News
2009! Make it a good year!
Newest Stuff
- The checks are coming! 03-07-09
California is moving it's money again. Personal income tax refunds will be paid, counties will start getting it's funds and furlough days will be flexible and can be taken on days that employees choose. Read the details here. - Superbowl 43!!! Wow!! 02-01-09
What a fantastic Superbowl for all fans of the game! Steelers rolled over Arizona until the 4th quarter, when Arizona took control of the game. A mad combination of penalties and mistakes by both teams led to a super finish down to the last 5 seconds of the game. Watch the highlights of the Steelers magical victory here. - Scariest news yet 01-16-09
According to a news article from Fox News, beer sales are flat! That is a really bad sign of the economy. We need some economic stimulus so we can start drinkin' again! Oh, and P.S. you might get an I.O.U. instead of your California tax refund so don't plan your Liquor Barn trip with that just yet. If you check your recycling, there might be some drops left in those cans. Good luck! Pretty soon I'll be just like a dog, I'll have to eat my own puke and rub my butt on the carpet because I can't afford toilet paper. I thought you needed some humor. - Dang Spyware! 01-02-09
I am not having problems with my PC but a lot of others are. I use Trend Micro Internet Security and I fully endorse it! I have not had troubles since using it and it doesn't bog down my computer like other programs. If you don't want to change or if you can not afford to, you should at least try to use their free online scanner periodically. It will not prevent infection but may remove something you aren't aware of. Read all of the notes if it isn't working for you. Make sure you aren't planning to use use your computer for a while while this scans as it will take quite a while. - Kyle goes home 01-02-09
It was great having him here but unfortunately the ARMY wants him back. He has lots more school to go. He may be stationed in Washington after school. We'll see! We played lots of Halo 3 with friends and family during his visit and ate and ate and ate a lot of crap! It was good! We had a nice ham dinner with Gidget's uncle Russell and aunt Lisa in Folsom before Kyle departed on the 2nd. Kyle flew out of Sac airport around 10:10 p.m. and made it safely home the next day. - Happy New Year 01-01-09
It's 2009 and time for that "CHANGE" to occur! Taxes are coming soon! - Merry Christmas 12-25-08
Christmas was very low-key and nice. We got to see most of the family this year. Had a ham at out house on Christmas eve and went north to Mt Shasta and had turkey for Christmas. Kyle was came home for 2 weeks vacation. Kyle proposed to his girlfriend Jessi at the sundial bridge on the 22nd and she said "yes". Lots of Kyle's friends were there to help. Aunt Chrissy baked herself this year. She made tons of buttery sinful foods and scarred her arm on a hot cookie sheet. Sorry, but you have to get back on that horse and keep baking! Don't let a little 4 -inch scar slow you down! We love you and that makes it better. We saw remote family via webcam and it was very comical and chaotic. We got to see my cousin David for the first time in a long while and it was great. It was a very good family-oriented Christmas this year. - Is that snow? 12-14-08
It is! We skipped all the rain I think. It was sunny then BAM, snow. Should make for a cozy Christmas! Remember if you live in an area subject to freezing, leave a faucet on a slow drip in the house somewhere to prevent the pipes freezing. It's also that time of year where you should pay attention to chain restrictions before you travel. Here are links to Caltrans chain control map and traffic cameras. Be sure to verify the last time their information has been updated and be safe out there. - It's December already 12-01-08
It's December but it looks like August outside. Don't buy me anything please. I have more than I need already. Kyle will be back for 2 weeks of Christmas vacation. That will be nice to visit longer. I am thankful for family and wish I could see more of everyone. I love you all and wish for the tough times to be over soon. - Happy Thanksgiving! 11-27-08
Kyle made it home with the help of his aunt Chrissy! We all feasted on the 28th and bid farewell to Kyle and Chrissy on the 29th. Short but sweet. Grandma Jan and grandpa Phil made it down as well as Kyle's girlfriend Jessi. Kyle's friend Ashley ate over here as well. Plenty busy for sure! - Getting close! 11-20-08
I didn't have any money to buy ammo yesterday as I needed to save up for Thanksgiving feast! I can hardly wait!
