Unintended Consequences

(this is what Phil read to the kids at supper tonight)



This man was in an accident (work accident -- not car accident), so he filled out an insurance claim. The insurance company contacted him and asked for more information. This was his response:

I am writing in response to your request for additional information for block number 3 of the accident reporting form. I put 'poor planning' as the cause of my accident. You said in your letter that I should explain more fully and I trust the following detail will be sufficient. I am an amateur radio operator and on the day of the accident, I was working alone on the top section of my new 80ft tower. When I had completed my work, I discovered that I had, over the course of several trips up the tower, brought up about 300 pounds of tools and spare hardware. Rather than carry the now un-needed tools and materials down by hand, I decided to lower the items down in a small barrel by using a pulley, which was fortunately attatched to the gin pole at the top of the tower. Securing the rope at ground level, I went to the top of the tower and loaded the tools into the barrel. Then I went back to the ground and untied the rope, holding it tightly to ensure a slow descent of the 300 lbs of tools. You will note in block number 11 of the accident report that I weight only 155 lbs. Due to my surprise of being jerked off the ground so suddenly, I lost my presence of mind and forgot to let go of the rope. Needless to say, I proceeded at a rather rapid rate of speed up the side of the tower. In the vicinity of the 40ft level, I met the barrel coming down. This explains my fractured skull and broken collarbone. Slowed only slightly, I continued my rapid ascent, not stopping until the fingers on my right hand were two knuckles deep into the pulley.

Fortunately, by this time, I had regained my presence of mind and was able to hold onto the rope in spite of my pain. At approximately the same time, however, the barrel of tools hit the ground so hard that the bottom fell out of the barrel. Devoid of the weight of the tools, the barrel now weighed approx. 20 lbs. I refer you again to my weight in block number 11. As you might imagine, I began a rapid descent down the side of the tower. In the vicinity of the 40ft level, I met the barrel coming up. This accounts for the two fractured ankles, and the lacerations of my legs and lower body. The encounter with the barrel slowed me enough to lessen my injuries when I fell onto the pile of tools and, fortunately, only three vertebrae were cracked. I am sorry to report, however, that as I lay there on the tools, in pain, unable to stand and watching the empty barrel 80ft above me, I again lost my presence of mind. I let go of the rope.......

One mistake leads to another.....

Mistake #1 ---- allowing husband and son #2 to buy a new (used) dirtbike.

Mistake #2 ---- allowing husband and son to bring dirtbike into the basement (to clean it up ---since it's too cold outside)

Mistake #3 ----- allowing husband to convince son #2 to take gas tank off said bike so he can clean it.

Mistake #4 ----- both husband and son forget about gas tank and it sits in basement for next 12 hours while we sleep. We are all gagging in the morning because of gas fumes.

Mistake #5 ---- allowing husband to open windows and set fans in them (blowing out) to get rid of fumes.

Mistake #6 ---- son #2 leans next to fan to look out the window, gets hoodie string caught in fan blades, and nearly strangles himself.








SEE ---- I TOLD THEM BUYING BIKES WOULD BE THE DEATH OF THEM!

at home

I'm at home with a sick girl today. Last week David and Joshua had the sore throat/cold/fever bug and today Abigail got it. I did take the day off work because it didn't work for Phil could work from home this time. That's OK, tho --- alot of stuff is going around at work and I've been feeling a bit run down. Hanging low and resting will be good for me, too.

But, I AM hoping to go out for a bit to vote. If you live in IL, don't forget to do this today. We all complain about our state's financial woes, but then forget to vote on election day. If you don't know who to vote for, google 'illinois voters guide' and see what the candidates support. I'll probably vote for Proft or Brady (gov.) and any Republican for Senate EXCEPT Kuna or Kirk.

Jonathan really likes his new bike. He and David have been riding it after they get home from school. They don't last too long, tho (it gets pretty cold riding in the winter) --- but they sure do have fun. Phil even took it down the rode one day and maxed it out. Yikes! My boys get it honestly!

The weather has been near 30' these past few days and most of the snow is gone. I've been letting the horses out in the pasture 24/7. I guess they are getting enough to eat, because they hardly eat any of the hay I put out and only come up the the barn for grain every few days. That makes it easy on the feed budget! Today I opened up the gate to their old 'summer' pasture. There isn't much grass in there, but they sure had a fun time running around in it. We let them eat the grass down in there to nubbins this fall, so we could save the 'winter pasture' for hay. We didn't care if it ruined the grass, because we are planning to kill it off and plant a new hay pasture there this Spring.

