tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79910691497964140222024-03-13T06:49:03.899-05:00CJCriddleUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991069149796414022.post-47433484206922587112009-12-26T16:42:00.000-06:002009-12-26T16:42:56.182-06:00A Special Christmas Event<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/SzaRb2ZNnLI/AAAAAAAACaE/kPiDAlHjUDg/s1600-h/DSCF0434.jpg"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/SzaRb2ZNnLI/AAAAAAAACaE/kPiDAlHjUDg/s400/DSCF0434.jpg" /></a> </div><br />The day that I left Utah to come home, Jakson and I watched "The Polar Express" together. I believe it was the fourth time in two days that he had watched the movie. Just before we left for the airport, I got Jakson's coat from the closet and walked into the front room by the tree to help him put it on. Jakson did not know I was behind him. He reached up to the tree, pulled off a little silver bell, held it to his ear and shook it. He then put the bell into his pants pocket. Almost immediately he pulled it out again, held it to his ear and shook it again. Satisfied that he could still hear the bell, he put it into his pocket for good, turned around and saw me behind him - he just smiled at me. It was a special event for me to witness. <br /><br />He can hear the bell - he believes.<div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991069149796414022.post-20717621946393339022009-11-08T13:41:00.002-06:002009-11-08T14:03:16.932-06:00It is not good for man to be aloneNo pictures for this blog. It is just a confession as to why it is not good for man (especially me) to be alone.<br /><br />1. I buy Cheetos - Cheddar Jalapeno Crunchy (and end up with orange, spicy fingers)<br />2. I drink milk directly from the jug without a glass (why dirty a dish?)<br />3. I eat ice cream directly from the carton (same reason as #2)<br />4. I wash no dish before its time (we've got a lot of spoons and knives)<br />5. I do not make the bed every day (or any day)<br />6. I turn up the stereo to listen to my music (from anywhere in the house)<br />7. I watch sports and programs that would normally be considered a waste of time<br />8. I have nothing to look forward to at home after a day of work<br />9. I have no one to talk to and don't want to go anywhere by myself<br />10. I can burp loudly after drinking a soda but have no one to whom I can apologize<br /><br />Fortunately, Mom is coming home tomorrow night. WooHoo! I'm going to clean up my act before she gets here. I think I'll go do the dishes now.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991069149796414022.post-54422531978753087892009-10-25T20:03:00.002-05:002009-10-25T20:09:23.820-05:00A Little This, A Little ThatThe past two weekends have been just delightful - sunny bright days, cool, dry air. We wanted to be outside just to take advantage of the weather. Last weekend we decided to attend the Renaissance Festival in Plantersville. Mom and I spent the whole day going to all the "appropriate" (family friendly) shows and walking through all the shops. It was a hoot! The best part was people watching. Some had really elaborate costumes you wouldn't believe. I think this was my favorite.<br /><br /><div style='text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;'><a href='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/SuT1YnLeZhI/AAAAAAAACNo/q6kXEiXFSnw/s1600-h/DSC02288.JPG'><img src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/SuT1YnLeZhI/AAAAAAAACNo/q6kXEiXFSnw/s400/DSC02288.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a> </div><br /><br />I was even selected to come up out of the audience to participate in a juggling, comedy show. Here I am prepped to receive the pins:<br /><br /><div style='text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;'><a href='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/SuT1YoENSEI/AAAAAAAACNw/hy-7eX9-YY8/s1600-h/DSC02293.JPG'><img src='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/SuT1YoENSEI/AAAAAAAACNw/hy-7eX9-YY8/s400/DSC02293.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a> </div><br /><br />Here I am afterward. Please notice that I didn't drop any of the three pins. WooHoo - I can go into a new career!<br /><br /><div style='text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;'><a href='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/SuT1YypP0QI/AAAAAAAACN4/T9SVbzR7Vt0/s1600-h/DSC02292.JPG'><img src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/SuT1YypP0QI/AAAAAAAACN4/T9SVbzR7Vt0/s400/DSC02292.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a> </div><br /><br />We enjoyed all the shows, especially the guy who played the "Big Bells". We've heard him before and wanted to see him again. We purchased one of his CDs last time we attended the festival.<br /><br /><div style='text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;'><a href='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/SuT1ZJMbBYI/AAAAAAAACOA/nUmlMsbBov8/s1600-h/DSC02285.JPG'><img src='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/SuT1ZJMbBYI/AAAAAAAACOA/nUmlMsbBov8/s400/DSC02285.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a> </div><br /><br /><div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div><br /><br />This year we attended a new group which played bagpipes and drums. They were really good. Enough so that we purchased one of their CDs. No picture, however. We passed on the turkey leg, but had sausage on a stick and other local foods. This is a picture of a “church” where people can have weddings. Kind of cool – eh?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/SuT2NXqcXDI/AAAAAAAACOI/Z7zr5dFUAA8/s1600-h/DSC02283.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/SuT2NXqcXDI/AAAAAAAACOI/Z7zr5dFUAA8/s400/DSC02283.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396708963047463986" /></a><br /><br />Yesterday was a wonderful day again. I wanted to go to Galveston, as I've not been back since the hurricane last year. But Mom had other ideas ....<br /><br />Tell me if you can tell what is different from this picture.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/SuT2jNbTQMI/AAAAAAAACOQ/JvPq85mwtLo/s1600-h/DSC02297.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/SuT2jNbTQMI/AAAAAAAACOQ/JvPq85mwtLo/s400/DSC02297.