More than you bargain for...

Poor Stacey, she's at it again. Yesterday, she went to the dentist here in N. Texas after the failed attempt to go 2 weeks ago in E. Texas and had a rough time of it. Under the belief that she was just getting a crown to complete the endodontist work from September, Stacey went in thinking this would be an uneventful visit.

So much for that, we got there and our new dentist shows us the damage to another tooth that we thought only needed a filling. So, we relent and let him start working on it in hopes only a crown would suffice and there wouldn't be a need of a root canal. Wrong again, the good news was the root canal didn't hurt, the bad news was that it was a root canal.

Long story short, four hours later, Stacey ended up with a new crown, root canal, filling, and a permanent crown still to come. Fortunately, we were able to see with photos and X-rays how severe it was, but it was still difficult to swallow.

Pssssst....someone's birthday is coming up!

Not me...and it may be a big one....

Busy weekend complete

Wow! It's nice to be back home. No offense to Stacey's family, but I never felt like I rested the entire time I was in East Texas this weekend. Stacey, her nephew- Ryan, and I went to the Alto - Grapeland game on Friday night expecting a good game since both teams were ranked in the top 10. Instead, we witnessed another blowout by the Yellow Jackets and thus keeping their unbeaten record in tact. While I enjoyed attending an event where Stacey works, my poor nephew was bored to tears. Of course being up 40-0 before halftime kinda has that affect.

Saturday, we basically surrounded ourselves with the SFA homecoming events. We were running late and the non-sensical blocking of traffic for the parade made it even worse. Yet, we arrived just as the parade made its way down to where we eventually came to view the parade. From there, we dropped off the kiddos back to their parents and headed out for one of my favorite stops: Butcher Boys. Once again, a pleaser. We went to the game and witnessed SFA fall apart again only to come back and then squander two FG attempts that would have tied or won the game.

Sunday morning, everyone lost shut-eye because of the excitement over the local paper's endoresements were coming out. Once again, my father-in-law was endorsed for the position which he is running for re-election. God willing, there will be a third term. From there, we went to church at Woden and watched the baptistry stay busy. Always an exciting time to see God working in people's lives. We can hope and pray this is just the beginning for these people. From there, we went to another popular hangout: Clear Springs Cafe and of course indulged in onion rings. We spent the rest of the afternoon shopping and running errands before I had to trek back to the metroplex.

Go Cowboys, Yellow Jackets, Lumberjacks, Bulldogs, Corndogs, Tigers...

What a week!

It's been crazy for all of us. Stacey attempted a break-neck attempt to finalize her crown only to be delayed by the flooding weather and an uncooperative medical professional. So, a couple of more weeks and she'll finally be done with that part of everything. I'm sure she'll be more than happy to fill you in on the rest of her eventful week when she manages to get online again...

Last weekend, we managed to go to the State Fair of Texas. I must say that I enjoyed it even though it is completely overrun with folks and in an atrocious area to access. I even managed to chomp down on a thingy called a corny-dog, which is known to the rest of the US as a corndog.

Of course, last Sunday was the Cowboys-Texans game at Texas Stadium. Wish I had some pictures to post, but Stacey headed out with the digital camera and has yet to send me the pics. Yet, Stacey mentioned that she learned a valuable lesson, never wear the opposing team's colors in Dallas (not that we did). We hopped a tram to the stadium along with 40-50 more Cowboys fans and they heckled and harrassed every Houston fan they saw on the way. Guess we have to keep the Houston stuff hid while going through Irving from now on. The weather was dreary and rainy and the Cowboys' offense was just as bad in the first half. Fortunately, we sat just under the overhang of the roof and got to see T.O.'s final touchdown happen right in front of us.
The Boys 34- Houston S*(%S 6

This weekend it's off to see Stacey's alma mater, SFA play the McNesse St. Cowboys for the homecoming game at SFA. Never been there for HC, hopefully it won't be a blowout. Hopefully, I will get to see our own Friday Night Lights tomorrow evening when Stacey's employer, Alto, is playing their district rival and their undefeated record is on the line.

How bout those Detroit Tigers?

