Keeping Busy

Here are some pictures I took today. These folks were living on the sidewalk.
I decided one way to keep myself busy while Kim was in surgery was to go out, snap some pics and put them on the blog.

Hope you enjoy. Kim's surgery is over. That's all I know so far. de


This is the mall here by the hospital
The sidewalk folks live right across the street from the mall.

A local tea spot and----------------- some working boys.


Sunrise today------------------------- right

Propane delivery guys ----------- Anyone need shoes?

Not sure what this means.---------- Hospital landscaping crew

Gas station and---------- the local Ice guy

jockeying for a spot on the bus!

working boys

Hospital front & foyer entrance, empty at 8:30 packed an hour later!


Bath anyone!

Hip #2 today!

We both slept pretty hard last night. We're now up and Kim's getting prepped for her second hip to be resurfaced. It's exciting. As much as I know that we depend on others for the success of these operations and that we're 10000 miles from family and friends, we both know that we're ultimately in the hands of God. So many of you are praying for us and we feel, need, and appreciate each word to him on our behalf. I'll let you know something as soon as there's something else to post. Thanks for everything! This is why we came.

As we were getting ready for bed last night, all the nurses on the floor came to the room and wanted her to know how much they were thinking about her and hoping for success in her surgery today. It was very touching. These folks are some of the most caring people! Praise God for each of them.

de

Our day is done

For most everyone checking in on us its the middle of your day but our day is done. It's been a really good day for Kim, busy but good. She felt good today, had lots of physiotherapy and did quite a bit of walking. We're just ready to get second surgery over with. It's scheduled to begin at 8:30 am Mumbai time. I think that's about 10 pm Texas and Oklahoma time but as I said they don't reckon time as precisely as we do. Several of our church members will swear I'm part Indian then because I don't reckon time as precisely as they'd like either. lol Pray for us. I'll post something as soon as I have something to let you know. Thanks again for all the emails, prayers, comments on the blog, text messages, and phone calls. We know without a doubt that the Lord is with us and hearing all our prayers. We continually thank Him for his watchful and guiding hand on us every step of this journey. They just came in and gave a "sleep good" pill. Why won't they give me one too!

Till next time from the other side of the globe! de & ke

Today's a better day

Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later. Yesterday was not a particularly good day for Kim or for me either. She struggled some physically but it was more emotional than anything, a real struggle all day long and there wasn't much I could do to comfort her. Bound to have some of those days. We're in a totally different culture with a people of different ways, food, language, time zone, physical surroundings, need I go on. Later I'll write about some of that stuff when we're rehabing.

Today's a totally different day and she's done a complete 180 from yesterday. She working with the physical therapist right now. She still has a lot of swelling around the surgery sight and down the leg which they say is normal. They're putting her thru the paces to get her ready to shift all the responsibility to the "new hip" and leg. When 's done tomorrow the new one will be the strong one till the other comes along to meet it. The surgeries are no doubt extremely difficult but I sense the rehab is going to be as difficult or more because come 24 hours the surgeries will be done and all the rehab to go. She's walked with pain, difficulty, and been totally out of whack for so long she's basically going to have to learn to walk all over again. I think it will surely be no pain, no gain. They are very good, patient, and caring with her.

Lastly for this post, for those who asked, the scottsman across the hall is doing well after his first surgery. He got up yesterday and will do more so today. His sweet companion came in last night having made her own way to the supermarket and brought me back a french coffee press and some ground coffee. I guess I had been a little too verbal about drinking only Nescafe freeze dried individual coffee packets for the past week. i couldn't imagine a culture that didn't drink coffee. They're a tea people and not Nestea or Lipton either but that's another blog. The lady went on her own to the supermarket, found it, bought it, went to a nearby restaurant and begged them for some ground coffee and made her way back to give it to me. Had some this morning. Sure was good. It's a better day today.

Surgery is less than 24 hours away now. Keep us in your prayers. We know we are in good hands both His and here. Thanks for checking in. I'll keep you posted.

de

Just Another Day in Mumbai

There's not a lot happening for us in the next couple of days, more rest, rehab, rest, and rehab. Surgery on her second hip is still tentative for Sat which is only aboug 48 hours from now. I meant to tell you about our first night here and the guy across the hall. We arrived and the nurses said we should meet a man from the states who had the same hip surgery and was headed home. He came across the way and we began to talk. He told us he was a Baptist pastor from Conneticut. We had a great visit and he talked about his surgery, the good treatment and care he had gotten and how pleased he was with everything. You just can't imagine hoe encouraging that was on our first day.

Then he asked if he could do anything for us and if he could pray with us? We gladly said yes, and he led us in a beautiful prayer. I was never more grateful to see and to pray with another believer. The Hindu folks here are as sweet and caring as they come but in that moment whatever differences there might be between that Baptist pastor and us disappeared as we approached the throne on the One we both love and serve. It was again a moment neither of us will ever forget.

Again, thanks for reading, for praying, and for comments below. We read and enjoy every one! Maybe I'll get to putting some video of my auto rickshaw ride to the local gym to workout. Pretty cool stuff.

Here's online version of the local paper I'm getting to read each day. Not a lick of US news. Fortunately there's the web. http://www.expressindia.com

later, de

Surgery #2 Now Set

Dr Malhan came by today and said that Kim is doing so well, they've tentatively schedule her second hip resurfacing for Saturday morning. We didn't know exactly what to expect but we are very excited. Now we know more how to pray. As Bill Riley commented on my earlier blog, "Git Er Done." Praise God. He just continues to work through these kind and skilled folks to do amazing things.

de

Kim up and walking on day 2!

Recent Pictures

Here are a couple of pics from today.

Today's sunrise

My breakfast - masala dosa, fermented thin, rice batter pancake with potato filling served with sambhar (tomato stew kinda thing), coconut chutney (white stuff). Very, very good stuff. Doesn't sound all that appetizing but its delicious all together, a fruit plate, and some wheat flakes cereal, (not pictured but eaten).

Kim at the computer this morning going to school. She was able to get up, sit in the chair, do some limited work, walk down the hall, and back to the facilities, yeah!

Yesterday Today

Oh yeah, one pic of the new wing they are building outside the one we are in. They poured concrete all night long and are just finishing up. Didn't see a machine one. The concrete came from a big mixer and thru a pipe which they arranged and moved around all night. Most guys wear flip flops, only a couple in rubber boots.

Slum on the hillside

Day two post op!

Today is day two post op from the surgery. I finally got some much needed sleep, almost 8 hours give or take. After about 5 days of 3 hours a night I was feeling quite weary and sleep deprived but today is a new day. Kim's feeling so much better today than yesterday, much less pain everywhere. She's anxious to see how it is to get up and stroll down the hall again. She's eating good as am I. She's a bit more conservative in her food orders than me too. I love the adventure of trying almost anything new. Sometimes it is rewarding other times disappointing but I figure you miss the good stuff if you don't experiment.

Took my first autorickshaw ride yesterday. We boarded just outside the hotel to go see a local gym where I could go workout some. It was 14 rupees one way about 30 cents I think. After touring the gym/spa/beauty salon my hospital companion took me down the street to the local market. What an experience to see the hundreds of shops and vendors on the street selling everything a good Indian might want or need plus a lot of other stuff. I was the only white person for miles, sorry kilometers, I'm sure. There was fruit, vegetables, fresh herbs, stands making and selling a local tea (I wasn't that adventeous), clothes, shoes, household items, jewlery, electronics, well you get the idea. There were blocks and blocks of shops, and thousands of people. Almost like Wal-mart, not! Not an American sight around except for the sheer commerce of it all. I certainly stood out in the crowd but never felt unsafe at all. Folks definitely knew I was out of my element but I'm the adventurous type.

