Chris Cable's Blog

Winter Chicken Procedures

2009-12-20T10:09:00.001-08:00

So this winter we have faced some new challenges in maintaining our chickens. During the freezing temperatures, we noticed that their water was solid blocks of ice. So in an effort to keep them hydrated we had to come up with ideas on how to keep their water from freezing. So we just gave them some vodka and whiskey in their water dish. Not only did this not freeze, but I believe it helped keep them warm internally as well. I think it fried their one and only brain cell as well. It also provided delicious eggs.

Unfortunately it also made for really nasty runny chicken droppings. Of course we have a solution for this as well. Duct tape and corks. Works great so far!

Of course this is all fictional.

I did however build them a new shelter. They apparently like to huddle next to the sliding glass door and peer in as to say "let us in!" So I built them a shelter that sits next to the sliding glass door.

My chickens still hate me. I don't lose sleep over it. ;)

Costco Copy write Law

2009-12-12T16:42:00.000-08:00

So I had a very unfortunate incident with Costco today. For years I have been going in with my CD that I have burned from my digital camera to upload pictures to print. This time I had a friend take the pictures and he burned them for me. The Costco Photo Nazi would not give me my pictures, even after I paid for them, until I had the photographer sign a copy write form. This was on a Saturday, pouring down rain, had to park on the outskirts of the lot. I was pissed. I still can't figure out why the bitch didn't give me the form to fill out WHEN I PAID FOR THEM!!!! Instead of holding them ransom AFTER I paid for them. Ridiculous. Law or not. I feel like my rights were taken from me. I would have been fine if the Photo Nazi was more polite about the whole thing. After today, I vow to NEVER shop at Costco again for my pictures. I don't shop there for anything anyways. I fully plan to email the Redding Costco Manager about they lack of service and how I was treated. I also plan to encourage others to avoid shopping there as well.
Ridiculous.

love this dumb song!

2009-12-03T20:34:00.000-08:00

Wake up on your own
And look around you 'cause you’re not alone
Release your high hopes and they’ll survive
'cause this is the future and you are alive.

Dive in and swim away
From your loneliness and miserable days

And when you wake up on your own
Look around you 'cause you’re not alone
Let your hopes go and they’ll survive
'cause this is the future and you are alive
…You’re headed home.

"This is the Future"...Owl City

On to Christmas

2009-11-26T20:50:00.000-08:00

I am finding myself in the Christmas spirit earlier than expected.
Usually I don't find myself even realizing it until a few days before. I guess with fighting a cold it has heightened my senses to the Season. It's not even really cold out. Oh well, just rolling with it.
Made my Christmas Playlist.
Enjoy!

Thanksgiving Day

2009-11-25T23:46:00.000-08:00

It starts tomorrow. We had plans to travel. Things change. I like visiting family. I like the destination. I just don't like the trip to get there.

We will be having our own Thanksgiving our own way. With no family to have to entertain but our own. It's a break from the norm, but that is what we are able to tolerate these days.

My to do list: Eat a lot. Play with my kids. Get some sunshine by doing yardwork. Work out with my son at home.
I'm putting him on a weight lifting routine. His arms are about as big around as a silver dollar. Poor kid.
I'm getting a sore throat. I do not want to be sick at all. I don't like how I am starting to feel. I can endure though.
I'm encouraged just fine. Just stay out of my way. I feel like a freight train with molasses on the tracks trying to push through a snow storm. That's a horrible metaphor. Not gonna erase it. Deal.
It will be Tri Tip for Christmas.

need a plan.

2009-11-21T23:47:00.001-08:00

What is wrong with me??!! This time of year I am usually a gung-ho mindset to serving others! I can barely muster energy to save myself! I know what's different in me. I have stopped working out. My one release for exercising. I haven't been able to lift in 2 months. I tore something in my shoulder and it wont heal. I am too lazy to jog and I get winded chasing the kids up the stairs. Also, I get winded trying to catch a chicken in the backyard. They are fast and they really really hate me.

