Life and Times of Bill and Susan

Busy Weekend

2009-03-09T06:45:00.000-07:00

Wow it is Monday morning already. Seems like the weekend just flew by. Saturday morning went to Church for our once a month "Fuel" meeting, normally this is a meeting for all the volunteers to get some face time with Pastor Chris and gain some knowledge and some leadership pointers that will make us all the better people to share the Gospel with the different people that come into sphere of influence. Though this months meeting was really set up to go over some details for the Charleston Egg Drop that is coming up on April 11th.

Saturday afternoon and evening we went to some friends Joe and Vicki for a cookout and a evening of spirited game of Domino's. The food was great of course Susan out did herself with her Secret Family Recipe on the Baked Beans and the Deviled Eggs and Joe and Vicki put some burgers on the grill that were incredible both in flavor and in size. Some more friends Bryan and Suzie brought over some potato salad and macaroni salad, along with some great deserts. We were there till about 930pm but that really was 1030pm if you rotate the clocks, and unfortunately I had to do the forecast for Palmer Station which needs to be sent to them no later than 6am our time and then the ship forecast for the 2 United States Antarctic Program Research Vessels.

Sunday morning came Susan got up early and fixed us a great breakfast (pancakes, eggs and bacon) topped that off with a good pot of coffee and I was whistling all morning long. She did all this before church. I have incredible wife!!! Church was great. Pastor Chris spoke about the incredible love Jesus showed us all while be brutally murdered on the Cross. How great was he that at the very moment that he was be tortured by unbelievable means that at that very moment he was still able to forgive us. Pastor Chris you did a great job speaking about it. If you ever want to hear about Jesus and what he has in-store for us, just come to my Church you will hear about it from a very passionate person.

Susan went back to Church Sunday evening to teach the Dave Ramsey Lesson, let me tell you my wife is all over the volunteer deal, she volunteers with the Children's Ministry, she is an incredible help to me with the 1st Impressions Ministry, both as one of our greeters or working with some great volunteers that help by making coffee and having snacks out for our guest at Church, plus for the last 5 or 6 weeks she has been running the Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University that our Church puts together in the evening hours. She does all this while working 40+hours at her work at Caterpillar near Jedburg, and most importantly taking care of me. I thank God each day for her. I love you Susan. Oh by the way babe, I have started calling different Insurance companies to compare prices and service. She gave me that job Only 6 days ago and am all ready on it ;-) and I have called Dish Network.

I was reading The Post and Courier this morning. Right on the Front page a story caught my eye, and am trying to decide how this news affects me. The banner of the story is "More people say they have no religion". What am not sure about it that since I attend a non-denominational Christian Church does that mean I don't have "RELIGION" I know that am a Christian, that meaning that I believe that Jesus Christ came to earth as a man to teach us a way of life and more importantly came so that he may die to give us a chance at "Everlasting Life" but does that mean I don't have religion.... hmmmm. I will have ponder that. For the time being I will allow myself to say that I have my "FAITH" and that I will risk not having "RELIGION".

I was also reading some news online and came across this story Click on this link "Pimp this Bum" I know that this at the very least will really get tongues a wagging as to whether this is a good thing or bad. If you have a change take a look at it. I know am going to keep up with this story.

Meeting with my Pastor

2009-03-06T08:43:00.000-08:00

Had a real good meeting yesterday with my Pastor. Recently I have taken the lead of the 1st Impression Ministry at our Church. I am real excited to take on this important mission. I want people that visit our Church to be "WOWed" when they pull into the parking lot and "WOWed" again as they come into the Welcome Center and then "WOWed" even more when they step into the Auditorium. I have no doubt that if I do my job managing the 1st Impressions Team so that Pastor Chris can concentrate alittle bit more on his message and less on trying to found out who is suppose to be helping with the front door or who is suppose to working in the Welcome Center than guest as well as regular members will benefit the most. Benefit by hearing the Message that Christ loves us and only wants us to come to him and have that personal relationship that he offers us.
The Meeting was about me coming to him with some of my ideas and suggestions as to how we can make the 1st Impressions Team every bit the "WOW" that it should be. We have a great congregation with some Awesome people. Pastor Chris also set down his Vision for the 1st Impressions and it is a simple one. "We are in our position on Sunday morning for 1 reason and 1 reason only that is so that people will come and hear the Message "Christ Loves Us". What better reason is there to be holding that door open for someone or walking them from their car to the door with a umbrella when it is raining. I don't know but I can't think of a better reason.
If you read my blog at all, come back cause changes are going to be coming. Small at 1st but important. As the weeks go by look around the Church you will see some of the things that Pastor Chris and I have talked about. If you are on the 1st Impressions Team with me, I will be calling and email and texting everyone so we can get together as a Team and we are going to really getting ramped up to do a great job. Strap yourself in, cause it going to be a fun ride. You won't want to miss it. As a matter of fact if you know someone that might be interested in joining the 1st Impressions Team let me know or have them contact me or Pastor Chris. The Church is growing and we have alot of people that are looking at how they can fit in. If you are on the 1st Impressions Team let them know that we have the best Ministry in the World and that we would be happy to have them join us. If it has been awhile since you have worked with 1st Impression and you want to see how you can help out, give me a shout or come see me on Sunday.

Charleston Egg Drop!

2009-03-05T05:36:00.000-08:00

Last night Susan and I and the Easter Bunny went to our Church to fill some of those 20,000 plastic Easter eggs that we will be dropping from a Helicopter at the 1st ever Charleston Egg Drop.

We had a great time and for 2 hours we stuffed candy into 9,000 + plastic eggs. We had a great time sharing the time with our church family and the fact that we almost got to half way in just over 2 hours shows what a determined small church can do. May be small in size but Extra Large in heart.

Pastor Chris and the Eastor Bunny

Back to the Blog

2009-02-27T05:54:00.000-08:00

WOW, September was the last time I posted. Lazy I guess. I lot has gone on since September, too much to try and get into one entry on here. So I will just jump ahead to what is going on now.

Susan and are doing great. Through the blessing from our God Susan still has a job and looks to continue with that atleast for next few months, as summer comes on we will have to watch and pray that her work continues and that she will not be laid off as so many good people have.

Me well the another Antarctic Season has come and gone and once again am done with shift work and back to the Monday-Friday 7:30 to 4:30 routine.

Some of the exciting news with the family. Susan and I got a playmate for Sassy. Harley is his name and he is suppose to be Beagle/Jack Russel mixed..... hmmmm I don't think so. I don't see any Jack Russel in that 4 legged whirl wind, all I see is Beagle. No matter he and Sassy get along great. I have attached a small video of them together.

Well am back, though this is suppose to be a blog for Susan and I... with opinons from both, am going to guess that isn't going to happen, so you all will have to be happy with my opinon which is never wrong.

Survived TS Hannah, Can I Survive my Fantasy Football League?

2008-09-09T03:58:00.000-07:00

Well, TS Hannah didn't amount to much here in the local area. I guess downtown show some minor flooding, but they usually do when any good rainshower comes through the area. Around 1am as the storm was about as close to the area as it was going to get, it did wake me up a couple of times when I heard the wind blow the rain onto the window kinda hard. Hurricane Ike is going through Cuba and into the Gulf of Mexico today. Looks like it might stay south of New Orleans and hit into the Texas coast line north of Brownsville. No more tropical storms are on the map so hopefully we will have nice weekend.

It has been a few weeks since we have been able to get the boat out on the water and Susan and I are really looking forward to it. Sassy hasn't said anything but I suspect she is looking forward to it as well.

How many of you out there get into fantasy sports, well am not a serious geek about it, but I enjoy getting into acouple with the guys at work (no money involved, just bragging rights and fun BS'ing) I have Fantasy Baseball team and am currently in 1st place with over 6,000 points and Susan is right behind with about 5,700 pts. I have about 1,200 pt lead on the 3rd place team and we only have 3 weeks left in the season. Most of the same crowd that is in the baseball league also has a fantasy football team. The 1st week is done and am 1-0 with 8 other people including Susan. We have alot of fun with these things and unlike most people we don't sink alot of time into it, but we enjoy the fun of poking at someone that didn't get as many points as ourselves... that is until it is us that aren't getting the points we need.

Fall baseball starts tonght and I have a game to umpire. Buddy Carter who assigns the games to us umpire has once again put me with someone new. Buddy likes to do that cause I have been umpiring for 16 yrs. For the most part I don't mind, I wish someone had taken the time to show me how to umpire those 1st couple of years, maybe I would have take alot less grief than I did if someone had been there for me. So I figure if I can give someone a few lessons that helps them out it makes it alittle easier on them and the kids hopefully will get a better official. That is if I have learned anything over the last 16yrs. I figure if I can make HALF the crowd happy HALF the time then I am doing good. I will say this about umpiring some of my best games I have done are the ones that no one even knows am on the field.

