Top 10 Benefits of Gossip - #6

The book of Proverbs will talk about you like you're a hero.

Proverbs 10:18 - He who conceals his hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander (gossips) is a fool. (NIV)

Too Old for MySpace?

A couple of things happening at one time led me to create a MySpace. After vain searches for backgrounds that I liked (and that fit on one screen wide so that it is not necessary to scroll left and right), I finally created my own MySpace layout. Now I've spent a couple hours "perfecting the look" and I'm asking myself, "Now what?"

So why did I do this again? First, I read in an article:

Young people see it as a good way to reach an elder - a teacher or parent - or to receive an attached file. But increasingly, the former darling of communication is losing favour to instant and text messaging. "In this world of instant gratification, email has become the new snail mail," says 25-year-old Californian Rachel Quizon. (Source: Snail Email, Fox News)

And then the same week I read this, I was talking with some friends about the "interesting" cell phone habits of those whose generation was pre-cell phone. One such person said, "If you will tell me when you're going to call, I'll turn on my cell phone."

So what does this have to do with me and MySpace? Well, I've checked out MySpace a couple times since it is so "hip" and "with the times" (although I don't think the word "hip" is hip anymore), but since I already blog at Blogspot (The Hurts in Texas), I did not see the need. Besides, MySpace seems more about social networking, and my social network doesn't use it much. (Like I'm really much of a 'social person' anyway?) Maybe I'm just too old for MySpace.

Now I'm not trying to stay twenty-something forever (about a decade too late for that!), but I don't want to get "old" either. So after watching Brooke on MySpace for a while, I thought I'd give it a try. Now that I've got my site up, it seems pretty cool the first few visits, but then it's like "Well, I've seen that before." I'm looking for something new if I am going to return to somebody's site. To me, the key is blogging. If a person is blogging, there is something fresh that makes it worth coming back.

So now I'm looking at the pros and cons of MySpace and Blogger:

* Just figured out I can't do a bulleted list on MySpace (1 for Blogger)

* I can do a slide show on MySpace but not on Blogger (1 for MySpace)

* I've only been on MySpace for a couple days, but posting to Blogger is much easier using the FireFox browser that I prefer (2 for Blogger)

* I like the fact that my 'favorites' is easier to find on MySpace (2 for MySpace)

* I can only post my geocahing stats (in graphic form) on Blogger (3 for Blogger)

* It is much easier to make a customized MySpace layout so I don't look like everybody else out there (3 for MySpace)

* I don't see an easy way to posts lists of links on MySpace like I can on Blogger (4 for MySpace)

* I saw a countdown thingy on Brooke's MySpace that I really like and could not do it on Blogger (4 for MySpace)

* BIG downer for MySpace...WAY, WAY, WAY too much stuff is advertised with girls who ain't wearing enough to be decent! It's in the ads, it's in the free layouts, in other free customizations for your site and even on the page where I OK messages to make sure they are not inappropriate. The message is appropriate, but the girl in the bikini advertising a "personal" date certainly is not. This definitely scores some negative points for MySpace.

So, for now I'm going to post the majority of my blogs in both places and see what kind of response I get. I think I'm also going to continue to look for way to put a photo slide show on my Blogger site.

Have an opinion? Let me know what you think.

- Rob

P.S. Oops...no spell check for MySpace blogging? Lose another point!

Added 8/31/-6 - See post dated for Aug. 31. Everywhere I turned on MySpace there were ladies WAY under-dressed. Too much for me to feel good about. Bye, Bye MySpace.

We'll See What Comes of It

Don't know if you noticed or not, but I've changed up my blog template a little. Just a little...I added the photos at the top. I've been noticing all of these offers to "update" my layout and template, but the "new" stuff doesn't appear to be all that new. Is it just me?

But I did get tired of looking like everybody else. I looked at some other templates online and found just one that I liked, but I had trouble getting it to work correctly. I finally picked apart the template code enough to figure out how to do the picture thing.

For a while now, Brooke has been on MySpace. I have not been all that interested in it because I have no real need for the networking aspect and I'm very happy with Blogger for my blogging needs. But I did like the slide show stuff Brooke did on MySpace, the countdown dealy-bop she had was also cool. So tonight, with some help from Brooke, I got a MySpace. I'm gonna keep my blogging here, but I'll see what comes of the MySpace. I tried to post one blog there to say come to Blogger to read my "real blog", but the feature is messing up tonight. One more reason to stay with Blogger. So stay posted...this is where it's at.

- Rob

Top 10 Benefits of Gossip - #7

Peace will follow you wherever you go.

Proverbs 17:9 - He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. (NIV)

When It's OK to Worry

Don't worry about what you do not understand in the Bible. Worry instead about what you do understand but do not live by.

Top 10 Benefits of Gossip - #8

You can pass on "the facts" about what "really happened"

Ephesians 4:29 - Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (NIV)

Top 10 Benefits of Gossip - #9

Gossip leads you naturally into God's presence.

Psa 15:1-3 – Lord, who may go and find refuge and shelter in your tabernacle up on your holy hill? Anyone who leads a blameless life and is truly sincere. Anyone who refuses to slander others, does not listen go gossip, never harms his neighbor. (TLB)

Top 10 Benefits of Gossip - #10

Everybody will come to you when they need to share something personal.

Prov 11:13 - A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret. (NIV)

I Love Your Word

Psalm 119:29-40, NLT

Keep me from lying to myself;
give me the privilege of knowing your law.

I have chosen to be faithful;
I have determined to live by your laws.

I cling to your decrees.
LORD, don't let me be put to shame!

If you will help me,
I will run to follow your commands.

Teach me, O LORD,
to follow every one of your principles.

Give me understanding and I will obey your law;
I will put it into practice with all my heart.

Make me walk along the path of your commands,
for that is where my happiness is found.

Give me an eagerness for your decrees;
do not inflict me with love for money!

Turn my eyes from worthless things,
and give me life through your word.

Reassure me of your promise,
which is for those who honor you.

Help me abandon my shameful ways;
your laws are all I want in life.

I long to obey your commandments!
Renew my life with your goodness.

When NOT to Call a Psychic

You will meet a beautiful young lady who will want to know everything about you," said the psychic to the frog who had telephoned her hotline.

"That's fabulous. Where will I meet her? In the park, along the seashore, on the trail to the woods?"

"No," countered the psychic. "Next semester in her biology class."

Overheard

A woman on a cell phone: "Why would I read your blog? I don't even like talking to you."

San Francisco Chronicle, submitted to Reader's Digest by Ellen Denmead

Windows Vista To Ship in 33 Different Versions

Here's the story.

Sorry, a little geek humor.

- Rob

More Discussions With the Humanists

I was reading the Humanist News blog again tonight (I do so from time-to-time in order to dialog with them), and I ran across this posting:

A provision requiring that textbooks describe the significant accomplishments of gays and lesbians in United States history has been removed from a California bill. The bill now only prohibits teachings and activities that "reflect adversely" on individuals based on sexual orientation.

While I applaud the state's effort to include protection for gays and lesbians in their existing anti-discrimination law, denying the achievements of the gay rights movement in America by excluding it from school textbooks is detrimental to all students. History books recall the struggles of the women's right to vote in the early 20th century and the civil rights movement in the 1960s. How is this any different?

