note to self

Note to self: Never vent to an Associated Press Reporter.

Newlywed Anthony Guites, 32, planned to stop at three Miami-area stores to return gifts from his wife. He had three things to exchange at Wal-Mart for a fishing rod he wanted.

"She got me a fishing rod that I don't like. She got me this tool set that I already have. And she got me workout clothes that, let's just say, are way too colorful for me," he said.

Associated Press Writers Sarah Skidmore in Portland, Ore., Betsy Vereckey in New York, Damian Grass in Miami, Mark Pratt in Boston, Dinesh Ramde in Milwaukee, Wis., Emery Dalesio in Raleigh, N.C., and Ben Greene in Baltimore contributed to this report.

I'm thinking he's a very newly wed newlywed. I'm thinking that if his wife or any of her friends read, then he's in for a rough year.

For the record- I loved all my gifts- they were perfect, every one of them.

More Ignatius

Ignatius- "if his suffering was a sham...in that case I die for no
purpose."
"Unbelievers who say the passion was a sham are themselves a
sham...and their fate will fit their fancies."
Strong words from an apostolic father.

Sent from my iPod

Ignatius of Antioch

Ignatius of Antioch

Ignatious was an apostolic father. He was bishop of Antioch in the
first decades of the second century. He was arrested and sent to Rome
for martyrdom. Ignatius' main fear was that doctrinal divergence
would destroy the churches unity.
He wrote about the incarnation. He used the strickimg term "the Christ
God". Christ on every sense was an authentic man and he was the "new
man". There was a lot of controversy and heresy floating about
centered om Christ's humanity, so Ignatious' writing on the subject
was important for the church at that time.

Sent from my iPod

Been thinking about evangelism lately. Looking for good examples of
evangelistic material. I've looked at EE and the new XEE. The most
interesting has been one that uses the ten commandments.

Side note- I'm at the playground

Sent from my iPod

winter bug

I hope this doesn't make it over here.

winter vomiting sickness- yet another reason not to like winter.

Small groups and Christian fellowship

Today was a good day spent with good friends and our Christian family.
Corporate worship then lunch together with some friends from church
then off to small group. It's good to have a sense of community in
Jesus. It's not just belonging, but belonging together in covenant to
God.

God designed us for community and when we experience this in the
context of faith in Christ, it's a slice of heaven.

It was a good day. Thanks be to God!

image processing software

what is the best, inexpensive image editing and processing software. I've really started to enjoy taking pictures. we have an old 5mp digital camera that we take all our pictures with. I think the next step is to process some of them- mostly family and landscape stuff. Any ideas?

midnight sun and the green couch room

The midnight sun- 2.7f and a long exposure with medium ISO




i took these after midnight (wound up after christmas party)
15 second exposure.




lower iso





We call this the green couch room.

Moble post

So I'm learning how to blog while on the go. Sort of practice for my
trip in the months ahead.

Sent from my iPod

the convermsation

Son #2: Mama, will you please organize my socks while I'm at school?

Vicki: Yes, honey. I will if I have time.

Son #2: I think it would help me if my socks where organized like daddy's.

Vicki: Ok, I will if I can get to it.

Son #2: Well, what do you do (all day)?

Vicki: (pause)

U.S. spending habits and the markets

"And what we have now is more dissaving, where you have got a spike in credit card usage because consumers are trying to keep up their level of consumption, when they should be reducing it and saving. So, Mr. Market is going to have to kick their teeth down their throat to change their behavior." (David Goldman)

Well isn't that a bowl of sunshine!

common sunsets in Chandler suburbs

you can see the mountains just in view at the end of the street

its December- its green- people have lights on cactus- and those deer made of lights that move and play music- it was 75 today

Christmas in the desert is a little surreal

the show

I went to a gun show today- I spent most weekends as a youth either at antique shows or gun shows. So, I had a bit of nostalgia as we drove up an tried to find a place to park. There were thousands of people at the show. Lot's of bikers and lots of people from California, just lots of people- all walks of life.
When we were walking in, it was strangely comforting to see all of these people walking out of the show with all that hardware.

It wasn't just guns.
Some guy cleaned my glasses- so I bought some glass cleaner.

more Garden goodness

Just had a huge mess of collard greens from the garden. Yes, I love greens. There is nothing like greens, cornbread, turkey, stuffing and green bean casserole. I'm convinced stuff tastes better when you grow it yourself- probably all in my head (especially with a crop like collard greens)- but the affect is real. Yum-

recipe:
mess o' greens
fatback or bacon
boil em down

Serve with favorite hot sauce and all that other must have comfort holiday food.

bright idea

I had a bright idea and a flash of insight...

Dinner out

Recently we went here to listen to him at their annual banquet. A good time was had by all.

The 'Trophy Kids' Go to Work

Found this article fascinating- what are the implications for the church?

The 'Trophy Kids' Go to Work

commentary

oooohhh! AAAAAHHHHHH!

yes I'm a dork but I'm salivating over this. Only in my dreams....

