Frame I

Frame started on Friday, 9/22. First floor walls started, and will be completed on Monday, 9/25. The house should be almost completey framed out by the end of the week. This weekend I'll be out helping my Uncle install the windows, so I'll take more pictures then and post them next week. Next week all the electrical, plumbing, HVAC, roofing and so forth will be installed. Hopefully insulation and drywall will happen the week after.

Rear of house from the back yard. Master bay window on the left, patio in the center, and garage on the right.
Close up of the master bay window.
Future patio door and windows.
One of the 2 garage doors are completed
Front right side.

The Master Bath is now 90% finished!!

I still have plenty do do, but at least it's functional again!! I don't have before pictures, (though if I had a scanner, I could scan the prints and post them) but I can tell you it looked sterile. Everything was white!! White painted walls, small white painted vanity with one sink, white countertop, cheap white cabinet at the toilet, white vinyl floor, white4" x 4" tile in the shower...white, white, white.

Here are the "after" pics.

After removing the old vinyl, the first major project was to remove the old vanity and pull the plumbing around to the side wall, where I had room now for a double vanity. My dad helped out a lot with this part of the job, and it took an extended weekend to complete the job. I then installed the new cabinets, which I had made by a cabinet builder who is under contract with the company I work for, then had our countertop company install the cultured marble vanity top. I then installed the fixtures after work over the next couple of evenings. I still have to move the vanity lights and install a new mirror, as I am using a small temporary mirror at the sink I use.

Next came the floor tile. I spent some time laying out the tile and cutting the edge pieces to fit before actually laying the tile. I pulled the toilet, laid the tile underneath, and reinstalled it with new anchor bolts and parts after grouting the tile. I still have to cut off the tops of the anchor bolts so I can put the cap covers back on, touch up the paint on the walls, and caulk and paint the new base. The cabinet above was installed with the vanity cabinets.

I tore out the old shower tile and wall board, tore out the arch over the entry of the shower and reframed it so I could install a shower door, reframed the back wall for the recess, retiled the shower using the 12 x 12 floor tile, regrouted, and reinstalled the fixtures. Now all I need is the shower door. I'm using a shower curtain in the meantime.

It took awhile to figure out the exact dimensions to frame the recess, as I wanted it to fall into the field of the rest of the shower tile. I didn't get it exactly, but I got it close enough. The grout is dardker in the resess since it has been sealed with silicone.

So there you go. It's been about a year long remodel, but it's made a huge difference in my master bathroom, and should help boost my resale value, though I don't plan on moving out of my house for some time. I would like to build my next house like I'm building my parents house.

Until later,

Engagement Pics

Here are our engagement pics. Feel free to let me know what you think, as I would love to hear from you, especially those of you whom I can't see that often. If you would like to purchase any online, send me an email, and I'll send you the link and password. I think there are 11 poses over all.

Vapor Barrier and Cables

Saturday, September 16th:

Mom and dad are out of town this weekend visiting friends and family in Tulsa. Mom participated in Race for the Cure, and has done so each year since she went thru breast cancer herself. I decided to have a look at the progress made on the construction of their house.

The foundation is called a post tension slab. The first step is to trench the beams for the areas of thicker concrete. After the plumber runs water and sewer lines for the house, the concrete company adds the vabor barrier and cables, which like the grade beams (trenches in the dirt work) run in a grid. These cables run thru a red sleeve so the cable does not come into contact with the concrete when it is poured, then after the concrete has cured (28 days), tension is put on the cables, which serves to pull the foundation together into one cohesive unit. This deters differential settling of the slab, which results in foundation failure. In essance, the soils here are clay, so they expand when wet and shrink back when dry. As this can not be avoided, the foundation is designed to "float" on the soil.

This view is taken from the front. The foundation is scheduled to be completed on Monday, however, rain is in the forecast.

This picture shows the anchors, which are attached to the inside of the form board. The cables are slid thru the ones shown so the cable extends out of the concrete. After the concrete cures, a machine is clamped to the end of the cable, and pulls the cable until it reaches the desired tension. The anchors do not allow the cable to slip back, thus ensuring it stays under tension. The extra cable is then cut off, capped, and finished over. The other end of the cables have anchors, also nailed to the inside of the forms, but the cable does not extend thru the anchor.

Here I am seen checking the plumbing rough with the plans. The area I am looking will eventually be the master bathroom.

Whoops, I've discovered a problem. The plumber appears to have missed the rough-in for the sink in the laundry room. That will have to be added on Monday.

Forms and Plumbing Rough

Construction has now begun. The concrete company did the dirt work and forms the end of last week, just a couple of days after Labor Day, and trenched the beams on Tuesday, 9/12. These pictures were taken at dusk on Wednesday, September 13th, as we were nearing completion of the plumbing rough.


Dad and I are talking to the plumber as his crew is packing up for the day. They still have to run a water test on the water and sewer lines to make sure there are no leaks, but that will be done the next day.

Here I am walking the forms with the plumber.

You can almost see down one of the trenches in the dirt work. This is called a grade beam, and they run in a grid thru the slab. Concrete fills these beams as the slab is poured, giving the slab added strength.
Plumbers working on the plumbing rough. The neighbor's house in the background serves as a great landmark for directions, as it is the only house in the neighborhood with a blue metal roof.

I'm Back!!!

Sorry it’s been awhile since I’ve posted last, but my computer is now officially a paperweight. It has crashed for the last time. I could have probably replaced the motherboard and be back up for awhile, but since the computer is about 6 years old, low on virtual memory, and VERY slow in comparison to current standards, I’m not even going to mess with it. So I've scraped enough money together to get another computer, and am now again able to post.

