sillentexas, life in H-Town!

hello, if anybody is still out there.

2010-11-03T16:04:00.001-05:00

One 82-year-old lady loves Obama and says why she thanks God for him
When discussing Obama, she says:

1. Obama destroyed the Clinton Political Machine, driving a stake through the heart of Hillary's presidential aspirations - something no Republican was ever able to do.

2. Obama killed off the Kennedy Dynasty - no more Kennedys trolling Washington looking for women wanting rides home.

3. Obama is destroying the Democratic Party before our eyes! Dennis Moore had never lost a race. Evan Bayh had never lost a race. Byron Dorgan had never lost a race. Harry Reid - soon to be GONE, and Nancy Pelosi, will lose her position of leader of the house! These are just a handful of the Democrats whose political careers Obama has destroyed. By the end of 2010, dozens more will be gone. Just think, in December of 2008 the Democrats were on the rise. In the last two election cycles, they had picked up 14 Senate seats and 52 House seats. The press was touting the death of the Conservative Movement and the Republican Party. However, in just one year, Obama put a stop to all of this and will probably give the House - if not the Senate - back to the Republicans.

4. Obama has completely exposed liberals and progressives for what they are. Sadly, every generation seems to need to re-learn the lesson on why they should never actually put liberals in charge. Obama is bringing home the lesson very well: Liberals tax, borrow and spend. Liberals won't bring themselves to protect America. Liberals want to take over the economy. Liberals think they know what is best for everyone. Liberals are not happy until they are running YOUR life.

5. Obama has brought more Americans back to conservatism than anyone since Reagan. In one year, he has rejuvenated the Conservative Movement and brought out to the streets millions of freedom loving Americans. Name one other time when you saw your friends and neighbors this interested in taking back America!

6. Obama, with his "amazing leadership," has sparked the greatest period of sales of firearms and ammunition this country has seen. Law abiding citizens have rallied and have provided a "stimulus" to the sporting goods field while other industries have failed, faded, or moved off-shore.

7. In all honesty, one year ago I was more afraid than I have been in my life. Not afraid of the economy, but afraid of the direction our country was going. I thought,Americans have forgotten what this country is all about. My neighbors and friends, even strangers, have proved to me that my lack of confidence in the greatness and wisdom of the American people has been flat wrong.

8. When the American people wake up, no smooth talking teleprompter reader can fool them! Barack Obama has served to wake up these great Americans! Again, I want to say: "Thank you, Barack Obama you who refuse to admit that you are a muslim!" After all, this is exactly the kind of hope and change we desperately needed!!

National Marrow Donor Program

2010-02-11T13:37:00.000-06:00

I joined this years ago and recently updated my information. Why not join with me?

de

Really Good Poem

2010-02-03T09:37:00.001-06:00

Got this via email from a good friend at church. It was labled "BEST POEM IN THE WORLD." Not sure I'd give it those kind of props but it is really good.

de

I was shocked, confused, bewildered
As I entered Heaven's door,
Not by the beauty of it all,
Nor the lights or its decor.

But it was the folks in Heaven
Who made me sputter and gasp--
The thieves, the liars, the sinners,
The alcoholics and the trash.

There stood the kid from seventh grade
Who swiped my lunch money twice.
Next to him was my old neighbor
Who never said anything nice.

Herb, who I always thought
Was rotting away in hell,
Was sitting pretty on cloud nine,
Looking incredibly well.

I nudged Jesus, 'What's the deal?
I would love to hear Your take.
How'd all these sinners get up here?
God must've made a mistake.

'And why is everyone so quiet,
So somber - give me a clue.'
'Hush, child,' He said, 'they're all in shock.
No one thought they'd be seeing you.'

JUDGE NOT!!

Remember...Just going to church doesn't make you a
Christian any more than standing in your garage makes you a car.

Every saint has a PAST...
Every sinner has a FUTURE!
If you're so inclined... Share this poem.

Nobody wants your old shoes: How not to help in Haiti

2010-01-18T15:07:00.002-06:00

Saw this on a friends FB post and thought it was worth reposting.

Don’t donate goods. Donating stuff instead of money is a serious problem in emergency relief. Only the people on the ground know what’s actually necessary; those of us in the rest of the world can only guess. Some things, like summer clothes and expired medicines are going to be worthless in Haiti. Other stuff, like warm clothes and bottled water may be helpful to some people in some specific ways. Separating the useful from the useless takes manpower that can be doing more important work. It’s far better to give money so that organizations can buy the things they know they need.
de

Something from someone else.

2010-01-07T09:21:00.002-06:00

Got this via my uncle Jerry today. I'm not against people coming to America at all. I don't want our country to be North Korea or any other country. It's just kind of an eye opener.

de

LET ME SEE IF I GOT THIS RIGHT.
IF YOU CROSS THE NORTH KOREAN BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU GET 12 YEARS HARD LABOR.

IF YOU CROSS THE IRANIAN BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU ARE DETAINED INDEFINITELY.

IF YOU CROSS THE AFGHAN BORDER ILLEGALLY, YOU GET SHOT.

IF YOU CROSS THE SAUDI ARABIAN BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU WILL BE JAILED.

IF YOU CROSS THE CHINESE BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU MAY NEVER BE HEARD FROM AGAIN.

IF YOU CROSS THE VENEZUELAN BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU WILL BEBRANDED A SPY AND YOUR FATE WILL BE SEALED.

IF YOU CROSS THE CUBAN BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU WILL BE THROWN INTO POLITICAL PRISON TO ROT.

IF YOU CROSS THE U.S. BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU GET

* A JOB,
* A DRIVERS LICENSE,
* SOCIAL SECURITY CARD,
* WELFARE,
* FOOD STAMPS,
* CREDIT CARDS,
* SUBSIDIZED RENT OR A LOAN TO BUY A HOUSE,
* FREE EDUCATION,
* FREE HEALTHCARE,
* A LOBBYIST IN WASHINGTON
* BILLIONS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF PUBLIC DOCUMENTS PRINTED IN YOUR LANGUAGE
* THE RIGHT TO CARRY YOUR COUNTRY'S FLAG WHILE YOU PROTEST THAT YOU DON'T GET ENOUGH RESPECT
* AND YOU CAN VOTE DEMOCRAT.

I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE I HAD A FIRM GRASP ON THE SITUATION.

Back from Mexico

2009-12-22T11:45:00.002-06:00

My bride, my daughter, and driver made it back from Mexico late Sunday night. I picked up the bride at the airport late Wed evening and we headed south, made it as far as Robstown, spent the night, and headed further south to Nuevo Progresso, Mexico. It's a little town walking distance across the Progresso International bridge, in between Harlingen and Weslaco. We arrived by 11:30 am or so and didn't sit down until she sat down in the dental chair....impressive.

Nuevo Progresso pretty much exists in my opinion for US citizens to cross over and spend money. Most of them are called "winter Texans," for folks who bring their RV's and spend the winter where its warm. While they spend the winter enjoying the non-winter like climate, looking at birds, and enjoying retired RV living, they also cross the border. There in NP, every third business is a dentist's office, next to it is a pharmacy, next is a salon. Technically, there are lots of curio shops, combo liquor store/pharmacy, the occasional bar and restaurant. It's quite a little place. I read somewhere that there were 200+ dentists but i didn't count.

We went for dental work and had a successful experience as well. My son, who is in dental management says we saved 75-80% on the work my bride had done. Our daughter had two teeth pulled and 4 cavities taken care of for less than $200. I suspect we'll be going back down every 6 months or so to refill meds and do more dental work. My goal is to get rid of all the metal in my mouth and get more natural material. I don't think all that metal is good for you.

Anyway, the dentist was excellent, the work was fast, and quite affordable, especially compared to having it here. We bought 6 months worth of meds for the both of us, some extra antibiotics, some vanilla, (you have to buy vanilla), the odd piece of .925 silver jewelry, along with some south TX grapefruit and oranges and generally enjoyed our visit.

The only downer was the bride falling, twisting her ankle pretty darned good, having to call the Doctor over there, ($20), and her not being able to enjoy walking around after that. Oh well, we still got done what we went to do. I guess I should've waited and got my haircut down there, along with the odd pedicure, manicure, body massage, wax job, botox, and shoeshine. Hey, its another memorable travel experience. Next time we'll know more but there sure were lots of people crossing the border and getting dental work done...and other stuff. Glad to be back in the US as always and enjoying the kids and grandkids at home.

Merry Christmas to all,
de & ke

Christmas Stuff

2009-12-14T11:04:00.002-06:00

It's been a busy time since our anniversary trip. We're getting ready to have the kids home, all of them, and the brides parents are coming too...right after we get home from Mexico. Yes, you heard me right Mexico. Several weeks ago the bride needed to see th dentist...which she had neglected to do for some time...she's been busy...anyway their prescription was for $7k worth of dental work. You read right $7000 worth. Our insurance covers some basic stuff and only $1k per year each. I guess if you go every year and keep up then it doesn't hit you like that anyway...I hit the net again...did a lot of research and found out that Mexico via South Texas is a very popular and much less expensive place to have dental work. Who would've thought? Medical tourism I think its called.

Many winter Texans while enjoying the warm winter weather travel over the border to buy medications, have dental work, as well as other stuff at much reduced prices. I also checked with a close friend who lives close enough that he's been going there for the past 3 years and is very happy with the work...and the prices.

So...we're headed south for a few days...and taking our daughter along to get both the gals some much needed tooth fixings...we'll check on our medications to buy...stock up on some antibiotics...watch for some birds...visit the beach at S. Padre island...and be back to host the rest of the family for Christmas.

Yeah...yeah...I know this sounds totally crazy to some of you folks...and if you work for Exxon and your hip resurfacing surgery costs you $75 out of pocket...it is crazy. But for the vast majority of folks...they don't have that kind of insurance...many don't have any insurance...and stuff costs crazy money...and you have to do what you have to do.

By the way....if you're looking for something really cool to do for Christmas...why not check out Kiva.org

What Is Kiva? Overview | The Kiva Story

We Let You Loan to Low Income Entrepreneurs

Kiva's mission is to connect people through lending for the sake of alleviating poverty.

Kiva is the world's first person-to-person micro-lending website, empowering individuals to lend to unique entrepreneurs around the globe.

The people you see on Kiva's site are real individuals. When you browse entrepreneurs' profiles on Kiva, choose someone to lend to, and then make a loan, you are helping a real person make great strides towards economic independence and improve life for themselves, their family, and their community. Throughout the course of the loan (usually 6-12 months), you can receive email journal updates and track repayments. Then, when you get your loan money back, you can relend to someone else.

Kim and I both are lending to help alleviate poverty. You can get started for only $25.

Merry Christmas to all,
de

Trip Pics

2009-12-09T18:24:00.003-06:00

In Rome

You know what this is.

Sagra Familia - Barcelona

Notre Dame - Paris

Tribute to Columbus in Barcelona

Here's some pics from our trip. Better late than never.

Back to Barcelona

2009-11-30T01:23:00.001-06:00

It’s early here, the ship is docking in Barcelona and my bride is still sleeping. We didn’t do much yesterday, just stayed on the ship so we could rest. We’re last off the ship because our flight to Paris is this evening, so we wait. It’s hectic downstairs with all the folks who are trying to make to the airport in time to catch an early flight…like our 4 dining mates from England…their one of the first off. Not like the gentleman we met yesterday who is taking the B2B (back to back). He’ll get off for the day here and back on the ship tonight to do the transatlantic crossing to Galveston. Yep, this is one of the ships that will spend until the fall taking all those Texans, Okies, and whoever else down to the Caribbean for 7 days. This was his 27th cruise.

We wondered about our other dining mates from Montreal. They joined us for the first 3 nights or so and then didn’t come back. They are a young couple with a 6 month old baby boy. She was on maternity leave and he took some time off and they are doing 5 cruises in a row from Barcelona, two seven day cruises followed by a 14 day and 21 day cruise, yes you heard right…7 weeks in a row on a cruise ship with a 6 month old. They had decided if they wanted to travel…now’s the time. Not sure where they went but after the 4th night or so they didn’t come back to the dining room.

Cruising is interesting and enjoyable. Everybody looks so happy all the time. Maybe it’s the escape from reality that draws folks. Maybe it’s the exotic ports of call that you seem to sometimes rush through…i.e..Rome in a day. Maybe it’s because you can be as busy as you want or do nothing. Maybe it’s because no one has to cook or clean…you can do exactly like you want. Maybe it’s because you simply want to make some special memories. Surely it’s a mixture of all the above. My bride and I decided when our kids were young that instead of spending inordinate amounts of money on Christmas presents and birthdays…we take trips. No, we didn’t start out in Europe…our destinations were Galveston and camping in the hill country…San Antonio. But they were memories…many of which last a lifetime. This was one of those trips. We both wished several times that our kids had been with us. We have shared many memorable trips…and Lord willing there will be more.

I guess reality sets in today as we make our way from Barcelona…to Paris…to Houston…then Baytown. I can’t wait to sleep in my own bed. No more all you can eat bacon…or fried eggs…or whatever your pleasure. Hopefully we can avoid the pickpockets on our way back. Thanks for reading and keeping us in your prayers.
See you Soon,

De & ke

Unfortunately Kim doesn’t even make it back to Baytown. Jared is bringing her other travel bag from home…she’ll swap out some clothes and hit the road…and be home Friday. Oh, the joys of travel.

FAQ - Why didn't you post more pics? Internet on the cruise ship is 50c a minute and eternally slow! Thanks for asking.

Quiet on the South Coast of France

2009-11-28T16:15:00.003-06:00

Yesterday was a quiet day for us. We docked at Villefranche, in between Monaco and Cannes to the south while Monte Carlo lie to the north. We decided after three straight days of going from early to late to rest for the next couple of days. Villefrance is a small, quiet, but beautiful town on the edge of the sea and built on the side of the mountains. Our ship docks out in the water and we catch the tender boats into town. There’s not much there besides a few restaurants and shops at least half of which are closed for the season. We headed up to the train station, managed to purchase two train tickets from billet machine in French and boarded the train to Nice, one stop over.

Nice (niece or neese whichever you pronounce it) was nice, pretty big but nice. We got off the train and headed towards the port, or so we thought. It was several blocks down through the middle of town and we were the only tourists we saw. I like that. It doesn’t make me look like a local though as we stood out like sore thumbs everywhere we went. We strolled by a local park where some retired men were playing some kind of game with large metal balls. They threw a red ball aways away from them and then attempted to throw one of their three bigger ones closet to the read one. After their first attempt to see who got the closest, the rest were an attempt to knock the close one away. It was fun to watch.

We did go the right way, made it to the port and sat in an open air café for a morning beverage. The port was full of boats of all kinds, from small colorful fishing boats which we hoped to see to multimillion dollar yachts and everything in between. Mornings are slow to get started in Europe. Nothing seems to get going till 10 or later, then most places shut down from 12-2 for a rest I guess, then things open up again.

After a long leisurely time sitting at the port café and being pretty much ignored by the waiter and everyone else at the café we headed back towards the train station. We happened on a local bakery which we found first by the smell of baking bread. What a treat it was to go inside and see all the French pastries and bread, just like you imagine it would be and at local prices. We got what looked something like an éclair, shaped more like a small dingy, filled in the middle with dark chocolate, chocolate chips, and doused with powdered sugar all for 1 euro, what a bargain. We quickly ate that one and decided to get another one to go, plus something that looked like fried pie dough, also covered in powdered sugar. Both were divine to say the least. We would have loved to sit there for hours and tried one of everything, not to mention take home those torpedo shaped loaves of French bread. But it’s time to head back on the train to Villefrance, make our way back to the ship for our own siesta before dinner. There’s nothing quite like quiet, restful days…that’s today…and tomorrow before heading home.

De & ke

Our day in Florence

2009-11-28T02:42:00.004-06:00

We docked today in a port called Livorno, Italy. Livorno was not what we came to see but had to travel inland. It’s the coast of Tuscany but to get there you have to go inland. We met our driver and guide around 8 am, got in the van and headed to Florence. It was a beautiful drive through the fog covered hills towards Florence, covered in wine groves, olive trees, and quaint villages and towns of the region. Our first stop was a hill overlooking the historic city of Florence. Florence is said to be the birthplace of the Renaissance. It’s where many famous artists and thinkers supposedly brought the world out of the dark ages. It’s not nearly the size of Naples or certainly Rome but beautiful in its own right. The Arno river cuts the city in two one being Florence and the other our guide called “the other side of the Arno,” the other side of the tracks some might say.

After our picturesc beginning we headed straight into town to walk for the next three hours. We visited the Plaza del Duomo with its towering church dome, designed by Brunelleschi, the accompanying baptistry built in 12th century, the Campanille, the Torre del Mangia, the Palazzo Pubblico, and the Ponte Vecchio, famous bridge built in 1345 over the Arno river which houses gold and jewelry shops since the 1500’s. Most all of what Florence is famous for was funded by the Medicci, who held power from 1434-1743. They were at that time the richest family in the world.

We stopped for terrific Tuscan style lunch of an antipasto plate and fresh made fettucini with porcini mushrooms and a cheese and spinach ravioli. I’d never really eaten pasta unless it was covered by sauce of some sort but the Tuscan’s simply use fresh olive oil and parsley. It was nothing short of fabulous, though not inexpensive. We declined to pay 14 euros to see the original statue of David having seen an exact replica earlier on one of the plazas. After that it was back in the van for the trip back through the Tuscan hillside to Pisa.

Pisa is close the port and home of the University of Pisa, an important science school for the Italians. It wasn’t much of a town that we saw except for the Piazza del Duomo, its Baptistry, Campo Santo, and the Leaning Tower. Apparently building such things next to the Arno river was ill advised because of the shifting soil. Bottom line, everything there leans, the church, the baptistery, and the tower. At one time the tower leaned from vertical as much as 17ft. They’ve attempted to stop the progression of the lean and managed to slow it anyway. Our time was short and we didn’t have time to climb to the top, only to take in the sights before heading back to the ship.

Our evening was highlighted by an excellent dinner of turkey, dressing, and all the trimmings. After that a stroll down the Promenade for the turkey parade, and four Asian guys who did justice to a number of Beatles tune. Neither of us could stay awake for the 9:30 evening tribute to America show having been going, going, going for three straight days. Tomorrow is a day of rest for us in the city of Villefrance. Many will go to Monaco to see the casino. I guess it’s one of the largest in the world. For me, once you’ve seen one casino, you’ve seen them all.

Oh yeah, I bought something for me today. We stopped in a local market to try this year's olive oil. I bought some first press, one week old olive oil. Hope it makes it home in my suitcase unscathed.

Once again, ciao!!

De & ke

Rome wasn’t seen in a day!

2009-11-27T02:24:00.002-06:00

Bion Girono!! Today was our day to travel to Rome. We docked at Civitavecchia, a port first built around 200 AD. They’ve upgraded it since which is good for ships like the Voyager of the Seas. Some days they get as many as 7 cruise ships in port at the same time. Since we are very late in the season there were only two. Our driver met us at about 8 am for the 45 minute trip to Rome. Ivan was our driver and guide. His great-grandfather started the business of giving tours of Rome, and his son, and his son, and now Ivan. They’ve been around awhile.

We hit rush hour into Rome and made our way slowly to the “old city.” First stop was the Coliseum and it was fantastic. The whole surrounding area has been excavated so as to give you a feel for what it was like in the 1st century. It gave both of us chill bumps to walk the cobblestone steps up to where the “games” began. Unfortunately most of its original marble beauty was later “recycled” to build newer parts of Rome before there was archeology and tourism, but it’s breathtaking still the same. The stadium was to have held 58,000 people when it was built. We tried to imagine the Emperors, the officials, the chariots, the politicians and the people all gathered for such games. A large cross stands in one section of the place as a reminder of the many folks who paid with their lives for believing in the Christ.

