VBS has finished, and we all survived!!!
We had a good time, and I'm exhausted. We averaged 26 people (workers and kids) with a high of 27 and a low of 24.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
GameSpot Mobile
I think I'm in love.
Ok, Maybe not, but I am way excited about an email I received this morning. It was an email from GameSpot talking about their new Gamespot Mobile which is currently in Beta.
First, for those that don't know, Gamespot is a game review page. You can see what how the "experts" rank a game, as well as how other people rate a game. It's really a helpful site when you're buying a game, there's nothing worse than spending money on a game, and get it home and find out it's crap.
More than once I've been at the store (used game store actually) and saw a game that looks really cool, and wondered how it was... well now, I'll be able to pull out my phone, and look it up much easier than before.
This is just too cool.
Ok, Maybe not, but I am way excited about an email I received this morning. It was an email from GameSpot talking about their new Gamespot Mobile which is currently in Beta.
First, for those that don't know, Gamespot is a game review page. You can see what how the "experts" rank a game, as well as how other people rate a game. It's really a helpful site when you're buying a game, there's nothing worse than spending money on a game, and get it home and find out it's crap.
More than once I've been at the store (used game store actually) and saw a game that looks really cool, and wondered how it was... well now, I'll be able to pull out my phone, and look it up much easier than before.
This is just too cool.
Monday, June 09, 2008
Another mobile test
This is a picture of a truck at work. It must have remote entry, but this person better hope he doesn't lose his keys.
Mobile Blogging
I'm checking out the new mobile bloggiing feature of Google. Might mean more frequent posts...
We'll see.
We'll see.
Sunday, June 08, 2008
VBS
Vacation Bible School starts this evening. I guess we'll see how ready I really am.
I'm hoping things go well, and I would love to have a group half the size my sister's church had!
We are trying something new this year. A Sunday Night through Thursday Night VBS with a Friday Night Parents night.
I've gone out and bought some Hawaiian Shirts. The Theme is Outrigger Island, so we'll be in the islands this week.
I'm hoping things go well, and I would love to have a group half the size my sister's church had!
We are trying something new this year. A Sunday Night through Thursday Night VBS with a Friday Night Parents night.
I've gone out and bought some Hawaiian Shirts. The Theme is Outrigger Island, so we'll be in the islands this week.
Friday, June 06, 2008
10 year Anniversary
Today is our 10th wedding anniversary! It's really hard to believe it's been 10 years. We are planning to go out to dinner tonight, and I'm really looking forward to it. Our real gift is a trip to Colorado Springs in a couple weeks.
I have truly been blessed to have her as my wife.
I have truly been blessed to have her as my wife.
Monday, June 02, 2008
Busy Weekend
I had a good, but busy weekend. Friday, I managed to get the yard mowed, the fence line sprayed (to kill the grass growing in it), around the pool sprayed (Same reason), and the sandbox sprayed (yep, you guessed it, same reason). And I got the garden weeded, and got the grass trimmed back around the tomato plants (since I couldn't weed in there.
And that was just Friday evening.
Saturday, I managed to get the back porch cleaned off. I probably should have taken a picture to show you, but I was really just too embarrassed to show anyone how hideously messy it really was, so no pictures for you.
It wasn't all work though, I did have some nice time playing games, and doing some reading. Church was good, except for getting drenched helping people get from the education building to the sanctuary dry.
And I made it to the grocery store. I forgot that I don't go to the store on Sundays, and at the first of the month. Sunday it was both!
12 days till our trip, and I can't wait!
And that was just Friday evening.
Saturday, I managed to get the back porch cleaned off. I probably should have taken a picture to show you, but I was really just too embarrassed to show anyone how hideously messy it really was, so no pictures for you.
It wasn't all work though, I did have some nice time playing games, and doing some reading. Church was good, except for getting drenched helping people get from the education building to the sanctuary dry.
And I made it to the grocery store. I forgot that I don't go to the store on Sundays, and at the first of the month. Sunday it was both!
12 days till our trip, and I can't wait!