Tropical Storm Hannah

2008-09-05T17:56:00.000-07:00

Well we have the 1st Tropical Storm of the season to hit us. How many more is yet to be seen. Next up is (Category 4) Hurricane Ike. Where is he going? Way too early to tell. right now the forecasted track has him going into Florida, sometime early next week. We have taken time to get things cleaned up around the yard so hopefully nothing will get blow away. It is just a little after 9pm on Friday and we haven't lost power heck I don't think the wind has kicked up much at all. Hopefully we will be here in the morning when we wake up.

Happy Birthday Lincoln

2008-08-31T18:11:00.000-07:00

Lincoln's 25th birthday. Hard to beleive he survived to see that age.

Our Lives are Full of Blessings and Sadness

2008-08-20T18:05:00.000-07:00

This evening Susan I went to a viewing of the mother of a dear friend from church. Though you show alot of courage in the face of our friend and very brave front you could also see in her eyes the sadness of losing her mother. All around her were family and friends many speaking of stories of Jesse and how she had interacted with them through her life. We never had the chance to meet her but from the few stories we heard she was a woman full of life. Though her health had taken a turn for the worse for the last few years she was someone that wanted to be the center of attention.
After we had a given our respects to our friends and listen to some lively stories, we made our way over to Trident Hospital to visit some other friends daughter. Angie gave birth to Joshua David last night (10:15pm 19 Aug 2008) Joshua came into this world real slow, so slow that the doctors finally had to help him and Angie along by doing a C-section. Baby and Mom along with dad Stephen are doing well, though you could tell Angie was still very tired. Still for all the sadness (though some laughs from some of the stories shared) we had just experienced at the viewing. Now the joy of a new life coming into the world always brings laughs and shared experiences from the older people (Grandparents and friends of grandparents). Though Angie was excited to have Joshua with her and out to share the world with her and Stephen, you could also see the fear of the unknown in her eyes.
Life will always be a mystery. One life leaves and next comes into the world, one leaves the suffering of a tired body while another comes in, full of health and his entire life ahead.

Been Awhile

2008-08-11T12:18:00.000-07:00

How is everyone doing? I asked that, knowing that I shouldn't worry about a response. What have Susan I been up to since we got back from New York? Alot of choirs needed to be caught up with. Mowing the lawn, cleaning house, hmmm going boating. Oh we did have a solid week of umpiring for me and score keeping for Susan as Cal Ripkin Southeast Regional Tournament was held here in town. Teams from Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina and Virgina as well as couple teams from South Carolina. very good baseball was played. Part of being a umpire for some of these tournaments is that the directors will come around and ask us umpires who we would vote for, for the Sportsmanship Award. We all gave them our vote, I can't even tell you who won. I can tell you who didn't win and who didn't get a single vote. That is the host team West Ashely team. The kids were great, the parents for the most part were good, but the Manager of the team was to put it simply was awful. He is the only one that I heard of to get a warning from any of the umpires. After his team was eliminated from the Tournament he came back out the next night and stood to one side of the field by the backstop and started to bad mouth the umpires. What in the world was he doing there giving the umpires a hard time. Anyway I just thought it really looked bad for the host team to act that way.

Susan and I are headed back out to water this coming weekend. Anyone want to go and get wet?

Some More Pic's from our Trip to New York City

2008-07-23T11:08:00.001-07:00

Subway Train, Headed down to Ground Zero. Susan did great for getting us around the city using the subway. I was very thankful. Not that there were alot of FREAKs but there were a few. I had to remind myself that they are all God's Children and go from there. For the most part that worked.

Grand Central Terminal. Yes that is the name. Grand Central Station is under this and is where all the subway trains actually come in, and yes New Yorkers will correct you on this. More Pics and video's are coming, I have to down load them and save them over.

Home

2008-07-23T10:49:00.000-07:00

We made it home. Now here is a question for you. Am not sure if I should be glad or upset. I will take poll from you all to see which it will be. Originally our flight was to take off from Newark Liberty International Airport New Jersey just across the River from Manhattan NY at 7:30am arrive Charleston just about 10:00am. The shuttle service told us that we needed to leave our Hotel around 4:15am for this flight (with me so far). Okay Susan and I get to the Airport just after 5:00am and check in and get our boarding passes. So we have time to kill before our flight had alittle breakfast and then went to our gate to read our books and wait for the flight. At 7:20am they tell us it will be alittle late new take off time 7:45am not bad I think. We board the flight about 7:30am again not bad. Then we back away from the gate about 7:50am alittle later than they said but again I say not bad. Then we waited and waited and waited some more. 8:25am we finally take off almost an hour from the originally take off time. Now get this, we still arrived at the time we was suppose to 10:00am. Now here is the question. Should I be happy that we arrived on time or Should up I be just alittle upset that they had me awake at 3:45am to catch a 4:15 shuttle for a flight that didn't take off until 8:25? There ya go. A side note. We did make it home in time to have lunch at Mai Tai. All things considered a very good day. Oh did I mention that our AC unit has crapped out and it is very warm in this house.

Delayed

2008-07-23T04:11:00.001-07:00

Need I say more.
Loving Life-Living Large

Newark Liberty Int. Airport

2008-07-23T03:32:00.000-07:00

Rain! Will it delay the flight? Heck if the pilot woke up with dry mouth it would delay the flight. We sure hope it doesn't cause us to be late for Thai.
Loving Life-Living Large

Good Lord its Early

2008-07-23T01:40:00.000-07:00

The trip is coming to a end. Here we sit in the suttle with 6 other tired travelers at 4:30am. Headed to the airport.
Loving Life-Living Large

Yankee Stadium

2008-07-21T15:01:00.001-07:00

Twins vs Yankees

Miss Liberty

2008-07-21T08:59:00.000-07:00

Loving Life-Living Large

NY, NY

2008-07-19T06:55:00.001-07:00

Loving Life-Living Large

Welcome to New York

2008-07-18T20:04:00.000-07:00

We are staying at the Shoreham Hotel. It is just about 4 blocks from Time Sq.
Loving Life-Living Large

Headed to New York

2008-07-18T15:21:00.001-07:00

Well the airlines is late. Great start. See you all next week.

Hmmm, I didn't realize.

2008-07-18T08:56:00.000-07:00

You know I didn't realize as many people read the blog as it has become apparent. I only get a few comments from time to time and that is fine that isn't reason I started this. Yesterdays post I was in a bit of a bad mood. Really had nothing to do with Vacation Bible School at our Church. Though I did speak the truth yesterday and nothing has changed my opinion of what I wrote. I don't believe that I gave enough credit to the kids and parents that have been awesome all week long. I don't want anyone to think that our church isn't the greatest thing in the world because I do believe that, and as our Pastor says We are the Church (the congregation) I do believe that hole heartily. So let me take this moment to say that WE HAVE A GREAT Congregation with some of the most awesome people I have had the privilege to meet and worship with. The kids that are here for VBS have been some of the greatest kids that I have had a chance to talk to. I will say that I was warned about acouple of the kids and I was only alittle worried about having to deal with them (after all) I was only going to have to deal with them for acouple of hours aday, I figured that wasn't going to be to serious of a problem. Plus working with Matt well want can I say, that guy is very patient (though I think I did see acouple of time where that was tested). The kids I was warned about, well the one young man was one of the best in the class that I worked in, he was one of the hardest workers and though it didn't look it at times I believe he listen better than most. Morgan I doubt that you will read this but I was thoroughly impressed with how you did all week.
Susan and I won't get to finish the VBS with you all. We have some traveling plans and we will be in the air by the time you guys are getting started tonight. We will pray for continued success with VBS and to all the students and teachers and of course the Volunteers that are helping our Pastor Chris out. Especially my thanks goes out to a few people that I thought really was going over the top. Janet Rollins Pastor Chris's wife, as well as Wes Roberts our new Youth Pastor. I want to thank Matt Beam who asked me to serve with him, I sure hope Matt I wasn't too big of a pain and I hope I helped you out where ever you needed.
Susan and I will see you Sunday after next.

This Week

2008-07-17T10:15:00.000-07:00

Holy Mackerel it is the middle of July and I have hardly posted at all.

