Well, my computer has been down for several weeks, and I'm finally back up and running again. I lost my hard drive, and *everything* that was on the silly thing - email addresses, bookmarks, pictures, music, files, everything. I am not a happy camper.
Anyway, Kim was nice enough to send me my username (which I had totally forgotten) so I could get back here and catch up with everyone.
Happy birthday to everyone! Great pictures, guys. Thanks for posting them!
So anyway, I'm back now, and can keep up again. This is a very good thing!
Monday, April 24, 2006
Sunday, April 23, 2006
Happy Birthday Grant
Grant enjoyed his cake, and yes, I did make another cake for the rest of us so that we didn't have to pick through this one!
Sunday, April 16, 2006
Saturday, April 15, 2006
We want to wish everyone a Happy Easter!! We will be having lunch here with Marie and Julie and her family. The thought of trying to eat lunch out on Easter is a scary one! I hope you all will have quailty family time tomorrow as well. Hopefully we can send a picture of two later of the kiddos.
Francie
Francie
Monday, April 03, 2006
Cool!
On Wednesday of this week, at two minutes and three seconds after 1:00 in the
morning, the time and date will be 01:02:03 04/05/06.
morning, the time and date will be 01:02:03 04/05/06.
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Nothing to report, really
I figured it had been ages since I posted here, so I might as well write as not, even though I have nothing very interesting to report.
I did change my home telephone number, and if I knew for sure that these posts were private (and of course I realize that nothing on the interweb is really private...) I would post it here. Instead, I just need to send out a mass email, I guess, updating everyone on it.
I changed my phone to VOIP (voice over IP) with Time Warner Cable, and so far I'm loving it. It is cheaper than I was paying for my "regular" phone, and I have unlimited free long distance all over the US and Canada. I suppose that now I have no excuse not to call all of you and talk all the time! I always hesitate to call folks late (after 9:00 p.m.) when the cell phone is free, because I never know when anyone goes to bed. Me, I'm up half the night all the time...I think I have developed my Mother's insomnia. Calling y'all at midnight, however, would probably be bad form.
Jim and I are going camping the week before Easter, and staying through the weekend. With luck, the weather will be perfect, and we will have a great time. That's the plan, in any case. If I get any good wildflower pictures, I'll be sure to share them with you all.
Like I said, I have nothing really interesting to report, but I didn't want you all to think I was ignoring you or anything. I really miss seeing everyone. I should really plan some weekend trips, shouldn't I?
Love you guys!
I did change my home telephone number, and if I knew for sure that these posts were private (and of course I realize that nothing on the interweb is really private...) I would post it here. Instead, I just need to send out a mass email, I guess, updating everyone on it.
I changed my phone to VOIP (voice over IP) with Time Warner Cable, and so far I'm loving it. It is cheaper than I was paying for my "regular" phone, and I have unlimited free long distance all over the US and Canada. I suppose that now I have no excuse not to call all of you and talk all the time! I always hesitate to call folks late (after 9:00 p.m.) when the cell phone is free, because I never know when anyone goes to bed. Me, I'm up half the night all the time...I think I have developed my Mother's insomnia. Calling y'all at midnight, however, would probably be bad form.
Jim and I are going camping the week before Easter, and staying through the weekend. With luck, the weather will be perfect, and we will have a great time. That's the plan, in any case. If I get any good wildflower pictures, I'll be sure to share them with you all.
Like I said, I have nothing really interesting to report, but I didn't want you all to think I was ignoring you or anything. I really miss seeing everyone. I should really plan some weekend trips, shouldn't I?
Love you guys!
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Sunday, March 26, 2006
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Its SPRINGTIME!!!
It's time to start having fun outside again, it's time to have Crawfish boils, it's Easter time, the grass is growing and trees are green again. Well If you can't tell I am enjoying the spring like weather. I mowed the yard for the first time last weekend and the pollen is really starting to bug me but its nothing I am not used to.
I had my first structure fire yesterday. When we got there we were the first on scene. So we pulled hoses to the front door, the next crew in met us at the door and took the hose so we could do search and rescue stuff. (My truck usually does that part of the fire attack stuff) So we walked in a searched found nothing but black smoke down to our waist, the guy that lived there said it was clear but we have to check anyways. The fire was in a hallway and closet so we broke down the walls and took a mass of burning cloths and tried to spread them out. All in all it was a great learning expressed for me. Some times I can't believe they pay me to do all this stuff.
hope everyone has a good spring time
I had my first structure fire yesterday. When we got there we were the first on scene. So we pulled hoses to the front door, the next crew in met us at the door and took the hose so we could do search and rescue stuff. (My truck usually does that part of the fire attack stuff) So we walked in a searched found nothing but black smoke down to our waist, the guy that lived there said it was clear but we have to check anyways. The fire was in a hallway and closet so we broke down the walls and took a mass of burning cloths and tried to spread them out. All in all it was a great learning expressed for me. Some times I can't believe they pay me to do all this stuff.
hope everyone has a good spring time
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Hi
Hey everyone -
I'm just checking to see if anyone has any interesting news. Nothing new here. Mark and I took Megan & Mary to Sea World in SA for a couple of days. Whew - it was fun but glad to be home. We have a new rule about vacations - if you poop in your pants, you don't get to go! (Therefore Grant stayed home with Mark's mom and my mom.) We had a lot more fun than the last vacation we took when Meg was only 2 1/2 years old, had to have naps and yes, she still was pooping in her pants at the time!
Well - hope everyone is well. Miss ya!
Love to all!
J
I'm just checking to see if anyone has any interesting news. Nothing new here. Mark and I took Megan & Mary to Sea World in SA for a couple of days. Whew - it was fun but glad to be home. We have a new rule about vacations - if you poop in your pants, you don't get to go! (Therefore Grant stayed home with Mark's mom and my mom.) We had a lot more fun than the last vacation we took when Meg was only 2 1/2 years old, had to have naps and yes, she still was pooping in her pants at the time!
Well - hope everyone is well. Miss ya!
Love to all!
J
Sunday, March 12, 2006
3.25''
of rain in my rain gauge this morning. And about a foot of snow on the Superstition Mountains 3 miles away. There was a lot of snow all around us and some even in the northern 'burbs. It fell gently, for the most part, and soaked in. It's not nearly enough but it's better than nothing.
We sent it on but I'm afraid it went more north than east!
We sent it on but I'm afraid it went more north than east!
Saturday, March 11, 2006
It's only been 142 days w/o rain.
The forecast is saying we have a 90% chance of thunderstorms tomorrow. I've got fingers, toes, even eyes crossed and praying, too. Today was NASTY and my eyes look like I've been on a three day bender--red as can be. It was extremely windy and there was so much dirt in the air I could scarcely see the Superstitions only three miles away.
So, all prayers, rain dances, wishes, etc. are gratefully received. We need rain BAD!
So, all prayers, rain dances, wishes, etc. are gratefully received. We need rain BAD!
Monday, March 06, 2006
61!!!
Happy Birthday, Francie. If you keep this up you may catch up with me! I've had my last birthday and Harv stopped at 39.
Hope you have a good one.
Love from Pat and Harv
Hope you have a good one.
Love from Pat and Harv
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Saturday, February 25, 2006
this ones for you Harv :) from Courtney
Last November Courtney bowled in the Greater Houston Youth Championship Tournament. In addition to her team's second place finish, she earned 1st place for high individual scratch game in her division. She just got the plaques today and wanted to share this one with y'all. Remember she was 12 at the time. (It says 224 in case ya can't read it)
Way to go Courtney :)
Sunday, February 19, 2006
I did it!
OK, you guys, the dumb one in the family finally got here! I'm not sure I can do it again tho, cause I've been given the run around. Jason signed me up when he was here, but then I just kept getting the page to create a blog.
As you all well know, it's cold here now. No, I haven't forgotten the winter in ND, but Dotty's right, OK can be very cold too. That first year at OU, I tried to tell myself it wasn't cold walking across campus, but it was!
There's not much to report on from here. Max's mom seems to be doing okay thus far, but she's been pretty busy getting the house back in order from the company and writing thank yous, so she hasn't had a lot of time to think about too much. We will try to go see her tomoroow evening.
I don't know if you're supposed to sign your name or if this thing always puts your name on your entry, so I'll sing this time/
Francie
As you all well know, it's cold here now. No, I haven't forgotten the winter in ND, but Dotty's right, OK can be very cold too. That first year at OU, I tried to tell myself it wasn't cold walking across campus, but it was!
There's not much to report on from here. Max's mom seems to be doing okay thus far, but she's been pretty busy getting the house back in order from the company and writing thank yous, so she hasn't had a lot of time to think about too much. We will try to go see her tomoroow evening.
I don't know if you're supposed to sign your name or if this thing always puts your name on your entry, so I'll sing this time/
Francie
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Happy Valentine's Day!
Just wanted to send you all a Valentine's message. Hope you all have a great day!
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Hi from Julie & Francie
Hey - Mom and I are trying to figure out this Blog thing. So here goes.
Besides - how does anyone have time to do this? : )
I guess Grant and Megan keep me hopping most of the time. We were just on to see what Jason had posted about our Grandad. Jason and Jennifer are here at our house tonight and we're going to work on a "word collage" of all the words and phrases that make us think of our grandad. Stuff like molasses and strawberries.
Anyway - better get to work. I promise to try to be better about blogging - and I'll try to show mom how to do it, too!
Much love to all,
Julie
Besides - how does anyone have time to do this? : )
I guess Grant and Megan keep me hopping most of the time. We were just on to see what Jason had posted about our Grandad. Jason and Jennifer are here at our house tonight and we're going to work on a "word collage" of all the words and phrases that make us think of our grandad. Stuff like molasses and strawberries.
Anyway - better get to work. I promise to try to be better about blogging - and I'll try to show mom how to do it, too!
Much love to all,
Julie
Monday, February 06, 2006
Sad news to report
Julie and I lost our grandad early yesterday morning. For those of you who didn't know he was put into a nursing home sometime in November and was had been declining ever since. Although we hate to lose him it is for the best.
I know we never say it enough so...I love each and everyone of you.
Jason
I know we never say it enough so...I love each and everyone of you.
Jason
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Interesting news stop
At least, I thought it was interesting...not that I ever got a telegram, but I've seen them!
Era Ends: Western Union Stops Sending Telegrams
Robert Roy Britt
LiveScience Managing Editor
LiveScience.com1 hour, 55 minutes ago
After 145 years, Western Union has quietly stopped sending telegrams.On the company's web site, if you click on "Telegrams" in the left-side navigation bar, you're taken to a page that ends a technological era with about as little fanfare as possible:"Effective January 27, 2006, Western Union will discontinue all Telegram and Commercial Messaging services. We regret any inconvenience this may cause you, and we thank you for your loyal patronage.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact a customer service representative."The decline of telegram use goes back at least to the 1980s, when long-distance telephone service became cheap enough to offer a viable alternative in many if not most cases.
