Bubba and Junior were standing at the base of a
flagpole, looking up. A blond lady walked by and asked what they were doing.
"We're supposed to find the height of the flagpole,"
said Bubba, "but we don't have a ladder."
The woman took a wrench from her purse, loosened a
few bolts, and laid the pole down. Then she took a tape measure from her pocket, took a measurement & announced, "Eighteen feet, six inches," and
walked away.
Junior shook his head and laughed. "Ain't that just
like a dumb blond?
We ask for the height, and she gives us the length.
Bubba and Junior are currently doing government work
supervising the reconstruction of those New Orleans Levees.
A place on the web to preserve our family history! Email stanmoffat@gmail.com for details or information, etc. This a work in progress...
Friday, March 24, 2006
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Today's Inspirational Story
The 'I Love You More' Game
A little girl teaches her mom a thing or two about love.
By Christie A. Hansen
Reprinted with permission from Chicken Soup for the Soul Celebrates Mothers.
Meet my daughter, Amanda. Four years old and a fountain of knowledge. The other day she was reciting a list of all the facts and tidbits she has memorized. One plus one is two. If you mix yellow paint with blue you get green. Penguins can't fly....On and on she went.
Finally, she finished. "Mom," she said, looking very smug, "I know everything."
I let on as if I believed her, but chuckled to myself thinking of all the "this and that's" that a four-year-old child couldn't possibly know. Comparing her four years to my almost three decades of life experiences, I felt sure I knew what she knew and then some.
Within a week, I'd learn I was wrong.
It all began as we were standing in front of the bathroom mirror, me fixing Amanda's fine, blonde hair. I was putting in the final elastic of a spunky pair of pony tails and finished with, "I love you, Amanda."
"And I love you," she replied.
"Oh, yeah," I taunted, "well, I love you more."
Her eyes lit up as she recognized the cue for the start of another "I love you more" match. "Nuh-uh," she laughed, "I love you the most."
"I love you bigger than a volcano!" I countered--a favorite family phrase in these battles of love.
"But, Mom, I love you from here to China"--a country she's learning about thanks to our new neighbors up the street.
We volleyed back and forth a few favorite lines. "I love you more than peanut butter"...Well, I love you more than television"..."I even love you more than bubble gum."
It was my turn again, and I made the move that usually brings victory. "Too bad, chickadee. I love you bigger than the universe!" On this day, however, Amanda was not going to give up. I could see she was thinking.
"Mom," she said in a quiet voice, "I love you more than myself."
I stopped. Dumbfounded. Overwhelmed by her sincerity.
Here I thought that I knew more than she did. I thought I knew at least everything that she knew. But I didn't know this. My four-year-old daughter knows more about love than her twenty-eight-year-old mom. And somehow she loves me more than herself.
A little girl teaches her mom a thing or two about love.
By Christie A. Hansen
Reprinted with permission from Chicken Soup for the Soul Celebrates Mothers.
Meet my daughter, Amanda. Four years old and a fountain of knowledge. The other day she was reciting a list of all the facts and tidbits she has memorized. One plus one is two. If you mix yellow paint with blue you get green. Penguins can't fly....On and on she went.
Finally, she finished. "Mom," she said, looking very smug, "I know everything."
I let on as if I believed her, but chuckled to myself thinking of all the "this and that's" that a four-year-old child couldn't possibly know. Comparing her four years to my almost three decades of life experiences, I felt sure I knew what she knew and then some.
Within a week, I'd learn I was wrong.
It all began as we were standing in front of the bathroom mirror, me fixing Amanda's fine, blonde hair. I was putting in the final elastic of a spunky pair of pony tails and finished with, "I love you, Amanda."
"And I love you," she replied.
"Oh, yeah," I taunted, "well, I love you more."
Her eyes lit up as she recognized the cue for the start of another "I love you more" match. "Nuh-uh," she laughed, "I love you the most."
"I love you bigger than a volcano!" I countered--a favorite family phrase in these battles of love.
"But, Mom, I love you from here to China"--a country she's learning about thanks to our new neighbors up the street.
