Post Christmas Blah..... I got the best Christmas gift ever, so please pass my plug onward down the I.P pipe for two organizations

     As Christmas has wound down and things here are getting back to normal, I hope and wish everyone who stops by had a great Christmas. It was also nice to get 4 days off so I could recharge a bit. The kids had a great time. We started them off with a trip to the movies to see the Star Wars, The Force Awakened. They had no clue, we told them we were going to see the Peanuts movie, but thanks to the ticket guy, he blew it and both got real excited. It felt good to take them to the movies to see this, as I was just a bit younger when I saw the original one. If you must ask, yes JUGM and I were both carrying in the theater. There was no sign saying I couldn't and if there was, oh well, I didn't see it and if you want me to leave, I think loosing $30 in tickets is better than loosing any of my family members lives, wouldn't you think? If it is some place like Buffalo Wild Wings, they post a sign at their restaurants, but I don't have to worry because I think their food sucks anyway, so there is no need for me to go there.
      Christmas day arrives and the kids of course woke up before me. We had a great home cooked breakfast and then let the "paper flyth". ND was so excited in the moment with handing out gifts, he opened one of NW's gifts. Almost like hearing the needle on a record player getting ripped off. It was all good though, except NW rubbing it in on his little brother. They each got tablets to play on as their Kindle's are 3 years old now and barely hold a charge. I got a nice craftsman cordless combo pack with a drill and impact tool. There was one gift that hit me in the moment pretty hard and this issue is very dear to me. If you have been following me since the beginning when I started this thing called a blog, you may remember this post:

http://seniorsmess.blogspot.com/2012/09/sometimes-you-look-to-sky-and-ask-god.html 

 We had seen a story for the following organization:

 

 

http://www.mission22.com/

 

 

 

 

      I lost a dear friend and young shipmate due to suicide. As veterans know, we are a tight group of people. When we loose one, well that is too many. It effect everyone in their lives. Go check them out, if you want to buy a T-Shirt or something else, either for yourself or a loved one, please do. I plan on getting a couple of their veteran-made Tomahawk's to put on display in the new home. As you can tell from a few of my recent posts, I like Tomahawks.

    When I opened the package my shirt was in, there was a hand-written yellow sticky saying "Thank You" and a business card for another organization.

http://www.warriorsheart.com/

   
     Go check these sites out and do what you can, whether it's a cash donation, purchase a gift, plug it on your blog or website, or pass it along to a Veteran, Police, First Responder, and Civilian Warriors.

   Hope everyone has a great week.

SENIOR

CRKT WOODS CHOGAN Tomahawk update

I know it has been some time since I had my initial review of the CRKT WOODS CHOGAN Tomahawk, well since October 18th of this year. I thought I would let everyone know where I am with it. I am very pleased with the modifications I did to it. Yes, like I said, CRKT should be ashamed with the sharpness of this product, please revert back to my post on 10/18/15. I have been using it around the property quite a bit. I mostly use it for splitting 10 + yr old stove wood for the fireplace and it has no problem splitting it. After my mod's, this is what she looks like now:

     After drilling a hole in the handle for a lanyard, purchasing some good ole 3M grip tape, sorry reverting back to my youth as a skate boarder, and fishing some 550 para-cord through the hole, it has been transformed to my liken. As I said, it have been using it on some really dry pine stove wood that I start my fire's in the fireplace, so before the house was started, I had a large Red Oak tree cut down and another one trimmed up. This tree was cut down in September of this year, so of course the wood is still a bit wet. Here is the result of the tomahawk on a 5 inch diameter branch section.

   So if you are searching for a tomahawk that can be a great asset in a SHTF situation as a great tool, well with a bit of customization to your taste I would recommend this Tomahawk. I have been pleased with it since I did my mod's. Next piece of equipment I have to review is a German made stainless steel stove I have been toying around with. More to follow.

    You know, I know there are websites out there that claim they are experts on everything on survival, and beg's it's followers to vote for them on some lame ass Top 10, but when you can't even tie a ridge-line over a hammock for a rain fly and rely on others to do it for you and then when you sleep in that said hammock, you are in the 'U" shape, you lost all credibility with me. So here is my challenge to anyone that has the "entrepreneurial spirit" in the American Dream. If you have a product that you would like for me to review, please contact me. My business degree is in supply chain and operations management. All my research for my under-graduate degree was on Toyota manufacturing because they have led on quality for quite a long time, why do you think all the American auto manufacturers are finally catching on? If it wasn't for our efforts to rebuild Japan after WWII and the work of an American named, Dr. William E. Deming, we wouldn't be at Six-Sigma and ISO 9000 as we see today. What do you think is the award for highest global quality, the Deming Prize....

