Holz Rubber co.

Well it's my next to last day at Holz Rubber Company. I have to say this was one of the best learning experiences of my life. When I started here everything was like reading chinesse, I knew nothing about this business. The group there was always there to help guide me through it and figure it out. The people (my new friends) were just awesome to work with. Though I didn't get to spend much personal time with them I feel as if I have known them forever. I wish them all the best and I hope we all stay in touch. THANK YOU HOLZ FOR THE OPPORTUNITY YOU GAVE ME. I'll miss you all!!!!!

Life is good

Well I just wanted everyone to know that I have found my church. I have gone now 3 weeks in a row and totally enjoy and feel great when I'm there as well as after words. I feel in my life I really need God now, I know he's always been there but I kinda went side way's you know.

I am totally looking forward to our weekend at Snugharbor with family and friends. They say we may get a little rain but that won't stop, will it you all?

News:
T.J. may have a new manager job in Gilroy and they maybe moving. We sure will miss having them so close to us, but hell I would drive anywhere to see them and my grand kids.

I, yes me, the God of Thunder heehee, have a second interview with a company tomorrow. Say a prayer for me, but it's looking good but you never know until the check is in your hand.

My Lil woman has been working her ass off for the last six day's straight and I can't wait to spend the rest of the week an week end with her. I have missed her.

So I added some new music to our site tell me what you think, first three song's. You know can't keep it boring and I thought they fit the two of us.

God Bless and love you all!!!!!!!!!!

Catching up

Well since I haven't written anything for day's I thought I would catch up a Lil bit.

I first have to tell you all about our 30Th anniversary, we did go camping at snugharbor in the delta and it was fantastic, so nice were going back May 1st with a group a friends and you all know who you are.

We get there the first day and my sister and bro in law came up to visit with us and fish a little bit. Well, my Lil bride had just poured her first drink and was heading to the dock and missed a step and raked this hell out of her shin, bruised her knee and arm and damn it she spilled her drink. She was laughing so hard, she couldn't cry to many people watching. Anyway jacked herself up pretty good but she's getting better. Now then, a couple pulled into the site next to us, Tony and Val they were from Hayward and this was their first trip in there new trailer. So we helped them out quite a bit setting them up. Well we invite them to have dinner with the four of us and damn this one tops the first one. Betty, Richie and myself were sitting on one side of the picnic table, Diane, Val and Tony on the other side. Betty and Richie finish dinner and get up to have a smoke as the four of us left at the table talked and finished dinner. I was the next to finish and got up, turned around to talk to Betty and Richie and low and behold, Diane, Val and Tony sitting together on the one side tipped the table over, landed on their backs and all the food and wine spilled from the table onto the three of them. Had to make sure they were OK, but then we just had to laugh, it was a funny sight. Diane and Val hurt their tail bones and to this day are still hurting. Tony jacked up his shoulder and could hardly lift his arm the next day. But everyone is getting better. We have been in touch with them since and they are recouping. So Richie comes up to visit us again on Monday and he catches about a 7 to 8 lb stripper. We put it on a stringer, hung it from the dock in the water and we go for a boat ride. He took Diane and I to lunch and we were out for about 4 hours. Came back docked the boat and began fishing again. I said, Richie I need to take a look at that nice fish you caught again. Pulled up the stringer and a sea Lyon had ripped the belly right out of that fish, it was funny.

Diane, Layla and I spent the next two day's just relaxing. I think Diane needed more than I did. What a great adventure.

Were both looking forward to our May 1st trip and I think Diane will be much more careful. Heehee.

Good Day all and God Bless.

No Time

I wrote a poem a long time ago and thought I would share it:

No time:

I knelt to pray but not for long
I had to much to do
Must hurry off and get to work
For bills would soon be due
And as I said a hurried prayer
Jumped up from my knees
My christian duty was now done
My soul could be at ease
All through the day I had no time
To speak a word of cheer
No time to speak of Christ to friends
They'd laugh at me I feared
No time, no time, way to much to do
That was my constant cry
No time to give to those in need
At last it was time to die
And when before the lord I came
I stood with down cast eye's
Within his hands he held a book
It was the BOOK OF LIFE!
Your name I can not find
I once was going to write it down
But never found the time.