Then we travelled to an important city square, saw dozens of other buildings, I can’t recall the names of, the Trevi Fountain, Placa Novay, the Pantheon, and on to Vatican City. The Vatican is the smallest country in the world. We toured the museum part of the city, made our way down for almost an hour in the Sistine Chapel. It was a place we could’ve stayed for hours. Part of our tour included our own guide for the Vatican. I really believe he could’ve talked for a month describing everything we were seeing. It was hard to take it all in. Then from there we went into St Peter’s Basilica. Boy, there just wasn’t enough time. We’re not Catholic but it was still amazing to actually stand where so many world people focus their faith. We just missed the Pope. He speaks at noon every Wednesday. Aaron, I didn’t get to tell him hi for you, sorry.
That’s all the time we had for today so it was back to the ship.

The weather has been just perfect so far, lows in the 60’s highs around 68 and no rain. “Rome wasn’t built in a day” they say. Well, I’ll tell you, you can’t see it in one either….but it’s certainly worthwhile to see all you can.

We pray for each you of a greater sense of Thanksgiving for each and every blessing the Lord gives us. I’m especially thankful for my bride of 30 years, come December.
Ciao ya’ll,

De & ke

Where's Your Wallet?

2009-11-25T12:59:00.004-06:00

My last blog was from the Hotel Oasis in Barcelona. We liked Barcelona. The area we were in was right near the port or marina and a popular place to be. One of the things I like most about travelling overseas is the chance to do as much non-touristy things as I can, travel the trains/subways, eat at local places, and the like. While you do that its part of why you travel is to see the sights. We headed out of the hotel with good directions on how to get to Sagrada Familia, a huge church that was started by Gaudi and is still under construction.

We headed down to the metro station, down the stairs, finding our way to make sure we were headed the right direction. It was a busy day on the train and as it arrived we stepped in, at least Kim did, I tried to but some decent looking guys wanted the spot by the door. I tried to push through, explaining without words the best I could, “I need to get through.”

The next few moments still play over and over in my mind. The ring that indicates the door is about to close goes off and I’m trying to get through. All of a sudden there’s a bump and the guys blocking the door give way, and quickly get out, only for me to realize, they stole my wallet! I realized it just a split second after it happened. After all, I was carrying it in my front pocket like you’re supposed to.

I hollered at Kim, "they stole my wallet” and rushed out the door right behind them. Kim quickly followed by putting her hand in the train door, despite it closing. Thankfully it opened and she was able to follow. I quickly confronted the guy who bumped me and of course he holds up his hands as if to say, what?” I continued to follow him, demanding my wallet. And truth be told, he didn’t steal my wallet, his cohort did. Up the escalators we went me right behind demanding my wallet and back down the other side of the station. I’m hollering at him with Kim not far behind. Of course there’s no wallet.

All of sudden I see Kim standing with some older gentleman, holding up my wallet, of course cash free. It all happened so quickly. We looked and found a security gal, who kind of shrugged her shoulders as if to say, “duh?” It was done. Fortunately there was not too much cash that was lost. We decided that when we needed cash we would use the ATM and that has worked fine, though losing any is more than I would have preferred.

After a few moments of settling down to take in what had happened, realize all our cash was gone, and to sort things out, we headed back to where we had been, continued on our way to Sagrada Familia, at a hamburgesa at McDonalds, stopped at the ATM for more cash, again by train to Las Ramblas, the major happening area in Barcelona, walked talked, had more Tapas in a streetside café, and eventually walked back to the hotel. By the time we got back and laid down, all I could think about was what happened. What I could’ve done differently. I think it was a miracle I got back my wallet at all, credit cards, ID, drivers license, ATM card all still there, along with my hiding cash. All they wanted was the quick cash and they got it. I had a hard time sleeping because of it.

After breakfast the next day, we couldn’t get to the cruise ship fast enough. Next stop the southern Italian coast.

More later,
de & ke

My "Fr-english" is Bad

2009-11-21T06:29:00.004-06:00

It was quite a start to our trip to the Mediterranean. I think from now on I just call it the Med so I won't have to be concerned if I spell it right hereafter. We got a late start from IAH on the way to Paris. I've been on several trips over the pond so I thought for sure they could make up the time in the air. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't. This time nada, we were late landing in Paris and missed our connecting flight to Barcelona. When folks tell you to avoid CDG airport in Paris they mean it. Well, we were late getting there for our 9 am flight to Spain and were immediately booked on the 3:45 pm. That's right...all day at CDG...or stay awake, hit the train into Paris for a couple of hours of sightseeing so that's what we did.

We made our way down to the RER train area, stood in line with 100 or more other people, spent some of the Euros I had gotten at IAH, paid the fare into Paris...8.50 Euros...and boarded the train to the Notre Dame stop. It has a french name but I forget what it was called...something Notre Dame...duh! After stopping at every stop between the two we got off the train, up the escalators and stairs and came out just a block from the Notre Dame Cathedral.

Wow!! It's totally impressive. We spend the better part of an hour or more outside, then inside...yes, it's free to get in the church...took in the very first part of a noon prayer service and then left. I admit...I got nothing out of the service. Maybe my french is just that bad...yes its bad. My "fr-english" is not very good either. Maybe it the combination of my southern accent combined with what is likely a terrible rendition of french...hence "fr-english"...I suspect that my spanglish is just as bad. I didn't get it...and those I tried to speak it to didn't get it either.

Well...after the few minutes of a french catholic prayer service we hit the street next to NotreDame...found a little streetside cafe for a bite to eat. Going on virtually no sleep for almost 24 hrs we thought it better to keep going than to stop. Kim ordered some quiche lorraine and I got fried eggs and ham...along with some french coffee. While we waited for the food and rested...we just people watched. Even in November the area around the cathedral was very crowded. The food was just outstanding and certainly the coffee was much needed. Then it was time to stroll the shops back towards our trainstop on the Seine river...try to make sure we found the right train back to the airport...security check and wait for our plane to Barcelona.

After an hour and half flight to Barcelona...we finally made it...unless you count finding the RENFE train...catching the train...making a connection at Barcelona Sants stop...finding the correct train to Estancia Le Franca...walking a few blocks...asking a local who showed us the next half block to our Hotel Oasis...that's pretty much our trip so far. Well, we did manage to do all that...get a shower after 30 hours of pretty much no sleep...walk a couple of blocks away to a nice area for some evening Tapas...potatoes brava...their version of garlic shrimp (prawns)...a nice mozerella cheese...and sundried tomatoes on bread drizzled with olive oil...a guitar playing guy...another who came and played the accordion...then back to the hotel our evening.

After we got back to the hotel...I bought internet access...3 Euros for 24 hrs...got online to see if I could use Skype and try to figure out why Kim's phone wouldn't work. After some back and forth and finally getting a decent connection...the nice lady at Verizon Wireless in the states...stayed patient with our connection...we walked through the problem...really on their end...and got Kim's cell phone working...3G network and all. Then it was time to call home and let the fam know we made it.

Today I feel like I got run over by a truck. We did have some breakfast...good coffee...and go for a walk near our hotel. Right now the bride is resting and I'm blogging. Later we'll venture out a bit further to take in some of Barcelona...hopefully Sagadra Familia...a gothic church 100's of years already in construction with possibly 100's more to go...then some dinner...maybe some paella...then a another good night of rest. Manana we board the ship. Well...that's it for now. I'm still trying to find a church for tomorrow morning...not much luck yet. I found one...I think...but will have to try to get some more info...I'm sure if I speak "fr-english" that will help. My spanglish is really bad.

Thanks for reading,
de & ke

Almost Gone!

2009-11-18T13:03:00.002-06:00

By this time tomorrow my bride and I will be headed to her favorite airport, IAH. It just so happens she won't be home until this evening, just in time to wash a few things, repack, and head back out. I'm pretty sure the last thing she probably wants to do is head back to the airport but she does love to travel and she does get those airmiles and somebody has to use them.

So, tomorrow we'll head out over the pond as they say. We're flying to Barcelona, Spain for a day or so and then board a ship for a 7 day Western Mediterranean cruise. I was looking awhile back when she was working so hard, trying to find a reasonably priced cruise to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary. And there it was...a 7 day cruise to Rome, Florence, Pisa, Pompeii, Nice, Marseilles, and Cannes, then back to Barcelona for cheaper than we could cruise out of Galveston. We've gone out of Galveston before and wanted to go somewhere new. Next was to check to see if we could fly on those Continental air miles and yes...flights were available so...off we go.

On our way back we'll overnight in Paris and see what we can see in just a few overnight hours. I'll try to blog and post a few pics while we're gone while at the same time try not to pay for too many minutes on cruiseship priced internet.

It's the least she deserves for putting up with me for 30 years...don't you think?

Well...we're almost gone. No FB, no farmtown, hopefully no mosquitoes, and the trip of a lifetime for the next 10 days. We'll be enjoying the fare in another part of the world and working on our next 30 years! Everyone have a blessed Thanksgiving!

cya later,
de

Why I Started Blogging.

2009-11-16T11:49:00.003-06:00

I tried to think back about exactly why I started blogging but couldn't recall. So now, I take you back to November 1, 2005. Here's my first edition blog. Not much to brag about but here it is. Oh by the way, I'm sure to pick up this week on the blogging as my bride and I take our 30th anniversary trip to cruise the Western mediterranean.

My Son Says I Need a Blog

Actually I've had one for months but have never learned how to use it. Just guess I wasn't sure what to do with it. After everything that's happened lately in the world and in my world I decided to jump into blogging. I'm still not sure I know what I'm doing or even how to use this but here goes.

The title for my blog is, "Not too seriously please." I guess that's the reason for my hesitancy to start blogging because much of what I might say could be taken too seriously and I might offend someone. I hope not but, oh well, here goes.

I just finished what I have entitled "dead week". No, I'm not in school, I'm a full-time minister who just finished participating in some way in 5, count em, 5 funerals in eight days, hence the name, "not too seriously please" and "dead week."

Day one of dead week was the funeral I did for a sweet gal who I really came to know only in recent years. She was one of those folks who live 70 or 80 years in her just under 50. Life was tough, she lived it fast and hard, and finally wore down. Her soul mate was a guy the rest of the bikers called "Wild Man." If wild man could play the guitar he could sub in for Billy Gibbons or Dusty Hill of ZZ top anyday. He looked the part with an 18 inch white beard and leather jacket.

It wasn't my first Biker funeral and probably won't be my last. Wild man answered his cell phone at least twice during the funeral and maybe three times. Bikers, God love 'em are an interesting lot. Funeral attire has drasctically changed over the years and biker funerals are one example. Overall, it was an interesting day and the family and bikers were all pleased by the service. One down.

After that, I left to go home and pack, load up the car and head to the funeral home for the second of the five funerals I just couldn't fit in to my schedule. All I could do was just visit the family, so that's what I did. Then it was off to the doggie motel to house my Schnauzer Frazier, drive to the airport, and off too OK for my uncles funeral, #2 on Tuesday.

Well, that's my first blog. I'll write more maybe tomorrow.

Stayin alive, stayin alive.

de

Not Much to Blog About Lately

2009-10-20T09:43:00.002-05:00

Got this from my uncle today. Thought it was cute as well as accurate. Enjoy or not whatever your flavor.

de

Might Want to Check Your Email Account

2009-10-07T15:12:00.002-05:00

Not much I really want to blog about lately. Someone got into my backyard porch area night before last...moved a bunch of stuff around and stole my generator. On the way out they spotted my almost new push mower and decided to take it too. Nothing ticks me off like some lowlife thinking my stuff really ought to be his. It had to be somebody who had scouted it out, seen it, and made their way back to take it for their own.

Just got back from painful experience at the dentist. Guess I shouldn't have put it off so long. My least favorite of things to do. Gotta go back next week for digging on the other side. Got home...stepped on a little glass bowl we had been using to give our now adopted cats their daily milk...it tipped over and shattered into a gillion pieces. Trying to get in the door after my Sam's Club stop on the way home from the dentist and ripped my leather cell phone carrier smack in two pieces. It's probably so old now they won't have accessories for it any more.

That's enough for now. Ahh...the little things.

Here's some news for you hotmail users.

Hava good day all!!

de

Hotmail security breach spreads as 30,000 Gmail and Yahoo! passwords are posted online.

The massive security breach that led to millions of Hotmail customers being advised to change their passwords has now spread to users of email services including Gmail and Yahoo! Mail.

Up to 21million people and businesses who use the Hotmail service in the UK were warned they are potentially at risk of being defrauded after passwords were acquired illegally.

Around 10,000 passwords were obtained by hackers who created a fake website identical to Hotmail's to fool users into entering their email address and password in a 'phishing' scam.

Not Related

2009-10-05T13:26:00.004-05:00

Maybe you saw the news release and story this past week about "Ardi." Ardi is short for Ardipithecus ramidus, "the oldest pre-human species yet found. Ardi, a she ape, lived 4.4 million years ago in what is now Ethiopia." Fascinating stuff that apparently has the scientific world all agaga. They finally found the missing link.

Oops, sorry strike that...quote "Ardi is not the long-sought "missing link" -- the ancestor that scientists say humans and apes have in common -- but comes close. And it helps show that both human beings and apes have evolved from something, about six million years ago, that did not look much like either."

My scientific mind...save your comment please...says, we're not related at all. Ardi's description looks to me like some sort of hybrid, long arms that are perfect for swinging from the trees, but feet that helped her walk upright. Well, I've gotta state here and now on the public record...me and Ardi...we're not related. How do I know? We don't look at all alike. Whadda ya think?

Nah...I barely have any facial hair at all.

Not too seriously remember? See ya in the jungle!!

de

This Just IN!!

2009-10-01T13:48:00.003-05:00

Spanking Lead to Lower IQ's

A story that was all over the papes and on the web this week reveals a recent study that says kids who get spanked have on average a 5 point loss on the IQ scale. "The more the spanking, the lower the IQ." I tried to imagine just what my IQ might have been prior to my later childhood days. I was surely a raving genius at some point early in life, a potential MENSA member, and now? (If you don't know what MENSA is you were probably spanked way too much as a child.)

Well now, I suppose I'm just average, but as the good book says, a good bit wiser for the rod (belt, flyswatter, switch, hand) my parents did not spare in those days. Surely it saved my soul from hell as well as some awful evil I might have thought up or done, all because I was bored because of my staggeringly high IQ at the time.

You absolutely have to love research and all it reveals. I say however.... Spank on parents... just enough to keep em from thinking they know everything...which all kids do at some point...but not so much so that you end up beating the smart sense right out of em and make em angry. It's a tough balance huh? Yep. Such is life. Glad I don't have to spank those grandsons of mine...who are still both geniuses in their own right. (Nothing like a unbiased view huh?)

Thanks mom & dad for spanking me....just enough.

de

A Look On The Bright Side

2009-09-29T14:23:00.002-05:00

It seems like a lot of folks are depressed about the recession/depression, whatever name you give it. And certainly there are reasons for concern...in many areas. It affects all of us and some in major ways but the truth is...its not all bad. Folks are eating at home more...conserving more...saving more...doing more less costly, more simple things together...and that's good. I believe it causes us to a large degree to rethink our priorities and that certainly a good thing. Do I really need that...do I have to have that...is that truly important.

While I think these things privately, you really have to look for the good news. Oh yeah, most of the major evening news networks tend to close with a feel good story of some sort but that's not what traditionally sells news...its bad news that sells. But its the good news that gives us hope and makes us feel good. Here's a bit of good news from today's Houston Barnicle.

The Recession Could Actually Be Good for You!!

Yes, that's right, good for you. I'll let you read the article for yourself but suffice to say the Great Depression is described as the "low point" of the 20th century, it lasted for four years, unemployment reached almost 23% but public health was never better. During difficult times you may have to look harder for good news...but its always there!!

Slow down...stay home...eat a home cooked meal together...save some money...spend time with family...take a nap. It's all really good for you.

I think its nap time...cya,
de

A lotta things I'm not!!

2009-09-21T11:47:00.002-05:00

Sometimes defining what you are not is easier than deciding who you are. I think those things you're not say an awful lot about who you are. This is not all that well thought out so don't be expecting anything profound. That's how my blogging goes, when it goes. I'm not an alarmist!! I don't think the sky is falling. I don't believe the terrorists will win...but neither will the Astros if that tells you anything. I didn't believe the Texans would win yesterday but they did. I don't believe that "global warming" is all our fault...the cows are some to blame for all that gas, but I digress. I guess that puts me against the cows who say "Eat mor chickin." Yes, I know this is pretty lame. I truly believe I'm not a racist...although all of us have tendencies we can't ignore and should try to deal with.

I don't believe the Muslims will take over the world but I am concerned with what I see and with what most folks seem to be ignoring. They are in fact intending to dominate the world. That seems to be their way of evangelism. If you don't think so...just note that this year however, President Obama, decided to cancel the ceremony at the White House not wanting to offend anyone. They will however have Islam on Capitol Hill this year. On September 25, 2009 from 4am until 7pm, a National Day of Prayer for the Muslim religion will be held on Capitol Hill, beside the White House.

I am a Christian. I am an American. I don't believe we should run them all out but I do think we must stand up and defend our rights and stop going quietly into the night while they evangelize our country. Just my thoughts for today. Be aware folks!!

Boomer Sooner & Go Texans!
de

Note from a friend

2009-09-12T11:59:00.002-05:00

This is a note from a friend Mark, who is currently in the military in Afghanistan. The bride and I are privileged to call lots of young people our friends, most of whom started as our children's friends or those who were a part of a youth group when that was our ministry. They have now grown and some have their own children, who I am amused to watch and will be privileged to see them grow and give them some of the same troubles they gave their parents. That's just the way it goes. Add Mark to your prayers if you would and all those who are with him.

de

From Mark ----

Things are going pretty well here. I don't remember if I told y'all or not, but I have internet in my tent. Also, next month, we're supposed to move to a hard site (actual building) which, hopefully, will be a better situation for us.

It's cooling down a lot which is especially noticeable at night and somewhat noticeable during the day. We use a heater from about midnight to 6 in the morning and then it's all A/C.
I got my toughbox yesterday which is basically a big box of personal stuff that we packed about a month before we left. I finally have some real pillows and a comfy blanket, not to mention my Bible study books which is good seeing as I'm coordinating with the Chaplain to start a Bible study here since we don't have services. The Chaplain isn't actually here with us, so I'm taking over.

Missions are going well, though they are usually longer than they really need to be in my personal opinion. Other than that, I guess I don't have too much to say.

Love y'all,
Mark

Any Mouse Fuzz Lately?

2009-08-31T14:33:00.003-05:00

I tried really hard today to have a normal Monday. Monday's are probably my least productive days, only because they follow Sunday, often my busiest day. And my only work day as most people count preachers but that's another story. After yesterdays day, I was whipped. Actually it was not just Sunday but the Friday and Saturday leading up to the Sunday that all piled together made it difficult. Yesterday was all in all a great Lord's day with an excellent worship, open hearts to the Word of God, lunch with friends, almost a nap, umpired an exciting pew ball game, and our Life group really reached out and ministered to a family. All the stuff that has the potential to make Sunday a really, really, fine day.

I was standing in the driveway with the bride following group, getting ready to get in the truck when my cell phone rang, uh oh, Baytown PD. No, its not a "you're in trouble" kind of call but "there's been an incident, are you available to come and minister." That's my calling folks, so I go. From the time the phone rang at 6:45 til almost midnight last night I tried my best to represent God to a bunch of police officers, detectives, friends, family, and neighbors of a young lady whose 2 month old baby had stopped breathing on her own couch. Not the way anyone wants to spend Sunday evening or any other time. Certainly not how that family wanted to spend that evening.