     If you want to send me stuff to review, I would be more than happy to do it. Please explain in detail what your expectations from the testing will be, what do you want to test as far as materials used, functionality, durability, etc. etc. Do you want me to take specific measurements?  After I am done with it, I will let the company who sent it have the choice. I can send it back or what ever is left of it in pre-paid return shipping or I can have a contest and give it away. If I like it, I will pay "Cost" for the product" Pretty simple right? No FREE-BEE's here, I know what it's like as a small business owner,  I had a successful commercial landscaping that I started from the ground up in Florida for 5 yrs. It was my short-term goal and really helped through college after retiring from a stellar 20 yr military career. I have the property to do pretty much any test, even using firearms. See, I am rural, I don't live in suburbia nor have a home owners association to deal with. Drop me a post on the blog with your email and I will get back in touch with you. Hey, if I don't hear from anyone, that's fine too. It just means I have more time for myself and my family.

    Hope everyone has a good week, stay safe, enjoy the time with family and friends and watch your 6.

Senior

Busy, busy, busy. Just a few things

Sorry for my absence as I have been busy around here. We have been in the midst of "Leaf-a-geddon" here with all the trees on the property dropping their leaves, between the Red Oaks, Hickory, and other varieties I have here, now I see why my dad cursed every fall about them. It also doesn't help that when I go to work, it's dark, and when I get home, guess what, it's dark also. Of course we have had some rain, so I have to get them piled up when I can. I also have to do this without my Wright Stander Commercial mower as I have had to replace the second spindle for the blades. I ordered a refurbished off eBay for over half the price off, and it arrives 4 days later than expected, thanks USPS.  Here is a sample of the leaves. So far to date, we have dumped 7 trailer loads in the woods, with more to follow piled up around the property.

     Thanksgiving went well as we had no family members here, which it was nice and quiet. I broke from normal, everyday thanksgiving dinner and cooked a Boston Butt on the smoker. I have slowly grown away from turkey on thanksgiving and like changing things up from the norm. Our local meat shop had a deal on Boston butt that I couldn't turn down, .89 cents a pound, so we bought 4 of them.

Going on the smoker

coming off the smoker

Light smoke ring on meat, garden grown collards and Mac and Cheese

       During my busy schedule, I have done some research on the two schools that I have been eyeing to pursue my M.B.A. The two schools I am looking at are the University of South Carolina and Winthrop College. I haven't had a chance to actually go and see the schools yet but one of my co-workers who is retired Army said that USC has a great M.B.A program for working professionals and could finish the program in about 18 months. So the jury is still out on where I will go. Theoretically, I could quit my current position, go back to school with my Post 9/11 GI Bill and focus full time as a college student and not have to deal with all the stress of a job and school and finish faster by doubling up on classes. This can easily be accomplished by using the equity in my property  The appraisal I had to do for the new house showed that after we are in, we will have $60K of equity when the new house is here, so I plan to go debt-free except for the house payment. I do plan to pay it off early too once I re-enter the workforce while making more money with a M.B.A. So here is my advise to everyone, "Don't be a fool, Stay in School". I quoted that from the movie, National Lampoons Van Wilder

      The new house is still underway, many, many inspections from the county, but you are starting to piss me off. I want to get my house finished before I turn 65. Enough said.


     We also had one loud-mouthed Jersey Giant rooster that JUGM and myself had had enough. Well here is his last picture before he was put in the freezer. He was enjoyed on our table on the 29th of November. I am sold on Jersey Giants, he was a very good meal.

     This past weekend, JUGM and her keen ability to find stuff locally found a great deal on some 55 gallon steel drums. Paid $15.00 each for them. They had a dry compound in them that a national pharmaceutical manufacture uses in their product, so I snatched up 3 of them. One for Gas, One for Diesel, and one will be a Faraday cage for electronics, just have to modify the lids for liquids. Also picked up some Barred-Rock hens as well from the son of the seller who is in 4-H. Good addition to the flock and JUGM will post something on them.

clean as a whistle

      To finish up this past weekend, I was up early Sunday morning and climbed up in the tree stand as I have started to pick up on the activity around the property. Had a Doe show up on the edge of the garden on 11/26/15 @ 0023. Then this past Friday night while walking the property, I spooked a Buck and heard him run across the garden into the woods. Then he commenced to grunting and snorting at me.

     So with my view up in the stand, I heard a total of two shots on both sides of me a mile or two away. One just after 0620 and other around 0700. I know that, yeah, you go hunting with a rifle for deer, yes you see it and shoot it, but how will that look in a survival situation? How much noise will you generate by pulling that trigger to a bunch of hungry or hostile people? I mean really, when you read postings on sites that say a hunting buddy found "5 Doe's and a Buck gathered and took a shot at the buck at a distance of 325 yards", of course you are going to miss. What was the winds and the terrain like? Obvious someone needs to do a better job of adjusting for windage and elevation, don't you think or is it a fabricated post? So as I sat there for 3 hours, here was my view. I would rather hunt in a more primitive way that is more secure and quiet than blasting away and telling the world, "Hey, here I am, come take my food from me". Better yet, I can reuse my ammo. I did get a good chance to see some birds land on the branches around me, and playing in the bushes to the right. Red-tailed Hawk flew right past me heading to the the lower woods.

