33 percent

Out off sorri. I'm not sure what to say - hand lettered signs frequently have psychedelic spelling. This one is just so far from right.

Van Nuys CreepAway

We missed the first Van Nuys bus by 3 min - we saw it pull away. After waiting 30 for the bus - we've sat still for another 30 while the driver repacked the luggage to fit more people on board. We are just now at terminal 3 and the bus is full, 10 passengers standing. It's been 15 hours since we started our journey home. Cooper is out and Campbell is fading fast. If there is no traffic we should have a 35 min ride to VNY, then if we can find our car pass, it should be a quick 30 to Valencia, and rest. This year we hit the ground running - our friends from the international office are here starting Thursday, & we are having a light dinner and proper tea on Friday.

September looks calm.

The Long Road Home

We are on the start if our all day journey back to Valencia. We will be in a car, 2 planes, a bus, and another car. Our first car leg to NO we went through some heavy rain just after the 17 mile bridge.

LA? No LA!

I've lived in our near Los Angeles all my life, but I have to come to Louisana to see someone arrested and handcuffed from a restaurant. The 6 men sitting at the table next to our table left went to the parking lot and took down the 4 people who sat at a table near ours. The had them down on the ground knees in their backs, and were searched. Caused a small stir, the manager was on the PA reassuring everyone that all was fine and under control. Besides this I read about 2 drive by shootings in the paper this morning. I love how save I feel in rural America.

Mmm Food

After our swamp tour we stopped by Cane's for lunch. The only have one main dish - fried chicken strips. It is one place we always stop when we are in LA. They started in 1996 and today there are over 50. The closest to our house is in LV NV. Their sauce and sweet tea make are stand out items.

Apple Pan of New Orleans

We had lunch at The Central Grocery on Decatur in New Orleans. It is the original home of the Muffuletta - a sandwich of salami, mortadella, cheese, and an olive salad. Even Cooper liked it.
After lunch we walked through the Quarter: it has gotten much better since last year. More people visiting & more shops open. We spent some time in a shop that mokes loomed rugs - four large working looms and four crazy cats. Wonderful rugs at wonderful prices.

TSA Search

In Houston everyone had to leave the plane so the TSA could do an unscheduled sweep of our plane. No one from SWA could ever remember this being done before. Perhaps someone introduced some contraband mid-flight. I thought I heard the door open over Austin. Now were are really late. I hope we can eat soon, before our minds ache.

Air Bus

C1 & C2 enjoy the fun of the Southwest air bus. iPod movies, snacks, and games. What more could they want?

Safety features

We went to see Granpa and Metella's new car. The boys wanted to see if they could fit in the trunk. The noticed the glowing emergency trunk release and wanted to try it, but Metella would not close the trunk with them inside - she's no fun.

iPhone home

On Saturday we visited 2 Apple stores to play with the new iPhones. First stop was at the Grove - the phones were fully activated, but hardly charged (they had been in non-stop use since 9am). Kerry noted that you get purchase an iPhone or a new pair of Jimmy Choos. We decided to buy neither.

Later we took C1 and C2 to the store in Northridge - C2 played games on the Mac while C1 and I waited to use an iPhone. We had about 5min before we got the low battery warning. Kerry overheard someone in the store ask what an iPhone was - they must be from Brazil.

Springfield for dinner

We read on the internet that eleven 7-11 stores had been converted onto Kwik-E-Marts as a promotion for the new Simpson's movie. The store has been transformed; They had squishees, Buzz Cola, and other Simpson related items. The clerks have special uniforms and are all Indian (I'm sure they were hired just for this event). Fortunate for us, one of the eleven is in Burbank - so we drove on down. The boys ate hot dogs and drank squishees sitting picnic style on the sidewalk . This is just another day in our life as a road trip.

Art imitates Life

I was down in San Diego for GTY business with Jay, when we found this huge re-creation of one of Life magizine's most famous photographs.

It stands about 25 feet, and is right next to the USS Midway (retired). Perfect location.

Kerry 'Babe' Fickett

Today was the Parents vs Players game for Campbell's team. Kerry had great form while at bat. I had 1 at bat, and a brief time in left field, before my migraine sent me home.

Campbell's Piano Recital

Campbell had his first recital. He performed 'Crawling Spider' on the grand piano at the GCC chapel. Grandpa and Metella made a special trip to hear him play.

Rainbow's end

Last night after the boys went to bed, our first family pet died. Rainbow had been a beautiful blue and red Beta. He lived in a bowl on our piano for almost two years.