- National Ammo Day 11-10-08
I discovered this site and thought it was pretty cool! November 19th is National Ammo Day to help support gun dealers and show your support of the right to own and bear arms. Pretty soon they're going to try and tax you for ammo. Buy 100 rounds on the 19th! - Kill them pests! 11-09-08
When the weather gets bad, the ants start to move in. I use this COMBAT gel that you can get at Home Depot for about $5 and it works great on all but the super-tiny ants. Keep your cool and don't spray poison all over, just put a little of this on an index card or something and let them feed overnight. There will be lots more bodies and less poison everywhere! - Kyle is coming home for Thanksgiving 11-06-08
Kyle gets a quick and spendy visit for Thanksgiving. He arrives in Sacramento on the 27th around 12:45. We'll have feasting on the 28th and then he departs again on the 29th out of Sacramento with a full belly and lots of love and continued support. - I voted. 11-04-08
Strange results for California and the nation. My food gets better treatment than me so far. Hopefully things get better soon! Hey, gas is cheap so go fill up. Close to $2.20 a gallon in some places. - Kyle started training today 11-03-08
Kyle is out of limbo and starts school today! Hands-on and loving it so far. For those of you tuning in late, here's what he is learniing. - Happy Halloween! 10-31-08
Finally after about a week of work on her cool costume, Meagan got to try it out on the public. She went as an arcade claw prize machine. It is very cool and everyone loved it. Some people even put money in! Had a claw arm that pivots and goes up and down, lighted coin slot, flashing timer and a cool joystick. I'll get photos up when I can. The arm broke just before we made it home, so will need repaired and photos taken. Here are shots mid-stage. Fitting Controls - Meagan's Halloween poem 10-30-08
Meagan has created a great Halloween poem and said I can share it with you
Halloween-
The holiday with thrills and chills
With zombies buried in the hills
Children dressing as workmen with tools
Ghosts, goblins, vampires and ghouls
People dressed as a kind of magician
And that guy looks like he's going fishin'
All of the candy, sweet or tart
Some are even shaped to look like a heart
Costumes with the colors blue, red and green
I'm just
sayin'...
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
- Kyle's new address 10-17-08
Kyle is settled in finally and has his new address for us:
Pvt Sousa, Kyle D
D Co 1-222 AVN REGT
1001 PLT 1
Fort Eustis, VA 23604
He's waiting for school to start and can take phone calls from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Pacific Time (6-10 p.m. his time) on weekdays and any time on weekends. - Kyle is on the bus for Fort Eustis 10-11-08
Kyle just called from the charter bus leaving Fort Jackson this morning at around 06:00 Pacific Time. He said the bus is really nice and has movies and stuff. The trip to Fort Eustis in Virginia will take about 6 hours or so. Carry on soldier! - Kyle graduated ARMY Basic Training today! 10-10-08
Way to go Kyle! We are all very proud of you. He gets more free time today and packs tonight for his departure in the morning. Next stop, Virginia. Here's a photo of him today. - Kyle gets to have his phone! 10-09-08
Kyle has his phone and can hang out all day until 8:30 his time (5:30 Pacific Time) as it it Family Visiting Day on base. He is hanging with his buddies. There is a current photo of them at the bowling alley in the photo gallery! He'll keep me posted after graduation as to his new address info. I can forward e-mails to him as text messages if you have something brief. Thanks! - Kyle Sousa graduates soon! 10-04-08
Kyle states in one of his last letters that his graduation will be on the 10th of October. We still haven't talked to him by phone since August so don't know what he'll be allowed to do after graduation. Get his phone we hope! I've been very behind on transcribing his letters. Here's September's wad. This should catch you all up.
26-Aug-08 01-Sep-08 07-Sep-08 10-Sep-08 14-Sep-08 24-Sep-08
There's a current photo of him with his beret on his page under our links section. - I'm missing the wedding! 10-04-08
Well, it figures I'd be sick on the day of Craig and Kimberly's Wedding. Started with a sore throat, now have the burning lungs with gunge in them-can't stop sneezing, can't sleep or you stop breathing bug again. I was up all night! Gidget and Meagan got to go and show their support. I wish them all the best and am glad they could go through it without me there. Here's an engagement photo of them with Max that I ripped off of the web. -
Hurricane Kyle? 09-26-08
Awfully coincidental. - Are you a no-brainer? 09-21-08
Here's an interesting and quick survey to take to see if you are left or right brain dominant. Be honest and don't re-take the test to try and change your score! There's no right or wrong answers. This not an I.Q. test. I don't know how accurate it is either with so few questions. Email me your score! I got 9 left and 6 right. Whatever! - Hard Times 09-15-08
I had a great conversation with my 11 year old, Meagan today. I said "Can you imagine what it would be like to not have a phone at all and just rely on the mail?" Her brilliant response was: "That would really suck to have to write to 911." I totally agree that would be bad. This was in light of all the people who can't stand to drive without their phones. Give us a break! If you crash into us and we're out of stamps, we're screwed! - David Foster in the news 09-08-08
Well the article I found is about a year old now but even back then you'd think they could get him a better laptop than that bulky thing! - Hurricane season is back. Look out Kyle! Not good. 09-02-08
As Gustav is pounding Louisiana and has killed 95 people, Hanna could hit anywhere from Miami to the outer banks of North Carolina according to a meteorologist from the National Hurricane Center. Here is a prediction map right over Kyle's base! - Letter from Kyle Sousa! 08-29-08
We got a new letter today. He sounds pretty perky in this one. - Fire! North Market Street and Lake Blvd 08-26-08
There is a large fire burning on both sides of North Market Street. Lake Blvd, North Market Street, Hilltop Ave, I-5 and 44 may all be affected. See latest at Redding.com and check the local traffic cams here! - Did Kyle piss off the weather gods? 08-26-08
Looks bad in boot camp for Kyle as far as the weather goes. Check out the weather map! - Craig Wood is getting married? 08-25-08
