Bring The Rain

It has rained much over the past week and I can't help but think of daddy everytime I hear a raindrop hit the tin roof on our front porch. Because of his invention, "Float Booster", and the theory behind it, he was very involved in the weather patterns around the country for the last year of his life. Each time we would talk he would always ask me if we had experienced any rain and what the level was of Lake Lanier. The areas with the highest drought conditions were the areas he targeted to get info to on the "Float Booster" and how such a simple device could save them thousands and thousands of gallons of water.
My sisters are both out of the country for the week ahead and I pray safe travel for both of them and lots of fun. Susan, the oldest, and her husband are in New Zealand. Mary Grey, my little sister, and her husband are in Hawaii. The best Debbie and I can do at the present is just be with each other...and that is plenty for me. We'll go to the beach in July with the whole family and I'm just now in the planning stages for our annual September cruise. Neither will come soon enough.
In finishing today, I'd ask you say a prayer right now for two people. The mother of one of my associates is in the hospital with some lung and breathing issues, so I'd ask that you pray for my friend, Mark, and his mom, Mrs. Dix. Also, there is a 4 month old baby that Stacey has asked prayer for and his name is Stellan. We don't know Stellan or his parents, but I have read his mom's blog and little Stellan has a very serious heart defect. He is currently in the hospital and the doctors are fighting to get his heart in a steady rhythmn. Please pray for Stellan and Mrs. Dix.

For My Little Girl!

First of all, I love both my children. Sceondly, I am extremely proud of both my children. I also love and am proud of their spouses.
But, this blog is for Stacey and just Stacey!!!
Being a wife and a mother is TOUGH! Couple that with working a full-time job and it can be overwhelming. BUT.....your momma did it! I only say that to say there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Your mom is truly an amazing woman in many different ways and you are your mother's daughter. It is just a season and one day you will look back and wonder where the time went. You are amazing as well because God created you that way. While it is easy to say, but harder to appreciate in the midst of life's daily grind....you know as well as I do He will not give you anything you cannot handle. While your mom was working and raising you and Trey, I was working two jobs for those first few years just so we could have a house, a nice car, and things you and Trey needed and a few you just wanted. (like the "mouth" baby) It will all pass!
Now, Tripp is a product of his age and each one of us spoiling him at every turn. Part of it he will outgrow. I know when he's bad....he's bad. At the same time, he is smart, handsome, loving, and innocent. There has to be discipline and I know you understand that and at this stage it has to be consistent and come from each of us. We'll do our part to help, but in the home and as a Christian...discipline is primarily Joey's responsibility...period! If you are going to be successful, Joey has to make up his mind to take the lead and be proactive. Any discipline you do is under the authority of Joey.
It's all good honey! You're too much like your father. I too, have many days where I would like to just get in the car and drive until I ran into a ocean somewhere.
In the meantime, don't stress over the house except those things from a health standpoint are imperative to keep clean. Toys strewn about are no big deal. In fact, they are reminders of the blessing you have received in Tripp and Makinley.
I love you.

Easy Come...Easy GO!

Well, I'm not a happy camper! This time last year I was ecstatic! I made the mistake of checking in on my 401K balance this week after forcing myself not to look at it for the past 4-5 weeks. Now, I have done very, very well over the past 20+ years that I have invested in it. I have put as much in it that I could possibly afford. We also have other investments that have done Ok, so this time last year, retiring at 55 was looking pretty sweet!
SO MUCH FOR ALL OF THAT!
The plan has changed now to go at 59 1/2. I am optimistic that over the next few years, the economy will flip. I hope we don't get back to where we were with unscrupulous lenders and all of that, but to a point of GENUINE and HONEST growth. Actually, we probably have no one to blame but ourselves for what has happened in this country. We, the American people, have the POWER..but we don't use it. The Christian is especially SILENT which is so disturbing to me. Look at what the GAY/LESBIAN Community can accomplish and they are only about 2-3% of the population. It amazes me that we sit on our hands because we fear being heard or being politically incorrect! My dad had great wisdom before he passed...he was so ashamed of our politicians and their performance has tarnished his service to our country in protecting the Constitution and our way of life. I understand more clearly each and everyday how he must have felt.
I'm looking up and leaning on the Rock. There are thousands of people that wish they had what I have and that greatly humbles me.

The ITCH!!