A few weeks ago he started to fade - his color became less blue and more ashen. This Tuesday he started to swim on his side and last night he went to the bottom of his bowl and stayed on his side.

While the boys were sleeping we placed him into an Altoid box and buried him in the East garden in an area that we are preparing for replanting.

My second visit

In 1993 I visited the Simpson's house in Springfield - it was a housing tract in Nevada, where one of the houses had been painted and decorated to look like the house in the cartoons. The HOA must have been in a coma the day that request came through.

Today at the cinema there was a display for the new Simpson's movie. I gave Kerry the phone, and she took the picture.

I enjoy watching the Simpsons from time to time, so this was a bit of fun for me.

Another reason Americans are too heavy

The park where Campbell plays baseball has every feature you could want at a park - restrooms, water, shade, fields for baseball, soccer, and football, and picnic tables. And for those who do not want to get any workout - bring your computer and connect to the free wifi. I know it's Valencia, but should our parks be like Starbucks?

Campbell as Pop

For Campbell's birthday Metella got him a cake from Porto's. Tonight we had another serving from the cake. Campbell decided to have the chocolate flower as his dessert. Unlike Pop's flower, this one was made from pure chocholate. Yum, Yum.

And so it begins

Campbell's birthday party starts will pizza and TV. He chose to have 2 friends over to spend the night. The mini-golf in the morning. This is his favorite place for pizza because it has TV.

The pizza is not too bad either - much better than the pizza from the Dusty Mouse palace.

The blur of Seiso de Mayo

We had our 5th Annual Seiso de Mayo party today because it falls on a Sunday this year. After lunch (Rita made home-made chips, yum) we went to the warehouse for pinata time. We let those who were expecting take the first swings. As usual the pinata crashed to the ground when the loop broke. Next year we are going downtown to get a proper pinata from 7th street.

I think we all had a great time.

Five Months Early, One Hour Late

The new SCV Cross Valley Connector Road open this morning five months ahead of schedule. After all the speeches (mine was the shortest: "There it is, drive it.") the road opened. After all the pictures were taken and the antique cars drove it, it opened for regular traffic about 11:10. Everyone is glad to see this road open.

Odd Commuter

I found these skates locked to the bike rack outside of the convention center. I wonder if they are John Daley's?

Rainbow over the pyramid

I'd love to see Egypt, and I've imagined what it would be like to wake up in its view - I'd still like to do that, but seeing a rainbow Monday morning over a glass pyramid is still cool.

Here in I-wish-they'd-hose-it-off-and-chase-away-the-paper-snapers City for a convention. Looking at equipment that may help GTY's audio and video projects.

The weather is low-80s, perfect to spend time in the sun, but I'll be spending it inside. Bummer.

The Boys of Summer

Today is the first day I am well - so I was able to go out and see Campbell's first game. He played well, made ot to base twice, once by being hit by the ball ( he did not know that rule, so he was hesitant when the coach told him to take his base), the second was by keeping a good eye on the ball and walking after a full count.

He plays center field, and does his best to not fall asleep.

Beautiful day in the sun. Campbell's team won 12 to 5..

Valencia?

No this is the 2:30pm traffic going through Meridian (a Boise suburb). It took 4 cycles of the light for me to get through.

I'm in Boise for the memorial service for the brother of a dear friend. He did the music and the family's welcome and appriciation. It was a service that presented our great Savior and the hope we have in Him.

LA in Idaho

My flight was delayed and my directions to the hotel were not quite right, and I had a migraine. The 9 mile drive from the airport to the hotel - took me on a late night adventure through 35 miles of Boise suburbs. I finally checked in at 12:30

After delivering some things to Jay's family this morning, I went back to the hotel to rest. I carefully put the DND sign on the door and tried to rest.

The hotel is empty of guests - I'm one of five cars in the lost for a large hotel. So where do the Spanish yelling maids take their break? Out side my room. They have been yelling and talking loudly, and drinking Pepsi outside my room for 20 min. I hope their break is over soon.

He is not here He is risen

Every year we make a paper mache tomb. Then tell the Easter story.

On Friday and Saturday we have a stone in front of the tomb, then on Sunday we roll it away and set the angel and the verses out.

This year we brought to tomb to Sunday school - it's a great object to see the empty tomb.

Hamster Racing in Valencia

We went to the exciting hamster races - it was great to see Amy's hamster Hammy. You'd be surprised at the crowds that the races draw.

Fun at the movies

We went to the new G movie - when the stobe lights and klaxons came on. Then we joined the parade out of the cinema. All was fine - there was only about $1000 in damage - they burned their $7 a box popcorn. The movie resumed after that brief intermission.

