The little kid in me still loves Halloween. And why wouldn't I with such a ginormous sweet tooth? In fact, it's taking every ounce of will power I can muster not to go downstairs right now and devour all 4 bags of Halloween candy in our pantry!
But the sugar-crazed little kid in me has always gotten freaked out by Halloween as well. I've never liked all the blood, guts and gore that comes along with it. I know it's all fun and games, but every year the limit on what is acceptable seems to be pushed further and further.
I know a guy who once got dressed in all-black, wrapped his 6-foot pet king corn snake around his neck and then hid in his bushes and waited for poor, unbeknownst trick-or-treaters to come up his sidewalk.
I said "once" because he got quite an earful from parents after their kids were frightened so bad they all peed their costumes and vowed never to venture out of their homes after dark ever again!
And who could blame them?
Instead, let's celebrate Halloween by following the Easter holiday example where we celebrate an actual death by posting images of cute little, fuzzy farm animals and tell stories about some larger-than-life rabbit who hops around leaving eggs for kids - another story that freaked me out when I was little!
I would still dress up if I could come up with an original and clever idea and had someone to show it off to than just my neighbors.
That being said, my sugar-drive can be so overwhelming at times that there's still a slim possibility that I could be seen tomorrow night meandering up my neighbor's sidewalk trying to pull off wearing one of my suits and slicking back my hair as a Wall Street tycoon costume just so that I can get a mini-Snickers bar.
"Gee, Wade . . . you're . . . uh . . . really going all out this year, aren't ya'?"
"Just put the candy in the bag!"
"Isn't that a plastic bag from Target?"
"Never mind that! Just give me some flippin' candy!"
___________________________________________
Sorry to deprive you of the QOTW results but my computer is giving me all sorts of fits.
Needless to say, the majority of you would never dress up for Halloween.
Bunch of fuddy-duddies!
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Monday, October 29, 2007
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Mary Juanita Reneau
I had the privilege of speaking during Grandmother's funeral service yesterday. Here's what I said . . .
"Even though the presidential election is still over a year away, we're already being bombarded by presidential sound bites about values and beliefs. I can't say that I know any of the presidential hopefuls personally but I can say that they could all learn a thing or two from Grandmother about living a life according to values and beliefs.
Regardless if you agreed with Grandmother's values or beliefs, you have to stop for a moment today and recognize the incredible discipline it took for her to live her life day-in, day-out according to what she believed was true. She was, simply put, a woman of conviction.
Every thing she did, she did for a reason. And if you could trace back her steps, you would find that they all led to the same lone driving force in her life - which was to love and serve The Lord as faithfully as she could.
This meant that Grandmother had high expectations not only for herself, but for all of us as well. You always knew where you stood with Grandmother. She had that not-so-subtle way of letting you know that she expected better from you.
She held us accountable because she saw the God-given potential within us. And she knew exactly how to draw that potential out. I can remember staying the weekend with Grandmother when I was young and on one occasion she told me a story on the way to church about how my mom from time to time would have trouble sitting still during the service. Grandmother said that she would just reach over and pinch the back of my mom's arm, 'and that always seemed to settle her down.'
Now, why do you think Grandmother told me that story on our way to church? Needless to say, I was especially attentive that day during service.
And that is exactly the effect a woman of conviction should have on us. She should challenge us. She should draw out the finer qualities within us. She should make us better than we would be without her.
I will always think of Grandmother when I read about Ruth. I love Ruth. Just like Grandmother, she was a faithful woman. A hard worker. A woman of integrity. If fact, scripture tells us that even the other men working the same field as her treated Ruth with respect because they could tell she was 'a woman of noble character.'
And so was my grandmother.
Thinking about Grandmother this week has reminded me that the other women in my life have followed Grandmother's example as well. My mother, my sister and my wife are all, too, women of conviction - living their lives day-in, day-out according to values and beliefs they hold as true. Each in their own way has pushed me to be a better man than the one I would have been otherwise.
By doing so, they continue Grandmother's legacy .
Although Grandmother is gone, I believe I can honor her and continue her legacy by serving and loving The Lord as faithfully as I can and holding true to the same convictions day-in, day-out.
I love my grandmother and will miss her terribly."