Friday, May 30, 2008
Flash
I found out today that there is a vulnerability in the Flash player if you don't have the latest version.
You really need to check which version of Flash you are running (on all browsers you have installed) Firefox's flash can be a different version than IE. And when you patch one, that does NOT patch the other one. You can check which version you are running at http://kb.adobe.com/selfservice/viewContent.do?externalId=tn_15507&sliceId=1
And if you need to upgrade to the latest version you can do that at
http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash
BTW, when you check, the latest Windows version should look like WIN 9,0,124,0
You really need to check which version of Flash you are running (on all browsers you have installed) Firefox's flash can be a different version than IE. And when you patch one, that does NOT patch the other one. You can check which version you are running at http://kb.adobe.com/selfservice/viewContent.do?externalId=tn_15507&sliceId=1
And if you need to upgrade to the latest version you can do that at
http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash
BTW, when you check, the latest Windows version should look like WIN 9,0,124,0
Monday, May 26, 2008
Cub World Camping Trip
Over the weekend, we had our camping trip to Cub World at Zinc Ranch. It was a lot of fun.
This year, we camped near a castle they have built there, so they had the boys make swords, shields and swords. My wife and I made his sword and shield. It was really cool and he likes them very much. Then Friday, I made his helmet. It wasn't as cool as I would like, but its not bad. It even has padding in the helmet. He was happy with the set, so we were ready for our camping trip.
So, we went Saturday morning and had a great time. The grass was WAY high, but the castle rocked!!! The kids had a great time storming the castle and fighting for ground. It was an awesome time. Saturday, my boy got hurt though. He was at the castle playing and basically ran into a pole. I'm not sure if it was inside or out, but he gave himself a little shiner.
This year, we camped near a castle they have built there, so they had the boys make swords, shields and swords. My wife and I made his sword and shield. It was really cool and he likes them very much. Then Friday, I made his helmet. It wasn't as cool as I would like, but its not bad. It even has padding in the helmet. He was happy with the set, so we were ready for our camping trip.
So, we went Saturday morning and had a great time. The grass was WAY high, but the castle rocked!!! The kids had a great time storming the castle and fighting for ground. It was an awesome time. Saturday, my boy got hurt though. He was at the castle playing and basically ran into a pole. I'm not sure if it was inside or out, but he gave himself a little shiner.
Memorial Day
Every year, Floral Haven raises hundreds of casket flags of US servicemen who's flags have been given to them. There were hundreds of flags all over. It was a wonderful site!
On Memorial Day, they lower all the flags, and it's a huge undertaking, so they have invited all the Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts and Brownies to come help. This is the second year me and my boy have been able to go and help take down the flags.
This year, we started with my grandfathers flag. He served in the US Navy and died 10 years ago this summer. It was very heart warming to see my son and his friends lower my grandfathers flag and fold it.
On Memorial Day, they lower all the flags, and it's a huge undertaking, so they have invited all the Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts and Brownies to come help. This is the second year me and my boy have been able to go and help take down the flags.
This year, we started with my grandfathers flag. He served in the US Navy and died 10 years ago this summer. It was very heart warming to see my son and his friends lower my grandfathers flag and fold it.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Camping trip?
We woke up to rain this morning. Rain and camping just doesn't mix. It's not too bad if you set up dry and are there long enough for everything to dry out before packing up. As it is, the ground is probably already soaked.
Well, here we go.
Well, here we go.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Better gas mileage
As everyone knows, gas now costs an arm and a leg. Last week it cost me over $100 to fill up both vehicles. This is just pretty crazy, and I know it's not going to get better. Also with all the ethenol the gas companies are putting into the gas, my miles per gallon has dropped.
The gas mileage usually runs between 22.3 and 27.7 mpg. I think once I've had the car to over 30 mpg.
I watched a news story a couple weeks ago about slowing down would help with fuel efficiency, so I decided to give it a try. I decided that I'd not drive faster than around 62 mph.
