One moment at a Time...

I know I know I know...  Its PERMANENT!!!! That is why it took so long to really pull the trigger on getting one. The wifey and I have been throwing ideas of getting a tattoo for about 10 years now. I was ALWAYS against being tatted. My brother is practically a walking ink blot test with everything he has gotten! Not that there is anything wrong with that, it just wasn't something I wanted for my own skin- at the time. I've been watching Ink Master, and few other tattoo shows over the years on tv and was fascinated with the 'lines' of a tattoo and the intricate detail an artist would put into a piece. Then one fateful day LeeAnn brought up her former colleague at the hospital, Heather Manther. LeeAnn showed me some of her drawings and said she actually left the medical field to pursue being a tattoo artist. So over the course of a couple months LeeAnn would share how nice Heather's tattoos were (and I paid attention to the crisp lines). I knew that Heather would...

Its been about 10 years since I've logged onto this blog. A lot has changed in my life, but a lot has remained the same. The moments that have shaped my life up to this point has me feeling very good about my current 'moment' in life. I have God, friends, and my family. Life is good. Life is sweet. As I renew my commitment to this blog my goal is to leave the thoughts, frustrations, failures, and successes of an 'Average Joe' who is no better than you, who does normal things in a crazy world just trying to make sense of it all. Striving for love, happiness, and a future for my children that will leave the world better than the way we have found it. Since it has been 10 solid years, there are going to be flashbacks that will help fill in the blanks. As of right now, all you have to look at is the photo I've attached here. It reveals my riches, my investments, and my future. Lukas is now 12 years old. Still the same crazy smiling kid as before, just taller. He...

As much as I enjoy writing and expressing my thoughts, I have decided to close this blog for the time being. Not that a lot of folks read it anyway... So, in the best interest of those who I love and those who love me I'm putting the computer away. I'm working so much on these stinkin things all day that I don't want to spend any more of my day on them. I'm deciding to use my time looking at my loved ones instead of looking at a computer screen. So a fond farewell for now. Be good, be kind, and show your love to everyone who crosses your path. Who knows when your moment will end here. Love, love, love, and no matter the bumps in your day cherish what you have one moment at a time... to be continued...

As a teacher I always try and stay engaged with my students. I know there are many different beliefs and strategies to teaching, and that's okay. We are all on the same team here. Anyway, personal goal for myself is to rarely sit at my desk... For any reason. I want to be moving around where my kids notice me and I'm close to the work. Well it's been about three weeks now and I was in a groove. I went to my desk to read as my kids were reading silently when one of my boys put up the signal to make a comment or question. "Mr. Howard, this is the first time I've seen you at your desk. Many of my past teachers sit at their desk a lot." I didn't really reply other than a simple "oh, I didn't even notice I wasn't here at my desk often." I went on with the day and was startled that my goal, so far, was noticed. We have a long year to go, but I'm off to a good start I guess.

"Daddy, you want me to sing a song for you? A Dave Matthews song? Here I go..." He strums the guitar and bellows... " What would you say? Don't bite the mail man... What would you say?" strum strum strum.... Luke is two, almost three... It seems we have a new Dave club member here. That's all I need to say as I was and still am speechless.

As I have transitioned into a new (old) vehicle this year I have noticed that I'm still receiving many comments about the vehicle I drive. It goes with that stereo-type phrase, "the car don't make the man..." or does it? I have found this all funny and humbling. Believe I would love to have a sweet ride... But money talks here in materialized America and I still haven't figured out how to get that blasted money tree to grow. I would get real nice comments from everyone when I drove that Mini, and now I get many comments about the Beast (the neon) too. It's funny how the car changes the image. People look at me funny when I get out with a tie on for work. It's like they want me to get something else. I laugh, she still gets me around 30 miles to a gallon. One day Beautiful will have to come and pick me up from the side of the road, but until then the Beast lives... Here is a little Howard car history for you... 89 Chevy Cavalier - 1st car... d...

Yesterday I decided to share the blogging world with my students. I want them to be comfortable with the Internet and all the possible options that it can produce...

