And now for the time lapse footage!

I have seen a wall like this one or two other times, but never have I seen before the way it engulfed our neighborhood.  Quite astonishing indeed.  Another tonight perhaps?  We shall . . . → Read More: Phoenix Makes The News…Again]]> Incredible dust storm last night here in Phoenix.  Check out this video footage.

And now for the time lapse footage!

I have seen a wall like this one or two other times, but never have I seen before the way it engulfed our neighborhood.  Quite astonishing indeed.  Another tonight perhaps?  We shall see.

As some of you may or may not know, I’ve been dabbling with Ebay for a while now. I currently have a couple a dozen or so auctions going and as a result, have searched high . . . → Read More: Ebay Accounting 101]]> Hello my friends, I do hope you are all having a great week so far.

As some of you may or may not know, I’ve been dabbling with Ebay for a while now. I currently have a couple a dozen or so auctions going and as a result, have searched high and low for ways to somehow bring it all together in a manageable form. I tried for a bit with Quickbooks, but found that it is probably a little much for what I want to do or am trying to do.

I played with a few spreadsheets as well, and while I found some good ones, by far, the best sheet out there right now for your Ebay Accounting has got be the Easy Auctions Tracker.

If like me, you’ve been looking for an easy way to keep track of your eBay sales and fees, then take a few minutes to keep reading!  If you’d rather keep doing things manually then read no further.

Easy Auctions Tracker is the Ultimate Excel spreadsheet solution for eBay sellers and Trading Assistants. This spreadsheet doesn’t calculate your fees like so many other spreadsheets do, in fact it actually COLLECTS your transaction information from your eBay account for you after of course you allow it the permission to do so.

Easy Auctions Tracker is fully automated and has been Tested & Certified by eBay as a compatible application. By using this spreadsheet, you will be able to quickly collect and record your transactions (both sold items and unsold items) without the need to manually enter the information.With the simple click of a button, Easy Auctions Tracker is able to collect all the information for a entire month’s worth of sales from eBay’s servers for you. No need to know the item numbers of the sold items, just select the month & year then click the “Get All Items” button.

I can say that this spreadsheet will make your bookkeeping and thus your tax preparer’s job much easier! Which will mean less time and lower fees for you.  It’s awesome to see how quick this works and how efficient.  There is no way I could have come up with such an elaborate tool.  I’ll just stick with my simple spreadsheet for fuel mileadge.

I was excited to find this worksheet and after playing with demo I was hooked.  I recommend it for eBay sellers and anyone who wants to track their sales and associated fees in a spreadsheet, but don’t want to spend hours entering the information manually.  Trust me, you will free up a ton of time.

You can check out the worksheet at EasyAuctionsTracker.com.
Enjoy,

Stang

A quote from the article which you can read in full HERE, “The latest spot to be rejected by Fox broadcasting was done so for “advancing particular beliefs . . . → Read More: The commercial FOX won’t show]]> John 3:16 Super Bowl Ad Rejected

FOX may not want to show the following commercial, but I for one have NO problems sharing it with you.

A quote from the article which you can read in full HERE, “The latest spot to be rejected by Fox broadcasting was done so for “advancing particular beliefs or practices,” which is against company policy. Nah, lets be honest FOX, your real reason is probably more along the lines of “not enough skin” like in some of your other commercials.  Is it really all that horrible to share such a beautiful message like that of John 3:16? “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”  (John 3:16)

Really now, are you that worried that a few folks might just find this message comforting and turn to the Bible for more?  Is a belief in God that bad?  Oh wait, that’s right, we are a country that wants to remove God from our money and everything else.

Shame on you FOX for a very poor decision and an extremely LAME excuse.

But why nothing for over a month you ask?  Well I was busy with two seminary courses which I just found out I did quite well in.  One I got an A+ in one . . . → Read More: Blessings in the New Year]]>

So did you have a Merry Christmas anyways?  I know we sure did, great times with the folks for sure.

But why nothing for over a month you ask?  Well I was busy with two seminary courses which I just found out I did quite well in.  One I got an A+ in one and the other a 97% A.