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396709338256720066" /></a><br /><br />If you said that the scraggly looking bushes in the corner of the yard were gone, you'd be right. And some of you might notice the big limb that has been cut off the tree. You'd be right too! I did it with my trusty little (actually it not so little) chain saw. WooHoo - me and Paul Bunyan! We spent most of the day working in the yard cutting big limbs into small little limbs. We gave it all to the Lassens for their fire pit. We like having the back yard a little more open. And we don't have limbs that hang over the roof of the garage or back room. It was enjoyable to work together outside.<br /><br />Mom has been very busy this past two week with speaking in a ward conference, All Board meeting, Friends of the Library session, coordinating Feeding the Missionaries during a Zone Conference, providing Annual RS Leadership Training at the stake center, attending a PPI with the Stake President, publishing her monthly newsletter to RS Presidents, etc. <br /><br />Me - I just go to work and try to keep up with her. I had someone in from Europe for the whole week that I was training.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991069149796414022.post-4698250545667807952009-07-05T21:21:00.005-05:002009-07-05T21:44:22.490-05:00Big ChangesSo - Mom gets called as the Katy Stake Relief Society President, and what does she do? She redecorates!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/SlFgIvFPXGI/AAAAAAAAB6k/DsifscaCnuA/s1600-h/DSCF0394.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/SlFgIvFPXGI/AAAAAAAAB6k/DsifscaCnuA/s400/DSCF0394.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355167135113895010" border="0" /></a>I admit that the wallpaper was pretty dated in our front room. I came home from my "On the Road Again" trip and Mom had hired some laborers to redo the front room. Three of them did everything in one day. Naturally, having a nice front room made the entry way look out of place and tacky. It took two days for Jon and I to do the entry way. (I guess we are not skilled laborers!)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/SlFhQm0C10I/AAAAAAAAB6s/dTWe8qvOKCA/s1600-h/DSCF0393.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/SlFhQm0C10I/AAAAAAAAB6s/dTWe8qvOKCA/s400/DSCF0393.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355168369844868930" border="0" /></a><br />The top portion is a light brown - think of a melted Frosty. The bottom half is dark brown - think of a Hershey Chocolate bar. The woodwork was repainted white. Mom even ordered some new binds for the front windows, which we installed yesterday. It looks very nice. Notice the stylish shelves with "art" objects to decorate the walls. She has good taste!<br /><br />Since I'm publishing something to this blog, I might as well include what we did last weekend. We decided to get some outside culture. There is a very interesting Hindu temple, the first one of its kind outside of India, which was built here in Houston.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/SlFjITaJeQI/AAAAAAAAB60/n3p9xdqiUTA/s1600-h/DSCF0390.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/SlFjITaJeQI/AAAAAAAAB60/n3p9xdqiUTA/s400/DSCF0390.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355170426220280066" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Mom had called ahead and scheduled a tour for us. (She had previously been here with the Old Ladies of the Library group.) It was very interesting to learn about their religion and culture. I learned some things I never knew before about Indians and their discoveries, inventions, mathematics, etc. <br /><br />This building is made without any steel or supporting structures. It is put together like Lego Blocks - over 30,000 of them. The marble was carved in India and shipped over here. Very beautiful and interesting. Afterward, we went to an Indian restaurant for some very good Indian cuisine.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991069149796414022.post-7927917196540219862009-04-26T17:17:00.007-05:002009-04-26T18:25:20.573-05:00Random CommentsEight day ago we had a "typical" Texas rainstorm. You can see the results.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/SfTeaIjp2nI/AAAAAAAABm8/PD-6bRhlwkI/s1600-h/DSCF0237%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/SfTeaIjp2nI/AAAAAAAABm8/PD-6bRhlwkI/s400/DSCF0237%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329128799641131634" /></a><br /><br />Not only did we have 6 inches of rain, we had a little flooding in the back room. (Jon can demonstrate his carpet laying skills for us when he comes at the end of May.) This weekend we only had 1 inch of rain. Still, it was enough to kill (drown) one of the bushes outside the kitchen window. I dug it out yesterday.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/SfTpw_kzU4I/AAAAAAAABnw/R6C24m1lT_8/s1600-h/DSCF0238.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/SfTpw_kzU4I/AAAAAAAABnw/R6C24m1lT_8/s400/DSCF0238.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329141286994924418" /></a><br /><br />A couple of weeks ago Mom sang in the Lone Star Choir concert. Her first costume was western wear. (Isn't she "HOT" lookin?) Her next concert will be at Lone Star graduation.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/SfTqWVwxfhI/AAAAAAAABn4/tE1fH-0SD_8/s1600-h/DSCF0234.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/SfTqWVwxfhI/AAAAAAAABn4/tE1fH-0SD_8/s400/DSCF0234.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329141928605875730" /></a><br /><br />Her next costume was suppose to be from some other culture. She used some of the stuff I brought back from New Zealand. (She looks good in any culture, doesn't she?)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/SfTrCGgCN3I/AAAAAAAABoA/eagxry6iX2w/s1600-h/DSCF0236.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/SfTrCGgCN3I/AAAAAAAABoA/eagxry6iX2w/s400/DSCF0236.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329142680423380850" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991069149796414022.post-70490519085421724872009-04-19T10:05:00.007-05:002009-04-19T10:55:15.383-05:0034 Years and CountingMom and I celebrated our 34th wedding anniversary on April 18. Here we are in Downey, Idaho on that wonderful day. I was a lot skinnier then, but Anne is just as beautiful!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/SetANGaimDI/AAAAAAAABmE/yXx52QMmpY8/s1600-h/01+-+C%26A+wedding+in+Downey.