This week Susan and I have been volunteering at our church with Vacation Bible School. We have had alot of fun and I would like to think made a difference in some children's lives. Susan has been assisting our good friend Kathy's class room with the kids being in the age of about 6 - 8. While I have been helping Kathy's husband and our good friend Matt in his class with kids age 9 - 11. Matt and I have about 10 kids in our class and what a range of attitudes. I would like to say most of the attitudes are very good and helpful, but we are speaking of the real world here so they range from am too cool to be here (while still having a good time) to I know am cool, so am going to show everyone by not answering your questions to I know everything and everyone cause my Mom and Dad are major players in the church, with alot of stuff in-between. Sounds terrible I know, and if it bothers you well then maybe it hits too close to home. Either way am not offering an apology. The main reason is cause the majority of the kids are great and am sure it is the age of the kids, but some of it comes straight from home and what the kids see either directly or indirectly from their parents.

I know, I know. When you make a post in your blog everything is suppose to be nice a rosey. I don't fill that way today and my next post will shed some light on that. Here are some Pic's from this week at Vacation Bible School. Oh by the way has any noticed the title of this Blog? if you have, have you ever seen a post by Susan? or how about a comment from Susan? me neither. Now she will give you some BS about not knowing the user name or password, but I have given it to her acouple of times. Am thinking I may change the name to something like "Life and Times of Bill Who is Married to Susan but she doesn't have anything to say" Little wordy but it might work.

Having Fun at the Lake

2008-07-05T16:49:00.001-07:00

Patti and Shelby

Rachel watching the fireworkds.

Susan and Lilly along with me

being brave!

The Daughter and Granddaughter came down for a visit and we went out to the lake. Everyone had a great time over the 4th of July. The whole week was great. Susan and I couldn't get alot of time off from work while they were here. They still had a great time. I think they went to the beach 3 or 4 times I was able to make it out there one of those times. We also went to the Riverdogs game with the kids and stayed for the fireworks after the game.

A Week

2008-06-02T07:11:00.000-07:00

It has been just about a week since my last post. Susan and I have been fairly busy with different things but mostly just relaxing. As my last post said we got back from Denver last Tuesday night. Wednesday we went to work, but I went in late. We went and picked Sassy up from her week at Doggy Day Care. She was over joyed to see us and was ready to come home and chase squirrels. Thursday evening Susan and I went to watch David whom is the son of our very good friends Matt and Kathy play some baseball. Friday hmmm what did we do on Friday oh yes! A good Friend turned 50 on Friday so we had alot of fun with him. Here are some of the pic's I took. A few of us got together after work and took Joe out to Dinner for his birthday and went to Texas Roadhouse. Saturday lets see what did we do on Saturday ah yes Yard work, Fun and more fun. Saturday night we went to watch the Charleston Riverdogs beat the Hickory Crawdads 2-0. Good game. Sunday by far was the best day. I missed the 2 previous weeks of church. 3 weeks ago I was sick and figured it was a better plan to stay home and get some rest and I didn't want to go and be the cause of epidemic of sickness at the church and of course last Sunday we were in Denver visiting Susan's family. I didn't realize how much I had missed of church till I got back there and got to see all of the church family. Everyone of very nice and wanted to know where I had been and how I was doing. It was great to get back and see everyone.

Home!

2008-05-28T10:49:00.001-07:00

We finally made it home last night. Joe our friend picked us up at 11:45pm and I finally crawled into bed around 12:30am. I didn't mention in the previous post that on the leg from Denver to Memphis, we were sitting behind and young man about 8yrs old, well he didn't feel too chipper and you guessed it, lunch was brought back up and down between the seats. We were doing okay for most of it, except when the smell started to come up into our faces.... ohhh boy soo much fun. Susan and I didn't get sick but all I can say was our FUN METER was pegged all the way over into the red. I had to take the batteries out before I burned mine up. Susan has alittle blue backpack that was under the seat in front of us and it was all over that. FUN!

You know going and visiting family is a good thing and it's something that both Susan and I look forward to. We had a really great time, but coming home to sleep in your own bed and to be able to stretch out on your own couch and watch what you want to on TV, maybe scratch yourself and burp out loud or better yet let alittle fart go (that is when Susan isn't in the room) well not too much can beat that. We missed you all, and look forward to seeing each of you in the next few days.

Thunderstorm in Memphis

2008-05-27T17:55:00.001-07:00

We made it to Memphis and made our connection just in time for a thunderstorm to stop everything. So here we sit on the jet going no where fast.

Headed Home

2008-05-27T14:54:00.001-07:00

Leaving Denver about 30 minutes late. Thx Northwest.
Loving Life-Living Large

Early Start

2008-05-24T12:37:00.001-07:00

I got a early start this morning. John (Susan's brother -N- law) and I got up and was out the door by 6:30. Our tee time was at 6:50. The round went good and no my golf ball didn't find that water you see. We met up with the women folk for lunch at Fudd Ruckers Mmmm Good.

More Baseball

2008-05-23T19:50:00.001-07:00

Here is a pic that I took of Susan's family at the baseball game. I have been threatened with my life for posting this but I figured what the heck. From left to right is John, Ginny, and Amber you can't see Amber's husband but he is there.

Lunch is Served

2008-05-23T18:52:00.001-07:00

Mongolian BBQ here in Denver is good, but not as good as the one we use to have in Charleston. I have been told that this isn't a very good video and I do admit that it looks very disgusting, but hey it tasted good.

Baseball Rockies Style

2008-05-23T18:29:00.001-07:00

Watching the Rockies play the Mets @ Coors Field. 1st innging and the Rocks are up 2 - 0 and the innging isn't over. The Rockies went on to win the game in 13 innings 6-5. We didn't get back to the house until midnight. John (Susan's brother -n- law) and I have a tee time of 6:50 gonna be a early morning.

Golf Denver Style

2008-05-23T18:17:00.001-07:00

Had a great time golfing today. Went to Racoon Creek Golf Course. The day was alittle cloudy but the golf was great.

Mile High

2008-05-22T10:01:00.001-07:00

We have arrived. 45 minutes late but we are here. Fun to begin right away.
Loving Life-Living Large

Memphis Layover

2008-05-22T05:59:00.001-07:00

Arrived in Memphis with a 50 minute layover. Time enough to party.
Loving Life-Living Large

Leaving On a JetPlane

2008-05-22T03:35:00.001-07:00

Susan and I are set to leave for Denver. See you'll when we get back.
Loving Life-Living Large!

Some Pic's from the Ice

2008-05-15T07:41:00.001-07:00

You all know that Susan and I have spent time in Antarctic, specifically at McMurdo Station. I have been going through some of our photo and found these and thought I would add them to this blog. Both of the pic's were taken during our last season on the ice which was from Aug 05-Feb 06. These pic's your taken during January time frame. The first one with the cross was taken off of Hut Point Peninsula which is just across Winter Quarter Bay. The cross was put there as memorial for a sailor that went through the ice as he was moving supplies around with his bulldozer in 1956. The same Sailor has a airfield named for him down there Williams Field .

The second pic was taken near Scott Base. As you look at it you can see Mt Erebus in the back ground. It is a active volcano on Ross Island. I hope you check on out a few of the links on this post and learn alittle bit about the place that Susan and I met. Susan and I have a ton of Pic's from different seasons and of different things at McMurdo and other places we have seen. If we get any comments about seeing some of these other photo's we will post them on here with a few comments.

Can You Say Relaxed?

2008-05-12T04:53:00.001-07:00

Susan taking a nap. While we floated on the river.

Bill sitting back and just enjoying the day.

Sorry it has been so long since I have really posted anything, so I will try over the next few days to catch up on all the things that have taken place over the last few weeks. Here is our Weekend post. This Mother's Day weekend went by without too much excitement. This was the 1st time that we had the boat in salt water. We put the boat in at Bushy Park Boat Ramp and headed out to Ft. Sumter. We floated around there, since we weren't sure that we could take Sassy into the Fort we decided not to go ashore for a look see. We will save that for the next visit and we will leave Sassy at home. After Ft Sumter we motored around over to Morris Is. and anchored off the beach and watched some dolphin play while we ate our picnic lunch. After the wind started picking up we headed back up the Cooper River. We went quite a ways up the river and shut the engine off and just floated down the Cooper. Things got alittle dicey when I looked up and decided I didn't like the look of that dark cloud that was moving very fast towards us, that is when we got alittle bit excited. We got everything latched down in the boat and headed back to the boat ramp. We were able to get the boat loaded onto the trailer and got everything in the truck, just before the Thunderstorm cut loose on us. For a Mothers Day gift Susan got a 11/2 hour visit to Stella Nova Day Spa that covered the hour body massage and another 1/2hr for just a foot massage. I spent the time have a cold frosty beverage while watching the Player's Golf Tournament at the SouthEnd Brewery. I got a big kiss when it was done. She was very happy. I think made some serious Brownie points.