Politicians can't hide the truth forever. The gay rights movement plays a critical role in our nation's history and it deserves the same respect and prominence in history textbooks as other movements that fought for equality and rights for all Americans.

- Maggie

I generally get a frank but friendly response to my comments on the posts at their site, and I try to be equally amiable but direct. I'm not sure what kind of response I will get after the comment I left this time, but you can click on the link to the article above and find out if you are so inclined. My comment was as follows:

HOW FAR DO WE GO?
I do not mean to be crude or disrespectful to anybody here. Feel free to delete my comment if you find it offensive, but what in the world does a person's sexual orientation have to do with their service or accomplishments for this country? Do we need to go back through history and find those who were born with a bestiality gene and make sure that we recognize them in our history books as well? If they did something noteworthy in history, then let's recognize them. We don't need to point out they were gay or lesbian (or whatever you call a person who is into bestiality) just because it is politically correct to show that we are tolerant of people and that we are no longer allowed to have an opinion on what is right and wrong. Let's recognize a person's achievements based on the merits of that achievement and leave the rest out.

- Rob

What's Wrong With This Picture

Do you see anything wrong with this picture? Look toward the top of the tree...see that split? What you are looking at is not the bushy side of a tree, it is a branch that is supposed to be 15-20 feet off the ground. When I looked outside this morning, I saw the branch hanging down to the ground. This evening, I heard it rip a bit more and then this is what it looked like.

The thing is gonna have to come down so I can cut it up (wow, now THERE'S a fun job), but I'm not sure how to get it down. I suppose I could wait until it blows down, but I'm concerned it may fall on my fence which will undoubtedly crush it. The alternatives? I don't know...climb up in the tree, tie a rope around the limb and try to pull it off to the side with a pickup truck? I don't know.

For now I'm just gonna post this picture and ponder what to do next. If it falls and crushes the fence at least I will have learned one thing...I pondered for too long! Guess maybe I'll try to talk a friend into helping me tackle this thing on Thursday. (I don't want to mention any names here, but the friend I was referring works with me, has a white pickup and reads my blog. You available on Thursday, friend?)

- Rob

Things Looking Up Today

Yea! Today was a good day...a nice break from the routine these past two weeks. First of all, Brooke felt good enough to go to church today. She had two big pillows to sit on and stayed seated pretty much the whole time, but that's an improvement. She's been a little depressed being in constant pain and not being able to do anything. I think today brought back hope. Lots of people have been praying for her, and more prayed for her at church today. We thank our friends for praying and the Lord for moving on Brooke's behalf. We have a Dr. appointment and an appointment with the chiropractor tomorrow.

We had good grub for lunch today, too. Amanda and I ate at the Newcomers' Reception after church and Brooke started on some wonderful chicken a friend at church fixed for us today. (Thank you to those of you who have fixed meals, too).

After lunch, I took a nap which felt wonderful. After that, Amanda and I went out geocahing...the first time in two weeks! (see stats after today) Man, this was a great way to relax and take a break from the hectic schedule these past two weeks. Thank you, Lord, for a good day. Think I'm ready for the week now. And we're believing we're gonna see more improvement in Brooke's back, so that will make for a good week, too.

So here's a few photos for the week:

The torture continues. Yes, Boo literally has a monkey on her back...Amanda Kay strikes again!

The cousins are visiting. My parents are camping this weekend, so we're keeping their dogs.
Left to right: Buster, Ralph, Boo, Dooley, Sully


Ralph making himself at home with Sully and me


Sully letting Brooke know he is "there for her" as she recuperates from back problems

Robot Bartender

A man walked into a very high-tec bar. As he sat down on a stool he noticed that the bartender was a robot. The robot clicked to attention and asked "Sir, what will you have?"???

The man thought a moment then replied? "A martini please".???

The robot clicked a couple of times and mixed the best martini the man had ever had. The robot then asked "sir, what is your IQ?"? The man answered "oh, about 164."

The robot then proceeded to discuss the 'theory of relativity', 'inter-steller space travel' 'the latest medical break throughs' etc........

The man was most impressed. He left the bar but thought he would try a different tactic. He returned and took a seat. Again the robot clicked and asked what he would have??

'A Martini please'.

Again it was surpurb. The robot again asked "what is your IQ sir?' This time the man answered "Oh about 100". So the robot started discussing Nascar racing, the latest basketball scores, and what to expect the Dodgers to do this weekend.

The guy had to try it one more time. So he left, returned and took a stool.... Again a martini, and the question "What is your IQ?"??? This time the man drawled out " Uh..... bout 50"..

The robot clicked then leaned close and very slowly
asked " A-r-e y-o-u-r p-e-o-p-l-e g-o-i-n-g t-o n-o-m-i-n-a-t-e H-i-l-l-a-r-y?

E-mailed from a friend

Picture: First Day of Second Grade

With everything else that has been going on this week, my "little" girl done growed up and started second grade. With that in mind, I thought I'd go ahead and post this now. In a few years, I'm just going to photocopy it and hang the copies on the front door!

Application for Permission to Date my Daughter

Notice: this application will be incomplete and rejected unless accompanied by a complete financial statement, job history, lineage, criminal history, driving history and psychological evaluation.

1. Name ____________ Date of Birth _____________

2. Height ____ Weight ____ I.Q. _____ G.P.A. ______

3. Social Security # _____ Driver's License # ______

4. Home Address _____________________________

5. Telephone # _________ Pager # _______________

6. How fast can you run 40 yards? ____ 2 miles?____

7. Do you own? A) A van ___ B) A motorcycle ___ C) A waterbed ____

8. Is any part of your body pierced? (Includes earrings) ___ Tattooed? ____

[NOTE: IF YOU ANSWERED YES TO ANY PART OF QUESTION 7 OR 8, DISCONTINUE THE APPLICATION PROCESS AND LEAVE THE PREMISES!]

9. What does LATE mean to you? __________________

10. What does DON'T TOUCH MY DAUGHTER mean to you? __________

11. What does ABSTINENCE mean?______________________

12. Church you attend _____ How often attended __________

13. Best time to interview your Minister___ Mother ___ Father ___

14. Answer by filling the blanks. Please answer freely. All answers are confidential.

a. The last place I would like to be shot on my body is ______

b. If beaten, the last bone I would like to be broken is ______

c. The one thing I hope this application does not ask about is _____

d. In the event of my untimely death, please notify _____

e. My greatest fear is _____

f. When I meet a girl, the first thing I notice about her is ____

IF THE ANSWER TO "f" BEGINS WITH THE LETTER "B",DISCONTINUE THE APPLICATION PROCESS AND LEAVE THE PREMISES

15. What do you want to be IF you grow up? ________________

16. Have you ever been fingerprinted? _____ Had a DNA sample recorded? ____

17. Your dentist is __________________________

I SWEAR THAT ALL INFORMATION SUPPLIED ABOVE IS CORRECT TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE UNDER PENALTY OF DEATH, DISMEMBERMENT, NATIVE AMERICAN ANT TORTURE, ELECTROCUTION, CHINESE WATER TORTURE AND RED HOT POKERS.

Signature __________________________________________________

Thank you for your interest. Please allow four to six years for processing. You will be contacted in writing if you are approved. Please do not try to call or write. (It could cause disqualification and injury to your body).

