Got Mojo?

2009-10-30T20:55:00.001-07:00

Dallas Morning News

In a recent article (on-line) about the Dallas Morning News closing one of its packaging plants, the statement was made:

"Caught in a national decline in newspaper advertising revenue, managers at The News have engaged in a strategy to raise subscription prices and shrink circulation to establish a core of dedicated subscribers."

I guess I did not qualify as the core of dedicated subscribers when I canceled my subscription. The price was just too high. It doesn't seem to make sense to me that this is the best strategy. What if they find out the core is out priced altogether?

2009-10-18T11:04:00.000-07:00

Did you know?

2009-10-10T14:44:00.001-07:00

Fall in the Air

All are rejoicing because of the cool temperatures. All except me. I can't stand the cold and it's already cold :-( Give me the heat, just one more day, please!

At least I have football and post season baseball to distract me from changing weather.

2009-09-15T07:54:00.000-07:00

Geaux Tigers

For Joan's birthday we went to see the LSU vs. Vanderbilt game at Tiger Stadium. It was a great time. The weather did not cooperate but it was manageable. The younger LSU daughter went with us. Nothing like a little tailgating and football on a Saturday night. Unfortunately for Joan, Vandy lost :-(

Tailgater

Geaux Tigers!!

Welcome to Death Valley

The view

Meeting up with the cousins

2009-08-23T20:44:00.000-07:00

Crazy Times...

A few years ago it almost looked like we were heading into easy street. Kids were moving out, bills were getting paid, house note was on the fast track and 401k was soaring. But I should have know that would not last. Nobody warns you about when your kids hit the 18+ to 25 stage that things would be crazier than when they were teenagers! Somehow we are taking care of all of their lives as well as still trying to run a household. It is necessary and hopefully temporary but things have never been this crazy before.

Plus the oldest daughter is pregnant. So I will soon be a grandpa. That certainly is exciting and wonderful. But it just doesn't sound right. How did I get to be this old? I so clearly remember being their age. I guess your just never prepared to be at the next stage.

One day at a time and trust that God doesn't give us more than we can handle!

2009-08-11T09:03:00.001-07:00

The Daily

I love the newspaper. I love to be able to sit and read through it. Unfortunately, I usually don't have time to read it. It piles up in the recycle bin. This week I got the bill for next years subscription. Like everything else, the cost of subscription has increased dramatically. The logical conclusion then is to say goodbye to the daily. To join the post modern world and skip the old school print. Hate to face that, but it is just time to let it go.

2009-08-01T09:06:00.000-07:00

Today was a Good Day

Only two showed up for Bible study this morning, me and Wayne. But that was all I needed. It was one of those days we never got to the study, just a day that needed fellowship and listening. Thanks Wayne.

Also,

Happy Birthday Jerry

Let Jerry week begin...

2009-07-20T22:19:00.000-07:00

2009-07-07T18:14:00.000-07:00

New Roads on the 4th

It was another great family gathering on False River in New Roads, LA. Cousins, siblings and parents all came to the camp. It was good to get away and just be with the ones you love in a place you love.

Dad and Joan blogged about it:
Dad's blog
Joan's blog

Here are some more visuals to go with it.

Refreshments!

Relaxation .... Joan and Amanda reading on the pier

More relaxation, Jamie using the hammock to its fullest!
Swimming in the River
Fireworks at Baton Rouge. We sit on the levy of the mighty Mississip' and watch the show launch from a barge in the river.

Pyrotechnics! After the Baton Rouge show we return to the camp to light off our own show! These babies were procured from Ms. Shirley in Morganza for a wad of cash and a dozen boiled crabs! Nothing like the thrill of lighting the fuse and running for it.

What a great weekend!

2009-06-29T09:04:00.000-07:00

Rail Adventure

Last week Joan and I took a day off and decided to have an adventure on the Dallas rail system (DART). We drove to LBJ and Central Expressway and caught the redline downtown. It was very nice and easy to use. The trip was $1.50 each way.

We road down to the Cityplace station. From there we caught the free McKinney Street Car trolley. The street car runs down to the arts district. We visited to the Nasher and Dallas Museum of Art. It was a great experience. After the museums we jumped back on the trolley, then train and drove home.

It was a great day!

LBJ Train Station

Cityplace Station is deep underground

McKinney Street Trolley

Outdoor sculpture at the Nasher

2009-06-11T11:38:00.000-07:00

CONCERT > GRADUATION > BASEBALL > STORM

Four exciting nights in a row!

Concert - Les Claypool and Matisyahu at the Palladium - Sunday

Graduation - Georgie's High School Graduation - Monday

Baseball - Rangers vs. Tronto - Tuesday

Storm - High winds, rain and lightning beat up the fence and took out power- Wednesday

Wonder what is happening tonight!

2009-06-08T20:21:00.000-07:00

Graduation for Georgie!

Our youngest daughter, Georgie, graduated from Marcus high school today!! I'm so proud of her. Way to go! The class of 2009 is off into the world!