Hermeneia on CD-ROM
All 38 published volumes
CD-ROM with case, includes brochure with system requirements, installation instruction, technical support contacts, and notice of future publications.
Hermeneia

Fortress Press, 2006
English

ISBN: 0800661990
List Price: $1,000.00
Your Price: $850.00
www.eisenbrauns.com/wconnect/wc.dll?ebGate~EIS~~I~CDWHERMEN

Cactus Bart

Cactus Bart is a friends neighbors outlaw cactus-
yes- I'm friends with an outlaw cactus

Do the test

Hoover Dam

This is the Arizona side of what will be the highest arch bridge in the US. It's the new Hwy 93 bypass of Hoover Dam. I couldn't frame it so that you could see the impressive scope of this bridge. It's big. Security was tight for the dam too, which after I thought about it made sense. I'm not sure why they didn't want dogs near the dam. We took the dam tour.

the Garden plot

The boys and I headed out to the garden plot today. Jim the resident caretaker was kind enough to till a row for our collard greens. We also mulched in our tomatoes, peppers, and strawberries. We've already got some peppers on the plants.

Johnny Cash

Our library has a lot of kid friendly DVDs. We were watching Little House on the Prairie the other night and a preacher got in a bad wagon wreck in the middle of nowhere and in the middle of the night. Johny Cash took him in and fixed him up. I wasn't paying much attention but heard his voice and looked up to see who it was.


Speaking of Johnny Cash, I'd love to have this. Although I might not be able to get Ring of Fire out of my heard while listening.

The Garden Plot

The Shed

Our plot- strawberry, tomato, jalapeno, (collard greens are next)


The whole plot


The donkey ignored us



We've got another small raised bed for herbs and are going to have some row crops

Ekranoplan

the Ekranoplan
this would be cool to have as a commuter vehicle.

This technology was developed by the Soviets during the Cold War.

driving the ekranoplan

Life in The Valley

Three months out of the year living in the Phoenix valley is like living in Death Valley. Ten months out of the year it is a paradise resort.

Yeah, I know- one of those months is kind of both.

fall has arrived

Fall has arrived, the weather has turned. You can feel it when you go out in the morning. - the boys thought I needed a hat and scarf. It's going to be 100 today!

churches

I had the privilege of worshiping with the Phoenix URC church recently. It was great to see another committed Reformed church with a high view of Scripture. They sang psalter tunes I hadn't sung since my days at PRPC in St. Louis. Our family enjoyed worshiping there. Every church has its own culture and identity and it's great to see the diversity of the body of Christ. The church was warm, welcoming and generally encouraging. My favorite comment- "That was different than what we are used to hearing." Since it was said with a warm smile and firm handshake, I'll take that as a positive.

Big L Ranch

Grandma and Grandpa were here this week! Grandpa helped build The Big L Ranch.










These were taken by our #2 child- took about 260 shots

Hiking in Arizona

I was thinking about hiking the other day. A few months ago a friend and I went hiking in a wilderness canyon- rare in that it has water year round. It was twelve miles off the main dirt road- took an hour to get to the trail head. Surprisingly we met two other groups of people. Part of the attraction of this hike is the cliff dwelling in the canyon. The access to the dwelling is rather steep, my friend and I decided it was too steep and outside our comfort zone. We went down to the stream to eat lunch in view of the dwellings. While we were eating by the stream, one of the groups we had met went up to the cliff dwelling. The lady and two men climbed up into the structure- they were probably in their sixties- they obviously had different comfort zones than us. We had a good laugh about that. The other group we met was a group of men out for a hike like us. As we were talking something seemed odd to me- then I noticed- they were all armed. Each man had a pistol on his hip in plain view. I see this sort of thing a lot out here in Arizona. I like Arizona.

Humilty

We are going to go through this book for our small group. It should be a good discussion type book. The author has a funny line in the forward about how stupid he was to start writing a book about humility- but by God's grace he made it through.

Rocket

* Flies to 300 meters (1000 feet)!

The Alpha III is an E2X Starter Set. More people have started with this timeless rocket than any other in the history of the world! Suitable for ages 10 and up. Features a bright molded one piece fin unit and nose cone and engines for two fantastic parachute recovered flights.

How the Alpha III works is: 1.) Electrically ignited rocket engine provides rocket lift-off. 2.) Rocket accelerates and gains altitude. 3.) Rocket continues to climb during coast phase. 4.) Model reaches peak altitude. Ejection charge activates recovery system. 5.) Recovery system is deployed. 6.) Rocket returns gently to Earth! Replace the engine, igniter and recovery wadding and be ready to launch again!

Complete starter set includes: Alpha III model rocket kit, Electron Beam electrical launch controller, Porta-Pad II launch pad, two model rocket engines, recovery wadding, complete instructions, rocketeer's guide, reusable carrying case and safety code/full one year warranty.

Yes- It's good to have boys!

