I have 5 dolla ---do I hear 10---now 15--- whoooos gonna give me 20 do I hear 20

Ha! You guys really crack me up!! No, really, and in a scary kind of way...... Ok here's something serious.Those of us that are parents often wonder why we pound and pound and try some more to pound some goodness and sensibilty into our kids, when suddenly,you realized it worked. I came home from work yesterday and found out that our two boys , Kyle 24,and Chris 19 had done something remarkable. We are lucky enough to live on the water here in the town of Brick.We live on the Metedeconk River which leads to the bay,which leads to the ocean.Outside our back door looking east, the river is about a quarter mile wide. Looking west where it branches, about 500yds.It averages about 8-10 ft deep and this time of year is about 40*f. So it's about 5pm and just got dark outside.The boys were working on a computer on the (enclosed) back porch ,DW was a short distance away on the living room floor, wrapping Christmas presents. First it was Kyle, "Holy Sh!t"!! then Chris, "Holy Sh!t"! then DW gets up to look, "Holy Sh!t" !!! A 34ft powerboat was out back, west side ,about 300yds away. It had just had a large explosion that blew the back engine cover off.The next thing they see is the operator of the boat diving off the front just as another even larger explosion went off,fully engulfing the boat in fire ,with flames about 30ft in the air! DW jumped to the phone to call 911.Chris went right out back and started dragging our canoe towards the dock .Kyle went back to the shed and grabbed the paddles and life jackets.The boys met at the dock and were off. DW watched as the boys were silhouetted by what now had become a large fireball.There were 4 explosions in all.We later found out that the guy had just put 200gals of gas in the boat! Anyway,the boys reach him and the first thing is they get a life jacket on him. He's 36, a big guy, 6'3", about 260lbs.Layers of heavy wet clothes.He's really struggling to stay afloat.The boys were smart enough to know that there's no way to get him onboard without flipping the canoe so Kyle paddled and Chris locked the guy's arm over the side and they dragged him in. DW was waiting with blankets at the dock and Mark ( the lucky boat guy) was able to walk into the house and warmup until the cops and EMS arrived.He was very appreciative towards the boys but kind of in shock as well.He spent most of the night in the hospital but is ok today. His wife called today and balled talked to Kyle. Apparently they have a couple of kids themselves. She had been down the river onshore watching (as many were because of the siize of the fire) in horror as the boat burned.She said Mark told her he was thinking that he was about to drown within sight of his house and wife. There's a small article here http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2008/12/brick_man_escapes_serious_inju.html but it was written shortly after with little details. (please notice also,the snarky remark at the very bottom)There just so happened to be a 3 county wide blackout last night( not our county but close by) and I think that's why there wasn't much news about it. I have not stopped telling our boys how proud I am of them and what a gift they gave not only to Mark but to themselves.It's something that they'll carry with them forever. Thanks for letting me share that.I'm one very proud Pappa !!!

I'm not a huge football fan, but hubby is not a happy camper when they lose . Nor is most of the rest of the population around here. So in the interest of marital harmony and reduced road rage, I gotta give it up for the Cowboys. Evryday, I'm with you pal!

I get so wrapped up in the Cowboys thing.....my wife is on egg shells throughout the game. Not because she cares anything about football, but she knows how the outcome affects my mood. Or at least it used to...I'm alot better than I used to be... I've learned to control my emotions better and not let outside things affect my mood as much. My new mantra is "I want to feel good!" Dang, a few years back I was mad all season long! This year only half the season! I think I need a 12 step program. With Arla and Joe around here, I need and appreciate your support. Joe, that is an amazing thing your boys did. And yes, I agree with fattozig about how perhaps your examples over the years led to their actions. Please tell them thank you for me and also thank you to you for your boys. <note> get some pink gaitors </note>

Jewels you are not losing it , you must have clicked on Leslie's race report because there is a post showing up there. Speaking of races, very good read Leslie and a nice stretch of running also. Cool that your dad got to see you run in comp. Holy Sh!t Joe I'll say it too, you should be proud of them boyz! My cowboys have been playing every night usually on ESPN 2, but they don't have the star on their helmets. MTA GPS accuracy a couple links from the USTAF site. http://measure.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/89510622/m/9781065872 http://www.dukerdog.com/GPS_test.xls My contention is they are pretty darn accurate esp the x05 series on a clear day with good sky view but I haven't tested mine against a wheel, a tape, the radar in my sprayer or the high dollar gps in my tractor with subscription upgraded correction signal. Still 0.25 on an 18 mile course is still "pretty close".

Oh crap! Thanks Jim....I posted under Leslie's race report instead of here. Thank Gawd I'm not losing it. At least not yet anyway...... Jewels

your welcome, i do stuff like that all the time modified to change to a smile the other one looked like I was laughing, stoopid emoticons. MTA no run, mrkts again

Thanks guys for the compliments, it's hard not getting choked up about it. Just got a call from DW that Mark the boat owner and his wife are stopping by tonight. Should be a big sobfest but in a good way. They also have contacted the local paper.It would be great for our boys to get the additional gift of some more recognition for what they did.

http://adage.com/brightcove/single.php?bcpid=1370868150&bctid=3130509001 Thanks again Leslie.....now THIS is funny. My husbands been in the doghouse a couple of times when he shops by himself. I always encourage my girls to go with him to "help" him in anyway.