I'm sure today will be full. Kim's resting and I'm headed down to the surgery area to check on the Scottishman's wife. He's in surgery #1 planning to have both as well. I sure favor being on the ministering side rather than the patient side but God has his own way of helping us understand what others are going thru. Today, I'm the minister for awhile. Sounds pretty nice for a change. Thanks to everyone who's been ministering to us in so many ways.

More later, de

Kim's Up!

The physiotherapist has been coming in to work with Kim pretty regular. This afternoon she came in, did some exercises and then got her up and walking. It wasn't very far or very fast but she did go out of the room for just a few steps, turn around and then back to the room. Pretty cool for just over 24 hours from surgery. Will post a couple of pics from earlier in the trip and then later a pic or two from her first walk. de

A new and exciting day

Early Tuesday am in M-town. It promises to be a new and exciting day albeit a painful one. We had a pretty fair night considering her yesterday. The surgery went perfectly but its like...well I don't know what its like. I was going to compare it to trying to rebuild an 50 year old car but that just didn't seem a good comparison. Removing, redoing, resurfacing old worn out parts...well its hard and painful...and they don't give up easily. Enough of that, you get the idea...major renovations took place yesterday and she's mighty sore. I suspect when she does get up it'll hurt like...can't compare it to everlasting punishment but that was the word that came to mind. As you can tell I'm seriously sleep deprived over the past several days...if I don't do something to improve my bed I'm gonna need both my hips replaced before we leave! Kim told me to bring my own pillow and she was right! She had breakfast just now and ate good after broth and juice last night. Maybe time for a siesta before somebody comes in to do something else.

thanks for reading and commenting, de

Been a long day

It's 10 pm here now in Mumbai. My day started about 4 am when I woke up wide awake in anticipation of the day. Kim's been back in the room for several hours now. They've given her antibiotics, vitamins, pain meds, tested her leg, started with physical therapy once already, and she had some broth. The dr visited briefly to say as soon as she was ready, we'd move to the other hip and that the surgery went perfectly.

A new couple from Ireland arrived today for bilateral hip resurfacing for the man. The wait there, in their National health system was about 18 months. Cost was 15,ooo lbs. Anyway, its quite a place drawing folks from all over who come here for the same reason we're here. It's been a very long but blessed day. Thanks for your emails. They're going to get her up and going tomorrow so, right now we're going to bed for what i hope will be a long night of sleep for both of us.

God bless us one and all, de & ke

Long road to here, One down!

It's been a long road to get here in every sense of the word...10,000 miles...two long flights...and that's just the trip over here. It's been so much longer for Kim who's been hurting for years without knowing why. When we found out that it was her hips...there was just no waiting...no waiting to try to find insurance...no waiting for some miracle to happen in the States...just find help...go there...and get her help...so here we are in Mumbai, India. Many of you made this possible!

I know most of you have thought...are they totally crazy?...the answer is a definite yes! But I'm convinced the Lord led us here...and the time is here...almost...today is the day for surgery. We've called all the fam...showered...dressed...Kim says I'm waiting on breakfast...taken her temp & BP...all that's left is the surgery. It's about an hour till they come to get her and we're both a little crazy...yeah, I know...I can see you nodding your head in agreement. We read some of her favorite scriptures, prayed together, watched the sun come up, and now she's listening to the STB cd. Ouch!

As I sat by her bed this am she said she could feel the hands of those who prayed over us at church Sunday a week ago. What a comfort. We've got the only God, our family, our church friends and so many others praying. Thanks is just not enough to say how much it means to know the power of God brought to bear on Kim's behalf. "Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me, I once was lost, but now I'm found, was blind but now I see." Not bad for 3 old guys and teenager!

One surgery is over. All in all from the time I left her until I saw the Dr it was about 5 hours. When I saw Dr Malhan, already out of his scrubs, he smiled and said everything went very well and he'd be up to see her later. I'm back in the room as she will be in recovery for awhile. Praise God for all He has done and for answers to many prayers. More later as if you didn't know.

Thank ya Jesus! de

Our Day is Done

We had a quiet day here in Mumbai. We stayed in the hospital room for the most part, had our own worship, and let Kim rest. The physical therapist came by to let her no what the plan would be following surgery. The gas passer, couldn't spell anestheseiologist right, to discuss what they would give her. They prefer a spinal epidural but with her back surgery they opted for the more traditional method. Long as it works.

Surgery is set for 8:30 in the morning but to be honest they don't work by the clock like we've come to expect. Sometime around there I'd expect. That's about it. Our day is done. Kim's in bed trying to sleep. I'm trying to keep up with the Texans game on the net. Not their day so far. Probably looks worse when you're really watching it. 11:40 or so here. Guess I should go to bed...not sure. Will blog as early as I know something tomorrow. From somewhere in Mumbai, India.

de

Where Two Are!

It is likely that in our comfort and repetition that we take even the most simple things for granted, especially in America, maybe more often in the church. We know bible verses so well we sometimes take their truth for granted. And given our Christian familiarity with each other, we forget just how much of a blessing it is that we meet together to pray, sing, and celebrate God's love for us.

Today, in Mumbai, I'm certain there were more Christians in the city worshipping, but the number is surely small. Given the length of our trip and that Kim's surgery is tomorrow morning, we stayed in the hospital room today just resting from the trip and trying to stay relaxed for tomorrow. We gathered for worship, just the two of us. We sang together, a duet of melody and harmony. We read scripture from the Psalms and prayed together. We ate Indian flat bread and sipped real wine (one cup today:). The elements were certainly makeshift on our part. But where two are gathered...I'll remember it for the rest of my life. We were mindful of when Jesus gathered with his disciples and ate and drank and gave thanks. We gave rich thanks too. We were mindful of all of you that we love in so many different places who will gather with those of like faith, remember, eat, and give thanks. Thanks for remembering us but more importantly, thanks for remembering Him with us, no matter where the two are.

God bless your day,
de & ke

Blog you to death!

One thing that's terribly obvious already...I'm going to be spending lots of time on the computer. We have a nice room...nice folks here...everything's going just as we had hoped and prayed and prayed and prayed. I know so many of you have been too and the Lord must be tired of hearing our name but we know its his doing. Words just can't express how much we appreciate each and every prayer, word of encouragment, card, hug, tear, gift, and so much more that you have done.

Right now its 1:35 am, Sunday morning, I think. Just got off the phone with Nene who called to tell me the OU score. Thanks but I already knew cause Big J called 20 minutes before that. That was a close one, I guess. Truth is, I was already up watching on mom's blackberry, Yahoo.com, espn.com, and finally Iowa state's gametime ended up being the best source for quick refreshing stats. Go Sooners! Haven't gotten the laptop up and running yet so skype is not available. Mom's blackberry works just like at home tho, internet, uhh...phone calls...yeah...anytime day or night...so its a real blessing to hear from you...and excellent quality.

All that said...all this time here with mom means I may be blogging you to death...got not much else to do. Can't really go anywhere or look to do much for the first week or 10 days at least.

We met yesterday with Dr Malhan, a cardiologist, physical therapist, had x-rays, ekg, sonogram on her heart, blood tests for the surgery...there must've been more...needless to say I think all that would've taken days at home and we did it all between noon and about 8 pm last night.

All tests say, we're good to go. Wish I could sleep. Leave a note. I love to hear from you. Sorry about blogging you to death. I gotta remember to tell you about the Baptist pastor who was across the hall, having had the surgery 12 days ago and was going home. More about that some other time.

love you all for reading and praying,

de

Dr Malhan By

Here's Kim new hip device.

We just got thru meeting Dr. Malhan. Truth is we've been meeting people since we arrived about noon. The floor we are on is just for International patients. The building is obviously not new but it has been refurbished with everything new and up to date. There's marble floors, flourescent light bulbs in place of the regular kind, color tv & dvd player, computer with hs internet, (i'm blogging from), mini-fridge, tea/coffee/juice, bottled water, and construction going on right outside. What else could you ask for? Wockhardt is building a brand new wing right next door, kinda like at home, and we're gonna make a contribution!

