Erroll Le Vant

The Steam Team

2011-12-08T12:21:00.001-08:00

In recent weeks I was privileged to be part of a group of people who volunteered to do cleanup after the wildfires that destroyed so many homes just south of Austin, Texas. The paradox was that one felt great heartache at seeing so much devastation while at the same time feeling gratification for the opportunity to help people in need.

One of the surprising things, to me at least, was that there were homes spared destruction, despite being in the middle of the fire zone. We worked at one home that had water and smoke damage, but that had not burned while the neighbors on either side had had their homes burned to the ground. And I can tell no rhyme or reason why one burned and the other did not.

The people we helped were very grateful for the assistance they received, in part at least because the water & fire damage restoration Austin services and county agencies were inundated with requests that had backlogged. It seems things are getting back to normal, but it is a time I will never forget.

Old Dog

2011-10-26T21:22:00.000-07:00

Guest post by Gerard Mcdaniel

Today I talked to my sweet little grandpa on the phone. I try and touch base with him every week or so since my grandma passed. Even though they were both very old when she died, he still took it really hard. I remember he told me that she almost “took him down with her.” It broke my heart to see him lonely for the first time in 60-something years. We got him signed up for Meals on Wheels, so two meals a day are taken care of for him. We also got a housekeeper to come by and clean once a week (because judging based on the state of his house, he had no big plans for cleaning in the final years of his life). We had the supports in place to keep him alive, but Grandpa really needed a reason to live. It came to me one day while at work. I decided that I’d Get Wild Blue for Grandpa, so he’d have a way to keep in touch with all of his grandchildren and great grandchildren, even while up there in the hills of Tennessee. I can’t describe what a difference it has made for him. Today he told me he’s been reading recipes online and that he’s about ready to try one. Seems as though you can teach an old dog new tricks.

The Beach House

2011-08-24T11:16:00.001-07:00

Thanks to Wm Rowe

My parents let me have their old house on the beach a few years back mostly because they just didn’t want to have to deal with keeping it up. There was a lot of maintenance involved and when I took over the place it needed a lot of work so I spent the first few months just getting it up to code, literally. I then started adding stuff like ceiling fans on the porch and a expertsatellite.com satellite system and it’s slowly been getting better and better ever since. My husband and I have been talking about renting it out to beachgoers but we’re not sure we want the added responsibility of being landlords on top of already owning a second home. There are a lot of things you don’t think about like hiring a cleaning service or taking the time to go and replace lightbulbs and all that and really it all adds up when the whole reason you want to be there is to be on vacation! I guess we’ll see what we decide.

Owning Your Own Place

2011-06-22T09:48:00.000-07:00

Contribution by Saul Martin

What is it about owning your own home that makes you feel like a totally capable adult? I mean, I rented places for years, and I even got a child of my own, but when I bought my first house I really felt like I had made it big. Now that I'm married, I'm really glad we own the property together, but that doesn't mean there are times I wish we had money to upgrade. For example, the neighborhood I originally bought in hasn't appreciated quite as much as I would've liked, but that was a quick fix as we went to www.ATLantahomesecurity.com and have ourselves a shiny new alarm system. Now I feel much safer staying in the house alone when my husband is here. I would also like to totally redo the front yard, but that's going to take money and time that we don't have right now, so I guess that will have to wait for another month or even another year. We'll get to it sometime!

South Park--Guest Post

2011-04-20T12:23:00.000-07:00

South Park Is My Favorite Sitcom
Guest post by Toney Elliott
I have been watching South Park since I was ten years old (even though age ten is certainly too young to be watching a show like South Park!). I catch the show on satellite TV from www.direct.tv , it shows re-runs on a few different channels, and the new episodes air on Comedy Central. I have always been amused by how obscene the show is. South Park is a show that does not have any boundaries. As a result of the fact that the show will do the most outrageous things for laughs, there have been numerous complaints and controversies surrounding the show. Many other people are bothered by the shows controversial material, but I thi! nk that is because they take it too seriously. Almost everything that South Park does makes me laugh. The show mocks and parodies real life people and events, which is a big reason I find the show so intriguing. I am very interested in pop culture, so I find it very amusing to see it constantly spoofed on South Park. The key to enjoying the show is to know that it is all a joke, and it is not meant to be mean-spirited. The show exaggerates certain occurrences, or a celebrities personality traits, in order to make it more entertaining and fun to watch, which it succeeds in doing.

Better Bathrooms!

2010-12-30T08:50:00.000-08:00

My wife and I began some months ago to be concerned about having to bring our aging parents to stay with us in their waning days, not that not to mention the fact that we are approaching retirement age ourselves. Our ranch-style home that was built in the 1960s is spacious enough and would be comfortable for them, but it was not designed to be easily accessed by those who might be in a wheelchair or motorized scooter. That was especially true of our bathroom.

We knew that we needed to remodel, but were unsure of what really could and should be done. So we went online to sites like betterbathrooms.com. There we found a multitude of ideas and products that would meet our needs. Not only did they have standard bathroom fixtures and accessories, but they also showed possible bathroom suites and ways to arrange the facility for better accessibility for those with limited mobility.

We were able to transform our bathtub into a handicap accessible shower facility with safety features, and comfort features, that will be able to accommodate our parents if they indeed do have to come and stay in our home, and will certainly make things easier for us as we get older.

Hope For Haiti's Children

2010-04-24T00:43:00.000-07:00

Yesterday at the preachers’ luncheon we learned about the work of a faith based group called Hope for Haiti’s Children. This group feeds, educates, and for some orphans, houses children in the outskirts of Port Au Prince. They can fully fund that work for about $40 per month per child. They were already in Haiti before the earthquake and their students were among the top in standardized testing for the whole country. In the aftermath of the quake they have been distributing food and supplies to other organizations—no strings attached.

One of the things that really caught my attention is that the folks who set the ministry up established a separate fund for administrative costs. It is supported by folks who want to assure the work will continue. And that allows that every donation that is made for the children goes, 100 cents of every dollar, directly to the needs of those being helped! Rainy season began about two weeks ago, with most folks living in tent cities with little or no sanitation facilities. To take a look or to donate, go to http://hopeforhaitischildren.org/

Filthy Thirteen

2010-02-10T09:14:00.001-08:00

I just read a book called, The Filthy Thirteen, about the WW2 paratroopers that were loosely portrayed in the movie, The Dirty Dozen. The author was one of the original group of demolition specialists who had combat jumps behind enemy lines at Normandy, in Holland, at Bastogne, and in Germany. They were recalcitrant soldiers who did not polish and shine and did not salute officers, but they were not criminals--as they were portrayed in the movie.

The book is graphic in its description of the war, but it is a good read. If you would like to see videos online about the group, here is a url that will help you find them: http://video.google.com/videosearch?hl=en&q=+%22filthy+thirteen%22&num=100#

Web Hosting Geeks!!!