Oh yeah, did I mention that the Bulldogs (MSU) finally won? All I can say is finally...


PS I started my Christmas shopping today, how about you?

Latest news

Sorry for the lack of info.

First of all, Stacey's sister Shelley is out of the hospital after a week's stay. She was released on Monday after suffering from a nasty form of staph infection called MRSA. She is at home recuperating and is slowly regaining her health. Thanks for the prayers on her behalf.

Next, last weekend we were able to see my parents. Always good to see them, just wasn't able to spend enough time with them. Yet, we will be flying home for Thanksgiving, so that will be some consolation.

Stacey's mouth is starting to heal up and she goes back to the dentist on Monday to have the final work done on her mouth. Hopefully, this goes well and she can be pain-free back there.

This weekend we're going to my first Cowboys game at Texas Stadium. My only chance to see them in the past was in Indianapolis just before the triplets were disbanded. Anyone who knows how big a Cowboys fan I am can appreciate what this means to me. Okay, so maybe I don't care too much for #81, but I'm still planning on having fun.

BTW, Mom and Dad's dog, a mixed lab named Buster, is a year old. Unfortunately, he got to spend his birthday at the vet getting fixed...Yet, he's a good boy and a great guard dog.

Doctor visits out the wazzoo

Both Stacey and I have been to the doctor this past week. I went for my bio-monthly check-up to have some bloodwork re-done and to change some allergy medicine since I'm still struggling with it since I moved to N. Texas. Fortunately, all is well with the new allergy medicine for me.

This morning, Stacey had to see an endodontist in Irving about a broken tooth that has been troubling her for some time now. After doing a root canal and some additional work, which I don't understand enough to speak of it, it looks like she'll be getting a crown in a couple of weeks once the swelling and healing is complete. Stacey is now back in East Texas and planning on returning to work on Tuesday.

Also, Stacey's older sister wound up in the hospital this weekend after developing a Staph infection in her leg. After going for 4 rounds of IV's and some oral antibiotics, she was not responding to treatment and was admitted to the hospital in Nacogdoches. Prayers for her healing would be greatly appreciated.

Much Ado About Nothing

Basically this is a post to say we're still alive and kicking. It finally looks like the 100 degree weather is finished after 43 or so days of 100 + weather. Football season is here and well both of our alma maters are taking it on the chin at 0-3. Gloom, despair, and agony on me...at least we have the Cowboys!

Stacey finally got over her bout with strep throat and is back to normal. Still has to have the tonsils out, but probably will wait a while if we can. As the first six weeks nears its conclusion, the ever mindful Stacey is trying to ensure all her grading is done for preparations for report cards have been underway all week. We spent the first two weekends in September helping Stacey's sister move into their new (rental) house in Frisco, so we haven't spent much time at home.

As for me, I've been fighting a cold that seems to be going around my workplace. I've also been hitting the treadmill pretty hard (except for this week) and seems like my clothes have started getting baggier. Still enjoying work, just easy to say love it tons better than my old job. Last weekend, we had a company picnic at the Fort Worth Zoo and it was lots of fun. Nice to be appricated! I must say that it is awesome when the Lord can calm your fears about changing careers/jobs and leaving the one thing you've always wanted to do behind.

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW???

Yes that's right, I can talk once again! Yeah!! I think I had the worst case of strep throat ever!! My tonsils were literally swollen together and completely white. I couldn't talk, eat, or drink. Praise the Lord I'm feeling back to normal again. Needless to say, I have to have my tonsils taken out. But first things first, I have once again decided to have my foot surgery on December 1st. It is getting harder and harder for me to walk. It's time to do something and SOON! I will take off from work until at least after New Year's. I will be on crutches and I won't be able to drive for 6-8 weeks. I'm not looking forward to having to miss work, but you have to do what you have to do!

Nothing much is going on other than that. I wish we could have 3 day weekends every weekend. I think I would have a much better outlook in life!! :-) I hate Mondays!!

Can you speak up, Stacey?

Obviously, a poor attempt at humor at my wife's expense.

