Yep. It's hard work fore sure. And, my thumbs are aching with Arthur Rightus. Biggest challenge was getting up the old tile floor from 1984 that was set on a 1.5 inch bed of mortar. Laid the last tile at 10:00 Saturday night. Will grout later this week. Now we are waiting on the granite people to come install the granite. I still have some more painting to do and a litlemore prep for the granite people. I know we will enjoy the finished product, maybe by the end of the week. I spent three hours Sunday getting up dust. Will the end ever come?
Yep, I have faith it will.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
I'm a Grandpa Now!
On Thursday, January 20, Helen and I left Montgomery to drive to Hendersonville, Tennessee, to be there (actually in the hospital in Gallatin) for the birth of our first grandchild, Jenna Grace May. We drove on slippery, icy and snowy roads to arrive at our hotel. Friday morning we arrived at the hospital to visit with Brittany, our daughter-in-law, and Jeff. Brittany's labor was slow at first but quickly became quite intense. However, she did not make the progress they wanted to see and Friday night around 8 they began to talk about doing a C-section. That actually occurred at 4:29 a.m. on Saturday morning. We welcomed Jenna Grace into the world. She is a cutie! I have posted photos on my FaceBook page and will continue to do so. I think we are going to like being grandparents!
We made it back to our motel at 5:30 A.M. to go to bed for a few hours, got up around 11, went to Waffle House for "Breakfast"/lunch and then got to hold our precious Jenna Grace at the hospital. It was a zombie day due to the lack of sleep. And, it was hard to leave on Sunday. We look forward seeing them all again very soon.
Let me tell you about the 13-15 people that showed up at midnight for one birth- including father of the baby, grandfather and his wife, grandmother, a couple of her friends, her husband, three friends of the new mother, two 10 year old girls - all in the waiting room with Helen, Brittany's mom, and me. It was hard to rest at all after midnight. One of the friends was talking to her little boy at 3:00 am, telling him to "go back to bed and snuggle up with sissy." At a zoo, at least the animals sleep.
We made it back to our motel at 5:30 A.M. to go to bed for a few hours, got up around 11, went to Waffle House for "Breakfast"/lunch and then got to hold our precious Jenna Grace at the hospital. It was a zombie day due to the lack of sleep. And, it was hard to leave on Sunday. We look forward seeing them all again very soon.
Let me tell you about the 13-15 people that showed up at midnight for one birth- including father of the baby, grandfather and his wife, grandmother, a couple of her friends, her husband, three friends of the new mother, two 10 year old girls - all in the waiting room with Helen, Brittany's mom, and me. It was hard to rest at all after midnight. One of the friends was talking to her little boy at 3:00 am, telling him to "go back to bed and snuggle up with sissy." At a zoo, at least the animals sleep.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Politics, Elections and Letters to the Editor
I am a very independent minded person when it comes to politics. I have had a long love for the political since I was in high school and ran (and won) for two different student council offices. I also participated two years in the Alabama YMCA Youth Legislature and loved every minute of it. I co-majored in political science in college. I am friends with Democrats and Republicans, and elect to vote in whichever primary has the most choices or the ones where my vote is most likely to make a difference. Since I am so independent minded, I tend to vote for as many "losers" as "winners."
This week Alabama held her primary elections. I hate all the political ads leading up to elections, particularly the negative ones. I often vote against a candidate who resorts to negative advertising. It's just my way of protesting.
I also despise political ads that appeal to fear, distrust, or baser instincts we humans have. So, Tim James, it doesn't make sense to me that with a standing federal court order prohibiting it, that we offer the drivers' license exam in only English. After all, German, Japanese, and Korean companies have all brought good jobs to our region!
And, Martha Roby, in whose district I do NOT live, I congratulate you but want to remind you that Nancy Pelosi is not a candidate for representative in the 2nd district! Bobby Bright is a good man, so run on your platform and not against Nancy. And Mike Rogers, in whose district I DO live, it's time you gave a substantial portion of your time and interest to MONTGOMERY!!! We need the "outer loop" funded to move a lot of the traffic off of Taylor Road. With all the stimulus money that was floated out there, it seems that some should be put to work to help fund these "infrastructure" projects that provide needed jobs. And to all the candidates, but mostly Republican candidates, our ALABAMA issues are not abortion, same-sex marriage, and no more taxes. Like Dr. Bentley said, "we all are pro-life" so let's talk about "FAIR" taxes instead of NO taxes. If removing an income tax deduction for one group amounts to raising taxes, then Ronald Reagan's famous "tax-cut" was a TAX INCREASE because the deduction for sales taxes (Alabama's highest tax) was removed as were consumer interest deductions. I actually paid more taxes after the "cut" than before. Let's remove the sales tax from groceries!!!! It's immoral to force a 10% surcharge on basic necessities that are needed to live while giving big tax breaks to people who don't need them. Let's be pro-life there also!
