True Friends

True friends....they all come different shapes and sizes. Your true friends are the ones who are upfront with you. True friends do things toghther. True friends can help in times when the chips are down. True friends they'll tell you when your fly is open. True friends always sees the bigger picture. True friends we'll let you share some of their clothes. True friends will always tell you how you feel. True friends can cook and clean house or they can do one or the other or they do neithier. True friends are never two faced. And most importantly true friends loved you no matter what.
-Tim "Won't you be my true friend" Crippen

Goldie the golden retriever

Today is a sad day for me. My dog Goldie past away early this morning. I knew she was suffering over these past few weeks, but her time had finally come. I buried her as soon as I got home from work today. I have had many great memories of Goldie, but the one I remember was last year about this time Goldie was walking with me and my dad. It had rained about four inches that day and Goldie (as all golden retrievers do) decided to go take a swim. Well, the current from the creek bed was really moving fast and she got caught up in it. I went into ditch to find her and she got swept underneath this huge pipe. Well, dad met her on the other side as she was paddling away to get to some grouding. She was all wet , but Dad and I had a good laugh at her expense. Goodbye old girl we'll miss you.

NFL Stadium Threat?

After long hard day at work, I thought this day has already made me mad. Until, I read an article tonight about some freaking terrorists sending an internet message saying be very afraid and that they plan to blow up seven NFL stadiums this weekend. After reading this I was really furious. I'm so sick of these people playing sick little jokes on our country . The people who send these messages should be track down and thrown into jail. After 9/11, we should take every threat seriously and not with any skepticism.
Tim"Red, white and blue rule" Crippen

Rural Carrier Academy

For four days, I have been training in Independence, Mo to learn how to become a post office on wheels. The academy trains in you in everything from learning how to case mail, scanning accountables and even preventing man's best friend from getting the best of you (if you know what I mean). Penny and Ronnie were great instructors and we even had a little fun in class which is great. I will admit, I don't know everything on the job, but as I start my route I should be even more knowledgeable in it. I also pass my written exam. This has been a blessing to me and I have to say thanks to everyone for their thoughts and prayers toward me...you don't knnow how much that means to me.

Tim

PS: Football prediction Chicago 36 Arizona 14

Learning to Drive again and the Chicago Bears Song

First let me just say what awesome retreat we had this past weekend. A much needed break for everyone. Remember when you were fifthteen and you were excited to get behind the wheel, fast forward sixteen years later, I get that same feeling again. I took my post office road test today in a LLV (Long Lasting Vehicle) as well as in my truck. The difference from what I experienced today compared to when I was first starting out was that I didn't have instructors yelling at me, they don't have emergency brakes in the vehicles and of course I have lot more experience driving. Yet, for some reason, I was still nervous. The instructors I had today were really cool and I was able to relax and be myself. Oh, if your wondering how I did.....Well, I passed the test in both of the vehicles. Thank You Jesus. It's on to the Rural Carrier Academy next week.

Now, the Chicago Bears are 4-0 and playing Buffalo this weekend. I know some of you are not football fans and some are. But if you have tune into a Bears game this year you have probably have heard of the Chicago Bears Fight Song:

"Bear down, Chicago Bears make every play, clear the way to victory! Bear down, Chicago Bears put up a fight with a might so fearlessly! We'll never forget the way you thrilled the nation with your T-formation. Bear Down, Chicago Bearsand let them know why your wearing the crown! You'rethe pride and joy of Illinois, Beardown, Chicgo Bears!!"

Prediction Bears 29 Bills6 DaBears!!