I was going to cheat today… Today marks the 3 year anniversary that our Midwest adventure began. So, I thought I would just copy and paste my notes from one of my family history files… Except I couldn’t find any! Anywhere! So, back to work… Three years ago today, after 30 hours in our F150 Super Crew [...]
It wasn’t quite a tornado, but…
August 14th, 2010Category: Masculinity, Providence
Location, location, location
July 12th, 2010One of the most unsettling aspect of moving is the disruption of regular routines. I decided to get to work re-establishing one of my favorites yesterday morning! I went out on my newly built back deck, put my coffee down on the top of the railing, sat down in my leather captain’s chair, put my [...]
Category: Providence, Uncategorized, Weather
The case of the vanishing stone!
June 18th, 2010The contractor called my wife… We need to pick out the grout to match the stone. Decisions, decisions, decisions! So, my wife, my son and I headed off to the tile store where they had a display with 18 different colored grouts on display. My son suggested a blue tinted grout because the stone has a bluish/purplish [...]
Category: Providence, Real Estate
Now that I think about it…
May 26th, 2010I am prone to over analyze things… I mean I evaluate everything…frontwards and backwards…from both sides…then the top view…etc., etc. It doesn’t really matter what it is…decisions I have to make, decisions I have made…etc., etc. I have been reviewing how we lost in the bidding for this house that we are buying back when [...]
Category: Providence, Real Estate
This feels very familiar!
April 9th, 2010This post is long, but what a story! Yesterday, I was in a predicament. I had to make a decision about which realtor we are going to use. There are two properties that we liked from our two days of looking. Both realtors had informed us about the too expensive, big, brick 4 BR house. [...]
Category: Providence, Real Estate
What are the odds?
February 18th, 2010I saw it and I still can’t believe it! I mean I was there… It happened to me… and I am still having a hard time believing that it actually happened. This is a picture of the overflow hole in our bathroom sink. (click on the pictures to see them better) This is a picture [...]
Category: Providence
Do you believe in angels?
January 7th, 2010As you probably know, it has been snowing quite a bit here in Kansas City. When I went out to the car this morning, I learned that another several inches fell last night. Needless to say, driving in this weather is a challenge. It is not uncommon to see cars completely off the side of [...]
Category: Cars, Providence, Travel, Weather
Preparing for the worst
December 7th, 2009I did something that I have never done before… I bought survival food! In 1994, I lived in Northridge, CA. I was at the epicenter of the Northridge earthquake. But, since there was no advanced warning, I had not made any special preparations. When the quake struck, I was pretty much on my own. As [...]
Category: Money, Providence
Where has my brain been?
October 19th, 2009I never ceased to be amazed…at many things. After 50 years, I am still easily impressed. That can be a good thing or it can be a bad thing. Take my latest encounter of the computer kind. After much thought, and I mean MUCH thought, I decided on the G-5 I-Mac…for the reasons that I [...]
Category: Providence, Technology
Aah, a good nights sleep
September 15th, 2009If you read the last few posts, you can imagine how tired I was at work yesterday! Last night, I went to be shortly after getting home from work last night and slept through till this morning. It is amazing the difference one night of good sleep can make on one’s outlook and disposition! It [...]
Category: Providence
That should help!!!
May 27th, 2009There are times when you just need to keep trying… The letter of appeal is getting closer to being a finished product. I still need to write the opening paragraph. I think that it has been good for my son to witness the process. The finished product might make it look like magic, or that [...]
Category: Children, Money, Providence, Work
Sleepless in Kansas
April 4th, 2009I woke up in the middle of the night. As I tried to go back to sleep, the unexpected events of the day kept running through my mind. Then the questions started… “Was it jet lag? Did I make a mistake by having him fly in the day before the competition? Should I have gone [...]
Category: Parenting, Providence
Context makes all the difference
March 24th, 2009I frequently highlight the small blessings that occur in my life on this blog. I don’t just do it on or for this blog. I practice this in my daily life. Many years ago, I read in the Psalms that God daily loads us with benefits. At the time, all I could see were problems. If [...]
Category: Cars, Providence, Travel
The invisible hand of Providence?
March 16th, 2009Although I have been trying to find places for my son to wrestle while he is in California, I haven’t been enjoying much success. Until this afternoon… Sometimes it is strange how things work out… On a Friday morning a little over a year ago, I was laid off for the first time in my life from [...]
Category: Providence
Momentum continues to grow
March 7th, 2009I have written multiple times on how the circumstances in our son’s life are changing quickly. And therefore, our lives are changing too. Well, the whirlwind continues to gather strength. I was hoping to send a DVD of my son’s wrestling to the Drexel coach sometime before he went to Virginia Beach to recruit at the [...]