So today, I'm trying to be normal, productive, got a busy weekend in store again this weekend. Then 2/3rds through the day, my mouse all but stops moving to the right. Moving left is grand but not right, nada, nothing. Know what it was? Mouse fuzz, that's right mouse fuzz. After banging on it, blowing on it, and looking at with disgust, I decided to turn it over, open it up and check it out. The mouse ball, I guess its called, came rolling out, along with a big ball of mouse fuzz. Maybe there's a better technical term, I don't know. I banged it on the mouse pad some more and blew on it some more trying to avoid eating or inhaling any aforementioned fuzz. And man, I can't believe all the fuzz that came out of there. You just never know what's going to clog up your days somedays. You never know what may cause your weekend tired to go haywire. For me, today it was mouse fuzz.

If you look back up to the top of my header it says, life in H-town, "not too seriously folks." Gotta go now. It's back to work and then to H-town for MNF, Brett Farve, and Adrian Peterson.

de

Something Pretty Cool, I think

2009-08-27T09:57:00.003-05:00

Have you ever heard of micro loans? I had heard of them briefly but for the most part passed it off and didn't pay that much attention, til yesterday. I'm going through my inbox pretty hurriedly and stopped briefly on one describing micro loans through an outfit called Kiva. I clicked on their site and was impressed. Here's what Kiva does.

We Let You Loan to the Working Poor

Kiva's mission is to connect people through lending for the sake of alleviating poverty.

Kiva is the world's first person-to-person micro-lending website, empowering individuals to lend directly to unique entrepreneurs around the globe.

"The people you see on Kiva's site are real individuals in need of funding - not marketing material. When you browse entrepreneurs' profiles on the site, choose someone to lend to, and then make a loan, you are helping a real person make great strides towards economic independence and improve life for themselves, their family, and their community. Throughout the course of the loan (usually 6-12 months), you can receive email journal updates and track repayments. Then, when you get your loan money back, you can relend to someone else in need."

Anyway, yesterday I loaned $25 to the Solidarias Group, consisting of Antonia Marroquin Tambriz, Francisca Tambriz Tambriz, Ana Ixquiactap Carrillo, Juana Cuc Bac, Jacinta Guachiac Suy, Isabel Tambriz Tambriz by Asociación ASDIR in Guatemala. We are excited to watch this business grow. Over the 10 months of this loan, Asociación ASDIR will be collecting repayments from this entrepreneur and posting progress updates on the Kiva website.

$25 bucks right? You're thinking cheapskate right? Well, me too. To me, $25 is a medium range dinner out with my bride. To these folks, $25 may mean the difference in a bunch of families making a better life for themselves. No, its not just $25. They put my 25 together with other folks loans for maybe $900.

I already got an email update from them about the loan. Pretty cool way to spend $25.

Check it out for yourself. They make one loan every 12 seconds. I like it. If you decide to sign up, tell em I sent you.

thanks,

Some Good News Today

2009-08-26T10:19:00.002-05:00

My last blog was about some school folks who had been taken to court by the ACLU for praying, allegedly at school sponsored events. Here's a report today that one of the court cases has been dismissed. There's always some good news if you keep looking for it.

ACLU's 'rock-solid' anti-prayer case crumbles

One of three Florida school officials accused of violating a court order forbidding prayer in school has been exonerated.

Santa Rosa County School District clerical assistant Michelle Winkler has had her day and court and has come out victorious. Winkler was accused of violating a court order that banned school officials from participating in religious activities on campus before, during, and after school hours when she asked her husband who is not employed by the school district to offer prayer at an event.

de

Think Our Nation is in Trouble?

2009-08-18T13:17:00.003-05:00

Here's a story you may not see in the headlines too much but it certainly signals the direction our nation is headed. It's not good news folks but it is the reality of where we are living now. Shall we pray!

de

Florida Principal, Athletic Director Could Go to Jail for Prayer Before Lunch at School

Saturday, August 15, 2009

A principal and an athletic director in Florida could be charged with crimes and spend six months in jail after they prayed before a meal at a school event, the Washington Times reported.

Pace High School Principal Frank Lay and athletic director Robert Freeman will go on trial in federal district court Sept. 17. They're accused of violating the conditions of a lawsuit settlement reached last year with the American Civil Liberties Union, according to the Times.

Local pastors and some students and teachers are outraged that Lay and Freeman face criminal charges, and they have protested during graduation ceremonies, the newspaper said.

"I have been defending religious freedom issues for 22 years, and I've never had to defend somebody who has been charged criminally for praying," said Mathew Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel, the Christian-based legal group that is defending the two school officials.

Another First - A 100th Birthday Party

2009-08-13T13:32:00.004-05:00

My family and I get to enjoy another first this weekend. We begin traveling today, most of us, to Muskogee to attend a 100th birthday party for one of the sweetest ladies to ever walk the planet, Ruth. I first met Ruth not too long after I first met Kim's family. Although technically she's not a part of Kim's family, in reality she has been for many, many years. Kim's parents first met Ruth when they moved to Muskogee right after they were married. That was more than 60 years ago now. If I have the story right they rented a small place from Ruth and her husband and well the rest is history. Ruth introduced them to the Lord and the church. Kim's dad went on to serve as elder for many years. When my bride was born Ruth was there. When my daughter was born, Ruth was there and we gave her Ruth's middle name. When our first son was born, Ruth was there. She's Kims 3rd grandma but holds a place as dear as any blood family. She's been loving me and sharing with my family from the day we met. She's a person of beauty, wisdom, grace, and love. What a privilege it will be to celebrate such an occasion with her and all who know her. I don't think she thought, nor did we, that she would make 100 years but the Lord keeps her here. She embodies everything I think a "saint" should be. She won't read this I'm sure but thought you might want to know how blessed we have been to have Ruth in our lives. Happy Birthday Ruth. And many more........

de

Freeware Update

2009-08-10T09:57:00.003-05:00

I did a blogpost almost two months ago about PC health and freeware. In that blog I boasted that I never have any real problems nor have I been hacked. Today's update is to report I was hacked but you already know that if you're a regular reader. I had to add a program to my PC to address malware. So today I report an updated list of popular freeware. As I said before, get it, use it, and update it regular. The link is from PC Pitstop updated the last part of July. I currently used all of the top 7 and recently added Malwarebytes anti malware.

#1 Mozilla Firefox - browser
#2 Ccleaner - system cleaner
#3 AVG antivirus - duh
#4 Real Player - video player
#5 Spybot - anti-malware
#6 Ad-Aware - anti-malware
#7 Skype - VOIP
#8 VLC Media Player
#9 Open Office
#10 Avast Antivirus
#11 Malwarebytes Anti-malware

Sounds like a lot to keep up with and it is regular but many of them are a must, especially if you use freeware.

de

Bragging Once in Awhile

2009-08-04T13:11:00.002-05:00

In the grand scheme of things my highest priority is trying to become a better disciple of Jesus. It's a day to day work and a life long work as well. Some days are certainly better than others but I wake up every day thankful for the fact that God loves me and is at work in my life. Right behind that relationship comes my family, my lovely bride of almost 30 years (come Dec), yes dear I remember. When she married me my folks were thrilled, (I was getting a terrific upgrade) but her folks...well lets just say they were not quite as thrilled...and probably with good reason. But again, through faith, she believed the Lord still loved me and through Him there was hope...for her, for me, for us. Our journey in trying to follow Him and let Him lead has been nothing short of amazing. I suppose that's why He called us to "have faith," not in what you can see but faith in the One who is leading. Boy is that hard. She works so hard, trying to help so many teachers and students to have a better education. She pays a hard price physically to travel and to do what she does. But deep down she does it because its what she feels she's called to do.

Right there in line on my list of priorities has been my kids. Raising kids is certainly a blessed part of God's adventure in growing, learning, and having faith. Now that they're all grown into adults, the family thing takes on a different light but still another part of the journey of faith, of prayer, and of hope. So today, I'll take a moment to brag once in awhile about my kids.

Our daughter married her ideal life mate, a creative, intelligent, loving, yet sometimes strange, God-fearing man who makes her laugh and helps her learn to not take life so seriously. Why is that important, because she does take life pretty serious, along with the fact that she's a seriously talented, gifted, and compassionate soul, sometimes to her detriment. Thanks J for loving her, making her laugh, and for letting her pursue her passions. For her, her passions lie smack in the middle of her creativity, her photography, her cakes, her friends, her love for children, and family and the Lord as well. If you haven't checked out her stuff online, let me suggest you do. Here's a link to a photo she did recently for a book that's coming out for an singer named Joe Pernice. Pretty cool and worthy checking out.

Our first son married the love of his life too. He says that he fell for her the very first time he saw her and I understand why. She's totally supportive to him in every way that I know of. She stays home and pinches pennies so that she can stay home and raise those two beautiful grandsons of mine that she bore. Thanks Al? What more could you ask? Not to mention that they too continue to look for the Lord's direction for their family as disciples. He's got the vocation and responsibility of someone much older and shoulders it all very well it seems. I know it can't be easy. When I see him as a dad, how good he is with his boys, how much he loves his wife, and how he works for them, I can't help but wonder where it came from? Must've come from his mom, thank goodness.

Our youngest is different yet from his older siblings. Kim's grandma used to say that she had 13 and that they were all completely different personalities. I certainly believe it. J hasn't found the love of his life yet. (He seems to be on a temporary hold). He's not quite through with all the schooling he wants to get, and yet I know I am as proud of him as I am of the other two. He's faced some major obstacles in his life from early on that the other didn't face. School was a struggle for J but with lots of help from his mom and good teachers he learned to forge ahead, work at it, to get through it and succeed. He shares some his sisters bent for always wanting to help folks and doing so, maybe sometimes when he shouldn't. But that's who he is, the people person I am not. He connects with folks in a way that is surely a gift from God and they connect with him almost as quickly. He is a special soul and I can't wait to see what all God has in store for Him. I know he'll find it and am proud of where he's going.

Well, enough bragging for now. I can't recall the last time I did. We ought to all brag once in awhile when the opportunity comes or at least tell those we love how proud we are of them. None of us do that enough. Besides, the whole reason we can be proud is because, God is good.

why not try it on someone today?
de

I Got Hacked!

2009-07-29T10:44:00.002-05:00

Yes, you read right, I got hacked. Yes, I'm hacked for a number of reasons most of which are familiar to most anyone. And yes, it was time to move along on from the sadness of losing our dog, although I keep looking for him everywhere at home, but he's gone. Anyway, I tried to call my bride last night on skype. I love skype and have been using and telling everyone about it for years. We really couldn't do without it because its the main way we are able to see and talk to Noah, Cohen, and of course their parents and our daughter too, not to mention a number of other folks around the world, for either free or cheap.

When I logged onto skype something was wrong, my contact list was missing and my skype credit was lower than last I recall. What happened was on July 21st, somebody somehow hacked into my skype account and used my account and credit to call literally all over the world, for approximately 2 days. We're talking Nigeria, Ghana, places in Europe, and some places I've never heard of. There were skype to skype calls, mobile phone calls, and landline calls. Many of the calls didn't cost anything but they ended up charging about $100 worth of calls and that's a bunch of calls on skype. Then they were gone, after two days.

Needless to say I was hacked at being hacked. I did whine enough to skype to get $25 back but thats it. Far as I can tell they didn't find their way into anything else, paypay, bank, but I'm still looking. Well, thats my rant for the day. Thought for sure I was diligent on all my security stuff. Still not sure how or when it happened. Whatever you do, watch yourselves and try not to get hacked.

Have a good one,
de

Man....that hurt!

2009-07-28T08:38:00.003-05:00

Yesterday was a first for me. You tend to think that when it comes to the things of life, surely I've been there...done that, and I have. I don't even know how many funerals I've been to or presided over. The only folks who've done more are the funeral home folks. But yesterday after literally months of contemplating and agonizing, we took our dog Frazier, 17 years a part of our family to our friend and vet Dr. Larry and had him put to sleep. It wasn't a spur of the moment decision. He'd been struggling for a long time. His quality of life was really, really poor.

For me, it was one of the hardest things I've ever done. We laughed with Dr Larry about how Fraz got run over the first few days after we had picked him up outside the Houston SPCA. The kids were young and we had lost our former American Eskimo dog King after a good long life and well...it was time for another dog. We couldn't afford to buy a designer dog of any sort so we trekked down to see what dogs were available at the Houston SPCA. About the time we were being greeted by the receptionist a young couple came in with this 6 month old schnauzer dog in tow, they couldn't keep in their apartment. We struck up a brief conversation with them, told the young lady behind the counter, "we want this dog." But that's not the way it works so she quietly instructed us that we'd have to take it all outside, arrange the transfer between ourselves and so we did. For like 75 bucks we did the deal outside, loaded up 3 very happy kids, (parents too) and headed home with Frazier, his cage, his bed, and his food bowl.

His favorite thing early on was to bolt out the door, and make a break for it just as fast as he possibly could go. Within just a day or two of bringing him home he made that break, ran outside and headed straight for the street, only to be rolled under an oncoming car. That was our first call to Dr Larry. He rolled under the car and thankfully not the tires which flattened out his hips pretty badly but he recovered. For the rest of his life he would sit on the floor with his hips spread totally flat and back legs pointing out like he'd been run over or something.

A few years later we had moved to a house just a few blocks over and were cooking one Thanksgiving day. Kim ventured out into the back yard, with Fraz, and saw the neighbor across the fence in her back yard. Why not go meet the neighbor? Sounds good. They met at the back fence and so did the two opposing dogs, whereby Frazier defended Kim and proceded to attack the neighbors dog through the chain link fence. He managed somehow to get ahold of the neighbors dogs paw and chew on it so bad that they had to call Dr Larry out on Thanksgiving day for a repair job. We never did get close with those neighbors after that, I'm not sure why.

There were so many other joys of having a good natured dog like Frazier. I don't recall him ever biting anybody else but the neighbors dog and me! Yeah me, good natured me. Even in the patient room yesterday as we waited even though he hadn't felt well for months, couldn't see, struggled to walk, and flinched everytime I put my hand on his head, we briefly played one last time. I would tap the side of his mouth, he would open his mouth and lightly snap...tap...snap... tap...snap. It was something we did his whole life. A couple of times over the years he snapped a little too much but he never really bit anybody but me...and maybe Jared but never any children or strangers.

He was always great around kids, of all ages. A couple of our grown children's friends wrote yesterday on FB about things they recalled and about life with our dog Frazier. He loved popcorn and people food though we didn't give him much of the people food, just as Dr L said. He liked grapes, watermelon, and bread...boy he loved bread. For years if you left the loaf of bread near the edge of the counter and he could see it was there, he'd jump up, grab the loaf of bread and have at it. I never did see him do it but found the half eaten loaf on the floor countless times. Oh yeah, no people food. He survived a cancerous growth on his foot not too many years ago, thanks to you know who. He gave us great joy and sorrow. He was without a doubt, part of our family. And because of how much he was a part of our lives...our childrens lives...our friends lives...yesterday... man...that hurt...it still does. I cried like a baby and I don't cry.

The doggie door is closed today at our house and won't be opened again for awhile. I'm sure I'll continue to look and listen for him for quite some time...and miss him. For all those who have experienced such a loss, I know you know. Thanks Fraz for being a part of our family. With such an enjoyable relationship as they can be, surely, all dogs go to heaven, don't you think?

Thanks for listening,
de

Prayer for my friend

2009-07-21T09:54:00.004-05:00

I tried to recall when M & I first met. It's been several years now, I know that. He came to our church through a fellow elder and friend via the prison ministry. M got in trouble back in the day for drugs and was one of those folks you hear about who gets hooked the first time and loses everything. That's what he did, he lost it all, his wife, his son, his long time and good job at the papermill, all to a crack pipe, and the price that goes with it. Somewhere in prison he found a Christian, the Word, the Lord and eventually us. While it certainly was the right move, in the right direction, it was far less than a miraculous and permanent turnaround. Truth is, for many who go the way of prison for felony crimes its a difficult and lifelong struggle after they pay their debt. Many do not survive it without returning again to prison or worse.

The best job he could find with that kind of record was working for an local outfit that hires many folks like him. That's good news and bad news. The good news is they will hire folks with a felony record. That's also the bad news because that's who you work with...not a real encouraging lot if you're trying to do right and good. It's been a real struggle for him these years since prison because he's got no family, few friends, and some of the same struggles he's had for years. By the nature of his workplace he fell in with a mostly ethnic crowd, courted a fairly young, sweet, naive, undocumented female, married her, and all was grand...until her family found out more about M. Not long after what looked to be the happiest days of his recent life, did her family literally take her away from him and forbid her to come back. That's another story but that's what happened. It's been an even harder struggle since then. The ethnic crowd at work hated on him so bad, he eventually quit his job or go crazy. Everyone it seemed was against him. Yet somehow he held on, found some temp work, and stayed in touch with a couple of us at church.

Believe it or not that's the abridged version of M's tumultuous life. Today however, I offer a prayer for my friend, and ask you to do the same if you're so inclined. Today, after working hard since he quit his other job, he starts a new job, thanks to a hispanic friend at our church. Today, he's got his TWIC card, which is a special maritime security clearance card that you have to have to work in and around the Port of Houston. (His felonies weren't enough to get in the way) Today, he has passed two different tests (a 96 & a 90) to get this new job. Today, he drove onto the Exxon plant property and begins this new job as a scaffold builders helper with one of the subcontractors on property. Today I ask you Lord to bless M, help him do well, to fit in to whatever situation comes his way and to keep him safe. May today be the step up to a better life for my friend. It's been years in coming and I don't think he thought something like this would ever come. Thank you Lord, and may it be the step forward that he needs and that I pray it is.

Thank you Lord for my friend M, and I hope he gets rained out about 3 pm. ;)

have a blessed day ya'll,
de

Moving On

2009-07-16T09:36:00.004-05:00

I appreciate all the comments, mostly on FB, from my recollection and blog of Monday's events entitled "Never Know." "Necessity is the mother of invention," "there's nothing new under the sun," and lastly, "I am neither especially clever nor especially gifted. I am only very, very curious." Albert Einstein

So today, moving on from Monday, I'll share some of Terry Rush's thoughts recently on his 34th anniversary at the Memorial church in Tulsa. He blogs regularly and you may not always agree with everything he says but he's always makes you think and he has quite a heart for God.

From Terry Rush, not me.

It's been an interesting and exciting experience to be around this congregation this long. Here are a few of the things I've learned along the way:

Not everyone should think the way I think regardless of how strongly I believe they should.
Those who believe the strongest we are the only ones saved are often the very ones who fear most they are lost.
I preached too many sermons on church growth when I should have been preaching on The Church Grower.
I've learned to like to pray.
God will remain in the shadows of mystery and I need to learn to live there without explanation and response for every question coming my way.
I am not tired of ministry but am growing in curiosity. What has God in store that no one has yet seen Him do for mankind?
The Holy Spirit loves to work directly in our lives; yet He remains humble enough that mere man can quench him if we so desire.
Everyone is deeply guilty of sin; not just the rare few of us I had assumed.
People possess a deep strength within that only God will reveal when we are in pivotal crisis.
God will bless when we will risk.
The more we accept the unacceptables of society the more the heart of Jesus seems to reign among us.
I've learned the sermon isn't the main part of church; it turns out God is.
The more we stay out of His way the more we see His way becomes ours.
While I spent so much time trying to escape weaknesses I discovered they are His secret to my strength....II Cor. 12:9.
God will make a way....when there seems to be no way.

