Why are all of these people slowing down?

The Annual Christmas Lights Extravaganza has been under way for some time on Ozark Street. It seems that people keep slowing down to a crawl in front of our house. I don't know if it is the brightness (kind of a deer in the head lights type thing) or if they are taking in all of the elements that make it up. Perhaps they are trying to size up the gigantic inflatable snowman (over twelve feet tall). There are six inflatables in my yard. I was afraid that would be tacky. My yard is so big that it really works out fine. One is more toward the back and mainly viewable to us. I will just have to get some photos on here soon. I just keep adding a few thing here and there. I will continue to do that until Dec. 1st. I have up plenty enough at this point. If I do not put up any more it is fine. If I do it is even better. So I carry on.

Guess What...It's Christmas!!!!

Alright, it is now a legal time to post all of the antics of this wonderful season. I can talk about Christmas lighting and trees and the like without offending those unnamed individuals who have hazed me so terribly. I am almost done with all our Christmas lights. I have enough that it could be done. But there are yet tangled strands of lighs layered on my garage floor. I will have to hurry and get that finished or my wife will be angrily campaigning for her parking spot back.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving at our home. It felt very nice (tasted even better). I put up the big 12 ft snowman in the yard last night. That thing is huge. I bought it on sale last year and never opened it. It is very impressive.

So sorry I have been slow to post. I have been up to my elbows in trees and lights, etc. I must hurry here and return to that task. God bless you all. Hope that you all had great Thanksgiving celebrations and let me be one of the first to tell you...MERRY CHRISTMAS!

All's well that ends well!

No this is not another post about "wells." In fact it is not a post about anything in particular. But are any of my post really about anything? No comment. Last night was a more hectic night at work. One of our scanners was down, so that left the two of us on 1 scanner all night. One accident brought in 8 ambulances. That was crazy but not unmanageable. I had one patient that I became very involved with. I stayed late comforting her and helping to move her. She stated on the way back to the ER that she was glad to have a fellow believer with her. That really meant a lot to hear her say that. I hated to leave her and assured her of continued prayers on her behalf. It was odd how it all worked out for me to be with her. She was originally not my patient. God knows just how to work things out for our good. He has the big picture. I assured her of that as well. Things don't always make sense, but God can take the fragmented pieces that look hopeless and arrange them for His glory.

We are all like pieces of a puzzle. We don't have the box top to see in clarity what the placement of the final piece will reveal. But God knows the outcome of the masterpiece. I don't want to be like I was as a child, just hammering pieces in where they did not fit. There is a special place for each. The pieces don't move themselves, God moves the pieces.

Sometimes this is all quite puzzling. God will work it all out.

Deep Subject

It seems that nearly everytime I post, I begin with the word "well." I have often heard that it is a deep subject, almost too deep for such a shallow mind. So I am determined in all of my shallowness to avoid the use of that word. It is so hard. Last night was such agood night at work. Monday's are normally one of the worst days. I was also working with one of our PRN techs who I was convinced held the curse of Jonah. Every time she is on board the boats starts to sink. (I had to delete a "w." I just almost used that dreaded word.) Anyway, the curse has been lifted. I was just about ready to throw her overboard. I even told her last time we worked together that I would not do that again. She is really nice though.

In other news...Even at Church we are getting ready for Christmas. In children's church we are practicing our extravaganza. Right now it seems more ganza that extravagant. We will get there. You are probably noticing that there is nothing deep about this post or on the other hand maybe there is. So, I choose to spare you anymore. Besides my ADHD mind will not allow any further concentration. Well, maybe next time I will blog something of depth. Oops!

Two Weeks Later...

Well, I do apologize for the delay. It is so unlike me not to share my wealth of knowledge with my adoring fans. Well, that wealth may only amount to a few cents. There is just not a whole lot to go around. I will not let that stop me from sharing the adventures of my chaotic yet fulfilling life. I said all of that to say I am sorry for not posting I have been really busy. No, I have not been tangled in Christmas decor nor have I been abducted by wiley gleaners. I have been finishing my bachelor's degree clinical work and working extra.

I pretty much have been getting up going to the hospital, been there all day, all night, coming home, going to bed and doing it all over again. I have celebrated Radiologic Technologist Week this past week. I must have overlooked all of the cards and gifts. Snail mail is so slow.

I must confess our mantel is looking a lot like Christmas. Other items are filtering in. I just want to put some cinnamon in the potpurri pot, turn on some sounds of the season and go nuts. There is just one problem with that. Our house is a complete and utter disaster. It is horrible due to the come and go life style we have lived during the past few weeks. I am considering taking the leaf blower inside to tackle the problem. Becki's kids would love that.