Category: Parenting, Providence
I asked the right man!
January 25th, 2009After I printed out the state weight class rankings yesterday morning and saw the caliber of competition, I grew so excited. I wanted to know who was wrestling who so badly that I did something that I have never done: I filled out the brackets as the matches occurred. That gets to be pretty difficult when [...]
Category: Money, Parenting, Providence
We are whole again
December 26th, 2008My second daughter gave me the best Christmas present that I have received in years! Back in June, I told you about her dramatic encounter with God. I then told you of her decision to move in with some dear our friends in Nashville to rebuild her life. Most recently, I told you of her visit over [...]
Category: Parenting, Providence
Wasn’t even going to ask!
December 22nd, 2008After taking a shower and regaining my equilibrium from my son’s desperate attempt to avoid losing so badly (LOL), I took my broken glasses to Costco to order a new frame. My eyes are such that I cannot wear contacts all of the time and I can’t see without my glasses! When I handed the girl [...]
Category: Providence
Maybe couch potatoes are smart!
December 10th, 2008Today, I am struck by how everything seems to have worked out. After all of the online applications, the networking, the house hunting in Overland Park, the house hunting in Blue Springs, the pastoral interview, the résumé to Honeywell… We are living in the same apartment and I am going to work for a small [...]
Category: Providence
I accept
November 14th, 2008After several e-mails clarifying the offer of employment, I accepted the job in Blue Springs. I will start work on the first Monday of 2009. I have mixed feelings about this. First, the man that I was supposed to replace will now be my boss. Oh well, God is ultimately in control. Second, the salary that I [...]
Category: Money, Providence, Work
Not your everyday occurrence
September 23rd, 2008We were supposed to meet our realtor at the house that both my wife and I hope is “THE ONE.” As we pulled in front of the house and called her, she informed us that the house had been taken off the market that morning because the owner had to leave the country to visit [...]
Category: Providence, Real Estate
An Interesting Twist to the Story
September 19th, 2008I called my father-in-law to inform him of my decision on the 2.5 acre house and to let him know that we were working with a realtor to find another house. He responded by informing me that an escrow that was supposed to close in two weeks was being delayed because the bank was not [...]
Category: Providence, Real Estate
Well, looky here!
September 2nd, 2008I picked my son up from school (Cakes was at home, sick and in bed) and took him to the local airport to inquire about flying lessons. A few weeks ago, he was bitten with the flying bug. I then had to pay the rent for the storage facility which is 10 miles in the [...]
Category: Providence, Real Estate
Love those hunches
August 28th, 2008After I dropped my youngest daughter off at some friend’s house this evening, I decided to return the library books that I had checked out a few weeks ago. The library had e-mailed me a reminder earlier in the week that the two books that I had checked out and still haven’t read are due soon. [...]
Category: Providence, Real Estate
This is incredible!
July 30th, 2008Back in 2006, my wife and I tried to start a pre-school in LA. We went back to school to get the necessary early childhood development credits, wrote out a business plan and made a formal presentation to the pastors of a church. It went very well but the board of elders decided against us. [...]
Category: Providence
A serendipitous meeting
July 10th, 2008I don’t really believe in serendipity. Things don’t just happen. I believe that God directs our steps if we will listen to Him. (If you don’t know what serendipity means, look it up in the dictionary! I have added a really neat feature to all of my blogs. Just put your mouse pointer over the [...]
Category: Providence, Travel
Now why did I want another opinion?
July 8th, 2008I never ceased to be amazed at the power God gives other people to change my plans!!! My second daughter called me to report the findings of the latest mechanic to look at her car. “Dad, I am at the third mechanic and he says…” She then went on with a hazy description of a [...]
Category: Goals, Parenting, Providence
A disguised blessing exposed
June 19th, 2008I am continually struck by the small things that God uses to lead us into His blessing and protection. My son didn’t go to wrestling practice tonight. The coach told him to stay home. I am not upset about that at all because ever since last weekend’s tournament, he has had a pounding light-headedness, flashing [...]
Category: Providence
No pretending
May 30th, 2008I had been driving for 6 1/2 hours when I reached Pratt, KS and was starting to nod a little. I began looking for a place to pull off to the side of the road to sleep that was large enough for me to get both of my vehicles off and back onto the highway. [...]
Category: Cars, Providence, The Trip, Travel
On the road again
May 30th, 2008I woke up at 7:10 (Pacific time), hurriedly showered, ate a good breakfast at Denny’s and got to Quality Tire and Lube (or is it Lube and Tire) at 8:10. Hmmm, that’s strange…The sign says that they open at 8. Well, maybe the guys are coming in late. It’s a small town… I don’t want to [...]
