Thursday, January 31, 2008

PRAYER!!!

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I want each of you to lift up the name of Amanda Barnes in your prayers.

This 24 year old girl was in a terrible accident about a week ago and is undergoing alot of surgery's, etc.

I have come to know her mother, Trina, and Aunt Patti, through their blogs. Trina has not posted in a while due to her own health problems.

This is Amanda's second car accident in a year. She was in a head on collision last July and now this. She was on her way home from a date and a Deer ran into the road. They sweerved to miss the deer and that is what caused the accident.

You can read more about the accident and the recovery process that is going on at www.mercydropsfalling.blogspot.com (this is her Aunt's blog).

I spoke with Trina, the mom, for the first time today. I have always followed her blog; therefore I feel that they are family. Trina is in the Trauma waiting room at the hospital with other family members. It was such a blessing to speak with her. Through everything that has happened and is currently happening you can tell that her Trust is in the Lord.

Again, just lift up Amanda Barnes in your prayers and all the family members. I believe that Amanda is coming out of this and she will have a testimony to share with MANY people.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

A step foward...

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Many know that I am President of the Chamber this year.

For the past two weeks we have been working on a letter to present to the Mayor and City Council. The letter was to put forth a motion for the Mayor to receive a pay raise. (this has to be done 6 months before elections start every 4 years) Our current Mayor is not running again but we still want to give our next Mayor a respectable pay for the job that is done.

I am glad to announce that, though we wish it were higher, the current Mayor and City Council voted on and passed a $12,000.00/per year increase to what the current pay is. This will take effect on Nov. 1st when the new Mayor takes office. Our Mayor's position is still considered part time but after these next four years, we can submit another vote for an increase and hopefully by then the Mayor's position will be a full time, thus requiring a higher salery.

We are growing fast and the Chamber just wanted to let City Hall know that we are excited about the growth and want what is best for our City and that we are working with them and not against them.

It is a step forward...which is always good!!!

Monday, January 21, 2008

WHY YOU NEVER QUESTION A DRUNK...

I was shopping at the local supermarket where I selected:

A half-gallon of 2% milk

A carton of eggs

A quart of orange juice

A head of lettuce

A 2 lb. can of coffee

A 1 lb. package of bacon


As I was unloading my items on t he conveyor belt to check out, a drunk standing behind me watched as I placed the items in front of the cashier. While the cashier was ringing up the purchases, the drunk calmly stated, "You must be single."

I was a bit startled by this proclamation, but I was intrigu ed by the derelict's intuition, since I was indeed single. I looked at the six items on the belt and saw nothing particularly unusual about my selections that could have tipped off the drunk to my marital status.

Curiosity getting the better of me, I said: "Well, you know what, you're absolutely right. But how on earth did you know that?"

The drunk replied, "Cause you're ugly."

FOR SALE!!!

Because of the HUGE PANIC of the Blizzard of '08, and my stocking up on milk and bread preparing for the worst...I now announce that I have Milk and Bread For Sale and announce that I am currently...at work!!!

Just kidding. I do not have Milk and Bread for sale but I do wish that we got a little more snow than we got. It was pretty to see it falling and to get out in it for a few. The wife and I got to drive to Oxford, AL in it. I got a new meaning to "Dashing through the snow!"

But I am at work on this Martin Luther King, Jr. day. I have a Dream too, but it didn't come true because obviously...I am still at work!!!

Friday, January 18, 2008

It just might happen!

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM WATCH... WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING.

WINTRY PRECIPITATION... PREDOMINATELY SNOW... IS EXPECTED TO FALL ACROSS PORTIONS OF CENTRAL ALABAMA BEGINNING SEVERAL HOURS BEFORE SUNRISE FRIDAY NIGHT LASTING INTO THE AFTERNOON HOURS ON SATURDAY.

ACCUMULATIONS UP TO TWO INCHES ARE POSSIBLE. AT THIS TIME THE HIGHEST ACCUMULATIONS ARE EXPECTED TO OCCUR ALONG OR JUST SOUTH OF THE INTERSTATE 20 CORRIDOR BETWEEN TUSCALOOSA AND MOUNT CHEAHA.

SURFACE TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED TO BE BETWEEN 30 AND 34 DEGREES LATE FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH MIDDAY SATURDAY. WITH THESE EXPECTED TEMPERATURES SNOW ACCUMULATION WILL BE POSSIBLE... ESPECIALLY ON ELEVATED AND GRASSY SURFACES. ROADWAYS MAY BECOME SLICK IN SPOTS... ESPECIALLY BRIDGES OVERPASSES AND OTHER ELEVATED ROADS.

VISIBILITY MAY BECOME LIMITED AS WELL. DRIVERS ARE URGED TO EXERCISE CAUTION.

ALTHOUGH THERE IS STILL SOME UNCERTAINTY IN THIS FORECAST IT LOOKS PROBABLE THAT SOME SNOW WILL FALL ACROSS CENTRAL ALABAMA. STAY ADVISED AS WE WILL LIKELY BE UPDATING AND OR REVISING THIS WATCH AS THE EVENT DEVELOPS.