I digress, Dr Malhan came by for his first visit. Very personable we both thought. He answered all our questions plus a few more. He's ready to go ahead with the first surgery on Monday and the plan is to do the other 5-7 days later. The good news is that he feels good about resurfacing both hips. We were concerned that she might not be a candidate for the resurfacing but that's the plan. We are certainly thankful for that. He also has opted for the Durom hip instead of the Birmingham device. He explained it all to us and its complicated but he thinks its a better solution for Kim. It also has a longer record of study over the Birmingham. Hope that means its better all the way around. God is just making a way in all this. For our church family, we'll miss being with you on Sunday. We'll probably just stay in the hospital here, rest, and get ready for Monday. We're excited, relieved, and just about to meet a guy from the States that's going home today. He had one hip replaced just a few days ago. Oh, I think that's him at the door! Gotta go. Go Sooners & Ganders & Texans!

de

If you wanna see her new hip sockets go here: http://www.durom.info/ select india

Home Away from Home!

Sorry for rambling last post...blame it on jet lag I guess. What an experience our trip into Mumbai turned out to be. I think there's a reason that so many of the planes come in late at night. I think its because they may not want you to see everything there is to see. We saw plenty. The airport was crowded beyond belief. It was very much a 3rd world kind of airport. Been there done that my first few times in Romania but its still not what you've come to expect. People, people, and more, you get the idea. Then there's customs and immigration of which I know none of the customs of India. Again, being with a HC person does have its advantages. Some of the time they whisk you right thru to the front of the line, which is not very customary. We managed to come out with all three of our bags, hallelujah! My big jar of Jif peanut butter made it. Life will be good.

Getting out of the ap was bonkers, people and more...sorry. Finally we spot the guy with Kim's name written on a piece of paper. Computer printed no less, good sign. And the car had the hotel insignia on it...another good sign. Right next to the airport as we depart were the slums. There's not much middle class here in Mumbai, as I understand. We saw plenty of the underclass and their living conditions. Night made it maybe not so visible. Glad I wasn't driving. Driving was beyond bonkers...on the left...no lanes...everybody's honking and cutting in on one another...autorickshaws everywhere. As we left the airport the driver turned and handed each of us a cold bottle of aquafina water. Good stuff...except I hadn't visited the facilities since before we landed...

We arrived at the hotel compound a little after midnight. After climbing the hill where we left the masses we approached the fortress which was the Renaissance hotel Mumbai...huge gate...10 guards with automatice weapons...check the car for explosives I guess...and we pass. Up to the room...try to get online and call home which we finally were able to do...shower and sleep about 5 hours.

Another exciting trip through Mumbai traffic and now we're finally at our home away from home..l.wockhardt hospital in Mumbai. Gotta go now to finish our moving in...get some lunch...meet the entire staff of the international portion of the hospital...and hopefully a visit from someone from the US who's checking out today after having hip resurfacing. Maybe they'll be time for nap. Did I mention it was a long trip?

later. de

This Sure Ain’t Texas

Praise God, we finally arrived in Mumbai, India some 25 hours or so after leaving our hacienda on the bay. The trip to the airport was uneventful, the next 12 hours, not so uneventful. Brutal might be the better adjective probably made worse by our own anxieties about everything that we have embarked upon. We arrived at IAH a full two hours prior to our flight hoping to check in quickly and head up to the Presidents club for some refreshment and a paper. Not to be as our ticket was confirmed business class but issued economy class, all on points. Really, we were only supposed to be in business class from Paris to Mumbai but that wasn’t the case when we tried to check in. By the time we got it all worked out the way it was supposed to be and that in question the whole time because we flew Air France to Mumbai on Continental points, the check in gate was officially closed. We made our way through security, right up to the gate and boarded the plane. Whew, that was close, no OJ imitations or anything but no time to spare.

Economy was not quite full which is always exciting when you fly over the big pond. Extra seats means there’s room to spread out maybe. I asked the flight attendant who said, “not yet,” I’ll tell you. Well, he never did and as we were about to take off, several people jumped seats ahead of us and so, no extra room. There was even one lady right in front with 3 seats to herself. When we suggested to the guy sitting in our 3-seat section he might move up, he tried, and she told him no, she wanted to lay down. She did too and made use of all three seats. Kim really struggled on the first segment. It was cramped and hard for her to get up and down. We did have an aisle seat which made it some better. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity with 3 movies scattered in and two meals, we arrived in Paris. Oh yeah, with 15 minutes left on the flight, our guy finally moves up and sits on the row in front leaving the 2 of us 3 seats. It was sweet!

Good thing mom’s handicapped. I’m pretty sure there’s no way we would have made our connection. I had all worked out, schedules said we’d arrive and depart in the same terminal. Not! Because they asked mom in Houston if she needed wheelchair assistance in Paris there was a guy right there waiting for us, who took us to a special bus for HC folks and took us right from B to Terminal E. Everybody else had to find the regular busses. We had a little over 2 hours but again went direct from one to the other, through security again, and promptly boarded the next flight to Mumbai.

Business class to Mumbai. It sure was expensive in airmiles but worth every penny! If ya gotta go and can it’s the way to go. But one things for sure folks, this sure ain’t Texas. Our final meal on the Mumbai flight was leeks, eggplant, and sliced tomatoes and cucumbers. Where’s the Beef? Sorry to ramble. Its been a long day. More later.

de

God is So Good!

It's Sunday afternoon and I just dropped Kim at the airport for her trip to Denver. She's continued to work in prior to our trip. Today was a very emotional day in our worship services. At the close of the service our elders and their wives came forward to surround us and pray. The rest of the folks joined with them and us and the front of the auditorium for a beautiful time of prayer. As many as were able put their hands on us to bless and to pray for us. It was just an awesome thing. Our community of faith continue to surround us with blessings of all kinds, cards, calls, emails, and gifts to help us on our journey. This is what I imagine Christ's body to be and to do, support and love those who are hurting. And they are doing just that. Praise be to His name and to His glory! Keep us the prayers for us as the time grows closer. In the meantime I'll share a link with you that is pretty cool.

There is a really cool educational site that lets you do the hip resurfacing just like the one Kim will have. Along with that there are some pretty graphic photos of the real deal. Not for the faint of heart. Pretty cool though. Kim did the procedure twice last night to get familiar with what will happen. Thanks again for all you have done for us. We love each and every one of you.

Dave & Kim

Check this link out to learn more! http://www.edheads.org/activities/hip2/

Oh yeah, Go Sooners! Nice win over Missou!

Pardon the Interruption

Trying to keep my mind busy and began playing with Windows Movie Maker over the past 2 days. Here's a blast from the past for my family. It's from Christmas, 2001. A 12 second video of the Ellis crew at that time. As you will see I had no idea what I was doing! Enjoy!

Big Deal This Is!

Whew! I thought signing for the bayhouse was a big deal. The biggest thing we've ever signed for in our married lives. Didn't ever think we'd be doing that but it all happened so fast. There I was one Monday evening jogging down Burnet Dr along the bay, which was my first time to jog that way only because the nature center was closed for some construction.

I was nearing the end of my jog and had just stopped to walk and catch my breath when our house appeared. It appeared empty I thought. Seems like it was empty one time before, so in my current state of sweatiness and curiosity I stopped to look around. Sure enough it was empty so I knocked on the house next door to ask what they might know. She shared what she knew and I jogged home to call the realtor who showed me the house the next day. Kim was out of town for the entire week so I took some pics and emailed them to her. Long story short, it was in foreclosure and we closed on the house Friday two weeks later. It was just supposed to happen and the Lord somehow made the way.

