Hurricane Ike - 1 of 5 - The Adventure Begins...

I sat down and organized my thoughts about how to share about the Hurricane Adventure experience. This first one is about me and the kids leaving to go an hour north to my Mom's house to escape. I took a picture of the clock as we left on Thursday night. We did about 5 miles an hour for about 3 hours! A lot of people had gas cans strapped to the top of their cars. We saw a convoy of about 15 different ambulances with their lights on. I kept thinking that there must have been a horrible accident up ahead, but found out later that they were transporting critically ill patients from Galveston and Houston. Johnny serenaded us with his guitar playing and it really calmed my nerves! I got to drive and listen to 'Dust in the Wind', 'Freebird', and 'Stairway to Heaven'............I love to hear him play!

Praise you in this storm......Casting Crowns

Before I share my experience of Hurricane Ike, I wanted to share this song....

No matter what kind of storm we face in our lives, whether a literal storm, a financial storm, an emotional storm, a relationship storm, God never leaves our side. Sometimes He does take away the storm, but sometimes He goes through the storm with us..............no matter what, He never leaves our side.....

A Hurricane named Ike

Well........it's Wednesday evening and I am making a list of what to take with me if we leave because of the Hurricane that seems to be headed right for us. Who even knows, though. This morning when I left for work at 6:30 it was headed for Corpus Christi. Now, it seems to be headed more toward this area. I will take photo albums, my computers, antique quilts, important papers, and jewelry. My main concern is if the winds are 100 miles per hour or greater and the damage that can cause in itself. I have huge pine trees all around and my street floods! So, based on the above facts, this time tomorrow, I may be on the road north. I got more gas today instead of waiting until tomorrow. If you don't see a new entry for several days, you will know that where I am will have no internet connection and no electricity.......stay tuned.

Little Boys in the hall...

Yesterday, I was walking down the hall of one of the schools that I work at and a little boy needed both of his shoes tied. He looked like he was in the first grade or so. I asked if I could tie them for him. He said, "sure". As I tied that baby's shoes, I talked to him and he talked to me. He was just precious. I put my arm around him and wished him a wonderful day......made me smile the rest of the day.

Then today at a different school, I was walking down the hall and saw a little boy with red eyes. I stopped and put my arm around him and asked what was wrong. He was on the playground and accidentally bumped another child. The other child started to cry. I reassured him that everything was ok, gave him a hug and kissed his head and sent him on his way.

It Is Well With My Soul

They played this video tonight at church. What a powerful story about the gentleman that wrote it! Hopefully, no matter what is going on in our lives, that we can truly say....."it is well with my soul".

Little Girl Praying

They played this video tonight at church...........too funny!!!

Jimmy Stewart in "Harvey"

I started this movie this morning. Jimmy Stewart is delightful!

The Palin Pick.....

You know..........I didn't know what to think when John McCain picked a relatively "unknown".....Now, after hearing her.............I just plain like her!

I like her confidence, her values, her connection with real people, her sensitivity to children with special needs, because I work with children with special needs. I just like her.

I usually don't use this blog site to express my political views, but you know what? This is my blog site and I can express anything I like....hee hee.

I am proud to be a conservative republican!..........so there!

The Maltese Falcon

Johnny and I started this movie this afternoon. He and I like Bogart movies!

Mama Mia

I went to see Mama Mia with my sister last night. I think that this may possibly be my favorite movie of all time. People in the audience sang out loud, clapped, cried and really got into this movie. It was so entertaining! I just loved it!

First Day of School...

Today was Johnny's first day of high school and Amy's first day being a junior in high school! Man, where has the time gone? My babies are all grown up!

Images from the Olympics

I have been collecting some of my favorite images from the Olympics. I really got into the Olympics this time. I think it is because I was fascinated with China with it's rich history, breathtaking country side and interesting people. I hope you like these images that I have put together. I am pleased with the way it turned out.

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Bonneville

Rented this movie this weekend. I watched it by myself. It was a great movie....

A Great Day for Fishing...

The kids went to a really great park today to try their hands at fishing. They were there about 3 hours and sadly didn't catch anything, but had a great time. What a beautiful day!

