February 28 - “Find-a-friend”

We got the car all packed and ready for departure. Then we sat down and called Kel. It was his Happy Birthday call. Of course we ended up talking to him for about an hour. I kinda like that kid. 

After a stop at Bucees for lunch (and a bathroom break, of course), we headed onward to Waco. I munched on fried chicken strips and fries. Chris had her cold chunks of turkey. 

When we got to town we went straight to … HEB’s. We were gonna get gas, but the line was way too long. Instead we went inside. Grabbed some Minute Maid frozen lemonade and headed back to the car. Just as we were pulling out, I noticed on Chris’ find-a-friend that none other than Caleb was at that moment walking through the store. I jumped out and ran back in. Sure enough, there he was. Before long Chris joined us, and then Christi and AnnaGrace. Caleb selected some flowers for his girlfriend and we all headed home. Well, to their home. 

Last night we watched the movie Short Circuit with AnnaGrace while Josh and Christi went dress shopping (for her, not him). She is trying to find a dress to wear to Zak and Lindsay’s wedding. So is Chris. Not me …

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭1‬ says, Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children.

Father, thanks for the safe trip. Help the ladies have a fun time at the shower this afternoon. Amen. 

February 27 - “the rest of your millions”

Great way to start the morning. Well, it’s how we have started our Thursdays for a very long time. Cleaning house. Now, remember, my only task is vacuuming the two rugs. Chris handles all the important stuff. 

We had an appointment with our financial advisor guy in the afternoon. Nothing special. We just have to check in with him once a year. I told Nathan we were going, and he said, “Y’all

 gonna spend the rest of your millions!?”  Millions? In think I missed something. I told him to get our room ready at their house for when the bucks do run out. 

We stopped at Randall’s on the way home to pick up some prescriptions and to get some gas. We still have to run by the bank this morning, but otherwise I think we are ready to head for Waco. Tomorrow is wedding shower day for Lindsay. 

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭37‬:‭4‬ says, Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart’s desires.

Father, again I ask, please ease the pain Chris is having in her hip. Amen. 

February 26 - “Bye bye Blue”

Well, the day finally arrived. Good ol’ Blue the 1992 pick up truck is gone. It had a shaky transmission, needed a new fuel pump and who knows what else. That, combined with years of Galveston rust, brought her to her knees - or would that be tires? 

We donated her to Cars for Kids. They try to get the cars up and running and resell them. We get an IRS donation credit based on what they sell it for. 

She did a lot of ministry here on the Island, beginning with Hurricane Ike. Thanks to Blair Jones for making her available all these years. 

Guess we are officially a one-car family. Here’s hoping that will be enough … 

Chris had an appointment in the afternoon to have someone check out the pain she has been having in her hip. The recommendation was that she have an x-ray (insurance requirement), then a shot, then meds. She got the x-ray before she left the clinic. The new meds prescription was called into the pharmacy. And she has an appointment for the shot in a a week or so. All Chris wants is some relief before we leave on our looong cruise. With lots of steps. And walking excursions in Spain. 

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭25‬:‭1‬ says, Yahweh, You are my God; I will exalt You. I will praise Your name, for You have accomplished wonders, plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness.

Father, please ease the pain Chris is having. Amen. 

February 25 - “Two birds. One stone”

Chris got one of her wishes granted yesterday. It was a beautiful day (albeit kinda cold), so she went to work on the flowerbeds. She has really been chomping at the bit to get after that yardwork. I’ve been telling her she has to wait until after Zak and Lindsay’s wedding in April. Yeah, THAT hasn’t gone over well. 

Meanwhile, I waded back into our income tax stuff. Our accountant sent over the first of the inevitable emails asking for clarification or missing forms. Sadly, there were a few of both this time. I think I found what she needed, though. I was pretty sure we’d have to pay a lot this time. That unexpected  executor fee I was paid didn’t include any deductions with it. But her last email indicated it didn’t look quite as bad as I anticipated. I’ll take that. 