Faxes didn't help. Email could be counted as the final nail in the coffin.Western Union has not failed. It long ago refocused its main business to make money transfers for consumers and businesses. Revenues are now $3 billion annually. It's now called Western Union Financial Services, Inc. and is a subsidiary of First Data Corp.The world's first telegram was sent on May 24, 1844 by inventor Samuel Morse.
The message, "What hath God wrought," was transmitted from Washington to Baltimore. In a crude way, the telegraph was a precursor to the Internet in that it allowed rapid communication, for the first time, across great distances. Western Union goes back to 1851 as the Mississippi Valley Printing Telegraph Company.
In 1856 it became the Western Union Telegraph Company after acquisition of competing telegraph systems. By 1861, during the Civil War, it had created a coast-to-coast network of lines.Other company highlights:1866: Introduced the first stock ticker. 1871: Introduced money transfers. 1884: Became one of the original 11 stocks tracked by the Dow Jones Average.
1914: Introduced the first consumer charge card. 1964: Began using a transcontinental microwave beam to replace land lines. 1974: Launched Westar I, the first U.S. dedicated communications satellite. On Jan. 26, the last day you could send a telegram, First Data announced it would spin Western Union off as an independent, publicly traded company.
Era Ends: Western Union Stops Sending Telegrams
Robert Roy Britt
LiveScience Managing Editor
LiveScience.com1 hour, 55 minutes ago
After 145 years, Western Union has quietly stopped sending telegrams.On the company's web site, if you click on "Telegrams" in the left-side navigation bar, you're taken to a page that ends a technological era with about as little fanfare as possible:"Effective January 27, 2006, Western Union will discontinue all Telegram and Commercial Messaging services. We regret any inconvenience this may cause you, and we thank you for your loyal patronage.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact a customer service representative."The decline of telegram use goes back at least to the 1980s, when long-distance telephone service became cheap enough to offer a viable alternative in many if not most cases.
Faxes didn't help. Email could be counted as the final nail in the coffin.Western Union has not failed. It long ago refocused its main business to make money transfers for consumers and businesses. Revenues are now $3 billion annually. It's now called Western Union Financial Services, Inc. and is a subsidiary of First Data Corp.The world's first telegram was sent on May 24, 1844 by inventor Samuel Morse.
The message, "What hath God wrought," was transmitted from Washington to Baltimore. In a crude way, the telegraph was a precursor to the Internet in that it allowed rapid communication, for the first time, across great distances. Western Union goes back to 1851 as the Mississippi Valley Printing Telegraph Company.
In 1856 it became the Western Union Telegraph Company after acquisition of competing telegraph systems. By 1861, during the Civil War, it had created a coast-to-coast network of lines.Other company highlights:1866: Introduced the first stock ticker. 1871: Introduced money transfers. 1884: Became one of the original 11 stocks tracked by the Dow Jones Average.
1914: Introduced the first consumer charge card. 1964: Began using a transcontinental microwave beam to replace land lines. 1974: Launched Westar I, the first U.S. dedicated communications satellite. On Jan. 26, the last day you could send a telegram, First Data announced it would spin Western Union off as an independent, publicly traded company.
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Hi Betty !!!
Hi Betty !
Glad you finally made it :) If you want everyone to read your post make sure you click on 'Create New Post'. Or you can comment on someone else's like you did with your first one. That's all there is to it.
Glad you are here :)
Glad you finally made it :) If you want everyone to read your post make sure you click on 'Create New Post'. Or you can comment on someone else's like you did with your first one. That's all there is to it.
Glad you are here :)
Friday, January 20, 2006
new jobs and school
hello everyone. Well now that the new year has settled down a little I figured I should get back on here and wright. Jennifer has a new Job at the Vet schoold, she will have to tell you what she is doing. It is not exactly what she wanted but she is learning something new. I started my Paramedic classes last week. They are tue and thurs untill October. We have been lucky here in the Brazos valley we have not had the fires that everyone else is haveing. No clue as to why we have not gotten any big grass fires because we are just as dry as every one else just lucky I guess. Barbra tells me I have a fan up in North Texas, I think that is so cute. Just so long as they all know that the Fire and Poliece People (gota be PC) are allways there to help. I have seen some of the biggest baddest firemen turn to a big pile of mush around there kids!! Tell Laura I am sory about the pot holes but I am sure someone will get there to fix them.
I am not sure when the family reunion is but I will try and make it this year, We will just have to see what the work and school schedule will be like.
Jason
I am not sure when the family reunion is but I will try and make it this year, We will just have to see what the work and school schedule will be like.
Jason
Friday, January 13, 2006
I'm sorry but.....
Y'all know I love animals as much as anyone.. and I would never make light of any sick or unfortunate animal, right?
But I"m REALLY SICK of seeing this headline... ONE EYED CAT HAD MEDICAL CONDITION
(ya mean besides the fact that he only had ONE EYE?)
GOOD GRIEF. Cant they change that to...One eyed cat had OTHER medical conditions? or something...
This kind of stuff really gets to me. You think anyone reads that headline and says...gosh..I wonder what the condition was?
I'll be glad when something replaces it in the headlines..wonder what will be next? no wait..i don't wanna know.
But I"m REALLY SICK of seeing this headline... ONE EYED CAT HAD MEDICAL CONDITION
(ya mean besides the fact that he only had ONE EYE?)
GOOD GRIEF. Cant they change that to...One eyed cat had OTHER medical conditions? or something...
This kind of stuff really gets to me. You think anyone reads that headline and says...gosh..I wonder what the condition was?
I'll be glad when something replaces it in the headlines..wonder what will be next? no wait..i don't wanna know.
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
GMail invitations
Just in case any of you want one, I've got plenty of GMail invitations left. GMail is Google's free web-based email program. I've been starting to change some of my stuff over to that address, and I'm liking it a lot. Free, of course, and I have 2,683 Mb of storage - that's a lot of email! I don't know if everyone gets that (weird) amount or not, or how it's determined, but it is way more than anyone else offers, for sure.
If you don't know anything about it, read about it here.
Anyway, if you want an invite, just holler and I'll send you one.
My email address at Google is rodgers.karen@gmail.com, in case you want to add it to your lists.
If you don't know anything about it, read about it here.
Anyway, if you want an invite, just holler and I'll send you one.
My email address at Google is rodgers.karen@gmail.com, in case you want to add it to your lists.
Monday, January 09, 2006
New Addition
Ries and I have a new addition to our family, Pullo, the cutest puppy ever.
Here is a picture of Pullo with his cousin Sadie. Right now he is about 10 lbs but when he is full grown, he will be about 170lbs!
Thursday, January 05, 2006
That was close! And a very cute picture for the Aggies
Close game - way to go UT!!!!
I was very impressed - those boys can play football, no question there.
A friend of mine sent me this picture last night. It's fabulous, and will need no explanation.
Too cute not to post, however!
I was very impressed - those boys can play football, no question there.
A friend of mine sent me this picture last night. It's fabulous, and will need no explanation.
Too cute not to post, however!
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
'06 HAS to be better than '05!
We're back from Ellen's--that's good. We don't have the van back--that's bad. We'll have to go up to Santa Fe in a couple of weeks and get it and turn it in the rental. That big buck did more damage than was readily evident--add another $1000 to the repairs. But, we don't have to pay any more so. . . .
That "collision" was the cap for a couple of really "crappy" months, beginning with the death from cancer of one of Harv's sisters and the cancer surgery and subsequent complications for a second one. She spent 30 of the last 51 days of the year in the hospital--released on 30 Dec.
But there was good, too. Make that GREAT! Rachael (yes, it has an A) Lily is a beauty, of course, and a good baby. Mom would like her to sleep a bit more in the evening and less in the daytime but, hey, she didn't so why should her kid??? Amanda is smitten with her. Lizzie tries, for the most part, to ignore her. Perhaps in hopes that she'll disappear? But, she's gentle when she touches or kisses her. Hopefully it'll remain that way.
The girls were fun at Christmas, of course. Lizzie was puzzled, I think, but she loved ripping open the wrapped packages. Her favorites are the dimensional Pooh puzzle and the Cabbage Patch Kid from Aunt Ginny and Uncle Steve. Amanda, of course, remembers last Christmas so she knew what to do! Her favorites are the Barbie w/huge wardrobe from Grandma-and-Grandpa-in-Arizona and the CPK from Aunt G and Uncle S. Third, for now, for both girls are the trike and bike from Mommy and Daddy. But that'll change when they can get out and ride.
We got home about 3:30 today. Now, I have to face the unpacking, grocery shopping, and worst of all--undecorating the house and putting away the Christmas stuff! I hate doing that.
Hope everyone had a great Christmas and has a great 2006.
Oh yes, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, COURTNEY!
That "collision" was the cap for a couple of really "crappy" months, beginning with the death from cancer of one of Harv's sisters and the cancer surgery and subsequent complications for a second one. She spent 30 of the last 51 days of the year in the hospital--released on 30 Dec.
But there was good, too. Make that GREAT! Rachael (yes, it has an A) Lily is a beauty, of course, and a good baby. Mom would like her to sleep a bit more in the evening and less in the daytime but, hey, she didn't so why should her kid??? Amanda is smitten with her. Lizzie tries, for the most part, to ignore her. Perhaps in hopes that she'll disappear? But, she's gentle when she touches or kisses her. Hopefully it'll remain that way.
The girls were fun at Christmas, of course. Lizzie was puzzled, I think, but she loved ripping open the wrapped packages. Her favorites are the dimensional Pooh puzzle and the Cabbage Patch Kid from Aunt Ginny and Uncle Steve. Amanda, of course, remembers last Christmas so she knew what to do! Her favorites are the Barbie w/huge wardrobe from Grandma-and-Grandpa-in-Arizona and the CPK from Aunt G and Uncle S. Third, for now, for both girls are the trike and bike from Mommy and Daddy. But that'll change when they can get out and ride.
We got home about 3:30 today. Now, I have to face the unpacking, grocery shopping, and worst of all--undecorating the house and putting away the Christmas stuff! I hate doing that.
Hope everyone had a great Christmas and has a great 2006.
Oh yes, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, COURTNEY!
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
Happy Birthday!
I'm just a few hours early, but better early than late!
Happy birthday, Courtney! Congratulations on becoming a teenager. I hope you have a fabulous year, sweetheart.
Happy birthday, Courtney! Congratulations on becoming a teenager. I hope you have a fabulous year, sweetheart.
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
Hello everyone
Well I sent out a new e-mail address to everyone on my list so should have gotten our new email address. Well if you were on my list usually that doesn't have everyone I know. So if you didn't get my address here it is
jjmurrell@verizon.net
hope yall had a fun Christmas. Jennifer went down to her parents and grandparents for Xmas day. I had to work, But the good news is no one needed our services until late that night.
