MAKE MY DAY AWARD GIVEN TO ME

Thanks, hon for the award and all the kind words. I love you and thank you for sharing your life with me. Jim

Tomorrow my beautiful wife will be 65 years old. She has spent 46 of those years as my wife. I don't know how she did it.
Hon, I know you have never been a CEO of a large company, but you have run a household better than any CEO.
You have never been a famous actress, but you will always be my star.
You have never been a famous heart surgeon, but you have mended many a broken hearts.
You have never held a political office, but you will always get my vote.
You have never been a counselor, but you always give sound advice
You have never been just a wife. You have been MY wife, and I think you.
I love you very much, and I hope you have a HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Hope we have many more years togeather
I love you, Jim

Well, I went berry picking on Monday. Picked about a gallon in about 45 mins. I hope to get back next week and pick some more. I would like to pick at lest 5 gallons. Our grand-daughter, Olivia brought us a jar of home made blackberry jelly the other day. It was delicious. We get so used to eating store bought jelly and think it is good until we eat some real jelly, and then we realize what we've been missing. I said I would like to pick 5 gallons of berries. I would like to make jelly out of 3 gal. and freeze the other 2 gal. for blackberry cobbler. My wife made a blackberry cobbler on Tuesday and it was delicious also. I personally think it was the best she has ever made. Hopefully later on we will get to pick some strawberries, and make some strawberry jelly, and then we would like to get some pears and peaches for different kinds of jelly. I think my personal favorite is pear perserves, however I like them all. I guess I better shut this down, because I'm getting hungery just thinking about it.

SCENES FROM OUR ANNIVERSARY TRIP

If anyone ever reads my blog anymore, I just wanted to show some of the old cars that we saw while we were on our anniversary trip. Anyone that knows me, knows that I am fascinated by old cars. My favorite picture is the Model-A pickup. I guess one reason is that we owned several Model-A's when I was a child. I wanted to buy the Model-A, but my social security check had not been deposited at that time, so I didn't have $25,00.00 in the bank. Anyway I hope you enjoy looking.

Twas the night before the wedding, when all through the night
I lay there wondering if what I was doing was right
Forty-six years later, I look back on my life
I cannot imagine you not being my wife
Theres been times we did'nt have much money
But I did'nt need wealth, I had you as my honey
You gave birth to four wonderful boys
Then comes christmas and we had to buy all those toys
Then along came the girl we never had
You was her mom and I was her dad
Theres been happy times, sad times, smiles and tears
But overall it's been a wonderful forty-six years
The two greatest words I ever heard you say was "I do"
At that moment I knew that you loved me as much as I loved you
And if I had to do it agin
I'd do it the same way, and thats no spin
I LOVE YOU, JIM

I HAVE BEEN TAGGED FOR A SQUARE MEME

Square meme1. Link to the person that tagged you2. Post the rules on your blog3. Answer the square number of questions on your blog4. Tag a square number (i.e., 4, 9, 16, etc) people at the end of your post, and let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog


1. Do you have the squares of every number up to 12 memorized?
Yes

.2. If you take the square root of a number and square it, what do you get?
The same number that you started with

3. Think about the number of people in your immediate family (i.e., parents, grandparents, siblings, children). Is it a square number?
No

4. Is your bedroom a square or a rectangle?
Rectangle

5. Can you form a perfect square with your hands?
No

6. Name the nearest object to you that is a square:
Probably the closest thing to a square is the computer moniter, but it is not a perfect square. It is rectangular in shape. I changed my mind. There is a C.D. case that is square.

7. Is a square symmetrical?
Yes

8. Do you know how to draw a 3D square?
Yes

9. Which looks prettier to you -- a quilt with perfect squares or a crazy (strips of fabric of different shapes) quilt?
Squares

Miss Connie. I did the meme and anyone that put down a different answer than I got it wrong. Anyone that wants to do this meme is welcome to do so.