Stress Check

I follow a number of my friends' blogs, and one of those is Pastoral Ponderings which belongs to Pastor David. Great posting today entitled God Brews the Coffee, Not the Cups. Check it out.

A Guy I Really Admire

This is a picture of Dirk Wood, his wife Elizabeth and their daughter Abigail. I don't even begin to know how to describe Dirk if you've never met him.

Dirk is a fireball for God who loves the Lord, loves His Word, loves people and loves telling people about Jesus. When I first met Dirk, I guess I felt convicted all the time because I couldn't share Jesus like he did. He is the boldest, craziest and most creative witness for the Lord I have ever met. I've since come to accept the fact that God didn't make me like Dirk Wood and doesn't expect me to be like him, but the challenge he leaves in my heart in the area of witnessing is certainly of God.

Dirk is a missionary currently serving in South Africa. I just finished reading his July newsletter and wanted to share it with you. Check it out...you'll get a hint of what Dirk is like and I think you'll be challenged in your witnessing for the Lord, too.

And if are reading this post and are not a Christian, go ahead and read the newsletter and ask yourself, "What {or who} could radically change a person and so influence them to do what this guy does?"

I admire Dirk. He's taken flak even in Christian circles for his approach(es) to evangelism, but I doubt anybody who has ever attacked him has been anywhere near as bold as Dirk is for Christ. One bummer though...lots of things in this life I can say, "When I get to heaven, I'll be able to do that (like dance with rhythm!)." I don't think I can say, "When I get to heaven, I'll be able to witness as creatively as Dirk does"!

Instead, I'll just say I'm glad God has put us together as His family and Dirk is my brother. I think he's cool and he certainly challenges me in my witness for the Lord and love for His Word.

God bless you, Dirk. Saying a prayer for you today. Thank you for not being ashamed to be who God created you to be!

- Rob

Computer Problems

Tech support:  What kind of computer do you have?
Female customer:  A white one...
  ===============
Tech support:  Click on the 'my computer' icon on to the left of the screen.
Customer:  Your left or my left?
===============
Customer:  Hi, good afternoon, this is Martha, I can't print. Every time I try, it says 'Can't find printer'.  I've even lifted the printer and
placed it in front of the monitor, but the computer still says he can't
find it...
  ===============
Customer:  I have problems printing in red...
Tech support:  Do you have a colour printer?
Customer:  Aaaah....................thank you.
  ===============
Tech support:  What's on your monitor now, ma'am?
Customer:   A teddy bear my boyfriend bought for me at the 7-11.
  ===============
Customer:  My keyboard is not working anymore.
Tech support:  Are you sure it's plugged into the computer?
Customer:  No. I can't get behind the computer.
Tech support:  Pick up your keyboard and walk 10 paces back.
Customer:   OK
Tech support:  Did the keyboard come with you?
Customer:  Yes
Tech support:  That means the keyboard is not plugged in. Is there another keyboard?
Customer:  Yes, there's another one here. Ah..that one does work...
  ===============
Tech support:  Your password is the small letter "a" as in apple, a
capital letter V as in Victor, the number 7.
Customer:  Is that 7 in capital letters?
  == =============
Customer:  can't get on the Internet.
Tech support:  Are you sure you used the right password?
Customer:  Yes, I'm sure. I saw my colleague do it.
Tech support:  Can you tell me what the password was?
Customer:  Five stars.
===============
Tech support:  What anti-virus program do you use?
Customer:  Netscape.
Tech support:  That's not an anti-virus program.
Customer:  Oh, sorry...Internet Explorer.
  ============ ===
Customer:   I have a huge problem. A friend has placed a screen saver on my computer, but every time I move the mouse, it disappears.
  ===============
Tech support:  How may I help you?
Customer:  I'm writing my first e-mail.
Tech support:  OK,  and what seems to be the problem?
Customer:  Well, I have the letter 'a' in the address, but how do I get
the circle around it?
  ===============
A woman customer called the Canon help desk with a problem with her printer.
Tech support:  Are you running it under windows?
Customer:  "No, my desk is next to the door, but that is a good point.
The man sitting in the cubicle next to me is under a window, and his
printer is working fine."
  ===============
And last but not least...
Tech support:Okay Bob , let's press the control and escape keys at the same time. That brings up a task list in the middle of the screen. Now type the letter "P" to bring up the Program Manager."
Customer:  I don't have a P.
Tech support::  On your keyboard, Bob.
Customer:  What do you mean?
Tech support:  "P".....on your keyboard, Bob.
Customer:  I'M NOT GOING TO DO THAT!

Hodge Podge From a Crazy Week

It's been a crazy week and I haven't posted anything since last week, so I thought I'd throw a few random thoughts, pictures and links online before I sit down and try to relax and do a little reading.

Right now, I'm reading The Jericho Sanction, a novel by Oliver North. It is the second in a trilogy. I enjoyed the first book, Mission Compromised, but I think I like this one a little better.

I am enjoying some good worship music from AllWorship.com while sitting here.

Here's a link to a great commercial in the Ameriquest "Don't judge too quickly...we won't" series. A friend sent me this clip this week and I've watched it (and laughed) several times.

The youth group had a family night Mud Bowl this past Wednesday night. Pastor Shaun rented a tractor to till up the ground in preparation for the fire department coming to flood the area, but he got stuck in traffic on the way to the church. I helped out with the tractor and this is my best Farmer John impression.

Amanda could not wait for the pit to be created. She wanted to watch the youth group kids get all muddy, and after she saw it, she wanted to be a part. So, Wednesday night after youth group, I took her out and let her have at it.

I kept trying to get Amanda to waller in the mud a bit for a picture. She refused...until I offered her a dollar for it. Here she is earning her dollar.

So did I mention it's been a crazy week? Bless her heart, Brooke has been having back problems again this week. She has a history of back problems and had a flair up before we went to Alabama on vacation. It got bad enough she went to the doctor. He gave her a steroid prescription, and after a couple days, she was feeling better. After returning from Nicaragua, she started having problems again, and it got bad enough this week that I had to take her to the doctor again. He gave her another prescription for steroids and a referral to a physical therapist for two visits to learn how to do some exercises to help this not happen anymore. The steroids are not working so well this time and she has been pretty much on her back all week. Besides being in a lot of pain, she is getting frustrated that it is taking so long to get better and list of "things I've got to do" continues to grow. We would appreciate your praying with us for a total healing.

So this has made for an interesting week as I've been trying to get ready to preach today while being Daddy, husband and housekeeper while Brooke is down on her back. I went grocery shopping on Friday...the three week grocery shopping trip. I didn't know one could spend that much money on groceries! Brooke made out a very detailed list. I did have to make several phone calls to make sure I was buying the correct brand and to ask where one or two items were located, but I thought I did pretty well. Somehow, all of that stuff fit in just one basket, and I only had to go back for 4 items that I did not catch on my first pass through the store!