Just let me say that I am back. Blog ya later!!!

More Ramblings

Well, I must admit, my merry heart has been anyhting but idle lately. Really I have just been too busy to ramble. Let's see...what to blog? Well Christmas is coming early at our house. The furniture has been placed in an optimal position for the Christmas forrest to return toour home again. I think we are well beyong a tree for every room now. The neighbors have to wear sunglasses at night. Our electric meter will soon be spiraling out of control and we will be so content surrounded by the sights, sounds and smells of Christmas. It is such a wonderful season. At Church, we will be practicing our Christmas program week after next (assuming I finish writing it). Augh!!! The weather here has turned cold and it is just so time to deck the halls. Yes, we start early. I have nearly always been started before Halloween. I have done the traditional day after Thanksgiving thing. I don't really like that. Besides I have to work. Tomorrow, I may just pull some of the near 30 boxes down and see what they contain.

We have collected an ornament from almost every place we have been, with the exception of Canada. They don't have many shops that carry that merchandise year round. It is hard to get that in April. Go figure. Is everyone not as crazy for Christmas? I know the Horne house is.

Well, I must be getting off here. I have rambled long enough. I may go pull out some boxes on this rainy day.

Okay, Here's Another One...

Here are som of the zoo pics. The meerkat was certainly in the spotlight. It is soo hard to get the right lighting. By the time you have gone everywhere, some light is good some is bad. If I lived there I would have to go pretty often to get all of the pics I wanted. The elephants were amazing. The elephant on the left took its trunk and gave the other one a drink. It was very cool. The giraffe looked at me as though I were inposing. Then I wrestled the hippo into submission for a photo opportunity. It was a really cool zoo. 100 acres of zoo to be exact. Makes my feet tired all over again. Tabithia was complaining of her knee. She is getting soooo old! *snickers*

Past Time For Another Post

I know it has been forever since my last post. Soooooo, here are some more pics of San Diego and Anaheim. The first pic is San Diego Bay at sunset. The rollercoaster is in the Discover California theme park in Disneyland. That is not me with Tabithia, that is another Goofy. And the last pic is our hotel. Yes, we felt like rich folk. It was enormous.

Finally...

Alright! I have finally stolen some time to get a few of these on here. So here they are. There is the San Siego Skyline from the ferry to Coronado Island. At the zoo we happened upon this submerged hippo. He third pic is a few blocks from our hotel. Lastly, Tabithia is studying some bargains in Tijuana. I have many, many more. That is all time permits now.

I have to be in Broken Arrow tomorrow then back home Sun. for Children's Church in the am and Sun pm service.

I gotta go for now. God bless you.

My Return to Chaos

No, not the international criminal group, just my crazy life. I have finally got the pictures on my computer and most of them flipped the way they go. Some crazy person thinks they have to turn the camera all sorts of angles and directions. Then you have to spen hours going through 642 pictures deciding how they should be turned. I think his name starts with a "J." He gets on my nerves sometimes. He is a really great guy though.

The strangest thing happened at Disneyland. There was a...ma...woma... a "person" in the line in front of us. The voice was very masculine but it was a gray haired woman. I looked and thought that is a wig. Well, my beautician was with me and she said she did not think that it was a wig. Well, we got on the ride and the "person" sat in front of us a few seat. Once we began there were sharp turns and sudden drops. That one held on to the top of its head ever so tightly to secure the hairpiece. I have heard of a wolf in sheeps clothing but never seen a man in womens clothing until now. Call me sheltered. I would just assume be sheltered from that. People are so messed up today. Sometimes you just want to slap them. I know that sounds real Christlike, but it is true. You want to do the same. Don't act all holy like you don't have those thoughts. Just a good slap would do some people some good unless they are bigger than you and might retalliate with more than a loving, chastening slap. I am really not sure what shim was. I know that is a terrible blog subject.

On a different note...hmmm...hmmm...Oh I know. We finally rode the Tower of Terror. It was so awesome. I have been to Disney World twice and now Disneyland and finally was bale to ride the accaimed adventure. It was really fun. There was a ride there that I enjyed more, "Soaring Over California." that was so cool. It was a flight simulator that had you soaring over a river one moment then raising your dangling feet to miss a tree the next. It was complete with smells. You could smell the oranges as you went over the orange trees. It was so cool.

Well that is it for now. I have spent more time here than intended. God bless you all today.