The edge of the plowed garden is 50 yards, I have sights set-up for 60 yards with 70 lbs of pull. BTW, that's a 1948 IH Cub Farm-all that was my Dad's, yes it still run too.

      With this upcoming weekend,  I may take in a gun-show and do some shopping for the family. Haven't been there in awhile so I figure maybe I will treat myself to a gift fir myself and find the right upper to finish the AR build that I haven't finished. Wish me luck.

Senior

Odd and Ends, The cultural decline in Europe leading to Islamic Transformation, and I would be in jail, Why not Hillary.

    Been a bit since I have posted something. Work has been busy and time with the kids are pretty much reserved for the weekend. Last weekend, me and the boys made more Char-Cloth tins. In my days in the military, I had numerous polish tins in my box along with rags and brushes. I found a few tins for us to use. I had a larger WET-PRUF tin from KIWI that had dried up and took is all out and made mine, I still had one that was good to go.

     Dad had a large roll of cotton cloth under the car port and he used it for rags around the house. It was of the same texture and quality you find in most T-Shirts today. I proceeded to cut a large piece off and use that for my char-cloth.

    With the cloth all cut and ready to go, it was packed into the tin and placed in the fire.

And when it was all done

I used the regular tins for the boys, a white and brown shoe polish tin for each of them. We had to do ND's tin twice as he stuffed the cloth in and didn't get is closed enough and the top blew off in the fire.

     To change subjects now, I remember viewing this video a few years ago and with all the migration of Islamic people into Europe today, I can relate to this video that was posted over 4 years. Now, sit back and realize how liberal polices in Europe have caused their own demise. This is coming to our shores, so get ready.

    As my Military career involved me being exposed to material at different classification levels up to and beyond TS/SCI, with NOFORN, 4EYES and Etc including COMSEC, so if I was to compromise classified material like Walker did many years ago with communicating with the Russians or me coping classified material from the SIPRNET and send over NIPRNET, , I would have my own cell at Fort Leavenworth, KS. So how the hell does Hillary Clinton figure not to go to jail. That bitch needs to be under the jail. All you people who love Hillary need to wake up and see the GRAVE danger she has done to our national security. I will leave all the comments up to you all.

Senior.

The past week, had a few things to do like preps, tomahawk review, day trip to the mountains, and setting up tree stand.

    The past week has been busy with work and other stuff. Since last Monday, when I had a day off with Columbus Day, JUGM and I did a few things that day to add to our preps. JUGM found a person locally that was selling some 55 gallon plastic drums and 15 gallon buckets. Drums were $12 a piece and 15 gallon buckets were $5 each so I managed to get 2 drums and 4 buckets, y'all do the math. I really like the lids and handles on these buckets. The drums had soybean oil in them and with 3 squirts of Dawn Commercial concentrated and filling them 1/4 full, I had the kids roll them around the yard and flipping them end over end to get all the oil out of them. I opened up both bung holes and flushed all the suds out and they are clean as a whistle. I will be purchasing more in the near future as after asking some question from the seller, his wife works at a local business that makes pharmaceutical products. Yes, we also canned 10 quarts of potatoes which she had showed us running two canner's at the same time on the new two burner propane set-up on her blog.

   BTW, he also has pre-plumbed 100 gallon starter tanks for starting my catfish aquapontics in the spring. The local feed store starts taking orders for fingerling's in march from the local fish hatchery. Yes, I will be diving in during the spring along with raising goats for food and selling.

      Since my last post, I have received my new CRKT WOODS CHOGAN Tomahawk and have had a chance to compare it to my SOG Fusion Tomahawk. Yes, if you saw the pictures from my last post, there are differences in them.

     I really like it, but there are some issues I have with it, so let me start. First and foremost, CRKT, you should be ashamed of yourselves for producing a DULL-ASS Tomahawk. I mean, this thing couldn't even cut a piece of my kids notebook paper when I received it. Every CRKT knife I have bought out-of-the-box was able to shave the hair of my arm, so what happened with introducing this product? Secondly, I really think you put too much clear lacquer finish on the handle. There is a good size blob of it under the wooden handle which to me makes the handle very slippery in a dry condition, would hate to see how it is wet. Third, where is a lanyard hole to add a para-cord lanyard?
    So what have I done with it so far. I have since sharpened it with a metal file and sharpening stone. I have drilled a hole in the handle to attach a lanyard. I will be sanding the handle down to remove the lacquer and added some kind of abrasive, maybe some grip tape found on a skate boards so I can grip the thing. Using the Tomahawk for tasks associated with a survival situation, it does the job. It will chop through stuff with ease, after you sharpen it up. It is heavier than the SOG Fusion Tomahawk so it does add more force. Do I feel it would be a good weapon for a hand-to-hand combat situation, YES, but as far as throwing it, I would be afraid the handle would break. If you need a tool/weapon that is good for setting up camp or driving in tent stakes for your Hennessey Hammock or tent, it will do the job, the SOG Fusion will not be the best option for you.