So all of this taking care of Brooke and taking care of Amanda threw my sermon preparation schedule off a bit, but we had a great service today. I absolutely love teaching and am thankful that my pastor give me the opportunity to preach when he is away. Should have the sermon online this week at the church web page (www.theVineFellowship.com) if you would want to check it out. I taught on Two Lessons From the Two-Talent Servant. Just one teaser from the sermon. Did you know "talent" in the parable does not mean "talent" as we typically think of it today? I've taught that we should use our talents, gifts and abilities for the Lord from this parable and believe that is an acceptable application of this story, but Jesus had something specific in mind when he taught about the talents. That's all I'll tell you...you'll have to check out the sermon to see what specific thing Jesus had in mind when he talked about "talents" in this story.

My parents usually visit the church on the Sundays I preach (which I think is cool), and we usually go out to eat with them afterwards. It was just Amanda and I with my parents today because of Brooke's back (we brought her back something). After that, I slept from 2:30-6:00pm! Guess that's why it's almost midnight and I'm still awake.

And then, to top off the crazy week, I went to take care of my pastor's pool one last time before they come home tomorrow sometime. I don't know exactly what happened, but when I got there tonight it was green and stuff was growing on the sides of the pool! I am not much of a pool expert, but I've taken care of his pool when he's out of town enough to know this is NOT how it's supposed to look. I desperately started scrubbing the "yuck" off the sides of the pool making it even greener. And then the brush broke! I found something else to use, but it did not work near as well. I checked the chemical levels in the pool and (obviously) the chlorine level was almost nill. I treated it, according to the instructions I was given, on Wednesday. Check the chemical levels on Thursday and they seemed ok. On Friday, I took Amanda swimming and cleaned the pool and added water to fill it to the level it was supposed to be. Since the chlorine was running a little low (I was trying to conserve for today's scheduled shock) and the levels looked good the day before, I did not test the water. Saturday got totally out of hand taking care of Brooke, Amanda and other home stuff while trying to prepare to preach, so I did not make it to the pool on yesterday. Well, obviously the combination of all these things was a DISASTER! Tonight I turned on the pump, scraped the "yuck" from the sides, shocked the pool and am praying DESPERATELY that things clear up by tomorrow, but I'm not real hopeful. I don't think Pastor will read this before he gets home, but after I check it in the morning, I'm probably gonna have to call and prepare him for coming home to a green pool (not something I am looking forward to). I'm still trying to figure out if it is ethical to erase this blog posting and not say a word if I get up tomorrow and by some miracle the pool is more blue than green!

One last funny story about the pool (Pastor, if you are reading this, I understand you are finding nothing humorous in this..sorry). I was stressing out in a major way when I saw the pool tonight, and after getting onto Amanda for jumping into this green mess, I was telling her what a poor job I had done (apparently) of taking care of pastor's pool. She suggested I just call him and ask him what to do, then after thinking about that, she said, "unless it means you will lose your job". Well, I didn't call in hopes that it will look at least a little better tomorrow when I probably will have to call, but I did appreciate my daughter's concern.

One last picture...Little George trying to escape the heat. I don't know if turtles are often described as "friendly", but George is. Even when he's buried like this, he always sticks his neck out to greet you when you get into his pen.

- Rob

TWO HUNDRED

Today I found my 200th cache with my
favorite geocahing partner, GeoPunkin.
You can click on the photo above
to see a slighly larger version of
the collage of some of my
favorite geocaching moments.

The Past Is Your Friend...

...as long as you remember its place.

That is all I have been thinking the past 10 minutes I have been awake. The message was so strong, I had to get up and write about it. You see, it was sometime yesterday I remember thinking about "the good 'ol days" when I was in college, and for the first time, I thought about those days in light of "I'll never see those days again" instead of "I am thankful for the great times I had." I wasn't really melencholy, but I wondered if that meant life was going to have more of those moments as I got older.

So I think that was what was on my mind when I was dreaming right before my alarm went off this morning. In my dream, I was back at a college campus. It was not exactly like my Alma Mater ONU (Olivet Nazarene University), but I knew that's where I was. First I tried to go to dinner. I was late arriving and had forgotten my student ID. I went back to my dorm to get my ID, but I got confused and went to a girls' dorm instead. And then once I got to my dorm, I couldn't find my room. And as I was trying to get to my dorm, I remembered the band concert I was supposed to be playing in (which is odd because I was never in band in college). But I knew I was late and was not going to make the concert. And then, when I got to my dorm, I was disappointed because it was supposed to be all festive and decorated for Christmas, but it just felt empty because everybody was gone (presumably to the band concert I was missing). I was very lonely and I had no friends. Most everything was pretty much the opposite of how I remember my college experience. I woke up feeling sad and lonely.

When the alarm went off, Brooke didn't move, but our doggies did. Sully came over and nudged me wanting to be loved. Boo came over to remind me it was breakfast time. As I woke up, I was still trying to shake off the sad and lonley feeling. It is not often I have a dream that really affects me emotionally after I wake up, but this one did. I could not figure out why I hadn't experienced any of my happy college memories (I had lots of them) in my dream.

As Sully nudged me again, and as I rolled over and looked at Brooke, I said to myself, "Well, if I lived back then again, I wouldn't have the family I have now" and it made me thankful for my family. And then I got up to let the dogs out, and I walked by Amanda's room and closed her door. If I lived back then, I wouldn't be Amanda's Daddy right now. And I was thankful for my life once again.

So I began to reflect on what the dream meant, which again is odd because I never think about my dreams having a meaning. But the thought that kept coming to me was, "The past is your friend as long as you remember its place." So I took just a moment and remembered my college days the way they really were. There were lots of good times, and there were times I just thank the Lord for his forgiveness.

But the past has its place. I am thankful for the good times and the good friends. I am also thankful that the sins of my past are past. There have been a few times where the devil has reminded me of some stupid decisions I made back then trying to affect my walk today. And I guess I tried to re-live the past as I thought about the good times yesterday.

But as I woke up this morning and asked the Lord about my sad and lonely dream, I think he taught me an important lesson. I cannot live in the good times of the past because they are gone and things will never be the same. Besides, look at all the good things I have now that I would miss out on. And there are bad things from the past, but they are in the past. They don't have to affect my life any longer. I really don't have to deal with many negative things in my past affecting me today very often, but I felt the Lord say this was also part of the message. I just got out of bed and I feel like God has already spoken to me today...and that's pretty cool!

The past is your friend as long as you remember its place.

Where's The American Press On This One?

THIS is the picture that damns Hezbollah. It is one of several, smuggled from behind Lebanon's battle lines, showing that Hezbollah is waging war amid suburbia.

The images, obtained exclusively by the Sunday Herald Sun, show Hezbollah using high-density residential areas as launch pads for rockets and heavy-calibre weapons. {click link to see pictures and read more}

12:50 AM

Well, this time tomorrow night my baby will be home. No, we're not expecting again...I'm talking about Brooke. It has been a long 9 days, but Amanda and I have managed to stay pretty busy, so I guess the time has passed as fast as 9 days can pass. But no matter how well the week went, we can't wait for Mommy to come home tomorrow night! We are excited (or 'excitec' as Amanda says).