Sassy

2008-05-10T12:43:00.001-07:00

Sassy at Fort Sumter

Lilly's dance school

2008-04-28T14:55:00.001-07:00

got to see this while we were in Indiana.

Just Another Day Getting to Work on a Rainy Morning

2008-04-03T05:22:00.000-07:00

How many times do we come to work in the morning with the rain and we have to sit and wait, because someone couldn't wait. Or we decide to take a different route believing that we have out thought everyone else just to find out that everyone else thought the same thing. How about this for a strange and almost out of this world thought. When it is nasty weather. Everyone leave alittle earlier and slow down oh and don't act STUPID and we all get to where we want to go on time without having a big dent in our car. 2 days this week and 1 last week we have had some minor weather move through here and I say minor without hesitation. What is the matter with some of these people? I know that we all have someplace to be and we all would like to get there on time, but if you don't know how to drive in rainy weather take a bus or cab and leave the roads to people that understand that you can slow down and let someone in front of you or if you know that you have to get over do so alittle bit early behind someone so that you don't cut someone off, without bringing one of the Seven Angels of the Armageddon upon the earth. Hopefully I haven't blasphemed God. Holy Mackerel people slow down just alittle bit. We all will get there.

Holy Mackerel-The Secret to Lifes Joys. It isn't a Secret.

2008-03-31T11:49:00.000-07:00

This Sunday our Pastor spoke about a new book that has really been flying off the bookshelves at the bookstores. "The Secret" is the name of the book. I guess this book as been featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show and the New York's Best Sellers List for some time. Now I guess am not very sophisticated because neither Oprah or the New York Times Best Sellers list has never been my 1st place for me to pick out a book, none the less I understand this book is all the rage!

The Author of the book Rhonda Byrne has written this book and it is suppose to help you achieve just about anything that you want. How does it do this you might ask. Through some special list of websites that will gain you all of your worldly and maybe some off world wishes no. The Secret explains with simplicity the law that is governing all lives, and offers the knowledge of how to create - intentionally and effortlessly - a joyful life. This is the secret to everything - the secret to unlimited happiness, love, health and prosperity.

Now Pastor Chris wasn't giving it his endorsement though I think his opinion counts for alot more than Oprah atleast from my prospective. What he was doing was comparing Ms. Byrne's Book of "The Secret" to a book that holds no secrets at all, it is there for all to read it is the Bible and in particular the Book of Philippians. Now if you are unaware of the book of Philippians, it is a letter from Paul to the Congregation at Philippi and it professes his love and admiration of these people. Pastor Chris has told us to prepare for a quiz next week. The verse that we need to study and remember is Philippians 1:6 "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." That verse definitely keeps me hopeful of my own growth as not only a father and husband but also a Christ Follower. I can hardly wait for the next part in this series. You are doing a great job Chris.

This Weekend

2008-03-31T05:36:00.001-07:00

Busy, Busy. That was this weekend. Didn't have much time to watch any basketball, but since my Hoosiers got knocked out in the 1st round and my bracket got trashed in the 2nd round I have only been partly interested in the NCAA Tournament. Friday night started with shopping for a Power Washer. Did my research on Consumer Reports and decided to go with the Craftsman 2550 Max PSI Pressure Washer. The fact that it was on sell did not hurt my feelings at all. Now of course what does this mean. It means that I have to wash something of course that would be hmmm lets see just about anything that needs to be washed and that is outside. Namely the house. The only thing that saved me on that was the fact that the weather this weekend was not really conducive to alot of water activities. Did get alot of the spring cleaning done in the house and some in the garage. After Church on Sunday (see following post) picked up the boat from the storage unit and took it home and washed it... it was nasty. Then we took it over to a friends house who offered there back yard as a storage place. Now this is very nice of them, because I was paying 116.00 amonth for the storage unit now am not paying anything, very nice. So now with a big ole pressure washer sitting in the garage I have to wait till the weather gets nicer so that I can clean all the winter grime off of the side of the house. If am really lucky I might be able to stave that off for aleast another month. Wish me luck!

Far Flung Locations

2008-03-27T09:16:00.001-07:00

Research Vessel Laurence M Gould at Palmer Station

South Pole Station

Many of you know that I am a Weather Forecaster that works for a company that has a contract with the Federal Government (USAP)to provide forecasts for the aircraft and research vessels that move, and fly to, from and around the Antarctic Continent here are a couple of pic's current as of 27 March 1200 Local Charleston SC. time for a couple of places that the team of forecasters forecast for.

On this Date

2008-03-26T03:25:00.000-07:00

On this date in 1997
The 39 bodies of Heaven's Gate members are found in a mansion in Santa Fe, CA. The group had committed suicide thinking that they would be picked up by a spaceship following behind the comet Hale-Bopp.
I remember this story and some of the details that came out from it. As my journey through the bible goes I recall the scripture of 2 Timothy 4:2-4. Hard to understand these people. Easy enough to make some sort of joke and am sure that if we listened to Leno or Letterman at the time there were plenty of jokes to go around, and am sure I did the same thing at the time. Really though it is sad, that these people couldn't except the simple truth that is given to us through the Word of God in the Bible. Or was it that no one took the time to show them the word and help them understand. I sure hope that if I am given the chance to talk to someone like this at sometime I don't just simple pass them by and not give them at least the chance to see what is really there for us. Just a thought as the day goes by.

Pastor Chris & wife Janet

2008-03-25T11:24:00.001-07:00

having a good time at the UNLEASED conference.

Took me awhile but I finally got it online.

54 Years ago?

2008-03-25T09:53:00.000-07:00

54 years ago.. no that wasn't when I was born. Am fairly sure I wasn't even a twinkle in my Father's eyes at that point. 54 years ago, WOW can you believe that it has been that long since the 1st Color televisions started coming off the assembly lines? The RCA company started mass production of their model CT-100 a 15" screen. Mind you now that RCA wasn't the 1st to make color TV's they are the ones that got the mass production going first and fast. I did a short bit of research and found that the 1st color TVs cost over $1000.00 that is a lot of money now, can you imagine what it would have been like in 1954. Just a bit of comparisons the average annual income was just over 4,100. The medium home prices your just about 22,000. A average price car cost somewhere between 1600-3000. The price of gas was .23 cents. I was just looking at the price of a TV now for a Philips Color HDTV 19" is less than $300.00. Now here is the reason why I bring this up. The average home cost over $200,000 the average price of car is somewhere near $18,000 - 23,000 the price of gas is over 3.00 a gallon. The average annual income in the US today for just one wage earner is near $36,000. We have improved the television by atleast 100% yet the cost has decreased by more than 70%. We have gone from an average of 3 channels to 100+ and if you count all the silly music channels that they say you have then you have over 150 channels. The question comes up. Why isn't there anything worth watching on Television. Just a short thought I had today.

Kids (You have to love'em)

2008-03-19T11:12:00.000-07:00

I listen to my younger friends that have kids much younger than my own. My daughter is 28 and my son is 24. I have to say I love my children and wouldn't trade them for the world. On most days. Most of my younger friends have kids in the age group of 12-18yrs. They talk about all the issues that my ex-wife and I dealt with more than 10yrs ago. Nothing seems to change all the same issues come up and for the most part most of the same solutions are used to solve them. The friends of mine that have kids in the same age group as my own talk about how we are all going through the same things with little details being the only difference. I would like to think that after whatever amount of time humans have roamed the planet, us parents would have come up with some sure fired solutions to these problems but so far no luck.

My daughter is having issues with her job and her boss. Nothing so terrible as sexual harassment or anything like that. He is a doctor and he is a doctor that doesn't understand all the issues of running a office all he wants to do is see patients and see the money coming in. My daughters job involves the billing part, you know the part that has to deal with insurance companies and people that haven't paid their share of the bill. Well he is giving her a hard time and she is having second thoughts about working for him. I only wish that when I was 28 that I had the option of telling my boss to shove it. Am fairly sure though the military would have had serious issues with that. My daughter has a 7yr old daughter and she lives with my parents she says that she wants to get out on her own but she hasn't proved anything to me. My parents don't help the issue cause they don't want their Great-Granddaughter to move out.

