Just hanging out
7:30. Standing in the bay-window, looking out at the highway and the Safeway across the valley. People arriving to get their last minute fixings. Snow gently falling, pine trees along the creek covered in snow. Creek slowly flowing as the snow builds up. It fights winter, not yet freezing completly. House is quite, no one up yet. Check the "turkey bag" instructions. 3 hours for a 19lb turkey. Used to have to get up at the crack of dawn to start the meal... We are eating at 3:30 so folks can get some skiing in. So... don't have to put it in until noon!

Will probably cook a big breakfast and then take the girls up to the gondola ride and check out the valley and the skiers, if we can get back by noon. Then a few hours of cooking and baking and "the meal".

We are blessed! Thank you God!

Stuffed Shells
And before I forget... Made Stuffed Shells the day after I made Chicken & Vegtables in a Rich Red Sauce. It was really easy, tasted great, and was a great way to use up the extra sauce!

Hi-tech
Oh... and Becky got DSL installed yesterday. Pretty cool. Up here in the mountains, snowing outside... and I'm sitting here working and blogging over a high-speed line. Yup, its good to be alive!

Happy Thanksgiving!
Up and Becky and Rich's for turkey day. Lorraine and Autero are here and we brought Erika with us. We've been up here since Tuesday. Here being Vail. Its really beautiful. I was hoping to get some great pictures and post them, but our digital camera just stopped working. Not sure what is wrong... but looks like we won't get it fixed till we get back. But anyway, having a great time just getting away, hanging out, and eating some great food. Ate at Vendettas last night. Awesome carpaccio!

Well... I'll be spending the day cooking - which will be a blast, and just hanging out. Hope everyone else has a great time! And maybe I'll get some of Jaime's pics and post them.

Tackling Hunger
Tackling Hunger is a Chunky Soup web site. Every day you can go there and click on the football helmet of your favorite team and they'll donate up to 5M cans of soup. Easy to do, takes a few seconds. (You click the link, click the helmet, and then fill in a number they display). I've posted it under daily blogs on my blog web page, so that I am reminded to visit there daily.

Reflection
Got the following email from a friend:

I've enjoyed your site. It's a side of you that I didn't know existed. THE QUIET GUY SPEAKS! Keep up the good thoughts. It's become my "daily soap opera". :-)

This isn't the first time I've heard this. Lana (my sister-in-law), when she first started reading my blog, told Tina, "I've known James for 25 years and never knew 1/2 these things.".

Yeah... as I've said before. Kind of weird. Tina always asks me why I blog... The truth is, I don't really know. But I expect it is for a number of reasons.

• I'm a geek
  
• It is much easier for me to express my thoughts on the computer
  
• I'm very much an introvert... I don't think that means I don't want to talk to people... I think it just means I'm a little uncomfortable in certain situations or something... anyway, much easier to type :-)
  
• Cause I think about a lot of these things at weird hours and there is no one to talk to about it, but by putting in on the blog, I talk to everyone about it.
  
• Cause I'm a pack-rat, and this lets me keep some of my thoughts forever

So... that's some possible reasons. Also, I've had a number of people say it is cool and they enjoy it, and that's pretty much enough reason right there!

So... thanks everyone for your kind words. I truely appreciate them!

Foreign Language Studies
Just in case you might be interested in learning another language:

• Klingon
• Elvish

Jaime wants to learn Elvish... and hey, as a home-schooler, maybe she can get credit for it! I'll have to look into it.

Winter meal
Dropped the girls at the mall, then braved the elements to go to the store. Got some of the stuff I needed for Thanksgiving Dinner, as well as stuff for dinner last night. First big snow of the season... almost blizzarding out. It was crazy, the store was packed. Drove home trying to avoid getting run into by anyone... If you don't get tense, and just flow with it... it is actually kind of fun. The whole thing was an adventure.