Where to begin...

Well, we are home. It was a beautiful city! I have over 700 picures of the skyline, the buildings, palm trees, tropical plants, Mexico, Disneyland, the San Diego Zoo, San Diego harbor...Yes, wonderful pictures that I cannot retrieve from my camera at this point. I have spent 2 hours trying to get them and nothing has worked yet. I have another way to accomplish this. It will just take some time. Oh...time. There is a pile of luggage that needs unpacked in our spare room, most of the clothes there need washed. The dogs need to see me and I go to work at 3. Hmmm. Sounds like I need a vacation. *snickers*

Enough whining. It really was a great vacation. I found myself amused at some the people on multiple occaisions. Mexico was hilarious. All you have to do is turn around and take a few steps in disinterest and the prices begin o fall. This was Tabithia's paradise. She is such a "Jew." One lady dropped the price, not by much and said, "I'll even throw in a free bag." The plactic bag seemed to be her only lure. For that matter we had our hands full of them from other purchases.

One note...I never made it to the beach. We were so busy with everything else. We were attemptimg it on Thursday when it got very dark, very fast. So we turned around. The temperature was very cool there so it may have been a safe time to visit without seeing more than I bargained for. We did stop at a harbor-side beach, very small. Nonethe less it was a beach.

I will have more to post. There will be pics if I can get them off the camera. If not then you all will have to come to Arkansas and look through my LCD. I must be going. I just did not want you all to think the plane went down or anything. Gotta go unpack, etc. God bless.

San Diego Here We Come!!!

Well, it has come time to take a restful vacation for us. Ministers Convention went very well yesterday. My 15 min evangelism boost even went well. While I was working on it I had to get and go through the house rejoicing. Everything worked so well together yesterday. It was all inspired and anointed. At the time of this post, I should be finishing my children's church lesson. So I will keep this one brief. Maybe this afternoon I will get teh time to post again or at least reply. As for next week. We will be in sunny San Diego with camera in hand. I have never really seen the ocean up close. So this will be a new adventure for me.

My Last Day As A 29 Year Old!

Yes, you heard that right. Tomorrow, October 5 at 10:32 am, I officially become 30 years old. *shudder* Where has all of the time gone? I must admit, 30 seems a bit oldish (no offense to those who have surpassed their 3rd decade). I have come to terms with it though. I told them Sunday night that it just showed 30 years of the goodness of the Lord. I mean just look at me. Could I have turned out any better? I barely even look 25. *laughs at his own jokes*

I have already had a surprise party. Most of our local Church showed up at my house on Saturday. I was beginning to catch on when Tabithia yelled at me as if I had done something horrible. I am headed outside to see what her problem is when I look up (as well as I could, I was in the process of getting my contacts in when she proceeded to yell). It was just a good thing I did not go out there and holler back. There were nearly 30 people there before it was all over. I still have two cakes to eat. We had my seasonal favorite that night...bon fire food. When it turns cool at night I could roast a hot dog every day and a few marshmallows. I love it! See there, I don't even act 30. My wife can attest to that.

Children's Church if going well. We had 9 Sunday. We have not been having that many. I was preparing for seven every week. Looks like I will double that now. We had 3 regulars out. We marched those kids out front to show how Buggy for Jesus they really are. They had the dear in the head lights look. They sang the Butterfly Song in practice with all of the motions. They were much more reserved out front. The congregation loved it anyway. I learned a long time ago that anything those kids do out front is cute whether it goes according to the script or not. It was fun. Everyone thought that it looked really good. Before they most often had 1 in children's church. Our local Church is growing. Before we transferred they were having on average 20 in attendance. Last week we had about 47. We absolutely love it there. I have never worked with such a cooperative group of people. We just love them all.

Well, I gotta go. I need to do a little research for Ministers' Convention which is Saturday. God bless you all. See you in my 30's (Lord Willing).

Lopped Locks!

Tabithia got a wild hair Friday and decided to chop off her hair. Well, I suppose mine is the only wild hair around here. Anyway, she had been planning this for some time. She wanted to donate to Locks of Love to make hairpieces for children with allopecia. I must say she does look younger now. I would comment on her age but most of my blogger friends are slightly beyond that age and besides I am 2 months older.

This short style was done just after she wrestled with a snake that threatened to eat our cat. That was how she depicted the scenario. The snake was not as big around as my fifth digit. I even think her pinky has more girth than the deadly viper. The cat was in no real danger. But I think we may have located Steve Irwin's replacement. Tabithia Mullins: Crocodile Huntress.

