No posts

We're going to be out of pocket for a few days so sorry, no photos for awhile!

Tomorrow we drive to Houston to attend a funeral of a close friend's 4 year old son who drowned on Friday. Pray for Josh and Christina Lackey (parents) and Greg and Kay Lackey (grand-parents) and other family too.

Wednesday I have all day continuing education classes and Thursday we try to catch up.

Nina

This is a reproduction of Christopher Columbus's ship - the Nina. It was built in Spain and given to us as a gift. Actually all three of the ships were built and came together across the ocean! The other two are in the Corpus Christi museum in dry dock. There is some pretty serious controversy over the way we've kept (or not kept) them up. Anyway - I can't imagine crossing an ocean on this little boat!

Tunnel

I feel like I'm crawling through a tunnel this week, but I'm not having as much fun as my grandchildren are having!

Have a wonderful week.

USS Lexington once more

Another photo taken in Corpus Christi. I'm in front of the USS Lexington with the wind blowing about 500 miles per hour.

Kitchen

Neidon is going to regret this some day.

Guys - Never, never, never smile when helping in the kitchen! Don't even act happy!!

And worst of all guys, don't ever get caught on film working in the kitchen.

USS Lexington

Cindy and I went to Corpus Christi yesterday and came back this afternoon. A great get-away.

Here is Cindy by the Carrier Lexington. It is H-U-G-E.

Giraffe perch

Kaireia's Grandma Kleeman recently took her to the zoo. Here she is on a high platform but still not quite eye-to-eye with a giraffe.

Kaireia is sure checking him out.

Psychedelic

Kaireia is ready to roll.

This is click-it or ticket week so be careful.

All worn out

The week's half over - do like Neidon does and take a short power nap to get your energy back.

Bird flu hits Tennessee

My sister Sandy in Tennessee just sent me this - I think she believes it was caused by the Asian bird flu.


I don't have the heart to tell her these birds are really just upset about the San Antonio Spurs losing to the Dallas Mavericks.

Drawing buddies

Uncle Reed got to see Kairea and Neidon recently.

Here are Kaireia and Reed drawing. Who is teaching who how to draw?

Happy Monday

Another great Monday.

Here's my big girl to get your day going.

Sometimes she looks so old. She's not a baby anymore.

Have a blessed week.

Sunday again

Kaireia says have a great Sunday!

She's as pretty as a rose.

Quiz III Answer

There is a winner.

Reed L. Adams answered - "Dub Taylor"! Hooray and congratulations!

I would have also accepted "Cannonball" Taylor, an earlier nickname or Walter Clarence Taylor, Jr - his actual given name.

Go here for more info.

Quiz III hints

What - No guesses on Buck Taylor's father yet!

Hints:
1) He has the same last name. "______" Taylor.
2) He's in some of my favorite movies: "The Shakiest Gun in the West" and "No time for Sergeants".
3) Typically plays bit parts - can't recall him in a a lead role. Sometimes only a few minute role.
4) In over 200 TV shows and movies between 1938 and his death in 1994.

Little gardener

Kaireia is using the gardening gloves her Grandma Adams bought her. She is really attacking those weeds.

I need some shoes like those!

Quiz III

Who was Buck Taylor's father? He was also a famous actor - one of my favorite characters in many movies.

(HINT: He's here on the right.)

Brush with greatness

I just came upon this picture I took last year at the San Antonio rodeo - I almost forgot about it and thought you would enjoy it.

Cindy is in the photo with Buck Taylor. You may not remember him, but if you look at the black and white photo, he's the one on the far left by Matt Dillon. His TV name on Gunsmoke was Newly O'Brien. He comes to the San Antonio rodeo every year and sells his paintings and of course, gives out autographs for fans.

You didn't know about Cindy's brush with the famous, huh?

Happy Friday

Well, Janice was first with the right answer (actually the only one with the right answer). It was 1986. Check out other 1986 stuff here.

You all have a wonderful Friday!

Quiz two

Okay - you all get another chance.

Reed and Rachel again when we lived in Schertz.

The year?

Hints - Space Challenger exploded; Chernobyl accident; Boston won NBA Championship; Halley's comet returned; Reagan was president.

Never alone

Neidon is never alone. Big sis is always lending a helping hand.

Sometimes us guys just need some space!

