Start Posting Again

I'm not sure anyone even checks this anymore... should I start this back up again?

What happened to this guy?

I need some help to find this guy. I'm not looking for the chops or the glasses. If you see him, please let me know.

Naming Rights

Saw this on a couple of the blogs that I regularly check... and thought I'd participate.

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME (first pet/current car): Taffy Corolla

2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME (fave ice cream flavor/ favorite type of shoe): Cookie Dough Sneaker

3. YOUR NATIVE AMERICAN NAME (favorite color/favorite animal): Blue Cat (although today I'm not sure that a cat is my favorite animal...)

4. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME (middle name/city where you were born): Michael Lincoln

5. YOUR STAR WARS NAME (the first 3 letters of your last name/ first 2 of your first name): Fosjo

6. SUPERHERO NAME (2nd favorite color/ favorite drink): Red Mountain Dew

7. NASCAR NAME (the first names of your grandfathers): Jess Junior

8. STRIPPER NAME (the name of your favorite perfume,cologne or scent/favorite candy): Vanilla Reeces (pretty sure that is inappropriate... it is even worse if I put Pieces or Peanut Butter Cup on the end of it!)

9. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME (your 5th grade teacher’s last name/ a major city that starts with the same letter): Gruszczynski Gainesville (it is hard to think of a major city that starts with a G... I had to google 'major cities'!)

10. SPY NAME: (your favorite season/favorite holiday): Fall Christmas

11. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit/ article of clothing you’re wearing right now): Pear Black Shirt

12. HIPPIE NAME: (What you ate for breakfast/your favorite tree): Granola Elm

Don't call it a comeback...

Well... I've been home tending to the kiddos. Our family is running at 75% sick (Jen, Ty and Bryce). Ty is falling asleep in my lap, Bryce is falling asleep in the highchair (with one hand constantly rubbing the remaining pink yogurt that he just ate), and Jen is out cold in the bedroom. Ty just got done telling me that he doesn't want to go to sleep because 'sleep is scary, daddy'.

So, I haven't blogged since I yelled at my blog readers about not leaving comments. Boy, did I show them! Now, I'm sure I have zero readers, but that is how it goes.

I'm trying to get ready to run a leg of the OKC marathon, and thinking about hopping in the Redbud classic, too. Lord knows I need the exercise. I've got great shoes that I've broken in, and a sweet iTunes playlist to run to... tell me what you think. Any suggestions?

Run Foster, Run Mix:
Welcome to the Black Parade - My Chemical Romance
Highway Star - Deep Purple
Here It Goes Again - Ok Go
Dead! - My Chemical Romance
Girlfriend - Avril Lavigne (hey hey, you you, I don't like your playlist, either!)
Monkey Wrench - Foo Fighters
Shut Up - Simple Plan
Thunderstruck - AC/DC
Dead On Arrival - Fall Out Boy
Life Is A Highway - Rascal Flatts
The Last Song - The All-American Rejects
Runaway - Bon Jovi
Mach 5 - The Presidents Of The United States

I've got a long way to go in the next 9 weeks... I'll post progress as I go!

I've missed you, too.

- Josh

No Comments?

No comments? After days of high quality video documentaries (vidocs, for the web savvy among our readers) not a single comment? See if I ever post anything for you again!

Even I leave the occasional post on other blogs, and I am the worst blogger in the world!

Foster Vacation - Day 6

Foster Vacation - Day 5

Rest of the 100 list...

Ok, ok... I'm waiting on some laundry, so I'll finish my list.