I Am Just Floored!

Well, I thought I would include a pic of the floor situation, since I pretty well take a picture of everything else. Our floor is typically level but the plate techtonics of our home have formed a mountain range in the middle of our kitchen. Not cool. This is the second time this has happened. It is unbelievable. There were all kinds of loud pops. In the rest of the house my new friend was busy cleaning the floor. Yes, it is our very own robot. He does a very nice job. The best part is we only paid $15 for it. A friend of ours bought a stack of them at an auction. We just need a robot to load the washer and dryer and fold the clothes, clean the toilets, dust, deal with the dishwasher. I really don't mind to load the dishwasher, it is the unloading part I am not fond of. Didn't the Jetsons have it good. That is what we need, a Rosie. Today a Roomba, tomorrow a Rosie. I guess we better quit dreaming and get busy. The Roomba only does so much. We better get busy!

Blah!

That is kind of how I feel. Yesterday was really like that. I am not sick, but I sure don't feel good. I guess it is just another case of Monday blues. After the weekend I had though, Monday is a good thing. Friday night was a stormy night. It did not storm very close to us though. Most of it was an hour away. Well, Saturday I went out with the dogs, it was still very muggy and hot. While we are outside, the wind picks up (one of the dogs...No, but you though that would be an interesting story). Suddenly there is such a drop in temperature. It felt like going from 85 to 60 very suddenly. Then the rain started and I got myself in the house. As I am inside I started hearing a terrible popping noise, nearly as loud as gunshots. I investigate only to find that our tile in the kitchen is separating from the floor...AGAIN!!!! There were places that had popped loose before and once before it raised to form a ridge. It raised to form a mountain range this time. I liked our tile floors, but we are not fixing it again for it to pop loose later. We are looking at hard wood floors this time. It was almost time to start getting the Christmas stuff out, too. There is such a ridge under the small table that the chairs are sitting crooked. I took a picture I will have to post it some time. That was Saturday.

Sunday morning the kids were rowdy. We were trying to practice for our program next Sunday. It was very tough. Practice for the Christmas program is going to be very interesting. Oh well, you can't have all sunshine. So a bad weekend every now and then makes you appreciate the good ones. I guess.

I Know What I Know

What a mixed up world this is sometimes, most of the time. I cannot believe how blinded some have become. There are those that strike out against the Church with such vehement outrage all out of vengence from a hurt they suffered years ago. I have watched as they have become consumed with this quest to bring down the Bride. The gates of hell shall not prevail. She will walk right through this and be presented to her groom. Hold your head up high, Church or perhaps it is best hung low in prayer. Do not be ashamed of who you are. God will show His favor. I still believe in the Church of God. I am not discouraged. I am not ashamed.

I know what I know. I was not tricked into believing it. God revealed it to me. I was not brainwashed. I still have a devine revalation. It is true that the people perish in the absence of vision. Without vision there is no driving force. Just as the blind man that sat begging. He sat just existing, no quality of life. he held out his cup waiting on someone to give him what they received, what they had worked for. It helped him but it could not save him. Then there was a different type of passerby. Jesus was on the scene. Sight was restored. Jesus gave him life, abundant life as he had never experienced. He gave him vision. The man who was blind could not merely rely on others. That just got him by. He had to go to Jesus to obtain his vision. There are too many today relying on the vision of others. There are too many today trusting the vision of others. I want to see for myself. Praise the Lord!!!!

I don't need to follow the the drama on a site. I need to follow the leading of God. There are those that have flip flopped on their stands from such influences. One moment they are at peace with things then the nexts it is all out war. There is a spirit involved in this kind of vision. We have heard it said, "Well, I just don't see it that (your) way." I want to make sure that I see it God's way. I don't need someone to tell me how to see it. Thank God I know what I know. It hurts to see those consumed with vengence. I pray Jesus would again open their eyes. God bless you all.

Lost, Stolen, Forgotten

I could not help after reading Becky's last post to take just a moment to make fun of her. No, actually, I am just as senile. This is how I know. Tuesday I just don't think all of my neurons were firing because I was a basketcase. I went to lunch at Backyard Burgers. I decided the drivethru would be fine because I was going to go down to the Church and drop something off. It was taking a long time so I just got myself in the mindset that I was going to have to wait. So I was prepared. When my turn at the window came. My food was ready. She handed it to me, then my soda. I placed them in the passenger seat and gave her my debit card ( I know where mine is). I am waiting for my card back. She comes back right away. I still have it in my mind that I am going to have to wait. So wait I did. I just sat there in that drivethru for another 3-5 minutes. I thought I was waiting on my food. The girl comes back and asks, "Did I forget something?" I look over in the passenger seat and see the food there. I said, "No." and got myself out of there while she laughed her head off.