I will be starting paramedic classes on the 10th of next month and that should last about 10 months. So by this time next year I will be getting ready to take the national registry test to get certified as a paramedic.
Hope everyone has a great newyear
Jason
jjmurrell@verizon.net
hope yall had a fun Christmas. Jennifer went down to her parents and grandparents for Xmas day. I had to work, But the good news is no one needed our services until late that night.
I will be starting paramedic classes on the 10th of next month and that should last about 10 months. So by this time next year I will be getting ready to take the national registry test to get certified as a paramedic.
Hope everyone has a great newyear
Jason
Sunday, December 25, 2005
Merry Christmas too !!!!
Well Santa found us in our new home !! The presents were wrapped and even a few cookies got baked !! Now we can concentrate on the rest of the boxes in the garage and getting our house all fixed up. I'm off work till Jan 5th and that when Rachael goes back to school, so hopefully we can get lots done, including Courtney's BIG birthday !!! 2 teenagers...OMG !!!!!
Good Luck on your move Dotty, I'm tryin to forget mine !!!
I hope everyone has a fun and peaceful holiday :)
Good Luck on your move Dotty, I'm tryin to forget mine !!!
I hope everyone has a fun and peaceful holiday :)
Thursday, December 22, 2005
This is just cool. For those of you (you know who you are!) who like to make fun of me for my always having my knitting bag with me, it could be worse. I could be doing this!
I'll have to go to town and look for some of their "work" soon, I think.
Certainly easier to clean up than spray paint!
I'll have to go to town and look for some of their "work" soon, I think.
Certainly easier to clean up than spray paint!
Monday, December 19, 2005
Miracles DO happen
After much ado...we are finally in our new house. Wednesday was supposed to be moving day...so naturally we got the biggest storm of the year. So Thursday had to do..much to my buyers irritation (like I gave a poo about how they felt after all this). I will email our new address and phone number to y'all. Francie has it cuz she came to visit already :) and we were so glad to see them. I dont have much room for everyone to sleep now but I do have room for lots of fun !!!
Saturday, December 10, 2005
FINALLY !!!!!
Well finally, these Florida crackers got a loan....good grief. I will be signing papers on monday, and they will sign and fed ex them back hopefully by wednesday. I might be able to close on my new house a little before that like Tuesday or something? But I'm not sure yet. It's gonna be a complicated mess but then that makes life interesting huh? My new house looks really nice!!! But I'm still kinda holdin my breath till this is all a done deal. I'm taking off the 10 days after Christmas and going back on Jan 5th, so I will have a little time with the girls to unpack and stuff. Just keep your collective fingers crossed for the next few days that things go smoothly!!!!
Thursday, December 08, 2005
For the geeks out there
One more thing you might like Santa to bring you, just in case you get bored with your mp3 player, and want something else...
Really, guys, I couldn't make this shit up.
Look at this!
Really, guys, I couldn't make this shit up.
Look at this!
My First Snow!
Hey, this is my boyfriend, Bryan. Those of you in OK and TX have met him, but all the others haven't. I thought this was a really good picture of us. He's a really sweet guy and my mom approves. And so does Megan Luster.
That's Right! It snowed! It was so cold. But so fun! It was "only" 2 inches, and "only" that powdery snow. But I have nothing to compare it too. As far as I'm concerned snow is beautiful, no matter what. Don't worry, I didn't drive any where or anything, but I did learn about black ice. Scary. Well That's all for now! Love y'all
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
Brrrr!
It was COLD in Minnesota! Even if it's not exactly typical weather here, it's much better than Minneapolis was/is. I'm not envying you "eastern" folks at all. Even Ginny thought it was cold and Grand Forks is usually several degrees colder than Minneapolis on any given winter day.
I guess it was one way to "train" for Colorado in a couple of weeks. We're going up there, leaving on the 22nd, and staying until 2 Jan. Ellen's latest (lastest?) is coming on the 27th so we're the designated babysitters for Amanda and Elizabeth. Then Ginny and Steve will take over the duty of spoiling when they get there New Year's weekend. We'll overlap a day. They'll stay a week and then head back to ND.
Because Ellen hasn't ever gotten the hang of converting a couple of favorite cookie recipes to use in Denver, I promised to bake some to haul up there--her Grandmother's sugar cookies, Francie's gingersnap recipe and the only cookie Bob likes--snickerdoodles. I have a lot to get done between now and the 22nd so I'd best start.
I guess it was one way to "train" for Colorado in a couple of weeks. We're going up there, leaving on the 22nd, and staying until 2 Jan. Ellen's latest (lastest?) is coming on the 27th so we're the designated babysitters for Amanda and Elizabeth. Then Ginny and Steve will take over the duty of spoiling when they get there New Year's weekend. We'll overlap a day. They'll stay a week and then head back to ND.
Because Ellen hasn't ever gotten the hang of converting a couple of favorite cookie recipes to use in Denver, I promised to bake some to haul up there--her Grandmother's sugar cookies, Francie's gingersnap recipe and the only cookie Bob likes--snickerdoodles. I have a lot to get done between now and the 22nd so I'd best start.
Monday, December 05, 2005
It's December!
Ok, Thanksgiving was two weeks ago. I am tired of looking at Mom's post (as wonderful and insightful as it is).
So, here is a post about the fact that it is December already.
Does everyone have their Christmas shopping finished?
Will you be on the Naughty or Nice list this year?
Who do you want to kiss under the mistletoe?
What is your quest? (oops, Monty Python can sneak up on me at the oddest times)
So, here is a post about the fact that it is December already.
Does everyone have their Christmas shopping finished?
Will you be on the Naughty or Nice list this year?
Who do you want to kiss under the mistletoe?
What is your quest? (oops, Monty Python can sneak up on me at the oddest times)
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
While I don't, repeat don't, want to get in to a discussion of politics here, with those I love, I did think it would be interesting to share this link.
I have never made a secret of the fact, nor apologized for, not supporting this war. I do not think I have ever been more proud to be a Methodist than I am right now. But that's just me, obviously.
Just another thing I have to be thankful for, this Thanksgiving. Pray for peace, indeed.
I have never made a secret of the fact, nor apologized for, not supporting this war. I do not think I have ever been more proud to be a Methodist than I am right now. But that's just me, obviously.
Just another thing I have to be thankful for, this Thanksgiving. Pray for peace, indeed.
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Happy Thanksgiving
Before we get lost in the kitchen fixing Thanksgiving dinner we thought we should wish y'all a Happy, Healthy Thanksgiving. (We assume, Kim, that even though you'll be packing you'll take time out for a turkey sandwich.)
Harv's brother-in-law is going to smoke a turkey and Harv and I will fix all the rest of the meal. His sister had a cancerous kidney removed three weeks ago so she's not spending much time in the kitchen! Although she's doing well, she does spend a lot of time in a recliner--we figure she can sit in Harv's recliner as well as any other. So, I figure they will be here most of the day.
I spent this afternoon washing china and crystal and cleaning silver so that I can set the table "right" this year. Last year Harv and I were alone and I think we baked potatoes and grilled steaks instead of the usual. And we ate off the Frankoma. Now, I can set the table tomorrow morning and then spend the rest of the day cooking.
Don't over do it Thursday.
Love you all.
Harv's brother-in-law is going to smoke a turkey and Harv and I will fix all the rest of the meal. His sister had a cancerous kidney removed three weeks ago so she's not spending much time in the kitchen! Although she's doing well, she does spend a lot of time in a recliner--we figure she can sit in Harv's recliner as well as any other. So, I figure they will be here most of the day.
I spent this afternoon washing china and crystal and cleaning silver so that I can set the table "right" this year. Last year Harv and I were alone and I think we baked potatoes and grilled steaks instead of the usual. And we ate off the Frankoma. Now, I can set the table tomorrow morning and then spend the rest of the day cooking.
Don't over do it Thursday.
Love you all.
I don't imagine any of us are naive enough to fall for this, but just in case you are curious...don't open the attachments from the FBI.
I'm guessing if they were mad at you, they'd knock on your door, not send an email.
People are amazingly gullible.
I'm guessing if they were mad at you, they'd knock on your door, not send an email.
People are amazingly gullible.
Sunday, November 20, 2005
news n stuff
Well the packing is coming along slow, but everyone tells me 'it'll get done'. We can only hope.
Moving out day is the 28th and moving in day is the 30th. I am really ready for all of this to be over so we can relax a bit. Thanksgiving is gonna be a packing holiday adventure (or so I told the kids)
I will email y'all with our new address and phone number.
Just to catch y'all up on other stuff...
Obviously, Rachael is doing great and loves OSU...I'm proud of her and so happy she is happy. But we miss her terribly and want her to realize she should come home and go to junior college (think that will work? ;) ) I'm glad she keeps y'all informed on the football news and stuff ...but why couldnt OSU be some color besides orange? ....oh well...I should have gotten used to it when Jason lived with us :)
Courtney has been very very busy. I try to get her to post here but she 'never has time' (like I do) She loves drill team and is so excited because she made the 7th grade basketball team!!! As you know, 7th grade girls basketball is very interesting to watch. So far, no real injuries so keep your fingers crossed :) . She loves it and works hard so thats what matters. Also (are you listening Harv?) , she bowled her first 200 game 2 weeks ago, a 203 !!!! Then yesterday in the city tournament team event, she bowled a 224!!! Today is doubles and singles so wish her luck...Watch out Rachael, she gonna catch you ;) . Rachael bowled her first 200 when she was 12 and Courtney didnt want to be left behind. They tell everyone.."Papa taught us" :) Thanks PaPa !!!
But dont worry, Courtney is also keeping her grades up. She has almost all A's and she taking several PreAP classs, including math and science. So needless to say we are all very proud of her.
More news later .... wish us luck... I hate moving
Moving out day is the 28th and moving in day is the 30th. I am really ready for all of this to be over so we can relax a bit. Thanksgiving is gonna be a packing holiday adventure (or so I told the kids)
I will email y'all with our new address and phone number.
Just to catch y'all up on other stuff...
Obviously, Rachael is doing great and loves OSU...I'm proud of her and so happy she is happy. But we miss her terribly and want her to realize she should come home and go to junior college (think that will work? ;) ) I'm glad she keeps y'all informed on the football news and stuff ...but why couldnt OSU be some color besides orange? ....oh well...I should have gotten used to it when Jason lived with us :)
Courtney has been very very busy. I try to get her to post here but she 'never has time' (like I do) She loves drill team and is so excited because she made the 7th grade basketball team!!! As you know, 7th grade girls basketball is very interesting to watch. So far, no real injuries so keep your fingers crossed :) . She loves it and works hard so thats what matters. Also (are you listening Harv?) , she bowled her first 200 game 2 weeks ago, a 203 !!!! Then yesterday in the city tournament team event, she bowled a 224!!! Today is doubles and singles so wish her luck...Watch out Rachael, she gonna catch you ;) . Rachael bowled her first 200 when she was 12 and Courtney didnt want to be left behind. They tell everyone.."Papa taught us" :) Thanks PaPa !!!