We volleyed back and forth a few favorite lines. "I love you more than peanut butter"...Well, I love you more than television"..."I even love you more than bubble gum."
It was my turn again, and I made the move that usually brings victory. "Too bad, chickadee. I love you bigger than the universe!" On this day, however, Amanda was not going to give up. I could see she was thinking.
"Mom," she said in a quiet voice, "I love you more than myself."
I stopped. Dumbfounded. Overwhelmed by her sincerity.
Here I thought that I knew more than she did. I thought I knew at least everything that she knew. But I didn't know this. My four-year-old daughter knows more about love than her twenty-eight-year-old mom. And somehow she loves me more than herself.
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Sometimes, we need to be aware of what we are praying for... from Heather...
A man was sick and tired of going to work every day while his wife stayed home.
He wanted her to see what he went through so he prayed:
"Dear Lord: I go to work every day and put in 8 hours while my wife merely stays at home. I want her to know what I go through, so please allow her body to switch with mine for a day. Amen. God, in his infinite wisdom, granted the man's wish.
The next morning, sure enough, the man awoke as a woman. He arose, cooked breakfast for his mate, awakened the kids, set out their school clothes, fed them breakfast, packed their lunches, drove them to school, came home and picked up the dry cleaning, took it to the cleaners and stopped at the bank to make a deposit, went grocery shopping, then drove home to put away the groceries, paid the bills and balanced the chequebook. He cleaned the cat's litter box and bathed the dog.
Then it was already 1 P.M. and he hurried to make thebeds, do the laundry, vacuum, dust, and sweep and mop the kitchen floor. Ran to the school to pick up the kids and got into an argument with them on the way home. Set out milk and cookies and got the kids organized to do their homework, then set up the ironing board and watched TV while he did the ironing.
At 4:30 he began peeling potatoes and washing vegetables for salad, breaded the pork chops and snapped fresh beans for supper. After supper, he cleaned the kitchen, ran the dishwasher, folded laundry, bathed the kids, and put them to bed.
At 9 P.M. he was exhausted and, though his daily chores weren't finished, he went to bed where he was expected to make love, which he managed to get through without complaint.
The next morning, he awoke and immediately knelt by the bed and said:
Lord, I don't know what I was thinking. I was so wrong to envy my wife's being able to stay home all day. Please, oh please, let us trade back."
The Lord, in his infinite wisdom, replied: "My son, I feel you have learned your lesson and I will be happy to change things back to the way they were." You'll just have to wait nine months, though. You got pregnant last night."
He wanted her to see what he went through so he prayed:
"Dear Lord: I go to work every day and put in 8 hours while my wife merely stays at home. I want her to know what I go through, so please allow her body to switch with mine for a day. Amen. God, in his infinite wisdom, granted the man's wish.
The next morning, sure enough, the man awoke as a woman. He arose, cooked breakfast for his mate, awakened the kids, set out their school clothes, fed them breakfast, packed their lunches, drove them to school, came home and picked up the dry cleaning, took it to the cleaners and stopped at the bank to make a deposit, went grocery shopping, then drove home to put away the groceries, paid the bills and balanced the chequebook. He cleaned the cat's litter box and bathed the dog.
Then it was already 1 P.M. and he hurried to make thebeds, do the laundry, vacuum, dust, and sweep and mop the kitchen floor. Ran to the school to pick up the kids and got into an argument with them on the way home. Set out milk and cookies and got the kids organized to do their homework, then set up the ironing board and watched TV while he did the ironing.
At 4:30 he began peeling potatoes and washing vegetables for salad, breaded the pork chops and snapped fresh beans for supper. After supper, he cleaned the kitchen, ran the dishwasher, folded laundry, bathed the kids, and put them to bed.
At 9 P.M. he was exhausted and, though his daily chores weren't finished, he went to bed where he was expected to make love, which he managed to get through without complaint.
The next morning, he awoke and immediately knelt by the bed and said:
Lord, I don't know what I was thinking. I was so wrong to envy my wife's being able to stay home all day. Please, oh please, let us trade back."