Dr. Lori White won the Republican nomination for the Montgomery County School Board.
My friend and colleague, Jane Ferguson, lost in her bid for the Democratic nomination for that seat against Beverly Ross. According to a friend and political pro, the election for this seat is the most important election in Montgomery County.
I encourage all residents of District 7 to be sure and vote in November for Dr. Lori White. While turnout was very low, one encouraging sign is that Lori got more votes in the Republican primary than did Ross and Ferguson combined in the Democratic primary. Maybe I should rent an apartment and take up residence in District 7 before November.
Well, we still don't know who will run in the runoff election July 13 against Bradley Byrne. Congratulations to Dr. Robert Bentley for running a clean campaign on a low budget. Maybe I ought to sent you a contribution. You make sense to me, and, even though I know there are issues on which we disagree, you seem like an honorable man who can disagree without getting ugly about it. I will be anxious to see if you do make the runoff.
The one constitutional amendment on the ballot failed. Good. We ought to vote down every single amendment because WE NEED A NEW CONSTITUTION!!!!!! We have the longest state constitution in the nation, one that was written specifically to disfranchise blacks, women, and the poor, and to concentrate power in the hands of a few in Montgomery. I keep hearing those (mostly Republican) politicians say a convention would be dominated by special interests. Well, our state is already dominated by special interests!!!! Just look at how many Political Action Committees we have now, over 900!!!!!! And, what is wrong with getting government closer to the people by allowing HOME RULE so we don't have to propose statewide amendments to get a local bond issue or annex an area to a city.
Well, enough of my rants! Study the issues, listen to multiple positions, and be sure to VOTE in every election. Have a blessed day!
This week Alabama held her primary elections. I hate all the political ads leading up to elections, particularly the negative ones. I often vote against a candidate who resorts to negative advertising. It's just my way of protesting.
I also despise political ads that appeal to fear, distrust, or baser instincts we humans have. So, Tim James, it doesn't make sense to me that with a standing federal court order prohibiting it, that we offer the drivers' license exam in only English. After all, German, Japanese, and Korean companies have all brought good jobs to our region!
And, Martha Roby, in whose district I do NOT live, I congratulate you but want to remind you that Nancy Pelosi is not a candidate for representative in the 2nd district! Bobby Bright is a good man, so run on your platform and not against Nancy. And Mike Rogers, in whose district I DO live, it's time you gave a substantial portion of your time and interest to MONTGOMERY!!! We need the "outer loop" funded to move a lot of the traffic off of Taylor Road. With all the stimulus money that was floated out there, it seems that some should be put to work to help fund these "infrastructure" projects that provide needed jobs. And to all the candidates, but mostly Republican candidates, our ALABAMA issues are not abortion, same-sex marriage, and no more taxes. Like Dr. Bentley said, "we all are pro-life" so let's talk about "FAIR" taxes instead of NO taxes. If removing an income tax deduction for one group amounts to raising taxes, then Ronald Reagan's famous "tax-cut" was a TAX INCREASE because the deduction for sales taxes (Alabama's highest tax) was removed as were consumer interest deductions. I actually paid more taxes after the "cut" than before. Let's remove the sales tax from groceries!!!! It's immoral to force a 10% surcharge on basic necessities that are needed to live while giving big tax breaks to people who don't need them. Let's be pro-life there also!
Dr. Lori White won the Republican nomination for the Montgomery County School Board.
My friend and colleague, Jane Ferguson, lost in her bid for the Democratic nomination for that seat against Beverly Ross. According to a friend and political pro, the election for this seat is the most important election in Montgomery County.
I encourage all residents of District 7 to be sure and vote in November for Dr. Lori White. While turnout was very low, one encouraging sign is that Lori got more votes in the Republican primary than did Ross and Ferguson combined in the Democratic primary. Maybe I should rent an apartment and take up residence in District 7 before November.
Well, we still don't know who will run in the runoff election July 13 against Bradley Byrne. Congratulations to Dr. Robert Bentley for running a clean campaign on a low budget. Maybe I ought to sent you a contribution. You make sense to me, and, even though I know there are issues on which we disagree, you seem like an honorable man who can disagree without getting ugly about it. I will be anxious to see if you do make the runoff.
