Ruby Tuesday

This young lady will be nine years old in a couple of weeks. She's 19 months old in this photo. Looks to me like she's been over to Vinnie Bond's food blog for dinner. M-m-m-m good!
What did she have? Read the recipe "Shankopotamus"!

Friday Thoughts

Wednesday my bride left for a road trip with a couple of her friends and that leaves me Home Alone, which is never good. Well, I won't starve, that's for sure. I'm no Emeril or Bobby Flay, but I can fend for myself. During my lunch hour Wednesday I stopped by the local butcher shop and picked up a NY strip steak, some worchestershire sause, and montreal seasoning. I got a plastic freezer bag and did a little food prep when I got back to the office. The steak marinated for about 6 hours prior to tossing it on the grill. Buy a little salad-in-a-bag and you've got a decent meal.
Thursday night I was in full Home Alone mode. Turn on the TV, watch rubbish and eat junk...kind of. While I had the grill fired up Wednesday night, I tossed some boneless chicken tenders on. I basted them with EVOO, a little soy sauce, and Italian Herb seasoning. And now, for the rest of the recipe.

The key here is to keep it simple. I started with the grilled chicken tenders, a bag of salad, a bag of spinich, and a bag of frozen, microwavable veggies. Nuke the veggies first according to the directions. Then pop the chicken tenders into the microwave for a couple of minutes. While the chicken is heating, add some of the baby spinich leaves to the salad. Slice a few more carrots, add a couple of grape tomatos and then chunk the chicken when it comes out of the microwave. Add your favorite salad dressing. It's a meal in five minutes.

There ya go. Not bad, and it's pretty tasty. Now for the dessert course.

If you haven't tried this, stop what you're doing, go straight to the store and buy a half gallon. Notice that it says "Limited Edition" so it won't be around long. It tastes just like the cookies. This is not gonna last long around my house. In fact, it will probably be gone before my bride returns.
So, now I'm watching American Idol, next is NCAA basketball, and I have no idea what I'll watch after that, maybe a Jason Bourne movie. Watching rubbish and eating junk...Home Alone!!!

Okay, it is Friday, so we have to find an inspirational song to finish the week.
I could have sworn that I posted this song recently, but I don't see it when I go back through the archives. At any rate here is the thought.

^13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen ²asleep, lest you sorrow ^tas others ^uwho have no hope. ^14 For ^vif we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him ^wthose who ³sleep in Jesus.

^15 For this we say to you ^xby the word of the Lord, that ^ywe who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are ⁴asleep. ^16 For ^zthe Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with ^athe trumpet of God. ^bAnd the dead in Christ will rise first. ^17 ^cThen we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them ^din the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus ^ewe shall always be with the Lord. ^18 ^fTherefore comfort one another with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.

There will come a day when I will step into eternity. There will come a day when friends and relatives will gather around a grave to place my remains in the ground. I face the future with the calm assurance that when that day comes, Jesus will call my name and I will rise!


I will Rise - Chris Tomlin

Mission Organization - Chapter 3

In 2004 I flew into the San Diego airport. As I headed to baggage claim I spotted this group of travelers. It looked like they had been in line for quite some time, but they didn't seem to mind.
I captured a few photos and headed to the rental car counter. Upon my return, to my surprise, they were still there. They must be a patient lot.

Ruby Tuesday

The dress might be great for Ruby Tuesday, but guess why we call her Big Blue? If the answer doesn't come to you immediately, just click on the photo to enlarge and I'm sure the answer will come to you. She was 2-1/2 when this was taken. She's 7 now. This is the youngest grand daughter.

Mission Organization Chapter II

Remember, I am in the process of organizing my photos. Many of my photos don't mean anything to anyone but me and they really don't hold any sentimental value for me either. They were just the result of being in a place where I had the opportunity to take some nice pictures. Here is the second installment of Mission Organization.
In 1999 I was in Chicago on business. Again, I had a day to myself. If you're an architect and you're in Chicago, you must make a side trip to Oak Park and tour the home of Frank Lloyd Wright. It's a rule. There are several other homes within a few blocks of the Wright home that he also designed. Here are a few photos from that excursion. These were taken with a 35mm film camera and later converted to digital media, so they're not the best quality.

This photo has nothing to do with Frank Lloyd Wright, but it has everything to do with Chicago. Soldier Field might be the single most recognizable landmark in the city.

The two photos above are of the Frank Lloyd Wright residence and studio. The remainder are of homes in Oak Park that were designed by Wright.

Scooter Turns Thirteen

The oldest grand daughter turns thirteen this Sunday. So in honor of this event I present a short, 13 photo, history of her life for your viewing pleasure. This is the cake. Happy Birthday Scooter. I can't call her that in public any more. It embarrasses her.

She is fifteen months old in this photo. That smile has always been there. Scooter is a party going some place to happen. That rocking horse was made by her great grandfather and painted by her great grandmother for her mother.At two and a half, she was a bride! That day will come soon enough at it is.

She is four years old here and it's Halloween. That's her baby sister "M". If you want to see more of "M", just scroll down a couple of posts. That will make you feel old in a hurry and appreciate just how fast time flies.

At five, she's graduating from preschool. I don't remember graduating from preschool.

At six, she's playing soccer. She's good at this sport and still plays. In fact she's on a traveling under 13 team this year.

At eight we took the kids to Disney World. It was a magical week. We went back last summer.

This is her ninth birthday party. And yes, that is the bald headed pumpkin, little sister in the background. I told you, time flies when you're having fun.

