Sunday, June 28, 2009

Death Is Not Dying

If you haven't seen this... watch it! SO AMAZING!




more about "Death Is Not Dying", posted with vodpod
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Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Outdoor Wednesday: A Picnic by the Creek


I decided on whim to have a picnic dinner yesterday (as I've been wanting to do a picnic tablescape for a while now...figured this would be a good time to do it)... so once Jon got home from work... we headed to the park. We found a cute little picnic bench by the creek... under a nice shade tree.

Here is a sneak peak into my tablescape:

The whole tablescape (plus a delicious salad recipe and a watermelon salsa recipe) will be posted on my Huckleberry Prairie blog this evening. :)

Jon and I... AFTER I discovered that Jon does not like Pumpernickel bread and could not bear to eat the rest of his sandwich. Note to self: Do not try new breads when you have a picky eater for a husband. ;)

After dinner, we took a walk by the creek.



YIKES!
And I snapped a shot of our town's water tower at sunset... on our way home. :)

That was our "Outdoor" adventure so far this week. :) For more outdoor pictures check out A Southern Daydreamer for Outdoor Wednesday.

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Monday, June 22, 2009

Weekend Recap: Family Fun and Not so Fun Flat Tire

This weekend Jon's family took a road trip from Arkansas and paid us a visit. :) Here are a few pictures from the weekend:

Jon showing the family around the jet he flies...


Family shot...
Jon, his Mom and Granny...


Jon and Granny
Jim and Sherrie
Granny
After a little sight seeing around town... and a little bit of shopping, we headed down to see the water.
It was SO, SO windy! Exhibit A:


Jon taking advantage of the wind blowing through his shirt; he felt this was the perfect opportunity to demonstrate his flexing ability...and the fact he has been hitting the gym. haha

The family left early Sunday morning (as they had a long drive ahead of them)... so we headed off to church. Unfortunately, we got a flat tire along the way!! Don't you just hate that? :(

Our donut tire. Awww so sad.

Wally World to the rescue!!

Jon surveying the other tires... in case they were in need of repair. ;) May I mention that the drink Jon was sipping was compliments of the 16 year old boy clerk at the Whataburger counter? I'd like to think I "still have it" haha... but the more probable reality is he saw us struggling to change a tire in the Texas heat in their parking lot... and was trying to be a good Whataburger Samaritan. Yeah, just take all of my ego glory away. ;)
So we had an unexpected detour on the way to church. Good news is: tire is fixed, we made it to church (a later service) and we saw the coolest car in Corpus Christi... or at least this owner thinks so.

Some said it was a myth...a legend even... but I captured photographic evidence that it IS possible to get this much "cool" into one vehicle. I couldn't get a good picture without being completely obvious... this car is ALL tricked out... I think it is an Oldsmobile or a Lincoln... something like that... the rims stuck out about 10 inches off the tire on each side... and had two blade like propellers on the end of the rim. I'm telling you, they were weapons of mass destruction. These propeller rims, if positioned close enough to the curb while the car is moving, could take out an entire sidewalk, street light, telephone pole... whatever gets in it's path. Be on the look out for this dangerously cool car...if you ever find yourself on the roads of South Texas.
And tell your eyes "you're welcome" for allowing it to feast on this absurd amount of crazy cool.


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Sunday, June 21, 2009

My Dad

I have the best dad in the world, I really do. And in honor of Father's Day, I am making him a top 10 list.

Top 10 things I've learned From My Dad

1. My Dad is also known as Mr. Wizard. He knows everything. Go ahead, test him. And, in the event that he doesn't know the answer, he will make up the perfect mixture of BS, total crap, hogwash, bologna and poppycock... with just a dash of truth, but enough to make you certain that he is an expert on any subject every subject. Accordingly, I have learned that if you say something with enough confidence, people will believe just about anything. Yes, I've learned this lesson all too well.