It's started!! Around this time every year I am thinking beach, ocean, breezes, sand, relaxing, sunshine, and it has started for 2009. We are just in the beginning stages of planning our family beach vacation and I have already started anxiously looking for cruises for Debbie and I in September. There is no better was to spend a day than sitting at the edge of the surf, digging your toes into the sand and letting the waves wash the sand away. Tough way to spend a day! And what about sleeping at the beach?? Are you kidding me? No better sleep in the world...well...maybe! It's a great sleep on a cruise ship as well, especially if the seas are up some and you can get the gentle wave action. It takes alittle bit of a swell to move a 110 ton ship, but believe me.....we've been in the middle of the Atlantic and seen the spray from the swell come over the bow of the ship. Now....Debbie didn't see it! She slept for about 17 hours because of the dramamine, but I was right in the middle of it and loving every second of it. The ocean is one of God's most awesome creations.
Last Sunday we got about 4" of snow. Today it's going to be 70 degrees. You've gotta love March!

Snow?? You're kidding, right?

Ok, so it snowed in metro Atlanta today. In fact, it started around 12:30PM and it's still coming down at 8:20PM as I write. Difference between the snow here and what we experienced when we lived in Virginia for 4 years...it disappears here pretty quickly. Up there you get to look at it for weeks and it gets old pretty quickly. I will say it was awfully pretty today...big, big wet snowflakes falling and falling! Of course, there were hundreds of people that shopped....hundreds! It's great for business, but....never in hundreds of years has anyone ever been snowed in here in middle Georgia that excluded them from getting to the store for days on end. People are absolutely crazy. All you have to do is to watch the weather forecast to see it is going to be almost 50 degrees tomorrow and 75 degrees by Saturday. DUH!!! I guess the good thing about it is we will have days to get filled back up because there is no way anybody in our trade area needs to go grocery shopping anytime soon. There was a time today we had NO parking places and we had no shopping carts because they were all in use. You're talking upwards of 200 shopping carts!!!! Of course...even though the roads are clear...wet, but clear....everyone thinks it's OK to call out of work because of "treacherous" road conditions. You would never know there are problems with the economy because there are many that have no problem at all missing 8 hrs. of income. Granted, I believe there may be some "icing" issues when I roll out at 630AM in the morning to go back to work, but with alittle common sense and sound judgement...I fully expect to be on deck safe and sound by 7AM.
With that said, thank you Lord for a roof over my head and Debbie by my side. It will be a warm night@ Big Poppa Sheneman's house tonight!

It's Been Awhile!

I'm sitting here looking at the calendar and realizing I have not updated this blog since January 31. Much has happened in the past 3 1/2 weeks. Trey was married in the mountains on February 7...a beautiful and intimate time for he and Jenni.....bittersweet for Debbie and I. We are so happy for them and the life they have in front of them. It's hard to turn the pages in the book of life sometimes and as the kids have grown and started their own families....it's hard to realize that life as you have known it for so many years....has changed! It's an adjustment! Our lives have been focused on our children for 28 years....many times at the sacrifice of our personal relationship with each other. We have always put our children first and tried to give them everything they needed and many of the things they wanted. It's difficult to back away and let them develop their own ways of coping with the curveballs of life, but it's what must be done. We're proud of them and well we should be. They are precious and special and honor us by the choices they have made in the foundation they have set for their marriages.
Now, let's talk about illness. I have a new appreciation of wellness! I have finally gone back to work today after two weeks of sickness. Two visits to the doctor, 6 hours in the emergency room w/ 2 bags of IV fluids and a blood pressure of 72/50 at one point. I have yet to hear a diagnosis, other than the flu test revealed it WASN'T the flu after being told it was and being treated as if it was. ALL I KNOW IS...WHATEVER IT WAS...DON'T WISH IT ON ANYONE PAST, PRESENT, OR FUTURE. It's good to feel better...not 100% yet, but better.

Passing The Torch!

Last night Trey and I had the opportunity to officiate some more basketball games together. Basketball has been a huge part of my life. I played in school and even after getting out of school in different Rec and Church leagues. I am addicted to ACC basketball and particularly my beloved Tarheels. I started officiating basketball on a whim in 1995 and absolutely became obsessed with it. For the past 14 years I have always looked forward to this time of year and being on the court with the kids.
Over the past few years I have had right much trouble with my hip. It bothers me more walking than it does running for some odd reason. No one can figure out what is going on. I've been to ortho guys and a neurosurgeon. Best they can tell it's a nerve issue because of something going on in my lower back. Bottom line is, it has now started bothering me when I run. It's hard enough to run at my age and at my weight....adding the hip problem just compounds it.
We only have the playoffs left this year and then I will reassess the future. It makes me so proud to have had the opportunity to call ball with my son. He is a natural and has natural abilities. I have encouraged him to take it to the next level, go to some camps, get some more experience. It's a great part-time job..it's great exercise....and you get to stay close to a game you love. Is it time to pass the torch???
I guess I'll know next December!!!!