Learning to fall

October 1 2011
It was cold this morning as Marcia and I started out to Ottawa Illinois to skydive for the first time.
We Arrived at the airport before it was open, The sun was shining and the air was clear. We had to watch a video about the risks of skydiving which border-lined on satire. The main speaker looked as though he was in disguise. Our group gathered we numbered about 16 with one passenger on the plane and my cousin Jim choosing to remain on the ground taking pictures instead of jumping from a perfectly good airplane.
We were given suits to jump in according to weight was the color of the suit. I started calling us power-rangers.
Our time arrived to board the plane and we taxied out and immediately took to the skies. We got to 13000 ft. and since I was the biggest jumper (at 225 lbs.) I was nearest to the door and was to be the first one out.
Skydiving rules are for the first 10 jumps you must go tandem. As I walked on my knees to the door I was able to look out and see how high 13000 ft really is. The view was spectacular to understate it. Told to go. I just without hesitation rolled right out the door we immediately was hit with this rush of cold air which we were told was 28 degrees. I don't recall ever feeling cold. Adrenaline pumping falling at 120 miles an hour what a thrill.
Looking around what a sight. After 1 minute of free-fall the chute is release, the initial jolt you feel is the chute opening and beginning to slow you down. The instructors are great and I think they could land us in a bucket if they had to. Coming in to land I thought we were coming down pretty fast and since I was taller that my instructor I had to lift my feet and land sitting down. At the last minute he pulls the chute controls and almost brings us to a stop in mid air. We landed so soft it was like sitting in a chair. Talk about a thrill. We decided that this was not to be crossed off the bucket list just yet and when we got home the next week we signed up to jump again. This time in the summer and not at 28 degrees. I loved it. Sharing this with the others made it all the better.

Mission accomplished

Group Picture

Trish & Rachel

They made me wear the hat

Coming in to land

God Hates You? ......Does he hate me too?

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that a grieving father's pain over mocking protests at his Marine son's funeral must yield to First Amendment protections for free speech.

This was the opening sentence of the news article I read today. As I read on, these so called followers of a man who calls himself "Reverend" Fred Phelps had demonstrated at a funeral of a fallen solider with picket signs and chanting "God Hates you...Thank God for dead soldiers....God sent the killer. I thought to myself how could this possibly serve God. All around the world people are killing one another in the name of their god. I sure wish I could be there when they meet their god. I don't think their god exists. Now as I have been brought to believe as a christian that my God hates no one. As he may hate the sin he loves the sinner. Loved us so much that he was willing to die for us. That is the God I know. This man had not only lost his son in Iraq but had to bury him amongst the protesting of these hate filled people. There are so many extremists in the world that are willing to kill as many people that they can in the name of their god. Now I have to admit that I don't have all the answers BUT  I will never believe for a moment that God want us to kill. When did he change his 8th commandment?
Having said that, we do kill and we may feel justified in killing but it doesn't mean that God approves. I have sins in my past and will have sins in my future. I hope somehow some of these spiritual leaders sins come to light.I will not cram my beliefs down anybody's throat. You can believe what you want but DO NOT try to force me to YOUR beliefs. We should allow people to believe whatever they want but also keep them to themselves. Do not parade them or flaunt them in any way that offends ME. I don't go demanding that you accept me. However that being said, logically shouldn't those who think we should show tolerance to everyone have to tolerate my intolerance? The supreme court sided with this group citing their 1st amendment rights to free speech. It wouldn't surprise me in the near future that someone knowing that 2 is more than 1 uses their 2nd amendment rights on this group. I will keep my beliefs to myself then but I just may smile.  Or maybe go protest.

Time Evolves Us.... Happy Birthday Marty

The past year has been an enlightening experience. I have met up with old friends that I haven't seen in years, Met new people, Moved along one more year in age which makes you think and/or appreciate the life around you. However I would have to admit the biggest impact on my life this past year was the loss of one of those people who impacted your life in ways beyond what you dreamed people could. Marty Ahrnes was one of those people. It has been 3 months since Marty has left us on November 14th 2010. Time keeps moving along whether we are aware or not. I had the pleasure to spend quite some time Marty last year and I wish I didn't take some of that time for granted. What I became aware of lately, is during this time last year we were spending so much time out of Friendship, Compassion, and Love for him we never gave too much thought of the future. If you would have asked me then, I do think I would have talked about the possibility of Marty passing but, I may have talked about recovery and/or long term convalescing. As it happened Marty did pass and our time was then looking at the immediate need to do whatever was asked in the arrangements that had to be made for his memorial service. Being surrounded by those who loved him was actually quite comforting. Now that some time has gone by, you are hit like a big truck by the void that is in your life. Sometimes just sitting alone I wonder what I should do with the extra time, that is when I miss him the most. Fortunately, I have been able to spend time between work and getting involved with his family. I enjoy talking to the girls and doing some things around their house. This is therapy for me. I just wish it were easier to do more. Nothing would make me happier that to see his family happy and taken care of. (Marty I will keep my promise) The other day we were able to get together with his mother and spending some time with her in a different setting was nice. Having her tell us know how much she appreciated what we had done, even though I didn't think I was sacrificing anything being with Marty. I did it because he was my friend. I hope in the future I can only do more. Lately I have been trying to get in better shape to go hiking on the Appalachian trail this June. Exercising regularly, as of today I have dropped 70 plus lbs. This hike trip came about because this was something I was told Marty always wanted to do, so in retrospect I have Marty to thank for the more fit me. In two weeks (February 28) it would have been his 49th birthday. So Happy Birthday my friend, you ARE truly missed.