This going to India for Kim to have one of the top surgeons in the world has happened much the same way. I know it sounds completely crazy and it is. I got the determination about costs here and our insurance on Oct 2. This morning, 8 days later, I wired $16K to the hospital bank in India. It's a big deal, the biggest. But the Lord just cleared a path like he has done for us before. Keep praying for us. The biggest part it yet to come but thankfully, my beautiful bride won't have to wait much longer for relief from her pain of the past 4-5 years. Praise the Lord.

I know it may be more blah, blah, blah than you really want but it gives me a place to share and hopefully to testify to the greatness and glory of the One who loves us like no other. Thanks for commenting.

c ya, de

Just So I Know

Not too much to update at this point but I do ask a favor. If you're reading this, just leave me a comment so I know someone is checking in. By all the emails I received back so far, I do know that many, many, many people are praying for us and we can't thank you enough for that. It's by far the most important part. However, there are some details left, not too many. As I said before, the plane tickets are done, passports & visas done, being away from home details getting there. We've got a house sitter for our dog, Frazier, very important stuff. Our good friend Paul from church will stay the whole time there.

Kim's blackberry is a worldphone. We got a simcard and the plan changed to where she'll get voice calls, data, and the net on her BB as normal. The hospital says there's hs internet in our room. We're taking the laptop and hopefully will have skype up and running to be able to use it freely and with a webcam for those who have it. If you don't have skype yet, why the heck not? It's free video phone calls between skype users anywhere in the world. Just let me know and I'll give you my skype name and well, the rest is easy.

A few more details. Here's the hospital info. http://www.wockhardthospitals.net/

Wockhardt Hospitals, MumbaiMulund Goregaon Link Road, Mumbai 400078 Tel no: +91-22-67994444 / 25664488

They list an 800 # on the international portion of their website but I'm not sure that's for patient phone calls.

Mumbai is 10 1/2 hours ahead of Houston if that helps. 12 is easier for me to calculate which is close enough. Here's the handiest one I've found to help calculate the time.
http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/

One little blooper this morning was when I logged in to Continental.com and checked our flights our 2nd segment from Paris to Mumbai was suddenly gone, that's right gone. I called them and was on hold for about 20 minute when the kind lady came back on and told me they got it back. Whew! It's a long walk from Paris to Mumbai. The Lord is with us!

What Are You Thinking?

India, here we come! Kim's visa pic!

The main heading is the reaction I've gotten from several close friends when they heard that Kim and I are headed to Mumbai for hip surgery. "What are you thinking?" Here's the thought process so far. Probably not in any order of priority except #1 Kim.

#1 Kim needs both hips redone, sooner than later. Unfortunately no one diagnosed a problem which is now several years advanced. She's been getting worse and worse and we can't wait, if we don't have to.

#2 Our insurance, Mega Life, if you could really call it that, is totally inadequate. This is the problem we had with her back surgery. The hospital called 3 days before that surgery to say, your insurance won't pay enough and the cash price, upfront, is $38,000. Please have that to us by Monday morning or no surgery. We begged borrowed and maxed out to get it done. Same deal this time. Hip replacement (1) here in Houston would be $42-47K, cash price. I called and got the price. She needs both. We did the math. $90K. The wait for an appointment is 1-2 months just to get in to see one of the best.

#3 With lots of research we wanted for her to have what's called "hip resurfacing." Only 1-2 surgeons here in Houston do it and they haven't done very many. The most experienced surgeons still do THR (total hip replacement) The most experienced two surgeons in the world for this procedure are in India. One, Dr Bose in Chennai, has done just over 1000. Dr Malhan, in Mumbai has done over 600. Need I say more?

#4 Maybe you could negotiate a better price here in Houston? Maybe we could but how much better? half? 2 for 1? unlikely not. The cost here is $90K. Its' going to be quite a stretch for us to manage the cost in India. $8K per hip, all inclusive for me and her. That sounds like a vacation instead of a hospital stay. That's why its called Medical tourism and its one of the fastest growing industries around.

#5 Maybe you could go to a teaching hospital? We are going to a teaching hospital. Dr Malhan has presented around the world about the work they are doing in hip resurfacing.

#6 Aren't you concerned about going to India? Yes, but we'd be concerned if we were going to the hospital on Fannin. Yeah, but Indian doctors? Truth is, about half the Drs in Baytown have Indian names, I think.

Well, that's all for now. I'll write more later. Feel free to leave comments.

And mostly, pray! de

Motivation is Everything!

Without a goal, a project, something to report right there in front of me, to be honest, I struggle, especially when when it comes to blogging blogging. I think for about a week I've had left over anethesia from a procedure I had done at the hospital. It's one of those things you're supposed to have done when your 50 so I did. They knock you out and look you up and when you wake up they tell you what they saw down there and show you pictures. Well everything came out good. One benign polyp and no cancer so praise the Lord. I still think I've got drug leftovers.

Enough of that. Back to the blog. Well, now that Kim and I have a great adventure ahead of us, it gives me something to blog about and so that you can keep up. If you didn't know, Kim and I are heading to Mumbai, India on Oct 18 for 24 days. We'll checkin to Wockhardt hospital upon arrival. Lord willing, while there, both of Kim's hips will get a surgery called "hip surfacing." Dr Malhan will do the surgery. Here's some info on him and a link to the hospital.

Dr. Kaushal C. Malhan Orthopaedic SurgeonJoint Replacement and Resurfacing/Sport SurgeryWockhardt Hospitals Ltd. Mulund Goregaon Link Road, Mumbai (formerly Bombay)

Website: http://www.wockhardthospitals.com/index_bone.html

http://www.wockhardthospitals.net/general/abt_surgeon.asp

Anyway, the Dr has done more than 600 hip resurfacing surgeries. I could only find one other surgeon who has done more and he's also india from Chennai where Continental doesn't fly. That was really the difference for us.

Well, I'd tell you more but I'm tired. Spent the day in Houston and came home with both our visas. It's set. Tickets are bought, visa's are got. Now all I got to do is find the $$$. The Lord will provide.

Keep reading and I'll keep blogging, all along the way.

de

Maybe someone will read!`

Yesterday was a really long day to end a great week!!!!!!! I travelled with the bride this week as she worked. We went first to upstate NY where we got to spend a couple days close to K & J in Cooperstown. Great weather, like fall here. Really enjoyed the time. Then on to OKC where the bride worked another couple days. While she worked I went to Duncan to see the folks and piddle around the yard at their house. Back to OKC on Friday and then got to watch OU pummel Miami, yeah! It was grandson noah's first game and very exciting but a full day. We finished the day with dinner at the Cheesecake Factory.

Tried to go to bed early Saturday. Watched the alarm clock much of Sat night to make sure I was awake. Got up at 4:40, load, drive to airport, drop off the car, long security line. Airport was nuts. 737 at 6:30 full of weary OU and Miami fans. Flew to Houston. Sent the bride home then flew on to Corpus. Made it by 9:30am. Some guy picked me up & we stopped at Whataburger for 1st something to eat since Cheesecake factory. I was tired through worship. Ate a good Pot luck lunch and the STB sung at 2. It was good. Small church only 60 people or so for the singing. Then it was back to the airport, wait 2 1/2 hrs to fly 33 min home. Arrived home at 9 pm pretty much wiped. CD is really finished. Had 100 copies of the finished product at the singing. How bout those Texans, huh? Pretty exciting. More sooner than later.

de

Finally Finished!

