tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51317418352853448952012-02-16T06:21:30.956-06:00You have finished clicking through the entire internet, please shutdown your computer and do something constructive...Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675715479536326872noreply@blogger.comBlogger591100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131741835285344895.post-76590667650574828942008-07-09T10:17:00.004-06:002008-07-09T14:52:53.214-06:00

For the past ... hmm... I've lost count... days, I've been living in Berkeley California. I was picked to be part of a group of 18 teachers from Texas, who are studying astronomy at the Lawrence Berkeley Labs. They have a curriculum that provides activities using real astronomical images. The workshop has been excellent. The material within the lessons, and content we are learning is very

Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675715479536326872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131741835285344895.post-11191647751557862602008-06-23T20:23:00.002-06:002008-06-23T20:31:38.201-06:00

General Motors just announced 6-year 0% loans on many of its larger and not so fuel efficient 2008 models of vehicles. It got me to thinking, and although we are not in the market for a new car (we're trying to figure out a new house, sell our old one.... blah, blah, blah) I came across an intriguing video.Most of us have a gasoholic big "ManMobile" like SUV or truck, and a smaller not so heavy

Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675715479536326872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131741835285344895.post-12545627620306002842008-06-11T20:57:00.002-06:002008-06-11T21:40:13.463-06:00

Next fall as school starts... I won't be in a class room teaching Science everyday. That is going to take some getting used to again.I have accepted a position with the Region 14 Educational Service Center (ESC). Most people outside the educational community have never heard of an ESC. They act as conduits for information and training from the Texas Education Agency, housed in Austin, to the

Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675715479536326872noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131741835285344895.post-35195288424036789472008-06-09T20:39:00.002-06:002008-06-09T20:55:37.687-06:00

Ok, ok, ok... (in the immortal words of Joe Pesci from Lethal Weapon)I ran across this site a day or two back, was about to delete it from my bookmarks, and then realized... it's my personal blog.Oooops. It's been since Megan's Birthday since we added anything. So after renting a Muse to help with brevity and wit, we brief:March: Megan and Madelyn made it through.April, showers light and few.May

Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675715479536326872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131741835285344895.post-30364936544311847692008-02-26T13:29:00.003-06:002008-02-26T13:33:34.507-06:00

Our baby girl is 6 today. Here's to a great day sweet, sweet Megan.We love you.Mommy, Daddy and Madelyn

Brandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14249600256198778579noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131741835285344895.post-50850078934131597202008-01-06T21:36:00.000-06:002008-01-09T01:00:32.453-06:00

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Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675715479536326872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131741835285344895.post-88101262182330866852007-12-26T21:44:00.000-06:002007-12-26T23:04:04.704-06:00

I think I brought home more than memories and gifts from the Loop Christmas. I have been fighting a nasal drip and sore throat since the trip. The same having been suffered through by the rest of my family, but I in fits of stubbornness have refused to take medicine nor go to the doctor. I snorted and sniffled my way through semester exams, and pretty have much felt miserable through our

Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675715479536326872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131741835285344895.post-58313866765018089972007-12-21T23:22:00.000-06:002007-12-22T09:57:07.454-06:00

Another strike against Brandy and myself in the "Parents of the Year" contest... as if the Oreo incident did not disqualify us indefinitely.Holiday Season usually affords enough time to stretch out the family celebrations where there are few if any conflicts in scheduling. This is in part since I have two weeks off, and Brandy sets her own schedule. However, it seems the Yuletide Grinch

Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675715479536326872noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131741835285344895.post-42670498367696172812007-11-18T21:04:00.000-06:002007-11-18T21:09:58.265-06:00

The fact that this happened, should be enough to prove my fact that this is now as much an entertainment media as film, tv, or music. HINT: You are watching the band "upside down." (from the visitors side of the field.)How many of the video games can you name? Comment with them, I could only name about 4.

Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675715479536326872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131741835285344895.post-59755977394525504462007-11-08T09:34:00.000-06:002007-11-08T09:45:56.870-06:00

We finally got our new bar stools. I'm so excited. After living here almost 5 1/2 years, we finally have seating at our bar. Now I have to decide if I want the bar painted the same as the kitchen cabinets or a different color. It definitely doesn't need to stay the way it is.Here is Madelyn enjoying the new seating before bedtime. She dropped her cup and is trying to decide the best way to

Brandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14249600256198778579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131741835285344895.post-45447561933881177192007-11-01T16:29:00.001-06:002007-11-01T16:33:55.532-06:00

I have finally posted some Halloween pictures on our Flickr page. Madelyn as usual was very uncooperative. So I didn't get a very good one of her in the Kitty costume that Megan wore when she was 2. The girls enjoyed Trunk or Treat after church last night. I think they came home with more candy than we took to the event. Good thing I have two more months to teach Sunday school. That's a

Brandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14249600256198778579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131741835285344895.post-70533772458730891912007-10-24T09:44:00.000-06:002007-10-24T11:29:41.773-06:00

Halloween is upon us and the girls have been busy. Megan spent this past Sunday afternoon over at her friend Jaclyn's house. They made cute little Halloween decorations. This is my favorite. They are decorating some of my kitchen cabinet knobs--out of the reach of little two year old hands.This coming weekend, we are traveling to Roscoe to help celebrate Julia's birthday. We are planning to

Brandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14249600256198778579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131741835285344895.post-4191167163631248772007-10-09T16:58:00.000-06:002007-10-09T22:44:37.888-06:00

Megan had her PIPs (Players in Progress) basketball camp this past Saturday. I think she had a good time. It was difficult to judge her reaction to it. She is not always geared up about starting something new that she doesn't already know how to do.Shawn and I wanted her to do this for a couple of reasons. First, to introduce her to a sport we know she could one day be good at if she

Brandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14249600256198778579noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131741835285344895.post-45903694304939249372007-10-08T02:05:00.000-06:002007-10-08T02:07:17.438-06:00

Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675715479536326872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131741835285344895.post-41699763440715222442007-10-02T08:29:00.000-06:002007-10-02T08:49:14.049-06:00

As Megan was bathing last night, she told me she wanted her hair cut to here and placed her hand at the middle part of her neck. I was stunned at first. You see, Megan has always talked about having long hair. But sadly, she has been blessed with her mommy's hair. It just does not grow very fast and when it does grow, it does not look healthy. But we have managed. I told her it may be a

Brandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14249600256198778579noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131741835285344895.post-7434580424125865132007-09-25T18:15:00.000-06:002007-09-25T19:33:33.211-06:00

Many of you know I have a penchant for computer games. It probably started when I programmed my Mother's first Macintosh computer back in 1983 with a BASIC game that simulated a lunar landing. The graphics consisted of a dash (-) for the surface, and the exhaust were asterisks (*,) and the capsule was two slashes (/\). The whole game looked like this: /\ * *--------Carnack eat your

Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675715479536326872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131741835285344895.post-31833750143378610922007-09-21T07:28:00.001-06:002007-09-21T07:38:31.916-06:00

Brandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14249600256198778579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131741835285344895.post-81530039237935989392007-09-20T08:01:00.000-06:002007-09-20T09:11:05.505-06:00

Just a quick update about what's really been going on around here.Megan ended the summer by making huge strides in the swimming department. If you will remember back to when Megan had tubes in her ears, we had to be really careful not to get water in them. It was at this time that she became terrified of water on her head. Just look at her now.She has mastered the art of jumping off a make-shift

Brandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14249600256198778579noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131741835285344895.post-21483153461568239882007-09-17T19:50:00.000-06:002007-09-17T20:02:57.517-06:00

OK...OK...OK.We came off reunion....went on vacation...then school started.In between I had to preach for the church... then had a part on the search committee, then found one... then covered a lesson or two 'till he got here.Now its "District Educational Improvement Committee" meetings... being assigned the Science Department chairperson... Teaching Biology atop my usual Chemistry...

Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675715479536326872noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131741835285344895.post-22811119568835283512007-07-29T10:10:00.000-06:002007-07-29T10:26:05.716-06:00

Another Smith Reunion has come and gone and the "Semi-Resort" Locale of Club Grubb. From Luau and Games to Golf & Grandkids, it was a fun weekend for all. The traditional Saturday Evening Sing was recorded and here's the audio from the sing: Powered by Podbean.com Download the MP3 file (5MB)If you would like it in some other format please let me know, and I'll try to get it to you.

Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675715479536326872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131741835285344895.post-49497514340846984342007-07-09T20:06:00.000-06:002007-07-09T21:48:00.660-06:00

T-shirt designs finished. The golf course is digitized. And now I'm thinking:P-L-A-N L-A-N.So if anyone is interested during "Club Grubb" and would like to have an evening (probably Saturday Night) for the traditional game-a-thon, let me know. The only issue is I no longer have access to all those laptops. I have one (maybe two) that can be used. Don would have one (it is his house and he has a

Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675715479536326872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131741835285344895.post-79061180205141613762007-07-08T14:48:00.000-06:002007-07-08T14:54:46.014-06:00

Although it has been a while since I posted audio, we have continued to have a study in the book of First Corinthians. The last 6 lessons audio is posted on the podbean site, and I'm working on putting the presentations on the bible study page. I just have some of the presentations on one computer, and some on another. Here is the audio from the final lesson in the series: Powered by

Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675715479536326872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131741835285344895.post-36603933055180860952007-07-07T13:19:00.000-06:002007-07-07T13:42:06.628-06:00

A month. One solid month without a post. Tsk...tsk...tsk...We'll it's not my fault, "My kitchen made me do it!" But after a month of trials and tribulations, that oft tested my sanity, and Brandy's patience with me, we have completed this summer's home improvement project. The Kitchen from ---- (well, at least Gehenna.)Before:After:So that's why we haven't been posting like we ought. Just don't

Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675715479536326872noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131741835285344895.post-51026234237435164112007-06-06T20:45:00.000-06:002007-06-06T21:13:36.788-06:00

Teachers have the most unusual schedule of all professions, based on a throwback to the agrarian age where students were needed on their family farms to help plant during the late spring and early summer. So, now in the "information age" the idea of a summer vacation of three months seems antiquated, and a bit odd to many. However, the idea of a summer "vacation" isn't exactly what

Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675715479536326872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131741835285344895.post-67707602432695175772007-06-03T13:16:00.000-06:002007-06-03T14:19:07.928-06:00

Well this has been an exciting week around here. Not only are we in the middle of updating our kitchen, we decided to start potty training as well. This was quite a chore since Megan potty trained in one minute at the age of 20 months. And Maw-Maw did that. So I have no real experience. I figured at 22 months, Madelyn could do it too. However, the biggest difference between Megan and

Brandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14249600256198778579noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131741835285344895.post-76773743063107200552007-05-17T20:41:00.000-06:002007-05-17T22:35:37.373-06:00

I have a habit of mowing the lawn and listening to numerous podcasts, like TWIT, NPR Technology, Earth and Sky, and ABC news Nightline. Tonight as we were finishing up the yard, Nightline had a story on infant "elimination communication", or as I put it "going diaperless." It about made me double over laughing to where I couldn't push the mower until I realized they weren't kidding! Here are

Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675715479536326872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131741835285344895.post-4088817883125349682007-05-15T15:40:00.000-06:002007-05-15T15:42:40.146-06:00

As we approach the end of another school year, I share this with you:Under Which LyreA Reactionary Tract for the Times(Phi Beta Kappa Poem, Harvard, 1946)W. H. AudenAres at last has quit the field,The bloodstains on the bushes yield To seeping showers,And in their convalescent stateThe fractured towns associate With summer flowers.Encamped upon the college plainRaw veterans already train

Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675715479536326872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131741835285344895.post-87927924735523888332007-05-10T11:51:00.000-06:002007-05-10T12:32:51.264-06:00

Okay. Don't fall out of your chairs. This is Brandy. And yes, I am making a post to the blog. I just couldn't help it.It's fixin' to be Mother's Day. One of my favorite things about Megan being in school is knowing that she will bring sweet little hand-made projects home at special times like these. When I picked her up today, she ran down the sidewalk half-covered in mud carrying a little

Brandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14249600256198778579noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131741835285344895.post-14038391462716643192007-05-06T20:17:00.000-06:002007-05-06T20:18:27.038-06:00

This lesson looks at the last verses of 1 Corinthians 9, and the necessity of self discipline in a Christian life.

Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675715479536326872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131741835285344895.post-30203569745164982232007-05-04T00:07:00.000-06:002007-05-04T00:10:40.167-06:00

After 67 regular season wins, to get schooled by the 8th seed... what a disgrace.

Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675715479536326872noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131741835285344895.post-37592850909446745342007-04-29T12:30:00.000-06:002007-04-29T12:45:39.230-06:00

I apologize for not getting the audio from last week's lesson posted in a timely manner. There really wasn't any good excuse, other than maybe "Spring Fever" spurring on a case of the "don't-want-to's". This first player will stream part 12, which looks at 1 Corinthians 8, and the issue of Christian freedom. This player will stream part 13 of the study, which is the second lesson on Christian

Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675715479536326872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131741835285344895.post-44762751873157652362007-04-19T15:26:00.000-06:002007-04-19T15:31:35.792-06:00

As most of you know Brandy and I are Mavs fans. Here is what the first round of playoffs look like:Game 1 – Sunday, April 22: Golden State at Dallas, 8:30 p.m. (TNT)Game 2 – Wednesday, April 25: Golden State at Dallas, 8:30 p.m.(TNT)Game 3 – Friday, April 27: Dallas at Golden State, 9:30 p.m. (ESPN)Game 4 – Sunday, April 29: Dallas at Golden State, 9 p.m. (TNT)Game 5 (if necessary) – Tuesday, May

Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675715479536326872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131741835285344895.post-23831421583453643092007-04-15T11:46:00.000-06:002007-04-15T11:48:37.139-06:00

This is the Second Session concerning marriage. We will be looking at 1 Corinthians Chapter 7.

Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675715479536326872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131741835285344895.post-61213003410102847162007-04-11T20:03:00.000-06:002007-04-11T21:16:11.604-06:00

OK, call us bad parents. Call us stingy, or unloving. Remind us that we will be the reason why our daughters will need 200 dollar-an-hour shrinks when they are 35 and feeling "un-loved." It's all our fault... because we hid the Oreos where they can't find them.About 3 weeks ago, Brandy splurged and purchased the cookies while on a "Mommies Gettin' Away for Sanity" trip to the grocery store.

Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675715479536326872noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131741835285344895.post-16861043228260867862007-04-08T11:40:00.000-06:002007-04-08T11:41:51.212-06:00

This section focuses on the first part of 1 Corinthians Chapter 7, and the issues of marriage and divorce among Christians. I apologize, but due to technical difficulties, Part 9 from last week was not recorded. In the future I might try to put together a supplementary lesson for part 9.

Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675715479536326872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131741835285344895.post-67485036431446373872007-03-26T17:49:00.000-06:002007-03-26T18:57:25.147-06:00

After an entire week with better than a 30% chance for showers, and clouds like those Amber described, we have gotten only a pittance of rain: 7.7mm. Yes my rain gauge is metric -- I'm a science teacher, go figure(convert it here.) So, no real rain that is, until we threatened to go "bicycle."Megan, after learning to ride without her training wheels, has asked every day, "Can we go bicycle?" We

Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675715479536326872noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131741835285344895.post-64437863724315327652007-03-25T12:10:00.000-06:002007-03-25T12:11:35.409-06:00

This study looks at how Christians should resolve conflict, and their appropriate use of judicial systems. We focus on 1 Corinthians 6:1-8.

Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675715479536326872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131741835285344895.post-70017087045139537562007-03-24T20:49:00.000-06:002007-03-25T12:17:12.042-06:00

"The best way to keep children home is to make the home atmosphere pleasant--and let the air out of the tires." - Dorothy ParkerBrandy had one of those "Mommy, why are you crying?" moments this evening, when we took the training wheels off the bike. Megan did really good, and after a couple of tries, dad let go of the back of the bike seat, and the girl took off.The image above is actually a

Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675715479536326872noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131741835285344895.post-37094736098098587152007-03-20T16:17:00.000-06:002007-03-20T16:40:18.485-06:00

Brandy said she didn't notice our "little friend" until she rounded the back of the car to get Madelyn out of her seat. It startled her, but then she noticed it was already dead-- its head crushed. Brandy and I figure the snake was trying to get into the garage, and Brandy closed the door on him when she left to pick up Megan from Pre-K.Call it a small case of "sympathy for the devil." When I

Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675715479536326872noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131741835285344895.post-75001252912623022952007-03-18T12:18:00.000-06:002007-03-18T12:21:20.682-06:00

This lesson looks at withdrawal of fellowship, its reason, and appropriate use. Our passage of study is 1 Corinthians 5:1-13.

Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675715479536326872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131741835285344895.post-42322983691506103052007-03-16T22:53:00.000-06:002007-03-16T23:46:25.171-06:00

Winter is turning the corner toward spring, and with it, time to go outside, put off yardwork and my wife's "Honey-Do List", for a round of frustration and humiliation -- that's right, "golf." For many months now, the weather has kept us away from the links, and we had resorted to practicing the time honored tradition of "living room putt-putt."The carpet in the house has a natural "break,"

Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675715479536326872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131741835285344895.post-81315146569970741062007-03-11T11:46:00.000-06:002007-03-11T11:56:36.506-06:00

This is the audio from Part 6. The lesson looks at the negative effects of self-interests in God's Church. The powerpoint for the lesson is available.

Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675715479536326872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131741835285344895.post-32883196134165809512007-03-08T22:22:00.000-06:002007-03-08T22:49:51.936-06:00

This month, from March 8-21, your children can participate in helping a group of scientists collect data on the affects of lights, and our ability to see the night sky. Megan and I started it tonight, and she really enjoyed it. I started by showing her an image from the website of the constellation Orion, and then they had a link where she could practice finding it. We drew it a couple of times

Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675715479536326872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131741835285344895.post-71300594605967068032007-03-06T18:55:00.000-06:002007-03-06T20:20:24.512-06:00

In light of our "Grand State" being upon the eve of the biggest payout for Mega Millions, I would like to tell you why teachers have trouble with the state funding education with the lottery. It has to do with the fact that we teachers like to teach think we teach logic, reasoning, and sound thinking... all of which would tell people that playing the lottery is a waste of money.First, let me put

Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675715479536326872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131741835285344895.post-45120988358009766832007-03-05T17:42:00.000-06:002007-03-05T18:46:22.941-06:00

If you missed the Discovery Channel airing of the documentary that stated Jesus had been buried with his wife Mary Magdalene and they had remains to prove it....well so did I. I had watched a lot of politicians on CNN earlier that day, and had listened to my quota of liars for one day.After some internet research, I figured out the documentary was produced by James Cameron (the same guy

Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675715479536326872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131741835285344895.post-22420157896938806602007-03-04T12:21:00.000-06:002007-03-04T12:42:38.726-06:00

This lesson looks at Corinthians 3:1-7, in light of how spiritual growth will help to achieve unity. The powerpoint is available here

Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675715479536326872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131741835285344895.post-51910567122786293642007-02-28T21:26:00.000-06:002007-02-28T22:51:01.071-06:00

One of the things I have been working on is audio recordings of several of my lessons from church. Right now I am about 3 lessons into a study of First Corinthians, and should be able to post the audio from upcoming lessons. Right now, I'm still "experimenting" with it, and so here is a previous lesson from a study in Galatians. Powerpoints for many of my lessons are posted on the Addendum to

Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675715479536326872noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131741835285344895.post-15136453493569531262007-02-26T23:18:00.000-06:002007-02-26T23:21:50.031-06:00

Ok so maybe its not exactly a post, but I thought I would give you a little humor, given the last "edu-rant." We are in the throes of TAKS season, and I'm looking for anything to take my mind of that test...

Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675715479536326872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131741835285344895.post-44684856954099725302007-02-12T18:55:00.000-06:002007-02-04T08:14:53.924-06:00

An old adage that rings true today for almost anything is “You get what you pay for.” This is so true when it comes to public education in the State of Texas. Texas has some of the highest scores in achievement, yet the lowest pay for teachers in the country. We educate children in our public schools with one of the lowest per capita student spending. However, if you listen to the nay-sayers

Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675715479536326872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131741835285344895.post-18159440772648027002007-02-03T23:12:00.000-06:002007-02-04T00:02:04.994-06:00