2009-09-05T10:04:00.000-07:00

Though the Internet is called the Information Super Highway, it can be confusing by inundating the seeker with so much to filter that it becomes discouraging. That is why it is of great relief to find a place you can trust to give you all the information you need in one easy to navigate site. That is all the more the case when the information you are seeking is in regard to an important decision.

Web Hosting Geeks is such a site for those that are making the critical decision about which hosting service to use for your website. In this day and age, it is not enough to simply have a website, it must be visible and effective. Web Hosting Geeks provides a wealth of information about web site hosting, from basic instructions to ratings of a wide range of hosts, to awards for the top hosting services in various categories.

Web Hosting Geeks are a valuable resource whether you are an individual who wants to find the best way to promote your thoughts, ideas, services or products, or a business that wants to spur sales levels or elevate awareness of the company brand. Whether you are seeking shared hosting or designated hosting, or something special in between, Web Hosting Geeks is the place to go.

Evacuate or Else

2009-09-05T10:02:00.000-07:00

I just heard an announcement that the State of Texas will implement a new law effective September 1. It provides authority to arrest any citizen who refuses a mandatory evactuation notice, such as the ones issued last fall when Hurricane Ike was about to hit our area.

There are always some people who ignore the warnings, at their own peril. There are still some bodies missing from the storm surge Ike brought. The proponents of the law point to the dangers to rescue people in the midst of the storms when the stragglers change their minds. No doubt there is a danger. And perhaps arrest might save lives of those so foolish as to stay in the face of danger.

Still I wonder about such a law. What do you thinK?

Reflections on Contentment

2009-09-05T09:59:00.000-07:00

Reflections on Contentment
Current mood: content
Category: Life
Sometime back I read a blog on Happiness and its relationship to money. I would like to affirm the idea that contentment is in reality a state of mind over which individuals should have at least some measure of control. We should determine that we will not let anyone else dictate the way respond to any situation, no matter how distasteful. Like the Apostle Paul, we should strive to be content in whatever state we find ourselves.

That being said, there are some things that I find it much easier to be content in doing! I enjoy being with my family for a meal, especially if afterward we can play a game together. I like listening to an acapella choral group or a little child's prayer. I love a pitcher's duel, or an overtime basketball game. I like warm weather and warm smiles. I like to pick up pecans in the fall, and I like writing short, reflective articles about things that bring me joy!

I am sure you have some favorite activities as well, how about sharing them? I would enjoy that too.

Philippians 4:11 "for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content."

Car Shopping In The UK!!!!!

2009-09-02T20:38:00.000-07:00

Those shopping for new cars in the UK now have a versatile tool to assist them in their search. BuyYourCar.co.uk is a web site that is designed to allow car shoppers to receive discounts on new cars from franchised dealerships all across the United Kingdom.

The revolutionary element that causes BuyYourCar.co.uk to be so outstanding is that it gives the shopper the ability make comparisons on prices of not only new cars, but also used cars and even rentals.

Another special aspect of the web site is that it provides independent reviews of various cars. The shopper can also use the provided links to find insurance or financing for their vehicles.

Mistaken Identity!!!!

2009-09-02T20:19:00.000-07:00

A few days ago I received a small package in the mail with a return address to someone that I did not know. When I opened it, it took a few moments for me to realize what was going on. The package included a note, apparently handwritten by young man, three baseball cards in a plastic case and a pen. I recognized the cards, being a collector myself and because, coincidentally, the player and I share the same name.

When I read the letter, I realized that the boy had somehow found my address at the church and had come to the conclusion that the ballplayer had hung up his cleats and become a minister. The boy asked that I sign each of the cards and return them to him in the enclosed self-addressed and stamped envelope. I got a big kick out of the mistake, and so did some of the members here when I showed them the letter and the cards. My grandkids especially had a big laugh. Of course I would not sign the cards, as I am not the ex-ballplayer. At least not the professional ballplayer on the cards.

But I had met the young man on the cards a few years ago, after having seen him play in the Astrodome in Houston. When I showed him my business card he had a laugh. We visited for a few minutes and I told him that I knew there would be some baseball cards coming out in the new year, and I hoped he would be willing to sign some for me. He told me how to get hold of him, and when the cards came out, I sent a few to him, which he returned autographed.

I happened to have an extra one of those still in my collection, so I posted a note back to my young petitioner explaining the situation and included one of my autographed cards, along with his three cards that remained unsigned. I hope he was satisfied, because I really enjoyed that exchange.

Scarpetta, by Patricia Cornwell

2009-08-04T08:34:00.000-07:00

I just finished reading the latest Patricia Cornwell novel, Scarpetta. I have been a big fan of Cornwell, especially of her series featuring forensic specialist, Dr. Kay Scarpetta. But this book is not as enjoyable or as satisfying as earlier books in the series.

In this book the star and title character is the target of a narcissistic serial killer that has infiltrated the NYPD. The story was much easier to predict than other books in the series. But on top of that the undercurrent of emotions going on between the heroine and her most special relationships was not as compelling as in some of the other books.

While I am not about to give up on Cornwell, it was a disappointing read.

Real Property Management

2009-08-03T12:14:00.001-07:00

I have been doing research on how and where to invest in foreclosed property. One of the problems with purchasing in some location other than areas in close proximity to my home is “who would take care of my investments?”. That problem may be solved because I have just found out about Real Property Management, an award winning organization that is willing to deal with individuals with few properties or with big enterprises with many properties to manage.

They can deal with everything from placing tenants to maintenance to accounting to legal issues. That would ease my worries about owning properties from a distance and allow me to just worry about getting the best property for the best price, no matter where it is located.

Evacuate or Else!!!!!

2009-08-03T12:04:00.000-07:00

Thinking About Francesca!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-07-27T13:42:00.000-07:00

One the second day of our recent mission trip my partner and I came up on a woman who was sitting in the shade of a guava tree, washing clothes by hand in a bucket. Her daughter was sitting on a rock, a few yards away, also in the shade. I introduced myself and told the ladies that I was there to share a message of hope from the Bible. The older woman gave me an answer that was designed to dismiss me, but I responded with a smile and sat down in the shade, between them. I introduced my partner, a 17 year old girl I have known since she came into the world.

I found out the lady, Francesca, is about my age, maybe a few months older. We hit it off well and had a very interesting discussion. When I prepared to leave, an hour or so later, I asked what she was thinking. She told me she found the things I said very interesting. She attended two nights of our crusade or revival meeting, and I went by her home again early in the second week for another discussion.

On our last day in the village, Salisbury, Dominica, I went by to bid Francesca farewell and to see if she had any questions. She was not home, her daughter told us she had gone into the capitol city to sit with her brother who had fallen ill; she had been gone all day. I left by regards and best wishes for both Francesca and her brother.