I told you it was good.

cya,
de

Never Know

2009-07-14T14:43:00.003-05:00

The call came yesterday morning, Monday morning, about at 10:35 am. Monday's are notoriously less than productive for me in ministry life. Most Monday's I'm tired. Sunday's have a tendency to wear me out, even with the periodic Sunday afternoon nap. Mondays are pretty tough to get going. I used to take off on Mondays but then decided I'd rather have off later in the week when I can get going better, but that's another blog or not. You get the idea. The phone call Dave, what was the phone call? Oh right.

"Chaplain Ellis, this is B-town Police dispatch, Chaplain P is out of town today, can you respond to an incident this morning? It involves an officer that has been shot and killed." "Do you need an officer to come and pick you up?" (normal protocol) "No," I said and they told me where to go.

I got in my truck, after going over in my head exactly what she said, and telling the other staff at church, and headed East on I-10 towards the HRP, raceway. By the time I turned off I-10 to look that direction, I knew it was bad because there were four helicopters hovering way back. By the time I reached the scene, got past the perimeter which is not easy even with correct ID, parked, a half mile away, and finally found who I was to talk to, the County guys had already left to make the notification of the death of the officer. They just couldn't wait. Everyone else was focused on the situation at hand and considered that taken care of. Not why I came but I went to see what else I could offer.

I spent a good bit of time with the fallen officers partner, who was standing right next to his uniformed brother when the shots rang out. His partner was shot and killed instantly while he escaped any physical harm. He and another officer who came in shortly after shots were fired ducked, grabbed their brother, and drug him out of the trailer home. They were both really shocky when we visited. I checked to see if their families were notified they were ok and if they were alone. They nodded, offered few words, and continued to look dazed and confused by what all had happened. I politely declined to enter the ambulance where the fallen man lay, to pray for him. I did pray mind you, but declined to get in with him.

After awhile there I went back to the Command post to await the outcome and be ready to offer my services if needed. Man, was it hot. "Lord, please make it so that I am not needed any further today? Please keep all these men and women safe? Please let there be no more loss of life than has already taken place?"

I was pretty much useless the rest of the time, clergy wise, and am thankful for that. I mostly handed out water and gatorade. I can say without a doubt I have never seen so many officers of different kinds ever in my life. There were Baytown PD, Pasadena, LaPorte, Chambers Co, Game Wardens, Hiway Patrol, and Texas Rangers everywhere. There were aircraft circling, a bomb squad robot in action, and at least 3 different SWAT squads working. There were EMT units from everywhere, thankfully again, not needed.

It all ended pretty much the way I thought it might, the gunman dead in the house, probably from the first gunfire exchange or something he did himself not too long after the fact. It then took hours of coordinating dozens of specialized folks to make sure it was resolved some 8 hours later with no more loss of life. The day started off pretty much as normal. It ended in a day I will never forget. It just goes to show, as Jack Johnsons song says, "Never know."

It all happened so much faster
Than you could say disaster
Wanna take a time lapse
And look at it backwards
From the last one
And maybe thats just the answer
That we're after
But after all
We're just a bubble in a boiling pot
Just one breath in a chain of thought
The moments just combusting
Feel certain but we'll never never know
Just seems the same
Give it a different name
We're beggin and we're needing
And we're trying and we're breathing

Never knowing
Shocking but we're nothing
We're just moments
We're Clever but we're clueless
We're just human
Amusing but confusing
Helping, we're building
And we're growing
Never Know (hope I haven't violated any copyright laws) by Jack Johnson

cya,
de

Wanna Be Healthier, Breath!

2009-07-07T09:20:00.003-05:00

Yes, I know it sounds silly but many health experts say if you want to have better health, reduce blood pressure, and reduce stress it as simple as breathing. Well, not really breathing, if your reading this you must be breathing if not please call 911 now, sorry. The key is breathing better. Do some breathing/relaxing exercises. I was reminded of this today by Dr Mercola, whose health newsletter I get every week via my email. He was reminded of this by attending a talk entitled "The Most Powerful Health Recommendation of Dr. Andrew Weil." Dr Weil was doing this kind of thing way here in America way before it leaked its way into the mainstream. Some say it hasn't and never will and for some they will never let it. Doctors always know best right? NOT! Keep breathing dave, thats right, slower now. I have a certain aversion to the all knowing approach of western medicine and its practioners. Anyway, Dr Weil has an article called Breathing 101. You may think that sounds crazy, breathing is breathing, but its not. I remember one time several years ago when I was having trouble falling asleep. The remedy I found that worked then and still does is a breathing/relaxation exercise. I've got pill aversion. Call it semi-hypnosis, or whatever you want, I learned how to regulate my breathing, relax myself through some breathing exercises, and go to sleep. I haven't had to use it much lately but who knows. When my bride was in such terrible pain, even with meds, one thing that helped her was to work on her breathing, to relax.

I told you, my regular readers, whoever you are, that my blog goes all over the place, but you know that by now. Today, its on breathing. So, don't just read, think, that's weird and go to the next blog, check out your breathing, learn some exercises. It's good for you.

I think I'll go outside now and stand in the rain,

de

Go here and read some of the health claims on breathing.com

Always Something New

2009-07-02T10:50:00.002-05:00

My nephew Blaine, one of the most creative people I know, posted this link a little while ago. Ours is a fascinating and interesting world.
Atheist Camp.

de

Final Day/First Day

2009-07-01T10:03:00.002-05:00

Technically today is the final day of our Mt Belvieu campaign. It's been so busy I've lost track of what day it is. Paul just told me its Wednesday, oh yeah, that is the last day of our door knocking. We've endured days of 100+ temps but done well. Yesterday was the first day it didn't break 100. We've even had some rain, which you know in Houston just make it steamy, but we are grateful for every cloud and every drop of rain. This mornings Chronicle said today looks to make June 2009 as the hottest ever on record, yep ever. While the heat did likely cut down the amount of time we could walk and knock, it didn't discourage our spirit. We knocked on 100's of doors, met lots of people, and prayed with around 200 people. That's right, prayed with them, at their door on the front porch or in their house. There were all kinds of different responses, hardly any were rude or terribly dismissing, a few maybe but a real minority.

Today we spend the last day knocking a few more doors, but also doing some follow ups on those who had a positive response in some way, wanted us to check back, wanted to talk to a spouse, had background or interest in the CofC, were interested in a bible study or just were really hurting and obviously needed a friend.

So, today's the final day of door knocking for this effort. Actually, its the first day of a follow up campaign that I pray will last months and even years because of some relationships that may have been started. Follow up is the key. We need to follow up with continued prayers and concerns and really be Christ to these people. Final day, first day. Truth is, I guess its that way every day, the final day of our past, the first day of our future. With God as our guide, every day is an opportunity to serve and a day to give Him praise for every good thing.

de

Post Time!

2009-06-29T10:02:00.002-05:00

Haven't really felt that much like posting lately. It's been hot and hectic here in H-town. Last year we had a 25 year hurricane, ya'll remember hearing about hurricane Ike, right? That was the one that may have caused more damage than Katrina but went suddenly left the airways after 3 days. Oh yeah, now I recall, that was the one. Once in hopefully 25 years or longer will we ever experience that kind of thing again. Truth be told I'll be good if I never go through that again, ever. In lots of ways we're still recovering from that storm and lots of folks in our area will never be the same. In my afternoon walks, I take S Burnet drive all the way to the end and the bay. It takes me about 5 minutes to reach the part of the street where homes once were before Ike. The majority were damaged beyond repair and demolished. A number were gutted to the studs and the roof and rebuilt. Several new homes, all on tall stilts are beginning to be rebuilt. It's slow but its coming back.

Now we're in the midst of a 29 year spell of heat and drought. Not since 1980 has the Gulf Coast and this area seen the kind of heat and dry we've got now. It just so happens we planned a door knocking campaign in our area. Yep, that's right, every afternoon since Thursday about 20 of us head out to knock doors and tell people about our "Prayer Works" campaign. We're working in Mt Belvieu, about 10 miles to our east where there's no mainline church of Christ. There's a couple of small ones but nothing really to serve the numbers of folks that live out that way. This is Texas so there's lots of Baptists and they are going great guns. The other truth be told is that many who likely grew up CofC and moved out to that area now attend a Baptist church because its more convenient. But that's another blog maybe.

So, we've been out, introducing ourselves to folks, asking them if we can pray with them and for their needs. The response has been good. Of course, lots of folks are not home, some don't answer the door, some don't need prayer (right), some declare their faith to us, and some are open, honest, and tell of their hurts and needs. There's lot of hurt and fear out there right now, with jobs, families, children, multiple marriages, well...you know. But sometimes we forget.
A couple of folks wanted to study the bible with us, yes! Those are ongoing.

I know, I know, you thought the days of door knocking were over. And for some folks they are over with. Some of us are too afraid, still. But "perfect love drives out fear" the book says. And when you go to a home and someone comes to the door, hurting about job, family, health, whatever and they say they've been living there for two years and you're the first person to come to their door and ask to help by praying...well its worthwhile. Or when you go to the door and the couple says, "we were planning to be at your church on Sunday," and they actually come...thats exciting. Or when a young lady answers the door and quickly begins to share her concerns and fears and says..."please pray" and by the time you leave, she's weeping...you know that God sent you to that door, to that young lady, that day.

Yeah, its hot, really, really hot...but that hasn't stopped us. Three more days to go. I know the Lord will bless us by hopefully being a blessing to those behind those doors. We're planting seeds, not likely watering yet, its too hot...but the rain will come...and God will give the increase. He always does.

de

We prayed last evening for over 100 different prayer requests given to us by Mt Bel folks.

My Life in T-shirts, coming soon!

2009-06-22T17:02:00.001-05:00

Got my next blog in mind but don't have time to write til later or tomorrow. It's called "my life in tshirts." It was an interesting afternoon that sparked the idea. Coming soon.

de

Blogging Goes All Over the Place

2009-06-17T14:45:00.002-05:00

Most blogs I read tend to have one particular flavor or direction. I think you get my meaning...its all Astros...or politics...or religion...or family stuff. Certainly not to dismiss the validity or importance of any of those...from time to time I'll cover most any of them. But me, I like to venture out and about and go different directions...sometimes sharing my humor...other times probably my ignorance.

Today the topic is PC's. I'm really probably considered a novice as I have no formal training but I have been around since the Commodore 64 and Texas Instruments machines...booting from 7 inch floppies and formatting your own hard drives and machines with a whopping 64k of memory...I think...its hard to remember exactly...I think my hard drive is full.

I do like to think that I keep my PC's in pretty good shape and long lasting. Can't recall the last time I had a problem with a virus or much...beside my cable modem several weeks back...but that wasn't my problem...that was Comcast...but I digress.

Came across an article the Worlds Most popular freeware. I use freeware, mostly because its free. I like free...don't you? I currently run numbers 1-6 and number 8 on all my pc's. I'm responsible for several. Check em out...they are all worthwhile.

Only one thing...you gotta get em, keep em updated, and run em regular...say once a week. How's that for all over the place? See...keeps me from bragging on my newest grandson.

de

You Matter -

2009-06-16T13:22:00.002-05:00

Here's something I came across today. Thought it was worth sharing. By Seth Godin

You matter

When you love the work you do and the people you do it with, you matter.
When you are so gracious and generous and aware that you think of other people before yourself, you matter.
When you leave the world a better place than you found it, you matter.
When you continue to raise the bar on what you do and how you do it, you matter.
When you teach and forgive and teach more before you rush to judge and demean, you matter.
When you touch the people in your life through your actions (and your words), you matter.
When kids grow up wanting to be you, you matter.
When you see the world as it is, but insist on making it more like it could be, you matter.
When you inspire a Nobel prize winner or a slum dweller, you matter.
When the room brightens when you walk in, you matter.
And when the legacy you leave behind lasts for hours, days or a lifetime, you matter.

Let's all matter today, ok?
de

Blogging From Forneytown!

2009-06-09T16:35:00.003-05:00

It was a normal hot afternoon this past Sunday in H-town. The bride, son, and I were trying to cool it by spending some time in the pool. I decided to go in a bit early to dry off before going to our Sunday afternoon Life group when the phone rang. Aaron is calling to let us know his bride called him back from Praise team practice because her water broke. How exciting, Cohen has officially decided to kick himself out of the water and into the family. I called the troops in from the pool, called Lynne, our LG host to tell her we weren't going to make it, and hurriedly packed up for Forneytown. Within an hour we're off headed north to Presbyterian Hospital to welcome our newest grandson.

He managed to get here only a bit more than an hour before we arrived and all are well. He was scheduled a c-section because that's how his brother was born. We hoped we'd be there before he arrived but no cigars...until after the birth. He weighed in at 7 lbs. 7 oz. and as of today, Tuesday he and his momma are doing great...the rest of us doing great too. I'd like to say I could post some pics but couldn't find camera before we ran out the door. :(

If you want to see some pics Kim posted a couple to her facebook page from her new Verizon Storm phone. She ditched her blackberry world phone for one that takes pics and does all that other cool stuff including post pics to facebook. For now, we're on Noah duty along with Allisons folks. The rest of the fam comes home from the hospital tomorrow. It's a world away from Noah's coming 5 weeks early and spending 9 days in the NICU. Aaron commented that after he was born they just handed him over to his parents and "let em hang out." Pretty nice having things go pretty normal this time. Last time the same call came we were in Cooperstown for Thanksgiving and tried to figure out how to get back to Dallas. We did but it was quite a stressful several days. They whisked Noah off to NICU and monitored him closely for that first stretch and it was all quite stressful. Cohen arrived much more low key and fully ready for life in the world. By the time we got to the hospital and got to see Aaron he was beaming, ear to ear.

They are all enjoying a restful start to the first couple of days and Kim and I enjoying Noah. Unfortunately Kim had to fly out today for work. She'll miss their homecoming tomorrow but so far...all in all...Cohen's off to a great start. Thanks for all your prayers and text msgs. We're proud grandparents again!! Praise God for Cohen Thomas Ellis. We think he's just about the best thing going...along with his brother of course.

Here's a couple pics I stole from Kim's facebook. :)

de

Great Weekend in H-town.

2009-06-01T10:49:00.002-05:00

It was good to be home for several days in a row finally. Even late in the week this week it was difficult to know what day was what, one of those times when you're not sure what day it is because it doesn't feel like it should be...uh...Friday. That's what happens when you're out for awhile, then in for a day, then out, etc. That was our schedule for about 3 weeks. We finally got back to the E-house just in time for summer and mosquitoes....hayaaw. I never know how to spell those sounds that you make...like at the end of the Mini sirloin burgers song....you "mini sirlion burger...hyahh! It's my favorite jingle these days. Finally ate some MSB yesterday on the way to H-town. They were ok. Probably wont' be eating them again any time soon. They did have a good flavor. The only reason we ate them yesterday was because I had a coupon for buy 1 get 1 or was it buy 3 get 3. Buy an order get an order. Little meat, bread, cheese, grilled onion, they were ok.

Spent Saturday working on our slate flooring. We've got it in the entry, kitchen, by the patio door and back door. It took a pretty good beating during ike and the construction to follow. We had cleaned it pretty well but there was still some leftover, sheetrock spots, paint spots, etc. Saturday we cleaned the beejeebers out of it, sweep, sweep again, scrub by hand on your hands and knees. Turned out clean for sure but needing a good sealer coat or 3 or 4. Did that last night for the most part.

That was after a really enjoyable Sunday morning service. Singing was good, preaching...well...so, so I guess. One of our Life group members came and asked for prayers...an answer to our groups prayers for sure...another (Tasha) came to give herself to Christ in baptism. That makes any Lords day a great one.

After that the bride and I headed to H-town, past Jack for MSB, and to MD Anderson to visit Kim's best childhood and teenage friend, Ann from OK. Ann has a totally rare kind of cancer and started chemo this past week. Put her in on your prayers some time. Her mom died of cancer at about our age. Make this difficult to deal with....but she's dealing pretty well. Had to totally gown, glove, mask, hairnet, shoecover up to go in to see her...couldn't touch her either. They are pretty much killing her bone marrow and letting it come back clean I would assume. It was great to see her but quite emotional for my bride and Ann.

Then it was back for Life group and one of the worlds best cinammon rolls, and home to seal the floor. All in all it was a really productive and good weekend. Now if I can be that productive this week. What day is it anyway?

de

Behind on the blog, I know!

2009-05-27T13:28:00.003-05:00

Had several comment lately that I had let my blog kinda go. I have no real excuse except to say that we've at been home very little over the past 3 weeks. We went to Pepperdine for week, then back home, to Oklahoma for some family time, my dad's 80th birthday, and you know we had to stop by and see little Noah and his family. Then we took a week in Galveston. It wasn't the very best timing, having been out for the better part of two weeks prior but that's when Kim had the time so we went. Then we came back, me for an LTC Board meeting, and to take Kami back to the airport, then back home to preach for our Elder Ordination service this past Sunday. As elders, we're excited to have some additional shepherds to help keep watch over the flock at Lakewood. Harold Allen, Bo Cox, and Bill Hanna were installed and prayed for on Sunday.

Then to add to that the church surprised us with a 20th year thing at the potluck lunch on Sunday. It was a complete surprise and I guess easier to get together since we were out much of the time before then. There was a huge cake, some cards, a book signed by several in the congregation, and a gift for me and one for Kim and a few jokes by Mike Miller. It was really special to be recognized in such a way. I posted some pics on my facebook page for those who are interested. I promised to post some pics from our trip north but just haven't done it yet. Well, I've got to get caught up now. I try to blog again soon.

Thanks to everyone who said such nice things on Sunday!

Cohen is coming soon!

de

Here's a freebie!

Home Bible Study Requires a Permit in CA

According to a report on FOX News this morning, home Bible study is under fire in California. Pastor David Jones and his wife Mary, who live in San Diego, got some friends together at their house for a Bible study. However, when the county of San Diego found out, the couple was told they needed to either stop the Bible study or purchase a permit because they had too many people in their home.

Back from the Weekend!

2009-05-19T15:17:00.003-05:00

Boy it was a busy weekend in the Efam. Friday morning I headed north to Forney where Kami had landed on Thursday. Spent a few hours with my favorite grandson and his parents and headed to DFW to pick up the bride on her way back from Florida. She finished her first full 5 day week in...well I can't remember when she had a full five day week. She was pooped but excited to be going to see Noah. We got up on Saturday, waited for the girls to go to a baby shower for Allison, loaded my girls and Noah in the car and headed for Duncantown.

There we spent Saturday and most of Sunday seeing family, my parents, my sisters, and their kids and related others, too many to mention. Everyone was together at worship Sunday morning for my dad's 80th birthday, day. Actually its, today but mum decided Sunday would be the day to have the party. We all went back to the house for lunch, some time together there, and then back to the church building at four for an awesome reception for my dad, put together by my sisters and mum. They have Sunday evening services at 5 so it made it convenient for folks to come by and wish his happy birthday and a ton of people did. It was a lot of fun.

Aaron, Kami, & Noah then headed back south to Forney, closely followed by Kim and myself to spend the night Sunday night and then drove back to H-town, with Kami, on Monday. Lord willing we'll spend a few days in Galveston later this week, just winding down some. Maybe I can post some pics of our trip, our grandson or my dad's party. Thanks for wishing him well. We are blessed to have him still with us and celebrated it so.

de

Lots On the Brain Lately

2009-05-13T10:00:00.002-05:00

My brain is running on overload lately. Some of it is not really all that important as life goes, the Rockets playing Jekll and Hyde, hopefully is not Hyde again Thursday. Which Astros team to expect the next day. Will anyone really ever beat the Celtics. Does God really prefer Boston all that much. As I said, not really of that much importance.

