Trees

As a gift to my mother, my brother, and I purchased a few trees for my mother's lawn. There are now two maple's, and a pecan tree in her front yard. I came away from the small project with a new found respect towards anyone who digs a hole by hand. I think next time I decide to plant trees I'll just rent an auger for the project.

Luau

Welcome to summer time in Texas! What happens when, water balloons, refreshing drinks in coconuts, volleyball, pool (as in billiards), music, food, friends, a game pool, hot tub, and multi-level swimming pool all come together? The biggest, and baddest party around! A luau to be exact, this year's party took place in far north Dallas, and was hosted by the queen of partying. With gathering friends, luau shirt, and lei on hand the party took off.

The night started off in the clubhouse, with drinks, and food being passed around. Everyone was enjoying themselves as conversations with new, and old friends took center stage for the start of the evening. I played some team pool, and won beating the ladies, haha! Actually they were winning until the last turn when I sunk our last three balls, then finished the game off by knocking the eight ball in. I basked in my winning ability as I lost three straight arm wrestling matches, yeah I lost, so what.

As everyone settled in, and loosened up things began happening, and it was fun. Water balloons just started flying, and there were plenty of them to go around. I finally had to go out to my car, and switch into my swim suit. The balloon war continued to escalate until a cease fire was called, but only due to no ammunition being left after the great war.

The water balloons were being held in a rubber dingy, which began the next part of the evening. Me, and a buddy first launched the dingy into the game pool, but that didn't last to long, as we soon moved over to the multi level pool. After floating around for a bit we decided to take the dingy over the great waterfall, from the top pool to the bottom pool. OK so it wasn't really this great waterfall, it was actually a 2 level fountain that drained the top pool to the bottom pool, but it was sure fun trying to get that dingy to go over, and we did it. eventually we decided that we should get an ore, and were told where one was. With ore in hand the dingy became a gondola as we invited some of the ladies out for a ride. Some of which were brave enough to come aboard, and enjoy the company on board. Oopsie, at one point my ship buddy swam to the side of the pool where a couple of ladies were in chase by another one of the guys. You may of already guessed it, but all three of them came into the pool, clothes, and all! They were cool with it though, and started playing in the pool for a time. Our next stop took the dingy to the hot tub, most of it was in the water, just not the ends. That didn't last long as we were quickly warming up, though we did give another ride to 2 more ladies. Then it was back to the great water fall, just let me call it that, it sounds way cooler. This time we had the ore, and the strategy to make it over, and it worked a lot easier. After a quick game of water volleyball it was off to the hot tub, no dingy this time. We brought some of the food out, and let the tub warm it up as we snacked the night away.

Thus was the best luau, in my opinion, so far. I wonder what's going to happen at next year's party!? Until then I'll just have to enjoy all the other upcoming events!

Memorial Day Mahem

My family needs little excuse to gather, and share one another's company. This past Monday was Memorial Day, and we jumped to it! Every year on this day my grandparents open the pool for the summer, we have a meal, and home made ice cream, while talking, playing games, and just having fun. Most of my aunts, and uncles no longer get into the pool, along with several of my cousins, but not me! I love the water, and relish every moment in the water. My younger cousins, and now their children, and my nephew's are a blast to be with, and I don't think they mind having me in the pool with them. The meal was a delight, as was the strawberry ice cream, yum! :-p It was a wonderful get together, and we'll do it again real soon.

Home Improvement Saga

1320 sq ft, nearly $700, 87 bags of insulation, 6 hours, and 4 people later, the job is done! What am I talking about, new insulation in my mother's attic. The existing insulation had deteriorated to the point that it was no longer fulfilling its purpose. This project was the most recent step in a series of energy efficient home improvement projects. Late last year, and earlier this year we built solar screens for all of the windows, and added new duct work in the attic. There is now a +R 49 insulation rating in the attic. Throughout the project I was in the attic adding 15 inches of insulation. While the loader, outside the garage, switched up a few times. While working in the attic it became difficult to see, if you've ever experienced a heavy fog in which you could only see a foot or two in front of your face you know what I mean. There was dust everywhere, it's a good thing I was protected with mask, and goggles. When finished I came down from the attic covered in dust, and insulation. Everything went off without a hitch except for one little slip which produced a sizable hole in the ceiling over one of the bedrooms. Luckily I managed to catch myself before falling face first into the trusses, and kept myself from falling completely through the ceiling. So yet another project has entered into the ongoing works of my mother's home improvement saga.

Not Quite Sure

There are times throughout life when we all have very real, and very personal feelings towards those around us. My life is much the same, with various opportunities to be near those whom I love. My family is a large piece of me, and I can't imagine my life without them. Whether near, or far, they are those whom have helped to sculpt me into who I am at this very day. I'm not sure if they really realize how much of an impact they've had on my life, and who I am, but I hope that they one day will. I grew up in my mother's home, she raised, and supported me, and my siblings as best she could. I learned how to be my best because of her, and the many struggles that she has suffered. My grandfather, and uncle Steve supported me in the role of a father, even till this day. My grandmother cared for us after, and even during school, as our mother worked to provide for us. My numerous aunts, and uncles cared, supported, loved, and looked after us, as with all of the grandchildren. They taught us many things, and continue to do so. I remember playing in my grandparents back yard as a child with my cousins. I know each of them by name, voice, spirit, and struggle, we are all as brothers, and sisters. I now have many second cousins, and two wonderful nephews whom I love more than anything else in this world. They give me purpose, and show me what the love of God truly is. I'm not quite sure where I'd be without them, or any other member of my family, but I know I wouldn't be here, and I wouldn't be the person that I am today. I'm grateful that my family has given me such great direction, it has taught me so much of who my Father in heaven is.