"Even though the presidential election is still over a year away, we're already being bombarded by presidential sound bites about values and beliefs. I can't say that I know any of the presidential hopefuls personally but I can say that they could all learn a thing or two from Grandmother about living a life according to values and beliefs.
Regardless if you agreed with Grandmother's values or beliefs, you have to stop for a moment today and recognize the incredible discipline it took for her to live her life day-in, day-out according to what she believed was true. She was, simply put, a woman of conviction.
Every thing she did, she did for a reason. And if you could trace back her steps, you would find that they all led to the same lone driving force in her life - which was to love and serve The Lord as faithfully as she could.
This meant that Grandmother had high expectations not only for herself, but for all of us as well. You always knew where you stood with Grandmother. She had that not-so-subtle way of letting you know that she expected better from you.
She held us accountable because she saw the God-given potential within us. And she knew exactly how to draw that potential out. I can remember staying the weekend with Grandmother when I was young and on one occasion she told me a story on the way to church about how my mom from time to time would have trouble sitting still during the service. Grandmother said that she would just reach over and pinch the back of my mom's arm, 'and that always seemed to settle her down.'
Now, why do you think Grandmother told me that story on our way to church? Needless to say, I was especially attentive that day during service.
And that is exactly the effect a woman of conviction should have on us. She should challenge us. She should draw out the finer qualities within us. She should make us better than we would be without her.
I will always think of Grandmother when I read about Ruth. I love Ruth. Just like Grandmother, she was a faithful woman. A hard worker. A woman of integrity. If fact, scripture tells us that even the other men working the same field as her treated Ruth with respect because they could tell she was 'a woman of noble character.'
And so was my grandmother.
Thinking about Grandmother this week has reminded me that the other women in my life have followed Grandmother's example as well. My mother, my sister and my wife are all, too, women of conviction - living their lives day-in, day-out according to values and beliefs they hold as true. Each in their own way has pushed me to be a better man than the one I would have been otherwise.
By doing so, they continue Grandmother's legacy .
Although Grandmother is gone, I believe I can honor her and continue her legacy by serving and loving The Lord as faithfully as I can and holding true to the same convictions day-in, day-out.
I love my grandmother and will miss her terribly."
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Blog Stalker Anonymous
"Hello, my name is Wade . . . and I'm a blog stalker."
Shannon's recent post has forced me to pull out my soap box.
(Oh, dear! Here we go again!)
I've never understood why people are so reluctant to introduce themselves, either electronically or in person, to people whose blogs they've stalked. Possibly it's because they are afraid they'll be thought of as weird or creepy because they read blogs of people they don't know.
I'm comfortable with blog stalking because people, myself included, have posted their blogs on the world wide web where the whole wide world can read it! And I've never understood why you would get weirded out by someone you don't know reading your blog. If you don't want the unknowns to be "in the know", then I'd suggest a leather-bound journal you can keep in your sock drawer!
Getting weirded out by blog stalkers is like getting bent out of shape because your neighbors watch while you get dressed in your front yard. If you don't want your neighbors to watch then don't get dressed in the front yard!
(I know that analogy is pretty random but it's true - think about it!)
Secondly, as I tried to point out to Shannon, most people want to know who's reading their blog. Granted, if you've got a nervous twitch, a psychotic laugh and bear a striking resemblance to a serial killer then, yeah, don't be too surprised if after you introduce yourself you notice the blog has suddenly gone to restricted access.
But the truth is, most of us out here are of perfectly sound mind and want little more than an just little cyber-entertainment by the way of cute baby pictures, funny stories and an occasional comment derived from intelligent thought.
And I think it's a great compliment to say to someone, "You don't know me but I really enjoy your blog!"
So let me encourage you stalkers to come out of the shadows and stop worrying if you give someone the creeps . . . because whether or not the rest of us will admit it, we are all blog stalkers!
Shannon's recent post has forced me to pull out my soap box.
(Oh, dear! Here we go again!)
I've never understood why people are so reluctant to introduce themselves, either electronically or in person, to people whose blogs they've stalked. Possibly it's because they are afraid they'll be thought of as weird or creepy because they read blogs of people they don't know.