It has been an incredible month of studying and writing, but I still have much more stuff that needs studying, that’s for sure.

A little snow today at the house, nothing much to get a photo of, but things may change.  Interesting storm we are having right now in Phoenix.

Taking a bit of time off from the studies this week so the brain can relax.  In the meantime though, doing a bit of work on a couple a sites I put together and am hosting.  Hooray, the count continues to go up and customers seem to be happy.  Weird though, I don’t consider them customers, but more like people I can help.  I remember the days when I started The Garage back on Geocities and really had no idea what was going on.  I’m glad I can help.   It can be overwhelming if you don’t have someone to help you in the beginning.

One of the sites I am working on is for The Order of St. Jude so it has been especially fun and meaningful at the same time.

Been selling some possessions, kind of getting things cleaned up around the house.  Although I do wish the economy were a bit better, my pool table might be gone by now.  Darcy seems to really like my beer neons, and hopes to someday hang this outside when we get our patio cover so I may not be selling those after all.

Looking forward to getting some fresh paint on the walls, change things up some.  I can’t wait to be able to use our fireplace again, it’s been so long since I’ve been able to just sit in front of it with some wine.  Not all that appealing with the pool table right there although fine when we’re in there shooting pool.

The spiritual life has been improving everyday as well.  In fact, Darcy got me this beautiful wall art for Christmas featuring The Whole Armor of God (Eph 6:10-17).  It totally rocks and I can’t wait to put it up somewhere.  She was pretty crafty because I never did see this at the holy store.

Christmas Eve, we were all over to St. Jude’s Chapel where I progressed further in vocations with the Church which is really exciting.  It was nice to have my folks and Darcy there.  I wish Keighlene could have been there, but she is up in Washington right now.  The ordination was quite nice.

I’ve actually been pondering the idea as of late about an online Bible Study of sorts.  With the powers of Skype and other technology, this is very doable. UStream is also another great medium for such a thing.

I plan on discussing in greater depth my current activities, but that is text for another day.  The bishop is anxious for me to come up with a Ministry, but I don’t quite have anything set yet.  Meanwhile though, lots to read and learn in the days and months ahead.  It has been a great education so far, very much an eye-opener with regards to me and the world around me.

Not that it takes a rocket scientist to see what is going on in the world today, but learning more from the Bible tells me the world is a real mess and we’ve seen this before.  I won’t go Bible-thumper on you by going down that path, but wow have my eyes been opened as of late.

No real plans for tomorrow night except wine with my wife and of course fireworks assuming the weather permits.  Hard saying what it will be like since all the talk today is snow in Phoenix.  I’m sure there will be no snow in the forecast, but I bet it will be cold.  Supposed to freeze tonight, not sure about tomorrow night though.

Having some thoughts of seeing TRON tonight but not sure if that will ever materialize.  Even relaxing with Darcy and sharing some wine sounds like a win also.

As I look forward to 2011 and all that life has to offer, I am excited to face it hand in hand with my wife, my partner in this renewed faith in God.  I look ahead to the growing bond that my family and I seem to be forming.  Not that it hasn’t been nice before, but it is very special these days and quite comforting.  And here all this time I thought the light at the end of the tunnel was a train.  Maybe it’s not a train after all and every time my mom told me there was a light at the end of the tunnel, it was really a light she was speaking of.  Yep, I’m pretty convinced of the Light these days.  Not that I wasn’t before, but it’s funny how with faith comes hope.

2010 was good no doubt.  A very strange year as it turns out.  It presented challenges but also with the challenges came rewards.  For example, spending our anniversary up on the roof in the rain trying to fix a leak presented a challenge.  The reward, a new roof and another fabulous year with my wife.

Our lives were also blessed with new friendships and the re-kindling of old.  I was finally able to get up and see my brother and his family in Colorado which was nice.

With that, I wish you and your family a Happy New Year and hope nothing but the best comes your way.

