I came across this site, and then realized.... IT'S MINE.

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 flowered after the TAKS test towered.
June, a VBS: our churches turn;
Nights with our moon, stars, Saturn.
July Grubbs wait with Pool and Gazebo.
Daddy trips to C-A but not C-O :(
And more that hasn't happened yet, both blessing and curse,
As we bare heat, read oft, and watch purse.

Happy Birthday Megan

Our baby girl is 6 today.

Here's to a great day sweet, sweet Megan.

We love you.
Mommy, Daddy and Madelyn

Studies in the Gospel of John - Part 01: Introduction

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Don't Stand too Close to Me.

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 Christmas stuff here at home, at my Mom's, and at Brandy's Mom's. So this morning I got up, sounding about like I had a 2 pack a day habit, and as if i had gargled with Drain-O. That would not have been too bad, but I had one ear completely stopped up and hurting, and the other about "half full".

I gave up. It was time to go to the doctor...

Brandy and the kids use a different doctor here than the clinic I "use." By "use" I mean the mandatory physicals we have to take at school each year. I had been wanting to use Brandy's doctor after hearing how good he was with the girls. Unfortunately he was out of town until next week, so I resorted to use the clinic. So after waiting an hour and a half (not too bad as far as medical places go, but remember where we are talking here) I got in and spent maybe 5 minutes, to hear the guy say, "I don't think it's a bacterial infection, so... I can give you a steroid shot, but if its not allergies, don't expect much." Part of me wanted to spit a a big brown hunk of phlegm and ask him if he didn't want to run it over to the lab to make sure it's "not infected". But I remained polite while I think my temperature and blood pressure started to climb. Then he said, "I could write you a prescription, but there's an Over-The-Counter that will do the same thing to get rid of that mucus." My insurance plan doesn't have an Rx Card, so he gave me the name of it, "Mucinex-D" and told me I would have to ask the pharmacist to give it to me, since it is a variety of Mucinex containing pseudoephedrine.

I couldn't believe it, when I asked, and the pharmacist at the local drug store gave it to me, I had to give them my Driver's License, and then they entered my name and information into a list! She said they had to keep up with it where they could tell law enforcement who might be have the ingredients to make meth. I was thinking "Great, sell the Chemistry teacher a precursor to an illegal drug, and put his name on a list!" I wanted to ask the lady at the counter, do they keep a list of everyone who buys aluminum foil and "The Works" at the grocery store, just in case they might want to build a bomb? Or a list of everyone who purchases carving knives from Bed Bath and Beyond in case they decide to dismember their spouse?

I was checking news sites later in the evening, and one of the Digg sites mentioned the real reason for crap you go through just to get rid of a little snot, and why today's Sudafed is just about as good for your cold as taking cherry Kool-Aid, and its not because of the Meth-heads out there. The full article can be found here. The following are excerpts:

"Let's follow the money a bit. It seems that most all pseudoephedrine is manufactured in China and India, and very cheaply, much more cheaply than it can be made in the United States or Europe. What that means is that these companies don't have lobbyists in Washington who can make an effective case for their product.

Contrast this was phenylephrine, the world's largest manufacturer of which is located in Germany. The company is called Boehringer-Ingelheim, according to MSNBC. It developed the drug in 1949 for use in eyedrops. In the last two years, virtually every manufacturer of cold medicine has changed its formula to include the Boehringer drug. Some continue to make the old formula available but only with special access.

Is it possible that the move against wonderful pseudoephedrine and in favor of useless phenylephrine was really a form of protectionism in disguise? That it was really about rewarding a well-connected company at the expense of companies without connections?

If that sounds cynical, take a look at this. It seems that our friends at Boehringer Ingelheim are rather interested in American politics, with 73% of its donations going to Republican candidates for federal office. You can see here that Boehringer even has a PAC located in Ridgefield, Connecticut. Someone with more time than I have ought to check to see how the people it supported for Congress voted on the act that resulted in a massive shift toward their product, and has nearly kept its competitive product off the market.

Oh and look here. It turns out that this company spent $1.85 million on lobbying in 2005, and this was a huge upsurge over all previous years. "

I would continue to rant, however some CIA webcrawler will probably come across this and brand me an Enemy of the State AND a Drug Addicted Terrorist, all because I had a sinus infection and an earache. You might want to just say you've never heard of me, and don't know anything if guys in the black Crown Victorias drop by your door...