My son who is married to a sweet, very lovely WORKAHOLIC. Now most people would say that is great a 23yr old woman that is working hard a Hard Charger. Think about that, just think about that for a moment. She is going to school for her Masters, she is working 12hours a day and oh by the way gets paid a huge 8.50 an hour and you say 12 hours aday that is alot of over time, uh no. Now all you Union lovers out there get this she donates 4 hours aday without pay. I know Jimmy Hoffa has rolled over in whatever grave the Mob put him in, plus she donates alot of time to acouple of different charities there in Terra Haute. When she comes home she expects the house to be clean and picked up and dinner on the table. My son, the same boy that I couldn't get him to pick dirty socks for 3 weeks till they walked into the laundry room by themselves. Now mined you I would love my son to work alittle harder than say a mushroom (his current pace) I guess that isn't fair, when he does work he works hard... The issue is he works on a golf course and if it is possible he may play as much as he works. Now before you ask where can you sign up. He only gets paid 8.00 an hour. My point is how can you have a wife, a decent car and a decent home, mind you I didn't say nice car or nice home on 8.00 an hour plus her 8.50 an hour. I guess if you are happy with what you have, that is great.
I will say it again I love my kids. I feel so blessed that they are healthy they aren't living with me (Love ya Mom, Dad) they aren't in prison and they don't asked for money too often. I Would do just about anything I could for them. Come to think of it I have just about done anything already.

Unleased!

2008-03-18T06:02:00.001-07:00

3 days in a row I have posted, I know... most of you are saying how can someone have so much to say while at the same time say nothing. I might take a job as a politician.
This post is about something that I did on Thursday of this last week. A small group of us from my Church Coastal Community Church went to a conference a little Church in Anderson, SC Called NewSprings. this conference was called Unleashed! It was the second year for this conference and I have to say it was Outstanding. I didn't know what to expect since I hadn't been to one of these conferences before but I would say that it met all of my expectations and overflowed me with a sense of being a part of something great, and that would be a life renewed and reborn with Christ at the center. If you have never heard of Pastor Perry Noble he is a passionate speaker for his cause. His cause is very simple bring lost people to Christ. Next years conference is already set up for the 12th of March and I told my wife that she should plan to come with me. I plan on telling as many people I know how much this conference will mean to them, and hopefully get a alot more people there to share it with us.

March 17 Saint Patrick's Day

2008-03-17T05:41:00.000-07:00

I think we all know the basic story of St Patrick. The one where he drove all the poisons snakes out of Ireland or the story of using the three-leafed shamrock to explain the concept of the Trinity. But did you know that he wasn't born in Ireland, he was born sometime between 373AD and 390AD in either Scotland or England under Roman rule. Did you know that his father was Roman army officer. As a young boy we was kidnapped by pirates and sold into slavery in Ireland. The story goes on to to say After 6 yrs of slavery he was given a vision from God to escape. When he did escape he went to France and joined a monastery and studied for 12 yrs. God directed him to go back to Ireland and bring the word of God to the Pagans.

On this date in 1998 On this date in 2003

Max Temp: 51F and Min Temp: 46F Max Temp: 62F and Min Temp: 53F

Precipitation: .23in (rain) Precipitation: .31in (rain)

Monday Afternoon: A Strong Canadian High pressure has built in over the east coast bringing sunny but cool weather. You can expect to keep that early spring weather over the area for the next couple of days. Winds will be coming in from the North-Northeast 3-7mph.

Monday Night: Great sleeping weather. My suggestion is to open that window and enjoy some fresh air, that is if you can tolerate the pollen count which will remain high. Winds will continue to swing around to the East-Northeast and increase slightly through the night 5-10mph after midnight.

High Temp: 63F Low Temp: 48F

Tuesday: High pressure continues to dominate the weather patter but it will continue to slide off to the east as new system in the Great Plains makes it's way eastward. Expect increasing clouds through the day but sun will continue to rule the day. Winds will continue to be light 5-10mph from the East early and increase as it swings around to the Southeast.

Tuesday Night: Another great night for sleeping with the windows open don't forget about that pollen. Some high clouds will move in but other than those you will have a good night to view the stars. Wind will continue to swing around from the South-Southeast 8-12mph.

High Temp: 68F Low Temp: 53F

Wednesday Outlook: Increasing clouds as the next storm system moves into the area. Expect mostly cloudy skies, winds from the South-Southwest 10-15 with gust over 20 by mid-day. Rain and rainshowers are possible by late morning but the better chance will be a afternoon time frame. Isolated thunderstorms are likely late afternoon and early evening.

High Temp: 70F Low Temp: 58F

Changes and Ecclesiastes 3:1

2008-03-16T15:21:00.000-07:00

Changes, and more changes. The fact that I have 47+ years on this earth I don't worry or wonder too long on why things have to change. I don' t know I would like to think that it is the fact that am getting more WISE or is it just am so overwhelmed with the daily things that just keep coming at me.
Several changes have been going on in my Church, Coastal Community Church and I don't fully understand them all. I accept that people will come and people will go, but with the loss of some of these young friends I feel another deeper loss, almost as if a member of my family has moved away and I don't know when am going to see them again. Am not sure why they felt like they needed to go, but am sure they had their reasons. I sure hope it wasn't anything I did or anything that I didn't do. Did I not spend enough time getting to know them or did I not invest enough time with them. Will they miss my wife and I as much as we will miss them. I don't know if we will find out. The fact that am older then these young people I feel as if I may have let them down, not that anything was expected of me, but maybe if I had taken more time and gave them a little extra attention then they wouldn't have felt a need to leave. I don't know could be that am reading too much into it. One thing I do know is someone a lot wiser than me said it best when he said "There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven."

Daily Forecast for 29 Febuary 2008

2008-02-29T09:21:00.000-08:00

On this date in 2004
Max Temp 67 Min Temp 29

Friday: High pressure will dominate the weather pattern over the region today. Expect mostly sunny today with a few clouds forming late this afternoon. High temperatures will range into the upper 50's inland to low 60's along the coast. Winds will be from the SE 5-10mph throughout the day.

Friday Night: High pressure will slowly give way to the approaching cold front from the west. Winds will increase slightly from the SW 10-15mph overnight. Increasing clouds will bring mostly cloudy skies to the area after midnight, with only a very slight chance of light rainshowers after midnight. Low temperatures will bottom out into the mid to upper 40's, as the cloud cover keeps us alittle warmer tonight then the last couple nights.

High Temp: 58 Low Temp: 45

Saturday: Approaching cold front will still be off to our west by mid-morning. Expect Mostly cloudy skies with winds from the SW 12-18mph. We should have frontal passage by mid-day bringing with it a increase chance of light rainshowers for the middle part of the day. By late afternoon with the weak cold front through the area expect winds to swing around out of the W-SW and clouds to clear out and become partly cloudy. High temperatures will top out into the mid to upper 60's.

Saturday Night: High pressure building back in over the area will help reduce the cloud cover. Expect Partly cloudy skies to become mostly clear by midnight. Winds will continue to swing around to the NW with speeds of 8-12mph over night. Low tempatures will creep down to the low 40's.

High Temp: 67 Low Temp 42F

The Weatherman

2008-02-29T07:48:00.000-08:00

I have been thinking that since my job is as a forecaster though I don't forecast for this area. Why not give it a shot. After the Air Force finished training me they sent me to Savannah Ga to Hunter Army Air Field and that is the 1st place I got certified to forecast weather. Now I haven't forecasted for the SE United States since I left Georgia in 1991, but I figured what the heck I will give it a shot and see how well I do compared to the TV forecasters in the area. Now let me set some ground rules. 1st these forecasts are just my interpretation of the weather models and I will not be held liable for any inaccuracies (of each there won't be any). 2nd I will try and put a forecast out each morning and each evening that I get a chance to do it. The forecast will be for 24 hours with a 48 hour outlook that will inclued High and Low temperature forecast and precipation chance. 3rd The area I will forecast for will be for the within 10 miles of Charleston Air Force Base. And 4th as I get more accustomed to this blog format I will try and add extra features such as Satellite and Radar Links. If any of you out there would like to participate in this little experiment then you can post your observations on here for the local area. I will add some descriptions of basic weather observations that you can use to describe the weather. I know acouple of you home school your children and if you would like I would be happy to give alittle presentation of how a weather forecast is put together. Maybe you could get your kids involved by having them take and record weather observation and post them on here.