Fnished what you say? The South Texas Boys are hopefully finally finished recording our first CD. We had one last song, I suppose the most difficult of the 12 songs we do so we went back to the studio on Tuesday to knock it out. After almost four hours of work, we got it done. Does that mean we're completely finished? Maybe not. Chris, the studio guy will make us all a raw cd for us to listen to and if we find anything glaring or that can't be fixed on the board by Chris, then we may have to go back, but hopefully we're done. He's totally booked in the studio for the next two weeks so he can't begin the editing process for at least two weeks. Then there's the editing, then the mix down, whatever that is, and then I guess its ready for the duplication process. So all in all it should be out some time in 2008. lol

Between now and then there's the copyright stuff and art for the cover. Anybody know anything about any of that stuff? Let me know. Hopefully, "Step Into the Water" will be ready in a couple of months. All in all we spent almost 40 hours in the studio. I don't know how many more hours of studio time it will take to get it right ut we want it right. I'm pretty pumped about it. Can't wait for the next one, hopefully a cd of classic hymns or oldies. I'd personally prefer newer songs and we'll hopefully get to those but we're looking to get out a couple of cd's pretty quickly to help finance the rest. Oldies will sell well where we go and sing if you know what I mean. I'm looking to put together a list of say 15 classic/oldie favorite church songs so be thinking and if you got suggestions, let me know.

de

Back in H-town

Home! Need I say more? After getting off the ship we headed to the airport to go ahead and check our bags so we didn't have to lug them around all day. We rented a car and drove to Waikiki and around Diamond head. It was bonkers with people so we didn't stop much except for coffee. We drove on up the east coast for a beautiful drive stopping at some awesome beaches, bays, and just to look around. Then we drove back to Honolulu and stopped for the last tour of the day at Pearl Harbor. Really glad we did that. They have a 20 minute movie about the events surrounding Dec 7, 1941 and the declaration of war to follow. Then you board a boat which takes you out to the momunent on the water over the USS Arizona. Very somber knowing the history and all those who died, most of whom are still there in those ships.

Back to the aiport for an 8:45 flight to LAX, a layover and another flight to IAH. Arrived about 11:30 this am to rain, rain, and more rain. Then to the car where the bride repacked her bag to go to North Carolina. If she's as tired as I was, going on to another flight was not what you wanted to do. Say a prayer for her the next couple of days. I'll try to post some more pics in the coming days. It was a great trip, a great way to see all the islands. NCL was not the best cruise line in the world but pretty much the only game in town if you want to cruise Hawaii. But its always best to get home, back in H-town. Thanks for reading.

de

More Maui

3 new pics in previous post.

Actually most of what I wrote was Day 1 in Maui. On day two we started by taking another helicopter ride. Probably should've just cancelled because it was going to be hard to top flying right over an active volcano. Sure enough it wasn't to be topped. Enjoyed flying right into the west Maui Mts for an upclose view of places you can only go by helicopter. Then we flew all the way across the island up to Haleakala crater. Pretty cool view of the crater which is 37 square miles. Then we flew not quite above the road to Hana. The pilot ripped off about a dozen high profile celebrities who lived along the road who like their privacy. Because of that the copters are not allowed to fly over the road to Hana.

From the airport we headed down towards the Big Beach area to Kihei and Wailea. Being Memorial day weekend the traffic really picked up. Lots of people on the beach. WE followed the road all the way down to almost the very end of the island to a National reserve. It was right at the end of an incredible lava flow that made a black sand beach and some incredible snorkeling and surfing, I hear. It was too long a hike for the bride so I walked and looked on my own. Then we went back up the road just a bit where the road was right by the beach and parked there. I hiked around on the rocks and watched some large fish from up on the rocks. Very cool. Then it was back through town, a drive by the Wailea Marriott. We didn't stop but it looked nice. Back to the ship, drop off the bride, by Kmart, and drop off the rental car. One last dinner at the sit down restaurant, a brief take of "crew talent night." Some even had some. Back up to pack the bags which have to be out by midnight. Then a sit out on the balcony as we leave Maui for Oahu.

Got a pretty good nights sleep and got ready to disembark the ship. All systems go. Went up to get breakfast which was bonkers. Grabbed some and went back to the room. Went down and left the ship only to realize when I sat down on the bus, I'd left my camera bag somewhere. Terrible awful of me. Left the bride on the bus, hoping she doesn't have to get off the bus with the bags without me and ran back aboard the ship, which they're not real excited to let you do.
Frantically retraced my steps, not at the internet place where I tried to check in for our flight. Back to the room. Not there. Back to the front where we left the wheelchair we'd used to get the bride from the back to the front of the ship to save some steps. And there it was, still strapped to the back of the wheelchair where I left it. Whew!

Back off the ship where the bus was waiting for me. Unfortuately I was now sweating pretty good. Not all that great for having a whole day in Oahu, then an all night flight and get home at noon Monday.

More on our day in Oahu when we layover in LA in the morning.

de & ke

Pics

Oahu Coast

Us at Pearl Harbor

Uncovering the roasted IMU, pig

Maui Day 2

It's been a busy couple of days on the island of Maui. We started yesterday at the rental car place with a hundred other folks. After we got there I realized I'd left both wallets in the safe back on the ship. Back on the shuttle, back to the room, back to get the car. Can't rent a car without your wallet. Then we headed to the Haleakala crater and the national park. You leave sea level and head up to 10,000 feet. A couple of beautiful mt side towns, about 60 switchbacks, the park entrance, and keep going up. We had to stop and put the top up cause it got cold. Finally we both put on our jackets we'd brought. Yes, we brought jackets in case we went up one of the Mts. Time we got to the summit the wind was blowing about 40 mph and the temp couldn't have been much more than 40 degrees in the bright sunshine. Whew! Cold in Hawaii!
Took a look over the crater that's about 37 square miles. Took a fewpics while freezing and then headed back down the Mt the same way. 1 way up same way down.

Back to Kahalui, where the dock is and then over to West Maui. We drove all the way past Lahaina past Kapalua to a public beach on the other side. Not very crowded, beautiful place. Got out and enjoyed the beach for awhile. Drove back by Kapalua and checked out the golf course. Wow. No wonder the pros come and play here. Not to mention the winner gets a million bucks. Stopped at Kaapalani to check out the west Ocean Marriott resort. Got out, took a brief tour, even got a price list on the timeshare weeks. Expensive. They are building on to either side with more 2/3 bedroom rooms. Most popular, and most expensive weeks in the system. No wonder either. No we didn't buy a week. Congrats to all, or sorry kids:(

Then on the the Old Lahaina Luau. Parked there a bit early so we went across the street and got the bride a double chocolate chip frappa something at Starbucks. They got it all in Lahaina. Cooled off in the mall and then on to the Luau. Supposed to be the most authentic in all the islands. Watched a guy make poi. He said it wasn't poi, but ipuke. That's kinda what it looked like too. He said it was much better than poi. He pounded it and talked about it and added water and pounded it into almost a taffy like consistency. Then he offered all those around a sample of this purple ipuke.(sp) We both tried it. Not bad. Never tasted anything quite like it.

Then they uncovered the pig (imu) that had been cooking in this under the beach steam pit. Saw it on the discovery channel a couple of weeks ago. Watch it some time. Pretty cool. Lots of food, island juices and drinks, and island food. Ate too much. Really neat show right on the beach as the sun sets over the Pacific ocean. Our first luau. Very enjoyable.

Well, its time for dinner on our last night aboard. Much more to say. Internet time running out on the ship. More later I hope.

de

Maui Day 1

Saw on CNN that the volcano had a major eruption just after we left for Kona. Big river of lava. I'm sure they have something about it on the website or on Volcano National Park site. Just missed a big blow.

Off to the West side of Maui today, maybe Big beach, and some of the other beaches. Maybe Haleakala, not sure. Then to Kapalua and finish the day at Lahaina for a Luau tonight. I'll try to blog and put up some pics tonight. de

Couple more pics

Word of the day, lava!

Me & the bride after our ride!

Rest day today!

Originally had a full day scheduled for Kona today. We're both kinda pooped and decided to take a rest day so we can fully enjoy the two days we've got coming up in Maui. Hang out by the pool or maybe do a couple of miles on the treadmill and work off some of these pounds they begin installing the moment you step foot on the ship. Maybe I'll take a look at the rest of the pics and post some more this afternoon. Beats trying to keep up with the Astros!