I did however promise to give the details of the proposal, so before I forget any more of the details…

In order to set the stage, it should be understood that we had discussed the possibility of getting married a couple of times, however we hadn't discussed it for a couple of months, which worked to my advantage as it added to the surprise.

I therefore decided to use this time for a little research. For instance, I noticed that Taylor never wore gold, which told me she would prefer white gold or platinum. She had also told me at one time she liked the square cut of diamond, so after a bit of research, I knew to get the diamond in a princess cut. On yet another occasion, I learned she preferred the simple classic look, so I was able to rule out most of the ornate multi stone settings. Finally, a few weeks before shopping for the ring, I noticed she had changed rings. Before, she had worn a ring on the middle finger of each hand, but for some reason had changed to wearing her class ring on the ring finger of her left hand. I compared it to my class ring I had lost, described it, and while talking, tested its size on my little finger.

Over the course of my job, I met a couple that gave me a contact name with the Bock Company, which is the corporate office for Bachendorfs. The corporate office is closed to the general public, and requires a referral to get in the door. During the last week of June, I called the contact, which set me up for Saturday, July 1. As I reached the top of the stairs, I nodded to the guard in the reception area, gave my name to the receptionist behind the bulletproof glass, and was buzzed in to the waiting room. After a short time, I was buzzed thru into the show room and taken into a private office area, where I spent the next 3 hours visiting with a wonderful sales person, who took the time to ask questions, make suggestions, give me a cup of coffee. Not in a disposable cup either, but in a china coffee cup with saucer. He brought stones of different sizes and cuts and quality to look at under a jewelers loop, and allowed me to view them and compare them side-to-side. It was truly a pleasurable experience. After I left, I stopped by the grocery store to pick up a 2 liter of Dr. Pepper, and bought some flowers on a whim. As I pulled out of the parking lot to drive to the pool party, whom did I end up following but Taylor! When we arrived at the house, I was able to give her the flowers before going inside, which allowed us to be alone for a moment. Later that afternoon, I told Hugo that I had ordered the ring, and swore him to secrecy.

About a week and a half later, I received a call that the ring was ready, and I picked it up from the jeweler before going to Taylor’s house as planned. After I called Taylor and told her I was on my way, I called her mom, who met me at the Chili’s just a couple of miles from the house, and I asked for her permission and blessing to marry her daughter. After showing her the ring, we began to conspire!!

I had actually planned to propose the following evening, and we had planned to go to the Firewheel Mall, which has a large outdoor fountain and landscaped stream with park benches. It’s a nice area anyway, but it becomes more beautiful at night with the lights.

The plan however changed to that evening. As we were walking out the door, Taylor called her mom, who said she was on her way home, but decided she wasn’t in the mood for Chili’s take out, an would discuss other options when she got home. We then parted company, and as I started my truck to drive off, Taylor called me. I told her I was just a couple of miles away, and would be there in a couple of minutes. About a minute after I walked thru the front door, her mom came in thru the garage, and suggested we meet her at the Fish City Grill at Firewheel Mall, as she still needed to shop for a gift for her anniversary. Having never eaten there, we agreed.

After a wonderful dinner her mom, who carries her camera for her remodeling business, took our picture as we sat in the booth, loaned us the camera to take a picture of the fountain (remember, I had planned on us being there the next day, so I didn’t have my camera, which I had planned to use to take my own picture of the fountain) and left for home. Taylor I then walked to the fountain, took a couple of pictures, as it was dark and the fountain and landscape lights were on, an walked down the path next to a softly lit stream to a nearby park bench.


We sat and talked for a while, and I still didn’t quite know how I was going to bring out the ring. She however gave me the perfect segway. I said, “Well, since we were able to come here today and get pictures of the fountain instead of tomorrow as we had planned, do you still want to make the ladies coffee with the Sunday School class tomorrow?” She looked at me and responded, “Unless you can make me a better offer.” I couldn’t have asked for a better lead in line than that. I reached into my pocket and pulled out the jewelry box. I wish I could say I pulled it out and flipped it open in one smooth motion, but it didn’t happen quite that way. I was able to get it out of my pocket just fine, but as I had one arm around Taylor, I had to open it with one hand, which still would have been fine had the box been turned the right way. After turning it about 3 times, I opened the box I exclaimed, “Will this do?”

Taylor didn’t notice the fumbling. For about 45 seconds after I produced the box, all her voluntary and involuntary systems shut down. I would not have been surprised if I had turned her head, looked into her eyes and seen miniature computer screens instead of pupils flashing the words “SYSTEM RESTART.” Once her brain came back online, she took the ring out of the box, shaking to the point I took the ring from her hand and placed it on her finger for fear she would drop it, and asked her to marry me. Her voice cracked in the first response, so after asking her to repeat it, she was able to get a “yes” thru the tears. With the stream behind, the soft landscape lighting, the fountain in the distance, the comfortable clear night weather, and the music from the speakers in the park area, it was a beautiful moment.

Now the madness of planning the wedding is starting. Taylor has set up a web site that gives the details, pictures, gift registries, and so forth. Check back often for updates, as it’s just recently up and running, and we haven’t completed all of the registries yet, which will soon include Lowe’s Home Improvement for gift cards so I can work on the house. We will be adding more pictures to the web site as well, and I will add the address in my Web Site menu on the blog. The web site address is:

http://www.taylorandmichael.bravehost.com/

Thanks for visiting.