Once Again

2008-02-28T09:58:00.000-08:00

Once again, I have let too much time go by since my last entry. Alot has been going on so I figured I would jump in there and say Hi to everyone, and let you all know what is new. First the Antarctic Summer Season has come to and end and for those of you who know me, you know that means am back to something that resembles a normal life style. Working Monday - Friday with weekends and Holidays off. Schools is going by slowly and not getting any easier, I have decided to take the spring semester off due to my busy schedule, but to start back in the summer. Lincoln was able to come down here from Terre Haute and spend the better part of a week with Susan and I, we loved having him down here just wished his wife our daughter-n-law could have made the trip as well,,, oh well maybe next time. One thing coming up is baseball season, a buddy of mine and I are headed down to Vero Beach Florida to watch some spring training baseball and play some golf (hard to beat that) and I love baseball, the only thing that would have made it any better would have been if Susan could have gotten some time off work and could make the trip. Well I think that really brings you up to date. I hope now that the worked season has shifted so that am working straight days I will be able to jump in here alittle more often.

Let's catch up

2008-02-01T07:42:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone, I know I have been lazy and not made any postings of late. Lazy, busy, I don't know, it is one or another. Let's start off with all is well with Susan and I, she is going to be heading to Gatlinburg Tn this afternoon for a all ladies weekend with some friends. So am all alone. atleast till Sunday afternoon. Well I will be with my Church family Sunday morning so am very much looking forward to that.
Some things I would like to get you updated on. My goal of loosing 10lbs by Valentines day is more than half way there. I weighed myself this morning and I had lost 6lbs and since it is 2 weeks to go, I think I can make the extra 4lbs without too much sacrafices. Since it is Superbowl weekend and we all know that there is almost as much eating before during and after the Superbowl, I might need the full 2 weeks to get that 4lbs. Also am fully involved in my 2 college classes so the goal of improving my mind and body are hopefully headed in the right direction.
Good news, I don't have to go back on night shifts. One of my co-workers asked me if she could have the last 2 or 3 weeks of my night shifts. Well after severl anginzing seconds ( I think about 3) I said sure, she could have all the night shifts that she wants. Now it isn't like am not giving up something for this, the whole 3 dollars extra I earn for the shift differential you get for any hours worked from 6pm to 6am, so I do have to make alittle sacrifice. But that extra 36 dollars a shift just isn't that important to me atleast not as important as sleep. Besides I still get that little extra money when I work the weekends even it it is a day shift.
I think that catches us up on things atleast from my end. I doubt that my kids read this so to all the others that read it, let me know what is going on with you.

A Call to Commitment?

2008-01-13T03:24:00.000-08:00

A few days ago, my Pastor read a blog written by a Minister of a church in California http://www.saddlebackfamily.com/home/today.asp. No it isn't one of those type churches we read about that somehow either come from California or Idaho or Oregon where people believe that when the next comet flies by we all need to drink poison Kool-Aid so that we may ascend to it and hitch a ride to our next life. No, this is what could only be described as a normal church that you would find just about anywhere especially here in Charleston.
In this blog the Minister of the church, Rick Warren challenged his congregation and every Christian to make a commitment to God. I could copy it and put it in my blog but since I put the link to the website above you can go there and read it or better yet visit my pastors blog and read it there http://www.coastalcommunitychurch.org/Blog/.
Now let's get to the point of this posting in this contract and I say contract cause you are promising to do something and you are signing and dating it. This contract asks you to make a Radical Commitment. Since I gave you 2 websites to visit so that you may read it I won't go into a great deal of detail, but here is my question since I have accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior and that I have be baptised, haven't already made that commitment. Haven't I gave my word to the most powerful being in the Universe? What signed paper can take the place of that. If you are the type of person that needs to have a signed paper shown to you each time a decision has to be made then I don't think you are the type of person that fully gave your life over to the Lord in the 1st place.
I suppose that this contract could be like a Marriage License except that you don't sign and give the Marriage License to your spouse you give it the State so that they can file it away. I know it could the "outward symbol" of the inner agreement that you have already made to the Lord, but I don't think I need that to show my commitment and I don't need to show it to a single person on this planet if I live my life to the Glory God, that will be my proof. If I haven't lived my life as I should then what good would the paper be. The only judgement that I should be concerned with will come when I stand at the Thrown of God and he opens that "Book of Life"
Sorry Pastor Chris this contract does not jack me up, it even may concern me. knowwhere in it does it ask for the help or guidence from God, It says in it "I won't be captivated by culture, manipulated by critics, motivated by praise, frustrated by problems, debilitated by temptation, or intimidated by the devil" sounds great that is one heck of a promise when as I know so very well as a humble sinner that isn't something that I can do. Even with the help of the Holy Spirit, temptation will come across my path and I will slip. I will once again get down on my knees and ask for forgiveness. If I in one of my moments of weakness fall short of the promise this Pastor wants me to sign does it null and void the contract? Read the end it doesn't even want you to Swear to God, it only asks you to Affirm, talk about waffling? I sure hope I didn't "step in it" as the saying goes but that is how I read it. Maybe am reading too much into it, maybe it isn't speaking to me. I don't know maybe it isn't even for Christians, maybe it for those that have not come to know Christ, someone that has been sitting on the sidelines. I don't know maybe it is one those way to connect with the people that has been away from God. But according to the challenge it is for his church and Christians everywhere.

First Assignment

2008-01-08T18:38:00.001-08:00

I have turned in my first assignment of one of the classes I started taking. Computer Information Systems. In my blog entry of January 2nd 2008 I listed several things I wanted to get done in 2008. #5 on the list was to improve my brain. In the endeavor to accomplish this I signed up for acouple of college course at Strayer University. My very good friend and fellow Coastal Community Church member who also is the Admissions Manager at the local campus Cyndi Brown worked with me and help me select the classes that I could take online. Since I work rotating shifts during this time of year online courses seemed like the best plan. I feel pretty good about myself. Now I have to wait and see what kind of grade I will get, that will bring me back to reality. I will blog more on my adventure as a college student. Could make for some humorous reading, am sure after some time I will be able to come back to these post and get a good laugh.

Day Watch

2008-01-07T08:26:00.000-08:00

Hotdog! Am back on the day watch. Sun light it is a awesome thing. Some of you may not understand (you could go back and read some of my previous posts) but I hate the night watch. Now the only problem is getting up at 445am, that is a bit early, no I won't complain all I will say is that I need to win the PowerBall Lottery so that I can sleep in till ohh I don' t know say 8am... I think that would be reasonable. Don't worry when I win the lotto, and won't remember any of my small friends oops I mean I won't forget any of my best friends... yea that is what I meant to say.

Define Yourself

2008-01-05T13:34:00.000-08:00

Self Righteous Religious People

Humbe Sinner

My pastor said something in his blog http://www.coastalcommunitychurch.org/Blog/ that got me to thinking and yes I did send up a short prayer. He said "It's about sharing the good news of God's grace through Jesus and letting Him change lives! Self-righteous religious people squirm and get their toes crunched. Humble sinners get their lives changed!" The reference for this short quote from his blog was that he was struggling with his message for the congregation this week. What I was hoping and preying about was I hope I never get described as a self-righteous person.
When it comes time for me to define myself that I use actions as described by the Disciples of Christ and share the Good NEWS and let my life be a witness to his Grace to the people that need it the most. I know that am a sinner and without the Grace of God, I have no chance of everlasting life.
Pastor Chris my toes out there and am NOT going to tuck them in. Bring on that message! Let's see how many lives can be changed.

Humble Sinner

Mid-Night Shifts

2008-01-04T06:06:00.000-08:00

Well I just finished with the last mid watch. I have been working these midz for what seems like forever but has only been just over a month. The work schedule we have, puts us on a rotation of 28 days or something like that. So you work 28 shifts of Midz and then you switch over to 28 shifts of Day Watches. The swifts are either from 6am till 6pm or 6pm to 6am. Am now on the Day watch starting Monday the 7th and I just can't tell you how much am looking forward to sleeping when your suppose to sleep and being awake when a normal human being is awake.

LIST OF THINGS I WANT TO GET DONE IN 2008

2008-01-02T17:20:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year everyone, or should I say the 2 or 3 people that read this blog. Am not sure but I don't think my wife even reads it. Well it is the 2nd of January and all the holidays and hoop-la seems to be over. Did you survive or did you do more than survive did you enjoy yourself? Did you get some time off from your normal life and get involved in the holiday events? As for myself, things have been fairly normal. Since my work schedule is all screwed up anyway it isn't hard to stay normal if there is such a thing.
My last blog entry was the Bill Brown's TOP STORIES for 2007. I figured I would start this year out with my entry of Top Things I want to get done it 2008. As I have been thinking over this list for the last few days especially since I put together Top Stories of 2007. The one thing I have figured out is that this could be a ever changing list. So what I have decided to do is make sure that the things I put down on the list are truly things that are important to me and achievable. Though there are somethings on this list that are more important to me the the others there is no particular order for what I have put down. First few are very easy and I believe no brainers.