The Lord, in his infinite wisdom, replied: "My son, I feel you have learned your lesson and I will be happy to change things back to the way they were." You'll just have to wait nine months, though. You got pregnant last night."
Uncle Ivan sent this along.. thanks Uncle!!
Bubba and Billy Joe are walking down the street, and they see a sign on a store which reads,
"Suits $5.00 each,
shirts $2.00 each,
trousers $2.50 each.
Bubba says to his pal, "Billy Joe, Look here! We could buy a whole gob of these, take'em back to Sand Mountain, sell 'em to our friends, and make a fortune.
"Just let me do the talkin' 'cause if they hear your accent, they might think we're ignorant, and not wanna sell that stuff to us.
Now, I'll talk in a slow Georgia drawl so's they don't know we is from Alabama."
They go in and Bubba says with his best fake Georgia drawl,
"I'll take 50 of them suits at $5.00 each, 100 of them there shirts at $2.00 each, 50 pairs of them there trousers at $2.50 each. I'll back up my pickup and.....
"The owner of the shop interrupts, "Ya'll from South Alabama, ain't ya?"
"Well...yeah," says a surprised Bubba...."How come you knowed that?"
"Because this is a dry-cleaners."
"Suits $5.00 each,
shirts $2.00 each,
trousers $2.50 each.
Bubba says to his pal, "Billy Joe, Look here! We could buy a whole gob of these, take'em back to Sand Mountain, sell 'em to our friends, and make a fortune.
"Just let me do the talkin' 'cause if they hear your accent, they might think we're ignorant, and not wanna sell that stuff to us.
Now, I'll talk in a slow Georgia drawl so's they don't know we is from Alabama."
They go in and Bubba says with his best fake Georgia drawl,
"I'll take 50 of them suits at $5.00 each, 100 of them there shirts at $2.00 each, 50 pairs of them there trousers at $2.50 each. I'll back up my pickup and.....
"The owner of the shop interrupts, "Ya'll from South Alabama, ain't ya?"
"Well...yeah," says a surprised Bubba...."How come you knowed that?"
"Because this is a dry-cleaners."
Sunday, March 19, 2006
This and that...
New pics from Jake's new job.. here are a couple of links to two albums.. same pics, but one might show them better on your computer...
http://www.dotphoto.com/MemViewAlbum.asp?AID=3339751
http://paynecountyline.com/Gallery/
Enjoy the day!!
By the way... had a nice phone call from my ole' buddy, Shawn Howard on Thursday. He is doing great in ole' McAlester ville... rocking and rolling... Great to hear from him!!
Lots on new photos at...
http://www.dotphoto.com/MemViewAlbum.asp
http://www.dotphoto.com/MemViewAlbum.asp?AID=3339751
http://paynecountyline.com/Gallery/
Enjoy the day!!
By the way... had a nice phone call from my ole' buddy, Shawn Howard on Thursday. He is doing great in ole' McAlester ville... rocking and rolling... Great to hear from him!!
Lots on new photos at...
http://www.dotphoto.com/MemViewAlbum.asp
Sunday, March 12, 2006
Who-ieeee..... what a great day... yesterday was!!!
Wow, what a great day Saturday was!
We all, yelp... ALL got together Saturday for noon meal along with Uncle Ivan, Aunt Freda, and Aunt Fannie from El Reno, OK. It was a GREAT DAY and a wonderful time by all. We enjoyed some great cooking... and wonderful visits and good times watching all the Grandkids play! I have decided it is a good thing parents don't become Grand parents first, or there would never be fewer kiddos in the world... haha... Grand kids are cool!!! We had a house full, and a table full, and it was awesome!
Many thanks to Uncle Ivan and Aunt Freda and Fannie for making the long drive to visit with us. That was wonderful.
