26 Jun 08 The Smothers Brothers

We have satellite radio for three months as a promo in our Jetta.

Tuning in to the comedy channel we were just in time to catch a Smothers Brothers routine.

Here is their version of The Streets of Laredo (sing along if you know the tune):

As I walked out on the streets of Laredo,
As I walked out in Laredo one day,
I spied a young cowboy all wrapped in white linen
Wrapped in white linen as cold as the clay.

I see by your outfit that you are a cowboy;
I see by your outfit you are a cowboy, too;
We see by our outfits that we are both cowboys.
If you get an outfit, you can be a cowboy, too.

Funny stuff.

25 Jun 08 Will Work For A Clean Pool

If anyone is still around from the first days of blogentary you will remember our battles with the inflatable pool.

We’ve had two of the inflatable ring pools and are now on our second metal frame above-ground pool.

The whole problem with this inexpensive entry into the aquatic scene is the filter they give you would barely filter the water of my 55 gal aquarium much less the 6000 gal of the pool.

Nothing says radioactive waste like looking at 6000 gallons of green water on a hot summer day.

I tried another product last night that claimed it would coagullate all the particles for sparkling clean water and easy clean up with the pool vacuum and sure it enough it worked!

Interesting how we are surprised when something works as advertised.

At this point I’ve worked more on keeping the pool clean then actually swimming in the pool.

24 Jun 08 Sweet Tea

I’m a big fan of sweet tea which probably explains why I’m a big fan.

McDonald’s has recently unveiled a new southern product line featuring chicken and a biscuit, southern chicken sandwich and sweet iced-tea.

It’s clear to me that they are trying to capture some Chik-fil-A market share.

Good luck with that! (not going to happen)

The sweet tea right now is $1 for 32oz (right price, right size).

I’ll be sad when the promotional price ends, but until then . . . cheers!

23 Jun 08 Waiting

I’m not very disciplined when it comes to waiting.

It’s a reality that is reflected in many areas of my life.

For example, I’d rather spend a bit more and get it today than save a bit and wait a few days for shipping.

We’ve come to a critical point as a church family where we are forced to wait upon God.

Stockton has been severely hit by the housing slump and economic recession.

This (and other reasons I’m forcing myself not to mention) has created a financial hardship for the church.

We announced yesterday that because of these realities it appears that we will need to begin downsizing our staff.

We’re in a position now were it seems we must make some hard decisions in the next 30 days.

Today, I’m resonating with the words of Psalm 130:

I wait for the LORD to help me, and I trust his word.
Lord, I am in great trouble, so I call out to you.
Lord, hear my voice; listen to my prayer for help.
Lord, if you punished people for all their sins,
no one would be left, Lord.
But you forgive us, so you are respected.
I wait for the LORD to help me, and I trust his word.
I wait for the Lord to help me
more than night watchmen wait for the dawn,
more than night watchmen wait for the dawn.

Today, I’m waiting and wanting more and more and more faith.

20 Jun 08 100 MPH

Still here, still alive, still kicking.

So busy and buried right now it hurts to think.

Much less marshall any brain cells trying to humor or entertain those of you who stop by.

18 Jun 08 Minor Surgery

Our male minor had some minor surgery this morning.

Everything went better than well.

For that, of course, we are very grateful.

His recovery includes laying around, watching TV, and playing video games.

Could this be construed in any way as reward for minor, minor surgery?

17 Jun 08 Quiet

This place has a different feel during the summer when school is out.

The halls are quiet.

The playground is quiet.

The cafeteria is quiet.

That eerie kind of quit, right before the bad stuff happens.

There is a palpable sense of ease in the office (a bit more relaxed and not so hurried).

But it’s a bit too quiet.

16 Jun 08 Father’s Day

We enjoyed a calm and relaxing Father’s Day.

One child vacuumed out the garage for me.

One child helped me vacuum out the pool.

I would say that their gifts sucked but you may take offense or not get the pun.

We don’t have any regular Father’s Day traditions.

About the only thing we regularly do (because of the whole Sunday Morning working thing) is have a later in the day celebration.

Mesquite Smoked Salmon, Rice Pilaf and Salad led the all-star lineup for the meal.  Yum, Yum!

13 Jun 08 Curious Career Choice

We spent a fair amount of time pulling the kids around the lake on a sport performance tube.

The boy demonstrated an uncanny aptitude for the task.

He absolutely loved it.

He dared us to try and maneuver him off the tube.

We were successful a few times but generally he hung on and rode it out.

I wish I had a picture of the grin on his face each time he got back into the boat.

As we packed up to leave he asked if there was such a thing as a professional tube rider and if there was that’s what he wanted to be.

What’s your off the wall dream career?

I want to be a professional fisherman!

11 Jun 08 Clearlake

We went away for a few days.

I resisted the urge to check email and otherwise plugin.

We fished, tubed, ate and did all over again the next day and the next.

We even traveled through Lucerne, CA billed as the Switzerland of the America.

Boy that sure saved on some airfare!