1. Be a better Christian. Follow up my words, with actions. I ask God to give me the strength to be whatever he envisions me to be, and to help point me in the right direction.

2. Be a better Husband. Susan deserves the very best that I can provide in both material as well as emotional support. She has always supported me in everything I have done, I can certainly do the same for her.

3. Be a better Father. Though my kids are grown, like any other parent I worry about them. There are so many things out there that can distract them from the right path (not the path that I want them on) just the right path to being a good person. I want to respect their decisions and choices more. ( I hope that they can choose to come visit a little more often)

4. Be a better Son. Though I live more than a few miles from my parents, I find that I think of them more often than ever, maybe it is cause they are growing older and I know there are less years in front of us then are behind us.

5. Improve My Brain. Am have already signed up for some college classes with intentions of opening up other opportunities for myself.

6. Improve My Body. Now that the holidays are over, I have full intentions to loose and to keep off several pounds. My short term goal is to loose 10 pounds by Valentine's day and the long term goal is to loose 50lbs by my 48th Birthday.

7. Be a better employee. Now this is a hard one. Am not sure why. I guess it involves improving my attitude, and at 47 that isn't an easy thing to do. ( See #1 )

8. Travel. I want to travel somewhere new this year, of course I want to do this every year. See something I have never seen before.

9. Do a Better job of Saving Money. Though I believe Susan and I do a better job the then average couple we can do even better. I will do better. (fewer lunches out of the office and more brownbags with carrots and more healthy food. (See #6)

10. Get alot more Organized. This is one thing that I know I have been getting better at. Certainly I have had been lax at times but I can do better and will.

11. Do a better job leaving the problems at work. Leaving the office at the office and not bring the issues home with me.

12. Improve my Driving Habits. I will improve my attitude. I will strive to be a more considerate and observant driver.

Well that is my list. What do you think? Can I make it? I have my work cut out for me. Pray for me I need all the help I can get.

End of the Year

2007-12-29T20:59:00.000-08:00

WOW,, another year has gone by. Amazing how fast it flies. I have to say this has been a very exciting year. Alot of things have happen in my life. All the newspapers/magazines and news websites along with all the TV networks have the most important issues of the year list a sorta TOP STORIES OF THE YEAR we all have seen them and read them and we all have thought how we might change the list around what we thought was the most important. Well I have come up with the Bill Brown TOP STORIES of 2007. I don't think Newsweek will rush to use my list and am sure CNN will have a completely different list. My list isn't centered on the war in Iraq or Afghanistan, or the politicians or the weather, which I agree as my life goes those are way more important, but I have some issues that have been important to me and really in some cases have completely changed my life. Here they go if you read any that you think you would like to make a comment on, go ahead I will read with interest.

1. Getting Baptised. I was 46 years old and not Baptised. I had prayed for quite awhile and after talking it over with my pastor made the decision to give over my life to my Heavenly Father. Thanks Pastor Chris, and all my Church Family. Add to that I got Baptised with my wife out at Folly Beach, SC. What a day that was.

2. Family Speaking Again. This one almost won out as the most important for me. Alittle history first. June 2003 my Mom and I had a bad argument and from that time on till May of 2007 she nor my Dad would speak to me. It was really a silly argument and one that I could have easily let go, but I didn't. I thought I was right and I was going to prove a point. Well I didn't like the outcome almost 4 years of silence from my parents, that was alittle rough. I had come to except it and didn't try to push myself onto my parents. Then during my niece's Graduation weekend, Susan and I went to my brother's house in Texas and so did my parents. to make a long story short by the time the weekend was over we were very much a family again.
3. Sons Marriage. My one and only Son got married in June, it was a very special week. Since my Mom and I were getting along Susan and I stayed at the house. The bride was beautiful and the weather was great.

4. Anniversary. I made it through my 1st Anniversary with Susan. How I got this lucky could be the story of the century. This woman is about as remarkable as you can ever imagine, but as things go for 2007 it is story #4.

5. Boat. July Susan and I bought a boat as you can see on my blog we have had a great time with it.

6. Addition to the family. Susan and I got a little puppy. We got ourselves a short legged Jack Russell. She has been so much fun. I was alittle worried after reading about how much energy a Jack Russell has and how much attention one needs, but Sassy has been awesome, and talk about smart am alittle worried that am now the 3rd smartest in house.

7. Vacation. Took my first cruses. Susan and I took the kids and we went on a 5 day cruse through the Caribbean. Our granddaughter had a great time as well. Susan and I got to swim with the Stingrays in the Grand Caymans, and we walked up Dunn's Falls in Jamaica, and that water was cold. Who can forget watching my granddaughter petting the dolphines.

I guess that would top my list. How about yours, what are your top stories from this past year?

WOW,, been a while!

2007-11-16T13:22:00.000-08:00

Yes it has been quit awhile since my last post and Alot of things have been going on. First let me say that my son seems to have gotten things under control. Control now that is a funny word isn't it. Well he seems to have gotten things lined up so that he can atleast keep some control over his life. Time will tell.

My daughter has gotten a new job and seems to like it, it certainly it pays more than working in daycare. She was very upset at not be able to take my granddaughter to see Hannah Montana. She was more upset about it than Lilly was. I guess tickets for the concert was going for over $200... for the cheap seats. Got to love Capitalism. It is called Supple and Demand. She said something about it being totally unfair, and I once again I reminder her that "Life isn't Fair".

I have finally gotten done with my 1st month of Mid-night shifts 6pm-6am and now am on a month of day shift 6am - 6pm. Though there is alot of work, I much more enjoy this shift than the nights. I have some pics that am posting with this entry to show you some of the places that I forecast weather for. The 1st pic is from the IceRunway tower where he have webcam located. it is looking out towards the south and you can see Mt Discovery across the McMurdo Sound. the 2nd pic is from the webcam on one of the hills overlooking McMurdo Station and you can see out over the McMurdo Sound and you can see the TransAntarctic Mountains in the background also you can see Ice Runway down below the town on the Ice. The 3rd pic is of South Pole Station. The final pic is from the webcam looking out from Palmer Station. It is located on a Island just of the Antarctic Peninsula. So if you get a map a look you can see we forecast from one side of the Antarctic Continent to the other and everything in between. Just thought you find some interest in it. Well for now I will close and I promise to me more forth coming with my posts. Now if I could only get Susan to post here,,, it is her Blog as much as mine.

Phone Call

2007-10-24T16:37:00.001-07:00

Well since the last entry I did get a call from the son, and we had a long talk. He laid out his plans on how he wanted to handle his situation and I listened answered acouple of his questions and had a couple of my own. I really can't say how this is going to play out for him or the family. I guess only time will tell. I am worried about him, and I pray for him that God will look into his heart and open it up so that the Holy Spirit will take over his path. I don't know, maybe, just maybe I can get him down here live.

Loving Your Children (no matter what)

2007-10-21T22:10:00.000-07:00

You know over the last couple years my kids have grown into, what I would call good young adults; for the most part they contribute to society and not take from it. Though I get the feeling that their mother and her husband, their Dad (me) and my wife are people simply put on the planet to give them money. My son in particular has really been doing things that are way off the wall. I won't go into details because it is things that I know he isn't proud of, but it seems like he can't help himself. Add to that he won't call me to ask my advice, that is till it is too late for me or anyone to do anything about it except write the check and tell him I love him (which I have done). My wife his stepmother has been great it could be real easy for her to look at me and tell me NO, no more money and that goes for both of the kids. She is very concern about my son and some of his recent gaffs and wonders what we can do to help him. She has called him on her own. Got the voice mail and left a message. Do you think that she could get a call back? No she hasn't and she still is concerned and wants to know what is going on. You might ask how I found out about his latest mistake, get this my ex his mother called my Susan and told her so that she could tell me so that I wouldn't get angry. I don't know what to think, he has had plenty of chances to talk to me and tell me what is going on, and he hasn't. So do I make the call, I know he is in trouble (not with the law) but he is having some serious issues,, I don't know when do you as a parent say enough and tell the kids to figure it out on their own. I guess this is where I could go into the old story of how hard I had it growing up in my young adult life and how I didn't have the help of my parents, but that is such an old cliché that I just can't go there (or did I?). I do know that I am praying for my kids especially my son right now and hoping that he will figure it out. You know loving your children no matter what doesn't mean you won't get angry over what they have done or what they might do. Just love them, I do.