2009-06-07T07:55:00.000-07:00

The Good Ol Days

I just celebrated 15 years at the mother company. After ceremonies I was talking with a fellow co-worker and before I knew we were both in "back in the gold old days" conversation.
"We used to have to work hard, kids today don't have that anymore"
"We used to accomplish stuff as a team together, not its scattered all of the world"
"We used to put a quality product and make our customers happy"

blah, blah, blah, you know how that one goes. I'm sure when I started working right out of school the old timers looked at me and then thought the good ole days too.

Times definitely have changed. And in 15 years at one company it has change tremendously. And certainly in 15 years I've changed a lot. I was 30 then and life was a whole lot different. But I am glad to still have the work and wonder what the next 15 years will be like.

2009-05-24T06:50:00.000-07:00

2009-05-18T23:38:00.000-07:00

Bird Dog?

2009-05-17T19:15:00.000-07:00

The Graduate

LSU Class of 2009 - "The Katrina Class"

2009-05-05T06:45:00.000-07:00

Proud Dad Shout Out

Daughter #2 will graduate from LSU this month Cum Laude!! And she did this in 4 years!!

I'm very proud of her!

And the icing on the cake is yesterday she found out she was accepted into the LSU Veterinary School! This is very difficult to get into.

I'm doubly very proud of her!

Congratulations Amanda.

2009-05-03T07:03:00.000-07:00

Red Box

At Walgreen's on 407 and Morris is our red box. They are here or there but that is the one we go to. And here lately every time we go there is a line at the red box! So this is becoming the community gathering spot. While you stand in line you chit chat about movies and such with people you've never met before.

If you don't know about the red box check it out. This is a great service. The red box is a refrigerator size box outside of a store. It holds DVDs that you can rent for $1 a night! Somebody took the itunes idea to DVD rental and its perfect. You can find your movie by browsing at the red box or pre-reserving on-line. Then just return it by 9pm the next day.

Easy, affordable and you get involved with our community! Who needs blockbuster or net flicks?

2009-04-30T13:30:00.000-07:00

End of an Era

Ten years ago my son was born. This made the kid count 5. The transportation of 7 people total takes a big vehicle! The Astro van we had was already crowded so with the new arrival it was time to just go all the way. We bought a full size van in Sept 99. It was well worth the money and served us well. She was named the 'blues clues' van for a while. We have logged many road trips and adventures with it.

But now we are down to only 1 kid that can't drive. Three of the kids have moved out and the fourth is on her way out this summer. And the blues clues van was starting to show her age with repair bills. It was just time after 10 years of faithful service.

The replacement was a snazy little Nissan Versa (with spoiler).

2009-04-15T12:57:00.000-07:00

Spring time in Texas

The official indicator that the Texas spring is here would be the appearance of bluebonnets. Its prime season and they are everywhere.

2009-04-11T14:59:00.000-07:00

Dead Tour

The Grateful Dead is back on tour starting tomorrow. Its been 5 years since the last outing. The tribes are all geared up and the first meeting is fittingly on on Easter Sunday in Greensboro, North Carolina. The tour runs through the summer. Wish I could be there but no luck for me this time. Hope all the happy hippy peeps enjoy the family and spread the love!!

And always remember the music and Jerry.

2009-04-09T13:53:00.000-07:00

Opening Day 2009!

The daughter and I headed out to opening day on Monday at the Ballpark. We went with our friends Dave and Becky. It was a very chilly day and the wind kept blowing!

It was all fun though.
I got to hang out with Amanda all day!
It finally warmed up once we got into the sun.
And the Rangers hammered the Indians 9-1!
Love opening day... Baseball is back.

2009-04-04T12:11:00.000-07:00

Race Weekend

Once again its NASCAR weekend. The sea of RVs never fails to amaze me. Last weekend they started piling in. Everyday driving to work I see them come like ants. By Friday the city is complete. You have to admire their passion...

So this weekend we will stay far away from the track and all things west.

2009-03-29T20:50:00.000-07:00

Ramblings

This weekend we had a cold snap roll through. It dipped down into the 30s again and Saturday remained cold until later in the afternoon. Since the overnight lows were near freezing Joan brought the chickens in. They should be able to handle it but since they are still young we figured better not risk it.

Unfortunately the golf club March outing was also on Saturday. As diehards we pressed on. It was the most brutal golf outing I've ever had. Needless to say the scores were high!

And today I was driving to the parents house. This is about 1ish on a Sunday afternoon. I had to stop at Walgreen's and then figured I would head west on 407 and out. Big mistake. The 2499 and 407 intersection has become such a traffic nightmare that traffic was backed up to Bridlewood. Needless to say it was faster to turn around, head back to Morriss and back to Waketon to get out. This traffic is really ridiculous...

This coming weekend in the annual NASCAR event at Texas Motor Speedway. So we shall be avoiding heading west at all costs on the weekend. As we drove by it today the RVs are already piling up out there.

Need to finish the taxes up this week. So far its looking like I need to send Uncle Sam some more. But I need to give it the scrub down.

In two weeks the LSU kids are home for spring break! It will be good to see them.

And April 6 is opening day. We have tickets already in hand and it is sold out. I hope the weather is nice to us.

2009-03-19T09:27:00.001-07:00

Chick-chick-chickens!

They are getting big! Joan is building the coup and its coming along nicely. They have been enjoying running around the backyard and are ready to move out there.