We are scheduled to close on the sale of our home and the purchase of our new house within the next 9 days! I have not done this in 25 years so I am asking for your advice - what should we do first?
We are getting bids for having the interior of the house painted as well as getting proices for new flooring. It would be great to have it all done by the time we move in but that does not look likely! At best we hope to have all the painting done before we move in, the floors we want will have to be special order so we are looking at 3-4 weeks before they arrive.
Any suggestions on movers? on comparing prices on Dish or Cable. High-speed internet?
I promise - details and pictures on my great trip to Austria and Germany will be on my blog real soon.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
buying and selling a home - argh!
We are in the process of selling the home we have lived in for over 24 years. I thought it was going to be tough because of the down housing market...boy was I wrong!
It is tough because our humble little house was more than a 4 bedroom 2 bath in the suburbs of Dallas - it was a home of love/tears/sleepless nights/unspeakable joy!
It was in this home that we raised 3 great kids, have buried countless beloved family pets in the backyard, laughed and cried, applied band-aids to scrapped knees and broken hearts, survived puberty and "first" car accidents, mourned the loss of a loving Grandpa and a one of a kind Mema.
From here we said good-bye to 3 young adults - with their cars packed with all their earthly belonging as they went off to make their own way.
We've battled cancer, and liver disease, the mysterious loss of vision in the eye of a 4 year old little boy, endured monthly infusions of gamma-globulin from age 5-13 in order to fight off infections that could have taken a life, dibilitating migraines, battled MRSA staph, the early on-set on rheumatoid arthritis...I could go on and on.
Selling our home is the closing of countless chapters in our family story.
The good news is...it is not the wood, windows, brick and glass that make this a home..it is the stuff of our hearts that made this a place I shall always treasure ..thankfully this will go with us no matter our address.
It is tough because our humble little house was more than a 4 bedroom 2 bath in the suburbs of Dallas - it was a home of love/tears/sleepless nights/unspeakable joy!
It was in this home that we raised 3 great kids, have buried countless beloved family pets in the backyard, laughed and cried, applied band-aids to scrapped knees and broken hearts, survived puberty and "first" car accidents, mourned the loss of a loving Grandpa and a one of a kind Mema.
From here we said good-bye to 3 young adults - with their cars packed with all their earthly belonging as they went off to make their own way.
We've battled cancer, and liver disease, the mysterious loss of vision in the eye of a 4 year old little boy, endured monthly infusions of gamma-globulin from age 5-13 in order to fight off infections that could have taken a life, dibilitating migraines, battled MRSA staph, the early on-set on rheumatoid arthritis...I could go on and on.
Selling our home is the closing of countless chapters in our family story.
The good news is...it is not the wood, windows, brick and glass that make this a home..it is the stuff of our hearts that made this a place I shall always treasure ..thankfully this will go with us no matter our address.
Monday, July 7, 2008
What is the big deal about turning 50?!
I turned 50 yesterday.
My wife, kids and friends gave me a great party -a surprise with 50 of our best friends with a picnic at the Lake followed by an hour and half trip on a huge catamaran!
To be 50 means I get to be philosophical for a moment.
My first observation is that 50 is not nearly as old as it seemed it would be when I looked down the road in my 20's. I am not sure what it is supposed to feel like - but in truth it is not much different than how I have felt over the past couple of years.
If anything, I do feel a bit bolder in acknowledging what I know and what I do NOT know. In fact I am keenly aware that I do not know very much and that which I do know has been learned in the "university of life."
Some of the courses I have taken are:
Marriage 101, 201,& 301...my wife and I got married 12-15-79..and we are still together. We are the same in some ways and radically different in other ways. If given the opportunity for a do-over I would do it again..with some adjustments here and there. My wife has put up with a lot and helped me become a better person.
Parenting..out of our 29 years of marriage have come 3 wonderful children - who are now each in their own way 2 wonderful young men and 1 wonderful young woman. They have each turned out to be good people, who care about others, able to laugh at themselves as well as at a good joke, they can hold their own with the best of them. They have each experienced life's ups and downs and are wiser for it. We have had some serious health scares, some moments of extreme pain and disappointment as well as times of great joy and accomplishment. In addition to the 3 kids my wife "birthed" we now have a great addition to our family - a wonderful son-in-law. He is fun, caring, drives fast, and loves our daughter!
GRIEF...My wife and I have each lost a parent to health related diseases. My father died of a massive heart attack almost 15 years ago at the age of 59 - after never having a sign or symptom of heart disease!
My wife's mother died last year after a long challenging journey with Alzheimers.
We miss them both so much - your heart never feels the same after a parent dies.
We are so happy though that we have a healthy Grandma and papa still with us - they bring much to our lives.
Health stuff..We have had some damn scary moments with health issues. One day while having her hair cut at the mall my wife collapsed, was unconscious and taken via ambulamnce to the hospital. After many anxious days shw was diagnosed with an extremely rare migraine syndrome. She still gets migraines but has medicine that is usually helpful.
