Debt

Well, on October 15th, 2002, we had around $31,000 in debt, most of that credit cards. We actually had more, cause we had the house and the car, but we had 31K of stupid debt.

Today, 5 years and 5 months since we started, we made the last payment on our stupid debt. And let me tell you how good it feels! It's incredible!

We still have a car loan, and our house payment, but everything else is paid off!!!

Well, I'm going to get off here and go see about buying that boat I saw for sale.

Just joking. Actually, going to finally start up my 401K again at work, and adding to the car payment to get it paid off faster, and also trying to get some money saved up.

Fishin

We went fishing today. I'm really enjoying the Collinsville Lake (Pond). It's nice to be able to drive to the lake, fish, and be back in 1:15, and fished for about an hour.

We did pretty good. I caught 4 fish, and my boy caught 1. 1 crappie, 1 bass, and 3 perch. All too small to keep, but it's always fun catchin. I took pictures of 4 of the 5 fish, but too small to mess with putting up here.

The weekend calls for rain and cooler temps, so probably wont go out this weekend.

Prayer

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Eph 6:18 (NIV)

I know many that read my blog are Christians, and I ask each and every one of you, right now, to please, take a moment, and pray for a little boy named Treiton.

He is the son of my wifes life long friend. He has been battling cancer for a couple years now, and had been doing well. Tonight, he's fighting for his life. We don't know what the problem is. We know his kidneys aren't working well, his blood pressure is down and his heart rate up. Last I heard, they think an infection may be causing it, and with his weakened immune system, it's tearing him up.

He is one of the most precious kids I've ever had the privilege to meet.

Our God is alive and well! He has made us, and can heal this little boy. I believe in the power of prayer, and at the same time my heart breaks for this little boy. Younger than my own boy by a year or so.

Also, please keep his family, and especially his parents in your prayers.

Hair-less

Or maybe less hair would be a better title.

I got all crazy this weekend and shaved.

About 2 weeks ago, I shaved my beard back into a goatee, but today, I shaved almost everything else off.

Back in September, I started growing out my goatee into a beard, and didn't mess with it until the day after Thanksgiving. I trimmed it down, and kept the beard trimmed until Saturday when I shaved. I took pictures then, so you can see the before here.

And here is the after.....





wait for it.....





ok, you ready?




Here you go

(Click for larger view)

I realized that I have had either a goatee or a beard for over 11 years!!! My wife had never seen my upper lip. Every time she looks at me, she laughs. She hasn't decided yet if she likes it or not. I had a lady at church tell me today, I look about 10 years younger. I don't know about 10 years, but I will agree I look younger.

Ram it?

Today, I went out to lunch with a few of the guys at work and as we were walking to the car, we passed this Dodge truck, and well, I guess the tag and pictures say it all.



For those that can't read the tag, it says "If you can't Dodge it, Ram it!"

Looks like he did.

Spring fever

I guess you'd say I have a full case of Spring Fever. After the fishing trip this morning, my boy and I washed the car and the truck... Planning on charcoaling some trout on the grill later.

It's a beautiful warm, sunny, windy day. It's 3:21 and 73 degrees.

I'm really hoping all this activity will help me get my strength back from being sick all week.

Fishin

It's been a long week with both me and my boy having the flu. So, today, we got up, ate some donuts, and went fishin. We went to the Collinsville Lake to give it a try. Not quite sure if I'd really call it a lake or not, but it was a place close by to go for a nice little fishing trip.

We had fun, and my boy even caught a little bass.

It's days like this that build memories.

(click for a larger picture)

And yes, I have seen bait larger than that fish.