Excitement filled my body as I headed back to the classroom this week. Gone are the days of summer and they will be missed. I had a great summer spending many moments with those people I hold dear to my heart, but work maintains my purpose on this Earth, and it won't hurt getting paid again consistently with a contract as support. I have many high expectations this year for my students and myself. I've introduced a recycling center in my room so the kids can see how easy it is and how they can do this at home. I've all ready built up a half of container of plastics and it's only the second day. The paper bin is not far behind either. It feels good doing something like this knowing we can make a difference. Shoot I wouldn't even have done it if it hadn't been for my beautiful wife pushing me to go green. (Not "go green" like the Spartans, that would be the ultimate sin in this house!!!!!!!!!) With school back in I know my time be...

Switching on the radio or sliding a cd into your player is a common action with many many people. Music can reach all levels with the rhythm, tone, or it's words. For me music is lyrical as well as rhythm. When I hear a song for the first time I really pay attention to the lyrics. It seems at times many people look past the lyrics for the beats or basic sound of the song. I enjoy this as well, but in the end I want the lyrics to decide if I like the song or not. Give me a well written love song or one with deep feeeling, mixed with piano or acoustic guitar and I'll be transfixed on that feeling being portrayed. And you don't have to simply spell it out or say, "I love you because I love you" sort of thing. I like to hear similies or mini phrases to create the feeling; "I remember thinking, sometimes we walk, sometimes we runaway. But no matter how fast we are running.. somehow we keep somehow we keep up with each other..." -dmb I'll Back You Up. We h...

I love taking photos of moments. I actually had an image like this in my head and tried to take a few months prior but never liked how they turned out. I think I really like this one and the feelings it creates. Beauty in every shape and form... A child in loving arms with his mother. The two exchanging love and comfort without words while the world's beauty lies in the background. Don't be surprised if this becomes my blog for a bit>>>>

An afternoon call to hit the links is a call I look forward to and can never get enough of. On this particular day my buddy, we'll call him Mike for identity purposes, called to hit Green Valley, a local course, with another friend, Zach. Pulling into the parking lot I noticed I was the first to arrive on this day. Getting my shoes tied and picking the right ball to use was interrupted by Zach scorching down the drive. Halting to the spot on my left he gave the ol "What's up man" and I continued to get ready. We both finished up and headed to the clubhouse to pay our fees when the employee asks, "Walking or riding?" Personally I will walk about 95% of the time if I could, but on this day knowing we had three and Mike likes to ride, we paid for the extra cart. Turning the key and steering my way back to pick up my clubs, we finally see Mike pulling in. He steps out and says, "I wanted to walk today." Nothing we could do now with our money all ready...

Pulling up to the beach front of Lake Michigan you are taken away by the beauty that this lake presents as it's waves roll atop of the sand. Hundreds and hundreds of people spread over the sand with smiles and laughter amist the crashing waves. Gathering our belongings we headed for an open area where Luke could chase the birds and Beautiful could collect the rays. Entering the water with Little Man I noticed a blurry object swimming the water. Knowing sea jellies wouldn't choose Lake Michigan as a home I cast my hand in the cool waters to Earth the object. It seems as though someone had fogotten to throw their sandwich bag away OR the bag was stolen away in a gust of wind. Now it rests in my hands filled with water. I placed it on the shore where I would dispose of this later. Re-entering the water I see that the bag may have been traveling with a friend... a plastic cup. The cup was a bit more wily as I couldn't grab it quick enough before it was lost beneath the surface....

At certain times in a person's life they are left wondering if maybe for a moment, or even perhaps a couple days, they could live to be someone else. At the end of all days, man will search for a glimpse of themselves in the glory of yesterday. In this glimpse will we be certain that our life was spent in good relations, special friendships, and in the mist of love for friends and even strangers? Many times I question some basic traits of myself, my image to those around me. What if maybe I take a few drinks, or perhaps smoke an occasional cancer stick... Extend my skin to a few ink markings to toughen me up... The mind is always thinking and I can't help but be brain-washed by Hollywood that women want the Wrangler Man. The spontaneous excite of being with a rebel. I've been viewed as a clean boy, always trying to do right. Yet my heart has been broken at various points in my life by women seeking more of the Night Life and the rugged man. At these times I've looked cl...

As the summer rolls by and time elapses ever so quickly, my summer has been abundantly full of the pleasures and frustrations that life attracts. The sweet joys that is collected spending moments with my wife and my son are irreplaceable. My heart's cup is overflowing with love. I watch them often just interacting or reading a book and can't help feeling as though I want to cry with the blessings that my life has seen. Not a moment do I take for granted having these people in my life... Avoiding the computer as much as possible this summer (only to be tempted during my summer classes filling boredom in the passing hours like now) I've caught more of the sun's rays than years past. My good buddy Rob had come through town to hit the links with me (that's golf for the confused). Well he came home to visit family and friends but we both know golf was high on the list too!!! The rest of my summer has been filled with travel, travel, and more travel. The quick adventure ...