    Here I did some stump chopping on a tree I had recently cut down that was unsafe and the stump is still real wet. I would have cut it down but, this tree was one that should have been left to someone with insurance. Yeah, it had to be laid down precisely. It was a tall Red Oak that was rotten up to 5 foot in the trunk and leaning toward a power line, so you do the math.....

    This is why I like my SOG Tomahawk. When I carry it around the property, I do this all over the place for practice. When thrown just right, it will make a nice whistling sound going through the air. My youngest ND was behind the camera. Listen to his reaction. GOD, I love being a Dad to kids who love nature and the wild.

    As I had mentioned in the title, we all got up early this morning and headed to Boone, NC. JUGM wanted to see the leaves turning and I wanted to make a visit to my stepfathers' grave as he was a very important part of my life and taught me a lot of life-lessons on being a man. My half brother and I also placed my mom's ashes on his grave as he was the true-love of her life and she always missed him. He also served in the Army during the Korean War, so yes, I had to pay my respect to him.

    After we go back, I took the time to set-up my tree stand above the garden in my eager anticipation of bagging some deer in my garden with the bow. I have spotted some rather large tracks through the garden, specifically around the green beans which we have pulled up on this Saturday as they had nipped the tops off them. As you see, there are a few okra plants left which the leaves have been picked on by the deer and also they have really slowed down on their production as the weather is changing and some collards. Cant do this in a home owners association community.......

  Since I have had a long day, I will sign off for the night. Take care everyone, and keep on preparing for the worst.

Senior
    

Well the sun still hasn't come back, What is the Captain thinking and some prepping.

    Most of you have seen on the news of the large amounts of rain the state of South Carolina has received. We have been fortunate that the only rain we received has been on Friday afternoon through Saturday mid afternoon. We have had a good bit of wind here with only some small branches and a bunch of green leaves on the yard. Forecast is for the rain to return tonight as it pivots up from Charleston and Columbia and heads on out of here. Columbia and Charleston has sustained some damage. JUGM called her aunt in Folly Beach this morning and the bottom level of her place took on water and she lost some stuff that meant a lot to her. Columbia had roads washing out, several of the Interstates are closed at certain mile markers. Fort Jackson had a dam break for one of it's lakes. It should be an interesting day tomorrow at work when I see who all shows up or not. They say we are going to have nothing but sunshine all next week. I really hope so, this state needs it.

     Hurricane Joaquin has done some serious damage in and around the Bahama's and Turks and Caicos. You cannot, and I repeat cannot under-estimate these storms, especially as a Mariner. If you have been following this story, I know people in Jacksonville are, there is a search on right now for the M/V El Faro. It set sail I believe on Tuesday from Blount Island which is the large marine terminal in Jacksonville en route to Puerto Rico. Here is a picture of it.

     It was on route that I have taken many times en route to the eastern Caribbean. There are a lot of questions being asked right now of why they went into the storm, specifically the northeast side which is the worst side to be on? Why didn't they alter their course and go farther out to sea? Why didn't they delay their voyage until the storm had past. Why hasn't an EPIRB signal been picked up? Yes, this ship is almost 800 ft long, but it will still get tossed around. I have been in some really high seas before on much smaller ships and know what that's like, and we had fin stabilizers and still told to stay in our racks unless you had to go on watch.
     Ever since Hugo hit Charleston, the Navy will sortie all ships from either Mayport or NOB and send us to sea to avoid damage pier side if there is a projection of possible land fall near a naval base. Most of the time we sortied it was not warranted, but you never know what these things will do. All I or we all can do is say a prayer for these sailors and their families and hope they all are found safe.

    Saturday we didn't do much. We all enjoyed a much needed sleep in then we ventured out in the rain. Went to Cabelas, again and walked around. This day, there was no .22LR worth buying. Not buying that high priced Match stuff. After we left we went and had a early dinner at one of the best seafood places around this area, Steve's Seafood. I stress early, because you can experience a very long wait to get in there to eat.
     Today, we ventured out again. I had to fill my tank up before heading to work tomorrow. We decided to stop by ALDI and do a bit of shopping. If you have an ALDI near you, then you know they have some good prices on some things. We picked up a case of Lima Beans, Black Eyed peas, and some whole potatoes.

    Picked up some more pasta. 2 lbs was $1.45

    I couldn't resist on picking up a few more Hams too.

  
      Well hopefully this next week, I will be able to get some real canning done with some potatoes on the new dual burner stove I bought. Also, I have always had a interest in the classic primitive weapons, such as the Tomahawk. I already have a SOG Tomahawk and have it for quite a few years and I really like it. It's very easy to throw and stick it into trees.

    I got and email last week from a crusty old fart/friend who gave me a head's up on a new Tomahawk from CRKT. I checked it out and it caught my eye. Yes, my SOG is good, but I feel this one from CRKT would be more practical as a survival tool versus more as weapon. Here is a file photo of it, since its on its way to me.

    Well I hope everyone has a better week. Stay safe out there.

Senior

When will we ever see the Sun again?