May the Lord bless all our days!

de & ke

Day Something

Night lava, Ninini Point Lighthouse,

Lava coast, real live lava, me standing on old lava flow 300' wide,

You know its truly vacation when you're not sure what day it is. I did finally figure out it's Wednesday, yeah. Time sure flies, you know? Today was our day in Hilo on the big island of Hawaii. Kinda a short day as our daysgo on the islands but hey, the upside is you get to see several islands. The downside is,you never really get to see that much of the island.

The big island is really big. We were a little slow getting off this morning which made for an even shorter day. Got to the rental car and headed out for Volcanoes National Park. Bout 30 milesor so from Hilo. Pretty much straight up the whole way, from sea level to over 4000' at Mt Kilauea. Right in front of you the whole way is Mauna Loa or 'long mountain' which rises to over 13,500. All in all pretty impressive. An hours drive around the crater rim drive to overlook the crater. No active lava here. That's later. Just volcano leftovers and there are plenty everywhere you look after major eruptions in the 70's & 80's.

Back down to town, a bite, and back to the airport to check in for our helicopter ride out to the active part of the volcano.Sometimes you see real lava, sometimes not. It's seldom like the pictures of when it first started erupting in the 80's but its still going. We got to see it from an hours copter ride. One of the things I truly wanted to do on this trip. Cars can't go there. The road got destroyed in the big eruption and has never been rebuilt. Technically, its a National Park and you can hike there and some do but it's not stable. Helicopter's the way to go. Awesome! God did some really special things here and He's still doing them!

Back to the ship for a shower and some dinner now. Explore the ship some. Back to the room for when the ship passes the lava flowing into the sea at 10 pm. Wow! Pretty unbelievable during the day, even better in the dark. Pictures weren't much but I'll try to post a couple anyway.

On to the other side of the big island tomorrow, to Kona. Not sure what's up with that. Will try to blog something anyway.

lata. de & ke

Hawaii Pics

Day 1 or Day 2? or Day 3?

I'm not for sure what day it is. I guess that's what you want when you go on vacation. Not really sure where you are or precisely what day it is. Day 1 was really a blur. We got up pretty early, loaded the bags and headed for the airport. The goal was to go ahead and check the bagscause we were cutting it pretty close time wise later on. Arrived at IAH at about 8 am to findit pretty busy. Glad we came. Got the bags checked and headed back to B-town for bible classand worship. Led the first part of the song service, headed home to change and then to IAH.

Boarded and took off right on time at 1:20 for a smooth 8 hour flight to Honolulu. Arrived 8 hours laterat 3:45 pm or so. Thru the airport, board the shuttle for a $5 trip to the cruise terminal. Not bad!!Smooth boarding process about the Pride of Aloha to room 10056. Bags got there in good time. We attendedthe always mandatory and terribly exciting try on your life jacket, in case of emergency and the ship sinksmeeting. Boy I wish they made you wear those things all the time.

Up to the pool deck for dinner of gourmet burgers, steaks, and baked potatoes, while some guysang hawaiian music and some bulky girls danced the hula. Pretty tired by now @ 8:30 H-time, 1 am body time.Hit the rack for some good hard sleeping. Wake up 10 hours later, down the ships plank and out to the rental car shuttle to Dollar and our Sebring convertible for the day.

We headed out first around the west side of Kauai to Waimea Canyon. Well, first we stopped bythe Drug store for H2o and some snacks for the day. Heade around the coast about 35 milesto the Grand Canyon of the Hawaiian islands. I think I've got that pic to post. Pretty cool place.Even better was the overlook at the end of the road. Kalalua Lookout. This is where they filmed the opening of Jurassic park. There were helicopters flying in and out of it pretty much the whole time.

Then an hour drive back down the canyon and back through Lihue, port and airport town and around to the otherside of the island where the best beaches are. We drove past some pounding surf, full of people trying their skills.The farther we got around to the other side the narrower the road got. We passed over 8 or 10 one lane bridges where you went if you were first, if not you waited for the folks on the other side to go.After a number of small towns and villages we got to the other end of the road completely on the other side of the same cliff at Kalalua lookout. The road would cost to much and be impossible to build to connectthe two sides.
At the end of the road was Ke'e beach where we stayed for awhile. The giant bluff went straight up 1000's of feetright behind the beach. Awesome site. In the water, then out, shower and back towards town. Stopped for a snackin Hanalei Village. Another stop at Kilauea Point for a lighthouse and quite a picture place.

We ended the evening back around the port for a closer inspection of the Kauai Marriott to seeif we might want to come back. Impressive place. Marriott bought and refurbished an older hotel and made it oneof their timeshare properties. After a brief drive by we headed up behind the Marriott to get a closerlook at the golfcourse. We followed this road around behind and out on this point to where we could see the lighthouseand Ninini Point. One of the golf holes went almost out to it. We kept following the roadand when the road continued on beyond the golf course we kept going with no one in sight.

Off the paved road we hit a dirt and gravel road and kept going. The bride got kinda nervous cause there was no one around anywhere. We kept following until the road let right out to the lighthouse. Very awesome point. We stayedfor a few minutes and watch the surf pound the rocks. There's not a soul anywhere and dusk is coming pretty fast so we headed back in. By the time we get back to the golf course there's a chain over the road. Lucky for us theSebring is pretty low riding. The bride gets out, holds the chain up as high as it will go and we clear it by like 2 inches. Back around the golf course down to the Marriott and there's the guy pulling up another chain across the road. "Where did you guys come from," he says. Uh, well, we were back there. Whew! We smiled and then laughed out loud as we crossed the chain again and headed back to turn in our rental car and take the last shuttle to the ship at 8 p.m.

Straight to the buffett line for a light dinner, then to a show for a Las Vegas singer type who was 60+ and outstanding. Backto the room for a shower and hit the rack. More later. de & ke

New H-town this week!

Well, its on to a brand new H-town this week, Hawaii-town. Yeah, I know it doesn't make a lot of sense but neither does planning for this kind of trip, some place we've both wanted to go our whole lives. Direct flight right after church this morning. 7 day cruise to the Big island, Oahu, Kauai, and Maui. It's going to be great fun. I'll try to blog most everyday if I can. We brought the computer, camera, etc. Maybe there will even be some pics. TTYL from H-town.

de & ke

Baghdad blog

Just came across Mark Goode's blog. He's from our church and fighting in the war in Baghdad. Thought you might want to check it out. http://mpfreedomfighter.blogspot.com/

Blogging again!

I'm not one of those religious-type bloggers whose habit it is to blog eveyday. Duh! you say. You're not even weekly or monthly. Well, you'd be right about that. Hopefully, I'm back to blogging on a more regular basis. I do spend enough time each day on the computer that blogging should be easy enough. Maybe I'm just not that organized or disciplined. Maybe its too much TV at night. I did get way behind on my regular shows when the STB were recording almost every night two weeks ago, during sweeps week. Maybe I've spent all my spare time over the past six weeks digging in the dirt in and around my house when I could've been blogging. I do love my yard and the flower beds and am even picking tomatoes every day right now. Gave a bunch of em away to our LIfe group this past Sunday night. They snatched em up when I offered. I guess bottom line is, I've gotta have a reason to blog. It can't be just mindless stuff. Well what do you think this is that you're doing now?

Here's the scoop for those who are interested. This Sunday, Lord willing, the bride and I will be flying to Honolulu for a 7 day cruise around the islands. I'll try to blog every day about our journey and even include some pictures and maybe video. I did manage to put a video on my myspace account yesterday. Yes, I now have a myspace page. Here's the link. There's not much there but I'm just getting started. http://www.myspace.com/davidel57

STB recording update. We spent a full Saturday this past Sat. It was slow. We've got one more song to go, not counting all the editing, then the mixdown, mastering, and duplication. Well, more later. I promise.