I was surprised to see Francesca at the service on our last night. After it was over, I asked if I could walk her home and leave a final word with her. It was only a couple of hundred yards to her home, so it did not take long for the walk or the message. When I bid her farewell, she said, “I will be praying that the Lord will add a year of health to both you and I, so that when you come back next year, I will be able to call you my brother.” I told her I was touched. She said, “I am glad.”

I too will be praying!

Colorful Characters Abound

2009-07-27T13:41:00.000-07:00

I was asked to review Malcolm R. Campbell’s “Jock Stewart and the Missing Sea of Fire” before publication.”

Readers who enjoy hard-bitten, wisecracking characters will surely fall in love with Jock Stewart, the main character in the new Malcolm Campbell novel, Jock Stewart and the Missing Sea of Fire. The story of the book revolves around the disappearance of the race horse, Sea of Fire, but it features a wagon load of human “horsing around” by the many colorful characters Campbell created, including Coral Snake Smith, Parker House, a preacher named Cotton Mouth and the Krispy Kreme eating police chief Kruller.

While reading the story and gathering the clues, that frequently came to light as Stewart dialogued with his own intuition, readers may find themselves having great fun picking up the puns, word plays and hilarious cloaked references to cultural and historical items. Jock Stewart is an old time newspaperman, whose “blunt force sarcasm” keeps him in hot water with his bosses, co-workers and the police. But if not for his pressing the issue, the mystery would definitely not have been resolved.

Stewart, Malcolm Campbell’s self-acknowledged alter ego, is also the author’s vehicle to decry the effects of the digital age on the craft of writing and the elegance of language. I found the book entertaining, and it might even become profitable, if I can get permission from the author to use the sermon outline he provided in chapter 13!

Can This Be The Beginning of Understanding?

2009-03-20T17:18:00.000-07:00

On Jay Leno Thursday night President Obama made an inappropriate joke about Special Olympics. He has made an apology.

I understand thoughtless jokes that were not intended to hurt. I think most of us make them. Special Olympics is one of my favorite charities, and I am not an Obama fan, but I would really like it if his slip and his apology would help get us past the constant call for someone to resign when they make an inappropriate comment they should have kept to themselves.

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More Devastation From Hurricane Ike!

2009-03-13T08:18:00.000-07:00

The devastation done by Hurricane Ike was just compounded by the decisions made by windstorm insurance providers. Those on Boliver Peninsula received word that the insurance industry decided that the damage done to their homes, almost all of them were demolished, was only 11.2% due to wind. So the homeowners will receive only 11.2% of the value of their homes and nothing for the contents!

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NFL Cardinals!

2009-01-25T19:23:00.000-08:00

I suspect more HDTV units will be sold this week than any other in the year, especially in the Arizona desert! Why? Because the Arizona Cardinals are going to play in the Super Bowl next Sunday! The Cardinals have been one of the worst franchises in professional sports for a very long time, so no doubt the band wagon fans will want to see every detail of the game in high definition!

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One Really Tough Week!

2009-01-24T12:12:00.000-08:00

We have had better weeks! Last Saturday I got a call that a friend and fellow Christian had passed away. Then on Sunday morning we got word that another of our members had lost his battle with illness. Tuesday morning I received another call to announce that one of our shut-in members had passed away after several year of deteriorating health. I have prepared had three funerals this week.

Add to that information that on Monday afternoon that the doctors told my wife’s mother that they cannot do anything more to overcome a series of health problems for her. Her body is failing from leukemia, renal failure, pneumonia and a bladder infection. This afternoon she was moved to hospice care, where she will be made comfortable as she finishes her journey.

UPDATE--My Mother in Law finished her race yesterday afternoon, Saturday the 24th.

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The Demands on the Students

2009-01-24T11:54:00.001-08:00

These days it seems as though the band directors and choral directors and coaches that head up the extracurricular activities at school place an inordinate amount of demands on the young people who sign up to participate. They almost act as if the kids owe them everything. I went to watch my grandson play basketball last night and it was lots of fun. But he has to be at school before daylight and stay till late. But he is squeezed for time to do things like administer his acne treatments or relax with friends, or spend time with his GrandDad!

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A Very Decent Man!

2009-01-15T18:24:00.000-08:00

I watched the farewell speech by President Bush tonight. I was not long, but it was a heartfelt presentation by a man who loves his country and has done what he beleived was best for the nation at every step. I realize that there were things that should have been differently, but I do not know how any honest person, regardless of political persuaion, can consider Mr. Bush as any less than a very decent man!

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Who To Believe?

2009-01-15T18:22:00.001-08:00

The weight loss industry must take in a massive amount of money, because you cannot listen to the radio, watch television or read a periodical without being bombarded with messages from a diet program or product. Every one of them claims the to be the best diet pill or best method available to lose weight! It almost makes you throw your hand in the air and do nothing.

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HOUSE, by Frank Peretti and Ted Dekker

2009-01-14T20:10:00.000-08:00

I love to read, but the horror genre has been off limits ever since I saw the original Psycho in 1960 and was scared to walk the three blocks to my home. I was 12 and I decided then that I did not want anything to do with such movies, stories, books, or even “fun” houses at the fair!

So I was surprised to receive a novel for Christmas, House, by Frank Peretti and Ted Dekker. My daughter, who gave me the book, knew that I loved This Present Darkness, also by Peretti, so she thought that I would like this one too. She said it was “Christian Horror.” I never knew there was such a thing!

I want to review the book here, and I hate to give away any of the drama in the book, but I am not sure how to give a good review without describing some of the key elements, so if you think you might want to read the book, maybe you ought not read any further in this post.

I entered the book with trepidation. I met Jack and Stephanie as they were on their way to a counseling session to try to salvage their marriage. Things had not gone well for them following the drowning of their daughter a year earlier.
Their trip took a detour that led to their being drawn to an isolated house that looked like an old Southern inn when they arrived. But it turned out to be anything but a place of cordial hospitality. Another couple, Randy and Leslie, also found themselves in the place that night. The four shared a night of unmitigated terror.

As the evening unfolded, the house seemed to be alive, with a mind of its own. It seemed to know the hearts of the four trapped inside by the machinations of the house itself and the villain, Barsidious White.

The story moves at a good pace and helps the reader to get a growing awareness that the personal guilt of the individuals was contributing to the animosity of the house toward the victims. I must admit that I can think of few things that are more horrifying and painful than having to come face to face with one’s hidden sinfulness.

The story allows for redemption and a victory of good over evil only if those trapped inside would indeed acknowledge the sins they had been covering up, while blaming others for their plight in life. Though the word is never used in the book, repentance is an absolute necessity if the sinner wanted to live another day.

