RussellD

On the surface it was just another day.  I'm sure I attended school that Tuesday at Buffalo Elementary.  I would have been in the 4th grade, Mrs. Linda Clippard's class.  She was, is, and will always be my favorite teacher.  For those who are my age and older, Oct 25, 1994 was the beginning of a 9 day journey that took small town South Carolina to front page USA. By now, most of my friends and family have probably figured out what I'm writing about.  That night a young mother named Susan Smith reported a car jacking/kidnapping in my hometown of Union, SC. Her story was that, while stopped at a red light in Monarch, a black male approached her car, with a gun and ordered her out of it.  He jumped in, and sped off.  For 9 days, our town, our state, and the nation held its breath...waiting, hoping, and praying that those boys would be alright. I remember it like it was yesterday.  The news reports, the scenes of men and women on horseback, on foot, and with dogs, combing thr

In the weeks and months leading up to my first child being born, I wrote letters to him.  Before I even knew the gender of the baby I wrote to "it".  I wrote about any number of things, the most popular topic was about family members.  I told him about each of my parents, his mom, my best friend (Jon), Kacey's parents, and even his two grandmothers on my side.  Since he arrived in late July 2012 a ton of changes have come our way.  Along with those changes there are the challenges of raising a son, work, school, football, and life!  So, I haven't had time to write much to him.  That changes today: Joshua, It has been a really long time since I sat down and actually wrote anything.  I miss writing to you, but, I have not forced myself to take the time to do it.  Today is Oct 1, 2014.  You are 26 months old and just last week you found out you were going to be a big brother!  At first you were excited, now, I think you're realizing the attention won't all be o

This is actually Day 1, but I decided to label yesterday as Day 1, because I made the decision half way through the day yesterday.  Although, at that point I had already had two sandwiches on regular hamburger buns with BBQ that I smoked over the weekend.  I also had a donut from a student selling them for FBLA.  But, last night we had some delicious tilapia with brown rice and green beans with tomatoes.  I had a sweet tooth strike, of course, after dinner, but had some almond butter and an apple!  This morning for breakfast, a protein shake and for lunch I have leftover tilapia and brown rice and green beans.  Not sure about tonight, as we have open house at school and a boy's playoff bball game, so I will be at school late.  Encouragement is needed, as this will not be easy!

Today, I have decided to go with no carbs for Lent.  I'm not Catholic, but, Ash Wednesday is this coming Wednesday, so I've decided to give up something for Lent.  I know that simple carbs are my worst enemy when it comes to my weight loss/gain.  I love rice, potatoes, bread, pastries, and pretty much anything that has wheat in it.  Unfortunately, I'm weak when it comes to these things, because they are literally everywhere.  My wife has already given these up due to being gluten intolerant, so it shouldn't be too difficult to do with the bread.  However, we eat potatoes and rice with everything.  So, sweet potatoes, which I love, and brown rice, which is ok are on the menu.  Starting today I am weighing in around 290 lbs.  I am working out this afternoon, doing a P90x style workout.  My goal is to do that at least 3x a week, as well as play some basketball or run on the treadmill.  Please follow me and encourage me during this time of transition.

I read this poem a long time ago. But, from time to time it comes to mind. I didn't remember it word for word, line by line, but it speaks to me. It speaks to all of us, as humans. The poem, obviously directed at a young man, can be taken to heart by each of us. IF we can stay grounded, regardless of what goes on around us we will prove our worth, we'll prove that we are men/women. There are no biblical references, no Confucious sayings, nothing religious or out of this world. Just common sense thinking from a British author who I studied my senior year in high school. And, even though this guy may not be the keeper of our universe, or a mystical figure- there is something about this poem that just seems right....read and see if you agree. If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you; If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too; If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, Or

So today I'm not writing an April Fool's blog, but today is April Fool's. I'm just going to rant and vent, and simply express some emotions I've felt lately. I hope it doesn't step on anyone's toes, and if you're easily offended, you may just want to click the close tab button now. Don't say I didn't warn you! The more I live, the more I realize that people in general are not very smart. Sure there are intelligent people all over, but the general mass population is lacking a lot of common sense. For instance-I walk into a local convenience store tonight to get gas. There are at least 4 people in line in front of me. The whole time I'm in line, the clerk at the cash register is complaining and whining about her job, about the customers, about how the EMS guy in front of me "better be on call-cuz I'm goin home to get me a drink". My question is...do you realize your job deals with the public, and the public's opinion