As we approach the afternoon/evening where we all sit down to watch commercials, and they put this annoying football game between them, one thought becomes crystallized in my mind -- the joy of a mute button on the remote and a book by my easy chair. "Blink," the next book in the que (after "7 Deadly Wonders") I can thank Scott for. I got it in the mail last week, and I must say it is in top

Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675715479536326872noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131741835285344895.post-15667336780664241962007-01-31T18:14:00.000-06:002007-01-31T18:26:36.085-06:00

Nothing is more admirable than the fortitude with which millionaires tolerate the disadvantages of their wealth.Rex StoutUS mystery novelist & publisher (1886 - 1975)Brandy and I have started a program that, so far, seems to be very good toward more effectively managing our money. It's the "Financial Peace University" from Dave Ramsey. We have a class that meets once a week with about a 7

Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675715479536326872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131741835285344895.post-7619509528316178252007-01-09T21:37:00.000-06:002007-01-09T22:26:22.524-06:00

"So Ephron's field in Machpelah near Mamre—both the field and the cave in it, and all the trees within the borders of the field—was deeded to Abraham as his property in the presence of all the Hittites who had come to the gate of the city. Afterward Abraham buried his wife Sarah in the cave in the field of Machpelah near Mamre (which is at Hebron) in the land of Canaan. So the field and the cave

Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675715479536326872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131741835285344895.post-8060139059644309472006-12-29T00:39:00.000-06:002006-12-29T01:12:52.909-06:00

Well, I would like to say its not my fault, since my wife gave me the latest chapter to "Guild Wars." However when you have been on the computer as much as I have been the last couple of days... yet with the lack of a meaningful, insightful, or even remotely humorous post to the blog can only mean one thing -- Shawn's been gaming.Scott (who happened to get Neverwinter Nights 2 at Loop) would

Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675715479536326872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131741835285344895.post-87969443621440402352006-12-20T16:24:00.000-06:002006-12-20T16:32:54.862-06:00

When the grandmothers of today hear the word ``Chippendales,'' they don't necessary think of chairs.Joan Kerr Or rather “up the escarpment and through the dust… to Grandmother's house we went!”The official start of the Holiday season -- our first Christmas get-together of the season, came and went this weekend with a short trip to Brandy’s Grandparents (Brandy drove), and a long trip back

Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675715479536326872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131741835285344895.post-11750703276080214492006-12-08T22:43:00.000-06:002006-12-08T23:59:45.218-06:00

When they discover the center of the universe, a lot of people will be disappointed to discover they are not it. - Bernard BaileyHere it is "Friday Night!." I think we used to call it "date night."Brandy and I still talk a lot about dates, like the date of open house at the elementary, the date we travel out of town to see family, or the date for Madelyn's next doctors appointment, etc. etc.

Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675715479536326872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131741835285344895.post-72319032840050919762006-12-03T18:55:00.000-06:002006-12-03T22:51:03.034-06:00

For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. Do your best to come to me

Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675715479536326872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131741835285344895.post-41438686197164077662006-11-28T22:30:00.000-06:002006-11-28T23:09:50.850-06:00

I never expected to see the day when girls would get sunburned in the places they do today.Will RogersBrandy just returned from her annual 2-day tax seminar. I am proud to report she still had a house standing when she returned, and all children still breathing no worse for the experience, although future psychiatric exams may prove me wrong. Actually Brandy is a merciful woman (merciful to

Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675715479536326872noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131741835285344895.post-13723507029922991842006-11-26T17:07:00.000-06:002006-11-26T23:23:23.577-06:00

No man needs a vacation so much as the man who has just had one.- Elbert HubbardVacation time is what most cosmologists should study in order to determine what exists within a black hole. In a single point where the laws of science break down we find people standing outside in blustery conditions at 4AM to buy a Dora Doll, or traveling to see people who they will grieve for not spending more

Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675715479536326872noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5131741835285344895.post-68512117734239956962006-11-24T19:17:00.000-06:002006-11-24T20:26:38.463-06:00

My own business always bores me to death; I prefer other people's. - Oscar WildeI start with this -- a rant.I don't know who had the idea of starting this blogging stuff. I thought we had gotten away from having to do this, until I started to notice family members begin to do it. We were perfectly content just posting pictures. I was especially content with this since Brandy took over the

Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675715479536326872noreply@blogger.com