A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT SNOW... SLEET... OR ICE ACCUMULATIONS THAT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL.

CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS.

Note to Self...

Possible Snow fall tonight and early morning; Stop by grocery store and pick up Milk and Bread...Why???...Because I love soggy bread. Doesn't everyone dip their bread in milk?!

Thursday, January 17, 2008

The Word of God...

Satan comes to steal, kill, and destroy; but God said that he came to give LIFE and give it more Abundantly!!!

Monday, January 14, 2008

Restful Weekend

I would have to say that the weekend seemed very restful.

Friday night I went to dinner and spent some time with a friend who was visiting from Detroit. He use to live here but moved. It was a very nice visit and I enjoy seeing him when he comes in.

Saturday I did some yard work and later that evening the Bride and I went to my brother and sister-in-laws house for dinner.

Sunday after church I got some more rest in and then we went and looked at houses. Are we in the market for a new house you ask? Eventually we will need one when little ones start appearing...and NO, we are not pregnant now. We are just looking to see what is out there.

We have considered building on to our house but with adding a Den and a Master Suite with Bath it would cost us about $70-$80,000.00+. It makes more since to us to buy something already done the way we want it.

Out of all the "newly built" homes we looked at yesterday we only saw one that we liked the most and it was currently being used as the model home; and the only one available. Other houses were nice but builders these days are cramming a 3 bedroom,
2 bath home in a 1500 square foot space; leaving no room for entertaining if you wanted too. The living rooms didn't even has space for 2 couches. What are builders thinking!!! Of course there are BIGGER houses out there but they all come with a BIGGER payment!!!

We of course are in no rush. We just know that we want to upgrade from our current, lovely, 2 bedroom, 1 1/2 bath, cottage style home that sits on about an acre of land. Totally upgraded with stainless steel appliances, IKIA cabinets, original hardwood floors, ceremic tile floors in kitchen, dining room, both bathrooms and tub in full bath has tile up to the ceiling. 1,000sq. total. There is a deck off of the back door, a front porch and a 2 car driveway where vehicles can park one beside the other; instead of behind one another.

So, does anyone want to buy? Please call 555-5555 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Sad...But true!!!

Why did the chicken cross the road? From:


DR. PHIL :

The problem we have here is that this chicken won't realize that he must first deal with the problem on 'THIS' side of the road before it goes after the problem on the 'OTHER SIDE' of the road. What we need to do is help him realize how stupid he's acting by not taking on his 'CURRENT' problems before adding 'NEW' problems.


OPRAH :

Well, I understand that the chicken is having problems, which is why he wants to cross this road so bad. So instead of having the chicken learn from his mistakes and take falls, which is a part of life, I'm going to give this chicken a car so that he can just drive across the road and not live his life like the rest of the chickens.


GEORGE W. BUSH :

We don't really care why the chicken crossed the road We just want to know if the chicken is on our side of the road, or not. The chicken is either against us, or for us. There is no middle ground here.


COLIN POWELL :

Now to the left of the screen, you can clearly see the satellite image of the chicken crossing the road...


ANDERSON COOPER - CNN:

We have reason to believe there is a chicken, but we have not yet been allowed to have access to the other side of the road.


JOHN KERRY :

Although I voted to let the chicken cross the road, I am now against it! It was the wrong road to cross, and I was misled about the chicken's intentions. I am not for it now, and will remain against it.


NANCY GRACE :

That chicken crossed the road because he's GUILTY! You can see it in his eyes and the way he walks.


PAT BUCHANAN :

To steal the job of a decent, hardworking American.


MARTHA STEWART :

No one called me to warn me which way that chicken was going. I had a standing order at the Farmer's Market to sell my eggs when the price dropped to a certain level. No little bird gave me any insider information.


DR SEUSS :

Did the chicken cross the road? Did he cross it with a toad? Yes, the chicken crossed the road, but why it crossed I've not been told.


ERNEST HEMINGWAY :

To die in the rain Alone.


JERRY FALWELL :

Because the chicken was gay! Can't you people see the plain truth?' That's why they call it the 'other side.' Yes, my friends, that chicken is gay. And if you eat that chicken, you will become gay too. I say we boycott all chickens until we sort out this abomination that the liberal media white washes with seemingly harmless phrases like 'the other side. That chicken should not be crossing the road. It's as plain and as simple as that.


GRANDPA :

In my day we didn't ask why the chicken crossed the road. Somebody told us the chicken crossed the road, and that was good enough.


BARBARA WALTERS :

Isn't that interesting? In a few moments, we will be listening to the chicken tell, for the first time, the heart warming story of how it experienced a serious case of molting, and went on to accomplish its life long dream of crossing the road.


JOHN LENNON :

Imagine all the chickens in the world crossing roads together, in peace.


ARISTOTLE :

It is the nature of chickens to cross the road.


