The Shooter

Just returned from the movies. Our power went off at 1:45 and was expected to be back on at 5 so we decided to go to the movies. We go to some movies, but not all the time. This afternoon, we saw "The Shooter" with Mark Walberg. Gotta say, it was pretty good. I was afraid of a lot of gore (not my favorite thing) but even though lots of heads got shot, it was a long shot and not really too offensive. The movie reminded me of the Lee Child books about Jack Reacher, which I love. The girl in the movie I'd never heard of, but she was great, and I LOVE how she talks. My only complaint was that the dialogue should have been a bit louder since I had trouble understanding a lot of the lines. Definitely not for the kids as there was some bad language at the end, but a good outing for grownups!

Stalemate

Just this morning finished "Stalemate" by Iris Johansen. Let me begin by saying I LOVE her books. In her early books, the coolest thing was that she would pick out a very minor character in one of her books, and make that character a main character in the new book. I don't know why, but I just love that. This is an Eve Duncan thriller. She now has a few Eve Duncan books. They are always good, however I really liked the last one with her daughter Jane as the main character. This one started out slow, but really picked up speed about half-way through. She has to travel to Columbia to do a skull reconstruction. She goes against her better judgment in hopes of finding who killed her daughter Bonnie years ago. Definitely worth your while to read.

General Thoughts

Just home from our last Wednesday Lenten service. A delicious dinner of BBQ chicken, potato salad and pinto beans was served. Talk about ending on a high note!

Gave a test in class yesterday, and all but 2 students passed!! I have no clue if the material was just easier, or if they actually studied for a change. Either way, I was thrilled.

My back is still aching...of course today I cleaned and mopped the kitchen, and steam-cleaned the sofa...

Here's another photo from Sunday - Hubby, me, the Eagle Scout, our expecting daughter and her hubby...

I have another random list...

Ten TV Shows I Love
1. Monk
2. Psych
3. Seinfeld
4. Friends
5. Dancing with the Stars (Who can win our hearts like Emmit?)
6. ER
7. I Love Lucy
8. Reba
9. Cosby
10. Simpsons

Thoughts? Comment me!

General Ramblings at 5 am

Thought I would sleep like a baby last night...but no. My brain was in high gear along with a headache.

So very glad to get back to a regular schedule today. All my housekeeping chores have fallen to the background with all the Eagle preparation, so today I go back full force. I'll be concentrating on all the "cracks and crevices," as my husband says.

He was off to town to make hospital calls at 4:30 this morning. We have two men at church having surgery this morning and he has a devotion with them pre-surgery.

My son will be up in an hour to do homework that he was too excited to do last night. After the ceremony, gifts and cards, it was hard to concentrate. Besides that, he is horribly allergic to live oak pollen, and as you can see, we are overcome with it right now. This is nothing compared to what my husband swept off the driveway Saturday! Talk about an itchy, sneezy family!

Luvthebearcats issued a challenge to make a list of things I'd never wear again. I'll do my best.

10 Things I'll Never Wear

1. Short shorts
2. Strappy sandals (who'd want to look at THESE feet)
3. A sports bra as outer wear
4. A brides maid dress
5. Maternity clothes
Sadly, unless we move to a different climate-
6. Snow boots, and
7. Wool sweaters
--
8. Two piece swim suit
9. Big framed glasses
10. Big Texas hair
11. Crocs with shorts

Officially an Eagle

The ceremony is complete. It went off without a problem. The church wasn't caught on fire. Everyone showed up. We had lots of guests, and plenty of food. I'm so glad it's done. I actually didn't even look at a program, just sat and listened and enjoyed it. Managed not to cry until the very end. Normally, I'm a blubbering idiot at things like this. Maybe after 44 years, I'm getting better...

He's the one in the back with the blue neckerchief. It was a great group of scouts that came. Everything was just so nice.

My Aching Back

My back is killing me! It was very sore Monday, but felt much better yesterday. Today, I'm in agony. Was it the long car ride yesterday?? Or all the bending I've done today?? Or stress over the Eagle Ceremony?? Who knows...spent much of the afternoon with the heating pad. My beloved said I should visit the doctor this afternoon and I said "Don't be silly - I'm fine." Well, tomorrow afternoon I'm down for it if I'm not better tomorrow.

Went shopping today for Lutheran World Relief health kit ingredients - of course everything is on the bottom shelf. Tried out some decorations for the ceremony - bend and lift...bend and lift. OUCH!

Cake is ordered :) YIPEE!

May get a visit tomorrow from our daughter - can't wait to see how big her belly is!

Off to bed and the heating pad and my new book.

Basketball starts again tomorrow!