Catching up...

I have gotten permission from my company to build one of their floor plans, so I have started the building process for my parents. I'll post progress pics over the next several months. First however, I have to have a soils test done, which will take about 3 weeks. I can then have the foundation engineered to the soil. That will take another 3 weeks, so as of right now, I won't start actual construction until September. In the mean time, I received the plans from the draftsman today (we made some custom changes to the house), and I will be sitting down with Mom and Dad this weekend to finalize the plans. Here are a few pics of the lot.

My parents have sold their home in Oklahoma, which was about 260 miles north of where I live in Texas. They are now living in their travel trailor until the house is complete. Most of the time they are camped in a camp ground about 5 miles from the future home site, which is about 50 miles from where I live, but sometimes they hook the trailer up to the truck and just go. Ahh, the joys of being retired. They plan to spend the winter in south Texas where is is warmer. The also plan to make a few trips to the hill country of Missouri. It will be nice to have them closer.

Today I had stitches removed from an out patient procedure, which was performed last week. I had a cyst that developed near my left ear under the skin, which looked like a small lump under the skin near my left ear. I now have a full beard, but not by choice. Apparently AQ likes it, so there's a chance I'll keep it for a little while.

Speaking of such, I've known AQ for the last 5 years, as I met her in 2001 in our singles group. She left the group for about a year and a half, then returned to the group about 2 years ago. We started dating last October, and we will be getting married next March. I plan to post the story of the engagement as well as pictures of that evening on my blog when I have a chance, though I doubt it will be tonight, since I host a guys only bible study at my house on Tuesday nights, and Wednesday nights I spend with AQ at her house. AQ has already posted a couple of pics on her blog at http://just4myopinion.blogspot.com/ She has pictures of us with our parents on Mother's Day as well. AQ is also working on setting up a separate web site about the wedding details, complete with location, dates, pictures, gift registers, and so forth, so all of our out of town friends and family can be completely informed, and can send their regards if they are unable to attend. When the web site is ready, I'll post a link for it as well.

I'm also still working on remodeling my master bathroom. I hope to get one step closer to finishing the tile work in the master shower this weekend. I've also got a house full of Mom and Dad's belongings, since there wasn't enough room in storage, so I hope to be able to start organizing some of that this weekend as well. My garage is full of their boxes, and I can't park my truck in it anymore.

EP is currently on her second trip to England, and is helping with Holiday Club at Thornaby Baptist Church. Her Blog address is http://ising4him.blogspot.com/ and she has already posted in her blog about the flight and first day. She flew in to Manchester on Saturday along with Michelle and Kasey and 75 youth!! Michelle didn't go to England the year I went, but Kasey was there.

That's all for now. Next time I post, I'll give my side of the story leading up to the BIG QUESTION.

I'm Still Here

Just in case you were wondering, I'm still here, and there's a lot going on. I haven't forgotten about you guys, or the blog, and I still intend to gear a few posts towards "The DaVinci Code" once I'm done reading it. That's right, I'm still reading it. I'm not quite half way thru it, and one of the main threads at this point seems to be the idea of the sacred feminine. Also, one of his tricks is to use carefully chosen (and carefully omitted) historical facts, such as information concerning the Brotherhood of the Nights Templar, adding fiction in the historical gaps, and integrating that into his fictional story. To give this account "credibility", the character used to divulge the information is a "learned" man in the academic world. Anyway, enough of that for now.

Another activity in process, in addition to the shower tile I've been working on, is preparing to build my parents house in Sherman. I have been given permission to use one of my companies floor plans (after jumping thru a few hoops and signing my life away), and I should be getting the revised plans back from the draftsman some time next week. It's going on a golf course lot, and is a single story house, which runs about 3500 s.f. The major change is making the garage 3 feet deeper for dad's truck, and extending the garage to a 4 car so there's room for a shop area. Anyway, the sooner I get it done and built, the better. I have some of their stuff boxed up in my house and garage, and I would like the space back.

Today, I went to my first Sci-Fi Expo. Most of the stuff was interesting to see, but I was more interested in the autographed photos. Thanks to PoD, who introduced me to Firefly and Serenity, and AQ, who has a sizable collection of autographs, I have started my own collection of autographed photos. I pulled out my script of "Return of the Jedi" which was given to me years ago by a college roommate, and now have autographs from David Prowse (Darth Vader) and Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca) on the title page. I also picked up:

One of my favorite characters from the prequel movies, Ray Park as Darth Maul!!

The main reason for going however was to get an autograph from Allan Tudyk, who plays Wash in the Firefly series and the movie Serenity.

I also got to set in on an hour long Question and Answer session, which was really cool.

Maybe next time one of the other actors from Serenity will be there, and I'll be able to add a second autograph to my Firefly cast photo.

On a less upbeat note, A member of our singles group lost her Grandpa this week to a stroke. My prayers are with you Christina.

PoD, hang in there, I'm praying for you.

Ta for now,

Darcy

What would men be without women? Scarce, sir...mighty scarce.

- Mark Twain

The Cost of a Miracle

Following is a forward I just had to share. Enjoy...

A little girl went to her bedroom and pulled a glass jelly jar from its hiding place in the closet. She poured the change out on the floor and counted it carefully. Three times, even. The total had to be exactly perfect. No chance here for mistakes. Carefully placing the coins back in the jar and twisting on the cap, she slipped out the back door and made her way 6 blocks to Rexall's Drug Store with the big red Indian Chief sign above the door.