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/SetANGaimDI/AAAAAAAABmE/yXx52QMmpY8/s400/01+-+C%26A+wedding+in+Downey.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326421578100152370" /></a><br /><br />This was taken during the reception in Downey that night. (Check out those sideburns!)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/SetA57V_X2I/AAAAAAAABmM/tlRqCZNSmwQ/s1600-h/03+-+Clyde+feeding+Anne+at+reception.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/SetA57V_X2I/AAAAAAAABmM/tlRqCZNSmwQ/s400/03+-+Clyde+feeding+Anne+at+reception.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326422348222390114" /></a><br /><br />Here we are in our first house in Houston.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/SetBbbqoRyI/AAAAAAAABmU/Vo-_-YUaf2o/s1600-h/42+-+C%26A+in+first+house.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/SetBbbqoRyI/AAAAAAAABmU/Vo-_-YUaf2o/s400/42+-+C%26A+in+first+house.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326422923834574626" /></a><br /><br />This last picture was taken on our cruise in Oct'08. I'm more gray and Anne is even more beautiful.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/SetB-vP_rxI/AAAAAAAABmc/Q3yxRKUM3y4/s1600-h/ShipPics+002.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 314px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/SetB-vP_rxI/AAAAAAAABmc/Q3yxRKUM3y4/s400/ShipPics+002.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326423530386992914" /></a><br /><br />It has been a wonderful 34 years, and we've only just begun! Along the way, we've picked up Bethany, Jefferson, Jonathan, Leanna. Next came Zak, Vanessa and Crystal. Finally, we can lay claim to Jakson and Storey in our extended family. Ultimately, I expect Leanna will find her "He Who Shall Not Be Named". <br /><br />We count you as our greatest blessings.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991069149796414022.post-78686029181014897642008-09-11T07:32:00.004-05:002008-09-11T07:56:03.146-05:00Here We Go Again<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/SMkVRdydycI/AAAAAAAABOs/-ZQ8Qgcngt0/s1600-h/Ike.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/SMkVRdydycI/AAAAAAAABOs/-ZQ8Qgcngt0/s400/Ike.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244746630847908290" /></a><br /><br />It looks like I get to work from home again on Friday. Ike is headed our way and will probably give us substancial rain and wind. They have declared an evacuation for Galveston and Baytown. When I drove past the local gas station, cars were lined up four deep at each station. We are well stocked at home and will "shelter in place".Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991069149796414022.post-15055462507188525862008-09-07T16:01:00.008-05:002008-09-07T16:48:33.845-05:00To Arizona and BackThis has been an active month for us. First, Jon and Crystal stopped in Houston as they were returning from Arkansas to BYU. (Bet you didn't know that Texas is directly in the middle of the road from Arkansas back to Utah.) They were also able to fly to Florida to attend a family reunion with Crystal's family in Disney World (courtesy of Crystal's father!)<br /><br />When I dropped them off at the airport for their vacation trip, I also dropped Anne for a flight to Arizona. We now have a beautiful little grand daughter named Storey Jennette Vermillion. (Remind me again, Keith, how many grand kids do you have - I forget....)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/SMRC6pCPIhI/AAAAAAAABNU/A7v7WNYWtH0/s1600-h/Storey.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/SMRC6pCPIhI/AAAAAAAABNU/A7v7WNYWtH0/s400/Storey.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243389441381179922" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/SMRIfWez0wI/AAAAAAAABN0/Bgctows9NeU/s1600-h/DSC02034.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/SMRIfWez0wI/AAAAAAAABN0/Bgctows9NeU/s400/DSC02034.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243395569614050050" /></a><br /><br />After J/C spent a few days in Houston after their vacation, they took off to Utah. At the same time, Leanna and I left to drive to Arizona. Leanna graduated a year early from high school. We had a very nice time on our road trip. We listened to our music and enjoyed the scenery. <br /><br />While in Arizona, I was also able to spend quality time with my grandson, Jakson Clyde Vermillion (2 years old). He is full of energy and we had a great time together.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/SMRDaFnKnSI/AAAAAAAABNc/DLOXQ2WAv7s/s1600-h/Jakson.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/SMRDaFnKnSI/AAAAAAAABNc/DLOXQ2WAv7s/s400/Jakson.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243389981628210466" /></a><br /><br />While I played Grandpa in Phoenix, Anne drove Leanna up to BYU and helped to settle her in the dorm. (Notice the "Texas Pride"!) Thanks to Jon for helping to set up her computer.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/SMRG5oKZDFI/AAAAAAAABNs/ij7egHKXatM/s1600-h/DSC02042.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/SMRG5oKZDFI/AAAAAAAABNs/ij7egHKXatM/s400/DSC02042.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243393822013590610" /></a><br /><br />After Anne/Mom returned to Arizona, we held a birthday party for Anne's mother in a local church. It was nice to see all of Anne's family.<br /><br />Here is the address to my web album if you'd like to view all the pictures from our trip. http://picasaweb.google.com/cjcriddle/Arizona08 (Copy and paste in your browser address barUnknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991069149796414022.post-16186662719329142002008-08-05T19:57:00.005-05:002008-12-11T05:14:22.980-06:00The Best Thing about a Tropical Storm<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/SJj4kymCBDI/AAAAAAAAA0I/2wNnr1Z-oBk/s1600-h/Projection.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/SJj4kymCBDI/AAAAAAAAA0I/2wNnr1Z-oBk/s200/Projection.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231204278131098674" border="0" /></a> Many of you may have heard that a tropical storm (Edouard) quickly formed in the Gulf and hit Houston this week. (I don't know where people learned how to spell. It's pronounced "Edward".)