    Just wanted to throw some updates out there, since I have gotten busy again. Went to that Amateur Radio club I mentioned in a previous post and sat in on their meeting, of course most of the people are of the older than me crowd but that's fine. They gave out some good information specifically what I need to concentrate on since I so have experience in radio, and of course it was all the schematics of the equipment and policy. I even got a really good study guide they hand out. I have been studying so when I feel I am ready, I will go take the exam.

     This past weekend was OK, wasn't perfect. I know here in SC, we need the rain, but damn can we get at least one day of the weekend to get out and do some stuff around the house. Well that didn't happen. Saturday, we set out to our local Cabelas. I have been eyeing a new two burner propane camp stove. They had the one I wanted for a cool $99.99 and it has a stand too. My old single burner finally died at the old age of 16 yrs old.
    I have been wanting a multiple burner mostly for canning. Before all the rain set in, we had been getting 3/4 of a 5 gallon bucket of green beans every 2-3 days. Here is JUGM sitting on her wheeled bench picking. I would much rather can outside than inside. At least this way, if something goes wrong, well let it blow. I also couldn't pass up another chance to get another brick of Federal Champion .22LR ammo. I also bought the boys their own Daisy Slingshots, and no they haven't shot themselves or busted any windows, yet.....

    Sunday, the weather didn't help me any better with getting over this sinus infection I have been dealing with. Leave it to me to get out yesterday in the rain and drizzle and cook some swine on the smoker. I also got plenty of time to watch football pretty much all day Sunday too. That is also fresh Okra from the garden too.

     Well other than that, not much else going on. House is underway and we just added a couple more days to the already delayed construction. Have a good week everyone. 

Senior
   

Cat 3 CASREP, House underway, and I am questioned on my loyalty and called a betrayer

      Well here we are, we all have made it to Thursday, September 10. Tomorrow is the 14th anniversary of the attack of 9/11/01. Please take a moment to pause and reflect on that devious day in our history and stay vigilant. I have experienced a CAT 3 CASREP.  I take good care of myself, and I have a well developed immune system and have not been sick for about 3 years even with Flu shots, but it happened. I ended up picking up a sinus infection. It started on Monday and thought it was allergies, but by Wednesday morning, I was awake at 0300 with three vises around my head compressing down. Well by 4:30, I called the after hours work number and let them know, I was not coming in. As of right now, I am still stopped up, been popping Mucinex like tic-tac's and its working and I am getting some relief.
       Since I took the day off Wednesday, I didn't wake up till around 1000, I was able to be here when they started digging the foundation of our new home. After four hours of digging with the Bobcat excavator, they had it done. Today they poured 30 yards of rock in the ground.  During the dig, we ended up with a nice souvenir, this will be a decoration in the front yard as visitors come to the house. We also have three other large white flint rocks that we intend on moving around for more decoration

There was a larger rock next to it in the ground, but since it was below the grade, they left it and poured over 2 yards of concrete in the hole. Hopefully Monday, they will be back with the masons and continue on with the foundation and pillars.

     Well it was brought to my attention that someone who has a website went on a rant about me and some others, and no Randall, it was not you this time. You have been good and I say thank you for being good. You are doing your rants on the VA and please, do your part to fix it. This person wants to call me out on my loyalty and label me as a betrayer. REALLY? That's all you can come up with? Listen, you have this group here in the upstate of SC, and you label me this after half of your group has left in the past year and a half? Maybe you should do a operational analysis of what is causing people to leave. Betrayal, nah that's not the case, it conduct unbecoming on your part and having someone who has been in more experienced groups wining over the confidence of other members, I have 5 times more experience than you do with being in a group in Fl for over 12 years. Also, by the way, your welcome for all the ideas and material I brought to your group. Its a shame that the others aren't seeing how you really are. They leave, they will be the next one's you call out.

     Now lets get onto the Loyalty comment. Ok, I got a 4 step process you need to go through then you have the credibility to criticize me on this subject:

#1     Go to a military recruiting office and sign up for one of the armed services. Hell, I will even include the Coast Guard as a option.
#2     Proceed to a MEPS station, and since you never served in the military, it stands for a Military Entrance Processing Station, and say the OATH OF ENLISTMENT or COMMISSION.
#3     Deploy to other countries or theater of operations and spend extensive amounts of time away from your family.

         * Underway and away from your wife for over 300 days in a one year period
         * Spending two weeks with your first born before having to leave
         * Spending one week with your second born before having to leave.

#4     Put on a damn uniform, get issued a weapon and stand a fucking post!!!

    See you don't realize what loyalty is, you haven't served with thousands of fellow sailors, soldiers, marines and airmen throughout a 20 year full time military career. You haven't been on the bow of a ship escorting ships through mine danger areas (MDA) in the Persian Gulf during a war strapped into a harness looking for mines as your going 7 knots through the water, knowing if you don't find one and it hits the bow, your ass is blown sky high and jeopardize the watertight integrity of a ship, and countless lives lost below decks.