On this day 5 years ago I married the woman of my dreams, and the best friend anyone could ever imagine. I thank God for lending me one of his angels to watch over me and spend my life with....

I've waited for the right time to take Luke golfing. Last week I started thinking about it more. When beautiful and I were out shopping I came across some real golf clubs for 2-5 year olds. I knew they had them but didn't want to push to hard. Well as summer vacation started I was left sitting at home while most everyone around was still at work. My buddies rarely get out to golf anymore, money, jobs, family, life... As I was getting twitchy about golfing and having no one to go with, me and the wife went to get him some clubs. The next day I took him down to the driving range to get him some swinging time. He did great!! As momma and I took a couple swings I would say he hit around 30 balls alone! No I'm not trying to create the next Tiger Woods, although the money would be nice. I simply want someone to go golfing with. What better person to go with than my son? (I'd love to golf with momma, but she doesn't like it too much I guess) We have gone out t...

"Schools out for-the-summer!!!!" As I handed out many hugs to my students, tears fell, smiles filled the halls, and an occasional "Bye Mr. Howard" was heard from down the hall. I completed the last of my end-of-the-year paperwork in an oven (95 degrees in the morning in my classroom alone!!!). Once I locked up the room and went to get the boy my mind started recalling how stressful this last year has been on my life. I probably aged 10 years, and it wasn't my students fault either!!!! Where should I begin. I entered this year without a contract. I was to step in and fulfill a teacher's absence for the whole year. They told me it would lead to a contract, but in September I wasn't going to get my hopes up so early. They got a full time teacher at a sale!!!!! No sick days for me. If I was sick I wasn't paid. Going to Professional Development or after school activities, I wasn't paid. It was okay though because I had to pay my dues I gue...

As we pulled up to the driveway finally reaching our destination of Kentucky, I noticed right away the stereo-typed culture of a hilly-billy yard. At least 6 cars were resting in the yard, 2 that were drivable. Entering the house looking at the ceiling with patches and tons of THINGS just piled up in corners and against walls. Yip, this is my heritage, true hill-billies... I have no problem with their way of life, in fact I actually see resemblance of this to my Yankee home. I really enjoy being down here amongst family members I rarely get to see. To get out of "The Rat Race" is great. (Down home they refer to our living as a rat race...) It's quiet, everybody is friendly, and when people wave they use ALL of their fingers. The only real problem i endured is smoking two packs of cigs before eggs are served. I second-hand smoked at least two cartons in two days with this group of travelers. It took some getting use to but once breakfast is done and over ...

As my lunchtime was almost over, I noticed that my phone was blinking. "Somebody loves me" I thought OR just a junk call not worth noting. Anyway I was relieved to see that the missed call was from my love. Seems she tried to reach me at 8:10 this morning. I left her sleeping so I was thinking that maybe somebody wanted to come and look at the house. I hit the button to listen to the call......... "Hey it's me. Um, the living room could be bigger, possibly hazardous or whatever. I was blrrr rrrrgh and whatever, so yeah its blrrrr aaagh flurrrr. I'll talk to you later." Curious why our living room is now considered hazardous, I listened to the message again. Wanting to call about the message I left the curiosity for after school. After school I called LA to talk before my class. I asked her about the call and she didn't know what I was talking about. She checked her phone to see any incoming or outgoing calls had occurred. She didn't see...

As we finished up the yearly routine of eating cake and opening gifts for the birthday, LeeAnn and I had plans to eat at the Mongolian Barbecue in Ann Arbor. I was excited and eagerly waiting that delicious plate! LeeAnn told me we were going to drop off her brother at a friend's house that lived there. I wanted to take my car, but LA insisted that we take hers. I just wanted to save a little gas. As we approached the exit I was handed a blind fold and then knew why we couldn't take my car. As I sat going through the turns I tried to map out where we were going. No such luck. I was led into a building where all of my wonderful friends screamed surprise. I was surprised too. I earlier guess we might be playing Whirly Ball, but not real seriously. Anyway we had a great time and I was so surprised LA went this far. I've never had a surprise party before!! (Two months of planning and secret e-mails.. this girl of mine is sneaky!!!!!) I just wanted to thank everyon...