I HAVE BEEN TAGGED TO DO THIS MEME

I was tagged by Buddy at http://budjonjakejess.blogspot.com to do this meme....so here it goes....: )Here are the rules for this meme:1. link to the person that tagged you.2. Post the rules on your blog.3. Share 6 non-important thing/habits/quirks/about yourself4. Tag 6 random people at the end of your post.5. Let each random person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Things about me:

01. I have had false teeth since I was nineteen years old.

02. I am deathly afraid of spiders. :0(

03. I have been a carpenter since I was a teenager working with my Dad.

04. I enjoyed drag racing as a teenager BUT I DO NOT RECOMMEND IT FOR MY GRANDCHILDRE OR ANYONE ELSE.

05. I love to tell and enjoy a good clean joke.

06. I love politics.

Now anyone else who wants to do this, you are tagged and besure and let me know if you deside to do so I can come read what you write. Jim

FIFTY YEARS AND COUNTING

This shelve hung in my mothers house many years. When she passed away several years ago, it became ours, which I suppose was apporiate, because I built this when I was a junior in high school. It was my first woodworking project. It is made of solid mahogany. If my memory serves me right the material cost between 5 and 6 dollars. Now you have to realize that I said if my memory serves me right, which it does'nt always at my age. The same lumber today would probably cost 50 or 60 dollars at least. The shelve use to have a finial on top in the middle. I don't know what happened to it. It was missing when we got it. Maybe one day I will start up the old lathe and turn a new one. The shelve has some nicks and scratches, but I must say that 50 years latter it looks better than it's builder. I enjoy building things, but I don't like finishing, and I remember the teacher that we had. His name was Mr. Phelps and he was a perfectionest. So it seemed like I sanded on it for 6 months. I would sand and sand and sand and he would find a small scratch and it was sand some more. But I must say it did look pretty good when it was finished. I have even thought about sanding it down and refinishing it, but I got to thinking no one can sand me down and refinish me, so why should'nt I let it show it's 50 years also. Until another time, Jim.

This is my sweethearts first day on the job. She has been sick the last few days. I went with her on her first day to encourage her. After all I'm an old pro at school crossing guard. She did a good job, even though she was nervous. I told her that in a couple of weeks it would be old hat. I'm very proud of you and it is no doubt in my mind that you will do a good job, just like everything else that you have done. To celebrate we went out to eat at the Baytown Seafood resturant. Had a good time just being togeather.

I HAVE BEEN TAGGED TO DO A ME ME ME

I have been tagged by Connie of "Connies-thoughts From The Heart" to do a Me ME ME.

HERE ARE THE RULES:

01. Post the rules before you give the facts

02. Players start with 8 random facts/habits about themselves

03. People who are tagged need to write their own blog

04. At the end of your blog you need to choose eight people that you tag and list their names. Don't forget to leave them a comment, telling them they are tagged, and to read your blog.

01. As a little kid, I was horrified of flushing toliets and airplanes. I had rarely seen a flushing toliet as a child.

02. I got my first false teeth at age 18.

03. I started smoking at age 12 and quit at age 32. PRAISE GOD!!!

04. I always love hearing and telling a good clean joke.

05. I had my tonsils removed at age 32, that was fun. Yeh ?

06. Woodworking is my hobby but I never seem to have enough tools.

07. I retired as a Dow Chemical Carpenter in Noverber of 1994 after 27 1/2 years.

08. I love meeting new people.

HERE IS THE LIST OF THOSE THAT I AM TAGGING:

01.Bill of "Quill of Bill."