The one constitutional amendment on the ballot failed. Good. We ought to vote down every single amendment because WE NEED A NEW CONSTITUTION!!!!!! We have the longest state constitution in the nation, one that was written specifically to disfranchise blacks, women, and the poor, and to concentrate power in the hands of a few in Montgomery. I keep hearing those (mostly Republican) politicians say a convention would be dominated by special interests. Well, our state is already dominated by special interests!!!! Just look at how many Political Action Committees we have now, over 900!!!!!! And, what is wrong with getting government closer to the people by allowing HOME RULE so we don't have to propose statewide amendments to get a local bond issue or annex an area to a city.
Well, enough of my rants! Study the issues, listen to multiple positions, and be sure to VOTE in every election. Have a blessed day!
Monday, March 22, 2010
Traffic Engineers and Drivers Drive Me Crazy
Okay, some of you already know how crazy I am! Sunday, three other drivers in the Montgomery area cut across me in dangerous ways. I wonder if they were looking--probably not. Helen was with me for two of these and she can attest to the fact that I did not do anything inappropriate. Just now, I was merging onto the interstate and got behind a guy doing 50 mph because he was talking on his cell phone. That is usually the case when someone gets really slow on the interstate.
When leaving the officer earlier, the person at the front of the line for the red light must have fallen asleep-- and this is about a 5 sec. light most of the day.
What is it about the people who design roads around Montgomery?!?!?! There always seems to a 3-4 traffic lights aroung the interstate exits, all too close to the exit ramps. This creates traffic jams to beat all traffic jams. Why does Montgomery have so few overpasses. I was told by one engineer that the state offered back in the 1970's to build overpasses along the southern bypass, but the city did not want them- they were bad for business. I grew up in Hunstville, where our solution to a traffic problem was to build an overpass and utilize access roads. It works pretty well. When I moved to Montgomery the first time, there were only overpasses over the railroad tracks along the bypass - no overpass at Atlanta Highway, even then. Today, that is the only street overpass from I-65 to 231 north, so we have to stop at Sheila Blvd,Woodmere, Vaughn, Troy Hwy, Woodley, Norman Bridge, Court Street, Rosa Parks, etc.
The exit from our neighborhood onto Taylor Road has a 5 sec traffic light. On a good day, 5 cars can get out if they hug each other's bumper and hurry, hurry, hurry. I have actually had to wait for the 3rd green light there, about 5 full minutes.
I am so glad they put the traffic light cameras up turning into Eastchase from southbound Taylor Road. I have had as many as 3 cars in succession run the light-keeping on turning into Eastchase-- while I had to wait for the intersection to clear on my green light.
And, please, Mr. Highway Dept., put back some kind of divider on the exit from 85north to Taylor Rd south for the "keep moving" lane that people wrongly use to merge across 3 lanes to turn into Eastchase. I would not even mind a concrete curb like you have at the 85/Perry Hill road exit onto Perry Hill southbound so they won't try to merge over to Carmichael.
Now, I feel better. Thanks!
When leaving the officer earlier, the person at the front of the line for the red light must have fallen asleep-- and this is about a 5 sec. light most of the day.
What is it about the people who design roads around Montgomery?!?!?! There always seems to a 3-4 traffic lights aroung the interstate exits, all too close to the exit ramps. This creates traffic jams to beat all traffic jams. Why does Montgomery have so few overpasses. I was told by one engineer that the state offered back in the 1970's to build overpasses along the southern bypass, but the city did not want them- they were bad for business. I grew up in Hunstville, where our solution to a traffic problem was to build an overpass and utilize access roads. It works pretty well. When I moved to Montgomery the first time, there were only overpasses over the railroad tracks along the bypass - no overpass at Atlanta Highway, even then. Today, that is the only street overpass from I-65 to 231 north, so we have to stop at Sheila Blvd,Woodmere, Vaughn, Troy Hwy, Woodley, Norman Bridge, Court Street, Rosa Parks, etc.
The exit from our neighborhood onto Taylor Road has a 5 sec traffic light. On a good day, 5 cars can get out if they hug each other's bumper and hurry, hurry, hurry. I have actually had to wait for the 3rd green light there, about 5 full minutes.
I am so glad they put the traffic light cameras up turning into Eastchase from southbound Taylor Road. I have had as many as 3 cars in succession run the light-keeping on turning into Eastchase-- while I had to wait for the intersection to clear on my green light.
And, please, Mr. Highway Dept., put back some kind of divider on the exit from 85north to Taylor Rd south for the "keep moving" lane that people wrongly use to merge across 3 lanes to turn into Eastchase. I would not even mind a concrete curb like you have at the 85/Perry Hill road exit onto Perry Hill southbound so they won't try to merge over to Carmichael.