70) I always get a big nervous knot in the pit of my stomach whenever I make a 'big' purchase
71) I'm about 3/4 through the first Harry Potter book
72) I think it is funny that people think Harry Potter is corrupting the youth of America
73) I think bad parents are corrupting the youth of America
74) I sometimes wonder if I'm corrupting Ty and Bryce...
75) Ty had been biting others fairly frequently (sometimes hard), and I busted his rear this past Friday when he bit me
76) I felt bad about doing it
77) He hasn't tried to bite since
78) I still feel bad about it
79) I think it was one of those 'hurt me more than it hurts you' things
80) I'm amazed how far technology has progressed since I was a kid
81) I fully plan to GPS track Ty and Bryce so I know what they are up to when they get older
82) I absolutely love our friends
83) I miss some of my old high school friends
84) I don't think my old high school friends would get along with our friends
85) I know that I've changed over the years, but I still think I'd get along with them just like old times if we were still together
86) I still get giddy at the prospect of a 'snow day' off work
87) Back when I was super chubby, I used to eat dry cake mix
88) I would also occasionally enjoy a peanut butter and strawberry cream cheese sandwich
89) I've given up both of these indulgences
90) I had my mouth wired shut after my jaw surgery (for the metal plates in my head)
91) I went on a liquid diet for over a month, and lost a ton of weight
92) I gained it all back within a couple of weeks (see item 87 & 88)
93) My friends knew that I was interested in a girl, and hid her in my house as a surprise 'present' for my 16th birthday party
94) I was so embarrassed that she was there, I had to hide
95) We ended up dating later, and she was my first kiss
96) She ended up seeing one of my best friends while I was away at academic summer camp, and later dating him for awhile
97) I was upset at her, but it didn't affect my friendship with my friend at all
98) I've never been in a fist fight
99) I may get in a fist fight over this '100 things' list
100) I use '' marks far too often in this blog and in real life (see previous video blogs)

OK ALREADY!!!! I've finished the list. Now you know a little more about me than you did before. I'll tag J.K. Rowling for her 100 things list. I figure she has some free time on her hands now that she has finished her latest book.

Now I'm off to fetch the laundry!

Foster Vacation - Day 4

Foster Vacation - Day 3

Foster Vacation - Day 2

Foster Vacation - Day 1

100 Things...

I have to thank my wife for 'tagging' me to write 100 things about myself. I really appreciate it.

1) I have metal plates in my head (broken jaw)
2) I was pinned every wrestling match I ever competed in during junior high
3) Not only was I pinned every match, I never made it to the second period
4) I only went out for wrestling one year
5) I was one of the fastest kids in class in the 2nd grade
6) Then Nintendo came out
7) I've been 'big boned' ever since
8) I love video games, and contemplate a career in the field from time to time
9) But I love the defense industry, so I'll put my video game career on hold
10) I am a techaholic
11) I used to HATE Apple products
12) I now LOVE Apple products
13) I want an iPhone
14) Basketball is my favorite sport to play, and I like it so much it doesn't feel like exercise
15) I first started playing basketball because of my poor wrestling career
16) I should probably shave every day, my facial hair grows so fast
17) I hate shaving
18) I simply cannot take a short shower... ever
19) I only kissed one girl in college
20) I've only told one girl that I've loved her
21) I married her, and she is my best friend
22) I was SCARED when we started talking about having kids
23) I can't imagine life without our kids, and I hardly remember what it was like before they were here
24) I graduated HS in a class of 26, and was #3 by GPA
25) I wasn't eligible for many scholarships because I wasn't in my class top 10%
26) I was in Mensa
27) I got out because it is full of self-centered idiots that think the rest of the world is stupid
28) I was proud that I got a 31 on my ACT
29) I'm even more proud that Jen beat my socks off
30) I know that Jen is smarter than I am
31) I know the lyrics to a lot of random songs
32) I own Notorious BIG, Puff Daddy, Tag Team, and Fresh Prince CDs... and believe that I am a gangster
33) I wish that I didn't sell my 1989 Camaro
34) I'm a car singer, and when I used to dive between home and college (8 hours) my voice would be gone when I arrived
35) I love playing fantasy football
36) I won two of the three leagues I played in last year
37) I'm lucky
38) I never drank any alcohol until Jen turned 21 and corrupted me
39) I didn't like my first drink
40) I still don't like to drink
41) My neighbor in school tried to get me to smoke in his backyard when I was 9 or 10
42) I 'just said no'
43) One of my best friends in HS family were chain smokers, and we were over at his house all the time inhaling smoke
44) I missed the girl on my first kiss attempt (her name was Lisa Mooney)
45) She felt bad and gave me a hug
46) We broke up not too long after that because it was awkward
47) I ran the 2 mile in HS
48) I ran it so slow that one time they pulled me off the track after my 7th lap because they wanted to start the next race during our big district meet
49) I ran long distance because my HS basketball/track coach wanted me to lose weight
50) I only suited up varsity in HS for one game, and I'll never forget it
51) I only hit one three pointer in an actual (JV) game... we were down 4 with 12 seconds and we lost the game
52) I wanted to get into Kappa so bad in college, but knew I wouldn't get in
53) I got in, and loved every minute of it (D league B-ball... woot!)
54) I played saxophone for 8 years (barry, tenor and alto)
55) I want to play piano or guitar
56) I have a pilots license
57) I am an amateur radio operator
58) I was in swing/show choir
59) I went to State Speech in two different categories
60) Now you see why I was/am a nerd
61) I didn't know a single person my first night on campus at OC
62) I wanted to graduate college so bad, and now I sometimes wish we could go back
63) I have a baby tooth that never fell out
64) I sometimes stress out that my baptism 'didn't count' because I went forward with two other people
65) I've never felt that I "KNOW" I'm saved
66) I prayed more than ever during Jen's pregnancy w/ Brett
67) I've never quite prayed the same since
68) I bought my second car (Chrysler Cordoba) from my grandpa, and he charged me more than he paid for it
69) I honestly believe that I have they lyrics for a country #1 song in my head