Remember were we come from and remember who you are
Because God is watching
and not from a far.

Love you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good By Old friends

I have to tell you all I had lunch today with two of my old friends whom I use to work with. It was incredible. I worked with them for seven years and they are like family. The company I worked for has decided to close the doors this March 31st and the people that let me go are the people that will now be out of work. I do not wish that on anybody in these times and I have to say I worry about my friend Matt Stanley. He has worked there for 31 years as well as my friend Joan and they are just being hung out to dry. But anyway it was so nice to have our final lunch together today and the people at our favorite restaurant was so nice to us it was amazing. It almost and actually did bring some tears. I love all of my friends and family there. They no who they are. Buh By Stockton Wholesale my old friend!!!!!!!!!! Nothing Last forever I guess! Matt Stanley always my pal, Joany always my girl, Ed Gale well I love ya pal. The rest well you know. Hmmmmmmm. Here's to you Lee Turner my mentor my friend my business partner. Love you dude!!!!! I miss you and I know you would not have let this happen.

Best wishes!!!!!!!!!

Monday Morning

Well HOWDY DOWDY all. It's another Monday morning. I wanted to say, yesterday Diane, Betty , Richie and I went to a new area to check out for camping this week end for our anniversary. We found a great place called Snug Harbor out in the delta and we booked it. You can check it out at www.snugharbor.net Anyway this place is cool. you actually have to take a ferry across the river to get to it. We stooped in the Lil town of Walnut Grove and Richie and Betty bought us pizza for lunch so we sat there by the river and enjoyed (thank you Richie & Betty). So anyway we are leaving Saturday and coming home Wednesday. The weekend is suppose to be really nice weather and I hope to catch lots of fish.

So happy Monday to all and damn I hope I hear something about a job this week.

30 years

You know I remember back when we were kids having kids. I have been with Diane longer than we were with our parents, isn't that amazing? They said we would never make it, they called me the black sheep, oh Diane he's a loser don't hang out with that guy your going no where with him. Look how long she has stuck with a guy like me.

We have now raised two beautiful kid's that mean the world to us. One has given us three awesome grand kids and one with a great new leash on life with his journey through college and his awesome Art work. Wow if we could have bet how fast this would have gone years ago, we would have lost the bet.

Diane and I have gone through thick and thin together and have done it all, well almost all, we still have a few more adventures. We went through tough times with my jobs and all the times we had to make it to every game or band events with the boy's that there was to be at. Though I must say the ones I couldn't be at she stood tall for me and let the kids know I wish I could be there.

We wouldn't change one minute of our life's together.

Now my boy's are on their own and actually doing better than their dad right now. They both stand tall and proud and do what they have to do to make it in this crazy world. They have brought so much joy to the two of us, I could never say it in words. What ever we did, we did it right and how I don't know but I wouldn't trade any second for anything.

Now we have so many joy's around us it is incredible, my Grandson's Tyler, Ryan and Noah, my son Matthew and Lil Taylor dog. and all of our family and friend's.

Thank you God for what you have given Diane and I. We thank you and praise you for everything.

Thank you kid's, thank you family and thank you friend's for being there to take the ride with us. AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Anniversary Diane Elizabeth Brackett

Hmmmm

Well today I really don't know what to write. I had a great day with Diane on this rainy, soggy day. I was denied the job I was hoping to get last Friday and nothing new in sight. Oh well. BUT, I have to say I had the most awesome breakfast with my beautiful family on Saturday. T.J. and Kristie took us to breakfast with the grand kids and wow what a way to get a smile on your face. Then we switched cars and Diane and I took the kids and brought them home while T.J. & Kristie went shopping. I have to say I have not laughed and smiled like that, well I guess since I was last around them. They are so cute and just make a person's day. Thank you God for blessing us with them. ( I guess I should have wrote that part Saturday). Anyway the clock is ticking and I need to go back to work soon. But it's not over yet. God has something planned for me I just know it. Sorry about whining a Lil bit.