I have a bad stomach flu going on right now. I can't sleep because my gut hurts so bad. I blame this on not being as healthy as I should. I have NO excuse. This is the worst I have looked or felt since I can remember. Going downhill fast. I need to stop this. I need a change of mindset though. I need to convince myself to do it.

A fun thing happened today. I was somehow locked in my downstairs bathroom today. I went to open the door and it....would not open. Despite my every effort (while remaining sane). I was given tools to try to open it but nothing worked. I had to actually punch a hole through the door near the door knob and pry it open. Cassie thought this was hilarious as I remained locked in the bathroom, over reacting to open the door. Pictures to follow? Nope.

I hate my chickens. They poop everywhere.

So our Thanksgiving plans are still on hold. We are anticipating a lonely Thanksgiving Day. Which is fine. We Cables manage to entertain ourselves in very non-traditional ways. I feel God wants us to remain here to serve others. Sure it would be nice to visit ALL her fun cousins in cold, wet, rainy, gloomy, 8-hour-drive Oregon. But plans are to stay here.

Sleep is calling me. Though I fear it will be on the couch as I toss and turn all night wishing morning would come. I hate this sore tummy I have. I hate this itchy poison oak. When it rains it pours. What else do we have to pile on me?

good night my lonely little blog.

mute blog

2009-11-20T23:26:00.000-08:00

Hello nasty little blog. I haven't forgotten you. Just been mute for awhile.

My spirit is chained by lies from Satan. I know better, but it weighs me down still.
Cold weather sucks. I dream of warm summer days with my family. Out on the lake. Drifting in a kayak with no worries.

Ugh. I have never had poison oak in my life till now. This really sucks. It's spreading, even as I treat it. Man it itches!
God threatens to slam doors closed but opens new ones. Ones that take courage to walk through.

So many of you know that Cassie is really really sick. She has problems with her digestive system. She can't eat much of anything without feeling sick to her stomach. It is breaking me down too. I just don't know how to handle it. I feel so helpless! Just pray for healing.

I feel we will cancel Thanksgiving plans to travel to visit family and stay home instead. Yep, blogging gives me headaches.
Good night.

update I guess

2009-11-06T22:43:00.001-08:00

Hi.
So, still reading this?
Fine, I'll give an update to my three readers then:
-Had a birthday. 35. Tried to start working out and tore some muscles or something. My doctor says no more or super light, which means no more basically.
-Still geocaching with my brother.
-Cassie is still REALLY sick and it makes me REALLY sad to see her so fragile.
-I have been consumed with work that I hope turns into a big win for us.
-I have been waking up at 5am every day and I cant go back to sleep.
-Found a new music group that I like called Owl City.
-Our church is building a new building and I get to be a part of the build. Kind of exciting.
-ok, going to bed. scroll all the way down to my blog for the playlist, then the bottom of the playlist to hear Owl City. Love those guys!

oh you sad little blog.

2009-10-17T23:23:00.000-07:00

Who is reading this still? Facebook seems to take precedent over updating blogs. So what's new with me? More than I can share.
I am trying to pick up a new hobby. Geocaching. My brother and I go out and conquer this when we can. It's more fun now that we have an appropriate device to guide us.
I have been in on again off again pain all week due to kidney stones...I think.
Cassie has started a detox diet ordered by her dietician. She has had major problems for a long time and nobody has been able to shed light on what could be wrong with her. So starting this weekend she will be going through very painful trials as she rids her body of this horrible bacteria that plagues her.
I had a friend leave Redding, moved far away this month. I miss him so much. Just knowing that he was here, in this town, offered me comfort. Anyways, it sucks.
My children are healthy, thank you Lord. They offer me so much joy. I love every second with them.
Something to look forward to: ....summertime. I have a long wait.

New blog entry

2009-10-12T16:08:00.000-07:00

whats up blog readers?
i dont feel like blogging right now!
Woohoo!