She waited patiently for the pharmacist to give her some attention, but he was too busy at this moment. Tess twisted her feet to make a scuffing noise. Nothing. She cleared her throat with the most disgusting sound she could muster. No good. Finally she took a quarter from her jar and banged it on the glass counter. That did it!

"And what do you want?" the pharmacist asked in an annoyed tone of voice. I'm talking to my brother from Chicago whom I haven't seen in ages," he said without waiting for a reply to his question.

"Well, I want to talk to you about my brother," Tess answered back in the same annoyed tone. "He's really, really sick...and I want to buy a miracle." "I beg your pardon?" said the pharmacist. "His name is Andrew and he has something bad growing inside his head and my Daddy says only a miracle can save him now. So how much does a miracle cost?"

"We don't sell miracles here, little girl. I'm sorry but I can't help you," the pharmacist said, softening a little.

"Listen, I have the money to pay for it. If it isn't enough, I will get the rest. Just tell me how much it costs."

The pharmacist's brother was a well dressed man. He stooped down and asked the little girl, "What kind of a miracle does your brother need?"

" I don't know," Tess replied with her eyes welling up. I just know he's really sick and Mommy says he needs an operation. But my Daddy can't pay for it, so I want to use my money."

"How much do you have?" asked the man from Chicago.

"One dollar and eleven cents," Tess answered barely audibly. "And it's all the money I have, but I can get some more if I need to."

"Well, what a coincidence," smiled the man. "A dollar and eleven cents---the exact price of a miracle for little brothers. " He took her money in one hand and with the other hand he grasped her mitten and said "Take me to where you live. I want to see your brother and meet your parents. Let's see if I have the miracle you need."

That well dressed man was Dr. Carlton Armstrong, a surgeon, specializing in neuro-surgery. The operation was completed free of charge and it wasn't long until Andrew was home again and doing well.

Mom and Dad were happily talking about the chain of events that had led them to this place. "That surgery," her Mom whispered. "was a real miracle. I wonder how much it would have cost?" Tess smiled. She knew exactly how much a miracle cost...one dollar and eleven cents....plus the faith of a little child.

In our lives, we never know how many miracles we will need. A miracle is not the suspension of natural law, but the operation of a higher law.

MY OATH TO YOU...
When you are sad.....I will dry your tears.
When you are scared.....I will comfort your fears.
When you are worried.....I will give you hope.
When you are confused.....I will help you cope.
And when you are lost....And can't see the light, I shall be your beacon......Shining ever so bright.
This is my oath.....I pledge till the end.
Why you may ask?.....Because you're my friend.

Signed: GOD

So much to tell, so little time

I've started to read "The Da Vinci Code". I'm only a few chapters into it, but I can see the set up for some of the claims I hear he will make later on into the book. After I finish reading, I am planning on posting a few arguments to refute some of the inaccuracies, such as the reliability of Gods word, and so forth, as well as some additional links for further research and reading. Though there are several books written in response to "The Da Vinci Code", "Skeptics Answered" by D. James Kennedy is a great book written years ago which addresses such questions as:

Miracles and Prophecies: Fact or Fiction?
Did Jesus live?
Was Jesus God?
What about the claims of the fallibility of the bible due to numerous translations?
Is there life after death?

It's a great read, and I highly recommend it.

I also plan to write about the Browncoats recent trip to Galveston soon. It was a much needed vacation, the weather was great, and there was very little sea weed, which can be a big problem there from what I understand. I'll post more about the trip later, but here are a couple of pictures to wet the appetite:

The crew at The Waffle House prior to our day at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.

Galveston at Sunset

The Crew on the Sea Wall.

Walking in the Water.

My favorite picture

Be sure to check the Blogs from the other crew members for their pictures and musings, which are all listed in "My Peaps"

Mother's Day Weekend

Hope everyone had a great Mother's Day weekend. My parents came to visit over the weekend, and we kept quite busy. They arrived Friday night, about 10 minutes after I got home from work, so I was still changing clothes when they pulled in. After helping them unload the truck, we fixed and ate dinner, and after cleaning up, I had to go grocery shopping for food for the weekend. They wanted my Amish Breakfast Casserole for breakfast, which can be prepared the night before, but I didn't have everything I needed, so off I went to the store. By the time I got back home and had breakfast ready to be put in the oven in the morning, it was after 12:30, and both Mom and Dad were in bed asleep. I then met up with AQ and LOW at IHOP for a short visit. AQ and POD had just completed the opening night performance of "The Saga of the Golden Horseshoe...or, That was No Lady, That was My Filly!" a melodrama presented by Word of Mouth Productions. By the time I got home, wound down, and got to bed, it was after 4:30 in the morning. As it turns out, Mom and Dad didn't even know I had been gone. It seems a bit odd that the first time I ever snuck out of the house after my parents went to bed happened in my own house.

Anyway, Saturday morning around 8:00 I put breakfast in the oven. After breakfast, we spent the day looking a houses like what my parents want me to build for them up in Sherman, came home in time to start dinner (fish, beer battered onion rings, scalloped potatoes, followed by home grown strawberries and lemon cake...mmmm...Some of the browncoats can attest to the fish and onion rings. Let me know, and I'll post the recipe) and welcome my brother and his family, who ate with us. After spending the evening with the entire family, I again found myself at IHOP, this time with the entire group of browncoats, but was so full I didn't eat, and so tired, I don't remember a single thing said. I do remember that AQ had twisted her ankle during the first of two performances that day, so she had it propped up on the seat and wrapped tight.