      You also haven't served in positions that require you to have the tactical expertise to stand in positions above and beyond a pay grade. Explain to me how a Chief Operations Specialist is qualified as a Tactical Action Officer on a naval ship when this position is usually reserved for second tour department head officers, usually between O3-O4 and had weapons release authority by the Commanding Officer to defend the ship, yes defend over 275 lives. I think you need to go back and look at an email you sent to me on April 17th, 2015 from a contributor to your site, and I quote:

"Tell Senior I had once led a project that used the combined skills of a hand picked group of Seabees, all senior chiefs at the top of their profession. I eventually was invited down Pascagoula way for one of their ceremonies. An high honor that I shall always cherish. His skills are a decided advantage for your group."

     Let's put this out there, you need do some real soul searching, and realize what you are doing sitting behind you keyboard and your cell phone instead of voicing your concern face to face. You expect me to trust someone coming into a group after only meeting them for 2.5 hours? Really, then you have fits about not getting your way and going on rants, completely ignore my wife and only say two words to her "Cheap Ammo" and then don't shake my hand after leaving our last meeting. I'm sure you will get word of this and frankly, I don't care, really I don't. You can fix this to an extent, you need to figure it out, that's up to you...........

Senior

 

Where has the past year gone????

    Here we are, its been over one year since we made the move to SC and what a test of patience and discipline we have endured. As most of you may have known, I experienced the job hunting nightmare that many Americans faced under the Obama economy. It was well over 6 months after moving up here that I found a job here in SC with the USPS, and let me tell you this, what a fucked-up organization. They cant even hire people with benefits because of the career postal employees sucking up all the money, yes I was a Postal Support Employee (PSE) as a Mail clerk. The five weeks I was there, I did more than the other two mail clerks who had been there for a combined 45 years. What a shame that this great American institution has been destroyed by the Postal Workers Union. I tell you, I was glad the day I got the call. This call was what I was looking for. My current place of employment is so much better and I take great enjoyment in who I serve and talk to on a daily basis, except the drive I make everyday.
    
     So with the stress myself and my family endured, we had additional stress with one modular home contract falling through because the VA now appraises modular home the same as mobile homes. So when the appraisal came back, it was $20,000 short of what the appraisal was, so let's say I am not coming out of pocket for that. I had the money, but no doing it. JUGM and I regrouped and found a custom home builder that was actually cheaper than a modular home with what we wanted in a house. STAY AWAY FROM MODULAR HOMES, banks are starting to shy away from them. Got pre-approved and had the ball rolling until another road block popped up, a property owner who had a wife who was resistant on us getting a easement document signed by her husband who was the actual property owner. What he didn't realize was the property he had bought was a tract that my grand-father once owned. Also, my father had been using the easement for over 43 years, which the statue of limitation for easement use in SC is 20 yrs, well he had that doubled. I had been using the easement for over 28 yrs and JUGM has been using it for 20 years.
    
     Well we went to our family attorney here in town and he told JUGM that he couldn't help us because he was the closing attorney for the other property, but we did get a one hour free consultation from him and he said he would send him a letter. Well, by god he did as it was hand delivered. He basically told the property owner that you better sign the document because you are about to be lit up with a lawsuit, which you will loose and if they seek damages, this is something you don't want to spend money on. I was so pissed off, I had it already in my head to do a counter suit seeking no less than $500,000. Well after a month of multiple attempts from myself and JUGM and using all available means to show a judge our attempts, we finally got the document signed, but now we are a month behind schedule. I still have something up my sleeve for those MF's. More to follow.
   
     This past Saturday, the family I took of for a day together. We went to our new Cabelas and did some browsing. I managed to pick up a 500 round brick of Federal Champion .22lr. My Ruger 10/22 is smiling. Ask Stephen and Duke, that's all I shot through my 10/22.

     Next, we went to a REI located in a town near us. We are making another addition to the Hennessy Hammock Family, yes JUGM is getting her own hammock. If you get one, order it straight from them, you get extra stuff with it. These Back Diamond caribiners and omega rappelling rings make set-up so much easier. If it comes to the day that we have to bug out, we all can light weight and leave a minimal foot print in our travel.

 One of the good things we have up here is a very large garden. Saturday night we had some of our harvest from the spring garden.

Fresh green bans and fried okra

    Today, our neighbor came up to visit. This neighbor has done so much for me and his best friend, my dad over the years, we gave him 5 dozen eggs for him and his family. While he was here, he was able to watch me and NW do a review of the Survival Bush craft cook set. I was happy with the construction as it is made in Germany, but I do have issues with it. I purchased the smaller version and now I wish I had purchased the large version. It does the job with using twigs and pine cones for fuel, but I find the air flow to the tinder a bit to constrictive and the effort to boil water did have some human intervention. I will probably purchase the larger one and give it a try. I felt it took too long to boil water. See, when you actually purchase products to try out, you can be honest about their functionality without the bias of a company sending it to you and kissing their ass. There are to many sites out there that do this. 