Day with the kids

2009-10-03T21:32:00.000-07:00

Today I had the kids all to myself and it was GREAT! Cassie had to go to school for a class.

I was able to sleep in. The kids climbed in bed with me. Later, we made a huge breakfast. Then we made a map of geocache's to go find and we headed out. We managed to find 2 out of 5 we looked for. It was harder than I thought with out a GPS.

We came home for lunch, carrots and quesadillas, the safe bet that I am allowed to cook with out the kids throwing me under bus for what they are allowed to have. Uncle Mark came over with his new ODST Halo game. He bored us to death with the game for 15 minutes. (jk).
Then we made a trip to Lowes for some bags of cement mix for fence posts. On the way home we picked up chocolate frosty's from Wendy's, their first EVER. They said, we need straws? I said nope, spoon baby. They were like, no way! yes!! A joy that I got to experience as a dad. I loved it!

So when we got home, they played perectly. Jake helped me build our new gate. Mom got home, Julianne threw me under the bus about EVERYTHING she wasn't allowed to have. I mean everything! I half expected and didn't care one way or another. She just wants to take the attention off herself for any wrong doing she may have done. I love her so much!

My son made guacamole and used the reddest jalapenos from my garden. It was hot! He devoured it as it lit him up. THIS made me proud! I love that he is making stuff hot and liking it. He knows how much I love it so he thinks he needs to. He is a Cable. My boy.

Today was a good day. Especially since I didn't see much of them all week.

Zombieland?

2009-09-30T23:22:00.000-07:00

I don't even care if this movie sucks. I think it will be a well worth it ride. I like zombies just fine. I also like stupid zombies. I don't like smart zombies.

Zombieland, please don't suck too bad.

No hats?

2009-09-28T23:08:00.000-07:00

I am not sure why this is bothering me. So guess what? I will blog it.

I can't understand why I am so bothered by the fact that guys think it is ok to wear hats inside a place of worship, or at least my church. Granted it is a younger generation, maybe they just haven't ever been told. Maybe it is MY problem. If so then it makes me think one step further. Do they remove their hats when the National Anthem is played? Do they take off their hat if the Pledge of Allegiance is said? ...Probably. Then why not remove it when we pray? Why not remove it as soon as you enter your time of worship, which should be at the time you enter the church?

Like I said, I think it's an issue with me, old fashioned I guess. These youngsters have no idea about what us old guys think and how we were raised...sorry, how I was raised. So that said, I'll chalk it up to ignorance as an excuse, as I am sure they aren't doing it to offend me personally.

But understand this: I will knock that hat off your head, young or old, during the National Anthem. You don't have to pledge your allegiance to the flag, just show some respect I guess.

Why am I blogging this now? Because I love my country. I love my Lord. And I think a simple detail like removing your hat will show a sign of respect. Not doing so, shows disrespect. Neither of which I am ok with.
Have a nice day!

Fombag.com

2009-09-19T18:22:00.000-07:00

Hey!
I LOVE these things. Check out this web site: www.fombag.com

I had the pleasure of sitting in one. Take it from me...A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!
If you have room in your living room for one, I highly recommend getting one. If you don't have room, make room. Get rid of the couch and put in one of these. I recommend the 6 foot bag.

It's not just a bean bag chair, its a bean bag chair on steroids. Filled with high quality foam. You can't beat the price either.

weights...finally.

2009-09-14T22:34:00.000-07:00

I quit my gym membership at Sun Oaks this summer. I don't miss it either. I do miss working out however. So I finally got what I have been looking for. I found my new weight bench, simple, yet effective for what I want to do. Then I went to Scheels in Reno and loaded up on weights. A giant stack of 10 lb weights and dumbbell bars. I have plenty to keep me busy now and a channel to let my aggression out when I have had a long day. It's perfect for when the kids go to bed. I think I need to research if it's good or not for me to work out and drink protein shakes before bed. Probably isn't. Oh well. I am past the burning stages already and I find myself lifting these dumb things more than I had when I was at a gym. Now if I could just commit to running again. Just going to have to do it.

name that tune!

