Jacquelyn and I went car shopping yesterday evening, and looked at a Saturn Vue at the Saturn of HoustonKaty Freeway location. The salesman, Jim Albert, was a Brooklyn native who has been in Southeast Texas since the 1960s. After ascertaining that we were from Vidor and Groves, he, of course, had some stories to tell. It turns out that when he first came to Texas he worked for the Stark family in Orange for about a year, and then went to work at Vidor State Bank. Another employee there was 1952 Olympic High Jump champion Buddy Davis. Before we left, he had Jacquelyn calling her dad to see if he knew Buddy. It turns out that Jack went to school with him!
The more surprising thing was when I explained that we wanted something more comfortable that the Altima for road trips, and that we had a son in Lubbock. He asked what he was doing in Lubbock, and after explaining that he preaches there, he asked what church. After we told him he said "Hmmmm.... church of Christ... Port Arthur... Bill McCuistion!"
He was a little confused, thinking that Bill McCuistion would have been younger than he, so he was surprised that Bill had passed away. But he had a story! It seems that Jim and Bill and a Greek Orthodox priest had spent a week or weekend at a retreat of some sort at a Greek Orthodox church in Dallas. His main memories of the event were that it was cold and snowing, and that Bill spent a lot of time disputing with the priests, in particular, explaining to them that it wasn't proper for them to use the title "Father". Anyway, Jim and Bill were apparently pretty good friends at Lamar University. He also said he made a talk at Bill's sister's school, but I wonder whether it was a daughter.
I didn't know Bill McCuistion, but I know some of the family. (And some of you reading this are his family.) The story certainly seems legitimate, even if some of his memories are a little confused.
Didn't buy the car... we have a few more to look at. It's hard (for me) to believe we've had the Altima for 7 years. I'm planning to keep my 10-year-old Saturn, though.
I had that same conversation with another salesman at the same dealership that was born and raised in Pt Arthur. He didn't go to Dallas with Bill but did spend time with him while he argued with other religious people. I like the Vue. I love my Sky.
If anyone left a black Canon camera case at the wedding, talk to Joel.
I forgot to eat breakfast. Breakfast usually consists of 4 oz. of unsweetened grape juice, vitamins, and an 81mg aspirin tablet, so it's no big thing to miss it.
Regarding my post about "keeping the fire alive".... I posted the same thing on FB, and I got a number of great comments, if you'd care to check them out. They certainly gave me some good things to think about.
The lady at the healthfood store said for him to take 8000 mg of Vit. C, unless it caused problems, and to cut back some, if it does. So, I'm sending Ester C...supposed to be easier on the stomach.
Thank you so much for the photo tip! I really appreciate it. About the 'breakfast' you missed ~ purple grape juice is a wonderful antioxidant. It also has many other great qualities. BUT you should take your vitamins with food. It actually gives something to help them be absorbed into your system. They can be rough on your stomach lining if taken without food. Taking a low dose of aspirin is great for antiplatelet help but even taking a low dose over time can hurt your stomach lining if you take it without food. If you choose to only have juice for breakfast, perhaps you should consider taking your vitamins and low dose aspirin with lunch.
Thanks for checking. That means a lot! :( Unfortunately, I don't think that's something I know how to do. I appreciate it. I will take the prayers, though...
Whatever "normal" is. I worked from home yesterday (as I usually do on Mondays), so it never really seems "normal". At the office today, nothing has changed. This is why the hanging of a new calendar doesn't really seem like an event. If a feeling of newness manages to find its way into my psyche, it doesn't last long, because the new year really just brings about another new day, like the one before. Things change, but incrementally.
The picture in the post below was taken with my cell phone as Robert Moore presented Adam and Ashley as "husband and wife". As soon as the photographer had finished taking our family pictures and we started walking over toward the reception, I emailed it to facebook with the subject "scoop"! :-)
I had not noticed that the maid-of-honor was using her phone to take a picture at the same time. I wonder if she uploaded it anywhere before I did.
Got a call this morning from one of the engineers making sure that a program fix on my list was still on my list. See? Nothing changes.