Deceit, Deception, and The North Pole.

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 conspired this year and set us "betwixt a sugar plum and a hard place" when it comes to making appointed rounds between "you and yours". I figure it was odds catching up, but when you have the opportunity to blame events in your life on fantasy characters you should make the most if it. "No sir, I did not get drunk on rum and then fall asleep at the wheel Captain, the Mermaid made me steer the ship into those rocks..." You get the idea.

Our dilemma: Christmas eve at Grammy and Grumps, Christmas Day at MaMa and PaPa's. This would not be difficult, but Christmas is slated to take place in the evening at "Grammy's House" and we could not find a good way to get back home in time to properly entertain some house guests that stop by on Christmas Eve, as well as one (whispered) "Jolly Old Elf."

We do not mention his common name here, since it sends cold shivers down Megan's back! She is totally frightened by the clandestine, chimney-entry, nocturnal Noel-sneaker, St. Nicholas. I think she has grown up in a modern age where stories of old, whiskered men enticing young girls to "sit on their lap" usually don't end with good cheer. She has no trouble with the notion of a person who comes in and drops off the goodies she has asked for, and then leaves post-haste. However, if said "bowl full of jelly" made its way down the hall towards her bedroom, I think we would have "The Night Before Christmas" meets "The Shining." No lap sitting, or even stares in the mall. Just a nice letter, and "please come while I'm asleep, drop off the stuff, and stay in the kitchen to eat your cookies. Thank You."

Where was I? Oh Yes! Time Management. Not enough time to entertain guests who wish to be around to see what that "Red Suited Fellow" brought. Other folk would have just changed plans, or sucked it up, left a key under the mat and "be warm and filled" post-it noted to a re-gifted fruitcake. But we were selfish, as we wanted a chance to be with everyone this Christmas, and keep the traditions we have-- all of them, as long as we may. So those hard pressed find novel solutions, and this one even got a grin from the misses.

Last night as Megan was brushing her teeth and getting ready for bed, I asked her if we could talk for a moment. She gave me her attention and I told her a li-- a "fabrication atop fabrication". Much like a velvet Christmas dress atop a petticoat, each enough on their own, yet together full and rich. It was deception, however I contend this friendly season is replete with deception. We make up excuses for where we have been to cover shopping trips to the store. We launder funds where gift purchases do not show on credit card statements. We include...I'll stop here, it's just excuses and you have already seen through this ruse. You get the point.

I said to Megan, "Hey I e-mailed Santa." She shot a chilling look at me as if I had spirited a curse. She searched around as if looking for the ghost of Marley (not Bob...) As if just mentioning the name would cause Claus to jump off the Coke bottle and come for her. I told her, "It's OK. I had to ask if he could move us up in the rotation." She looked at me inquisitively, reassured that the stuff would arrive but not while she was standing in the middle of the bathroom with toothbrush in hand. I began my tale:

"You see, I e-mailed the North Pole and told them of the scheduling issue we were having. I didn't get a reply back from him, but from his Logistics Office. They said he was very busy with last minute details. The Department of Homeland Security was having issues with whether or not the bottles of bubble liquid were under the regulation size limit, and some of his elves were having trouble with renewal of their guest visas. Both Barak Obama and Hillary Clinton mentioned legislative support, but have spent so much time in Iowa lately, he doesn't know if they are going to help him out or not. "Dubbya" isn't on his list right now, so he figures he isn't on Bush's either. I replied and told them I understood and we would manage. But then they forwarded me a waiver form, that allowed us to be part of the "PEST-R," or "Pre-Eve Sleigh Test-Run." Who knew Santa had Engineering Elves, like NASA (although most of them are probably having to return to India after the season.) To make sure the sleigh and reindeer are operating at maximum efficiency, Santa delivers some packages to select homes the night before Christmas Eve, as a dress-rehearsal to the real event. This way they can make sure the AutoReign, Cruise, GPS, satellite telemetry link, On-board Internet and Real-Time Naughty-Nice Database, Reindeer Defecation Storage Systems, Defroster, and iPod-music Sync are working correctly. I emailed the form back and we've been approved."

"So he's coming Sunday Night?" She asked. Her eyes squinted slightly as if she was measuring my words carefully. I saw her sifting my yarn through that 5-year old brain of cognition and wisdom. I thought I might be in trouble.