Contentment

Neidon looks pretty happy and content here. Why can't we be that content?

Phil 4:12-13 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. (NIV)

Just relaxing ....

Kaireia is such a pretty little girl. She's just relaxing in this photo.

Oh yes, the answer to yesterday's photo was .....

1983! I did have one very close reply. Good guess Katie!

(Aunt Janice answered after I posted this - it that cheating or just old age?)

Quiz time

Reed and Rachel -- we used this for our Christmas card - what year?

Little swinger

Kaireia loves swinging - especially if dad is doing the pushing!

I hope you all had a great Mother's day!

(Remember to click picture to see larger)

Rabbit

Kaireia with her daddy at the Silver Dollar City petting zoo.

It looks like she found a rabbit to hold.

Good friends

Here is Kaireia with Megan Agler - one of her close friends.

Do you remember your close friends from Grade school, high school and college? (and beyond)

Wow - did we have some great times!

Kaireia - you're in for a treat!

At least ...

I believe ...

Some hurtful words are "at least." Forgive me for getting so serious, but this has been on my mind for some time. This is not to blame or accuse, it's merely meant to alert you or make you more cognizant of your speech.

When we lost our grandchild to SIDS a few years ago, I remember the "at least" statements that were meant to be kind and helpful, but were actually deep cuts.

At least he wasn't handicapped, at least he died before you really knew him, at least he wasn't 21 years old, at least he died peacefully, at least, at least, at least ....

A friend recently was going through a hard time and I heard many "at least's" from well meaning friends. I was reminded of my "at least's" when I heard this and wondered if they hurt him as much too?

Why do we do this? Why can't we truly just focus on the grief or loss of others and allow them to properly grieve and get it behind them as much as they can in their own way?

Next time a friend says "I've lost my job", please don't reply with "at least ...".
Next time a friend says "I've got cancer", please don't reply with "at least ..."

Remember Job's friends in the Bible? They were of great comfort, until they spoke.

Helper

Neidon is helping out Kairiea in her kitchen.

He's not setting a good example for the rest of us guys. Darin needs to talk to him about this.

Carol Burnett

Carol Burnett's house is for sale here in San Antonio.

Check it out. (This link may expire in a few months?)

It looks similar to our old Schertz house. See early blog photos.

No such thing as styrofoam cup

I just learned something recently.

There is no such thing as a "Styrofoam" cup. You are drinking from a molded foam cup.

Dow, the company that makes "Styrofoam" and has that term copyrighted, does NOT make cups.

(And does not supply to McDonald's. Remember this if you are suing over hot spilt liquids.)

Go to their site here to see the official explanation.

In the meantime, somebody please hand me a molded expanded polystyrene bead cup for my coffee.

Smile, it's Friday

Neidon is a great smiler. He's a happy boy - except when he's hungry or big sister takes his toy.

You all have a great Friday - and don't take anyone's toys today!

Hard work

Visiting a theme park is hard work.

Neidon is taking a little break.

He could be sleeping in my arms just as easily.

(If you click on the photo and look closely - I believe he slept with his face on his zipper for awhile)

Quick Draw

Kaireia seems to be enjoying Silver Dollar City. It looks like she is getting ready to go on the Flooded Mine ride.





She doesn't know she isn't politically correct.

Now is not the time to tell her.

Big guy

Here's our big 8 month old.

Neidon enjoyed Silver Dollar City too - he can hardly wait until he's old enough for the rides.

Bear riders

Here are Darin and Kaireia riding a bear at Silver Dollar City last Friday.


Like father like daughter, huh?

8 months old

Neidon just turned 8 months old. They like to compare their foot size! It's really not a Hanes ad.

Have a great week! Lots of fun photos coming this week.

Green frog

Here is Neidon checking out a stuffed animal that looks like a frog.

I wonder what story Kaireia is telling him about the frog?

Once upon a time ....

Sunshine

I love natural lighting. Colors are so much nicer.

Of course, when your subject is great too, what's not to like!

Joplin

This is Joplin a week ago. Cindy and Leslie went up for a women's retreat and the kids happened to stop by - sure.

Here's Leslie with Kaireia and Neidon having a 'miserable' time.

You drive me crazy

A car with two steering wheels!

It looks like Kaireia is ready to drive.

You all have a great weekend.

And stay off the roads if you are in SW Missouri!