Today, I expect to finish what I was supposed to finish before December 31.
Jesse left his stocking full of candy at our house. Should we save it for him, or eat it?
Coming up soon: Jesse and Amber! Amber will be here in two weeks for two showers.
In four weeks, Ashley LaRue will no longer be "Ashley LaRue", but that's okay, because at them moment there are two "Ashley LaRues". From now on, around our family, I'll be referring to the original Ashley LaRue as "cousin Ashley".
I have a couple of typical (for me) absurd photos hanging out in my phone... I'll have to post them for you sometime.
Her posted photo was wonderful. I wish I was there to take pictures. I always wanted to be a professional photographer. I get that from my uncle who was a professional photojournalist.
Same to you! And, congrats on #1 son. #2 is soon, right? Steve? He's doing great. He had knee surgery about a month ago and you might never know it by looking at him. He goes back to work in 1 more week. (light duty only) He is MORE THAN READY!
Being a mother, I would save Jesse's stocking for him, especially since you will be seeing him so soon. At the very least ask Jesse what he wants you to do with it. Someone once said, do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Hmmmmmmmmmm ~ who was That anyway?
Just read that your son and bride went to Wyoming. That's where my wife's relatives live - West Yellowstone, Cody, Powell, Riverton, Livingston, etc... Michelle and I got married in Powell.
Looks like the wedding went well; wish I could have been there, but my circumstances just did not permit me attending either his or Jesse's upcoming wedding! Another reason why I need to get back to Texas!!
I have had a Blackberry for over two years and love it. It is the one gadget/toy/luxury that I allow myself. I can get an upgrade every 2 years and with my employee discount it is usually 1/2 price or free. I pay the monthly insurance on it just in case something happens ... like ending up in a bucket of mop water like it did this past year. :)
This is the closest thing I can find to a resolution. I don't think I've succeeded, but will continue to press toward this way of doing things:
The skies of blue have darkened to gray
But there is no rain in sight.
Yesterday's chill had faded by morning
And the wind blows from the Southeast.
The arches across the street have been taken down
And January is taking hold.
There's work to do.
I see myself in others,
The struggles of my past
In their struggles of their present.
The joys mixed up with the sorrows,
The hope mixed up with the past
That clings and grabs and wishes to not let go.
But it is not my struggle today,
It is only a memory.
I shall live in the present
And make a new day
To be filled with its own joy and hope.
I shall encourage cheer
And be patient when the encouragement
Is ignored.
And I shall continue to encourage cheer
And perhaps, someday, it will be gladly accepted.
The sky is always sunny
At thirty-thousand feet.
A smile is always sunny,
And laughter can't be beat.
We didn't even put the arch over the street this year. Kids broke one piece last year, and I never got around to fixiing it, and never decorated the rest of the outside of the house. We were having work done last week, so hanging lights wouldn't have been feasable. Things are still a mess from that which shall remain nameless... I had the workshop torn down last week. We had a new front door installed, but it had a dent, so they replaced it with a door with two dents and, using the same hinges, it is in a bind. I'm more tired now that I was last year.
But life moves forward quickly: Adam gets married in less than 48 hours, Jesse, in two months. Many family members will descent upon Beeville, Texas tomorrow.
My dad had a scare last year... Digitek almost killed him. Since he's been off of it, his memory has returned, and he's better able to walk. (His left leg still gives out occasionally, so he has to carry a walker. He basically picks it up and runs with it :-)
My in-laws are tired. June is in the early stages of Alzheimer's, and Jack can't see well. I'd almost prefer that she would drive.
Ted's mother isn't doing well, either, so there's stress on his wife on both sides.
So much hardship, with bright futures mixed in. It's hard to know how to feel.
I am so well aware of life's struggles. I feel your pain. As for knowing how to feel - fageddaboudit. Just feel. Realize and appreciate that any day, or moment for that matter, without pain is a good day. Don't worry, be happy even if for a short interval. If you are worried about this and that, you will not be able to enjoy the here and now. As scripture says, tomorrow has enough trouble of it's own. Serve God, live and enjoy the life He has given you.