But dont worry, Courtney is also keeping her grades up. She has almost all A's and she taking several PreAP classs, including math and science. So needless to say we are all very proud of her.
More news later .... wish us luck... I hate moving
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
I do love The Onion
Sunday, November 13, 2005
Ride, Ride, Ride 'Em Cowboys!!!
That's right! We beat Tech. It was our last home game and the senior's last game in Boone Pickens Stadium, ever. We are losing 19 players. The refs were terrible, and Mike Gundy (our coach) had to be held back by 5 coaches when he was trying to correct a terrible call that cost us a touchdown. Nevertheless, we moved past that and earned a victory. The last touch down was a 6 min. push down the field to the ONE and a 3 play struggle on the goal line for the final touchdown. It was AMAZING. The tech fans were visibly upset (sorry Papa). Bob Stoops better watch his back because on game day God wears Orange and Black!
Friday, November 11, 2005
Finally, a picture
This isn't the best picture in the world, but this is us at Brian's work the Friday before Halloween. Brian was in a skit based on ABBA's Dancing Queen, so I thought I'd wear one of Mom's lovely outfits to go with the idea. Laura was a lady bug.
Saturday, November 05, 2005
"Hey, waiter!"
Thought Amanda (left) and Elizabeth (right) could use a little exposure. Lizzie is definitely her mother's child!We saw them last weekend (the 29th and 30th) when we drove up to Denver with Harv's sister for a short (!) visit. Not being as young as we once were, we took two days to drive the 900+ miles up, two days there and another two days back. But, it was worth it.
Just getting out of town was an adventure. We had intended to leave on Wednesday afternoon (the 26th) after Harv's eye appointment. Linda and I were waiting in the car since the chairs in the waiting room are nortoriously uncomfortable. We decided to go in and "use the facilities" after about an hour. I shut off the van, we went in, came out after a bit and the van wouldn't re-start. As soon as Harv came out, dilated eyes behind wrap around sunglasses, we had it towed to the dealership. Other sister Donna picked us up and we unloaded most of the contents of the van into her PT Cruiser. I had NOT packed lightly! We were planning to picnic along the way plus we had to have winter clothes, you know, in case of cold and snow. (After all, our blood has "thinned" a lot and Linda is from Florida.) But we managed to jam most of it in her car.
Thursday morning, the 27th, we learned that the "main brain" computer had died--be lucky to get a replacement by Monday (the 31st) since there was "only one in the whole country and it's in Detroit". We mulled it over and decided to take the Buick and go ahead. So, we did--without the picnic supplies and a few maps and informational pieces we'd thrown in to use during our sightseeing. We didn't even have the car chargers for the phones and we'd be sorry about that.
We took off after hurriedly loading what we did have into the Buick. We took the cold weather stuff, too, and needed it--or Linda did, anyway. We made Albuquerque Thursday and were at Ellen's Friday afternoon late. We had a full, tiring weekend but it was worth it. The girls were a lot of fun and were quite willing to play with us as much as they could. Grandpa and Amanda juiced lemons for lemonade, Grandma and the girls had "coffee" for breakfast, Grandpa and Lizzie played on the swings and Aunt Linda was always good for snuggles or play time, too. On Sunday Ellen, Linda and I left Grandpa (Bob had to work) babysitting and went antiquing in Ft. Collins. It was raw--cold, rainy, blustery. Monday we saw lots of fresh snow on Long's Peak and quite a bit along the roadside as we drove through Monument and south. Linda was not thrilled!
We made Albuquerque Monday night and then ambled through west central NM Tuesday--El Malpais, the ice cave and Bandera Volcano, El Morro and Inscription Rock, the Zuni Pueblo where we bought jewelry and snitched ideas for decorating a dry bar. We drove down off The Mogollon Rim after dark--not recommended during rut but we saw no elk. Since we were supposed to be back in AJ in time for dinner, we called Donna to let her know we'd be late. We must have called a half dozen times as we were slowed by sightseeing, construction, truck traffic on two lane roads with few passing zones and then there was the drive down the rim. My phone was nearly dead by the time we got to Mesa--Harv's phone, which is no good outside a metro (government always has lousy contracts for services), was dead.
Oh yes, the dealership called Friday, the 28th, when we were having lunch in Raton, NM. The van was ready! So, Harv and I took care of getting it on Wednesday morning. Since we'd bought an extended warranty on the thing it didn't cost us more than our minimal deductible.
Today we put Linda on the plane for Sarasota. She was flying an airline which shall remain nameless but for whom one "cousin" works. Check in told her A-2, when they posted the flight for A-2 it did NOT go to FL. She asked and then ran to B-2 as they were just making the boarding call. After that they announced the Sarasota flight had been changed from A-2 to B-2. The gates are, of course, on opposite ends of the terminal. But, she made it. Now she has one day to readjust to eastern time. I don't envy her.
Ellen is doing fine. She's not as uncomfortable as she was before Lizzie came nor has she gained as much weight as she did with Amanda. Consequently, she has more energy and is more agile, if you can call a woman who is 32 weeks pregnant agile. The delivery has been scheduled for 27 December. So, we will probably go up on the 22nd or 23rd--depending on the weather. We'll stay about a week and, hopefully, Ginny and Steve will be able to come around New Year's. We'll overlap a day or so and then they'll stay a week. Ellen hopes to be back home on New Year's Eve.
Although the doc and the ultrasound technician refer to the baby as "She", Ellen still says "It". They are discussing girl names, though, with a flower for a middle name (Amanda Iris, Elizabeth Rose) but they aren't saying what. We'll find out her name when Bob calls the house to tell us she's been born.
Nothing much else goes on here. We'll start the minor landscaping project this coming week and then not plan anything else until #3 has arrived, I imagine.
Friday, November 04, 2005
Some fun
Invitational Winners
The Washington Post's Mensa Invitational once again asked readers to take
any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or changing
of one letter, and supply a new definition.
Here are this year's (2005) winners:
1. Cashtration (n.):
The act of buying a house, which renders the subject
financially impotent for an indefinite period.
2. Ignoranus:
A person who's both stupid and an asshole.
3. Intaxication:
Euphoria at getting a tax refund, which lasts until you
realize it was your money to start with.
4. Reintarnation:
Coming back to life as a hillbilly.
5. Bozone (n.):
The substance surrounding stupid people that stops bright
ideas from penetrating. The bozone layer, unfortunately, shows little sign
of breaking down in the near future.
6. Foreploy:
Any misrepresentation about yourself for the purpose of
getting laid.
7. Giraffiti:
Vandalism spray-painted very, very high.
8. Sarchasm:
The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person
who doesn't get it.
9. Inoculatte:
To take coffee intravenously when you are running late.
10. Hipatitis:
Terminal coolness.
11. Osteopornosis:
A degenerate disease. (This one got extra credit.)
12. Karmageddon:
It's like, when everybody is sending off all these really
bad vibes, right? And then, like, the Earth explodes and it's
like, a serious bummer.
13. Decafalon (n.):
The grueling event of getting through the day consuming
only things that are good for you.
14. Glibido:
All talk and no action.
15 Dopeler effect:
The tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter when they
come at you rapidly.
16. Arachnoleptic fit (n.):
The frantic dance performed just after you've
accidentally walked through a spider web.
17. Beelzebug (n.):
Satan in the form of a mosquito, that gets into your
bedroom at three in the morning and cannot be cast out.
18. Caterpallor (n.):
The color you turn after finding half a worm in the fruit you're eating.
The Washington Post's Mensa Invitational once again asked readers to take
any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or changing
of one letter, and supply a new definition.
Here are this year's (2005) winners:
1. Cashtration (n.):
The act of buying a house, which renders the subject
financially impotent for an indefinite period.
2. Ignoranus:
A person who's both stupid and an asshole.
3. Intaxication:
Euphoria at getting a tax refund, which lasts until you
realize it was your money to start with.
4. Reintarnation:
Coming back to life as a hillbilly.
5. Bozone (n.):
The substance surrounding stupid people that stops bright
ideas from penetrating. The bozone layer, unfortunately, shows little sign
of breaking down in the near future.
6. Foreploy:
Any misrepresentation about yourself for the purpose of
getting laid.
7. Giraffiti:
Vandalism spray-painted very, very high.
8. Sarchasm:
The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person
who doesn't get it.
9. Inoculatte:
To take coffee intravenously when you are running late.
10. Hipatitis:
Terminal coolness.
11. Osteopornosis:
A degenerate disease. (This one got extra credit.)
12. Karmageddon:
It's like, when everybody is sending off all these really
bad vibes, right? And then, like, the Earth explodes and it's
like, a serious bummer.
13. Decafalon (n.):
The grueling event of getting through the day consuming
only things that are good for you.
14. Glibido:
All talk and no action.
15 Dopeler effect:
The tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter when they
come at you rapidly.
16. Arachnoleptic fit (n.):
The frantic dance performed just after you've
accidentally walked through a spider web.
17. Beelzebug (n.):
Satan in the form of a mosquito, that gets into your
bedroom at three in the morning and cannot be cast out.
18. Caterpallor (n.):
The color you turn after finding half a worm in the fruit you're eating.
Monday, October 31, 2005
Happy Halloween
Just wanted to show off the little ones in thier costumes. I have some others, but this believe it or not, may be the best of the two of them together. If you can't tell, Katie is a Fairy Princess, and Matt is a racecar driver. I hope everyone had a safe holiday. Hope to hear form everyone soon.
Sunday, October 30, 2005
Rachael...
I saw part of the game yesterday. When Jim and I left for dinner, it was the beginning of half time. When we got back, about the middle of the fourth quarter, well, things had changed. I'm sorry! Were you there? The place was a sea of orange on television - both shades, obviously.
Just for the record, I wanted you to know I was rooting for your color orange, not the UT one...
Hugs!
Just for the record, I wanted you to know I was rooting for your color orange, not the UT one...
Hugs!
I'm Back!
After much trying - Kim had to re-invite me, I'm back. Just spent some time reading what's been going on with everyone.
Nothing out of the ordinary here. Megan will be a fairy princess for Halloween tomorrow and Grant is going to be a giraffe.
I'll see if I can get pics on later.
Gotta run to the store before the kids wake up.
Love to all.
Julie
Nothing out of the ordinary here. Megan will be a fairy princess for Halloween tomorrow and Grant is going to be a giraffe.
I'll see if I can get pics on later.
Gotta run to the store before the kids wake up.
Love to all.
Julie
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Hello all!
Well, I finally took the time to read the e-mail to see what we needed to do to join. It wasn't so bad really, well, once I found a username that I was allowed to have. Anyway, just wanted to say hello to everyone. Hope you are all doing great!!!