02. Larry of "PawPaw."

03. Jeremy of "Considerations Of A Contender."

04. James of "Fully Persuaded Baptist."

05. Jason of "Peace Keeper."

06. Jeff of "Texas True To Lone Star Blue."

07. Daniel of "Titanic Station."

If any of you do not want to do this, please feel free not to do it. Jim, Dad, Grandpa

Well it's been a few hours since I've posted, so I guess it's about time. Really I was trying to hold off until Jason, Jeremy and Jeff posted. Well I waited out Jason, but Jeff and Jeremy still hasn't posted, so I give up.
As most know I went back to work full time about a month ago. I say full time, and I have only worked 40 hours one week. Part was at my request, and at other times it was because there was nothing to do. My understanding is that they have work coming soon. I enjoyed it so far, but I'm not to dissappointed when they send me home to be with my sweetheart. I am working for G.S.I. It is a contracting company that does work inside the chemical plants. I hired in as a carpenter, but I was told that I would be doing some sheetrock work, such as taping and floating, and textureing, which I would like to learn. I always enjoy learning new things. My big concern was being on my feet for 8 hours, and when I went to work I found out I would'nt be on my feet 8 hours, but instead they work 4 10 hour days, so instead of being on my feet for 8 hours I'm on my feet for 10 hours. On top of all that I found out that I was required to wear steel toed shoes, so I'm on my feet 10 hours a day breaking in a new pair of steel toed shoes. My feet hurt terribly bad for a few days, but it is much better now. It's Tina's (my daughter-in laws) fault that my feet hurt. Let me explain. The last time that they were at our house, she noticed that I had bunnions on my feet, and she asked me if they hurt and I told her no, but they have hurt ever since, so it's her fault, because she brought it to my attention. I always thought everybodys feet looked like that.
I will try to post more often, because I have decided that I can't out wait Jeff, and Jeremy.

I'VE BEEN TAGGED

LITERARY MEME

How it works:
01. grab the book closest to you
02.open it to page 161
03. find the fifth full sentence
04. post the title of the book and author's name
05.don't search around for the coolest book you have, use the one that
is really next to you
07. tag five people to do this meme, if you want to

The template can be of any configuration.
The title and author, "The New Router Handbook" by Patrick Spielman

A few months ago my next to the oldest son did a post on a pair of old boots. I'm not sure if he was going to throw them away, put them on or what. But as he started to looking at them it brought back a lot of memories. So I thought I would do the same with my roofing hatchet.

Over the last few weeks 2 of my sons have mentioned the times that we were roofing houses and the memories that they of those times. So you may look at the hatchet in the picture and say "thats a roofing hatchet", but its more than a roofing hatchet. It's a memory hatchet. One of the first jobs that my brother and I had, was helping my dad roof. I hated it at the time, but now that I look back on it, I have some very fond memories of our roofing times. It also taught us good work habits.

That is only the begining of the story. After we moved to Freeport, and the boys got older, we also started to roofing houses. I'm sure they did'nt like it any more than I did, but from their own testimonies, they look back on it with fond memories, just as I did. On many Saturdays we would be up at daylite, and on our way to roof a house. When we first started the 2 oldest boys and I would be roofing, while the 2 youngest would be cleaning the yard. We would stay on the roof all day, and then go home to a delicious home cooked meal that my wife and their mother had prepared for us. We always knew that she would be there to meet our needs. She always had two gallons of tea made, one for me, and one for them. Ha. I look back on those times now and have good memories of those times that I had to spend with our boys. We worked, we talked, and we laughed. They also learned what it was to work. They have always been good workers and are to this day. I did'nt tell them that at the time, because I did'nt want them to get the big head, But boys, you did a good job, and I am very proud of you for what you have become. Sweetheart, I'm glad that you were always home when we got home, and just as glad to see us as we were to see you, and always making us feel like men, and bragging on us for what we had accomplished that day. I'm sure ther are a lot of things that I will think of later, that I should have said on this blog, but I will have to say it at another time. So that is not just a picture, it's a memory.