I'm comfortable with blog stalking because people, myself included, have posted their blogs on the world wide web where the whole wide world can read it! And I've never understood why you would get weirded out by someone you don't know reading your blog. If you don't want the unknowns to be "in the know", then I'd suggest a leather-bound journal you can keep in your sock drawer!
Getting weirded out by blog stalkers is like getting bent out of shape because your neighbors watch while you get dressed in your front yard. If you don't want your neighbors to watch then don't get dressed in the front yard!
(I know that analogy is pretty random but it's true - think about it!)
Secondly, as I tried to point out to Shannon, most people want to know who's reading their blog. Granted, if you've got a nervous twitch, a psychotic laugh and bear a striking resemblance to a serial killer then, yeah, don't be too surprised if after you introduce yourself you notice the blog has suddenly gone to restricted access.
But the truth is, most of us out here are of perfectly sound mind and want little more than an just little cyber-entertainment by the way of cute baby pictures, funny stories and an occasional comment derived from intelligent thought.
And I think it's a great compliment to say to someone, "You don't know me but I really enjoy your blog!"
So let me encourage you stalkers to come out of the shadows and stop worrying if you give someone the creeps . . . because whether or not the rest of us will admit it, we are all blog stalkers!
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
This One's For Jody
Sorry about the heavy sports theme I've been rolling with recently - but, it is that time of year.
Jody and I were laughing about some of the funny ESPN commercials. Here are a couple I dug up on YouTube.
This first one is a classic.
Here's some background info for you non-sportsy type people - this next commercial is implying that Drew Brees drives a Mardi Gras float for a car simply because he's the quarterback for the New Orleans Saints.
Did you really think I would post about ESPN commercials and not include the two with Tony Romo?
Jody and I were laughing about some of the funny ESPN commercials. Here are a couple I dug up on YouTube.
This first one is a classic.
Here's some background info for you non-sportsy type people - this next commercial is implying that Drew Brees drives a Mardi Gras float for a car simply because he's the quarterback for the New Orleans Saints.
Did you really think I would post about ESPN commercials and not include the two with Tony Romo?
Monday, October 22, 2007
QOTW: Should I Stay Or Should I Go?
Although I was pretty high on the Cowboy game I went to last week, I walked away wondering if the best seat may not have been back in my own house. So I made a list of Pro's & Con's of attending a NFL game at Texas Stadium.
Going to the game:
1. Arriving at Texas Stadium at 2:00 for a 3:15 kick-off but end up missing nearly the entire 1st Quarter because it took until 3:45 to pull into a parking spot . . . Con!
2. Having to pay an additional $80 for that parking spot . . . Con!
3. Having to deal with a drunk Patriot fan who kept yelling, "All day long!" at us every time the Patriots so much as made a first down . . . Con!
(I so wanted to pop him in the mouth and yell, "All day long!" . . . but ya' know that whole WWJD thing!)
4. Luke-warm bottled water: $5.00 Hot Dog boiled sometime early that morning: $7.50 . . . Con!
5. Putting up with some dude on our row who kept leaving his seat to buy beer only later having to leave his seat again to go pee . . . and doing so each time in the middle of a play . . . Con!
6. Having your $6.50 watered-down Coke knocked over by said-dude while he was shuffling off to the little boy's room . . . and him being too drunk to notice . . . Con!
7. Not hearing a word of Michael Irvin's Hall of Fame Ring Ceremony during Half Time because I'm deaf in a one ear . . . Con, but I've grown used to it!
8. Playing bumper cars in the parking lot with a bunch of drunk Patriot fans while trying to leave after the game . . . Con!
9. Seeing Tom Brady (future Hall of Famer) throw 5 touchdowns in person even though it's against the Cowboys . . . Pro! (Hey, you've got to recognize greatness when you see it.)
Staying At Home:
1. Watching the game in HD on my flat screen . . . Pro!
2. Watching the game while sitting in my big, fat recliner . . . Pro!
3. Being married to a dear, sweet, loving wife who is always more than happy to bring me another Dr. Pepper from the fridge . . . Pro! (Love ya', Babe!)
4. Falling asleep in my big, fat recliner during the 4th Quarter after the Cowboys have wrapped up yet another "W" . . . Priceless!
I guess that pretty much settles it!
______________________________________________
Would you rather see a major sports event in person or watch it at home in HD?
