work for us.

More Shortarmguy Pictures

From Memorial Day 2010 in Dallas

So on the way home, my brother in law, David Mohar, dropped us off at the airport. We saw a cop car fly by us and then Dave called me shortly after he dropped us off and said he saw the wreck. The next day at work, a friend sent me this video which I’m pretty confident is the accident in question. I’m glad we weren’t closer to this lady while she was driving!!

Nice Emails of the Week

Hi!
I really envy you for your strength! I actually saw you on TV here in Norway on the TV-show “Miami Ink”. You were getting the tattoo of your hand and I noticed me your homepage! Keep up the good work!
Greetings from Norway!

hey, i just gotta say that u’r a amazing guy! really! it’s so cool that u, with u’r disability’s can have such a positive sight at the world! u must really inspire many people!
and u’r tattoo i LOVE it!
that’s how god made u, and u’r.. i don’t know what to say, u rock dude!
i saw u on tv, for maybe 4 weeks ago, on miami Ink. it’s just amazing, u’r amazing 😉

haha, just wanted to inform you on that.

really, u rock!

– 15 yr, maria

 

Quote of the Week

“When one door closes, another door opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the ones which open for us.” – Alexander Graham Bell, inventor Link To Last Week’s Diary Entry
May 23, 2010 Golfing in Des Moines

Shortarmguy's Crazy Emails for January 6, 2013

Playoffs 2013

Good News For Grandma

Shark Eating Shark

Shortarmguy's Crazy Emails for December 30, 2012

Christmas Funnies 2012

Stacking Wood


Still The Light, By Cameo Smith (Mt. Wolf, PA)

Twas’ 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38
when 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven’s gate.
their smiles were contagious,
their laughter filled the air…
they could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.

They were filled with such joy, they didn’t know what to say.
Remembering nothing of what had happened earlier that day.
“Where are we?” asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.
“This is Heaven.” declared a small boy. “we’re spending Christmas at God’s house.”

When what to their wondering eyes did appear,
but Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near.
He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.
then He opened His arms and He called them by name.

In that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring
those children all flew to the arms of their King
As they lingered in the warmth of His blessed embrace,
one small girl turned and looked at Jesus’ face.

And as if He could read all the questions she had
He gently whispered to her, “I’ll take care of mom and dad.”
When He looked down on earth, the world far below
He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe

He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,
“Let My power and presence re-enter this land!”
“may this country be delivered from the hands of fools”
“I’m taking back my nation. I’m taking back my schools!”

Then He and the children stood up without a sound.
“Come now my children, let me show you around.”
excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.
all displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.

and I heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,
“in the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT.”

Shortarmguy's Crazy Emails for December 16, 2012

Dear Santa, How are you? How is Mrs. Claus? I hope everyone, from the reindeer to the elves, is fine. I have been a very good boy this year. I would like an X-Box 360 with Call of Duty IV and an iPhone 4 for Christmas. I hope you remember that come Christmas Day. Merry Christmas,
Dear Timmy, Thank you for you letter. Mrs. Claus, the reindeer and the elves are all fine and thank you for asking about them. Santa is a little worried all the time you spend playing video games and texting. Santa wouldn’t want you to get fat. Since you have indeed been a good boy, I think I’ll bring you something you can go outside and play with.* Merry Christmas,* Santa Claus*** * *
Mr. Claus, Seeing that I have fulfilled the “naughty vs. Nice” contract, set by you I might add, I feel confident that you can see your way clear to granting me what I have asked for. I certainly wouldn’t want to turn this joyous season into one of litigation. Also, don’t you think that a jibe at my weight coming from an overweight man who goes out once a year is a bit trite? Respectfully, Tim Jones * *
Mr. Jones, While I have acknowledged you have met the “nice” criteria, need I remind you that your Christmas list is a request and in no way is it a guarantee of services provided. Should you wish to pursue legal action, well that is your right. Please know, however, that my attorney’s have been on retainer ever since the Burgermeister Meisterburger incident and will be more than happy to take you on in open court. Additionally, the exercise I alluded to will not only improve your health, but also improve your social skills and potentially help clear up a complexion that looks like the bottom of the Burger King fry bin most days. Very Truly Yours, S Claus * *
Now look here Fat Man, I told you what I want and I expect you to bring it. I was attempting to be polite about this but you brought my looks and my friends into this. Now you just be disrespecting me. I’m about to tweet my boys and we’re gonna be waiting for your fat ass and I’m taking my game console, my game, my phone, and whatever else I want. WHAT EVER I WANT, MAN! T-Bone * *
Listen Pizza Face, Seriously??? You think a dude that breaks into every house in the world on one night and never gets caught sweats a skinny G-banger wannabe? “He sees you when you’re sleeping; He knows when you’re awake”. Sound familiar, genius? You know what kind of resources I have at my disposal. I got your shit wired, Jack. I go all around the world and see ways to hurt people that if I described them right now, you’d throw up your Totino’s pizza roll all over the carpet of your mom’s basement. You’re not getting what you asked for, but I’m still stopping by your crib to stomp a mud hole in you’re ass and then walk it dry. Chew on that, Petunia. S Clizzy * *
Dear Santa, Bring me whatever you see fit. I’ll appreciate anything. Timmy * *
> Timmy, > > That’s what I thought you little bastard. > Santa

Not Afraid of Heights

Snow Quilts

Artist Simon Beck must really love the cold weather!
Along the frozen lakes of Savoie, France, he spends days plodding through the snow in raquettes (snowshoes), creating these sensational patterns of snow art.
Working for 5-9 hours a day, each final piece is typically the size of three soccer fields!
The geometric forms range in mathematical patterns and shapes that create stunning, sometimes 3D, designs when viewed from higher levels.
How long these magnificent geometric forms survive is completely dependent on the weather. Beck designs and redesigns the patterns as new snow falls, sometimes unable to finish a piece due to significant overnight accumulations.
The main reason for making them was because I can no longer run properly due to problems with my feet, so plodding about on level snow is the least painful way of getting exercise. Gradually, the reason has become photographing them, and I am considering buying a better camera. – Simon Beck