Thanksgiving Thankfulness? For what?

What is there to be thankful for? The economy is still in the toilet. There are people unemployed, we continue to be involved in wars across the world, and the government wants to raise or taxes still spending recklessly.
 
 Well let me think. This year has been a challenge yes? I have been to funerals for three friends that were my age or younger. That makes me aware of my own mortality and that no one is promised tomorrow so I am thankful that I wake with a breath in my lungs each morning.

I am thankful for a wife (Marcia) that continues to stand by my side even when I am being me. I am thankful for my two sons (Marc & Filip) that at times drive me to a boiling point that I can hug and hold each day. I cannot imagine the pain some friends go thru during these holidays with a void in the their hearts and lives. I am grateful that I still have a Mother (Mom) that I can talk to thru the internet and phone. I give thanks for the memories of my dad (Phil) whom I still miss. I give thanks for a sister (Diane) that I love and a brother (Jim) that I need to be closer to. I give thanks for my brother-in-law (Wayne) who is more like a brother than in-law. I give thanks that Marcia's sister (Linda) and nephew (AJ) can spend this day with us. I am thankful for all my in-laws (If I tried naming them I'd be here till next Thanksgiving) out west, wish they or we could visit more often. I give thanks for all my cousins, nieces, & nephews who I cherish as family.
I give thanks for all the friends I have (yes I believe I do have friends)  and too all the old friends that I reconnected with this year on facebook (and for them putting up with my nonsense posts).
I give thanks that I currently have a job to support my family.

I give thank to the soldiers that are risking their lives trying to make us (me) safer in this world. I give thanks to all those that served our country before  and will continue to personally thank them when I see them on the street. I give thanks to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for the rest of us.
We should never forget.

I give thanks that my wife made me fulfill on of my desires and buy a motorcycle this year.


I give thanks that although diagnosed with diabetes I could get that under control with medication and a healthier lifestyle. (Down 60 lbs. this year).

Most of all
I give thanks for a loving God that continues to forgive all my iniquities and for the ultimate gift of his Son.

And if you read this far I am thankful for that. Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving
Bob Jurewicz

Goodbye Martin

November 14, 2010 3:45 am. Marty Ahrnes passed away.

Marty Ahrnes and I worked together for the last 25 years, We worked in different areas, we also at times worked for the same supervisors/leaders sometimes in different areas some times next to each other. During the last few years we sat angular across from one another able to look an each others ugly mug if so desired. Trust me the view was better from my direction. I would occasionally ask drawing advice from him and he would call me over for some advice on machining parts. Over time we had gotten to know one another and formed a working friendship. This grew due our common interests house construction. I with my wife Marcia took on the task of adding on an addition to our house and Marty and Krys were renovating their house in Vernon Hills, We did spend some time bouncing our ideas and plans off one another, Talk about our kids, houses, vacation trips we had been on. We played softball together for one or two seasons, possibly one of the worst teams ever although we still had fun. Marty had a pretty healthy laugh and I enjoyed bringing it out. His smile could light up a room. Encouraging me to be funny is probably not a good thing. I know Marty had some tough times in his life but a lot of that disappeared when Krys stepped in. Doug and I were talking and he told me Marty always wanted to hike the Appalachian Trail. Well we were discussing that we could hike some of it for Marty this summer. I know it would be a rouged trip and I need to prepare. There are some wild animals out there and thought what we would need for protection. I suggested a pistol. Doug said that he would only have to outrun me and not the bear. A pistol would only piss a bear off not kill it. The pistol really isn't for the bear but to shoot Doug in the leg so I could out run him. See, I could hear Marty laughing at that one right now. I could only imagine Marty's surprise as his father was there to greet him in Heaven Marty never knew his father recently also passed away. I will miss you Marty Ahrnes. Jesus said in my Fathers house are many mansions I go to prepare a place for you. Marty in your case Jesus has left your house incomplete knowing you would like to finish it. I look forward to one day having you show me around. P,S, Look up my dad he would be happy to give you a hand..