STB Recording

I sing in a southern gospel quartet called the South Texas Boys. The group reformed a couple of years ago with three members from their former quartet, The Master's Brothers, who lost its lead singer and me as the new tenor. That rocked along for a few months when the high tenor retired from school teaching and moved and the lead singer quit. That left me and Wyatt the original member, the bass, and me. I moved to lead and Wyatt recruited one former member from years ago, John, and a former member's son, Forrest. That's where we are for about the last year.

This past week we spent four days recording our first CD. Back while I was in preacher's school in 1988, the school grabbed four of us and put together a quartet which travelled and sang to promote the school for a time and we recorded a cassette. Actually, looking back, it wasn't too bad for no more time than we spent doing it. As I recall we only spent a few hours recording the whole thing. I gotta find one of those tapes and make it into a CD for me. Anyway, that was nothing compared to this past week. When we were done Saturday, not done completed but out of time for the week, we had put in 20 hours in the studio. That's not counting the time it took to get there and back, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, nights, and Saturday. All told about 30 hours last week recording.

Hopefully, we'll finish this Saturday with another 6 or 7 hours. We'll finish our recording part. Then there's editing, mixing, and such. It may be 50 hours or more studio time before we're done. Maybe more on that later.
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Back to the Blog

Well, here goes my blog again. After catching up on some other bloggers and finding some new ones, like Mark in Irag, and Holly in Chicago, I figured I better get back to blogging myself. The last time I tried was after they were switching to the new blogger. I tried 2 or 3 times and it just wasnt' working so I quit. Now I'm back. Can't promise much except to check in from time to time. Maybe I'll put up some pics of my grandson or my daughter being in town this weekend or the bride and mines upcoming trip to the islands or our STB in the recording studio. That was worth a blog or two. I did record an album one time in preachers school but not like this time. It was very cool. Well, whatever it is hopefully I'll be back soon. Or maybe a Rockets shout out if they win on Thursday. It wouldn't be for the slumping Astros. How bout those Mavs, back from the brink. Gotta work now.

de

Can't post

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Once a Month Blogging!

Well, here I am at the blog again. Boy its been a whirlwind since the last time. Went to Cooperstown to see our daughter and a few days of R&R only to be interrupted by our first grandson, Noah David born, Nov 21st, five weeks early. We weren't even in C-town 24 hours before we got the word that he was coming. We tried that day to go and take in the Baseball Hall of Fame where our son-in-law works but couldn't get very good phone reception and had to keep stepping out. Not to mention I didn't bring my cell phone charger and up there in the hills it tried to die quick. I also wasn't expecting to make quite that many phone calls.

Then try to buy, cook, and eat Thanksgiving and change your Thanksgiving day flight to the day before. Somehow, we managed it, until we got to the airport thanks to a loving and understanding daughter and son-in-law. In Albany our first flight was delayed so that we'd have to spend the night in Newark airport. Pretty cool thought when we were trying to get to Dallas. Somehow, the nice lady at Continental got us on Delta to Cincy then to Big D, before our original flight would've made it. And this is the short version. We made it to Plano, met Noah, and then spent the next 3 days, waiting, praying, visiting, watching football and enjoying this great joy that has come into our lives.

We've since returned to Dallas this past weekend to visit, hold the baby again and spend some time with them. Well, there's plenty more about what's happening lately and some baby pics to come but that's all I've got time for now.

cya, de

Great Houston Sports weekend!

I can't remember a better sports weekend in H-town in a long, long time. I was talking to my oldest son about it who metioned the Sooners won, Rockets beat Miami, Texans beat Jacksonville, and the Longhorns lost? How could it get any better than that. I guess for some the Cowboys won as well. He forgot about the Houston Dynamo! I actually did watch some of match, game, whatever its called and DVR'd the penalty kicks to watch when I got home from the areawide church service. The Sooners were impressive, Paul Thompson especially I guess. I still haven't watched it yet. Longhorns went down, yes, that was sweet. Sorry, Horns fan, I'm not.

The Rockets are very impressive so far. Yao's the MVP hands down if he can keep this kind of play up. He's dominating everyone. McGrady is still trying to find his shot but I think he will and when he does they must may have the supporting crew to make vast improvements this year. The Texans won again over the Jags. They're growing, I think. I looked down and thought it was the ghost of Bob Stoops making that call at the end of the game with 4th & inches to keep the ball and run out the clock for the W. Big, big call and victory for Kubiak, Carr, the Texans in general. They may make a football team yet. Never in Dom Capers life would he make that kind of go-for-it call.

The Khou.com football pickem contest is certainly up and down. Only six picks last week right but 11 this week which will always put you back up the charts. Think I'm in the top 15 in the H-town area again. Who knows from week to week who will win. Nobody knows. Cougs won, Rice won, Ganders won. All around a winning weekend. Even caught some fish on Sunday night. Gotta go.

Cya down the road.

de

Trying to Remember

I had something I was going to blog about, I know I did and then it was gone. I was reading my sons blog about his soon to be born son loving the Sooners and loving God and I know I had something to say but for the life of me I can't recall what it was. It certainly wasn't the Astros, they're on vacation or the Rockets, not sure what to say about them yet, we'll see. It couldn't have been the Texans, as they are on vacation as well. There it was but I hadn't finished my sentence and before I finished it was gone again, concentrate de.

Oh yeah, there it is, whew! Something I've never done, Pro football pics on KHOU.com. I signed up the first week, picked the games and came in 2nd on week one, 11/14 which was great. Then reality set in and I began to fall off the leader board over the next few weeks. I didn't fall terribly far but down to 50 something in the H-town contest. Well, I'm proud to say over the past few weeks, I've made some pretty good pics, nothing spectacular, and I'm moving back up, up to 17th overall in H-town. Just think what could happen if I really studied any of it. Nah! It's not worth the time but its kinda fun. It just confirms why I'm not a gambler. Well, enough blogging today.

Cya nexttime, de

Heading South

Yep, that's right heading south to Galveston today. The STB quartet is singing later this evening at the Gulf Coast spiritual Growth Workshop. We're singing from 6-7. Maybe there will be 1000 people there. It should be fun. The director invited us to sing after the evening session but we've only got like 12 songs ready to sing. We've so busy singing around at different places we haven't had time to work up any more. Oh well. Good thing we're going south cause that means I'll have the wind at my back. Yesterday, 15-20 out of the South, with buckets of rain, again, and today all thats cleared out and swung around out of the north 15 mph. Can't make up its mind.

Good report on the Rockets today on ade's blog. I like em. I haven't bought any tickets yet but I like em. The biggest question is will they jell, gel, jail? I don't know. The other question is will the Texans end up with more wins than the Cowboys. Could be? We'll see this week.

It's not much but you can check out the STB webpage at STB.com

lator gator, de

Weekend Hangover Almost Gone!

Boy did this past weekend last long into the week. And all without a dram to drink. But hangover was really the only way I know to describe it. Don't get me wrong, it was a lot of fun but I guess I don't do only 3 hours of sleep like I used to. And I don't want to either. It began early Saturday with a trip to IAH. It was crazy busy. I've finally adapted to "getting there early" like the bride. It leaves for more sitting around but I spent the time going over the Ganders last minute loss to Port Arthur Memorial in PA. Too bad for them but they'll still make the playoffs. Started to go but PA was too far with my day Sat. Good choice de.

Flight to DFW where its 73 degrees. There's no degree thing on the keyboard is there? Get the Hertz Grand Marquis, pick up the boys, stop by Braums for a burger and we're off to Norman for the game. Temperature upon arrival is 53*, you know what I mean. Game time temp is 48* wind blowing 20 mph. Great game, lots of fun, head back to DFW. How can it take 30 minutes at Taco Bell in Lindsay, OK. Further delays, drop the boys, get the motel and in the bed at 2. Alarm goes off @ 5, to the airport, fly home, to worship. Fortunately I had my stand in ready. Too much to preach that day.