And Happy Belated Birthday to Uncle Ivan, and Happy Anniversary to Phillip and Tammy, and Happy Birthday to Heather Ann! and we wish you all many many more. For those who don't know, Phillip and Tammy were married 14 years ago on Heather's Birthday, and Heather just went past 33.... whew.... Phillip is job hunting, thinking of finding a desk job vs. working in the heat and cold laying brick. Paul has been with SPD for 14 years... Heather has a new job, Madison was "running" at 9 months, Austyn has a new space ship from Lowes that they made in class when the Lowes folks came to their classroom, Kaitlyn is tearing it up, running around like there is no tomorrow, and her and our little dog Zoa' became good buddies.... Jon is being promoted to Manager of Digital Design and Developement for the Chickasaw Nation... and on and on.... wonderful wonderful day... thanks to everyone for taking time to get together. Some day we won't all be here to do that! Enjoy the day!!
We all, yelp... ALL got together Saturday for noon meal along with Uncle Ivan, Aunt Freda, and Aunt Fannie from El Reno, OK. It was a GREAT DAY and a wonderful time by all. We enjoyed some great cooking... and wonderful visits and good times watching all the Grandkids play! I have decided it is a good thing parents don't become Grand parents first, or there would never be fewer kiddos in the world... haha... Grand kids are cool!!! We had a house full, and a table full, and it was awesome!
Many thanks to Uncle Ivan and Aunt Freda and Fannie for making the long drive to visit with us. That was wonderful.
And Happy Belated Birthday to Uncle Ivan, and Happy Anniversary to Phillip and Tammy, and Happy Birthday to Heather Ann! and we wish you all many many more. For those who don't know, Phillip and Tammy were married 14 years ago on Heather's Birthday, and Heather just went past 33.... whew.... Phillip is job hunting, thinking of finding a desk job vs. working in the heat and cold laying brick. Paul has been with SPD for 14 years... Heather has a new job, Madison was "running" at 9 months, Austyn has a new space ship from Lowes that they made in class when the Lowes folks came to their classroom, Kaitlyn is tearing it up, running around like there is no tomorrow, and her and our little dog Zoa' became good buddies.... Jon is being promoted to Manager of Digital Design and Developement for the Chickasaw Nation... and on and on.... wonderful wonderful day... thanks to everyone for taking time to get together. Some day we won't all be here to do that! Enjoy the day!!
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Subject: Happiness
Subject: Happiness
Words to live by
A 92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud man, who is fully dressed each
morning by eight o'clock, with his hair fashionably coifed and
shaved perfectly, even though he is legally blind, moved to a nursing home
today.
His wife of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary.
After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, he smiled
sweetly when told his room was ready.
As he maneuvered his walker to the elevator, I provided a visual
description of his tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been
hung on his window.
"I love it," he stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just
been presented with a new puppy.
"Mr. Jones, you haven't seen the room; just wait."
"That doesn't have anything to do with it," he replied.
"Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room
or not doesn't depend on how the furniture is arranged ... it's how I
arrange my mind. I already decided to love it. "It's a decision I make
every morning when I wake up. I have a choice; I can spend the day in bed
recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer
work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do.
Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open, I'll focus on the new day
and all the happy memories I've stored away. Just for this time in
my life.
Old age is like a bank account. You withdraw from what you've put in.
So, my advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank
account of memories! Thank you for your part in filling my Memory bank.
I am still depositing."Remember the five simple rules to be happy:
1. Free your heart from hatred.
2. Free your mind from worries.
3. Live simply.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less.
Words to live by
A 92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud man, who is fully dressed each
morning by eight o'clock, with his hair fashionably coifed and
shaved perfectly, even though he is legally blind, moved to a nursing home
today.
His wife of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary.
After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, he smiled
sweetly when told his room was ready.
As he maneuvered his walker to the elevator, I provided a visual
description of his tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been
hung on his window.
"I love it," he stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just
been presented with a new puppy.
"Mr. Jones, you haven't seen the room; just wait."
"That doesn't have anything to do with it," he replied.
"Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room
or not doesn't depend on how the furniture is arranged ... it's how I
arrange my mind. I already decided to love it. "It's a decision I make
every morning when I wake up. I have a choice; I can spend the day in bed
recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer
work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do.
Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open, I'll focus on the new day
and all the happy memories I've stored away. Just for this time in
my life.
Old age is like a bank account. You withdraw from what you've put in.
So, my advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank
account of memories! Thank you for your part in filling my Memory bank.