2. Until you become an adult and call him out on it. And when you do he will either a) make a face that fervently attempts to conceal a smug grin, proud that he took you well into adulthood with the belief that a PhD in every subject, from Molecular Biology to Ancient History, should be automatically mandated to him, as a reward for his level of brilliance... or b) give 8 seconds of silence (the longest 8 seconds of your life), strategically allowing you sufficient time to regret the audacity of your challenge to his intellect. This 8 seconds is usually followed by a well-thought out, cleverly devised word to describe the absurdity of your defiance; a word such as butt-nut, rabbit or turkey. I've learned that questioning his knowledge is punished by stare. And rightfully so.

3. My dad is too cool for brakes. In fact, he is the only person I know who accelerates faster than an aircraft carrier catapult while exiting a freeway off ramp. Only when his truck has successfully achieved mach 1 and is satisfied with the sonic boom he has just created will he slam on his brakes and come to a dramatic halt before reaching the off ramp intersection. Logic and reason always lead me to believe that it is mathematically impossible to stop in time, as it defies basic laws of physics. However, each time this happens I close my eyes (as we pull 3.5 Gs) and we stop. Like Willy Wonka's boat going through the Slugworth tunnel. We just stop. Henceforth, I have learned from my dad's driving to live by faith... Faith big enough to move mountains. Faith big enough to successfully stop a Dodge Ram accelerating off a freeway exit at Mach 1.

4. My dad, if given the opportunity, will make spaghetti 5 nights a week. There is no reason to ask him what he would like for dinner; we already know. There is no reason for him to ask us what we would like for dinner... any opposition to spaghetti will be given the 8 second stare. I have learned that when dad cooks, we will be having spaghetti... with a slice of buttered bread... folded up into a spaghetti sandwich. I have also learned that when dad asks what we want him to make for dinner, the correct answer is always spaghetti.

5. When he is feeling particularly spunky we will deviate from the spaghetti sandwich and replace it with a meal combination that was probably created sometime in the mid 1970s while he was on a backpacking trip. Hot dogs. Beans. And an egg. And if things are going just right, sometimes a slice of tomato, with a little pepper. It is a family meal staple. And it is what you will be served on the nights when spaghetti is absent from the menu. I have learned that this combination is not what the other kids were eating growing up. But who am I to turn down any combination of hot dog?

6. My dad is bilingual. He speaks English and Puns fluently. Shame on you for thinking only one pun is sufficient for any and every situation. You will get at least 4 or 5 different examples so as to provide a demonstration of wit and an uncanny ability to stretch to the outer limits of what is acceptable and deemed "pun-worthy". If you don't understand the pun, it will be explained. If you do understand the pun, but do not give the reaction that it rightfully deserves, it will be explained. If you do get the pun, give it the deserving reaction, the puns will be encouraged and you will guarantee yourself at least 5 or 6 more puns on the same subject. I have learned that puns are more than just a figure of speech; they are a talent, they are an art and they are inevitable in the company of my dad. Respect the pun.

7. My dad knows every hiking trail, bike path, back road, dirt road, mountain road, mountain peak, switch back, stream, creek, pond, ghost town and campground in the western United States. If you want a history lesson, detailed description, a review or a story about any of them, he is the person for the job. And while you are at it, he can give you an accurate account of the wildlife... creatures, critters, feathered friends, fauna and fungus you may encounter while in the area. I have learned that a hiking trip is more than just exercise; it is an opportunity to interpret nature, bond with the environment and to gain a history lesson or two along the way.

8. My dad befriends and bonds with animals unlike anyone I've ever seen. Animals flock to him. He undoubtedly has an animal-attracting, gentle spirit. That, or the animals (more specifically their dogs) remember the hot dogs, turkey sandwiches and chicken that he feeds them. When he fixes a meal, they get a plate. They are a part of the family after all, aren't they? I have learned that dogs will follow you around if you feed them bird, cow or pig.

9. My dad has the ability to watch a PBS telethon for an astonishingly mind-boggling amount of time. Regardless of the performer, it is the best he has ever seen. He will watch. He will laugh. He will love. And don't even think about changing the channel when Huell Howser is on. That is asking for a retaliation as to why whatever you have changed the channel to is absolute crap, all the while, name dropping certain reality star, tabloid names from 3 years ago as exhibit A. Somehow, someway... this subject will always end up with a critique of the atrocity that is rap music. Which rabbit trails to a display of mock gang signs, an interpretation of hip hop dancing... and ends up with the Mr. Peanut dance. Completely unrelated, but infinitely entertaining. Picture this:My dad... feet moving inward so fast, side to side, that all you see is a blur. I have learned to not change the channel unless I am in the need for a good laugh.