Happy Weasel Stomping Day

We had a traditional Weasel Stomping Day - boots, Viking helmets, and mayonnaise spreading on the lawn. The boys have enjoyed listening to Weird Al, so they thought we should celebrate. We decided that it should be celebrated the first Saturday after Spring.

We all took turns with the Viking helmet - they are much harder to find than you would think.

Happy WSD!

Campbell resting

Campbell took some time out from television to talk to Pop. He told him about the surgery and how he feels now (better, but tender).

Recovery

All went well. He is resting well at home and not in too much pain. He is looking forward to having a TV-od today.

Thanks for all your prayers.

Getting ready

Campbell is ready to go. He says he hates the gown.

Why people live in SoCal

It is another beautiful day in California. We had lunch outside in the shade. Campbell's surgery is tomorrow, but he seems not to be concerned.

We're not in Kansas anymore

We are also not in the USA. We took the boys over to Mexico today. At first Campbell did not want to go - he changed his mind as we got closer. We wandered the street trying to decide which Pharmacy to go to, and where to have our plastic surgery and dental work done. We decided not to any of that so we bought so Mexican handicrafts. We also went to the market - I found my favorite icecream bar, Magnum! We bought some icecream and sodas then walked back to the USA. Everyone had a nice visit.

The Streets of San Francisco

Lego Land has a mini San Francisco build out of lego bricks. We spent some time looking at the detail - we found this fountain (much cleaner than the real one), the California Sea Lions behind pier 39, and most shocking The Bush Man complete with screaming tourist.

The real Bush Man made Kerry jump and scream when we were in SF in October.

Desert Springs

We stopped by the Desert Tower on the way to El Centro. While at the tower the operator sugested that we might like to hike to see the desert springs - we were not disappointed.

Mini-miracle

Not really - but just what we needed. We needed to get a batch from a year ago that was in the middle of the stack. We started moving boxes, then we thought, "how bad would it be if the boxes just fell." So I pulled out the box, and the hole stayed opened and nothing moved. Put it back just as easy.

Mardi Gras 2007

We spent Presidents' Day making 4 King Cakes (one mini-cake). Two will go to GTY, one to a gathering that Kerry has Tuesday night, and we'll have the other for breakfast. This is our 17th year making King Cakes. The year I was in India we had cakes shipped to GTY from Meche's in Lafayette.

We do a family Mardi Gras - fully clothed and in our right minds. The type that most people do. The one in NOLA is not typical; It's a shame that it gets all the press. The ones in small towns are non-drunken affairs for the whole family - good food, good music, good costumes, and good fun.

Go Team

Campbell did very well at the Awana Games today. He helped his team come in 1st.

A little boy named David

Today was David and Goliath. One of the teachers built a life-sized Goliath for the childern to see. The boy on the right in the white, blue, and green striped shirt is Cooper.

Go Team

Campbell did very well at the Awana Games today. He helped his team come in 1st.

Go Team

Campbell did very well at the Awana Games today. He helped his team come in 1st.

Windows Vista

We got our windows upgrade today. The vista out the back window is a huge improvement over our old windows.

These open AND close, they do not need to be rebooted if you have a problem and they come with local tech support.

Windows Vista

We got our windows upgrade today. The vista out the back window is a huge improvement over our old windows.

These open AND close, they do not need to be rebooted if you have a problem and they come with local tech support.

Seating for 2 with a view

New outdoor seating in the heart of Valencia. Jay M is having some work done on their house. This is what the plumber set out in the yard. I'm sure the neighborhood police will be very happy.

Help us all

Great a new section at Target. Just what we need, a new thing for kids to ask for. C1 and C2 didn't see it - so I'm safe for a while.

Keeping it real fake

After work today we went for a walk to the local fake lake - Bridgeport. There were ducks by the ton and three Canada Geese. We stopped at the park to let the boys play for a bit. As usual we had to leave before we wanted to, because this park attracts the potty mouth set.

He does everything

We had a small plumbing issue at GTY today, normally Ben would take care of it - but he is out today. Leonard, one of our volunteers, took the challege on and fixed the sink. Leonard does everything, besides being a telephone pioneer, he is also the GTY barber in residence. You never can tell what he'll do next.

Queue for Books

We had a clean out day at GTY. We sent an email out letting staff know that at 2:30 we would open the doors for a discontinued book give away. Staff queued up 2 minutes early. Some took a few titles, others left with their arms full. No pushing and shoving here - everyone was polite, so much so that I had to force people to take the last of anything.