After the first tank of gas, I got 29.5 mpg. Yesterday, I just filled up from my second tank, and I got 30.2 mpg. It really does help. At least for the first 2 weeks I've tried it, I've raise my fuel efficiency by around 10%. That's about a 1 way trip to Tulsa I'm saving each week. Over a months time that will save me enough for 2 round trips to Tulsa! Which is close to half a tank.
And the truth is, you don't lose that much time going somewhere. At 65 mph you can go 65 miles in 1 hour (hence the catchy name). But at least on a daily basis, I'm not going 65 miles. I'm going about 25 miles or so. So it takes me about 1-2 minutes longer to get to work than if i drove 65.
For the moment, I plan on continuing to drive at around 62.
The gas mileage usually runs between 22.3 and 27.7 mpg. I think once I've had the car to over 30 mpg.
I watched a news story a couple weeks ago about slowing down would help with fuel efficiency, so I decided to give it a try. I decided that I'd not drive faster than around 62 mph.
After the first tank of gas, I got 29.5 mpg. Yesterday, I just filled up from my second tank, and I got 30.2 mpg. It really does help. At least for the first 2 weeks I've tried it, I've raise my fuel efficiency by around 10%. That's about a 1 way trip to Tulsa I'm saving each week. Over a months time that will save me enough for 2 round trips to Tulsa! Which is close to half a tank.
And the truth is, you don't lose that much time going somewhere. At 65 mph you can go 65 miles in 1 hour (hence the catchy name). But at least on a daily basis, I'm not going 65 miles. I'm going about 25 miles or so. So it takes me about 1-2 minutes longer to get to work than if i drove 65.
For the moment, I plan on continuing to drive at around 62.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Overwhelmed
Do you ever have so much to do, you just completely and utterly overwhelmed?
On the bright side, with this busy weekend coming up, hopefully I'll have some good blog fodder.
On the bright side, with this busy weekend coming up, hopefully I'll have some good blog fodder.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
How does your garden grow?
Well, I've had 2 posts today cause I've been reminded that it's been over a month since I last posted. I'm not sure it counts but I've thought about it a lot.
Anyway, My garden is doing pretty well, though the brussel sprouts didn't come up.
I found it very amusing that I already have 3 tomatoes and 1 jalapeño. The corn is doing nicely as well.
Anyway, My garden is doing pretty well, though the brussel sprouts didn't come up.
I found it very amusing that I already have 3 tomatoes and 1 jalapeño. The corn is doing nicely as well.
Spelling Words
Now that school is about over, I wanted to share with everyone this WONDERFUL piece of software I found a little over a month ago. It's called My Spelling Words.
My boy had been having some problems with his spelling words in school. In fact, it was getting worse. Before I found this program, the last 3 tests were F, F, D. The conventional ways of writing your spelling words out over and over just wasn't working, at least for him.
So, I did what any good geek dad would do, I hit Google and that's when I found this program.
The reviews of it were great, but I don't put much faith in reviews that are listed on the software's own web page... who knows i they were really written or not.
But it had a 30 day free trial, so I figured what did we have to lose?
First week using this program to help him study his words, he made a 100%!!!
WOW!!! But was it just a fluke?
Week 2, 100%, Week 3, 100%!
At this point, I figured it was worth the $20. But it continues.
Week 4, 95%, Week 5 100%
Needless to say, I can't say enough good things about this program.
you do need a sound card and a microphone if you are going to use it.
My boy had been having some problems with his spelling words in school. In fact, it was getting worse. Before I found this program, the last 3 tests were F, F, D. The conventional ways of writing your spelling words out over and over just wasn't working, at least for him.
So, I did what any good geek dad would do, I hit Google and that's when I found this program.
The reviews of it were great, but I don't put much faith in reviews that are listed on the software's own web page... who knows i they were really written or not.
But it had a 30 day free trial, so I figured what did we have to lose?
First week using this program to help him study his words, he made a 100%!!!
WOW!!! But was it just a fluke?
Week 2, 100%, Week 3, 100%!
At this point, I figured it was worth the $20. But it continues.
Week 4, 95%, Week 5 100%
Needless to say, I can't say enough good things about this program.
you do need a sound card and a microphone if you are going to use it.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Dusk Fishing
Saturday evening my boy and I were fishing late, and as the sun set behind the hill, I noticed how beautiful this view was, so I got my phone and took a picture.