Got home and made Chicken & Vegtables in a Rich Red Sauce over Gemelli. Spent about an hour preping and cooking, then the girls called and they were ready for me to pick them up. Got to the mall and they both said, "Yum... you smell really good. What's for dinner!". Nothing like the smell of olive oil, garlic, onions and tomatoes. Got home and the whole house smelled like it. Yum... I love a dark rich tomatoe sauce dish w/ paste as the snow and cold rage outside. Eaten with a glass of wine by the fire!

Snow!
So... this previous week Colorado Springs had record highs. It was in the mid-70s several days. It is currently snowing outside... And the forcast says next Sunday it will be 54. That's one cool think about CO. Snowing one day, and a few days later it is warm again.

Format change
FYI: I changed the format from publishing 10 entries on the main page to publishing 7 days. I *thought* 7 days meant a week, but it really is the last 7 days of posts, i.e., 7 days that I have posted. (Confused? Well if I've posted on 7 of the last 10 days, then 10 days show up).

I did this because every once in a while I'll end up posting 10 entries in one day... which moves everything over the last day to current. I realize everyone may not read this blog every day... so I switched the format.

Its just kind of strange
So I'm driving along listening to Classic Rock the other day, and Up on Cripple Creek comes on the radio. I've heard it before, but not enough to really know it. And when it gets to chorus

Up on Cripple Creek she sends me
If I spring a leak she mends me
I don't have to speak, she defends me
A drunkard's dream if I ever did see one

I think, Well that is certainly strange/funny - "A drunkard's dream" Not really a love song, just a funny kind of song. But then I listened to the next two verses

I took up all of my winnings, and I gave my little Bessie half
And she tore it up and threw it in my face, just for a laugh
Now there's one thing in the whole wide world, I sure would like to see
That's when that little love of mine, dips her doughnut in my tea

Now me and my mate were back at the shack, we had Spike Jones on the box
She said, "I can't take the way he sings, but I love to hear him talk"
Now that just gave my heart a throb, to the bottom of my feet
And I swore and I took another pull, my Bessie can't be beat

And I started thinking, "Wow... this really is a love song.

I don't know... what really struck me was the simple things. Seeing her dunk her doughnout in my tea and gave my heart a throb, to the bottom of my feet.

Now I won't say I know exactly what this song is talking about - but those words touched me. After being with someone for 25 years, you become one flesh. And it really is the little things that Tina does that sometimes make my heart throb, to the bottom of my feet. She always says to me, "Tell my why you love me" and I never have any good words for it. It isn't any one thing. It isn't that she is so beautiful (although I think she is), or that she is a great wife (which I think she is)... its all the little things. Its that she does little things kind of like dunking a donut in my tea that make my heart throb all the way to the bottom of my feet...

Great song!

Lizzard
After having said that Mellisa looks like her Mom, I got several comments of "What? No she doesn't, she looks like Joe."... And in this picture, yeah, she looks way more like Joe. So... I'm not sure what it is. But sometimes when I'm around her I see Shirley. So maybe that isn't "looks like", but its something!

Pics
Put some more pics on my web site. There are two sets of pictures and two ways to view them. One is "Links to pics", which has individual links - for those with slow browsers that just want to see a few of them. The other is "A page fo pics', which links to pages where the pics are embedded. Even with dial-up, they download pretty fast.

• A few pictures I took of pictures of the kids at Becky's reception, so I could post them, and
  
• Pictures of people at TommyT's sushi/welcomeBackFish get together. Hey... there is even one of me!

And speaking of worship
I've been thinking about this for some time. Reading Erika's post made me think about it even more...

Background I stepped down from the adult worship team to work with the youth about 2 years ago. The youth worship team has grown tremendously, Bobby and Michael are both able to lead it so well, and I've been working in one form or another 7 days a week. Even if you are called to something and have a great time with it, it is a committment, time away from family, etc. So, about a month ago I stepped down from the youth ministry. A hard decision, but one I felt I had to make. Meanwhile... A while back (spring maybe?), I started playing on the adult worship team again, but not going to practice. I'm in a position where I can do that, and Teresa was great enough to give me the freedom to do it.