   Well it is getting along into the night, I have to do my rounds of the property before heading off to bed. I know that I sit at a computer for 8 hours a day and the last thing I want to do is jump on and add to my keystrokes for the day, but I will make a honest attempt to let everyone know how things are going. Next up on my plate, going to my first amateur radio club meeting this week. With my extensive background using every available communication the U.S.Navy has to offer, I feel it should take me no time to get my technician license. Harry, Matt, Kymber, get ready because I will be talking your ears off.

Senior
    

Odds and ends. Request from a friend.

    Things are slowing down a bit here. As most of you know, my boys and baseball are an important part of my life, and the bond that we have is real strong. I must say I am very very proud of NW and ND this year as JUGM has reported earlier, the boy's team had an undefeated season, made it through to the county championship game, but one error changed the outcome and they ended up finishing 2nd. I will say neither NW or ND made the error. NW was fortunate enough to make the county All-Star team as catcher. ND didn't make it and it was not because of his effort or skill, see ND is 8 and playing on a 9-10 yr old division team. We had to explain to him that he didn't make it because of the cheating little league team from Illinois has caused a serious crack down on age and local rules. Go figure, someone from Illinois cheating.......

     The garden is going great, although the weeds are out of control and we are letting it go as we have our crops for the fall garden in seed starters and as soon as the corn is all picked, I will be down there tilling it up with the tractor. So far we have picked corn twice so far and have almost 90 ears of corn, and we haven't gotten through a quarter of the corn. Also we have been in kind of a drought here and I have drawn up a irrigation system for the rows and cant wait to start the construction.

    Been following world events lately? I suggest everyone pay attention to what is going on in Greece and come up with your own lessons-learned when their financial collapse happens. I still am trying to figure out what Greece actually produces besides a dependent nanny-state.

    Work has been going good as I have been fully trained up and had my first 90 performance appraisal this week and as normal, I was rated excellent and above my peers with several at-a-boy's from two other departments.

    I received a request from a friend I met last fathers day when I went to a firearms training course up in NC. He administers the site                          and was solicited by a group in his area to advertise and put the word out about a networking opportunity with other like minded people to share world and intellectual thoughts about current events, prepping, and all that other stuff. Here is the link to meetup.com page.





    Well I just wanted to get on here and say, Hey, I'm still vertical and breathing. Now I must go as today is NW's 10th birthday. He will be excited for his big-boy gift.

Senior


   

Enjoying Spring Break with the Boys

    Sorry for the lack of posts this past week, I have been enjoying some down time with the boys as this is the first time ever I have been able to share their spring break with them, glad I'm not one of those types who sit behind a computer and sell their pity for a dime while begging for sympathy from followers. So with hours waining away before they head back to school, we are taking in the opening day game on the couch with the Chicago Cubs hosting the St Louis Cardinals. Its great when you have kids that have something to do with you.

Senior

What do you do when SHTF and you live in a trailer park community in the desert?

     What do you do when SHTF and you live in a trailer park community in the desert? Please, I would like everyone to chime in on what you would do to get out. Like that camper will help you any....

Senior

Our "Mom-Jeans" president

    Saw this on the net, thought I would share.

Senior

Still here, busy working and in the garden

    I'm still here, just been busy with work as of late, 8 plus hours a day for 6 days a week , you don't have much time for much of anything. Also have been in the garden turning the soil, tilling and plowing in preparation for the spring garden. It's not like I have the time to troll blogs while sitting in my "Whitey Tighties" popping Vicodin and chasing it with alcohol wishing I was at a casino blowing all my money and being pissed off at the world because I'm a senior citizen and somebody doesn't agree with me. Yes, you guessed it, you know who is at it again. He posted to one of my posts, matter of fact, it was a tag along post to what Jim over at "Nobody Asked Me" had posted about Veterans committing suicide. Yes, I have personal experience as a shipmate took his life at a very young age.
    This person posted a comment bringing up something that happened two years ago, yes two years ago, saying I don't care about disabled veterans and all I do is bash them. Honestly, I haven't even thought of this guy for that long 2 year and why should I, so I will answer his question. I will give him his little 1 second of time on my blog. I DO NOT CARE ABOUT YOU AND WHY SHOULD I? I don't bash disabled veterans, I just bash you and you earned it. Every bit of your"FUCKING" misery you have experienced is caused by your own doing. There, I said it, am I crystal clear Randall? Now, I specifically note one blogger in the past that mentioned to you to put a bullet in your mouth, going to blame that one on me too? Well there is his little bit of attention that he so craves, almost like a little puppy.
    Well on to better things, I will be leaving my current job at the end of the week to a salaried position. Also, baseball is about to start, both boys are on the same team. Life is good. I am still adding on to my range here. I think another 60 yards will finish the job, for now. Have a great rest of your week.

Senior
    

It's pretty obvious now......