I am still depositing."Remember the five simple rules to be happy:
1. Free your heart from hatred.
2. Free your mind from worries.
3. Live simply.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less.
Saturday, March 04, 2006
Stan Ramblings
Hello all.... found this quote.. and it's so true...
To describe happiness is to diminish it. so I won't try to share what happiness is.. just want to let you know I am happy!!!
Heather has new job, pay raise and has moved up several levels in her career... she is truly awesome at her job. She really connects with people and does it very well. She has some info on her blog about it... and her family. You would think she loves them or something.. haha... between family, job, and goats, and ....... she finds a bit of time for her too....
Phillip is going back into the masonry business. We... thought he might. He is an outdoors person, and loves to make things, build things, create things... and he is darn good at it. He has a long list of folks who want his services... and know the quality of work he does... so by bye trucking, hello brick/stone laying!! He has some info on his blog too...
Jonathan is doing really really well is school, yelp, he is a "back to school" boy working on his degree in Ada. He just completed a series of test and did very well on them. All the while he is moving up in his company, about to become manager of his division... He is a true Moffat... love people, works hard, and keeps his eye on the prize! He is doing an awesome job with Kaitlyn, too.... and still finds time to help his father out of jams he gets in from time to time!!
Jacob has done rather well, after hitting bottom several years ago. He is clean and green, is still enrolled in his welding classes at VoTech in Stillwater, but has been employed by Custom Fab in Carney building the big "metal" boxes that go under a drilling oil rig, the 50 foot long 12 feet wide things made out of HEAVY metal on the long skids.. and now is about to start another adventure in his life. He has bought a welding rig and will start building the big oil rigs for Baker in OKC this next week, probably around the middle of the week. He will drive back and forth daily, but will be making "big time" money. Seems his skills are in high demand right now, and instead of buying a new rig/truck, he found a great deal on a used one... so does not have a lot of expense to pay off...
As you might imagine, Ann and I are very proud of our kiddos... We set at night when we are alone and talk and smile and enjoy our time together talking about how blessed we are, and they are.
Randi is doing very well with her new job, and loves her work. She has her hands full with Jon and Kaitlyn, but is always smiling, except at me, and loves it all. She is one of the best mom's I have seen in many years!
Paul is loving his "day" job, and his weekends off. He is a remarkable man, to be able to be a "Police Office" during the day, and then go home and be the awesome father he is to his family!
Tammy keeps on doing great in her job as well. And from time to time she tries a new recipe... and shares it with us, and reinforces the fact she is one of the best cooks in the land!! How in the world she can be such a great mom, a terrific cook, super wife... and then still have a bit of time for Tammy is beyond my belief! And another neat new thing... she has a new car that is so cool... lots smaller than her big truck she drove for years... bet she loves that too...
And Ann... is holding down the fort at work for her boss who took the month off to be with his wife as she goes thru a having a breast removed... they are in our prayers... Lots happening at her work, too. I just should not put it all here... haha... She might take a trip to Washington DC to a banquet her office helps fund each year. Jake and I are pushing for her to go...
I think Heather is heading to Boston next month too..??
All I can tell you about me.. my health is improving, have not been back to hospital, but head to the Dr. on Monday to have a general followup to my bout in December. Have lost about 90 pounds, and still need to lose a 100 more.. hahaha.. yeah right!!! love to eat to much. My work load has increase as well. Lots of new clients, and PCL is keeping me busy about a half day each day, plus I am now part of Flatland Entertainment in Stillwater... office is about 3 miles away, and it gets me out of house and away from icebox!! Working with bands, lots of phone time... but I enjoy helping others chase their dreams. Payne County Line is starting to have a life of it's own. It is getting lots of state press and even received National recoginition in the media for the annual music awards we do each year. kind'a makes me little ole head swell a bit... hahaha... but Ann keeps that in line too... believe me she does... and I am walking 5 miles a day.. in 30 days I will have walked to Denton, TX or to Elk City or to Miami OK... how bout them apples.. haha..
All I can say, I have said before, but bears repeating! I am the luckiest man alive. AWESOME wife, family, and grand kids!!! How richly blessed I am. May not have a dime, but I have lots to LOVE!! and i love them all, each and every one!