Our church building is getting ever so close to being finished after hurricane Ike, just about in time for hurricane season to start again. Whoohoo, we all can't wait for another season. Lord willing, I'll never see another one like it, ever. Yes, its been a long haul. Yes, we have some incredibly talented and persistent folks who keep at it to get it all done. I still have trouble getting motivated to really get my yard back in shape after all that. I'll just keep plugging along on it.

Headed to my original hometown Duncan, Ok, this weekend to help my dad celebrate his 80th birthday. What a blessing that is for all of us to have him still with us. There were a couple of occasions recently during our elder selection process that I was ever so grateful to have him on the other end of the phone to talk to and bounce some things off of him regarding the process. He spent years and years as an elder and I valued beyond words his counsel. Happy Birthday dad. I love you.

Oh yeah, we have new elders. We have some who were given the high approval they felt they needed from the congregation and some who were just short of that. I think daily about both groups and their future impact on the family here at Lakewood. Lord willing we'll make an annnoucement soon as to who they are. Oh yeah, gonna have a new grandson in 37 days. Oh yeah, this past Sunday was the day my family planted ourselves officially at this congregation 20 years ago. Wow, some days it seems as it were yesterday, well, you know the other side too. The Lord has blessed us in so many ways. It's a lot on the brain lately.

cya,
de

Back in H-town!

2009-05-11T10:51:00.003-05:00

The bride and I flew back into Houston on Saturday evening past and were glad to be back. Unfortunately for her she got to go back to the airport after worship on Sunday and won't see our front door for another 10 days or so. But we really enjoyed our 6 days just me and her and California and Pepperdine. Honestly we didn't prefer LA freeways, their drivers, Lakerfan, wildfires, tarballs on my feet, but there was much to enjoy. It sure was good to be home, back preaching at Lakewood, and enjoying those amazing Rockets yesterday. It just goes to show, you never know. As Forrest Gump's mom said, "you just have to do the best with what cha got." Amen.

I especially enjoyed this column from the LA Times. Here's a couple of quotes.

"I know you're expecting a full column effort, but the Lakers' opponent was only the devastated Houston Rockets, so why should I have to work hard to write about them?

Why should I put passion into describing a game that the Lakers didn't show passion in playing?"

"The Lakers lost as if they didn't care that the series was now two games apiece. The Lakers lost as if they know they can turn it on this week and still survive.

Good point. I'll write better columns then. This one, like them, I'm sitting out."

No blood, no one being thrown out, no flagrant fouls, just a gutsy effort from the Rockets. Boy, that was fun to watch. I'm guessing the next one will be a bit more competetive. Glad I'll be watching from friendly H-town instead LA.

de

Interesting Week So Far

2009-05-07T17:00:00.005-05:00

It's been an interesting and enjoyable week so far in LA LA land. We spent Tuesday prior to the opening of the Pepperdine Lectures driving up the Pacific Coast Highway. It was sunny but pretty cool as we drove northward. We stopped periodically where there was beach access to put our feet in the water. Nice sun, pretty beaches, but cooold water. We did get our feet in the water but it was just too cold to enjoy any swimming. We stopped near a town called Carpenteria, a quaint small town on the coast. We walked a long nature trail down to the cliffs to see the ocean and down a longer path to see the seals. The bride stopped counting at about 200 seals who were for the most part laying out, enjoying the bright sun. Just off the coast you can see the Channel islands which apparently are home to 1000's of the same kind of seals. We headed on north to the Santa Barbara area where we could see a massive smoke cloud coming from the mountains. It's a big city and we again headed for the coast and enjoyed the beautiful view and large eucalyptus trees. Posted below are a couple of pics. Just north of SB in the Mts it was burning hot, smoke rising upward and coming towards the coast, fortunately the smoke was rising high up into the sky. It was all over the news with many homes threatened and not much to do but let it burn.

The Lectures have been outstanding. There are many of the well known speakers in the brotherhood and the theme is "The Lord of Creation" messages from the book of Colossians. There's Walling, Cope, Atchley, Harris, Keith Lancaster and many more, all very challenging and encouraging to hear. It has been a much needed boost to hear others struggles and encouragement. As at all lectureships the singing is one of the highlights. There's Zoe, Hallal, and all the best singers and leaders in the brotherhood.

Last night we left out a bit early and ventured to downtown to take in the Lakers/Rockets game. Thanks to son J, we had his GPS which led us downtown and even rerouted us around bad traffic so that we got there in plenty of time. The game, well, it was a knock down drag out kind of affair. We really had little expectation that the Rockets would take two in LA but it was enjoyable nonetheless. We both really enjoyed wearing red and representing the Rockets. We were certainly way in the minority in "Rockets" gear. Just walking around brought us a constant chorus of boos and other negative reactions. I personally enjoyed that until it got uglier as we entered the arena. Maybe if we had seats closer to the floor those folks would have been more hospitable. Where our seats were, two rows from the top, well...many of those folks were downright ugly. I think they may have been handicapped because many of them could only lift one finger on their hands. You can guess which one. Not only that but several of them expressed the words that go along with that gesture. And we thought it was just a game! By the time the last 2 minutes of the game came around and the outcome was clear we went ahead and headed out. It just felt safer. No one was happy we were there, except us. Oh yeah, did you know that most everyone in the Staples Center is certain that "Houston Sucks?" That was a constant throughout the game. By the time we were through it was time to get out of there. By the time got back to our motel, it was time to shower and get that 'dirty' feeling off of us.

All in all it was quite a contrast going from the high of the lectures to the low of all those people who were full of profanity and derision. Truth is, we shelter ourselves from what a great deal of the world is ready to give us. I guess for good reason but everyone needs the love of Christ. Given the choice I have to keep my feet and mind centered on why God put me here and here this week in California. Rockets lose, believers win.

cya back in H-town soon,
de

game pic eucalyptus tree

coast pic seals

nature trail flowers

A Week in LA LA Land!

2009-05-05T10:51:00.003-05:00

It's been a few years since I took in a sermon seminar or church lectureship anywhere so this year, Kim and I decided to attend the Pepperdine Lectureship. We've thought about going and said we were going to do it, so here we are, spending a week in LA LA land.
Yesterday was pretty much for travel to LAX, find the car, make our way to Westlake Village, CA, about 15 miles from the campus. There's not much lodging in and near the campus and dorm rooms are really not our preference so we opted for a bit of drive to stay at the Residence inn and drive. Breakfast and evening snacks are served everyday so we can forgo trying to figure out much about food. We checked into the hotel, found an Albertsons and bought us a few essentials, water and such, then settled in for the night.

Our first highlight besides getting upgraded for the flight, thanks to the bride, was staying awake to see the Rockets win and win they did. I think we may have disturbed the rooms around us yelling as they closed out the Lakers on their home floor but, really, who cares about that. They
played one heck of a gutsy game and took to the home boys. We had a hard time going to sleep even though it was almost 1 am home time by the time we got into bed. Then its wakey, wakey, Texas time. Oh well, it was a lot of fun. The Lectureship doesn't kick off until this afternoon so we're headed out that way to find our way and then up the Pacific Coast highway for an afternoon drive. The weather looks to be fantastic. My bride has been to CA dozens of times I'd guess but never for pleasure. Its always airports, hotels, work, and back to the airport. We're looking forward to an enjoyable week. I'll try to post a pic or two as we go along. My last time to to the West Coast for any kind of trip was the summer of 1975. (I think) A close friend in HS and i decided to travel west and headed for CA. We did officially make it to the coast but didn't stay long. We were running out of money and he wouldn't sleep in the car! Imagine that. Thanks Steve! What is that 34 years. Hopefully, we'll see more of it this time.

Thanks for checking in on us!
de & ke in the land of fruit and nuts

Rain, Rockets, & Swine Flu?

2009-04-29T10:00:00.004-05:00

Boy how things change. For most of the winter it has been extremely dry around these parts. I know, some of you say, me too, me too. Drought is unusual for the Gulf Coast. I think our average rainfall is around 54 inches a year. That's an average of 1 inch a week or little more. No wonder I seem soggy as of late. In the Houston area we have officially gotten over our drought and gone straight to flood stage. Some areas of west & NW Houston got 10+ inches of rain early and through midday on Monday. Lots and lots of flooding, stranded cars, likely a death or two. We had gotten 10 inches Saturday before last, 5 inches on Friday, and well more on Sunday. Not the ideal way to catch up from the drought but thats the way it goes here sometimes, rain, rain, & rain.

I do enjoy the NBA playoffs, especially our local boys the Rockets. Been following them since we moved here in 89'. Saw them win most of both championships in 94 & 95. They've pretty much been in a drought since then. Oh, yeah, they've made the playoffs but haven't gotten out of the 1st round in forever. I think its the T-Mac curse. Some guys got it, other guys don't, the "take over the game" mentality and will to do it. Not sure if that guy exists on this years Rockets or not. We will see. Ron Artest thinks he may be that guy but he hasn't showed up the last two games. I'd like to think its Yao but he's not learned to dominate yet. Don't know if he will. Scola is impressive and if some of the other guys contribute, we'll see. Has anybody gotten the kind of calls that Brandon Roy seems to get and that Yao never seems to get. Come on!
The Mavs are looking impressive. Couldn't be happier to see the Spurs lose. Duncan's first ever first round loss if I heard correctly. Looks like it will certainly be the Cavs & Lakers. Not sure anyone can derail either. Game 6 on Thursday, yo! Go Rockets.

The media never ceases to amaze me with their hype. Surely a "pandemic" is coming they say. There's only been a few pandemics, which means a new serious flu strain that kills millions of people. The government already has a website out, that must mean its real. The big ones were the spanish flu of 1918, asian flu of 57-58, Hong Kong flu of 67-68, and some say the avian flu, but it never really made pandemic status. My thoughts, its the flu, albeit a new strain. Watch yourself, watch your kids if you got em. If they get the flu or you get the flu, take em in as a precaution. Try not to cough on people and wash your hands. Come on folks, use some common sense. Its unlikely millions of people are going to die. More will die in poor places where they don't have access to health care and medicines. Please don't start wearing a mask everywhere, it looks stupid and doesn't do that much anyway. Wanna talk pandemic, lets talk traffic fatalities which are holding steady at 40,000+ a year for the past 15 years. Hey, wear your seatbelt. Don't drink and drive. Watch out for the other guy. That will probably come closer to killing you than the swine flu. Hey, I'm thinkin pork chops for dinner, how bout you?

So I rant once in awhile, ;0)
de

My coworker Paul, sent me a surefire thing not to do if you want to avoid the swine flu.

Quiet Lately

2009-04-25T16:30:00.002-05:00

I was going to say it was an ordinary week, but one might assume that its quiet or that there's nothing going on. I guess thats really opposite the truth. We continue to do construction on the building that was damaged during Ike. We ran into a bit of a snafu that has delayed our completion of the blue room for another couple of weeks. I may be able to tell you about that later. The rest of the building is pretty much done, all the classrooms are ready to be occupied, some already are the rest should be starting this week or the next. We've been without a regular slate of kids classes for some time. We started a makeshift lineup of classes several weeks ago but not in our regular classrooms. I know everyone is excited about having our building back.

The Lakewood Talent Show is this evening. We had our first one last year and it was a lot of fun. It will be the debut of our newly formed, Lakewood Praise team. With the go ahead from the elders, we've been practicing weekly for about 6 weeks. We'll sing a couple of songs at the close of the talent show. We sing live in the worship for the first time tomorrow. We are all excited about the opportunity to help make our singing the best possible. We'll not be standing in front but seated in the audience. Lord willing we'll not even really be noticed but if you are listening to hear your part, you'll be able to hear it better over the speakers.

Jared and I attended the Rockets/Blazers game last night and had a great time. The Rockets won. It was an ugly win, but any win is exciting. Nothing quite like the energy of a playoff game or Bowl game or something like that. The only down side was that pesky 20% chance of rain we had, on the way to the game, walking into the game (pouring), after the game on the way to my truck, and all the way home. I think it rained at least another hour after we got home. It was the wettest 20% chance I've ever seen but...we really needed it even though it rained 10 inches last Saturday, the wind came up right after and blew for days and quickly dried it out.

I'm sure there's more but I gotta go home now and get ready for the Talent Show.

Thanks for reading,
de

Amazing Instruments!

2009-04-20T14:40:00.004-05:00

If you have any question about whether the human voice is the most amazing instrument ever created, you've got to see and listen to "The Voca People."

Who are The Voca People?
The Voca people are 8 friendly aliens from the planet Voca, a musical planet that has no verbal communication but use vocal expressions only. They have heard the music from earth for decades now and with their imitation abilities they have decided to pay a one evening tribute to humanity and to perform the songs they love as musical- gratitude.

This video is only a short clip, 3 min 15 sec, and is nothing short of...well...amazing! The costumes are kinda weird but the vocals are great.

Enjoy and thanks Wendy for passing that along.

de

Thought I Was Saavy!

2009-04-20T09:10:00.002-05:00

All along I was thinking I was fairly computer literate. I realize its just electronic 1's & 0's on disk but I thought I kept up and was capable. I've run ethernet cable and connected the ends, make the connections and such. Actually, you don't really have to be all that saavy, just connect it up right and it works. Most stuff now has "auto detect" so all you have to do is plug it in.

I have antivirus, antispam, adware software that I keep up to date and run on a regular basis. I have a registry checker that does the same. Apparently that's not enough. Finally got a new modem late on Friday and everything checked out fine. Yeah. Pc had internet, wireless worked, everything...until...the dreaded until...I decided to upload new firmware for the router. Guess I should've left well enough alone. I won't bore you with more of my sob computer stories. The wireless is working...the bride says better and faster than ever...the pc...well not so good...the pc is actually fine...it just won't connect to the internet.

I just thought I was somewhat computer saavy....not! Doesn't mean I'll give up though.

:) de

It's Modem Wars Week!

2009-04-16T11:16:00.003-05:00

Usually after Easter/LTC things kind of let down a little. Time to take it slow, relax and recover from all the busyness. Then on Monday night, who knows what time, Jared shows up in my bedroom, flashlight in hand, to inform me, "the power is out." He apparently calls the problem in and by the time I'm up, everything seems normal. Ah yes, the proverbial seems normal, except for the internet. It seems to be working....but extreeeemmmeeellllllyyyy slow. So I attack the problem for a few moments in between the office and my elders meeting. Ok, power down and reset everything, you've done this dozens of times before....and whalla...is that a word? Well, it wasn't whalla, it didn't work. Call Comcast...get them to do a reset and no whalla but at least the phones working again. More trys after my meeting and the phone works and the internet works when plugged directly into my computer but no wireless router which gives internet to the brides laptop and Jareds room.

So Tuesday, I go at it again, same stuff, no router. It must be the router....so its USR support time. Oh the computer and the router for some reason are conflicting and are trying to use the same IP address...time to reset...power everything down....and up...call Comcast for a reset...and no whalla...nada.

Well, I could go on. It's Thursday now...I even have a new Comcast modem at home...installed by tech...who declared it was my router...all is well with the modem...except for a few more hours on the phone with USR and resetting the IP addresses and all. Now...I've got no internet at all...not even when its plugged up directly to my computer....comcast now says it must be my computer...to get it checked...so I trump with Kim's laptop...oh now it must be my ethernet cables...or both computers....Somebody shoot me please.

This morning a friend at church says a comcast tech told him..."they are at war with their modems." Hmmmmm....me too. Not sure what the outcome will be. Still don't have the net at home. It's amazing how dependent we are on that thing. Sorry to vent my frustration but I've spent hours and I'm worse off than I was when I started. On top of that I might have to miss dinner with some dear friends cause I'm waiting on another CC tech to show sometime on Friday.

So...I'm taking office time to blog...and vent...and hope the modem wars end soon...so I can keep my sanity....yeah, yeah, I can hear your comments now...are you sure you were sane to begin with...well no...but it shouldn't be this hard. The modems are winning!!

Go Rockets,
de

James, via Astros County Blog

2009-04-09T10:17:00.002-05:00

If you click the following link, you can listen to an interview with James, blogger for "Astros County" on United Cardinals Blogger radio that he did last night... You need to click on the UCB Radio Hour link. He comes in on the program at about 25 minutes in for those who don't want to listen to Cardinals jabber and the interview goes for about 20 min about the Astors. Very cool.

http://www.unitedcardinalbloggers.com/

direct link to the radio hour

de

It's Back!

2009-04-08T10:44:00.002-05:00

Ah, the hectic pace of LTC week. During the rest of the year, most of what happens with LTC is fairly quiet, an occasional meeting or contract to sign or something but its mostly quiet. Then, after the first of the year it starts to pick up with hotel questions, that's my primary responsibility, dealing with the hotel contracts, details, setups and such. Then about a month beforehand activity starts to really ramp up to this week. Really, its a great week.

From the first time I set foot in Dallas back in the early 90's to scope out LTC I was impressed and thrilled with its purpose and how that culminates in the LTC Convention weekend. Even though its changed some over the years, I think LTC is one of best things the churches of Christ have going for them, the training of young Christians in the area of Leadership activity. I was going to say LTC teaches them...but the truth is LTC doesn't each them anything...parents and other involved adults...even some older teens teach the younger ones "to do something," to teach, to sing, to speak, or write, or puppet, or serve...well the list goes on and on. I really can't think of anything more practical or important for the future of the Lord's church.

So, this week, Easter week, its pretty much all about LTC. From tomorrow afternoon through Saturday night, there won't be all that much sleeping, or eating, or sitting, or anything except coordinating the Convention...and I can't think of anything I'd rather be doing. There's a bit of a downside to helping with all the coordinating and not getting to be all that involved with the actual kids and what they are doing. But I plan to stop in and watch from time to time just to witness those kids, doing what they do, for Jesus, their peers, and their parents. I can't wait.

cya,
de

Oh yeah, we get to see Noah and his parents who will come and spend part of the weekend with us!

Not Much of A Blogger Lately

2009-04-06T10:35:00.004-05:00

I guess I could say I've been extremely busy (I have) or that I've spent every bit of spare time in the yard (some but not all that much) or that we've been traveling to some desirable getaway(not). I guess life has just been a bit hectic. Not to mention that I've been trying to help with our church rebuilding in my spare time, I volunteered some at the Shell Houston Open, and oh yeah...LTC is this coming weekend.

Oh yeah, we're prayerfully in the process of trying to add elders at the church too. All in all I'm feeling just a tad crazy with everything that's going on. LTC is quite enough to make me that way all on its own. And on the elder thing, I've been praying really hard about it, and I know that God will work it all out, but at the same time, I'll be getting some new bosses. I guess its my dual personality thing going on as both elder and preacher. Some days I'm not sure which I am and I know its an unusual thing for some folks to have someone as both. Some in fact don't like it at all. Oh well. God's in control, I know that. It's been a weird spring so far. It's warm for a few days, then a cold one comes rushing through at 40 mph and we're shivering all over again. Hope I can get some tomatoes planted soon. Guess I'll do that in my spare time.

Sorry for the rambling,
de

To Copy & Paste...ah yes.

2009-03-30T14:44:00.004-05:00

With the apparent lack of time to blog lately I did take time to do this thing on FB after being tagged. So, I figure the ideal thing to do was to copy & paste. Boy that didn't take long. I only tagged Kim though cause I'm unsure about the whole tagging thing.

Copy and paste this into a new note and change the answers...If I tagged you, it means I want to see yours! Tag all the people you feel like tagging.

What are your middle names?
Ray & Denise

How long have you been together?
30 years this Dec.