    It's pretty obvious now, the POTUS doesn't not want to leave office in two years. Let's see, illegal immigration is a cluster F&%K, now he is wanting to ban M855 and SB15 braces with help of his BATFE. Listen, I was shooting my AR pistol from the cheek and shoulder without the damn brace so ban it, I don't care, it doesn't kick at all. FCC is now playing with Internet control and then the rumors about doing roundups of conservative journalists and 3am calls to citizens, WTF ever!! So ATTENTION everyone, you must now recognize and hail your new king, KING OBAMA!!! I will put a copy of the lyrics under the video. Can you tell I am being sarcastic?

**Warning** This music video has guys with long hair, tattoos, and hard metal guitar riffs, so I will not be held responsible for hearing loss or retina detachment 

Senior

 

"Hail To The King"

Watch your tongue or have it cut from your head
Save your life by keeping whispers unsaid
Children roam the streets, now orphans of war
Bodies hanging in the streets to adore

Royal flames will carve a path in chaos,
Bringing daylight to the night
Death is riding into town with armor,
They've come to take all your rights

Hail to the king, hail to the one
Kneel to the crown, stand in the sun
Hail to the king

Hail!
Hail!
Hail!
The King...

Blood is spilt while holding keys to the throne
Born again, but it's too late to atone
No mercy from the edge of the blade
Dare escape and learn the price to be paid

Let the water flow with shades of red now
Arrows black out all the light (light)
Death is riding into town with armor,
They've come to grant you your rights

Hail to the king, hail to the one
Kneel to the crown, stand in the sun
Hail to the king

Hail!
Hail!
Hail!
The King...

[Solo]

There's a taste of fear (hail, hail, hail)
When the henchmen call (hail, hail, hail)
Iron fist to tame the land (hail, hail, hail)
Iron fist to claim it all

Hail to the king, hail to the one
Kneel to the crown, stand in the sun

Hail to the king, hail to the one
Kneel to the crown, stand in the sun
Hail to the king!

Hail!
Hail!
Hail!

VETERANS!!!!

    I'm sorry for the lack of posts, I have started a new job and work 8 hours plus a day 6 of the 7 days in the week. If many of you know, I take all VETERAN matters very serious. I come from a family that has had a long standing duty to defend "Old Glory", myself career Navy, Father was Air Force during entire Korean war conflict, uncle who did three tours in Vietnam with the Corps, and wanted a fourth but they wouldn't let the crazy MF'r go back, another uncle was career Air Force, and another who was Army.  Jim, aka, Old NFO and a shipmate, posted on his bog "Nobody asked me" about suicide awareness amongst veterans. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH OUR VETERANS AND IT NEEDS TO STOP!!!! I will re-post an entry I made on my blog September 21st, 2012. I had a young sailor, a close friend, who lived close to me, and hung out with me, he was a nuclear Machinist Mate First Class who was attached to a Ohio Class Ballistic Missile submarine in Kings Bay, Ga. one afternoon, he came back in the community, went in his house, and committed suicide in the early afternoon. I ask all of you, if you know a ANYONE, and I mean ANYONE, VETERAN or NOT, who is going through tough times, acting strange, or showing possible signs, please, IMI, PLEASE INTERVENE IMMEDIATELY!!!

Senior

http://seniorsmess.blogspot.com/2012/09/sometimes-you-look-to-sky-and-ask-god.html

Veterans Administration, State Veterans Service Offices, Private Companies, GET OFF YOUR ASS AND HIRE VETERANS!!!!!!!!!!!!

     I know my last post left some people wondering what the hell am I doing, well I am waiting on things to fall in place and information to come in, but I think I have found my new calling in life.

Just like the title says, Veterans Administration, State Veterans Service Offices, (Attn: Nikki Haley), and private companies, quit the discrimination against veterans and HIRE THEM!!!!!!! More to follow.

Senior

Been in a rut while making a nuclear bomb

     Sorry to everyone, I know it has been quite awhile since I have done a post. I apologize, since my better half JUGM has been posting of some of the things going on around here so I thought I would chime in and let you know that I am still and plan on being vertical and breathing. I have been in a bit of a depressive rut, and no, I am not thinking of doing something bad to myself, OK!!!, mostly on the job front and laughing at the dumb asses that think the unemployment rate is a low 5.6% when it is more like 23-26%, so before I go any further, I want to make something perfectly clear. I AM NOT MAKING AN ACTUAL NUCLEAR BOMB! I am making a nuclear bomb in the literal sense, and that doesn't mean that I'm going to rub the side of a lamp and have a Genie come out and grant me a wish of 1 Million bucks, although I would be able to stock my freezer and a few others up with some good Venison. Got to love the GEICO commercials.

    I would like to describe in great detail of this journey, but I don't want to elaborate to much right now, but I am about to create a "SHIT-STORM" at the VA and possibly another high ranking official in SC. I want this to take its course before "ALL HELL" breaks loose. One thing I request from anyone and everyone who stops by for my random thoughts about life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. When that "SHIT-STORM" is released, I ask for widest dissemination to everyone you know, whether is in person, online, or whatever.

    If you ever were in the real Navy, you should know that you don't ever piss off a Chief.

Senior