Sunday after church, I got my chance to see the WOMP of "The Saga of the Golden Horseshoe...or, That was No Lady, That was My Filly!" which was unlike any theater production I had ever seen, but I highly recommend it. It's good clean fun. I'm going again this Friday with the others from the Young Professionals who signed up to go.

After the production, my parents and I met up with AQ and her parents (sounds like a drama itself doesn't it) and we went out to eat at Maggiano's. We even took a few pictures. Though exhausting, it was a good weekend. I think I need the week to recover though.

Hope everyone had a good Mother's Day.

Blogthings Test

You Are Rain

You can be warm and sexy. Or cold and unwelcoming. Either way, you slowly bring out the beauty around you. You are best known for: your touch Your dominant state: changing

What Type of Weather Are You?

You Are Kermit

Hi, ho! Lovable and friendly, you get along well with everyone you know. You're a big thinker, and sometimes you over think life's problems. Don't worry - everyone know's it's not easy being green. Just remember, time's fun when you're having flies!

The Muppet Personality Test

On top of the personality test in the previous post, it's a little erie isn't it EP? It's no wonder your best friend and my girlfriend is the same person.

Spiritual Gifts and Personality Test

First, thanks to those who responded to my last post, both anonymous and known. Though I didn't post the comments, I did read them and keep them, and I of course did apologize.

Now for the spiritual gift and personality test results

My #1 spiritual gift is a tie between Hospitality and Service. #3 is Helps, #4 is Mercy.

My personality type is as follows:

38% Phlegmatic
The Introvert The Watcher The Pessimist
The Phlegmatic's Emotions
Low-key personality
Easygoing and relaxed
Calm, cool and collected
Patient well balanced
Consistent life
Quiet but witty
Sympathetic and kind
Keeps emotions hidden
Happily reconciled to life
All-purpose person

The Phlegmatic As A Parent
Makes a good parent
Takes time for the children
Is not in a hurry
Can take the good with the bad
Doesn't get upset easily

The Phlegmatic At Work
Competent and steady
Peaceful and agreeable
Has administrative ability
Mediates problems
Avoids conflicts
Good under pressure
Finds the easy way

The Phlegmatic As a Friend
Easy to get along with
Pleasant and enjoyable
Inoffensive
Good listener
Dry sense of humor
Enjoys watching people
Has many friends
Has compassion and concern

30% Melancholy
The Introvert The Thinker The Pessimist
The Melancholy's Emotions
Deep and thoughtfully
Analytical
Serious and purposeful
Genius prone
Talented and creative
Artistic or musical
Philosophical and poetic
appreciative of beauty
Sensitive to others
Self-sacrificing
Conscientious
Idealistic

The Melancholy As A Parent
Sets high standards
Wants everything done right
Keeps home in good order
Picks up after children
Sacrifices own will for others
Encourages scholarship and talent

The Melancholy At Work
Schedule oriented
Perfectionist, high standards
Detail conscious
Persistent and thorough
Orderly and organized
Neat and tidy
Economical
Sees the problems
Finds creative solutions
Needs to finish what he starts
Likes charts, graphs, figures, lists

The Melancholy As a Friend
Makes friends cautiously
Content to stay in background
Avoids causing attention
Faithful and devoted
Will listen to complaints
Can solve other's problems
Deep concern for other people
Moved to tears with compassion
Seeks ideal mate

18% Sanguine
The Extrovert The Talker The Optimist
The Sanguine's Emotions
Appealing personality
Talkative, Storyteller
Life of the Party
Good sense of humor
Memory for color
Physically holds on to listener
Emotional and demonstrative
Enthusiastic and expressive
Cheerful and bubbling over
Curious
Good on stage
Wide-eyed and innocent
Lives in the present
Changeable disposition
Sincere at heart
Always a child

The Sanguine As A Parent
Makes Home Fun
Is liked by children's friends
Turns disaster into humor
Is the circus master

The Sanguine At Work
Volunteers for Jobs
thinks up new activities
Looks great on the Surface
Creative and colorful
Has energy and enthusiasm
Starts in a flashy way
Inspires others to join
charms others to work

The Sanguine As a Friend
Makes friends easily
Loves People
Thrives on compliments
Seems exciting
envied by others
Doesn't hold grudges
apologizes quickly
Prevents dull moments
Likes spontaneous activities

15% Choleric
The Extrovert The Doer The Optimist
The Choleric's Emotions
Born leader
Dynamic and active
Compulsive need for change
Must correct wrongs
Strong-willed and decisive
Unemotional
Not easily discouraged
Independent and self sufficient
Exudes confidence
Can run anything

The Choleric As A Parent
Exerts sound leadership
Establishes Goals
Motivates family to action
Knows the right answer
Organizes household

The Choleric At Work
Goal oriented
Sees the whole picture
Organizes well
Seeks practical solutions
Moves quickly to action
Delegates work
Insists on production
Makes the goal
Stimulates activity
Thrives on opposition

The Choleric As a Friend
Has little need for friends
Will work for group activity
Will lead and organize
Is usually right
Excels in emergencies

A Soldier's Wife's Story

The following story was written by Lori Kimble, a 31 year old teacher and proud military wife. Mrs. Kimble, a California native, currently lives in Alabama...

I was sitting alone in one of those loud, casual steak houses that you find all over the country. You know the type--a bucket of peanuts on every table, shells littering the floor, and a bunch of perky college kids racing around with longneck beers and sizzling platters.