<br /><br />Many people went nuts preparing for the storm. All the grocery stores had a run and you couldn't find bread or bottled water anywhere. I guess we have lived in Houston so long that we don't get excited about little storms. I had to pick up some ice cream (on sale for $1.99) and some pickle relish for our hot dogs last night, so I stopped at the local HEB. It was a mad house with every cashier lane open and people waiting six deep at every lane. My ice cream almost melted!<br /><br />It must have been a slow news day. The television stations really played the storm up with their reporters dressed in rain slickers and standing in front of the ocean. Only problem was, it wasn't much of a storm. The surf was flat. I actually heard one reporter saying, "We've had constant wind speeds of 4 to 5 miles per hour, even gusting up to 6 mph".<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/SJj9NVVdPyI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/B8aJ6xVNH8c/s1600-h/Radar.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/SJj9NVVdPyI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/B8aJ6xVNH8c/s200/Radar.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231209372698099490" border="0" /></a>I have seen what a big storm can do, and I respect them. But this was just a little bit of nothing. Here is the radar shot of what hit us. We got a total of 2.5 inches of rain out of the storm and no wind to speak of. The Houston area is over 5 inches behind in rainfall this year, so we welcome the moisture.<br /><br />The best thing about the Tropical Storm is that I got to work from home. ExxonMobil didn't want employees on the road in case we got heavy rainfall and flooding. So if our job didn't require it, we could work from home. I could get use to that! I could sleep in a little longer. I wore my jeans and t-shirt. I didn't have to fight traffic to and from work. I got to eat lunch with Anne/Mom.<br /><br />I set up the card table in the bedroom and turned on the satellite XM radio. We have wireless so the computer worked fine. I have a cell phone so I talked to India and Europe, as well as a number of people here in Houston. The worse thing about working from home is that I probably got more work done than if I was at the office. No one stopped by to chit-chat. All I had to do was work.<br /><br />Anne/Mom doesn't believe that I worked very hard. "All you do is sit there and type on the computer!". But I think she liked me being around. (She's got this thing for me . . .)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991069149796414022.post-11324678822554682172008-07-26T16:00:00.002-05:002008-07-26T16:16:09.769-05:00One Way to Waist a SaturdayIf you take Defensive Driving in Texas, you get a 10% discount on auto insurance. Since Harris County has one of the highest insurance rates in the country, it makes sense to take the class every three years. (The insurance company doesn't tell you when your discount is going to expire, but Mom tracks that kind of stuff.)<br /><br />Over the years we've taken the class at my office, over the internet, etc. The class lasts 6 hours and you must pass a test with a 70% score or better. Many take the class to get minor tickets dismissed. <br /><br />This time we discovered the perfect place to take defensive driving - the Golden Corral! (Jon, you'd love this.) We have a Golden Corral around the corner from us and a DD class is held twice a month. Six hours to watch Goofy cartoons, eat, listen to lectures, eat, share driving stories, eat - you get the idea. Thus the title - One way to Waist a Saturday.<br /><br />Actually, only the lunch was included in the fee. But they supplied us with juice and rolls in the morning. (I have to admit that I scarfed some bacon several times as I walked past the buffet during breaks.) My lunch was big enough to satisfy me for the rest of the day. I even got tired of the deserts.<br /><br />Mom and I each got 100% on the final exam.<br /><br />We volunteered at the college on Friday night and were asked to come back again tonight. We like working there.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991069149796414022.post-61633548247428291442008-07-20T15:36:00.002-05:002008-07-20T15:46:33.154-05:00I Don't Remember Growing OldThere is a song from Fiddler on the Roof where the father sings about growing old and not being aware of it. I feel the same way. My passport will expire early next year so I must renew it. I pulled up the form on-line and started filling it out. It will be good for the next ten years. I listed my height and eye color. Then I got to the question about hair color. Hmmmmm - am I still brown? Salt and pepper wasn't a choice? Gray? Aaaugh, I listed my color as gray! When did this happen to me? I'm too young to be old!<br /><br />We have only one more month until we drive out to Arizona/Utah for Beth's baby and to drop off Leanna at school. Mom and I will then be Empty Nesters. It has been a long time since Anne and I have been alone like this. It sounds kind of fun, but I'm sure it will be an adjustment.<br /><br />We are looking forward to the visit from Jon and Crystal in August. I'm glad they are only one day's drive away from us.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991069149796414022.post-45964836776878619982008-05-04T20:45:00.006-05:002008-12-11T05:14:23.802-06:00They are called GRAND-kids for a reason<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/SB5rkOv8AiI/AAAAAAAAApk/coDieblhW3s/s1600-h/100_0239.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/SB5rkOv8AiI/AAAAAAAAApk/coDieblhW3s/s200/100_0239.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196709290210755106" /></a><br />I had a free air ticket that I had to use before it expired, so I took a quick trip to Arizona in April. I went to see my name-sake, Jakson Clyde Vermillion! Oh, and I was able to see Beth and Zak at the same time. I was able to be there for Jakson's two-year birthday celebration. I've heard someone say that grandkids are the blessing you receive from not having killed your own kids when they were teenagers. :-) I enjoyed being with the Arizona crew and being away from work for a short time.<br /><br />The big gift that he got was an authentic Radio Flyer Classic Red Dual Deck Tricycle. Of course, Jakson was more interested in the box it came in than in the tricycle itself.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/SB5qHev8AgI/AAAAAAAAApU/bGu9Mrj-g0k/s1600-h/100_0245.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/SB5qHev8AgI/AAAAAAAAApU/bGu9Mrj-g0k/s200/100_0245.