Good does win out for some of the four, and though it appears the story is over, we leave the book with an awareness that the evil perpetrators were far from finished with their “game”.

The book has been recently made into a movie, released last November. I promise, I will not go see it. And I hope I do not have images appear in my mind in the night!

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Turnovers Will Determine The Champs

2009-01-08T17:39:00.000-08:00

After watching the first possessions by both the Oklahoma Sooners and the Florida Gators in the BCS Championship Game, I decided that the team that wins the turnover battle will be the champions of NCAA Football for 2008. Even as I was typing, Oklahoma intercepted a pass at near midfield! Oklahoma leads 1-0 on my scorecard.

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Info Storage!

2009-01-08T17:20:00.001-08:00

I am a dinosaur when it comes to technologies. I still have file cabinets in which I store hard copies of all the sermons I have preached, curriculums I have written, even though I have spoken them into existence using my voice recognition software on my computer. And there are many more cabinets and closets that house the archives of the congregation’s business. We could save much space in our building if we would implement tape drives for our information storage!

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M. O. B.!!!!!!!!!

2008-12-31T13:48:00.000-08:00

One of the most irreverent institutions around is the Marching Owl Band, from Rice University in Houston. Rice is one of the elite academic schools in the country, and it is relatively small compared to the other schools against whom it competes in sports.

In 1970 the band transformed itself from a traditional marching band to an unconventional group of performers. They wear black business suits and fedora hats rather than the traditional band uniforms. And there half time presentations have music, but there is almost always some social or political commentary too. I have seen them spoof the Governor, the Olympics and the big universities, especially the University of Texas.

Last night in the pre-game performance for the Texas Bowl, the M.O.B tweaked their opponents, Western Michigan University (it had been hoped that Notre Dame would be the Owls opponent). They thanked WMU for coming to Houston, for, "making their existence known". They said that Rice was pleased to have them as opponents, despite the fact that many would rather have played someone more familiar. They then asked if WMU would mind " putting bags on their heads and pretend they were Irish!"

Outrageous fun!

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Timeless Pieces!

2008-12-31T06:46:00.000-08:00

Though I have not bought any, I have always liked special watches. My grandparents gave me a Gruen with day and date features for my graduation in 1966. I still have it. I was given a Pulsar 100m as a token of appreciation for a seminar I conducted for some teens back in 1989. I still wear it. I just learned about Polar watches, that not only provide the time, but also information about your body, like how many steps taken on a hike, gauging calories, and much more. Sounds like fun!

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Fun at the Texas Bowl!

2008-12-31T06:27:00.000-08:00

My family went to the Texas Bowl last night, the first bowl game I have attended in many years, since a Bluebonnet Bowl in the Astrodome. We went to support the Rice Owls who were trying to win a bowl game for the first time in 55 years, and a tenth win in the season for the first time in 59 years.

The Owls scored the first 38 points in the game and cruised to a 38-14 win. Chase Clement, the Rice quarterback, was the MVP and the Owls really played well. We had a good time, maybe setting up an annual trip to the bowl while the boys are here with us.

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New Year, Less Me!

2008-12-30T09:23:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite bloggers has challenged a bunch of us to join her in a goal to lose at least 27 pounds in the New Year. As I have a need to drop far more pounds than the 27, I agree to accept the challenge. So beginning on the first of January my wife will begin more healthy cooking and we will walk together. That will do both of us a lot of good.

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The Shack, by William P. Young

2008-12-17T14:04:00.001-08:00

A few months ago I was urged to read the book The Shack by William p> Young. It is of the theological fiction genre, so it is right up my alley. I got a copy of the book and placed it in my To Be Read stack. I picked it up last week and finished it in only a few days. It was a compelling read!

The story centers on the life of Mackenzie Phillips and how he deals with the loss of a daughter to a serial child killer. One can easily identify with the kinds of emotions that Mack struggle with, including anger and distrust of God. Mack's journey to the shack where the crime ended is not unlike one most of us have to make at some time in our lives.

I do not think I have ever read or heard such a revealing depiction of the triune God, Father, Son and Spirit as the one Young painted in his story. The powerful appeal of the relationship between the persons of the Trinity generates a deep desire to enter into such a relationship with God.

Some of the theology presented in the book, I cannot embrace. I would urge all readers of the book not to allow emotions that grow out of reading the story to cloud their spiritual discernment, but to trust on the revealed Will of God in the Bible for the final authority in their faith and practice.

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Letter to Santa

2008-12-17T14:02:00.000-08:00

Dear Santa,
I have been a really good boy, I have taken care of my wife and grandkids as best I can and made sure the dog got plenty of exercise! I have not been naughty and I do not say bad words. I know you are aware that I eat a little too much from time to time, but I think you enjoy a few extra cookies yourself, so I hope you will understand. For Christmas I would like a new suit to wear to church. Or maybe it would be less expensive if you just bring me a supply of Decaslim so I can get into my old one!
Yours, Truly,
Errolllevant

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In South Texas?

2008-12-11T16:46:00.001-08:00

Can you believe it? Last night we had a significant, for us, snowfall. I covered the ground for a few hours. This is only the 7th time in my 60 years that it has snowed here enough to blanket things. My grandsons were ecstatic! They had a snowball fight before bedtime!

I was glad when it melted away by noon today!

Subscribe in a readerCan you believe it? Last night we had a significant, for us, snowfall. I covered the ground for a few hours. This is only the 7th time in my 60 years that it has snowed here enough to blanket things. My grandsons were ecstatic! They had a snowball fight before bedtime!

I was glad when it melted away by noon today!

Holiday Sweets

2008-12-09T14:56:00.000-08:00

I was hoping to control my intake of calories over the Thanksgiving weekend, so that I would not put on too many extra pounds. I did pretty well; we had a pumpkin pie in the fridge that took more than a week to disappear completely. I have heard of such a pie disappearing in one night! Now it is Christmas time. We went to a school concert for the grandkids last night and I had two Christmas cookies. That’s not bad. Maybe I will not have to buy myself any diet supplements with my Christmas money!

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Finally!

2008-12-09T14:55:00.000-08:00

I have been sick for ten days, head and chest congestion and lots of coughing, little sleep at night. But today I am feeling well enough to think that recovery is possible. A couple of days ago I thought death more likely and much more desirable!

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Indian Meal Moths

2008-12-04T10:31:00.000-08:00

I went to the Monday Night Football game this week with my friend who is an exterminator. I took him a little bug I had caught that afternoon in the kitchen. It was the second one I had seen in a couple of days. My buddy gave me a couple of Indian meal moth traps and told me to get rid of any opened boxes of cereal or dried beans and such from our pantry. He told me not to worry, that they do not live long and if we will store the dried things in sealable containers we won't have any more problem.