Jonathan's New Bike

It's never too cold to enjoy your new toys...

Week in review

---- David was home sick with a sore throat and wheezing 3 days this week. But, he did go to the Ortho Dr to get his cast changed on Wed (even tho he didn't go to school). He'd been counting the days until he could move his elbow again and didn't want to reschedule for next week. He chose maroon for his current cast color.

--- Abigail and Joshua are doing 4-H this year and Tue was Abigail's turn to give her demonstration. She brought a dry-erase board and tripod along. Her demo was how to draw a human face. She gave everyone a piece of paper and pencil so they could draw with her. Joshua did his 2 months ago. His was orgami --- showing how to make certain shapes.

--- Jonathan is considering going out for the Jr Hi Scolastic Team. He also wants to do track and Flying Dragons (pole vaulting club) this Spring. Not sure how he's going to fit it all in (really....it's how his parents will fit it all in! All the running doesn't bother him...)

--- On Thursday, Phil, David, and Jonathan drove to Princeton to pick up a 'new' dirtbike for Jonathan. He's been saving his money for the last 2 years and finally had enough to buy his own. It is a 1999 Suzuki RM 125. He is very excited about it --- and even got the ride it after school yesterday. After they got it home, Phil informed me it was the same size bike he was riding in Canada when he crashed and broke 5 ribs and his collar bone 2 yrs ago. NOT a good thing to tell his MOTHER!!!

---- Joshua used his birthday money to buy a candle making machine. He 's been busily making all types of candles. He even bought differnt scents to put in them. He made me a deep red cranberry candle. It smells great.

--- It is the 'busy season' at work --- for both Phil and I. I've been working extra days and Phil will probably be putting in more time on the weekends. This means I have less time at home to do cooking and laundry. One thing I've started to do is making the boys do their own laundry. It's been an interesting experiment --- but I think they are realizing they can't throw all items in the hamper weather they are dirty or not. Something I've been trying to tell them for years.

Full Moon

FULL MOON AND MARS: Friday night's full Moon is the biggest and brightest full Moon of the year. It's a "perigee Moon," as much as 14% wider and 30% brighter than other full Moons you'll see later in 2010. But that's not all. Mars is having a close encounter with Earth, and on Friday night, Jan. 29th, it will join the Moon for an all-night-long conjunction. Don't miss it! Sky maps and images may be found at http://spaceweather.com.

last day?

This is suppose to be David's last day with the long cast. He goes back to the Dr tomorrow to get a shorter one. He even gets to choose a different color (if he wants).

Funny photo

thinking about riding.....

Thursday already....

..........this week is flying by!

I picked up more hours at work, so I'm a bit (alot!) behind on the normal household activities. I haven't worked 5 days a week since I was single --- with no kids. I don't know how working mothers do it ---and hats off to all you single moms! Supper is a challenge. We've been having some breakfast meals (oatmeal w/ fruit) and leftovers. Everyone was thrilled that Joshua made pancakes tonight. I will have to look up my crock pot recipes. That will be a big help.

Jonathan and Joshua were both home sick today (stomach ache? temp). The stomach flu has been going around school, so we're not surprised. Phil was able to work at home part of the day, so that was helpful. The boys were not too bad (no vomiting........just temp and grumbly tummies) so they could have stayed by themselves, but I'm always glad when one of us can be home with them.

The rain/ice is creating a challenge for the horses. When the ground is frozen, I can turn them out in the pasture. But, when it's soft, they have to stay in. The problem is it's been 30-34' --- just right on the edge. I can't turn them out in the mornings, because it warms up in a couple of hours. And I don't like leaving them in because they make such a mess. I think I just need to build an indoor arena --- then I can turn them loose no matter what it's doing outside.

I think he's spoiled

Yesterday......

After he came in from playing outside....

David: See, I told you I could still snowboard!
Me: What?! You were snowboarding? Down the big hill? (the one where he broke his arm)
David: Yep. And it didn't even hurt......even when I fell and landed on it.

(how many gray hairs will this add?????)

before it all melts

The temps got into the 40's yesterday, so that made for perfect packing snow. Abigail decided to make a snowman before it disappeared.