At ten, she now has two sisters and a brother. You must have missed those last two. Time is moving on. The whole crew is in their Easter finest, but someone is not the happiest camper in the hundred acre wood.Eleven years old and still playing soccer. These shots are from a 3 on 3 tournament.
Twelve years old and a return trip to Disney World with all of the brothers and sisters. It was great fun for every one.Thirteen years old! We've come a looong way from that rocking horse girl.

Thirteen years ago God brought you into our lives and none of us have ever been the same. You have brought love, joy, and excitement to every part of our lives. We have watched you grow from a baby that we called “Scooter”, because you scooted across the floor before you learned to crawl or walk, into a beautiful young lady that we know as Katelyn. Our lives are filled with memories of a little girl that has always been the life of the party, the adventure seeker, and the object of our affection. Nana and I love you and we are very proud of the young lady that you have become.

It is our prayer that you continue to grow and mature into the woman that God would have you to be. He has always had a special plan for you and we can’t wait to see what it is. Until then, we will continue to pray for His presence in your life and that He will always hold you close and guide your every step.

Thank you for all of the joy you have given us. We look forward to sharing many more birthdays with you.

All of our Love,

Nana & PaPa

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understandings. In all your way acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths Proverbs 3:5-7

March 22, 2009

Happy Birthday Scooter!

Mission Organization

I don't know if I should title this post Mission Organization or Mission Impossible. I have launched a new effort to organize my photos! Some I will share here, some I may post on Flicker or other photo sharing site or I may actually start posting some on "Drillers Photos", a blog I created some time back and have never done anything with. Obviously, most will wind up in the trash. Many of the photos don't mean anything to anyone, even me. I may have been on a business trip and just took some photos of things that interested me at the time. They certainly aren't family photos that need to be passed down to anyone and I don't need the CD's taking up space in the closet. Like all photo collections, there are thousands of photos and only a few hundred worth keeping. So, I'll share them on the web and just dispose of the stuff taking up room in my closet. With that said, here is the first installment.
In 2003 I was on a business trip to San Diego. I had an afternoon to myself, so I took a bus out to Balboa Park. Here are the results of that excursion.

Birthday Dinner

Sunday we're celebrating the oldest grand daughter's thirteenth birthday. I have smoked these country style pork ribs. Some are boneless while others are bone-in. There will baked potatos, corn on the cob, salad, cake and ice-cream to boot. It's gonna be a big deal.

Friday Thoughts

Wednesday morning I met the "Big Guy" at pre-school for a donut and milk breakfast. We visited for a few minutes before I had to head to work. It was a great start to my day. It was "Dads & Donuts" day but since his dad had to be at work at 7:00 that morning and this started at 8:30, I filled in. Thursday morning was a repeat performance and his dad was there. So, all of the men in the family got together for breakfast this week.
Sunday we will celebrate the birthday of the oldest of the grand crew. She will be Thirteen!!! That gives me an idea. I may just do a Thursday Thirteen in honor of Scooter's thirteenth birthday. I'll have to put that together this week-end. At any rate, I'm smoking country style pork ribs. We're having baked potatoes, corn on the cob and a salad as well. Yes, there will be cake and ice cream too.
Let's see. What do we want to do for an inspirational song this week. We've had a couple of contemporary artists recently...maybe we should return to the Southern Gospel genre. Okay, I can't decide, so you're going to get a double feature from The Martins. First, I have chosen the Lords Prayer because it is a great way to start this morning. I haven't spent as much time in His presence recently as I should, and I can tell it. This prayer reminds me of the relationship that God wants to have with each of us. Second is "Doxology". I chose this one because it is simply one of my favorite acapella performances by the Martins. There is just nothing like family harmony. Enjoy.

Thursday Thirteen

It's been ages since I've done a Thursday Thirteen. There are a few people in our office that spend much of their time traveling. These people are on the road 40-48 weeks per year. They gather information that makes it possible for the rest of us to do our work. It takes a unique breed of person to do this type of work and actually enjoy it. So, in honor of our "Road Warriors", here is what it takes to be one.

13. You can pack six days of wardrobe in a 22" carry-on bag.
12. You enjoy comparing the amenities of hotel rooms from coast to coast.
11. You love "jet-lag".
10. Your home address has become a Post Office Box.
9. Your laptop and cell phone are your only means of communication with the outside world.
8. Your favorite food group is airport food.
7. Your are often mistaken for off duty flight crew by several airline personnel.
6. You have enough frequent flyer miles to bring the Concorde out of moth balls and fly it around the world...first class...twice!
5. You have a personalized parking space at the airport.
4. You enjoy spending 243 days per year inside of big-box retail stores.
3. You enjoy testing the limits of GPS units.
2. You enjoy testing the limits of Credit Card company accounting systems.
1. You LOVE a good strip search.

Happy travels.

March Madness

I know, it's March Madness. So I thought I'd pay tribute to the season by posting a couple of pics of the two middle grand crew in their basketball uni's. They play Upward league at the church each Saturday. Their season is about to come to a close so here are a few shots from recent games."M" is a much better athlete that most give her credit for. She's got a good shot, when she takes it, and plays decent defense, at least for 9 years old.
Big Blue (because of her eyes) is the bulldog of the family. She will have her way. She moves without the ball hoping that they will pass it to her. Once she gets the ball, it's going to the hoop! It's hard to tell from this picture, but she's had just about all of that defender she can stand. Somebody's about to catch an elbow in the chest, the ref will never see a thing, and there will be tears.When she's not in the game, you'll find Big Blue sitting next to the coach. That's because the coach is her daddy, and NOBODY sits next to her daddy but her. That's just the rule.
You would never guess that these two were sisters and only 18 months apart would you?
Well I hope you get your brackets filled out and I hope you win your office pool. I'll be watching as much as I can, because I do like college hoops. But I think I like Upward better. I wonder why?