Category: Cars, Providence, The Trip, Travel
Surprise vacation in the middle of nowhere
May 26th, 2008Well, I checked into the Micotel Inn in Tucumcari (Sean Hannity recommends it). They have wireless Internet and FREE LONG DISTANCE calls (I was able to finish communicating with my wife!). I turned on the TV and discovered that all along the route I was going to take out of Tucumcari has severe weather and [...]
Category: Providence, The Trip, Travel
Houston, we have a problem!
May 26th, 2008I left Albuquerque this morning and resumed the eastward trek. Nearly three hours later, I was 10 miles west of Tucumcari when the something felt strange with the T-Bird. I slowed down… nothing… then a strange pull. I immediately pulled to the side of the road. I heard a loud thud and a sudden lurch. As [...]
Category: Cars, Providence, The Trip, Travel
The best laid plans of mice and men…
May 24th, 2008Well, my plan didn’t work. I have been here in Los Angeles for the entire week. No one wanted to buy my old 1979 F-150. The auto transport broker has been unable to find a truck to ship my project car. And, to top it off, when I spoke to my friend who has been letting me [...]
Category: Cars, Providence, The Trip, Travel
Just kidding about giving up hope
April 17th, 2008Before I bought the rustic bookcase, I snapped a picture on my cell phone and rushed across to show my wife who was working at Costco. She thought it was great but asked if her store had any bookcases. “How should I know? You work here. Do you have any?” “I don’t know.” I checked [...]
Category: Providence
I don’t think the Lord’s happy…
April 17th, 2008I had given up trying to find nice bookcases at inexpensive prices. Some of the nice ones listed on Craig’s List sold literally within minutes of their listing! I have never seen anything like it. I had settled on some cheap shelves from Target that looked reasonably nice. The attendant informed me that their store [...]
Category: Goals, Money, Providence
Mo-West
April 8th, 2008I told you of our fortuitous introduction to the Mo-West wrestling club… Well, I learned a little more about the level of competition that my son is learning in. There are 7 national champions of some sort in the room. There are several young men who travel internationally! One of the fathers told me that “Someone” was watching [...]
Category: Providence
Almost like Someone knew…
April 7th, 2008Wow! Wow! Wow! My son and I went to the apartment office to check out racquetball equipment this afternoon. We were greeted by one of the women who worked so hard to get our application approved and processed so quickly. “You are so lucky. You got in just in time.” “What do you mean?” “When [...]
Category: Providence
A nice coincidence
April 4th, 2008Talk about a nice coincidence. Everyone has off today! Both of my children are off from each of their schools and my wife doesn’t have to work. And I am currently unemployed. So, we all slept in and had a nice, restful day.
Category: Providence
Sudden changes
April 2nd, 2008Talk about sudden change! I finally got over being sick and having a tooth pulled. When I dropped my wife off at Costco @ 11:00, we decided that she should pay the rent lest they learn about my recent arrival. By 12:45, I had decided that we should wait to buy a house and that [...]
Category: Providence
Mighty Fine Finger Walking
April 1st, 2008The dentist office was on a horse farm, but a NICE horse farm. The sign at the entry made me laugh. Painless Dentistry! Gas and other miracles performed here! In the waiting room, I stirred up a conversation with an older man (that is getting harder to say each year). He had brought his daughter, [...]
Category: Providence
More than a little ironic…
March 22nd, 2008I have heard that there might be a little racism/prejudice in Dallas. So you will understand my surprise… As my daughter and I walked to Starbucks, we came upon a beautiful church and school that occupies an entire block! As we walked by a car with four black women in it, I stopped and asked them what [...]
Category: Providence
So that is why I am stuck here
March 20th, 2008I slept for an hour and then went downstairs to eat one of my three free meals when I received a call from my son… His flight to Kansas City has just been cancelled because it snowed in Milwaukee!
Category: Providence, Travel
MO-West, young man
February 29th, 2008My son just decided to skip football next year. He is going to concentrate on wrestling since he did so well. I found a list of wrestling clubs in Kansas. The one in Kansas City was 5 times more expensive! Well, shoot. We live two miles from Missouri… So I printed out a list of [...]
Category: Providence
Look at what I have found!
February 29th, 2008My son has decided to concentrate on wrestling. I told him that he has a might be able to earn a scholarship. I went online to find a club in the Kansas City area for freestyle wrestling season. There were a total of 19 wrestling clubs (I think either I or my computer screwed up) [...]
Category: Parenting, Providence
He’s was NOT surprised!
February 14th, 2008I called one of my best friends to get his advice as to what I should do concerning the low offer. After all, he is an accomplished residential real estate appraiser and former mortgage banker. I told him about the offer and the circumstances that lead me to meet the prospective buyers. He then told [...]
Category: Friends, Providence, Real Estate