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196707696777888258" /></a> His legs will have to grow a few more inches before he can ride the trike, but he has the right idea. Until then, he will have to satisfy himself with the box it came in.<br /><br />I was able to help Zak work on their back yard. We laid down paving stones on the side of their house for a play area for Jakson. We also smoothed and seeded the back yard so they will have some green stuff to walk on. Zak is finishing a small room under the stairs for Jakson that I helped with. It will be a nice play area for Jakson. (You have to be under four foot tall to stand up in it - perfect for him!)<br /><br />Mom and I have been doing the usual. She has been busy collecting props for an opera the Lone Star College is putting on. We have been hitting the thrift stores (on half price day, screaming deals no less) to pick up items. Mom has been working at the college at the ticket booth for a play they recently put on. (I didn't go to it.) Mom also volunteered two Saturdays to help with a Prom Dress Give-Away project. Dresses, shoes, handbags, jewelry, hair pieces, shawls, etc had been donated for inner-city and disadvantaged youth. They even had tuxes for boys. We attended a Jazz class concert this week at the college. Next week, we will volunteer to work at the opera - taking tickets and serving refreshments.<br /><br />Mom won some free passes to a movie premier. We saw the "Forbidden Kingdom" with Jet Li and Jackie Chan - a great guy flick with wonderful karate fight scenes - who cares about the plot or dialog? We also went to see Iron Man this week (My reward for having worked hard with her cleaning the house on Saturday.)<br /><br />Springtime in Houston is wonderful. The weather is very pleasant and everything is green and growing. But I can't help but think of all the leaves I'm going to have to rake next fall.<br /><br />We have only three more weeks of seminary - but who's counting? Well, we are. In fact we made a countdown chain - kind of like the red and green paper chains we would make at Christmas time to countdown the days until Christmas. Each day we tear off one link from the chain.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991069149796414022.post-64753934577462184402008-03-08T20:12:00.005-06:002008-12-11T05:14:24.132-06:00YeeHaw!It's March in Houston and that can only mean one thing - hay fever! Opps, I mean the Houston Rodeo - YeeHaw! As you can see, we really got into the spirit of the day. Mom won free tickets to the Rodeo, and you know that we never pass up a free thing. I took off work Tuesday afternoon and Leanna got off from school a little early.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/R9NIu5zRs_I/AAAAAAAAAoc/V8focTa7MYg/s1600-h/C%26A+Rodeo.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/R9NIu5zRs_I/AAAAAAAAAoc/V8focTa7MYg/s200/C%26A+Rodeo.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175560367405904882" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/R9NJzpzRtAI/AAAAAAAAAok/Y3frg56XpzU/s1600-h/rodeo+004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/R9NJzpzRtAI/AAAAAAAAAok/Y3frg56XpzU/s200/rodeo+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175561548521911298" border="0" /></a><br />We enjoyed looking at the student art. Many of the drawings and pictures looked so real that we thought they were photos. We like looking at the handmade quilts. Of course, we like to wander through all the vendor stalls and see what is for sell that we just can't live without. (Fortunately, we didn't find anything like that!)<br /><br />We enjoyed the animal displays and the rodeo itself. We had the best seats we've ever had. The weather was perfect. The rodeo is in Reliant Stadium, where the Houston Texans play football. (The stadium of the famous Janet Jackson Super Bowl costume failure.) Our favorite part of the rodeo every year is the calf scramble. About 40 teenagers try to capture, rope, and drag an uncooperative calf into the middle of the arena. There are only 20 calves for them to chase and catch. They get to show the calf in the livestock show next year. Very fun to watch. <br /><br />There was a concert after the rodeo. Somebody named Kevin Fowler - never heard of 'em. We left after one song because I had to get up the next morning to teach seminary. Mom and Leanna were tired too, so no one complained.<br /><br />Speaking of March and hay fever, everything is in bloom in Houston now. My eyes are itching like crazy. It seems like it was only three weeks ago that I raked my final leaves of the season. In fact - it was! Now here the trees are sprouting again. I get no rest.<br /><br />Mom and I spend Saturday cleaning and organizing the garage. Those HGTV show really inspire her! At least the garage looks much better now. But I'm afraid we've only just begun. We took much of the good leftover stuff from our garage and donated it to the local Habitat for Humanity. (We still have a lot of stuff to get rid of.) I had saved all the window sun screens that I had made before we replaced the windows. They collect all kinds of building materials and appliances and then use it to help the less fortunate. We did our thing to help the community!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991069149796414022.post-84414485216468777442008-02-24T17:00:00.006-06:002008-12-11T05:14:24.684-06:00Is it February already?!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/R8H46p6CULI/AAAAAAAAAnk/D6WD7DhNWaA/s1600-h/birthday+004.jpg+edit"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/R8H46p6CULI/AAAAAAAAAnk/D6WD7DhNWaA/s200/birthday+004.jpg+edit" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170687533763416242" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I look at the calendar and see that we are approaching the end of February. I enjoy reading everyone else's blog, so I guess that I better be more diligent in writing something on mine.<br /><br />Here are some of the activities that have been going on recently. First of all, Leanna turned 17 this month. We celebrated by going to "Taste of Texas." Very nice steaks, very pricey! But she will never turn 17 again so we treated her.<br /><br />My nephew (who is a year older than I am), Michael Criddle (Melvin's oldest son) came to town on business. He spent his last night in Houston with us. I took him to the temple for a session before dropping him off at the airport the next day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/R8H7r56CUMI/AAAAAAAAAns/vYjkkfaMZVg/s1600-h/DSC01754.