Incredible letter

Major Sullivan Ballou of the Second Regiment, Rhode Island Volunteers wrote this letter. Quite moving. Click here

PS A long letter but well worth reading - don't rush through it.

Week's half over

Cindy got back from seeing the kids yesterday.

Here's a photo she took of Rachel and Neidon.

Energy Efficiency is More than Just Fuel Economy

Found this article on the NW Marketing Research, Inc. website.
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Looking for an energy efficient vehicle? Scion xB leads the list, significantly better than even the best hybrids.

That’s the conclusion of long-term study of “dust to dust” energy costs for cars and trucks. The research tracked and calculated the energy cost of each model sold in the U.S. in 2005 from initial concept to the projected time it is scrapped.

The Top 10 most energy efficient vehicles over their lifetime:

1. Scion xB ($0.48 per mile)
2. Ford Escort (0.57 per mile)
3. Jeep Wrangler ($0.60 per mile)
4. Chevrolet Tracker ($0.69 per mile)
5. Toyota Echo ($0.70 per mile)
6. Saturn Ion ($0.71 per mile)
7. Hyundai Elantra ($0.72 per mile)
8. Dodge Neon ($0.73 per mile)
9. Toyota Corolla ($0.73 per mile)
10. Scion xA ($0.74 per mile)

The 10 least energy efficient vehicles over their lifetime:

1. Mercedes Benz produced Maybach ($11.58 per mile)
2. Volkswagen Phaeton ($11.21 per mile)
3. Rolls-Royce (full line average: $10.66 per mile)
4. Bentley (full line average: $10.56 per mile)
5. Audi allroad Quattro ($5.59 per mile)
6. Audi A8 ($4.96 per mile)
7. Audi A6 ($4.96 per mile)
8. Lexus LS430 ($4.73 per mile)
9. Porsche Carrera GT ($4.53 per mile)
10. Acura NSX ($4.45 per mile)

Hybrid energy efficiency over their lifetime:

1. Honda Insight ($2.94 per mile)
2. Ford Escape Hybrid ($3.18 per mile)
3. Honda Civic Hybrid ($3.24 per mile)
4. Toyota Prius ($3.25 per mile)
5. Honda Accord Hybrid ($3.30 per mile)

The study measures all energy needed for vehicles sold in the U.S. in cy2005. The data applies to new and used vehicles even though calculations were made on cy05 models.

Data includes supplier as well as brand manufacturer energy consumption for the listed vehicles; transportation at all levels of distribution; use of materials (plastics, steel, light-weight steel, aluminum, etc.) and literally hundreds of other factors.

While historical data is spotty, CNW analysis shows the industry as a whole has improved manufacturing energy efficiency significantly in the production portion of the calculation – between 15 and 20 percent – since 1995. This, however, is only a small part of the total Energy Cost Per Mile calculation.

For the complete list of all vehicles sold in the U.S. in calendar year 2005 and their energy cost, visit www.cnwmr.com and click on “Dust to Dust Energy List.”

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER, 4 MAY 2006

Received this in Patriot post today ...

On 06 May 1982, Ronald Reagan offered these words: "Today, prayer is still a powerful force in America, and our faith in God is a mighty source of strength. Our Pledge of Allegiance states that we are 'one nation under God,' and our currency bears the motto, 'In God We Trust.' The morality and values such faith implies are deeply embedded in our national character. Our country embraces those principles by design, and we abandon them at our peril. Yet in recent years, well-meaning Americans in the name of freedom have taken freedom away. For the sake of religious tolerance, they've forbidden religious practice in the classrooms. The law of this land has effectively removed prayer from our classrooms. How can we hope to retain our freedom through the generations if we fail to teach our young that our liberty springs from an abiding faith in our Creator?"

National Day of Prayer website

Colorful kids

Here are my beautiful grandkids - Kaireia and Neidon.

Enjoy!

Rachel Two

This is Casey's wife - Rachel Kleeman. The Kleeman's now have two Rachel Kleeman's in their family.
Neidon looks good here. This is a great picture of the both of them.

Flamingos don't play basketball, maybe they should

I'm just putting this in to take my mind off of the Spurs game last night.

I won't mention how bad they played or how many easy baskets they missed.

Just enjoy the pink flamingos.

Did I say they played really bad?

How many free throws can you miss in one game?

Nice flamingos.