God Bless you all and good night!!!!

My grandkids

Are these the most handsome kids or what?

Sunshine

Man, life sure does bring things to us in so many different way's. Today I felt all the sunshine that God gives us and I just had to go out and be in it. So I mowed the lawns and pulled weeds and trimmed bushes, well anything I could do just to be outside. I enjoyed it so much I felt I had to BBQ. So I went to the store and bought some RIBS and wanted to surprise my Little woman ( which I did ). So anyway I made the ribs and cooked some great taters and made chocolate cookies with almonds as well. I have to say this completed my day and sure made my bride smile when she came home. Not only was dinner on time she had a nice glass of wine waiting (chilled) when she walked in the door. Man the little things in life can totally complete a day.

Oh and by the way, my ribs were KILLER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

God bless to all!!!!!!!!!!!

Rainy Sunday

We had the most awesome day today. Being it was raining and windy all day we just stayed in the house and watched movies. As a matter of fact Diane never got out of her Jammie's. We are still getting over our colds so it was a perfect time to do nothing. We did make a nice dinner and totally enjoyed. Our dinner prayer was to please bring some good news for me this week and to heal all of or family that has been so sick as we have been this week.

A really good note, Diane had sent her resume to a vineyard in Napa Valley Thursday and she got a response back and they asked her to complete a personality profile which is a good start and I don't think if they were interested in her they would not have even done that, so wish her luck, this could be her big break to get into sales with wine as she has wanted for awhile.

Anyway goodnight all and God bless you!!!!!!!!!!!

My Mom

I just talked to my mom today and I have to tell you..... I have not seen her since we lived in Wheatland. I really, really miss her. We always had a Bond that no one could break and I would love nothing more that to give her a big hug and tell her I love her face to face. Though we live so far apart she is always in my thoughts and in my heart. I will never forget the times I use to say " hello mother" and she would say " hello brother" cause she didn't want anyone to know she had a son of my age. But those are good memories and not bad. So mom if your reading this please don't think bad they are good thoughts and lasting thoughts. I remember when you took us to the State Fair and you got carded when you ordered a beer, you gave the guy $5:00 for a tip just for asking. I want you to know I would love to come to Maine and see you and the beauty of that State. Hey maybe you can take me fishing, HUH? Just remember I love you and I miss you!!!!

Junk mail

Everyday I go to the mail box and I have more junk mail than I have bills, which is ok I guess. Anyway, I have a great idea and someone probably already thought of this. Open your junk mail and pull out all the crap they gave you. You know that nice little self addressed prepaid envelope they gave you to reply? Fill it back up with all the shit they sent you and send it back to them. I wonder how long it will take for them to stop sending us this crap. Just a thought for the day.

Life and challenges

Well I have been out of work now since November. You really can't imagine what it's like when you have worked straight for the last 25 years ( it sucks ). I have had good day's as well as many bad day's but you know when it comes to the end of the day this is what I am truly thankful for:

My wife of 30 years, for putting up with me all this time, you know she has to be a tough cookie. J/K.

My two fantastic kids for making me so proud.

My beautiful daughter in law whom I consider my daughter.

Three of the most perfect grand kids.

My mom and dad.

A wonderful mother in law whom I call mom, well cause she is a mom to me.

Mom Diane.

A whole group of sisters and a brother.

And most of all I thank God for all my blessings and letting me wake up breathing today so I can see and talk to all of you again.

Life does bring us hurtles everyday, but jump because you have a whole crowd there for you to cheer you on!!!!!!!!!

New at this

Well were pretty new at this and I'm excited about posting things about us and our family.

Diane and I both woke up sick today and I have to hand it to her, she got up with strep throat and went to work anyway. So pround of her. Now me, I stayed home instead of going wine tasting with my friends Chad and Bev. I have to be well in case I get my new job this week.

Anyway we are sitting here sick together as we do everything together but this sucks because Diane just got over a chest cold and now this. Oh well life goes on.

Say a prayer I get a new job. PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!! I need it I'm going crazy.