Now, I feel better. Thanks!
Friday, January 29, 2010
Can you believe I haven't written about the TIDE!
Well, the month of January is about gone, and I haven't posted since November. And, my team (i.e. the one I root for), the University of Alabama Crimson Tide, has won the BCS National Championship!!!! ROOOOOLLLLL TIIIIIDE! And, recruiting signing day is Wednesday!!!!!!
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Hoorah for weddings!
When they are over, that is. This past weekend our son, Jeff, and his fiance, Brittany, got married in Cross Plains, Tennessee. That was our second wedding this Fall. Our daughter got married at the beach in September (See Sept. post). Planning weddings is a hassle. It's so much better when they are over.
Now we can be one big happy family.
This weekend was our first trip to Cross Plains, Brittany's home town. It is a very quaint little town with a Piggly Wiggly, a Dollar General, and a super old timey drug store with the best milkshakes and malts anywhere. We visited the old cemetery, walked along the creek, and even found an old farmhouse we might like to buy. The rehearsal dinner was in the Coffee Mill, a converted coffee shop that once was a bank with a Masonic Hall upstairs. The food and atmosphere were great.
We worried in September about hurricanes, but the weather cooperated. This past weekend in Cross Plains was absolutely beautiful with the yellow and orange maple leaves about half fallen. However, Jeff and Brittany went to the beach and guess what they faced, hurricane and thankfully tropical storm Ida. Well, at least it wasn't bad. All in all, a great wedding weekend!
Now we can be one big happy family.
This weekend was our first trip to Cross Plains, Brittany's home town. It is a very quaint little town with a Piggly Wiggly, a Dollar General, and a super old timey drug store with the best milkshakes and malts anywhere. We visited the old cemetery, walked along the creek, and even found an old farmhouse we might like to buy. The rehearsal dinner was in the Coffee Mill, a converted coffee shop that once was a bank with a Masonic Hall upstairs. The food and atmosphere were great.
We worried in September about hurricanes, but the weather cooperated. This past weekend in Cross Plains was absolutely beautiful with the yellow and orange maple leaves about half fallen. However, Jeff and Brittany went to the beach and guess what they faced, hurricane and thankfully tropical storm Ida. Well, at least it wasn't bad. All in all, a great wedding weekend!
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
One Wedding Down and One To Go
Last weekend was a very special weekend in our lives. Our youngest, Meredith, was married at the beach. This wedding took a lot of planning over the summer, and this was made more difficult by the fact that Meredith was away all summer directing a camp. Our early concerns were hurricanes, since this was the middle of hurricane season. As the day approached, we were simply concerned about rain or thunderstorms. While I was getting cleaned up for the event, a thunderstorm erupted just a mile or so from us and we got some sprinkles. A towel on the chairs took care of that. We had rented a six passenger golf cart for the day and that shuttled people from the house to the beach and back. We arrived right on time, and the event came off with just one little hitch. I dropped one of the rings into the sand. Oops.
It rolled off my Bible, but Sammy, the other minister, had his head bowed wiping the sweat out of his eye when the ring hit the sand. He saw exactly where it buried itself and reached down to retrieve it. What a relief! And, both mom and I were able to keep our emotions intact. This was difficult. I had conducted three weddings of people close to us, a nephew, a niece, and a long-time friend, and I had gotten emotional at each of these. But this was a great celebration. The food was plentiful, and everyone had a good time. Oh, but I said, "one to go" didn't I? Yes, our son and his fiance will wed in November in Tennessee. That one should prove less stressful.
I could not post this without a tremendous thank you to our friends Richard (photographer) and Linda, and Mike and Judy. They helped it to come off without a hitch and we got to enjoy it. Thanks, friend. You are friends, INDEED!
It rolled off my Bible, but Sammy, the other minister, had his head bowed wiping the sweat out of his eye when the ring hit the sand. He saw exactly where it buried itself and reached down to retrieve it. What a relief! And, both mom and I were able to keep our emotions intact. This was difficult. I had conducted three weddings of people close to us, a nephew, a niece, and a long-time friend, and I had gotten emotional at each of these. But this was a great celebration. The food was plentiful, and everyone had a good time. Oh, but I said, "one to go" didn't I? Yes, our son and his fiance will wed in November in Tennessee. That one should prove less stressful.
I could not post this without a tremendous thank you to our friends Richard (photographer) and Linda, and Mike and Judy. They helped it to come off without a hitch and we got to enjoy it. Thanks, friend. You are friends, INDEED!
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