Stang5_0

For 12 years I . . . → Read More: Thanks Mom and Dad!]]> 41 years ago today I received the Grace of redemption in Christ.  On October 26th, 1969 I was Baptized and the sin I was born with was cleansed and forgiven.  Baptism is imperative for man for it is the only gate for which he can enter Heaven. (John 3:5)

For 12 years I went to Catholic School and until recently, had no idea just how significant those years were.  I am grateful for my Baptism as well continuing my growth in Christ with Communion and Confirmation later in life.

Many years ago I drifted from the Church, but never from God.  I always took time to talk to God and sometimes even ask for His guidance in the various trials of my life.  Somethings he was right there with me and I managed, while other things I’ve deemed as tests.  Oh, God was still with me, but perhaps watching from afar.  Watching how I worked my various tests.  I’ve come to realize, life is in fact, full of tests.  Those that we fail, one can only hope a lesson was learned from the failure.  As long as we are moving in the right direction and learning about ourselves,what more could one ask for?

I was “Called” September 3rd, 2010.  I listened and pursued clarity in this Call, and since then, I have learned so much about myself and those around me.  More importantly though, I’ve learned about myself.  I have learned first hand the true value of letting God into my life and letting the Holy Spirit work through me.  While God has always been a part of my life, I’m not so sure I knew how to listen.  Oh I’m far from truly understanding how to listen, but I am working hard on this skill with His Grace.  As a result of this amazing last couple of months, I’ve become hungry for more.  I’ve been received into the Order of St. Jude and have begun work towards a degree and God Willing, a fruitful life in the Church with my Wife by my side.

I’ve got a long way to go I’m sure, but good things come to those who wait.

All this, because 41 years ago today, my parents had me Baptized.  Thanks Mom and Dad!

(Acts 22:16) 16 And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’

Stang

If you’ll notice the menu bar above, it might seem like things are missing.  It is all there, just arranged differently.  The big addition being the “Community” button.  If you’ll mouse over that you will see the forums and other goodies.

I might make just another change . . . → Read More: A quick notice of changes]]> Hey everyone, Happy Friday to you and yours!

If you’ll notice the menu bar above, it might seem like things are missing.  It is all there, just arranged differently.  The big addition being the “Community” button.  If you’ll mouse over that you will see the forums and other goodies.

I might make just another change or two, but if there is something you are looking for, just mouse over, you’ll probably find it.

One final thing that you will notice, is that I have for your as well my enjoyment, an online Bible.  If it’s not your thing, no worries, just ignore it.  However, feel free to read at your leisure if you’d like.  I hope you’ll find it as useful as I already have.

Have a great weekend, and thanks for stopping in!

Stang

Also this past weekend, my daughter and I went out for some . . . → Read More: Just a few notes]]> Hello my friends and Happy Humpday!
Well I managed to survive the slumber party in one piece, and I think the girls had a good time. They danced and swam when they weren’t playing Lasso Golf. Good times I think had by all.

Also this past weekend, my daughter and I went out for some Geo-caching which we have not done in eons. I think once the weather cools down, well be doing a lot more of that. Especially since I am using the Axim. That makes life so much easier compared to the old Garmin Etrex we were using. Even though we used the laptop with the Etrex, it gets to be a pain hauling all that stuff around. While I am anxious as all get out to get my hands on a Droid, the Ax will work for now. In case you are wondering, I’m using GeoScout on the Ax and it does pretty well, very intuitive.

I am amazed at how many Caches there are in the valley, it seems like they have sprung up everywhere over the years.  This should make those quiet days just a bit more exciting, and the fact that gas has come down some makes it nicer as well.  I’ve also taken a look at some locations out in the desert including around sites of old towns.  That being said, I’m really anxious for the cooler weather.

Also this weekend, I took my daughter to her first Mass.  I’m sorry it took me 13 years to do so, but at the same time, I feel like I’ve been searching  so I didn’t really have a place to take her.  More on my Religious stuff another time, but I’m just glad we were able to attend Mass together.

I do hope your week is going well, I’ll be back with more later.

Peace,

Stang