Taking a sip of my iced tea, I studied the crowd over the rim of my glass. My gaze lingered on a group enjoying their meal. They wore no uniform to identify their branch of service, but they were definitely "military:"clean shaven, cropped haircut, and that "squared away" look that comes with pride.

Smiling sadly, I glanced across my table to the empty seat where my husband usually sat. It had only been a few months since we sat in this very booth, talking about his upcoming deployment to the Middle East. That was when he made me promise to get a sitter for the kids, come back to this restaurant once a month and treat myself to a nice steak. In turn he would treasure the thought of me being here, thinking about him until he returned home.

I fingered the little flag pin I constantly wear and wondered where he was at this very moment. Was he safe and warm? Was his cold any better? Were my letters getting through to him? As I pondered these thoughts, high pitched female voices from the next booth broke into my thoughts.

"I don't know what Bush is thinking about. Invading Iraq. You'd think that man would learn from his old man's mistakes. Good lord. What an idiot! I can’t believe he is even in office. You do know, he stole the election."

I cut into my steak and tried to ignore them, as they began an endless tirade running down our president. I thought about the last night I spent with my husband, as he prepared to deploy. He had just returned from getting his smallpox and anthrax shots. The image of him standing in our kitchen packing his gas mask still gives me chills.

Once again the women's voices invaded my thoughts. "It is all about oil, you know. Our soldiers will go in and rape and steal all the oil they can in the name of 'freedom'. Hmph! I wonder how many innocent people they'll kill without giving it a thought? It's pure greed, you know."

My chest tightened as I stared at my wedding ring. I could still see how handsome my husband looked in his "mess dress" the day he slipped it on my finger. I wondered what he was wearing now. Probably his desert uniform, affectionately dubbed "coffee stains" with a heavy bulletproof vest over it."

You know, we should just leave Iraq alone. I don't think they are hiding any weapons. In fact, I bet it's all a big act just to increase the president's popularity. That's all it is, padding the military budget at the expense of our social security and education. And, you know what else? We're just asking for another 9-ll. I can't say when it happens again that we didn’t deserve it."

Their words brought to mind the war protesters I had watched gathering outside our base. Did no one appreciate the sacrifice of brave men and women who leave their homes and family to ensure our freedom? Do they even know what "freedom" is?

I glanced at the table where the young men were sitting, and saw their courageous faces change. They had stopped eating and looked at each other dejectedly, listening to the women talking.

"Well, I, for one, think it's just deplorable to invade Iraq, and I am certainly sick of our tax dollars going to train professional baby-killers we call a military."

Professional baby-killers? I thought about what a wonderful father my husband is, and of how long it would be before he would see our children again.

That's it! Indignation rose up inside me. Normally reserved, pride in my husband gave me a brassy boldness I never realized I had. Tonight one voice will answer on behalf of our military, and let her pride in our troops be known.

Sliding out of my booth, I walked around to the adjoining booth and placed my hands flat on their table. Lowering myself to eye level with them, smilingly said, "I couldn't help overhearing your conversation. You see, I'm sitting here trying to enjoy my dinner alone. And, do you know why? Because my husband, whom I love with all my heart, is halfway around the world defending your right to say rotten things about him." "Yes, you have the right to your opinion, and what you think is none of my business. However, what you say in public is something else, and I will not sit by and Listen to you ridicule MY country, MY president, MY husband, and all the other fine American men and women who put their lives on the line, just so you can have the freedom" to complain. Freedom is an expensive commodity, ladies. Don't let your actions cheapen it."

I must have been louder that I meant to be, because the manager came over To inquire if everything was all right. "Yes, thank you," I replied. Then, turning back to the women, I said, "Enjoy the rest of your meal."

As I returned to my booth applause broke out. I was embarrassed for making A scene, and went back to my half eaten steak. The women picked up their check and scurried away.

After finishing my meal, and while waiting for my check, the manager returned with a huge apple cobbler ala mode. "Compliments of those soldiers, he said. He also smiled and said the ladies tried to pay for my dinner, but that another couple had beaten them to it. When I asked who, the manager said they had already left, but that the gentleman was a veteran, and wanted to take care of the wife of "one of our boys."

With a lump in my throat, I gratefully turned to the soldiers and thanked them for the cobbler. Grinning from ear to ear, they came over and surrounded the booth. "We just wanted to thank you, ma'am. You know we can't get into confrontations with civilians, so we appreciate what you did."

As I drove home, for the first time since my husband's deployment, I didn't feel quite so alone. My heart was filled with the warmth of the other diners who stopped by my table, to relate how they, too, were proud of my husband, and would keep him in their prayers. I knew their flags would fly a little higher the next day.

Perhaps they would look for more tangible ways to show their pride in our country, and the military who protect her. And maybe, just maybe, the two women who were railing against our country, would pause for a minute to appreciate all the freedom America offers, and the price it pays to maintain it's freedom.

As for me, I have learned that one voice CAN make a difference. Maybe the next time protesters gather outside the gates of the base where I live, I will proudly stand on the opposite side with a sign of my own. It will simply say, "Thank You!"

To those who fought for our Nation: Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know. GOD BLESS AMERICA!



"We have too many high sounding words, and too few actions that correspond with them."
-Abigail Adams (1744-1818)

Is Spelling Important?

Olny srmat poelpe can?

The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to rscheear at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredrthe ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as awlohe. Amzanig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt! Aarpepnlty not. It's a good tnhig, busavece my slpeling is tlierbre, and my tpiyng is wrsoe. As I've awalys siad, slepl ckehcer is yuor fiernd.