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New Tree

2008-12-02T18:20:00.000-08:00

We have been artificial Christmas tree users for many years. We originally made the switch for the safety issues, when our girls were little. We did not want to become one of those stories of house fires involving real trees. We also came to like the savings. This year we bought an new tree, retiring the fifteen year old model. The new one is hinged and pre-lit, saving a lot of time in assembly and decoration! It is a seven and an half foot Spruce. It looks nice and the boys are excited!

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Discovery Green

2008-12-01T12:39:00.000-08:00

Discovery Green is a new park in downtown Houston, Texas. It is surrounded by Toyota Center, where the Rockets play; Minute Maid Park, where the Astros play, and George R. Brown Convention Center. It has been well received and is constantly filled with floks having a good time. This holiday season it is lit up like the las vegas strip, with lights and attractions to promote the holiday spirit, and no doubt to stimulate the economy!

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Missing Diamond Rings

2008-11-27T06:01:00.000-08:00

My mother in law has declined in health to the place that she needs someone to be with her all the time. She did not want to go into a home, so she decided to use a home nursing agency. She was happy with the girl they sent out and things began all right. But sometime a few weeks later Marcie’s diamond rings were missing. She was very upset and eventually called the police. A detective searched the local pawnshops and was able to recover the jewelry. And the home care nurse is headed to jail!

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Thanksgiving Traditions

2008-11-27T05:56:00.000-08:00

Today is Thanksgiving day, and most Americans will have a wonderful time celebrating the blessings they have received over the past year. It is right and proper to do so. But shortly after the meal and the expressions of gratitude, tv stands all across the land will become altars as football fans settle down to pay homage to their favorite pastime!

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Tech Over OU?

2008-11-19T19:10:00.000-08:00

This weekend pits the Red Raiders of Texas Tech against the Sooners of Oklahoma University in a key game to determine the Big 12 representative in the BCS Championship game. A win by Tech would assure them of a place in the Big 12 Championship game against Missouri. A loss will leave three teams with one loss and will put the computers in charge of choosing a representative!

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How About That?

2008-11-19T02:54:00.000-08:00

I was just over at ConsmerPriceWatch.net checking on some things, and I found some interesting information on their Hydroxycut hardcore review. I had, of course heard many endorsement commercials on radio, usually from well-known athletes. I had developed the idea that the product was for those who were wanting to build up their bodies and sculpt them into works of art. But the review indicates that lots of ordinary folks use it to help reduce fat.

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Irritating Ads!

2008-11-18T15:23:00.000-08:00

It is very satisfying not to have to listen to or watch any more political ads for a while.

But I am really put out by those ads promising to help customers avoid having to pay their credit card debt. They promise to reduce the amount you pay back by half or more. There are other commercials trying to attract folks who owe big tax bills, promising to settle their debt at perhaps a seventy per cent reduction.

These ads are perhaps more irritating to me even than the political ads, because I know who is going to pay for those discounts. Me! And people like me who always pay their bills and their taxes.

Now that the campaigning is over, I guess we'll see even more of these type ads! GRRRRRRR!

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Leaving the Y!

2008-11-17T15:01:00.000-08:00

A bit over a year ago the YMCA opened a new fitness center in our neighborhood. Our family enrolled and we were pretty active in our Fit Linx program, visiting the center at least twice a week and doing our weight training as well as aerobic workouts. But I had not been since August and could not see continuing to pay dues each month, so a few days ago I officially removed myself from the ranks of the fat burners when I terminated our membership!

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Grandparenting

2008-11-08T05:23:00.000-08:00

We were excited in the summer of 1992 to find out that we were to be grandparents for the first time in a few months. And when my wife and I attended a workshop a few days later, we were drawn to a class on grandparenting conducted by Stafford North and his wife. One of the things the North's challenge us to do in that class was to come up with some idea that would be a way to demonstrate to our grandkids how much we valued them.

As a result of that brainstorming session, I came up with a plan that I have been practicing now for nearly 16 years. My grandson was born on 14 January in 93. On the 14th of each month, he receives a card from me telling him how much he is loved, and picturing for himself a special feature I see for him. I also enclose a five dollar bill that is to be put into his mission fund, so that when he is 16 he will be able to go on a mission trip with me to the Caribbean.

I now have four grandchildren, and each of them receives a card each month on the date of their birth. I create the cards on the computer these days, so there is a personal touch even to the cards. I don't how much the cards mean to the kids, but it helps me express my deep love for them and I have a sense of connection that I might not otherwise have through these efforts. And next summer my first grandson will be old enough to take his first trip to Dominica with me!

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So Long Fingers!

2008-11-07T20:40:00.000-08:00

One of the long time merchants in Houston has been Fingers Furniture. Not long ago the owner of the business has a fatal heart attack. His family has apparently decided not to continue the business. There is a huge sale going on right now in anticipation of the closing of the stores, some of which are almost historic landmarks. Maybe the time to get that home theater seating I have been wanting is right now!

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Halloween Thoughts

2008-10-30T04:49:00.000-07:00

Shortly after school started I walked into a local discount store and saw that the Halloween displays were being put in place. It wasn’t even Labor Day yet! I wondered if witches and other practitioners of the Black Arts were outraged that the meaning of their most cherished holiday was being diminished and hijacked in the name of higher profits. Do they condemn the commercialization of their sacred day? Don’t the merchants, not to mention the consumers, remember the reason for the season?

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Tool Time?

2008-10-29T14:05:00.001-07:00

I am not a handy man. When there are mechanical things to be done around our house, I will do the heavy lifting, but my wife is the one who understands what is going on or what needs to happen. I hate to be in discussions with a bunch of guys that are talking about things and how they work because I don’t understand a word. The topic of linear motion cross roller slides came up recently. Later when I was at home, I looked that up on the computer, but I still did not understand!

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Capitivating View

2008-10-24T18:18:00.000-07:00

The picture is of Scotts Head, at the southern tip of the Caribbean island of Dominica. I saw it for the first time over twenty five years ago and was immediately captivated. I have been blessed to return to the island at least once a year ever since, and no matter where on the island I am working, I always make my way down to spend time on the rocky promontory. It is still breath taking to me.

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Super Food Costs

2008-10-24T18:15:00.000-07:00

I hear some of the moms at church who are interested in providing the most healthful foods they can to their families talking about the premium prices that are placed on those foods in the markets where they are sold. That is why the promises of orovo caught my attention when I read them. They are interested in providing the highest quality superfoods at the best possible prices.

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Favorite Tear Jerker Movies?

2008-10-23T12:10:00.000-07:00

A few days ago I heard a bit on the radio asking about your favorite tear jerker movies. The survey cited had BAMBI as the number one movie on the list. I was not shocked, but it is not in my top five.