How long did you know each other before you started dating?
a few months

Who asked who out?
I asked Kim

Whose siblings do you see the most?
mine - hers has lived in SD for 10 years

Do you have any children together?
uh...yeah...3

What about pets?
Frazier the dog, 15 years old, mostly blind & deaf

Did you go to the same school?
Yep...then OCC.

Who is the most sensitive?
Hands down...herp.

Where do you eat out most as a couple?
most...El Toro...favorite...Pappas seafood!

Where is the furthest you two have traveled together as a couple?
Australia.

Who has the craziest exes?
there are exes? I thought I was the only one.

Who has the worst temper?
neither...we both avoid that kind of thing with all we've got.

Who does the cooking?
Cooking...what's that...me probably, but she does the dishes.

Who is more social?
Neither of us is all that social.

Who is the neat freak?
Uh...neither...although if there is one...its her.

Who is the most stubborn?
Gosh...is this over yet...we can both be pretty hard headed.

Who hogs the bed? (i understand she does not hog the bed, hey, its a king)
she does.

Who wakes up earlier?
when both at home...me.

Where was your first date?
The Oklahoma State Fair of 1977...a Ted Nugent Concert. "Catch Scratch Fever tour" really.

Who has the bigger family?
close fam...me...extended fam...hands down its her.

Do you get flowers often?
only when I do a funeral but sometimes I bring em to her.

How long did it take to get serious?
Is it serious? We try to keep it light...really. What does that mean? Maybe a few months...not all tha long.

Who eats more?
meep.

Who sings better?
she sings better alto...I sing better tenor/bass. We sing great together.

Who does the laundry?
today...its her...for the past few years it was me. We both do it. (i was corrected on this one)

Who's the smartest?
Herp.

Who’s better with the computer?
lol...meep!

Who drives when you are together?
Meep!

Who picks where you go to dinner?
either or...depends on if she's been out of town and for how long.

Who is the first one to admit when they’re wrong?
What? I hope meep.

Who wears the pants in the relationship?
I wear pants and briefs...she wears pants and panties.

Who has more tattoos?
Golly...my kids get those for us.

Who eats more sweets?
Herp, maybe...we try to be easy on the sweet stuff.

Who needs sugar when you're sweet to begin with...I know..yuch!

cya, de

Oh yeah, Elton John & Billy Joel was as good as any concert I've ever been too. 3 1/2 hours without a break. Nothing short of fantastic.

Concert Tonight

2009-03-19T14:50:00.002-05:00

I'm anxiously awaiting this evening. Tonight my bride and I, and our youngest are going to H-town to see Elton John and Billy Joel together. Hopefully it should be some kind of concert. We've seen Billy Joel 3 times I think and he's one of our favorites by far. We had tix to Elton a few years back by himself but it was Easter/LTC Saturday night and we were just too pooped to go so we sent K&J & A&A. They said it was terrific. We are anticipating that tonight will be terrific too. So, we'll head in afterwhile, find something good to eat and head to the Toyota Center for a night of singing along with Elton & Billy and some terrific piano playing. That's all for now. Till the next time I'm on the blog.

cya,
de

And as always, thanks for reading!

Too Busy...Too Tired

2009-03-16T10:39:00.002-05:00

Haven't spent much time at all on the computer over the past few days. Been too busy...too tired to do much of that. I've been trying to help around the church building with our remodeling project...which by the way is quite a big project. I wonder at times if we haven't taken on too much of it for our own good...we will see. This past Thursday and Friday afternoon I spent with Harold Allen trying different ways to get the old mastic glue off the floor so we could lay new tile on the floor. We did eventually get it to come off after varied attempts and with the right chemical it came up pretty easy...it was the getting it up and off that was the disgusting part. And labor intensive let me tell you. Thanks to a second crew who came in late Friday we did manage to get 1/3 of the blue room floor ready for tile. Then Saturday morning we spent laying that much of the tile floor. I'm still way sore from 4 1/2 hours on my knees laying and slapping tile around on that floor.

After our tile excursion I went home, showered, laid down for 20 minutes then drove to Kirbyville, TX where the STB quartet sang on Saturday night. Turn around to arrive home about 11 pm pooped. Then yesterday afternoon Kim's brother and fam came in to spend a few days for their spring break. In between all that other stuff we were trying to get the house back in shape for company. It still wasn't all the way back from hurricane Ike, so I helped the bride as much as possible to get it ready. Oh yeah, I preached yesterday and our Life group had a pounding party for Mike and his new bride. Boy it was a busy weekend.

Today is rodeo day. We're going to see all that is RodeoHouston and Darius Rucker as the Concert entertainer for the evening. Hopefully the rain is over and the sun will shine before the day is out. Not sure when I'll blog again...maybe after some rest. Right now I'm just too busy...forget the tired part...I'll rest later next week.

cya, de

Insurance Poor

2009-03-12T09:48:00.002-05:00

If your like most Americans to some degree we're all insurance poor. We've got insurance on everything. Of course it is a good and necessary thing...say...when you have a hurricane blow by and it blows the roof off part of your house and the rain comes in a makes a terrible mess...and they pay. By way of the constant commercials on TV here in H-town, some insurances did not pay or people thought they didn't or something. Our insurance did ok...they did pay...maybe not as much I thought they should...but we managed to get back to where we were without having to put too much of our own money back in.

One of our biggest issues since Kim went to work as self-employed has been the health insurance issue. Never take for granted if you have access to group insurance. Once you don't have access everything changes...especially if you have any health issues at all. That's been our deal for the past 5 years or so. If you're diabetic like I am...insurance companies just won't write you any reasonable insurance for anything close to a reasonable price. So, if you can get it, its poor coverage and very expensive. So you make do the best you can.

Here's something pretty cool I found to save on ordering glasses. I know you'll think its just not right to be ordering your glasses off the internet and hopefully you have insurance that covers you and your glasses are cheap. I went for my annual eye exam...covered by the way...and had the lady give me a quote for glasses like I have, progressives no-line bifocals, lightweight, metal rims, no scratch, etc...almost $650 retail but I was to get 20% discount. So I went home with my prescription in hand and went to 39dollarglasses.com.

Yeah, you read right...I order my glasses via the internet. Got my $650 glasses for just a little bit over $200. Same glasses with everything I wanted and even got transition lenses too. So if you're insurance poor or just don't want to fork over that much for glasses, check it out. Yeah, I admit its a bit unnerving but everything is there you need to get it right. Maybe you won't feel quite so insurance poor and jilted anymore.

No, I don't get anything for telling you about it. I just know how I felt when she told me my glasses were going to be $500 with my discount...some discount.

Praying for rain,
de

Changes in Latitudes

2009-03-11T10:16:00.002-05:00

Not all that much new or exciting going on at the Elhome lately. Not that there have not been some significant things taking place. The most exciting thing has been the change in latitude of our oldest kids Kami and James. They made a successful move from Lat 42.5 to lat 36.1, yeah. That's quite a move any way you compute it from north to south, NY to Tenn, Coop to Nash, above or below the MD line, its quite a change in latitude, probably in attitude as well.

A,A&N are getting ever closer to adding a C to their alphabetic lineup. Baby Cohen is coming along quite nicely and Lord willing he comes into the world in June. They are making room changes, added a hide-a-bed couch for mimi and pawpaw, planning to paint and who knows what all else. A nephew of mine Blaine and his wife Tamara are having a baby quite soon. Baby Anton is expected any day now. My sister, her first grandbaby, is beside herself with excitement, as I'm sure Blaine and Tamara are too. Jared continues to do his 12 hour thing at Lee college in the computer dept, work 20-30 hrs a week at BB, and well...that doesn't leave a whole lot of time for much else.

Kim's getting ready around the house for her brother and fam to come for their spring break week. It's really amazing that we continue to clean up and get things situated from hurricane Ike. Yeah, we're probably slow, possibly even a bit lazy. Then when you walk down the end of our street and see the 15 empty lots where houses were bulldozed, and other neighbors just getting their roofs replaced, and well many who haven't done anything yet, I guess we're doing ok.

We've been working in the yard over the past few days and continue to find storm leftovers. I'd sure like to be done with that thing. Someone from Florida told Kim that when a huge storm like that comes through that it affects the climate, weather, airborne stuff for a long time afterwards... that it literally can suck the moisture out of the air for months or even years to come...that it sucks up dust and stuff from far off places and dumps it here. It would seem to be so for this area anyway.

Lord willing we'll be selecting and affirming some new elders at the church before too long. That's good news. Our building remodeling is coming right along. Walls are back up and even painted. New kitchen area is taking shape nicely with all the work being done by members, a bunch of them. New ceiling and flooring has to be in works soon. Talk about changes...the bathrooms in the office building finally have solid walls again...yeah! They got wet from the storm and were torn out because of mold. The only thing covering the walls were sheets...for months...can we talk privacy here. Once in awhile the only option was to head home to go. Talk about a change in latitude. Now, we've got nice painted sheetrock and panelling back where it should go. Whoohoo! That's todays update...gotta go.

de

Blankness of Mind

2009-03-09T10:56:00.002-05:00

In view of my blankness of mind today I submit a thoughtful but truthful collection of sayings about our government as we move ever more towards complete government control of our banking system, the auto industry, and ultimately socialism. Did I say that? Sorry.

de

1. In my many years I have come to a conclusion that one useless man is a shame, two is a law firm and three or more is a congress. John Adams

2. If you don't read the newspaper you are uninformed, if you do read the newspaper you are misinformed. Mark Twain

3. Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But then I repeat myself. Mark Twain

4. I contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle. Winston Churchill

5. A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul. George Bernard Shaw

6. Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys. P.J. O'Rourke, Civil Libertarian

7. I don't make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts. Will Rogers

8. If you think health care is expensive now, wait until you see what it costs when it's free! P.J. O'Rourke

9. In general, the art of government consists of taking as much money as possible from one party of the citizens to give to the other. Voltaire (1764)

10. Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you! Pericles (430 B.C.)

11. No man's life, liberty, or property is safe while the legislature is in session. Mark Twain (1866)

12. Talk is cheap...except when Congress does it. Anon

13. The only difference between a tax man and a taxidermist is that the taxidermist leaves the skin. Mark Twain

14. There is no distinctly native American criminal class...save Congress. Mark Twain

15. What this country needs are more unemployed politicians. Edward Langley, Artist (1928 - 1995)

Speeching's My Job

2009-03-04T11:35:00.002-06:00

I speak for a living. It just so happens that I speak for my Lord. It's my great privilege to be blessed to do both. I often think of how weird it is that preachings my job and that for someone who's terribly shy on the inside. Truly I am...no kidding. And I can't recall the last time I was speechless.

Monday was one of those days. One of our close friends Brad Wims, a young man who grew up in the Lakewood youth group when we first arrived back in '89, passed away from a long, courageous, and faithfilled battle with cancer. My bride seemed to know it was going to happen soon when she left town on Sunday afternoon. As soon as she read their blog on Saturday night when we got home from seeing Noah and fam...she knew. Reluctantly, with 6 days of paid work ahead of her this week, she left for the airport, feeling as though she might have to miss the services if they happened this week. She knew and she will miss seeing the family to express he love for them.

Brad was truly a unique child and man of God, both at the same time. No one I know was able to do both better than Brad. Maybe it was a gift. He loved to play. No one enjoyed life and was able to keep his childlike attitude with him like Brad did. As a man, He had a faith like I'm sure I've never quite seen in someone his age and in his situation. He loved His Lord more in his last days than ever. He loved to worship and sing praises to His God even when he had no breath.

The saddness that surrounds his loss is great. The victory that goes with his passing is unmistakable. The hole that is left by his absence...well it made me speechless and speeching's my job! If there's an Aggie section in heaven...Brad's there...front and center. If not, then he's lobbying for one as we speak.

Brad...we miss you and you will always hold a special place in our hearts. You will never be forgotten.

de

Busy weekend

2009-03-02T10:22:00.002-06:00

Technically it was much more than a weekend. It started on Wednesday. Three of our kids, K, J, & J were to be on the road from Cooperstown, NY to Nashville, TN. We were praying for good weather and safe travels for their move south. We left town after we sang a duet and preached at a friend's mothers funeral. We headed north in J's truck, thanks J for the loaner, stopped at a Houston Plant around Conroe and filled the back end with three trees, and almost as many shrubs and plants as we could carry. We then drove to A&A's to drop them off, then on to Richardson where Kim was to work on Thursday. While she worked I went to find a pickupload of good dirt to amend A&A's front flowerbeds. By the time I got to unloading it around 12:30 it was 83 degrees and sunny. By the time I got a bunch of it unloaded I was almost overheated. Guess I should have stopped for lunch. By the time Ade got home from work, with his mom in the car and Al & N got home from preschool the flowerbeds were just about ready to work. Regular updates were coming in as the movers headed out of C-town, through, Pennsylvania, Maryland, WVA, VA, then Tenn. Two days of tough driving but they made it.

Friday we got up and took Noah to see "Elmo's Green Thumb" in Grand Prarie. He called it "Elmo day" and it took forever to actually get here. His mom & dad had to quit mentioning it because he wanted every day to be "Elmo day," don't we all. He was pretty hesitant through the first half and watched virutally all of it with his head on Mimi's shoulder, watching ever so closely out of one eye. By the time the intermission was over he was sitting straight ahead watching with both eyes, smiling, pointing at Elmo and Bigbird, clapping, and enjoying the whole thing. I proudly I resisted paying $10 for a helium ballon that looked like Elmo. I felt bad for all those who whipped out the ten, only to leave it on the ceiling of the theatre or to watch it fly away into the sky on the way to the car. We opted to spend that money on crawfish at Pappadeaux for lunch. Good choice dave. Then it was back to Forney and the flowerbeds.

We kept after those flowerbeds till we got them all planted by sundown and I think we were all pooped. By the time I got up on Sat to go buy some mulch it was 40 degrees with a 25 mph north wind. Glad we only had the trees to plant. We put down mulch on the flowerbeds, and planted 2 of 3 trees and called it a project. Ade will have to plant tree #3. It was time to head home. The bride was leaving Sunday for a six day work week and I needed to be ready to preach on Sunday.

When we got ready to "go home" little Noah plainly declared, "Me go home too, me go home too." His folks tried to explain that he was already home but he was very clear when Pawpaw & Mimi were going home, "me go home too." If that don't make your heart swell up, nothing will. Mom & dad promised him this summer he could go home with M & PP. We can't wait.

We got home tired but early enough to be ready for the Lord's day, thankful to have spent a bit more time with our kids and thankful that all had safe travels.

You can check out pics of our landscaping project on Allison's blog on the blog links.

thanks for reading.
de

About Bolivar

2009-02-24T11:13:00.003-06:00

Before we even drove off the ferry on to the Bolivar Peninsula, you could see a huge pile of cars to the left hand side of the road. It looked much like a salvage yard that was not there before. There were dozens, maybe 100's of destroyed cars, I assume awaiting their ride to a mainland salvage yard via some barge. After that a huge pile of appliances of all kinds, then debris, and well having to drive ahead at a reasonable speed to keep up with the traffic I surely didn't see it all. It was pretty sad. As we drove east there were some houses left standing on the beach side and a few on the bay side. On each side of the road are huge piles of debris, remains of beach houses that have been gathered up, piled up, and ready to be picked up and taken away. In between those piles of debris are huge piles of sand (the beach) right on the road which I assume means that Ike picked up the sand from the beach and brought tons of it inward, put in on the road and it had to be scraped up to make the road drivable.

As we continued east, the damage gets worse. Anything that was built or sitting on ground level is either completely gone or pretty much totally destroyed. Many of the landmarks that once helped you to know where you were are unrecognizable now or gone completely. A 5th wheel RV serves one of the local grocery stores. A large RV park has sprung up a few miles in, on the bay side. A sign indicates that the Stingaree marina is now open. The grocery store is in the works. Where the church of Christ stood in Crystal Beach now stands a makeshift sign that says "Church of Christ" and a white tent, with a big stack of bottled water at its side. A few things remain but what does remain suffered extensive damage.

The familiar signs of the various beaches as you drive on eastward are gone, some replaced with plywood telling you the name of the beach. Once you reach Crystal beach it gets worse. From Crystal beach east, there's nothing, well no houses anyway. The beach has been eaten back from its normal place maybe 75 feet or more. All that's left of the houses may be pilings or a slab, nothing else. All at once the bride kinda lets out a bit of a scream as we recognize we're at the Rollover Pass bridge. We didn't even know it was coming because nothing is recognizable, no landmarks.

We pullover at what used to be Rollover Pass bait and tackle and stop. It was tricky pulling off the road there in the convertible because its so washed out and rough. We get out to look around and try to get our bearings but can't because its all gone. Whatever was there before, is now gone. You couldn't even pull off on the SE & NW sides of the road, just too washed out and rough. There were a couple of folks fishing and catching the occasional redfish but we're stunned. We cross what's left of the bride, passable enough and pull off on the NE side where I'd come to so many times to fish and to flounder. The bride stays in the car, wiping her eyes at what we've seen but I want to walk the pass. I walk towards the bay side and realize that all the sand and shell from the beach side is now deposited on the bay side of the pass, in huge piles, along with a sign laying on the ground, pole and all that says "open." There's all kinds of other debris, a sink, the regular beer can, a road grader or bull dozer and piles of sand or mulch. There is one house standing, obviously a fairly newer house, way up high on stilts that made it but thats it.

We sit, we contemplate, we realize just how serious that Ike was. We still can't believe its all gone, forever changed. There's no doubt in my mind that I'll be long gone before much of it is rebuilt and the fact is, it will never be the same. Sorry to sound so depressing but it was a lot to take in. It was impossible to fathom and this a full 5 months after the fact.

Unless the beach is replinished the next big storm will take out chunks of the highway making it impossible to reach High Island. The water is so close now that a really high tide will send the waves and water over the road. It washed out the dune all the way from Rollover to the turn north to High Island. Staggering. No wonder lots of people died and some will never be found.

Well, that's all of that. Just thought I'd pass along our trip. I recommend you go and make the drive yourself. Just be prepared to cry. It's really, really sad. No I didn't take my camera. A picture may be worth a thousand words but a drive down there, well, there are no words or pictures that do it justice. We did finish the trip with an evening meal of "Al-T's Special." They have totally remodeled due to Ike damage. It was as good as ever.

Again, thanks for reading.
de

Trip to Galveston

2009-02-23T09:04:00.002-06:00

The bride and I took a drive we have been wanting to take since September 13, the day hurricane Ike paid us a visit. We have wanted to take the drive down to Galveston, take the ferry, and go over to the Bolivar Peninsula to see the damage. About 2 pm on Friday afternoon after she had finished some major cleaning around the house, or at least got to a stopping point, and I was done working the church building remodeling, we headed out in her favorite way to travel, her convertible. It was really a bit cool, low 60's, to be wearing shorts and driving highway speed with the top down but the sun was out 100% and we just couldn't resist. Each time we got over the water it cooled down a few degrees and it was windy but overall it was great.

We drove the speed limit to Galveston, turned down 61st street and headed out to the West end to see what it was like down there. The moment we turned on to 61st, there was still a sailboat perched right by the road, in a parking lot, like it was parked there for the night, then a few blocks another, then another. The housing edition on the left side of 61st not too far across the small bay was obviously heavily flooded by the surge. Most of the businesses just off of i-45 & 61st were closed but as you got closer to the seawall, more and more were open, and many others were under repair. Traffic was fairly heavy. We turned right and drove to the West. Almost anything situated at ground level was damaged or flooded. Many of the condos were under repair, trying to get ready for the summer season. Unfortunately, there was no beach extending out from the seawall. The waves lapped right up on to the rocks all the way down. We didn't go too far before making a uturn and deciding to go ahead and drive to the Bolivar ferry. The city seems to have brought sand in to a couple of sections across from the Convention center area to rebuild the beach between about 3 of the jetties. Every pier, structure, everything on the beach side is gone. Technically the Flagship hotel is still there but heavily damaged, everything else that was over the water is gone. Murdoch's and those places are nothing but pilings in the sand now. We didn't drive to the strand or around in the neighborhoods but there was obviously a great deal of flooding damage and many blue tarps still on roofs. A fair number of eating spots were open and some hotels but its going to take a long time for it to be back to normal.

