The problem is that besides us and their wonderful aunt, our kids have no true family to speak of. They have two sets of grandparents that live less than 30 minutes away and they have pretty much abandoned them. You see, our youngest is 14 still living at home, our two oldest have moved out on their own, trying to be responsible adults. WELL since moving out of our house they are excluded from “grandparent functions. The worst part is this is happening on both sides…

One set of grandparents actually said this to our two older kids on Christmas morning:

We don’t “do” for you anymore because you have moved out of your parents house but we made an exception this year. Next year there won’t be anything for you.

For one…they gave the two if us money and each of the kids money. The money for the two of us was more than the amount they gave each of the two older kids.

For two…if moneys tight, we understand and so does the kids…simply say money is tight we couldn’t do anything for you. Why be so crude and say something so hurtful on Christmas morning.

When we confronted them later with this, suggesting they worded it better or stop giving us the money and give it to the kids (who need it more)…They took offense, got mad at us and defended their position.

The second set of grandparents boast about “family” and how important it is BUT when having a family dinner…GUESS WHAT, our two older kids were not invited! When we asked if they could come with us they said yes but we had to bring them food because there wasn’t enough. So much for family, they didn’t even ask how they were doing. I was totally crushed.

Our kids mean everything in the world to us, especially after losing one. We hold them close to us (even when we are upset with them). Family is unconditional love which obviously these grandparents have no idea about.

I would say that they kids are better off without them at this point but they love their grandparents very much even with their faults. They were a little crushed when I took them dinner instead of them going with us to the “family” dinner but they understood. I have no doubt that I’m more upset about it than they are but that’s because I can see the whole picture.

I have come to terms with the fact that our kids will never have a truly supportive grandparent BUT it still makes my blood boil that people can be so course and hurt the ones they love. So much for family…good thing our kids have such supportive parents and a wonderful aunt that will always be there for them no matter what.

Boiled Over means everything to us, we came up with the idea while grieving and being angry over Dustin’s death. We personally needed a place to Boil Over about anything that made our blood boil. You see, the anger we hold over losing our son can be very powerful at times so when you read or deal with any other injustice it amplifies the feeling. Boiled Over to us is a way to vent that anger. Sometimes all it takes to let it to feel better is to voice your opinion and that’s what we encourage you to do here.

Every morning when I read the news, I find at least one article that should be a Boiled Over post. The problem is I’ve been working at home for a real paycheck and find it hard to fit in writing a post on this site.  With times so tough financially I tend to spend all my time working BUT I’m setting a goal to post at least once a week…maybe a Furious Friday theme.

There are so many injustices lately and they need to be discussed…

• Unemployment Rate
• Foreclosure Rate
• Health Care Crisis
• Big Business Still Taking Advantage
• Criminals Released Early to Kill Innocent People

We encourage you to participate in venting on Boiled Over, trust me it makes you feel much better. If more people voiced their frustration in words maybe…just maybe…the acts of violence around the country would slow down!

I wanted to give people a sense of what we are all about so of course I went straight to the About Us page. That led me into the posts I wrote about clearing the sidewalks, which are my most passionate posts. As we were looking through a post I wrote in December of 2007 we clicked on a video link I had placed from the local news station. We were surprised that we could still watch it and it had been a while so we did.

The reporter was interviewing a Township board member about businesses not clearing the sidewalks and how it was a reoccurring problem then

 BAMMM…

“The Accident”

On the video were scenes from the morning our son was killed. There it was right in our face  

Footage of his bike under the SUV

We honestly don’t remember those scenes being in the video or we would prepared ourselves…but it reminds us that even as life moves on that horrific morning will never go away.

The video is a good one, it helped keep at least 50% of the sidewalks clear last year. The Township still doesn’t issue tickets nor do they issue the reminder Mr. Morrison speaks of. This video Bridgeport Businesses Asked to Clear Snow of Sidewalks gives parents like us some type of ammunition against government run institutions that can legally neglect their responsibilities of enforcing codes that can lead to killing kids.

We have many supporters that agree our son would have never been riding his bike in the road if he had a clear sidewalk to travel on…

The Township won’t admit their mistake and they won’t enforce the code. They have spit in our face and in the face of any parent that has lost a child due to the same circumstances. Just because they’re “the government” it doesn’t give them the right to neglect public safety due to the cost of issuing a ticket which actually brings in revenue.

It gets worse…The State Police Post on the side of the road where our son was hit by the car… Well lest just say that we had to call the Township Supervisor last year because they were not shoveling their sidewalks. Every year on the anniversary at the time of Dustin’s accident a group of us go to the cross on the side of the road and light a candle as a tribute to his memory. Last year there was 10 inches of snow across the sidewalk leading to his cross.

So even the State Government could give a shit about the safety of kids riding their bikes to school. That Really Makes Me Boil Over!