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/R8H7r56CUMI/AAAAAAAAAns/vYjkkfaMZVg/s200/DSC01754.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170690578895229122" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I have an old missionary companion coming to town this next week on business and he will be staying with us. I look forward to swapping old stories with him. The only problem is that I am hosting a week-long training workshop and will have very little time. I even had to get a substitute seminary teacher for this week since I have to go into the office early and may have to work late. I have people coming in from all over the world.<br /><br />Mom has been on a lucky streak lately. No, she didn't win the lottery. But she did win tickets (great seats) to the Houston Rodeo next month. She also won the door prize at the "old ladies at the college" class for a $50 dinner at a nice restaurant. This past week we attended a free, Smooth Jazz concert at the college. Afterwards, they had refreshments. A perfect date - great entertainment and then they feed you - all for free! <br /><br />I assume many of you have already seen how Mom has redecorated the Master bedroom. She made the curtain and all the pillow covers. It took a long time to find the bed spread and lamps. Doesn't it look great?! Watching all those HGTV shows really paid off!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/R8H-_p6CUNI/AAAAAAAAAn0/C6sFWq4ieuA/s1600-h/DSC01724.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/R8H-_p6CUNI/AAAAAAAAAn0/C6sFWq4ieuA/s200/DSC01724.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170694216732528850" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/R8IAgJ6CUOI/AAAAAAAAAn8/Z0Er2Xqy7Gw/s1600-h/DSC01718.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/R8IAgJ6CUOI/AAAAAAAAAn8/Z0Er2Xqy7Gw/s200/DSC01718.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170695874589905122" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991069149796414022.post-81753345890403583762008-01-01T18:16:00.000-06:002008-01-01T19:23:47.937-06:00New Years DayI had a "Texas" type of New Year's day. First, since we live in the south and it is still the growing season, I spent the morning raking leaves and mowing the lawn. (Bet none of you did that on New Year's day!) Next, since it's NYD - and there is lots and lots of football on the tube, I enjoyed the many games. In fact, I'm using the laptop while I'm lying here in bed watching the Rose Bowl as I write this blog.<br />We invited our local missionaries to spend yesterday with us. They agreed to come, and brought six other missionaries with them. We had 4 elders and 4 sisters. I had set up the back room with the ping pong table, air hockey, and foosball. (It was their P-Day and they weren't suppose to tract the day before N.Y.) Mom had sandwiches for them to eat. We baked cookies for dessert while they played games. They seemed to have a good time. It was nice that we could give them some service.<br />Mom got out a puzzle that we put together during the evening. (Leanna had to work last night and then went over to a friend's home to light fireworks.) It was a puzzle map of Texas that was educational as well as fun.<br />Mom is cooking some "little smokies" and some of those spinach balls that we frequently have during the holidays. It smells great. She sure makes it hard to lose weight!<br />We've done some maintenance items over the holidays. Our garage door always seems to stop working when the weather gets cool - it goes up two inches and then comes back down. I called a specialist to come and fix it. (Mom is now happy that she doesn't have to get out of the car to help the garage door open when it's cold.) Next, we hired a guy to come and grind the tree stump that was next to the back room. I've never seen that done before. (It made lots of great mulch for us.) <br />Mom and I will spend tomorrow at the temple. I am enjoying sleeping in during the holidays. We've gone to the library a couple of times already to get movies and reading materials. It has been a very nice vacation/holiday time. I'm sure I'm going to be sad to see the end of my time off.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991069149796414022.post-23951231992014643782007-12-09T13:06:00.001-06:002007-12-09T13:23:44.629-06:00Didn't I Just Rake those Leaves?One of the disadvantages of living in the South is that the growing season lasts - oh, maybe 11+ months of the year! This weekend the temperature in Houston was in the 80's and I worked up a sweat raking the leaves and mowing the lawn. (It's hard to get into the Christmas spirit with high temps and humidity.) I noticed today that the back yard is in need of raking - again. Trees are wonderful things until they start to drop their leaves.<br /><br />I have one tree in the front yard that begins to drop it's leaves in August. But it is now putting on it's second set of leaves for the year. They will be on the tree until February, and then I'll get to rake them again. New leaves will come on again in March.<br /><br />Mom is visiting Bethany/Zak/Jaks in Phoenix this week so Nanna and I are "batching" it. We will survive, but we miss the "heart" of our home. Yesterday afternoon, Leanna and I put up the Christmas tree and nativity sets. I wasn't as structured as when Mom puts the lights and ornaments on the tree, but Nan and I both think it looks great.<br /><br />I only have 8 more working days this year. I am taking every Friday off and my last day is Dec 20th. I return to work on January 7. I'm looking forward to the break (and to not teaching early morning seminary.)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991069149796414022.post-84721410940371674202007-11-26T20:51:00.000-06:002007-11-26T21:06:57.001-06:00They Came, We Saw, He ConqueredWe had a wonderful visit with Beth, Zak, and Jakson at Thanksgiving. It was great to be able to visit with them and - especially, to bond with Jakson. He and Grandpa had a great time together. (Thus - he conquered our hearts.) He is a very "busy" boy - always wanting to do something. We pulled out all the old toys that were worth keeping. I remember when Jeff/Jon played with the same toys. It was also nice to be able to give him back to his parents when he started to smell.