The first movie that made me cry was "Old Yeller", I hated that Travis had to shoot that valiant dog! Where the Red Fern Grows" is on my list. Near or at the top woud be the original "Brian's Song". I cried at "Ben Hur" when I was a kid, but do so even more now when I see it than when I was a kid. Shenandoah, with James Stewart draws tears several time in the course of the story!

What are your favorite tear jerkers?

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Electronics Dinosaur!

2008-10-23T12:05:00.000-07:00

I fall into the stereotypical old man in regard to the use of electronic gadgets. Despite initial resistance to using a computer, I now spend hours a day on one, but there are lots of features that I have no idea how to utilize. The same is true of the home theater equipment I had installed after inheriting a bit from my grandmother. I love the HD television and the surround sound, but I have yet to figure out how to program the dvr unit that is a part of the system!

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"Elite" Qualifications

2008-10-18T06:35:00.000-07:00

The folks on the left are discrediting Sarah Palin because she only had a degree from a state university and no outstanding academic credentials. Elite degrees and high profile positions and smooth political campaigns do not automatically indicate one’s ability to succeed in a new and different challenge. Obama has not proven he is ready for the presidency any more than I had my readiness for the pulpit. He may be, but it is yet to be determined. Thus I assert that his associations and advisors are indicators of how he will govern.

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Are They Old Enough

2008-10-18T06:32:00.000-07:00

I have two grandsons who now live with us, seven and eight years old. We are trying to think of just the right thing to get them for Christmas. We have stayed away from video games till now, but they are getting to the age where many of their friends are talking about and playing them. We are thinking that a playstation 3 for them to share might be our answer, but are they old enough?

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The Worst Breakfast Ever

2008-10-18T06:25:00.000-07:00

A friend asked me to write about the worst breakfast I have ever eaten. This is my entry, but let me preface it with a bit of background. I am a pretty picky eater. I can eat anything, but there are a lot of things I do not like.

I was on a trip to Dominica, staying with a local, eating whatever the lady of the house prepared. I had eaten pig snout soup, and pumpkin stew, and other indigenous dishes. I had been served a plate that had two small fish on it, whole fish that were about the size of bait back home, fried very crisp. When I asked my host how to eat them, from his plate he picked one up by the tail and bit the head off. I did the same.

After I had been there a week, my hostess announced that she was going to fix something American for my breakfast. She boiled some hot dogs--I don't like hot dogs. She sliced one of local small breads to use as a bun and put mustard on both sides--I do not like mustard. Next she took a tomato and sliced it. Half the slice was placed on one side of my hot dog--I really do not like tomatoes. The she sliced an onion and put half the slice on the other side of the hot dog--I detest onions. To top it off, my hostess drenched the whole thing with Thousand Island dressing--I do not like Thousand Island dressing at all!

When I took the first bite, it was all I could do to chew it, much less swallow it. Dressing was dripping from my wrist. It would have been better if I could have eaten it in one bite, but I had to struggle through the whole thing. It was the worst meal of my life!

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The Kids Are Coming Home!

2008-10-15T07:20:00.000-07:00

I can tell my wife is happy about the call we just got from our kids. They are going to be home for Thanksgiving! Besides the glowing smile on her face, I can tell she is happy because she is going through her box of Thanksgiving recipes and humming to herself! Soon she will be telling me it is time to crack some pecans so she will have plenty for the pies!

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Gas Prices!

2008-10-10T12:08:00.001-07:00

This morning my wife called me to let me know she had just bought gasoline for $3.14. That is about fiftten cents less than we had seen it yesterday. But I just bought gas for $2.99. The only shame is that I am excited to pay that much!

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So Many Issues!

2008-10-08T10:03:00.000-07:00

We have been trying to get things squared away in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike. Our home is nearly back to normal, but lots of friends are still needing assistance. On top of all that is the financial crisis that is plaguing the nation, even the whole world and the presidential elections coming up.

It is enough to make you wish that you were a kid again when all you had to worry about was getting a date, doing home work and finding an acne medication that would work!

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Tiny Memory!

2008-10-02T10:42:00.000-07:00

I am one of those old guys who saw his first computer when the machine took up a whole floor of the administration building at the local chemical plant. So it amazes me these days when I realize that my cell phone or my camera has more memory than that old room-size computer. The innovations in micro sd memory chips has made all the difference. And it costs so little in comparison!

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Scratch on the Door

2008-09-29T12:01:00.000-07:00

My grandson rode his bike over to see us a couple of weeks ago. As usual he parked in the garage, to keep it from being taken from the yard while he was visiting. Unfortunately for my Hyundai Azera, he knocked the bike over and it scraped a long scratch in the dark blue paint on the drivers’ door. I tried to use one of the products from the auto parts stores to remove the scratch. It did not work. I guess I will have to get my neighbor to use his airbrush system to restore my door to its previous condition.

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Fall!!!

2008-09-23T18:17:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was the official beginning of fall, and here in South Texas it is still 90 degrees or higher each day. We are cleaning up after Hurricane Ike and worrying about generators for our fans while the power is out.

But I expect those in places like Montana and North Dakota are preparing for the first snow fall of the year and wondering if the snowmobile parts they have ordered will get to them before the season to use them.

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Teen Driver!

2008-09-23T18:09:00.000-07:00

My grandson is fifteen and has just acquired his learner’s permit to drive on the streets and highways of the State of Texas, and the rest of the country for that matter. He is very happy and always volunteers to drive his mom or dad to the store or to church. Everyone is glad, except perhaps his dad, because the car insurance bill just went up significantly!

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No Leisure After Ike!

2008-09-19T18:18:00.000-07:00

Following the devastation inflicted by Hurricane Ike, everyone in the area is working hard to clear the debris and trying to get their lives back in order. The damage is pretty extensive here, schools will not be able to resume till the 29th, because there is so much damage to some buildings that students are having to be reassigned to various campuses! It is a headache. I long to see the day when things are back to normal and mothers are leisurely pushing strollers through the park.

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Health Insurance Hunting

2008-09-10T20:48:00.000-07:00

My wife has worked for the past twenty years. She has made some income that we enjoy, but the primary reason she has worked is to provide health insurance for our family. She is getting close to retirement age, and we may have to find individual coverage. It is an expense we are not eager to assume. We have been talking to an agent and will hopefully make a decision in a few days.

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Ad Space Direct

2008-09-06T09:22:00.000-07:00

My daughter has put together a small consortium of blog sites that will allow advertisers to deal directly with the bloggers to place ads at reasonable prices and cut out the middle men expenses of dealing with a broker.

The blogs are carefully targeted and present the advertiser the opportunity to select the blog or blogs that match their advertising interests. Each of the blogs is maintained with a high level of writing and creative content.

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What's Old Is What's New!