Today's Trip To Town

What a day...I was so distracted that I couldn't get anything right in class...I teach a math class and 3 labs at our local community college. I would say one thing and write the opposite on the board. The students are just back from spring break, so no one was thinking anyway...We left at 12:30 and went straight to the Scout Shop and got 10 neckerchiefs and 10 slides, eagle balloons, eagle thank you notes and an eagle guest book. If I've forgotten anything else, we'll just have to go without. We stopped for lunch (always a treat when we go to the 'big city') at Macaroni Grill. Hit Barnes and Nobles where my brainy husband found a book he'd been wanting to read (The History of English Speaking People Since 1900 ??) What we have spent talking about for the last 23 years I do not know. I love James Patterson because the chapters are 2 pages long. He is a prince of a man! We finished up at the MALL where my husband got 2 new shirts and I got a new pair of sandals. Got home at 5:30. Have been calling scouts all evening reminding parents about Sunday and making sure people will be there. Still no cake ordered - TOMORROW.

Eagle Ceremony Preparations

What a day and night! Spent most of yesterday starting final preparations for Jacob's Eagle Scout Ceremony on Sunday. We had the first real practice last night. My son, who's much like his father, lost his temper a bit at the slightly unorganized proceedings. However, in the end it was OK. We practice again on Thursday. Several people we have been counting on participating have, at the last minute, informed us they won't be there. I am slightly frantic about finding replacements. We are traveling into town after my classes today to the scout shop to buy neckerchiefs and slides, because, of course, not all the boys have a complete uniform. Still I need to order the cake. The scrapbook is complete. The decorations are in order (I HOPE). If only we have everyone show up that is supposed to. Pray for us!

NCAA Update

At the end of the second round, I'm losing the competition 43 points to 45 points. I've also already lost 2 from the regional round. Time will tell who will take home the prize this year.

In other sports news, Nadal won the Pacific Life Tournament, much to Jacob's groaning.

Sundays

Sundays are a busy day at our house. My husband starts the day at 6 a.m., when he walks over to church to begin double (and triple) checking the service. At 6:30, I walk over and make the coffee. I pick up a friend of our sons at 8:30 and church begins at 9:00. Sunday school follows at 10:15. My husband has confirmation at 11:15. While he's teaching confirmation, I'm preparing lunch. He arrives ready to eat at around 12:15. He also serves a small church in a neighboring town. We leave for the second church at 1:00...church at 2:00...home around 3:45. Today my husband has been sick (stomach - ick). It's been a long day for him. Jacob was worried all through church that he'd hurl from the pulpit - he didn't.

I worked on the last three pages of Jacob's Eagle Scout scrapbook after we got home - FINALLY complete! Jacob grilled himself a steak for dinner and we had soup. I pray he feels better tomorrow.

Life in a Fishbowl

It is often said that the pastor of a congregation and his family live life in a fishbowl. I'm not so sure that's true - at least in our situation. We've lived in this small south Texas town for 9 years. Our home is a parsonage belonging to our congregation. We live right next door to the church. It is true, that the congregation gets a good look at us and our home each time they come to church. However, I feel that we know so much more about them, than they know about us. From my kitchen window, I see who is parked outside, visiting with the pastor. I know who comes to church every Sunday, and who make it inside only once a month, or even worse, only on Easter and Christmas. I have a feel for people that I don't think they have about me.

We have an awesome congregation! My life here as the pastor's wife couldn't be better. This congregation had gone YEARS without having a married pastor. When my husband was called to serve here, there were no "pastor's wife" jobs. People were reluctant to ask for my help with things. Consequently, I have been free to join the things I wanted, to help out where my gifts lie, and to simply be an active part of the congregation. (I will tell you though - recently at a Lions club meeting a man - not a member of our church - asked me to play the piano since I was the "Preacher's wife." He was shocked that I didn't play...)

Therefore, maybe we all live life in a fishbowl, no matter what our station in life.

Eye of the Wolf

I've just finished this book, "Eye of the Wolf" by Margaret Coel. She is one of my favorite authors, and I've read all of her books, I think. These books are set on the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming. The central characters of all the books are Father John O'Malley, the Catholic priest assigned to the reservation, and Vicki Holden, an Arapaho lawyer. They work together to solve murders on the reservation. I love these books, however it seemed to take forever to finish this one. It didn't hold my attention, and I figured it out early on in the story.

Here Goes Nothing

This is all a brand new experience for me. I have recently begun reading other ladies blogs, and thought I'd give it a try. Right now, my life is busy with BASKETBALL! For the 20th year, my husband and I have filled out our brackets, and are watching and marking our hits and misses. Who will come out victorious? Only time will tell.

I love the computer, and am currently obsesses with the miniclip game Bubble Trouble (thank you very much Jacob!)

For now, this is it - I must hurry to see the end of the Texas A&M/Louisville game. Go AGGIES.