<br /><br />Mom invited a widow lady from our ward to spend Thanksgiving dinner with us. She commented on Sunday how much she enjoyed being with us.<br /><br />Bethany helped to make my blog better looking. Thanks to her!<br /><br />I've posted some pictures of the week on my Web Album. Click on the link on the right to view.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991069149796414022.post-50507495964467872202007-11-04T12:54:00.001-06:002008-12-11T05:14:25.022-06:00Slow - Slow - Quick Quick<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/RzJ88ZuAG8I/AAAAAAAAAbQ/9j7FYfK_PYE/s1600-h/C%26A.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/RzJ88ZuAG8I/AAAAAAAAAbQ/9j7FYfK_PYE/s200/C%26A.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5130300302666243010" border="0" /></a><br />We've still got it!<br /><br />If I were asked what was the most valuable class we took in college, and what we still use all these many years since graduation - I'd have to say social dance. Mom/Anne signed us up at the local community college to take a dance class this semester. The class has been going on for several weeks (like about 6 weeks) but this last Thursday was the first time I was able to attend with her. (My AP trip and stake meetings prevented us from attending earlier classes together.)<br /><br />The class is just a bunch of us oldies who get together for this class. Someone brings a CD player and music. Mom and I are the youngest couple there. Anyway, as the class progressed, the instructors commented that we must have taken dance classes before. We admitted that we had in college. Everyone was amazed that we still knew many of the steps. (I guess it's because I kept my skills up while dancing with Bethany in the kitchen when she was young!) The instructors had to leave early to go to a play at the college while the rest of us stayed to practice. It ended up that Anne and I became the "substitute" teachers and were showing steps to the other couples. Then, since there were more ladies than men in attendance, Mom sat down while I danced with another old lady. It was a fun evening. We have a few more classes to attend this semester.<br /><br />On Friday, Mom had volunteered to assist at the college play taking tickets and serving the refreshments after the play/musical. (It was Kismet, for those who want to know.) Mom was put in charge of all the volunteers that night and she was short-handed. So I got to help take tickets, seat people, serve the refreshments and clean up afterwards. The play wasn't that professional (kind of what you'd expect from a community college), but it was a fun evening. I enjoyed working together with Mom. We are going to more of these kind of activities over time.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991069149796414022.post-15468907498883050992007-10-28T12:22:00.000-05:002008-12-11T05:14:25.205-06:00It is the Best of Times, it is the Worst of Times<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/RyTMHPxoYnI/AAAAAAAAAaY/7MnY2yLD1Kc/s1600-h/DSC01633.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126446700720317042" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/RyTMHPxoYnI/AAAAAAAAAaY/7MnY2yLD1Kc/s200/DSC01633.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>We are having our two weeks of good weather in the fall. The evening temperatures are into the 50's. The daytime temps are in the low 70's. No humidity, bright sunny days. The weather is such that we want to leave our windows open all the time to get the fresh air. Mom and I go for a walk both Sat/Sun mornings just to enjoy the weather. It is the best of times.<br /><br />The downside is that ragweed pollen fills the air and my eyes are dry and itchy. I am able to use a nose spray so that my sinuses don't give me a problem like when we first moved to Texas. But I have to be very careful to not touch my eyes or they really give me fits. It is the worst of times (at least for my eyes.)<br /><br />I still have 15 days of vacation to take before the end of the year. We planned it out so that I am off every Friday for a half or a full day. This past weekend I used the time to take care of some necessary "honey-do's" that needed to be done.<br /><br />We gave the two sofa's that were upstairs away to Salvation Army (the brown love seat and the white leather sofa). We also donated three old recliners to the SA. After I got back from my trip, Mom and I went shopping for some new furniture. We now have a nice leather sofa for the family room and two leather recliners for the master bedroom. Too bad our kids don't live close to us so that we could recycle our old furniture to them. (Maybe that is why they don't live close - hummm?)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991069149796414022.post-23155918855340260592007-10-04T20:48:00.000-05:002007-10-04T21:00:20.799-05:00If it's Friday, this must be SingaporeI'm sitting here in the Singapore airport waiting for my next flight to Hong Kong. The business lounge has free computers for passengers to use, so I'll take a few minutes and just say hello to everyone. I'm halfway through my AP trip, and I'm looking forward to my return home. I was pleased to have Jonathan call me yesterday as I stood in line at McDonalds waiting for my breakfast. I talk to Mom every day since my cell phone is a world phone and is suppose to work everywhere.<br /><br />I will spend this next week end in Hong Kong and attend church there. Regular services due the the time difference with General Conference. (I'm having trouble typing this note as some of the letters on the keyboard are in different locations.) Next Wednesday I fly to Shanghai - a new location for me.<br /><br />I've been fighting a bug the past few days. (It better not be malaria!) One student I had this week told me as he shook my hand how he almost didn't come to the class because he had been sick, but didn't want to miss my training. I thanked him for his interest and discretely wiped my hand on my pant leg. :-)<br /><br />I'll be sending out a letter of "AP Week Two" when I'm next in the office on Monday. My love to all.