MY SOAPBOX OFTHE DAY

I have listened for the last several days about the outrage of Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton over the remarks of Don Imas. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton both have the word reverand before their names. I have never listened to Don Imas because of the filth and vile things that comes from his mouth. However he can go on his radio show and use Gods name in vain, call christians all sorts of names, and say anything he wants to about Jesus, my Lord and Savior and not a peep from Jackson or Sharpton. How much more should they be offended by his remarks about Christ, than the girls basketball team. You will not find me using the name reverand before their names, because being a christian I'm ashamed that they even call themselves preachers. Now don't get me wrong, I think what Imas said was terrible, but he has said things before that was much more offensive to me and should have been to them if they are truly men of God.
Another thing about their outrage of Imas's remarks and calls for him to be fired. They have certianly been silent about the misjustice of the Duke Lacrosse players. In saying this, I think the boys have to take some responsibility for this themselves. They should not have the sttippers in their house at all. The Bible says that we are to abstain from the presence of evil. But my question is this, why are Jesse and Al not calling for the firing of Nifong, and punishment of the woman that made the false accusations against these boys. I can't help but wonder if the reason is because she is black and they are white.

101 of the World's Funniest One Liners
1. Ninety-nine percent of lawyers give the rest a bad name.2. Borrow money from a pessimist -- they don't expect it back.3. Time is what keeps things from happening all at once. 4. Lottery: A tax on people who are bad at math. 5. I didn't fight my way to the top of the food chain to be a vegetarian. 6. Never answer an anonymous letter. 7. It's lonely at the top; but you do eat better. 8. I don't suffer from insanity; I enjoy every minute of it.9. Always go to other people's funerals, or they won't go to yours.10. Few women admit their age; few men act it. 11. If we aren't supposed to eat animals, why are they made with meat? 12. No one is listening until you make a mistake.13. Give me ambiguity or give me something else. 14. We have enough youth. How about a fountain of "Smart"?15. He who laughs last thinks slowest.16. Campers: Nature's way of feeding mosquitoes. 17. Always remember that you are unique; just like everyone else. 18. Consciousness: That annoying time between naps. 19. There are three kinds of people: Those who can count and those who can't. 20. Why is "abbreviation" such a long word? 21. Nuke the Whales. 22. I started out with nothing and I still have most of it.23. Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine. 24. Out of my mind. Back in five minutes. 25. A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.26. As long as there are tests, there will be prayer in public schools. 27. Laugh alone and the world thinks you're an idiot. 28. Sometimes I wake up grumpy; other times I let her sleep. 29. The severity of the itch is inversely proportional to the ability to reach it.30. You can't have everything; where would you put it?31. I took an IQ test and the results were negative. 32. Okay, who stopped the payment on my reality check?
Editorial: Probably the most thought-provoking one-liner is "Eat right. Stay fit. Die anyway." It's sad but true -- no matter what you do, you will die. This is because you have sinned against God. Let's see if that's true: Have you ever lied (even once)? Ever stolen (anything)? Jesus said, "Whoever looks upon a woman to lust after her, has committed adultery already with her in his heart." Ever looked with lust? If you have said "Yes" to these three questions, by your own admission, you are a lying, thieving, adulterer at heart; and we've only looked at three of the Ten Commandments. How will you do on Judgment Day? Will you be innocent or guilty? You know that you will be guilty, and end up in Hell. That's not God's will. He provided a way for you to be forgiven. He sent His Son to take your punishment: "God commended His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Jesus then rose from the dead and defeated death. God promises everlasting life to all to all those who confess and forsake their sins, and trust in Jesus Christ. Please do that today . . . you may not have tomorrow. See John 14:21 for a wonderful promise. Then read the Bible daily and obey what you read. God will never let you down.