Truly the end of world must be near! This can't be. Just kidding! Congratulations to both he and Kimberly Jean Morrow on Saturday, October 4th. If you don't know where, then you must not be invited! Nah Nah! After this I probably can't go either! Pleeease don't make me miss a wedding! (I'll keep trying) - Meagan Sousa has Ducky Derby Tickets! 08-22-08
Meagan is selling Ducky Derby 2008 tickets for $5 each and is looking for your support! The entire proceeds raised by her classroom go towards a trip for her 6th grade class at Boulder Creek School. Click the link and leave your information via E-mail or call 530-242-1012. Thanks to anyone interested! Details about event and prizes here! - Letters galore from Kyle Sousa! 08-21-08
We got two new letters today. I got one and Meagan got the other one. I'm posting mine. I was right! They gassed the snot out of the boy! Fortunately he was over his illness before they made him feel like crap. Tee hee! I only laugh because I've done it too. - We get another letter from Kyle Sousa 08-18-08
We got a new letter today. Kyle's been sick! I'm sure they'll gas him anyway! - Meagan Sousa went back to school today 08-18-08
Meagan started 6th grade at Boulder Creek School. She is one of the first to attend 6th grade here as they recently expanded the campus to include 6th graders this year. The new Portable room is not quite finished yet, so they are in room 29 currently which was the old detention room last year. I don't know how Meagan would know that though. She says she was only there once for not turning in her reading passport one day! Her homeroom teacher is Nicole Brawley who teaches language arts. Her other teacher of math and science is Tina Croes. - Big King Snake by Mountain Impact 08-16-08
Meagan, Gidget and I were driving back from Sweet Spot,(a new gelato shop for those of you into that kind of thing) and I spotted a snake from the car in front of Mountain Impact. It was a large King snake that was hunting around with it's head underwater in a sprinkler box. I got close and lifted it's head up about 6 inches with a small stick and it held the pose for me. Of course I didn't have the camera with me again. Chrissy will be mad at me. Here is a picture someone else took so you can see what they look like. - Kyle Sousa ARMY letter arrives 08-13-08
We got a new letter today!!! - Kyle Sousa ARMY in-processing video arrives 08-08-08
We got a video from Kyle which tells of his first day of events. Pretty cool to see what he looks like now. - Brenna Street turns 11 today- Happy B-Day! 08-08-08
Meagan spent the night at Brenna's house to celebrate her 11th birthday. Now they are the same age until February 24th, when Meagan turns 12 and gets payback! - Waterworks Park For Free! 08-07-08
Meagan's school sponsored a free trip for students and their families to Waterworks Park from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Meagan and Meagan's friend Brenna Street, Kyle's girlfriend Jessi, Gidget and I all went and had a good time. The park was at maximum capacity for a while as there were so many people wanting in for free. They were also giving away free backpacks to the first 800 arrivals. - Mt. Shasta Visit 08-04-08
I had to do some work for a customer in Mt. Shasta and I took Meagan with me so we could see the sights afterwards. The first place we stopped was the Mt. Shasta Fish Hatchery which is the oldest fish hatchery in the Western United States. We fed plenty of trout and saw a couple of strange ones that were bright orange. I suppose they were albino and maybe changed color due to food or something. I took plenty of photos. We also got quite close to a mink who was gobbling up fish food that was spilled on the ground. After the hatchery we stopped by Cantera Loop to eat our lunch by the river and dip our feet in the freezing cold water while we relaxed. On our way back to Redding I stopped by a small creek where I knew of a family of California newts. We caught a couple and let the go again. I also caught a newt larvae which was still transparent and had it's gills on the outside of it's head. It was very quick and I thought it was a fish at first! Very cute. - Kyle Sousa's first letter arrives 08-04-08
When Meagan and I got home we found a letter from Kyle! It was dated 7-25-08 and probably mailed around 7-30-08. This means it takes about a week for mail to be processed to or from him in South Carolina. - Jan and Dennis Sousa visit "Bodies Revealed" 08-02-08
We saw the "Bodies Revealed" exhibit with all it's pieces and parts at Turtle Bay Exploration Park today. Quite fascinating to imagine how long this stuff took to create. The most interesting items to me were being able to see the actual 3 ear bones that we use for hearing and the human circulatory system all by itself in the shape of a human, suspended in water without any other body parts. I wonder how many bodies went in the scrap heap before these guys got the technique down? I also wonder how many psychos who have seen the show, have parts like these at home in their fridge? Yes, I'm sick like that! After the blood and guts, we walked through the arboretum and saw the artwork called the "Leaning Tree" which is a pretty huge and fascinating sculpture created by artist Patrick Dougherty. It was created in about 3 weeks with the help of Turtle Bay staff and community volunteers. - Kyle Sousa calls home from basic training 08-01-08
Kyle finally got to call home today around 10:00 a.m. Pacific time and check in with us for the first time since he left. He said they had a chance earlier for 2 minutes using a prepaid calling card but it took so long to dial that they were already out of time and had to get back. Today however was a nice 15 to 20 minute call. He's doing well and is about to get issued his M-16 rifle which he seems pretty excited about. He said he sent us a letter a couple of days ago so we should get that any time now. I will post the information that he will allow me. He said his graduation date from basic is supposed to be October 10th but his Advanced Individual Training reporting date is supposed to be October 6th which is a conflict. The good news is he will escape the last week of basic training, as they are going to let him leave early. The bad news is, he probably won't have time to come home and visit before shipping off to Virginia for helicopter powertrain school. For all you supporters out there, here is his address if you want to write and give him a morale boost.