"Yeah...Sunday Night," I replied hesitantly, thinking she might have found an issue with the story.

"When I'm asleep, right?" Her look more harsh.

"Yes. When you're asleep," I said in mocking comfort.

"OK." She smiled as she walked out the bathroom, content with the knowledge that she would see no weird man in red traipsing into her room, no matter the evening.

She walked down the hall. I followed and we all prayed together in her room. Not for things, other than in thanksgiving of what He has given us for the day. We prayed for people and thier health, and safe travels to see their family. We prayed our friends and family would find peace during this season of bustle, and blessings not in new gifts but in old acquaintances. We prayed thanks notsomuch for a baby in a manger, but for a man on a cross. I prayed for forgiveness, and to learn to be a better father and husband.

The Amen was spoke from all, and one by one the hugs and kisses were given, and lights turned out. And we all went to bed for a "long winter's nap."

Merry Christmas.

So what are Video Games?

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.

Bar Stools

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 get down.

Halloween Fun

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 great opportunity to get rid of some of that sweet stuff.

Bats, 2-year olds, and Rocks, Oh my!

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 stay the evening and attend the Highland Halloween Carnival. I'm pretty sure the last year I went was when I was a senior in High School. It will be good to go home again and see some people, friends, and teachers I haven't seen a while.

Madelyn has been a busy little girl herself. I thought I would let you all know what she does while sister is away at school.

She goes through different movie phases. For a while, her favorite movie was Space Jam. She always asked to watch it. The cutest was hearing her say "Michael Jordan." She was always asking me who that was--the guy in the movie. I finally told her. And she still remembers.

Now her favorite movie is Shrek. She likes to dance to all the great music in the movie. The green hat on her head is a toy pea pod. She likes to take the peas out and wear the pod while she dances. It makes me laugh every time.





Other parts of the day are spent coloring. She is getting better about trying to color objects on the page rather than just scribbling all over. It is amazing to watch little ones develop and learn. She has just about mastered knowing all the basic colors.








Finally, this is what Madelyn usually does to Megan's room at least once a day. She loves playing in there while big sister is away. Of course mom has to clean most of it up before Megan gets home--with Madelyn's help. Otherwise I have a hard time getting Megan to clean her room before bedtime. She informs me that she didn't make the mess, and rightfully so.



Megan and her daddy have been working on identifying rocks in their rock collections. Megan has always been fascinated with rocks. So Shawn and I agreed to take this opportunity to help her learn more about them. We bought her a collection of about 15 rocks. They came in a storage box, but were not labeled. It also came with a little book to help identify the specimens. And of course Shawn has his books and library books to help in the process. She has identified gypsum rosette, sandstone, hematite, and calcite.

When appropriate, Shawn throws in whether the rocks are igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic. She's also learning about their luster, hardness, cleavage, and streak. It's all so very interesting--even to a 32 year old CPA.

That should catch you up on what's been going on around here. Hope you all have a great rest of the week.

Future basketball star?

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 practices hard. The opportunities around here for other things such as dance, gymnastics, piano, etc... are few and far between, even though she seems to be more geared for activities such as these. Second, we wanted her to have something in her little world to be responsible for. Megan has a lazy gene. And the idea of having weekly practices is not appealing to her. I think that is why she informed me Saturday night before bed that she didn't like PIPs. She thought it was a one day thing and that was it. Third, I ate, slept, and breathed basketball when I was in high school. I guess I just want to live vicariously through my daughter. And hey, it sure beats playing soccer and softball. But if this doesn't work out, she can always become a hairdresser. Although Madelyn will probably not be her first customer. (If I can get Madelyn's hair fixed and looking normal again I might can laugh about the fact that Megan decided to take it upon herself to give her sister a haircut.)
The funniest part of camp was when they were sizing Megan for shorts and a shirt. The lady held up the smallest pair of shorts to her and then turned around and asked another lady if they had any extra smalls. The outfit just hangs all over her. It makes some of the skills she has to do a little more challenging.

But I'll be there to practice with her. I broke down and got a new basketball just for the occasion. I think its going to be lots of fun and maybe Megan will have fun too.

For the Moms

My daughter made me do it!