Since Brooke has been gone, I've tried to make sure to do special things with Amanda to help the time go by. OK, special things with Amanda to help the time go by for me, too. So last night, we had to stay a little late at work to finish up a few things for the week. Then we went swimming and grabbed McDonald's for dinner. This morning, we got up and went to Krispy Kreme. (I know...that's a lot of health food in a 12 hour time span!) On the way home from Krispy Kreme, I asked Amanda what she would like to do today and she told me she'd like to go to the mall. So we came home, I did a little house cleaning and worked some sermon prep until 3pm when we headed for the mall. We spent well over an hour going through Heart to Heart (I think that's the name of the store...it's a 'girl store', that's all I know). And then we were on to LibbyLou (I'm sure I'm spelling that wrong, but again, a 'girl store' so I'm not gonna worry about it too much). And then it was off to Build-A-Bear with stops along the way to look at all the jewelry kiosks. And, of course, the Disney Store was right across the way, so we had to stop there, too.

But lest you feel too sorry for me, I gotta tell you the funny part. With all of those 'girly stores' and my big Daddy heart that loves to buy stuff for my daughter, you'll never guess what present she came home with. Here's a hint...I'm sure her momma's gonna be thrilled. Amanda Kay is now the proud (and yes, she is proud) owner of an Airsoft gun! When we walked in the mall (through the Dick's Sporting Goods entrance), Amanda was so happy that I took her to the mall that she wanted to take me by the gun counter so I could look at guns (now is that sweet or what...see why she has me wrapped around her little finger?). She didn't know where the gun counter was (and didn't tell me this until we were out of the store), so we missed it, but she encouraged me to look at the Knife Shoppe as we walked by. Jason mentioned getting a couple guns for an Airsoft war (complete with safety glasses for those of you are freaked out by this), so I looked at the guns. A Glock copy was only $10 so I got it. Amanda was oohing and ahhing over it, so I knew she would want to shoot it. I saw a smaller gun (not sure what it was supposed to look like) that was on sale for $5, so I got it for her. You would have thought she won the lottery when she asked if that was for her and I said "yes". So we came home, discussed handgun safety and proceeded to shoot Mommy's pillow for about 30 minutes. It was a blast. Maybe Mommy will want her own gun when she gets home. I don't really think that will be the case, but we can always hope.

So we grabbed a bite for dinner, watched the Discovery Channel together and then headed out for a few caches this evening. Just as we were ready to head out, a new cache listed, so get a First to Find tonight! Amanda found it, as well as the three others we found. Good thing I was driving so I could get some kind of credit. We stayed out late, grabbed a drink at QT on the way home and Amanda is getting to sleep in my room tonight since it's the last night before Mommy comes home.

We've only got a few minor things to do to have the house ready for Mommy to come home tomorrow night. We are 'excitec' and can't wait!

- Rob

Moving to Arizona

May 30th: Now this is a state that knows how to live!! Beautiful sunny days and warm balmy evenings. Mountains and deserts blended together. What a place! Watched the sunset from a park lying on a blanket. It was beautiful. I've finally found my home I love it here.

June 14th: Really heating up. Got to 100 today. Not a problem. Live in an air-conditioned home, drive an air-conditioned car. What a pleasure to see the sun every day like this. I'm turning into a real sun worshipper.

June 30th: Had the backyard landscaped with western plants today. Lots of cactus and rocks. What a breeze to maintain. No more mowing for me. Another scorcher today, but I love it here.

July 10th: The temperature hasn't been below 100 all week. How do people get used to this kind of heat? At least it's a dry heat. Getting used to it is taking longer than I expected.

July 15th: Fell asleep by the pool. (Got 3rd degree burns over 60% of my body.) Missed two days of work, what a dumb thing to do. I learned my lesson though: got to respect the old sun in a climate like this.

July 20th: I missed Tabby (our cat) sneaking into the car when I left this morning. By the time I got out to the hot car for lunch, Tabby had swollen up to the size of a shopping bag and exploded all over $2,000 worth of leather upholstery. I told the kids she ran away. The car now smells like Kibbles and poop. No more pets in this heat!

July 25th: Dry heat, my hiney. Hot is hot!! The home air-conditioner is on the fritz and A/C repairman charged $200 just to drive by and tell me he needed to order parts.

July 30th: Been sleeping outside by the pool for three nights now. $1,100 in house payments and we can't even go inside. Why did I ever come here? Why the heck did I ever move here? It was all my wife's idea.

Aug 4th: 115 degrees. Finally got the air-conditioner fixed today. It cost $500 and gets the temperature down to about 90. I hate this state.

Aug 8th: If another smart alek cracks, "Hot enough for you today?", I'm going to tear his throat out. Danged heat. By the time I get to work the radiator is boiling over, my clothes are soaking wet, and I smell like roasted Garfield!!

Aug 10th: The weather report might as well be a recording: Hot and Sunny. It s been too hot for two months and the weatherman says it might really warm up next week. Doesn't it ever rain in this barren desert?? Water rationing has been in effect all summer, so $1,700 worth of cactus just dried up and blew into the pool. Even a cactus can't live in this heat.

Aug 14th: Welcome to Hell!!! Temperature got to 123 today. Forgot to crack the window and blew the windshield out of the Lincoln. The installer came to fix it and said, "Hot enough for you today?" My wife had to spend the $1,100 house payment to bail me out of jail.

Aug 30th: Worst day of the danged summer. I'm not leaving the house. The monsoon rains finally came and all they did was make it muggier than the rain forest. The Lincoln is now floating somewhere in Mexico with it's new $500 windshield.

That does it, we're moving up north where it's not so hot.

Moving Up North

December 8: 6:00 PM. It started to snow. The first snow of the season and the wife and I took our cocktails and sat for hours by the window watching the huge snow flakes drift down from heaven. It looked like a Grandma Moses Print. So romantic we felt like newlyweds again. I love snow!

December 9: We woke to a beautiful blanket of crystal white snow covering every inch of the landscape. What a fantastic sight! Can there be a more lovely place in the whole world? Moving here was the best idea I've ever had. Shoveled for the first time in years and felt like a boy again. I did both our driveway and the sidewalks. This afternoon the snowplow came along and covered up the sidewalks and closed in the driveway, so I got to shovel again. What a perfect life.

December 12: The sun has melted all our lovely snow. Such a disappointment. My neighbor tells me not to worry, we'll definitely have a white Christmas. No snow on Christmas would be awful! Bob says we'll have so much snow by the end of winter, that I'll never want to see snow again. I don't think that's possible. Bob is such a nice man I'm glad he's our neighbor.

December 14: Snow lovely snow! 8" last night. The temperature dropped to -20. The cold makes everything sparkle so. The wind took my breath away, but I warmed up by shoveling the driveway and sidewalks. This is the life. The snowplow came back this afternoon and buried everything again. I didn't realize I would have to do quite this much shoveling, but I'll certainly get back in shape this way. I wish I wouldn't huff and puff so.

December 15: 20 inches forecast. Sold my van and bought a 4x4 Blazer. Bought snow tires for the wife's car and 2 extra shovels. Stocked the freezer. The wife wants a wood stove in case the electricity goes out. I think that's silly. We aren't in Alaska, after all.

December 16: Ice storm this morning. Busted my butt on the ice in the driveway putting down salt. Hurt like crazy. The wife laughed for an hour, which I think was very cruel.

December 17: Still way below freezing. Roads are too icy to go anywhere. Electricity was off for 5 hours. I had to pile the blankets on to stay warm. Nothing to do but stare at the wife and try not to irritate her. Guess I should've bought a wood stove, but won't admit it to her. I hate it when she's right. I can't believe I'm freezing to death in my own living room.