Hello everyone. I came onto Boiled Over today to express my feelings about a company’s loyalty towards an employee that has worked for many years. Yes I am speaking about myself. My name is Chad I’m the screamer you see when you log into my wife’s and my blog. That’s me aright. I am the Ironworker you probably have read about so many times on this blog. I have worked for the same company for almost thirteen years. I have worked many hours and sweated blood for my employer. I have even bled for this company. I’ve had my arm literally ripped open and even cut the top of my thumb off. I never miss work and I am one of the best Ironworkers in the company. So I’ve been told.

There is always a slow time of year for us Ironworkers but it’s never affected my job. Usually when everyone is laid off I’m still working. Well guess what, I’m laid off. Some of you might be thinking this guy has a big head. That’s not the case. I have a work ethic that I stick by and that is when you are at work you give110% every day. Right now my employer has about 12 people working none of witch has been employed longer then 5 years. I say to myself where is the loyalty of an employer that I’ve worked for so long for.

I’ve tried to call him but he does not return my calls. I’ve called all the foremen in this company and they don’t have a bad thing to say about me at all. Now at this time my wife and I are struggling to pay the bills and might lose our house. I’ve started to work at home like my wife does. It’s a bit trying but I’m getting use to it. I have been learning a lot about working at home because I have my wife to help coach me. It’s not really my passion. I would rather be up high on the iron than sitting behind a desk. I guess I’ve got to do what I’ve got to do. Plus I make much more money on the iron. I’m not sure if this will save our financial dilemma but we are trying. Stacey is much more advanced then I but she’s been doing this work at home for the 13 years I’ve been an Ironworker.

I don’t know, I guess I was feeling a bit like my avatar looks and wanted to Boil Over. Stacey has made up an e-book that might help a lot of people that are going through the same things I am. It’s called The Guide to Earning a Weekly Paycheck Working at Home on the Internet. I think it is an awesome program and I am now using this while I’m working at home. Anybody that is interested in working from home should check this out.

I’m still stuck on the whole loyalty issue but I’m getting over it. I’m also making money at home and hopefully I’ll make enough that I won’t have to work on the iron again. After all it is probably the most dangerous job in the world. Feel free to comment or send this off to a friend now I must get back to work. Stacey is now my boss and she a whole lot better looking than my old boss lol.

We called our Dad and let him know not to bring the rototiller over. We could not even afford to buy the vegetable plants we needed nor did we have the time to dedicate to a garden. Well…Dad and Mom being great parents, brought it over anyway with a box of starter plants for us.

So Chad tilled away through our lawn and we planted our wonderful vegetables adding to the collection the weekend before he left. (only ended up costing $20 for way more vegetables than we will need)

The weeds began to grow and grow and grow…oh boy I had to get in the garden or we would lose everything. I decided that I would work in the early morning and late night since Chad was out of state and find time for the garden during the day. (the benefits of working at home)

So for the last week I have spent 2-3 hours a day in the garden trying to weed. I say trying because remember I said we tilled the yard…well it looked like I planted my garden in the middle of a jungle. The grass was growing back faster than I ever expected. This forced me to spend more time on keeping it clear.

That is when I realized that weeding wasn’t so bad…It pulled me away from the stress of work, the stress of life and granted me with a great tan. Everyday I put my MP3 player on, head for the garden and reflect on what matters in life…MY FAMILY!

As I pull the weeds I look at the amazing beauty of nature as my plants grow and produce food that we love. (we have a pumpkin & some peppers starting already!) I think of my life, what it has become and how far we have traveled to get there. I think of the simple things that many miss out on, things that we should all spend a little more time enjoying.

Especially this week as the world lost two wonderful people, Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson. Both of which hit very close to home for me. Farrah lost a battle to cancer, my mother in law has terminal cancer. Michael seen an untimely, unexpected death, just like our son, who was taken form us in an instant. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all their friends and family.

If it wasn’t for my garden… I would have lost my salvation, my reflection, and my appreciation for what life has given me.

Now I’m off to pull some weeds, relax and listen to John Rich singing about Shuttin Detroit Down.

Ironworking is a tough trade and when I say they are a breed of their own that’s no lie. They get up early, travel many miles, they’re tough and dedicated. They look death in the eye every single day with beams dangling over their head or releasing their harness to make that impossible connection. It’s a brotherhood like no other, they have each others backs and when jobs are scarce they do what they can to help their fellow brother.

To all the Ironworkers and their family our hearts are with you. I know the feeling of watching your husband leave every morning wondering if the job will be safe. Will he come home in one piece or come home at all? That’s the life of a Ironworkers wife.

Dedicated to Every Hard Working Ironworker out there…

Early dawn starts the day
Miles to go he’s on his way
Callused hands connecting beams
Spudding holes, fulfilling dreams
Welding, bolting, sweating blood
He belongs to a brotherhood
Only the best
Will pass the test
Walking where others will not go
Fear is one thing he will never show
Like an eagle perched high on a tree
He climbs the column and dreams to be free
Free of the worries and stress of his life
Waiting to retire with his wife
He loves his trade
And softly I prayed…

Lord,
Keep him safe on the beam up high
God Bless the Ironworkers in the sky.