After I stepped down from youth, I decided I really didn't have a good reason for not going to practice. Its hard when you are working 7 days a week, but now I had Saturday off, and it is easier to do stuff on a day when you are already committed to something else. Plus I had been feeling this loss. Worshipping with the team on Sunday was cool... but somehow I wasn't feeling a part... or maybe totally a part. I was... but I wasn't. If you get what I mean.

Anyway, a few weeks after stepping down and getting some other stuff in line, I started going to practice again. And it has been AWESOME! Who would have thought? But it has been. I've gone through times of practice when it is something you have to do, so that you can worship on Sunday. I know it probably isn't like that for everyone. Some people work on their parts quite a bit in practice. But I pretty much just play what I feel and once in a while someone (Teresa, Steve or Greg) will suggest something else. And as drummers and percussionists know... you spend a lot of time not doing anything. We are working on the vocal parts... could you STOP MAKING SO MUCH NOISE. Yeah... faced with boredom we tend to tap, drum, etc. Which is why I tend to go sit down... so I don't just start making noise out of habit. :-)

But it hasn't been like that. I've had these times in the past, where I come home from worship practice and I'm so wired that I can't sleep for a few hours. And it isn't like it was some big spiritual thing where God showed up, everyone realized it, we all fell to our knees or something. I think its just HIS PRESENCE. He's just THERE. You can feel Him, you are worshipping Him, and you are just having a great time Prasing Him and playing with Him. That is the only way I can explain it. I've been in secular bands. Lately I've done some secular stuff. And it was fun. And it was cool. But it WASN'T the same. At least for me.

If it isn't worship, its just lacking something. And that is a real revalation to me. I've always suspected that was true. I've always felt it would be true, deep in my heart. But I haven't done anything secular since I've been worshipping, until lately. And it was confirmed. Like I said, it was fun and cool - and I'd probably do it again... but it just wasn't the same. Nothing can beat playing music to God and worshipping Him. It was what we were meant to do. And one of the coolest things about it... is that it is easy.

It isn't a big reverent thing. It isn't a big "I'm playing before GOD. I have to be PERFECT." It is a fun thing. A joyful thing. A playing around thing. It's "I'm playing before God... my friend. The creator of the universe who loves me, wants to be my friend, and sent His some to DIE for me... just so we could hang out FOREVER." When we let go, aren't uptight, and don't worry about things. When we just have fun, He enjoys it. That is the way it was meant to be. And in Him having fun, we are blessed...

Again, that's the only way I can explain it. David worshipped, danced, and praised before The Lord joyfully, with abandon, with his whole heart, and he was a man after God's own heart.. And God delights when we do the same.

I once asked God, "Why? Why is it that people will say I'm annointed. That I just seem to GET worship? Why is that? I'm not a big scholar. I don't spend enough time with You, in the Word, etc. Why have you blessed me? Why is it that worship is so fun for me?" And He told me, "That's exactly why. Because it is so fun for you. I have blessed you because you bring me joy. You joy in worship, and that is what I'm looking for."

I think He does that with all callings. He is looking for someone to do a particular thing... and when He finds someone who will do it, and have a good time doing it, He blesses them.
Part of my desire, and I think why I was called to work with the youth, is to get people to understand that about God, their calling and especially Worship. Its all about the passion, the fun, the delight in doing what God has asked you to do. If it isn't fun, if it doesn't feel right, if it is a strain...then I'm not sure its God. I believe He calls us to things that will bring us joy... because He put that desire, ability and joy in our hearts for the things He has called us to!

So yeah... I'm just very excited with how practice has been going lately. I've talked to Tina about it. It just feels so right. We go through highs and lows in our walk... and I'm very happy to be in a high right now. Practice has just been so AWESOME and I come home so jazzed. Its a great thing to Worship Him.