I'll write the rest tomorrow, I'm falling asleep on the couch.

-Josh

Howdy, stranger!

Yea, I know. I haven't blogged here in a long time. Let me catch you up to speed...

Bryce can now crawl, which is pretty amazing. You kinda forget all the firsts over time (thank goodness for video cameras), but seeing Bryce do things brings many of Ty's firsts back. Ty (and his vocabulary) is getting bigger all the time, and some of his favorites are Spider-Man and the ninja turtles. Once he picks up the Transformers and Legos, he will have covered all of my major interests that I had as a kid (and maybe a little still today). He always gets to be the 'good guy' and Jen and I get to be the 'bad guys'. I typically get to be Dr. Octopus. I suppose I shouldn't encourage him to be the 'bad guy', but it gets old when I always end up "going to jail". The bad guys always have to lose, right? Well, I won't break that bad news to him until he is at least three.

Anyway, we are in Texas this evening, and Jen and I celebrated our sixth anniversary this weekend. We stayed at the W, which is awesome. Walking into it, we immediately thought of JC, Courtney, Judson and Amanda. Check out this link!

Now, I'm not going to try and talk Jen into changing our home decor to be all modern, metallic and mirrored, but this was beyond cool. To top it off, it is one of the hottest club scenes in town, so all sorts of BMWs, Lexus, Hummers, and the like were pulling in with everyone dressed to the hilt. It wasn't cool when they brought our minivan around so we could go to dinner, but we managed. I threatened Jen with trading in the van before we went back so we woudn't be embarassed... we thought about it, but didn't do it.

So, six years and counting. It is crazy to think what has happend in six years. Makes me wonder what the next six years has in store... probably another trip or two to the W.

Would You Like A Car Wash?

Can a person just be left alone while gassing up a car? The answer is no.

I hate being asked by the pump (before it will give me any gas) whether I want a car wash or not. If I wanted a car wash, I'd drive my nasty car over to your cheap car wash and give the machine over there my money. Can't I just buy gas at the gas pump? I mean, come on already. I already buy a 20 oz pop from your store for $1.49 when I can get a 2 liter for 88 cents at any grocery store, so don't try and rip me off with your 'Big Rig' wash.

