I wish I could.

I wish I could think like a kid.

A few days ago I was explaining to Luke why life sucks so much for us right now. Kelly hasn't brought any money in for over a year because of her car accident, I'm currenly not working, and to be honest, as of right now, we won't even have enough money to pay rent this month and it looks like I'm going to have to give up my car, which currently isn't driveable due to a flat tire.

He looked at me and said "Dad, let's go to McDonalds and buy a large Coke. Maybe we will get the "Park Place" game piece and then it won't matter".

I wish I had the ability to see a bright ending to this, but I just don't.
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Life

Suck it.

Special...

We're so proud!
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Crazy Kids...

Any of you old folk remember Twilight Zone?
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Boycott Mattel.

As I've said before, we have Boycotted all Mattel products from our house. Do yourself a favor and do the same. Sadly, I signed an agreement that said I wouldn't go into details (but my wife didn't). So, while there will NOT be a grand story of why you shouldn't buy their products written by me, one might mysteriously appear written by somebody else that was affected by their business practices.

Please tell your families and friends...

Here's a pretty definitive list of their products: Boycott List

I miss my cats.

They were my buddies through MANY a bad time. I wish I still had them.



Tink-Tonk Anonymous



Pipsqueek

Random Story about a Picture

There's a MUCH larger story to this picture than I am going to write right now. I'll replace the story later with the real thing.

This particular picture was taken IMMEDIATELY after the first time I said I Love You to Kelly. We were on the Ferris Wheel at the Spectrum. The Wheel had stopped, like it always does, and I busted it out. Apparently she agreed with the sentiment. ;)

Good old Doctor's visit...

I had trouble breathing earlier in the week. Couple that with a constantly bleeding nose for over a week, a bleeding throat and coughing up blood. I went to the doctor (already posted below) and since it wasn't' my "normal" doctor, he gave me cough syrup. This in and of itself is completely absurd.

Anyway, I went to my real doctor today. Turns out I have a lung infection, upper respiratory infection, and am having a bout of asthma all at the same time. He gave me 4 different types of medication and was actually openly angry that the doctor on duty didn't put me in the hospital...

I'll be on a 6 day regimen of high doses of all sorts of crap. I hope all this stuff works, I've got a 5k to do in 9 days... Of course I won't be running, but I will be trying to beat the time of the last one I did. The goal isn't competitive, it's just for fun.

Here's my confirmed entry! I'll be doing this one alone since Kelly is obviously still not able to walk for any sort of distance.

Search Results:
Name
Chip Bumgardner
Age
40
Gender
Male
City
Irvine
State
California
Category
3

I'll let you know how everything progresses.

Comments and other stuff

Since I have read all of these posts, but for some reason, I am STILL unable to post a comment here and there, I have decided to write my own blog. :) I'm not sure why I can't post comments; I can only assume it's because I'm one of the managers.

So in no particular order...Here are some comments that I would have made if I could have posted them!

1) Continue with the "Homer and the Fly" stories. I think it's a fabulous idea and I would love to hear about their adventures. =)

2) The only person in my family that I have a true relationship with is my sister, Sheena. Sadly, she lives in my home state of Maryland with her husband and their 4 children. We talk at least 2-3 times a week and not only is she my sister by blood, she is also my sister in the Lord. I love her to pieces and wish she lived closer (at least within driving distance).

As for the rest of my family (my dad, my older sister, my brother, my step-mom), my relationships with them have always been fractured since as far back as I can remember; especially with my dad. I am not ashamed to say that I grew up in a very emotionally and at time, physically abusive environment. My dad left myself and my 2 younger siblings in the care of my abusive and controlling mother and decided to move 3,000 miles away to California. My mom (who I haven't talked to in 8 years) created a tremendous amount of dissension between my older sister and myself, almost ensuring that we would not forge a healthy relationship. My brother, he's the one who's always sitting on the fence, going with the flow of what my dad and older sister do. Of course, these are my opinions based on my experiences.

I would be lying if I thought for a second that neither myself, Chip and the kids were not hurt by the choices that my family has made. Especially Robbie, because he is the oldest and, sadly, he has felt first hand the sting of their rejection. Of course it hurts. Unfortunately, I cannot control my families behavior, I can only make the choices that I feel are necessary to protect my family. Therefore, I have made the choice not to allow a close relationship with any of my other family members because I recognize that the relationships are not healthy. My dad knows that he is more than welcome to spend time with my kids, but only while I am present. Those are my rules for my kids as their parent. As a result, because other members of my family are "uncomfortable" with my presence, my kids don't see their granddad. I set the boundaries and my dad has made his choice. It hurts and it's unfortunate, but it is what it is.

3) This past year has been full of struggles, trials and tribulations. The events of this past year has definitely taken a toll of us as a family and as individuals. This past week, I have discovered that, in addition to just the past year, that I, personally, have some healing to do with regards to my upbringing. My sister, Sheena, recommended this book "Changes That Heal" by Dr. Henry Cloud. I just received it about a week ago, and I have to admit, suddenly things are making more sense to me. In a nutshell, the book addresses issues in the past that have the potential to prevent a person from truly bonding in relationships. For instance, I am a Christian. I have been for about 12 years or so. God always felt so distant from me, and I always questioned whether I was truly forgiven, or whether he truly loved me or if he just wanted me to be good. Through this book, I have discovered that the issue truly lies within me and my ability forge true and bonding relationships...with God and with others. I am discovering the extent to which I don't trust people, and my denial of this fact all these years. But most importantly, I am finally feeling the amazing power of grace and truth. For the first time, I am truly bonding in my relationship with God and His word means so much more and makes much more sense now that I have a firm understanding of what grace and truth are all about. I am on a journey to true self discovery and I am definitely choosing (with the help of the Almighty) to make the changes that I know I need to make so I can continue to bond closely with God AND with others. Just in the past week I can feel the changes that are starting to take place in my heart and I'm thankful. Although I am a long way from completely healing (after all, healing takes time), I feel secure in knowing that I am finally on the path that I have avoided my entire life.

So, I've sat here about all the time I'm able to. I'm glad I was finally able to give some input on these blogs. Have a super day!

Gotta love "Family"

I've always loved this picture... Granted, it's a few years old now... I took it right before Kelly introduced me to her family for the first, and consequently ONLY time. It was real fun, her step-mom turned her back on me and specifically asked about her x-boyfriend while I stood there, and her brother is a musician who actually seemed to take interest in me, only to find out he's full of shit and did nothing but talk badly behind my back after we left.

Apparently, I'm not good enough... You know, I have tattoos and all so there is no possible way that I could be a good person. For some reason most of them supported her douchebag x-husband (who pulled a gun on me) and her x-boyfriend whom they apparently liked and took on a yearly cruise with them wherever they decided to go.

Sadly, they haven't invited any of us to their yearly cruises or holiday get-togethers since I've been in the picture, even though they live less than 10 minutes from our house. Obviously, I really don't care, if you don't like me, that's your loss. I won't lose any sleep over it and the world can really use less judgmental people like that.

The only people that truly suffer are the kids, Kelly's kids specifically... Especially when various members of the family say they are interested in being a part of their lives, but are still nowhere to be seen or heard from. I guess the good part of all of this is that we've been able to teach our kids by real live examples how NOT to treat people (most importantly family) so at least there is a lesson there for them.

Anyway, here's the picture. Enjoy.