More on Country Crust Bread

I the past, I have used 5 cups of whole wheat flour and 1 1/2 cups of all purpose flour to make a wheat country crust bread. A while back I tried using straight whole wheat, and the resulting dough was very sticky and hard to work with. The bread turned out ok (though it was quite tasty).

I discussed the results with my brother, John, and we came up with the idea of using oatmeal. Mind you, it can no longer be called whole wheat, but it is whole grain. So to modify the country crust bread recipe that was previously posted for whole grain goodness, use 5 cups whole wheat flour (I like stone ground) and 1 1/2 cups rolled oats in place of the 6 1/2 to 7 1/2 cups of all purpose flour. CLICK HERE to see the recipe. Also, brown sugar works real well in place of white sugar (just make sure it is a packed 1/2 cup and drop the honey).

        Now doesn't that look YUMMY?!

Finalized Paint for the Old Huffy

Well, I finally got the finalized paint scheme done. After letting the paint cure for a while, I wet sanded the bike using 320 grit to knock down the ridges left by the previous graphics. I then smoothed it up with 600 grit.

After the sanding, I laid down some pink and brown on the frame. I painted the chain guard with a blue and pink fade. I waited three days, to allow the paint to cure, before laying out the graphics. I used positive masking to lay out the graphics (I was going for a sort of beachy pseudo-tribal feel). I then laid down the blue on the frame and brown on the chain guard. I was pretty happy with how things looked after unmasking it. More importantly, Michelle really likes how it has turned out so far. I plan to clear coat it some time next week.

Now comes the more straight forward part of fixing up the bike, mechanical. I need to replace at least one spoke and put on a new chain. Everything needs cleaned up and lubed. The changes will be less visually dramatic, but more more important than the paint.

Stop-Loss Pay Application

Today is the first day to submit you on-line application for Army Stop-Loss Payments, CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION. I just finished my application. It doesn't take to long if you have everything ready to go. For Active Duty Enlisted, you will need your DD FORM 214 and DD FORM 4 before you start.

The documents can be uploaded, emailed, faxed or mailed. I chose to upload mine for easy and to keep everything together. If you mail or fax the documents, you will need to write your claim number on each page. Like I said, uploading is faster, easier and keeps everything together. Also, scan the document before you start. I think I spent more time looking for my documents and scanning them than I did actually filling out the application.

I would also recommend having your bank account number and bank routing number ready. You can choose to receive payment through direct deposit or check. I think most of us know that the Army, and the government in general, are slow to get a check to you.

Good luck to all. I have no idea when we will get our money, but I figure that uploading documents and receiving a direct deposit would make the process faster.

Stop-Loss Payments

The US Army is reported to be accepting applications for retroactive"Stop-Loss" payments starting October 21. A while back, Congress passed a bill that entitled all stop-lossed service members $500 per month of extension past the ETS date. To find out more CLICK HERE. There is a website posted to apply but so far, I have been unable to access it.

Well, here's another photo collage doodle. The face is a mask I bought in Korea, and the skulls are a dollar store Halloween decoration.

Why do I exercise?

Why do I exercise? I have to admit that health benefits and looking good are part of it. I also like feeling strong and pushing myself. Part of it is that physical fitness is an important aspect of Army life, and I guess it just becomes part of who you are. Also, the gym is the main place where I socialize. (Being unemployed, I don't have work friends and only socializing on Facebook would be pitiful).

Are those the main reasons? Is that what really motivates my near obsession with the gym? No. Quite frankly, I go for my mental health. The VA is treating my with medication for PTSD. I don't really know if that is my problem or not, but the meds have helped. I know that I was angry most of the time when I got back from Iraq. I couldn't stand being in crowded places, and felt generally depressed. After starting medication, I noticed that I was nice, more mellow and happier if I exercised for about an hour or so two to three times a week. I felt even better if I got five good work outs in. This summer, I found that if I went a week without working out I got very disagreeable (OK, more like down right pissy). So I work out for my family and possibly for my sanity.

So why do I hit the weights so hard? My parents think I lift too much. Well, what am I suposed to do? The doctors at the VA have told me not to run because of my knees. My patellas rub against my tibias causing pain. Thinking about it that way I really shouldn't run.

So, there you have it. I use weights like other people use drugs and booze.

Art? and Weight(s)

Just a little something for fun.
I’m getting ready to go to the gym. A couple of weeks ago, I found that my muscles weren’t fully recovering between workouts. So, now I am focusing more on aerobic exercises (mainly the elliptical machine and heavy bag) and doing light weight/high reps with the weight. I am also trying to not out-grow my pants. I know there comes a time when most of us have to fight against weight gain. That’s Life!

The Bike and More

Well, last Friday, I got the bike all taped up and laid down the brown paint. I really didn’t like the result at first. Now I’m not sure. I am still leaning towards going back to my original paint scheme.

This is how it looks now. I think I will paint the brown and blue area solid brown with the exception of the neck. I plan to paint the neck blue and scallop on the backbone and down tube. Please comment and let me know what you think.





Other Items
As you may know, the band O.A.R. has teamed up with the IAVA (Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America) on a campaign to support returning Veterans. Please Click Here and check it out. You will be asked to pledge your support for the recent Veterans and Service Members. You could even win two concert tickets and backstage passes. Also check out the IAVA by CLICKING HERE.

Veterans’ Day is coming up. To me, it is time to really think about what we are doing to support the Troops and Veterans. How many of us have “Support the Troops” ribbons and bumper stickers? But what are we really doing? Think about it. Hopefully, I will be able to have some good ideas for you soon. Stay posted.

Bike Update

I know it has been a while since I last made a posting, and even longer since I made an update on the bike.

As you can see, I have started painting. Most of the old nasty black paint came off rather easily, but some was extra stubborn. I ended up using aircraft stripper to get the rest off.I laid three coats of primer, and then wet sanded it with 320 grit. Then, I laid an additional two coats of primer and hit it with the 320 again and followed it up with 600 grit. After cleaning off the sanding residue, I laid two coats of light blue Rustoleum.

You may notice that, in the first picture, only part of the frame was painted blue. Originally, I was going to paint most of the bike brown with blue arches and a blue and brown plaid pattern on the neck and forks. Well, it is my wife's bike and she had some different ideas. After some discussion, we decided to paint the thin tubing blue and give the thicker tubes the plaid graphics. Right now, the paint is curing in the basement (the temperature is in the mid 30's). I plan to tape up the frame tomorrow, and hopefully get the graphics painted as well.