BILL GATES :

I have just released eChicken2007, which will not only cross roads, but will lay eggs, file your important documents, and balance your check book. Internet Explorer is an integral part of eChicken This new platform is much more stable and will never cra...#@&&^(C% ......... reboot.


ALBERT EINSTEIN :

Did the chicken really cross the road, or did the road move beneath the chicken?


BILL CLINTON :

I did not cross the road with THAT chicken. What is your definition of chicken?


AL GORE :

I invented the chicken!


COLONEL SANDERS :

Did I miss one?


DICK CHENEY :

Where's my gun?


AL SHARPTON :

Why are all the chickens white? We need some black chickens.

Friday, January 11, 2008

Wind and Rain

We survied the storms last night. Not too much excitement; thank the Lord! It does upset me that some people lost their homes, etc. I wish when storms came through they didn't destroy things. Most of the time it effects those that already do not have a lot and usually do not have insurance to replace what they lost.

I am glad for the MUCH NEEDED rain. This has been such a dry year. Thank you Lord for the rain!

I have offically stepped into my roll as Chamber President. We have already had our first Board meeting and our first monthly Luncheon. We have a meeting today to take care of some business that cannot wait until next month.

I really do hope to make a difference in things this year. I have other things that I want to see "come to pass" which I will keep you informed about.

Everything is going good at the "home-front." The wife is staying busy with school and volleyball and I stay busy with work and chamber stuff. We still have to pencil each other in to spend time with one another but usually if we are at home we end up staying home and falling asleep at 7:30pm because we are too tired to do anything else because of staying busy. (we are so old!)ha!

The Explorer is still running great since a new engine was put in it. Still makes me sick when I think about it but what can you do now? What I would like, vehicle wise, right now is this:




I would sell the Kia, let the wife drive the Explorer and me drive this. Since I only work a few minutes from home. I have always wanted one. It doesn't have to be in excellent condition but I do want it to run and just need some restoration. My Father-in-law has owned a few and he knows how to work on them. I do not like the new ones.

There is a place close to where my parents live that sale the VW Bugs so next time we go for a visit I am going to swing by there.

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

I took this from Pink Lucy's Blog

House Survey

1.) When you walk in your front door, which room do you enter?
living room

2.)Do you have a dishwasher?
Yes

3.) Is your living room carpeted or does it have hardwood floors?
Hardwood

4.) Do you keep your kitchen knives on the counter or in a drawer?
Both

5.) House, apartment, duplex or trailer?
House

6.) How many bedrooms is it?
2

7.) Gas stove or electric?
electric

8.) Do you have a yard?
yes

9.) What size TV is in the living room?
27 inch

10.) Are your plates in the same cupboard as your cups?
No

11.) Is there a coffee maker sitting on your kitchen counter?
Yes

13.) What room is your computer in?
Guest Room

14.) Are there pictures hanging in your living room?
yes

15.) Are there any themes found in your home?
no

16.) What kind of laundry detergent do you use?
liquid

17.) Do you use dryer sheets?
Yes

18.) Do you have any curtains in your home?
Yes. Guest room and bathroom

19.) What color is your fridge?
Stainless Steel and Black

20.) Is your house clean?
pretty clean

21.) What room is the most neglected?
The Guest Room…aka…my wife’s room

22.) Are the dishes in your sink/dishwasher clean or dirty?
dirty

23.) How long have you lived in your home?
1 ½ years

24.) Where did you live before?
With roommate in another city.

25.) Do you have one of those fluffy toilet lid covers on your toilet?
No

26.) Do you have a scale anywhere in your house?
No

27.) How many mirrors are in your house?
4
28.) Look up. What do you see?
A ceiling

29.) Do you have a garage?
No!

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Too Many!

I told you about the lady that passed away on Friday at 4am.

Last night at 10pm a guy I worked with passed away from cancer as well. He has been out of work since October dealing with it.

My Boss called another employee who has been retired to tell him about it and this guys wife said that he has been in the hospital since Sunday with Pneumonia and Emphysema.

Too many people are suffering through somethings and passing away.

Lord, be with all of these families!!!

Friday, January 4, 2008

2008 President

Last night was our first Chamber meeting of the year and my first as the President.

After a two hour meeting, I have to say that I am really excited about the upcoming year. I have a great team of Board members this year and they are all wanting to get involved and not just "show up" for a meeting just to say that they are involved in the Chamber.

In other news: A very Dear Lady by the name of Lynn Harden went home to Heaven at about 4:00 am this morning. Lynn has been battling cancer for sometime now. It seemed to get better at one point and then it came back hard. She had been in and out of the hospital for a few months now.

Her family was at peace with the fact that she was ready to go and that she is not hurting anymore but that doesn't help the fact that it still hurts those left behind. Either way, it is amazing to think that as I type this and you read it that Lynn is in the presence of the Almighty God! King of Kings and Lord of Lords! Her Father!

I want to quote again from C.S. Lewis when he said, "If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world."