33. We are born naked, wet and hungry. Then things get worse. 34. 42.7 percent of all statistics are made up on the spot. 35. Be nice to your kids. They'll choose your nursing home. 36. If at first you don't succeed, destroy all evidence that you tried.37. I wonder how much deeper the ocean would be without sponges. 38. Eat right. Stay fit. Die anyway.39. My mind is like a steel trap, rusty and illegal in 37 states.40. Nothing is fool proof to a sufficiently talented fool. 41. On the other hand, you have different fingers. 42. I've only been wrong once, and that's when I thought I was wrong. 43. God made mankind. Sin made him evil.44. I don't find it hard to meet expenses. They're everywhere. 45. I just let my mind wander, and it didn't come back. 46. Don't steal. The government hates competition.47. Humpty Dumpty was pushed.48. National Atheist's Day April 1st. 49. All generalizations are false.50. The more people I meet, the more I like my dog.51. Work is for people who don't know how to fish.52. If you don't like the news, go out and make some.53. For every action there is an equal and opposite criticism.54. IRS: We've got what it takes to take what you have got.55. I'm out of bed and dressed. What more do you want?56. I used to think I was indecisive, but now I'm not too sure. 57. I can handle pain until it hurts.58. No matter where you go, you're there.59. If everything is coming your way, then you're in the wrong lane.60. It's been Monday all week.61. Gravity always gets me down.62. This statement is false.63. Eschew obfuscation.64. They told me I was gullible...and I believed them.65. It's bad luck to be superstitious.66. According to my best recollection, I don't remember.67. The word "gullible" isn't in the dictionary.68. Honk if you like peace and quiet.69. The Big Bang Theory: God Spoke and BANG! it happened. 70. Atheism is a non-prophet organization.71. Despite the cost of living, have you noticed how it remains so popular?72. Save the whales. Collect the whole set.73. A day without sunshine is like, night.74. The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese. 75. Corduroy pillows: They're making headlines!76. Gravity: It's not just a good idea, it's the LAW!77. Life is too complicated in the morning.78. We are all part of the ultimate statistic -- ten out of ten die.79. Nobody's perfect. I'm a nobody.80. Ask me about my vow of silence.81. The hardness of butter is directly proportional to the softness of the bread.82. The last thing on earth you want to do will be the last thing you do.83. Diplomacy is the art of letting someone else get your way.84. If ignorance is bliss, then tourists are in a constant state of euphoria.85. If at first you don't succeed, don't try skydiving.86. If Barbie is so popular, why do you have to buy her friends?87. Stop repeat offenders. Don't re-elect them! 88. I intend to live forever. So far so good.89. Who is "General Failure" and why is he reading my hard disk?90. What happens if you get scared half to death twice?91. I used to have an open mind but my brains kept falling out.92. Energizer Bunny arrested; charged with battery.93. I didn't use to finish sentences, but now I 94. I've had amnesia as long as I can remember.95. Bills travel through the mail at twice the speed of checks.96. Vacation begins when Dad says, "I know a short cut."97. Evolution: True science fiction.98. What's another word for "thesaurus"? 99. Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time. 100. A flashlight is a case for holding dead batteries.101. I went to the fights, and a hockey game broke out.. . . Don�t forget to read the editorial!

COPIED FROM WAY OF THE MASTER WEBSITE

SALES STAFF OF ATHENS FASTNERS

We went to visit our son and his family for a few days last week. We had a good time. I got a sore throat the day after we got there, so I was'nt feeling well the whole time. We did go to Bubba Jeans ( now thats a redneck name if I ever heard one) resturant on Friday night to eat. It was buffet style. They had fried and boiled shrimp, crab cakes, catfish, bar-b-que, chicken tenders, and probably other things that I can't remember.

One of the reasons we went was to do some research on starting a business. My son wants to start a fastner buisness, selling bolts, nuts, nails, and other fastners. We made several contacts and had some pretty favorable results. We contacted several cabinet shops and home builders, and it seems they all wanted someone that would sell and service nail guns. They were all very supportive and said they would buy nails from us, if we were competive in prices. Came back home on Saturday, and was tired so we took a nap.