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991069149796414022.post-25028319568366442232007-09-14T19:50:00.000-05:002008-12-11T05:14:25.393-06:00But where do I put my socks?I'm getting ready for my next round-the-world trip. But this time I am going to some new locations. It may not be so fun. I fly out 3 PM on Sunday, Sept 23 through Frankfort, Germany to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Mumbai</span>, India. (You may remember that Frankfort was in the news recently as a foiled terrorist bombing target. Yes, that Frankfort.) I arrive in Mumbai at 1 AM on Tuesday morning. I was going to fly in a few days earlier, but learned that India has a religious holiday earlier in the week. (Something about dunking a 25 foot statue in the sea.) So everything is pushed back. I fly to Singapore on Saturday. I've found the location and time of the church for that Sunday. On the following Friday, I fly to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Hong</span> Kong. Although it is conference weekend, they will still have fast and testimony meeting because of the time difference. (They tape it for viewing the following week.) After a couple of work days in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Hong</span> Kong, I fly to Shanghai, China on Wednesday. I will teach two days and then on Saturday I'm off to Tokyo. (I haven't found the church information for Tokyo. Jeff, can you suggest something?) The following Wednesday (Oct 17), I return to Houston. I'll be gone three and a half weeks - that's a long time.<br /><br />The reason I am going to Asia is to provide some much needed computer training. It will be a brutal trip. I didn't know how bad it would be until I checked with our local medical department. I've been tested and have strong immunity to mumps, measles, and rubella - no boosters needed. My TB test was negative. I had to get a booster polio shot, typhoid oral booster, and something called a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Twinrix</span> (Hepatitis A/B) booster. I have to start taking malaria tablets two days before I arrive in India and continue for 7 days after I leave. I've also been told to only drink bottled water. And I'm to make sure that the bottle does not have it's seal broken. (They tend to reuse water bottles over there.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/Rus9hLpYOwI/AAAAAAAAANM/W3fZoBKK--k/s1600-h/DSC01398.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/Rus9hLpYOwI/AAAAAAAAANM/W3fZoBKK--k/s320/DSC01398.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110245842453281538" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The nurse stopped by my office today to provide me with a personal medical kit. You can see from the picture all the stuff that I am to take. I may not have room in my luggage for socks! I've got everything you can think of to cure (?) or stop diarrhea. I've got my own syringes and replacement needles in case I have to go to a doctor. (They also tend to reuse needles in India and China.) The nurse gave me a suture removal kit and butterfly bandages. I've got all kinds of high powered insect repellent and bug killer. I was even issued my own supply of antibiotics - to kill the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">microbugs</span>.<br /><br />Still, it is a chance in a lifetime to be able to travel to these locations and sample the local culture. I may never make it back to the more exotic cities.<br /><br />I had previously told our Bishop that I would be traveling this fall and he called Bro Lacey to be my back-up seminary teacher. This means that Mom and the other parents are off the hook.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991069149796414022.post-5443260857174581872007-09-01T10:35:00.000-05:002007-09-01T10:52:14.102-05:00So - who needs to sleep anyway?As you may have seen in Leanna's blog, school started this week. That also means that seminary started this week also. Once again I am teaching seminary - the Old Testament. We don't have "sissy seminary" here in Texas - we have Real Men teaching Real Seminary at 6 AM. Our ward has two teachers. I get mostly the Seniors and Juniors as well as one Sophomore who lives close - probably 8 total will normally show up. A good size class.<br /><br />I find that every day there are three separate lessons - the one I prepare, the one I teach, and the one I wish I would have taught.<br /><br />I've got another round the world trip coming up soon. (The bishopric has found a sub for me to teach seminary while I'm away.) I will be gone for three weeks this time, all of it in Asia Pacific. I will be in Mumbai, India (we called it Bombay when I was growing up), Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai (China), and Tokyo. I have to go to these cities to train users in our computer system. (Remember that I picked up some added responsibilities a few months ago? This is part of that responsibility.) I've been getting immunizations and arranging for pills so that I won't get sick while away. (Anyone care for a malaria tablet?) Working the visa applications for India and China is a hassle.<br /><br />I will try to take pictures and post them on a web album. I will be gone from Sept 21 to Oct 13.<br /><br />Between seminary and all the travel, I don't think I'll be getting much sleep for awhile....Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7991069149796414022.post-67083501767878618592007-08-25T18:50:00.000-05:002008-12-11T05:14:25.632-06:00Old Dog Learning New Tricks<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/RtTS9ZbZIhI/AAAAAAAAAM8/4b-36F_vL50/s1600-h/DSC00679.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103936229957247506" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/RtTS9ZbZIhI/AAAAAAAAAM8/4b-36F_vL50/s320/DSC00679.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Look at me, I'm publishing on the web! Anne is always "encouraging" me to write more to my family. Since Jeff and Jon have returned from their missions, I haven't been as diligent in writing. Maybe this old dog can learn some new tricks. If my siblings/kids want to know what has been happening in my life, they can refer to this blog. We'll see how it goes.....<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c14C4yRcngc/RtDDwJbZIgI/AAAAAAAAAMw/f6KwsJMGtB8/s1600-h/DSC00679.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br />Isn't that a talented grandson! I used to do this same trick with Bethany. We have lots of pictures of me holding her like this. But we gave Bethany her photo album and she has them now.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7