Here's my card

So I've finally broken down and ordered business cards. I'm rather sheepish about it. Someone in the church was kind enough to put it together and send the file off to the printer. I've been asked several times if I have one- and been able to say no. No longer. There has got to be some sort of business card etiquette that I've been missing out on for years now. I get handed cards often enough but rarely at my request. I'm sure there is some article out there detailing the business card exchange ritual. If you know of one- point me to it- or write one and send it to me. There has got to be some protocol that distinguishes you from the cold call timeshare salesman that just happens to be in the area and wanted to drop his card off. Maybe not- oh well, here's my card.

I usually don't like stuff like this but these are funny- so indulge me

HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHO TO MARRY
You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming..
-- Alan, age 10

No person really decides before they grow up who they're going to marry God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you're stuck with.
-- Kristen, age 10

WHAT IS THE RIGHT AGE TO GET MARRIED?
Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by then.
-- Camille, age 10

HOW CAN A STRANGER TELL IF TWO PEOPLE ARE MARRIED?
You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids...
-- Derrick, age 8

WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR MOM AND DAD HAVE IN COMMON?
Both don't want any more kids.
-- Lori, age 8

WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE DO ON A DATE?
Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough.
-- Lynnette, age 8 (isn't she a treasure)

On the first date, they just tell each other lies and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date.
-- Martin, age 10

WHAT WOULD YOU DO ON A FIRST DATE THAT WAS TURNING SOUR?
I'd run home and play dead. The next day I would call all the newspapers and make sure they wrote about me in all the dead columns
-- Craig, age 9

WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE?
When they're rich.
-- Pam, age 7

The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn't want to mess with that.
- - Curt, age 7

The rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids with them. It's the right thing to do.
-- Howard, age 8

IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR MARRIED?
It's better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them.
-- Anita, age 9

HOW WOULD THE WORLD BE DIFFERENT IF PEOPLE DIDN'T GET MARRIED?
There sure would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn't there?
-- Kelvin, age 8

And the #1 Favorite is........
HOW WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK?
Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a dump truck.
-- Ricky, age 10

It's fun to see the world through inexperienced eyes- even if these are made up you cold totally see some kids saying stuff like this.

My favorite is the date that is turning sour- run home and play dead- call the newspaper- make sure you show up in the dead columns. It's good to be married.

(HT:J. Meyers)

cleanliness is next to...

Employee Takes Bath At Xenia Burger King
Burger King Corp. said, "We have sanitized the sink and have disposed of all other kitchen tools and utensils that were used during the incident. We have also taken appropriate corrective action on the employees that were involved in this video.

Additionally, the remaining staff at this restaurant is being retrained in health and sanitation procedures."

see the story here

At first I thought that this was from The Onion. But no, this whole news segment is just one big and beautiful piece of Americana. At least they threw out all the utensils and sanitized the sink, twice. And the staff was retrained.

C.S. Lewis

I got a kick out of the book dedication for "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe."

My dear Lucy,

I wrote this story for you, but when I began it I had not realized that girls grow quicker than books. As a result you are already too old for fairy tales, and by the time it is printed and bound you will be older still. But some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again. You can then take it down from some upper shelf, dust it, and tell me what you think of it. I shall probably be too deaf to hear, and too old to understand a word you say, but I shall be

your affectionate Godfather,

C.S. Lewis

Brett Favre

Will someone please explain this Brett Favre thing to me? I probably need Ellen Monroe (resident AR sportologian)to splain me some real sports politic.

Backyard Ballistics

Today we got back at the projects listed in this awesome book. We made a rocket out of a two liter plastic Coke bottle,bicycle pump, rubber stopper, copper tube, wire coat hanger, a sports needle with a 6 x 6 wooden launch pad- thank you Ace Hardware. The book says you can achieve a launch of 70 ft. Ours went consistently 30 to 40. With some tinkering and modification I think we can get close to 60 or 70.

We've got the material for a serious water balloon launcher.

Next project? Maybe this:

Glory to God

Whenever a baby is born in our congregation we put a rose out in the Narthex to announce that a baby has been born and to give glory to God for the birth of another Covenant child. This is #3's rose at our house. Vicki couldn't go to church that first Sunday so it was nice to be able to bring this home. Throughout the week the rose has been a nice reminder that we belong to an extended family in Christ. Our church has been great and really cared for us well. It's good to have a church home.

Great City

Son #1, "How do you spell Louis?"
Vicki, "What?"


legos are fun

recommended reading list

Please let me know of any good books/authors to read about the Middle East.
Thanks!

Overworld: The Life and Times of a Reluctant Spy

So, this was an interesting read. While Vicki was being induced/in labor I read a book (in a very supporting sort of way). I picked that section of the library because I've always wanted to know about the CIA and intelligence community of the U.S. I picked this particular book because I standing by it when Vicki called and informed me that a slot had opened up at the hospital for us to induce labor and that we could go have the baby now. So I grabbed a couple of books from this section at random, checked them out, grabbed the boys and left to get Vicki.
It was a quick read and good basically for an intro. I think it must be really hard to write a book about yourself without sounding like you think you're awesome. As the sub-title suggests (the life and times of a reluctant spy) this guy thinks he is reluctantly awesome. It was the right book for our hospital stay.
It piqued my interest in and remind me to start reading about the Middle East.