After lunch we did our errands run. Walmart first to get a few groceries. Oh, and a Chris HAD to make a quick run through the garden department. She’s got Spring fever bad. 

Next we went to the East End of the island to pick up my errant hearing aid. It took some doing, but they finally came through. And Chris was able to get her glasses tightened up while we were there. Two birds. One stone. 

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭13‬:‭44‬ says, The kingdom of heaven is like treasure, buried in a field, that a man found and reburied. Then in his joy he goes and sells everything he has and buys that field.

Father, thank you for the somewhat good news on the tax front. Amen. 

February 24 - “Not what I was hoping for”

Chris had her weight-lifting class yesterday. In fact, she was the only one who could be there, so she had a personal trainer for the day. Worked her pretty good. She even brought out the actual barbells this time. 

I wanted to get the truck cleaned up and ready to sell. Nathan had called and said he had rounded up a potential buyer. All I had to do was get it to Santa Fe. And … it  didn’t start. It cranked just fine, but then nothing. 

I called my retired mechanic for some advice. Being the good guy that he is, Dennis just came on by the house. He did his diagnostic. Even poured some gas directly into the carburetor. The engine really liked that special treat, but once it burned off, it died again. After some more checks and rechecks, he made his diagnosis:

Fuel pump shot. Pretty expensive to replace on that vehicle.  And combined with the rapidly accumulating Galveston rust, it was just not worth the hassle. 

Well, that was not what I was hoping for, but it is what it is. I got the contact info for Carsforkids.com from Nathan (he has used them before) and set up a donation for a tax write-off. They will pick it up tomorrow. 

‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭12‬:‭13‬ says, When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is: fear God and keep His commands, because this is for all humanity.

Father, thank you for Dennis’ friendship and help. Bless him. Amen. 

February 23 - “Farewell, Olympics”

After church we hung around and talked with our friends, Dale and Debbie. He is a pastor, so he and I connected.  They are in their early 70’s - connection number two. And she and Chris share a lot common. Oh. And they are interested in doing some cruising and road tripping. Made for a lot of connections and subsequently a lot to talk about. 

Back home we watched some of the Olympics closing ceremonies. We always like to see the athletes big entrance. Sometimes they have good shows, too. One of them was really weird this time. Some traditionally garbed Japanese lady walked around while some ballerina kind of dancers flitted about on stage. The actual hand-over-the-Olympic-flag ceremony was pretty cool, though. And they showed the actual men’s hockey team gold medal ceremony. Go, USA!

‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭16‬:‭11‬ says, Search for the Lord and for His strength; seek His face always.

Father, be with Dale and Debbie. Bless them and give them wisdom about retiring. Amen. 

February 22 - “Misdirection”

I had to make a quick dash back over to H&R Block yesterday. They are handling the income tax filing for Sam’s estate. Why? I received another form in the mail that was apparently part of the packet of financial info I already turned over. Not sure what took them so long. And I had no idea it was coming anyway. My advisor won’t be back until Monday, so I had to trust the receptionist to get it to her. 

I got back just in time to head for Ezra’s football game in League City. He’s on a team with some six-year-olds, so it’s hard to keep them focused (very frustrating to Coach Kel). Jachin (assistant coach) said it’s like herding cats. And to make matters worse, the team they were playing towered over them by at least a head or two. 

We did have one play that made the whole morning worthwhile. Ezra went out for a pass. He turned toward the quarterback , pointed across the field, and shouted, “He’s open! Throw it to him!” The defense bit hook, line, and sinker. They all shifted that way. The quarterback gave a casual glance that direction, then tossed out to Ezra. He made a big gain after the catch. What a misdirection. Proud of those little guys!

After lunch I decided I didn’t want to wade through our lawn weeds to search for the newspaper any more. Time to mow. Yep. In February. It was so thick - and even wet underneath - that I had to mow over every patch twice. That is … tiring. Chris made me stop without weedeating. I didn’t argue. 

‭‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭6‬ says, Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Father, help those little football guys remember to just have fun. Amen.