Is 40:31 Chik
Erika has posted again. As always, it is a great read. Some excerpts:

Saturday was pretty good, considering we didn't have our usual worship leader. It's nice having Michael there because things seem to run smoother; people seem to pay more attention. Not that nobody respected Bobby and Scott, but I don't know...Michael's the worship leader, and I guess that's just what we've all adapted to. That's not a complaint at all, just a thought. I think it's interesting how things seem a little lacking when we realize how much Michael really does lead us, not just the congregation. When he leads, he ministers to us, not just sings to the congregation. Anyway, so yes, worship practice was good, because, after all, Scott does know how to lead.

Yeah, when you are part of a team, and that team has grown in unity, purpose, focus, etc., then when people aren't there it just feels different. Especially when that person is the worship leader. What a great testimate to how much Michael has grown, and how called he is to be the Worship leader. Michael, if you are reading this, that is great when the people you are leading feel this way. You truely are called!

RE: "improv" - yeah... sometimes you have to just turn it over to the Holy Spirit and not worry about what you are playing, but just flow with it. Very cool you are starting to feel that and walk in it.

The worship time as a whole was good. It was missing Michael's playing and singing, but Bobby, Nicole and Scott did a good job working together to make sure there was never anything truly missing.

Yeah... its a worship thing. You guys are strong enough together that given there is a core group there, you'll flow with it. As long as you stay focused on God. You all have come such a long way.

I was really surprised later, because I was praying with someone, and Bobby stepped up and sang for a while after the message. As usual, he did very well, even though he thinks he always sounds [terrible]

Although Bobby may not have the perfect voice, he does have a good voice... and he has PASSION. And that is what worship is all about, and that is why he does so well.

Maybe we're never supposed to stop growing, and although James isn't with us all the time, and Michael wasn't there that night, things are feeling back to normal.

I'm glad to hear it. You guys are so awesome. I missing being there... but I'm always there in spirit. And yes, you never are supposed to stop growning. You guys continue to grow, moving in what God has called you to and has for you, and find out where He wants you to go.

Thanks for posting... you ROCK.

Catching up
Read some good stuff last week, which I usually post. But it was so crazy early in the week at work that I really never got caught up. Worked some this morning, but the girls are still sleeping... Here are some cooking tips:

From MightyGirl

• A no-mess way to open pomegranates, and
• a guacamole recipie containing them. Yeah... sounds weird, but she says "it will make your taste-buds ache." Hey... I HAVE to try it.

I just don't get it
I'm leaving the Starbucks parking lot, having spent a few minutes watching someone try and figure out driving procedure. Hint... when someone is trying to back out, and you want to pull into their space, don't get so close that they can't get out. It just irritates everyone waiting for the drama to unfold, as well as the person trying to back out. Anyway...

So I'm leaving that, and I notice a pickup with a camper on it stopped in a fairly narrow two lane road. Weird place to stop, I think to myself. Then I notice he has a shopping cart tied behind his camper:

1. How did the shopping cart get there? It is below a Kings Sooper... but there is about a 30 foot embankment. Did it fall down? Did someone leave it on the road and he is being a good citizen and trying to return it?
2. Why is it tied to his truck?
3. What is he doing with it?

As I drive pass, he makes sure it is tied securly, gets back in his truck, and pulls forward. It makes it all of about 5 feet before falling over at which point he just drags it behind his truck for about 10 yards; gets out; sets it back upright, and starts all over again.

By this time I'm out on the road, heading for work and have no idea why this was happening or how it unfolded...

Master and Commander
Went and saw Master and Commander last night. We all thought it was a very good show! (Tina, Jaime and I). Of course, Billy Boyd (Pippen) was in it... so for Jaime, it had to be great.

Very little geek
Jaime has very little geek in her. Told her we were going to name our new boxes Raptor and maybe Tweet and she said, "That is so Geeky dad." :-( Tif would have thought it was cool! Oh well... she is into LOTR and some other geek stuff... so she's got some of my genes. ;-)

Tweet
Besides Raptor we also thought about Tweet:

• Tweets are about the loudest plane there is, and
• Brian flies a Tweet... so I think it would be cool