You may have to click to enlarge, but the colors are just amazing, well, in my opinion they are.
I was excited about how it came out.
I was sad that I lost a fish in the process.
You may have to click to enlarge, but the colors are just amazing, well, in my opinion they are.
I was excited about how it came out.
I was sad that I lost a fish in the process.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Geocaching
I first heard of Geocaching from Steven a couple years ago but didn't have a GPS to give it a try. About a month ago, I got a new cel phone that runs Windows Mobile and has a built in GPS in it (more on my phone later). So, after searching a bit on Geocaching and for some software that I could use with geocaching, my boy and I went for our first hunt.
We had a blast! I had found a cache that was close to the house, and went up to see if he was up to go on a treasure hunt. Not only did he say it sounded fun, but he put down his DS, and picked out something to leave in the cache and came happy as could be.
When we found the cache, he wanted to go find another one. Since I only had the one loaded in the phone, I told him no, but we could do more later.
I've got 4 more loaded up and ready to go.
As we were leaving, we caught a great sunset.
UPDATE:
I forgot to mention that this was the cache we found.
We had a blast! I had found a cache that was close to the house, and went up to see if he was up to go on a treasure hunt. Not only did he say it sounded fun, but he put down his DS, and picked out something to leave in the cache and came happy as could be.
When we found the cache, he wanted to go find another one. Since I only had the one loaded in the phone, I told him no, but we could do more later.
I've got 4 more loaded up and ready to go.
As we were leaving, we caught a great sunset.
UPDATE:
I forgot to mention that this was the cache we found.
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Storms
Well, it's 3:45 a.m. About an hour ago if that, I was awaken to tornado sirens.
I get up, and turn on the TV and check the computer to see whats going on. Sure enough, rotation west of Sperry, headed this way.
I watch the TV for a bit to really make sure that it's headed this way.
Let me explain for my non-Okie friends, tornadoes can go in a V shaped path from the point of the rotation. So, paths can very a pretty good distance, and even though you are in the path, if you are on one of the outside paths, then, you're pretty safe... if you are in the center, well, not so much.
We were in the center of the path.
So, I woke up my wife, and we watched the weather reports for a while. We didn't want to wake the kids for no reason. I don't want them to feel like we cry wolf or in the case of my boy, grow up scared of storms (And in my bedroom every night it storms).
Things were going ok. It was on track straight for our town, but no rotation had been spotted, and it seemed to be weakening. I was feeling pretty good about going back to bed. Then they cut to a storm chaser*. He said he was a bit east of my town, and was watching the storm. He saw confirmed rotation above my town! Hello, that got my attention, so I did what any self respecting redneck would do, I walked out on the back porch to see for myself.
But when the winds got very strong and hail started pummeling the house so I came back in. Then the tornado indexes shot up on the storm (they had dropped low) and the storm chaser talked about seeing a power flash in town, and another. Did you catch that? IN TOWN.
I was looking out the window at the same time looking for his power flashes, and then I saw one! It was either AT the church next door, or across the street! About the same time my wife said OK as I said NOW!
I hollered at my daughter to get up and head to the basement and I ran up the stairs and grabbed my son and we all ran to the basement! I got my daughter under the stairs wrapped in a blanket. My wife sat down at her feet and our son crawled up in her lap, and they wrapped up in a blanket. I stood posed to cover them up if necessary... then I realized, I didn't have a blanket to protect me from anything.
So, again, I did what any self respectin redneck would do, I came upstairs to get one, and since I was upstairs, I might as well look out the window. I took a quick look, and then as I headed to get a blanket, I grabbed the remote and turned up the TV nice and loud so we could hear it downstairs! I grabbed a blanket, and went back downstairs. I wrapped the blanket over my back, and was prepared to throw myself on my family to protect them from anything that might come.
We waited for a bit and listened... and waited. Then I did what any self respecting nerd would do, and pulled up the radar on my phone. It looked like it had passed, so I came back up and verified it was good, and the family came back up and everyone headed back to bed.