Pvt Sousa, Kyle D
E1-34 INF BN
1st PLT RUFF RYDERS
Fort Jackson, SC 29207
- Meagan and Dennis Sousa go to the movies 07-30-08
We went to the dollar movie at Cinemark Movies 8 and saw the cartoon "Happy Feet". We saw this one before thankfully because the film was screwed up today! The vocal track was missing so all you could hear were sound effects and music. Really made this viewing very bad. To top things off, they never turned out the lights. I kept thinking they would get it corrected at any moment so we tried to stay, but after nearly an hour we pulled the plug and left. What a waste of 2 bucks! - I found a monster 07-30-08
I almost stepped on this huge spider in the garage in my bare feet. Now I can't sleep for fear that there are more. These guys hatch by the thousands and roam around all day. This one is quite impressive. I thought it was a cat toy at first! - California Fire Update 07-26-08
All counties are 100% contained except for Mariposa County which is currently 45% contained. Throughout Shasta and Trinity Counties 86,500 acres were destroyed along with 6 residences and 16 outbuildings. There were 51 injuries. The Shasta-Trinity Lightning Complex consisted of 158 fires. Get the fact sheet here. - Lake trip to Whiskeytown 07-23-08
Meagan Sousa, her aunt Chrissy Sousa and I all went to Brandy Creek at Whiskeytown lake and choked on the smoke. We had a good time but Chrissy complained the water was too cold. Whatever! I played on my kayak and gave tours of the nearby creek. - Meagan and Dennis Sousa go to the movies 07-22-08
We went to the dollar movie at Cinemark Movies 8 and saw the cartoon "Surf's Up". This was a really cute show with awesome graphics. We rented it on the way home so mom could see it too. Meagan nearly wore it out! - Kyle Sousa Left for ARMY basic training 07-21-08
He stayed at the Sacramento MEPS station for 2 days then woke up at 3:30 A.M. on the 23rd for his airport departure to South Carolina. He called from O'Hare International Airport in Chicago at approximately 10:00 A.M. Pacific time while he was taking a break. His next call was from The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport at approximately 2:30 P.M. Pacific time where he said the next leg would be a 4 hour bus ride to his final stop at Fort Jackson South Carolina. He said they would probably take away their phones at this point. We haven't heard anything since. I will post when we get more details. - Kyle Sousa's family dinner 07-20-08
We had a nice turkey dinner at Kyle's house with his grandpa Phil Sousa, grandma Jan Sousa, aunt Chrissy Sousa, Great aunt Joan Christian, his parents Dennis & Gidget Sousa and his sister Meagan Sousa. Was nice and filling! We played some soft darts and visited. Aunt Chrissy went North to visit her mom and dad in Mount Shasta. Kyle's girlfriend Jessi Meeks came over later and we all stayed up all night watching movies and playing Halo 3. - Kyle Sousa's public going away party 07-18-08
Kyle had lots of friends and family over for support. We grilled hot dogs, had watermelon, fruit, macaroni and potato salads, beans and wicked good buttery corn! People wished him well, signed a shirt and poster and gave him pearls of wisdom of every kind. His great aunt and uncle Lisa and Russell Sliniger visited and stayed the night. - Fire Map Data 07-07-08
Current status of the Northstate fires
Shasta/ Trinity Fire Map - Huge Belly-Dump Fire plane
Martin Mars Plane beats back the fire with the help of Shasta Lake water!
Check out the videos!