Monday, October 24, 2005
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
WORLD SERIES
HERE WE COME, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE HISTORY OF MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL IN HOUSTON, 45YEARS, WE WILL BE PLAYING THE CHICAGO WHITE SOCKS ON SATURDAY, 7:30 GAME TIME ON FOX.
WIN LOSE OR DRAW WE MADE IT, WE MADE IT, WE MADE IT, WHOOPEE, HAHAHAHAHAHAHA HEEE HEEE HEE HEE
WIN LOSE OR DRAW WE MADE IT, WE MADE IT, WE MADE IT, WHOOPEE, HAHAHAHAHAHAHA HEEE HEEE HEE HEE
Hurricanes
Another one! At least this time it doesn't appear to be headed for y'all or for points east and a bit north. Now, if it just doesn't "do" Tampa I'll be happy. Linda will be here during that time but Harv's and her niece, Laurie, will be in Sarasota along with a great-nephew. December can't come quickly enough as far as I'm concerned!
Monday, October 17, 2005
Moving
I have officially moved from my glorious singles digs in the city to suburbia. I am going to be taking the Park and Ride to work every day, otherwise gas and the stress from driving an hour to work might kill me. I turned in my key today and was sad to leave, especially since now I must share everything with a stinky boy.
--Michelle
--Michelle
Sunday, October 16, 2005
Football . . .
. . . was not good--unless you're an OU, UT, A&M or TT fan (are there any TT fans?). I don't mention Nebraska--I was rooting for Baylor. Ah well, Harv watched by himself--I didn't do more than check the scores every so often.
He got home just fine yesterday evening. It was a good conference--what's not to enjoy when it's golf, euchre, poker, Elvis impersonators and good Scotch? He spent one day helping on a construction crew for a log house and worked a few muscles. See, he does "house" work even when he goes off to a conference!
Sister-in-law Linda arrives from Sarasota (FL, not NY) on Thursday. We have two weeks of stuff lined up--family dinner, genie searching, a trip to Denver (!) and antiquing in between. We'll run up to Ellen's for Halloween weekend--Linda really wants to see the girls (and Grandma and Grandpa don't?) She flies back home on the 5th.
Other sister-in-law Donna has surgery scheduled for the 7th to remove a cancerous kidney. She was the short, plump, blonde one we went to dinner with the night after Ellen's wedding, Karen. Anyway, the tumor, according to the scan and the radiologist, is wholly contained within the kidney so, I think, prognosis isn't too bad. She's 72 and has had numerous back surgeries, has arrythmic tachecardia and asthma so I don't think this is going to be too easy on her. But, she's scrappy so . . .
Ginny has lined up her "committee" for her master's research--a geologist, an astronomer and a physicist. I don't think they've settled on a definite topic yet but it probably will be solar/stellar astronomy related. She's aiming to finish in May 2007 and then, probably, they'll have the PhD program up and running and she'll go into that. She says she may even turn into a "serious astronomer".
Ellen--well, she's doing her two classes and gestating. I didn't talk to her tonight--just Harv did. They only talked about the trip so I don't think there was much news imparted. Amanda didn't get to build a snowman "bigger than Daddy" last week--they didn't get any snow in Firestone! Actually I'm not that surprised--all the reports were well south of them. Bob's parents, in Littleton, got a LOT.
My week was really exciting--not. I cleaned house--from one end to the other, including windows, fans, etc. I did a little genie research in the Mormon Library in Mesa. Maybe, just maybe, I found Joe with his parents--we'll see. Still have a lot of searching to do to "prove".
In the meantime, hope everyone enjoyed the fair, the company, the weather, the football, whatever. Come on out--we have a fair going on, nice, balmy weather in the mid 80s, football and plenty of "whatever".
He got home just fine yesterday evening. It was a good conference--what's not to enjoy when it's golf, euchre, poker, Elvis impersonators and good Scotch? He spent one day helping on a construction crew for a log house and worked a few muscles. See, he does "house" work even when he goes off to a conference!
Sister-in-law Linda arrives from Sarasota (FL, not NY) on Thursday. We have two weeks of stuff lined up--family dinner, genie searching, a trip to Denver (!) and antiquing in between. We'll run up to Ellen's for Halloween weekend--Linda really wants to see the girls (and Grandma and Grandpa don't?) She flies back home on the 5th.
Other sister-in-law Donna has surgery scheduled for the 7th to remove a cancerous kidney. She was the short, plump, blonde one we went to dinner with the night after Ellen's wedding, Karen. Anyway, the tumor, according to the scan and the radiologist, is wholly contained within the kidney so, I think, prognosis isn't too bad. She's 72 and has had numerous back surgeries, has arrythmic tachecardia and asthma so I don't think this is going to be too easy on her. But, she's scrappy so . . .
Ginny has lined up her "committee" for her master's research--a geologist, an astronomer and a physicist. I don't think they've settled on a definite topic yet but it probably will be solar/stellar astronomy related. She's aiming to finish in May 2007 and then, probably, they'll have the PhD program up and running and she'll go into that. She says she may even turn into a "serious astronomer".
Ellen--well, she's doing her two classes and gestating. I didn't talk to her tonight--just Harv did. They only talked about the trip so I don't think there was much news imparted. Amanda didn't get to build a snowman "bigger than Daddy" last week--they didn't get any snow in Firestone! Actually I'm not that surprised--all the reports were well south of them. Bob's parents, in Littleton, got a LOT.
My week was really exciting--not. I cleaned house--from one end to the other, including windows, fans, etc. I did a little genie research in the Mormon Library in Mesa. Maybe, just maybe, I found Joe with his parents--we'll see. Still have a lot of searching to do to "prove".
In the meantime, hope everyone enjoyed the fair, the company, the weather, the football, whatever. Come on out--we have a fair going on, nice, balmy weather in the mid 80s, football and plenty of "whatever".
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
Glad that is over with!!
Hi all Jennifer and I are doing fine. I want to take a moment to brag on my wife a little. Jennifer successfully defended her Masters Thesis last Friday. I went to her defense and was very proud of her and how she presented her thesis and then dealt with the questions posed by all the students and proffs form the department. After that she had to remain in the room with her three committee members and they were all very pleased with the work she had done they didn't question much and signed off on her thesis. She is almost done with the corrections and is ready to start trying to get it published.
I also had a good week. I passed my streets test for the FD it is a pass/fail test and if you fail you get you walking papers. Glad that is over with.
Hope everyone has a good weekend (Except the AGGS) GO POKES!!!!!
Jason
I also had a good week. I passed my streets test for the FD it is a pass/fail test and if you fail you get you walking papers. Glad that is over with.
Hope everyone has a good weekend (Except the AGGS) GO POKES!!!!!
Jason
Monday, October 10, 2005
Snowmen
Last night Amanda informed me she was going to build a snowman "big as Daddy" (who is 6'4"). I don't think they're going to get enough snow. She was really looking forward to being able to play in the snow. I don't know, though, I gather it's quite windy there. Wish we could see Lizzie in the snow--this will be the first time she's able to play and the first of the stuff she'll remember. Of course, to see her we would have to experience it, too. I don't think so--not until December, anyway.
I'll take my 85 or so degree days, thank you very much. It's a bit cool here at 85 but it'll warm up in time for Harv's homecoming. That's Friday evening, by the way. He complained of the cool in Indiana on Saturday and Sunday. Serves him right.
I'll take my 85 or so degree days, thank you very much. It's a bit cool here at 85 but it'll warm up in time for Harv's homecoming. That's Friday evening, by the way. He complained of the cool in Indiana on Saturday and Sunday. Serves him right.
Saturday, October 08, 2005
Football...
All I have to say is: At least we put up a good fight...come on ou, 12 points??? But, alas, we are going to lose to texas a&m. but our qb and reciever are both freshmen...what's y'all's excuse??
Fall, etc.
Finally, it has cooled off! It is about time, for sure. It is so nice to be able to open the windows (pardon me while I sneeze) and go outside and not melt in the first five minutes.
I hope it lasts, this time. I could do this for 12 months out of the year and never get tired of a high of 75 and a low of 60. Of course, the trees and plants would get tired of it - they need the cold weather. They deserve a break, too.
I see the infamous Courtney has joined the ranks - time to make a first post, I think, C!
I don't know anything interesting, but just thought that since the weather was so nice, I'd comment on it. I hope everyone is having a fabulous weekend - mine is pretty quiet. Jim has gone to a family wedding (a niece) and I really didn't feel up to the noise, etc. I've had a headache for four days, and I'm sick to death of it. So I get a quiet evening to enjoy the pounding in my head.
I wish that our family didn't inherit this weak-headedness - I'm sick of it after all these years!
I hope it lasts, this time. I could do this for 12 months out of the year and never get tired of a high of 75 and a low of 60. Of course, the trees and plants would get tired of it - they need the cold weather. They deserve a break, too.
I see the infamous Courtney has joined the ranks - time to make a first post, I think, C!
I don't know anything interesting, but just thought that since the weather was so nice, I'd comment on it. I hope everyone is having a fabulous weekend - mine is pretty quiet. Jim has gone to a family wedding (a niece) and I really didn't feel up to the noise, etc. I've had a headache for four days, and I'm sick to death of it. So I get a quiet evening to enjoy the pounding in my head.
I wish that our family didn't inherit this weak-headedness - I'm sick of it after all these years!
Friday, October 07, 2005
Show Your Colors
Who will be wearing OU Crimson and who will be wearing Texas Burnt Orange this weekend?
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
Happy Birthday!
Happy, Happy Birthday, Barb--how many candles on that cake??? Not as many as Jason's, I know that!
Hope you have a marvelous day, honey. Love you.
Hope you have a marvelous day, honey. Love you.
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
Lizzie--"artist" in training???
Got this from Ellen on Monday. This, she says, is why we only get "art work" from Amanda.
Thursday, September 29, 2005
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
It's Not Cracker Jacks, Baby!
After eight years and a nice dinner, Ries proposed to me last night. I am now the owner of the most expensive thing in the house, a diamond and sapphire ring. Yay! We are aiming for April, after Easter.
Michelle
Michelle
Monday, September 26, 2005
Bettye Nell
Joyce Edgar Phipps, Louis' niece, wrote that she'd gotten an email from Bettye Nell today. Bettye spent the weekend with her brother and sister-in-law. She's tired but fine. Didn't say whether there was damage but power was out for a while. Obviously it's back on since she was able to email. So, she came through it okay, too.
Glad to hear everyone is settling back into their routines.
Dare I say that I'm looking forward to Harv's junket in a couple of weeks? I'll have plenty of time to get everything ready for two weeks worth of company! His sister, Linda, arrives a week after he gets home.
Glad to hear everyone is settling back into their routines.
Dare I say that I'm looking forward to Harv's junket in a couple of weeks? I'll have plenty of time to get everything ready for two weeks worth of company! His sister, Linda, arrives a week after he gets home.