Total votes: 16
Got to be there in person!: 43% (7 votes)
Stay At home!: 56% (9 votes)
Going to the game:
1. Arriving at Texas Stadium at 2:00 for a 3:15 kick-off but end up missing nearly the entire 1st Quarter because it took until 3:45 to pull into a parking spot . . . Con!
2. Having to pay an additional $80 for that parking spot . . . Con!
3. Having to deal with a drunk Patriot fan who kept yelling, "All day long!" at us every time the Patriots so much as made a first down . . . Con!
(I so wanted to pop him in the mouth and yell, "All day long!" . . . but ya' know that whole WWJD thing!)
4. Luke-warm bottled water: $5.00 Hot Dog boiled sometime early that morning: $7.50 . . . Con!
5. Putting up with some dude on our row who kept leaving his seat to buy beer only later having to leave his seat again to go pee . . . and doing so each time in the middle of a play . . . Con!
6. Having your $6.50 watered-down Coke knocked over by said-dude while he was shuffling off to the little boy's room . . . and him being too drunk to notice . . . Con!
7. Not hearing a word of Michael Irvin's Hall of Fame Ring Ceremony during Half Time because I'm deaf in a one ear . . . Con, but I've grown used to it!
8. Playing bumper cars in the parking lot with a bunch of drunk Patriot fans while trying to leave after the game . . . Con!
9. Seeing Tom Brady (future Hall of Famer) throw 5 touchdowns in person even though it's against the Cowboys . . . Pro! (Hey, you've got to recognize greatness when you see it.)
Staying At Home:
1. Watching the game in HD on my flat screen . . . Pro!
2. Watching the game while sitting in my big, fat recliner . . . Pro!
3. Being married to a dear, sweet, loving wife who is always more than happy to bring me another Dr. Pepper from the fridge . . . Pro! (Love ya', Babe!)
4. Falling asleep in my big, fat recliner during the 4th Quarter after the Cowboys have wrapped up yet another "W" . . . Priceless!
I guess that pretty much settles it!
______________________________________________
Would you rather see a major sports event in person or watch it at home in HD?
Total votes: 16
Got to be there in person!: 43% (7 votes)
Stay At home!: 56% (9 votes)
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Prayers For My Family . . .
My 103-year old grandmother passed away today.
It's weird how this is one of those passings that was probably for the best.
Grandmother had not been herself for the past several years. Although she was never diagnosed, I think she suffered from dementia. There were only a few members of our family that she even recognized let alone talked to - I was not one of them.
Physically, however, she was quite healthy for someone having reached the century mark. We actually thought she would pass away a couple years ago when she fell and broke her hip. The decision was made to go ahead with surgery and put a titanium rod in her leg. After the surgery she refused all pain medication!
Talk about one tough grandma!
Grandmother started a fever on Friday and began "shutting down". A nurse was by her side this morning when she took a final deep breath and then slipped away peacefully. She never seemed to be in any pain or discomfort.
Mom seems to be doing well. Even though this was expected it's still hard. My sister and I are taking the lead in organizing the funeral so that Mom and the rest of the family can grieve.
So prayers, if you please. Prayers for my mom and my family. Prayers for this week as we prepare to say good-bye. And, most of all, prayers of praise as my grandmother finally reaches Heaven.
It's weird how this is one of those passings that was probably for the best.
Grandmother had not been herself for the past several years. Although she was never diagnosed, I think she suffered from dementia. There were only a few members of our family that she even recognized let alone talked to - I was not one of them.
Physically, however, she was quite healthy for someone having reached the century mark. We actually thought she would pass away a couple years ago when she fell and broke her hip. The decision was made to go ahead with surgery and put a titanium rod in her leg. After the surgery she refused all pain medication!
Talk about one tough grandma!
Grandmother started a fever on Friday and began "shutting down". A nurse was by her side this morning when she took a final deep breath and then slipped away peacefully. She never seemed to be in any pain or discomfort.
Mom seems to be doing well. Even though this was expected it's still hard. My sister and I are taking the lead in organizing the funeral so that Mom and the rest of the family can grieve.
So prayers, if you please. Prayers for my mom and my family. Prayers for this week as we prepare to say good-bye. And, most of all, prayers of praise as my grandmother finally reaches Heaven.
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