December 20: Electricity's back on, but had another 14" of the dang stuff last night. More shoveling. Took all day. Darn snowplow came by twice. Tried to find a neighbor kid to shovel, but they said they're too busy playing hockey. I think they're lying. Called the only hardware store around to see about buying a snow blower and they're out. Might have another shipment in March. I think they're lying. Bob says I have to shovel or the city will have it done and bill me. I think he's lying.

December 22: Bob was right about a white Christmas because 13 more inches of the white stuff fell today, and it's so cold it probably won't melt till August. Took me 45 minutes to get all dressed up to go out to shovel and then I had to pee. By the time I got undressed, drained myself and dressed again, I was too tired to shovel. Tried to hire Bob, who has a plow on his truck for the rest of the winter; but he says he's too busy. I think the jerk is lying.

December 23: Only 2" of snow today. And it warmed up to 0. The wife wanted me to decorate the front of the house this morning. What is she nuts!!! Why didn't she tell me to do that a month ago? She says she did but I think she's lying.

December 24: 6". Snow packed so hard by snowplow, I broke the shovel. Thought I was having a heart attack. If I ever catch the son of a gun who drives that snowplow, I'll beat the crud out of him. I know he hides around the corner and waits for me to finish shoveling and then he comes down the street at a 100 miles an hour and throws snow all over where I've just been! Tonight the wife wanted me to sing Christmas carols with her and open our presents, but I was busy watching for the danged snowplow.

December 25: Merry Christmas. 20 more inches of the #%&*$@ slop tonight. Snowed in. The idea of shoveling makes my blood boil. I hate the snow! Then the snowplow driver came by asking for a donation and I hit him over the head with my shovel. The wife says I have a bad attitude. I think she's an idiot. If I have to watch "It's a Wonderful Life" one more time, I'm going to kill her.

December 26: Still snowed in. Why the heck did I ever move here? It was all HER idea. She's really getting on my nerves.

December 27: Temperature dropped to -30 and the pipes froze.

December 28: Warmed up to above -20. Still snowed in. THE wench is driving me crazy!!!

December 29: 10 more inches. Bob says I have to shovel the roof or it could cave in. That's the silliest thing I ever heard. How dumb does he think I am?

December 30: Roof caved in. The snow plow driver is suing me for a million dollars. The wife went home to her mother. 9" predicted.

December 31: Set fire to what's left of the house. No more shoveling.

January 8: I feel so good. I just love those little white pills they keep giving me. Why am I tied to the bed?

A Comedy of Errors

Man, it's late and I'm tired, but today was just too funny not to share:

• Got to work today and the Internet was down (actually went down yesterday). I am the 'network guy' at the church which is a joke since I really know nothing about networking. I called ATT and got the modem/connection working. Then the router was not giving us Internet even though the green light said it should. Short version: worked on this from 8:15am to 3:30pm (including working through half of lunch). After I got back from buying a new router, was told the problem "fixed itself" and we had Internet again...who knows why!
  
• At 4:40pm, got an e-mail that a new geocache had been posted. Being the FTF (first to find) is kinda a big deal. Since I worked through most of my lunch, I thought about leaving early and trying to be FTF just to relax. Only left about 10 minutes early arriving at the cache site about 40 minutes after the cache had been listed. Short version: SECOND to find!
• Amanda went to Six Flags today for a friend's birthday party (she rode real roller coasters for the first time!). I was supposed to pick her up in Grand Prairie at 9:30pm. I decided to leave around 7:15pm and cache my way there. Short version: a little over two hours and only 3 caches to show for it! Short version: lots of goofy stuff happened.
• Got home and got {exhausted} Amanda to bed. Brooke's computer quit booting yesterday, so I've had to reinstall Windows. Tonight, spent another 2 hours trying to install wireless network card. Scoured the Internet only to find that drivers are outdated, Belkin does not offer meaningful support and LOTS of people have had the same problems I have had. Short version: don't EVER buy a Belkin wireless network card.
• Oh yeah, almost forgot. Called dentist to make appointment for tomorrow. I have a crown on one of my front teeth. Started wiggling today. Trying to get in before it falls out! Short version: it's 'cute' to be missing front teeth at Amanda's age, but not at mine.

Brooke called me this afternoon, and that was my favorite part of the day. Miss her lots.

Overall, it was not a bad day. More a comedy of errors.

- Rob

More Than Just Dominoes

Another video clip.

Parachutists in Formation

Check out this video clip.

11:33 PM

Hey baby,

This is probably the last email because I don't think we can get in Managua. We will be leaving tomorrow for Managua. Did a lot of work today at the orphanage and had a pizza party tonight with the kids and gave them their boxes which they absolutely loved. I love you dearly and miss you and punkinso very much. Had a little spell today with back but am doing fine now. Can you call momma and daddy and tell them I am ok and wish momma a happy b-day for tomorrow. Thanks.

Well I love you. Give punkin major squeezes for me please. Tell the doggies I love them also.

I love you baby!

Bye,

Brooke

This has been the highlight of our weekend...Getting e-mails from Brooke. So now she's off to Managua so we probably won't hear from her again. Maybe once more if they find an Internet Cafe on their day off. Amanda and I talked today about how it's going to be a long week. And, yes, we did call MaMa Brenda and wished her Happy Birthday today (Amanda sang to her).

We've been trying to keep busy while Brooke is gone. Yesterday, after blogging, I got Amanda up and we drove to Cedar Hill to the vet for the dogs' annual shots and to buy heartrending medicine. Saturday is not a good day to go to or vet (a clinic where you don't get to make appointments...you just show up and wait your turn). It used to be just a matter of waiting our turn. Now it is a matter of waiting our turn and trying to keep Sully quiet. He is a BIG chicken dog! He growls/barks the entire time we are in the waiting room. Some people might think he wants to fight, but the truth is he's just scared. So Amanda waited inside for our turn to come while the dogs and I waited outside. Amanda was in hog heaven! She has been gifted with her mother's love for people...maybe even more than Brooke. And then she was at the vet on top of that. When I finally decided the heat was too much and came to sit down (while smacking Sully, pinching his nose and holding is mouth shut to try and keep him quiet), Amanda told me all the ailments of all the animals in the waiting room. I think she had gone around and talked to most everyone there inquiring what was wrong with their pet! So an hour and a half after we got there, we got into the examining room. Five minutes and $75 later it was over with and we were on our way home.

Dropped the dogs off, grabbed a bite for lunch and then headed to the store to get a few things before Mom and Dad came over for dinner. Back home, grabbed a quick 20 minute nap and then was getting ready to clean the kitchen when Mom and Dad arrived. They kept me company while I cleaned the kitchen and then cooked hamburgers for the second time this week. Hamburgers, corn on the cob and Kool Aid pie. Mm...Mm....Good! Sat around and talked until 9:30pm or so I guess. They left, Amanda went to bed, I worked on a few things and hit the hay as well.

Got up this morning and headed off to church. The youth group shared about their time at camp week before last. A number of them were touched by the Lord and gave their lives to Him. It was pretty cool seeing/hearing students share about the change in their lives...especially ones that were so closed and guarded before camp. As they were sharing, a guy behind me who had graduated from youth group when I was youth pastor asked me if I missed it. I told him no, but it was still exciting to hear what God had done their lives.