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 while before I could get her to Kim. Kim is the only person I trust anymore to cut mine or my children's hair. She also does my mom's. (Side note: Shawn taught Kim in high school when we lived in Roscoe. Kinda makes me feel old.) Megan was not pleased with that response. So she replies, "Mom, you can cut it." At first I said no. But then I gave in. It probably needs some touching up, but I think it looks adorable. Shawn was not so eager to offer a favorable comment. Now all his girls have short(er) hair. Sorry, it's just a lot easier on the mommy this way.

Enjoy!

1.5 Life

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 heart out!

Now before you laugh too much, I know many of the readers of this will hearken to the days of Atari 2600s and playing Combat, where a colored "H" with an extra stick was what your tank looked like. Pitfall: an L-shaped stick with legs that would jump across leaned over V's, while swinging on straight line -- enough said.

So what do I play now? I stopped playing Guild Wars because they were pretty much ending the on-line game by introducing Guild Wars 2 with no way to transfer your character to the new game (I know, insert world's smallest violin playing"My heart bleeds for you" right here.) So the latest addiction, err... I mean diversion, is a game called "Second Life."

I could spend a lot of text and time boring you with the details of the game, but I won't. It's interactive and contains real world environments built by its users, who at anytime number between 30,000 to 50,000 on-line, with over 3 million registered users. People buy and sell stuff they make, and they chat with each other. In-game money can be exchanged for US dollars and vice versa.

It looks like real life, being played by real people, but it is a game. "SL is not RL, and RL is not SL." is a common slogan you hear (SL = "Second Life," RL="Real Life.") It is designed to be a "utopia" where everyone is equal, and everyone has a chance for success, there's no need for food, and clothing can be found for free, or you can just learn to make your own. Heck you can learn to make anything you want, and then sell it, allowing for your character to be successful in the game. It's all given to you. Yet the game has a darker side. There are those people who go about "griefing" others, those who try to steal, and those who use get-rich-quick schemes to entice others into scams. There are those who lie, and cheat, and manipulate. In a perfect digital world where everyone has an equal chance to succeed on their own merits, we still see negative behaviors of "Real Life." "SL" may not be "RL" but is shares in its virtues and vices.

"So, what's your point?"you may be thinking.

In the education business, we have many well-meaning people, and we have the legislature (not to be confused with the well-meaning people) all trying to create a utopian environment. "Everyone will be equal" -- so much in fact that we will expect all of them to pass the exact same tests, at the exact same level, at the exact same time. "There's no need for food" -- schools now provide much of the supplies for their students. A district I'm aware of provides vouchers for school supplies to families who fill out (not just qualify) an application for free and reduced lunch. The educational institution for which I work feeds every student breakfast as part of a government program. "You can learn to make anything you want, and then sell it, allowing for your 'character' to be successful" --All educators have ever asked is for those people whom we have fed, and supplied, and nurtured, to come and learn how to make it in the world.

Well, we understand how far this "simulation" has taken us... no further than the digital panacea of Second Life.

So I should start to call my job "1.5 Life." I'm sorry to say public education has become as much a game as those I play on computers. It's not whether we get a student ready for "Real Life", only when we can get the "high score" on the tests we give in "School Life". So we structure everything we do toward that goal. We learn the tricks of the "game," like the codes gamers type in to get more powerful items or special skills. We tirelessly practice, and refine our skills, until we play the "game" better than anyone else. Then we get to go around for big money and tell others how to play "The Game." In the end, if you really consider the disservice you're doing, it's hard to sleep. So you tell yourself, "it's just a game." You "de-humanize," and view those around you as "avatars" or only virtual representations of real people, because if they were real, you would be preparing them to be successful, instead of using them for your own gain. They become an ends to a means to achieve the goal of the "high score."

"School Life is not Real Life, and Real Life is not School Life."

When will the populace put an end to the game: "School Life" must become "Real Life," even with all its non-Utopian crass, failure, and finality. In this we truly find humanity.

Are you ready for some football?

Our Days

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 high dive into the pool at Maw-Maw and Papa's house. No floating devices attached. She goes all the way under the water and pops right back up to doggy paddle to the steps of the pool. Wow!!!

This year, Megan is in kindergarten. She loves her teacher and has made lots of new friends, Colby, Jessica, and Aubrey to name a few. I am so excited for her. She amazes me in the fact that she shows no prejudice. I love that about my sweet little girl. If only I could exhibit that quality more often.