Five years ago I had a radical prostatectomy to remove my prostate which was full of stage 3 cancer! Go figure - where the hell did that come from?! I am so happy to be here today to talk about it.
that is all for tonight - more to follow tomorrow!
My wife, kids and friends gave me a great party -a surprise with 50 of our best friends with a picnic at the Lake followed by an hour and half trip on a huge catamaran!
To be 50 means I get to be philosophical for a moment.
My first observation is that 50 is not nearly as old as it seemed it would be when I looked down the road in my 20's. I am not sure what it is supposed to feel like - but in truth it is not much different than how I have felt over the past couple of years.
If anything, I do feel a bit bolder in acknowledging what I know and what I do NOT know. In fact I am keenly aware that I do not know very much and that which I do know has been learned in the "university of life."
Some of the courses I have taken are:
Marriage 101, 201,& 301...my wife and I got married 12-15-79..and we are still together. We are the same in some ways and radically different in other ways. If given the opportunity for a do-over I would do it again..with some adjustments here and there. My wife has put up with a lot and helped me become a better person.
Parenting..out of our 29 years of marriage have come 3 wonderful children - who are now each in their own way 2 wonderful young men and 1 wonderful young woman. They have each turned out to be good people, who care about others, able to laugh at themselves as well as at a good joke, they can hold their own with the best of them. They have each experienced life's ups and downs and are wiser for it. We have had some serious health scares, some moments of extreme pain and disappointment as well as times of great joy and accomplishment. In addition to the 3 kids my wife "birthed" we now have a great addition to our family - a wonderful son-in-law. He is fun, caring, drives fast, and loves our daughter!
GRIEF...My wife and I have each lost a parent to health related diseases. My father died of a massive heart attack almost 15 years ago at the age of 59 - after never having a sign or symptom of heart disease!
My wife's mother died last year after a long challenging journey with Alzheimers.
We miss them both so much - your heart never feels the same after a parent dies.
We are so happy though that we have a healthy Grandma and papa still with us - they bring much to our lives.
Health stuff..We have had some damn scary moments with health issues. One day while having her hair cut at the mall my wife collapsed, was unconscious and taken via ambulamnce to the hospital. After many anxious days shw was diagnosed with an extremely rare migraine syndrome. She still gets migraines but has medicine that is usually helpful.
Five years ago I had a radical prostatectomy to remove my prostate which was full of stage 3 cancer! Go figure - where the hell did that come from?! I am so happy to be here today to talk about it.
that is all for tonight - more to follow tomorrow!
Monday, June 23, 2008
Greetings from a man who ran a half-marathon!
Yep, that is right, greetings from your friend - the half-marathon runner!
I've got a medal and t-shirt that says it - that proves it - right?!
To be honest I did finish it but I did not run 100% of the time.
But I gotta tell you - it was a big time amazing-emotional-thrilling experience.
I ran a freakin half-marathon...that phrase rattled through my head starting at about the 12 mile mark and all the way across the finish line. I had a lump in my throat and big alligator tears in my eyes...I was thrilled and amazed. There I was in the middle of a football field with hundreds of other folks who also had just finished this amaazing experience. Every face told a story - some were experienced athletes who just chaulked up another run, while many of the rest of us were first timers..some were crying - others laughing, some holding tight to friends and family, while others simply sat on the turf, wrapped in those space age/aluminum foil looking blankets. Many of the runners were fueled that day by the memory of a loved one lost to leukemia, while others were running - like me - trying to help raise money to fight this damn disease!
Along the path there were leukemia survivors holding simple home made signs expressing their gratitude for the efforts of the runners and the millions this group was raising for research. Matter of fact through the efforts of the runners at the Alaska race alone - 4.5 million dollars had been raised!
There are so many stories it will take me a couple of postings to get them out.
Please know how grateful I am for your gift to the Leukemia society that made my participation in this event possible! I has been life changing! Anybody want to meet this Saturday at Whiterock lake for a combo run/walk? 6:30? let me know?
I've got a medal and t-shirt that says it - that proves it - right?!
To be honest I did finish it but I did not run 100% of the time.
But I gotta tell you - it was a big time amazing-emotional-thrilling experience.
I ran a freakin half-marathon...that phrase rattled through my head starting at about the 12 mile mark and all the way across the finish line. I had a lump in my throat and big alligator tears in my eyes...I was thrilled and amazed. There I was in the middle of a football field with hundreds of other folks who also had just finished this amaazing experience. Every face told a story - some were experienced athletes who just chaulked up another run, while many of the rest of us were first timers..some were crying - others laughing, some holding tight to friends and family, while others simply sat on the turf, wrapped in those space age/aluminum foil looking blankets. Many of the runners were fueled that day by the memory of a loved one lost to leukemia, while others were running - like me - trying to help raise money to fight this damn disease!
Along the path there were leukemia survivors holding simple home made signs expressing their gratitude for the efforts of the runners and the millions this group was raising for research. Matter of fact through the efforts of the runners at the Alaska race alone - 4.5 million dollars had been raised!
There are so many stories it will take me a couple of postings to get them out.