Stacey has been sick since Tuesday night when she started complaining of a sore throat. So, we first thought it was sore throat or tonsilitis. Nope! Strep Throat. So, she goes to the clinic on Wednesday morning and they give her a shot and some medicine. By Thursday night, she is no better, but worse. Friday, she returns to the clinic and they first think it's mono, but not sure. So they send her to an Ears, Nose, & Throat doctor. Long story made short, no mono, but an abcessed tonsil and severe case of strep throat. Another shot and a new prescription later, she finally starts getting some relief. By the time I get to Nacogdoches, her tonsils are pretty much swollen together and they are solid white, not the rosy pink you'd normally expect. Stacey had not eaten hardly any solid food since this started.

Currently, they are discussing whether to remove her tonsils because this episode of strep was so bad, but the tonsils are so bad that they'll have to wait on the infection to go down before performing surgery. Keep us in your prayers....Thanks!

Friday at last!!!

This was perhaps the longest week of my life!!!!! I kept looking for Friday...it took forever to get to it!!! :) My first week of school was great. I have some awesome children in my classroom!!! I really don't have any problem children this year. That may all change, but for right now I'm loving it! As always, I have been so busy. I can't get everything done during the day, so I have to bring work home at night. Hopefully that will subside soon.

The only thing that will make school better is for my AC to get fixed!! It has been over 80 degrees in my classroom. Well, when it is over 100 degrees outside, you need some air!!! COLD AIR!!! I get very grumpy when I'm hot!!

I drove to DFW this weekend to be with Stephen. He was a welcome sight!!

That's all for now!

An interesting ride home

As you probably know, I spent the weekend in East Texas helping Stacey get ready for the start of the school year. On Sunday night, I was returning back to DFW and saw something on fire on the eastbound lane of the interstate near Kilgore, TX. As I got closer, I saw that there was an 18 wheeler rig on fire. Following the crowd, I pulled over to the shoulder in the westbound lane to make room for emergency personnel approaching. As I came to a stop, there was a concussion from an explosion - the truck's gas tanks and the fireball spanned across the eastbound lane and into the median. Amazingly, no one was injured, just a charred mess. Fortunately, I got out before the freeway was shut down. Here's the story of the event from the Tyler Morning Telegraph. Photo courtesy the Tyler Morning Telegraph website.

Who's that Dawg?

Now that it is football season and you all know how I love the Bulldogs, I thought I would throw in this tidbit from today's practice.

Lookie who decided to join the boys in pads...




The person in the photo is Sylvester Croom and he's poking fun at some of his players who stay hurt all the time. Now, can we imagine Dallas Cowboys Coach Bill Parcells suiting up and surprising Terrell Owens who can't seem to get off the stationary bike with his hamstring injury?









Photo courtesy Scout.com

Now I'm gone again....

I survived my first day at work, BARELY!! I am so tired...I forgot I could be so tired!!! I hurt in places I didn't know existed!!

On my way home today, I had a flat tire. Thank the Lord for Onstar...they sent someone within 30 minutes to change my flat. Awesome!

Not much else to report......I can't wait for Friday!!

I'm home!

I had to be in Nacogdoches for a workshop on Monday and Thursday, so I stayed in between and worked on my classroom. I can't believe there is always SOOOO much work to do at the start of a new school year. Where do I get all of this stuff?????????? I drove home yesterday afternoon. The countdown has begun. I have to be back by August 9th, but I'll probably go the 8th. A new batch of kiddos......it makes me a little nervous. I hope I have a good group.

Nothing much is going on other than that. Just trying to enjoy my last few days here in Lewisville with Stephen.

Hacker, be gone!!

Ok, so our computer is fixed, for now, thanks to my brother-in-law. It was wormy. You never realize how much you rely on your computer until you don't have it. We were having to use the computer in the business center of our apartment complex. It was pretty bad having to fight the "myspace.com" addicts.

We had a cold front come through here. It didn't get in the 100's today. First time in 12 days it didn't break 100. Thank the Lord for miracles.

Bye for now.

It's 107 outside

Can we import some ice cubes?