Except me. I decided to blog. I've been in many storms in my life. Gone to the cellar more times than I care to count, but I don't believe I have ever been this scared.
As I sit here typing this, another round of VERY heavy storms above the house. I keep hitting save just in case I lose power.
Anyway, it looks like that's it. Guess I'll watch a bit more TV and then try to go to bed soon... the alarm will go off before I'd like it to.
(oh, and the hail was about pea sized or so)
*Storm Chasers - again, for my non-okie friends storm chasers are people that are a few fries short of a Happy Meal, and when strong storms come out, they get in the cars and chase these storms. Some chase from behind, some from in front! They have their phone, and cameras and other high tech gear (now anyway), and report into the TV station what they are seeing. Now, don't get me wrong about saying they are a few fries short. They really do help the stations let people know whats going on.
I get up, and turn on the TV and check the computer to see whats going on. Sure enough, rotation west of Sperry, headed this way.
I watch the TV for a bit to really make sure that it's headed this way.
Let me explain for my non-Okie friends, tornadoes can go in a V shaped path from the point of the rotation. So, paths can very a pretty good distance, and even though you are in the path, if you are on one of the outside paths, then, you're pretty safe... if you are in the center, well, not so much.
We were in the center of the path.
So, I woke up my wife, and we watched the weather reports for a while. We didn't want to wake the kids for no reason. I don't want them to feel like we cry wolf or in the case of my boy, grow up scared of storms (And in my bedroom every night it storms).
Things were going ok. It was on track straight for our town, but no rotation had been spotted, and it seemed to be weakening. I was feeling pretty good about going back to bed. Then they cut to a storm chaser*. He said he was a bit east of my town, and was watching the storm. He saw confirmed rotation above my town! Hello, that got my attention, so I did what any self respecting redneck would do, I walked out on the back porch to see for myself.
But when the winds got very strong and hail started pummeling the house so I came back in. Then the tornado indexes shot up on the storm (they had dropped low) and the storm chaser talked about seeing a power flash in town, and another. Did you catch that? IN TOWN.
I was looking out the window at the same time looking for his power flashes, and then I saw one! It was either AT the church next door, or across the street! About the same time my wife said OK as I said NOW!
I hollered at my daughter to get up and head to the basement and I ran up the stairs and grabbed my son and we all ran to the basement! I got my daughter under the stairs wrapped in a blanket. My wife sat down at her feet and our son crawled up in her lap, and they wrapped up in a blanket. I stood posed to cover them up if necessary... then I realized, I didn't have a blanket to protect me from anything.
So, again, I did what any self respectin redneck would do, I came upstairs to get one, and since I was upstairs, I might as well look out the window. I took a quick look, and then as I headed to get a blanket, I grabbed the remote and turned up the TV nice and loud so we could hear it downstairs! I grabbed a blanket, and went back downstairs. I wrapped the blanket over my back, and was prepared to throw myself on my family to protect them from anything that might come.
We waited for a bit and listened... and waited. Then I did what any self respecting nerd would do, and pulled up the radar on my phone. It looked like it had passed, so I came back up and verified it was good, and the family came back up and everyone headed back to bed.
Except me. I decided to blog. I've been in many storms in my life. Gone to the cellar more times than I care to count, but I don't believe I have ever been this scared.
As I sit here typing this, another round of VERY heavy storms above the house. I keep hitting save just in case I lose power.
Anyway, it looks like that's it. Guess I'll watch a bit more TV and then try to go to bed soon... the alarm will go off before I'd like it to.
(oh, and the hail was about pea sized or so)
*Storm Chasers - again, for my non-okie friends storm chasers are people that are a few fries short of a Happy Meal, and when strong storms come out, they get in the cars and chase these storms. Some chase from behind, some from in front! They have their phone, and cameras and other high tech gear (now anyway), and report into the TV station what they are seeing. Now, don't get me wrong about saying they are a few fries short. They really do help the stations let people know whats going on.