Please know how grateful I am for your gift to the Leukemia society that made my participation in this event possible! I has been life changing! Anybody want to meet this Saturday at Whiterock lake for a combo run/walk? 6:30? let me know?
Monday, June 16, 2008
In 6 hours I leave for Alaska!
I can not believe it - but the day has come for me to head up to Alaska. The big run is Saturday at 9:00 am Anchorage time! Between now and then my adventures will take me to the towns of Seattle, Washington; Anchorage, Palmer and Seward, Alaska.
Thank you for all your prayers and donations - together we raised over $6500.00 for Leukemia research! wow!
I hope to take all sorts of pictures - including one of me in the race - argh!
I have been blessed with all sorts of new friends via participating with the Leukemia society Team in Training - they are good people.
Thank you for all your prayers and donations - together we raised over $6500.00 for Leukemia research! wow!
I hope to take all sorts of pictures - including one of me in the race - argh!
I have been blessed with all sorts of new friends via participating with the Leukemia society Team in Training - they are good people.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Sneaking up on 50!
What is the big deal about turning 50?
I guess, for me - it is the acknowledgement that:
a. my life is surely more than half over,
b. there are certain things a 50 year old body does not want to do
(and can no longer do!),
c. it is becoming increasingly difficult to appreciate RAP music,
d. we are responsible for our choices and their affects,
e. the majority of "stuff " we consider a big deal - is not big!,
f. people who think they know the only way to know GOD scare me,
g. the sun will come up tomorrow!
How about you - what do you think is the "big deal?"
I guess, for me - it is the acknowledgement that:
a. my life is surely more than half over,
b. there are certain things a 50 year old body does not want to do
(and can no longer do!),
c. it is becoming increasingly difficult to appreciate RAP music,
d. we are responsible for our choices and their affects,
e. the majority of "stuff " we consider a big deal - is not big!,
f. people who think they know the only way to know GOD scare me,
g. the sun will come up tomorrow!
How about you - what do you think is the "big deal?"
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Today I saved a life!
I am embarrassed it has been so long since I last posted a thought on my blog. To be honest with you - it is all about not making or taking the time to share a thought. I will do better - or at least try!
So much news to share:
a. My 1/2 marathon training with the Team in Training/Leukemia society is going pretty. I do some sort of training everyday...I either exercise, stretch, ,walk or jog. On Saturday I join the team in training crew at Whiterock Lake in Dallas...(at 7:00 am!)..the last 3 weeks we have circled the lake ..which is 9 miles. I will admit I do not jog the entire 9 miles..some of it is walking.I welcome your advice on battling blisters...I get them on the pad of my left foot, just below my big toe - ouch.
b. I have made my plans for the trip to Alaska for the run (June 21 in Anchorage). Well sorta - I am going up a little early - I hope to make it up to Denali and bond with nature. Your suggestions are welcome - I need a cheap place to stay for a night or two.
c. I am also getting close on finalizing my plans for my renewal leave - extended break from the church. My goal is to get some rest, renew my spirit and have a little fun.
d. We are exploring the idea of selling our house and moving to Plano - another suburb in the Dallas area. It would be a good idea IF it gets us closer to our work. Most of the decision awaits a major decision regarding my wife's job.
e. Regarding the title of this post: The life I saved today was that of a baby turtle who was laying on his back along side a jogging path at the lake. He caught my eye - at first I thought he was "passed," I picked him up and he moved his little head. I asked what he wanted- he told me to toss him gently in to the lake - so I did. Good luck little guy.
A lesson to us all..don't be so busy on your own trail that you fail to notice someone or something needing a hand!
So much news to share:
a. My 1/2 marathon training with the Team in Training/Leukemia society is going pretty. I do some sort of training everyday...I either exercise, stretch, ,walk or jog. On Saturday I join the team in training crew at Whiterock Lake in Dallas...(at 7:00 am!)..the last 3 weeks we have circled the lake ..which is 9 miles. I will admit I do not jog the entire 9 miles..some of it is walking.I welcome your advice on battling blisters...I get them on the pad of my left foot, just below my big toe - ouch.
b. I have made my plans for the trip to Alaska for the run (June 21 in Anchorage). Well sorta - I am going up a little early - I hope to make it up to Denali and bond with nature. Your suggestions are welcome - I need a cheap place to stay for a night or two.
c. I am also getting close on finalizing my plans for my renewal leave - extended break from the church. My goal is to get some rest, renew my spirit and have a little fun.
d. We are exploring the idea of selling our house and moving to Plano - another suburb in the Dallas area. It would be a good idea IF it gets us closer to our work. Most of the decision awaits a major decision regarding my wife's job.
e. Regarding the title of this post: The life I saved today was that of a baby turtle who was laying on his back along side a jogging path at the lake. He caught my eye - at first I thought he was "passed," I picked him up and he moved his little head. I asked what he wanted- he told me to toss him gently in to the lake - so I did. Good luck little guy.
A lesson to us all..don't be so busy on your own trail that you fail to notice someone or something needing a hand!
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