The Joy's of Fishing

Last weekend I went with LoW and his brothers to Lake Lavon for a little fishing. I'd forgotten just how relaxing it is, being outside on a sunny spring day, at the lake, drinking a cool beverage from the cooler, and getting a fishing line wet. Catch anything or not, it's a great stress relief. I just wish I could have spent longer, but we got a late start since LoW didn't get off work until 2:00 (I had to mow the lawn anyway) and we met PoD, AQ, The Elfin Princess, and a few others from the singles group for a few games of Laser Tag at Adventure Landing.

Anyway Saturday afternoon we didn't catch a thing, and LoW's brother had the aggravation of hooking a nice size fish, getting it close enough to touch it, and then loosing it when it spit the hook (which ended up happening to me the next day). What's more, there were other people fishing "the spot." there is a fenced off area around a water discharge pipe from the nearby plant. (The plant uses lake water to cool equipment, then releases it back out into the lake) From past experience, fish will gather in such an area, and fishing is awesome, especially when the water is running from the pipe. When I was younger, I used to fish for Channel Cat with my Grandpa, Dad, and brother. There is a town in the southeast corner of Kansas near the Oklahoma state line called Riverton (which was just in the news last week as police found a couple of kids planning another Columbine type rampage), and on one such trip, the four of us caught 42 cat fish, and those are just the ones we kept. We threw back the smaller ones. And we used the real chicken blood for bait too, not the pasty play dough crap they sell now. Chicken liver is a great catfish bait too by the way. But I digress...

The people fishing in "the spot" were reeling in the crappie and bass like mad, and we weren't able to cast into the area, and as a result, had no luck at all. Low's other brother stepped on something, though I didn't see if he actually cut his foot or just scraped it, so the brothers left a little early. Just before we left on Saturday, LoW himself cut the bottom of his foot on a stray rock (most of the area was just hard clay).

The next day after church and lunch, we went again to try to get to "the spot" but again, there were people hogging the area, so we had no choice but to fish the same area again. After about an hour, I made a miss step of my own, and my left food slid off the hard clay and I sunk into about 12 inches of silt, as I was about 10 feet off the bank. I tried 3 times to get good footing on hard ground, but slid right back into the silt, where I kept hitting a rock that was about the size of a football. I finally got my footing, stepped out of the hole, and continued fishing. About 10 minutes later, I thought I'd better have a look at my foot since one of the little piggies, which hurt just a little when I was trying to get out of the muck, persisted in crying "We we we...". It was then that I found that one toe was missing about 1/2 of the nail. I had managed to either mash or cut off the nail, and I had been bleeding into the water for the last 10 minutes. Since it wasn't bleeding bad though, we kept fishing for another hour or so before going home for a shower, bible study (It's Not About Me by Max Lucado) and a couple games of Shadows over Camelot. A very cool game by the way.

On a more serious note, please continue to pray for me and my current financial situation. There is still a legal issue with a former tenant, and I don't know how it's going to play out.

Thanks for Reading,
MV

"I never drink water because of the disgusting things that fish do in it."
- WC. Fields

The Joy's of Winning

Have you ever won anything? I've won music competitions, I've won swim meets, and in high school, I won the science fair. Then there are those phone calls. "...You have been selected to enter into a drawing for a (insert cruise, vacation, new car, etc.)" These are the calls you would completely ignore, since there is usually a catch. Then there are the drawings you enter while at the State Fair, such as a drawing for a new Hummer (as if it would even be possible to pay for the gas.)

Well, I got an interesting voice mail this week. I didn't recognize the number, because they called my cell phone first, and I don't answer the call if I don't recognize the number. When I got home, I found the same number on my home phone along with a message.

Now, before I tell you who the call was from, let me give you a little background. Last weekend, while the Apocalypse Queen and I were out of town visiting my parents, Lord of War, Prince of Darkness, the The Elfin Princess (the latter having somehow obtained tickets) went to a polo match. That's right, croquet on horseback. Now apparently, there was a drawing people could enter for a chance to win a free polo lesson. That's right, you read my mind, because that's who called. Apparently I've won a free polo lesson from the Dallas Polo Club, and if I call them back, they will have a horse available for me, as well as a free lesson. Now I'm up for trying new things, but I haven't ridden a horse for several years, and even then, it was one of those horses you didn't have to guide. No, it wasn't a pony attached to one of those merry-go-round things, but it did follow a trail it had taken about a million times. Besides, I don't think it would be such a good idea to put me on a horse, hand me a big wooden hammer, and ask me to hit this little wooden ball lying on the ground, especially since my back just isn't what it used to be. I think those 3 have a little explaining to do. Oh the insanity (and the joy's of payback...I mean winning.)

Ben Stein

The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary, Sunday, 12/18/05.

Herewith at this happy time of year, a few confessions from my beating heart: I have no freaking clue who Nick and Jessica are. I see them on the cover of People and Us constantly when I am buying my dog biscuits and kitty litter. I often ask the checkers at the grocery stores. They never know who Nick and Jessica are either. Who are they? Will it change my life if I know who they are and why they have broken up? Why are they so important?

I don't know who Lindsay Lohan is either, and I do not care at all about Tom Cruise's wife.

Am I going to be called before a Senate committee and asked if I am a subversive? Maybe, but I just have no clue who Nick and Jessica are.

If this is what it means to be no longer young. It's not so bad.

Next confession:
I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are: Christmas trees.

It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, "Merry Christmas" to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu. If people want a creche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.

I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution, and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.

Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship Nick and Jessica and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him?

I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too.