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Garden and stuff
Yesterday (Saturday) I decided to get the tiller working again. The pull string broke last year, and I said I'd fix it before the Spring.... well, Spring got here, and I didn't have it fixed.
So, if we are going to have any veggies, I have to get the tiller fixed, or break out the hoe and get to work. So, I go to Atwoods and get a replacement, I get home and finally figure out how to change it out.
While doing that, I realized the belts are in sad shape. So sad, I'm surprised they didn't break instead. That got me to thinking, so I checked the air filter, and it was in sad shape as well. So, I take them off and head back to Atwoods.
They no longer make the same type of air filter, but i found one that was similar, and got it. But I don't know the length of my belts... so I walk around looking for the tape measures. I then try to measure the belts. I go back to the other side of the store, and get the belts.
After getting home and trying to get the belts on, I realize that one belt was to big, the other, too small. So, I cut them and measure them... sure enough, one was 1 inch to large, the other 1 inch to small. Since I was going through all this trouble, I checked the spark plug, and I'm surprised it could spark.
Anyway, I finally get everything replaced and put back together, and couldn't get it started... I gave up and went fishing. Got 2 small perch.
Today, after church, I got back out there, and emptied out the old gas, and put in fresh, and got it to start up. So, I got the garden tilled. In celebrations, I went fishing. Didn't catch anything. Because of everything that has been going on, and how hard this week has been for my wife, we stayed home to spend some time as a family, and we went ahead and planted the garden. We have corn, and brussel sprouts, jalapeños, and tomatoes. We already have some onions, cilantro, and oregano going. My boy wants some cucumbers, but I need to till up some more dirt before I can get them planted.
So, if we are going to have any veggies, I have to get the tiller fixed, or break out the hoe and get to work. So, I go to Atwoods and get a replacement, I get home and finally figure out how to change it out.
While doing that, I realized the belts are in sad shape. So sad, I'm surprised they didn't break instead. That got me to thinking, so I checked the air filter, and it was in sad shape as well. So, I take them off and head back to Atwoods.
They no longer make the same type of air filter, but i found one that was similar, and got it. But I don't know the length of my belts... so I walk around looking for the tape measures. I then try to measure the belts. I go back to the other side of the store, and get the belts.
After getting home and trying to get the belts on, I realize that one belt was to big, the other, too small. So, I cut them and measure them... sure enough, one was 1 inch to large, the other 1 inch to small. Since I was going through all this trouble, I checked the spark plug, and I'm surprised it could spark.
Anyway, I finally get everything replaced and put back together, and couldn't get it started... I gave up and went fishing. Got 2 small perch.
Today, after church, I got back out there, and emptied out the old gas, and put in fresh, and got it to start up. So, I got the garden tilled. In celebrations, I went fishing. Didn't catch anything. Because of everything that has been going on, and how hard this week has been for my wife, we stayed home to spend some time as a family, and we went ahead and planted the garden. We have corn, and brussel sprouts, jalapeños, and tomatoes. We already have some onions, cilantro, and oregano going. My boy wants some cucumbers, but I need to till up some more dirt before I can get them planted.
Thursday, April 03, 2008
More Prayer
Last Tuesday, I asked for prayer, and I thank you. Today I ask for it again, but for a different reason.
Yesterday morning (Wednesday), Treiton passed away. He was the sweetest 6.5 year old I knew. He was funny and brave. He enjoyed life and lived it to the fullest.
Please pray for his family and everyone who knew him as they morn his passing. Our heads tell us his in a better place now. He's no longer in pain, and is in the presence of our Lord. But our hearts miss him terribly. And for my wife and I, we see our boy, and see what his parents will miss.
His funeral is set for Saturday.
Yesterday morning (Wednesday), Treiton passed away. He was the sweetest 6.5 year old I knew. He was funny and brave. He enjoyed life and lived it to the fullest.
Please pray for his family and everyone who knew him as they morn his passing. Our heads tell us his in a better place now. He's no longer in pain, and is in the presence of our Lord. But our hearts miss him terribly. And for my wife and I, we see our boy, and see what his parents will miss.
His funeral is set for Saturday.
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