We went ahead and drove to catch the ferry and waited well over an hour for our turn to take the ride. The ferry ride is one of our all time favorite things to do in Galveston and it has not changed. Sitting in the convertible with the top down, while the gulls fly over head is not the most comfortable feeling in the world though, we manage to get on without getting pooped on. By the time we got on the ferry it was time to put the top up, it was just too cool.

Well, there's much more to say about Bolivar but I better get to work now. Maybe tomorrow I'll write about what we saw or didn't see on the Peninsula. I will say this, the further east we travelled the worse it got.

Thanks for reading,
de

What's on my mind

2009-02-18T11:52:00.003-06:00

I can't help but be fascinated and concerned by what's happening in Washington these days. I heard over the weekend that with the passing of the stimulus package the Federal governments share in the GDP of the United States goes up. What's the GDP? Its one of the measures of national income and output for a given country's economy. It is the total value of all final goods and services produced in a particular economy; the dollar value of all goods and services produced within a country’s borders in a given year. I'm certainly no expert on such a thing but what I heard is that for the past 20 years the Gov't share in the GDP has ranged anywhere from 17%-22% in any given year. Probably higher than I expected but ok. With the new stimulus package in place and the government taking a huge part in the auto industry and banking, the gov't share of the GDP goes to, get this, 39%. Looks like we're running headlong into socialism. I'm not saying there weren't some serious issues with corruption, greed and such but I've never been a big advocate that bigger gov't is the answer. I guess time will tell.

The other thing that is happening is all those folks he's trying to put around him. I guess it is best explained by this cartoon I got today.

But I guess its only been 30 days. We should give him a chance. It's the debt he's given my grandchildren that I'm concerned about.

de

The Beat Goes On

2009-02-11T14:22:00.002-06:00

The bad news is that there is pounding outside my office and over my head upstairs in the teen classrooms. That's also the good news. Construction is in full swing at our church building. It's been a long time coming or so it would seem. It's a tremendous undertaking and I'm grateful we've hired pros to do most of the work. I recall when I first arrived in Baytown in May of 1989, that the men of the congregation had undertaken the task of remodeling this same building that I am still in. Of course I volunteered to help as did many of the men in the church. I like to work with my hands and sometimes I'm pretty good at it. The trouble with that undertaking was the sheer size of the project. Not that we didn't have the skills to complete the work but the sheer size of the task was likely too big for a set of volunteers to sustain the momentum. Plus, if things didn't go just right, who could you blame? Always an issue. There remain some hard feelings that go back to that remodeling project almost 20 years ago. Thankfully, this time around, the insurance payment from hurricane Ike should pay for most everything, done by the contractors. If there's a problem, you have someone to hold responsible for making sure its done right and they are working each and every day, not just when voluteers can make the time to do it. I guess that's my point, the beat goes on, every day, the sooner the better as far as I'm concerned. Our building should be in better shape than it has been...well since the last time it was remodeled, and in some ways even better. My prayer is that we can utilize it in all kinds of ways that Gods name and His Son will be lifted up.

I'm still enjoying our winter here in S Texas. Bright, sunny, and 70 degrees.

de

Following Obama Closely

2009-02-09T10:59:00.002-06:00

I hope that everyone is following the first few weeks of Obama's Presidency closely. No, I didn't vote for him but I understand the various reasons why so many did. His was a message of hope, of change, of youth, of lower taxes, of something new and different. Here's the final paragraph of an editorial which ran in the Houston Chronicle yesterday entitled,

"New age of Obama ends in frenzy of hypocrisy." by By CHARLES KRAUTHAMMER

It's too early to say "I told you so" and boy is it early.

"After Obama's miraculous 2008 presidential campaign, it was clear that at some point the magical mystery tour would have to end. The nation would rub its eyes and begin to emerge from its reverie. The hallucinatory Obama would give way to the mere mortal. The great ethical transformations promised would be seen as a fairy tale that all presidents tell and that this president told better than anyone. I thought the awakening would take six months. It took two and a half weeks."

I hope the next two and half weeks is better for him and us.

de

Recent pic

2009-02-04T17:45:00.006-06:00

Here's a recent picture of my favorite grandson. He's a got a ton of personality and a unique look in his eye, don't you think? Have a blessed day.

de

Ike Update

2009-02-03T09:00:00.003-06:00

Unless you live on the Gulf Coast you have long forgotten hurricane Ike. The media forgot it after 3 days. I'm amazed at the number of roofs that still have blue tarps on them, waiting for a roofer to show up and do the work. In a recent conversation someone commented that "the folks in Houston got a whole week off for the hurricane, why do we have to go work when its icy?" It's a "you had to be there" kind of thing. The bride and I live on S Burnett Dr, right on the water. We are fortunate enough to be high up enough that we were spared the total devastation of others who lived just a bit further down the street. Yesterday when I did my afternoon walk to the end of the street and back, I counted 15 houses that have now been bulldozed on that end of our street. About 8 more were taken down while we were in Ok last week visiting family and I mean bulldozed to the ground, nothing left but a pile of rubble. Maybe 5 or 6 are being rebuilt as their basic structure, studs and roof were intact. Another 8-10 have yet to be bulldozed but look like they should be. Its a sober reminder of how powerful a storm Ike was.

We are seeing real progress at the church building. The sheetrock and mud has been delivered. Insulation is going up. Some redoing of the kitchen walls has finished. Hopefully today they will start putting up some of the sheetrock. Yeah! Its been almost 5 months since the storm. Its really hard to understand the impact of it all unless you see it every day. That's my Ike update FYI.

de

Oh yeah, while I was home I set my dad up with his own blog, Poppie's Blog. Now if I can just get him to use it.

Took a chance and we made it!

2009-01-28T18:37:00.002-06:00

I left H-town Monday afternoon and headed north, knowing that ahead of me was a "winter storm watch." Leaving town it was 74 degrees and balmy. As I trekked north the temperature slowly dropped, the fog and mist set in, and by the time I reached DFW airport to pickup Kim it hovered around 38 degrees. We were headed further north into a stiff north wind to Oklahoma to make our Christmas trip to both sets of folks. We had intended to do it during Christmas but were unable to due to other situations. It's always a risk going north this time of year but it was time to go. We didn't know if we'd make it before the storm got there or not. Still misting and raining we headed west towards Ft. Worth then north towards Bowie and Hwy 81. The temp continued to drop and the sky kept on spitting.

By the time we got to Bowie it was 33. We stopped for gas and a break and headed on as fast as we could. About 45 minutes later mist turned to sleet and it was freezing on the windshield. About 5 miles out of Duncan we hit our first slick spot, just a little bit icy. We slowed down a lot and drove slowly to my folks house, getting there just after midnight. It sleeted the rest of the night and all the next day, probably as much as 4" of sleet. It looks like snow but its really solid ice. The skies finally cleared last night and the temp dropped to 8. Hopefully by tomorrow the roads will be much clearer and we can head out to the other side of the state, without sleet and freezing rain to see Kim's folks for a couple of days. We took a chance by coming and we made it. Lord willing we'll make the rest of the trip without too much more winter weather. Merry Christmas everybody.

de

Shhhh! We're not allowed to talk about it.

2009-01-26T09:11:00.002-06:00

A fascinating scenario has unfolded in our country. Yes, we elected our first black President, thats not news but what is happening or not happening is what is so interesting. What is happening is that he is quietly on his way to rearranging a host of things that went with George W. The most recent thing he reversed a W policy and opened up funding once again to help provide abortions all over the world. Here's a quote from the article.

"Obama issued the presidential memorandum rescinding the Bush policy without coverage by the media, late Friday afternoon. The abortion measure is a highly emotional one for many people, and the quiet signing was in contrast to the televised coverage of Obama's announcement Wednesday on ethics rules and Thursday's signing of orders on closing the Guantanamo Bay prison camp and banning torture in the questioning of terror suspects."

Oh, wait a minute...nobody is talking about it. Shhh....it all happened very quietly and nobody is allowed to criticize at this point because Mr O has the cure to all the worlds ills. Well, almost all, Tim Tebow has the rest. Next is wide open stem cell research. Lots and lots more unborn babies are going to die under this administration. Shhhh....We're not allowed to talk about it.

Hey, I've got no problem with closing a torture camp that probably never should've been open. My concern right now is that virtually no one is allowed to second guess much less criticize him for what he is doing. I'm afraid he may end up being the out of the park liberal he was accused of being but everybody downplayed that he was. And the he is the media's greatest darling.

Not to mention that many of today's current comedy writers will soon be searching for jobs now that no one knows what to do because you can't make fun of the president. That would be racist. What will happen to comedy as we know it?

I'm all for a change in Washington, it needs it, Mr O really concerns me...and we're not allowed to talk about it.

de

Somebody's Blogging but Nobody I Know

2009-01-19T10:16:00.003-06:00

It must be the first of the year doldrums or maybe its the cold weather that only the Steelers really love or I don't know what it is but nobody's blogging. Technically that's far from the truth. I suspect Obamamaniacs are blogging like never before. MLKites are blogging like they have never blogged before. The Democrats are surely about to bust from all their blogging but nobody I really know is blogging much. But most of the blogs I read are silent these days.

I don't read the political blogs of either side, its just way too much. No matter how much somebody promises change and a better tomorrow, when they hit the political wall that is Washington DC, its gonna be tough sledding. I hate to see what will be record deficits to bailout all those crooked people who stuffed all that money somewhere and now claim that nobody has it. I hate to see the government be responsible for "great works" that will rebuild our society. They don't have the track record for being able to do that very effectively but at this point neither does much of the private sector.

I'm always optimistic though when it comes to the people of America. If our new President can make a broad appeal for Americans to stand up and rebuild America, that is truly the only thing that will really work. Corporate America can't do it, they're only out for profits. Political America won't do it, they're only after their own personal political agenda. The military can't do it, they can't even talk on the phone to each other from one branch to another. Fastfood American will only make us fatter. The truth is only Americans can stand up and rebuild America and we must do it morally, ethically, spiritually, and physcially. We've got to get over our own selfishness and begin to look out and see what we can do for each other.

But nobody's blogging about that. Somebody's blogging somewhere, but nobody I know.

de

Honest truth is, James, my snl blogs all the time but that didn't fit my Title, sorry James, I do read.

More Important Matters

2009-01-13T10:54:00.002-06:00

Next Tuesday our nations capitol hosts the Inauguration of President Obama. (boy that sounds weird) It's a brand new day in the United States of America for many reasons, some good and some bad. Regardless of any of those issues, one thing remains the same, our obligation to pray for those in power. I hope we will all spend some time in prayer for this historic occasion, for those who attend and for our new president. He needs it now more than ever before as he faces some of the greatest challenges our blessed country has ever seen. I got the link below from a friend. Thought you might want to see it and participate in prayer for our new president.

http://www.maxlucado.com/president/

de

One of our close friends Diane is working every day with the Red Cross setting up shelters for all those who will be going to DC with no place to stay. There are likely to be 10's of thousands with no place to stay.

Are You Over Being Mad?

2009-01-12T14:32:00.002-06:00

The pest control guy who comes to the house every quarter came this morning before work. He's a huge sports fan and a Longhorn fan. Anyway, his first question was "are you over being mad" referring to the National Championship game on Thursday. I told him, I don't get mad at that kind of stuff anymore. Maybe I used to or let it affect me more than it does now. Maybe I've just seen enough to realize, its just not all that important in the scheme of things.

Certainly I follow the Sooners closely and love it when they win. I certainly thought they were going to do it in Miami. No doubt, we were all disappointed at the way they closed out the game. Yes, big-game Bob may have to change his name to get-to-the-biggame-Bob. But in the end, its just a game. Some you win, some you lose, well in national championship games since 2000 its you lose but, hey it was great fun to be there and watch. The energy and excitement are something to experience. Even most of the Florida fans were good natured. Deep down they realize they dodged a big bullet in the first half and were fortunate to come out of it the way they did.

Am I over being mad?...I never was mad to begin with, sad, forlorn, disappointed, slightly disgusted, down for a little while, yep...but never mad. I reserve mad for things that are lot more important in life...like what...greed and stupidity and apathy and abuse and people who don't signal or who txt while driving...sorry.

Not mad,
de

Boomer Sooner Baby!

2009-01-07T23:10:00.002-06:00

Here's hoping the Sooners go all the way tomorrow night in Miami. The boys and I will be there rooting them on. If they ever show the upper deck in the corner, I'll be wearing my lucky yellow cap and Jared the Sooner Schooner!

de, ade, & jre

Out of Practice in the Kitchen

2009-01-07T09:41:00.005-06:00

It's been cold here in H-town lately, well mostly cold with intermittent days of 75 even in the 80's one day. Then a cold front rushes through and we go from 80 to 40 in a matter of hours, maybe even into the 30's. Yesterday was 43 and rainy wet, which is cold. The moist cold will cut through you like nobody's business. Jared's had a nasty cold so I decide its time for a pot of green chile corn chowder. Oh yeah, add chicken. Well, actually I start with cooking a whole chicken and veggies and spices to get the broth, then add back the chicken to make it the whole meal. Everything went fine, well I couldn't find the big stock pot so I put it all in a smaller one and it cooked over but only a little bit. Then you've got to get all that stuff out of the pot, separate what you want to keep from what you don't, strain the broth, and start the soup.

I tell you, I'm out of practice in the kitchen. Everything I grabbed was just too small. When I got to straining off the broth I had more broth than pan and made a huge mess. Spilled broth on the floor, between the stove and the cabinet. The dog rushes in immediately to help with the mess. I used to love to cook and was darned good at it. Then it was just Kim and me and Kim gone a lot and I got out of practice. Now, Jareds back and Kim is home more, only since Ike, we've been eating but not doing much of any cooking, lots of bought stuff, pre-prepared stuff, chicken-pot pies, well its sad but you get the idea. The kitchen was just too dirty for too long and wasn't worth getting everything clean and then doing it all over again day after day. It's a bad scenario health wise but bottom line, I'm out of practice in the kitchen. Guess its time to get my skills back. Kim did better than me recently when she cooked turkey and dressing for Christmas. I'm still waiting for dessert though.

Even with the mess the chowder turned out great. I've got way too much of it but it was great. Its even better the next day. Maybe I won't make such a mess when I'm re-heating it. Well, its off to Miami in the morning.

Here's something really cool. A great article in the Chronicle today on Brian Johnson and Uta h. Check it out.

de

Two Days and Counting

2009-01-06T14:29:00.003-06:00

Ssome folks probably have mixed feelings that my boys and I are headed to Miami on Thursday for the National Championship game. I still can't believe it myself. I've always wanted to go to Super Bowl, the Final Four, even the World Series, just once. Even thought about the National Championship game a few times but how many times is your team in that game, not all that often. I guess in the case of the Sooners, several times including 2000 but only once successfully and I've never really thought seriously about going to one of the games, until now. Did go to the NBA Championships twice when the Rockets played back in 94 & in 95. Truly one of the most exciting sporting events I've ever been to. The energy levels are just off the chart. You have to be there to understand, but you certainly never forget.

It's really by a stroke of luck and that I took a chance and signed up for tickets that we are going. Then after that, Kim went ahead and made airline reservations on airmiles, way before OU was back in the Big12 race, weeks in advance anything being decided so that they'd be available. You can't wait till after the fact because everybody wants a ticket or flight or rental car or hotel room and there's just so many, so, we took a chance, and it all paid off. Today's Tuesday, two days away. I'm trying my best to concentrate on the things at hand, not being all that successful. Keep trying I guess. Praying Kim gets from Denver to Green Bay, and Jared gets to feeling better and I don't catch what he's got. It's nasty! Darla's got it at work too. Try not to get too close or breath too much when I'm around them. Two days and counting.

Safe travels everyone,
de

Countdown Begins

2009-01-05T10:43:00.002-06:00

It's finally the week of the National Championship game in Miami. Normally it wouldn't be all that exciting because someone else is playing the game but this year, like it or not, agree with it or not, its the Sooners and Gators. I have no doubts that Utah deserves an honest inclusion in this years discussion. I'm proud to say they handled Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. I'm proud to say one of Jared's close friends since High School, Brian Johnson, QB at for the Utes was this year's Sugar Bowl MOP, (Most Outstanding Player). At 13-0 and how they handled Alabama, did I say how glad I was Bama got it handed to them, they deserve to be in the discussion. They probably won't be anything but #2, whoever wins on Thursday will be #1 and hopefully Utah #2, unless Florida wins then I hope Utah comes up and gets its.

Why so much discussion on this matter? Me and my boys will be at the game! For the past 3/4 years we've had season tix for OU football. No, we don't go to all the games, but somebody does, Aaron, my neice or sister, or some friends. We only went once this year, to the Tech game. Anyway, because we're season ticket holders we had the chance to buy bowl game tix. They send you the entire list of possibilities, must've been at least a dozen choices, from the Liberty Bowl all the way to, you guessed it, the National Championship game. You just choose which ones you would want to go to just in case, how many tix, and wait. We weren't really interested in travelling a long ways, so we picked all the Texas Bowl possibilities, Cotton, Alamo, Texas Bowl, and....just in case...the National Championship game...figuring it was only a really remote chance they'd get to go...but guess what...the Sooners are there and we are going. I'm still kicking myself for not ordering 12 tix and selling the rest but I didn't.

Anyway...here's to a once in lifetime experience most likely...a chance to see the National Championship game...with our favorite team playing. Lord willing...we fly out Thursday morning...thanks to Kim's airline miles...arrive Tuesday afternoon...and well...Boomer Sooner! The Countdown begins today.

de

One of My Favorite Things

2008-12-29T14:29:00.004-06:00

Something exciting happened in Baytown this past week. The Blood Center opened a permanent blood donation location on Garth Road. I was excited to be one of the first to give. I've been driving to Houston to give for...well probably going on 20 years. I used to wait for a coach or blood drive here in town, at the church or somewhere, then I started giving platelets and have been doing that for at least 10 years or more. I don't keep all that in my head. There's enough clutter in there already. Anyway, I used to call the Blood center main office and talk to someone every few months about putting a location in Baytown. I even kept an eye out for a good location and communicated that a few times. Guess I just gave up, then, I'm driving down Garth Road and there it is on the building. They opened Dec 22 and I was the first one through the door. First time I was able to give since going to India more than a year ago. India knocks you out for a year.

Anyway, here's the link for the article from the Lake Houston Sentinel.