Hurricane? What hurricane?
So the only part of Rita that we got up here in Stillwater is the clouds. Which is weird, if you think about it. I'm glad everyone made it and that we are all safe. All us south Texas kids up here got together to check on eachother's families. And everyone is fine. I made it through my first round of tests just fine. So 22 days until I go home. I know my mom is counting down. I babysat Grant Luster last night and he is soo cute. Mark and Julie have been really great. I'm so lucky to have them here. Anyway, I better get to bed! I love you guys!
Rachael
Rachael
Sunday, September 25, 2005
Back home
I finally got back home around noon today. Kim went out and found gas for me, close to her house, and I was never so glad to see a gas station that was open in my life!
What a weird feeling that was - being stuck at Kim's house, 25 miles or so from home, and unable to get there.
My neighborhood had much more damamge than Kim's did. Lots of downed trees, and basically everyone in the neighborhood has roof damage. I lost quite a few shingles, and so I get to deal with the insurance on that. My fence stayed intact, which is better than what happened to lots of folks.
This evening all the Warner Cable customers lost cable and internet - Dad and I included. It is just now back up (obviously!). No clue what happened, but it seemed to be system wide. Very weird.
No work for me tomorrow, and Tuesday is looking iffy. If my students aren't at work, I don't teach. At least it will give me time to get the stuff with the insurance settled.
Thanks, everyone, for your concern for our safety. This turned out to be very easy, all things considered, at least for us. Some folks had it much harder, of course, and I'm sorry for them. I just wish I thought that this was the last hurricane of the season for us, but somehow, I doubt it.
I'll update again when I know what's up with the roof.
What a weird feeling that was - being stuck at Kim's house, 25 miles or so from home, and unable to get there.
My neighborhood had much more damamge than Kim's did. Lots of downed trees, and basically everyone in the neighborhood has roof damage. I lost quite a few shingles, and so I get to deal with the insurance on that. My fence stayed intact, which is better than what happened to lots of folks.
This evening all the Warner Cable customers lost cable and internet - Dad and I included. It is just now back up (obviously!). No clue what happened, but it seemed to be system wide. Very weird.
No work for me tomorrow, and Tuesday is looking iffy. If my students aren't at work, I don't teach. At least it will give me time to get the stuff with the insurance settled.
Thanks, everyone, for your concern for our safety. This turned out to be very easy, all things considered, at least for us. Some folks had it much harder, of course, and I'm sorry for them. I just wish I thought that this was the last hurricane of the season for us, but somehow, I doubt it.
I'll update again when I know what's up with the roof.
Saturday, September 24, 2005
Rita Rita Rita
We are fine..no power outage, barely any rain...a few twigs off the trees, some bigger branches around the neighborhood. Problem is..NO FUEL.. people are being asked not to come back. We dont know when we will be back to work. Half million with no power around the region, and no gas in the stations. So they dont want people back in Houston.
W
hen things change I'll let y'all know
Thanks for y'alls concern.
W
hen things change I'll let y'all know Thanks for y'alls concern.
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Fabulous picture
This is a great satellite image - looks just like a spiral shell, or something.
Really beautiful. Too bad it is so deadly, huh.
They have officially upgraded Rita to category 5 - 165 mph sustained winds.
Ouch.
I'll be heading to Kim's tomorrow sometime, after I batten down the house. I have to teach tonight.
Really beautiful. Too bad it is so deadly, huh.
They have officially upgraded Rita to category 5 - 165 mph sustained winds.
Ouch.
I'll be heading to Kim's tomorrow sometime, after I batten down the house. I have to teach tonight.
31!!!!
Hi everyone. Thanks for the B-day Wishes. Karen for some strange reason the city of College Station has this CRAZY pollicy about not drinking on the job! even on you b-day! but I will take care of the bottle stuff tonigh though. I really didn't have a bad day yesterday it was kind of nice. We didn't have any bad calls or anything crazy just some medical stuff and one accident. If you do the math I am 31 but you know I just don't feel what I thought 31 would feel like and that is a good thing.
Well I have to go prepare for RITA. I was informed there would be manditory OT on Saterday morning if the storm stays on its projected path. I think we are just expecing some wind and Rain. They really expect most of the problems to be from the influx of people form the Galveston and Houston areas.
Jason
Well I have to go prepare for RITA. I was informed there would be manditory OT on Saterday morning if the storm stays on its projected path. I think we are just expecing some wind and Rain. They really expect most of the problems to be from the influx of people form the Galveston and Houston areas.
Jason
Rita update
Just so you know: Ries has to evacuate so we are going to College Station and then the lake. We are boarding up the house this afternoon and getting the heck outta dodge.
Michelle
Michelle
For Jason, the birthday boy!
I hope you had a wonderful birthday, sweetie.
Drink a great bottle of wine, relax, and enjoy yourself.
You deserve it!
Love you,
Karen
Drink a great bottle of wine, relax, and enjoy yourself.
You deserve it!
Love you,
Karen
Jason!
Your birthday, is it?
Well, I hope it is a fabulous one!
Drink a good bottle of wine, and enjoy yourself!
Love you, sweetheart,
Karen
Well, I hope it is a fabulous one!
Drink a good bottle of wine, and enjoy yourself!
Love you, sweetheart,
Karen
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
It's a Girl!!!!
They're 90+% sure. Ellen called a few minutes ago. She's fine, baby's fine and then she said to let everyone know 'cause she was headed for class (at CU in Boulder). She could have written here but . . . . I know my daughter--she's Dotty's niece!
Monday, September 19, 2005
Keep your fingers crossed...
Hurricane Rita seems to think it would be a good idea to hit Houston.
I, for one, disagree.
I know it is early to be worrying, but when you see pictures like this, it's hard not to worry just a bit, anyway.
66-8 Whoop!
Sorry it has been so long since I posted. Work has been keeping me very busy and I no longer have internet at home, thus making it hard for me to read all my blogs and write what I want. The Aggies had a good game, poor SMU, but by the end of it, my arms and legs were so burned I just wanted the game to be over already. Thank the Lord that our game this weekend is at 7 in the evening. I see OSU is representing well, though really I must say, orange really is an annoying color. ;) Rachael, are you coming down for the OSU A&M game?
I will say again, once more, the reason why my name is Jane on here is because I have another blog, which I write annonymously. It is about lots of things, but it is often about libraries. While many people in my profession, inlcuding my bosses, know that I have the blog, I do not want it to come up when I am Googled by a future employer. I did not want to wander into that grey area of professionalism and I did not want my blog to be only about libraries. People get fired over their blogs and I did not want to be one of them. Not that I would write anything bad, but you never know what someone would get peeved about.
Michelle
I will say again, once more, the reason why my name is Jane on here is because I have another blog, which I write annonymously. It is about lots of things, but it is often about libraries. While many people in my profession, inlcuding my bosses, know that I have the blog, I do not want it to come up when I am Googled by a future employer. I did not want to wander into that grey area of professionalism and I did not want my blog to be only about libraries. People get fired over their blogs and I did not want to be one of them. Not that I would write anything bad, but you never know what someone would get peeved about.
Michelle
Sunday, September 18, 2005
Remodeling is hell
I already knew that but it reached new heights yesterday. After Harv removed the toilet and vanity/sink from the guest bath he began moving the water pipes and sink drain line into the wall. That necessitated crawling from one end of the "basement" to the other and across but that's okay, I didn't have to go down there. He turned off the water so he could cut the lines, repositioned and then capped 'em. That was fine.
Yesterday he began the process of "welding" elbows on the PVC and using compression fittings to come out through the wall. He got the toilet one done, turned the water on to check for leaks and all was well. He went out to the workshop to start assembling the necessary for the new sink.
I was calmly reading in the den when I heard a "thunk". I checked to see if the ice dispenser had spit ice on the kitchen floor. Nope. Then I heard a "water sound". The elbow plus stub plus compression fitting had blown off and hit the opposite wall--the "thunk". By the time we got the water shut off the bathroom was flooded, of course. We cleaned it up and he went back to Home-away-from-home Depot and bought new and different pieces--all compression fittings except the elbow and stub which were welded BEFORE he put them in place. No leaks. But we still spent most of the day with the water shut off. Hard to accomplish anything!
He closed up the wall and started mudding his patches. Well, he would have but he didn't have enough drywall tape. Back to Home-away-from-home Depot for tape and, to be on the safe side, yet another of the hundreds of buckets of drywall mud we've bought over the past 31 years.
Currently he's putting on his final, knock-down texturing coat. Maybe it'll dry quickly enough to prime tonight and then paint tomorrow. We bought the paint and we have the primer---I think.
Yesterday he began the process of "welding" elbows on the PVC and using compression fittings to come out through the wall. He got the toilet one done, turned the water on to check for leaks and all was well. He went out to the workshop to start assembling the necessary for the new sink.
I was calmly reading in the den when I heard a "thunk". I checked to see if the ice dispenser had spit ice on the kitchen floor. Nope. Then I heard a "water sound". The elbow plus stub plus compression fitting had blown off and hit the opposite wall--the "thunk". By the time we got the water shut off the bathroom was flooded, of course. We cleaned it up and he went back to Home-away-from-home Depot and bought new and different pieces--all compression fittings except the elbow and stub which were welded BEFORE he put them in place. No leaks. But we still spent most of the day with the water shut off. Hard to accomplish anything!
He closed up the wall and started mudding his patches. Well, he would have but he didn't have enough drywall tape. Back to Home-away-from-home Depot for tape and, to be on the safe side, yet another of the hundreds of buckets of drywall mud we've bought over the past 31 years.
Currently he's putting on his final, knock-down texturing coat. Maybe it'll dry quickly enough to prime tonight and then paint tomorrow. We bought the paint and we have the primer---I think.
HEERRREEE COOOOMMES BULLET!!!!!!
3-0!!!!!!!!!
It feels good to win! I'm so glad my mom loves football and I have a pretty good idea what's goin on....unlike some girls...."why does he keep throwing himself on the ground? why won't he just let us tackle him?" Have you ever had a 6'5" 270 lb. lineman going full speed going body slam you onto astroturf?? That's why that skinny white guy keeps rolling onto the ground....good grief. ANYWAY!!! OSU football is the coolest thing I've ever seen!! Orange is my favorite color! And NOBODY has more school spirit than I do!!!! (except maybe Jason Murrell) I mean, I only have 5 orange shirts, and he can do like a whole load of just orange....and that's awesome!! Hey, all you ou fans...sorry to hear about the UCLA game.....NOT!!! o-who?? See you at Bedlam!!!
