Meeting of the minds

Headed early today to Lake Jackson, Texas for Christmas with my wife's side of the family.  But simplicity during the holidays just isn't our style.  At about 6:30 AM we'll head to Corsicana (the wrong direction) to meet with my son and his wife.  We'll leave my truck, pile into their car, and drive down together.  After spending the night, we'll head back and hope that my truck is still there.  Wild and crazy.

On a heavier note:  Yesterday there was a mass shooting by a mentally ill young man at a school in Newtown, Connecticut.  20 young elementary children and 6 adults dead including the shooter (did himself) and his mother before he went to the school.  It made me cry.  If even one of my babies was killed like this, my life would be irrevocably changed.  My heart hurts for them, but I will not dwell on it.

Do you Know what you Believe?

And weeee'rrrrreeeee off!

The TAGT conference was very good.  Not very exciting but very informative.  One of the main things I learned is that I need to kick up my game to the next level.

This coming Monday, on the other hand, I will be having x-rays and an MRI for my spine.  It is in a constant state of rebellion.  If I could I would send it to its room without supper.  I stay in pain pretty much all the time, although there are times where it's not too bad.  When Dr. Gordon's PA, James had a look at me he found no reflexes at all in my left leg.  He kept shaking his head saying "That's not good." and "It's not supposed to do that."  We' see how it all comes out.

Coming soon! TAGT Conference

I off to Dallas this week for a three day conference for the teachers of gifted and talented students.  I always enjoy this conference because I usually learn a lot.  Some conferences simply rehash the same old stuff or present "new" ideas I've been using for years.  The TxGifted conference is different.  There are innovative ideas, practical stuff for impractical people, networking opportunities, and a chance to meet with people who actually understand what I do, because they do it, too!  It's great to find out you're not the only oddball out there.  I love meeting people smarter than me...and there are a LOT of them there.

This year I'm staying with my sister Connie and her husband Jim and taking the DART rail to the conference downtown.  The big worry I'm having is my back.  I've been having problems lately and I don't want to get at bunged up while there.  I also have to leave the conference early one day for an appointment with my spinal surgeon's physiologist (?).  More driving which is not good for me.  Oh, well-  I'll keep you posted here on my daily progress.

Galvatraz

After "Willy Wonka" was over, Kathy and I took 4 days and hit Galveston.  It was a super relaxing time. No plans.  No interruptions.  No hassles.  We walked and ate and sat and breathed.  Thanks to Beth and Brian Dill for the last use of their seawall condo before closing on its sale.

Delayed reaction

Just thought I'd post a pic of our visit with Grandma (Irene Fling) and Helms house.  Had a great visit but it was very difficult to communicate with Grandma.

Live Theater in Athens

Tonight we went to a live show with friends in Athens. We saw the HCPAC production of "The Dixie Swim Club". It featured Katherine Newton of Palestine. We thoroughly enjoyed the humor and the pathos. Highly recommended...oops, closing night! Sorry!

[Please note that this was months ago!  Not sure why it just published.  That's just plain weird!]

Memorial Day Weekend

Yahoo!  This weekend Charles and Aubrey are planning to come down, spend one night at our house, then the four of us will travel together down to Lake Jackson to visit Helen ("Helm") and Irene ("Gramma").  Gramma has never met Aubrey as her health was to shaky to come to the wedding, and Helm only met her at the wedding.  This visit on her "home turf" should be nice.  We might even have to stop at James's Coney Island for some of those great hotdogs.  Ya' never know.

Trailer Hitched

OK, the title is stretching it a bit...but they did meet while Charles was living in a travel trailer. AND we first met Aubrey in his trailer when we came to visit. Anyway--they are MARRIED!! The wedding was lovely but not without its interesting points.

The Best Man was Jeffrey Burkholder, Charles's cousin on his mother's side. Problem is, he is currently a resident of Kenya in Southern Africa. He has just finished up his second tour in the Peace Corps. He couldn't get back for the wedding, and Charles didn't want anyone else (I agree, btw). So it was decided to put a large portrait of him on a stand beside the groom and at the reception. He also videoed the "Best Man Toast". Problem arises because said portrait never got done. So 2 hours before the wedding, we gotta get one made pronto. I found an online picture of him in a tux at his brother's wedding last year. We send that one to Walmart for printing and a frame and- Hey Presto!- portrait done.

My sister, Connie got turned around bringing our mother to the wedding. She ended up on the opposite side of Denton. She rolled in 3 big minutes before the Bridal Walk began. Whew! The ring bearer, Aubrey's nephew, didn't want to be there or to walk down the aisle with the ring. It got done and his refusal was kinda cute. On the other hand, the flower girl, Laura (Charles's 2nd cousin by Tracy) was lovely and gave a wonderful performance. The wedding was lovely...the wedding couple were amazingly beautiful/handsome...the location just right. Still waiting on pictures, but when they come...

Can you picture this?

One Month and Counting!

http://palestineherald.com/engagements/x1267394267/Barrus-Lamb-engagement

On February 17th at 6:00PM in Denton, Texas USA at the Wildwood Inn, Charles Matthias Lamb II and Aubrey Jean Barrus (aka Bellotte) will join the world of married bliss. There will be plenty of pictures later. I'll also post a small bio of each of them. But for now, we just start a new thread on the blog.