Enjoy the day... and each other!
To describe happiness is to diminish it. so I won't try to share what happiness is.. just want to let you know I am happy!!!
Heather has new job, pay raise and has moved up several levels in her career... she is truly awesome at her job. She really connects with people and does it very well. She has some info on her blog about it... and her family. You would think she loves them or something.. haha... between family, job, and goats, and ....... she finds a bit of time for her too....
Phillip is going back into the masonry business. We... thought he might. He is an outdoors person, and loves to make things, build things, create things... and he is darn good at it. He has a long list of folks who want his services... and know the quality of work he does... so by bye trucking, hello brick/stone laying!! He has some info on his blog too...
Jonathan is doing really really well is school, yelp, he is a "back to school" boy working on his degree in Ada. He just completed a series of test and did very well on them. All the while he is moving up in his company, about to become manager of his division... He is a true Moffat... love people, works hard, and keeps his eye on the prize! He is doing an awesome job with Kaitlyn, too.... and still finds time to help his father out of jams he gets in from time to time!!
Jacob has done rather well, after hitting bottom several years ago. He is clean and green, is still enrolled in his welding classes at VoTech in Stillwater, but has been employed by Custom Fab in Carney building the big "metal" boxes that go under a drilling oil rig, the 50 foot long 12 feet wide things made out of HEAVY metal on the long skids.. and now is about to start another adventure in his life. He has bought a welding rig and will start building the big oil rigs for Baker in OKC this next week, probably around the middle of the week. He will drive back and forth daily, but will be making "big time" money. Seems his skills are in high demand right now, and instead of buying a new rig/truck, he found a great deal on a used one... so does not have a lot of expense to pay off...
As you might imagine, Ann and I are very proud of our kiddos... We set at night when we are alone and talk and smile and enjoy our time together talking about how blessed we are, and they are.
Randi is doing very well with her new job, and loves her work. She has her hands full with Jon and Kaitlyn, but is always smiling, except at me, and loves it all. She is one of the best mom's I have seen in many years!
Paul is loving his "day" job, and his weekends off. He is a remarkable man, to be able to be a "Police Office" during the day, and then go home and be the awesome father he is to his family!
Tammy keeps on doing great in her job as well. And from time to time she tries a new recipe... and shares it with us, and reinforces the fact she is one of the best cooks in the land!! How in the world she can be such a great mom, a terrific cook, super wife... and then still have a bit of time for Tammy is beyond my belief! And another neat new thing... she has a new car that is so cool... lots smaller than her big truck she drove for years... bet she loves that too...
And Ann... is holding down the fort at work for her boss who took the month off to be with his wife as she goes thru a having a breast removed... they are in our prayers... Lots happening at her work, too. I just should not put it all here... haha... She might take a trip to Washington DC to a banquet her office helps fund each year. Jake and I are pushing for her to go...
I think Heather is heading to Boston next month too..??
All I can tell you about me.. my health is improving, have not been back to hospital, but head to the Dr. on Monday to have a general followup to my bout in December. Have lost about 90 pounds, and still need to lose a 100 more.. hahaha.. yeah right!!! love to eat to much. My work load has increase as well. Lots of new clients, and PCL is keeping me busy about a half day each day, plus I am now part of Flatland Entertainment in Stillwater... office is about 3 miles away, and it gets me out of house and away from icebox!! Working with bands, lots of phone time... but I enjoy helping others chase their dreams. Payne County Line is starting to have a life of it's own. It is getting lots of state press and even received National recoginition in the media for the annual music awards we do each year. kind'a makes me little ole head swell a bit... hahaha... but Ann keeps that in line too... believe me she does... and I am walking 5 miles a day.. in 30 days I will have walked to Denton, TX or to Elk City or to Miami OK... how bout them apples.. haha..
All I can say, I have said before, but bears repeating! I am the luckiest man alive. AWESOME wife, family, and grand kids!!! How richly blessed I am. May not have a dime, but I have lots to LOVE!! and i love them all, each and every one!
Enjoy the day... and each other!
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