Yesterday I sat through a 5 hour conference on the software I manage and all it has to offer my job, but all I could think about was how at the end I was going to be Ricky Bobby for 8 minutes of pure speed. The anticipation of strapping myself to a steel frame of metal, that has four wheels and an engine that pushes 35mph with my butt cheeks, and other valuables only 2 inches off the ground was almost too much for me to handle. I strapped on my helmet and all the sounds of every engine running was drowned out, the only sound was of me breathing. As I left the pit and pulled out onto the track, thats when I threw it to it, and in no time I heard a new sound, it was me squealing like a teenage girl who just saw Justin Timberlake bring sexy back. Around the track I flew in my little go-kart screaming “shakeNbake baby! shakeNbake! In those 8 minutes all my worries of work went away, except the worry of flipping the kart and bursting into flames, but somehow that seemed exciting at that moment. Sure five people passed me, and I came in 2nd last, but it was a rush, and I shakeNbaked.

Well, I think it is time to share the story of why I have a special place in my heart for goats. I think I have freaked some people out by expressing my love for them, (my sister-in-law) and I may have also freaked out a few dozen farmers at Cracker Barrel, last Saturday morning with my new hat. (Thanks Jenn, it was so worth it)

When I was in 1st grade, my teacher Mrs. Wheeler would like to single me out when I misbehaved in class. Actually, I think she just liked to single me out because I was shy. She had this book called “Gregory, The Terrible Eater” and every now and again she would pull this book out and read it aloud to the class. The book is about a little boy goat named Gregory, who will only eat vegetables and real food for his meals. His parents would try and force him to eat junk food that was stored at the dump site where they lived. Things like tires, cans, and other weird items, this made him an outcast. Anyway, I grew to love that little goat, he reminded me of myself. He was shy, nervous, and lacking in confidence, but good at heart. So every time I see a goat. I am reminded of that age when I was young and shy and innocent. Every time the whole class would all laugh at me for being a goat named Gregory. Today I own a copy of that book, my beautiful wife bought it for me, and now when I read it, I see that it is a nice heart warming story. It was very therapeutic. One day my kids will get to know all about Gregory the Goat, and learn to love him too, just like I do.

Well today is one of the Greatest Days of the year! It is Saint Patrick’s day! I hope everyone has a blessed day and wears something green! I do not have my normal attire for this day anymore, but my mom was smart enough to take a picture of how I would dress for this fantastic day! I can now continue to share it with the world every March 17th!

ahhh sure I was a right nard if I do say so myself.

So yesterday, Emmett, Aidan and I were on a mission from Commander Yell, she is the next ranking officer to General Jackie. The mission was simple, release Josh the Turtle back into the wild so he could continue his Ninja Training. This morning I received a letter from Josh addressed to Emmett and Aidan, here is what he said.

Dear Master Emmett and Master Aidan,
Thanks so much for letting me go back to my home land of Little Pond Perry, I was able to meet up with some of my old Ninja buddies, and we were able to get back into our program of Ninja Training. I had gotten lost from my group sometime ago during a storm. I also had a very hard time finding a good place around your neighborhood to get my nails done. This was something I was very embarrassed about. I have now corrected this problem, and they look wonderful. Plus they feel much better. I also took a long bath because I was sitting in my own poop for sometime. Sorry about all that Commander Yell. When I get nervous, I start to poop everywhere. Anyway, I will soon be a Ninja Turtle and will be patrolling Little Perry Pond as a Ninja protector. So when you drive by there, yell me out a “hello” and you just may see me pop my head up.

Your Buddy,
Josh.

Man, this day light savings time really messed me up, but I am clocking this Limerick in still within the guidelines of an Official Birthday Day, and a personal reading will be performed via phone call once it is posted, to make up for the delay.

Emmett
I know a wii fella named Emmett
everything he does hes in it to win it!
he had a good laugh in a Florida Bath
and would do anything for his brothers in a minute.

whew…..

Uncle Greg.

I just wanted to take this moment to say a big “Thank You” to all of you who made Kelly, Jackie, and my birthday celebration such a wonderful experience. Friday night out with all of you was something that has been LONG overdue, but to have done it, and enjoyed it as much as I did really put me on a high for the rest of the weekend. I could see the love and friendship we have as brothers and sisters, and I thank God for each of you everyday, the feeling of not being alone in this world was made very clear with all of you around that table. That is a blessing I am glad to have cast upon me.

Love Greg.

p.s Jenn, we missed you.

So today is My Birthday!!!! GIddyup! I have a special treat from my sister.My sister wrote me this, and I can honestly say it brought me to tears.

Greg
You are my big brother named Greg
When I was little I used to call you egg!
You tried to scare me to death, when I was all brand new
By putting on a horrible mask and screaming BOO!

You tried to blame it on me, when you hammered nails into the walls and doors
But when my chocolate Santa melted all over the fire place,I lied and said it was yours
Remember when you tried to ride your bike and knocked down the Christmas tree?
Me and you trying to put it back together and not get caught, is in my top ten memories.

You like to talk about things like pudding, goats and UFO’S
Where you get this odd trait from, only God knows
But your stories and songs are always a hit
And unlike MacGyver you don’t need a script

When mom and dad packed us up and moved us far from home
I am glad that it was you by my side and I didn’t have to do it all alone
Cuz you make me laugh the hardest and I trust you to no end
Luke, I am glad you are my brother, but more glad that you are my friend.

Wow, its birthday time again, and as always its like a major birthday explosion. We have Kelly, Jackie, Emmett and Myself all this week. I have grown up never really having to share my birthday with anyone, but over the past 7 years, I have come into a group of people who I love dearly, and couldn’t imagine not sharing my birthday with them. So Happy Birthday to all of us, and here are some Limericks for the March 7th Babies.
Jackie
I had a pair of blue shoe tackies
this girl saw me and thought I was wacky
she makes me smile all day, and to this I must say
Happy Birthday my Dear little Jackie.

Kelly
There is a girl I know named Kelly
who just popped a baby from her belly
she named him Danny B and for this we can see
if he gets much bigger they’ll need a Bentley

Kelly and Jackie (Special Edition)
One day there was a birthday at Shakeys
Kelly was munchin on a pizza that they bakies
then with a bang, out Jackie swang
and demanded that all the meat toppings be fackies.

Here are some pictures of our trip to Indian Springs with Emmett.

So, I was thinking. (oh dear, I hear you all say). It accord to me that Superman could quite possibly be a vegetarian. The man of steel is my favorite super hero, but I just cant picture him eating an animal. It just seems like he is too good natured and gentle to kill and eat an animal. Don’t get me wrong, I love meat, and there is no way I am giving it up, but this is how I feel. Knowing my vegetarian wife as intimately as I do, I see how gentle a spirit she is. Shes my super-woman.

However, lets look at Batman, he is just a meat eating, take no prisoners, Bambi grilling, steak sauce smothering, finger licking carnivore. This is not to say he is cooler then superman, or that he is a bad guy, he just has more of an animal side to him, and is not one with the universe yet, much like most of us.

As a side note, Robin eats milk shakes, and pudding snacks, maybe a gummy bear or two.