Marching Band performance

Last night we got to see all of Johnny's hard work this summer. For the month of August, he had band camp 6 days a week, and 11 hours a day. They sound fantastic! The song is called, "Urban Energy"...........GREAT JOB!!!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Downtown

I went back to work on Monday, so Charles took the week off and yesterday took the kids to the Chase building downtown. There is an observation deck on the 60th floor out of the 75 floors. It is the tallest building in Texas. I remember going there about 20 years ago when it was the Texas Commerce Bank Building. They also walked the downtown tunnel system. They enjoyed it.

Olympic Card Stack

Guest Speaker - Dennis Swanberg

Today we had a huge pep rally for the school district that I work for. Dennis Swanberg was our guest speaker. He was probably the funniest person that I have ever heard. My jaws were aching from laughing so hard.

Beijing Olympics: Rowing 2008

I enjoy watching this event.

On a rainy day...

Today was a rainy day. It poured. I slept late, made a huge breakfast for my family, watched the olympics and a show about the history of the gibson guitar with Johnny and baked cookies. I baked oatmeal raisin and chocolate chip cookies. Wish you could smell the fresh baked cookie smell in my house right now. I have two ovens and have used them to death since I have been in this house. I think I will go work on a quilt and get ready to go to church. I love rainy days......

Silje Nergaard - Be Still My Heart

I found this jazz singer from Norway. I really like her music.

Uncle Jeff

My brother flew in from Indiana. Last night, he sat down with Johnny and taught him some cool guitar tricks. It was so cool to see my brother and my son playing guitars together! It thrilled Johnny to death.

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Singing at the Astros Game

Amy got to sing the National Anthem at the Astros Game this week.

My favorite new commercial

Ok, am I the only one that thinks that this commercial is hysterical???

You and Me.....Olympic song......

This was such a pretty song. Wish I could understand what they people are saying at the end.

2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China

I watched 3 1/2 hours of the 4 1/2 hours of the opening ceremonies. I hate that I missed the first hour. Funny enough, I was eating Chinese food and didn't get home in time. Ha! What a spectacular display of art, graphics, Chinese history, music, design and creativity! It was truly breathtaking!!! What a fascinating country and culture.

The SMART car....

I saw this cute car this morning. I talked to the owner. It was a nice gentleman in his 60's or so and he told me that he loves it. It is called Smart by Mercedes Benz. He was on a waiting list for a whole year to get it. I looked it up and found this information:

The Smart ForTwo car is an ultra mini two seater, only 8.8 feet long and slightly over 5 feet wide. The gas powered engine boasts 33 miles per gallon for city driving, 41 miles per gallon for highway driving, and the base price for the Smart ForTwo car starts at $11, 590.

The Smart ForTwo comes in three models, and according to Mercedes-Benz, all three models come packed with standard safety features that you would only expect to find in a more high priced luxury car.

Singing to the puppies

Is this the sweetest or what???

Friends...

Yesterday some of our very closest friends came to see us from Gunter. We went out to eat, then we went to see Swing Vote and then went to Denny's until about 11:15 last night for coffee and shakes. I didn't want it to end. I miss them so much. It looks like they might be moving back to the Houston area. I sure hope so.
Here are 2 of the 5 girls. Maura is playing guitar hero and Mandelyn is playing the piano.

The day of the Storm...

Today, businesses here closed, and the Mayor encouraged everyone to stay home to prepare for the Tropical Storm, Eduard. We were anticipating 60-80 mile per hour winds, massive rain and down power lines, etc. Thankfully we never saw any high winds at all. We only lost power for about 20 minutes. We all just slept late, and Johnny and I played 2 games of chess. I am glad I video taped the rain, because I love the sound of the rain. Thankful that it was not a bad storm at all, at least not out where we are.

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Getting Ready for Edouard

Went to the store this morning to get supplies in case the power goes out during the upcoming storm. I bought a hand held can opener, batteries for a little am/fm radio, more candles, and some food that doesn't require refrigeration. We are expecting a lot of wind and rain.

Grandparents....