We are having evangelistic classes every night this week in church, and all day on Saturday. We are very excited about it. We hope it will make us more productive in winning lost souls.. Need to start getting ready, so will post more later.

Anniversary

As you all know, that reads my wife's blog, we had a good time on our anniversary. We spent the night in Houston. We arrived in Houston about 3:00 P.M. and got a hotel room. After resting a few min. we went to Pappadeaux's for some good seafood. After going back to the motel and changing clothes, it was off to see the play at Grace Theater. The play was a Neil Simon play named "Fools". It was a comedy, and I still laugh when I think about it. It was very funny. After the play we stoped at Starbucks for a cup pf coffee. The next morning we had breakfast at Dennys. Our favorite place to eat breakfast is at The Cracker Barrell, but it was so far away we settled for Dennys. After breakfast we went to some used book stores, and then it was home to Freeport, to get ready for church the next morning. After church on Sunday, we had lunch at Ryans Steak House, and then home for a nap. We had a great time. Looking forward to next year.
This morning will be leaving to go to Athens to visit with my son and his family for a few days. We will stop north of Houston and eat at Cracker Barrell. Jason is trying to start a buisness and I will be going with him to make some contacts. We will be coming home on saturday, in order to be at church on sunday. We enjoy going to church with our son, but you know what they say "there is no place like home". Will go for now and post more when we get home.

A TRIBUTE TO MY SWEETHEART

This is our house in Freeport, Texas. The lady in the picture is the one that made that house a home. In 13 days we will be married 45 years, and she has spent the entire 45 years making our house a home. I read a quote several years ago by Wiston Churchill. He told his wife that off all the decisions he had made in his life, his greatest decision, was asking her to marry him. I have never been put in a position to have to make important decisions like Winston Churchill, but you can take all of the decisions that I have ever made, and put them all together, an combined they would not equal the one, when I asked you to marry me. The happiest moment of my life was when you said yes, because without that question and that answer none of this would be possible. My sweetheart has always been willing to stay at home, in order for us to have a home. After spending many years out in the work force and seeing men, whose wife's worked, it just makes me so thankful that I have a wife, that THINGS don't mean that much to her. She was content to stay at home and make our house a home. She has spent 45 years taking care of my needs. When I needed babying she babied me. When I needed to feel like a man she made me feel like a man. When I was sick she doctored me. When I was hungry she fed me. When I was down, she was there to cheer me. When I was tired she sympathized with me. She always had my clothes clean and ready, and the list goes on and on. She gave me 5 wonderful children. She would sit up with them when they were sick. She was always there to answer their silly little questions. She was always there to see that they were properly dressed. As they grew, she was always there to teach them what being a man and a woman was all about. She was always there to make sure they knew their bible memory verses. If I wrote everything that my wife did to make our house a home, I would still be typing when I went to my grave. So don't ever ask me if my wife works. Her job is 24-7, 365 days a year, and she has done a fantastic job. So you see, you can build a house with lumber, concrete, and shingles, but it takes, love, compassion, caring, and work to build a home, and no one does it better than my sweetheart. I LOVE YOU AND THANKS FOR MAKING OUR HOUSE A HOME. JIM

I went to the refrigerator the other day to get me a glass of buttermilk, and there was only about one-half inch in the bottom of the carton. My wife makes the best rolls in the country (proably the world), but the reciept calls for butermilk. She only uses about 2 cups from the 1/2 gallon, and puts the rest in the refrig. In about 2 days just about all of it has evaporated out of the jug, and leaves the jug looking like the one above. Does anyone else have this problem.

I have always been fasinated with intarsia ( the art of making pictures from different types of wood). My last Wood magizine had the plans for these 4 small boxes, so I thought I would give it a try. Their not perfect, but I'm fairly happy with the way they turned out. The little wishing well in the background is something I made a few years ago. Hope you enjoy looking at them. These now belong to my sweetheart, as do all of the first things that I build