It feels good to win! I'm so glad my mom loves football and I have a pretty good idea what's goin on....unlike some girls...."why does he keep throwing himself on the ground? why won't he just let us tackle him?" Have you ever had a 6'5" 270 lb. lineman going full speed going body slam you onto astroturf?? That's why that skinny white guy keeps rolling onto the ground....good grief. ANYWAY!!! OSU football is the coolest thing I've ever seen!! Orange is my favorite color! And NOBODY has more school spirit than I do!!!! (except maybe Jason Murrell) I mean, I only have 5 orange shirts, and he can do like a whole load of just orange....and that's awesome!! Hey, all you ou fans...sorry to hear about the UCLA game.....NOT!!! o-who?? See you at Bedlam!!!
Saturday, September 17, 2005
More fun with Google
These guys sure have cool stuff!
Check this out. 3D aerial view of anywhere!
(small download required - virus free when I did it)
Check this out. 3D aerial view of anywhere!
(small download required - virus free when I did it)
Friday, September 16, 2005
Fun with Google Maps!
Okay, for those of you who have never had fun with Google Maps, I suggest you go play.
Google Maps is much fun, and a great way to spend time.
Next, for anyone who, as a kid, wanted to "dig a hole to China" in the backyard, you can now do that with this tool!
I come out somewhere in the Indian Ocean, digging from my house.
Enjoy!
Google Maps is much fun, and a great way to spend time.
Next, for anyone who, as a kid, wanted to "dig a hole to China" in the backyard, you can now do that with this tool!
I come out somewhere in the Indian Ocean, digging from my house.
Enjoy!
Thursday, September 15, 2005
And now..Jed with the weather
yes....our weather man's name is JED....God help me....Today in Good ole Stillwater, the high is 65, wind chill of 60, mostly cloudy, 90% of humidity, and no chance of fun in the sun for about 2 weeks! What the heck? Its September...its not supposed to be 65 yet!!! And I think this town was named after all the water standing around on campus....everyone in Drummond has a cold becuase you have to walk through 3 inches of water to get to the door so our jeans are wet....not that I'm complaining....but its freakin cold! geez...Us Texas girls aren't made for this kind of stuff......
The Itsy Bitsy Spider . . .
. . . was big, poisonous and living in Laura's sandbox.
Last night, Brian killed the above female and two males. And, crushed several egg sacs. It gives me the heebie jeebies just thinking about it.
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
I'm slow but . . .
I finally got around to reading all the blogs and a major question--who is Jane?--was answered. Okay, Michelle, I don't understand but, then, I don't need to.
Dotty--will you ever read this??? Once a week? Hah! Oh well, you don't have the free time I do.
The remodel project begins today--he's got exactly 22 days from today to get it completed--and I do mean Completed!!! Everything'll be new but the tub/surround so it's a lot of work. I'll help when I can but the space outside the tub is a mere 6 x 6 so there's not much room!
Dotty--will you ever read this??? Once a week? Hah! Oh well, you don't have the free time I do.
The remodel project begins today--he's got exactly 22 days from today to get it completed--and I do mean Completed!!! Everything'll be new but the tub/surround so it's a lot of work. I'll help when I can but the space outside the tub is a mere 6 x 6 so there's not much room!
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
I think I can, I think I can . . . .
We'll see if this works--I lost the email Kim originally sent. Karen sort of prompted me and Kim "redirected" me. So, we'll see.
We aren't doing much of anything here. It's still hot enough Harv doesn't want to start working on the landscaping on the west side of the house. It's oleanders and they are dirty, leggy and we don't like them. It has cooled down though, if 100 degree highs are "cool". I'm not complaining, though. I prefer to not face the fact that fall and winter are coming.
I'll have to experience them soon enough, anyway. We're definitely going to Denver at Christmas time as Ellen hopes to schedule the delivery for 27 Dec.--a couple of weeks before the due date. She doesn't want to risk going into labor and having the hospital not prepared to deal with any blood problems that may be present. So, we figure we'll go up for Christmas and stay a while. We may even go up in about 6 weeks. Harv's sister, Linda, is coming and we're hoping to meet Ellen, etc., in Albuquerque. But, if Ellen isn't able to travel, we might take a couple of extra days and go to Denver. Aunt Linda hasn't seen Ellen in a coon's age (25 years) and wants to meet the two blonde terrors. And Bob.
Evidently Ellen is reaping her due when it comes to Lizzie. She's well into the terrible twos. Nearly every time I call I can hear Lizzie hollering, screaming, crying in the background. And she is LOUD! When I ask Amanda (who LOVES to talk on the phone--or just plain talk) what's the matter she says "Oh, Mommy won't let Lizzie . . . . " or "Oh, Lizzie's mad 'cause she can't. . ."
One time recently she told me Lizzie was screaming 'cause Mommy was taking her off the dining room table. She climbed up there.
I'm pretty sure there's not much "toddler" to Amanda now and it kind of makes me sad. Talking to her on the phone is fun and she's certainly not shy about it. She sang Happy Birthday to me (on 9/7) and to Grandpa (on 8/18) with no prompting. She chatters away quite happily and usually is quite understandable. She's still into her dinosaurs and Dora and into dressing her big "Linda" doll (came from her Aunt Linda) in her clothes. Ellen said that Saturday "Linda" wore a favorite sundress and on Sunday Amanda wore it! It was large on the doll--I suggested Ellen give her some of the accumulated and stored clothes that are worn enough she won't put Lizzie in them.
Ginny is hoping to come when #3 (we find out gender in a couple of weeks) arrives. She says Steve definitely won't be able to take time but that she hopes to be able to do so. She's liking her classes (9 graduate hours) and her work (half-time with Space Grant office). In a week (I think) they have a regional NASA Space Studies conference The region is from ND to TX and west to the Pacific. Since their keynote speaker canceled because he's responsible for shuttle fuel tank oversight (which were manufactured in NO) they had to come up with someone else. I don't know who they got.
We have a couple of projects going--well, one anyway. Harv's started working on remodeling the guest bath. But, we haven't found what we want for a vanity cabinet so I think he's going to build it. That means the work waits until after Linda goes home (11/5) because he's only got three weeks to get the entire project done. We have to know what the vanity "footprint" is going to be before we can replace the floor (we have the tile). The new toilet can't be put in until the new floor is down and the painting can't be done until the toilet is out and before the floor is down. So . . . . maybe he'll just put in the exhaust fan and then we'll do some other short-term project.
Can't start on anything too terribly major because he's leaving for his annual Big 10 conference (at Ohio State this year). He's leaving on the 7th--three weeks from Friday--and will be gone until the 16th. He'll spend the weekends with his friend in Indiana. Maybe I will spend some of the time in OKC--and maybe I won't since Linda arrives on the 20th.
Enough--we'll see if I got it right.
We aren't doing much of anything here. It's still hot enough Harv doesn't want to start working on the landscaping on the west side of the house. It's oleanders and they are dirty, leggy and we don't like them. It has cooled down though, if 100 degree highs are "cool". I'm not complaining, though. I prefer to not face the fact that fall and winter are coming.
I'll have to experience them soon enough, anyway. We're definitely going to Denver at Christmas time as Ellen hopes to schedule the delivery for 27 Dec.--a couple of weeks before the due date. She doesn't want to risk going into labor and having the hospital not prepared to deal with any blood problems that may be present. So, we figure we'll go up for Christmas and stay a while. We may even go up in about 6 weeks. Harv's sister, Linda, is coming and we're hoping to meet Ellen, etc., in Albuquerque. But, if Ellen isn't able to travel, we might take a couple of extra days and go to Denver. Aunt Linda hasn't seen Ellen in a coon's age (25 years) and wants to meet the two blonde terrors. And Bob.
Evidently Ellen is reaping her due when it comes to Lizzie. She's well into the terrible twos. Nearly every time I call I can hear Lizzie hollering, screaming, crying in the background. And she is LOUD! When I ask Amanda (who LOVES to talk on the phone--or just plain talk) what's the matter she says "Oh, Mommy won't let Lizzie . . . . " or "Oh, Lizzie's mad 'cause she can't. . ."
One time recently she told me Lizzie was screaming 'cause Mommy was taking her off the dining room table. She climbed up there.
I'm pretty sure there's not much "toddler" to Amanda now and it kind of makes me sad. Talking to her on the phone is fun and she's certainly not shy about it. She sang Happy Birthday to me (on 9/7) and to Grandpa (on 8/18) with no prompting. She chatters away quite happily and usually is quite understandable. She's still into her dinosaurs and Dora and into dressing her big "Linda" doll (came from her Aunt Linda) in her clothes. Ellen said that Saturday "Linda" wore a favorite sundress and on Sunday Amanda wore it! It was large on the doll--I suggested Ellen give her some of the accumulated and stored clothes that are worn enough she won't put Lizzie in them.
Ginny is hoping to come when #3 (we find out gender in a couple of weeks) arrives. She says Steve definitely won't be able to take time but that she hopes to be able to do so. She's liking her classes (9 graduate hours) and her work (half-time with Space Grant office). In a week (I think) they have a regional NASA Space Studies conference The region is from ND to TX and west to the Pacific. Since their keynote speaker canceled because he's responsible for shuttle fuel tank oversight (which were manufactured in NO) they had to come up with someone else. I don't know who they got.
We have a couple of projects going--well, one anyway. Harv's started working on remodeling the guest bath. But, we haven't found what we want for a vanity cabinet so I think he's going to build it. That means the work waits until after Linda goes home (11/5) because he's only got three weeks to get the entire project done. We have to know what the vanity "footprint" is going to be before we can replace the floor (we have the tile). The new toilet can't be put in until the new floor is down and the painting can't be done until the toilet is out and before the floor is down. So . . . . maybe he'll just put in the exhaust fan and then we'll do some other short-term project.
Can't start on anything too terribly major because he's leaving for his annual Big 10 conference (at Ohio State this year). He's leaving on the 7th--three weeks from Friday--and will be gone until the 16th. He'll spend the weekends with his friend in Indiana. Maybe I will spend some of the time in OKC--and maybe I won't since Linda arrives on the 20th.
Enough--we'll see if I got it right.
Monday, September 12, 2005
Sunday, September 11, 2005
9/11 and the Sport of God
Bill Moyers remembering 9/11, and other things
Interesting, if long, address at Union Theological Seminary.
Food for thought.
Interesting, if long, address at Union Theological Seminary.
Food for thought.
Friday, September 09, 2005
Football!!
2-0 baby!!!!
O-K-L-A-H-O-M-A
STATE!
GO! GO POKES! GO POKES! GO POKES! GO!
O-S-U
COWBOYS!!!!
I LOVE MIKE GUNDY!
O-K-L-A-H-O-M-A
STATE!
GO! GO POKES! GO POKES! GO POKES! GO!
O-S-U
COWBOYS!!!!
I LOVE MIKE GUNDY!
I hate insomnia
You know, I really should be asleep. I should have been asleep hours ago.
But noooooooooo. I'm still awake, with a pounding headache, so I thought I would blather on at you guys.
I have nothing interesting to say, however.