But there are a lot of us who are wondering where Nick and Jessica came from and where the America we knew went to.

In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.

Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her "How could God let something like this Happen?" (regarding Katrina)

Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, "I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives.

And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?"

In light of recent events...terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found recently) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK.

Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school . the Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.

Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said OK.

Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.

Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with "WE REAP WHAT WE SOW."

Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell.

Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says.

Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing.

Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.

Are you laughing?

George Carlin's Views on Aging

Do you realize that the only time in our lives when we like to get old is when we're kids? If you're less than 10 years old, you're so excited about aging that you think in fractions. "How old are you?" "I'm four and a half!" You're never thirty-six and a half.. You're four and a half, going on five! That's the key.

You get into your teens, now they can't hold you back. You jump to the next number, or even a few ahead. "How old are you?" "I'm gonna be 16!" You could be 13, but hey, you're gonna be 16! And then the greatest day of your life . .. . you become 21. Even the words sound like a ceremony . . . YOU BECOME 21. YESSSS!!!

But then you turn 30. Oooohh, what happened there? Makes you sound like bad milk! He TURNED; we had to throw him out. There's no fun now, you're Just a sour-dumpling. What's wrong? What's changed?

You BECOME 21, you TURN 30, then you're PUSHING 40. Whoa! Put on the brakes, it's all slipping away. Before you know it, you REACH 50 and your dreams are gone. But wait!!! You MAKE it to 60. You didn't think you would! So you BECOME 21, TURN 30, PUSH 40, REACH 50 and MAKE it to 60. You've built up so much speed that you HIT 70! After that it's a day-by-day thing; you HIT Wednesday! You get into your 80s and every day is a complete cycle; you HIT lunch; you TURN 4:30; you REACH bedtime. And it doesn't end there. Into the 90s, you start going backwards; "I Was JUST 92."

Then a strange thing happens. If you make it over 100, you become a little kid again. "I'm 100 and a half!" May you all make it to a healthy 100 and a half!!

HOW TO STAY YOUNG

1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay "them "

2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.

3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever.. Never let the brain idle. "An idle mind is the devil's workshop." And the devil's name is Alzheimer's.

4. Enjoy the simple things.

5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.

6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it's family, pets,keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable,improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9 Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is.

10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

Do You Smell That?

A cold March wind danced around the dead of night in Dallas as the doctor walked into the small hospital room of Diana Blessing. She was still groggy from surgery.
Her husband, David, held her hand as they braced themselves for the latest news.
That afternoon of March 10, 1991, complications had forced Diana, only 24-weeks pregnant, to undergo an emergency Cesarean to deliver couple's new daughter, Dana Lu Blessing.
At 12 inches long and weighing only one pound nine ounces, they already knew she was perilously premature.

Still, the doctor's soft words dropped like bombs.
"I don't think she's going to make it," he said, as kindly as he could.
"There's only a 10-percent chance she will live through the night, and even then, if by some slim chance she does make it, her future could be a very cruel one."

Numb with disbelief, David and Diana listened as the doctor described the devastating problems Dana would likely face if she survived.

She would never walk, she would never talk, she would probably be blind, and she would certainly be prone to other catastrophic conditions from cerebral palsy to complete mental retardation, and on and on.

"No! No!" was all Diana could say.

She and David, with their 5-year-old son Dustin, had long dreamed of the day they would have a daughter to become a family of four. Now, within a matter of hours, that dream was slipping away.
But as those first days passed, a new agony set in for David and Diana.
Because Dana's underdeveloped nervous system was essentially 'raw', the lightest kiss or caress only intensified her discomfort, so they couldn't even cradle their tiny baby girl against their chests to offer the strength of their love. All they could do, as Dana struggled alone beneath the ultraviolet light in the tangle of tubes and wires, was to pray that God would stay close to their precious little girl.

There was never a moment when Dana suddenly grew stronger.
But as the weeks went by, she did slowly gain an ounce of weight here and an ounce of strength there.
At last, when Dana turned two months old, her parents were able to hold her in their arms for the very first time. And two months later, though doctors continued to gently but grimly warn that her chances of surviving, much less living any kind of normal life, were next to zero, Dana went home from the hospital, just as her mother had predicted.

Five years later, when Dana was a petite but feisty young girl with glittering gray eyes and an unquenchable zest for life. She showed no signs whatsoever of any mental or physical impairment. Simply, she was everything a little girl can be and more. But that happy ending is far from the end of her story.

One blistering afternoon in the summer of 1996 near her home in Irving, Texas, Dana was sitting in her mother's lap in the bleachers of a local ball park where her brother Dustin's baseball team was practicing.

As always, Dana was chattering nonstop with her mother and several other adults sitting nearby when she suddenly fell silent. Hugging her arms across her chest, little Dana asked, "Do you smell that?"

Smelling the air and detecting the approach of a thunderstorm, Diana replied, "Yes, it smells like rain."

Dana closed her eyes and again asked, "Do you smell that?"

Once again, her mother replied, "Yes, I think we're about to get wet. It smells like rain."

Still caught in the moment, Dana shook her head, patted her thin shoulders with her small hands and loudly announced, "No, it smells like Him.

It smells like God when you lay your head on His chest."

Tears blurred Diana's eyes as Dana happily hopped down to play with the other children.

Before the rains came, her daughter's words confirmed what Diana and all the members of the extended Blessing family had known, at least in their hearts, all along.

During those long days and nights of her first two months of her life, when her nerves were too sensitive for them to touch her, God was holding Dana on His chest and it is His loving scent that she remembers so well.