2008-09-05T07:10:00.001-07:00

When I was a little boy our first television set was in a cabinet that became a part of the furniture in the living room. Most televisions were such console models. For the past few decades televisions became more modular. But a recent development is the pop up tv, which has the flat screen monitor is housed inside an elegant piece of furniture, such as a dresser or cabinet.

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New Hang Out Spot!

2008-08-29T12:08:00.001-07:00

Those huge warehouse building supply stores have become one of the favorite hang out places for my wife. She loves to wander through the various departments and investigate ways we might improve our home. She loves the flooring and plumbing fixtures and especially the lighting fixtures. I usually just want to go I and pick up some needed hardware, but if she goes with me, it will take a while to get the job done!

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My Own Business!

2008-08-28T14:41:00.000-07:00

My wife and I had only been married a few years when we were presented with an opportunity to go into business for ourselves. I had worked in the Daylight Donut shop when I was in high school, so when the owner wanted to retire, he called to let me know he had his small business for sale, I was intrigued.

We made a decision to take the opportunity. We loved the shop and did well until the local Dow Chemical plant had a labor strike for thirteen weeks. We did all we could to maintain the business, but we found out that donuts are a luxury.

Folks that do not have an income, don’t buy donuts.

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Mattress Mac

2008-08-25T19:08:00.000-07:00

One of the great rags to riches stories in the Houston area in recent years is that of Jim “Mattress Mac” McInvale. He came to Houston with only a small bankroll and opened a home furniture business. He is a very hard worker and a master at promotig his business. His television adds were so high energy that everyone knew his business and where it was located. He has become one of the richest men in Houston and a real philanthropist.

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Preparing for Mission Trips to Dominica

2008-08-04T20:20:00.000-07:00

When I am preparing a team for our mission trips to the Caribbean island of Dominica, I tell them of the heat and the steep hills we will be walking. I warn them to plan to drink a lot of water. I also tell them that the island must import almost every type of personal hygiene items and medicines. I urge them to stock up on any prescription medication or acne products or feminine hygiene products that they may need or want while on the trip.

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Fifteen!

2008-07-30T11:24:00.000-07:00

My oldest grandson is now fifteen, with all the joys and struggles that age brings to all of us. Last week he got his learner’s permit and can now drive with an adult in the front seat with him. Highest of highs! But he also has to deal with peer pressure, growing pains regarding authority, blackheads and pimples, and sundry other maladies. I am so glad I am not fifteen!

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Weight Training

2008-07-29T05:46:00.000-07:00

I went to see the doctor for my annual physical yesterday. He wants me to drop a few pounds with the aim of lowering my blood pressure a little bit. Having joined the YMCA a few months ago, I had already been exercising more than before. So it should not be too hard to increase my work on the weight equipment and the tread mill. If I add one more day a week working out, it should meet the need.

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I Don't Get It

2008-07-25T05:44:00.000-07:00

Most of the time I feel like I am still young enough to enjoy life and try new things. But there are some things that are happening in our society that make me realize I am old and out of touch. I find the lack of civility of speech in public demoralizing. Potty Mouths abound, even among women. I don’t get the trends in body jewelry and tatoos. Those used to symbolize paganism and or rough living. But apparently not any more, at least to the young.

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Land For Sale In Dominica

2008-07-22T18:38:00.001-07:00

While I was in Dominica for the annual mission trip to the Caribbean, I was approached by a man who wanted to sell me a piece of property. It was nearly two acres on the side of a mountain, with a wonderful view of the sea. The area is being developed slowly by individuals who have worked overseas, but are now retiring to their homeland. It would be a great place to live, as the cost of living would be within my retirement budget. I may have to check with some mortgage lenders to see if they would be interested in financing the building of a home in a foreign land!

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Proven Weight Loss Method!

2008-07-22T17:59:00.000-07:00

I just returned from a two week-long mission trip to the Caribbean island of Dominica. We had a great trip and did some good work. I also found sure-fire way to lose weight, likely even more effective than the proven diet supplement, Phentermine. Each day I walked from ten to twelve miles each day, up and down mountains with a grade of at least 30 per cent. I drank lots of water and local juices. And I lost nine pounds in 14 pounds!

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Never Call Retreat

2008-07-06T19:47:00.000-07:00

I just finished the third in the Civil War trilogy of novels written by Newt Gingrich and William Forstchen. The series is very entertaining. The historical work of these two authors is impressive. The depiction of the weight of command in the midst of war is intense and the horror of the carnage in our country’s struggle is gruesome. The strategies are illuminating.

The most fascinating element of the last book, Never Call Retreat, to me was that the Gingricgh and Forstchen brought the war to a close about a year and a half earlier than it happened in history. Their presentation suggested that if the war had ended in the way they depicted, the country would have healed in a much shorter time and the equality of all men would have been a reality at least a century earlier.
If you enjoy good writing and a look into some of the most important people and issues of our society, I would suggest you take the time to read the entire trilogy!

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MP3 Players

2008-07-03T21:28:00.001-07:00

I am not one who likes to listen to music all the time so I never thought I would become one of those who walks around every where with their MP3 players on their person and ear phones on their heads. But I recently was given my own MP3 player with 8 gigs of memory. Now I download audio books and listen to them when I walk on the treadmill or when I mow the lawn!

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Video Games

2008-07-03T21:22:00.001-07:00

We have been trying to keep our grandsons who live with us from being enamored with video games. But when we joined the new YMCA in our neighborhood, the boys were introduced to some of the more kid friendly games. Then recently one of their cousins received a playstation 3 for his birthday. I am afraid our days of being video game free are almost over!

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Job Searches

2008-07-03T21:15:00.000-07:00

My young friend has two degrees in engineering, one in bioengineering. He has most recently working at NASA on a sleep research project. That project has been completed and so has his position. He would like to stay in the Houston area, but he has put out St. Louis, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco resumes, trying to broaden his potential for a job in short order.

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Effects of Sleep Apnea

2008-07-01T16:53:00.001-07:00

My wife has been concerned about my sleep habits for several years. She recently asked her doctor about the fact that sometimes I may go thirty seconds or more without breathing when I am asleep. The doctor told her I should be tested for sleep apnea. She said that the lack of enough oxygen to the brains and other organs could be very dangerous. She said not only would treatment avoid heart attack or kidney failure, but would likely help in weight loss and appetite control. Who knew?

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My Own Sink

2008-06-28T06:00:00.000-07:00

Our newly remodeled front bathroom is very nice. Our boys are the primary users of that facility and they really like the new design. As you enter, on the left, is a set of custom made cabinets from floor to ceiling. Beyond the built-ins is a standard size vanity, followed by another set of floor to ceiling cabinets, then another vanity. There is a wall at the right of the second vanity, behind which is the toilet. The tub is opposite the toilet.

The boys love that they have their own bathroom faucets, with their personal belongings in the drawers and shelves of the cabinets!

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Travel Preparations!