This last week, both of my kids were up in Arlington with their grandparents. They got to go see a movie, go ice skating and go to a water park. They had the best time. They still can't beat their Papaw in checkers.

Sweet 16...

July 20th was Amy's 16th birthday. We took her to Red Robin for dinner that night. My sister, Judy, and my Mom and Step Dad and her best friend, Hannah went with us. We came back to the house for cake and ice cream. Then another day, I took Amy and Hannah to a really nice spa for facials and massages. They loved it. Happy Birthday, sweet girl!!! We love you!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Chicago...

Amy and Johnny both went on a wonderful mission trip to Chicago last month with the church youth choir. The first stop was Little Rock, Arkansas. While there, they were able to tour the Clinton Presidential Library. Then, in Chicago, they held daily Vacation Bible Schools, were able to host sports camps and help in a homeless shelter. They shared the gospel in music, drama and other new ways. While there, they went to the Sears tower, the Navy Pier, Six Flags and ate Chicago style pizza. What a wonderful experience!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Dr. Michael DeBakey dies at age 99

Death of an amazing man. I remember talking to his assistant back in the early 90's when my stepmother needed a quint bypass. I had called his office to see if she could get in to see him to get a second opinion. They would be able to see her, but she decided against the second opinion.

VANTAGE POINT Trailer

We rented this movie last night..........it was FASCINATING!!!!

Olive in the green hat.

Another blog from Miss Olive. She was the world's oldest blogger. She died today at the age of 108. Isn't she wonderful?

Olive Riley sings Smile, smile, smile

An Australian woman, Olive Riley, dies at 108 believed to be the world's oldest blogger, after writing a post about her deteriorating health.
Olive Riley began blogging in February 2007 after a friend suggested the idea and offered to type up the posts on her behalf.

Her blog, The Life of Riley, became an international hit, with readers logging on from the United States to Russia to hear stories about her life.

Mrs Riley' tales of surviving two world wars and the Depression, bringing up three children on her own and working as a cook in the Australian outback and a barmaid in Sydney, were also nominated for a Blogger's Choice award in 2007.

Off to camp...

Sent Amy off to camp in Oklahoma this morning. She will have a blast!!!

Kid's meal at Taco Cabana

Amy and her best friend, Hannah with their kids meal mask today at Taco Cabana.....hee hee

All State Choir Camp

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Amy went to an All State Choir Camp at a local Junior College this week. It is in preparation to audition for the All State Choir in September. Today was their concert for the parents. The music was very interesting and very hard. Some of the songs were in different languages. Amy did a fantastic job!

Greatest American Dog Season Premieres PREVIEW

This show started tonight...........if you know me at all........you know that I love dogs. This looks like a cute show.

Larry Carlton - Minute by Minute

I checked out a Larry Carlton CD from the library last week. Love this jazz guitar sound! SWEET!!! Do you like it?

Off to camp.....

Today Johnny and 65 other middle school kids got on the bus to Church Camp. They will be on the other side of San Antonio for about a week. They will have such a blast. I am so thankful that my kids want to go to everything and try new things. I sure will miss him! Look how tall he is!!! I am looking forward to spending time alone with Amy this week. She goes off to camp in Oklahoma in a couple of weeks and then I will have time alone with Johnny. I love my babies!!!!

Lunch at Mom's

We went to my Mom's house today for lunch. The kids took turns riding on the little truck thing that my Step Dad made. Amy had fun playing on my Mom's organ in the hall.

Watching Fireworks

We sat in the church parking lot and watched the fireworks from Splashtown.

Arsenic and Old Lace trailer

Watched this old 1944 movie last night....gotta love Cary Grant!!!

Drive In Movie Night

Charles took the kids to the Drive In Movie Theater in Hockley. I didn't feel good, so I stayed home and watched a Cary Grant Movie. The kids loved it!

God Bless The USA-Proud To Be An American

Happy 4th of July!!!!

Declaration of Independence

In searching for something significant to post regarding the 4th of July, I came across this video about the Declaration of Independence. It is 14 minutes long, but in my opinion, well worth it. I found it very interesting. I wanted to be reminded of just why we celebrate our independence.....