What is really important

I was watching the World Series and before it had began there was ad after ad for the upcoming election. Sooo much negativity it's hard to decipher what is the truth, what are outright lies, and what are the half truths. The game starts and the people get lost for the moment in the sporting world watching the teams take the field getting all fired up for first pitch. The game was going on with a good pitchers duel so I thought I would get on the computer and watch the game also. HEY I'm multitasking... On my Facebook page I get some posts from friends and family as well as a little 7yr old named Max. Now Max doesn't post himself but I would think his family does this for him. You see Max is fighting for his life. He has a brain tumor. Currently he is going thru treatments and the posts seem to show highs and lows during the days. Pictures show Max as a happy little boy then as a child suffering with a deadly disease. Also, when I can, usually a couple of times a week, I visit my friend Marty. Marty also is fighting brain cancer. He's a couple of years younger than I am, was in remission from an earlier bout with a tumor (not in his brain) and was in, from an observers view, in very good shape. Marty is no longer walking, and having a hard time concentrating and eating, now is dropping weight. He can no longer work and has some short term memory problems. As these two fight on I sit here in relatively good health and take for granted all the real things around me. I am cynical of most things, people, politicians, authority. What I should do is be thankful I can see and hold my wife and sons. I still have hope of the boys growing up healthy and successful. I was blessed to have TWO very intelligent sons that from a learning standpoint, excelling in the school testing both rating well over the requirements in all categories. I have friends that have lost their children, not able to hold, talk, or just have fun with, I would think even arguing with them would be welcome.
Seeing my friends in their situations tells me, I need to be a better husband, father, and person. This is going to be a lifetime work in progress. I am pretty set in my personality. I hope that the future Bob could mentally reflect on the blessings he has and would appreciate things people more.

Wow the Giants just scored......See a work in progress. <-- A long way to go

Bob

Migrate Please

“Migrate Please”

As the summer season has come to end this year I thought or rather hoped for the migration to a warmer climate the local animal known in these parts as the construction horse. During this spring and summer more and more signs began appearing letting us know that the Government was funding each project to put America back to work. Why do we need all the roads reconstructed at the same time? And why aren’t more Americans working. The roads all have been blocked off but no construction begins (sometimes for weeks). Just last we though I saw someone in a front loader driving it down the area under construction although he was not moving any material (just driving the vehicle around) and about a half dozen others standing around. These fellows were the ones the sign stated we needed to put back to work. Giving them the benefit of doubt, they may have already put in some strenuous time lifting their coffee cups being ever so careful not to burn themselves.

Our State Motto should read :

“Welcome to Illinois where all roads shall merge into one”

As the roads go, I would have thought that they would or should degrade at the same rate (they have about the same amount of vehicular traffic)and seeing that they weren’t all built in the same year, they would not need to be repaired in the same year either. Maybe I should use the time sitting in my car creeping along a little bit slower than a box turtle to unwind after a day of work. I would probably enjoy listening to some music on the radio watching the sun set a little more on my patio than in my car, watching the people who think that they need to get home quicker than I do. These yokels think the flashing arrow telling drivers that a lane is merging into another is an indication to see how many of them could cram their way up in front of other drivers. I would like to tip my hat to the truck drivers that use their 20 ton vehicles like linemen blocking for some running backs.

For now the days are getting shorter and the temperature lower, so it’s time for the horses to be moving to a warmer climate. Maybe then my temperature too shall recede. Can’t wait for spring……………..

The Election is near

As the 2010 election draws nearer and the gloves have been tossed aside by the candidates, I was wondering if any of them could possibly tell the truth if they were on their deathbed. You would think that the American public was soooo dumb that they want to listen to Bullshit coming from the mouths that want to make decisions that will effect them for the next 2-4-6 years. I would really want to know with the lies that come forward about the people running for office why o why are there not any lawsuits being filed. My guess is they let the lies about each other go because they're BOTH lying. The he said she said is pretty sad. When will it all end!!!!!! Certainly not until after Nov. 2nd. I think we will then be exposed to the agenda's of these politicians when they no longer have to fear us. Here in the Midwest (I'm in Illinois the land that Honesty forgot) We need to get out and Vote for the Diaper change this State needs. MY VOICE will be heard with my vote but alas 1 voice alone will be silenced by the shout of lies from louder politicians.  But worry not, I'd bet the farm that all the stories will again change from what actually happened to what the other one did in the next 4 years.

Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.