2009-09-14T06:50:00.000-07:00

"....women seem wicked, when you're unwanted...."

2009-09-14T06:49:00.000-07:00

Lazy Sunday

2009-09-13T20:01:00.000-07:00

Today we took the kids to the miniature golf course.
They were a little surprised and we had a blast.
No photos of Jake, as he was a little ahead of us on each hole.
We ended the night with some Baskin Robbins.
Relaxed and ready for a busy week.

Reno Rib Cook Off

2009-09-13T19:48:00.001-07:00

Here are the few photos from the Rib Cook Off Mark and I went to in Reno a few weeks ago.
Good times were had.
We will be going back next year, this time, packing in an ice chest to bring home some left overs.

NASCAR!

2009-09-12T17:03:00.000-07:00

Say what you will about rednecks driving in circles with a southern drawl in their speech.
I will tell you this, the sport is way more than that. It is Americas last sport that honors the foundation of this country. The sports recognizes that this country was founded by Christians, it honors our troops, it supports the working man. You may see this if you ever watch the introduction of a NASCAR race. It doesn't watch to see if it is being politically correct and trying to not offend those who don't believe the way their forefathers did.

I love NASCAR because it is an American pastime. It is a part of this country, even with the unseen politics that may go on, it's still my last hope for an American pastime that brings a tear to my eye.

The sound and smell of horsepower in such a concentrated mass shakes your eyeballs and bones as they pass in front of you. You feel your heart pound harder in your chest and you want to let out a yalp that would overpower the sound of the engines idling by, then they let loose with all their fury as they wind up and you realize you are in the awesome presence of immaculate horsepower. Just sit down and gnaw on your smoked turkey leg, sipping your warm beer and enjoy the smell of tires and exhaust. This is American entertainment!

Go Mark Martin!

2009-09-07T23:57:00.001-07:00

Labor Day

2009-09-07T23:40:00.001-07:00

I went through my blog tonight, pondering all my past entries.
I have been a little depressed lately about things in my life.

I get sad when I think the cold weather is on the way, somehow I had this strength in me to serve others. I had an obvious heart for others. That fire has died inside of me. I have no ambition for that anymore. I mean I could do it if I had to.

God is blessing me, taking care of me and my family.
I have many people in my life that I am so grateful for.

I had a wonderful time with my kids today. Just me and them. We got to do many things that I know mommy would not approve of. She knows what they were as Julianne spills the beans on EVERYTHING, like she is trying to get me in trouble to take any focus off her. Love that girl. As I was tucking her in bed, I asked her what her favorite part of the day was, she said "my kisses and holding my hand", not, my new toys from Target or french fries from In-n-out or the drive through car wash. I know she was serious, I also think she was fishing for me to lay in bed with her a little longer as I tucked her in.

It was a good Labor Day.
I am actually very excited and recharged to go back to work. I hope my body wakes up in time tomorrow.

end transmission

2009-08-30T23:09:00.001-07:00

i guess life just punches you right in the face sometimes.

this blog thing has gotten stupid.

good bye stupid blog.

Road Trip

2009-08-27T20:46:00.000-07:00

Good enough for now I guess.

So Mark (my brother) and I are taking an early weekend next weekend and headed to Reno for some fun. With no families and to partake in the Best of the West Rib Cookoff. Yum.
Should be fun!

I need a break

2009-08-23T20:51:00.000-07:00

from pleasing everybody else.
I need me time.
update my ipod,
roll down all the windows and drive to wherever.
just when i think i am ready to take on life, i'm reminded of my limits.
i'm tired of 'vacations' that aren't vacations, just stressful outings.
i can't help but laugh.

i'm thinking a looooong road trip by myself to visit my dad sounds in order.