17 Weeks...

...from today

AHHHHHHHH!!! It may as well be 17 days as fast as it will go!

One saving grace, I haven't seen Christmas decorations up yet at Wal-Mart or Sam's, although I did see some generic 'fall' decor for sale at W-M the other day but hey, it is almost the first of September.

It's been in the neighborhood of 100 since mid-June with some well timed rain breaks every 2-3 weeks so even though it's been a normal-hot summer here everything is surprisingly green and I haven't had to take out a second lean on the house to keep the grass green or keep it comfortable inside.

We are supposed to get a break for the coming days, only low to mid 90's and less humid. Believe it or not 100+ isn't hard to take as long as the humidity is under 30% but contrary to popular belief the Dallas-Ft. worth area runs around 50-60% most all summer WITH 100 or so in the day and never below 80 at night (that's the kicker...it never cools off). One advantage to North Texas summers is you always know where you stand with the weather - hot and humid doesn't sneak up on you. It slaps you in the face and makes you cry for Mama - but out Laura's and Jeremy's way the desert dryness will fool you into thinking it's not as hot as it really is and next thing you know your out on the ground or worse.

I'm eager for fall. Besides being my favorite time of year I have a couple of interesting building projects I've started that I hope to have finished for the Holidays. More about that and some pics later.

"What have we done...?"

What To Do...

If seated next to a jerk on an airplane:
1. Take out your laptop
2. Slowly open your laptop
3. Turn it on
4. Make sure your neighbor is watching
5. Close your eyes for a moment, then look up to the sky
6. Open your browser to this site

Laptop: $800 at least
Plane ticket: $200 minimum
Look on your neighbors face: Priceless

"Don't Say She Lost"

Blatantly borrowing this post title from Eldon. He posted sad news last Wednesday night. While he lost a wife and his children lost a Mother I totally agree with him...she did NOT loose. I'll go one more and say she is the winner. She beat cancer at it's own game and is now free. Please be in prayer for them as they have to start a life without their loved one. If you get a chance check out his posts the last few weeks. They are very touching, very honest (brutally so sometimes) and chronicle the closing days of their family's battle against this bastard of a disease.

I've lost a mother, grand father, an aunt to cancer. I have an Uncle who, although having beaten brain cancer, is now fighting the battle scars of loss of mobility. Even though Sandee's blog isn't updated regularly any more my wife got a FB update Monday and Sandee is still fighting with everything she's got. I doubt there is any one of you who has not been touched in some way by cancer.

I hate what this disease does. It not only tries to steal the life of it's victim but it tries to suck the joy, hope and love out of everyone close to them. I say dig in...don't give an inch. Ironic thing about cancer is it usually does the opposite...draws people together and gives them a rallying point and something to draw strength from.

[I've always tried to keep this blog at least a PG but...]
On October 27, 2007 Lori won her battle. They've changed her profile pic but it used to be the same picture of her, head shaved, looking defiantly at the camera, except it showed her flipping the double bird with the following unedited on her shirt: "F*** CANCER"

Can't say it any plainer than that.

Been really busy lately

I've missed posting the last few weeks. Been really busy here with work (a VERY good thing) and some home & family projects (another VERY good thing). Lots of news to catch up on and share...some of it sad. Be tackling all that shortly.