Funny sign on the traffic report this afternoon:
Bellaire Rd (Lewisville) closed. Pavement buckled due to the heat.


Never thought I would see that one.

Heat wave, computer hackers, and other annoyances

Well, in case you haven't heard, it's been over 100 degrees the past week. Not that we didn't expect it, it was one of those things that's just mind boggling that it's still 101 at 8:30 pm and 86 at 6AM. It was 105 today and supposed to be 107 tomorrow, can't wait for winter at this point. Yet, I'm thankful the humidity has been low or we'd really been miserable.

Stacey and I went away for the weekend to sell more of my stuff (isn't that the way it always works out???) in a yard sale with her family. When we came home our computer wasn't working. Obviously, the work of a hacker, and they have locked up our logon, so who knows what it will take to get working. For now, we're using the computer center at our apt. complex. We had trouble a couple of weeks ago with a hacker putting pop ups trying to get us to buy some software and my brother in law (a bona fide computer genius) put a stop to that, but the hacker decided to pay us back. Oh the joys of internet security with DSL...

We have finally gotten a new road opened up in our area. We thought it would be a blessing, but it has been a nuisance with the increased traffic and the heat seemingly making everyone just want to do the craziest things...

Yet, I have had some fun the past couple of weeks, the inner nerd came out and we found a park by DFW to watch the planes take off and land. Oh what fun and cheap entertainment. Even my 10 year old nephew couldn't get enough of it...

That's all for now.

Here I am again...

It's been a long time since I have had time to post. We've had family for 3 weeks. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't have traded it for the world!! I love company!! 3 weeks ago, like you read below, my sister, niece, nephew, mom and dad were here. The day they left, Stephen's parents and Aunt Ann and Uncle Roland came from Alabama for a visit. We showed them around the "Big D" and then we took them to San Antonio. It was fun. We got a REALLY good tour around the city, much more than any of us really wanted!! Let me explain. There are trollies that go around the city. We paid for a day pass. We never really caught on to the concept. That night when we were trying to get back to our hotel, it took us 1 1/2 hours. We circled the city for what seemed like 24 hours!!! It was dark and we couldn't tell where we were. It got to the point that EVERYBODY on the trolly felt sorry for us and was trying to help us. Pretty embarrasing. I'm just glad we weren't paying by the mile. It would have cost us a fortune!! :)

A few days after they left, my sister, her husband and 2 children came back. We have been so busy!! We went to 6 Flags, Dallas World Aquarium, Go Carts, Shopping, shopping, and more shopping!!! They just left today but my nephew stayed with us. He will be here until Friday. We are going to Nacogdoches to have a garage sale. We are trying to get rid of some clutter. Watch out Stephen!! :) It will be like that commercial. The wife brings the stuff out to sale and the husband brings his things back into the house!! :)

I haven't heard anything about a job yet. I'm just assuming I'll keep the same job in Alto. I'll drive back and forth during the weekends. One more year. I don't want to get out of teaching again.

I hope you all have a good week!!

Would you like fries with that?!?!?

It is very disheartening when you see people being dishonest. That is my #1 pet peeve I do have to say. The other day Stephen and I went to McDonalds for dinner, along with my sister and her 2 children. A lady forgot her cell phone on the table and Stephen saw the guy that cleans off the tables swipe it. She came back in and of course he lied about it. We told her that he had taken it. Very sad. What kind of example is that for children????

Anyways, my dad had a commissioner's conference here in Dallas, so my mom, sister, and her 2 kids came with him. We had so much fun. As always, I hated to see them leave.

My in-laws along with Stephen's aunt and uncle are driving in from Alabama today. We're excited about seeing them. We haven't seen them since me moved. We are strolling down to San Antonio this weekend. None of them have ever been. It will be fun.

We spent 2 hours in the pool yesterday. I forgot one important little thing....SUNSCREEN!! I am scorched!! OUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I guess no luck with the job interview. I haven't heard. But I know that it wasn't meant to be. There must be something better down the road. We'll wait and see what the Lord has in store.

some things never stop amazing me.....

WHO would do this??? Only in Frisco....

that's all i'm going to say about that.....