10. Lastly, my dad is the happiest, friendliest man you will ever meet. He can befriend a person he just met... has conversations with all of the neighbors...sees the good in everybody. He honors God, loves his neighbors, goes out of his way to help people in binds, sacrifices for the good of others, hard worker, all-around handyman, walking encyclopedia, a good example of what it means to be a good husband, father and most importantly, follower of Christ. The foundation of my biblical knowledge is credited to my dad... Not only is he well versed in scripture, but he also stressed the importance of practical application of scripture into all our (my siblings and my) lives. I always had a God-fearing believer to look up to, learn from and be encouraged by. I am, without a doubt, a better person because of my dad. I am not "fortunate" as I do not believe in luck or fate; I am, instead, truly blessed as God purposely placed us in the hands of my parents. It was not an accident. For that I am thankful to the Lord for being ever so gracious to me, and thankful to my dad for being ever so obedient to the Lord.



To all of the dads out there: may you know that every unique quality that makes you you, will be appreciated, laughed at with, cherished and remembered by your children. May you strive to be a man of God, leading your family by example with honor and integrity, live understanding the importance of the father role within the family and cherish the positive impact that will forever be remembered by your children.

Happy Father's Day,

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Friday, June 12, 2009

Saturday 9.



1. What was your favorite active game as a child?
I loved playing the tag game "Rocks"... Handball and Tether ball.

2. What was your favorite board game as a child?
Candyland or Clue.

3. Tell us about a friend you played these games with in your youth.
I would play mostly with my siblings... However, I vividly remember playing Monopoly with my childhood best friend Angela... for HOURS... days even. It was ridiculous.

4. What is your favorite card game?
Old Maid or Go Fish as a kid... now I like solitaire. Don't leave me alone with a game of computer spider solitaire...nothing good will come from it.

5. What board games do you enjoy now?
SCRABBLE!!!

6. Do you play video games? Which ones?
Not really... I do enjoy a good game of Tetris every now and then. ;)

7. Tell us about the friends you play games with now.
Mostly just my hubby. We have been known to take our Scrabble playing quite seriously. ;)

8. Do you play any sports now?
Hubby and I play Tennis and Racquetball...maybe a game of handball if we are feeling really crazy.

9. What’s your favorite sport to watch?
RODEO! Followed by baseball, gymnastics and competitive cheerleading. I dare you to say cheerleading isn't a sport...I might get a little bit rowdy... R-O-W...D-Y! ;)

That's all folks! Check out other participants' Saturday 9 here!


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Sunday, June 7, 2009

Church, Dinner and a Movie

A recap of this weekend's events:

This week at church we had the privilege of listening to a testimony from Michael Franzese, an ex mob captain turned follower of Christ. His story is amazing... and it is unreal to see how God has used this man. Take a look for yourself:


His story left you wanting to hear more... with both a curiosity and fascination into such a high profile life of crime, transformed into a life serving the Lord. Needless to say, I will be reading his book.

After church we headed to the Olive Garden... where I proceeded to lose my marbles with the breadsticks. Why do I like carbs so cotton pickin' much? Anyway, we had a $25 gift certificate which we were all excited about... and guess how much our bill was? $24.95! HA! We didn't even calculate it or order being price conscious... that is just how it worked out. Must have been our lucky day. ;)

And finally, my last order of blog business: UP!


Oh, I loved this movie! I didn't expect it to be quite so sad... but it had an overall good underlying message.

SQUIRREL!
What a good doggie... I couldn't help but be reminded of my own poochies... how lovable they are and how much they desire to please their owners.


My Dolly and Dallas are such good doggies. I love them to pieces.

Now who is ready to watch some bachelorette tomorrow? Gosh, I was admantly opposed to getting sucked into this again... and here I am. Waiting for Mondays.

Til next time...



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