Another Night Shift

2007-10-15T16:35:00.000-07:00

How many of you out there, can understand the concept of staying up all night so that you can have a paycheck. Some people love this shift. Lets see some people have said they love it cause the boss isn't looking over their shoulders, or it is quite or there isn't as much work to do. I don't care if the boss wants to look over my shoulder if am working he is going to get bored quick enough and leave me alone and it's quite for a reason, everyone with a clue is asleep and the part about there isn't as much work to do... well that is just lazy. I have mid shifts, for those you don't know what that is... my night shift starts at 6pm and goes to 6am and it sucks. Oh well enough complaining it isn't going to change anything.
I can give you a short sample of what is going on right now at work. First to those that care I work in a program that supports the US Antarctic Program. Am a weather forecaster and yes I know that it is cold in Antarctic, thanks for the insight. My primary job is to support the aircraft that flies to and from Antarctic Continent and during the summer season they fly all over the Continent to support the scientists that want to go dig around in all the snow and ice. Myself and the 7 other forecasters use different tools to forecast weather around the Continent. I have attached acouple of pic's of one of which is a Meteorological Satellite image another is of one of the computer models that we use and 2 of them is from a WebCam from McMurdo Station on Ross Island (Google that and you will get a ton of info). Right now we are trying to get aircraft into the South Pole, but the weather at the South Pole isn't looking to good, less than a mile with blowing snow and it is only going to get worse. Oh well maybe tomorrow. I can't control the weather if I did,,, they couldn't afford me! Enough for tonight maybe I will post something tomorrow morning oh wait that is only 4 hours from now.

Multimedia message

2007-10-10T17:04:00.001-07:00

New Family Member plus Bill's Night Shifts!

2007-10-09T22:16:00.000-07:00

WOW,,, has it been that long since my last post. What has been going on, alot it is never ending something going on at the Brown household. First things first, we have a new member to the family, yep alittle baby. She is 13 weeks old and weighs in around 5lbs now. Her name is Sassy Brown. A cute little Jack Russell Terrier. Yes the answer to your question is we are slightly crazy. I know I have read and heard just about everything on Jack Russell's how they are 120 lb. dog in 8 lb. package, how you will never break them of jumping up on people (already started the training and she doing good already). She is full of energy. We will get a few pic's on here and share them with you all.
Another thing that has started is the Antarctic Summer Season which means shift work for me, have I ever mentioned "I hate night shifts." Our night shift are from 6pm - 6am just plain ugly. I will work these hours for about 28 days working 2 on 2 off with everything weekend a 3 day weekend, now that isn't bad,,, but it is still night shifts. After the 28 days then I will swap around and work day shifts 6am - 6pm again 2 on 2 off every other weekend a 3 day weekend. I will be working this schedule till sometime after the middle of February when the Antarctic Summer Season begins to shut down and they start getting ready for the winter season.
What else, ah yes bowling has started. Susan and I are on a bowling league that started a few weeks ago. We really enjoy ourselves with our friends Joe and Vicky. Am not all that good. Am holding on to about 150 average and Susan has about the same average. All I can say is "thank goodness it is a handicap league" That falls on Monday nights so you can see with me working these night shifts things can get in the way of having a somewhat normal life.
Wednesday night is our Small Group meeting for church. Susan and I think that we have gotten into a great group from church. We meet 3x a month and discuss different things, lately it has been the Sunday Sermon given by our Pastor at church. We will be starting on Bible lesson plan going over the New Testament soon. Again my night shifts will get in the way of that as well.
Umpiring usually falls on Tuesday and Thursday night and my assigner would give me twice that number if I would let him. Am umpiring Fall Ball. The age group is from 11-12yrs and 13-14. I enjoy umpiring alot, of course it would alot better if the parents would just stay home. I think the kids would have alot more fun.
Friday night Susan and I try to set this night aside for ourselves but with my night shifts you guessed, that doesn't always happen.
Well once again this post is way too long. Thanks again for checking in with us. We will try and make more posts and make them shorter so as to do a better job as to what is going on with Susan and Bill.

Very Relaxing

2007-10-01T04:42:00.000-07:00

After several days of being on the run. Susan and I finally had a weekend that we was able to relax alittle. It started on Friday night with a movie and dinner. We went out and watched Rush Hour 3. Ehhh it was okay, but I would say that it is defintaly a movie to wait till it comes out on DVD. Dinner we went to Olive Garden, well you know what the wait was like 35 minutes, you know what normally I hate to wait, but this time I just sat down and relaxed and Susan and I talked about different things very relaxing evening.
I did have to get up early (be at work at 6am) both Saturday and Sunday and go into work for a few hours, but I was the only one there so it was nice a quite and I got the work done and got out of there. Saturday morning got back to the house and sat down had a small breakfast with Susan and read some of the paper and then I headed over to a friends house and helped her move. Now I really like Malissa but she isn't the most organized person in the world, but she did have things ready for me and James to jump in there and get things moved. She is moving into her own place I think for the 1st time. Anyway I got finished with that and was able to get back to the house by 1pm. Just in time to watch some college football. The good news Indiana University won their game but Norte Dame got their butts kicked.
Now it is the begining of a new work week, and things are starting to get busy. The Antarctic summer season is offically starting today. It might be the 1st of Oct here in the States but it is the 2nd of October down there (other side of the Date Line). First flight out of Christchurch New Zealand will be taking off this this afternoon with about 100 passangers and alot of cargo. Shift work will be starting and it sucks.... rotating between days and nights 12 hour shift. Oh well enough complaining it pays the bills.

Busy, Busy, Busy

2007-09-24T08:29:00.000-07:00

You know sometimes you just want to crawl up on the couch and veg out. No neighbors no friends no phone, just you and the TV, maybe a good book or 2. Susan and I are tired and this is only Monday. Let's see lets go back for a couple of weeks and see what we have done. Of course 2 weeks ago I was sitting in San Diego for a class, for the entire week. I did get to watch some TV in the hotel but who can really relax in a hotel room? besides I missed my wife. It took all day Saturday 15th to fly back from San Diego,,, no relaxing in the airports or or airplanes not any more. Jet lag, made it hard to get any sleep Saturday night, so I was sitting in Church Sunday morning listening to Pastor Chris message and WOW did I have a hard time staying awake. It had nothing to do with his sermon cause it was a good talk and yes I remember what it was about ( the wild ride that the apostles took on the boat and how Peter got out of the boat to walk to Jesus only to loose faith and to fall) and you didn't think I could tell you about it. Where was I? oh yea. Susan made me go to Micheal's a craft store here in town. I thought I was going to die. finally Sunday night got to watch alittle football before going to be early. Then the work week started off with a early shift. Then bowling that night. Tuesday and Wednesday nights I umpired baseball, no relaxing there. Thursday night I was suppose to umpire but Mother-Nature decided that we needed rain more that we needed baseball. Finally I get to stay home and relax. No!! Had things to do Thursday night.... Friday the 21st comes. I couldn't lift my head off the pillow. I didn't go into work, I was planning on a half day because we were heading off to Gatlinburg Tn with Joe, Vicki and Bryan and Susie for a long weekend up at Joe and Vicki's cabin. The view was awsome, but we stayed busy for the entire weekend. Don't get me wrong we had a great time, did some go-cart racing some put-put golf, plus we went to a dinner show. Did I mention that we had a great time. Sunday we drove back home. Work week started with another early morning Monday. Tonight we go bowling again. Tuesday and Thursday night I am schedule to umpire and Wednesday night. Susan and I will be going over to some fellow Coastal Community Church friend and starting a Wednesday night small group. We are planning on studying the old Testiment. So that leaves Friday without anything planned. Care to take a wager that it won't last?

The Cruise

2007-09-07T12:06:00.000-07:00

It has almost been a month now since we got back from a Caribbean Cruise (few pics on the side). We took the kids and went on a 5 day cruise. The stop overs were Grand Cayman and Ocho Rios, Jamaica. We all had a great time. I had a blast with the kids but being there with Suzy was really where the fun was for me. Hope you all enjoy the pics

The Boat

2007-09-06T09:14:00.000-07:00

The name of the boat is "Loving Life ~ Living Large" we bought it on the 2nd of July. We have heard how a boat is nothing but a money pit, well we have had it now over 2 months and we both have enjoyed it so much. No regrets here. We can hardly wait to get the kids down here for a ride around the lake. Hopefully our son won't try and kill himself tubing. We have some video and when I can figure out how to post it on here it will be added. We haven't had it out into the big water yet but that isn't too far off.

The First

2007-09-06T07:17:00.000-07:00

This is the first of many. We hope that all that come feel welcome and will post comments to let us know what they think of this site and let us know what is going on in their lives.