Spent a good part of my evening yesterday picking up the trash washed up in the back yard. It came up into the yard from the bulkhead around 20'. Lots of other folks pier stuff, all kinds of limbs, driftwood, and trash. Got it done tho. Price of living on the water.

Bout to get my sleep back. I'm an 8 hours a night guy most of the time. Just feel better that way. Sleeps essential and most of us don't get enough to stay healthy. Well, the bride is away. The STB are singing this Friday at the Gulf Coast spiritual Growth Workshop in Galveston. Too bad we don't have a CD read to sell. Maybe soon. Check out ade's blog for his weekend activity. My Saturday night, er, Sunday paled by comparison.

cya, de

Deja Vu! TS Allison

Wow, what an interesting beginning to this week. Actually, the rain started sometime Saturday night. The only reason I knew that is because the ground was wet when I got up Sunday morning. Right as I started to preach Sunday morning the sky opened up, the rains came down and the floods came up. Everybody gets a little nervous when that happens either because its so darned loud in our auditorium when it rains like that, or they know they've really got nowhere to go until they hear it stop raining and they know the preacher knows it. Anyway, took the bride to Pappasitos for lunch, sat at the bar, while watching the 1st half of the Texans/Cowboys game. Turned out that was the only part worth watching unless your a big TO fan.

Oh yeah, the rain. The bride took a nap while I watched the TO show, then I took one while it rained, scratch that, it poured the whole time. Got to get my rain gauge working. We had our Life group over, in the rain. It rained Sunday night adn all day Monday. The wind blew off the bay all day Monday 20-30 mph. The tide came up and completely covered the bulkhead and all the piers. Lost boards began to float up in my yard. Waves crashed into the yard as the water would reach the bulkhead and then make a wave in the yard.

My nextdoor neighbor almost lost his boat on Monday evening. The water was so high it worked his boat partially out of its sling. He went down at almost dark, navigated the pier, which he couldn't see, waves crashing, bay rocking, and managed to get it back in place. Pretty scary stuff. Finally about 7 or so the rain quit and western sky cleared for a beautiful red sunset. The water stayed high for most of the next day before you could see the bulkhead. Still haven't cleaned up much. Guess I can start that tomorrow. Well, one price of living on the bay. My pier survived. Now I have enough extra pier parts to add on to mine. Remminded me of Tropical storm Allison back in 2001. Not quite as bad though. If it had kept up another few hours, we were getting there. Hopefully its gonna dry out now.

Gotta go. de

Link

Gas pump had wrong price!

Something really exciting happened yesterday. I know you're probably thinking, how about them Astros, and it was very exciting to see them sweep the St Louis Cardinals over the weekend. A four game sweep with two walk off, game ending hits, which they hadn't had any this whole year. That oughta tell you how their year has been, but that's not what I decided to blog about.

I got to the gas station to fill up the bride's car so she could go to the airport (her home away from home) and the price on the pump was wrong. You're thinking, how aggravating. The sign said $2.03 which I was pretty excited about but when I looked at the pump the price was $1.99 a gallon. I have to admit I never thought it would see less than $2 a gallon anymore but was really glad to pay it. With my discout loyalty card of 1c I actually paid less than 1.99. Pretty exciting. It hadn't been that long ago I went back home and got my gas cans to go back and fill them up when it hit 2.60. So much for my predictions. HOpefully, I'll blog sooner than later.

Thanks for reading,
de

Almost a Month Later

Well, its been almost a month since my last blog. Sounds almost like I'm in a catholic confessional. Since my last blog, I've been with the fam on vacation to South Florida, back to H-town, and settled well into summer. It's not all too hot here in H-town this year. I'm pretty sure we haven't hit 100 yet and most days have been low to mid 90's. It's still as humid as ever especially the past few days. It feels like the gulf coast though, rain, rain, and then it rains. The grass it green and you can almost watch it grow. The mosquitoes will be out in full force in a matter of days. They last about 3 weeks or so. I can't wait. Looks like the fall is shaping up. REL got another new head basketball coach, good luck to that guy. REL also almost won the 7 on 7 Texas tournament getting knocked out in the semis. It would've been their 3 title. Maybe next year. OU looks promising.
Think we're going to try to go some this year. Haven't been to an OU home game in a long time. That'll be fun. Well, gotta go now, ride my bike for some exercise. Maybe I'll see you sooner than a month.

de

Finally did it!

I finally spent the time to get my pic on the blog. It's a good day. Yeah me!

Where Am I?

I've had a number of folks ask me on the phone lately, what happened to your blog? Well, my blog is still there, I just haven't been blogging lately. It's probably just the ordinaryness, (is that a word?) of life I guess that leaves me not blogging or I just got out of the habit. I thought once you had done something for 21 days or something you established a habit but I guess not.

It couldn't be the summertime blues because we really haven't hit full summer here in H-town. We had some hot temps early but lately its been pretty darned nice. We actually had a cold front, as much as you can call it cold in late June. But the humidity went way down and the breeze came out of the north for a few days but I'm certain we'll be back to normal before long. Actually, its one of the things I love about our town, warm and balmy.

Headed for vacation in a few days. Maybe, if I have access I'll blog about how different it is in NY south, er that is Florida. The fam and I, missing the son-in-law cause he's got a new job, will be in south FL for a week. It's a timeshare thing which we have really enjoyed. It'll be low on the activity scaled this time. No diving, just beach time and down time and maybe a trip to Key West.

The girl from NY can get out of the rain, the boy & wife & 1/4 from Big-D can get out of their depression over the great collapse in the NBA finals. Big J can get away from the church office for a few days and see his gal. The bride and I will just vegitate and enjoy.

How bout them Astros!

till lata,
de

Boy Things Do Change.

There are no links, no pictures, no profound sayings, nothing much even really funny today but I felt compelled to blog anyway. Summer is pretty much here H-town. I now have relatives living in New York. I never thought I'd ever say that in my entire life. Still not certain exactly how I feel about that. It's mixed for sure. Couldn't be prouder or more excited for them and the opportunity it presents for them, but boy its a long way, altho by phone, it really doesn't sound a bit different than Abilene where they lived for the last few years. I guess as long as they can come visit as much as they did before, its all good.

My dad just turned 77 this past week. Happy birthday dad. (He doesn't read blogs I don't think) I guess the most important part is, he's still having birthdays and I still get to talk to him every week. He probably still feels the same way about me moving to H-town as I do about my kids moving to NY, except, hey I am in Texas, not some whole other country. My point is, its just about as far, me by car, them by plane.

The initial thrill of becoming a g-pa finally subsided some. We're still totally thrilled by the notion but the reality of waiting now sets in. Couldn't really be prouder of all my kids than I am. I do wish the youngest would break out of the bedroom before noon, but hey he's catching up on all that sleep he lost last semester.

Until my next blog,
de

I Can Finally Announce It! Grandbaby coming!

The bride and I found out Saturday night were going to be grandparents. Pretty darned exciting if you ask us. The trouble was we couldn't tell anybody because not all the siblings knew until last night. So we discretely told a few folks cause you can't really keep something like that in. Then all the siblings got the word last night so can tell everybody. (Shh!!) Not everybody knows just yet. The grandparents don't know until this afternoon. We're going up there to tell them in person, see the son-in-law get his Masters from OU, Yeah James!, and visit with everybody for a day or two. It'll be fun. Then the older one goes off to Cooperstown, NY. Life sure does change, sometimes slow, sometimes fast. I think we decided on G-G and G-Pa for names. I guess the grandkids can call us whatever they please.

cya, de