In Ft. Worth there is a gas station where there is a talking box that asks you questions, and it has three buttons for answers. At least it has the common courtesy to let me start pumping the gas before it talks to me. Of course, it nags at you if you ignore it, but at least I'm getting my gas.

Step 1: Admit The Problem

Hi. My name is Josh.

"Hi Josh"

And I'm a techaholic. I've can't remember the last time I was sober. I know I don't need it. I can't rationalize why I want it, but I just bought a Zune. What is a Zune, you ask? It's Microsoft's attempt to enter the mp3 player market.

"But Josh, don't you have an iPod?"

Yes. About a year ago I bough a nano. Then I took it back and bought a video iPod.

"Is it broken?"

Nope. The Good Lord knows that my good ol' iPod has been through heck (the toilet) and back, and keeps right on ticking. Works fine. No problems.

"Ummm, why in the world do you need another video mp3 player then?"

Because I'm Josh. (catch the 'Friends' reference?)

"Well, welcome to the group. The first step is to admit the problem..."

Ok, I have a tech problem.

"and to take the Zune back and quit your tech ways."

Nope. Not gonna do it.

Ok, enough of the strangeness. I bought a Zune of eBay this weekend, and I don't have a great reason why. I just like them. Yes, I know I have an iPod, and yes, I know the music I own will sound the same from both players. Just trust me when I say I've got a tech problem. And I've got a wonderful wife that supports me in my addiction. I'm one lucky fella.

We Are Still Here!

Well, the house didn't blow away. Jen woke up for a few minutes this morning at some ungodly hour (thanks Bryce) to hear one of our 'storm team' weathermen saying 'Well, I don't know what happened, but I guess the storms have missed us". You know things are out of control when the local car dealerships are making commercials that poke fun at 'doom and gloom' weathermen (Chad Stevens... come on!).

In other (non-weather) news, Ty's rocket room is almost completely painted. Just a little touch-up work is all that is left. What I thought would only take a couple of hours ended up taking most of the day. Oh well, at least I still have a house left to paint!

Run For The Shelters!

So, If you would believe the local weathermen, my home will be violently destroyed by nighttime storms tomorrow evening. Hopefully my family won't be physically maimed by flying debris (but if the storm wants to whisk my dogs and cat off to Oz, that would be OK by me).

I just know I'm gonna look out my front door tomorrow and see Helen Hunt driving a pickup truck through my neighborhood.

Trapped!!!

Well, the family has been sick, and the kids are driving me crazy. Mostly Bryce, because he just sits and cries at me. Oh, I can't forget the 'super-sized number two' he dropped that was bad enough that we both ended up getting our shirts and pants changed. All I'll say is that I had to wipe his armpit. No joke.

He is a list of a few statements I've said to him over the last two days:

I'm not helping you with college anymore.
Maybe the dogs will raise you.
If I knew where the nuns lived, you would be a goner.
Want to see if you can fly?
I love you. (ahhhh, aren't I sweet?)

Ty kicked the whole ordeal off while we were at the gym on Tuesday evening. One of the workers came up and got me off the treadmill and said that Ty got sick. When I got down to the playroom, they were cleaning up the mess and Ty was in the bathroom with another worker. He was crying and saying that he wanted to go hide and that he was scared. It really broke my heart.

Anyway, I think we are almost back to 100%, so normal life should resume soon.

Back to FPU!

Well, Jen and I have started Dave Ramesy's Financial Peace University again. This time, under the guise of being an instructor. Let me tell you that it will be as beneficial for us as it will be for those in the class.

The first time we went through FPU two years ago, we did great. Although we haven't been completely irresponsible since then, there are certainly some things that we could be doing better. The funny thing about Dave Ramsey is that he is truly an inspirational speaker. Jen and I both left tonight's introduction session fired up and ready to go!

With Weight Watchers on Monday and FPU on Tuesdays, I'll be rich and hot in no time! Yeah... probably not.