After church, we went out to eat at Taco Cabana with Mickey (before he headed back to NC) and Madison and her family (that's what happens when you have kids...You are no longer yourself, just somebody's parents).

We played for a little bit when we came home, then it was another 20 minute nap and time to pack up for the evening. We went to The Rig restaurant in Ft. Worth for a dinner with area geocachers. We hit one cache on the way there (which Amanda found). Amanda was hilarious at the event. There must have been 30 or so people there. Amanda spent her time taking her "log book" around asking everybody to sign it. She met a ton of people and had a blast. Again, it's her mother's personality coming out.

After that, we headed out to an area a couple of miles from there and did five more caches in a wooded area. Fortunately I thought to mark where we parked the car (on the GPS), 'cause we walked around so much I had no idea where it was when it was time to leave. It was starting to get dark and we had to choose between grabbing one more cache and heading straight back to the car. Of course we decided to do one more cache since it was just .15 miles from our current location. By the time we got there, it was getting pretty dark and we had to pull out the flashlight to look for the cache. Since the car was about half a mile away (and I hoped we could follow trails back rather than have to walk through the dense woods), I was not going to look to long. GeoPunkin came through at crunch time again (like she quite frequently does). I gave her the flashlight and I was reading the cache description on the PDA one more time when I heard those magic words..."FOUND IT". We logged it as quickly as we could and hiked back to the car. When we got there, we said a "thank you, Jesus" that the trails we found lead back to the car and we did not have to do any more bushwhacking. We discussed what a great time we had spending time together.

So it was home for a quick bath and then Amanda got into bed since she's got to get up at 7:00am and head to work with me tomorrow. I logged our finds (see our stats to the right), watched "Human Prey II" on the Discovery Channel (I LOVE Discovery Channel) and blogged this. Now it's time for bed since I have to get up at 7:00am and head for work tomorrow.

Still have lots to do this week. Promised Amanda I would take her swimming, we have to shop for a friend's birthday party, and then she gets to go to Six Flags all day on Tuesday (the friend's birthday party). We are hoping this will help pass the time until Mommy gets back.

Six days and counting.

- Rob

9:38 AM

So our morning is off to a good start this morning. I checked my e-mail, and look what I found!

Hey Babe, We have some internet here. We are in the Jinotega orphanage right now. We are FREEZING! It is so cold and rainy, but we are LOVING it. {personal stuff}. Everyone is doing well. Tell Pastor or forward this to him. Pass the word around that all is well and we are doing good. Don't know when I will check email again but you can send me something if you want to. Ok I love you and tell punkin hello and doggies. All my love and kisses, Brookie

Yesterday was a busy day, so I did not get to post after we first got back from the airport. I got up at 9:15am and had my quiet time before Amanda got up (turned out there was no rush, but I'm getting ahead of myself). Had my quiet time, did some study for my sermon in August, got a shower, cleaned the kitchen and talked to the lawn guy at church (Wayne Watkins at Bluebonnet lawn care...HIGHLY recommended).

At 11:45am (still yesterday) I woke up Amanda. We had some lunch and then Stan brought Sam and Mitzi over for a groom. Since I don't have the right kind of clippers, it took about an hour for me to butcher each dog. (On a side note, I think Mitzi looked better this time than last time, and Sam seemed more traumatized than last time. The whole time I was shaving Mitzi, Sam kept running around the house looking for a place to hide. And then there was a certain, unpleasant physical reaction on his part while I was shaving him...but anyway). It took a while, but we got it done and the dogs are no doubt much cooler today.

Then we went to the store to get a couple things for dinner and stopped by our favorite place (7-Eleven) for a Slurpee and a refill of Diet Coke in my giant mug.

Back home we wrestled a bit and then got ready for our company. Mickey and his daughter Leigha came over for hamburgers, fries and Kool Aide pie. (Side note: I HATE it when Brooke is not here, but it is nice to have hamburgers two nights in a row!!! Last night with Mickey and Leigha, tonight with my parents). After dinner, the four of us went out, sweated off a little bit of the pie and found 3 geocaches. A lot of work just to get 3, but it was nice spending time together.

We all came home, got something cold to drink, Mickey tried to wipe off any poison ivy (since he was silly enough to go geocaching in Texas in shorts!) and then Mickey & Leigha headed home. Amanda got a cold bath (insisting that she have a glass of ice water to enjoy in the cold bath), we watched a Discovery Channel special on Mt. Everest and then we both went to bed at 11:00pm.

So now it's Saturday morning. We woke up (well, Amanda will wake up here in a bit) to an e-mail from Brooke. That is a GREAT way to start the morning. I sent her a quick reply (some would not call it "quick", but it was short for me) and blogged this. Now it's time for my quiet time and then another busy day begins.

Boo, who always sits in Brooke's lap, is following me around everywhere and lays at my feet. She missed Mommy. Amanda said last night that she missed Mommy. I missed her last night as I crawled into bed, but the doggies tried to make sure I was as cramped and twisted as I am when she is home (dogs sleep in our bed and they BOTH sleep with me on my half of the bed...even when Brooke is not on the other side of the bed). Sully...we're still trying to explain the whole thing to him. He's a little slow sometimes.

We all miss Mommy and are counting the days...only 8 more.

- Rob

4:14 AM

It has started. Brooke and the Nicaragua team are off for their mission trip. Amanda and I just got back from dropping the team off at the airport with the church bus.

Brooke, Amanda and I watched Shanghi Knights together this evening as our late movie. Brooke went on to bed while Amadna and I finished the movie. Amanda and I crashed on the couch for an hour after the movie ended. I then woke up Brooke and while she finished getting ready, I made dessert for my company the next two nights.

At 2:00AM, we were at the church and headed out for the airport by 2:45AM. Now, Amanda and I are at home, the window unit (just put it back in this evening) is cranked down low and we will be sleeping in as late as possible in the morning (uh, this moring).

We miss Brooke already. Nine days and counting.

Priceless...Lizard Birthing

A friend sent me this e-mail today. I debated on whether or not to post it, but like the title says...it's priceless. Having grown up in a pet-loving home, and now having a daughter who now loves pets, I've just been too close to this story.

If you have raised kids (or been one), and gone through the pet syndrome including toilet flush burials for dead goldfish, the story below will have you laughing out LOUD!

Overview: I had to take my son's lizard to the vet. Here's what happened:

Just after dinner one night, my son came up to tell me there was "something wrong" with one of the two lizards he holds prisoner in his room.

"He's just lying there looking sick," he told me. "I'm serious dad, can you help?"

I put my best lizard-healer statement on my face and followed him into his bedroom. One of the little lizards was indeed lying on his back, looking stressed. I immediately knew what to do.

"Honey," I called, " come look at the lizard!"

"Oh my! gosh," my wife diagnosed after a minute. "She's having babies."

"What?" my son demanded. "But their names are Bert and Ernie, Mom!"

I was equally outraged.

"Hey, how can that be? I thought we said we didn't want them to reproduce," I accused my wife.

"Well, what do you want me to do, post a sign in their cage?" she inquired.(I actually think she said this sarcastically!)

"No, but you were supposed to get two boys!" I reminded her, (in my most loving, calm, sweet voice, while gritting my teeth together).