2008-06-23T06:32:00.000-07:00

Our mission team is getting ready for our trip to Dominica for our annual evangelistic effort. We are going to a new village this year and working with a new guy in securing housing and meeting places and such, so there have been a few snags with which we have had to deal. But one thing is much easier this year than last, that is the process of getting a passport! Last summer the rules had changed and it took forever to obtain or renew, but this year it has been painless!

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Camp Talk

2008-06-19T05:24:00.000-07:00

My duties at church camp last week were to teach the tenth graders in Bible class and to serve as counselor in the tenth grade boys’ cabin. We did not spend much time in the cabin during the day, just one hour for rest in the heat of the day. But the conversations were interesting. The boys talked about everything from sports and music to politics and the best acne treatment. And girls! It was fun watching guys from different areas of Texas interact!

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Green Tea and Me

2008-06-03T05:44:00.000-07:00

My wife thinks I have sleep apnea because, according to her, I often stop breathing for several moments at a time. I am not too concerned, mostly because I have never read what the effects of the problem are. Last night we were watching the news and heard a report that green tea can slow the damage done to brain cells by sleep apnea. The loss of my memory over the past few years has bothered my wife. So I bet that very soon I will be drinking lots of green tea.

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Diet Pills Reviews

2008-05-29T18:44:00.000-07:00

There are so many diet pill commercials on television and radio, all promising to take off pounds without any effort on the part of the user other than swallowing the pill. The ads sound good and appeal to the desires of the overweight. But if you want to know more than just the scant information offered in the commercial, maybe you would like to read some diet pills reviews at consumer price watch.com.

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Creative People

2008-05-22T12:24:00.000-07:00

Do you sometimes see the artistic or creative work of other people and marvel at their talent? I do that quite often; I have a friend who paints beautifully and very quickly. Sometimes she stuns me with her abilities. Another friend makes handcrafted jewelry that is simple yet as elegant as anyone could want. I love to just sit and watch them create!

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I Like Blogging

2008-05-19T08:06:00.000-07:00

About two and a half years ago my middle daughter called all excited because she had found a place where we were going to be allowed to make some extra money without a great deal of effort. She had found a blog site that was going to share the wealth with us for all the clicks that people made on ads placed on our blogs.

I did not even know what a blog was at that moment, but she explained it to me and it sounded like it would be fun, as well as profitable. We came fairly soon to find out that the money was not going to pour in like we had anticipated, but we also found out very soon that we enjoyed the blogging community and the experience of writing in the virtual world.

Over the course of several months we found places that would pay us to put up a post with paid links in those blogs. Through the calendar year last year, I actually did make money, more than $7,000, by posting such paid links. Things have slowed down because of some battles between Google and the paid link advertisers. But I can still say that blogging makes me happy, without reservation.

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Singapore Visit

2008-05-13T08:15:00.000-07:00

The two grandsons who live with us will be leaving in a few days to spend the summer with their aunt who lives in Singapore. It will be ther third summer in a row for them to do that, and they are excited. I guess it is time to think about getting out the luggage and getting their things ready to go.

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A Happy Mother

2008-05-13T08:08:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday was Mother's Day and we had several folks attend worship that had not been there in quite a long time. One of the mothers who was most happy was the one whose son has been in and out of drug rehab for years. But he has now been sober for six months and was so pleased to be moving in the right direction. He was filled with hopeful praise in his worship! And so was hers!

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Diet Pills

2008-05-12T19:06:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it amazes me how much advertising and marketing determine the decisions we make ever day as to the desirability of a product. I just read an article that indicates phentermine is not in the top twenty five diet pills in regard to effectiveness. But because of publicity it is definitely one of the most sought after. If you would like to see a list of the top ten non-Phentermine no prescription diet supplements, go to ConsumerPriceWatch.net.

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Adding Memory

2008-05-08T13:03:00.000-07:00

It is amazing how inexpensive it is to add more computer memory to one’s machine. I bought a cheap laptop after Christmas a year ago, not sure I would like a laptop. I found I did, but that I wanted to add to the memory if I could afford it. I was able to add 2 gigs for only about forty dollars! And it was easy to install!

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Hemp and Old Tires?

2008-05-05T05:49:00.000-07:00

I had a pair of earth shoes back in the 70’s. And I own a pair of MBT’s, Massai Barefoot Technology. I guess next I need a pair of vegan shoes. The sneakers are made from hemp and either rubber from recycled car tires or bicycle tires. I don not know if the shoes are comfortable or durable, but if they make use of old tires rather than having them end up in landfills, I am all in favor!

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Acne

2008-04-28T08:14:00.001-07:00

I was pretty fortunate as a kid, at least in regard to my skin. I had very few zits and never any serious threat from acne. I was glad not to have to deal with some of the acne treatments that plagued some of my friends. It seems to me that there are some less obtrusive and more effective treatments for the malady.

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Small Decisions--Big Differences

2008-04-24T07:51:00.000-07:00

When trying to establish some long term goals for financial stability, even a small decision can often bring big benefits. One of those small decisions to save a few dollars is to purchase term insurance instead of a whole life policy. There is significant difference in the premiums and those can be saved in an account that will pay big dividends over the long haul. The key is to save or invest those funds rather than spend them.

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Fort Bob Gabel

2008-04-23T09:44:00.000-07:00

A couple of years ago we had two grandsons move into our home to live, as their mom has developed some medical problems that render her incapable of caring for them. We had to recondition our home to make it more a place for kids everyday. One of the things we did pretty quickly was get one of those swing sets that has a built in fort and slide and climbing wall. They love it and have named the place Fort Bob Gabel, after one of their uncles!

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Branson

2008-04-18T13:05:00.000-07:00

My wife and I have never been to Las Vegas, though we would like to see the shows, but we don’t want to go to casinos. Some of our friends have told us we might enjoy one of theBranson resorts in Missouri, where we could take in some great shows in a more family friendly atmosphere. We are giving it some thought.

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Hiding the Wriinkles

2008-04-14T13:38:00.001-07:00

I have let myself put on for too much weight over the past several months. I have been running with my grandson's, and even working out the Y a couple of times a week. But I have not refrained from the sweets and big portions that would be necessary if I really want to lose weight. I have been using the excuse that if I lose too much weight I will need to find the best anti wrinkle cream on the market.

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Gold

2008-04-12T06:42:00.000-07:00

In determining to invest in gold as a means of preserving wealth and purchasing power, one must determine the best form for receiving the precious metal. It can be bught in ingot form, that is, pure bullion cast in a convenient size and shape. The other form in which you may receive the gold is as coins. The coins have currency value, and often are engraved with desirable images on the surfaces. The American Eagles are one ounce us gold coins with a currency value of fifty dollars. One can obtain those in lots of ten through Monex, a leader in the precious metals investing market.

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