She is learning a lot. Handwriting, music, and the beginning steps of learning how to read. She is easily discouraged in that area, so I make sure to work with her in the evenings on the things she brings home. She is also becoming quite addicted to reading library books. She is allowed to check out two books on Tuesday (library day) and keep them for a week. We also get books from the public library to keep it interesting. Every night we read a book before bed. Sometimes it makes is hard to squeeze in her questions for Bible hour. That is something we really need to work on.

Megan is also getting involved in activities outside of school. Today she will attend her first Girl Scouts meeting. She is extremely excited. I was in Girl Scouts when I was about her age. I don't really remember much about it, what we did, etc... But I have a feeling this will be right up her alley. She is not very interested in sports. She brought home a paper concerning youth soccer league. I asked her is she wanted to play soccer this year. She looked at me with a look that said the following:

Mom, you have got to be kidding. You mean wear socks and tennis shoes, run around outside in the hot sun chasing a black and white ball, sweating...

You get the drift. You would think the girl doesn't like to be outside. And that is not the case at all. She just doesn't see a point in the game. And the truth be told, the real reason is the fact that she doesn't like wearing socks and tennis shoes.

Having said that, we did sign her up for PIPs yesterday. That stands for Players in Progress. It is a basketball program that teaches kids as young as kindergarten basketball skills. She will go to a camp out at Rochester on October 6. The whole group (k-6th grade) performs at half time of local basketball games. I remember watching them last year and was amazed at what those kids could do with a basketball. She is really excited about this. And so am I. Basketball was my life in high school. I was hoping that at least one of my girls would take it up. I hope Megan enjoys it...tennis shoes and all.

That should catch you up on what Megan has been doing lately. Madelyn and I are glad to have some mommy daughter time alone. But she really misses Megan when she is gone all day. We both do.

I would post a picture of her, but I don't know what Shawn has done with the camera. He took it to Abilene the other day and I haven't seen it since.

I spend my days taking Madelyn to the potty, changing the DVD to the episode of Blue's Clues that Madelyn insists she needs to watch, and trying to convince her that it would be okay to play by herself for just a little while. She definitely has that second child thing down where she is unable to play by herself. Overall, I manage to find a few hours to do the things I need to do.

Madelyn is learning so much herself. She has amazed me at her ability to learn numbers. Maybe because numbers/math comes naturally for me. Before she was 18 months old she could count to ten. And shortly thereafter, she learned to recognize numbers by sight. I quiz her often and every time she spouts off (2) two, (4) four, (3) three, (5) five, (8) eight at the sight of the number I just can't believe it. We've just about mastered the basic colors also. I guess it's about time to move onto letters. She knows a few by sight, just ask Maw-Maw about the letter Y.

I guess that's all for now. I have a long to do list today. Maybe I can at least get started on it.

"It could be worse..."

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... Participating in the Texas Midwest Science Alliance...Coaching both UIL Science and Computer Science...and... announcing for football games (..."other duties as assigned," just ask a teacher about that clause in their contracts).

Still with me? If so, I've probably moved on to something else someone needs me to do. But it could be worse.

With a twisted, morbid sense of humor, I read this article on-line and it made me feel better:

CARACAS (Reuters) - A Venezuelan man who had been declared dead woke up in the morgue in excruciating pain after medical examiners began their autopsy.

Carlos Camejo, 33, was declared dead after a highway accident and taken to the morgue, where examiners began an autopsy only to realize something was amiss when he started bleeding. They quickly sought to stitch up the incision on his face.

"I woke up because the pain was unbearable," Camejo said, according to a report on Friday in leading local newspaper El Universal.

His grieving wife turned up at the morgue to identify her husband's body only to find him moved into a corridor -- and alive.

Reuters could not immediately reach hospital officials to confirm the events. But Camejo showed the newspaper his facial scar and a document ordering the autopsy.



So for those of you who have been waiting for a post... I'm not dead, so don't "cut" us from your blog list.

Club Grubb 2007

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:

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If you would like it in some other format please let me know, and I'll try to get it to you.

"SHALL WE PLAY A GAME?"

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 PC). But what about others? We could choose some lower end games, like Age of empires II, or I have an install for Tribes (squad type FPS) that would run on anything that would run Windows 98. I could stay away from Counter-strike. All it might need was wireless internet, or ethernet if we could set up in the office. Anyway let me know and if it is something we can put together, and get together enough computers, I can put together an infrastructure to allow us to game.

Studies in Corinthians

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:

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Before and After

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 look too close to the pictures.