I miss you honey…Please be safe!

That ambiance has left and the people in Michigan are losing hard! Not only are over 12% of us unemployed, but the crime rate is staggering and house values….yeah right. Even if they wanted to, the middle class couldn’t move out of this state right now without taking a huge loss.

It’s not just the closing of iconic plants like Flint Powertrain North, but it’s also the closing of numerous dealerships and parts suppliers around the state. Unless you live here, you could not image the chaos of losing so many jobs so quickly.

This loss has helped Michiganders band together and help others, as we are all the same boat. Community support for our local Garber Buick Dealership is a great example of this. Garber Buick has been serving the people of Saginaw for 102 years starting in 1907 and received the dreaded letter from GM that in October of 2010 they will have to close the doors. The dealership has set up a website (Garber Buick) as a message to their customers and to rally support appealing to GM about the closing.

Dick Garber states: “Garber Buick is one of the top performing dealerships in America. We’re off the charts in sales, service and facilities.”

Michigan has lost its identity, stability and jobs, but we’re sticking it out, making the best of it. Many of us have planted gardens for the first time this year…helping with the money at the end of the summer when the cost of the kids going back to school always hits. There are garage sales on almost every corner, every weekend…people just trying to make an extra buck to get by.

I read an article this morning in which some morons (President Obama’s Advisers) said:

“The economy is gaining momentum and the Democrat-passed stimulus package is only just beginning to pay dividends to the American workforce”

Just beginning to pay…HMMM

• National Unemployment rate is 9.4% – Michigan 12.7%
• Obama’s advisers say it’s the smallest job loss since September of last year – Did they think maybe most of the people have already lost their jobs or their unemployment has already run out which means they are not counted?
• Joe Biden says the stimulus is funding 3,600 projects and that $11 billion has been spent to date on highway construction. – What jobs did that created? It just brought back the laid off highway workers which is good for them.

What about the people that have 20 to 30 years into these plants across America that are closing down? The Federal Government has “plans” in place to retrain these workers. Well, if I worked at a plant for even 15 years, I would not want to retrain into a new job I knew nothing about for lower wages and shitty benefits.

• The three car companies that employed a half-million Michigan residents three decades ago employs just 112,000 in 2009. In 2010 when more plants, suppliers and dealerships close due to the bankruptcy this number will drop significantly. 
• Michigan in 2000 had 105% of the national average per capita income, it’s now at 89 percent.
• Michigan also trails its neighbors, Minnesota, Illinois and Wisconsin in personal income growth this decade.         Michigan – 14.7 percent, Neighbor’s average – 25 percent.

Although Michigan is losing a sense of history, we still have the Red Wings and the appreciation of a sunny 80 degree summer day.

One more thing:

President Obama told America that taking over GM was the only way to save what’s left of the economy and that we, the taxpayers, will own 60% stock in the automaker.

Well, Mr. Obama I don’t feel comfortable owning 60% stock in a failing company…so can I cash out now? Just send it direct deposit…we don’t accept checks.

On Saturday the Cozy Coupe earned it place in America’s history at the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum which will feature the first Cozy Coupes made in 1979. Selling over 10 million units in 30 years, it is the top 20 best selling models of all time.

So next time your in line for a micro cherry red sports car that gets great gas mileage with a lot of exercise, visit your local Toys R Us.

Kudos to Little Tykes for doing something great for the American childhood!

I am talking about the Gay Marriage debate. Everyday you can find some type of headline in the news about legalizing or not to legalizing gay marriage. Search “legalize gay marriage” in Google News for the past week, you will be faced with 23,099 entries.

It seems this country should spend it’s time and money on what is really important “The People”! Whether those people are straight, gay, black, white or alien….WHO CARES we are all PEOPLE!

What gets me is that the religious sector of the population appears to be the biggest supporters of not legalizing gay marriage. Aren’t they the ones that say we are all Gods children and Jesus loves us all regardless? I also thought that the Bible states “Thou Shall Not Judge”.

Yeah, you could throw some other interpretation at me about the Bible and God not allowing homosexuality, but that is just a bunch of BULL!

Did you frown on the gay person you were standing next to in line yesterday, you know the one don’t you? No you probably don’t because they are people just like you & I.

They deserve to be happy with the one they love not the one we as people tell them they should love. They deserve to get health benefits for each other just like straight married couples and they deserve to file Married Filing Jointly on their taxes if they choose. Not to mention retirement and death benefits. There are many things that “married” couples share and it is just plain not right to keep people form those benefits because you don’t agree with who they are marrying.

WHY would it bother you if two people that loved each other committed to spending their lives together?

Acceptance of people as a whole will help bring this peace to this country in more ways than one.