That is not the end of the craziness. When I went to work, I changed a request. So when that happens I get a new order and a cancellation. I did that and went to the printer and pulled it off. I looked at what I had and said, "Well, I got an order and a cancellation at the same time." I never realized or remembered I did that until someone told me. Then it was like, "Oh, yeah." I don't know what my problem is. All of this is with my natural supplements of Ginko Biloba and Grape Seed Extract.

While we were at the Assembly, our room was in a cove off the road right beside a behavioral health hospital. I am not sure they were not one in the same. I might have stopped in for a free consult had time permitted. Maybe that is why room service always came in wearing white with that little paper cup saying, "Take these." Hmmmm?

It's Raining...

It just seems to be a Monday thing around here. There is actually a tax class going on where I am right now. I had to go use the internet at the tax office as I normally do. I am just way too cheap. Actually it is my wife. Perhaps she needs to read the post by sister Tammi. I guess I can show her when it prints in the Evening Light. Anyway. I feel trapped in here. My hair is a mess (should have grabbed a cap.) I just ran down here really fast. It helps to wake me up. Then the students arrived. I do not want to walk out in front of the. I am hearing all of this standard deduction stuff and low income tax tables...blah...blah...blah... It is scaring me actually. We normally have to pay in so much. It is causing flashbacks.

Let's see. We initiated the Ladybug Club this weekend. The girls went back for a tea party and virtuous woman lesson. I stayed out with the boys. We actually had boys for a change. Three little boys arrived for class. I taught them the the praying mantis lesson and then the ant. It was really nice. I did not tell you what the Ladybug Club is. Lil' Angelic Divas Yearning to Be Upright and Godly Servants. All of the little girls were encouraged to wear their hats and best dress up clothes. They all got a feather boa. They really enjoyed it. Tabithia and her mother worked the back. I really think me and the guys got ripped off. While they were having a party we just had five loaves and two fish. We were all filled though. It was a nice day. Children's church goes so well. In the past there were days that I would leave Church of Sunday absolutely exhausted and aggravated at how terrible the kids were. This time in Children's Church is so much better. It is more of a labor than a sentence. Actually the last reound years ago was not that bad most days. Sometimes it felt like Alcatraz.

There are some that testify at how glad they are that we are there to do children's church. It is kind of odd because the person who last did it is sitting there. She is glad we are there as well. It makes you feel good that the parents like it, the kids like it. Thank the Lord. We are through with the bugs now. We will practice for a program out front then move on to FALLing Blessings and Pauls Missionary Journeys.

I am still praying for God's will in my life. I want to be what He wants me to be. My list of things to pray for daily is growing. I may have to write it all down to be sure not to forget something. God bless you all. Perhaps you could add me to your list.

More General Assembly Pics

I think these are enough for one post as I am already having blogger issues today. Let's see, what do I have here. Of course there is Sis Smith at the piano. I sneeked this pic and she never knew it. She may have assumed the flash was from heaven. There was a point where some brother acted nasty behind me and I was afarid I was going to see a flash in the form of a lightning bolt. You know the army does that sometimes, they zero in on a target and miss. Well, God is so much more accurate than our military might. I also snapped a pic of the Canadians. Someone behind them is offering the right hand of fellowship or talking with her hands. I ususally talk with my feet. It is an Arkansas thing. I also have this adorable pic of this little boy. He was in the lap of the Sister in the other pic with the pom pom during much of the Assembly. They never knew I got that one. There was a little boy in the march that had his head wrapped in a bandage with a little blood on it. I felt so sorry for him and thought we should have prayer. That was until I saw another kid with similar "injuries" and realized that was their march theme. That is why we should not lay hands on someone suddenly. We could wind up looking very silly. It took me a long time to realize it was not real. I felt like such a dummy. I just felt so moved with compassion when I saw him at first. I wondered what had happened. Some of those kids nearly needed something as the Spirit was stirred within me during our worship in the VLB program. When i came back to myself I looked around and people had been ducking for cover all around me. I had a good 6-8 feet all to myself. This sister with several small children was all out int he isle trying to keep from getting stepped on or slapped. The fore-mentioned overseer (of Canada and NW) was too busy laughing to come to the rescue of these poor saints. I better post this to be sure it will post. I would hate to lose this volume of wisdom. *snickers*