"Yeah, Bert and Ernie!" my son agreed.

"Well, it's just a little hard to tell on some guys, you know," she informed me. (again with the sarcasm, you think?)

By now the rest of the family had gathered to see what was going on. I shrugged, deciding to make the best of it.

"Kids, this is going to be a wondrous experience, I announced.

"We're about to witness the miracle of birth."

"Oh, gross!" they shrieked.

"Well, isn't THAT just great! What are we going to do with a litter of tiny little lizard babies?" my wife wanted to know. (I really do think she was being snotty here, too. Don't you?)

We peered at the patient. After much struggling, what looked like a tiny foot would appear briefly, vanishing a scant second later.

"We don't appear to be making much progress," I noted. "It's breech," my wife whispered, horrified.

"Do something, Dad!" my son urged.

"Okay, okay." Squeamishly , I reached in and grabbed the foot when it next appeared, giving it a gentle tug. It disappeared. I tried several more times with the same results.

"Should I call 911," my eldest daughter wanted to know. "Maybe they could talk us through the trauma." (You see a pattern here with the females in my house?)

"Let's get Ernie to the vet," I said grimly. We drove to the vet with my son holding the cage in his lap. "Breathe, Ernie, breathe," he urged.

"I don't think lizards do Lamaze," his mother noted to him. (Women can be so cruel to their own young. I mean what she does to me is one thing, but this boy is of her womb, for Pete's sake.)

The Vet took Ernie back to the examining room and peered at the little animal through a magnifying glass.

"What do you think, Doc, a C-section?" I suggested scientifically.

"Oh, very interesting," he murmured. "Mr. and Mrs. Cameron, may I speak to you privately for a moment?"

I gulped, nodding for my son to step outside.

"Is Ernie going to be okay?" my wife asked.

"Oh, perfectly," the Vet assured us. "This lizard is not in labour. In fact, that isn't EVER going to happen... Ernie is a boy. You see, Ernie is a young male. And occasionally, as they come into maturity, like most male species, they um.... um.... He blushed, glancing at my wife.

"Well, you know what I'm saying, Mr. Cameron."

We were silent, absorbing this.

"So Ernie's just... just... excited," my wife offered.

"Exactly," the vet replied, relieved that we understood.

More silence. Then my viscous, cruel wife started to giggle. And giggle. And then even laugh loudly.

"What's so funny?" I demanded, knowing, but not believing that the woman I married would commit the upcoming affront to my flawless manliness.

Tears were now running down her face. Laughing "It's just... that... I'm picturing you pulling on its... its... teeny little..." she gasped for more air to bellow in laughter once more.

"That's enough," I warned. We thanked the Vet and hurriedly bundled the lizards and our son back into the car. He was glad everything was going to beokay.

"I know Ernie's really thankful for what you've done, Dad," he told me.

"Oh, you have NO idea,"

Closed mouth, my wife agreed, collapsing with laughter.

1 - Lizards - $140...

2 - Cage - $50...

3 - Trip to the Vet - $30...

4 - Memory of your husband pulling on a lizard's winkie..... Priceless

Moral of the story - finish biology class - lizards lay eggs

You Know You Are In Texas In July When. . .

The birds have to use potholders to pull worms out of the ground.

The trees are whistling for the dogs.

The best parking place is determined by shade instead of distance.

Hot water now comes out of both taps.

You can make sun tea instantly.

You learn that a seat belt buckle makes a pretty good branding iron!

The temperature drops below 95 and you feel a little chilly.

You discover that in July it only takes 2 fingers to steer your car.

You discover that you can get sunburned through your car window.

You actually burn your hand opening the car door.

You break into a sweat the instant you step outside at 7:30 a.m.

You realize that asphalt has a liquid state.

The potatoes cook underground, so all you have to do is pull one out and add butter, salt and pepper.

Farmers are feeding their chickens crushed ice to keep them from laying boiled eggs.

Your biggest bicycle wreck fear is, "What if I get knocked out and end up lying on the pavement and cook to death?"

Ah, what a place to call home.

God Bless Our State of TEXAS !!

It's Not All About Money

I get a bit frustrated with some preachers today who equate Biblical prosperity strictly (or even mostly) with money. I believe that a blessed life is far more than money, and if money is so important to an individual that this all he/she can preach about (or the only sermons a person listens to)...that almost seems like making money an idol to me.

But what does that have to do with this picture of Sully chillin' in his favorite spot on the couch? The picture is an example of God's (non-monetary) blessing in my life.

The other night, I made a late evening run to 7-Eleven to fill my giant mug with Diet Coke. I took Boo and Sully with me because they like to be 'adventure dogs'. When I got there, Boo sat up on the seat over my left shoulder, so I was talking to her as I got out of the car. I went inside, filled up my mug and came back to the car. When I opened the door, there was Boo, but no Sully. At first I figured he was on the floor behind the seats, but a quick check showed that was not the case. As panic sat in, I went to the side of the store where there was a wooded area and hollered for him, but nothing happened. Trying to figure out if he somehow got out of the car or if somebody had taken him (why would they take just him and not Boo, too?), I opened the car door and looked inside again. By this time I was in emergency prayer mode and had to stop to try and figure out what might have happened and what I should do next.

At that moment, some people came out of the store and turned to the right (opposite the wooded side I had checked). As I watched them walk in front of the store, I saw Sully walking in the opposite direction, back toward the car. I immediately grabbed him, hugged him and took both dogs back home. On the way home, the knot in my stomach only grew as I thought about what could have happened.

I've got friends who would say I was lucky. But when I panicked, I cried out to the God of Heaven and not the god of fate, so they can thank they lucky stars but I'll think my Heavenly Father. I believe I have a Father in heaven who loves me, and I believe He loves me enough to watch over my dog when I was too careless and he was not smart enough to stay in the car. That night, my blessing was not about money...and it was WAY better.

- Rob

Something With a Steering Wheel, Please

In this picture, let the Indy car represent the new computers that have 2 gigs of memory. Let Snoopy represent my parents' (in-laws') Windows 98 computer with 64 megs of RAM. Last time we were home, I helped them upgrade to DSL, but when I came home this time they complained they were not getting their money's worth on the Internet upgrade. Mom would open a web page, go iron a blouse, come back to the computer and wait some more for a page to load. Sounds more like dial up than DSL, doesn't it? I told them it was not the DSL's fault (I'm using it on my laptop and am in surfer's heaven), rather it was the SEVERE memory problem in their computer. They were getting the information from the Internet quickly enough, but the computer could not process it. I checked, and they had about 55 megs of RAM to work with! So, after upgrading them to 512 megs of RAM today, I certainly have not put them in an Indy car, but at least they are in something with a steering wheel now that will go 0 to 60 in about 12 seconds.

- Rob

Day WIth the Kidos

Yesterday and today, Amanda got to spend time with her cousins. Here's just a few pics from what we did today.

This was taken at Delano Park. It would appear, from this picture, that Amanda, David and Hannah were engaging in some sort of strange ritual/competion to see who could stare into the spout of water the longest without blinking! The jury is still out on who won.

As you can see, this was a very thoughtful, purposeful and serious group today.

That's right...the day would not be complete with geocaching! This one was disguised as a sprinkler head.