Well, Kim's birthday is next week.
Kimmy, what do you want for your birthday?
See, if I ask her here, she can't say I didn't ask, right?
:)
I'm the evil big sister, just like always.
I do believe that the season is starting to change. It is still hot as hell, but the cicadas are singing, and that always is the death knell of summer.
Plus, the grass seems to be growing more slowly, which is always a good sign.
I just can't wait for it to cool off. It has been too hot this year.
And now, we have another hurricane coming. I wish we could reason with them, and explain that a) Florida has had enough hurricanes to last the rest of the decade, if not longer and b) we cannot risk it raining on LA/MS/AL at all. Somehow, though, I doubt that talking to the silly thing would do much good. Sounds like a good idea, but then, that could be sleep deprivation-induced hallucinations.
I'm going to try to go back to bed now. Aren't you glad you are asleep, instead of making inane blog posts? I knew you were.
But noooooooooo. I'm still awake, with a pounding headache, so I thought I would blather on at you guys.
I have nothing interesting to say, however.
Well, Kim's birthday is next week.
Kimmy, what do you want for your birthday?
See, if I ask her here, she can't say I didn't ask, right?
:)
I'm the evil big sister, just like always.
I do believe that the season is starting to change. It is still hot as hell, but the cicadas are singing, and that always is the death knell of summer.
Plus, the grass seems to be growing more slowly, which is always a good sign.
I just can't wait for it to cool off. It has been too hot this year.
And now, we have another hurricane coming. I wish we could reason with them, and explain that a) Florida has had enough hurricanes to last the rest of the decade, if not longer and b) we cannot risk it raining on LA/MS/AL at all. Somehow, though, I doubt that talking to the silly thing would do much good. Sounds like a good idea, but then, that could be sleep deprivation-induced hallucinations.
I'm going to try to go back to bed now. Aren't you glad you are asleep, instead of making inane blog posts? I knew you were.
Thursday, September 08, 2005
School Days, School Days . . .
Laura started back to Day School on Tuesday. This is the picture we took right before we left for school.
She has really been enjoying it, and I already have three new pieces of art to display.
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
Changing shifts
Hello everyone. I hope everyone is doing well. I am doing fine, so is Jennifer. I will be changing to the B shift on the 20th of Sept. We have a new station opening and they needed warm bodies on the B shift. I was looking forward to not working on Christmas but I guess someone has to.
Jennifer is working on finishing up her rough draft of her thesis. I think 99% of what she has left is a lot of editing and formatting. She gets excited and frustrated all a the same time, but there is a definite "light at the end of the tunnel".
Now for a little commentary. I am not sure how any one else feels about the things going on in LA AL and MS. Everyone has heard of the violence the has descended on what is left of New Orleans. Some of the major news organizations have reported on lots of violence to the people left in New Orleans but not so much on the People helping out down there. There are several people from CSFD who went to Ne. Or. and have told us of some horrible stories. One guy on my Shift at My station told of one guy who would not leave (fine if you want to stay there, they were marking his house to let the authorities know there is a guy who didn't want to go. He then preceded to pull a shotgun on the very people who are trying to help him out!! Luckily nothing came of it. Who in the hell do these people think they are!!!! There is no reason for any of the rescuers to put up with that kind of behavior from any one for any reason!! I know how I feel and I think most of the guys have the same sort of feelings. If you need help I will be there, if you threaten my life you *#& is on your own! Just needed to vent alittle
Jason
Jennifer is working on finishing up her rough draft of her thesis. I think 99% of what she has left is a lot of editing and formatting. She gets excited and frustrated all a the same time, but there is a definite "light at the end of the tunnel".
Now for a little commentary. I am not sure how any one else feels about the things going on in LA AL and MS. Everyone has heard of the violence the has descended on what is left of New Orleans. Some of the major news organizations have reported on lots of violence to the people left in New Orleans but not so much on the People helping out down there. There are several people from CSFD who went to Ne. Or. and have told us of some horrible stories. One guy on my Shift at My station told of one guy who would not leave (fine if you want to stay there, they were marking his house to let the authorities know there is a guy who didn't want to go. He then preceded to pull a shotgun on the very people who are trying to help him out!! Luckily nothing came of it. Who in the hell do these people think they are!!!! There is no reason for any of the rescuers to put up with that kind of behavior from any one for any reason!! I know how I feel and I think most of the guys have the same sort of feelings. If you need help I will be there, if you threaten my life you *#& is on your own! Just needed to vent alittle
Jason
Sunday, September 04, 2005
us against us....its a very sad time
Well by now we are all fairly saturated with the horrible situation in New Orleans and the rest of the places destroyed by Katrina. Nothing we've ever been through could prepare us for what we've seen and heard this last week. There are not words to describe how sad we are for the people and families that Katrina has destroyed. To have lost everything, homes, schools, businesses, and many, many lives, in one fell swoop is very hard to comprehend.
But no matter what I get told about the situation, I can't reconcile in my mind the fact that our National Guard is there fully armed defending us against....us. The only time I remember seeing this is in full scale riot situations, like South LA, during the Rodney King thing. And then it was short lived and controlled quickly. Seeing National Guardsmen fully armed against people that are preying on their devastated neighbors is just not a thing I can digest easily.
The world is watching, and commenting, unfortunately, on how we are handling this. I've read comments from all over the world..and it basically boils down to...what the hell is wrong over there? Did President Bush wait too long? Did he wait at all or did it just take too long to mobilize? Does it matter that most of these people were offered a way out before the storm hit? Does it matter that in reality it takes time to move equipment, mobilize troops, get supplies together, and actually make some progress on something like this? Does it matter that New Orleans has known this was a possiblity all along, that one day the 'big one' could obliterate the city? And yet, Mayor Nagin only blames the federal govt. No, none of this matters now. Bush and his administration will bear the brunt of the blame for how all this went down. And some of that blame will be well place I'm sure. But I'm also reasonably sure that no matter how quickly troops were brought in, how fast the decisions were made, there would be just as much outrage at the handling of it.
I've been involved in 2 situations like this. They were not nearly so horrible or devastating (except to the people that lost everything) but disasters, nonetheless. Twice since I've had my job, floods have paralyzed Houston and the surrounding areas. Most recently Tropical Storm Allison put Houston under water, not unlike Katrina did to New Orleans, but with lesser wind damage. And luckily, the water drained off fairly quickly in most areas. I worked very closely with FEMA and the local authorities trying to contact people that were on streets where every house had 5-9 feet of water in it. They were out there in boats knocking on every door, trying to reach people that were stranded, most of them very elderly and totally in shock. Then I dealt with these victims face to face as they tried to get their water wells cleaned up. We even had our children at the lab helping with anything they could while we stayed open 12 hours a day, 7 days a week. So I've seen first hand how hard it is to even find a place to start with victims like this.
My point with all this is...maybe the blame culture we live in needs to take a break and just concentrate on getting things taken care of.
I have never been a fan of the press, and this disaster just confirms all my reasons why. It will be a long, long time before I get the pictures out of my mind. Seeing a cameraman from CNN keep his camera on a very small baby sleeping in a carseat on the grass...sweating, in only a diaper, with a pacifier...absolutely no protection from the sun. Why didn't he put the camera down and move that baby to the shade somewhere? Even if it was with his own body...he could have helped. But no, he just kept broadcasting that while the reporter complained that Bush wasnt doing enough. In my mind that was inexcusable, horrific sensationalism. I guess dreams of a Pulitzer make them able to sleep at night.
I hope and pray that the people rescued from New Orleans are able to regain something of their old life, and start new ones that will be even better.
This is an catastrophic tragedy, made so much worse by inhuman crimes against ourselves. It's such a sad time.
But no matter what I get told about the situation, I can't reconcile in my mind the fact that our National Guard is there fully armed defending us against....us. The only time I remember seeing this is in full scale riot situations, like South LA, during the Rodney King thing. And then it was short lived and controlled quickly. Seeing National Guardsmen fully armed against people that are preying on their devastated neighbors is just not a thing I can digest easily.
The world is watching, and commenting, unfortunately, on how we are handling this. I've read comments from all over the world..and it basically boils down to...what the hell is wrong over there? Did President Bush wait too long? Did he wait at all or did it just take too long to mobilize? Does it matter that most of these people were offered a way out before the storm hit? Does it matter that in reality it takes time to move equipment, mobilize troops, get supplies together, and actually make some progress on something like this? Does it matter that New Orleans has known this was a possiblity all along, that one day the 'big one' could obliterate the city? And yet, Mayor Nagin only blames the federal govt. No, none of this matters now. Bush and his administration will bear the brunt of the blame for how all this went down. And some of that blame will be well place I'm sure. But I'm also reasonably sure that no matter how quickly troops were brought in, how fast the decisions were made, there would be just as much outrage at the handling of it.
I've been involved in 2 situations like this. They were not nearly so horrible or devastating (except to the people that lost everything) but disasters, nonetheless. Twice since I've had my job, floods have paralyzed Houston and the surrounding areas. Most recently Tropical Storm Allison put Houston under water, not unlike Katrina did to New Orleans, but with lesser wind damage. And luckily, the water drained off fairly quickly in most areas. I worked very closely with FEMA and the local authorities trying to contact people that were on streets where every house had 5-9 feet of water in it. They were out there in boats knocking on every door, trying to reach people that were stranded, most of them very elderly and totally in shock. Then I dealt with these victims face to face as they tried to get their water wells cleaned up. We even had our children at the lab helping with anything they could while we stayed open 12 hours a day, 7 days a week. So I've seen first hand how hard it is to even find a place to start with victims like this.
My point with all this is...maybe the blame culture we live in needs to take a break and just concentrate on getting things taken care of.
I have never been a fan of the press, and this disaster just confirms all my reasons why. It will be a long, long time before I get the pictures out of my mind. Seeing a cameraman from CNN keep his camera on a very small baby sleeping in a carseat on the grass...sweating, in only a diaper, with a pacifier...absolutely no protection from the sun. Why didn't he put the camera down and move that baby to the shade somewhere? Even if it was with his own body...he could have helped. But no, he just kept broadcasting that while the reporter complained that Bush wasnt doing enough. In my mind that was inexcusable, horrific sensationalism. I guess dreams of a Pulitzer make them able to sleep at night.
I hope and pray that the people rescued from New Orleans are able to regain something of their old life, and start new ones that will be even better.
This is an catastrophic tragedy, made so much worse by inhuman crimes against ourselves. It's such a sad time.
Pictures from my room!!!!
This is my roommates bed/side of the room
This is my extra cute rug!
Tv/microwave combo....
My Desk/closet/fridge area
My bed and side of the board
My entire side of the room
Saturday, September 03, 2005
GO FROGS!
7th ranked OU - 10
Un-ranked TCU - 17
I won't even get into what a big upset this is, but if you're interested, just go to http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=252460201
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