And a pic. Not all that flattering. But, if you haven't donated lately, why not start? Maybe I'll see you there. I'm going for 25 gallons now that I can give maybe once a week.

de

200th Post...29th Anniversary

2008-12-22T14:26:00.003-06:00

Congratulations to me...or maybe a medal to my bride...or probably thanks be to God. NO, not because I reached my 200th post on blogspot, although that is an accomplishment. It probably seems like nothing to those who have been doing it a long time but to me...200 is a milestone. A milestone of rambling you say...I heard that but yeah, that is pretty much what it is most days. A much bigger more important day is that today is the bride and I's 29th anniversary...for real...today's the day. Way back in the day...the late 70's...79 to be exact...on the 22nd of December we got married in Muskogee OK, USA...my folks rejoiced (they'd gotten a terrific daughter in law who might be able to straighten me up some)...Kim's folks mourned, (for just the opposite reason) but that's another blog. It was certainly memorable. Friends and family gathered, I sang, Kim walked down the aisle and my dad performed the ceremony. Nice job dad, it stuck! We headed south after the ceremony and stayed the night in Okmulgee at the Hiway Lodge, thanks to my father-in-law. No, we weren't headed for the airport and Hawaii but to Dallas where we stayed with some of my sisters relatives for a couple of days for our honeymoon. Then back through Duncan, more "family" vacations, back to OKC to pickup some of my stuff, and finally back to Muskogee. Sorry, honey. The economy was suffering. I had no job yet in Muskogee. Kim did have a teaching job. It was one cold winter as I recall. But...we had each other and thank the Lord above, we still do. Congrats for putting up with me for 29 years. Here's to another 29 or 200...one at a time.

Happy Anniversary baby, got you on my mind!
Happy Anniversary baby, got you on my mind!

de

Let the Moving and Cleaning Begin

2008-12-19T15:21:00.002-06:00

We're finally done, well almost. I'd say we're 99% done with our remodeling from the storm after just over 3 months. Doug came today and we finally finished the floor and the trim around the whole floor. Yeah!! There's still a few minor odds and ends, some grouting, some outside trim and siding but that can wait a few more days. With that we can now begin to push the furniture back to where it goes and get the house back to normal. Along with that goes a good cleaning of everything because there's a layer of construction dust on everything and I mean everything.

Just about the time I got to feeling like we'd never get through I just have to drive through the neighborhood and see all the blue tarps still on peoples roofs. One neighbor just started rebuilding a corner of their house that took a big tree through the roof and I'm 99% done, so all in all we're really blessed by being this far along. Just in time for Christmas. We've not decorated for Christmas yet and probably won't do our normal thing but we are grateful we got done by now. So many others have not finished or are not even ready to start yet. It makes me count my blessings each and every day and be thankful. Gotta go now. Time to get the moving and cleaning going!

Merry Christmas everyone!
de

Hey, I Found My Sleep!

2008-12-18T09:49:00.002-06:00

I know the title sounds pretty weird but truth is its not. In the days following hurricane Ike, I lost my normal sleep pattern, or it was rudely interrupted. I don't know what to call it, post traumatic stress or what. Something that big qualifies to cause some like that if you ask me. After the hurricane, until just recently I woke up around 5:15 am no matter what, there was no going back to sleep.

Here's the story, which I've told before, I think. The night of the storm Jared and I had finally fallen asleep around 2-3 am. (Kim was still awake) It had been a terribly long day leading up to that point. The power had gone out by 5 pm, much earlier than most folks lost their power. But we had a generator, a light, a radio and were making out pretty well and were dog tired. About 4:30 am Mike called to inform me that the "eye" was right over us and we had to see, so we did. In that eiree stillness I got out in my truck and drove around to see some of the damage and came back home. And we waited. Sometime around 5 or 5:15 am the back side of the storm came through and took part of our roof, let the rain in, and well, we're still not completely through with the work that needs to be done remodeling. I wish I could say we were.

Anyway, since then, I would wake up, wide awake, at 5:15, no matter what time I went to bed or what I did or drank or ate or didn't, just wide awake. Sometime in the past couple of week, I found my sleep again. I've going to sleep at my normal time 11-12 and waking up again at my normal time, 7 or even later. Yeah! Boy that feels good. No more waking up and knowing I might as well get up because I wasn't going back to sleep. I sleep right through. Hey, I found my sleep! It's a good thing.

de

Kami home, Kim gone

2008-12-17T09:31:00.002-06:00

Kami made it home yesterday afternoon from her 24+ hr stay in the hospital. Surgery went as expected. James took her home later in the afternoon with her mother close behind. Kim made it in by mid-afternoon and will be staying a few days to help out. Thanks to all who prayed. Thanks to God that it was not more serious than it was, it certainly can be. Guess its just me and Jared for the next few days. He's working like crazy at Best Buy. Going into town is nothing short of crazy. The closer to Christmas the crazier it gets. Think I'll just stay home. Hopefully we'll get the rest of the flooring in by Christmas.

Eventful 24 Hours

2008-12-16T11:03:00.002-06:00

James calls me yesterday morning to let me know that he has taken Kami to the ER. She had called him feeling ill, weak, in pain, etc so off they go. Before the afternoon is in full swing they find out that her pregnancy, yeah I know no one said anything, was ectopic. (tubal) Not good. At some point the little one had not made its way to where its supposed to be, set up shop, and then caused problems. Again, not good. Before yesterday was over they had to take her into surgery and operate to repair the rupture, or break or problem. All that was successful and made for an eventful day. The good news is she's ok. This kind of thing can be potentially life threatening to the mom, it was not. She did not need a blood transfusion, which is not uncommon. They did have to remove the one tube, but the other is still good. I know this is a lot of detail but I don't get any readers that I really don't know anyway. The other bit of good news is that by about 1 pm I had already gotten Kim on a plane for this morning (on airmiles) to Albany. She should be there in about an hour from now and then an hour & 1/2 more to Cooperstown to spend the next few days with her girl (and James.) Kim, 3 hours late home yesterday from Corpus, had to do laundry, pack, some work stuff, answer the alarm at 3:45 am in time to get to the airport for a 6:30 am flight. The price of still being able to fly on points, 6:30 am was the flight time. We both slept in small bits last night and this morning.

Thanks for praying if you knew. If you didn't, give God thanks for watching over them all.

Minor side bit of news. The National Championship tickets came yesterday. It was an eventful 24 hours.

de

Recent Pics

2008-12-12T09:50:00.006-06:00

Thought for today I'd just post a few recent pics of our NY trip and of the 4" of snow that fell in Baytown Wednesday evening. Unfortunately it fell at night and by morning a fair amount of it had already melted. But it was a sight to see. Very rare for Baytown.

On the Subway towards the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island

Toy shopping at FAO Swartz, Liberty Island looking back at Manhattan

Rockefeller Center up top and on the ground

snow in Baytown!

Back from the Big Apple!

2008-12-10T10:34:00.002-06:00

Sorry I haven't blogged for several days. The family and I spent the past several days in New York City, that's right, the Big Apple. I performed a wedding on Saturday at the Roosevelt Hotel for a couple whose parents are friends of Kim and I. We became friends when the brides mom, Diane, came to Baytown to run a Red Cross shelter after hurricane Katrina. You all remember Katrina, the storm you still hear about, the storm that brought so many NO residents to Houston, many of whom are still living hear on the Gov't dole. Yeah, that's the one, sorry, can't help it after going through Ike which lasted all of about 3 days on the national media front page but was every bit as devastating as Katrina. Sorry, I digress.

Anyway, Diane came and set up a shelter at Wooster Baptist church. Jason and I went down there to see how we could help and a friendship was struck. I performed her oldest daughters wedding in DC last summer and their next daughter got married Saturday. So, we invited A,& Noah, J&K, and Jared to join us for a few days and have a family Christmas gathering in NYC. So, that's where we've been the past few days, at 45th & Madison in downtown NY, about 4 blocks from Rockefeller Center and Times Square, two blocks from Grand Central Station. I may post some pictures but not sure I took very many. Kami took tons of pics.

All in all we had a great time, saw some of the famous sites and enjoyed NYC at Christmas. Boy it was good to get back home though.

de

Oh yeah, Boomer Sooner!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-26T11:22:00.007-06:00

Not much to post this Thanksgiving eve. Certainly we are thankful, everyday, not just one day. Thought I'd post a few recent pics from our trip to Forney and Norman.

Aaron, Noah, & Pawpaw With his Mimi

He loves to be outside. He helped dadda and pawpaw plant flowers.

We were there! Most exciting.

He sure is getting big these days.

Back Home From the North

2008-11-24T16:04:00.002-06:00

I left home at 5 am on Friday to head north, where its cold. Picked Kim up at Love field and headed to Forney to see Noah and his parents. We spent the night there, were able to enjoy Noah's 2nd birthday party along with my folks and Kim's before heading further north to Norman. We bundled up warm and enjoyed perhaps the most fun college football game I've ever been to. It was truly unforgettable the way the Sooners manhandled Tech. Following the game we drove down to Duncan and spent the night there with my folks, went to church with them, at some lunch and then headed back to Forney, for another visit with Noah and company. We spent the night there and headed back south this morning. Went through a cold front on our way north, like to froze towards the end of the OU game. We woke up Sunday to much warmer weather. By the time we got up this morning in Forney another cold spell had come in. On the way to H-town we drove from the cool back into the warm. I'm sure it will be here sometime.

Boomer Sooner baby!
de

For Your Holiday Viewing Pleasure!

2008-11-21T13:07:00.004-06:00

Saw this on my neice's blog and couldn't resist.

Winding Down, Finally

2008-11-20T09:11:00.002-06:00

Construction is finally beginning to wind down at the El-house. We began in earnest to really start cleaning up the construction stuff that has been stored in our living area, hammers, pry bars, tools, painting utensils, dropcloths, etc. There was no use in removing it to the garage until we didn't much need it anymore. We put new siding on the 2nd story on one side of the house. It took a beating when the roof flew off. The new countertop for the new cabinet arrives on Monday morning. All 8 rugs, rugs came back from being cleaned last night. Who knew we had that many rugs? Painting is 97% complete. I think there's always some painting to do, lots of little touch up here and there. One color would be so much easier but its not nearly as good looking as the contrasting colors we have so that takes a lot more time. All that's left is the rest of the Pergo floor. The insurance only replaced the damaged part so that's all we took up, until we got ready to put down the new floor we ordered. Looks wise its an exact match but not the locking, snapping part. Pergo conveniently changed the way it went together so it didn't match. All we could do was put down what we had and order more, so that's what we did. Lights and ceiling fan went up. All pretty exciting to get things back to normal. Time Christmas comes, hopefully we'll be 100% redone and you'll never know anything happened and it will all be new.

As frustatingly slow and dirty as it has been, I realize just how blessed we are to be at this point already. Our church building has yet to see a new piece of sheetrock or any kind of progress yet. Seems we still have a bit of mold that has to be taken care of and nothing can be started until then. On my way to the office a huge truck was pulling on to Post Oak with a full load of roofing materials for one of my neighbors. Many, many folks still are living with blue tarps and can't get a roofer to sneeze at them, much less a contractor who'll go to work reasonably. Many on South Burnet are waiting for someone to come and bulldoze the house they used to live in.

I spent some time on Tuesday helping my retired neighbor put some shingles on his roof. He's about 75 and I spotted him standing on an 8' step ladder working on it and just couldn't resist. His wife was standing nervously on the ground, watching his every move, much like my mom would be doing if Poppie were doing the same thing. She does her best to keep him from doing that kind of stuff these days. Its really for the younger crowd. So, I grabbed my hammer and headed over to help. Truth is, I'm thankful and not just because its Thanksgiving, but because I'm so blessed. It's easy to get bogged down in your own stuff until you step back, see others situations, and realize just how blessed you are.

Headed today to Forney to see my little Noah on his 2nd birthday, then to Norman, then Duncan, back to Forney, and finally home.

Boomer Sooner,
de

Waiting for the Weekend!

2008-11-18T08:05:00.004-06:00

Not all that much new to post here in H-town. The H-town heat finally broke for this year and we're really enjoying cooler, drier fall like weather. Got down into the upper 30's a night or two. Still haven't turned on the heat yet. Kami and James were in town this past week for the Gulf Coast Spiritual Growth Workshop. James was one of the speakers so he got a free plane ticket to come south. I hated that our house is still in mid-construction but it was great to have them home even if just for a couple of days.

Kim and I are headed to Forney this weekend. I took a Sunday off, one of my four allowed Sunday's off, and going to Noah's birthday party on Saturday. He'll be two on Friday but the big party is Saturday. He's growing so fast its just incredible. Aaron calls me last night to tell me that Noah wants to talk to his PawPaw, so its upstairs to the computer I run to talk to my favorite grandson on skype. He can't really a lot of words that you can clearly understand and he does ramble a full sentence from time to time...but he can say PawPaw really good. He wanted to know where Mimi was...I tried to explain she was off working. Can't wait to see the little booger on Friday. Maybe I can take him fishing again if the suns out.

Saturday, after the party,we're headed to Norman for the OU/Tech game. Yes, we had season tickets this year but haven't gone to a home game yet. Something about a storm named Ike and funds a bit tight this year, anyway we kept the Tech game. Sure glad we did. Looks like a good one.

The house continues on. Since we ran out of floor Doug is working on some other stuff right now. Replacing some siding on one side of the house. New countertop is coming Monday. Put the lights back up, hang the cabinet doors, some trim here and there, lots of misc stuff to do. Hopefully the rest of the floor will come this week. When that's done I'm going to cut him loose for awhile.

Oh yeah, Mickey Mouse is 80 today. Makes me feel old. Strangest thing though, Mickey doesn't look a day older.

Have a good day ya'll,
de

Paw Paw part duex

2008-11-12T10:00:00.003-06:00

Kim and I are going to be grandparents again! How exciting. Aaron and Allison are expecting another addition to their little family. Lord willing and all goes well, next June another little Ellis will come into the world. And in the mean time we'll be practicing our ever improving grandparenting skills like "spoil em and give em back to mom & dad," "buy em terrible noise making things," "feed em candy right before bedtime," and "never tell em no," well you get the idea. Not really. We just pray for another healthy child to love, "and many more" as the birthday song goes. Mostly as the Lord wills.

That's today big announcement. Couldn't tell yesterday till Aaron told his sister. Almost messed that one up.

de

Wow, Busy Week!

2008-11-11T08:16:00.002-06:00

Things are moving right along at the Ellis' household. It would probably go faster on our remodeling if we stayed home on the weekend and did all we could do. Instead we attend the Sterling HS football game, the A&M/OU game, and unfortunately, the Texans game. Two of 3 ain't bad though. This is our 3rd house remodel in about 5 years. We did the house on Honeysuckle less than a year before we bought the house on the bay and did that one. (We didn't know we were moving when we did)

Now with the help of hurricane Ike, we get to do this one again. I say we, as if we are actually doing the work. I have been helping, which I really like to do as much as I can. Jared, I, and some others tore out all the stuff that needed to be removed. That was big and nasty. We helped to put in insulation, sheetrock, finish, and texture the sheetrock. Kim and I have done all the painting. That's certainly only a portion of what goes on but hopefully it saves us some funds and moves things along a bit faster so Doug, our friend and contractor, can concentrate on carpentry, which he does best. I like doing the painting and consider myself an excellent painter. I had a summer job once working for a local contractor and we did a lot of painting that summer. Always been pretty good with my hands. Looks like we may start on the floor tomorrow or the next day. Inside work, that's all that's left. We have to replace about 400 sq ft of pergo and some of the slate tile that got messed up. Then we'll go outside to replace some siding. Moving right along and we'll be glad.

Stay tuned tomorrow for a very exciting announcement!

de

Taking Time to Process

2008-11-05T08:48:00.003-06:00

It'll take some time to sort things out after last nights historic presidential election. Truth is John McCain or any Republican had a better chance of a snowman surviving the Texas heat than they did trying to win this election in our current mess. Blame it on who you will, Bush, Wall street, Iraq, the economy or Bush, but Obama's win signals one of the greatest changes this United States has ever seen, the first black President. I was not certain I'd ever see that in my lifetime. Hey, I'm truly for the best qualified person to win no matter the color or gender. I'm still fairly certain Obama's wasn't the most qualified of the two but nevertheless the younger generations, blacks, hispanics, asians, and many other groups saw him as the chance to be the real agent of change for our country. He's headed straight on into a "good ole boys mostly white male" dominated culture that has existed for 200+ years. I hope he can bring them together to for Amerian like he claims he will do. I seem to recall that being one of W's great qualities, bringing both sides together. Didn't happen. Only got worse. I'm not totally pessimistic. I will always be a patriotic American. I love our country. I'm not thrilled about a lot of what it has become. Maybe this is a sign that everyone must stand up for what they believe in and be willing to do something about it. Many people did, for the first time and it has changed our country. I pray it will all be for the better. I know God was in control yesterday, today, and from now on. That's what I count on the most.

I'll close with what John McCain said in his concession speech:

And I call on all Americans, as I have often in this campaign, to not despair of our present difficulties, but to believe, always, in the promise and greatness of America, because nothing is inevitable here. Americans never quit. We never surrender. We never hide from history. We make history.

Not in the TV Picture!

2008-11-03T10:25:00.003-06:00

Turns out my excitement about being on TV during the TNT broadcast of the Rockets/Mavs game...just didn't pan out. We did sit on the floor, right where I thought we'd sit. About the time we got to our seats in walked Mark Cuban and stood 5 feet from us, for 10 minutes, smiling, greeting folks, shaking hands. (I didn't offer to shake his hand) Not that I dislike him or anything. That was an exciting start though. What happened was we sat opposite the side the cameras shoot pretty much the entire game. The cameras sit on one side and shoot across the court towards the bench side of the floor. We sat on the same side as the cameras so the only time I made it on camera was briefly in the 3rd quarter when an end shot of the floor came up and we could see my rocket red shirt and bright yellow cap amongst the sea of blue.

It was great fun though, watching the Rockets pull away in the 4th much to the dismay of the entire crowd. There were probably less than 200 Rockets fans there. I sat the closest of any that I saw. Midway through the 3rd quarter the Mavs fans sitting behind me started pelting me with peanuts every time I stood up to root for the Rockets, which was pretty often. It was great fun. They were good natured about it and I wasn't terribly annoying, at least I tried not to be. Not sure Kim would agree.

Then we went to Aaron's to spend a couple nights with them and enjoyed Halloween with Noah and his cousins. They dressed up as the scarecrow (Noah), tin man, lion, and Dorothy and were a hit everywhere they went. Even had Toto, or Chester as he's normally known for awhile. It was a perfect night for trick or treating. I got to take Noah fishing his first time on Friday morning. He loved the fish but didn't want to touch it. It was great fun. I'll try to post some pics later. Would've been a perfect weekend had the Texans pulled out their win. Rockets, Sooners, Tech, Texans. Well, 3 of 4 is pretty darned good.

Oh yeah, got my insurance check. Now all I gotta do is figure out how to get my mortgage company to endorse it, so I can spend it.

later, de

Look for me on TNT

2008-10-30T08:28:00.002-05:00

Kim and I are headed to Dallas tonight. Our first stop will be to attend the Mavs season opener against the Rockets. So, why do I say "look for me on TNT?" Well, I got some incredible tickets for tonights game from my best friend in Jr Hi and Hi school, Ken. I don't mean good tix, I mean incredible tix, on the floor, 2nd row from the floor I'm pretty sure. I thought we were trading, a pair of my OU game tix for a pair of his company owned tix to the Mavs. Turns out it was anything but a fair trade. So, we're sitting courtside, actually row 3. There's the VIP row, AA, then BB where we're sitting. Maybe I'll have a chance to headbutt Mark Cuban, or at least see him. Here's a link you can go to and see a 3D view of our view tonight. Find sec 108, row BB then see a 3D view. It's gonna be awesome. Check it out and look for me, I'll be in my red Rockets shirt and a bright yellow cap I bought in St Thomas. Then, we're headed to Forney for Halloween tomorrow night. I hear that Noah's going in a group with him as the scarecrow, his cousins as the tin man, the lion, and Dorothy. Guess I better go find me a costume. The Wizard, what do you think? Should I?

thanks as always for reading and thanks Ken, for the tix,
de

P.S. Our house is coming along nicely. Still very dusty and dirty and still aways to go but we're making progress. Another couple of weeks and we should be done, I hope.